Author: Admin

Nearly 500 mountaineers are pushing forward with their quest to reach the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, even as a treacherous ice formation threatens the primary climbing path, along with rising expedition costs and higher permit prices.

Approximately 492 climbers accompanied by an equal number of Nepali guides are preparing for their journey to the summit of the towering peak that reaches nearly 8,850 meters (roughly 29,000 feet) this month, taking advantage of the eagerly awaited period of favorable weather conditions.

Mountaineers started assembling in April at base camp, positioned at 5,300 meters (17,340 feet) above sea level. However, a colossal and precarious ice formation, known as a serac, has prevented their advance up the mountain for more than two weeks.

This serac forms part of the Khumbu Icefall, a continuously moving glacier filled with deep cracks and enormous overhanging ice chunks that can reach the size of a ten-story structure. This area ranks among the most challenging and dangerous sections to navigate.

Mountaineering specialist Ang Tshering Sherpa from Nepal noted that despite ongoing conflicts in Iran and rising travel expenses, a substantial number of climbers are tackling Mount Everest this climbing season. While fewer mountaineers from America and Europe are participating, there has been an increase in Asian climbers making the attempt.

The mountain sits along the border between Nepal and China, though China has shut down its climbing route this year, forcing all climbers to attempt their ascent from Nepal’s southern approach.

Ukrainian military commanders and local officials documented continued Russian drone attacks and combat engagements on Monday, breaking terms of a ceasefire arrangement facilitated by the United States.

Both nations had committed to halting hostilities from May 9 through May 11 under an American-led diplomatic initiative spearheaded by President Donald Trump, aimed at concluding the conflict that has persisted for over four years following Russia’s comprehensive military offensive launched in 2022.

The temporary truce, which Trump expressed hope on Friday could be prolonged, began showing cracks on Sunday as both countries pointed fingers at each other for ceasefire breaches.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Sunday that while Moscow had avoided major air and missile bombardments, Russian forces maintained offensive operations across sections of the extensive battle line where they continue advancing.

Moscow’s Defense Ministry countered on Sunday by claiming Ukraine violated the truce terms, reporting the destruction of 57 Ukrainian drones within a 24-hour period and stating they had “responded in kind” during ground fighting. Russian officials had not released updated battlefield assessments by Monday.

Casualties mounted across Ukrainian territories, with Zaporizhzhia’s southeastern region recording one fatality and two injuries, according to the area’s governor. The southern Kherson region saw two deaths and two wounded, as reported by local leadership.

Additional injuries were documented in neighboring areas: three wounded in the Mykolaiv region, five injured in northern Kharkiv, and four casualties in eastern Donetsk, based on statements from regional governors.

Ukraine’s military General Staff documented 180 separate combat incidents across front-line positions during the previous 24-hour period, noting that Russian forces had launched 8,037 “kamikaze” drones targeting both civilian areas and military installations on Sunday.

BEIJING, May 11 – Beijing has sharply criticized recent United States penalties imposed on three Chinese businesses that American officials accused of supporting Iran’s military capabilities, denouncing the measures as unlawful and one-sided.

During a routine media briefing on Monday, Chinese government spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated: “We have always required Chinese enterprises to conduct business in accordance with laws and regulations, and will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.”

Guo also emphasized that current efforts should focus elsewhere, saying: “The pressing priority is to prevent by all means a relapse in fighting, rather than using the war to maliciously associate and smear other countries.”

The Chinese official’s remarks represent Beijing’s formal response to Washington’s latest round of economic restrictions targeting companies it claims have facilitated Iranian military activities.

South Korean officials issued their harshest condemnation Monday regarding an assault on a Korean-operated commercial vessel in Middle Eastern waters earlier this month, promising retaliation once they determine the perpetrator.

The incident occurred in the Strait of Hormuz when the cargo ship Namu, run by shipping company HMM Co., came under attack while operating legally in waters near the United Arab Emirates, according to government representatives.

Initial forensic examination revealed damage to the vessel’s lower left rear section, which sparked a blaze in the engine compartment, a Blue House spokesperson reported.

“We condemn this in the strongest terms,” declared Wi Sung-lac, South Korea’s presidential national security adviser, during a press conference. Wi explained that Korean officials and specialists confirmed the vessel damage during their forensic review at a Dubai port facility.

The assault’s impact wasn’t immediately apparent because of where it struck the ship’s lower rear port area, Blue House representatives noted.

Officials stated they remain uncertain about Iran’s potential involvement in the incident. Tehran has previously rejected any culpability for the assault, which involved a powerful blow to the vessel’s side.

The Iranian embassy in Seoul released a statement Monday indicating they had no current stance on the situation but would provide updates if an official position develops.

Following the incident, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Iran of attacking the Korean ship and called on Seoul to participate in American-led maritime security operations in the strategic waterway.

BEIJING – Law enforcement officials from the United States and China have successfully apprehended five individuals as part of a collaborative investigation targeting international drug trafficking operations, according to China’s official Xinhua news agency on Monday.

The coordinated enforcement action took place across both nations, resulting in the arrest of two individuals from China and three from the United States, Xinhua reported. During the operation, authorities also confiscated quantities of illegal drugs.

The joint investigation demonstrates ongoing cooperation between American and Chinese law enforcement agencies in combating cross-border narcotics smuggling networks.

LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is battling to save his political career by promising stronger European relationships following crushing electoral defeats that have sparked widespread calls for his resignation.

The embattled Labour leader will deliver a major address Monday where he intends to declare he will “face up to the big challenges” and restore “hope” across Britain.

Central to his message will be “putting Britain at the heart of Europe,” marking a significant shift ten years after the United Kingdom decided to exit the European Union, according to his office.

However, Starmer’s grip on power appears increasingly tenuous, with numerous members of parliament demanding he announce when he will step down.

Angela Rayner, the former Deputy Prime Minister and influential figure viewed as a possible successor, declared “what we are doing isn’t working, and it needs to change.”

While Rayner stopped short of directly demanding Starmer’s resignation, she criticized him for overseeing “a toxic culture of cronyism” and insisted the administration must “stay true to labor and social democratic values” while addressing living costs for working families.

“This may be our last chance,” Rayner stated Sunday.

The Labour Party has fallen into despair following significant defeats in recent local elections throughout England and parliamentary contests in Scotland and Wales. Political observers view these results as an unofficial judgment on Starmer, whose approval ratings have collapsed since his overwhelming victory less than two years ago.

