Category: World News

SEOUL, South Korea — Legal authorities in South Korea have demanded a three-decade prison sentence for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday, claiming he intentionally heightened conflict with North Korea during 2024 through authorized drone missions over Pyongyang to justify implementing martial law domestically.

The ousted conservative leader faces charges of aiding an enemy nation and misusing presidential authority, part of extensive criminal allegations stemming from his brief martial law implementation in South Korea last December.

The sentencing recommendation emerged during final proceedings at Seoul Central District Court, where special prosecutor Cho Eun-suk’s investigative team argued that Yoon and senior military officials orchestrated alleged drone incursions into North Korean territory approximately two months prior to declaring martial law while characterizing liberal opposition as North Korean sympathizers and “anti-state” elements.

Defense attorneys for Yoon, who have consistently rejected these allegations, have not yet responded to the prosecution’s sentencing proposal.

Earlier this year in February, the court imposed a life sentence on Yoon after convicting him on the more severe rebellion charges. Both Yoon’s legal team and prosecutors, who had pursued capital punishment, have appealed that decision.

Cho’s prosecution team stated Friday that Yoon attempted to manufacture a conflict scenario between the two Koreas while orchestrating an authoritarian scheme to eliminate political rivals and “consolidate and prolong his authority.” Legal officials are also pursuing a 25-year sentence for former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, a close ally who assisted in organizing and deploying forces for the martial law announcement.

Pyongyang alleged that Seoul conducted three drone operations over its capital in October 2024, dropping propaganda materials. Kim initially offered an ambiguous denial, though Seoul’s Defense Ministry subsequently stated it could not verify the accuracy of these accusations. Korean Peninsula tensions escalated significantly during this period.

Yoon moved forward with his midnight martial law proclamation on December 3, 2024, broadcasting a televised statement condemning liberals on multiple fronts, particularly regarding their impeachment efforts against his administration officials and reductions to his government’s budget proposal.

The emergency order remained active for approximately six hours until sufficient legislators penetrated a barrier of heavily armed military personnel and law enforcement that Yoon had stationed at the National Assembly. Lawmakers subsequently voted to reverse the declaration, compelling his Cabinet to rescind the directive.

Legislative action suspended Yoon from his position on December 14, 2024, following impeachment by the liberal-controlled parliament, with the Constitutional Court officially removing him in April 2025. Authorities arrested him in July of that year, and he has faced multiple criminal proceedings since then.

Despite its brief duration, Yoon’s martial law order plunged the nation into significant political upheaval, disrupting governmental operations and international relations while destabilizing financial markets. The crisis subsided only after his liberal opponent Lee Jae Myung secured victory in an emergency presidential election last June.

Following his inauguration, Lee endorsed legislation establishing independent inquiries into Yoon’s martial law actions and additional criminal matters involving the former president, his spouse, and their associates.

BANGKOK — During a diplomatic meeting in Bangkok on Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reached an agreement to boost their nations’ strategic alliance and broaden cooperative efforts.

According to Thai government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek, both leaders committed to enhancing joint efforts against international criminal activities and online fraud schemes, among other collaborative initiatives.

The spokesperson noted that Anutin expressed gratitude to China for its ongoing support of Thailand, while Wang offered congratulations to Anutin for maintaining his position following recent elections and voiced optimism about the future of Thailand-China diplomatic relations.

The meeting took place at Government House in Bangkok, where Anutin welcomed Wang with a handshake and photo opportunity before their formal discussions began.

Earlier in the day, Wang also held talks with Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, according to government officials.

Wang’s arrival in Thailand occurred Thursday, marking the start of a three-day diplomatic mission that followed his meetings with Cambodian government officials focused on strengthening political and security cooperation between their nations.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced that Myanmar will be Wang’s next destination on his regional tour.

Thailand and China share significant economic ties, with China serving as Thailand’s largest trading partner. The two nations marked the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship last year, and Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn made history in November with the first visit to China by a sitting Thai monarch.

Investment from Chinese companies in Thailand has grown substantially in recent years, driven largely by firms relocating production facilities to Southeast Asia to circumvent U.S. trade tariffs.

Myanmar’s president Min Aung Hlaing announced emergency measures Friday placing 60 districts under direct military authority for 90 days, escalating government control in regions where armed conflict continues following the nation’s transition from junta rule.

The emergency declarations affect districts spanning Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Shan and Rakhine States, along with portions of Saging, Magway and Mandalay regions. These same areas have faced military restrictions and nighttime curfews since the armed forces seized power in 2021.

State media reported the government justified the 90-day emergency period as necessary to “end armed terrorism” and restore “the rule of law” in the affected territories.

Under the new orders, Myanmar’s military commander Ye Win Oo will assume complete executive and judicial control over the designated areas, according to an announcement in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar publication.

The emergency measures represent Min Aung Hlaing’s most significant effort to strengthen authority over battle-scarred regions since taking the presidency in early April, following controversial elections that brought a military-aligned party to power.

The Southeast Asian nation descended into widespread violence after military forces removed the democratically elected administration of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, triggering mass demonstrations that evolved into organized armed opposition to military rule.

After seizing control in 2021, Min Aung Hlaing’s military government declared nationwide emergency rule, repeatedly extending it until organizing December and January elections that international observers condemned as illegitimate.

MANILA – The Philippines called on Myanmar Friday to expand its prisoner releases to include more political detainees, specifically mentioning former leader Aung San Suu Kyi who was removed from power in a military coup.

As the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines issued a statement on April 24 praising Myanmar’s recent amnesty actions while pushing for additional releases to help foster nationwide political discussions.

“We reaffirm our commitment to assisting Myanmar, as an integral part of ASEAN, to achieve a peaceful and durable solution to the political crisis in the country,” the Philippines stated in the official ASEAN chair’s declaration.

The Filipino government characterized the recent prisoner amnesty as a constructive move toward creating opportunities for broader political engagement across Myanmar’s divided society.

ŠIAULIAI AIR BASE, Lithuania — French fighter pilots rushed to their aircraft with well-rehearsed precision when the NATO alert sounded, already dressed in flight gear to cut down response time.

The aviators raced in vehicles to aircraft shelters where their combat-ready Rafale fighters waited, climbed into their seats and started the engines, which roared and shrieked to life.

Just minutes after departing from Lithuania’s Šiauliai Air Base, they were flying above the Baltic Sea, first encountering a Russian Il-20 spy plane and then following high-speed Russian bombers with their fighter protection that came close to several NATO nations’ airspace.

During wartime, such encounters could rapidly escalate. However, at present, with Russia and the Western military bloc in disagreement about Ukraine but not engaged in direct combat, aviators from both nations simply observed and recorded each other — maintaining separation like cautious predators with weapons ready but unused, their armaments clearly visible yet not fired.

Part of this strategic display — occurring in airborne choreography that happens beyond public view hundreds of times annually — aims to prevent the tension between NATO and Moscow regarding Russia’s comprehensive assault on Ukraine from escalating to direct military confrontation.

Military leaders and aviators conducting NATO air defense operations along the eastern border of the 32-member alliance state their objective is deterrence rather than aggression. They consider their deployment comforting to the Baltic nations — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — which share borders with Russia and its partner Belarus but lack their own air forces to repel potential Russian aggression.

“It’s a game of cat and mouse, or rather cat and cat,” said Lt. Col. Alexandre, commander of a French air force wing of four Rafales that is sharing the Lithuanian base with another fighter detachment from Romania. Citing security concerns, the French military withheld the commander’s surname.

“We watch each other, scrutinize each other and try to make sure that it doesn’t go any further,” he said.

Member nations rotate responsibility for monitoring Baltic airspace continuously, twenty-four hours daily throughout the week. The French took over the facility that currently houses their temporary command center from a Spanish unit. They will transfer it to Italian successors in August. Each rotating team adds commemorative patches and insignia to a display wall documenting their service.

NATO launches interceptor aircraft to verify identity and potentially take additional measures when Russian planes operate in Baltic airspace with disabled identification equipment and without submitting flight plans or maintaining radio contact with aviation authorities.

“There are plenty of times in which, on purpose or not, they’re not really respecting the ICAO — the International Civil Aviation Organization — rules, regarding flight plans and behavior,” said Col. Mihaita Marin, commanding the Romanian detachment of six F-16s.

“So obviously we are forced to take off and just make sure that they are who they say they are and their intention is peaceful,” he said.

Spring’s arrival, bringing improved weather for aviation operations, has kept French and Romanian pilots occupied since beginning their four-month NATO assignments in early April.

Marin said interceptions “are getting close to daily” and “that will definitely increase as the weather is getting better.”

French flight crews — observed by an Associated Press reporter covering activities at the base — experienced their most active day yet on Monday.

Launched under NATO direction, French Rafales encountered and monitored two Russian Tu-22M3 bombers carrying high-speed, anti-vessel missiles beneath their fuselages that Russia has also deployed in Ukraine, converting them for ground strikes, and which can be fitted with nuclear warheads.

The strategic bombers’ flight lasting more than four hours from a base near St. Petersburg, accompanied by Su-30 and Su-35 fighters, stayed in international airspace but passed the coastlines of NATO members Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, turning around when they neared Denmark.

The French unit reported the Russian aircraft operated without active transponders, filed flight plans or radio communication. Fighter aircraft from Sweden, Finland, Poland, Denmark and Romania also launched to maintain surveillance, according to French sources. NATO didn’t respond to requests for comment.

French commander Lt. Col. Alexandre said the reasoning behind Russian pilots’ actions that could threaten other Baltic airspace users remains unclear.

“We don’t know if it’s lack of professionalism or just a means for them to test us,” he said.

“But what is sure is that we need to go every time,” he added. “We cannot say, ‘OK, that’s usual, this time we will just let them pass.’”

Japan’s Finance Minister announced Friday that the country will establish a specialized cybersecurity team to protect its banking sector from emerging threats related to artificial intelligence technology.

Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama revealed the plan during a high-level meeting that included representatives from Japan’s Financial Services Agency, central bank, cybersecurity officials, the nation’s three largest banks, and the Japan Exchange Group.

“I told the meeting that this is a crisis that is already at hand, and similar concerns were also voiced by the financial industry,” Katayama stated to news media.

The urgency stems from revelations about Anthropic’s new Mythos AI system, which during testing reportedly discovered “thousands” of significant security weaknesses across all major computer operating systems and internet browsers. This discovery has sparked widespread alarm about existing cybersecurity protections.

Security specialists are particularly concerned because the AI technology can locate and take advantage of unknown security gaps more quickly than organizations can patch them. This speed advantage could dramatically increase cyber threats against banking institutions, which depend on complex, interconnected computer networks that often include older technology systems.

Banking regulators across Asia, Europe, and the United States have already issued advisories urging financial institutions to strengthen their security measures and emergency response plans. However, no actual security breaches connected to this AI model have been documented so far.

Minister Katayama emphasized that the financial sector’s highly connected nature and round-the-clock operations create unique vulnerabilities where problems can escalate more rapidly than in other industries.

“Because of this, a cyberattack can immediately spill over into market disruptions and undermine confidence,” she explained.

NEW DELHI – India’s government has strongly criticized President Donald Trump after he shared a radio show transcript containing derogatory comments about the country in relation to immigration policy.

The controversy stems from remarks made by conservative radio host Michael Savage during his program “The Savage Nation.” Trump posted the show’s transcript on his Truth Social platform Thursday without adding his own commentary.

In the radio segment, Savage discussed birthright citizenship, stating: “A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring the entire family in from China or India or some other hellhole on the planet.”

Savage also claimed: “That there’s almost no loyalty to this country amongst the immigrant class coming in today, which was not always the case. No, they’re not like the European Americans of today and their ancestors.”

India’s foreign ministry responded swiftly to the shared comments late Thursday evening.

“The remarks are obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s foreign ministry.

“They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests,” Jaiswal added.

The U.S. embassy in New Delhi attempted to address the diplomatic tension, stating: “The president has said ‘India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top’.”

India’s primary opposition party, Congress, denounced the language as “extremely insulting and anti-India. It hurts every Indian.”

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take up this matter with the U.S. President and register a strong objection,” the party posted on social media platform X.

The comments come as Trump has issued directives aimed at limiting birthright citizenship in America, policies currently being contested before the U.S. Supreme Court. The president made an unprecedented appearance at a court hearing on the matter earlier this month.

According to Indian government statistics, approximately 5.5 million people of Indian heritage reside in the United States. Indian Americans and Chinese Americans represent the largest Asian-origin populations in the country.

The diplomatic relationship between Trump and Modi was notably positive during Trump’s previous presidency, though tensions emerged last year when India faced some of the steepest U.S. tariffs imposed on any nation. Many of those trade barriers have since been reduced, and both countries are currently negotiating a comprehensive trade agreement designed to prevent future tariff escalations while expanding bilateral commerce.

China’s foreign ministry has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the radio host’s remarks.

South Korea’s leading national security official dismissed concerns Thursday that the country’s crucial partnership with the United States faces a crisis, though he admitted recent disagreements need delicate handling.

Speaking to reporters, Wi Sung-lac acknowledged that diplomatic security discussions with Washington have encountered obstacles due to complications involving Coupang Inc, an e-commerce company traded on US markets. However, he emphasized that partnership matters should remain separate from legal proceedings.

The South Korean government has pushed for security agreement discussions with America to continue independently from investigations into Coupang’s data breach incident. Earlier media coverage suggested Washington had threatened to suspend negotiations unless legal protections were guaranteed for Coupang’s leader, Kim Bom.

“It is true that it is affecting South Korea-U.S. security consultations,” Wi stated during his visit to Hanoi, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. He explained Seoul’s stance that legal processes should proceed while security discussions move ahead on a separate track.

While confirming that security negotiations have experienced delays, Wi stressed through Yonhap that Seoul wants discussions to restart immediately.

“The South Korea-U.S. relationship is an alliance and a very close relationship, so various issues arise,” Wi explained.

“There can be differing views, and that is why they need to be carefully coordinated.”

Wi rejected suggestions that current difficulties stem from mounting problems within the partnership, calling such interpretations excessive.

“An alliance is a very close relationship, but like a garden, it must be carefully managed,” he told JoongAng Ilbo newspaper. “We are in that kind of process now.”

Addressing another contentious issue, Wi defended Unification Minister Chung Dong-young against allegations of revealing classified American intelligence when discussing North Korea’s suspected nuclear facility at Kusong, according to Newsis news agency.

Wi explained that while Washington apparently believed shared intelligence had been compromised, Seoul maintains a different position. Though information about the Kusong site represents classified material between both nations, Chung insisted he never received briefings on such sensitive data and instead used publicly available information – a position Seoul supports.

The US embassy has not yet provided comment on these developments.

Ukrainian authorities reported Friday that a Russian drone assault during overnight hours claimed the lives of an elderly husband and wife in the port city of Odesa, while injuring more than a dozen additional residents.

Emergency response teams described how the bombardment demolished two residential buildings with two floors each and struck another similar structure where the fatalities occurred. The assault also damaged apartment units within a three-floor building, sparking a blaze, according to emergency officials.

“A married couple, both aged 75, were killed in a night-time attack,” Serhiy Lysak, the head of the local military administration, said on Telegram.

While Lysak reported that 15 individuals sustained injuries during the bombardment, emergency response officials counted 14 wounded persons.

Medical facilities provided treatment for eight of the injured victims, Lysak noted.

Images shared by Lysak displayed one structure consumed by flames and another building showing significant structural damage with a large opening torn through its exterior wall, along with rescue personnel conducting operations inside the damaged areas.

CHERNOBYL, Ukraine (AP) — They came to tackle history’s most devastating nuclear disaster.

After the catastrophic explosion and blaze at the Chernobyl nuclear facility on April 26, 1986, military personnel, emergency responders, construction specialists, mining experts and healthcare workers were called from throughout the Soviet Union. These individuals became known as “liquidators” — a grim Soviet designation for personnel tasked with resolving critical emergencies.

Across a four-year period, 600,000 individuals participated in the hazardous remediation effort. Aircraft circled overhead the exposed radioactive reactor core, releasing sand and additional substances to extinguish the flames. Personnel removed radioactive particles from structures and streets, disposed of contaminated equipment, eliminated forests and even tracked wildlife to prevent radiation dispersal.

Most possessed minimal understanding of the hazards they encountered.

A delegation of these workers residing in Ukraine’s Poltava region made a journey before the disaster’s 40th commemoration for a single-day visit to Chernobyl, spelled “Chornobyl” in their native tongue.

They discussed their unwavering commitment to service, the losses they experienced, and a disaster that continues to affect Ukraine.

Prylipko arrived nine days following the explosion and operated a firefighting vehicle for one month, completing two-hour rotations to minimize radiation contact. He was initially unaware of the dangers but experienced a severe health emergency in 1990 and remained unable to work for twelve months.

Visiting for the first time since his assignment, he found the terrain confusing, with communities eliminated and the reactor encased in protective barriers.

“Back then, the whole place was packed: machinery, helicopters, they were everywhere,” he said. “The road to Kyiv was so crowded you couldn’t pass anyone.”

During summer 1986, Anatolii Krutik was assigned with an army unit to establish barriers around contaminated regions and create “exclusion zones.” He initially traveled to communities in present-day Belarus, which also experienced significant radioactive contamination, before proceeding to Chernobyl to sanitize areas surrounding operational reactors.

During that period, he explained, fear was largely absent.

“No one really thought about it. We didn’t know what it was — this invisible enemy,” he said, adding his comrades saw it simply as their duty after being mobilized.

However, safety measures were virtually nonexistent, Krutik explained, with personnel wearing their arrival clothing and departing in identical garments, without any decontamination protocols.

Vechirko was also dispatched to Chernobyl during summer 1986 to remove contaminated soil, sanitize structures and secure the remaining operational reactors at the location. He has experienced illness throughout much of his life, which he connects to his disaster site work, including persistent vertigo, fatigue and regular discomfort. Due to his declining health, he explained, he lost contact with former colleagues.

“Being back here now, the emotions are overwhelming,” he said. “It’s incredibly sad to compare what this place was to what it is now.”

Between May and September 1986, Harbyz, a medical professional and dental specialist, provided patient care while his unit conducted decontamination operations. He also served in Belarus, which exposed him to the human toll of the catastrophe.

Returning for the first time in decades, he remembered colleagues who have died and the connections established among survivors.

“This 40th anniversary represents both a deep tragedy and a vital chance to reunite with my brothers-in-arms,” he said. “So many of our colleagues have passed away over the years, but those of us remaining hold on. Being back here for the first time in 40 years is overwhelming. I feel a deep sense of pain, and it brings tears to my eyes. It is good that we can meet like this.”

Emergency responder Mykola Chudak worked for six months starting in November 1986, operating within 10 kilometers (6 miles) of the facility.

He emphasized not his personal contributions but the initial emergency personnel who responded immediately, stating they averted a much larger disaster, frequently sacrificing their lives. His assignment was prolonged due to insufficient replacements, and years afterward he was compelled into early retirement because of disability.

For him, Chernobyl holds both individual and patriotic importance.

“Ukraine must always be grateful to the heroes of Chernobyl,” he said. “Being back here, my first feeling is one of immense gratitude for the sacrifice made by my comrades. In many ways, the independence of Ukraine was born on April 26, 1986, in Chernobyl. Without their heroism, an independent Ukraine might not even exist today.”

Lebedynets worked in the armed forces from 1986 to 1991, constructing barriers in contaminated zones. He experienced chronic headaches for the remainder of his life. During his return visit, he paused at Pripyat, the adjacent city for Chernobyl’s employees that has remained vacant since the incident.

“It’s heartbreaking to see Pripyat now,” he said. “I remember those houses when they were full of life, and now everything is overgrown and in ruins. It was such a beautiful city.”

He made connections with Ukraine’s current Russian conflict. “Today’s war is different: You see bullets flying and shells exploding,” he said. “Back then, the enemy was invisible. It tore you up from the inside and shattered your health.”

Tolumnyi explained his firefighting experience from 1987 to 1988 influenced his life and remains fundamental to who he is. He participated in decontaminating structures and machinery in Pripyat. Upon his return, he described experiencing both anguish and appreciation.

For him, Chernobyl’s importance extends beyond the immediate context.

“Those who do not remember the past have no future. I am confident in our country — we have a future because people remember the past,” he said. “The memories are flooding back, but this is our history, and you can’t simply erase it. On the other hand, I also feel a sense of gratitude that I was able to see this place again in my lifetime.”

Buriak worked in a specialized Interior Ministry division in 1988, monitoring Pripyat and surrounding areas to prevent theft. His responsibilities included protecting vacant buildings.

He explained his return journey reconnected him with the sense of responsibility he experienced, while numerous liquidators continue seeking acknowledgment.

“Returning here after 40 years is a massive adrenaline rush for me. It brings back so many memories of my youth and what life was like during those times,” he said. “It was important for me to come back to remember those years and to show my son where I fulfilled my duty to my country.”

In 1989, Taranenko worked as a security specialist, protecting facilities and vacant residences. Assignments were brief due to radiation exposure, and commands were executed without questioning. He has visited multiple times since, despite the sorrow that comes with each trip.

“Back then, that was just how it was: If you were needed, you went,” he said.

He explained he continues receiving treatment for health issues at a veterans medical facility in Poltava and maintains his physical fitness.

“We are military people — once a soldier, always a soldier. That’s how I live my life. You have to hold yourself together,” he said. “You can’t just give up.”

Hluhovstov was deployed to Ukraine and Belarus, where extensive areas required barriers due to soil radiation and abandoned structures.

With grim humor, he laughs about his numerous health conditions. “As my wife says, I have a whole bouquet of ailments,” he says.

Following weeks of hospitalization this year, he recovered and expressed hope to witness Ukraine repel the Russian attack.

“The doctors didn’t know what to do with me, but thank God I survived,” he said. “Now I just hope to live long enough to see the end of this war — long enough to see victory.”

During the week of April 17-23, 2026, significant violent incidents occurred across Latin America that captured international attention.

In El Salvador, suspected gang members underwent judicial proceedings at the nation’s high-security Terrorist Confinement Center, known as CECOT, located in Tecoluca. The facility has become central to the country’s ongoing crackdown on gang violence.

Meanwhile, tragedy struck at one of Mexico’s most famous archaeological sites when an armed individual opened fire on visitors from atop the ancient Teotihuacan pyramids. The attack resulted in the death of a Canadian tourist, while several other people sustained injuries during the incident.

These events were documented in a photo collection assembled by photographer Dolores Ochoa, who operates from Quito, Ecuador.

Zoo Atlanta is preparing to welcome giant pandas once again as China moves forward with its signature diplomatic outreach program.

Beijing revealed Friday its decision to dispatch two giant pandas to the Georgia zoo, marking another chapter in the country’s panda diplomacy initiative amid strained U.S.-China relations. The announcement comes just weeks before President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to China in mid-May.

According to the China Wildlife Conservation Association, the male panda Ping Ping and female panda Fu Shuang will travel from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to begin a 10-year conservation partnership established through an agreement signed with the zoo last year.

While officials haven’t revealed when the pandas will depart China, the conservation association noted that American officials are actively working on facility improvements and other preparations to ensure the animals have optimal living conditions. Chinese specialists are providing technical assistance for these upgrades.

The timing coincides with Trump’s upcoming diplomatic trip to Beijing, where he plans to address various matters including trade relations with President Xi Jinping.

Zoo Atlanta expressed enthusiasm about the partnership in a Thursday statement, saying officials were thrilled to serve as caretakers for the pandas and collaborate with the Chinese association.

“We can’t wait to meet Ping Ping and Fu Shuang and to welcome our members, guests, city, and community back to the wonder and joy of giant pandas,” zoo president Raymond B. King stated.

The new arrangement follows a previous panda partnership between the zoo and China that ended in 2024. During that collaboration, pandas Lun Lun and Yang Yang produced seven cubs. Lun Lun, Yang Yang, and their two youngest babies returned to China in October 2024, joining their other offspring who already lived there.

Beijing’s giant panda lending program has historically served as an instrument of the nation’s diplomatic strategy, though conservation goals may be driving the renewed cooperation with American zoos despite current political friction.

The conservation association emphasized Friday that this new collaboration will advance joint achievements in multiple areas, from disease prevention and medical care to scientific knowledge sharing.

These beloved bears have represented U.S.-China friendship since 1972, when Beijing presented a panda pair to Washington’s National Zoo as a gift.

Both the National Zoo in Washington and San Diego Zoo welcomed pandas from China in 2024 as well.

Prosecutors in South Korea are demanding a 30-year prison sentence for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to Yonhap news agency reports from Friday. The charges center on accusations that he directed a drone mission over Pyongyang as part of a scheme to justify his martial law declaration in December 2024.

The Seoul Central District Court will issue its verdict at a future date yet to be announced.

This criminal case represents just one of eight legal proceedings currently facing Yoon, who was removed from office last year after his shocking martial law announcement that stunned a nation widely regarded as among Asia’s strongest democracies.

According to prosecutors, the drone mission escalated tensions between the two Koreas militarily, and when one of the aircraft went down, it created the possibility that classified military intelligence about the operation and South Korean defense capabilities could be compromised.

Through his legal team, Yoon has rejected all accusations, maintaining that he never engaged in any conduct that might have sparked armed conflict with North Korea.

The former leader faced indictment in November on multiple charges, including providing assistance to an enemy nation – a charge that can be applied even without direct collaboration if South Korea’s military security is compromised or if an opponent receives aid.

In an unprecedented legal proceeding, 486 suspected gang members are facing trial simultaneously in El Salvador, with defendants watching court hearings on large screens from inside maximum-security facilities where they remain restrained with handcuffs and leg shackles.

The historic mass trial represents the largest of its kind under President Nayib Bukele’s aggressive anti-gang campaign. Since implementing emergency powers in April 2022, Bukele has suspended constitutional protections and authorized the detention of more than 91,000 individuals, mostly suspected members of MS-13 and Barrio 18 criminal organizations.

El Salvador became the only Latin American nation to permit mass trials after Bukele’s New Ideas party enacted legislation allowing such proceedings. The current defendants are housed across five different correctional facilities, including the high-security CECOT prison that opened in 2023 as a cornerstone of the president’s zero-tolerance approach.

