Category: World News

WARSAW, Poland — Polish leadership expressed relief Wednesday following American officials’ clarification that halting the deployment of 4,000 U.S. military personnel to the central European nation represents only a temporary postponement.

Last week, the Polish administration responded with shock upon learning that 4,000 service members from the Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division would not arrive as originally scheduled to the nation that shares a border with Ukraine.

The Trump administration had earlier announced reductions to American military presence in Germany, creating concerns and drawing criticism across Europe and in Washington.

Tuesday evening, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell characterized the situation as a “temporary delay” of the deployment of U.S. forces to Poland, calling the nation a “model U.S. ally.”

Within the NATO military alliance, Poland allocates the highest percentage of its economy to defense spending, approximately 4.7% in 2025.

Parnell explained the postponement resulted from America’s reduction of brigade combat teams assigned to Europe from four down to three, noting the Pentagon must determine optimal troop positioning.

Also speaking Tuesday evening, Vice President JD Vance rejected characterizations that the U.S. was decreasing troop numbers in Poland: “That’s not a reduction. That’s just a standard delay in rotation that sometimes happens in these situations.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Wednesday he was pleased to hear “Washington’s declaration that Poland will be treated as it deserves.”

Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who held discussions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Tuesday evening, stated the updated American position confirms that the “U.S. presence is maintained.”

He continued: “Sometimes a rotating model can change into a permanent model and this is always much better.” Approximately 10,000 U.S. troops are regularly based in Poland, with most serving on rotational assignments.

Polish authorities indicated they were assured of participation in conversations regarding the restructuring of American forces across Europe.

America did not specify the duration of the postponement. The Polish defense minister expressed hope for clarification regarding troop presence in coming weeks.

However, Tusk cautioned that Europeans should harbor no misconceptions about Washington’s commitment to reducing its military footprint on the continent and Europeans’ responsibility to address the shortfall.

Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted U.S. allies have understood for a year that the Trump administration would withdraw some forces from Europe and it anticipates, “rightly, for Europe and Canada to take a bigger responsibility for the conventional defense of NATO and particularly, of course, the European part of NATO.”

Rutte indicated the U.S. “will stay involved” but may eventually redirect resources to other global regions.

The Trump administration has cautioned that Europe must assume responsibility for its own security, including Ukraine’s, going forward.

Trump and the Pentagon have announced plans to reduce at least 5,000 troops in Germany following Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s comments that the U.S. was being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership and his criticism of what he termed insufficient strategy in the conflict.

GOTEMBA, Japan — American Marines launched twelve rockets from a truck-mounted system Wednesday during a training exercise at a military range located in the foothills of Japan’s famous Mount Fuji, practicing with equipment that has become increasingly vital to U.S. military operations.

The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) consists of a rocket launcher installed on a military vehicle that can quickly emerge from hiding, launch its payload, and rapidly relocate to prevent enemy retaliation. These rapid deployment and repositioning methods, known as “shoot and scoot” strategies, are gaining significance as battlefield drones become more common, making fixed positions easier targets.

American forces have deployed this system in Iraq and Afghanistan, and U.S. Central Command recently reported using it in initial strikes against Iran, where it fired an advanced precision-guided missile capable of hitting targets several hundred miles distant.

This capability holds special significance in the Pacific region, where the United States aims to prevent a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan, which China considers its territory and has not dismissed conquering through military action. HIMARS units equipped with the newest missiles could potentially strike locations in the Taiwan Strait separating Taiwan from mainland China if positioned on Japanese or neighboring islands.

However, HIMARS typically uses shorter-distance rockets, and Wednesday’s training at the U.S. military’s Camp Fuji, located approximately two hours by car from Tokyo, utilized only practice rounds.

This marks just the second occasion HIMARS has been tested at Camp Fuji, with the drill conducted in close partnership with Japanese military personnel. Officials temporarily shut down a public highway that passed between the launch site and target area as a safety measure during the exercise.

A recent survey indicates that conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori maintains an advantage in Peru’s upcoming presidential runoff election scheduled for June 7, according to polling data released Wednesday.

The Ipsos Peru survey shows Fujimori capturing 39% of voter support, while her leftist opponent Roberto Sanchez trails with 35% in the head-to-head matchup. The polling was conducted between May 16-17 and the results were published in Peru 21, a local newspaper.

BRUSSELS (AP) — Following intense internal discussions, the European Union gave final approval Wednesday to a trade agreement with the United States that establishes a 15% ceiling on tariffs for most European exports, preventing a potential confrontation with President Donald Trump before his July 4 deadline.

Sharp disagreements erupted within the 27-member union’s legislative body and leadership, threatening the carefully negotiated agreement that governs the enormous flow of commerce between two of the globe’s biggest economic powers, both currently dealing with serious consequences from the conflict in Iran.

Within the European Parliament, members threatened to reject the commercial pact that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had negotiated last July with United States President Donald Trump at his Turnberry golf facility in Scotland, after extended discussions following his administration’s worldwide wave of tariff impositions.

The agreement between von der Leyen and Trump launched additional months of detailed negotiations between Washington and Brussels, even as European criticism of the arrangement intensified after Trump made threats regarding Greenland, a semi-independent Danish territory. He has since stepped back from those threats, at least temporarily.

“A deal is a deal, and the EU honours its commitments,” stated the EU executive in a social media message celebrating the accord.

European legislators had successfully demanded the inclusion of safeguards in the agreement should the U.S. retreat or hesitate on specific terms, according to Bernard Lange, who chairs the parliamentary trade committee.

“If there is something going wrong, of course, we are self-confident to act on that,” he stated.

The basic framework of the agreement is straightforward: a 15% tariff ceiling on most European imports, while duties on US industrial products would drop to zero. Although the deal imposed higher costs on consumers and businesses compared to the former average of 4.8%, it also provided commercial certainty for future planning, a benefit credited with helping Europe sidestep recession last year.

Given the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that continues pushing up costs as Middle Eastern warfare persists, affecting interest rates and inflation from Latvia to Louisiana, supporters of the EU-U.S. agreement maintain that resolving trade disputes between them is essential during this period of worldwide economic uncertainty.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels released a statement expressing relief at seeing the EU achieve agreement on the deal. “The trilogue agreement is a sign that the EU is honouring its commitments under the deal,” it stated, enabling Washington and Brussels to “move beyond tariffs” and address complex matters like vital supply chains.

The EU’s trade negotiator, Maroš Šefčovič, explained that the final effort to approve the deal occurred after five hours of “an intensive night” of trilogue talks between the European Council, European Parliament and the EU’s executive, the European Commission.

He noted that once the political agreement receives formal adoption by legislators in upcoming weeks, “this outcome will reinforce stability in EU-U.S. trade and open the door even wider to constructive cooperation on many issues of strategic importance.”

However, European concerns remain about whether the White House can deliver on the agreement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled this year against the legal foundation Trump had relied upon to implement that tax.

This situation left Trump searching for alternative legal justifications, and his administration has implemented a 10% tax while examining trade imbalances and national security concerns, to establish new tariffs compensating for lost revenue. In May, a federal court determined that Trump had exceeded the tariff authority Congress had granted the president under existing law, rendering the new tariffs “invalid” and “unauthorized by law.”

This could potentially encompass tariffs Trump has threatened to impose on EU automobiles and trucks in a social media message where he also criticized the EU regarding the deal for not “as usual” adhering to it, without specifying the sources of disagreement.

Following the EU’s completion of its internal democratic procedures, it now awaits a favorable response from Washington, according to Lange, the EU legislator.

“That’s, of course, a big question mark. I have not my crystal ball here with me,” he stated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other defense contractors report similar success.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE

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

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

He held the defense minister role during the 1996 incident.

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

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

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

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

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

TRUMP SAYS CUBA ‘IS NEXT’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lebanese health officials reported that Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least 19 people, among them four women and three children, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The deadly attacks continue the pattern of near-daily violence from both sides that has persisted even with a fragile, U.S.-mediated ceasefire currently in effect for the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

Israeli military officials did not provide immediate comment regarding the casualties or specific incidents, though they confirmed targeting more than 25 Hezbollah infrastructure locations in southern Lebanon between Monday afternoon and Tuesday afternoon.

The current round of Israel-Hezbollah fighting commenced on March 2 when the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group launched rockets at Israel, occurring two days following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran.

Lebanese government officials reported that a single attack on the village of Deir Qanoun al Nahr in the coastal Tyre province resulted in 10 fatalities, including three children and three women. Three additional people sustained injuries, including one child.

While the ministry offered no additional details regarding the attack, the state-run National News Agency reported that it demolished a house, trapping several people beneath the debris. Recovery teams retrieved their bodies later that day.

The ministry also documented another airstrike on the southern city of Nabatieh that claimed four lives and injured 10 others, including two women. A third attack in the neighboring village of Kfar Sir resulted in five deaths, including one woman.

These recent fatalities occurred one day after the death toll in the current fighting between Israel and Hezbollah exceeded 3,000, and two days following the extension of the U.S.-brokered truce for an additional 45 days. The ceasefire has been active since April 17.

Israel has conducted an invasion of southern Lebanon and launched bombardments of Beirut, the capital, along with other regions, stating its focus on Hezbollah infrastructure. Hezbollah, functioning as both a militant organization and influential political entity in Lebanon, has maintained resistance to disarmament pressure, including from Lebanon’s own government.

The conflict has forced more than a million Lebanese people from their homes, with some taking shelter in tents positioned along roadways and near the Mediterranean Sea in Beirut.

Meanwhile, Israel has faced challenges in stopping persistent Hezbollah drone strikes aimed at its forces operating on Lebanese territory and northern Israeli border communities.

Israeli military officials confirmed that one soldier died on Tuesday during combat operations in southern Lebanon, bringing the total number of Israeli military deaths to 21 since the current conflict began.

According to a Tuesday report from Axios, U.S. President Donald Trump plans to participate in the G7 leaders gathering scheduled for June in France, where he will address topics including artificial intelligence, trade policies, and crime-fighting efforts, a White House official told the news outlet.

The president’s agenda includes discussions on connecting U.S. aid with trade agreements, encouraging the use of artificial intelligence technologies developed in America, and working to diminish China’s influence over essential mineral supply networks, according to the Axios report.

This year’s G7 summit will be hosted by France, with world leaders meeting at the lakeside resort of Evian-les-Bains located at the base of the French Alps from June 15-17.

Relations between Trump and several G7 member nations have become more tense recently, particularly due to his conflict with Iran and other international matters.

The United Kingdom’s foreign office confirmed early Wednesday that James Roscoe, who served as deputy head of mission at the British embassy in Washington, has departed from his role.

Roscoe held the position of deputy ambassador to the United States before leaving his post, according to the announcement from Britain’s foreign ministry.

Regional officials in Russia reported drone strikes targeting manufacturing facilities near Nevinnomyssk in the southern Stavropol region on May 20, according to Governor Vladimir Vladimirov’s announcement on social media.

The governor did not release additional information about the attacks. The targeted area houses Nevinnomyssky Azot, a major chemical manufacturing facility that has previously been struck by Ukrainian drone operations.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian regional authorities reported that five individuals sustained injuries when Russian forces struck Dnipro, a city in the country’s southeast. Regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha made the announcement via Telegram, though Reuters was unable to independently confirm these reports.

Both Russia and Ukraine have consistently denied intentionally striking civilian targets during the ongoing conflict.

NEW YORK (TV Delmarva) — The United Nations announced Tuesday that it has revised downward its economic projections for worldwide growth while increasing inflation expectations due to ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts and climbing energy costs.

Economic analysts at the U.N. now project worldwide GDP expansion at 2.5% for 2026, a reduction from the 2.7% prediction made in January. Officials warned the figure could drop further to just 2.1% under more challenging conditions.

Such weak expansion would rank among the poorest performance levels seen this century, excluding periods during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2008 financial crisis, according to Shantanu Mukherjee, director of economic analysis in the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, who spoke during a press briefing.

Worldwide inflation expectations have been adjusted upward to 3.9% for this year, representing an increase of 0.8% from January projections, following military strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. Iran’s response included blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other petroleum-based products.

“Increased energy prices are a potent factor, as are the prices of refinery products that are crucial to industrial production and commercial transport,” Mukherjee said.

However, he emphasized that inflation impacts will vary across different nations.

Wealthier developed nations are expected to see inflation climb from 2.6% in 2025 to 2.9% in 2026. Developing countries face steeper increases, with inflation anticipated to jump from 4.2% to 5.2% as elevated energy, transportation and import costs reduce actual purchasing power.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to attend a NATO foreign ministers gathering in Sweden this week, as European allies express mounting concerns about President Donald Trump’s commitment to the alliance and America’s military presence in the region amid ongoing tensions over the Iran war and escalating energy costs.

The State Department announced Tuesday that Rubio will participate in the NATO conference in Helsingborg on Friday, marking one of the final high-level NATO sessions before alliance leaders convene for their summit in Ankara, Turkey, this July.

Following the Sweden meeting, Rubio will continue to India for visits to four cities: Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi. During his time there, he plans to meet with Indian officials and is anticipated to hold discussions with his counterparts from India, Australia and Japan, the other three nations in the “Quad” grouping of Indo-Pacific democracies.

During his time in Sweden, Rubio will reiterate longstanding American calls “for increased defense investment and greater burden sharing in the alliance,” according to a State Department announcement.

The department noted he will also address Arctic concerns and convene with NATO’s Arctic member nations “to discuss our shared economic and security interests in the Arctic and our strengthened posture in the High North.”

While the announcement didn’t specifically reference Greenland, Trump has upset Europeans with ongoing discussions about acquiring the Danish territory. Trump’s special envoy for Greenland, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, made a visit to the island this week.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated Monday that his meeting with Landry was respectful and constructive, though he emphasized that the Greenlandic people demand self-determination.

“The Greenlandic people are not for sale. Greenlandic self-determination is not something that can be negotiated,” Nielsen was quoted by Danish TV 2 as saying after meeting Landry.

Europeans who have concerns about Trump often view Rubio’s participation in transatlantic meetings favorably due to his more diplomatic approach and composed manner.

He has been sent on multiple such assignments this year, including the Munich Security Conference in February and a recent trip to Italy, where he met with Italian leaders and the pope following Trump’s criticism of the pontiff regarding his positions on crime and the Iran war.

Prior to the NATO foreign ministers gathering, the alliance’s senior military leader said Tuesday he doesn’t anticipate additional reductions of American forces from Europe in the near future, beyond the 5,000 troops Trump announced would depart the continent.

These comments from U.S. Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich come after Trump’s unexpected announcement of the military move earlier this month. The U.S. leader has disagreed with allies regarding the Iran war and demanded modifications.

The Pentagon subsequently clarified it would reduce European troop numbers by thousands through canceling scheduled deployments to Poland and Germany rather than withdrawing forces currently based there.

When questioned Tuesday about Trump’s intentions for troop numbers in Poland, Vice President JD Vance said the administration’s priority is advancing “European independence and sovereignty.” He also challenged claims that the U.S. is cutting troop levels in Poland.

“What we did is that we delayed a troop deployment that was going to go to Poland,” Vance told White House reporters. “That’s not a reduction. That’s just a standard delay in rotation that sometimes happens in these situations.”

Trump’s announcement caught NATO off guard and occurred despite American commitments to coordinate military decisions with allies and prevent security vulnerabilities.

Trump expressed particular frustration with Germany after Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated the United States was being “humiliated” by Iranian leadership and criticized what he described as insufficient U.S. strategy in the conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to Sweden this week for discussions with NATO foreign ministers, followed by a diplomatic visit to India, the State Department announced Tuesday.

The diplomatic trip comes amid ongoing tensions between the current administration and both NATO allies and India. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened withdrawal from the NATO alliance while also implementing significant tariffs on India.

Rubio’s first stop will be Helsingborg on May 22, where State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said he will “discuss the need for increased defense investment and greater burden sharing in the Alliance.”

During his Sweden visit, the Secretary of State will also hold discussions with representatives from Arctic Seven nations including Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. These talks will focus on “shared economic and security interests,” according to Pigott.

Following the NATO meetings, Rubio will spend May 23 through 26 in India, making stops in Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi. His agenda includes conversations about energy security, trade relationships, and defense cooperation.

The current administration has consistently pushed NATO member countries to increase their contributions to collective military efforts. Tensions have escalated after European nations refused to provide naval support for securing the Strait of Hormuz and following Trump’s previous suggestion to purchase Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory.

European leadership has acknowledged the need for greater responsibility in regional security matters. NATO member nations established new spending benchmarks last year, targeting 3.5% of GDP for core defense and 1.5% for broader security measures including cybersecurity, infrastructure and logistics.

While Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintained positive relations during Trump’s initial presidency, the relationship deteriorated after India faced some of the steepest U.S. tariffs last year. Many of those tariffs have since been reduced, and both nations are currently negotiating a trade agreement to prevent future tariff increases.

India participates in the Quad alliance alongside the United States, Japan and Australia. Japan’s Jiji Press reported that Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi plans to visit New Delhi on May 26 for a Quad meeting focused on strengthening supply chains for critical minerals as a response to China.

The State Department’s announcement did not reference any Quad meeting plans.

During an April phone conversation, Trump and Modi emphasized the importance of maintaining open and secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 40% of India’s crude oil imports.

A Brazilian senator has confirmed he held a face-to-face meeting with a controversial banker following the financier’s arrest and subsequent release under electronic monitoring conditions.

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro made the admission on Tuesday regarding his encounter with Daniel Vorcaro, whose failed financial institution Banco Master collapsed amid fraud investigations. Vorcaro was initially detained last year before being released with monitoring equipment, then imprisoned again in March on charges of corrupting a former central bank official.

The senator’s connection to the disgraced banker came under public examination after The Intercept Brasil news outlet published details of their relationship last week. Master bank was shut down permanently in November during ongoing probes into questionable lending practices.

The senator, who holds right-wing political views and harbors presidential aspirations, has maintained that his association with Vorcaro centered solely on securing funding for a documentary about his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. He characterized the arrangement as a straightforward investment without any reciprocal political benefits.

During Tuesday’s media briefing, the senator explained that his late 2025 meeting with Vorcaro aimed to terminate their business discussions once the banker’s alleged misconduct became widely known.

“I did go to meet him to put an end to the matter and to say that if he had told me the situation was as serious as it was, I would have looked for another investor much earlier,” Flavio Bolsonaro told reporters.

The revelation has sent shockwaves through Brazilian financial markets, with investors concerned the scandal could influence the outcome of this year’s closely contested presidential election.

Recent polling data shows Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has gained a seven-point lead over the senator in the first major survey conducted since the banker controversy emerged. Previous polls had shown the two candidates running essentially even.

Political opposition figures in the Bahamas are calling for a formal investigation following accusations by a United States federal agent linking an unnamed senior politician to drug trafficking activities.

According to court documents, a suspected drug dealer who lived through a recent aircraft accident near Florida was found carrying approximately $30,000 in cash stored in a bag marked with an unidentified high-ranking Bahamian official’s name.

The individual in question had been sent back to the Bahamas over ten years ago following convictions for drug and money laundering offenses. Federal authorities now accuse him of moving cocaine from the Bahamas into the United States. Court filings from May 14 in the Southern District of New York detail allegations that he met with the unnamed politician at Nassau’s Bahamian Parliament building in October 2024 to discuss arrangements for moving approximately 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of cocaine. The documents claim the politician “could provide security for the planned cocaine shipment” and was presented to another unnamed suspect as a “future associate.”

These accusations add to mounting troubles for the Bahamas, where the police commissioner stepped down in December 2024 following the indictment of a sergeant and two officers in what federal prosecutors described as “a massive cocaine conspiracy enabled by corrupt Bahamian government officials.”

