Category: World News

Diplomatic tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified as Tehran pulls back from scheduled peace negotiations, undermining Pakistan’s extensive mediation efforts.

Iran’s decision to once again threaten closure of the Strait of Hormuz demonstrates that current ceasefire agreements and diplomatic talks remain precarious and unstable, despite Pakistan’s continued intervention attempts.

Pakistani military leader Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both returned to their country on Saturday following separate diplomatic missions focused on resolving the Iranian conflict. Yet new friction between Tehran and Washington has become evident.

Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives, combined with encouraging responses from Iran and recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, had indicated that American and Iranian representatives would reconvene for discussions in Islamabad by Monday.

The diplomatic landscape shifted dramatically Saturday afternoon when Iranian officials began issuing statements declaring their nation unprepared to join the Islamabad negotiations.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh rejected the proposed timeline and scheduling for upcoming U.S.-Iran discussions.

Speaking with journalists at a diplomatic conference in Antalya, southern Turkey, on Saturday, Khatibzadeh characterized American assertions about the next negotiation round’s timing as “contradictory and vague,” according to Iranian state-run Press TV.

Khatibzadeh emphasized Iran’s unwavering dedication to diplomatic solutions despite current delicate circumstances, while calling on the United States to abandon its “maximalist approach” and honor international laws to guarantee “result-oriented diplomacy.”

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced Saturday that officials are examining “new proposals” delivered from the United States via Pakistani intermediaries, while emphasizing there will be no relaxation or concessions during negotiations.

Iranian state media reported that the security council’s statement indicated these proposals arrived during Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran.

Iran emphasized that its diplomatic representatives “will make no concessions, will not step back, and will not show weakness, but will firmly defend the interests of the Iranian nation.”

President Donald Trump cautioned Iran on Saturday against what he characterized as continuous changes in position regarding the Strait of Hormuz, declaring Washington would not be “blackmailed” on this matter.

During a White House gathering, President Trump stated: “We are talking to them (Iran). They wanted to close the Strait again, as they have done for years, but they cannot blackmail us.”

President Trump indicated that “very good talks” are continuing with Iran.

Nevertheless, the Iranian Tasnim News Agency reported Saturday, citing unnamed sources, that “Iran has so far not agreed on the next round of talks with the United States due to President Trump’s announcement regarding a naval blockade of Iran, as well as Washington’s excessive demands in the negotiations, which have continued in the recent exchange of messages.”

Pakistan continues establishing itself as a crucial intermediary between Washington and Tehran.

Observers contend that regional complications and conflicting international priorities have become so intricate that mediation by a single nation may prove inadequate to completely reduce tensions.

Despite these challenges, a Pakistani military statement confirmed the country’s dedication to pursuing comprehensive efforts toward achieving peace between Iran and the United States.

Pakistan has not yet provided any official statement regarding these recent developments that have quickly altered the diplomatic situation. However, Islamabad’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy continues operating at full capacity, while extensive security measures have been implemented in preparation for anticipated foreign delegate arrivals for the discussions.

A Coast Guard search aircraft has located a capsized ship that may be the missing cargo vessel Mariana, which vanished with six people aboard during a powerful typhoon near Saipan, officials announced Saturday.

The HC-130 Hercules search plane discovered the overturned vessel Saturday morning approximately 100 nautical miles northeast of where the Mariana was last tracked, according to Coast Guard officials. The capsized ship was found 34 nautical miles northeast of Pagan, a small island located north of Saipan in the western Pacific.

Coast Guard officials confirmed the capsized vessel appears consistent with the Mariana’s description – a 145-foot dry cargo ship registered in the United States.

The cargo vessel experienced engine trouble Wednesday when Typhoon Sinlaku approached Saipan and surrounding islands, bringing destructive winds and heavy rainfall. After the crew radioed that their starboard engine had failed and they required help, Coast Guard personnel established hourly radio contact with the ship.

However, all communication ceased Thursday. A search aircraft departed that morning but was forced to return to Guam because of dangerous wind conditions.

The Mariana’s final recorded location was roughly 140 miles north-northwest of Saipan, positioned about 3,800 miles west of Hawaii.

Coast Guard headquarters in Honolulu is collecting details about the capsized vessel, according to an official statement.

Authorities have not released information about the crew members’ nationalities.

Multiple assets will join the ongoing search operation, including a U.S. Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft, a Coast Guard cutter, and Japanese coast guard aircraft and vessels with specialized diving capabilities.

Typhoon Sinlaku caused extensive damage across Saipan, creating flooding, destroying rooftops, and flipping vehicles. The storm’s massive size subjected the island to approximately 48 hours of destructive winds, hampering emergency responders’ efforts to evaluate damage and assist affected communities.

An Israeli reserve soldier lost his life and three others sustained injuries Friday when an explosive went off during a weapons search mission in southern Lebanon, just 24 hours after a ceasefire agreement between the two nations began.

Israeli military officials identified the deceased as Warrant Officer (res.) Barak Kalfon, age 48, who served with the 226th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade’s 7056th Battalion and lived in Adi. Preliminary military reports indicate the explosion happened while soldiers were examining a structure for weapons in the village of Al-Jibbain, and the device was not triggered from a distance.

Thursday’s ceasefire agreement requires Israel to avoid military operations unless under attack, while maintaining its authority to defend against threats.

Saturday brought additional developments when Israeli forces from the 401st Armored Brigade reported encountering what they described as “a cell of terrorists that violated the ceasefire understandings and approached the forces in a manner that posed an immediate threat, during their activity in southern Lebanon, south of the forward defense line area used to prevent a direct threat to northern communities.”

Military officials also announced they targeted a tunnel entrance after witnessing Hezbollah fighters emerging from the location.

In a separate development, Axios news outlet reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed surprise at President Donald Trump’s social media statement claiming Israel was “prohibited” from attacking Hezbollah. Trump posted on Truth Social: “Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!”

The post led Israel to request clarification from the White House over concerns it contradicted the ceasefire terms. Speaking with Axios, Trump maintained his position, stating: “Israel has to stop. They can’t continue to blow buildings up. I am not gonna allow it.”

A U.S. official subsequently clarified that policy remained unchanged, explaining: “The President’s ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel clearly states that Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets but preserves its right to self-defense against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks.”

A 19-year-old Kurdish female fighter has died following an Iranian drone attack in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, marking another tragic loss in the ongoing conflict between Iranian forces and Kurdish opposition groups.

Ghazal Molan was laid to rest Thursday afternoon in Sulaymaniyah amid continued Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps drone and missile attacks throughout the region. Mourners gathered to honor the young woman who had become known as the youngest female Peshmerga fighter opposing Iran’s Islamic Republic.

The fatal attack occurred Tuesday evening when Iranian forces launched a drone strike against a residential complex in Surdash that housed families connected to the Komala Zahmtkeshan Party of Iranian Kurdistan. Molan sustained critical injuries in the strike and later succumbed to her wounds.

At just 18 years old, Molan had crossed the border to join Kurdish armed resistance forces fighting against the Iranian government. Her death has drawn attention to the broader struggle of Kurdish opposition groups operating in the region.

Omar Ilkhanizadeh, who serves as deputy secretary-general of Komala, emphasized the significance of Kurdish forces in regional politics. “Kurdish forces represent a key part of any alternative to the Islamic Republic, embodying principles such as pluralism, secularism, and democratic freedoms,” Ilkhanizadeh stated.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Iran and Kurdish opposition movements, with Iranian forces continuing to target Kurdish positions across the border in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Region.

South Korean military officials reported Sunday that North Korea launched a ballistic missile in an eastward direction, according to the Yonhap News Agency.

The missile launch represents the first such test conducted by North Korea since April 8, adding to a string of similar weapons tests that have occurred throughout this year.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff provided the information about the launch to Yonhap News Agency. When contacted for additional details, South Korea’s Defense Ministry had not yet provided a response to requests for comment.

Representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government and the rebel group Alliance Fleuve Congo have reached significant agreements during peace talks held in Switzerland this week, according to a Saturday announcement from the U.S. State Department.

The two sides made substantial headway on establishing protocols covering humanitarian aid access, judicial protections, monitoring of ceasefire conditions, and the freeing of detained individuals, State Department officials reported.

In a joint statement released by the State Department alongside both the Congolese government and rebel representatives, the negotiating parties committed to ending attacks on civilian populations and ensuring safe passage for aid workers and relief supply convoys operating in the region.

Iran shut down the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz shipping channel on Saturday, responding to U.S. naval blockade actions with a declaration that the waterway will stay sealed until “the war fully ends and lasting peace is achieved in the region.”

During a White House press briefing, President Trump minimized the significance of Iran’s action while noting that diplomatic discussions with Tehran continue to advance positively.

Iran “got a little cute” by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, Trump told reporters, emphasizing that negotiations are “working really well.” The president noted “They wanted to close up the strait again,” but insisted “they can’t blackmail us.”

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a formal declaration stating they had received fresh U.S. proposals delivered through Pakistani intermediaries. While avoiding specific details about the proposal’s contents, the council cautioned that America must drop “excessive demands and adjust its requests to the realities on the ground.” The council justified the strait closure by claiming the U.S. naval blockade breached existing truce agreements.

A senior Iranian representative informed CNN that Tehran plans to fast-track vessels willing to pay transit fees. “Given the limitation on the number of vessels that will be allowed to pass,” the official explained to the network, “Iran has decided to give priority to those vessels that respond more quickly to the new Strait of Hormuz protocols and pay the costs of security and safety services.”

Ships refusing to pay the required fees will have their transit “postponed,” according to the Iranian official.

This fee-based system mirrors Iran’s previous attempts to charge ships for Strait of Hormuz passage, which Washington previously rejected while demanding unrestricted access for all maritime traffic.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. military forces are preparing imminent operations to intercept Iran-connected oil tankers and commandeer commercial vessels in international waters, according to government sources. The report indicates this would significantly expand Washington’s naval enforcement operations beyond Middle Eastern waters.

LONDON – Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy expressed his backing for Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday as controversy continues surrounding the selection of Peter Mandelson for the U.S. ambassador position.

The longtime Labour Party figure Mandelson received the ambassadorial appointment from Starmer but was later dismissed due to his connections with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, creating a political crisis that has called the British leader’s decision-making into question.

On Friday, Starmer encountered fresh calls for his resignation after government officials revealed that security clearance procedures had advised against Mandelson’s appointment, though Foreign Office personnel overturned this guidance without notifying the prime minister.

Lammy, who oversaw the Foreign Office during this period and currently serves as deputy prime minister and justice secretary, expressed to the Guardian newspaper his bewilderment that Starmer remained uninformed about the original security assessment.

“I have absolutely no doubt at all, knowing the PM as I do, that had he known that Peter Mandelson had not passed the vetting, he would never, ever have appointed him ambassador,” Lammy told the newspaper.

These remarks precede a parliamentary address scheduled for Monday afternoon where Starmer has pledged to reveal complete details about the situation.

Although political adversaries have dismissed his account as unbelievable and demanded his resignation, prominent figures within his Labour Party – including potential successors – have refrained from publicly condemning him.

When the Guardian initially disclosed Mandelson’s security clearance failure on Thursday, his legal representative declined to offer any statement.

MADRID – Three major nations announced Saturday their commitment to coordinate increased humanitarian assistance for Cuba, describing the situation there as a crisis stemming from U.S. economic sanctions against the island.

Brazil, Spain, and Mexico issued a collaborative declaration during a Barcelona summit, emphasizing their support for open communication that follows United Nations principles. The nations stressed that Cuban citizens should have the autonomy to shape their own destiny.

The announcement emerged from discussions held when Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez welcomed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Mexican leader Claudia Scheinbaum to Barcelona. The gathering was part of a broader international conference focused on countering far-right political movements.

Thousands of supporters gathered in Madrid on Saturday to hear from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who turned down an opportunity to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during her multi-nation European visit.

The Nobel Peace Prize recipient spoke to crowds while Sánchez was conducting a separate gathering of progressive world leaders. Machado used the occasion to praise President Trump’s decision to remove Nicolás Maduro from power in January.

Machado had previously given her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump earlier this year as recognition for his Venezuela policies.

“What happened in the last few hours at the meeting (Sánchez) held in Barcelona with several leaders and political figures from different countries demonstrates why such a meeting was not advisable,” Machado told reporters Saturday.

During an earlier appearance, the opposition leader confirmed her intention to return to Venezuela but would not specify timing or methods, recognizing the difficulties such a return would present.

Her European journey has included meetings with top officials in France, Italy and the Netherlands. This tour occurs as Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez continues serving beyond the original 90-day timeframe, while the United States has reduced certain sanctions against her administration.

Machado condemned Rodríguez’s leadership, characterizing it as representing “chaos, violence and terror,” and emphasized her commitment to establishing democratic elections in Venezuela. She expressed no regret about awarding her Nobel Prize to Trump, despite his administration’s reduced focus on her democracy movement.

The Venezuelan leader stated she maintains regular communication with Trump administration officials and supports Washington’s gradual approach to Venezuela following Maduro’s departure.

“There is one leader in the world, one head of state, who has risked the lives of his country’s citizens for the freedom of Venezuela. And that is Donald Trump,” Machado said, referring to the U.S. military operation in January.

The demonstration took place at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, where Machado appeared alongside Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the conservative regional leader of Madrid who has been a vocal opponent of Sánchez and welcomed Machado earlier that day.

Spain hosts approximately 600,000 Venezuelans, representing the largest Venezuelan population outside the Western Hemisphere. Many relocated due to political oppression and violence, as well as economic collapse in their homeland. Most reside in Madrid.

Among those attending Saturday’s gathering was Grehlsy Peñuela, a 27-year-old Venezuelan living in Spain, who continues to support Machado and hopes for her eventual return to Caracas.

Peñuela carried photographs of two cousins she says remain imprisoned in Caracas as political detainees, and indicated she would only consider returning to Venezuela under specific circumstances.

“That the current government completely steps down,” she said.

BUDAPEST – Final election results show Peter Magyar’s Tisza party has secured 141 parliamentary seats out of 199 total, strengthening what was already a commanding victory over longtime Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, election officials announced Saturday.

The centre-right Tisza party, whose name stands for Respect and Freedom, delivered a crushing defeat to Orban’s administration in Sunday’s voting, bringing an end to 16 years of conservative governance that had influenced similar political movements throughout Western nations.

Following the unexpected scale of Magyar’s triumph during record voter participation, Orban promptly acknowledged defeat. The outcome provides Magyar with the legislative power needed to reverse Orban’s controversial judicial and governmental changes.

“An unprecedented majority, an unprecedented mandate, and at the same time, responsibility,” Magyar said in a statement on the final result.

The dramatic political transformation becomes clear when comparing results to the previous election cycle. Orban’s Fidesz party, which captured 87 out of 106 individual district races in 2022, managed to win only 10 such contests this time and will hold just 52 legislative positions.

Magyar’s electoral success has sparked optimism in Hungarian financial markets, with investors hopeful for improved relationships with European Union leadership after years of tension during Orban’s tenure. The victory could also unlock billions in suspended EU funding that was withheld due to concerns about democratic institutions.

“While a successful unlocking of EU funds would support investment and lower sovereign risk premia, the impact on growth will materialise primarily over the medium term,” Capital Economics analyst Liam Peach said in a note.

“In the near term, the outlook remains shaped by external factors – notably the Iran conflict – and domestic fiscal policy.”

Initial vote tallies had shown Tisza winning 138 seats, already surpassing the two-thirds threshold Magyar required to reverse Orban’s constitutional modifications and address corruption concerns. The final tally increased to 141 after all ballots, including overseas and transferred votes, were processed.

Magyar has committed to implementing comprehensive anti-corruption measures following his scheduled inauguration on May 9 or 10, as part of broader efforts to restore EU funding and revitalize Hungary’s economy, which has experienced minimal growth over the past three years.

While Orban has consistently rejected corruption allegations and argued that Hungary faces no greater corruption issues than other European nations, he acknowledged in a Thursday online interview that extensive media coverage of wealth accumulation among Fidesz-connected business figures may have influenced his electoral loss. He declined to address whether those reports were accurate.

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peru’s acting President José María Balcázar has postponed a major military procurement decision involving 24 fighter aircraft worth $3.5 billion, choosing to leave this significant purchase for the incoming administration following the country’s upcoming presidential runoff.

During a Friday evening broadcast on RPP radio, Balcázar revealed his decision to delay the acquisition. His caretaker administration, which started in February, will conclude in July when Peru’s presidential runoff takes place on June 7.

The acting president stated that the future government will possess “full legitimacy to decide” on whether to move forward with acquiring the F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft from U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

“For us to commit such a large sum of money to the incoming government would be a poor practice for a transitional government,” Balcázar said.

Peru held its presidential election this past Sunday, but no candidate secured sufficient votes for an outright victory. Election officials are still tallying ballots to determine which two candidates will compete in the runoff as vote counting continues.

Former conservative lawmaker Keiko Fujimori secured her position in June’s runoff after finishing first among 35 presidential contenders. However, the close competition for second and third positions may require several weeks to resolve.

The victorious candidate from the runoff will assume the presidency on July 28.

Last year, under President Dina Boluarte’s administration, Peru announced plans to spend $3.5 billion on 24 military aircraft, financing the purchase through domestic loans of $2 billion in 2025 and $1.5 billion in 2026. Besides Lockheed Martin, Sweden’s Saab and France’s Dassault Aviation also submitted proposals.

Peru’s legislature selected Balcázar as the nation’s eighth president in ten years this past February, replacing another interim leader who was removed the day before due to corruption charges after serving just four months.

This pattern of presidential turnover in the Andean country demonstrates an ongoing political crisis stemming from leaders’ inability to secure legislative majorities. Legislators have repeatedly used a broad interpretation of constitutional language regarding “permanent moral incapacity” to remove presidents from office.

A flotation device worn by a Titanic survivor during the infamous 1912 disaster brought in more than $900,000 at a London auction house over the weekend.

The life jacket belonged to Laura Mabel Francatelli, who was traveling as a first-class passenger when the massive ocean liner struck an iceberg and sank. The vest bears signatures from Francatelli and fellow survivors who shared the same lifeboat during their escape.

Henry Aldridge & Son auctioneers in Devizes, western England, conducted the sale where an anonymous telephone bidder purchased the item for 670,000 pounds. The final price significantly surpassed the pre-auction estimate of 250,000 to 350,000 pounds.

During the same event, a lifeboat seat cushion from the disaster fetched 390,000 pounds and was acquired by operators of Titanic museums located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri. Both sale prices include standard auction house fees.

“These record-breaking prices illustrate the continuing interest in the Titanic story, and the respect for the passengers and crew whose stories are immortalized by these items of memorabilia,” stated auctioneer Andrew Aldridge.

The massive steamship, marketed as the world’s premier luxury vessel and considered “practically unsinkable,” collided with an iceberg near Newfoundland while traveling from England to New York on its inaugural journey. The vessel went down in the early hours of April 15, 1912, claiming approximately 1,500 lives from the 2,200 people aboard.

Public fascination with the maritime disaster continues more than a century later, partly due to the diverse mix of passengers ranging from wealthy elites to impoverished immigrants.

Francatelli was accompanying her boss, fashion designer Lucy Duff Gordon, along with Lucy’s spouse Cosmo Duff Gordon. The trio escaped in lifeboat No. 1, which departed with only 12 occupants despite being designed for 40 people. The boat’s crew faced criticism afterward for not attempting to rescue people struggling in the icy waters.

The highest amount ever paid for Titanic artifacts remains 1.56 million pounds, which was spent in 2024 for a gold pocket watch presented to the captain of RMS Carpathia, the vessel that rescued 700 survivors from the tragedy.

An 86-year-old French man has made history by delivering what appears to be the nation’s first formal family apology for ancestral involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, expressing hope that others will follow his lead.