At CECOT, inmates wear white uniforms and have shaved heads, with some displaying tattoos associated with MS-13. Armed security personnel maintain constant surveillance of the facility.

Legal authorities have charged the alleged gang members with involvement in more than 47,000 criminal acts spanning from 2012 to 2022, encompassing extortion schemes, weapons trafficking, and murder.

However, the mass trial defendants face charges solely for gang association and will receive sentences based on membership rather than specific crimes, according to Ana Maria Mendez, Central America director for the Washington Office on Latin America. Following standard practice for El Salvador’s criminal courts, the proceedings remain closed to public observation.

“There is no way to see and verify that the information the prosecutors present is true. Secrecy is now the norm in El Salvador,” Mendez stated.

Given the volume of detained individuals and extended pre-trial periods, mass trials will likely become standard practice in El Salvador, she predicted.

Salvadoran defense attorney Roxana Cardona criticized the process, saying “Mass trials are just formalities. They violate the right to defense, which allows lawyers to sit down with their accused clients and build a defense strategy. In mass trials, that is completely lost.”

Neither a Bukele representative nor the attorney general’s office responded to requests for comment.

Bukele has justified mass trials as essential tools in combating gangs that previously controlled large portions of the nation. His hardline crime policies have earned widespread approval from Salvadorans, establishing him as one of Latin America’s most popular political leaders.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights issued fresh concerns Tuesday regarding rights violations during El Salvador’s emergency period and urged authorities to discontinue using emergency measures for crime fighting.

Government officials attribute the gang crackdown conducted under emergency authority to reducing last year’s homicide rate to 1.3 per 100,000 residents, down from 7.8 in 2022.

Libya’s efforts to achieve political unity continue to face significant obstacles, the United Nations’ leading representative for the North African nation told the Security Council during Wednesday’s session. Hanna Tetteh, who serves as the UN secretary-general’s special representative for Libya and leads the UN Support Mission in Libya, expressed concern that the political blueprint she introduced in August 2025 has failed to generate the momentum necessary for restoring democratic governance and establishing unified state structures.

During her address to council members, Tetteh acknowledged the lack of advancement on her proposed plan. “We are not where we would like to be in terms of progress on the roadmap,” she stated. The UN envoy criticized certain Libyan leaders for disregarding public demands and permitting “parallel structures” to develop beyond existing agreements, which she said undermines UN efforts to reunite the nation. “Allowing status quo actors to evade their responsibilities will only undermine efforts to preserve Libya’s unity and wealth and delay the path to sustained peace, stability, and development,” Tetteh explained.

The UN representative called on Security Council members to leverage their influence in pushing Libyan leadership toward finding common ground, cautioning that ongoing political stagnation only serves to deepen the current division rather than resolve it. Tetteh’s comprehensive strategy includes three key components: establishing an electoral system for both presidential and parliamentary elections, creating a unified administration, and facilitating extensive dialogue that includes Libyans from all regions of the country.

The North African nation has experienced division for several years, with competing institutions operating in eastern and western regions. A scheduled national election in December 2021 fell apart due to disagreements over candidate eligibility and voting procedures. Since the breakdown of the UN-supported transition process that was designed to unite the country following the 2020 ceasefire agreement, Libya has operated under rival governments.

One encouraging development occurred recently when Libya’s competing legislative assemblies gave approval to the nation’s first consolidated state budget in over ten years, representing what many view as progress toward financial unity. However, Tetteh emphasized that while this budget approval is positive, it doesn’t address the fundamental issue of democratic representation, and Libya’s political impasse remains far from resolved.

Two Israeli Air Force mechanics who serviced F-15 fighter aircraft are facing espionage charges for allegedly working with Iranian intelligence during the ongoing conflict, according to a KAN news report.

The suspects, named as Asaf Shitrit and Sagi Haik, will face severe criminal charges including assisting enemy forces during wartime. Prosecutors are considering upgrading one defendant’s charges to treason. Court documents are expected to be filed at the Central District Court in Lod.

Haik, a 19-year-old from Ness Ziona, was taken into custody last month following an investigation that revealed months of communication with an Iranian operative. Investigators found that he “agreed to undergo training in one of the Arab countries and was even asked to recruit additional individuals to carry out tasks under their direction.” Despite his family receiving direct threats from the same operative, authorities say he maintained the contact.

According to investigators, Haik drew Shitrit, a 21-year-old from Beit Oved, into at least one operation for the foreign operative, resulting in his arrest as well.

The charges allege that both men were assigned to gather information about former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. They are also accused of transmitting classified materials including aircraft engine blueprints and photographs revealing a flight instructor’s identity.

Eight other military personnel are under investigation for allegedly having knowledge of the activities without reporting them. The base commander conducted a security briefing for all staff following the incident and confirmed he was questioned by Israel’s Security Agency, Shin Bet.

Police and Shin Bet officials stated the defendants “acted on behalf of Iranian intelligence agents, and one of them even intended to travel for training in one of the Arab countries.”

An individual hurled red liquid at Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi following a press conference in Berlin, Germany, in what authorities believe was a protest related to U.S. and Israeli military actions involving Iran.

The liquid, believed to be tomato juice, splattered across Pahlavi’s jacket and neck area before security personnel rushed the 65-year-old into a waiting car. German police apprehended an unidentified individual in connection with the attack.

The incident happened moments after Pahlavi concluded his media briefing at Germany’s federal press conference facility, where he had delivered sharp criticism of what he called “appeasement” policies and appealed to European nations to support efforts to topple Iran’s government. During his remarks, he characterized the global situation as a decision between “a dying regime that endangers us all and a free Iran.”

The crown prince’s comments occurred amid ongoing diplomatic deadlock between Washington and Tehran. Earlier this week, President Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.

During Thursday’s Berlin briefing, Pahlavi warned against negotiating with Iran’s leadership. “If you think you can make peace with this regime, you are sorely mistaken,” he declared. “There will never be stability, even if a watered-down version of this system survives.”

The crown prince argued that Iran’s government contains no authentic reform-minded leaders, characterizing current officials as “different faces of a regime.” He referenced alleged executions of political dissidents and questioned whether the “free world will do something or watch the slaughter in silence?”

Pahlavi further stated that “the regime has never been as fragile as it is now,” comparing it to “a wounded beast.”

Political observers have identified Pahlavi as a possible successor leader should Iran’s current government fall from power.

Meanwhile, ongoing disputes continue in the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping channel that handles approximately 20% of global oil and gas transport. Washington has demanded Iran cease interfering with the waterway, while Tehran has requested an end to American naval operations in the region.

Syria’s new leadership has launched operations against Hezbollah-connected groups, charging them with orchestrating planned attacks both within Syria and beyond its borders – a dramatic departure from the partnership that sustained Bashar Assad throughout the civil war.

The charges, detailed in multiple security announcements, represent far more than routine security matters. They highlight fundamental questions about Damascus’s evolving relationship with the organization that served as Assad’s crucial partner until the regime’s December 8, 2024 collapse and Assad’s escape to Moscow.

Syria’s current leadership, which took power after Assad’s downfall, reports that recent operations in Damascus and surrounding areas resulted in multiple arrests and the confiscation of weapons and explosives. Officials claim they prevented schemes involving rocket attacks, drone operations, and planned killings.

Government sources indicate some detained groups received overseas training and maintained connections to larger organizational networks, pointing to foreign backing or coordination. However, these assertions cannot be independently confirmed due to continued media access limitations throughout Syria.

Security forces announced on February 1, 2026, the capture of a group allegedly responsible for attacks near Damascus’s Mezzeh Airport. Subsequently, on April 11, authorities detained five individuals after reportedly stopping an attempt to place explosives near a religious location in the capital. Intelligence suggested these suspects underwent foreign training for assassination operations. Between April 18-19, the Interior Ministry revealed dismantling another five-member cell with reported Hezbollah ties, accused of planning cross-border rocket strikes to destabilize conditions.

Officials have disclosed at least three primary cells within a three-month period. Government statements indicate their planned operations spanned domestic assassinations and bombing plots to international rocket attacks. Syrian authorities characterize this as evidence of coordinated activities extending from local operations to wider regional objectives.

These developments carry particular significance due to both the nature of accusations and the targeted organization’s identity. Hezbollah played a central role supporting Syria’s previous government during wartime, engaging in critical battles that helped tip the power balance toward Assad’s administration. This background of extensive military partnership makes current allegations – viewed in complete context – potentially indicative of fundamental changes in relationships established over the previous decade.

Hezbollah has completely rejected the accusations, calling them false without offering additional details. This concise rejection follows the organization’s typical pattern for such situations, as it generally avoids public media confrontations, particularly when field intelligence remains uncertain. Nevertheless, the lack of detailed responses creates space for conjecture, considering the delicate nature of its Damascus relationship.

Syrian political analyst Mustafa al-Naimi explained to The Media Line that current events cannot be interpreted simply as security operations, but rather as “an indicator of a sovereignty struggle within the Syrian state itself.” He stated that “the past years witnessed the emergence of something resembling multiple centers of power within Syria, where forces such as Hezbollah operated within semi-independent security and military networks.”

Al-Naimi continued that “if the current authorities are moving against these networks, this means they are attempting to restore the legitimate monopoly over sovereignty—a profound structural shift, not merely a transient political tension,” observing that “any confrontation in this context will not be only with Hezbollah, but with the entire model of influence that took root during the war.”

Regionally, these events prove difficult to separate from the broader network of relationships involving players like Iran and Israel. Iran, regarded as the primary backer of both Damascus and Hezbollah, considers the group’s Syrian presence part of its regional approach. Israel, conversely, views that presence as a direct danger and has escalated strikes against associated targets on Syrian soil in recent years. In this context, Syrian accusations might be interpreted as elements of broader repositioning, whether in bilateral ties or within more intricate regional dynamics.

Syrian researcher Shifa Sultan told The Media Line that “the issue goes beyond a dysfunction in the bilateral relationship between Damascus and Hezbollah, extending into the core of Iran’s axis itself.” She observed that “Hezbollah has not been merely a local actor, but part of an interconnected regional structure. Therefore, any friction between it and Syrian authorities may reflect a redistribution of roles within this axis, or even differences in priorities between Tehran and its allies.”

Lebanese political analyst Omar Salloum provides analysis emphasizing internal factors. He observes that “any new or reconfigured authority in Syria will face the dilemma of redefining its relationship with the forces that contributed to prolonging the previous government.” He added that “Hezbollah, having been an ally of the former Syrian regime, is now perceived more like an adversary, as millions of Syrians believe it was deeply involved in bloodshed and contributed to the fall of cities in favor of Assad’s regime at the expense of the opposition that now controls the country. Therefore, Syria is moving toward eliminating any Hezbollah ambitions within its territory.”

However, the complete situation remains unclear. The absence of independent confirmation, competing accounts, and challenges accessing reliable field data all complicate efforts to reach definitive conclusions about current events’ nature. Nonetheless, Damascus directing such charges at Hezbollah represents a significant development itself and, if its complete scope is validated, may signal the start of a new era in Syrian relations – and possibly in broader regional equilibrium as well.

Present developments seem to extend beyond temporary security campaigns, addressing deeper issues about Syria’s governmental structure in its new phase, sovereignty boundaries, and relationships with non-state entities that held decisive influence during war years. While some assessments emphasize internal aspects related to authority reconstruction, others highlight connections between this process and wider regional considerations, especially within Iran’s influence network. In this context, the break between Damascus under current leadership and Hezbollah may indicate early signs of the approaching period’s characteristics – not only within Syria, but throughout the entire region.

Disturbing new accounts from Iranian women reveal a dramatic escalation in sexual violence within the country’s detention facilities, according to exclusive interviews conducted by The Media Line.

The reports indicate that sexual assault cases against imprisoned women, especially younger detainees, have surged dramatically in facilities operated by Iran’s Islamic government.

A young female detainee shared her harrowing experience, describing how she endured sexual assault during questioning sessions where large officers used police batons to commit abuse.

The escalating violence comes as Iran’s government has ramped up its crackdown on dissent. Meanwhile, authorities have stepped up execution rates, putting at least 15 opposition members to death publicly, though human rights organizations believe the actual count could be much higher when accounting for secret executions.

Kamelia, a recently freed protest participant from an Iranian city, recounted her traumatic ordeal to The Media Line. She described being violently taken from her residence during a nighttime operation by armed, masked individuals while her partner watched helplessly. Despite her objections, she faced sexual harassment while her partner suffered severe beatings for trying to intervene.

During her imprisonment, Kamelia spent two weeks confined in a cramped 20-square-meter cell alongside eight other women. Among her cellmates was a 16-year-old who had been shot in the face with pellet rounds by security personnel and arrested while injured. The teenager’s wounds received only basic bandaging with no attempt to extract the embedded pellets.

Following the initial detention period, Kamelia was moved to isolation where she faced her first interrogation by a male and female questioner who hurled verbal abuse, labeling her a prostitute and spy despite facing no formal accusations beyond protest participation. The interrogators demanded false admissions of connections to opposition movements and organizing demonstrations.

When Kamelia refused to cooperate, she says multiple large officers who appeared unstable attacked her in the interrogation chamber. They ripped her clothing, sexually assaulted her with a baton, violently groped her body, beat her severely, and threatened group sexual assault.

Her family’s pressure eventually secured her release through substantial bail payments. When she asked her attorney to pursue sexual assault charges, she was warned that filing such complaints might result in harsher sentencing. She now receives psychiatric treatment and strong antidepressant medications for severe psychological trauma.

In another shocking case, Ahmad Khodaei, a protester, recently attempted suicide after posting on Instagram that security personnel told him they had sexually violated his deceased wife’s body. His wife, Saleheh Akbari, worked as an operating room technician and was killed during protests in Ardabil. Khodaei said agents sent him messages claiming they had desecrated her corpse in the morgue and provided photographic evidence. He described this psychological torture as worse than the physical abuse he endured in custody, which resulted in broken ribs and kidney injuries.

According to witness accounts, security forces raided the couple’s home to arrest Khodaei after both had publicly offered medical help to wounded protesters. When Saleheh Akbari tried to protect her husband, she was fatally shot in the chest in front of her husband and child.

After his release, Khodaei became severely distressed upon receiving the disturbing messages and images, prompting his farewell post calling for justice. Government officials subsequently denied both his wife’s killing and his suicide attempt, claiming he was a fugitive and accusing him of spreading false information.

However, regional human rights advocates confirm that Saleheh Akbari was indeed killed by security forces in her home and that her husband was detained and later freed on bail.

In recent weeks, Iran’s Islamic government has accelerated executions of political opponents, with at least 15 people put to death publicly. Human rights organizations warn the true figure, including clandestine executions or deaths from denied medical treatment, may be substantially higher. Those executed include Mojahedin-e Khalq members and participants from the January uprising.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi faces serious life-threatening conditions among those at risk. After suffering a heart attack in Zanjan prison, she has been denied medication and treatment. On Tuesday, she marked her 54th birthday behind bars without outside contact, having already spent a decade of her life in various Islamic Republic prisons.

Following an attack by pro-monarchist supporters in Mashhad while she was speaking at a ceremony honoring the suspicious death of lawyer Khosro Alikordi, Mohammadi endured brutal assault by government security agents who arrested her along with several prominent female activists, including Sepideh Qolian, after beating them. Eyewitnesses report that individuals posing as Reza Pahlavi supporters and throwing stones at Mohammadi were actually cooperating with security agents to suppress and arrest ceremony attendees.

Nasim, a Tehran student activist, told The Media Line that while both monarchist and Islamic Republic supporters favor war, civilian repression has intensified since the conflict began.

Educational institutions, factories, commercial centers, and bazaars—which served as primary protest hubs in recent months—have been forced to close. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij forces, carrying heavy weaponry, have been extensively deployed throughout city streets alongside various security units and police. The regime has also brought armed supporters into streets to prevent protesters from gathering in public areas.

Additionally, opposition arrests have increased dramatically, with dozens detained daily nationwide on various pretexts, including espionage or connections to Persian-language media overseas. Some are coerced into making fabricated confessions broadcast on state media to intimidate the public.

According to Nasim, if the January protests and strikes had continued their natural progression without external interference, the regime would not have found justification for the mass killings on January 8 and 9. Over time, sustained protests would have not only deepened and expanded but also caused many regime supporters to question their continued allegiance.

More than 100 days after what activists characterize as an unprecedented crackdown—where thousands were reportedly killed in just two days, with total casualties estimated as high as 33,000—the full extent of the violence continues emerging. Nineteen-year-old Noush Afarin Mohitian described in a video how she and her mother were shot after returning from a birthday celebration by security forces, leaving her wounded while her mother died from a gunshot to the heart. Shortly after posting the video, which gained significant social media attention, she apparently removed it from her page due to threats and pressure.

During the uprising, tens of thousands also suffered injuries. The Media Line previously revealed in an exclusive investigation that some wounded individuals were removed from hospitals by military and security forces while still alive, placed into body bags, and left to die.

Repression has also targeted minority groups, including religious communities. In recent weeks, many Baha’is have been arrested, including Shakila Ghasemi, who has been detained for over 11 weeks without legal representation.

Shaqayeq Ghasemi, her sister, told The Media Line: “My sister has insisted that she did not participate in the protests, and it remains unclear what charges have been brought against her.” She explains that her twin sister has been held in solitary confinement since arrest and was recently moved to the prison medical facility, but the family lacks precise information about her condition. During this period, they have been permitted only one visit, during which their mother realized that Shakila’s physical and psychological state was extremely serious.

Baha’is are considered an illegal minority in the Islamic Republic. They cannot attend universities, hold government positions, and face other limitations, despite being Iran’s largest religious minority. Many religious minorities departed Iran after the Islamic Republic’s establishment and emigrated abroad, including numerous Iranian Jews—once numbering around 100,000—who relocated to Israel or the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, intensive drone and missile strikes on the Kurdistan Region and against Kurdish parties persist, resulting in several peshmerga casualties in recent days. Rada Fatehi, a human rights advocate, told The Media Line that several Kurdish political prisoners face execution risk.

She also reported that many political prisoners in both official and secret facilities nationwide have been denied regular meals, drinking water, medical treatment, prison store access, in-person visits, and basic items like soap and shampoo, or access to these necessities has been severely disrupted, endangering the lives of prisoners with chronic and serious medical conditions. Human rights advocates report that three Kurdish prisoners have received death sentences from a Mahabad court.

Azadeh Pourzand, Head of the State–Society Relations Unit at the Center for Middle East and Global Order, told The Media Line that Iran’s human rights situation has deteriorated further since the war began: “Rather than a sudden shift, what we’re seeing is a continuation of an already deteriorating trajectory. Even before the war, there were serious abuses—including the January 2026 massacre, a high number of executions, and widespread arrests.”

She continued, “What the war has done is intensify this pattern: it has strengthened the state’s propaganda apparatus, enabled further securitized charges and prosecutions, and taken place alongside internet shutdowns—altogether creating and sustaining an atmosphere of profound fear.”

Certain groups face particularly high execution risk, Pourzand explained: “Ethnic minorities—particularly Kurds and Baloch—have long accounted for a disproportionate share of executions in Iran, including on security and drug-related charges. Protesters have also faced execution in the past, but in the current war context, they appear increasingly vulnerable, with detainees from before the escalation now being systematically given death sentences and, in some cases, executed.”

The Human Rights Organization of Iran declared that opponent repression has intensified significantly following the war, with at least 3,646 people arrested and imprisoned in cities across Iran since the conflict began. However, the actual detainee number may be far higher, as internet shutdowns and severely restricted phone communication between inside and outside world greatly limit access to reliable information.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump, in a post also republished by the White House, called on Islamic Republic authorities to release eight women reportedly facing execution risk. One is Bita Hemmati, who allegedly received a death sentence on “enmity against God” (Moharebeh) charges alongside her husband and two other protesters.

Some human rights advocates report that other female protesters, including 18-year-old Melika Azizi, who was arrested after being beaten during January 8 protests in Rasht, also face potential death sentences on “enmity against God” charges for burning the Islamic Republic flag.

The judiciary immediately denied issuing death sentences for these eight women following President Trump’s request, claiming some had been released. However, sources familiar with political prisoner cases told The Media Line that the death sentence for Bita Hemmati—whose case includes charges of attacking regime agents alongside her husband and two others—is accurate.

On Tuesday, the Islamic regime executed Amirali Mirjafari on charges of setting fire to Qolhak Mosque in north Tehran during the January uprising. Reports indicate that summary courts—reportedly acting on orders from Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, judiciary head—have issued dozens, possibly hundreds, of death sentences against protesters and regime opponents in recent weeks. Above all, growing concern exists for those whose death sentences have received final approval.

Currently, among female prisoners, three leftist detainees—labor activist Sharifeh Mohammadi, along with Pakhshan Azizi and Varisheh Moradi, who face accusations of links to Kurdish opposition parties and whose death sentences have been confirmed—are at risk of execution by the Islamic Republic.

Emergency responders have successfully contained a massive blaze at a Russian oil facility along the Black Sea coast following a Ukrainian drone strike, regional authorities announced Thursday.

The fire at the Tuapse oil terminal had been raging for four consecutive days after Ukrainian forces targeted the facility on April 16. Industry insiders revealed earlier this week that the refinery, which primarily exports its petroleum products, suspended all operations due to the attack.

Regional emergency officials in Krasnodar posted on social media that crews had successfully controlled the flames at the coastal facility. “At the Tuapse sea terminal, the fire was brought under control and open flames were extinguished,” the emergency command stated. “Work to completely extinguish the fire is continuing.”

A substantial emergency response remained active at the location, with 276 firefighting personnel and 77 emergency vehicles still working the scene, according to official reports.

Environmental concerns emerged Wednesday when authorities detected dangerous levels of toxic chemicals in the air. Fire byproducts combined with recent rainfall created elevated concentrations of benzene, xylene and particulate matter, prompting officials to advise local residents to stay inside and seal their windows. No updated air quality information was released Thursday.

The attack represents part of Ukraine’s expanded campaign targeting Russian energy facilities, occurring as U.S. attention has reportedly shifted toward conflicts involving Iran rather than mediating the Russia-Ukraine war.

Russian authorities reported that strikes on both April 16 and April 20 caused significant damage to Tuapse’s port transportation systems and ignited petroleum storage areas.

Separately, sources confirmed Thursday that another drone attack sparked a fire at a Transneft pumping facility in the Nizhny Novgorod region, which supplies crude oil to Russia’s primary Baltic Sea export terminal at Primorsk.

UNITED NATIONS — Cuba’s top diplomat at the United Nations declared Thursday that his nation refuses to bow to American pressure regarding the release of political detainees, while warning that Cuban leadership is readying itself for potential U.S. military intervention threatened by President Donald Trump.

Speaking with The Associated Press, Cuban UN Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán emphasized that matters involving imprisoned dissidents “are not on the negotiating table.” The freedom of political detainees had emerged as a central American requirement during recent diplomatic discussions held in Cuba — the first such meetings between the two nations in ten years.

“We have our legal system, like here in the U.S., they have their legal system,” he stated. “So we have to respect both of our internal affairs.”

A U.S. diplomatic team conducted confidential discussions in Havana beginning April 10, attempting to pressure Cuba into implementing significant economic and governmental reforms or face ongoing economic sanctions and possible American military escalation. While neither nation has revealed the participants’ identities, Guzmán disclosed the American side included undersecretary of state-level officials, while Cuba sent deputy foreign minister-level representatives.

Relations between Washington and Havana have deteriorated significantly in recent months, particularly due to American energy sanctions that have worsened Cuba’s existing economic difficulties and other challenges facing the Caribbean island.

Trump has warned of imposing tariffs on nations that provide petroleum to Cuba and suggested America might have “the honor of taking Cuba” after potential military actions in Venezuela and Iran. The State Department has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding Guzmán’s statements.

The energy restrictions, combined with the island’s critical water and electricity shortages, have intensified poverty and food insecurity throughout Cuba as extended power outages continue.

In late March, a Russian vessel delivered 730,000 barrels of fuel — Cuba’s first such shipment in three months. According to Guzmán, this delivery satisfied only a small portion of the country’s operational energy requirements.

Additional American concerns raised during this month’s meetings focused on foreign nations’ influence over the island, according to previous AP reporting. U.S. officials also presented proposals for compensating hundreds of thousands of legal claims filed by Cuban Americans whose properties, enterprises, and land were confiscated following Fidel Castro’s rise to power in 1959.

Guzmán acknowledged that such compensation discussions occurred during the meetings and that Havana shows willingness to consider them. However, he emphasized this could only proceed alongside corresponding economic relief from the longstanding U.S. trade embargo against Cuba.

“There is not only this claim but also the claim from our side because the embargo has an economic impact,” he explained. “This is a highway with two directions.”

When questioned about Cuban officials’ confidence in diplomatic solutions given American threats, Guzmán expressed cautious optimism about establishing a “new approach” to bilateral relations, while noting that the Trump administration’s recent foreign policy actions have heightened their vigilance.

“We have been seeing what is happening all around the world, in our region, in the Middle East, so we are not a naive person,” he said. “We are preparing for all the scenarios. And I insist, our first option — what we really want — is a successful dialogue with the U.S. government.”

However, he added that should American military aggression occur, “we are ready to fight back.”

JOHANNESBURG — Nearly 10 months have passed since former Zambian President Edgar Lungu died in a South African medical facility, yet his remains continue to be the center of an extraordinary legal dispute that has prevented his burial.

The deceased leader’s relatives have insisted on laying him to rest in South Africa due to the intense animosity between Lungu and Zambia’s current President Hakainde Hichilema. Meanwhile, Zambian officials have pursued legal action to gain control of the body and bring it home for an official state ceremony.

The ongoing saga took another dramatic turn this Wednesday when Zambian authorities announced they had secured possession of Lungu’s remains with help from South African officials, only to have a judge immediately order the body returned to the funeral facility where the family had been keeping it.

