Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s election success will extend his nearly 42 years in power.
Published On 17 Mar 202617 Mar 2026
Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso has been re-elected for a fifth consecutive term, extending his nearly 42 years in power, according to provisional results.
On Tuesday, Interior Minister Raymond Zephirin Mboulou announced on state TV that Sassou Nguesso received 94.82 percent of Sunday’s vote.
Recommended Stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
State television also reported turnout of 84.65 percent; however, many polling stations in the capital, Brazzaville, on Sunday had short lines or no lines at all.
Sassou Nguesso, 82, was projected by analysts and diplomats to easily win the election after he ran against six candidates who were less well known.
Boycott
Two key parties had boycotted the elections over allegations of unfair electoral practices, with two of the best-known opposition figures, General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and Andre Okombi Salissa, imprisoned for nearly 10 years.
But in the run-up to the election, the internet was shut down as usual during a presidential vote, and traffic was restricted across the capital.
Supporters of incumbent President of the Republic of Congo and presidential candidate Denis Sassou Nguesso stand on the side of the road as they wait for him to arrive at a polling station in Brazzaville on March 15, 2026 [Daniel Beloumou Olomo/AFP]
Clarisse Massamba, a teacher who voted at the Lyce Javoueh in Brazzaville, told The Associated Press news agency that it was a given that Sassou Nguesso would win the election.
“Everyone knows that, faced with his six inexperienced opponents, President Denis Sassou Nguesso will be re-elected with a high score as usual. Since the election is not a big issue, we shouldn’t cut off communication,” Massamba said.
During the campaign period, Sassou Nguesso and his opponents were mismatched with the incumbent president, the only candidate to travel around the country to canvass voters, with effigies placed in the capital.
Moreover, Joe Washington Ebina, a Congolese human rights activist, told the Reuters news agency that human rights activists were arrested, several opposition parties were suspended, and public gatherings were closely monitored in the run-up to the election.
Decades in power
Republic of Congo continues to struggle with high international debt, which, according to the World Bank, stands at 94.5 percent of its gross domestic product, despite being an oil and mineral-rich country.
Sassou Nguesso, who runs the Congolese Party of Labour, first came to power in 1979 and ruled until 1992.
In 1997, Sassou Nguesso returned to power as militia leader following a four-month civil war. In 2015, a constitutional referendum removed presidential age and term limits, allowing him to run again.
We’re used to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the war leader in his combat fatigues.
They were the ones that memorably earned him a dressing down from Donald Trump in the Oval Office last year.
But in his third speech to the UK parliament since the Russian invasion four years ago, we saw him suited and booted and playing the international salesman.
Image:Volodymyr Zelenskyy waves as Sir Keir Starmer greets him in Downing Street
He was dressed in a black shirt and buttoned up suit jacket for his meetings with the King, Sir Keir Starmer and then for his speech to MPs and peers.
Andy Burnham chic, sort of. And his sales pitch was championing Ukrainian drone technology, using an iPad which he brandished and boasted about during his speech.
So professional was the sales pitch that during his visit to parliament, Speaker’s Court, where government ministers’ limos park, was turned into a showroom, with half a dozen Ukrainian drones on display.
Alongside the salesmanship, perhaps the most remarkable part of his speech was how he linked the war in Ukraine with the current conflict in the Middle East.
Ukraine’s drone technology had a key role to play in defending western allies against attacks by Iran, he said. It could help defend RAF bases in Cyprus, he added.
Ukrainian interceptor drones could intercept Iranian-built missiles, which Russia also uses, for $10,000 – much cheaper than other ways of shooting them down.
Image:Ukrainian drones were displayed outside parliament
Ukraine has sent teams of 200 anti-drone experts to the Middle East, he revealed, currently operating in the Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia and heading to Kuwait.
For this reason, though he didn’t ignore the horrors inflicted on his country by Russia, this speech to the UK’s parliamentarians was rather more upbeat than the first two.
His first, in March 2022, just weeks after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, was delivered by video link during the COVID pandemic.
Speaking in his familiar dark green combat gear, through an interpreter, he evoked the spirit of Winston Churchill. “We will fight to the end,” he said.
“We will not give up and we will not lose. We will fight until the end at sea, in the air.”
That, of course, was the same Winston Churchill to whom Sir Keir was once again being compared so unfavourably by President Trump at the very moment Mr Zelenskyy was speaking to MPs.
