Author: Admin

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Over 1,000 factory employees took to the streets Monday in Haiti’s capital city, calling for increased minimum wages as rising tensions in Iran continue to drive fuel costs higher worldwide.

Employees from the government-operated Metropolitan Industrial Park, commonly called Sonapi, assembled at the facility’s entrance in Port-au-Prince, chanting, “When we are hungry, we don’t mess around!”

The workers pointed out they haven’t received any pay increases since 2023, and basic necessities have become unaffordable after Haiti’s administration boosted diesel costs by 37% and gas prices by 29% this month.

“A gallon of gas is higher than our minimum daily wage,” said Marc Jean Jean-Pierre, a 47-year-old father of two children.

Jean-Pierre manufactures denim at a factory, making 685 Haitian gourdes ($5.23) daily, while gasoline now sells for 850 gourdes ($6.49) per gallon.

“You can see what we’re going through,” he said.

Jean-Pierre previously relied on public transit for his commute but now walks an hour each way to save money, as round-trip bus fare has jumped by 100 gourdes (76 cents).

“We will be in the street until the government hears our voice,” he said.

Also participating in Monday’s demonstration was Maxime Excellence, a 49-year-old custodian at the factory, who expressed concern about escalating transportation costs and other expenses.

“On top of it, I have to eat. I can’t spent the whole day not eating,” he said. “God knows what I’m going to have to eat when I get home.”

Excellence described the workers’ requests as reasonable.

“We can barely make ends meet with what we’re living on,” he said.

He vowed to continue demonstrating until their demands are addressed and indicated he would turn to violence if needed.

James Cardichon, a 37-year-old T-shirt manufacturer, shared similar views.

“We need a revolution for them to understand,” he said, noting that workplace conditions also require improvement. “We are leaving our sweat behind.”

Cardichon explained that employees want better compensation so their kids won’t face identical hardships.

“We are tired,” he said. “Our country is infested by gangs. The bus charges more because they have to pay the gangs to get through, and we end up paying for everything.”

Cardichon also expressed frustration with repeated government pledges to address the nation’s problems.

“We are tired of promises,” he said. “We want them to take action, and quickly.”

Several Haitians who joined the demonstration don’t work at the industrial complex but wanted to voice their anger over Haiti’s worsening crises, including escalating gang violence and increasing poverty.

Garry Jean Paul, 35, who sells mobile phones on the street, said climbing oil prices are making the country’s circumstances worse.

“Some days I make a couple hundred of gourdes, some days I have to go home with nothing,” he said. “Families are doing things they are not supposed to be doing. They are begging.”

Brazil’s highest-ranking labor inspection official has been terminated from his position after defying direct orders from his superior regarding the placement of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD on the country’s registry of companies accused of subjecting employees to slave-like working conditions, according to two individuals familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters.

Luiz Felipe Brandao de Mello ignored instructions from Labor Minister Luiz Marinho to keep the automaker off Brazil’s labor violations registry, commonly referred to as the “dirty list,” the anonymous sources revealed.

The termination, which appeared in Monday’s official government publication, represents the most recent tension between President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s administration and the historically autonomous labor inspectors responsible for investigating severe workplace violations. Minister Marinho has faced previous allegations of meddling in inspector activities to protect major corporations from being listed.

Neither Brazil’s Labor Ministry nor Mello responded immediately to requests for statements.

The country’s labor inspector association, Anafitra, condemned the firing and warned it compromises Brazil’s efforts to combat workplace exploitation while diminishing the effectiveness of the registry, which serves as an important enforcement mechanism.

“The dismissal of the secretary signals an escalation of political interference in labor inspections,” Anafitra declared in an official statement.

The controversy surrounding BYD stems from a 2024 incident involving 163 Chinese employees working for a subcontractor who were discovered constructing the company’s primary Brazilian manufacturing facility under conditions Brazilian authorities characterized as “slavery-like.”

This controversy damaged BYD’s public image and caused significant construction delays in Brazil, which represents the company’s second-largest market globally after China.

BYD has not responded to requests for comment but previously stated it was unaware of any violations until Brazilian news outlets reported on them in late 2024.

Government regulations require the labor violations registry to be refreshed every six months, with the most recent update deadline falling on April 6.

Sources indicated that Marinho instructed Mello to postpone adding BYD to the list without providing any technical reasoning for the delay.

Two days following this directive, a court issued an injunction removing BYD from the registry at the company’s request. A final court decision remains pending.

BYD has cultivated strong relationships with Brazil’s leftist administration, with President Lula participating in the factory’s opening ceremony in October, even as the labor abuse investigation was ongoing.

Companies placed on the registry face more than just public embarrassment, as they become ineligible for specific types of financing from Brazilian financial institutions.

In the previous year, Marinho conducted extraordinary final assessments of labor inspector findings to prevent certain companies from being listed, including a subsidiary of Brazilian meat processing giant JBS.

One source revealed that Mello had opposed Marinho’s previous interventions, noting that his refusal to comply with orders in the BYD situation was viewed as the breaking point.

BEIRUT (AP) — A top Hezbollah leader announced Monday that the Iranian-backed militant organization will reject any deals emerging from direct diplomatic discussions between Lebanon and Israel scheduled to take place in Washington.

Wafiq Safa, a senior member of Hezbollah’s political council, made his declaration just one day before Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States are set to conduct their first face-to-face negotiations in decades. The two nations maintain no formal diplomatic ties.

“As for the outcomes of this negotiation between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy, we are not interested in or concerned with them at all,” Safa stated during an interview with The Associated Press.

“We are not bound by what they agree to,” he continued in the uncommon media appearance, speaking beside a graveyard while an Israeli surveillance drone flew above.

Lebanese government representatives hope to secure a ceasefire in the current Israel-Hezbollah conflict through these Washington negotiations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined different objectives, seeking Hezbollah’s complete disarmament and potentially establishing a formal peace treaty between the two countries. Netanyahu’s spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian stated Monday that Israel will not agree to any ceasefire with Hezbollah.

In related diplomatic activity, Iran attempted to incorporate Lebanon into its own ceasefire negotiations with the United States during talks held in Pakistan over the weekend. Both Israel and the U.S. rejected including Lebanon in those discussions.

Following Tehran and Washington’s announcement of a temporary truce last Wednesday, Israel conducted over 100 bombing raids throughout Lebanon, targeting crowded residential and business districts in central Beirut.

Despite the collapse of U.S.-Iran negotiations without reaching an accord, Safa revealed that Hezbollah learned Iran “was able to obtain a cessation of attacks” across Beirut’s entire administrative zone, including the southern suburbs known as Dahiyeh where Hezbollah maintains strong influence.

Israeli bombardment of Beirut and surrounding areas has ceased since Wednesday, though fierce combat persists in southern Lebanon.

The Iran-supported Lebanese militant organization and Israel have engaged in numerous conflicts since Hezbollah’s establishment in the 1980s as a guerrilla force opposing Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanese territory.

The current warfare began March 2, just two days after Israel and the United States initiated military action against Iran. Hezbollah joined the conflict by launching rockets across the border into Israeli territory. Israel retaliated with air strikes and ground forces.

The war has forced more than one million Lebanese residents from their homes and resulted in over 2,000 deaths, including more than 500 women, children, and healthcare personnel. Many Lebanese citizens have criticized Hezbollah for dragging Lebanon into the conflict while serving Iranian interests.

Safa defended Hezbollah’s involvement as a preventive measure, claiming the organization’s leadership believed “Israel was preparing for a second battle with Lebanon” aimed at eliminating Hezbollah entirely.

He described it as “an appropriate moment for Hezbollah … to rebuild a new equation” and reestablish deterrence against Israel, while denying any prior agreements with Tehran requiring Hezbollah to join combat if Iran faced attack.

Following a U.S.-mediated ceasefire that ended the previous Israel-Hezbollah war in November 2024, Israel maintained almost daily strikes in Lebanon, claiming these operations prevented the group from rebuilding its capabilities. Safa indicated Hezbollah seeks to prevent returning to that situation.

Israel has asserted that its Wednesday strikes in Lebanon eliminated more than 250 Hezbollah fighters. However, Lebanon’s health ministry reported that over 100 women and children were among the more than 350 people killed that day.

Based on Israel’s claims, this would indicate every adult male killed was allegedly a Hezbollah member.

