Author: Admin

JOHANNESBURG — The son of Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe successfully negotiated a plea agreement Friday that allowed him to dodge attempted murder charges in connection with a shooting incident in South Africa.

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and co-defendant Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze have remained in custody since mid-February after being charged with attempted murder in the shooting of Sipho Mahlangu, identified by authorities as a household employee. Mahlangu required hospital treatment for his wounds.

The 28-year-old Mugabe, youngest child of the deceased Zimbabwean leader and his second spouse Grace Mugabe, entered guilty pleas to charges of brandishing what appeared to be a weapon in an unrelated matter and violating South African immigration statutes. Robert Mugabe passed away in 2019.

Matonhodze admitted guilt to five separate charges, including attempted murder, illegal firearm and ammunition possession, obstructing justice, and immigration violations.

Attorney Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, representing both defendants, explained to media gathered outside the courthouse that prosecutors and defense teams had reached a Section 112 plea agreement following the breakdown of earlier negotiations. This type of arrangement under South African criminal law eliminates the need for a complete trial.

Defense counsel Advocate Laurence Hodes requested leniency during sentencing, emphasizing that both cousins had clean criminal records, provided financial compensation to their victim, and possessed the means to pay court-imposed penalties.

A police investigator testifying as a witness revealed that law enforcement continues searching for the weapon used in the shooting and that the defendants, who “were there at that time when the firearm was fired and injured the victim,” have refused to cooperate with the investigation.

“The accused shows no remorse in assisting the police in any way to point out the firearm. They know where the firearm is,” Lt. Col. Raj Ramchunder testified before the court.

The judge accepted both guilty pleas and scheduled sentencing for April 24.

This case recalls a 2017 incident involving Grace Mugabe, who allegedly assaulted model Gabriella Engels with an extension cord at a Johannesburg hotel, causing a forehead laceration. The South African government granted her diplomatic immunity, sparking fierce criticism from opposition politicians and human rights advocates, enabling her departure despite prosecution demands.

A conflict involving Iran that has stretched nearly seven weeks has eliminated more than $50 billion worth of crude oil from global markets, creating what analysts describe as the largest energy supply disruption in modern times.

Since the crisis erupted in late February, approximately 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been removed from worldwide production, according to data from Kpler. The economic impact of this massive supply shortage is expected to continue affecting global markets for months and potentially years ahead.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced Friday that the Strait of Hormuz remained operational following a ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a resolution to end the Iran conflict would arrive “soon,” though he provided no specific timeline.

To put the scale of this oil shortage into perspective, the 500 million missing barrels would be equivalent to several dramatic scenarios. According to Iain Mowat, a principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie, this amount could power global aviation for 10 weeks, fuel all road vehicles worldwide for 11 days, or supply the entire global economy for five full days.

The shortage also represents nearly one month of total oil consumption in the United States, or more than a month’s worth of fuel for all of Europe combined. It equals approximately six years of fuel usage by the U.S. military, based on their annual consumption of roughly 80 million barrels. The missing oil could also power the world’s entire international shipping fleet for about four months.

Gulf Arab nations experienced devastating production losses during March, with crude output dropping by approximately 8 million barrels daily. This decline nearly matches the combined production capacity of energy giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron.

Aviation fuel exports from major Middle Eastern producers including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman plummeted dramatically. These countries exported about 19.6 million barrels of jet fuel in February, but that number collapsed to just 4.1 million barrels for March and April combined. The lost jet fuel would have been sufficient for approximately 20,000 round-trip flights between New York’s JFK airport and London Heathrow.

With crude oil prices averaging around $100 per barrel since the conflict began, the missing production represents roughly $50 billion in lost revenue, according to Johannes Rauball, a senior crude analyst at Kpler. This financial loss equals about 1% of Germany’s entire annual economic output, or roughly matches the complete gross domestic product of smaller nations like Latvia or Estonia.

Despite Araqchi’s statement that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, experts predict that restoring full production and supply flows will be a lengthy process. Global onshore crude oil stockpiles have already declined by approximately 45 million barrels during April alone. Since late March, production outages have reached roughly 12 million barrels per day.

Recovery timelines vary significantly depending on the type of oil infrastructure affected. Heavier crude fields in Kuwait and Iraq may require four to five months to return to normal production levels, which would extend inventory shortages throughout the summer months. More concerning for long-term recovery, damage to refining facilities and Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex means complete restoration of the region’s energy infrastructure could take several years to accomplish.

Iran’s foreign minister announced that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for global oil and gas shipments, is now accessible to all commercial traffic after a ceasefire agreement was reached in Lebanon.

The declaration has prompted responses from major shipping companies and international leaders worldwide.

SHIPPING COMPANY RESPONSES:

HAPAG-LLOYD

The German shipping giant stated: “If all open issues are cleared (i.e. insurance coverage, clear orders of Iranian government/military about the exact sea corridor to be used and the sequence of ships leaving) we would prefer to pass the strait as soon as possible.”

Company officials added: “Our crisis committee is in session and will try to resolve all open items with the relevant parties within the next 24-36 hours.”

MAERSK

The Danish shipping leader noted: “We have noted the announcement. The safety of our crew, vessels and customers’ cargo remains our priority. Since the outbreak of the conflict, we have followed the guidance of our security partners in the region, and the recommendation so far has been to avoid transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

Maersk continued: “Any decision to transit the strait will be based on risk assessments and close monitoring of the security situation, with the latest developments also included in the ongoing assessments.”

KNUT ARILD HAREIDE, CEO OF THE NORWEGIAN SHIPOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

Hareide commented: “If this represents a step towards an opening, it is a welcome development. However, the situation remains unresolved, with a number of outstanding uncertainties, including questions related to the presence of sea mines, applicable Iranian conditions, and practical implementation. These aspects will need to be clarified before any transit can be assessed.”

ARSENIO DOMINGUEZ, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION

Dominguez stated: “We are currently verifying the recent announcement related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, in terms of its compliance with freedom of navigation for all merchant vessels and secure passage.”

INTERNATIONAL LEADERS’ STATEMENTS:

ANTONIO GUTERRES, UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL

Guterres expressed support, saying: “I welcome Iran’s announcements that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open for all commercial vessels for the remainder of the ceasefire. This a step in the right direction.”

He emphasized: “The UN position remains clear: we need the full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz, respected by everyone.”

U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

Trump posted on Truth Social: “The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete.”

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON

Macron described the development as moving “in the right direction.”

He added: “We all oppose any restrictions or system of agreements that would, in effect, amount to an attempt to privatize the strait—and, of course, any toll system.”

CEVDET YILMAZ, TURKISH VICE PRESIDENT

Yilmaz welcomed the news, stating: “We welcome Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz has been reopened to all ships until the end of the ceasefire period, viewing it as an important step towards deescalation of tension.”

He noted: “Preventing similar crises, conflicts, and developments that disrupt maritime transport in our region is only possible through dialogue, restraint, and strengthening multilateral cooperation.”

FINNISH PRESIDENT ALEXANDER STUBB

Stubb declared: “Finland stands ready to work on a solution that brings stability to the region and respects international law.”

