Author: Admin

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — The Democratic Republic of Congo announced Monday the establishment of a specialized paramilitary unit designed to protect its extensive mining sector, supported by financial backing from the United States and United Arab Emirates as Washington seeks to secure access to essential minerals during ongoing peace efforts in the unstable eastern regions.

According to a statement from the central African nation’s General Inspectorate of Mines, the new security force will be rolled out in phases, with between 2,500 and 3,000 officers expected to begin operations by December after completing six months of military training and cooperation.

Officials project the paramilitary unit will expand to exceed 20,000 personnel spread across Congo’s 22 mining provinces by 2028’s conclusion, designed to enhance investor trust and strengthen government supervision of mineral extraction activities.

The initiative carries a $100 million price tag supported through collaborative agreements with the United States and United Arab Emirates, according to the official statement.

The Democratic Republic of Congo serves as a significant source of coltan, a metallic mineral containing tantalum, an essential element used in manufacturing smartphones, computers and aircraft engines.

The expansive nation has historically faced challenges with illegal mineral smuggling and persistent security threats, especially in eastern territories where conflicts between government troops and Rwanda-supported insurgents have claimed thousands of lives and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

The Congolese president seeks to “clean up the entire mining sector, by eliminating practices that run counter to good governance, transparency and the traceability of minerals,” stated Rafael Kabengele, the inspector general of mines.

This paramilitary unit will assume security responsibilities currently handled by traditional military units. Their duties will encompass protecting mining locations, providing security escorts for mineral transportation to processing centers and border checkpoints, and safeguarding international investments.

The United States is working to diminish China’s control over essential mineral supply networks. Congo and America established a minerals partnership agreement last year that resulted in American company Virtus Minerals acquiring copper-cobalt mining operation Chemaf. Additional Western corporations have shown interest, including facilities situated in rebel-controlled areas.

The Democratic Republic of Congo generated approximately 40% of global coltan production in 2023, based on U.S. Geological Survey data. Over 15% of worldwide tantalum supplies originate from the rebel-controlled Rubaya mining operations in the eastern region.

Eastern Congo has experienced recurring crises for decades, with numerous armed factions remaining active throughout the area.

In the previous year, Congo and Rwanda’s governments agreed to a peace accord facilitated by the United States, which simultaneously provided American government and business access to critical mineral resources.

Discussions between M23 insurgents and Congo continue, though combat persists across multiple eastern battlefronts.

BERLIN — German officials are pointing the finger at Russia for orchestrating sophisticated cyberattacks that breached the Signal messaging accounts of senior government officials, military leaders, and members of the press, according to a government representative.

Federal prosecutors began a preliminary probe in mid-February 2026 following reports of cyber intrusions targeting Signal users, a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office confirmed Saturday.

The investigation centers on potential espionage activities, the spokesperson noted, though she declined to identify which nation might be responsible.

Berlin has not yet formally blamed Russia for the digital assault.

Since Russia launched its comprehensive military operation against Ukraine in February 2022, Germany and neighboring European nations have faced a surge in cyberattacks and hostile activities that Western intelligence agencies have traced back to Moscow.

Approximately 300 Signal accounts belonging to people in political circles were breached during the operation, according to German publication Der Spiegel, citing government insiders.

Officials have not publicly released the identities of those affected.

Der Spiegel reported that victims received deceptive messages from what appeared to be Signal’s security system, alerting them to unusual account activity and urging immediate response. When users complied with the instructions — which included providing PIN codes or scanning QR codes — their accounts became accessible to attackers through external devices.

The breach enabled hackers to access previous message exchanges, monitor current communications, and view contact lists along with other personal information.

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency BfV and federal cybersecurity organization BSI issued public alerts in February about the phishing operation, describing it as “likely being carried out by a state-controlled cyber actor.” German news agency dpa reported that authorities also reached out directly to warn specific politicians about potential compromises.

Dutch intelligence and security agencies issued their own warning in March, stating that “Russian state hackers are engaged in a large-scale global cyber campaign to gain access to Signal and WhatsApp accounts belonging to dignitaries, military personnel and civil servants.”

The Dutch warning specified that government workers were among the targets, and noted that journalists may have also been compromised.

Russia’s diplomatic mission in Berlin declined to respond to requests for comment from the Associated Press. The Kremlin has consistently rejected accusations of conducting espionage operations against other nations.

On Monday morning, Russian officials summoned Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, Germany’s ambassador to Russia, regarding alleged connections between German political figures and terrorist groups, dpa reported. Authorities have not established any link between this diplomatic action and the recent Signal attack revelations.

“I will, of course, comply with the summons. I consider it unlikely that the Russian side will be able to substantiate its accusations,” Lambsdorff stated beforehand. Diplomatic relations between the two nations have remained strained for several years.

JERUSALEM – Two leading opponents of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have declared their intention to form a unified political alliance aimed at removing his coalition from power in the next election, focusing primarily on internal matters including military service requirements for ultra-Orthodox citizens.

However, regarding matters involving Iran, Gaza and Lebanon, the combined party headed by right-wing politician Naftali Bennett and centrist leader Yair Lapid is anticipated to maintain a security approach comparable to Netanyahu’s current stance – who leads what many consider Israel’s most right-wing administration in history – suggesting the nation’s international relations would see little change.

The newly formed alliance, named “BeYachad” which translates to “together” in Hebrew, has yet to publish an official policy document. However, their positions on regional disputes can be understood through their recent public statements.

IRAN

Both Bennett, age 54, and Lapid, age 62, have strongly supported Netanyahu’s choice to coordinate attacks on Iran with the United States, mirroring widespread Israeli public approval for the military action.

When Israel began its air strikes against Iran, Lapid described the conflict to Reuters as a “just war against evil.”

Since then, both politicians have criticized the 76-year-old Netanyahu for what they characterize as failing to accomplish Israel’s primary war goals, including overthrowing Iran’s religious leadership.

Yet neither leader has advocated for renewed combat since the cessation of Israeli and U.S. strikes and Iranian missile attacks following an April 8 truce agreement.

An insider familiar with their new political movement characterized Bennett and Lapid as “hawkish” and “tough on Iran.”

The source, speaking anonymously about the party’s priorities, also noted they are “pragmatic and understand the need for diplomatic agreements and the work that happens after the military use of force to achieve strategic goals.”

LEBANON

Both leaders have strongly endorsed Israeli military actions in Lebanon while questioning an April 17 ceasefire that has not succeeded in stopping clashes between Israeli forces and Iran-supported Hezbollah fighters.

Before Israel’s military entered southern Lebanon in March, Lapid stated that Israel must take all necessary actions to safeguard its citizens.

Following the announcement of the Hezbollah ceasefire in April, Lapid declared that the only viable solution was permanently eliminating threats to northern Israel.

Bennett harshly condemned the ceasefire agreement, writing on Facebook on April 17: “One can already count backwards towards the next round. Hezbollah began this morning to rebuild southern Lebanon and is becoming stronger with missiles ahead of the next round.”

GAZA

Concerning the Gaza conflict, where Israel has maintained lethal strikes despite an October ceasefire, both Bennett and Lapid have faulted Netanyahu for failing to completely eliminate the Hamas militant organization following its October 7, 2023 assault on Israel.

In January, Lapid accused Netanyahu’s administration of achieving the “worst possible outcome” in Gaza, noting that Hamas still maintains tens of thousands of armed combatants. Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas kept control of a narrow coastal strip in Gaza.

In a recent Facebook statement, Bennett claimed Netanyahu’s policies – including permitting some humanitarian assistance into the territory after blocking all aid deliveries for three months in 2025 – had enabled Hamas to regain authority.

“This is with the help of hundreds of aid trucks that Netanyahu’s government brings them every day,” Bennett wrote.

Netanyahu has portrayed Israel’s extensive military campaign that devastated much of Gaza and resulted in over 72,000 Palestinian deaths as successful. He has suggested the possibility of renewed full-scale warfare if Hamas refuses to surrender weapons through a U.S.-supported process, which the organization has so far declined.

PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD

Given polling data indicating most Israelis reject creating an independent Palestinian nation in the occupied West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, a Bennett-Lapid administration would likely avoid major Palestinian policy changes.

Netanyahu rejects Palestinian statehood, and his administration has expedited settlement construction in the West Bank, which government officials describe as efforts to eliminate prospects for Palestinian independence.

In 2022, Lapid, who represents many in Israel’s political center and left who don’t completely oppose Palestinian self-governance, stated that a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute was morally correct.

During a 2024 ABC interview when questioned about his opposition to a two-state solution, Bennett expressed concern it would result in violence against Israelis.