Pierre Guillon de Prince’s forebears operated out of Nantes, which served as France’s primary hub for the slave trade, where they owned ships that forcibly carried approximately 4,500 enslaved Africans across the Atlantic and maintained plantation operations in Caribbean territories.

The elderly man emphasized that other French families need to acknowledge their historical connections to slavery, while urging the government to move beyond symbolic actions toward meaningful remedies, including financial reparations.

“Faced with the rise of racism in our society, I felt a responsibility not to let this past be erased,” Guillon de Prince explained, noting his desire to ensure his grandchildren understand their family’s history.

The apology took place at a ceremony in Nantes during the unveiling of an 18-meter ship mast replica, where he appeared alongside Dieudonné Boutrin, whose ancestors were enslaved on the Caribbean island of Martinique.

Both men collaborate through Coque Nomade-Fraternité, an organization committed to ending the silence surrounding slavery’s legacy, describing the memorial mast as a symbol of human compassion.

“Many families of descendants of slave traders don’t dare speak out for fear of reopening old wounds and anger,” Boutrin, 61, observed. “Pierre’s apology is a courageous act.”

Historical records show that between the 15th and 19th centuries, European vessels forcibly transported at least 12.5 million abducted Africans, with French ships accounting for an estimated 1.3 million victims.

This gesture mirrors comparable formal acknowledgments made by families in Britain and other nations, which typically include commitments to help address the damage caused by their ancestors’ actions.

While France officially classified transatlantic slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001, the country has never issued a formal governmental apology for its participation, unlike some other European nations.

President Emmanuel Macron has increased public access to colonial archives during his presidency and announced plans last year to create a commission examining France’s relationship with Haiti, though he avoided mentioning reparations.

International demands for reparations are intensifying globally, encompassing everything from official acknowledgments to monetary compensation, despite opposition from those who believe current institutions shouldn’t bear responsibility for historical wrongs.

Last month, France chose not to support a United Nations resolution led by African nations that labeled slavery as the “gravest crime against humanity” and demanded reparations.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian special forces fatally shot an armed assailant Saturday after he murdered six people and held hostages inside a Kyiv supermarket, according to government officials.

Interior Ministry chief Ihor Klymenko announced on social media that tactical units breached the store following unsuccessful attempts by negotiators to communicate with the shooter. The perpetrator died while fighting against his capture, Klymenko stated.

During a press briefing at the location, Klymenko explained that the assailant had murdered four civilians on the street before entering the grocery store where he killed a fifth victim.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that a sixth casualty, a young woman, succumbed to her wounds at a medical facility.

An Associated Press journalist witnessed the deceased victims lying in the roadway under emergency coverings before being removed from the scene.

The shooter was born in 1968, Klymenko revealed, though he withheld additional identifying information. Police negotiators attempted communication with the attacker for approximately 40 minutes before launching their assault on the building, he reported.

Prior to the gunman’s death, a female police negotiator positioned behind an armored vehicle and wearing protective gear used amplification equipment to address the perpetrator, pleading: “the people are not to blame for this. Please, let them go and we will talk with you.”

“We tried to persuade him, knowing that there was likely a wounded person inside. We even offered to bring in tourniquets to stop the bleeding, but he did not respond,” Klymenko stated. “Consequently, the order was given to neutralize him.”

The Interior Ministry head, who was wearing protective gear, confirmed the suspect wielded a carbine rifle that was properly licensed and registered.

In December, the gunman “approached the licensing authorities to have the weapon test-fired as the permit was expiring. He provided a medical certificate. He had also submitted an application to renew his permit for the weapon. That is all we can say for now,” Klymenko explained.

He noted that investigators will examine which healthcare facility provided the medical documentation.

The violence occurred in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district, the mayor confirmed. Television coverage displayed officers seeking protection within the shopping center containing the supermarket as gunfire erupted. Civilians were evacuated from the area.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — After more than two years without commercial air service, Haiti and the Dominican Republic will resume flights between their nations starting in May, both governments announced in a coordinated statement released Friday.

The agreement will restore connections linking three airports in the Dominican Republic with the airport serving Cap-Haïtien, Haiti’s northern coastal city.

Air service was suspended in March 2024 when Dominican authorities shut down the shared airspace, pointing to widespread violence and instability in Haiti that escalated after the 2021 killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. During the closure, only emergency humanitarian aircraft were authorized to operate.

Both nations occupy the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, and their relationship had deteriorated significantly before the flight ban due to disputes over a controversial irrigation project. Haitian business interests had begun building a canal system drawing water from the Massacre River, which flows along the border between the two countries. Dominican officials strongly objected to the construction, claiming it would cause environmental damage and hurt farmers on both sides of the border.

The announcement came after diplomatic meetings that concentrated on immigration issues, border security measures, and commercial relationships between the neighboring countries.

“This measure seeks to facilitate mobility, boost economic ties and strengthen relations between both countries,” the joint statement said following discussions between Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez and his Haitian counterpart, Raina Forbin.

The diplomatic statement also expressed appreciation to international partners, especially the United Nations, for assisting Haitian officials in their work to restore stability and peace within the country.

Maritime traffic through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz continues to operate at severely reduced levels, with vessel movement dropping to single digits despite the recent ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump and accepted by Israel.

According to Noam Raydan, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, current data reveals that shipping activity through the waterway remains “still very weak” with “at least five to six vessels” moving in both directions. This represents a significant decline from earlier in April, when vessel counts reached double digits before current restrictions took effect. “We were still seeing around between like 10 and 15 vessels,” Raydan explained. “But now it’s back down to single digit.”

The expert emphasized that the reduced numbers only tell part of the story, noting that remaining activity doesn’t represent typical maritime operations. “This is not normal flow,” she stated. “We’re not seeing a kind of healthy movement of ships, non-Iranian vessels.”

This maritime crisis has emerged as political leaders debate long-term solutions. Just days before the ceasefire announcement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed discussions about redirecting Gulf oil exports toward Mediterranean routes, reviving proposals that have remained stalled for years. Meanwhile, President Trump had concentrated on immediate reopening efforts and establishing deadlines for further action.

Current conditions at sea reveal the ongoing severity of the situation. Raydan described observing unusual vessel behavior, stating: “At least one ship we saw making a U-turn in the Gulf of Oman and returning back to the Strait of Hormuz,” which demonstrates “some effectiveness to the blockade.” However, she cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions, explaining: “As long as we are dealing with these dark activities, it is really difficult to give a full assessment.”

The uncertainty extends throughout maritime operations in the region. Some Iranian-linked vessels continue entering the Persian Gulf from areas near the United Arab Emirates and Oman, while “some ships are turning off their AIS” (Automatic Identification System). Raydan also noted at least one vessel that stopped transmitting signals in the Gulf of Oman and hasn’t resumed communication.

Rather than complete closure or reopening, the situation presents complex operational challenges. “You need to look at case by case,” Raydan explained. “You cannot just say, yes, it’s working. No, it’s not working. It doesn’t work like that.”

Iranian authorities aren’t characterizing these conditions as temporary measures. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has referenced what they term a “new Persian Gulf order” and indicated the strait won’t return to previous operational status. This messaging aligns with observable traffic patterns showing limited resumed movement under fundamentally altered conditions.

For shipping companies, these challenges create immediate operational problems. Raydan referenced comments from a Western European shipping firm whose vessels remain immobilized due to persistent uncertainty about risk levels.

“It’s very unclear to them what the security situation is, what the security guarantees are,” she said. “Will Iran attack? What about the mines?” While acknowledging she lacks concrete mine data and stressing that reports don’t constitute confirmed operational intelligence, Raydan noted that uncertainty alone prevents normal operations. “The operational environment for the shipping industry” continues to be “very volatile,” she said. “There are risks. They need to take them into consideration.”

This uncertainty translates into widespread immobilization. “We’re talking about hundreds of ships, thousands of seafarers,” she said. “They’re just stuck in the Persian Gulf.” Vessels face stark choices: “You wouldn’t expect ships to just decide to sail without coordinating with Iran,” she explained. “Either they coordinate, they work with Iran, meaning reach out to Iran, or probably they might be forced to pay, or they just don’t leave.”

These conditions raise questions about potential alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz. Prof. Eyal Zisser, vice rector of Tel Aviv University and scholar of Syrian, Lebanese, and broader Arab politics, told The Media Line that renewed interest in alternatives reflects genuine shifts in Gulf state perspectives, though not in their practical limitations.

“First of all, we need to wait and see what will be the end, the point where the war will be ended,” he said. “But clearly, Iran became a source of threat. I mean, it was well known, but this time it was materialized.” This represents the fundamental change he identifies.

The threat has evolved from theoretical possibility to present reality, making alternative route exploration inevitable. “I think they will have to find alternatives,” he said. “And there are alternatives, and they will start, but it takes time.”

When asked about the feasibility of current proposals, Zisser provided a direct assessment: “It will take years.” He added a crucial caveat that challenges much public discussion: “And still the Iranians can hit those installations. So, it’s not very easy.”

Vita Avrahamov, a researcher at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security specializing in geopolitics, economics, and energy issues, provided quantitative analysis supporting these concerns. “There is no immediate solution that can fully replace the energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz,” she told The Media Line.

Her calculations show the strait typically handles approximately 20 million barrels of oil daily, while existing alternatives can manage only 3.5 to 5.5 million barrels per day, representing roughly 17 to 27 percent of that capacity.

“These options are viable as strategic diversification, but not as a full bypass solution,” she explained. Avrahamov outlined three primary alternative directions. The Red Sea route through Saudi infrastructure represents “the most immediately viable” option, though still limited. “Saudi Arabia’s exports through the Red Sea … is only a partial solution and cannot fully replace exports through the Strait of Hormuz,” she said, citing constraints including “limited loading capacity available at the Yanbu export terminal.”

Mediterranean routes, including potential connections through Israel or revived Iraq-Turkey pathways toward Ceyhan or Haifa, “offer shorter access to European markets but face substantial geopolitical barriers.” Routes toward Oman and the Arabian Sea are “politically more neutral and strategically attractive” but would require massive new investments in pipelines, ports, logistics networks, and secure transit arrangements. Her conclusion: “none currently offers a comprehensive or politically frictionless alternative to Hormuz.”

Raydan offered an even more definitive assessment: “Nothing can substitute the Strait of Hormuz.” While acknowledging existing contingency plans, including “pipelines like the one in Saudi Arabia, the east-west pipeline to the Red Sea, which has definitely been leveraged in order to push volumes and bypass the Strait of Hormuz” and noting that “UAE also has a pipeline,” she challenged how these options are presented in public discourse.

“Let’s be honest,” she said. “We cannot replace, these pipelines cannot replace the flows out of the Strait of Hormuz.”

She quantified the scale of what’s at stake: “We’re talking about an average loading of some 20 million barrels per day,” referring to the January to early March period before current conflicts. “We need to be realistic here,” she said. “You can have contingency plans like pipelines, but let’s not pretend.”

Her frustration with current reporting became evident: “I’ve been seeing a lot of reports about it, that Strait of Hormuz can be substituted and that land routes can substitute sea lanes. It doesn’t work like that.”

This analysis provides important context for political discussions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. According to Raydan, the core issue is being mischaracterized when quickly transformed into infrastructure debates. “It’s more an issue of maritime security,” she emphasized, describing this as “a key topic that requires the full focus right now, maritime security, the principle of freedom of navigation,” which will remain “a key subject in the region for years to come.”

Zisser offered similar perspective when challenging recent political statements: “Sometimes these statements do not have anything to do with reality.” Later, when asked what the public might be overlooking, he was more direct: “Sometimes… statements by politicians are more wishful thinking than has to do with reality.”

Avrahamov framed it in technical terms but reached comparable conclusions. Large-scale alternatives require “substantial capital investment, long development timelines, and credible security guarantees,” with feasibility remaining limited by “enduring geopolitical fragmentation.”

The immediate reality isn’t that new networks stand ready to replace Hormuz operations. Instead, the route that continues handling regional oil exports operates under degraded, highly uncertain conditions, while frequently cited public alternatives remain either partial, politically challenging, or years from implementation.

While the ceasefire has reduced tensions, it hasn’t resolved operational conditions in the strait. Raydan’s assessment remains most accurate: traffic is “still very weak,” non-Iranian vessel movement isn’t healthy, ships remain stranded, and the entire situation can’t be resolved through pipeline rhetoric. For now, Hormuz continues as the primary system in use—just a system operating under significant stress. As Raydan concluded: “Nothing can substitute the Strait of Hormuz.”

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched a crucial diplomatic mission to the Middle East as his nation emerges as a potential mediator between the United States and Iran.

Sharif began his three-day journey to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey on Wednesday, traveling with a high-level delegation that includes Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The presence of such senior officials underscores the significance of this diplomatic tour.

The timing of this regional visit is particularly noteworthy, as President Donald Trump recently suggested that US-Iran negotiations could take place in Pakistan. However, with Sharif’s tour scheduled to end on April 18, any potential discussions between Washington and Tehran would need to wait until after his return.

According to sources in Islamabad speaking to The Media Line, the Pakistani leader is updating regional allies on confidential details regarding a US-Iran ceasefire arrangement. This coordinated effort reportedly has Washington’s full knowledge and backing, establishing Pakistan as a crucial go-between for the two adversaries.

The three nations Sharif is visiting – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey – have reportedly provided important support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts between the longtime rivals.

Arab News quoted an unnamed American official stating that “Future talks are under discussion, but nothing has been scheduled at this time.” Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance emphasized during a Turning Point USA gathering at the University of Georgia that Trump is not interested in a limited agreement with Iran, but instead wants a comprehensive deal.

When questioned about potential US-Iran negotiations, Vance outlined Trump’s firm stance that Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons, noting that current discussions center on achieving this goal.

Vance indicated that if Iran agrees to halt nuclear weapons development, America would assist the country in achieving economic growth and prosperity.

The Vice President revealed that Trump had directed him to travel to Pakistan for good-faith discussions with Iran. However, Vance acknowledged the deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran, emphasizing that such issues cannot be resolved quickly. He noted that the current ceasefire remains intact and expressed optimism about the trajectory of developments.

Syrian security forces have successfully broken up an ISIS-affiliated terror cell operating in the eastern region near Aleppo, marking another chapter in the country’s ongoing battle against extremist organizations.

An official from Syria’s Interior Ministry, speaking to The Media Line on condition of anonymity, revealed that the takedown came after extensive surveillance and intelligence work. Security personnel monitored the cell members’ activities before launching coordinated strikes that led to multiple arrests. During the confrontation, authorities also killed one key member of the terrorist group.

The intelligence-driven approach proved crucial in uncovering the cell’s plans. Initial questioning revealed the group had been preparing strikes against government security forces and military installations as part of ISIS’s broader strategy to reactivate dormant cells throughout Syria. The raids also uncovered a cache of weapons and explosives, underscoring the serious threat the organization continues to pose.

The anonymous source explained that this particular cell had connections to previous attacks on security patrols in various regions. This discovery prompted authorities to expand their investigation, leading to additional arrests before finally capturing the remaining network members and completely shutting down their operations.

These latest developments occur as experts warn of renewed ISIS activity across Syria, especially in territories where the group previously held substantial control. Although ISIS has faced major defeats in recent years, the organization still depends on hidden cells to conduct smaller-scale attacks designed to destabilize regional security.

Syrian officials have pledged to maintain their preventive strikes against ISIS operatives. They have previously conducted broad security sweeps across several provinces, leading to the detention of dozens of suspected ISIS members and the confiscation of weapons and explosive materials.

Security analysts note that these successful missions demonstrate better cooperation between different agencies and improved intelligence-gathering methods. Nevertheless, they warn that the ISIS threat remains active, pointing out that complicated security conditions in some areas could enable the group to rebuild.

This increased security activity connects to wider developments throughout Syria, where intersecting local and regional factors continue to influence the nation’s stability. Consequently, the campaign against extremist organizations remains an ongoing struggle requiring persistent, comprehensive efforts.

Within this context, the recent security operations mark an important advance in confronting ISIS. However, they also underscore that the fight against the organization is nowhere near finished and that preserving stability will demand continued security and intelligence work, along with addressing the root causes that allow armed groups to resurface.

As officials work to strengthen security oversight, the primary challenge remains stopping ISIS from rebuilding its capacity for major operations. Success will require ongoing preventive measures, enhanced security partnerships, and careful surveillance of suspicious activity in vulnerable areas.

The elimination of the ISIS cell east of Aleppo demonstrates the continuing battle against the group and reinforces that completely destroying the organization will require sustained commitment on both security and political levels.

LONDON — Counterterrorism investigators in Britain are examining an attempted fire attack in London that targeted a building with ties to the Jewish community, marking the latest in a series of similar incidents across the capital.

Authorities announced Saturday they are not yet connecting this incident to other recent attacks on Jewish charity vehicles and an Iranian media outlet.

The Metropolitan Police stated that while investigators are not classifying these events as terrorism, Counter Terrorism Policing London has taken charge of the probe “due to the similarities of each attack.”

According to police reports, a suspect was observed Friday evening placing a bag with three bottles of liquid outside a structure that had previously served the Jewish community. The individual tried to ignite the materials, but the attempt was unsuccessful before he escaped the scene. Authorities have not made any arrests.

The Friday evening incident occurred in Hendon, located near Golders Green, where four vehicles belonging to a Jewish charity were set ablaze on March 23. Four individuals face charges in connection with that attack.

Investigators are also examining an attempted arson at a synagogue in northwest London on Wednesday. That same day, authorities report an “ignited container” was hurled into the offices of a Persian media company in Wembley, another northwest London neighborhood. Two adult men and one teenage boy have been charged with arson in that case.

Fortunately, no injuries have occurred in any of these incidents.

Investigators are exploring whether these attacks may be connected to Iran. British officials have accused Iran of employing criminal networks to carry out attacks across Europe, specifically targeting opposition media organizations and Jewish communities. Britain’s MI5 domestic intelligence agency reports disrupting more than 20 “potentially lethal” plots backed by Iran in the year leading up to October.

Authorities in Ukraine’s capital are conducting an active manhunt after a gunman killed multiple people and wounded others during a shooting spree on Saturday.

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that law enforcement officers are working to capture the suspect, who has taken refuge inside a grocery store in the city’s Holosiivskyi neighborhood.

“A special operation is proceeding to detain the man who started the shooting and is currently inside a supermarket,” Klitschko wrote in a message posted to the social media platform Telegram.

The mayor added that gunfire continued even after the suspect entered the store. “According to preliminary information, shots are also being fired in the supermarket. As a result of the shooting, there are injured and several dead,” he stated.

The incident occurred on April 18th, with authorities still working to apprehend the armed individual as the situation develops.

The Biden administration has barred a senior Nicaraguan government official from entering the United States due to accusations of human rights violations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Saturday.

The visa restrictions target Luis Roberto Cañas Novoa, who serves as Nicaragua’s vice-minister of the interior. The sanctions prevent Cañas Novoa from obtaining entry to the United States.

Rubio’s announcement on Saturday detailed the administration’s decision to block the official’s travel privileges based on his alleged participation in human rights abuses.

ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — A high-ranking Iranian diplomat announced Saturday that Tehran remains unprepared for direct negotiations with American officials, blaming Washington’s unwillingness to drop what he characterized as “excessive” positions on critical matters.

Speaking with The Associated Press during a diplomatic conference in Turkey, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh firmly dismissed President Donald Trump’s assertions about transferring enriched uranium, stating his nation would never surrender such materials to America.

“I can tell you that no enriched material is going to be shipped to United States,” Khatibzadeh stated. “This is non-starter and I can assure you that while we are ready to address any concerns that we do have, we’re not going to accept things that are non-starters.”

Trump declared Friday that America would enter Iran to “get all the nuclear dust,” referencing approximately 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium reportedly stored beneath nuclear facilities severely damaged during U.S. military operations last year.

