Category: World News

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — An appeals court in Cambodia confirmed Thursday the treason conviction and 27-year prison term for opposition politician Kem Sokha, whose detention in 2017 triggered an extensive campaign by the government to suppress political adversaries throughout the nation.

The Phnom Penh Appeals Court additionally prohibited Kem Sokha from departing the country for five years following completion of his sentence, which he is currently serving while confined to his residence.

Critics have repeatedly charged Cambodia’s administration with weaponizing the court system to target dissidents and political rivals. While the government maintains it supports legal principles within a democratic electoral framework, opposition parties viewed as potential challengers have been disbanded through court orders or seen their leadership imprisoned or intimidated.

Kem Sokha, who is now 72 years old, received his conviction in 2023 after an extended period of pretrial imprisonment. Authorities alleged he plotted with the United States to overthrow Cambodia’s ruling government. The key evidence presented against him included footage showing him receiving political guidance from American pro-democracy organizations.

His Cambodia National Rescue Party served as the sole viable challenger to the governing Cambodian People’s Party, but the Supreme Court disbanded it following his detention, preventing it from participating in the 2018 electoral contest.

The political organization led by longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen then claimed every seat in the National Assembly. His son, Hun Manet, took over the leadership role in 2023 but has maintained the restrictive political environment.

During his appearance before the appeals court this month, Kem Sokha stated he had never plotted with any foreign nation in ways that would harm Cambodian lives or result in territorial losses, emphasizing his commitment to peaceful methods and national solidarity.

Kem Sokha’s attorney, Pheng Heng, expressed disappointment with the court’s ruling to media representatives and indicated he and his client must determine whether to pursue a further appeal with the Supreme Court. He called on the government to work toward national healing.

International diplomatic missions in Cambodia voiced concerns about the court’s decision.

“We would like to see Kem Sokha released and his political freedoms restored,” the British Embassy said in a statement. “We believe this would help strengthen democracy in Cambodia.”

Authorities in Australia announced Thursday they have discovered a body they believe belongs to a 5-year-old Indigenous girl who vanished from her remote community home over the weekend.

The child, who is now being called Kumanjayi Little Baby according to Indigenous traditions, was reported missing late Saturday from her home in a secluded area of central Australia.

Officers located the body of a young Indigenous girl around midday Thursday approximately 3 miles south of where the initial crime occurred in the community, according to police statements.

Investigators have identified 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis as their primary suspect. Lewis had recently been freed from prison and was present in the area when the girl disappeared, police said.

“The focus right now is to locate Jefferson Lewis. It is our sole job in this investigation right now,” Northern Territory Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley stated during a press briefing.

“I say to the family of Jefferson Lewis that we believe he’s murdered this child. Do not assist him. Get him to the police station and we’ll look after him,” Malley continued.

“And I say to Jefferson Lewis, we’re coming for you.”

Malley revealed that investigators had collected evidence from the crime scene, including children’s underwear. Laboratory analysis of the underwear revealed DNA from both Kumanjayi Little Baby and Lewis.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death, and a coroner’s investigation will follow, police announced.

The disappearance of Kumanjayi Little Baby captured national attention, with hundreds of volunteers participating in ground and aerial searches across difficult desert landscape.

Australia has faced ongoing challenges in addressing issues affecting its Indigenous communities, who have called the continent home for approximately 50,000 years but faced marginalization under British colonial rule.

Many Indigenous families reside in settlements called camps on the edges of Alice Springs, where adequate housing and essential services are frequently lacking. Old Timers Camp, where Kumanjayi Little Baby lived with her family, houses only around 40 people.

While Indigenous Australians represent roughly 3.8% of the nation’s 27 million residents, they consistently rank lowest in nearly all economic and social measures, experiencing disproportionately high suicide and imprisonment rates.

Ukraine’s highest-ranking military official announced Thursday a new policy requiring frontline soldiers to be rotated from forward combat positions after serving no more than two months, as the war-torn nation grapples with personnel challenges in its ongoing conflict with Russia.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi issued the directive following numerous troubling accounts of Ukrainian forces remaining in dangerous forward positions for extended periods while facing continuous enemy fire and attempting to prevent gradual Russian territorial gains.

According to Syrskyi’s statement, the widespread use of unmanned aircraft has fundamentally altered battlefield conditions, creating what military analysts describe as extensive “kill zones” that have made supply operations more difficult and dramatically changed how combat missions are conducted.

“Commanders must ensure that conditions are in place for service personnel to remain at their posts for up to two months, followed by a mandatory rotation, which must take place within one month,” he said.

“Timely rotation is not only a matter of organizing service, but a matter of preserving the lives of our soldiers and the stability of defense.”

The general’s directive also mandates regular health assessments and ensures adequate supplies of food and military equipment reach troops stationed at the front lines.

This policy announcement follows recent public outcry after family members shared disturbing photographs showing severely malnourished soldiers from Ukraine’s 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade.

Throughout much of the conflict, Ukraine has faced significant personnel shortages, with military recruitment becoming increasingly difficult due to reports of inadequate training, insufficient support systems, and aggressive conscription practices that have diminished public willingness to serve.

In the Ukrainian village of Myrotske, teams of mine clearance specialists advance methodically through forests and farmland, using metal detectors to locate deadly explosives left behind during Russian occupation of the region located 25 miles northwest of Kyiv.

The painstaking work addresses a massive problem facing Ukraine, which has become heavily contaminated with mines and unexploded weapons after years of warfare.

“Unfortunately, Ukraine is the most heavily mined country in the world,” said Olena Shustova, media manager for demining charity HALO Trust. “Ukraine will not be demined in less than 10 years.”

HALO Trust initiated clearing operations in this particular area after a Ukrainian soldier stepped on an anti-personnel mine while gathering firewood two years ago, demonstrating the ongoing dangers that persist long after combat moves to other areas.

“Everywhere where there was occupation, there are minefields and explosive ordnance,” said Shustova. The international mine action organization employs 1,350 Ukrainian nationals in their demining efforts.

Government data from Demine Ukraine shows that more than 132,000 square kilometers – roughly equivalent to the entire state of Mississippi – remains littered with explosive devices. Teams have successfully cleared nearly 42,000 square kilometers so far.

Facing such an enormous challenge, HALO Trust has implemented artificial intelligence technology to examine detailed drone photographs of contaminated zones, training computer systems to recognize mines and explosive remnants with approximately 70% accuracy.

“The process may take decades, but advances in technology are helping to accelerate it,” Shustova said.

At a separate clearing site north of Kyiv, operator Oleksandr Liatsevych works from inside a protective steel enclosure, wearing virtual reality goggles and controlling a specialized excavator with a joystick. The remotely operated machine digs up contaminated soil and processes it through an industrial grinder designed to destroy explosive materials.

These unmanned excavators represent one method demining teams are using to clear dangerous areas more rapidly and with greater safety for workers.

“The difference between driving from a cabin and driving a remote joystick is big,” said Liatsevych, a 39-year-old former government worker and farmer from Huliaipole, a town on the front lines between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

“As I didn’t play many computer games as a child, it was difficult for me at first.”

In nearby wooded areas, deminer Olha Kava continues using traditional methods, wearing protective gear while carefully searching by hand for potential anti-personnel mines.

The former travel agent and mother of three decided to become a deminer after watching friends join the military following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“Of course, there is fear,” she said. “It … motivates you to do your job correctly and responsibly.”

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed key government officials including his foreign and trade ministers, according to an official announcement made Wednesday.

The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation reported late Wednesday that Kiir had removed Semeya Kumba from his position as foreign minister and dismissed Atong Kuol Manyang from the trade minister role.

The personnel changes also included the removal of Mawien Mawien Ariik from his role as director general of the Internal Security Bureau within the National Security Service. Kiir named Akec Tong Aleu as Ariik’s replacement.

Officials provided no reasons for the dismissals, which represent the most recent round of government restructuring under Kiir’s administration.

Political observers note that Kiir frequently reshuffles military and government positions as a strategy to maintain his grip on power while dealing with ongoing armed conflicts and questions surrounding his eventual successor.

An 18-year-old French student attending business school in Singapore now faces criminal prosecution after a social media prank video went viral, showing him contaminating a vending machine straw.

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien received formal charges on April 24 for mischief and public nuisance violations, according to reporting from The Straits Times, Singapore’s primary English-language publication. The incident took place at a shopping center on March 12, where surveillance allegedly captured him licking a straw from an orange juice dispenser before returning it to the machine.

On Wednesday, a judge approved Maximilien’s request to leave the country temporarily for an educational trip to Manila scheduled from May 2-25, which his school requires for graduation completion. His next court appearance is set for May 29.

The criminal charges carry significant potential consequences. Mischief violations can result in imprisonment up to two years, monetary penalties, or both punishments combined. Public nuisance charges are somewhat lighter, with maximum sentences of three months behind bars, fines, or both.

IJooz, the beverage vending company affected by the incident, contacted police authorities and took immediate action by thoroughly sanitizing the affected dispenser and replacing all 500 straws contained within the machine. The company announced plans to implement enhanced safety protocols, including individually wrapped straws and compartment locks that activate only after payment completion.

Legal representatives for the student, who remains enrolled at a French business institution in Singapore, refused to provide statements when approached by media outlets.

The city-state maintains strict oversight of public conduct and sanitation standards throughout its compact, heavily populated territory. These regulations encompass various restrictions, including chewing gum limitations and severe consequences for littering and property damage violations.

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Residents in Kenya’s Owino Uhuru community continue battling lead poisoning effects years after a battery recycling facility closed, highlighting a dangerous trend as Africa’s renewable energy expansion creates widespread battery recycling hazards.

Faith Muthama, a 40-year-old mother of four, describes ongoing health struggles from the contamination.

“Life has never been the same,” she said, wiping away sweat. “I still struggle to do heavy chores as I suffer from breathing difficulties. When I was tested in 2012, I was found with high lead levels in my blood.”

Health specialists caution that comparable dangers are spreading throughout Africa as nations embrace renewable energy sources. Research published in February by the Centre for Global Development, a Washington and London-based independent research organization, highlighted concerns that Africa’s rapid adoption of off-grid solar installations and energy storage systems is creating unprecedented demand for battery processing.

Most recycling operations occur in unregulated or poorly supervised environments.

The Owino Uhuru contamination began in 2007 when Kenya Metal Refineries EPZ, a local branch of a Mumbai, India-based corporation, ran a lead-acid battery processing facility in the community.

Community members report that hazardous materials from the operation, which shipped processed lead to India, contaminated local soil and water sources, creating widespread health problems. The pollution has been connected to over 20 fatalities. Though the facility ceased operations in 2014, environmental damage persists.

Lead contamination causes brain damage, impaired mental development and lasting health consequences, especially affecting children with developing nervous systems.

In 2025, Kenya’s highest court granted approximately $12 million in compensation to roughly 3,000 community members following their successful class-action case against the smelting operation, representing an unusual legal win for industrial pollution victims. However, advocates report government delays in delivering promised compensation.

“I am just waiting for help as I have exhausted all my resources treating myself,” said Alfred Ogulo, 70, a village elder, his speech slightly slurred.

Ogulo explained that medical tests once revealed dangerously elevated lead concentrations in his bloodstream, resulting in nerve damage and mobility limitations.

“I cannot walk without a stick,” he said. “I also suffer from serious chest pain and coughs from the toxic fumes that we breathed in here when the factory was still in operation.”

Lead-acid batteries remain popular in developing markets due to lower costs compared to lithium-ion alternatives. However, proper recycling demands expensive equipment frequently unavailable in these regions. Consequently, informal processors often employ basic techniques that release lead contamination into air, ground, and water supplies.

“Off-grid solar could account for a substantial share of batteries entering the recycling stream in Africa,” said Lee Crawford, a senior research fellow at the Centre for Global Development, who reviewed the report. “That’s on top of existing demand from vehicles like cars and motorbikes.”

“Safe recycling is expensive and that creates a strong incentive to do it unsafely,” Crawford said, adding that since banning lead-acid batteries is unfeasible, the solution is to make recycling safer.

Throughout Africa and South Asia, research indicates that one-third to half of all children show elevated blood lead concentrations, establishing this as among the most pervasive environmental health threats globally. Inadequate enforcement of environmental protections worsens the situation in numerous nations. Although regulations typically exist, specialists note implementation remains spotty.

“This is a silent threat,” Crawford said. “It’s often invisible, but it affects health, cognitive development and economic productivity.”

The challenge extends beyond small unauthorized operations. Even larger processing centers may lack adequate safety measures, while international supply networks for recycled lead can hide responsibility.

“There needs to be accountability across the entire supply chain,” Crawford said.

Several nations are showing improvement. South Africa has implemented producer responsibility programs requiring manufacturers to oversee battery recycling, establishing more organized oversight. However, across much of the continent, especially where batteries are imported rather than manufactured domestically, determining responsibility remains challenging.

International funding organizations increasingly support lithium-ion technology, which avoids lead-related dangers. Nevertheless, lead-acid batteries will likely continue widespread use for years, particularly in off-grid solar applications.

This reality affects Owino Uhuru residents daily.

“It is sad that the state has ignored prioritizing the compensation payment as ordered by the court,” said Phyllis Omido, who leads the Centre for Justice Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA) based in Mombasa and helped residents take their case to court. “These monies would have alleviated the current suffering these vulnerable residents are going through.”

“Is it fair that we are the ones still chasing justice while the company walks away?” said Mejumaa Hassan Nyanje, 60, as she fought back tears. “Will we all die before justice is served? It feels like we’ve been abandoned, like our lives and our health don’t matter.”

TEL AVIV, Israel — In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant organization has introduced a new type of unmanned aircraft that poses unique challenges to Israeli defense systems: drones guided by fiber-optic cables as thin as dental floss that cannot be detected electronically.

These aircraft, which have seen extensive deployment in Ukraine’s war, are compact, difficult to monitor, and capable of causing significant damage.

Traditional unmanned aircraft can be disrupted by electronic interference from defense systems. Such interference typically causes the aircraft to malfunction or return to where it originated.

However, these fiber-optic guided aircraft operate differently. A thin wire provides direct connection between the operator and the aircraft, making electronic interference impossible.

The technology isn’t perfect, as wind conditions or other aircraft can cause the connecting wires to become entangled.

Yet, “if you know what you’re doing, it’s absolutely deadly,” stated Robert Tollast, who specializes in drone technology and conducts research at London’s Royal United Services Institute, describing how these aircraft can maintain low altitude and approach targets undetected.

Military analysts say armed forces must either destroy these aircraft in flight, which proves challenging given their compact size and brief flight duration, or develop methods to cut the nearly invisible connecting wire.

The Lebanese militant organization has primarily deployed these fiber-optic guided aircraft against Israeli military personnel operating in southern Lebanon and border communities.

An Israeli military spokesperson informed the Associated Press that these cable-guided aircraft represent a relatively recent threat in the current round of hostilities with Hezbollah. The organization appears to have adopted this technology because Israeli air defenses have proven effective against larger, more powerful rockets, missiles, and conventional drones, according to the official, who requested anonymity following military protocol.

Israeli intelligence suggests these aircraft are manufactured domestically and require minimal resources to produce — essentially combining a commercially available drone, small explosive devices, and transparent wire easily purchased in consumer markets, the official explained.

The spokesperson described these aircraft as the primary threat to forces operating inside Lebanon, noting that the Israeli military is developing technological countermeasures. Currently, Israel is implementing ground-based protective measures for troops, including installing nets and protective barriers on military vehicles.

These fiber-optic guided aircraft represent the newest development in an ongoing technological competition as Israel’s advanced defense systems work to counter emerging threats, particularly less sophisticated ones.

Ran Kochav, who previously commanded Israel’s military air defense operations, stated that Israel is struggling to defend against these cable-guided aircraft.

“They fly very low and very fast, and they are very small, it’s very difficult to detect them, and even after they’re detected, they are really hard to track,” he explained.

Kochav noted that Israel invested years strengthening its air defense capabilities to better protect against rockets and missiles. However, drone threats weren’t considered a primary concern.

He suggested Israel should have monitored the development of fiber-optic drone technology in Ukraine and anticipated that other Iranian allies would eventually adopt similar tactics, just as Russia has.

During Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, Moscow and Kyiv have continuously competed to advance new military technology.

Russia regularly attacks Ukraine with Shahed long-range assault drones — originally manufactured in Iran. While Moscow has enhanced these aircraft significantly, some remain vulnerable to electronic interference.

Cable-guided drones were created to overcome this vulnerability — though they lack the operational range of aircraft using radio communication or artificial intelligence for navigation.

Some fiber-optic drones have operated with cables extending up to 31 miles (50 kilometers), according to Tollast, the London-based expert.

Russia and Ukraine deploy numerous drone varieties “at a phenomenal scale,” he noted.

These cable-guided aircraft are so commonly used that video footage shows Ukrainian front-line communities covered with shiny, fishing line-like strands, creating the appearance of enormous spider webs gleaming in daylight.

Israel possesses adequate firepower to intercept drones, but early detection remains crucial, Kochav emphasized.

He noted that Israel already has appropriate technology that monitors light variations, identifies signals and communications, and can detect drone propeller sounds.

However, he said these surveillance systems haven’t been extensively positioned along the northern border.

In recent weeks, Hezbollah has broadcast videos through social media and its Al-Manar television network showing attacks using these new aircraft, particularly against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

These strikes have gained public attention. One attack resulted in one Israeli soldier’s death and wounded six others, some critically, last weekend. Another strike on Tuesday killed an Israeli civilian contractor in southern Lebanon.

In the fatal soldier attack, Hezbollah released video footage captured by the drone until it detonated among troops gathered near a vehicle. A second drone targeted the same location as a military helicopter arrived to evacuate casualties but missed narrowly.

Hezbollah announced it first deployed fiber-optic guided drones during the current fighting phase that started March 2, after using other drone types for years.

Israel also operates a drone fleet for surveillance and attack missions, though not necessarily using fiber-optic cables, to target Hezbollah fighters.

Zevik Glidai, a 78-year-old mathematics instructor and volunteer ambulance operator, found coils of transparent fiber-optic cables around a drone that crashed in his backyard in northern Israeli city Kiryat Shmona on April 13.

His residence sits 2 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the Lebanese border. He was at home when he heard a sharp whistle and small impact. His neighbor shouted that the yard was burning.

They extinguished the flames with a garden hose but noticed something unusual: The destroyed aircraft was encircled by loops and coils of white thread.

“We are very worried about these drones because there’s no way to shoot it down, because we can’t detect it,” Glidai said.

He reported no warning alarm sounded before the drone struck his house, and bomb disposal experts who responded called it miraculous that nearly 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of explosives failed to explode.

“They told me, ‘You have a lot of luck,’” said Glidai, who mentioned experiencing several generations of Hezbollah weapons during his 48 years in Kiryat Shmona. “They picked up all of the pieces that they could pick up, and they left me a few optical fibers as a keepsake.”

HAVELTE, Netherlands — With faces painted in camouflage patterns, soldiers move quietly through woodland terrain carrying Colt C7 rifles while carefully watching for potential dangers around them.

These military personnel belong to the 10th Infantry Battalion Guard Security Corps National Reserve, participating in weekend training exercises as the Netherlands strengthens its armed forces through an influx of new volunteers and recruits. Dutch leadership has pledged to expand military personnel numbers from the current 80,000 to 120,000 by 2035 — an initiative enjoying widespread political backing.

The recent decision by the nation’s queen and her eldest daughter to join as volunteer reservists appears to be making a significant impact, with officials now working rapidly to equip and prepare the growing number of new enlistees.

This recruitment push in the Netherlands mirrors similar efforts throughout Europe to strengthen and modernize military forces as leaders watch nervously as Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine continues, while also considering U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of the NATO alliance that has served as Europe’s primary defense foundation since World War II devastated much of the continent.

A reserve battalion corporal, speaking anonymously due to service requirements, described witnessing changing priorities as global security has become increasingly unstable and unpredictable.

“When I first joined, there was almost no risk or almost no threat … and now it’s changing so we are more aware of it,” she explained. This has resulted in a focus shift toward “more what we call ‘green things,’ infantry things.”

She continued: “We are here to defend our country and to make sure to keep the threat down.”

European Union and NATO leadership consider this threat genuine, believing Russian President Vladimir Putin may be prepared to launch attacks elsewhere in Europe within three to five years, particularly if he achieves victory in Ukraine.

Recent NATO strategies designed to address this threat require member nations to prepare their military forces for large-scale conflicts, emphasizing more agile units capable of rapid deployment.

Dutch military recruitment received a major boost when Queen Maxima and her eldest daughter, heir apparent Amalia, Princess of Orange, joined as volunteer reservists. Images of Maxima during training exercises and practicing marksmanship at shooting ranges circulated globally.

This royal endorsement, combined with recruitment efforts spanning newspapers, billboards, and social media platforms, has proven remarkably effective, leaving the military working intensively to arm, train, and house all the new applicants.

Defense Ministry officials refer to this phenomenon as “the Amalia effect.”

“It’s really a thing, yes,” State Secretary for Defense Derk Boswijk explained to The Associated Press. “It’s very inspiring to see how members of our royal family inspired people to join our armed forces.”

Boswijk reported approximately 9,000 current reservists in the Netherlands, with recruitment goals targeting at least 20,000 by 2030.

“We have more applications than we can handle,” Boswijk noted. The military now faces challenges including “a lack of training capacity, a lack of housing. You have to give them all uniforms, you have to give them weapons.”

However, he emphasized: “It’s a luxury problem.”

German legislators are reviewing government proposals to provide improved compensation and conditions for short-term enlistees, along with enhanced training and greater flexibility regarding service duration.

The goal involves attracting adequate recruits without reinstating male conscription that ended in 2011. The proposal allows for limited mandatory recruitment if volunteer numbers prove insufficient.

Similar to the Netherlands, France is emphasizing voluntary service to strengthen its military. A September program aims to recruit 3,000 volunteers between ages 18-25. These individuals will serve in uniform for 10 months within France’s mainland and overseas territories exclusively. The initiative seeks to attract up to 50,000 annual volunteers by 2035.

In northern and eastern European regions, where Russian threats feel most immediate, some countries maintain conscription systems.

Finland operates a draft system for all males with voluntary participation for women. Sweden restored gender-neutral partial military service in 2017. When volunteer numbers fall short, lottery systems select individuals for remaining positions. Denmark employs a comparable system, as does Latvia since reviving its draft in 2023 following Russia’s Ukrainian invasion.

While the Netherlands never completely eliminated its draft system, call-ups have remained suspended since 1997 with no immediate plans for restoration. Instead, the Defense Ministry seeks to make military service appealing to diverse societal segments.

Modern threats have expanded beyond conventional battlefields into cyber and digital domains, Boswijk noted, “so we need all kind of skills, to keep our society, our country, our allies safe. So, yes, we need also people wearing hoodies, having blue hair, who can game perfectly.”

For some among the new generation responding to their nation’s military call, a painful lesson from Dutch history provides motivation.

“When I was in primary school, we were taught that in the Second World War it took (German forces) five days to take over Holland,” Lisette den Heijer shared during a recent military information session for volunteer reservists, expressing her desire to prevent historical repetition.

During exercises in eastern Netherlands, a reserve battalion private first class, also speaking anonymously due to employment with a defense-related company, described observing similar changes in recent years.

“So where we were just focused on peaceful operations in 2018, we’re now more focusing on protecting vital infrastructure,” he explained. This included participating in extensive security operations protecting last year’s NATO leaders’ summit in The Hague.

Dutch reservists commit to 300 annual service hours, including regular weekend training exercises. Traditionally deployed for domestic security and guard duties, they do not participate in overseas combat missions. They also respond during national emergencies, such as flood protection efforts involving sandbag placement.

Back in eastern Netherlands forests, the reservists suddenly halt and aim their weapons toward an innocuous-looking earth mound covered with dried leaves and wood.

A soldier — a unit member — emerges from the concealed foxhole where he was hiding and surrenders. The volunteers celebrate with high-fives before preparing to dismantle their camp and return to civilian employment.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s top artificial intelligence defense official says rapid military adoption of AI technology has become vital to the nation’s survival in its ongoing conflict with Russia, though complete battlefield integration remains years away.

Danylo Tsvok, who heads Ukraine’s newly created Defense Artificial Intelligence Center, explained that AI technology is currently assisting Ukrainian forces in defending territory while minimizing soldier casualties against a larger and better-equipped opponent.

“We need to be faster than the enemy in decision-making,” Tsvok explained to The Associated Press, emphasizing that AI represents “not only a competitive advantage. It’s about our survival.”

The 35-year-old official now directs the Defense Artificial Intelligence Center, which the Defense Ministry created just last month. Before this role, Tsvok held the government’s highest civilian position focused on artificial intelligence.

Both Ukraine and Russia are engaged in an escalating competition to field increasingly automated military systems, ranging from flying drones to land-based and naval platforms. Central to this competition is maintaining operational capability despite intense electronic warfare interference.

Modern systems are being engineered to operate autonomously, keeping targets in focus even when facing hostile signal jamming.

Ukraine’s rapidly growing domestic weapons industry now encompasses over 2,000 manufacturing companies and defense technology businesses. Engineers are currently evaluating technologies that allow coordinated drone groups to work together, seeking to improve effectiveness while reducing demands on human controllers.

“We need to understand that the future belongs to autonomous systems,” Tsvok explained. “AI makes it possible to automate parts of the kill chain.”

In its advanced development, he explained, AI could support a connected battlefield where intelligent weapons function together through a single assessment system.

“That could happen within three to five years,” he predicted. “Within that time frame, front lines could be secured by tightly integrated hardware and software systems.”

For more immediate applications, he highlighted broader deployment of autonomous defense interceptors, increased utilization of ground-based robotic platforms, and enhanced electronic warfare technologies.

Certain components are already operational. Unmanned ground vehicles are increasingly deployed for supply transport, medical evacuation, and combat missions.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently announced that land-based drones completed more than 20,000 battlefield operations during a three-month span this year, including medical evacuations, supply deliveries, and direct combat missions. He noted that one successful attack was conducted entirely without human soldiers present.

Tsvok emphasized the goal is not creating fully autonomous ‘killer robots,’ but rather developing a more coordinated system that speeds up decision-making and works more effectively with Western allies.

“It’s not about reaching 100% autonomy, it’s about being efficient on the battlefield,” he stated.

Ukraine is strengthening collaborations with Western nations and Gulf region countries to obtain funding, increase production capacity, and integrate into security partnerships, while also providing access to its extensive battlefield intelligence.

Tsvok’s organization receives financial backing from the U.K. Ministry of Defence, representing what he called both a military and political partnership.

“Democracies must develop strong defensive capabilities,” he stated. “Without AI, they cannot effectively protect peace. This is not only about Ukraine. It’s about global security.”

A television news reporter in New Zealand faces a five-day suspension from parliamentary coverage following violations of established media protocols, according to an announcement Thursday from Parliament Speaker Gerry Brownlee.

Maiki Sherman, who serves as the political correspondent for New Zealand’s public television network TVNZ, engaged in behavior while seeking an interview that “went beyond the prescription and spirit of the rules that had previously been agreed by the press gallery and parliament,” Brownlee stated.

In his official statement, the Speaker noted that “Ms Sherman, the TVNZ political editor, has informed me that it was not her intention to go beyond the rules, but accepts that she did, and has accepted also the decision on this matter.”

The parliamentary suspension affects Sherman’s access from May 1 through May 6, according to Brownlee’s announcement.

Brownlee also acknowledged that “Other outlets also breached parliamentary rules as they pursued a story relating to the National Party caucus activities on April 21.”

National Party Minister Simeon Brown took to social media platform X to describe the incident, claiming TVNZ personnel pursued National Whip Stuart Smith into a restricted interview area without proper authorization and “aggressively banged on his door for several minutes.”

Sherman has not yet provided a response to media requests for comment regarding the suspension.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — While Iran continues to disrupt global energy markets through its control of the Strait of Hormuz, the nation’s critical petroleum sector faces mounting pressure from American economic warfare.

Industry analysts warn that Iran could be compelled to halt production at numerous oil facilities within the next two weeks, as the country runs out of storage space and cannot ship its crude to international markets.

Although the crisis may not be as catastrophic as President Trump recently suggested when he claimed pipelines might begin bursting in the coming days, the long-term consequences could be severe. Energy experts note that Iran’s deteriorating oil infrastructure may not recover easily from extended shutdowns, potentially crippling the nation’s future petroleum capacity. Industry watchers believe Iran has already started reducing output to prevent complete facility closures.

The crisis intensifies as the Treasury Department increases enforcement against Iranian oil vessels already sailing international waters. American naval forces have captured at least two tankers in Asian waters suspected of transporting Iranian crude.

Iran’s constrained petroleum trade means less foreign currency entering an economy already devastated by ongoing conflict, civil unrest, and years of international penalties. Meanwhile, reduced Iranian oil shipments amplify the impact of the Hormuz blockade, creating jet fuel shortages and driving up gasoline costs globally.

Iranian officials are strongly opposed to closing production facilities because of the devastating long-term impact, according to Miad Maleki, who previously worked on sanctions at Treasury and now serves as a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

“They’ve been under sanctions, they’ve been isolated for 47 years now. Those oil wells are not maintained well. Their machinery is not maintained well,” Maleki explained. He added that once production stops, the facilities won’t easily “snap back after a few months.”

