Category: World News

BANGKOK (AP) — Gem workers in Myanmar have uncovered an exceptionally large ruby that experts believe ranks as the second-heaviest ever discovered in the war-torn Southeast Asian country, according to state media reports released Friday.

The precious stone weighs 11,000 carats (equivalent to 2.2 kilograms or 4.8 pounds) and was found close to Mogok town in the upper Mandalay region, which serves as the center of the nation’s profitable gem extraction operations. This area has recently seen heavy combat as part of Myanmar’s ongoing civil war.

State-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported that workers found the uncut ruby during mid-April, shortly following the country’s traditional New Year celebrations.

Though the gemstone weighs approximately half as much as a 21,450-carat (4.29 kilogram or 9.45 pound) specimen discovered in 1996, experts consider this latest find more precious because of its exceptional color and clarity. The stone displays a purplish-red coloration with yellow highlights, premium color grading, moderate see-through qualities, and a surface that reflects light exceptionally well.

The nation of Myanmar supplies approximately 90% of global ruby production, with most stones coming from the Mogok and Mong Hsu regions. Both legally traded and illegally smuggled precious stones represent a significant income source for Myanmar. Human rights advocates and organizations like the British-based Global Witness research group have called on jewelry companies to boycott gems from Myanmar, arguing that the industry has provided crucial funding to the country’s military leadership for many years.

A supposedly civilian administration took power this year following elections that human rights organizations and opposition groups condemned as fraudulent. The voting restored President Min Aung Hlaing to office, the military commander who orchestrated the latest coup in 2021. He and his cabinet members recently inspected the enormous ruby during a visit to his office in Naypyitaw, the nation’s capital.

Revenue from gemstone extraction also provides essential financing for ethnic rebel groups seeking independence, which has contributed to Myanmar’s decades-long internal warfare.

Safety conditions in these mining areas continue to be unstable. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army, known as TNLA, a rebel organization representing the Palaung ethnic community, seized control of Mogok in July 2024. While the TNLA managed the mining operations after taking over, Myanmar’s military eventually regained authority through a peace agreement negotiated by China that was finalized in late 2024.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Three mountain climbers lost their lives when Mount Dukono volcano violently erupted on a remote Indonesian island, officials confirmed Friday.

Around 20 adventurers had begun their ascent of the 4,445-foot peak on Halmahera island Thursday, ignoring established safety barriers, according to North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu.

The group found themselves trapped when the volcano exploded at 7:41 a.m. local time, launching a massive ash plume approximately 6.2 miles above the mountain’s peak. Seismic equipment registered the blast for over 16 minutes, Indonesia’s Geological Agency reported.

“They were aware that climbing was prohibited as the mountain is the restricted zone due to its high alert status, but insisted on going ahead,” Pasaribu said in a television interview.

Emergency crews mobilized after receiving distress signals from the volcanic area. Three men — two from Singapore and one Indonesian citizen — perished at the location, Pasaribu confirmed.

By Friday afternoon, rescue operations had successfully brought down 14 climbers, including seven international visitors. Five of those rescued sustained injuries. Search teams remained active looking for additional climbers thought to be making their way down the mountain.

Recovery of the victims’ remains has been impossible due to ongoing volcanic activity and hazardous conditions blocking rescue access to the site.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has maintained a long-standing prohibition on all activities within 2.5 miles of Dukono’s crater, warning of dangers including volcanic projectiles, ash deposits and poisonous gases. Officials suspect the hikers were within the forbidden area when the eruption occurred.

Even with social media alerts and posted warnings at the location, “many people remain determined to climb, driven by the desire to create online content,” Pasaribu said.

Mount Dukono ranks among Indonesia’s most restless volcanoes, maintaining nearly constant eruptions since 1933. The nation lies within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for intense earthquake and volcanic activity, hosting over 120 active volcanic peaks.

Officials also cautioned about potential secondary dangers, including volcanic mud flows, particularly during heavy rainfall, which could flow down rivers originating from the volcano’s flanks.

Volcanic conditions at Dukono continue at elevated levels, with authorities maintaining the second-highest alert status. The volcano has demonstrated increased explosive activity since late March, recording nearly 200 eruptions since March 30 with roughly 95 daily occurrences.

“Friday’s eruption was among the strongest during this period,” said Lana Saria, director of Indonesia’s Geology Agency at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. She noted that ash clouds varying from white to gray to black were drifting northward.

She cautioned that falling ash could impact surrounding communities, including Tobelo town, creating health concerns and disrupting transportation and everyday activities.

Authorities advised residents, visitors and mountaineers to stay composed, heed official instructions and stay away from prohibited zones while Mount Dukono monitoring continues.

OSLO – A Norwegian court has ordered a Chinese national to remain in police detention for as long as four weeks while authorities continue their investigation into espionage allegations, officials announced Friday.

The woman represents one of multiple individuals under suspicion in the case and was taken into custody earlier this week. Norwegian law enforcement officials say she is believed to have participated in illegal efforts to access and download satellite information.

Attempts to contact the suspect’s legal representative were unsuccessful.

Should prosecutors decide to move forward with formal charges, the woman could face as much as a decade behind bars if convicted under Norway’s penal code section 122.

WARSAW, May 8 – Poland has become the first European Union member nation to finalize a loan agreement through the bloc’s new defense financing initiative, obtaining 43.7 billion euros to bolster its military capabilities as Europe increases security measures in response to growing geopolitical tensions.

The agreement makes Poland the inaugural country to utilize the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, which seeks to enhance the EU’s defense readiness and acquire military equipment to address potential dangers from Russia or Belarus.

During Friday’s signing ceremony, Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the moment as significant. “This is a turning point in the history of Poland and the European Union,” Tusk stated.

“…This is a gigantic sum that will be invested directly in Polish security, the Polish arms industry, Polish companies that cooperate with the arms industry, and in our technological capabilities,” he added.

The Polish government moved forward with the SAFE program even after facing opposition from the nation’s nationalist president through a veto, revealing ongoing tensions about debt policy and Brussels’ influence on security matters in the politically split nation.

While Poland stands to receive the largest portion of the 150-billion-euro SAFE program, the presidential veto forced officials to rely on an existing military fund, blocking the release of approximately 7 billion zlotys that had been designated for border security forces and police operations.

Poland now leads Europe in defense expenditure as a percentage of national economic output and intends to allocate 4.8% of its GDP toward defense by 2026.

The nation has committed to substantial purchases of military equipment including tanks, artillery systems, and air defense technology, while simultaneously working to boost domestic manufacturing through partnerships with international defense contractors.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded his diplomatic mission to Europe on Friday, meeting with Italian officials in an effort to rebuild relationships strained by recent conflicts and policy disputes.

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized the mutual dependence between Europe and America during his discussions with Rubio, expressing optimism that the visit had helped ease recent diplomatic friction.

“I believe things can go in the right direction,” Tajani stated. “I am convinced Europe needs America — Italy needs America — and the United States also needs Europe and Italy.”

Tajani expressed hope that “tensions have been calmed” following Rubio’s diplomatic outreach. The foreign ministers addressed multiple international issues, including the Iran conflict, developments in Lebanon, and situations in Venezuela and Cuba. Rubio also scheduled meetings with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

The diplomatic tensions stem from President Donald Trump’s trade policies, European reluctance to support U.S. efforts in the Iran conflict, and Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV, creating friction between the historically allied nations.

Meanwhile, Rubio indicated that U.S. officials expect Iran’s response to ongoing diplomatic negotiations later Friday. “We should know something today,” said Rubio, who also serves as White House national security adviser. “I hope it’s a serious offer. I really do.”

The fragile ceasefire in the Iran conflict faced additional pressure Friday as the United Arab Emirates faced missile and drone attacks, occurring just hours after American forces prevented strikes on three Navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and launched counterattacks against Iranian military installations.

No immediate damage reports emerged from the UAE incidents. Despite continued military exchanges, Iran and the United States have managed to avoid returning to full-scale warfare while negotiators work toward a resolution.

Key unresolved issues include Iran’s nuclear program, which prompted the U.S.-Israeli military action beginning February 28, and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route that Iran has largely blocked to pressure the global economy.

Iranian officials announced Thursday they were reviewing the most recent American proposals for ending hostilities, delivered through Pakistani mediators.

In separate domestic developments, a federal judge in New York declared the Trump administration’s cancellation of over $100 million in humanities funding unconstitutional Thursday. U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon ruled that the Department of Government Efficiency lacked authority to terminate the grants and permanently prohibited the administration from ending the funding.

The ruling favored The Authors Guild and other organizations whose grants were eliminated. Government attorneys had defended the cuts to more than 1,400 congressionally approved grants as legitimate implementation of Trump’s directives to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and reduce discretionary spending.

Additionally, a federal trade court struck down Trump’s global tariffs Thursday in a 2-1 decision. The Court of International Trade in New York determined the 10% worldwide tariffs exceeded presidential authority granted by Congress, ruling them “invalid” and “unauthorized by law.”

These tariffs were implemented after the Supreme Court invalidated broader tariffs in February. The administration is expected to appeal the decision.

In an unscheduled appearance Thursday, Trump visited the Lincoln Memorial to inspect the Reflecting Pool after having it coated in what he calls “American flag blue.” The nearly $2 million project replaced the pool’s original gray stone color, which Trump criticized as inadequate.

“It never had the color people wanted, but now it’s going to have the great color,” Trump declared, surrounded by Cabinet members including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

The United Nations World Food Programme issued an urgent warning Friday that Somalia could lose all humanitarian food assistance by July unless emergency funding is secured to address what officials describe as one of the world’s worst malnutrition emergencies.

Speaking to reporters from Rome via video conference, Matthew Hollingworth, the WFP’s assistant executive director for programme operations, described the deteriorating situation in stark terms.

“Somalia faces a really severe malnutrition crisis and is one of the biggest malnutrition hotspots in the world,” Hollingworth stated during the Geneva briefing.

The crisis has reached alarming proportions, with approximately 6 million Somalis – nearly one-third of the population – currently experiencing severe hunger. Additionally, 1.9 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition, according to WFP data.

The humanitarian emergency stems from a devastating combination of factors, including consecutive seasons of failed rainfall that have destroyed agricultural crops and decimated livestock herds. Persistent violence and instability throughout the country have compounded these challenges, occurring at a time when international aid has been drastically reduced and supply chains disrupted by Middle Eastern conflicts.

Somalia continues to grapple with overlapping security challenges, including the ongoing insurgency led by the Al-Shabaab militant organization against the federal government, as well as political tensions between the capital Mogadishu and regional authorities over governance and security matters.

The current crisis bears troubling similarities to 2022, when Somalia teetered on the edge of famine following an extended drought period. However, Hollingworth emphasized that the critical difference now is the absence of adequate funding to mount a large-scale humanitarian response.

The WFP, which handles 90% of Somalia’s food security operations, has been forced to dramatically scale back its assistance, reducing the number of people it can help from 2 million to just 500,000. Without immediate additional funding, the organization may be compelled to suspend all operations by July.

Complicating relief efforts further, humanitarian organizations are experiencing significant delays in obtaining essential supplies. Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food, a crucial treatment for malnourished children, is facing delivery delays of up to 40 days due to supply chain disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East region.

An early morning raid by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province militants on a Nigerian military installation has left at least two soldiers dead and several others wounded, including the base commander, according to military officials and security sources.

The deadly incident occurred Thursday before dawn at the Forward Operating Base located in Magumeri, a town in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno state. The attack adds to the ongoing violence from an insurgency that has plagued the region for over ten years.

According to a military source speaking to Reuters, the militants launched their assault during conditions of limited visibility, resulting in three soldiers being killed and severe injuries to the commanding officer.

“Three soldiers were killed in the attack while the commanding officer was severely injured … and 14 other soldiers were injured,” the source reported, noting that approximately eight attackers were also killed. Military forces managed to seize 20 motorcycles, multiple machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades from the militants after successfully defending against the assault, the source added.

A civilian joint taskforce member, part of a vigilante organization that assists military operations, witnessed three deceased soldiers and observed portions of the base engulfed in flames following the attack.

“The commanding officer sustained injury and about 20 others sustained gunshot injuries,” he reported, estimating that around 10 Boko Haram/ISWAP militants were eliminated.

The Nigerian military reported that forces from Operation Hadin Kai, the military’s anti-insurgency campaign in the northeast, “successfully contained” the assault and “neutralised scores” of ISWAP fighters who had attempted to breach the base perimeter.

“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the battle, while an officer and other wounded personnel are currently stable and receiving appropriate medical attention,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the joint task force spokesperson.

Military officials confirmed that some equipment and temporary buildings sustained fire damage during the confrontation, while troops recovered anti-aircraft weapons, AK-47 rifles, and ammunition abandoned by retreating militants.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s Constitutional Court has overturned a parliamentary decision that shielded President Cyril Ramaphosa from investigation in a cash controversy, opening the door for potential impeachment proceedings against the nation’s leader.

In 2022, Ramaphosa avoided impeachment when members of his African National Congress party voted down a damaging report that called for a complete investigation into the theft of roughly $580,000 discovered hidden inside a sofa at his Phala Phala wildlife ranch.

The high court’s decision means the investigative report must now go before an impeachment committee for thorough review, which could ultimately vote to remove Ramaphosa from office.

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya explained the next steps: “In the event that the panel (of inquiry) concludes that sufficient evidence exists, the matter must be referred to the impeachment committee.”

Opposition leader Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters has demanded Ramaphosa step down immediately and face impeachment proceedings.

Malema’s party joined other opposition groups in challenging the ANC lawmakers’ decision in court, arguing they used their legislative control to protect Ramaphosa from facing consequences.

Speaking to supporters following the court decision, Malema declared: “Ramaphosa is going to jail. With the amount of shenanigans and evidence that will come out of that impeachment process, there is no way that Ramaphosa is not going to jail.”

The president has consistently rejected allegations of misconduct, stating the money represented payment from buffalo transactions at his ranch.

While Ramaphosa told investigators he notified his security chief about the theft, a parliamentary investigation dismissed his explanation and called for a complete impeachment committee review.

This ongoing controversy has created significant political challenges for Ramaphosa, with rival parties demanding his resignation.

He weathered the initial challenge when his party controlled parliament, but the ANC lost its majority in 2024 elections for the first time since taking power in 1994. Ramaphosa is now in his final presidential term.

Additional accusations against him include tax violations, money laundering, and currency regulation breaches, with critics questioning why legitimate business funds would be concealed in furniture.

Presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya stated Friday that Ramaphosa has consistently cooperated with all investigations and will continue doing so.

“President Ramaphosa maintains that no person is above the law and that any allegations should be subjected to due process without fear, favour or prejudice,” Magwenya said.

Earlier investigations by the central bank and a government oversight agency found no evidence of wrongdoing by Ramaphosa.

A Rwandan professor and government critic passed away while in custody this week, just days before he was scheduled to walk free from prison, prompting international human rights advocates to demand an independent investigation into the death of Aimable Karasira.

Rwandan officials say Karasira died Wednesday after consuming too much of his prescribed medication. However, Human Rights Watch has challenged this explanation and is pushing for global attention to the case, requesting that a team of independent experts examine the circumstances.

“There are many reasons to question the circumstances surrounding Aimable Karasira’s death in custody, not least the years of harassment and persecution he experienced at the hands of the authorities,” Human Rights Watch’s Clémentine de Montjoye stated. “The government bears the burden of proving that Karasira was not unlawfully killed.”

The academic passed away at Nyarugenge District Hospital in Rwanda’s capital city of Kigali. Hillary Sengabo, who speaks for the country’s prison administration, informed The New Times of Rwanda that Karasira “took chunks of medicine which he had been prescribed for a preexisting condition.”

The controversy began in 2020 when Karasira published a YouTube video discussing family members he lost during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and its aftermath — including deaths that occurred after the rebel forces who ended the genocide assumed control of the nation’s leadership. Following the video’s release, Human Rights Watch documented that Karasira faced intimidation from intelligence personnel and received threats from unknown individuals.

Authorities took Karasira into custody in 2021 on multiple charges related to denying the genocide and promoting divisiveness. A court found him guilty on some counts while clearing him of others.

“The prosecution appealed his acquittal on several charges, including genocide denial and justification, and demanded a 30-year sentence, which was pending at the time of his death,” Human Rights Watch explained. “But as Karasira had already served four years of his five-year term awaiting trial, his sentence was nearing its end, and he was to be released on May 6.”

British historian Michela Wrong, who authored a book examining alleged wrongdoing by Rwanda’s leadership, described Karasira’s death as revealing about the country’s current state.

“He told visitors he was being beaten and tortured,” Wrong wrote on social media platform X. “Prison eventually proved a fatal experience, as for so many in Rwanda. Now he’s supposedly died of an overdose of his prescription medicine.”

Human Rights Watch drew parallels between Karasira’s death and the 2020 custody death of musician and government opponent Kizito Mihigo. The organization noted both individuals possessed “moral authority” that connected with citizens and troubled government officials.

President Paul Kagame’s administration, which has governed Rwanda since 1994, has worked to heal ethnic rifts through legislation and other initiatives. Many praise Kagame for maintaining relative calm and order in the nation.

The administration established strict criminal laws targeting genocide-related crimes and the thinking that led to them, while Kagame has cultivated compliance among the country’s approximately 14 million residents. National identification documents no longer list ethnic background, and genocide education is now standard in school curricula.

Hundreds of community initiatives, supported by government agencies or civil organizations, work toward Rwandan unity, and each April the country participates in solemn remembrance ceremonies marking the genocide’s anniversary.

However, Kagame’s opponents argue he silences all disagreement. Many view him as leading an authoritarian system that has eliminated nearly all political opposition in Rwanda, as critics face imprisonment, exile, disappearance, or death under questionable circumstances.

BERLIN (AP) — Law enforcement responded to an active hostage situation at a German bank on Friday morning where multiple suspects were holding captives, including the operator of an armored cash transport vehicle, according to official reports.

Authorities received the emergency call around 9 a.m. regarding the incident at a Volksbank location in Sinzig, a community of approximately 17,000 residents situated in the Rhine valley close to Koblenz, regional law enforcement confirmed.

Officials reported late Friday morning that they believe “several perpetrators and hostages” are inside the banking facility, with the armored vehicle operator among those being held captive. Law enforcement characterized the ongoing situation as “static” in an official social media update.

Authorities assured the public that residents outside the established security perimeter around the location face no danger.

Security concerns and domestic unease are overshadowing Russia’s most significant national holiday as the country prepares for Saturday’s Victory Day observances, with the ongoing Ukraine conflict creating an atmosphere of uncertainty around the traditional Red Square festivities.

A temporary halt to hostilities that Moscow declared for Friday and Saturday fell apart almost immediately. Both Russian and Ukrainian officials pointed fingers at each other for violating the pause in combat, mirroring similar failed attempts at temporary ceasefires from earlier this week.

These mutual recriminations highlight the profound mistrust that exists between the warring nations more than four years into Russia’s comprehensive military campaign against Ukraine. This distrust has undermined American-led diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution.

Ukrainian forces have increasingly demonstrated their ability to strike targets far within Russian territory using advanced drone and missile systems, particularly targeting major petroleum infrastructure in recent months.

At the same time, growing dissatisfaction with certain wartime measures has increased scrutiny on Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is scheduled to deliver remarks Saturday during Victory Day festivities. The holiday honors the defeat of Nazi Germany eight decades ago and traditionally serves as a platform for patriotic displays and demonstrations of Russian military capabilities.

However, this year’s observance carries a markedly different tone.

Russian military officials stated Friday that their troops in Ukraine “fully halted all military activities and maintained their existing positions and defensive lines” beginning at midnight when Putin’s unilateral cessation took effect.

However, Moscow accused Ukrainian military units of continuing strikes against Russian installations and civilian targets in the border regions of Belgorod and Kursk.

Russian air defense systems intercepted 390 Ukrainian unmanned aircraft and six Neptune long-range missiles targeting Russian territory after the ceasefire began, military officials reported.

A Ukrainian drone attack damaged the administrative headquarters of the Southern Russia Air Navigation facility in Rostov-on-Don, leading to flight suspensions at 13 airports across southern Russia, according to the Transport Ministry.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented a contradictory account. He stated that Russian military operations persisted throughout the night along battle lines, while Ukrainian defensive systems destroyed 56 Russian drones.

“This demonstrates clearly that Russia made no genuine effort to implement any form of ceasefire,” Zelenskyy stated.

Zelenskyy also announced Friday that Ukrainian forces conducted another long-distance attack on Russian oil infrastructure, this time targeting facilities in the Yaroslavl region, located more than 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. He did not provide details about the timing of this operation.

Russian leadership has issued repeated warnings that Moscow will respond forcefully — potentially including large-scale strikes on Kyiv — should Ukrainian attacks interfere with Saturday’s official ceremonies.

“We have increased our attention to potential retaliatory actions,” presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov informed reporters Thursday.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry recommended that foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations in Kyiv evacuate their facilities in anticipation of possible strikes, while the Defense Ministry issued similar evacuation advisories to civilians.

Zelenskyy expressed astonishment that international leaders would attend Moscow’s commemorative events.

Among those expected in the Russian capital were Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, and Belarus’ authoritarian ruler Alexander Lukashenko. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, representing a European Union nation, planned to meet with Putin and participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin, though he would avoid the Red Square parade.

Putin, who has governed Russia for over 25 years, has leveraged the Soviet Union’s World War II triumph to build domestic support for his leadership and the Ukrainian campaign, while also demonstrating Russia’s international influence.

This context makes it notable that the customary military parade will proceed without tanks, missiles, and other ground-based weaponry for the first time in almost twenty years, featuring only aircraft in the traditional aerial display. Officials attributed this decision to the “current operational circumstances,” without providing further explanation.

Russia’s numerically superior and better-equipped military has found itself in a prolonged, difficult campaign in Ukraine. The February 2022 invasion was intended to achieve rapid success for the Kremlin.

Ukraine’s capacity to conduct long-distance strikes deep within Russian territory is creating anxiety for the Kremlin. These operations focus on Russian energy production facilities, manufacturing centers, and military storage sites.

Some Russian citizens have expressed frustration with internet restrictions and governmental oversight of online activities, including the blocking of the widely-used Telegram messaging platform.

Mobile internet connectivity and text messaging will be limited throughout Moscow on Saturday, according to the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, which justified these severe restrictions as necessary for public security.

These limitations will affect access to websites on the Russian government’s “white list,” a collection of state-authorized online platforms that remain accessible during the nation’s increasingly frequent internet disruptions. Residential internet connections and Wi-Fi services will continue operating normally, officials confirmed.

Britain’s Princess of Wales will journey to northern Italy next week to witness an extraordinary educational story that began with communities turning discarded wartime machinery into groundbreaking schools for young children.

Kate’s destination is Reggio Emilia, where residents—particularly women—helped fund Italy’s earliest nursery schools following World War II by selling scrap metal from military vehicles and equipment abandoned by retreating German troops, including at least one tank.

These grassroots efforts became the foundation for what’s now known as the “Reggio Emilia approach,” an educational philosophy that has gained international recognition and aligns closely with Kate’s commitment to supporting children’s emotional and social development.

The Princess, who is married to Prince William and has three children, established the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021 to unite researchers and specialists working in early child development.

Scheduled for May 13-14, this marks Kate’s first official international engagement since she finished her cancer treatment.

“Some time ago, British representatives visited our city and our early childhood education services, and shortly afterwards we heard of the Princess’s interest in coming to see us,” Education Councillor Marwa Mahmoud told Reuters.

According to Italian authorities, Kate’s visit will focus on several key aspects: the historical origins of Reggio’s educational system, its public nature, women’s contributions, connections between natural environments and learning, and robust community participation.

The mid-sized Italian city boasts some of the country’s highest early education enrollment rates, with nearly all children ages three to six attending preschool and infant-toddler program participation exceeding twice the national rate.

Reggio Emilia’s innovative schools for children under six emerged decades ahead of Italy’s 1968 national education law.

Central to the Reggio Emilia philosophy is viewing children as engaged learners capable of discovering and comprehending their environment through multiple forms of expression—what educators call the “hundred languages” of children.

Classrooms center around shared areas called piazzas, featuring on-site kitchens and creative workshops where youngsters explore different materials, colors, and sounds.

Currently, the city operates 89 infant-toddler centers and preschools, with most run by municipal or state authorities and tuition based on household earnings.

Global recognition surged after Newsweek magazine named a Reggio Emilia preschool among the world’s ten best schools in 1991.

“For years, Britain looked to Reggio Emilia as a model, with hundreds of teachers visiting annually,” explained Maddalena Tedeschi, who heads Reggio Children, an international research promotion center.

“Policy changes and funding cuts in the UK later reduced travel, but interest remained and evolved into new forms of exchange.”

Government officials in Botswana announced Friday that Festus Mogae, the country’s former president, has passed away. Mogae, who had a background in economics, served as leader of the African nation for ten years.

During his presidency, Mogae earned widespread international recognition for his dedication to effective governance and his significant efforts in battling the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Botswana is known for its substantial diamond resources, which contributed to the country’s economic development during his tenure.

The announcement of his death was made from Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana, on Friday.

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgarian lawmakers officially installed former President Rumen Radev as the nation’s new prime minister on Friday, marking an effort to stabilize the country’s political landscape and boost economic progress in the European Union member state.

Speaking to parliament members, the 62-year-old acknowledged the challenges ahead: “We have no illusions about the crises and trials facing the government, which will soon be seeking your support – galloping prices, budget, missing reforms, a severe global energy crisis and escalating conflicts.”

Parliamentary representatives backed Radev’s appointment with a vote of 124 in favor, 70 against, and 36 members choosing to abstain.

The former president stepped down from his largely symbolic presidential position in January, cutting short his second term several months early to pursue the more influential prime minister role. Bulgaria’s prior conservative administration fell apart in December following massive anti-corruption demonstrations that brought hundreds of thousands of citizens, particularly young people, into the streets.

Radev gained widespread support by positioning himself as an adversary of entrenched criminal networks and their connections to top government officials. During his campaign events, he promised to “remove the corrupt, oligarchic model of governance from political power.”

His Progressive Bulgaria party achieved an overwhelming win in the April 19 parliamentary elections, securing a strong majority with 131 seats out of 240 total legislative positions.

The new prime minister, who previously served as a military fighter pilot, completed a Master of Strategic Studies program at the U.S. Air War College in 2003 before taking command of Bulgaria’s air force. His political base includes supporters who hope he will eliminate the nation’s oligarchic corruption alongside those who back his skeptical views toward Europe and friendly stance toward Russia.