While acknowledging ongoing message exchanges between both nations, Khatibzadeh criticized the United States for maintaining positions that Iran considers unreasonable.

“We are still not there yet to move on to an actual meeting because there are issues that the Americans have not yet abandoned their maximalist position,” Khatibzadeh explained. He noted Iran wants to complete a “framework agreement” before proceeding with face-to-face discussions.

The Iranian representative declined to detail specific negotiation points or identify outstanding disputes, but urged Washington to address Tehran’s primary concerns, particularly economic sanctions targeting Iran.

“The other sides also should understand and address our main concerns, which are illegal unilateral sanctions that Americans have imposed on Iranians and this economic terrorism which has targeted Iranian people to suffocate them and make them to revolt against the political structure inside Iran,” Khatibzadeh said.

Regarding potential Iranian responses to renewed Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite the ceasefire, Khatibzadeh declared: “Iran has no option, just to stop aggressors once and forever.”

Trump announced that Israel faces U.S. restrictions on additional Lebanese strikes, saying “enough is enough” regarding the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

The State Department clarified these limitations apply solely to offensive operations, not defensive actions.

The Iranian official reaffirmed Tehran’s stance that its actions were defensive responses to unprovoked aggression during ongoing negotiations.

He also restated Iran’s demand that any ceasefire include Lebanon, where Israel has been battling the Iran-supported militant organization Hezbollah.

Following last week’s temporary U.S.-Iran truce, Pakistan and Iran claimed it covered Lebanon, but Israel and subsequently the U.S. rejected this interpretation. Israel then conducted multiple airstrikes on central Beirut, prompting Iran to announce another closure of the Strait of Hormuz. After Friday’s Lebanese truce implementation, Iran declared the strait reopened.

“Iran negotiated with good faith, accepted a ceasefire and told everybody that this ceasefire should include all countries, including Lebanon,” Khatibzadeh said. “Then the other side said that, it is not committed to this and then started atrocities.”

He indicated that negotiations with the U.S. would establish a “new protocol” for the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring it would “remain open and safe for all civilian passage.”

Trump has indicated the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will continue and military action will resume without an Iranian agreement.

A crude oil tanker flying the Indian flag came under attack Saturday while navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources within the Indian government.

Officials identified the targeted ship as the Sanmar Herald and confirmed that both the vessel and its crew members remain safe following the incident.

Saturday’s attack was part of broader hostilities in the strategic waterway, with at least two commercial ships reporting they were struck by gunfire while attempting passage through the strait.

In response to the incident, Indian officials have called Iran’s ambassador to India for discussions regarding the attack.

The violence comes amid ongoing tensions over shipping access through the vital corridor. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Iran had committed to keeping the strait open, while Iranian leadership stated they expect America to completely end its blockade of Iranian oil tankers.

Shipping records indicate that more than a dozen tankers, including three vessels under sanctions, successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz after authorities ended a 50-day shipping blockade on Friday. However, Iran reinstated restrictions on Saturday and opened fire on some vessels attempting transit.

A French peacekeeper lost his life and three colleagues sustained injuries during an ambush in southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron pointed the finger at Hezbollah for the deadly assault, stating on social media that “Everything suggests that responsibility for this attack lies with Hezbollah.” The French leader called on Lebanese officials to “immediately arrest those responsible and assume their responsibilities alongside UNIFIL,” referring to the United Nations peacekeeping mission operating in southern Lebanon.

The fallen soldier was identified as Staff Sgt. Florian Montorio, who served with the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment based in Montauban. Macron noted that three of Montorio’s “comrades in arms were injured and evacuated.”

“The nation bows in respect and extends its support to the families of our soldiers and to all our military personnel engaged for peace in Lebanon,” Macron declared.

This tragedy marks the second deadly incident involving French forces in the region within a month. On March 12, a drone strike at a Kurdish military installation in Iraq’s Erbil area claimed the life of French Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion and left six others wounded.

French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin revealed that Montorio died during an ambush in Lebanon’s Deir Kifa area. According to Vautrin, the soldier was attempting to establish access to a UNIFIL outpost that had been cut off for multiple days due to combat between Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops.

The attack occurred just one day after a 10-day ceasefire agreement went into effect in Lebanon, though questions remain about Hezbollah’s commitment to a truce they did not help negotiate.

“He was caught in an ambush by an armed group at very close range,” Vautrin explained on X. “Immediately hit by a direct shot from a light weapon, he was pulled back under fire by his comrades, who were unable to resuscitate him.”

Following the incident, Macron contacted Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to demand that Lebanese authorities “shed full light on this incident, to identify and prosecute those responsible without delay, and to do everything possible to ensure the safety of UNIFIL soldiers, who must under no circumstances be targeted,” according to the French president’s office.

Macron also emphasized “the importance of full respect for the ceasefire by all parties and reaffirmed France’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, for the benefit of all Lebanese people and regional stability.”

A major baby food manufacturer has issued an urgent recall across Austria after discovering evidence of possible product tampering that could endanger infants.

HiPP has withdrawn its complete line of baby food products from more than 1,500 SPAR grocery stores throughout Austria as a safety precaution. The recall was announced Saturday by both companies.

“It cannot be ruled out that a dangerous substance was introduced into the product,” HiPP stated, specifically noting concerns about their Vegetable Carrot with Potato variety in glass containers.

The baby food company warned that eating from the potentially compromised jars could result in life-threatening consequences.

A SPAR representative confirmed to Reuters that the widespread recall impacts 1,500 Austrian locations as a preventive step, though stores in other countries remain unaffected.

“According to our current knowledge, this critical situation involves an external criminal interference that affects the SPAR Austria distribution channel,” a HiPP representative explained, emphasizing that their manufacturing processes and quality control standards have not been compromised.

Both retailers are urging shoppers who purchased the products from Austrian SPAR locations to avoid consumption and return items for complete refunds.

Law enforcement officials in Austria’s Burgenland region are actively investigating the incident and requesting public assistance with information, according to HiPP.

Turkey’s top diplomat warned Saturday that America stepping back from its European security commitments could cause serious damage if not handled properly.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan revealed that conversations are taking place about how to address a potential American reduction in what he called the “European security architecture,” though he didn’t provide specifics about these talks.

The comments come as President Donald Trump has made threats to withdraw from NATO following European allies’ refusal to deploy naval vessels to help clear the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Speaking at a diplomatic conference in Antalya, a province in southern Turkey, Fidan expressed concern about the potential consequences.

“We are very much discussing how to manage or mitigate the withdrawal of the U.S. from the European security architecture. Not totally, but partially. Even a partial withdrawal… would be very destructive for Europe if it’s not done in a coordinated way,” Fidan stated during the panel discussion.

The Turkish minister, representing a nation that belongs to NATO but remains outside the European Union, criticized what he sees as problematic behavior within the alliance. He said EU member countries within NATO have been “acting like a separate club” and making independent decisions that sometimes conflict with the broader alliance’s stance.

“You want to be a separate EU organisation within NATO? Well America said ‘I’m letting you go, cutting off your ties’,” Fidan remarked.

The diplomatic tensions have been building since Trump announced his interest in acquiring Greenland, adding another layer of friction to alliance relationships.

Looking ahead, Fidan urged fellow NATO members to view the upcoming alliance summit scheduled for Ankara in July as a chance to repair relationships with Trump and Washington, while simultaneously preparing for potentially reduced American participation.

NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte has acknowledged Trump’s concerns with the alliance but emphasized that most European nations have provided valuable support for Washington’s military efforts against Iran.

According to a senior White House source who spoke with Reuters earlier this month, Trump has also been considering the possibility of withdrawing some American military personnel from European bases as part of his broader frustrations with NATO.

BARCELONA – A significant diplomatic breakthrough occurred Saturday when Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum held talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during her visit to Barcelona for an international progressive leaders conference.

According to Spain’s state news agency EFE, this represents the first time a Mexican head of state has traveled to Spain since the Morena party assumed control of Mexico’s government in 2018, indicating a warming of previously chilled relations between the two nations.

The diplomatic rift originated when Sheinbaum’s political mentor and former president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, demanded in 2019 that Spain apologize for colonial-era atrocities committed during the Spanish conquest of Mexico – a request that Spain declined to fulfill.

Spain’s economy minister expressed optimism about the renewed contact, telling journalists at the summit: “I believe that President Sheinbaum’s presence here is a very important and positive sign of a rapprochement between the two countries.” The minister highlighted opportunities for expanded commerce and investment cooperation, particularly in energy development, infrastructure projects, and banking sectors.

Sheinbaum’s participation in the Barcelona gathering of global left-wing leaders, hosted by the Spanish government, provided the framework for this diplomatic reset between the historically connected nations.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Saturday that a French military member serving with international peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon has died in an attack that France believes was carried out by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Macron revealed that three additional soldiers sustained injuries in the incident and have since been moved to safety for medical treatment. The French president called on Lebanon’s government to take action against those believed to be behind the deadly assault.

The affected military personnel were serving as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, which operates peacekeeping missions throughout the southern region of the country.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addressed progressive leaders gathered in Barcelona on Saturday, urging the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to modify their approach following their inability to prevent conflict in Iran.

Speaking at the summit, Lula criticized what he described as inflammatory social media posts from world leaders. “We cannot wake up every morning and go to bed every night with a tweet from a president threatening the world and declaring wars,” the Brazilian leader stated, appearing to reference U.S. President Donald Trump though he did not mention him by name.

The remarks came during a progressive leaders’ summit held in the Spanish city on April 18, where Lula emphasized the need for behavioral changes among the Security Council’s most powerful nations.

Commercial ships attempting to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday were turned away by Iranian naval forces, with at least two vessels coming under gunfire from Iranian boats, according to maritime sources.

Multiple merchant ships had tried to make the crossing after receiving maritime notices Friday indicating that passage through the waterway would be permitted, though limited to specific routes that Iran considered secure.

However, on Saturday, Iranian vessels opened fire on at least two ships in the waters near Qeshm and Larak islands, forcing them to retreat before completing their journey, shipping and maritime security officials told Reuters.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed receiving reports of an incident occurring 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. According to the report, a tanker’s captain said two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboats had approached and fired upon his vessel. The tanker and its crew remained unharmed.

Maritime security sources also confirmed that a container ship was struck by gunfire during a separate incident.

Multiple vessels reported receiving VHF radio broadcasts from Iran’s navy announcing the waterway’s closure.

The Iranian radio transmission stated: “Attention all ships, regarding the failure of the U.S. government to fulfil its commitment in the negotiation, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely closed again. No vessel of any type or nationality is allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”

The closure has left hundreds of ships and approximately 20,000 maritime workers stranded in the Gulf region, unable to transit through the critical shipping lane that carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

ORVAULT, France (AP) — An elderly French woman who wed an American military veteran has arrived back in her home country following more than two weeks in U.S. immigration detention, with her family now focused on her recovery from the traumatic experience.

Marie-Thérèse Ross, 85, returned to France after enduring what her son described as a challenging ordeal that began when she was detained for exceeding her visa limits. During a Friday news conference in Orvault, located in western France, her son Hervé Goix emphasized that the family’s main concern is protecting their mother.

“To preserve her health and her rest, and for her to be able to rebuild herself,” Goix stated while appearing with his two siblings before the media.

“We are particularly relieved today to see our mother again, to have her back,” he continued. “She has necessarily gone through a difficult ordeal.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed Ross’s return on Friday, criticizing the detention methods used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as falling short of French expectations and being unacceptable to his government, though he provided no additional details.

Court documents reveal that Ross arrived in the United States last June following her marriage to a former U.S. military member who had served in France during the 1960s. However, when her spouse passed away from natural causes in January, conflicts emerged regarding his estate. An Alabama judge determined that Ross’s stepson, who works for the federal government, played a role in having her placed in immigration detention.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, immigration officials apprehended Ross in Alabama on April 1 for exceeding her 90-day visa allowance. She was subsequently transferred to a detention center in Louisiana while French authorities voiced concerns about her treatment.

During the news conference, Goix revealed that his mother had been working on obtaining permanent residency status when authorities took her into custody. He stressed that “the essential thing is that she is truly safe, that she regains her comfort, that she is surrounded by her children and grandchildren.”

Orvault’s mayor, Sébastien Arrouët, shared with French news outlets that he had spoken with Ross, describing her as “delighted,” “happy,” and “relieved.”

“Put yourselves in her place, in a country she knows a little bit, it all happened to her so suddenly,” he explained. “We don’t realize the psychological violence. She needs to process all this, and the most important thing is that she is back with us.”

Documentation indicates that authorities detained Ross while she was wearing her nightclothes and prevented her from gathering essential items including her mobile phone, passport, and other personal identification documents.

The U.S. military announced Saturday that two dozen vessels have followed American orders to return to Iranian waters since the implementation of a blockade targeting Iran’s ports and coastal regions.

According to military officials, 23 ships have heeded commands from U.S. forces to reverse their course and head back toward Iran after the United States established the maritime blockade.

The blockade represents an enforcement action against Iranian ports and surrounding coastal waters, with American military personnel directing vessel traffic in the affected areas.

Iranian leadership announced Saturday that future diplomatic discussions with the United States remain on hold until both nations can establish a preliminary agreement framework.

Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh made the announcement during a diplomatic conference in Antalya, Turkey, following last weekend’s unsuccessful high-level meetings in Islamabad – the most significant US-Iran diplomatic engagement since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

“We are now focusing on finalising the framework of understanding between two sides. We don’t want to enter into any negotiation or meeting which is doomed to fail and which can be a pretext for another round of escalation,” Khatibzadeh told reporters at the Turkish forum.

While President Donald Trump indicated to Reuters that additional direct discussions might occur this weekend, diplomatic sources expressed skepticism about the logistical feasibility of reconvening in Islamabad.

Khatibzadeh explained that substantial advancement occurred during previous talks, but attributed the breakdown to what he characterized as unreasonable American positions regarding Iran’s nuclear activities.

“Until we agree the framework, we cannot set the date… There was significant progress made actually. But then the maximalist approach by the other side, trying to make Iran an exception from international law prevented us to reach an agreement,” he stated.

The Iranian official emphasized his country’s commitment to operating within established international legal boundaries.

“I have to be very crystal clear that Iran would not accept to be an exception from the international law. Anything that we are going to be committed will be within the international regulations and international law,” Khatibzadeh declared.

Addressing questions about the Strait of Hormuz situation, Khatibzadeh confirmed Iran had initially agreed to permit commercial vessel passage following Thursday’s US-mediated 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

However, he accused American officials of undermining that arrangement by attempting to exclude Iranian vessels from the safe passage agreement.

“The other side, the American side, tried to sabotage that by saying that it is open except for Iranians. So that was the reason we said that ‘if you are going to violate the ceasefire terms and conditions, if Americans are not going to honour their words, there will be repercussions for them’,” Khatibzadeh explained.

A Swiss soccer club has pulled the plug on a scheduled Kanye West concert, joining a growing number of European venues refusing to host the controversial rapper following his antisemitic remarks.

FC Basel announced Saturday they will not move forward with the performance that was reportedly set for June at their St. Jakob-Park stadium. The club manages all entertainment events at the venue.

Club officials said they carefully evaluated the concert request before making their decision.

“FCB received an enquiry and considered it. However, after thorough review, we have decided not to proceed with the project, as we cannot, in accordance with our values, provide a platform for the artist in question within this context,” a spokesperson for the club stated.

The Swiss cancellation follows similar moves across Europe. Just days ago, a stadium in Poland announced it would scrap a West concert, coming after the artist delayed a French performance. Earlier this month, British authorities prevented the 48-year-old performer from entering the country for a festival appearance.

West, who now goes by Ye, issued an apology in January for his conduct, saying it stemmed from his untreated bipolar disorder. He also disavowed his previous statements praising Adolf Hitler.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has strongly denounced an assault that targeted French peacekeeping personnel serving with the United Nations mission UNIFIL on Saturday, announcing he has directed authorities to launch an immediate probe into the incident.

Salam made his statement through a social media post on X, where he expressed his condemnation of the attack against the French contingent members who are part of the international peacekeeping operation in the region.

The Prime Minister’s office has called for a thorough and swift investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the assault on the UN forces.

Efforts to broker peace between companies locked in a heated battle over Europe’s ambitious fighter aircraft program have collapsed, according to a German business publication’s weekend report.

The newspaper Handelsblatt revealed that negotiators from both France and Germany were unable to bridge the gap between feuding corporations in the Future Combat Air System initiative, though government officials may still step in to rescue the troubled venture.

Sources close to the discussions told the publication that the appointed mediators will now file individual reports detailing their unsuccessful attempts to reach a compromise.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to receive a briefing about the ongoing corporate standoff over the weekend and will determine Germany’s next steps by Tuesday, according to the report.

The German leader is scheduled to sit down with French President Emmanuel Macron during an unofficial European Union gathering in Cyprus next Thursday and Friday, potentially providing an opportunity to address the crisis.

The €100 billion military aircraft development program has been paralyzed by an extended power struggle between France’s Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which serves as the representative for both Germany and Spain in the multinational effort.

Earlier this month on April 1, Dassault Aviation’s chief executive announced he was allowing his organization a brief window of two to three weeks to determine if an agreement could be reached regarding the combat aircraft system.

Merz previously stated in late March that he was exhausting all available options to preserve the program and had arranged for two neutral parties to help bridge the corporate divide.

When contacted for comment, an Airbus Group representative in France chose not to respond, while officials from the German government, French presidency, and Dassault Aviation did not provide immediate statements.

BARCELONA, Spain — A diplomatic rift spanning five years between Mexico and Spain came to an end Saturday when Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Barcelona, settling their disagreement over Spain’s treatment of indigenous peoples during colonial times.

Speaking at the IV Meeting in Defense of Democracy, where delegates from 15 nations gathered to address growing threats to democratic values, Sheinbaum dismissed any notion of ongoing tensions. “There is no diplomatic crisis, there never was one,” the Mexican leader declared upon her arrival.

Before greeting Sánchez with a handshake, she emphasized the significance of honoring indigenous contributions, stating, “The important thing is to recognize the efforts of the indigenous people of our land.”

The resolution became possible after King Felipe VI of Spain took an unprecedented step in March by publicly recognizing that Spain’s conquest of the Americas resulted in the “abuse” of native populations.

The diplomatic friction began in 2019 when former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador sent correspondence to both the Spanish monarch and Pope Francis, calling on Spain to “publicly and officially” acknowledge wrongdoings during Mexico’s conquest.

When Spain declined to provide such recognition, relationships between the nations deteriorated significantly.

The situation reached its lowest point in 2024 when Sheinbaum excluded Felipe from her presidential inauguration ceremony due to the Spanish palace’s unwillingness to offer a formal apology. Sánchez denounced this decision as “unacceptable,” leading Spain to break with protocol by sending no official representative to the inauguration.

Following the king’s historic acknowledgment, Mexico extended an invitation to the Spanish monarch to attend a World Cup soccer match scheduled for this summer, signaling the beginning of diplomatic repair.

During Saturday’s gathering, Sánchez avoided referencing the now-resolved conflict while expressing gratitude to Sheinbaum for Mexico’s offer to host next year’s democracy summit.

Two commercial ships reported coming under gunfire Saturday while navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, according to three maritime security and shipping industry sources.

The vessels were attempting to pass through the strategic waterway when they reported being struck by gunfire, though the extent of any damage or casualties was not immediately known.

The incidents highlight ongoing tensions in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, which serves as a vital passage for global oil and trade shipments.

Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado revealed Saturday that she turned down an opportunity to meet with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during her recent trip to the country, citing his involvement in hosting a progressive political gathering in Barcelona.

Machado, who identifies as a right-wing liberal, chose to avoid the leftist coalition government headed by Sanchez, instead focusing her time on meetings with Spain’s conservative opposition figures who oppose the current administration.