Is Trump using Ukraine as a bargaining chip against the UK?
By the time Mr Zelenskyy spoke in parliament a second time, in February 2023, Rishi Sunak had succeeded Boris Johnson as prime minister.
Speaking in 900-year-old Westminster Hall, he praised Britain’s support, with special mentions for “Boris”, who was watching, and “Rishi”. This time, there was praise and warmth for “Keir”.
He was speaking in parliament’s committee room 14, overlooking the River Thames and the scene of often-brutal showdowns between party leaders and backbenchers at packed meetings of the Tories’ 1922 Committee and the Parliamentary Labour Party.
But the mood now was very different. The session opened with a powerful welcome and tribute by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle who said: “Your country has shown incredible determination and ability in defending itself against the Russian aggression.
“But we cannot celebrate because we cannot forget.”
Mr Zelenskyy ended by apologising for far exceeding his 20-minute speaking slot and again hailing his trusty iPad, which he claimed he gave to the King earlier.
He said the monarch asked if he had multiple iPads, but he said he only had one. So Charles had told him he would share it with the prime minister.
It was a joke President Zelenskyy would almost certainly not have made in his more gloomy previous speeches to the UK parliament.
A former top advisor to War Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was ousted amid a high-profile leak investigation, has been hired to work under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, according to a source familiar with the move.
Dan Caldwell’s return to a sensitive intelligence role comes less than a year after he was publicly accused of leaking classified information — allegations that have never been publicly substantiated — and as the Trump administration navigates an escalating war with Iran.
The hiring also places a prominent advocate of a more restrained U.S. foreign policy inside the intelligence apparatus at a moment of growing internal tension.
Earlier Tuesday, National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent resigned, citing opposition to the Iran war and arguing Tehran, Iran, did not pose an imminent threat to the United States — a rare public break from within the administration.
A source familiar with the move described Caldwell’s new position as an “administrative role,” focused on internal management and coordination rather than directly shaping intelligence assessments or national security policy. However, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) plays a central role in coordinating intelligence across 18 agencies and shaping the president’s daily intelligence briefing.
Hegseth aides Dan Caldwell, left, Darin Selnick, center and Colin Carroll, right, were fired last year. (Concerned Veterans for America, Department of War)
The source said Caldwell has completed a polygraph test, and passed a series of background and security checks and is currently in the onboarding process.
Gabbard’s office could not immediately be reached for comment.
A recent Quinnipiac poll found the war is dividing Americans just as it is those within the administration: 53% of those surveyed opposed the military intervention while 40% supported it.
Caldwell’s hiring signals the apparent end of a leak investigation that began in April 2025, when Caldwell and two other senior Pentagon officials, Darin Selnick and Colin Carroll, were abruptly fired and escorted out of the Pentagon. All three aides have denied any involvement in leaks, and no public evidence has been produced to support the allegations.
Hegseth said at the time the three aides would be investigated for leaking and suggested there was evidence of wrongdoing, but none of the men were ever charged, and Caldwell retains his security clearance.
The Pentagon has not disclosed whether the investigation remains active or has concluded.
Fox News Digital previously reported that the three aides had clashed with then-chief of staff Joe Kasper, who was also later removed from his role.
Hegseth continued to accuse the aides of leaking even after their departure, saying at the time: “Those folks who are leaking, who have been pushed out of the building, are now attempting to leak and sabotage the president’s agenda and what we’re doing. And that’s unfortunate.”
Caldwell, a Marine Corps veteran and prominent voice in the restraint-minded foreign policy sphere, advised Hegseth primarily on European issues and has been outspoken against prolonged U.S. military involvement overseas. His views align with a faction inside the administration that has long warned against entering another major Middle East conflict.
Dan Caldwell, a former top advisor to War Secretary Pete Hegseth who was ousted in a high-profile leak investigation, has been hired to work under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, according to a source familiar with the move.(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Hegseth continued to accuse Caldwell and other aides of leaking even after their departure, saying at the time: “Those folks who are leaking, who have been pushed out of the building, are now attempting to leak and sabotage the president’s agenda and what we’re doing. And that’s unfortunate.”(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
That debate has taken on new urgency as the U.S. enters its third week of war with Iran, and as Gabbard — who built much of her political identity opposing regime-change wars — has remained largely quiet publicly about the conflict despite overseeing the nation’s intelligence apparatus.