His administration has failed to achieve promised economic expansion, rebuild struggling public services, and address cost-of-living concerns, while being undermined by continuous blunders and policy reversals on matters including welfare changes. His troubles deepened with his controversial choice to name Peter Mandelson, who has connections to Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain’s ambassador to the United States.

The recent elections demonstrated Labour losing support from multiple directions, with voters defecting to both the anti-immigration Reform UK party and the “eco-populist” Green Party. This highlights the growing division in British politics, traditionally controlled by Labour and Conservative parties.

Starmer hopes Monday’s address and an extensive legislative agenda to be presented Wednesday by King Charles III during Parliament’s ceremonial opening will help him recover politically.

A central element involves strengthening European connections, as the UK departed the EU in 2020, four years following the narrow “leave” victory in the membership vote. Starmer’s administration has already begun reducing trade barriers that have impacted British companies since Brexit, and he promises to negotiate a youth mobility agreement allowing young people to work temporarily across Europe.

Labour supported remaining in the EU during the 2016 campaign but has avoided reopening the divisive national debate. Starmer has rejected pursuing EU membership or rejoining the organization’s customs union or single market.

Prominent Labour figures considered potential replacements for Starmer — including Rayner, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham — have not yet demanded his resignation.

However, increasing numbers of Labour parliamentarians are urging the prime minister to establish a departure timeline. British political systems permit parties to replace leaders during their terms without requiring new elections.

Josh Simons, a previously supportive Labour member of parliament, wrote in the Times of London that Starmer “has lost the country” and “should take control of the situation by overseeing an orderly transition to a new prime minister.”

Catherine West, a former junior minister, threatens to initiate a leadership challenge unless Starmer delivers an exceptional speech Monday. West admitted lacking support from the required 81 colleagues to force a contest, with her action appearing designed to pressure more prominent candidates to act.

“Working people sent us a message,” West explained. “We have to listen to that, and we have to change and we have to do it quickly.”

MANILA – Philippine legislators will cast ballots Monday determining whether to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, a decision that could significantly impact her anticipated 2028 presidential campaign.

Last month, a house justice committee determined there was sufficient evidence to support impeachment proceedings based on an activist petition. The charges include allegations of public fund mismanagement, acquiring wealth without explanation, and making threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his spouse, and the previous house speaker.

Duterte stands as the leading candidate to replace Marcos in 2028, as constitutional restrictions prevent him from seeking a second term. She has expressed regret for supporting Marcos’ rise to power in 2022, when they campaigned together and secured overwhelming electoral victories before their relationship soured.

Duterte maintains her innocence, while her attorneys have characterized the petition as flawed and described it as a “fishing expedition.”

House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil and Representative Leila de Lima, who serves on the justice committee, confirmed Monday’s voting schedule.

Should more than one-third of the lower chamber support impeachment, the Senate must conduct a trial with senators serving as jurors. A conviction would result in Duterte’s removal from office and prohibition from future political participation.

POLITICAL DYNASTY FACES CHALLENGES

This impeachment attempt represents another blow to the powerful Duterte political dynasty. The vice president continues facing pressure from her bitter conflict with Marcos, while her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, awaits International Criminal Court proceedings related to his anti-drug campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths during his 2016-2022 administration.

The house previously voted to impeach Sara Duterte last year, but the Supreme Court later overturned that decision due to procedural errors.

Should she be impeached, Duterte would become the highest-ranking Philippine official to face such proceedings since former President Joseph Estrada in 2000, whose trial ended abruptly when prosecutors withdrew.

Three other senior officials have faced impeachment: an ombudsman and election commission leader who both stepped down before trial, and former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, who remains the only official convicted through this process.

Marcos successfully avoided a separate impeachment attempt in February when his congressional supporters voted to dismiss it. He has maintained distance from the proceedings targeting his former running mate.

Dozens of impeachment supporters assembled outside Congress Monday, shouting slogans and displaying signs reading “Impeach Sara Now.”

Left-wing Congressman Perci Cendana joined the demonstration, expressing confidence in securing sufficient votes for impeachment and calling it a “historic day for democracy.”

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian nations are confronting a deepening energy crisis as their initial emergency responses to the Iran conflict prove inadequate, with more severe economic consequences now emerging.

When hostilities began, regional governments rushed to address the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for Asian energy supplies. Officials implemented emergency strategies including conservation measures that slowed business operations, redirected natural gas from industrial uses to residential needs, and depleted strategic energy reserves for short-term stability.

However, these emergency responses were designed for a brief conflict that would allow energy shipments to resume quickly. That scenario has failed to materialize.

As the war continues indefinitely, the energy shortage is spreading throughout regional economies. Transportation costs, freight charges, and energy bills are surging, threatening economic stability. The United Nations Development Program warns that approximately 8.8 million people face the risk of falling into poverty, while the conflict could generate $299 billion in economic damage across the Asia-Pacific area.

“The countries with the least resources to respond, or the consumers who can least afford to pay, are the ones who feel everything first,” said Samantha Gross of the U.S.-based think tank Brookings Institution.

Regional governments structured their fiscal plans expecting oil to cost approximately $70 per barrel on average. Energy subsidies helped maintain stable fuel pricing. However, the conflict drove Brent crude prices to peaks of roughly $120 per barrel.

Officials now confront a difficult decision between continuing expensive subsidies that burden government budgets, or eliminating them to transfer increased costs to citizens, potentially triggering public unrest, explained Ahmad Rafdi Endut, a Kuala Lumpur-based independent energy analyst.

In India, initial efforts to redirect fuel supplies toward cooking gas for approximately 330 million households reduced availability for fertilizer manufacturing. Rising fertilizer costs combined with meteorologists’ predictions of poor rainfall during an El Niño year create concerns for the world’s top rice exporting nation.

India has used subsidies to protect its 1.4 billion citizens so far, but on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on residents to purchase domestic products and reduce international travel to conserve foreign currency. He also promoted working from home and using public transportation to decrease fuel usage, while asking farmers to reduce fertilizer consumption by half.

The Philippines rapidly implemented a four-day work schedule to conserve fuel. The country also introduced targeted financial assistance for lower-income families. Nevertheless, Fitch Ratings observed that most consumers continue facing elevated energy expenses, leading to reduced business operations in major urban areas like Manila.