Before the current conflict, Iran produced more than 3 million barrels daily, with slightly over half consumed domestically. However, since the American blockade started April 13, loaded vessels have been trapped without export routes.

“It looks like there’s been a significant slowdown in production,” observed Antoine Halff, co-founder and chief analyst at environmental intelligence firm Kayrros, which monitors energy supply chains. He cited evidence that storage facilities at Kharg Island, Iran’s primary Persian Gulf export terminal, are filling more slowly than normal.

Halff noted that Iran likely stores some petroleum in tankers anchored near Kharg Island.

Commodities tracking firm Kpler estimates Iran has approximately two weeks of remaining storage capacity, even after cutting production.

“While the immediate revenue impact is limited, operational constraints are now forcing production cuts and setting up a delayed but significant financial squeeze,” wrote Kpler analyst Homayoun Falakshahi.

Oil analysis company Wood Mackenzie projects Iran will exhaust storage space in roughly three weeks.

“If the blockade persists, cuts become inevitable,” Wood Mackenzie’s Alexandre Araman wrote. Extended shutdowns lasting over a month “risk long-term damage” to Iranian oil reserves, with recovery of older fields remaining “uncertain.”

Since Iran discovered oil in 1908, the industry has been deeply connected to regional politics. Efforts to nationalize oil fields and remove British control triggered the CIA-supported 1953 coup that strengthened Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s power. This action also set the stage for Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the shah. During the revolution, petroleum workers struck and reduced daily production from 6 million barrels to approximately 1.5 million.

Iran’s oil sector never fully recovered and endured decades of international sanctions that allowed infrastructure to deteriorate.

During his first presidency, Trump implemented a “maximum pressure” strategy, imposing harsh sanctions that severely limited Iran’s oil exports. Required to store petroleum in offshore tankers, the Iranian government lost tens of billions in revenue. Despite this pressure, Tehran refused to negotiate a nuclear agreement with Washington.

Iran now confronts both increased sanctions and the naval blockade. Trump declared Tuesday that Iran was in a “State of Collapse.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reinforced this message on X, writing, “Iran’s creaking oil industry is starting to shut in production thanks to the U.S. BLOCKADE. Pumping will soon collapse. GASOLINE SHORTAGES IN IRAN NEXT!”

No immediate gasoline shortages have appeared in Iran. However, the country seems to be indirectly acknowledging the economic strain.

A state television program, controlled by hardline factions, featured journalists discussing potential oil storage problems. One commentator noted that if empty tankers cannot return to Iran, “we won’t be able to export.” Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad praised terminal workers Monday for their “continuous perseverance.”

Maleki warned that continued blockade pressure leading to further production cuts or shutdowns could result in oil worker layoffs, potentially triggering new domestic unrest.

“In 1979 when the oil industry was disrupted, in the 1980s war with Iraq … you can go and look at to see how effective they were in really pressuring the regime,” he said. “It’s really going to affect some of the most strategic provinces in Iran and the most strategic industry.”

HARET SAIDA, Lebanon (AP) — Emergency notifications arrive without warning across Lebanon: cell phones buzzing with text messages, robocalls from unknown international numbers, and difficult-to-interpret maps posted online by Israeli military officials.

These evacuation maps sometimes encompass vast regions of Lebanon, while others pinpoint individual structures. Many airstrikes occur without any advance notification, continuing even after a temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Iranian-supported Hezbollah organization.

These emergency alerts trigger frantic efforts to gather children and elderly family members, forcing families into heartbreaking decisions as they rush toward the unclear boundaries shown on the red-marked evacuation zones. Complete communities have been abandoned, with more than one million residents fleeing during the most intense periods of combat. Lebanon lacks Israel’s infrastructure of air raid warning systems, missile defense capabilities, or official emergency shelters.

Israeli officials claim these notifications serve to protect civilian populations from danger. They assert that Hezbollah has established military positions, underground tunnel networks and weapons storage throughout southern Lebanon’s residential areas, launching hundreds of unmanned aircraft and rockets toward northern Israeli communities without advance warning.

Specialists in international law argue that Israel’s evacuation notices lack consistency and frequently cover excessively large areas with indefinite timeframes. These concerns arise as Israeli officials announce plans to establish a 10-kilometer (6-mile) security buffer along the border and block civilian returns until Hezbollah threats are neutralized.

The current conflict began on March 2, when Hezbollah ended its restraint following a 2024 ceasefire agreement, firing a surprise missile attack into northern Israel as retaliation for joint American and Israeli operations against Iran.

Israeli forces have issued 132 digital evacuation notices during this period — including seven alerts affecting more than 50 southern Lebanese communities since the ceasefire began on April 17.

Local residents report that precisely targeted warnings frequently arrive with minimal advance notice, creating panic and disorder.

Ward Zein al-Din, 56, described hearing windows break from flying debris moments after her father received a call from Israeli military personnel that caused him to cry out. The family has since abandoned their southern community and found refuge in a school building. “I didn’t think we would survive,” she said.

Additionally, evacuation maps distributed through social media by Israel’s Arabic-language military representative, Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, have instructed entire populations to relocate north beyond the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, and sometimes even greater distances.

His comprehensive warnings also cleared Beirut’s densely populated southern neighborhoods, where Hezbollah maintains significant influence, although many residents have subsequently returned. United Nations officials report that substantial numbers of people remain displaced throughout the country, including more than 150,000 living in temporary tent settlements.

“A legal tool is being used to achieve forced displacement,” said Hussein Badreddine, a Lebanese expert in international law at the University of Sydney. “When you evacuate entire areas and keep the orders open-ended, that’s when the legality comes into question.”

Responding to multiple inquiries, Israeli military representatives stated they distribute warnings through telephone calls, text messages, radio announcements, social media platforms and aerial leaflet drops, following the “principles of distinction, proportionality and feasible precautions” under international law.

No advance notification was provided on April 8, when Israeli forces attacked one hundred locations in quick succession, resulting in more than 350 deaths, including casualties in central Beirut. This represented one of the most devastating attacks in Lebanon’s conflict-marked history.

Military officials stated that Hezbollah leadership and personnel “were expected to be present at many of the sites.” The exact number of Hezbollah casualties remains uncertain. More than 100 of those killed were women and children.

Some warnings have been issued without subsequent attacks. Earlier this month, Israeli officials threatened to target the primary border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, forcing its closure for multiple days. The promised strike never occurred.

Military aircraft struck the community of Kafr Tebnit when hostilities erupted. Adraee announced on X that residents should relocate to “no less than 1,000 meters (yards) outside the village.”

Hussein Farran traveled to Nabatiyeh city, where he maintains employment with an electrical utility. His wife, Rola Nahleh, and their 4-year-old daughter, Amal, joined extended family in Kfar Hatta, approximately 17 kilometers (10 miles) beyond Adraee’s designated danger zone.

One month afterward, at 11:29 p.m. on April 4, Adraee instructed residents to evacuate Kfar Hatta. This represented one of 26 emergency notifications issued during the conflict between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.

“When warnings are issued in the middle of the night, on platforms that not everyone uses, you can’t expect everyone to get up and leave immediately,” said Kristine Beckerle of Amnesty International. “You have people stuck on the road for 12, 13 hours trying to leave. You have elderly people who can’t move quickly.”

Nahleh informed her husband by telephone that hundreds of people were evacuating, many still in their nightclothes. They decided it would be safer to wait through the disorder until morning.

Two Israeli rockets struck their residence around 3 a.m., killing Nahleh, her mother, father, brother, sister and Amal, who had recently begun kindergarten.

“Even if they gave us a warning, how does it justify killing a civilian family?” Farran asked, gazing at their graves — cardboard signs smeared with handwritten Arabic because the war has made a proper burial in their village impossible.

“They weren’t given a real chance,” he said.

Initially, Ali al-Salim suspected it was a fraudulent call, or a criminal attempting to burglarize his vacant home, as occurred to his family during an earlier conflict. The caller ID showed Germany, but the person claimed to be an Israeli officer and instructed al-Salim to evacuate northward immediately.

As bombing attacks moved closer, al-Salim, his wife and three sons abandoned their southern community of Siddiqin and reached a school in Haret Saida following 18 hours in gridlocked traffic.

Security analysts explain that Israeli military personnel frequently employ randomly generated international phone numbers since direct communication between the two nations, technically in a state of war for decades, is prohibited.

“There is no way to know if a call is real or fake,” said Roland Abi Najem, a Lebanese cybersecurity expert. “The Israeli military benefits from the chaos that helps create a mass exodus.”

Military officials declined to explain their methods for contacting Lebanese phone numbers.

Several days after evacuating, al-Salim learned that his residence was destroyed by an Israeli missile. The emergency shelter proved equally hazardous.

One location that Israel attacked without warning on April 8 was a nearby Shiite religious center, where displaced individuals used bathing facilities. The blast rendered al-Salim’s 14-year-old son, Ali, unconscious and severely damaged his left leg.

“The bombing can happen at any moment. There is no safety at all,” said Ali, now using crutches. “I’ve never felt this kind of fear.”

The ceasefire agreement has provided little reassurance.

Compelled to abandon his southern hometown of Shaqra when fighting began, Mohammad Shahadat delayed one week after the ceasefire before attempting to return. Encouraged by neighbors reporting peaceful conditions, he traveled home last week.

Days afterward, he was again living in a temporary tent in Beirut following another Israeli evacuation warning.

“We didn’t know where to go,” he said.

LONDON — Britain’s central bank is anticipated to maintain current interest rates Thursday as officials evaluate economic consequences from the Iran conflict and Tehran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that handles 20% of global oil shipments during normal times.

Financial experts believe the nine-person policy board may signal potential rate increases in coming months if Middle East tensions — currently under a fragile ceasefire — continue driving up British inflation.

The Monetary Policy Committee is projected to maintain the central bank’s primary rate at 3.75%, though one or two officials may advocate for a 0.25% increase as protection against rising inflation.

Prior to the conflict, financial markets anticipated rate cuts as inflation was forecast to decline toward the bank’s 2% goal this spring. The war has disrupted both the bank’s projections and broader global economic predictions.

Investec economist Sandra Horsfield noted that “repercussions of the conflict are still keenly felt and uncertainty about how the situation could evolve also remains high.”

The bank’s quarterly economic forecasts and Governor Andrew Bailey’s following press conference may prove more significant than the rate decision itself.

These projections will mark the first since U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran initiated the war on February 28 — analysts expect higher inflation estimates and reduced growth forecasts.

Recent government data revealed British inflation rose in March following sharp fuel price increases due to war-related energy supply disruptions. Annual consumer price inflation reached a three-month peak of 3.3%, up from February’s 3%.

Inflation may climb further in upcoming months, potentially reaching 4%, as elevated energy costs affect household expenses.

Economic analysts don’t anticipate inflation approaching the four-decade peaks above 11% following Russia’s Ukraine invasion in February 2022, partly because energy price spikes have been more moderate and interest rates remain elevated.

However, Bank of England officials will monitor whether the apparent inflation surge spreads throughout the economy through mechanisms like wage increases. They’ll also watch for potential government measures to reduce inflation’s impact on families and businesses.

Treasury Secretary Rachel Reeves, whose cost-of-living objectives have been derailed by the Middle East crisis, stated this is “not our war, but it is pushing up bills for families and businesses” as a consequence.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian officials are calling for stricter firearm regulations following a devastating shooting that claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah gathering in Sydney last December.

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion released its initial findings Thursday, issuing 14 recommendations after investigating the December 14, 2025 attack at Bondi Beach. Father and son duo Sajid and Naveed Akram allegedly carried out the shooting using weapons they legally possessed, according to authorities who say the Islamic State group motivated the assault.

Royal Commissioner Virginia Bell’s interim report included several public recommendations, though five remain classified for national security purposes. Among the key proposals: federal and state governments should fast-track the creation of uniform gun legislation nationwide and establish a weapons buyback program.

The commission noted that antisemitic incidents have surged throughout Australia since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted on October 7, 2023. The report also warned that February’s joint U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran “likely to have increased the risk of attacks directed at the Australian Jewish community.”

Sajid Naveed died in a police shootout at the scene. Despite holding a valid shooting license and legally owning the weapons used in the attack, proposed federal restrictions would have prevented the Indian-born permanent resident from obtaining gun permits due to his non-citizen status.

His son survived the incident with injuries. Naveed Akram now faces charges including terrorism, 15 murder counts, and 40 attempted murder counts. He has not yet entered any pleas.

Federal proposals also include capping individual gun ownership at four weapons maximum and requiring regular license reviews. A compensation program would reimburse gun owners required to surrender firearms, with costs split between federal and regional governments, though some states have refused to participate financially.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his administration’s commitment to implementing all commission recommendations within federal jurisdiction.

“I certainly hope that that occurs and would continue to engage constructively with state and territory governments to say that this is reform which is necessary,” Albanese told reporters regarding the proposed gun changes.

The Prime Minister referenced Tuesday’s 30th anniversary of Australia’s most deadly modern mass shooting, when 35 people died in Tasmania on April 28, 1996. That tragedy led to sweeping national firearms legislation that essentially eliminated rapid-fire rifles.

“The nation is safer because of that,” Albanese said.

Despite identifying increased risks facing Australian Jewish communities, the report determined no immediate safety measures were urgently needed.

“There has been a rise in antisemitism. That is a global phenomenon,” Albanese said. “That is something that has happened right around the world. Governments need to respond to it. We are responding to it.”

The government has designated 102 million Australian dollars ($73 million) for enhanced security at Jewish facilities including synagogues and educational institutions. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the community’s primary representative organization, oversees the funding distribution.

Council co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin described the report as a crucial step toward restoring Jewish Australians’ sense of security.

“We need to get to a point where Jewish Australians at Hanukkah this year … feel safe, that we can gather again, that we won’t be targeted,” Ryvchin told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

“It’s going to be a long process to get us to that point. There’s a deep sense of trauma in the community and … a lot of unanswered questions, bit this is an important step in the process,” he added.

Public hearings for the inquiry will commence Monday.

Manufacturing activity in China continued its growth streak for the second consecutive month in April, demonstrating the nation’s economic strength even as Middle East conflicts drive up energy costs, according to official data released Thursday.

The government’s manufacturing purchasing managers index registered 50.3 in April, down marginally from March’s 50.4 reading, the National Bureau of Statistics reported. This figure exceeded analyst predictions and remains above the 50-point threshold that signals economic expansion on the 0-100 scale.

While new orders declined to 50.6 from the previous month’s 51.6, production activity showed modest improvement, climbing to 51.5.

Rising petroleum costs have yet to significantly impact China’s industrial sector, according to Capital Economics senior China economist Leah Fahy, who noted in a recent analysis that robust export demand appears to be fueling the recent uptick in manufacturing activity.

Fahy also pointed out that escalating oil prices are boosting worldwide appetite for environmentally friendly technologies, benefiting Chinese manufacturers who lead the clean energy equipment sector.

A separate survey conducted by S&P Global and Chinese firm RatingDog painted an even more positive picture. This private sector assessment, which emphasizes smaller export-oriented businesses, showed manufacturing activity jumping to 52.2 in April from March’s 50.8.

Following a Supreme Court decision earlier this year that reduced U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods previously imposed under former President Donald Trump’s trade policies, China’s exports to America may increase in the coming months, Fahy indicated.

A scheduled diplomatic meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing next month could potentially extend the year-long trade ceasefire the two nations established late last year.

China’s economic output grew at a 5% yearly rate during the first quarter, surpassing both the previous quarter’s performance and expert forecasts. Government officials have established an economic growth goal of 4.5% to 5% for 2026, marking the most conservative target since 1991.

While the country’s ongoing real estate downturn continues to dampen domestic spending and investment, export performance remains strong, with China achieving a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus in the previous year.

BANGKOK (AP) — Just over twelve months ago, Myanmar’s armed forces found themselves retreating across multiple fronts in the nation’s devastating civil conflict, losing control of vast territories in the northern regions to experienced militia coalitions while facing pressure from established resistance groups and newly-formed democracy fighters throughout the country.

The situation has dramatically shifted since then.

After recruiting tens of thousands of additional soldiers through conscription, Myanmar’s military forces, called the Tatmadaw, have regained some lost territory and seem prepared to launch new attacks, even as certain opposition factions have withdrawn from combat and others face internal conflicts and equipment shortages.

“I think we’re nearing a crescendo here where the Tatmadaw is going to reassert itself and the resistance movement is going to peter out,” said Morgan Michaels, a Singapore-based analyst with the International Institute of Strategic Studies who runs its Myanmar Conflict Map project.

“That doesn’t mean armed resistance will peter out — armed resistance will always continue in Myanmar until there’s a comprehensive, negotiated political solution, but the Tatmadaw has retaken the strategic initiative and everything is in the Tatmadaw’s favor.”

Meanwhile, following five years of warfare that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, including approximately 8,000 civilians, and displaced millions from their communities, exhaustion has set in among both military opponents and ordinary citizens, according to Aung Thu Nyein, a Myanmar political expert now based in Thailand.

“There are many saying that the local population doesn’t care much who will win the war, but (just want) to stop fighting,” he said in a text message.

Beijing is also applying considerable pressure for peace in Myanmar, also called Burma, which serves as a vital supplier of rare earth minerals and other natural resources needed to protect Chinese mining operations and business interests, he explained.

China has poured billions into Myanmar’s mining sector, petroleum pipelines, and infrastructure projects while serving as a primary weapons provider to the Tatmadaw alongside Russia.

Beijing also wields substantial influence over paramilitary organizations operating near the Chinese border, many composed of ethnically Chinese fighters.

China initially backed the October 27, 2023, military campaign launched against the Tatmadaw by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, primarily because Beijing was frustrated that the military government had permitted criminal organizations to flourish in border territories. However, China has since cut off weapons and ammunition to these militias while demanding they cease hostilities.

Among the Three Brotherhood Alliance groups, both the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army accepted ceasefires in 2023 following Chinese-brokered negotiations, leaving only the Arakan Army actively engaged in combat with the Tatmadaw in western Rakhine state.

The Brotherhood Alliance consists entirely of established paramilitary organizations based on ethnic minority communities known as Ethnic Armed Organizations, or EAOs. The removal of Suu Kyi from power has also sparked the creation of pro-democracy fighting forces called People’s Defense Forces, or PDFs, many connected to the shadow National Unity Government formed by former members of Suu Kyi’s political party and allies.

Facing an expected escalation of Tatmadaw attacks, coordination at the highest levels between established EAOs and the NUG is essential for resistance operations, the Burma Liberation Democratic Front, a pro-democracy organization active in the Sagaing and Mandalay regions, informed The Associated Press.

“Although there is a shared understanding of the need to overthrow the military dictatorship and move toward a future federal union, there are still gaps and differences in overall grand strategy and tactics,” the group told the AP in a written response to questions.

“There are still differences in positions, perspectives, and approaches. Many continue to hold onto ethnic, regional, and organizational interests and attachments.”

The organization, which belongs to a coalition of 20 PDFs, noted that the Tatmadaw was actively “attempting to divide and weaken the situation by creating divisions between the public and revolutionary forces, among different ethnic groups, and even among revolutionary groups.”

The military commanders who removed Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian administration in 2021 also recently conducted elections, despite criticism from United Nations experts who called them neither free nor fair due to suppressed opposition. Min Aung Hlaing, the senior general who ruled the nation with strict control after deposing Suu Kyi, took the presidential oath this month.

From a political standpoint, the elections seemed designed to create an appearance of legitimacy for his leadership to improve relationships with Southeast Asian nations and other countries as Myanmar faces international sanctions.

China, which had advocated for the election, immediately offered congratulations to Min Aung Hlaing and promptly dispatched its foreign minister for a face-to-face meeting. The TNLA militia organization also sent congratulatory messages, promising to maintain the China-mediated ceasefire.

Completing the elections also releases additional troops who had been assigned to provide extensive polling site security, Michaels noted.

Among his initial presidential actions, Min Aung Hlaing extended an invitation to the nation’s armed opposition forces for fresh peace negotiations, including both EAOs and PDFs. The National Unity Government was notably excluded from the invitation, and they immediately rejected the proposal as “aimed at prolonging people’s subjugation under military rule.”

The unclear proposal, published in the state-controlled Global New Light of Myanmar, established a July 31 deadline for groups to participate in discussions, with the condition that they should avoid presenting “unrealistic demands.”

No details were provided about potential consequences for groups declining to participate, and government officials did not respond to email requests for comment.

During this period, the Tatmadaw has maintained its military campaigns, including advancing a major operation in Sagaing to recapture the northern city of Indaw, which PDF groups seized with Kachin Independence Army EAO assistance in 2023.

Simultaneously, military forces have defended against an eastern offensive as they attempt to prevent the Karen National Liberation Army from advancing toward a Tatmadaw stronghold near the Thai border.

Through the peace talks offer, Min Aung Hlaing likely hopes to revive the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreements established with approximately half of Myanmar’s EAOs by former governments roughly ten years ago, which helped create relative stability.

However, given the apparent lack of current interest, more limited ceasefires may be the immediate objective, Michaels suggested.

“In the short term if you can agree to ceasefires with some groups, then you can redirect your resources toward other groups that are either unwilling to agree to a ceasefire or that the Tatmadaw is unwilling to agree to a ceasefire with,” he said.

“The Tatmadaw can always accept some degree of opposition and, in fact needs some level of active armed resistance to justify its rule and justify its behavior. But the current level of armed resistance across the country is not tenable.”

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A top international nuclear official delivered a stark warning Wednesday about the potential consequences if major world powers proceed with nuclear weapons testing.

Robert Floyd, who leads the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, cautioned U.N. reporters that nuclear testing by the United States, Russia, or other nations could prompt a dangerous chain reaction of similar actions worldwide.

“That is a spiral that we do not want to see start, because it may never be able to be stopped,” Floyd stated during his briefing.

The warning comes after both superpowers — which possess the world’s most extensive nuclear weapons stockpiles — made threats to restart nuclear testing in recent months, sparking international concern.

Floyd noted the dramatic reduction in nuclear testing since the treaty was first opened for signatures three decades ago. While more than 2,000 nuclear tests had occurred before that time, fewer than a dozen have taken place since, with six of those conducted by North Korea.

His comments coincided with the United Nations beginning its review of a different nuclear non-proliferation agreement this week. The review occurs amid ongoing tensions related to Iran’s nuclear program, which President Donald Trump has cited as justification for military action to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.

Although the nuclear test ban agreement was established in 1996, it remains inactive because nine of the 44 required countries have yet to ratify it for the treaty to take effect.

Several major powers have signed but not ratified the agreement, including the United States, China, Iran, Egypt, and Israel. Meanwhile, India, Pakistan, and North Korea have taken no action on the treaty. Russia previously signed and ratified the agreement but withdrew its ratification in 2023.

Floyd suggested that coordinated ratification by China, Russia, and the United States would represent “certainly be a powerful step forward” for the treaty’s implementation.

While both China and Russia claim to maintain voluntary testing moratoriums, U.S. State Department officials have publicly questioned the activities of both nations since 2019. Trump recently accused both countries of conducting tests and announced he had directed the Defense Department to begin nuclear weapons testing “on an equal basis.”

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov responded by stating Russia would only restart nuclear testing if the United States acted first.

Floyd revealed he recently traveled to Moscow to argue to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “that it is not in any state’s interest to see an unconstrained return to testing.” He also mentioned meeting with U.S. State Department officials and expressed interest in speaking with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The treaty official emphasized that the international monitoring network can identify even relatively small nuclear explosions anywhere on Earth. Any country attempting to develop nuclear weapons would need to conduct tests, and “if they did it will be known to all,” Floyd explained.

Australian officials have released preliminary findings from their investigation into December’s tragic mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, offering 14 recommendations to bolster the nation’s counter-terrorism defenses.

The December 14 attack during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration claimed 15 lives and represented Australia’s most devastating gun violence incident in three decades. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Thursday that his administration will implement all suggestions from the Royal Commission’s initial assessment.

“This is as the government envisaged – that the first task of the Royal Commission, the priority, was to look at the security elements of these issues,” Albanese stated during a press briefing.

The 154-page preliminary assessment suggests enhanced protection for Jewish community gatherings and additional firearm legislation improvements. However, investigators determined that existing legal structures did not prevent security forces from addressing the threat.

Authorities identified the attackers as a father and son who drew inspiration from the Islamic State terrorist organization. The incident shocked Australia, a nation recognized for its stringent gun control measures, and sparked demands for stronger anti-Semitism protections and tighter weapon restrictions.

Key proposals include a thorough examination of joint counter-terrorism units, with results to be delivered to police leadership and security officials within three months. The commission also recommends extending security measures beyond the Jewish High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to cover additional significant Jewish observances and gatherings.

Further suggestions involve updating counter-terrorism guidelines more rapidly, incorporating high-ranking government personnel in terrorism response training, and expediting plans for a nationwide gun buyback initiative.

“The review has revealed aspects in which counter-terrorism capability at federal and state levels could be improved,” the assessment concluded.

Five recommendations remain confidential due to national security sensitivities, according to Albanese. The Royal Commission was formed in January after pressure from Jewish organizations and victims’ relatives, who had criticized the Prime Minister’s initial reluctance to authorize the investigation.

Public testimony sessions are set to begin next week, with the complete report expected by year’s end.

Officials in Taiwan have implemented emergency communication protocols for Dongyin island following damage to a critical undersea cable connection, according to government reports released Wednesday.

The cable disruption occurred when severe weather apparently caused shipwreck debris to shift and sever the underwater communication line, cutting off standard service to the remote territory.

Dongyin houses approximately 1,500 residents and holds significant military importance due to its position at the northern edge of the Taiwan Strait. The island depends on ferry transportation from Taiwan’s mainland, as it lacks airport facilities.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs confirmed that the damaged cable had provided the primary link between Dongyin and Beigan, which is part of the Taiwan-administered Matsu island chain located near China’s coastline.

Emergency microwave communication technology has been deployed to restore voice calling and internet access, with cellular phone services and data connections now functioning at normal levels on Dongyin.

However, cable television remains unavailable, and some online services may experience slight delays due to ongoing weather issues, ministry officials noted.

Chunghwa Telecom expects to complete cable restoration work by late July, though the timeline depends on favorable weather conditions for repair operations.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the fragility of undersea communication infrastructure connecting Taiwan’s remote territories. Last year, two separate cable breaks disconnected internet service to the Matsu islands entirely. Taiwanese officials attributed that disruption to two Chinese vessels, though they found no proof of intentional sabotage by Beijing.

In response to these recurring vulnerabilities, Taiwan has been developing enhanced communication backup systems for potential emergency scenarios, including possible military conflict with China. Current initiatives include testing low-Earth-orbit satellite technology for remote locations such as Matsu.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A three-judge panel in New Zealand’s Court of Appeal has denied an attempt by the Christchurch mosque shooter to withdraw his admissions of guilt for the 2019 terrorist attack that claimed 51 lives.

Brenton Tarrant, the Australian white supremacist now 35 years old, had argued that severe prison conditions compromised his mental state when he entered guilty pleas to terrorism, murder, and attempted murder charges. The March 2019 massacre occurred when Tarrant traveled to two Christchurch mosques during Friday prayers and unleashed gunfire with semi-automatic rifles, killing 51 worshippers and wounding dozens more.

When Tarrant entered his guilty pleas in March 2020, it provided comfort to grieving families and attack survivors who had been anxious about enduring a prolonged trial where the gunman might promote his extremist ideology. The rejection of his appeal — filed 505 days beyond the required deadline, as the court noted — has once again prevented such a trial from occurring.

During a five-day court proceeding in February, the attacker claimed his guilty pleas resulted from mental instability that temporarily caused him to reject his white supremacist beliefs. However, the judges determined his mental health assertions were contradictory and lacked backing from correctional officers, psychological experts, or his former legal counsel.

“He was not suffering from a mental impairment or any other form of mental incapacity which rendered him unable to voluntarily change his pleas to guilty,” the judges wrote. “He endeavoured to mislead us about his state of mind in a weak attempt to advance an appeal in circumstances where all other evidence demonstrated that he made an informed and totally rational decision to plead guilty.”

The court’s decision also disclosed that Tarrant attempted to withdraw his appeal following the February hearing. The judges denied this request as well, stating the matter was “of significant public interest and should be finally determined.”

The panel suggested Tarrant “began to form the opinion that the hearing was not proceeding in his favour, and as a result decided to file a notice of abandonment after the hearing concluded.” Under New Zealand law, judges are not obligated to permit an appellant to discontinue an appeal once proceedings have begun.

Tarrant, who has dismissed the attorneys who represented him in February, continues serving his sentence at Auckland Prison, where he received a life term without parole possibility in August 2020. The court permitted him to abandon his appeal of that sentence, which had been set for hearing in 2026.

The Australian native relocated to New Zealand in 2017 with intentions to carry out a mass shooting. He collected an arsenal of firearms and conducted surveillance of his intended targets before executing the attack.

