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French officials announced Sunday that several suspects have been apprehended in connection with the crown jewel heist from the Louvre Museum in Paris last weekend.Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that investigators conducted the arrests on Saturday evening, with one individual detained as he was on the verge of departing the country from an unspecified location.Beccuau refrained from confirming the precise number of arrests, though earlier reports from French media outlets BFM TV and Le Parisien newspaper indicated that two suspects had been apprehended and taken into custody. She did not disclose whether the stolen jewels had been recovered.The perpetrators spent less than eight minutes acquiring jewels valued at 88 million euros ($102 million) — a prominent theft that provoked a national introspection and astonished the global community. French officials detailed that the group of thieves utilized a basket lift to ascend the Louvre’s exterior, then forced a window open, shattered display cases, and escaped. Laurence des Cars, the Louvre’s director, conceded that the museum's security had experienced a "terrible failure."Beccuau mentioned that investigators from a unit specializing in armed robberies, serious burglaries, and art thefts carried out the arrests. She expressed concern that an early release of information might impede the efforts of more than 100 investigators "dedicated to retrieving the stolen jewels and capturing all those involved." Beccuau indicated that additional information would be disclosed once the suspects’ detention period concludes.French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez commended the investigators for their persistent efforts, stating they consistently held his "full confidence."The thieves made off with a total of eight objects, among them an item from a collection associated with 19th-century queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense. An emerald necklace and earrings connected to Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife, along with a reliquary brooch, were also taken. Empress Eugénie’s diamond diadem and her substantial corsage-bow brooch — an imperial collection of exceptional artistry — were likewise among the stolen valuables.Eugénie’s imperial crown, adorned with emeralds and over 1,300 diamonds, was subsequently discovered outside the museum, having sustained damage but still salvageable.This remains an ongoing news report; please revisit for further developments.

The State Department has communicated to Digital its efforts to mitigate the "national security" risk to the U.S. stemming from China’s dominance in the rare earth minerals sector, with new indications suggesting that can aid Washington in loosening Beijing’s firm control over this crucial industry. The 17 rare earth elements (REE) are metals deemed "critical for both human and national security," as stated by the Brookings Institution in 2022. They further elaborated that these elements "are utilized in electronics (such as computers, televisions, and smartphones), in renewable energy technology (including wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicle batteries), and in national defense applications (like jet engines, missile guidance and defense systems, satellites, and GPS equipment)."Brookings reports that China is responsible for 60% of the world's rare earth mineral extraction and holds 85% of the processing capacity.However, despite Beijing securing agreements in African nations, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to transport minerals such as cobalt eastward to , the continent possesses vast unexploited resources. The African Union’s Minerals Development Center recently announced that substantial new specialized rare earth mines are projected to become operational by 2029 in Tanzania, Angola, Malawi, and South Africa, potentially supplying nearly 10% of the global market.This situation is leading the Trump administration to intensify efforts to expand the U.S. presence in Africa’s mining industry. Just this week, a State Department spokesperson informed Digital that "The administration’s strategy emphasizes partnerships with African nations to ensure their minerals are directed westward, rather than eastward to China."In Africa, China is a focus of Washington’s security concerns, with the spokesperson adding, "China’s overwhelming position in global mineral supply chains — particularly in processing and refining — poses a threat to the interests of both the U.S. and Africa. Beijing’s state-directed tactics exploit Africa’s natural wealth, solidify control over upstream mining assets, perpetuate non-transparent governance frameworks, degrade local environments, and foster economic dependencies that destabilize regional peace."Various sources indicate that the U.S. currently imports approximately 70% of its total rare earth element requirements from China., R-Idaho, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, conveyed to Digital that Beijing presents a risk in this area: "Reliance on China for essential minerals required for a modern economy constitutes a major national security vulnerability that President Biden failed to address for four years. Under President Trump’s leadership, we can secure new sources in Africa, strengthen our alliances there, and guarantee that America’s defense capabilities are never dependent on our adversaries."The administration is seeking to deepen its engagement in Africa, as the State Department spokesperson added, "The United States is committed to making strategic investments in infrastructure to facilitate the export of minerals from Africa to international markets. A prime example is the Lobito Corridor, which offers an alternative to Chinese-controlled transportation routes for minerals from Africa’s Copperbelt to the Atlantic Ocean."The administration recently announced its continued pledge of a $550 million loan for the development of the Lobito Corridor, an 800-mile rail and infrastructure link connecting the mineral-rich regions of the DRC and Zambia with Angola’s Atlantic coast, providing convenient shipping access to the U.S.The spokesperson went on to state that one of the primary benefits of the peace agreement, signed between the DRC and Rwanda in the Oval Office in June to end a 30-year conflict, is enhanced access to minerals. They added, "The bilateral agreement between the U.S. and DRC is designed to create opportunities for new U.S. and U.S.