“None of our officials or cadres was killed in Beirut,” Safa countered. “Those who died in Beirut are 100% civilians.” He did not dispute that group members may have been killed in other areas outside the Lebanese capital.

Israel claimed to have eliminated Ali Yusuf Harshi, who served as both secretary and nephew to Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem, along with several high-ranking commanders.

Safa disputed this, saying Kassem’s secretary survived, though “maybe a relative of his was” killed.

He also revealed for the first time that he sustained injuries during the earlier 2024 Israel-Hezbollah war after being targeted in two Israeli strikes in Beirut, “but God granted me survival.”

Tensions have escalated between Lebanon’s government and Hezbollah, which operates both as a militant organization and a political party holding parliamentary seats.

The government approved legislation last year requiring removal of all weapons not belonging to state security forces or the military, later claiming substantial progress implementing this policy south of the Litani River, where Hezbollah militants currently battle Israeli forces.

After March 2, the government took additional action by declaring Hezbollah’s military wing an illegal organization.

Safa disclosed that Hezbollah currently maintains no direct communication with President Joseph Aoun or Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, instead channeling all dialogue through Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who leads the Hezbollah-aligned Amal party.

Safa indicated that following any ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanon, Hezbollah — which characterizes itself as a “resistance” movement opposing Israel — would be willing to discuss its weapons with the Lebanese government.

“The issue of resistance weapons is a Lebanese matter that has nothing to do with Israel or the United States,” he concluded.

BEIRUT, April 13 – The leader of the militant organization Hezbollah has publicly demanded that Lebanon’s government abandon scheduled diplomatic discussions with Israeli officials set to take place in Washington on Tuesday, calling the planned negotiations futile.

During a broadcast address on Monday, Naim Qassem declared that his armed organization would maintain its resistance against Israeli military actions targeting Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s foreign minister has stated that Beirut plans to utilize Tuesday’s direct diplomatic discussions to advocate for an end to hostilities in the ongoing conflict.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has taken into custody Alexandre Ramagem, who previously led Brazil’s intelligence operations, according to an agency announcement Monday. Ramagem had escaped from Brazil last September after being found guilty of participating in a coup attempt alongside former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The former Federal Police inspector received a prison term exceeding 16 years for his participation in efforts to prevent leftist politician Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from assuming office following his electoral victory over Bolsonaro in 2022.

Legal representatives for Ramagem have not yet provided a statement regarding his detention. Throughout the legal proceedings, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Paulo Figueiredo, a supporter of Bolsonaro residing in the United States, claimed on social media platform X that Ramagem’s arrest stemmed from a minor traffic offense.

The specific circumstances of his detention remain unconfirmed, and it’s unclear whether his arrest connects to Brazil’s efforts to have him returned to face his sentence.

The legal proceedings against Bolsonaro, known for his far-right political stance, prompted criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who cited the case as justification for imposing significant trade penalties on Brazilian goods during the previous year.

Despite Trump’s response, the case proceeded to completion in September, resulting in guilty verdicts for 29 individuals, including Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a 27-year prison term. Trump subsequently removed many of the trade restrictions he had previously implemented.

During his tenure as Brazil’s intelligence agency director beginning in 2019 under the Bolsonaro government, Ramagem faced accusations of conducting surveillance on the former president’s political opponents and supplying information designed to undermine confidence in Brazil’s election procedures.

Israeli military forces intensified their ground campaign in southern Lebanon on Monday, according to military officials, with troops advancing toward the strategic Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil just hours before scheduled diplomatic meetings in Washington.

Military forces have surrounded the border town of Bint Jbeil and initiated ground operations focused on destroying Hezbollah infrastructure. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, over 100 Hezbollah fighters have been eliminated in the region, while dozens of facilities have been destroyed and hundreds of weapons seized.

Intense fighting at close range continues with air support, as military officials describe efforts to bolster their defensive positions around Bint Jbeil. Israeli forces also destroyed a Hezbollah underground tunnel network in southern Lebanon that had been used for coordinating and launching attacks against Israeli troops.

The town of Bint Jbeil serves as a key Hezbollah stronghold, and Israeli forces have been systematically surrounding the area over recent weeks as part of a larger campaign to establish control in southern Lebanon.

The location holds historical significance from the 2006 Second Lebanon War, when Israeli forces battled Hezbollah in the town but failed to achieve complete control.

Israeli military officials also announced that more than 250 Hezbollah fighters and leaders were killed across Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon in what they characterized as their most extensive strike in the region.

Among those killed were Hezbollah operatives allegedly involved in weapons smuggling and storage, intelligence operations, target identification, and missile launches against Israel, according to military reports.

These military actions precede Tuesday’s planned negotiations in Washington featuring Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, and US Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa, who will head their respective teams. Intelligence reports suggest Washington and Lebanon plan to push Israel toward accepting a ceasefire agreement, though Israel has previously indicated that any negotiations will occur “under fire.”

Mental health professionals in Israel are working around the clock to prevent lasting psychological harm as families in northern border communities continue living under the constant threat of attack.

Clinical psychologist Shulamis Pollack emphasizes that helping individuals structure traumatic experiences into coherent stories, focusing on their logical decision-making and safety measures, represents one of the most powerful methods for preventing PTSD.

Despite a temporary pause in Iranian missile strikes toward Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that military actions against Hezbollah will persist. While much of Israel experiences relative calm, northern communities remain under regular air raid warnings and persistent fear.

Ori Mogel and his wife Tom have called Misgav Am home for a decade. Their kibbutz represents Israel’s northernmost settlement, positioned even beyond Kiryat Shmona and Metula, sitting merely 5 kilometers from Lebanon’s border. “Our perimeter fence is literally the border, the border fence,” Mogel explained to The Media Line.

The father of three children all under seven years old watched his family endure evacuation after the conflict began following October 7. They relocated to a kibbutz near Kfar Saba in central Israel before finally returning home in March 2025. Now they face danger once again.

“On one hand, we are very strong. We’re a strong community, we take care of each other, and we want everyone to come back and be together,” Mogel stated. “On the other hand, the way we live here is not normal. I don’t want to use words I shouldn’t, but it’s not normal.”

Seeking respite from the continuous sounds of warfare, Mogel recently brought his family to the desert. Even when rockets aren’t striking their immediate area, northern regions remain filled with the relentless noise of combat.

“The army is here, Hezbollah is here,” he noted. “These are very difficult sounds, especially for children my kids’ age, and even older. You have to take breaks from that.”

Mogel expressed frustration with the Israeli government’s insufficient support, claiming that 70% of northern residents don’t have proper access to protected spaces. Experts have not verified this figure.

“I would expect the state to do everything possible to ensure I have a safe room in my house, especially now, so my children can be safe,” Mogel stated. “Officials can come here and see how we live. If you tell me I can stay here with my children, but a cleaning worker or technician is not allowed to come because it’s too dangerous, then something is wrong.”

Children’s trauma levels are already becoming apparent, though measuring long-term effects remains challenging. A State Comptroller report following the October 7 attack revealed that approximately 30% of the nation shows trauma symptoms or PTSD.

Mogel shared how his 6-year-old daughter recently mastered riding without training wheels. During a bike ride, she heard an alarm, immediately abandoned her bicycle, and rushed to safety. His 4-year-old son can now differentiate between Israeli explosions and Hezbollah attacks. His youngest child, only 18 months old, automatically runs to the safe room upon hearing sirens.

Regarding long-term effects on his children, Mogel stated: “They will need treatment.” Having experienced the Second Lebanon War in 2006 at age 13 and requiring help himself, he added: “I hope their lives won’t be damaged, but I expect I’ll need to give them the treatment they’ll need … We’ll all probably need treatment.”

Understanding his children require professional assistance, Mogel recognizes that specialists like Shulamis Pollack are already providing crucial intervention, responding to attack sites to stabilize emotional responses before trauma becomes entrenched.

Pollack, a clinical psychologist from Beit Shemesh, serves with United Hatzalah’s emergency psychological response team. Their mission involves supporting community members immediately following attacks.

“We go to an impact site, and we don’t know what we’re going to find, much like medical personnel don’t know what they will find,” Pollack described. “We’re trained to look for different levels of distress … In all cases, the first thing that we do is get a person’s nervous system regulated, and once they’re regulated, we can help them make well-thought-out decisions, effective decisions, safe decisions.”