Michael Pintard, who leads the opposition Free National Movement party, stated Monday that he doubts the Bahamas’ prime minister, who won reelection on the same day as the plane crash, will take action against those involved.

“We issued warnings about the close relationship between members of this administration and characters of interest to police locally and internationally,” he told reporters.

Latrae Rahming, spokesman for the office of the prime minister, did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Tuesday.

“If the prime minister has not spoken to it, I don’t want to be the first one to address a matter of that significance,” he told local reporters on Monday.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Michael Coleman asserted in his deposition that multiple drug trafficking organizations are ferrying loads “under the protection of local officials” in the Bahamas.

He alleged that the suspected drug trafficker who survived the plane crash owns a business he uses to “bid on Bahamian government-issued construction contracts and launder his narcotics trafficking proceeds.”

Coleman said the suspect was one of 11 people who survived the crash off the coast of Florida late last week. He was rescued and later arrested.

The DEA agent said the agency has been investigating drug trafficking organizations operating in countries including the Bahamas since roughly 2022.

Dr. Duane Sands, chairman of the Free National Movement party, told The Nassau Guardian newspaper on Monday that the current administration was bringing shame and embarrassment to the Bahamas as he called for a commission of inquiry.

“The Bahamian people are entitled to know,” he was quoted as saying. “The heart and soul of our country are at stake.”

Nigerian military officials announced Tuesday that combined operations with American forces have eliminated 175 Islamic State fighters during recent coordinated attacks in the country’s northeastern region.

According to the Defence Headquarters, the joint missions with U.S. Africa Command targeted and destroyed militant checkpoints, weapon storage sites, operational centers, and financial networks belonging to Islamic State West Africa Province, the group responsible for an extended insurgency in the area.

Islamic State has increasingly focused its efforts on African operations after experiencing significant losses in Middle Eastern territories, with Africa representing 86% of the organization’s worldwide activities during the initial quarter of 2026, based on data from crisis monitoring group Armed Conflict Location & Event Data.

“As of 19 May, assessments indicate that 175 ISIS militants have been eliminated from the battlefield,” Nigeria’s Defence spokesperson Major-General Samaila Uba said in a statement.

The military operations eliminated several key Islamic State figures, beginning with Abu-Bilal al-Minuki on May 16, whom both nations identified as the organization’s second-highest global leader. Additional weekend raids resulted in the deaths of Abd al-Wahhab, an ISWAP commander responsible for coordinating attacks and propaganda operations, along with Abu Musa al-Mangawi and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, described as a senior communications official and close ally of al-Minuki.

Defence Headquarters officials stated these missions are part of a continuing effort to “hunt down and destroy” militants posing threats to Nigeria and surrounding areas.

A deadly drone attack struck a crowded marketplace in Sudan’s West Kordofan province on Tuesday morning, leaving 28 people dead and injuring dozens more, according to a local human rights organization.

The Emergency Lawyers, a rights advocacy group that monitors violations during Sudan’s ongoing conflict, reported on social media that the marketplace in Ghubaysh was hit during peak hours when it was packed with civilians. The organization attributed the attack to the army.

Sudan has been engulfed in warfare since April 2023, when longstanding friction between the military and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted into full conflict. The RSF currently maintains control over West Kordofan.

A representative from Sudan’s military told The Associated Press that the army does not attack civilians or civilian facilities. A second military source also disputed the allegations, claiming that an army drone targeted two RSF military vehicles that were refueling near the marketplace, destroying both vehicles and killing occupants without harming any civilians.

Both sources requested anonymity as they lacked authorization to speak with media outlets. The RSF has not yet responded to requests for comment.

According to the Emergency Lawyers, thousands of residents throughout West Kordofan and surrounding regions depend on the Ghubaysh marketplace for food and vital goods.

Sudan’s civil war has claimed no fewer than 59,000 lives, forced approximately 13 million people from their homes, and created famine conditions across large portions of the nation. Over 30 million citizens require emergency humanitarian aid.

Unmanned aircraft attacks have emerged as the most lethal danger facing civilians in Sudan’s war, with both military forces and the RSF receiving drone supplies from various nations across the Middle East and other regions.

United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk has recently urged action to halt drone shipments to Sudan. U.N. data shows that drone strikes killed no fewer than 880 civilians from January through April.

According to Türk, both the army and RSF deploy drones to gain control of disputed territories, interrupt enemy mobilization, and create instability in opponent-held regions. The RSF recently launched drone strikes against Khartoum International Airport and other locations near Sudan’s capital, which fell under army control last year.

Data from the U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project reveals that drone attacks killed at least 2,670 people in 2025, including both fighters and civilians, representing a 600% surge in drone-related fatalities and an 81% rise in drone strikes compared to the prior year.

Experts indicate that sophisticated drones provided by international supporters have enabled both warring factions to escalate attacks on heavily populated zones, intensifying the conflict and raising concerns about a broader proxy war.

Tehran has outlined its conditions for resolving ongoing regional tensions, calling for swift US military withdrawal from the area, financial compensation, cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, and removal of economic sanctions, based on Iranian media coverage and official statements.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Tehran is also seeking the unfreezing of Iranian assets and termination of what he characterized as a US naval blockade against the nation, the IRNA news agency reported.

A Walla report indicated that disputes concerning Iran’s nuclear activities continue to be the main barrier in Tehran’s most recent proposal. The report noted that Israeli and American objectives conflict with Iranian requirements and referenced an analysis suggesting Iran may be using the talks to buy time.

Walla additionally reported that preparations have been made with other Middle Eastern nations in case President Trump chooses to approve fresh military strikes on Iran.

Reuters noted that Iran’s current proposal bears strong similarities to an earlier offer that President Trump rejected last week.

In a Monday Truth Social post, he revealed that leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates had requested he postpone plans for additional strikes on Iran during ongoing talks.

“This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!” President Trump wrote.

Prior to Monday’s announcement suspending planned military action, President Trump had been organizing what was characterized as a significant operation targeting Iran. He subsequently explained his decision to postpone the action was to create space for diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

At the same time, Iranian military leaders have issued warnings about further escalation should Iran face renewed attacks.

Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia indicated Iran would retaliate by widening the conflict, according to Iran’s state media.

“If the enemy acts foolishly and once again falls into the trap of the Zionists and carries out another act of aggression against our dear Iran, we will open new fronts against them using new methods and capabilities,” he said.

Two African nations have formed a new alliance to strengthen their control over Red Sea maritime activities while regional disputes with Ethiopia continue to escalate.

Officials from Egypt and Eritrea formalized a maritime transportation partnership on Sunday in Asmara, with President Isaias Afwerki overseeing the ceremony. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir traveled to the Eritrean capital for the signing.

The new partnership will create a direct cargo shipping connection linking Egyptian and Eritrean Red Sea ports. Officials say the arrangement aims to boost trade relationships and improve logistics coordination between the two nations.

Both governments declared that Red Sea security matters should be handled exclusively by countries that border the waterway, rejecting involvement from external regional powers.

Leaders from both countries also conducted an Egyptian-Eritrean Business Forum to explore joint investment opportunities and commercial partnerships. The discussions covered transportation infrastructure, mining operations, pharmaceutical development, and fishing industries, plus sharing knowledge about port construction and expansion projects.

This collaboration emerges as Egypt and Eritrea strengthen their coordination throughout the Horn of Africa region while managing ongoing conflicts with Ethiopia. These disputes involve Ethiopia’s attempts to gain Red Sea port access through neighboring Somaliland, plus continuing disagreements about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project.

The two countries, separated by a border spanning 1851 kilometers, have been increasing their economic and naval coordination as part of wider regional partnership initiatives.

Egypt has been building stronger diplomatic and military relationships across the Horn of Africa. During late 2024, Cairo established a three-way cooperation agreement with Eritrea and Somalia designed to enhance regional coordination while restricting Ethiopian influence throughout the area.

Iranian military forces deployed air defense systems Monday evening on Qeshm Island following reports of unmanned aircraft activity above the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz region, according to Iranian news outlets.

The Mehr News Agency reported that defense systems were brought online late Monday on the island, which is positioned close to the crucial shipping corridor.

According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iranian defense units were mobilized to eliminate what they characterized as “hostile targets” following the reported detection of unmanned aircraft over Qeshm Island’s airspace.

Government officials did not quickly offer an official statement regarding why the defense systems were deployed.

Provincial officials in Hormozgan later confirmed through the country’s Students News Network that the island experienced no strikes, harm, or detonations.

Social media users shared information about the event before government announcements were made public, with multiple posts alleging that explosions were audible on the island overnight.

This event represents another in a string of reported unmanned aircraft interceptions conducted by Iranian defense forces in recent weeks, including similar occurrences over Tehran.

On May 6, Iranian officials announced their defense systems had intercepted what they called “small drones and reconnaissance drones” in the vicinity of Qeshm Island within the Strait of Hormuz. Officials reported no casualties from that incident.

Security experts are raising alarms about digital currencies serving as primary channels for terrorist financing, following recent discoveries of massive funding networks that moved hundreds of millions of dollars to extremist organizations.

Military and intelligence officials recently disclosed findings about an Iranian-coordinated funding operation that channeled vast sums to terror groups through Turkey. According to authorities, Iran supplied the money and oversaw the network using operatives and intermediaries connected to financiers in Turkey, who then managed and coordinated the funds.

Officials say the money was cleaned through multiple avenues, including currency exchanges, shell companies, charitable organizations, legitimate businesses, and digital currency networks.

These illegal financial pathways enable terrorist organizations to survive and function. Military authorities stated that such mechanisms were among those that made possible the devastating October 7, 2023, attack.

Dr. Gideon Fisher, an attorney with the Law Office of Dr. Gideon Fisher & Co., explained to The Media Line that his practice has been focusing on the financial infrastructure that enables terrorism to operate, particularly networks utilizing digital currency. Following the massacre, his firm has represented numerous attack victims. He is presently working with thousands, all officially recognized as terror victims by the National Insurance Institute.

Fisher noted that legal action can be pursued not just against the terrorist organization that executed an attack, but also against parties that allegedly funded those activities or made them possible. The objective, he stated, is not only to assist victims, though that remains the main priority, but also to make future terrorism financing more difficult.

“On top of the moral obligations, it is a strategic move to cut off terrorism at its financial groups,” Fisher told The Media Line.

Digital currency is commonly considered one of the main financial channels utilized by terrorist organizations.

Initially, digital currency became infamous through platforms like Silk Road, where it facilitated illegal activities, including terrorism and other criminal operations. While the industry has become much more regulated recently, the anonymous characteristics of digital currency have made it simpler for terrorist entities to hide fund flows and disguise complex transaction networks. Specialists say these systems have also been exploited by state-connected actors seeking to circumvent international sanctions, similar to the network recently exposed by military forces.

Fisher’s legal team has filed suit against the Palestine Liberation Organization, claiming it illegally transferred money to terrorists, including payments to families of Palestinians jailed for attacks that harmed or killed people. He contended that the money encouraged and enabled terrorist organizations to strengthen their operations before October 7.

“In our lawsuit against Binance, we describe that they intentionally and/or negligently provided extensive cryptocurrency services to Hamas, and they were asked to do so because Hamas realized that they cannot use the banking system,” Fisher said. “No banks would provide Hamas with any services, so Hamas was forced to use an alternative method, and they chose crypto. They had thousands of transactions that helped facilitate the October 7 attack.”

Binance ranks among the world’s largest digital currency exchanges. The lawsuit claims the company violated international sanctions and US laws prohibiting financial support for terrorism.

Dr. Amir Bushansky, blockchain and crypto advisor to the law office of Dr. Gideon Fisher, shared Fisher’s concerns, but noted the digital currency industry has transformed significantly in recent years, partially due to legal cases and increasing regulation. He said that, unlike previously, it is now much more difficult to hide one’s identity on crypto networks, particularly in the United States.

“More and more misuse in criminal activities is being traced down in the crypto market,” Bushansky explained. “Naturally, there were rumors, even lately, that part of the reduction in the Bitcoin value was due to some Iranian leaders pulling their funds.”

While allegations about past activity remain central to lawsuits like Fisher’s, Bushansky said the regulatory environment surrounding digital currency has become far more stringent in recent years. He observed that anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements now make it much more challenging to engage in criminal activity or finance terrorism on major crypto platforms.

Digital currency users operate through wallet numbers and public addresses rather than verified names and identities. As such, any individual can open a digital account and transfer funds without being identified or traced.

“You were not exposed by your name and address identity, and therefore you could pass on funds around the world,” Bushansky explained. He contrasted that system with traditional banking, where AML and KYC regulations already required institutions to track funds, verify their source, and understand the purpose of transactions, making transfers far more traceable for both senders and receivers.

But Bushansky said new international regulations are increasingly binding digital currency platforms to the same standards as banks, and that by 2027, AML and KYC requirements are expected to apply broadly across the crypto industry.

“From 2027, the crypto stock exchange will be bound to supply details about the users to tax authorities around the world,” Bushansky said. “Many countries have already signed on to the plan.”

Snir Levi is the founder and CEO of Nominis, a blockchain intelligence company that traces and maps illegal digital currency wallets. The company works with regulators and organizations seeking to combat crypto-enabled illicit activities and terror financing.

“We provide services today for clients all over the world, including law enforcement agencies, payment providers dealing with cryptocurrencies. With our platform, they’re able to conduct risk screening for wallets and understand where funds came from – the ‘source of funds’ and the destination of funds, to confirm that the wallet they are about to interact with has not been linked or involved in money laundering or terror financing,” Levi told The Media Line.

Nominis, for example, develops forensic tools that help investigators identify connections between digital wallets. The company also has a designated team focused on monitoring high-risk jurisdictions and tracking activity related to terror financing, illegal weapons, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other criminal operations.

Currently, the company is particularly focused on detecting wallets connected to terror financing, including networks similar to the one recently identified by military forces.

“We have uncovered a lot of wallets that are linked to illicit activities and other terror financing entities in Gaza, but also in other places in the world. And based on these, we’re able to detect other illicit entities and networks, such as shell companies,” he said. Shell companies are businesses used to conceal the true source or destination of funds.

Nominis also played a role in uncovering a scheme reported earlier this year by The Washington Post, in which Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly exploited the global digital currency ecosystem to move nearly $150 million through two London-registered exchanges, ZedCex and ZedXion, between 2023 and 2025.

According to Levi, Nominis helped corroborate and verify that wallets linked to the IRGC routed massive volumes of the USDT stablecoin through the TRON blockchain into accounts on exchanges acting as crypto hubs. The funds were allegedly funneled through platforms that obscured the origin and destination of transactions, making it harder for authorities to trace potential terror financing activity.

Levi also shared links to crypto brokers operating in Gaza, including Quick4Pay, which on its website advertises a large client base in “occupied Palestine” and other Arab states.

“Readers need to understand how deep this problem is,” Levi said. He warned that, despite expected regulatory changes, enforcement may remain limited largely to the United States and certain Western countries. He argued that if other jurisdictions continue allowing limited transparency and oversight, digital currency could remain a significant channel for terror financing and potentially facilitate future attacks.

The Islamic State terror organization has dramatically intensified its messaging this week, distributing new propaganda materials that encourage members and international fighters within Syria to “continue fighting” against Syrian government forces while discouraging surrender or departure from the nation.

This messaging campaign arrives during a critical period as Syrian leadership works to strengthen security oversight across eastern territories and desert regions, where dormant terror cells continue sporadic operations. Security experts indicate this latest communication represents the organization’s strategy to capitalize on current security vulnerabilities and reestablish itself as an active threat following years of military defeats and loss of controlled territory.

The statement credited to ISIS specifically targeted international fighters, asserting that Syrian government forces “will gradually eliminate them” while encouraging participation in what the group termed a “new phase of fighting.” The communication also promoted strikes against Syrian military and security personnel, particularly targeting Deir ez-Zur, Raqqa, and desert areas where ISIS has maintained irregular operations recently.

Security analysts monitoring Syrian developments view this messaging as ISIS’s effort to reassert both media influence and military capability while attempting to revive inactive cells and reorganize surviving fighters following substantial casualties over recent years.

ISIS initially appeared publicly in Syria during 2013, expanding from Iraq during the Syrian conflict’s chaos and deteriorating security environment. Originally operating as “Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham,” the organization eventually separated from al-Qaida and engaged in violent conflicts with Syrian opposition groups.

From 2014 to 2015, ISIS achieved maximum strength after capturing extensive territories throughout Syria and Iraq, notably seizing Raqqa city, which it proclaimed the “capital of the caliphate,” along with significant portions of Deir ez-Zor, Syrian desert areas, and Iraqi border regions. During this period, the organization maintained extensive networks of domestic and international fighters, plus funding through petroleum sales, taxation, smuggling operations, and comprehensive media campaigns that recruited thousands of global fighters.

Throughout its expansion period, ISIS developed into one of the region’s most extreme and structured militant organizations, attracting thousands of foreign combatants from Arab, Asian, European, Caucasus, and North African nations.

United Nations and Western intelligence estimates suggest over 40,000 international fighters joined ISIS in Syria and Iraq between 2013 and 2017. However, the group progressively weakened following military campaigns by the US-led international coalition, combined with Syrian army operations, Russian forces, and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), leading to major stronghold losses and culminating in its final territorial defeat at Baghouz in 2019. Subsequently, the organization transitioned to covert operations using small mobile units rather than direct territorial governance.

Current attacks primarily involve ambushes, improvised explosives, targeted killings, and swift strikes on checkpoints and military installations, especially throughout the expansive Syrian desert between Homs and Deir ez-Zor and remote areas along the Iraqi border. A February 2025 UN Security Council Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team report estimated ISIS maintains 1,500 to 3,000 fighters across Iraq and Syria, with most leadership concentrated in Syria. These operatives reportedly function in small units supported by logistical networks, smugglers, and sympathizers facilitating movement and supply chains.

UN investigators and counterterrorism specialists report thousands of foreign nationals with suspected ISIS connections remain in al-Hol, Roj, and other SDF-operated detention centers throughout northeastern Syria. The unresolved foreign fighter situation continues presenting major security challenges, with UN monitors cautioning that extremist networks in Syria still exploit instability and limited government control in certain areas.

Specialists believe ISIS’s recent appeal to these fighters demonstrates organizational concerns about losing remaining experienced personnel while attempting to mobilize them for new operations focused on guerrilla tactics and prolonged conflict strategies.

Abdul Rahman Riyad, a Syrian affairs analyst specializing in security and political developments, explained to The Media Line that the recent message “reflects ISIS’s attempt to exploit any transitional phase or security shifts in order to reactivate its cells.” He noted the organization recognizes its inability to maintain broad territorial control and now depends on propaganda, incitement, and attrition strategies using small mobile units. He also observed that targeting foreign fighters reveals concerns about fragmenting remaining human and military resources.

Retired Brig. Gen. Mustafa al-Sheikh, a security and strategic affairs expert, told The Media Line that ISIS “is no longer capable of returning in the traditional form it appeared in during 2014, but it still poses a security threat due to the flexibility of its cells and their ability to move through desert regions.” He described how ISIS currently employs rapid ambushes, limited nighttime operations, and targeting military transportation and supply routes, explaining that “what we are witnessing today is a different version of the organization, one that depends more on guerrilla warfare and security exhaustion than on direct control of cities.”

Syrian academic and political researcher Dr. Mahmoud al-Hamza told The Media Line that ISIS’s latest communication contains “more propaganda and psychological dimensions than indications of a broad military comeback.” He explained the group attempts to maintain its reputation among supporters following years of defeats, emphasizing mobilizing rhetoric and projecting active operations despite ongoing security pressure. He added that ISIS exploits security weaknesses or economic and social crises to rebuild covert networks, particularly in desert and border areas that remain challenging to secure completely.

