Author: Admin

Bahraini officials revealed Saturday that security forces have detained 41 individuals suspected of operating within an intelligence network connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with allegations including espionage activities and assistance to Iranian operations.

According to the Interior Ministry, security services discovered this organization while conducting investigations overseen by prosecutors examining cases involving “espionage on behalf of foreign entities and sympathy for Iranian aggression.”

These detentions occur as Bahrain has strengthened domestic security protocols amid escalating regional conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The island nation serves as home to a significant US military installation and was among Gulf states impacted by Iranian strikes that followed American and Israeli military actions against Iran.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry released a statement Saturday expressing Riyadh’s complete backing of Bahrain’s actions to counter efforts designed to undermine the kingdom’s stability.

The ministry additionally lauded Bahraini security personnel, highlighting what it characterized as their success in thwarting attempts to compromise national security.

Following the start of regional hostilities, Bahraini officials have implemented measures targeting individuals suspected of publicly backing Tehran. In the previous month, Bahrain stripped citizenship from 69 people charged with demonstrating support for Iran.

The Bahraini Interior Ministry reiterated Saturday that this case originated from previous investigations connected to foreign-sponsored intelligence operations and assistance to Iranian activities.

Three Israeli soldiers sustained injuries Saturday when explosive drones launched by Hezbollah detonated close to the Lebanese border in the Shlomi region, amid ongoing military exchanges between the two sides.

According to Israeli military reports, one reserve soldier from the Israel Defense Forces suffered serious injuries, while an officer and another reserve soldier received moderate wounds. Medical teams transported the injured personnel to a hospital, and their families have been informed of the incident.

Israeli forces successfully intercepted multiple aerial attacks targeting troops operating in southern Lebanon, with no additional casualties recorded from those incidents.

Reports from Lebanese media outlets indicate that Israeli airstrikes resulted in 12 fatalities in southern Lebanon on Saturday. Prior to the strikes, Israeli military officials ordered civilians in multiple southern Lebanese villages to leave their homes.

Army spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee issued a statement to local residents, saying: “In light of the Hezbollah terror organization’s violations of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is forced to act against it with force and does not intend to harm you.”

Israeli military officials reported conducting operations against more than 85 Hezbollah infrastructure sites throughout various regions of Lebanon during the previous 24-hour period. The targeted facilities included ammunition storage sites, rocket launchers, and buildings used by the militant organization.

Additional Israeli operations targeted a subterranean weapons production facility located in the Bekaa Valley, along with militant fighters positioned in southern Lebanon.

In separate military actions, Israeli forces attacked storage facilities containing military equipment and destroyed a Hezbollah drone launch site in southern Lebanon that had been used for attacks against Israeli forces. The military also eliminated two rocket launchers that were loaded and ready for deployment.

Warning systems for drone infiltrations activated across the Western Galilee region on Saturday before the Home Front Command declared the threat had passed and authorized residents to exit protective shelters.

Israeli Air Force units intercepted several suspicious aerial objects launched from Lebanese territory toward Israel, according to military statements. Near the border town of Metula, security forces identified an explosive drone deployed by Hezbollah. Military officials confirmed no injuries or property damage occurred, and investigators are examining the location.

Washington remains in a holding pattern as Iranian officials deliberate over a comprehensive peace proposal designed to halt the conflict that started in February.

Iranian leadership is examining a detailed 14-point plan from the United States that would establish a two-month cessation of hostilities, restore access through the Strait of Hormuz, and halt Iran’s uranium enrichment activities for a minimum of 12 years in return for lifting economic sanctions.

The wait extended into Saturday despite earlier expectations for a quicker response. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had indicated Friday that Washington anticipated hearing from Tehran within hours, while Donald Trump suggested the Iranian decision would come “tonight.” As of Saturday, no official word had emerged regarding Iran’s position on the offer.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Islamabad continues intensive diplomatic efforts with both nations “day and night” to maintain the current ceasefire and advance broader peace negotiations.

Ali Safari, who advises the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, spoke with Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen network about Tehran’s perspective on the strategic waterway dispute. “Iran’s priority is to stop the war, open the Strait of Hormuz and stop American maritime piracy,” Safari stated.

Safari elaborated on Iran’s comprehensive approach to ending hostilities: “When we say ending the war, we mean all fronts, especially Lebanon. We decided to use the Strait of Hormuz card for the Lebanese front. We are in contact with official parties in Lebanon.”

The Iranian advisor also leveled accusations against the United Arab Emirates regarding military involvement. “The United Arab Emirates is among the countries that participated in the war against Iran. We have evidence,” he claimed.

United States Central Command reported Saturday that American forces had “diverted 58 commercial vessels and disabled four, since April 13, to prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports,” characterizing these actions as components of the Strait of Hormuz blockade operations.

The past several days have witnessed the most intense confrontations in the critical shipping corridor since a ceasefire began one month ago. The United Arab Emirates also experienced additional attacks on Friday.

Iran’s ISNA news agency published details of diplomatic exchanges that revealed Tehran’s concerns about American military activities in the Persian Gulf. “The recent escalation of tensions by American forces in the Persian Gulf and their numerous actions in violating the ceasefire have added to suspicions about the motivation and seriousness of the American side in the path of diplomacy,” according to the Iranian diplomatic account.

According to a Wall Street Journal report published Saturday, Israel established a hidden military facility in Iraq’s desert region to bolster its aerial operations against Iran, with sources including U.S. officials providing details to the publication.

The covert installation served as a base for Israeli special operations forces and functioned as a supply center for Israel’s air force operations, according to the newspaper. The facility was constructed with American awareness prior to the commencement of joint U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran, the report states. Search-and-rescue personnel were also stationed at the location to provide assistance to any Israeli aviators who might be shot down, the Journal reported.

Reuters was unable to confirm the Wall Street Journal’s account independently. Israeli Prime Minister’s office did not provide an immediate response when Reuters sought comment on the matter.

The hidden facility nearly came to light in early March when Iraqi state television reported that a local herder had observed suspicious military operations, including aircraft activity in the region.

When Iraqi military personnel were sent to examine the area, Israeli forces conducted aerial bombardments to maintain distance and avoid detection of their position, according to the newspaper’s sources.

The Journal referenced a formal complaint Iraq submitted to the United Nations in late March, alleging that foreign military forces and aerial attacks were responsible for the incident, with Iraq pointing to U.S. involvement. However, the WSJ reported that a source knowledgeable about the situation stated the United States did not participate in the strikes.

A devastating militia assault in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed the lives of no fewer than 69 individuals, according to reports from Agence France-Presse on Saturday.

The deadly violence was confirmed by both local authorities and security officials in the region, AFP reported.

The attack represents the latest incident of violence to plague the central African nation, which has struggled with ongoing conflict and instability.

A devastating coordinated assault on a police station in northwestern Pakistan resulted in the deaths of at least three law enforcement officers on Saturday, with officials warning the death toll could climb significantly higher.

The attack occurred at a police facility located on the outskirts of Bannu, where a vehicle packed with explosives was detonated at the station. Police official Sajjad Khan expressed grave concerns that most of the 15 officers who were working at the post during the incident may have perished, noting that the facility was completely destroyed in the blast.

Khan stated that combat operations were still underway and that the full scope of casualties and destruction would not be determined until the fighting concluded.

An unnamed police official described the multi-phase nature of the assault, explaining: “The terrorists first attacked the police post with an explosives-laden car, and then militants entered its premises and opened fire on the police personnel.”

The official continued: “Other law enforcement personnel were sent to help the police, but the terrorists ambushed them and caused some casualties.”

According to police sources, the attackers also deployed drones during the operation, adding another layer of sophistication to the assault.

Emergency response teams and ambulances from rescue organizations and civilian medical facilities were immediately sent to the location. Officials announced that all government hospitals in Bannu had been placed on emergency status to handle the influx of casualties.

The militant group Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen has taken credit for orchestrating the deadly attack.

Such violent incidents threaten to escalate tensions and resume hostilities along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. Earlier this year in February, the most severe clashes in years broke out between the former allies, resulting in Pakistani air strikes within Afghan territory that Pakistan claimed were targeting militant bases.

While the intensity of conflict has diminished since then, sporadic border clashes continue to occur, and no formal ceasefire agreement has been established between the two nations.

Pakistan’s government continues to accuse Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership of providing safe haven to militant groups who use Afghan territory as a base for planning attacks against Pakistani targets.

Taliban officials have rejected these accusations, maintaining that Pakistan’s security challenges with militant groups represent domestic issues rather than cross-border problems.

The British Foreign Office confirmed Saturday that officials called in China’s ambassador to the United Kingdom on Friday in response to a recent court ruling that found two individuals guilty of conducting espionage operations for Hong Kong and China.

The diplomatic summons came after a London court delivered guilty verdicts in a national security case involving the two men, who were convicted of carrying out spying activities that ultimately benefited Chinese interests through Hong Kong connections.

The Foreign Office announced the ambassador’s summons the day after the diplomatic meeting took place, highlighting the serious nature of the espionage convictions and their impact on UK-China relations.

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has temporarily blocked legislation that would have significantly shortened the prison term of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving 27 years for attempting to orchestrate a coup following his 2022 electoral defeat.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the suspension order on Saturday, preventing the implementation of the sentence reduction measure while the nation’s highest court examines its constitutionality, according to court documents.

The controversial legislation, which received congressional approval last month after lawmakers overrode President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s veto, would have slashed Bolsonaro’s sentence to approximately two years. Under this reduced term, the former right-wing leader could have been released as early as 2028.

Two political parties in Brazil, along with the press association ABI, filed separate legal challenges this week arguing the law violates the constitution. The measure would also have reduced penalties for individuals convicted in connection with the January 2023 uprising, when Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed and damaged the presidential palace, Supreme Court building, and congressional offices.