At impact locations, individuals affected in non-medical ways also require attention because they can become susceptible to harm, she explained. She recalled arriving at one site early in the conflict where a woman’s house had been struck and was literally falling apart. Though the family had escaped, the woman kept returning inside to retrieve possessions.

The woman was in panic, declaring: “I need my head covering. I need my favorite bag. I had a birthday present I got from my mother-in-law, and I want it,” while the structure continued collapsing around her.

Pollack informed The Media Line that the mental health function at such moments involves preventing “second-line damage”—injuries from individuals who, emotionally unstable and driven by feelings rather than reason, make hazardous choices.

A secondary level of care exists for people no longer facing immediate danger but unable to organize their thinking. At another incident site, Pollack found homes still intact but with all windows blown out. In one residence, glass covered the floor while a mother of four young children attempted to sweep it up as her barefoot children stood nearby.

“The first thing I said to her was, ‘Let’s take a breath. Let’s survey the scene logically,’” Pollack described. She helped calm the woman and encouraged her to leave with her children. After calling her husband, who later arrived to clean the glass himself, Pollack continued: “We sat down after I stabilized her, and I was able to help her figure out the next steps. I’m engaging the logic part of her brain, and then I’m allowing her to make a regulated decision when she’s in a much calmer place.”

Following the initial attack on Beit Shemesh during Operation Rising Lion, which resulted in nine fatalities, Pollack and other psychotrauma responders conducted an evening session for emergency personnel who had worked at the impact site, including United Hatzalah ambulance operators and volunteer medics exposed to extremely challenging sights, sounds, and experiences.

Pollack observed that responders are impacted not only by death and destruction at scenes but also by their own critical decisions, such as prioritizing victims or deciding whether to enter burning structures. She stressed that immediate processing of these experiences is essential for preventing lasting trauma.

United Hatzalah’s psychological response unit combines professionals from various backgrounds nationwide. They maintain a WhatsApp communication network to rapidly share information about incidents requiring support. Generally, nearby responders arrive first. When events occur in a responder’s own community, their participation often proves beneficial due to their understanding of local culture and mindset.

According to Pollack, helping people structure events into coherent narratives with clear beginnings, middles, and endings, while emphasizing how they used reasoning to ensure safety and make challenging decisions, represents one of the most effective PTSD prevention methods.

“Then they feel good about those choices, which doesn’t mean that we whitewash things that were hard, but it means we make order out of things,” Pollack explained. “One of the greatest ways to prevent PTSD is to have an organized version of what happened, an organized narrative.”

With approximately 100 emergency responders attending the evening workshop in Beit Shemesh, Pollack said the team helped construct this narrative while providing psychological first aid. This included preparing participants for potential experiences in coming hours and days, helping them recognize when additional support might be needed, and sharing practical self-care tools including proper sleep, exercise, nutrition, and physical health support to enable emotional recovery.

“The medical field has become more aware of how important people’s emotional needs are for their long-term medical wellness,” Pollack stated. “I think that’s an enormous step that United Hatzalah has taken, in parallel with the broader medical field, by providing psychological first aid so people can remain well.”

Mogel acknowledged that he and his family are, in essence, defending the country by continuing to live in harm’s way. “We understand the responsibility,” he said, adding his willingness to bear that burden, even if it requires years of trauma therapy. However, he hopes the IDF will complete their mission rather than agreeing to an early ceasefire that leaves the area unsafe.

“Agreements won’t solve this. They need to finish what they started,” Mogel concluded. For his family’s situation, he explained, healing can only begin when safety and quiet return.

Tensions in the Middle East are escalating as Israeli military leaders have directed their forces to prepare for potential renewed conflict with Iran after diplomatic efforts collapsed, according to Israeli media reports.

According to Ynet, Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has ordered the military to elevate to a “heightened state of readiness” and begin making preparations for possible renewed fighting with Iran. Kan News quoted a “senior defense official” who stated that “Israel is interested in renewing the war against Iran,” claiming the previous conflict concluded “too early, without sufficient pressure being applied on Iran regarding the nuclear issue and ballistic missiles.”

Speaking to reporters Monday at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, President Trump expressed indifference about potential renewed diplomatic discussions. “I don’t care if they come back or not. If they don’t come back, I’m fine,” Trump stated.

These escalating tensions come after failed negotiations and Washington’s implementation of a naval blockade targeting Iran. U.S. Central Command announced it will enforce restrictions on all ship traffic moving in and out of Iranian ports, including facilities along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, affecting vessels from all countries operating in Iranian coastal waters.

CENTCOM announced the blockade would commence Monday April 13 at 10 a.m. ET and stated it would not disrupt freedom of navigation for ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz to and from ports outside Iran.

Iranian military leadership strongly denounced the blockade and issued warnings of retaliation if their maritime access faces threats. “The restrictions imposed by criminal America on maritime navigation and transit in international waters are illegal and constitute an example of piracy,” declared a statement from the Iranian military’s central command center, Khatam Al-Anbiya, broadcast on state television.

The statement added a warning: “If the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ports in the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea is threatened, no port in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea will be safe.”

International discussions about connecting Gaza’s reconstruction to Hamas giving up its weapons briefly gained momentum last week before quickly losing steam as escalating US-Iran tensions captured global diplomatic focus.

Sources from diplomatic and regional channels indicated that progress on rebuilding efforts was being connected to steps toward weapon surrender, though no official ultimatum was delivered. However, within just a few days, focus had returned to the Washington-Tehran crisis, once again leaving Gaza’s political future in limbo. No official or enforceable disarmament agreement has been established, leaving the matter caught between political messaging and actual execution.

The shift wasn’t merely political in nature. International engagement, security cooperation, and diplomatic efforts that were once focused on determining Gaza’s post-conflict arrangements became increasingly redirected toward preventing escalation with Iran. Gaza’s long-term leadership and security issues momentarily returned to diplomatic discussions, only to be overshadowed by broader regional tensions before any concrete mechanism or agreement could take shape.

This recent push was part of a wider US-led initiative, referred to in diplomatic circles as the “Board of Peace,” designed to influence post-conflict governance in Gaza. Under this approach, weapon surrender has been viewed as a key requirement for reconstruction funding, international participation, and the potential deployment of external administrative or security forces in the territory. However, the initiative continues to lack effective enforcement mechanisms or strong enough guarantees to force armed groups to comply. While political pressure exists, there remains no functional system to convert it into actual disarmament.

Michael Milshtein, who leads Palestinian Studies at the Moshe Dayan Center, informed The Media Line that Hamas has shown no indication it’s willing to give up its weapons, despite diplomatic pressure or broader regional escalation. According to his assessment, the organization might be open to discussing restrictions on specific weapons, but not complete demilitarization.

“We all heard Abu Obeida”—the nom de guerre used by the current anonymous spokesman for Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades—”on Sunday when he said in a very clear manner that Hamas is not ready even to consider any disarmament. And he actually said that all the reports about progress in the negotiations about disarmament—it’s all nonsense, because it’s very clear that Hamas is not ready to be flexible on this point.”

“They can negotiate about the weapons, what kind of weapons they can keep, but they will never negotiate total disarmament.”

Milshtein contended that even a US-supported post-conflict arrangement would more likely rebrand Hamas rather than eliminate it. He believes the organization could accept a new governing appearance while maintaining armed capabilities and political control, similar to Hezbollah’s structure in Lebanon.

“All the Palestinians talk a lot today about what will happen on the day after the war with Iran. Many of them really wish that on the day after, Trump will promote a kind of political settlement in Gaza, based on the arrival of a bureaucratic government to Gaza, and even the arrival of international forces and their deployment in Gaza.”

“It’s quite clear that Hamas is ready right now to accept all these demands, and actually to establish a kind of local model of Hezbollah in Gaza—means that they will keep their weapons, they will keep their influence in Gaza, but they will not really be ready for this total disarmament.”

He connected this argument to a wider lesson regarding Israel’s military objectives, stating that complete victory over Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran-supported groups is not realistically possible in the manner some leaders have presented it.

“Right now, on all the fronts Israel deals with—I mean Lebanon and Iran and Hamas, Gaza—Netanyahu didn’t achieve any total victory and erasing the enemy. The enemy still exists—very, very weak, but dominant.”

