Category: World News

Wednesday marked the 95th birthday of a revolutionary leader who continues to wield influence in one of the world’s remaining communist nations.

The younger brother of Fidel Castro became a household name through his participation in the 1959 uprising that transformed Cuba. Following his brother’s eventual departure from power, he took the helm as the island nation’s president, serving in that capacity for over a decade.

While he officially stepped back from political life in April 2021, he maintains his position as general of Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces, holds a National Assembly seat, and reportedly plays a key role in the deteriorating relationship with the United States, which has recently brought criminal charges against him.

The man dubbed the “hero of the Republic of Cuba” entered the world on June 3, 1931, in the small eastern Cuban community of Birán. Born as the fourth among seven siblings to a Cuban mother and Spanish father.

His early education took place in Santiago de Cuba before relocating to Havana for university law studies. During this period, he became heavily engaged in student activism, working against the Fulgencio Batista dictatorship.

In 1953, he participated in an assault on military installations in Santiago de Cuba as part of an unsuccessful attempt to topple Batista’s government. Following his arrest, imprisonment, and subsequent release, he escaped to Mexico and joined the rebel movement that would eventually succeed in removing Batista from power.

Following the successful 1959 uprising, he was named minister of Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces and supervised military operations across Africa and Latin America that drew criticism from some Republican politicians in the United States.

Numerous Cubans, including María Cristina Barrio Ramos, a 62-year-old educator from Havana, expressed appreciation for his contributions.

“He gave us everything so that we could be free,” she said. “We owe our freedom and dignity to him.”

October 1965 saw his appointment as second secretary of the Central Committee of Cuba’s Communist Party. During the announcement, Fidel Castro expressed pride in the appointment.

“It is a privilege for me that, in addition to being an extraordinary revolutionary figure, he is a brother,” Castro said as his sibling stood up and smiled as the crowd around him applauded.

Fidel Castro frequently spoke highly of his younger brother: “Everyone who gets to know him and become close to him realizes his humanism, his great character, and his feelings; they are surprised by the image of Raúl as belligerent, aggressive and harsh, when they see the feelings of friendship, affection, and love he is capable of having for people. And he has been a great mentor and a great educator.”

When Fidel Castro’s health deteriorated in 2006, his brother assumed temporary leadership in late July before being formally elected president by Cuba’s National Assembly in February 2008.

During his presidency, he demonstrated more progressive policies than his older brother, permitting private business operations while former U.S. President Barack Obama eased restrictions on money transfers and family visits, plus authorized American travel to Cuba under specific circumstances.

By 2015, diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba were reestablished with embassy reopenings. Obama visited Cuba to meet with Castro the following year, which also saw the resumption of commercial air service between the nations.

A memorable moment from a 2016 press conference in Havana showed Castro attempting to lift Obama’s left arm, which remained limp in a widely circulated photograph.

His administration also negotiated with Russia’s leadership in June 2014, resulting in the elimination of 90% of a massive debt inherited from the Soviet era.

In 2018, he transferred presidential duties to Miguel Díaz-Canel, ending decades of Castro family control over the government.

His announcement in April 2021 that he would not pursue additional political positions marked his formal retirement, after which his public appearances became infrequent.

Since leaving active politics, he has maintained a low profile while reportedly continuing to exercise influence from behind the scenes.

His grandson and security detail member, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, had discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a Caribbean summit this year. Both Cuban and American officials have acknowledged ongoing talks, though relations remain strained.

His most recent public appearance occurred at a May 1 demonstration attended by thousands of Cubans. Wearing his characteristic olive green military uniform, he stood alongside Díaz-Canel with his grandson positioned behind him.

Nearly three weeks later, American authorities filed criminal charges against him related to the 1996 destruction of civilian aircraft operated by Miami-based exiles over Cuban territorial waters. The charges include murder and aircraft destruction.

While government officials and supporters have criticized the indictment, he has not publicly responded.

Leading up to his birthday, social media featured the hashtag #RaúlesRaúl, referencing a leader who, like his brother, has traditionally avoided birthday celebrations, monuments, and statues.

The Cuban Embassy in the U.S. noted on X: “Not many people have the privilege, the health, the stoicism — and if you like, you can also add: that quintessentially Cuban stubbornness — to reach the age of 95.”

Meanwhile, Cuba’s Communist Party shared multiple videos Tuesday on X featuring Cubans expressing admiration for Castro.

“To talk about Cuba, you have to talk about Raúl,” said Digna Guerra, director of the island’s national choir. “He represents Cuban identity, he represents the Cuban people, he represents the revolution, which for us has immense significance. … Thank you for existing.”

Police in Delhi, India report that a devastating hotel fire claimed the lives of at least 21 people on Wednesday, marking one of the deadliest blazes in the nation’s capital in recent years.

The deadly incident occurred at a hotel situated in the Malviya Nagar area of south Delhi, according to authorities. This neighborhood is known as a residential district that attracts many students and young working professionals.

Emergency responders have successfully rescued at least 40 individuals from the burning structure, police confirmed.

News footage captured the building engulfed in flames with thick smoke pouring from the structure and blackened walls visible as local residents gathered in the narrow street to watch the emergency unfold.

The video also documented two individuals leaping from upper floors of the burning building.

Local administration official Jitendra Kumar explained to the media that investigators believe the fire originated from a restaurant operating on the building’s first floor. “There was reportedly a restaurant operating on the ground floor of the building … it is most likely that the fire was connected to that restaurant,” Kumar told reporters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the tragedy, calling the deaths heartbreaking while offering his sincere sympathies to families who lost loved ones and hoping for quick healing for those injured in the incident.

ST PETERSBURG, Russia, June 3 – Ukrainian forces launched a drone assault on an oil export facility in St Petersburg just hours before President Vladimir Putin’s major economic forum commenced in what appears to be an effort to humiliate the Russian leader and demonstrate the reach of Ukraine’s military capabilities into Russia’s major urban centers.

The assault targeted Putin’s birthplace and the site of his signature economic conference – a high-profile event meant to draw international investment and present Russia in a favorable light – as the conflict between the two nations continues to intensify with no clear resolution on the horizon after more than four years of fighting.

Smoke could be seen rising from the historic downtown area where the oil export facility was damaged, and Reuters journalists on the ground reported hearing powerful explosions throughout Wednesday morning.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged that his forces had carried out the attack on the fuel facility and revealed they had also hit a military installation near Russia’s second-largest city.

Alexander Beglov, the governor of St Petersburg, reported that unidentified “infrastructure objects” were damaged across three separate areas of the city. Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the broader Leningrad region, stated that defensive systems had intercepted 59 drones during the overnight assault.

Pulkovo airport in the city was forced to briefly halt flight operations according to Russia’s aviation authority, while local media reported that over 30 flights faced delays or cancellations.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Law enforcement officials conducted a search of Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency headquarters on Wednesday, just one day after the country’s president dismissed the agency director overseeing a massive free meals initiative.

Officials from the Attorney General’s Office did not specify whether their search was connected to any criminal probe.

The nutrition initiative fulfilled a campaign pledge by President Prabowo Subianto and was designed to combat malnutrition by providing meals to approximately 90 million children and expectant mothers. However, the program has faced significant backlash over expensive costs and incidents where students became ill after consuming the provided food.

On Tuesday evening, Prabowo dismissed agency director Dadan Hindayana and appointed Nanik S. Deyang, previously the deputy director, as his replacement.

“Some issues relate to discipline in following standard operating procedures, while others relate to discipline in implementing governance, including discipline in maintaining food quality as stipulated by the National Nutrition Agency,” Minister of the State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi said.

Despite the leadership change, Hadi stressed the administration remained dedicated to continuing the nutrition program. “Services to the public must not be disrupted in any way,” Hadi told reporters Tuesday after the firing.

Throughout Wednesday, Attorney General’s Office investigators conducted their search of the agency headquarters, preventing staff members from entering the building.

“We are still in the process of searching at the National Nutrition Agency,” said Mochamad Jeffry, the office’s acting spokesperson. He did not disclose what case was being investigated in connection with the search.

The nutrition initiative carries an estimated price tag of $28 billion extending through 2029. While Prabowo intended to address malnutrition and support agricultural producers by buying their crops, skeptics have raised concerns about the program’s financial sustainability and practical implementation across a sprawling nation of over 282 million residents.

A deadly blaze tore through a mixed-use building in New Delhi on Wednesday, claiming the lives of at least four people and leaving several others injured, according to local authorities.

The structure, located in the Malviya Nagar area on the city’s south side, contained a restaurant at street level with apartment units on the upper floors. Fire official Abhilash Malik reported that emergency responders successfully evacuated 37 individuals from the burning building.

Emergency crews have since brought the blaze under control, though the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Rescue teams recovered four bodies from the scene, according to Jitendra Kumar, a senior administrative official. At least seven injured victims were transported to area hospitals for medical care.

Such incidents occur frequently throughout India, where construction regulations and safety standards are routinely ignored by both developers and occupants.

A royal pardon has officially freed Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from all remaining legal obligations, cutting short his four-month probation period that began in May.

The 76-year-old billionaire, who wielded significant influence in Thai politics for over twenty years, had been released from a Bangkok detention facility last month amid enthusiastic crowds. Questions remain about whether he will continue influencing the Pheu Thai Party, a member of the current governing coalition, although his relatives have indicated he may withdraw from political activities.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s pardon order appeared in the Royal Gazette late Tuesday night and took effect Wednesday. Under Thailand’s constitutional monarchy system, the monarch holds ultimate authority over criminal pardons.

The royal decision coincided with Queen Suthida’s birthday celebration and extended to qualifying inmates who satisfied certain criteria. Thaksin met the requirements for complete release since he was already on probation with less than twelve months left to serve.

The former telecommunications executive established his political party in 1998 and led the country from 2001 until military forces removed him from power in 2006 during his overseas travel.

His removal sparked almost twenty years of political division, even as parties supporting him consistently regained control during his voluntary exile. His populist agenda gained strong backing from lower-income citizens, especially in northern and northeastern rural areas, but his appeal and occasionally authoritarian approach created significant rifts with urban elites, monarchy supporters, and military leadership.

Thaksin walked free on May 11 after completing eight months of a twelve-month term for corruption-related offenses. His parole terms included wearing an electronic monitoring device and an original four-month probation schedule.

Attorney Winyat Chatmontree verified to The Associated Press that Thaksin has been completely discharged from legal requirements, though noted that removing his monitoring bracelet involves additional procedures requiring several days.

His imprisonment followed convictions on charges related to exploiting his official position for personal business advantage and unlawfully authorizing a state lottery program that resulted in government financial losses.

He initially received an eight-year prison term in 2023, but the king reduced this to one year, and he received medical permission to serve his time in a suite at Bangkok’s Police Hospital.

Following public complaints about preferential treatment, the Supreme Court ordered in September 2025 that Thaksin must complete his sentence in regular prison facilities.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf reached a new boiling point Wednesday when Iranian forces launched missile and drone attacks that damaged Kuwait’s main airport, prompting flight cancellations and diversions across the region.

The assault on Kuwait International Airport’s T1 terminal resulted in injuries and significant infrastructure damage, according to the state news agency, which cited aviation officials. Kuwait Airways halted all operations following the strike.

Meanwhile, Bahrain’s military successfully shot down three incoming missiles and multiple drones targeting the kingdom.

U.S. Central Command reported that several Iranian missiles aimed at Kuwait either fell short of their targets or disintegrated during flight. American forces also intercepted three missiles directed at Bahrain and destroyed Iranian drones threatening commercial vessels and U.S. personnel in Kuwait.

In response to Iran’s attempted attacks, U.S. military units conducted retaliatory strikes on Qeshm Island, located close to the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s state-controlled media claimed the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, along with an airbase and helicopters in an undisclosed regional nation.

The IRGC justified its missile and drone launches as retaliation for what it characterized as an American assault on a communications facility south of Qeshm.

However, Central Command dismissed these claims, stating that all Iranian attacks were unsuccessful and that U.S. forces remained prepared to counter “unwarranted Iranian aggression.”

The violence comes as peace negotiations between the two nations have hit an impasse. While both countries announced a preliminary agreement to cease hostilities last week, no formal accord has been finalized.

Iranian outlets reported that Tehran has suspended communication with Washington for several days, but U.S. President Donald Trump contradicted this claim on social media.

“The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today,” Trump posted.

Since mid-March, Trump has consistently indicated he is nearing a comprehensive agreement to end the warfare and enable discussions on complex matters, including Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Trump has identified preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons as his administration’s primary objective. Iran maintains it is not pursuing nuclear weapons and insists its atomic activities serve civilian purposes.

Iran is demanding access to billions in frozen oil revenues, exemptions for crude oil sales, removal of U.S. port blockades, and continued control over the strait, which previously handled one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments before the conflict began.

Iranian media reported that the IRGC’s naval forces struck a ship called the Panaya with missiles, claiming this was payback for an alleged U.S. attack on an Iranian oil tanker near Hormuz.

“Disrupting the security of the Strait of Hormuz will carry a heavy price for the U.S. military,” the IRGC warned through state media.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed congressional lawmakers Tuesday that America would only consider lifting sanctions if Iran completely abandons its nuclear program.

“The war is over,” Rubio stated during a heated discussion with Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, who expressed disagreement.

The broader conflict has also intensified fighting between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, with Israeli forces conducting their most extensive Lebanese operation in a quarter-century.

Despite a U.S.-brokered partial ceasefire announced Monday, Israel continued bombing southern Lebanese communities Tuesday, according to Lebanese security officials.

The ongoing violence has failed to comfort many Lebanese civilians, with 1.2 million people forced from their homes. An Israeli surveillance drone hovering over Beirut Tuesday kept residents anxious.

“Every time we return to our homes, there is a warning for us to be displaced again,” said Faten Al Chehime, who fled to a refugee camp Monday from Beirut’s southern neighborhoods, just two weeks after returning home.

The conflict, which began February 28, has claimed thousands of lives, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, while causing worldwide economic disruption through rising energy costs.

On Tuesday, MSC, the world’s largest shipping company, reported that two projectiles hit one of its vessels while docked at Iraq’s Umm Qasr port the day before.

The IRGC claimed responsibility for this attack, calling it revenge for a U.S. strike against an Iranian ship in the Gulf of Oman.

The United Nations children’s agency UNICEF warned of an expanding humanitarian emergency as rising transportation costs and supply chain breakdowns are blocking critical aid deliveries to regions from Gaza to Nigeria.

Kuwait’s international airport was targeted by Iranian drones and missiles during the early morning hours on Wednesday, resulting in casualties and prompting officials to redirect air traffic, according to Kuwait’s state news agency.

The assault inflicted “severe damage” on the airport’s T1 building, the news agency reported, quoting the General Civil Aviation Authority.

Earlier, the U.S. military reported that two Iranian missiles aimed at Kuwait either fell short of their target or disintegrated during flight, while three missiles directed at Bahrain were stopped by American and Bahraini defense forces.

According to U.S. Central Command, Iran fired ballistic missiles at neighboring countries in the region, but none successfully reached their intended targets.

American forces retaliated by launching strikes against Qeshm Island following Iran’s attempted attacks and successfully neutralized several Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.

MOSCOW, June 3 (Reuters) — Russian leader Vladimir Putin has delivered a stark ultimatum to longtime partner Armenia: continue pursuing European Union membership and lose access to discounted Russian energy supplies.

Putin delivered this warning ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Armenia, where polling indicates the party of Western-oriented Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is expected to secure victory.

This threat carries real weight. The landlocked nation of 3 million people maintains deep historical connections with Russia spanning centuries and relies heavily on Moscow economically. Russia has already implemented temporary restrictions on key Armenian exports leading up to the election.

However, Putin’s ultimatum also reveals Moscow’s growing challenges. As Russia continues its prolonged conflict in Ukraine after more than four years of warfare, the country is engaged in an escalating global effort to preserve its international influence.

With Moscow’s attention concentrated on Ukraine, both the European Union and United States have been actively pursuing traditional Russian partners and challenging Moscow’s interests across multiple regions.

Russian influence faces challenges from Cuba and Venezuela to Serbia and Central Asian nations, and even extends to west Africa where Moscow’s military assists in fighting Islamic militants.

Armenia has historically benefited from Russian financial support and hosts a Russian military installation. Last month, the country signed a partnership deal with the United States, and Pashinyan received strong backing from President Donald Trump.

The former Soviet republic also enacted legislation last year establishing a framework for potential EU membership.

“Of course we are deeply concerned about the Armenian authorities’ policy of rapprochement with the Euro-Atlantic community whose core policy is directed against Moscow,” Maria Zakharova, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, told reporters.

“The Anglo-Saxons are openly boasting about ‘detaching’ Armenia, as they say, from the bear hug of ‘authoritarian Russia’.”

Russian military commentators and experts describe a coordinated Western campaign to diminish Russian presence throughout the South Caucasus region, which includes Armenia.

“In such conditions, the question of adapting Russian strategy (to embrace soft power and economic levers) becomes key,” said Russian analytical Telegram channel “The Secret Chancery”, which has over 400,000 followers.

A government source indicated Moscow recognizes that nations like Armenia are “all waiting to see how the war (in Ukraine) ends” while some are establishing alternative relationships as Moscow remains focused elsewhere.

Armenia’s decision to host European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, last month proved to be Moscow’s breaking point.

Subsequently, Russia imposed temporary import restrictions on numerous Armenian products, threatened to eliminate subsidized oil, gas and diamond exports, suggested Armenia’s potential removal from the Eurasian Economic Union trade organization, and withdrew its ambassador for discussions.

Dmitry Medvedev, the outspoken deputy chairman of Russia’s powerful Security Council, also hinted that Armenia’s prime minister could, if not careful, suffer the fate of Bolshevik revolutionary Leon Trotsky whom Josef Stalin had killed with an ice pick.

Meanwhile, Trump, whom Moscow anticipated would pressure Ukraine toward peace negotiations, has instead focused on three traditionally Russia-friendly nations — Iran, Venezuela and Cuba.

While Trump’s policies have increased oil prices, providing some economic relief for war-strained Russia, they have also highlighted Moscow’s limited ability to assist longtime allies. Cuba has received just one Russian oil delivery thus far.

Across Europe, Moscow faces what it describes as an increasingly antagonistic continent that is rearming while offering EU membership prospects to countries previously under Russian influence.

Putin ally Viktor Orban lost power in Hungary in April, leading to the unlocking of billions of euros in EU funding for Budapest. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, another Russian ally, is under pressure, with moves under way to abolish visa-free entry for Russians as Belgrade seeks EU membership.

Moscow also confronts pressure in Transdniestria, a Russian-controlled separatist territory internationally recognized as part of Moldova, whose leadership seeks EU membership.

Russia expresses concern about expanding Western influence in Central Asia, while in the South Caucasus Putin attempts to repair strained relations with oil-rich Azerbaijan, which has developed stronger Western connections recently.

The United States has recommended implementing a 12.5% additional tariff on goods imported from India, citing concerns that the country has not adequately prevented imports produced through forced labor.

This recommendation emerged during the second day of a three-day trade negotiation session in New Delhi, where Indian trade officials are meeting with a U.S. delegation headed by Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch.

According to a 92-page report released Monday by the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, India “has failed to impose and effectively enforce a forced labour import prohibition.” The report characterized the South Asian country’s policies as unreasonable and detrimental to U.S. commerce.

“The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labour is unacceptable,” U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated.

“This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field,” Greer added.

India’s commerce ministry has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the proposal.

The recommendation stems from a Section 301 unfair trade practices investigation, as the Trump administration works to reconstruct emergency tariffs that were overturned by the Supreme Court in February.

The proposal groups India with 54 other countries that do not have forced-labor import restrictions and would therefore be subject to the higher proposed duty.

Six additional countries, including Canada, Ecuador and the European Union to Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan, maintain such restrictions but would face a reduced 10% tariff for inadequate enforcement.

Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative, suggested the determination could face challenges, noting that the USTR investigation focused on whether India prevented imports connected to forced labor from other regions, rather than examining forced labor in Indian exports.

“The proposed tariffs are viewed as part of broader U.S. pressure tactics, and India should treat Section 301 actions and the India–U.S. bilateral trade agreement negotiations separately,” he stated.

A government source from India had previously indicated to Reuters that New Delhi intended to discuss the Section 301 investigation with Lynch’s delegation and pursue tariff relief within the framework of broader bilateral trade negotiations.

The USTR report additionally highlighted India’s role as an intermediary in cotton supply chains connected to Chinese forced-labor inputs.

Seven people died and eleven others sustained injuries when a drone struck a passenger bus in Russian-occupied territory in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region on Wednesday, according to officials installed by the Kremlin.

Denis Pushilin announced on the Telegram messaging platform that the attack targeted a bus traveling from Moscow to Simferopol in Russian-controlled Crimea.

Russian authorities have launched a criminal probe into the incident, with the State Investigative Committee classifying it as “a terrorist attack,” according to TASS news agency reporting from the Committee’s spokeswoman, Svetlana Petrenko.

The bus attack follows a major aerial assault by Russia on Kyiv Tuesday, which Moscow claimed was retaliation for a fatal strike on a dormitory in Russian-held Luhansk territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that additional Russian attacks could be approaching.

The Solomon Islands’ newly appointed Prime Minister Matthew Wale announced Wednesday that his government will examine the controversial security agreement his country signed with China.

The agreement, finalized in 2022 during former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s administration, has sparked concern among U.S. officials and allies like Australia over the possibility of Chinese naval forces establishing a military installation in the South Pacific region.

Prior to his parliamentary election victory on May 15, Wale had advocated for making the agreement’s terms publicly available.

Speaking Wednesday, Wale revealed he had only recently received a copy of the document after he had “removed certain people from key positions.” He declined to name the individuals involved.

“I haven’t had a good look at it. I’ve had a look at it,” Wale told journalists in Australia’s capital city Canberra.

“I’ve been praying and fasting about it. … There is a nondisclosure clause in it, so I couldn’t show it to you right away. But we are going to be reviewing (the treaty), as we are reviewing other security agreements that we have with many other countries,” he continued.

Wale made these comments during his inaugural international visit since assuming leadership of the 700,000-person nation located 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Australia.

During the visit, Wale and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed plans for their nations to develop a comprehensive strategic agreement that would strengthen bilateral relations across security and economic matters.

Unlike his predecessor Jeremiah Manele, who had opposed Australia’s attempts to strengthen ties, Wale indicated both governments had agreed to “reset” their relationship.

“We acknowledge that there’s been some problems in the past few years,” Wale stated.

Albanese expressed his view that Australia, not China, should serve as the Solomon Islands’ main security ally.

“We have said very clearly we want Australia to be the security partner of choice in our region and we want the Pacific family to look after our security in this region,” Albanese declared.

Wale agreed that regional self-reliance for security was “the direction we want to take.”

Under the bilateral arrangement, China has supplied police training personnel to the Solomon Islands. Since the nation lacks military forces, its police force handles expanded security responsibilities typically managed by defense organizations in other countries.

The Solomon Islands delivered a significant diplomatic victory to China in 2019 when Sogavare’s administration shifted official diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing, acknowledging the self-governing island that China considers part of its territory.

Citizens of Switzerland appear poised to vote down a referendum measure that would establish a population ceiling of 10 million residents, a new opinion survey indicates.

Worries about Switzerland’s rapidly expanding population, which rose from 7.3 million in 2002 to 9.1 million last year, and the strain on public services have driven backing for the measure.

The referendum, scheduled for June 14, would require that the permanent resident population stay below 10 million through 2050 and would terminate Switzerland’s freedom of movement agreement with the European Union.

The survey, conducted by GFS Bern for public broadcaster SRG between May 19 and May 27, found approximately 52% of 19,400 participants opposing the measure, while 45% expressed support. The remaining respondents were undecided.

An earlier survey from late April revealed Swiss voters were evenly divided, with 47% supporting and 47% opposing the proposal.

The Swiss government opposes the measure, which was introduced by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), arguing it would harm relations with the EU, Switzerland’s primary trading partner, and damage the economy.

Those backing the proposal have expressed worries about infrastructure strain, especially regarding housing, transportation, schools and hospitals, due to increased immigration.

Additional arguments from supporters include using immigration restrictions to safeguard the environment from population growth and to reduce crime and violence.

Those opposing the measure worry about potential conflicts with the EU that immigration limits would create, while others argue Switzerland requires foreign skilled workers.

Cambodia is turning to an infrequently utilized United Nations arbitration method called “compulsory conciliation” to address a decades-long maritime boundary disagreement with Thailand and access what officials believe are billions of dollars worth of oil and natural gas deposits.

THE NATURE OF THE CAMBODIA-THAILAND DISAGREEMENT

Both Cambodia and Thailand have claimed ownership of approximately 26,000 square kilometers of ocean territory in the Gulf of Thailand for over 25 years.

The contested maritime region is believed to contain nearly 12 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and substantial oil deposits valued at roughly $300 billion.

In 2001, the neighboring Southeast Asian nations entered into an agreement aimed at creating a framework for joint development of energy resources in what was termed the “overlapping claims area.”

However, Thailand’s government last month ended the agreement unilaterally with Cambodia, fulfilling a campaign promise made by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul after two periods of fatal conflict occurred along a disputed land border in the previous year.

UNDERSTANDING COMPULSORY CONCILIATION

Cambodia revealed on Tuesday that it had initiated a compulsory conciliation procedure under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

This compulsory conciliation serves as a dispute resolution tool that any nation that has signed the convention may use against another signatory.

Both nations select two conciliators for a panel called the Conciliation Commission, which subsequently chooses a fifth member to serve as chairperson.

The commission examines the facts and legal standing of each nation to provide a series of non-binding suggestions, which are also forwarded in a report to the UN secretary general.

PREVIOUS USAGE

To date, the UN-supported mechanism has been employed only by East Timor, also called Timor Leste, to successfully settle a long-standing maritime disagreement with Australia.

East Timor officially began the procedure on April 11, 2016 by providing notice to Australia, which agreed to participate in the process just weeks afterward.

In early March 2018, after less than two years of discussions, both countries executed a maritime boundary agreement at UN headquarters, with the UN chief present.

UPCOMING STEPS IN THE PROCEDURE

Cambodia has assigned its foreign minister, Prak Sokhonn, to serve as its representative for the proceedings, while also naming Danish diplomat Peter Taksøe-Jensen and French academic Jean-Marc Thouvenin to the Conciliation Commission.

