Author: Admin

Iranian authorities have tightened media controls by issuing new directives to international news organizations, requiring them to prevent Israeli media outlets from accessing their content from the country.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, which supervises media operations, sent instructions to multiple international news organizations operating in Tehran, including The Associated Press. The directive mandates specific language must be added to “all submitted content, including photos, videos, reports, and other media productions.”

The ministry’s instructions, translated from Farsi, warned that “Responsibility for failing to comply with this directive rests with the submitting media outlet.”

These heightened restrictions arrive three months following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, which escalated into an ongoing regional conflict that occasionally intensifies. On the 88th day of the conflict, President Donald Trump claimed a peace agreement was near, while Iran on Tuesday criticized recent U.S. strikes as evidence of “bad faith and unreliability.”

Under the new requirements, news organizations must include language stating their content cannot be utilized by Israeli media outlets or Farsi-language television stations operating outside Iran. For several years, Iran has prohibited international media from distributing certain materials to BBC Persian, VOA Persian, Manoto TV and Iran International, threatening to close their operations in the country for violations.

However, numerous overseas Farsi-language media organizations continue to obtain images and videos from Iranian state media through various websites and messaging applications, despite these limitations.

Freedom House, a Washington-based organization, categorizes Iran as lacking free and independent media, observing that hard-liners within the theocracy control all television channels while journalists at other outlets experience harassment and detention. Although satellite dishes are prohibited, many citizens use them to view Farsi-language programming from abroad, and internet access to external sites has been blocked for weeks.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Approximately 300 Ghanaian citizens departed for their homeland Wednesday as Ghana launched a voluntary evacuation initiative responding to growing anti-immigration hostilities in South Africa.

At Johannesburg’s Tambo International Airport, families and passengers assembled with their belongings while authorities and law enforcement managed the evacuation procedures.

The evacuation comes after fresh protests against undocumented immigration erupted across various South African regions, where joblessness, criminal activity, and limited public services have intensified social friction.

Benjamin Quashie, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, informed media at the airport that additional individuals beyond those initially registered arrived seeking departure.

He indicated their paperwork would be handled before the subsequent Ghana-bound flight, scheduled for Sunday departure.

Ghana previously called in South Africa’s ambassador regarding alleged assaults on Ghanaian residents before declaring plans to remove affected nationals.

Loren Landau, a migration expert and political analyst at the University of the Witwatersrand, described Ghana’s action as diplomatic messaging expressing displeasure with recent developments.

“I think in this case, it’s less about Ghana trying to protect its citizens per se, or these 300. This is a symbolic move to try to send a message to their sort of bigger counterpart, South Africa, that this is politically unacceptable,” said Landau.

Several evacuees had been detained at the Lindela Repatriation Centre on immigration violations.

Over 800 Ghanaians enrolled with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria seeking evacuation after weeks of demonstrations and growing anxiety among foreign residents.

Ghanaian officials stated the evacuation operation proceeded with South African coordination following worries about migrant safety and welfare.

South African leaders have denounced attacks on foreign residents while recognizing illegal immigration concerns.

Nigeria has also criticized the treatment of its nationals and indicated it may evacuate some citizens as well.

A chilling courtroom scene unfolded in Austria as a 24-year-old Kurdish Syrian refugee facing murder charges told a judge he would carry out deadly violence again if given the opportunity, according to Austrian media covering the proceedings.

The unnamed defendant appeared in court in Klagenfurt on Wednesday to face charges stemming from a brutal knife attack in the southern Austrian town of Villach last February. The assault claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy and left five others injured when the man used a jackknife in the attack.

Court proceedings revealed that the defendant has admitted to conducting the violent assault and pledging loyalty to Islamic State. When the presiding judge asked through an interpreter if he would repeat such crimes given another chance, the defendant nodded in affirmation, media outlets including national broadcaster ORF and news agency APA documented.

Prosecutors described to the court how the man experienced what they termed “lightning radicalisation” through the social media platform TikTok, a transformation so rapid it caught even his own brother off guard, according to trial reports.

The defendant now faces charges of murder, attempted murder and terrorism-related crimes, with a potential life sentence awaiting if found guilty. During the trial’s opening day, he spoke very little while seated behind a protective barrier as part of heightened security protocols. Court officials prohibited reporters from bringing any electronic devices into the courtroom.

This marks Austria’s second fatal attack by an Islamist militant, following a November 2020 incident in Vienna where a gunman killed four people and wounded 22 others before police fatally shot the attacker.

The Villach proceedings, scheduled to conclude Thursday, are running simultaneously with another terrorism trial involving a 21-year-old defendant accused of plotting an attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in 2024. Authorities successfully prevented that planned assault. The second defendant, identified as Beran A, has admitted guilt to charges related to the concert plot but denies involvement in other alleged schemes. A verdict in that case is also anticipated Thursday.

Iranian state media reported Wednesday that Tehran could restore maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to levels seen before the current conflict within 30 days, as part of a potential framework agreement with the United States that would also involve the withdrawal of American forces from Iran’s region.

According to the television report, the United States would halt its naval blockade of Iranian vessels, referencing a memorandum of understanding currently being discussed between both nations to conclude the war that has severely restricted global energy supplies through the vital shipping corridor.

Iranian state television claimed to have accessed an unofficial version of the memorandum, though it emphasized the document remains incomplete and may never reach final agreement.

The White House rejected the claims, describing them as “complete fabrication” in a statement posted on social media.

Iranian government officials have not provided any response to the report.

The television broadcast noted that the matter of American military presence in the area requires additional negotiations, without providing further specifics.

The report made no reference to Iran’s nuclear program, which the United States seeks to eliminate.

This latest state television announcement represents another indication of potential movement toward an agreement, though both Tehran and Washington have publicly maintained vastly different positions, and the terms described by the broadcaster failed to address all American requirements.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated Tuesday that several more days might be needed, following President Donald Trump’s weekend comments that raised expectations for a swift conclusion to the conflict.

Major obstacles have centered on reopening and controlling the waterway that previously carried one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas before hostilities began, as well as eliminating Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Oil markets dropped more than 5% Wednesday following the Iranian television announcement.

The scope of any American military reduction described by Iranian state media remains unclear.

Currently, the U.S. military maintains approximately 15,000 troops enforcing the Iranian blockade, with thousands more stationed at regional bases in Gulf nations including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

American naval ships carrying thousands of sailors and Marines routinely operate in the region, making port visits in locations such as Oman. The Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Iranian sources indicate that nuclear program discussions would occur during a second phase of negotiations – an approach that may prove unacceptable to some of Trump’s key allies.

Trump, scheduled to meet with senior advisors at the White House Wednesday, has stated that eliminating Iran’s nuclear program to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons represents the war’s primary objective. Iran maintains its program serves only peaceful purposes.

Earlier Wednesday, a high-ranking Iranian official speaking to reporters at the first International Security Forum in Moscow said reopening the strait continues to present challenges.

“As long as we have not agreed on all issues, we consider that nothing has been agreed,” Iran’s deputy secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Bagheri Kani, told reporters when questioned about a waterway reopening agreement.

State television reported that the framework, which would exclude military ships and envision Iran controlling vessel movement through the strait alongside Oman, has not been completed and that Tehran would take no action without “tangible verification.”

The conflict, which started February 28, has resulted in thousands of deaths and triggered an unprecedented disruption to oil supplies, driving up costs for fuel, fertilizer and food products.

The war has also generated domestic political challenges for Trump, with polling data showing public opposition to the conflict six months ahead of mid-term elections.

Despite ongoing peace negotiations, the United States conducted what it termed defensive strikes Tuesday against missile installations and vessels attempting to deploy mines in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province.

Iran’s foreign ministry characterized the strikes as a “gross violation” of a fragile ceasefire that has held for nearly seven weeks.