While Radev’s pro-Russian positions have sparked worry about Bulgaria’s role in European decision-making, political experts anticipate his governing approach will likely remain measured, unlike former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s tactics, particularly given Bulgaria’s heavy dependence on European funding.

Florence Thiéry, an analyst with the Credendo insurance group, offered this assessment in written remarks: “He will more likely seek to dilute Sofia’s support for Kyiv, for which Bulgaria is a key supplier of ammunition, and push for the resumption of Russian oil and gas imports, prioritizing lower-cost energy supplies.”

Thiéry continued: “Despite these positions, Bulgaria’s full accession to the Schengen Area and its recent adoption of the euro are expected to support continuity in foreign policy, making a reversal of its Euro-Atlantic stance unlikely.”

SINZIG, Germany – Authorities in western Germany are managing an ongoing hostage crisis at a local savings bank where multiple individuals are being held against their will, according to law enforcement officials.

The incident began Friday morning around 7 a.m. GMT in the center of Sinzig, a town located in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. Among those trapped inside the financial institution is at least one armored car driver who was apparently conducting a cash delivery.

“It is currently believed that there are several perpetrators and hostages inside the bank,” police said in a statement, adding that the situation was currently “stable.”

Law enforcement has deployed significant resources to the scene and established a wide security perimeter around the affected area. Officials emphasized that civilians outside the restricted zone face no immediate threat.

The crisis remains active as authorities work to resolve the standoff safely.

A significant shift is occurring within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as European member nations increasingly assume leadership positions while American influence appears to be waning.

The changing dynamics within the alliance have become more pronounced as coordination issues and strategic disagreements create new challenges for the decades-old military partnership.

This transformation represents a notable departure from the traditional structure where the United States has historically played the dominant role in NATO operations and decision-making processes.

The evolving leadership structure comes at a time when alliance members are grappling with questions about future cooperation and strategic alignment on key international issues.

These developments highlight the ongoing evolution of transatlantic relationships and the changing nature of international security partnerships in the current geopolitical climate.

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s constitutional court delivered a victory Friday to opposition forces attempting to restart impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa related to a controversy known locally as “Farmgate.”

The controversy nearly ended Ramaphosa’s presidency when it emerged in 2022 following findings by an independent panel that suggested possible misconduct on his part.

While Ramaphosa has consistently denied any wrongdoing and faced no criminal charges, the scandal created significant political turmoil.

At the time, his African National Congress (ANC) party stood by him, leveraging their parliamentary control to block any impeachment proceedings from moving forward.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a far-left opposition party, took the matter to South Africa’s highest court in 2024, contending that parliament violated the law by refusing to hold Ramaphosa accountable for his actions.

CHISINAU, May 8 – The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced Friday that while no specific timeline has been established, the bloc is eager to accelerate formal membership negotiations with Moldova.

“We haven’t set that date, but it’s clear that we need to move fast,” Kallas stated during a joint news conference alongside Moldova’s President Maia Sandu. She emphasized that recent governmental transitions in various nations have created a favorable political climate.

“So that’s why I also think that we should move while nobody is against Moldova, because you never know when there comes a government that might have, you know, a bilateral issue,” Kallas explained.

The EU official praised Moldova’s advancement in implementing necessary reforms and assured that the separatist territory of Transdniestria “will not become an obstacle” to Moldova’s European integration goals.

President Sandu reaffirmed her nation’s commitment to finalizing the membership agreement by 2028.

Relatives and human rights advocates are urgently requesting the immediate release of Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu, citing severe deterioration of his health while incarcerated.

Yuyu, who worked as an editor for the state-run Guangming Daily newspaper, was arrested during a lunch meeting with a Japanese diplomat in 2022 and received a seven-year espionage conviction in 2024.

“Yuyu is now effectively facing a death sentence,” his family declared in a Thursday statement.

According to his relatives, Yuyu was admitted to a Tianjin prison medical facility on April 27, where physicians discovered irregular heart rhythms and a lung mass that his family worries may be cancerous.

His relatives report that he has been forced to work extended shifts manufacturing clothing while imprisoned and has been denied adequate rest periods.

“My mother and I are very sad and anxious,” stated his son Dong Yifu, who lives in the United States and has been campaigning for his father’s freedom.

“The international community must increase pressure on Beijing to secure his release on medical parole, as well as permission for him to travel abroad for treatment and reunite with his family,” declared Aleksandra Bielakowska from Reporters Without Borders.

The family hopes President Donald Trump’s administration will address Yuyu’s situation during next week’s planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

While employed at Beijing’s government-supported Guangming Daily, Yuyu also contributed to various other outlets, including Chinese periodicals and The New York Times’ Chinese-language platform.

His writings promoted constitutional democracy, governmental reform, and political openness — perspectives that were previously tolerated but are now prohibited topics in China.

ROME — Secretary of State Marco Rubio continues his diplomatic mission in Rome today with a scheduled meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as both nations work to repair damaged relations stemming from disagreements over the Iran conflict.

The diplomatic rift has widened in recent weeks following President Trump’s implementation of new tariffs, his criticism of European nations for not supporting the U.S. position on Iran, and his public disputes with Pope Leo XIV. These issues have created significant strain between the United States and Italy, two nations that have historically maintained close ties.

Rubio’s agenda also includes discussions with Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani as part of his broader diplomatic effort to restore trans-Atlantic cooperation.

The Secretary’s visit began Thursday with a meeting with Pope Leo XIV, marking the start of his mission to reduce tensions across the Atlantic. Italian officials plan to use these discussions to maintain their strategic alliance with America while resisting Washington’s demands regarding the Iran situation.

President Trump has publicly denounced both the Vatican and Italy’s leadership for their opposition to the war. Meloni has characterized the conflict as “illegal” and described Trump’s comments about the pontiff as “unacceptable.”

In response, Trump has questioned Meloni’s leadership, calling her “negative” regarding U.S. war efforts and suggesting she lacks courage. The Italian Prime Minister, once considered among Trump’s strongest European supporters, now finds their relationship significantly deteriorated, as Trump has publicly acknowledged.

Washington has already announced plans to relocate 5,000 military personnel from Germany, and Trump has warned of potential troop withdrawals from Italy and Spain due to their positions on the Iran conflict.

Italy serves as a crucial operational center for American and allied activities throughout the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa. Any reduction in military presence could significantly impact NATO’s strategic positioning in southern Europe.

Military cooperation faced a significant test in late March when Italy refused to permit U.S. bombers heading to the Middle East to use the Sigonella base in Sicily without legislative authorization.

Italy’s constitutional framework and international agreements specify how military installations may be utilized, permitting logistics and training within NATO parameters while typically prohibiting direct combat operations like bombing missions without explicit approval.

Both Meloni and Tajani have consistently stated Italy will not participate in the Iran conflict, emphasizing that any American request to use Italian facilities for combat purposes requires parliamentary consent, where war opposition remains substantial.

Rome faces significant challenges regarding both its security relationship with Washington and the economic consequences of the conflict. Meloni has expressed concern that closure of the Strait of Hormuz is increasing energy expenses and reducing consumer spending power, while potential American tariff policies threaten Italy’s export-dependent economy.

The Prime Minister is dealing with political challenges following a March referendum loss and growing domestic opposition to the war, further complicating her diplomatic position.

Since assuming office in 2022, Meloni has attempted to position herself as a dependable American partner and intermediary between Washington and Europe, but current disputes over Iran and trade policies, combined with her recent political difficulties, have highlighted the constraints of this approach.

During his Vatican visit Thursday, Rubio spent two and a half hours in discussions with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, addressing “efforts to achieve a durable peace in the Middle East” and other shared concerns, according to State Department officials.

Both nations emphasized that Rubio’s meetings with the Pope and Vatican leadership demonstrated the strength of bilateral relations.

American officials indicated the conversations reinforced “the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See” and mutual dedication to advancing peace and human dignity.

Small business owners throughout Russia are facing mounting challenges as government-imposed internet limitations severely impact their daily operations and customer communications.

Natalia Kukovinets, who operates a dog clothing business called Wag’n Tails, exemplifies the struggles faced by web-reliant entrepreneurs. She has been forced to repeatedly change communication platforms to maintain contact with her clientele as authorities continue expanding digital restrictions.

The government’s actions include limiting access to widely-used messaging platforms like Telegram, restricting VPN services, and implementing security-related mobile internet blackouts throughout various regions. These unpredictable disruptions particularly burden smaller enterprises, potentially jeopardizing billions in online commerce.

Kukovinets has relied entirely on Telegram for sales since Russian officials blocked Instagram in 2022 and WhatsApp earlier this year. Working from her Moscow studio where she creates embroidered accessories for pet enthusiasts, she explained the platform’s importance.

“Telegram is basically everything when it comes to client communication,” Kukovinets stated while wearing a custom shirt reading ‘Peace, friendship, puppy.’

However, she noted significant operational difficulties: “It has become harder to track incoming requests. It does not work without a VPN turned on, and notifications often do not come through.”

The impact extends far beyond individual cases. According to state news agency Interfax, approximately 2.9 million small and medium enterprises plus 14.1 million independent contractors depend on messaging applications for business purposes.

Despite these widespread effects, the Kremlin announced this week it would not provide financial compensation to businesses affected by its extended mobile internet shutdown in Moscow. The capital experienced nearly three weeks of blocked coverage in March, with regular disruptions occurring in other areas.

President Vladimir Putin has defended these internet limitations as necessary security measures. However, the approach has drawn unusual criticism from business leaders, and a March poll by independent research firm Levada found over two-thirds of Russians believe the restrictions have complicated their lives.

Moscow restaurant Skrepka experienced firsthand consequences when an April glitch prevented processing numerous online orders for traditional Easter desserts.

“Telegram was down, so the customers started shouting,” explained manager Daria Teterina. “It was a reputational loss.”

While official economic impact data remains unavailable, the Association of Internet Trade Companies reported that digital platform sales reached 11.5 trillion roubles ($153.74 billion) in 2025.

Anton Belykh, who manages Moscow property company DNA Realty, described ongoing communication problems affecting his business operations.

“When I’m in the city centre, I don’t see messages until much later,” Belykh said. “Overall, it creates a lot of inconvenience. Clients lose revenue, communication becomes more difficult, and both we and our clients end up losing money.”

The Kremlin has dismissed comparisons to Soviet-era information control, characterizing the measures as temporary. However, normal messaging app access appears unlikely to resume soon, as authorities pursue criminal charges against Telegram’s founder while promoting a government-supported alternative called MAX.

Russian users have shown reluctance to adopt MAX, with Belykh reporting only 2-3% of his clients using the platform. Both Kukovinets and the restaurant manager indicated they would continue using Telegram when possible.

“There is… a risk that not all our customers would be ready to move to platforms that are currently allowed. So we made the decision to stay with Telegram,” Kukovinets concluded.

LONDON — Authorities have filed harassment charges against a 39-year-old individual following reports that the former Prince Andrew was confronted by a masked individual in a threatening manner while walking his dogs near his residence.

Alex Jenkinson is scheduled to appear before Norwich Magistrates Court on Friday to answer two charges of employing threatening, abusive, or insulting language or conduct that constitutes harassment or causes alarm or distress. Norfolk Constabulary made the announcement regarding these charges Thursday evening.

Authorities stated that the defendant was taken into custody Wednesday evening following reports of a man “conducting himself in an intimidating fashion” in the vicinity of Andrew’s residence in eastern England.

According to The Daily Telegraph, an individual wearing a ski mask approached the former royal while yelling offensive language.

The 66-year-old Mountbatten-Windsor, who is the younger sibling of King Charles III, relocated to the monarch’s private Sandringham Estate, approximately 100 miles north of London, following his removal from his long-term residence near Windsor Castle due to revelations concerning his association with Jeffrey Epstein.

The royal family removed all his honors and titles and excluded him from public duties following years of controversy surrounding his financial difficulties and connections to dubious individuals, including Epstein.

Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s accusers, claimed she was compelled to engage in sexual activity with the then-prince on three occasions beginning at age 17. While he disputed these allegations, he ultimately reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount and recognized Giuffre’s suffering as a trafficking victim. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025 at age 41.

In February, he made history as the first senior British royal in nearly 400 years to face arrest when British authorities detained him for several hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his Epstein connections.

Law enforcement had previously indicated they were “evaluating” allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor provided trade intelligence to Epstein, a wealthy financier and convicted sex offender, in 2010, during his tenure as the U.K. special envoy for international trade.

Communication between the two individuals was made public by the U.S. Justice Department as part of millions of pages of documentation from the American investigation into Epstein.

Paraguay’s leader delivered a strong message of support for Taiwan on Friday, publicly rejecting China’s latest attempt to isolate the island democracy by pressuring its remaining diplomatic partners.

President Santiago Peña declared his nation’s commitment to Taiwan during a ceremonial military event, emphasizing the deep value Paraguay places on the relationship just one day after Beijing called for the South American country to abandon its Taiwan ties.

Speaking through an interpreter outside Taiwan’s presidential office, Peña described the ceremony as representing both nations’ steadfast commitment to strengthening their partnership and cooperation.

“Paraguay highly values the relationship,” Peña stated, according to his interpreter.

The Paraguayan leader emphasized that his country would continue backing Taiwan based on shared democratic principles, freedom, and human rights values, while working to advance their strategic bilateral partnership.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te expressed gratitude to Paraguay’s government for advocating on Taiwan’s behalf and maintaining strong support for the island’s participation in international affairs.

“I believe the friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay will further deepen and their cooperation will become closer through the visit of President Peña,” Lai remarked.

This show of solidarity followed Thursday’s statement from Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, who pressed Paraguayan officials to “come to the right side of the history as soon as possible” by ending diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. Lin cited the one-China principle as fundamental to international relations, noting that 183 nations maintain diplomatic ties with China.

During Friday’s bilateral meeting, Peña made a passionate appeal for Taiwan’s international recognition, arguing that Taiwan’s people deserve the right to determine their own future according to democratic and fair principles.

“I want to stress that excluding Taiwan from the important United Nations system is not only unfair, but also undermines the legitimacy of the United Nations as the most representative organization of democratic countries in the world,” he declared.

The two leaders oversaw the signing of several bilateral agreements, including a memorandum of understanding regarding artificial intelligence computing center investment.

In a separate interview with Taiwan’s Central News Agency, Peña revealed he had spoken with Honduran President Nasry Asfura before arriving in Taiwan for his four-day visit. While they didn’t directly address the possibility of Honduras resuming relations with Taiwan, Peña told Asfura about Paraguay’s positive relationship with the island nation.

Honduras switched its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2023. However, Asfura, who gained the presidency with backing from U.S. President Donald Trump, has initiated a review of agreements between his country and Beijing, sparking speculation that Honduras might distance itself from China as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to counter Chinese influence in Latin America.

Paraguay stands as Taiwan’s only remaining diplomatic partner in South America and one of just 12 countries globally that officially recognize the island democracy. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has intensified efforts in recent years to convince Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to switch sides, while simultaneously escalating military pressure around the island.

The diplomatic tensions highlight ongoing challenges for Taiwan’s international standing. Last week, President Lai traveled to Eswatini, Taiwan’s final diplomatic ally in Africa, after being compelled to delay the trip when several countries reportedly denied him permission to fly through their airspace due to Chinese pressure.

While China didn’t confirm or deny these allegations, Beijing expressed “high appreciation” for countries that respect the “one China principle,” referring to China’s territorial claims over Taiwan.

The division between China and Taiwan dates back to 1949, when Communist forces took control in Beijing following a civil war. Defeated Nationalist Party members retreated to Taiwan, which eventually evolved from military rule into a multi-party democratic system.

A deadly explosion at a fireworks manufacturing facility in central China has claimed 37 lives, with one person still unaccounted for, according to Chinese state media reports released Friday.

The devastating blast took place Monday at a production facility in Changsha, located in Hunan province, as confirmed by China’s official news agency Xinhua.

More than 60 individuals sustained injuries in the explosion, according to initial reports from the scene.

Officials are continuing their investigation into what caused the deadly incident and have mandated that all fireworks production operations in the surrounding region cease operations immediately.

The facility was run by Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co., situated in Liuyang, a county-level city under Changsha’s administration that serves as one of China’s major fireworks production centers, according to China Daily.

Liuyang holds significant historical importance in fireworks manufacturing. According to Guinness World Records, the region is connected to the first documented firework – the Chinese firecracker – which was created by Li Tian, a monk who resided near Liuyang during the Tang dynasty period spanning approximately 618 to 907 C.E.

This tragedy follows two fatal explosions that occurred at fireworks retail locations during February’s Lunar New Year celebrations, as previously reported by Chinese authorities.

Japan is banking on coordinated efforts between its central bank and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to strengthen its currency intervention strategy and halt the yen’s ongoing weakness.

The approach depends on cooperation between key players – Japan’s central bank, its finance ministry, and Washington officials – with the goal of making it more expensive for investors to bet against the yen rather than achieving a complete turnaround.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda’s shift toward tighter monetary policy last month created a turning point, bringing the central bank into rare agreement with Japan’s Ministry of Finance and presenting a more coordinated approach to stopping the currency’s fall.

Just two days following Ueda’s statements on April 28, Japan’s finance ministry executed its first yen-strengthening intervention in almost two years – followed by additional actions in May, according to sources who spoke with Reuters.

After reportedly investing nearly 10 trillion yen ($63.7 billion) in recent intervention efforts, financial experts believe Tokyo is hoping Bessent’s upcoming visit to Japan will provide additional support, either through direct endorsement or strategic statements indicating U.S. acceptance of Japan’s currency actions.

“At this time, it is a significant alignment,” stated Bart Wakabayashi, branch manager at State Street in Tokyo, discussing Japanese officials collaborating with the U.S. to counter yen short-sellers.

“It is significant, particularly in the fact that Japan is not doing this alone. We’re looking to see if something comes out of these Bessent meetings, but I think even just the appearance that they’re talking about FX levels is important,” he explained.

Bessent previously supported the yen in January by advocating for faster Bank of Japan interest rate increases to prevent currency declines and prompting the U.S. to conduct an unusual rate check – widely interpreted as preparation for potential joint intervention.

During his three-day visit, Bessent is scheduled to meet with Japanese counterpart Satsuki Katayama, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and potentially BOJ Governor Ueda.

“No one wants to fight the U.S.,” commented Atsushi Takeuchi, a former central bank official who participated in Tokyo’s previous market interventions.

“I’m sure Japanese policymakers are approaching Washington on various fronts, as it would make a huge difference if Bessent openly endorses Tokyo’s intervention,” he added.

Senior currency official Atsushi Mimura revealed Thursday that Tokyo maintains daily communication with U.S. authorities, noting that his counterparts “fully understand our thinking and our actions.”

After Bessent’s departure from Tokyo, responsibility returns to the Bank of Japan to support the finance ministry’s yen stabilization efforts.

Market participants will closely examine upcoming speeches by senior officials before the June policy meeting for any indication that last month’s hawkish stance is becoming actual policy.

Unlike previous instances when Ueda’s dovish messaging encouraged yen selling, his current emphasis on inflation risks from currency weakness has kept a June rate increase as a possibility.

Several finance ministry sources, speaking anonymously, described Ueda’s communication as unusually successful in shaping market expectations.

“If the BOJ indeed raises rates in June, that makes it easier to squeeze in another hike by year-end,” said a source familiar with the central bank’s thinking.

Ueda will deliver a closely monitored speech on June 3, just before the June 15-16 meeting where markets are questioning whether policymakers will increase rates to 1.0% from 0.75%.

Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino and board members Kazuyuki Masu and Junko Koeda will also speak this month, with any suggestion they might support a rate increase likely to encourage yen buyers.

All three voted to maintain steady rates in April, while three other board members dissented and called for raising rates to 1.0%.

A potential complication involves Prime Minister Takaichi, a long-time supporter of loose monetary policy who has previously opposed central bank tightening. Though publicly quiet, she has appointed monetary policy doves to the central bank board and recently criticized trade minister Ryosei Akazawa for suggesting rate increases could help the yen.

“The premier doesn’t want the BOJ to raise rates. But she also wants to do something about rising living costs,” making yen-buying intervention the only practical choice, a government source told Reuters.

Broader economic forces are creating additional pressure. Japan’s heavy dependence on energy imports means the oil price surge from Middle East conflicts is worsening the trade deficit, adding downward pressure on the currency despite domestic policy changes, analysts note.

However, Tokyo’s renewed market interventions, supported by stronger policy signals, could provide authorities time to maintain stability until global conditions improve.

“Critics often argue that intervention serves little purpose beyond delaying the underlying market trend,” said Rong Ren Goh, a portfolio manager at Eastspring Investments in Singapore. “But even if intervention has not fundamentally reversed the market’s directional bias, it has at least broken the momentum.”

Without intervention, continued yen selling could have escalated into more chaotic depreciation, Goh explained, making it “much harder for the authorities to contain.”

South Korean lawmakers have abandoned efforts to vote on constitutional changes that would have restricted presidential powers to declare martial law, following sustained opposition from conservative legislators.

Parliamentary Speaker Woo Won-shik announced Friday that the proposed amendment would not advance to a full assembly vote after the conservative People Power Party conducted a filibuster to block the measure.

The legislation, backed by six political parties including the governing Democratic Party, would have mandated that presidents obtain legislative consent before implementing martial law. Under the proposed framework, any presidential martial law declaration would become void if parliament rejected it or failed to approve it within a 48-hour window.

The constitutional revision effort emerged following the political turmoil caused by conservative former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived martial law order in late 2024, which sent shockwaves through the nation.

Beyond martial law restrictions, the amendment would have added language to the constitution’s introduction honoring the Gwangju uprising, a pivotal moment in South Korea’s democratic evolution. The May 18, 1980 civilian revolt against military dictator Chun Doo-hwan resulted in hundreds, potentially thousands, of deaths.

Constitutional modifications require support from a minimum of 191 members in the 286-seat legislature, according to Woo’s statement. An initial attempt to pass the amendment on Thursday collapsed when People Power Party members boycotted the proceedings, preventing the necessary quorum from being reached.

The presidential administration expressed disappointment over the amendment’s failure due to PPP resistance and called on lawmakers to resume constitutional reform discussions during the latter portion of their current term.

OMDURMAN, Sudan (AP) — After being displaced from his farmland for two years due to Sudan’s ongoing war, Omer al-Hassan made his way back to restart agricultural operations. However, Middle Eastern conflicts are now threatening to deepen his financial struggles and food insecurity as costs for fuel and fertilizer continue climbing.

Al-Hassan and fellow agricultural workers across Sudan are preparing for a costly planting season in the coming weeks. Several told The Associated Press they plan to reduce crop production or abandon planting entirely — alarming developments for a nation where three years of warfare have created widespread hunger.

The conflict involving Iran has “affected everything related to agriculture,” al-Hassan explained while harvesting onions with other workers. After spending two months clearing overgrown weeds from their land, “plowed the soil and we said God bless, and even then we struggled so much, one had to sometimes skip a meal.”

Al-Hassan and ten fellow farmers working his property explained they cannot manage agricultural expenses without governmental assistance, leading to production cuts and fertilizer rationing on his farm that also grows potatoes and tomatoes.

Fellow farmer Mohammed al-Badri explained he could only afford to cultivate half his property due to increasing expenses: “The rest of it is nothing.”

The Gulf area, where hundreds of commercial vessels have remained stuck for weeks due to Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, supplies more than half of Sudan’s sea-imported fertilizer. Additionally, fuel costs have increased approximately 30%.

This means food costs throughout Sudan are also rising sharply.

Sorghum. Millet. Sesame. These essential Sudanese crops now face significant threats.

Agricultural workers already strained by domestic warfare between Sudan’s military forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces are now witnessing cost increases for fertilizer, gasoline needed for farm machinery, and diesel required for irrigation systems.

These increasing expenses have established “a dangerous reality” for farmers who will face difficulties without governmental intervention, explained Abdoun Berqawi, an agricultural worker in Gezira, among the nation’s primary food-production areas.

Berqawi reported that a 50-kilogram (110-pound) urea fertilizer bag now costs approximately $50, increased from $11 during the same timeframe last year. Tractor fuel has jumped from $2.50 to $8 per gallon.

Agriculture ministry officials in Sudan did not immediately respond to requests for information about their crisis response plans.

A military media representative accompanied the AP during its visit, including during interviews. The AP maintains complete editorial control over its content.

The Iranian conflict has created a “dangerous chain reaction … at the wrong moment” as farmers prepare for planting season, stated Melaku Yirga, Mercy Corps vice president for the Africa region, who recently traveled to Sudan’s Kassala and Gedaref provinces, another major food-production area.

“People are buying less food, cutting or skipping meals, selling assets and taking greater risks just to survive,” Yirga explained. “Mothers are being forced to make painful choices about who gets to eat the little food that is available, while some families are resorting to leaves or animal feed just to get by.”

Farmers who obtained bank loans face potential imprisonment if poor harvests prevent loan repayment, noted Merghany Omar, an agricultural worker in al-Matammah in River Nile province. He explained that onion cultivation, a regional staple, no longer generates enough income to cover planting expenses.

These developments are happening alongside existing challenges including currency devaluation, explained Samy Guessabi, country director for Action Against Hunger in Sudan.

Residents in some of the nation’s most isolated regions, Kordofan, White Nile, Darfur and Blue Nile, are suffering most severely where “agricultural zones are remote and poorly connected,” he noted.

Even in Sudan’s metropolitan areas, vegetables and dairy products have increased approximately 40% due to fuel price spikes.

The domestic war had already created widespread hunger. The U.N. World Food Program estimates 19 million people throughout Sudan are experiencing acute hunger, with numerous families approaching famine conditions. Last year, famine was officially declared in two major areas, Darfur and Kordofan.

Currently, humanitarian response efforts have been significantly delayed by the Iranian conflict and its impact on supply chains.

WFP reported its Sudan-destined food aid shipments are traveling 9,000 kilometers (5,500 miles) further to reach their destinations, increasing both costs and delivery times.

This occurs partly because many ships also avoid the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the Red Sea’s southern entrance, another vital waterway, according to WFP shipping chief Henrik Hansen. Iranian-supported Houthi rebels in Yemen have threatened shipping operations there.