Speaking at a Madrid event, Machado explained her decision by referencing the Barcelona summit. “What has transpired in the past few hours at the meeting he held in Barcelona with various political leaders from different countries is proof that such a meeting was not advisable,” she stated.

The incident highlights the political divide between Machado’s conservative stance and the progressive agenda promoted by Sanchez’s government, demonstrating how international political alignments influence diplomatic interactions even during unofficial visits.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on April 18th that Moscow believes it’s the right moment to begin discussions with Washington regarding future economic partnerships between the two nations, though he acknowledged ongoing disagreements persist.

Speaking during a diplomatic gathering in Antalya, Turkey, Lavrov made the remarks as part of Russia’s broader diplomatic outreach efforts. He also commented on the Western military alliance, describing NATO as being “not in the best state,” while emphasizing that Russia has no intention of interfering in the organization’s internal matters.

The push for enhanced economic collaboration with America has become a central element of Russia’s strategy to establish a diplomatic thaw with President Donald Trump’s administration.

Acclaimed French actress Nathalie Baye, recognized internationally for her performance in Steven Spielberg’s hit film “Catch Me if You Can,” has passed away at 77 years old, according to reports from AFP news agency on Saturday.

The celebrated performer died on Friday night at her residence in Paris, the French news outlet confirmed through statements from Baye’s family members.

NABATIYEH, Lebanon — Emergency medical crews arrived at the outskirts of Mayfadoun village in southern Lebanon during late morning hours, responding to reports of attacks on fellow paramedics.

The rescue teams had learned just minutes before on Wednesday that Israeli forces had struck two ambulances in the area, targeting the second vehicle as it arrived to assist the first. Despite knowing the risks, they rushed to help their colleagues and discovered a devastating scene.

Both initial ambulances lay in ruins with blown tires and shattered glass. Six of the eight crew members were bloodied and scattered across the roadway or inside the damaged vehicles. In one driver’s seat, a paramedic with blood flowing from his stomach held an unconscious colleague, desperately urging him to remain awake.

“I felt sick. I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Mohammed Jaber, 43, shared with The Associated Press on Friday from his emergency team’s base in Nabatiyeh, where crew members rested on foam mattresses. A 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict gave the exhausted workers a rare break from constant explosions.

Jaber explained that his team quickly began loading the most severely injured victims into their functional ambulances. However, as team leader Mahdi Abu Zaid moved to secure the vehicle doors, they too came under fire.

These three separate attacks, resulting in four paramedic deaths and six injuries, represent another instance of Israel targeting Lebanon’s medical infrastructure.

During the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, such strikes became a major point of controversy, with Israel claiming that Hezbollah, like Hamas in Gaza, operated from Lebanese medical facilities — allegations both Hezbollah and Lebanon’s Health Ministry reject.

The frequency of these attacks has remained steady, with humanitarian organizations documenting an average of two healthcare worker deaths daily throughout the war until Friday’s ceasefire began.

When asked about the Mayfadoun incidents, Israeli military officials did not reiterate previous claims about Hezbollah’s use of medical sites. They stated they were “aware of reports about the ambulance attacks” and that “the incident is under review.”

The assault on the third rescue team occurred while they were still evaluating injuries from the first two crews, happening less than six minutes after they reached the scene.

According to colleagues who spoke with the AP, an Israeli drone shattered the vehicles’ windows and hit 30-year-old Abu Zaid, knocking him to the ground. Abu Zaid, who had a 4-year-old child and worked selling spices and nuts when not volunteering as a paramedic, was declared dead upon arrival at al-Najda Hospital.

The medical workers’ testimonies align with video evidence from a GoPro camera worn by one paramedic. The footage documents intense gunfire striking the ambulance while medical personnel treated two bloodied colleagues, one breathing weakly through an oxygen mask.

Following the third assault, a fourth rescue team successfully reached the trapped medics and evacuated the wounded without being targeted.

These ambulance attacks have sparked widespread criticism, including from the United Nations’ human rights office, which expressed being “shocked” and cautioned that deliberately targeting medical personnel constitutes a war crime.

For the emergency workers involved, this incident exemplifies Israel’s campaign to dismantle southern Lebanon’s healthcare infrastructure as its military expands security operations to the Litani River, approximately 20 miles into Lebanese territory, seeking to protect northern Israeli communities from Iran-backed Hezbollah.

“They should be targeting fighters, where the fighting is happening, at the border,” said Jaber. “Why target medics and civilians? So that life becomes unbearable and people tell Hezbollah to give up?”

Lebanon’s Health Ministry has documented at least 100 medical worker fatalities since Israel began its bombing campaign and ground operations in Lebanon, responding to Hezbollah missile attacks across the border on March 2, following Israeli and U.S. strikes against Iran.

“This war is different than all the other wars,” stated Mohammed Suleiman, chief paramedic for Nabatiyeh Emergency Services.

Suleiman’s own 16-year-old son Joud — who had accompanied and assisted on missions since childhood — died alongside a fellow paramedic in an Israeli motorcycle strike on March 24, marking the unit’s first casualties since its 2002 establishment.

“I always had my fears, but I believed that as a neutral organization with no connection to politics, we would be safe, off-limits,” he explained.

Beyond its military operations, Hezbollah functions as one of Lebanon’s most influential political parties and operates an extensive network of civilian institutions including medical facilities and educational centers.

The initial two paramedic teams attacked Wednesday were deployed by the Islamic Health Committee, a major healthcare provider connected to Hezbollah, and the Risala Scout Association, a medical response group linked to Hezbollah’s ally, the Amal movement.

Numerous paramedics from both organizations have died during these six weeks of warfare. The primary Islamic Health Committee facility in Jibsheet village, near Nabatiyeh, was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike last month, joining 59 primary healthcare centers closed due to Israeli attacks, according to the World Health Organization.

The U.N. health agency also condemned Israeli strikes that hit Lebanon’s Tebnine Government Hospital twice within three days this week, injuring 11 medical staff, damaging the emergency ward and pharmacy, and destroying vital equipment including ventilators and monitoring devices.

With Friday’s ceasefire in place, the Nabatiyeh medics hired a tow truck and returned to the Mayfadoun roadside where they were attacked. The three ambulances remained there, riddled with shrapnel, while bloodstains marked the pavement.

They transported Abu Zeid’s destroyed ambulance to a public square in Nabatiyeh, hoping it would serve as a memorial.

“We want this vehicle to bear witness,” said Mahdi Sadeq, a service coordinator. “To bear witness to what happened, to what this war has done to our profession.”

BARCELONA, Spain — Democratic leaders from multiple nations convened in Spain’s second-largest city Saturday to address growing threats to liberal democracy worldwide, as far-right movements gain momentum and international conflicts strain global stability.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, known for his vocal opposition to President Donald Trump and the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, organized two concurrent events focused on democratic values and progressive governance at a Barcelona convention facility.

The fourth iteration of the Meeting in Defense of Democracy drew presidents from Brazil (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva), Mexico (Claudia Sheinbaum), South Africa (Cyril Ramaphosa), and Colombia (Gustavo Petro), alongside senior officials from ten additional nations. British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy also participated in the discussions.

Though Trump’s name wasn’t explicitly mentioned during the portions accessible to media, his administration’s unilateral approach—which breaks from longstanding U.S. foreign policy traditions—and his criticism of NATO and the United Nations created an underlying tension at the gathering aimed at preserving multilateral cooperation.

“We all see the attacks against the multilateral system, the repeated attempts to undermine international law and the dangerous normalization of the use of force,” Sánchez stated as the conference began.

The Spanish leader outlined priorities including strengthening multilateral institutions through U.N. reform, implementing social media regulations to curb hate speech and false information, and developing strategies to address widening economic disparities.

“We all share the vision that democracy is the best system to respond to the complexities of our societies,” he declared.

Brazil, Spain, and Chile established this forum in 2024 to facilitate idea-sharing aimed at countering what organizers describe as “extremism, polarization and misinformation” that weakens democratic participation.

Saturday evening will feature the debut Global Progressive Mobilization, bringing together approximately 3,000 left-leaning elected officials and policy experts for strategic discussions.

These meetings followed Friday’s summit between Sánchez and Lula at a former Barcelona royal residence, where they expressed mutual concerns about global instability stemming from Russia’s Ukrainian invasion, Israel’s Gaza operations following Hamas attacks, and current Iranian conflicts affecting energy markets.

Both Lula and Sánchez represent a shrinking group of progressive leaders who maintain domestic popularity while advocating for multilateral agreements, human rights protections, environmental safeguards, and gender equality—principles frequently challenged by Trump, Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei, and European far-right movements.

Australian authorities are investigating a fatal vehicle incident that occurred at a popular entertainment convention in Melbourne, leaving one person dead and another with severe injuries.

The tragedy unfolded shortly before 5 p.m. local time when a vehicle jumped the curb and struck two pedestrians, according to police reports released Saturday. Officers arrested the driver immediately at the scene.

“The circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established and the investigation remains ongoing,” authorities stated in their official release.

Media outlets report the incident took place at the location where the Supanova Comic Con and Gaming event was being held, adding to concerns about public safety at large gatherings.

The investigation continues as police work to determine what led to the deadly crash that has shaken the Melbourne community.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced Saturday that his nation is collaborating closely with Pakistan to develop a comprehensive framework designed to achieve enduring peace between the United States and Iran.

Speaking from Antalya, Abdelatty revealed that a coalition including Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia is orchestrating an extensive regional diplomatic initiative. The effort focuses on averting future military escalations while establishing the foundation for post-conflict security arrangements.

The minister emphasized that the initiative prioritizes safeguarding Gulf nations while ensuring stability in global energy markets, international supply chains, and food security systems.

CAIRO (AP) — Tehran quickly backtracked on its decision to allow ships through the Strait of Hormuz, closing the vital shipping lane again Saturday following President Trump’s announcement that America would maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Iranian military leadership announced Saturday that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state … under strict management and control of the armed forces.” Military officials warned they would maintain the closure as long as American forces continued blocking Iranian shipping routes.

The reversal happened just hours after President Trump declared that despite Iran’s Friday announcement about reopening the waterway, the US blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran negotiates an agreement with Washington, particularly regarding its nuclear activities.

The standoff over this crucial shipping route threatens to worsen the global energy emergency affecting the worldwide economy, especially after oil costs had started dropping Friday amid hopes for US-Iranian progress. About 20 percent of global oil shipments travel through this waterway, and additional restrictions could tighten already limited supplies, pushing fuel prices upward again.

Iran’s authority over this strategic passage has become its primary bargaining chip, leading Washington to position naval forces and establish a port blockade as part of efforts to pressure Tehran into accepting a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire ending nearly seven weeks of conflict involving Israel, America, and Iran.

Tehran had announced complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial traffic following a 10-day ceasefire declaration between Israel and Iran-supported Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. Ending Israel’s Lebanese conflict was a central requirement from Iranian negotiators, who had previously blamed Israel for violating an earlier ceasefire through Lebanese airstrikes. Israeli officials had stated that previous agreement didn’t include Lebanon.

However, following Trump’s blockade continuation announcement, senior Iranian leaders claimed his statement broke last week’s ceasefire arrangement between Iran and the US, warning the strait would remain closed while American naval restrictions continued.

Maritime tracking company Kpler reported that vessel movement through the strait stayed limited to specific channels requiring Iranian permission.

US Central Command announced on social media that American naval forces have turned away 21 vessels bound for Iran since beginning the blockade Monday.

Even with rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistani diplomats indicate the United States and Iran continue making progress toward an agreement before the April 22 ceasefire expiration.

The Lebanese ceasefire might remove a significant barrier to reaching a deal. During a diplomatic conference in Antalya, Turkey, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called the Lebanese ceasefire encouraging, explaining that Israel-Hezbollah fighting had been a major obstacle before Islamabad discussions concluded “very close” to an agreement last weekend.

Pakistani military leader Field Marshal Asim Munir traveled to Tehran, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Antalya, according to military and government sources. Pakistan plans to facilitate another round of US-Iran negotiations early next week.

Despite mediator optimism, questions remain about whether Hezbollah will honor a truce they didn’t help negotiate and which allows Israeli forces to maintain control over parts of southern Lebanon.

Trump posted separately that Israel is “prohibited” by the US from additional Lebanese strikes and declared “enough is enough” regarding the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

The State Department clarified the restriction covers only aggressive attacks, not defensive responses.

Just before Trump’s statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel accepted the Lebanese ceasefire “at the request of my friend President Trump,” while emphasizing the Hezbollah campaign remains incomplete.

Netanyahu stated Israel had eliminated approximately 90% of Hezbollah’s missile and rocket arsenal and noted that Israeli forces “have not finished yet” with dismantling the organization.

In Beirut, displaced residents started returning to southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern neighborhoods despite official warnings against going home until the ceasefire’s stability becomes clear.

Lebanese military and UN peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon documented scattered artillery fire in some southern areas during the hours following the ceasefire implementation.

The conflict, which started with US and Israeli military action on February 28, has resulted in at least 3,000 Iranian deaths, over 2,290 Lebanese casualties, 23 Israeli fatalities, and more than twelve deaths in Gulf Arab nations. Thirteen American military personnel have also died.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has issued a stark warning that continued American pressure on Latin American leaders who oppose Washington could trigger a regional uprising against US influence, according to remarks published Saturday in Spanish newspaper El Pais.

The 65-year-old leader, who previously belonged to the leftist M-19 guerrilla movement, has repeatedly found himself at odds with President Donald Trump’s administration, which added him to a Treasury Department sanctions list over alleged connections to international drug trafficking.

Speaking from Barcelona where he attended a summit with leaders from Spain, Brazil and Mexico, Petro accused the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control of wielding sanctions as a political weapon to pressure leaders who hold opposing viewpoints.

“It’s a system like the one the Spanish king had a few centuries ago. And what was Latin America’s response? Rebellion. That’s what will happen now if the U.S. government isn’t capable of rethinking its ties to Latin America,” Petro stated during the interview.

The Colombian president cited the January US military operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas as an example of American actions that have created anxiety among regional leaders.

Despite these tensions, Petro described his direct relationship with Trump as positive, noting they had communicated twice in recent weeks and dispelled misconceptions about one another. He emphasized that he approached their meetings as an equal rather than coming to Washington to plead for favors.

Petro, who won election in 2022, will step down from office in August due to Colombia’s constitutional prohibition on consecutive presidential terms.

RAVE, India (AP) — Community members from the Agri-Koli tradition participated in an ancient ceremonial competition on Friday, working together to raise elaborately adorned bamboo structures in their village outside Mumbai, India.

The ritual takes place annually in the village of Rave and serves as a tribute to the goddess Raiba Devi, continuing a cultural practice that has been observed for hundreds of years.

This coverage features a collection of photographs selected by Associated Press photo editors documenting the traditional celebration.

BEIJING – Chinese officials announced Saturday their readiness to proceed with discussions aimed at enhancing the existing free trade agreement between China and Switzerland.

During bilateral trade discussions held in Bern, China’s Commerce Ministry released a statement indicating that an upgraded, high-quality free trade pact would provide fresh energy for commercial, investment, and innovation partnerships between the two nations.

The ministry emphasized that such an enhanced agreement would strengthen economic ties and create new opportunities for cooperation across multiple sectors.

Britain’s top diplomat is calling on Iran to completely restore international shipping access through a crucial Middle Eastern waterway following a recent ceasefire agreement.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper spoke Saturday from a diplomatic conference in Antalya, Turkey, expressing concerns that maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has not returned to standard levels even after hostilities paused in Iran’s ongoing conflict.

“We are at a critical diplomatic moment with a ceasefire now in place … but we don’t yet have normal passage through the strait,” Cooper explained to Reuters during the international diplomacy gathering.

The British official emphasized that the current truce must evolve into a permanent peace agreement. Cooper stressed the importance of quickly restoring full shipping operations through the strategic waterway, citing its essential role in supporting worldwide economic stability.

KYIV, Ukraine — Museum director Alina Dotsenko experienced devastating heartbreak when she entered her facility after Ukrainian troops reclaimed the southern city of Kherson from Russian occupation in late 2022. Thousands of precious artworks had disappeared.

“I walked in and saw empty storage rooms, empty shelves. My legs gave way, and I just sat down by the wall, like a child,” said Dotsenko, who heads the Kherson Art Museum.

The museum previously housed more than 14,000 pieces in a diverse collection “ranging from America to Japan” before Russia’s comprehensive invasion began in early 2022. As Russian troops withdrew, they transported much of the collection by truck to Russian-controlled Crimea, according to Dotsenko and footage captured by local residents.

Nearly 10,000 artworks remain unaccounted for.

Ukraine is renewing its protests about cultural theft as Russia attempts to rejoin international cultural events. The upcoming Venice Biennale intends to permit Russian participation for the first time since 2022. Ukrainian officials argue the event “must not become a stage for whitewashing the war crimes that Russia commits daily against the Ukrainian people and our cultural heritage.”

The Kherson situation is unique because Ukraine has precise documentation of what was stolen.

Prior to the conflict, Dotsenko had systematically photographed every piece in the museum’s collection, building a comprehensive digital database. When Russian forces captured Kherson, she concealed the hard drives containing this information. After Ukrainian soldiers returned, she recovered them.

This database now represents the most complete documentation of stolen cultural property during the conflict, enabling prosecutors to collaborate with Interpol in tracking missing pieces and pursuing accountability.

Throughout most of Ukraine, however, similar records don’t exist. Cultural theft cases can only be prosecuted in court when losses can be proven piece by piece.

The Russian Culture Ministry did not reply to Associated Press inquiries about the alleged theft from Ukrainian museums. Previously, Russian-appointed officials in occupied regions characterized the removals as protective actions.

Kirill Stremousov, the former Russia-appointed deputy administrator in Kherson who died shortly before Ukrainian forces freed the city, claimed removed statues would “definitely return” once hostilities ended.

Halyna Chumak, former head of the Donetsk Regional Art Museum, escaped Russian-controlled Donetsk in 2014, taking what she could manage: catalogs documenting a small portion of the museum’s approximately 15,000 artworks.

She spent twelve months moving the catalogs through military checkpoints into Ukrainian-held territory, abandoning most to avoid attracting attention from pro-Russian forces who inspected her at each crossing point.

Those catalogs covering slightly more than 1,000 pieces represent the only remaining evidence. More than ten years later, Ukrainian businessman Oleksandr Velychko is converting them to digital format.

His team required more than three careful months to process roughly 400 works. When finished, the database will be provided to Ukrainian authorities, offering partial legal grounds to claim ownership of missing pieces.

Authorities indicate many situations across Ukraine mirror Donetsk rather than Kherson.

Anna Sosonska, deputy chief of a war crimes division at Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office, said her department is managing 23 criminal cases involving cultural crimes, encompassing 174 instances of theft, damage and destruction.

The Kherson museum case ranks among top priorities, she noted, primarily due to Dotsenko’s digital records.

Sosonska explained that Russian forces frequently take inventory books and other documentation from museums, complicating efforts to establish what was stolen.

Prosecutors sometimes depend on open-source intelligence, following artworks through photographs, auction records and other online evidence — a time-consuming process that cannot rebuild complete collections.

Progress takes time, but Sosonska emphasized that cultural crimes fall under international law and face no time limits for prosecution.

Ukrainian authorities say the extent of theft greatly surpasses what can be documented.

Ukraine’s Culture Ministry reports that Russia had destroyed or damaged 1,707 cultural heritage sites and 2,503 cultural infrastructure facilities including event venues and galleries as of March, most notably the Mariupol Drama Theatre.

The ministry stated that over 2.1 million museum objects remain in Russian-occupied areas. From territories Ukraine has reclaimed since 2022, more than 35,000 museum items are confirmed stolen.