The appellate judges noted that Tarrant had acknowledged the factual summary provided by police and the sentencing judge, emphasizing that evidence against him was “overwhelming.” This evidence included video footage the shooter recorded and broadcast live online, showing his face, along with a manifesto detailing his racist ideology that he published under his actual name prior to the attacks.

The United States is working to build a new international partnership designed to restore ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Wednesday report from the Wall Street Journal.

Maritime traffic has come to a standstill in the critical waterway, prompting American officials to reach out to other nations for support in forming what they’re calling the “Maritime Freedom Construct,” the newspaper reported.

According to the Journal’s reporting, which cited an internal State Department communication, this proposed alliance would focus on sharing intelligence, working together diplomatically, and assisting with sanctions enforcement efforts.

Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the Wall Street Journal’s reporting at this time.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva suffered a major political setback Wednesday when the nation’s Senate voted down his Supreme Court appointment in an unprecedented rejection spanning more than a century.

The Senate cast 42 votes against Jorge Messias, the country’s solicitor-general since 2023 and a trusted legal adviser to Lula, while only 34 lawmakers supported the nomination. The appointment required 41 favorable votes to succeed.

President Lula, who is campaigning for a fourth non-consecutive term in the upcoming October election, had selected Messias to fill the vacancy left by Luís Roberto Barroso’s resignation last November. The Supreme Court has been functioning with just 10 justices since Barroso’s departure.

The 46-year-old Messias had previously gained approval from a Senate committee, but lawmakers ultimately rejected him in a confidential ballot by the full chamber.

Messias received backing from other Supreme Court justices in addition to President Lula, and made efforts to win support from evangelical legislators who share his religious background.

The president must now select a different candidate, who will face the same confirmation process and Senate vote.

The last instance of Brazil’s Senate turning down a Supreme Court nomination occurred in 1894 during the presidency of Floriano Peixoto, the nation’s second president, amid conflicts with congressional leaders.

A senior government official announced Wednesday that Canada will serve as the home base for NATO’s newly proposed financial institution designed to lower military borrowing expenses for alliance nations.

The unnamed official revealed that nearly 20 founding NATO members participated in Canada-hosted discussions that led to the selection for the Defense, Security and Resilience Bank headquarters location.

This new banking institution aims to assist NATO countries and their partners in fulfilling defense budget obligations while cutting military expenditure costs through combined credit resources.

Speaking anonymously to The Associated Press due to lack of authorization before formal announcements, the source indicated uncertainty about which Canadian city would house the facility.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to reports of Canada’s selection by advocating for Toronto as the location through social media, describing the opportunity as positioning Canada at the heart of international defense financing and production.

“As our nation’s financial capital, with a skilled workforce and unparalleled global connectivity, there’s no better place for the bank to be headquartered than Toronto,” Ford stated.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration has committed to achieving NATO military spending requirements.

Alliance nations, Canada included, have promised to allocate 5% of their gross domestic product toward defense. Carney announced last year that the government would reach the previous 2% benchmark this year, then later pledged Canada would achieve the 5% goal by 2035.

European partners and Canada have significantly increased military investments, including weapons and ammunition purchases, following Russia’s comprehensive attack on Ukraine beginning February 24, 2022.

President Donald Trump has previously criticized Canada for insufficient military expenditures.

During King Charles III’s current visit to the United States, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly urged the British monarch to give back a controversial diamond that has sparked international debate for decades.

Speaking at a Wednesday press conference before a September 11th memorial ceremony, the Indian American mayor addressed the issue of the Koh-i-Noor Diamond when questioned by reporters.

“If I were to speak to the king separately from that, I would probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor Diamond,” Mamdani stated during the media briefing.

The mayor and King Charles later met face-to-face during the memorial service honoring victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks. However, Mamdani’s office has not disclosed whether the diamond controversy was discussed during their encounter. Buckingham Palace has refused to provide any statement on the matter.

The massive 105-carat gemstone has been the subject of repeated demands from India for its return to the country. Historical records show that Britain’s colonial governor-general orchestrated the diamond’s presentation to Queen Victoria in 1850, following the East India Company’s takeover of Punjab in 1849 and seizure of the precious stone from a defeated Indian ruler.

King Charles spent Wednesday paying tribute to those lost in the September 11th attacks, placing flowers at the memorial site where the World Trade Center towers previously stood.

The diamond dispute remains deeply connected to India’s colonial past, as the nation gained independence from British control in 1947. The harsh treatment and widespread injustices inflicted on Indians during the colonial era continue to be painful topics for the country.

Indian officials have previously described the diamond as a “valued piece of art with strong roots in our nation’s history.” Many Indians view Britain’s possession of the gem as representing the brutalities of colonial domination.

According to the Historic Royal Palaces charity, the diamond’s ownership history includes India’s Mughal rulers, Persian shahs, Afghan emirs, and Sikh maharajas before falling into British hands.

Federal prosecutors in New York announced drug trafficking and weapons charges against ten Mexican government officials Wednesday, alleging they facilitated the smuggling of dangerous narcotics into the United States on behalf of a major cartel.

The indictment, revealed in Manhattan federal court, targets current and former officials from Mexico’s Sinaloa state, with the most prominent defendant being Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, who has held office since November 2021.

Rocha previously supported former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s “Hugs, Not Bullets” approach, a strategy that emphasized avoiding direct military confrontations with drug trafficking organizations.

The governor issued a strong denial of the allegations, stating he “categorically and completely rejects” the accusations and describing them as unfounded. Rocha characterized the charges as an “attack” targeting Mexico’s governing party and its leadership.

“It is part of a perverse strategy to violate (Mexico’s) constitutional order, specifically on national sovereignty,” he wrote in a post on X on Wednesday afternoon. “We will show them that this slander doesn’t have any sort of foundation.”

According to the federal indictment, several of the accused officials allegedly took part in the Sinaloa Cartel’s violent operations and retaliation campaigns.

The charging documents claim the defendants worked closely with a wing of the Sinaloa Cartel controlled by the children of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the former cartel boss currently serving life imprisonment in an American facility.

Federal authorities say these officials provided crucial assistance to help the Sinaloa Cartel transport fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine across the border from Mexico. The United States has classified the Sinaloa Cartel as one of eight Latin American criminal enterprises designated as terrorist organizations.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton described the Sinaloa Cartel as “a ruthless criminal organization that has flooded this community with dangerous drugs for decades.”

He added: “As the indictment lays bare, the Sinaloa Cartel, and other drug trafficking organizations like it, would not operate as freely or successfully without corrupt politicians and law enforcement officials on their payroll.”

Drug Enforcement Administration chief Terrance Cole said the indictment “exposes a deliberate effort to undermine public institutions and put American lives at risk.” The charged officials “used positions of trust to protect cartel operations, enabling a pipeline of deadly drugs into our country.”

The defendants include at least three officials connected to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Morena party: Governor Rocha, the mayor of Sinaloa’s capital city, and a senator. Several other charged officials held non-partisan government positions.

These charges follow remarks last week from U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ron Johnson, who announced plans for an anti-corruption initiative targeting Mexican officials allegedly connected to organized crime networks.

“Corruption not only hinders progress, it distorts it. It increases costs, weakens competition, and erodes the trust upon which markets depend. It is not a problem without victims,” Johnson said.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded Monday by stating her administration has not received “any evidence” supporting the corruption allegations.

“Any investigation in the United States against any person in Mexico must have evidence reviewed by the (Mexican) Attorney General’s Office,” Sheinbaum said.

This case follows the 2023 conviction of former Mexican cabinet official Genaro García Luna, who was found guilty of accepting bribes to assist the Sinaloa Cartel while serving as the country’s public security secretary. García Luna received a sentence exceeding 38 years in prison, though he maintains his innocence and is pursuing an appeal.

None of the newly charged defendants are currently in custody, according to federal officials.

The United Nations human rights chief revealed Wednesday that Iran has put at least 21 people to death and detained more than 4,000 individuals on national security charges since the beginning of the conflict with the United States and Israel two months ago.

According to Volker Turk, the executions included at least nine people connected to January protests, 10 individuals accused of belonging to opposition organizations, and two people facing espionage allegations.

“I am appalled that – on top of the already severe impacts of the conflict – the rights of the Iranian people continue to be stripped from them by the authorities, in harsh and brutal ways,” Turk stated.

The UN official demanded immediate action from Iranian leadership: “I call on the authorities to halt all further executions, establish a moratorium on the use of capital punishment, fully ensure due process and fair trial guarantees, and immediately release those arbitrarily detained.”

January witnessed Iran’s most significant domestic upheaval since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with government forces killing thousands during anti-government demonstrations. Human rights organizations report that authorities have intensified their suppression of dissidents throughout the ongoing conflict.

Iranian officials dismissed criticism from the UN Human Rights Council in January, labeling it as “politicized.”

The Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization reported last week that authorities have detained at least 3,646 people, with a minimum of 767 arrests documented after the ceasefire began on April 8.

Turk described disturbing treatment of detainees, stating that many among the thousands arrested “have been forcibly disappeared, tortured, or subjected to other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, including coerced – and sometimes televised – confessions and mock executions.”

The UN official noted that ethnic and religious minority members face heightened danger.

“Dozens of prisoners have been transferred to unknown locations with no information on their fate, among them human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh,” Turk reported.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi’s health has reportedly deteriorated following a heart attack, with her medical situation worsened by pre-existing chronic conditions stemming from her detention, according to Turk.

At Chabahar Prison in southeastern Iran, security personnel allegedly killed at least five individuals and wounded 21 others during confrontations with people protesting extended suspension of food distribution, Turk said. He added that two additional detainees died while in custody at another facility, with evidence suggesting they had endured torture.

MEXICO CITY — Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that they have filed criminal charges against Ruben Rocha, the governor of Mexico’s Sinaloa state, along with several current and former government officials for their suspected connections to a powerful drug trafficking organization.

According to the Justice Department, Rocha and the other defendants allegedly worked together with high-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel in a scheme to smuggle enormous amounts of illegal drugs across the border into the United States. In return, prosecutors say the officials provided political protection and accepted corrupt payments from the criminal organization.

PANAMA CITY — A diplomatic war of words erupted Wednesday between Washington and Beijing after the US State Department criticized China for allegedly undermining Panama’s sovereignty in a port-related shipping dispute.

The latest friction began in early April when Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned China for “bullying” tactics, claiming Beijing temporarily detained or delayed dozens of ships flying Panama’s flag. This action came after Panama took control of two vital canal ports from a Hong Kong-based company’s subsidiary earlier this year. Chinese officials have rejected these accusations.

On Tuesday, the State Department issued a joint declaration alongside several regional allies — Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago — condemning what they called a “blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade.” The statement expressed unified support for Panama.

These developments unfold as President Trump has adopted an increasingly assertive approach toward Latin America, including capturing Venezuela’s leader in a nighttime operation, implementing sweeping Venezuelan reforms, establishing an oil embargo against Cuba, interfering in regional elections, and threatening military intervention against Mexican drug cartels.

“The sovereignty of our hemisphere is non-negotiable,” Rubio declared in a Tuesday evening social media message.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian pushed back forcefully during Wednesday’s press briefing, dismissing the American statements as baseless and reality-distorting.

“Who occupied the Panama Canal for a long time, invaded Panama with its military, and arbitrarily trampled on its sovereignty and dignity? Who covets the Panama Canal, seeks to turn this international waterway — meant to remain permanently neutral — into its own territory, and disregards the sovereignty of regional countries? The answer is self-evident,” Jian said.

“The one who has politicized and securitized the issue of ports is the United States,” he added.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino responded by thanking allied nations for their support regarding the detained vessels while attempting to calm rising tensions.

“We do not wish to engage in controversy, as we value respectful relations with all nations,” he said.

Washington has consistently worked to counter Beijing’s expanding influence across Latin America. Panama has become particularly significant in this superpower competition due to the canal’s essential role in global commerce, especially after Trump last year accused China of controlling the strategic waterway.

A tragic structural collapse at a medical facility in Bengaluru, India has claimed seven lives, according to state officials reporting on the incident Wednesday.

The 8-foot hospital wall fell during severe weather, crushing a young child, four street vendors, and two individuals from Kerala state, announced D.K. Shivakumar, Karnataka’s deputy chief minister. Officials have yet to identify one additional victim.

Three additional people sustained injuries in the collapse and are currently receiving medical care, Shivakumar confirmed.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the deadly incident as “unfortunate” in a social media statement.

A Reuters reporter observed medical personnel treating an injured woman who received emergency care before being transported for further evaluation.

The collapse occurred as Bengaluru experienced dramatic weather changes Wednesday. After enduring weeks of oppressive heat and high humidity, the city was suddenly hit by powerful storms featuring heavy rain, strong winds, and hail.

While the intense rainfall provided temporary relief from the sweltering temperatures, it also caused significant problems throughout the area, including flooding and downed trees across multiple neighborhoods.

President Trump held discussions with American oil industry executives about sustaining a potential extended naval blockade against Iranian ports, according to a White House official who spoke Wednesday. The president simultaneously called on Iran to “get smart soon” and enter into negotiations.

The meeting with energy sector leaders occurred Tuesday amid stalled diplomatic efforts to end the standoff that has prompted Washington to implement a naval blockade targeting Iran’s oil shipments in an attempt to force Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial vessels.

The president has indicated Iran is welcome to initiate contact for discussions. In a Wednesday post on Truth Social before news of the executive meeting became public, Trump stated Tehran “couldn’t get its act together.”

According to the White House official, Trump and energy executives “discussed the steps President Trump has taken to alleviate global oil markets and steps we could take to continue the current blockade for months if needed and minimize impact on American consumers.”

Global oil markets responded with Brent crude prices jumping over 6% Wednesday to reach a month-long peak amid concerns about an extended blockade.

A senior Pentagon official revealed Wednesday that military operations have already cost the United States $25 billion, marking the first official financial estimate for the ongoing conflict.

Iranian leadership has vowed to maintain disruption of strait traffic while facing continued threats, potentially extending Middle Eastern oil supply interruptions from a conflict that has resulted in thousands of casualties and worldwide economic instability.

On Wednesday, Tehran issued warnings of “unprecedented military action” in response to continued American blockade operations against Iran-connected ships. While Trump has declared Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons, Iranian officials maintain their atomic program serves peaceful purposes.

“They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They’d better get smart soon!” Trump wrote in his social media message, though he provided no specifics about such an agreement’s terms.

The post included a digitally altered photograph showing him wearing sunglasses and holding a machine gun with text reading “No more Mr. Nice Guy.”

Iran’s economic situation has deteriorated significantly as its currency dropped to an unprecedented low of 1,810,000 rials per U.S. dollar Wednesday, according to the Iranian Students’ News Agency. This decline reflects pent-up foreign currency demand from six weeks of fighting now entering open markets.

The rial has lost nearly 15% of its value in just the past two days, ISNA reported.

Central bank data shows inflation reached 65.8% for the period between March 20 and April 20, a situation likely to worsen due to the currency collapse.

Iran seeks American recognition of its uranium enrichment rights for what it describes as peaceful civilian applications. The country maintains approximately 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, material that could potentially produce several nuclear weapons with additional processing.

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator, accused Trump of attempting to divide Iranians and force surrender through the blockade.

“The solution for confronting the enemy’s new conspiracy is only one thing: maintaining unity, which has been the bane of all the enemy’s conspiracies,” Qalibaf stated in a Telegram audio message.

Iran’s most recent proposal for ending the conflict, which has been paused since April 8 under a ceasefire arrangement, would postpone nuclear program discussions until formal conflict resolution and shipping problem solutions. This approach conflicts with Trump’s insistence on addressing nuclear issues immediately.

At senior administration officials’ request, U.S. intelligence services are analyzing potential Iranian responses if Trump declares unilateral victory, according to two U.S. officials and a knowledgeable source who spoke to Reuters.

Since February 28, when U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iran began, Tehran has effectively prevented all non-Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy transportation. American blockade operations against Iranian vessels commenced this month.

Iran no longer maintains unified clerical leadership following the deaths of several top political and military officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during U.S.-Israeli attacks.

The appointment of Khamenei’s injured son, Mojtaba, as his replacement has shifted additional authority to hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, according to Iranian officials and regional analysts.

Domestically, Trump faces mounting pressure to conclude a conflict for which he has offered varying justifications to Americans dealing with rising fuel costs. His approval rating has dropped to 34%, the lowest point of his current presidency, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling data, down from 36% in previous surveys.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the Iran conflict during heated congressional testimony, rejecting characterizations of it as a quagmire while calling Democratic critics “feckless” for opposing the unpopular military engagement.

Hundreds of South African demonstrators filled the streets of Johannesburg on Wednesday, demanding stricter controls on unauthorized immigration in protests that have heightened tensions between citizens and foreign residents.

The march represents part of a growing movement of demonstrations, following similar rallies in Pretoria on Tuesday. Groups opposing illegal immigration are pushing for rigorous enforcement of existing laws and widespread deportations.

South Africa’s status as one of Africa’s leading industrial nations draws migrants seeking economic opportunities, including both those who enter through legal channels and those without proper documentation.

The Johannesburg demonstrations prompted widespread business closures, affecting establishments owned by both citizens and immigrants, as owners worried about possible looting and criminal activity.

The rally was spearheaded by the anti-immigration organization March and March, drawing support from similar groups including Operation Dudula and political organizations ActionSA and Patriotic Alliance.

“We are not xenophobic, we just want the right thing to be done in South Africa, to put the South African first. We do want to live with foreigners in our country, but those foreigners must be legally in the country,” said Themba Mabunda of ActionSA, who participated in the march.

Current estimates for undocumented migrants in South Africa range widely, with commonly referenced numbers between 3 to 5 million people. Precise current data remains disputed since many foreign residents lack official documentation.

Groups opposing illegal immigration claim that unauthorized migration leads to overcrowded cities, workplace conflicts, reduced tax collections, and increased crime and border security risks in a nation where joblessness surpasses 30%.

Some anti-migration activists have forced foreign residents away from public healthcare centers, alleging they worsen medicine shortages and facility overcrowding.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres recently voiced alarm about reports of xenophobic violence and harassment targeting migrants and foreign residents in various South African regions, including KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Province.

An anti-migration demonstration in Eastern Cape Province last month led to violent destruction of minibus taxis and public property, while reported attacks against Ghanaian citizens in KwaZulu-Natal created a diplomatic crisis that resulted in South Africa’s ambassador to Ghana being called to account for the incidents.

South African authorities removed 109,344 undocumented immigrants during the previous two fiscal years as the country intensifies immigration enforcement efforts.

The World Health Organization announced Wednesday that violence targeting medical facilities and healthcare personnel has escalated worldwide, with a marked increase following the outbreak of recent Middle East hostilities.

Global incidents involving healthcare facilities and medical staff have climbed from an average of 3.7 daily occurrences to 4.3 since U.S. and Israeli forces conducted airstrikes against Iran in late February, according to WHO data.

“This is clearly showing that healthcare is the target,” stated Altaf Musani, Director of Emergency Health Interventions at the WHO, during a press briefing in Geneva.

The violent incidents encompass aerial bombardments and artillery strikes against medical centers and hospitals, along with detention and harassment of medical personnel.

“When healthcare is needed most, it is being attacked… These attacks are having a deep impact on functionality,” Musani explained.

Following the escalation of Middle Eastern hostilities, 50 medical facilities and private healthcare centers have ceased operations while 16 hospitals sustained damage throughout the region, WHO officials reported.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has consistently condemned these incidents and demanded accountability, pointed to Lebanon where 149 healthcare-related attacks have been documented.

Israeli airstrikes have resulted in more than 2,500 fatalities across Lebanon since March 2, following Iran-backed Hezbollah’s assault on Israeli positions that prompted Israel’s air and ground response. The UN Human Rights office stated last month that Israeli strikes targeting civilians, including medical workers, in Lebanon could constitute war crimes.

Israeli officials have consistently rejected claims of deliberately targeting healthcare personnel, maintaining they are focusing on Hezbollah installations.

Iran has experienced 26 documented attacks on medical sites since late February, Ghebreyesus noted.

Healthcare delivery in Gaza has been severely compromised by these incidents, with only one hospital remaining fully operational, while Sudan faces similar challenges with just 54% of hospitals functioning at full capacity, the WHO stated.

BIKFAYA, Lebanon — A former Lebanese leader who previously negotiated a failed peace agreement with Israel believes current circumstances present a new opportunity for diplomatic success.

Amin Gemayel, 84, discussed his views with The Associated Press Wednesday following the first direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel since the 1980s, as both nations explore potential security arrangements or eventual diplomatic normalization. Gemayel represents one of Lebanon’s most influential political families and helped establish the Christian Phalange party, which maintained significant influence for many years.

The former president, who seldom grants interviews to international journalists, recognized that conditions have shifted dramatically since Lebanese officials renewed diplomatic efforts with Israel while maintaining a delicate ceasefire. The Washington-based discussions have sparked angry demonstrations as Israeli forces continue operations in southern Lebanon and areas of Beirut work to rebuild following devastating Israeli airstrikes earlier this month.

Notably, the Iranian-supported Hezbollah organization had just formed during Gemayel’s presidential term and lacked the substantial military and political influence it later developed. Hezbollah rejects direct negotiations with Israel and advocates for Lebanon to back Iran’s discussions with the United States, claiming Tehran possesses greater bargaining power.

However, Hezbollah has suffered significant setbacks, Gemayel observed, and he advocates for the group’s disarmament. Israeli operations in Lebanon over recent years substantially damaged the organization’s military strength. Additionally, the removal of long-term supporter Bashar Assad in Syria by Islamist-led opposition forces eliminated much of the porous border previously used for arms smuggling.

Regional dynamics have also shifted, Gemayel explained.

“During my time, discussing a peace agreement with Israel was an unforgivable fatal crime,” he said.

He now perceives greater regional receptiveness, citing Syria’s direct negotiations with Israel and the Abraham Accords, through which several Arab nations, particularly the United Arab Emirates, established diplomatic relationships with Israel.

Gemayel became Lebanon’s youngest president in 1982 when sworn in at age 40. The nation was experiencing a brutal 15-year civil conflict, with both Syrian and Israeli forces occupying territory.

He chose to participate in U.S.-mediated direct negotiations with Israel through a foreign ministry representative, achieving an accord in May 1983 that included terminating the war status existing between the nations since Israel’s establishment in 1948. Israeli forces would retreat from southern Lebanon while Lebanese troops would deploy to the area.

Despite support from U.S. President Ronald Reagan and overwhelming Lebanese parliamentary approval, the agreement never took effect. Gemayel attributed the failure to Syria and its Lebanese allies, who opposed Israeli negotiations from the beginning, as well as Israel itself.

“Israel, though we had finished the negotiations and reached the stage of signing, tried to impose an article outside of the framework of the agreement, which was the simultaneous withdrawal alongside the Syrian army in Lebanon. So the Israeli military wouldn’t withdraw unless the Syrians would,” Gemayel said.

“It gave the Syrian military a veto to the agreement … and a public atmosphere of doubt that (then-Syrian President Hafez) Assad and his crew created.”

Currently, Gemayel believes Lebanon’s leadership should pursue comprehensive peace arrangements. Even an armistice similar to the 1949 agreement that maintained border stability for 18 years could represent positive progress, provided it preserves national unity.

President Joseph Aoun has indicated he seeks an arrangement similar to the 1949 accord, rather than complete diplomatic normalization with Israel.

Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s decision to engage in direct Israeli negotiations has received both widespread support and criticism in the deeply polarized nation. Officials maintain these talks represent the only path to securing Israeli troop withdrawal and achieving lasting stability.

“There is an opportunity for the Lebanese government to go into negotiations to reach a solution that achieves peace, security, and stability in Lebanon,” Gemayel said.

“That would also satisfy the feelings of Lebanese who yearn for the bare minimum of calm, peace, stability, and an end to the war.”

During the most recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which started two days after U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran on February 28, more than 2,500 Lebanese have died and over one million have been displaced.

Israeli troops maintain control over extensive areas of southern Lebanon and continue fighting Hezbollah militants despite an official truce. Both parties accuse the other of ceasefire violations.

Lebanese citizens have generally criticized Hezbollah’s decision to fire rockets into Israel on March 2, while also expressing horror at Israel’s bombing campaign and ground offensive.

Gemayel acknowledged the situation remains complex, particularly in a “boiling region” experiencing severe security and economic consequences from the Iran conflict.

“We have to see how far we can go,” he said. “We trust General Aoun to enter negotiations as far as they go while maintaining the interests of the country and the unity of Lebanon. And he knows exactly how far he can go in negotiations.”

LONDON — Three foreign nationals appeared in a British courtroom Wednesday facing charges they were recruited by a Russian-speaking individual to torch properties belonging to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in exchange for payment.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson informed the court that Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Petro Pochynok, 35, both Ukrainian citizens, along with Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, participated in a series of fires that occurred in London during a five-day period from May 8-12 of last year.

The trio faces conspiracy to commit arson charges, while Lavrynovych faces additional counts of property damage by fire with intent to endanger lives. Police investigators have identified Lavrynovych as the individual who actually started all three fires. All defendants have entered not guilty pleas.

“Three fires in the same area within five days would be pretty unusual. However, three fires all involving property linked to the same person were beyond a coincidence,” Atkinson stated during court proceedings.

According to the prosecution, the first incident involved a Toyota vehicle that was intentionally ignited during the early morning hours of May 8 in north London’s Kentish Town neighborhood. This was followed by house fires on May 11 and May 12.

Atkinson explained that both residential fires were started using comparable materials and “were set in the dead of night, when the occupants of the addresses would inevitably have been asleep,” suggesting the perpetrators intended to put lives at risk.

The targeted vehicle had previously been owned by Starmer, while the Ellington Road residence was managed by a business where the prime minister had served as both director and shareholder. The second home on Countess Road housed Starmer’s sister-in-law and remains under his ownership.

The prosecutor told jurors these attacks were “planned and directed, with those involved promised payment for their participation.” Evidence shows Lavrynovych received instructions and payment offers through the Telegram messaging platform from someone using the alias “El Money.”

Both house fires forced residents to flee for safety, according to testimony. During the May 11 incident, a top-floor tenant was awakened around 3 a.m. by smoke odors, discovered smoke-filled hallways, experienced breathing difficulties, and escaped to the roof.

The following night, Starmer’s sister-in-law heard loud noises around 1 a.m. and witnessed smoke pouring through her front door and up the stairway. She also had trouble breathing, while her 9-year-old daughter became “very frightened” during the ordeal.

Atkinson instructed the jury that determining the defendants’ motivations was unnecessary for their deliberations, noting it “does not matter whether they knew that the property they were targeting was connected to the prime minister or whether that formed part of their motivation.”

Investigators recovered over 320 messages between Lavrynovych and “El Money” dating back to September 2024, though Atkinson told jurors they should not concern themselves with the identity of “El Money” or their reasons for recruiting individuals to conduct these attacks. The court was not informed about the specific payment amounts offered or whether anyone sustained injuries in the fires.

MEXICO CITY – Following failed negotiations to eliminate US steel tariffs, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum declared Wednesday that all government construction projects must utilize steel manufactured by domestic companies.

“The commitment we are making here is that the government’s purchases will be steel produced in Mexico,” Sheinbaum stated during her regular morning news briefing.

This directive represents Mexico’s initial major attempt to decrease its heavy economic reliance on the United States. While Trump’s global trade policies have prompted nations like Canada to diversify away from US dependence, Mexico had previously avoided actions that might upset its primary trading partner, which purchases 80% of Mexican exports.

The announcement comes during the ongoing review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Trump’s comprehensive tariff strategy included imposing 50% duties on steel and aluminum imports last year.

Mexican government representatives have consistently argued these tariffs are unjustified, particularly since the United States maintains a trade surplus with Mexico in both steel and aluminum products.

More than half of Mexico’s automotive and steel industry exports are shipped to the world’s largest economy.

Mexican negotiators had been working toward an agreement to eliminate the tariffs. One potential arrangement would have allowed a predetermined amount of Mexican steel to enter the US without duties or at reduced rates, while imports exceeding that threshold would face the complete 50% tariff.

However, during a recent visit to Mexico, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer informed the country’s automotive and steel sectors that they should not anticipate the USMCA review process will result in tariff removal for their industries, according to an exclusive Reuters report.

Relatives of those killed and wounded in a devastating February school shooting in British Columbia have filed federal lawsuits against OpenAI, arguing the artificial intelligence company bears responsibility for not warning law enforcement about the attacker’s disturbing exchanges with its ChatGPT system.

Legal action filed Wednesday represents 12-year-old Maya Gebala, who suffered critical injuries during the attack, marking the beginning of what attorneys say will be dozens of similar cases from families in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The lawsuits include claims of wrongful death, negligence and defective product design.

Chicago-based attorney Jay Edelson, representing the families, stated during an interview that choices made by OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman “have destroyed the town. The people are really resilient, but what happened is unimaginable.”

Last week, Altman issued a formal written apology to the community, acknowledging his company’s failure to contact law enforcement regarding the shooter’s online activities.

According to investigators, the attacker murdered her mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at home on February 10 before launching an assault at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where she fatally shot five students and one staff member before taking her own life. The rampage left 25 others wounded, making it Canada’s most lethal mass shooting in recent years.