Mubarak al-Nour, a farmer and former parliamentary member in Gedaref, explained that even if Sudanese farmers obtain fertilizer, delays could cause them to miss the planting season running from June through November. Some farmers are switching to cheaper crops requiring minimal or no fertilizer and reducing cultivation of corn, sesame and other rain-dependent crops.

Even if agricultural supplies arrive in Sudan timely, challenges remain.

Fuel shortages in certain areas result from warring factions blocking essential supplies, explained Mathilde Vu, an advocacy manager with the Norwegian Refugee Council. She noted local fuel markets have been heavily targeted in recent months during a “senseless escalation” of drone attacks nationwide.

LONDON — The BBC organized a celebration at London’s Royal Albert Hall, movie theaters showcased his wildlife documentaries, and colleagues spent weeks honoring the renowned naturalist as Sir David Attenborough marked his 100th birthday on Friday.

However, the globally recognized wildlife broadcaster likely felt uneasy about all the fanfare surrounding his centennial celebration, according to Alastair Fothergill, who has produced several of Attenborough’s most celebrated documentaries.

“He’s always been very clear to all of us that work with him: ‘Remember, the animals are the stars, I’m not,’” Fothergill told The Associated Press. “So, yes, surprisingly for one of the most famous men on the planet, he doesn’t like being famous at all.”

Nevertheless, Attenborough had to embrace the recognition this week as researchers, government officials, and environmental advocates honored the broadcaster who has delivered playful gorillas, jumping whales, and miniature toxic frogs into households across the globe for more than seven decades.

Using BBC series including Life on Earth, The Private Life of Plants, and The Blue Planet, Attenborough has revealed nature’s magnificence, intensity, and occasional strangeness through his quiet, musical narration that expresses his personal wonder at the scenes before him.

Audiences who might never venture beyond their local communities were taken to the Himalayas, the Amazon rainforest, and the uncharted woodlands of Papua New Guinea. Behind the remarkable footage lay a dedication to scientific precision that educated viewers about complicated topics including evolution, wildlife behavior, and ecosystem diversity.

As scientific evidence accumulated, he started warning about climate change, marine plastic pollution, and other human-driven dangers to our planet.

This approach helped audiences grasp not just how species developed but, more crucially, the importance of conservation efforts, explained Ben Garrod, an evolutionary biologist at the University of East Anglia and fellow broadcaster who has collaborated with Attenborough.

According to Garrod, Attenborough originally viewed himself as an impartial observer but felt obligated to advocate when he witnessed that political leaders, corporate executives, and citizens weren’t treating the crisis with appropriate urgency.

“He is showing you the majesty, the ferocity, the fragility of the natural world. He shouldn’t have ever had to have turned to policymaking and advocacy,” Garrod said.

“I think it’s very easy for a lot of people to say, ‘He should have done it sooner. Why didn’t he act 20 years, 30 years, 40 years ago?’” Garrod then asked: “Why didn’t we?”

Attenborough entered the world in London on May 8, 1926, sharing his birth year with the late Queen Elizabeth II. He grew up on the campus of what is currently the University of Leicester, where his father held an administrative position.

His passion for the natural world emerged during childhood, when he would bicycle through nearby rural areas collecting treasures like empty bird nests, snake skin that had been shed, and most significantly, fossils.

“I’d find a fossil and show it to my father and he’d say ‘Good, good, tell me all about it.’ So I responded and became my own expert,” Attenborough told Smithsonian Magazine in 1981.

He continued his education by studying geology and zoology at the University of Cambridge.

Attenborough began working at the BBC in 1952, handling behind-the-scenes duties on “everything from ballet to short stories.” After approximately two months with the network, the discovery of a “living fossil” near East Africa’s coastline created worldwide excitement, and he was assigned to create a brief segment about the coelacanth.

The piece featured Professor Julian Huxley, an evolutionary biologist, presenting the story from the studio using preserved animal specimens and a coelacanth photograph to describe the fish’s importance.

Yet Attenborough believed television had greater potential.

“I’d always wanted to do films on animals around the world,” he recalled in a 1985 interview with The Associated Press. “But the attitude was, ‘We’ve got TV cameras in the studio. What’s this about spending money abroad?’”

In 1954, he successfully convinced the BBC to allow him to join a London Zoo expedition traveling to West Africa for specimen collection. This launched a ten-year period as presenter and producer of “Zoo Quest,” launching his field-based career.

Among the most memorable instances of his extensive career occurred during the 1979 program “Life on Earth,” when Attenborough met a mountain gorilla family in a forest along the Rwanda-Congo border.

In that sequence, selected as one of Britain’s greatest television moments ever, a young gorilla rests on his body while baby gorillas attempt to pull off his shoes. Attenborough smiles, chuckles, and appears overwhelmed with joy.

“I honestly don’t know how long it was,” Attenborough later told the BBC. “I suspect it was about 10 minutes, or even a quarter of an hour. I was simply transported.”

“Extraordinary, really,” he reflected. “It was one of the most privileged moments of my life.”

Attenborough has merged his television expertise, audience awareness, and scientific dedication to develop a persona capable of presenting complex wildlife, conservation, and natural history topics to mainstream viewers, noted Jean-Baptiste Gouyon, a science communication professor at University College London.

“Basically he gave wildlife television a figure, a front of the house person … which has come to embody television discourse about nature,” Gouyon said.

On his centennial birthday, admirers made efforts to reach him. In a recorded message, he mentioned expecting to observe the day quietly. That didn’t happen.

“I’ve been completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings from preschool groups to care home residents and countless individuals and families of all ages,” he said. “I simply can’t reply to each of you all separately, but I would like to thank you all most sincerely for your kind messages.”

According to Fothergill, he has no plans to retire.

“He said to me recently he feels unbelievably privileged that a man in his late 90s is still being asked to work. And, you know, he will go on forever. He will die in his safari shorts.”

LONDON — Early election returns from England revealed significant setbacks for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party on Friday, while Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party made substantial inroads across the country.

Political observers are interpreting these local contests as an informal assessment of Starmer’s leadership, who took office fewer than two years ago.

Overnight ballot counting showed Reform UK securing hundreds of council positions in blue-collar communities throughout northern England, including Hartlepool.

The electoral landscape may shift as Friday progresses, with results expected from most local councils, including traditional Labour strongholds such as London. Vote tallying will also occur for regional legislative bodies in Scotland and Wales.

A decisive Labour defeat could prompt restless party members to challenge a leader who brought them to victory in July 2024. Even if Starmer weathers the current storm, numerous political experts question whether he will guide the party through the next general election, which must occur by 2029.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy urged party members against removing the prime minister, stating “you don’t change the pilot during the flight.”

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Péter Magyar will be sworn in as Hungary’s new prime minister this Saturday inside the country’s ornate neo-Gothic parliament building, while thousands of supporters are expected to fill the square outside celebrating the end of Viktor Orbán’s 16-year leadership.

Last month, Magyar’s center-right Tisza party achieved a stunning electoral victory over Orbán’s nationalist-populist Fidesz party, securing more votes and parliamentary seats than any political party since Hungary emerged from Communist rule.

The overwhelming electoral mandate will enable Tisza to reverse numerous policies that earned Orbán criticism as an authoritarian leader among his detractors, while also investigating the economic arrangements that significantly enriched many of his associates and relatives.

Prior to beginning his governing duties, Magyar has invited Hungarians to join a daylong “regime-change” festival on Saturday to commemorate his swearing-in ceremony and the conclusion of the Orbán period.

“We will step through the gateway of regime change with a huge party. Come along, and invite your family and friends!” Magyar wrote in a social media post Sunday.

The 45-year-old attorney established Tisza in 2024 following years working within Orbán’s political circle, and has pledged to eliminate government corruption that he claims has denied Hungarians economic prosperity.

Among his primary objectives is securing approximately 17 billion euros ($20 billion) in European Union funding for Hungary that was withheld during Orbán’s administration due to concerns about rule-of-law violations and corruption. These funds are desperately needed to revitalize Hungary’s faltering economy, which has remained stagnant over the past four years.

Magyar has also committed to mending his nation’s relationships with EU allies that Orbán had severely strained, and to reestablish Hungary’s standing among Western democratic nations that had been questioned as Orbán developed closer ties with Russia.

Demonstrating this dedication, Tisza representatives announce they will restore the EU flag to the parliament building’s exterior starting Saturday, after Orbán’s administration took it down in 2014.

While there is widespread celebration over Orbán’s departure, many of the nearly 3.4 million Hungarians who supported Tisza anticipate Magyar will pursue accountability from Fidesz officials and their business partners for alleged wrongdoing during the previous administration.

Magyar intends to establish the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, an agency responsible for investigating and attempting to reclaim public money allegedly misappropriated during Orbán’s time in power. He has also promised to halt operations at Hungary’s public broadcasting news divisions — commonly viewed as a propaganda tool for Orbán’s party — until impartiality can be reestablished.

Tisza is anticipated to implement significant reforms throughout Hungary’s government structure, including creating individual ministries for health, environmental protection and education that were absent under Orbán’s system.

Magyar has stated he will bring expertise back to Hungary’s government, nominating several cabinet members who have gained international recognition in their respective areas.

The future leader has suggested diplomat and foreign policy specialist Anita Orbán, who shares no family connection with the departing prime minister, for foreign affairs minister, former Shell executive István Kapitány for economy and energy minister, and economist András Kármán for finance minister.

Magyar is scheduled to take his oath of office at approximately 3 p.m. local time Saturday, followed by remarks to the assembled crowd outside. In his event invitation, he guaranteed artistic performances and unexpected special guests.

Budapest’s liberal mayor, Gergely Karácsony, has separately organized a “system-closing” celebration along the Danube River, describing it as an opportunity to honor Hungarians who courageously opposed Orbán’s governance for years.

“Teachers fired, civilians and journalists humiliated, small churches torn apart,” Karácsony wrote in a social media post. “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.”

During the first week of May 2026, workers throughout Latin America and the Caribbean participated in widespread May Day demonstrations and rallies.

The events, which took place from May 1-7, 2026, featured large gatherings where participants voiced opposition to various policies, including those of U.S. President Donald Trump. The demonstrations represented a significant show of solidarity among workers across the region.

In Brazil, international pop star Shakira performed at a massive free concert on Rio de Janeiro’s famous Copacabana Beach, attracting an estimated 2 million attendees to the beachfront venue.

Meanwhile, in Bolivia’s capital city of La Paz, educators demanding increased salaries engaged in heated protests near the presidential palace, with some demonstrators hurling tomatoes at riot police officers during the confrontation.

The photo collection documenting these regional events was assembled by photojournalist Andre Penner, who is based in Sao Paulo.

SEOSAN, South Korea — A massive oil tanker flying under Malta’s flag docked off South Korea’s western coastline Friday, delivering one million barrels of crude oil after successfully navigating the contested Strait of Hormuz last month, officials from a major South Korean refinery announced.

South Korea, similar to numerous other Asian countries, relies heavily on Middle Eastern crude oil imports. This recent delivery of one million barrels represents between 35 and 50 percent of the nation’s daily oil requirements.

Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz has sent shockwaves through global markets and triggered rising fuel costs, while the ongoing Iranian conflict has sparked fears of an impending energy shortage in South Korea’s export-reliant economy. The nation has implemented gasoline and petroleum product price controls for the first time in decades to prevent dramatic cost increases, while directing refineries to redirect naphtha exports for local consumption as officials work urgently to establish backup oil sources and alternative shipping lanes.

The vessel, named Odessa, arrived in waters near Seosan, a western port city, on Friday morning, several weeks after transiting the Strait of Hormuz while Iran and the United States were engaged in ceasefire negotiations, HD Hyundai Oilbank reported.

The tanker is expected to dock at the company’s offshore terminal facility later Friday to begin offloading its cargo. HD Hyundai Oilbank announced plans to process the crude oil into various petroleum products including gasoline, diesel fuel, and naphtha. The company operates refining capabilities that can handle up to 690,000 barrels of crude oil daily.

Last year, South Korea received over 60 percent of its crude oil and 50 percent of its naphtha—an essential petrochemical ingredient for plastic production—via the Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor.

CEBU, Philippines — Government leaders from across Southeast Asia convened for their yearly conference on Friday, facing mounting concerns about how Middle East hostilities could affect their nations’ economies and populations. Thailand’s foreign minister characterized the Iran conflict as something that “should not have occurred in the first place.”

The urgency felt by Association of Southeast Asian Nations officials became evident through their decision to prioritize emergency preparedness discussions, particularly focusing on securing reliable energy and food resources for their rapidly developing region that depends heavily on Middle Eastern oil and gas imports.

The gathering took place on Cebu island in the Philippines, where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed organizers to eliminate customary ceremonial elements due to global economic uncertainties.

A major concern confronting ASEAN officials involves potential mass evacuations from Middle Eastern countries, where over one million Southeast Asian workers currently reside, should conflicts escalate significantly.

Multiple Southeast Asian nationals have lost their lives following military actions launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28. Intermittent fighting has persisted despite a ceasefire agreement established a month ago, particularly around the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

According to a preliminary joint statement reviewed by The Associated Press, the emergency strategy urges the organization’s 11 member countries to coordinate information sharing and strengthen partnerships with global organizations “to ensure the safety and welfare of ASEAN nationals in affected areas.”

While ASEAN representatives typically employ measured diplomatic language, Thailand’s foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow spoke more directly, advocating for an indefinite extension of the current U.S.-Iran ceasefire and guaranteed safe maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

“This war should not have occurred in the first place,” Sihasak stated during a brief AP interview, emphasizing that all ASEAN nations share these concerns. “We don’t know what the objectives are right?”

“The peace talks seem to be moving but we want the war to end,” Sihasak added.

The regional emergency strategy encompasses several initiatives, including potentially approving an emergency fuel-sharing agreement this year, developing an interconnected power network, expanding crude oil supplier diversity, encouraging electric vehicle adoption, and exploring emerging technologies such as civilian nuclear power.

While Middle Eastern concerns dominated the abbreviated summit designed to reduce expenses, leaders also addressed ongoing regional tensions, including South China Sea territorial disagreements with Beijing, Myanmar’s five-year internal conflict, and recent border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia.

In a forthcoming maritime policy statement, leaders committed to “endeavour to conclude the negotiation of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.”

Discussions regarding this proposed non-aggression agreement between ASEAN and China have continued for over ten years amid escalating confrontations, particularly between Chinese and Philippine maritime forces.

These prolonged negotiations have fueled criticism of ASEAN as an ineffective forum where officials gather annually in traditional attire for symbolic unity photographs despite underlying disagreements.

Four ASEAN members—Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines—are directly involved in the longstanding South China Sea disputes. The remaining regional partners include Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand.

America’s standing on the world stage has taken a significant hit, with international opinions of the United States now ranking lower than those of Russia, according to a new study released Friday.

The annual Democracy Perception Index, conducted by Denmark’s Alliance of Democracies Foundation, shows this marks the second year in a row that America’s global reputation has declined. The research also found that the United States ranks among the top countries considered a major global threat, following Russia and Israel.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who founded the alliance and previously served as NATO Secretary General, expressed disappointment but not surprise at the findings.

“The fast decline of the United States’ perception around the world is saddening but not shocking,” Rasmussen stated.

He pointed to recent American foreign policy decisions as contributing factors, saying: “U.S. foreign policy over the past 18 months has, among other things, called into question the transatlantic relationship, imposed widespread tariffs, and threatened to invade a NATO ally’s territory.”

Several specific policy moves have created tension with international partners, including trade tariffs implemented by President Trump, his ongoing statements about potentially taking control of Greenland from Denmark (a NATO member), reduced assistance to Ukraine, and the military conflict with Iran that has led to higher oil prices worldwide.

The strain on international relationships deepened when Trump expressed frustration with European nations for not deploying naval forces to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for global shipping during the Iran conflict. In April, the president even suggested the possibility of America leaving NATO, which further damaged alliance relationships.

The survey’s numerical rankings place the United States at negative 16 percent, a dramatic shift from positive 22 percent just two years earlier. Russia scored negative 11 percent, while China received a positive 7 percent rating, though the study didn’t explain the favorable view of China.

Nira Data, the polling company that conducted the research, gathered responses from more than 94,000 people across 98 nations between March 19 and April 21. The portion measuring country perceptions included 46,600 participants from 85 different countries.

The findings were made public in advance of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit scheduled for May 12.

BEIJING – A catastrophic explosion at a fireworks manufacturing plant in China has claimed 37 lives, with authorities confirming Friday that the death count has increased from the previously reported 26 fatalities, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua. One individual remains unaccounted for following the Monday afternoon disaster.

The devastating blast occurred at approximately 4:40 p.m. local time in Liuyang, a city located in southern China’s Hunan province. This community serves as the nation’s primary fireworks production hub, responsible for manufacturing 60% of China’s domestic fireworks supply and approximately 70% of the country’s pyrotechnic exports.

Emergency response teams have concluded their search and rescue operations at the blast site, while medical facilities continue treating 51 injured individuals, state media reported.

Chinese authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the incident, with law enforcement officials bringing in eight individuals for questioning in connection with the fatal explosion. The inquiry is being overseen by China’s highest prosecutorial authorities, demonstrating the severity of the incident.

In response to the tragedy, Hunan provincial officials have mandated that all fireworks manufacturing facilities in Liuyang cease operations temporarily while safety inspections are conducted.

This marks the most deadly industrial accident in China since a 2019 chemical facility explosion in Jiangsu province that resulted in 78 deaths. Earlier this year in June, another fireworks plant explosion in Hunan province killed nine workers.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced a political crisis Friday as his Labour Party experienced devastating defeats in local elections, with results demonstrating widespread public dissatisfaction with his administration just two years following his overwhelming general election triumph.

Labour witnessed dramatic losses across multiple regions where results were announced overnight, including longtime party strongholds in former manufacturing areas of central and northern England, as well as portions of London.

Reform UK, the anti-immigration populist movement led by Brexit advocate Nigel Farage, emerged as the primary winner, securing over 200 council positions throughout England. The party positioned itself to potentially become the leading opposition force in Scotland and Wales against independence-supporting parties like the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru.

“The picture has been pretty much as bad as anyone expected for Labour, or worse,” stated John Curtice, Britain’s most respected pollster.

These contests for 136 local councils across England, plus devolved parliaments in Scotland and Wales, constitute the most important gauge of public sentiment ahead of the next general election scheduled for 2029.

Labour Party legislators indicated that poor performance in Scotland, potential loss of control in Wales, and failure to retain many of approximately 2,500 council seats being defended in England would intensify pressure on Starmer to resign or announce his departure timeline.

Initial returns revealed the ongoing breakdown of Britain’s historic two-party structure into a multi-party system, which political experts describe as among the most significant shifts in British politics over the past century.

Both Labour and Conservative parties saw support drain to Reform, while the left-wing environmental Green Party gained ground on the opposite end of the political spectrum. Nationalist movements were anticipated to claim victories in Scottish and Welsh elections.

Farage described the outcomes as “way exceeding” his projections and representing a “historic change in British politics.”

Labour suffered complete defeats in several closely monitored early contests.

The party surrendered control of Tameside council in Greater Manchester for the first time in nearly five decades after Reform captured all 14 seats Labour had been defending.

In neighboring Wigan, a former coal mining area under Labour control for more than 50 years, the party lost all 20 seats it was defending to Reform. In Salford, Labour retained only three of 16 seats it had been protecting.

The outcomes were “soul-destroying,” according to Rebecca Long-Bailey, a Labour parliament member representing Salford.

Although governing parties typically face challenges during mid-term elections, polling experts predicted Labour could lose more council seats than any local election since former Prime Minister John Major lost over 2,000 in 1995 during his scandal-plagued administration.

Reform UK gained 253 council seats in England with results from more than 4,200 positions still pending. Labour lost 185 seats while the Conservative party dropped 93 seats.

Most election outcomes, including Scottish and Welsh parliamentary seats, were expected to be announced Friday afternoon and evening.

Starmer, a former attorney, won office in 2024 with one of the largest parliamentary majorities in contemporary British history, promising stability over charisma following years of political turmoil.

However, his tenure has been characterized by multiple policy reversals, frequent adviser changes, and the problematic selection of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s U.S. ambassador, who was dismissed nine months into the position due to connections with deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Starmer maintains he will lead Labour into the next election, and the party has never successfully ousted a sitting prime minister throughout its 125-year existence.

The prime minister benefits from the fact that two leading potential successors — Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner — are not currently positioned to launch leadership campaigns, while other possible challengers appear reluctant to challenge him presently.

Energy minister Ed Miliband rejected Thursday a Times newspaper report claiming he had suggested Starmer consider establishing a departure timeline from Downing Street.

JAKARTA – Emergency rescue teams in Indonesia are working urgently to reach 20 hikers who became trapped following Friday morning’s eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera island, according to local rescue officials.

The volcano, situated in North Maluku province, began erupting at 7:41 a.m. local time on Friday, launching volcanic debris and ash approximately 6 miles high into the atmosphere, Indonesia’s volcanology agency reported.

Agency head Lana Saria confirmed in an official statement that the mountain’s alert level remains at the third-highest warning status.

Local rescue agency chief Iwan Ramdani confirmed to Reuters that search teams consisting of numerous personnel, including law enforcement officers, have been dispatched to locate the stranded hikers. Among those trapped, nine individuals are citizens of Singapore while the remaining eleven are Indonesian nationals, Ramdani reported.

Officials have issued safety warnings urging local residents to avoid all activities within a 2.5-mile radius of the volcanic crater.

The volcanology agency has also cautioned about potential dangers from volcanic mudflows that could occur during rainfall.

Aviation authorities have not yet reported any flight cancellations or delays resulting from the volcanic activity.

During an official visit to Taipei this Friday, Paraguay’s President Santiago Pena emphasized his nation’s strong commitment to maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan, even as China intensifies pressure to sever those ties.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te formally welcomed Pena in a ceremony where both leaders highlighted their shared democratic principles. Paraguay stands among just 12 nations worldwide that recognize Taiwan diplomatically, and represents Taiwan’s final diplomatic partner in South America as well as its largest ally by geographic size.

This marks Pena’s second presidential visit to the self-governing island that Beijing considers part of its territory. China made a direct appeal Thursday urging Paraguay to cut its Taiwan connections.

During the welcoming ceremony, Pena made clear his position on the partnership. “Paraguay deeply values this relationship and reiterates its commitment to continue supporting Taiwan in a strategic alliance based on shared values such as democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law,” he stated.

President Lai responded by acknowledging Paraguay’s consistent international advocacy for Taiwan. “The Paraguayan government has long spoken up for Taiwan in the international arena and firmly supports Taiwan’s international participation,” Lai remarked.

“I believe that through President Pena’s visit this time, the friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay will become even deeper and cooperation even closer,” the Taiwan leader added.

Pena maintains strong connections with Washington, having visited the U.S. capital in February for President Donald Trump’s new peace board initiative, where Trump referred to him as a “young handsome guy.”

Beijing maintains that Taiwan constitutes a Chinese province without sovereign rights, a stance that Lai’s administration firmly rejects.

Paraguay’s leadership has consistently emphasized that its Taiwan relationship stems from common democratic principles. However, China has intensified its diplomatic outreach to Paraguayan officials, with a March Reuters investigation revealing that over a dozen Paraguayan legislators, media figures, and opposition leaders have traveled to China since late 2023, sparking internal discussions about potential economic consequences of the Taiwan relationship.

Southeast Asian nations convened an emergency summit Friday on the Philippine island of Cebu to forge a unified approach against the energy crisis stemming from the Middle East conflict.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is grappling with severe economic pressure as the nearly 70-day blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted oil supplies to the import-dependent region.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., serving as ASEAN’s current chair, emphasized the need for collective action during his opening address.

“We must ensure regional energy security and resilience,” Marcos stated. “At a time of heightened volatility, ASEAN must strengthen coordination and reinforce preparedness, pursue practical collective measures to safeguard a stable energy supply and improve interconnectivity.”

The economic ministers who met Thursday in Cebu “identified practical, concrete response measures” for maintaining energy and food security, though their proposals remained vague on implementation details.

The suggested measures involve expanding supplier networks and transportation routes while establishing emergency communication systems, but specific actions remain uncertain.

With nearly 700 million residents and economies totaling $3.8 trillion, the region faces substantial risks from the Iranian conflict’s aftermath. The Philippines has already declared a national energy emergency and is advocating for an ASEAN oil-sharing agreement based on voluntary commercial arrangements.

However, achieving coordination poses significant obstacles for the organization. While member nations have experienced rapid individual economic expansion, regional integration has lagged due to stark differences among the 11 countries and the absence of centralized enforcement mechanisms.

During Friday’s leadership retreat, officials plan to advocate for diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran while calling for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen. Before the conflict, this waterway facilitated passage for approximately 130 vessels daily and carried one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments.

According to a preliminary statement draft reviewed by Reuters Thursday, leaders will encourage member states to finalize domestic procedures needed for the fuel-sharing agreement’s “earliest possible entry into force.”

Despite the war’s dominance over discussions, other diplomatic advances occurred Thursday. Marcos facilitated talks between Thai and Cambodian leaders amid their fragile ceasefire, resulting in renewed engagement commitments following last year’s deadly border clashes.

Foreign ministers also scheduled a virtual conference with Myanmar’s representative, as that nation seeks to restore normal ASEAN relations and resume summit participation after being banned following its 2021 military takeover, which sparked nationwide protests and civil conflict.

Myanmar’s situation has created lasting divisions within the bloc, with some members supporting engagement with the new civilian government headed by former military leader Min Aung Hlaing, who recently assumed the presidency after elections dominated by pro-military parties.

A group of British Parliament members will travel to China later this month, marking the first such diplomatic visit in five years, according to sources with knowledge of the planning.

Twelve lawmakers representing both Labour and Conservative parties will embark on the five-day journey in mid-May, organized through the Great Britain-China Centre. This non-governmental organization receives funding from Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to foster diplomatic relationships with China.

The sources requested anonymity since arrangements for the visit remain in development. Reuters was unable to confirm which specific lawmakers will participate or obtain their planned schedule.

Neither the organizing center nor the Foreign Office provided immediate responses when contacted for comment.

This parliamentary visit comes as British lawmakers have traveled to Taiwan nine times since 2022. Taiwan operates as a democratic territory that China considers part of its sovereign land, though Taiwan disputes this claim.

Diplomatic tensions escalated in 2021 when China placed sanctions on nine British citizens, including former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith. Beijing accused these individuals of promoting “lies and disinformation” regarding alleged human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang region.

