US struggling to de-risk Congo's 'war zone minerals' even after pact, sources say

By Maxwell Akalaare Adombila and Ange Kasongo

Inside the mine funding Congo's rebels

DAKAR/KINSHASA, March 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. has made progress in its push to prise Congo's strategic minerals from China's orbit, but conflict, contested licences and compliance demands are still slowing Washington's advance into a region its rival dominates, diplomats and industry officials said.

Democratic Republic of Congo, which hosts the world's largest cobalt supply and rich ‌copper and lithium reserves, is central to the U.S. push to cut the West's reliance on China for rare minerals.

After the U.S. and Congo signed a minerals pact in December, Kinshasa last ‌month handed Washington a 44-project shortlist spanning copper, cobalt, lithium, tin, gold and hydrocarbons, Reuters reported.

The U.S.–Congo partnership is meant to unlock investment, the U.S. State Department said, and support implementation of a peace deal Washington brokered between Congo and Rwanda, which Kinshasa has accused ​of supporting M23 rebels fighting Congolese troops in its east.

But several of the shortlisted assets sit in politically fraught zones or carry permitting disputes, making quick, reliable mining deals unlikely, said the sources, who include Congolese government and mining officials. They asked not to be named because the discussions are sensitive.

CONGO SLOWING DEALS, SOURCE SAYS

One U.S. diplomat said Kinshasa is deliberately slowing new deals to push Washington to increase pressure on M23 before any further steps are taken. Reuters could not independently verify the claim.

The Congolese government did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On background, a senior government official described the allegations as "speculation".

"The agreement has its own rhythm: a period for receiving offers, a period ‌for negotiation," the official said. Rwanda, which denies backing M23, did not immediately ⁠respond to requests for comment.

The U.S. State Department told Reuters the U.S. remains "deeply concerned" by violence in eastern Congo and is pushing regional partners to reinforce the ceasefire, urging Rwanda to end M23 support and withdraw in line with December's peace deal.

The department said Washington hopes to see swift progress on key deals, including a proposal for ⁠Glencore to sell copper and cobalt assets to the U.S.-backed Orion consortium, U.S.-based Virtus Minerals' bid for Congo-focused Chemaf, and the extension of the Lobito Corridor railway line.

Kinshasa's inclusion on the shortlist of the Rubaya mine, which supplies about 15% of global coltan and sits under M23/AFC control, signals Congo wants stronger U.S. action on M23, said Joshua Walker of NYU's Congo Research Group.

Investment is unlikely while the group holds territory, he said.

U.S. influence on security has already been seen at some ​mines. ​Alphamin Resources restarted its Bisie tin mine only after U.S. diplomatic pressure helped ease fighting in territory around the site, ​though it warns that renewed clashes could threaten access and operations.

PERMITTING GRIDLOCK

Advertisement

Congo's permitting gridlock ‌is a structural brake on new U.S. investment, said Michael Bahati, chief analyst at advisory firm Ascendance Strategies, but additionally some assets on Kinshasa's list are mired in disputes, incomplete rights and ownership records, and slow transparency reporting.

At Manono, a global-class lithium resource, U.S.-backed KoBold is currently trying to settle a dispute with Australia's AVZ, while China's Zijin in the same area is preparing shipments in June.

High-grade copper-cobalt assets, including the Chemaf and Gecamines' concessions, face political disputes and permitting histories that deter Western lenders. Chemaf's sale to U.S.-backed Virtus has slowed after the owners signaled that the roughly $30 million bid does not cover the firm's heavy debts.

However, Virtus told Reuters it would assume Chemaf's "substantial debt," bringing the "true purchase price" to about $750 million.

Even for so-called "easy wins" — tailings reprocessing, for instance, or proposed cobalt refineries — Kinshasa has signaled that success hinges on governance reforms and security guarantees that only Washington ‌can help deliver.

The bottlenecks expose a gap between U.S. strategic intent and its ability to mobilise capital at speed, said ​Geraud-Christian Neema, an analyst of the geopolitics of natural resources in Africa.

Washington's focus remains on "ready-to-produce" assets. A longer-term shift would require U.S. ​companies willing to shoulder Congo-level risk and wait years for returns, a commitment "not many U.S. firms are ​prepared to make", he said.

WESTERN PROCEDURE VS CHINESE PACE

Congolese officials acknowledge they want American players to move faster, but say they cannot circumvent compliance obligations.

While U.S. and other Western ‌firms are often bound by obligations such as clearing anti-bribery checks, proving clean ​title chains, and documenting community impact risks, Chinese companies are ​not subject to the same regimes.

At Manono, Zijin's head-start in building out roads, power and port links is already shaping the project. KoBold's Congo head said the company will look to share that infrastructure once its ownership disputes are resolved, a pace that reflects the compliance burden U.S.-backed firms face.

The contrast is clear for Congo's mining sector - Chinese operators can absorb uncertainty that Western firms cannot, allowing ​Beijing-linked companies to advance projects while U.S. companies remain stuck in due-diligence loops.

For ‌now, Kinshasa has succeeded in pulling Washington deeper into its critical-minerals orbit, betting U.S. attention will translate into security and political dividends, NYU's Walker said.

"What that engagement will ultimately look like, ​however, remains uncertain."

But with Chinese firms already controlling over 70% of Congo's copper-cobalt and other rare mineral assets, nothing yet suggests Washington can significantly loosen Beijing's grip.