QASMIYEH, Lebanon – Children waved victory signs from car windows Friday as families traveled across a hastily-built temporary crossing over the Litani River, returning home after a ceasefire agreement with Israel brought an end to six weeks of intense conflict.

The journey home revealed the devastating toll of war, with approximately 25% of Lebanon’s population having been displaced from southern regions and other areas with large Shiite Muslim communities. Israeli forces had ordered evacuations while conducting military operations that destroyed entire neighborhoods and villages.

Israeli officials maintain their military actions targeted only combatants in what they called essential operations to defend Israeli citizens from attacks by Hezbollah, the Iran-supported Shiite organization based in Lebanon.

Thursday’s announcement of a 10-day pause in hostilities has provided hope for families eager to assess damage to their properties, though many are praying the temporary truce will become permanent.

However, thousands of residents face the reality that they cannot return home – either because their houses no longer exist or because Israeli forces continue to occupy their areas.

Among the returning families, the Halabis navigated crowded coastal highways to cross the Litani River, where Israeli forces had destroyed the final bridge connecting southern Lebanon to the rest of the country just one day earlier.

Construction crews worked throughout the night using heavy machinery and floodlights to create an earthen crossing where the destroyed bridge once stood, its mangled steel remains visible nearby.

What normally would have been a one-hour drive stretched to 10 hours as the family made their way through massive debris piles into Tyre, an ancient Lebanese coastal city, seeking to reunite with relatives.

‘These are the first two children to arrive – my son’s children,’ said Sobhi Halabi, 80, embracing his grandchildren as they entered his apartment, which displayed family photos alongside images of Hezbollah leadership.

Many returning residents encountered heartbreaking scenes of destruction. Collapsed buildings left streets unrecognizable, while memorial posters honoring local fighters killed in combat with Israeli forces covered remaining walls.

The most shocking evidence of warfare appeared early in many families’ journeys as they passed through Beirut’s southern districts.

Destroyed and burned vehicles filled roadways alongside wreckage from targeted structures. Some buildings had their facades completely blown away by airstrikes, exposing interior rooms like oversized dollhouses.

In Nabatieh, among Lebanon’s most severely damaged towns, resident Fadel Badreddine struggled to comprehend the extensive destruction surrounding him. While other families drove past carrying mattresses and personal belongings, he concluded that he, his wife, and young child could not remain.

‘We’re gathering our belongings and departing once more,’ he explained. ‘May God provide us comfort and bring this situation to a complete conclusion – not just temporarily – so we can truly come home.’

Lebanese officials report that more than 7,000 residential units in Nabatieh alone have suffered destruction or significant damage.

Some displaced families have chosen not to attempt returning home yet. Kodor Mouzannar, 62, originally from the southern village of Souaneh, has spent the conflict living in a blue tarp shelter at Beirut’s Camille Chamoun Stadium.

‘The village represents my home, where I was born, and holds tremendous meaning for me. It contains my childhood, my existence, my grandparents, my family, and my community. I long for all of them. We share deep bonds,’ he shared.

Despite his desire to return, Mouzannar doubts Israel will honor the ceasefire agreement and cease bombing operations. Following a previous truce in 2024, Israeli air attacks resumed in southern areas as both sides accused the other of violating the agreement.

He also recalls the challenges his family faced finding accommodation in Beirut when the conflict began. They spent two nights sleeping in their vehicle while waiting for shelter space and worry about experiencing similar hardships if they return home to find it destroyed and must flee again.

‘I wish for the ceasefire to hold and for conditions to stabilize so people can return to their homes. But only under the condition that they can actually live in their homes – without facing the daily risk of someone going to work and being killed,’ he stated.

Maritime companies worldwide are expressing cautious optimism about Iran’s declaration that the Strait of Hormuz has reopened, but industry leaders say they need additional details before resuming vessel traffic through the vital Gulf entrance.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced Friday that commercial ships can navigate the strait during a 10-day ceasefire agreement with Lebanon. The announcement triggered declining oil and commodity prices while boosting stock market performance.

Arsenio Dominguez, who leads the International Maritime Organization under the United Nations, addressed the development with measured words. “We are currently verifying the recent announcement related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, in terms of its compliance with freedom of navigation for all merchant vessels and secure passage,” Dominguez stated.

Norway’s shipowner trade group outlined multiple concerns requiring resolution before vessels can safely transit the waterway. The organization cited questions about explosive mines, Iranian requirements, and operational procedures that need clarification.

“If this represents a step towards an opening, it is a welcome development,” commented Knut Arild Hareide, who heads the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association representing 130 firms operating approximately 1,500 ships.

German maritime corporation Hapag-Lloyd indicated they are assessing conditions and “probably we will pass soon,” according to a company representative.

Major shipping companies Maersk from Denmark and France’s CMA CGM could not be reached for immediate response. Norwegian petroleum tanker operator Frontline chose not to provide commentary.

According to a high-ranking Iranian source speaking with Reuters, all merchant vessels including American ships may traverse the strait, though coordination with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps remains mandatory.

The Iranian official explained that passage would be limited to routes Iran considers secure, while military ships remain banned from the area.

President Donald Trump stated Friday that Iran committed to keeping the strait permanently open and is removing underwater explosives from the waterway.

However, a U.S. Navy bulletin obtained by Reuters warned Friday that mine dangers in certain strait areas remain unclear, suggesting ships should consider avoiding those zones.

The strait represents one of the planet’s most crucial maritime passages, and its disruption has forced shipping corporations to halt voyages, redirect cargo routes, and implement expensive alternative methods to maintain Gulf trade flows.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Friday that more than a dozen nations have volunteered military resources for a defensive operation designed to restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

The announcement came during a Paris gathering where France and Britain hosted representatives from 49 countries to plan a potential multinational effort to safeguard commercial vessels navigating the critical waterway.

“We will take this forward with a military plan conference in London next week where we will announce more detail on the composition of the mission, and over a dozen countries have already offered to contribute assets,” Starmer told the media while standing with leaders from France, Germany and Italy.

The British leader emphasized the global importance of the shipping corridor, stating: “Reopening the strait is a global necessity and a global responsibility.”

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s lower house of Parliament rejected legislation Friday that would have set aside one-third of legislative seats for women, alongside a connected proposal to restructure the nation’s electoral districts and expand the size of the legislature.

The proposed changes represented what many considered the most sweeping transformation of India’s political framework since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. After two days of parliamentary discussion involving both ruling party and opposition members, the measure failed to secure enough votes. The legislation aimed to guarantee 33% female representation in both national Parliament and state assemblies, addressing long-standing gender imbalances in Indian politics.

The women’s representation measure became controversial because it was connected to plans for electoral redistricting throughout India, which emerged as the primary obstacle to passage. Although lawmakers from multiple parties expressed support for boosting women’s political participation, opposition members raised alarms that restructuring electoral boundaries and enlarging Parliament might give Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party an unfair advantage.

Modi’s administration presented both pieces of legislation during a special three-day parliamentary session that started Thursday, with passage requiring support from two-thirds of legislators. When the women’s quota bill failed to reach that benchmark, officials pulled the redistricting measure from consideration.

Had the redistricting plan succeeded, it would have grown the lower house from its current 543 members to approximately 850 by the 2029 parliamentary elections.