-aligned investments in key mining projects throughout the DRC."Analysts, including Dr. Gracelin Baskaran, suggest this represents a new era of opportunity for the U.S. in Africa. Baskaran, director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, informed Digital, "Africa is the ultimate frontier for mineral discovery. It has long been undervalued in global mineral exploration, despite yielding some of the highest returns per dollar invested.""The [African] continent’s portion of global exploration expenditure has steadily decreased — from 16% in 2004 to just 10.4% in 2024," Baskaran further stated. "This decline is particularly remarkable, given that is the world’s most cost-effective region for mineral exploration, with a mineral-value-to-exploration-spending ratio of 0.8 — significantly higher than Australia (0.5), Canada (0.6), and Latin America (0.3).""Despite its vast geological promise and a landmass three times the combined size of Australia and Canada, those two countries attracted 15.9% and 19.8% of global exploration spending in 2024, respectively — greatly surpassing Africa’s total share."Baskaran asserts that the U.S. can also capitalize on another aspect in Africa: "China rarely engages in geological mapping or initial exploration. The Chinese approach typically involves acquiring projects once they are already under development or nearing the production stage. This presents a genuine opportunity for the United States and its allies. Even nations with extensive mining histories — such as Zambia and the DRC — have barely scratched the surface, with less than half their land mapped. With strategic investments in geological mapping and early-stage project development, the United States and its allies could establish a much stronger foothold across the continent."Regarding potential locations for U.S. mining efforts, analyst C. Géraud Neema from the independent China-Global South Project (CGSP) told Digital that "In the context of heavy rare earth minerals in Africa, Namibia is a country that offers an alternative to China for supply," adding, "Namibia’s Lofdal project is particularly significant."

An expanded ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand was signed on Sunday, building on a truce previously brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump during the summer to resolve their border dispute.President Trump had exerted pressure by threatening increased tariffs on both nations, compelling them to consent to ending the hostilities. The conflict itself had resulted in dozens of fatalities and the displacement of hundreds of thousands.At the yearly summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the expanded ceasefire was formally endorsed in the presence of President Trump, signed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.Key provisions of this accord include Thailand's obligation to release 18 captured Cambodian soldiers, alongside a mutual commitment for both countries to commence the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from their shared frontier.

That's certainly a striking sense of style. A man, unexpectedly captured in a photograph taken outside the Louvre in Paris during the investigation into the recent heist at the famous museum, has achieved widespread online popularity. This enigmatic figure, clad in a three-piece suit featuring a dark jacket and a gold vest, complemented by a fedora and an umbrella serving as a walking stick, generated significant discussion across social media platforms, with users likening him to Inspector Clouseau from the "Pink Panther" series and Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. Numerous individuals appeared to conclude that the stylish gentleman was the detective assigned to the case, while others even hypothesized that his refined look suggested an sophisticated perpetrator somehow implicated in the theft. An X user commented on the image: "This is a real photo (not AI-generated!) of a French detective investigating the theft of the French Crown Jewels from the Louvre," and another asserted that the man, "who appears to have stepped straight out of a 1940s detective film noir, is indeed a French police detective conducting the investigation." A third person posted: "The individual in the fedora is the detective handling the Louvre Jewel heist. Do the French simply excel at everything?" However, the Associated Press photographer who captured the intriguing image last Sunday stated that he had no basis to think the man was involved in the Louvre investigation, but instead was merely an individual who happened to enter the camera's view. Thibault Camus, the photographer, informed his publication that he felt the man contributed a certain Parisian je ne sais quoi — an indefinable quality — to his pictures. "He materialized before me, I observed him, I took the photograph," Camus recounted. "He simply walked past and departed." The Louvre also chose to introduce a touch of French mystique to the enigma when questioned by the Associated Press about the man's identity. "We prefer to sustain the mystery ;)" the Louvre responded. The previous Sunday morning, four masked culprits pilfered several invaluable items from the Louvre's crown jewels collection, having gained entry to a gallery shortly after the museum commenced operations. The perpetrators escaped on scooters and remain at large.