(Reporting by Ange Adihe Kasongo ​from Kinshasa; Reporting and writing by Maxwell Akalaare Adombila in Dakar; Editing by Veronica Brown and Jan Harvey)

byGreen Magazine

in

March 03, 2026

US struggling to de-risk Congo's 'war zone minerals' even after pact, sources say

By Maxwell Akalaare Adombila and Ange Kasongo Inside the mine funding Congo's rebels DAKAR/KINSHASA, M...

Read More

The Latest: Trump says Iran war could last weeks as Netanyahu defends decision to attack

As thewar in the Middle East intensifies, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. has"the capability to go far longer"than its projected four-to-five-week time frame for its military operations against Iran.

APTOPIX Iran US Israel

Across Tehran, the sound of explosions rang out through the night and into the early hours Tuesday, as the U.S. and Israel have continued to pound Iran sincekilling its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneion Saturday.

Tehran and its allies have hit back against Israel, neighboring Gulf states, and targets critical to the world's production of oil and natural gas.

The intensity of the attacks and the lack of any apparent exit plan set the stage for a prolonged conflict with far-reaching consequences. Israel and the U.S. have given conflicting answers about what exactly the war's objectives are or what the endgame might be.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Monday defended the decision to go to war, contending in an interview on Fox News Channel's "Hannity" that Iran was rebuilding "new sites, new places" that would make "their ballistic missile program and their atomic bomb program immune within months," without providing evidence.

Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed limited activity at two nuclear sites in Iran before the war, with analysts saying it was likely Tehran was trying to assess damage from American strikes in June and possibly salvage what remained there.

Here is the latest:

Average price for a gallon of gas rises 11 cents overnight to about $3.11 in US

The average price for a gallon of gasoline jumped 11 cents overnight to about $3.11 in the U.S., according to motor club AAA.

Gas prices were already rising before the U.S. launchedstrikes on Iranas refiners switch over to summer blends of fuel, but crude futures have risen sharply this week because of the war.

On Tuesday, oil futures soared to levels not seen in more than a year as Iran launched a series of retaliatory attacks, including adrone strikeon the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

Benchmark U.S. crude jumped 8.6% to $77.36 a barrel.

South Koreans evacuated from Iran to Turkmenistan

South Korean officials say they evacuated 23 South Korean nationals from Iran to Turkmenistan by bus.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that they were being transported to the capital, Ashgabat, and were expected to fly back to South Korea or to third countries on Wednesday.

Russia's nuclear corporation chief says Iran's nuclear power plant faces threats

The head of Russia's state nuclear corporation has said that the Russian-built nuclear power plant in Iran faces growing threats amid the war.

Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev said the plant in Iran's southern port of Bushehr hasn't come under attack yet, but explosions have taken place just a few kilometers (miles) away from the site as nearby military facilities were targeted by strikes.

Likhachev warned that a hit on the plant's reactor or reservoirs holding spent fuel could release dangerous radioactivity and contaminate wide areas, causing a "catastrophe on a regional scale."

Likhachev said that 639 Russian nuclear workers are now in Iran. Some of them, who are now in Tehran, are leaving the country, and some of the personnel in Bushehr will be evacuated later.

More European countries to start evacuating citizens

Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger announced that a repatriation flight carrying Austrians would depart on Wednesday from the Omani capital Muscat. The minister said a first evacuation flight carrying "particularly vulnerable individuals" already took off Sunday.

Nearly 18,000 Austrian citizens are registered in the region, authorities said.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene also said her country will commence the evacuation of "the most vulnerable groups of Lithuanian citizens" from the United Arab Emirates and other surrounding states.

US embassy warns of imminent attack in Saudi city

The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia has warned of an "imminent" missile and drone attack on the oil-rich eastern Saudi city of Dhahran.

"Do not come to the U.S. Consulate" in Dhahrab, the embassy advised. "Take cover immediately in your residence on the lowest available floor and away from windows." It did not provide further details.

More than one-third of flights to the Middle East canceled Tuesday

Nearly 1,900 out of more than 5,450 flights scheduled to the Middle East were canceled on Tuesday, aviation analytics company Cirium said.

UAE says it has repelled hundreds of missiles and drones

The United Arab Emirates said that it possesses all defense capabilities and ammunition stockpiles to protect itself "regardless of the time frame and the length of the escalation period in the region".

The country's defense ministry said in a briefing Tuesday that it has so far repelled hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones fired into the country.

It said a total of 186 missiles and 812 drones were fired toward the country since the weekend.

Ministry spokesperson Abdel Nassir al-Hameedi said injuries that resulted from the Iranian attacks and what he called "minor damages" were the result of shrapnel from interception efforts, not a result of successful attacks against the country.

UN peacekeepers say Israeli forces made forays across border into Lebanon

The U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, says its peacekeepers saw Israeli forces crossing into Lebanon in several areas Tuesday morning "before returning south of the Blue Line," referring to the border between the two countries.

It said Israeli forces were seen crossing in areas near the villages of Markaba, Odaisseh, Kfar Kila and Ramia.

"Over the past two days, as well as dozens of rockets and missiles fired into Israel claimed by Hizbullah, UNIFIL has recorded several airstrikes and hundreds of incidents of firing across the Blue Line and 84 air violations," the statement said.

The Israeli military said earlier that its troops were positioned at several points near the border as it continues strikes against Hezbollah.