Justice Moraes determined the law cannot take effect until the Supreme Court completes its review of two separate cases seeking to invalidate the measure on constitutional grounds.

Bolsonaro’s legal team has not yet formally petitioned the court to apply the sentence reduction to their client. However, on Friday, his attorneys submitted a motion requesting criminal review to have the Supreme Court overturn his conviction entirely.

The former president is currently serving his sentence under humanitarian house arrest conditions, which were initially granted for 90 days based on medical considerations.

DAKAR, Senegal — Rebel forces operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo have criticized the United States for inadequate mediation efforts in the ongoing conflict plaguing the nation’s resource-rich eastern territories, as the Trump administration works to secure access to the area’s strategic mineral deposits for American interests.

Congolese rebel commander Corneille Nangaa penned a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alleging that Washington has not adequately confronted the Congolese government regarding its purported breaches of peace agreements.

The correspondence, obtained by The Associated Press on Saturday, bore the signature of the Congo River Alliance, an organization that encompasses the M23 rebel faction supported by Rwanda.

Last year, Congo and Rwanda entered into a peace agreement facilitated by the United States, designed to halt the prolonged violence in eastern Congo. The arrangement outlined economic cooperation terms among the three nations and promised to facilitate agreements concerning rare earth mineral extraction.

President Donald Trump lauded the heads of state — Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame — when the deal was reached. Trump has frequently highlighted his role in brokering the agreement. Despite the accord, combat operations persist in the area, with rebel and government military units each claiming the other side has broken the peace terms.

Nangaa’s letter to Rubio also condemned American sanctions targeting “actors critical of the authorities in power” in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital city. This appears to reference recent U.S. penalties imposed on former Congolese leader Joseph Kabila for his suspected involvement in financing and assisting rebel groups. Washington previously sanctioned Rwanda’s armed forces and four high-ranking officials for their support of M23.

“Your administration has neither imposed any sanctions nor issued even a simple warning to the leaders in Kinshasa, whose intransigent and arrogant attitude calls into question the impartiality and neutrality of the American Facilitator/Mediator,” the letter stated.

“The absence of clearly identifiable corrective measures fuels questions regarding the facilitation’s ability to preserve, over time, the requirements of impartiality and neutrality that are essential to its credibility,” it continued.

Congo, the United States, and United Nations specialists maintain that Rwanda provides backing to M23, which has expanded from several hundred fighters in 2021 to approximately 6,500 combatants, according to UN data.

Eastern Congo has endured decades of violence as government troops battle over 100 armed organizations, with M23 being the most formidable, frequently competing for control of the region’s mineral wealth. M23 forces launched a significant offensive in the area in early 2023, capturing Goma and other strategic locations while rapidly extending their territorial control.

Although American diplomatic intervention has helped reduce regional tensions, it has not halted the intensifying ground combat, according to Kristof Titeca, a University of Antwerp professor who specializes in Central African governance and conflict issues.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Three law enforcement officers died Saturday night when militants launched a coordinated assault on a police facility in Pakistan’s northwestern region, authorities confirmed.

The deadly incident occurred in Bannu district within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which shares a border with Afghanistan, according to police official Zahid Khan. Attackers used a vehicle packed with explosives while armed fighters engaged officers in combat.

Khan reported that numerous blasts echoed through the area following the initial explosion, which destroyed both the police facility and several residential buildings in the vicinity due to the powerful detonation.

The police official declined to provide additional information, noting that gunfire continued between security forces and the attackers. He added that some officers sustained injuries and may be buried beneath debris from the collapsed structures.

Authorities have not identified which organization orchestrated the assault.

Intelligence experts anticipate the Pakistani Taliban, formally called Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, along with associated extremist organizations, will likely emerge as suspects given their history of conducting comparable operations. The nation has experienced an escalation in extremist attacks over recent years.

The TTP operates independently from but maintains ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban movement, which assumed control of the neighboring country in 2021.

MOSCOW, May 9 – Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Saturday that he believes the ongoing war in Ukraine is approaching its conclusion.

The conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has created the most severe tensions between Russia and Western nations since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, a period when many feared global nuclear conflict was imminent.

“I think that the matter is coming to an end,” Putin stated when speaking with reporters about the Ukrainian war.

Recent reports from the Financial Times on Thursday indicated that leaders across the European Union are making preparations for possible negotiations.

When questioned about his openness to discussions with European officials, Putin indicated his preference would be to work with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Russian government officials stated last week that European nations must initiate contact first, since they were responsible for cutting off diplomatic communication with Moscow when the Ukrainian conflict began in 2022.

Seven people lost their lives, including one child, when Israeli forces targeted the Lebanese town of Saksakiyeh on Saturday, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Fifteen others sustained injuries in the attack.

Israeli military officials confirmed they conducted the operation against Hezbollah fighters in the area, claiming the militants were preparing assaults on Israeli troops.

“The IDF is aware of reports regarding harm to uninvolved civilians in the structure in which the terrorists were struck. The details of the incident are under review,” military officials stated.

The deadly confrontation marks continued violence between Israeli forces and the armed group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, where Israel maintains what it calls a security zone. This ongoing conflict persists even after a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States was announced on April 16.

Earlier this week, Israeli forces reported killing a high-ranking Hezbollah commander from the elite Radwan unit on Wednesday. The strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs was the first of its kind since the ceasefire declaration.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue as the United States facilitates discussions between Lebanese and Israeli representatives. These meetings represent the most significant diplomatic contact between the two nations’ government officials in many years.

State Department officials confirmed that Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to Washington will participate in a third round of negotiations scheduled for Thursday and Friday this week.

A liquefied natural gas tanker from Qatar was making its way toward the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, heading to Pakistan after leaving Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal, maritime tracking information from LSEG reveals.

If the vessel completes its journey successfully, it would represent the first time a Qatari LNG ship has made it through the strategic waterway since Iran began its military campaign. QatarEnergy has not yet responded to requests for comment.

The tanker Al Kharaitiyat operates under a Marshall Islands flag and is operated by Nakilat Shipping Qatar Ltd, with storage space for 211,986 cubic meters of cargo, maritime records indicate.

In early April, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stopped two LNG vessels from Qatar – the Al Daayen and Rasheeda – as they approached the Strait of Hormuz on April 6, ordering them to remain stationary without providing any reasoning, according to a source who spoke to Reuters.

As the globe’s second-biggest LNG supplier, Qatar primarily ships its energy exports to Asian markets. Iranian military actions have damaged 17% of Qatar’s LNG shipping capabilities, with reconstruction work anticipated to keep 12.8 million tons annually of the fuel offline for three to five years.

BEIRUT — Saturday’s deadly Israeli military operations resulted in 17 fatalities across Lebanon, with drone attacks targeting vehicles south of Beirut claiming four lives and separate airstrikes in the country’s southern region killing at least 13 others, according to state media and Health Ministry reports.

The vehicle-targeting drone operations south of Lebanon’s capital represent a significant escalation in hostilities, occurring despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah that took effect on April 17. Despite the truce, both sides have maintained daily military operations.

Earlier this week on Wednesday evening, Israeli warplanes conducted an airstrike on a southern Beirut suburb, with Israel claiming the operation eliminated a high-ranking Hezbollah military commander. That attack marked the first strike near the capital since the ceasefire agreement was established.

Saturday’s drone operations included two strikes along the major highway connecting Beirut to the southern coastal city of Sidon, injuring several individuals, while a third attack occurred on a roadway leading to Lebanon’s Chouf region, resulting in three deaths, the state-operated National News Agency reported.

An Associated Press correspondent at one scene observed a fatality on the highway in Saadiyat.

Health Ministry officials confirmed that an Israeli airstrike on Saksakiyeh village in southern Lebanon resulted in at least seven deaths, including one child, with 15 people wounded. Ministry representatives noted this represented preliminary casualty figures.

Additional strikes hit various southern Lebanese communities, including an attack on Bourj Rahhal village that killed three people and another in Maifadoun that claimed one life, according to agency reports.

In a particularly tragic incident, Health Ministry officials said three Israeli drone strikes killed a Syrian man traveling by motorcycle with his 12-year-old daughter in Nabatiyeh city.

According to ministry accounts, following the initial attack, the man and his daughter managed to escape the immediate area before being targeted again by the drone, instantly killing the father. The wounded girl then moved approximately 100 meters away before being struck a third time by the drone. The child later succumbed to her injuries at a medical facility, NNA reported.

“The Ministry of Public Health denounces this barbaric targeting and the deliberate violence against civilians and children in Lebanon,” ministry officials stated, describing the attack as part of an ongoing pattern “of grave violations of International Humanitarian Law.”

Israeli military representatives reported that Hezbollah launched explosive drones into Israeli territory near the Lebanese border, with three soldiers wounded in one attack, including one seriously injured. Military officials added that Hezbollah also deployed drones within Lebanese territory, with one striking an Israeli vehicle without causing casualties.

Hezbollah acknowledged responsibility for multiple attacks within Lebanon and confirmed firing a drone at an Israeli military installation in the northern community of Misgav Am.

The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah commenced on March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, occurring two days after the United States and Israel initiated military action against Hezbollah’s primary supporter, Iran. Israel has subsequently conducted hundreds of aerial bombardments and launched a ground offensive into southern Lebanon, seizing control of numerous border towns and villages.

Subsequently, Lebanon and Israel engaged in their first direct negotiations in over thirty years. The two nations have remained technically at war since Israel’s establishment in 1948.

A new round of diplomatic discussions is planned for Washington beginning Thursday and continuing for two days.

A 10-day ceasefire announced in Washington became effective on April 17, with the agreement later extended for an additional three weeks.

In Syria’s capital Damascus, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam conducted discussions Saturday with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing security cooperation amid regional conflicts.