“What we’ve learned over the past 30 years is that every time we gave the Palestinians a piece of land, instead of building it into a beautiful Singapore they turned it into a terror state and began killing Israelis,” Bennett explained.

Regarding the West Bank, Netanyahu, Bennett and Lapid have all spoken strongly against settler violence targeting Palestinians. Such incidents have increased under Netanyahu’s leadership, with critics claiming he permits settlers to freely attack Palestinian communities and residents. Netanyahu’s office disputes these allegations.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered harsh criticism of Iran’s leadership on Monday, accusing Tehran of deliberately embarrassing the United States during failed diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict.

Speaking to students in Marsberg, a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Merz characterized Iran’s negotiation tactics as deliberately obstructive and designed to humiliate American officials.

“The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result,” Merz stated during his address.

The German leader went further, saying “An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards. And so I hope that this ends as quickly as possible.”

Merz’s comments highlight growing tensions between Washington and its European NATO partners, which have been building over various international issues including Ukraine.

The German Chancellor expressed frustration that European allies were not consulted before the United States and Israel began military operations against Iran on February 28. He revealed he had personally shared his concerns with President Donald Trump following the attacks.

“If I had known that it would continue like this for five or six weeks and get progressively worse, I would have told him even more emphatically,” Merz remarked, drawing comparisons to previous American military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

President Trump has strongly criticized NATO members for failing to deploy naval forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz during the current crisis. The crucial waterway remains largely closed, creating significant market instability and severe disruptions to global energy supplies.

Diplomatic prospects appear increasingly dim after Trump canceled a planned visit by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi traveled to Russia on Monday following unsuccessful negotiations in both Pakistan and Oman.

Addressing the strategic waterway crisis, Merz confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz appears to have been partially mined. He announced that Germany and other European nations have proposed sending German minesweeping vessels to help clear the passage.

The ongoing conflict is taking a significant economic toll on Germany, with Merz noting it is costing the country “a lot of money, a lot of taxpayers’ money and a lot of economic strength.”

Following an intensive weekend of international diplomatic activities, Iran’s top foreign affairs official made his way to Russia on Monday as the nation works to build political influence and secure international allies while peace negotiations with the United States continue to stall.

The diplomatic mission represents part of Iran’s broader strategy to strengthen relationships with key global partners during a period when direct dialogue with Washington has come to a standstill.

The foreign minister’s arrival in Russia caps off what sources describe as a particularly busy period of international outreach by Iranian officials, as the country navigates complex geopolitical challenges in the region.

A water access dispute between two families in eastern Chad turned deadly over the weekend, resulting in 42 fatalities and 10 injuries as violence spiraled out of control, according to the nation’s deputy prime minister.

Deputy Prime Minister Limane Mahamat visited the village of Igote in Wadi Fira province on Sunday, where the deadly confrontations took place on Saturday near Chad’s border with Sudan. The injured victims were transported to a regional medical facility for treatment.

According to Mahamat, the violence expanded across a considerable geographic area, forcing military units to step in. The deputy prime minister described the army’s “swift response” as effective in stopping the bloodshed, stating the situation is now “under control.”

Mahamat announced plans to begin a “customary mediation” initiative in the affected village while also launching legal proceedings to identify those criminally liable for the violence.

Resource-related conflicts between communities are frequently reported throughout the Central African nation. Similar violence erupted last year when disputes between agricultural workers and livestock herders in southwestern Chad resulted in 42 deaths and numerous destroyed residences.

The deputy prime minister pledged the government would implement “all necessary measures” to maintain stability in the border region where the deadly confrontations occurred.

Eastern Chad has been accommodating refugees escaping Sudan’s ongoing war for months, creating mounting strain on available resources and regional security. Since the Sudanese conflict started, hundreds of thousands of refugees have crossed into Chad seeking safety.

Chad sealed its border with Sudan in February “until further notice,” describing the closure as an effort to prevent conflict from spreading into Chadian territory following multiple incursions by fighters from opposing Sudanese military groups.

The Sudanese war has claimed over 40,000 lives based on United Nations data, though humanitarian organizations believe the actual death toll could be significantly higher.

The ongoing conflict has generated what experts call the world’s most severe humanitarian emergency, displacing more than 14 million people from their communities. The war has also triggered disease outbreaks and created famine conditions in portions of Sudan.

MILAN (AP) — The prestigious La Fenice opera house in Venice has severed its relationship with its controversial soon-to-be music director who has connections to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following sustained opposition from theater workers.

The theater’s foundation announced Sunday that General Manager Nicola Colabianchi terminated future work with Beatrice Venezi due to her “repeated and serious public statements that were offensive and harmful” to both the venue and its musicians.

Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli expressed hope that this decision would “clear misunderstandings, tensions and manipulations” that had emerged around Venezi’s selection.

Theater employees, including performers, musicians and backstage crew, had strongly resisted her hiring, pointing to insufficient transparency in the process and questioning whether she possessed adequate experience to helm such a prestigious institution.

The opposition intensified over time, culminating in work stoppages that led to canceled shows and a demonstration through Venice’s streets that drew support from employees of other opera venues, highlighting worries about political meddling in cultural institutions.

When news of Venezi’s blocked appointment reached Sunday evening’s performance, both audience members and orchestra musicians broke into spontaneous applause, as captured in footage shared by Italian news outlets.

Colabianchi had originally announced Venezi’s appointment on September 22nd and stood by his choice, arguing that her energy and youth would help draw younger patrons to the historic theater. The culture minister had similarly endorsed the selection.

The 36-year-old conductor joined the culture ministry as an advisor following Meloni’s rise to power in 2022. Her background includes serving as principal conductor for the Nuova Orchestra Scarlatti Young and guest conducting roles with Orchestra della Toscana, along with international engagements in countries including Armenia, Uruguay and Argentina.

BUCHAREST – Romania’s political landscape faces dramatic upheaval as the nation’s dominant parliamentary party, the Social Democrats, announced Monday they will join forces with the hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians to remove the current pro-European government from power.

This unexpected partnership threatens to jeopardize Romania’s access to crucial European Union funding after Social Democratic ministers withdrew from Liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s coalition government last week, stripping it of its parliamentary majority.

Despite losing support, reform-focused Bolojan has declined to step down, insisting his administration must complete essential reforms to secure more than 10 billion euros in pandemic recovery funding before the EU’s August cutoff date.

The current coalition formed ten months ago following December 2024 elections, with the primary goal of preventing far-right parties from gaining significant influence in Romanian politics.

However, tensions have mounted between Bolojan and the Social Democrats over proposed budget reductions designed to cut Romania’s deficit from more than 9% of economic output in 2024 – the highest in the EU – down to 6.2% this year.

While Social Democrats have indicated willingness to rejoin a pro-European alliance, they demand Bolojan’s removal as a condition. His Liberal party continues to support him, accusing the Social Democrats of violating cooperation agreements established ten months earlier and refusing to consider future partnerships with them.

Creating a pro-European parliamentary majority appears impossible without Social Democratic participation. The party had previously rejected any collaboration with the Alliance for Uniting Romanians, parliament’s second-largest faction, which currently leads opinion polls with approximately 35% public support.

Together, these two parties hold about 220 seats in the 464-member parliament. To successfully remove the government, they need 233 votes, which they could potentially achieve with support from smaller far-right groups. Meanwhile, Bolojan is working to strengthen his own backing.

Romania has never conducted early elections and isn’t scheduled to hold general elections again until 2028.

When questioned Monday about the possibility of governing alongside the Alliance for Uniting Romanians, former deputy prime minister Marian Neacsu of the Social Democrats remained cautious, stating only: “Every journey begins with the first step.”

Alliance for Uniting Romanians leader George Simion announced that the motion to dismiss Bolojan’s cabinet would be submitted once 233 lawmakers provide their signatures, with a potential vote scheduled for May 5. Simion indicated his party remains open to discussions with all political groups following the government’s removal.

A marathon livestream in Poland has set new fundraising records after collecting more than $69 million for children fighting cancer during a continuous nine-day broadcast that ended Sunday evening.

Social media influencer Piotr Hancke, who goes by the name Latwogang, orchestrated the event from his small Warsaw apartment, drawing support from high-profile figures including tennis champion Iga Swiatek and soccer star Robert Lewandowski.

The extraordinary fundraising effort brought in over 250 million zlotys for the Cancer Fighters Foundation, surpassing the previous livestream record of $19.5 million set in France last year by more than three times.

“We’re reaching for the stars, reaching for space, to help those who need it most, the innocent children who fight the hardest battles every day,” said Marek Kopysc, president of the Cancer Fighters Foundation, speaking to broadcaster RMF FM.