The litigation underscores growing worries about dangers from overly accommodating AI chatbots and questions regarding the technology sector’s duty to monitor them or alert authorities about users planning violent acts. Earlier this month, investigators looking into the deaths of two University of South Florida doctoral students revealed the suspect had consulted ChatGPT about disposing of bodies before the students vanished.

OpenAI responded to the legal challenge with a written statement saying the “events in Tumbler Ridge are a tragedy. We have a zero-tolerance policy for using our tools to assist in committing violence.”

“As we shared with Canadian officials, we have already strengthened our safeguards, including improving how ChatGPT responds to signs of distress, connecting people with local support and mental health resources, strengthening how we assess and escalate potential threats of violence, and improving detection of repeat policy violators,” the company stated.

Edelson, who specializes in challenging technology companies, currently handles multiple prominent cases against OpenAI, including representation for relatives of a California teen who committed suicide following ChatGPT conversations and another involving heirs of an 83-year-old Connecticut woman killed by her son after ChatGPT allegedly reinforced the man’s “paranoid delusions.”

“This is not a passive technology,” Edelson explained, contrasting chatbot interactions with traditional internet searches. “What we’ve seen in the past is that (for) people who are mentally ill, the chatbot will validate what they’re saying and then amplify what they’re saying.”

Last week, Edelson traveled to the small community of Tumbler Ridge, meeting with dozens of residents in a visitor center basement. He also visited Gebala at a Vancouver children’s hospital, where she continues treatment and appeared alert but unable to communicate verbally.

“It was so heartbreaking,” he remarked.

Wednesday’s legal filings represent families of the five murdered students: Zoey Benoit, Abel Mwansa Jr., Ticaria “Tiki” Lampert and Kylie Smith, all age 12, plus 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield, along with education assistant Shannda Aviugana-Durand.

Following the shooting, OpenAI disclosed that in June, the company had identified the shooter’s account for discussing violence against others.

The company explained it weighed whether to report the account to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police but concluded the activity didn’t warrant law enforcement notification at that time. OpenAI suspended the account in June for policy violations.

Wednesday’s lawsuits claim “the victims didn’t learn this because OpenAI was forthcoming, but because its own employees leaked it to The Wall Street Journal after they could no longer stomach the company’s silence.”

In his Friday letter, Altman wrote he was “deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June.”

“While I know words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to recognize the harm and irreversible loss your community has suffered,” Altman stated.

British Columbia Premier David Eby responded on social media, calling the apology “necessary, and yet grossly insufficient for the devastation done to the families of Tumbler Ridge.”

The Gebala case charges OpenAI with negligence for failing to notify law enforcement and “aiding and abetting a mass shooting.”

Beyond monetary compensation, the Gebala lawsuit requests judicial orders requiring OpenAI to permanently ban users whose accounts were suspended for violent misuse, and mandating the company notify law enforcement when systems detect individuals posing “real-world risk of violence.”

While an initial case was filed in British Columbia court, legal teams from both countries are working to consolidate related cases in San Francisco, where OpenAI maintains headquarters.

LONDON — Britain removed a Russian diplomat from the country Wednesday, striking back after Moscow kicked out a British official and launched what officials called a smear campaign against the UK.

The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced it called in Russia’s ambassador to London to notify him of the “reciprocal action.” These back-and-forth diplomatic moves highlight the worsening relationship between Russia and Western nations.

“This behavior is wholly unacceptable, and we will not tolerate harassment or intimidation of our diplomatic staff,” the Foreign Office declared in its statement.

The British response follows Russia’s decision last month to remove a UK diplomat based on espionage accusations that Britain dismissed as “complete nonsense.”

Russia’s Federal Security Service, the FSB, which handles domestic security and counterintelligence operations, claimed the British official attempted to collect “sensitive information” about Russia’s economy through “unofficial meetings” with Russian specialists. Moscow gave the diplomat two weeks to depart the country.

Since Russia began its comprehensive military assault on Ukraine in 2022, Russia and countries belonging to NATO have engaged in several cycles of removing each other’s diplomatic personnel, pushing diplomatic ties to their worst state since the Cold War era.

President Trump met with oil industry leaders Tuesday to address how America might handle market disruptions if a naval blockade against Iranian ports extends for several months, according to White House sources.

The discussions come as diplomatic efforts remain stalled and the U.S. continues pressuring Iran’s oil exports through naval operations aimed at forcing Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping.

Taking to Truth Social Wednesday before news of the meeting broke, Trump criticized Iran’s leadership, saying the country “couldn’t get its act together.”

The president’s conversations with energy sector executives covered strategies for stabilizing oil markets during a potentially lengthy blockade, a White House spokesperson confirmed. Topics included domestic oil production levels, futures markets, shipping logistics, and natural gas supplies.

Market reactions were swift, with oil prices jumping nearly 4% Wednesday and Brent crude reaching its highest point in a month following initial Wall Street Journal reporting about possible blockade extensions.

Iran continues threatening to disrupt strait traffic as long as U.S. pressure persists, raising concerns about further Middle Eastern energy supply interruptions from the ongoing conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and created worldwide economic instability.

Iranian officials issued warnings Wednesday about “unprecedented military action” in response to continued American interference with Iran-connected vessels. Trump has repeatedly emphasized that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons, while Tehran maintains it seeks only civilian nuclear capabilities.

“They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They’d better get smart soon!” Trump wrote in his social media post, though he provided no specifics about what such an agreement might include.

His post included a digitally altered image showing him wearing sunglasses and holding a machine gun, captioned “No more Mr. Nice Guy.”

Iran’s economic situation continues deteriorating as its currency plummeted to historic lows of 1,810,000 rials per U.S. dollar Wednesday, according to Iranian Students’ News Agency reports. Demand for foreign currency accumulated during six weeks of fighting is now flooding open markets.

The rial lost nearly 15% of its value over just two days, ISNA noted. Iran’s central bank reported inflation reached 65.8% for the month spanning March 20 to April 20, a trend expected to worsen as currency values collapse.

Iran’s most recent proposal for ending the conflict, which has been suspended since April 8 under ceasefire terms, would postpone nuclear program discussions until the war formally concludes and shipping problems are resolved. This approach conflicts with Trump’s insistence on addressing nuclear concerns immediately.

U.S. intelligence services are analyzing potential Iranian responses if Trump declares unilateral victory, according to two government officials and one source familiar with the situation.

Since fighting began February 28, Tehran has essentially shut down all non-Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy transport. American blockade operations against Iranian vessels started this month.

Iran’s power structure has shifted significantly since several top political and military leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died in U.S.-Israeli attacks. The wounded son of Khamenei, Mojtaba, has assumed leadership roles, giving increased influence to hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, according to Iranian sources and regional experts.

Domestically, Trump faces mounting pressure to conclude a war he has justified with varying explanations to Americans dealing with rising fuel costs. His approval ratings dropped to 34% in recent Reuters/Ipsos polling, down from 36% previously and marking the lowest point of his current presidency.

International governments, especially in Asia, are implementing fuel conservation measures and spending billions on subsidies. The European Union relaxed state assistance regulations, allowing member nations to help agriculture, fishing, and transportation sectors manage increased fuel and fertilizer expenses through 2026, though usage restrictions remain absent.

Authorities in Lebanon have arrested a former Palestinian diplomat on corruption allegations after he landed at the country’s main airport, according to officials who spoke Wednesday.

Ashraf Dabbour, who previously served as Palestine’s ambassador to Lebanon, was taken into custody when he arrived at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut on Tuesday evening. Four officials from judicial and security agencies confirmed the arrest but requested anonymity since they lacked authorization to discuss the matter publicly.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas had already removed Dabbour from his diplomatic position in Lebanon the previous year following corruption accusations from the Palestinian Authority.

According to Lebanese officials, Dabbour’s detention was carried out following an international arrest warrant issued through Interpol in late 2023.

Allegations suggest Dabbour participated in the unauthorized sale of real estate in Lebanon that belonged to the Palestine Liberation Organization, which had maintained its headquarters in the country before Israel’s military operation in 1982 forced its departure.

Officials confirmed that Dabbour was undergoing interrogation by a magistrate at the prosecutor’s office in Beirut.

LEHDE, Germany — After eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring for months, Andrea Bunar has returned to her distinctive role of transporting mail via barge through the winding waterways of the Spreewald Forest delta, located southeast of Berlin.

On Wednesday, the 55-year-old mail carrier resumed her position at the stern of her vessel, wielding a single lengthy oar to propel, direct, and guide her craft through the shallow channels.

“The start of the season is always special for me,” Bunar remarked as she stepped aboard the yellow barge wearing her postal service uniform. “After the long winter break, I enjoy being in the nature and back on the water.”

For 14 years, Bunar has been transporting correspondence and parcels to residents of Lehde, situated approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Berlin.

Throughout winter months, she uses an automobile to reach farms and residences, though this method proves challenging due to icy conditions and requires significantly more time than summer deliveries. Between April and October, she operates her 9-meter-long vessel, depositing mail Monday through Saturday into mailboxes that Lehde residents have positioned directly along the riverbank.

Her services extend beyond delivery, as she also provides stamps to those living along her remote route and collects outgoing mail from residents.

The Spreewald region is renowned for its extensive network of 300 kilometers of waterways, many winding through verdant forests and wetlands. This inland delta forms where the Spree River, which also flows through Berlin, divides into numerous small channels within the forest.

The area has earned UNESCO biosphere designation to safeguard its ecosystem, including the region’s varied plant and animal life.

Lehde holds the distinction of being Germany’s sole location where postal delivery occurs by boat. This village has received its mail via watercraft for 129 years.

Previously, residents collected their correspondence once weekly on Sundays at church following religious services. However, as populations migrated from rural areas to urban centers, the demand for frequent long-distance communication increased, prompting the German postal service to implement more regular delivery schedules — and in Lehde’s case, which resembles a verdant Germanic miniature of Venice, by boat.

Weekly, Bunar transports approximately 600 letters and 80 packages, requiring roughly two hours to navigate her barge along the 8-kilometer route.

In recent times, the postal worker has noticed a shift from letters to packages in her deliveries.

“I already delivered an e-scooter, a lawnmower and a fridge — sometimes my barge feels like a little container ship,” she explained. On Wednesday, her first day of the spring season, she transported a large saw to one resident, along with typical items including bills, registered mail, and personal correspondence.

“This is and has been my dream job all along,” Bunar said with a smile. “Being on the water is just so relaxing — it slows down life.”

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian officials are demanding that social media companies publicly reveal how many underage accounts they have suspended under new government restrictions protecting children under 16, authorities announced Wednesday.

“We will continue to insist that compliance alone is not enough; we must also report the figures to the public in the interest of transparency,” said Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid.

The Southeast Asian nation launched new government restrictions in late March that prohibit children younger than 16 from using digital platforms where they might encounter pornography, cyberbullying, online scams and addiction.

According to Hafid, Indonesian youth spend as much as eight hours daily on the internet.

Several social media and digital platforms did not immediately follow the new restriction, which impacts approximately 70 million children and teenagers across Indonesia.

TikTok emerged as the first platform to demonstrate concrete compliance results, announcing it had shut down 1.7 million accounts owned by users under 16.

The nation’s massive population likely “explains the platforms’ reluctance to accelerate compliance with this regulation,” Hafid noted.

Among the eight platforms designated as high-risk, seven have pledged to limit children’s access to their services, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, and Bigo Live.

Gaming platform Roblox remains the sole holdout, refusing to agree to block access for children under 16. The company has not responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

YouTube declared its commitment to blocking younger users three weeks following the implementation of restrictions, though it has not disclosed how many children’s accounts were located and deactivated.

“We remain focused on protecting the community and will continue working closely with the Indonesian government to support a secure digital future for the next generation,” a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.

Age-based social media restrictions for children under 16 initially launched in Australia last December, where social media companies removed access to roughly 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to minors.

Indonesia has become the first Southeast Asian nation to adopt similar measures.

Several other nations — including Spain, France and the United Kingdom — are implementing or exploring steps to limit children’s social media access due to mounting concerns about harm from uncontrolled social media content.

Hafid acknowledges ongoing challenges in enforcing the regulation, with the Indonesian government permitting platforms to choose their own account verification approaches.

“We understand the technology will continue to evolve rapidly. However, the platform is responsible for determining the best and most appropriate technology for its needs,” Hafid stated.

Critics have pointed to practical enforcement difficulties. Effective age verification typically requires gathering sensitive personal information, raising privacy and data security concerns. Some children will circumvent restrictions using false identification or their parents’ accounts, according to Nenden Sekar Arum, executive director of the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network, or SAFEnet, a digital rights organization.

Arum emphasized the government must monitor each platform’s user identity verification processes to ensure uniform compliance.

“The core problem is not the presence of children in the digital space, but how that digital space is shaped into a safe ecosystem. And how to ensure that those who are actually making this ecosystem harmful are held accountable. That is what needs to be addressed,” Arum said.

Law enforcement officials in Bulgaria announced Wednesday that they have arrested three individuals and are actively searching for a fourth suspect following the discovery of an elaborate marijuana cultivation facility constructed within an abandoned zinc mine.

The operation, which authorities believe was designed for international drug distribution, has yielded significant seizures including approximately 154 pounds of cannabis, roughly $701,400 in cash, and 600 rounds of ammunition, according to Emil Borisov, who serves as deputy director of the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime.

“The former mine was equipped with high-tech infrastructure and was likely used for large-scale production intended for trafficking abroad,” Borisov said.

The underground facility was discovered near Garlyano village, situated at the base of Osogovo mountain just a few kilometers away from the North Macedonia border.

Law enforcement officials indicated that their investigation remains active and could continue for several more months as they work to determine the mine’s ownership structure and assess the complete extent of the criminal enterprise.

BEIRUT (AP) — Thirteen Australian women and children with suspected connections to Islamic State militants remain stranded in Syria after their home country’s government blocked their return, Syrian authorities announced Wednesday.

The four families departed from Roj camp last Friday, a detention facility located near Iraq’s border that holds relatives of alleged extremist fighters, and made their way to Syria’s capital city.

A camp representative had indicated at the time that the families would spend approximately three days in Damascus before being transported back to Australia.

However, when the Associated Press inquired about their whereabouts, Syria’s information ministry revealed in an official statement that following the families’ departure from the camp, the foreign ministry learned that “the Australian government had refused to receive them.”

According to the information ministry’s statement, the families were prevented from accessing Damascus International Airport.

“These families are still awaiting a solution, which can only be achieved through coordination with the relevant international parties.”

During a Wednesday press briefing, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared that “we are providing no support for repatriation and no assistance for these people.”

Syria’s information ministry reported that the families had secured passports through legal representation, which were provided by an unnamed “individual” while they remained in northeastern Syria under Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces control.

Lebanese-Australian physician Jamal Rifi had previously informed Australian news outlets that he was facilitating the repatriation process. Attempts to contact Rifi for additional comments were unsuccessful.

An earlier repatriation effort in February involving 34 women and children from the same camp was also blocked by Syrian officials.

Following the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial control in Syria during 2019, former fighters from various nations and their family members have been detained in multiple camps and facilities throughout northeastern Syria. Despite the group’s defeat, dormant cells continue conducting lethal operations across Syria and Iraq.

The larger al-Hol detention facility has since been shuttered, with thousands of suspected Islamic State members previously detained in Syria being relocated to Iraq by U.S. forces to face prosecution.

These transfers occurred following clashes between government troops and the Syrian Democratic Forces in January. Government forces captured significant portions of SDF-controlled territory. During the resulting turmoil, numerous detainees escaped from al-Hol while others broke out of a separate detention facility.

Australian administrations have previously facilitated the return of Australian women and children from Syrian detention facilities on two separate occasions. Additional Australians have also returned home through independent means.

LONDON — A knife attack in London’s heavily Jewish Golders Green neighborhood left two victims hospitalized Wednesday morning, prompting authorities to arrest a 45-year-old suspect on attempted murder charges in what officials are calling an antisemitic assault.

Counterterrorism investigators are examining potential connections between this stabbing incident and multiple recent arson attacks targeting synagogues and Jewish facilities throughout London.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly denounced the violence, declaring that “attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.”

According to the Jewish security group Shomrim, the assailant “was seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and attempting to stab Jewish members of the public” during Wednesday’s morning hours.

Shomrim volunteers subdued the attacker before police arrived and used a stun gun during the arrest, the organization reported.

Scotland Yard’s Metropolitan Police confirmed both victims — men aged in their 30s and 70s — received hospital treatment and remain in stable condition. Officials noted the suspect also attempted to attack responding officers, though no police were harmed.

While counterterrorism detectives have taken charge of the investigation, authorities have not formally classified the incident as terrorism.

Investigators are working to determine the suspect’s nationality and background, with Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams stating that “investigators are considering all possible motives.”

The attack comes after several weeks of arson incidents targeting Jewish institutions in London, including damage to charity ambulances in Golders Green and a nearby synagogue fire.

“It happens in Israel, but happening on our own doorstep, of course it’s shocking,” local resident Moishe Grunfeld told reporters. “I have kids, I have grandchildren.”

Golders Green serves as a major hub for Britain’s Jewish population of approximately 300,000, featuring numerous kosher establishments, Jewish educational institutions, and dozens of synagogues alongside diverse Asian and Middle Eastern communities.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan addressed the escalating situation, saying “London’s Jewish community have been the target of a series of shocking antisemitic attacks.”

“There must be absolutely no place for antisemitism in society,” Khan emphasized.

Counterterrorism officials are exploring whether Iranian-backed groups may be responsible for the recent arson campaign.

The fire-setting incidents caused no injuries but occurred within close proximity to each other, leading to arrests and charges against multiple suspects ranging from teenagers to individuals in their 40s.

Britain’s chief rabbi has warned that Jewish citizens face an organized campaign of violence and intimidation.

The Community Security Trust reports a dramatic surge in antisemitic incidents nationwide since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and the ensuing Gaza conflict, with 3,700 recorded incidents in 2025 compared to 1,662 in 2022.

In October 2025, a separate attack outside a Manchester synagogue during Yom Kippur resulted in one person being fatally stabbed and another killed when police accidentally shot them during the response.

HAVANA — Cuban citizens gathered around tables throughout the island nation this month to participate in their government’s petition drive aimed at defending national independence while challenging the United States amid growing diplomatic friction.

Citizens 16 years and older have been participating in the ‘My signature for the Homeland’ initiative that President Miguel Díaz-Canel introduced in recent weeks.

While critics of the government-sponsored effort question why residents would wait in lines to sign petitions when food shortages and economic hardship continue spreading throughout Cuba, advocates describe the campaign as a message to Washington that ordinary Cubans desire peace but refuse to surrender in the face of recent invasion rhetoric.

‘Anything for the revolution,’ stated Rodolfo Ruiz, 64, who operates a small business selling sunglasses and various goods from his Havana residence. He explained that he participated in the signing last week due to President Donald Trump’s continued statements about Cuba, ‘so that he may hear and know that we are willing to defend our sovereignty.’

‘Watch out, Trump. Think before you invade Cuba, think carefully. The people are prepared,’ Ruiz said.

This past January, Trump issued an executive directive declaring that the ‘policies, practices, and actions of the Government of Cuba constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat,’ a characterization that Cuban leadership has consistently dismissed.

Trump has described the Caribbean nation as a ‘failing nation’ and mentioned the possibility of a ‘friendly takeover.’

‘We may stop by Cuba after we’re finished with this,’ he said in mid-April, referring to the war in Iran.

At the same time, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — whose parents were Cuban immigrants who departed before the revolution — has advocated for ‘new people in charge’ of Cuba.

‘It is absurd for the State Department to claim that Cuba — a relatively small, developing country subjected to a brutal economic war — could pose a threat to the world’s greatest military, technological, and economic power,’ Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodríguez wrote in a post on X on Wednesday.

Díaz-Canel has expressed his opposition to military conflict but emphasized that Cuba must prepare to prevent such action, and if required, overcome it.

Havana resident Delfina Hernández declared she would unite with fellow Cubans to resist a U.S. energy embargo, an intensification of existing American sanctions and what many describe as the ‘imperialist threat.’

During three days last week, the community facility she operates in Havana with her spouse received signature forms and welcomed residents who wanted to sign them. Hernández signed first.

‘Cuba is something very sacred to us,’ she said. ‘We are well-armed, and the people of Cuba will fight to the very end. We are going to hit them — and with everything we’ve got.’

However, social media backlash emerged quickly, with campaign opponents arguing that the ‘homeland’ has failed to provide for their needs. Some suggested the government should permit citizens to sign petitions supporting democratic choices like selecting their president.

The patriotic initiative launched on April 19 and coincides with Cuba’s commemoration of the 65th anniversary of its April 1961 Bay of Pigs triumph over approximately 1,500 Cuban exiles supported by the CIA who unsuccessfully attempted to topple Fidel Castro’s newly established Communist administration.

Alberto Olivera, a visual artist and Hernández’s spouse, wondered how Cuba could threaten the U.S.

‘If it’s a failed revolution, then leave us alone,’ he said. ‘What do they care?’ Hernández added.

Olivera acknowledged that Cubans face unaddressed challenges, noting that he has experienced hunger personally, but maintained that the ‘pressure cooker’ strategy by the U.S. would prove unsuccessful.

‘If I’m a failed state, why are you seeking me out?’ he asked.

The Trump administration has insisted that Cuba free political detainees, enact significant economic changes and alter its governing structure — demands Cuba has refused, stating its willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation in specific areas while advocating for ending a U.S. energy embargo that has worsened the island’s difficulties.

Both nations have acknowledged recent discussions, though specifics remain confidential.

While diplomatic tensions continue, Cuba’s administration is collecting signatures at employment sites and communities throughout the island of approximately 10 million residents, keeping quiet about the total number gathered.

Officials stated in a release that the signatures aim to denounce ‘the U.S. blockade and economic war against Cuba,’ which they labeled a ‘genocidal act,’ and to reject military aggression threats while defending ‘the inalienable right of Cubans to live in peace.’

Britain’s independent terrorism oversight official issued a warning Wednesday that the government may be overextending anti-terrorism statutes by applying them to activist organizations, creating confusion between legitimate demonstrations and genuine security concerns.

Jonathan Hall, who serves as the independent reviewer monitoring Britain’s terrorism laws, released his yearly assessment of how these regulations were implemented throughout 2024. In his findings, Hall pointed to the prohibition of Palestine Action, a pro-Palestine organization, as evidence of significant confusion about whether property destruction alone should constitute terrorist activity.

Hall expressed concern that the legislation’s expansive language might draw peaceful demonstration activities under terrorism enforcement without proper boundaries, even when no intention exists to cause physical harm to individuals.

“There is no legal authority on what ‘serious damage to property’ means,” Hall stated in his report, noting that this definition might encompass everything from violent assaults to simple vandalism, based on judicial interpretation of the standards.

Though Hall acknowledged it would be unrealistic to completely eliminate property destruction from terrorism definitions, he proposed that legislators might tighten the criteria by incorporating requirements for life-threatening risks, national security elements, or exemptions for peaceful demonstrations.

These findings emerge while the government challenges a High Court decision that declared Palestine Action’s prohibition illegal due to free speech violations. The restriction, enacted in July 2025, continues while the appeal proceeds. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk cautioned at that time that employing anti-terrorism measures to enforce Palestine Action’s ban could “hinder the legitimate exercise of fundamental freedoms across the UK.”

Hall’s assessment also emphasized increasing dependence on terrorism statutes to regulate internet propaganda and political discourse.

The independent monitor examined the 2024 prohibitions of Islamic organization Hizb ut-Tahrir and the far-right online Terrorgram network, characterizing both situations as instances where groups faced bans primarily for internet messaging rather than violent operations.

Criminal charges related to banned organizations increased during 2024, partially due to arrests following Britain’s Hamas prohibition after the October 2023 Israeli attack. Hall predicted prosecution figures would climb further following Palestine Action’s 2025 ban.

Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood stated she would examine Hall’s suggestions before providing an official response.

A South African court has ordered the immediate deportation of Bellarmine Mugabe, the son of Zimbabwe’s former longtime leader Robert Mugabe, following his guilty plea to criminal charges this month.

Magistrate Renier Boshoff directed that the 29-year-old be escorted by law enforcement to Johannesburg’s international airport for his return to Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

The younger Mugabe admitted guilt to displaying an item that could reasonably be mistaken for a firearm and to unlawful presence in South Africa. The court imposed financial penalties totaling approximately $36,000, with the alternative being a two-year prison term.

Both Mugabe and his cousin were taken into custody in February, initially facing attempted murder allegations connected to the shooting of a worker at Mugabe’s Johannesburg residence. Authorities have yet to recover the weapon involved in the incident.

Through negotiations with prosecutors, Mugabe accepted responsibility for reduced charges that were separate from the shooting incident.

His relative, Tobias Matonhodze, admitted guilt to attempted murder in the shooting case along with additional charges, receiving a three-year prison sentence. The magistrate determined that Matonhodze would also face deportation to Zimbabwe upon completing his incarceration.

Addressing Mugabe directly, Boshoff stated: “I do not know whether the second accused took the rap for you. Number two pleaded guilty on all these counts… and I can only act on what is before me.”

Bellarmine Mugabe is the youngest offspring of the deceased Zimbabwean president and his second spouse, Grace Mugabe. Robert Mugabe governed Zimbabwe for nearly four decades, earning recognition as one of Africa’s most enduring authoritarian rulers until his overthrow in a military coup during 2017. He passed away in 2019 at age 95.

Various members of the Mugabe family have faced legal troubles through the years.

Grace Mugabe faced accusations of attacking a model with an electrical cord in front of her children at an upscale Johannesburg hotel in 2017. Though initially summoned to court while serving as first lady, she ultimately received diplomatic immunity protection.

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine House committee determined Wednesday there exists “probable cause” to move forward with impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte following an investigation into criminal accusations, including undisclosed wealth, improper handling of government money, and assassination threats against the president.

The Southeast Asian democracy has faced ongoing challenges with governance scandals and political instability for decades, including an escalating feud between Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The 53-member House justice committee’s unanimous ruling represents another blow to the vice president, who has consistently denied all accusations and declined to provide detailed responses to the specific charges.

The impeachment accusations focus on Duterte’s suspected illegal handling and mismanagement of substantial sums from both the vice presidential office and during her tenure leading the education department under Marcos.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the National Bureau of Investigation testified that statements Duterte made during a 2024 online press conference threatening to kill Marcos, his spouse, and the House speaker if she were assassinated constituted a national security threat.

The committee’s ruling advances both impeachment cases against Duterte to the full House chamber for consideration and voting by more than 300 lawmakers.

Should the Marcos-controlled House vote to impeach, Duterte would then stand trial in the Senate.

Critics have expressed particular alarm about Duterte’s alleged misconduct given her announced plans to run for president in 2028.

Justice committee chair Rep. Gerville Luistro criticized the vice president for skipping six televised hearings over recent months and petitioning the Supreme Court to halt the impeachment investigation into various accusations, including substantial unreported bank transactions spanning multiple years.

“If there is nothing to hide, there is no reason to hide, there is no reason to obstruct,” Luistro stated as Wednesday’s committee session began. “The only people who fear the disclosures of these transactions are those with dirty secrets.”

On Monday, Duterte’s spouse, Manases Carpio, filed criminal charges against Luistro and other officials after the couple’s banking records were publicly disclosed during a recent House hearing, claiming violations of banking privacy laws.

Duterte is the child of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces detention by the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands for suspected crimes against humanity related to his administration’s lethal anti-drug campaigns.

Many of the current accusations against the vice president were part of a previous impeachment attempt she escaped on procedural grounds last year.

The House voted to impeach her previously and forwarded the matter to the Senate for trial. The Supreme Court subsequently determined that the lower chamber had violated a constitutional provision limiting impeachment proceedings to one case annually.

Public opinion polls continue to show the vice president maintains strong popular support.

Duterte and the president formed a surprising partnership for the 2022 election but have since engaged in a bitter public dispute.

KYIV, April 29 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has transformed his nation’s battlefield innovations in unmanned aircraft technology into powerful diplomatic leverage, securing defense partnerships across Europe and the Middle East as he works to expand Ukraine’s global influence.

Following Russia’s 2022 invasion, Zelenskyy has worked to expand Kyiv’s international partnerships beyond traditional Western supporters to include nations from the “global south,” aiming to limit Moscow’s diplomatic influence worldwide.

The ongoing conflict has demonstrated the critical role of unmanned aircraft in contemporary military operations, providing Zelenskyy with significant diplomatic advantages during a period when American backing for Ukraine appears uncertain, according to defense analysts.

Throughout the conflict, Ukraine has developed cost-effective methods to defend against drone strikes rather than depending solely on advanced missile defense systems like the expensive U.S. Patriot systems deployed in the Gulf region. Kiev has additionally created long-distance attack capabilities using unmanned aircraft to target Russian energy facilities.

This month, Ukraine has finalized defense and drone agreements with Germany, Norway and the Netherlands, building on long-term security partnerships established with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in March.

Zelenskyy has recently established security cooperation frameworks with Turkey and Syria, and completed agreements over the weekend with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev covering defense and energy sectors.