The United Nations human rights office has issued a warning that Israeli military forces may be committing war crimes through the killing of Palestinian civilians who approach the armistice boundary with Hamas.

According to UN data provided exclusively to Reuters, roughly one-third of the 453 verified Palestinian deaths since the October ceasefire through February 5 occurred near the military boundary line. This amounts to 152 individuals – including 102 men, 15 women, 24 boys and 11 girls – who were killed in proximity to what Israel calls the “yellow line.”

Ajith Sunghay, who leads the U.N. Human Rights Office in the occupied Palestinian territory, expressed grave concerns about the pattern of deaths. “The available information raises serious concerns that the Israeli army is shooting at and killing presumed civilians simply on the basis of their proximity to the so-called yellow line, which would amount to unlawful killings and thus war crimes,” Sunghay stated, describing the trend as deeply troubling.

He further noted that the victims “do not appear to have posed any risk to the life of the Israeli military, including some cases in which they appear to have been shot while carrying out daily activities or having approached or crossed Israel’s so-called yellow line.”

The Israeli military has established this boundary using concrete blocks placed at intervals to mark what they term a “yellow line.” However, military forces have repeatedly moved these markers further into territory controlled by Hamas, and current Israeli maps indicate their restricted military zone now encompasses nearly two-thirds of Gaza.

This expansion has created anxiety among displaced Palestinians living in temporary shelters and damaged buildings near the boundary, as they fear being targeted while the population becomes compressed into an increasingly smaller area.

Sunghay highlighted the confusion surrounding the boundary’s location, explaining that “nobody clearly knows exactly where it starts, where it ends, and how it moves, and when it moves.”

Israeli authorities justify their control of seized territory in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon as necessary “buffer zones” to prevent potential militant attacks following the Hamas-led assault of October 7, 2023, which triggered the current conflict.

The ceasefire arrangement facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump has not stopped Israeli military operations in Gaza, with Israeli forces continuing to target Hamas leadership, resulting in two deaths in recent weeks.

Gaza health officials report that approximately 900 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes since the truce began, though they have not provided location-specific breakdowns. During the same timeframe, four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants, according to the country’s military. Hamas has not released casualty figures for its fighters.

Israeli military officials, who maintain that their forces near the armistice line are working to counter militant threats, did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the UN allegations.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — International inspectors have uncovered dozens of chemical weapons munitions from the former Assad government that were previously unknown, according to a Wednesday report from the global chemical weapons monitoring organization.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, headquartered in The Hague, detailed in its May findings that investigators were permitted to examine “high-priority undeclared locations” beginning this month. The report stated that “Dozens of undeclared chemical munitions such as aerial bombs and rockets … have been found at several of these undeclared locations.”

Syria became a member of the OPCW in 2013, declaring chemical weapons existed at 26 sites throughout the nation. However, the monitoring organization believes approximately 100 additional locations may contain such weapons.

After the removal of Assad from power in December 2024, Syria’s transitional government led by interim-President Ahmad al-Sharaa has promised to eliminate any leftover chemical weapons from the previous administration.

During an address to the OPCW in The Hague last year, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani requested international assistance in eliminating these prohibited weapons from his nation.

Syria’s current leadership has vowed to “destroy any remains of the chemical weapons program developed under the Assad regime, to put an end to this painful legacy, to bring justice to victims, and to ensure that the compliance with international law is a solid one,” he said.

Syria became an OPCW member in 2013 to prevent potential military strikes following a chemical weapons incident near Damascus. While Assad’s administration rejected claims of chemical weapons usage, the OPCW has previously documented evidence of their continuous deployment by Syria throughout the prolonged civil conflict.

The watchdog organization has also determined that the Islamic State group employed chemical weapons during the warfare.

TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed Wednesday that Canada has selected surveillance aircraft manufactured by Sweden’s Saab and Canada’s Bombardier instead of choosing between two competing American alternatives.

The prime minister stated his administration has begun discussions to acquire Saab’s Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft, constructed using the Canadian-built Bombardier Global 6500 platform, which will boost domestic manufacturing.

Carney emphasized the aircraft includes 20% U.S. components. The federal government had previously indicated its intent to purchase six surveillance aircraft.

Last year, Canada became part of a significant European Union defense initiative, with Carney working to reduce the country’s military procurement reliance on the United States.

The Saab aircraft feature advanced radar systems that provide awareness of aircraft and missile activity across hundreds of miles. These planes can identify threatening aerial or naval activity and guide fighter aircraft toward their objectives.

“Saab’s GlobalEye will be a key resource for the Canadian Armed Forces to detect and deter threats across the Arctic,” Carney said.

The competing American choices included Boeing’s E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and L3Harris’s Aeris X system.

NATO is similarly evaluating the Saab aircraft against the American alternatives.

Carney had stated previously that Canadian military equipment purchases would limit U.S. spending to no more than 70 cents per dollar.

Actions by U.S. President Donald Trump — including initiating trade disputes and proposing Canada as America’s 51st state — angered Canadians and established conditions that helped Carney secure the prime minister position after pledging to counter Trump’s escalating hostility.

The Canadian administration is examining its planned F-35 fighter jet acquisition from the U.S. to consider alternatives. Carney indicated that opportunities for increased Canadian production influence decisions. Saab has proposed conducting Gripen fighter jet assembly and maintenance operations within Canada.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Officials in South Africa and organizations representing Afrikaner interests strongly disputed claims made by the Trump administration on Wednesday regarding an alleged humanitarian crisis affecting the country’s white population.

This justification was used to expand America’s refugee intake, specifically targeting white Afrikaners. On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced it would accept an additional 10,000 white South Africans as refugees in the coming year, expanding the annual limit while preventing individuals from other nations from accessing the same program.

U.S. President Donald Trump published his decision in the Federal Register, stating he was expanding refugee admissions due to “an unforeseen emergency refugee situation.” Trump attributed blame to South Africa’s leadership for “recent increases in the incitement of racially motivated violence,” though he provided no concrete evidence.

South Africa’s international relations department responded Wednesday by calling allegations of widespread persecution against white Afrikaners baseless, noting that some people who participated in immigration programs have decided to return to South Africa.

“This reality is further corroborated by the actions of individuals who, despite having availed themselves of this preferential immigration program, have since resolved to return home,” spokesman Chrispin Phiri said.

The Afrikaner labor organization Solidariteit contended that refugee designation isn’t an appropriate remedy for Afrikaners, who ought to flourish within South Africa. Representative Jaco Kleynhans stated the group had not engaged with the Trump administration about any “unforeseen emergency refugee situation,” while acknowledging America’s right to set its own refugee policies regarding Afrikaners.

The organization “is in no way aware of anything that the Trump administration could be referring to,” Kleynhans said.

AfriForum, an advocacy group representing the nation’s white Afrikaner minority population of over 300,000 members, indicated it “does not have information” about the specific claim of an emergency refugee crisis.

The group’s CEO, Kallie Kriel, explained their mission centers on “fighting to create the circumstances in South Africa where there is no need for Afrikaners to leave.”

Trump halted America’s refugee program immediately upon taking office and has subsequently transformed it into a pathway specifically for Afrikaners — white South Africans primarily of Dutch ancestry — to enter the United States. Critics argue this decision to concentrate a long-established program on a single demographic has abandoned people worldwide who are escaping conflict and hardship.

Refugee advocacy organizations have questioned the prioritization of white South Africans over individuals from nations experiencing warfare and natural catastrophes. The vetting process for U.S. refugee status typically requires multiple years.

According to Dr. Bryony Fox, a social justice researcher at Stellenbosch University, the Trump administration’s preference for white Afrikaner refugee admissions creates concerns about discriminatory humanitarian aid, inconsistent refugee protection, and favoring advantaged populations while overlooking other refugee communities facing extreme difficulties.