Drone hits Oman's largest port; no casualties

A drone struck Oman's largest port of Salalah on Tuesday, authorities said.

The government media office also said two drones were shot down in the southwestern province of Dhofar.

The attacks left no casualties or damage in both Salalah and Dhofar, it said.

Thousands of Syrians leave Lebanon to flee Israeli strikes

Thousands of Syrians have crossed from Lebanon into Syria to flee Israeli strikes over the past two days as Israel and the Iran-allied Lebanese militant group Hezbollah escalated their attacks against each other.

The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, said in a statement that around 3,900 to 4,400 people would typically cross from Lebanon into Syria during Ramadan. On Monday, after Hezbollah launched missiles toward Israel and Israel retaliated with bombarding Lebanon, a total of 10,629 people crossed, the vast majority of them Syrian.

Azzam Sweiri, a Syrian farm worker who had been working in southern Lebanon, crossed back into Syria Tuesday.

"The streets were packed with cars and people" as he fled, he said. "It took us 10 or 12 hours just to make it 30 or 40 kilometers."

Zelenskyy offers to help UAE protect itself against Iranian drones

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that he has offered to help the United Arab Emirates protect itself against Iranian aerial attacks.

Ukraine has built significant expertise in countering Iranian-designed Shahed drones that Russia has launched almost daily at Ukrainian targets since Moscow's invasion more than four years ago.

Zelenskyy said on X that he spoke by phone with the United Arab Emirates president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and "discussed how we can help" protect lives in the UAE.

On Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Ukrainian and British experts will work together to help Middle East countries shoot down Iranian drones.

UN human rights chief calls for investigation into reported strike on school

The U.N. human rights chief is calling for a "prompt, impartial and thorough investigation" into what Iran says was an airstrike that hit a girls' school in the southern city of Minab.

Volker Türk said he is "deeply shocked" by the fallout of the hostilities on civilians and civilian infrastructure in the conflict.

Alluding to the reported strike on the girls school, rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said "the onus is on the forces that carried out the attack to investigate it."

She called for those forces to make the findings public and ensure accountability and redress for victims. The rights office said it was making no assessment who might be responsible.

An Israeli military spokesperson said Sunday he is not aware of any Israeli or American strikes in the area.

Qatari official says Iranian attacks 'will not go unanswered'

A Qatari official says Iranian attacks in the gas-rich country "will not go unanswered" as the Iran war expands in the Middle East.

Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman of the Qatari foreign ministry, said the Iranian attacks not only targeted military facilities but struck across all of Qatar's territory.

"Such attacks will not go unanswered," he said in a briefing.

He said there were attempted attacks on the Hamad International airport, adding that more than 8,000 people have been stranded as the country's airspace remains closed.

Turkey urges halt to attacks and calls for diplomacy

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan renewed his call for an end to escalating violence and a return to diplomacy.

"Our fundamental request and demand is clear: the mutual attacks must stop immediately and diplomacy must resume," Fidan said, according to a transcript of his remarks to journalists late Monday.

The minister said Turkey consistently emphasizes this message during talks with other leaders.

Commenting on Iran's attacks on Gulf states' facilities, Fidan said Iran hopes these countries will pressure the United States to stop the war, while adding he believes that outcome "is not likely."

Italy arranges flights to bring home stranded citizens

The Italian government says it is working "non-stop" to assist Italian citizens stranded in the Middle East.

Italy scheduled two flights including one from Muscat, Oman, to Rome's Fiumicino airport Tuesday to carry around 300 people and another from Abu Dhabi to Milan to carry about 200 people, mostly young students.

Another two flights are set to depart from Abu Dhabi to Milan and Rome Tuesday. An additional flight from Muscat has been scheduled for Wednesday.

Romanian pilgrims return to Bucharest from Israel

Romanian tourists arrived in Bucharest early Tuesday after traveling from Israel to Cairo to escape the conflict.

Hundreds of Romanian Orthodox Church pilgrims were stranded in Israel while visiting Bethlehem on a trip led by Romanian priests when the war broke out. The group was forced to cut their trip short to return to Romania.

Romanian pilgrim Mariana Muicaru said she was terrified as rockets flew across the sky in Israel.

"We called our children at 3 a.m. to ask forgiveness because we might die and to tell them we love them and to let them know that it's over for us," she told The Associated Press.

Kremlin says Putin will convey Gulf leaders' concern to Tehran

The Kremlin said Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will convey the Gulf leaders' concern over the Iranian strikes on their territory to Iran.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin will "make every effort to facilitate at least minor easing of tension."

He noted that after Monday's calls with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Putin will convey their "deep concern about the strikes on their infrastructure" to Tehran.

Hezbollah official says group will fight 'open war' with Israel

A senior Hezbollah official says that after more than a year of abiding by the ceasefire as Israel's strikes continued on Lebanon, the group's patience has ended, leaving it with no option "but to return to resistance" and fight an open war with Israel.

Mohamoud Komati said Tuesday that Hezbollah exercised patience since a ceasefire ended the Israel-Hezbollah war in November 2024, hoping the government's diplomatic efforts would yield positive results in ending Israeli strikes.

Komati blasted the Lebanese government for calling Hezbollah's actions illegal and demanded it hand over its weapons, saying it did not act to stop Israel's airstrikes that continued on almost daily basis for nearly 15 months.

"The Zionist enemy wanted an open war, which it has not stopped since the ceasefire agreement," Komati said. "So let it be an open war."

