Author: Admin

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli defense industry sales have reached unprecedented levels as companies showcase military technology proven effective in recent conflicts, even as international criticism mounts over the country’s wartime actions.

When defense officials contacted Massivit about utilizing its specialized 3D printing capabilities for military drone components, company CEO Yossi Azarzar eagerly agreed to shift focus from entertainment industry clients like Disney, DreamWorks and Netflix.

“I stopped thinking about Hollywood sets,” Azarzar explained. “The entertainment industry is a nice customer — defense is a necessity.”

The Israeli weapons industry has experienced remarkable growth amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza, with Hezbollah, and with Iran. Industry representatives report that nations publicly critical of Israeli arms manufacturers are still discreetly submitting purchase orders. Companies, including those like Massivit without prior military experience, can demonstrate their products undergo continuous battlefield testing and enhancement.

Israeli weapons exports have more than doubled during the past five years, reaching a record $15 billion in 2024, according to the Defense Ministry. Major manufacturers including Elbit and Israel Aerospace Industries both posted double-digit sales increases last year, though complete 2025 statistics remain unreleased.

Missiles, rockets and air-defense systems comprise over half of Israeli arms sales. Israel has now overtaken the United Kingdom as the world’s seventh-largest weapons supplier, marking the first time it achieved this ranking, according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute data from March.

“This tremendous achievement is a direct result of the successes of the (army) and defense industries. … The world sees Israeli strength and seeks to be a partner in it,” stated Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz.

The recent Defense Tech Expo in Tel Aviv demonstrated growing international demand for Israeli military equipment, with manufacturers highlighting weapons and systems developed through recent combat experiences. However, the event also exposed tensions between military technology promotion and political controversy, as protesters condemned Gaza’s widespread destruction as a weapons testing ground.

Spain terminated a contract for anti-tank missile systems from an Israeli company subsidiary last year. Slovenia announced comprehensive bans on weapons imports, exports and transit involving Israel following its Gaza operations. After Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack killed approximately 1,200 people and captured roughly 250 hostages, Israeli retaliation has resulted in over 72,700 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza Health Ministry figures that don’t separate combatants from civilians. Multiple countries and human rights organizations have alleged Israeli war crimes.

Israel’s Defense Ministry maintains its equipment serves defensive purposes and rejects claims of using battlefields for weapons testing.

Human rights advocates assert Israel has introduced new weapons and technologies during Gaza operations, particularly involving artificial intelligence, big data and targeting systems.

“The regional war has drawn heavily on Israel’s deadly playbook and provided a boon to Israeli and other defense and technology companies able to parlay the use of their products in Gaza to attract more business,” said Omar Shakir, executive director of DAWN, a U.S.-based organization founded by murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi promoting Middle Eastern human rights.

While critics argue Israel’s weapons sector profits from battlefield-tested technologies, experts note this practice isn’t unique.

“Countries have had to dramatically increase defenses because of the proliferation of global conflicts and they need systems that will work. And most countries don’t have the time right now to build their own defense systems locally and quickly,” explained Seth J. Frantzman, an adjunct fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies who has monitored Israel’s arms industry for ten years and authored “Drone Wars.”

Many nations turn to Israel because they witness real-time proof these munitions and systems function effectively, he noted.

Massivit’s sales have skyrocketed since transitioning to military drone component production, including a 200% increase in buyer inquiries following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, Azarzar reported.

The company’s specialized 3D printing creates large drone components within days rather than weeks. Beyond Israeli military contracts, the technology has attracted European, American, Southeast Asian and Indian defense and aerospace interest.

Other defense contractors report similar success.

Tomer Malchi, co-founder and CEO of ASIO, said Israeli army orders for the company’s ruggedized Orion smartphone have jumped 400% since Gaza fighting began.

These devices employ mapping, augmentation and artificial intelligence to assist soldiers with mission planning, navigation and real-time threat response. ASIO recently concluded agreements with a major U.S. defense contractor and maintains discussions with approximately 20 additional countries, Malchi said.

Israel’s Defense Ministry identifies anti-drone technology as a future innovation priority, citing challenges encountered during Iranian conflicts. Drones prove difficult to detect on radar systems designed for high-speed missiles and may be confused with birds or aircraft.

Israel Weapon Industries has created a system enabling soldiers to more precisely eliminate tactical drones. At a central Israeli shooting range, an IWI instructor demonstrated the technology by firing at a mock drone target. A computer chip integrated into soldiers’ rifles provides enhanced accuracy and efficiency while significantly reducing fatigue and other human factors by maintaining trigger pressure.

The Arbel system launched in 2024 and now serves over two dozen countries, according to Semion Dukhan, IWI’s European operations head.

IWI’s customers include nations that have publicly rejected Israeli business relationships, though Dukhan declined to identify them.

“People and politicians say things they need to say … what they say is not necessarily what is going on underneath the surface,” he observed, noting countries ultimately seek optimal equipment for their personnel.

Citizens in Lithuania’s capital city were ordered to seek immediate shelter Wednesday after military officials detected drone activity close to the Belarus border, highlighting security anxieties among NATO’s eastern member countries amid Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Military authorities issued an emergency alert instructing people throughout the capital region to “immediately head to a shelter or a safe place.”

The warning, which remained active for approximately one hour, prompted officials to shut down airspace above the city’s main airport. President Gitanas Nauseda and Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene were moved to secure locations, while Lithuania’s parliament, known as the Seimas, was also evacuated according to BNS news agency reports.

This marked the first significant emergency that forced citizens and government officials in a European Union and NATO member capital to seek shelter since Russia launched its comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Lithuania shares borders with Russia-allied Belarus on its eastern side and Russia’s Kaliningrad territory to the west. Wednesday’s emergency alert followed military detection of drone movement within Belarus, though no unmanned aircraft were observed flying over Lithuanian territory.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised the alliance’s handling of multiple recent drone incidents on Wednesday, describing the response as “a calm, decisive and proportionate response.” Rutte stated: “This is exactly what we planned and prepared for,” while attributing the situation to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Over recent months, Ukrainian drones targeting Russia have repeatedly entered or crashed within NATO member territory. Western authorities have attributed these incidents to suspected Russian electronic interference with the unmanned aircraft. Russia has escalated its warnings that it would strike back if Ukrainian drones are launched from Baltic nations or if those countries assist in their deployment against Russian targets.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys posted on social media Tuesday evening that “Russia is deliberately redirecting Ukrainian drones into Baltic airspace while waging smear campaigns” against Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. “It’s a transparent act of desperation — an attempt to sow chaos and distract from a simple reality: (Ukraine) is hitting Russian military machine hard.”

Budrys made this statement just hours after a NATO aircraft destroyed a Ukrainian drone above southern Estonia. Ukraine issued an apology for the “unintended incident,” though did not provide details about what occurred.

Latvia’s government fell apart last week following disagreements about managing several incidents involving wandering drones believed to originate from Ukraine. The defense minister was compelled to step down after his political party withdrew support, leading the prime minister to also resign. The ruling coalition had faced pressure for months due to various other disputes.

As aerial attacks have intensified recently, Russia and Ukraine have occasionally launched hundreds of drones daily against each other.

Ukraine’s air force reported Wednesday that it destroyed 131 of 154 drones Russia sent overnight. The unmanned aircraft that penetrated air defenses resulted in three civilian deaths and injured 18 others, including two children, according to officials.

Ukraine maintained its aerial offensive against Russia’s critical oil infrastructure, with military leadership reporting overnight strikes on a significant Russian oil refinery and a pipeline pumping facility.