“This risks politicizing refugee protection in a way that may ultimately weaken the legitimacy and universality of the refugee regime itself,” she said.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The Trump administration has boosted refugee slots for white South Africans to 17,500 this year, adding 10,000 new positions based on claims of “recent increases in the incitement of racially motivated violence” by South Africa’s Black-led government and political parties.

The administration’s Tuesday announcement did not specify what incitement prompted this expansion, marking the latest assertion by the U.S. president that minority white Afrikaners face persecution — a claim South African officials firmly reject.

The foundation for this refugee resettlement was established through an executive order last year, which characterized Afrikaners as victims of racially motivated violence driven by government policies.

Afrikaners trace their ancestry to Dutch and French colonists who arrived in South Africa during the 1600s.

American officials point to isolated attacks on white farmers’ homes as proof of racial persecution. However, South African authorities and experts argue this misrepresents reality, noting that Black farmers and agricultural workers also fall victim to what are primarily violent robberies rather than racially motivated crimes.

South Africa indeed struggles with violent crime affecting all racial groups, including white farmers.

Official crime data shows more than 23,000 homicides occurred nationwide between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, impacting all races but disproportionately affecting the impoverished Black majority. By contrast, AfriForum, an Afrikaner advocacy organization, recorded 29 farm-related homicides in 2025. Agricultural killings account for roughly 0.1% of total homicides.

South African law enforcement reports that Black individuals were also among farm homicide victims, though rural crimes aren’t typically categorized separately or broken down by victim race.

AfriForum, which leads efforts to highlight rural crime concerns, doesn’t publish statistics on Black farmers and agricultural workers killed, stating it “does not racialize the issue.”

The administration claimed recent increases in racial violence incitement by South African government officials and politicians created “an unforeseen emergency refugee situation” and “grave humanitarian concerns” for Afrikaners.

The specific incidents referenced remain unclear, as no public incitement to violence has emerged from South Africa’s government, which consists of a 10-party coalition — some led by white individuals. White South Africans, including those with Afrikaner background, hold Cabinet positions.

Afrikaners belong to South Africa’s white minority, which includes people of British and other backgrounds. Approximately 4.5 million white people live among South Africa’s 62 million residents, with over 80% being Black and additional minorities of Indian and multiracial heritage.

Claims of an “emergency refugee situation” for Afrikaners don’t align with daily life in South Africa, where Afrikaners serve as prominent politicians, business executives, and sports figures.

Afrikaans, their language, enjoys widespread use and school instruction as one of 11 official languages, while Afrikaner monuments and churches remain standing and maintained within the nation’s multicultural framework.

The administration has previously highlighted one far-left opposition party that has inflamed racial tensions by occasionally using a decades-old chant from the anti-apartheid resistance era, which ended in 1994. The chant contains lyrics “kill the Boer” — referring to white farmers — and has faced hate speech investigations.

South African leadership hasn’t condemned the chant, arguing it holds historical significance tied to the anti-apartheid struggle and shouldn’t be interpreted literally. Afrikaner groups like AfriForum have criticized this government position and demanded the chant be banned.

The far-left party operates outside the government and lacks national political influence.

The Trump administration has also cited South Africa’s affirmative action legislation as evidence of anti-white policies. These laws aim to create opportunities for Black people and others oppressed under white minority rule, while also supporting women and disabled individuals, though their effectiveness remains debated.

These policies have drawn attention from allies like South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who claims he was denied a license for his Starlink satellite internet service because of his race.

Government officials call this characterization misleading. Starlink can operate in South Africa but must comply with affirmative action requirements in that sector, mandating previously disadvantaged groups hold minority stakes in local entities. The government notes over 600 American companies currently operate in South Africa while following affirmative action rules.

South African officials have previously stated that Afrikaners remain free to emigrate to the U.S., just as other South Africans have sought opportunities abroad. However, they argue against classifying them as refugees fleeing persecution.

“The assertion that white Afrikaners, in particular, endure systemic persecution is entirely without foundation,” South African foreign ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Approximately 6,000 South Africans have relocated to the U.S. since the Afrikaner program launched last year, according to American government data.

The administration maintains broader disagreements with South Africa’s government, particularly regarding the Israel-Palestinian conflict. South Africa, a long-standing Palestinian supporter, has accused close U.S. ally Israel of genocide in Gaza through a high-profile case at the United Nations’ top court.

Israel, established following the Holocaust, has strongly rejected these allegations and argued that the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, constituted a genocidal act.

American officials have pointed to South Africa’s stance on this issue and the country’s diplomatic ties with Iran as evidence of anti-American foreign policy, which South Africa disputes.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — International Criminal Court officials announced Wednesday that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will face trial for crimes against humanity beginning November 30.

Prosecutors allege the former president bears responsibility for dozens of killings, claiming he directed fatal anti-narcotics operations during his time as mayor of Davao, a southern Philippine city, and throughout his presidency.

“The expediency of the trial is of the upmost importance,” presiding Judge Joanna Korner said, rejecting requests from the registry of the court to delay the start date over concerns about a lack of translators.

Duterte, who held the presidency between 2016 and 2022, was taken into custody in the Philippines last year and transported to The Hague, where the international court operates. He maintains his innocence regarding all accusations.

Korner called on court personnel to guarantee translation services would be provided for Philippine languages, including Tagalog. The court’s official languages are English and French.

Death toll figures from Duterte’s time in office differ significantly, ranging from over 6,000 according to national police records to as many as 30,000 as reported by human rights organizations.

Duterte has chosen not to attend any court proceedings, having waived his right to be present. Judges determined last month that he was mentally competent to face trial, after an earlier session was postponed due to health concerns.

This month, the court made public an arrest warrant for Ronald Marapon dela Rosa, who headed the national police under Duterte and assisted in implementing his anti-drug campaigns that resulted in thousands of deaths, primarily among minor offenders.

Dela Rosa has disappeared after a confrontation at the country’s Senate building that involved gunshots. Philippine officials are searching for him and have promised to surrender him to the court.

OTTAWA, May 27 (Reuters) — Canada revealed Wednesday its decision to purchase a fleet of early warning aircraft from Sweden’s Saab, choosing the Swedish option over a competing model from Boeing as part of efforts to decrease dependence on U.S. defense contractors.

Prime Minister Mark Carney informed reporters that Canada will select Saab’s GlobalEye system, which utilizes Bombardier’s Global 6500 jet as its platform. The alternative Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft had also been under consideration, though that model has experienced scheduling setbacks and budget increases.

“(This move) builds Canadian strategic autonomy, creates Canadian jobs, and reinforces Canada’s position as a global leader. And it is the product of choice for many of Canada’s partners, including France, Sweden, and the UAE,” Carney said.

The Swedish company Saab is also being considered as a potential supplier for Canada’s Gripen fighter aircraft needs.

While Canada has an existing agreement to purchase 88 F-35 jets from Lockheed-Martin, Prime Minister Carney directed the military last year to examine possibilities for reducing that order and acquiring aircraft from alternative suppliers. This review came after the United States imposed tariffs on important Canadian exports. No final determination has been made public regarding changes to the F-35 purchase.

Chinese military officials announced they mobilized naval and aerial units to force out a Dutch warship that they claim unlawfully entered waters around the Paracel Islands in the contested South China Sea on Wednesday.

According to a statement from Zhai Shichen, a spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, helicopters operating from aircraft carriers have made multiple flights and “intruded into China’s airspace.”

“We firmly oppose this and solemnly urge the Dutch side to immediately cease its infringing and provocative acts,” Zhai stated, emphasizing that the Chinese military will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security.