“Zelenskyy is really trying hard to show that Ukraine is an asset and not a liability and that it has an answer to the changing nature of war,” said Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House, a London-based think tank. “Ukraine now needs to organize itself to actually deliver.”

EXPORT RESTRICTIONS LIMIT UKRAINE’S DEFENSE DEALS

Ukrainian drone producers report substantial unused manufacturing capacity, yet government officials have authorized only limited defense export permits.

Ukraine has established drone production facilities abroad, including operations in Germany and Britain, though this overseas manufacturing is designated for Ukrainian military requirements.

“In Ukraine, the choke point is the export control: basically it’s an export ban,” Lutsevych said, adding that Ukraine needed to streamline the rules. “It needs to find a balance between its war needs and exports.”

During his Tuesday evening remarks, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine’s defense manufacturing sector maintains 50% unused capacity in certain areas and will soon commence weapons exports. Officials plan to reduce bureaucratic export procedures, he stated, while implementing safeguards to prevent Ukrainian technology and weaponry from reaching Russian forces.

Ukraine faces an additional obstacle as its achievements have primarily involved creating effective integrated systems – including coordinated networks of interceptor drones, automatic weapons and electronic jamming equipment for aerial defense – rather than revolutionary technology breakthroughs.

To demonstrate these capabilities, Ukraine has stationed approximately 200 specialists in Gulf nations to assist with defense against Iran’s Shahed long-range drones.

Kurt Volker, a former U.S. NATO ambassador and Ukraine envoy during President Donald Trump’s first administration, said Kyiv was rightly cautious about sharing its wartime systems too widely.

“Much of what the Ukrainians have done is develop process and mentality,” Volker said, adding Ukraine was concerned about Russia learning how its systems operate. “What any business would do is protect your IP for as long as possible. That’s what makes it valuable. So of course they’re doing that.”

DEPENDENCE ON SKILLED OPERATORS

Ukraine’s budget-friendly air defense systems depend heavily on the expertise and training of personnel operating interceptor drones, according to Fabian Hoffmann, a senior researcher at the Norwegian Defence University College.

This approach has proven highly successful against propeller-driven aircraft, including Russia’s Geran-2, though the gradual deployment of jet-powered variants capable of 400 kilometer per hour speeds presents greater challenges for human operators.

“Ukraine has been moving towards autonomously guided interceptor drones but, so far, the operators have done a lot of the heavy lifting,” Hoffmann said, adding that European companies such as Tytan in Germany and Frankenburg in Estonia were developing autonomous systems that might erode Ukraine’s advantage.

Defense exports would provide significant economic advantages for Ukraine, specialists indicate. Approximately 400,000 individuals currently work in Ukraine’s defense manufacturing sector, according to UCDI, a manufacturers’ association. Enhanced funding for the defense industry could decrease dependence on Western financial and military assistance while driving economic expansion following an eventual ceasefire.

Zelenskyy anticipates that drone diplomacy will help secure energy supply agreements with Middle Eastern nations and create markets for Ukrainian agricultural exports.

He also seeks to enhance Ukraine’s missile defense capabilities. The U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran has generated concerns in Ukraine that Patriot system supplies – essential for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles – might become scarce as Washington prioritizes domestic requirements.

Ukraine’s $4-billion defense agreement with Germany this month included Patriot system deliveries and commitments for collaboration on European ballistic missile defense development. Zelenskyy has stated Ukraine requires independent anti-ballistic missile defenses within twelve months.

Hoffmann noted the enormous challenges in developing interceptors capable of destroying modern maneuvering ballistic missiles: the Patriot PAC-3, achieving perhaps 60% success rates, represents decades of development work.

Behind Ukraine’s diplomatic initiative, analysts suggest, lies uncertainty about Washington’s dependability as a partner.

“He (Zelenskyy) understands that America stopped being an ally,” Lutsevych said. “The Ukrainians also understand that they need to walk a fine line by keeping America on side as long as possible.”

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia’s highest court confirmed Wednesday a 21-year prison term for a man convicted of terrorism after he shot the country’s Prime Minister Robert Fico in an assassination attempt nearly two years ago.

The gunman, 73-year-old Juraj Cintula, shot Fico on May 15, 2024, while the prime minister was meeting with supporters after a government session in Handlová, a town located roughly 85 miles northeast of Slovakia’s capital.

Police took Cintula into custody immediately following the shooting and he has remained jailed since. During proceedings, he stated his actions were motivated by opposition to government policies, though he disputed being labeled a “terrorist.” He maintained that while he intended to injure Fico, he did not plan to kill him.

Cintula expressed disagreement with several of Fico’s policy decisions, specifically citing the elimination of a specialized anti-corruption prosecutor’s office and the termination of military assistance to Ukraine.

The initial sentencing occurred on October 21, which Cintula subsequently challenged through an appeal.

The Supreme Court’s decision Wednesday marks the end of the legal process.

The shooting wounded Fico in his stomach, and emergency responders transported him from Handlová to a medical facility in nearby Banská Bystrica. Doctors performed an initial five-hour surgical procedure, followed by an additional two-hour operation 48 hours later. Fico has made a full recovery from his injuries.

Since regaining power in 2023, Fico has remained a polarizing political figure. His pro-Russian stance and various policy positions have sparked widespread public demonstrations throughout the country.

A Russian oil facility caught fire Wednesday after Ukrainian forces launched what officials described as their latest extended-range drone strike deep into enemy territory.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed it targeted an oil pumping station in Russia’s Perm region, nestled in the Ural Mountains over 900 miles from Ukraine’s border. The strike represents part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to cripple Russia’s energy infrastructure.

While Russian media confirmed the incident, Perm Governor Dmitry Makhonin would only acknowledge that a drone struck an unidentified industrial site, causing a blaze.

Russian authorities have remained tight-lipped about Ukraine’s claims of conducting increasingly sophisticated long-distance attacks using domestically manufactured drones with improved precision capabilities.

Drone warfare has emerged as a crucial element in the conflict as Russia’s larger military continues its invasion that began more than four years ago. Ukraine has responded by accelerating development of both offensive and defensive drone systems.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared footage on Telegram Wednesday showing thick black smoke billowing skyward from a rural area near populated zones. While not confirming the video showed the Perm strike, Zelenskyy announced Ukraine was extending its long-distance attack capabilities, calling it a new phase aimed at cutting Russia’s oil revenues that fund its war effort.

Independent verification of the footage was not possible.

The SBU alleged that multiple oil storage tanks were burning at the targeted facility, which it identified as belonging to Transneft, Russia’s pipeline operator, and described as a critical component of the nation’s oil transport network. These assertions could not be independently confirmed.

Zelenskyy praised the SBU for the accuracy of its operations.

“The straight-line distance is more than 1,500 kilometers. We will continue to increase these ranges,” he stated.

This attack followed Tuesday’s Ukrainian strike on the Tuapse oil refinery and terminal along the Black Sea, marking the third such assault in under two weeks. That operation forced local evacuations and prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to warn of potential “serious environmental consequences.” Tuapse authorities reported containing the fire by Wednesday.

According to the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War, Ukraine has intensified its long-range campaign against Russian oil infrastructure to prevent Moscow from benefiting financially from a U.S. sanctions waiver during global supply constraints linked to conflicts involving Iran.

Kiev is taking advantage of Russia’s vast territory and its defensive weaknesses, the think tank noted.

“Ukrainian forces will likely continue to exploit the large attack surface of Russia’s deep rear and overstretched Russian air defenses to launch more frequent and larger strikes against Russian oil infrastructure and military assets, supported by increased Ukrainian domestic drone production,” the institute reported Tuesday evening.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Wednesday that its air defense systems intercepted 98 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russian territories and Crimea, which Russia unlawfully seized in 2014.

Following years of heavy dependence on international military aid, Ukraine now appears ready to share its advanced drone technology with other nations.

Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine is generating surplus production of up to 50% for certain weapon categories.

Military partnerships with Ukraine’s supporting allies “is already underway” involving nations across the Middle East, Gulf region, Europe and Caucasus, he announced on Telegram Tuesday night.

These agreements encompass drone and missile production and delivery, plus software and technological transfers, Zelenskyy explained.

Ukraine has also submitted a cooperation proposal to the United States covering drones, defense systems and various weapons for air, land and sea applications, he added.

Meanwhile, Russia has maintained its own long-distance strikes targeting Ukrainian civilian areas, causing damage to residential buildings and infrastructure, regional officials reported.

The northeastern Kharkiv region saw eight people wounded during overnight attacks, according to regional prosecutors.

In the northeastern Sumy region, authorities reported a 60-year-old woman died from carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from an attack.

Russian forces also hit Izmail in the southern Odesa region, damaging city infrastructure and a district hospital building, local administrators said.

Ukraine’s air force reported successfully intercepting 154 of 171 drones Russia launched during overnight operations.

China’s capital city has implemented a comprehensive prohibition on unmanned aircraft within its boundaries effective May 1.

Municipal authorities in Beijing approved new regulations in late March that eliminate both the sale and operation of drones throughout the metropolitan area, though aerial restrictions for these devices were already in place.

Online marketplace Taobao, a major Chinese e-commerce platform, now prevents customers with Beijing shipping addresses from completing purchases of drone equipment. A representative from a local DJI electronics retailer informed state media outlet Jiemian that management has instructed them to clear all drone inventory by Thursday.

The updated rules provide exemptions for academic institutions, research organizations, and law enforcement applications, though operators must secure police authorization beforehand. Those who violate these restrictions could face penalties of 500 yuan (approximately $73) and risk having their equipment seized.

Current regulations in China require all drone operators to create verified accounts using their actual names and identification through an official government website before operating these devices.

Chinese manufacturers control much of the worldwide consumer drone industry, creating security worries in nations like the United States, where the Federal Communications Commission has prohibited new foreign drone models.

Beijing typically enforces stricter security measures compared to other regions across the nation. In the past, China has prevented Tesla owners from parking their electric vehicles at certain government facilities, including airports, due to surveillance concerns about the cars’ built-in camera systems.

Diplomatic negotiations between Iran and the United States to resolve their ongoing conflict hit a roadblock on Wednesday, even after President Donald Trump previously stated that Iran had told his administration it was experiencing a “State of Collapse.”

“They want us to ‘Open the Hormuz Strait,’ as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation,” Trump wrote on social media. The White House has not yet responded to inquiries about how this communication occurred.

At the same time, Pakistan announced that its weekly petroleum import costs have skyrocketed by approximately 167% because of climbing worldwide energy prices. During a Wednesday cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed the weekly petroleum import expenses had jumped from $300 million prior to the Middle East crisis to $800 million.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a comparable assessment, stating that the U.S.-Israel conflict, along with Iranian countermeasures like blocking the Strait of Hormuz, is draining nearly 500 million euros ($600 million) daily from the European Union, driving up fuel costs and creating concerns about potential jet fuel shortages in the coming weeks.

The United Arab Emirates declared on Tuesday its intention to exit OPEC starting May 1, removing one of the oil organization’s major producers. Although this decision won’t immediately affect global oil supplies already limited by the Iranian war and Hormuz Strait blockade, it might help reduce petroleum prices once the conflict ends.

In Lebanon, an army serviceman and his brother died Wednesday when Israeli forces struck the motorcycle they were riding as the soldier traveled from his duty station to his residence in al-Souaneh village, according to military officials.

The Lebanese military has remained neutral during the current Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which started March 2 when the militant organization fired missiles into Israel, two days following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. However, troops have repeatedly been caught in combat zones.

Israeli strikes have claimed the lives of 20 Lebanese army personnel since March 2, primarily while traveling to or from their assignments, military sources reported. Overall casualties in Lebanon have exceeded 2,500 during the war and a fragile ceasefire implemented this month that has decreased but not eliminated hostilities.

According to the United Nations nuclear agency director, most of Iran’s weapons-grade uranium likely remains at the Isfahan nuclear facility, which suffered bombing last year and experienced additional attacks during this year’s U.S.-Israeli campaign.

In a Tuesday interview with The Associated Press, Rafael Grossi explained that the International Atomic Energy Agency possesses satellite imagery documenting the impact of recent U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran and continues gathering intelligence.

IAEA monitoring ceased at Isfahan when Israel initiated a 12-day conflict last June that included U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear installations.

The UN nuclear oversight body estimates that most of Iran’s weapons-grade uranium “was stored there in June 2025 when the 12-day war broke out, and it has been there ever since,” Grossi explained.

Pakistan’s petroleum import expenses have increased roughly 167% due to escalating global costs, putting additional pressure on the financially struggling nation’s vulnerable economy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Wednesday.

During televised cabinet proceedings, Sharif explained that weekly petroleum import costs had climbed from $300 million before the conflict to $800 million.

He indicated the government is implementing energy conservation measures to reduce petroleum consumption while continuing diplomatic initiatives to encourage peace.

European Union nations must direct their energy assistance primarily toward at-risk families and industries or risk squandering billions of euros as the Iran conflict affects oil and gas costs, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cautioned Wednesday.

The U.S.-Israel war, combined with Iranian retaliation including Strait of Hormuz restrictions, is costing the EU nearly 500 million euros ($600 million) daily, increasing pump prices and raising concerns about jet fuel shortages within weeks.

Von der Leyen urged the world’s largest trading alliance to apply lessons from the 2022 energy crisis — when Russia weaponized energy against European nations to weaken their Ukraine support — to prevent further economic damage.

Over 350 billion euros “were spent on untargeted measures and this had a huge impact on member states finances,” she informed EU legislators in Strasbourg, France. “So let us not make the same mistake again, and let’s focus our support where it matters most.”

Iran’s national currency, the rial, reached an unprecedented low Wednesday at 1.8 million to $1 while a tentative ceasefire with the U.S. and Israel continues.

The rial had maintained stability for weeks during the war that commenced February 28, partly because limited trading and imports entered the country.

Currency decline began two days earlier, reaching the record low Wednesday.

Financial analysts caution that the rial’s depreciation will likely increase inflation in a nation where numerous imported items, including food, medicine, electronics, and raw materials, depend on dollar exchange rates.

While the war is currently under ceasefire, ongoing U.S. economic sanctions continue pressuring Iran’s already weakened economy, reducing a crucial government revenue source and foreign currency by blocking or seizing oil shipments.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated Wednesday that his administration continues working to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran.

During an Islamabad cabinet session, he described a “marathon session” held in the capital during initial direct negotiations between both parties on April 11, resulting in progress toward a ceasefire that remains active.

He noted that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan over the weekend during the ceasefire for extended discussions between Iran and Pakistan. Araghchi subsequently traveled to Oman, returned briefly, then departed for Russia, Sharif reported.

Before leaving for Moscow, Araghchi contacted him by telephone and “assured me that after consulting with his leadership, he would respond as soon as possible,” Sharif said. He didn’t specify Araghchi’s response topic, though Pakistan has expressed interest in hosting additional U.S.-Iran negotiations.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will undergo congressional questioning for the first time since the Iran war started.

Wednesday’s House Armed Services Committee hearing will examine the Trump administration’s $1.5 trillion military budget for 2027.

Democratic representatives will likely challenge Hegseth regarding the Iran war’s expenses and significant depletion of essential ammunition supplies. Despite the current ceasefire, the U.S. and Israel initiated the war February 28 without congressional authorization.

Coast Guard officials announced Wednesday they are ending their search for five sailors who disappeared when their cargo vessel capsized during a powerful typhoon in the Pacific.

The 145-foot cargo vessel Mariana was carrying six crew members when it overturned near the Northern Mariana Islands during Super Typhoon Sinlaku. Rescue divers managed to retrieve one crew member’s body from the capsized ship on April 21.

“The decision to suspend the search is an incredibly difficult one that is only made after very careful consideration of all available information,” said Cmdr. Preston Hieb of the U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District in a video message posted on X. “From working and communicating with the families, I know how devastated they are by this outcome.”

Hieb reported that rescue teams spent over 100 hours searching an area that exceeded California’s total size for any sign of the missing sailors.

The tragedy began two weeks ago when the ship’s crew radioed the Coast Guard reporting they had lost their starboard engines and required emergency help as Super Typhoon Sinlaku pounded the Pacific island territory. Communication with the vessel was lost the following day.

Powerful winds initially hampered rescue operations, but search teams located the overturned ship on April 18 approximately 40 miles northeast of Pagan, an island within the Northern Marianas U.S. territory.

During the search, Coast Guard teams discovered debris including a partially flooded inflatable life raft located roughly 110 miles away from the capsized vessel. Despite extensive efforts, the five remaining crew members have not been found, Hieb confirmed Wednesday.

“We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of the Mariana crew, as well as the entire Saipan community,” Hieb stated.

Super Typhoon Sinlaku brought destructive winds and flooding to the Northern Mariana Islands during its passage through the region.

The director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency believes the bulk of Iran’s highly enriched uranium remains stored at the Isfahan nuclear facility, despite the site being targeted by airstrikes during last year’s conflict and additional attacks in the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign.

In a Tuesday interview with The Associated Press, Rafael Grossi revealed that his agency possesses satellite imagery documenting the impact of recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and that “we continue to get information.”

International inspections at the Isfahan location ceased when a 12-day military conflict erupted last June, during which American forces targeted three Iranian nuclear installations.

According to Grossi, the nuclear oversight organization estimates that a substantial portion of Iran’s highly enriched uranium “was stored there in June 2025 when the 12-day war broke out, and it has been there ever since.”

“We haven’t been able to inspect or to reject that the material is there and that the seals — the IAEA seals — remain there,” Grossi explained. “I hope we’ll be able to do that, so what I tell you is our best estimate.”

Satellite photographs from Airbus captured a vehicle carrying 18 blue containers entering a tunnel system at the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center on June 9, 2025, shortly before the June military action commenced. Intelligence suggests these containers, suspected of holding highly enriched uranium, are still located there.

The nuclear agency chief also expressed interest in examining Iran’s atomic facilities at Natanz and Fordo, which house additional nuclear materials.

As a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, currently under review at United Nations headquarters, Iran must allow IAEA inspectors access to its nuclear installations, Grossi noted.

Current data shows Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which represents a brief technical leap from weapons-grade concentrations of 90%. Grossi estimates approximately 200 kilograms (about 440 pounds) sits in underground storage at Isfahan.

The Iranian nuclear stockpile could potentially enable the construction of up to 10 nuclear weapons if Tehran chose to weaponize its atomic program, according to Grossi’s previous statements to the AP.

Iranian officials have consistently maintained their nuclear activities serve peaceful purposes. President Donald Trump has cited preventing Iranian nuclear weapons development as a primary justification for military action, while claiming the June strikes “obliterated” Iran’s atomic capabilities.

The IAEA chief disclosed discussions with Russia and other nations about removing Iran’s highly enriched uranium from the country — a complicated undertaking requiring either diplomatic agreement or significant U.S. military intervention in hostile territory.

“What’s going to be important is that that material leaves Iran” or undergoes dilution to lower enrichment levels, Grossi stated.

While the IAEA took part in the most recent round of U.S.-Iran nuclear discussions in February, it has not participated in current ceasefire talks facilitated by Pakistan. The agency maintains separate communications with Washington and informal contact with Tehran.

Iran’s newest proposal would delay nuclear program negotiations while ending its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for oil and gas, contingent on U.S. blockade removal and conflict termination.

Grossi interpreted this as evidence that Iran seeks to prioritize how it addresses American demands, including restricting its ballistic missile development and managing proxy groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen.

“What is indispensable is that we address it,” the IAEA director-general emphasized regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Success requires “political will” from Tehran, he stressed, adding that “Iran has to be convinced that it is important to negotiate.”

While both Iranian leadership and the Republican president express willingness to negotiate, Grossi observed that “where the frustration kicks in, apparently for both, is that they do not seem to come to agreement, or be at an eye-to-eye level on what needs to be done first, or on how.”

Despite challenges, Grossi, who describes himself as a negotiator seeking a “flicker of hope,” pointed out that “one important thing is that there is apparently an interest on both sides to come to an agreement.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News Channel this week that stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons “remains the core issue” requiring attention.

When questioned about Iranian sincerity in negotiations, Rubio characterized them as experienced negotiators seeking to delay action, emphasizing any deal must be “one that definitively prevents them from sprinting towards a nuclear weapon at any point.”

Grossi concluded that comprehensive IAEA inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities must occur under any political settlement.

BRUSSELS (AP) — The head of the European Commission cautioned Wednesday that member nations must carefully direct energy assistance to those most in need, or risk squandering enormous sums as the Middle East conflict drives up fuel costs.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed lawmakers about the financial strain from the U.S.-Israel conflict and Iranian responses, including potential disruption of the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. These developments are draining nearly $600 million daily from EU coffers while driving up gasoline costs and creating concerns about jet fuel availability in coming weeks.

Speaking to European Parliament members in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen emphasized learning from previous energy emergencies. She referenced the 2022 fuel shortage when Russia weaponized energy supplies against European nations supporting Ukraine.

“More than 350 billion euros were spent on untargeted measures and this had a huge impact on member states finances,” von der Leyen stated. “So let us not make the same mistake again, and let’s focus our support where it matters most.”

The Commission President stressed the need to break free from foreign energy dependence, advocating for greater reliance on domestic renewable resources including wind, solar, and nuclear power – similar to how Europe reduced its Russian energy ties.

“Our over dependency on imported fossil fuels makes us vulnerable,” she declared.

Data shows dramatic shifts since 2022, with Russian natural gas imports dropping from 45% to just 12% last year across the 27-nation bloc. Coal purchases were eliminated through sanctions, while oil imports fell from 27% in 2022 to 2%, with only Hungary and Slovakia maintaining Russian petroleum ties.

Von der Leyen predicted lasting consequences from the current Middle East crisis, saying the effects “may echo for months or even years to come.” She identified the solution as developing “homegrown, affordable, clean energy supply from renewables to nuclear.”

Her recommendations included expanding electricity use from renewable and nuclear sources for transportation, aviation, home heating, and industrial applications to reduce fossil fuel dependence. Currently, electricity accounts for less than 25% of the bloc’s total energy consumption.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen issued stark warnings last week about the crisis severity, describing it as more than “a short-term, small increase in prices. This is a crisis that is probably as serious as the 1973 and the 2022 crises combined.”

Jørgensen noted Europe’s limited influence over Middle Eastern developments, saying the continent has been pushed into a reactive position with minimal control over unfolding events.

“Even in a best-case scenario, it’s still bad,” Jørgensen explained. “Whether or not we will be in a security of supply crisis is primarily a result of what goes on in the Middle East. What we can do is to try and prevent, and limit” the damage.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A multinational law enforcement operation targeting criminal networks that offer violence as a paid service has resulted in 280 arrests during its inaugural year, according to a Wednesday announcement from Europol, the European Union’s police agency.

The apprehensions highlight a disturbing pattern emerging throughout Europe where criminals use social media platforms and messaging applications to recruit individuals — often young people — to commit violent acts ranging from physical assaults to homicides, creating what officials describe as a dangerous version of the gig economy.

“Violence is no longer confined to isolated acts or local dynamics. It is increasingly offered as a service: accessible, scalable and driven by online ecosystems that enable recruitment, coordination, and execution across borders,” Europol said in a statement.

The specialized task force was established last year with participation from law enforcement agencies across Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. During its first year of operations, the team identified more than 1,400 individuals connected to violence-for-hire schemes.

Notable cases include the detention of a Dutch citizen allegedly serving as an escape driver for two juveniles suspected of conducting multiple bombings in Germany during July and August 2025. Additionally, Swedish authorities arrested a minor in January for suspected participation in a shooting incident near a correctional facility in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands.

Europol has also published information on its European most-wanted database regarding three men sought for their alleged participation in violence-as-a-service operations — two Swedish nationals and one German citizen. These individuals face charges related to murder, narcotics trafficking, and financial crimes.

PUERTO TRIUNFO, Colombia — Fishermen navigate Colombia’s Magdalena River with extreme caution as massive hippos emerge from the muddy waters without notice, capable of reaching boats in seconds.

“These hippos are a true nightmare,” fisherman Wilinton Sánchez explained, describing the massive creatures that can swim at 8 kilometers per hour and run 30 kilometers per hour on land. “We were out Saturday when one lunged … reared up and swung its jaws wide. If it ever gets hold of you, it’ll tear you to pieces.”

Yet the dangerous animals also captivate visitors. Tourist boats regularly cruise the waterways multiple times weekly, carrying Colombian and international guests hoping to spot the enormous mammals. While these hippo-watching excursions sometimes end with frightened screams as the animals charge toward vessels, they provide crucial income for local communities.

These invasive hippos represent part of a 200-strong population that breeds without natural controls. The animals descend from creatures illegally imported during the 1980s by deceased drug lord Pablo Escobar for his personal menagerie at Hacienda Nápoles — an expansive ranch featuring its own airstrip that served as his isolated stronghold.

Environmental officials warn Colombia’s hippo numbers could surpass 500 by 2030 without action. Authorities recently authorized plans to kill approximately 80 hippos beginning later this year to address the growing crisis.

This decision has triggered intense controversy. Researchers supporting the culling have received death threats, while animal rights groups condemn the strategy as “murder.” Local residents in Puerto Triunfo, located 200 kilometers from Bogota, worry eliminating the animals will devastate tourism revenue supporting their town.

Diana Hincapié stops her restaurant duties to sit near a wall painting depicting a mother hippo with her baby.

“We don’t want to see a dead hippopotamus. They aren’t African anymore; they are Colombian, born and bred here for over 30 years,” the 48-year-old entrepreneur stated, expressing readiness to protest publicly if the killing plan advances.

Her riverside restaurant along the Cocorná Sur River, which feeds into the Magdalena, welcomes nearly 200 monthly visitors. Most arrive specifically seeking hippos, and Hincapié worries government actions could eliminate regional tourism entirely.

These massive land mammals have now occupied roughly 43,000 square kilometers according to ministry data. Without natural enemies and enjoying consistent rainfall unlike their African homeland, the hippos established their primary base on the “Island of Silence,” a plant-covered river island serving as their breeding center.

Álvaro Molina, 61, whose home sits across from the island, remembers the initial pair arriving about 11 years ago. The population has exploded since then. “One night I saw 12 at once, but I understand they have been migrating,” the fisherman noted.

River encounters occur so regularly that Molina expects them during every fishing trip, particularly at sunset. Several years back, his boat drifted directly over two hippos, which panicked and overturned his vessel. He successfully swam to safety aboard another boat without harm.

“Whether they are killed or taken away, it does us a favor,” Molina stated, explaining how hippos have devastated local fishing as many people quit the profession due to safety fears.

Official control measures encompass containment supported by Puerto Triunfo citizens, international transfers to wildlife facilities, and euthanasia as a final option when other methods prove impossible.

In their native Africa, these large plant-eating animals constantly traveling between water and land “can significantly impact the structure of ecosystems,” explained Daniel Cadena, science faculty dean at University of the Andes, who supports implementing combined control approaches including euthanasia.

However, euthanasia presents challenges. Official procedures involve luring animals with food into enclosures for lethal injection after sedation. Alternatively, officials may use high-powered long-distance hunting rifles, though the weapons must be extremely powerful due to hippos’ notoriously thick, penetration-resistant hide.

Senator Andrea Padilla has pressed officials to emphasize relocation rather than killing.

“It is an extermination; it is a massacre of 80 individuals,” Padilla declared. “This is a legacy left to us by a drug trafficker. How can we possibly close this chapter in the exact same way — by shooting the hippos?”

International relocation efforts have stalled. While some countries initially showed interest, ministry officials report no nations have agreed to accept transfers. Potential host countries cite either prohibitive costs for housing the enormous mammals or domestic laws preventing invasive species importation.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The Iranian rial plummeted to an unprecedented low on Wednesday, reaching 1.8 million to the dollar while a fragile ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel remains in effect.

For several weeks during the conflict that started February 28th, the rial had maintained stability, largely due to reduced trading activity and minimal imports entering the nation.

However, the currency began its downward spiral two days prior, culminating in Wednesday’s historic low.

Economic analysts caution that the rial’s dramatic decline will likely intensify inflation throughout Iran, where the dollar exchange rate directly impacts the cost of numerous imported items including food products, medical supplies, electronics, and industrial materials.

While hostilities have ceased under the current ceasefire agreement, ongoing U.S. economic blockades continue applying pressure to Iran’s already weakened economy. These measures have significantly reduced government revenues and foreign currency reserves by halting or seizing oil exports.

This recent currency crisis follows a similar economic shock from January that sparked widespread demonstrations across the country. During that period, the rial dropped from approximately 1.4 million to 1.6 million against the dollar within days, intensifying public frustration over escalating living costs and uncertainty about Iran’s economic prospects.

For decades, Iran’s economy has struggled under international sanctions, persistent inflation, and growing disparities between government-set and market exchange rates. The recent weeks-long conflict has placed additional stress on Iranian businesses, families, and government finances.

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to New York City on Wednesday to pay respects to those killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, continuing their four-day official visit to the United States.

The royal couple’s New York agenda follows an eventful Tuesday in the nation’s capital, where King Charles addressed members of Congress, conducted private discussions with President Donald Trump during ongoing U.S.-UK diplomatic tensions regarding Iran, and met with American technology sector leaders.