Saudi Arabia condemns Iran drone strike against US embassy

Saudi Arabia has condemned in the strongest terms Iran's drone strike that hit the U.S. embassy in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

"The brutal Iranian behavior … will push the region into further escalation," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement, which reiterated the nation's right to protect Saudi territories and interests, including "the option of responding to the aggression."

The Saudi Defense Ministry said the U.S. embassy came under attack from two drones early Tuesday.

Footage aired by the Saudi-owned satellite news channel Al Arabiya showed fire damage on one part of the roof of U.S. Embassy in Riyadh after the drone attack.

Sirens sound in Bahrain

Sirens sounded in Bahrain on Tuesday afternoon as a new Iranian attack was expected.

China calls for safe passage in Strait of Hormuz

China, a major importer of oil and natural gas from the Mideast, has called on all sides to stop the fighting and ensure ships can pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has attacked several ships in the narrow strait through whicha fifth of all oil traded passes, sending oil and gas prices soaring.

Advertisement

"China urges all parties to immediately cease military operations, avoid escalating tensions, safeguard the safety of shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz and prevent greater impacts on the global economy," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in Beijing.

Israel military says airstrikes hit Iran's presidential office

The Israeli military said Tuesday it has struck Iran's presidential office and the building of the country's Supreme National Security Council.

It said the airstrikes happened overnight.

"In addition, the gathering site of the regime's most senior forum responsible for security decision-making was targeted, as well as the institution for training Iranian military officers and additional key regime infrastructure," it added.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge the strikes.

UN nuclear watchdog says Iran nuclear enrichment site sustained damage

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog said Tuesday that Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment site sustained "some recent damage" during a U.S.-Israeli airstrike campaign, though it said there was "no radiological consequence expected" from it.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said the damage was focused on "entrance buildings" to the underground portion of the atomic site.

Natanz earlier came under attack by the U.S. in the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June.

The IAEA said it saw "no additional impact" detected at Natanz's fuel enrichment plant, which is buried underground.

Nuclear material is still believed to be buried at the plant alongside damaged and destroyed centrifuges. However, the IAEA has not been allowed to visit any of the attacked sites by Iran since that war.

Red Crescent Society says at least 787 people in Iran killed in airstrikes

Airstrikes by the United States and Israel have killed at least 787 people in Iran since the start of the war, the Iranian Red Crescent Society said Tuesday.

The organization offered the toll in a message on X.

Israeli military says Iran launched missiles

Israel's military said Iran launched missiles at the country and it was working to intercept them.

Israeli military strikes building housing Hezbollah TV and radio station

The Israeli military struck a building in a southern suburb of Beirut housing Hezbollah's TV and radio station, causing heavy damage.

The strike after midnight Monday came after a warning by the Israeli military to evacuate the building. Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV was interrupted for about an hour before the station resumed its programs.

During the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, Al-Manar TV and al-Nour Radio station were both struck but continued broadcasts from secret locations.

France will dispatch warship to Cyprus

Cypriot officials say France will dispatch a warship to Cyprus to help bolster the country's anti-drone defenses after a Rashed drone struck a British military base on the east Mediterranean island.

France also will send additional land-based, anti-drone and anti-missile systems to the country, officials confirmed Tuesday.

Germany also responded positively to a request to send a warship, according to three officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to provide details publicly.

The equipment will arrive in Cyprus as soon as possible, they said.

The drone struck the British base, RAF Akrotiri, shortly after midnight Monday and caused only minor material damage to an aircraft hangar. Another two drones were intercepted by British warplanes Monday after they were scrambled from the air base, officials said.

Greece has sent four F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus while two of its frigates are on their way.

Fire reported at Fujairah oil facility as drone attack intercepted

A fire broke out in an oil industrial facility Fujairah, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, as forces intercepted a drone attack, authorities said.

No casualties were reported.

The government media office in Fujairah said the drone was intercepted and that shrapnel landed in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone.

The office said the fire was put down and operations resumed.

Iran's state media reports deaths in Hamadan

At least five people were killed or wounded in airstrikes in Iran's western city of Hamadan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Strikes also were reported across other cities, including Isfahan and Shiraz.

Lebanese army evacuating 'advanced positions' along Israeli border

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said the Lebanese army is evacuating some of its positions along the border with Israel.

The agency said the troops are redeploying to other posts.

The report comes after Israel's military said it is conducting operations inside Lebanon along the border with Israel.

Israel says Iran's firepower significantly limited

Israel's army said Tuesday that Iran's firepower has been weakened.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran have "limited significantly" Iran's ability to fire.

Shoshani said Israel has been going after Iran's missile launchers and have taken out dozens of them.

Iran has fired hundreds of missiles but it's hard to tally the total amount with Iran also striking other countries, he said.

The pace of missiles being launched at Israel has slowed since the first two days of the war.

Shoshani said the slowdown also could be partly attributed to Iran understanding the war could go on for longer than they had thought and they are trying to pace themselves.

Iran begins returning pilgrims from Mecca and Medina

Iran has started the process of returning Iranian pilgrims from the shrine cities of Mecca and Medina, state media said Tuesday.

Alireza Enayati, Iran's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said the process of returning 9,000 Iranians currently in the cities of Mecca and Medina began Monday.