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Muslims worldwide are preparing for Eid al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice, but celebrations in Mali’s capital carry a somber tone this year. An economic blockade imposed by armed militants connected to al-Qaida has caused sheep costs to skyrocket, making the holiday’s traditional practice of slaughtering an animal and distributing meat to those in need financially impossible for many households.

The supply crisis and inflated costs stem from a blockade targeting Bamako that was declared this month by members of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, a group with al-Qaida ties. These fighters routinely assault truck convoys and vehicles bringing supplies to the capital, frequently burning them completely.

Mali, which has no coastline, relies extensively on fuel and merchandise transported by truck from neighboring coastal countries including Senegal and Ivory Coast. According to analysts, the militants’ economic siege aims to cripple the nation’s financial stability and weaken the military government’s authority.

The siege isn’t complete, since the armed factions avoid maintaining roadblocks for extended periods due to concerns about Malian military retaliation, allowing some supplies to continue reaching Bamako and preventing complete food scarcity for the time being.

However, the blockade has increased costs for certain products like meat and created fuel shortages, compelling citizens to wait in long lines at the limited gas stations still operating.

Since September 2025, the group had already enforced a stifling road blockade on oil imports.

Mountaga Touré, 38, a teacher, explained he searched multiple livestock markets before abandoning his plan to purchase a sheep for the celebration, noting that sheep costs have nearly doubled since the blockade began.

“The small sheep that used to cost $177 are now $266 or more,” Touré said.

In certain areas of Bamako, citizens have replaced the customary sheep with cattle, combining their resources to buy one animal so they can obtain meat for this significant Muslim observance in West Africa.

The blockade comes after extensive, synchronized attacks by separatist and extremist forces throughout Mali last month, representing the most significant assault in the nation in more than ten years.

Mali has endured insurgencies waged by extremists associated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, along with a separatist uprising in the northern region, for more than a decade.

After a 2020 military takeover, the governing junta shifted away from Western partners toward Russia for assistance in fighting Islamic extremists. However, security conditions have deteriorated recently, analysts note, with a unprecedented number of militant attacks. Military forces and Russian mercenaries have also faced accusations of killing civilians they believe are working with militants.

The Malian military and its Russian Africa Corps mercenaries are working around the blockade by providing protection for truck convoys transporting goods and fuel to supply Bamako markets. The armed forces also frequently report striking positions controlled by armed groups.

However, residents report that the protective escorts and military strikes haven’t been sufficient to properly supply the capital.

“Usually, I bring up to 200 sheep to Bamako to sell during Tabaski,” said Amadou Cissé, 45, a livestock trader specializing in Eid sheep, using the West African word for the holiday. “But this year I barely brought 50 because there is not enough space in army-escorted trucks.”

Cissé explained that the sheep he requested remain in Diema, a community approximately 345 km (215 miles) west of Bamako, where many animals destined for the capital are sourced.

“I was told more escorted convoys would be organized, but so far none have left Diema, so I doubt the sheep will arrive before the holiday,” he said.

Drissa Traoré, who has sold sheep in Bamako for more than ten years, reported that available inventory has decreased substantially in recent times. “This year, we have barely half the number of sheep we usually have during Tabaski,” he said.

The dangerous conditions have also impacted travel arrangements for many people.

Sidi Diarra, who works at a prominent financial company in Bamako, mentioned he typically observes the holiday with his family in Segou, approximately 240 km (150 miles) from the capital.

“This year, I am afraid to go because of attacks by extremist groups. It is safer to stay in Bamako,” he said.

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungarian lawmakers voted Wednesday to maintain their country’s membership in the International Criminal Court, overturning the prior administration’s plan to exit the global war crimes tribunal under Viktor Orbán.

Orbán’s administration had announced Hungary’s intention to leave the ICC last year, following a state visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The visit proceeded despite an outstanding ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes related to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

International organizations and the ICC had condemned Orbán’s administration for not arresting Netanyahu during his visit. Orbán responded by labeling the ICC a “political court.”

Hungary’s exit from the court was scheduled to become official on June 2.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar introduced the reversal legislation on Monday, arguing that maintaining international peace and defending human rights requires accountability for serious international crimes through “an international judicial forum.”

The legislation further states: “To this end, it is necessary to maintain Hungary’s participation in the Statute of the International Criminal Court.”

The measure passed primarily along party lines, with Magyar’s governing Tisza party providing 133 supporting votes, while 37 lawmakers opposed and five abstained.

The Assembly of States Parties, which oversees the ICC, praised Hungary’s decision to remain. The organization issued a statement Monday ahead of the parliamentary vote, saying it “congratulates the government of Hungary for this important decision.”

The ICC had previously determined that Hungary violated its legal duty to apprehend Netanyahu. In July, judicial panel members stated that the “failure to arrest suspects severely undermines the court’s ability to carry out its mandate.”

Hungary helped establish the ICC, with Orbán personally signing the Rome Statute that created the tribunal in 1999.

Had Hungary proceeded with withdrawal, it would have joined only the Philippines and Burundi as countries that left the ICC. Hungary also would have become the sole European Union member nation not participating in the court.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Mountaineering experts, climbers, and government officials convened in Nepal’s capital city Wednesday to address mounting concerns about Mount Everest expeditions amid rising temperatures and unprecedented crowding that’s creating serious environmental and safety issues.

The gathering, called the “Everest Summiteers Summit,” took place during what experts believe was the busiest climbing period ever recorded on the planet’s tallest mountain. In just several days this month, hundreds of adventurers along with their Sherpa guides made their way to the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit.

This climbing season saw Nepal authorize a unprecedented 494 permits for international climbers, with summit achievements estimated to exceed 900 people. This figure would mark the highest total ever recorded during spring climbing months, though official tallies won’t be released until later.

A sherpa guide who holds the record for most successful climbs — 32 ascents — expressed concerns about the overwhelming numbers creating dangerous conditions.

“Nepal should only allow no more than 250 climbers that are issued permit to climb from the Nepal side,” Kami Rita Sherpa said. “It will be good if the government was to limit the number.”

Recent photographs from the mountain reveal lengthy queues of climbers experiencing bottlenecks, secured to safety ropes while awaiting their turn to approach the peak.

During climbing season, which concludes this month, approximately 3,000 individuals including climbers, guides, and support staff establish temporary residence on Mount Everest. Removing all waste materials when camps are dismantled continues to pose significant difficulties.

Government regulations mandate that climbers must pack out their trash, yet substantial amounts remain abandoned on the mountain. Expedition members emphasize that environmental preservation must stay a top concern.

“We should take the rubbish from the mountain and we should protect our Himalayas,” said He Jing, a renowned Chinese climber.

Present regulations allow anyone to obtain climbing authorization by paying the government’s $15,000 permit fee.

However, Nepalese authorities are developing updated rules that would require climbers to demonstrate previous mountaineering experience.

Nathaniel Douglas, a climber from Seattle, told The Associated Press during the conference that he observes inexperienced individuals attempting Everest after viewing social media content, despite having no mountain climbing background.

“So they really don’t understand what mountaineering is, like what it actually takes to summit Mount Everest and get back down safely,” he said.

British mountaineer Adriana Brownlee, the youngest woman to climb all 14 highest peaks, said the weather on the mountains was getting warmer, increasing the risks for climbers.

“Every year the (Khumbu) Icefall seems more unstable because of global warming,” she said. adding that water underneath is melting faster, causing the seracs — blocks of ice — to fall much easier because of the movement underneath.

Last month, climbers were forced to postpone their ascents when a massive serac posed a dangerous threat to the climbing route directly above base camp.

Rescue teams in central Laos have successfully located five villagers who became trapped in a flooded cave more than a week ago, though search efforts continue for two others who remain unaccounted for, officials announced Wednesday.