“We need to understand and realize that the warfare today, or the nature of our enemies, you cannot really achieve a kind of total eradication of these enemies from the map. You will need to repeat fighting them again and again and again.”

This evaluation also aligns with a broader change in diplomatic conversations, where complete disarmament is increasingly being compared with more limited or gradual arrangements. Some proposals have examined restricting heavy weapons, long-range capabilities, or offensive systems while permitting other forms of armament to stay, though none of these concepts has been formalized into a binding agreement.

Amjad Salfiti, a Palestinian British attorney who specializes in human rights and international law, examined the issue from a different angle. He contended that connecting reconstruction to disarmament risks pressuring civilians instead of armed groups and may violate fundamental humanitarian principles.

“A key feature of the proposal is the conditioning of reconstruction assistance on the disarmament of Palestinian armed groups,” he told The Media Line. “Under international humanitarian law, humanitarian relief must be guided by necessity and impartiality and should not be made conditional on political or military concessions.”

Salfiti explained that such proposals could establish coercive situations by making access to housing, healthcare, and infrastructure dependent on meeting security requirements.

“Linking reconstruction to disarmament risks creating coercive conditions in which civilians are indirectly pressured to accept security demands in order to access essential services such as housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.”

“This may be inconsistent with the prohibition on collective punishment and the principle of impartial humanitarian assistance.”

He also challenged the framework’s legitimacy, arguing that it has been developed mainly through external mediation without clear mechanisms for local approval, while missing reciprocal obligations such as binding guarantees on hostilities or humanitarian access.

“The reported framework appears to have been developed primarily through external mediation, without clear mechanisms for local consent or representation. This raises questions about legitimacy and compliance with the requirement that arrangements in affected territories act in the interests of the local population.”

“The absence of clear reciprocal obligations—such as binding guarantees on cessation of hostilities or unimpeded humanitarian access—creates an asymmetrical structure that may undermine established norms governing armed conflict and occupation.”

Salfiti additionally cautioned that staged reconstruction tied to compliance could generate legal and ethical issues if assistance is distributed selectively rather than based on need.

“The proposed suggestion that reconstruction could be delivered in phases based on compliance introduces further legal and ethical concerns. Selective aid distribution risks violating the principle of non-discrimination in humanitarian assistance, which requires that relief be provided based solely on need.”

Combined, these concerns indicate that even if disarmament were politically achievable, the mechanisms currently being discussed could still encounter serious legal obstacles.

This has resulted in a divided international response. While the United States has led much of the current initiative, European nations and multilateral organizations have expressed caution, particularly regarding the legal implications of conditional reconstruction and the absence of a clearly authorized international framework.

For Gaza’s civilian population, estimated at approximately two million people and already experiencing severe humanitarian conditions, the impact is immediate. Reconstruction, governance, and security affect daily life, access to vital services, and any hope of long-term stability.

Currently, Hamas disarmament remains a diplomatic goal without a practical implementation pathway. No definitive framework has developed for disarmament, reconstruction, or governance, leaving Gaza’s civilians still awaiting solutions while broader regional issues draw global attention elsewhere.

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian authorities gave the green light Monday to a controversial plan that will result in the killing of dozens of wild hippos wandering through the nation’s central region, where the massive animals have been endangering local residents and pushing out indigenous wildlife.

Environment Minister Irene Vélez announced the decision came after alternative population control measures proved both costly and ineffective, such as sterilization procedures and relocating the animals to zoological facilities. Vélez indicated that as many as 80 hippos could be targeted under this new approach, though she provided no timeline for when the culling would commence.

“If we don’t do this we will not be able to control the population,” Vélez said. “We have to take this action to preserve our ecosystems.”

Colombia stands as the sole nation beyond Africa’s borders harboring a free-roaming hippo population. These Colombian hippos trace their lineage to four specimens imported during the 1980s by infamous narcotics trafficker Pablo Escobar, who assembled a personal menagerie at Hacienda Nápoles, his sprawling estate in the Magdalena River valley complete with an airstrip that functioned as his countryside retreat.

Research conducted by Colombia’s National University calculated that approximately 170 hippos were living wild throughout the nation as of 2022.

In recent times, these massive mammals have been documented in locations extending more than 100 kilometers (60 miles) beyond the original ranch where Escobar first released the aquatic giants.

Colombian environmental officials warn that these large creatures present dangers to rural inhabitants who have come across them on agricultural properties and waterways. The hippos also create competition for resources with indigenous animals like river manatees.

While presenting ecological concerns, the hippos have simultaneously developed into a tourism draw, with local communities around Hacienda Nápoles now providing hippo observation excursions and marketing hippo-related merchandise.

The animals have become a primary feature at the Nápoles estate, which the Colombian government seized along with other Escobar assets. The property currently operates as an entertainment complex, complete with pools, water attractions and a zoo housing various other African animals.

Animal rights advocates throughout Colombia have consistently fought against proposals to eliminate the hippos, contending the animals have a right to exist and arguing that using lethal force creates a negative precedent for a nation that has endured decades of violent internal strife.

During the previous 12 years, spanning three separate presidential terms, Colombia has attempted sterilization of some hippos to reduce their numbers. However, these efforts have achieved limited results due to the substantial expenses involved in capturing these dangerous creatures and conducting medical procedures on them.

Since Colombia’s hippos originate from a restricted genetic background and may harbor diseases, returning them to their African homeland is also not a viable option.

International financial leaders are convening in Washington this week for the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group as a new wave of economic uncertainty emerges from the ongoing Iran conflict.

This latest financial turbulence, characterized by rising borrowing costs, climbing energy prices, and growing inflation concerns, is creating additional strain on several developing nations including Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Pakistan that were just beginning to recover from previous economic crises.

Several countries are expected to receive particular attention during the meetings:

UKRAINE

Ukraine’s financial stability depends heavily on IMF support, having secured a two-year $8.1 billion agreement with the organization in February.

A significant external barrier to maintaining IMF assistance may have been eliminated following Sunday’s electoral defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, which is anticipated to clear the path for 90 billion euros in European Union aid to Kyiv—a requirement for the IMF program.

Nevertheless, Ukraine must still implement an extensive domestic reform agenda that includes increasing revenue generation, addressing corruption issues, and allowing greater currency exchange flexibility.

“The key question domestically is if we see more, and we do need to see more, efforts by the Ukrainians to pass these pieces of reform, and they seem like they’re going there,” said Roger Mark from investment firm Ninety One.

SENEGAL

The West African country’s economic future remains uncertain following the revelation of billions in previously undisclosed debt, which led the IMF to suspend a $1.8 billion lending program in 2024.

Discussions about a new program continue, but addressing the debt problem would likely require difficult and extended budget tightening measures that may prove challenging for government officials.

JPMorgan analysts noted in a research report: “Without the large fiscal effort, the Fund may ask Senegal for some sort of debt treatment, which has been firmly rejected by the authorities.” They added their expectation that negotiations between Dakar and the IMF would persist, stating: “Our base case of a new IMF arrangement remains tricky, with a muddle-through scenario as another option.”

MOZAMBIQUE

Mozambique has been negotiating with the IMF since mid-2025 regarding a new lending arrangement. The nation has expressed interest in restructuring its debt obligations, though specific details have not been provided. In an unexpected development, the country made early repayment of its IMF obligations in March, which was viewed as an indication of its desire to obtain new funding in the future.

Oxford Economics analyst Christian Franken commented: “Mozambique’s recent payment is a bold attempt to acquire further credit from the IMF. Indeed, we expect such a loan agreement to be finalised in Q2 2026.”

GABON

Gabon’s government officially requested IMF program assistance in March to support their reform initiatives. Extended periods of political uncertainty have placed Gabon, the second-largest economy in the CEMAC region, in financial difficulty with declining reserves.

Discussions about program details are expected to continue throughout the Spring meetings.

EGYPT

Over the past two years, Egypt has secured billions in IMF financing and foreign investment from Gulf nations. However, the country’s significant dependence on energy imports, Gulf remittances, and tourism revenue makes it susceptible to economic disruption from the Iran conflict.

Some observers anticipate Egypt will request an increase to its current IMF program, which consists of an $8 billion Extended Fund Facility and a $1.3 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility. The Fund is scheduled to conduct a program review for the next funding installment in June, though analysts predict potential delays could postpone this until later in the year.