The 68-year-old former president passed away on June 5 of the previous year from an undetermined medical condition while receiving treatment in South Africa. His relatives immediately made arrangements to conduct burial services there, declining to transport his body back to Zambia for any ceremony that would include Hichilema’s participation.

According to a family representative, this decision honored Lungu’s final request that Hichilema should not come “anywhere near his body” during burial proceedings. In response, the Zambian administration filed legal proceedings to obtain custody, claiming that conducting a state funeral served the country’s best interests.

Officials in Zambia have already designated and prepared a burial site for Lungu at a national cemetery where other former presidents rest. That grave site continues to sit vacant.

The relationship between Lungu and his successor Hichilema had been marked by deep hostility throughout their years as political opponents in the southern African country.

In 2016, Lungu emerged victorious over Hichilema in the presidential race. The following year, Hichilema spent four months behind bars on treason accusations after he allegedly refused to move aside for the presidential convoy on a public road. Human rights organizations criticized the arrest, and authorities eventually dropped the charges and freed him.

Following Hichilema’s rise to power in 2021, Lungu maintained that law enforcement officers were targeting him with harassment and had essentially confined him to his residence. His relatives stated that officials temporarily blocked him from traveling abroad to receive medical care. The Hichilema administration rejected these accusations.

Reports indicate that Lungu managed to reach South Africa by quietly making his way to an airport and purchasing his airline ticket on the spot.

The Zambian government’s legal effort to claim Lungu’s remains disrupted funeral arrangements that his family had scheduled in South Africa last June. The court filing forced family members, who had already dressed in mourning clothes for the service, to abandon the ceremony and rush to a courthouse for an emergency hearing.

A South African judge eventually sided with the Zambian government’s position and ordered the body’s return to Zambia. The court established May 12 as the deadline for transferring custody.

Late Wednesday, Zambian officials declared they had successfully taken possession of Lungu’s body, moving it from a private mortuary in Pretoria, South Africa’s capital, to a different location while preparing for transport back to Zambia.

However, a court quickly mandated that the government immediately return the remains to the family, finding officials in contempt for attempting to remove Lungu’s body ahead of the court-established timeline.

Additional legal proceedings may now emerge after the judge ordered both Zambian officials and the South African authorities who assisted in moving the body to explain why they should not face contempt charges.

WASHINGTON – The State Department announced Wednesday that American officials will monitor next month’s parliamentary election in The Bahamas following a formal request from the Caribbean nation’s opposition leadership.

The decision to send U.S. Embassy personnel comes after Bahamian opposition leader Michael Pintard reached out to U.S. Ambassador Herschel Walker, asking for international oversight of the May 12 vote due to concerns about electoral integrity.

“The United States regularly supports open, transparent, and competitive democratic electoral processes by deploying embassy election observers accredited by the host government’s election officials,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. “U.S. Embassy Nassau plans on doing so in The Bahamas.”

Prime Minister Philip Davis called the early election this month, moving up the vote from its originally scheduled October date. Pintard, who hopes to unseat Davis, cited worries about the electoral system in his letter to the American ambassador.

The opposition leader specifically highlighted issues with “the accuracy and maintenance of the country’s voters’ register,” warning these problems “may undermine public confidence if not addressed through transparent and independent scrutiny.”

Harrison Thompson, who oversees elections in The Bahamas, defended the current system in a Monday statement. He explained that the Parliamentary Registration Department conducts legal reviews of voter rolls to make necessary corrections and remove invalid entries as required by law and evidence.

“Where a party identifies a concern, that concern is reviewed. Where a correction is required, that correction is made. This has always been the practice,” Thompson stated.

The Organization of American States also announced Monday it would dispatch observer teams to The Bahamas, continuing its tradition of monitoring elections in the region from previous years.

The U.S. monitoring effort follows years of election-related controversies, including former President Donald Trump’s ongoing false claims about fraud in the 2020 presidential race and other recent elections.

LONDON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed mounting alarm Thursday regarding foreign nations employing proxy groups to execute attacks within the United Kingdom, vowing to introduce new laws in response to recent incidents.

The capital has experienced multiple attacks in recent weeks – primarily involving arson – targeting locations with Jewish connections. Counter-terrorism investigators are examining several of these cases, though law enforcement officials state they are not presently classified as terrorist acts.

UK officials have increasingly identified hostile foreign government activity as a factor behind recent events, cautioning that international governments may attempt to work through criminal organizations or intermediaries to avoid direct responsibility.

“I’m increasingly concerned that a number of countries are using proxies for attacks in this country,” Starmer stated during his visit with Jewish community members at Kenton United Synagogue, which suffered an arson attack this past Sunday.

The blaze resulted in minimal smoke damage to one interior room with no reported injuries. On Tuesday, a 17-year-old British youth entered a guilty plea to arson charges that did not endanger lives in relation to the incident.

“We have to deal with malign state actors,” the Prime Minister declared, emphasizing that addressing this threat would require new government legislation.

“I want this country to be a place where everybody feels safe and secure. This is not just a battle for the Jewish community,” Starmer emphasized. “It is our battle. The Britain that I want is a Britain where people can practice their religion, their faith, in safety and security.”

JOHANNESBURG — President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed South Africa’s national police commissioner on suspension following criminal charges tied to alleged corruption involving a multimillion-dollar government contract.

Commissioner Fannie Masemola made his initial court appearance Tuesday and is scheduled to return for proceedings along with 12 other high-ranking police officials facing accusations of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. The charges stem from allegations that a contract was improperly given to a domestic company. Masemola’s specific charges relate to his role as the financial oversight officer for the police department.

During a Thursday news conference, President Ramaphosa announced that Puleng Dimpane, who oversees financial management within the police service, would serve as interim police commissioner during Masemola’s legal proceedings.

“I have agreed with General Masemola that he be deemed to be on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of the case,” Ramaphosa said.

The suspension comes after extensive corruption accusations within South Africa’s law enforcement and judicial systems were exposed through an investigative commission that Ramaphosa established in the previous year.

Masemola is charged with four violations of the Public Finance Management Act, legislation that governs how the government awards contracts, in connection with a 360 million-rand ($21 million) agreement for providing health and wellness services to police personnel. Authorities allege that certain officers accepted kickbacks from the companies that won the bidding process.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine has obtained a massive financial boost from the European Union with the approval of a 90 billion-euro ($106 billion) loan package designed to support the nation’s ongoing defense efforts.

The substantial funding was officially authorized on Thursday, following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s announcement that repairs to the Ukrainian portion of the Druzhba pipeline were complete and oil deliveries to Slovakia and Hungary would restart — requirements tied to releasing the money.

The loan approval faced months of delays due to internal disagreements within the 27-member European Union, particularly opposition from former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, considered Moscow’s strongest supporter within the bloc. Orbán’s electoral defeat earlier this month removed a major barrier to finalizing the agreement.

The timing of this financial assistance proves crucial for Ukraine’s survival. International Monetary Fund projections indicate Ukraine confronts a funding shortfall of approximately 136 billion euros ($158 billion) through the next two years.

This EU assistance is projected to address roughly two-thirds of Ukraine’s financial requirements for 2026 and 2027. Government officials cautioned that without this support, Kyiv risked depleting resources needed for essential government operations and military activities by spring. Initial funding disbursements are anticipated within the coming months.

Ukraine will receive access to 45 billion euros ($53 billion) for the current year’s remaining period, plus an additional 45 billion euros ($53 billion) throughout 2027.

The loan structure allocates approximately one-third of the money toward supporting Ukraine’s governmental budget, while remaining funds will finance defense needs, including military equipment purchases and expanding domestic weapons manufacturing capabilities.

European Union leadership initially agreed to this loan in December 2025, but progress stalled for months due to disagreements concerning the Ukraine-controlled segment of the Druzhba oil pipeline.

Last December, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia consented to allow their EU partners to secure the funds through international borrowing, provided the three nations weren’t required to participate directly.

The pipeline system, which transports Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary, ceased operations in late January following Ukrainian officials’ reports of damage from Russian military strikes. Hungarian and Slovakian leadership claimed Ukraine intentionally disrupted supplies, escalating the matter into a significant political conflict within the EU.

The loan received final approval after Hungary and Slovakia confirmed Ukraine had restored pipeline operations this week. Zelenskyy announced completion of necessary repairs, eliminating the last barrier to authorization.

Thursday’s final procedural step involved unanimous approval of modifications to the EU’s long-term budget framework to accommodate future expenditures. This requirement explained why Hungary and Slovakia’s cooperation was essential.

European Union leadership has established that Ukraine will only begin loan repayment after Russia provides war reparations.

Instead of utilizing Russia’s frozen central bank assets as loan collateral, member nations chose a more conservative strategy. European leaders decided they would secure borrowing to provide Ukraine with the necessary funds.

Worries about possible Russian retaliation and legal complications prompted them to maintain the asset freeze until Moscow concludes its military campaign and compensates Ukraine for war damages.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Thursday her selection of economist Roberto Lazzeri to serve as Mexico’s new ambassador to the United States, marking a significant diplomatic change during crucial trade negotiations between the North American partners.

The nomination, which requires confirmation by Mexico’s Senate, would see Lazzeri take over from current Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma, who has served in the role since 2021 under former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Speaking at her daily morning briefing, Sheinbaum praised Lazzeri’s qualifications, noting that “He worked for a long time in the finance ministry” and “He has a very good relationship with the whole Mexican government and also with U.S. counterparts.”

Lazzeri currently leads two major Mexican development institutions, Nafin and Bancomext, and has extensive experience managing the federal government’s public debt obligations. His selection comes at a critical time as discussions intensify around reviewing the trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The timing is particularly significant given Mexico’s heavy economic dependence on its northern neighbor, with approximately 80% of Mexican exports heading to U.S. markets. Mexican officials are working to secure relief from the comprehensive tariffs that President Donald Trump implemented last year, while also seeking greater predictability in trade relations to restore investor confidence that has been shaken by the unpredictable nature of recent trade policies.

Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard acknowledged Wednesday that tariffs affecting Mexico’s automotive, steel, and aluminum industries will likely continue even if the trilateral trade agreement is successfully renewed.

President Javier Milei’s administration in Argentina has suspended journalist access to the presidential palace Casa Rosada on Thursday, claiming concerns about “illegal espionage” activities.

Government spokesperson Javier Lanari announced the decision on X, explaining that fingerprint access systems for reporters had been disabled as a “preventative measure” following a military complaint.

“The sole purpose is to ensure national security,” Lanari stated.

The action came one day after Milei posted photographs of two reporters from local TV station TN on social media, calling them “DISGUSTING TRASH.”

“I would love to see those filthy scum who carry journalist credentials, (95%) come out to defend what these two criminals did,” Milei wrote, apparently referring to footage the television network broadcast showing Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni walking through Casa Rosada corridors.

A Reuters correspondent who regularly covers stories from the presidential palace confirmed being denied entry Thursday morning.

Since assuming office in December 2023, Milei has maintained an antagonistic relationship with news media, frequently engaging in public disputes with reporters through social media posts and during interviews. Press freedom organizations have expressed alarm about the deteriorating relationship between his administration and journalists.

When residents of South Africa’s most populated province turn on their taps or step into the shower, six out of every ten drops likely originated in the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho, their tiny landlocked neighbor.

A massive new bridge that opened this week will strengthen this vital water partnership, allowing one of the world’s poorest nations to almost double its water sales to South Africa’s major industrial center. The increased revenue will provide crucial income for Lesotho, where half of all residents struggle below the poverty threshold.

Stretching 825 meters long and towering 90 meters above the landscape, the Senqu Bridge represents a key component of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. This infrastructure will boost annual water transfers from the current 780 million cubic meters to more than 1,270 billion cubic meters.

The bridge spans across the future reservoir of the still-under-construction Polihali Dam, guaranteeing uninterrupted transportation once water levels reach their planned height.

This transboundary water initiative ranks among the world’s largest such projects and represents South Africa’s biggest international investment ever. Beyond water transfers, the project enhances Lesotho’s hydroelectric capacity, strengthening energy independence and decreasing dependence on imported power.

Project expenses currently exceed 53 billion rands ($3.2 billion), featuring more than 120 kilometers of underground tunnels that direct water from Lesotho’s highland areas into South African waterways. Initial construction started in 1990 following a 1986 agreement between both nations, with the current second phase scheduled for completion between 2028 and 2029.

The 2.4 billion-rand ($144-million) bridge stands as the largest among three bridges supporting water infrastructure in the country’s northeastern region. Engineers celebrate it as a remarkable achievement, constructed at an elevation exceeding 2,500 meters above sea level.

“South Africa is a water-scarce country and the waters of Lesotho’s highlands are vital to our country’s development. We remain forever grateful to the great Basotho nation for making water resources available to us,” South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa said during the launch of the bridge.

Bridge construction generated approximately 1,200 employment opportunities, primarily benefiting Lesotho citizens. Government officials declared an economic emergency last year as joblessness reached roughly 30%.

“The royalties and infrastructure that flow from this project are not incidental benefits. They are central to our development finance strategy,” said Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane.

Outstanding construction work includes a 38-kilometer tunnel linking the Polihali and Katse water reserves.

“The project must deepen impact on the people, strengthen accountability in delivery and ensure that its benefits are not abstract but are felt in the daily lives of the people affected,” Matekane said.

Lesotho’s financial struggles have intensified due to U.S. trade penalties reaching 50% on the nation’s primary textile and mining exports. The country has also experienced significant reductions in American foreign assistance that previously supported most healthcare programs.

A government-appointed investigation in Tanzania has disclosed that no fewer than 518 individuals lost their lives during violent clashes surrounding the country’s October elections, marking the first time officials have publicly acknowledged the extent of the deadly turmoil.

The investigative panel, however, attributed responsibility for the bloodshed to demonstrators themselves, sparking outrage among opposition leaders who denounced the findings as prejudiced.

United Nations human rights officials had previously estimated that hundreds perished in violence stemming from the barring of prominent opposition candidates from both presidential and parliamentary races. Opposition party leaders have claimed the death toll reached into the thousands.

Tanzanian officials had previously refused to discuss casualty numbers, stating they were waiting for the commission’s findings. President Samia Suluhu Hassan established the panel in November. Government representatives have consistently denied human rights organizations’ accusations that security personnel employed disproportionate force.

During a formal presentation of the findings to Hassan, commission leader Mohamed Chande Othman indicated the death count might actually be higher due to challenges in victim identification. Rather than evaluating law enforcement’s conduct, he suggested establishing a criminal investigation panel to examine particular incidents.

Chande stated the commission possessed “indisputable evidence” that the violence was orchestrated and financed by “trained people” without identifying these individuals.

“Organisers used various techniques, including using people without deep understanding and desperate youth, while encouraging simultaneous acts of violence across different locations,” he said.

Hassan, who was proclaimed the presidential victor with almost 98% of votes, has characterized the demonstrations as an effort to topple her administration and claimed they received international funding, though she has not presented supporting evidence.

The commission’s findings were not released to the public immediately, and their eventual publication remains uncertain. During the presentation ceremony, Hassan declared the report was “the property of the president.”

Tanzania’s primary opposition organization, CHADEMA, dismissed the commission’s investigation, stating in a Thursday announcement that a government facing accusations of conducting violent abuses cannot examine its own actions.

Chande confirmed receiving claims that individuals were shot inside residences and businesses, including near a restaurant in Mwanza, a northern city.

Reuters investigations revealed that police forces killed more than a dozen unarmed young men at the restaurant, located far from any known demonstrations. People who witnessed other events in Mwanza and two additional cities also informed Reuters they observed officers firing at individuals who were not participating in protests.

Government officials stated at the time they took force-related concerns seriously but noted that many accusations were founded on unconfirmed and misrepresented information.

Rising energy prices stemming from the Iran conflict are severely limiting the reach of international humanitarian organizations, forcing them to assist fewer people during a time of increasing global need, according to the head of a major aid group.

Jan Egeland, who leads the Norwegian Refugee Council and previously served as the UN’s chief humanitarian official from 2003 to 2006, explained Thursday how escalating fuel costs are impacting operations worldwide for his organization, which ranks among the world’s top non-governmental groups focused on helping displaced populations.

Speaking to international media from the NRC’s Oslo headquarters, Egeland detailed the financial strain his organization faces. “We have 1,500 vehicles in our operations; they run on diesel. In some countries, it’s twice the cost now to run those,” he explained.

The energy crisis extends beyond transportation costs, affecting all aspects of humanitarian work. “The generators needed in the places we haven’t solarized yet are much more expensive, so running a school or a hospital (is more expensive),” Egeland noted.

Food procurement has also become significantly costlier, he said: “The food that we have to purchase on the market — local markets, regional markets — has become much more expensive per family in need. And our staff find it very hard to live on the salary that we can give them compared to before.”

These mounting expenses mean the NRC will reach fewer people this year despite “exploding” humanitarian needs, particularly as donor nations have shifted funding toward defense spending, Egeland warned. “Through this year, fewer people will get assistance because of the cost increase,” he stated.

The NRC has maintained operations in Palestinian territories since 2009, including throughout the recent Gaza conflict. However, the organization faces new challenges after losing its Israeli registration, despite a February ruling by Israel’s Supreme Court that temporarily prevented the government from closing Gaza operations of multiple aid groups.

While the NRC retains local personnel in Gaza, it cannot deploy international staff to support them. “We have already had to relocate our headquarters to Amman,” Egeland said. “We do remote leadership management from Amman.”

Egeland offered mixed assessment of recent diplomatic developments, calling President Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan “wonderful” because “it stopped the massacres and the full-scale war.”

However, he expressed concerns about current conditions: “But we are now frozen in some halfway house where Israel is still militarily there. They’re still destroying homes. Hamas is not disarmed and the aid groups are denied access. This is no peace. This is no implementation. The Trump peace plan is in grave danger.”

Israeli officials maintain they are not restricting supplies to Gaza’s more than 2 million residents. Nevertheless, Palestinian authorities and international relief organizations report that aid deliveries remain inadequate, despite January ceasefire agreements that promised increased humanitarian access.

The European Union announced Thursday it is withdrawing 2 million euros ($2.4 million) in financial support from the Venice Biennale after Russia decided to participate in the renowned contemporary art exhibition for the first time since launching its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier confirmed Thursday that officials have notified the Biennale foundation about the funding withdrawal. The art organization now has 30 days to justify its choice to welcome Russia back to the 61st edition of the show, which opens May 9.

“We are strongly condemning the fact that the Fondazione di Biennale has allowed for the Russian Pavilion to open again,” Regnier stated.

Russian artists pulled out of the 2022 exhibition following their country’s attack on Ukraine, and Russia did not mount a display in 2024, instead allowing Bolivia to use its permanent pavilion space. The last time Russia took part in the International Art Exhibition was 2019.

In defending its position, the Biennale foundation issued a statement explaining that it “does not have the authority to prevent a country from participating. Any country recognized by the Italian Republic may request to participate.”

The organization noted that because Russia owns its pavilion, constructed in 1914 within the historic Giardini grounds, it only needed to notify organizers of its intention to take part.

“La Biennale di Venezia rejects any form of exclusion or censorship of culture and art. The Biennale, like the city of Venice, continues to be a place of dialogue, openness and artistic freedom, encouraging connections between peoples and cultures, with the constant hope for an end to conflicts and suffering,” the foundation stated.

The Venice Biennale stands as the globe’s most established and significant contemporary art showcase, featuring a central exhibition alongside individual country pavilions that participating nations curate independently. This year’s event will include presentations from 99 countries, with 29 housed in the Giardini and others distributed throughout the Arsenale and various city locations.

The Biennale has previously resisted calls to ban other nations, including Iran and Israel, from taking part in the exhibition.

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — The national television network in Slovenia announced Thursday that it will not broadcast this year’s Eurovision Song Contest following the country’s decision to withdraw from the competition because of Israel’s inclusion.

The annual musical competition featuring 35 nations is set to take place May 12-16 in Vienna.

Slovenia has joined several other European nations — Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain — in refusing to participate due to organizers allowing Israel to compete.

“We will not be broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest,” stated Ksenija Horvat, director of RTV Slovenia, in comments to The Associated Press. “We will be airing the film series ‘Voices of Palestine,’ featuring Palestinian documentaries and feature films.”

Competition organizers made the decision in December to permit Israel’s participation, which led to the withdrawal of Slovenia and the other protesting nations. Slovenia has been outspoken in its criticism of Israel regarding its military actions during the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

While the Eurovision competition aims to prioritize popular music over political issues, it has frequently become entangled in global conflicts. Russia faced expulsion from the 2022 contest following its comprehensive military assault on Ukraine.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza has also created turmoil for the event, sparking demonstrations outside competition venues and forcing organizers to implement stricter rules against displays of political symbols.

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AP) — A government commission investigating deadly unrest following Tanzania’s 2023 elections revealed Thursday that no fewer than 518 people lost their lives during the violent aftermath, which occurred while authorities had blocked internet access across the nation.

The violent clashes left thousands wounded, including more than 800 individuals who sustained gunshot injuries.

Commission leader Mohamed Chande Othman indicated the actual death toll could be significantly higher, noting that some families chose to bury deceased relatives without bringing them to official morgues first.

The deadly violence erupted on October 29 when young protesters filled the streets, claiming the government was suppressing opposition voices. The unrest followed the imprisonment of the main opposition party’s leader on treason charges and the disqualification of another major opposition party’s presidential nominee.

Authorities cut off internet service nationwide for several days during the crisis. President Samia Suluhu Hassan later issued an apology to international diplomats for the shutdown and pledged it would not be repeated.

Hassan had been campaigning for her first full term after completing the presidency of John Magufuli, who died while in office. She secured victory with 97% of votes cast, though international election monitors questioned whether the process met standards for free and fair elections.

Othman called for additional investigation into firearm usage, noting that witnesses reported family members being shot while inside their homes.

Following the violence, 245 individuals remain missing, while 39 families reported seeing their relatives’ bodies in morgues before those remains subsequently vanished.

The commission dismissed claims by human rights organizations about the existence of mass burial sites.

Investigators determined the demonstrations were not peaceful gatherings but rather “acts of violence” because organizers failed to provide required 48-hour advance notice to police and because the protests occurred on election day, preventing some citizens from voting.

According to Othman, the protests appeared to be organized and coordinated by individuals who had received recruitment and training, with violence breaking out simultaneously across multiple locations in an apparent attempt to overwhelm law enforcement response.

KYIV, Ukraine — American military aid continues flowing to Ukraine while Ukrainian forces persist in long-distance attacks against Russian energy facilities and manufacturing sites, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday.

“Of course, we are hitting what is painful for Russia, and it is very painful,” Zelenskyy told reporters through voice messages. The Ukrainian leader claimed these attacks have inflicted damage worth tens of billions of dollars on Russia.

Independent confirmation of Zelenskyy’s statements wasn’t available, though Russian authorities have acknowledged strikes on infrastructure located over 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) within Russian territory.

As Russia continues its comprehensive invasion that started February 24, 2022, Ukraine employs locally-produced drone and missile systems to target Russian locations. Ukrainian defense forces also utilize American-supplied Patriot defense systems to intercept Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian soil.

“We see that the Russians do not want to stop — they are hitting our energy sector and our people. We will respond,” Zelenskyy stated.

Prince Harry arrived in Kyiv Thursday for his third Ukrainian visit within twelve months, offering fresh support for Ukraine’s battle against Russia’s larger military force.

The Duke of Sussex praised Ukrainians for showing “strength not just in bravery and capability, but in unity, in trust,” during remarks at a Kyiv security conference.

Ukraine “continues to hold together, and hold together you must,” he told attendees.

Harry disembarked from a train at Kyiv’s central station following an overnight trip from Poland, currently the sole travel route to Ukraine’s capital city.

Whether Harry would meet with Zelenskyy remained uncertain, as the Ukrainian president was scheduled to participate in a European Union leaders’ summit in Cyprus Thursday evening.

Before Harry’s arrival, a Russian drone assault on Dnipro, a central Ukrainian city, killed three people and injured ten others, regional military administrator Oleksandr Hanzha reported.

The attack damaged a 13-story residential building and an administrative structure, Hanzha posted on Telegram.

Russian air defenses intercepted 154 Ukrainian drones across Russian territories, the occupied Crimea Peninsula, and the Sea of Azov and Black Sea regions, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced.

In Russia’s Krasnodar region along the Black Sea, 276 firefighters battled a massive fire for the third consecutive day at Tuapse port, sparked by a Ukrainian drone strike earlier this week.

Toxic substances from the blaze mixed with rainfall, coating multiple Tuapse districts with black residue, emergency officials reported. Chemical concentrations in the air exceeded safe limits, prompting authorities to recommend residents remain indoors.

Russia’s Samara region faced attacks for the second straight night. In Novokuybyshevsk, approximately 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) east of Ukraine’s border, a drone strike on an industrial target killed one person, Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev confirmed.

Drone fragments also struck a residential building roof in Samara city, injuring several people and hospitalizing one individual, Fedorishchev added.

Unverified media accounts suggested a Rosneft-owned petrochemical facility in Novokuybyshevsk was targeted.

Ukrainian forces also attacked Russian oil infrastructure in Samara and struck a pipeline in Nizhegorodskaya region that carries oil from Western Siberia to Tatarstan, according to Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation.

Ukrainian Security Service units targeted the Gorky oil pumping station in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region east of Moscow, a senior agency official revealed.

The overnight drone operation damaged three oil storage tanks and ignited a substantial fire, said the official, who requested anonymity due to lack of public authorization.

“The operation of main pipelines is disrupted, the efficiency of processing at refineries decreases, and transportation costs increase. As a result, this directly affects the revenues of the Russian budget, which are used to finance the war against Ukraine,” the official explained.

HAVANA (AP) — These days, Eduvirgen Zamora keeps her hands concealed due to embarrassment.

Her fingernails are bitten down to the quick, with only her thumbs sporting inch-long extensions decorated with elaborate silver patterns.

As Cuba’s economic crisis continues, the 56-year-old cafeteria employee couldn’t afford fresh nail extensions and chose to invest in eyelash treatments instead – a more affordable option she hoped would redirect attention to her face.