The livestream launched on April 17 via YouTube and concluded at 9:37 p.m. local time on Sunday. At its most popular moment, 1.4 million viewers watched simultaneously, setting new viewership records according to Poland’s state news agency PAP.

During one memorable portion of the broadcast, several celebrities cut off their hair in solidarity with cancer patients undergoing treatment.

The initiative was inspired by a song collaboration between rapper Bedoes and a young cancer patient. Hancke told his social media followers he would host a continuous charity stream with one second added for every ‘like’ the idea received on TikTok, according to PAP reports.

Ukrainian officials reported that 14 people were injured, including two children, when Russian drones struck the southern port city of Odesa during early morning hours on Monday. The assault marks another chapter in Moscow’s ongoing targeting of civilian areas throughout its invasion, which has now entered its fifth year.

According to city administration chief Serhii Lysak, the unmanned aircraft targeted residential districts and civilian infrastructure. Odesa has faced repeated attacks due to its strategic importance as Ukraine’s primary Black Sea shipping hub.

Regional military administration head Oleh Kiper confirmed that five victims required hospital treatment, with most suffering injuries from shrapnel fragments.

In a separate incident, Moscow-appointed Governor Vladimir Saldo reported that a Ukrainian drone attack resulted in two fatalities in the Russian-controlled portion of Kherson region. The victims were identified as a man and woman, both in their seventies, who died in Dnipriany village.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Monday that Russian forces have launched roughly 1,900 attack drones, nearly 1,400 guided aerial bombs, and approximately 60 various missiles against Ukraine within the past seven days.

In a social media post, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s advanced military technology development has enabled the country to intercept more than 90% of incoming Russian drones. Despite this success, he emphasized Ukraine’s continued need for additional American-manufactured Patriot air defense systems capable of destroying ballistic missiles.

The Defense Ministry announced Monday that Norway has become the newest European nation to establish a joint drone production partnership with Kyiv. Additionally, Ukraine has been sharing expertise with Middle Eastern and Gulf nations facing Iranian drone attacks.

Zelenskyy highlighted several positive developments for Ukraine, including NATO allies’ financial contributions for purchasing American weapons systems, the European Union’s approval of a 90-billion-euro loan package, and planned additional EU sanctions against Russia.

Ukraine has been conducting its own offensive operations, targeting Russian oil facilities and refineries deep within Russian territory using long-range drones and missiles to damage Moscow’s economic infrastructure.

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War reported Sunday that verified evidence shows Ukrainian forces executed at least 10 attacks against Russian energy infrastructure over the previous two weeks.

NEW DELHI (AP) — Officials from India and New Zealand formalized a comprehensive free trade pact on Monday, designed to strengthen economic partnerships and broaden market opportunities as both nations confront increasing global commerce challenges.

The pact arrives as New Delhi seeks to expand its export destinations to counteract the effects of high tariffs from the United States and disruptions in shipping and energy corridors linked to conflicts involving Iran. Meanwhile, New Zealand views this agreement as part of its strategic effort to decrease dependence on China, which remains its primary trade partner.

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s visiting Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay formalized the agreement in New Delhi during Monday’s ceremony.

Following nine months of discussions and finalization in December, the pact will reduce or remove tariffs on 95% of goods New Zealand ships to India, while ensuring all Indian products entering New Zealand face no duties. Additionally, Wellington has pledged to invest $20 billion in India during the coming 15 years.

McClay described the agreement as representing a “once-in-a-generation” chance to strengthen economic relationships during a period marked by escalating global trade conflicts and unpredictability. New Zealand ranks as India’s 12th-largest export destination, with trade between the nations totaling $2.15 billion during the year ending June 2025, based on government statistics.

Goyal characterized the agreement as a “defining milestone” and noted that India and New Zealand had “chosen each other” during a time “when the world economy is being recast.” He emphasized that the pact provides market opportunities across various industries while establishing frameworks for investment partnerships and regulatory collaboration.

Indian industries positioned to benefit from enhanced market opportunities include textiles and clothing, engineering products, leather goods and footwear, plus marine exports. New Zealand anticipates growth in shipments of horticultural products, timber, coal, wool and meat products.

India has kept dairy products and specific agricultural items outside the agreement to safeguard its domestic farming industry.

Indian exporters have faced challenges from elevated U.S. tariffs implemented since August of last year, especially affecting labor-heavy industries including textiles, automotive parts and metals, while New Delhi maintains separate discussions with Washington regarding a distinct bilateral trade arrangement.

Trade agreements from New Zealand typically receive support across party lines. The pact must now receive parliamentary approval and is anticipated to succeed following endorsement from the opposition New Zealand Labour Party, despite objections from coalition partner New Zealand First, a populist minor party.

A fatal drone strike at Ukraine’s largest nuclear facility has raised fresh concerns about the safety of atomic energy infrastructure amid the ongoing conflict. Russian-appointed administrators at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant reported Monday that a Ukrainian drone attack killed one of their workers.

According to the facility’s management, the victim was a driver working in the plant’s transportation division when the Ukrainian military drone hit the area. The plant has been under Russian military control since early in the conflict.

“A driver was killed today when a Ukrainian Armed Forces drone struck the transport department at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant,” the post said.

International nuclear safety officials are responding to the deadly incident. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that inspectors stationed at the facility will investigate what happened and maintain their ongoing surveillance of conditions at the plant.

IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized the serious risks posed by military actions near atomic facilities. The Vienna-headquartered organization quoted Grossi as stating that attacks on or near nuclear power plants “can endanger nuclear safety and must not take place.”

Mali’s military leadership is confronting serious doubts about its ability to maintain control following coordinated insurgent strikes that occurred two days ago, which targeted the primary military installation near the capital and resulted in the death of the defense minister.

The weekend offensive demonstrated what experts and diplomatic sources characterized as extraordinary cooperation between al-Qaeda’s West African branch and a rebel organization led primarily by Tuareg fighters, casting further doubt on the government’s claims of restoring stability.

Here’s an overview of the primary militant organizations operating within this landlocked Sahel region country:

JAMA’AT NUSRAT AL-ISLAM WAL-MUSLIMIN (JNIM)

Born from a Tuareg ethnic rebellion that captured large portions of northern Mali in 2012, the al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) was established in 2017 through the consolidation of multiple extremist organizations.

The organization is commanded by Iyad Ag Ghaly, a Tuareg leader who previously headed the Ansar Dine militant faction that captured Timbuktu in northern Mali during 2012 and established Islamic law there. His second-in-command is Amadou Koufa, a Fulani leader who directs the Macina Liberation Front.

JNIM militants have maintained operations within 50 kilometers (30 miles) of Bamako for almost a year, although experts believe the organization lacks sufficient military strength to actually capture the city and seems more focused on weakening government authority.

This destabilization strategy was evident in a fuel embargo that JNIM declared in September, made feasible after the group moved into southern Mali and expanded western operations. This represents part of JNIM’s broader strategy of surrounding urban areas.

JNIM had previously struck Bamako before Saturday’s joint offensive. In September 2024, the group attacked key locations including the airport and an elite police training facility, where numerous students lost their lives.

In 2022, the organization targeted the military installation in Kati, located 15 kilometers from the capital.

Intelligence estimates suggest the group commands approximately 6,000 fighters. It maintains operations in Burkina Faso and Niger, and took credit for an October attack that killed a soldier in central Nigeria, marking its first confirmed operation in Africa’s most populated nation.

According to analysts, JNIM seeks to establish Islamic rule throughout the Sahel region.

AZAWAD LIBERATION FRONT (FLA)

Mali has confronted ethnic Tuareg uprisings since shortly after achieving independence in 1960.

The nomadic Tuareg people, who inhabit areas across the Sahara including northern Mali, are pursuing an independent territory they call “Azawad.”

In 2012, the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) conquered the northern territories of Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu, but their movement was subsequently overtaken by Islamic extremist organizations.

Mali subsequently requested French intervention to combat the Islamic militant groups.

Mali negotiated a peace agreement with Tuareg separatists in 2015, but in 2024 the military government, which seized power through coups in 2020 and 2021, abandoned the accord. Relations with Tuareg separatists deteriorated after the government removed French troops and U.N. peacekeepers while partnering with the Russian mercenary group Wagner.

In July 2024, Tuareg forces ambushed a convoy carrying Malian troops and Wagner operatives in the north, asserting they eliminated 84 Russians and 47 Malian soldiers.

Ukraine suggested it had assisted the Tuareg rebels in executing the attack through intelligence sharing, prompting Mali to sever diplomatic relations with Kyiv. Ukraine subsequently denied media claims it was supplying drones to the Tuaregs, and an FLA representative informed Reuters the group had not received outside support for the attack.