Russian media also suggested that a chemical facility in the southern Stavropol region was struck and ignited, though local authorities did not verify any direct impact.

The United Kingdom government, which strongly backs Ukraine’s military efforts, has relaxed strict penalties on Russian oil processed into diesel and jet fuel in third countries as fuel costs increase due to the Iran conflict.

The exemption takes effect Wednesday and reflects mounting supply worries about specific fuels caused by the effective closure of the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping route.

This action follows U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s announcement two days earlier that Washington was providing a 30-day extension allowing countries to import Russian oil currently aboard ships at sea, designed to address oil supply shortages.

The decision represents a continuing policy shift by the Trump administration, which had previously indicated that Russian oil sanctions would be reinstated. Initially declared in early March, the temporary suspension of sanctions received its first extension in April.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Indonesian government is implementing sweeping new rules that will place state-owned companies in charge of exporting crucial natural resources, including palm oil, coal, and iron alloys.

Speaking to parliament on Wednesday, President Prabowo Subianto revealed that Indonesia has suffered losses of up to $908 billion from commodities being sold below their true value on international markets. Enhanced government oversight will generate additional revenue for state budgets, he explained, calling the practice of underreporting exports to avoid taxes “fraud or deception.”

“The primary objective of this policy is to strengthen oversight and monitoring — and to combat under-invoicing, transfer pricing and the diversion of export proceeds,” Prabowo said.

Indonesia dominates global markets as the top supplier of thermal coal and palm oil. The Southeast Asian country, home to approximately 287 million people, also possesses the planet’s largest confirmed nickel deposits — a strategic mineral both China and the United States are vying to secure.

Currently, government-owned companies manage just a small fraction of Indonesia’s commodity export operations, according to industry analysts.

Enhanced government involvement will provide Indonesia with stronger “bargaining power” when negotiating with major world powers seeking access to the nation’s abundant natural resources, according to Dinita Setyawati from the energy research organization Ember.

The centralized commodity management approach might also help Indonesia tackle persistent environmental damage from excessive resource extraction, she noted, though success will hinge on proper policy execution.

“There’s going to be a question of trust,” Setyawati said. “Most notoriously, corruption needs to be watched to make sure that everything goes according to what it should be.”

In recent months, authorities have intensified efforts against illegal mining activities. The administration has promoted domestic processing of materials like coal and nickel, implementing a ban on unprocessed nickel ore exports in 2020.

This week’s declaration from Prabowo represents the administration’s most significant step toward direct commodity oversight, said Putra Adhiguna from the Energy Shift Institute, a Jakarta-based research group.

He explained the measures will increase government income and help offset budget gaps created by expanded subsidies designed to shield consumers from elevated fuel costs resulting from energy market disruptions linked to the Iran conflict. This could substantially affect the nation’s economy.

Indonesia’s central bank increased its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point to 5.25% on Wednesday, primarily responding to the declining value of the rupiah currency.

The export oversight initiative’s initial stage is scheduled for June through August, when private firms will transfer their trading operations to government-owned enterprises. State companies are projected to oversee all commercial transactions between international purchasers and domestic suppliers by September.

“This policy will optimize tax revenue and government revenue, as well as the management and sale of our natural resources,” Prabowo said. He continued that “we do not want our revenue to be the lowest simply because we lack the courage to manage what belongs to us, what belongs to the Indonesian people.”

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Civilians in Tehran are now being taught how to use Kalashnikov-style assault rifles by members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in public demonstrations. Military parades through the city showcase vehicles equipped with Soviet-era machine guns, while a ballistic missile similar to those used against Israel was recently displayed at a mass wedding ceremony.

These public displays of armaments have become commonplace in Tehran, serving as a bold statement of resistance as U.S. President Donald Trump warns he might resume military action against Iran if diplomatic talks fail and the nation continues controlling the Strait of Hormuz.

The military exhibitions underscore real security concerns Iran is grappling with: Trump has hinted that American troops might forcibly seize Iran’s enriched uranium supplies and has previously acknowledged providing weapons to Kurdish forces for distribution to anti-government demonstrators.

However, these shows also serve to bolster and inspire hardline supporters while providing rare public spectacle during uncertain times, as citizens deal with widespread job losses, business shutdowns, and soaring costs for food, medicine, and essential items. The implication that more hardliners will be armed could also help prevent future uprisings against Iran’s religious government, which brutally crushed nationwide protests in January through a crackdown that activists claim resulted in more than 7,000 deaths and tens of thousands of arrests.

“This is necessary for all our people to get trained because we are in a war situation these days,” said Ali Mofidi, a 47-year-old Tehran resident at a weapons training Tuesday night. “If necessary, everyone should be available and know how to use a gun.”

For months, state-controlled television and government text messages have flooded citizens with appeals to join the “Janfada,” meaning “ones who sacrifice their lives.” At one time, hardliners urged families with sons as young as 12 to send them to Revolutionary Guard checkpoint duties — a practice Amnesty International condemned as a war crime.

Government leaders claim more than 30 million Iranians — in a nation of approximately 90 million — have signed up through online registration or at public events to give their lives for Iran’s theocracy. This number cannot be independently verified, and there has been no evidence of large-scale mobilization similar to what Ukraine experienced before Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion, when authorities distributed weapons and citizens collaborated to create gasoline bombs.

Nevertheless, there have been multiple public announcements and television presenters have appeared with weapons during live state TV broadcasts as part of efforts to stoke enthusiasm.

“Looking back at the moment I registered my name, I realize I wasn’t truly contemplating the dangers of fighting on the front lines. In that moment, like everyone else, my thoughts were solely on Iran,” wrote journalist Soheila Zarfam in a column for the state-owned Tehran Times newspaper. “My life might end, but Iran would endure, and that was all that truly mattered.”

Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi has criticized the public weapons demonstrations, particularly footage of young boys handling assault rifles, saying: “Scenes like these are reminiscent of child hostage-taking and arming by groups such as Boko Haram in Nigeria, and militias in Sudan and Congo.”

A recent government-organized demonstration by nomads in Iran saw them carrying everything from bolt-action Lee–Enfield rifles of the British Empire to a blunderbuss, a predecessor of the shotgun more familiar to the age of pirates on the high seas.

But during weeks of an unsteady ceasefire, most of the weapon demonstrations appear focused on Tehran, not the rural areas where there is a tradition of keeping rifles and shotguns at home.

At a demonstration Tuesday night in Tehran, male and female participants divided into separate classes. Hadi Khoosheh, a member of the Revolutionary Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force and trainer, demonstrated how to handle a folding-stock Kalashnikov-style assault rifle.

“At the end of the training those who completed the course will receive a card titled ‘Janfada,’ proving they have received basic and preliminary training for this type of gun and they are able to use it if, God forbid, something happens to our country,” Khoosheh said.

However, the weapons training was rudimentary at best for the young boys and older men gathered. One struggled to insert the rifle’s magazine and inadvertently pointed the barrel of the unloaded weapon at others — a major safety breach that people are taught to avoid in basic firearms training.

“Definitely we will stand against (the Americans) and won’t give up even an inch of our soil,” said Mofidi, the man at the training. “No matter if they come from the sea or land, we will stand by our flag.”

Turkey’s top diplomat will address fellow NATO foreign ministers this week regarding the upcoming alliance summit scheduled for the Turkish capital in July, according to a foreign ministry official who spoke Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to participate in NATO foreign ministers’ discussions on Thursday and Friday in Helsingborg, Sweden.