In a report carried by the Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency, Enayati said the departure is taking place in the same manner as during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in 2025. Iranian pilgrims will leave Saudi Arabia through Saudi–Iraqi border crossings and return to Iran from Iraq.

The announcement came during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and a widening that has seen Iran target sites in Saudi Arabia.

US ambassador advises Americans to leave through Sinai Peninsula

The U.S. ambassador in Israel told Americans there that the best way to leave is through Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

Mike Huckabee said in a social media post early Tuesday that the embassy was receiving lots of evacuations requests as embassy staff "are sheltering in place."

"There are VERY LIMITED options," he wrote. "Not sure when Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv will reopen."

He advised Americans to take buses to Egypt's resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Taba in southern Sinai, describing that route as "best."

UAE added to list of US State Department evacuations

The U.S. State Department evacuations of non-emergency personnel and family reached six nations on Tuesday with the inclusion of the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE, home to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and long considered a safe corner of the Middle East, has been dragged into the Iran war with interceptions and attacks.

The other countries include Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan. Kuwait and Qatar.

The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi also warned there could be militant attacks in the UAE as well.

"Terrorists may attack with little or no warning and may target tourist locations, transportation hubs, shopping areas, government facilities, places of worship, and in particular locations associated with the Jewish and Israeli communities," it added.

Attack hits Iranian Kurdish opposition camp

A camp for Iranian Kurdish opposition in the semiautonomous region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq was attacked Tuesday morning, an official said.

A missile and drone hit the Azadi camp in Irbil and slightly injured one person, according to Kareem Parwizi, a senior official with the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran.

Oman says drone hit fuel tank at port

Oman said a drone hit a fuel tank at its port in Duqm on Tuesday.

The state-run Oman News Agency said no one was hurt in the attack.

Duqm has been a key resupply route for the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, which is operating in the Arabian Sea.

Israeli military says a division is operating inside southern Lebanon

The Israeli military says one of its divisions is operating inside southern Lebanon and took positions on several strategic points close to the border.

The Arabic language spokesperson of the Israeli military posted on X that the troops' move inside Lebanon is part of its efforts to bolster the forward defense system and create an addition layer of security.

The military said that at the same time the air force is conducting strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in the area to thwart threats and prevent infiltration attempts into Israel.

The Israeli operations inside Lebanon came after a long night of airstrikes on southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs.

Israeli military says soldiers operating in southern Lebanon

The Israeli military says soldiers are "operating in southern Lebanon' as it continues strikes against Hezbollah.

In a statement, it said the troops are positioned at several points near the border in what it described as a "forward defense posture" as it battles Hezbollah militants.

It says the deployment is part of a broader effort to increase security for residents in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon. It has also beefed up troops and air defenses in the area.

The army says there are no plans to evacuate Israeli residents of border areas.

US adds Kuwait and Qatar to evacuation list

The U.S. State Department added Kuwait and Qatar to the evacuation list from its Mideast diplomatic outposts.

The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait said in a social media post Tuesday that it is closing "until further notice" due to the war.

Iran holds mass funeral for people killed in reported school attack

Iran on Tuesday held a mass funeral ceremony for 165 people killed in what it described as an attack on a girls' school in the southern city of Minab.

Iranian state television showed thousands of people filling a public square. Men waved the Islamic Republic flag while largely standing apart from women draped in black chadors.

From the stage, a women who said she was the mother of "Atena" held up a printed image of portraits that she called "a document of American crimes." She added, "They died in the way of God."

The crowd erupted into chants of "Death to America," "Death to Israel" and "No surrender."

Drone strikes hit Amazon data centers

Amazon said Monday that two of its data centers in United Arab Emirates were hit by drones, while a drone strike near one of its facilities in Bahrain "caused physical impacts to our infrastructure."

The tech giant said on its website that the strikes have caused structural damage and gotten in the way of power getting to infrastructure. The company did not say who was responsible for the strikes.

"We are working to restore full service availability as quickly as possible, though we expect recovery to be prolonged given the nature of the physical damage involved," Amazon said.

Iran threatens shipping in Strait of Hormuz

Iran is continuing to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Perisan Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes.

Brig. Gen. Ebrahim Jabbari, an adviser to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, issued the threat on Iranian state television on Monday.

"The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Anyone who wants to pass, our devotee heroes in the IRGC navy and the army will set those ships on fire," he said. "Don't come to this region."

Israel striking Tehran and Beirut

The Israeli military said Tuesday it was conducting "simultaneous targeted strikes against military targets in Tehran and Beirut," without elaborating.

byGreen Magazine

in

March 03, 2026

The Latest: Trump says Iran war could last weeks as Netanyahu defends decision to attack

As thewar in the Middle East intensifies, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. has"the capability to go far lon...

Read More

Minnesota launches investigation that could bring charges against federal immigration officers

A Minnesota prosecutor announced an investigation Monday that may lead to charges against federal officers, including Border Patrol officialGreg Bovino, for misconduct during animmigration enforcement crackdown.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a news conference that her office is already looking into 17 cases, including one where Bovinothrew a smoke canisterat protesters on Jan. 21. Another on Jan. 7 involved federal officers making an arrest outside a high school and deploying chemical irritants while students and staff were in the area.

"Make no mistake, we are not afraid of the legal fight, and we are committed to doing this correctly," Moriarty said. "Operation Metro Surge caused immeasurable harm to our community."

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement, responded in a statement Monday night that such enforcement is a federal responsibility and states cannot prosecute federal officers.