The present form of the Tuareg coalition, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), was formally established in November 2024.

ISLAMIC STATE IN THE SAHEL PROVINCE (ISSP)

Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) operates as an Islamic State affiliate and, similar to JNIM, conducts operations in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. It separated from Al-Mourabitoun, one of the organizations that currently comprises JNIM, in 2015.

The organization gained global attention through the deaths of four American soldiers, alongside four Nigerien troops, in the Niger community of Tongo Tongo in October 2017.

That event brought examination of the relatively unknown U.S. military deployment in Niger during a period when many Americans questioned U.S. engagement in overseas conflicts and Nigeriens opposed the increasing foreign military presence in their country.

ISSP serves as JNIM’s primary competitor. Fighting between these two organizations starting in 2019 has caused over 2,000 fatalities.

ISSP’s commander, Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, was eliminated in a French drone operation in August 2021 in northern Mali.

During the previous year, ISSP intensified attacks in western Niger, killing over 127 individuals in five separate operations and demonstrating authorities’ inability to safeguard civilians, according to Human Rights Watch’s September report.

The organization pursues the establishment of an Islamic caliphate across the Sahel and is viewed as less inclined to develop relationships with local populations compared to JNIM.

Maritime security companies report that armed pirates have seized a cargo ship in waters off Somalia and are directing the vessel toward the African nation’s shoreline.

The hijacking marks a continuation of renewed pirate activity in the region, where maritime criminals wreaked havoc along the Horn of Africa’s extensive coastline from 2008 to 2018 before a period of relative calm that ended in late 2023.

British security firm Vanguard reported Sunday evening that they had received information about armed pirates taking control of the cargo ship Sward near Godobjiran, Somalia. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the hijacking occurred approximately 6 nautical miles northeast of Garacad.

According to Vanguard, the captured vessel carries a crew of 15 people, including two individuals from India and 13 from Syria.

“The vessel is currently assessed to be under pirate control and proceeding toward the Somali coastline. The Puntland Maritime Police Force has been notified,” Vanguard stated in their report.

Security company Ambrey provided additional details, noting that the ship was traveling from Suez, Egypt to Mombasa, Kenya when pirates boarded. At the time of the attack, most crew members were on the bridge while two mechanics were elsewhere on the vessel, according to Ambrey’s account.

Officials from Puntland’s semi-autonomous regional government and security forces were not immediately available to provide comment on the incident.

The latest hijacking follows an attack in November 2025 when armed individuals targeted a commercial tanker near Mogadishu, representing the first such incident since 2024.

BEIJING – Chinese government regulators have intervened to stop an overseas company from buying out a domestic artificial intelligence firm called Manus, according to an announcement Monday from the National Development and Reform Commission.

The state planning agency has directed all parties involved in the proposed deal to immediately terminate the acquisition process.

The move represents China’s continued efforts to maintain control over strategic technology companies within its borders, particularly in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence sector.

JAKARTA – Law enforcement officials in Indonesia deployed tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators in Papua province on Monday after approximately 800 people gathered to demand the removal of military forces from their region, according to local police authorities.

The demonstrations were sparked by a military operation conducted earlier this month that reportedly killed 15 individuals, including women and children, according to police spokesperson Cahyo Sukarnito.

The military action targeted armed independence fighters who have been seeking to separate the resource-abundant Papua region from Indonesian control since 1969, when a United Nations-supervised referendum placed the territory under Indonesian authority after more than 60 years of Dutch colonial administration.

Indonesia’s human rights monitoring organization confirmed the fatalities last week and urged government officials to reassess military activities in the area. Military officials have not yet acknowledged the reported deaths.

Protesters assembled at three separate sites in Jayapura, the provincial capital, before converging in the downtown area, Sukarnito explained. The demonstrators demanded government withdrawal of military personnel from Papua’s six provinces and an end to decades of regional violence.

“The deaths during recent military operations had sparked local anger,” Sukarnito told Reuters, acknowledging the connection between the casualties and the protest movement.

Violence erupted when demonstrators hurled rocks at law enforcement officers, prompting authorities to use crowd control measures. Five police officers sustained injuries during the confrontation, though no protester injuries were reported, according to Sukarnito.

Video footage from Tribun Papua, a local news outlet, captured police officers wearing protective equipment and carrying batons as they advanced toward the crowd.

After the initial violence subsided, the demonstrations resumed without further incident. Several regional legislators arrived at the scene to engage with protesters and hear their concerns directly.

The Papua region houses Grasberg, the world’s second-largest gold and copper mining operation, which operates under joint ownership between the Indonesian government and American mining corporation Freeport.

Britain’s monarch King Charles III has arrived in the United States for a significant official state visit during a period of heightened diplomatic challenges between the two longtime allies.

The royal visit takes place as relationships across the Atlantic Ocean face strain due to escalating tensions surrounding the conflict with Iran and continuing repercussions from the Epstein affair that continue to impact diplomatic circles.

This marks a notable diplomatic moment as the British sovereign conducts formal state business in America while both nations navigate complex international issues that have tested their traditionally strong partnership.

Can a royal diplomatic mission help mend frayed ties between two of the world’s closest allies? That’s the question being explored as King Charles prepares for a high-profile meeting with the American president.

The potential for the monarch’s visit to ease diplomatic strains between the United States and Britain is being examined by foreign policy experts. NPR turned to veteran diplomat Philip Reeker for his analysis of whether this royal engagement could help smooth over recent tensions in the special relationship between the two nations.

The timing of the King’s diplomatic outreach comes as both countries navigate complex international challenges that have tested their traditional partnership.

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party has bolstered its strength in India’s parliament after seven opposition legislators switched allegiances on Monday, according to official parliamentary records. The move could help the government advance its legislative agenda more smoothly.

The seven lawmakers who changed parties all belonged to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is headed by Arvind Kejriwal, one of Modi’s most vocal political opponents. AAP currently controls Punjab state and previously held power in Delhi, the nation’s capital territory.

Following these defections, AAP now holds only three seats in the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper legislative chamber. Meanwhile, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party has increased its membership to 113, putting it just 10 seats away from controlling a simple majority in the 245-seat body. The broader National Democratic Alliance, led by Modi, now commands approximately 140 seats in what is also called the Council of States.

Members of the Rajya Sabha serve six-year terms and are chosen by elected officials from state and territorial legislatures through a proportional representation voting system. Modi’s coalition currently governs 19 of India’s 28 states plus two of the three federal territories that have their own legislatures.

Among those who switched parties are former cricket star Harbhajan Singh and Raghav Chadha, who effectively led the group of defectors. Chadha had gained public recognition by advocating for middle-class issues, including challenging expensive food prices at airports.

Chadha criticized his former party, claiming it was controlled by “corrupt and compromised” individuals. In response, AAP officials accused the defectors of acting purely out of political opportunism.

Six of the seven former AAP legislators were originally elected from Punjab, where state elections are scheduled for next year and where Modi’s party has never secured an outright majority independently. Multiple AAP leaders, including Kejriwal himself, are currently facing legal proceedings related to corruption charges.

In February, a New Delhi court chose not to move forward with prosecution against Kejriwal and other party members in one corruption case, which AAP maintains is politically driven. The case has since been appealed to a higher court.

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down in America on Monday for a historic four-day royal visit that has been overshadowed by recent violence and growing tensions between the longtime allies.

This state visit represents the most significant and high-stakes trip of Charles’s time as monarch, commemorating 250 years since America declared independence from Britain. It’s the first time a British royal has visited the United States in two decades.

The carefully planned itinerary includes a private audience with President Donald Trump, who has openly expressed his admiration for the royal family, along with a congressional address and an elegant White House state dinner.

However, the visit has been complicated by recent events, including a shooting incident at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington. According to the acting U.S. attorney general, the president and his administration officials were believed to be the intended targets of the attack.

Additionally, diplomatic relations have been strained over disagreements regarding the U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran, with Trump expressing frustration over Britain’s reluctance to support the campaign.

Despite these challenges, Buckingham Palace confirmed the royal tour would proceed as scheduled after security consultations between British and American officials.

“The king and queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow,” a palace spokesperson said on Sunday.

Upon arrival in Washington, the royal couple will enjoy private tea with Trump, who frequently refers to Charles as a “great man,” and First Lady Melania Trump.

The 77-year-old monarch, who continues receiving cancer treatment, will make history the following day by addressing Congress – only the second British sovereign ever to do so.

The royal tour will then move to New York City, where they’ll pay respects to victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks ahead of the 25th anniversary. Queen Camilla will also participate in celebrations marking 100 years of Winnie the Pooh children’s literature.