The Turkish capital will serve as the venue for the next NATO leaders’ gathering on July 7-8.

According to the ministry source, Fidan plans to outline Turkey’s goals for the Ankara meeting and update partner nations on Turkish preparations to make the event a significant occasion that reinforces NATO’s unity and integrity.

The foreign minister will also share details about Turkey’s NATO contributions and showcase “Turkey’s best practices regarding the conversion of defence expenditure into capabilities.”

Fidan intends to stress the importance of advancing transatlantic defense industry partnerships within NATO without limitations.

Another Turkish diplomatic official indicated that members of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), which includes several Middle Eastern nations, along with Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Australia — referred to as the Indo-Pacific Four — might receive invitations to participate in the Ankara summit at the foreign minister level.

The official noted that NATO member countries will reach consensus in the coming days regarding summit attendees, with potential discussion of this matter during the Sweden gathering.

LONDON (AP) — British officials have discreetly relaxed restrictions on Russian oil imports in a bid to protect citizens from rising living costs caused by the blockage of a crucial Middle Eastern shipping route.

New trade permissions that took effect Wednesday allow the importation of Russian crude that has been processed into jet fuel and diesel by third-party nations, including India and Turkey.

The conflict between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran, along with Iran’s blockade of the strait, has caused global fuel costs to skyrocket and raised fears about jet fuel availability. Approximately one-fifth of global oil typically moves through this waterway.

U.K. Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson stated the modifications are “for a time limited period and on a very specific issue.”

Since Russia launched its comprehensive invasion in 2022, Britain has stood as one of Ukraine’s most steadfast supporters, with officials maintaining that their Russian sanctions remain among the world’s most stringent.

However, lawmaker Emily Thornberry, who chairs Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, warned that Ukrainians would “feel very let down” by this decision. She argued that Ukraine’s partners should continue pressuring Russia’s petroleum sector because it “is absolutely crippling their economy.”

American officials have similarly loosened Russian restrictions. This week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent approved a 30-day sanctions exemption permitting purchases of Russian oil shipments currently in transit.

Tuesday saw finance ministers from the United States, Britain and other Group of Seven developed countries release a collective statement confirming “our unwavering commitment to continue to impose severe costs on Russia in response to its continued aggression against Ukraine.”

NEW DELHI (AP) — Among the bustling streets of New Delhi, where three-wheeled auto-rickshaws often serve as moving advertisements, travelers are encountering an unexpected sight: portraits of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The image appears alongside the message “Happy Birthday America!”

Roughly 100 three-wheelers displaying prominent pictures of Trump and the Statue of Liberty have emerged throughout India’s capital over recent weeks. In a metropolis where countless rickshaw backs typically showcase advertisements for obscure medical clinics, language schools and natural health products, the American promotional material is particularly noticeable.

U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor launched this distinctive marketing effort last month. The campaign represents part of America’s wider initiative to commemorate the nation’s 250th independence milestone, featuring festivities, cultural programs and public engagement activities across multiple nations.

When revealing the program on social media last month, the U.S. Embassy declared, “Freedom is on the move … literally!”

The embassy also encouraged Delhi residents to hail these specially marked vehicles, stating, “Catch them if you can — they’ll be popping up all over Delhi soon.”

The United States aims to repair diplomatic relationships with India following tensions created by Trump’s trade policies, which increased tariffs on various Indian products. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is anticipated to arrive in New Delhi this weekend.

However, numerous auto-rickshaw operators find the campaign meaningless.

Ganesh Kumar, whose rickshaw displays one of the Trump advertisements, explained he initially declined when campaign organizers contacted him.

“I told them I didn’t want it,” Kumar stated. However, he changed his mind after organizers presented him with an appealing offer.

“They said, ‘Please let us put (the poster). We’ll give you a packet of tea,’” he recalled.

Pradeep Kumar, another driver, mentioned he accepted the poster primarily because his auto-rickshaw’s covering was damaged and required replacement.

When questioned about his understanding of the advertisement’s message, Kumar responded: “I know he is Trump. Don’t know much other than that.”

While German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces declining public support, far-right politician Ulrich Siegmund from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is experiencing a surge in popularity that could make history.

Supported by national polling that shows his party leading Merz’s conservative coalition by up to 7 percentage points, the 35-year-old politician anticipates becoming Germany’s first AfD state leader following September elections in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.

Months before formal campaign activities begin, Siegmund has been connecting with constituents through “citizen dialogues” to build support.

“People have simply had enough. They want their old, safe Germany back,” he explained to Reuters following a gathering in Halberstadt last week, where supporters lined up for photos. “There’s a wonderful sense of a new beginning in the state. And that’s exactly what we need.”

The town of Halberstadt, home to approximately 40,000 residents and featuring a medieval cathedral and traditional half-timbered architecture, defies the stereotype of economic decline often associated with former East Germany.

Despite challenges facing its traditional smoked sausage industry, the community has attracted significant investment, including a 500 million euro ($580 million) Daimler Truck logistics facility that employs 450 people. A renovated downtown shopping area is scheduled to open next month.

Nevertheless, Halberstadt hasn’t escaped the broader pessimism affecting Germany as global economic conditions deteriorate and Chinese competition threatens the nation’s manufacturing sector.

“People aren’t actually doing that badly,” observed Halberstadt mayor Daniel Szarata, a member of Merz’s Christian Democrat party. “But uncertain times always fuel fear.”

Throughout Europe, traditional political parties have lost support to groups like the AfD, which received slightly more than 20% in last year’s election and now polls at 29% according to a recent INSA survey, similar to Britain’s Reform Party, which gained significantly in recent local contests.

In Berlin, Merz’s coalition of conservatives and center-left Social Democrats has struggled with reform efforts while attempting to revitalize a job-shedding economy.

The administration has emphasized its immigration restrictions, a key issue driving AfD support since former Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed over one million refugees in 2015.

However, Merz’s personal approval ratings have dropped to as low as 16% in Infratest dimap polling, as international conflicts have increased energy costs and the economy approaches stagnation.

The regional AfD chapter, which claims Germany faces losing its national character to widespread immigration and progressive social policies, has been labeled “far-right extremist” by the Saxony-Anhalt branch of the Verfassungsschutz, Germany’s internal security agency.

This designation hasn’t damaged the party’s electoral prospects. Current polling in Saxony-Anhalt, which has fewer foreign residents than more industrialized western regions, shows support reaching 41%, approaching the threshold needed for single-party governance.

“I like the fact they want to do something for us Germans,” said Ruediger Printky, one of hundreds attending Siegmund’s presentation. “Everything’s getting more expensive. And nobody is doing anything right. When I look at fuel prices and what the government has done, it’s a disaster.”

Established parties have committed to avoiding cooperation with the AfD through a “firewall” approach intended to prevent its participation in coalition governments.

But Siegmund, who views Saxony-Anhalt as a stepping stone toward national AfD success, declares his intention to govern independently.

The firewall represents an attack on democratic principles, he argued, “and that’s why here in Saxony-Anhalt, we’re saying quite clearly we have to go it alone.”

Through Germany’s federal structure, state administrations oversee education, law enforcement and domestic security, while participating in national governance via the upper parliamentary chamber, the Bundesrat. A far-right electoral victory would send shockwaves throughout the nation.

In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD disputes claims that it threatens democratic institutions, while making clear its plans for substantial changes. The possibility of controlling the interior ministry and regional security services concerns government officials.

“If we take control of the interior ministry, we will be responsible for the Verfassungsschutz. Then we’ll have a look at the files,” stated Christian Hecht, an AfD state legislator who shared the platform with Siegmund in Halberstadt.