Substantial portions of Ukraine have remained under Russian control since 2014, and much original documentation has been lost, destroyed or taken.

Russia has moved to legally formalize control over captured collections. In 2023, it modified laws to incorporate 77 Ukrainian museums in the occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions into its national registry, a move critics say effectively prevents the return of stolen works.

Named as Ukraine’s culture minister in October 2025, Tetiana Berezhna said digitization will be a central priority for her office to protect collections.

“If we had digitalized them beforehand, then we would know how many objects were stolen and what they look like,” she said.

A recent European case has highlighted the potential for accountability.

In March, a Polish court determined that Oleksandr Butiahin, a Russian citizen, can be sent to Ukraine over accusations he conducted unauthorized excavations in Crimea, removing artifacts from a site Ukraine considers its cultural heritage.

Butiahin was arrested in Poland last year following Ukraine’s request. The court’s ruling remains open to appeal.

Sosonska described the case as the first instance where a Russian citizen could face prosecution for crimes against Ukraine’s cultural heritage connected to occupied territory.

For museum professionals like Dotsenko, the matter remains intensely personal.

She spoke with The Associated Press at an exhibition in Kyiv displaying reproductions of the paintings stolen from the Kherson museum.

“While these works are still in captivity, we all hope the situation will be resolved in favor of the Kherson Art Museum. I didn’t dedicate 50 years of my life to this museum for nothing,” she said.

Ukrainian forces conducted overnight drone attacks on industrial facilities located in two Russian cities situated along the Volga River, according to regional officials on Saturday.

Samara region Governor Vyacheslav Fedorischev confirmed that the aerial strikes targeted industrial sites in Syzran and Novokuibyshevsk, stating that the assault was still ongoing as of his announcement.

While the governor did not specify which particular facilities were hit during the attack, both municipalities are home to petroleum refining operations that have faced repeated targeting throughout the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Ukrainian officials reported extensive damage from a massive Russian drone assault that occurred during overnight hours on April 18, affecting critical infrastructure across multiple regions.

The southern Odesa region bore the brunt of strikes targeting port facilities, with regional governor Oleh Kiper reporting via Telegram that unmanned aircraft struck agricultural storage facilities, supply depots, and government buildings. Kiper confirmed no injuries resulted from the bombardment.

In northern Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, Russian forces struck an electrical generation facility, according to the area’s power distribution company posting on Telegram. The attack left approximately 380,000 people without electricity.

Ukrainian air defense forces tracked a total of 219 long-range unmanned aircraft launched by Russia during the nighttime offensive, military officials announced.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A doorway that previously opened into a family living space now leads to empty air. The flooring has been removed, along with the walls and ceiling.

This was once the residence of Syed Murtaza Sadar in Afghanistan’s capital, situated above the barbershop and bathhouse that served as his family’s livelihood. These structures have also been almost entirely eliminated, reduced to debris and broken masonry. Sadar and his relatives were compelled to dismantle most of the structure by themselves.

“This was our house and now I am destroying it with my own hands,” the 25-year-old explained while taking a moment’s rest from tearing down a brick barrier. “It will be very difficult for us.”

Two months prior, city officials visited this neighborhood and informed property and business owners that their buildings would be seized to create space for a broader roadway, as part of initiatives to upgrade the Afghan capital’s severely congested transportation network.

Initially, no one took them seriously, Sadar explained. However, demolition teams subsequently appeared.

Residences, commercial establishments, and even burial grounds are being destroyed throughout Kabul to accommodate street construction. Expanded roadways, overpasses and underground passages are quickly replacing narrow and frequently pothole-riddled streets.

Much of the blueprint was developed years earlier, during Afghanistan’s period under a U.S.-supported administration. However, most construction never began, becoming entangled in bureaucratic delays, corruption, and security threats from the Taliban resistance.

Soon after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, following the disorderly departure of U.S.-led forces, Kabul’s new city leadership began restarting these initiatives.

Over the past four and a half years, approximately 450 kilometers (280 miles) of streets have been constructed in the capital, according to Naimatullah Barakzai, Kabul municipality’s cultural affairs representative, during a recent press briefing. Throughout this period, 11,278 properties were seized.

An additional 233 projects are scheduled for this year, with more than 1.9 billion afghanis ($29 million) designated, according to Mohammad Qasim Afghan, the municipality’s planning director.

The street construction initiatives are funded completely through municipal resources, Barakzai stated, mentioning that over the previous 4½ years, Kabul municipality had generated more than 28 billion afghanis (approximately $434 million).

Property holders receive roughly three months’ warning and receive payment at rates determined by the municipality. In the previous year, more than 1.2 billion afghanis ($18.6 million) were distributed as compensation, Barakzai reported.

Opposition is not truly possible.

Sadar, the building owner, explained that demolition teams destroyed the front portions of structures on his street. Subsequently, officials informed owners they must complete the destruction themselves.

His enterprise provided employment for approximately 25 individuals, Sadar noted. It supported his extended family — five households total, each containing three or four children.

“If the government gives us money (in compensation) then God willing, I will be able to go back to work and I will be able to buy a house or build a house for myself,” he stated. Currently, they are residing in rental housing, depleting their savings.

Nevertheless, Sadar expressed satisfaction about the road expansion. The current street, with only one lane in each direction, becomes so packed with vehicles that traveling anywhere requires spending an hour in traffic, he observed.

At a different construction location in the city, project supervisor and engineer Obaidullah Elham reported that crews operate continuously, seven days weekly, to construct a Turkish-designed 1.5 billion afghani ($23 million) overpass and tunnel to replace the heavily congested Baraki intersection.

Five hundred employees, both trained and untrained, are working on the project, Elham stated, creating essential employment in a nation experiencing widespread poverty.

Construction on the 470-meter (1,540-foot) long tunnel started last July and is 80% finished, the project supervisor said, while an excavator worked the soil nearby. Building of the overpass commenced earlier this year. It will become only the second such structure in Kabul.

In Kabul’s Qala-e-Khater district, portions of a cemetery that has contained residents’ remains for approximately 200 years must also be cleared for a new street that will cut through the community.

Burial sites sit vacant, with large rectangular openings where the deceased have been removed. Their remains have been relocated to another section of the cemetery across the street.

Abdul Wadood Alokozay said his grandfather’s body was among those moved.

Alokozay’s extended family possessed three properties in the vicinity. One housed a girls’ madrassa, or religious school. The remaining two were family residences. All were seized and demolished completely. Only a faint outline in the muddy soil remains.

“At first our family (were) all sad for this, that we lost our house,” the 21-year-old said. Even more difficult was destroying it themselves, after residing there for over twenty years.

As payment, they received more than $13,000 for all three structures and have been promised additional compensation for the land. The family has constructed a new, three-story residence on other property they owned, overlooking the former location.

Blueprints for this roadway have existed for decades, stated 30-year-old community representative Shah Faisal Alokozay, Abdul Wadood’s cousin.

“It’s a very important road, connecting east and north Kabul,” he explained. “So it is very important for the community.”

New Zealand officials are pushing back against Chinese accusations that one of their military aircraft violated security protocols during a patrol mission in waters near China on Saturday.

Beijing’s foreign ministry announced Friday that a New Zealand P-8A patrol plane had “conducted continuous close-in reconnaissance and harassment in the airspace and waters of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea.”

Chinese spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that “The action undermined China’s security interests, increased risks of misunderstanding and miscalculation, and gravely disrupted the order of civil aviation,” according to official government records.

New Zealand’s Defence Force countered the allegations, explaining that a Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft “has been undertaking activities that monitor North Korean sanctions evasions at sea in North Asia under UN Security Council resolutions.”

Defence officials emphasized that “The New Zealand Defence Force crew operated professionally and in accordance with international law and civil aviation procedures for the region.” They added in their official response: “We have made it clear that this is a longstanding deployment enforcing UN-mandated sanctions on North Korea.”

Tensions between New Zealand and China have been elevated since February of last year when Chinese naval forces held live-fire military drills in the Tasman Sea near New Zealand’s coastline. The two nations’ leadership attempted to repair diplomatic relations during a June meeting in New Zealand, focusing on trade partnerships as a way to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Finance manager Mahnaz Ataei faces a daily juggling act at her Tehran workplace, supervising her 7-year-old son’s virtual lessons while attempting to complete her professional responsibilities.

Educational institutions throughout Iran remain shuttered following the conflict that began February 28 when the United States and Israel initiated military action, with officials providing no timeline for returning to classroom instruction. While concerns about aerial bombardments have diminished since a temporary ceasefire took hold, normalcy remains elusive.

Similar to the pandemic-related shutdowns from six years prior, working mothers and fathers with young children face particular hardships.

“My productivity drops when I have to pay attention to both my child and my work at the same time,” Ataei said. “The hardest part is trying to create balance between work and online classes, and always stressing over whether he is really learning his lessons properly.”

The conflict claimed no fewer than 3,000 Iranian lives, including over 165 fatalities from an attack on a primary school. The temporary truce is scheduled to end early next week, with Washington and Tehran remaining at odds over critical matters including Iran’s uranium enrichment program. A potential U.S. maritime embargo threatens to further devastate Iran’s already weakened economic situation.

Numerous families evacuated the capital with their children once the bombing campaign commenced. However, the increased security came with consequences including disrupted daily schedules, overcrowded housing situations, and economic strain. These families now face the challenge of rebuilding their normal lives without knowing what lies ahead.

“I feel like I’m suspended — neither in the air nor on the ground,” said Roya Amiri, a housewife who recently returned to Tehran after fleeing with her two sons, ages 10 and 18, days after the start of the war.

Amiri’s household joined hundreds of thousands of Iranians who abandoned the capital and other urban centers, seeking refuge in countryside locations or the relatively untouched northern regions. They found shelter with family members, creating a living situation with 15 individuals under a single roof.

Conflicts arose among the young people as they were crammed into tight spaces while their normal schedules and sleep patterns suffered disruption. Her younger son suffers from a breathing condition, and locating his required medicine proved challenging.

Educational facilities closed following the initial attacks, temporarily reopening with virtual instruction for one week in March before the Nowruz celebration. Distance learning recommenced on April 4.

Despite the possibility of renewed fighting looming over the capital, Amiri expressed confidence that returning to Tehran was the correct choice. Should warfare resume, she intends to remain in her own residence.

“I was tired of living collectively. I wanted to return to my own home and routine,” Amiri said. “I missed Tehran.”

Reza Jafari and his spouse relocated their children to stay with her relatives — another household that quickly accommodated more than twelve family members and extended relatives.

“Because the sound of explosions was distressing and my children were terrified, I left Tehran for their peace of mind,” he said. “I was happy to be with relatives. It felt like a forced but valuable opportunity to reconnect.”

According to Jafari, the youngsters appeared to adjust more quickly, surrounded by grandparents, cousins and continuous activities. The grown-ups struggled more with disrupted rest, lack of personal space, monetary stress and the fatigue that accompanies extended stays as houseguests, regardless of how welcoming the hosts.

Architect Padideh Teymourian and her spouse Amir Ramezani, who operates a jewelry business, have restructured their daily lives around their 6-year-old daughter’s virtual preschool program.

Teymourian’s workplace reopened following the holiday period and prohibited remote work arrangements, she explained. Staff members who didn’t report for duty were instructed to request unpaid time off.

Their mornings start with hurried preparations to establish a temporary learning space at home. One parent must remain beside their daughter during her entire class session, making sure she has the correct materials and stays engaged.

Ramezani adjusted his work hours to stay home during daytime hours. Teymourian assumes responsibility in the afternoon, using accumulated leave time to bridge the gap. “My husband’s work schedule has been completely disrupted, and I also take about an hour and a half of hourly leave every day,” she said.

Ramezani frequently arrives home well after midnight, once their daughter has already fallen asleep. Shared family meals have become uncommon.

“It has put economic and emotional pressure on both of us,” he said. “Life is moving on fast forward … You don’t even notice how the day becomes night. We’re just getting through time until things go back to the way they were.”

TORONTO — A Toronto-area resident originally facing murder accusations for allegedly distributing deadly chemicals through online sales will instead admit guilt to charges of assisting suicide, according to his legal representative who spoke with the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. on Friday.

Defense attorney Matthew Gourlay informed CBC News that Canadian prosecutors have agreed to drop all 14 murder accusations against Kenneth Law in exchange for the guilty plea.

The case is set to appear before a Newmarket, Ontario court Monday afternoon.

Neither Gourlay’s law firm nor Ontario’s Attorney General’s office responded to requests for comment.

Authorities say Law operated multiple online platforms to advertise and distribute sodium nitrite, a chemical typically used in meat processing that becomes lethal when consumed.

Investigators believe Law shipped no fewer than 1,200 packages to customers across more than 40 nations worldwide. Law enforcement agencies in the United States, Britain, Italy, Australia and New Zealand have opened their own investigations.

Canadian law prohibits encouraging suicide, though physician-assisted death became legal in 2016 for individuals 18 and older. Adults suffering from serious medical conditions, illnesses or disabilities may request medical assistance in dying, but must seek help through a licensed doctor.

Law remains behind bars following his arrest at his Mississauga, Ontario residence in May 2023.

Under Canada’s Criminal Code, assisting suicide carries a potential 14-year prison term. Murder convictions result in automatic life sentences with no possibility of parole for a minimum of 25 years.

President Donald Trump warned Friday that military operations against Iran may restart if diplomatic negotiations collapse when the current ceasefire concludes next week, while maintaining that U.S. blockade measures in the region will continue regardless.

When questioned Friday evening about his plans should talks fail after the truce expires, Trump stated, “I don’t know. Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade is going to remain. But maybe I won’t extend it, so you’ll have a blockade and unfortunately we’ll have to start dropping bombs again.”

Despite the warning, Trump expressed optimism while speaking to journalists on Air Force One en route to Washington, saying “I think it’s going to happen,” when discussing the possibility of reaching an agreement.

Uncertainty continued Saturday regarding actual shipping access through the strategic waterway, as Tehran maintained control over the strait while determining which vessels could pass, and continued threatening closure if American blockade measures against Iranian vessels and ports persist.

Tehran’s Friday declaration regarding the reopening of the vital shipping channel, which handles 20% of global oil transport, occurred while a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Iran-supported Hezbollah forces in Lebanon remained intact.

The conflict has resulted in casualties totaling at least 3,000 deaths in Iran, approximately 2,300 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and over a dozen across Gulf Arab nations. Additionally, thirteen American military personnel have lost their lives.

When asked about potential Iranian-managed restrictions or fees for Strait of Hormuz passage, President Trump firmly dismissed the concept.

“Nope. No way. No. Nope,” Trump responded. He emphasized that tolls combined with restrictions would be unacceptable. “No, they’re not going to be tolls.”

President Donald Trump expressed cautious optimism about diplomatic efforts with Iran during his Friday flight back to Washington, though he warned that current ceasefire arrangements could collapse by Wednesday without a lasting agreement.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from Phoenix, Trump indicated positive developments were occurring but refused to provide specifics about the encouraging news.

“It seems to be going very well in the Middle East with Iran,” Trump stated. “We’re negotiating over the weekend. I expect things to go well. Many of these things have been negotiated and agreed to.”

However, the president struck a more serious tone when discussing the Wednesday deadline, emphasizing that he might terminate the current ceasefire with Iran if negotiators fail to reach a comprehensive peace agreement before the deadline expires. Trump also confirmed that American naval blockades of Iranian ports would remain in effect.

The conflict, which erupted on February 28 with coordinated U.S.-Israeli military action, has resulted in thousands of casualties and caused global oil prices to spike due to the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that previously handled approximately one-fifth of worldwide petroleum shipments.

Earlier Friday, Iran announced the temporary reopening of the strategically vital strait following a separate ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Lebanon. This development came after Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in response to Hezbollah’s entry into the conflict on Iran’s side.

Despite announcements about the waterway’s reopening, conflicting statements from various officials have created confusion about when normal shipping operations might resume through this crucial global oil transit point.

Trump mentioned to Reuters that additional direct diplomatic meetings between Iranian and American representatives would likely occur over the weekend. However, diplomatic sources expressed skepticism about the feasibility of organizing such high-level talks in Islamabad, the expected venue for negotiations.

No visible preparations for weekend discussions were apparent Saturday morning in Pakistan’s capital, where the most significant U.S.-Iran diplomatic engagement since the 1979 Islamic Revolution concluded without agreement the previous weekend.

Pakistan’s chief military officer, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has been serving as a key intermediary, has been conducting discussions in Tehran since Wednesday.

According to a Pakistani source familiar with the mediation process, potential meetings between Iran and the United States could yield an initial framework agreement, potentially followed by a complete peace settlement within 60 days.

The situation remains complicated by statements from Iranian officials. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who also serves as a senior negotiator, warned on social media that the Strait of Hormuz “will not remain open” if American blockade operations continue.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced through social media that the strait would accommodate all commercial shipping for the duration of the 10-day truce established Thursday between Israel and Lebanon.

Maritime tracking data revealed that approximately 20 vessels, including container ships, bulk carriers, and oil tankers, began moving toward the Strait of Hormuz Friday evening. However, most of these ships ultimately reversed course for unclear reasons. The flotilla included three container vessels operated by French shipping company CMA CGM, which declined to provide comment.

One exception was the cruise ship Celestyal Discovery, previously stranded in Dubai, which successfully crossed the strait Saturday morning and was heading toward Oman, according to Marine Traffic monitoring systems.

Iran has implemented new requirements mandating that all vessels coordinate with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps before transit, a procedure that wasn’t necessary before the conflict began. The Defense Ministry issued a statement through state television clarifying that military ships and vessels connected to “hostile forces” – specifically the United States and Israel – remain prohibited from passage.

Shipping companies have indicated they need additional clarification, particularly regarding potential mine hazards, before resuming normal operations through the Gulf entrance.

The U.S. Navy has issued warnings to maritime operators that the extent of mine threats in portions of the waterway remains unclear, recommending that vessels consider avoiding the area entirely.

Significant questions persist regarding how Iran and the United States will address Tehran’s nuclear program, which has emerged as a major obstacle in peace discussions. Iran maintains its right to what it characterizes as a civilian nuclear energy initiative.

Trump told Reuters that America would remove Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium, while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei informed state television that the material would not be transferred elsewhere.

A senior Iranian official separately expressed hope that a preliminary agreement could be achieved in the coming days.

Global markets responded positively to prospects of resumed maritime traffic, with oil prices dropping approximately 10% and international stock markets surging Friday.

Following a Friday video conference, more than a dozen nations indicated willingness to participate in an international maritime protection mission in the strait when circumstances allow, according to British officials.

A high-ranking Iranian official told Reuters that negotiators had agreed to unfreeze billions of dollars in Iranian assets as part of any accord, though no timeline was specified. Later Friday, Trump, who frequently describes peace negotiations as a “deal” or “transaction,” told an Arizona rally that “no money will exchange hands in any way, shape or form.”

During last weekend’s negotiations, American representatives proposed a 20-year suspension of all Iranian nuclear activities, while Iran suggested a three-to-five-year halt, according to individuals familiar with the proposals.

Two Iranian sources indicated signs of a potential compromise that could involve removing portions of the uranium stockpile.

Trump suggested to Reuters that the United States might proceed deliberately rather than hastily. “We’re going to go in with Iran, at a nice leisurely pace, and go down and start excavating with big machinery,” he explained during a phone interview. “We’ll bring it back to the United States.”

Despite Trump’s positive outlook, Iranian sources told Reuters that “gaps remained to be resolved” before reaching a preliminary agreement, while senior religious leaders adopted a defiant stance during Friday prayers.

“Our people do not negotiate while being humiliated,” declared cleric Ahmad Khatami.