VENEZUELA

Venezuela’s $5 billion allocation of special drawing rights—the IMF’s reserve currency—has remained frozen since 2021 because the government was not recognized by most IMF Board member nations, a situation that continues under President Delcy Rodriguez’s administration.

However, with the Fund currently reviewing this matter, changes may be forthcoming. A data embargo that has hindered engagement with international lenders is also being gradually lifted, with Caracas publishing economic data in recent weeks. Some experts suggest this could signal preparation for an official IMF delegation visit to Caracas in the coming months.

DAKAR, Senegal — A judicial court in Senegal has delivered the nation’s initial conviction under recently enacted legislation that strengthens penalties for homosexual conduct.

On Friday, a court located in the Dakar suburb of Pikine-Guédiawaye handed down a six-year prison sentence to a 24-year-old worker, along with a fine of 2 million CFA francs (approximately $3,300) for “acts against nature and public indecency.” The individual had been taken into custody earlier this month.

The West African nation, where Islam is the predominant religion, joins other African countries implementing stricter measures against LGBTQ+ individuals. Under the new legislation, prison terms now range from five to 10 years.

The statute additionally targets what it describes as the “promotion” or “financing” of homosexuality, which appears designed to target organizations that advocate for sexual and gender minorities.

Speaking to The Associated Press on Monday, Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué said the legislation has fostered an atmosphere of “constant fear” and noted that arrests have become more aggressive “because now there is backing from the state apparatus.”

Across Africa’s 54 nations, more than 30 have laws criminalizing homosexual conduct. Countries including Somalia, Uganda, and Mauritania impose capital punishment for such offenses.

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — United Nations officials are voicing alarm following the capture of Akobo, a strategically important town in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, by opposition forces who drove out government soldiers.

Clashes erupted over the weekend, and by Monday, Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition spokesman Lam Paul Gabriel confirmed that rebel fighters had successfully taken control of the town, seizing military equipment and weaponry in the process. Government forces, who had controlled Akobo since capturing it in March, retreated from their positions.

Public service minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth condemned the assault as “senseless and unjustified,” accusing opposition forces of endangering civilian lives. While Gatkuoth promised that military officials would release additional information about the incident, army representatives declined to provide any statements.

The conflict between South Sudan’s government and rebel groups has intensified since the collapse of a 2018 peace agreement approximately one year ago. Akobo represents a crucial remaining stronghold for opposition forces under the leadership of Riek Machar, the country’s imprisoned vice president.

Military officials had issued evacuation orders for Akobo residents last month in preparation for operations targeting opposition fighters. The directive prompted thousands of people to flee the town, which sits along the border with Ethiopia.

Social media footage revealed opposition fighters positioned at critical locations throughout the town, including the airfield and government buildings, indicating their control over key administrative zones.

The U.N. Mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, issued a warning Monday about deteriorating humanitarian circumstances and urged all parties to cease fighting.

“We are engaging intensively with all parties at all levels to help prevent further escalation and restore calm,” stated UNMISS spokesperson Priyanka Chowdhury.

UNMISS plans to shut down its Akobo facility as part of budget reductions affecting humanitarian operations.

LONDON (AP) — A devastating attack that claimed the lives of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England during 2024 was entirely preventable, according to a comprehensive investigation released Monday that details years of ignored warning signs.

Retired judge Adrian Fulford conducted a nine-week examination that resulted in a 763-page document outlining countless instances where intervention could have stopped Axel Rudakubana from carrying out what officials describe as an attack of extraordinary brutality never before seen in Britain.

“One of the most striking conclusions from this inquiry’s extensive investigation is the sheer number of missed opportunities over many years to intervene meaningfully, which directly contributed to the failure to avert this disaster,” Fulford stated. “The consequences were catastrophic.”

The perpetrator, age 17 during the northwestern England assault, received a life sentence without possibility of release for 52 years after taking the lives of 9-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, 7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and 6-year-old Bebe King, while injuring eight children and two adults.

The Southport incident sparked widespread civil unrest when far-right groups spread false information claiming the attacker was a recently-arrived Muslim immigrant. In reality, Rudakubana was born in Wales to Christian parents from Rwanda.

Fulford’s investigation produced 67 specific recommendations for preventing similar tragedies, prompting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to pledge significant reforms addressing the “systematic failures that led to this terrible event.”

“The report today is truly harrowing and profoundly disturbing,” Starmer commented. “While nothing will ever bring these three little girls back, I’m determined to make the fundamental changes needed to keep the public safe.”

Law enforcement, social services, and school officials had extensive knowledge of Rudakubana’s troubling patterns.

At age 13 in 2019, he received a conviction for attacking a classmate with a hockey stick and was placed under youth offender supervision. Between 2019 and 2021, authorities referred him three separate times to Prevent, Britain’s counter-extremism initiative, due to his fascination with school shootings, the 2017 London Bridge terrorist incident, the Irish Republican Army, and Middle Eastern conflicts. Each referral was dismissed because officials determined he was unlikely to become a terrorist.

Throughout this timeframe, local officers responded to his residence five times regarding behavioral concerns. Despite receiving mental health services and educational assistance, he eventually stopped cooperating with social workers. School officials expelled him for bringing a blade to campus, and he rarely attended his next educational placement.

“Far too often, AR’s ‘case’ was passed from one public sector agency to another in an inappropriate merry-go-round of referrals, assessments, case-closures and ‘hand-offs,’” Fulford wrote, using only the attacker’s initials.

The judge emphasized a critical March 2022 incident when authorities discovered Rudakubana carrying a knife on public transportation, during which he expressed desires to stab someone and confessed to attempting poison creation.

These combined incidents should have resulted in his arrest and a home search that would have revealed his purchase of materials for creating ricin, a deadly biological toxin, plus downloaded terrorist content on his computer, Fulford determined.

Instead of arresting him, authorities released Rudakubana to his parents, who lived in fear of their son and repeatedly failed to report his knife purchases, disturbing actions, and threatening statements.

While Fulford documented multiple parental failures that could have prevented the tragedy, he cautioned against condemning them for an increasingly impossible situation.

“Their life at home must have become little short of a nightmare given, to use the words of his own father, AR had turned into a ‘monster,’” Fulford observed.

Post-attack searches of Rudakubana’s residence uncovered ricin concealed beneath his bed and a downloaded al-Qaida training manual.

Investigators determined his crimes did not qualify as terrorism because they found no clear political or religious motivation behind his actions.

Starmer previously indicated this case demonstrates how “terrorism has changed” and suggested legal modifications may be necessary to address threats from “extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms.”

BUDAPEST, April 13 – Following his party’s decisive electoral triumph on Sunday, Hungary’s incoming leader Peter Magyar announced Monday his commitment to constitutional reforms aimed at rebuilding democratic institutions after more than a decade and a half of nationalist leadership.

Magyar’s center-right Tisza party defeated longtime Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his nationalist Fidesz party in what he described as a clear signal that Hungarians want their nation firmly positioned within Europe following 16 years under nationalist governance.

The electoral outcome represents a significant blow to Orban’s international supporters, including allies in Russia and U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

During a Budapest press conference, Magyar detailed his administration’s priorities and timeline for assuming control.

Regarding the transition of power, Magyar stated: “According to the rules, the result of the election becomes final by May 4 the latest, but this could happen earlier and the President… must convene the first session of the new parliament 30 days after the election at the latest.”

He directly addressed President Tamas Sulyok, saying: “I call on President Tamas Sulyok to convene the inaugural session as soon as possible, and not wait until May 12.”

On Hungary’s relationship with the European Union, Magyar emphasized the historical significance of the timing, declaring: “The Hungarian people yesterday, exactly 23 years after the referendum on our EU membership, confirmed Hungary’s place in Europe.”

He added: “I would like to see a strong Central Europe within a strong EU.”

Outlining his reform agenda, Magyar detailed several immediate priorities: “We will have a lot of tasks… the first, to adopt the functional measures, to start Hungary’s accession to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office… to amend the fundamental law (constitution), and to write into it that in the future in Hungary anyone can only serve as prime minister for two terms, which is eight years.”

Addressing concerns about democratic governance, Magyar pledged: “We will fundamentally restore, we will do everything to restore the rule of law, plural democracy, and the system of checks and balances.”

He emphasized his commitment to democratic methods, stating: “I would like to underline that we will not use anti-democratic measures to restore the rule of law, but luckily our two-thirds mandate allows us to do a lot.”