Addressing reporters before returning to Lebanon, Salam stated that Lebanon would not again be utilized to harm “our Arab brothers, on top of them Syria.” The Prime Minister was making an indirect reference to Hezbollah’s participation in Syria’s civil conflict that began in 2011, supporting the five-decade Assad family regime that concluded in December 2024.

LOS LLANITOS, Mexico — In a dusty field along Mexico’s Pacific shoreline, five young cousins ranging from 8 to 13 years old remove their clothing and footwear. Adults nearby assist them in putting on traditional pre-Hispanic gear called “fajado” — loincloths and leather belts wrapped around their waists.

The Osuna youngsters take hold of a solid rubber ball weighing 3.2 kilograms — approximately 7 pounds, making it seven times heavier than a standard soccer ball — and start their game. Players can only strike the ball with their hips, requiring them to jump high in the air or drop low when the ball bounces near the earth.

With Mexico set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the country is reflecting on a sport that dates back 3,400 years — ulama, one of humanity’s oldest team competitions. This ceremonial practice was almost completely destroyed during Spanish colonization and only endured in isolated areas of northwestern Mexico until experiencing a renaissance in the late 1900s. Now, officials and contemporary players are using soccer’s global popularity to bring attention to this ancient game once more.

Though players recognize that tourist interest helped revive the sport, many express concern that promoting an “exotic” image damages a tradition that defines their cultural identity.

“We must rid the game of the notion that it is a living fossil,” said Emilie Carreón, a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM, and director of a project aimed at studying and practicing the sport.

The Osuna family exemplifies this mission. Following the death of ulama player Aurelio Osuna, his wife María Herrera, 53, has carried on his work by instructing their grandchildren in the ballgame within their small Sinaloa village, located 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) northwest of Mexico City.

“This seed will bear fruit someday,” she said.

The Popol Vuh, the holy Mayan text, describes how the universe began through a ballgame where light battled darkness to create balance between life and death and set everything in motion.

Before the Maya civilization, the Olmecs — Mesoamerica’s earliest known society — participated in this sport. This reenactment of opposing forces was widespread among various pre-Hispanic cultures. Archaeological evidence includes ancient rubber balls discovered throughout Mexico and nearly 2,000 ball courts spanning from Nicaragua to Arizona.

Historical records show the game in codices, stone engravings, and sculptures, revealing multiple variations and purposes — from fertility and war rituals to political demonstrations and even human sacrifices.

Although some participants faced execution — potentially the defeated players — Guatemalan archaeologist and anthropologist Carlos Navarrete clarified this happened only during certain time periods and in specific areas. The physically challenging game primarily served as a major social gathering, attracting crowds for entertainment and gambling.

Spanish conqueror Hernán Cortés admired the display presented by Aztec ruler Moctezuma, but the Spanish eventually prohibited ulama and commanded the demolition of its courts, likely considering the practice as opposition to Christian beliefs. According to the Catholic Church, “the ball was the living devil,” Carreón explained.

The sport — involving striking the ball with hips, forearms, or mallets — only persisted along Mexico’s northern Pacific coastline, where Jesuit-led colonization was gentler and ulama became incorporated into Catholic celebrations, according to Manuel Aguilar Moreno, an art history professor at California State University.

During the opening ceremony of the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, audiences witnessed muscular men twisting their bodies in surprising ways to maintain the rubber ball’s movement for extended periods. This demonstration inspired research about the ballgame and preservation efforts in subsequent decades.

Luis Aurelio Osuna, 30, Herrera’s oldest son, started playing hip ulama after classes, following his father’s example from decades earlier in Los Llanitos, a ranch near the port city of Mazatlán. Today his three children also participate.

Osuna and his mother instruct the children on ball-striking techniques and explain the complex regulations, including a point system where scores can be gained and lost.

Their motivation combines love for the game with practical concerns in a state where criminal organizations are widespread.

“We need to find a way to keep them entertained with good things,” said Osuna.

Hip ulama squads can include up to six participants, and the Osuna family occasionally competes in tournaments or demonstrations.

Years ago, competitions were major occasions connected to religious celebrations, sometimes lasting an entire week. However, those times have passed as enthusiasm declined and rubber balls became difficult to obtain.

During the 1980s, filmmaker Roberto Rochín recorded the work of possibly the final rubber ball craftsman in Sinaloa’s mountains. The artisan created them using methods similar to the Olmecs, who learned that combining heated rubber sap with plant materials produced strong, flexible, and long-lasting material. This civilization manufactured some of the world’s earliest balls.

Throughout the 1990s, employees from a Mexican Caribbean resort traveled nationwide seeking Sinaloan families who could demonstrate the ballgame as entertainment in the Riviera Maya, where the sport had disappeared.

“It’s pure spectacle: they paint their faces and put on feathered costumes,” Herrera said. Still, she recognizes its importance. “That’s where the revival began.”

The ballgame started expanding and gaining recognition beyond Mexico’s borders. Osuna, playing with his father’s team, eventually performed hip ulama in an Italian Roman amphitheater. The attention was so significant they were recruited for a deodorant advertisement, he recalled.

As the World Cup nears, government agencies and companies are organizing exhibitions in Mexico City and Guadalajara, and including ulama players in advertising campaigns celebrating Mexican culture — a development that has created conflicted reactions.

“We’re not circus monkeys,” says Ángel Ortega, a 21-year-old ulama player from Mexico City who recently participated in a TV commercial alongside football players.

Ilse Sil, a player and member of the UNAM project led by Carreón, thinks institutional backing will help preserve ulama, but officials must promote the game in communities and schools to attract more young participants, as it remains a niche sport with roughly 1,000 players primarily in Mexico and Guatemala.

In Los Llanitos, Herrera’s grandchildren enjoy playing. Location doesn’t matter to them — whether in the dirt field, on a proper court, or even in their home hallway — but they always use their treasured inheritance: a handcrafted rubber ball from Sinaloa’s mountains that’s decades old. They claim it absorbs impacts more effectively.

Eight-year-old Kiki shows the greatest passion. He declares his commitment to continue training until he achieves his goal of captaining his own team.

LONDON – British officials announced Saturday that the Royal Navy has moved its HMS Dragon destroyer to the Middle East region as part of advance preparations for a possible international mission to safeguard merchant vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.

The air defense warship had been stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean since March, where it was assigned to help protect Cyprus following the outbreak of conflict involving Iran.

Britain’s decision to reposition the vessel comes as France has also moved its carrier battle group to the southern Red Sea region, with both European nations collaborating on defensive measures designed to rebuild trust in the vital shipping corridor.

A representative from Britain’s Ministry of Defence explained the strategic move, stating: “The pre-positioning of HMS Dragon is part of prudent planning that will ensure that the UK is ready, as part of a multinational coalition jointly led by the UK and France, to secure the Strait, when conditions allow.”

The coordinated European response comes as tensions between the United States and Iran appear to be moving toward a possible resolution after 10 weeks of conflict, with British and French officials developing proposals to establish secure passage through the waterway once regional stability returns.

Any protective operation would require cooperation with Iranian authorities, and approximately twelve nations have expressed interest in participating in such an initiative.

However, Britain’s capacity to contribute to any naval protection effort faces constraints due to the Royal Navy’s reduced size compared to previous decades, with some vessels being decommissioned before replacement ships become operational.

A Palestinian family in the West Bank reports they were forced to dig up their elderly father’s remains after Israeli settlers confronted them at a village cemetery, demanding the body be removed from what they claimed was settlement land.

Mohammed Asasa says his 80-year-old father Hussein died of natural causes on Friday and was laid to rest that same evening in the cemetery of Asasa village, located near Jenin. The burial proceeded with all required permits from Israeli military authorities, who were present during the ceremony.

However, the family received an urgent call from villagers shortly after the funeral, informing them that settlers had arrived at the gravesite and were demanding the grave be excavated.

“They said the land was for settlement and that burial was not allowed. We told them that this is the village’s cemetery, not part of the settlement,” Mohammed Asasa explained.

When the settlers threatened to use heavy machinery to dig up the grave, the family made the difficult decision to remove their father’s body themselves, according to Asasa.

“We found that they already dug the grave and reached the body,” he stated. “We continued digging and got the body and buried him in another cemetery.”

Social media footage appears to document the disturbing scene, showing settlers observing as individuals excavate a hillside grave. The video then captures people carrying what appears to be human remains while Israeli soldiers follow behind. Reuters confirmed the footage was recorded in Asasa.

Israeli military officials acknowledged that the funeral had been properly coordinated with their forces and stated they never instructed the family to relocate the burial. Troops were dispatched to the location after receiving reports of a confrontation involving settlers who were “digging in the area.”

“The soldiers confiscated digging tools from the Israeli civilians and remained at the location in order to prevent further friction,” military representatives said, adding their condemnation of actions that violate the “dignity of the living and the deceased.”

The United Nations Human Rights Office strongly criticized the incident.

“This is appalling and emblematic of the dehumanisation of Palestinians that we see unfolding across the OPT (Occupied Palestinian Territories). It spares no one, dead or alive,” declared Ajith Sunghay, who leads the OHCHR Palestinian office.

Attempts to contact settlers from the adjacent Sa-Nur settlement were unsuccessful.

Sa-Nur was among 19 settlements dismantled during Israel’s 2005 disengagement plan, which also involved removing settlers and military forces from Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration authorized Sa-Nur’s reconstruction one year ago, and building activity has progressed quickly, according to Peace Now, an organization that monitors Israeli settlement activity.

The West Bank represents territory that Palestinians hope will become part of a future independent state. Israel justifies its presence there based on historical and biblical connections to the region, along with security considerations.

Netanyahu’s current government, which firmly rejects Palestinian statehood, has been expanding settlement construction while increasing settler violence against Palestinians has prompted international concern.