Critical shortages of electricity, water, and financial resources, combined with U.S. energy sanctions, have worsened poverty and hunger throughout the nation while persistent blackouts continue. Even wealthier residents are now abandoning long-standing and cherished habits as they adjust to increasingly harsh circumstances.

“The Cuban woman likes to look beautiful — to do her hair, do her nails, do her feet — and wear perfume,” Zamora said. “I don’t look how I would like to look.”

Melina Colás understands that struggle.

The Havana-based nail technician recently got long braided hair for her birthday celebration but soon discovered the style was challenging to maintain due to persistent water shortages.

She previously kept her hair long and straightened but has chosen to cut it short and embrace its natural texture, despite believing it doesn’t complement what she described as her petite frame and round facial features.

“Before, you could do whatever you wanted,” she said of hairstyles when water was readily available. “Not now.”

Colás has also modified her salon procedures.

She has developed greater patience, understanding that clients arrive late due to limited public transit options.

She now uses a water-vinegar mixture in spray bottles to address water shortages – a solution she says also helps soften customers’ cuticles and prevents increasing fungal infections as intervals between manicure visits extend for many clients.

“Some cases are critical,” Colás said.

She also expressed concern about how the island’s financial crisis and reduced household budgets have caused customer numbers to decline, a pattern that 50-year-old hairstylist Betty Ramírez Aldana has also observed.

“It really came as a shock to me, because I’ve lost a lot of clients,” he said on a recent afternoon at a makeshift hair salon with bubblegum pink walls. “Normally by now I’d have five, six, eight clients. Look at the hour. And no one has showed up.”

His salon recently went three weeks without running water, since electrical power operates many pump stations across the island and severe outages are routine. He can no longer offer certain hair straightening services, so he provides clients with alternatives including flattering haircuts.

“A lot of them have opted to embrace their natural curly hair,” he said.

Growing numbers of women have also been compelled to let their hair color grow out due to gasoline shortages, inadequate public transportation, and shrinking household budgets, Ramírez explained.

Those with sufficient funds request house calls, where the original client is typically joined “by her aunt and the upstairs neighbor. I don’t serve one, I serve two or three,” he said.

Beyond appearance concerns, Cubans are also struggling with compromised basic hygiene: some report washing their hair only twice monthly, and clothing remains unwashed for extended periods.

Antonia Isalgués Barrién, 60, who operates boats for a government company traveling from eastern Havana to the city center, explained she air-dries her work clothes daily after boat shifts because she lacks water for washing.

“It’s very hot here in Cuba; you sweat a lot,” she said, recalling how she used to wash clothes nearly daily. “I’ve never been forced to hang clothes in the fresh air… and then put them on again.”

Isalgués noted increased passenger numbers as more gas stations close and only limited public buses continue operating.

Cuba endured three months without fuel deliveries until a Russian tanker arrived in late March carrying 730,000 barrels of oil. This supply is projected to last merely nine or 10 days.

Iván de los Ángeles Arias, a 44-year-old boat operator, frequently takes the five-minute ferry ride across Havana Bay, reserving his personal vehicle solely for emergencies.

“That’s the reality we’re forced to live,” he said. “You deal with it as best you can.”

U.S. diplomatic officials traveled to Cuba earlier this month for meetings with senior government representatives for the first time since 2016 while tensions between both nations remain elevated.

Cuban leadership identified removing the U.S. energy embargo as their delegation’s primary objective, characterizing it as an “act of economic coercion” and “unjustified punishment.”

In late January, shortly after U.S. intervention in Venezuela stopped crucial oil deliveries to Cuba, President Donald Trump threatened tariffs against any nation selling or supplying oil to Cuba, which domestically produces only 40% of its energy requirements.

The United States has demanded an end to political oppression, release of political detainees, and economic liberalization of the island’s failing economy as conditions for lifting Cuban sanctions.

Arias, the boat operator, expressed doubt that diplomatic discussions would improve his situation.

“I have no hope,” he said. “That means nothing if living conditions remain the same.”

ROME – Italian naval officials have announced their readiness to contribute up to four warships to an international coalition working to restore safe passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

The announcement comes after European officials gathered in Paris last week to coordinate a multinational response aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the critical waterway, which has been mostly inaccessible during the current U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz serves as a crucial shipping lane for approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. More than a dozen nations, including Italy, have committed to participating in the mission to restore secure transit once circumstances permit.

Navy Chief of Staff Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto outlined Italy’s planned contribution during a Wednesday evening interview with state broadcaster RAI. “The contingency plan drawn up by the Chief of the Defence Staff envisages a group consisting of two minesweepers, an escort vessel and a logistics vessel,” Berutti Bergotto explained.

The Italian naval commander emphasized the collaborative nature of the operation. “Obviously we are not acting alone. We are part of an international coalition, and other nations will also send minesweepers,” he stated, noting that Britain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands possess mine-clearing capabilities.

According to Berutti Bergotto, the Italian fleet would depart from La Spezia, a northwestern port, requiring approximately four weeks to reach the operational area. Italy maintains eight minesweepers in its current naval fleet.

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto indicated last week that the administration plans to obtain parliamentary authorization before confirming Italy’s involvement in the Hormuz operation.

KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan lawmakers are reviewing controversial legislation designed to prevent outside interference that has sparked fierce opposition from multiple sectors of society concerned about its sweeping scope and potential impact on civil liberties.

The proposed “Protection of Sovereignty” legislation could receive parliamentary approval within days, despite strong objections from financial institutions, business groups, opposition politicians, and nonprofit organizations that rely on international funding.

Opposition voices argue the measure is actually designed to suppress political rivals and advocacy organizations that typically receive international grants to support governance and human rights initiatives, representing what they view as escalating authoritarian control.

Political analyst Charles Onyango-Obbo described the proposed law’s provisions as having “unprecedented” scope and impact. “They redefine who is foreign,” he stated. “They extend control from politics into everyday economic and social life.”

Under the proposed legislation’s broad interpretation, a “foreigner” encompasses not only non-citizens but also “a Ugandan citizen residing outside Uganda,” along with various other individuals and entities not based within the East African nation. This classification would affect students, entrepreneurs, migrant workers, diplomatic personnel, and other expatriates.

Should the measure pass unchanged, Ugandans living overseas would need to register as foreign representatives to prevent banking transaction delays, with financial institutions facing penalties for non-compliance.

Government supporters defend the proposal as necessary for maintaining national unity and protecting against external actors seeking to meddle in Uganda’s domestic matters. Critics contend the law would directly or indirectly impact virtually every Ugandan citizen whether at home or abroad.

“It does not protect sovereignty,” declared Isaac Ssemakadde, president of the Uganda Law Society. “It destroys the sovereignty — the people’s right to self-determination — that belongs to Ugandans.”

The proposed law would prohibit foreign representatives from receiving grants or financial assistance from external sources exceeding 400 million Ugandan shillings — approximately $110,000 currently — during any 12-month period without interior ministry authorization.

The Uganda Bankers’ Association expressed concerns to the attorney general’s office about potential consequences for banking operations, including the introduction of additional regulatory bodies beyond the central bank, damage to foreign investment, and creation of uncertainty for commercial lenders.

Since most commercial banks have international shareholders and engage in offshore borrowing, “compliance and reputational risk rise overnight” when standard banking activities trigger foreign agent classifications, the association noted.

Civil society leaders have strongly criticized the legislation, which emerges months after President Yoweri Museveni secured his seventh electoral victory. Museveni has consistently accused his primary challenger, Bobi Wine, of being an unpatriotic foreign operative. The 81-year-old authoritarian leader has maintained power since 1986.

“If you want to regulate and close civil society, go in the NGO Act and put that,” Sarah Bireete, director of the Center for Constitutional Governance, told journalists. “If you want to deregister civil society in Uganda, go to the constitution, amend it and say there will be no civil society in Uganda. But to hide behind protection of sovereignty, that you want to control civil society, why don’t you go to the law managing civil society and amend it?”

Wine, who went underground following January’s election and is currently in temporary U.S. exile, rejects the accusations and maintains that Museveni should face consequences for abuses during his lengthy tenure. Wine, who enjoys substantial support among urban youth, officially received 24.7% of votes in results he dismissed as fraudulent.

Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who played a central role in negotiating the historic trade agreement between the Mercosur bloc and European Union, believes the pact provides much-needed stability during uncertain global times.

Speaking from the presidential palace in Brasilia on Wednesday, Alckmin told reporters including The Associated Press that the agreement sends an important signal about international cooperation.

“In a moment that the world much needed it, at a time of protectionism, a tough world, this gives a message that it is possible to open markets,” Alckmin stated. “It is the biggest deal between trade blocs in the world. A market of $22 trillion and 720 million people.”

The groundbreaking pact, which concludes 25 years of negotiations, is scheduled to take provisional effect on May 1, 2025. However, the path to implementation has faced significant hurdles from European agricultural interests and environmental activists who strongly opposed the December agreement.

Additional complications arose when European Union legislators referred the deal to the bloc’s court system. In response, EU leadership decided to move forward with provisional implementation, bypassing the European Parliament. Should the European Court of Justice ultimately reject the agreement, it would be suspended.

Alckmin emphasized that failing to complete negotiations with Europe would have left Mercosur countries at a disadvantage while competitors secured their own international agreements.

“It is a win-win. The societies of the Mercosur countries win, and so the 27 countries of the EU,” Alckmin explained, projecting that Brazilian exports to European markets could increase by approximately 13% annually.

The cross-Atlantic agreement received formal signatures on January 17. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has consistently praised Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government for pushing the deal forward despite European resistance. Brazil represents the dominant economic force within Mercosur, with an estimated gross domestic product exceeding $2.3 trillion for 2025.

According to Alckmin, Brazil is also pursuing potential trade agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Canada.

The current partnership between Alckmin and Lula represents a dramatic political transformation. Twenty years ago, the two politicians stood on opposing sides of most policy debates, including the original EU-Mercosur negotiations. While Alckmin, then serving as governor of São Paulo state, supported European partnerships, Lula opposed such arrangements.

Their political alliance formed in 2022 when both leaders united to defeat then-President Jair Bolsonaro, whom they viewed as threatening Brazilian democracy. Both politicians moved toward centrist positions, and Lula appointed Alckmin as trade and industry minister, making him a primary government negotiator.

Although Lula’s 2022 electoral victory for a third non-consecutive presidency didn’t guarantee the Mercosur-EU deal’s success, discussions gained renewed urgency after President Donald Trump returned to office and implemented tariffs affecting multiple nations, including Brazil.

French President Emmanuel Macron, among the agreement’s critics, has insisted on protective measures to prevent major economic disruption within the EU, stricter regulations for Mercosur nations including pesticide limitations, and enhanced inspection procedures for imports entering European ports.

Alckmin dismissed claims from some EU agricultural groups that Mercosur countries show less commitment to environmental protection.

“If there’s one country that is a role model of environmental preservation, that is Brazil … Brazil reduced deforestation in 50%,” Alckmin declared.

“So no one is too scared in either side, if there’s an import boom any of the two (blocs) can ask for safeguards,” he continued.

Complete implementation of the trade deal may require up to 12 years, which Alckmin considers essential for allowing Mercosur businesses to enhance productivity and improve quality across thousands of products. He identified the fruit, beef, and sugar sectors as likely early beneficiaries, with additional industries gaining advantages over time.

“It is better to do it gradually than not do it at all,” Alckmin concluded. “This was a very well-built deal.”

American naval forces intercepted an oil tanker connected to Iranian smuggling operations on Thursday, escalating tensions with Tehran just one day after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commandeered two commercial vessels in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Pentagon officials released video showing U.S. personnel aboard the oil vessel Majestic X following its capture in the Indian Ocean waters.

“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” Pentagon officials stated.

Maritime tracking information indicated the Majestic X was positioned in Indian Ocean waters between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, approximately where American forces previously captured the oil tanker Tifani. The vessel had been heading toward Zhoushan, China.

Iranian officials have not yet commented on the vessel’s seizure.

Thursday’s action occurred one day after Iranian forces attacked three commercial ships in the strait, taking control of two vessels in an escalation of Tehran’s campaign against maritime traffic in the critical waterway that handles 20% of global oil shipments during peaceful periods.

The Majestic X operates under a Guyanese flag. The vessel was previously called Phonix and faced U.S. Treasury Department sanctions in 2024 for transporting Iranian crude oil in violation of American sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire agreement while keeping an American naval blockade of Iranian ports in place.

The ongoing confrontation between Washington and Tehran has essentially halted nearly all shipping through the strait with no resolution in sight.

The crisis has already caused fuel costs to surge well beyond the immediate region and increased prices for food and numerous other goods. Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, climbed above $100 per barrel, representing a 35% jump from pre-conflict levels, though financial markets continue to show resilience.

European Union energy commissioner Dan Jørgensen cautioned Wednesday about prolonged consequences for consumers and businesses, comparing the situation to other significant energy disruptions of the past fifty years. He reported the crisis is costing Europe approximately 500 million euros ($600 million) daily.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has deployed naval blockades as his go-to strategy for pressuring governments in Venezuela, Cuba, and most recently Iran, but military experts warn that the Middle Eastern standoff presents far more complex challenges than those faced in the Caribbean region.

Iran differs significantly from Cuba and Venezuela because it has shut down a vital energy shipping corridor, which means prolonged conflict will increasingly damage the worldwide economy. The Islamic Republic also represents a more formidable military opponent than America’s hemispheric adversaries and demands continuous military deployment thousands of miles from U.S. coastlines.

Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz provides substantial bargaining power during the current fragile ceasefire, as escalating economic consequences – particularly rising gasoline costs during an election year – might compel Trump’s Republican government to abandon its maritime blockade of Iranian ports and waters, according to defense analysts.

“It’s really a question now of which country, the U.S. or Iran, has a greater pain tolerance,” said Max Boot, a military historian and senior fellow for national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Whether Trump’s pressure strategy – deploying America’s dominant naval forces to halt Iran’s sanctioned petroleum and commodity exports – will prove successful remains uncertain. Several analysts believe Trump’s Venezuelan victory resulted more from the U.S. military operation that removed leader Nicolás Maduro than from American vessels intercepting prohibited oil tankers to establish U.S. dominance over the South American nation.

Meanwhile, America’s oil sanctions against Cuba have triggered the island’s worst economic catastrophe in decades. Despite recent rare diplomatic meetings between U.S. and Cuban representatives on the island, the financial pressure has not achieved the Trump administration’s declared objective of regime change.

“I do think that the success of the Maduro mission in Venezuela has probably emboldened the president,” said Todd Huntley, director of Georgetown University’s National Security Law Program.

However, this doesn’t mean the Venezuelan and Iranian situations are comparable across geographic, military, or political dimensions. “There are some major differences,” said Huntley, a retired Navy captain and judge advocate general.

Although the Iranian blockade has inflicted serious economic damage, including preventing cargo ships from bringing in various materials, the nation has managed to export some of its prohibited oil, according to vessel monitoring organizations.

Tehran has refused Trump’s demands to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil typically passes, and has resumed attacking vessels this week. Disrupted shipments through the waterway have caused fuel prices to surge well beyond the region and increased costs for food and numerous other goods, creating electoral complications for Trump before November’s midterm elections.

“Blockades are usually just one tool of a mechanism used in a conflict,” said Salvatore Mercogliano, a maritime history professor at Campbell University in North Carolina. “They can be important. But it’s only one element. And I don’t think it’s going to be enough to convince the Iranians.”

Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, claimed last week that “no ship has evaded U.S. forces.” The command overseeing the Middle East said it has directed 31 ships to turn around or return to port as of Wednesday.

Maritime industry organizations remain doubtful. Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported “a steady flow of shadow fleet traffic” has passed in and out of the Gulf, including 11 tankers with Iranian cargo that have left the Gulf of Oman outside the strait since April 13.

The maritime intelligence firm Windward said this week that Iranian traffic continues to flow “via deception.”

Iranian vessels employ multiple methods to circumvent the blockade, including falsifying their location monitoring systems or sailing through Pakistani territorial waters, Mercogliano explained. He emphasized that the enormous amount of maritime traffic requiring military inspection presents a formidable challenge.

The most recent U.S. blockade comparable to the current Iranian operation occurred during the Kennedy presidency in the early 1960s, when America established a blockade against Cuba, Huntley noted.

“And it wasn’t even called a blockade,” he said. “We called it quarantine.”

Certain historical naval blockades have proven effective, such as Britain’s blockade against Germany during World War I. “But they tend to be very long-term impacts, whereas Trump is looking for short-term, quick results,” according to Boot, the military historian.

He suggested Trump likely viewed the blockade targeting Venezuelan sanctioned oil tankers as instrumental in achieving regime change in that country. However, Boot argued it resulted more from the U.S. removing Maduro and subsequent cooperation from his vice president and current acting president, Delcy Rodríguez.

“There is no Delcy Rodríguez in Cuba or Iran,” Boot said. “I think his success in Venezuela led him astray, thinking that this was a template that could be replicated elsewhere. He sees it as a huge success at little cost. And, in fact, it turns out to be a unique set of circumstances.”

Iranian forces have directed two captured container vessels carrying roughly 40 sailors toward the port of Bandar Abbas, according to sources reporting Thursday, following Tehran’s promise to strike back after American military units seized an Iranian ship earlier this week.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps captured both vessels Wednesday near the Strait of Hormuz – one operated by MSC, the globe’s largest container shipping company, while the second was chartered by the same firm, three sources confirmed.

“Some 20 Iranians armed to the teeth stormed the ship. Sailors are under Iranians’ control, their movements on the ship are limited, but the Iranians are treating them well,” a family member of one crew member told Reuters.

Montenegro’s maritime affairs minister Filip Radulovic provided an update on his nation’s sailors, telling state broadcaster RTCG: “The ship is anchored nine nautical miles from the Iranian coast. Negotiations between MSC and Iran are ongoing, our sailors are fine.”

Four crew members aboard the MSC Francesca, including the vessel’s captain, hold Montenegrin citizenship, Radulovic confirmed. Croatia’s foreign ministry verified that two Croatian nationals are also among the crew.

Complete crew information for the Panama-registered ship remains unavailable, though large container vessels typically operate with at least 20 personnel minimum. MSC has refused to provide statements.

The Liberian-flagged Epaminondas carries 21 crew members from Ukraine and the Philippines, Greek coast guard officials reported. The vessel had been traveling to India when captured.

While both crews were described as safe, government officials from their respective nations indicated they are gathering information about the sailors’ conditions and working toward securing their freedom.

No details have emerged regarding any cargo the vessels may have been transporting.

Both ships disabled their tracking transponder equipment, but maritime security experts said shipping data indicated their location near Bandar Abbas.

The Iranian vessel seizures followed the April 19 incident when U.S. military forces opened fire on and captured the Iran-flagged cargo ship Touska.

“The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy by the U.S. military,” an Iranian military spokesperson declared in response.

Iran’s foreign ministry has demanded immediate release of the Touska vessel, along with its crew and their families. Information about the ship’s personnel has not been disclosed.

Global oil markets have surged on concerns about potential disruption to the strait, a waterway that typically carries 20% of worldwide daily oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Benchmark Brent crude oil futures climbed 2% to $104 per barrel Thursday, compared to $72 before the conflict started February 28.

U.S. Central Command announced Wednesday that since beginning its blockade preventing ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports, American forces had ordered 31 vessels to reverse course or return to port.

Palestinian health officials reported that Israeli military operations resulted in four deaths across Gaza on Thursday, according to medical personnel in the region.

Medical sources confirmed that one fatality occurred during a military strike in Khan Younis, located in Gaza’s southern region, with additional individuals sustaining injuries. Israeli military officials stated their forces had engaged militants who were moving weapons and presented a danger to Israeli troops.

Health authorities reported three additional deaths, including an emergency responder, during a separate military action in Maghazi, a refugee settlement within the Deir al Balah region of central Gaza. Israeli military representatives have not provided statements regarding this particular incident.

Military operations in Gaza have continued regularly since a ceasefire agreement facilitated by the United States took effect in October. Israeli and Hamas officials have each claimed the opposing side has broken ceasefire terms.

No enforcement structure exists for monitoring the ceasefire agreement. Since the truce began, casualty figures show four Israeli military personnel and over 780 Palestinians have died in Gaza.

At Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the area’s primary medical center, family members joined other mourners in funeral preparations for five individuals, including three minors, who died Wednesday when an Israeli strike hit a northern Gaza community.

“There is no ceasefire, no truce, nothing at all,” said Mohammed Baalousha, a relative of one of the victims. “There is no safety in any area.”

Israeli military officials have not issued statements about Wednesday’s strike.

The South American nation of Paraguay welcomed its first group of deported migrants from the United States on Thursday, marking the beginning of a new immigration cooperation deal between the two countries.

Paraguayan officials confirmed that 16 individuals from various third countries arrived in the capital city of Asunción as part of the deportation arrangement. According to a government statement, these migrants were the only ones who “meet the legal requirements for entry and temporary stay in the country” out of an originally planned group of 25 people.

The deportations represent the initial implementation of the migration cooperation agreement that Paraguay and the United States recently established. Officials did not specify which countries the deported migrants originally came from or provide details about the circumstances of their deportation from U.S. territory.

Diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran have encountered fresh obstacles following Iran’s recent seizure of maritime vessels in the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway.

The incident has created additional complications for ongoing peace discussions between the two nations, casting uncertainty over the timeline for resolution.

During a Wednesday interview with Fox News, President Trump addressed the situation regarding the current ceasefire arrangements. “No time pressure” exists on the ceasefire, Trump stated, announcing that he has decided to extend it for an indefinite period.

The Strait of Hormuz represents one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes, making any disruption to maritime traffic in the region a matter of international concern.

The ship seizures mark the latest development in the complex relationship between Washington and Tehran, as both sides navigate sensitive diplomatic terrain while working toward potential agreements.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — International Criminal Court judges gave the green light Thursday for crimes against humanity charges to proceed against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte over his lethal anti-narcotics operations during his tenure in office.

Three judges reached a unanimous decision that substantial evidence exists to support allegations that the former leader orchestrated numerous killings, beginning during his time as mayor of Davao in southern Philippines and continuing throughout his presidency from 2016 to 2022.

The 81-year-old Duterte was taken into custody in the Philippines last year and maintains his innocence regarding all accusations.

The judges’ comprehensive 50-page ruling determined that evidence demonstrates Duterte “developed, disseminated and implemented” a strategy “to ‘neutralize’ alleged criminals.”

Court prosecutors allege that law enforcement officers and assassination teams executed numerous killings on Duterte’s orders beginning in 2011, driven by financial incentives or fear of becoming victims themselves.

“For some, killing reached the level of a perverse form of competition,” deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang told the court in pretrial hearings in February.

Death toll estimates from Duterte’s presidential administration range widely, from over 6,000 according to national police records to as many as 30,000 as claimed by human rights organizations.

In a Wednesday statement, prosecutors described the ruling as “a significant milestone” in their pursuit of accountability.

Duterte’s primary defense attorney Nick Kaufman expressed disappointment to The Associated Press, arguing the decision “is based on the uncorroborated statements of vicious self-confessed murderers acting as cooperating witnesses.”

No trial date has been scheduled yet.

Duterte has chosen not to attend any court proceedings, having waived his right to appear. Last month, judges determined he was mentally competent to stand trial after delaying an earlier session due to health concerns.

In the Philippines, relatives of those killed during the harsh anti-drug operations celebrated the court’s decision, viewing it as progress toward justice and closure for a devastating period in their lives.

“This is for all the victims, who were not even given the chance to be recognized as victims because their stories were twisted in police reports, investigations and findings,” said Randy delos Santos, whose nephew, Kian delos Santos, was gunned down in an alley in August 2017 by three police officers.

“Unlike Kian, most other victims were nameless, voiceless and were just numbers and statistics whose horrific stories were never heard. Now the ICC will give their stories a chance to be told,” delos Santos told The Associated Press.

Human rights organizations also welcomed the court’s action.

“Duterte’s trial will send a powerful message that no one responsible for grave crimes is above the law, whether in the Philippines or elsewhere, and that justice will eventually catch up with them,” Maria Elena Vignoli, senior international justice counsel at Human Rights Watch, said.

ICC prosecutors announced in 2018 their intention to launch a preliminary examination of the violent drug enforcement operations. Human rights advocates believe Duterte’s subsequent announcement that the Philippines would withdraw from the court was an attempt to escape accountability.

On Tuesday, appeals court judges denied a motion from Duterte’s legal team to dismiss the case based on claims the court lacked authority due to the Philippine withdrawal.

In October, judges removed the court’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan from the case due to a “reasonable appearance of bias” since he had previously represented victims of Duterte’s alleged crimes before joining the ICC. Khan had already stepped aside pending an independent probe into sexual misconduct allegations.

BERLIN — An attack with red liquid targeted Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on Thursday as he exited a government building in the German capital.

The incident took place after Pahlavi concluded a media briefing where he had spoken against a ceasefire agreement between America and Iran. The attack happened outside Germany’s federal press conference facility.

Following the incident, Pahlavi acknowledged his supporters with a wave before entering a vehicle that departed the scene. Authorities immediately apprehended the suspected attacker.

The 65-year-old prince is the offspring of Iran’s deposed monarch, whose rule sparked such widespread opposition that massive street demonstrations in 1979 forced his removal from power. Despite this history, Pahlavi seeks to establish himself as a potential leader for Iran’s future, although his domestic support remains uncertain after nearly five decades in exile.

During his Berlin visit, Pahlavi received no invitations to meet with German officials. On Thursday, he contended that the ceasefire deal wrongly assumes Iran’s government will modify its conduct and “you’re going to deal with people who all of a sudden have become pragmatists.”

“I don’t see that happening,” he said. “I’m not saying that diplomacy should not be given a chance, but I think diplomacy has been given enough chance.”

The prince actively seeks a return to leadership should Iran’s current Shiite religious government collapse and has endorsed U.S.-Israeli military actions across the Middle East.

During his Berlin appearance, Pahlavi urged European nations to increase their assistance to Iranians advocating for democratic reform. He stated that Iranian officials executed 19 political prisoners over the previous two weeks while sentencing an additional 20 individuals to death.