After his firing, Caldwell suggested the trio’s removal may have been tied to internal power struggles. “We threatened a lot of established interests inside the building and outside the building,” he said.
The Pentagon declined to comment on Caldwell’s hiring and the status of the investigation. The Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations did not respond to a request for comment.
Donald Trump’s most senior counterterrorism official has resigned, saying he “cannot in good conscience” support the Iran war and claiming the country posed “no imminent threat” to the United States.
Joe Kent was director of the National Counterterrorism Center, leading the agency as it detected and analysed terrorist threats to the US.
Announcing his resignation in a post on social media, he wrote: “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
Joe Kent’s resignation letter a ‘major problem for Trump’
Who is Joe Kent and why did he resign?
Mr Kent, who was appointed by Mr Trump and confirmed by the Senate in his post last July by 52 votes to 44, unsuccessfully ran for Congress twice and has been criticised for his connections to right-wing extremists.
The 45-year-old is the highest-ranking administration official to publicly voice his opposition to Mr Trump’s war with Iran, highlighting concerns among some of Mr Trump’s supporters about his justifications for the conflict.
Mr Kent said he was resigning over concerns about the reasons, or lack of reasons, given for the strikes on Iran.
Some experts have claimed an imminent threat would have been required for Mr Trump to launch his war without congressional approval and under the international law of war.
Image:Mr Kent’s resignation letter
Mr Trump has given several reasons for the war, including stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons, destroying its ballistic missile capabilities, and regime change. He has disputed claims Israeli action forced the US to strike.
Responding to Mr Kent’s resignation during an Oval Office news conference on Tuesday, Mr Trump said he always thought he was “weak on security”. He added that if someone in his administration did not believe Iran was a threat, “we don’t want those people”.
Image:Mr Kent unsuccessfully ran for Congress in Washington state twice. Pic: Reuters
A career in the special forces and two unsuccessful political bids
Mr Kent previously served in the military for 20 years, undertaking 11 deployments as a Green Beret – an elite counterterrorism force known for conducting unconventional warfare – before joining the CIA as a paramilitary officer. He later served as counterterrorism adviser to Mr Trump’s 2020 presidential re-election campaign.
Before he entered Mr Trump’s administration, Mr Kent attempted two unsuccessful bids for Congress in Washington state.
He was previously a strong supporter of Mr Trump, having met the president after his wife Shannon, a cryptologist in the US Navy, was killed by a suicide bomber while fighting Islamic State in Syria in 2019, leaving him to raise their two sons.
Image:Joe and Shannon Kent with their children. Pic: Joe Kent/NBC
Praise for Trump’s ’empathy and thoughtfulness’
In an opinion piece for NBC News, Sky News’ US partner network, published a year later, Mr Kent said he met Mr Trump in the days after his wife was killed and praised him for his “empathy and thoughtfulness on one of the worst days of my life”.
Mr Kent said he could “unmistakably” see in the president’s eyes “the same pain I’d seen in the eyes of other senior leaders who ultimately bear the responsibility for sending men and women to their deaths in combat”.
Image:Mr Kent was director of the US National Counterterrorism Center. Pic: AP
In a stark contrast to his resignation letter, Mr Kent went on to write: “His [Mr Trump’s] use of decisive military force only when absolutely necessary, combined with his reluctance to use the military as the sole tool of foreign policy, is not only good and smart, but the sign of utmost respect for the lives of our troops.”
He added: “Previous presidents’ support of endless wars has resulted in the loss of thousands of American lives and cost American taxpayers trillions of dollars, whereas President Trump’s limited use of military force and swift action when needed marks a decisive change from that policy.”
Image:File pic: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/AP
Ties to right-wing extremists and conspiracy theories
During his congressional campaign in 2022, Kent paid a member of the far-right group the Proud Boys, Graham Jorgensen, for consulting work.
He also worked closely with the founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer, Joey Gibson, while attracting support from a variety of far-right figures.
Democrats opposed his appointment as head of the National Counterterrorism Center, criticising him for his past ties to far-right figures and his penchant for conspiracy theories.
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Mr Kent refused to distance himself from the conspiracy theory that US federal agents instigated the January 6 attack at the US Capitol in 2021 and did not back down from false claims that Mr Trump won the 2020 presidential election.