Taksøe-Jensen led the commission that conducted the discussions between East Timor and Australia.

Thailand has 21 days after receiving the notification to name its conciliators, or Cambodia may ask the UN Secretary General to select them on Bangkok’s behalf, according to a statement from the Cambodian government.

Thailand’s Anutin stated on Tuesday he was unaware that Cambodia had started the compulsory conciliation procedure, noting that his government would apply UNCLOS principles in its future actions.

Thailand has not yet decided when it will move forward, he informed reporters.

Once four commission members are selected, they must choose a chairperson within 30 days before beginning additional proceedings.

KHARTOUM, Sudan — Three survivors of Sudan’s brutal civil war have shared their harrowing experiences of captivity, sexual assault, and extortion at the hands of armed fighters who demanded thousands of dollars for their release.

A 38-year-old survivor, now living safely in the capital city, described two days of torture before her captors forced her to contact family members by phone. “I thought about seeking justice one day,” she told reporters, showing photographs of her injuries sustained during her September ordeal. The Associated Press does not identify individuals who report sexual assault.

According to the United Nations, sexual violence represents one of the “most defining features” of Sudan’s conflict, which has entered its fourth year. International officials report that sexual assaults have dramatically increased since fighting began, with many victims subjected to sexual slavery and ransom demands reaching $10,000.

Three survivors spoke with reporters after being connected through aid workers familiar with their situations. All three identified members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces as their attackers, though verification of their accounts proves difficult in a nation where discussing sexual assault remains heavily stigmatized.

While the U.N. and human rights organizations have documented sexual assault by all warring factions and their allied groups, they report that the RSF has committed the majority of such crimes, particularly around Khartoum, in Darfur, and throughout Gezira state. South Kordofan has emerged as another area of concern as fighting spreads. The RSF has not responded to inquiries about abductions or assaults.

The 38-year-old woman recounted fleeing her home in el-Fasher in September, just weeks before RSF forces captured the besieged Darfur city in what the UN characterized as bearing “hallmarks of genocide.” After losing her soldier husband and caring for her wounded brother, RSF fighters ambushed their group during evacuation.

She described how fighters separated women and children from men, searching males for shoulder marks indicating military service before forcing everyone to undress. When RSF members attempted to execute her brother, she offered herself as a substitute.

Bound and beaten, she was transported with four other women and teenage girls to a deserted village. For two days, she said multiple men repeatedly assaulted her and the other captives, who remained tied up, naked, and without food or sanitation.

“I was thinking about ending my life,” the woman said through tears.

On the second day, her captors demanded approximately $1,500 for her release. After she transferred her entire bank balance of about $200, they forced her to contact relatives through Facebook. When her cousin sent money, the fighters tortured her during phone calls to extort additional payments, pressing metal objects against her fingernails while she screamed.

The torture and sexual assault continued for hours during these calls until her captors finally accepted roughly $700 for her freedom. She continues to worry about other women unable to pay ransoms.

According to Hala Alkarib, regional director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa, women who cannot secure ransom payments remain in captivity and eventually vanish.

Sudan experts note that while the RSF has historically used kidnapping for ransom, the practice has expanded significantly during the current war. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a U.S.-based research organization, reports that ransom incidents, including those involving sexual assault, have surged nearly 195% from the war’s beginning through May, with RSF fighters responsible for most cases.

Mohamed Younis, a conflict analyst specializing in Sudan, predicts ransom demands will increase as the paramilitary organization splinters following high-level defections.

A second survivor, age 30, described continued captivity even after ransom payment. Despite a relative in the United States transferring about $1,250, her captors refused her release until one fighter secretly helped her escape at night.

Abducted from a Khartoum market in 2024 during RSF control of the city, she spent two weeks confined with other women, forced to perform domestic labor, tend livestock, and sometimes bathe the fighters. “They never missed a day… I have nightmares,” she said of nightly sexual assaults.

The third woman reported being taken near Dilling in South Kordofan, held for nine days, sexually assaulted once, and beaten before her family secured her September release through payment.

Mental health professionals note that ransom demands create both financial and psychological trauma for families, forcing them into debt as they sell jewelry, vehicles, and homes to raise funds.

“The situation of these families is fragile,” explained Thuria Komi, director of Bait Al Mohaba, a local organization supporting women including sexual assault survivors. Her group lacks sufficient funding to provide necessary services, including medical treatment assistance.

Recent policy changes have affected international support. The current U.S. administration halted funding for the United Nations Population Fund, which provides support for sexual and gender-based violence victims, eliminating over $370 million in grants across more than 25 countries including Sudan. Officials cited allegations about past coercive abortions in China that UNFPA has called baseless.

Sudan continues receiving more than $220 million this year from the U.S. for other humanitarian assistance, according to U.N. data.

Now reunited with her brother in a displaced persons camp, the 38-year-old survivor struggles with ongoing health issues. Medical professionals diagnosed internal bleeding and fluid accumulation from her trauma, but she cannot afford necessary surgery.

While she finds purpose mentoring other women and girls in the camp, the debts owed to those who helped secure her freedom weigh heavily on her mind. Some of her rescuers have since died in the continuing conflict.

“Even those who died, I want to return it to their children or give it as charity on their behalf,” she said. “So I can feel at peace.”

An Israeli official is disputing claims that President Donald Trump hurled profanity and personal insults at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call Monday regarding Lebanon military operations, contradicting a published media account.

“Trump did not get into personal insults with Netanyahu,” said the Israeli source with knowledge of the conversation, explaining that any tension in the discussion centered on “the statements by each side” following their talk.

The disputed account, published Monday by Axios, described a phone call between the two leaders that reportedly grew heated over Israel’s military operations in Lebanon and ceasefire discussions.

According to the Axios story, which cited two administration officials and another source, President Trump expressed opposition to Israeli plans to destroy buildings in Beirut while targeting Hezbollah commanders, allegedly asking Netanyahu: “What the f*ck are you doing?”

The media report also claimed President Trump referenced his past support for Netanyahu regarding the prime minister’s legal issues in Israel. Axios reported that President Trump told Netanyahu: “You’re f*cking crazy. You’d be in jail if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everyone hates you now, and everyone hates Israel because of this.”

The news outlet said White House tensions escalated after Iran threatened to withdraw from talks with Washington due to Israeli military actions in Lebanon. The story indicated that US and Iranian representatives are in discussions about a comprehensive agreement that would include measures to stop the Lebanon fighting.

While the report stated US officials support Israel’s right to defend against Hezbollah attacks, they expressed worry about the extent of Israeli operations in Lebanon. Axios quoted a senior US official saying Netanyahu responded to President Trump: “Okay, okay, just make sure everything is handled.”

The Prime Minister’s Office refused to provide comment on the details contained in the Axios story.

Netanyahu subsequently offered a different characterization of the discussion, stating he had informed President Trump that Israel would conduct strikes in Beirut if Hezbollah maintained its attacks on Israeli territory. He also indicated that military actions in southern Lebanon would continue and that Israel’s stance remained unchanged.

The choice to cancel the planned Beirut strikes prompted backlash from multiple Israeli political leaders. Former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff and Yashar! Party leader Gadi Eisenkot characterized President Trump’s involvement as “a humiliating demand, one that is blatantly unreasonable.” Eisenkot also stated Netanyahu “is the man who preached morals to everyone about the basic need to be a prime minister and know how to say ‘no’ to the President of the United States.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned Netanyahu for what he viewed as treating Israel like a US protectorate. Lapid also demanded a “powerful response” to rocket attacks from Lebanon, stating that “the responsibility for the security of Israeli citizens lies solely with the Israeli government.”

The Israel Defense Forces reports eliminating a Hamas leader who allegedly played a role in the October 7 kidnapping of an American-Israeli hostage and three others from a roadside bomb shelter.

Military officials identified the target as Yousef Ayesh Awad Ramadan, a leader within Hamas’s Nukhba force. The IDF states that Ramadan was involved in capturing American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, along with Eliya Cohen, Alon Ohel and Or Levy, after the four individuals had taken shelter during the Hamas-led assault near Re’im Junction.

Video evidence that spread across social media platforms captured Goldberg-Polin being transported in a vehicle following a grenade blast that had injured his arm while he remained in the protective shelter.

Military sources indicate that Ramadan had been developing “advanced attack plans against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians” throughout the conflict and in recent periods. The IDF characterized him as a continuing danger to military personnel conducting operations in Gaza.

The operation was launched after intelligence reports suggested immediate risk from Hamas fighters in the region, according to military officials.

The IDF reports that two Hamas militants who were targeted during the mission had tried to assault Israeli troops before the strike was executed. Military leaders described the response as targeted strikes against the threat.

“Prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance,” the IDF said.

The announcement of Ramadan’s elimination prompted a public statement from Alon Ohel, one of the individuals taken hostage from the Re’im Junction shelter.

Ohel, who gained freedom in October 2025 through the Gaza ceasefire agreement, responded to the military action through an Instagram message.

He encouraged the military to maintain its operations against Hamas and called on the IDF to persist in fighting “until the last terrorist.”

WASHINGTON — Despite skepticism from Congress and growing tensions in the Middle East, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope Tuesday for renewed nuclear negotiations with Iran.

Speaking to lawmakers, Rubio indicated that Iranian officials have shown willingness to discuss nuclear issues they previously refused to consider. However, he cautioned that this development doesn’t guarantee successful outcomes or an acceptable agreement.

The Secretary’s positive assessment stands in stark contrast to recent reports from two semiofficial Iranian news outlets suggesting Iran has ceased all communication with mediators. These reports emerge as Israel has issued threats to bomb Beirut during its ongoing conflict with the Hezbollah militant group, casting uncertainty over the already fragile ceasefire.

While Rubio declined to speculate on potential results from any future negotiations, his remarks signal a diplomatic opening despite the volatile regional situation that continues to complicate international efforts to address Iran’s nuclear program.

PAJU, South Korea (AP) — In a rain-soaked ceremony at a former military installation, dozens of Korean adoptees from across North America and Europe attached ceramic name plates to a memorial wall, holding onto hope that their birth mothers might discover them after years of separation.

The adoptees secured their personalized ceramic markers to wire mesh covering a stone wall at Omma Poom Park — which translates to “mother’s embrace” — located in Paju, South Korea, under misty conditions.

Over 900 markers, hanging like undelivered correspondence, create a silent tribute to decades of widespread family separations that produced what may be the globe’s most extensive adoptee diaspora.

“There are so many tiles that hang, and yet that is merely a small fraction of us that exist,” said Nicole Rieth, adopted to Michigan when she was 4 months old, in January 1989.

“As far as connecting with my birth mother, it’s not about gleaning specific information from her or even necessarily seeking a relationship. I’ve just always wanted to know who I looked like, because I’ve never had that before.”

Every marker, created by hand through an artist’s work, displays the adoptee’s name, year of birth and place of birth. Different colors represent adoption decades, with most showing red and sky blue for the 1970s and 1980s, when international adoptions reached their highest numbers. White markers represent adoptees who passed away before achieving reunions.

A single plastic-covered message hung among the markers, placed by unnamed parents seeking a child called “Bora.”

“You are not alone. You have a mother and a father,” it said. “I’m so sorry and I love you.”

Paju, positioned close to the North Korean border and formerly home to American military installations, holds extensive memories of international adoptions, which started following the 1950-53 Korean War with biracial children born to Korean women and American soldiers, who faced social rejection domestically.

Adoption numbers increased dramatically during the 1970s, when attention turned to fully Korean children, usually born to single mothers or families facing poverty. Thousands were transported yearly to Western nations for decades through the mid-2000s, including over 6,600 annually during the 1980s, when Seoul’s previous military government actively worked to decrease population burdens.

Omma Poom opened in June 2025 following a multi-year effort by Paju-based photographer Lee Yong-nam and Me & Korea, an adoptee support group.

Lee, 72, said his interest in adoption issues grew from searching for a Black-Korean childhood friend likely adopted to America.

“Adoptions continued unchecked and now the pain is surfacing,” he said of the visitors, who are mostly younger than the war generation.

On elevated ground above Omma Poom, a former American army structure functions as a museum, housing approximately 1,000 personal pages — each containing an adoptee’s photograph, birth date and letter to a birth mother.

One of the profiles belongs to Angela Lee-Pack, adopted to Canada in 1971 at age 2.

“I think about you every day and only wish the best for you,” she wrote to her Korean mother. “I hope one day I will be able to know who I am.”

Growing up in Ontario, Lee-Pack says she endured severe abuse from her adoptive mother, including being locked in a closet without food. She says she was later abused in another home, left at 15, and struggled for years before finding stability as an adult.

Lee-Pack has visited South Korea twice while searching for her birth mother, putting flyers across Seoul and Jeonju.

During her first trip in 2019, a man reached out, believing Lee-Pack was the daughter of a late uncle. The lead unraveled slowly and painfully. The man later found a woman in her 70s whose background appeared to match. But she denied giving up a child and refused contact. Lee-Pack collapsed in her hotel room and cried.

“Every time I look in the mirror I wonder who she is and what she looks like,” she said of her birth mother. “The thoughts never end.”

Rieth says that becoming a mother to two sons led her to begin looking for her birth mother.

According to her adoption file, Rieth was the third child of a couple who relinquished her shortly after her birth in 1988, citing financial hardship during a time when Seoul was actively pressuring families to have fewer children.

Rieth began searching for her biological family in 2024, but letters her adoption agency sent to her birth mother’s last known address went unanswered.

She is now pursuing another search through the National Center for the Rights of the Child, a government office. She wants her sons to know the heritage she grew up without.

“I kind of don’t want to allow myself to hope because the whole journey has been a roller coaster of hoping, finding something out, and diving down into hopelessness, getting a glimmer of a maybe,” she said. “And yet I want to exhaust every effort … so that there are no regrets.”

During the peak of adoptions, authorities largely ignored rampant fraud, including illegal child procurements from hospitals and orphanages and manipulation of children’s origins. Many were falsely labeled as abandoned orphans to ease placements with Western families.

The deception left generations of Korean adoptees not knowing who they were, where they came from, whether they had been loved, abandoned or stolen.

On the other side were birth mothers pressured to surrender children born out of wedlock, separated from them without consent, or left searching for decades before learning they had been sent overseas under falsified records.

The gathering at Omma Poom came shortly after a group of birth mothers asked South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate the alleged illegal adoptions of their children, adding to hundreds of fraud and abuse claims filed by adoptees.

Adopted in 1993 to Michigan, Jalyn Smith’s agency in in 2021 located her birth mother, who, according to the file, had relinquished Smith after separating from her biological father. The woman declined contact.

Five years later, Smith is pursuing the search again.

“Hanging it up, I felt proud,” Smith said about her name on Omma Poom’s wall. “I feel proud to be part of this community, though it comes with a lot of conflicting feelings of sadness and anger and grief.”

Israeli and Lebanese representatives have commenced their fifth series of diplomatic discussions since April at the U.S. State Department in Washington, while combat between Israeli forces and Hezbollah persists despite a ceasefire declaration made Monday evening.

The diplomatic sessions are occurring while military exchanges continue and following statements from a high-ranking Hezbollah leader on Tuesday declaring the organization’s refusal to accept any limited ceasefire arrangement with Israel.

An unnamed Lebanese diplomatic source, speaking to The Associated Press under anonymity protocols, indicated that Beirut maintains its dedication to the diplomatic process regardless of current tensions and active conflict.

Lebanese officials are demanding Israeli forces withdraw from Lebanese soil and cease military strikes. Israeli authorities maintain their military actions are essential because Hezbollah has failed to disarm according to commitments made in a 2024 ceasefire accord.

The current disagreement centers on a reported American-supported framework requiring Hezbollah to stop attacks against northern Israel while Israel would avoid targeting Beirut’s southern neighborhoods.

Mahmoud Qomati, who serves as deputy head of Hezbollah’s political council, stated the organization would decline such a proposal.

Based on reporting from Lebanon’s National News Agency, which referenced a written declaration from Qomati obtained by AFP, the Hezbollah representative indicated the group would reject the proposed framework and cautioned that Israeli operations against Beirut’s southern areas would prompt a more forceful retaliation.

Qomati warned that any Israeli “aggression against” Beirut’s southern suburbs could lead to “a deeper and stronger response” from Hezbollah.

These statements emerged while diplomatic initiatives in Washington continued seeking solutions to end the hostilities.

Qomati’s declaration also seemed to contradict earlier reports suggesting Hezbollah had agreed to a restricted arrangement specifically addressing attacks on northern Israel and the situation in Beirut’s southern districts.

Even as negotiations proceed, military confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah persist, with both parties disagreeing over necessary conditions for establishing a comprehensive ceasefire.

Former President Donald Trump announced his support Tuesday for Abelardo De La Espriella, a right-wing lawyer seeking Colombia’s presidency in an upcoming runoff election against leftist senator Ivan Cepeda this month.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized the significance of the electoral outcome. “The results of this Election are very important to the future of Colombia and its relationship to the United States,” Trump stated in his post.

The endorsement comes as Colombia prepares for its presidential runoff election featuring the two candidates with opposing political ideologies.

Marcelo Salinas, who served as Bolivia’s defense minister, stepped down from his position on Tuesday according to local news outlets, after prolonged civil demonstrations and widespread protests that have disrupted traffic in the nation’s principal cities throughout the past month.

An official from the ministry verified Salinas’ departure to Reuters.

Citizens across South Korea headed to polling stations Wednesday for mayoral and local elections that political observers are watching as a key indicator of how much backing President Lee Jae Myung has after completing his first year leading the nation’s liberal administration.

Polling data indicates Lee’s Democratic Party is positioned to capture more victories than the conservative opposition People Power Party, which continues to struggle with internal divisions roughly 18 months following former conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial martial law declaration.

Political analysts say that with such favorable conditions, the DP needs to achieve an overwhelming win and secure critical contests like the Seoul mayoral race to provide Lee with significant momentum.

“The conservatives’ support base has been fractured and weakened in the wake of Yoon’s impeachment, while the liberals’ support base has grown stronger. Considering that, results of the elections will determine whether their dominance would prolong for a considerable time,” said Jeong Han-Wool, director of the Korean People Research Institute.

Voters are selecting candidates for 16 mayoral and provincial gubernatorial positions on Wednesday, with the PPP currently holding 12 of those seats. Additionally, 14 new lawmakers will be elected to the 300-seat National Assembly through special elections.

Voting began at 6 a.m. local time at approximately 14,300 locations nationwide and will conclude at 6 p.m. The election commission reports that roughly 44.6 million people are eligible to participate.

Initial polling suggested the DP could secure as many as 15 of the 16 available positions. However, more recent surveys indicate that opposition or independent contenders have narrowed the margin with their DP opponents or even moved ahead in five to seven contests.

The DP benefits from continuing public anger over Yoon’s December 2024 martial law decision that triggered a major political upheaval. Additionally, the relatively new Lee administration may still enjoy voter goodwill rather than facing attempts to limit its authority, according to Choi Jin, director of the Seoul-based Institute of Presidential Leadership.

Choi explained that a decisive DP triumph would mean capturing at least 12 races. He emphasized that the party must also secure the highly competitive Seoul mayoral contest or the Lee administration would face “a tremendous blow.”

The Seoul competition features the DP’s Chong Won-o, a former Seoul district head whose political profile grew after Lee commended his leadership last October, running against incumbent mayor and prominent political figure Oh Se-hoon from the PPP.

“A Seoul mayor isn’t a post that someone whose campaign solely relies on the president’s coattails can afford,” Oh told reporters Tuesday. “Our country would be safer when the rival forces keep each other in check than one side controlling every things. Please, leave Seoul, the last stronghold, in our hands.”

During a Tuesday press briefing, Chong stated he anticipated Seoul residents would issue “a stern verdict” on Oh regarding what he characterized as the mayor’s incompetent and irresponsible leadership approach.

Lee will mark his first anniversary in office Thursday, maintaining approval ratings above 60%. He secured victory in a special election held after the Constitutional Court decided to remove Yoon from office due to his martial law implementation. A Seoul district court found Yoon guilty of rebellion in February and imposed a life sentence.

Yoon’s removal created significant internal conflict within the PPP between reform-minded members who supported the DP-led impeachment effort and Yoon supporters who tried to defend the former leader.

Han Dong-hoon, who leads the reform faction and was ultimately kicked out of the PPP, is among those seeking one of the 14 parliamentary seats in the special elections. Polling shows Han with a narrow advantage over the DP’s Ha Jung-woo, a former Lee adviser on AI, in a Busan race in the nation’s second-largest city in the southeast.

Jeong noted that a Han win might enable anti-Yoon reformers to reorganize and become a new conservative movement in South Korea. However, Choi suggested Han’s victory could deepen conservative divisions as Yoon supporters might feel threatened and become more unified in response.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The head of the United Nations has outlined three alternative approaches to continue efforts toward resolving the long-standing conflict between Israel and Lebanon’s Iran-supported Hezbollah fighters once the current 8,100-strong UN peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon concludes on December 31.

Each proposal submitted to the UN Security Council by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would maintain UN military oversight of the Israel-Lebanon border, assist Lebanese military forces in expanding their presence nationwide, and enhance diplomatic initiatives to halt the ongoing violence that continues despite an existing ceasefire agreement.

For many years, UN peacekeeping forces have served a crucial function in overseeing security conditions in southern Lebanon, an area where Hezbollah maintains strong influence. In recent months, six peacekeepers have lost their lives.

Following pressure from the United States and its ally Israel, the Security Council unanimously decided in August 2025 to end the peacekeeping operation called UNFIL and directed Guterres to develop alternatives for enforcing a 2006 resolution that concluded a month-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

That resolution calls for Hezbollah to give up its weapons, Israeli military withdrawal, and full deployment of Lebanese army forces as the country’s only armed force. These requirements remain unfulfilled.

In his Monday correspondence to the Security Council, Guterres emphasized that the repeated clashes between Israel and Hezbollah demonstrate the urgent need to enforce the 2006 resolution, which serves as the roadmap to peace.

The secretary-general described UN military oversight of the UN-established border between Israel and Lebanon, called the Blue Line, as “paramount.”

Across all alternatives, he explained, “a uniformed United Nations presence working to facilitate de-escalation, dialogue, liaison and coordination, and support for the Lebanese Armed Forces would be necessary.” The UN military component would work alongside the enhanced UN special coordinator for Lebanon, who would maintain leadership of efforts to implement the 2006 resolution.

Guterres outlined three alternatives for the UN military presence, with personnel numbers ranging from 5,525 down to 1,980, including some unarmed military observers. He noted the largest deployment would be capable “to most credibly observe developments along the length of the Blue Line.”

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric informed reporters Tuesday that the secretary-general anticipates the Security Council will reach a decision promptly.

WASHINGTON — The United States announced new financial penalties Tuesday against Iran’s top cryptocurrency trading platform and three additional digital asset exchanges, continuing the Trump administration’s strategy to apply economic pressure on Iran amid current military conflicts with the U.S. and Israel.

The penalties target Nobitex, Iran’s biggest digital currency firm, along with its chairman and co-founder, Amir Hossein Rad. According to Treasury officials, Nobitex handled over half of all Iranian cryptocurrency transactions in the previous year and plays a key role in Iran’s extensive network for circumventing sanctions.

These financial restrictions arrive as two semi-official Iranian media outlets reported Tuesday that Iran has ceased discussions with intermediaries regarding extending a ceasefire in the conflict involving the U.S. and Israel.

U.S. President Donald Trump has challenged this assertion and stated that negotiations remain active.

Treasury officials allege that Nobitex has transferred assets and money overseas to protect government resources following the beginning of U.S. military actions in Iran. Attempts to contact Nobitex representatives via email were unsuccessful.

American authorities assert that Iran depends significantly on digital currencies and similar assets to bypass sanctions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated at the Reagan National Economic Forum this month, “We have seized about a billion dollars of their crypto.”

The Trump administration’s newest action represents one of several steps designed to impose economic hardship on Iran. The administration has also established secondary financial penalties against nations conducting business with individuals, companies, and vessels under Iranian influence — including partners like the United Arab Emirates and rivals like China. Financial institutions have been cautioned about processing Iranian funds.

Additionally, last week the U.S. placed sanctions on Iran’s recently established Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an organization designed to oversee maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Treasury officials describe this agency as a “scheme to extort international shipping.”

Simultaneously, U.S. military forces have intercepted commercial ships attempting to breach a U.S.-coordinated blockade of Iranian harbors. The U.S. initiated this blockade on April 17 following Iran’s effective closure of the strait after Middle Eastern hostilities commenced with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Feb. 28.

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — European Union election monitors have rejected Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s allegations of voting irregularities following Sunday’s heated presidential contest, describing the ballot counting process as conducted in a “transparent, orderly and fluid” manner.

Mission leader Esteban González Pons stated that none of the 12 presidential hopefuls approached his team with concerns about voting problems. A runoff election is set for June 21 between attorney Abelardo de la Espriella and Sen. Iván Cepeda, who received the highest vote totals.

Cepeda, who represents Petro’s Historical Pact party, declined Sunday to accept preliminary vote tallies showing him in second place, stating he would await the comprehensive count supervised by judicial officials and notaries before commenting. Before Cepeda’s remarks, Petro posted on X platform claiming 800,000 people were unlawfully added to voting lists. Over 23 million citizens voted Sunday, with de La Espriella capturing 43.7% and Cepeda earning 40.9%, according to official tallies.

By Monday, Cepeda moderated his position, noting that election watchers from his party had not discovered “irregularities of a sufficient dimension to speak of fraud.” He also predicted victory over de La Espriella in the runoff and proposed a debate.

Petro, who is constitutionally barred from seeking another term, reinforced his fraud allegations Tuesday through another X post, claiming without evidence that 885,000 voters registered past a March 31 cutoff date.

The president additionally alleged that certain polling locations recorded unusually high ballot numbers.

Colombia’s National Registrars Office, responsible for election administration, announced Monday evening that after reviewing 99.98% of polling stations, they found only a tiny 0.06% difference from Sunday’s preliminary count.

The EU monitoring team stated Tuesday they examined randomly chosen vote tallies from across Colombia and compared them with actual ballots, discovering no discrepancies.

“We can discard any manipulation of data in the quick count and in the final count,” González Pons declared.

Colombian election law requires judges, not the president, to verify and certify results, usually within two weeks.

Political watchers have cautioned that Petro’s unsupported fraud claims might deepen political divisions and encourage violence before the June 21 runoff.