A meeting took place between the Secretary of State and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and the relatives of Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. These two U.S. citizens died during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, and their remains have since been held in Gaza."We will not forget the lives of the hostages who died in Hamas's captivity. I met today with the families of American citizens Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. We will not cease our efforts until their — and all other — remains are returned," was communicated in a post on X. Accompanying the post was a photograph showing him and Huckabee seated with the families.Huckabee, too, shared thoughts on the meeting via a post, indicating it proved "very productive in advancing" the U.S.-brokered Gaza peace initiative. Nevertheless, he stressed that "for the plan to succeed, ALL hostages must be freed!"Ruby Chen, Itay's father, informed Digital that this marked his fifth encounter with Rubio since the latter's appointment as Secretary of State."It was crucial for us to draw encouragement from him following several days without any hostage releases," Ruby Chen shared with Digital. "He assured us of their dedication to securing the release of all outstanding hostages, with particular focus on my son, an American citizen. The Secretary pledged to convey the key points of our discussion to the President, whom he is scheduled to meet later today in Qatar."During their recent trip to Israel, Ruby Chen also had discussions with the Vice President and Second Lady Usha Vance, alongside U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.Omer's father, Ronen Neutra, likewise spoke to Digital regarding the gathering. He indicated that they "understood the presumption to be that Hamas is attempting to buy time by delaying the return of the hostages," thereby allowing the militant group unhindered movement in regions no longer patrolled by Israeli forces."Given all the efforts undertaken by President Trump and his administration, they merit the return of these Americans," Ronen Neutra stated, referring to his son and Itay Chen. "We deserve to have our sons returned and to achieve closure, enabling us to finally begin the grieving process, which we have deferred for the past two years."Furthermore, Ronen Neutra conveyed his appreciation to the Trump administration for its initiatives aimed at concluding the conflict and facilitating the repatriation of all hostages, both living and deceased.While all living hostages have now exited Gaza, the bodies of 13 deceased captives have yet to be relinquished by Hamas. The Israeli government has renewed its plea for Hamas to hand over the remains of all these individuals.The parents have served as outspoken proponents for the liberation of both living and deceased hostages. Neutra's parents addressed the [event name missing] in July 2024, concurrently with Chen's parents speaking at the Democratic National Convention in August 2024. Their advocacy has also included meetings with various officials and individuals globally, as they strive for their sons' repatriation.Itay Chen, a 19-year-old holding dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, was initially thought to have been abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, during his service along the Gaza border. However, he was subsequently pronounced deceased by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and his remains remain in Hamas's custody in Gaza.Omer Neutra, 21, also an American-Israeli from [location missing], perished in combat on the identical day, with his body still being held captive. Amelie Botbol of Digital provided contributions to this report.