Leading opposition factions fought against the proposal, expressing concern that using 2011 census figures to determine new districts would transfer political influence to rapidly expanding northern states while diminishing the voice of southern areas. They contended these modifications would particularly help Modi’s party, which maintains strong backing in northern India.

Government officials dismissed these objections, stating their plan included uniform 50% seat increases across all states to maintain balanced representation nationally. Opposition critics pointed out, however, that the proposed legislation lacked explicit guarantees for this approach.

Shortly before the scheduled vote, Modi posted on X that his government had responded to all worries and “misconceptions surrounding the legislation with facts and logic.”

Opposition leadership remained skeptical. Congress party member Rahul Gandhi characterized the initiative as “an attempt to change the electoral map of India.”

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — During Friday’s commemoration marking eight decades of the World Court’s existence, the United Nations Secretary-General delivered a sobering message about the deteriorating state of international law across the globe.

Speaking to assembled officials in the elaborate Great Hall of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, António Guterres declared that “The force of law must always prevail over the law of force.”

The milestone celebration highlighted the growing pressure facing the global legal system. Recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to destroy Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power facilities, represent actions that military law specialists suggest could amount to war crimes. Meanwhile, Sudan has entered its fourth year of conflict between military and paramilitary groups, and Russia persists in its Ukrainian offensive despite ICJ directives to cease.

Oxford University international law scholar Janina Dill explained to The Associated Press that “Powerful states have thrown out the rule book and perform disdain for international law.”

Currently experiencing its most active period in history, the tribunal is handling complex matters including the Gaza situation, Ukraine conflict, and environmental issues.

During Friday’s ceremony, Chief Justice Yuji Iwasawa stated that the court meets these obstacles by fulfilling its role of “interpreting and applying international law rigorously and in good faith.”

Established following World War II’s conclusion, the ICJ serves as an arbitrator for international disagreements. The court’s panel of 15 justices can also provide legal guidance to specific U.N. organizations, including the General Assembly.

While all 193 U.N. nations hold ICJ membership, not every country automatically accepts its authority.

The court’s first session in 1946 included just 51 member nations, with Queen Juliana of the Netherlands in attendance. Her descendant, King Willem-Alexander, participated in Friday’s anniversary event.

The tribunal’s inaugural case came in 1947 when Britain filed complaints against Albania regarding naval vessel damage in the Corfu Channel.

Current proceedings include genocide accusations against Myanmar concerning Rohingya minority persecution and against Israel regarding Gaza military operations. Both nations reject these claims.

Some disputes predate the court’s establishment, including Guyana’s request for resolution of its Venezuelan border disagreement, a conflict ongoing since 1899.

The Indian government has abandoned its plan to require smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the nation’s biometric identification application on all devices, following strong opposition from major technology companies, according to a government agency announcement Friday.

The proposal would have forced companies including Apple, Samsung, and Google to include the Aadhaar app on every smartphone sold in India. The application connects to a 12-digit identification number linked to individuals’ fingerprints and iris scans, serving nearly 1.34 billion residents who use it for banking, telecommunications, and airport security verification.

UIDAI, the government agency overseeing the Aadhaar system, confirmed that India’s IT ministry examined the proposal but “is not in favour of mandating the pre-installation of the Aadhaar App on smartphones.” The agency provided no explanation for the reversal, and the IT ministry declined to comment.

According to UIDAI’s statement, the IT ministry conducted a “consultation with stakeholders from the electronics industry” before deciding to scrap the mandatory installation requirement.

This marks the sixth unsuccessful attempt in two years by the Indian government to mandate pre-installed state applications on smartphones, with the technology industry opposing each proposal.

Manufacturing companies expressed concerns about device security and compatibility issues when presented with the Aadhaar installation requirement. They also highlighted increased production expenses, as they would need to operate separate assembly lines for Indian domestic sales versus international exports.

Apple and Samsung specifically voiced objections regarding safety and security implications, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The government’s retreat demonstrates the limitations facing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s technology initiatives as India seeks to attract companies like Apple to expand the country’s position as a global smartphone manufacturing center. Last December, India faced backlash over requirements for smartphone companies to pre-install a telecommunications security application, leading to a policy reversal within days.

A senior Indian government official, speaking anonymously, stated that the IT ministry opposes any application pre-loading requirements “unless it is considered very essential.”

Despite government assurances about Aadhaar’s safety and security, the application has drawn ongoing criticism from privacy advocates, particularly following data breaches that exposed personal information of millions of users on the dark web.

Apar Gupta, who founded the Internet Freedom Foundation, a digital rights organization based in New Delhi, praised the government’s decision to withdraw the Aadhaar pre-installation requirement. He argued that similar proposals should be rejected as they lack legal justification and serve no clear public policy purpose.

“Hopefully it is a welcome exercise of regulatory restraint that recognises that citizens carry their phones as extensions of their autonomy, not as vessels for government order,” Gupta said.

WASHINGTON, April 17 – America is spearheading a coordinated effort among the world’s largest economies to protect global fertilizer supplies and prevent food supply chain disruptions, according to two anonymous sources with knowledge of the initiative.

As the current leader of the Group of 20 major economies, the United States is pushing fellow G20 nations along with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to work together on safeguarding fertilizer availability, the sources revealed Friday.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has made agricultural and fertilizer supply chains a top priority, actively promoting cooperation between G20 countries and major international financial organizations, according to the sources who requested anonymity when discussing the matter.

LONDON (AP) — Metropolitan Police authorities announced Friday they were examining a security incident in the vicinity of Israel’s embassy involving several abandoned objects of unknown origin.

Law enforcement officials confirmed the diplomatic facility itself was not subjected to any assault, but officers equipped with specialized protective gear conducted a thorough search of the upscale Kensington Gardens district.

Authorities established a security perimeter and limited public access to both the gardens and adjacent areas. Emergency response vehicles and a white investigation tent were visible at the location.

Law enforcement officials revealed that investigators are examining potential connections between the mysterious objects discovered near the diplomatic compound and an internet video that allegedly threatened to target the embassy using unmanned aircraft carrying hazardous materials. Officials confirmed that Counter Terrorism Policing London has been made aware of the online content.

“We do not believe there to be any increased public safety risk at this stage, but we would urge people to avoid the area while officers carry out their work,” a police spokesperson said.

MANILA, Philippines — Ten suspected Muslim militants died Friday during a fierce gun battle with Philippine security forces in what marks this year’s most deadly confrontation in the nation’s troubled southern region, according to government officials.

The violent encounter began when members of the separatist organization Dawlah Islamiya-Maute fired upon police and military personnel who were attempting to execute arrest warrants for their leader on charges including murder in a Lanao del Sur province village, stated police Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico.

Military authorities identified the target as Amerol Mangoranca, whose fighters had previously declared allegiance to the Islamic State organization and were suspected of conducting recent guerrilla operations, including a January ambush in neighboring Lanao del Norte province that claimed four soldiers’ lives.

The hour-long firefight in Marantao village resulted in the deaths of Mangoranca and nine additional suspected insurgents, including four female fighters, while government forces suffered no casualties, according to Morico and military spokesmen.