Relations began improving in January when President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Starmer during his China visit. Both nations described this meeting as a “reset” of their relationship, and Beijing subsequently removed sanctions from six active lawmakers.

Previous years saw deteriorating relations due to disagreements over pandemic response, human rights concerns, and espionage allegations.

China continues maintaining sanctions against two British academics and legal professionals, plus four Britain-based organizations, all connected to Xinjiang-related issues.

The upcoming British visit follows a March trip by nine European Parliament members, their first such journey in eight years after China removed sanctions on select European lawmakers in 2025.

These renewed parliamentary exchanges represent cautious steps toward rebuilding diplomatic communication following years of strained relationships between China and European nations.

Nevertheless, ongoing controversies persist, including allegations of Chinese espionage activities and China’s proposed large embassy construction project in London.

Earlier this week, a London court convicted two individuals of conducting espionage operations for Hong Kong and China, specifically targeting prominent democracy advocates now residing in Britain.

Both convicted men hold dual Chinese and British citizenship and maintained their innocence throughout proceedings. China’s London embassy has denounced Britain for what it calls manufactured accusations against the defendants.

The United Arab Emirates activated its air defense systems to counter incoming missiles and drones launched by Iran during the early morning hours Friday, marking another challenge to the fragile month-old truce between the United States and Iran.

Limited information was immediately available regarding this most recent assault on the UAE, which occurred just one day following hostile exchanges between American and Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz. The attack comes as Washington continues waiting for Tehran’s response to a diplomatic proposal aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. Since hostilities began on February 28, Iran has repeatedly launched strikes against the UAE and other Gulf nations that provide bases for U.S. military operations.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump reported that three American Navy destroyers faced hostile fire while navigating through the strait, a critical waterway that handles approximately 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments—a passage Iran has effectively blocked since fighting commenced.

“Three World Class American Destroyers just transited, very successfully, out of the Strait of Hormuz, under fire. There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Trump maintained that the ceasefire remained intact while downplaying the severity of Thursday’s confrontation.

“They trifled with us today. We blew them away,” Trump stated from Washington.

Iranian military leadership countered by alleging American forces breached the ceasefire through attacks on an Iranian oil vessel and another ship, along with conducting aerial strikes against civilian locations on Qeshm Island within the Strait of Hormuz and nearby mainland coastal regions of Bandar Khamir and Sirik. Military officials claimed they retaliated by striking U.S. naval assets positioned east of the strait and south of Chabahar port.

An Iranian spokesperson from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters claimed their counterstrikes caused “significant damage,” though U.S. Central Command reported no American assets sustained hits.

Iran’s Press TV subsequently announced that after several hours of combat, “the situation on Iranian islands and coastal cities by the Strait of Hormuz is back to normal now.”

Both nations have periodically engaged in armed exchanges since the April 7 ceasefire implementation, with Iran conducting attacks against targets throughout Gulf states, including the UAE.

Asian markets saw oil prices climb Friday morning, with Brent crude surging past $100 per barrel following the latest U.S.-Iran clashes.

Despite Thursday’s military action, Trump indicated that diplomatic discussions with Tehran continue progressing, telling reporters, “We’re negotiating with the Iranians.”

Prior to the recent strikes, American officials had presented a proposal designed to formally conclude the conflict, though the plan reportedly does not address crucial U.S. requirements for Iran to halt nuclear activities and reopen the strait passage.

Tehran indicated it has not yet made a determination regarding the proposed agreement.

Nevertheless, Trump claimed Iranian officials had accepted his demand prohibiting Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a restriction he said was included in the American proposal.

“There’s zero chance. And they know that, and they’ve agreed to that. Let’s see if they are willing to sign it,” Trump explained.

When asked about potential timeline for reaching an agreement, Trump responded, “It might not happen, but it could happen any day. I believe they want to deal more than I do.”

The ongoing conflict has created challenges for Trump’s relationship with his domestic political supporters, particularly given his campaign promises to avoid foreign military entanglements and reduce fuel costs.

According to American Automobile Association data, average U.S. gasoline prices have increased more than 40 percent since late February, rising approximately $1.20 per gallon to exceed $4, as Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions have driven crude oil prices higher.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Defense officials in the United Arab Emirates confirmed Friday morning that the nation’s air defense systems were “actively engaging” incoming missiles and drones, marking another test of the fragile truce between the U.S. and Iran.

UAE defense authorities warned citizens to stay away from any fallen debris and urged people not to photograph or handle “any debris or fragments that have fallen as a result of successful air interceptions.”

The attack came just hours after American military forces reported stopping Iranian assaults on three U.S. Navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz late Thursday, with the military subsequently striking back at “Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces.”

According to U.S. Central Command’s social media statement, American forces successfully defended against “unprovoked Iranian attacks” and launched defensive counterstrikes in response.

Military officials confirmed that none of the American ships sustained damage during the encounter. The U.S. military emphasized it does not want to escalate tensions but “remains positioned and ready to protect American forces.”

Speaking to media in Washington, President Donald Trump maintained that the ceasefire was still intact despite the recent violence.

The fragile peace agreement between Washington and Tehran has mostly survived since taking effect on April 8. Diplomatic efforts last month in Pakistan, where representatives from both nations met face-to-face, failed to produce a lasting resolution to the conflict that started February 28 when American and Israeli forces conducted joint military operations against Iranian targets.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Authorities have filed slavery and terrorism charges against three Australian women following their return from Syria, where officials claim they maintained connections to the Islamic State terrorist organization.

The women arrived Thursday on Qatar Airways flights from Doha, along with seven other individuals — four women and nine children total — who had been detained for years at Roj Camp in Syria’s desert region. Despite government warnings that criminal charges awaited their return, the group proceeded with their journey home.

Melbourne court proceedings on Friday resulted in charges against Kawsar Abbas, 53, and her daughter Zeinab Ahmed, 31. Law enforcement officials allege the family purchased a female Yazidi slave for $10,000 during their time in Syria.

Defense attorneys indicated they plan to request bail for both women when court reconvenes Monday.

According to police allegations, Abbas relocated to Syria in 2014 with her husband and children during the height of ISIS’s self-declared caliphate. Authorities claim Abbas participated in acquiring the slave, who was subsequently held at the family’s residence.

The elder woman faces four counts of crimes against humanity under Australian legislation, while her daughter confronts two slavery-related charges. Each count potentially carries a 25-year prison sentence.

Kurdish military forces detained both women in March 2019, and they have remained at Roj Camp with other family members since that time.

A third woman, age 32, was apprehended at Sydney Airport and charged with terrorist organization membership and unlawfully entering territory under terrorist control. These charges each carry maximum 10-year prison terms.

Investigators say this woman followed her ISIS-affiliated partner to Syria. Australian law prohibited travel to Raqqa, the former Syrian ISIS stronghold, without legitimate justification between 2014 and 2017.

The Sydney defendant plans to seek bail release during Friday court proceedings.

Government officials have criticized these women for supporting Islamic State militants through their Syrian travel and have declined to assist in their repatriation efforts.

Law enforcement agencies have conducted investigations into potential Australian involvement in Syrian atrocities for over ten years.

Twenty-one additional Australian women and children continue to be held at Roj Camp in northeastern Syria near the Iraqi border. Advocacy groups have informed media outlets they intend to secure their return within the coming weeks.

One woman among those remaining faces a temporary exclusion order preventing her Australian return.

Such exclusion orders allow Australia to block high-risk citizens from returning for up to two years.

These legal measures were established through 2019 legislation designed to prevent defeated ISIS combatants from returning to Australia. No previous public reports exist of such an order being implemented.

Children under 14 cannot be subject to exclusion orders, and Australia has rejected policies that would separate children from their mothers.

Australian administrations have previously facilitated the return of Australian women and children from Syrian detention facilities on two separate occasions. Additional Australians have returned through independent means without government support.

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced Friday that his military will position new long-range artillery weapons this year with the capability to reach South Korea’s capital area, while also preparing to put the nation’s first naval destroyer into active service within weeks.

This declaration follows recent reports from South Korea indicating that North Korea’s updated constitution has removed all mentions of Korean reunification, aligning with Kim Jong Un’s pledges to sever relations with South Korea and create a two-nation framework on the Korean Peninsula.

On Wednesday, Kim toured a weapons manufacturing facility to examine the production of 155-mm self-propelled gun-howitzers scheduled for placement at an artillery position near the southern border before year’s end, according to the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency.

The news agency quoted Kim stating that the firing distance of this heavy-caliber weapon exceeds 60 kilometers (37 miles). “Such a rapid extension of striking range and remarkable improvement of striking capability will provide a great change and advantage in the land operations of our army,” Kim said according to KCNA.

Kim indicated that multiple operational and tactical missile platforms along with advanced multiple rocket launcher systems are also planned for border deployment.

While North Korea’s artillery weapons receive less international scrutiny than its ballistic missiles, which face U.N. Security Council launch prohibitions, the country currently maintains numerous artillery pieces positioned near the South Korean border. These weapons present a significant danger to Seoul, South Korea’s capital housing 10 million residents located approximately 40 to 50 kilometers (25 to 30 miles) from the border.

KCNA reported that Kim boarded the destroyer Choe Hyon on Thursday to evaluate its performance capabilities off North Korea’s western coastline. Kim directed officials to transfer the vessel to naval forces by mid-June as planned, after expressing satisfaction that all testing for the destroyer’s operational readiness proceeded without issues, the news agency stated.

Photographs released by KCNA showed Kim’s teenage daughter accompanying him on the destroyer during her most recent public appearance with her father. One image captured her positioned behind Kim as he addressed navy personnel, while another depicted them sharing a meal with the ship’s crew. South Korea’s intelligence agency suggested last month that she might be viewed as Kim’s potential successor.

The destroyer, which received significant publicity when revealed last year, represents North Korea’s largest and most sophisticated naval vessel. North Korea subsequently introduced a second destroyer of identical design, though it sustained damage during a failed launch event. Kim has expressed intentions to construct two additional destroyers.

Kim’s recent military facility visits occurred after South Korea announced Wednesday that North Korea’s new constitution eliminated previous commitments to peaceful reunification with South Korea and redefined the country’s boundaries to include only the northern portion of the Korean Peninsula.

These modifications reflect Kim’s increasingly aggressive position toward South Korea, which he has designated as his nation’s eternal and primary adversary while diplomatic efforts remain stagnant and tensions escalate over his nuclear programs. In January 2024, Kim directed constitutional revisions to remove concepts of shared governance with South Korea, a move that would abandon his predecessors’ longstanding aspirations of peacefully achieving Korean unity under Northern terms.

Kim’s hostile rhetoric toward the South has dealt a significant blow to Seoul’s progressive administration, which seeks renewed engagement and has implemented preliminary measures to reduce tensions, including ending propaganda transmissions along the border.

North Korea has rejected dialogue opportunities with both South Korea and the United States, instead concentrating on expanding its nuclear and missile capabilities since Kim’s comprehensive nuclear negotiations with President Donald Trump failed in 2019.

A prominent Salvadoran investigative news organization says government authorities have frozen financial assets and property belonging to two of its staff members, marking what the outlet describes as an escalation in political retaliation for their critical reporting on President Nayib Bukele’s administration.

El Faro’s Director Carlos Dada revealed during a Thursday press conference that bank accounts and real estate had been seized, calling the action part of a coordinated effort to silence the publication’s work.

“It’s another level of attack against us with a clear purpose,” Dada stated. “These are not fiscal measures. They are political measures trying to silence us.”

The news organization has engaged in ongoing conflicts with Bukele regarding their investigative work into governmental corruption, particularly their reporting that revealed secret negotiations between his administration and criminal gangs. The asset seizures occurred shortly after El Faro collaborated with PBS Frontline on a documentary examining these gang negotiations.

Since taking office in 2019 as the region’s youngest head of state on promises to combat corruption, Bukele has drawn mounting criticism from human rights organizations for suppressing opposition and authorizing abuses during a four-year emergency decree that has resulted in over 91,000 imprisonments.

While Bukele’s administration did not provide immediate comment on the asset freezing, the president has previously dismissed El Faro’s investigative work as “fake news.”

According to Dada, the publication discovered the asset seizures through banking institutions and property records rather than receiving official government notification.

Salvadoran tax authorities have conducted continuous audits of the outlet since 2020, claiming the organization owes $200,000 in unpaid taxes—allegations that Dada has rejected.

El Faro’s reporting staff has faced cyberattacks using surveillance software, with Pegasus spyware discovered on more than 20 journalists’ mobile devices in 2022. The publication subsequently filed a federal lawsuit against NSO Group in U.S. courts.

Due to the increasingly hostile environment in El Salvador, El Faro relocated its main operations to Costa Rica in 2023, with all staff members now living outside their home country.

Bukele’s suppression of dissent expanded in 2025 with the detention of well-known human rights advocate Ruth López, who remains imprisoned a year later without trial and with restricted access to family and legal representation. Following her arrest in July 2025, Cristosal, the nation’s premier human rights organization where López was employed, announced its departure from El Salvador citing escalating intimidation and legal pressure.

Similar tactics of conducting government audits and seizing assets to intimidate opposition voices have been employed elsewhere in the region, particularly in Nicaragua under Daniel Ortega’s leadership.

Claudia Paz y Paz, who heads the Costa Rica-based Center for Justice and International Law and represents El Faro before the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, described the asset seizures during Thursday’s press conference as “retaliation” aimed at the publication’s journalism and an attempt to “silence the voices of journalists.”

BEIJING — Two former Chinese defense ministers received death sentences with two-year suspensions on Thursday from a military tribunal for corruption charges, China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported.

The military court found Wei Fenghe guilty of taking bribes and imposed a death sentence with a two-year delay. Li Shangfu received an identical punishment after being convicted of both accepting and giving bribes.

In China’s legal system, death sentences with suspensions are typically converted to life imprisonment.

These punishments represent the most recent developments in President Xi Jinping’s ongoing effort to remove high-ranking officials from power. Xi launched his anti-corruption campaign over ten years ago and has maintained its intensity, reaching a peak in January with the dismissal of China’s top military commander and other military leaders. The influential Central Military Commission, which previously included 11 members, now consists of only Xi and one other member.

Although the campaign focuses on eliminating corruption, Xi has also employed these anti-corruption measures as a tool to strengthen political allegiance and authority among elite officials.

It remains unknown if either official had policy disputes or political conflicts with Xi.

Wei held the defense minister position from 2018 through 2023. Li took over the role but served only briefly before vanishing from public appearances. His removal from office occurred in October 2023.

Throughout his career, Li worked primarily as an expert in missile technology and military procurement within China’s People’s Liberation Army, and had been subject to U.S. travel restrictions and financial penalties due to acquiring Russian military equipment.

The Communist Party removed both officials from membership in 2024, confirming their downfall.

Dong Jun, who replaced Li as defense minister, remains in his position. Military analysts observe that he was not given a seat on the historically influential Central Military Commission, which controls the armed forces and typically includes the defense minister.

SYDNEY – Three women connected to ISIS faced arrest in Australia this week following their return from Syria, where they had been held in detention camps for more than seven years, according to authorities.

Two of the women, ages 53 and 31, are facing charges related to crimes against humanity, specifically for allegedly owning and using enslaved individuals while living in Syria. These charges could result in prison sentences of up to 25 years. The pair was taken into custody at Melbourne’s airport on Thursday evening after arriving in the country.

“This remains an active investigation into very serious allegations,” stated Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Stephen Nutt.

According to police reports, both women departed for Syria in 2014 alongside their families and are accused of holding a female individual in slavery at their residences. Legal representatives for the women were not immediately available for comment.

In a separate incident, authorities arrested a 32-year-old Australian woman at Sydney’s airport on Thursday on terrorism-related charges, including allegations of joining the Islamic State organization. These charges carry a potential 10-year prison term, and her court appearance is scheduled for Friday.

Police indicated this woman had traveled to Syria in 2015 to reunite with her spouse, who had previously departed Australia to join ISIS.

Earlier this week, government officials revealed that four women and nine children were planning to return to Australia from Syrian detention facilities without official government support.

Authorities have refused to provide updates regarding the fourth woman or the status of the children involved.

The return of these individuals has created political pressure for the center-left government, with opposition voices criticizing officials for failing to prevent their homecoming. However, government representatives emphasized that there are “very serious limits” on their authority to block Australian citizens from re-entering their home country.

After ISIS lost its territorial control, numerous family members of suspected fighters found themselves detained in Syrian camps.

In January, the United States initiated the relocation of detained ISIS members from Syria following the breakdown of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which had been responsible for guarding approximately twelve facilities housing fighters and associated civilians, including foreign nationals.

The Australian government previously brought home four women and 13 children from Syrian camps in 2022. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corp, approximately 21 Australians continue to be held at the al-Roj camp.

Russian air defense systems shot down more than 50 unmanned aircraft targeting Moscow during a 15-hour span from Thursday into Friday, the city’s mayor reported.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced the drone interceptions through multiple posts on the messaging platform Telegram throughout Thursday. The tally of destroyed aircraft climbed past 50 between approximately 11 a.m. Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday, Sobyanin stated.

According to the mayor, emergency response teams were investigating wreckage that fell to the ground following the interceptions.

In a separate announcement on Telegram, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces had destroyed 95 Ukrainian drones during a four-hour window that concluded at midnight across multiple areas of central and southern Russia.

The Defense Ministry also declared it would implement a three-day halt to military operations beginning at midnight on May 7-8 and lasting through May 10, citing observances related to the Soviet Union’s World War Two victory over Nazi Germany.

False medical rumors circulating on social media platforms have triggered a wave of deadly violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in at least 17 deaths according to health monitoring organizations.

The crisis began late last year in Tshopo, a rainforest-covered province in northeastern Congo, when unsubstantiated claims about a mysterious illness causing male genital atrophy began spreading through local communities.

Social media testimonials quickly amplified these baseless fears, creating widespread panic that escalated into lethal mob violence before authorities could intervene effectively.

Four medical professionals conducting vaccination research became victims of this misinformation-fueled rage in October, according to government officials and a team member who survived the attacks.

The violence has extended beyond the initial incident, with the WHO-led Africa Infodemic Response Alliance documenting 17 total fatalities connected to these false rumors, though Reuters was unable to independently confirm all reported deaths.

Elodie Ho, who directs the Nairobi-based monitoring alliance, explained how the misinformation campaign evolved: “It started in communities. It spread into social media and local media. It was amplified by those actors,” she said, noting that the false information “really led to death and murder.”

Reuters’ investigation of more than twelve video testimonials revealed that religious institutions in Tshopo helped propagate the unfounded claims. International social media accounts and regional news outlets also contributed to spreading the misinformation.

Two verified videos showed religious leaders and congregation members at churches in the provincial capital Kisangani claiming that prayer had healed supposed victims of the nonexistent condition.

To document these October incidents and examine misinformation patterns across Africa, Reuters analyzed medical research and interviewed over 20 individuals, including regional administrators, healthcare professionals, and medical specialists.

When contacted by Reuters, a Tshopo government representative confirmed that local authorities had investigated claims from five individuals who said they were affected, but discovered no evidence supporting the existence of such an illness.

Provincial officials have taken action against those who incited the panic. A local court imposed a 12-month prison sentence on a man who falsely accused another person of transmitting the alleged disease, while approximately twelve individuals were arrested, according to government spokespeople.

Medical mistrust in parts of Africa stems partly from colonial-era experiences and more recent problematic Western clinical trials, creating conditions where false health information can flourish.

The African Union’s Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention notes that affordable artificial intelligence tools and widespread social media access have intensified this distrust. Limited healthcare access, weak legal systems, and social media usage all contribute to rumor proliferation.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, who leads the African Union’s disease control center, emphasized how false information prevents people from seeking life-saving medical care.

“When populations do not trust vaccines, health workers, or government policies, it means they don’t access services that can help them survive,” Kaseya stated.

Similar attacks targeting community leaders and healthcare workers have occurred in Mozambique and Malawi, connected to false cholera-related information.

A WHO-operated health information line designed to counter medical misinformation has experienced a dramatic increase in calls, jumping from 3,331 in the first quarter of 2025 to 31,636 in the fourth quarter.

Another WHO initiative tracking community interactions has documented approximately 500 incidents since launching last year involving rumors, conspiracy theories, and other misleading information.

Dr. Bavon Tangunza, who manages the misinformation response alliance in Congo, received early warnings about the false illness claims in Tshopo during early October when a colleague alerted him to rumors circulating in the province.

Video testimonials from alleged victims soon emerged online, including footage of a taxi driver speaking at a Christian event in Tshopo, describing how megachurch pastor Jules Mulindwa of the Pentecostal Church Light of the World had supposedly cured him through prayer.

The taxi driver provided no evidence for his claims, and Reuters could not determine his identity or who recorded the video, which displayed the church’s logo. A prominent church worker posted it on TikTok, where it gained widespread viewership and sharing.

The video accumulated over 300,000 views on the Facebook page of Boyoma Revolution, an online news platform registered with a Marseille, France address.

Mulindwa, who presents himself as a prophet with a TikTok channel showing large follower crowds and over 400,000 subscribers, has previously made false claims about curing coronavirus, according to CongoCheck, an online fact-checking organization.

Court records reviewed by Reuters show he received a 12-month prison sentence for defamation last year, though a prosecution lawyer confirmed he has not served the sentence. A close relative working for Mulindwa disputed the conviction when contacted by Reuters.

Mulindwa did not respond to comment requests from the news agency.

Additional footage posted October 3 by a local congregation called Assemblée Chretienne de Kisangani showed pastor Christophore Kabamba claiming to possess a miraculous cure. The church did not respond to Reuters’ inquiries.

James Baka, a Kisangani university student appearing in the video, told Reuters through Facebook messaging that he witnessed others being miraculously healed by the pastor.

When asked for comment, Boyoma Revolution acknowledged no evidence existed for the illness but did not explain why the video remained on their platform.

Meta placed the October video from Mulindwa’s church into their third-party fact-checking review system after Reuters brought it to their attention, according to a company statement.

Meta’s fact-checkers evaluate content on a scale reaching ‘false,’ with each rating carrying different restrictions and labels, based on their misinformation policy for regions outside the United States.

When asked about specific actions taken regarding the material, Meta indicated that fact-checkers determine appropriate ratings independently.

TikTok did not immediately respond to Reuters’ questions.

Tshopo Kwetu, a regional news outlet, also shared posts about the fabricated illness. Director Gaston Mukendi told Reuters his organization published information from various sources as part of their journalistic responsibilities.

He highlighted an interview with a medical student who debunked the rumor as an anxiety-related disorder.

Violence erupted October 6 when healthcare workers arrived in villages within Tshopo’s Isangi area to conduct vaccination surveys.

In Ilambi village, young men accused the health workers of secretly spreading the fake disease after seeing outsiders wearing high-visibility clothing and carrying tablet computers, according to local officials and Jean-Claude Kengefuku Mbatu, a team member who escaped.

Two team members, medical doctors Placide Mbungi and John Tangakeya, attempted to explain their vaccine research, which had no connection to the health scare.

They were killed immediately, officials and Mbatu reported.

“They burned him alive, without even leaving me a trace of him,” Tangakeya’s widow Justine Tangakeya Basekauke told Reuters.

In neighboring Yafira village, their colleagues Mathieu Mosisi and Kevin Ilunga sought assistance from a local police officer, but an angry crowd killed them as well, Tshopo health official Marie Jeanne Lebe told Reuters following a completed incident review.

Reuters could not independently verify all circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The day following the killings, on October 7, the governor’s office released a printed and online statement declaring the rumors false and dangerous.

Over the subsequent month, AIRA’s Tangunza helped develop messages for broadcast in local languages through radio, online platforms, and community workers, while conducting workshops to prepare responses for future misinformation crises.

However, the rumors continue resurfacing months later.

In March, a woman in Congo’s Lualaba province was accused of spreading the disease and lynched, while another person survived an attack, AIRA reported based on local media accounts. Reuters could not independently verify these reports.

Efforts to combat false information face additional challenges as foreign aid cuts from the United States and other nations over the past year have left AIRA with reduced funding, director Ho told Reuters.

The Gates Foundation, one of AIRA’s funders, confirmed an active grant through December but did not indicate whether additional grants were being considered.

AIRA currently maintains personnel in only three countries, including Tangunza in Congo, down from five previously.

An artificial intelligence platform designed to track online conversations for fake information monitoring is currently inactive due to lack of funding for monthly provider subscriptions, Ho explained.

The WHO regional office indicated that discussions are ongoing to secure funding for sustaining and expanding AIRA’s operations.

The relatives of Austin Tice, an American reporter who vanished in Syria more than ten years ago, now suspect he may have been transported to Iran after Bashar Assad’s government collapsed in 2024, according to his sister Naomi Tice.

Tice, a former Marine whose work appeared in The Washington Post and McClatchy publications, vanished at a Damascus-area checkpoint in August 2014 during his coverage of Syria’s civil war. Video footage released soon after showed armed individuals escorting him away.

According to Houston Public Media, Naomi Tice stated the family suspects Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could have relocated him from Syria when Assad’s administration fell.

Naomi Tice explained that while Assad repeatedly denied detaining Austin Tice, certain Syrian detention centers operated under Iranian supervision. This arrangement could explain Assad’s denials if Iranian authorities managed facilities housing prisoners.

“With the regime change, we do think, at that point, Austin might have been brought over to Iran during that time,” Naomi Tice said. “Once again, this isn’t confirmed, but we have strong reason to believe that might be the case.”

Extensive searches following Assad’s downfall, including examinations of former Syrian government detention facilities, failed to locate Tice.

Earlier this year, The Media Line’s Rizik Alabi reported the discovery of human remains potentially belonging to Tice in a secluded section of Aleppo province in northern Syria.

Three sets of remains were reportedly found based on information from a former Islamic State operative allegedly connected to the abduction and murder of journalists and activists during Syria’s early conflict years.

Following DNA analysis in the United States, officials confirmed the remains did not match Austin Tice. FBI and Qatari search teams subsequently found additional remains thought to belong to Islamic State casualties, though Tice’s family disputed claims that his remains were discovered and continue asserting he remains alive.

The family is pressing the Trump administration to reach out to Iranian contacts and reports ongoing discussions with US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz about potential negotiations for Tice’s freedom.

They are also requesting President Trump to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to obtain information from Assad, who currently lives in Russian exile, regarding the journalist’s location.