Magyar outlined his vision for government’s role in judicial independence: “A government’s job is to ensure the independence of the judiciary, the independence of the investigative authorities, to provide all possible financial and other resources to carry out their tasks.”

Regarding the current president, Magyar took a firm stance against Sulyok, who assumed the ceremonial position with Fidesz party support. “We don’t need this president,” Magyar declared, criticizing him for merely approving all proposals without scrutiny.

“I call on him to leave, if he doesn’t, we will find a solution,” Magyar added.

On economic matters and the central bank, Magyar acknowledged the nation’s financial challenges while expressing willingness to collaborate with current leadership under certain conditions.

“Hungary is in a difficult financial and economic situation. The National Bank is primarily responsible for ensuring exchange rate stability. I myself believe… Governor Mihaly Varga is doing his job in line with the central bank law and I think that in a country which is in a difficult economic situation, cooperation with the national bank is important… of course while respecting the independence of the central bank,” he explained.

Magyar outlined his approach to working with the central bank: “So I will try to work this way, and if we see that the central bank governor and the bank itself work in line with their legal mandate and are not, for example, trying to obstruct the financial policy of the new government… then we will be able to work together. We do not need yet more chaos… to harm investors’ confidence in Hungary.”

On social issues including LGBTQ+ rights and public demonstrations, Magyar reaffirmed his party’s inclusive stance.

“I have clearly stated several times already last year that everyone has the right to assemble in Hungary,” he said.

He continued: “We have clearly stated that, according to Tisza and the many millions of Hungarians who support Tisza, everyone can live with, and love, whomever they want, as long as they do not violate the laws and do not harm others.”

ROME – Italian politicians and religious officials came to Pope Leo’s defense Monday following harsh criticism from Donald Trump, creating a diplomatic challenge for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as she navigates between Italy’s Vatican relationship and her Trump alliance.

The controversy began when Trump labeled the pope as “terrible,” prompting an unusual direct reply from Leo, who declared he held “no fear” of the American administration and would persist in condemning the U.S.-led conflict with Iran while advocating for immigrant rights.

Meloni, who has built strong connections with Trump over recent years, released a statement supporting Leo as he departed for an extensive four-country African tour, though she avoided directly addressing Trump’s harsh words.

“May the Holy Father’s ministry help foster the resolution of conflicts and the return of peace, both within nations and among them,” Meloni stated, showing papal support while steering clear of criticizing the American president.

Political rivals quickly seized on Meloni’s careful response, arguing her Trump relationship has become a political liability in Italy, where polling shows 66% of citizens view the U.S. leader unfavorably due to his confrontational international approach.

“As a Catholic, I am outraged by a prime minister who invokes Christian values but cannot find the strength and courage to condemn Trump’s unacceptable blasphemy against the pope and the Catholic world,” declared Angelo Bonelli from the left-wing AVS party, also referencing Trump’s later social media post featuring an AI-created image of himself as Jesus.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, despite his own past Trump associations, offered more direct criticism of the American leader, reflecting how European far-right politicians are distancing themselves from Trump’s movement.

“Pope Leo is a spiritual leader for billions of Catholics, but beyond that, if there is one person striving for peace, it is Pope Leo, and so attacking him does not seem either wise or helpful,” Salvini stated.

The pope serves as Rome’s bishop and guides millions of Italian Catholics, making politicians across the political spectrum extremely cautious about confronting him.

“It has been centuries since such a blatant act of aggression against the Roman Pontiff was seen,” commented former center-left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, emphasizing the importance for both Catholics and non-believers to support Leo.

“He is, after all, a ‘builder of bridges,’ unlike Trump, a destroyer of relationships and of civilisation. The only advantage is this: Trumps come and go, popes remain,” Renzi added.

His remarks reflected the traditional Italian expression “chi mangia papa crepa,” roughly translating to “whoever tries to devour the pope dies” – a saying rooted in centuries of conflict between papal authority and political rulers.

“Trump has made the mistake of the century, because ‘chi mangia papa crepa’ has been borne out repeatedly,” observed church historian Alberto Melloni, citing Italy’s royal House of Savoy, which repeatedly clashed with Vatican authority only to eventually fall while the papacy endured.

Vatican official Antonio Spadaro, a Roman Catholic priest and undersecretary of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education, suggested Trump’s attack actually demonstrated his own vulnerability.

“If Leo were irrelevant, he would not merit any comment. Instead, he is invoked, named, opposed — a sign that his words matter,” Spadaro posted on social media. “This is where the Church’s moral force emerges. Not as a counter-power, but as a space in which power is judged by a standard it does not control.”

A comprehensive study released Monday by Tel Aviv University reveals that deadly attacks targeting Jewish communities reached their most severe levels in decades throughout 2025, with researchers documenting 20 fatalities across four separate incidents spanning three continents. The findings show incident numbers fluctuated inconsistently from nation to nation.

The extensive 152-page research, published jointly by Tel Aviv University’s Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry and the Irwin Cotler Institute, documented increases in physical attacks across multiple regions. Anti-Jewish incidents in Western nations continued to register at levels dozens of percentage points above 2022 figures, prior to the Gaza conflict’s start.

Researchers noted that the downward trend observed following the initial spike after October 7 failed to persist throughout 2025. Prof. Uriya Shavit, who served as the study’s editor-in-chief, expressed alarm about the implications. “The data raise concern that a high level of antisemitic incidents is becoming a normalized reality,” Shavit stated. He connected the increase in serious violence to enforcement patterns, explaining: “When law-enforcement authorities are indifferent to small crimes, the result is big crimes.”

The research highlighted particularly troubling statistics from Australia and Canada. Australian authorities documented 1,750 incidents during 2025, representing an increase from 1,727 cases in 2024 and a dramatic jump from just 472 incidents in 2022. The study specifically highlighted the devastating Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack, which claimed 15 lives. Canadian figures showed an escalation from 6,219 incidents in 2024 to 6,800 in 2025, more than tripling the 2022 total.

British incidents climbed from 3,556 to 3,700, with researchers noting increased activity during the final quarter of 2025 following the Gaza war’s conclusion. French authorities reported fewer overall incidents compared to 2024, though physical attacks increased. Belgian data showed rises in both total incident counts and assault numbers. German statistics reflected an overall decrease in incidents, although the reduction in violent cases was more modest. New York City experienced a slight decline in anti-Jewish hate crime reports overall, but saw increases during the October-December period compared to the previous year.

The study included harsh criticism of Israeli government efforts, stating officials had “not contributed in any meaningful way” to combating antisemitism and had actually undermined these efforts by expanding the term’s definition for political purposes. Report authors recommended eliminating the Israeli Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, suggesting its resources be redirected to overseas diplomatic missions.

Additional research within the report analyzed prosecuted perpetrators across the United States, France, Canada, and Britain from 2020 through 2025, revealing many were individual actors representing opposing ideological positions, including white supremacists and anti-Zionist Muslims. Former Canadian Justice Minister Prof. Irwin Cotler characterized the situation as “an unprecedented global explosion in incidents of antisemitism.” The study also examined antisemitism within healthcare settings and the increasing acceptance of anti-Jewish language in American political discussions.

BEIJING, April 13 – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed deep concern Monday about the stability of the existing US-Iran ceasefire, describing the situation as “very fragile” during diplomatic discussions.

Speaking with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in a telephone conversation, Wang called on nations worldwide to “unequivocally oppose any actions that undermine the ceasefire or escalate the confrontation,” according to statements from Wang’s ministry.

The Chinese diplomat emphasized that preventing renewed fighting should be the top priority, stressing the need “to preserve the hard-won momentum of ceasefire.”

Wang indicated China’s interest in seeing Pakistan take on a more significant role in diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing tensions, while also affirming that Beijing remains prepared to contribute to peaceful solutions.

Ukrainian officials are breathing a sigh of relief following Monday’s electoral defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose opposition had been blocking a critical 90 billion euro ($105 billion) aid package that Ukraine desperately needs to continue its fight against Russia.

Peter Magyar’s center-right Tisza party secured a decisive victory on Sunday, bringing an end to Orban’s 16-year leadership and gaining the supermajority needed to implement constitutional changes.