“Our forces have struck a decisive blow and we will continue forward until enduring peace is fully secured,” declared army 1st Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr. “It is justice served for every fallen soldier, every grieving family and every community that suffered under terror.”

Security forces recovered four rifles, one pistol, a grenade and explosive device components during the operation, military and police sources reported.

An infant discovered at the combat site received medical care, though military statements provided no additional details about the child’s condition.

Violence in the predominantly Muslim southern region has significantly decreased since 2014, when the largest rebel organization, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, reached an autonomy agreement with Manila after commanding thousands of armed fighters for decades.

However, several smaller militant factions that rejected participation in peace negotiations have maintained intermittent attacks in pursuit of an independent Muslim nation.

The historic peace accord substantially reduced years of intermittent warfare that resulted in tens of thousands of military and civilian deaths, forced countless rural residents from their homes, and hindered economic progress in a resource-abundant area containing some of the Philippines’ most impoverished communities.

Philippine armed forces continue battling a separate communist rebellion that has also been significantly diminished through military defeats, internal conflicts and defections.

A group of migrants became the first to be sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo under a new deportation agreement with the United States, arriving in the African nation’s capital early Friday morning.

The aircraft touched down in Kinshasa around 1 a.m. local time, carrying individuals from Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, according to flight tracking information and sources at the airport.

A Colombian woman who was part of the group told Reuters there were 16 migrants total – nine men and seven women. However, an airport official counted 15 arrivals.

Officials from Congo’s interior ministry and presidential office have not yet responded to requests for comment.

Earlier this week, reports indicated that more than 30 migrants were scheduled for deportation to Congo. The smaller number who actually arrived may be the result of last-minute legal interventions, according to Alma David, a US-based attorney representing one of the migrants. David said she knew of at least three instances where federal judges stopped the removals.

The total number of people who may eventually be deported under the Washington-Kinshasa agreement, which was announced April 5, remains unknown.

The Colombian migrant, who requested anonymity for safety concerns, described her experience: “The flight was very calm. They treated us well and gave us enough food.”

She added: “It was very long, around 26 or 27 hours.”

Flight data revealed the aircraft departed from Alexandria, Louisiana, with stops in Dakar, Senegal, and Accra, Ghana, before reaching its final destination.

This marks the first time so-called third-country deportees have been sent to Congo, a nation struggling with widespread violence, internal displacement, and a weak asylum infrastructure.

The deportation deal comes as the Trump administration works to implement a US-mediated peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda. The accord aims to end conflict involving Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo, fighting that has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents.

The agreement also follows the establishment of a strategic partnership that gives the United States priority access to Congo’s essential minerals.

Upon arrival in Congo, the deportees received seven-day visas that allow free movement throughout the country, with possible extensions up to three months, the Colombian migrant reported.

The group was also told they could seek asylum in Congo, though officials advised against it, warning that the country posed safety risks, according to the migrant.

MOSCOW – Russian government officials are disputing claims that President Vladimir Putin remains unaware of his country’s domestic challenges, following explosive allegations from a prominent social media personality that went viral this week.

Viktoria Bonya, a reality television star and social media influencer with a massive following in Russia, posted a video earlier this week expressing her support for Putin while outlining five significant issues she believes government officials are concealing from the Russian leader. The video exploded across social media, garnering more than 20 million views, accumulating over 1.4 million likes, and generating more than 75,000 comments on Instagram.

When questioned Friday about Bonya’s claims that Putin – who has maintained control over Russia since 1999 in various leadership roles – receives incomplete information about domestic issues, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the allegations.

“No. It is not so,” Peskov stated. “Putin is the head of state, and his powers means he deals with the widest range of issues on the agenda.”

In an uncommon move Thursday, the Kremlin publicly responded to Bonya’s sharp criticisms, announcing that efforts were already underway to tackle the various issues she had highlighted.

Following the government’s acknowledgment, Bonya posted a follow-up video showing her emotional reaction. Breaking down in tears of happiness, she expressed gratitude to the Kremlin for paying attention to her concerns and declared her solidarity with the Russian people.

MOSCOW, April 17 – Russian officials on Friday accused European nations of escalating their participation in the Ukraine conflict, citing concerns over drone manufacturing support provided to Ukrainian forces.

Russia’s Defense Ministry issued warnings this week regarding European plans to increase drone deliveries to Ukraine, releasing an inventory of manufacturing facilities and companies allegedly producing unmanned aircraft or related components.

The ministry identified locations across Britain, Germany, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Israel and Turkey as part of the drone supply network.

Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president who currently serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, posted on X that the inventory essentially represents a target list for Russian military forces. “When strikes become a reality depends on what comes next. Sleep well, European partners!” Medvedev stated.

When questioned about whether the Defense Ministry’s publication and Medvedev’s statements indicated Russia was seriously contemplating attacks on European targets, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov avoided giving a direct response.

“These countries are becoming increasingly directly involved in the conflict, in the war surrounding Ukraine,” Peskov commented. “The details are set out in the Defence Ministry’s statement.”

Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and the ministry’s top administrator submitted their resignations Friday amid mounting pressure over controversial coal purchasing decisions that have disrupted the nation’s electricity supply.

The departures of Jayakody and ministry secretary Udayanga Hemapala came after widespread criticism regarding the procurement of substandard coal for the country’s sole coal-burning electricity facility. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake accepted both resignations Friday morning, according to his office.

The minister’s departure allows for an unimpeded probe into accusations surrounding poor-quality coal purchases that have affected operations at the government-operated Lakvijaya Power Plant, presidential officials stated.

Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath defended the energy minister’s conduct while announcing the resignation, telling media representatives: “We are not trying to hide anything. Proper procurement guidelines and procedures were followed. There was no fraud or corruption with the direct involvement of the energy minister.”

Herath indicated the probe should conclude within six months and aims to enhance government openness while restoring citizen trust in public institutions.

This marks the first time a senior cabinet official has stepped aside due to graft accusations under the current administration. Jayakody’s departure follows his survival of a parliamentary confidence vote just last week.

President Dissanayake has authorized a comprehensive review of all coal purchasing agreements for electricity production stretching back to 2009. He previously confirmed that inferior coal deliveries have significantly reduced power output at the Lakvijaya facility.

The power station requires approximately 2.25 million metric tons of coal each year to generate roughly 40% of the island nation’s electrical needs, based on a recent government audit released this month.

Reduced electricity production forced authorities to purchase 300,000 metric tons of emergency coal last month while increasing reliance on diesel and furnace oil to compensate for the power deficit.

The island nation, still recovering from a devastating economic collapse that reached its worst point four years ago, must import all petroleum products. Since regional conflicts began affecting Middle Eastern supplies, Sri Lankan officials have implemented fuel rationing measures and designated Wednesdays as national holidays to conserve energy reserves.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced Friday his plans to visit Venezuela’s capital on April 24, as he continues efforts to arrange a meeting with Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodriguez.

Speaking during an interview with Spanish public television network RTVE, Petro revealed that after a proposed border meeting between the two nations fell through, he would instead travel directly to Caracas later this month.

The two leaders had originally scheduled their first face-to-face presidential meeting for mid-March in a Colombian border town, but both governments called off the encounter citing “force majeure” circumstances, though neither provided specific explanations at that time.