EXCLUSIVE: In an exclusive interview with Digital, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric stated that Belgrade is prepared to facilitate peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. The foreign minister remarked, "Serbia, given its history and its amicable relations with all parties involved, is one of the nations extending its good offices to host discussions, should there be interest or a need, aimed at ending this terrible tragedy that has caused immense loss of life and destruction." He emphasized that the conflict must cease immediately. "Serbia, in principle, upholds the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states within their U.N.-recognized borders," a stance that includes Ukraine. This proposal from the foreign minister to host peace discussions between Ukraine and Russia follows the cancellation of a previously suggested summit in Hungary between President and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Analysts suggest that Serbia could be an unexpected venue for the next round of ceasefire negotiations between , largely due to the enduring historical links between Russia and Serbia, particularly their shared cultural and religious heritage via the Serbian Orthodox Church. Although Serbia has supported U.N. resolutions denouncing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the referendums annexing Ukrainian regions, Belgrade has declined to impose targeting Russia for the invasion. Nevertheless, Djuric highlighted that both Ukraine and Russia acknowledge Serbia's territorial integrity concerning Kosovo. Djuric attended a Security Council session in New York focused on Kosovo. A NATO bombing campaign, lasting nearly three months in 1999, concluded a conflict between Serbian government forces and ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo. While Serbian forces withdrew, Belgrade continues to regard Kosovo as a Serbian province. Certain European officials have raised doubts about Serbia's dedication to European unity. Foreign Minister Djuric responded by asserting that Serbia cherishes its position in Europe, bridging East and West, and furthermore, he noted the nation's strong ties with the U.S. He stated, "Serbia takes great pride in its independent foreign and security policy, a policy deeply embedded in our nation's history, which has allowed us to maintain independence for centuries, despite our small size." He added, "We highly value our expanding strategic partnership with the United States, a relationship supported by bipartisan consensus within our country." Djuric further elaborated, "We hold our growing strategic partnership with the United States in high regard, where bipartisan consensus exists in this nation. However, it's also important to consider that President Trump is significantly the most favored foreign leader in our country and among Serbs overall. Indeed, President Trump's popularity in Serbia is unmatched when compared to other European countries. Over 71% of Serbs view the U.S. president and his policies very favorably, which truly provides a strong foundation for strengthening our relationship." Nonetheless, Serbia's , largely perceived as the United States' primary economic and military rival globally, have sparked some apprehension in Washington. Recently, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Serbia's primary oil and gasoline provider, the Russian-owned oil company Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS). In July, China carried out military exercises in Serbia, disregarding strong admonitions from the European Union, and Belgrade offers Beijing a security presence in Europe. Additionally, Serbia has acquired medium- and short-range surface-to-air missile systems from China. China's most significant involvement in Serbia is economic, with over $10 billion invested in infrastructure projects during the past 15 years, as reported by the Center for European Policy Analysis. Djuric commented, "I must also acknowledge that we maintain excellent economic relations with China, which also backs our stance on Kosovo by recognizing Serbia and its U.N. borders. Consequently, as a U.N. Security Council member, they represent a crucial partner for us." Djuric stated that the great power rivalry between the U.S. and China is "beyond the purview of a small Balkan nation" and affirmed that the Serbian government intends to remain focused on its economic advancement. On the domestic front, Serbia has experienced almost a year of student-led anti-corruption protests, ignited by demands for justice and accountability following the deaths of 16 individuals in a railway station collapse in Novi Sad. Across the European Union, critics have condemned the Serbian security forces for their forceful handling of these protests. Djuric expressed his desire to initiate a sincere dialogue with the demonstrators and to identify methods for reducing tensions. Djuric asserted, "We respect the perspectives of our citizens who hold differing views from the government, and I wish to refrain from labeling anyone. I am confident that we possess the maturity for a dignified, appropriate, democratic dialogue, and we will consistently advocate for democracy in Serbia." He added, "In the aftermath of the Novi Sad tragedy, the Serbian government has demonstrated accountability. Ministers have been replaced, with some individuals being held responsible and even imprisoned. Since then, the government has been reshuffled to include Professor [Djuro] Macut, a university professor who is now our prime minister. President Vucic's ongoing vision is to unite the Serbian populace, resolve political differences, and foster a society built on dialogue and social cohesion, rather than polarization." Contributions from The Associated Press were included in this article.