The United Nations and most nations consider Israeli settlements on West Bank territory seized during the 1967 conflict to be illegal under international law, though Israel challenges this interpretation.

Peter Magyar officially took the oath of office as Hungary’s new prime minister on Saturday, riding into power on campaign pledges to transform the country after years of economic struggles and deteriorating relationships with Western partners during Viktor Orban’s lengthy tenure.

The center-right politician toppled the nationalist Orban in a decisive April 12 electoral victory, ending Orban’s 16-year grip on power. Magyar’s Tisza party secured a constitutional majority in the vote, positioning him to reverse institutional changes that opponents argue undermined Hungarian democracy.

Markets and citizens have responded positively to Magyar’s election win. Hungary’s currency, the forint, reached four-year peaks against the euro, government bond yields dropped, and polling conducted after the election shows increased support for the Tisza party.

However, the 45-year-old leader faces immediate challenges, as he must quickly secure billions of euros in frozen European Union funds essential for reviving Hungary’s struggling economy and addressing the country’s financial difficulties.

“Hungarian people have given us a mandate to put an end to decades of drifting,” Magyar stated. “They have given us a mandate to open a new chapter in Hungary’s history. Not only to change the government, but to change the system as well. To start again.”

The new prime minister takes control of an economy that barely escaped recession in the first quarter and now confronts new challenges from rising energy prices connected to Middle Eastern conflicts, which could significantly impact Europe’s import-dependent economies.

Government financial data released Friday revealed Hungary’s budget shortfall had already consumed 71% of the annual target by April, largely due to Orban’s pre-election spending spree. Magyar has warned the deficit might climb to 7% of the country’s economic output this year.

Magyar has committed to restoring Hungary’s alignment with Western nations. The NATO member country had been perceived as moving closer to Moscow under Orban, who resisted European Union initiatives to assist Ukraine in defending against Russia’s military invasion.

The new leader has also announced plans to halt public media news programming after assuming power, claiming state-controlled media and pro-Orban outlets helped the former prime minister retain control while limiting coverage of opposition voices.

Magyar, who has vowed to launch an extensive anti-corruption campaign, is working to negotiate an agreement with EU officials to release the suspended funding by May 25.

JERUSALEM – Israeli authorities freed two international activists from detention Saturday following their arrest during a humanitarian mission to Gaza last month, according to their legal representatives.

Spanish citizen Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila had been held since April 29 when Israeli forces stopped their vessel bound for the Gaza Strip.

The two men were participants in the second Global Sumud Flotilla, which departed Spain on April 12 with the goal of delivering humanitarian supplies to Gaza while challenging Israel’s naval blockade of the territory.

Israeli foreign ministry officials accused Abu Keshek of having ties to a terrorist organization and alleged Avila engaged in illegal activities. Both men have rejected these accusations.

The Spanish and Brazilian governments condemned the detentions as illegal, though Israel’s Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court had ordered the men held until May 10.

Adalah, a human rights organization providing legal support for the activists, also challenged the legality of their imprisonment. The group announced that Abu Keshek and Avila were notified Saturday of their release from detention and transfer to immigration custody pending deportation.

“Adalah is closely monitoring developments to make sure that the release from detention goes ahead, followed by their deportation from Israel in the coming days,” the organization stated. Israeli officials could not be reached immediately for response.

During their detention, Israeli authorities investigated the activists for potential charges including providing assistance to enemies and maintaining contact with terrorist organizations.

The Palestinian territory of Gaza remains under the control of Hamas, which Israel and many Western nations classify as a terrorist group.

Hamas launched its October 7, 2023 assault against Israel, triggering the current conflict in Gaza that has displaced most of the territory’s residents and created widespread dependence on humanitarian assistance that aid organizations report is arriving inadequately.

BUDAPEST – Peter Magyar officially took the oath of office as Hungary’s new prime minister on Saturday, marking a significant political transition for the European nation.

The centre-right politician’s rise to power comes after he campaigned on a reform agenda, promising to address the country’s prolonged period of economic difficulties and repair damaged relationships with important international allies that deteriorated during Viktor Orban’s time in leadership.

Magyar’s inauguration represents a notable shift in Hungarian politics as the nation seeks to move forward from recent challenges under the previous administration.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An unstable truce between the United States and Iran appeared to remain intact Saturday following American military action against Iranian oil vessels, while Bahrain announced the arrest of dozens allegedly tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Friday’s military actions raised questions about the delicate month-long ceasefire that Washington maintains remains valid. The United States continues to wait for Tehran’s response to its most recent peace proposal aimed at ending hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and scaling back Iran’s controversial nuclear activities.

American military officials reported Friday that their forces had incapacitated two Iranian oil tankers attempting to break through a U.S. naval blockade at Iranian ports. Earlier that day, the military announced it had prevented attacks on three Navy vessels and conducted strikes against Iranian military installations in the strategic waterway.

In Bahrain, the small Gulf nation’s Interior Ministry announced Saturday the detention of 41 individuals suspected of belonging to a cell connected to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Officials said investigations continue to identify additional members of the organization, though they declined to provide additional specifics.

The island kingdom operates under Sunni Muslim leadership while maintaining a predominantly Shiite population similar to Iran. Human rights organizations have accused Bahrain of exploiting the Iran-U.S. conflict, which involves the country hosting America’s Fifth Fleet, to justify suppressing domestic opposition.

Tehran has largely sealed off the vital shipping lane for global energy supplies since the United States and Israel initiated military action on February 28, triggering worldwide fuel price increases and destabilizing international markets. Washington has implemented its own naval blockade of Iranian shipping facilities.

American military officials released footage showing Friday’s strikes on the two Iranian tankers, with fighter jets targeting their smokestacks. Earlier this week, a U.S. military aircraft disabled a tanker’s steering system after officials said it attempted to violate the blockade.

An overnight American attack resulted in at least one sailor’s death and injured 10 others when a cargo ship caught fire, according to a news outlet linked to Iran’s judicial system. Officials have not confirmed whether this vessel was among the two tankers the U.S. acknowledged striking.

President Donald Trump has maintained that the ceasefire continues despite recent military actions. He has repeated warnings about resuming comprehensive bombing campaigns if Iran rejects an agreement to reopen the strait and curtail its nuclear development.

Iranian foreign ministry representative Esmail Baghaei stated Friday that his country was ignoring “deadlines” and continues examining the American proposal for ongoing talks, state-run IRNA reported.

A senior Iranian official also confirmed Friday that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remains in “complete health” and will make public appearances in the future.

Mazaher Hosseini, connected to the former Supreme Leader’s office, made these statements at a government-supporting event. Hosseini explained that Mojtaba had experienced knee and back problems that have mostly resolved, leaving him in good physical condition.

Khamenei has not appeared publicly since hostilities began, and the ongoing lack of verified photographs, recordings, or video footage has sparked questions about his wellbeing. Statements like Hosseini’s are viewed by some as efforts to address speculation that he may have died.

International diplomatic activity has increased as tensions continue rising.

Russia’s foreign ministry announced Saturday that both Russia and Saudi Arabia are advocating for continued diplomatic work toward a “sustainable, long-term agreement” to conclude the conflict.

Top diplomats from Egypt and Qatar have also emphasized that diplomatic solutions represent the only viable path forward, according to details from a Saturday telephone conversation between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed his nation has maintained continuous contact with both the United States and Iran “day and night” working to extend the ceasefire and achieve a lasting peace agreement.

A temporary halt in hostilities between Russia and Ukraine began Saturday, offering war-weary civilians their first peaceful nights in months as part of a three-day truce negotiated by American officials.

President Donald Trump announced Friday that both nations had committed to the ceasefire running from May 9 through May 11, which also includes an exchange of prisoners. Trump expressed optimism for a “big extension” of the agreement.

The pause in fighting coincided with Russia’s World War Two victory commemoration in Moscow, which proceeded without incident despite earlier Russian threats of potential Ukrainian attacks that could have prompted massive retaliation against Kyiv.

Ukrainian air defense forces reported detecting some unmanned aircraft along the extensive 1,000-kilometer front line stretching across southeastern Ukraine during morning hours, though no missile alerts were issued overnight or into Saturday.

“On the one hand, this is very good because, honestly, the sleepless nights have gotten a bit tiresome,” said Kateryna Kizev, who evacuated from the frontline city of Kherson in the south and currently resides in Cherkasy in central Ukraine.

“At least for a few days we will be able to sleep in peace and without the attacks,” the 22-year-old told Reuters at Kyiv’s Independence Square during a weekend visit to the capital.

KREMLIN SAYS A UKRAINIAN SETTLEMENT IS COMPLICATED

Ever since Russia launched its comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has bombarded power facilities and critical infrastructure throughout Ukraine using missiles and drones, while Kyiv has targeted Russia’s energy production and export sites.

Diplomatic efforts have reached an impasse, with Ukraine refusing Russia’s conditions that it relinquish territory it has successfully protected after forcing Russian troops away from the capital during the early stages of the conflict.

“It is understandable that the American side is in a hurry,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television reporter Pavel Zarubin.

“But the issue of a Ukrainian settlement is far too complex, and reaching a peace agreement is a very long way with complex details,” Peskov said.

The temporary truce encompasses a halt to all “kinetic activity” and an arrangement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from both sides. Officials had not announced Saturday when the prisoner swap would occur.

“There were no strikes on the Red Square. Obviously, there was no massive retaliatory missile strike on Kyiv from us,” Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told reporters.

Both Russia and Ukraine had previously declared individual ceasefires starting on different days this week, but each side rapidly accused the other of violations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy indicated the current truce resulted from ongoing U.S. diplomatic initiatives and emphasized that humanitarian concerns remain central to Kyiv’s priorities.

UKRAINE MARKS VICTORY DAY DIFFERENTLY

Ukraine, which remained part of the Soviet Union until 1991 and suffered millions of casualties during World War Two, shifted its remembrance ceremonies for the Soviet triumph over Nazi Germany from May 9 to May 8 after Russia’s invasion began.