“Will the free world do something, or watch the slaughter in silence?” Pahlavi said.

British and French officials announced Thursday a major new partnership worth hundreds of millions of dollars designed to stem the flow of migrants attempting dangerous crossings of the English Channel in small watercraft.

The three-year agreement was formally signed by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez during a joint regional visit.

Britain will contribute 500 million pounds ($675 million) to enhance security measures along France’s northern coastline, with an additional 160 million pounds ($216 million) available based on the effectiveness of new anti-crossing strategies. The Home Office stated that if these new approaches prove unsuccessful, the extra funding will be discontinued after 12 months.

According to the French Interior Ministry, the partnership will significantly expand law enforcement presence in the area, increasing officer deployment from the current 907 to 1,392 during the 2026-2029 timeframe. France will also fund the establishment of a specialized police unit focused specifically on combating unauthorized migration.

The initiative will introduce advanced technology to target what officials call ‘taxi boats’ – small motorized vessels, typically inflatable, that smugglers use to transport migrants. These craft differ from boats migrants carry themselves, as they usually depart empty from hidden coastal locations and collect passengers at predetermined beach rendezvous points.

Enhanced monitoring through drone aircraft, helicopter surveillance, and electronic tracking systems will also be implemented to better intercept crossing attempts.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that bilateral cooperation had ‘already stopped tens of thousands of crossings’ and that ‘this historic agreement means we can go further — ramping up intelligence, surveillance and boots on the ground to protect Britain’s borders.’

The French interior ministry reports that UK arrivals have dropped by more than half this year compared to the same timeframe in 2025. Law enforcement operations resulted in 480 smuggler arrests during the previous year.

Much of the new resources will be deployed beginning in early summer, when crossing attempts typically surge due to improved weather conditions.

The agreement comes after a recent tragedy where two men and two women lost their lives while attempting to board an inflatable vessel off northern France’s coast. British authorities arrested a Sudanese man Friday in connection with that incident on charges of endangering life.

This new partnership expands upon the Sandhurst Treaty, originally established in 2018 and most recently renewed in 2023.

Chinese customs officials announced Tuesday they have immediately suspended all poultry imports from Chile following the detection of avian influenza in the South American nation.

The import suspension takes effect right away and encompasses all chicken, turkey and other poultry products shipped from Chile, according to a statement from China’s customs authority. Officials said the measure is necessary to safeguard China’s domestic livestock sector and maintain biosecurity standards. Customs agents have been instructed to confiscate and destroy any Chilean poultry products that arrive at border crossings.

This marks the second time in recent years that China has halted Chilean poultry imports due to bird flu concerns. Trade between the two nations had only recently restarted in late 2024 following an 18-month ban that was also triggered by avian influenza. Prior to that suspension, Chile ranked as China’s third-biggest poultry supplier, shipping approximately 29,000 tons in 2022 – representing 15% of Chile’s total poultry export volume.

The new restrictions come as Chinese authorities have strengthened disease prevention measures at their borders. In late March, officials reported an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease affecting 219 head of cattle in China’s northwestern provinces.

A bitter political feud has extended beyond the grave as Zambian officials announced they have gained control of former President Edgar Lungu’s remains, almost a full year after his passing in South Africa.

According to a Wednesday statement from Zambia’s attorney general, the government now has custody of Lungu’s body following a South African court decision directing its release to them. Officials said the remains were transferred from a Pretoria funeral home to a different location.

However, Lungu’s relatives assert they obtained an emergency court ruling demanding the body’s return to the original funeral home, where it has remained since his death last June while the unusual legal battle unfolded in South African courtrooms.

Specific information about these seemingly contradictory court decisions was not readily accessible.

The conflict stems from the hostile relationship between Lungu and Zambia’s current leader, Hakainde Hichilema, who were fierce political opponents.

The Hichilema administration maintains that Lungu deserves a state funeral in his homeland and burial in the designated cemetery for Zambian presidents. However, Lungu’s relatives contend that among his final requests was that Hichilema stay away from his remains and not oversee his funeral proceedings.

Last June, Zambian officials successfully obtained a court injunction that halted Lungu’s funeral service in South Africa while it was underway, compelling family members to abandon the church ceremony and head to court.

Lungu served as Zambia’s president from 2015 through 2021 before passing away from an unspecified medical condition at a South African medical facility on June 5. He was 68 years old.

During Lungu’s presidency in 2017, Hichilema faced arrest on treason charges and spent four months in detention before international pressure led to his release and the charges being dismissed.

After losing the 2021 presidential race to Hichilema, Lungu later alleged that Zambian law enforcement was limiting his movement and had essentially confined him to his home to block any potential political return. The Hichilema government rejected these accusations.

BEIRUT — Lebanese and Israeli diplomatic representatives were scheduled to conduct their second round of face-to-face negotiations in Washington Thursday, focusing on potentially extending the current truce with Hezbollah and establishing frameworks for future diplomatic discussions between the longtime adversaries.

The diplomatic session involves Lebanon’s U.S. Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, marking their second encounter following last week’s historic meeting — the first direct diplomatic contact between the nations in 30 years.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced Wednesday that ongoing communications aim to prolong the 10-day cessation of hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah that took effect this past Friday.

According to statements from Aoun’s office, Hamadeh plans to propose extending the current ceasefire while requesting an immediate halt to Israeli demolition activities in occupied Lebanese communities and villages, actions that began after hostilities erupted on March 2.

Broader diplomatic preparations are underway for comprehensive negotiations between the two nations. Future discussions will target complete cessation of Israeli military operations, withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, freedom for Lebanese detainees in Israeli custody, positioning of Lebanese military units along the border, and initiating reconstruction efforts, Aoun explained.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar urged Lebanon to collaborate with Israel in dismantling the Iranian-supported militant organization Hezbollah before the Washington negotiations proceed.

“We don’t have any serious disagreements with Lebanon. There are a few minor border disputes that can be solved,” Saar stated during Independence Day addresses to Israel’s diplomatic representatives, while also characterizing the neighboring nation as a “failed state.”

“The obstacle to peace and normalization between the countries is one: Hezbollah,” he declared, suggesting Lebanon could achieve “a future of sovereignty, independence and freedom from the Iranian occupation.”

Current hostilities began when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks against northern Israeli territory, occurring two days following joint Israeli-U.S. strikes against Iran. Israel retaliated with extensive bombing campaigns across Lebanon and ground operations that resulted in the capture of numerous border communities.

Israeli military forces currently maintain control over a buffer area extending up to 10 kilometers into southern Lebanese territory. Israeli officials state their objective involves eliminating threats from short-range rockets and anti-tank weaponry targeting northern Israeli communities.

Despite Hezbollah’s complete opposition to the process, these negotiations represent significant progress between two nations lacking diplomatic relations and technically remaining in a state of war since Israel’s establishment in 1948.

Lebanese government officials view these discussions as potentially leading to permanent conflict resolution. While Iran has demanded ending regional conflicts as a prerequisite for U.S. dialogue, Lebanon maintains its commitment to independent representation.

Wafiq Safa, a senior official within Hezbollah’s political leadership, informed The Associated Press that the organization will not honor any agreements reached through these direct negotiations, which it firmly opposes.

Multiple ceasefire violations by both parties have occurred since the truce implementation last week.

The recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict resulted in approximately 2,300 Lebanese casualties, including hundreds of women and children, while displacing more than one million residents.

Last week’s diplomatic engagement marked the first direct Israel-Lebanon talks since 1993. Both nations have historically depended on indirect communication channels, typically facilitated by the United States or UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s senior political leadership, critical of Hezbollah’s March 2 rocket attacks launched in support of Iran, rapidly proposed direct negotiations to prevent further escalation, hoping to deter Israel’s planned ground offensive.

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — In a diplomatic meeting aimed at strengthening international partnerships, Estonia’s top diplomat Margus Tsahkna held discussions with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on Wednesday, focusing on expanding collaboration in commerce, technology, and digital modernization efforts.

The partnership between Vietnam and Estonia has gained momentum in recent years, with both nations finalizing digital cooperation agreements in 2025.

While Estonia represents only 0.2% of the European Union’s economic output, the Baltic nation has established itself as a leader in digital innovation and electronic government services. Estonian officials are now sharing this technological know-how with Vietnam as the Southeast Asian manufacturing hub works toward becoming a high-income nation by 2045.

According to Tsahkna, digital service collaboration could help Vietnam streamline government processes, enhance transparency, and reduce operational expenses.

“It is much more quicker for citizens to be part of public sector services,” he told The Associated Press in Hanoi, noting that Vietnam had proposed an education cooperation agreement.

Prime Minister Hung requested Estonia’s assistance in encouraging the European Union to approve an Investment Protection Agreement and to help remove the European Commission’s “yellow card” restriction on Vietnamese seafood imports related to illegal fishing concerns, according to government media reports.

Tsahkna explained that Estonia could function as an entry point for Vietnamese companies seeking European markets, while Vietnam provides Estonia access to broader markets and Southeast Asian opportunities.

“For us, Vietnam is one of the priority countries in the region,” he stated.

The Estonian minister noted that the Vietnamese discussions also provided a platform to share Europe’s perspective on Russia as an “existential threat.”

Vietnam and Russia have maintained diplomatic ties since 1950, with Vietnam taking a neutral position on the Ukraine conflict, promoting peace while avoiding direct condemnation of Russian actions.

Tsahkna explained that Estonia’s outreach efforts in Vietnam and Southeast Asia stem from both geopolitical challenges and economic possibilities, particularly as U.S. President Donald Trump’s critiques of European defense contributions and trade disputes push Europe to seek new partnerships.

AMSTERDAM – The International Criminal Court announced Thursday that former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte will face trial on three murder charges classified as crimes against humanity.

Court officials determined there are “substantial grounds” to believe the 81-year-old former leader orchestrated the deaths of 76 individuals and attempted murders of two others during his controversial anti-narcotics campaign. Prosecutors allege this broader initiative resulted in thousands of civilian deaths across the Philippines.

“The available evidentiary material shows the existence of a common plan between Mr Duterte and his co-perpetrators to kill alleged criminals in the Philippines, including those perceived or alleged to be associated with drug use, sale or production, through violent crimes including murder,” court officials stated.

According to prosecutors, Duterte established, financed, and equipped killing squads specifically to hunt down and eliminate suspected drug dealers and users throughout his presidency from 2016 to 2022.

The former president has consistently maintained that he only authorized police to use lethal force when defending themselves and has repeatedly justified his anti-drug operations.

On Wednesday, appeals court judges rejected an attempt to dismiss Duterte’s case and confirmed the court maintains authority over these proceedings.

Based on previous International Criminal Court cases, trials typically begin within one year after charges are officially confirmed.

The United States will facilitate a second round of diplomatic discussions between Lebanese and Israeli representatives this Thursday, as Lebanon pushes to extend the current ceasefire agreement with Israel and Hezbollah before it expires this Sunday.

The diplomatic meeting follows a deadly escalation on Wednesday when Israeli military operations resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals, including Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, according to senior Lebanese military sources and her news organization, Al-Akhbar newspaper.

Wednesday represented the most lethal day since the US-brokered truce took effect on April 16, despite the agreement leading to a notable decrease in overall hostilities. However, military actions have persisted in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces have established what they describe as a protective buffer zone.

The Iran-supported Hezbollah organization maintains it possesses “the right to resist” what it considers occupying military forces.

The current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel resumed on March 2, when the militant group launched attacks in solidarity with Tehran amid the broader regional conflict. This Lebanese ceasefire developed independently from Washington’s broader diplomatic efforts to address tensions with Iran, although Iranian officials had advocated for Lebanon’s inclusion in any comprehensive peace agreement.

In response to Israeli military strikes, Hezbollah announced it conducted four separate operations in southern Lebanon on Wednesday.

Lebanese government statistics indicate that nearly 2,500 people have lost their lives in Lebanon since Israel launched its military response following Hezbollah’s March 2 assault.

Israeli forces currently control a southern Lebanese territory stretching 5 to 10 kilometers (3 to 6 miles) into the country, which Israeli officials say is necessary to protect northern Israel from Hezbollah rocket attacks. The militant group has launched hundreds of rockets throughout the conflict.

Despite strong opposition from Hezbollah, which was founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982, the Lebanese government has established direct diplomatic communication with Israel.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced that Lebanon’s representative for Thursday’s Washington negotiations, US Ambassador Nada Moawad, will advocate for extending the ceasefire and stopping Israeli demolition activities in southern Lebanese villages.

A Lebanese government source indicated that Beirut views a ceasefire extension as essential before advancing to higher-level negotiations, where Lebanon would demand Israeli military withdrawal, the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, and formal border demarcation.

Israeli negotiation goals include dismantling Hezbollah and establishing conditions for a lasting peace agreement. Israeli officials have attempted to find common ground with the Lebanese government regarding Hezbollah, which Beirut has been working to disarm through peaceful means over the past year.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will participate in Thursday’s meeting, while Israel will send its Washington ambassador, Yechiel Leiter.

Rubio previously facilitated the initial meeting between Leiter and Moawad on April 14, marking the most significant diplomatic contact between Lebanon and Israel in decades.

The United States has rejected any connection between its Lebanon mediation efforts and separate diplomatic initiatives regarding the Iran conflict.

Hezbollah claims the Lebanese ceasefire resulted from Iranian influence rather than American diplomatic intervention.

President Aoun has outlined objectives including ending Israeli military operations against Lebanon and securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

A Malaysian company’s announcement about upcoming condom price increases has created a social media frenzy in China, with discussions about the topic reaching more than 60 million viewers by Thursday.

The buzz started when Goh Miah Kiat, head of Malaysian condom manufacturer Karex Bhd, announced plans to increase prices between 20% and 30%. He warned costs could climb even higher if supply chain problems related to the Iran conflict continue.

Chinese users flocked to Weibo, the country’s version of X, to discuss how global conflicts are now affecting intimate aspects of daily life. The hashtag about rising condom costs quickly went viral.

Despite the price increases, many social media users said the higher costs wouldn’t stop them from purchasing contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Some encouraged others to buy in bulk before prices rise.

“A few dozen yuan for a condom is a hundred times more cost-effective than raising a child at a million yuan,” said one user.

“From now on, not only will we have to be frugal, but we’ll also have to stock up on condoms in advance,” said another.

The timing of these discussions is notable as Chinese officials are implementing various policies to encourage higher birth rates in response to the country’s aging population and declining fertility rates. Birth rates reached historic lows last year.

Karex manufactures more than 5 billion condoms each year and supplies major brands including Durex and Trojan.

Higher condom costs would compound existing increases in family planning expenses for Chinese consumers. Earlier this year, the government ended a 30-year tax exemption on birth control products and medications. Contraceptives now face a 13% value-added tax, the standard rate for most consumer items.

Several condom manufacturers that sell products in China, including Reckitt, LifeStyles, Ansell, and Renfu, have not yet responded to requests for comment about potential price changes.

BANGKOK – Recent disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have drawn renewed attention to security vulnerabilities at another critical maritime passage – the Strait of Malacca, which handles more international trade traffic than any other waterway globally.

The Strait of Malacca stretches 550 miles between Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, serving as the most direct shipping route connecting East Asia with Europe and the Middle East.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, this vital corridor handles nearly 22% of all global maritime commerce. Energy shipments from Middle Eastern nations to China, Japan and South Korea represent a significant portion of this traffic.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration identifies Malacca as the world’s most important “oil transit chokepoint,” surpassing even Hormuz in volume. During the first six months of 2025, approximately 23.2 million barrels of oil traveled through Malacca daily, representing 29% of all seaborne oil transport. By comparison, Hormuz handled about 20.9 million barrels per day.

Maritime traffic through the strait has increased substantially, with over 102,500 vessels – primarily commercial ships – making the passage in 2025, compared to roughly 94,300 in 2024, according to Malaysia’s Marine Department statistics. While most tankers use this route, some extremely large ships must navigate around Indonesia due to depth limitations, adding significant time and cost to their journeys.

The waterway presents several challenges for safe navigation. At the Phillips Channel near Singapore, the strait narrows to just 1.7 miles across, creating a natural bottleneck that increases risks of accidents, vessel groundings, and potential oil spills.

Shallow areas with depths of only 82-90 feet restrict the largest ships, though even massive crude carriers exceeding 350 meters in length and 60 meters in width regularly make the transit.

Criminal activity has long plagued the region, with piracy and attacks on commercial vessels remaining persistent threats. The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre, a regional anti-piracy organization, reported at least 104 criminal incidents last year, though attacks decreased during the first quarter of this year.

China has particular strategic interest in keeping the strait secure, as roughly 75% of Chinese seaborne crude oil imports from the Middle East and Africa pass through these waters, according to tanker tracking firm Vortexa.

Current tensions involving Iran have heightened existing concerns about potential disruptions to chokepoints like Malacca, especially if conflicts emerge in the South China Sea or Taiwan Strait regions, where another 21% of global maritime trade occurs, CSIS data shows.

Malaysian officials have also identified the strait as an increasingly popular location for illegal ship-to-ship oil transfers designed to hide the origin of petroleum products.

Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa recently sparked discussion by suggesting countries might consider charging tolls for passage through the strait, though he acknowledged such arrangements are not feasible under current agreements.

Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan addressed these concerns in comments to CNBC, emphasizing that nations bordering the strait share common interests in maintaining open access and have committed to avoiding toll collection.

“Singapore had assured the United States and China that the right of passage was guaranteed for all and it would not participate in any efforts to block the strait or impose tolls,” Balakrishnan stated.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan reinforced this position during a Wednesday forum, explaining that “no unilateral decisions can be made about the strait and that Malaysia is on the same page with Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, and they conduct joint patrols to ensure the waterway remains open.”

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey’s parliament approved new legislation Wednesday evening that would ban children under 15 from using social media platforms, according to reports from state-controlled media outlets.

The measure represents part of a worldwide movement aimed at shielding young people from harmful online content and activities.

The legislative action follows by one week a tragic incident in Kahramanmaras, located in southern Turkey, where a 14-year-old student fatally shot nine classmates and one teacher at a middle school before dying himself. Authorities are examining the shooter’s internet usage as they work to determine what motivated the deadly attack.

According to the state-operated Anadolu news agency, the new law would mandate that social media companies implement systems to verify users’ ages, offer tools for parental oversight, and establish procedures for quick responses to content flagged as dangerous.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan now has a two-week window to sign the legislation before it becomes official law. Following the Kahramanmaras tragedy, he emphasized the importance of reducing online dangers that threaten children’s wellbeing and personal information.

“We are living in a period where some digital sharing applications are corrupting our children’s minds and social media platforms have, to put it bluntly, become cesspools,” he said in a televised address Monday.

Turkey’s primary opposition group, the Republican People’s Party or CHP, has voiced opposition to the proposal, arguing that young people should be safeguarded “not with bans but with rights-based policies.”

The new regulations would require digital services including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and similar platforms to prevent minors under 15 from creating accounts while implementing parental supervision features to monitor children’s online activity.

Companies that operate online gaming platforms must also designate representatives within Turkey to guarantee compliance with the updated rules. Violations could result in reduced internet speeds and monetary penalties from Turkey’s telecommunications regulatory body.

Turkey’s leadership has previously limited access to online platforms as they’ve increasingly become venues for political opposition. Internet communications faced widespread restrictions during protests last year supporting Istanbul’s imprisoned opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.

Australia became the first nation to implement social media age restrictions for those under 16 in December, leading platforms to deactivate approximately 4.7 million accounts belonging to minors.

Indonesia started enforcing similar regulations last month, prohibiting children younger than 16 from accessing digital services that might expose them to explicit content, online harassment, fraudulent schemes and addictive behaviors.

Additional nations including Spain, France and the United Kingdom are either implementing or evaluating similar restrictions on children’s social media access due to increasing concerns about the negative effects of unmoderated online content on young users.

The Duke of Sussex made a surprise journey to Ukraine’s capital on Thursday, arriving unannounced to demonstrate solidarity with the nation as it continues its conflict with Russia into a fifth year.

Upon reaching a railway station in Kyiv early Thursday morning, Prince Harry expressed his pleasure at returning, stating: “It’s good to be back in Ukraine.”

During his two-day visit, the Duke will participate in a security conference in Kyiv. His presence comes at a time when global focus has shifted toward conflicts in the Middle East.

Prince Harry described Ukraine as “a country bravely and successfully defending Europe’s eastern flank,” emphasizing that “it matters that we don’t lose sight of the significance of that.”

The visit will also include stops at the HALO Trust, a de-mining organization that received support from his mother Princess Diana, according to Britain’s ITV. Additionally, he plans to meet with Ukrainian veterans who have participated in his Invictus Games Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping injured service members heal through athletic competition.

This marks the Duke’s third visit to Ukraine, having made two previous trips to the country in the prior year.

QOZ NAFISA, Sudan — Abbas Awad has always faced difficulties obtaining medications in his village near Sudan’s capital city. However, the conflict in Iran has created additional obstacles, driving up costs and leaving local pharmacies without adequate inventory.

The current Middle Eastern conflict is creating widespread consequences, particularly affecting nations already dealing with their own internal wars.

Following three years of civil conflict in Sudan, a public health facility in Qoz Nafisa village within Khartoum state is working to serve thousands of residents, including 61-year-old Awad.

Awad explained that he has been rationing his glaucoma medication, concerned about finding replacement supplies or being able to pay for them. Financial constraints were already a concern due to the domestic conflict, he noted.

“Now we have the problem of the war in the Middle East. It’s just made things worse,” he said.

Humanitarian organizations report that the Iranian conflict has blocked critical shipping pathways, disrupting their capacity to deliver food and medical supplies to millions of people worldwide who need assistance. The tension between the United States and Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, while other shipping lanes from key locations like Dubai have also been affected.

Shipping expenses have increased dramatically due to higher fuel costs and insurance premiums, further hampering supply delivery efforts. The United Nations reports cost increases of up to 20% for shipments, accompanied by delays as cargo is redirected through alternative routes.

The International Rescue Committee, which assists the medical facility where Awad receives some of his treatments, reported that approximately $130,000 worth of pharmaceutical products destined for Sudan remained stuck in Dubai for several weeks and is only recently reaching its destination.

According to the IRC, medical supplies including antibiotics, pain medications, and stethoscopes that were scheduled for air transport from the United Arab Emirates to Port Sudan were instead sent overland to nearby Oman before being flown to their final destination.

President Donald Trump extended the temporary ceasefire with Iran this week, though humanitarian groups remain concerned that conditions will not improve significantly.

“There’s still a real lag in the system. Shipments remain blocked or delayed, and that’s deeply worrying,” said Madiha Raza, associate director for global public affairs and communications for IRC.

Sudan has been widely recognized as experiencing the world’s most severe humanitarian emergency, and Raza emphasized that any postponement in delivering food, medicine, and fuel creates catastrophic impacts.

The approximately 5,000 residents who depend on the IRC-supported public health clinic in Qoz Nafisa must now seek care at other facilities and pay out-of-pocket expenses they frequently cannot afford.

When AP reporters visited on Wednesday, clinic personnel reported struggling to meet patient needs since the Iranian conflict began in late February.

Dr. Amira Sidig, the facility’s medical director, stated that the most recent IRC shipment arrived in December. Expected deliveries in February and April have not materialized.

While Sudan’s health ministry attempts to address the shortage, it only provides half of what is required, Sidig explained.

“It’s never enough because they also have a shortage, and we’re again out of stock quickly,” she said.

Sidig noted that for multiple days this month, the clinic lacked malaria treatments for the 50% of patients who arrive with the disease.

Ahmed Ibrahim, a clinic employee, described growing patient frustration.

“When people come to the window, they say, ‘Why are you here and there is no medicine?’”

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Petroleum shipments from Russia to Slovakia have restarted through the Druzhba pipeline system that passes through Ukrainian territory, according to Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Saková on Thursday.

A growing diplomatic dispute has emerged between Ukraine and two European Union members, Hungary and Slovakia, after Russian petroleum deliveries to both nations stopped in January.

Both Hungary and Slovakia continue to rely on Russian energy sources, setting them apart from most other European Union countries.

The two nations have blamed Ukraine for not fixing a damaged section of the pipeline infrastructure. In response, Hungary has prevented approval of a substantial EU financial package for war-torn Ukraine, while Slovakia refused to support additional sanctions against Russia until energy deliveries were restored.

After a three-month interruption, petroleum shipments began moving again at 2 a.m. on Thursday.

MILAN (AP) — Milan’s fashion scene takes center stage as “The Devil Wears Prada 2” makes its Italian debut Thursday, with the luxury brand featured prominently in the title while the entire fashion industry and Milan itself share the spotlight.

While the movie references Prada without focusing specifically on the legendary fashion house that has become a symbol of Milan, both Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour honor the connection by wearing Prada designs on a recent Vogue cover that celebrates the film about a ruthless fashion magazine editor.

However, when filming took place in Milan last September during the city’s fashion week, it was a Dolce & Gabbana runway presentation, rather than a Prada show, that served as the setting for scenes with Streep and Stanley Tucci.

“When you think of Prada, when you think of the Prada brand, you also think of Milan. This is obviously good for the fashion system,” said Tommaso Sacchi, Milan’s counselor for culture. “It’s a film that is good for the city.”

The excitement has translated into a special pop-up installation at Milan’s premier department store, drawing both movie fans and fashion enthusiasts who are eager to snap photos at a recreation of fictional editor Miranda Priestly’s office and pose with a mock-up cover of the imaginary Runway magazine.

Distinguished guests attending Thursday’s Italian premiere, which precedes next week’s worldwide launch, will enjoy cocktails in the exhibition space.

Rinascente CEO Mariella Elia noted that the overwhelming response to the installation — marked by enormous sculptures of the famous red high heels positioned outside the store — demonstrates people’s “desire for lightness.”

“It’s not just about buying, it’s really about reviving what fashion represents … a desire to have a stylish flair once again, a desire for joy, too — perhaps in contrast with the current economic and international moment that humanity is experiencing,” Elia said.