Szarata described the polling figures as “very, very alarming” while expressing hope that voters would reconsider their choices at the ballot box.

“They [the AfD] have the advantage that they have never had to prove they can run anything,” he explained. “People are investing their hopes, though honestly, I don’t think those hopes will be fulfilled.”

Siegmund, who maintains an approachable demeanor and substantial TikTok presence, rejects criticisms about lack of governing experience, blaming established parties for current problems while attacking the media, Merz’s coalition, transgender rights advocates and environmental activists.

In the packed auditorium, attendee Rene Doering seemed persuaded by the message. “You just have to give them a chance,” he commented.

BEIJING – Three people were wounded during a stabbing incident at a Shanghai dining establishment on Tuesday, according to China’s foreign ministry officials who spoke Wednesday.

The victims included two citizens from Japan and one Chinese citizen who were attacked by an individual described as having mental health problems, ministry representatives confirmed.

“The injured were promptly taken to hospital for treatment, and the suspect has been apprehended by police,” ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during a regular press conference.

The attack occurred at a restaurant in Shanghai, with all three victims receiving immediate medical attention following the incident.

WARSAW, May 20 – Poland’s defense minister stated that no decisions have been made regarding reducing American military forces in Poland, and that recent US actions may only postpone their deployment temporarily. The minister made these remarks following a meeting with US Vice Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Christopher Mahoney.

On Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance informed reporters that a US military deployment to Poland had been postponed, while clarifying that it would be incorrect to characterize this as withdrawing troops from Europe.

Russian military forces conducted a large-scale nuclear weapons training exercise this week, releasing video footage that officials say shows troops transporting nuclear warheads to mobile launch platforms and positioning them at deployment sites.

The country’s Defence Ministry announced that military units practiced achieving “the highest levels of combat readiness for the use of nuclear weapons” during the training operation.

The exercise spanned three days beginning Tuesday and took place throughout Russia and Belarus, occurring amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Western nations over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russian officials describe the situation as an existential confrontation with the West.

According to the Defence Ministry, the massive drill involved 64,000 military personnel along with more than 200 missile launchers, 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships and 13 submarines. The training included practicing launch procedures for Russian tactical nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus.

Released training footage depicted Russian nuclear forces traveling in convoy formation through dense forest areas, concealing their equipment with camouflage, and positioning launch tubes for firing.

The Iskander-M missile system featured in the exercise has a maximum range of 500 kilometers (310 miles) and can be equipped with either nuclear or conventional warheads.

Recovery operations have concluded for a tragic diving incident in the Maldives that claimed five Italian lives, with officials announcing Wednesday that the final two bodies have been brought to the surface from a deepwater cave.

The fatal accident involved five Italian divers who had obtained proper authorization to conduct coral research at the Devana Kandu location. The team was exploring an underwater cave system when the tragedy unfolded last week.

Officials from the Maldives president’s media office confirmed the completion of recovery efforts for what has become the island nation’s most devastating diving incident on record. Investigators are examining several potential factors that may have contributed to the deaths, including the possibility that the diving team went much deeper than anticipated.

“Both remaining divers recovered from the cave and brought to the surface,” a media office representative stated Wednesday. The official confirmed that all recovered remains have been transported to a morgue facility in Male, the nation’s capital.

The research expedition was headed by Monica Montefalcone, 51, a University of Genoa professor and marine ecologist who was a regular diver in Maldivian waters in the Indian Ocean, and also included her daughter.

Recovery efforts began Friday when the team instructor’s body was retrieved. Two additional divers’ remains were brought up Tuesday after Finnish specialists were brought in to assist with the complex operation.

The search and recovery mission also claimed another life when a Maldives National Defence Force diver participating in the effort died Saturday from decompression illness while attempting to locate the bodies.

MOSCOW, May 20 – Russia’s biggest bank is looking to Chinese manufacturers for computer processors to run its artificial intelligence platform, according to statements made during President Vladimir Putin’s recent trip to China, as ongoing Western sanctions prevent access to cutting-edge technology from abroad.

“We are hoping that we will be able to use Chinese microchips for GigaChat,” Chief Executive German Gref told state broadcaster Channel One.

The AI system GigaChat was created by Sberbank, the nation’s top financial institution, which has been leading Russia’s advancement into artificial intelligence technology.

The financial institution’s attempts to purchase sophisticated processors from China are meeting intense competition, as China’s largest internet companies, including ByteDance, Tencent, and Alibaba, are also scrambling to secure orders for Huawei’s Ascend 950 AI processors.

The Ascend 950, representing China’s most sophisticated chip technology, still falls behind U.S.-based Nvidia’s H200 model in capabilities. Gref did not specify which particular processors Sberbank was attempting to purchase.

Russia lags behind the leading AI nations, the United States and China, in technological development and relies extensively on foreign electronics for critical sectors, including defense applications. China serves as its primary source for such technological hardware.

The highest court in the Philippines has turned down a senator’s attempt to prevent authorities from arresting him and handing him over to the International Criminal Court.

On Wednesday, the Philippine Supreme Court denied Senator Ronald dela Rosa’s request for a temporary restraining order that would have blocked his detention. The former police chief’s current location remains unknown.

The International Criminal Court seeks dela Rosa on charges of crimes against humanity connected to his involvement in the deadly anti-drug operations that took place when Rodrigo Duterte served as president from 2016 to 2022. The senator has rejected claims that he participated in unlawful killings.

Last week, Philippine officials confirmed they were working to detain the former top police official who spearheaded the controversial crackdown. In his court filing, dela Rosa contended that domestic law enforcement lacked the legal power to carry out an arrest warrant from an international tribunal.

This court ruling represents another development in an unfolding drama that has captivated the Philippines since the beginning of last week and removes a barrier to his detention.

After staying hidden for six months, dela Rosa surfaced last week and sought sanctuary in the Senate building for several days. He then disappeared in the early morning hours of May 14, following a chaotic night marked by gunshots after he requested assistance and claimed his arrest was approaching.

The outspoken dela Rosa served as Duterte’s primary lieutenant in implementing a violent campaign that resulted in thousands of suspected drug traffickers being killed during police raids.

When the operation was at its height, murders of people who used drugs increased sharply, with law enforcement attributing these deaths to vigilante groups and territorial disputes.

Human rights organizations state that determining an exact number of casualties may be impossible and claim police conducted systematic executions and concealed evidence, allegations that officers reject while maintaining that victims were armed and fought back during arrests.

Duterte is presently held in The Hague following his arrest last year and faces trial on crimes against humanity charges. He continues to assert his innocence.

Dela Rosa’s legal representative did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

The court noted that although it rejected the restraining order request, other matters raised in the senator’s legal filing still require consideration.

On Friday, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida stated that authorities will “definitely” move to apprehend dela Rosa and carry out the ICC warrant.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung condemned Israel’s detention of South Korean citizens in international waters during a Wednesday cabinet meeting, describing the actions as inappropriate.

The president stated that the South Korean nationals were held for reasons that do not meet international law standards, and questioned whether such conduct should go unchallenged.

Lee also commented that he thinks numerous European nations would be prepared to detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu based on International Criminal Court warrants, though he emphasized that Seoul needs to reach its own conclusions on this issue.

The Trump administration plans to reveal criminal charges against former Cuban president Raul Castro on Wednesday, representing an escalation in Washington’s pressure tactics against the Caribbean nation’s communist leadership.