Conflicting messages emerged this week regarding U.S.-Iran relations, with a high-ranking Iranian military official declaring that armed conflict with America cannot be avoided while President Donald Trump maintained optimism about reaching a diplomatic solution in the coming days.

Mohammad Jafar Asadi, who serves as deputy head of Iran’s central military command known as Khatam al-Anbiya, dismissed any possibility that his country would comply with American demands, according to reports from Iranian state television.

“The United States demands our total surrender, and the Iranian nation will never surrender,” Asadi stated. “Without surrender, war is inevitable.”

These comments stand in stark contrast to President Trump’s optimistic outlook regarding ongoing diplomatic discussions.

During a Monday telephone conversation with ABC, President Trump predicted that a peace deal with Iran could be finalized “over the next week.” He emphasized that reaching an agreement through negotiations would be more desirable than pursuing military action.

“It’s not an easy thing for them. It’s actually not easy from our standpoint either. But we’re getting what we need to get,” President Trump explained.

The president noted that while he had previously suggested on May 24 that a memorandum of understanding was close to completion, he has not yet signed off on the document because “I still have to get a few more points.”

These divergent positions emerged as hostilities persist between Washington and Tehran in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz region.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced Monday that it had fired a cruise missile at the MSC Sariska V, describing the targeted ship as having connections to both the United States and Israel. The organization claimed this attack served as payback for an American strike against the Iranian commercial vessel Lian Star in the Gulf of Oman. Maritime officials from Britain reported that the MSC Sariska V suffered damage from a major explosion in waters near Iraq.

This latest incident occurred as military confrontations between Iran and the United States have intensified around the crucial shipping corridor. Both nations have conducted military operations in recent days, with disagreements centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that handles 20% of global oil and gas transportation.

A deadly stabbing incident involving a British teenager has sparked intense discussions about law enforcement practices and racial dynamics after video emerged showing police restraining the victim while dismissing his pleas for help.

Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student, was fatally wounded in December, but the case gained widespread attention this week following the sentencing of his attacker and the release of disturbing footage from the scene.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, who is Sikh, received a life sentence with a minimum 21-year term Monday after being convicted of murder. Digwa had falsely told responding officers that Nowak, who was white, had racially attacked him.

Law enforcement personnel responding to the scene in Southampton, a coastal community in southern England, initially accepted Digwa’s account. However, court proceedings revealed that Digwa had fabricated the racism allegations.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his revulsion at the footage and questioned how “accusations of racism informed the decision-making in this case.”

Demonstrators assembled outside Southampton’s police headquarters to voice their outrage over Nowak’s death.

Video evidence shows the university student lying on the ground, informing officers of his stab wounds while they restrained his arms and attempted to force him upright. He repeatedly stated he was unable to breathe.

“You’ve been stabbed? Whereabouts?” an officer said in the video. “Don’t think you have, mate.”

Following the court proceedings, the victim’s father, Mark Nowak, emphasized that the tragedy wasn’t centered on racism or religion, expressing hope that his son’s death would contribute to improved street safety rather than fostering “further division, hatred or tension.”

However, Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigrant Reform UK party, characterized the incident Tuesday as evidence of so-called two-tier policing — a far-right assertion that ethnic minorities receive preferential treatment over white individuals.

Farage urged people to respond with “pure cold rage,” demanding an end to “anti-white prejudice” and promoting the concept “that white lives matter just as much as Black lives.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood dismissed claims of differential policing standards across communities and appealed to Parliament members not to “allow this murder to turn communities against one another.”

Mahmood acknowledged public shock over the tragic footage and emphasized the government’s commitment to dramatically reducing knife-related violence.

She appealed for restraint while the Independent Office for Police Conduct examines the actions of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary officers. She noted that online misinformation had resulted in death threats against an uninvolved officer.

“Misinformation and inflammatory commentary is making a dreadful situation even worse,” she said. “We must all together condemn it.”

Two years prior, a stabbing attack that claimed three young lives and injured 10 others at a dance class in northern England triggered nearly a week of widespread unrest after social media users incorrectly identified the teenage perpetrator as a Muslim asylum-seeker. The violent confrontations with law enforcement primarily targeted migrants and Muslims.

The British-born attacker’s parents were Rwandan Christians, and while investigators couldn’t determine his motivation, they ruled out terrorism. Authorities discovered materials about Nazi Germany, the Rwandan genocide and car bombs on his electronic devices.

In Nowak’s case, the first-year University of Southampton student had been socializing with friends when officers arrived at what was reported as an assault. Nowak was visible on a driveway, supported by someone who mentioned he had blood in his mouth.

Digwa stood close by and informed officers he had also sustained injuries, indicating his allegedly swollen eyelid. He alleged that Nowak had removed his turban and grabbed his hair.

Following Nowak’s restraint, officers positioned him on his side while searching for stab wounds. He appeared unconscious when an officer announced his arrest for assault and recited his legal rights.

Upon discovering his injuries, officers removed the handcuffs and began CPR, according to police statements.

Digwa faced conviction for murder at Southampton Crown Court.

Judge William Mousley told Digwa he rejected the claim that Nowak made racist remarks toward him.

“You are the only person to make that claim and it is completely at odds with his previous character,” he said.

In Britain, where firearm possession faces strict regulation, knives frequently serve as weapons in violent incidents and face similar restrictions. Generally, individuals cannot carry bladed implements except pocketknives with cutting edges under 3 inches. However, Sikhs may carry ceremonial knives called kirpans for religious purposes.

Mousley noted that Digwa possessed a small kirpan, which Sikhs are religiously required to carry, but also had an 8-inch sheathed Sikh dagger that served as the murder weapon. He stated that the religious connection of the weapons had put other Sikhs at risk.

“Your actions have stirred up racial tension in Southampton and across the country which have made many Sikhs worried about their own safety even though they have done absolutely nothing wrong,” the judge said.

Law enforcement officials apologized to Nowak’s family and stated that Digwa’s deception had misled responding officers.

“It is devastating the officers did not believe Henry when he said he’d been stabbed and couldn’t breathe,” Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said. “The details of the police response raises serious concerns about police impartiality, fairness and judgment.”

Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, was found guilty of assisting an offender after attempting to conceal the murder weapon. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 17.

A diplomatic exchange between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn attention after Trump expressed gratitude for Israel’s decision to cancel a planned military strike in Beirut, though private reports suggest their conversation was far more contentious.

Trump posted on Truth Social about his discussion with Netanyahu, stating he had requested the Israeli leader avoid conducting what he characterized as a significant operation in Lebanon’s capital city.

“I had a conversation with Bibi Netanyahu today, asking him not to go into a major raid of Beirut, Lebanon. He turned his Troops around. Thank you Bibi!” Trump wrote.

The president also revealed he had reached out to Hezbollah through intermediaries and stated the organization had committed to ceasing hostilities.

“I also had a conversation with representatives of the leaders of Hezbollah, and they agreed to stop shooting at Israel, and its soldiers,” Trump posted.

“Likewise, Israel agreed to stop shooting at them. Let’s see how long that lasts — Hopefully it will be for ETERNITY!” he added.

Israeli military sources indicated that no forces were actually en route to Beirut on Monday, despite earlier announcements from Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz that the Israel Defense Forces would strike Hezbollah infrastructure in and near the Lebanese capital.

Even with the ceasefire declaration, Israel noted that Hezbollah deployed drones against forces in southern Lebanon, causing alert sirens to sound in northern Israel. The IDF retaliated with attacks on Hezbollah locations.

According to an Axios report, Trump and Netanyahu had an intense disagreement about Israel’s military tactics and the ceasefire agreement. The report, citing two administration officials and another source, described Trump questioning plans to demolish buildings in Beirut to target Hezbollah commanders, asking Netanyahu: “What the f*ck are you doing?”

The report indicated Trump also mentioned his previous support for Netanyahu regarding legal matters in Israel, telling the prime minister: “You’re f*cking crazy. You’d be in jail if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everyone hates you now, and everyone hates Israel because of this.”

Axios reported that White House frustration grew after Iran threatened to withdraw from negotiations with Washington due to Israeli activities in Lebanon. The United States and Iran are currently in talks about a comprehensive memorandum of understanding that includes provisions to end the fighting in Lebanon.

Sources indicated that US officials back Israel’s right to defend against Hezbollah attacks but have disagreements about the extent of IDF operations in Lebanon. A senior US official quoted by Axios said Netanyahu replied: “Okay, okay, just make sure everything is handled.”

The Prime Minister’s Office refused to provide an official comment on the details reported by Axios.

Netanyahu subsequently offered a different version of their conversation, stating he had told Trump that Israel would conduct strikes in Beirut if Hezbollah continued launching attacks into Israeli territory. He also indicated that operations in southern Lebanon would proceed and that Israel’s stance remained unchanged.

Multiple Israeli political leaders openly condemned the choice to abort the planned Beirut strikes. Former IDF chief of staff and Yashar! Party leader Gadi Eisenkot described Trump’s instruction as “a humiliating demand, one that is blatantly unreasonable.” Eisenkot noted that Netanyahu “is the man who preached morals to everyone about the basic need to be a prime minister and know how to say ‘no’ to the President of the United States.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Netanyahu for behaving as if Israel were a protectorate of the United States. Lapid also demanded a “powerful response” to the rocket fire from Lebanon, stating that “the responsibility for the security of Israeli citizens lies solely with the Israeli government.”

Israeli Parliament members are scheduled to cast secret ballots this week for the nation’s next state comptroller in what has transformed from a routine selection process into a significant challenge for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition unity.

The competition features two contenders: former Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron and attorney Michael Rabilo, who maintains strong connections to Netanyahu. The victor will take control of one of Israel’s most crucial watchdog positions, overseeing audits of government departments, public institutions, and state actions during a period when wartime choices, governmental operations, and institutional confidence face intense political examination.

During Monday’s faction gatherings, opposition leaders centered their discussions on the position’s autonomy and whether the incoming comptroller could effectively investigate the very administration currently attempting to influence the selection process.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid stated that Elron could help rebuild the office’s reputation specifically because he isn’t associated with the left. “I believe that not only in the opposition, but also in the coalition, there will be people who say to themselves that our role in this building is to serve the State of Israel and its interests,” Lapid said.

Lapid characterized Elron as “a respected Supreme Court justice” and “someone politically identified with the right,” suggesting he could rebuild “the importance and prestige” of the State Comptroller’s Office. He drew a distinction with Rabilo, whom he labeled “Netanyahu’s personal lawyer,” and maintained that Netanyahu’s favored nominee might protect the prime minister from upcoming oversight.

Yisrael Beitenu party chairman Avigdor Liberman indicated he would honor the custom of a private, confidential vote but clearly stated he would not back Netanyahu’s selection. “We will preserve the Knesset tradition regarding personal votes,” Liberman said. “But I can already reveal one thing: I will not vote for the prime minister’s candidate.”

Yair Golan, chairman of The Democrats, avoided naming specific candidates but connected the ballot to what he characterized as a broader trend in government selections, declaring that anyone whose “loyalty is to the king and not to the kingdom will have to go home.”

The confidential voting occurs while Netanyahu’s coalition already faces tension over the military draft controversy. Should Rabilo prevail, Netanyahu can demonstrate that his alliance remains unified during crucial moments. A loss would indicate that dissatisfaction within the coalition has progressed beyond public rhetoric into concrete opposition.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has imposed an immediate ban on its citizens traveling to Iraq and Iran, according to an announcement from the country’s Ministry of Interior.

Officials from Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior made the declaration through the state news agency BNA, stating the restriction was put in place to ensure national security and protect the wellbeing of Bahraini nationals.

“Due to the continued tense security situation resulting from the repercussions of the sinful Iranian aggression, and in order to safeguard national security and the safety of all citizens, the Ministry of Interior announces the decision to ban citizens from traveling” to Iraq and Iran, the ministry said.

The travel prohibition will continue “until further notice,” according to ministry officials, who also cautioned that authorities plan to pursue enforcement action against anyone who defies the ban. Bahraini officials stated they will implement appropriate measures against “violators” of the order.

This move comes amid escalating regional instability throughout the Middle East and follows Iranian attacks that hit targets within Bahrain during the latest period of conflict.

Weapons including missiles and drones from Iran hit vital infrastructure throughout the nation, sparking significant blazes at a fuel storage facility in Muharraq Governorate and at the kingdom’s primary oil refinery located on Sitra Island.

Military installations linked to US forces were also hit during the assault. Officials from Bahrain reported that facilities housing American personnel, such as the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters and Sheikh Isa Air Base, were struck in the opening round of attacks.

Residential neighborhoods were also impacted by the strikes, Bahraini authorities confirmed. The bombardment caused deaths and forced thousands of residents from their homes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stern warning Monday following Israel’s decision to expand military operations against Hezbollah, claiming the actions violate existing ceasefire agreements after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz authorized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to target Hezbollah positions in and around Beirut.

Through a social media post on X, Araghchi stated: “The ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” and clarified that breaking the agreement on one front would constitute a violation across all areas.

The Iranian official cautioned, “The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation.”

These threats emerged as Israeli leadership indicated plans for expanded operations against Hezbollah. On Monday morning, Netanyahu and Katz announced that Hezbollah command centers in Beirut’s Dahieh neighborhood would no longer receive protection from Israeli military strikes.

“There will be no situation in which Hezbollah attacks our cities and citizens while the terror headquarters in Dahieh remain off-limits,” Netanyahu declared in a recorded statement.

The Prime Minister also noted that Israeli military units were broadening their activities in southern Lebanon while focusing on Hezbollah facilities.

“We are continuing to deepen our operations on the ground in southern Lebanon, eliminating Hezbollah strongholds. Hezbollah is on the run. We are determined to restore security to the residents of the north, just as we did for the residents of the south,” Netanyahu stated.

Previously, Israel had avoided attacking the Lebanese capital following requests from the Trump administration.

During a separate military event, Katz announced that the IDF was maintaining both aerial and ground campaigns against Hezbollah while making “significant gains” against the organization.

“If there is no quiet in the north, there will be no quiet in Beirut … We will not allow a situation in which our communities and citizens are harmed while calm is maintained in Beirut,” Katz declared.

Katz outlined the military’s goal to “turn the Litani area into a zone under IDF security control, free of weapons and terrorists.”

These escalating threats occurred while combat between Israel and Hezbollah persists despite ceasefire arrangements and active negotiations in Washington.

A key disagreement centers on Hezbollah’s unwillingness to surrender weapons, despite ceasefire terms mandating the armed organization relinquish its arsenal.

A member of Israel’s parliament has formed a new legislative group dedicated to exploring the possibility of future peace and diplomatic relations with Lebanon, making the case that Israel should reach out directly to Lebanese communities seeking stability and freedom from armed group control.

Dr. Akram Hasson leads the newly established Caucus for Peace Between Israel and Lebanon, which he chairs. He tells The Media Line that his motivation stems from years of observing what he views as a nation held captive by Hezbollah’s influence.

“Lebanon was taken hostage by Hezbollah,” Hasson told The Media Line. “It does whatever it wants there. It destroyed the Switzerland of the Middle East. It threatens Lebanon’s president, it threatens the government, and of course it harms the residents of northern Israel.”

The parliamentary group has modest structure but broad ambitions, calling for diplomatic, economic, and civilian cooperation, assistance for northern Israeli communities, and a wider regional approach to shared security threats. Hasson notes that his proposal to create the caucus received approval within days of submission, which he interprets as evidence that fellow lawmakers recognize the value of maintaining political dialogue beyond the current reality of rockets, evacuations, and border conflict.

His position centers on viewing Lebanon through the lens of its various communities rather than solely through its armed groups – communities he believes have genuine interests in stability, economic recovery, and reduced Iranian influence in their country.

“The Lebanese people, in the latest survey, the Druze, more than 80%, want peace and relations with the State of Israel,” Hasson said. “Seventy-two percent of the Christians also want peace with the State of Israel, and there are Sunnis there who want it too. So the time has come for us to strengthen this alliance.”

Hasson clarifies that the caucus does not replace official government diplomacy or indicate that formal negotiations are currently happening. Rather, he describes it as a political and public platform designed to provide legitimacy and visibility to Lebanese figures who might support normalization but fear retaliation from Hezbollah. His stated objective is encouraging them to speak more openly, both within Lebanon and among Lebanese communities living abroad.

“I want to encourage every person on the Lebanese side who seeks peace and believes in peace to stand up and say what he thinks, like in the latest survey, and begin to apply pressure,” Hasson said. “Because in the end, if the people want peace and security and freedom, nothing can stand in the way of that will.”

The political complexities are clear. Israel and Lebanon have no peace treaty, and Hezbollah remains the primary armed force along the Lebanese side of their shared border. For Israelis living in the north, this has created concrete challenges. The ongoing conflict has transformed border towns and surrounding communities into an active front line, featuring evacuations, missile and rocket attacks, Israeli military strikes in Lebanon, and persistent concerns about escalation.

Hasson contends that precisely because of this instability, Israel should start preparing for the possibility that border dynamics may not always remain as they are today. He mentions that his first speech in Arabic from the parliament podium was addressed to the Lebanese people and demonstrated respect for a society he characterizes as educated, sophisticated, and unwilling to be defined by terrorism.

“The Lebanese people are a people of books, a people of culture,” he said. “They do not want terrorism, and they do not want Hezbollah there. They are suffering terribly from them.”

The parliament member’s vision remains far from official policy at this point. He speaks openly about a future where embassies might operate in Beirut and Tel Aviv, connecting this concept to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s broader rhetoric about a “new Middle East.” Hasson suggests that if regional alignments continue shifting, Lebanon could eventually join a larger group of countries engaging Israel openly.

However, the most significant aspect of his proposal may not be the diplomatic end goal, but rather the comparison he makes with Israel’s existing peace agreements. When asked whether relations with Lebanon might one day mirror Israel’s relationship with Jordan, Hasson offered a more ambitious assessment.

“In my opinion, normalization with Lebanon would be better than with Jordan,” he said.

He contends that the peace with Jordan, while strategically valuable, has remained distant and unbalanced. Israel provides Jordan with water, Israeli business leaders have invested there, and Israeli tourists travel east, Hasson notes, but the relationship has not created the type of mutual public acceptance he would hope to see in a future agreement.

“You do not see one tourist from Jordan in Israel,” Hasson said. “They do not contribute anything to us. On the contrary.”

For Hasson, the key difference lies between Hezbollah and Lebanon as a whole. He highlights particularly Druze and Christian voices, as well as historical memories of contact across the border, including periods when Lebanese workers entered Israel.

“Lebanon is a completely different people,” he said. “They do not have that hatred. They do not teach jihad.”

Yet there exists a significant gap between frustration with Hezbollah and public support for normalization with Israel. In Lebanon, even people who resent Hezbollah’s power may avoid expressing anything that resembles support for peace with Israel. War memories, internal Lebanese politics, the Palestinian issue, and fear of being accused of collaboration all influence the situation.

Hasson does not claim Lebanon is prepared to sign an agreement immediately. His argument is more focused: Israel should not wait for official diplomacy to exist before communicating with Lebanese who may already be thinking differently.

The caucus documentation outlines potential areas of cooperation, including tourism, trade, infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, innovation, environmental collaboration, and support for local authorities in northern Israel. Hasson believes both sides could benefit from a practical peace centered on economic recovery and border stability.

“We can contribute to Lebanon’s economy,” he said. “It is win-win. Everyone, in the end, will bless this important step.”

He also frames the issue as one that should not be limited to either the Israeli right or left. Peace, he argues, can gain support across Israel’s political spectrum if presented not as rhetoric, but as a security achievement that protects Israeli citizens and weakens Iranian-backed terrorism.

“The people of Israel know how to unite and rise above themselves when there is real peace, and when they know it will bring security to all the residents of the State of Israel,” Hasson said. “I know many people in Israel, both on the left and on the right, who, when they hear about peace, real peace and not talk and slogans, will support it.”

The initiative emerges at a time when the concept of “peace” has largely vanished from Israel’s wartime political discourse, replaced by terms such as deterrence, victory, pressure, disarmament, and security control. Hasson attempts to reintroduce it, but in a format anchored less in traditional peace advocacy and more in the language of regional power, anti-Iranian alignment, and Israeli security interests.

This may represent the caucus’s political opportunity. It does not ask Israelis to ignore Hezbollah. It begins with Hezbollah as the primary obstacle. It does not present Lebanon as already prepared for peace. It argues that segments of Lebanon may be ready, or could become ready, if they are strengthened and if Hezbollah is forced to retreat from its current position.

“We are stronger,” Hasson said. “We are the only ones standing against Hezbollah. And in the end, we can eliminate this terrorism, because the Lebanese state, as a state, as a government, as a presidency, cannot do much against Hezbollah.”

The caucus remains a parliamentary initiative, not a diplomatic process. Its significance lies elsewhere: an Israeli parliament member is attempting to bring into the legislature a conversation that typically remains in private meetings, research forums, or military assessments. Hasson wants parliament to address directly the possibility that Lebanon’s future may not be permanently connected to Hezbollah’s present.

Whether that message can reach Lebanese audiences, and whether anyone there can safely respond to it, remains unclear. Hasson believes the situation is less rigid than it appears.

“We want a real Middle East,” he said. “A Middle East without terrorists, without people who believe in jihad and brainwashing, and cause enormous damage to the Arab and Muslim population in the world. That is the final goal.”

A parliamentary committee in Israel voted unanimously Monday to move forward with legislation that would dissolve the government and pave the way for early elections.

The House Committee of the Israeli parliament approved the dissolution bill by an 8-0 margin, sending the measure to the full parliament for its initial reading.

Should the full parliament approve the legislation, it would return to committee for additional preparation before undergoing second and third readings. Final passage would establish a timeline for scheduling a national election and officially begin the country’s 2026 election cycle.

Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz outlined a potential voting period spanning from September 8 to October 20. He noted that ongoing talks are focused on identifying a date within this window that all parties can accept.

Monday’s committee action follows the parliament’s initial endorsement of the dissolution measure. Lawmakers supported the bill unanimously with a 110-0 vote before sending it to the House Committee for additional legislative work.

According to the country’s legal framework, national elections must occur within five months after final approval of the dissolution legislation. Using this timeline, voting would need to happen by October 27 at the latest, making mid-to-late October the final practical window for holding elections.

Political negotiations have also addressed when elections might take place. Media reports indicate that ultra-Orthodox political parties prefer scheduling the vote for early September, during the weeks before the High Holidays.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly discouraged the ultra-Orthodox parties from pursuing a September election timeline. According to reports, he has privately cautioned that such timing would “endanger” the right-wing bloc’s prospects for electoral success.

TRUJILLO, Peru — Along Peru’s northwestern Pacific coastline, market vendor Gladys Saavedra watches warily as unfamiliar faces approach the small marketplace where she and other women workers face a grim reality: collectively pay $300 monthly to criminal extortionists or face devastating consequences.

When the women at the Trujillo market refused the demands last June, criminals torched their workplace. The vendors protested and demanded government protection in the following days, but received no help. This lack of response came as no shock to Saavedra, whose home was bombed with explosives during another extortion scheme in August 2024.

As Peruvians prepare to choose their next president in Sunday’s runoff election, this escalating gang violence has become voters’ primary concern. Many citizens will venture to polling locations with deep anxiety about becoming crime targets during their journey.

“You can’t even stick your head out for fear of being shot,” Saavedra, 49, said.

While extortion first appeared in Trujillo over two decades ago, the criminal activity has exploded across Peru during the past five years. Government statistics show extortion reports jumped fivefold to 28,948 cases in the previous year, while homicides doubled to reach 2,226 in 2025.

Law enforcement officials and security analysts link the criminal organizations’ growth in Trujillo to their connection with unlawful gold mining operations. These groups initially earned money by offering protection services to illegal miners in nearby areas, then invested those profits in hiring assassins, purchasing firearms, and expanding their urban influence.

Government figures reveal that illegal mining produces roughly $7 billion each year, significantly exceeding the approximately $1.2 billion generated annually through drug trafficking.

Transportation companies became the initial extortion targets, with drivers facing death if payments weren’t made. These workers remain prime victims, as at least 239 drivers were murdered nationwide last year, according to the independent Observatory of Crime and Violence.

More than half of those killed operated motorcycle taxis, commonly used in city outskirts where paved roads are scarce. However, bus driver murders have sparked transportation strikes and public demonstrations.

Security specialists connect organized crime’s growing influence in Peru to profits that long-established criminal organizations earn from illegal gold extraction in the Andes and Amazon regions. Peru exported 100 tons of illegally extracted gold in 2025, nearly equaling the 109 tons of legally mined gold it exported.

In a Trujillo district that produces one-fourth of the nation’s footwear, union representative Máximo Varas reported that approximately 1,500 small business operators in the shoe industry make payments to extortionists to continue operating.

“Everyone pays — even I get extorted. No one is safe,” he said.

Throughout Trujillo, numerous buses, restaurants, corner shops, nightclubs, and educational institutions display stickers on their building fronts. These markers include puma images, crosses, and Batman symbols. Law enforcement officials explained that these stickers signal businesses have made extortion payments. Authorities sometimes patrol Trujillo removing these markers and replacing them with police stickers.

Business owner Iván Díaz, 58, believes violence has grown “unreasonably” in Trujillo. Criminals disguised as law enforcement officers abducted him from his workplace in 2023, holding him captive for 11 days. To secure a $250,000 ransom, his kidnappers severed portions of two fingers on his right hand and transmitted torture videos to his relatives to “advance the payment.”

“I had to adapt to reality and keep a cool head,” Díaz said.

Courts sentenced four members of the criminal organization Los Pulpos to life imprisonment in May for Díaz’s kidnapping. This group originated in Trujillo during the 1990s and later spread operations into neighboring Chile.

The Ministry of Economy calculated in July that criminal activity costs Peruvians approximately $5 billion annually. This amount encompasses government investment in police operations plus private expenditures on surveillance equipment and security personnel.

Peru’s peripheral neighborhoods lack paved streets, clean water, and electrical service, but most critically, they lack police presence. By comparison, affluent municipalities like the capital’s San Borja, where both presidential candidates — conservative Keiko Fujimori and progressive Roberto Sánchez — reside, maintain large numbers of uniformed officers plus additional private security forces patrolling their areas.

Security professionals argue that fighting crime requires eliminating corruption within the national police force, which employs approximately 130,000 officers, plus substantial funding for investigations.