The Tice family has additionally requested Israeli help concerning Khaled al-Halibi, a former Syrian brigadier general currently held in Austria facing war crimes charges. The New York Times publicly identified al-Halibi as a double agent connected to Israeli intelligence.

Jacob Tice, Austin’s brother, believes the FBI should interrogate al-Halibi to gather information that might help determine Austin’s condition or whereabouts.

Israel’s Education Minister Yoav Kisch has issued a stark warning to university administrators, demanding they eliminate political activities from their campuses or risk losing government funding through new legislation.

In a Wednesday announcement, Kisch outlined his expectations for university leadership to follow “three clear principles,” which include avoiding political position statements, maintaining continuous campus operations, and “clarifying that there is no place for strikes motivated by political reasons.”

The minister’s directive also seeks to ban political disruptions, campus shutdowns, and work stoppages at higher education institutions.

The Education Ministry defended the initiative, stating “the move is intended to prevent division, preserve the proper functioning of the institutions, and allow all faculty members and students to study, teach, research, and express opinions freely and responsibly.”

Kisch emphasized that higher education institutions should not function as venues for political activism and cautioned that lawmakers might pursue legislation against schools that refuse his demands.

“We are putting an end to the politicization of university presidents,” Kisch declared. “If they wish to promote a political agenda, they are welcome to resign from their positions and run in elections.”

“Academic institutions that enter the political arena — we will advance legislation that will deny them funding,” he continued.

The minister has gained backing from several legislators, including Avichay Buaron.

However, the Association of Heads of Research Universities has firmly rejected Kisch’s demands and criticized him for exploiting academic institutions for political gain.

“We will not allow the Education Minister to drag academia into his political survival battles,” the organization stated.

“It is deeply regrettable that at a time when higher education is fighting international boycotts, the minister chooses to weaken it from within in order to scrounge for votes in the primaries,” the association continued.

The university leaders’ group expressed shock at the minister’s statements, noting that Kisch “never approached us and no discussions were held with him on the matter.”

“To remove any doubt, the heads of higher education have never agreed to any harm to the independence of institutions of higher education,” their statement concluded.

Mysterious explosion-like sounds reported near Iran’s strategic Strait of Hormuz region have injected new complications into delicate US-Iran ceasefire negotiations currently underway.

Iranian news outlets reported hearing multiple blast-like noises Thursday evening near Bandar Abbas, a major port city, and Qeshm Island, both located close to the vital shipping corridor. The source of these sounds remains unclear, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The timing is particularly sensitive as Iran continues evaluating a ceasefire proposal from the United States. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed that Tehran is still reviewing messages delivered through Pakistan, which has served as an intermediary between the two nations. “Iran has not yet reached a conclusion, and no response has been given to the US side,” Baghaei stated.

The peace initiative aims to end hostilities and restore normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, though major disagreements persist over Iran’s nuclear activities, American sanctions, maritime access rights, and Iran’s military presence across the region.

President Trump has characterized the negotiations as encouraging while maintaining both military and economic pressure on Iran. American naval forces continue blockading Iranian ports, and Washington is advancing a UN Security Council resolution alongside Bahrain that would impose additional penalties if Iran doesn’t cease ship attacks, stop placing mines in the strait, eliminate vessel tolls, and permit humanitarian shipments.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz met with Gulf state representatives at UN headquarters Thursday as the Security Council moved forward with the proposed resolution. Waltz criticized Iran’s newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority, saying it forces commercial ships to “check in and pay a bribe, pay a toll” for passage rights. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar support the American-Bahraini initiative, though China and Russia are anticipated to oppose or block the measure.

European leadership is also becoming more involved in diplomatic efforts. Following discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Trump announced they were “completely united that Iran can never have a Nuclear Weapon,” explaining that “a regime that kills its own people cannot control a bomb that can kill millions.” Von der Leyen has advocated for any Iranian agreement to cover both nuclear and missile programs while guaranteeing safe passage through Hormuz waters.

The Strait of Hormuz continues serving as the central flashpoint in this standoff. Iran’s establishment of its Persian Gulf Strait Authority to oversee and tax vessels using the waterway has sparked international concerns about navigation freedom. Maritime companies, insurance providers, and energy markets remain uncertain whether Iran’s announced reopening means truly free passage or transit requiring Iranian approval and payment.

Regional powers are increasingly influencing this crisis alongside Washington and Tehran. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have reportedly removed restrictions on American military access to their facilities and airspace, representing a potential shift after earlier Gulf reluctance to become more deeply involved. This development, initially reported by The Wall Street Journal, would signal significant changes in regional military cooperation if verified, particularly as America seeks to maintain Iranian pressure while preventing broader Gulf warfare.

Saudi Arabia’s stance has proven especially delicate. Riyadh previously resisted American requests to utilize Saudi airspace and bases for “Project Freedom,” the proposed mission to escort commercial vessels through Hormuz. Saudi officials worried that an unclear maritime operation could transform Gulf nations from anxious observers into direct war participants against Iran.

The United Arab Emirates faces greater exposure to the conflict. Iranian strikes on UAE infrastructure and shipping have increased Abu Dhabi’s desire for restored secure navigation, while the eastern Fujairah port remains essential for Gulf commerce beyond Hormuz’s narrowest sections. The UAE has also expressed growing dissatisfaction with regional energy politics, including its reported withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries during this crisis.

Bahrain is contributing diplomatically through the UN initiative regarding Hormuz. This involvement carries significance since Bahrain hosts major American naval facilities and has maintained close security partnerships with Washington. Bahrain’s participation in the draft resolution demonstrates how the maritime crisis has become a measure of whether Gulf states can convert their reliance on open shipping lanes into unified diplomatic pressure against Iran.

Israel remains connected to the broader conflict through both Iranian and Lebanese fronts. The current war started with American and Israeli attacks on Iran, followed by Iranian missile and drone strikes against Israel and Gulf Arab nations. While US-Iran ceasefire discussions continue, Israel has also targeted Hezbollah positions in Beirut and eastern Lebanon, reportedly eliminating a senior Hezbollah leader. This keeps Lebanon within the conflict’s sphere, despite formal negotiations occurring between Washington and Tehran.

Thursday evening’s explosion reports introduce additional uncertainty to an already complex situation. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency documented multiple blast-like sounds near Bandar Abbas, with other Iranian sources describing similar noises on Qeshm Island near shipping channels. The cause remains undetermined, with no confirmed information about casualties, destruction, or responsibility.

These explosion reports require careful evaluation at this point. No verified evidence indicates whether they resulted from airstrikes, sabotage, air defense activity, naval operations, or industrial accidents. However, the location is significant. Bandar Abbas and Qeshm are positioned near Iran’s maritime infrastructure center, and any unexplained incidents there can disturb diplomatic progress, insurance markets, and shipping decisions.

The current situation represents managed instability rather than peace. Washington seeks Iranian reopening of Hormuz without acknowledging Iranian authority over the waterway. Tehran desires sanctions relief without abandoning its nuclear advantages. Gulf states want shipping restored while avoiding becoming targets themselves. Europe aims to prevent Iranian nuclear weapons development while protecting global energy supplies. Israel seeks Iranian weakening and Hezbollah containment. Lebanon remains susceptible to spillover effects from both conflicts. Currently, a ceasefire proposal awaits response, the strait remains restricted, regional players are reassessing positions, and the Gulf stands one unexplained explosion away from another dangerous escalation.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog conducted a groundbreaking diplomatic mission to Panama City on May 6, 2026, marking the first time an Israeli head of state has officially visited the Central American nation. During the historic trip, Herzog and Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino committed to deepening collaboration across multiple sectors including security, commerce, technology, agriculture, innovation, health, and water management.

The Israeli leader received an official welcome at the Presidential Palace, where he participated in both private discussions and expanded bilateral talks with Mulino aimed at enhancing strategic partnerships between their nations.

Following their discussions, Herzog expressed gratitude for Panama’s longstanding support of Israel and highlighted the strong relationship between the countries.

“We will never forget how Panama stood with the Jewish people at the dawn of our statehood, supporting the historic resolution on Israel’s establishment, and formalizing relations just weeks after our independence,” Herzog said.

The Israeli president also spoke about his country’s ongoing conflict with Iran-supported organizations following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

“Since the horrific massacre of October 7th, 2023, Israel has faced a multi-front war with Iran and its terror proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis,” Herzog said. “We did not seek this war. But we will defend our people.”

Herzog cautioned that Iran’s influence reaches far beyond Middle Eastern borders and recalled Hezbollah’s 1994 bombing attack in Panama.

“Latin America has felt the long arm of Iranian terror,” he said. “Right here on Panama’s soil, Hezbollah murdered 20 innocent civilians in a horrific terror attack in 1994.”

“The international community cannot turn a blind eye to the chaos that the Iranian regime seeks to spread throughout the world,” he added.

The Israeli leader also commended President Trump’s approach to addressing Iran’s nuclear program, describing it as “courageous and necessary.”

Mulino characterized Herzog’s trip as “a historic milestone in Israel-Panama relations” and noted that the partnership between their countries has developed over more than seven decades based on “trust, mutual respect, and cooperation.”

Prior to the presidential meetings, Herzog visited the Panama Canal with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, where he learned about the waterway’s strategic significance and potential areas for cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and innovation.

While at the canal, Herzog drew comparisons between Panama’s role in maintaining global shipping lanes and the disruptions to maritime traffic occurring in the Middle East.

“This is a beautiful example of how to lead and enable freedom of navigation and maritime freedom, as opposed to what we see in the Straits of Bab al-Mandab in the Red Sea, or in the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf,” Herzog said. “We must all stand up firmly against any blockage of maritime capability and movement around the world.”

Vásquez described the visit as “a very historic and symbolic visit” and expressed Panama’s desire to strengthen partnerships with Israel in commerce and innovation.

Before traveling to Costa Rica to attend President-elect Laura Fernández Delgado’s inauguration, Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog met with members of Panama’s Jewish community, including students and community leaders.

Speaking to Jewish students, Herzog emphasized the importance of community unity.

“Our unity means a lot,” he said. “Our enemies don’t differentiate between the way we practice Judaism, and Jews all over the world should have the full right to practice their Judaism without harassment, without fear.”

Flight data recently made public indicates that fuel was deliberately shut off to both engines of a China Eastern Airlines aircraft before it crashed into a mountain in 2022, claiming the lives of all 132 passengers and crew members.

The National Transportation Safety Board disclosed findings from the Boeing 737-800’s flight data recorder following a public records request. U.S. investigators joined the Chinese probe since American manufacturers built both the aircraft and its engines, with the NTSB recognized globally for its expertise in black box analysis following aviation disasters.

While aviation safety specialists concur that the information demonstrates both engines failed and someone forced the aircraft into a steep dive plus a complete 360-degree rotation, definitive conclusions remain elusive. China’s Civil Aviation Administration has not yet published its final investigation findings more than four years after the incident, despite international protocols recommending crash reports be completed within approximately one year.

The NTSB document bears a July 1, 2022 date and was made public on May 1, though media coverage only emerged this week.

John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems, explained that Boeing 737 fuel controls are engineered to prevent accidental activation. “The levers lock into place, so it’s likely that someone deliberately moved them both to the cutoff position,” Cox stated. Operating these controls requires pulling them outward first to unlock them before movement is possible.

Recording ceased while the aircraft remained at 26,000 feet after the flight recorder and hydraulic systems lost power, but the preceding 12 minutes of data provide crucial insights into the sequence of events.

Though the cockpit voice recorder continued functioning on battery power, the NTSB has not released transcripts from those recordings, leaving that disclosure to Chinese authorities.

Former NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti believes the flight information points to a cockpit confrontation and potential pilot suicide, similar to previous incidents including a 2015 Germanwings crash in the French Alps that killed everyone aboard.

“Typically when you want to roll an airplane, it’s a smooth movement of the control wheel in one direction. But here you have it moving back and forth, back and forth, as if someone is trying to counter the initial movement of the roll,” Guzzetti explained. “So it’s not conclusive, but it sure has the earmarks of a struggle in the cockpit.”

These revelations highlight ongoing aviation industry worries about pilot mental health support. Many aviators hesitate to seek psychological assistance due to fears of losing medical certification and being prohibited from flying. Recertification processes can extend for months without pay, while some nations ban pilots from using standard psychiatric medications like antidepressants.

“Clearly pilots — and very understandably so — are oftentimes reluctant to come forward, knowing that to get recertified after having gone through a mental health evaluation, it can be very arduous and very lengthy,” Cox noted.

Guzzetti referenced an Egypt Air co-pilot suspected of deliberately crashing his aircraft into the ocean near New York in 1999. More recently in 2023, an off-duty pilot who had consumed psychedelic mushrooms attempted to disable engines on a Horizon Air flight while occupying the cockpit jump seat.

The March 21, 2022 disaster occurred as the jet traveled from Kunming in southwestern China to Guangzhou near Hong Kong. The aircraft entered a steep descent from approximately 29,000 feet, briefly appeared to recover, then struck the mountainside. Impact created a 65-foot crater and ignited surrounding forest.

Flight crew members reported no difficulties before losing communication with air traffic controllers. Chinese investigators found no mechanical defects with the aircraft or crew issues, nor adverse weather conditions.

Cox confirmed the NTSB findings show no indication of aircraft malfunction.

The tragedy marked an unusual safety failure for China’s airline industry, which significantly enhanced its safety record following fatal accidents during the 1990s. China Eastern operates as one of four major government-owned carriers in the nation.

Authorities in France are moving forward with criminal charges against tech billionaire Elon Musk and his social media company X over serious allegations involving child exploitation material and other illegal content on the platform.

Officials from the Paris prosecutor’s office announced Wednesday they have launched a formal investigation targeting X on multiple charges, including involvement in possessing and sharing sexual abuse imagery of children and illegally gathering personal information. The probe also examines accusations related to spreading non-consensual explicit content and denying historical atrocities.

Neither X nor Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX provided responses to requests for comment on Thursday.

The legal action follows events from nearly three weeks ago when Musk and Linda Yaccarino, X’s former chief executive, were called in for voluntary questioning about these allegations. Both failed to appear for the interviews, though French officials indicated this would not slow their investigation.

The summons came after authorities conducted a search at X’s French offices in February, connected to an investigation launched in January 2025 by Paris prosecutors’ cybercrime division. Both Musk and Yaccarino were contacted in their roles as X executives during the timeframe being investigated. Yaccarino served as CEO from May 2023 through July 2025.

French investigators began their inquiry following complaints from a French legislator who claimed biased algorithms on X were likely interfering with automated data systems. The scope widened after X’s artificial intelligence feature, Grok, created content that reportedly denied the Holocaust – which constitutes a criminal offense in France – and produced sexually explicit deepfake imagery.

The investigation is examining alleged involvement in possessing and distributing sexual abuse material featuring minors, creating explicit deepfakes, denying crimes against humanity, and manipulating automated data systems as part of an organized operation, among other potential violations.

Grok, developed by xAI and accessible through X, generated international controversy this year when it produced numerous sexualized non-consensual deepfake images after receiving requests from platform users.

The AI system also published a widely circulated post in French claiming gas chambers at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp were intended for “disinfection with Zyklon B against typhus” instead of mass murder – terminology commonly linked to Holocaust denial.

In subsequent X posts, the chatbot corrected its position and admitted its previous response was incorrect, stating it had been removed, and referenced historical documentation proving Zyklon B was used to murder over 1 million people in Auschwitz gas chambers.

In March, Paris prosecutors contacted the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission, suggesting “that the controversy surrounding sexually explicit deepfakes generated by Grok may have been deliberately orchestrated to artificially boost the value of the companies X and xAI — potentially constituting criminal offenses,” according to prosecutors.

LONDON — Two men holding both British and Chinese citizenship were found guilty Thursday of conducting espionage activities for China through what authorities described as unauthorized law enforcement operations on British territory.

Peter Wai, age 40, and Bill Yuen, 65, falsely presented themselves as official police or intelligence personnel while conducting surveillance and collecting data on Hong Kong democracy advocates and dissidents, according to prosecutors.

London’s Central Criminal Court jury delivered guilty verdicts on charges that both men breached the National Security Act through their assistance to a foreign intelligence operation. Wai received an additional conviction for public office misconduct.

Bethan David, who leads counterterrorism efforts at the Crown Prosecution Service, stated: “These convictions send a clear message that transnational repression, foreign interference, unauthorized surveillance, and attempts to operate outside the law will not be tolerated on British soil. This conduct was deliberate, coordinated and carried out with full knowledge of who it would benefit.”

Following the verdicts, British officials called Chinese Ambassador Zheng Zeguang to the Foreign Office.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis declared in an official statement: “The activities carried out by these men, on behalf of China, are an infringement of our sovereignty and will never be tolerated. We will continue to hold China to account and challenge them directly for actions which put the safety of people in our country at risk.”

Hong Kong’s administration responded by stating it was not involved in the legal proceedings while strongly rejecting what it called baseless accusations against the territory or its London trade office.

Wai held positions with the U.K. Border Force and served as a special constable for the City of London while operating a private security business.

Yuen previously served as a superintendent with Hong Kong Police and worked in London for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, which serves as Hong Kong’s official overseas representative.

Hong Kong officials had posted bounties reaching nearly 100,000 pounds ($136,000) for capturing or obtaining information about pro-democracy advocates.

According to prosecutors, Yuen exceeded his designated role as office manager by helping collect intelligence about the whereabouts and activities of Hong Kong activists and political figures who relocated to the U.K. following the implementation of comprehensive national security legislation in the Asian financial center.

Prosecutors said Wai, who received payments through the trade office account, was found guilty of misconduct for improperly accessing police computer systems during off-duty hours to obtain the intelligence.

Text message evidence revealed the pair conducted surveillance on former Hong Kong legislator Nathan Law and activists they described using derogatory terms.

Yuen instructed Wai to focus particularly on Parliament members and government workers, providing names of notable politicians in 2023, including Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith, who co-chairs the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.

The scheme came to light when counterterrorism officers, conducting their own surveillance operation, interrupted an attempt by nine individuals to break into a northern England residence belonging to a Hong Kong woman in May 2024.

The homeowner, Monica Kwong, faced accusations from her former employer, Beijing-based Australian businesswoman Tina Zou, of committing fraud worth 16 million pounds ($21.8 million). Kwong maintained the allegations were fabricated.

Those arrested at Kwong’s West Yorkshire home included Zou, Wai, and two additional former Hong Kong police officers. Yuen, who maintained contact with the group, was taken into custody in London.

Investigators subsequently assembled communication records demonstrating that Yuen had tasked Wai with conducting espionage for Hong Kong and Chinese authorities.

The charges also included Matthew Trickett, a U.K. immigration enforcement officer arrested at Kwong’s residence, who was later discovered dead in what authorities believe was suicide. Zou never faced charges.

The jury was unable to reach decisions on additional charges alleging the men engaged in foreign interference through the break-in at Kwong’s home.

Terror groups with ties to Al Qaeda launched deadly nighttime raids on two villages in central Mali Wednesday, resulting in approximately 50 deaths among civilians and pro-government defense forces, according to three sources who spoke with international media Thursday.

The violence marks the most lethal incident since the Al Qaeda-affiliated organization Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) joined forces with the Tuareg-led rebel organization Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) for synchronized strikes throughout the West African nation in late April. Intermittent combat has continued since those initial attacks.

The raids targeted two communities within the Mopti region, according to an aid worker, diplomatic official, and security source who provided information about the incidents.

A local resident from Bankass, located close to the attacked areas, verified that assaults occurred Wednesday evening but was unable to specify casualty numbers or identify those responsible.

“Unidentified armed men burst in, opening fire and ransacking the village,” the person said.

Officials have not determined how many victims were non-combatants. Village protection often falls to local defense militias and hunter groups that work alongside Mali’s military forces to defend against extremist attacks in the region.

Military representatives have not yet responded to requests for information regarding the latest attacks.

During a Wednesday press briefing in Bamako, Mali’s army commander Djibrilla Maiga explained that extremist fighters were working to regroup following the April 25 strikes, which resulted in the death of the defense minister and forced Russian forces supporting Mali’s leadership to withdraw from the strategically important northern city of Kidal.

“The threat is still present,” Maiga said, though he added that the military was disrupting their manoeuvres.

JNIM recently declared its intention to establish a blockade around the capital city Bamako through checkpoint installations on approaching roadways.

Maiga reported that militants were concentrating efforts on routes toward Kayes and Kita, hampering movement to western Mali, while other passages including those to Segou in central Mali remained open for travel. Kita sits approximately 180 kilometers from Bamako, with Kayes located roughly 580 kilometers away.

In northern Mali, where FLA militants captured Kidal and the strategic Tessalit base, military leadership is relocating specific units as part of their counter-response, Maiga explained without offering additional specifics.

Beyond assassinating Defense Minister Sadio Camara through an explosive-laden vehicle attack on his residence, the militants also targeted the home of Assimi Goita, who leads the government that assumed control through military coups in 2020 and 2021, according to Maiga.

Security personnel “contained the threat and defused the vehicle”, he said.

Goita made a state television appearance on April 28, declaring that Mali’s situation remained under government control.

Mali’s armed forces have “neutralised” several hundred “terrorists” following the April 25 attacks, Maiga reported.

ABUJA, Nigeria — Military forces in Nigeria have successfully freed nine individuals who were kidnapped during an armed assault on an orphanage facility last month, according to a Thursday announcement from army officials.

Officials in Nigeria’s Kogi state reported that armed attackers targeted an unlicensed Islamic orphanage and seized 23 students in a remote section of Lokoja, the state’s capital city, on April 26. Military personnel were able to immediately free 15 of the kidnapped victims.

The remaining nine hostages were located and recovered by troops operating in a forested region of the state, according to army spokesperson Hassan Abdullahi, who issued the statement on Wednesday with public release on Thursday.

“The rescued victims comprised five boys, two girls, and two adult females, believed to be the wives of the proprietor of the orphanage,” Abdullahi said.

Based on these numbers, it appears one additional student may still be missing, though the military statement did not address whether anyone remains unaccounted for.

No organization has stepped forward to take credit for the kidnapping operation. Security experts note that militant groups frequently target educational facilities and capture students because these attacks generate significant public attention and can result in substantial ransom payments. Hundreds of students have fallen victim to abduction incidents throughout Nigeria.

VENICE, Italy — Utah sculptor Alma Allen found himself with only a few months to create his exhibition for one of the art world’s most prestigious events after a controversial selection process for the Venice Biennale went down to the final moments.

The self-taught artist, who creates his work in Mexico, understands his position as an outsider in the exclusive art community and is preparing for intense scrutiny as he steps onto one of contemporary art’s most important platforms.

The selection process, which critics have labeled as lacking transparency, has created controversy surrounding the exhibition’s debut.

Major art institutions that usually compete for the highly sought-after Biennale commission stayed away, apparently worried about becoming entangled in political issues after the application requirements dropped language about diversity, equity and inclusion in favor of promoting “American values.”

In what appears to be a tongue-in-cheek response, Allen crafted a bronze evil eye to display on the outside of the brick, Jefferson-style U.S. Pavilion as protection against negative energy, he said with humor. This piece joins eleven other new works he created for an exhibition that could become the defining achievement of his three-decade career.

However, just days before Saturday’s Biennale opening, the protective evil eye sculpture had yet to be delivered.

“This is really the first circumstance in my life as an artist where I felt the need to defend myself, or my work,” Allen shared with The Associated Press during a recent tour of the pavilion. He admitted that working away from critical attention for thirty years “has been actually a pleasure.”

Allen creates organic-shaped sculptures using wood, stone and bronze, and prefers not to title them so viewers can have “a moment of creation when they can decide what it is.”

His Biennale display, called “Call Me the Breeze,” features pieces spanning the past two decades alongside his newest creations. Allen explained he selected this title to represent his talent for navigating around barriers.

“And that’s been my necessity and it’s also because of being self-taught and not having any institutional support very often in life,” he said.

Exhibition commissioner Jeffrey Uslip said Allen’s independence from institutions was attractive to him.

“I am deeply interested and invested in artists who are not, I guess, academicized … or lobotomized,” he said.

An earlier proposal featuring artist Robert Lazzarini, organized by art historian John Ravenal, collapsed in September despite receiving U.S. State Department approval when the required institutional sponsor withdrew, Ravenal explained to AP.

When State Department efforts to connect the Lazzarini project with the newly established American Arts Conservancy failed, the current project featuring the AAC as sponsor, Uslip as curator and Allen as artist was quickly announced.

Uslip refused to provide details about the selection process.

Ravenal described the process as extremely unusual, lacking any apparent committee review or formal application procedure, and pointed out that the application deadline had passed in July.

“It’s really a loss of a 40-year history of open call and peer review,” Ravenal told AP by phone, characterizing Allen as “a pawn in this whole thing.”

Allen recognizes that his decision to proceed with the exhibition has generated some criticism. However, he maintains that the Trump administration has not influenced the show in any manner.

“My art is not propaganda,” he said.

In the pavilion’s central courtyard, a headless sheep sculpture stands without direction, serving as Allen’s self-portrait as an outsider. He characterized it as “a bit shunned because it’s the wrong sheep.”

His newest pieces include bronze wall sculptures treated with chemicals in a painting technique, handling the solid metal “as an instantaneous material, like watercolor,” he explained.

Allen’s path to the Biennale included a time of homelessness in New York City when he sold his artwork from an ironing board, a desperate action that inadvertently launched his artistic career and attracted his first collectors.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Palm Springs Art Museum have acquired Allen’s works, and he was featured in the 2014 Whitney Biennial. He made his European debut in Brussels in 2022.

After receiving the Biennale commission, he visited Venice for the first time in November to examine the U.S. Pavilion, a neoclassical brick structure built around a courtyard and rotunda. A Hieronymus Bosch painting called “The Visions of Hereafter” at Venice’s Accademia, showing heaven, hell and purgatory, provided the organizing concept for his exhibition.

“I wanted there to be a bit of the chaos that we go through,” he said.

Beyond his artistic portfolio, Allen credits his selection to his ability to handle last-minute challenges and embrace unexpected opportunities.

“When they do, I’m prepared to try it, and fail at it. That’s fine,” he said.

LONDON, May 7 – British officials announced Thursday they will call in China’s ambassador following the criminal convictions of two individuals found guilty of conducting espionage operations for Hong Kong authorities and China.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis condemned the intelligence activities in a Thursday statement, describing them as a breach of British national sovereignty.

“The activities carried out by these men, on behalf of China, are an infringement of our sovereignty and will never be tolerated,” Jarvis said.