The charges targeting Castro, age 94, will reportedly stem from a 1996 incident where Cuban military aircraft shot down planes operated by Cuban exile pilots, according to a U.S. Justice Department official who spoke to Reuters anonymously last week.

The Miami U.S. Attorney’s office has scheduled an event beginning at 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT) to commemorate victims of the incident. The Justice Department announced Tuesday it would make a statement alongside the ceremony, though officials declined to elaborate on the announcement’s specifics.

President Donald Trump has pursued regime change in Cuba, where communist leaders have maintained power since Raul Castro’s late brother Fidel Castro spearheaded a revolution in 1959.

The U.S. has essentially established a blockade against the island nation by threatening sanctions on countries providing fuel supplies, causing power outages and damaging Cuba’s already weakened economy.

Cuba has not yet responded directly to the indictment threat, though Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez showed defiance in public statements on May 15.

“Despite the (U.S.) embargo, sanctions and threats of the use of force, Cuba continues on a path of sovereignty towards its socialist development,” Rodriguez said.

BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE

Born in 1931, Raul Castro played a crucial role with his older brother in the guerrilla campaign that overthrew U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.

He participated in defeating the U.S.-organized Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, and held the defense minister position for decades. He took over from his brother as president and continues as an influential behind-the-scenes presence in Cuban politics.

He held the defense minister role during the 1996 incident.

The two small aircraft that were destroyed were operated by Brothers to the Rescue, a Miami-based organization of Cuban exile pilots. All four crew members were killed.

The organization stated its purpose was searching the Florida Straits for Cuban refugees fleeing the island, and regularly conducted flights near the Cuban coastline.

The Cuban government has maintained the attack was a justified response to aircraft violating Cuban airspace. Fidel Castro stated Cuba’s military acted under “standing orders” to destroy planes entering Cuban airspace. He claimed Raul Castro did not issue a specific command to shoot down the planes.

The U.S. condemned the attack and implemented sanctions, but did not pursue criminal charges against either Castro brother. The Justice Department charged three Cuban military officers in 2003 but they were never extradited.

The International Civil Aviation Organization later determined the shootdown occurred over international waters.

TRUMP SAYS CUBA ‘IS NEXT’

Filing criminal charges against a U.S. adversary like Castro would mirror the earlier drug-trafficking indictment of imprisoned former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, an ally of Havana’s.

The Trump administration referenced that indictment as justification for the January 3 raid on Caracas by the U.S. military in which Maduro was captured and transported to New York to face the charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

Trump claims Cuba’s communist government is corrupt, and in March warned that Cuba “is next” after Venezuela.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated on Monday that any U.S. military action against Cuba would result in a “bloodbath” and that the island poses no threat.

A former Polish deputy government official facing corruption allegations may have escaped Hungary by crossing into Serbia, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar during a Tuesday evening interview with private television network TVN24.

Magyar is currently visiting Poland for two days, and discussions on Wednesday may address how former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro and his deputy Marcin Romanowski—both sought by Warsaw prosecutors—managed to exit Hungary before Magyar assumed leadership.

Prosecutors allege that Ziobro and Romanowski improperly used money from a crime victim assistance fund and deployed surveillance software against political adversaries. Hungary’s previous leader Viktor Orban had granted both men asylum protection.

While Ziobro is currently in the United States, where Reuters reported Monday that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau directed State Department officials to process and approve his visa, Romanowski’s current location remains unknown.

Speaking through an interpreter, Magyar told TVN24: “From what I understand, Ziobro… left through the Schengen Area about a day before my inauguration,” referencing the European Union’s border-free travel zone.

“I just spoke with my colleagues, and… there are signs that Mr Romanowski also left through Serbia, but this information is not yet confirmed,” Magyar added.

Serbian foreign ministry officials did not respond immediately to requests for comment after business hours.

On Wednesday, Magyar is scheduled to meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Karol Nawrocki in Warsaw. Magyar and Tusk will then travel north to the port city of Gdansk for a meeting with former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa.

According to a knowledgeable source, Warsaw intends to provide Budapest with access to U.S. liquefied natural gas through a new Gdansk terminal expected to begin operations in 2028. Orlen is already supplying U.S. LNG to Ukraine.

During his TVN24 interview, Magyar expressed Hungary’s desire for more affordable gas prices for LNG deliveries.

“It’s not yet a great, competitive price,” he stated. “We would be the happiest if there was a lower transit fee, or if the European Union could be persuaded to make the gas arriving via LNG more competitive.”

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te announced Wednesday that he would seek to discuss ongoing U.S. weapons sales with President Donald Trump if the opportunity arose, describing such purchases as vital for maintaining peace while emphasizing that outside powers cannot determine the island’s destiny.

The statement comes as Lai reaches the midpoint of his four-year presidency, facing increased pressure from China, which views Taiwan as a rebellious territory that must be brought under Beijing’s control through military action if needed. Recent comments from Trump have also sparked worries about America’s longstanding backing of Taiwan despite the absence of official diplomatic relations.

During a press conference, Lai outlined what he would communicate to Trump, stressing that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait remains vital for worldwide security. He characterized China as the force undermining peace in the waterway.

The Taiwanese leader explained he would inform Trump that Taiwan’s growing military spending responds to security threats, and that purchasing American weapons serves as a critical tool for preserving regional stability. “Only strength can bring peace,” Lai declared.

“No country has the right to annex Taiwan,” Lai said at the news briefing. “Democracy and freedom should also not be seen as provocation.”

He expressed enthusiasm for expanded collaboration between Taiwan, the United States, and other democratic nations in advancing peace across the strait.

During the previous week, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a stern message to the U.S., warning Trump at their Beijing meeting that the “Taiwan question” represents the most critical matter in Chinese-American relations. Xi cautioned that both countries will “have clashes and even conflicts” without proper handling of the issue.

Trump had previously authorized a historic $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan in December. Speaking on Fox News last Friday following his China visit, Trump indicated his approval of an additional $14 billion arms deal for Taiwan would depend on China’s response, calling it “a very good negotiating chip.”

Trump later informed reporters he needed to speak with Taiwan’s leader, though he did not mention Lai by name. Beijing has labeled Lai a separatist.

In Wednesday’s address, Lai emphasized that democracy does not come without effort.

“Taiwan’s future cannot be decided by external forces, nor can it be hijacked by fear, division, or short-term interests,” he stated, without identifying specific external actors.

He noted Taiwan’s readiness to participate in constructive exchanges with China based on equality and respect, while strongly opposing united front strategies that “package unification as peace.”

Apart from geopolitical concerns, Taiwan plays a crucial role in manufacturing artificial intelligence servers, computer processors, and advanced equipment. The AI surge has driven Taiwan’s top technology firms to unprecedented profits and sales. However, experts express concern about the island’s dependence on semiconductor manufacturers and tech companies, which could pose risks if the AI trend proves unsustainable.

Lai announced plans for a $3.1 billion initiative to speed up modernization and transformation of smaller businesses and traditional industries, with technology sectors leading conventional industries forward.

In Beijing, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, criticized Lai’s Sunday Facebook post that blamed China for altering the status quo. According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, she called his statement full of “lies and deception, hostility and confrontation.”

She claimed Lai remained committed to Taiwan independence while promoting division and conflict across the strait.

“(Lai) is the destroyer of the status quo of Taiwan’s strait,” Xinhua reported her saying.

Devastating flooding across several Chinese provinces has resulted in at least 12 fatalities and prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, according to state media reports.