“The meeting at the border fell through because of certain precautions, she said there were security issues,” Petro stated in Friday’s television appearance.

Petro made these comments while participating in Barcelona’s “Global Progressive Mobilisation,” a two-day conference bringing together leftist political leaders from around the world. The event, organized by Spain and progressive political organizations, focuses on building opposition to far-right political movements globally.

Hungary’s newly elected Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced Friday that he has begun preliminary discussions with European Union representatives in Budapest, working urgently to restore funding that was suspended during conflicts with his predecessor’s administration.

Magyar, who achieved a decisive win in the April 12 election that will conclude nationalist leader Viktor Orban’s 16-year tenure, stated he plans to begin negotiations by identifying areas where he and EU officials are already in agreement.

“I expect a constructive negotiation. It will not be easy because we have very little time,” he stated during a press briefing.

The incoming leader announced that the chief of staff to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was scheduled to arrive around 5 p.m. local time as part of a senior-level diplomatic team.

“The aim is… to map out before the new government is formed what we agree on and what are the conditions that the next parliament can pass as a law and comply with European conditions,” Magyar explained.

Magyar plans to assume the prime minister role on May 9 or 10, with the exact date depending on when the president schedules parliament’s opening session after the election.

His center-right Tisza party secured a supermajority, providing the authority to modify judicial, public procurement, and media oversight legislation that became central issues in the disputes between Orban’s administration and Brussels.

During Friday’s media briefing, he expressed optimism for reaching a political agreement during his initial trip to Brussels.

Financial markets have responded positively to Magyar’s electoral success, with investors anticipating that the EU will release billions of euros in suspended funds and provide assistance to Hungary’s nearly stagnant economy.

Magyar has previously identified four priority areas where his administration could act quickly to prevent losing approximately 10 billion euros in EU pandemic recovery assistance by the end-August deadline, including anti-corruption initiatives and restoring media and academic independence.

Von der Leyen remarked this week following her conversation with Magyar that urgent work lies ahead.

BUDAPEST – Peter Magyar, the victor in Hungary’s recent election, announced Friday that he anticipates being sworn in as the country’s prime minister either May 9 or May 10, with the exact date contingent upon the president’s scheduling of parliament’s inaugural session.

Magyar indicated he plans to depart from traditional protocol by taking his oath of office on the very same day that parliament convenes for the first time.

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Armed attackers ambushed a passenger bus in Nigeria’s Benue state Thursday, kidnapping students who were traveling to take university examinations, according to state officials.

The kidnapping occurred on the Otukpo-Makurdi highway, where students and other bus passengers were taken captive, Governor Hyacinth Alia announced in a Thursday evening statement.

While the governor did not reveal the exact number of people kidnapped, local news outlets reported that 14 passengers were aboard the bus during the attack.

“The targeting of innocent citizens, particularly students on their way to sit for examinations, is unacceptable and stands against every norm of humanity and civil order,” Alia said.

According to the governor, authorities have launched search and rescue missions throughout the north-central state to secure the safe release of all kidnapped individuals.

So far, no organization has taken credit for Thursday’s kidnapping incident. The Benue region has become a center for armed attacks in Nigeria’s northern areas, where criminal groups frequently assault isolated communities and highway travelers through deadly raids and abductions for money.

Kidnapping of students has become a hallmark of the security crisis plaguing Africa’s largest nation by population, with experts noting that criminal organizations view educational institutions and students as “strategic” victims to generate maximum public attention.

The governor called on local residents to stay composed and continue working with law enforcement during rescue missions and other security activities.

“We will continue to take decisive actions to protect lives and property,” he added.

WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has accused a cryptocurrency company with alleged Russian ties of financially backing Polish politicians and supporting nationalist presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki through political events.

During Friday’s parliamentary session, Tusk made these allegations before lawmakers voted to override Nawrocki’s rejection of proposed cryptocurrency market regulations. The presidential candidate has blocked two separate government attempts to regulate the crypto industry over the past six months.

According to Tusk, the resistance to regulatory measures by certain Polish officials suggests they are working on behalf of Zondacrypto, a company that previously provided them financial backing and maintains connections to Russia.

“The source of this company’s financial success is not only Russian money linked to the so-called Bratva, one of the most important mafia groups in Russia, but also to Russian secret services,” Tusk stated during his parliamentary address.

Tusk further alleged that Zondacrypto simultaneously “sponsors political and social events in Poland and promotes very specific political forces,” including funding politicians from the previously ruling Law and Justice party and the far-right Confederation.

The Prime Minister also revealed that Zondacrypto served as a major sponsor for a Conservative Political Action Conference gathering held in Rzeszow, eastern Poland, during March 2025. This event occurred just five days prior to Poland’s presidential election, which featured a close race between Tusk’s liberal coalition candidate and Nawrocki, who had Law and Justice backing.

At that conference, former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized the liberal candidate as “an absolute train wreck of a leader” while praising Nawrocki, who attended the event, as someone who would govern Poland with a Trump-like approach.

“We need you to elect the right leader,” stated Noem, a notable Trump supporter, during her conference speech. “You will be the leaders that will turn Europe back to conservative values.”

Tusk also asserted that Nawrocki possessed complete knowledge about Zondacrypto’s background when he decided to veto the cryptocurrency regulations.

Responding to these allegations, Zbigniew Bogucki, who heads the president’s office, clarified that Nawrocki supports cryptocurrency market regulation but opposes the government’s proposed “flawed regulatory model.”

Confederation leader Slawomir Menzen defended the veto, arguing the proposed legislation would have “destroyed the Polish cryptocurrency market.”

Government officials maintain that the new regulatory framework aims to align Poland with European Union cryptocurrency standards.

The name ‘Amada’ means ‘beloved’ in Spanish.

“We chose to name her ‘Amada’ because she entered our family to be treasured,” explained Lorena Bonilla, whose transgender daughter recently gained approval to update her legal identity papers following an Ecuador Constitutional Court decision.

This case — combined with a second ruling issued in March — has created new opportunities for Ecuadorian teenagers who want to update their names and gender markers on government documents. Adult citizens obtained this same right following years of activism that resulted in legislative changes in 2024.

LGBTQ+ advocates throughout the region celebrated the court decisions, particularly as conservative political movements have strengthened their influence in recent months. However, these supporters also caution about ongoing legal and societal obstacles that transgender individuals must navigate.

“Political, religious and social groups in Ecuador continue to frame gender recognition for minors as dangerous,” stated Cristian González Cabrera, who researches LGBTQ+ issues for Human Rights Watch. “This atmosphere can lead to institutional resistance, bureaucratic delays and unreasonable rejections.”

Bonilla and her 17-year-old daughter encountered these challenges directly in 2018. Their court fight started when Amada was just 9 years old and educational institutions denied her enrollment because her official paperwork didn’t align with her gender identity.

“Fourteen schools turned us away and wouldn’t accept her,” Bonilla recalled. “That’s when we realized we had to pursue changing her name.”

Initially, a court approved Amada’s request to update her identity papers. However, the civil registry challenged this ruling and an appeals court subsequently decided that her passport and identification should display her birth name and assigned gender.

“Our rights took a major setback,” Bonilla stated.