The minister emphasized Britain’s commitment to confronting China over actions that threaten public safety within the country’s borders.

“We will continue to hold China to account and challenge them directly for actions which put the safety of people in our country at risk,” Jarvis stated.

“That is why the Foreign Office will summon the Chinese Ambassador to make it clear activity like this was, and will always be, unacceptable on UK soil,” the security minister added.

LONDON — Police in Norfolk have detained a suspect following reports that Prince Andrew faced threats from an armed individual near his residence in eastern England.

According to Norfolk Constabulary, the Wednesday evening arrest occurred after authorities received reports of someone “behaving in an intimidating manner” close to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s home.

“Officers attended, and the man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offense and possession of an offensive weapon,” police announced Thursday.

The individual remains in custody at a local police facility for interrogation. Authorities have not disclosed the specific type of weapon involved, though the classification encompasses knives, clubs, and similar items designed to inflict harm.

According to The Daily Telegraph, a ski mask-wearing individual charged toward the former royal while yelling threats. The confrontation allegedly took place near the Sandringham Estate during Andrew’s routine dog walk, prompting him and his security detail to quickly retreat to their vehicle and leave the area.

The 66-year-old Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles III’s younger sibling, relocated to the monarch’s private Sandringham Estate approximately 100 miles north of London after being forced to leave his previous residence near Windsor Castle due to his controversial association with Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew currently resides at Marsh Farm, located within the Sandringham Estate grounds, following his departure from Royal Lodge last year.

The royal family removed all his ceremonial roles and public duties, effectively exiling him from official functions due to ongoing scandals involving financial troubles and connections to controversial figures, particularly Epstein.

Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, claimed she was coerced into sexual encounters with Andrew on three occasions beginning at age 17. Though he maintained his innocence, Andrew ultimately reached a private financial settlement and acknowledged Giuffre’s trauma as a trafficking survivor. Giuffre took her own life in April 2025 at age 41.

In an unprecedented move this past February, Andrew became the first high-ranking British royal in nearly four centuries to face arrest when authorities detained him for several hours on suspicion of official misconduct related to his Epstein connections. This marked a dramatic shift in a nation where law enforcement traditionally protected the royal family from public embarrassment.

Investigators previously indicated they were “assessing” allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor shared commercial intelligence with Epstein, the wealthy financier and convicted sex offender, during 2010 when Andrew served as the UK’s international trade representative.

Communications between the pair became public when the U.S. Justice Department released them alongside millions of documents from the American Epstein investigation.

GENEVA – Following failed negotiations at the World Trade Organization, the United States has joined 18 other nations in creating their own agreement to prevent taxes on digital commerce, according to documents released Thursday.

The new partnership includes major economies such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, Norway, and Argentina. The agreement takes effect May 8 and commits these countries to refrain from imposing duties on electronic transmissions for an indefinite timeframe.

The development follows Brazil’s opposition to extending a worldwide moratorium that has been in place since 1998. This global agreement has been consistently renewed over the years and prohibits countries from taxing cross-border digital services including music streaming, movie downloads, and software purchases.

The collapse of renewal talks during a high-level WTO gathering in Yaounde, Cameroon this past March represents another blow to the organization’s influence in establishing international trade standards.

Nations with significant digital economies, particularly the United States, European Union, Canada, and Japan, have advocated for making the moratorium permanent. They contend it offers stability for international digital commerce.

The newly formed coalition expressed regret over the breakdown of the broader multilateral agreement in their official statement.

“Nonetheless, this group of Members remains committed to do what we can to provide to businesses and consumers a measure of predictability and certainty in the absence of the multilateral E-Commerce Moratorium,” the May 7 document stated.

The agreement remains open for additional WTO members to participate, according to the final text.

LONDON – A London courtroom delivered guilty verdicts Thursday against two dual British-Chinese citizens accused of conducting surveillance operations on pro-democracy activists for Hong Kong and Chinese authorities.

The Old Bailey court convicted Chung Biu “Bill” Yuen, 65, and Chi Leung “Peter” Wai, 40, on charges of providing assistance to a foreign intelligence operation spanning from December 2023 through May 2024.

However, jurors could not reach agreement on an additional charge alleging the pair engaged in “foreign interference” by breaking into a northern England residence of a woman wanted on fraud allegations by Hong Kong officials.

The convictions add to ongoing diplomatic friction between London and Beijing, with British officials repeatedly pointing to Chinese espionage activities as an obstacle to improving relations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer traveled to China in January as part of efforts to repair ties.

During court proceedings, prosecutor Duncan Atkinson described the defendants’ activities as “shadow policing operations” conducted for Hong Kong’s government and ultimately China’s benefit.

According to Atkinson, their mission involved monitoring dissidents who had relocated to Britain, including activist Nathan Law, who is subject to a HK$1 million bounty from Hong Kong authorities seeking information about his location or capture.

“They wanted to know where they were, where they live, what they are doing, who they are associating with, who they are communicating with and how they are doing that and those are the very things that these defendants were in the business of obtaining,” Atkinson told the jury.

Relations between Britain and China have deteriorated since Hong Kong implemented strict national security measures following the territory’s 2019 pro-democracy demonstrations, which sometimes turned violent. Hong Kong operated under British administration for 156 years before returning to Chinese control nearly three decades ago.

Chinese Embassy officials in London have dismissed the charges as fabricated against Yuen, who previously served as a Hong Kong police officer and worked at Hong Kong’s Economic and Trade Office in London, and Wai, employed by British Border Force and serving as a volunteer with City of London Police.

The court also found Wai guilty of abusing his Border Force position to illegally access the interior ministry’s computer systems.

Evidence presented to jurors included communications between Yuen, Wai and associates that prosecutors claimed revealed plans to monitor activists, whom they allegedly called “cockroaches,” and conduct surveillance on British political leaders.

A third defendant, Matthew Trickett, 37, a former Royal Marine who worked in immigration and private investigation, died after the group faced charges. Authorities determined his death was not suspicious.

The 32-year-old son of Hamas’ primary negotiator died Thursday following injuries he sustained in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City, according to the militant organization.

Azzam al-Hayya, son of lead Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, was among several people wounded in the Gaza City strike that also claimed one other life. Israeli military officials have not issued a statement regarding the attack. The elder al-Hayya currently operates from outside the territory.

Israeli forces have maintained routine airstrikes on what they describe as militant locations — operations that have also resulted in civilian casualties — following a U.S.-mediated ceasefire that ended large-scale military actions in October. The ceasefire deal also secured the freedom of remaining captives seized during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault that triggered the conflict.

Several major provisions of the ceasefire deal have yet to be implemented, including Hamas disarmament, the establishment of an international peacekeeping presence, and Israel’s pullback from the portion of Gaza where its forces remain stationed. Both Israel and Hamas have pointed fingers at each other for ceasefire breaches.

The militant group has alleged that Israel is attempting to influence peace talks through assassination campaigns. Officials have not confirmed whether the younger al-Hayya was specifically targeted in the attack.

Speaking to Al Jazeera following his son’s injury, al-Hayya stated that if his son had been deliberately targeted, “it would be an honor to me, to him, and to all Palestinians.”

Regarding disarmament discussions, al-Hayya indicated Hamas would only consider the ceasefire agreement’s second stage after Israel completes the initial phase, which requires ending combat operations and increasing humanitarian assistance.

Israeli military operations have eliminated numerous senior Hamas officials and their relatives throughout the conflict. Al-Hayya lost another son, Hammam, in an Israeli attack on Hamas leadership in Qatar last September.

At Gaza’s Shifa Hospital, al-Hayya’s daughter Tasnim declared that her father’s resolve would not waver due to his children’s deaths.

“We are like all our people. Everyone has suffered and everyone has sacrificed. We are one of them,” she stated.

The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 72,000 since Israel began its military response to Hamas’ 2023 offensive, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 people taken captive. Gaza residents continue facing numerous daily hardships, including water shortages and rodent problems in temporary shelters.

Family members of three victims from a separate Wednesday Israeli strike gathered at Shifa Hospital’s courtyard Thursday for final farewells, holding each other while grieving.

The victims had recently relocated from a school shelter and were establishing new tents when the strike occurred. A father, his son, and his nephew were killed, family member Yahiya Kishko confirmed.

OSLO, Norway — Norwegian law enforcement officials have taken a Chinese national into custody Thursday on charges related to alleged espionage activities involving satellite data collection equipment, according to the nation’s domestic intelligence agency.

The arrest was accompanied by searches at two locations, including a site on a northern Norwegian island that houses the Andøya Spaceport, a key facility in Europe’s expanding space operations. A second search was conducted in Innlandet, located in the country’s southern region.

The investigation began after authorities suspected that a company registered in Norway was functioning as a cover operation for Chinese government interests, according to the Police Security Service (PST).

The detained individual, described only as a female Chinese citizen, is accused of attempting to “establish a receiver for satellite downloads from satellites in polar orbits suitable for collecting data that could harm fundamental Norwegian interests if it becomes known to a foreign state,” stated PST police attorney Thomas Blom.

Officials confirmed they have confiscated the satellite receiving equipment and successfully prevented the suspected installation and operation plans from moving forward.

The case “involves complicity in an attempt at serious espionage against state secrets,” according to the official police statement.

Authorities revealed that additional individuals have been charged in connection with this investigation, though they declined to provide specifics about these other suspects’ identities, nationalities, or whether arrests were made.

Ketil Olsen, CEO of Andøya Spaceport, issued a statement Thursday clarifying that his company has no relationship “to the individual involved,” and emphasized they “had not observed any activity related to our operations in this matter.”

A British court handed down an eight-year prison sentence Thursday to James Holder, the 54-year-old co-founder of fashion retailer Superdry, after his conviction on rape charges.

Last week, jurors at Gloucester Crown Court in western England found Holder guilty of rape while clearing him on a second charge of assault by penetration related to a May 2022 incident.

According to the victim’s testimony, Holder climbed into her taxi uninvited and followed her into her residence after they had been drinking at a Cheltenham establishment. She told the court he attacked her after waking from a brief sleep, continuing the assault despite her tears and requests for him to stop.

The married father of two maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, claiming any intimate contact was mutually agreed upon.

During sentencing at Bristol Crown Court, Judge David Chidgey called the crime “a despicable piece of sexual violence.”

“It was about entitlement, it was about your sense of entitlement and your sense of doing what you wanted and your causal disregard for the victim’s absolute right to say what she wanted to do with her own body,” the judge stated.

Holder showed no visible response to the sentencing while appearing remotely from Hewell prison, dressed in casual gray clothing.

WASHINGTON — Federal officials announced Thursday they have imposed financial penalties on Iraq’s deputy oil minister and several militia commanders for allegedly assisting Iran’s military operations.

Treasury Department officials say Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly misused his government role to redirect oil resources, allowing profits to flow to Iran’s government and militia groups operating in Iraq.

The financial restrictions also target three high-ranking commanders from Iranian-backed militia organizations Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada and Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq, according to the announcement.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained the department’s reasoning in his official statement: “Treasury will not stand idly by as Iran’s military exploits Iraqi oil to fund terrorism against the United States and our partners.”

The penalties block any American-held financial assets belonging to the sanctioned individuals and prohibit U.S. citizens and businesses from conducting transactions with them.

SOFIA – Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova formally asked election victor Rumen Radev to serve as the country’s next prime minister on Thursday, following his Progressive Bulgaria party’s commanding performance in last month’s parliamentary contest – Bulgaria’s eighth election in just five years.

The former fighter pilot turned politician, known for his skeptical stance toward the European Union, saw his party capture 44.6% of voter support during the April 19 parliamentary race, securing a majority within the nation’s 240-member legislative body.

Following the formal request to lead the government, Radev presented his proposed cabinet lineup, with parliamentary approval anticipated for Friday.

The political leader had resigned from Bulgaria’s primarily symbolic presidential role in January to pursue the April legislative contest, after widespread demonstrations against government corruption and escalating cost of living pressures toppled the prior administration last December.

Progressive Bulgaria’s triumph represents the most substantial electoral victory in decades, positioning Radev to lead the nation’s first single-party administration in almost thirty years – a development that could bring much-needed political steadiness following numerous election cycles.

The incoming administration will feature Velislava Petrova-Chamova as foreign minister and Galab Donev handling finance responsibilities. The new government faces immediate challenges including adopting a fresh budget, establishing debt limits to guarantee pension and salary payments, and securing previously missed European Union funding.

Federal law enforcement officials in Brazil executed a search and seizure operation Thursday targeting Senator Ciro Nogueira in connection with an expanding investigation into the failed Banco Master, according to a Supreme Court decision released Thursday.

Nogueira previously held the position of chief of staff under former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, serving from August 2021 through December 2022. The senator currently leads the Progressives political party and represents Piaui state in Brazil’s upper legislative chamber.

In his ruling, Supreme Court Justice Andre Mendonca stated that the police investigation suggests Nogueira allegedly provided assistance to Banco Master’s owner Daniel Vorcaro “in exchange for undue economic advantages.”

Legal representatives for Nogueira rejected any allegations of misconduct, issuing a statement declaring their client’s willingness to work with investigators and remain available to offer explanations regarding the matter.

The search warrant against Nogueira represents a significant expansion of the corruption investigation into Brazil’s political establishment, as authorities continue examining alleged illegal activities connected to Banco Master.

The financial institution was shut down in November following a serious cash flow crisis, while Vorcaro, the bank’s owner, remains in custody facing charges.

Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz has sent shockwaves through the global economy, driving up fuel costs and creating ripple effects that extend well beyond the Middle East region. The situation has also trapped thousands of sailors and numerous vessels in the Persian Gulf waters.

Following attacks by the United States and Israel on February 28, Iran gained effective control over this crucial shipping lane. Despite weeks of intensive bombing campaigns and a U.S. naval blockade implemented last month, Iran maintains its hold on the waterway. Iranian officials have stated they will only allow the strait to reopen when hostilities cease and the blockade ends. President Donald Trump is demanding broader concessions, including Iran’s withdrawal from its controversial nuclear program.

The strategic waterway measures just 21 miles across at its most narrow section between Iran and Oman, where it curves like an elbow. Vessels must navigate through tight shipping channels in shallow waters, creating an even more restrictive bottleneck.

Prior to the conflict, approximately 20% of globally traded oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily, along with substantial quantities of natural gas, fertilizer, and other petroleum-based products.

Research data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence shows that roughly 130 ships transited the strait each day before fighting began, including both oil tankers and cargo vessels.

Since hostilities commenced through May 4, Lloyd’s List Intelligence reports that only 450 ships are believed to have successfully passed through the waterway. Many of these vessels likely carried Iranian oil. Under normal circumstances, between 6,500 and 8,450 ships would have traveled through the strait during this timeframe.

American gasoline prices have climbed by $1.20 per gallon on average since the war started. According to AAA, the average gallon price reached $4.56 on Thursday. The strait’s closure has also caused jet fuel costs to nearly double.

Shipping insurance costs have dramatically increased from 1% of cargo value to as high as 10%, according to maritime industry experts.

The United Nations World Food Program warns that 280 million people, primarily in Asian and African nations, could face hunger if the strait remains closed. The organization states that blocked fuel and fertilizer shipments may soon make food and essential goods unaffordable for vulnerable populations.

The U.N.’s International Maritime Organization reports that 47 mariners have died since the Iran conflict began.

According to the International Maritime Organization, 89 ships have been attacked during the hostilities.

U.S. military sources indicate that 387 vessels from 87 different nations are currently trapped in Persian Gulf waters.

Approximately 23,000 sailors remain stranded aboard these ships, with many crew members coming from South and Southeast Asian countries.

The U.S. military has deployed 5,000 American troops along with 100 aircraft to support Project Freedom, President Trump’s initiative to escort ships through the strait. However, the operation was suspended on Tuesday, just two days after its announcement.

As part of Project Freedom, the United States reported successfully guiding 12 ships through the waterway before the program’s suspension.

Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi has sparked controversy by expressing willingness to pursue a third presidential term, drawing fierce opposition from political rivals who accuse him of attempting to circumvent constitutional term limits.

During a Wednesday evening press conference, Tshisekedi responded to questions about recent constitutional revision proposals from his supporters by stating: “I have not asked for a third term, but if the people want a third term, I will accept.”

The president also warned that continuing violence in eastern Congo could prevent the scheduled 2028 presidential election from taking place as planned. “If this war cannot be ended, unfortunately we will not be able to organise elections in 2028,” Tshisekedi explained. “You cannot hold elections when parts of the country are occupied.”

Congo’s current constitution restricts presidents to serving two terms maximum. Any modification would require constitutional amendments approved through a public referendum, according to Tshisekedi.

Political opposition leaders have condemned the president’s statements, warning they could trigger fresh political instability in the mineral-wealthy nation that has suffered through decades of armed conflict.

Former presidential candidate Delly Sesanga responded on social media platform X, writing: “The DRC cannot enter a new cycle of institutional tensions and the personalization of power. All democrats must stand against this slide.”

The controversy echoes Congo’s previous political crisis under ex-president Joseph Kabila, who postponed elections past his constitutional mandate’s expiration in 2016, leading to fatal demonstrations and international criticism.

Tshisekedi, whose father Etienne Tshisekedi was a prominent opposition figure, secured re-election for his second term in December 2023. He initially suggested constitutional changes in late 2024, arguing the existing document was primarily written by foreign legal advisors and needed modernization.

Recent weeks have seen intensified calls for constitutional reform. In April, Andre Mbata from the Sacred Union coalition invited political parties, civil society organizations, religious groups, labor unions and legal scholars to submit revision proposals.

Mbata announced plans to establish a technical commission after May 20 to review these submissions before presenting recommendations to the president.

The constitutional debate occurs amid ongoing security challenges in eastern Congo, where the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, allegedly supported by Rwanda, maintains control over extensive territory. Rwanda has rejected accusations from the United Nations and Western nations regarding its backing of the insurgent group.

Despite mediation attempts by the United States and other international actors, fighting has persisted in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a stark warning Thursday that enemy combatants cannot expect protection anywhere, following his military’s assassination of a senior Hezbollah leader in the group’s Beirut stronghold.

The targeted killing Wednesday represented Israel’s first military action against Beirut’s southern neighborhoods since a fragile ceasefire took effect last month, according to military officials.

Israeli forces confirmed they eliminated the leader of Hezbollah’s specialized Radwan unit, though the Iran-supported organization has remained silent about the attack or their commander’s fate.

“He likely read in the press that he had immunity in Beirut. Well, he read it and it is no longer the case,” Netanyahu declared in his public remarks.

Fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah resumed March 2nd after the militant group launched attacks following a joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Tehran.

Wednesday’s assassination threatens the Lebanese ceasefire agreement that developed alongside broader Middle Eastern peace efforts, particularly since halting Israeli operations in Lebanon remains a central Iranian requirement in ongoing Washington negotiations.

President Donald Trump revealed the Lebanese ceasefire arrangement April 16th, which initially reduced regional violence significantly. Beirut had remained untouched by Israeli military action for weeks before Wednesday’s operation.

However, both sides have maintained combat operations in southern regions, where Israeli forces established what they term a protective buffer zone.

Netanyahu identified the eliminated Hezbollah official as Ahmed Ali Balout, stating the commander “thought he could continue to direct attacks against our forces and our communities from his secret terrorist headquarters in Beirut.”

“I say to our enemies in the clearest possible way: No terrorist has immunity,” the Israeli leader emphasized.

Lebanese health authorities report over 2,700 fatalities since fighting resumed March 2nd, with approximately 1.2 million Lebanese citizens displaced from their residences, particularly from southern territories.

Israeli military casualties include 17 soldiers killed during southern Lebanon operations, plus two civilian deaths in northern Israel.

Wednesday alone saw 11 Lebanese deaths from Israeli military strikes across three separate southern locations, based on health ministry records.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 17 separate attacks against Israeli positions in southern Lebanon Wednesday, while Israeli commanders reported destroying more than 15 militant facilities the same day.

Israeli military intelligence indicates Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets and unmanned aircraft toward Israel since March 2nd.

Hezbollah maintains they possess legitimate authority to oppose Israeli forces controlling southern territories.

Israel’s security perimeter extends up to 10 kilometers into southern Lebanon, with officials claiming the zone protects northern Israeli communities from militants operating within civilian populations.

The Lebanese ceasefire initially covered 10 days before receiving a three-week extension during discussions between Lebanese and Israeli diplomatic representatives in Washington, facilitated by Trump at the White House.

Hezbollah sharply criticizes the Lebanese government’s Israeli communications, highlighting significant internal Lebanese political divisions regarding the militant organization.

Trump previously expressed enthusiasm about hosting both Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun soon, suggesting strong possibilities for a comprehensive peace agreement this year.

However, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated Wednesday that discussing high-level Lebanese-Israeli meetings remains premature, emphasizing that strengthening ceasefire arrangements must precede any future diplomatic negotiations between government representatives in Washington.

Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov has traveled to Miami to conduct discussions with American officials, according to a source familiar with the matter, as diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict with Russia remain deadlocked.

Ukrainian officials had previously anticipated that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would make a trip to Ukraine during the early spring months, though that planned visit ultimately did not occur. American attention has shifted significantly from the Ukrainian situation due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

The source declined to offer further specifics about the Miami meetings. The American-facilitated negotiations have reached an impasse regarding Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. Russian officials are insisting that Ukrainian forces withdraw from areas of the region that Moscow has been unable to secure during its four-year comprehensive military campaign. Ukrainian leadership maintains it will not surrender territory currently under its control.

The most recent three-way discussions involving Ukrainian, Russian, and US officials occurred in February. Since that time, Ukrainian and Russian delegates have conducted only individual meetings with the American negotiating team.

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted a telephone conversation on April 29 to discuss possibilities for a ceasefire arrangement.

Russian authorities declared a temporary halt to hostilities for May 8-9, coinciding with their commemoration of the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany and the staging of a military parade in Moscow, which holds particular importance for the Kremlin.

Ukrainian officials stated that Russia’s ceasefire proposal was solely intended to safeguard its parade activities, citing concerns about potential Ukrainian drone strikes, and countered with an indefinite ceasefire proposal beginning May 6.

Both proposals were rejected by the opposing sides. Russian leadership warned of potential strikes against central Kyiv if Ukraine launched attacks on Moscow. Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of ceasefire violations and indicated they would respond in kind to Russian military actions.

VIENNA – Austrian law enforcement confirmed Thursday that three individuals lost their lives in a deadly incident that occurred near a dining establishment in the city of Linz, with authorities successfully recovering the weapon used in the attack.

A police representative confirmed the fatalities but refused to provide additional details about the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Local media outlet Kronen Zeitung has reported that the incident involved gunfire, with initial accounts suggesting a man fatally shot two women before taking his own life.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the events that led to the tragic deaths in the Austrian city.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia on Thursday of breaking a temporary ceasefire that Kyiv had suggested, warning that Ukraine will maintain its long-distance attacks if Moscow continues its military operations.

The Ukrainian leader had suggested the pause beginning May 6 as a counter to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s own ceasefire proposal for May 8-9, which would align with Russia’s World War Two victory celebrations.

Russia never officially agreed to honor Ukraine’s ceasefire suggestion.

According to Zelenskyy, Russian military units launched drone attacks, missile bombardments, artillery fire, and ground assaults across battle lines from the early morning hours Thursday.

A day earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova announced that Moscow had advised diplomatic offices to leave Kyiv due to potential large-scale strikes in retaliation for Ukrainian efforts to disrupt Victory Day ceremonies.

Ukrainian air defense reported shooting down 92 out of 102 incoming drones from 6 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday morning. Russian officials claimed their air defense systems eliminated 32 drones targeting Moscow since Thursday began.

“In a mirror response to Russian strikes, we will continue our long-range sanctions. And in response to Russia’s willingness to move toward diplomacy, we will proceed along the path of diplomacy,” Zelenskyy stated.

Ukrainian military units have stepped up operations against Russia’s defense manufacturing facilities and power infrastructure, focusing heavily on petroleum facilities to undermine Moscow’s primary war funding source.

Thursday brought news of Ukrainian drone strikes against a Lukoil refinery in Perm, located near the Ural Mountains, according to Kyiv’s drone unit commander. This marked the second assault on that facility within eight days.

Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian forces recently hit locations in Russia’s Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg regions, reaching targets almost 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s borders.

“There is a need to establish peace, rather than running around the world’s capitals begging for a pause on May 9. We need peace,” Zelenskyy declared.

LONDON – Counter-terrorism authorities in Britain have taken a 19-year-old man into custody Thursday in connection with an attempted firebombing at a synagogue in north London last month, according to police officials.

The suspect faces charges of attempted arson and is being held in police custody. The case stems from an early morning incident on April 15 at a religious facility in Finchley, located in north London, where authorities report no property damage occurred and no one was hurt.

Two other individuals were previously detained the same day as the attack – a 38-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man, both facing charges of arson with intent to endanger life. Police have since released both suspects on bail with a requirement to return in July.

According to authorities, Counter Terrorism Policing London is spearheading the investigation, which connects to a broader probe examining multiple arson incidents that have occurred throughout London recently.

ATHENS, Greece — The nation that gave birth to democracy is taking steps to ensure artificial intelligence remains under human control through groundbreaking constitutional amendments.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the sweeping constitutional updates on Thursday, describing them as essential protections for coming generations amid worldwide worries about AI’s potential threats to democratic institutions and human welfare.

“It’s very important that, in this process of constitutional revision, we take care of the world that will host our children,” Mitsotakis told lawmakers from his governing center-right party.

Under the proposed constitutional language, artificial intelligence would be mandated to “serve the freedom of the individual and the prosperity of society, ensuring that risks are mitigated and that the advantages it provides are fully realized.”

The comprehensive revisions extend beyond AI concerns, encompassing expanded mail-in voting options, extending compulsory education from nine to eleven years, and prohibiting retroactive tax policies.

“These challenges already dominate today: from the climate crisis and protection of water resources to renewable energy sources, but above all the use of artificial intelligence,” the prime minister said. “This great revolution must also be constitutionally placed at the service of individual freedom and social well-being.”

The complex amendment procedure requires multiple votes across two consecutive parliamentary sessions and generally needs bipartisan backing to succeed.

Since recovering from a devastating economic collapse eight years ago, Greece has embraced technological innovation and AI implementation, modernizing border monitoring systems and overhauling its tax collection infrastructure.

The country now operates an extensive digital government platform that handles everything from divorce proceedings to purchasing tickets for professional soccer games.