During Tuesday evening’s White House state dinner, President Trump indicated that King Charles expressed support for ending Iran’s nuclear capabilities. However, since the monarch does not speak for Britain’s government, this claim remains unverified. Neither Downing Street nor Buckingham Palace immediately provided comment when asked about the alleged statement.

The King and Queen will start their New York activities with a memorial service at the 9/11 site in lower Manhattan, where al-Qaeda terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center’s twin towers on September 11, 2001, claiming nearly 2,800 lives.

King Charles is scheduled to meet with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during the memorial ceremony.

Following the tribute, the King plans to travel to Harlem to tour a community-based organization that established an environmentally-friendly after-school urban agriculture program designed to address local food shortage issues, according to area news outlets. Environmental and sustainability initiatives have remained close to the King’s heart throughout his decades of public service.

Queen Camilla will separately participate in celebrating the centennial of A.A. Milne’s beloved character Winnie the Pooh through her charitable organization, The Queen’s Reading Room, in what Buckingham Palace describes as a “literary engagement” activity.

The royal visit to New York marks the third day of their American state tour, occurring during a period of strained relations between Washington and London, as President Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for allegedly providing insufficient assistance in the Iran conflict.

During his Congressional address Tuesday, King Charles emphasized the enduring military and cultural bonds between Britain and America, officially marking the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence from British sovereignty.

However, the monarch also highlighted NATO’s significance while President Trump has criticized the Western alliance’s hesitancy to provide military support for the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, and cautioned against American withdrawal from international engagement.

“I pray with all my heart that our lands will continue to defend our shared values with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth, and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking,” Charles stated during his joint address to the Senate and House of Representatives.

The conflict in Ukraine has dramatically transformed Sweden’s defense manufacturing sector into one of Europe’s most rapidly expanding military production centers, with perhaps no company experiencing this shift more dramatically than Hagglunds, an armored vehicle manufacturer based in the small northern Swedish town of Ornskoldsvik.

BAE Systems has owned Hagglunds since 2004, but the company’s roots trace back to the late 1800s when it started as a family furniture business before transitioning through various industries including buses, trams, aircraft, and finally armored vehicles during the 1950s.

The end of the Cold War brought significant challenges for the defense contractor, and Tommy Gustafsson-Rask faced the difficult task of eliminating one-third of the company’s employees when he took over as managing director of BAE Systems Hagglunds in 2012.

However, geopolitical tensions began shifting the company’s prospects around 2014. “I think the 2014 annexation of Crimea was when we saw something starting to happen,” Gustafsson-Rask explained during an interview at the Hagglunds testing facility in Ornskoldsvik. He noted that business really accelerated just prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The transformation has been remarkable. “From having a typical order book of a couple of hundred million U.S. dollars, we’re now at 8 billion U.S. dollars. So it’s an enormous development,” Gustafsson-Rask stated.

Sweden’s military equipment exports have experienced explosive growth, increasing more than threefold to 28 billion crowns ($3.02 billion) in 2025, compared to 8 billion in 2015.

The Swedish defense sector now provides employment for approximately 30,000 people, with the majority working at Saab, the manufacturer of Gripen fighter aircraft and A-26 submarines. Saab alone maintains an order backlog exceeding 274 billion crowns.

Hagglunds has committed $300 million toward expanding its manufacturing capabilities, including the addition of a third production line this year. Manufacturing output has increased by 400% since 2020, while the workforce has grown from 800 to 2,600 employees, making it the largest employer in the town of 56,000 residents.

The company’s primary success story centers on the fifth-generation Combat Vehicle 90 infantry fighting vehicle. This armored vehicle operates with a three-person crew and can transport up to eight fully equipped soldiers. More than 1,300 units have been delivered, with an additional 600 currently on order, establishing it as one of Sweden’s most successful military export products.

The CV90 has proven its effectiveness in combat situations in Afghanistan and is currently being utilized in Ukraine. Hagglunds anticipates securing contracts for an additional 500 CV90s from five European countries later this year.

Reports from Ukrainian forces have been largely favorable, although drone threats remain a concern. Notably, no Ukrainian personnel have been killed while inside a CV90, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally expressed his gratitude to Gustafsson-Rask during a visit to Sweden.

“He came forward, hugged me, and told me that your CV90s are saving our soldiers’ lives, and I get goosebumps even now,” Gustafsson-Rask recalled.

Each CV90 carries a price tag of approximately $10 million and has been purchased by ten European nations.

Sweden maintained military neutrality for more than two centuries before becoming a NATO member in 2024. According to the Swedish International Peace Research Institute, the country ranks as the European Union’s seventh-largest arms exporter.

German lawmakers have approved legislation that will establish a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages beginning in 2028, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to address growing obesity rates and reduce strain on its healthcare infrastructure.

The initiative, which received government approval on Wednesday as part of a comprehensive healthcare reform package, is projected to generate roughly 450 million euros (equivalent to $526.5 million) each year. These funds will be directed toward the country’s statutory health insurance program to support prevention initiatives, including workplace wellness programs and community health projects designed to benefit the general public.

Officials have not yet finalized specific details regarding the tax structure, including the exact rate or implementation framework.

The beverage tax proposal has gained significant momentum following increased public advocacy and bipartisan political support for stronger action against excessive sugar consumption and associated health conditions. Daniel Guenther, who serves as state premier of Schleswig-Holstein and championed the proposal, previously stated to Reuters in March that “too much sugar makes people ill,” emphasizing the burden placed on both healthcare systems and the broader economy.

Although Guenther’s conservative CDU party initially opposed the concept in February, support has since grown within the party ranks, as well as among Green Party and Social Democratic representatives.

Public opinion research conducted by Forsa and released in February revealed that approximately 60% of German citizens favor implementing a tax on sugar-sweetened soft drinks.

According to World Health Organization data, more than 100 nations worldwide have implemented taxes on sugary beverages, including roughly half of all European Union member countries. Research conducted in Britain and Mexico has demonstrated that such policies can effectively reduce sugar consumption and help prevent conditions such as diabetes.

SEOUL, South Korea — Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol received a seven-year prison sentence Wednesday from an appeals court for obstruction of justice and resisting arrest following his controversial martial law declaration last year.

The additional sentence compounds an already-imposed life term for rebellion charges connected to his December 2024 authoritarian actions that sparked South Korea’s most significant democratic crisis in recent decades.

Seoul High Court Judge Yoon Sung-sik determined that the former conservative leader circumvented required Cabinet procedures before announcing martial law, created false documentation to hide these violations, and used security personnel “like a private army” to prevent his arrest after impeachment. The former president remained silent during the verdict announcement and offered no statements.

A lower tribunal had previously given Yoon five years in January while partially dismissing abuse-of-power allegations related to the Cabinet meeting requirements, determining he wasn’t accountable for two members’ absence from the gathering.

The appeals court overturned that partial acquittal, convicting him on every charge and determining he infringed upon the rights of those two absent members plus seven additional Cabinet officials who weren’t informed, by assembling only a limited group to mimic an official meeting.

Yoon’s martial law announcement on December 3, 2024, despite lasting only briefly, plunged the nation into severe political upheaval, freezing governmental functions and international relations while destabilizing financial markets. The chaos subsided after his progressive opponent Lee Jae Myung secured victory in an emergency presidential election in June.

Parliament impeached Yoon on December 14, 2024, leading to his immediate suspension, and the Constitutional Court officially removed him from office in April 2025.

After his suspension, Yoon defied a Seoul court’s detention order for questioning, creating a tense confrontation where numerous investigators surrounded the presidential compound in early January 2025 but were prevented from entering by security forces and barriers. He was eventually detained later that month, freed by another court in March, then arrested again in July.

He has remained incarcerated since that time as multiple ongoing criminal proceedings continue.

Tuesday’s decision followed the same court’s enhancement of his wife Kim Keon Hee’s sentence to four years for accepting expensive gifts from the Unification Church, which pursued political influence from Yoon’s administration, and participating in stock manipulation activities.

In a separate case last week, prosecutors sought a 30-year sentence for Yoon regarding accusations that he intentionally escalated North Korean tensions in 2024 by authorizing drone missions over Pyongyang to establish justification for domestic martial law implementation.

The fate of 23 million Taiwanese people may hinge on a crucial diplomatic encounter they won’t be part of.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is preparing to make Taiwan the centerpiece of discussions when President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing next month, marking a significant shift from their previous South Korea summit last year when Xi intentionally avoided the contentious topic.

Officials in Taipei are anxiously monitoring for any indication that Trump, known for his deal-making approach to international relationships, might modify America’s established Taiwan stance in exchange for Chinese purchases of U.S. aircraft and agricultural products or relief from economic tensions.

Wu Xinbo, who leads Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies and advises China’s foreign ministry, explained Beijing’s perspective: “Regarding Taiwan, the logic is simple: if the U.S. does not want to fight a major war with China over Taiwan, it should not support Taiwan independence.”

Wu continued: “Trump has no interest in going to war with China. To avoid a major conflict that involves the U.S., he should make it clear that he won’t support independence or take actions that encourage a separatist political agenda.”

Neither China’s foreign ministry nor the U.S. State Department provided responses to inquiries about the upcoming discussions.

America maintains its “one China policy,” which avoids taking an official stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty while recognizing, though not endorsing, Beijing’s territorial claims over the island. Washington states it “does not support” Taiwanese independence while committing to help the island defend itself.

Taiwan’s position as a semiconductor manufacturing hub makes it crucial to military stability across the western Pacific region. Even subtle modifications to American diplomatic language could influence how Beijing perceives U.S. determination to maintain its Taiwan support, according to regional analysts. Such changes would alarm Taipei and spark renewed concerns about Washington’s broader Asian security pledges.

Trump administration representatives have consistently stated that Taiwan policy remains unchanged and have regularly criticized Chinese pressure campaigns against the island.

Behind closed doors, administration sources emphasize that Trump has authorized significantly more weapons sales to Taiwan during his second term’s first year than predecessor Joe Biden approved throughout his entire presidency.

During a 2024 meeting with Biden, Xi requested that America alter its Taiwan language to state “we oppose Taiwan independence” instead of the current phrasing.

Washington rejected this proposed modification.

Sources familiar with summit preparations indicate that China has persistently conveyed similar messages through diplomatic channels leading up to the Trump-Xi meeting, though they declined to elaborate on specifics due to negotiation confidentiality.

Taiwanese officials, whose government disputes Beijing’s sovereignty assertions, remain vigilant about potential policy shifts.

Shen Yu-chung, deputy minister at Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which handles China policy, stated: “We will be watching whether the U.S. makes any changes to its position on Taiwan Strait issues as a result of that meeting.”

“We will use the remaining time to intensify policy communications with the U.S.,” Shen added.

Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei noted this week that Trump’s administration “has continuously reaffirmed its support for Taiwan” since taking office.

Beijing has maintained that military action remains an option for bringing Taiwan under Chinese control. China conducted its most recent military exercises around the island in late December, responding to a U.S. announcement of an unprecedented $11 billion arms package for Taiwan.

In preparation for the summit, China has employed both incentives and pressure tactics.

Beijing has proposed trade and tourism “benefits” for Taiwan, while simultaneously taking punitive measures. Last week, Taipei accused China of convincing three African nations to deny overflight permissions for President Lai Ching-te’s planned trip to Eswatini, forcing its cancellation.

The United States issued sharp criticism of China’s interference.

President Lai maintains that Taiwan already functions as an independent nation under its official designation, the Republic of China. Beijing characterizes Lai as both a “separatist” and an illegitimate leader driving cross-strait relations toward armed conflict.

Raymond Greene, America’s top diplomatic representative in Taiwan, has been publicly reinforcing assurances that U.S. commitments, including arms sales mandated by the Taiwan Relations Act, remain “rock solid” as the summit approaches.

Former Trump adviser Robert O’Brien suggested the president would resist becoming “the first American president to lose Taiwan. That would not be a Donald Trump goal to have in mind. That’s not the legacy he wants.”

America also faces significant strategic considerations given Taiwan’s geographic importance, as Washington quietly utilizes the island’s sophisticated radar installations and surveillance facilities positioned in Taiwan’s mountainous regions to monitor China, according to security officials.

“Does the United States really want to lose one of its best locations for gathering intelligence on China?” questioned a Western security source, who requested anonymity when discussing sensitive security matters.

The political status of Taiwan remains one of the most complex international issues, with the island functioning as an independent democracy while facing claims from mainland China.

Taiwan’s complicated history began thousands of years ago with indigenous peoples, followed by brief Dutch and Spanish control in the 1600s. The Qing dynasty made Taiwan part of Fujian province in 1684, later designating it as a separate Chinese province in 1885. Japan controlled the island from 1895 until 1945, when it was transferred to the Republic of China government after World War Two ended.

The current situation developed in 1949 when Mao Zedong’s Communist forces defeated the Republic of China government, forcing them to relocate their capital to Taiwan. The Republic of China remains Taiwan’s official name today. Meanwhile, Mao established the People’s Republic of China on the mainland, declaring it the sole legitimate Chinese government over all of China, including Taiwan.

Taiwan’s international recognition is limited. Only 12 nations maintain official diplomatic relations with Taipei, primarily smaller developing countries like Belize and Tuvalu. In 1971, Beijing replaced Taipei in China’s United Nations seat.

Despite limited formal recognition, most major Western nations and U.S. allies maintain unofficial relationships with Taiwan, recognizing Republic of China passports and operating de facto embassies. Taiwanese citizens travel freely worldwide using their passports.

The United States ended official diplomatic ties with Taipei in 1979 but remains legally obligated to help Taiwan defend itself. Washington maintains a “One China” policy, taking no official stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Beijing refuses to rule out military force to bring Taiwan under its control and has proposed a “one country, two systems” arrangement similar to Hong Kong’s model. However, no major Taiwanese political party supports this approach, and polling consistently shows most Taiwanese prefer maintaining current relations with China.

China argues that 1971’s United Nations Resolution 2758 legally establishes Taiwan as part of China, since it recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate Chinese government. Taiwan’s government disputes this interpretation, noting the resolution never mentioned Taiwan or its status. Last year, the U.S. State Department accused China of misrepresenting the resolution as part of “coercive attempts to isolate Taiwan from the international community.”

Taiwan functions with de facto independence, despite lacking formal recognition from most countries. Its people elect their own leaders, and the government controls defined territory with its own military, passport, and currency. Taiwan’s government maintains that the Republic of China is a sovereign state and Beijing has no authority to represent it, since the People’s Republic of China has never governed Taiwan and has no role in choosing its leaders.

Formally declaring a “Republic of Taiwan” would require significant legal hurdles, including parliamentary approval of constitutional amendments and a referendum. At least 75% of lawmakers would need to approve such changes, but the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and opposition Kuomintang currently hold equal seats in parliament. The DPP, in power since 2016, hasn’t attempted constitutional changes, while the KMT strongly opposes altering the Republic of China name.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te faces criticism from China, which labels him a “separatist.” Before his election, Lai described himself as a “practical worker for Taiwan independence,” though he maintains this simply means Taiwan is already an independent country. Since taking office in 2024, Lai has repeatedly stated that the Republic of China and People’s Republic of China are “not subordinate to each other,” which Beijing interprets as promoting independence.

China established legal grounds for potential military action through its 2005 Anti-Secession Law, passed by the country’s parliament. The law authorizes military force against Taiwan if it declares independence or if “possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted,” though the legislation remains deliberately vague about specific triggers.

A New Zealand city council has turned down a proposal to build a memorial statue honoring women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese military forces during World War II, following diplomatic pressure from Japan’s government.

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board within Auckland Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday to deny the Korean Garden Trust’s request to place a bronze sculpture depicting a young girl at Barry’s Point reserve on the city’s North Shore.

The memorial would have honored an estimated 200,000 women, primarily from Asian countries, who were enslaved by Japan’s military in what has been euphemistically called the “comfort women” system.

Kim O’Neill, who heads land and property advisory services for Auckland Council, explained the decision in a statement: “Auckland Council staff recommended that the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board decline a proposal for a statue for Barry’s Point Reserve in Takapuna based on the results of the public consultation and feedback received, which demonstrated a lack of community support for the proposal.”

During public consultations held in January, the council received nearly 700 responses from community members and organizations. According to officials, 57% of individual respondents and 15 out of 20 organizations expressed opposition to the memorial.

Those against the statue cited worries about creating community divisions, concerns over political messaging, and questions about its connection to New Zealand. Supporters argued the memorial would encourage historical reflection, recognize past injustices, and enhance educational opportunities, council representatives noted.

Japan’s Ambassador to New Zealand, Makoto Osawa, submitted formal opposition to the proposal, stating he “strongly” disagreed with the statue’s installation.

“I am concerned that it will cause division and conflict within New Zealand’s wonderful multi-ethnic and multicultural society and between Japanese and Korean communities,” Osawa wrote in his submission.

The ambassador further warned: “The installation of the statue could have a significant impact not only on the relations between peoples, private sectors and local governments in both countries, but also on the diplomatic relations between Japan and New Zealand.”

The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance had offered the statue as a gift to New Zealand. The memorial design matches sculptures that activists first placed outside Japan’s embassy in Seoul, South Korea, in 2011 as part of ongoing demands for formal apologies and compensation.

The bronze figure shows a young girl sitting beside an vacant chair. According to Project Sonyeo, an organization that tracks similar memorials worldwide, the empty seat represents the comfort women who have died.

PARIS, April 29 – The French government is advising all of its citizens currently in Mali to evacuate immediately after a series of coordinated attacks struck the West African nation over the weekend, according to updated travel guidance issued by France’s foreign ministry.

French officials warned that the security environment remains unpredictable, and until French nationals can depart the country, they should remain in their homes, minimize travel, and follow directives from local government officials while maintaining contact with family members. The ministry’s advisory strongly discourages any travel to Mali at this time.

The weekend violence involved al Qaeda’s West African branch and a separatist organization led by Tuareg fighters, who struck Mali’s primary military installation and locations near Bamako airport on Saturday. The same groups also forced Russian military personnel backing Mali’s government forces to withdraw from the strategically important northern city of Kidal.

On Tuesday, the head of Mali’s military administration promised to “neutralize” the individuals behind the attacks.

Ukrainian businesses and critical infrastructure facilities are getting a new form of protection against nightly Russian drone attacks through an innovative private defense initiative.

The country introduced a pilot program last year that permits industrial companies to create their own air defense units to safeguard their operations. According to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, twenty businesses have enrolled in the program, with two currently providing active air defense services.

One participating company, Carmine Sky, utilizes multiple defensive strategies tailored to each client’s requirements, including interceptor drones and automated gun systems equipped with M2 Browning heavy machine guns.

“It’s like an onion, made of layers,” explained Ruslan, a Carmine Sky representative who shared only his first name for security purposes.

Russia sends thousands of inexpensive, long-distance attack drones toward Ukraine monthly. Although Ukrainian forces intercept most of these threats, the ones that penetrate defenses have caused significant damage to military sites, manufacturing plants, and power infrastructure, leaving millions without heat and electricity during the previous winter.

During a Reuters interview at Carmine Sky’s control center, Ruslan showed how employees track incoming Russian drones. Workers sat in comfortable chairs, holding gaming controllers while scanning for threats in a darkened room covered with camouflage netting.

The firm provides services in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region and additional areas, though Ruslan wouldn’t specify locations or reveal client identities.

“We are only complementing the traditional state air defence model,” Ruslan stated. “State air defence has a more strategic role, while we are local.”

These private companies must obtain Defense Ministry approval before beginning operations and integrate with the Ukrainian air force’s command structure.

“Targets and the decision to open fire is made solely by them,” Ruslan noted. “We cannot do so on our own.”

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov highlighted initial achievements last month, announcing that a private company had successfully destroyed Russian drones in the Kharkiv region. On April 17, he reported that a private air defense team had eliminated a jet-powered Shahed drone.

Civilian personnel undergo extensive screening, including polygraph examinations repeated quarterly, according to Ruslan.

Roman Korzh from Gvardiia, another air defense service provider, said training inexperienced recruits to operate interceptor drones requires approximately three weeks. Those who don’t qualify as pilots join teams as observers or maintenance staff.

Gvardiia primarily recruits from existing volunteer air defense groups with battlefield experience.

“The volunteer units are, as they say, our backbone,” said Korzh, who oversees training operations.

Work schedules remain adaptable, enabling employees to balance defense duties with civilian employment when necessary.

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — The small Balkan nation of Kosovo will hold its third parliamentary election in just over a year after its legislature failed to select a new president, plunging the country deeper into political chaos.

Kosovo’s parliament faced a Tuesday midnight cutoff to name a replacement for President Vjosa Osmani, whose presidency ended earlier this month. After lawmakers missed this crucial deadline, the legislative body was automatically disbanded.

Officials must schedule the upcoming election within 45 days, though no specific date has been revealed yet.

Political expert Ilir Deda forecasted the election will likely occur in June. According to Deda, this vote will determine “whether people are willing to hold politicians accountable.”

The nation of 2 million residents has experienced ongoing governmental instability following February 2025’s inconclusive election results, which created months of legislative gridlock.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti established a new administration following a December 28 snap election, but another crisis quickly developed regarding Osmani’s replacement.

Kosovo’s 120-seat parliament requires at least 80 members present to select a president. Opposition parties refused to attend the session due to disagreements over potential candidates, effectively preventing any vote from taking place.

This continued political instability has already damaged Kosovo’s economic prospects and weakened public confidence in democratic institutions.

Kosovo broke away from Serbia in 2008 after a devastating 1998-99 conflict. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo’s independence, and these unresolved tensions remain a significant concern throughout the unstable Balkan region.

European Union officials have informed both Kosovo and Serbia that normalizing their relationship is essential for advancing their eventual membership applications to the 27-member organization.

Moscow’s annual commemoration honoring the 81st anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat will proceed without tanks, missiles, or other heavy weaponry, according to a late Tuesday announcement from Russia’s Defense Ministry.

This marks the first occasion since Moscow began its comprehensive military operation in Ukraine during 2022 that armored vehicles and artillery will be absent from the May 9th procession through Red Square, traditionally the nation’s most significant non-religious observance and a display of military strength.

Defense officials pointed to the “current operational situation” as justification for removing military hardware and cadet units from the event, though no additional details were provided in their statement.

The ceremony will still include “servicemen from higher military educational institutions of all kinds and certain service branches of the Russian Armed Forces” along with the customary aerial demonstration, according to ministry officials.

The commemoration of World War II represents one of the few historical moments that unites Russians across political divides during the nation’s turbulent Communist era, and the Kremlin has leveraged this shared reverence to foster patriotic feelings and emphasize Russia’s status as a world power.

During what Russians call the Great Patriotic War from 1941-45, the Soviet Union suffered 27 million casualties, a massive loss that continues to influence the country’s collective consciousness.

Vladimir Putin, who has led Russia for more than 25 years, has made Victory Day a cornerstone of his leadership and has attempted to connect it to the current conflict in Ukraine.

The previous year’s celebration was the most extensive since Russian forces entered Ukraine, attracting the highest number of international leaders to Moscow in ten years, including notable attendees such as China’s Xi Jinping, Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Slovakia’s Robert Fico.

That event showcased more than 11,500 military personnel and over 180 pieces of equipment, including battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and artillery systems deployed in the Ukrainian conflict, along with massive Yars nuclear-capable intercontinental missile launchers and truck-mounted drones. Military aircraft also conducted flyovers above Red Square.

Putin had announced a one-sided 72-hour halt to hostilities beginning May 7, while authorities disabled mobile internet service in Moscow for multiple days to prevent potential Ukrainian drone strikes.

The 2023 ceremony was reduced in scope, featuring fewer soldiers and military hardware with no aerial component.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Four members of Indonesia’s military faced their first day in court Wednesday on charges stemming from an acid attack that left a prominent human rights lawyer partially blind and severely burned.

The defendants include three navy marines and one air force officer, all working in military intelligence roles. They stand accused of premeditated assault for the March attack on Andrie Yunus, a 27-year-old attorney who works with the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence, an organization known as KontraS.

Facing trial at Jakarta’s military court are Sgt. Edi Sudarko, First Lt. Budhi Hariyanto Widhi Cahyono, Capt. Nandala Dwi Prasetya, and Air Force First Lt. Sami Lakka. Each could receive up to 12 years behind bars if found guilty.

Military prosecutors claim the four worked in coordination but maintain their actions were driven by personal grievances. According to the prosecution, the defendants wanted “to teach him a lesson and deter him from making disparaging remarks about the TNI.”

“The actions of the defendants who threw chemical liquid on Andrie Yunus, resulting in the loss of sight in his right eye and severe burns with no hope of complete recovery, were inappropriate actions for members of the TNI,” prosecutor Iswandi stated during court proceedings.

Human rights organizations have expressed strong criticism regarding both the characterization of personal motivation and the choice to conduct proceedings in military rather than civilian court.

“This case has been narrowed to just four individuals, without transparency, while the motive is framed as personal,” stated Usman Hamid, who leads Amnesty International Indonesia. Hamid pointed out the lack of any clear personal or professional connections between Yunus and those accused, while noting that official military resources appeared to have been utilized in the assault.

“It is difficult to accept that state facilities were used solely for personal revenge,” Hamid warned, expressing concern that the case’s handling could damage public confidence.

Following Wednesday’s reading of charges, the four defendants chose not to challenge the accusations. Two of the accused also suffered minor facial and eye injuries from acid exposure during the incident. The judge scheduled the next hearing for May 6 to hear witness testimony.

The investigation initially fell under Jakarta police jurisdiction before authorities revealed military personnel were involved. Six days following this announcement, military police took four suspects from the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ Strategic Intelligence Agency into custody.

The attack occurred on the evening of March 12 when Yunus was traveling by motorcycle through central Jakarta. Attackers threw hydrochloric acid at his face, causing chemical burns across approximately 20% of his body and damaging roughly 40% of his right cornea, according to prosecutors.

Multiple surgical procedures have been required for Yunus’s ongoing recovery, preventing his attendance at the trial’s opening session, military prosecutor Mohammad Iswandi reported.

Yunus has gained recognition for his work challenging impunity in Indonesia, particularly regarding security sector reform and civil liberties protection. He participated actively in demonstrations last year opposing proposed changes to Indonesia’s military law that would have expanded armed forces involvement in civilian matters. Associates report he has faced ongoing intimidation related to this advocacy work.

The incident has drawn parallels to the 2004 killing of Munir Said Thalib, a prominent human rights advocate and KontraS founder who died from arsenic poisoning during a flight to Amsterdam. While convictions were secured, activists maintain the true orchestrator was never identified.

Growing pressure from civil society organizations demanding disclosure of who authorized and funded the attack on Yunus has prompted a response from President Prabowo Subianto, a former army general.

Prabowo has committed to pursuing those responsible and indicated he may establish an independent investigative team. Rights advocates view the Yunus trial as a crucial test of the military’s post-reform dedication to accountability.

Following the 1998 fall of dictator Suharto, Indonesia’s military officially stepped back from political involvement, leading to reforms designed to enhance civilian oversight.

Ukrainian officials reported Wednesday that overnight drone strikes by Russian forces targeted maritime facilities in the southern Odesa region, causing damage to a medical facility and civilian buildings while injuring two individuals.

Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, posted on Telegram that the assault in southern Odesa destroyed the hospital’s intake department and severely damaged additional sections of the medical complex.

Medical personnel and patients had taken refuge in a protective shelter during the bombardment and were subsequently relocated to an alternative healthcare facility, according to Kiper’s statement.

Local prosecutors confirmed that harbor infrastructure was struck during the assault but did not provide specific details about the extent of the damage.

Emergency response teams reported that two individuals sustained injuries from blazes that erupted in civilian neighborhoods. Officials shared images showing buildings consumed by flames and rescue crews working to extinguish the fires.

Kiper also noted that a blaze was detected at the Danube Biosphere Reserve, a protected natural area within the region.

The Odesa area, home to significant Ukrainian maritime ports and Danube River shipping facilities, has faced continuous bombardment throughout Moscow’s ongoing conflict that has lasted more than four years.

Ukrainian air defense forces reported that Russia deployed 171 drones against the nation beginning Monday night. Defense systems successfully intercepted or disabled 154 of those aircraft, according to military officials.

In a separate assault involving drones and missiles in the northeastern Sumy region, one person died and two others were wounded, with the attack sparking extensive fires in residential neighborhoods, local authorities confirmed.

SEOUL – Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to seven years in prison by an appeals court Wednesday for blocking law enforcement officials who were trying to carry out his arrest warrant following his brief martial law announcement in December 2024.

The Seoul High Court announced the verdict during a broadcast proceeding, marking the first ruling from a specialized court division created specifically to handle legal matters connected to Yoon’s attempted martial law implementation last year.

The charges against the former president center on his efforts to prevent investigators from executing the arrest warrant issued against him after his controversial decision to impose martial law, which lasted only a short period before being reversed.

A new analysis reveals that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s March warning about boarding Russian ‘shadow fleet’ vessels has failed to reduce the number of sanctioned ships passing through UK waters.

Data from Reuters shows that 98 Russian vessels under UK sanctions traveled through British waters in the month following Starmer’s March 25 announcement – roughly the same number seen in each of the previous three months.

British authorities have not announced any actual boardings or detentions of these ships, which often have unclear ownership structures and carry oil, grain, and weapons to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.