Syrian authorities maintain the group’s threat remains manageable. A security spokesperson for the Syrian Interior Ministry told The Media Line that security agencies “continue to monitor ISIS cell movements closely” and have successfully prevented multiple plots and arrested organization-linked individuals in recent months.

The spokesperson, whose identity remains confidential for security purposes, stated the recent propaganda messages “reflect the weakness the organization is experiencing more than any real strength on the ground.” Security forces continue desert and eastern Syrian operations and will prevent terrorist threats from reemerging through intensive security and intelligence coordination preventing exploitation of security gaps.

While ISIS no longer maintains the military and political capabilities that previously enabled establishing its proclaimed “caliphate,” recent developments suggest the organization’s threat persists as it continues seeking opportunities to exploit instability and security vulnerabilities for reactivating armed networks within Syria. As Syrian forces and allies maintain pursuit operations, the foreign fighter issue and camps throughout northeastern Syria remains among the country’s most complex challenges, amid increasing concerns these environments could foster extremism resurgence in coming years.

The Islamic State organization has intensified its messaging campaign over recent days, distributing new propaganda materials that call on its members and international recruits within Syria to maintain their armed resistance against government forces and avoid surrendering or departing the nation.

This messaging campaign arrives during a critical period as Syrian authorities work to strengthen security measures across eastern territories and desert regions, where dormant ISIS cells continue periodic operations. Security analysts interpret this latest communication as the group’s effort to capitalize on current security challenges and reassert itself as a viable fighting force following years of military defeats and loss of controlled areas.

The statement credited to ISIS particularly targeted international combatants, asserting that Syrian government forces would systematically eliminate them and encouraging participation in what the organization termed a fresh combat phase. The communication also promoted attacks on Syrian military and security personnel, with specific emphasis on Deir ez-Zur, Raqqa, and desert territories where ISIS has maintained sporadic activity in recent months.

Security specialists monitoring Syrian developments view this messaging as ISIS’s attempt to strengthen both its media visibility and military operations while working to reawaken inactive cells and consolidate remaining fighters following substantial casualties over recent years.

ISIS initially appeared publicly in Syria during 2013, expanding from Iraq during the Syrian conflict’s upheaval and declining security environment. Originally known as the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham, the organization eventually separated from al-Qaida and engaged in violent conflicts with Syrian opposition groups.

The group achieved maximum influence between 2014 and 2015, capturing extensive areas throughout Syria and Iraq, including Raqqa city, which it designated as its caliphate headquarters, plus significant portions of Deir ez-Zor, desert regions, and Iraqi border zones. During this period, the organization maintained extensive networks of domestic and international fighters, funded through petroleum sales, taxation, smuggling operations, and comprehensive media campaigns that recruited thousands of global participants.

Throughout its expansion period, ISIS became among the region’s most extreme and structured militant organizations, drawing thousands of international fighters from Arab, Asian, European, Caucasian, and North African nations.

United Nations and Western intelligence assessments suggest over 40,000 international fighters joined ISIS in Syria and Iraq from 2013 to 2017. The organization subsequently weakened through military campaigns by the US-led coalition, combined with Syrian army operations, Russian forces, and Syrian Democratic Forces, losing major strongholds and ultimately its final territorial base in Baghouz during 2019. Since then, the group has transitioned to covert operations using small mobile units rather than direct territorial administration.

Current attacks primarily involve ambushes, explosive devices, targeted killings, and swift strikes on checkpoints and military installations, particularly throughout the expansive Syrian desert between Homs and Deir ez-Zor and remote areas along the Iraqi frontier. A February 2025 UN Security Council Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team assessment estimated ISIS strength in Iraq and Syria at 1,500 to 3,000 fighters, with most, including senior leadership, located in Syria. These combatants reportedly function in small units supported by logistical networks, smugglers, and sympathizers facilitating movement and supply operations.

UN investigators and counterterrorism specialists report thousands of foreign nationals with suspected ISIS connections remain in al-Hol, Roj, and other detention centers operated by the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeastern Syria. The uncertain situation of international fighters continues as a significant security challenge, with UN observers cautioning that extremist networks in Syria benefit from ongoing instability and limited government control in certain regions.

Security experts believe ISIS’s recent appeal to these fighters demonstrates organizational concerns about losing remaining experienced personnel while attempting to mobilize them for guerrilla warfare and prolonged conflict strategies.

Abdul Rahman Riyad, a Syrian affairs analyst specializing in security and political developments, explained to The Media Line that the recent message demonstrates ISIS’s efforts to take advantage of transitional periods or security changes to reactivate its cells. He noted the organization recognizes its inability to maintain broad territorial control and now depends on propaganda, incitement, and attrition tactics through small mobile units. He observed that the group’s emphasis on international fighters reveals concerns about the breakdown of its remaining human and military resources.

Retired Brig. Gen. Mustafa al-Sheikh, a security and strategic affairs expert, stated to The Media Line that ISIS cannot return to its traditional 2014 formation, but continues threatening security through flexible cell operations and desert mobility. He described ISIS’s current reliance on quick ambushes, limited nighttime operations, and targeting military transportation and supply routes, explaining that the current version emphasizes guerrilla tactics and security exhaustion over direct urban control.

Syrian academic and political researcher Dr. Mahmoud al-Hamza told The Media Line that ISIS’s latest appeal contains more propaganda and psychological elements than indicators of significant military resurgence. He explained the group seeks to maintain its reputation among supporters following years of defeats, emphasizing mobilizing rhetoric and portraying continued activity despite ongoing security pressure. He added that ISIS exploits security weaknesses and economic or social crises to rebuild covert networks, particularly in desert and border areas that remain challenging to secure completely.

Syrian authorities maintain the group’s threat remains manageable. A security spokesperson for the Syrian Interior Ministry told The Media Line that security agencies continue closely monitoring ISIS cell activities and have recently prevented multiple plots while arresting organization-linked individuals.

The spokesperson, whose identity remains confidential for security purposes, indicated that recent propaganda messages demonstrate the organization’s weakness rather than actual ground strength. Security forces continue desert and eastern Syria operations and will prevent terrorist threats from reemerging through intensive security and intelligence coordination designed to prevent exploitation of security gaps.

While ISIS no longer maintains the military and political capabilities that previously enabled its self-proclaimed caliphate, recent developments suggest the organization’s threat persists as it continues seeking opportunities to exploit instability and security vulnerabilities to reactivate armed networks within Syria. As Syrian forces and allies maintain pursuit operations, the international fighter issue and northeastern Syria camps remain among the country’s most complex challenges, with growing concerns these environments could foster extremism resurgence in coming years.

NATO’s highest-ranking military commander stated Tuesday that he anticipates no additional reductions in American military personnel stationed across Europe, at least in the immediate future, beyond the 5,000 service members that U.S. President Donald Trump recently declared would depart the continent.

These comments from U.S. Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich came after Trump’s unexpected announcement earlier this month regarding the troop reduction. The American president has engaged in disputes with international partners concerning the Iran conflict and has demanded various modifications.

Defense officials later clarified that the reduction would involve canceling scheduled deployments to Poland and Germany rather than removing military personnel currently based in those locations.

Trump’s declaration caught NATO off guard and occurred despite American commitments to collaborate on military decisions with partner nations and prevent security vulnerabilities.

“It will be 5,000 troops coming out of Europe,” Grynkewich told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels, where top officers from across the 32-nation military organization were meeting. “It’s all that I’m expecting in the near term.”

Trump expressed particular frustration with Germany following Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s statement that the United States was being “humiliated” by Iranian leadership and his criticism of what he described as insufficient U.S. strategy in the conflict.

There had been initial concerns that additional reductions might follow, and Grynkewich’s statements may help ease those worries.

Under the current plan, approximately 4,000 soldiers from the Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team will not proceed to Poland as originally scheduled, while the German deployment of roughly 1,000 personnel specialized in operating long-range rocket and missile systems has been suspended. Officials are still finalizing many specifics.

Grynkewich mentioned that he had discussions earlier that day with military leaders positioned along the front lines with Ukraine and Russia — including commanders from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland — regarding “some of the options and how we might array capabilities on the eastern flank.”

While he maintained that European security would remain intact, he cautioned that European partners should prepare for additional reductions in future years.

“Over the long term, we absolutely should expect additional redeployments as European continues to build capability and capacity and step up to provide more of the conventional defense of Europe,” Grynkewich said.

“It’s going to be an ongoing process for several years,” he said, but added: “We’re going to stay well-synchronized with our allies moving forward.”

The number of departing troops represents a relatively small portion compared to the estimated 80,000 American military personnel currently positioned throughout Europe and hasn’t caused significant concern among partner nations, though the lack of coordination in their withdrawal and the perception that Germany was being penalized has created tension.

An Israeli cabinet member has directed the removal of a Palestinian community in the occupied West Bank, stating this decision comes in response to reports suggesting he could face international war crimes prosecution.

The finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has not confirmed whether the International Criminal Court has formally notified him of any warrant, or if he’s acting based on media coverage. The Hague-based court maintains confidentiality regarding warrant requests and proceedings.

The ICC has previously issued arrest warrants for other Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, related to war crimes allegations stemming from Israel’s military operations in Gaza. While Israel rejects the court’s authority, such warrants could complicate international travel for those named.

Smotrich leads a far-right religious political party and has championed an aggressive expansion of Israeli settlements throughout the occupied West Bank. He characterized potential arrest attempts as a “declaration of war.”

“From today, any economic or other target that I have the power to harm within the framework of my powers as Minister of Finance and as a minister in the Ministry Defense will be attacked,” he stated.

The minister identified Khan Al-Ahmar as his initial target – a Bedouin Palestinian community that has been embroiled in a prolonged legal struggle to maintain residence on their land. Smotrich, who supervises West Bank settlement policies, authorized a directive demanding the village’s immediate evacuation.

The legal enforceability of this order and its implementation timeline remain uncertain. Israeli news outlets indicate the directive requires security cabinet approval. Previous efforts to relocate the community’s residents have faced court challenges. Peace Now, an organization that monitors settlement activity, warned that village structures could face demolition within weeks.

“Minister Smotrich seeks to take revenge on The Hague and the international community at the expense of one of the most vulnerable communities, which for years has struggled simply for the right to live on the small piece of land in its possession,” Peace Now stated. The organization described the village’s potential destruction as “part of a broader government plan to take control of the entire central West Bank area” and displace Palestinians from the region.

Khan Al-Ahmar’s legal protections ended in 2018 when Israel’s Supreme Court denied an appeal against its demolition, generating significant international criticism.

Israeli authorities maintain that the settlement, housing approximately 200 Palestinians and a European Union-funded educational facility, was constructed illegally on government property. However, opponents argue that obtaining Israeli construction permits is virtually impossible, and that the village’s demolition and resident displacement serves to facilitate new Jewish settlements.

The community sits within territory where Israel’s government is developing a new settlement complex called E1, a particularly contentious project that Palestinians and advocacy organizations say would strategically prevent the establishment of a viable, connected Palestinian state.

Israel has already announced development plans for this area.

Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway imposed sanctions on Smotrich in June 2025, along with Israel’s hard-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, for “inciting extremist violence” against Palestinians in the West Bank.

LA PAZ, Bolivia — Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz confronts his most serious challenge since taking office six months ago, as nationwide demonstrations and road blockades have effectively placed the political capital under siege.

For two weeks, road closures organized by the Bolivian Workers’ Central, COB, along with peasant unions and miners, have resulted in bare store shelves throughout La Paz and critically low oxygen supplies at hospitals. Government officials report at least three fatalities occurred when emergency responders couldn’t reach medical facilities due to the blockades.

Monday witnessed clashes between police and supporters of Bolivia’s former President Evo Morales in the capital, as they joined various groups calling for the current president’s removal. Paz operates without a legislative majority or strong party support to stabilize his administration.

This crisis represents the most significant test for Paz, a centrist leader with pro-business leanings who assumed power six months ago during a period of conservative electoral victories across the region.

“Those seeking to destroy democracy will go to jail,” Paz declared on Friday, as the blockades spread throughout nearly all of Bolivia.

The COB initially focused on wage increase demands, while peasant unions called for reliable gasoline supplies. Mining groups are conducting separate negotiations for expanded mining territory access. Public school educators are also in independent discussions about pay raises.

“These demands have been largely addressed in a manner consistent with current realities; however, there are dark forces seeking to destabilize our democracy,” said presidential spokesperson José Luis Gálvez, in an allusion to influential former President Evo Morales.

While Paz maintains he took over a “bankrupt state,” critics fault his slow response to what they call the nation’s worst crisis in four decades, characterized by fuel scarcity and inflation that reached nearly 20% in the previous year.

Business groups report the continuing demonstrations and highway blockades are costing Bolivia’s economy more than $50 million daily and have left approximately 5,000 vehicles stuck on roadways.

Morales organized the recent march from his hiding place in Bolivia’s isolated tropical regions. He has remained in the remote highlands for eighteen months, avoiding arrest on charges related to alleged sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl. He maintains the accusations are politically driven.

The Movement Toward Socialism, MAS, which controlled Bolivia for twenty years under Morales and subsequently Luis Arce, experienced a devastating electoral loss last year after a public dispute between the two former leaders.

“The government and the right wing claim that I am a political corpse and that I lack the ability to mobilize anyone, yet they continue to blame me,” Morales said recently on the social media platform X. “As long as structural demands — such as those concerning fuel, food and inflation — remain unaddressed, the uprising will not be quelled.”

Despite his aggressive statements, political observers doubt Morales retains significant mobilization capabilities, suggesting he’s amplifying the unrest solely to avoid prosecution.

The end of the MAS period has left Bolivia’s political scene severely divided, with no party establishing clear dominance.

Paz achieved an unexpected election win, but the Christian Democratic Party — his path to the presidency — soon split within the legislature. The president also maintains a public conflict with his vice president, former police officer Edman Lara.

Paz launched his presidency energetically, engaging with international partners to end the isolation that marked the MAS years. Though his diplomatic efforts resulted in various investment and loan commitments, much of this funding remains unrealized.

His initial action eliminated fuel subsidies, raising gasoline and diesel costs without immediate public backlash from citizens tired of previous shortages. However, the administration imported poor-quality gasoline, prompting transportation worker protests over vehicle damage.

The “junk gasoline” controversy sparked strikes and demonstrations among transport workers and led to two senior resignations at the state oil company.

The current unrest in Bolivia concerns neighboring countries. Eight allied Latin American nations, spanning from Chile to Costa Rica, issued a joint declaration condemning “any action aimed at destabilizing the democratic order.” Argentina announced plans for a week-long humanitarian airlift to address supply shortages.

The United States, currently rebuilding diplomatic ties with Bolivia after years when Morales positioned the country against Washington, expressed support for Paz’s efforts “to restore order for the peace, security and stability of the Bolivian people.” The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory this week warning American citizens visiting Bolivia to remain alert.

GENEVA (AP) — An international oversight committee monitoring the Gaza ceasefire will urge the United Nations Security Council to demand that Hamas surrender its weapons, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The document from the Board of Peace, an international committee established by U.S. President Donald Trump to monitor the delicate truce between Hamas and Israel, is scheduled for Security Council discussion on Thursday during their Middle East session.

“At this stage, the principal obstacle to full implementation (of the ceasefire) remains Hamas’ refusal to accept verified decommissioning, relinquish coercive control, and permit a genuine civilian transition in Gaza,” the report said.

Hamas issued a statement dismissing the document and claiming it contains “fallacies.”

A diplomatic source familiar with the document verified its legitimacy, speaking anonymously since it remains unpublished.

The president’s 20-point truce agreement demands Hamas give up its weaponry and dismantle its extensive tunnel system. The plan also includes Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, installation of a new technocratic Palestinian administration, deployment of international security personnel, and reconstruction of the devastated Palestinian territory following more than two years of conflict.

Last week, the Board of Peace leader, former U.N. Mideast envoy Nickolay Mladenov, admitted the ceasefire had stagnated since beginning in October, noting that the weapons dispute had frozen all advancement.

“Reconstruction cannot commence where weapons have not been laid down,” the board’s report to the Security Council says. “The critical variable — the single factor that unlocks every other element of the plan — is the conclusion of an agreement on the Roadmap for the full implementation of the plan that includes full decommissioning by Hamas and all armed groups in Gaza.”

The Palestinian militant organization, which orchestrated the Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel that triggered the Gaza conflict, has blamed Israel for not fulfilling its ceasefire duties and has attempted to tie any weapons surrender to Israeli military withdrawal. Israel’s forces have extended their Gaza presence since the ceasefire began and now occupy approximately 60% of the region.

The latest document urges the Security Council to “reiterate publicly, clearly and consistently that the decommissioning of weapons in Gaza is not merely a requirement (of the UN’s resolution to end the war) but critical for reconstruction to begin, for a timebound Israeli forces withdrawal, and for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood to be pursued.”

The Security Council approved the Board of Peace through a resolution in November.

Hamas stated the document “contains a number of fallacies that absolve the occupying government of its responsibilities for the daily violations of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.”

The organization claimed the document overlooked Israel’s “failure to uphold the majority of its commitments” in the ceasefire agreement, including ongoing border crossing limitations and blocking entry of materials and equipment necessary for basic infrastructure repairs and housing for the mostly displaced residents.

“The report’s adoption of the occupation’s conditions regarding disarmament is a dubious attempt to muddy the waters and derail the ceasefire agreement,” Hamas said in a statement.

The group urged the Security Council and Mladenov to force Israel to meet its first-phase ceasefire obligations, “foremost among them the cessation of the daily aggression against our Palestinian people in Gaza.”

The document highlighted almost daily ceasefire breaches, “some of which are serious, and their human consequences — civilians killed, families living in fear, and continued impediments to humanitarian access — cannot be minimized.”

Israel’s military continues conducting airstrikes in Gaza throughout the ceasefire and has advanced further into the territory, where it now holds more area than the ceasefire agreement permitted. Living situations remain desperate, with most of the territory’s 2 million residents housed in tent settlements without essential services.

Mladenov stated last week that his office addresses violations from both parties daily. However, he consistently highlighted the disarmament matter as a key obstacle, declaring Hamas’ duty to surrender its weapons is “not negotiable” and that advancement on all other matters was stalled.

DAMASCUS, Syria — An explosion near a Syrian Defense Ministry facility in Damascus on Tuesday resulted in one soldier’s death and injuries to approximately 12 individuals, according to military officials and government media sources.

Military authorities released a brief statement explaining that troops had located an explosive device prepared for detonation in Damascus’s central Bab Sharqi neighborhood. While the soldiers worked to defuse the device, a vehicle detonated in the vicinity, resulting in one military death and multiple injuries to others.

According to the Defense Ministry, the explosion took place outside a facility connected to the Defense Ministry, though officials provided no additional information.

Government television coverage indicated that one person died in the incident while 12 others sustained injuries, including non-military personnel.

No organization immediately took credit for the attack, though similar incidents in previous instances have been attributed to the Islamic State group.

The Islamic State has taken responsibility for comparable attacks following the overthrow of the Assad family’s government after five decades in power by rebel forces that entered Damascus in December 2024.

LONDON (AP) — British law enforcement officials have announced they are examining two separate claims of historical child sexual abuse that surfaced following this year’s disclosure of documents related to the Epstein case.

Authorities in Surrey, located southwest of London, confirmed Tuesday they are pursuing investigations into two distinct allegations. The first involves alleged incidents in Surrey and Berkshire counties spanning from the mid-1990s through 2000. The second centers on claims from the mid-to-late 1980s in West Surrey.

Officials have not made any arrests in connection with either case.