Just last month, officials announced plans to completely prohibit social media access for anyone under 16 years old, describing the policy as an effort to push the European Union toward adopting comparable restrictions.

Legal scholars within Greece contend that constitutional mandates for AI are necessary because major private tech companies now possess sufficient data and influence to function without meaningful government supervision.

Evripidis Stylianidis, the administration’s primary legislator handling the constitutional updates, described the amendments as long-term safeguards for AI deployment.

“Many issues today are defined at the international level,” he told state radio Thursday. “The protection and proper use of artificial intelligence touches all human rights in daily life and is something that must concern us in the constitutional revision.”

MOSCOW, May 7 – The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Armenia on Thursday of being pulled into what Moscow characterizes as the European Union’s sphere of influence that opposes Russian interests.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova’s remarks highlight the deteriorating relationship between the two nations, who were once strong allies, following Armenian criticism that Russia failed to defend it against neighboring Azerbaijan.

During a press briefing, Zakharova stated that Armenia’s government is allowing the country to embrace what she termed “aggressive Euro-Atlantic standards.”

“Such a course will inevitably lead to negative political and economic consequences for Armenia,” she said in a briefing.

In recent years, Armenia has worked to strengthen its relationship with the European Union, most recently by hosting the European Political Community summit in its capital Yerevan on May 4, followed by an EU-Armenia summit that brought over 40 European leaders to the city.

The relationship between Moscow and Armenia, which houses several Russian military installations, has deteriorated significantly since Azerbaijan used military force to reclaim the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region in September 2023, despite Russian peacekeeping forces being stationed in the area.

The United Arab Emirates has been secretly transporting oil tankers through the volatile Strait of Hormuz with their tracking systems turned off to evade potential Iranian strikes, according to industry insiders and maritime data.

These covert operations represent just a small portion of the UAE’s normal oil export volumes before the current U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran began. However, they highlight the dangerous lengths that oil producers and purchasers will go to in order to maintain crude sales amid regional turmoil. Meanwhile, other Gulf nations including Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar have either stopped exports entirely, slashed prices dramatically to attract reluctant buyers, or shifted to Red Sea shipping routes like Saudi Arabia.

During April, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company successfully moved at least 4 million barrels of Upper Zakum crude and 2 million barrels of Das crude using four tankers departing from Gulf terminals, according to three industry sources and data from maritime tracking firms Kpler and SynMax.

The oil shipments were handled through various methods: some cargo was transferred ship-to-ship to vessels bound for Southeast Asian refineries, other loads went into Omani storage facilities, while some tankers sailed directly to South Korean processing plants, the sources revealed.

This marks the first time Reuters has documented this export system in operation.

ADNOC representatives chose not to provide comments regarding these shipments.

Iran’s response to the U.S.-Israeli military actions that started February 28 has essentially blocked the Strait of Hormuz to all exports except their own, trapping approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies. This blockade, combined with a U.S. embargo that has stopped Iranian exports recently, has driven global oil prices above $100 per barrel.

Since the conflict began, ADNOC has been forced to reduce exports by over 1 million barrels daily from the 3.1 million barrels per day shipped in the previous year, according to Kpler tracking data. The majority of its exports consist of Murban grade oil transported via pipeline from inland fields to Fujairah.

DANGEROUS VOYAGES

These ADNOC shipments face the constant threat of Iranian attacks. This danger became evident when the UAE accused Iran on Monday of using drone strikes against an empty ADNOC vessel, the Barakah, while it traveled through the Strait of Hormuz.

The tankers operate with their automatic identification transponders switched off, decreasing the likelihood of detection by Iranian military forces. This same strategy is regularly used by Iran to circumvent U.S. sanctions on their oil exports.

This tracking blackout also complicates efforts to monitor the complete volume of ADNOC’s Gulf exports through standard shipping databases, suggesting April’s actual shipment totals could be even higher.

However, Kpler records showed the very large crude carrier Hafeet took on 2 million barrels of Upper Zakum crude within the Gulf on April 7 and successfully passed through the strait by April 15.

Beyond the strait, this cargo was moved to the Greek-registered VLCC Olympic Luck between April 17-18 and transported to Malaysia’s Pengerang refinery, a partnership between Malaysia’s state oil company Petronas and Saudi Aramco, based on Kpler and SynMax analysis.

The Hafeet operates under ADNOC’s Logistics and Services division, which declined comment. Greece-based Olympic Shipping & Management, operators of the Olympic Luck, and Petronas did not respond to comment requests.

Breaking up oil shipments through ship-to-ship transfers enables ADNOC to market smaller cargo lots and allows the large tankers to return quickly to Gulf terminals for additional loading.

One divided Upper Zakum cargo that reached a Northeast Asian refinery sold at an unprecedented premium of $20 per barrel above ADNOC’s official pricing, according to the directly informed source.

For Abu Dhabi’s Das crude variety, the VLCC Aliakmon I collected 2 million barrels on April 27 and cleared the strait by May 2, delivering to Oman’s Ras Markaz storage facility on May 3, Kpler data indicated.

Kpler and SynMax also tracked two Suezmax vessels — the Odessa and Zouzou N. — each carrying 1 million barrels of Upper Zakum crude, heading toward South Korea after strait passage.

All three vessels operate under Greece-based Dynacom Tankers Management. The identity of who chartered these Dynacom tankers remains unclear, and the company did not respond to comment requests.

ADNOC plans to maintain oil sales from within the strait, informing select customers in late April that they could receive Das and Upper Zakum crude starting in May through ship-to-ship transfers at ports beyond the Gulf, including Fujairah and Oman’s Sohar.

The company is currently negotiating with Asian refineries to market May-loading Das and Upper Zakum shipments, according to the source with direct knowledge of ADNOC’s strategy and an Indian refining contact, who requested anonymity as they lack authorization to speak with media.

Two former Chinese defense ministers have received death sentences with two-year reprieves following corruption convictions, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua, highlighting the extensive reach of President Xi Jinping’s military anti-corruption campaign.

Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, both former defense ministers, were handed the sentences Thursday as part of a sweeping purge that has targeted China’s military leadership since Xi assumed power in 2012. The anti-corruption drive has particularly focused on the military’s elite Rocket Force, responsible for both nuclear and conventional missile operations, beginning in 2023.

The crackdown has intensified this year, resulting in the dismissal of Zhang Youxia, the top-ranking general in the People’s Liberation Army and a Politburo member who was previously considered a close Xi ally.

According to previous Xinhua reporting, Li faced accusations of accepting “huge sums of money” through bribes while also paying bribes to others. Investigators determined he “did not fulfil political responsibilities” and “sought personnel benefits for himself and others”.

Wei’s 2023 investigation revealed he had taken “a huge amount of money and valuables” as bribes and “helped others gain improper benefits in personnel arrangements”, Xinhua reported in 2024. The news agency described his conduct as “extremely serious in nature, with a highly detrimental impact and tremendous harm”.

Under China’s legal system, death sentences with reprieve are generally converted to life imprisonment when defendants avoid additional criminal activity during the reprieve period.

Following such commutation, prisoners serve life terms without any possibility of additional sentence reductions or parole, Xinhua explained.

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, China’s continued military corruption investigations are creating significant gaps in command leadership and likely affecting the preparedness of the country’s rapidly advancing military forces.

The leaders of South Korea and the Netherlands conducted their first official phone conversation on May 7, reaching agreements to strengthen partnerships across several cutting-edge technology sectors, according to an announcement from Seoul’s presidential Blue House.

During the call, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten committed to enhancing collaboration in multiple high-tech industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence development, quantum computing research, battery technology, and offshore wind energy projects.

The discussion marks the beginning of formal cooperation efforts between the two nations in these strategic technology areas that are increasingly important to global economic competitiveness.

BEIJING – A Chinese-owned oil tanker became the target of an unprecedented attack near one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes this week, according to reports from Chinese media outlet Caixin.

The large refined-products vessel was struck on May 4th while operating near Al Jeer Port in the United Arab Emirates, positioned at the gateway to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The incident resulted in flames erupting across the ship’s deck, with the vessel clearly displaying “CHINA OWNER & CREW” markings.

According to Caixin’s Thursday report, this marks a historic first for Chinese maritime operations in the region. A source familiar with the shipping company’s operations described the attack as “psychologically very hard to accept,” highlighting the significance of this unprecedented targeting of a Chinese oil tanker.

The Strait of Hormuz serves as a crucial chokepoint for global oil shipments, making any attacks in the area particularly concerning for international energy markets and maritime security.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva traveled to the White House Thursday in an effort to rebuild diplomatic ties with President Donald Trump and prevent additional trade penalties on Brazilian goods, according to three sources familiar with the Brazilian leader’s plans.

The meeting aims to capitalize on what Trump previously described as their “excellent chemistry” while addressing ongoing trade disputes and exploring cooperation on critical minerals and crime fighting efforts.

“We don’t know if the visit will help,” a Brazilian official involved in organizing the meeting said. “But it’s more likely to help than doing nothing.”

Trade tensions escalated last year when Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods – among the steepest penalties placed on any U.S. imports. The former president accused Brazil of conducting what he called a witch-hunt against far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, who was subsequently found guilty of attempting to undermine democratic institutions.

Trump later rolled back most of these trade penalties, including those affecting Brazilian beef and coffee imports, partly to help reduce rising food costs for American consumers. The U.S. Supreme Court eliminated many remaining tariffs in February by overturning global levies Trump had implemented using emergency powers.

However, Brazilian exports continue to face an additional 10% penalty set to end in July. Recent developments suggest Brazil could face new tariffs stemming from a Section 301 probe into alleged unfair trading practices.

Trade disagreements persist over digital commerce policies, with Brazil opposing a U.S.-supported World Trade Organization proposal to maintain an e-commerce tariff freeze. Brazil also maintains high import duties on certain American products, including ethanol.

The U.S. Trade Representative’s office recently claimed that nearly half of Brazil’s timber shipments originate from illegal logging operations. The Lula government disputes this allegation, pointing to record-low deforestation numbers under their administration.

Brazilian representatives grew concerned about potential new tariffs following a meeting with U.S. Commerce Department officials two weeks ago. Participants noted that American officials asked minimal questions during the discussions, suggesting the investigation was designed to justify tariffs rather than resolve trade concerns.

“What they are doing is building a case, even if unfounded, to justify the later adoption of tariffs,” one Brazilian official explained.

CRITICAL MINERALS

Relations began improving last September during the U.N. General Assembly when Trump made his “chemistry” comment, partly acknowledging Brazil’s extensive reserves of essential minerals, according to Monica de Bolle, a Brazilian economist and senior fellow at the Peterson Institute of International Economics.

The Trump administration’s goal of establishing a supply chain for rare earth elements needed in high-tech manufacturing will likely help keep Lula’s visit productive, she noted.

“On the part of the U.S., they are looking for some kind of deal – whatever that happens to be – on critical minerals and rare earths with Brazil,” de Bolle explained. “The U.S. actually needs something from Lula.”

The Lula administration doesn’t anticipate reaching a critical minerals agreement, sources close to the president indicated, as officials have struggled to reach consensus on even a basic understanding. Brazil demands that minerals undergo domestic processing, while the U.S. seeks price protection mechanisms to prevent China from using market dominance to undercut Western competitors. Negotiations remain unclear, lacking specific investment amounts, production targets, or implementation schedules.

American investments, particularly USA Rare Earth’s $2.8 billion purchase of Serra Verde’s rare earth mining assets, are moving forward without established regulatory guidelines, creating uncertainty in Brazil.

Nevertheless, both Trump and Lula benefit from demonstrating their ability to collaborate, meaning even a basic framework could be presented as successful.

“The bar is actually kind of low for both of them,” Bolle observed.

ORGANIZED CRIME

Additional tensions exist over White House efforts to classify Latin American criminal organizations as terrorist groups.

The Lula administration seeks to prevent such designation for domestic gangs PCC and Comando Vermelho, as this could authorize U.S. military intervention in Brazil or sanctions against financial institutions that inadvertently conduct business with gang members.

Such action could have “repercussions for the Brazilian economy, the productive sector, and the financial system,” Federal Police chief Andrei Rodrigues told reporters in March.

Instead, Lula plans to propose enhanced cooperation on organized crime, money laundering, and weapons trafficking.

“I don’t think we will be able to sign anything because we sent it very recently,” said one official involved in preparing the proposal.

Moscow’s defense forces intercepted 347 Ukrainian drones during an extensive nighttime assault, Russian military officials announced Thursday, marking what appears to be a substantial offensive following Russia’s rejection of a ceasefire proposal earlier this week as tensions escalate before Russia’s Victory Day commemorations.

The intercepted aircraft targeted 20 different Russian territories, including the capital city, defense officials reported, representing Ukraine’s second-largest aerial offensive since Russia began its full-scale invasion over four years ago. The most extensive previous attack occurred in March when Ukraine deployed 389 drones.

The strike preceded Russia’s most significant national holiday, commemorating the end of World War II and Nazi Germany’s defeat. Russian leadership had announced a unilateral halt to military operations in Ukraine for Friday and Saturday.

Ukraine had initially agreed to pause hostilities starting Tuesday at midnight. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Moscow ignored this peaceful gesture and continued launching attacks.

“Russia has not stopped any type of its military activity. Unfortunately, it has not stopped. Ukraine will act symmetrically,” Zelenskyy said in his regular evening video address Wednesday.

Tensions have escalated as Russia’s Victory Day observances draw near while U.S.-sponsored peace initiatives remain stalled.

Moscow will disable all mobile internet connectivity and text messaging on May 9, state media announced Thursday, according to the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media.

Additionally, the traditional Moscow parade will exclude its customary display of tanks, missiles and other military hardware for the first time in almost twenty years.

Russian officials express concern about potential Ukrainian strikes, as Kyiv has enhanced its long-distance drone and missile technology.

The Russian Defense Ministry referenced the “current operational situation” when explaining the decision to remove military equipment. Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov attributed the reduced celebrations and heightened Moscow security to Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of “terrorist activity,” apparently referring to the drone attacks.

The communication restrictions will affect websites on Russia’s designated “white list,” a collection of government-approved online platforms maintained during the nation’s frequent internet blackouts.

Residential internet and Wi-Fi connections will remain operational, authorities confirmed.

Ukraine’s defensive systems eliminated 92 of 102 drones that Russia deployed overnight, military sources reported.

Russia continues to hold a substantial drone advantage, frequently launching hundreds in individual strikes.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Tehran announced Thursday it is examining fresh American proposals to conclude their ongoing conflict, while President Donald Trump warned Iran of intensified military strikes if negotiations fail to produce an agreement that reopens the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor.

International markets showed optimism Thursday over prospects that the two-month conflict might conclude soon, despite U.S. forces targeting an Iranian oil tanker that attempted to break through the American naval blockade of Iranian ports just hours before. These events came after days of inconsistent communication from the Trump administration regarding its approach to ending the hostilities.

Trump announced on social media that the two-month conflict could conclude soon and that disrupted oil and natural gas deliveries might resume. However, he stated this outcome depends on Iran accepting a reported deal he chose not to elaborate on.

“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump wrote.

A tentative ceasefire between Washington and Tehran has mostly remained intact since April 8. However, face-to-face negotiations between both nations, facilitated by Pakistan last month, failed to produce an accord. The conflict commenced February 28, when the United States and Israel conducted strikes against Iran.

“We expect an agreement sooner rather than later,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated Thursday. “We hope the parties will reach a peaceful and sustainable solution that will contribute not only to peace in our region but to international peace as well.”

However, he refused to provide a specific timeframe, stating Pakistan would not reveal details of the continuing diplomatic initiatives.

“What I can tell you and this is what I have stated before that we remain positive, we remain optimist, and we hope the settlement will be soon rather than later,” he said.

When questioned whether Pakistan anticipated any response from Iran later Thursday, Andrabi responded: “I will not comment on specifics or the movement of the messages.”

The Trump administration’s communication during the Iran conflict has been inconsistent and frequently conflicting. This week, the president and his advisors presented a confusing account of U.S. strategy to clear the Strait of Hormuz and conclude the war that dramatically evolved within just hours.

Iran has essentially blocked the strait, a critical passage for transporting oil, gas, fertilizer and other petroleum goods, while the United States maintains a blockade of Iranian ports.

On Wednesday, an American fighter aircraft disabled the steering mechanism of an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman as it attempted to break the American blockade, according to U.S. Central Command’s social media announcement.

Trump maintained Wednesday that Iranian leadership desires to conclude the war.

“We’re dealing with people that want to make a deal very much, and we’ll see whether or not they can make a deal that’s satisfactory to us,” the president said.

He indicated the United States could eventually impose a resolution.

“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump posted on social media, “and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”

The White House believes it is close to reaching an accord with Iran on a single-page document to end the war, according to Axios reporting. Terms include halting Iranian uranium enrichment, removing U.S. sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian assets and reopening the strait for vessels.

The White House did not immediately respond to inquiries about the potential accord.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei informed state television that Tehran had “strongly rejected” U.S. proposals reported by Axios, but confirmed it was still reviewing the most recent American proposal.

Trump has attempted to intensify pressure on Tehran after halting on Tuesday a brief U.S. initiative, called Project Freedom, designed to establish safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Only two American-flagged commercial ships are confirmed to have transited the U.S.-protected route after it opened Monday. The U.S. military reported destroying six Iranian small vessels that threatened civilian ships.

Hundreds of commercial vessels remain trapped in the Persian Gulf, unable to reach open waters without traversing the Strait of Hormuz. The strait’s closure has caused fuel costs to surge, disrupted the global economy and created massive economic strain on nations, including major powers like China.

Hapag-Lloyd, among the world’s largest shipping corporations, announced in a statement that the strait’s closure costs approximately $60 million weekly, with increasing fuel and insurance expenses creating particular hardship.

On Thursday, Brent crude oil prices stabilized around $100 per barrel as investors awaited news on whether the strait would reopen.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday that France’s aircraft carrier battle group was advancing into the Red Sea to prepare for a potential French-British operation to restore maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz when circumstances permit.

China’s foreign minister requested a complete ceasefire Wednesday following his Beijing meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Wang Yi expressed his country was “deeply distressed” by the conflict.

China’s strong economic and political connections to Tehran provide it with a distinctive influential position. The Trump administration is urging China to leverage that relationship to encourage the Islamic Republic to reopen the strait.

Araghchi’s China visit occurred before Trump’s planned Beijing trip, where he is scheduled to participate in a prominent summit on May 14-15 with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump was the most recent U.S. president to visit China in 2017.

Araghchi informed Iranian state television that his visit included conversations about the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions imposed on Tehran.

Trump has insisted on a significant reduction of Tehran’s controversial nuclear program.

President Donald Trump will travel to Beijing next week for a pivotal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit by an American leader to China in nearly ten years. The May 14-15 summit comes as both nations work to manage growing tensions over trade disputes, Taiwan, and the ongoing Iran conflict.

Business leaders and policy experts aren’t anticipating major diplomatic breakthroughs during the visit, though smaller agreements like extending the October trade agreement could emerge from the discussions.

TRADE NEGOTIATIONS TAKE CENTER STAGE

With November’s midterm elections approaching, Trump is expected to push for significant trade concessions from Beijing. Both nations are developing a Board of Trade framework designed to identify products that could increase bilateral trade while protecting national security interests and supply chains.

Under consideration are Chinese purchases of American poultry, beef, and various non-soybean agricultural products, along with a commitment to buy 25 million metric tons of soybeans annually for the next three years. Washington also seeks Chinese investment in Boeing aircraft, coal, oil, and natural gas.

A major Boeing deal has been under negotiation for years, with industry insiders suggesting it could involve 500 737 MAX aircraft plus multiple wide-body planes. According to Dennis Wilder, a former CIA China analyst now at Georgetown University, the agreement has been delayed due to Trump’s threats to restrict critical engine parts exports to China.

TECHNOLOGY AND RARE EARTH DISPUTES

China wants the United States to relax restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports and has expressed concerns about legislation that would limit critical chip manufacturing equipment access. Conversely, the U.S. is demanding China allow rare earth and critical mineral shipments to American companies, as Chinese export controls have significantly disrupted U.S. automotive and aerospace production.

Both countries have recently implemented new economic pressure tactics ahead of the talks. In March, Washington launched investigations into alleged Chinese industrial overcapacity and forced labor practices. The Treasury Department sanctioned a Chinese refinery in April for purchasing Iranian oil and warned of secondary sanctions on Chinese banks facilitating such transactions.

China has responded with legal countermeasures. Premier Li Qiang approved new regulations in April giving authorities broad powers to investigate foreign companies, governments, and individuals attempting to relocate supply chains away from China. These rules could also serve as retaliation against Western sanctions on Chinese businesses abroad.

IRAN CONFLICT DISCUSSIONS

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the presidents will address the Iran war, calling on China to “join us in this international operation” to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open for global shipping.

Beijing considers the conflict Washington’s responsibility to resolve, though the war threatens China’s energy supplies and could damage relationships with Gulf nations. While China worked quietly to facilitate Iran-U.S. peace talks in Pakistan last month, experts believe Beijing won’t appear to be following Trump’s directives.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi visited Beijing this week, briefing Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the U.S. discussions.

TAIWAN REMAINS FLASHPOINT

During a recent conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Wang emphasized Taiwan’s critical importance to China, calling the democratically governed island “the biggest point of risk” in bilateral relations. Wang stated the U.S. should “keep its promises and make the right choices in order to open up new space for China-U.S. cooperation.”

China maintains territorial claims over Taiwan and hasn’t ruled out military force to achieve control. Taiwan firmly rejects these claims, asserting only its people can determine the island’s future.

Sources familiar with summit preparations indicate Beijing has privately urged the Trump administration to modify U.S. language regarding Taiwan independence, similar to requests Xi made to former President Joe Biden during their 2024 meeting.

At that summit, Xi requested Biden change the U.S. position to state “we oppose Taiwan independence” instead of the current phrasing that America “does not support” Taiwan independence.

Even minor changes in American language could influence Beijing’s perception of U.S. commitment to supporting Taiwan and raise new concerns about Washington’s security guarantees throughout Asia.

Rising diesel costs stemming from the Iran conflict are pushing Chinese companies to rapidly embrace electric heavy trucks, creating a significant shift in the world’s largest oil-importing nation.

The transition from diesel to electric commercial vehicles has gained remarkable momentum, with electric heavy trucks capturing nearly one-third of new truck sales in 2025. This growth has been fueled by government incentives, affordable charging options, and an expanding network of charging stations. Much of last year’s expansion occurred in the final quarter as purchasers rushed to take advantage of trade-in subsidies they believed would soon expire.

This year has started with similar enthusiasm, as new-energy heavy truck sales – predominantly electric models – jumped 45% compared to the same period last year, reaching 44,000 units. These vehicles now represent more than 25% of the segment, a notable increase from under 20% in the previous year, according to CVWorld.cn data.

CVWorld.cn projects April sales of electric heavy trucks will climb 30%, driven by typical seasonal increases and elevated oil costs.

“The war has driven up domestic fuel prices in China, which will inevitably accelerate the replacement of traditional trucks,” explained Min Ji, senior analyst at S&P Global Mobility. The firm plans to increase its electric truck sales projections later this month.

Currently offering approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) of range, electric heavy trucks primarily serve short-distance routes connecting industrial facilities and transportation centers. However, long-haul capabilities are expanding, with manufacturers like Sany developing trucks capable of traveling up to 600 kilometers.

The widespread adoption of electric passenger vehicles combined with the rapid deployment of electric and liquefied natural gas trucks has ended decades of increasing diesel and gasoline consumption in China. Most industry experts anticipate the country’s oil demand will reach its peak by 2030.

Several energy consulting firms now predict diesel usage will decline more rapidly than previously anticipated.

GL Consulting forecasts diesel consumption will drop 4.3% this year, compared to their pre-conflict projection of a 4.1% decrease. Rystad Energy expects diesel demand to fall 5% this year, surpassing their earlier 4% decline forecast, representing an additional reduction of roughly 40,000 barrels daily.

The economic case for electric trucks has strengthened significantly since retail diesel prices in China surged 27% following the Iran conflict’s start on February 28, reaching levels not seen since peak prices four years ago.

While electric heavy trucks cost over 500,000 yuan ($73,500) in China compared to more than 300,000 yuan for diesel models, buyers can reduce nearly half this price difference through a trade-in program extended until year-end in April.

Operating costs for electric trucks are substantially lower. GL Consulting calculates that total lifetime expenses for an electric truck – including purchase price, fuel, and operating costs over 1 million kilometers – equals half that of a comparable diesel truck at current fuel rates.

These cost advantages are also fueling an export surge to Europe, the world’s second-largest electric truck market, though it significantly trails China. In 2024, China sold 160,000 electric trucks while European sales totaled fewer than 25,000, according to International Energy Agency data.

Reuters reported in March that at least twelve Chinese manufacturers, including leading brand Sany, intend to begin European sales this year at prices up to one-third below current European averages.

Domestically, Sany had already anticipated accelerated diesel truck replacement in 2025, optimistically projecting the electric tractor truck market would expand 50% to 250,000 units, Deputy General Manager Chen Dong told Reuters in April.

“So far, given rising oil prices, the chances of achieving this target are increasing,” Chen stated.

JAKARTA – Seven residents from Indonesia’s flood-ravaged Sumatra region took legal action Thursday against their government, filing a lawsuit that demands national disaster designation for three provinces still struggling with recovery efforts.

The legal documents were submitted to Indonesia’s state administrative court on Thursday, targeting the country’s president, environment minister, forestry minister, agriculture minister, and the director of the national disaster mitigation agency, according to petitioner Diki Rafiqi.

The lawsuit centers on the government’s failure to declare national disaster status for Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces, where reconstruction work has ground to a halt due to insufficient provincial funding.

“Many residents still do not have temporary houses … This is the most basic thing and it’s due to the local government’s limited financial capacity,” Rafiqi explained to Reuters.

Under Indonesian law, national disaster designation would require the central government to allocate federal funds for rebuilding efforts, including temporary shelters and permanent housing for displaced families.

The petitioners are also seeking an immediate halt to new permits for forest use, mining operations, and plantation development until environmental restoration is complete across the three provinces. Additionally, they want existing permits in these industries reviewed and potentially revoked.

The devastating floods and landslides, triggered by cyclonic storms last year, claimed at least 1,200 lives and destroyed or damaged approximately 300,000 homes throughout the region.