However, some Ukrainian citizens who lost family members during World War Two continue to place flowers at Soviet military monuments on May 9.

“This ceasefire – for a day, or two or three – these are temporary measures. We need peace. It is the fifth year already. It is enough,” Oleksandr Boiko told Reuters in Kharkiv.

“I have lost everything… We need peace.”

Another Kharkiv resident, Ramaz Tsytsyashvili, expressed hope that the ceasefire might create opportunities for additional discussions to conclude the war.

“And perhaps there will be a miracle and this temporary silence, this ceasefire, will hold up a bit and continue, and then step by step it will move to negotiations, and affairs will be solved in offices, not on the battlefield.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized Saturday that European nations remain committed to preserving NATO’s effectiveness, even as disagreements with the Trump administration over the Iran conflict have created new strains within the alliance.

Speaking during a press conference in Stockholm alongside Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Merz addressed mounting concerns about NATO’s future amid escalating disputes between Washington and European partners.

Relations have deteriorated significantly after Germany and several other European nations declined to back the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran that started in late February. These tensions add to existing friction over defense spending requirements and immigration policies that Trump has previously criticized.

“We are really willing to keep this alliance alive for the future,” Merz stated during the joint appearance. He noted that both Sweden and Finland have bolstered NATO’s European component.

“We know that there are some differences. We know that we are seeing challenges, all of us, but our final goal is to bring this conflict to an end and to guarantee that Iran is not able to produce nuclear weapons,” the German leader explained.

“And this goal is a common goal between America and Europe,” he added.

The relationship between Germany and the U.S. has become particularly strained after Merz criticized Iran for “humiliating” America last month. In response, Trump ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 American troops and canceled plans to deploy long-range Tomahawk missiles.

Merz downplayed the significance of troop reductions, arguing that “unity of purpose” matters more than numbers. He maintained that having a robust European NATO presence serves American interests.

“We are remaining interested and highly interested in having the American army and the American military support on our side,” he said. “So this is something we are having in common and we are trying to achieve that currently.”

European nations, including Germany, are investing heavily in military modernization after years of reduced defense spending, responding to what Merz described earlier Saturday as an immediate Russian threat to Europe.

His comments came as Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in Moscow’s annual parade commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. Merz expressed disappointment that Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico had reportedly planned to attend the ceremony, saying he intended to discuss “this day in Moscow” with the Slovak leader.

However, while Fico did travel to Moscow, he ultimately chose not to participate in the parade itself.

MADRID – Five European nations have committed to dispatching aircraft to retrieve their citizens from a cruise vessel bound for Spain following a hantavirus outbreak aboard the ship, according to Spain’s interior minister who spoke in Madrid on Saturday.

Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced that Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands have all confirmed their evacuation plans. Additionally, the European Union will provide two more aircraft for other European passengers, he stated.

The United States and United Kingdom have also arranged flights and backup plans for non-EU passengers whose home countries cannot provide air transportation, Grande-Marlaska explained.

Travelers will be permitted to bring only necessary personal items, while their remaining baggage and the body of a passenger who died aboard the vessel will stay with the ship as it travels to the Netherlands for disinfection procedures, Garcia noted.

Spanish nationals will be the first to leave the ship, with health officials determining the sequence for evacuating other passenger groups. Grande-Marlaska emphasized that no passengers will be permitted to leave the vessel until their designated evacuation aircraft is prepared for immediate departure.

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia conducted its annual Victory Day commemoration on Saturday with a reduced military display in Moscow’s Red Square, surrounded by enhanced security protocols.

The Associated Press photo desk compiled a collection of images documenting the ceremony.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to rebuild his faltering administration Saturday as pressure mounted for his resignation following catastrophic local election defeats that saw his Labour Party lose ground across the United Kingdom.

Saturday’s final tallies revealed Labour’s loss of 1,000 council seats throughout England and the end of their 27-year reign in Wales. Meanwhile, the anti-immigration Reform UK party secured nearly 1,300 seats across England, finished runner-up in Wales, and expanded their presence in Scotland.

The outcomes delivered a harsh judgment from voters in contests many viewed as an unofficial vote of confidence in Starmer, whose approval ratings have collapsed since bringing his center-left party to power fewer than two years ago.

Despite the electoral devastation, Starmer declared he would not abandon his post “and plunge the country into chaos,” and no immediate leadership challenge materialized against him.

Cabinet members rallied around Starmer, while prominent Labour figures viewed as potential successors remained silent. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham have avoided making any leadership moves.

However, an increasing number of Labour members of parliament called for the prime minister to establish a timeline for stepping down this year. Under British parliamentary rules, parties can replace their leader during a term without triggering new elections.

“There has to be a timetable,” legislator Clive Betts told the BBC. Fellow lawmaker Tony Vaughan advocated for an “orderly transition of leadership.”

In a bid to signal change Saturday, Starmer recalled two veteran Labour figures from previous administrations. He named former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a special envoy for global finance and appointed ex-deputy leader Harriet Harman as an adviser on women and girls’ issues.

Starmer plans to deliver a major address Monday aimed at rebuilding momentum before the government outlines its legislative agenda Wednesday during King Charles III’s speech at Parliament’s State Opening ceremony.

The elections marked a major victory for Reform UK, the newest far-right movement under veteran nationalist leader Nigel Farage.

Campaigning on anti-establishment and anti-immigration platforms, the party captured hundreds of local council positions in working-class northern English communities like Sunderland that had been Labour strongholds for generations. Reform also seized territory from Conservatives in areas such as Essex county, located east of London.

Farage declared the outcomes represented a “historic change in British politics.” He expressed confidence that “voters who have come to us are not doing it as a short-term protest.”

Reform UK currently controls only eight of Parliament’s 650 seats, leaving questions about whether the party could replicate this success in nationwide elections.

The voting produced regional governments in Scotland and Wales controlled by independence-minded parties committed to dissolving the United Kingdom, though neither is actively pursuing that agenda.

The Scottish National Party, which has ruled from Edinburgh since 2007, secured another term but failed to achieve a majority, making an independence referendum unlikely. Labour and Reform finished tied for a distant second place.

Plaid Cymru (The Party of Wales) captured the most seats in Cardiff’s legislature, the Senedd. The party, which supports Welsh independence but lacks immediate plans for pursuing it, fell short of a majority but will likely form the new government. Reform finished second while Labour placed a distant third in one of their traditional strongholds, with outgoing First Minister Eluned Morgan losing her seat.

Economic struggles form the core of Labour’s difficulties, mirroring challenges facing incumbent governments worldwide.

After ending 14 years of Conservative leadership marked by austerity measures and the COVID-19 pandemic, Labour has failed to address cost-of-living concerns and revitalize a stagnant economy amid challenging conditions created by the Ukraine conflict and, recently, Iran. Starmer has also frustrated supporters through welfare spending cuts, some of which were reversed following internal Labour opposition.

Some Labour members argue the government’s accomplishments, including tenant protections and minimum wage increases, are being overlooked. Many blame Starmer, describing him as an uninspiring leader distracted by controversies including his controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson, a scandal-linked associate of Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain’s ambassador to Washington.

However, Stephen Houghton, the departing leader of Barnsley council in northern England where Labour lost to Reform, suggested the issues “go deeper than the prime minister.”

“This has been coming for 30 years around the country, in post-industrial communities, coastal communities, that have been left behind,” he explained. “You can change prime ministers all day long. If you don’t change policy, it’s not going to charge.”

The results demonstrate the fragmentation of UK politics following decades of Labour and Conservative Party dominance, with both traditional parties suffering significant losses Thursday.

Voters had numerous options, including the centrist Liberal Democrats and nationalist movements in Scotland and Wales.

The major beneficiaries were populist newcomers Reform UK and the Green Party, which has broadened its focus from environmental issues to social justice and Palestinian advocacy under self-described “eco populist” leader Zack Polanski. The Greens captured hundreds of council seats from Labour in urban areas and university communities while gaining control of multiple local governments.

Tony Travers, a government professor at the London School of Economics, suggested the results indicate the next national election, scheduled by 2029, may not produce a majority for any single party.

“So then you’re in the world of, after the election, two or three big minority parties trying to work out how they would govern,” he explained — a scenario traditionally viewed as “very un-British.”

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Search teams recovered the remains of one woman Saturday following a deadly volcanic eruption at Mount Dukono on Indonesia’s remote Halmahera island, while operations continue to locate two missing Singaporean climbers, according to local officials.

Twenty hikers had attempted to climb the 4,445-foot volcano Friday despite existing safety prohibitions when Dukono suddenly erupted in the early morning hours, sending a massive ash plume approximately 6 miles skyward.

The recovered victim, identified only as Enjel and described as an experienced local climber, was discovered Saturday afternoon roughly 165 feet from the main crater’s edge, according to Iwan Ramdani, director of the local Search and Rescue Office. Two Singaporean climbers remain missing as rescue operations continue despite ongoing volcanic activity.

“The rescue efforts went through a situation that required careful calculation and a well-planned evacuation strategy,” Ramdani explained. “We took into account the potential escalation of volcanic activity as well as the safety of all personnel.”

Seventeen climbers were successfully rescued following the initial eruption, including seven Singapore nationals and two Indonesian climbers who later assisted rescue teams by providing crucial information about climbing paths used by the missing victims. Ten of those evacuated sustained minor burns.

More than 100 rescue personnel supported by drone technology resumed search efforts Saturday morning, concentrating on a 7,500-square-foot zone where evidence was discovered during initial operations, despite dangerous conditions and continued eruptions.

Ramdani emphasized that rescuer safety remains the top priority given Dukono’s elevated volcanic activity.