During a recent visit, the exhibition space buzzed with visitors examining exclusive T-shirts featuring memorable quotes from the original film, including “Is there some reason my coffee isn’t here?”

Professor Valentina Cattivelli explained she wasn’t attempting to emulate Priestly’s persona while posing at the replica desk, which featured an inbox containing additional lines from the first movie, including Priestly’s curt “That’s all.”

“No, I’m not so cruel in my daily life, but I appreciate her professional style and also her fashion and the taste for fashion. But not her sarcasm or cruelty, no,” Cattivelli said.

The Prada empire began just steps away in the elegant Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, established by Miuccia Prada’s grandfather. Today, the historic shopping corridor features two Prada flagship locations.

Under Miuccia Prada’s leadership, the company evolved into a fashion powerhouse, transforming what critics called “ugly chic” into coveted designs and accessories that brought intellectual depth to runway fashion — a central theme in the original film, which revealed the substance beneath fashion industry superficiality.

“There is a close relationship between the ‘Devil Wears Prada’ franchise and Prada, because by evoking Prada from the very title, it evokes a fashion that makes you dream, a fashion that makes you feel elegant, a fashion that makes you feel good, a fashion that gives you an allure,” said Annarita Briganti, a fashion journalist who wrote a book about Prada for Rizzoli’s Made in Italy editions.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — A head-on collision between two passenger trains Thursday morning triggered a large-scale emergency response in Denmark, with authorities describing the incident as a significant accident.

The crash happened at approximately 6:30 a.m. close to Hillerød, roughly 25 miles north of Denmark’s capital city.

North Zealand police confirmed that all passengers have been removed from both trains. Law enforcement officials declined to reveal how many people were hurt or describe the severity of their injuries.

Images captured at the crash site reveal severe damage to the front sections of both trains, although neither derailed and both remained standing on the railway tracks.

Trine Egetved, who serves as mayor of nearby Gribskov, wrote on Facebook that helicopter transport was used to rush some victims to medical facilities.

The mayor noted that the accident happened on a regional railway line frequently traveled by Gribskov community members, workers, and students heading to school.

Additional information about the incident has not been released.

BANGKOK (AP) — Beijing’s emerging position as an unofficial peace broker in the current Middle East conflict is capturing global attention as China works to establish itself as a responsible international leader while U.S. diplomatic relationships face increasing pressure.

Chinese involvement in worldwide diplomacy has expanded significantly in recent years through active diplomatic initiatives. Previously hesitant to engage in distant conflicts, Beijing has now become a significant force attempting to resolve disputes spanning from Southeast Asia to Europe.

Regarding the Iranian conflict, China operates without official mediator status, yet all involved parties — including both Washington and Tehran — acknowledge Beijing’s significant contribution to conflict de-escalation efforts.

Analysts note that China’s diplomatic approaches across various conflicts share common characteristics with varying degrees of success in affecting negotiations, though these efforts occur during a favorable period as President Trump’s policies have created friction with traditional diplomatic partners.

In the Iranian situation, specialists highlight that Beijing’s strong economic and political connections with Tehran provide unique influence capabilities, particularly as the conflict disrupts global energy markets, especially affecting Asian regions.

Trump has expressed his belief that China helped persuade Iran to negotiate the fragile ceasefire that he has now extended.

Sources within diplomatic circles informed The Associated Press that Beijing, being Iran’s largest purchaser of sanctioned oil, utilized this economic leverage to encourage Iranian participation in historic direct negotiations held in Pakistan this month.

Beijing has not confirmed that account, likely because it does not want to be seen as part of a U.S.-led security framework, said Yaqi Li, a researcher at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Nevertheless, some viewed this as a pivotal moment for Beijing, which has condemned both U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran.

Following the conflict’s initiation with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conducted discussions with officials from Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. By mid-April, he had engaged in 30 telephone conversations with various stakeholders regarding the conflict, based on Ministry of Foreign Affairs records.

Wang additionally welcomed his Pakistani counterpart, representing the primary mediating nation in current negotiations, to present a five-point plan demanding cessation of violence and Strait of Hormuz reopening.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently become unusually vocal, cautioning last week against “the world’s retrogression to the law of the jungle.” This week, he called for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen.

George Chen, a partner at The Asia Group consultancy, said China’s role in the Iran situation is irreplaceable. As Tehran’s biggest oil buyer, its advice carries weight. China is also one of the few countries that has showed sympathy for Iran’s situation at the United Nations, he said.

Additionally, Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities were developed using Chinese technology, and China provides dual-purpose industrial equipment suitable for missile manufacturing, according to U.S. government sources.

While China lacks the immediate influence of Pakistan or major Arab Gulf nations in active mediation efforts, it maintains a distinctive position as a crucial economic ally to many regional players.

Tuvia Gering, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, said China is uniquely positioned to offer economic incentives that matter to Tehran, especially after the war ends, as Beijing can promise investment in reconstruction and commercial relief in ways few others can.

“It could be one of the few actors capable of giving Tehran both political cover and material incentives to accept constraints and stick to them,” he said.

Among China’s most significant diplomatic achievements occurred in 2023, when it helped facilitate Saudi Arabia and Iran’s return to official diplomatic relations.

This development was widely recognized as a major geopolitical advancement that minimized risks of direct and proxy warfare, said Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies in Indonesia.

However, China selects its involvement opportunities carefully, he noted, pointing out that Saudi Arabia and Iran already possessed motivations for diplomatic re-engagement. “Its mediation tends to be opportunistic and low-risk, often occurring when conditions are already conducive to agreement,” he said.

Beijing also participated actively in the recent Thailand-Cambodia dispute, organizing multiple bilateral meetings and participating in initial ceasefire discussions alongside the U.S. in Malaysia. When hostilities resumed in December, both China and the U.S. helped facilitate another ceasefire agreement.

Beijing has also presented peace proposals for Ukraine’s conflict, hosting Ukraine’s foreign minister despite maintaining what it describes as a “no-limits” relationship with Russia.

China’s diplomatic initiatives typically follow established patterns, according to experts, with Beijing consistently emphasizing respect for U.N. charter principles and national sovereignty.

Concerning the Iranian conflict, Xi last week called for “upholding the principles of peaceful coexistence, upholding national sovereignty, upholding the rule of international law, and coordinating development and security.”

“A lot of the points are remarkably consistent,” said Hoo Tiang Boon, a professor of Chinese foreign policy at Nanyang Technological University.

In distant conflicts, Beijing faces minimal risks while potentially gaining substantial benefits as the international community grapples with the Trump administration’s negotiation methods, according to Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor of international relations at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University.

“What the U.S. is doing is deeply damaging, and everyone suffers from it … and China is displaying global leadership and exerting its global role by speaking to the rules-based international system,” he said. “It’s an inescapable contrast.”

Thursday marks the beginning of another diplomatic session between Israeli and Lebanese representatives in Washington, as efforts to extend a fragile ceasefire continue. At the same time, discussions between Iran and the United States appear increasingly unlikely after Tehran criticized American negotiators for operating without “good faith.”

On Wednesday, Iranian forces attacked three vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, successfully capturing two of them. This aggressive action represents an escalation in Tehran’s campaign against maritime traffic in the crucial shipping corridor, occurring just one day after President Donald Trump prolonged a ceasefire agreement while keeping the American blockade of Iranian ports in place.

The ongoing confrontation between Washington and Tehran has virtually halted all export activity through the strait, which typically handles one-fifth of global oil shipments during peaceful periods. No resolution appears imminent for this critical situation.

Although Pakistan had offered to facilitate additional negotiations, the White House canceled Vice President JD Vance’s scheduled visit to Islamabad after Iran rejected attempts to resume diplomatic conversations.

In Lebanon’s southern region, Israeli military operations resulted in at least six fatalities and multiple injuries across three separate incidents, according to regional officials. Israeli authorities disputed responsibility for one attack and have not yet responded regarding the remaining strikes.

These military actions occurred as diplomatic representatives from both Israel and Lebanon prepared for renewed discussions in Washington aimed at prolonging the delicate 10-day ceasefire that commenced last week.

In a related development, Iran announced Thursday that it had executed another individual connected to the Iranian opposition organization Mujahedeen-e-Khalq.

Iranian judicial news service Mizan named the executed man as Soltanali Shirzadi Fakhr.

Officials alleged his collaboration with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, though they provided no supporting evidence. Authorities also withheld details about when or where his arrest occurred.

Throughout the current conflict, Iran has claimed connections between many executed individuals and Israeli intelligence. Human rights advocates maintain that Iran consistently conducts capital punishment proceedings in secret, relies on forced confessions, and prevents defendants from adequately contesting evidence presented against them.

This execution increases the total number of MEK organization members put to death since hostilities began to nine.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – A head-on collision between two passenger trains in Denmark left multiple people wounded on Thursday, according to emergency officials.

The crash occurred in the vicinity of Hillerod, located north of the Danish capital of Copenhagen.

A representative from the Greater Copenhagen fire department confirmed the nature of the accident, stating “It is two local trains that have collided head-on.”

The fire department spokesperson provided additional details about the aftermath, saying “There are injuries among the passengers. Everyone is out of the trains, so no one is trapped… Large resources have been dispatched to the scene.”

Emergency crews mobilized significant personnel and equipment to respond to the incident, though the exact number of casualties has not been disclosed.

BRUSSELS — European Union officials are accelerating preparations for crisis response scenarios as concerns mount that President Donald Trump’s administration may be shifting security priorities away from traditional NATO commitments and European defense.

Beginning with a summit in Cyprus on Thursday, EU leadership will develop “an operational plan” to maximize the effectiveness of the bloc’s military, security, trade and other resources during emergency situations, according to Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in comments to The Associated Press.

Scheduled for mid-May, EU diplomatic representatives will participate in simulated “table-top exercises” designed to evaluate how Article 42.7 of EU treaties might be implemented to deliver mutual aid to any member nation facing attack or invasion from countries such as Russia.

A few weeks following those simulations, EU defense ministers will conduct comparable preparedness tests. These exercises focus on political decision-making processes and do not include actual deployment of military forces, government agencies or field operations.

NATO’s Article 5 security provision establishes that an assault against any member nation constitutes an attack on all members, requiring coordinated response typically involving military action.

This provision has been invoked only once in NATO history — supporting the United States after the September 11 attacks, which resulted in NATO’s unsuccessful 18-year military mission in Afghanistan.

The EU’s Article 42.7, written specifically to complement rather than conflict with Article 5, has likewise been activated just once. France requested assistance following the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks that killed more than 130 people and injured over 400 others.

According to EU treaty language, Article 42.7 mandates that when a member nation “is the victim of armed aggression on its territory,” fellow members must provide “aid and assistance by all the means in their power.”

The provision requires such assistance to comply with United Nations charter principles and avoid conflicts with NATO obligations, while accommodating the neutral status of countries like Austria and Ireland.

When France activated the article, EU nations demonstrated solidarity and offered various forms of support. France asked partners to increase counter-terrorism efforts internationally, allowing French military resources to focus on domestic security operations.

While comparable exercises testing Article 42.7 implementation have occurred periodically over the past ten years, increasing uncertainty about U.S. NATO dedication and Ukraine’s potential EU membership has added new urgency to these preparations.

European discussions about independent defense capabilities intensified after Trump’s threats to annex Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within Denmark, which is a NATO member.

Multiple European nations deployed small numbers of troops to the Arctic territory near Canada as a symbolic gesture of support for Denmark. Trump initially threatened tariffs against participating countries but later withdrew those threats.

Trump’s decision to engage in military action against Iran alongside Israel appeared to validate European planning concerns. Iran’s retaliatory strike in March targeted a British military installation on Cyprus, the Mediterranean island currently holding the EU’s rotating presidency.

Unlike NATO’s exclusively security-focused mission, the EU possesses a broader range of response tools including military capabilities, economic sanctions, border controls, and trade or visa policy adjustments.

How extensively these and other measures might be deployed during crisis situations will be evaluated in upcoming weeks as conflicts continue in the Middle East, drawing U.S. attention, and in Ukraine.

“We don’t know what is going to happen if a member state triggers this article,” Christodoulides told the AP. “There are a number of issues.”

KOLKATA, India — Electoral proceedings kicked off Thursday in West Bengal, one of India’s most politically significant states, following a contentious nationwide review of voter registrations that eliminated millions of eligible voters and sparked widespread concerns about systematic disenfranchisement.

The electoral contest carries substantial national significance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party attempts to expand its influence in a region historically controlled by opposition forces. A successful defense by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would strengthen her standing as a prominent opposition leader against Modi’s administration.

Additional polling rounds are planned for the following week, with simultaneous elections occurring Thursday in Tamil Nadu’s southern region.

These elections represent part of a broader series of state-level contests examining the BJP’s capacity to penetrate traditional opposition territories. Final results from these elections, along with earlier contests in Kerala, Assam, and the federally governed Puducherry region, are anticipated on May 4.

The electoral process follows an extensive overhaul of voter databases conducted by India’s Election Commission, designed to eliminate duplicate entries, deceased individuals, and ineligible participants. Administrative officials report approximately 9 million deletions — representing roughly 12% of registered voters — with 6.3 million categorized as deceased or absent and 2.7 million designated as “doubtful” pending further review.

Numerous affected individuals report having participated in prior elections with legitimate documentation, yet were eliminated without adequate justification.

Sheikh Najrul Islam, a 53-year-old paramilitary official assigned to election oversight duties in West Bengal, explained his previous voting participation in 2021 and possession of valid credentials, despite his removal from current voter rolls.

“The Election Commission has deputed me to ensure free and fair polls. Yet, it does not consider me a citizen of this country,” he said.

Similarly, Taibunessa Begum, a 62-year-old former educational administrator, expressed dismay upon discovering her deletion despite maintaining a passport, pension documentation, and previous voter registration.

“It felt like being told I don’t exist,” she said.

Opposition politicians claim the removals disproportionately target Muslim populations and other marginalized groups.

India’s Election Commission has rejected these accusations, maintaining the process removed deceased, duplicate, and fraudulent voter registrations.

Modi’s political organization characterized the review as standard administrative procedure implemented across multiple states, suggesting any disproportionate effects in West Bengal reflect undocumented immigration issues. They emphasize that Hindu voters also experienced removals.

Critics connect the deletions to broader political rhetoric from Modi and BJP leadership, who have repeatedly indicated the voter roll revisions targeted individuals who entered illegally from neighboring Bangladesh. Opposition figures argue such statements have intensified concerns among minority populations, especially Muslims, that the registration review serves to exclude their participation.

Derek O’Brien, representing the opposition Trinamool Congress, characterized the process as “invisible rigging.”

“The motive is to disenfranchise voters,” he said.

Political experts caution the deletions may generate concerns about extended ramifications.

“Losing one’s place in the electoral roll can be deeply unsettling. It is not only about voting rights; it is about dignity, recognition, and the assurance that one counts as a citizen,” political analyst Iman Kalyan Lahiri said.

For numerous affected individuals, the concerns remain more pressing.

“This is not just about politics,” said Begum. “It is about identity, about whether we belong to this country.”

Iranian judicial authorities have carried out the death sentence of a man found guilty of maintaining ties to an exiled opposition organization and Israeli intelligence services, according to reports from the country’s judiciary news source Mizan on Thursday.

The executed individual was named as Soltanali Shirzadi Fakhr, who authorities said maintained long-standing membership in the Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) opposition group and was convicted of collaborating with Israel’s intelligence apparatus.

According to Mizan’s report, Iran’s Supreme Court confirmed the death penalty verdict, and the execution was conducted following the completion of all required legal processes.

CARACAS, Venezuela — Colombian President Gustavo Petro traveled to Venezuela Friday for crucial discussions with the nation’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, focusing on border security and trade relations. This marks their inaugural meeting, occurring several months following the U.S. military’s seizure of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse from their residence in January.

Colombia is pushing to purchase Venezuelan natural gas and recently requested relief from U.S. sanctions to invest in Venezuela’s electrical infrastructure and gas projects, potentially including the restoration of a gas pipeline connecting the two South American nations.

Petro’s government has also struck deals with Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA to replace pipeline infrastructure on Colombia’s side of the border.

The two leaders are anticipated to address illegal armed organizations and narcotics smuggling activities along their common frontier.

“The United States has an interest in Colombia becoming the buyer of Venezuelan gas,” said Ronal Rodríguez Durán, a researcher at the Venezuela Observatory at the Universidad del Rosario.

“Colombia, by virtue of its geographical nature, would become the client that could quickly bring revenue into Venezuela under U.S. supervision,” he added.

This subject was discussed during the approximately two-hour session between Petro and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in February. Both characterized the discussions as cordial — a stark contrast from earlier tensions when Trump blamed Petro for flooding the U.S. with cocaine and threatened military intervention.

Petro stated they explored ways to revitalize Venezuela’s economy through Colombian support, along with America’s role, which the Colombian president said should “lift sanctions” on Venezuela.

The Trump administration seeks to restore Venezuela’s economy by attracting foreign investment to its abundant natural resources, especially oil, after years of deterioration under Maduro’s rule that devastated the country and forced at least 7.7 million people to flee.

Before Friday’s gathering, Petro revealed that his team, including senior military and police commanders, would address border security matters with Rodríguez.

Attention centers on the Catatumbo region, where competing armed factions battle for territorial dominance, and Petro emphasized the need for “close collaboration on intelligence,” cautioning that without it, “bombs land in the wrong places … and end up killing civilians.”

Colombian-Venezuelan relations have remained strained for years. Petro refused to acknowledge Maduro as Venezuela’s rightful leader after the disputed July 2024 elections that sparked protests and widespread government crackdowns. Nevertheless, he preserved diplomatic connections with Caracas.

Colombia’s administration stated that Friday’s Petro-Rodríguez meeting seeks to “contribute to a resolution of Venezuela’s political crisis.”

Yet the path to achieving this remains uncertain.

University researcher Rodríguez Durán noted that Petro’s influence in potential mediation efforts is constrained since his presidency concludes in August. Future Venezuelan relations will probably depend on Colombia’s next leader.

Petro and Rodríguez had planned to meet last month at their shared border, but both governments suddenly postponed the gathering, citing “force majeure” without providing details, stating only that it would occur later.

Prior to that cancelled meeting, multiple Venezuelan civil society groups sent an open letter to Petro, requesting Colombia’s help in “promotion of democratic principles and human rights,” including freeing “all political prisoners” and stopping “persecution.”

BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli military forces have been systematically destroying residential buildings in southern Lebanese territories they’ve controlled since establishing a ceasefire with Hezbollah last week, claiming these structures served as militant strongholds for the Iran-supported organization.

However, the scale of destruction has grown so extensive that local residents, government officials from Lebanon, and United Nations peacekeeping forces are expressing mounting concern that thousands of displaced civilians may find no homes to return to should the delicate peace agreement survive.

Associated Press reporters observing from an elevated position above Beit Lif — located approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) north of the Israeli-Lebanese border — witnessed the near-complete destruction of the village that previously housed several thousand inhabitants.

“They were demolishing it gradually until they reached the main square and now, as you can see, there are no more houses,” said Hassan Sweidan, a resident of a neighboring village.

Lebanese government representatives intend to address the extensive demolition activities on Thursday during ceasefire discussions with Israeli officials in Washington — marking the first direct diplomatic engagement between the nations in several decades.

Due to safety risks and restricted access, neither UN peacekeeping personnel nor Lebanese authorities have managed to complete comprehensive assessments of the communities experiencing demolitions. However, witnesses have reported the systematic destruction of complete residential areas across multiple villages.

On March 2, two days after the U.S. and Israel launched the war with Iran, Hezbollah entered the fray by firing missiles into northern Israel. The group had been under pressure by the Lebanese government to disarm following its previous war with Israel in 2024, but refused to do so.

Israel retaliated with a massive aerial bombardment and ground offensive into Lebanon, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate the country’s southern regions. The conflict resulted in approximately 2,300 Lebanese casualties, including numerous women and children.

A 10-day ceasefire that commenced Friday largely ended the hostilities. However, both parties have conducted strikes since the truce began. Hezbollah has defended its attacks partly by citing the Israeli military’s destruction of residential properties.

Israeli leadership has announced intentions to maintain control over portions of southern Lebanon, with military officials publishing maps showing a “forward defense line” extending several miles into Lebanese territory and covering numerous villages whose inhabitants remain barred from returning.

Following the ceasefire announcement, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated this region had been “cleared of terrorists and weapons and is empty of citizens, and will continue to be cleared of terrorists’ infrastructure, including the destruction of houses in Lebanese villages that border (Israel) and have become terrorists outposts in every sense.”

When the ceasefire took effect, Sweidan traveled back to inspect his residence in the southern Lebanese community of Yater. His home remains undamaged.

Since Sweidan’s community provides a view of adjacent Beit Lif, he has witnessed Israeli military activities in that area. Although the village sustained damage from Israeli airstrikes during combat, most of Beit Lif remained standing when the ceasefire began, according to his account.

However, on the following day, Israeli troops arrived with bulldozers, jackhammers and tanks.

“We would come each day to see how much of the village was demolished,” he said.

Tilak Pokharel, a spokesperson for the U.S. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon known as UNIFIL, confirmed that peacekeepers “have observed demolitions taking place in several areas” since the truce.

The Israeli military released a statement declaring that the demolition operations target Hezbollah, not Lebanon or its civilians, and that it “operates in accordance with international law and does not destroy civilian property unless required by imperative military necessity.”

Extensive damage already existed in border regions following the previous Israel-Hezbollah conflict in 2024. While some property owners managed to fund repairs, no large-scale rebuilding occurred.

Destruction also occurred during the most recent conflict. Images captured on April 12 by AP from the Israeli northern towns of Menara and Misgav Am show excavators and bulldozers demolishing Lebanese homes across the border.

Lebanon’s government-operated National News Agency reported Wednesday that Israeli bulldozers were destroying neighborhoods, roads and infrastructure in Khiam, a combat zone during the Israel-Hezbollah fighting, “in a scene that suggests an attempt to completely erase the town’s identity.”

The agency also documented “systematic bombing operations” Wednesday targeting residential areas in Bint Jbeil — another conflict hotspot — and in the communities of Beit Lif, Shamaa, Tair Harfa and Hanine.

Hezbollah announced Tuesday it had conducted drone and rocket strikes, the first since the ceasefire, responding to Israeli “attacks on civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages in southern Lebanon.”

While Lebanese authorities work to preserve the ceasefire, President Joseph Aoun declared in a statement that “halting Israel’s demolition operations in southern villages and towns” would be an issue Lebanese ambassadors in the United States will discuss with their Israeli counterparts during Thursday’s ceasefire negotiations.

The discussions were anticipated to address a possible extension of the 10-day truce and developing a structure for future negotiations aimed at achieving lasting peace between the two nations.

Military officials in South Korea have issued a formal apology following revelations that a costly 2021 aircraft accident resulted from pilots taking photographs and recording videos while flying fighter jets.

During a Thursday press conference, an air force representative expressed regret over the December 2021 incident, stating: “We sincerely apologise to the public for the concern caused by the accident that occurred in 2021.” Officials confirmed that one aviator involved in the crash has been removed from flight status, faced serious disciplinary measures, and subsequently departed the armed forces.

The military’s statement came one day after South Korea’s Board of Audit and Inspection published findings that blamed unauthorized aerial photography for the collision between two F-15K fighter aircraft during a training mission near Daegu.

According to investigators, the wingman aviator was attempting to capture commemorative footage on his last flight with the squadron. Without authorization, he performed steep climbs and banking movements to create better camera angles while his colleague recorded from the lead aircraft.

When the two jets came dangerously close together, both flight crews tried to avoid impact, but the trailing aircraft’s tail section hit the leading plane’s wing. The collision resulted in approximately 880 million won in repairs, equivalent to about $600,000, though fortunately no personnel were hurt.

While auditors determined the wingman bore primary responsibility for the accident, they also faulted the air force for insufficient oversight of in-flight recording activities during that period. The pilot has been ordered to reimburse roughly ten percent of the damage costs.

Military leadership indicated they are implementing stricter aviation safety protocols to ensure similar incidents don’t occur in the future.

The South Korean government has committed to treating American technology companies fairly following complaints from U.S. congressional members about alleged discriminatory practices against firms including e-commerce giant Coupang.

In a statement released Thursday, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry announced that the country is putting measures in place to prevent U.S. digital companies from facing unfair treatment or unnecessary obstacles to conducting business.

The ministry referenced a bilateral fact sheet from November that was part of a trade agreement between the United States and South Korea, which included these protections for American companies.

This diplomatic response follows a letter sent earlier this week by American legislators to South Korean Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha, calling for an immediate halt to what they described as discriminatory regulatory measures targeting U.S. businesses.

Republican Study Committee member Michael Baumgartner led the congressional effort, with lawmakers stating that the “systematic targeting of American companies such as Apple, Google, Meta, and Coupang is particularly concerning.”

The legislators accused South Korea of using a minor data security incident in November 2025 as justification to launch coordinated government action against Coupang, including potential license revocation and pressure on pension funds to sell their stakes in the company’s parent organization.

“We are committed to ensuring that your government ceases its persecution of Coupang and other American companies operating in South Korea,” the congressional letter stated.

Seoul’s Foreign Ministry defended its actions, explaining that the investigation into Coupang’s data security breach follows standard domestic legal procedures that apply equally regardless of a company’s nationality.

The U.S.-listed company Coupang Inc., which operates Coupang Korea, has faced significant criticism from South Korean officials and the public after a data breach compromised information belonging to more than 30 million customers.

On Wednesday, the ministry emphasized that matters related to Coupang should remain separate from ongoing security discussions with Washington, which include South Korea’s plans to develop nuclear-powered submarine capabilities.

President Rodrigo Paz of Bolivia announced Wednesday the selection of Marcelo Blanco to head the nation’s energy and hydrocarbons ministry, marking a significant cabinet change fewer than six months after the current administration began.

Blanco brings experience from his previous role overseeing electricity and renewable energy initiatives as vice minister.