“We take all reports of sexual offending seriously and will work to identify any reasonable lines of enquiry to verify information or establish corroborating evidence,” authorities stated.

These investigations follow law enforcement’s public appeal for witnesses after a partially redacted document from the U.S. Department of Justice was made public in December. That report detailed accusations of human trafficking and sexual assault allegedly occurring in Virginia Water from 1994 to 1996.

The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday that unmanned aircraft which struck the nation’s Barakah nuclear facility all originated from Iraqi territory, according to the country’s Defense Ministry. This development suggests Iranian-backed Shiite militias were behind the assault.

These militant groups have conducted numerous unmanned aircraft strikes against Gulf Arab nations since Israel and the United States started their conflict with Iran on Feb. 28. Such militias have historically given Iran a way to avoid responsibility for these types of attacks.

Officials reported no casualties or radiation leaks at Barakah following the strike, which Emirati authorities said struck a power generator located on the facility’s outer boundary.

The UAE, which houses air defense systems and personnel from Israel, has recently blamed Iran for conducting unmanned aircraft and missile strikes even following the April 8 start of its ceasefire with the U.S.

Strain has increased around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial energy shipping route controlled by Iran while its harbors face a U.S. naval blockade. A maritime tracking company announced Tuesday that vessel movement through the waterway more than doubled last week, though it remains well below pre-conflict numbers.

No organization has taken credit for the nuclear facility attack, although Iran and its allied groups were under suspicion.

Iraqi government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi, while not directly responding to the Emirati Defense Ministry’s findings, released a statement declaring that Baghdad “expresses its strong condemnation of the recent drone attacks targeting the UAE.”

“We also emphasize the importance of effective regional and international cooperation to prevent any escalation or harm to the stability of the region, or any targeting of the security and sovereignty of sisterly and friendly nations,” al-Awadi added.

The Emirati Defense Ministry reported three additional unmanned aircraft targeted the nation in the past two days, though they did not specify what these aircraft aimed for. Saudi Arabia, which had also denounced the nuclear plant strike, subsequently announced it had stopped three unmanned aircraft that came from Iraqi airspace.

The $20 billion Barakah nuclear facility was constructed by the UAE with South Korean assistance and became operational in 2020. It stands as the Arab world’s sole nuclear power facility and can supply one-fourth of the energy requirements in the UAE, a union of seven sheikhdoms that includes Dubai.

Earlier Tuesday, a senior Emirati diplomat indirectly criticized regional nations regarding the attacks his country has endured.

“The confusion of roles during this treacherous Iranian aggression is baffling, encompassing the Gulf Arab region’s surrounding states,” Anwer Gargash wrote on X. “The victim’s role has merged with that of the mediator, and vice versa, while the friend has turned into a mediator instead of being a steadfast ally and supporter.”

Lloyd’s List Intelligence maritime tracking company reported 54 vessels passed through the strait during the week of May 11, more than twice the 25 ships recorded the previous week.

Movement through the waterway remains minimal compared to pre-war levels, when 130 or more ships passed through daily.

The previous week’s traffic included 10 China-owned vessels after Tehran announced it would allow certain Chinese ships to pass, Lloyd’s reported Tuesday on X. Two carried cooking gas bound for India.

Iran has established an unclear approval process for ships attempting to exit the Persian Gulf, which sometimes requires payment and bars U.S. and Israeli vessels.

The Chinese ships’ departure occurred as U.S. President Donald Trump visited China last week trying to pressure Beijing regarding Iran. Iran relies on China as its only remaining major buyer for its heavily sanctioned oil.

India, which faces a politically sensitive cooking gas shortage from the Gulf, has obtained passage for some of its ships through diplomatic talks with Iran.

At the historic St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery in Ukraine’s capital, where the city traditionally honors fallen soldiers and distinguished citizens lost in the conflict that began over four years ago, two small white caskets sat together on Tuesday, containing the remains of two young girls.

The sisters, 12-year-old Liubava Yakovlieva and 17-year-old Vira, died when a Russian missile destroyed their residential building in Kyiv on May 14, trapping them beneath the debris. The attack claimed 24 lives total.

Their mother, Tetiana, sat next to the caskets as the family’s only remaining member. Their father, Yevhen, had been killed while serving as a soldier on the front lines three years prior.

Scores of young people attended the service to pay their respects. The sisters’ classmates, wearing black clothing, consoled one another. Containers at the base of the coffins were filled to capacity with flowers, while additional bouquets covered the floor.

Images displayed on the caskets revealed blonde-haired Liubava and Vira, who wore eyeglasses.

Both grown-ups and children shed tears. Several military comrades of Yevhen Yakovliev were present among those gathered.

Prior to the conflict, he had been recognized as a skilled chef, angler, and craftsman. Following Russia’s comprehensive invasion in 2022, he joined the military. He died in battle on April 7, 2023, close to the settlement of Dibrova in the Luhansk area.

The conflict has now claimed his family as well.

Following the Russian missile impact, video footage obtained by Current Time, a Radio Liberty initiative, showed the girls’ mother speaking while rescue workers searched the wreckage.

“I lost their father, my husband, a defender of Ukraine. I don’t know if they are alive or if they have already gone to be with their father,” Tetiana said. “That it is very painful — those words will tell you nothing until you feel it yourself.”

Dmytro Koval, who instructed Vira in painting and drawing at a Kyiv arts institution, was among the mourners. He characterized her as an exceptional pupil who was determined, confident in expressing her opinions, yet also compassionate and considerate toward others.

He said the news of her death created deep shock at the school.

“When death is sown among those you saw and knew just yesterday, it is always very hard, unspeakably hard,” Koval said. “We must not live on illusions, on empty dreams, on hopes for some negotiations, because our neighbors are not oriented toward peace.”

The younger sister Liubava appeared delicate and small but possessed inner strength, according to Tetiana Osipova, a family friend who had served with the girls’ father. She had escorted his remains home and developed friendships with Tetiana and her daughters.

“The children had a very hard time coping with the loss of their father,” Osipova said.

During the day when rescue teams searched the debris for Liubava and Vira, she remained with their mother.

Osipova explained that Tetiana now confronts a different type of sorrow — having lost both her role as a spouse and as a parent. She noted her friend was committed to finding resilience by preserving the legacy of her family members and continuing their work.

“This is an unnatural order of things, when parents bury their children,” Efrem Khomiak, the priest presiding over the service, told the audience. “This funeral, this grief, this tragedy, it is not only your family’s. It belongs to all of Ukraine. Because we are all bound together in this war.”

LONDON (AP) — Authorities in Britain announced Tuesday their intention to recommend criminal charges against 57 individuals and 20 organizations in connection with the Grenfell Tower fire, nearly ten years after the catastrophic blaze became the nation’s deadliest fire in modern times, claiming dozens of lives.

The Metropolitan Police announced that evidence files will be forwarded to prosecutors before the end of September, with decisions on charges expected by June 14, 2027 — marking the tenth anniversary of the London disaster that resulted in 72 fatalities.

Families who lost loved ones and those who survived expressed that any additional delays in seeking justice would be intolerable. A comprehensive public investigation concluded the deaths could have been prevented, citing a deadly combination of deceptive corporations, inadequate oversight by regulators, and governmental failures that allowed the structure to be wrapped in flammable exterior panels.

“We have waited almost a decade for accountability,” said Grenfell United, a group representing some bereaved families. “No family should have to wait over 10 years for justice for their loved ones, if it comes at all.”

Authorities indicated the potential charges under consideration include corporate gross negligence manslaughter, fraud and health and safety breaches.

Investigators reported collecting 165 million digital documents and examining the involvement of 15,000 people and 700 organizations connected to the case, making it the most extensive and complicated investigation the department has ever undertaken.

The blaze at Grenfell Tower ignited during the early morning hours of June 14, 2017, starting in a fourth-floor unit and spreading rapidly through the 25-story residential building like a burning fuse, accelerated by inflammable exterior cladding. The tragedy marked Britain’s most devastating fire since World War II, with casualties including elderly residents and 18 children.

The 2024 public investigation determined that manufacturers of the building’s exterior panels utilized inexpensive and dangerous materials while engaging in “systematic dishonesty,” with these problems worsened by negligent officials who failed to properly enforce safety regulations.

TALLINN, Estonia — Estonian officials report that a Romanian F-16 fighter jet operating as part of NATO’s Baltic air patrol mission intercepted and destroyed what authorities believe was a Ukrainian drone flying over southern Estonia on Tuesday.

Ukrainian officials issued an apology for what they called an “unintended incident,” while Russia issued threats of retaliation should Ukrainian drones be launched from Baltic nations.

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur explained that based on the aircraft’s flight path, “we decided that we need to take it down.”

“Most probably, today we can say that it was (a) drone which was, let’s say, meant to hit some Russian targets,” Pevkur told The Associated Press.

This marks another occurrence in a series of similar events over recent months where Ukrainian drones targeting Russia have wandered into or crashed within NATO member territories. Western officials attribute these incidents to what they believe is Russian electronic interference with the drone systems.

These episodes have occurred as Kyiv has intensified its unmanned aerial vehicle campaigns, targeting energy infrastructure and weapons manufacturing facilities deep within Russian territory as Ukraine’s technological capabilities and production capacity have expanded.

Russian authorities reported on Sunday that one of Ukraine’s largest drone operations against the country resulted in at least four deaths, including three casualties near Moscow, with twelve additional people injured.

Extended-range drone operations have become a defining characteristic of the conflict, which started more than four years ago with Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi stated that specialists from Ukraine and Estonia are collaborating on preventive measures for future incidents.

Ukraine extends its apologies “to Estonia and all of our Baltic friends for such unintended incidents,” Tykhyi wrote on X.

Estonia’s defense minister indicated that Ukraine has received warnings to exercise greater caution.

“Our messages have not changed,” Pevkur stated. “We’ve said to the Ukrainians all the time that if you’re attacking Russian positions or Russian targets, then these trajectories have to be as far from the NATO territory as possible.”

These operations have created friction within Baltic nations, which back Ukraine’s military efforts, and between those countries and Russia.

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, known by its acronym SVR, issued a statement Tuesday claiming Ukraine is preparing to launch drone strikes against Russia from Baltic territory and issued warnings of retaliation.

The agency stated that Ukrainian military personnel had already been deployed to Latvia and cautioned that the nation’s NATO membership would not shield it from “just retribution.”

“Modern surveillance systems allow precise determination of the coordinates of the drone launch site,” the SVR stated.

Latvia’s government fell last week, with the prime minister stepping down after the defense minister was compelled to resign over management of multiple incidents involving wayward drones suspected of Ukrainian origin, leading his party to withdraw support.

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs wrote on X that “Russia is lying about Latvia allowing any country to use Latvian airspace and territory to launch attacks against Russia or any other country.”

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna released a statement after Tuesday’s incident affirming Ukraine’s right to target Russian military installations.

“Estonia has not permitted its airspace to be used for attacks against Russia,” he stated. “Incidents such as this are linked to Russian jamming activities.”

A worker who was hurt during a major blast and fire at a gas processing plant in Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo has succumbed to their injuries, five sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed Tuesday.

The worker passed away Tuesday morning while being treated at a medical facility in Maracaibo, which serves as the capital city of Zulia, an oil-rich state, according to the sources.

Friday’s blast left six workers with injuries and resulted in significant damage to the processing plant. Officials with state-operated oil company PDVSA and the Ministry of Information have not yet provided a response to requests for comment about the worker’s death.

The United Nations is weighing its legal options following Israel’s decision to construct a defense ministry facility at the former site of a UN Palestinian relief organization’s headquarters in east Jerusalem, officials announced Tuesday.

The Israeli government gave approval over the weekend for the defense ministry project at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency location in Sheikh Jarrah, which will feature a museum and recruitment center.

“The matter is currently under consideration at the level of the legal council, the highest legal authority of the United Nations in New York,” UNRWA Deputy Commissioner General Natalie Boucly told The Associated Press during a visit to Syria.

“These are U.N. premises and, at a minimum, this is a breach of the 1946 UN Convention on privileges and immunities,” she said.

Israeli forces demolished portions of the UNRWA facility in January, marking the culmination of a long-standing opposition campaign against the organization that intensified after the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.

Israeli officials have claimed the U.N. organization employed individuals with Hamas connections, alleging some participated in the attacks. UNRWA leadership maintains they acted quickly against accused employees and reject claims the agency supports or works with Hamas.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz described the defense complex proposal as “a decision of sovereignty, Zionism and security.”

“In a place where an organization that became part of the terror and incitement mechanism against Israel operated, institutions will be established that will strengthen Jerusalem, the (Israeli army), and the State of Israel,” Katz said in a statement on Sunday.

The announcement coincided with Jerusalem Day, commemorating Israel’s seizure of east Jerusalem, including the Old City and religious sites important to Jews, Christians and Muslims, during the 1967 Mideast war. Israel views all of Jerusalem as its capital, while Palestinians want east Jerusalem as their future state’s capital.

The UNRWA facility closed in May 2025 when far-right demonstrators, including at least one parliament member, breached its entrance while police watched.

UNRWA serves approximately 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, plus 3 million refugees across Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. The agency’s work was restricted after Israel’s Knesset enacted laws cutting ties and prohibiting operations in areas Israel defines as its territory — including east Jerusalem.

Boucly described Gaza’s humanitarian conditions as “absolutely dire.” Though Israel has blocked UNRWA international personnel from Gaza, roughly 10,000 local employees continue working there as educators, medical staff and sanitation workers, she noted.

Even with a fragile ceasefire in place, “there are issues with insufficient aid coming in,” she explained. “It is not coming in at scale and reconstruction is not starting fast enough for the people to see a real change on the ground.”

Boucly spoke with the AP from Syria’s Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, where conditions appear more promising as former residents who departed during the nation’s 14-year civil conflict have slowly returned.

Various militant organizations controlled the camp before government forces under then President Bashar Assad bombarded it, leaving it nearly empty by 2018. Structures surviving the bombing were either torn down by authorities or looted.

Following Assad’s removal in 2024, previous residents started returning and fixing their damaged properties. By April, approximately 60,000 people had come back to the camp, with 80% being Palestinian refugees, Boucly reported.

Aid for returning residents has been restricted, she admitted. UNRWA has obtained donor funding to restore educational facilities and medical centers, but can only offer minimal help to families needing home repairs, she said.

Despite concerns about declining financial support, she stated, “I think there is a situation of hope for Palestine refugees” in Syria.

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Veteran politician Janez Jansa is poised to reclaim Slovenia’s top leadership position after parliamentary lawmakers submitted his nomination on Tuesday, clearing a path for establishing a new administration nearly two months following national elections.

The former prime minister, who previously held the office during three separate terms, received formal backing from members of his Slovenian Democratic Party. His anticipated coalition administration will incorporate additional right-leaning political groups and gain support from an anti-establishment party making its debut in politics.

Parliamentary officials have not yet announced when the new administration will receive official legislative approval. According to Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTV Slovenia, Jansa has secured support from 48 members within the 90-seat legislative body.

Should lawmakers confirm his appointment, Jansa’s selection would represent a conservative shift for the European Union member nation, which had been governed by a liberal administration.

The experienced political figure, age 67, has expressed admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump and maintained strong ties with former populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who suffered a decisive electoral defeat last month.

Jansa’s most recent tenure as prime minister lasted from 2020 through 2022, ending when he was defeated by the liberal Freedom Movement led by outgoing Prime Minister Robert Golob.

The returning leader has consistently criticized Golob’s administration, particularly Slovenia’s 2024 decision to formally recognize a Palestinian state.

Following the April 22 parliamentary elections, both the Freedom Movement and Jansa’s SDS achieved virtually identical results. However, Golob was unable to successfully establish a new liberal coalition partnership, creating an opportunity for Jansa’s political return.

The March 22 voting process faced scrutiny due to claims of external interference and corrupt practices. The Alpine country’s 1.7 million eligible voters remain sharply split along liberal and conservative lines.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An enigmatic strike against an Iranian petroleum facility amid the ongoing Iran conflict has resulted in an oil spill that has impacted a protected Persian Gulf island serving as a crucial wildlife sanctuary, according to video evidence and satellite imagery.

The petroleum-contaminated waters washing ashore on Shidvar Island, an unpopulated landmass, mark another indication of the environmental destruction caused by the conflict. Contaminated precipitation has also descended upon Iran’s capital city, Tehran, following air raids on petroleum installations. Iranian strikes against vessels navigating the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman have likewise resulted in ecological harm.

Cell phone video recorded on April 9 by an Iranian citizen named Ehsan Jalali captures dense black smoke billowing following the attack on a petroleum refinery located on Lavan, an island positioned near mainland Iran close to Shidvar. The recording matches recognized characteristics of both islands and was only uploaded by Jalali to Instagram recently, as Iran’s religious government has blocked broader internet access for several weeks.

Additional video captured by Jalali depicts a deceased bird and crab coated in petroleum, while a person displays a dead swordfish.

“Poor birds, look how they are stuck in oil. Look at the herd of dolphins. Poor things come to the surface to breathe, but they swallow oil,” Jalali describes in the recording. “Look what they did to this island. Look what they have done. The corpses of fish are coming to the surface one by one.”

Images captured on April 10 from an Airbus DS Pléiades Neo high-resolution optical satellite and examined by The Associated Press on Tuesday reveal the blaze continuing to burn at the refinery 48 hours following the strike. A petroleum slick contaminates the surrounding Persian Gulf waters, encircling Shidvar Island, which locals also call Maroo Island.

“Oh my God, the sea is full of oil, oh my God, Maroo Island,” Jalali states in the footage. “The sea is full of oil, the beautiful Maroo Island is ruined now.”

Shidvar Island, measuring approximately 870 hectares (3.3 square miles), holds designation as a wetland of international significance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The location has been recognized as among Iran’s most vital nesting areas for terns, a type of seabird. Iranian authorities have classified the island as a wildlife sanctuary since 1972.

Iranian authorities have not confirmed any ecological harm resulting from the strike at the Lavan petroleum refinery, which occurred hours following an agreement between the United States and Israel for a ceasefire in their conflict with Iran. The U.S. had also requested Israel cease attacks on oil infrastructure after previously targeting facilities connected to Iran’s offshore South Pars natural gas field. That assault triggered major Iranian counterattacks against oil and gas installations throughout Gulf Arab nations, with Qatar suffering particularly severe damage.

Iranian news organizations have accused the United Arab Emirates of conducting the attack, claims not confirmed by Emirati authorities. Nevertheless, the UAE has endured more missile and drone strikes than any other nation in the conflict and has intensified its criticism of Iran as Tehran continues controlling the Strait of Hormuz.

The Emirates’ Barakah nuclear facility also suffered an attack on Sunday in a drone strike similar to others conducted by Iran and Iranian-supported groups in Iraq during the war.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Three elephants at a South African zoo have become the center of an extraordinary legal battle, with wildlife advocates claiming the animals are suffering from depression and must be relocated to a conservation facility for their psychological well-being.

This week’s court proceedings will determine whether government officials are fulfilling their constitutional duty regarding animal care and housing conditions, explained David Bilchitz, who serves on the board of Animal Law Reform South Africa, one of the organizations pursuing the lawsuit.

According to Bilchitz, expert testimony will demonstrate the elephants’ distressed state. The advocacy groups argue that South Africa’s Constitution requires government authorities to ensure proper animal care.

The Johannesburg facility, which operates under public ownership, has pushed back against the allegations, insisting their elephant care meets appropriate standards.

Bilchitz explained that elephants require intricate social environments and have specialized physical and psychological requirements, typically living in groups of 20-50 individuals across vast territories in their natural habitat.