The visit concludes in Virginia, where King Charles will meet with environmental conservation groups, reflecting his decades-long commitment to environmental causes.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration hopes this royal visit will strengthen the “special relationship” between the nations, which has reached its lowest point since the 1956 Suez Crisis.

Britain’s U.S. Ambassador Christian Turner emphasized that the visit would highlight the shared heritage, sacrifices, and values connecting both countries, noting their approach would follow the traditional British motto: “Keep calm, carry on.”

While Trump has recently softened his criticism of Britain’s Iran policy stance, tensions persist after a leaked Pentagon document suggested America might reconsider its support for Britain’s Falkland Islands claims as retaliation for insufficient cooperation.

The Jeffrey Epstein controversy will not be addressed during this visit. Palace sources confirmed the royals cannot meet with Epstein victims who requested such meetings, citing concerns about interfering with ongoing criminal investigations.

King Charles’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, continues facing police scrutiny over his connections to the deceased American sex offender. The former Prince Andrew has consistently denied any misconduct.

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Brenda Obare remembers when cooking dinner meant simply turning a knob to ignite the blue flame on her gas stove before evening arrived.

Today, that stove sits unused while she hunkers down beside a charcoal burner outside her metal-roofed dwelling in Kibera, one of Africa’s most expansive informal communities in Kenya’s capital. She works to kindle a smoky blaze for her family’s meals. Cooking gas has become prohibitively costly and frequently unavailable, while charcoal remains accessible.

“We don’t have many options,” she said. “You use what you can afford.”

Her experience reflects a growing trend resulting from energy supply disruptions linked to the Iran war. While governments had encouraged adoption of cleaner fuels like LPG for health and environmental benefits, escalating prices are eroding those achievements.

The consequences extend far beyond fuel stations, reaching into homes, woodlands, and animal habitats. Throughout Africa and South Asia, officials have invested years attempting to transition households from burning charcoal and wood to cleaner alternatives like liquefied petroleum gas.

This initiative stemmed from health concerns regarding air pollution, which claimed 2.9 million lives in 2021 according to World Health Organization data. Environmental protection also motivated the effort, as firewood and charcoal consumption intensifies pressure on forests and wildlife areas. Harvesting trees more rapidly than natural regeneration occurs accelerates forest loss.

As increasing numbers venture into forests seeking fuel, human-wildlife encounters multiply. Simultaneously, economic strain can increase poaching and bushmeat harvesting, raising disease transmission risks from animals to humans. Declining tourism reduces conservation funding, while elevated fuel expenses hamper field team operations and rapid response when wild animals enter populated areas.

“The longer this debacle runs, the harder it is going to hit conservation,” said Mayukh Chatterjee, the International Union Conservation for Nature’s co-chair for its conflict and co-existence specialist group.

Paula Kahumbu, a wildlife conservationist and CEO of Nairobi-based WildlifeDirect, explained that when LPG, kerosene or electricity become unaffordable or unreliable, many households switch to firewood and charcoal due to easier access in cash-strapped communities, despite environmental damage.

“The first conservation risk from an energy shock in Africa is not abstract. It is household fuel switching,” she said.

Growing biomass fuel demand also damages watersheds and wildlife habitats as people venture deeper into previously untouched regions, intensifying ecosystem pressure and threatening dependent species.

Specialists worry that climbing diesel costs and increased fertilizer expenses will also damage agricultural productivity, decreasing harvests and worsening food insecurity.

“The crisis is impacting more than forests,” Kahumbu said.

Charcoal, produced through slow wood burning in kilns, ranks among sub-Saharan Africa’s most common cooking fuels and represents a primary deforestation cause. Demand is increasing among customers in Nairobi’s low-income areas, reports charcoal vendor Munyao Kitheka.

India experiences a comparable transition as the world’s second-largest LNG importer, with approximately 60% of supplies originating from the Gulf region, according to S&P Global data.

Rama, a social worker using only one name, devoted years encouraging waste-collecting families in Bhalswa, an impoverished New Delhi suburb, to embrace LPG. However, with daily incomes under $3, many cannot afford expensive LPG cylinders and are returning to wood-burning stoves or relocating to villages where wood is more accessible.

“Things are very, very bad,” she said.

This transition burdens women and girls more heavily, as they spend hours daily searching for fuel, reducing time available for employment or education, explained Neha Saigal, a consultant with environmental and social justice startup Asar Social Impact Advisors.

“Years of work went into making LPG aspirational. But a global issue like this can reverse some of those gains,” she said.

Chester Zoo’s Chatterjee noted that decreasing habitat pressure through reduced fuelwood consumption has been fundamental to Asian conservation efforts. He referenced an elephant conservation program in India’s northeastern Assam state where restaurants had decreased wood usage, but cautioned these improvements could dissolve as households return from LPG, which derives from oil or natural gas refining.

“That all risks going back to square one,” he said.

Specialists caution that the Iran conflict and subsequent fuel disruptions could strain funding and interrupt field operations, impeding global conservation efforts.

Airlines are eliminating African routes, potentially affecting tourism as rising fuel prices increase travel expenses. Aviation route disruptions through Middle Eastern connections complicate access to certain destinations.

Even minor visitor decreases can significantly impact countries depending on wildlife tourism to finance protected areas.

Tourism generates approximately 14% of GDP in nations like Kenya and Tanzania, where it supports park management, anti-poaching operations, and community conservation programs.

“Less tourism means less income for conservation initiatives, fewer rangers and more opportunistic poaching,” Kahumbu said, noting that rising food and fuel costs could also drive more people toward bushmeat as affordable protein, increasing wildlife population pressure.

Additionally, conservation work in isolated areas requires extensive regular travel, often by motorcycle or other vehicles. Higher fuel prices can disrupt this mobility.

Chatterjee emphasized that during South Asian wildlife-human conflicts, rapid forest staff and conservation team deployment is essential for securing areas, managing crowds, and safely guiding or tranquilizing animals before situations worsen.

Delays heighten injury or death risks for both sides, and fuel shortages can extend response times.

African governments possess options to minimize impact, though action has frequently lagged. Kahumbu advocated protecting households from returning to polluting fuels through targeted subsidies, stronger local supply networks, and supporting local energy sources including biogas, solar, and geothermal power.

“Treat conservation as essential infrastructure during economic shocks,” she said.

OMDURMAN, Sudan — Dr. Jamal Eltaeb faced impossible decisions every day for three years. Which patients had the best chance of survival? Should he perform surgery without proper medication if it could save a life? How could he secure fuel to power the hospital generators?

While Sudan’s civil war erupted around his medical facility, the orthopedic surgeon made one unwavering choice: continue treating patients.

Eltaeb directed Al Nao hospital in Omdurman, located near Sudan’s capital Khartoum, as military forces and paramilitary groups battled for territorial control. When fighting intensified and wounded patients flooded the facility, many of his medical colleagues abandoned their posts out of fear.

The quiet-mannered surgeon remained at his post despite multiple bombing attacks on the hospital and dwindling medical resources.

“I weighed the options of staying here, and taking care of your patients and helping other people that need you as a skilled surgeon, rather than choose your own safety,” he explained during an Associated Press interview.

Eltaeb represents one of many Sudanese citizens who stepped up to assist their communities while international attention focused on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. He witnessed firsthand the casualties behind estimates showing tens of thousands have perished, experiencing what it means when the United Nations declares the nation’s healthcare system approaching total failure.

Close to 40% of Sudan’s medical facilities have ceased operations. Armed groups have converted many hospitals into military bases or stripped them of equipment. Sudan’s military has regained control of the capital, leaving Al Nao among the few operational healthcare centers in the region.

During a tour of the medical complex, the 54-year-old physician pointed out to AP reporters evidence of the most challenging period of his career.

He indicated a damaged window where shrapnel killed a patient’s family member. In the courtyard stood the final remaining tent from dozens erected during intense fighting to handle mass casualties.

“We were working everywhere, in tents, outside, on the floor, doing everything to save patients’ lives,” Eltaeb recalled.

His dedication earned Eltaeb the $1 million Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, recognizing people who endanger themselves to rescue others. He donated portions of the award to medical and humanitarian organizations worldwide.

Hospital staff described Al Nao before the conflict as a peaceful facility where nearly 100 beds often remained vacant. When violence erupted in Khartoum and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces seized large portions of the city, injured civilians rushed to the hospital.

Eltaeb’s original hospital closed soon after fighting began in April 2023, prompting his transfer to Al Nao. Most personnel had evacuated by July, leaving him as the facility’s leader.