An investigator working on organized crime cases, who requested anonymity because he lacks authorization to speak with media, told The Associated Press that technology limitations prevent police from tracking phones linked to digital payment systems that criminals use for collecting extortion money.

Congressman-elect and former police officer Harvey Colchado stated that each of the nation’s 70 police investigative divisions received $29,000 monthly budgets five years ago, but currently operate without funding as the government redirected money to other purposes. He noted this problem worsens due to recent legislation supported by both Fujimori’s and Sánchez’s parties that complicates criminal prosecutions.

The legislation Colchado mentioned removed preliminary detention in specific situations and increased requirements for seizing criminal property and conducting searches.

“This is a cancer,” Saavedra said. “(Police) don’t have the resources to trace the calls, to know where the messages are coming from. That’s the only way to stop it.”

The city of Trujillo in Peru is grieving for victims lost to violent criminal activity that has swept through this urban center. Local entrepreneurs face mounting challenges as gang-related extortion spreads throughout numerous communities across this South American nation.

Public safety concerns have become a dominant issue as Peru approaches its presidential runoff election this Sunday, affecting how citizens conduct their everyday activities and view their nation’s prospects.

Statistics reveal a dramatic escalation in criminal activity over recent years. Extortion incidents have multiplied five times in the last half-decade, with nearly 29,000 cases documented in 2025. Homicides have similarly escalated, more than doubling during this timeframe, as officials report 2,226 fatalities occurred in the previous year.

Organized crime syndicates are increasingly focusing on small-scale entrepreneurs, including transportation workers, marketplace sellers, and various business operators, forcing them to make routine payments to continue their operations.

The consequences reach well beyond financial damage. Throughout Peru, citizens report experiencing persistent feelings of insecurity as explosive attacks, abductions, murders, and intimidation tactics have escalated dramatically.

Nearly every Peruvian appears to have personal connections to criminal victimization. Community members and family members have faced extortion demands to maintain their businesses, or have suffered kidnapping or murder.

Discovering bodies in public areas or recovered from remote locations has become a regular occurrence.

Certain districts see businesses posting markers showing they comply with extortion demands, while other establishments spend significant amounts on private protection services due to insufficient police coverage.

Specialists in public safety link the expansion of criminal organizations to revenue from unauthorized mining operations and additional illegal enterprises, combined with persistent underfunding of police investigative departments and obsolete equipment. They additionally cite recent legislative modifications that have complicated authorities’ ability to arrest suspects, confiscate criminal proceeds, and eliminate criminal organizations.

PARIS, June 2 – The French President and Rwanda’s leader joined together on Tuesday to dedicate a new memorial in Paris honoring those killed in the 1994 genocide targeting Tutsis in Rwanda.

The French President stated the memorial positions the Tutsi genocide “at the heart of our capital and our history,” describing it as “the culmination of a long and painstaking quest for the truth.”

During a May 2021 trip to Rwanda, the French President acknowledged his nation’s role in the Rwandan genocide and expressed hope for forgiveness, attempting to repair relations following years of Rwandan claims that France played a role in the 1994 massacre of approximately 800,000 people — primarily ethnic Tutsis. He did not, however, offer a formal apology.

This followed findings from a commission appointed by the French President that determined in March 2021 that France had been blinded by colonial perspectives regarding events preceding the genocide and carried “serious and overwhelming” responsibility for not anticipating the massacre.

The memorial, located along the Seine river in central Paris, is called “L’Archive.” Portuguese artist Grada Kilomba created the design, which features two black monuments and includes an engraved dedication to the hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children killed between April and July 1994.

MOSCOW – Russia’s major economic conference, officially called the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, begins Wednesday with an unusual mix of American attendees drawn to Moscow’s stance against what they call “anti-wokery” and its promotion of “traditional values.”

Several notable U.S. figures are scheduled to participate in the event:

CANDACE OWENS

The conservative social media personality and podcast host, known for her sharp criticism of Israel, U.S. aid to Israel, feminism and other topics, will address a panel about managing parenting responsibilities in large families while maintaining career success. The 37-year-old currently faces a prominent defamation case in the U.S. brought by French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse Brigitte over false statements Owens made claiming Brigitte was born male.

“I have been wanting to go to St Petersburg for a very, very long time just as a Christian in general just to see some of those cathedrals and churches,” Owens stated before her journey.

STEVEN SEAGAL

The former action movie star and martial arts practitioner has maintained a longtime appreciation for President Vladimir Putin, who granted him Russian citizenship in 2016. Seagal currently serves as a special representative for Russia’s Foreign Ministry focusing on humanitarian connections with the United States and Japan.

The frequent Russia visitor endorsed Moscow’s 2014 takeover of Ukraine’s Crimea region as “very reasonable,” became a member of a pro-Kremlin political organization in 2021, and has expressed support for Russia’s military action in Ukraine. He is scheduled to participate in a cultural discussion panel.

RODNEY MIMS COOK JR.

As Chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, Cook is managing U.S. President Donald Trump’s disputed White House ballroom addition project and is leading the official American delegation to the conference.

According to the Kremlin, he represents the first U.S. official to participate since 2017/18, and the first since Russia deployed tens of thousands of soldiers into Ukraine in 2022. Cook will participate in discussions about U.S.-Russian cultural exchange.

Speaking to Russia’s TASS state news service before the conference, Cook explained he was attending as a cultural minister and Christian rather than in a political capacity. He mentioned his previous work helping restore Russian churches and on Tuesday presented a religious icon to a male monastery in St. Petersburg.

ANDREW AND TRISTAN TATE

Andrew Tate shared footage of himself and his brother receiving a musical Russian greeting at Moscow’s airport before the forum. However, the siblings, known for keeping their supporters uncertain about their plans, have not yet confirmed they will attend the conference.

Both have faced criminal investigations in Romania on allegations including human trafficking since December 2022, though neither case has reached trial. They also confront charges in Britain including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking. Both deny any wrongdoing.

The brothers are former kickboxers holding both U.S. and British citizenship. Andrew Tate, who describes himself as a misogynist, has attracted millions of online followers by advocating an extremely masculine lifestyle that critics argue involves degrading women.

Canada is pushing the United States and Mexico to extend their trilateral trade pact for an additional 16 years, timing the request as U.S. President Donald Trump renews his rhetoric about incorporating Canada as America’s 51st state.

On Tuesday, Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister for U.S. trade, dispatched correspondence to United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard expressing Canada’s position on the matter.

“The Agreement is highly beneficial to each of our countries and to the integrated North American economy,” LeBlanc wrote.

The correspondence arrives before the planned July assessment of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, known as USMCA, which represents the current version of a North American trade framework that has connected the three nations’ economies since the early 1990s.

Both LeBlanc and Canada’s Chief Trade Negotiator, Janice Charette, traveled to Washington on Tuesday for discussions with Greer. LeBlanc has previously cautioned that the trade pact might face yearly assessments and suggested such uncertainty could be an aim of the Trump administration.

Trump shared “51st State!” on social media Monday, linking to coverage about Canada potentially entering a technical recession. U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, subsequently shared the same post.

“I can’t believe I have to say this again, but Canada will never be the 51st state. Canada is not for sale,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted in response on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Mark Carney admitted to some economic challenges in Canada while entering Cabinet meetings Tuesday. Carney noted that the U.S. maintains roughly 30 trade disputes with Canada versus nearly 60 with Mexico.

The United States has the option to exit the agreement with six months’ notice, implement yearly reviews moving forward, or approve another 16-year extension.

“There is a possibility of a new partnership there,” Carney said.

The USMCA has protected Canada and Mexico from many of Trump’s protectionist policies since numerous goods from both nations fall under the free trade framework. However, certain targeted tariffs on products like aluminum continue to harm the interconnected North American economic system.

Trump’s repeated suggestions about making Canada the 51st state have angered Canadians, leading to significant numbers canceling travel plans to the United States.

IRBIL, Iraq — A major Iran-backed armed faction in Iraq announced Tuesday that it plans to transfer its weaponry to government oversight, representing a significant development in the new administration’s push to bring independent militias under state authority.

Asaib Ahl al-Haq announced the establishment of a committee to manage this transition, which will include cataloging its personnel, armaments and equipment while coordinating with the armed forces’ commander-in-chief. The organization framed this choice as responding to appeals from Iraq’s leading Shiite religious authority and the Iran-aligned Coordination Framework, Parliament’s dominant bloc that controls Iraqi politics.

The Middle Eastern conflict has highlighted the weakness of Iraq’s governmental structures and their insufficient capacity to control these organizations. A separate standoff between Washington and the militias has intensified the situation, with groups functioning as extensions of Iran’s regional efforts and increasing attacks on U.S. interests in Iraq until a fragile ceasefire agreement was established in April.

The initial major development occurred one week prior, when prominent Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced his Saraya al-Salam militia, alternatively called the Peace Brigades, would separate from his political organization and merge with state institutions.

Facing Washington’s pressure, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has been attempting to establish state control over armaments. Al-Zaidi, a 40-year-old banker who took office last month, has positioned a state weapons monopoly as central to his agenda. The Trump administration has cautioned against any government influenced by Iran-linked groups and connected defense cooperation and funding to initiatives aimed at controlling them.

Numerous Iran-backed militias receive funding through Iraq’s state budget and are integrated within the security structure, though they remain outside government authority. This situation has attracted criticism from the United States and other nations that have suffered from their attacks and argue Baghdad has not taken sufficient action.

Multiple armed groups allied with Iraq’s Coordination Framework have adopted different positions regarding efforts to place weapons under state oversight. Two significant organizations, Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, have opposed disarmament, connecting the matter to Iraq’s sovereignty and foreign military presence.

Kataib Hezbollah praised other groups’ decisions to place weaponry under state control but stated its own military operations will persist as part of what it calls “resistance work.” In a recent statement from its Abu Mujahid al-Assaf social media channel, the organization indicated it would provide coordination with the Popular Mobilization Forces instead of surrendering weapons.

The PMF, a state-supported coalition of primarily Shiite armed organizations, was established in 2014 to combat the Islamic State group. Many of its constituent groups maintain independent command structures and Iranian connections.

A Bahrain court issued a life imprisonment sentence Tuesday for a National Intelligence Service agent connected to a detainee’s death while in government custody.

According to Bahrain’s state news agency, the verdict followed an investigation that determined the unnamed intelligence officer caused the detainee’s death. Authorities brought charges in April that included “assault resulting in death.”

While the public prosecutor’s special investigative unit withheld the victim’s identity, the timing corresponds with Mohamed al-Mousawi, a 32-year-old Shiite Muslim. Family members received his body showing bruises, burns and cuts, according to witnesses present at the morgue and funeral. An Associated Press interview with a Physicians for Human Rights forensic specialist revealed the injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma and torture.

Al-Mousawi was part of a larger group detained or prosecuted for demonstrations backing Iran or espionage-related charges during the conflict’s peak, when Iranian missiles targeted Bahrain. The Sunni-led nation with a Shiite majority hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. Officials have characterized the predominantly Shiite demonstrators as Iranian agents.

Human rights organizations criticized the arrest operations and called for a probe into Al-Mousawi’s death.

The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy declared Tuesday that the life sentence was insufficient, calling for openness regarding the officer’s identity and the events leading to Al-Mousawi’s death.

Bahrain’s administration has rejected claims of sectarian bias, stating that officials have operated within legal bounds and that independent organizations examine abuse allegations.

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A constitutional amendment proposal was presented to Zimbabwe’s Parliament on Tuesday by the nation’s justice minister, seeking to prolong the presidency of the 83-year-old leader and change the electoral system from direct public voting to legislative appointment.

The legislation would postpone upcoming 2028 elections by two years and keep President Emmerson Mnangagwa in office until 2030. Additionally, it would increase the duration of terms for the president, MPs, councilors and mayors from five years to seven years.

The proposal has intensified political discord in a nation where government opponents frequently face detention or intimidation.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi stated last week that he plans to finish the legislative procedures and secure Parliamentary approval by June’s conclusion, allowing Mnangagwa to enact the law afterward.

Mnangagwa has held office since 2017 after the widely-supported military-assisted removal of his former mentor and long-serving leader, Robert Mugabe, who passed away in 2019.

The governing ZANU-PF party maintains a Parliamentary majority and has developed positive relationships with a segment of the divided opposition.

Opponents maintain that lengthening presidential terms necessitates a public referendum. Advocates respond that Parliament has authority to approve these modifications since the two-term restriction would stay intact, despite each term becoming longer. Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court has not yet decided on multiple legal challenges against the proposal.

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A political crisis is brewing in Senegal after dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko declared his majority party will refuse to join the newly formed government following months of disputes with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, creating concerns about governmental paralysis in a nation already struggling with overwhelming debt burdens.

Sonko and Faye were once political partners within Pastef, which stands for Patriotes Africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l’Éthique et la Fraternité in French. Under Sonko’s leadership, the party commands a commanding parliamentary presence with 130 seats in the 165-member legislature.

“We are entering a real opposition dynamic,” stated Babacar Ndiaye, a political analyst at the Senegal-based Wathi think tank on Tuesday, noting that Pastef could pursue a no-confidence vote against the newly installed government, potentially triggering a governance crisis.

The cabinet unveiled Monday by newly appointed Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo excludes any prominent members from the majority party or Sonko’s close political allies, who had previously controlled important ministerial positions.

According to Sonko, who stated that Pastef would “not participate in this government due to points of disagreement” with both Faye and Lo, he was dismissed along with all cabinet members in May after prolonged friction with the president.

Despite their previous alliance when they assumed power in April 2024, Faye and Sonko have publicly clashed over crucial policy matters in recent months, particularly regarding negotiations for International Monetary Fund financing.

The West African nation confronts an escalating debt emergency and increasing living costs, ranking among Africa’s most indebted countries by debt-to-GDP ratio. An official government review conducted last year uncovered previously unreported obligations totaling $13 billion left by the former administration.

A Scottish political party executive admitted to stealing more than $540,000 from party funds to finance personal purchases including gaming systems, luxury timepieces, and a recreational vehicle, according to court proceedings Tuesday.

Peter Murrell, 61, who previously served as chief executive of the Scottish National Party and was married to former Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon, appeared at Edinburgh’s High Court where prosecutors outlined his elaborate theft scheme. Prosecutor Alan Cameron explained how Murrell fabricated invoices and altered financial records to conceal his crimes.

The stolen funds, taken from an account containing membership dues and member contributions, financed an extensive array of purchases. Court documents showed Murrell bought two vehicles, a recreational vehicle, and high-end merchandise including timepieces and crystal glassware. His shopping list also included ordinary household goods such as yard equipment, electric dental care devices, and bathroom cleaning tools.

Cameron explained that Murrell exploited his authority over the party’s financial accounts to conduct his spending scheme. To avoid detection, he mislabeled his purchases in the party’s financial tracking system — including recording a $4,136 robotic grass-cutting machine as “legal fees.”

Last week, Murrell entered a guilty plea to embezzlement charges covering the period from 2010 through 2022. Sturgeon, who headed the SNP for ten years, has firmly denied any involvement in Murrell’s criminal activities, stating she was “deceived, misled and betrayed.” The couple announced their divorce last year.

Authorities arrested Sturgeon in June 2023 during the financial investigation, though police later cleared her of wrongdoing. Murrell awaits sentencing later this month.

Prosecutors detailed Murrell’s purchases by category, revealing the scope of his spending. He acquired a recreational vehicle that was incorrectly invoiced as a “van” and never made available to other party members. His luxury purchases included $57,474 worth of Amazon orders using SNP credit cards, encompassing PlayStation and Nintendo gaming systems, a Super Mario video game, cutlery sets, kitchen equipment, and premium Montblanc writing instruments.

Additional high-end purchases included luxury leather products and office supplies from London’s Smythson store, an ornate silver wine coaster falsely categorized as “leadership expenses,” two premium Bremont timepieces recorded as “event merchandise,” and salt and pepper mills from Lalique.

Murrell’s vehicle purchases involved buying a Volkswagen Golf in 2016 with $22,220 in party money, later trading it for a Jaguar while claiming the expense supported party events. In 2021, he sold the luxury car and kept approximately $63,844 for himself.

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s leadership announced Tuesday its commitment to maintaining net-zero objectives while facing energy supply challenges from international conflicts, establishing a plan to slash the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions by 87% compared to 1990 levels over the coming 15 years.

Britain established a legally mandated objective in 2008 to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Legal requirements force the administration to create emission limits for upcoming five-year periods following a rigid schedule.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced the administration will follow recommendations from its independent Climate Change Committee regarding the 87% objective for the upcoming period spanning 2038 through 2042.

Officials contend that transitioning toward renewable energy sources will shield the nation from fuel cost volatility experienced during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Middle Eastern tensions.

“As Britain faces the second fossil fuel shock of the decade, the only way to protect family and business finances is to drive for clean homegrown power that we control,” Miliband said.

Researchers indicated the objective positions Britain to achieve its 2050 net zero commitment, although Tuesday’s declaration lacks specific implementation details.

“I think this is very good news as a milestone to net zero at 2050. But, alongside the ambition, we need both a coherent joined-up plan to achieve it and a delivery board — independent of government, politics and the (Climate Change Committee) — tasked with making it happen,” said Martin Siegert, professor of geosciences at the University of Exeter.

Opposition Conservative and Reform UK parties contend the administration should reduce renewable energy objectives and increase North Sea oil and gas extraction to decrease Britain’s reliance on foreign energy sources.

Conservative Party energy spokeswoman Claire Coutinho said that the emissions target “will make us weaker, poorer and send everyone’s energy bills even higher.”

Defense exports from Israel soared to an unprecedented $19 billion in the past year, representing a 30% jump from the previous year, according to Tuesday’s announcement from Israel’s Defense Ministry.

The ministry reported that over half of last year’s transactions were large-scale agreements worth $100 million or higher, with total sales more than doubling over the past five years. This growth occurred amid international condemnation of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and conflicts with Hezbollah and Iran.

The ministry declined to reveal the identities of purchasing nations.

Industry officials indicate that nations publicly committed to avoiding Israeli defense contractors are still discreetly making purchases. Analysts explain that governments seek Israeli equipment because it has been proven in combat situations, allowing them to witness the effectiveness of weapons and systems in active use.

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated: “There is a clear and unmistakable thread connecting the (army’s) battlefield achievements across all fronts, the extraordinary capabilities of Israel’s defense industries, and the success of Israeli defense exports around the world.” He emphasized that these rising numbers strengthen Israel’s standing as a major defense technology leader while creating an obligation to continue advancing innovation.

The Defense Ministry highlighted anti-drone technology as a key area for future development, noting challenges faced during conflicts with Iran. These unmanned aircraft present detection difficulties for radar systems designed to track fast-moving missiles and can be confused with birds or aircraft.

The recent Defense Tech Expo held in Tel Aviv demonstrated increasing global demand for Israeli military equipment, with companies displaying weapons and gear influenced by recent military engagements. However, the event also exposed tensions between military technology promotion and political controversy over its application, as demonstrators criticized Gaza’s extensive damage as experimental testing for Israeli armaments.

Israel’s Defense Ministry maintains that its equipment serves to protect the nation and its citizens, rejecting claims that combat zones are used as testing facilities.

Missile, rocket, and air defense systems comprised over 25% of last year’s sales, matching the previous year’s pattern, according to ministry data. The ministry also noted significant growth in observation and optronics systems sales. Optronics involves electronics using optical, infrared, or ultraviolet radiation for applications including rifle targeting systems.

Research from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published in March revealed that Israel has overtaken the United Kingdom in global arms export market share for the first time, establishing it as the world’s seventh-largest weapons supplier.

Nine students charged with orchestrating a fatal fire at a girls’ boarding school in central Kenya faced a judge Tuesday as authorities requested additional time to complete their investigation into the deadly incident.

The High Court in Naivasha, located 90 kilometers (55 miles) west of Nairobi, the capital, announced it would decide Wednesday whether to allow the detention of the accused students for an additional month while the probe continues.

The devastating blaze occurred on May 28 at Utumishi Girls School, sweeping through a dormitory that housed 202 students. According to investigators, the school matron was unable to unlock an emergency exit, forcing all students to flee through just one door.

The nine accused students have remained in police custody for five days. During questioning, authorities learned the fire began when someone used a matchstick and paraffin to ignite a mattress near the dormitory exit. Officials have not yet disclosed any motive for the attack.

DNA testing results to identify some victims whose bodies were severely burned are scheduled to be released Wednesday.

Security camera footage recovered from the destroyed dormitory captured six students igniting the fire just before other students awakened and rushed to escape the flames that ultimately injured 79 people.

Following this tragedy, five additional school fires have broken out across the nation, and the Kenya Red Cross has responded to 37 school fires since January began. None of these other incidents resulted in deaths or injuries.

School fires occur frequently in Kenya, where educational facilities often suffer from overcrowded classrooms and dormitories while lacking accessible firefighting equipment. The most devastating incident happened in 2001 when 67 students perished in Machakos County, while the latest fatal fire occurred in 2024, claiming 21 children’s lives in Nyeri County.

Previous cases have involved students deliberately setting fires at their schools due to disciplinary conflicts.

Cambodia’s leadership has submitted formal documentation to a United Nations maritime authority requesting mandatory mediation in a sea boundary conflict with Thailand, the country’s Prime Minister Hun Manet announced Tuesday.

The contested waters are thought to hold substantial reserves of natural gas and other valuable energy resources that both nations claim.

Cambodia’s move to involve the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, known as UNCLOS, follows Thailand’s decision last month to cancel a 25-year-old agreement between the two countries designed to address competing maritime boundary claims.

Thailand withdrew from the pact unilaterally in May as diplomatic relations deteriorated following significant military confrontations along their shared land boundary last year.

The armed conflicts from the previous year generated nationalist sentiment, creating political demands for Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to end the maritime agreement.

During a live television appearance on TVK state broadcasting, Hun Manet announced that his administration had provided official notification to both Thailand and the U.N. secretary-general to initiate mandatory mediation procedures under UNCLOS protocols.

“Cambodia has never violated the sovereignty of other states,” he said.

“At the same time, we are unwaveringly determined to defend Cambodia’s sovereignty. Today, we continue to honor that responsibility, not through force, but through international law; not through unilateral action, but through peaceful engagement.”

The timeline for when the dispute might be resolved remains uncertain.

Anutin addressed the development by informing media representatives that Cambodia’s initiative did not pose concerns for Thailand. He had earlier stated that Thailand would pursue maritime boundary solutions following UNCLOS frameworks, though he disagreed with Cambodia’s approach of forcing mediation.

UNCLOS decisions do not legally bind participating nations, despite both countries having signed the international treaty.

Thailand has historically opposed allowing external parties to resolve territorial matters rather than handling them through direct bilateral negotiations. The country has maintained that a 1962 International Court of Justice decision granting Cambodia control of the mountaintop Preah Vihear temple near their border was unjust, contributing to persistent tensions between the neighboring nations.

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Multiple ceasefire agreements have been declared with considerable publicity across Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. Yet military operations persist throughout these regions.

Over recent weeks, Israeli military units have seized additional territory in Gaza while eliminating two senior Hamas leaders and more than a dozen other individuals. In Lebanon, Israeli forces took control of a Crusader fortress during the weekend in what represents their furthest advance in 26 years, while Hezbollah continued launching rockets toward northern Israel.

Combat in Lebanon displayed no signs of diminishing Tuesday, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that both parties had committed once more to reducing tensions.

The United States and Iran have exchanged military strikes, including incidents on Monday, while attempting to negotiate a more permanent peace agreement. Iran continues controlling the Strait of Hormuz, sustaining a worldwide energy crisis, as the U.S. works to strengthen its maritime blockade of Iranian harbors.

While none of the combating factions have formally abandoned their ceasefire commitments, the concept is quickly becoming meaningless.

Trump promoted the October Gaza ceasefire as a significant diplomatic achievement that might lead to Middle Eastern stability. However, despite ending two years of comprehensive warfare and securing the freedom of all remaining captives from Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault, no additional advancement has occurred.

Hamas continues to maintain its weapons, while Israeli forces have moved forward instead of retreating. An international peacekeeping force remains absent, a replacement Palestinian government stays uncertain, and rebuilding the extensively destroyed region has not commenced.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians continue living in deplorable temporary shelters, enduring sewage odors and rodent problems, while fearing Israeli military strikes.

The U.S. and Israel hold Hamas responsible, claiming its unwillingness to surrender weapons has delayed progress. Hamas charges Israel with repeatedly breaking the ceasefire, including through consistent strikes that have resulted in at least 932 Palestinian deaths, including women and children, since implementation, according to local medical authorities.

Throughout Gaza and Lebanon, Israel maintains it reserves the authority to attack when facing perceived dangers or when suspected fighters attempt to cross sometimes unclear battle lines — boundaries that shift as forces capture additional ground.

Israel currently occupies approximately 60% of Gaza, up from roughly half when the ceasefire was established, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced plans to capture more territory.

A Lebanon ceasefire established in April has minimally affected combat between Israel and the Iran-supported Hezbollah, especially in southern Lebanon, where they continue exchanging fire as Israel expands its control of Lebanese land.

During the weekend, Israeli forces planted their flag atop Beaufort castle, representing their furthest penetration into southern Lebanon since concluding the 1982-2000 occupation. Hezbollah retaliated with extended rocket strikes into northern Israel.

Israel had maintained conducting attacks following an earlier 2024 ceasefire. Hezbollah had stopped firing until the U.S. and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28, triggering the broader conflict. Hezbollah never formally endorsed the April ceasefire but promised compliance if Israel stopped its attacks and departed Lebanon.

Israel declares it will continue military operations until rocket and drone threats against its northern communities are eliminated, either through its own efforts or by the Lebanese government disarming Hezbollah. This appears increasingly unlikely as fighting has intensified, despite ongoing Israeli-Lebanese talks.

Iran has simultaneously requested a Lebanon ceasefire as part of any agreement with the United States.

A broader ceasefire established in early April involving the U.S., Iran and Israel aimed to conclude the regional conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route whose blockade caused petroleum prices to surge, creating economic hardship well beyond the area.

Iran initially declared the strait’s reopening after the ceasefire agreement, but decided to close it again following the U.S. naval blockade implementation. Trump demands Iran reopen the waterway and make substantial compromises regarding its controversial nuclear program, while Iran seeks a permanent war conclusion, blockade removal and sanctions relief.