The three elephants in question — Lammie, Ramadiba and Mopane — are confined to a space roughly equivalent to a soccer field’s size, lacking essential environmental enrichment such as foraging trees and bathing mud pools, according to Bilchitz.

“They are sad, depressed and frustrated,” Bilchitz explained to The Associated Press. “They are listless and stand around.” He noted the animals display psychological trauma symptoms, including persistent swaying motions and other “repetitive compulsive behavior.”

In response, Johannesburg Zoo issued a statement criticizing what it called a “media scourge” surrounding the elephants’ situation, asserting the animals remain healthy and beloved by both staff and visitors. The facility also cautioned that transferring zoo elephants to semi-wild facilities doesn’t guarantee success.

A similar case provides some legal foundation for the current lawsuit. In 2024, an elderly male elephant named Charley was transferred from a different South African zoo to a wildlife reserve after losing his elephant companions and showing signs of isolation.

Zoo officials agreed to Charley’s relocation to the reserve for retirement following his lengthy captivity, which included approximately 16 years performing in a circus.

Transportation workers across Kenya called off their nationwide work stoppage on Tuesday, agreeing to a one-week pause to negotiate with government officials following two days of violent demonstrations that claimed four lives and injured more than 30 people.

The strike began after discussions broke down on Monday, with transport workers calling for lower fuel costs to help ease the financial burden on both operators and passengers facing higher travel expenses.

For two straight days, passengers found themselves without transportation options as public transit operators refused to operate their vehicles.

Demonstrators filled the streets, clashing with law enforcement officers and igniting tires along main roadways, blocking traffic completely.

Fuel costs in Kenya reached unprecedented levels on Friday, with diesel jumping 23.5% and gasoline rising 8%. Government officials cited the Iran war and resulting disruptions to energy markets as the cause of the price surge.

Opposition leaders, however, pointed to dishonest business practices and companies seeking higher profits as the real reason behind the dramatic cost increases.

During a broadcast news conference, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen announced that discussions with all fuel industry participants would occur within the next seven days to resolve the pricing concerns.

Kennedy Kaunda, speaking for the transporters’ association, confirmed that members agreed to permit the consultation process to move forward, warning that if no deal emerges, the public will receive further instructions within a week.

Monday’s violence resulted in four fatalities and left more than 30 people with injuries. Police also detained 348 individuals who face charges for participating in unauthorized demonstrations.

Russia launched an extensive three-day military exercise Tuesday focusing on its nuclear capabilities, deploying thousands of personnel and weapons systems as tensions escalate over increased Ukrainian drone operations.

The large-scale training operation includes 64,000 military personnel, more than 200 missile launching systems, over 140 military aircraft, 73 naval vessels, and 13 submarines, with eight of those submarines equipped with nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to the Defense Ministry.

Military officials described the exercise as focusing on the “preparation and use of nuclear forces under the threat of aggression,” the ministry stated.

The training operation will also include coordination activities with Belarus, a neighboring ally that provides hosting facilities for Russian nuclear weaponry. Among the Russian military assets stationed in Belarus is the newest intermediate range nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system.

These military exercises are occurring during a period when Ukraine has significantly escalated its drone operations targeting Russia, including a recent weekend assault on Moscow’s surrounding areas that resulted in three fatalities and caused damage to multiple buildings and industrial sites.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently highlighted Moscow’s nuclear capabilities since deploying military forces into Ukraine in February 2022, attempting to discourage Western nations from increasing their assistance to Kyiv.

The escalating attacks have created challenges for Kremlin officials trying to portray the Ukrainian conflict — now entering its fifth year — as a distant situation that doesn’t impact Russian citizens’ everyday lives.

The military training coincides with Putin beginning a two-day diplomatic visit to China on Tuesday.

Putin recently commended the successful testing of the new Sarmat ICBM last week, which is designed to replace older Soviet-era nuclear missiles.

Putin implemented an updated nuclear policy in 2024, stating that any conventional military strike against Russia backed by a nuclear-armed nation would be viewed as a coordinated assault on his country. This warning was clearly designed to discourage Western nations from permitting Ukraine to use longer-range weaponry against Russia and seems to substantially reduce the conditions for potential nuclear weapon deployment.

Russian military hardliners have consistently pressured the Kremlin to retaliate against increasing Ukrainian strikes by targeting Kyiv’s European allies with conventional weaponry, claiming that European NATO countries would not risk retaliation and direct military confrontation with the world’s largest nuclear-armed nation.

The Defense Ministry released a catalog last month identifying European manufacturing facilities it claims are producing drones and related components for Ukraine. Officials cautioned that strikes against Russia using European-manufactured drones could result in “unpredictable consequences.”

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — International prosecutors revealed Tuesday that a Libyan prison commander earned the nickname “Angel of Death” from inmates he allegedly tortured, killed and sexually assaulted at a notorious detention center.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague conducted preliminary hearings for its first-ever defendant from the North African nation, who stands accused of 17 charges involving crimes against humanity and war crimes committed at the notorious Mitiga detention center in Tripoli from 2015 through 2020, during the chaotic years after longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi’s death.

Prisoners at the compound called Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri the “Angel of Death,” deputy prosecutor Nazhat Khan informed the court during opening remarks, citing testimony from one among nearly 1,000 victims involved in the proceedings.

The 47-year-old defendant, dressed in a blue suit and matching tie, showed no emotion while listening to the accusations against him.

The charges allege that El Hishri served as a high-ranking official at the compound and supervised the women’s wing, where sexual assault was routine. Prosecutors stated that El Hishri habitually carried a firearm and would shoot detainees in their legs or knees.

“These were not the acts of rogue Mitiga prison guards,” Khan stated.

The proceedings represent a preliminary hearing rather than a full trial, providing prosecutors an opportunity to present their evidence before the court. Judges will have 60 days to review the evidence and determine if it warrants proceeding to trial against El Hishri.

Germany transferred El Hishri to the Netherlands in December following his arrest there in July based on a sealed ICC arrest warrant.

This case marks the first time a Libyan defendant will face trial at the international tribunal, whose investigators received authorization from the United Nations Security Council in 2011 to examine alleged crimes in the north African country as it fell into chaos after the uprising that removed Gadhafi from power.

The tribunal quickly issued an arrest warrant for Gadhafi himself, but opposition forces killed him before authorities could apprehend and transfer him to The Hague.

Nine additional Libyan defendants remain subject to outstanding arrest warrants from the court, including one of Gadhafi’s sons.

Italian authorities detained but subsequently freed another suspect, Ossama Anjiem, also called Ossama al-Masri, in January due to a legal technicality, generating criticism from human rights organizations. He also faced accusations related to crimes at the Mitiga detention facility.

British authorities announced Tuesday they expect to reveal criminal charges by next June related to the devastating 2017 Grenfell Tower fire that claimed 72 lives in London.

The tragic blaze stands as Britain’s most fatal residential building fire since World War Two, sparking nationwide discussions about construction standards and housing safety for low-income residents.

A 2024 public inquiry final report attributed the catastrophe to failures across multiple sectors – government oversight, construction practices, and particularly companies that installed dangerous exterior cladding that had been promoted as fire-safe.

During a Tuesday media briefing, Garry Moncrieff, who leads the police investigation, revealed that 57 individuals and 20 businesses or organizations “remain as suspects” facing potential charges including corporate and gross negligence manslaughter, fraud and health and safety violations.

Moncrieff stated that investigators plan to transfer evidence files to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) by September’s end for charging decisions.

“When something that’s this complex and so hugely significant, it’s really important that we get this investigation right … to enable the CPS to take those charging decisions,” Moncrieff explained.

He recognized the lengthy timeline, acknowledging investigators “could not begin to understand the impact it had had on the bereaved, the survivors, and all those affected.”

Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS, had previously hoped for charging decisions by year’s end but now says “it is not possible to be definitive about timescales.” However, he expressed confidence decisions would come before the disaster’s 10th anniversary.

The fire began from a refrigerator’s electrical malfunction and swept through the 23-story public housing tower during early morning hours on June 14, 2017.

Police launched what they describe as the most extensive and complicated investigation in London force history, though detectives postponed any criminal charges until the public inquiry concluded.

Grenfell United, representing affected families and survivors, expressed frustration with the extended timeline.

“For our community, this is not news we meet with celebration,” the group stated. “We have waited almost a decade for accountability. No family should have to wait over 10 years for justice for their loved ones, if it comes at all.”

Following the disaster, Britain announced plans to review companies involved in the tower’s renovation to potentially bar certain firms from receiving government contracts, though most companies have escaped financial responsibility.

The government initiated demolition of building sections last year, with memorial plans also expected to be revealed this year.

VENTANILLA, Peru, May 19 – As she prepares for her fourth consecutive Peruvian presidential runoff election, Keiko Fujimori is wagering that public anxiety about escalating violence will restore faith in the authoritarian style of governance her father practiced during Peru’s tumultuous 1990s.

During earlier campaigns, Keiko had kept her distance from Alberto Fujimori, her deceased father who spent time behind bars for human rights violations and remains a polarizing figure in Peruvian society.

However, the 50-year-old conservative politician has now restructured her campaign to champion his political approach, promising hard-line security policies, stringent counter-terrorism legislation, and greater military involvement in law enforcement.

Prior to voting in the April 12 first round, Fujimori made a pilgrimage to her father’s burial site. She has drawn parallels between contemporary criminal organizations and the leftist Maoist rebels he crushed during his decade in power from 1990 to 2000, promising to deploy Peru’s intelligence apparatus and elite military units in what she calls a “frontal war” against crime and extortion.

“There is a deep collective memory of Fujimorismo,” said Luis Galarreta, Keiko Fujimori’s running mate and one of her closest allies, in an interview with Reuters. “What was done in the 1990s — the rescue of Peru — still matters.”

Alberto Fujimori’s supporters praise him for bringing economic stability and crushing Shining Path guerrillas during the 1990s, though his detractors condemn him as a dictator. He was found guilty in 2009 of authorizing a massacre and spent 16 years imprisoned before dying in 2024.

EXTORTION A DAILY PROBLEM

Public safety issues have taken center stage in this year’s Peruvian election, reflecting a wider pattern throughout Latin America where increasing violence tied to criminal organizations has boosted support for tough-stance politicians, including El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele and Chile’s Jose Antonio Kast.

In Ventanilla, an extensive northern Lima suburb close to Callao port, local residents interviewed by Reuters described widespread theft and constant extortion demands.

People living in a low-income housing development in Ventanilla that was officially established during Alberto Fujimori’s administration reported that criminal organizations demand daily tribute from even the tiniest enterprises.

“Extortion is being carried out against everyone,” said Rosa Rengifo Zegarra, 39. “There’s a man with a ceviche (fish dish) place, they ask him for 10 soles ($3) a day,” she said.

Across the country, extortion incidents reported to law enforcement increased by approximately 20% last year according to government statistics, while murders in the Lima area more than doubled from 9 per 100,000 residents in 2021 to 23.1 per 100,000 in 2025.

“You can no longer even think about having a business that operates,” said Pilar Cardenas Lopez, 49, who runs a community food kitchen. “Once they see that you have something, that’s it.”

Criminal activity in Peru has surged due to growing organized crime networks and deteriorating government institutions, according to Martin Cassinelli of the Atlantic Council. International gangs like Tren de Aragua have expanded their presence, while the explosive growth of unlawful gold extraction has become a primary source of criminal enterprise.

The government’s capacity to respond has been compromised by years of political chaos and corruption, along with legislation that has reduced prosecutors’ power to investigate and pursue organized crime cases, Cassinelli noted.

Ventanilla locals described broad-daylight shootings, vanishings and mobile phone theft in conversations with Reuters.

“On that corner, at the store, they killed someone,” said Teresa Cardenas, 48, signaling beyond the food kitchen entrance. “In the other block, a young man also disappeared,” she said.

Multiple administrations have relied on temporary emergency declarations and enforcement sweeps to combat rising crime, but these measures have not tackled the root problems, experts say.

For households, danger now influences everyday choices. Zegarra mentioned her 17-year-old daughter frequently comes home late following dance rehearsal.

“You worry,” she said. “One thing is that they snatch the phone — another is that they take her.”

ROOTED IN FUJIMORI’S NAME

The Ventanilla settlement carries the presidential candidate’s name – Keiko Sofia Fujimori. During the 1990s, homeless families were relocated to empty sandy hills north of Lima, and this location was named after Alberto Fujimori’s daughter, whom he designated as his first lady following a dispute with his first wife.

“There was no electricity, no water — just sand,” Cardenas said, remembering her arrival in 1995. She lives in a section called Keiko 1.

Long-time residents remembered Alberto Fujimori’s visits and social assistance programs during his administration. However, they noted his daughter had never personally visited the community bearing her name.

“I’ve been here 27 years, and she has not come personally — not at all,” said Cardenas Lopez.

Keiko Fujimori still maintains backing in the neighborhood, motivated partly by pledges of economic aid, including direct cash payments, should she win office, some residents explained. In April’s first round she captured approximately 22% of votes in Ventanilla, the largest percentage of any candidate in the district.

DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

Following the completion of first-round counting after weeks of postponements and fraud accusations, Fujimori obtained roughly 17% of the national vote in a divided field, qualifying for a second round against leftist congressman Roberto Sanchez.

An April 26 Ipsos opinion poll showed Fujimori and Sanchez tied for the June 7 runoff at 38% each.

As she intensifies her campaign before the second round, relying too heavily on the Fujimori political brand could present dangers for Keiko, political observers warned.

“Anti-Fujimorismo is the reason Keiko Fujimori has fallen just short of the presidency three times,” said historian and political analyst Daniel Parodi. “That rejection may be weakening, but by how much?”

Eileen Gavin, of consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, described Fujimori’s focus on security as a “double-edged sword.”

Some voters may be receptive to her tough-on-crime message, Gavin said. “But many also expect commitments to the rule of law and democratic institutional rebuilding to be part of any solution.” Commitments to those areas have been “sorely lacking in Fujimorismo,” she added.

Alfaro Rojas Carla, a 48-year old mother of five in Ventanilla, looked back on the time of the elder Fujimori era as one of greater security, when she received financial support for her first child.

“There are many who say (Keiko Fujimori) is like her father, which is why they vote for her,” said Rojas Carla.

“We hope she’ll work in the same way her father did.”

LONDON (AP) — A British television network has removed every episode of the UK version of a popular reality dating program from all its platforms following sexual assault allegations made by three female participants against their matched partners.

The network described the accusations as “very serious,” while British government officials stated Tuesday that there must be “consequences for criminality or wrongdoing.”

The reality program is part of a global television franchise that originated in Denmark, with versions airing in numerous countries including the United States, Australia and South Africa. The show pairs strangers through expert matchmaking, with participants moving in together following staged wedding ceremonies.

According to the allegations, two female participants from the British version say they were raped by their television husbands, while a third woman claims she experienced a nonconsensual sexual encounter.

These accusations emerged during an investigation conducted by a BBC investigative news program called “Panorama.” The BBC reported that none of the accusers have filed police reports, and the accused men deny all allegations.

A Conservative lawmaker who chairs the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee told the BBC that the program clearly contains “an element of risk.”

“It’s a TV show that almost expects and anticipates people that have only just met will have to become really quite intimate with each other,” she told the BBC. “They’re expected to share a bed and a life together within minutes of meeting. It almost feels like an accident waiting to happen.”

An independent production company creates the British version of the show. The program has aired for 10 seasons, with an 11th season planned for broadcast this year. The production company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The broadcaster stated that the show operates under “some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry,” which include background screenings, behavioral conduct standards and “daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team.”

Network officials have initiated a comprehensive review of their welfare standards and procedures.

“I want to express my sympathy to contributors who have clearly been distressed after taking part in ‘Married at First Sight UK,’” the network’s chief executive said. “The well-being of our contributors is always of paramount importance.”

These allegations represent the most recent incident fueling ongoing discussions in Britain regarding reality television ethics and the psychological pressures faced by show participants. Previous controversies include the deaths by suicide of two former contestants from another reality dating show in 2018 and 2019, as well as the suicide of that program’s former host in 2020.

MADRID — A Madrid court has launched an investigation into former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero over allegations of influence peddling and other potential crimes connected to a government airline rescue package.

The National Court in Madrid is examining potential financial misconduct related to the Spanish government’s bailout of Plus Ultra airline, which obtained 53 million euros (currently $62 million) in taxpayer funds during 2021 as part of COVID-19 recovery assistance.

Court officials announced in a statement that the probe has been expanded to encompass Zapatero, who was called to respond to judicial questioning on June 2. On Tuesday, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at Zapatero’s office under orders from the investigating judge.

The 65-year-old Zapatero served as prime minister between 2004 and 2011. He belongs to the Socialist party currently led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

During a Senate hearing in March, he rejected any misconduct allegations regarding the bailout, stating he “never received any commissions from Plus Ultra.”

Plus Ultra operates as a Spanish-owned carrier with Venezuelan investors. The airline focused on routes connecting Spain with Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador.

After departing from office, Zapatero has dedicated much of his efforts to fostering communication with Venezuela’s far-left government, which faced isolation from Western nations following its suppression of democratic opposition groups.

When Plus Ultra obtained the bailout funding, Zapatero had been away from public office for ten years.

The former leader maintains political ties with Sánchez, whose party has faced multiple corruption controversies during the past two years.

The United Nations has begun its search process to select a new secretary general, with the decision expected to be finalized before the end of this year.

Among the top contenders for the position is Michele Bachelet, who previously served as Chile’s president and currently holds the role of U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. Bachelet has drawn attention for her strong advocacy positions on reproductive rights, supporting abortion access through all stages of pregnancy and advocating for government funding of such procedures globally.

Additionally, Bachelet has expressed support for transgender rights initiatives, including medical transition procedures for minors. The selection process for the UN’s top leadership position will continue throughout the coming months.

Leaders from South Korea and Japan announced Tuesday they will enhance collaboration on natural gas and oil supplies, establishing new stockpiling arrangements and petroleum exchange programs.

During a summit meeting in Andong, South Korea, President Lee Jae Myung and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi outlined plans to strengthen coordination for stable energy distribution and broaden partnerships with other Asian nations. The initiative comes as conflicts in the Gulf region create supply challenges for both import-reliant economies.

“Recent instability in supply chains and energy markets stemming from the situation in the Middle East has further underscored the need for close cooperation between our two countries,” Lee said in a joint press statement.

Takaichi announced the launch of a bilateral program aimed at bolstering energy supply resilience throughout the Indo-Pacific region, “assessing energy security through measures such as mutual swap transactions for crude oil, petroleum products and LNG.”

The meeting also addressed security matters, with both nations committing to enhanced defense coordination alongside the United States as they face mutual threats from North Korea and growing regional tensions.

Lee highlighted that recently enhanced vice ministerial-level security discussions between the countries represented “meaningful progress” in establishing formal defense dialogue structures.

Tuesday’s gathering marked the sixth encounter between the two leaders since Lee assumed office and their second meeting this year under an established “shuttle diplomacy” arrangement.

Both officials emphasized that the frequent meetings, including visits to each leader’s home region, demonstrate growing trust and expanding cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic channels to include regional and economic partnerships.

The two nations continue working to strengthen ties despite ongoing historical disagreements, as both governments prioritize economic security, advanced technology collaboration including artificial intelligence development, and regional stability.

The Andong summit included cultural elements, with leaders attending a dinner featuring dishes from both countries to symbolize bilateral friendship. The program also featured musical performances, including piano music and traditional Korean riverside fireworks and pansori entertainment.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian farmer’s dinner preparations took an unexpected turn when he discovered a living amphibian nestled among the greens in his grocery store lettuce bag.

