ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including deadly Afghan airstrikes that Kabul blames on Pakistan; President Donald Trump signaling a “big decision” on Iran amid conflicting reports; and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressing nuclear weapons claims from the UK and France.

TOP STORIES

• Kabul claims ‘deliberate targeting’ by Pakistan left 19 Afghans dead

The Afghan government said at least 19 civilians were killed after Pakistan hit two of its provinces.

Pakistan has “once again deliberately targeted the residences of ordinary civilians in Khost and Paktika (provinces), resulting in the martyrdom of 19 civilians and injuries to 26 others,” government deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said in a statement on US social media company X.

“The majority of the martyrs and injured are children and women,” Fitrat added.

• Trump says US has 'big decision' to make on Iran, urges 'meaningful' deal

President Donald Trump said he faces a “very big decision” on Iran, signaling openness to a diplomatic agreement and a willingness to apply military pressure if necessary.

"Now, we have a big decision to make. You know that -- not easy, not easy. We have a very big decision to make," Trump said at an event in the state of Texas.

He claimed that tens of thousands of protesters had been killed recently in Iran, citing a figure of 32,000, though he did not provide details or sources for the number.

• Zelenskyy says he would accept nuclear weapons from UK, France, but denies receiving proposals

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he has not been offered nuclear weapons by the UK or France, but stressed that he would accept the offer “with pleasure.”

“With pleasure, but I didn’t have propositions. But with pleasure,” Zelenskyy said in an interview with Sky News, an excerpt of which was shared by Ukrainian media outlets, including the RBC-Ukraine news agency, when asked about Russian claims that Ukraine is "trying to get a nuclear weapon via Britain and France."

“No, it’s not happening,” he said, commenting on if such a thing would take place.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• A military cargo plane carrying new Bolivian banknotes crashed near the capital after skidding off a runway and plowing into a busy road in the neighboring city of El Alto, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 30, according to authorities.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention.
• US President Donald Trump directed all federal agencies to immediately cease using technology developed by Anthropic, accusing the artificial intelligence firm of attempting to “strong-arm” the US military and jeopardizing national security.
• US President Donald Trump suggested he might consider intervening as Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to engage in deadly border clashes.
• Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said he looks forward to “further and decisive progress” in the coming days in indirect negotiations between the US and Iran.
• US President Donald Trump suggested Washington could pursue a “friendly takeover” of Cuba.
• The UN said nearly 34 million people in Sudan will require humanitarian assistance in 2026, marking the "highest number of people in need anywhere in the world."
• The municipality of Beersheba in southern Israel decided to open public shelters in the city as a precautionary measure, despite the Israeli army’s claim that no changes have been made to Home Front Command guidelines, according to the local website Hadshot 24/7.
• Pakistan said 12 of its soldiers were killed and 27 injured in the border clashes with Afghan forces.
• The British Green Party has won its first-ever Westminster by-election, securing a historic victory as the ruling Labour Party felt the sting of voters’ discontent.
• The world's largest aircraft carrier, US Gerald R. Ford, arrived on the shores of Israel, according to Israeli Channel 12.
• Floods triggered by days of intense rainfall in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state have left at least 68 people dead since Monday, said authorities, as rescue teams continued searching for missing residents amid weather warnings.
• South Korean investigators raided the headquarters of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) for alleged mass recruitment linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Yonhap News reported, citing legal sources.
• The date of the 2027 presidential election in Nigeria has been changed due to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, authorities announced.
• Oman’s foreign minister said US-Iran nuclear talks have reached an agreement on “zero stockpiling” of enriched uranium, including down-blending existing stockpiles to the lowest level and converting them into irreversible fuel under full IAEA verification.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Trump highlights Venezuelan oil growth, calls Caracas 'new friend and partner'

US President Donald Trump touted the surge in crude oil exports linked to Venezuela, describing the energy flows as beneficial for both countries.

Trump said crude oil exports are up by hundreds of thousands of barrels a day from Venezuela.

"Think 80 million barrels of oil. Think of what that means,” he said. “It's great for Venezuela, and it's great for us.”

• Netflix cancels Warner Bros. Discovery merger over superior offer

Netflix announced the termination of its merger agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery as the entertainment company accepted a superior proposal from the Paramount Skydance Corporation.

Warner Bros. Discovery notified the streaming platform on Feb. 26 that a revised proposal from Paramount constituted a superior offer.

Netflix waived its right to negotiate further and confirmed it chose not to revise its previous offer, according to its statement to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).