Both parties seemed near an agreement last week but failed to finalize one. Trump has consistently threatened to restart warfare if Iran doesn’t abandon its highly enriched uranium reserves, while Iranian representatives state they won’t discuss nuclear matters until achieving a more stable truce.

The parties have continuously exchanged attacks in the strait, with the U.S. responding to what it describes as threats to commercial vessels or its own personnel, and Iran retaliating with missile and drone strikes on Gulf nations hosting American troops.

On Monday, the U.S. reported bombing radar and drone facilities in Iran after Tehran destroyed an American drone over the weekend. Iran subsequently claimed it attacked American personnel in Kuwait with missiles, which the U.S. says it intercepted.

In a statement published on X, U.S. Central Command declared it “will continue to protect our forces from Iranian aggression while supporting the ongoing ceasefire.”

Economic conditions in Iran have deteriorated to levels not witnessed since the 1940s, as the nation’s Central Bank released data Monday showing inflation has skyrocketed to historic proportions.

The bank’s report marks the first time officials have formally recognized what Iranian citizens already experience daily when shopping for groceries, paying taxi fares, or seeking medical care: their currency has been devastated by ongoing warfare and the uncertainty surrounding potential escalation.

According to the Central Bank data, consumer prices for a standard basket of goods and services climbed 77.2% in May compared to the previous year. The monthly increase from April alone was 8.5%. Essential items including medicine, transportation, tobacco, and communication services saw even steeper price jumps of 113.8% year-over-year.

The last time Iran experienced comparable economic hardship was in 1942, when British and Soviet forces occupied the country and seized control of its railway system, creating severe food shortages. Combined with poor agricultural yields, this led to widespread hunger and disease outbreaks that claimed many lives.

A domestic research organization, the Bamdad Institute of Economic Studies, characterized the current inflation figures as “an unprecedented rate since World War II.” The Central Bank itself did not comment on the historical significance of these numbers.

The economic deterioration stems from multiple factors, including military strikes that have damaged Iranian businesses and oil facilities this year. Additionally, a U.S. naval blockade continues to intercept Iranian oil shipments bound for international markets, cutting off a crucial revenue stream. Tax collections have also declined as businesses struggle even during periods when fighting has paused.

The Iranian rial has experienced catastrophic devaluation, falling from 32,000 per dollar in 2015 to more than 1.7 million per dollar currently.

“We will definitely have higher prices,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian cautioned in May. “We are fighting and we must accept this hardship.”

Historical precedent suggests such economic pressure could trigger widespread civil unrest. Food price increases in 2017-2018 led to demonstrations that resulted in over 20 deaths and hundreds of arrests. Later protests over gasoline subsidies reportedly killed more than 300 people. Earlier this year, currency-related demonstrations became the most significant challenge to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution.

Despite efforts by hardline groups to maintain morale through weapons training and public ceremonies, experts warn that new protests could emerge if families can no longer afford basic necessities.

“I have no doubt that if Trump leaves (Iran without a formal peace deal) … most probably, we will see something like January by the end of summer because of the economic and social situations,” analyst Mohsen Jalilvand said in a video published by Iran’s Fararu news website.

Tehran-based economist Saeed Leilaz, speaking to The Associated Press, warned that annual inflation in Iran could reach 80%.

“Iran’s society cannot tolerate above 25%” annual inflation, he said.

A dramatic increase in gang violence involving children has prompted Sweden to consider an unprecedented response: imprisoning 13-year-olds convicted of serious crimes.

The Scandinavian nation has witnessed a dramatic escalation in gang-related violence over the past ten years, with criminal organizations increasingly using minors to carry out shootings and bombings. This trend has distinguished Sweden from other European nations and created a challenging dilemma for officials dealing with violent juvenile offenders.

The current administration, which took office in 2022 and faces a competitive election this September with crime as a central concern, argues that previous lenient policies have proven ineffective. Their solution involves lowering the age of criminal accountability from 15 to 13 and placing convicted minors in specialized detention facilities instead of social services programs.

Criminal organizations in Sweden generate approximately 185 billion Swedish crowns ($20 billion) annually through drug trafficking, large-scale fraud, and theft operations. Law enforcement officials estimate these groups include 17,500 active members and 50,000 associates. These networks exploit social media platforms to recruit teenagers and sometimes children as young as 11 to execute violent crimes throughout the Nordic region.

The proposed legislation would establish Sweden’s criminal responsibility age below that of most European nations. Young offenders convicted of the most severe crimes would be housed in specialized facilities, including one designed specifically for female inmates.

“We have an emergency,” Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer declared in April.

“Last year, 52 children under the age of 15 were involved in legal trials suspected of murder or attempted murder. So we’re not talking about theft, not even assault or robbery. We’re talking about murder.”

Parliamentary representatives will decide on this legislation, which includes a five-year review provision, on June 15.

Reducing the accountability age represents just one strategy in combating gang violence, alongside extended prison terms and enhanced law enforcement authority.

The conservative administration claims its aggressive approach is producing positive outcomes. Fatal shootings decreased to 44 in 2025 from a high of 62 in 2022, while more gang members face incarceration.

However, preventing criminal recruitment of children presents a greater challenge. Officials believe imprisonment will serve as a deterrent while intensive rehabilitation programs will reduce repeat offenses.

Rosersberg prison, located north of Stockholm, is among three facilities being modified to house the most violent teenage criminals. Daily life will emphasize education, with recreational time allocated for television, video games, and gymnasium activities. Cell doors will be secured at 8 p.m. nightly.

Prison Governor Gabriel Wessman anticipates receiving the first young inmates following the summer months. The primary challenge compared to adult inmates will involve providing comfort and support to teenagers, some experiencing their first separation from parents.

“They will grow up in here,” he explained, noting the facility must guide them through adolescence. While phones are prohibited, chess instruction will help develop focus. However, emotional support remains essential.

“It’s not that uncommon in the outside world that boys at this age have soft toys,” Wessman observed. “Maybe we should see that we have one in every cell.”

Sweden’s current approach places its most serious juvenile offenders under social services supervision, but this system faces widespread criticism. According to a Swedish National Audit Office report, nine out of ten young gang members in youth facilities reoffend, with eight out of ten eventually serving adult prison sentences.

The majority government argues that imprisonment will safeguard the public, deliver justice for victims, and sever gang connections. Parliamentary voting on the legislation is scheduled for June 15.

Opposition voices express concern about the impact on these children.

“A 13-year-old is a child — one who is not even legally old enough to purchase energy drinks,” stated opposition Centre Party spokeswoman Wilma Roth. “Children under 15 who commit serious crimes should be taken into care and provided treatment, rather than being imprisoned.”

Sweden’s law enforcement and correctional officials have also expressed reservations about the proposal.

Britain and Northern Ireland, where criminal responsibility begins at age 10, are currently considering raising their threshold.

Denmark previously lowered its criminal responsibility age to 14 in 2010, but researchers determined this change had no impact on crime rates.

Stockholm University Criminology Professor Felipe Estrada Dorner acknowledged that incarcerating already disadvantaged youth could damage their future prospects, while recognizing society’s need for protection.

“We cannot have murderers walking our streets,” he stated.

British law enforcement officials are facing intense criticism following the death of an 18-year-old student who was restrained with handcuffs while dying from knife wounds after his attacker made false claims about a racist assault.

Henry Nowak lost his life following a stabbing incident in Southampton, a city in southern England, this past December. On Monday, his killer Vickrum Digwa, age 23 and of Sikh faith, received a life sentence after providing false information to authorities claiming Nowak had attacked him.

Body-worn camera recordings show Nowak on the ground stating “I’ve been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe” while a responding officer replies “I don’t think you have mate”.

Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform party that currently tops polling data, characterized the incident as evidence that ethnic minority rights are prioritized over those of white British citizens.

“The fear of being called racist was greater than dealing with Henry Nowak’s murder,” he stated.

“We should respond to this with pure cold rage.”

During Monday’s court proceedings, Judge William Mousley recognized that the case has generated racial tensions throughout Britain. A demonstration is planned for Tuesday evening in Southampton, with additional protests scheduled online for this week.

Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds described the body camera video as “harrowing” during a BBC Radio interview, stating: “The conduct of the police when you look at it at the scene is shocking”.

Digwa used a knife to attack Nowak, claiming he was allowed to carry the blade under religious exemptions that permit Sikhs to possess ceremonial daggers.

Upon police arrival, Digwa reported that his turban had been removed and that he sustained an eye injury.

The victim’s relatives described his treatment by officers as “inhumane and degrading,” though his father stated outside the courthouse that his son’s death should not be “used to create further division, hatred or tension.”

Farage drew comparisons to the 2020 death of George Floyd in the United States, which ignited the Black Lives Matter movement. Floyd had also said “I can’t breathe” while an officer pressed a knee against his neck for several minutes.

Nowak passed away shortly after being placed in handcuffs. Officers removed the restraints and began CPR once they recognized his injuries.

Hampshire Police, the responding agency that has issued an apology, is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

“The details of the police response raises serious concerns about police impartiality, fairness and judgement,” stated police commissioner Donna Jones, who added that investigation results would be released promptly.

BEIRUT (AP) — Eight people lost their lives in Israeli drone attacks across southern Lebanon on Tuesday, coming just one day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hezbollah had reached an agreement to reduce military operations.

On Monday, Israel had issued warnings about potential strikes on Beirut’s southern neighborhoods, sparking widespread fear in Lebanon’s capital city. Thousands of residents evacuated to more secure locations while Hezbollah launched rocket attacks toward northern Israel. Israeli military forces conducted their most significant advance into Lebanese territory in over two decades, though the capital had largely avoided attacks during the previous six weeks, except for two specific operations targeting southern Beirut neighborhoods in May.

Following discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and communications with the Lebanese militant organization through intermediaries, Trump later declared that “there will be no Troops going to Beirut.”

According to Lebanon’s State-run National News Agency, an Israeli drone attack struck a vehicle traveling on the route connecting the southern town of Marjayoun with Nabatiyeh city on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of James Karam, a dentist from the neighboring Christian community of Qlayaa, and his daughter and son. Lebanese military officials reported that two soldiers sustained minor injuries when another drone attack targeted their position on a road outside the city.

The news agency documented that a drone attack on Jibchit village resulted in the deaths of two Syrian workers employed at a plant nursery, while a separate strike on the adjacent village of Toul claimed two additional lives. A fourth attack targeted a vehicle near Harouf village, killing one person.

The National News Agency also confirmed that an Israeli airstrike on Monday resulted in six fatalities in the southern village of Marwaniyeh.

Hezbollah announced Tuesday that its forces launched anti-tank missiles against Israeli troops advancing into the southern village of Hadatha, located approximately 7 kilometers (4 miles) from the Israeli border. Warning sirens activated across multiple areas in northern Israel, according to military officials, who stated that “a suspicious aerial target” was detected in the region where Israeli forces are conducting operations in southern Lebanon, with no casualties reported.

Even after a Washington-mediated ceasefire agreement established in April, both parties have maintained their exchange of attacks following Israeli operations in Lebanon, which Israel characterized as defensive measures.

These recent confrontations occurred as a second series of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon was set to begin Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington, where Lebanese representatives plan to pursue a comprehensive ceasefire agreement to prevent future hostilities. The Israel-Lebanon discussions that commenced in April marked the first such talks in over thirty years between the nations, which maintain no official diplomatic ties.

The ongoing conflict creates a significant challenge for the developing agreement to extend the ceasefire in the Iran war that began after the United States and Israel conducted strikes against the Islamic Kingdom on February 28. Tehran seeks any deal to incorporate a complete cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.

Hezbollah has declined direct negotiations, relying instead on Iranian influence.

The current cycle of violence between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in 3,433 deaths in Lebanon and forced over 1 million people from their homes. Data from Netanyahu’s office indicates that at least 27 Israeli soldiers and one defense contractor have died in or around southern Lebanon. Two civilians in northern Israel have also been killed.

Israeli military officials reported late Monday that one soldier was killed in southern Lebanon, with seven additional soldiers wounded in the same incident, three critically.

Hezbollah’s deployment of difficult-to-detect fiber-optic drones has proven particularly lethal against Israeli forces, who continue to face challenges in developing effective countermeasures.

Four people were hospitalized Tuesday after a black bear went on a rampage at an industrial complex in northeastern Japan, marking the latest incident in what has become the country’s worst year for bear attacks on record.

According to Japan’s Environment Ministry, bear encounters have claimed 13 lives across more than 230 separate incidents in 2025, surpassing all previous annual totals for both deaths and attacks.

Emergency responders raced to the Sasakino district of Fukushima after the Fukushima Steel Works called for help, reporting that a bear had attacked two of their workers. Surveillance video captured the frightening encounter, showing the animal pursuing an employee in his 20s near the facility’s entrance before knocking him down. The footage then shows the bear entering the factory grounds and mauling a second worker, a man in his 60s.

The animal went on to attack a third victim — another man in his 60s employed at a different company nearby. An 80-year-old neighborhood resident also fell victim to the bear, according to the Fukushima City Fire Department.

Medical officials reported that while the three male victims suffered minor wounds, the elderly woman sustained more serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

As of Tuesday evening, the bear remained at large and was thought to be hiding somewhere within the second company’s premises. Armed police officers carrying long poles had surrounded the area.

Two local schools shut down operations, with Noda Elementary School switching to remote learning and posting an alert on its website warning families to “avoid non-essential outings and stay safe.”

The violent encounter has terrified local residents and brought back memories of last year’s widespread panic that prompted military deployment to Akita prefecture in northern Japan, where bears attacked more than 60 people and killed four.

Wildlife experts attribute the growing problem to Japan’s expanding bear population moving into areas where the human population is rapidly aging and shrinking, leaving fewer people with the skills to hunt the animals.

Government officials estimated Japan’s total bear population at approximately 57,800 in March. Authorities have implemented a management strategy that includes systematic culling efforts. The plan calls for tripling municipal bear control personnel to 2,500 workers over the next five years while doubling the number of bear traps deployed.

Recent bear sightings have been reported even in Tokyo’s western suburbs, particularly around the Okutama hiking region. Park authorities have responded by installing additional traps and issuing bear warnings through social media channels.

Officials have intensified public education efforts, encouraging hikers and mushroom foragers to monitor bear sighting reports and avoid outdoor activities during early morning and evening hours when the animals are most active.

Government safety guidelines recommend that anyone who encounters a bear should remain calm, move deliberately, and resist the urge to turn and run. If attacked, the manual advises victims to lie face down, curl into a ball, and protect their neck area.

“The point is to save yourself from a fatal wound,” the manual states.

BECOV NAD TEPLOU, Czech Republic – An extraordinary collection of vintage wine bottles from the late 1800s, concealed beneath a castle chapel during World War Two, is now available for public viewing after an extensive restoration process by the renowned French winery Château d’Yquem.

The remarkable find consists of 133 bottles, with most produced between 1892 and 1899. The wine collection was uncovered in 1985, hidden beneath the chapel floor at Becov castle near the German border, where it had been secretly stored by the castle’s owners at the war’s conclusion.

According to Toni El Khawand, Chateau d’Yquem Cellar Master, the underground hiding spot created ideal storage conditions for preserving the wine’s quality over decades.

Testing conducted in 2016 using a Coravin device – which extracts samples through the cork using a needle without causing damage – confirmed the wine’s remarkable preservation.

“It benefited from very good conditions of conservation, in this old chapel, I think very humid and very cold, with thick walls, and also underground so it preserved the moisture and temperature in a very constant way. Those were excellent conditions to store a wine,” El Khawand explained.

The French winery has carefully recorked multiple bottles during the restoration process, with El Khawand noting that every detail was preserved authentically, including the original dust coating on the bottles.

Becov castle previously served as the residence of the Beaufort-Spontin family before being seized by then-Czechoslovakia after the family was branded as Nazi sympathisers.

Before escaping to Austria, the Beaufort-Spontins concealed their wine collection alongside a reliquary of St. Maurus, believed to contain bones of St John the Baptist.

The discovery came about in 1984 when the family contacted American businessman Danny Douglas for assistance in recovering their hidden valuables. Douglas secretly petitioned authorities on the family’s behalf to retrieve an unspecified object from an undisclosed location.

Following negotiations with officials regarding permits, police eventually determined Douglas’s target location and the nature of the treasure he sought, ultimately leading to the collection’s recovery.

Russia’s Defense Ministry defended its large-scale overnight assault on Ukraine Tuesday, characterizing the attack as retaliation for what Moscow described as terrorist activities carried out by Ukrainian forces against Russian territory.

Officials in Ukraine reported that Russian missiles and drones bombarded the capital city and several other urban areas in the early morning hours Tuesday, resulting in no fewer than 11 fatalities and more than 100 injured civilians. The attack came after days of intelligence warnings about Russia preparing a significant offensive operation.

“Overnight, in response to terrorist acts of the Kyiv regime, the armed forces of the Russian Federation carried out a massive strike using high-precision long-range air-, land-, and sea-based weapons,” the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry’s account, Russian forces deployed hypersonic missiles and unmanned aircraft to strike seven different Ukrainian regions, including the capital, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv. The ministry claimed successful hits on infrastructure supporting Ukrainian military operations, including fuel storage sites, transportation networks, and military aviation facilities.

Moscow had issued threats the previous week, announcing plans to conduct systematic bombardments of targets in the Ukrainian capital as revenge for what Russia characterized as a catastrophic Ukrainian drone assault on a student residence facility in Russian-controlled Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, an attack that claimed 21 lives.

Ukrainian officials countered that their forces had aimed at a drone operations center in that location rather than civilian students. Speaking Monday evening, Putin accused Ukrainian leadership of beginning a fresh chapter in what he called a series of criminal acts, referencing both the dormitory incident and a subsequent attack on residential buildings in a Russian-occupied section of Ukraine’s Kherson region. Each side rejects accusations of intentionally striking civilian populations.

BRUSSELS — European Union leaders have approved sweeping changes to immigration policy that will accelerate deportation processes and permit controversial agreements to establish detention facilities in foreign countries, according to human rights organizations drawing parallels to hardline U.S. immigration enforcement.

“The new regulation will speed up the return process and increase returns of persons who have no legal right to stay in the EU,” said Nicholas Ioannides, deputy migration minister for Cyprus, which holds the rotating presidency of the 27-nation bloc.

The agreement was reached Monday evening through negotiations between the EU’s primary governing bodies — the European Commission, European Council and European Parliament — in what officials call a “trilogue” session.

Opponents have drawn comparisons between this policy and U.S. immigration strategies under the Trump administration, which established undisclosed agreements with various nations to remove thousands of individuals to countries other than their homelands. The United Kingdom had similar plans to send migrants to Rwanda, though legal challenges stalled the initiative and new leadership abandoned it upon taking office.

“The Regulation is going to create a draconian detention and deportation machine,” said Silvia Carter, spokesperson for the Brussels-based Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants.

“Across the Atlantic, we see the violence and fear created by ICE’s brutal immigration enforcement. Europe should be learning from the harms of that model, not building its own version of it.”

The tentative agreement will now advance to EU lawmakers and national leaders, where swift approval is anticipated.

Member countries will gain authority to negotiate bilateral agreements with non-EU nations to establish deportation facilities. At least five EU countries — Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark and Greece — are currently discussing arrangements with third nations, primarily in Africa, to host “return hubs” similar to Italy’s detention agreement with Albania.

The EU has consistently strengthened migration restrictions following right-wing parties gaining control in several countries during 2024. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, representing the center-right European People’s Party coalition, has stated these new policies will avoid repeating the 2015 emergency triggered by Syria’s civil conflict, when approximately 1 million people sought asylum.

Driven by individuals escaping violence and economic hardship throughout Africa and the Middle East, the 2015 refugee emergency and subsequent years of unauthorized migration to Europe have sparked a conservative political shift in the region, mirroring anti-immigration attitudes that contributed to a “red wave” in the 2024 U.S. election.

Center-right political factions joined forces with far-right groups to defeat opposition from moderate and progressive parties, according to Mélissa Camara, a French lawmaker and Green Party member who described the agreement as “a historic setback” for human rights in the region.

“The legalization of return hubs outside the European Union, the green light for the detention of minors, home visits inspired by ICE practices: the legal arsenal serving a xenophobic ideology is now complete,” she said.

Advocacy organizations cautioned the legislation would significantly undermine protections established by the EU fundamental charter on human rights and create dangers for people beyond the bloc’s borders.

“This deal will give governments much broader powers to detain and deport people,” said Marta Welander, a spokesperson for the International Rescue Committee. “It looks set to normalize immigration raids, expand the use of detention in prison-like facilities outside EU territory that are essentially legal black holes, and increase the risk of people being deported to countries where they could face persecution, torture or worse.”

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s leader has publicly backed a controversial American-funded Ebola treatment center, even as legal challenges and citizen demonstrations have temporarily halted the project.

President William Ruto spoke out Monday evening in support of the disputed quarantine center planned for Laikipia Air Base, describing it as part of America’s decades-long health collaboration with his nation. He explained the facility represents just one of 24 such centers being developed to prepare for potential Ebola cases within Kenya’s borders.

Public opposition has mounted since American officials announced last week that US Ebola patients would not be permitted to return home for treatment, but would instead receive care at the Kenyan facility. The collaboration involves a $13 million American investment in the partnership.

A high court judge on Tuesday extended emergency orders first issued Friday that suspend both facility construction and any incoming foreign patients. Legal advocates from the Law Society of Kenya and constitutional group Katiba Institute brought the case, arguing Kenya’s struggling healthcare infrastructure cannot adequately serve international patients.

Making his first public remarks about the controversy, Ruto explained his decision stemmed from longstanding diplomatic ties between the nations.

“When President Trump asked the government of Kenya to support them by having a center at Laikipia Air Base, I gave the OK because it was an agreement and a partnership with friends who have worked with Kenya for 30-40 years,” he said.

The president emphasized that facilities created through this partnership would also serve Kenyan citizens should an Ebola outbreak occur domestically.

“We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing. People should relax. Politicians should avoid reckless, unnecessary talk that doesn’t mean anything,” he said.

BEIJING, June 2 – Beijing has sharply rebuked the Philippines’ top defense official following his characterization of China as a major security concern, despite recent Chinese offers of assistance during supply shortages.

The Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated to Reuters on Saturday that China continues to represent a “severe threat” and has shown no indication of genuine long-term goodwill, even as Beijing has recently provided fertilizer and fuel during war-related supply issues.

Beijing’s foreign ministry responded by claiming Teodoro’s statements show he is “solely driven by personal interests” and has ignored what’s best for his country’s citizens.

“If such individuals are allowed to act as they please, how will China continue to provide aid and supplies to the Philippines?” ministry spokesperson Mao Ning asked during a Tuesday press conference.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark’s Social Democrat leader Mette Frederiksen will begin her third tenure as the nation’s prime minister, heading a center-left alliance of four political parties following two months of coalition talks.

The newly formed government consists of Frederiksen’s Social Democrats alongside three other parties: the centrist Moderates led by departing Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the Green Left (SF), and the Danish Social Liberal Party, according to a Monday announcement from the Danish Royal House.

Speaking Monday evening, Frederiksen described the new administration as one that will serve “the people of Denmark, for the generations to come and for the animals.”

Frederiksen had triggered early elections in February, seemingly anticipating her party would gain support from her direct approach during tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Denmark’s semiautonomous Greenland territory.

The March parliamentary elections failed to deliver a clear majority for either progressive or conservative political blocs. Denmark’s proportional representation electoral system regularly results in multi-party coalition governments drawn from either the left or right side of the political spectrum.

This ruling coalition emerged after two unsuccessful government formation efforts — one led by Frederiksen herself and another by former Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, who had attempted to establish a center-right administration.

The coalition’s policy agenda will be unveiled Tuesday, with cabinet appointments scheduled for announcement Wednesday.

The 48-year-old leader has governed the EU and NATO member nation since mid-2019. In the recent election, her party secured 38 seats in the 179-member unicameral legislature, representing a decline of 12 seats compared to the 2022 contest.

Frederiksen has gained recognition for her robust backing of Ukraine against Russia’s military aggression and for implementing strict immigration policies.

Responding to pressure from conservative opposition and citing concerns about potential migration increases due to the Iran conflict, Frederiksen proposed measures this year including a possible “emergency brake” on asylum applications and enhanced oversight of undocumented criminals. Her administration had previously announced plans allowing deportation of foreign nationals sentenced to one year or more for serious offenses.

During her second term, public approval declined amid rising living costs. However, she experienced renewed popularity while managing the diplomatic crisis over Trump’s interest in Greenland, which reached its peak in January with brief threats of European tariffs for nations opposing U.S. control of the Arctic territory.

The Greenland situation, which dominated government attention in recent months, played a minimal role in the campaign due to widespread consensus regarding its status within the kingdom.

In January, Frederiksen cautioned that American acquisition of Greenland would effectively destroy NATO. The crisis has since subsided.

Following Trump’s withdrawal of tariff threats against Denmark and other European nations opposing U.S. control of the Arctic island, the United States, Denmark, and Greenland initiated technical discussions for an Arctic security agreement.

Campaign discourse ultimately centered on living expenses, retirement benefits, and possible wealth taxation rather than foreign policy concerns.

A white South African political figure has sought refuge in the United States through a program established by President Donald Trump, driven by concerns about potential future persecution in his home country.

SJ Du Venage, a 56-year-old council member representing the Freedom Front Plus party in the Western Cape province, grew up with concerns about what might happen to white South Africans if political control shifted. Despite not experiencing direct mistreatment, these worries have remained with him throughout his life.

Du Venage previously served as a youth leader in the far-right Conservative Party, which had opposed ending apartheid. He is now among several Afrikaners seeking entry to the United States under Trump’s program designed to assist South Africa’s white minority, whom Trump alleges face racial persecution – claims the South African government dismisses as unfounded.

While Trump’s specific accusations about state-sponsored violence and widespread land confiscations have been debunked, Du Venage continues to feel threatened in his homeland.

“When Trump’s offer came, it was an opportunity from heaven,” Du Venage stated during an interview from his temporary residence in Saint Helena Bay, located north of Cape Town.

The life coach and former personal trainer underwent a seven-hour evaluation with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Pretoria this past February. He has since disposed of his property and fulfilled medical and security screening requirements mandated by American officials while awaiting a decision on his application.

Du Venage explained that his refugee petition centers on apprehension of future harm rather than past incidents, both of which can serve as grounds for acceptance according to the U.S. embassy. He referenced a menacing communication he received from an unknown individual after he organized a commemoration for a white farmer whose 2020 death became a source of racial tension.