Court decisions rather than legislative action or executive leadership have primarily driven LGBTQ+ progress in Ecuador. This pattern has emerged in neighboring Andean nations including Colombia and Peru as well.

“Legislative and executive officials represent the general population’s views, but LGBTQ individuals are frequently ignored,” explained Christian Paula, who leads the Pakta Foundation that offers legal assistance in cases similar to Amada’s. “Relying on judicial intervention demonstrates how closed-minded and insensitive our institutions remain.”

Three major LGBTQ+ milestones in Ecuador have resulted from court action. These include ending criminal penalties for homosexuality in 1997, a 2009 decision permitting an Ecuadorian transgender woman to legally change her name, and marriage equality recognition in 2019.

These judicial victories triggered opposition from conservative and faith-based organizations.

Following the Constitutional Court’s rulings, André Santos, who heads a prominent conservative advocacy group in Ecuador, posted on X that the court had exceeded its constitutional role. He has also criticized school policies that let students choose uniforms and restrooms matching their gender identity.

Ecuador’s Catholic bishops conference similarly voiced opposition to the court’s action. “Permitting adolescents to make such significant decisions creates substantial risks for their complete development,” the organization stated.

While President Daniel Noboa hasn’t been as vocal against transgender issues as certain other conservative Latin American leaders, his government has demonstrated minimal backing for LGBTQ+ causes.

During his campaign, he promised to protect traditional family structures. Since assuming office, security concerns and economic challenges have taken priority over gender and diversity matters in his policy focus.

“His cabinet members concern us most,” said Diane Rodríguez, an attorney and leader of Silueta X, an Ecuadorian LGBTQ+ advocacy group.

Rodríguez, who is transgender, highlighted Education Ministry officials, including current minister Gilda Alcívar, who has opposed incorporating what she terms “gender ideology” into curricula. This environment, Rodríguez noted, affects her personal experiences.

Living in Guayaquil where she and her partner, a transgender man, are raising their 4-year-old daughter, Rodríguez has encountered school enrollment obstacles.

“Registration became difficult because people look at me and think I’ll influence children to become transgender based on my appearance,” Rodríguez explained.

Her professional work includes providing legal assistance to those experiencing gender-based discrimination and supporting hormone therapy programs for transgender individuals. She also focuses on educating communities about violence targeting her community.

Silueta X releases yearly data on LGBTQ+ homicides. Their initial 2013 report documented two deaths, with numbers increasing annually. The 2025 publication recorded 30 fatalities, including 21 transgender women.

Amada expressed her female identity to her parents when she turned 3 years old. She requested a princess-themed birthday celebration. However, Bonilla and her husband — both with Catholic upbringings — believed she was mistaken and organized a prince-themed party instead.

Several years passed before they fully accepted their daughter and stopped consulting psychologists who claimed she had problems or that they had failed as parents.

“People make cruel remarks and don’t comprehend what families like ours endure,” said Mauricio Caviedes, Amada’s father. “I hope better education on this topic will help people develop understanding.”

As they gained knowledge about the transgender community, their effort to modify Amada’s documents expanded into broader advocacy. Bonilla and Caviedes became activists, bringing their children to demonstrations and educational events. They championed other LGBTQ+ issues like marriage equality and established a support network for families with transgender children.

“This became our only strategy to challenge the government,” Bonilla said. “We represented 25 families with transgender children of various ages, with the oldest being 12.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, her family relocated to Canada. Although she values how accepting their new country has been toward her daughter, she continues advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in Ecuador.

Amada, now an excellent student who aspires to become a nurse, was influenced by years of observing her parents assist transgender friends and community members seeking discrimination-free healthcare access. While she has never appeared in public media interviews, her case’s visibility represents a lasting impact for Bonilla.

“Society believes transgender people are destined to work in sex industries or remain hidden,” Bonilla said. “But we want all parents to understand that someday their child can achieve any goal they set.”

A new United Nations report shows that women and girls in Gaza faced unprecedented casualties during the recent conflict, with fatalities continuing even after a ceasefire agreement.

UN Women released data Friday indicating that more than 38,000 women and girls lost their lives in Gaza from October 2023 through December 2025, averaging at least 47 deaths per day throughout the conflict period.

Sofia Calltorp, who leads humanitarian action for the gender equality-focused agency, spoke to reporters in Geneva about the alarming statistics.

“Women and girls accounted for a proportion of deaths far higher than those observed in previous conflicts in Gaza,” Calltorp stated.

“They were individuals with lives and with dreams,” she added.

The organization expressed alarm that women and girls continue to die following October’s ceasefire agreement, though exact numbers remain unclear due to insufficient gender-specific data collection.

The October ceasefire brought an end to two years of intensive warfare but resulted in Israeli forces maintaining control over a largely evacuated area comprising more than half of Gaza. Hamas continues to govern the remaining narrow coastal territory.

Medical officials in the area report that over 750 Palestinians have died since the ceasefire began, while militant groups have killed four Israeli soldiers. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaking ceasefire terms.

Israeli officials state their operations target potential attacks from Hamas and other armed groups.

UNICEF also issued a statement Friday highlighting that children continue facing deadly violence in Gaza at disturbing levels, with at least 214 child deaths documented over the past six months.

The displacement crisis affects approximately one million women and girls currently living in Gaza, according to UN Women’s findings.

“Extensive damage to infrastructure has made it almost impossible for women and girls in Gaza to access their basic needs like healthcare,” Calltorp explained.

World Health Organization data indicates that more than 500,000 women cannot access critical medical services, including prenatal care, postnatal support, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.

KINSHASA, Congo — Fifteen migrants from Latin America touched down in Congo’s capital city of Kinshasa early Friday morning after being deported from the United States, according to their legal representative.

The arrival marks another instance of the Trump administration utilizing partnerships with African nations to speed up the removal of migrants from U.S. soil.

U.S. attorney Alma David told The Associated Press that all of the deportees originated from Latin American countries and that Congo’s government intends to house them temporarily within its borders.

A representative from Congo’s migration agency verified that the group had arrived but declined to share additional information.

David explained that each of the deportees had previously been granted legal protections by U.S. judges that were meant to prevent their forced return to their countries of origin. The group is currently being accommodated at a hotel in Kinshasa, she noted.

The International Organization for Migration, which operates under United Nations affiliation, will participate in providing what David described as “assisted voluntary return” services.

“The fact that the focus is on offering them ‘voluntary’ return to their home country when they spent months in immigration detention in the U.S. fighting hard to not have to go home is very alarming,” she said.

The IOM has not yet responded to requests for comment from the Associated Press.

Earlier this month, Congo’s Ministry of Communications issued a statement announcing the country would accept certain migrants through a new agreement established under the Trump administration’s third-country program.

The ministry characterized the arrangement as “temporary” and said it demonstrates Congo’s “commitment to human dignity and international solidarity.” Officials stated the agreement would not burden the government financially, as the United States would handle all necessary logistics and expenses.

The statement emphasized that deportees would not be automatically transferred elsewhere, noting: “Each situation will be subject to individual review in accordance with the laws of the Republic and national security requirements.”

The United States has established similar third-country deportation agreements with at least seven additional African nations, many of which have been significantly impacted by Trump administration policies that have limited trade, aid and migration opportunities.