Thailand eliminated its diesel price controls less than one month into the conflict as fuel subsidies were depleted. The country is now reducing other expenditures to handle increased oil costs while attempting to maintain fiscal discipline.

Vietnam extended its suspension of fuel taxes to reduce domestic price pressures. Jet fuel shortages have resulted in flight cancellations. Since tourism represents nearly 8% of Vietnam’s gross domestic product, these disruptions impact the broader economy.

“Business is not good right now,” said Hanoi-based tour guide Nguyen Manh Thang. “There are already fewer tourists.”

Fuel shortages have forced financially strained nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh to purchase oil and gas at spot market rates, which typically exceed long-term contract prices and show greater volatility. This increases import expenses and strains their already limited foreign currency reserves.

Governments can maintain expensive fuel subsidies by reducing spending on other priorities such as social programs, or increase borrowing and risk higher inflation, Endut explained from Kuala Lumpur. Alternatively, they can decrease subsidies and transfer higher costs to consumers, potentially angering constituents.

After subsidies are depleted and inflation begins climbing, nations could encounter what he described as a “fiscal time bomb.”

The conflict’s conclusion will not provide immediate relief to Asia.

Global oil and gas commerce will not recover immediately, and restarting production will require time, Gross from the Brookings Institution noted. Rebuilding damaged infrastructure, reactivating facilities, and accounting for shipping time from the Middle East to destination markets will require weeks or potentially months.

Europe will experience similar effects to Asia, but with approximately a four-week delay, according to experts.

Americans are also experiencing pressure as gasoline prices increase nationwide. However, Southeast Asia remains the “biggest pain point,” according to Henning Gloystein of the Eurasia Group consultancy firm.

“This fuel shortage situation is going to get worse,” he stated.

In Africa, elevated energy and import expenses are similarly pressuring budgets, expanding deficits, and increasing inflation. The conflict is also affecting Latin America and the Caribbean, where economic growth is expected to decelerate slightly.

The complicated disruptions throughout global supply networks will continue creating broader consequences, cautioned Ted Krantz, CEO of supply chain risk company Interos.ai.

The crisis also demonstrates the vulnerability of Asia’s expanding middle class, according to Maria Monica Wihardja of the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, with numerous individuals at risk of returning to poverty.

The energy disruption will transform Southeast Asia’s economies gradually, she explained, including changes in employment markets and how nations prepare for future energy emergencies.

Nations are already discussing and implementing long-range solutions, such as diversifying fossil fuel sources, advancing nuclear energy, and developing renewable options like solar power.

The conflict is placing geopolitical risk at the center of Southeast Asia’s economic projections and directly hampering regional growth, stated Albert Park of the Asian Development Bank.

“The longer it lasts, the larger those negative effects would be,” he concluded.

Iranian officials have carried out the death sentence of a man found guilty of conducting espionage activities for American and Israeli intelligence agencies, according to reports from the country’s judicial system on Monday.

The executed individual was identified as Erfan Shakourzadeh by Mizan, the judiciary’s official news source. Officials stated that Shakourzadeh had been employed at a scientific facility that handled satellite operations and had allegedly transmitted sensitive scientific data to foreign intelligence organizations.

The Iran Human Rights Society, an advocacy organization, reported that Shakourzadeh was a 29-year-old who held a degree in aerospace engineering. The group claims he was taken into custody in 2025 and that authorities coerced him into making his confession.

Financial markets continue hoping that neither the United States nor Iran seeks to intensify their ongoing dispute, though a clear resolution pathway remains elusive following weekend developments that initially raised optimism but ultimately led nowhere.

President Donald Trump’s dismissal of Iran’s latest peace offer as “totally unacceptable” highlighted the substantial gap that still exists between both nations regarding reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Asian trading sessions saw oil prices jump over 4% while the dollar strengthened.

Iran unveiled its proposal Sunday for ending hostilities across all areas, which included demands for war damage payments and stressed Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States had suggested halting combat operations before beginning discussions on more complex matters, such as Iran’s nuclear development program.

S&P 500 futures dipped following this news while European futures remained steady, though artificial intelligence companies were the primary force behind equity movements.

South Korean stock markets jumped nearly 5% to achieve new record levels, driven by semiconductor manufacturers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, with SK Hynix shares nearly tripling in value since January began.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to launch a political comeback Monday with remarks positioning European relationship rebuilding as his administration’s central goal, as he works to address mounting resignation demands.

Additional developments showed China’s producer prices exceeded April forecasts, reaching a 45-month peak and adding strain to manufacturers already facing domestic demand challenges. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is visiting Japan while the yen remains under scrutiny following recent Japanese market interventions.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to address Iran, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, and nuclear weapons during discussions about potentially extending a critical minerals agreement, according to U.S. officials previewing Trump’s upcoming two-day China visit.

This week’s corporate earnings reports include technology networking company Cisco and semiconductor equipment manufacturer Applied Materials. Major companies Nvidia and Walmart will report results later this month.

Monday’s economic data includes U.S. housing sales figures, along with after-hours Tokyo results from SoftBank and shipping company Nippon Yusen.

Monday’s key market influences include:

Corporate earnings: SoftBank, Nippon Yusen, Fox Corp

Economic indicators: U.S. housing sales data

Taiwan’s maritime authorities announced Monday they successfully intercepted and expelled a Chinese research vessel conducting what they described as unauthorized activities in waters near the island.

Officials reported spotting the Chinese ship “Tongji” last Thursday approximately 29 nautical miles southeast of Taiwan’s southern coastline, positioned just beyond restricted territorial boundaries. The vessel, which entered service only last year, was observed deploying ropes and equipment into the water in what appeared to be unauthorized scientific surveying operations.

Taiwan’s coast guard responded by dispatching their own vessel to the area. The Taiwanese ship approached the Chinese vessel and created disruptive wake patterns while broadcasting warnings to “forcefully expel the vessel, prohibiting it from conducting related activities.”

Following the intervention, the “Tongji” pulled up its research equipment and changed direction, leaving Taiwan’s maritime zone. Coast guard officials continued monitoring the Chinese ship until Monday when it moved away from the island’s vicinity.

“Chinese research vessels, in disregard of international law, have attempted to conduct illegal survey activities in our waters,” Taiwan’s coast guard stated, urging China to cease such operations.

According to Chinese state media reports, the “Tongji” is equipped with advanced capabilities including all-weather operational systems, remotely operated vehicles, onboard laboratories, and unmanned technology. The vessel can conduct various marine research including geology, oceanography, chemistry, and biology studies, as well as offshore engineering projects like pipeline installation.