"What these States are trying to do is unlawful, and they know it," the statement said. "Federal officials acting in the course of their duties are immune from liability under state law."

The statement added that local officials should instead consider how their actions have endangered federal law enforcement officers.

A message to Bovino seeking his response was not immediately returned.

Bovino, who emerged as a key figure in the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations, is known for bringing aggressive tactics to crackdowns inMinneapolis-St. Paul,ChicagoandLos Angeles. In Chicago, federal officers frequently deployedchemical irritantsas crowd control measures in residential neighborhoods, and a judge ordered Bovino to wear a body camera andappear in court dailyto answer questions about the crackdown. That order wasoverturnedbefore his first mandated appearance.

Officers at times took aforceful approachto corralling protesters in Minneapolis-St. Paul anddetainednumerous people blowing whistles and recording arrests.

Bovino was eventuallyremovedfrom his leading role in the Minnesota effort after federal officers fatally shot 37-year-old motherRenee Goodand 37-year-old nurseAlex Prettion different days in January, leading to nationwide demonstrations and criticisms of DHS use-of-force policies.

Moriarty's office has set up an online portal where photos, videos and eyewitness accounts from any point during Operation Metro Surge can be uploaded.

The Trump administration hasdefendedfederal officers, but Moriarty is making clear that her office is "collecting evidence about all sorts of possible crimes," said Rachel Moran, a professor of criminal law and policing at University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis.

Advertisement

In cases where officers unjustifiably used chemical weapons, threw people to the ground or smashed car windows, Moran said as examples, prosecutors may be investigating assault or property damage.

"These would be situations where the state has to determine: Is there evidence that agents acted unlawfully and outside the scope of their authorized duties?" Moran said. "I think agents did illegal things here. I watched it."

Though federal officers conducted immigration enforcement throughout the Twin Cities, Moriarty's investigation will only focus on incidents in Hennepin county, which includes Minneapolis and many of its suburbs.

Her office is also investigating the deaths of Good and Pretti, and she is "confident" they will be able to pursue charges. She said Monday that her office is prepared to sue the federal government to get the evidence she has requested for the investigations if she does not hear from them by Tuesday.

"The question is, should we charge in federal court? Do we expect the federal government to obstruct us? I would say they're already doing that," Moriarty said.

The Department of Justice opened acivil rights inquiryinto Pretti's death, but said itsaw no reasonfor a civil rights investigation ofGood's death. The Federal Bureau of Investigationsbarredstate investigators from accessing evidence in her case.

The DOJ and FBI did not immediately return requests for comment.

While Moriarty addressed the challenges her office would face in bringing charges against federal agents, she said they are committed to transparency and accountability.

Mark Osler, who served as director of the criminal division for a year under Moriarty in 2023 and 2024, said regardless of whether there are charges, he thinks the public can look forward to more clarity.

"One of the most important roles that prosecution has … is truth-telling, is to bring to the surface what actually happened at a given time," said Osler, who is currently a law professor at University of St. Thomas. "We'll all know more than just what we saw in those initial videos by the time she's done. I'm confident of that."

Raza reported from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Fingerhut reported from Des Moines, Iowa.

byGreen Magazine

in

March 03, 2026

Minnesota launches investigation that could bring charges against federal immigration officers

A Minnesota prosecutor announced an investigation Monday that may lead to charges against federal officers, including Bor...

Read More

Mia Tyler Defends Kelly Osbourne Against Body-Shaming Trolls: 'Public Grief is Not Public Property'

Kelly Osbourne shared a statement written by Mia Tyler on her Instagram Stories on Monday, March 2

NEED TO KNOW

• The daughter of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler wrote, "it takes real strength to stand in the public eye," while blasting those who criticize Kelly's appearance

• The lengthy statement came after Kelly hit back at trolls who commented on her look at the 2026 BRIT Awards

Kelly Osbourneis receiving support fromMia Tylerafter being targeted by trolls during the "hardest time" of her life.

On Monday, March 2, the daughter of the lateOzzy OsbourneandSharon Osbourne, reposted a statement written by Tyler, 47, that appeared to be in response to the criticism Kelly received following her appearance at the2026 BRIT Awards.

Kelly, 41, and Sharon, 73, attended the event in Manchester on Saturday, Feb. 28 to collect a posthumouslifetime achievement awardon behalf ofOzzy, who died on July 22at the age of 76.

"Public grief is not public property. Grief can change a person," Tyler wrote onInstagram. "That doesn't make their body a topic for debate."

She continued, "Before you comment on someone's body, consider the possibility that they're carrying something heavier than your opinion. It takes real strength to stand in the public eye, accepting accolades for their late iconic father and hold themselves together in front of the world.

"The least we can do is show the same grace in return," Tyler added. "Kindness costs nothing. Cruelty costs character. It's unsettling how quickly people will dissect someone's appearance instead of honoring their courage.

"If you have the energy to comment, you have the energy to be kind. Choose accordingly," the daughter of Aerosmith frontmanSteven Tylerconcluded.

She captioned the lengthy statement, "How hard is it to not be a dick?"

Advertisement

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE'sfree daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Kelly had hit back at critics almost immediately after the Brit Awards with a heartfelt Instagram Stories post on Sunday, March 1.

"There is a special kind of cruelty in harming someone who is clearly going through something," Kelly wrote. "Kicking me while I'm down, doubting my pain, spreading my struggles as gossip, and turning your back when I need support and love most."