Authorities are facing scrutiny after confirming that an Ethiopian asylum seeker, convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and another woman, was inadvertently released from prison on Friday, prompting a widespread search for the runaway sex offender.Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, aged 38, received a 12-month prison sentence in September, as reported by Reuters.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his dismay, labeling Kebatu's release as "totally unacceptable," The Associated Press noted.His apprehension in July triggered several weeks of demonstrations outside the , a migrant accommodation site located approximately 20 miles north of London, the report indicated.In 2023, the Home Secretary stated that over 400 hotels were utilized to accommodate asylum seekers, incurring daily expenses of almost £9 million GBP, equivalent to approximately $11.3 million."We concur with communities across the nation that these hotels must cease operations — including the Bell Hotel in Epping," UK Foreign Secretary and Labour MP Yvette Cooper previously commented. "We are working to achieve this rapidly via a structured and sustainable strategy, rather than relying on isolated court decisions that could generate further difficulties for other local regions or councils. "Such fragmented decisions carry the risk of reintroducing the disarray that initially led to the extensive use of hotels."According to the report, officials stated that Kebatu was slated for transfer to an , but was released erroneously.David Lammy, Britain's Secretary of State for Justice, posted on X that he was "appalled by the erroneous release at HMP Chelmsford."Lammy stated, "We are collaborating swiftly with the police to locate him, and I have initiated an urgent inquiry. Kebatu should be deported for his offenses, not permitted to roam our streets."Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Member of Parliament for North West Essex, also published a strongly worded post, declaring that the situation was "."Badenoch wrote, "The individual, falsely claiming asylum, who sexually assaulted a child in Epping, has been 'released by mistake.' How can this occur? It is because the entire system is failing under the Labour government. The government is erroneously releasing individuals instead of deporting them. Those who were deported are returning. No significant action has been taken to mitigate the danger to women and girls residing in these areas."Badenoch mentioned that Conservatives opposed Labour's prisoner release initiative, arguing it was "releasing predators back into our communities," while noting Kebatu had only recently been convicted.She added, "This level of incompetence is beyond comprehension. Only the Conservatives possess a strategy for more secure borders and public safety."On X, , the Member of Parliament for Clacton and Leader of Reform UK, further commented, "The migrant sex offender from the Epping hotel has been inadvertently released instead of being deported. He is currently at large in Essex. Britain is fractured."

The Trump administration has ordered the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Western Hemisphere, continuing U.S. efforts to target suspected drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated on Friday that, "In support of the President’s directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland, the Secretary of War has directed the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and embarked carrier air wing to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility (AOR)." Parnell added, "The enhanced U.S. force presence in the USSOUTHCOM AOR will bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere." He further elaborated, "These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle TCOs."USSOUTHCOM's area of responsibility includes the landmass of Latin America south of Mexico, the waters adjacent to Central and South America, and the Caribbean Sea.The strike group comprises the USS Gerald R. Ford, identified by the U.S. Navy as the world's largest aircraft carrier, as well as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mahan, USS Winston S. Churchill, and USS Bainbridge. In August, the strike group transited the Strait of Dover, the narrowest portion of the English Channel. The Trump administration has initiated numerous strikes in the region, aimed at dismantling and disrupting drug cartels. Most recently, War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that a strike on a vessel, allegedly operated by suspected members of Tren de Aragua (TdA) — a Venezuelan street gang designated as a Terrorist Organization (DTO) — resulted in the deaths of six alleged narco-terrorists.Hegseth posted on X, "If you are a narco-terrorist smuggling drugs in our hemisphere, we will treat you like we treat al-Qaeda." He continued, "Day or NIGHT, we will map your networks, track your people, hunt you down, and kill you." This incident marked the tenth strike targeting suspected drug trafficking boats since Trump returned to office. The president has made combating the nation’s drug crisis a central policy focus.Trump has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of being a drug cartel leader, as he continues to increase pressure on the Maduro regime.Last week, Trump confirmed that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, stating that he did so because the South American nation has released prisoners into the U.S. and that drugs were entering the U.S. from Venezuela through sea routes. Meanwhile, the military strikes have drawn scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum, as questions persist regarding their legality. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) recently introduced a war powers resolution that would prohibit U.S. armed forces from participating in "hostilities" against Venezuela. Digital's Diana Stancy provided contributions to this report.