For years, Orban had been Ukraine’s most vocal opponent within the European Union. The nationalist leader, who cultivated close relationships with Russian President Vladimir Putin, consistently blocked Brussels’ initiatives to assist Ukraine. Most recently, he prevented approval of the two-year EU loan package, claiming Ukraine had intentionally stopped Russian oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline that crosses Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy maintains that Russian military strikes damaged the Druzhba pipeline in January, with repairs expected to finish this spring. However, he has also encouraged European nations to cease purchasing Russian oil altogether.

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko from the European Solidarity Party offered a measured assessment of the change in leadership. “One should not call Magyar pro-Ukrainian – he isn’t – but he is not anti-Ukrainian, unlike Orban, and that’s already great,” Honcharenko stated. “Putin has lost his main ally in Europe.”

During his inaugural press conference following the election results, Magyar acknowledged Ukraine as the victim in its conflict with Russia and committed to reducing Hungary’s energy dependence on Russia. However, he also indicated that Budapest would continue “pragmatic” relationships with Moscow and tied improved Ukraine relations to addressing concerns about Hungarian minorities living in western Ukraine.

European Union officials and policy experts anticipate that Magyar will eliminate Hungary’s blockade of the aid package and lift opposition to a 20th round of Russian sanctions once he assumes office, likely in mid-May. Magyar appears eager to restore EU funding for Hungary that was frozen due to concerns about democratic deterioration under Orban’s administration.

The timeline remains critical for Ukraine’s financial stability. After four years of warfare, Ukraine depends heavily on Western financial assistance and requires $52 billion this year. Economic analysts warn the country could face a funding crisis as early as next month.

“Hungary’s vetoes on EU financial support for Ukraine will likely cease, improving EU decision-making capacity,” explained Zsuzsanna Vegh, an analyst with the German Marshall Fund think tank. She noted that while Hungary would stop blocking aid, the country itself would not contribute funding, and “Tisza is unlikely to embrace expansive military support.”

In Kyiv, residents responded to Hungary’s election results with measured hope. Yehor Vasylchencko, a 33-year-old technology worker, called the outcome “very positive because it gives us a chance to improve relations with Hungary.” However, noting Magyar’s previous membership in Orban’s nationalist Fidesz party, he added, “I have some doubts about whether Magyar will be an improvement. Time will tell.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that “meticulous, pragmatic, and calm work” would be necessary to establish common ground with Hungary’s incoming leadership.

Volodymyr Fesenko, who directs the Penta think tank, suggested that restarting oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline could serve as a goodwill gesture as Ukraine seeks to rebuild its relationship with Hungary.

Despite the political shift, years of anti-Ukrainian messaging in Hungarian media have left much of the Hungarian population skeptical about closer ties with Kyiv. During Monday’s press conference, Magyar reiterated his opposition to fast-tracking Ukraine’s EU membership application.

Other Central and Eastern European leaders remain Ukraine-skeptical as well. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who opposes EU sanctions on Russia, and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis both publicly supported Orban before Sunday’s vote. In Bulgaria, former President Rumen Radev, who favors improved Moscow relations, leads polling ahead of next Sunday’s parliamentary elections.

Oleksandr Merezhko, who chairs Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, believes Slovakia’s Fico may become more cautious without Orban’s political backing.

However, Yehor Cherniev, a lawmaker from Ukraine’s governing Servant of the People party and deputy chair of the national security committee, cautioned against expecting dramatic changes in European support. “A miracle isn’t going to happen,” Cherniev said.

Policy analysts expect Orban’s departure will reduce the confrontational tone in EU discussions about Ukraine and eliminate Hungary’s obstructionist stance. Budapest will likely stop blocking technical discussions about Ukraine’s EU membership process.

Nevertheless, significant reservations persist in several EU capitals, including Paris and Berlin, that accelerating Ukraine’s membership path might eliminate incentives for implementing promised reforms, particularly anti-corruption measures.

“Magyar will be obviously less hostile than Orban was,” said Orsolya Raczova, an analyst with Eurasia Group. “But, with Magyar as prime minister, Hungary will basically join the mainstream opposition to speedy EU accession for Ukraine.”

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump issued a stark warning Monday that Iranian naval vessels attempting to approach the United States’ new maritime blockade would face immediate destruction.

The president’s threat came as the American naval blockade against Iranian shipping was scheduled to begin at 1400 GMT Monday.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump referenced Iran’s naval capabilities following what he described as a six-week military conflict that left Iran’s navy “completely obliterated.” He wrote: “What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, ‘fast attack ships,’ because we did not consider them much of a threat.”

The president’s warning continued with explicit language about potential consequences. “Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea. It is quick and brutal,” Trump wrote.

The president’s reference points to numerous American military operations targeting suspected narcotics vessels in Caribbean and Pacific waters since September, which have resulted in at least 110 deaths according to reports.

The maritime tensions have escalated as Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, blocking a crucial shipping route that typically handles approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas transportation. This action represents Iran’s response to combined U.S.-Israeli military operations.

While Iran’s traditional naval forces have suffered significant damage, military experts note that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps maintains various tactical options. According to retired Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe, these include rapid-attack vessels, small submarines, naval mines, and explosive-laden watercraft including jet skis.

NEW YORK – The European Union’s foreign policy leader called for building an international maritime security alliance during a United Nations Security Council session on Monday, citing ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz as justification for coordinated action.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, advocated for a “strong international coalition on maritime security” while addressing the Security Council in New York, though she did not outline specific actions such a partnership would take.

Kallas emphasized that the European Union opposes any measures that would restrict “the free and safe passage through the straits in accordance with the international law.”

The Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical shipping route for global oil supplies, making maritime security in the region a key international concern.

A former Nigerian petroleum minister took the witness stand in a London courtroom Monday, firmly rejecting accusations that she accepted millions in bribes in exchange for awarding government oil contracts.

Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, faces allegations that energy companies seeking Nigerian government deals provided her with free access to expensive UK residences worth millions of pounds, complete with renovations and furnishings.

According to prosecutors, the benefits extended far beyond housing. They claim she received private jet transportation, chauffeur services, and extravagant shopping excursions, including a staggering 2 million pounds ($2.7 million) shopping spree at the prestigious Harrods department store in London. Authorities also allege she pocketed 100,000 pounds in direct cash payments during her tenure leading Nigeria’s petroleum ministry from April 2010 through May 2015.

Speaking at Southwark Crown Court, Alison-Madueke firmly stated, “I did not abuse my office during that period.” She faces five separate bribery charges plus one conspiracy count.

Two other defendants are also standing trial. Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who owns Nigerian oil enterprises, contests two bribery charges. Alison-Madueke’s brother, former archbishop Doye Agama, 69, denies conspiracy charges.

“I can state categorically at no time did I ask for, take, or seek a bribe or bribes of any sort from any of these persons,” Alison-Madueke declared during her testimony.

During her ministerial role, Alison-Madueke supervised Nigeria’s state oil corporation and its affiliated companies, including the Nigerian Petroleum Development Co. and Pipelines Product Marketing Co.

Prosecutors detail additional alleged spending sprees throughout London, claiming she used company funds for purchases totaling hundreds of thousands of pounds at high-end antique dealers and luxury home goods stores in the upscale Mayfair district.

In her defense, Alison-Madueke explained that Nigeria’s National Petroleum Company managed all travel logistics and financial arrangements for her official trips. She maintained that any services provided to her were properly reimbursed through official channels.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has voiced serious alarm over two consecutive attacks targeting medical personnel in Lebanon, following a deadly assault on a Red Cross facility Monday and the killing of a volunteer the previous day.

According to Lebanon’s state news agency, Monday’s attack, which the agency attributed to Israeli forces, resulted in one fatality and caused damage to Lebanese Red Cross vehicles.

The ICRC confirmed that the Lebanese Red Cross facility located in the Tyre district, situated along Lebanon’s coastline, was struck during the attack. The organization refrained from identifying who carried out the strike or providing additional details about the casualty.

Israeli military officials have not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding Monday’s incident.

The day before, the Lebanese Red Cross announced that volunteer Hassan Badawi had succumbed to injuries sustained during a drone strike in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon.

Israel’s military acknowledged conducting a strike against what it described as a “Hezbollah terrorist” in that region and stated the matter was being investigated following reports of Red Cross personnel being injured.

Agnes Dhur, who leads the ICRC delegation in Lebanon, released a statement Monday expressing deep concern. “The loss of those who dedicate their lives to saving others is gravely concerning, given the impact on the civilians who depend on their help,” Dhur stated.