"None of it proves strength; it only reveals a profound absence of compassion and character," she continued. "I'm currently going through the hardest time in my life. I should not even have to defend myself. But I won't sit here and allow myself to be dehumanized in such a way!"

The statement was shared just five days after she reposted abody-shaming commenton her Instagram, saying, "Literally can't believe how disgusting some human beings truly are! No one deserves this sort of abuse!"

"This too shall pass, but like, holy f--k," she added.

Kelly previously addressed comments about her appearance in a Dec. 10 conversation with British broadcasterPiers Morgan.

"To the people who keep thinking they're being funny and mean by writing comments like 'Are you ill,' or 'Get off Ozempic, you don't look right.' My dad just died, and I'm doing the best that I can, and the only thing I have to live for right now is my family," Kelly said in a since-deleted Instagram clip.

Read the original article onPeople

byGreen Magazine

in

March 03, 2026

Mia Tyler Defends Kelly Osbourne Against Body-Shaming Trolls: 'Public Grief is Not Public Property'

Kelly Osbourne shared a statement written by Mia Tyler on her Instagram Stories on Monday, March 2 NEED TO KNOW...

Read More

Elisabeth Hasselbeck returns to 'The View' after slamming Joy Behar

Elisabeth Hasselbeckis back on"The View,"over a decade after leaving her post at the morning talk show in 2013.

Hasselbeck,a onetime"Survivor" contestantand current-dayconservative commentator, returned to the show Monday, joining hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Ana Navarro for the "hot topics" segment.

Joy Behar, a "View" titan who does not appear on Mondays, was absent − perhaps for the best given Hasselbeck's comments in 2025 slamming the 83-year-old comedian's criticism ofCarrie Underwood'sperformance at President Donald Trump's second inauguration.

Rosie O'Donnell calls fight with'The View' co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck a 'set up'

"Civil discourse is not dead. We might have differences of opinion, but we love each other and we're stronger," Hasselbeck said during her appearance March 2. "I actually think for the young people watching it's important to see that … we can hold our positions in one hand, and each other's hand in the other, and be able to just live as Americans with the freedom that we have and speak our hearts and minds."

Advertisement

"We get to do that all week. It might get a little spicy at times, but we do not hate each other, we love each other," she continued. "We have the freedom to do it, and it's important to remind everybody of that."

Following comments from Behar calling Underwood "Un-American" for performing at Trump's 2025 inauguration, Hasselbeck took her former coworker to task, accusing her in a Fox News appearance shortly after of attempting "to attach her name to Carrie Underwood's name so that she maintains relevance because she knows the ship is sinking."

Whether the two are truly ready to bury the hatchet remains to be seen, however, with Behar's return to the table slated for Tuesday.

Hasselbeck is one of several temporary guest hosts scheduled to fill in for Alyssa Farah Griffin, "The View's" current conservative commentator and former Trump White House staffer. Griffin is on maternity leave after welcoming a son earlier this month.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Elisabeth Hasselbeck back on 'The View' after criticizing Joy Behar

byGreen Magazine

in

March 03, 2026

Elisabeth Hasselbeck returns to 'The View' after slamming Joy Behar

Elisabeth Hasselbeckis back on"The View,"over a decade after leaving her post at the morning talk show in 2013....

Read More

Noem will testify in the Senate in her first appearance since 2 Minneapolis protesters' deaths

WASHINGTON (AP) — Homeland Security SecretaryKristi Noemis set to testify Tuesday in the Senate, her first congressional appearance since the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis galvanized widespread opposition to how the Trump administration was executing its mass deportation agenda.

Election 2026 Noem

Noem's appearance in front of the Judiciary Committee also comes on the heels ofa weekend shootingat a bar in Texas that is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, leading to concerns that the escalating conflict in Iran could have repercussions for security in the U.S.

Her department's immigration tactics triggered a clash in Congress over its routine funding, which remains unresolved, although a spending bill passed last year granted it a significant infusion of cash for the Republican administration's mass deportation policy.

Noem last appeared in Congress in December. But since then, President Donald Trump's immigration agenda and its enforcement by Noem's department have met fierce resistance in Minnesota, culminating in the deaths of two protesters, both U.S. citizens, at the hands of federal immigration officers.

In what was initially billed as an effort to root out fraud in Minnesota, Homeland Security eventually sent hundreds of officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection to the state. They were met by protesters who organized marches, patrolled neighborhoods for ICE activity with whistles and ferried food to immigrants too afraid to leave their homes.

Renee Goodwas shot and killed by an ICE officer on Jan. 7, setting off intense protests by Minnesota politicians and residents pushing for Homeland Security to end its operation in the state. Then on Jan. 24, Customs and Border Protection officers opened fire on another Minnesota resident,Alex Pretti, who had been filming enforcement operations.

Advertisement

Those deaths led to cries for accountability and transparency. Noem, whoseinitial commentsportrayed both Good and Pretti as the aggressors, has come under withering criticism by Democrats and even some Republicans, who havecalled for her to resign.

After public outrage over the deaths, Trump sent border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to take control of operations on the ground there. Homan has since announceda drawdownof the ICE and CBP officers who had been sent to Minnesota to carry out what had been dubbed Operation Metro Surge, although he's been adamant that the president's mass deportation agenda will continue.