According to officials, the U.S. conducted a nighttime strike, ordered by President, against a suspected Tren de Aragua vessel in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the deaths of six alleged narco-terrorists.War Secretary announced on X that, following President Trump's orders, the Department of War executed a deadly kinetic strike overnight on a Tren de Aragua (TdA) vessel, identified as a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO), which was smuggling narcotics in the Caribbean Sea. He also shared a video of the strike, stating that intelligence indicated the vessel was engaged in illegal drug smuggling, was traveling on a recognized narco-trafficking path, and contained narcotics.He further stated that six male narco-terrorists were on board the vessel during the operation, which occurred in international waters and represented the first nighttime strike. All six terrorists died, and no U.S. personnel sustained injuries.Hegseth issued an additional warning, stating, "Any narco-terrorist smuggling drugs within our hemisphere will be dealt with in the same manner as [al Qaeda]. Whether by day or NIGHT, we will identify your networks, pursue your personnel, locate you, and eliminate you."This strike constitutes the tenth such operation against suspected drug traffickers since Trump resumed office. The president has made the fight against the national drug crisis a key policy priority.Officials reported that the initial strike occurred on September 2nd, and since that time, 43 suspected drug traffickers have been killed, while two have survived. The frequency of these strikes has accelerated, increasing from one every few weeks in September to three already this week.The majority of these operations have focused on vessels associated with Venezuela's Tren de Aragua network. These missions have included assaults on smuggling boats and the destruction of a submersible, with Hegseth and Trump releasing video evidence of several operations on social media platforms.On Thursday, when asked by reporters if he intended to seek a congressional declaration of war against the cartels, Trump indicated that this was not his intention.During a White House roundtable with homeland security officials, Trump stated, "I believe we are simply going to eliminate individuals who are bringing drugs into our nation, alright? We're going to kill them, you understand? They're going to be, well, deceased."Earlier this month, Trump designated drug cartels as unlawful combatants and asserted that the U.S. was engaged in an "armed conflict" against them.Lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic parties are scrutinizing Trump’s choice to initiate these operations without prior consultation with Congress. Several Democrats are cautioning that these strikes might violate international law.Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, has also voiced apprehension regarding the killing of individuals without due process. In a recent interview, Paul referenced statistics indicating that a substantial proportion of vessels boarded on suspicion of drug trafficking are found to be innocent.The senator additionally contended that should the administration intend to wage war against Venezuela, given its recent targeting of boats it alleges are transporting drugs for the Venezuela-affiliated Tren de Aragua gang, it is constitutionally obligated to obtain a declaration of war from Congress.Colombian President Gustavo Petro has also criticized the strikes, advocating for a criminal investigation into Trump and other implicated officials. He claimed that an innocent Colombian fisherman died during one of these operations.Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has alleged that the Trump administration is employing these strikes as an attempt to compel a change in government within his nation.Senators Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, and Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, have supported the strikes, describing them as a legitimate display of force against narco-terrorists.Landon Mion and The Associated Press contributed to this news report.

Spanish fighter jets were deployed after Russian aircraft breached Lithuanian airspace.Lithuanian armed forces reported that on Thursday at approximately 6:00 p.m. local time, two Russian aircraft—an SU-30 and an IL-78—entered Lithuanian airspace by about 765 yards, according to The Associated Press. The planes reportedly departed after roughly 18 seconds.Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda posted on X, stating that Russian military planes violated Lithuanian airspace that evening, calling it "a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity of Lithuania." He added that it "once again, it confirms the importance of strengthening European air defense readiness."Nausėda declared that the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs would summon Russian embassy representatives in Vilnius to "protest against reckless and dangerous behavior." The ministry later confirmed via X that the Russian charge d'affaires was indeed summoned due to the airspace violation.In a post on X, the ministry asserted, "Russia must cease its aggressive behavior, respect international law and the borders of neighboring states."Russia's defense ministry refuted Lithuania's claim, stating that SU-30 fighter jets were conducting training exercises over the Kaliningrad region in strict adherence to regulations, as reported by the AP.The ministry claimed, according to the AP, that "The aircraft did not deviate from their flight route or violate the borders of other states, as confirmed by objective monitoring means."According to the AP, Baltic nations have maintained a heightened alert level during Russia's continuing war with Ukraine. The outlet also stated that recent airspace incursions have intensified concerns that the Russian President could be testing NATO, an accusation Moscow has refuted.In recent months, NATO member states Poland, Denmark, and Romania have reported instances of Russian drone airspace violations. Last August, Romania had to scramble F-16 jets after Russia conducted a strike merely half a mile from its territory while U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin before the Kremlin leader's Alaska summit with President Earlier this week, Trump canceled a scheduled meeting with Putin in Budapest, Hungary. Although the White House did not preclude a future summit, Trump has criticized Putin for his insufficient action towards peace with Ukraine.The White House press secretary stated on Thursday that Trump "feels as though, unfortunately, from the Russian side as of late, he has not seen enough interest in enough action in terms of moving the ball forward toward peace."She added that "a meeting between these two leaders is not completely off the table. I think the president and the entire administration hope that one day that can happen again, but we want to make sure that there's a tangible positive outcome out of that meeting, and that it's a good use of the president's time."During a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, Trump informed reporters that the summit was canceled because "it didn't feel right" to him.Trump stated on Wednesday, "It just didn't feel right to me. It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get, so I canceled it, but we'll do it in the future."Since the cancellation of the Hungary summit, no future meeting plans have been disclosed. Diana Stancy of Digital contributed to this report.