He was also grilled by Democrats on his participation in a group chat on the Signal messaging app which was used by Mr Trump’s national security team to discuss airstrikes on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, while Republicans praised his counterterrorism qualifications and pointed to his military and intelligence experience.
A convicted drug trafficker who prosecutors say pumped enough fentanyl into Colorado to potentially kill most of an entire county will now spend the rest of his life behind bars — sentenced to more than 150 years in prison.
Carlos Gonzalez-Del Hoyo, 44, of Aurora, was sentenced last week to 159 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections by Weld County District Court Judge Annette Kundelius.
The lengthy sentence follows a January jury conviction on six felony counts tied to large-scale drug distribution, including three counts each of distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Authorities say the case highlights the alarming scale and deadly potential of the fentanyl crisis gripping communities across the country.
The lengthy sentence underscores the severity of fentanyl trafficking as officials crack down on deadly drug networks.(Weld County DA)
“This defendant possessed enough fentanyl to kill 88% of Weld County’s population if it had been distributed in our community,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia said. “This sentence reflects the extreme danger this defendant’s large-scale trafficking posed.”
A judge handed down a 159-year sentence in a major drug trafficking case involving fentanyl pills and methamphetamine.(Weld County Sheriff’s Office)
Investigators with the Weld County Drug Task Force began tracking Gonzalez-Del Hoyo in September 2024 after receiving information he was distributing large quantities of narcotics across northern Colorado.
During the investigation, he sold drugs to undercover officers on multiple occasions — all while on parole for a prior motor vehicle theft conviction out of Adams County.
He was arrested in November 2024 during a traffic stop in Greeley.
“His actions were profit-driven, and he preyed upon those with addiction,” Pirraglia said. “We won’t tolerate this type of destruction in our community.”
Weld County, home to roughly 360,000 residents, is the eighth-largest county in Colorado, according to its population and development report — and officials say cases like this highlight the ongoing threat posed by large-scale drug trafficking networks.
“The Legislature has made clear that those who flood our communities with deadly narcotics must be held fully accountable,” Pirraglia added. “This sentence reflects that mandate.”
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
Stepheny Price is a Writer at Fox News with a focus on West Coast and Midwest news, missing persons, national and international crime stories, homicide cases, and border security.
The Council of the European Union has sanctioned three Chinese and Iranian companies and two individuals for cyberattacks targeting devices and critical infrastructure.
One of the two sanctioned Chinese companies, identified as Integrity Technology Group, provided “technical and material support” between 2022 and 2023 that led to hacking more than 65,000 devices in six EU states.
The other Chinese company is Anxun Information Technology, which provided hacking services targeting “critical infrastructure and critical functions of member states and third countries.”
The two individuals added to the Council’s sanctions list are the co-founders of Anxun Information Technology, believed to have played a significant role in cyberattacks against EU member states.
The sanctioned Iranian company is Emennet Pasargad, which has been attributed multiple influence campaigns and the compromise of an SMS service in Sweden.
Emennet Pasargad has been involved in hijacking advertising billboards to spread misinformation during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
According to Microsoft, using the moniker Holy Souls on a hacker forum, the actor also offered in early January 2023 to sell personal information of 230,000 subscribers of the French magazine Charlie Hebdo.
Holy Souls asked for 20 bitcoins, worth around $340,000 at the time, and published a sample of the stolen details, which included Charlie Hebdo subscriber names and addresses.
Caption
Emennet Pasargad is believed to have provided cybersecurity services for the Iranian government and has a long history of influence campaigns. In November 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice offered a $10 million reward for two Iranian nationals who worked as contractors for the company.
“Those listed today under both regimes are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets, or economic resources available to them. Natural persons also face a travel ban that prohibits them from entering or transiting through EU territories,” notes the European Council.
Integrity Technology Group was connected by the FBI in 2024 to the ‘Raptor Train’ botnet, believed to be operated by the Chinese state-sponsored threat actor ‘Flax Typhoon.’
In January 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the company for its involvement in these cyberattacks, allowing the Raptor Train to build a massive network of 260,000 infected devices.
In March 2025, the U.S. Justice Department sanctioned Anxun Information Technology (also known as i-Soon) for advertising hacker-for-hire services and carrying out cyberattacks since at least 2011.