He worked alongside a small group of employees and volunteers to maintain hospital operations. Power outages lasted weeks while the facility depended on military fuel deliveries for generators. Critical medications including antibiotics and pain relievers became unavailable.

The hospital suffered its first attack in August, one month after Eltaeb assumed leadership.

“From that moment, we knew that we are a target … And from that time, they didn’t stop targeting us,” he stated. The RSF subsequently bombed the hospital three additional times.

Normal life had collapsed. The father of three worked from his office, distributing candy to a continuous flow of patients and staff seeking his guidance.

Medical choices became agonizing. During one devastating day in late 2024, he and his team rushed to treat more than 100 wounded individuals after an explosion struck a local marketplace. Eight patients died.

“You choose … as if you can choose who is going to live and who is going to die,” he said.

The situation deteriorated further when Eltaeb had to determine whether to amputate children’s limbs without complete anesthesia because they were losing blood rapidly and couldn’t be moved to the operating room in time.

Using only local numbing medication, he amputated an arm and leg from a 9-year-old boy and removed his 11-year-old sister’s leg.

He keeps photographs of these procedures on his mobile phone, trying to help others understand horrors that few can comprehend.

The hospital depended on volunteers to maintain supply chains. They posted needs on social media platforms, and pharmacists provided keys to their shuttered stores, allowing volunteers to collect medicines and equipment without charge.

Volunteer Nazar Mohamed spent months traveling throughout Omdurman, frequently on bicycle, transporting supplies while explosions thundered nearby.

Additional donations arrived from international organizations and individuals. Sudanese physicians living overseas offered remote consultation on managing mass casualties and operating with limited antibiotics or anesthesia.

Remaining hospital workers improvised solutions, constructing beds and crutches from wood and using clothing instead of medical gauze for emergency splints.

Combat has moved away from the Khartoum region. Some financially strained organizations that previously supported Eltaeb’s hospital now direct aid to areas with greater needs.

He estimates current funding will cover salaries and generator operations until June, but the hospital requires approximately $40,000 monthly to maintain full functionality.

Although several nations have promised assistance for Sudan’s reconstruction efforts, concerns exist that conflict with Iran might redirect attention and resources, particularly from Gulf states that pledged recovery support.

Medical facilities that sustained heavier damage than Al Nao remain destroyed and require significantly more resources.

Across the city, Dr. Osman Ismail Osman, who directs Al Shaabi hospital, described the several hundred thousand dollars provided by the government as insufficient.

The RSF occupied his hospital during the war. Damaged medical equipment worth millions of dollars lies in dusty piles, surrounded by concrete debris and twisted metal bed frames.

Plans to reopen the severely damaged hospital for emergency referrals within weeks appear ambitious, but medical professionals like Eltaeb have developed skills for tackling seemingly impossible tasks.

“I believe I did my best as a doctor as a Sudanese,” the surgeon concluded.

Tehran has put forward a new diplomatic proposal to lift its restrictions on the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor while requesting Washington end its economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic, according to two regional officials familiar with the negotiations who spoke anonymously Monday.

The Iranian offer, delivered through Pakistani intermediaries, notably sidesteps any commitments regarding Tehran’s nuclear activities – a key sticking point that makes the proposal unlikely to gain traction with President Trump’s administration, which has made dismantling Iran’s atomic capabilities a cornerstone of any comprehensive settlement.

“We have all the cards. If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us,” Trump told Fox News Channel on Sunday.

The Axios news organization was first to report on Iran’s diplomatic overture.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi touched down in St. Petersburg Monday morning for scheduled discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported. His recent diplomatic tour included stops in Pakistan and Oman, which controls the southern shore of the disputed waterway alongside Iran.

Araghchi’s Russian visit unfolds amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington over the critical Strait of Hormuz, despite an existing ceasefire that has failed to resolve underlying disputes or stabilize global energy markets.

“It is a good opportunity for us to consult with our Russian friends about the developments that have occurred in relation to the war during this period and what is happening now,” Araghchi stated in a video interview released by IRNA.

Pakistani officials have been working to restart stalled diplomatic communications between Iran and the United States, with negotiations initially planned for Islamabad over the weekend. However, President Trump indicated the discussions might proceed via telephone rather than in-person meetings.

Araghchi attributed delays in the negotiation process to America’s stance, saying it was Washington’s approach that “caused the negotiations to be delayed.”

“The previous one, despite the progress that had been made, could not achieve its goals,” he stated, criticizing what he characterized as Washington’s “excessive demands.”

Trump has expressed uncertainty about Iran’s current leadership structure and suggested that internal confusion within the country’s theocratic government complicates reaching any meaningful agreement.

The White House announced last week it would send envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad to build on previous face-to-face discussions held earlier this month. However, after Araghchi departed the Pakistani capital Saturday, Trump canceled the diplomatic mission citing insufficient progress with Iranian officials.

“If they want, we can talk but we’re not sending people,” Trump stated to Fox News on Sunday. He had posted earlier on social media: “All they have to do is call!!!”

Araghchi subsequently returned to Islamabad and also traveled to Oman’s capital Muscat before departing for Russia. He conducted phone conversations with officials from Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

The ongoing standoff centers on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow Persian Gulf passage through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and natural gas typically flows, as Iran has limited vessel movement while the U.S. maintains its embargo of Iranian ports.

Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, traded around $107 per barrel Monday, a significant increase from $72 per barrel before the conflict erupted.

Energy prices have climbed consistently since hostilities began, with numerous oil tankers stranded in the Persian Gulf, unable to safely navigate through the strait to reach international markets.

The economic impact continues expanding two months into the conflict as worldwide shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizers and other essential commodities face disruption from the near-total closure of this strategic waterway.

Iran is seeking Oman’s backing for a system to collect transit fees from ships using the strait, according to a regional official who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly.

Oman’s position on this proposal remains unclear.

The official, who participates in mediation efforts, also indicated Iran demands the lifting of U.S. sanctions before engaging in fresh negotiations, while Pakistani mediators work to narrow substantial differences between both nations.

Trump last week extended indefinitely the ceasefire agreement reached between the U.S. and Iran on April 7, which has largely stopped combat that commenced with combined U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran February 28. However, a lasting resolution remains out of reach in the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted the global economy.

Prior to Saturday’s developments, Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated any discussions would be conducted indirectly through Pakistani representatives, demonstrating Tehran’s caution following previous rounds of indirect negotiations that concluded with military strikes by the U.S. and Israel.

Both nations continue issuing military warnings. Iran’s joint military command cautioned Saturday that “if the U.S. continues its aggressive military actions, including naval blockades, banditry, and piracy” it will encounter a “strong response.”

Trump ordered military forces last week to “shoot and kill” small vessels potentially deploying mines in the shipping channel.

Trump informed reporters Saturday that within ten minutes of canceling Witkoff and Kushner’s Islamabad trip, Iran submitted a “much better” proposal.

He declined to provide specifics but emphasized that among his conditions is that Iran “will not have a nuclear weapon.” Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile has remained central to ongoing tensions. Tehran currently possesses 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, requiring only a brief technical process to reach weapons-grade concentration, according to U.N. nuclear monitoring officials.

Since fighting commenced, casualties include at least 3,375 people in Iran and at least 2,509 in Lebanon, where Israel-Hezbollah combat resumed two days after the Iran conflict started. Additional fatalities include 23 in Israel and over a dozen in Gulf Arab nations. Military losses encompass 15 Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 U.S. service members in the region, and six U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

A separate ceasefire between Israel and the Iranian-supported Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah has been extended for three weeks. Hezbollah has remained outside the Washington-facilitated diplomatic process.

LONDON – Authorities in Britain announced Monday that they have detained a 37-year-old individual as part of their ongoing investigation into multiple incidents targeting Jewish facilities across northwest London.

The arrest marks the latest development in a month-long investigation that has now resulted in 26 individuals being taken into custody. Counter-terrorism units have been leading the probe into various incidents including arson attacks and other criminal acts directed at Jewish-affiliated locations throughout the area.

“He was arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and has been taken to a London police station for questioning,” the police said in a statement.

Seasonal thunderstorms sweeping through Bangladesh have claimed the lives of at least 14 people due to lightning strikes, according to government officials who reported the casualties on Monday.

The fatalities occurred across multiple districts as sudden weather systems brought torrential rainfall and dangerous electrical activity to the region.

Agricultural workers laboring in open farmland and construction crews working in exposed locations made up the majority of those killed, according to local government representatives. Emergency responders transported several additional victims to area medical facilities, with some patients listed in serious condition.

The South Asian nation experiences hundreds of lightning-related deaths annually, prompting officials to officially classify these electrical storms as natural disasters in 2016. That designation came after May of that year saw over 200 lightning fatalities, including 82 deaths occurring within a 24-hour period.