Rhys Smoker was getting ready to make steak and salad for his three housemates on Saturday at their residence in Esperance, located in Western Australia state, when he made the surprising find inside the sealed plastic packaging he had purchased from a local supermarket, according to housemate Laura Jones, who spoke on Tuesday.

“He’s like, ‘Oh Bro, there’s a frog in the lettuce.’ And we’re like, ‘No, you’re taking the mick, like that’s not real,’” Jones explained to AP. The phrase “taking the mick” refers to trying to trick someone.

Smoker carried the package to the living area to demonstrate the discovery to Jones and her partner Billy Le Pine.

“Obviously there’s a little frog hiding out and, yeah, we all had a little laugh about it,” Jones recalled.

According to Le Pine, the group decided to call their unexpected visitor Greg and later set him free at a nearby pond.

“We thought we’d give him a wee send off tune as we played Crazy Frog for him,” Le Pine shared with Australian Broadcasting Corp. Crazy Frog refers to a Swedish computer-animated character and Eurodance performer.

The lettuce had been purchased by Smoker and his partner Lilli Ashby from a Woolworths store in Esperance on the same day Greg was found.

This isn’t the first time Australian shoppers have encountered wildlife in supermarkets. Five years earlier, a customer came face-to-face with a 3-meter-long (10-foot-long) harmless diamond python on a Woolworths shelf in Sydney. Additionally, in 2021, another shopper found a dangerous pale-headed snake wrapped with lettuce in plastic at an ALDI store in Sydney.

According to Woolworths, the frog incident appears to be a one-off occurrence with no similar reports received. “Our teams are investigating this with our suppliers as a priority,” the company stated.

The supermarket chain offered an apology to the household and supplied them with a new lettuce bag.

A Hong Kong court wrapped up closing arguments Tuesday in a national security case against two former leaders who organized the city’s annual remembrance ceremonies for the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.

Judge Alex Lee, serving on a three-judge panel selected by the government, announced they expect to issue a ruling in July for defendants Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan. Both previously led the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.

The disbanded organization ran China’s only major public memorial event for decades, drawing tens of thousands of participants each year before authorities prohibited it in 2020 amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Both defendants were indicted in 2021 on charges of inciting subversion under Beijing’s national security legislation, which carries a potential 10-year prison sentence upon conviction. They entered not guilty pleas in January.

Legal experts view their case and the end of the memorial events as representing the erosion of civil liberties that Beijing had guaranteed when the former British territory was handed back to Chinese control in 1997. Officials in Hong Kong and Beijing maintain the security legislation is essential for maintaining order in the city.

During earlier court sessions, prosecutors emphasized the alliance’s call for “ending one-party rule,” contending the organization encouraged others to pursue illegal methods to topple China’s Communist Party leadership.

Chow, a lawyer representing herself, told the court Tuesday her case was “a very strange case” since the defendants haven’t disputed their actions or claimed their public statements didn’t represent their actual beliefs.

She explained that “ending one-party rule” refers to eliminating unchecked authority, noting a central issue is whether the law truly protects the Chinese Communist Party’s permanent governance while prohibiting citizens from advancing democratic reforms.

Chow contended the case has inverted normal standards of justice.

“Speaking the truth has become inciting hatred, seeking justice has become exploiting suffering, limiting power has become violating the constitution, and returning power to the people has become subverting the state,” she stated.

She warned that if the court doesn’t properly evaluate the reasonable impact of their words, it risks becoming complicit by allowing those in authority to commit wrongdoing.

Prosecutors argued Monday that rights to free speech, assembly and association have limits, claiming the defendants are trying to shift attention using human rights arguments.

Following both sides’ presentations, Lee stated Tuesday the judges cannot set an exact date but anticipate reaching a decision between mid- and late July.

The proceedings, originally planned for 75 days, progressed more quickly than anticipated. Tuesday marked the 24th day of hearings.

Albert Ho, another defendant in the case, admitted guilt when proceedings started in January. Guilty pleas often lead to reduced sentences.

Hong Kong’s yearly Tiananmen commemorations honored those killed during the 1989 suppression of student demonstrations, when military tanks entered central Beijing and troops used live ammunition. The death toll included hundreds or possibly thousands of civilians, plus dozens of military personnel.

Officials prohibited the Hong Kong vigil in 2020, citing COVID-19 health concerns.

However, once pandemic restrictions ended, pro-Beijing organizations held a festival at the former vigil location instead. People attempting to mark the anniversary near the site on June 4, the date of the crackdown, were arrested.

BEIJING, May 19 – Chinese authorities have prohibited the importation of pork, wild boar, and associated products from the Philippines following concerns about swine fever, according to an announcement from the General Administration of Customs.

The trade restriction was implemented as a preventative measure against the spread of the animal disease.

Authorities in Spain’s Catalonia region have taken Jonathan Andic into custody on Tuesday as part of their ongoing probe into the death of his father, Isak Andic, who established the Mango clothing empire, according to the Mossos police force.

A representative speaking for the family confirmed that Jonathan Andic was undergoing questioning by authorities but declined to provide additional information.

The family previously expressed confidence in his innocence last year following reports from multiple regional news outlets that he was under official investigation for potential homicide charges.

Isak Andic lost his life after plunging more than 100 metres (328 ft) from a cliff during a hiking excursion with family members at the Montserrat caves near Barcelona in December 2024.

Financial leaders from the world’s most advanced economies convened in Paris this week to address economic disruptions caused by escalating Middle East tensions, with France’s top finance official calling for enhanced international assistance.

During their two-day gathering in the French capital, finance ministers and central bank governors from G7 nations discussed how the regional conflict has affected global markets and created economic instability worldwide.

The Tuesday session expanded to include representatives from Gulf nations, Brazil, and Kenya as the group of seven wealthy countries seeks to strengthen international partnerships while managing multiple global crises including ongoing pressure on Russia regarding Ukraine.

“We agree on the fact that the IMF and the World Bank have to step up their game for those countries (most vulnerable to the impact of the Middle East conflict) and make sure we help them,” French Finance Minister Roland Lescure told reporters, adding that a shortage of fertiliser would have a particular impact.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack against Iran after Tehran sent a peace proposal to Washington, and that there was now a “very good chance” of reaching a deal limiting Iran’s nuclear programme.

However, several G7 nations have voiced concerns that Washington and Israel proceeded with military action against Iran without fully considering economic ramifications, including the potential shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for global energy supplies.

According to Lescure, officials from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates joined the Paris discussions to address the Gulf region crisis.

Representatives from Syria and Ukraine took part in portions of the talks, reflecting the G7’s focus on supporting nations considered essential to regional and worldwide stability.

Delegates from Brazil, India and South Korea also participated, representing efforts to expand international cooperation during a period when established alliances face challenges.

The gathering also addressed strategies for diversifying sources of rare earth elements and essential minerals, along with tackling global economic imbalances – key priorities during France’s G7 leadership.

Lescure has emphasized that worldwide economic disparities are creating trade tensions and could lead to dangerous market disruptions, pointing to patterns where China under-consumes, the United States over-consumes and Europe under-invests.

“We see how others are changing the rules, and I have no desire for us to end up being the fools,” German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil told reporters on Monday, calling for Europe to set local content requirements and assert its interests.

Regarding essential minerals and rare earth elements, G7 governments are working together to decrease dependence on China, which controls supply networks crucial for electric vehicle technology, clean energy systems, and defense equipment.

European Economic Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said the G7 is making progress in raw materials partnerships, but he added it is not something that would happen overnight. “That requires time and adequate preparation.”

He also emphasized maintaining pressure on Russia following the United States’ announcement of another 30-day extension for a sanctions waiver permitting purchases of Russian seaborne oil to assist “energy-vulnerable” countries.

“From the EU point of view, we do not think that this is the time to ease pressure on Russia,” Dombrovskis told reporters on Tuesday, adding that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had been “reassuring” that it would only be temporary, but also noting it was the second extension of this measure.

Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary election on June 7 represents a crucial crossroads for the nation’s foreign policy direction, as voters will choose between the current government’s Western-leaning approach and opposition parties that favor stronger Russian connections.

Polling data and political experts anticipate that the Civil Contract party, under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s leadership, will secure the most seats but probably won’t achieve the two-thirds parliamentary control required for constitutional amendments.

Peace Agreement Focus

The ruling Civil Contract party, which has governed since 2018, has campaigned heavily on its diplomatic efforts toward establishing peace with Azerbaijan, highlighting an initial accord that Pashinyan signed with Baku during a White House ceremony last August.

The mountainous nation of approximately 3 million people has experienced intermittent conflict with Azerbaijan dating back to the late 1980s, primarily centered on the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

In 2023, Baku launched a rapid military campaign that restored complete control over Karabakh, forcing nearly all 100,000 ethnic Armenians living there to relocate to Armenia.

Russian-Aligned Opposition Forces

Opposition political movements in Armenia are primarily composed of pro-Russian factions, many connected to former presidents who lack popular support.

The most significant opposition challenger is the Strong Armenia party, headed by an Armenian-Russian billionaire currently facing legal proceedings for allegedly inciting government overthrow.

Strong Armenia has built its campaign around pro-business policies while criticizing Pashinyan for supposedly provoking tensions with Moscow.

Evolving Russian Relations

Armenian-Russian diplomatic ties have deteriorated since 2023, particularly after Azerbaijan’s successful Karabakh operation occurred while Russian peacekeeping forces were stationed in the territory.

Armenia maintains membership in a Russian-dominated economic alliance, making complete separation from Moscow challenging given their significant trade relationship. The country relies heavily on both Russia and neighboring Iran for energy resources and accommodates a substantial Russian military installation.

Russian officials have voiced concerns about Armenia’s Western orientation, warning of potential “negative political and economic consequences” for Yerevan.

Armenian civic organizations have expressed concerns about alleged Russian state-backed misinformation campaigns targeting the election period. Moscow consistently denies interference in foreign nations’ domestic politics.

Western Partnership Development

Armenia enacted legislation last year to begin the European Union membership application process, with Pashinyan positioning his nation as Europe’s primary regional ally in the South Caucasus.

The Armenia-Azerbaijan peace framework includes plans for a transit route through Armenian territory that would enhance Asia-Europe connectivity while reducing dependence on Russian pathways.

A recent agreement with U.S. Vice President JD Vance during his Yerevan visit this year could enable an American corporation to construct a nuclear reactor facility in Armenia.

Regional Diplomatic Progress

Yerevan and Baku established a U.S.-mediated peace framework in August but haven’t finalized a comprehensive treaty. Azerbaijan insists Armenia must first modify certain constitutional language, which Yerevan has indicated willingness to address. A constitutional referendum may follow the election.

Armenia’s frontiers with both Azerbaijan and Turkey have remained sealed for decades, with Turkey closing its border in 1993 to support its strategic partner Baku regarding the Karabakh dispute.

Recent diplomatic advances with Ankara have occurred, particularly in commercial relations, though overall progress remains gradual.

The executive leading Starbucks Korea operations has been terminated following intense public backlash over a marketing initiative that inadvertently referenced a tragic military assault on democracy advocates in 1980.

Shinsegae Group, the retail company that operates the American coffee brand’s South Korean locations, announced the dismissal of Sohn Jeong-hyun, who oversaw Starbucks Korea, citing “inappropriate marketing” as the reason for his termination.

The controversy erupted when Starbucks introduced its “Tank Day” promotional event on Monday, advertising its “Tank” tumbler collection with the slogan “put it on the table with a sound of ‘Tak!’”

The timing proved particularly problematic as Monday coincided with Democratisation Movement Day, an annual observance honoring the student-led Gwangju Uprising from May 1980. The marketing campaign triggered widespread condemnation throughout South Korea.

During that uprising, military forces under dictator Chun Doo-hwan’s regime used troops and armored vehicles to suppress demonstrators, resulting in hundreds of deaths and disappearances. Many aspects of the incident remain unclear, including who authorized soldiers to fire upon protesters. Chun eventually resigned in 1988 as democratic movements gained momentum.

The promotional phrase “tak” also drew criticism for resembling official explanations given by South Korean authorities in 1987 regarding a student activist’s death, who was later determined to have been tortured. Officials at that time claimed the student died after investigators hit a desk producing a “tak” noise, according to media accounts.

Attempts to contact Sohn were unsuccessful, and Starbucks Korea refused to provide access to him, stating he had departed the organization. The company has discontinued the campaign.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed his fury over the promotion on social media Monday, demanding an apology to families of those killed during the uprising.

“I deeply bow in apology as the representative of the group,” Chung said. The marketing “deeply hurt the public, the bereaved families, and the victims of the May 18 demonstration.”

The campaign “tarnished the bloody protests of Gwangju citizens and the victims of the protests,” Lee stated, describing it as the work of a “degenerate peddler.”

Both Starbucks Korea and Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin issued public apologies on the company website.

Despite the apologies, Starbucks Korea’s statement received over 2,800 mostly negative social media responses, with users sharing images of themselves obtaining refunds on prepaid cards and terminating their mobile app accounts with the coffee retailer.

Additional users posted videos showing themselves destroying Starbucks merchandise including tumblers and mugs.

Stock prices for Shinsegae’s E-Mart retail division, which holds a 67.5% ownership in Starbucks Korea (now called SCK Company), dropped 5.5% at Seoul’s market close.

Starbucks Global released its own statement Tuesday, expressing regret about the incident and announcing an internal investigation.

“We sincerely apologize to the people of Gwangju, to those impacted by this tragedy, and to our customers and communities,” a spokesperson at Starbucks Global said in an email to Reuters.

“Leadership accountability actions have been taken, and a thorough investigation is underway,” the spokesperson said. “We are implementing stronger internal controls, review standards, and company-wide training to ensure this does not happen again.”

Emergency crews in eastern Germany continued their search Tuesday morning for three individuals trapped beneath debris after a structure collapsed Monday evening in Görlitz, a city located near the Polish border.

Authorities believe a gas explosion may have triggered the building’s collapse, which occurred Monday night.

Rescue workers approached the site with extreme care due to potential gas leak hazards, according to German news agency dpa.

Following failed efforts to find the missing individuals using search dogs, rescue teams started removing debris with excavation equipment and manual labor at approximately 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Earlier fears that as many as five individuals could be buried beneath the wreckage proved to be incorrect, authorities confirmed.

A man concerned that his wife and cousin might be trapped beneath the debris explained Monday that they had come that day for a holiday stay at the rented property. While purchasing items at a local supermarket, he heard an explosion and returned to discover only a massive pile of rubble where the house had stood, dpa reported.

The destroyed structure featured historic Wilhelminian architecture and housed rental and vacation units, authorities said.

Görlitz serves as Germany’s easternmost municipality, home to 57,000 residents. Its well-preserved historic center frequently serves as a backdrop for international movie productions.

Malaysia’s defense minister announced Tuesday that officials have formally notified Norway of their intent to pursue compensation exceeding 1 billion ringgit ($251.76 million) following Oslo’s unexpected cancellation of export permits for naval strike missile systems designated for Malaysian warships.

Norwegian officials stated that specific export licenses for certain defense technology to Malaysia were withdrawn due to changes in Oslo’s export control policies. The unexpected decision surprised Malaysian officials and ignited a diplomatic dispute, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim describing the action as “unilateral and unacceptable.”

Defense Minister Mohamad Khaled Nordin explained that the government plans to pursue reimbursement for both direct and indirect expenses, noting that Malaysia had already remitted approximately 126 million euros ($146.66 million), representing 95% of the contract’s total value, for the missile systems.

Malaysia will also pursue additional compensation to address costs associated with removing and replacing equipment on vessels designed to house the Norwegian-manufactured missiles, along with expenses for retraining military personnel, he informed reporters.

Mohamed Khaled stated that Norway’s action creates concerns about the reliability of international defense partnerships, especially those involving Western or NATO member nations.

“What has happened to us was not just a defence procurement issue. It reflects a larger problem, namely, the erosion of trust among countries in international relations,” he said.

The Norwegian ministry of foreign affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Malaysia’s compensation demand.

The defense division of Norwegian company Kongsberg announced in 2018 that it had secured a 124 million euro agreement with the Royal Malaysian Navy to provide NSM missiles for six littoral combat ships. Mohamed Khaled revealed last week that a second contract existed to deliver the system to two additional naval vessels.

BRUSSELS – European Union officials were set to reach an agreement Tuesday on eliminating import tariffs on American products, working to honor a trade agreement made with the United States last year while avoiding threatened tariff increases from former President Trump.

The agreement, negotiated at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland last July, requires the EU to eliminate import tariffs on American industrial products and provide better access for US agricultural and seafood items. The United States would maintain 15% tariffs on most European Union goods in return.

Despite the deal being nearly 10 months old, both the European Parliament and the Council representing EU member nations must still approve legislative language before the tariff reductions can take effect. The primary disagreements center on protective measures in case Trump abandons the agreement.

Parliamentary and council negotiators were scheduled to convene for what sources expected to be final discussions beginning at 9 p.m. local time. EU legislators participating in the negotiations expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached late Tuesday or early Wednesday morning.

Trump has established a July 4th deadline for the European Union to fulfill its trade commitments, warning he would impose substantially higher tariffs on EU products including automobiles if the bloc fails to act. He previously threatened to increase tariffs on European car imports from the current 15% to 25%.

European lawmakers have twice delayed the necessary legislation following Trump’s threats to impose additional tariffs on European partners who didn’t support his proposed Greenland acquisition and after the Supreme Court overturned his global tariffs.

If negotiators reach an agreement, the bloc should satisfy Trump’s July 4th timeline, with the European Parliament expected to hold a final approval vote in mid-June.

Parliamentary representatives are pushing for stronger protective measures, including a provision requiring the United States to fulfill its obligations before the EU reduces duties, the ability to halt the agreement if America violates the terms, and an expiration date of March 31, 2028 for EU tariff concessions.

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

MALE, Maldives — Specialized diving experts from Finland began efforts Tuesday to retrieve the remains of four Italian divers who perished in a deep underwater cave system in the Maldives, nearly a week after they disappeared during an exploration dive.

The victims’ bodies were discovered Monday when search operations resumed following a tragic setback — a local military diver lost his life during the dangerous rescue attempt. The Italian diving group was first reported missing Thursday.

According to Maldives government spokesman Ahmed Shaam, the three-person Finnish team will work to bring up the remains from approximately 60 meters (200 feet) below the surface, at which point they’ll transfer responsibility to coast guard personnel who will transport the bodies closer to shore for police custody.

Recreational diving regulations in the Maldives limit depths to 30 meters (nearly 100 feet).

Officials from the Indian Ocean nation announced Monday that the Finnish diving specialists, working alongside local police and military personnel, located the bodies in the deepest section of the cave system.

“As was previously thought, the four bodies were found inside the cave, not only inside the cave, but well inside the cave into the third segment of the cave, which is the largest part,” Shaam said.

He described finding the four victims “pretty much together,” with plans to recover two bodies Tuesday and the remaining two Wednesday.

The Divers’ Alert Network Europe, which sent the Finnish team, described them on its website as technical and cave diving specialists with international expertise in search and recovery operations, including work in “deep overhead environments, confined spaces and high-risk scenarios.”

The recovery team utilized sophisticated technical equipment, including closed-circuit rebreathers — systems that recycle exhaled air and eliminate carbon dioxide through chemical scrubbing, enabling “significantly longer dives,” according to the organization.

A fifth Italian diver — identified as a diving instructor — was recovered outside the cave entrance on the same day the group was reported missing. According to Italy’s Foreign Ministry, the five-person team had been exploring a cave system approximately 50 meters (160 feet) down in Vaavu Atoll Thursday.

Earlier search teams had already descended to locate and mark the entrance to the cave system where the Italian divers vanished.