In mid-February 2024, i-Soon suffered a data leak that exposed the company’s internal operations as a China-affiliated hacking contractor and its offensive toolkit.
The U.S. authorities also announced rewards of up to $10 million for valid information leading to the location of 10 Anxun Information Technology executives and technical staff members.
US President Donald Trump has reacted to the resignation of the US National Counterterrorism Centre’s director, Joe Kent, saying that he couldn’t work with somebody who didn’t believe Iran was a threat. Trump also said his decision to bomb Iran avoided a ‘nuclear holocaust’.
When firefighters arrive at a major blaze, they often face the same problem. They have to walk into danger without knowing exactly what is inside.
Smoke hides everything. Floors may be unstable. Toxic gases can build up quickly. Even experienced crews sometimes enter buildings with limited information about what they are about to face.
Now, a new type of robotic vehicle could help change that. Instead of firefighters stepping into the unknown, a rugged robot can roll inside first. It can scan the scene, locate the fire and send back critical information in real time. That insight helps crews make smarter decisions before anyone risks their life inside. For firefighters, that extra visibility could make a big difference.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
A firefighting robot built by Hyundai Motor Group can enter burning buildings before crews, using thermal cameras and real-time video to locate flames and hazards.(Hyundai Motor Group)
The robot is built to drive straight into the fire
This robotic firefighter is designed for environments where heat, smoke and collapsing structures make it dangerous for people. The vehicle carries a powerful water cannon that can fire a focused stream or a wide spray depending on the situation. Cameras that detect infrared heat allow it to see through thick smoke.
One of its most important features is a self-cooling system. The robot sprays a protective curtain of water around its body to prevent overheating. That system allows it to keep operating even when surrounding temperatures climb to nearly 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. In conditions like that, most humans could not safely enter.
How the firefighting robot moves through dangerous spaces
Fire scenes are chaotic. Debris blocks hallways. Floors collapse. Visibility disappears. To handle those challenges, the robot uses six independently powered wheels. Each wheel has its
own motor, which allows the vehicle to rotate in place and move through tight spaces.
It can climb steep ramps like those found in parking garages or warehouses. It can also roll over obstacles about a foot tall. An advanced driving system scans the terrain around the robot and helps guide it around hazards. At the same time, cameras send live video back to firefighters outside the building. Crews can see where flames are spreading and where survivors may be trapped. That information helps firefighters form a plan before they move in.
A glowing hose that helps firefighters navigate smoke
Another feature focuses on a very practical problem firefighters face during rescues. The robot carries a hose that glows in dark, smoky environments.
Firefighters often rely on hoses to find their way out of buildings when visibility drops close to zero. The glowing hose creates a visible path that helps rescuers navigate thick smoke and find their way back to safety. It may sound simple. In the middle of a fire, it could be life-saving.
Hyundai unveiled an unmanned firefighting robot.(Hyundai Motor Group)
Why are firefighting robots starting to show up in disaster zones
Firefighting robots are part of a growing trend in emergency response. Across the world, machines are stepping into tasks that place humans at extreme risk. Autonomous mining trucks now work in remote mines. Robots clear landmines in former war zones. Some robotic dogs even carry water cannons to assist firefighters.
The idea is straightforward. Let machines handle the most dangerous early moments while human responders focus on rescue and strategy. Over time, these systems may become even smarter. Engineers are exploring ways artificial intelligence could analyze fire size, smoke patterns and heat levels to help guide firefighting decisions.
Where this firefighting robot is already being used
The robotic firefighter was developed by Hyundai Motor Group, working with South Korea’s National Fire Agency. The company recently donated several of the vehicles to fire stations in the country so crews can begin using them in real emergencies. Two robots have already been delivered, with additional units expected soon.
The technology has already seen its first real-world test during a factory fire in North Chungcheong Province. There is also a serious reason for the push toward safer tools. According to the Korea National Fire Agency, 1,788 firefighters have been injured or killed at fire scenes over the past decade. Robots that can enter dangerous environments first could help reduce that number.
What this means to you
Most people will never see one of these machines rolling down their street. At least not yet. But firefighting technology often spreads quickly once departments see real benefits. U.S. fire agencies already use drones, thermal cameras and robotics in certain rescue situations. A robot that can scout a burning building before firefighters enter could eventually become another tool in that toolbox. For firefighters, it means better information and fewer blind entries into dangerous structures. For the rest of us, it could mean faster rescues and safer emergency response.