The ministerial replacement of Mauricio Medinaceli occurs during a challenging period for Bolivia, which is experiencing severe fuel shortages and a shortage of U.S. currency. The nation’s foreign currency reserves continue to decline due to reduced energy production and falling export revenues.

When Paz assumed the presidency in November, he ended nearly twenty years of leftist governance. His administration has pledged to welcome private sector investment in certain economic areas and shut down unprofitable government-owned enterprises as part of efforts to address the country’s worsening financial situation.

A high-ranking Taiwanese official has traveled to a disputed island in the South China Sea to oversee military training exercises, marking the first such ministerial visit in seven years to the contested territory.

Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling made the journey to Itu Aba Island, known locally as Taiping Island, on Tuesday to observe coast guard training operations focused on emergency response scenarios, according to a Wednesday announcement from Taiwan’s coast guard.

The exercises simulated various crisis situations including search and rescue missions, medical evacuations, and environmental cleanup efforts. A key component involved heavily armed special forces conducting practice raids on uncooperative vessels in the area.

During one training scenario, black-clad coast guard personnel carrying weapons boarded a cargo ship that had allegedly ignored radio communications. Video released by authorities showed the tactical team entering the vessel’s command center.

“You have entered the waters under the jurisdiction of our country. Please cooperate with the investigation,” one team member told a crew member during the exercise.

The coast guard explained the simulated operation by stating: “In order to safeguard the nation’s rights and national security, the cargo vessel was escorted back to Taiping Island for further investigation.”

Itu Aba represents one of Taiwan’s most remote territorial holdings in the hotly contested Spratly Islands chain. Multiple nations including China, Vietnam, and the Philippines also lay claim to this particular island.

The territory features infrastructure capable of supporting military operations, including an airstrip suitable for supply flights from mainland Taiwan. A new dock facility completed in 2023 can accommodate patrol vessels weighing up to 4,000 tons.

Despite these capabilities, the island maintains relatively modest defenses compared to nearby Chinese-controlled territories. Beijing’s forces typically avoid direct confrontation with Taiwanese personnel stationed there.

China has dramatically expanded its presence throughout the South China Sea by constructing artificial islands and installing major military installations on various reefs and outcrops under its control. These developments have raised concerns in Washington and throughout the region.

Beijing maintains that it has full authority to develop and protect what it considers sovereign Chinese territory.

Taiwan also maintains control over the Pratas Islands located in the northern section of the South China Sea. Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels frequently operate in these waters as part of Beijing’s efforts to assert territorial claims over Taiwan, which Taipei’s government firmly rejects.

The South China Sea serves as a crucial international shipping corridor handling billions of dollars in global commerce annually. The region also provides important fishing grounds and potentially significant energy resources.

North Korea and Russia are moving forward with plans to complete a new road bridge connecting both nations across the Tumen River, according to reports from North Korean state media KCNA released Thursday.

The bridge construction project, which started approximately one year ago, represents what KCNA called “an important business” designed to enhance cooperation between the countries in areas including tourism, commerce, and cross-border travel.

The 850-meter span, equivalent to 2,789 feet, will link directly to Russia’s highway network. This infrastructure project received approval during President Vladimir Putin’s 2024 diplomatic visit to North Korea.

A ceremonial event took place Tuesday to commemorate the physical connection of the bridge structure, according to reporting by the Moscow Times.

The new crossing is being constructed adjacent to the existing “Friendship Bridge,” a railway span that has operated since 1959 following the end of the Korean War.

While KCNA announced that an official opening celebration will occur in the near future, no specific date was provided. However, Russia’s embassy in Pyongyang indicated through Telegram that the bridge completion is scheduled for June 19.

Oleg Kozhemyako, who serves as governor of Russia’s Far East Primorsky region, shared via Telegram that the bridge will enhance commercial activity and strengthen cultural and tourism connections. He noted the structure will reduce the travel distance between Vladivostok and the border city of Rason to 320 kilometers, with daily capacity for up to 300 vehicles.

This development coincides with multiple Russian diplomatic delegations visiting North Korea during the current week.

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev conducted a meeting Wednesday with Jo Yong Won, who chairs the Standing Committee of North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly. KCNA characterized the discussion as occurring in a “favorable atmosphere.”

Additionally, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko traveled Tuesday to the North Korean coastal city of Wonsan for a ceremony marking the construction of a medical facility that represents the “friendship” between both nations, according to KCNA.

The two countries established a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” in 2024 during Putin’s trip to Pyongyang.

This agreement contains mutual defense clauses, and North Korea has deployed thousands of military personnel to support Russian forces in the Kursk region of western Russia following a significant Ukrainian military operation in that area.

Meanwhile, China has also pursued stronger cross-border infrastructure and renewed diplomatic ties with North Korea, with passenger rail service between those countries resuming last month after a six-year suspension.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Wednesday that his country’s access to critical U.S. missile defense systems could become more difficult if Middle East conflicts involving Iran drag on for an extended time.

During a CNN interview, Zelenskyy explained that Ukraine has only received small quantities of these defensive weapons due to constraints in American manufacturing capabilities. However, he noted that supply deliveries and intelligence sharing have remained steady so far.

The Ukrainian leader described how his nation obtains U.S. military equipment through the PURL program, which allows NATO member countries to fund weapons purchases for Kyiv.

“Through this programme, we can include and buy anti-ballistic missiles for Patriot systems and some other weapons which is very important for us. We don’t have this…with our European neighbours,” Zelenskyy told CNN in English.

“And of course, (given) the big challenge in the Middle East war and Iran, all these packages are at risk.”

Regarding the limited quantities received from Washington, Zelenskyy said the United States had supplied “only a small number. We had not too much. We understand why, because the production in the United States is not so big.

“And if the war will continue or a ceasefire is delayed…(this) will be not good. And maybe we will have more risks with anti-ballistics.”

Zelenskyy also mentioned that Ukraine continues sharing its four years of experience fighting Iranian-designed drones used by Russian forces with Middle Eastern nations. His country has established agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

“We will continue to work with other countries,” he said. “We will be ready to deliver first our expertise…and the second point is training missions.”

Crude oil markets retreated Thursday despite ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran that have disrupted a vital shipping corridor for global energy supplies.

Brent crude dropped 15 cents to $101.76 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate declined 14 cents to $92.82. The decrease followed Wednesday’s significant rally that pushed Brent above $100 for the first time in over two weeks.

Both oil benchmarks had surged more than $3 Wednesday after U.S. inventory data showed unexpectedly large decreases in gasoline and distillate stockpiles, combined with continued diplomatic deadlock between Washington and Tehran.

President Trump extended a temporary ceasefire following intervention by Pakistani mediators, though both countries continue limiting vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow waterway previously handled approximately 20% of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before hostilities erupted in late February with American and Israeli strikes against Iran.

Iranian forces captured two vessels in the Strait Wednesday, further tightening control over the strategic passage. The U.S. Navy maintains a maritime blockade of Iranian commerce, while Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that comprehensive peace talks require lifting the naval restrictions.

American military forces have stopped at least three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters, redirecting them from positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, according to shipping and security sources Wednesday.

Trump’s Tuesday ceasefire extension marked another instance of stepping back from threats to target Iranian infrastructure including power facilities and bridges. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed no timeline has been established for the extended truce.

Meanwhile, American petroleum exports reached unprecedented levels, climbing 137,000 barrels daily to a record 12.88 million barrels per day as Asian and European nations secured alternative supplies amid Iran-related disruptions.

The Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday that U.S. crude inventories increased while refined product stockpiles decreased. Crude supplies grew by 1.9 million barrels, exceeding analyst predictions of a 1.2 million barrel decline.

Gasoline inventories fell 4.6 million barrels compared to forecasted drops of 1.5 million barrels. Distillate stocks decreased 3.4 million barrels versus expected declines of 2.5 million barrels.

Russian emergency crews entered their third consecutive day Wednesday fighting a massive fire at an oil refinery along the Black Sea coast, sparked by a Ukrainian drone strike last week that has severely compromised air quality in the surrounding area.

The Tuapse refinery, which primarily exports its petroleum products, completely shut down operations Tuesday following the April 16 drone assault, according to two industry sources.

Regional emergency officials from Russia’s southern Krasnodar territory reported Wednesday that extensive firefighting efforts continue at the facility’s maritime terminal. “In Tuapse, firefighting operations are going on for the third day at a large fire at the sea terminal after a drone attack by the Kyiv regime,” the headquarters stated.

Emergency response teams have deployed 276 firefighters along with 77 specialized vehicles to combat the ongoing blaze.

The fire’s toxic emissions, combined with recent precipitation, have produced what officials describe as a “black coating” covering areas surrounding the terminal facility.

Environmental monitoring has detected dangerous chemical concentrations in the atmosphere, including benzene, xylene and particulate matter at levels two to three times above acceptable safety thresholds. Authorities have advised local residents to stay inside their homes, seal windows and doors, and regularly clean indoor surfaces.

“The situation will normalise as soon as the fire is extinguished,” officials stated.

Ukrainian forces have intensified their targeting of Russian energy facilities as the United States, previously involved in mediating peace negotiations to end the conflict, has redirected attention toward the situation in Iran.

Russian authorities report that strikes on both April 16 and April 20 against Tuapse caused significant damage to port transportation systems and ignited petroleum storage facilities.

A Lebanese reporter died Wednesday when Israeli forces targeted a residence in southern Lebanon where she had sought refuge while covering the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict, according to rescue officials who said her remains weren’t recovered from the debris until hours after the attack.

Amal Khalil, a correspondent for the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper, was fatally wounded in the southern community of al-Tiri, the publication reported.

Khalil had been documenting the Lebanon conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants that reignited in early March alongside the broader U.S.-Israeli military action in Iran. She sought safety in the al-Tiri residence after an initial Israeli bombardment struck close to the vehicle she was using with a fellow reporter.

According to Lebanon’s health ministry, the initial attack claimed two lives. Israeli forces then launched a second strike against the al-Tiri house where Khalil and colleague Zeinab Faraj had taken refuge.

Rescue personnel initially managed to reach Faraj, who sustained severe injuries, and recover the two victims from the first bombing. However, Israeli troops opened fire on the rescue workers, forcing them to abandon efforts to reach Khalil, ministry officials stated.

Khalil remained trapped beneath the wreckage for several hours before Lebanese military units, civil defense teams and the Lebanese Red Cross could access the location. Her remains were finally extracted just before midnight, at least six hours following the strike.

Israeli military officials claimed that people in the community had breached ceasefire agreements, putting their soldiers at risk. Israel rejected accusations that it deliberately targets media personnel or blocked rescue operations from entering the zone. Military leaders said they were investigating the incident.

“Killing of journalists is a crime and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law,” stated Lebanon’s Information Minister Paul Morcos.

Khalil’s death occurred as Israeli and Lebanese representatives prepare for a second round of direct negotiations in Washington aimed at extending the ceasefire that began last Friday.

A native of southern Lebanon, Khalil had reported from the region for al-Akhbar since 2006. Her recent coverage focused on Israeli destruction of Lebanese residences in communities now occupied by Israeli military forces within Lebanon.

Her death raises to nine the total number of media workers killed in Lebanon this year. Israeli attacks have resulted in at least 2,300 deaths and displaced over one million people since the current Israel-Hezbollah war began March 2.

Earlier Wednesday, Reporters Without Borders demanded international intervention to pressure Israeli forces to permit Khalil’s rescue. The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed “outrage” over what appeared to be deliberate targeting of the two reporters and warned that blocking rescue efforts “may amount to a war crime.”

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun requested that the Lebanese Red Cross work with military forces and U.N. peacekeepers “to carry out the rescue operation” as rapidly as possible.

In late March, three journalists covering the conflict died in an Israeli attack on southern Lebanon. Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV reported that veteran correspondent Ali Shoeib was among the victims. Israeli military officials said they had deliberately targeted Shoeib, claiming he served as a Hezbollah intelligence agent, though they offered no proof.

The same strike also killed reporter Fatima Ftouni of Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV and her brother Mohammed Ftouni, who worked as a video journalist.

Several days before that incident, an Israeli strike on a central Beirut apartment killed Mohammed Sherri, who directed political programming at Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV, along with his spouse.

MAIDUGURI, Borno (AP) — Eleven people lost their lives and two others sustained critical injuries when extremist fighters launched a deadly assault on a remote Nigerian village during overnight hours, according to local authorities who spoke Wednesday. The violence represents another chapter in the ongoing security challenges facing Africa’s most populated nation.

Tuesday night’s deadly raid occurred in Pubagu, a settlement located in an isolated region near Sambisa forest within Borno state, which serves as the center of Nigeria’s prolonged battle against extremist insurgency. Community members conducted burial ceremonies for the deceased on Wednesday and blamed the assault on the radical Boko Haram organization.

Local council chairman Mwada Saidu Uba spoke with The Associated Press, explaining that the community had historically been spared from such violence.

“Pubagu is one of the locations in our council area that had never suffered such an attack until yesterday,” he said after the funerals. The two injured were receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, he added.

Ward official Usman Rumirgo reported that the attackers torched multiple residences before departing the location.

Remote farming communities frequently face assaults from extremist organizations and criminal gangs that exploit Nigeria’s expansive countryside and weaknesses in security coverage.

The most notable extremist organizations operating within Nigeria include Boko Haram along with its splinter group that maintains ties to the Islamic State and operates under the name Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP. Additional threats come from the Islamic State-connected Lakurawa organization, plus various criminal networks focused on kidnapping operations and unauthorized mining activities.

As Israel commemorates its 78th Independence Day, new demographic data reveals the nation’s population has reached 10.244 million people, the Central Bureau of Statistics announced Sunday.

Since its founding in 1948 with roughly 806,000 residents, the country has witnessed remarkable growth, expanding by more than 12.5 times its original size. Immigration has played a major role in this expansion, with over 3.5 million newcomers settling in Israel throughout its history. Nearly half of these immigrants—approximately 1.68 million people representing 47.8%—have arrived since 1990.

The statistics show that Israel now houses roughly 45% of the global Jewish population, with about 81% of the country’s Jewish residents being born within its borders.

This past year brought significant demographic shifts, including approximately 177,000 newborns and around 21,000 new immigrants. During the same period, about 48,000 deaths were recorded, while an estimated 45,000 Israelis remained living overseas.

The annual population increase totaled roughly 146,000 people, marking a 1.4% growth rate. This expansion encompasses about 110,000 new Israeli citizens plus 36,000 foreign residents.

Breaking down the current population by demographics: Jewish residents and others categorized as non-Jewish, non-Arab citizens comprise 7.790 million people, representing 76% of the total. Arab citizens number 2.157 million, making up 21.1% of the population, while 296,000 residents classified as foreigners account for 2.9%.

Compared to many Western nations, Israel maintains a relatively youthful population structure. Residents between ages 0 and 14 represent approximately 27% of the population, while those 65 and older make up 13% of all residents.

An incident involving an Israeli soldier vandalizing a Christian cross in a Lebanese border village has sparked widespread anger and prompted swift military punishment.

The soldier was photographed damaging the religious symbol in Debel, a Christian-majority village in southern Lebanon’s Bint Jbeil district. The image circulated widely on social media, intensifying tensions in a region already struggling with the aftermath of recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israeli military officials acted quickly to address the controversy. Two soldiers received 30-day military detention sentences – one for destroying the crucifix and another for taking the photograph. Six additional soldiers present during the incident were brought in for questioning for failing to intervene.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed shock at the soldier’s actions and promised strict disciplinary action. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar issued an apology to Christians offended by the incident, while military leaders stated the behavior went against fundamental army principles.

The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land strongly denounced the act, describing it as “a grave affront to the Christian faith.” Their statement continued: “It further reveals a disturbing failure in moral and human formation, wherein even the most elementary reverence for the sacred and for the dignity of others has been gravely compromised.”

Israeli authorities coordinated with local residents to replace the damaged cross, and reports indicated a new statue was installed shortly after the incident.

Bishop Dennis Nthumbi of the Israel Allies Foundation condemned the destruction while urging restraint in response. “What we are witnessing in that image can only be described as desecration—the violation of something held sacred. Such acts, even when carried out by an individual, strike deeply at the heart of faith and reverence,” he stated.

However, he cautioned against using the incident to damage interfaith relations. “At the same time, we must speak with clarity and restraint. There is a growing wave of propaganda that seeks to frame the Jewish people as hostile to Christians. Incidents like this—though isolated and not reflective of a people or a covenant—can unfortunately be used to reinforce those false narratives,” he explained.

“Let it be stated without ambiguity: the Jewish and the Christian people are not enemies; we are spiritually connected, rooted in a shared heritage and revelation. We must not allow singular actions to fracture what God Himself has woven together,” he added.

Former Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy called for harsh consequences, telling reporters the incident represented “atrocious behavior” and declaring “This is not who we are.”

“This abominable act is not only a moral outrage; it was also seized by bad faith actors to intensify a campaign to divide Christians, and by extension America and the West, from Israel,” he said.

“This soldier has caused incalculable damage and must be punished with the harshest possible penalty, not only for an act of vandalism but for bringing the whole State of Israel into disrepute,” he continued.

Local residents in Debel say the cross incident represents just one element of their ongoing hardships. Eli, a youth activist from the village, described the broader challenges facing his community.

“Speaking as someone from Debel, what people here are going through is not just about one incident or one moment it’s a continuation of a very difficult situation that has been unfolding for a while,” he explained.

“From the ground, the village has been living under very heavy pressure,” he said, describing Debel as “a small civilian community of Christian families” facing severe restrictions on daily activities.

“The road linking Debel to Rmeish—which is the main access route for food, medicine, and basic needs has become extremely dangerous. Two Christian civilians have been killed on this road, which has deepened fear,” he noted.

The activist reported extensive property damage throughout the area. “At the same time, the outskirts of the village have seen repeated destruction. Infrastructure being damaged, land being bulldozed, and homes being hit or destroyed,” he said.

“More than 20 houses are said to be completely destroyed, and many others heavily damaged. These are civilian homes—places where families lived for generations, and their loss is felt very directly inside the community,” he added.

“When the incident of the statue of Jesus happened, it didn’t come in isolation. For people here, it was added onto an already existing feeling of pressure and vulnerability,” he explained.

“The reaction locally was not one single emotion, but more a quiet mix of sadness, exhaustion, and concern about how far things are escalating in daily life,” he said.

The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon helped coordinate the cross replacement. “UNIFIL’s Italian contingent, through Father Claudio, expressed sorrow over the destruction of a crucifix in DEBEL and confirmed coordination with UNIFIL leadership to restore it, with a new cross statue expected within 48 hours,” Eli reported.

The controversy highlights how individual actions during wartime can have far-reaching diplomatic and religious consequences. While Israeli officials moved quickly to condemn the incident and punish those involved, the image has already become part of the complex narrative surrounding the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Damascus celebrated a significant milestone yesterday as Al-Fayhaa Sports Hall reopened its doors following extensive renovations, with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa joining thousands of fans for the arena’s first major event in years. The ceremony represented a symbolic step toward normalcy for a nation emerging from 14 years of devastating conflict.

The reopening festivities included cultural performances showcasing Syrian heritage and concluded with a friendly basketball game between Syria and Lebanon’s national teams. Enthusiastic crowds packed the stands that had remained empty throughout the prolonged war years, creating an atmosphere of celebration and hope.

High-ranking officials joined al-Sharaa for the occasion, including Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, Interior Minister Anas Khattab, Sports Minister Mohammad Alhamid, and Syrian Basketball Federation President Rami Issa. Lebanese basketball dignitaries also attended, notably Federation President Akram Halabi and Hekmeh Club President Ragheb Haddad.

The comprehensive renovation project carried a price tag of approximately $3 million as part of the Ministry of Sports and Youth’s broader investment strategy. Upgrades encompassed new court flooring, enhanced lighting and climate control systems, refurbished seating areas, and state-of-the-art digital technology including modern screens and audio equipment. Premium hospitality areas were also added to accommodate future local and international competitions.

President al-Sharaa displayed obvious enthusiasm while watching the basketball match, revealing his personal connection to the sport during pre-game comments. He explained that while basketball has always interested him, the years of military conflict and national turmoil prevented him from following it closely. The current period, he noted, presents an opportunity to revitalize sports interest not merely for entertainment, but as a vital component of societal reconstruction and regional engagement.

Speaking before the match began, al-Sharaa committed to continuing infrastructure improvements across the country’s sports facilities. He emphasized that the Ministry of Sports and Youth, working alongside local federations, is implementing a comprehensive strategy to revive the athletic sector while highlighting sports’ potential for attracting investment and boosting economic recovery.

The strong official attendance and robust public participation served as important indicators of the event’s significance within Syria’s sports community. Spectators and athletic observers shared varied perspectives on Al-Fayhaa Hall’s return to operation, with many praising the renovation efforts while others voiced optimism for broader sector development. Numerous attendees recognized the event’s implications extending beyond athletics into wider social and economic spheres.

Syrian photojournalist Omar Albam shared his observations with The Media Line: “I am very happy to see the stands of this hall filled with fans. It is an extraordinary event in a country emerging from a long war that lasted 14 years.”

Albam observed that Syrians demonstrate nearly equal passion for basketball as they do for soccer, particularly during matches against Lebanese opponents. “Although they defeated the Syrian national team 110-74, the joy that filled the stands was very great,” Albam noted.

Spectator Sawsan Al-Shami expressed satisfaction with the event, particularly appreciating the hall’s world-class renovations that now compete with international venues. She told The Media Line that Syrians had grown unaccustomed to such gatherings since the previous Assad government concentrated exclusively on warfare rather than public amenities.

Ahmad Al-Sayyid, a young attendee from Idlib, conveyed pride in his nation’s progress, telling The Media Line that the substantial crowd demonstrates Syrians’ eagerness to embrace a renewed life filled with activity and productivity.

The celebration also sparked broader conversations about Syria’s athletic landscape during recent years, particularly under Bashar Assad’s rule, when sports infrastructure suffered severe damage from conflict and many facilities faced destruction or abandonment.

Human rights organizations and media investigations have documented instances where sports venues were repurposed for non-athletic uses, including conversion into detention facilities, generating widespread condemnation and raising serious concerns about public space management.

Al-Fayhaa Hall’s restoration represents part of a larger reconstruction effort aimed at restoring normal life patterns. Government agencies are prioritizing the reactivation of service and sports sectors as recovery indicators, with athletics serving as a symbolically significant tool for rebuilding community connections and strengthening stability perceptions.

Basketball originated in 1891 through James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor working in Massachusetts. He created the game as indoor winter exercise for students, utilizing a ball and peach baskets as scoring targets.

Syrian basketball history traces back to the early 1900s, initially appearing in educational institutions like Damascus’s Laïque School before expanding to other schools including the Italian School and Scientific College, establishing the sport’s foundation within the country.

During the 1920s, the game developed more structured organization through competitions between local and Lebanese teams, elevating technical standards and strengthening its presence. The 1930s and 1940s witnessed significant basketball expansion as sports clubs like Barada Club adopted it, achieving remarkable victories including wins against French military teams, demonstrating local development progress.

The sport spread throughout secondary schools during this era, becoming part of organized athletics with inter-team tournaments before expanding beyond educational settings into public venues, spawning new clubs including Al-Ahli, Al-Ghouta, and Al-Fityan. The Syrian Basketball Federation’s 1948 establishment ushered in official organization featuring unified tournaments and oversight. Syria began international competition participation, including a 1949 Cairo tournament, marking its global debut.

Foreign coach recruitment in the late 1950s introduced modern training methodologies, reflected in improved Syrian team technical performance, cementing basketball’s status among the nation’s premier team sports.

The Syrian Basketball League launched in 1956 alongside the Basketball Federation’s creation. Al-Shabiba (now Al-Jalaa) captured the inaugural 1956-57 season championship and maintained dominance until the 1978-79 season, when Al-Ahli Aleppo ended Al-Shabiba’s reign and secured its first title in 1979-80. Al-Jalaa holds the Syrian Basketball League record with 29 championships, followed by Al-Ahli Aleppo’s 18 titles—both Aleppo-based—and Damascus’s Al-Wahda with 11.

The Syrian Arab Basketball Federation serves as basketball’s governing authority in Syria, directly overseeing national teams like the Syrian national basketball squad and domestic clubs competing in the Syrian Basketball League. It joined both the Asian Basketball Federation and International Basketball Federation in 1948, establishing it among the region’s oldest basketball organizations.

Al-Fayhaa Hall’s inauguration marks a positive advancement for Syrian athletics, demonstrating commitment toward rebuilding war-damaged infrastructure. Simultaneously, it underscores broader sector challenges while raising questions about Syrian sports’ future, balancing recovery initiatives with necessary reform measures.

Diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Lebanon will take center stage Thursday as Washington hosts crucial negotiations, even as military confrontations persist between the neighboring nations, according to US government sources.

The scheduled diplomatic meeting comes despite ongoing hostilities, with Hezbollah launching multiple rocket attacks Tuesday targeting Israeli forces positioned in southern Lebanon and sending a drone toward Israeli territory, Israeli military officials reported. The militant group took credit for these operations, stating they were retaliation for what Hezbollah characterized as Israeli breaches of existing ceasefire agreements.

Israeli forces responded with airstrikes targeting areas near al-Jbour in Lebanon’s western Beqaa Valley region. Lebanese news outlets confirmed that the Israeli military action resulted in one fatality and left two individuals wounded.

The American negotiating team will be headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, joined by senior adviser Mike Needham and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will participate in the discussions as well, with State Department officials describing his involvement as part of standard “routine consultations.”

Israeli representation will come through Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, while Lebanon’s diplomatic mission will be guided by Ambassador Nada Hamadeh, continuing the pattern of senior-level participation from earlier diplomatic efforts.

These Washington negotiations are moving forward despite the ongoing military confrontations between both nations, underscoring the significant obstacles facing diplomatic initiatives aimed at bringing stability to the volatile Israel-Lebanon border region.

LIMA, Peru — Two cabinet members in Peru submitted their resignations Wednesday after the nation’s temporary president decided to postpone a massive $3.5 billion military aircraft purchase from the United States until after June’s presidential election.