This incident represents part of what Taiwan considers escalating provocative behavior from China, which claims the island as its territory. Beyond regular military operations in the region, Taiwan has accused China of deploying civilian vessels in a “grey zone” strategy designed to pressure Taiwanese forces and exhaust their resources through constant monitoring requirements.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has not yet provided a response regarding the incident.

KYIV, Ukraine — In Ukraine’s capital city, an art exhibition is offering residents something precious during wartime: a chance to escape the harsh realities of conflict through creative expression.

The Art Kyiv fair, operating under the theme ‘This is Normal,’ represents an unconventional approach to dealing with the psychological toll of war. Rather than waiting for peace, organizers decided to move forward with cultural events despite ongoing hostilities.

“Holding the event during wartime means not waiting for a better moment, but working with reality as it is,” explained Anna Avetova, who directs the Art Kyiv fair. “In this context, art does not stand apart from life — it helps make sense of the present, preserve cultural continuity, and lay the groundwork for the future.”

The exhibition has transformed into a sanctuary where Ukrainians process their new reality through artistic works and dialogue, even as missile attacks, casualties, and grief have become part of daily existence.

At the Lavra Gallery, visitors can view hundreds of pieces ranging from uniquely-shaped sculptures to various painting styles including abstract expressionism, surreal portraits, and scenic landscapes. Organizers made a conscious decision not to feature any displays explicitly focused on the ongoing conflict.

“The war is always in the air, we just really didn’t want to make a point of mentioning it,” Avetova noted. “Art is one of the things that keeps us human. It sustains us and warms our soul when things are very hard.”

Beyond providing emotional support, the fair aims to revitalize Ukraine’s domestic art scene, which had already suffered under pandemic restrictions before Russian aggression further damaged the market. Officials say the industry is slowly recovering, with this exhibition demonstrating that Ukrainian artists are prepared both to discuss the war and continue selling their work.

Art Kyiv positions itself as a meeting place where artistic creativity, public conversation, and modern Ukrainian life intersect. Despite occasional interruptions from air raid warnings signaling potential Russian attacks, the event has brought together the country’s leading galleries, artists, collectors, and cultural organizations.

This marks only the second time the fair has operated since hostilities began, following its initial wartime launch in October.

Ceramic artist Tala Vovk is participating for the first time and regularly attends cultural events in Kyiv because they help her mentally distance herself from the conflict and “detach from the tragedy.”

“Art is a place where the everyday doesn’t exist,” she observed. She believes such events remain important during wartime because supporting cultural foundations helps them grow stronger. “And that would give strength in any situation,” she added.

Artist Yuriy Vatkin experienced this firsthand when he became trapped under occupation near Kharkiv during the early weeks of Russia’s invasion. According to his fair representative Denys Dmytriev, painting became crucial for Vatkin’s survival and mental well-being, even after his studio suffered damage in an attack.

The artwork on display, most of which is available for purchase, avoids war-related themes in favor of more neutral subjects. Vatkin’s pieces showcase his distinctive approach, using thick, layered brushwork, broken forms, and bold colors to convey movement and uncertainty.

Visitor Anna Domashchenko said she felt attracted to the rich, intense colors because they trigger powerful emotions. She frequently attends art events and considers their continuation during wartime deeply meaningful.

“Sometimes you wonder whether it’s appropriate… but these are exactly the things that inspire you and remind you that life is full of color, and all of those colors should be present at any time,” she reflected. “Even in times as hard as these.”

KATHMANDU, Nepal — An aircraft operated by Turkish Airlines experienced a fire incident during its arrival at Nepal’s primary aviation hub on Monday morning, prompting airport authorities to temporarily suspend operations while emergency crews responded.

The aircraft, traveling from Istanbul, touched down at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu when flames and smoke erupted from the right-side landing gear assembly. Airport personnel confirmed that emergency responders quickly brought the blaze under control and successfully evacuated all travelers without any reported injuries.

Operations at the airport were suspended Monday morning as authorities addressed the situation.

The Airbus 330 aircraft was carrying 277 passengers at the time of the incident.

Multiple aircraft scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu were placed in holding patterns while officials conducted their investigation and worked to clear the airport’s single operational runway.

Aviation incidents occur with notable frequency in Nepal due to challenging flying conditions created by the country’s mountainous geography and unpredictable weather patterns.

A similar incident involving Turkish Airlines occurred in 2015 when another aircraft landing in heavy fog conditions at Kathmandu slid off the wet runway surface, resulting in airport closure for multiple days.

That earlier incident also resulted in no passenger injuries, and the aircraft was eventually removed from the airport grounds and repurposed as a museum exhibit.

BANGKOK — Billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra walked out of a Bangkok detention facility Monday morning, completing eight months of a one-year sentence for corruption-related offenses that have marked the latest chapter in his controversial political career spanning more than two decades.

Approximately 300 political supporters and allies assembled outside Klong Prem Central Prison to welcome the 76-year-old populist leader back to freedom.

The telecommunications tycoon established his political party in 1998 and led Thailand as prime minister from 2001 until military forces removed him from power in 2006 during his overseas travel. His removal sparked almost 20 years of intense and occasionally violent political division, while his political organization mounted multiple returns to power despite Thaksin remaining in voluntary exile to avoid what he characterized as judicial persecution.

Family members, including his daughter and former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, arrived early at the prison to greet him upon release.

Wearing a white polo shirt and blue trousers, Thaksin stepped through the prison entrance and received embraces from relatives. He displayed a wide smile while moving among his supporters, who called out “we love Thaksin” and presented him with red roses. He departed the scene without addressing media representatives.

About one hour later, he reached his home in western Bangkok. Video footage from Thairath News showed Thaksin lowering his car window to acknowledge a small gathering of supporters at his residence, telling shouting reporters “I was in hibernation, I can’t remember anything now.”

Thaksin holds the distinction of being Thailand’s first elected leader to complete a full four-year term in office. His initiatives including universal healthcare coverage and infrastructure development in underdeveloped regions earned strong backing from lower-income citizens, especially in northern and northeastern rural areas, though his appeal and occasionally authoritarian approach created significant divisions with urban elites, monarchy supporters, and military officials.

Authorities charged him with power abuse related to accusations of leveraging his office for personal business advantage and illegally authorizing a government lottery program that resulted in state financial losses.