The group of seven villagers had entered the cave located in Xaisomboun province on May 19 when sudden heavy rainfall caused flash flooding that sealed off their escape route, according to rescue teams from Laos and Thailand participating in the operation.

Bounkham Luanglath, representing the Lao organization Rescue Volunteer for People, which has been collaborating with local officials on the rescue mission, confirmed to The Associated Press that five individuals were discovered safe and alive, while efforts to locate the remaining two will persist.

“I’m still shaking. Our team made it happen,” he stated in a voice message.

Footage released by a Thai rescue organization appeared to capture the moment when divers surfaced and located the stranded villagers. The video shows the individuals, each equipped with headlamps, positioned on a rock formation surrounded by flood waters.

Additional footage depicted rescue personnel both inside and outside the cave celebrating with cheers, jumping, and embracing one another following the successful discovery.

International rescue specialists from Thailand joined the operation over the weekend, including divers who participated in the complex 2018 rescue operation in northern Thailand that successfully freed 12 schoolchildren and their soccer coach after they spent more than two weeks trapped underground.

The cave sits in a challenging, isolated location within Xaisomboun province’s Longcheng district, positioned approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Vientiane, the capital city. Rescue personnel at the location have documented through social media the difficult mountainous conditions and persistent rainfall that have complicated their efforts.

Online footage shared by Thai rescue teams revealed that accessing the cave entrance demands a challenging uphill trek on foot covering roughly 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). The cave opening itself presents additional obstacles with its steep, rocky terrain and narrow width that permits only one person to pass through at a time.

While no official explanation has been provided regarding the villagers’ purpose for entering the cave, Bounkham indicated that local residents commonly visited the location in search of gold, despite repeated safety warnings from authorities advising against cave entry due to dangerous conditions.

Opposition figures in Argentina are moving to form a unified front against President Javier Milei as his public support continues to decline ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.

Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof, who leads the Peronist Justicialista party in his province, confirmed to Reuters that discussions are ongoing to create a Peronist alliance. The coalition could potentially bring together politicians from various parties who oppose Milei’s economic policies, despite his success in curbing severe inflation through widespread budget cuts.

The Peronist movement suffered a significant setback in October’s midterm elections, where voters endorsed Milei’s ambitious economic reform agenda. That loss highlighted deep divisions within the opposition and raised serious questions about its ability to mount an effective challenge going forward.

While Milei has indicated plans to seek re-election, the opposition has yet to name its standard-bearer. Potential candidates include Kicillof and Sergio Massa, a former economy minister with Peronist ties who lost the 2023 presidential race to Milei.

Recent survey data suggests Milei could face a difficult path to a second term. A May survey by Opina Argentina found Milei’s La Libertad Avanza party essentially tied with Peronist forces. Separate polling by Trespuntozero indicates 42% of voters would definitely or possibly support Kicillof, while only 34% expressed similar sentiment for Milei.

The Peronist movement remains closely linked to opposition figure Cristina Kirchner, the former president currently under house arrest in Buenos Aires while serving a six-year corruption sentence. During her administration, extensive government spending was cited as a driver of rising inflation, a problem that continued under President Alberto Fernández’s tenure when she served as vice president.

Current approval numbers show Milei at 39% positive ratings according to Opina Argentina, a sharp drop from 53% over a year ago. His standing has been damaged by government corruption controversies and declining purchasing power that hasn’t kept pace with inflation. Kicillof holds a slight edge at 43% approval, while Massa registers 33%.

Building a unified Peronist coalition may prove challenging given tensions between factions that span from center-left to center-right ideologies. However, the shared goal of defeating Milei could “act as an incentive for all actors to set aside some of their interests and come together in a coalition,” according to Facundo Nejamkis of Opina Argentina.

Campaign activities for the October 2027 presidential election are anticipated to begin in August, following the World Cup and local winter break period.

Banking employees across Russia could soon find themselves on the front lines of air defense under legislation passed by the nation’s lower parliamentary chamber.

The proposed law would require financial institutions to fund and install electronic interference equipment at their locations, while designated workers would be trained to destroy approaching unmanned aircraft, according to the measure that received final approval on Tuesday.

State news agency Interfax reported the legislation was initially introduced last August before being broadened in scope. The proposal now awaits consideration by the upper house Federation Council and must receive Russian President Vladimir Putin’s signature to become law.

The nation faces mounting challenges defending its vast territory against an increasing number of strikes from advanced Ukrainian long-distance unmanned vehicles. Military experts and Western officials note that smaller aircraft are also hampering Russian forces along the 1,250-kilometer front and disrupting supply operations for the invading military.

Financial institutions have not emerged as primary targets for Ukrainian aircraft during the four years of conflict since Moscow’s invasion began.

The legislation provides limited specifics, creating numerous uncertainties about implementation. Installing equipment nationwide and providing staff training would demand extensive organizational resources.

The initiative would include Russia’s central bank and major institutions, including majority state-owned Sberbank. Given the widespread presence of banking facilities in communities throughout the country, incorporating them into air defense networks could significantly expand protective coverage.

The move could undermine Putin’s attempts to insulate Russian civilians from the conflict by directly involving ordinary citizens in warfare and increasing visibility of the invasion’s impact.

The Duma-approved legislation authorizes bank workers to disrupt or intercept aircraft control transmissions and destroy threatening unmanned aerial, underwater, and ground vehicles at their facilities without awaiting security service coordination.

“Jamming will be used to make it more difficult for (the drones) to target and attack the relevant targets,” Anatoly Aksakov, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, told Russian media outlet RBK. “Plus, we’ll also use means to shoot down these drones, thereby protecting the relevant targets.”

Individual organizations will decide which staff members receive authorization to implement these defensive measures.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Law enforcement authorities conducted a search of Spain’s ruling Socialist Party headquarters on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct, according to the Civil Guard.

The operation at the Madrid office represents another setback for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s political organization, which has faced numerous corruption allegations in recent months.

Civil Guard officials informed The Associated Press that officers were executing court orders to collect evidence related to a National Court investigation examining corruption allegations against former party officials and other suspects.

Authorities stated the operation is specifically focused on an investigation overseen by National Court judge Santiago Pedraz examining potential misconduct by Socialist party member Leire Díez.

The investigation into Díez began in 2025 after audio recordings surfaced in Spanish media suggesting her involvement in efforts to undermine a Civil Guard anti-corruption unit member. Additional reports connected her to alleged attempts to interfere with state prosecutors’ work. The judge’s investigation aims to determine whether she received party payments to allegedly conduct these activities.

The Socialist party maintained she was operating independently. Díez, who has departed the party, has rejected any wrongdoing.

A court statement released Wednesday indicated that judge Pedraz directed the Civil Guard to “confiscate diverse documentation and electronic archives in an investigation of a ring designed to destabilize judicial processes that were affecting the ruling party.”

The judge indicated that beyond Díez, he is examining the suspected involvement of former Socialist heavyweight Santos Cerdán — already under scrutiny in another corruption matter — along with a former Andalusia regional government member, a police officer, a business owner and two attorneys. The judge is investigating them for suspected bribery, providing false testimony, document forgery, influence peddling, and corruption.

Last week another court announced it was examining former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero regarding a government airline bailout. He has rejected any misconduct allegations.

Sánchez’s wife and brother are under investigation for suspected influence peddling, which both have disputed.

Most significantly for the Socialists, Cerdán and a former minister under Sánchez are both facing investigation for allegedly participating in a kickback scheme that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, which they have contested.

Sánchez, who has served as prime minister since 2018, has characterized the cases involving his family as a “smear campaign.” However, the corruption investigation involving his former associates prompted him to request the nation’s “forgiveness” in 2025.

His minority administration relies on support from a junior coalition partner, which has maintained its backing despite the legal proceedings.