China’s state television network CCTV announced Wednesday that five people died and 11 remain unaccounted for in Shimen County within Hunan province in central China following severe rainfall in the area. Emergency rescue teams are actively searching for survivors. More than 19,000 residents had been moved to safety by Tuesday evening, according to the Chinese official news agency Xinhua.

The county experienced an extraordinary 339 millimeters (approximately 13 inches) of precipitation in a single 24-hour span that concluded Monday morning at 7 a.m., Xinhua reported. One community within the county saw 240 millimeters (roughly 9 inches) fall in mere hours, establishing new rainfall records.

Adjacent Hubei province witnessed roadways transformed into waterways, requiring emergency teams to use inflatable watercraft for resident rescues. Multiple homes were either flooded or destroyed, Xinhua stated. As of Tuesday morning, three fatalities and four missing persons were reported in that province.

CCTV also announced Tuesday that severe precipitation and flooding in southwestern Guizhou Province resulted in four deaths with five people still missing. The flooding damaged homes, destroyed roadways, and knocked out communication systems in various locations. More than 3,700 residents required relocation from one affected area, Xinhua reported.

In an unrelated incident, 10 people lost their lives when a pickup truck plunged from a bridge in the southern Guangxi region on Saturday, according to Xinhua.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Wednesday that diplomatic relations between his nation and China have reached historic heights during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.

During their discussions on May 20, Putin also extended an invitation for Xi to make an official visit to Russia next year, signaling the continued strengthening of ties between the two world powers.

BEIJING — Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for high-level discussions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, a diplomatic encounter occurring just days following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent journey to China.

Putin received a formal welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People from Xi. Following the ceremonial reception, both delegations engaged in bilateral discussions, with plans for a signing ceremony of cooperative agreements.

The timing of Putin’s arrival, coming shortly after Trump’s Beijing trip, serves to reinforce China’s position as a major global diplomatic power, according to analysts.

“The message is clearly one that China maintains friendship and strategic partnership with whichever power it likes, and the USA is just one of them,” said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov previously stated there was “no connection” between Trump and Putin’s visits, explaining that the Russian leader’s trip was arranged several days following a Feb. 4 videoconference between Putin and Xi.

The agenda for the Russian and Chinese leaders includes discussions on energy cooperation, security matters, and broader diplomatic relations. According to Chinese state media reports, both nations agreed to extend a friendship treaty originally established in 2001.

Following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, China emerged as Russia’s leading trade partner. Beijing maintains it remains neutral in the conflict while continuing commercial relationships with the Kremlin despite U.S. and European economic and financial sanctions.

China serves as the primary buyer of Russian oil and gas exports, with Moscow anticipating increased demand due to the war in Iran. China has also disregarded Western demands to cease providing high-tech components for Russia’s weapons industries.

According to Ushakov, Russian oil exports to China increased by 35% during the first quarter of 2026, with Russia ranking among China’s largest natural gas suppliers.

During “the crisis in the Middle East,” Russia continues as a dependable energy provider while China remains a “responsible consumer,” Ushakov stated.

Earlier this month, Putin highlighted that Moscow and Beijing achieved “a very substantial step forward in our cooperation in the oil and gas sector.”

“Practically all the key issues have been agreed upon,” he said. “If we succeed in finalizing these details and bringing them to a conclusion during this visit, I will be extremely pleased.”

Putin also characterized their bilateral partnership as an essential stabilizing element in global affairs.

“Interaction between such nations as China and Russia undoubtedly serves as a factor of deterrence and stability,” he said.

Moscow views China’s dialogue with the U.S. as an additional stabilizing factor for the worldwide economy, Putin noted.

“We stand only to benefit from this, from the stability and constructive engagement between the U.S. and China,” he said.

Two Chinese oil tankers carrying crude successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to shipping data, as optimistic statements from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance suggest progress in resolving the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Speaking Tuesday, President Donald Trump indicated the conflict would conclude “very quickly” while Vice President JD Vance highlighted advancement in negotiations with Tehran aimed at ending the hostilities.

“We’re in a pretty good spot here,” Vance stated during a White House press briefing.

Trump’s remarks came one day after he announced delaying planned military action following Tehran’s newest proposal to conclude the conflict.

“I was an hour away from making the decision to go today,” Trump explained to White House reporters on Tuesday.

According to Trump, Iranian leadership is desperately seeking an agreement, though he warned that fresh U.S. military action would occur within days without a successful accord.

The United States has faced challenges ending the conflict it initiated alongside Israel approximately three months ago. Throughout the hostilities, Trump has consistently claimed a Tehran agreement was imminent while simultaneously threatening significant strikes against Iran for failing to reach a settlement.

Domestic political pressure continues mounting on the U.S. president to secure an agreement reopening the Strait of Hormuz – a crucial pathway for worldwide oil and commodity shipments. With elevated gasoline costs and Trump’s declining approval numbers ahead of November’s congressional elections, pressure remains intense.

The conflict has created unprecedented global energy supply disruptions, trapping hundreds of tankers in the Gulf while damaging energy infrastructure and shipping operations throughout the region.

The two Chinese vessels, part of a small group of supertankers transporting Iraqi crude that have departed the Gulf this month, carried approximately 4 million barrels of crude through the narrow waterway, based on LSEG and Kpler data.

Oil markets responded positively to encouraging White House and Gulf signals, with Brent crude dropping to $110.16 per barrel before recovering most losses.

“Investors are keen to gauge whether Washington and Tehran can actually find common ground and reach a peace agreement, with the U.S. stance shifting daily,” commented Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities.

During a White House briefing, Vance acknowledged challenges in negotiating with Iran’s divided leadership. “It’s not sometimes totally clear what the negotiating position of the team is,” he explained, noting the U.S. is working to clarify its own boundaries.

Vance also mentioned that preventing regional nuclear proliferation represents one goal of Trump’s policy approach.

Ebrahim Azizi, who leads the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, posted on X that Trump’s attack postponement resulted from understanding that any action against Iran would trigger “facing a decisive military response.”

Iranian state media reported Tehran’s most recent peace proposal includes ending hostilities across all fronts including Lebanon, withdrawing U.S. forces from areas near Iran, and providing reparations for damage from U.S.-Israeli attacks.

Tehran additionally requested sanctions removal, release of frozen assets and termination of the U.S. marine blockade, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi as quoted by IRNA news agency.

The conditions outlined in Iranian reports seemed largely unchanged from Iran’s earlier offer, which Trump dismissed last week as “garbage.”

The U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign resulted in thousands of Iranian deaths before suspension under an early April ceasefire. Israel has caused thousands more casualties and displaced hundreds of thousands in Lebanon, which it invaded while pursuing the Iran-supported Hezbollah militia.

Iranian attacks on Israel and neighboring Gulf nations have resulted in dozens of deaths.

While the Iran ceasefire has generally remained intact, recent drone launches from Iraq targeting Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, appear linked to Iran and its allies.

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated they initiated the conflict to limit Iran’s regional militia support, dismantle its nuclear program, destroy missile capabilities and establish conditions for Iranians to overthrow their government.

However, the conflict has not eliminated Iran’s near-weapons-grade enriched uranium stockpile or its capacity to threaten neighbors through missiles, drones and proxy militias.

The Islamic Republic’s clerical leadership, which had confronted mass protests earlier this year, survived the superpower assault without signs of organized resistance.

The European Union made significant progress Wednesday toward completing a trade agreement with the United States, reaching a preliminary deal on legislation that would eliminate import taxes on American products.