Defense officials from Australia and Japan have formalized contracts to move forward with a massive A$10 billion ($7 billion) naval vessel agreement, marking Tokyo’s largest military equipment sale since it lifted restrictions on weapons exports in 2014.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi put their signatures on a memorandum that confirms both nations’ dedication to successfully completing the warship project, according to Marles’ official statement.

The agreement, which was initially reached last August, represents Japan’s strategic shift from its post-World War II pacifist stance as it builds defense partnerships beyond its traditional U.S. alliance to address China’s growing influence.

Under the terms, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will deliver three enhanced Mogami-class multi-purpose frigates to Australia’s Royal Navy, with construction taking place in Japan beginning in 2029. An additional eight vessels will be manufactured on Australian soil.

Japan’s Defense Ministry announced on social media platform X that both ministers celebrated the contract signing and pledged to deepen their countries’ defense cooperation during the ceremony held in Melbourne.

The initial trio of frigates will be constructed in Japan before production shifts to Australia’s Henderson shipbuilding facility located near Perth in Western Australia, Marles explained.

These new vessels are engineered for multiple combat roles, including submarine tracking, surface vessel engagement, and aerial defense operations. Australia intends to use them for protecting vital shipping lanes and securing its northern waters in the Indian and Pacific regions, areas where China has been expanding its military presence.

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer finds himself in the political fight of his life, with mounting calls for his resignation over a diplomatic appointment gone horribly wrong.

The crisis centers around Starmer’s controversial choice of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States — a man who openly described himself as Jeffrey Epstein’s “best pal” despite the convicted sex offender’s criminal history.

What began as questionable judgment has escalated into accusations that Starmer deliberately misled Parliament about the appointment process. The revelation could spell the end of his tenure as Prime Minister, particularly damaging given his campaign promise to restore integrity to British politics after years of Conservative scandals.

“Starmer set himself up as the guy who always followed the rules, in stark contrast to, say, Boris Johnson, and he came to power effectively promising to ‘drain the swamp’,” explained Tim Bale, a political science professor at Queen Mary University of London.

“Because of that, the latest revelations in the unholy mess created by his ill-judged appointment of Peter Mandelson mean that many voters now see him not only as a liar but as a hypocrite — and hypocrisy is one of the worst sins that any British politician can possibly commit,” Bale continued.

The latest bombshell dropped Thursday when The Guardian published reports showing Mandelson initially failed security clearance requirements for the ambassadorial position he would later be dismissed from after nine months. This directly contradicts Starmer’s parliamentary testimony that “full due process” had been followed throughout the appointment.

Government officials maintain that Starmer and his cabinet only learned this week that the Foreign Office had reached a different conclusion during its initial evaluation. The controversy has already claimed one casualty — Foreign Office chief civil servant Olly Robbins submitted his resignation.

Starmer now must defend himself against questions about his knowledge of the screening procedures, which examined Mandelson’s financial dealings, personal associations including his Epstein connection, and overall character assessment.

Additional allegations suggest Starmer may have pressured officials to overlook red flags concerning the 72-year-old Mandelson during the vetting process.

The Prime Minister expressed being “absolutely furious” about being kept uninformed, describing the situation as “staggering” and “unforgivable.” He plans to address Parliament directly on Monday.

Despite Starmer’s poor approval ratings and expected Labour losses in upcoming May elections, leadership challenges had recently quieted down. His decision to avoid direct UK military involvement in the Iran conflict had resonated positively with voters.

Mandelson represented a calculated gamble from the start, given his history of resigning twice from previous Labour administrations over financial and ethical violations around 2000, plus his well-documented relationship with Epstein, who died in custody in 2019.

Starmer’s strategy seemed clear: leverage Mandelson’s negotiating experience and trade knowledge to help shield Britain from the harshest Trump administration tariffs.

Initially, this approach appeared successful, but the situation deteriorated by September 2025 when leaked emails revealed Mandelson had continued supporting Epstein even while the financier faced imprisonment for sex crimes. Though politically damaging, Starmer hoped firing Mandelson would end the controversy.

Those hopes were crushed in January when the U.S. Justice Department released extensive Epstein-related documents. The so-called Epstein Files contained emails suggesting that during Mandelson’s government service from 2009-2010, he had shared confidential and potentially market-sensitive government intelligence with the disgraced financier.

Starmer has issued multiple public apologies to British citizens and Epstein’s trafficking victims for trusting what he now calls “Mandelson’s lies.”

British authorities have since opened a criminal investigation, conducting searches of Mandelson’s London and western England residences. Police arrested Mandelson on February 23rd on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Following more than nine hours of interrogation, he was released on bail the next morning. Mandelson maintains his innocence and faces no sexual misconduct allegations.

Starmer likely hoped his measured response to the Iran crisis would suppress leadership speculation, even with Labour’s anticipated poor showing in May’s elections — Britain’s equivalent to American midterm contests.

Such optimism appears misplaced.

“This scandal is not ending,” declared Kemi Badenoch, who leads the opposition Conservative Party. “He has run out of people to sack, he has run out of places to hide, he has run out of authority. The buck stops with him. His position is untenable and he must go.”

The crucial factor will be Labour parliamentarians’ reactions.

Monday’s parliamentary statement will provide Starmer with a key opportunity to assess party support. While few Labour members have publicly called for his departure, any additional defections following weekend campaigning in their home districts could signal serious trouble.

Political leadership can collapse rapidly, as demonstrated by Boris Johnson’s trajectory from commanding a substantial 2019 electoral victory to resigning as both Prime Minister and Member of Parliament just three years later amid a cascade of scandals.

SYDNEY – Australia’s Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced Saturday that the country will continue relaxed fuel quality regulations through September as supply chain disruptions create challenges for the nation’s fuel availability.

“I’ve decided to extend the period of higher sulphur for petrol in Australia,” Bowen stated during a televised announcement.

The temporary measure, first implemented in March, allows sulfur levels in gasoline to reach 50 parts per million, a significant increase from the standard 10 parts per million limit.

The country, which relies on imports for the majority of its fuel needs, has seen scattered supply shortages as ongoing international conflicts have created disruptions in global fuel distribution networks. The conflict referenced has now entered its eighth week.

Meanwhile, operations at a Viva Energy oil refinery in Victoria state continue at reduced capacity following a recent fire incident. Bowen reported that production levels remain stable from the previous day.

“The Geelong refinery is working at 80% capacity for diesel and jet fuel and 60% capacity for petrol — that is still the case,” the Energy Minister explained.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated Friday that the refinery incident would not necessitate fuel rationing measures across the country.

Additionally, Albanese recently finalized an agreement with Malaysia’s state-owned Petronas energy company to provide supplemental fuel supplies to Australia. The deal was secured following diplomatic visits to Singapore and Brunei focused on strengthening the nation’s energy security.

WASHINGTON — A delegation of American officials recently traveled to Cuba for diplomatic meetings with government representatives, representing a fresh attempt at engagement despite escalating tensions between the two nations.

According to a State Department source who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, a high-ranking U.S. official met with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, during the visit last week. The elder Castro continues to wield significant influence within Cuba’s government structure despite no longer holding an official position.

The anonymous official declined to identify which American representatives participated in the meeting with Rodríguez Castro. However, a separate government source confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was not among the delegation members who visited Havana. Rubio, whose parents emigrated from Cuba and who has long opposed the Cuban government, previously met with the younger Castro in St. Kitts and Nevis during February.

During these significant diplomatic exchanges, first reported by Axios, American representatives pressed Cuban officials to implement substantial reforms to their economic system and governance structure, warning that the United States would not tolerate Cuba becoming a regional security risk, the State Department source revealed.

This mission represented the first time a U.S. government aircraft had touched down in Cuba outside of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base since 2016.

Cuba faces mounting challenges following an American energy embargo, while the Trump administration has characterized the Cuban government as both ineffective and oppressive. American conditions for sanctions relief have encompassed ending political persecution, freeing political detainees, and opening up the nation’s struggling economy.

Beyond these familiar issues, the delegations also explored an American offer to establish free and dependable internet access across the island using Starlink satellite technology, according to the State Department source.

These discussions came to light following Trump’s earlier statements this week suggesting his administration might turn its attention to Cuba once the conflict with Iran concludes.

“We may stop by Cuba after we finish with this,” Trump stated. He characterized the island as a “failing nation” and claimed it has “been a terribly run country for a long time.”

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel responded by asserting that the United States lacks justification for military action against Cuba or attempts to remove him from power, while emphasizing his nation’s readiness to resist if necessary.

“The moment is extremely challenging and calls upon us once again, as on April 16, 1961, to be ready to confront serious threats, including military aggression. We do not want it, but it is our duty to prepare to avoid it and, if it becomes inevitable, to defeat it,” Díaz-Canel declared.

The Cuban leader made these remarks during a gathering of hundreds of supporters commemorating the 65th anniversary of when the Cuban Revolution declared its socialist principles.

Cuba’s Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding last week’s diplomatic discussions.

Two water delivery drivers working for the United Nations were fatally shot by Israeli forces while transporting clean water to Palestinian families, according to UNICEF officials who expressed outrage over the Friday incident.

The deadly shooting happened during a standard water delivery operation at the Mansoura water distribution facility in northern Gaza, which serves Gaza City residents. Two additional workers sustained injuries during the same attack, the UN children’s agency reported.

Following the fatal incident, UNICEF announced it has halted all operations at the water site and is demanding Israeli officials conduct a thorough investigation. The agency emphasized that international humanitarian law requires protection for aid workers, civilians, and essential water infrastructure.

Israeli embassy officials in Washington have not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the incident.

The shooting comes months after an October ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas ended two years of intensive warfare, though Israeli military forces maintain control over more than half of Gaza’s territory while Hamas governs the remaining coastal area.

Since the ceasefire took effect, Palestinian medical officials report over 750 Palestinians have died, while militant attacks have claimed the lives of four Israeli soldiers. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the truce agreement.

Sarah’s voice carries the weight of memory as she shares her family’s Holocaust survival story with deliberate care, each recollection filtered through decades of experience. On the other end of their phone conversation, her grandson Captain N of the Israel Defense Forces’ 214th Artillery Brigade listens from his deployment along Israel’s northern frontier to a narrative he knows well, yet continues to discover anew.

Their dialogue bridges two generations separated by vastly different circumstances but united by shared history. For Sarah, the Holocaust remains a lived reality that shaped every aspect of her life’s trajectory. For her military officer grandson, it represents the cornerstone of the duty he now fulfills in uniform.

Sarah emphasizes that sharing her story is an obligation, not a choice. “It’s so very important that people should know,” she told The Media Line during their interview. “And not make the same mistakes over and over again.”

She identifies herself as “a true Nitzolah,” using the Hebrew term for survivor, though her survival came not from enduring concentration camps but from her family’s prescient decision to flee before the full horror unfolded.

Sarah was born in Belgium and had reached ten years old when World War II erupted. Her father, despite lacking formal schooling, possessed remarkable intuition about the gathering storm across Europe. “Whatever he knew, he taught himself,” she explains, repeatedly returning to describe his character. “He was very curious. Very thirsty for learning.” Though he never attended school, “Whatever he knew, he taught himself,” she emphasizes again.

Having emigrated from Poland, where Jewish life was perpetually precarious, her father understood hardship intimately. After moving westward, he methodically built his livelihood, first mastering diamond work and trading, then expanding into an entirely different field. “He also decided to learn chocolate making,” Sarah mentions almost casually.

Rather than following a predetermined plan, Sarah explains, her father adapted and learned whatever skills circumstances demanded. Most crucially, he possessed an ability to read the political climate while others remained uncertain about their future.

He monitored developments in Germany closely and grasped their potential implications. When he reached his decision, it came decisively rather than gradually – they would not remain to witness what might unfold.

When he informed the family of their departure, he framed it as a simple visit. “We’re going to England,” Sarah remembers him announcing, ostensibly to see their daughter.

Only later did his true intentions become apparent – he had no plans to return. England itself was merely a waystation. “When the time comes, we’ll go on to Palestine,” she recalls him declaring.

For young Sarah, the transition felt entirely different. As a child, she couldn’t comprehend the larger forces reshaping their world. Her initial memories of Sussex center on sensory details rather than ideology. “The smell of kippers … it was a terrible smell,” she says, referring to the smoked fish common in Britain then. She also recalls encountering elderly people living in conditions that made a lasting impression, though she couldn’t fully understand why at the time.

Despite the upheaval, Sarah felt cared for during their stay. “They spoiled me,” she remembers. Local people gave her small tasks like shoe polishing and compensated her for the work. “This was earned money,” she adds, still expressing pride in those early wages.

Their time in that location proved brief. The atmosphere shifted as suspicion grew toward foreign refugees, including European Jews. “There was a fear that they might be spies,” Sarah explains. Her family, like others, had to adapt once more.

By the time she discusses London, the war was fully underway. “I was just ten,” she repeats multiple times, emphasizing her youth during these traumatic events.

She vividly recalls the night a bomb struck their neighbors’ air raid shelter, separated from their own home by only a fence. The neighboring family was Jewish with children near her age. “They didn’t survive it at all,” she states simply.

Another incident remains particularly vivid in her memory. Following a nearby explosion, authorities ordered everyone to evacuate their shelter immediately. “They said, ignore it … just run for your lives,” she remembers. Officials feared another unexploded bomb remained in the vicinity.

When they emerged, broken glass covered the street completely. “There were splinters everywhere,” Sarah describes. She had no shoes and initially ran barefoot across the debris. Her father soon realized what she was stepping on. “He lifted me on his shoulders,” she recalls.

What amazed her most was what happened afterward. Upon reaching safety, “not a glass splinter stayed on the sole of my foot,” she says, still sounding astonished. Her father’s shoes were similarly unscathed. “We called it miraculous,” she reflects.

The war’s end didn’t conclude their family’s relocations. They moved from London to Manchester, believing it offered greater safety. The Jewish community there welcomed them as refugees with warmth and attention, though uncertainty never completely disappeared.

Family members who remained in Poland perished in the Holocaust. Sarah’s future husband Itzhak, whom she would meet in Israel, survived the Holocaust directly in Europe. For years, he couldn’t discuss his experiences. “It was too terrible to talk about,” she remembers. When trauma did surface, it wasn’t through conversation. “He used to scream in the night,” she says.

Despite these painful memories, Sarah doesn’t characterize their later life in terms of suffering. “We managed to keep it a very happy house,” she explains. “A house where there was a lot of singing and dancing and jokes.” She mentions the jokes again, noting her husband loved telling them, even though “he was not all that good at it.”

When discussing their eventual life in Israel, Sarah struggles to find adequate words. “I don’t think I can express it,” she begins, then attempts again. “It’s indescribable, really … that feeling, I find it indescribable.”

“It’s really like it says in one of the psalms,” she adds. “From the depths of sorrow to the heights of freedom.”

Though her grandson never witnessed this transformation personally, he inherited its significance. Speaking from his current position in northern Israel, he acknowledges that hearing the story affects him differently each time. “Listening to this story every time is very emotional,” he explains. Despite growing up with these accounts, full comprehension came gradually. “Just around 16, I realized the full story,” he says, referring to both grandparents’ experiences.

Unfortunately, his grandfather had already passed away by then. “Sadly, I couldn’t ask him the questions I have,” he adds with regret.

When describing what most impressed him about his grandfather, Captain N focuses not on the traumatic events themselves but on something else entirely. “He never let those events define him,” he observes. He characterizes both grandparents as profoundly optimistic, a trait that became integral to their family’s identity.

This inheritance shapes his own sense of military duty. “We can’t let those things go back in time and happen to the Jewish community again,” he declares. For him, IDF service addresses not only current threats but prevents the return of a past that remains very immediate in his family’s experience.

He views Israel not merely as a state but as a remarkable transformation – a small people becoming an independent nation with a powerful military in less than a century. For him, this represents “something beautiful,” the product of values forged during the darkest chapters of Jewish history.

When asked about Israeli identity, he responds in terms of historical continuity – living the Zionist dream, building a homeland, serving the community, and reconnecting a people after 2,000 years of diaspora. His military service, he believes, contributes to this mission.

Sarah agrees with her grandson’s perspective but adds another dimension. She acknowledges that she has changed since October 7th. The attack deeply unsettled her, revealing vulnerabilities she hadn’t fully anticipated.

However, her conclusion doesn’t involve questioning Israel’s necessity but rather the opposite. “Now I feel that I need Israel even more, more than ever,” she declares. She speaks of community, protection, and everything the state provides that cannot be taken for granted.

The physical distance between them – she speaking from a home built after the war, he from a military position on an active border – doesn’t separate their perspectives but rather connects them.

Sarah’s early life unfolded in a Europe where Jewish survival depended on correctly reading danger signals and departing in time. Her grandson’s life takes place in a state where Jews bear responsibility for their own defense. The transition between these realities isn’t theoretical – this family lives it across generations.

Their conversation never becomes a political statement but remains rooted in lived experience. A father who understood history. A child who sensed fear without fully grasping it. A family that relocated, survived, and rebuilt. A husband who carried trauma into a life that still made space for happiness. And a grandson who now stands in uniform on a border his great-grandparents could never have envisioned.

Sarah repeatedly states that some experiences cannot be expressed in words, that they are felt “here in the heart.” Yet throughout their conversation, something becomes evident.

For her family, survival didn’t end with staying alive. It continued through the decision to build, raise children, create a home, and transmit not only memory but a sense of responsibility.

On Israel’s northern border, that responsibility has taken a new form. It no longer involves escape but defense. This distinction, Sarah emphasizes, makes all the difference.

A temporary truce between Israel and Lebanon commenced at midnight Israel time on April 16, 2026, following intensive diplomatic efforts by the United States to broker a ten-day pause in hostilities between the neighboring countries.

The U.S. State Department outlined key provisions of the agreement, which allows Israel to maintain its defensive capabilities while stationed in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces can continue responding to what officials describe as “planned, imminent, or ongoing threats” without violating the ceasefire terms. However, Israel has committed to halting offensive operations targeting Lebanese civilian, military, or government facilities by land, air, or sea.

Under the framework, Lebanon’s government must work with international partners to stop Hezbollah and other militant organizations from launching attacks or conducting hostile actions against Israeli positions. The deal emphasizes that Lebanese security forces hold exclusive responsibility for maintaining the nation’s sovereignty and security without outside guarantees.

Both countries have asked Washington to continue mediating unresolved matters, particularly establishing clear international border boundaries, with hopes of achieving what negotiators call “lasting stability and peace between the two countries.”

Fighting persisted right up until the ceasefire deadline, with both Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants trading strikes near the border region. Lebanese military officials reported shelling incidents early Friday morning that they claimed breached the newly established truce.

President Donald Trump celebrated the diplomatic breakthrough on his Truth Social platform, calling it a “historic” development for Lebanon and posting “Good things are happening!!!” The President also expressed hope that “Hezbollah acts nicely and well during this important period of time.”

President Trump expressed optimism that the ongoing conflict with Iran might reach a conclusion in the near future, even after negotiations stalled over the weekend, while also indicating his willingness to participate in potential discussions in Islamabad.

During remarks to the press outside the White House, Trump suggested that additional US-Iran negotiations could occur this weekend and mentioned the possibility of extending a current two-week ceasefire, though he noted this extension might be unnecessary given Tehran’s apparent desire for an agreement.

“We’re going to see what happens. But I think we’re very close to making a deal with Iran,” Trump stated, noting that he might participate if final negotiations and signing ceremonies take place in Islamabad.

Later that day while in Las Vegas, the President expressed even greater confidence, stating the conflict “should be ending pretty soon.”

The military action, which commenced on February 28, has faced domestic opposition, with political analysts suggesting that public disapproval of the conflict might create electoral challenges for Republican candidates in the approaching midterm Congressional races.

Tehran’s decision to obstruct the Strait of Hormuz has led to some of the most dramatic oil price spikes seen in recent years, sparking worries about potential wider economic consequences.