A court convicted Thaksin while he remained outside the country, but he returned to Thailand for sentencing in 2023 when the Pheu Thai Party, his latest political organization, established a new government. Many believed he had negotiated a private agreement with traditional royalist power structures. Initially facing an eight-year prison term, King Maha Vajiralongkorn reduced his sentence to one year, which he was permitted to serve in a Bangkok Police Hospital suite due to health considerations.

Following complaints about preferential treatment, the Supreme Court ordered in September 2025 that Thaksin must serve his remaining time in standard prison facilities.

A Justice Ministry committee approved his parole last month during a review affecting more than 900 eligible inmates, pointing to his positive conduct while incarcerated, his advanced age, and minimal likelihood of reoffending.

Following his release, Thaksin faces four months of supervised probation requiring him to live at his registered Bangkok address, wear electronic monitoring equipment, and maintain regular contact with probation authorities.

His daughter Paetongtarn achieved the position of Thailand’s youngest prime minister in 2024 but lost her position when the Constitutional Court removed her in August 2025 after audio emerged of a problematic telephone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.

The Pheu Thai party secured only third place in this year’s national elections.

A Turkish Airlines aircraft experienced a tire fire Monday after touching down at Nepal’s main airport in Kathmandu, prompting officials to evacuate all passengers and crew members safely.

The incident occurred when the Airbus A330, which had flown from Istanbul, developed a fire in one of its tires following landing. Airport operations were suspended for one hour while emergency crews responded to the situation.

Emergency evacuation procedures were immediately activated, with all 277 passengers and 11 crew members exiting the aircraft through emergency slides. No injuries were sustained during the evacuation, according to Gyanendra Bhul, who serves as spokesperson for Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority.

“The fire broke out in the right rear tyre of the aircraft…the fire was doused and the plane was towed to the taxiway…it is grounded,” Bhul explained to reporters.

Fire crews successfully extinguished the blaze, and the aircraft was subsequently moved to a taxiway area where it remains out of service. Airport operations resumed after the emergency response concluded.

Turkish Airlines has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.

Taiwan’s top diplomat expressed optimism about the island nation’s relationship with the United States on Monday, just days before President Donald Trump’s scheduled meeting with Chinese leadership in Beijing.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung told reporters that Taiwan remains confident about its diplomatic ties with Washington, despite the upcoming three-day summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping set to begin Wednesday. The status of Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory but operates as a democracy, is expected to be a major topic of discussion.

Speaking from Taiwan’s parliament building in Taipei, Lin emphasized his government’s ongoing dialogue with American officials regarding the high-stakes meeting.

“We have also maintained continuous communication with the United States — whether through public statements from the U.S. government or through non-public channels. We are confident in the stable development of Taiwan-U.S. relations,” he said.

Lin also noted American consistency on the issue, stating: “The U.S. government has repeatedly expressed that its Taiwan policy will not change.”

The diplomatic assurances come as regional tensions remain high, with Beijing having never ruled out military action to bring Taiwan under its control. Meanwhile, American law requires the U.S. to help Taiwan maintain its defensive capabilities, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently emphasized the need for regional stability.

However, Taiwan faces pressure to increase its military spending. Last week, the island’s opposition-controlled legislature approved a defense budget smaller than what the government had requested, prompting disappointment from U.S. officials who want Taiwan and other allies to boost their military investments.

Lin urged lawmakers to take corrective measures to ensure adequate funding for Taiwan’s security needs, arguing that regional peace requires demonstrating strong defensive capabilities.

“However, peace depends on strength — it requires demonstrating the defence capability for self-defence in order to deter aggression,” he said.

“In particular, the Chinese communists are currently pursuing military buildup and authoritarian expansion.”

Former President Donald Trump quickly shot down Iran’s counter-proposal to a U.S. peace initiative on Monday, causing oil markets to spike as the ongoing 10-week conflict shows no signs of resolution.

The United States had recently put forward a peace offer hoping to restart diplomatic talks. Iran responded on Sunday with its own set of conditions, including demands to halt fighting across all theaters of war, particularly in Lebanon where Israel continues battling Iranian-backed Hezbollah forces. According to Iranian state television, Tehran’s response also sought war reparations and asserted Iranian control over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s demands extended to requiring the U.S. to halt its naval blockade, promise no additional attacks, remove sanctions, and lift restrictions on Iranian oil exports, according to the Tasnim news agency.

Trump’s response came swiftly through his Truth Social platform.

“I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE,” Trump posted, offering no additional explanation.

The original American proposal had suggested stopping hostilities first, then addressing more complex matters like Iran’s nuclear activities through negotiations.

Monday’s oil markets saw a $3 per barrel increase following news that the diplomatic impasse continues, leaving the critical Strait of Hormuz mostly inaccessible. This narrow waterway previously handled about 20% of global oil transport and has become a key flashpoint in the current crisis.

Polling data indicates American voters are growing frustrated with the conflict as gas prices surge just months before crucial elections that will decide Republican congressional control.

International backing for U.S. actions remains limited, with NATO partners declining requests to deploy naval forces to reopen the strait without a comprehensive peace agreement and proper international authorization.

The path forward for either diplomatic or military action remains uncertain.

Trump is scheduled to travel to Beijing on Wednesday, where discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to include the Iran situation as pressure mounts to resolve the conflict and its global energy implications.

The former president has been urging China to leverage its relationship with Tehran to encourage a deal with Washington.

When asked about the status of military operations against Iran, Trump stated in Sunday remarks: “They are defeated, but that doesn’t mean they’re done.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the conflict remains active because “more work to be done” exists regarding Iran’s enriched uranium removal, dismantling enrichment facilities, and addressing Iranian proxy forces and missile programs.

During a CBS “60 Minutes” interview aired Sunday, Netanyahu said diplomatic solutions would be preferable for uranium removal but didn’t eliminate the possibility of using force.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded through social media that Iran would “never bow down to the enemy” and would “defend national interests with strength.”

Regional shipping and economic threats persist despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Fighting around the strait has intensified in recent days, marking the most serious escalation since ceasefire efforts began.

Sunday saw the United Arab Emirates intercept two Iranian drones, while Qatar criticized a drone strike on a cargo vessel from Abu Dhabi in Qatari waters. Kuwait reported successfully defending against hostile drones in its airspace.