The agreement stems from a trade framework negotiated at U.S. President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland last July. Under that arrangement, the EU committed to eliminating import taxes on U.S. industrial products and providing favorable access for American agricultural and seafood items, while the U.S. maintains 15% tariffs on most European goods.

After nearly 10 months since the initial framework was established, the European Parliament and the Council representing EU member nations reached consensus on legislative language to implement the EU’s tariff reductions. Following five hours of discussions, negotiators also established stronger provisions to halt the concessions if Trump abandons the agreement and included an expiration clause ending the deal at 2029’s close unless new legislation extends it.

This internal EU agreement should help stabilize the world’s most significant trading partnership, which involves $2 trillion annually in goods and services exchanges. The development comes one week after Trump’s China visit, which featured positive rhetoric but yielded no substantial progress. European exports to America represent approximately 20% of the EU’s goods shipments, though Trump seeks to use tariffs to narrow the goods trade deficit with Europe, which exceeds $200 billion.

“I am proud to announce that Europe has avoided a damaging escalation of transatlantic trade tensions and protected European companies, investments and millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic,” Zeljana Zovko, the lead trade negotiator in the European People’s Party on the U.S. deal, said in an X post.

“The EU walks the talk, while defending our interests. Once approved, it’ll boost transatlantic stability and cooperation,” European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic wrote on X.

Trump established a July 4 deadline, threatening to implement significantly higher tariffs on European products including automobiles if the EU fails to fulfill its trade commitments by that date. He previously warned of increasing tariffs on EU automotive imports to 25% from the existing 15%.

European legislators had previously delayed the necessary legislation twice following Trump’s threats to impose additional tariffs on European allies who didn’t support his proposed Greenland acquisition and after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his global tariffs.

The bloc appears positioned to meet Trump’s July 4 timeline, with final approval voting in the European Parliament anticipated in mid-June.

EU lawmakers had sought stronger guarantees, but negotiators rejected their proposed “sunrise clause” that would have delayed EU duty cuts until the U.S. met its obligations, and the “sunset clause” was extended from March 2028’s end to December 2029.

The European Commission retains authority to suspend tariff preferences by year’s end if the U.S. maintains tariffs above 15% on steel and aluminum “derivative” products such as wind turbines and refrigerators.

EU member governments showed less enthusiasm for including such provisions, worried they might provoke the Trump administration and create business uncertainty for European companies.

Taiwan’s president emphasized Wednesday that outside nations have no authority to determine the island’s destiny, declaring that only Taiwan’s citizens can chart their own course while vowing to preserve their democratic freedoms.

President Lai Ching-te delivered these remarks while commemorating his second anniversary in office, facing mounting pressure from multiple directions. China continues to assert territorial claims over Taiwan and has labeled Lai a “separatist,” while the United States, traditionally Taiwan’s strongest ally, has also applied pressure.

Recent developments have intensified these tensions. Following his recent meeting with China’s Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about continuing weapons sales to Taiwan last week, describing such sales as a “good negotiating chip” and stating he was “not looking to have somebody say, ‘Let’s go independent.’”

During his address from the presidential office in Taipei, Lai emphasized that democratic governance requires active protection rather than passive acceptance.

“Taiwan’s future cannot be decided by external forces, nor can it be held hostage by fear, division, or short-term interests. Taiwan’s future must be decided jointly by its 23 million people,” he declared.

The president outlined Taiwan’s strategic goals as preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait while preventing outside nations from altering the existing cross-strait arrangements.

“Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community, not a party that undermines stability,” Lai stated.

While expressing openness to dialogue with China based on equal standing and mutual respect, Lai firmly dismissed any attempts that “package unification as peace.”

Comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding Japan’s monetary policy could help the Bank of Japan overcome domestic political resistance to raising interest rates next month, according to financial analysts.

Speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, Bessent expressed confidence that BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda would take necessary action if given adequate independence from Japan’s government, indicating Washington’s preference for additional rate increases by the central bank.

Following his Tuesday meeting with Ueda, Bessent posted on X that Japan’s economic fundamentals remained robust and excessive currency fluctuations were unwelcome, implying that the country’s solid growth warranted a stronger yen and higher BOJ rates.

These statements arrive before the BOJ’s upcoming policy meeting scheduled for June 15-16, where financial markets are anticipating an 80% probability of raising the short-term policy rate from 0.75% to 1%.

Nevertheless, a June rate increase might encounter resistance from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her dovish advisors, several of whom have expressed opposition to immediate rate hikes.

Bessent’s statements mirror his previous comments suggesting yen weakness could be tackled through higher BOJ rates. Last October, he encouraged Takaichi to permit the BOJ to increase rates. Two months afterward, the BOJ raised interest rates from 0.5% to 0.75%.

Mari Iwashita, executive rates strategist at Nomura Securities, believes Bessent probably shared his BOJ perspectives with Takaichi and Katayama during his Tokyo visit last week, strengthening the possibility of a June rate hike.

“The fact Bessent stopped by in Tokyo, as well as his latest remarks, show Ueda has Washington’s full support in raising rates,” Iwashita said. “Takaichi may consent to a hike if the BOJ says it would help keep yen falls at bay,” she said.

When questioned about Bessent’s statements, Katayama informed a news conference that the government has consistently honored the relationship outlined by the BOJ law — which ensures central bank independence while requiring the BOJ to collaborate closely with the government on economic policy.

Japan’s chief government spokesperson Minoru Kihara refused to comment when asked Wednesday whether Bessent had advocated for additional BOJ rate hikes during his meeting with Takaichi and Katayama last week.

“The government hopes the BOJ works closely with the government and guides appropriate monetary policy to stably, sustainably achieve 2% inflation accompanying wage gains, rather than one led by cost-push factors,” he said, when asked for the government’s view on whether the BOJ should hike rates in June.

The crucial factor would be whether the BOJ can organize a meeting between Ueda and Takaichi before the governor’s highly anticipated speech on June 3, where he might hint at the probability of an immediate rate hike, analysts suggest.

Takaichi and her advisors have openly expressed concerns about an immediate BOJ rate hike, contending that the central bank should coordinate its policy with government efforts to continue reflating the economy through spending and investment.

The BOJ’s June meeting occurs around the same time the government prepares a supplementary budget to finance subsidies designed to soften the impact on households from rising fuel costs caused by the Middle East conflict.

It may also align with increasing indicators of economic pressure from the Iran war, which is elevating living costs and creating supply disruptions in an economy heavily dependent on fuel imports from the Middle East.

“The premier is said to be cautious about further rate increases, though the administration may nod to a June hike if there was strong pressure from Washington,” said a source familiar with government negotiations with the BOJ.

A worldwide bond market selloff, fueled by investor concerns over inflationary risks from the conflict, also complicates the BOJ’s decision.

Beyond establishing its short-term policy rate, the BOJ will also examine its bond reduction plan extending through March next year and outline a new plan for fiscal 2027 at the June meeting.

Financial market volatility could compel the BOJ to proceed cautiously on reducing its extensive debt holdings, providing worried bond investors some comfort as rising yields expose deteriorating fiscal pressures and inflation concerns.

Federal prosecutors are conducting a second criminal investigation targeting former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, potentially setting the stage for additional charges against the deposed leader, according to a Justice Department official and another source with knowledge of the matter.

The Miami-based U.S. Attorney’s Office has been running the investigation for several months, both sources revealed, speaking anonymously due to the ongoing nature of the probe.

According to the Justice Department official, the Florida investigation was already underway when President Donald Trump authorized the military operation that resulted in the capture of Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, 69, this past January. The other source indicated the probe is focusing on possible money laundering violations.