Sánchez, who has gained international attention for progressive positions that have drawn criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, has not been directly connected to any of the scandals.

MANILA, Philippines — A new investigative commission was established Wednesday to examine the deadly drug enforcement campaign conducted under former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, with organizers seeking to compile witness testimonies and evidence for potential prosecutions.

The commission is being spearheaded by a Catholic bishop and includes a former judge from the international court system. Duterte concluded his turbulent six-year term in 2022 and was subsequently detained and transported to the Netherlands last year to face charges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity related to the killings.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, a close supporter of Duterte who previously served as his top police official and initially implemented the violent enforcement efforts, faces ICC charges as an alleged accomplice in the numerous deaths that drew criticism from Western nations and human rights organizations.

Dela Rosa has disappeared from public view and is being pursued by Philippine law enforcement, which has committed to executing the ICC arrest warrant and delivering him to the international tribunal.

Both dela Rosa and the outspoken former president have rejected claims they approved unlawful executions, though Duterte frequently made public threats against suspected criminals during his presidency.

Thousands of police personnel who participated directly in the harsh enforcement operation that resulted in the deaths of numerous impoverished suspects have escaped thorough investigation, with very few facing criminal conviction, human rights organizations report.

“This is long overdue,” Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David stated during a press briefing. The independent “EJK Truth Commission” he helped establish will concentrate on assisting victims, their relatives and even remorseful law enforcement personnel in achieving resolution, David explained.

“This is an opportunity for a catharsis … so we can recover our dignity as a country,” David commented. “Ultimately, what we aspire for is healing not only for the victims but also our institutions.”

Raul Pangalangan, an esteemed Philippine attorney who previously served as an ICC judge for several years, explained that the commission he will lead “was created to ensure that the stories of victims, survivors and families are heard, verified and preserved.”

The commission intends to conduct open hearings.

“These things happened because everybody looked the other way,” Pangalangan stated. “It is almost a conspiracy of silence.”

Commission representatives indicated they will make their research available to government officials to assist in investigations, prosecutions and accountability efforts. They plan to submit regular reports to justice and human rights agencies, they announced.

David appealed to civic organizations, educational institutions, faith communities and other groups to support the commission’s work and mentioned that a major German charitable organization has provided financial backing.

Commission member Raquel Fortun, a forensic pathologist with the state-run University of the Philippines, told The Associated Press that determining facts years after the deaths occurred would be challenging. Some law enforcement personnel involved in the killings attempted to avoid responsibility, she noted.

Official death records for 13 drug suspects whose bodies were recovered after Duterte left office indicated they died from natural causes such as heart attack and pneumonia, she reported.

“When I examined the remains, I found that they were hit by gunfire,” Fortun revealed.

LONDON – A new defense and security agreement was finalized Wednesday between Britain and Poland as both nations work to address mounting threats from Russia’s increasingly hostile actions, according to officials from the British government.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer put their signatures on the treaty during a ceremony in London. The agreement will enhance border protection, combat organized criminal activities, and strengthen defense collaboration with the European Union, British officials announced.

This latest military partnership with an EU nation follows comparable pacts with France and Germany, highlighting Starmer’s campaign to mend relationships damaged by Brexit nearly a decade ago while responding to calls from U.S. President Donald Trump for European nations to shoulder greater responsibility for continental security.

Prior to departing Poland, Tusk stated that both countries view “Russia as a strategic threat,” and the two leaders were anticipated to address rising hybrid warfare, cyber attacks, and espionage activities.

“The challenges Europe now faces demands an even stronger partnership,” Starmer said in a statement.

“This treaty is the biggest step forward in our defence and security relationship with Poland in a generation, allowing us to confront modern security threats that may be less visible but no less dangerous,” he added.

British officials indicated the agreement will enable both countries to merge their expertise and industrial capabilities for developing and producing advanced next-generation weaponry, including enhanced air and missile defense capabilities.

Tusk emphasized that cybersecurity represents a major component of the treaty beyond traditional defense measures. Polish officials note their country’s position as a central point for military assistance to Ukraine has made it a primary target for Russian intelligence operations, cyber warfare, and propaganda campaigns.

This Polish agreement represents the most recent bilateral defense partnership Britain has pursued under Starmer’s leadership. The Prime Minister has achieved greater success in international relations than domestic politics, where political opponents are positioning themselves and could potentially force a leadership challenge.

Following demands from Trump’s administration for Europe to increase its self-defense capabilities, raising uncertainty about the NATO alliance’s future, both Britain and Poland have actively pursued defense agreements with other countries.

Britain and France reached an agreement last year to strengthen their defense partnership, including enhanced cooperation regarding their nuclear weapons programs, while Starmer also concluded a treaty to expand relations with Germany.

Poland finalized a defense agreement with France in 2025 to boost military cooperation and is currently developing a comparable treaty with Germany.

Three hundred citizens of Ghana lined up at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport early Wednesday morning to catch one of the initial flights back to their homeland following weeks of anti-foreigner demonstrations that raised security fears across South Africa.

The departing group consisted of women and children among the 300 individuals, with officials calling it a voluntary evacuation program for Ghanaian residents who reported feeling unsafe in the country.

Officials from South Africa have been collaborating with their Ghanaian counterparts to process a roster of approximately 800 individuals who have expressed interest in departing.

An unnamed South African immigration officer told the eNCA television network: “What we found is that of the 300, only 10 of them are legal in the country, so quite a number of them are in non-compliance to our immigration act.”

The evacuation came after weeks of anti-foreigner demonstrations, with protesters calling for stricter enforcement against what they termed illegal immigrants and blaming foreign residents for contributing to criminal activity and joblessness.

The demonstrations have been marked by violent incidents targeting migrants from various sub-Saharan African nations.

A Ghanaian citizen preparing for departure said continuous intimidation influenced his choice to leave.

“I’m happy that I’m going to my country … it’s not easy to be in someone else’s country and be disturbed all the time,” the man told reporters, choosing not to reveal his identity.

Organizations advocating for migrant rights argue that foreign nationals are being unfairly blamed by South Africans for the nation’s economic challenges, including joblessness rates exceeding 30% that particularly impact the Black community.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, explained that the departures were designed to reduce tensions while maintaining positive diplomatic relations between both nations.

“The demonstrators have said they want us to work together. We must ensure that those who are undocumented are returned home and that institutions are allowed to function,” Quashie stated, rejecting suggestions of strained diplomatic relations with South Africa.

South African officials have denounced attacks against foreign residents and promised to take action against xenophobic violence, stating such behavior contradicts the country’s democratic principles.

The restored leader of Turkey’s primary opposition political organization announced Wednesday that a party congress will be scheduled after legal requirements are fulfilled, following a judicial decision that removed prior leadership and sparked internal turmoil and financial market fluctuations last week.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu informed media representatives that he plans to work with the Republican People’s Party (CHP) legal advisors to determine when the congress should occur.

The reinstated chair stated a congress “will be held, there is no alternative,” emphasizing it must occur on proper legal grounds and follow established party procedures.

Kilicdaroglu indicated all choices would be made through group consensus, noting the party assembly will likely meet and that the organization would operate strictly according to legal guidelines and protocols.

He rejected rumors regarding member expulsions from the organization, stating any such actions must comply with existing regulations.

Kilicdaroglu also condemned the decision to lock the party headquarters in response to the judicial decision, calling it inappropriate to prevent public access or prevent legislators from entering the facility.

Former CHP leader Ozgur Ozel suggested Tuesday that a leadership election should involve the party’s 2 million members rather than party representatives.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday that investigators believe an Iranian anti-ship missile was responsible for striking a cargo vessel operated by local shipping company HMM in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month.

Officials from the Iranian embassy in Seoul have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.