Environmental specialists attribute the increasing number of deadly lightning incidents to widespread forest clearing, which has eliminated many towering trees that historically served as natural lightning rods, protecting people below.

These tragic electrical storm deaths typically spike during the pre-monsoon period from April through June, when climbing temperatures and moisture levels create volatile atmospheric conditions throughout the country.

HAVANA (AP) — Cuba’s senior citizens find themselves shouldering a disproportionate share of hardship as the nation’s economic troubles intensify, particularly following an oil embargo enacted by former U.S. President Donald Trump that has accelerated difficulties since early this year.

The island nation already possessed one of Latin America’s most aged demographics even before recent setbacks, the result of extended lifespans combined with declining birth rates.

Statistics from Cuba’s National Bureau reveal that by 2024’s conclusion, approximately 26% of the population had reached 60 years or beyond, nearly double the 14.2% regional average documented by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Numerous seniors are former government employees surviving on inadequate retirement benefits, confronting reductions in historically subsidized necessities while experiencing growing isolation as Cuba’s youth continue departing the country. Migration has reduced the nation’s population by close to 1.5 million people over the last five years.

These elderly Cubans were in their youth when Fidel Castro marched into Havana. Today, during their golden years, they face another era of deprivation that challenges the limits of pension payments, government rations, and individual endurance. The effects appear throughout everyday existence: Senior citizens navigate streets in solitude, queue extensively for bread and rice, and rely more heavily on religious organizations and certain government facilities for basic nutrition.

The Church of the Holy Spirit in Old Havana exemplifies such support, welcoming approximately 50 elderly community members three times weekly for simple hot meals featuring ground meat, rice, red beans, and crackers with mayonnaise. For many attendees, these gatherings provide far more than sustenance, offering structure, comfort, and companionship during extended periods marked by shortages, power failures, and isolation.

Mercedes Lopez Rey, a retired engineer, regularly attended the church meals three times each week until her passing, as deteriorating circumstances made everyday survival increasingly challenging. Lopez also collected food portions for her friend Julia Barcelo, who battled breast cancer and couldn’t leave home.

Carmen Casado represents another frequent participant—an 84-year-old former chemical engineer who relies on these meals because her monthly pension of 2,000 Cuban pesos equals roughly $4 using the unofficial exchange rate many Cubans utilize. Without children or financial support from overseas relatives, she lives by herself in the upper levels of a crumbling 19th-century structure, typical of many Havana buildings showing signs of age and insufficient maintenance. Even facing poverty and isolation, she maintains confidence in her government while attributing the nation’s struggles to the United States.

HAVANA — At the Church of the Holy Spirit in Old Havana’s historic district, approximately 50 senior citizens recently gathered for their regular communal meal, sharing ground beef, rice, red beans and crackers with mayonnaise, followed by traditional Cuban coffee.

Before eating, the group recited together: “May the Lord bless from his height, the meal our belly will take with delight,” a prayer they repeat three times weekly in the church’s dining area.

Carmen Casado, an 84-year-old former chemical engineer, never misses these gatherings. Her government retirement check totals 2,000 Cuban pesos monthly — worth approximately $4 when exchanged at the unofficial rates locals rely on daily. Living by herself without children or family support from overseas, she depends heavily on these church dinners.

The meals provide crucial nutrition beyond the limited government rations of bread, rice and beans available at state-operated stores known as bodegas, according to Casado.

“This is a lifeline for us retirees with small pensions,” Casado explained quickly. “What we get from the bodegas alone is not enough.”

Cuba’s aging population faces particularly harsh consequences from the nation’s devastating economic downturn, which has intensified significantly this year after oil restrictions implemented under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

The majority of these seniors worked in government positions — educators, medical professionals, nurses, technicians, maintenance workers, attorneys — and now receive monthly pensions typically under $10. They must cope with reduced subsidized goods that sustained them for decades, plus isolation as younger generations leave the country.

These individuals witnessed Fidel Castro’s arrival in Havana during their youth and experienced every major historical moment on the island, from the Bay of Pigs attack to the historic 2016 handshake between U.S. President Barack Obama and Raúl Castro.

Today, their dedication to the revolution faces its greatest challenge yet, compelling them to hawk tobacco products on sidewalks, wait in lengthy bread lines, and depend on free food from religious organizations and government facilities.

Following her meal, Casado made the four-block journey to her residence, where she continues managing daily tasks independently. She occupies the upper two levels of a deteriorating 19th-century structure typical of many crumbling buildings throughout the capital city.

Born in 1942, Casado came of age during Castro’s revolutionary victory. Her lifetime encompasses the island’s most pivotal events, including the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and the economic hardship known as the Special Period after Soviet support ended. She also experienced the prosperous 1970s and 1980s when Soviet assistance funded the economy and Cuba’s socialist system appeared promising.

“This is our life; we were born and raised here,” she reflected.

Before the current economic collapse intensified and recent emigration waves began five years ago, Cuba already ranked among Latin America’s nations with the most elderly residents, driven by extended lifespans and declining birth rates.

Data from Cuba’s National Bureau of Statistics shows nearly 26% of the population reached age 60 or above by late 2024. This figure represents almost double the regional average of 14.2% for the same period, based on information from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL).

Over the past five years, Cuba’s population has decreased by nearly 1.5 million people, mainly through emigration. The island’s resident population has dropped from 11.1 million to just 9.7 million currently.

The crisis’s effects and youth exodus are immediately apparent throughout the streets. Elderly residents walk alone — some searching through garbage, others queuing extensively for bread and rice distributed through ration books, the basic subsidized food system the government provides to all Cubans.

The elderly population’s situation has become so dire that authorities recently permitted private business owners to establish elder care services and residential homes, representing a major shift from the island’s traditional complete state oversight model.

Casado maintains she remains fortunate compared to others. She stays mentally alert without physical limitations — not even requiring a walking stick — and handles all personal needs independently. Her sole medication consists of half a blood pressure pill, which remains accessible at government pharmacies “so far.”

Despite experiencing poverty and isolation, she maintains confidence in the government and attributes the nation’s problems to the United States.

“We’re doing everything we can here to move the country forward,” she stated. “But the thing is, we have a very powerful enemy, and he’s right there, right on our doorstep.”

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Captain Rahul Dhar and his maritime crew have spent roughly two months trapped aboard their oil tanker in the Persian Gulf waters, witnessing drone strikes and missile explosions as the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping passage remains blocked due to the continuing Iran conflict.

While the crew maintains their daily operations, Dhar reports that psychological stress is becoming evident among his team members.

Although a fragile truce between America and Iran has provided “a careful sense of hope” for those aboard, no definitive conclusion to the hostilities appears imminent. “Day to day, we try to keep things normal with open conversations and small team activities that help lift everyone’s spirits,” Dhar explained.

During their maritime watches, the crew witnessed multiple drone flights and missile defense actions both in their immediate vicinity and across the water’s horizon. “Those moments were difficult and created real tension for the crew,” Dhar shared with The Associated Press.

“None of us expected the warlike situation,” he explained, emphasizing how dependable internet access has enabled communication with their families back home. “Those calls and messages really keep us grounded and give us strength.”

Approximately 20,000 maritime workers across hundreds of commercial vessels, including petroleum tankers and freight ships, remain trapped in Gulf waters, prevented from navigating through the Strait of Hormuz. Under normal circumstances, roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through this critical waterway.

Maritime tracking data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence shows approximately 80 ships successfully crossed the strait during the April 13-19 period, a dramatic decrease from the typical 130 or more daily crossings before hostilities began. Multiple vessels have suffered attacks since the conflict started, with United Nations reports confirming at least 10 seafarer deaths.

Despite President Donald Trump’s recent decision to extend the ceasefire without time limits, American forces continue blocking Iranian ports. Iran responded by attacking ships in the strait and capturing two vessels.

“Seafarers are the backbone of global trade, yet we are often the most affected by regional geopolitical conflicts,” stated Captain ArunKumar Rajendran, who has also remained stranded with his tanker crew for approximately eight weeks.

Manoj Kumar Yadav from the Forward Seamen’s Union of India reported thousands of Indian sailors aboard the trapped vessels, experiencing prolonged periods of terror and isolation while anchored near Iranian harbors including Bandar Abbas and Khorramshahr. Explosive incidents sometimes occurred within mere hundreds of meters of their positions.

“They were watching blasts from their decks,” he reported, noting his organization receives constant emergency calls from crews and their relatives. “Many of them were on board a ship for the first time, and you can imagine what mental state they have gone through.”