Noem is expected to undergo fierce questioning from Democrats who say officers under her control have abused their power, used excessive force and violated people's constitutional rights in carrying the Trump administration's agenda.

"Secretary Noem is the public face for an abominable anti-immigrant crusade. Her agents continue to wreak havoc on our cities and act with unspeakable cruelty against children, immigrant families, and American citizens," said Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the committee, in a statement ahead of the hearing.

The Homeland Security Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Homeland Security has often blamed conflicts on the ground in places like Minneapolis and Chicago where it's carrying out immigration enforcement activities as the fault of Democratic politicians who they say encourage people to oppose officers as they try to make arrests.

Noem is also slated to appear Wednesday in front of a House committee.

byGreen Magazine

in

March 03, 2026

Noem will testify in the Senate in her first appearance since 2 Minneapolis protesters' deaths

WASHINGTON (AP) — Homeland Security SecretaryKristi Noemis set to testify Tuesday in the Senate, her first congressional ...

Read More

Jelly Roll reveals broken collarbone after he 'flipped' an ATV

Jelly Rollis getting real about a major injury he suffered earlier this year.

The 41-year-old "Son of a Sinner" singer revealed in a March 1 Instagram post that he'd "flipped" his ATV and broken his collarbone. In her ownsocial media post, wifeBunnie XOrevealed the accident happened in January and it was the "worst phone call to ever get."

"I was out there running all over the Grammys with a broken collarbone," Jelly Roll said in his video. "Every time I hugged somebody that week, I wanted to scream. I just didn't say it, but every time somebody squeezed me, dude, I thought I was gonna cry."

"I was so scared to get back on this thing. I just knew if I didn't get back on it sooner than later, I was just going to be more and more afraid of it," he continued. "Sometimes the machine can do more than the user thinks it can. This was all user error. Anyways, moral of the story, get back on that pony, baby."

Grammy-winning music star Jelly Roll has become a beloved artist since he first burst onto the country scene with his blend of singing and rapping.

The artist, who has been open about his health and weight loss journey and previous incarceration, has captivated fans with his personal lyrics and genre-bending style.

Scroll to see his career in photos, starting his latest win for best contemporary country album at the 2026 Grammys. Jelly Roll posed with his awardson Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll poses at the Tin Roof on April 12, 2022, in Nashville.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll poses with fans after a ceremony for his first country No.1 song, "Son of a Sinner", at BMI on Jan. 18, 2023, in Nashville.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll high-fives Megan Moroney as she takes the stage during an Opry NextStage Live event on May 10, 2023 in Texas.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll and wife Bunnie XO arrive for the 58th ACM Awards at the Ford Center at the Star on May 11, 2023.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll performs during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium on June 9, 2023, in Nashville.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll and his wife, Bunnie XO, walk the red carpet during the 57th annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll gestures to the crowd during his performance at the Stagecoach music festival in Indio, California, April 26, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll attends a pep rally at his alma-mater, Antioch High School in Antioch, Tennessee, on May 8, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll wins the music event of the year award alongside Lainey Wilson at the 59th ACM Awards on May 16, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll and wife Bunnie Xo walk the carpet at the 59th ACM Awards at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas, May 16, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll performs during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, on June 8, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll onstage at CMA Fest.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll stands for a photo after being interviewed during CMA Fest.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll performs in front of a sold out Grandstand at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 10, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll at the 76th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater on Sept. 15, 2024 in Los Angeles.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Keith Urban and Jelly Roll perform onstage during the 58th annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville on Nov. 20, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll and wife Bunnie XO arrive on the red carpet before the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards in Frisco, Texas on May 8, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll watches as the Titans head out to the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Nov. 23, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jelly Roll and wife Bunnie XO attend the Clive Davis party in Beverly Hills, California on Jan. 31, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See Jelly Roll's life and career in photos

Grammy-winning music starJelly Rollhas become a beloved artist since he first burst onto the country scene with his blend of singing and rapping.The artist, who has been open about hishealth and weight loss journeyand previous incarceration, has captivated fans with his personal lyrics and genre-bending style.Scroll to see his career in photos, starting his latest win for best contemporary country album at the 2026 Grammys. Jelly Roll posed with his awardson Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Bunnie's video showed him in a hospital gown and hooked up to monitors as he sat back with a neck brace on. She called her husband an "ATV wrecker" and joked, "You are not gangster."

Advertisement

The couple showed up together at the Grammys in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, where Jelly Roll won in all three categories in which he received nominations: best contemporary Christian music performance/song ("Hard Fought Hallelujah"), best country duo/group performance ("Amen") and best contemporary country album ("Beautifully Broken").

After winning the Grammy for best contemporary country album, an emotional Jelly Rolldedicated the trophy to Bunnie, who wept and applauded in the audience, and his Christian faith.

"I would never have changed my life without you. I'd have ended up dead or in jail," he said. "I would have killed myself if it wasn't for you and Jesus."

He also shared that he "believed that music had the power to change my life and that God had the power to change my life. And I wanna tell y'all: Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party."

The prior night, Jelly Roll got onstage at the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Galato perform a coverof "Mama, I'm Coming Home" in tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jelly Roll reveals broken collarbone after flipping an ATV

byGreen Magazine

in

March 03, 2026

Jelly Roll reveals broken collarbone after he 'flipped' an ATV

Jelly Rollis getting real about a major injury he suffered earlier this year. The 41-year-old "...

Read More