Nevertheless, Trump characterized the military operation favorably, describing it as proceeding “swimmingly.” He elaborated: “It was perfect. It’s perfect. It was the power we have,” and emphasized, “We had the most powerful military anywhere in the world.”

The World Bank announced a fresh approach on Friday designed to assist small island nations and compact countries in overcoming their distinctive economic obstacles by prioritizing employment opportunities.

World Bank President Ajay Banga presented the plan during a private meeting with finance ministers and central bank leaders from 50 smaller nations, held as part of the spring conferences for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington.

Banga explained that the initiative aims to employ specialized tools to help these nations draw more private sector investment, implement policy changes that make business operations easier, and ultimately generate additional employment opportunities.

The strategy will concentrate on sectors including healthcare, cost-effective energy solutions, durable infrastructure, and small enterprises where Bank leadership believes there are significant opportunities to stimulate economic growth and create quality employment.

Last year, the World Bank Group committed a record-breaking $3.3 billion in new funding and guarantees for smaller nations, which encounter distinct economic difficulties and suffer disproportionately from external disruptions, as demonstrated during the conflict in the Middle East.

“For small businesses, a single hurricane, a sudden surge in imported fuel prices, or a downturn in tourism can undo months of investment and income in a matter of days,” the bank stated in a blog post accompanying the new strategy.

According to Banga, the Bank will adopt a customized approach when developing regional initiatives in these countries, with partnerships playing a central role.

“This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Small states are diverse, and our support will reflect that,” Banga informed the financial officials. “We also know the economics are different.”

He pointed out that operating in smaller nations can cost up to four times more than in larger countries, prompting the Bank to plan for more efficient service delivery, flexible financing options, and scalable solutions to maximize the impact of every dollar spent.

Several initiatives are already in progress.

In Tonga, the bank will jointly fund an urban resilience initiative with the Asian Development Bank through a groundbreaking mutual reliance framework agreement between multilateral development institutions.

Banga indicated that additional similar agreements are being planned, including one with the Inter-American Development Bank to extend this approach to Caribbean nations. He also mentioned that the World Bank is expanding the range of tools available to countries.

Enhanced analysis is also crucial, according to the bank. Comprehensive studies examining barriers to private sector employment are currently underway for Barbados, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mauritius, Samoa, and Seychelles.

The World Bank can also use its influence to help drive investments, the blog explained. For example, the International Finance Corp, the bank’s investment division, supported funding for Botswana’s first utility-scale solar facility, while the World Bank worked on a related battery storage project to enable solar integration into the electrical grid.

“The result is not only a solar plant, but a replicable model for how unlocking private finance can open markets and create jobs,” the bank stated in its blog.

The European Union is developing new guidance encouraging member nations to reduce reliance on Middle Eastern aviation fuel and explore boosting imports from the United States, according to a source familiar with the matter, as ongoing conflict with Iran creates supply chain disruptions.

These previously undisclosed plans, still undergoing final revisions, will emphasize greater energy independence and resilience through Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and synthetic alternatives.

Aviation companies across Europe have issued warnings about possible jet fuel shortages arriving in the coming weeks due to the Iran conflict, potentially affecting busy summer travel periods. The continent faces particular vulnerability since it relies on imports for 30% to 40% of its jet fuel needs, with at least half originating from Middle Eastern sources.

The European Union’s advisory recommendations will highlight the region’s constraints in boosting domestic jet fuel production while offering guidance for managing potential supply shortfalls, according to the source.

The individual requested anonymity since negotiations continue and the draft remains incomplete. A European Commission representative confirmed plans to unveil crisis response measures next week, including aviation fuel initiatives.

Supply availability “remains the primary concern,” the Commission representative stated, noting that continued disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz could trigger coordinated jet fuel stock releases across the EU.

Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, a crucial passage for Gulf energy shipments, following a Lebanese ceasefire agreement, though U.S. President Donald Trump indicated naval restrictions continue pending a Tehran agreement.

The EU representative expressed hope for sustained safe transit through the Strait while acknowledging ongoing uncertainty, stating: “Let’s see.”

European flight cancellations could begin by late May due to fuel shortages, according to Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, who spoke Friday. Carriers are already reducing flight schedules and grounding aircraft.

The source described how the EU document will outline airline guidance for fuel shortage scenarios, including airport slot losses from cancellations and the anti-tankering regulation that prevents aircraft from carrying excess fuel from cheaper locations.

The guidance will determine whether fuel shortages qualify as exceptional circumstances allowing airlines to avoid passenger compensation for cancellations. The source noted the EU rejected airline requests to modify or suspend Emissions Trading System requirements and SAF mandates.

European Commission officials also plan continent-wide mapping of oil product refining capabilities and measures “to ensure that existing refining capacity is fully utilised and maintained,” according to a draft proposal previously obtained by Reuters.

Officials will examine distribution logistics for increased use of U.S. Jet A fuel, rarely utilized in Europe due to its higher freezing temperature compared to European standards. Europe’s Jet A-1 performs better in long-distance, high-altitude, and cold-weather conditions and receives military preference. April saw significant increases in jet fuel imports from both the United States and Nigeria.

Several major European aviation centers in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany depend on the NATO-operated CEPS pipeline for European-grade jet fuel supplies. NATO representatives did not immediately respond to pipeline logistics inquiries.

Airlines are bracing for potential supply constraints, with the International Energy Agency predicting June fuel shortages if the region can only secure half its typical Middle Eastern supplies.

Airport authorities have issued warnings about shortages within three weeks if Strait of Hormuz fuel shipments remain blocked. The European Commission expects to caution that jet fuel supplies may stay constrained even after Strait of Hormuz reopening.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed representatives from 50 nations on Friday, advocating for collaborative action to establish an effective security operation in the Strait of Hormuz, while suggesting that Ukraine’s Black Sea wartime expertise could prove valuable.

Speaking during a video conference led by France and Britain, Zelenskyy warned that “Decisions made regarding Hormuz now will determine how other aggressive actors perceive the possibility of creating problems in other straits and on other fronts.”

The Ukrainian leader stressed the importance of taking decisive action, stating: “We need to be as specific and clear as possible so that in six months we don’t find ourselves in the same situation as in Gaza, where much still needs to be done.”

Zelenskyy noted that maritime security challenges in the Hormuz region require more than diplomatic solutions, explaining that “In Hormuz, there are security challenges that cannot be addressed by political decisions alone,” though he did not provide additional details.

Drawing on Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, Zelenskyy highlighted his country’s relevant experience, noting that over four years of warfare, Ukraine had “already carried out a very similar mission in the Black Sea.”

He explained Ukraine’s maritime defense capabilities, saying: “Russia also attempted to blockade our sea and we have experience in escorting merchant vessels, demining, defending against air attacks and the overall coordination of such operations.”

The president revealed that Ukraine has deployed military experts across Middle Eastern countries to share knowledge about countering Russian-made drones, many of which originated from Iranian designs.

“We can also contribute to maritime security,” Zelenskyy declared during his remarks, which were published on the Telegram messaging platform.

Ukraine has already established defense cooperation partnerships with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while currently negotiating similar agreements with Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.

BEIRUT (AP) — A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group began Friday, bringing much-needed calm to both nations and potentially creating an opportunity for Iran and the United States to negotiate an end to the broader regional conflict.

The cessation of hostilities appears to have prompted Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, helping to alleviate the worldwide energy crisis. However, significant hurdles persist, as Hezbollah has not officially endorsed the ceasefire and is demanding Israeli withdrawal. Meanwhile, Israel maintains it has not completed its mission to dismantle the Iranian-supported militant organization and has declared intentions to control portions of southern Lebanon.

The temporary 10-day halt in fighting seemed largely stable during its initial day, with thousands of Lebanese citizens returning to their southern homes. Hezbollah had fired rockets at Israel in early March, just two days following the commencement of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran. Israel responded with intensive bombing campaigns and ground forces.

Here’s an examination of the ceasefire agreement.

President Donald Trump revealed the ceasefire Thursday, characterizing it as an arrangement between Israel and Lebanon, whose government had been mostly excluded from the conflict. Israel has consistently criticized Lebanon for not disarming Hezbollah according to prior agreements and the government’s own strategy.

The State Department released the agreement’s text and called it an Israeli gesture “to enable good-faith negotiations” toward lasting peace with Lebanon. Officials said the 10-day pause could be extended through mutual consent if discussions advance and “Lebanon effectively demonstrates its ability to assert its sovereignty.”

The deal requires the Lebanese government to stop Hezbollah and other armed factions from launching attacks on Israel, similar to the ceasefire that ended the previous Israel-Hezbollah conflict in November 2024.

The 2024 deal specified that both nations would retain “self defense” rights, without providing details. Israel continued frequent strikes against what it claimed were militant positions, often resulting in civilian casualties, while Hezbollah refrained from retaliation until last month.

According to U.S. officials, the current agreement grants Israel the “right to take all necessary measures in self-defense, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.” No comparable rights are specified for Lebanon or Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel accepted the ceasefire following Trump’s request but emphasized being “not finished yet” with Hezbollah. Israeli officials announced plans to control a 10-kilometer (6-mile) buffer zone in southern Lebanon and prevent civilian returns until eliminating all threats.

Facing elections this year, Netanyahu confronts increasing pressure to demonstrate victory over Israel’s adversaries in conflicts triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, Gaza attack — which occurred during his leadership.

Israel and the United States seek Lebanese authorities to disarm Hezbollah, using force if required. While Beirut had made substantial progress asserting control over southern Lebanon before the war, officials remain reluctant to risk civil war by fully confronting the heavily armed group.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated his goal is to “secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied southern territories” and establish Lebanese army control over border regions.

Hezbollah announced it would respect the ceasefire provided it remains “comprehensive across all Lebanese territories, including border areas, and includes a full halt to hostilities and restrictions on the enemy’s freedom of movement, serving as a prelude to Israeli withdrawal.”

The statement suggested Hezbollah might resume rocket attacks if Israel continues targeting it and maintains presence in southern Lebanon.

On Truth Social, Trump declared Israel is now “PROHIBITED” by the U.S. from bombing Lebanon, representing an unusually direct assertion of American authority over an ally. The U.S. has described the truce as resulting from direct Israeli-Lebanese negotiations in Washington — the first such talks in decades.

Iran and Hezbollah claim the agreement actually stems from broader Tehran-Washington negotiations and resulted from Iranian pressure.

Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, posted on X that “while the Lebanese government and Trump are attempting to claim this ceasefire as their own initiative,” it was “the resistance of Hezbollah’s fighters and Iran’s multifaceted pressures” that created the truce.

Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah parliamentary bloc member, told reporters Friday that Iran had notified Hezbollah leadership about the ceasefire agreement early Thursday, well before Trump’s announcement.

Iran and mediator Pakistan had claimed Lebanon was included in broader ceasefire negotiations with the U.S. earlier this month. Both the U.S. and Israel denied this, with Israel launching massive Beirut bombardments after those talks concluded.

Two Pakistani officials confirmed to The Associated Press Friday that Pakistan helped secure the Lebanese ceasefire. They requested anonymity to discuss private negotiations.

Lebanon’s government opposed the war from its start and sought to end it but lacked influence over Hezbollah. Instead, Iran took the lead, which many Lebanese view as another violation of their sovereignty.

During Friday remarks, Aoun thanked the U.S. and Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, for ceasefire efforts. He did not acknowledge Iran.

Tehran apparently leveraged its Strait of Hormuz control and Trump’s desire to end an increasingly unpopular and economically damaging war to stop Israel’s campaign against its proxy.

As the Lebanese ceasefire began, both Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the strait’s reopening, something the U.S. couldn’t achieve through weeks of intensive bombing and destroying much of Iran’s naval fleet.

Araghchi explicitly connected the development to the Lebanese ceasefire.

JOHANNESBURG — The son of Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe successfully negotiated a plea agreement Friday that allowed him to dodge attempted murder charges in connection with a shooting incident in South Africa.

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and co-defendant Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze have remained in custody since mid-February after being charged with attempted murder in the shooting of Sipho Mahlangu, identified by authorities as a household employee. Mahlangu required hospital treatment for his wounds.

The 28-year-old Mugabe, youngest child of the deceased Zimbabwean leader and his second spouse Grace Mugabe, entered guilty pleas to charges of brandishing what appeared to be a weapon in an unrelated matter and violating South African immigration statutes. Robert Mugabe passed away in 2019.

Matonhodze admitted guilt to five separate charges, including attempted murder, illegal firearm and ammunition possession, obstructing justice, and immigration violations.

Attorney Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, representing both defendants, explained to media gathered outside the courthouse that prosecutors and defense teams had reached a Section 112 plea agreement following the breakdown of earlier negotiations. This type of arrangement under South African criminal law eliminates the need for a complete trial.

Defense counsel Advocate Laurence Hodes requested leniency during sentencing, emphasizing that both cousins had clean criminal records, provided financial compensation to their victim, and possessed the means to pay court-imposed penalties.

A police investigator testifying as a witness revealed that law enforcement continues searching for the weapon used in the shooting and that the defendants, who “were there at that time when the firearm was fired and injured the victim,” have refused to cooperate with the investigation.

“The accused shows no remorse in assisting the police in any way to point out the firearm. They know where the firearm is,” Lt. Col. Raj Ramchunder testified before the court.

The judge accepted both guilty pleas and scheduled sentencing for April 24.

This case recalls a 2017 incident involving Grace Mugabe, who allegedly assaulted model Gabriella Engels with an extension cord at a Johannesburg hotel, causing a forehead laceration. The South African government granted her diplomatic immunity, sparking fierce criticism from opposition politicians and human rights advocates, enabling her departure despite prosecution demands.

A conflict involving Iran that has stretched nearly seven weeks has eliminated more than $50 billion worth of crude oil from global markets, creating what analysts describe as the largest energy supply disruption in modern times.

Since the crisis erupted in late February, approximately 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been removed from worldwide production, according to data from Kpler. The economic impact of this massive supply shortage is expected to continue affecting global markets for months and potentially years ahead.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced Friday that the Strait of Hormuz remained operational following a ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a resolution to end the Iran conflict would arrive “soon,” though he provided no specific timeline.

To put the scale of this oil shortage into perspective, the 500 million missing barrels would be equivalent to several dramatic scenarios. According to Iain Mowat, a principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie, this amount could power global aviation for 10 weeks, fuel all road vehicles worldwide for 11 days, or supply the entire global economy for five full days.

The shortage also represents nearly one month of total oil consumption in the United States, or more than a month’s worth of fuel for all of Europe combined. It equals approximately six years of fuel usage by the U.S. military, based on their annual consumption of roughly 80 million barrels. The missing oil could also power the world’s entire international shipping fleet for about four months.

Gulf Arab nations experienced devastating production losses during March, with crude output dropping by approximately 8 million barrels daily. This decline nearly matches the combined production capacity of energy giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron.

Aviation fuel exports from major Middle Eastern producers including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman plummeted dramatically. These countries exported about 19.6 million barrels of jet fuel in February, but that number collapsed to just 4.1 million barrels for March and April combined. The lost jet fuel would have been sufficient for approximately 20,000 round-trip flights between New York’s JFK airport and London Heathrow.

With crude oil prices averaging around $100 per barrel since the conflict began, the missing production represents roughly $50 billion in lost revenue, according to Johannes Rauball, a senior crude analyst at Kpler. This financial loss equals about 1% of Germany’s entire annual economic output, or roughly matches the complete gross domestic product of smaller nations like Latvia or Estonia.

Despite Araqchi’s statement that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, experts predict that restoring full production and supply flows will be a lengthy process. Global onshore crude oil stockpiles have already declined by approximately 45 million barrels during April alone. Since late March, production outages have reached roughly 12 million barrels per day.

Recovery timelines vary significantly depending on the type of oil infrastructure affected. Heavier crude fields in Kuwait and Iraq may require four to five months to return to normal production levels, which would extend inventory shortages throughout the summer months. More concerning for long-term recovery, damage to refining facilities and Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex means complete restoration of the region’s energy infrastructure could take several years to accomplish.

Iran’s foreign minister announced that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for global oil and gas shipments, is now accessible to all commercial traffic after a ceasefire agreement was reached in Lebanon.

The declaration has prompted responses from major shipping companies and international leaders worldwide.

SHIPPING COMPANY RESPONSES:

HAPAG-LLOYD

The German shipping giant stated: “If all open issues are cleared (i.e. insurance coverage, clear orders of Iranian government/military about the exact sea corridor to be used and the sequence of ships leaving) we would prefer to pass the strait as soon as possible.”

Company officials added: “Our crisis committee is in session and will try to resolve all open items with the relevant parties within the next 24-36 hours.”

MAERSK

The Danish shipping leader noted: “We have noted the announcement. The safety of our crew, vessels and customers’ cargo remains our priority. Since the outbreak of the conflict, we have followed the guidance of our security partners in the region, and the recommendation so far has been to avoid transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

Maersk continued: “Any decision to transit the strait will be based on risk assessments and close monitoring of the security situation, with the latest developments also included in the ongoing assessments.”

KNUT ARILD HAREIDE, CEO OF THE NORWEGIAN SHIPOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

Hareide commented: “If this represents a step towards an opening, it is a welcome development. However, the situation remains unresolved, with a number of outstanding uncertainties, including questions related to the presence of sea mines, applicable Iranian conditions, and practical implementation. These aspects will need to be clarified before any transit can be assessed.”

ARSENIO DOMINGUEZ, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION

Dominguez stated: “We are currently verifying the recent announcement related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, in terms of its compliance with freedom of navigation for all merchant vessels and secure passage.”

INTERNATIONAL LEADERS’ STATEMENTS:

ANTONIO GUTERRES, UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL

Guterres expressed support, saying: “I welcome Iran’s announcements that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open for all commercial vessels for the remainder of the ceasefire. This a step in the right direction.”

He emphasized: “The UN position remains clear: we need the full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz, respected by everyone.”

U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

Trump posted on Truth Social: “The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete.”

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON

Macron described the development as moving “in the right direction.”

He added: “We all oppose any restrictions or system of agreements that would, in effect, amount to an attempt to privatize the strait—and, of course, any toll system.”

CEVDET YILMAZ, TURKISH VICE PRESIDENT

Yilmaz welcomed the news, stating: “We welcome Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz has been reopened to all ships until the end of the ceasefire period, viewing it as an important step towards deescalation of tension.”

He noted: “Preventing similar crises, conflicts, and developments that disrupt maritime transport in our region is only possible through dialogue, restraint, and strengthening multilateral cooperation.”

FINNISH PRESIDENT ALEXANDER STUBB

Stubb declared: “Finland stands ready to work on a solution that brings stability to the region and respects international law.”

QASMIYEH, Lebanon – Children waved victory signs from car windows Friday as families traveled across a hastily-built temporary crossing over the Litani River, returning home after a ceasefire agreement with Israel brought an end to six weeks of intense conflict.

The journey home revealed the devastating toll of war, with approximately 25% of Lebanon’s population having been displaced from southern regions and other areas with large Shiite Muslim communities. Israeli forces had ordered evacuations while conducting military operations that destroyed entire neighborhoods and villages.

Israeli officials maintain their military actions targeted only combatants in what they called essential operations to defend Israeli citizens from attacks by Hezbollah, the Iran-supported Shiite organization based in Lebanon.

Thursday’s announcement of a 10-day pause in hostilities has provided hope for families eager to assess damage to their properties, though many are praying the temporary truce will become permanent.

However, thousands of residents face the reality that they cannot return home – either because their houses no longer exist or because Israeli forces continue to occupy their areas.

Among the returning families, the Halabis navigated crowded coastal highways to cross the Litani River, where Israeli forces had destroyed the final bridge connecting southern Lebanon to the rest of the country just one day earlier.

Construction crews worked throughout the night using heavy machinery and floodlights to create an earthen crossing where the destroyed bridge once stood, its mangled steel remains visible nearby.