New Zealand’s Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced Tuesday that the government will eliminate approximately 9,000 public sector positions by mid-2029, representing 14% of all government jobs, as part of an effort to reduce spending by billions of dollars.

Speaking to a business gathering in Auckland, the country’s largest city, Willis outlined plans that include three straight years of budget reductions for most government agencies, a substantial decrease in the number of departments, and accelerated implementation of artificial intelligence technology throughout the public sector. These changes are projected to save 2.4 billion New Zealand dollars ($1.4 billion) over the specified timeframe.

The workforce reductions will primarily affect Wellington, the capital city where most government employees are based. Public servant numbers would drop to 55,000, down 8,700 positions from December 2025 levels, according to Willis.

This reduction would bring public servants to 1% of New Zealand’s 5.3 million residents, compared to the current 1.2%.

“That’s unsustainable, it’s unaffordable and it’s out of step with international trends,” Willis stated during her Tuesday address. Military personnel, educators, and medical professionals would be protected from the job eliminations, she noted.

The reforms would also consolidate the current 39 government departments and agencies into a smaller, unspecified number.

The job cuts won’t begin immediately, and Willis provided no specifics about how decisions would be made regarding which positions to eliminate. Her center-right administration, in office since 2023 after campaigning on reducing government size, must face voters again in November.

Labor organizations and opposition politicians strongly criticized Tuesday’s announcement.

“There is no way you can reduce that many people working for our public service without reducing front-line services,” said Labour Party and opposition leader Chris Hipkins. Duane Leo, spokesperson for the union representing thousands of public servants, said the measures were “an act of willful destruction.”

The National Party-led government attributes what it characterizes as financial irresponsibility by the previous center-left Labour administration for expanding public servant employment from 48,000 to 63,000 during Labour’s tenure. In 2018, Labour had eliminated a public sector hiring cap established by the previous National government, arguing that restriction had led to increased spending on contractors and consultants as agencies avoided hiring permanent staff.

Most government departments will see their funding reduced by 2% in the budget scheduled for late May, Willis explained. Additional 5% annual cuts would follow for the subsequent two years if the government wins reelection.

The public sector “hasn’t been keeping pace” with developments in AI and digital technology and must adopt these innovations, Willis emphasized.

These public sector reduction promises come as New Zealand’s economic growth remains weak and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who positioned himself as a superior fiscal steward compared to his political rivals, attempts to demonstrate economic improvement before November’s election. Luxon described Tuesday the possibility of a more streamlined public sector as “exciting.”

“The public service is not a make-work function,” he stated.

Ukrainian military forces are dealing significant setbacks to Russia’s war operations through an expanded strategy of medium-range drone strikes that target enemy positions dozens of kilometers from the front lines.

Military commanders and defense experts report that Ukraine has dramatically increased its “middle strikes” capability in recent months, focusing on targets positioned 30 to 180 kilometers behind enemy lines. These operations are disrupting Russian battlefield progress and creating openings for extended-range attacks on oil and military installations.

The enhanced drone operations have allowed Ukrainian forces to hit Russian radar systems, air defense networks, communication infrastructure, supply chains, and heavy military equipment at what military experts call “operational depth,” according to two Ukrainian commanders, drone specialists, and military analysts.

Robert Brovdi, who leads Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, explained that long-range attack drones can now penetrate Russian defenses more effectively to strike oil installations far from the fighting zones.

“The role of middle strikes is currently decisive,” Brovdi stated in a voice message to Reuters, discussing operations reaching up to 2,000 kilometers.

Defense experts acknowledge that while these attacks cannot single-handedly reverse the war’s trajectory, they are creating substantial impact and potentially altering the conflict’s momentum.

Over recent months, Ukrainian long-distance drone operations have inflicted the most severe damage to Russian oil infrastructure since Moscow launched its 2022 invasion. Last month, Russia decreased oil production due to drone strikes on ports and refineries, and crude oil deliveries through Russia’s sole remaining European pipeline were stopped.

These attacks have boosted Ukrainian morale following a winter of Russian strikes on power infrastructure, while Russia’s territorial advancement rate has dropped to its lowest level since 2023.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced this month that Ukrainian “middle strikes” had doubled compared to March and increased fourfold since February.

A field commander identified as “Kusto” from the 7th battalion of Brovdi’s 414th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade reported significant growth in Ukraine’s medium-strike capabilities since autumn.

“We have scaled up, increased the number of crews, and expanded the number of systems in use. There is also greater diversity in the available platforms,” he explained in written statements.

Kusto’s unit primarily focuses on objectives within 100 kilometers of the contact line, with Russian radar installations and air-defense systems including Buk, Tor and Pantsir representing the most valuable targets. Additional priority targets include large vehicles and logistics operations.

“The aircraft (drone) itself typically flies about 150 kilometres from the launch point and then begins searching for targets in the designated area,” he described.

The unit most frequently employs domestically manufactured Chaklun V drones for middle-strike operations, followed by the B-2 model.

Brovdi noted that manual control provides superior precision compared to coordinate-based guidance, with typically no more than three drones required to confirm target destruction.

His forces have eliminated at least 129 air-defense systems this year in Russian-controlled territories, though Reuters could not independently confirm this number.

Ukraine has conducted multiple attacks on oil facilities in the Russian Black Sea port city of Tuapse, and Brovdi announced Friday that his forces had struck the Ryazan oil refinery, among Russia’s largest. Ukrainian operations have also forced operational suspensions at NORSI, Russia’s fourth-largest refinery, and facilities in Perm, approximately 1,500 kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border.

The extended-range strikes have facilitated more medium-range attacks by compelling Russia to spread air defenses away from front-line positions, explained Justin Bronk, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.

This allows Ukrainian forces to target assets beyond artillery or remotely operated First-Person View drone range, including ammunition and fuel storage, command centers, supply vehicles and other medium-range drone teams.

In April, Ukrainian forces executed over 160 middle strikes at distances of 120-150 kilometers, according to the Defence Ministry.

Such operations hinder Russian battlefield activities by extending the gap between front-line troops and their support forces, said Illia Mashyna, commander of Ukraine’s 431st Separate Unmanned Aircraft Systems Battalion “Brodiahy.”

“The farther you pull back, the more you complicate logistics,” Mashyna emphasized, highlighting the importance of thorough planning and consistent coordination for operational effectiveness.

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War reported that Russia’s battlefield progress has decelerated since October, partially due to medium-range strikes but also because of local fortifications and terrain challenges, particularly in the Donbas region.

Russian forces have also encountered communication difficulties since tech billionaire Elon Musk restricted their access to the Starlink satellite internet service.

RUSI’s Bronk explained that Kyiv’s rapid medium-range capability development addressed a critical gap, as Russia pressured Ukraine’s outnumbered and outgunned forces while also effectively employing middle strikes.

Continuous battlefield deployment has accelerated innovation as Ukraine works to strengthen domestic defense production and reduce dependence on foreign supplies.

Direct communication between manufacturers and front-line operators means user feedback gets incorporated into drone systems within days, Kusto reported.

A technical engineer in Kusto’s unit, using the call sign “Symbol,” said some manufacturers now provide platforms that arrive nearly combat-ready, requiring minimal additional programming.

“Previously, middle strike was more of a one-off capability,” he noted in written comments. “Now it’s a systematic part of operations.”

Emil Kastehelmi from the Finland-based Black Bird conflict analysis group said medium-range attacks may not reverse the tide against Russia but present a challenge requiring Russian force adaptation.

“And I don’t think we’ve seen the pinnacle of it yet,” he concluded.

Devastating floods swept through multiple provinces in southern and central China on Tuesday, claiming at least 10 lives as intense rainfall caused widespread disruption to daily life, according to authorities.

Weather officials warned that provinces including Jiangxi, Anhui, Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan were experiencing elevated risks for weather-related catastrophes, such as mudslides, sudden flooding, and severe urban water accumulation.

Emergency response protocols have been activated across multiple impacted regions, officials confirmed.

Residents in Jingzhou, located in central Hubei province, found themselves wading through knee-high floodwaters where fish could be seen swimming through city streets, based on footage shared on the Chinese social media platform Douyin. Vehicles became almost entirely submerged on roadways flanked by homes and businesses.

State broadcaster CCTV reported that six fatalities occurred when a pickup truck transporting 15 people plunged into a flood-swollen river in the southwestern Guangxi region during the heavy downpour on Tuesday.

Additional casualties included three deaths from flash flooding in a low-elevation Hubei village, while one more person perished in southern Hunan province, CCTV stated.

Educational institutions, commercial establishments and transportation networks have been shut down, with officials evacuating residents from certain areas of Hubei and Hunan provinces, state media outlets reported.

The exceptionally broad zone of intense precipitation – covering more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) – resulted from moisture streams converging from the Bay of Bengal, South China Sea and Pacific Ocean. Chinese weather experts noted that the weather pattern’s slow movement contributed to the substantial rainfall accumulation.

The National Meteorological Centre indicated that harsh weather conditions would progressively shift eastward and southward over the coming 48 hours. Beginning Wednesday, the most severe rainfall is anticipated along the middle and lower sections of the Yangtze River.

Hainan island in southern China issued geological hazard alerts on Tuesday following a mountainside collapse that blocked a highway in Lingshui, leading authorities to shut down multiple main roads in that section of the island.

Meanwhile, Guangxi officials established temporary housing at 99 locations for over 4,000 residents and moved 7,000 people following a 5.2 magnitude earthquake on Monday that caused tremors throughout several cities in the area.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — For generations, the United Arab Emirates has promoted itself as a secure destination for global commerce amid the turbulent Middle East. Now, conflict has reached this nation’s doorstep, challenging its business-friendly reputation in unprecedented ways.

The UAE, which maintains strong ties with both the United States and Israel, has endured more missile and drone strikes from Iran throughout this conflict than any other nation. These assaults — combined with Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz — have slashed the Emirates’ oil and natural gas exports by more than half. The nation’s tourism and convention industries have also taken significant hits.

Located directly across the Persian Gulf from Iran, the country has projected an image of resilience while implementing major strategic shifts. Officials recently unveiled plans for a new pipeline to decrease dependence on the strait, and the nation withdrew from the OPEC oil cartel to enable long-term increases in energy production — a move that had been considered before the war began.

Though the U.S. and Israel initiated the conflict, the UAE finds itself deeply involved. A drone strike on Sunday targeting its Barakah nuclear power plant highlights ongoing dangers — even with a fragile ceasefire in place.

Thanks to the Emirates’ substantial cash reserves, the war’s economic impact has not yet triggered widespread unemployment or a mass departure of international businesses. However, the longer this standoff continues and disrupts normal operations, the greater the threat to the reputation that has been crucial for attracting global business and investment.

Emirati leadership increasingly labels Iran’s actions as piracy and terrorism, while issuing warnings of potential military response.

The UAE “will not tolerate any threat to its security and sovereignty under any circumstances,” its Foreign Ministry declared Sunday evening. “It reserves its full, sovereign, legitimate, diplomatic, and military rights to respond to any threats, allegations or hostilities.”

The Emirates’ response to the Barakah incident remains unclear. The attack produced no radioactive contamination and has not interrupted operations at the nuclear facility located in Abu Dhabi’s remote western desert.

The UAE consists of seven autocratic sheikhdoms, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. While the Federal Supreme Council, made up of hereditary leaders from all seven emirates, serves as the top governing body, Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his family control most major decisions.

According to analysts, the ruling family has pursued increasingly assertive foreign policies in recent decades, including military involvement in Yemen’s conflict against Iranian-supported Houthi rebels. The UAE supported Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s rise to power in 2013, and faces allegations of arms shipments to factions in Sudan and Libya’s civil conflicts, which it disputes.

Sheikh Mohammed, who seldom makes public statements, offered his only brief comments about the war to state media during a March hospital visit with Iranian attack victims.

“The UAE is attractive, the UAE is beautiful, the UAE is a model. But I say to them: do not be misled by the UAE’s appearance,” the sheikh cautioned then. “The UAE has thick skin and bitter flesh; we are no easy prey.”

However, the nation has certainly experienced significant hardship.

The Strait of Hormuz blockade has severely limited the UAE’s crude oil and natural gas sales, though some tankers have successfully departed. The country can ship roughly 1.8 million barrels of crude daily via a pipeline to Fujairah, a coastal city with an oil terminal on the Gulf of Oman beyond the strait. The Emirates is accelerating construction of a second pipeline to double this capacity.

The UAE’s tourism and conference sector — representing over 12% of economic output — has suffered severe damage.

Since hostilities began February 28, more than 70 planned events in the UAE have been delayed, cancelled, or otherwise impacted, according to Northbourne Advisory, a Qatar-based communications company monitoring war effects. While the Emirati government imposed no blanket event prohibition, organizers likely altered plans due to “insurance withdrawal and liability exposure,” the firm noted.

On May 4, the national carrier Emirates announced it had restored nearly its complete flight schedule from Dubai International Airport, which has ranked as the world’s busiest for international travel for years. That same day, however, Iran launched multiple drone and missile attacks, triggering mobile phone alerts and frustrating the Emirates’ business community, which seeks a return to normalcy.

The airport appears to be constructing protective barriers around its jet fuel storage, though officials there refused to comment.

Hotels, including Dubai’s distinctive sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, have shut down for renovations as occupancy has dropped to approximately 20%. Moody’s Analytics projects that figure will decline to 10% in the June quarter, compared to 80% before the conflict.

Moody’s cautioned that occupancy levels will likely remain depressed through 2026, as travelers may stay away even after fighting ends.

In a Monday analysis, the Institute of International Finance observed: “Dubai’s openness makes it vulnerable to shocks in travel, logistics, and confidence, while Abu Dhabi’s balance sheet and energy assets give the federation the capacity to absorb the blow.”

Dubai has made particular efforts to demonstrate continued accessibility.

Over the weekend, Dubai held a condensed version of its yearly Art Dubai exhibition. The war’s proximity was evident not only because the show’s preview coincided with Iran’s seizure of a vessel near Fujairah.

One artwork featured a coin-operated black fighter aircraft decorated with pairs of black Nike sneakers.

Spanish artist Solimán López presented a piece exploring his claimed ownership of a metal-rich asteroid targeted by a NASA mission. The work examines how nations and corporations extract oil and other resources.

The conflict complicated his attendance with the artwork, he explained. “But I said I have to do my best, because I do believe that it’s the perfect context to talk about this in the region,” he stated.

Beirut artist Alfred Tarazi mentioned his grandparents survived two world wars.

“Life doesn’t stop in a world war,” he observed. “We can only counter a narrative of violence with culture.”

A violent shooting incident in El Ejido, a city in southern Spain, claimed two lives and left four people wounded during overnight hours, according to police reports released Tuesday.

Authorities have apprehended a suspect in connection with the deadly attack. A Civil Guard police spokesperson confirmed that the two fatalities were family members of the individual believed to be responsible for the shooting, though officials declined to provide additional details about the relationship.

Among those wounded in the incident, two victims are minors under the age of 18, according to El Pais newspaper.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar launched his first international diplomatic mission Tuesday with a two-day journey to Poland, marking a significant step in his campaign to restore his country’s standing within European circles.

The Hungarian leader is scheduled to meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Wednesday. Tusk successfully guided a Europe-friendly coalition into power in Poland during 2023, repairing damaged relationships with Brussels and releasing billions in previously withheld funding that had been suspended due to rule of law issues.

Magyar hopes to achieve similar success following his decisive electoral triumph over nationalist Viktor Orban in April. Tusk characterized Magyar’s victory as a defeat for authoritarian governance and evidence of Central European politics moving away from anti-European nationalism.

The relationship between Warsaw and Budapest had soured significantly as Tusk and Orban feuded over Hungary’s confrontational stance regarding Ukraine and its friendly ties with Russia.

According to a Polish government official, this visit serves primarily as a symbolic fresh start following a period of essentially halted communication, designed to restart conversations about European matters and Ukraine.

“It is very clear that they want to restore relations with Poland to a very good level,” the official added. “These are, I would say, gestures showing a return to the best traditions of strong bilateral ties.”

Magyar’s itinerary will span Poland from Krakow in the southern region to the capital Warsaw, concluding in the Baltic coastal city of Gdansk.

On Monday, Magyar announced his intention to travel by rail to Warsaw Tuesday evening using “a high-speed rail line built with EU funding – by the ‘evil Brussels’,” referencing Orban’s anti-EU rhetoric.

He explained that his choice to experience Poland’s railway system reflects his goal of eventually establishing a high-speed connection between Warsaw and Budapest.

Magyar’s delegation includes several key ministers: Foreign Minister Anita Orban, Economy and Energy Minister Istvan Kapitany, Transport and Investment Minister David Vitezy, and Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi.

“The areas of responsibility of the participating ministers naturally shape the direction of the talks,” Magyar said.

Energy cooperation will feature prominently in the discussions, as Magyar has committed to eliminating Hungary’s reliance on Russian energy sources by 2035.

“This is a priority issue for both countries, with the oil crisis being a major challenge,” Magyar said.

Warsaw intends to propose that Budapest gain access to American LNG through a new Gdansk facility scheduled to begin operations in 2028, according to a knowledgeable source. Orlen has previously supplied American LNG to Ukraine.

Polish officials indicated that discussions will also cover Ukraine support and the future structure of cooperation within the Visegrad group of central European countries.

Hungary’s administration seeks Poland’s support in negotiations to release frozen EU funding, given both nations faced comparable rule-of-law disagreements.

“The decision has not yet been taken and will clearly be political as well as procedural, which is why this backing is crucial for Budapest,” said Wojciech Przybylski of the Visegrad Insight think-tank.

Hungary’s newly elected Prime Minister Péter Magyar embarked Tuesday on his inaugural international journey to Poland, seeking insights from a longtime partner nation whose recent democratic transition offers valuable guidance for reversing years of authoritarian governance.

Magyar, leading the center-right Tisza party that toppled far-right leader Viktor Orbán and his nationalist-populist Fidesz movement in last month’s stunning electoral upset, has promised to tear down the autocratic framework his predecessor constructed over 16 years in office.

This development has sparked optimism throughout Europe and invited parallels to Poland’s 2023 electoral outcome, where Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s center-right alliance ousted the national-conservative Law and Justice party following eight years of rule.

Similar to Magyar’s approach, Tusk acted swiftly to rebuild democratic structures weakened under the former administration, focusing on judicial reform and public broadcasting while pursuing accountability for officials accused of power misuse.

Magyar’s itinerary includes a flight to Krakow in southern Poland on Tuesday, followed by rail travel to Warsaw and then to the Baltic coastal city of Gdansk.

Following his May 9 inauguration, Magyar publicly demanded the resignation or removal of numerous Orbán appointees through constitutional amendment — authority he possesses after Tisza secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

Magyar has specifically challenged Hungary’s President Tamás Sulyok, despite the position being largely ceremonial with limited constitutional authority, along with the nation’s attorney general and leaders of both constitutional and supreme courts — officials he has condemned as “Orbán’s puppets.”

Andrzej Sadecki, a researcher with the Center for Eastern Studies in Warsaw, explained to The Associated Press that Magyar’s primary obstacle remains that “some key state institutions are still in the hands of people nominated by Fidesz.”

However, unlike Poland’s situation, “the situation is much easier for Magyar because he has a constitutional majority. This makes it much easier for him to introduce deep changes,” Sadecki noted.

While Tusk assumed leadership through coalition-building in Poland’s 2023 contest, Magyar’s Tisza captured 53% of votes, achieving greater electoral support and parliamentary representation than any party in Hungary’s post-Communist era.

“It’s not just a change of government, it’s a watershed moment,” Sadecki observed.

Orbán’s administration featured an extensive media network that functioned as a devoted propaganda arm for Fidesz while attacking, undermining and harassing political adversaries.