Combat between Israel and Hezbollah continues in southern Lebanon despite a U.S.-mediated ceasefire announced April 16.

Netanyahu noted in his “60 Minutes” appearance that resolving tensions with Iran wouldn’t automatically end Lebanese hostilities. He also acknowledged that Israeli strategists had miscalculated Iran’s capacity to disrupt Hormuz Strait traffic.

“It took a while for them to understand how big that risk is, which they understand now,” he explained.

Relatives of two Americans who have been held in Chinese prisons for more than a decade are making an urgent plea to President Donald Trump to raise their cases during his scheduled summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The imprisoned Americans are Dawn Michelle Hunt, a 54-year-old artist and former flight attendant from the Chicago area, and Nelson Wells Jr., a 52-year-old Louisiana man and father of three children. Both were found guilty on narcotics charges following what their relatives describe as separate schemes where they were deceived into transporting drugs without their knowledge.

This summit presents an opportunity for Trump, who has positioned himself as a negotiator capable of bringing Americans home, to achieve a concrete victory by securing the freedom of two sick U.S. citizens. The meeting is anticipated to yield few major breakthroughs given ongoing disputes over trade policies, Iran, and Taiwan.

From China’s perspective, releasing the two Americans on humanitarian grounds would represent a relatively inexpensive way to generate positive relations with an unpredictable U.S. leader during a delicate period in bilateral ties.

“With President Trump meeting President Xi, our two families are writing letters – we’re asking, ‘Can you please ask for the release of our loved ones?’,” said Tim Hunt, Dawn Michelle’s older brother.

“Hopefully, we can get those letters delivered and read.”

Tim Hunt described his sister as an artistic “brainiac,” a highly intelligent person, and former flight attendant with a degree in fashion design who loved entering sweepstakes with her mother.

According to Hunt, Dawn Michelle was deceived into taking an international “prize” trip by fraudsters who, after she arrived in China, gave her handbags and a new suitcase that contained concealed drugs, which she unknowingly agreed to transport on her departure flight.

Nelson Wells Jr. was a world traveler who climbed mountains and explored Japan’s peaks, sharing the views with his father. Wells was taken into custody after agreeing to carry someone else’s luggage while returning from a China trip, his family explained. The person disappeared after airport security found narcotics concealed in the bag.

“I enjoyed serving my country,” said Wells’ father, Nelson Wells Sr., a U.S. Army veteran whose wife also worked for the Department of Defense for 28 years. “Now I just want my country to serve me.”

A U.S. State Department representative confirmed they are providing consular assistance to both individuals and that officials are working to protect the health and welfare of the two citizens, but refused to elaborate due to privacy concerns.

A representative from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that both individuals are completing sentences for significant drug-related offenses and that the government is managing their cases in accordance with legal procedures while ensuring their health and legitimate rights remain protected.

HEALTH CONCERNS MOUNTING

Sources indicate the State Department has formally requested Chinese officials to release both prisoners on compassionate grounds, and Chinese authorities have privately suggested they would consider such a request if it comes from high-level U.S. officials.

“The Chinese side has shown a willingness to grant the humanitarian release, but they are also keen to hear from the U.S. side just how important it is for the American people,” said Beijing-based lawyer James Zimmerman, who is advising the Hunt and Wells families.

Family members report that both prisoners are experiencing worsening health conditions. Hunt has developed significant medical issues and requires blood transfusions but lacks confidence in prison medical staff to agree to surgical procedures. Wells experiences severe seizures, diabetes, high blood pressure and other medical complications, according to his family.

In 2024, China and the U.S. each released three citizens both governments said were wrongfully detained in the other country, concluding years of diplomacy.

Supporters say U.S. government focus has increased in recent months. Peter Humphrey, a fraud investigator and former Chinese prisoner who now counsels families of foreign detainees in the country, reported that the U.S. embassy has been discussing these cases more regularly with Chinese officials.

Medical concerns have become the focal point of both families’ campaigns.

“Both Dawn Michelle Hunt and Nelson Wells are gravely ill and in desperate need of medical care in the U.S. – they should both be granted humanitarian parole,” said John Kamm, whose San Francisco-based Dui Hua Foundation researches political prisoners in China. Dui Hua estimates that there are around 200 Americans in carceral facilities in China.

Both families report their cases gained traction after they provided testimony at a September 2024 Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing, which brought broader attention to Americans held in Chinese prisons.

They are also supporting legislation introduced by Representative Chris Smith, named for Hunt and Wells, that they believe would enhance assistance for families facing similar situations.

For both families, the emotional burden at home has grown heavier over time. Tim Hunt revealed his father passed away in January without witnessing his daughter’s release. Wells’ youngest daughter, now 12 and residing in Japan, has little connection with her father since she was only six months old when he was arrested, his family explained.

“We are common people,” Wells Sr. said. “We cry every night. Our loved ones never leave our minds.”

BANGKOK – Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra walked free from a Bangkok prison Monday morning, completing roughly eight months of incarceration after a court determined he had improperly extended his hospital stay to dodge jail time.

The 76-year-old billionaire politician, who shaped and controlled Thai politics for 25 years, emerged from Klong Prem Central Prison at approximately 7:40 a.m. local time wearing a simple white shirt with closely trimmed hair. His political influence has diminished recently due to his imprisonment and his Pheu Thai Party’s historically poor showing in this year’s elections.

Family members immediately embraced Thaksin upon his release, including his daughter and political successor Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was removed from the prime minister position by court order last August, just weeks before his father’s imprisonment.

Crowds of supporters who had gathered outside the Bangkok prison since early morning hours shouted “we love Thaksin” as he acknowledged them following his release. He completed approximately two-thirds of his sentence before receiving parole.

Following 15 years of voluntary exile, Thaksin came back to Thailand in 2023 to face an eight-year prison term for conflicts of interest and power abuse during his 2001-2006 tenure as prime minister. The king had reduced his sentence to one year.

However, his actual prison time lasted only hours after his return, as he reported cardiac issues and chest discomfort. He subsequently spent six months in a hospital’s VIP section before gaining parole status.

The Supreme Court ruled in September that Thaksin must complete his sentence behind bars, determining that he and his medical team had deliberately extended his hospital treatment through unnecessary minor procedures.

Prison officials confirmed he must wear an electronic monitoring device on his ankle for his remaining sentence period.

A 76-year-old supporter from northern Chiang Rai province, Rommanee Nakano, expressed that Thaksin never deserved punishment.