The ministry revealed their findings during a briefing where they disclosed results from a government investigation examining the May 4 strike on the bulk carrier. The incident resulted in a fire and damage to the vessel’s lower stern hull.

Investigators examined debris from unknown objects discovered inside the ship following the strike on the vessel.

The examination revealed that the ship, called Namu, was struck twice, with the first warhead failing to detonate while a second one exploded.

Materials found in the debris suggested the objects were manufactured in Iran, according to ministry officials.

“Their engines were similar to turbojet engines made in Iran,” stated First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo, who noted that one piece contained markings that seemed to be from an Iranian manufacturer.

The explosive devices were similar to those found in Iranian anti-ship missiles, specifically the Noor or Qader models, Park explained.

South Korea plans to call in the Iranian ambassador to present the investigation findings and lodge a formal complaint, he announced.

Seoul will also require Iran to implement responsible actions to ensure such incidents don’t happen again, Park stated.

U.S. President Donald Trump declared shortly after the incident that Iran had attacked the South Korean ship, and called on Seoul to participate in U.S.-led initiatives to protect shipping routes through the strait.

Tehran has previously rejected any involvement in the attack.

BUDAPEST, May 27 (Reuters) — Hungarian lawmakers voted Wednesday to maintain their nation’s participation in the International Criminal Court, overturning a 2025 decision by the previous administration under Viktor Orban to exit the organization.

The former government under Orban had chosen to leave the ICC, claiming the judicial body had become “political.” Current Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who defeated Orban in last month’s electoral contest, had promised to maintain Hungary’s ICC membership.

LONDON, May 27 – The Iran conflict has now stretched into its fourth month, creating a stark divide in global financial markets as elevated oil prices fuel fresh concerns about inflation among policymakers, and weakening currencies present challenges for several Asian nations.

However, the ongoing conflict has provided a boost to certain assets, particularly petroleum and the dollar’s status as a secure investment.

Here’s an examination of the notable gainers and those suffering losses.

PETROLEUM’S BROADER CONSEQUENCES

Crude oil’s approximately 40% surge has disrupted expectations for inflation and monetary policy. In physical trading, petroleum prices have climbed well beyond $100 per barrel and reached nearly twice their pre-conflict levels during early April.

A historic 400-million-barrel drawdown from major economies’ strategic stockpiles, combined with traders securing alternative supply sources, has helped offset the supply shortage. However, pressure on the worldwide energy infrastructure continues to mount.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SURGE SUPPORTS EQUITIES

International stock markets have managed to navigate the turbulence thus far, as renewed artificial intelligence enthusiasm and broader expectations for a peace agreement outweigh the conflict’s negative effects.

American equities have reached new peaks, as has South Korea’s Kospi index. European markets are approaching record territory.

SK Hynix achieved a $1 trillion market capitalization for the first time Wednesday, joining fellow memory chip companies Samsung Electronics and Micron Technology in reaching this benchmark during an AI-fueled surge.

However, not every sector is benefiting.

The S&P 500 passenger airlines index has declined more than 6% since hostilities commenced due to worldwide flight disruptions. A global luxury portfolio has dropped 10%, showing investor concerns that inflation might impact consumer spending.

HSBC Private Bank global CIO Willem Sels noted the firm maintains an underweight stance on consumer-related products and services.

“It provides us with a hedge in case the conflict accelerates,” he said. “Consumption has done reasonably okay, certainly in the U.S. where you have better-off households who still consume a lot and are benefiting from AI.”

DOLLAR MAINTAINS DOMINANCE

The dollar has emerged as another beneficiary, with investors turning to its safe-haven characteristics. It has risen 1.5% versus other major currencies since hostilities began, outpacing the Swiss franc and yen.

Climbing U.S. Treasury yields have enhanced the dollar’s attractiveness, though some observers note it continues facing U.S. policy uncertainty and will probably decline when the conflict concludes.

“We are currently neutral but still expect a weaker dollar in the medium term,” said Van Luu, global head of solutions strategy at Russell Investments.

ASIAN CURRENCIES EXPERIENCE PRESSURE

Asia had purchased approximately 80% of petroleum transported through the now-closed Strait of Hormuz, and remaining fuel supplies cost more than previously. This situation is damaging growth and making their currencies among the worst performers since the conflict began.

India’s rupee, Indonesia’s rupiah and the Philippine peso have reached record lows versus the dollar, prompting some nations to raise interest rates or utilize foreign exchange reserves to mitigate the impact.

Sri Lanka surprised markets Tuesday with a 100 basis point increase.

Among Asian currencies, only China’s yuan has maintained stability, supported by significant domestic energy supplies.

ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO WORLDWIDE ECONOMY

The petroleum price spike has also damaged the global economy, especially nations dependent on energy imports.

Within the euro zone, economic activity contracted at its steepest pace in over two-and-a-half years during May, according to S&P’s composite purchasing managers index.

The conflict’s effects are worsening Europe’s financial weaknesses, the European Central Bank cautioned in a Wednesday report.

British firms also reported declining activity alongside rising input costs due to increased energy expenses.

The U.S., which maintains oil and gas independence and where AI investment is climbing, has experienced less economic damage.

Nevertheless, the international nature of petroleum markets means U.S. gasoline prices have reached a four-year peak of $4.56 per gallon.

BONDS SUFFER LOSSES

Government bonds are also among the losing investments, as the petroleum price surge has led traders to consider the possibility of higher rates responding to energy-driven inflation.

Anticipation of increased fiscal and military expenditures has added pressure on longer-term securities.

The Federal Reserve may abandon its easing stance soon, and U.S. 30-year Treasury yields have climbed to their highest levels since 2007, trading above 5%.

German Bund yields have reached their highest point in more than 15 years as traders anticipate at least two ECB rate increases by year’s end.

Israeli military officials announced Wednesday they successfully targeted and eliminated the newly appointed commander of Hamas’ armed forces in Tuesday’s airstrikes on Gaza City, marking another high-profile killing less than two weeks after eliminating his predecessor.

Defense Minister Israel Katz and Israeli military sources confirmed the Tuesday operations resulted in the death of Mohammed Odeh, who they identified as the latest military chief of the organization.

Relatives of an individual named Mohammed Odeh verified his death in the bombing but did not verify his role as the military commander. Hamas leadership has remained silent on the matter.

Katz described him as “one of the architects” of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that sparked more than two years of conflict in Gaza and noted this marks the fourth occasion Israel has eliminated the commander of Hamas’ armed wing since that assault. The prior commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was eliminated on May 16.

Tuesday’s bombing resulted in a minimum of three fatalities and 12 wounded individuals, occurring just before Eid al-Adha, an important Islamic celebration.

“We pledged to eliminate everyone who led the October 7 massacre and this is what we will do: they are all bound to die, everywhere,” Katz posted on X Wednesday. “We pledged that Hamas will not hold civilian or military rule.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces upcoming fall elections, similarly vowed that Israel would pursue all participants in the Oct. 7, 2023, assault.

The bombing occurred while Muslims were making preparations for Eid al-Adha, typically a celebratory period marked by family reunions and festive meals.

The religious observance remains muted again this year throughout Gaza, where the overwhelming majority of residents continue living as refugees in makeshift accommodations following the destructive conflict. Approximately 90% of Gaza’s population exceeding 2 million has lost their residences, based on U.N. data, with most now housed in massive temporary encampments plagued by rodent problems and standing wastewater. Survival depends entirely on humanitarian assistance.

Eid al-Adha, known as the “Feast of Sacrifice,” represents a significant Islamic observance celebrated by millions of Muslims worldwide. The four-day celebration, which coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage, traditionally brings families together while children receive new clothing and presents.

“This is not Eid … we’re dead,” stated Mahmoud Saqer, a refugee from Khan Younis, describing residents as traumatized by the continuing human tragedy and violence throughout the region.