“The main challenge in this search effort is that we are racing against ongoing eruptions,” Ramdani stated in a video message. “When the authorities declare conditions safe, we move closer to the crater area, but when an eruption occurs, we must immediately secure all search personnel from potential danger.”

Indonesia’s volcanic monitoring agency documented several eruptions from early Saturday through late morning, with ash columns reaching heights of nearly 10,000 feet above the crater. Monitoring stations also recorded lava bursts throughout the overnight hours.

Mount Dukono has maintained the country’s second-highest alert classification since 2008. Officials established a 2.5-mile restricted zone around the active crater in December 2024.

Regional authorities officially prohibited all hiking access to Mount Dukono in April and strengthened the prohibition following Friday’s incident. The National Disaster Management Agency cautioned that violating restricted areas could lead to legal consequences.

The agency called on climbers and tour companies to follow safety guidelines, pointing out that similar restrictions are in effect for dozens of other active volcanoes nationwide that are currently at heightened alert status.

Indonesia, home to over 270 million residents, is located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and contains more than 120 active volcanic peaks.

SYDNEY – A far-right political movement in Australia achieved a historic milestone over the weekend when Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party captured its first-ever seat in the nation’s House of Representatives during a special election, according to initial vote tallies.

This victory aligns with a global trend of increasing support for far-right populist movements. Earlier this week, Britain’s governing Labour party experienced significant losses in local council races across the country.

Former agribusiness executive David Farley secured the rural Farrer district for the anti-immigration political organization, earning a commanding 59.1% of votes and defeating the sitting centre-right Liberal Party candidate. The district is located approximately 340 miles south of Sydney and 200 miles north of Melbourne, according to Australian Broadcasting Corp. projections.

“It’s very clear, the next member for Farrer is David Farley,” stated Australian Broadcasting Corp election analyst Casey Briggs during a television broadcast. “It’s not a close result.”

This victory represents a major breakthrough for One Nation, marking their first lower-house parliamentary win since Hanson established the party three decades ago.

However, the outcome will not impact the governing Labor Party’s parliamentary control, as they maintain 94 seats out of 150 in the lower chamber.

The position became available after Liberals leader Sussan Ley stepped down in February.

Labor chose not to field a candidate for this seat, which has remained under conservative opposition control since its creation more than 50 years ago.

Indonesian law enforcement officials detained 321 foreign nationals during a Saturday operation targeting an illegal online gambling enterprise in Jakarta, according to police statements.

The arrests took place at an office complex in Central Jakarta as part of ongoing efforts to combat prohibited online gambling activities in Indonesia, which maintains strict prohibitions on gambling as the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country.

Wira Satya Triputra, who leads the Indonesian police force’s criminal investigation division, revealed the nationality breakdown during a news briefing. The detained individuals included 228 Vietnamese citizens, 57 Chinese nationals, 13 from Myanmar, 11 from Laos, five Thai citizens, and three Cambodian nationals.

According to Wira’s statements, the gambling operation had been active for approximately two months before the raid occurred.

Among the 321 individuals taken into custody, 275 face potential charges under Indonesia’s criminal statutes regarding gambling violations, which could result in prison sentences of up to nine years if convicted.

Wira indicated that the majority of the foreign suspects understood they had traveled to Indonesia specifically to operate online gambling services, and their operations primarily served customers outside Indonesia.

Untung Widyatmoko, representing Interpol Indonesia, addressed reporters about emerging patterns in regional criminal activity. He noted that online gambling operations appear to be relocating from Cambodian urban centers to Indonesian territory.

This enforcement action represents the second major arrest of foreign nationals within a 48-hour period. Indonesian immigration officials had previously apprehended 210 foreign individuals on Friday in connection with alleged online investment fraud schemes on Batam island, located approximately 20 kilometers from Singapore.

MOSCOW, May 9 – Russian officials stated Saturday that Washington is pushing too quickly for a peace agreement to resolve the Ukraine conflict, but achieving any meaningful resolution remains extremely distant due to the complexity of issues involved and suspended diplomatic talks.

The ongoing conflict, now in its fifth year, represents Europe’s most devastating war since World War II. Moscow’s military has yet to capture the entirety of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, where Ukrainian defenders have retreated to heavily fortified urban positions.

President Donald Trump has pledged to bring the Ukraine war to an end, describing his inability to achieve this goal as among his greatest frustrations. However, on Friday he revealed a temporary halt in fighting from May 9 through May 11 that both nations have accepted.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov spoke with state media correspondent Pavel Zarubin, stating: “It is understandable that the American side is in a hurry.”

Peskov continued: “But the issue of a Ukrainian settlement is far too complex, and reaching a peace agreement is a very long way with complex details.”

Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine has now exceeded four years – a duration longer than the Soviet Union’s involvement in World War II, which Russians commemorate as the Great Patriotic War from 1941 to 1945.

According to Trump’s announcement on Truth Social, the temporary truce between Ukraine and Russia includes halting all “kinetic activity” and exchanging 1,000 prisoners from both countries.

When speaking to media Friday, Trump expressed hope for extending the pause, saying: “I’d like to see a big extension. It could be.”

Moscow confirmed the arrangement covers three days, while diplomatic discussions remain stalled.

Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov explained: “Negotiations will probably resume, but it is still unclear when. There was an agreement that the Victory Day ceasefire would last for three days: May 9, 10, and 11.”

A Chinese business leader’s recent journey to Brazil’s Amazon rainforest could signal a major shift in global commodity trading that might help preserve one of the world’s most critical ecosystems.

Xing Yanling, who heads the Tianjin Meat Industry Association representing importers handling roughly 40% of China’s Brazilian beef purchases, shared her Amazon experience with friends on WeChat in April, describing the overwhelming beauty of being surrounded by “tens of thousands of shades of green.”

Her organization has now pledged to purchase 50,000 metric tons of certified deforestation-free Brazilian beef before year’s end. This commitment represents 4.5% of Brazil’s expected beef exports to China this year and could indicate China’s willingness to invest in environmentally responsible supply chains.

This development contradicts the widespread belief among Brazilian cattle ranchers that Chinese buyers prioritize low prices above all other considerations. China stands as the world’s top importer of both beef and soybeans.

The commitment emerges as China’s government demonstrates increasing concern about trade’s environmental consequences while safeguarding domestic industries. In 2019, Chinese officials modified forest legislation to prohibit illegal timber trading. Two years ago, China and Brazil jointly agreed to combat illegal deforestation linked to trade. Additionally, China’s state-controlled trading company COFCO began working to remove deforestation from its supply operations last year.

According to Andre Vasconcelos, who leads global engagement for Trase, a platform monitoring supply chain environmental impacts, beef represents an ideal target for meaningful environmental action since it’s less essential to Chinese diets than commodities like soybeans.

“At the same time, there is awareness, supported by available information, that beef, especially Brazilian beef, is the commodity most associated with deforestation among all agricultural commodities imported by China,” he explained.

The Amazon, Earth’s largest and most biodiverse rainforest, loses hundreds of thousands of acres annually, with MapBiomas, a Brazilian land-use monitoring organization, reporting that 90% of cleared land immediately becomes cattle pasture.

Some Chinese consumers recognize this connection and are becoming more selective as their wealth increases, Xing noted.

“It’s not just ‘cheap is good,’” she stated. “This means deforestation‑free, green, safe and traceable beef will have a stronger market in the future.”

While most Chinese consumers facing rising food costs cannot afford to prioritize environmental factors over price, the traceability offered by this initiative also addresses food safety worries.

The beef will carry a Beef on Track label created by Brazilian nonprofit Imaflora, featuring four compliance levels based on supply chain tracing depth and ranchers’ ability to demonstrate legal land clearing.

Tianjin importers are prepared to pay 10% premiums for beef from processing facilities that can verify their supplier farms have no connections to legal or illegal deforestation or slave labor.

Should this trend expand, the effects could be substantial. Government statistics and beef export association ABIEC show China purchases more than 10% of Brazil’s beef production. ABIEC members include major companies JBS and MBRF.

However, Brazil’s weak traceability infrastructure could limit any positive impact. The current system relies on cattle transportation documents that prosecutors say bad actors can easily falsify to conceal supply chain violations, a practice known as “cattle laundering.” System improvements could require years to implement.

When Xing and her team visited the Carioca farm in Castanhal, located in the northern Amazon, rancher Altair Burlamaqui expected only productive discussions. After touring his cattle operations and the extensive rainforest reserve on his property, the delegation became so enthusiastic they asked if he dreamed of selling his beef in China as a product that supports Amazon protection. The possibility was both exciting and daunting.

“What I gathered from the conversation with them is that they want a product with more added value for a section of their population who is willing to pay for it,” he said. “But that section of their population may be bigger than the entire Brazilian population.”

The broader industry has responded less enthusiastically to Tianjin’s sustainability initiative. Two sources who recently spoke with ABIEC leadership told Reuters the beef export organization disapproves of Xing’s efforts.

One source explained their worry that sustainable beef requirements might create additional barriers in an already restricted market.

China implemented beef import quotas this year to protect domestic producers, and Brazil expects to reach its 1.1 million ton limit by next month’s end, when Tianjin plans to import its first sustainable-certified beef container.

ABIEC released a statement saying it “supports initiatives focused on certification but considers that any new labels should align with already established systems, avoiding overlaps and requirements that lack public infrastructure for implementation, which could create potential barriers to production.” The organization declined to respond to Reuters’ questions.

The quota system may delay Tianjin’s timeline since beef imports exceeding the limit face 55% Chinese tariffs. Beijing established these quotas during a year when global beef production is declining as ranchers in the United States and Brazil rebuild herds, driving up prices worldwide, including in China.

Chinese consumers already purchase traceable products regularly. During their Brazil visit, Xing’s team demonstrated how they attach QR codes to eggs, allowing consumers to trace them to originating farms.