“He is a very good person,” she stated before his release. “Whatever he did, he did it for the people. He just wanted the people to be well-fed and have enough to live on.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his goal to eliminate U.S. military assistance to his nation within the next ten years during a television interview broadcast Sunday.

Speaking on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” Netanyahu expressed his desire to completely phase out American financial assistance for military cooperation between the two countries. “I want to draw down to zero the American financial support, the financial component of the military cooperation that we have,” the Israeli leader stated.

Currently, Israel receives approximately $3.8 billion annually in U.S. military assistance. Under an existing agreement, America has committed to providing $38 billion total in military aid to Israel spanning from 2018 through 2028.

Netanyahu emphasized that now represents the ideal moment to potentially restructure the financial relationship between the United States and Israel, calling it “absolutely” the appropriate time for such a change.

“I don’t want to wait for the next Congress,” Netanyahu explained to CBS reporters. “I want to start now.”

Although Israel has historically enjoyed broad bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress regarding military assistance, that backing has weakened among both legislators and American citizens following the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez touched down in the Netherlands on Sunday, preparing to present her nation’s case before the world’s highest court regarding a long-standing territorial conflict with neighboring Guyana over a resource-abundant region.

The International Court of Justice located in The Hague is conducting a series of proceedings between these South American nations, both of whom assert ownership over Essequibo — a nearly 62,000-square-mile area abundant in gold, diamonds, timber and additional natural resources, positioned close to substantial offshore petroleum reserves.

Since the era of Spanish colonization, Venezuela has regarded Essequibo as part of its territory, as the forested region was within its colonial borders. However, an 1899 arbitration decision made by representatives from Britain, Russia and the United States established the boundary along the Essequibo River, primarily favoring Guyana’s position.

Venezuelan officials contend that a 1966 Geneva agreement designed to settle the territorial disagreement essentially invalidated the 19th-century arbitration decision.

Monday will mark the concluding court session, featuring Rodríguez’s testimony. The tribunal will likely require several months before delivering a final and legally enforceable decision.

Upon her arrival at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, Rodríguez — who took office in January after a U.S. military action that removed Nicolás Maduro from power — stated that her nation has “demonstrated at every historical stage what our territory has meant since we were born as a Republic.”

Guyana initiated the Essequibo case at the ICJ in 2018, seeking international confirmation that the 1899 decision — rather than the 1966 agreement — should determine the boundary. Venezuelan officials have cautioned that their participation in these proceedings doesn’t constitute acceptance or acknowledgment of the ICJ’s authority.

During the hearings’ opening session, Guyanese Foreign Minister Hugh Hilton Todd informed the international panel of judges that this territorial disagreement “has been a blight on our existence as a sovereign state from the beginning” and noted that 70% of Guyana’s land area is in question.

LONDON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is mounting a desperate effort to save his political career, planning to announce Monday that strengthening ties with Europe will become the cornerstone of his administration’s new direction amid escalating demands for his resignation.

The Labour Party leader finds himself in serious jeopardy following devastating defeats in last week’s local elections, which marked the worst performance by a ruling party in over thirty years. More than 30 members of parliament from his own party have demanded either his immediate resignation or a clear timeline for his departure.

According to advance excerpts from his upcoming address, Starmer plans to acknowledge that “incremental change won’t cut it” and will admit the scope of necessary reforms for economic recovery, military reconstruction, and energy independence exceeds his initial expectations.

While the speech preview contains no specific new policy announcements, Starmer intends to declare his administration “will be defined by rebuilding our relationship and by putting Britain at the heart of Europe” – a significant shift nearly ten years after the Brexit vote.

This European focus could resonate well with Labour parliamentarians and younger demographics, as recent polling indicates approximately 60% of British citizens now view the EU departure as an error.

Nevertheless, such efforts to restore European connections would create complex challenges, including potential agreements to increase European immigration in exchange for enhanced EU market access. This approach would likely draw fierce resistance from conservative Eurosceptic movements and certain media organizations.

Starmer secured one of the most commanding parliamentary victories in recent British political history during 2024, campaigning on promises to stimulate economic growth, reduce unauthorized immigration, and eliminate healthcare waiting periods in the national health system.

His administration’s progress has stalled due to policy reversals, internal party criticism regarding his reluctance to make tough choices, and multiple political controversies, resulting in approval numbers among the lowest recorded for any British leader.

In his forthcoming remarks, Starmer will concede his government has sometimes fallen short of delivering the transformation voters expected, stating that “people need hope” while expressing readiness to “face up to the big challenges” confronting the nation.

The crisis intensified when former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner issued a rare public warning Sunday that the Labour Party might be approaching its “last chance” for course correction.

Additionally, Catherine West, a relatively unknown former junior minister, demanded over the weekend that cabinet members remove the prime minister. She threatened that if they refuse by Monday and she finds his speech unsatisfactory, she will personally attempt to initiate leadership proceedings.

However, the Labour Party has never successfully ousted one of its prime ministers throughout its 125-year existence.

Party regulations require 20% of parliamentary members – totaling 81 lawmakers – to unite behind a single alternative candidate to launch a leadership challenge.

Thus far, none of Starmer’s primary potential successors have acted against him. Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor and considered a leading replacement candidate, lacks parliamentary membership and cannot mount a challenge.

This threat to Starmer’s leadership, occurring less than two years following his electoral triumph, exemplifies Britain’s growing governance difficulties.

Should Starmer face removal in coming weeks, Britain would experience its seventh prime minister within the past decade, representing unprecedented political instability in nearly 200 years.

Political experts attribute this pattern to multiple factors: sluggish economic expansion since the 2007-2009 financial crisis, stressed government budgets particularly after extensive pandemic borrowing, and deep political divisions following Brexit.

President Donald Trump announced Sunday through his Truth Social platform that five individuals from Poland and Moldova have been freed from detention facilities in Belarus and Russia.

The announcement detailed the release of three Polish nationals and two Moldovan citizens. Trump gave recognition to special envoy John Coale for facilitating the prisoner releases and expressed gratitude to Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko for his “cooperation and friendship.”

Among those freed was Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist and activist holding both Polish and Belarusian citizenship, who had been imprisoned in Belarus. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had previously confirmed Poczobut’s release on April 28, explaining it occurred through a prisoner exchange agreement.