“I was asked in the questionnaire who do I think wants to kill me, and I don’t really know,” he explained, believing his involvement in farm murder advocacy has made him a potential target.

While killings of white farmers represent only a small portion of South Africa’s elevated murder statistics, which predominantly impact Black citizens, these incidents have become rallying points for right-wing movements both locally and globally.

According to State Department figures, the United States has accepted over 6,000 South Africans as refugees since the previous year and recently increased the yearly limit to 17,500 to accommodate more white South Africans, even while other refugee initiatives remain suspended.

South African authorities view this arrangement as preferential treatment for Afrikaners – white South Africans primarily of Dutch ancestry – and challenge assertions that they experience widespread persecution.

“There is a very well-organised lobby in South Africa that is emphasising white victimhood, and that is being hugely emboldened by Donald Trump,” commented Fanie Du Toit, executive director of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, a South African research organization.

Du Toit, who belongs to “Afrikaners for South Africa,” a coalition opposing this narrative, noted that available information does not substantiate claims that white South Africans face group-based oppression or danger.

Research conducted by the institute in 2022 revealed that approximately three-quarters of white participants reported rarely or never feeling unsafe in their neighborhoods, with a comparable percentage rating their living situations favorably. In contrast, only one-third of Black participants described their living circumstances positively.

Support for emigration remains minimal even among Afrikaner political groups. Freedom Front Plus leader Corne Mulder expressed to Reuters that while he values Trump’s interest, he would prefer American assistance for Afrikaners remaining in South Africa, since few actually wish to relocate.

Du Venage, who holds a position within the party’s internal organization rather than as an elected official, anticipates challenges in adapting to American life and hopes for placement in an area with climate conditions similar to Cape Town’s.

“The feedback that we get is there is a small percentage that’s very lucky, that land in a nice place with a lot of support, but a lot of our people are really struggling,” he observed.

MOSCOW — Russian military officials announced Tuesday that their extensive nighttime bombardment of Ukraine served as retaliation for what they characterized as “terrorist acts” by Ukrainian forces, claiming they successfully hit numerous Ukrainian military installations.

Officials in Ukraine reported that Russian aerial weapons and missiles hammered the capital city and additional locations during the early morning hours Tuesday, resulting in no fewer than 11 deaths and over 100 injuries after several days of alerts regarding Moscow’s preparations for a large-scale offensive.

“Overnight, in response to terrorist acts of the Kyiv regime, the armed forces of the Russian Federation carried out a massive strike using high-precision long-range air-, land-, and sea-based weapons,” the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement.

According to Russian officials, the military deployed advanced hypersonic weapons and unmanned aircraft to strike seven regions across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv, claiming successful hits on locations valuable to Ukrainian military operations including energy infrastructure, transportation hubs, and aviation facilities.

Moscow issued a warning the previous week that it would begin conducting “systematic strikes” against targets in Kyiv as payback for what it described as a catastrophic Ukrainian drone assault on student housing in Russian-controlled Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, resulting in 21 fatalities.

Ukrainian officials maintained they had aimed at a drone operations center in that area rather than students. Putin stated Monday night that Kyiv had “opened a new page in a series of crimes” through the dormitory attack and a subsequent strike on residential buildings in a Russian-controlled section of Ukraine’s Kherson region. Each side rejects accusations of intentionally attacking non-combatants.

NAIROBI, June 2 – Fatal violence broke out Monday in central Kenya as demonstrators rallied against a proposed United States Ebola quarantine facility planned for a military installation in the area, according to protest organizer Patrick Wahome and a security source who spoke with Reuters.

Details surrounding how the two fatalities occurred have not been disclosed. Attempts to reach Kenya’s national police spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful.

Kenya’s leader is standing firm on his decision to allow an American-supported Ebola isolation facility at a military installation in the country’s central region, describing it as part of broader national emergency planning and ongoing health cooperation with Washington.

The East African nation gave approval last week for an American proposal to build the facility at a central Kenya military airfield for U.S. citizens who might have encountered Ebola exposure.

Community members and area officials in Nanyuki, located close to the installation, organized demonstrations on Monday opposing the proposed facility. Protesters expressed concerns about potential community exposure to Ebola and challenged the decision to provide quarantine services for American nationals. The demonstration came amid increasing public opposition and court proceedings aimed at stopping the project.

In his first public comments regarding the facility, the president said such arrangements were routine and comparable to other installations already operating throughout Kenya.

“The facility that is at Laikipia Air Base is not a facility different from all the other facilities that we have across Kenya,” the president told media representatives in northern Kenya late Monday, encouraging citizens not to question the government’s emergency planning.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda are currently fighting the uncommon Bundibugyo variant of the Ebola virus in an outbreak that has claimed 48 lives and been designated a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO. The outbreak is advancing faster than the international response, which began slowly.

The Kenyan leader said he authorized the facility following a request from U.S. President Donald Trump for Kenya’s support, referencing decades of collaboration with Washington on health initiatives including HIV/AIDS, Ebola and COVID-19.

The president explained that Kenya had established isolation, monitoring and treatment centers in 23 counties, noting the facility would assist Kenyans along with international partners, including Americans, when necessary.

He rejected opposition to the proposal, stating Kenya had an obligation to prepare for potential Ebola cases, including among Kenyans residing or working in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A court temporarily halted the plan last week following a legal challenge that argued the location could threaten public health. The president did not reference the court’s decision.

A U.S. military C-130 cargo aircraft landed in Nanyuki as late as Friday afternoon, based on flight-tracking service Flightradar24 data.

Two Nanyuki locals also reported observing military planes heading toward the base during the weekend, although Reuters could not verify whether they were American aircraft.

Kenya has strengthened border screening procedures at land and air entry points and is examining approximately 3,000 individuals daily, the president reported, noting that no Ebola cases have been found in the nation.

“We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing,” he stated.

A former U.S. submarine commander is working to solve a critical challenge facing Ukraine’s military: preventing Russian drones from crossing the Black Sea undetected to strike the port city of Odesa.

Charles Maher, who established maritime intelligence and security firm BlueShadow, has partnered with Ukraine’s defense forces to create a system managing fleets of autonomous naval vessels that would establish a defensive perimeter along the Ukrainian coastline.

“When fully deployed, there’ll be four squadrons of 12 vessels … And these squadrons will operate 10 to 12 kilometres offshore,” Maher told Reuters. He noted that the initial squadron — equipped with missiles and interceptor drones — could become operational by early 2027.

The Danish company BlueShadow joined seven other startups in showcasing innovative systems and technologies to military personnel during a recent weekend demonstration. These companies represent part of a growing network of small businesses and investment organizations that have emerged to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

All participating companies collaborated with Defence Builder, a private sector accelerator that offers funding, guidance, and resource access to help defense technology startups expand into larger enterprises.

Line Rindvig, CEO of Defence Builder, explained that the organization provides companies with initial funding of $10,000 and a four-month acceleration program. This includes guidance on establishing solid business foundations to attract investors and military connections for product support and feedback.

In exchange, the military receives potentially affordable weapons or systems to deploy against a much better-funded adversary, while the accelerator acquires a small ownership stake in the startup.

“Business is business, but we also all serve a bigger purpose,” Rindvig said. “And it is to make sure that the solutions that are needed to win this war are getting the financial backing they need.”

Defence Builder operates as part of the Ukrainian Council of Defense Industries Investor Club, which includes approximately 25 institutions working to stimulate investment in Ukraine’s defense sector and coordinate deals.

The organization reports that publicly disclosed defense investment in Ukraine surged from merely $1.1 million in 2023 to $105 million in the previous year.

To accelerate procurement processes, military brigades can purchase products directly from manufacturers through the Brave1 Market online platform and DOT-Chain — functioning like an Amazon marketplace for weapons featuring 800 products from 200 manufacturers.

Similar to typical consumers, military units can provide product reviews.

According to Rindvig, one key focus for Defence Builder involves remote-controlled vehicles capable of operating in the “Kill Zone” surrounding the front lines, where numerous drones create increasingly hazardous conditions for human personnel.

Estonian startup Telearmy has been installing remote-control systems in frontline trucks since 2023, enabling operators to drive them from hundreds of kilometers away, according to founder Enn Laansoo.

Positioned next to a modified BRDM-2M — a Soviet-era armoured vehicle — Laansoo explained that Telearmy could retrofit virtually any battlefield vehicle.

“You cannot send any more soldiers to the front line and our technology provides that layer so the soldier doesn’t have to be there,” said Laansoo, whose company seeks capital for expansion.

Recently, Ukraine’s military has deployed “mid strike” drones to attack Russia’s supply bases, air defense systems, and critical transportation routes to the front lines. Addressing a shortage of such drones, startup Wingtech created a reusable fixed-wing bomber called the Haba, which reportedly can travel 300km (190 miles) on missions and resists jamming attempts.

After operating on the battlefield for over a year, Wingtech sought working capital to boost production and meet military demand. Rindvig noted they secured funding when an established Ukrainian defense manufacturer provided financing.

Cambodia announced Tuesday that it has notified both the United Nations and Thailand of its decision to begin a mandatory conciliation procedure under international law to resolve an ongoing maritime boundary disagreement with Thailand.

This action comes after Thailand’s government chose last month to unilaterally end a 2001 accord with Cambodia that had established a negotiation framework for the contested region in the Gulf of Thailand where both nations’ maritime territories overlap.

“We have taken this step to protect Cambodia’s sovereignty and maritime rights in accordance with international law,” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said.

Thailand’s foreign ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Thailand’s decision to cancel the agreement was part of a campaign promise made by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who secured re-election in February amid rising nationalist feelings, following two deadly military confrontations between the nations last year along their contested border.

$300 BILLION IN ENERGY RESOURCES

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, known as UNCLOS, permits a mandatory conciliation procedure where a group of independent specialists can review a disagreement and provide recommendations, though their conclusions are not legally enforceable for either nation.

Thailand has previously stated it would reference UNCLOS while pursuing direct talks with Cambodia regarding maritime boundary determination.

Both nations claim roughly 26,000 square kilometers of ocean in the Gulf of Thailand, called the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA), which experts believe contains nearly 12 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and substantial oil reserves, valued at approximately $300 billion.

The oil shock from the Iran conflict has heightened the need to resolve the disagreement and access the underwater energy reserves, Cambodia’s energy minister told Reuters last week.

PROCESS TO BE OVERSEEN BY UN CHIEF

Cambodia has designated Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn as its representative for the proceedings, along with Danish diplomat Peter Taksøe-Jensen and French academic Jean-Marc Thouvenin to serve as conciliators, according to a government statement.

“Thailand now has 21 days to appoint two of its own conciliators. The conciliators will then select a chair to finalize a conciliation commission, overseen by the UN Secretary-General,” the statement added.

Thailand has consistently refused Cambodian attempts to resolve disagreements through international bodies, including the International Court of Justice, maintaining that such matters should be addressed through direct bilateral discussions.

A truce has remained in effect between the two nations since late December after two periods of combat along portions of their 817-kilometer (508-mile) border last year, with the first ending following intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Each side has blamed the other for starting the violence, which resulted in nearly 150 deaths and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.

A recent examination of European corporate earnings reports shows that major companies across the euro zone are finding it difficult to increase prices despite rising costs from the Iran conflict, signaling weakened economic conditions that are restraining their ability to charge more.

Financial analysts and European Central Bank officials have been monitoring whether the region might experience another significant wave of conflict-related inflation similar to what occurred after Russia’s Ukraine invasion.

Current evidence suggests this is unlikely to happen.

An examination of 175 euro zone earnings discussions, conducted with artificial intelligence assistance, revealed that just 56 companies had implemented or were planning price increases in the near future, indicating weak consumer demand throughout the 21-nation monetary union.

This represents a dramatic shift from the nearly two-thirds of companies that raised prices immediately following the Ukraine invasion, when energy disruptions combined with post-pandemic recovery and significant government spending drove inflation to double-digit levels.

“There is a clear difference between spring 2022 and spring 2026,” ECB policymaker Olli Rehn said while discussing the findings in an interview.

“This time around, the labour market is less tight, growth is clearly more subdued, and we don’t have such strong fiscal policy stimulus for the moment,” the Finnish central bank governor added.

Euro zone inflation stood at 5.9% when Russia began its Ukraine invasion in February 2022, compared to just 1.9% at the beginning of the Iran conflict four years later. Upcoming data is anticipated to show inflation climbing to 3.2% in May.

The more challenging economic environment should reduce pressure on the ECB to implement substantial interest rate increases beyond an anticipated initial hike next week, which economists believe is primarily designed to demonstrate commitment to preventing energy-related inflation from spreading to other sectors.

“For monetary policy, the implication is that the ECB can likely afford a bit more patience,” Allianz Global Investors’ chief economist Christian Schulz said of the results.

“The case for further tightening is less clear-cut and will require additional evidence on pass-through and underlying inflation dynamics.”

The analysis examined transcripts from 175 earnings discussions held between April 2 and May 15, using an artificial intelligence system called Claude Cowork with the Opus 4.7 model to identify whether companies mentioned increased energy expenses and plans to transfer these costs to customers.

Among the 175 companies studied, 105 addressed energy costs during their earnings presentations and 91 connected these issues to the Iran conflict.

After removing financial companies, which typically view energy disruptions as broader economic issues rather than pricing concerns, 136 companies remained for analysis. Of these, 55 indicated they had implemented or were planning price increases in coming months.

Most price adjustments were concentrated among businesses directly affected by the conflict’s impact on energy and raw materials, or in industrial sectors. These included German chemical group BASF and French cablemaker Nexans.

Companies serving consumers directly have shown greater reluctance to transfer higher costs to customers. Retailers such as Delhaize have pledged to maintain low prices, while automakers including Volkswagen are focusing on reducing expenses instead.

This differs significantly from spring 2022. Using the same AI-assisted approach for earnings calls from that time period, 108 of 132 non-financial companies passed along increased costs, including many consumer goods businesses, as accumulated demand and government support strengthened the economy.

The study indicated that businesses selling to other companies found it easier to implement price increases than those dealing directly with consumers.

Among 33 industrial companies, 11 reported passing on costs, three were planning to do so, and two were implementing partial increases.

In contrast, Italian tire manufacturer Pirelli was the only company among 26 consumer goods businesses to confirm cost pass-through, with just four others considering similar actions.

Karsten Junius, chief economist at Switzerland’s Bank J. Safra Sarasin, said this difference reflected growth patterns driven more by business investment than household spending.

“The AI development and adoption race may make some companies less price sensitive such that higher input costs can be passed on more easily,” he said.

Nevertheless, economists observed that price pressures continue building in certain economic sectors and should not be overlooked.

Price increases announced by transportation companies such as Lufthansa and Deutsche Post — often through fuel surcharges — will likely contribute to broader business costs over time.

“The jury is still out on how persistent the price effects will be, and it’s far too early to sound the all-clear,” Spyros Andreopoulos, founder of the Thin Ice Macroeconomics consultancy, said.

Research from the Bank of Finland indicates that price increases in specific sectors can take between two and 15 months to affect overall consumer inflation.

The analysis also indicates that companies have learned from the Ukraine crisis experience.

Risk management strategies — securing prices through long-term or derivative agreements — have become more common since 2022, reducing the immediate need for price increases.

Leadership at 74 companies in the study reported having hedging strategies in place, compared to 68 four years earlier.

A slightly higher percentage of companies were utilizing indexation provisions, which enable automatic price adjustments when input costs such as fuel increase.

Twenty-five percent of companies planning price increases were using such provisions, compared to 22% in 2022.

The companies examined are typically large, internationally active corporations listed on the Euro STOXX stock market index, meaning they may not represent the situation of smaller businesses.

However, the results align with a European Commission survey of companies’ selling price expectations, which declined in May after rising in April and remain well below levels reached in spring 2022.

BIRAO, Central African Republic — When labor pains struck Maude Ahmad Fadala just after dark, she faced an impossible situation.

Her child was ready to be born, but she was trapped in a refugee camp, weakened by typhoid fever. The camp offered no birthing facilities, and she lacked funds for transportation. Despite her condition, she rose and began walking toward help.

Every few steps, contractions forced her to pause in agony until she could move no further.

“I gave birth in the street,” she said. “There was no doctor, no midwife, and no one holding my hand.”

This tragic experience reflects a broader crisis across sub-Saharan Africa, which faces the world’s highest population growth alongside devastating maternal mortality rates. The region accounts for 70% of pregnancy-related deaths globally, claiming approximately 182,000 mothers annually.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly two-thirds of maternal deaths worldwide happen in nations experiencing conflict or instability. For women like Fadala, who escaped Sudan’s ongoing war to seek refuge in Central African Republic, crossing borders doesn’t end their peril.

Being displaced often means skipping prenatal care, undertaking dangerous travel, and relying on weakened healthcare systems in isolated areas.

The United Nations reports that women in Central African Republic face 40 times greater risk of dying during pregnancy or delivery compared to those in the United States. The nation loses 829 mothers for every 100,000 births, making it among the world’s deadliest places to give birth.

Decades of internal warfare have left Central African Republic and its medical infrastructure in shambles. Despite abundant gold reserves, healthcare remains virtually absent outside major urban centers. One-third of residents survive on under $2 daily.

Recognizing the maternal mortality emergency, the government unveiled a 2024 initiative to boost funding for trained birth attendants and related resources. Officials haven’t responded to inquiries about the program’s progress.

Recent dramatic reductions in humanitarian funding from major donors, including the United States, have further complicated women’s access to medical care.

In Birao, a remote border town near Sudan where Fadala now lives, four local midwives supported by the U.N. Population Fund lost their positions last year when the Trump administration terminated all U.S. funding agreements with the U.N. sexual and reproductive health agency.

Across from Fadala’s tent sits an abandoned “safe space” that previously provided transportation for expectant mothers to the district hospital. This facility was among four such centers in Birao that served nearly 50,000 women. All have shuttered due to lost U.S. funding, along with two American-supported health clinics.

“Some women run the risk of dying in pregnancy situations that are not medically managed,” said UNFPA program officer Marie Justine Mamba Ibingui.

UNFPA’s Central African Republic budget has been cut in half over two years to $6.5 million, according to country director Victor Rakoto. The organization was Birao’s sole provider of reproductive health supplies.

“The risk of maternal death is going to increase if there is no solution,” Rakoto said.

The U.N. reports that conflict-affected areas like Birao account for six of every 10 maternal deaths worldwide.

The district hospital Fadala attempted to reach sits several kilometers away over unpaved roads.

During a recent visit, birthing assistant Delphine Zanabe moved between patients as dozens of women waited, packed together on hard benches in oppressive heat. Some had walked for hours to arrive. Others had endangered their pregnancies by riding motorcycles across rough terrain.

From the border area, adjacent to Sudan territory controlled by paramilitary forces battling the Sudanese military, it’s a 65-kilometer journey to the refugee camp.

“They only come when they are about to give birth,” Zanabe said. “It’s a struggle and it’s either the baby or the mother who suffers.” WHO guidelines recommend at least eight prenatal visits during pregnancy.

For refugees living in survival mode in unfamiliar territory, poverty and lack of education create additional complications. Zanabe explained these factors frequently increase women’s risk for pregnancy and delivery problems.

The maternity ward contains eight beds crammed into such a small space they nearly touch. This serves approximately 70,000 local residents plus 22,000 Sudanese refugees.

Medical staff report that 12 employees have been laid off due to aid reductions, with most coming from the maternity department.

Amna Adam Hessen had arrived the previous day with malarial fever. Her unborn baby was discovered to be in breech position, detected late because she had missed prenatal appointments. Transported by motorcycle from the refugee camp, she hemorrhaged during delivery and lost her child.

The following day, her mother, Salet, fanned her in the stifling heat.

“Giving birth here is exhausting,” she said, describing the long and difficult night.

Amna twisted with fever on the bare foam mattress, crying out, “Mama, mama.”

Zanabe expresses concern about additional humanitarian aid reductions affecting expectant mothers.

The United Nations estimates that over 40% of births in Central African Republic already happen outside medical facilities — a traditional practice that risks otherwise preventable complications.

Clara Abessendé was among the four midwives who lost their positions.

She witnessed the daily number of women arriving at the hospital triple after Sudan’s war erupted in early 2023, while staff ran short of essential supplies like antibiotics and malaria medications.

“As a result, there were more cases of infant and maternal deaths,” she said. Abessendé described feeling burdened by guilt over having to abandon her work.

“The children born in my hands … I abandoned them like that,” she said.

Katidje Idrisse Tahire represents one of the women she can no longer assist.

Tahire moved slowly through the refugee camp collecting water, carrying one child while two others walked beside her. In her ninth month of pregnancy, she was preparing for another birth.

She explained that she fled Sudan four months earlier on foot. At the border, armed men stole everything she owned. Her husband hasn’t been seen since they escaped Darfur.

“My whole body aches,” she said. “I am very tired and unwell.”

Without money, she remains uncertain whether medical care will be available when her baby arrives.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian authorities report that an overnight Russian assault using missiles and drones has claimed the lives of at least 11 people while injuring dozens more and leaving others trapped in damaged structures.

The capital city of Kyiv bore significant casualties, with four fatalities and 58 wounded, including three children, according to Ukraine’s state emergency service statement released on Telegram. Eight districts throughout the capital sustained damage to residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.

The violence extended beyond Kyiv to other regions throughout the country. In the central Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian strikes on the city of Dnipro resulted in six deaths and 36 injuries, the emergency service reported. A subsequent strike targeting first responders who had arrived at the initial attack site claimed the life of one rescue worker.

The assault damaged a two-story home and portions of a four-story apartment complex, leaving residents buried under debris from the larger structure.

Explosive sounds reverberated throughout most of the nighttime hours and continued into dawn. The capital had been preparing for another large-scale offensive for several days, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s warning that Russia was organizing a fresh assault and his appeal for citizens to stay alert and take cover during air raid warnings.

Within the Podilskyi district, the upper levels of a nine-story structure suffered partial destruction, leaving occupants buried beneath rubble. Emergency crews continued their rescue efforts during the early morning hours while air raid sirens remained active.

Two high-rise buildings in the Solomianskyi district — one with 20 floors and another with 24 floors — sustained damage during the bombardment.

Ukrainian leadership has been appealing to international partners for additional air defense missiles to defend against Russia’s ballistic missile strikes. Although Ukraine successfully intercepts most drone attacks, ballistic missiles continue to pose a significant challenge to the nation’s defensive capabilities.

ISTANBUL (AP) — Thousands of miles away from the Argentine and Uruguayan neighborhoods where tango first emerged in Buenos Aires and Montevideo, a dedicated group of dancers in Istanbul has created their own thriving and tight-knit community.

Nightly gatherings called milongas — traditional Argentine ballroom dance sessions — take place throughout this sprawling metropolis that spans two continents, bringing people together through rhythm, motion and the intimate connection of tango dancing.

The city’s dance scene remains vibrant thanks to Turkish residents, expatriates, visiting instructors from around the world and tourists, all supported by numerous dance academies and practice spaces.

Gonca Çetin, who began as a student and has become an instructor, characterizes Istanbul’s tango scene as both inclusive and varied.

“It’s possible for everyone to find a tango environment that suits them. There’s a constantly growing and developing community,” she says.

During Istanbul’s milongas, where switching partners throughout the evening is customary, both familiar faces and newcomers enthusiastically share the same dance space.

“I believe tango is a conversation without words,” Çetin added. “What draws me to it is the unique balance between connection and freedom. Through music and embrace, I am able to communicate, create, and express my emotions in a way that feels both deeply personal and profoundly shared.”

The influence of tango in the city reaches beyond just the dancing itself.

Master craftsman Ercan Umay creates custom tango footwear by hand in his small Istanbul atelier, serving the dancers who frequent the city’s milongas and maintaining another vital aspect of tango tradition.

ŌAMARU, New Zealand (AP) — A rural community in New Zealand has transformed into an unexpected global destination for steampunk enthusiasts and their elaborate Victorian-inspired fantasies.

Each year during a four-day celebration, thousands of costumed participants descend upon this South Island town of 14,000 residents, portraying characters ranging from airship pilots to imaginary nobles. Many attendees dedicate months or years perfecting their elaborate outfits and fictional identities.

The annual gathering unfolds along a historic Victorian boulevard in Ōamaru, which has welcomed its role as an international steampunk destination.

The steampunk movement, which emerged as a recognized term during the 1980s, blends Victorian-era design elements with fantastical science fiction concepts. Enthusiasts envision an alternate reality where steam-powered technology never gave way to modern innovations, continuing to drive scientific progress and exploration. The culture emphasizes repurposed materials and handcrafted items, encouraging followers to master skills like tailoring and various handicrafts to create unique and unusual costumes.

This creative movement provides freedom to reimagine Victorian-era social norms, creating an environment where creativity knows no bounds. Festival-goers showcase brass firearms concealing toy ray guns, leather belt pouches holding delicate porcelain tea sets, and towering decorative headwear.

Unique festival attractions feature teapot races, parasol combat demonstrations, and a procession of ornately dressed participants that draws hundreds of onlookers.

ŌAMARU, New Zealand — A woman wearing a bright pink coat introduced herself as steam billowed from an unusual brass device strapped to her back.

“I am Lady Sarsaparilla Ovabyte, of the Coventry Ovabytes,” she declared. “We are purveyors of fine cordials.”

Standing beside her, a man looked through eyewear crafted from welded forks.

“Captain Bob McSpoon, inventrepreneur,” he announced.

Along a historic Victorian street in rural Ōamaru, New Zealand, these costumed characters — known in everyday life as Juliet and Greg Thorn — blended seamlessly with hundreds of other goggle-wearing, steam-emitting festival-goers. They had traveled to this small community for the yearly steampunk celebration, a four-day tribute to creative eccentricity that attracts thousands of participants from across New Zealand and beyond.

The steampunk movement combines Victorian-era design and engineering with futuristic science fiction elements, creating an alternative reality where steam-powered technology evolved to modern times. This artistic genre thrives on boundless creativity, with more unusual concepts earning greater appreciation.

Festival participants take pride in their recycling abilities and hands-on craftsmanship, developing expertise in tailoring, metalwork, millinery and steam engineering while creating elaborate fictional identities complete with matching costumes. Throughout the year, these enthusiasts work as construction workers, engineers, artists and agricultural workers, with many describing their typical personalities as introverted or quiet. However, they traveled to this festival seeking the spotlight.