According to a recent report from the Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Trump administration has allocated at least $40 million toward deporting approximately 300 migrants to nations other than their countries of origin.

Legal advocates and activists have questioned the nature of these agreements with African and other nations. Multiple African countries that have entered into such deals maintain governments known for repressive practices and poor human rights records, including Eswatini, South Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.

MEXICO CITY – A controversial conference focused on masculinity will take place as scheduled this Friday in Mexico’s Jalisco state, despite significant backlash over reports that taxpayer funds were used to support the for-profit gathering.

The event, titled “Fearless Masculinity,” features divisive speakers including author Jordan Peterson and is being held in one of Mexico’s most dangerous regions for women. Local media reports indicated that a municipal committee had allocated 400,000 pesos (approximately $23,170) to cover speaker payments, accommodations, and promotional costs for the conference, which charges attendees up to $430 per ticket.

Government agency logos that initially appeared on the event’s sponsorship materials were later removed, with officials subsequently denying any financial involvement in the conference, which promotes Catholic values. Mexico operates as a secular nation, and its constitution prohibits government sponsorship of religious gatherings. President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the controversy during a recent press briefing, stating that the state’s governor owes the public an explanation.

The timing and location of the event have drawn particular criticism given Mexico’s ongoing battle with gender-based violence. Government statistics reveal that 756 women died violently during the first two months of this year alone, with most cases classified as accidents. Additionally, authorities recorded 2,812 rapes and received more than 162,000 emergency calls related to domestic and gender-based violence during the same period.

Luz Leon, speaking on behalf of the advocacy organization Balance, confirmed to reporters that her group along with 35 other associations have submitted an official complaint demanding transparency about the funding situation and calling for an investigation into the officials involved.

“Authorities frequently claim there’s insufficient funding to help victims in Guadalajara and throughout Jalisco, a region plagued by extreme violence and numerous disappearances of young people,” Leon stated. “It’s extremely troubling that rather than allocating resources to tackle these critical problems, they’re being diverted for this purpose.”

Leon further criticized the event’s messaging, explaining, “They are encouraging gender-based violence and promoting narratives that reinforce discrimination through prejudice and harmful stereotypes.” She referenced the conference’s self-promotion as a response to what organizers call “the assault on masculinity.”

The speaker lineup includes Peterson and Mexican entertainer Eduardo Verastegui, a conservative activist, both known for advocating traditional gender expectations for women. The roster also features former Barcelona soccer team captain Carles Puyol and ex-Brazilian midfielder Ricardo Kaka, though their participation remains unconfirmed, alongside several Catholic clergy members.

Documentation from Balance shows that as of April 8, the conference’s sponsor list displayed logos from Jalisco, Guadalajara, and Zapopan local governments, as well as the prominent Catholic Anahuac University Network and Tajin, the company behind Mexico’s widely popular chile-lime seasoning. By the following week, all these logos had been removed from promotional materials.

Neither the event organizers nor the previously listed sponsors provided responses to media inquiries. Local news outlets quoted the conference director as claiming the gathering aims to benefit society rather than harm others.

The three-day conference is taking place in Guadalajara, which is scheduled to host multiple World Cup soccer matches in June. Organizers are marketing it as Latin America’s most significant masculinity conference.

Standing on a sandy stretch of Cuba’s Bay of Pigs coastline, 90-year-old Orestes Chamizo gestures toward the exact location where U.S.-backed Cuban exiles stormed ashore on April 17, 1961.

“The mercenaries came in right there,” Chamizo explains, remembering the failed invasion and his participation in hunting down fleeing survivors who escaped into the surrounding marshland.

With President Donald Trump making repeated threats against Cuba and enforcing what amounts to an oil embargo on the island nation, Chamizo warns that any future American invasion would meet the same fate as the first attempt.

“I’m 90 years old but if I have to pick up a gun again, I’ll do it without fear,” the energetic veteran told reporters. “The last invasion failed … and the next one will too.”

The idea that communist Cuba could successfully repel an attack from the world’s dominant military power seems just as unlikely now as it did six and a half decades ago.

Conversations with more than 20 Bay of Pigs area residents of various ages reveal a stark contrast between the passionate defiance of those who experienced the revolution firsthand and the despair of younger Cubans struggling under the weight of a failing government-controlled economy and American economic sanctions.

“Young people here don’t have the same spirit they used to,” explains Miguel Piloto Garcia, a 22-year-old barber speaking from his front porch near the 1961 invasion site. “We want to improve our lives, but right now there’s no future for us.”

Both nations, despite being separated by only 90 miles of ocean, have confirmed they are engaged in diplomatic discussions. However, Trump has repeatedly suggested military action against Cuba might be possible, telling journalists as late as March that he could be “taking” the Caribbean island.

“I mean, whether I free it, take it. Think I can do anything I want with it,” Trump stated.

Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel recently informed NBC that his country has no desire for armed conflict. Nevertheless, he cautioned that Cuba would resist any attack through “irregular warfare” that would render any American military operation “untenable.”

The island’s legal framework mandates military service for all young citizens, beginning at age 18. This typically one-to-two-year commitment includes weapons instruction as part of Cuba’s comprehensive “War of All the People” strategy, which is codified in the National Defense Law and promoted by Diaz-Canel during his recent television appearance.

“Every Cuban man or woman has a mission, a purpose, a place to defend, and they will have their own place to take in the defense,” Diaz-Canel explained. “So this is all based on people’s participation, voluntary participation.”

Since the United States invaded Venezuela in early January and removed former president Nicolas Maduro from power, Cuba has conducted weekly military exercises every Friday, dubbed “National Defense Days.”

These training sessions, frequently broadcast on Cuban state television news, feature citizens in both city and countryside settings practicing with rifles, operating aging Soviet tanks, piloting drones, and throwing explosive devices.

Although these military preparations receive increasing media attention, Cuba’s defense capabilities remain largely mysterious to international observers, with no public information available regarding troop readiness, budget allocation, equipment inventory, or overall strength.

Without access to public polling data, determining popular support for the military remains challenging in Cuba.

The heated exchanges between Washington and Havana take considerable time to reach the remote Bay of Pigs region, an isolated area within the Zapata Swamp that currently endures 22-hour daily power outages. Local residents have adapted to life with minimal public transportation and limited access to modern technology like cellular service and internet connectivity.

Thirty-year-old Yudel Ramos, who makes his living fishing and catching crabs, finds himself too preoccupied with survival to focus much attention on potential warfare. His wages don’t cover basic necessities like purchasing charcoal, forcing him to spend his time searching for burning materials.

“If the time came to give my life for Cuba, I would, but sometimes I don’t know what to think,” he shared outside his residence in Palpite. “We are going through a very difficult time.”

Mass emigration has also reduced the pool of potential military personnel.

From 2020 through 2024, Cuba experienced a population decrease exceeding 1.4 million residents, representing more than 10% of the total population, primarily due to emigration heavily concentrated among people aged 18 to 30, based on recent statistics from Cuba’s ONEI data collection agency.

This demographic transformation deeply troubles Jesus Bernardino Alonso, an 87-year-old Bay of Pigs veteran among the few still residing in Palpite, a community whose entrance features a monument commemorating the victory over American-trained attackers.