Neither Maduro’s legal representative nor a Justice Department spokesperson provided immediate responses to requests for comment.

CBS News initially broke the story about the Florida-based investigation. Whether this probe will result in new charges remains uncertain.

Maduro is currently facing narcoterrorism conspiracy charges and other drug trafficking-related offenses in Manhattan federal court. He has entered a not guilty plea and remains detained at a Brooklyn correctional facility while awaiting trial.

The Manhattan indictment, which was initially filed in 2020, served as the legal basis for the U.S. special operations raid in Caracas that removed Maduro from power in Venezuela.

The Florida investigation could provide the Justice Department with an alternative prosecution path should legal challenges arise in the New York proceedings. In March, Trump indicated that Maduro would be facing additional charges in the United States.

The Miami U.S. Attorney’s Office on Monday revealed money laundering charges against Alex Saab, an associate of Maduro. The same office is anticipated to file charges on Wednesday against former Cuban President Raul Castro related to the 1996 shootdown of aircraft operated by a Cuban exile organization.

The arrest and extradition of Saab indicates increased cooperation between American and Venezuelan law enforcement agencies under acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice president.

Global oil markets retreated Wednesday following fresh statements from U.S. President Donald Trump predicting the Iran conflict will conclude “very quickly,” though energy traders continue to express caution regarding diplomatic efforts and ongoing Middle Eastern supply chain interruptions.

Brent crude futures dropped 45 cents, representing a 0.4% decline to $110.83 per barrel by 0050 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures decreased 27 cents, or 0.3%, settling at $103.88.

Both oil benchmarks experienced nearly $1 declines Tuesday following statements from U.S. Vice President JD Vance indicating advancement in diplomatic discussions, with both nations expressing reluctance to resume military operations.

“Investors are keen to gauge whether Washington and Tehran can actually find common ground and reach a peace agreement, with the U.S. stance shifting daily,” said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities.

“Oil prices are likely to remain elevated given the possibility of renewed U.S. attacks on Iran and expectations that, even if a peace deal is reached, crude supply will not quickly return to pre-war levels,” he said.

While Trump told U.S. lawmakers late Tuesday about rapidly concluding the conflict, he previously indicated the United States might need to launch additional strikes against Iran and had come within an hour of authorizing an attack before delaying the decision.

His statements regarding potential additional strikes followed his announcement that he had delayed planned military action resumption after Tehran presented a new proposal to conclude the U.S.-Israeli war.

During Tuesday’s remarks, Trump also claimed Iran’s leadership is desperately seeking an agreement and cautioned that additional U.S. military action could occur within days without a resolution.

The U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran has resulted in the practical shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, which typically handles approximately one-fifth of worldwide oil shipments, creating what the International Energy Agency describes as the globe’s most significant oil supply interruption.

Citi announced Tuesday its projection for Brent crude to climb to $120 per barrel in the immediate future, arguing that energy markets are underestimating risks of extended supply disruptions and broader potential complications.

To compensate for global supply shortages resulting from the conflict, nations are drawing upon their commercial and strategic reserves.

Within the U.S., crude oil stockpiles declined for the fifth consecutive week, based on market sources referencing American Petroleum Institute data released Tuesday, with fuel inventories also showing decreases.

U.S. crude reserves tracked by the Energy Information Administration are projected to have dropped approximately 3.4 million barrels during the week ending May 15, according to a Reuters survey. The weekly EIA report is scheduled for release later Wednesday.

Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast announced significant changes to his administration on Tuesday, appointing Martin Arrau to serve as the country’s new security minister and selecting Claudio Alvarado as the government’s spokesperson.

Alvarado, who currently serves as interior minister, will continue in that capacity while taking on his additional role as spokesperson. Arrau is stepping down from his position leading the public works ministry. Transport Minister Louis de Grange will assume responsibility for the public works portfolio, overseeing both departments moving forward.

The president, who took office just two months ago, made public safety a central theme of his election campaign, vowing to strengthen border controls and reduce criminal activity while promoting economic expansion through reduced regulations, budget reductions and business-friendly initiatives.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan authorities announced this week they will release 300 individuals from detention, including some who have been held on political grounds for extended periods.

The planned releases were revealed Tuesday by National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez during proceedings at the legislative building in Caracas. While Rodríguez did not directly label those being freed as political detainees, human rights advocates have characterized many of their cases as politically driven arrests.

“We’re not asking anything of anyone, nor are we asking for anything in return,” Rodríguez said. “We simply ask that you appreciate the gesture, and if at any point you become aware of any opposition member who has committed a crime against public funds, please report it, and we will assist you in filing the complaint.”

The timing of this announcement follows increased pressure on acting President Delcy Rodríguez, the National Assembly president’s sister, regarding the in-custody death of Víctor Hugo Quero last year and the recent passing of his mother, Carmen Navas, on Sunday.

Navas, age 82, passed away just 10 days after Venezuela’s prison authorities issued a statement revealing that Quero had died in July following hospitalization while detained. Officials had kept this information secret even as Navas desperately searched for her son, visiting jails, courts, and government offices demanding proof he was alive. Quero had been in custody since January 2025.

According to the official statement, Quero, a 51-year-old salesperson, succumbed to “acute respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism” 10 days after being hospitalized for digestive problems. Authorities claimed they didn’t contact his family because he hadn’t provided emergency contact details.

Navas was buried Tuesday in Caracas. The previous day, several dozen protesters, primarily university students, held a demonstration honoring Navas and holding Venezuela’s leadership responsible for both her death and her son’s.

According to Foro Penal, a Venezuelan organization monitoring prisoner rights, over 400 individuals remain imprisoned in the South American nation for political reasons.

This week’s announcement mirrors a similar declaration made following the January 3 U.S. military action against the country that resulted in the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro. During that time, Jorge Rodríguez described the planned prisoner releases as efforts “intended to seek peace” without identifying specific parties involved.

The earlier releases drew approval from U.S. President Donald Trump, though family members of those still imprisoned and human rights organizations have criticized Venezuela’s leadership for the limited scope and sluggish implementation of the release process. Last week, Trump promised reporters he would ensure all political prisoners gain freedom.

“We’re gonna get them all out,” Trump said.

The European Union announced Wednesday that it has reached a preliminary agreement on new legislation designed to eliminate import taxes on American goods, representing a crucial component of the trade arrangement negotiated with the United States last July.

The agreement is expected to help prevent the implementation of increased American tariffs on European exports, marking a significant step forward in transatlantic trade relations.

A senior Russian official has expressed alarm about American and European Union initiatives to gain access to valuable minerals in Central Asia, according to statements made to a Russian newspaper on May 20.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin shared these concerns with Izvestia newspaper, highlighting Moscow’s unease with Western activities in the region.

The G7 countries, which include the United States and European Union members, have been seeking new sources for essential materials as they work to reduce their reliance on China. These rare earth elements and critical minerals are crucial components in electric vehicle production, clean energy technologies, and military equipment.

Moscow views the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as falling within its area of influence, even as Beijing has also expanded its presence in the mineral-rich region.

“We are concerned by the intensity with which Washington is pushing agreements on critical minerals and rare earth metals,” Galuzin stated during his interview published on Wednesday.

“This is not merely about economic competition, but about an attempt to push Russia out and create a Western-controlled infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of our borders,” he added.

The competition for these resources gained additional attention when U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted critical minerals as a major focus during a November meeting with Central Asian leaders at the White House. During that gathering, he stressed his administration’s commitment to strengthening American supply chains through international partnerships.