“The first time you dress up and go out in public is really scary and then people get such a buzz out of it,” Juliet Thorn explained. “It’s so cool that you take on a different personality.”

Now in its 17th year, the steampunk festival has spawned entire traditions and competitive activities, earning recognition as one of the world’s most prominent events of its kind.

Hundreds gathered in second-floor venues and vintage community centers for steampunk-themed competitions. Contestants rushed to dip biscuits in tea cups and stuff the soggy treats into their mouths faster than their rivals. A parasol-fighting tournament resembled competitive dance moves evaluated on quickness and flair.

Michele Cotten claimed victory in a fashion competition showcasing elaborate and repurposed garments that participants had perfected over months. Cotten merged steampunk elements with the Star Trek franchise to design a bell-shaped gown styled after a navy Starfleet uniform. She equipped it with holiday lights to suggest a cosmic theme, and Cotten, a spectator favorite, walked and posed to cheers from the audience.

The event also featured teapot racing, where participants guided remote-controlled machines topped with teapots through a challenging obstacle course while spectators gasped and groaned.

“If you go out of bounds, that’s a disqualification,” explained Ross McKay, one of the competition’s inventors, who developed it alongside his deceased wife and a friend. He has since brought teapot racing to additional steampunk gatherings around the globe.

“It’s lots of fun and the judges will take bribes,” he joked.

When McKay’s wife first shared photographs of steampunk enthusiasts with him, he remembered thinking, “What a bunch of weirdos,” but the self-described “history geek and science fiction nerd” discovered much to appreciate about the movement. The former banking professional soon registered for evening sewing courses.

Today he performs as Captain Roscoe Dangerfield, Inspector of Nuisances to Her Majesty Queen Victoria III, which blends the historical aspect of an authentic Victorian position with the fantasy of a ruler who never existed.

The steampunk community had become his chosen family, he noted.

Ōamaru serves as the peaceful residence for 14,000 residents and 3,000 threatened native penguins, with the birds inhabiting a colony at the town’s edge that produces such strong odors they can be detected from the overlooking hillside. This South Island community lacks the dramatic landscapes featured in the Lord of the Rings movies that draw tourists to neighboring areas, and for many years served primarily as a rest stop between the larger cities of Christchurch and Dunedin.

A unique architectural feature has established Ōamaru’s reputation as what residents call the global steampunk headquarters. The community boasts a completely intact Victorian street near the waterfront, remaining from the 1800s when Ōamaru functioned as a commercial and trading center, serving as a shipping hub for meat, wool and grain exports from New Zealand to Britain.

These pale stone structures now provide the setting for the festival’s steampunk activities. During other times of the year, the town hosts a Victorian celebration honoring a historically faithful version of that period, with both events coexisting harmoniously after steampunk and Victorian enthusiasts agreed the community could accommodate everyone.

Steampunk, a label created in the 1980s, offers participants a chance to reimagine Victorian social rules based on the principle that if you’re traveling on flying carpets or moving through time, conventional restrictions no longer apply.

“We’re an equal opportunity society,” stated Iain Clark, who helped establish the festival and is recognized throughout the community as Agent Darling. “Women, unlike in Victorian times, can be anything. We have female engineers, captains of industry, captains of airships, adventurers, explorers, scientists.”

Sometimes within the same week. Bringing multiple outfits for each festival day is typical, and changing areas at the event’s headquarters enable rapid costume switches, with nothing too bizarre to surprise anyone.

On the street, a Star Wars soldier walked by, trailed by a group of wolves. A French visitor nervously adjusting his knitted and leather gloves had only learned about steampunk three days prior and instantly embraced the movement.

“You can be creative and you can be somebody else and no one cares,” said John Syben, who was attending his fourth festival.

His partner, Chris Sinclair, explained that the couple had previously been “far too tame, so we’ve gotten more and more outrageous every year.”

“There’s always someone who’s more nuts than you,” she added.

Emergency crews and charitable organizations worked with heavy machinery Monday to retrieve victims following a devastating explosion of stored mining explosives in northeastern Myanmar that claimed dozens of lives.

The deadly blast happened at noon on Sunday in Kaungtup village, located in Namhkam township within Shan state close to the Chinese border.

According to a Monday evening statement from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, the ethnic rebel organization governing the region, fatalities from the explosion have climbed to 43, with seven of those victims being children. Earlier casualty reports from emergency responders had varied between 38 and 45 deaths. Confirming precise numbers has proven challenging due to the explosive force that dismembered victims’ remains.

The organization reported that 112 individuals sustained injuries, including 25 children, with 37 people in critical condition, sparking fears the death count may rise further.

“Rescue operations and the compilation of casualty figures were still underway,” said the statement.

Numerous resource-abundant regions of Myanmar, where mining activities operate with minimal oversight, fall under the authority of various armed groups engaged in periodic conflicts with the central government while pursuing increased independence. Fatal incidents, including catastrophic landslides, occur with notable frequency.

The TNLA reported that Sunday’s explosion involved gelignite utilized for local mining and stone quarrying operations. While gelignite sees widespread use, it becomes extremely dangerous when stored incorrectly over extended periods.

Village inhabitants from the community of 200 households stated they received no notification that explosive materials were being housed in their area.

The TNLA announced that an investigation into the explosion’s specific cause is currently in progress.

This tragedy has drawn attention to Myanmar’s profitable yet minimally regulated mineral sector and Chinese financial involvement in the nation’s resource extraction operations.

Two area residents informed The Associated Press on Monday that mining facilities producing silicon metal raw materials — an essential industrial component for semiconductors, solar panels, and aluminum alloys — operate in mountainous terrain approximately 15 kilometers southwest of Namhkam town.

The residents, speaking anonymously for personal security reasons, stated these mining operations are jointly managed by the TNLA and Chinese business interests and remain off-limits to most local people. The AP could not independently confirm these claims.

Myanmar’s mining sector serves as a significant global source of rare earth materials, copper, tin, and valuable gemstones, particularly jade and rubies, functioning as China’s primary supplier for materials that undergo processing and refinement there.

China maintains a complicated relationship as Myanmar’s military-backed government’s leading ally while simultaneously building connections with ethnic minority organizations.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian in Beijing offered profound sympathies and confirmed that a Chinese citizen hurt in the explosion is receiving medical care. Beijing has offered support for managing the incident’s consequences.

The TNLA, which belongs to the Three Brotherhood Alliance, gained control of the Namhkam region in late 2023 during a significant campaign against the military government. This fighting represents part of the wider chaos following the February 2021 military takeover, which removed Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected administration and sparked extensive armed opposition.

Although the TNLA agreed to a China-brokered ceasefire with the military in late 2023, regional stability remains fragile, and mineral and gemstone extraction provides essential revenue for both the central government and the rebel organizations opposing it.

Petroleum markets retained most of their substantial gains from Monday during early Tuesday trading, driven by ongoing confusion about diplomatic discussions between Washington and Tehran and potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Conflicting reports emerged Monday about the status of negotiations, with the president stating that discussions with Iran were continuing, while Tasnim news agency reported Tehran had paused indirect talks with Washington.

Brent crude futures climbed 6 cents, representing a 0.06% increase to $95.04 per barrel at 0001 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate dropped 17 cents, or 0.18%, to $91.99 per barrel.

Both petroleum benchmarks had surged over 5% during Monday’s session but reduced those increases after the president indicated he hadn’t received confirmation that Iran was halting discussions with Washington and that Israel had committed to withdrawing forces preparing for potential attacks on southern Lebanon.

During a Monday CNBC interview, the president expressed indifference about whether negotiations concluded.

Later, the president posted on social media that talks with Iran were ongoing and told ABC News Monday he anticipates an agreement to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz “over the next week,” according to the outlet’s X post.

“The market is currently focused on whether there’s any concrete progress or setbacks in U.S.-Iran negotiations, the tone and substance of statements from both sides (particularly Iran’s threats regarding the Strait of Hormuz), and actual physical tanker movements through the waterway,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

Waterer noted that the diplomatic negotiations’ status will ultimately decide whether current risk premiums remain in oil pricing or begin to decrease.

Lebanon announced Monday a partial ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, representing a limited reduction in tensions that have intensified the broader conflict with Iran.

“With headlines continuing to fly out of the Middle East, oil prices are set to remain volatile until clearer evidence of progress towards a peace deal emerges,” said Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG.

Iran has essentially stopped nearly all non-Iranian maritime traffic entering and leaving the Gulf since hostilities began, restricting approximately one-fifth of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas shipments and pushing prices up by 50% or higher.

American crude exports reached a record 5.6 million barrels daily in May as the Middle East crisis increased demand for the nation’s petroleum from Asian and European refineries, ship tracking data revealed Monday.

A preliminary survey released Monday indicated U.S. crude reserves likely decreased by roughly 3.6 million barrels during the week ending May 29, continuing the previous week’s decline, while distillate and gasoline supplies also probably dropped.

Shipping industry leaders meeting in Athens Monday emphasized that any peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran must establish clear guidelines allowing vessels to resume standard operations through the Strait of Hormuz.

TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Mark Carney declared Monday that his nation is not protecting Jewish citizens, who face unprecedented levels of targeted hatred.

Speaking at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, Carney acknowledged that anti-Jewish sentiment has reached heights unseen since the end of World War II throughout Canada. He pointed to statistics showing that more than two-thirds of all hate crimes motivated by religion last year were aimed at Jewish Canadians, despite Jews representing just 1% of the nation’s population.

“The horror and shame are global. Our actions must be local. They start with clearly admitting that Canada’s civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians,” Carney stated during his address.

The prime minister detailed violent acts committed by antisemites across the country, including gunfire directed at Jewish schools, firebomb attacks on synagogues, assaults on community centers, targeting of Jewish-owned businesses, and forcing Jewish students away from shared campus areas at universities.

While acknowledging that antisemitism affects Europe, Australia and the United States, Carney emphasized that Canada’s antisemitism crisis is “specific, severe and demands a targeted response.”

Global antisemitic incidents have increased dramatically since the Israel-Hamas conflict started on Oct. 7, 2023.

Noah Shack, the CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, stated before the speech that the Canadian government needs to strengthen efforts to protect community security and fight hatred.

Carney outlined his government’s recent legislative efforts to address antisemitism and other forms of hate over the past year. He announced $75 million (US $54 million) in funding to help faith-based institutions obtain security infrastructure and hire additional security staff.

“It pains me that we had to commit $75 million to this, any dollar to this,” Carney remarked.

The prime minister revealed plans for a new Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion that will study the causes, scope and factors behind antisemitism. According to his office, the council will assess the impact and guide future investments in education, prevention and community safety initiatives.

“I want to be clear about what these potential measures are, and what they are not. They are not curtailments of freedom of expression. They are not constraints on legitimate criticism of any government on any subject anywhere,” Carney explained.

“They are the basic standards we owe one another, in our shared public institutions, to ensure that no Canadian community is driven from those institutions by hatred.”

Ukraine’s capital city came under intense bombardment from Russian forces during the early hours of Tuesday, with witnesses reporting a massive column of smoke billowing from the city as officials instructed citizens to take cover immediately.

The city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported that flames erupted in the Podil district at a non-residential site, while a nine-story residential building caught fire after what appeared to be debris impact on its rooftop.

“In the Obolon district, cars are burning after being struck by falling missile debris. There are also fires at two locations in open areas, including one near a kindergarten,” Klitschko said on Telegram.

On Monday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had renewed his calls for caution regarding potential large-scale Russian bombardment and emphasized the importance of heeding air raid warnings.

“Intelligence warnings regarding Russian strikes remain in effect. A massive strike is possible, they have prepared one,” Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

“Our defenders are ready 24/7 to the fullest extent possible with the supplies currently available.”

Russian officials announced last week their plans to conduct “systematic strikes” against Ukrainian military installations and command centers in the capital, while advising foreign nationals to evacuate.

The threatened escalation was described as retaliation for a drone attack the previous week on housing facilities in Ukraine’s Russian-controlled Luhansk region that resulted in 21 deaths. Ukrainian officials have rejected responsibility for that incident.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale occurred in waters near southern Italy during the early morning hours on Tuesday, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences.

The seismic event was recorded at a depth of 253 kilometers (157.21 miles) below the surface, the German Research Centre for Geosciences reported.

Traditional healers in Peru conducted a spiritual ceremony Monday to offer blessings for the two contenders in this weekend’s decisive presidential election, as the South American nation prepares to choose a new leader amid ongoing political turmoil and corruption issues.

The ceremonial blessing represents a customary practice performed at the beginning of each year and prior to major elections.

The spiritual leaders assembled at Herradura Beach in Lima’s Chorrillos district, displaying images of both presidential hopefuls during the seaside ceremony.

The final contest features Keiko Fujimori, a conservative politician and daughter of former disgraced President Alberto Fujimori, against Roberto Sánchez, a nationalist congressman and ex-minister. Current polling shows the race extremely close ahead of Sunday’s vote.

During April’s initial voting round, Fujimori secured slightly more than 17% of ballots cast, while Sánchez captured approximately 12% among a large group of contenders. The first round experienced significant operational difficulties that prevented thousands of citizens both domestically and internationally from voting. The country’s election officials required several weeks to confirm the final two candidates for the decisive round.

The ceremonial blessing incorporated flower petals, fresh fruit, coca leaves, and aromatic palo santo wood pieces, along with black tobacco, ceremonial swords, and ritual dolls. The shamans also ignited bright-colored flares and played traditional drums.

“The ritual we perform is primarily intended to ensure that the best candidate is the one who represents our Peru,” said shaman Andrés de los Santos, who had traveled to Lima from the north of the country.

While the spiritual leaders offered no predictions during this ceremony, they have made forecasts previously. At the conclusion of 2025, they predicted Venezuela’s then-President Nicolás Maduro, now facing drug trafficking charges in the United States, would no longer be in office by the end of 2026.

Sunday’s victor will become Peru’s ninth president within a 10-year span, taking over from José María Balcázar, who assumed the interim presidency in February. Balcázar succeeded another temporary leader, José Jerí, who was removed due to corruption accusations after serving only four months.

Peru’s incoming president will take the oath of office on July 28 for a five-year term.

Denmark’s Social Democratic leader Mette Frederiksen announced Monday that she has successfully negotiated a centre-left coalition government, allowing her to retain leadership during ongoing diplomatic tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Greenland’s status.

The agreement to establish a minority government provides Frederiksen with her third straight term leading the country, bringing closure to months of political uncertainty following March elections that saw 12 different parties gain representation in Denmark’s parliament.

“I have been to see His Majesty the King and announced that a government can be formed after long negotiations,” Frederiksen told reporters.

Frederiksen’s centrist alliance lost parliamentary control during the March 24 elections as Danish voters expressed frustration with rising living costs, though her Social Democratic Party maintained its position as the largest parliamentary faction with 38 seats out of 179 total, a decrease from their previous 50 seats.

Following over two months of political negotiations between the Social Democrats and the right-wing Liberals, both seeking to lead a new administration, the 48-year-old Frederiksen ultimately obtained sufficient parliamentary support to form her government.

The new administration faces pressing priorities including managing diplomatic discussions concerning Greenland, which Trump has suggested annexing, along with accelerating Denmark’s military expansion as European security concerns mount due to Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Chile’s far-right leader Jose Antonio Kast delivered his inaugural national address to Congress on Monday, outlining an ambitious legislative plan focused on crime reduction, spending cuts, and economic expansion as he works to rebuild his political standing.

During his speech from Congress in the coastal city of Valparaiso, the president detailed proposals to bolster police forces, strengthen immigration enforcement, and eliminate social benefits for certain individuals with criminal records.

“Starting tomorrow we’re going to move forward with a very intense legislative and administrative agenda,” Kast said.

The address comes at a crucial time for the president, who is working to regain political momentum following declining public approval and internal government upheaval. Successfully implementing his security and economic campaign pledges is viewed as essential for maintaining support from his political coalition.

Outside the congressional building, demonstrators engaged in confrontations with law enforcement during Kast’s remarks.

“Our government’s main goal, and there is no other, is that when our mandate is over, Chileans live better, are safer and have more opportunities,” Kast said.

The president also revealed plans for legislation addressing electrical utility pricing, streamlining government processes, and updating small to medium-sized mining operations. These proposals complement existing congressional legislation aimed at spurring economic development and employment growth.

Kast secured a decisive victory in the 2025 presidential runoff election by campaigning on tough crime and immigration enforcement platforms.

However, since assuming office in March, public support has declined significantly from 57% to 38%, based on polling data from Cadem.

Early in his presidency, Kast encountered a major test when the Iran conflict forced his administration to implement substantial fuel price increases.

The president also dismissed his security minister and another senior cabinet official in May following increased public criticism.

Lebanon’s diplomatic mission in Washington announced Monday that Hezbollah has agreed to a United States-proposed ceasefire arrangement that would halt mutual attacks and potentially expand throughout Lebanon.

According to a statement released by Lebanon’s presidential office on X, the plan would initially prevent Israeli attacks on Beirut’s southern neighborhoods while the Iran-supported Hezbollah would cease its strikes against Israel. This comes after Israeli threats to target the capital’s suburban areas on Monday.

Speaking to Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television network, the group’s lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah indicated Hezbollah would back a comprehensive ceasefire throughout Lebanon as a step toward Israeli military withdrawal. Fadlallah noted the organization would monitor whether the hostilities cessation holds in upcoming days.

The European Union’s council and parliament have successfully negotiated an agreement on new regulations that will allow member nations to expedite the removal of individuals residing illegally within their territories, according to an announcement Monday from Cyprus, which currently holds the rotating EU Council presidency.

The new regulation is designed to streamline deportation procedures across EU member states, enabling faster processing of cases involving people without legal authorization to remain in the countries.

Airlines seeking to avoid conflict-disrupted airspace in the Middle East are increasingly flying through Syria, bringing the country a potential financial windfall after more than a decade of aviation isolation.

Data from Syria’s General Authority for Civil Aviation reveals that 11,801 aircraft crossed through Syrian airspace during May – a dramatic increase from the 4,267 flights recorded in February, which was the final complete month before the Iran war began affecting regional aviation routes. The May figures represent a 375% jump compared to the same period last year.

For 14 years during Syria’s civil war that concluded with President Bashar al-Assad’s removal in late 2024, the country’s airspace remained off-limits to commercial aviation.

This dramatic shift in flight patterns could prove financially beneficial for Syria, particularly after the country raised its airline fees earlier this year.

Using Syria’s newly implemented flat rate of $499 per aircraft, Reuters calculations suggest that May’s air traffic volume could have produced up to $5.9 million in overflight fees.

Officials from the General Authority for Civil Aviation refused to discuss potential revenue figures or provide details about the updated fee structure.

The routing changes began after U.S. and Israeli military actions initiated the Iran war on February 28, forcing the closure of Iraqi and Gulf airspace that carriers had previously depended upon during March.

While a ceasefire allowed airspace to reopen in April, flight-tracking services Flightradar24 and AirNav indicate that most European-bound flights from Dubai and Doha – two major global aviation centers – now travel across central Syria instead of Iraq.

Choosing Syrian routes reduces both travel time and fuel expenses, helping airlines offset rising international oil costs triggered by war-related disruptions.

According to Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Syria has enhanced its Damascus International Airport infrastructure after receiving sophisticated radar and navigation equipment from Turkey in late 2024.

Despite these improvements, OPSGroup, which monitors aviation risks, warns that Syrian airspace remains dangerous and currently operates under “procedural control only” – the most elementary form of air traffic management.

Aviation officials note that current traffic levels remain below half of pre-war volumes, with the increase primarily involving Gulf-based carriers. Europe’s aviation safety authority continues advising airlines to avoid the country and surrounding region due to ongoing Iran-related conflicts.

Carriers from Asia and North America are also largely steering clear of Middle Eastern airspace.

Syrian officials, however, express optimism about the trend.

“The increase in overflight traffic reflects the beginning of a real shift in how airlines view Syrian airspace, as a viable and dependable route once again within the regional air traffic network,” General Authority for Civil Aviation head Omar al-Hosari told Reuters.

Al-Hosari explained that GACA has modernized air routes, reevaluated traffic flows, and enhanced navigation, monitoring and air traffic management systems while implementing risk-focused safety evaluations that meet International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

As part of overhauling overflight payment procedures, GACA has contracted the fee collection process to Syrian ground handling companies, along with OPSGroup and International Flight Planning Solutions, a private Lebanese flight-planning business.

Syria’s uniform $499 flight fee – split between a $430 primary charge and a $69 communication cost – applies to all aircraft regardless of size, type or operational category, according to GACA documentation examined by Reuters and FAS Aero, a government-contracted handling agent. Ground handling companies frequently impose additional charges.

During Assad’s rule, Syria collected $75 from smaller aircraft for overflight privileges, or approximately $1 to $1.25 per metric ton for larger planes, according to OPSGroup and a Syrian aviation official who requested anonymity.

The GACA documentation also indicates a 50% fee reduction for domestic flights and Syrian-registered aircraft, plus complete exemptions for aircraft carrying heads of state, official government delegations, and search and rescue missions.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Political observers and analysts believe the United States’ recent classification of two Brazilian criminal organizations as terrorist groups represents a calculated political strategy designed to assist an ally of President Donald Trump, according to politicians and experts.

The criminal organizations now join eight additional Latin American organized crime syndicates that have received foreign terrorist organization status from the U.S. However, these Brazilian groups stand apart from the others because they don’t conduct operations on American soil.

The designation of First Capital Command, referred to as PCC, and Red Command, known as CV, came after presidential candidate Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro traveled to Washington last week. During his visit, he indicated he requested Trump administration officials to apply the terrorist designation to these groups.

Bolsonaro is seeking to defeat current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the upcoming October elections. The American decision strengthens the senator’s law-and-order platform while amplifying Bolsonaro’s attacks on Lula’s approach to public safety.

“The main driver of this decision was politics, to pressure Lula and help Flávio prior to the October election,” stated Latin America expert Brian Winter, who edits Americas Quarterly, a publication of the New York-based Council of Americas.

Carolina Grillo, a sociology professor at Fluminense Federal University in Rio de Janeiro and an expert on organized crime in Brazil, shared the view that the Trump administration’s action was designed to potentially influence the elections.

“The supply routes for cocaine entering the United States pass through Colombia, Mexico and Central American countries — not through Brazil,” Grillo explained, noting that over 90% of cocaine confiscated in Brazil is headed for European nations.

Lula has objected to the U.S. action, asserting that Brazil is handling its own problems, as demonstrated by recent arrests and an active investigation into PCC.

“I am very sad today, after the news that the secretary of state of the United States, a certain Marco Rubio, said that our criminals here are terrorists and that the Americans can intervene,” Lula stated on Friday. “We will not accept being treated like children. We will not accept being treated as if we were a banana republic.”

Lula’s approval ratings reached their highest point last year following Trump’s implementation of a 50% tariff increase on Brazilian goods.

However, Creomar de Souza, an analyst with political risk consultancy firm Dharma in Brasilia, suggested it won’t be as straightforward for Lula to connect this latest U.S. action with national sovereignty issues.

“First of all, there’s Flávio’s propaganda. He will be able to hit hard against Lula’s Achilles heel, public security,” de Souza explained. “And this also depends on how the administration explains this to the public. It is not as simple as antagonizing Trump on tariffs.”

Trump has publicly backed Latin American politicians who have expressed support for him, including José Antonio Kast in Chile, Javier Milei in Argentina and Daniel Noboa in Ecuador.

Flávio Bolsonaro, similar to his father, has promoted the idea of the U.S. under Trump displacing China as Brazil’s primary trading partner.

“The Trump administration dreamed of having a candidate here to give them leverage in the economy front,” explained Carlos Melo, a political science professor at the Insper university in Sao Paulo.

A senior Ukrainian official expressed optimism Monday about the possibility of securing a peace agreement with Russia before the winter months arrive.

Kyrylo Budanov, who serves as chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, described the timeline as a “realistic” possibility during remarks to the press.

The Ukrainian leader had previously stated in a weekend television interview his desire to advance diplomatic discussions with Russia, which have been dormant in recent months, ahead of winter’s arrival. Zelenskiy cited Ukraine’s enhanced strategic standing as a factor in the timing.

American-mediated discussions aimed at establishing a peace framework have stalled as Washington has turned its attention to the Iranian conflict.

Budanov indicated that a United States diplomatic team is expected to travel to both Moscow and Kyiv in the coming period, though he provided no additional specifics.

Speaking at a news briefing, he stated: “This is the president’s instruction: to try to end this war as soon as possible … preferably before winter. In my opinion, this is absolutely correct, timely, and realistic.”

Ukrainian leadership, including Zelenskiy, has reported that Russian military progress has decelerated while Ukraine has stepped up its long-distance strike operations within Russian territory, focusing primarily on petroleum facilities.

Last week, a high-ranking Ukrainian military leader indicated the country has a half-year period to gain battlefield momentum and improve its negotiating position for future peace discussions.

Massive demonstrations by ultra-Orthodox Jews brought Israel to a virtual standstill Monday as tens of thousands took to the streets opposing compulsory military service, shutting down major roadways and rail lines while setting vehicles ablaze.

Israeli police reported that demonstrators occupied key traffic intersections and assaulted a military member who got off a bus near the demonstration site. Authorities deployed water cannons and mounted officers in attempts to manage the unruly crowds.

The demonstrations effectively paralyzed Israel’s central region, forcing highway closures and suspending public transit services as massive crowds gathered in Jerusalem and throughout the Tel Aviv metropolitan region.

While military service remains mandatory for most Jewish citizens in Israel, ultra-Orthodox political factions have secured religious exemptions allowing their members to avoid military duty in favor of religious seminary education. However, these exemptions now face potential elimination.

Growing numbers of Israelis express frustration with the existing arrangement that permits ultra-Orthodox men to avoid military obligations while the armed forces face severe personnel shortages and many citizens complete multiple reserve deployments. This controversy threatens Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, potentially accelerating fall elections after ultra-Orthodox parties removed their backing for Netanyahu.

Annual statistics show approximately 13,000 ultra-Orthodox men reach the draft age of 18, yet fewer than 10% actually enlist, parliamentary committee data reveals.

Confronting acute personnel deficits, military leadership considers extending mandatory service periods. Most Jewish men must complete nearly three years of active duty plus additional reserve obligations, while Jewish women serve two mandatory years.

