Tragedy struck near Sicily as Italy's coast guard recovered six bodies believed to be among the 21 missing from a recent migrant shipwreck. Seven survivors, all Syrians, were rescued from a semi-sunken boat near Lampedusa, highlighting the central Mediterranean as one of the deadliest migration routes with over 2,500 deaths or disappearances last year.

In Algeria, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, declared victorious with a staggering 94.7% of the vote, has himself questioned the election's integrity. Low voter turnout and allegations of procedural irregularities have fueled skepticism and criticism from opposition leaders and civil society alike.

Meanwhile, in Russia, supporters of President Vladimir Putin are set to dominate gubernatorial races amid strong support for the Ukraine war. Early vote counts indicate Kremlin-backed candidates are poised to win in all 21 gubernatorial races, as well as numerous regional and city council positions.

Turning to the Middle East, Iraq and the United States have agreed on a phased pullout of the US-led anti-jihadist coalition, with a complete withdrawal expected by 2026. This agreement, still pending signature, will see troops leave Baghdad and federal Iraq by September 2025 and the Kurdistan region by September 2026.

Back in the US, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that a six-month spending bill proposed by Republicans would severely impact the Department of Defense. The proposed bill threatens to delay billions in research projects and military construction, cutting defense spending by over $6 billion and potentially undermining US military readiness.

Lastly, in Lebanon, former central bank governor Riad Salameh faces justice over embezzlement charges. Serving for three decades, Salameh is being questioned for financial crimes, including forgery and illicit enrichment, a significant move toward accountability amid Lebanon's ongoing financial crisis.