She continued, “Humanitarian and medical personnel must be protected. They must be allowed to reach and help the wounded, and return unharmed.”

The current conflict in Lebanon commenced on March 2, when the Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah launched attacks against Israeli positions in solidarity with Iran.

Since then, Israel has intensified its aerial bombardment and ground operations throughout the nation, with these military actions resulting in over 2,000 deaths, displacing more than one million residents, and prompting warnings that medical facilities may exhaust critical supplies.

BEIRUT (AP) — Sixteen-day-old Shiman has only experienced life inside a makeshift tent on Beirut’s coastline — surrounded by the odor of damp, moldy bedding, constant bug bites, and the terrifying sounds of Israeli fighter jets bombing Lebanon’s capital city.

Her mother, Haifa Kenjo, says the infant was delivered in the muddy camp conditions on March 28.

The 34-year-old Kenjo was in her final month of pregnancy when Israeli bombardments targeting Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern neighborhoods, forced her family to flee their home immediately. She, her husband, and their toddler son Khalid escaped wearing only sleepwear and flip-flops as explosions rocked their residence, leaving behind all possessions including clothing and money.

The family found shelter in a donated tent structure near central Beirut, using stones to anchor the tarp against strong winds that constantly threaten to tear it away.

Among Lebanon’s more than one million displaced residents affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran-supported Hezbollah, 13,500 women are currently pregnant, with over 1,500 expected to give birth within the coming month, according to this week’s report from the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency. The organization warns that many mothers cannot obtain proper prenatal and delivery care.

During peacetime, Kenjo had planned to deliver at Beirut’s primary public medical facility, the same hospital where she had given birth to Khalid. Originally from Syria, despite living nearly half her lifetime in Lebanon’s capital and marrying a Lebanese citizen, she must pay hospital fees that Lebanese women receive at no cost.

When labor began and her water broke on March 28, she contacted emergency services while her husband gathered the required $40 entrance fee. However, the $500 needed for the actual delivery remained trapped under the rubble of their destroyed home, which had been leveled by an Israeli air attack the previous week.

The couple returned to their tent shelter, contacted a midwife, and hoped for the best.

The midwife, known as Umm Ali, explained she provided the best care possible under the circumstances, but the tent environment was unsanitary. Rainwater leaked through the structure, and they could only clean newborn Shiman using bottled water.

Kenjo’s body failed to produce breast milk for her daughter. Baby formula costs exceed her husband’s daily wages from his water tank installation work.

She recognizes her infant is malnourished. Food distribution volunteers at the displacement site provided only enough formula to last several days.

Rather than typical newborn crying, Shiman produces coughing sounds. Her skin feels cold and damp, covered with bite marks from insects.

“She is so precious,” Kenjo said, stroking her baby girl. “But for her we have nothing. We have less than zero.”

BEIRUT (AP) — Intense combat erupted Monday in the Lebanese border town of Bint Jbeil, where Israeli forces moved to surround the strategically important location as Hezbollah fighters responded with rocket and artillery attacks.

The mountainous community, positioned just over 2 miles from the U.N.-established Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel, has seen escalating violence during the past week following an Iran-U.S. agreement on a temporary ceasefire. The timing is significant as Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States are scheduled to conduct face-to-face discussions in Washington on Tuesday, marking the beginning of what could be historic direct peace negotiations.

Israeli military operations in Lebanon have shifted focus recently, with reduced bombardments in Beirut following a series of unannounced deadly attacks that struck busy residential and commercial districts in the capital, resulting in more than 350 deaths.

Simultaneously, Israel has intensified its ground operations and airstrikes in southern Lebanon, working to establish a security buffer zone extending to the Litani River, located approximately 20 miles from the international border. Bint Jbeil sits among numerous communities south of this river that Israel ordered evacuated when the current conflict began. The violence was triggered when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel on March 2 as a show of support for Iran.

Lebanese Health Ministry statistics show that Israeli attacks have claimed at least 2,055 lives throughout Lebanon, including 252 women, 165 children, and 87 healthcare personnel, with an additional 6,588 people injured.

Reports from Lebanon’s government-operated National News Agency indicate Israeli ground troops have advanced into the town while blocking most escape routes. Regional media outlets suggest that numerous Hezbollah militants have become trapped in the encirclement.

Israeli military officials confirmed their forces have surrounded Hezbollah installations and initiated ground combat in Bint Jbeil and nearby areas, claiming to have eliminated more than 100 Hezbollah combatants. Hezbollah has not disclosed any losses from its fighters, while Israel has remained silent about its own military casualties.

On Sunday, Hezbollah reported conducting at least five separate attacks against Israeli troops in and around the town using rockets, artillery, and unmanned aircraft. The organization’s communications indicated Israeli forces had taken positions near educational facilities, medical centers, and key intersections in Bint Jbeil’s center. That same day, Israeli forces said they engaged Hezbollah personnel conducting surveillance from Bint Jbeil Government Hospital and discovered stored machine guns and rockets.

During Israel’s previous occupation of southern Lebanon, which lasted until 2000, the country used Bint Jbeil and other high-elevation sites as crucial observation posts. Hezbollah’s recapture of this hilltop community became a significant milestone, culminating in a victory address by former Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah at a local stadium. Israeli military sources released satellite imagery Monday showing the apparent destruction of that same stadium in a recent strike.

In other developments, funeral services were held in Choueifat, south of Beirut, for a Lebanese Red Cross volunteer who died in an Israeli attack Sunday while conducting a rescue operation in the southern village of Beit Yahoun.

Monday brought another incident when an Israeli strike near Red Cross headquarters in the coastal city of Tyre killed an injured person during transport, while also damaging multiple Red Cross vehicles. A source with knowledge of the situation said the attack targeted an individual on a motorcycle who was transporting the wounded person. The identities of both victims remain unclear. The source requested anonymity as they were not authorized to share this information.

Red Cross officials have not yet issued a statement regarding the incident. Israeli military representatives did not provide an immediate response when contacted by The Associated Press for comment.

Thailand’s annual Songkran water festival marks the beginning of the Thai new year with traditional water ceremonies. Participants splash and spray water as part of the celebration, with the ritual symbolizing spiritual purification and bringing good luck.

The festival showcases the cultural significance of water in Thai traditions, where the act of dousing represents washing away negativity and welcoming prosperity for the year ahead.

The celebration has been captured in a series of photographs compiled by Associated Press photo editors, documenting the vibrant festivities and community participation in this important Thai cultural event.

LAGOS – Nigerian military forces conducting an airstrike against a village marketplace have reportedly killed more than 200 civilians in what marks another tragic incident where non-combatants became casualties during operations targeting militant organizations.

This devastating attack represents just one example in a troubling pattern of civilian deaths resulting from military air operations across Nigeria. The following timeline shows recent incidents where innocent people lost their lives during military strikes:

In April 2026, Nigerian fighter jets bombed a village marketplace while chasing Islamic extremists in the country’s northeastern region, resulting in at least 200 feared casualties according to local officials and community members who spoke on Sunday following Saturday evening’s attack.

During January 2025, Nigeria’s Air Force launched an investigation into reports of non-combatant deaths during bombing operations that targeted criminal gangs in the nation’s northwest region. Local residents reported to Reuters that no fewer than 15 innocent people died, including community security personnel.

The military admitted in December 2024 that bombing raids aimed at a Lakurawa terrorist cell’s compound in northwestern Sokoto state resulted in 10 civilian deaths due to secondary explosions that followed the initial strike.

September 2024 saw at least 24 people lose their lives when military aircraft bombed a community in Kaduna state while conducting operations against criminal organizations and their strongholds.

An April 2024 military operation targeting kidnapping syndicates and their bases in northwestern Zamfara state killed at least 33 villagers during the Eid holiday celebration.

In December 2023, military drone attacks in northern Kaduna state claimed the lives of at least 85 individuals, including women and children. President Bola Tinubu ordered a full investigation, leading to court-martial proceedings against two military personnel.

January 2023 witnessed the deaths of numerous ethnic Fulani cattle herders during aerial bombardment in central Nasarawa state as they were retrieving livestock from government authorities in an adjacent state. The Nigerian Air Force later accepted responsibility for this incident, which became the focus of a Reuters investigative report.