Following his electoral triumph, Magyar condemned public broadcasting under Orbán as “a factory of lies,” announcing his administration would halt their news operations until “the conditions for objectivity are restored.”

This strategy echoes actions by Tusk’s administration, which overhauled state television’s evening programming within a month of assuming power. Poland’s new leadership justified replacing state media executives based on government ownership of public broadcasting.

The process attracted criticism from some liberal organizations, with the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights in Warsaw stating that “the manner of initiating changes in public media raises serious legal doubts.”

Nevertheless, József Péter Martin, executive director of Transparency International Hungary, argued that the extent of Hungary’s public media failures means “it should be rebuilt, and it can be done within the framework of the rule of law.”

Throughout its tenure, Poland’s Law and Justice party strengthened judicial control by placing loyalist judges in senior positions and disciplining critics through punitive measures.

The party also positioned enough sympathetic justices on the Constitutional Tribunal to obstruct unfavorable legislation through constitutional challenges. Tusk administration attempts to reverse these changes have faced repeated opposition from two consecutive Law and Justice-aligned Polish presidents.

While some progress occurred in certain areas, Poland has not fully restored judicial independence, and Magyar’s government may encounter similar obstacles.

Despite Magyar’s resignation demands, President Tamás Sulyok — an Orbán supporter whose term continues until 2029 — has signaled no intention to leave office.

Additionally, Hungary’s Constitutional Court chief, Péter Polt, widely considered a Fidesz loyalist, will serve until 2037.

Although many Hungarian judges and prosecutors perform their responsibilities properly, judicial leadership — including constitutional and supreme court heads — requires replacement to restore public confidence and neutrality, Martin of Transparency International Hungary stated.

And “not with (Magyar’s) Tisza loyalists, because then we would go from one problem to the other, but with someone who has full integrity and devotion to the Hungarian constitution and to the public interest, and not to the interest of the former autocratic regime,” Martin emphasized.

Even without completely restoring judicial independence, Polish prosecutors have launched investigations and pursued cases against former Law and Justice officials accused of exploiting their positions for political advantage.

In October, Polish prosecutors announced intentions to charge former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro with redirecting funds from a Justice Ministry program for violence victims toward personal and political purposes.

Ziobro’s prosecution stalled when he declared in January that Orbán’s Hungary had granted him asylum. Since Magyar’s electoral victory, Ziobro has relocated to the United States, with Polish officials working to secure his return.

Many of the nearly 3.4 million Hungarians who supported Tisza anticipate the new administration will pursue accountability for Orbán and his political and business associates.

Magyar has committed to establishing the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, an agency responsible for investigating and recovering public funds allegedly misappropriated during Orbán’s leadership.

According to Martin, rebuilding rule of law and judicial independence would represent “the initial and most essential step” toward ensuring prosecution of past misconduct.

Hungary’s participation in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, which Magyar has pledged to pursue, would advance this goal, he added.

“If all this is done, then I think there is a good chance that the corrupt perpetrators of the former regime, under an independent judiciary, can be held accountable,” he concluded.

SEOUL, South Korea — Two Asian leaders are making history Tuesday as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to his hometown for an unprecedented diplomatic gathering between the neighboring nations.

The meeting in Andong, a city in southeastern South Korea known for its ancient folk village recognized by UNESCO, represents the fourth encounter between Lee and Takaichi in approximately half a year. This follows their January meeting in Takaichi’s home city of Nara, marking the first occasions where sitting leaders from both countries have conducted official visits to each other’s birthplaces.

Officials from South Korea’s presidential office have indicated their hopes that Tuesday’s discussions will build stronger mutual confidence between the two leaders. Speaking to media Tuesday morning, Takaichi expressed her desire for the conversations to enhance collaboration “under the severe geopolitical conditions such as situations in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.”

The formal discussion topics will cover economic partnerships, energy collaboration, the Iran war, and advancing their bilateral relationship, which currently faces no major obstacles. Political analysts predict the session will proceed without significant friction and that positive momentum between the nations will continue.

“The two countries put more emphasis on agenda for cooperation than contentious issues,” explained Choi Eunmi, a Japan expert at the Seoul-based Asan Institute for Policy Studies. “They would now think scenes of constantly fluctuating relationship or eventually negative bilateral ties won’t be helpful to anyone now.”

While both South Korea and Japan serve as important U.S. partners with strong democratic systems, their diplomatic history has been marked by significant tensions rooted in Japan’s 35-year occupation of the Korean Peninsula that ended with World War II.

A turning point came in 2023 when the previous leaders from both nations decided to move past historical disagreements and focus on shared concerns including U.S.-China tensions, supply chain issues, and North Korea’s growing nuclear capabilities.

When Lee and Takaichi assumed their leadership roles last year, some experts expressed concern about Takaichi’s conservative security stance and expectations that Lee, known for his liberal politics, might favor closer ties with North Korea and China over relationships with the U.S. and Japan. However, both leaders have sustained their cooperative approach in remarkable ways.

In August, before Takaichi officially took office, Lee made Japan his first choice for a bilateral summit destination, becoming the first South Korean leader to do so. Their January meeting concluded with an unusual moment where both leaders played drums to popular Korean music including BTS’ “Dynamite,” an activity suggested by Takaichi, who played drums during her university years and enjoys heavy metal music.

Lee has stated that he and Takaichi both believe national leaders should conduct themselves differently than typical politicians. Many observers suggest the leaders also recognize the importance of closer cooperation given more serious global challenges than their predecessors faced, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s America-first policies and worldwide economic impacts from the Iran war.

Both countries have committed substantial investments in U.S. business ventures totaling hundreds of billions of dollars. Trump’s trade policies and his business-focused approach to security arrangements have created uncertainty about American reliability among citizens in both South Korea and Japan.

The Seoul-Tokyo relationship remains fragile and could face unexpected difficulties if leaders fail to develop strategies for sensitive historical matters including Japan’s wartime use of Koreans as forced workers and sex slaves, according to experts who note that disputes over these topics have diminished as both governments avoid public debates.

“Both countries aren’t talking about how to resolve and prevent recurrences of conflicts over those issues and we don’t know when they could occur again,” Choi said.

WASHINGTON — Following military operations in Venezuela earlier this year that resulted in President Nicolás Maduro’s detention, the United States has intensified its pressure campaign against Cuba’s communist government.

Federal prosecutors are moving forward with plans to pursue criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. Such an indictment would require grand jury approval and could significantly worsen relations with Havana.

This development occurs during a period of escalating friction between President Donald Trump’s administration and Cuban officials this year. Simultaneously, the United States maintains an unstable ceasefire in its conflict with Iran.

The following details chronicle the year’s key events between the two nations:

Following the Venezuelan operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Cuba’s government was “in a lot of trouble,” while the president renewed his push for American control of Greenland, the Danish territory.

Trump issued a stern warning to Cuban leadership as Venezuela’s close partner prepared for possible domestic upheaval following Maduro’s removal. Trump urged the Cuban government “to make a deal BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel fired back, stating, “Those who turn everything into a business, even human lives, have no moral authority to point the finger at Cuba in any way, absolutely in any way.”

Trump enacted an executive order establishing tariffs on goods from nations that sell or supply oil to Cuba, a measure that could further devastate the island’s economy.

One day prior to the Iranian conflict’s start, Trump revealed the United States was engaged in discussions with Havana and mentioned the potential for a “friendly takeover of Cuba,” without providing specifics.

Trump indicated Rubio was conducting negotiations with Cuban officials “at a very high level.”

While Trump did not elaborate on his statements, he appeared to suggest that relations with Cuba, one of Washington’s most enduring foes for generations, had reached a pivotal moment.

Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Castro’s grandson nicknamed “Raúlito,” conducted a private meeting with Rubio during a Caribbean Community summit in St. Kitts in February.

Díaz-Canel acknowledged that Cuba and the United States conducted negotiations, representing the first official confirmation from the Caribbean nation regarding widely reported discussions with the Trump administration during an energy shortage.

He explained the negotiations “were aimed at finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences between our two nations. International factors facilitated these exchanges.”

A sanctioned Russian petroleum vessel reached Cuba, marking the first fuel delivery to the island in three months.

Díaz-Canel declared he would not resign from office.

During an interview, Díaz-Canel stated he would not step down and argued the United States lacks justification for military action against the island or attempts to remove him from power.

In his appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the president warned that a Cuban invasion would be expensive and threaten regional stability.

Díaz-Canel addressed a gathering of hundreds during a commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution’s socialist declaration.

“The moment is extremely challenging and calls upon us once again, as on April 16, 1961, to be ready to confront serious threats, including military aggression. We do not want it, but it is our duty to prepare to avoid it and, if it becomes inevitable, to defeat it,” Díaz-Canel declared.

Reports surfaced that an American delegation recently conducted meetings with Cuban government representatives, signaling renewed diplomatic efforts. This represented at least the third encounter with Rodríguez Castro.

A high-ranking State Department representative met with Rodríguez Castro earlier that month, according to a department official who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.

The official declined to identify which American representatives met with Rodríguez Castro, whose grandfather reportedly maintains significant influence in Cuban governance despite lacking an official position. A second U.S. official confirmed Rubio was not among the delegation that traveled to Havana.

A Cuban representative speaking at the United Nations declared Havana would not comply with American “ultimatums” to free political prisoners during new negotiations.

In an Associated Press interview, Cuban U.N. Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán stated that domestic matters concerning detainees “are not on the negotiating table.” Prisoner releases represented a primary U.S. condition as the long-standing rivals conducted their first discussions in Cuba in ten years.

Senate Republicans blocked Democratic legislation that would have mandated Trump end the U.S. energy embargo on Cuba without Congressional authorization.

The war powers resolution vote demonstrated continued Republican support for Trump as he unilaterally exercises American military power across multiple global conflicts, including Venezuela, Iran and Cuba — among America’s nearest neighbors.

U.S. officials indicate the United States was not considering immediate military intervention against Havana despite Trump’s repeated warnings that “Cuba is next” and suggestions that American naval forces deployed in the Middle East for the Iranian conflict might return via the island.

Officials participating in initial discussions with Cuban authorities also informed the AP they remain pessimistic about the communist government accepting an offer including tens of millions in humanitarian assistance, two years of complimentary Starlink internet service for all Cubans, agricultural aid and infrastructure support.

However, they note Cuba has not definitively rejected the proposal, which includes conditions the government has historically opposed, even after the Trump administration implemented additional sanctions on Havana.

Both U.S. and Cuban officials confirmed CIA Director John Ratcliffe conducted meetings with Cuban representatives including Raúl Castro’s grandson during a significant visit to the island.

Ratcliffe met with Rodríguez Castro, Interior Minister Lázaro Álvarez Casas and Cuba’s intelligence chief, discussing intelligence collaboration, economic stability and security matters. A CIA official verified the meetings to the AP.

The Justice Department is moving to pursue an indictment against Castro, three sources familiar with the situation informed the AP.

One source indicated the potential charges relate to Castro’s suspected involvement in the 1996 downing of four aircraft operated by the Miami-based exile organization Brothers to the Rescue. Castro served as defense minister during that period.

All three sources requested anonymity because they lacked authorization to discuss an active investigation. Cuban government officials did not respond to requests for comment regarding the potential indictment, which CBS previously reported.

Taiwan’s top government official has accused China of destabilizing the region through its continuous military operations, as Beijing announced the deployment of naval forces to the Western Pacific for training exercises.

Premier Cho Jung-tai made the remarks Tuesday during a media briefing in Taipei, pointing to China’s persistent military activities as a major threat to regional stability. China considers the democratically-run island nation to be part of its territory and has increased both military and diplomatic pressure while refusing dialogue requests from President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing calls a “separatist.”

The Premier’s comments came one day before the second anniversary of Lai’s inauguration. Cho highlighted his concerns about Beijing’s military posture in the region.

“The People’s Republic of China continues to conduct military exercises of various scales and types in the Taiwan Strait region, the Indo-Pacific region, the South China Sea, and even around Japan, affecting navigational safety,” he said.

“This is the greatest source of regional unease and instability.”

Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office had not provided a response to requests for comment regarding Cho’s statements.

On the same day, China’s military announced that a naval carrier group headed by the Liaoning had been dispatched to unspecified “relevant waters” in the Western Pacific region. Chinese forces conduct operations near Taiwan on an almost daily basis.

According to a military statement, the vessels will conduct live ammunition exercises and additional training maneuvers designed to “test and enhance the realistic combat training capabilities of the forces.”

“This is a routine training organised in accordance with the annual plan, which aims to enhance the military’s capability to fulfil its missions, and is fully in compliance with international law and practice.”

The Premier restated Taiwan’s position as a “sovereign and independent country” using its official designation, the Republic of China, while renewing appeals for diplomatic engagement.

“We still hope for healthy and orderly exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and for dialogue based on equality and dignity. This has been our consistent principle.”

President Lai is scheduled to conduct a press conference Wednesday morning to commemorate his second year in office. According to his administration, the President will present his “future national vision and policy direction” during the anniversary event.

Domestically, Lai confronts significant obstacles as opposition parties control the majority of parliamentary seats, using their advantage to block government initiatives, particularly defense funding, while advancing their own legislative agenda.

Parliamentary opposition members attempted to impeach Lai on Tuesday, but the effort was unsuccessful. The vote was largely ceremonial since it required support from two-thirds of legislators, and the opposition lacks sufficient numbers to reach that threshold.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will welcome Vladimir Putin for a two-day visit this week, coming just days after Donald Trump’s high-profile trip to Beijing. The timing underscores China’s strategy to present itself as a reliable and steady force on the world stage amid global trade disputes, ongoing conflicts, and energy market disruptions.

Both China and Russia are characterizing Putin’s upcoming visit — marking his 25th trip to the country — as additional proof of their enduring partnership, despite Western nations calling on Beijing to use its influence to pressure Moscow regarding the Ukraine conflict.

China maintains it serves as a neutral mediator in the Ukraine situation, while Putin emphasizes that both nations back each other’s fundamental interests as he seeks new energy agreements with the world’s second-largest economy while facing Western sanctions.

“The Xi-Putin summit will telegraph to the world that the China-Russia strategic partnership remains the cornerstone of both countries’ foreign policies and that any attempt by the U.S. to drive a wedge between them is destined to fail,” said Ian Storey, principal fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

Putin’s arrival follows Trump’s recent visit, which produced positive imagery but yielded limited major commercial deals. Xi characterized U.S.-China relations as having “strategic stability,” contrasting with the “strategic competition” approach linked to former U.S. President Joe Biden.

Through these diplomatic meetings, China aims to bolster its reputation as a source of global stability, particularly as the U.S. faces challenges in resolving the Ukraine war and managing a separate conflict involving Iran that has affected worldwide energy supplies.

During such official visits, Beijing works to calm concerns among Western trade partners, including the U.S., regarding its growing economic and technological influence while minimizing perceived risks in these relationships.

The White House reported after Trump’s China visit that both sides reached agreement on matters that would improve “stability” for international businesses and consumers.

Meanwhile, China’s continued engagement with nations like Russia reinforces Beijing’s position that its foreign policy remains steady and uninfluenced by partner actions, regardless of Western pressure.

“It’s unrealistic to expect Xi to put pressure on Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Xi doesn’t wield that kind of influence over Putin and in any case the Chinese understand how a defeat for Russia in Ukraine would weaken Putin’s political standing,” said Storey.

“As such, Beijing will continue to provide Moscow with diplomatic cover at the U.N., economic assistance and dual-use technologies for Russia’s armed forces,” he said.

China maintains it has never supplied lethal weapons to either side in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and strictly regulates exports of dual-use materials.

“During the visit, the two heads of state will exchange views on cooperation across all areas of bilateral relations, as well as on international and regional issues of mutual concern,” Guo Jiakun, spokesperson at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told a regular news conference on Monday.

Energy cooperation remains a key focus, particularly regarding the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline that both countries agreed to develop during Putin’s September 2025 visit, though pricing terms remain unresolved.

Current energy supply disruptions related to the Iran conflict may strengthen Russia’s argument for the pipeline as a reliable long-term gas source. However, Beijing is expected to maintain its supply diversification approach by pursuing agreements with both Turkmenistan and Russia, according to a Beijing-based industry expert.

China might reach a general agreement with Russia covering annual supply amounts and terms like delivery flexibility and seasonal variations, while keeping pricing negotiations open-ended, said the source, who requested anonymity due to the topic’s sensitivity.

Pricing discussions could extend for years.

Xi announced plans in 2014 for a fourth pipeline connecting Turkmenistan’s massive Galkynysh gas field to northwest China, but the project remains incomplete due to pricing disagreements and complications involving Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, through which the pipeline would pass.

China continues as Russia’s top oil purchaser, buying both pipeline deliveries and seaborne shipments.

Despite Western sanctions targeting Russian oil exports, Chinese independent refiners maintain regular purchases, with payments processed primarily in Chinese yuan. State-owned oil refiners also recently restarted buying following a temporary U.S. sanction waiver.

Russia committed in 2025 to provide China with an extra 2.5 million metric tons of oil annually through Kazakhstan.

“In principle, we have reached a high degree of consensus regarding the taking of a serious — indeed, very substantial — step forward in our cooperation within the oil and gas sectors,” Putin told reporters on May 9.

“If we succeed in finalising them and bringing them to a conclusion during the visit, I will be very pleased.”

Early Tuesday morning brought fresh exchanges of aerial attacks between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow’s forces targeting a crucial Ukrainian port while Kyiv launched drone strikes toward the Russian capital.

Russian air strikes hit Izmail, Ukraine’s most significant port city along the Danube River, causing damage to harbor facilities in the predawn hours. This strategic location has been repeatedly targeted throughout the conflict.

Local Ukrainian authorities reported on Telegram that harbor infrastructure sustained damage during the assault. “Port infrastructure facilities in the city of Izmail were damaged,” officials stated, while noting that defense systems successfully intercepted nearly all incoming weapons. “Fortunately, there were no casualties or significant destruction.”

Images shared on social media platforms showed firefighters working to extinguish blazes at a structure with shattered windows from the attack’s impact.

In northeastern Ukraine, rescue operations continued in Kharkiv following a separate Russian drone strike. Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed via Telegram that emergency teams had pulled two individuals from debris, though one person remained potentially trapped beneath the rubble.

The conflict, which started with Russia’s 2022 invasion, continues with both nations trading accusations of strikes against military installations, civilian areas, and power facilities. Each country maintains it does not intentionally target non-combatants.

On the Russian side, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that air defense systems had intercepted four Ukrainian drones approaching the capital. He confirmed emergency response teams were deployed but offered no additional information about potential damage.

This latest drone activity follows intensive Ukrainian aerial operations against Moscow over the weekend, which prompted Russian retaliation strikes on the Ukrainian cities of Odesa and Dnipro using both missiles and drones. Those attacks damaged apartment buildings and wounded numerous civilians.

Violence also erupted in Russia’s Kursk region, which shares a border with Ukraine. Regional emergency coordination centers reported that a woman died and two others suffered injuries during a Ukrainian attack Monday evening.

Additional Russian territories faced drone threats, including the southern Rostov region and Yaroslavl, located northeast of Moscow. In Yaroslavl, where significant oil processing facilities operate, Governor Mikhail Yevrayev issued warnings to motorists traveling toward Moscow about ongoing drone attack risks.

Ukraine’s strategy appears focused on disrupting Russian energy income streams. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy posted on X during overnight hours that Russian oil processing capabilities had declined by 10% in recent months, with multiple drilling operations forced to cease production.

“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin has, of course, built a war chest – but certainly not enough to fight indefinitely,” Zelenskiy stated.

A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 6 hit the Vanuatu islands on Tuesday, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ).

The tremor occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles), GFZ reported.