As one of the world’s primary sources of maritime workers, India has over 20,000 citizens employed on international vessels throughout the region, with many beyond the scope of organized rescue operations. India’s shipping ministry announced last week that no fewer than 2,680 sailors had been evacuated since fighting commenced.

Yadav described how numerous sailors faced severe shortages of food and fresh water, with certain ships implementing strict rationing protocols. Family communication from India remained intermittent due to internet interruptions and signal interference. When connections were available, sailors frequently paid expensive roaming fees for brief conversations, he noted.

Families of the stranded sailors express mounting concern, demanding their relatives’ safe evacuation.

Mohamed Arrachedi, the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s Middle East network coordinator, reported receiving hundreds of assistance requests earlier this month, including food supply needs from maritime workers.

Reza Muhammad Saleh, an Indonesian chief officer on a Greek-owned cargo vessel stranded off Oman for over a month, described a drone explosion near the port shortly after their March 3 arrival. At least two additional incidents followed, requiring multiple crew evacuations to protective shelters, though no injuries occurred.

“The biggest problem is the uncertainty. We don’t know when Hormuz will be open again,” Saleh informed the AP.

The ship carrying 24 crew members from Indonesia, Arab nations, India and Ethiopia normally hauls iron ore between Gulf states, crossing Hormuz one or two times monthly. Current operations require written Iranian authorization. “No company wants to take the risk without it,” he explained.

Despite experience in conflict areas, the crew has been shaken by missile attacks and GPS interference that forced manual navigation methods, he said.

“Sometimes we think it’s safe, then suddenly it’s not. Today we’re safe. Tomorrow, nobody knows,” he stated.

Fleet Management Limited maintains regular communication multiple times daily with dozens of stranded ships carrying more than 400 maritime workers, according to CEO Captain Rajalingam Subramaniam.

Regular inventory monitoring ensures food supply management, with pickup arrangements organized to guarantee availability by relocating vessels to accessible points for obtaining fresh and preserved provisions, he explained.

Limited crew rotations continue, though in reduced numbers. “Who wants to go on the ship?” Subramaniam questioned. “The inbound crew has the right to refuse and we respect (that).”

Most trapped mariners have remained in Gulf waters since hostilities began. “(For) mariners who did not sign up to be in warlike area, they also (need) to be respected so that they do not become the unintended collateral,” he stated.

Among vessels attempting Strait of Hormuz crossings during the ceasefire, several faced gunfire while others retreated. Ships under Fleet Management supervision avoided crossing attempts, Subramaniam confirmed.

Hapag-Lloyd, Germany’s largest shipping corporation, has approximately 150 sailors stranded near the strait aboard six vessels. “These are difficult days and weeks,” company spokesman Nils Haupt told the AP earlier this month. He confirmed Hapag-Lloyd maintains daily contact with captains and crews.

“We’ve been able to rotate some of them (crew) in the meantime, but you can easily imagine that after such a long time, monotony naturally sets in on board,” he noted.

The International Maritime Organization, the United Nations’ shipping authority, along with other organizations have requested a protected passage for commercial vessels through the strait. Most ships remain unable to transit, despite Iran’s claims that the strait was accessible to vessels it considered non-threatening and its demands to collect transit fees.

Reports indicate Iran deployed mines throughout the waterway, prompting Trump to announce last week that American forces were removing Iranian mines and would “shoot and kill” boats placing mines in the region. Given increased mine and attack risks, “there is no safe transit anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz,” declared IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.

Recent years have seen multiple crises leaving many seafarers stranded at sea, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s Ukraine invasion and Houthi rebel attacks on Red Sea shipping. Subramaniam expressed concern that even after the Iran conflict ends, fewer individuals will accept maritime positions during an existing shortage of experienced seafarers.

WASHINGTON — More than 250 years after American colonists broke away from British rule under King George III, his royal successor King Charles III arrives in the nation’s capital Monday facing diplomatic challenges and heightened security concerns.

A weekend shooting incident at a Washington event where President Donald Trump was present prompted last-minute security adjustments for the monarch’s four-day official visit, designed to commemorate America’s upcoming 250th birthday and strengthen the historic U.S.-UK alliance.

Royal officials at Buckingham Palace expressed that the king “is greatly relieved to hear that the president, first lady and all guests have been unharmed.” Following security assessments, palace representatives confirmed the diplomatic mission “will proceed as planned.”

Political tensions between the British government and the Trump administration over Middle East policy had already complicated the royal visit before the security concerns arose.

Trump has recently criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for refusing to support American military operations against Iran, telling reporters the British leader is “not Winston Churchill” — referencing the wartime prime minister who first described the U.S.-UK bond as a “special relationship.”

These disagreements reflect broader friction between Trump and NATO partners, whom he has labeled “cowards” and “useless” for declining to participate in Iranian military action. Leaked Pentagon communications have suggested America might reconsider backing Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, territories that sparked a 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina.

Despite political differences, Trump maintains the diplomatic disputes won’t impact the royal visit. Charles “has nothing to do with that,” Trump stated in March, referring to NATO matters.

The president has consistently praised Charles in personal terms, calling the monarch his “friend” and describing him as a “great guy.”

Trump also frequently highlights his “amazing” September visit to Britain with first lady Melania Trump for an unprecedented second state visit. Starmer personally delivered the king’s invitation during an Oval Office meeting just five weeks after the Republican president resumed office, in a clear diplomatic outreach effort.

During the Trumps’ British visit, the royal family organized elaborate ceremonies featuring red-uniformed guards, military bands, and an elegant banquet at Windsor Castle.

“President Trump has always had great respect for King Charles, and their relationship was further strengthened by the president’s historic visit to the United Kingdom last year,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told The Associated Press. “The president looks forward to a special visit by Their Majesties, which will include a beautiful state dinner and multiple events throughout the week.”

When asked by the BBC whether the king’s visit could help restore trans-Atlantic relations, Trump responded positively.

“He’s fantastic. He’s a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes,” the president declared.

Kristofer Allerfeldt, a University of Exeter professor who studies American history, believes both governments have distinct goals for this diplomatic encounter.

According to Allerfeldt, Charles aims at “reinforcing long-term ties, showcasing the monarchy’s soft power and reminding the world that Britain still carries diplomatic weight.”

Trump’s focus centers more on “a media event,” emphasizing the visual impact of what resembles a meeting between “two gilded monarchs.”

British politicians express concern about potential embarrassing moments during the visit. Trump’s recent public criticism of Pope Leo XIV has intensified these worries.

Ed Davey, who leads the centrist Liberal Democrats opposition party, described Trump as “a dangerous and corrupt gangster” earlier this month and urged the government to cancel the royal trip.

“I really fear for what Trump might say or do while our king is forced to stand by his side,” Davey told the House of Commons. “We cannot put His Majesty in that position.”

Starmer defended the diplomatic mission, arguing “the monarchy, through the bonds that it builds, is often able to reach through the decades” and strengthen vital relationships.

Adding complexity to the visit is ongoing controversy surrounding the king’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who lost his Prince Andrew title and public duties while facing police investigation regarding his association with Jeffrey Epstein. He maintains his innocence of any wrongdoing.

Epstein survivors have requested meetings with the king and other sexual abuse victims, though such encounters appear unlikely.

While Charles has traveled to America 19 times previously, this marks his inaugural state visit as monarch since ascending the throne in 2022. His late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, completed four official state visits to America.

The 77-year-old king, who received an undisclosed cancer diagnosis in early 2024, will spend four days in America alongside Queen Camilla.

Washington activities include private tea with the Trumps, a garden reception, and a formal White House state dinner. The president and king will also hold private discussions.

The royal couple plans to visit New York’s September 11 memorial and participate in Virginia’s 250th anniversary “block party,” where Charles will meet with Indigenous leaders working on environmental conservation — a cause particularly important to the environmentally-focused monarch.

Three hundred years after British monarchs relinquished actual governing authority, royalty continues serving as diplomatic symbols, used by elected officials to enhance international relationships and communicate national priorities.

A significant moment will occur when the king addresses the U.S. Congress on Tuesday. This represents only the second occasion, following Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, that a British monarch has spoken to both legislative chambers.

Elizabeth promoted democratic values during her congressional address, spoke against the concept that “power grows from the barrel of a gun” and celebrated the “rich ethnic and cultural diversity of both our societies.”

The king’s preferred issues, including environmental protection and interfaith cooperation, contrast with Trump’s positions. While unlikely to emphasize disagreements, Allerfeldt suggested the monarch might subtly convey messages through his congressional remarks.

“He does have an unorthodox way of looking at the world, and I think maybe he can actually have something valid to say when he addresses Congress,” Allerfeldt observed.