Lukashenko, who maintains close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has freed hundreds of detainees over the past two years. This prisoner release pattern has gained momentum since Trump began his second presidential term. In exchange for these releases, the United States has started lifting economic sanctions imposed on Belarus.

NAIROBI, Kenya — French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Kenya Sunday to launch the Africa Forward Summit, a diplomatic gathering designed to demonstrate France’s evolving relationship with African nations as Paris moves away from its colonial-era influence.

The summit represents the first time this event has taken place in an English-speaking African nation, coming after France completed its military withdrawal from West Africa last year following declining regional influence across the continent.

For decades following independence, France maintained what critics called “Françafrique” — a system of economic, political and military control that included deploying thousands of soldiers throughout the region. African leaders and opposition groups frequently condemned this approach as patronizing and heavy-handed.

Kenyan President William Ruto, who is hosting Macron, expressed hopes that the summit will serve as a “turning point” for improved partnerships between the nations.

Addressing the evolving political dynamics, Macron acknowledged that France may “disagree” with West African governments but “never disagrees with the people.”

The two-day conference beginning Monday expects to host 30 heads of state, with ten having already arrived in Nairobi.

However, Kenyan opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka criticized selecting Kenya as the host location, arguing the country faces democratic challenges, opposition suppression and human rights violations as it approaches the 2027 elections.

“There will be an air of pretense that we are a cohesive nation,” Musyoka said. “We know that is far from the truth.”

Ruto responded Sunday by stating that Nairobi aims to develop diverse international relationships and was “neither looking East nor West” but “looking forward.”

During Sunday’s proceedings, Kenya and France finalized 11 partnership agreements covering multiple sectors, including plans for a major nuclear energy facility, transportation improvements, and sustainable farming initiatives.

Macron described these investments as efforts to build “human capital,” aligning with the summit’s emphasis on innovation and Africa’s expanding youth population.

WASHINGTON/BEIJING – A high-ranking American official voiced frustration on Sunday following Taiwan’s legislative decision to authorize military funding below what the United States considers necessary for the island nation’s security needs.

Speaking anonymously, the official stated that Washington found the outcome “disappointing in that there was some stuff left on the cutting room floor that we believe still needs to be funded.”

The official added, “We’d like to see the rest of the original proposed package funded.”

Taiwan’s legislature gave final approval on Friday to additional military expenditures totaling $25 billion, representing approximately two-thirds of the full amount Taiwan’s government had requested. The funding is intended to strengthen the island’s defensive capabilities as it faces an increasingly advanced Chinese military threat.

The reduced spending approval came through Taiwan’s parliament, which is currently under opposition party control.

The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Narges Mohammadi has been transferred to a Tehran medical facility and granted temporary release from prison on bail following a recent heart attack, according to her family’s foundation.

The 54-year-old activist received the prestigious award last year while incarcerated for her efforts promoting women’s rights and opposing capital punishment. She experienced cardiac complications two weeks ago while serving her sentence.

Family members had advocated for her relocation from Zanjan, located northwest of the Iranian capital, where she was initially hospitalized, seeking access to superior medical treatment for her condition.

According to a statement from the Narges Mohammadi Foundation, she has been transported by ambulance to Tehran Pars Hospital, where her personal medical specialists are providing treatment.

Earlier this year in February, Mohammadi received an additional prison sentence totaling seven and a half years, the foundation reported. This occurred weeks prior to escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran. The Nobel Prize committee urged Iranian authorities to release her without delay.

Her December arrest followed her public criticism regarding the death of attorney Khosrow Alikordi. Officials stated that she made inflammatory statements during Alikordi’s memorial service.

The foundation did not provide specific information about the bail conditions or details surrounding her sentence suspension.

“However, a suspension is not enough,” the organization stated. “Narges Mohammadi requires permanent, specialized care. We must ensure she never returns to prison.”

Iranian authorities severely restricted internet access throughout the country in January while suppressing widespread demonstrations sparked by economic concerns. Human rights organizations have documented continued executions of individuals connected to the civil unrest.

Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Mexico City on Sunday, led by mothers whose children vanished during years of cartel-related violence. The Mother’s Day march drew attention to the country’s crisis of missing persons as Mexico gears up to co-host the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Groups representing families of the disappeared organize this annual demonstration each Mother’s Day. This year, they urged soccer supporters to stand with them, declaring in a public statement that “there is nothing to celebrate, because the mothers of Mexico are playing the most difficult match: the one for justice.”

Marchers filled Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City’s main thoroughfare, carrying photographs of missing loved ones on banners and posters. “Mexico, champion in disappearances,” the crowd chanted as they walked past a traffic circle permanently decorated with images of those who have vanished, now surrounded by metal barricades.

“We had to start fighting, because no one wanted to take charge of the disappearance (case),” explained Graciela Perez Rodriguez. Her daughter and four other family members went missing in 2012 while driving through the northern state of Tamaulipas after visiting the United States.

The nation faces a staggering crisis with over 130,000 people reported missing. These disappearances dramatically increased following 2006, when Mexico declared war against drug trafficking organizations.

Law enforcement officers and government workers are frequently connected to these crimes. Mothers who conduct their own searches when official investigations stall often become targets themselves, facing threats and violence from criminal organizations.

Mexican officials announced in March that they had possibly identified more than 40,000 individuals from the missing persons database who might still be alive, following an examination of the national registry that revealed activity in other government databases.

However, research from Mexico Evalua, a public policy organization, shows disappearances have tripled during the past ten years as organized crime groups have expanded their influence.

Rodriguez expressed concern that authorities no longer prioritize her family’s case after nearly 14 years have elapsed.

“We feel this emptiness,” she said.

A high-ranking United States official confirmed on Sunday that the current rare earth materials agreement between America and China remains valid, with discussions underway regarding a possible extension.

The confirmation comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, set to take place in Beijing on May 14 and 15.

“It’s still in effect. It doesn’t expire yet,” the official stated during a briefing with reporters. The official added that while discussions continue, it remains unclear whether the agreement will receive an extension. “I’m confident we’ll announce any potential extension at the appropriate time.”

The upcoming two-day summit, beginning Thursday, is expected to cover several contentious topics including the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, trade relations, Taiwan, and other areas of tension between the two nations.

The leaders previously met in October in South Korea, where they reached an agreement to halt an escalating trade dispute. That conflict had resulted in the United States implementing substantial tariffs on Chinese products while Beijing had threatened to limit global access to rare earth materials.