Environmental organizations have pointed to widespread deforestation across Sumatra as a contributing factor that worsened the natural disaster’s impact on local communities.

NAIROBI, Kenya — The term ‘goonism’ has become the buzzword dominating Kenya’s political landscape, as leaders across the spectrum use it to describe the intimidation tactics employed by gangs targeting political opponents.

President William Ruto’s supporters invoke the term when discussing political violence they claim authorities will not permit. Meanwhile, opposition leaders use the same word to criticize what they view as Ruto’s harsh and questionable campaign strategies as he pursues a second term in next year’s elections.

The situation has created what appears to be competing accusations of goonism in this East African country, where the battle for political control is intensifying with an increasingly dangerous atmosphere.

Many Kenyans now question whether Ruto remains true to the religious principles he championed before assuming office in 2022.

The president had promised to build a born-again Christian society that would fear God and live in harmony with itself.

However, during his presidency, he seems to have gained from the disorder that has become a nationwide problem, as faith leaders and politicians warn that political violence is undermining democratic progress. His opponents argue that this turmoil stems partly from Ruto’s inflexible leadership approach.

During a recent Sunday service, preacher Wilfred Lai shouted, “Goons, goons, goons,” while expressing dismay about Kenya’s current state. “Everyone who wants to rule this country by that kind of thing, I speak as a prophet of God: You shall fall.”

He continued: “You can’t use goons and you are telling us that you are taking us into a better place. You are a liar and the truth is not in you.”

While Lai, who leads a megachurch in the coastal city of Mombasa, never specifically named Ruto during his sermon, many Kenyans believe the president was his target, especially after portions of the message circulated online.

Lai was among the evangelical ministers who supported Ruto during his time as vice president when he sought to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, who had not endorsed him. During that period, Ruto was widely regarded as a devout political figure.

Ruto positioned himself as a champion of the underprivileged and working class people who earned their living through physical labor. The leader, known by the nickname “Nabii” (Kiswahili for “God’s prophet”), claimed his political success came through divine favor, contrasting himself with opponents he characterized as privileged offspring of political dynasties. Ruto secured victory in a closely contested race.

However, many supporters believe Ruto transformed immediately after winning the presidency.

While he maintained his Sunday church attendance, observers noted he stopped carrying his Bible and rarely quoted scripture. His decision to tear down a chapel on the statehouse grounds to build a modern replacement drew criticism from some as self-serving. Others felt betrayed by Ruto’s harsh income tax policies implemented shortly after his inauguration.

Thousands of young demonstrators filled Nairobi’s streets, forcing officials to retract certain tax proposals, though public frustration remained high. Ruto later confronted additional protests following the death of a blogger while in police custody.

While the demonstrations did not succeed in ousting Ruto, they weakened his position and motivated him to display strength. Though his standing remains unstable before next year’s election, some opponents acknowledge his shrewdness and continued difficulty in defeating him.

Following protesters’ breach of the parliamentary building in 2024, Ruto promised such an incident would never recur. Last year, when confronted by demonstrators carrying signs reading “Ruto must go,” the president instructed police to “break” protesters’ limbs and declared he would not step down.

“If we go this route, we will not have a country,” Ruto stated during a televised speech. “The country belongs to all of us. And if there’s no country for William Ruto, there’s no country for you.”

Some interpreted this as an implied threat, and opposition leaders suspect the gangs appearing at their events receive government backing.

Prominent opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka told a local broadcaster: “We must say no, collectively, to the new specter, the new norm, of goonism. The goons are very well-known. So for anybody to pretend that it is the work of united opposition, he really must be ashamed, even before God, that this is state-sponsored.”

Armed groups carrying machetes and firearms can disrupt or prevent political gatherings from occurring. While opposition leaders blame authorities for encouraging violence, Interior Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen recently cautioned goons that “since the politician won’t be with you when you commit the crime, we’ll come for you.”

Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, an ally of Ruto, declared last month that “the culture of goonism has no place in a democratic society.”

A significant incident occurred last month when an opposition legislator from western Kenya was attacked in a restaurant by men challenging his political beliefs. Senator Godfrey Osotsi sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment. The assault triggered demonstrations in his home region and drew condemnation from religious leaders.

Ruto continues pursuing support from church leaders, whose influence spans social networks, as he works to maintain power. His Sunday worship location choices remain unpredictable. Sometimes religious leaders, ranging from Methodist to Pentecostal ministers, gather around him at the statehouse.

Other faith leaders remain critical, recently angered by insults exchanged between Ruto and his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, who broke with the president, faced impeachment, and now heads the Wantam movement aimed at limiting Ruto to one term.

Their verbal battles can be bitter.

In March, after Gachagua labeled Ruto a thief who would steal from a funeral home, the president called Gachagua a “cold-blooded pig” who stole from his brother.

Days afterward, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, head of the local Catholic bishops’ conference, criticized both Ruto and Gachagua during a bishops’ meeting. “Disagreement is OK, but insulting each other in public is a disgrace,” Muhatia stated. “Give us a break.”

Kenyan elections typically involve considerable conflict. A violent group called Mungiki contributed to deadly violence following the 2007 election.

There is a widespread feeling this time that more is on the line, with a president unwilling to retreat. Some fear Ruto is approaching authoritarianism, unlike his recent predecessors.

Kenyatta, Kenya’s fourth president, was an affable leader who accepted internal opposition from Ruto during their shared service. Mwai Kibaki, whom Kenyatta succeeded, was a gentleman who once held a press conference to deny having a second wife.

Kenya’s current president differs significantly, and goonism represents “a product of gangster theology” with Ruto serving as its chief practitioner, according to Christine Mungai, an independent writer based in Nairobi.

Ruto has perfected “how to perform public piety” while simultaneously working “to make life harder for everyone,” she explained.

The identity of Ruto’s primary election challenger remains unclear. Possibilities include Musyoka or Fred Matiang’i, a former interior cabinet secretary. While Gachagua likely cannot seek the presidency following his impeachment, his support will be vital for the opposition.

If Ruto and opposition figures fail to moderate their language, “the election is going to be very bloody,” warned Karuti Kanyinga, a Kenyan development scholar serving as visiting professor at Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study in South Africa. “Everyone will have their own protection gangs.”

Philippine maritime authorities have leveled accusations against China, claiming Beijing is carrying out unauthorized scientific research activities in contested South China Sea waters near valuable oil and gas reserves at Reed Bank, officials announced Thursday.

Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, who leads the Philippine Coast Guard, declared: “We will continue to challenge any illegal activities that undermine our sovereignty and sovereign rights.”

During surveillance operations conducted Monday, Philippine Coast Guard aircraft observed the Chinese research ship Xiang Yang Hong 33 operating near Iroquois Reef. Maritime patrol crews witnessed the vessel launching a smaller service craft toward the reef area, which authorities say confirms ongoing unauthorized scientific activities in the region.

The patrol also documented the presence of one Chinese Coast Guard ship along with 13 vessels belonging to China’s maritime militia in the vicinity of the reef.

According to Philippine officials, the Chinese research vessel left port in China on April 15 and has since carried out operations near multiple disputed locations including Second Thomas Shoal, Sabina Shoal, Mischief Reef, and Jackson Atoll over recent weeks.

During the same surveillance mission, Philippine authorities tracked 28 Chinese maritime militia vessels positioned near Thitu island.

Manila maintains that China lacks proper authorization to conduct marine research in the area and considers the activities a breach of Philippine sovereign rights as well as violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

China’s embassy in Manila has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the allegations.

Leaders from Thailand and Cambodia are preparing for uncommon diplomatic discussions in the Philippines following last year’s fatal border conflicts, as both nations maintain a delicate ceasefire without any permanent settlement.

Military forces continue to be stationed along both sides of the contentious 508-mile border following confrontations in July and December, when minor skirmishes rapidly intensified into aerial bombardments and intense artillery exchanges.

The Philippines, currently hosting Association of Southeast Asian Nations gatherings on Cebu island, announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will supervise the discussions ahead of Friday’s leadership summit.

Speaking to media in Bangkok, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul explained the motivation behind the meeting. “They want an atmosphere for an ASEAN meeting that will go well,” he stated. “That’s why they want us to see each other.”

While Anutin declined to specify discussion topics, he pledged to firmly protect Thailand’s national interests. “I have to stand on principles during discussions,” he declared. “Any talks will have to be beneficial, protect Thai sovereignty and the public interest.”

The two rounds of combat resulted in nearly 150 fatalities and displaced at least 300,000 people, with each nation blaming the other for initiating hostilities.

The initial conflict ended in July after five days through intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump, who facilitated the signing of a military withdrawal agreement in October during an ASEAN summit.

However, Trump failed to prevent a second outbreak, despite claiming he had preserved the ceasefire, with battles continuing for 20 days before both countries bilaterally agreed to stop fighting.

Although combat has ceased, Cambodia has consistently charged Thailand with ceasefire breaches and territorial occupation in disputed border areas, allegations that Bangkok denies.

Kung Phoak, Cambodia’s foreign affairs secretary of state, said Wednesday that the three-way discussion demonstrates ASEAN’s commitment to addressing the dispute. “It shows that the chair is trying to bring us together and to resolve the issue,” he explained to reporters.

“We need to renounce the use and threat of force, and the solution has to be based on international law and existing treaties in agreement,” Phoak added.

The diplomatic meeting occurs during heightened tensions, following Thailand’s unilateral decision Tuesday to cancel an energy exploration agreement with Cambodia, ignoring appeals from its neighbor to maintain the 25-year-old arrangement.

Cambodia announced it had no alternative but to pursue formal resolution of competing territorial claims in the Gulf of Thailand through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea provisions.

BERLIN – A new political survey reveals that Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party has surged to a commanding lead in an eastern German state, positioning the controversial group to potentially control a regional government for the first time in the country’s modern history.

According to the infratest dimap polling data released Thursday, the Alternative for Germany now commands 41% voter support in Saxony Anhalt state, representing a two-point increase from previous surveys. This places the party significantly ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union, which sits at 26%, while the Social Democrats lag far behind at just 7%.

The polling results highlight growing voter dissatisfaction with Germany’s current federal coalition government, coming just one year into Merz’s tenure as chancellor. While the Alternative for Germany has historically performed strongest in former East German territories, the party now rivals the CDU in nationwide polling as well.

Political observers note that mainstream parties have refused to form coalitions with the Alternative for Germany, citing the party’s hardline immigration stance and advocacy for strengthened relationships with Russia. However, these traditional parties face mounting challenges in countering the far-right group’s appeal, particularly as economic uncertainty from Middle Eastern conflicts threatens Germany’s economic recovery.

The September 6th election could present significant coalition-building challenges if other parties maintain their opposition to working with the Alternative for Germany. Current polling shows the Left party at 12%, while both the Green party and the populist BSW party sit at 4% each – below the minimum threshold required for state parliament representation.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Santiago Peña, Paraguay’s president, touched down in Taiwan Thursday, marking his inaugural journey to the disputed island that China considers part of its territory.

As Taiwan’s sole remaining diplomatic ally in South America and among just 12 nations worldwide that maintain formal ties with Taipei, Paraguay finds itself at the center of an intensifying diplomatic struggle. Beijing has escalated efforts in recent years to convince Taiwan’s partners to switch their allegiance.

Despite maintaining robust commercial ties with China, Paraguay has consistently reinforced its diplomatic allegiance to Taiwan.

According to Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry, Peña is heading a business mission featuring representatives from agricultural and financial sectors during his Thursday through Sunday stay.

On Friday, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te plans to receive Peña with full military ceremonial honors.

This diplomatic visit unfolds against a backdrop of escalating Chinese aggression toward the island democracy, with Beijing routinely dispatching military aircraft and naval vessels near Taiwan’s borders almost daily.

Taiwan continues working to strengthen its global diplomatic footprint amid these challenges.

Just last week, Lai traveled to Eswatini, Taiwan’s final African diplomatic partner, after initially delaying the journey when multiple nations reportedly denied overflight permissions due to Chinese influence.

While Beijing neither confirmed nor refuted these claims, officials praised countries for upholding the “one China principle,” referencing China’s territorial assertions over Taiwan.

The two territories have operated under separate governments since 1949, following the Communist Party’s victory in Beijing after civil conflict. Defeated Nationalist forces retreated to Taiwan, which eventually evolved from military rule into a democratic system.

BEIJING — Beijing’s top foreign affairs official told American lawmakers Thursday that diplomatic relations between the two nations have remained generally steady, even amid significant challenges and setbacks over the past year.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks while hosting a bipartisan group of US Congress members, headed by Senator Steve Daines. Wang praised both President Xi Jinping and President Trump for providing crucial leadership during pivotal moments in the countries’ relationship.

“Over the past year, China-U.S. relations have gone through many twists and disruptions, but we have still managed to maintain overall stability,” Wang stated during the diplomatic meeting.

Senator Daines, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is a vocal Trump ally, echoed the sentiment and emphasized the need for continued cooperation between the superpowers.

“I strongly believe that we want to de-escalate, not decouple. We want stability, we want mutual respect,” Daines remarked.

The Montana senator also expressed optimism about potential economic benefits following next week’s presidential summit, noting “perhaps we could see some more Boeing airplanes purchased, which I know would be something we would like to see.”

Daines praised Beijing’s diplomatic efforts in Middle Eastern affairs, particularly highlighting China’s role in attempting to ease regional tensions and restore access to the Strait of Hormuz. He pointed to Wang’s Wednesday meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as evidence of China’s active involvement in regional diplomacy.

The discussions come as Trump prepares for his May 14-15 visit to China, with Washington urging Beijing to leverage its relationship with Iran to help reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20 percent of global oil shipments typically pass.

This marks Daines’ second diplomatic trip to China since Trump assumed office last year. His previous visit occurred in March 2025, during a period of heightened tensions over trade policies and efforts to combat the illegal fentanyl trafficking crisis.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has removed his top military commander and finance minister from their positions, according to state media reports released Wednesday evening from the capital city of Juba.

The leadership shake-up represents the most recent example of ongoing personnel changes within Kiir’s administration that experts believe demonstrate his attempts to strengthen control during a period of uncertain political succession.

General Paul Nang, who lost his position as army chief, had held the role since October. His leadership faced growing criticism as security conditions deteriorated throughout the nation. Finance Minister Salvatore Garang Mabiordit was also terminated after serving only since April 23.

To replace the military leader, Kiir has brought back General Santino Deng Wol, according to the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation. Wol, who comes from the same Bahr El Gazal region as the president, maintains close ties to Kiir and previously held the army chief position from 2020 through 2024.

The new finance minister will be Kuol Daniel Ayulo, a professional administrator with previous experience as an undersecretary in both the finance and trade ministries, state media announced.

The East African nation continues to face challenges in executing important reforms established in the 2018 peace deal that concluded five years of civil conflict, particularly combining military forces and conducting elections.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — When the beat drops at a Gaza refugee camp, young dancers take center stage, demonstrating their breakdancing skills with rapid spins and precise footwork. Two girls share excited smiles after successfully completing a challenging sequence.

These moments of joy offer precious relief from Gaza Strip’s difficult living conditions. The young performers practice their routines near twisted metal beams and debris piles, remnants of destroyed buildings. Their training takes place at a school located in the Nuseirat refugee camp, a densely populated area in central Gaza established during the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict.

“I come to this center because I discovered that I have a talent for breakdancing, and I also come here to release the negative energy inside me and to enjoy,” said Habiba Abu Khater, one of the children from around five to 14 years old who train at the school. She explained that after four years of classes, she feels proud of her improvement since beginning as a complete beginner.

Dance instructor Fayez Saraj explained that the facility, which opened in the camp in 2004, uses breakdancing, gymnastics, and contemporary dance to boost children’s confidence and support their emotional well-being.

These physical activities “help the child with psychological release, especially from the difficult situations we experienced during the years of war,” he said. “We have a significant role in … moving them from an atmosphere of depression and frustration to one of joy.”

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that Israel’s military campaign has resulted in over 72,600 Palestinian deaths, caused extensive infrastructure damage, and forced most residents from their homes.

The ministry, operating under Hamas leadership, keeps comprehensive casualty documentation that U.N. agencies and independent analysts consider generally credible. However, their figures don’t distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties.

Israel began its military response following the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas-led fighters, who killed approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and captured 251 others as hostages.

Although major combat operations have largely ended since the fragile ceasefire began on Oct. 10, fatal Israeli airstrikes continue to threaten the peace agreement. Both Hamas and Israel claim the other side has broken ceasefire terms. Gaza residents continue facing numerous daily hardships.

WARSAW, Poland — A community-driven soccer team established by Warsaw supporters nearly a decade ago continues its mission to combat hostile nationalist attitudes in Polish football stadiums, seeking renewed purpose as the country’s leadership embraces similar ideologies.

Established in 2015, AKS Zły — which stands for Alternatywny Klub Sportowy Zły, or Alternative Sports Club Evil — emerged when supporters from Warsaw’s primary teams Legia and Polonia united to challenge the aggressive atmosphere they witnessed at Polish football matches.

Operating with both male and female squads, the organization remains under democratic control by its supporter base.

“We decided to create a club that would be different, where all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, race or nationality, could feel good and welcome,” AKS Zły coordinator Jan Dziubecki told The Associated Press.

Dziubecki explained that Polish fan culture has “drifted sharply to the right and openly hateful slogans are common.”

Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki, who received support from the nationalist conservative Law and Justice party during his election victory last year, maintains strong ties to Lechia Gdańsk from the northern region and regularly attends their matches since assuming office.

When campaign reports surfaced about Nawrocki’s involvement in street confrontations between soccer supporters, he defended his actions by stating he had participated in numerous “noble” fights throughout his life.

Despite concerns that Nawrocki’s leadership could reinforce the fan attitudes AKS Zły opposes, Dziubecki believes it might generate the reverse outcome.

“Maybe more fans will come to our stadium again,” he said with a smile.

Juliusz Wrzosek, who owns the Offside bar in Warsaw’s Praga neighborhood, helped establish the club and can be found distributing tickets at stadium gates.

The longtime Legia Warszawa supporter explained how he was expelled from the team’s more extreme supporter section after declining to participate in chants honoring imprisoned individuals. Around the same time, his Polonia-supporting friends faced similar exclusion for comparable reasons, prompting them to establish their own organization.

“Because you have to support someone,” Wrzosek said.

Beyond serving as a gathering spot for AKS Zły supporters, his establishment hosts club social activities that frequently honor local Praga district history. This past March, the venue co-organized a tribute to Stefan Okrzeja, a socialist activist who championed Polish independence during the early 1900s.

“It bothered me that in Poland, a country with a great history of leftist and left-wing values, there isn’t a single club that is democratic, that doesn’t impose its own version of fan culture,” Wrzosek said.

During a recent women’s second division match, AKS Zły competed against a superior Słupca squad, yet supporters in the humble Praga stadium remained enthusiastic.

Fans performed welcoming songs for visiting teams while encouraging their players to score using drum accompaniment. Referee criticism stayed minimal and respectful.

“It’s not just empty words when you say that the fans are the 12th player, because it really helps and motivates you to give more,” former AKS Zły player and current supporter Eliza Górska-Tran told The Associated Press.

The 37-year-old Górska-Tran, who brought her wife and two small children to the match, emphasized the significance of the supportive network surrounding the club, which she helped manage following her playing career.

AKS Zły welcomes LGBTQ+ members and immigrant athletes. The organization maintains equal investment in both men’s and women’s teams. Within their youth academy, families with greater means assist in covering expenses for those with fewer resources.

Górska-Tran recalled how supporters organized a wedding celebration at the stadium following her Scottish marriage to her partner, since same-sex unions remain illegal in Poland.

“I also remember my last match before I got pregnant, it was an unforgettable experience,” she said. “There were flares, including rainbow-colored smoke, on the football pitch.”

Alicja Cichońska, currently in her seventh season with AKS Zły, explained that she chose the club after learning about its welcoming environment.

“Football should unite us all, not divide us, because there’s enough of that in society already,” she said.

BERLIN (AP) — On a rainy spring afternoon in Berlin, artist Gunter Demnig knelt down to embed a small brass memorial into the pavement at a bustling intersection. The plaque bore the inscription: “Johanna Berger, born in 1893, lived here; deported on Nov. 17, 1941, murdered on Nov. 25, 1941.”

As Demnig brushed away sand from Berger’s memorial and three others honoring her husband and sons, family members gathered around the brass squares known as Stolpersteine, or “stumbling blocks.” They laid white roses and spoke the Kaddish, the traditional Jewish mourning prayer, as city traffic continued around them.

Three decades have passed since Demnig first installed a memorial plaque in Germany’s capital. Today, more than 11,000 of these remembrance stones dot Berlin’s streets. The project extends far beyond the city limits — Demnig and his volunteer teams have positioned 126,000 memorial stones throughout Germany and 31 additional European nations.

The gleaming brass squares, set flush with sidewalk surfaces, create unexpected moments of reflection for pedestrians who pause to read the names of Holocaust victims. Young children frequently crouch down to examine the stones closely, prompting questions for their parents about the inscribed names and dates.

“My basic idea behind this was that wherever in Europe the German Wehrmacht, the SS, the Gestapo, and their local collaborators committed murders or carried out deportations, symbolic stones should be placed there,” the 78-year-old German artist explained during a Wednesday interview with The Associated Press.

Relatives of Holocaust victims often journey from distant countries to witness the installation ceremonies. For many families whose loved ones died in Nazi concentration camps without proper burials, these memorial stones represent the closest equivalent to a gravesite.

“The Stolpersteine are some kind of substitute for the missing gravestones,” explained Michael Tischler following Wednesday’s ceremony. The 72-year-old Berlin resident is Berger’s grandnephew, and several family members were killed during the Holocaust.

“I think this brings the family history to a certain conclusion, or at least a provisional one,” Tischler added.

Beyond providing comfort to victims’ families, the memorial stones have sparked community-driven historical research initiatives. Neighborhood groups, schools, and religious organizations collaborate to investigate their local areas’ wartime history.

Volunteers of all ages examine archived documents and study old residential records to identify former homes of Jews and other Nazi persecution targets, including communists, homosexuals, and Roma people. After confirming a victim’s previous address, communities organize installation ceremonies and commit to regularly cleaning the brass plaques to maintain their visibility.

At Wednesday’s second ceremony on Stierstraße, where many Jewish families once resided, several tenth-grade students from Friedrich-Bergius-Schule witnessed Demnig’s installation of three stones for the Krein family. The new memorials for Michael, Maria, and their daughter Dalila increased the street’s total to 62 Stolpersteine.

While Maria and Dalila successfully fled to the United States and British-controlled Palestine respectively, Michael, who worked as a musician, perished in Berlin during 1940 while performing forced labor under Nazi rule.

Sixteen-year-old student Sibilla Ehrlich observed as violinists performed somber music and elderly neighbors shared stories about the three Jewish family members’ experiences under Nazi persecution.

“It is just so horrible, all this the hatred of others,” she reflected. “I keep thinking: what if this had been my family.”

Prior to the Holocaust, Berlin housed Germany’s largest Jewish population. When the Nazis assumed power in 1933, approximately 160,500 Jewish residents lived in the city. By World War II’s conclusion in 1945, emigration and systematic extermination had reduced their numbers to roughly 7,000.

The Holocaust claimed the lives of approximately 6 million European Jews and other targeted groups.

As Germany marks the 81st anniversary of Allied liberation from Nazi rule on May 8, many citizens express concern about Holocaust memory preservation amid growing far-right political influence in the country.

Tischler shares these worries about Germany’s direction during a period of increasing antisemitism, but believes the memorial stones provide reason for optimism.

“I hope that these Stolpersteine will still give some people pause for thought,” he said.

LONDON — Voting stations opened Thursday morning for crucial local and regional elections that political observers believe could severely damage British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s already weakened position.

The center-left Labour Party, led by Starmer, faces the possibility of significant defeats in contests that will determine approximately 5,000 local council positions and several mayoral races throughout England, along with regional parliaments in Scotland and Wales.

Voting began at 7 a.m. and will continue until 10 p.m. While some local areas plan to tally votes through the night, most results are anticipated to be announced Friday afternoon.

Though local campaigns typically center on municipal concerns such as waste management, vandalism cleanup and road maintenance, Starmer’s political rivals have characterized Thursday’s elections as a judgment on the prime minister’s performance.

Devastating losses could prompt dissatisfied Labour members of parliament to attempt removing a leader who brought the party to victory fewer than two years ago. Even if Starmer weathers this challenge, numerous political experts question whether he will remain as party leader for the next general election scheduled by 2029.

The prime minister’s approval ratings have dropped dramatically following a series of political blunders since taking office in July 2024. His administration has failed to achieve promised economic expansion, restore deteriorating public services, or address rising living costs — challenges complicated by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran that has disrupted oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz.

Starmer suffered additional damage from his controversial choice to name Peter Mandelson, who has faced scrutiny over his connection to Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain’s ambassador to the United States.

Labour currently holds roughly 2,500 positions on English local councils, and party officials worry they may lose a substantial number of these seats.

Electoral defeats could spark an immediate leadership contest or internal party demands for Starmer’s resignation. He previously weathered a political crisis in February when several Labour parliamentarians, including the party’s Scottish leader, called for his departure over the Mandelson selection.

Luke Tryl from polling firm More in Common predicted the local elections would likely witness “the total collapse of the traditional two-party system” that Labour and the Conservatives have controlled for generations.

The anticipated victor is the far-right Reform UK party, headed by Nigel Farage, which targets working-class communities and former Labour strongholds in northern England and London’s suburbs with its anti-establishment and anti-immigration platform. The Green Party is also projected to capture hundreds of council positions in city centers and college towns.

The primary opposition Conservative Party is similarly expected to suffer losses, while the moderate Liberal Democrats may secure some gains.

In his final campaign appeal, Starmer avoided mentioning the Conservatives entirely, presenting voters with a choice between “progress and a better future” under Labour versus “the anger and division offered up by Reform or empty promises from the Greens.”

Speaking before the election, Farage declared that strong Reform results would mean Starmer is “gone by the middle of summer.”

Reform is also seeking victories in Scotland and Wales, though independence-supporting parties the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru are expected to maintain control in Edinburgh and Cardiff.

“Labour’s going to lose to Reform in some places, Greens in others, and here and there they’ll lose one or two seats to the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives as well,” explained Tony Travers, a government professor at the London School of Economics. “They’re fighting on four fronts in England — five in Wales and Scotland.”