Six independently powered wheels allow the firefighting robot to climb ramps, navigate debris and move through tight spaces inside damaged structures.(Hyundai Motor Group)
Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?
Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Every firefighter knows the first moments inside a burning building are the most unpredictable. Smoke hides the layout. Heat builds rapidly. Structural damage can happen without warning. A robot that rolls in first could change that dynamic. It gives crews eyes inside the building before they commit to entry. Technology like this will never replace firefighters. However, it can give them something incredibly valuable. Better information when every second counts.
If your local fire department had a robot that could enter a burning building first, would you want them to use it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
In view of the increasing travel needs and current circumstances in the West Asia region, Air India and Air India Express have taken a big decision. Both the airlines will together operate a total of 50 scheduled and special flights on March 18, 2026 (Wednesday). Efforts are being made to provide convenience to the passengers traveling between India and West Asia through these flights.
Air India Group said that regular flight services to Jeddah and Muscat will continue. A total of 14 flights will be operated between India and Jeddah. Of these, Air India will run one return flight each from Delhi and Mumbai. Whereas, Air India Express will operate one flight each from Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mangaluru and two flights from Kozhikode.
Many flights to Muscat also
Air India Express will also operate a total of 12 scheduled flights to Muscat. These flights will operate from Delhi, Kannur, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. According to the airline, the objective of these services is to provide safe and regular travel facilities to the passengers.
Additional special flights also planned
Apart from regular flights, Air India and Air India Express will also jointly operate 24 additional non-scheduled flights. These flights will be for United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. However, operation of these flights will depend on the slots available at the respective airports and other necessary conditions. All necessary permissions for these flights have been taken from Indian and local regulatory bodies.
Other international routes normal
Air India Group clarified that its flights to North America, Europe, Australia and other international regions will continue to operate as scheduled. No changes have been made on these routes. The airline has asked passengers to regularly check their travel information on the official website.
Rebooking and refund facility to passengers
Air India Group said that passengers whose flights have been temporarily affected will be given the facility to rebook tickets on a new date without any extra charges. If passengers wish, they can also take full refund. For this, Air India website or customer support helpline can be contacted. Air India Express has also provided rebooking facility to passengers through WhatsApp based digital assistant ‘Tia’.
A former Trump administration official said the U.S. may be on the verge of a breakthrough in Cuba, as President Donald Trump ramps up “maximum pressure” on the island’s communist regime.
“I think where we could actually end up in the next couple of weeks is, for the first time in 70 years, we could have an opportunity for the Cuban people to actually experience freedom brought to them by Donald J. Trump,” former White House NSC chief of staff Alex Gray said Tuesday.
Appearing on “America’s Newsroom,” Gray contrasted Trump’s “maximum pressure” approach to the policies of previous administrations he says “strengthened the regime” and lengthened its tenure for another decade.
A woman holds a sign and Cuban flags as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump participate in a protest against Cuba’s government, in Miami on Feb. 28. (Marco Bello/Reuters)
“I think the ideal situation is that President Trump is able to do what his predecessors were not able to, which is to get Cuba to change its behavior long term and change its regime, and I think that the president is looking at the same set of facts that previous American presidents looked at, and they didn’t do anything with it,” Gray told Dana Perino.
“Barack Obama looked at an opportunity in the 2010s and… he opened a U.S. Embassy there. He actually strengthened the regime and kept it on life support for another decade.”
President Donald Trump prepares to sign paperwork during a White House signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House on Mar. 16 in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Gray’s remarks come amid a total power grid failure that plunged the Caribbean island into darkness.
Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy questioned the president about the country on Monday, asking, “When you say Cuba is next, is Cuba – whatever you do with the military there, it seems like something – will that look more like Iran or Venezuela?”
Trump replied, “I can’t tell you that. I can tell you that they’re talking to us. It’s a failed nation. They have no money, they have no oil, they have no nothing.”
“I do believe I’ll be… having the honor of taking Cuba… That’s a big honor,” he added later.
Various geopolitical developments under the Trump administration have fueled speculation that Cuba’s communist regime could soon be next in the president’s playbook, including Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro‘s removal from power and even more recent strikes against the Iranian regime.
Fox News’ Greg Norman-Diamond contributed to this report.
Taylor Penley is an associate editor with Fox News.