Tracking information from LSEG indicates 63 vessels sailed within 12 nautical miles of Britain’s coastline through the English Channel, the fastest route connecting the Baltic Sea to southern Europe. An additional 35 ships traveled through Britain’s Exclusive Economic Zone extending 200 nautical miles from shore, primarily around northern Scotland.

Maritime security specialist Elisabeth Braw from the Atlantic Council criticized the British response, stating: “You have to quickly follow up with boardings or otherwise those vessels will conclude that it was an empty threat — and that is the regrettable situation we are in now.”

Meanwhile, other European nations including France, Belgium, and Sweden have actively boarded and detained Russian shadow fleet ships in recent months.

The British Ministry of Defence declined to comment when asked about their limited enforcement actions.

Britain’s Royal Navy has shrunk to its smallest size since the 1600s, despite once being a dominant maritime force. The military now faces pressure from allies to support operations across eastern Europe, the Arctic, and Middle East regions.

London currently lists 544 vessels connected to Russia’s shadow fleet on its sanctions roster.

The tracking data revealed at least 10 ships engaged in ‘spoofing’ – disabling or falsifying their location systems – while crossing British waters.

Russian officials have denounced sanctions against their vessels as unlawful and labeled Britain’s boarding policy a ‘deeply hostile move’ that could trigger retaliation.

Security analysts point to several obstacles hampering UK enforcement, including the absence of a specialized law enforcement coast guard like those in France and Sweden, plus complex legal and economic challenges when dealing with numerous vessels.

ZURICH – Swiss voters are increasingly embracing a controversial ballot measure that would impose a 10 million person ceiling on their nation’s population, according to new polling data released Wednesday.

The survey findings show 52% of respondents now favor or lean toward supporting the June 14 referendum, while 46% oppose the measure. This represents a notable shift from March polling that showed 45% in support and 47% against the population cap proposal.

Switzerland’s government has come out against the initiative, which is championed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP). Officials argue the measure would undermine relationships with the European Union and weaken the economy through labor market restrictions.

However, growing concerns about rapid demographic changes and strain on public services are driving voter sentiment toward the proposal, according to the Tamedia poll conducted with “20 Minuten” newspaper and Leewas polling.

The Alpine nation currently houses more than 9 million residents, with government statistics indicating foreign nationals comprise over 27% of the population as of 2024.

Polling company researchers surveyed 16,176 people on April 22-23, with results published in the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper. The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The timing of increased support breaks typical Swiss voting patterns, where referendum proposals usually see declining backing as election day approaches, the newspaper noted.

If approved, the measure would mandate that Switzerland’s permanent resident population cannot surpass 10 million before 2050. The country would also need to terminate its freedom of movement pact with the EU.

This referendum comes as Swiss legislators examine a late-2024 agreement with the EU aimed at strengthening economic partnerships, following a difficult 2025 when Switzerland faced Europe’s steepest U.S. trade tariffs.

The SVP, which holds the largest share of seats in Switzerland’s parliament, opposes deeper EU integration, viewing such ties as threats to national independence and sources of excessive regulation.

KHARTOUM, Sudan — When Khaled Abdulgader saw children playing with what looked like a soccer ball, he rushed to intervene. The moment he picked up the object, it detonated in his hands, severing two of his fingers and sending metal fragments into his chest.

During a medical follow-up visit after the explosion occurred last year, Abdulgader remained grateful despite his injuries.

“I feel like, ‘Thank God it was just my hands,’” Abdulgader said.

His experience reflects a growing crisis affecting hundreds of civilians who have been wounded or killed by unexploded military devices during Sudan’s ongoing three-year conflict. These dangerous remnants include landmines along with failed bombs, artillery shells, grenades and rockets — totaling tens of thousands of items scattered throughout the region.

Officials and humanitarian organizations report the problem is especially severe in and around Khartoum, where many residents unfamiliar with these dangers have begun returning home after Sudanese forces regained control of the capital in recent months.

United Nations data shows nearly 60 individuals were wounded or killed in Khartoum state during the previous year, with children accounting for more than half of these casualties. In just the first quarter of this year, 23 more people became victims, including 21 children.

Sudan’s history of prolonged warfare has resulted in unexploded ordnance contaminating an area equivalent to roughly 7,700 football fields across the nation.

More than half of this contamination stems from fighting that began in 2023 between Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces militia, bringing this threat to previously unaffected regions like Khartoum state.

Aid organizations report that both Sudan’s army and the RSF have been accused of deploying mines during their battle for the capital.

“The presence of land mines and other explosive ordnance is of great concern to everybody,” said Juma Abuanja, the team leader for Jasmar, a Sudanese demining group.

According to Abuanja, the cleanup effort will require years to complete. The painstaking demining process allows crews to safely clear only 10 to 15 square meters each day.

Khartoum remains largely deserted, littered with evidence of fierce combat. Burned and empty structures show bullet damage throughout the city.

During a recent visit, AP reporters witnessed a soldier retrieving what appeared to be part of a rocket-propelled grenade from a residence after a local resident called for assistance in identifying the potential threat.

Despite the dangers, tens of thousands have returned to the city, with 1.7 million people now back in Khartoum state, according to UN figures.

UN reports indicate that demining specialists have cleared approximately 7.8 million square meters of land in Khartoum state over nearly the past year. Their efforts uncovered more than 36,000 dangerous items, including hundreds of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.

Items that can be safely transported are taken to remote areas for destruction, while those too dangerous to move are detonated where they’re found.

Significant work remains as residents attempt to rebuild their communities.

In Khartoum, Jasmar’s demining crew has dedicated eight months to clearing explosives from a well-known park, one of at least seven identified minefields in Khartoum state. These contaminated zones range from suburban areas to downtown locations, with some positioned near critical bridges.

Team members took breaks under shade trees last week, removing their protective gear and face masks between work periods to escape the intense heat.

The park cleanup covering some 123,000 square meters started in August and should finish by May. The team has already discovered more than 160 explosive devices, including both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines.

Abuanja confirmed at least one fatality occurred in the park before their clearance work began. The location is now secured with barriers and warning signs.

Sudan’s government acknowledges it’s working to minimize the threat but faces severe limitations in funding and staffing.

A government representative told AP they’re conducting awareness campaigns through mosque visits, market outreach, radio programs and podcasts, while developing educational resources for schools. The official requested anonymity as they lacked media authorization.

However, multiple injured victims informed AP they had never encountered any warnings, which only began in late 2024.

Some residents suggested people might hesitate to report unexploded weapons to authorities due to concerns about being questioned regarding possession of military items. A Human Rights Watch report from earlier this year documented security forces detaining civilians on suspicion of collaborating with the RSF, particularly in areas where the army has regained territory.

Others fail to recognize the danger before it’s too late.

Mogadem Ibrahim thought he was picking up automotive debris when he grabbed a metal fragment. When the object adhered to his hand and he attempted to shake it off, it exploded.

The 18-year-old now conceals his bandaged left arm under his clothing. The August blast near his Omdurman home destroyed his fingers and ended his ability to work in manual labor.

“I feel depressed and worthless. I was supporting my family and now I’m sitting here and doing nothing,” he said.

CHIANG SAEN, THAILAND — Seventy-five-year-old fisherman Sukjai Yana pulled in just one small fish from his nets as he worked the waters where the Mekong and Kok rivers meet in northern Thailand. From his long-tail boat, he cast his nets again, hoping for a better catch in waters that once teemed with fish.

Contaminated water flowing from rare earth mining operations in Myanmar and Laos is now reaching Thailand’s river systems, putting at risk the livelihoods of millions who depend on these waterways for fishing and farming.

The heavy metal pollution poses a serious threat to Southeast Asia’s economically vital agricultural exports, which generate billions of dollars annually and serve as a foundation for the region’s growing economies.

“The Mekong and Kok Rivers are both a source of food and income, which gives life to the people,” said Sayan Khamnueng of the Living Rivers Association. “The river contaminants are the biggest transboundary issue we’ve ever faced.”

So far, Thailand has only responded to the escalating crisis by tracking heavy metal concentrations and informing local residents about potential health dangers. This limited approach has sparked worry in downstream nations Cambodia and Vietnam.

“If the contamination continues … the new generation (will) have to move to the city because they cannot continue their farmer’s life,” said Sangrawee Suweerakarn of the Romphothi Foundation, an advocacy group for the Shan ethnic group.

In Ukraine’s northeast region, military crews spend long nights monitoring computer screens from mobile command centers, tracking incoming threats with the help of interceptor drones and caffeine to stay alert.

These operators represent approximately 1,000 similar teams across Ukraine working to counter Russia’s most devastating aerial weapon: the Shahed drone.

“Even if you use 50 drones to shoot down one Shahed, it’s worth it,” explained Borys, a team leader who previously worked as a television news producer before the conflict changed his career path. “One Shahed can fly in and destroy something far more valuable.”

Russia has deployed thousands of these Iranian-designed, cost-effective long-range attack drones monthly against Ukraine. Moscow has modified the original Shahed design, renaming it the Geran, with enhanced navigation systems, improved engines, and more powerful explosive payloads.

Ukrainian forces successfully intercept most Shaheds and similar long-range drones, but those that penetrate defenses cause significant damage. According to Ukrainian air force statistics, over 1,000 drones reached their targets out of approximately 6,500 launched last month, devastating military installations, urban areas, and power infrastructure while leaving millions without electricity and heat.

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced in February an ambitious goal to neutralize 95% of all incoming Shaheds and comparable long-range attack drones from Russia.

Military charity Come Back Alive compiled air force data showing February’s interception rate exceeded 85%. With Russia’s ground offensive stalled, Fedorov emphasized that strengthening aerial defenses could prove crucial for Ukraine’s survival through another year of warfare.

Reuters spoke with twelve Ukrainian officials, defense manufacturers, and military personnel involved in this defensive campaign, who reported steady progress. Fedorov recently stated the interception rate had climbed to 90%.

Reuters could not independently confirm the drone launch and interception statistics. Russia’s defense ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Moscow consistently denies deliberately targeting civilian populations, claiming its aerial campaigns aim to weaken Ukraine’s military capabilities. Ukraine has also launched thousands of long-range drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles, against Russian targets including energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian personnel involved in the interception program warn that developing a nationwide defense network with thousands of air defense units will require months, and technological advances may prove temporary in the ongoing arms race with Russia.

The initial interceptor that successfully destroyed a Shahed in early 2025 became obsolete within four months when Russians discovered they could outpace it by boosting the Shahed’s velocity from 170 kilometers per hour to over 200 kph, according to Taras Tymochko, a technology expert at Come Back Alive.

Consequently, interceptors must travel faster than their targets to achieve successful intercepts, requiring upgrades to reach speeds up to 300 kph, Tymochko noted.

Currently, approximately 15-20% of Russian Shaheds use jet propulsion instead of traditional propellers, enabling speeds of 400 kph, said Yuriy Cherevashenko, a senior Ukrainian air force commander.

Fedorov told Reuters that jet-powered interceptor drones, currently under development by Ukrainian manufacturers, would address this speed challenge.

Russia first imported Shaheds from Iran shortly after Moscow’s 2022 invasion began. These aircraft, resembling small planes with pointed fronts and triangular wings, became infamous for their distinctive high-pitched engine noise, earning the nickname “mopeds.”

Russia now produces thousands monthly in domestic facilities, forming the majority of its long-range drone fleet.

“As Russia builds out more and more of these UAVs, they represent an existential threat to Ukraine,” said Samuel Bendett, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think-tank. “Therefore taking them down is of the utmost importance.”

Production costs remain classified, but the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated last year that Russian Shahed variants cost $35,000 each to manufacture.

Ukrainian interceptor drones cost several thousand dollars each, with the most affordable models priced under $1,500, according to manufacturers. These typically consist of 3D-printed plastic shells containing explosives and powered by four small rotors.

Field operations prove challenging for Ukrainian interceptor teams. Soldiers have only minutes from when a Shahed appears on radar until it moves beyond range. They must guide an interceptor toward the target until spotting the Shahed through their drone’s camera, then execute a collision course and detonate.

Target identification depends heavily on weather conditions. “We had a night when we had 10 launches and we didn’t find a single (Shahed),” said Borys.

The 47-year-old left television work to enlist after the invasion and now leads three interceptor crews in the 420th Unmanned Systems battalion. He requested his surname be withheld following standard Ukrainian military protocol.

When fog rolled in during a cold March evening, soldiers in Kharkiv region had to abort their mission due to zero visibility through their drones’ cameras.

Fedorov said Ukraine is developing automated drone guidance technology to improve effectiveness during poor weather.

Facing nightly attacks of over 500 drones, Ukraine has rapidly developed cost-effective urban and infrastructure defense methods. The country employs a comprehensive, multi-tier system using electronic warfare equipment, interceptor drones, armed pickup trucks, helicopters, and fighter aircraft.

Air force commander Cherevashenko said the military is applying knowledge gained from Russia’s drone campaigns last summer and winter to defeat the Shahed threat. “We have a great opportunity to do this.”

Electronic warfare systems that disrupt Shahed navigation show varying effectiveness, but can neutralize nearly half the drones during some attacks, said air force spokesperson Colonel Yuriy Ihnat.

Interceptor drones currently eliminate 40% of Russia’s Shahed-type weapons and other long-range attack UAVs, according to Cherevashenko, up from approximately 25% during winter.

Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets also participate, with each aircraft capable of destroying up to 10 Shaheds nightly, Ihnat told Reuters.

Cherevashenko identified Russia’s use of artificial intelligence to develop new tactics and flight routes as a major challenge, making it difficult for Ukraine to maintain pace.

He also noted the deployment of “mesh networks,” where drone groups function as signal relays in grids extending over 120 kilometers, enabling them to overcome Ukrainian navigation jamming.

Ukrainian interception efforts benefit from an unexpected advantage: remote operations. Elite pilots now control interceptors remotely via internet connections across multiple Ukrainian regions, instantly switching between video feeds, Cherevashenko explained. Ground support teams handle drone preparation and antenna setup, but pilots can operate from any location.

JAKARTA – Four Indonesian military personnel appeared in court Wednesday facing charges related to an acid attack on a human rights advocate who spoke out against the military’s growing influence in civilian affairs. Prosecutors are seeking maximum prison sentences of 12 years for each defendant.

Andrie Yunus, who serves as deputy coordinator for KontraS (Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence), sustained severe chemical burns covering one-fifth of his face and body when attackers on a motorcycle doused him with acid on March 12.

The assault left Yunus with lasting disfigurement and significant damage to his right eye, prompting widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.

Court records indicate the four defendants face charges of serious premeditated assault under Indonesia’s criminal code, which carries potential sentences up to 12 years behind bars.

Military prosecutor Mohammad Iswadi told the military tribunal that the intelligence unit officers allegedly targeted Yunus in retaliation for his protests against legislative changes that expanded military appointments to civilian government positions.

“With the incident, the suspects deemed Andrie Yunus to have insulted and stomped on the military as an institution,” Iswadi stated, revealing that the attackers used a combination of automotive battery acid and rust removal chemicals.

Reuters could not immediately reach the four officers or their attorneys for comment. The defendants, whose ranks span from captain to second sergeant, were all present at Wednesday’s proceedings.

Indonesia’s national human rights commission, Komnas HAM, has identified at least 14 individuals connected to the attack through its independent inquiry.

“The attack could lead to fear among civilians to criticise government officials,” the commission warned.

The human rights body expressed concern that trying the case in military court limits public oversight and may result in more lenient treatment for the officers. It has called for civilian courts to handle proceedings against the remaining 10 suspects.

Democratic institutions in Indonesia, ranked as the world’s third-largest democracy, face increasing pressure as military involvement in civilian sectors and state enterprises has expanded substantially under President Prabowo Subianto, a former general.

Prior to the attack, Yunus had participated in a podcast discussion about the military’s broadening authority in civilian matters.

President Prabowo characterized the assault on Yunus as “terrorism” last month and committed to ensuring a comprehensive investigation.

Standing at the front of his traditional fishing vessel in Chiang Saen, Thailand, 75-year-old Sukjai Yana pulled a meager collection of tiny fish from his nets, worried about both the size of his catch and whether anyone would buy what he hauled in.

Many days, Yana returns home empty-handed as customers increasingly avoid purchasing fish due to concerns about contamination in the Mekong River system. Toxic chemicals flowing downstream from rare earth mining operations are endangering the livelihoods of millions who depend on these waterways for agriculture and fishing.

For generations, Yana’s family has called this northern Thai fishing community home. “I don’t know where else I’d go,” he said.

Yana represents just one of 70 million residents across mainland Southeast Asia whose lives depend on the massive Mekong River, which stretches nearly 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles). Growing global appetite for rare earth minerals has sparked an uncontrolled mining surge primarily in conflict-ridden Myanmar, with operations now expanding into neighboring Laos.

The mighty Mekong has already endured numerous environmental challenges, including plastic waste, upstream hydroelectric projects, and riverbank sand extraction. However, environmental specialists caution that toxic discharge from mining activities represents a potentially catastrophic danger.

Contact with dangerous heavy metals including arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium increases the likelihood of cancer, organ damage and birth defects, particularly affecting children and expectant mothers.

Thailand faces the most severe impact from this mining expansion as these contaminants threaten its worldwide agricultural exports — affecting everything from rice sold in American grocery stores to edamame consumed in Japan and garlic used throughout Malaysian cooking. Current responses remain localized and insufficient, while smuggling activities and Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict prevent comprehensive regional solutions, creating additional concerns for downstream nations Cambodia and Vietnam.

Suebsakun Kidnukorn from Mae Fah Luang University in northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai province emphasized that farming forms the economic foundation of Southeast Asia, cautioning that rare earth extraction is destroying “the world’s kitchen.”

While harvesting banana clusters at his farm in the mountainous Thai village of Tha Ton, 63-year-old Lah Boonruang counted on his fingers the contaminated crops he grows — rice, garlic, corn, onion, mangoes and bananas.

Boonruang waters his farmland using the Kok River, a Mekong branch that carries pollutants as it flows from Myanmar into Thailand.

“Everyone is afraid of the toxins,” he said. “If we can’t export, a farmer is the first to die.”

Thailand ranks among the globe’s leading rice exporters alongside India and Vietnam. The country shipped more than $10 billion in rice and fruit products during 2024, with trade data showing the United States as the primary rice purchasing nation.

Niwat Roykaew, who established The Mekong School environmental institute in northern Thailand’s Chiang Khong district, expressed deep concern about the situation. “Our worry is that toxins accumulate in the rice we export. This would make our rice farming industry, which is our culture, collapse,” he said.

Thai researchers have discovered increased heavy metal contamination in additional Mekong tributaries, including the Sai and Ruak rivers.

The Mekong originates in China and travels through five Southeast Asian countries before reaching the ocean. Countless people throughout the Mekong Basin depend on fish as their primary protein source.

Advisories telling ethnic communities in northern Thailand’s hills to stop using river water create particular hardship for the Lahu people, renowned for their fishing traditions, explained Sela Lipo, a 56-year-old Lahu community leader.

“The Lahu’s way of life is always with a river,” he said. “The contaminated river has cut off our lifeline.”

Thai officials acknowledge having minimal influence over mining activities occurring across borders in troubled Myanmar and Laos. Thailand’s ability to respond has been hampered by insufficient technical knowledge, data and financial resources, according to Aweera Pakkamart from Thailand’s Pollution Control Department.

Public universities, municipal authorities and regional groups like the Mekong River Commission have instead concentrated primarily on tracking heavy metal concentrations and informing local populations about potential dangers.

Warakorn Maneechuket, a scientist at Thailand’s Naresuan University, reported that recent testing of water, fish and riverbed samples from Mekong tributaries revealed elevated concentrations of hazardous heavy metals including arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium linked to rare earth extraction.

In her laboratory, she demonstrated clear indicators of contamination using a surgical blade to highlight abnormal growths resembling tumors, altered scale coloration, and strange eye pigmentation before examining a catfish captured from the Kok River.

Heavy metal buildup occurs gradually and dangerously. Arsenic exposure can trigger organ shutdown. Mercury attacks the nervous system. Lead interferes with brain function while cadmium damages kidney tissue.

Tanapon Phenrat from Naresuan University helped create a mobile application allowing fishers to assess fish safety, teaching Chiang Saen fishermen to use the technology for identifying and photographing questionable catches. Developing a community-based scientific database for northern Thailand can help measure contamination extent and distribution, he explained.

“Each and every sample is very important,” he said.

Because rare earth elements appear everywhere in modern life, market demand continues climbing.

These materials prove essential for contemporary technology, powering everything from mobile phones and electric cars to military weapons and aircraft. Despite their name suggesting scarcity, rare earths exist abundantly. What makes them valuable is the expensive extraction process and complicated refinement procedures, which China dominates.

The Washington-based Stimson Center has employed satellite imagery analysis to locate almost 800 suspected illegal rare earth and other mining locations along Mekong tributaries throughout Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Numerous Myanmar sites sit in active combat zones. The ongoing war has created a “diversification of mines” across different regions, noted Regan Kwan from The Stimson Center, who has documented mining expansion to 26 riverside locations in Laos.

Rare earth extraction involves either excavating rock formations or using chemical solutions to wash minerals from soil, generating poisonous waste products. This process creates distinctive patterns visible in satellite monitoring, Kwan explained.

Myanmar serves as China’s primary heavy rare earth supplier, delivering over $4.2 billion worth of these materials to China from 2017 through 2024, with most exports occurring following the 2021 military coup.

President Donald Trump has prioritized securing America’s critical mineral and rare earth supplies as a central foreign policy goal. These materials power F-35 fighter aircraft, submarines, Tomahawk missiles, radar equipment and precision weapons, according to federal agencies, with demand increasing as the United States restocks and expands military reserves depleted by conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.

This development brings troubling news for the river system supporting mainland Southeast Asia.

Brian Eyler from the Stimson Center compared the situation to previous regional disasters, noting that while 20th-century conflicts including the Vietnam War and Khmer Rouge massacres caused the most devastating damage to the Mekong region, toxic contamination ranks as a close second threat, calling it an “atomic bomb” for the river ecosystem.

The pollution proves far more destructive than other challenges like massive dam construction and “it is not stopping.”

NEW YORK — Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla made their way to New York City on Wednesday during their highly anticipated diplomatic mission to the United States.

The royal pair’s visit to the Big Apple occurred at the halfway point of their four-day journey celebrating America’s 250th anniversary of independence. This marks the first time a sitting British monarch has set foot in New York since Queen Elizabeth II’s 2010 visit.

The couple participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National September 11th Memorial, where they had the opportunity to meet first responders and family members of those who perished in the terrorist attacks. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other officials were also present at the ceremony, which took place as the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of the tragic events.

Following the memorial service, Queen Camilla made her way to the New York Public Library to present a new “Roo” stuffed animal to complement the library’s renowned Winnie-the-Pooh collection, marking the beloved character’s 100th birthday this year.

The library currently displays five cherished dolls — Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and Kanga — which served as the creative foundation for A.A. Milne’s classic children’s stories. These toys belonged to the British writer’s son, the real Christopher Robin, during the 1920s. The library received the dolls as a gift in 1987, and they now serve as a highlight of its children’s literature archive. In Milne’s stories, Roo appears as a small brown kangaroo who is Kanga’s offspring.

During the same timeframe, King Charles visited an after-school urban agriculture program that serves youth dealing with food insecurity, and later met with business and financial executives in Manhattan.

The royal duo then attended an evening reception for the King’s Trust, a charitable organization Charles established in 1976.

This four-day journey represents Charles’ inaugural state visit to America since ascending to the throne. His late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, completed four state visits to the United States during her reign.

On Monday, the monarchs shared tea with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House.

Tuesday’s schedule included a private Oval Office discussion between Charles and Trump. The king subsequently addressed Congress in a historic speech — the first delivered by a British monarch since his mother’s 1991 appearance — before attending an official state dinner at the White House.

The royal itinerary also includes planned stops in Virginia before concluding their American visit with a formal White House farewell ceremony on Thursday hosted by Trump. Charles will then travel alone to Bermuda for his first royal visit to a British overseas territory since becoming king.

A high-ranking Taiwanese official has confirmed she traveled to two disputed islands in the South China Sea this week, marking the first ministerial visit to the contested territory in seven years.

Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling announced Wednesday on social media that she had visited both Itu Aba and the uninhabited Zhongzhou Reef during what her department described as environmental and humanitarian training exercises.

During her stop at Zhongzhou Reef, Kuan participated in beach cleanup efforts and observed the daily operations of Coast Guard personnel stationed there. She shared photos of herself and her team, including one staff member holding a large Taiwanese flag.

“There, I personally witnessed marine debris that had drifted in from surrounding countries and gained a deeper appreciation for the day-to-day life of our Coast Guard personnel stationed in the Nansha islands,” Kuan wrote, referring to the area by its Chinese name.

When questioned by lawmakers Wednesday about her South China Sea expedition, Kuan emphasized Taiwan’s unwavering position on territorial claims. “In the defence of sovereignty of course there is absolutely no backing down,” she stated.

Both Taiwan and China assert control over large portions of the South China Sea, with Taiwan maintaining authority over Itu Aba in the disputed Spratly Islands chain. The islands visited by Kuan are also claimed by both China and Vietnam.

Kuan acknowledged that Vietnamese officials had filed objections regarding her trip, but characterized their response as routine. “Our exercise has not caused, nor will it cause, any regional tension,” she posted on Facebook, noting that Vietnam’s protest “has not been notably more forceful than usual.”

Itu Aba features infrastructure including an airstrip capable of handling military supply flights from Taiwan and a newly constructed pier that opened in 2023, designed to accommodate patrol vessels weighing up to 4,000 tons. Despite these facilities, the island maintains lighter defenses compared to nearby Chinese-controlled territories, and Chinese forces typically do not interfere with Taiwan’s presence on Itu Aba and Zhongzhou.

Vietnamese foreign ministry officials have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the territorial dispute.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced late Tuesday that the nation will proceed with its annual Victory Day celebration on Moscow’s Red Square next month, though the traditional display of military hardware will be absent due to ongoing combat operations in Ukraine.

The May 9th commemoration, which honors the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in what Russians refer to as the Great Patriotic War, represents one of Russia’s most significant national holidays. The annual event typically brings together aging veterans wearing their military decorations in an emotional celebration featuring films, documentaries, and wartime songs.

However, this year’s ceremony will take a notably different approach, according to the Defense Ministry’s announcement.

“Military personnel from the higher military educational institutions of all types and individual branches of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will take part in the parade as part of the marching column,” the ministry stated.

The official statement explained that certain educational institutions would be excluded from participation, “and nor will a column of military equipment take part in the military parade in connection with the current operational situation.”

Despite the absence of ground-based military vehicles, the parade will showcase personnel from various military branches currently involved in what the Kremlin terms its “special military operation.”

According to the ministry, participants will include members of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, Aerospace Forces, and naval personnel. Aircraft will conduct aerial demonstrations and conclude the ceremony by displaying Russia’s white, blue, and red flag colors across the sky.

The modified parade format comes as Russian forces continue their gradual advancement through eastern Ukraine, now more than four years into the conflict.

Senior military leaders claim Moscow’s troops are making progress across multiple battlefronts, with the Defense Ministry regularly reporting the seizure of Ukrainian villages, including two announced on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts brokered by the United States to reach a peaceful resolution remain at an impasse, as Washington’s attention has shifted toward Middle Eastern conflicts.

President Vladimir Putin has stated Moscow’s objective of capturing the complete Donbas region, encompassing both Donetsk and Luhansk areas, including territories that remain under Ukrainian control. Ukrainian leadership continues to reject any proposals involving withdrawal from currently held positions.

SYDNEY – Rising energy costs linked to Middle East conflicts have pushed Australian consumer prices significantly higher during the first three months of 2024, creating headaches for policymakers who may now face pressure to increase interest rates.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released figures Wednesday revealing that the nation’s consumer price index climbed 1.4% during the January-March period, marking the steepest quarterly increase since the final months of 2023. The annual inflation rate accelerated from 3.6% to 4.1% in the first quarter, with March alone reaching 4.6%.

Core inflation measurements also showed concerning trends for Australia’s Reserve Bank. The trimmed mean indicator rose 0.8% for the quarter, slightly below economist predictions of 0.9%. However, the yearly core inflation rate increased from 3.4% to 3.5%, keeping it well beyond the central bank’s preferred range of 2% to 3%.

The elevated inflation figures come as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East continue to disrupt global energy markets, creating ripple effects across the Australian economy and putting additional strain on household budgets.

Negotiators from European Union member countries and the European Parliament were unable to strike an agreement on proposed modifications to artificial intelligence regulations following an exhausting 12-hour bargaining session that concluded Tuesday without resolution.

The proposed modifications target the AI Act, legislation that took effect in August 2024 with implementation scheduled to roll out in phases beginning this year. These changes form part of the European Commission’s Digital Omnibus initiative, designed to streamline multiple digital sector regulations and help European businesses compete more effectively against American and Asian competitors.

The continent’s artificial intelligence regulations are widely regarded as the most stringent globally, developed in response to growing worries about the technology’s effects on young people, the workforce, businesses, and digital security.