Interim President José María Balcázar announced last week that he would leave the decision about acquiring 24 F-16 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin to whoever wins the upcoming presidential runoff, citing concerns about his authority as a temporary leader.

“For us to commit such a large sum of money to the incoming government would be a poor practice for a transitional government,” Balcázar said at the time.

The delay prompted a sharp response from U.S. Ambassador Bernie Navarro, who warned on social media that he would take unspecified action if Peru “negotiates in bad faith” or undermines American interests.

Defense Minister Carlos Díaz and Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela both left their positions Wednesday over the dispute. According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, Díaz wrote in his resignation that delaying the aircraft purchase “could compromise” Peru’s national interests.

During a press conference, both departing ministers revealed they had attempted without success to convince Balcázar to proceed with the agreement. Díaz disclosed that defense officials went ahead and signed the contract Monday despite the president’s objections, following the terms outlined in the deal.

In a radio interview, de Zela criticized Balcázar for providing misleading information to the public regarding the contract details. Díaz explained that many specifics about the agreement cannot be shared due to their classified status.

The aircraft deal was initially announced in 2024 under former President Dina Boluarte’s administration, with plans to finance the purchase through domestic borrowing — $2 billion in 2025 and $1.5 billion in 2026. Besides Lockheed Martin, Sweden’s Saab and France’s Dassault Aviation also submitted proposals for the contract.

Peru’s legislature selected Balcázar as the country’s eighth president in ten years this past February, replacing another temporary leader who was removed over corruption charges after serving just four months.

The South American nation will hold its presidential runoff election on June 7, though vote counting continues as officials process ballots from distant regions and Peruvian diplomatic posts overseas following the initial voting round on April 12.

AUJA, West Bank — Hundreds of Israelis marked their nation’s Independence Day Wednesday by swimming and enjoying outdoor festivities at a natural spring located in the occupied West Bank territory. The daylong celebration in Auja featured families picnicking and recreational activities, all under the watchful eye of Israeli military personnel.

The festive atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the ongoing conflict and recent displacement of Palestinian residents throughout the Jordan Valley region. The spring site has been transformed into recreational facilities primarily utilized by Israeli visitors, highlighting broader disputes over water resources in the West Bank. While Palestinian communities face severe water shortages, Israeli settlements maintain significantly better access to water supplies.

During the celebration, attendees gathered beneath a memorial flag displaying the image of a 21-year-old Israeli who was killed during a Hamas attack in June 2023. The commemoration comes as 2024 has witnessed continued settler attacks against Palestinian populations, including the forced removal of 600 residents from a neighboring community this past January.

Fresh uncertainty gripped the Strait of Hormuz Wednesday as Iranian forces launched strikes against three vessels near the vital shipping channel, intensifying a global energy emergency that began when tankers transporting one-fifth of the world’s petroleum were prevented from navigating the passage.

The latest incidents occurred merely 24 hours following President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would prolong the two-week truce with Iran. Tehran justified the assault on three departing vessels, capturing two of them, describing the action as payback for America’s maritime blockade of Iranian harbors and Washington’s attack and seizure of an Iranian vessel that failed to respond when contacted by blockade enforcement ships.

Maritime assaults had decreased beginning in mid-March when Iran established effective dominance over the waterway. The simple threat of attack proved sufficient to discourage vessels from attempting passage, though some ships utilized an Iranian-sanctioned route along the coastline. Iran required information about cargo, ownership and personnel and, in certain instances, levied a $1 per barrel fee on petroleum and related products — equivalent to $2 million for large tankers.

Here’s an examination of what is confirmed and uncertain regarding the strait’s current situation:

Iran’s semi-official media outlets announced that the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard struck a third vessel Wednesday within the strait. Nour News, Fars and Mehr all documented the Guard’s attack on a ship named the Euphoria. They reported the vessel had become “stranded” along Iran’s shoreline, providing no additional details. Iranian state television separately confirmed that the Guard captured the other two attacked ships.

This event followed two maritime attacks Saturday that broke a calm period that started in mid-March.

The captured vessels were the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas and Panama-flagged MSC Francesca, both cargo ships. The conditions under which these ships attempted strait passage remained unclear. MSC shipping company failed to respond to email inquiries about the vessel.

These attacks follow an abrupt change in Iran’s position over the weekend, after the Iranian foreign minister declared Friday that the strait remained open, only to face contradiction the following day from the Revolutionary Guard. Six cruise vessels trapped in the Persian Gulf since late February capitalized on the brief opportunity and navigated through the strait. However, maritime traffic has since ceased.

The renewed attacks partially reflect “genuine confusion … about when passage is permitted,” according to Torbjorn Soltvedt, principal Middle East analyst at risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft.

Contradictory messages came from Trump regarding complete reopening and from Iran’s foreign minister about limited reopening. Then circumstances “shifted very quickly” Saturday when the Guard declared the strait closed.

Furthermore, Soltvedt noted, Iran benefits from maintaining elevated insurance costs through intermittent attacks. “Their main leverage in negotiations with the U.S. is being able to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and insurance is a big part of that.”

Several vessels have successfully navigated Iran’s approval process, while others have depended on diplomatic appeals from their home nations. Nevertheless, hundreds of ships and thousands of crew members remain stranded.

The U.S. Navy intercepted and captured a large tanker carrying Iranian petroleum south of the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 miles from the strait. This action highlighted America’s capability to seize vessels violating the blockade long after departing the strait’s vicinity.

The U.S. military, enforcing the blockade in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, distant from Iranian drones and speedboats, reports turning back 20 Iran-connected vessels.

Nevertheless, shipping intelligence firms indicate that numerous ships carrying Iranian oil have bypassed the blockade. Lloyd’s List Intelligence reports “a steady flow of shadow fleet traffic” has moved in and out of the gulf, including 11 tankers with Iranian cargo that departed the gulf outside the strait since April 13.

“The dilemma for the U.S. is: The tighter the blockade, the greater the pain is in the global oil market, so there are conflicting priorities there, and it seems there is a policy of not intercepting every single shipment of Iranian oil,” Soltvedt explained.

Moreover, nearly all that petroleum flows to China, requiring the U.S. to manage that relationship carefully, with Trump scheduled to visit from May 14 to 15.

Captain Tim Hawkins, U.S. Central Command spokesman, confirmed Wednesday that the military blockade targets all Iranian ships entering or departing Iranian ports. However, he stated humanitarian shipments, including food, medical supplies and other civilian essentials, receive approval following inspection.

Hawkins disputed external reports of ships evading the U.S. network and referenced comments by U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper, who stated Friday that “no ship has evaded U.S. forces.”

Ship operators and insurers will require more than a basic peace agreement announcement to risk strait passage as they did before the conflict.

Even following the war’s conclusion, analytical and data company Rystad Energy predicts it will require six to eight weeks simply to reorganize the global tanker network. Ship operators and insurers would need two to five weeks to become comfortable with new operating conditions and resume standard operations.

Ship operators desire “something that’s a bit more concrete than what we have now,” Soltvedt stated. “What is needed is something more comprehensive” than an informal ceasefire with both sides remaining far apart on crucial issues including Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

“Even then, shipping companies will have the long-term threat hanging over them” considering Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, he added. “They can play this card again in the future.”

Moscow announced Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin would only consider meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy if the discussion centers on completing final peace agreements to end the ongoing conflict.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russian state television that the purpose of any potential meeting must be clearly defined and productive.

“The main thing is the goal of this meeting. Why should they meet? Putin has said he is ready for a meeting in Moscow at any moment,” Peskov stated during the Wednesday interview, according to TASS news agency.

The Russian official emphasized that meaningful dialogue requires clear objectives. “The main thing is that there should be a reason to meet, and the main thing is that the meeting should be productive. And it can only be for the purpose of finalising agreements,” Peskov explained.

The comments suggest Russia’s leadership remains open to diplomatic discussions, but only under specific conditions focused on reaching a final resolution to the conflict.

A former opposition politician and wealthy businessman from Moldova received a 19-year prison sentence Wednesday for his involvement in a massive banking scandal that drained $1 billion from the Eastern European nation’s financial institutions over ten years ago.

Vladimir Plahotniuc, age 60, was found guilty by the Buiucani District Court in Moldova’s capital city of Chisinau on multiple criminal charges including operating a criminal enterprise, financial fraud, and laundering money.

The case centers on the theft of $1 billion from three Moldovan banking institutions in 2014. This enormous sum represented roughly one-eighth of Moldova’s entire yearly economic output at that time, throwing the impoverished nation into severe crisis. According to prosecutors, Plahotniuc personally obtained $39 million plus 3.5 million euros from the stolen money through businesses operated by fellow Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor.

Case prosecutor Alexandru Cernei informed media representatives that prosecutors had requested the maximum 25-year sentence and that the government plans to pursue $60 million in financial damages.

Plahotniuc was absent from Wednesday’s court proceedings and has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming the charges are driven by political motives.

Defense attorney Lucian Rogac denounced the court’s ruling as “unlawful” and announced plans to file an appeal.

“We didn’t expect a different ruling, given that the entire process was marred by serious violations,” he said.

The convicted oligarch escaped to the United States in June 2019 following his unsuccessful attempt to establish a government coalition with his Democratic Party. Greek authorities arrested him in July of last year, and he was sent back to Moldova in September, where he remained in custody awaiting trial.

“For years, Plahotniuc evaded justice while controlling the system itself,” Iulian Groza, executive director of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms think tank, wrote on Facebook.

“That a reformed court, with integrity-vetted judges, has now convicted him of running a criminal organization, fraud, and money laundering is a milestone — and proof that judicial reform works,” Groza said. “The next test is the appeal.”

The United States designated Plahotniuc as persona non grata in 2020, marking him as an unwelcome individual, and his location remained unknown for several years.

U.S. State Department officials placed the influential businessman and former politician on their sanctions roster in 2022 due to alleged corrupt activities. These accusations included manipulating the nation’s law enforcement agencies to pursue political opponents and business competitors, as well as interfering with Moldova’s electoral processes.

British authorities also sanctioned him in 2022, prohibiting his entry into the country and freezing his financial assets throughout the United Kingdom and its territories.

Moldova sits between war-affected Ukraine and Romania, which belongs to both the European Union and NATO. The nation gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has recently aligned itself with Western nations, creating tension between Russian and European influences in the region.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian pointed to American failures to honor agreements and the blocking of Iranian shipping facilities as primary barriers preventing sincere diplomatic discussions, according to statements made Wednesday.

Pezeshkian criticized what he called inconsistent American policies, stating: “[The] world sees your endless hypocritical rhetoric and contradiction between claims and actions.” His remarks followed President Donald Trump’s announcement of extending a ceasefire by one day.

The Iranian leader’s comments highlight ongoing tensions between the two nations as diplomatic efforts continue to face significant challenges.

SAO PAULO (AP) — Daily gym sessions and workout videos are taking center stage over traditional campaign appearances and media interviews.

At 80 years old, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is making physical fitness a cornerstone of his reelection campaign, with exercise routines that some observers say generate more enthusiasm than his political platform.

Although Brazilian voters remain split on whether Lula should pursue an unprecedented fourth non-consecutive presidential term, most agree his dedication to daily treadmill sessions sets a positive example.

“He is a bit too old to campaign again. We’d better have someone else running. But his workouts are indeed a good example for people like me,” said Marcela Peres, 63, as she exercised in a hotel gym in Brasilia on Wednesday.

Lula’s emphasis on demonstrating physical vigor has prompted his primary opponent, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, to showcase his own athletic abilities.

With some voters worried that Lula could follow the same trajectory as former U.S. President Joe Biden, who stepped away from the 2024 presidential race due to age and health concerns, the Brazilian leader is using fitness displays to convince supporters to back him once more.

“One of these idiots said it was not me, that it was a clone,” Lula said in March, days after his wife, Rosângela da Silva, posted a video of his workout routine. “Go to the gym. Get ready. Drink less and work to see what happens. I want to live 120 years.”

During his initial two presidential terms, Lula regularly participated in soccer games, continued exercising throughout his 580-day imprisonment, and promoted physical activity when he campaigned in 2022 to defeat then-incumbent Bolsonaro, a former military officer with health issues.

Should Lula succeed in October’s election, he would surpass his own milestone as Brazil’s oldest elected president.

His primary challenger is nearly half his age.

The 45-year-old Bolsonaro recently ridiculed Lula by likening him to an aging Chevrolet Opala that is “all backward” and “drinks a lot (of fuel).”

Lula, who has been on virtually every presidential ballot since Brazil’s military dictatorship ended in 1985, dismissed the criticism by calling himself a “turbo car” instead.

“He is doing this to steer away from the Joe Biden effect,” said Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper university in Sao Paulo. “Flávio Bolsonaro is trying to say he is actually the young one. This is a game of image.”

The younger Bolsonaro is also demonstrating his physical condition by posting videos of himself jogging to meetings and performing dance moves on stage.

This aspect of his public persona only emerged in December, when his father designated him as the presidential candidate while incarcerated in the capital, Brasilia, where he was serving a 27-year sentence for orchestrating a coup attempt before being transferred to house arrest.

Political consultant Felipe Soutello, who has managed multiple Brazilian political campaigns, explained that modern electoral bids require candidates to appear dynamic and energetic, regardless of their age.

“The opposition will use a certain ageism, a little prejudice against older generations, as a tool to hurt the president’s performance,” Soutello said.

However, he pointed out that Brazil is experiencing a demographic transformation, with voters over 60 comprising one-quarter of the electorate. “They have more political weight than the young people,” he said.

According to research firm Nexus, citing data from Brazil’s supreme electoral court, the number of eligible Brazilian voters above 60 increased from 20.8 million in 2010 to 36.2 million in March of this year.

Musician Antonio Moreira, 50, enjoys beach workouts in Rio de Janeiro, displaying his physique, tan, and tattoos. He represents a small but crucial demographic that could determine the election outcome: voters who remain undecided between Lula and Bolsonaro.

In the previous election, Lula prevailed with only 50.9% of votes, marking the closest margin in Brazilian electoral history.

“Nobody wants to vote for a president that is stumbling,” Moreira said, adding that Lula’s workouts also encourage older people to stay active.

Regarding Bolsonaro’s dance performances, Moreira noted that “a little dance can define an entire political career” in Brazil. But that’s not enough.

“It is okay to do it as they do to seek for votes, but to reach a different kind of voter there needs to be more real proposals, right?”

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Wednesday she may impose sanctions on Chihuahua state officials for permitting CIA operatives to join a drug laboratory destruction mission without getting approval from Mexico’s central government.

The president’s remarks followed several days of conflicting statements from various officials regarding the weekend deaths of two American agents in a vehicle accident. The agents were traveling back from dismantling an illegal drug manufacturing facility in northern Mexico when the fatal crash occurred. A U.S. official and two sources with knowledge of intelligence operations confirmed Tuesday that the CIA was involved in the mission.

“There cannot be agents from any U.S. government institution operating in the Mexican field,” the president stated during her morning news briefing. She noted that such activities are not part of the current security protocols or the formal understanding between the two nations.

The fatal accident also claimed the lives of two Mexican law enforcement officers. Mexican officials reported the crash happened as their convoy returned from destroying criminal organizations’ drug production sites. Conflicting public statements from American and Mexican authorities have highlighted increased U.S. participation in regional security missions, according to experts.

During Wednesday’s briefing, Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexico’s military took part in the raid, explaining this falls within their authority to assist individual states. She stressed, however, that federal officials had no knowledge of American agents being present during the operation.

The president dismissed suggestions that this incident represents a new approach by the Trump administration, which has pressed Mexico to intensify its anti-cartel efforts.

Sheinbaum revealed she has written to the U.S. ambassador in Mexico demanding complete details about the incident. She also plans to meet with Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos. “It is very important that something like this not be allowed to go unaddressed,” she said.

President Donald Trump has frequently suggested direct action against Mexican drug cartels, an approach Sheinbaum has called “unnecessary.”

Six former Nigerian security officials entered not guilty pleas in an Abuja federal court Wednesday after being accused of conspiring to violently remove President Bola Tinubu from power last year.

The defendants face 13 criminal counts including treason, terrorism, and financing terrorist activities. Among those charged is a retired army major-general, while a seventh defendant – a former state governor – has not been apprehended.

Federal Judge Joyce Abdulmalik postponed proceedings until April 27 following the defendants’ denial of all charges during their court appearance.

Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi requested expedited proceedings due to the serious nature of the allegations. Judge Abdulmalik approved the request immediately after the defendants entered their pleas.

When defense attorneys attempted to request bail orally, the judge rejected their approach and directed them to submit written bail motions. She commanded that all defendants remain in Department of State Services custody while awaiting trial.

This case represents the most significant treason charges brought forward since President Tinubu assumed power in 2023, highlighting efforts to strengthen domestic security amid economic challenges, increased Islamic extremist attacks in northern regions, and rising political tensions.

Last October, President Tinubu unexpectedly overhauled the entire military leadership structure in what an administration official characterized as an initiative to strengthen national security.

ABUJA, Nigeria — A half-dozen individuals suspected of scheming to topple Nigeria’s government faced a judge Wednesday as prosecutors brought forward serious accusations of treason and acts of terrorism.

Each of the six defendants entered not guilty pleas when confronted with the 13 criminal charges that were formally presented Tuesday. The group has remained under detention by Nigeria’s intelligence services for several months.

Among those facing charges are a former major general who had retired from military service and a current police inspector still on active duty. Authorities are also pursuing a seventh individual, ex-Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa state, who faces accusations of helping to hide the conspiracy but has not been captured.

Following the entry of their pleas, the judge postponed proceedings until April 27, when the court will consider whether to grant bail to the defendants.

According to the formal accusations filed by prosecutors, the suspects “conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe the president of the Federal Republic.”

Nigerian officials initially revealed they had prevented an attempted government takeover in January, announcing at that time that multiple military personnel would face prosecution.

Had the conspiracy succeeded, it would have ended nearly 30 years of elected government in the continent’s most populated nation, which established democratic rule in 1999.

TOKYO — Authorities in Japan have taken a 64-year-old South Korean citizen into custody on Wednesday after he allegedly disrupted a spring ceremony at Tokyo’s contentious Yasukuni Shrine by displaying protest banners with political statements.

The controversial shrine serves as a memorial for Japan’s 2.5 million military personnel who died in conflicts, including those convicted as war criminals. Nations that suffered under Japanese military actions prior to and throughout World War II, particularly China and South Korea, view official visits to this site as evidence that Japan lacks genuine regret for its wartime conduct.

According to authorities, the detained individual displayed banners containing messages that called on “war criminals” to cease their worship at Yasukuni, while also asserting territorial rights over islands that remain disputed between Japan and South Korea.

Reports from Kyodo News indicate the protester positioned himself near the shrine’s primary entrance and blocked vehicles transporting imperial messengers. These representatives were scheduled to present ceremonial offerings from the emperor, as noted on the shrine’s official website.

The incident occurred one day after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who previously made regular visits to pray at the shrine, chose instead to send a religious ornament for the second consecutive time since becoming Japan’s leader. This decision drew sharp criticism from both Chinese and South Korean officials.

Additionally, on Wednesday, more than 100 conservative legislators, including a Cabinet member, conducted prayers at the shrine.

LONDON — Anti-smoking advocates are celebrating a major victory after British lawmakers approved groundbreaking legislation designed to create the world’s first smoke-free generation.

The newly passed Tobacco and Vapes Bill prohibits anyone born after December 31, 2008 from purchasing cigarettes at any point in their lives. This means today’s teenagers will face a lifelong ban on tobacco purchases as the minimum buying age increases annually.

“The end of smoking, and the devastating harm it causes, is no longer uncertain — it’s inevitable,” declared Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, following Tuesday’s legislative approval that caps decades of advocacy efforts.

The measure awaits King Charles III’s formal approval, which is considered a procedural formality. Once enacted, the law will also grant authorities expanded powers to control tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including restrictions on flavoring and packaging.

While current regulations already prohibit tobacco and vape sales to minors under 18, this legislation extends that prohibition throughout the lifetime of today’s youth population.

This positions Britain among nations with the world’s most aggressive anti-smoking policies. New Zealand enacted similar legislation in 2022, though a later administration reversed those measures.

Government statistics show smoking rates in Britain have dropped by two-thirds since the 1970s, yet approximately 6.4 million residents — roughly 13% of the population — continue using tobacco products.

Health officials report that smoking contributes to approximately 80,000 annual deaths nationwide and remains the leading preventable factor in mortality, disability and health complications.

“Children in the U.K. will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm,” stated Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

MADRID – A prosecutor in Spain has formally requested that a judge dismiss corruption charges against Begoña Gomez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, according to court documents released Wednesday.

The legal action represents the most significant judicial threat confronting the Socialist leader and his family members. Sanchez’s brother David is scheduled to face trial next month on separate allegations of influence peddling.

Gomez has consistently maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings.

The prime minister briefly contemplated stepping down in April 2024 when investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado launched the inquiry into his wife’s activities. Sanchez has publicly stood by his family members, characterizing the legal challenges as politically motivated attacks orchestrated by far-right opposition groups.

Judge Peinado now faces the decision of whether to honor the prosecutor’s dismissal request or proceed with a jury trial in another court. Should the case move forward, the prosecutor indicated they would argue for Gomez’s acquittal during trial proceedings.

The accusations against Gomez originate from far-right political party Vox and multiple conservative advocacy organizations, including Hazte Oir. Court filings submitted this week and reviewed by Reuters show these groups are pursuing a maximum prison term of 24 years for the prime minister’s wife.

The probe focuses on allegations that Gomez leveraged her status as the prime minister’s spouse to obtain corporate sponsors for a university master’s degree program under her direction, potentially circumventing required public procurement procedures.

The formal charges against Gomez and her assistant at the prime minister’s official residence include influence peddling, private sector corruption, misappropriation of funds, and improper use of public resources.

In his most recent court ruling, Judge Peinado, who is approaching retirement, characterized Gomez’s alleged actions as behavior more appropriate for an “absolute monarchy” rather than a contemporary constitutional democracy.

Moscow announced Wednesday it will halt the flow of Kazakh crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline to Germany starting May 1, according to Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, creating supply challenges for a critical refinery that serves the Berlin region.

The decision will significantly impact the PCK Schwedt refinery located near Berlin, which depends on Kazakhstan for 17% of its oil supplies and provides most of the German capital’s fuel needs. This development compounds Germany’s energy supply challenges as ongoing conflicts in Iran continue to disrupt oil flows from the Persian Gulf region.

When questioned about the reasoning behind the move, Novak cited “technical possibilities” but declined to provide additional details.

Data shows Kazakhstan shipped 2.146 million metric tons of oil to Germany through Russia’s Druzhba pipeline in the previous year, equivalent to approximately 43,000 barrels daily – representing a 44% increase from 2024. First quarter 2026 shipments totaled 730,000 tons.

Industry insiders had previously informed Reuters on Tuesday that Russia planned to terminate Kazakhstan’s oil exports via the Druzhba pipeline effective May 1.

The oil deliveries to Germany have utilized the pipeline’s northern branch, which operates independently from the southern section serving Hungary and Slovakia. The southern branch is preparing to restart operations following repairs necessitated by a Russian drone attack in January.

Germany assumed control of the Schwedt facility through a trusteeship arrangement after effectively confiscating the majority stake held by Russian energy giant Rosneft. This action followed Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which severed the longstanding energy partnership between Moscow and Berlin.

“Starting from May 1, volumes of Kazakh oil previously supplied via the Druzhba pipeline to Germany will be redirected to other available logistics routes,” Novak stated to reporters Wednesday.

When asked if this action would result in supply losses for Germany, Novak responded: “The Germans have given up on Russian oil, so they are doing fine.”

Germany’s economy ministry confirmed that Rosneft Germany was evaluating the situation and would adjust to changing circumstances, noting the Russian company understands its obligations to the region.

“At the same time, existing options will be utilised to ensure security of supply in Germany,” the ministry stated, emphasizing that the decision does not threaten the nation’s petroleum product supply security.

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche discussed possible alternatives, mentioning deliveries through ports in Gdansk or Rostock that could reach the refinery through pipeline connections, though she declined to speculate about potential Berlin shortages.

The Federal Network Agency, Germany’s energy oversight body serving as trustee for Rosneft Germany’s operations, acknowledged potential regional price impacts while confirming close coordination with the company.

Rosneft Germany did not respond to requests for comment.

Despite losing operational control through the German trusteeship, Rosneft maintains its position as the primary legal owner of the Schwedt refinery with a 54.17% stake, while Shell and Eni hold 37.5% and 8.33% respectively.

PARIS (AP) — Writer Kamel Daoud, who holds both French and Algerian citizenship, revealed Wednesday that Algeria has handed him a three-year prison term for his novel “Houris,” which earned France’s highest literary honor.

The author, currently residing in France, shared the news on X that the court decision came down Tuesday. He also disclosed receiving a fine of 5 million Algerian dinars, equivalent to approximately $38,000.

“Houris” (translated as “Virgins”) examines those who suffered during Algeria’s “black decade,” a period when tens of thousands lost their lives as government forces battled Islamic militants. The violence began in 1991 when Islamist parties secured victory in the initial round of parliamentary elections, leading the military-supported government to halt the second voting round.

The novel received the Goncourt Prize, France’s most coveted literary recognition, in 2024.

According to Daoud, his conviction stems from Algeria’s Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation, legislation passed through referendum in 2005 that provided broad amnesty to both Islamic fighters and government security personnel.

“The text punishes any public mention of the civil war,” Daoud stated. “Ten years of war, nearly 200,000 dead according to estimates, thousands of terrorists granted amnesty … and only one guilty party: a writer.”

Beyond the court proceedings in Oran, Algeria, Daoud faces two international arrest warrants that Algeria issued in May 2025 and potential loss of his Algerian citizenship.

Fellow French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal has encountered comparable difficulties.

Sansal — whose writings have challenged Islam, colonialism and current Algerian leadership — received conviction for undermining national unity and insulting government institutions, earning a five-year prison term under Algeria’s terrorism legislation.

Following intervention by Germany’s president, he obtained humanitarian clemency in Algeria and returned to France last year after completing one year behind bars.