“This public is determined, they see this as a war for their lives,” said Israel Tropper, a demonstrator in Jerusalem. “From their perspective, going into the Israeli army means giving up religion … we don’t want to give up our religion, so from our perspective it’s a war for our lives.” He added that there is no way to force tens of thousands of people vehemently opposed to the idea to serve in the military.

Protest signs displayed strong opposition to Israel, reading “We would rather die as Jews than live as Zionists” and “We refuse to serve an army for the sake of the Zionist religion.”

The ultra-Orthodox community, representing approximately 13% of Israeli population and its most rapidly expanding demographic, has historically obtained exemptions for full-time religious seminary students. These exemptions originated with Israel’s establishment in 1948, when limited numbers of students aimed to rebuild Jewish educational institutions devastated by the Holocaust.

These exemptions, along with government financial support for seminary students until age 26, have angered many Israelis. Israel currently maintains simultaneous military operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria while confronting Iran, severely straining its capable but overstretched armed forces.

Israel’s Supreme Court declared these exemptions unlawful in 2017, though repeated postponements and government stalling tactics have maintained their existence.

Within Israel’s Jewish population, mandatory military service functions as both a unifying experience and traditional milestone. Many within the isolated ultra-Orthodox community worry that military service would subject young people to secular cultural influences.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — The president of the European Council, António Costa, declared Monday that this week’s summit between European Union officials and Western Balkan hopeful member states is designed to demonstrate that expansion opportunities are genuine.

During remarks in Bosnia as he began a regional tour ahead of the summit, Costa emphasized that given current worldwide geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, “enlargement is a geostrategic interest for Europe.”

“It (enlargement) is an investment in the peace, stability and security of our continent,” Costa stated. “This tour is a clear sign that the commitment of the European Union to the Western Balkans is real. As real as the opportunity for enlargement.”

Costa will serve as co-chair for Friday’s summit taking place in Montenegro, bringing together EU leadership with senior officials from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro.

Each of the six countries finds itself at varying points in the membership application process, with Montenegro and Albania currently in the lead positions. The EU has recently intensified efforts to promote reforms among these hopeful nations due to concerns about expanding Russian and Chinese influence.

Ukraine and Moldova also number among roughly ten countries seeking to become part of the bloc.

Nations seeking membership must align their legislation across 35 policy areas, known as “chapters,” covering everything from judicial standards to agricultural and fishing regulations. All 27 existing EU members must reach consensus before any chapter can begin, and again before completion.

Friday’s gathering at the Adriatic Sea resort of Tivat will serve as “a clear demonstration of our determination to bring forward our cooperation and build on the momentum of the European Union’s enlargement,” Costa explained.

Bosnia has fallen behind other candidates, remaining significantly fractured along ethnic divisions decades after the 1992-95 conflict that claimed over 100,000 lives and forced millions from their homes. Bosnian Serb separatist leadership with pro-Russia leanings continues advocating for maximum autonomy — the same approach that originally triggered the ethnic warfare following the dissolution of the former Yugoslav federation.

Costa’s visit occurs as an international organization responsible for monitoring peace in Bosnia, created through a U.S.-mediated peace accord, prepares to select a new High Representative this week after German diplomat Christian Schmidt stepped down.

The High Representative possesses authority to modify legislation and remove officials who threaten post-conflict reconciliation efforts. Bosnian media outlets have indicated that Peace Implementation Council member nations remain split regarding the replacement choice.

“If the future of the country is in the European Union it’s important that the new high representative … embodies Bosnia and Herzegovina choice to pursue European Union accession,” Costa remarked.

He advised Bosnian leadership that “now is the time to focus on your goal and accelerate the pace of reforms.”

A commercial cargo ship experienced two separate blasts while navigating Gulf waters roughly 40 nautical miles from Iraq’s Umm Qasr port on Monday, with Iraqi authorities confirming at least one explosion resulted from a drone strike.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) initially reported that some type of projectile struck the vessel’s starboard side, resulting in a significant blast.

Iraqi officials later informed Reuters that a second explosion hit the same ship, which preliminary investigations indicate was caused by a drone attack.

Crew members successfully extinguished the fire that broke out on the vessel following the incidents, the officials confirmed.

Authorities have not identified who was behind the attack, and details about the targeted ship remain unavailable.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum accused far-right elements in the United States on Monday of working alongside domestic groups to target her administration, intensifying her criticism of Mexico’s primary trading partner.

Her comments came after a weekend gathering where Sheinbaum criticized what she described as meddling by U.S. government departments and business groups.

“I believe it is sectors of the far right in the United States who want a bad relationship with Mexico” due to “ideological” differences, Sheinbaum stated during a press briefing.

The leftist leader indicated she does not think these efforts are being directed by her U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump.

Diplomatic ties between the neighboring countries have deteriorated since Trump started his second presidency in January, with disagreements over trade tariffs and border policies creating friction.

The situation worsened in April when the U.S. Department of Justice brought charges against 10 Mexican officials, including Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha from the ruling Morena party, over suspected connections to narcotics smuggling.

Since the U.S. charges against Morena party members, Sheinbaum has strengthened her appeals to safeguard Mexico’s national independence.

“Who decides in Mexico, foreign agencies or the people?” Sheinbaum asked her supporters on Sunday during a gathering marking the second anniversary of her 2024 presidential victory. “We are going to defend Mexico’s sovereignty and independence.”

Mexico’s legislature recently passed a constitutional change last week that would permit canceling elections due to “foreign interference.” Critics from opposition parties have condemned the measure as an excuse to call new elections when results don’t favor the governing party.

Even with the diplomatic tensions, Sheinbaum maintains solid support at home. A survey from newspaper El Financiero revealed her approval rating at 69%, recovering from a minor drop that started in March.

The leader of the United Nations maritime organization says conditions in Gulf waters remain too dangerous to evacuate thousands of sailors trapped on ships, even with an ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization, spoke with Reuters on Sunday before the Posidonia shipping industry week began in Athens. He explained that rescue operations cannot begin until underlying issues are resolved.

“We will not be able to activate anything until the root causes are addressed and there is more of a final agreement, a ceasefire, or complete agreement, between the parties involved in the conflict,” Dominguez stated.

Approximately 20,000 seafarers remain trapped on ships in the Gulf as Iran continues limiting vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

“In the meantime, it’s going to be too risky to take any actions in moving the seafarers because there are no guarantees on their safety,” Dominguez explained.

According to IMO statistics, eleven sailors have lost their lives in Gulf waters since the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran started on Feb. 28.

The maritime organization has been working to establish a secure shipping corridor that would allow trapped vessels to leave safely. Dominguez said recent discussions involving Iran took place in Oman.

“You get announcements that the Strait of Hormuz is open, and then a few hours later, the Strait of Hormuz is closed. We can’t take the risk until we have something more secure,” he noted.

The strait typically handles 20% of global daily crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, but traffic has dwindled to just a few tankers.

Shipping companies say their crews desperately need a negotiated safe passage after three months of being stranded.

Pankaj Khanna, CEO of Heidmar Maritime Holdings Corp, spoke to Reuters during a Capital Link shipping conference in Athens on Monday. He described the human cost of the crisis.

“The seafarers on board are missing out, not only on seeing their families but also on births, on deaths, on marriages,” Khanna said.

Khanna’s company has one vessel that has been trapped in Gulf waters for three months.

“What we need is obviously a framework, rules, regulation, whatever tells us exactly how we can go in and get out. So even if a peace deal was signed, that needs to be clarified,” he added.

Brazilian authorities are putting finishing touches on major law enforcement initiatives aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating within the online gambling and tobacco industries, according to a high-ranking government insider who spoke with Reuters on Monday.

The upcoming operations are part of a broader approach focused on cutting off funding sources for criminal enterprises, the official explained, noting that these plans will remain unchanged despite the United States’ recent decision to classify the nation’s two largest criminal organizations as terrorist groups.

Authorities believe criminal networks have established significant involvement in tobacco smuggling operations and unauthorized tobacco sales, while also penetrating unlicensed gambling websites that remain active despite new regulations governing Brazil’s betting industry.

According to the source, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions, both criminal sectors are reportedly utilizing smaller financial companies, including financial technology firms, to wash illicit proceeds.

“These operations could take place at any moment,” the official stated, explaining that precise timing remains uncertain because of the complex coordination required between law enforcement agencies, prosecution offices, and court systems.

Israeli military forces have reclaimed control of a historic medieval fortress in southern Lebanon that carries deep symbolic meaning from decades of regional conflict.

The ancient Beaufort Castle, constructed nine centuries ago, fell back into Israeli hands on Saturday as troops advanced into territory they had previously controlled during an 18-year military presence from 1982 to 2000. That earlier occupation ended after sustained attacks by Hezbollah forced their withdrawal.

The current military action against the Iran-supported Shi’ite organization has brought Israeli forces back to this Crusader-era stronghold, which holds UNESCO cultural protection status, amid fighting that has displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated the fortress’s recapture, addressing criticism of his military strategy in Lebanon and Iran.

“I remind you that, 44 years ago, this place was a symbol of a heroic battle by our fighters, but it was also a symbol of deep division among us,” he said.

“Today, we returned to Beaufort differently. We returned united, determined, and stronger than ever.”

Hezbollah representatives stated they maintained no military operations at the castle when Israeli forces arrived, though combat continues in nearby areas.

The fortress sits dramatically above the Litani River, offering commanding sightlines toward the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights six miles eastward and the Mediterranean Sea 25 miles westward, making it a crucial strategic position.

Originally constructed by a Crusader leader in the 12th century on top of existing fortifications, the castle later fell to the renowned Muslim commander Saladin before passing through the hands of the Knights Templar and Egypt’s Mamluk rulers.

Independent Middle East security expert Riad Kahwaji emphasized that modern warfare technology hasn’t diminished the location’s military importance.

“The site for the castle was chosen because of its significant strategic location. The significance has not declined with time. It’s still important, especially in ground operations,” he said.

During Lebanon’s civil conflict that began in 1975, Palestine Liberation Organisation militants used the deteriorating castle ruins as an operational base for attacks against Israel.

Israel’s 1982 invasion, which reached as far as Beirut, included seizing the fortress as a command center for operations in the predominantly Shi’ite Muslim southern region.

Battle damage from Israeli bombardments of PLO positions in the 1970s and subsequent Hezbollah assaults on Israeli troops in the 1980s and 1990s remains visible on the castle walls today.

For Lebanese residents, the fortress became an enduring reminder of foreign occupation, with Israeli flags prominently displayed atop one of the area’s highest peaks while soldiers maintained surveillance below.

“The fact that they’re back now in Beaufort I think is reminiscent of that era and that level of control over people’s lives,” said Mohanad Hage Ali, deputy director for research at the Carnegie Middle East Center.

“It’s an occupation that you can see.”

Following Israel’s 2000 withdrawal after years of costly fighting, Hezbollah’s yellow banner flying from the castle battlements became central to the group’s victory messaging.

This history creates conflicted emotions among Israelis regarding the fortress.

“It was a symbol for heroism,” said Danny Orbach, a military historian at Israel’s Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

“But it was also a symbol in the eyes of many of the futility of war; the narrative that Israel has nothing to do with Lebanon.”

However, following Israel’s intensive 2024 campaign against Hezbollah and territorial gains this year, those perceptions may be shifting.

“Israel occupying Beaufort is actually telling Hezbollah and the world: we overcame the trauma. We’re not afraid anymore,” Orbach said.

After a brief 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the castle was largely demilitarized and carefully renovated as a tourist destination.

UNESCO, which does not include Israel as a member nation, recognizes the site as among the Middle East’s finest preserved medieval fortresses and recently placed it on a special protection list during the current conflict.

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian researchers have discovered a remarkable collection of ancient treasures, including burial furnishings from the Pharaonic era, remnants of a Roman religious structure, and a carved marble representation of Aphrodite, the Greek deity associated with love and beauty.

These findings, revealed on Sunday, represent part of Egypt’s strategy to revitalize its tourism sector and generate revenue for its struggling economy. Central to this initiative was the November opening of the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum, a massive development situated close to the renowned Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx.

The basilica remnants and Aphrodite sculpture were discovered at an ancient burial ground in Beni Suef province, located 130 kilometres (80 miles) south of Cairo, according to the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry.

The Ehnasiya burial site, also recognized by its historical Roman designation Heracleópolis Magna, ranked among ancient Egypt’s most important urban centers.

Mohammed Abdel-Badei, who leads the antiquities department at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that researchers discovered massive stone blocks that supported columns, with some weighing as much as 45 tons and used in the basilica’s construction. He noted that three blocks continue to stand in their original locations.

The Aphrodite sculpture, measuring approximately 24 centimeters by 25 centimeters (9½ inches by nearly 10 inches), displays intricate details of the deity’s facial features and flowing hair, demonstrating the traditional artistic styles of Greek and Roman eras, according to his description.

Researchers discovered carved writings connected to Senusret III, whose reign spanned from 1837 B.C. to 1819 B.C. during the historic 12th Dynasty. These inscriptions feature his royal and birth designations of the Pharaoh, alternatively called Sesostris III, who stands as one of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom’s most notable leaders.

Additional discoveries included pieces of wall sculptures and clay molds, thought to have been utilized for creating coins during Roman rule. These artifacts demonstrate that Ehnasiya served as a bustling economic and trade center while Egypt remained under Roman control from 30 B.C. to A.D. 395, Abdel-Badei explained.

In Cairo, researchers uncovered an almost intact collection of burial furnishings in the Matariya district, which previously belonged to the historic city of Heliopolis, the ministry reported.

Abdel-Badei explained that excavators found a mud brick tomb containing golden remains within a coffin, thought to belong to a military official. They also discovered various beauty implements, including a bronze mirror and alabaster containers for eye makeup.

Researchers also found a set of yellow-toned metal earrings, featuring five pairs of different dimensions, suspected to be crafted from gold, he added.

The discoveries in Beni Suef and Cairo represent the most recent archaeological finds, which officials hope will strengthen the crucial tourism industry, partly sustained by visitors interested in ancient sites.

The tourism sector has faced challenges during periods of political unrest and conflict following the 2011 uprising. Recently, it has begun recovering from the coronavirus pandemic and economic impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict — both nations serve as significant sources of Egyptian tourists.

A historic total of approximately 19 million visitors traveled to Egypt last year, representing a 21% growth from 2024, based on government statistics. The initial four months of 2026 recorded 6.1 million tourists entering the country, compared to 5.7 million during the corresponding period in 2025, the prime minister’s office announced in May.

LONDON, June 1 (Reuters) — The British government on Monday made public extensive documentation connected to Peter Mandelson’s selection as U.S. ambassador, providing insight into Westminster’s sharp-tongued political environment and the complicated vetting process for his role.

The controversy surrounding Mandelson, which led to the exit of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s top advisor, has emerged as a central point of attack against the prime minister, who is struggling to maintain his position amid a likely leadership contest.

Through a massive 1,504-page release, officials published communications spanning from background check emails to private WhatsApp conversations in what appears to be an effort to shift attention away from Starmer while demonstrating that Mandelson was not completely honest about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

MANDELSON: ‘YOU WILL NEVER REGRET’ THE APPOINTMENT

According to one document, officials contacted Mandelson on March 31 requesting access to information stored on his personal device as part of their review of his selection and duties — a request he refused to fulfill.

Personal communications from Mandelson — who was dismissed from cabinet positions twice during Tony Blair’s tenure as Labour’s most enduring prime minister — reveal his frequent conversations with Labour party figures, advocating for his candidacy and occasionally sharing harsh assessments of the administration.

In a note written by hand to then-foreign minister David Lammy on November 18, 2024, Mandelson stated: “I just wanted you to know that if you were minded to appoint me (as ambassador), I would make sure you never regret it.”

He additionally mentioned becoming “tonto” regarding the administration’s delay in approving a customized red ministerial box intended as a present for U.S. President Donald Trump, employing slang that means losing one’s temper.

He also criticized Starmer directly, informing senior minister Pat McFadden that he felt “Keir is not leading from the front”.

During that same conversation, McFadden informed Mandelson that the administration was “asking the wrong questions”, explaining that every discussion centered on “who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others”.

Officials hope that making these documents and communications public will end ongoing questions about Starmer’s decision-making in selecting someone whose relationship with Epstein was already known. However, this is unlikely to quiet demands for the prime minister to resign following Labour’s defeat in last month’s local elections.

Mandelson faces a police inquiry regarding allegations that he shared confidential government materials with the deceased Epstein. He is not accused of any sexual wrongdoing.

A preliminary set of documents was made available in March, revealing that Starmer had been cautioned about the dangers of the appointment, not only concerning Mandelson’s Epstein connections but also due to the Labour veteran’s advocacy for strengthened relations with China.

Starmer currently confronts a potential leadership battle later this year, should his primary opponent, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, secure a parliamentary seat in the June 18 election.

Iran is pursuing a temporary agreement with the United States as a strategy to reduce economic pressures and stabilize conditions domestically, while steering clear of significant compromises regarding its nuclear activities, sources and analysts report.

This strategy represents a well-established pattern for the Islamic Republic: withstanding pressure, preventing permanent concessions, and maintaining diplomatic talks without altering fundamental stances, according to three Iranian sources with ties to decision-makers.

However, the current initiative stems from more pressing concerns. Government officials view a narrow agreement as an opportunity to gain time, secure financial assistance, and manage increasing domestic threats from a worsening economy without tackling the most divisive matters.

This diplomatic activity comes after weeks of intensification following U.S.-Israeli strikes in late February that escalated into wider regional hostilities. Iranian offensive actions throughout the Gulf region increased concerns about the safety of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for approximately one-fifth of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Three months later, despite a fragile ceasefire established in early April, the situation has solidified into deadlock. A U.S. blockade targeting Iranian ports and Tehran’s control over the Strait have maintained reciprocal pressure, increasing economic expenses while leaving the possibility of renewed combat unaddressed.

Given these circumstances, both nations have reduced expectations for a complete resolution. They are instead examining what officials characterize as a temporary memorandum — essentially an interim agreement — designed to prevent a return to open warfare while postponing fundamental disagreements about Iran’s nuclear operations.

For Tehran, this type of arrangement serves mainly as a method to transform military and economic pressure into financial resources, relief, and reduced tensions, without restricting sensitive nuclear activities.

Iran wants an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, access to billions of dollars in oil revenues, waivers on crude exports, removal of the U.S. port blockade, and maintained control over the strait — while delaying decisions on the most controversial matters.

The structure would focus on temporary relief and gradual access through the waterway, leaving unanswered questions about enrichment capabilities and Tehran’s inventory of highly enriched uranium, including material enriched to 60%.

Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said Tehran’s reasoning is influenced more by economic pressure and uncertainty than battlefield threats.

“Iranian leaders understand that time is not necessarily on their side… their calculation appears to be that dialogue, even limited dialogue, is preferable to entering an open-ended period of economic attrition and uncertainty that could gradually weaken its ability to govern at home and project influence abroad.”

The success of negotiations carries significant weight. President Donald Trump faces pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce U.S. fuel costs, while defending against criticism from Iran hawks within his own Republican party regarding any concessions to Tehran.

Iran’s leadership also confronts domestic challenges. Extended sanctions, economic mismanagement, and conflict have driven inflation, currency devaluation, and a steep drop in living standards.

Immediate financial assistance is therefore essential to Tehran’s interest in a preliminary agreement, sources indicated, as it could maintain economic operations, reduce urgent pressures, and prevent a return of civil unrest.

In January, Iran’s clerical establishment and the Revolutionary Guards killed thousands while suppressing nationwide protests sparked by economic grievances.

Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin, said a memorandum could also tackle growing concerns about the system’s long-term durability.

“By ending the conflict, reducing economic strain, removing U.S. military pressure around Iran, and creating space for reconstruction, an MoU could help prevent a gradual erosion of state capacity and governance,” Azizi said.

The Strait of Hormuz continues to be fundamental to Iran’s leverage. Within the clerical establishment, it is increasingly viewed less as a negotiating tool than as a lasting strategic advantage.

Any agreement that restores shipping while maintaining that leverage would preserve Tehran’s influence over the chokepoint, sources indicated, permitting traffic to resume while stability remains connected to political negotiation.

One source said a limited deal would effectively restore prewar conditions without forcing Iran to surrender to Washington’s demands, adding: “With the start of the war, Trump gave Iran the gift of control over the Strait.”

PLZEN, Czech Republic – A Czech court ruled Monday that German far-right activist Marla-Svenja Liebich, who has been convicted of several crimes, may be sent back to Germany. The case has generated significant discussion regarding which correctional facility should house her following her legal gender transition.

The activist maintains the option to challenge the extradition decision, according to a court spokesperson.

In 2023, while legally recognized as male and going by the name Sven, Liebich received an 18-month prison sentence for various violations including inciting hatred, insults, unlawful entry, and defamation.

The conviction was confirmed by the Halle regional court in Germany during August 2024. A subsequent challenge to a regional court was rejected in May 2025.

Following the implementation of Germany’s Self-Determination Act on November 1, 2024, which allows people to modify their gender identification paperwork, Liebich officially transitioned to female status and took the name Marla-Svenja.

According to regional correctional facility assignment protocols, this change necessitated her placement at Chemnitz women’s prison.

The decision drew backlash, with critics claiming tactical exploitation of the legislation and raising concerns about possible gaps in the law. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt characterized the situation as proof of the law’s vulnerability to misuse.

Liebich escaped and did not surrender to the correctional facility in August 2025. Czech authorities captured her this year in a community close to the German border.

At a preliminary court session in Plzen on May 18, she resisted extradition, expressing concerns about potential placement in a men’s correctional facility.

Crowds gathered in the Kenyan town of Nanyuki on Monday, demonstrating against American plans to establish an Ebola isolation facility at a nearby military installation, according to local witnesses who spoke with Reuters. The demonstration came several days after Kenya’s High Court issued a temporary halt to the project.

The court issued its suspension order on Friday following legal action that argued the proposed location could pose risks to community health and safety.

American officials described the proposed 50-bed facility at the Laikipia county air force installation as a treatment center for Americans who have had contact with the virus but show no symptoms. Kenya’s leadership has endorsed the project, with Health Minister Aden Duale stating Saturday that the facility represents part of broader efforts to enhance emergency preparedness capabilities.

According to American officials, the facility was scheduled to begin operations last Friday. Multiple military aircraft were observed arriving and departing from Nanyuki throughout the previous week and weekend, which diplomatic sources and analysts suggested indicated continued American preparations despite the judicial suspension.

A Reuters correspondent reported Saturday that police and military forces had strengthened their presence along routes approaching the air installation.

Video footage from Monday revealed approximately 100 demonstrators positioned roughly 4 kilometers from the proposed facility location, using whistles and some positioned on a pickup truck. Smoke was visible from materials burning in the roadway. Community members estimated the total number of protesters reached into the hundreds.

Local television networks NTV Kenya and Citizen Kenya broadcast images of people gathered near a wall surrounding the air installation, showing a tank positioned there with several soldiers standing guard.

Patrick Wahome, among those organizing the demonstration, explained to Reuters that participants wanted the medical facility permanently closed by Tuesday, June 9.

“Nanyuki is a very small town. The military personnel who serve the base… live with us. Our kids go to the same schools and that means if anyone is infected, we are all infected,” he said.

“We are picketing for our lives,” he added.

Local business owner Patrick Maina said he had to close his cafe and characterized the circumstances as “very bad.”

“We haven’t opened since morning and it’s likely to be worse tomorrow,” he told Reuters.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed a U.S. military C-130 cargo aircraft arrived in Nanyuki as recently as Friday afternoon.

Two local residents also reported observing military aircraft approaching the installation over the weekend, though Reuters could not verify whether these were American aircraft.

Israeli defense officials revealed Monday that France has prohibited government representatives from Israel from participating in the Eurosatory defense exhibition scheduled for this month in Paris.

According to the announcement from Israel’s Defence Ministry, French authorities have also imposed restrictions on Israeli weapons manufacturers, preventing them from showcasing offensive military systems at the exhibition. The companies will only be allowed to present “air defence products” during the event.

Military officials from China and the United States conducted discussions in Hawaii late last month, with both sides describing the talks as productive and straightforward, according to a statement released Monday by the Chinese navy.

The Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working group convened from May 28 through May 29, focusing on air and sea safety protocols and exploring ways to strengthen military maritime security cooperation. Both delegations concluded that enhanced communication between their forces could help prevent misunderstandings and promote greater professionalism in military operations.

In its official statement, China’s navy also outlined its position on regional security matters. “China firmly opposes any action to undermine China’s sovereignty and security under the pretext of freedom of navigation and overflight, (and) opposes any infringement, provocation and close-in reconnaissance and harassment targeting China,” the statement added.

British immigration officials announced Monday they have prevented two political commentators from entering the United Kingdom for planned speaking engagements.

The commentators affected are Hasan Piker, a Turkish American who streams political content online, and Cenk Uygur, who runs the “Young Turks” internet political program and is said to be Piker’s uncle. Piker, who regularly criticizes U.S. President Donald Trump, Israel and the Gaza conflict, has built a following of 2.8 million on the Twitch platform.

Immigration authorities revoked the electronic travel permits for both men, stating their entry “may not be conducive to the public good,” according to the Home Office.

“Decisions to refuse or cancel an ETA on these grounds are based solely on an assessment of the potential risk an individual may pose to U.K. society,” the Home Office explained.

Both men had been scheduled to appear at SXSW London, a festival celebrating culture, technology and creativity, happening this month. Uygur was additionally set to address the Oxford Union, the well-known student debate organization.

Responding on his YouTube channel, Piker stated: “A sad state of affairs where obviously the interests of Israel take the highest priority.”

On the social media platform X, Uygur wrote he had been prohibited “for criticizing Israel. Are we free any more?”

Piker has drawn controversy for certain statements, including expressing support for the Hamas militant organization, which both the U.K. and U.S. classify as a terrorist group.

Hamas-led fighters launched an assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 people taken captive, sparking the current Gaza war.

A Labour lawmaker named David Taylor, who had advocated for blocking Piker’s entry, stated that “there is no reason we should open our doors to those who seek to spread hate and division, especially someone who’s supported a proscribed terror group.”

However, Green Party leader Zack Polanski argued the government was “doing everything possible to silence criticism of the Israeli government.”

This action follows a similar decision in April when British authorities prevented rapper Ye, previously called Kanye West, from entering the country for a scheduled London festival performance following controversy over his antisemitic statements.

At that time, Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared his administration “stands firmly with the Jewish community, and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism.”