Traceability helps regulators track disease outbreak sources and enables companies to eliminate suppliers involved in environmental violations. Consumers willingly pay double for those eggs, Xing reported.

The Beef on Track certification will be available for processing companies, retailers, and importers to implement by year-end. Its basic standard matches criteria used by Brazil’s federal prosecutors to monitor whether farms directly supplying the beef industry follow environmental and labor regulations.

That program has approved suppliers producing 2.7 million tons of beef annually – only one-fifth of Brazil’s total production but nearly double China’s imports last year. This year’s Tianjin beef imports will come from this approved output.

No Brazilian meat processing companies have yet announced adoption plans for the certification.

Imaflora contends their designed certification will generate opportunities rather than obstacles for producers, similar to what occurred with timber and coffee industries.

“The industry is still trying to understand how this certification can recognize and value Brazilian products, in a scenario of geopolitical tension,” said Marina Guyot, an Imaflora policy manager.

She added that the certification aims to acknowledge companies’ existing sustainability and traceability efforts.

“It’s a certification that creates the possibility of valuing this effort,” she concluded.

Bahrain’s interior ministry announced Saturday the detention of 41 individuals suspected of having connections to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, according to the country’s state news agency.

Security officials discovered a network with alleged ties to Iran’s IRGC, the ministry stated. Prosecutors conducting the investigation also examined cases involving individuals who expressed support for Iranian military strikes.

The arrests come after Iran launched strikes against targets in Bahrain and other Gulf Arab nations hosting U.S. military installations, following the start of military action by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.

LONDON – Authorities in Britain have filed criminal charges against two young men accused of creating antisemitic content for social media platforms in a Jewish neighborhood of north London.

According to a Saturday announcement from the Crown Prosecution Service, Adam Bedoui, 20, and Abdelkader Amir Bousloub, 21, face religiously aggravated harassment charges. Investigators allege the pair deliberately traveled to the Jewish community to record hateful videos for social media.

Both defendants are scheduled to make their court appearance at Thames Magistrates’ Court to face the charges stemming from their alleged actions.

BUDAPEST, Hungary — A new chapter began in Hungarian politics Saturday as Péter Magyar took the oath of office as prime minister, bringing Viktor Orbán’s lengthy 16-year tenure to a close.

Magyar made his way to the Parliament building Saturday morning alongside members of his center-right Tisza party, which delivered a historic upset victory over Orbán’s nationalist Fidesz party in last month’s elections. The electoral triumph marked the largest vote and seat count any party has achieved since Hungary transitioned from Communist rule.

The political shift positions Tisza to dismantle numerous policies that earned Orbán criticism as an authoritarian leader, tackle widespread corruption allegations, and reshape Hungary’s role in European Union politics, where the outgoing leader frequently blocked important bloc decisions.

Magyar’s party delegation included 140 representatives as they entered the impressive neo-Gothic parliament complex, securing control of 141 seats in the 199-member legislative body. Meanwhile, Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP alliance saw their representation plummet from 135 seats to just 52, with the far-right Mi Hazánk party claiming the remaining six positions.

Notably absent from Saturday’s inaugural ceremony was Orbán himself, marking his first absence since Hungary established its initial post-Communist Parliament in 1990. Following his electoral defeat, Orbán announced plans to concentrate on reconstructing his nationalist political movement.

The incoming leader, a 45-year-old attorney who established Tisza in 2024 following years working within Orbán’s inner circle, has pledged to eliminate government corruption that he claims has deprived Hungarian citizens of economic advancement opportunities.

Magyar invited citizens to join a daylong “regime-change” festival outside Parliament to commemorate his swearing-in ceremony and mark the conclusion of the Orbán period. Following his 3 p.m. oath-taking, the new prime minister planned to speak to supporters gathered outside.

The new administration has committed to mending Hungary’s strained relationship with the European Union, which deteriorated significantly under Orbán’s leadership, and to reestablish the country’s position among Western democratic nations. Hungary’s democratic credentials faced scrutiny as Orbán developed increasingly close ties with Russia.

A primary objective for Magyar involves securing approximately 17 billion euros ($20 billion) in EU funding that was suspended during Orbán’s administration due to rule-of-law violations and corruption issues. These funds are essential for revitalizing Hungary’s economy, which has remained stagnant over the past four years.

Demonstrating their pro-EU stance, Tisza representatives announced they will restore the European Union flag to Parliament’s exterior, which Orbán’s administration removed in 2014.

Budapest’s liberal mayor, Gergely Karácsony, extended a public invitation to a riverside celebration along the Danube Saturday evening to mark Orbán’s departure and welcome the new government.

In his social media announcement, Karácsony described the gathering as an opportunity to honor Hungarians who courageously opposed Orbán’s system over the years. “Teachers fired, civilians and journalists humiliated, small churches torn apart,” he wrote on Facebook.

“We can finally leave this era behind us — but first, let us remember the everyday heroes and express our gratitude with a farewell to the system,” Karácsony posted.

Chinese manufacturing exports experienced a dramatic acceleration in April as production facilities worked overtime to fulfill surging demand from artificial intelligence sectors and businesses stockpiling materials due to concerns that Middle East conflicts could drive global supply costs higher.

The robust export performance has expanded China’s trade surplus with the United States to $87.7 billion for the year, creating a key talking point for President Donald Trump’s upcoming Beijing visit next week for a leadership summit aimed at continuing last year’s trade ceasefire.

Although Chinese manufacturers have managed to navigate challenges from the Middle East crisis so far, economic experts caution that prolonged warfare and rising energy costs could eventually reduce international demand, leaving weak domestic spending unable to compensate for the shortfall.

Currently, economists are monitoring the speed of the artificial intelligence manufacturing surge and whether related equipment shipments can sustain China’s export momentum.

“The conflict in the Middle East pushed up demand for global manufacturing inventory replenishment, and under the upward cycle of semiconductors, imports and exports maintained a boom,” said Xing Zhaopeng, senior China strategist at ANZ.

“There is still room for expansion in this round of manufacturing cycle driven by AI, and it is expected that the annual export growth rate will be about 10%.”

Saturday’s customs data revealed exports jumped 14.1% compared to the previous year in dollar terms, significantly exceeding March’s 2.5% increase and surpassing economist predictions of 7.9% growth.

Separate manufacturing activity reports from last month indicated new export orders reached their peak level in two years during April.

Import activity also remained robust, increasing 25.3% compared to March’s 27.8% rise. Economic forecasters had anticipated 15.2% growth.

These figures pushed China’s monthly trade surplus to $84.8 billion in April, up from March’s $51.13 billion.

China’s broader economic performance showed strength in the opening quarter, with GDP expansion reaching 5% annually, matching the government’s yearly target ceiling and reducing pressure for immediate economic stimulus measures.

However, even China, frequently criticized by international partners for subsidy-supported low-cost production, faces challenges from reduced buyer spending power as fuel and shipping expenses climb.

Manufacturing data released last month indicated input costs stayed high, especially for processed goods and petroleum, coal, and chemical products.

Jobless rates also increased slightly while retail sales, measuring consumer spending, continued lagging behind industrial production.

Trump plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his May 14-15 Beijing trip, as both nations work to stabilize relations strained by disputes over trade, Taiwan, and the Iran conflict.

Trump will likely seek trade concessions from Beijing before November’s U.S. midterm elections, though business leaders and analysts don’t anticipate major agreements.

When confronted with U.S. tariffs that temporarily reached triple-digit levels, Chinese exporters pursued alternative markets including South America by reducing prices. China concluded 2025 with a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran showed little progress over the weekend as military confrontations intensified in the Persian Gulf, challenging a fragile ceasefire that began one month ago.

The latest escalation represents the most significant fighting near the Strait of Hormuz since the temporary truce took effect, with the United Arab Emirates facing fresh attacks on Friday.

The Biden administration continues to wait for Tehran’s answer to an American proposal designed to formally conclude hostilities before addressing more complex matters, particularly Iran’s nuclear activities. During remarks in Rome on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated the United States anticipated receiving Iran’s decision that day, though Iranian foreign ministry officials stated they were still deliberating their response.

Military engagements persisted Friday between Iranian naval forces and American ships operating in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars news outlet. The Tasnim news service subsequently quoted an Iranian military official confirming the situation had stabilized while cautioning that additional confrontations remained possible.

American military officials reported striking two vessels with Iranian connections as they attempted to reach an Iranian harbor, with a U.S. fighter aircraft targeting their smokestacks and compelling them to retreat.

Since hostilities commenced with U.S.-Israeli air operations across Iran on February 28, Tehran has effectively prevented non-Iranian maritime traffic from using the strait. Previously, twenty percent of global oil shipments traveled through this critical waterway.

Last month, the United States established a blockade targeting Iranian ships. However, a CIA evaluation suggested Iran could endure economic pressure from American port blockades for approximately four additional months, according to a U.S. official with knowledge of the assessment. This intelligence raises concerns about President Donald Trump’s negotiating position in a conflict that has drawn criticism from both voters and American allies.

A senior intelligence official dismissed as inaccurate the reports regarding the CIA analysis, which the Washington Post initially disclosed.

Combat operations spread beyond the waterway itself. UAE authorities reported their air defense systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and three unmanned aircraft from Iran on Friday, resulting in moderate injuries to three individuals.

Iran has consistently attacked the UAE and other Gulf nations that provide facilities for U.S. military operations. Following what the UAE described as a significant escalation, Iran intensified its assault campaign this week after Trump unveiled “Project Freedom” to provide naval escorts for ships in the strait, an initiative he suspended after two days.

On Thursday, Trump maintained the ceasefire declared April 7 remained intact despite recent flare-ups, while Iran accused the United States of violating the agreement.

“Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Friday. Iran’s Mehr news service reported that one crew member died, ten suffered injuries, and six remained missing following a U.S. Navy assault on an Iranian merchant vessel late Thursday.

The United States has struggled to gain international backing for the conflict. Following discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Rubio criticized Italy and other partners for failing to support Washington’s campaign to reopen the strait, cautioning about establishing a dangerous precedent by permitting Tehran to control an international shipping route.

While continuing diplomatic initiatives, the United States also increased economic sanctions to pressure Iran.

Prior to Trump’s upcoming visit to China for meetings with President Xi Jinping, the U.S. Treasury Department announced Friday new sanctions targeting ten individuals and entities, including several based in China and Hong Kong, for supporting Iran’s military acquisition of weapons and raw materials for manufacturing Tehran’s Shahed drones.

Treasury officials stated in their announcement they were prepared to take action against any foreign corporation supporting illegal Iranian trade and could implement secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions, including those connected to China’s independent oil refineries.

VÖLKLINGEN, Germany — A historic German ironworks facility recognized by UNESCO has become the canvas for an extraordinary international art exhibition featuring creators from around the globe.

The Urban Art Biennale 2026 has launched at the Völklingen Ironworks, where 50 artists representing 17 nations are displaying their work throughout the massive industrial complex. This marks the continuation of an event that has occurred every two years for the past decade and a half.

“This location is at the core of street art and graffiti art,” explained Ralf Beil, who serves as general director of the facility that now operates as a public museum. “It all began in industrial places like this.”

According to Beil, the creators “love this place and they do works for the Völklinger Hütte, in the Völklinger Hütte, with the Völklinger Hütte.”

Among the featured works is an installation by France-based artist Tomas Lacque, who assembled a small vehicle, tire stack, playthings and rubble all coated in paint. Positioned within a hall that once housed active furnaces, the piece seems to suggest fossil-fuel transportation being buried in ash reminiscent of Pompeii.

Spanish creator Ampparito painted the phrase “no hay nada de valor” (meaning “There is nothing of value here”) in enormous white lettering across the roof of one building. The artwork is most visible from an observation deck positioned 45 meters (148 feet) high.

Dutch artist Boris Tellegen, who goes by Delta, created an enormous green-and-black wooden structure that illuminates the ironworks’ interior. Meanwhile, French collective Vortex-X, known for repurposing salvaged materials, suspended white industrial fabric strips across a building hall in their piece called “Memory in transit.”

The industrial site encompasses 6 hectares (nearly 15 acres) and forms a complex network of smokestacks and furnaces where visitors still see threatening warning signs from the industrial period, including alerts about “danger of crushing.” The facility towers over Völklingen, a town situated close to Germany’s French border.

UNESCO added the site to its world heritage registry in 1994, acknowledging it as “the only intact example, in the whole of western Europe and North America, of an integrated ironworks that was built and equipped in the 19th and 20th centuries.”

Production ceased in 1986, leaving the furnaces dormant, and the location has remained unchanged since that time. However, its visual character dates much earlier, as no new equipment was installed after the mid-1930s.

“It’s so dusty and it’s so old, but it’s beautiful, you know, there’s beauty in decay,” commented British artist Remi Rough. “I think what I’ve done makes you kind of just perceive it in a bit of a different way.”

Rough created small paintings designed to be “very clean and clinical,” providing contrast to the surrounding environment.

Danish creator Anders Reventlov expressed feeling “humble to be able to do something here.”

“As somebody told me … it was hell to work here,” Reventlov noted. “Now it’s not hell. It’s like a nice place, people walking around, there are bees, there are beautiful flowers, but yeah, we still remember the history and that’s super important.”

Beil emphasized that organizers “want pieces which are really original for this space and this also is then prohibiting (them) from being commercial.”

“This is an installation for the space,” he stated. “This is pure art.”

The exhibition begins Saturday and continues through November 15.

VENICE, Italy — Political turmoil has disrupted the world’s most prestigious contemporary art exhibition as the Venice Biennale opened Saturday without its coveted Golden Lion awards following the jury’s mass resignation over Israel and Russia’s involvement in the show.

The judging panel stepped down specifically to protest nations currently facing International Criminal Court investigations for human rights violations, though critics argue the United States should have faced similar scrutiny. British artist Anish Kapoor referenced “the politics of hate and war and all that that’s been going on now for too long.”

Instead of traditional jury selections, attendees at the Giardini and Arsenale locations will cast Eurovision-style votes to choose the top national pavilion among 100 entries and the best work from the main curated exhibition, “In Minor Keys.” Results will be revealed on the final day, November 22.

The centerpiece exhibition features a massive red-feathered sculpture adorned with beaded embroidery that welcomes guests. Drawing from New Orleans Black Masking traditions that trace back to enslaved African practices, this costume-inspired artwork establishes the show’s emphasis on marginalized voices.

Koyo Kouoh, who made history as the first African woman selected to oversee the main Biennale display, had gathered 110 artists and collectives before her passing last year. Five co-curators have continued her vision of highlighting overlooked perspectives.

“She was someone who thought about making spaces for everyone to shine and we see it in her exhibition, we see it with ourselves,” explained co-curator Marie Helene Pereira.

At the British Pavilion, Turner Prize recipient Lubaina Himid presents “Predicting History: Testing Translation,” examining the immigrant experience through vibrant paintings depicting couples navigating newcomer challenges.

One artwork shows two architects debating construction plans. “One of them is trying to decide, would we build a building here, that proves that we have contributed to the culture, and the other architect is saying ‘No, no, no, no, no. Let’s build something that we can escape in tomorrow,’” explained Himid, who was born in Zanzibar and has lived in Great Britain for over seven decades.

The Vatican offers a peaceful retreat from global conflicts through the Mystic Gardens of the Discalced Carmelite order, located near Venice’s central railway station.

Visitors stroll through vineyard paths, passing pomegranate trees and herb gardens while listening through headphones to compositions by 12th-century abbess, mystic and composer St. Hildegard of Bingen, reimagined by contemporary artists including Brian Eno and Patti Smith.

“Music also helps us delve into ourselves and understand, to use a phrase by Hildegard, the symphony that God has placed in our lives,” stated Rev. Ermanno Barucco, prior of the Carmelite order.

The Austrian Pavilion draws crowds with Florentina Holzinger’s provocative performance piece featuring a nude woman suspended as a human bell clapper. Inside, another naked performer circles on a Jet Ski within a tank, symbolizing Venice’s transformation into an overtouristed entertainment destination.

The installation “Seaworld Venice” includes a nude woman breathing through scuba gear in a large tank filled with treated wastewater from nearby restrooms that has undergone multiple filtration processes.

Romanian-born artist Belu-Simion Fainaru’s exhibit features water dripping from hanging tubes into a pool, pausing every 42 seconds to represent divine creative force in Jewish mystical tradition. Padlocks surrounding the pavilion, similar to those placed by couples on European bridges, bear Hebrew inscriptions of “Love thy neighbor as thyself” and the hopeful message “This too shall pass.”

“I am against boycott, I’m for dialogue, and that’s a political statement,” declared Fainaru, who condemned the jury’s exclusion of Israel as discriminatory.

Estonian artist Merike Estna will spend the entire Biennale creating a large-scale wall painting inside a community center gymnasium that previously served as a church. The building’s complex history reflects her technique of layering paint to create richly textured surfaces over time, representing women’s undervalued daily labor.

Curator Natalia Sielewicz compared the work to “the everyday feminism of sustaining life, of sustaining our planet.”

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — While Gaza remains gripped by a devastating humanitarian crisis and an unstable ceasefire, a small group of Palestinian surfers continues to seek solace and happiness in the Mediterranean waters along the territory’s coastline.

According to Tahseen Abu Assi, a Gaza City surfer, just three or four men continue to surf because of limited surfboards and lack of repair materials for damaged equipment.

Throughout the two-year conflict, Abu Assi transported his surfboard during each forced relocation because replacement would be impossible. “If something happened to it I won’t be able to get another one,” he explained, pointing out that surfboards haven’t been allowed into the Palestinian territory since 2007. Israel’s restrictions include surfboards among various sports equipment and other banned items.

This Tuesday, Abu Assi joined two other surfers in the waters near Gaza City’s port, including Khalil Abu Jiab, who celebrated while riding the large waves with his arms extended upward.

Following the conflict’s start, Israeli forces imposed severe limitations on maritime activities in Gaza, with UN reports documenting attacks on fishermen both on land and at sea, including those using small paddle craft.

In the previous year, Israel designated Gaza’s coastal waters as off-limits, prohibiting fishing, swimming, and ocean access, creating hazardous conditions for surfing.

Maritime activities remain forbidden and perilous in northern and southern Gaza waters. Even central Gaza’s waters, near Gaza City, pose risks due to Israeli naval patrols.

“There is fear of course, but we can’t leave this sport,” Abu Assi explained. “During the war, in the middle of the war, in the middle of the bombing and the planes above us, we used to go down and practice this sport.”

Since Gaza’s waves seldom reach suitable surfing heights, enthusiasts abandon all other activities when conditions improve, he noted.

Heavy combat throughout the region decreased following an unstable ceasefire that began October 10, though fatal Israeli attacks have persisted, with Hamas and Israel each blaming the other for truce violations.

The Israel-Hamas conflict started October 7, 2023, when militants launched an assault on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily civilians, and capturing 251 hostages. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that Israel’s military campaign has resulted in 72,628 Palestinian deaths and 172,520 injuries.

Gaza residents continue facing severe challenges obtaining food, clean water, healthcare, and housing following widespread destruction, collapsed medical infrastructure, and mass displacement of the population.

However, for the territory’s remaining surfers, the waves provide temporary relief from their circumstances.

“As soon as the sea gets high, you leave your work and leave your whole life,” Abu Assi said. “Work can be caught up on, as they say. We go practice this sport.”