Throughout Khan Younis and Gaza City, surrounded by demolished structures including a destroyed mosque, residents assembled for Eid prayers with minimal festive atmosphere except for occasional balloon displays along one roadway. Tahrir al-Khatib observed that the happiness typically associated with Eid has been extinguished in Gaza.

“There’s no Eid. My children were killed. Eid is only for the people who lost no one,” expressed Ayda Al-Banna, a displaced woman from Gaza City, who attended Eid prayers alongside her granddaughter.

A truce established between Israel and Hamas last October continues to face challenges. Israeli military operations have resulted in over 880 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire began. Israel maintains its operations respond to Hamas violations or dangers to its forces, though Palestinian medical authorities report numerous civilians among the casualties. Four Israeli military personnel have also died during this timeframe in Gaza.

Israel initiated its Gaza campaign following the Hamas assault in October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 individuals taken captive.

Gaza’s Palestinian Health Ministry reports more than 72,700 Palestinians have died from Israeli military action. The ministry, operating under Gaza’s Hamas administration, does not separate civilian and combatant casualties.

BERLIN (AP) — German authorities have taken into custody a Syrian man suspected of helping plan a violent attack at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial that left a Spanish visitor seriously injured earlier this year.

Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that the suspect, identified only as Khalaf A. according to German privacy laws, faces charges of being an accessory to attempted murder and causing bodily harm.

According to investigators, the man spent the day before the February 21, 2025 incident with Wassim Al M., the convicted attacker, and provided encouragement for the planned assault.

Wassim Al M., who is also Syrian, received a 13-year prison sentence in March after being found guilty on multiple charges, including attempted murder and seeking to join a foreign terrorist organization.

Court proceedings revealed that the attacker had traveled from Leipzig to Berlin specifically to conduct an assault on behalf of the Islamic State group.

During sentencing, presiding judge Doris Husch explained that the perpetrator selected the Holocaust Memorial as his target because “he believed he would find people of Jewish faith there.” The attack involved stabbing the Spanish visitor in the throat, followed by the attacker shouting “Allahu akbar,” meaning “God is great.”

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe consists of 2,700 gray concrete blocks situated near the Brandenburg Gate in central Berlin, serving as a tribute to the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

The violent incident occurred just two days prior to Germany’s national election, during which immigration policy emerged as a major campaign topic following several fatal attacks involving immigrants in the preceding months.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Police in an Australian state are developing a heavily armed quick-response unit following a deadly December shooting that claimed 15 lives and injured three officers who carried only handguns during a Sydney Hanukkah event, officials revealed during a government investigation Wednesday.

During testimony at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, which is examining antisemitism’s growth in Australia before the Dec. 14 Bondi Beach incident, New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson outlined a significant weapons disparity.

The department has responded by creating plans for an Armed Response Command, outfitted with semiautomatic rifles, while also restarting a priority operation targeting antisemitic incidents and retaliatory attacks on Muslim communities, Hudson testified.

Previously, rifles in the department were mainly limited to two specialized paramilitary units, he explained.

Two men, identified as father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, allegedly used two shotguns and a hunting rifle to fire upon hundreds of Hanukkah celebrants in a beachside park. Just four officers were on scene, carrying Glock pistols that work effectively only at close range.

“On Dec. 14, our police officers were placed at significant risk being in a gunfight armed with 9 mm Glocks against long arms,” Hudson stated to the commission.

Eleven officers arrived within five minutes of the alleged shooting by the Akrams. Three of those responding officers were among the many people injured in the attack. Officers fatally shot the father and captured the wounded son in under eight minutes from the initial gunfire, Monday’s hearing revealed.

Following the incident, police also reactivated Operation Shelter, which had been created to address rising community tensions following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, Hudson noted.

Hudson had created Operation Shelter as a “high visibility” proactive police initiative to prevent street violence escalation in Sydney. During its busiest period, 200 officers were deployed daily to the operation, which could pull additional personnel from other assignments when needed.

Operation Shelter was functioning “in name only” during the Bondi attack, Hudson said Wednesday, noting that officials quickly restarted the program after the shooting and upgraded it to an “active policing resource” that will continue until the armed response unit becomes fully operational within the next 18 months to two years.

Representatives from European Union member countries approved legislation Wednesday that would eliminate tariffs on numerous American products, according to an EU source familiar with the proceedings. The action is designed to prevent threatened higher U.S. tariffs on European automobiles and other exports.

The agreement originated from negotiations held at a Scottish golf resort owned by President Donald Trump last July. In that arrangement, European officials committed to eliminating tariffs on American industrial products and providing favorable treatment for U.S. agricultural and seafood exports, while accepting 15% American tariffs on most European goods.

Nearly ten months after reaching that initial agreement, European officials have not yet implemented their portion of the arrangement. This delay prompted Trump to warn he would impose “much higher” tariffs on European products if the EU fails to meet its obligations by July 4.

Diplomatic representatives from all 27 EU nations have now approved the legislation needed to implement the tariff reductions. This decision followed negotiations between EU government representatives and European Parliament members last week, which also established protective measures in case the Trump administration violates the trade agreement.

The European Parliament must still approve the legislation. The parliamentary trade committee plans to conduct a preliminary vote next Tuesday, with the full assembly expected to make a final decision in mid-June.

The protective provisions, advocated by EU legislators, include a clause terminating the trade agreement at the end of 2029 and language allowing the European Commission to halt portions of the deal if the United States fails to maintain 15% tariffs on washing machines, wind turbines and other products containing significant steel or aluminum. These items currently face 25% tariffs.

Latvia is bolstering its anti-drone capabilities along borders shared with Russia and Moscow-allied Belarus after unmanned aircraft have crossed into the NATO member nation, according to a military official.

Recent weeks have seen Ukrainian drones drift into Baltic NATO countries’ airspace, creating confusion and heightening tensions with Russia during a period when U.S. dedication to NATO’s mutual defense principles faces scrutiny.

Ukraine, which has been striking Russia’s Baltic oil loading facilities, has attributed the wayward drones to Russian interference with their aircraft’s navigation signals, causing them to deviate from intended flight paths.

On May 7, two such unmanned vehicles detonated at an unoccupied oil storage site in Latvia. Another crashed into a lake on Saturday after entering the country undetected, with a fisherman observing the incident.

An incoming drone prompted Lithuanian legislators in the capital Vilnius to seek underground protection on May 20, while a NATO fighter aircraft destroyed another unmanned vehicle over Estonia on May 19.

“We plan to deploy (drone) interceptor teams over the next two weeks”, Modris Kairiss, head of the Latvian Army Autonomous Systems Competence Centre, told Reuters at a side event of the Drone Summit conference in Latvia.

These units will include up to four soldiers operating from rugged terrain vehicles with killer drones capable of eliminating incoming military aircraft within a 10-km (6-mile) range, he explained.

The quantity of such units patrolling Latvia’s 400-km border with Russia and its ally Belarus remains classified information.

“We do need to increase the number of such teams, but we need to balance this against other army needs. If we put them on every kilometer of the border, we will quickly burn all army resources”, he said.

Speaking at a military testing facility where Latvia is evaluating cutting-edge drone technologies through a NATO program, Kairiss explained that neutralizing military drones during peacetime presents complications, as radar information in NATO nations is classified and distributing it to soldiers responsible for drone destruction proves cumbersome.

“It’s not enough to engage with anything you notice. We need to identify it first”, to avoid hitting a civilian airplane, Kairiss said.

An additional emerging challenge for Latvia’s military, and NATO overall, involves the increasing deployment of small drones, Kairiss noted.

“They are several steps ahead of the anti-drone systems… Detection and interception of the small targets is hard, and it’s the big challenge that soon we will all face,” he said.