A representative from Cyprus, which currently leads the rotating EU Council presidency, confirmed the breakdown in negotiations. “It was not possible to reach an agreement with the European Parliament,” the Cypriot official stated.

Kim van Sparrentak, a Dutch member of parliament, expressed sharp criticism over the failed negotiations. “Big Tech is probably popping champagne. While European companies that care about safety and did their homework now face regulatory chaos,” she declared in a public statement.

Sources with firsthand knowledge of the discussions indicated that the next negotiation session will likely occur within two weeks.

These same sources revealed that Tuesday’s talks, which began at 1100 GMT, hit roadblocks due to demands from certain countries and legislators. They insisted that industries already operating under specific sector regulations, including product safety requirements, should receive exemptions from the artificial intelligence legislation.

The AI regulation establishes more demanding standards for technology use in “high-risk” sectors including biometric identification systems, utility services, healthcare, credit assessment, and law enforcement operations.

The broader Omnibus package encompasses additional regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the e-Privacy Directive, and the Data Act, among other measures.

Privacy advocates and civil rights organizations have voiced strong opposition to the suggested modifications to both these regulations and the AI Act, arguing that officials are yielding to pressure from major technology corporations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a warning of potential sanctions against Israel following accusations that stolen Ukrainian grain is being accepted at Israeli ports, according to Reuters reports.

Speaking directly to Israel on Tuesday, Zelenskyy stated that acquiring grain shipped from occupied territories “violates Israel’s laws,” and emphasized that “buying stolen grain cannot be considered a legitimate business.” The Ukrainian leader expressed his expectation that Israeli officials “to respect Ukraine and refrain from actions that undermine relations between the countries.” Zelenskyy also noted that another vessel carrying what Ukraine deems stolen grain “has arrived in Israel and is preparing to unload.”

The diplomatic tension escalated when Ukraine’s foreign ministry called in Israeli Ambassador Michael Brodsky for questioning regarding these allegations. This action follows previous accusations that have created friction between the two nations, including a social media disagreement on Monday and earlier discussions between foreign ministers on April 15. A Ukrainian diplomatic official indicated that Israel had previously “brushed off” such complaints.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X that “Friendly Ukrainian-Israeli relations have the potential to benefit both countries, and Russia’s illegal trade with stolen Ukrainian grain should not undermine them.” He continued, “Now that another such vessel has arrived in Haifa, we once again warn Israel against accepting the stolen grain and harming our relations.”

Sybiha confirmed that Ukraine had “already officially summoned the Israeli ambassador to [the Ukrainian foreign ministry] tomorrow morning to present our protest note and request appropriate action.”

Israeli officials have pushed back against these accusations. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded on X, stating “Allegations are not evidence,” and noted that “Evidence substantiating the allegations have yet to be provided.” He promised the matter would be investigated and that international law would be followed.

According to Haaretz newspaper, a ship called the Panormitis, suspected of transporting grain from occupied Ukrainian regions, was waiting for clearance to enter Haifa port. The publication reported that four grain shipments from occupied Ukraine had already been processed in Israel during this year.

Ukraine maintains that grain grown in the four territories Russia has claimed since its 2022 invasion, along with Crimea which Russia annexed in 2014, constitutes stolen property taken by Moscow.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Guyana has lodged a formal complaint with Caribbean leadership following Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez’s decision to display a disputed territorial symbol during recent diplomatic missions throughout the region.

The controversial accessory depicts Guyana’s mineral-rich Essequibo territory, a massive area comprising two-thirds of the nation that sits at the center of a longstanding border disagreement between the neighboring South American countries.

Venezuelan officials across government agencies have adopted the symbolic pin with growing frequency since Nicolás Maduro’s dramatic capture during a pre-dawn operation at his Caracas residence in early January.

Guyanese President Irfaan Ali addressed his concerns in correspondence to Terrance Drew, who serves as St. Kitts and Nevis’ prime minister and leads the Caribbean Community trade organization known as Caricom. Ali stated the accessory represents “Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory.”

Rodríguez displayed the territorial symbol during her Monday diplomatic mission to Barbados and had previously worn it while visiting Grenada in April, marking her inaugural international travel since assuming leadership following Maduro’s detention.

Ali expressed worry that Rodríguez’s choice to wear the symbol during formal state business might suggest host nations show “acquiescence or tolerance” toward Venezuela’s territorial assertions.

“Caricom’s principled support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations but in the context and conduct of official engagements,” Ali stated in his communication to the regional bloc.

The territorial disagreement stems from Venezuela’s position that an 1899 international boundary determination unfairly deprived the country of the region while under British colonial administration. The Netherlands’ International Court of Justice currently oversees the dispute.

Ali’s letter emphasized the trade organization’s consistent backing of Guyana’s territorial rights during important gatherings and argued that Venezuela should be prohibited from showcasing “symbols and maps” representing Essequibo, as such displays could weaken the ongoing international legal proceedings.

The Guyanese leader has also criticized Venezuela’s practice of incorporating Essequibo into official government maps, characterizing it as a “calculated and provocative assertion of a claim” that his nation continues to reject.

Recent tensions have escalated as Venezuela deployed naval vessels near American-operated offshore drilling platforms operating under Guyanese licensing, demanding cessation of petroleum extraction activities that the companies have disregarded.

Venezuelan government representatives in Caracas were unavailable for immediate response regarding the diplomatic complaint.

Israeli military forces have eliminated a massive underground tunnel complex in southern Lebanon that officials say was constructed with Iranian oversight and funding over the past ten years.

The Israel Defense Forces announced Tuesday that soldiers from the 36th Division successfully demolished two major tunnels in the Lebanese town of Qanater, acting on what military officials called “precise intelligence.” The subterranean network stretched approximately 2 kilometers in total length and was situated roughly 10 kilometers from Israeli communities along the northern border.

Military officials report that the underground facility reached depths of about 25 meters and was developed under what they termed “direct guidance” from Iran. According to the IDF, the project received “funding by the Iranian terror regime and as part of Hezbollah’s plan to conquer the Galilee.”

During their exploration of the tunnel system, Israeli troops discovered extensive weapons caches, residential areas, water storage systems, and various equipment intended to sustain extended underground operations. Military sources indicate the network was designed to enable militant fighters to infiltrate northern Israeli communities.

The IDF stated that Hezbollah’s Radwan Force had recently utilized one tunnel section “to advance terror attacks against the State of Israel and its citizens, thereby posing a direct threat to Israeli civilians and IDF troops.”

The tunnel destruction required massive controlled detonations that were so powerful they registered on Israel’s seismic monitoring equipment, according to the Geological Survey of Israel. However, the explosions did not trigger earthquake warning systems.

Israeli military leadership characterized these tunnels as the most extensive underground network they have encountered in Lebanon throughout the ongoing conflict, emphasizing that the operation targeted infrastructure they viewed as an urgent danger to Israeli citizens and military personnel.

WASHINGTON — American military forces intercepted and searched a commercial cargo vessel this week as part of the ongoing naval blockade targeting Iranian shipping, but permitted the ship to continue its journey after determining it posed no threat.

According to U.S. Central Command’s social media announcement, Marines rappelled from helicopters onto the Blue Star III on Tuesday and “released the vessel after conducting a search and confirming its voyage would not include an Iranian port call.” Video footage captured American troops descending by rope onto the ship’s deck.

This marks the fourth commercial vessel inspected since the Trump administration launched its Iranian shipping blockade more than two weeks ago, though it’s the first ship not detained by U.S. forces. The naval operation seeks to apply economic pressure on Iran during ongoing ceasefire negotiations, as Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues disrupting global energy markets through the vital shipping corridor.

Maritime tracking data indicates the Blue Star III had departed from Qasim port in Pakistan and was traveling toward Sohar port in Oman.

Military officials provided no details about what initially raised suspicions about the vessel. U.S. Central Command has intensified efforts to demonstrate the blockade’s effectiveness despite criticism from maritime analysts.

The Middle East military command has been issuing regular reports on merchant vessels it claims the blockade has deterred, and stated Tuesday that “U.S. forces cut off economic trade going into and coming out of Iran.”

When the blockade commenced, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine announced that enforcement operations would reach beyond Iranian territorial waters and U.S. Central Command’s jurisdiction.

Military authorities have also published an extensive catalog of items classified as contraband, stating they will inspect, search and confiscate such materials from commercial ships “regardless of location.”

An official notice declares that any “goods that are destined for an enemy and that may be susceptible to use in armed conflict” are “subject to capture at any place beyond neutral territory.”

Maritime specialists like Campbell University professor Salvatore Mercogliano have pointed out that Iranian vessels possess multiple methods to evade the blockade, such as falsifying their location data or navigating through Pakistani waters.

Mercogliano also emphasized that monitoring the enormous volume of maritime traffic presents significant logistical challenges for military forces.

U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins described Tuesday’s Blue Star boarding as evidence that “demonstrates our thorough enforcement of the blockade.”

A former Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson is sounding the alarm that current Middle East ceasefires are providing a false sense of security while hostile groups rebuild their military strength.

Jonathan Conricus, who previously served as an international spokesperson for the IDF and now works as a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, cautioned that existing ceasefire agreements should not be viewed as lasting solutions to regional conflicts.

“I think both sides, all sides, Iran, Israel, various Gulf countries, the Iranian proxies, Hezbollah, everybody is using this time, militarily speaking, in order to resupply and prepare for what probably inevitably is going to come,” Conricus explained in an interview with The Media Line. He believes future hostilities could emerge either locally between Israel and Hezbollah or expand regionally to include Israel, Iran, and the United States.

During ongoing questions about President Donald Trump’s ceasefire initiatives, Conricus emphasized that Israel and its opponents are exploiting the current lull to strengthen their military arsenals. “Gulf states are frantically trying to improve their defensive capabilities, and Israel is replenishing all of the stockpiles, both offensive and defensive ones,” he noted. “And I think that the Iranian regime is trying to do the same in order to try to brace themselves for whatever will come.”

Regarding diplomatic efforts with Iran, Conricus expressed pessimism about potential breakthroughs. “The negotiations, they look like two parallel lines that are not going to meet,” he stated, explaining that “the maximum that the Iranian regime is willing to address doesn’t meet the very basic minimum that the US is willing to consider.” He emphasized that Iran lacks the leverage to “be dictating terms,” citing the country’s vulnerability to economic sanctions and infrastructure damage.

While discussing Iran’s current military capabilities, Conricus avoided declaring the regime completely neutralized. “The Iranian regime is down, but it’s definitely not out,” he observed. Although Iran’s capacity “to project force,” produce ballistic missiles and drones, and serve as “the bully of the region” has been “significantly reduced,” it has “not permanently destroyed.”

“If the regime is left in place, then I have very little doubt that what we will eventually see within a relatively short period of time would be the Iranian regime going back to what they did before,” he predicted, identifying nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, drones, and terrorism support as probable focus areas. “There’s no indication … that the Iranian regime is changing its trajectory,” he concluded.

Addressing the situation in Lebanon, Conricus argued that calling the current arrangement a “ceasefire” misrepresents actual conditions. “We have a ceasefire on paper, but it isn’t really a ceasefire in the way that I would interpret the phrase, whereby both sides of a conflict cease their military operations,” he explained. Israel continues operating “to defend Israeli civilians in northern Israel” and weaken Hezbollah’s capabilities, while Hezbollah maintains rocket and drone attacks and engages Israeli forces stationed in Lebanon.

According to Conricus, Israel appears to be honoring American requests only by restraining major strikes against Hezbollah’s strategic infrastructure in Beirut and the Beqaa Valley. “In that … we have a certain aspect of a ceasefire,” he acknowledged. However, he maintained that the fundamental problem remains Hezbollah’s presence as an armed Iranian proxy within Lebanon.

“What really needs to happen here is for a strategic decision to be made by the Lebanese government,” he argued. “That is to make sure that there’s only one military in Lebanon, and that is the military of the state of Lebanon, the Lebanese Armed Forces.” Without this change, Conricus predicted Israel and Lebanon will continue experiencing “various aspects of ceasefires and violations of ceasefire and fighting and attacks and moving population and many other things.”

When asked about the Litani River’s strategic importance, Conricus dismissed its significance. “I don’t think that the Litani River holds any strategic significance,” he said. He suggested Israel should prioritize cutting connections between Iran and Hezbollah and blocking Hezbollah’s access to weapons.

“The ability to achieve our long-term goals using military only are very limited,” he admitted. “Military are necessary, but they are not the ones that will actually deliver what Israel needs on a long-term security perspective.” He recommended Israel employ military, diplomatic, financial, and non-kinetic approaches while supporting Lebanon’s government and army.

Conricus stressed that any Lebanese agreement will remain ineffective unless Beirut directly confronts Hezbollah. “Until we see the Lebanese government order the Lebanese armed forces to take meaningful kinetic military action against Hezbollah, action that would also entail casualties on the Lebanese side, then everything said and done will be void and of very little relevance,” he declared.

He suggested that once Lebanese authorities take such action, “then we know that they crossed the Rubicon.” At that point, he recommended Israel provide “maximum support, intelligence, and kinetic support and diplomatic support,” while avoiding actions that would complicate the Lebanese government’s domestic efforts.

Turning to Gaza, Conricus noted that Hamas maintains control over areas beyond Israeli military presence. “If we’re honest about it, Hamas controls half of the Gaza Strip,” he stated. “Is it a robust, functioning, and well-oiled bureaucracy? No, it’s jungle laws.” He characterized Hamas governance as “the survival of the fittest and the rule of the most cruel and violent,” adding that Hamas “still has weapons, and still controls the Palestinian civilian population.”

Conricus expressed no surprise at Hamas’ refusal to surrender weapons. “Hamas was never going to disarm,” he said. “The only way to disarm Hamas is to defeat them.” He described this process as lengthy and politically challenging. “This is not a quick fix. This doesn’t align with American or Israeli political calendars,” he warned.

Regarding Hamas’ tunnel infrastructure, Conricus noted increased caution in official Israeli evaluations. “The last assessment I heard was something to the tune of 60%,” he mentioned, referring to reported Hamas infrastructure destruction. “But I take that with many grains of salt and with caution, because I think that the gap between what we know and what we don’t know is still significant.”

He explained that certain Gaza areas remain beyond Israeli troop access, while zones within Israel’s deployment area undergo systematic searches and clearance. “It’s a spider web of underground network,” he described. “It appears almost endless in terms of the amount, depth, and diversity of tunnels that Hamas dug over so many years.”

Conricus recommended similar caution when evaluating Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas capabilities. “We’ve seen many times with the benefit of hindsight that what Intel assessments provided, they were perhaps a bit more optimistic than reality.”

For Conricus, the key insight across all three conflict zones is that incomplete military damage does not equal strategic victory. “Until you are able to force an enemy to surrender and give up and capitulate, it doesn’t really matter how much of his assets you’ve been able to degrade,” he concluded. “Whether you destroy 40%, 60% or 70 or 80%, it is important, but it is not decisive and crucial.”

Two Israeli Defense Forces personnel sustained injuries during a Hezbollah drone assault, with military officials reporting one soldier suffered severe wounds while the other received minor injuries, according to statements from the Israeli military. The attack took place despite an existing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

Military sources indicate this incident represents one of several drone assaults conducted by Hezbollah in recent days, violating the current peace arrangement. Israeli forces have also documented numerous attempts by unmanned aircraft to penetrate northern Israeli airspace during this timeframe.

Israeli military officials characterized the assault as a “violation of the ceasefire understandings by the Hezbollah terror group” in their official statement regarding the incident.

Sources from Lebanon confirmed that Israeli military forces conducted retaliatory operations in southern Lebanon, targeting locations including the villages of Kounin, Touline, and areas near Bint Jbeil.

During a senior military leadership meeting on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted what he termed “significant achievements” in Lebanese operations. “We are striking in the security zone, north of the security zone and also north of the Litani,” Netanyahu stated.

The Prime Minister identified two continuing security challenges emanating from Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, specifically mentioning missile capabilities and unmanned aerial vehicle threats. “There are still two main threats from Lebanon, from Hezbollah: the rocket threat (Grad), the drone and UAV threat … I expect from you is to solve these two problems, because I think we will be able to solve the political side,” Netanyahu added.

A Jerusalem-based watchdog organization has published a comprehensive 35-page analysis claiming that the international medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières, commonly known as Doctors Without Borders, has transformed into a vehicle for spreading anti-Israel messaging, specifically allegations of genocide in Gaza.

NGO Monitor released their findings on Monday, targeting the humanitarian organization that works across more than 70 nations with an annual budget of $2.4 billion. The monitoring group claims the medical charity has abandoned its core humanitarian mission in favor of what they characterize as an extensive influence campaign against Israel.

The analysis contends that Doctors Without Borders has taken a leading position in anti-Israel advocacy efforts and what the report describes as Holocaust inversion narratives, particularly genocide allegations. NGO Monitor further claims the organization systematically fails to acknowledge Hamas’ military use of Gaza medical facilities and applies legal standards exclusively to Israel.

Additionally, the study alleges connections between Hamas and other militant groups among the charity’s staff and volunteers, stating that personnel in Gaza failed to report on Hamas operations within healthcare facilities.

The report also examines the organization’s refusal to meet Israeli counter-terrorism registration standards and analyzes their public statements following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. According to NGO Monitor, Doctors Without Borders participated in advocacy campaigns labeling Israel’s military response as genocide, using what they claim is distorted evidence while omitting crucial operational details.

Prof. Gerald M. Steinberg, who serves as NGO Monitor’s President, stated: “In its ‘genocide’ propaganda and heinous Holocaust inversion, many MSF officials promoted blatantly false testimonies, violating basic principles of medical ethics.”

“To restore its shattered reputation and resume its mission of providing aid, an independent investigation leading to fundamental organizational changes and close oversight is vital. MSF in its current framework is no longer a trustworthy humanitarian organization,” Steinberg continued.

The monitoring group’s analysis indicates that the medical organization’s statements gained traction across international news outlets, medical publications, academic institutions, United Nations bodies, and international legal proceedings.

NGO Monitor’s recommendations call for independent investigations into Doctors Without Borders International and its national divisions, including branches in the United States and United Kingdom. They also demand an end to genocide-related accusations, external screening of staff members, and examination of the organization’s charitable status.

JERUSALEM — Israeli President Isaac Herzog extended an invitation Tuesday to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and government prosecutors, hoping to facilitate settlement discussions that could resolve the corruption charges pending against the country’s leader.

Herzog’s office sent the invitation several days after declaring he would not make an immediate decision on Netanyahu’s pardon request, choosing instead to encourage both parties to pursue a negotiated resolution.

The formal invitation, bearing the signature of Herzog’s legal adviser, stated the president’s belief that settlement negotiations “must be exhausted first” before any pardon consideration could move forward. The document expressed hope for discussions conducted “with an open heart and sincere, good intention” and requested responses by Sunday.

In November, Netanyahu petitioned Herzog to halt his trial, arguing that dismissing the criminal charges would promote national unity. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Herzog to bring the proceedings to an end.

The prime minister faces charges including breach of trust, fraud, and bribery across three distinct cases that allege he traded political favors with wealthy business partners. Netanyahu maintains his innocence on all counts.

The legal proceedings have stretched across six years, creating deep divisions among Israeli citizens. Netanyahu and his allies maintain he has become the target of a coordinated political attack orchestrated by media outlets, law enforcement, and judicial officials.

Neither Netanyahu’s representatives nor the attorney general’s office provided immediate responses to the invitation.

The United States is withholding billions in overdue payments to the United Nations until the international organization implements nine specific reforms, including measures to limit China’s growing influence, according to a report published Tuesday.

Development news organization Devex obtained two diplomatic documents showing America’s demands for what officials call “quick-hit” changes before releasing additional funding to the cash-strapped UN.

The reform demands include restructuring the United Nations pension program, eliminating business-class air travel for certain senior staff and all mid-level employees, reducing the number of top-tier positions, and cutting peacekeeping operations by 10% where missions have proven ineffective over time.

Most notably, Washington wants to prevent China from contributing tens of millions annually to a discretionary account controlled by the UN Secretary-General’s office, a strategy designed to reduce Beijing’s institutional influence.

“These reforms will be an indication that the UN is serious about reform,” one diplomatic note stated, according to Devex reporting.

Neither the US mission to the United Nations nor China’s UN representatives provided immediate responses when asked for comment. Washington has consistently pressured the organization for changes after withdrawing from multiple UN agencies this year and reducing funding in previous years.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasized that member nations’ financial contributions represent “a treaty obligation” and noted Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is already pursuing “a pretty heavy reform” agenda.

“It involves decisions that member states must take if we want to have a U.N. that is more effective, that uses its resources in the best way possible,” Dujarric explained during a press briefing. “The secretary-general is doing everything he can in that direction.”

Guterres warned earlier this year that the United Nations faced potential “imminent financial collapse” due to unpaid member contributions, with the vast majority owed by the United States. By February, America had paid approximately $160 million of its total $4 billion debt.

Current US obligations include $2.19 billion for the regular UN operating budget as of early February, representing more than 95% of all outstanding member dues worldwide. Additional American debts total $2.4 billion for current and previous peacekeeping operations, plus $43.6 million for UN tribunal expenses.

Federal intelligence officials are conducting assessments on Iran’s potential reactions should President Donald Trump announce a unilateral victory in the current conflict that has stretched into its second month, according to two government sources and an individual with knowledge of the situation.

Senior administration leaders have requested these intelligence evaluations as part of broader strategic planning. Sources indicate the analysis aims to gauge consequences of Trump potentially stepping back from military engagement that some advisers fear may hurt Republican prospects in upcoming midterm contests.

Although no final determination has been reached – and military escalation remains possible – a rapid de-escalation might relieve political pressures facing the president. However, such a move could strengthen Iran’s position, potentially allowing the nation to reconstruct its nuclear capabilities and missile infrastructure while posing renewed threats to regional U.S. partners.

Sources requested anonymity when discussing classified intelligence operations.

The timeline for completing these intelligence assessments remains unclear, though agencies have previously evaluated Iranian leadership responses to potential American victory announcements.

Following the February bombing operations, intelligence evaluations concluded that Iranian officials would likely interpret a Trump victory declaration coupled with regional force reductions as their own success, according to one source.

Alternatively, if Trump claimed victory while maintaining substantial military presence, Iran would probably view this as diplomatic maneuvering rather than genuine conflict resolution, the same source explained.

Both the CIA and Office of the Director of National Intelligence refused to provide statements.

White House representative Anna Kelly stated the administration continues Iranian negotiations and will “not be rushed into making a bad deal.”

“The president will only enter into an agreement that puts U.S. national security first, and he has been clear that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” she said.

Public opinion data reveals widespread American opposition to the military campaign. Recent Reuters/Ipsos polling found just 26% of Americans believe the operation justified its costs, while only 25% feel it enhanced national security.

Three individuals familiar with recent White House conversations describe Trump as acutely conscious of political consequences affecting both himself and his party.

Despite Trump’s ceasefire declaration twenty days ago, diplomatic efforts have failed to fully reopen the economically critical Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s attacks on vessels and mine deployment have kept the strategic waterway largely closed.

This shipping disruption affects approximately 20% of global crude oil transport, driving up worldwide energy costs and American gasoline prices. Iran’s commercial disruption capabilities provide significant leverage against the United States and allied nations.

Reducing American military presence while mutually ending the blockade would eventually lower fuel costs.

Nevertheless, both nations appear distant from reaching any accord.

Trump recently cancelled a planned meeting between his special representative Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner with Iranian representatives in Pakistan. He told reporters Saturday the process would require “too much time” and suggested Iran could simply “call” if interested in discussions.

Military alternatives remain officially available, including renewed airstrikes targeting Iranian military and political leadership, according to someone familiar with administration planning.

However, one official and another knowledgeable source indicated that extensive options like ground invasion of Iranian territory appear less probable than several weeks ago.

A White House representative characterized domestic pressure on the president to conclude the conflict as “enormous.”

One source noted Iran has utilized the ongoing ceasefire to recover launchers, ammunition, drones and other equipment previously buried during initial U.S. and Israeli bombardments.

Consequently, the tactical challenges of resuming full military operations have potentially increased since the April 8 ceasefire began.

BELGRADE, Serbia — A group of demonstrators assembled outside Serbia’s national television headquarters on Tuesday, calling for their country to withdraw from the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel’s inclusion in the competition.

The annual musical competition featuring 35 nations is set to take place May 12-16 in Vienna. Serbia’s representative will be Lavina, a metal group with six members.

In Belgrade’s city center, demonstrators displayed Palestinian flags and carried signs condemning Israel for alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict. They urged the state broadcaster RTS to cancel coverage of the event and asked Serbian citizens to avoid watching.

Organizers of the demonstration released a statement saying “A Eurovision without Israel would mean defending the ideals that this event proclaims.”

RTS has not yet responded to the protesters’ demands. Serbia maintains strong diplomatic relations with Israel.

While Eurovision aims to prioritize entertainment over political matters, the contest has frequently become entangled in global conflicts. Russia faced exclusion in 2022 following its full-scale military action against Ukraine.

Contest officials made the decision in December to permit Israel’s participation, leading to withdrawals by Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain. Slovenia’s state broadcaster RTV Slovenia announced plans to air programming focused on Palestinian issues during the Eurovision broadcast time slot.

DAKAR, Senegal – Lawmakers in Senegal’s National Assembly voted decisively on Tuesday to approve modifications to the nation’s election laws, creating a pathway for Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to potentially seek the presidency in 2029.

The 51-year-old political firebrand had been barred from participating in this year’s presidential contest due to a criminal conviction that could have blocked future campaigns as well. Instead, Sonko endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who successfully captured the presidency.

Political observers have noted growing tensions between President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko since the administration began, sparking speculation that Sonko may pursue the nation’s highest office when the next election cycle arrives.

Parliamentary members passed the legislation by a commanding margin of 128 in favor, 11 opposed, and 2 abstentions. The dominant presence of Sonko’s Pastef party in the assembly helped secure the outcome, though opposition groups criticized the use of emergency procedures to fast-track the measure.

The approved changes specifically target legal provisions that had disqualified Sonko from seeking elected office, effectively clearing a major hurdle to his potential presidential ambitions.

The legislation now moves to President Faye’s desk for final approval. Opposition parties retain the option to contest the new law before the Constitutional Council.

In related developments, the presidential office released proposed constitutional and electoral reforms on Monday for public review before cabinet discussions begin.

BUREIJ, Gaza Strip — A group of young Palestinian artists organized an outdoor art exhibition Tuesday in Gaza, using their artwork as another medium to communicate their wartime experiences to the global community during the current fragile ceasefire.

The collection of artwork was set up in the open air, much like daily life throughout Gaza, exposed to weather conditions and onlookers’ attention. The paintings depicted images including a dove, bullet damage, and human figures in a region where the conflict between Israel and Hamas has claimed more than 70,000 lives.

Under clear skies in central Gaza’s Bureij area, children could be heard playing and shouting while visitors photographed the artwork and contemplated its meaning.

Ghanem Al-Din, who coordinated the exhibition featuring numerous paintings, explained: “They painted their feelings, their ambitions, their hopes, their visions, over four months during a continuous workshop in my studio.”

Among the participating artists was 21-year-old Obay Al-Qarshali, who evacuated his Gaza City residence in late 2023 when the conflict erupted following Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel. During his hasty departure, he could only take essential items, abandoning more than 30 of his artworks.

Those pieces have since been destroyed in the bombing and devastation, he explained.

The artwork he contributed to the exhibition depicted shattered glass, vehicles loaded with mattresses and personal possessions, and building rubble — scenes all too recognizable to him and countless other displaced Palestinians who have relocated multiple times.

Al-Qarshali reported moving at least seven times throughout the war.

“Because of how much we were displaced and suffered in moving and carrying our belongings, the tents, the crowds, and so much more, I wanted to express something that deeply troubled me: that we left our homes and our safe places, forced to flee, scatter, and change our location. This piece expresses so much,” he stated.

The timeline for Gaza’s next ceasefire phases remains uncertain. Dismantling Hamas represents a significant obstacle before the territory can transition to new governance, achieve stability, and begin serious reconstruction efforts.

According to a recent United Nations and European Union assessment, rebuilding efforts will likely exceed $70 billion and require a decade to complete.

The report indicated Gaza’s economy has shrunk by 84 percent. More than 371,000 residential units have been demolished. Over half of the territory’s hospitals are “non-functional.” Almost all educational facilities in the area housing more than 2 million residents are either destroyed or damaged.

Although major combat operations have decreased since the ceasefire began in October, Israeli military forces have maintained almost daily attacks and gunfire near military-controlled zones, resulting in over 800 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry, operating under Hamas leadership, keeps comprehensive casualty documentation that U.N. agencies and independent analysts generally consider credible. However, it doesn’t distinguish between civilian and militant casualties.

Tuesday saw an Israeli airstrike target a vehicle in Gaza City, killing four men, Shifa Hospital reported.

The attack occurred outside the designated Yellow Line that divides Israeli-controlled territory from other Gaza areas. Israel’s military confirmed striking a “terrorist” at that location but provided no additional information.

The victims were shrouded in white cloth and laid on the ground outdoors, allowing mourners to gather.