Occasionally, journalists are tasked with stories sufficiently unique to prompt even seasoned reporters to raise an eyebrow. The incident this past Sunday at the Louvre in Paris undoubtedly stands as one such example.Four individuals, employing a cherry picker truck to ascend the side of the structure, managed to breach a second-floor window, gather up to $100 million worth of French crown jewelry, and depart with the loot on motor scooters in under 10 minutes. It was a scenario straight from the movies—think "Pink Panther" or similar capers.Having previously resided in Paris, I've covered numerous front-page stories both during and after my time there, ranging from the demise of to various fatal terrorist attacks, and the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. Now, this remarkable event.Fortunately, I was accompanied by an excellent team: professional cameraman and producer John Templeton, Simon Owen, a veteran Paris producer since the 1990s, Cicely Medintzeff, and a convenient large Mercedes van with a driver.The trip did not commence smoothly, with a few production bags misplaced on the flight from London to Paris. However, cameraman John improvised successfully. While conversing with people at the airport, including a pleasant American couple from Washington state, it was clear the robbery was already the primary topic of conversation.Our next hurdle was identifying a suitable location for our live broadcasts. Arriving after nightfall, the road adjacent to the museum was blocked by police on one side, necessitating our reverse entry from the opposite direction. We eventually found a spot positioned in front of the museum's iconic pyramid-shaped entrance. This location offers one of the finest backdrops, day or night, as we discussed a tragic crime.The following morning, we proceeded directly to the crime scene—the museum's rear. We observed the narrow pavement where the thieves had parked their truck, the flimsy window they had cut through, and a wooden board now covering the opening. Aside from a parked police vehicle, even at that hour, there was minimal security present. There was no museum video footage of the break-in, indicating the perpetrators had bypassed the alarms.We were not the sole onlookers. A small crowd, which included American tourists, gazed upward in bewilderment. "It looks incredibly easy," one person remarked to us. "Weird," another sighed.However, significant crowds had returned to the museum's front. Despite its closure that day (it had been shut following the robbery), throngs of people were there, many curious about the crime. Many more were simply taking typical Instagram-style selfies with the Louvre.With our television equipment spread across the pavement for live shots, we ourselves became another point of interest. "Where did it occur?" one person inquired. "When will the museum reopen?" asked another. An additional American tourist approached and explained how he and his wife had visited the museum the day before the robbery and had already concluded that the security was appalling.As further details of the crime came to light, the narrative only grew more bizarre. This included how the just 25 miles outside Paris. It also covered how they were in such a rush that they left behind a crown adorned with over 1,300 diamonds (though they did secure eight other pieces). And how Police—making up for lost time—collected evidence, including a construction-style vest, a glove, a license plate, and video footage of the suspects making their getaway on a highway just outside Paris.And the French engaged in another customary practice: finger-pointing and blame-casting. President already contends with numerous political challenges these days. A high-profile catastrophe was precisely what he did not need. He vowed that the culprits would be apprehended. Commendably, the director of the museum offered her resignation (which was subsequently declined) but underwent a rigorous questioning by the French Senate.All of this, as we noted, represented a race against time for a team of 100 French police investigators—one of the largest manhunts in French history—to capture the thieves before they had an opportunity to dismantle the jewelry, re-cut the gems, and melt down the gold and silver for resale. This formed a component of a larger .Beyond hearing my on-air colleagues express their astonishment regarding the crime, we also endured some playful teasing about the "arduous" assignment of being sent to Paris. And, truly, it was wonderful to see my former hometown again; Paris is breathtaking. Nevertheless, I must also point out that, aside from one excellent brasserie wrap dinner, the trip largely involved squeezing onto café chairs to write scripts and utilize facilities—plus French-style Uber Eats.Thus, we now await the outcome of this incredible French crime caper. Most people we encountered were quite confident that the bandits would be caught and the museum’s security would be upgraded. However, they harbored doubts that the priceless jewelry—described as France’s "soul"—would ever be recovered. The Louvre has since reopened. Let us merely hope this film-esque story culminates in a happy ending.