Alonso remembers how the entire community mobilized to respond to the invasion 65 years earlier.

“It’s true times have changed, and young people today … some don’t share the same ideals,” Alonso reflected. “But there are still many of us who defend this, even though we know we are facing a superpower.”

Documentary filmmaker Stephen Shaw, creator of “Birthgap,” is sounding the alarm about a demographic crisis he believes world leaders and experts are failing to address adequately. Shaw points to dramatically declining fertility rates across the globe as a looming threat that demands immediate attention.

According to Shaw, wealthy nations around the world — the United States included — are experiencing birth rates that fall short of replacement levels. This means women in these countries are not having sufficient children to offset the number of deaths occurring in their populations.

The filmmaker argues that modern societies have systematically made parenthood a lower priority, a shift he warns could lead to serious repercussions in the coming years.

BEIRUT (AP) — An uneasy peace descended across Lebanon Friday as a 10-day ceasefire negotiated by the United States went into effect between Israel and Hezbollah, leading thousands of displaced residents to start returning home despite ongoing uncertainty, widespread devastation, and Israeli advisories warning against traveling to certain areas of southern Lebanon.

Early Friday morning, traffic stretched for miles along the southern route toward the damaged Qasmiyeh bridge spanning the Litani River, an important crossing that connects the southern coastal city of Tyre with northern regions. Cars loaded with mattresses, luggage, and rescued possessions moved slowly through a single reopened lane that had been quickly fixed following an Israeli airstrike just one day before.

The recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah forced over one million people from their homes. Although Lebanese authorities advised against immediate returns, many residents began traveling toward southern Lebanon within hours of the ceasefire announcement. The truce seemed to hold steady through the night.

In southern communities such as Jibsheet, small numbers of residents came back to destroyed apartment buildings and roads covered with concrete debris, bent aluminum window coverings, and hanging power lines.

“I feel free being back,” said Zainab Fahas, 23. “But look they destroyed everything — the square, the houses, the shops, everything.”

Many residents remained skeptical that their suffering had truly ended.

“Israel doesn’t want peace,” said Ali Wahdan, 27, a medic walking on crutches over the rubble of the emergency services’ headquarters in Jibsheet. He was badly wounded in an Israeli airstrike that hit the building without warning during the first week of the war.

“I wish it were different,” he said. “But this war will continue.”

In Beirut’s southern suburb neighborhood of Haret Hreik, complete buildings had been turned to debris following weeks of heavy Israeli bombardment. Ahmad Lahham, 48, held up the yellow Hezbollah flag while standing on a pile of wreckage that had once been his apartment building, which also contained a branch of Hezbollah’s financial division, Al-Qard Al-Hassan.

“We are at the service of the fighters,” said Lahham, expressing his dedication to the organization.

He credited Iran and claimed its influence in discussions with the U.S. brought about the ceasefire, while criticizing Lebanon’s direct negotiations with Israel.

“Only the Iranians stood with us, no one else,” he said, referring to Lebanon’s leaders as “the leadership of shame.”

A municipal official in Haret Hreik reported that Israel attacked the area 62 times during the past six weeks.

“We’ve been able to clear up the rubble of the partially damaged buildings, but for those destroyed, we will need special equipment,” Sadek Slim, the neighborhood’s deputy mayor, told a press briefing.

The district was jammed with vehicles as people returned to inspect their properties and Hezbollah supporters rode through on motorcycles, displaying the group’s banner.

PRISTINA, Kosovo — The Parliament of Kosovo plans to vote Friday on deploying several dozen security personnel to an international peacekeeping mission in Gaza, marking the nation’s transition from receiving military assistance to providing it.

Lawmakers are expected to give formal approval to a government proposal sending troops to the International Stabilization Force, a U.S.-supported program established after last year’s ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The ISF has not yet been deployed but will work to maintain stability and support reconstruction efforts in Gaza as part of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace initiative, which Kosovo has agreed to join. Other participating nations include Indonesia, Albania and Kazakhstan.

For Kosovo, joining the international mission represents significant progress since declaring independence from Serbia in 2008 — a decision Belgrade continues to reject.

Serbia’s violent suppression of Kosovo’s independence movement led to NATO’s 1999 military intervention, which expelled Serbian forces from the region and established the ongoing KFOR peacekeeping presence.

“Our country has been a security consumer, meaning NATO countries have contributed to the security of the Republic of Kosovo,” Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci told The Associated Press. “Today we are entering a phase where we are becoming a provider, or exporter, of security.”

According to Maqedonci, Kosovo will deploy several dozen officers, including explosive ordnance disposal specialists. Their responsibilities will include humanitarian assistance, security support and additional duties outlined in the Gaza force’s operational guidelines.

“We are currently in the final preparations phase,” Maqedonci said. He noted that American officials have assisted with preparations, including troop vaccinations, visa processing and other logistical arrangements.

Kosovo maintains approximately 4,000 security personnel who are training to form a small, professional military force compatible with NATO standards.

Local resident Milot Hoxha, a 43-year-old musician, expressed support for the Gaza deployment.

“We ourselves have gone through such a transition and every small help for us has been very significant,” he said. “I believe it will be the same for them, that any kind of help will be positive. I strongly support this decision.”

Relations between Kosovo and Serbia remain strained since the war ended, with periodic violent episodes. European Union officials have attempted to mediate discussions between Belgrade and Pristina to normalize diplomatic ties, but these efforts have recently stalled.

While the United States and most European Union members recognize Kosovo’s sovereignty, Russia and China continue supporting Serbia’s territorial claims.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Officials announced Friday that Sri Lanka has completed the repatriation of 238 Iranian naval personnel, including 32 survivors from a vessel destroyed by an American submarine attack in the Indian Ocean.

The Iranian warship IRIS Dena was destroyed by a U.S. submarine on March 4 as it was traveling back to Iran following participation in naval exercises hosted by India. Sri Lankan naval forces retrieved 87 bodies from the incident and provided medical care to 32 survivors. An additional Iranian vessel arrived at a Sri Lankan port in the south after its crew encountered mechanical difficulties.

According to Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Franklin Joseph, nearly all personnel were sent back to Iran earlier this week, with only a small number of crew members from the second vessel remaining.

The Iranian vessel continues to be stationed at Trincomalee port on the eastern coast, with authorities yet to determine its future status.

“I think it (Sri Lanka) has proven its policy posture not only in words but also in deeds,” said H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, a retired former foreign secretary who also served as Sri Lanka’s permanent representative to the United Nations.

Palihakkara emphasized that the island nation maintained neutrality while following principles of legality, humanitarian concern, and international law. “All parties to the conflict have acknowledged that. It has enhanced Sri Lanka’s government’s credibility,” he said.

The former diplomat noted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake faced a challenging situation when he rejected two simultaneous requests on the same day — declining both American requests to use Sri Lankan territory for military aircraft operations and Iranian requests to bring warships to shore.

The situation comes as Sri Lanka works to recover from a severe economic downturn, with both America and Iran serving as important trade relationships. The United States has been instrumental in supporting an International Monetary Fund rescue package and providing agricultural assistance to prevent food shortages.