What normally would have been a one-hour drive stretched to 10 hours as the family made their way through massive debris piles into Tyre, an ancient Lebanese coastal city, seeking to reunite with relatives.

‘These are the first two children to arrive – my son’s children,’ said Sobhi Halabi, 80, embracing his grandchildren as they entered his apartment, which displayed family photos alongside images of Hezbollah leadership.

Many returning residents encountered heartbreaking scenes of destruction. Collapsed buildings left streets unrecognizable, while memorial posters honoring local fighters killed in combat with Israeli forces covered remaining walls.

The most shocking evidence of warfare appeared early in many families’ journeys as they passed through Beirut’s southern districts.

Destroyed and burned vehicles filled roadways alongside wreckage from targeted structures. Some buildings had their facades completely blown away by airstrikes, exposing interior rooms like oversized dollhouses.

In Nabatieh, among Lebanon’s most severely damaged towns, resident Fadel Badreddine struggled to comprehend the extensive destruction surrounding him. While other families drove past carrying mattresses and personal belongings, he concluded that he, his wife, and young child could not remain.

‘We’re gathering our belongings and departing once more,’ he explained. ‘May God provide us comfort and bring this situation to a complete conclusion – not just temporarily – so we can truly come home.’

Lebanese officials report that more than 7,000 residential units in Nabatieh alone have suffered destruction or significant damage.

Some displaced families have chosen not to attempt returning home yet. Kodor Mouzannar, 62, originally from the southern village of Souaneh, has spent the conflict living in a blue tarp shelter at Beirut’s Camille Chamoun Stadium.

‘The village represents my home, where I was born, and holds tremendous meaning for me. It contains my childhood, my existence, my grandparents, my family, and my community. I long for all of them. We share deep bonds,’ he shared.

Despite his desire to return, Mouzannar doubts Israel will honor the ceasefire agreement and cease bombing operations. Following a previous truce in 2024, Israeli air attacks resumed in southern areas as both sides accused the other of violating the agreement.

He also recalls the challenges his family faced finding accommodation in Beirut when the conflict began. They spent two nights sleeping in their vehicle while waiting for shelter space and worry about experiencing similar hardships if they return home to find it destroyed and must flee again.

‘I wish for the ceasefire to hold and for conditions to stabilize so people can return to their homes. But only under the condition that they can actually live in their homes – without facing the daily risk of someone going to work and being killed,’ he stated.

Maritime companies worldwide are expressing cautious optimism about Iran’s declaration that the Strait of Hormuz has reopened, but industry leaders say they need additional details before resuming vessel traffic through the vital Gulf entrance.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced Friday that commercial ships can navigate the strait during a 10-day ceasefire agreement with Lebanon. The announcement triggered declining oil and commodity prices while boosting stock market performance.

Arsenio Dominguez, who leads the International Maritime Organization under the United Nations, addressed the development with measured words. “We are currently verifying the recent announcement related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, in terms of its compliance with freedom of navigation for all merchant vessels and secure passage,” Dominguez stated.

Norway’s shipowner trade group outlined multiple concerns requiring resolution before vessels can safely transit the waterway. The organization cited questions about explosive mines, Iranian requirements, and operational procedures that need clarification.

“If this represents a step towards an opening, it is a welcome development,” commented Knut Arild Hareide, who heads the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association representing 130 firms operating approximately 1,500 ships.

German maritime corporation Hapag-Lloyd indicated they are assessing conditions and “probably we will pass soon,” according to a company representative.

Major shipping companies Maersk from Denmark and France’s CMA CGM could not be reached for immediate response. Norwegian petroleum tanker operator Frontline chose not to provide commentary.

According to a high-ranking Iranian source speaking with Reuters, all merchant vessels including American ships may traverse the strait, though coordination with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps remains mandatory.

The Iranian official explained that passage would be limited to routes Iran considers secure, while military ships remain banned from the area.

President Donald Trump stated Friday that Iran committed to keeping the strait permanently open and is removing underwater explosives from the waterway.

However, a U.S. Navy bulletin obtained by Reuters warned Friday that mine dangers in certain strait areas remain unclear, suggesting ships should consider avoiding those zones.

The strait represents one of the planet’s most crucial maritime passages, and its disruption has forced shipping corporations to halt voyages, redirect cargo routes, and implement expensive alternative methods to maintain Gulf trade flows.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Friday that more than a dozen nations have volunteered military resources for a defensive operation designed to restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

The announcement came during a Paris gathering where France and Britain hosted representatives from 49 countries to plan a potential multinational effort to safeguard commercial vessels navigating the critical waterway.

“We will take this forward with a military plan conference in London next week where we will announce more detail on the composition of the mission, and over a dozen countries have already offered to contribute assets,” Starmer told the media while standing with leaders from France, Germany and Italy.

The British leader emphasized the global importance of the shipping corridor, stating: “Reopening the strait is a global necessity and a global responsibility.”

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s lower house of Parliament rejected legislation Friday that would have set aside one-third of legislative seats for women, alongside a connected proposal to restructure the nation’s electoral districts and expand the size of the legislature.

The proposed changes represented what many considered the most sweeping transformation of India’s political framework since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. After two days of parliamentary discussion involving both ruling party and opposition members, the measure failed to secure enough votes. The legislation aimed to guarantee 33% female representation in both national Parliament and state assemblies, addressing long-standing gender imbalances in Indian politics.

The women’s representation measure became controversial because it was connected to plans for electoral redistricting throughout India, which emerged as the primary obstacle to passage. Although lawmakers from multiple parties expressed support for boosting women’s political participation, opposition members raised alarms that restructuring electoral boundaries and enlarging Parliament might give Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party an unfair advantage.

Modi’s administration presented both pieces of legislation during a special three-day parliamentary session that started Thursday, with passage requiring support from two-thirds of legislators. When the women’s quota bill failed to reach that benchmark, officials pulled the redistricting measure from consideration.

Had the redistricting plan succeeded, it would have grown the lower house from its current 543 members to approximately 850 by the 2029 parliamentary elections.

Leading opposition factions fought against the proposal, expressing concern that using 2011 census figures to determine new districts would transfer political influence to rapidly expanding northern states while diminishing the voice of southern areas. They contended these modifications would particularly help Modi’s party, which maintains strong backing in northern India.

Government officials dismissed these objections, stating their plan included uniform 50% seat increases across all states to maintain balanced representation nationally. Opposition critics pointed out, however, that the proposed legislation lacked explicit guarantees for this approach.

Shortly before the scheduled vote, Modi posted on X that his government had responded to all worries and “misconceptions surrounding the legislation with facts and logic.”

Opposition leadership remained skeptical. Congress party member Rahul Gandhi characterized the initiative as “an attempt to change the electoral map of India.”

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — During Friday’s commemoration marking eight decades of the World Court’s existence, the United Nations Secretary-General delivered a sobering message about the deteriorating state of international law across the globe.

Speaking to assembled officials in the elaborate Great Hall of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, António Guterres declared that “The force of law must always prevail over the law of force.”

The milestone celebration highlighted the growing pressure facing the global legal system. Recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to destroy Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power facilities, represent actions that military law specialists suggest could amount to war crimes. Meanwhile, Sudan has entered its fourth year of conflict between military and paramilitary groups, and Russia persists in its Ukrainian offensive despite ICJ directives to cease.

Oxford University international law scholar Janina Dill explained to The Associated Press that “Powerful states have thrown out the rule book and perform disdain for international law.”

Currently experiencing its most active period in history, the tribunal is handling complex matters including the Gaza situation, Ukraine conflict, and environmental issues.

During Friday’s ceremony, Chief Justice Yuji Iwasawa stated that the court meets these obstacles by fulfilling its role of “interpreting and applying international law rigorously and in good faith.”

Established following World War II’s conclusion, the ICJ serves as an arbitrator for international disagreements. The court’s panel of 15 justices can also provide legal guidance to specific U.N. organizations, including the General Assembly.

While all 193 U.N. nations hold ICJ membership, not every country automatically accepts its authority.

The court’s first session in 1946 included just 51 member nations, with Queen Juliana of the Netherlands in attendance. Her descendant, King Willem-Alexander, participated in Friday’s anniversary event.

The tribunal’s inaugural case came in 1947 when Britain filed complaints against Albania regarding naval vessel damage in the Corfu Channel.

Current proceedings include genocide accusations against Myanmar concerning Rohingya minority persecution and against Israel regarding Gaza military operations. Both nations reject these claims.

Some disputes predate the court’s establishment, including Guyana’s request for resolution of its Venezuelan border disagreement, a conflict ongoing since 1899.

The Indian government has abandoned its plan to require smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the nation’s biometric identification application on all devices, following strong opposition from major technology companies, according to a government agency announcement Friday.

The proposal would have forced companies including Apple, Samsung, and Google to include the Aadhaar app on every smartphone sold in India. The application connects to a 12-digit identification number linked to individuals’ fingerprints and iris scans, serving nearly 1.34 billion residents who use it for banking, telecommunications, and airport security verification.

UIDAI, the government agency overseeing the Aadhaar system, confirmed that India’s IT ministry examined the proposal but “is not in favour of mandating the pre-installation of the Aadhaar App on smartphones.” The agency provided no explanation for the reversal, and the IT ministry declined to comment.

According to UIDAI’s statement, the IT ministry conducted a “consultation with stakeholders from the electronics industry” before deciding to scrap the mandatory installation requirement.

This marks the sixth unsuccessful attempt in two years by the Indian government to mandate pre-installed state applications on smartphones, with the technology industry opposing each proposal.

Manufacturing companies expressed concerns about device security and compatibility issues when presented with the Aadhaar installation requirement. They also highlighted increased production expenses, as they would need to operate separate assembly lines for Indian domestic sales versus international exports.

Apple and Samsung specifically voiced objections regarding safety and security implications, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The government’s retreat demonstrates the limitations facing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s technology initiatives as India seeks to attract companies like Apple to expand the country’s position as a global smartphone manufacturing center. Last December, India faced backlash over requirements for smartphone companies to pre-install a telecommunications security application, leading to a policy reversal within days.

A senior Indian government official, speaking anonymously, stated that the IT ministry opposes any application pre-loading requirements “unless it is considered very essential.”

Despite government assurances about Aadhaar’s safety and security, the application has drawn ongoing criticism from privacy advocates, particularly following data breaches that exposed personal information of millions of users on the dark web.

Apar Gupta, who founded the Internet Freedom Foundation, a digital rights organization based in New Delhi, praised the government’s decision to withdraw the Aadhaar pre-installation requirement. He argued that similar proposals should be rejected as they lack legal justification and serve no clear public policy purpose.

“Hopefully it is a welcome exercise of regulatory restraint that recognises that citizens carry their phones as extensions of their autonomy, not as vessels for government order,” Gupta said.

WASHINGTON, April 17 – America is spearheading a coordinated effort among the world’s largest economies to protect global fertilizer supplies and prevent food supply chain disruptions, according to two anonymous sources with knowledge of the initiative.

As the current leader of the Group of 20 major economies, the United States is pushing fellow G20 nations along with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to work together on safeguarding fertilizer availability, the sources revealed Friday.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has made agricultural and fertilizer supply chains a top priority, actively promoting cooperation between G20 countries and major international financial organizations, according to the sources who requested anonymity when discussing the matter.

LONDON (AP) — Metropolitan Police authorities announced Friday they were examining a security incident in the vicinity of Israel’s embassy involving several abandoned objects of unknown origin.

Law enforcement officials confirmed the diplomatic facility itself was not subjected to any assault, but officers equipped with specialized protective gear conducted a thorough search of the upscale Kensington Gardens district.

Authorities established a security perimeter and limited public access to both the gardens and adjacent areas. Emergency response vehicles and a white investigation tent were visible at the location.

Law enforcement officials revealed that investigators are examining potential connections between the mysterious objects discovered near the diplomatic compound and an internet video that allegedly threatened to target the embassy using unmanned aircraft carrying hazardous materials. Officials confirmed that Counter Terrorism Policing London has been made aware of the online content.

“We do not believe there to be any increased public safety risk at this stage, but we would urge people to avoid the area while officers carry out their work,” a police spokesperson said.

MANILA, Philippines — Ten suspected Muslim militants died Friday during a fierce gun battle with Philippine security forces in what marks this year’s most deadly confrontation in the nation’s troubled southern region, according to government officials.

The violent encounter began when members of the separatist organization Dawlah Islamiya-Maute fired upon police and military personnel who were attempting to execute arrest warrants for their leader on charges including murder in a Lanao del Sur province village, stated police Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico.

Military authorities identified the target as Amerol Mangoranca, whose fighters had previously declared allegiance to the Islamic State organization and were suspected of conducting recent guerrilla operations, including a January ambush in neighboring Lanao del Norte province that claimed four soldiers’ lives.

The hour-long firefight in Marantao village resulted in the deaths of Mangoranca and nine additional suspected insurgents, including four female fighters, while government forces suffered no casualties, according to Morico and military spokesmen.

“Our forces have struck a decisive blow and we will continue forward until enduring peace is fully secured,” declared army 1st Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr. “It is justice served for every fallen soldier, every grieving family and every community that suffered under terror.”

Security forces recovered four rifles, one pistol, a grenade and explosive device components during the operation, military and police sources reported.

An infant discovered at the combat site received medical care, though military statements provided no additional details about the child’s condition.

Violence in the predominantly Muslim southern region has significantly decreased since 2014, when the largest rebel organization, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, reached an autonomy agreement with Manila after commanding thousands of armed fighters for decades.

However, several smaller militant factions that rejected participation in peace negotiations have maintained intermittent attacks in pursuit of an independent Muslim nation.

The historic peace accord substantially reduced years of intermittent warfare that resulted in tens of thousands of military and civilian deaths, forced countless rural residents from their homes, and hindered economic progress in a resource-abundant area containing some of the Philippines’ most impoverished communities.

Philippine armed forces continue battling a separate communist rebellion that has also been significantly diminished through military defeats, internal conflicts and defections.

A group of migrants became the first to be sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo under a new deportation agreement with the United States, arriving in the African nation’s capital early Friday morning.

The aircraft touched down in Kinshasa around 1 a.m. local time, carrying individuals from Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, according to flight tracking information and sources at the airport.

A Colombian woman who was part of the group told Reuters there were 16 migrants total – nine men and seven women. However, an airport official counted 15 arrivals.

Officials from Congo’s interior ministry and presidential office have not yet responded to requests for comment.

Earlier this week, reports indicated that more than 30 migrants were scheduled for deportation to Congo. The smaller number who actually arrived may be the result of last-minute legal interventions, according to Alma David, a US-based attorney representing one of the migrants. David said she knew of at least three instances where federal judges stopped the removals.

The total number of people who may eventually be deported under the Washington-Kinshasa agreement, which was announced April 5, remains unknown.

The Colombian migrant, who requested anonymity for safety concerns, described her experience: “The flight was very calm. They treated us well and gave us enough food.”

She added: “It was very long, around 26 or 27 hours.”

Flight data revealed the aircraft departed from Alexandria, Louisiana, with stops in Dakar, Senegal, and Accra, Ghana, before reaching its final destination.

This marks the first time so-called third-country deportees have been sent to Congo, a nation struggling with widespread violence, internal displacement, and a weak asylum infrastructure.

The deportation deal comes as the Trump administration works to implement a US-mediated peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda. The accord aims to end conflict involving Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo, fighting that has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents.

The agreement also follows the establishment of a strategic partnership that gives the United States priority access to Congo’s essential minerals.

Upon arrival in Congo, the deportees received seven-day visas that allow free movement throughout the country, with possible extensions up to three months, the Colombian migrant reported.

The group was also told they could seek asylum in Congo, though officials advised against it, warning that the country posed safety risks, according to the migrant.

MOSCOW – Russian government officials are disputing claims that President Vladimir Putin remains unaware of his country’s domestic challenges, following explosive allegations from a prominent social media personality that went viral this week.

Viktoria Bonya, a reality television star and social media influencer with a massive following in Russia, posted a video earlier this week expressing her support for Putin while outlining five significant issues she believes government officials are concealing from the Russian leader. The video exploded across social media, garnering more than 20 million views, accumulating over 1.4 million likes, and generating more than 75,000 comments on Instagram.

When questioned Friday about Bonya’s claims that Putin – who has maintained control over Russia since 1999 in various leadership roles – receives incomplete information about domestic issues, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the allegations.

“No. It is not so,” Peskov stated. “Putin is the head of state, and his powers means he deals with the widest range of issues on the agenda.”

In an uncommon move Thursday, the Kremlin publicly responded to Bonya’s sharp criticisms, announcing that efforts were already underway to tackle the various issues she had highlighted.

Following the government’s acknowledgment, Bonya posted a follow-up video showing her emotional reaction. Breaking down in tears of happiness, she expressed gratitude to the Kremlin for paying attention to her concerns and declared her solidarity with the Russian people.

MOSCOW, April 17 – Russian officials on Friday accused European nations of escalating their participation in the Ukraine conflict, citing concerns over drone manufacturing support provided to Ukrainian forces.

Russia’s Defense Ministry issued warnings this week regarding European plans to increase drone deliveries to Ukraine, releasing an inventory of manufacturing facilities and companies allegedly producing unmanned aircraft or related components.

The ministry identified locations across Britain, Germany, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Israel and Turkey as part of the drone supply network.

Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president who currently serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, posted on X that the inventory essentially represents a target list for Russian military forces. “When strikes become a reality depends on what comes next. Sleep well, European partners!” Medvedev stated.

When questioned about whether the Defense Ministry’s publication and Medvedev’s statements indicated Russia was seriously contemplating attacks on European targets, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov avoided giving a direct response.

“These countries are becoming increasingly directly involved in the conflict, in the war surrounding Ukraine,” Peskov commented. “The details are set out in the Defence Ministry’s statement.”

Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and the ministry’s top administrator submitted their resignations Friday amid mounting pressure over controversial coal purchasing decisions that have disrupted the nation’s electricity supply.

The departures of Jayakody and ministry secretary Udayanga Hemapala came after widespread criticism regarding the procurement of substandard coal for the country’s sole coal-burning electricity facility. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake accepted both resignations Friday morning, according to his office.

The minister’s departure allows for an unimpeded probe into accusations surrounding poor-quality coal purchases that have affected operations at the government-operated Lakvijaya Power Plant, presidential officials stated.

Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath defended the energy minister’s conduct while announcing the resignation, telling media representatives: “We are not trying to hide anything. Proper procurement guidelines and procedures were followed. There was no fraud or corruption with the direct involvement of the energy minister.”

Herath indicated the probe should conclude within six months and aims to enhance government openness while restoring citizen trust in public institutions.

This marks the first time a senior cabinet official has stepped aside due to graft accusations under the current administration. Jayakody’s departure follows his survival of a parliamentary confidence vote just last week.

President Dissanayake has authorized a comprehensive review of all coal purchasing agreements for electricity production stretching back to 2009. He previously confirmed that inferior coal deliveries have significantly reduced power output at the Lakvijaya facility.

The power station requires approximately 2.25 million metric tons of coal each year to generate roughly 40% of the island nation’s electrical needs, based on a recent government audit released this month.

Reduced electricity production forced authorities to purchase 300,000 metric tons of emergency coal last month while increasing reliance on diesel and furnace oil to compensate for the power deficit.

The island nation, still recovering from a devastating economic collapse that reached its worst point four years ago, must import all petroleum products. Since regional conflicts began affecting Middle Eastern supplies, Sri Lankan officials have implemented fuel rationing measures and designated Wednesdays as national holidays to conserve energy reserves.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced Friday his plans to visit Venezuela’s capital on April 24, as he continues efforts to arrange a meeting with Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodriguez.

Speaking during an interview with Spanish public television network RTVE, Petro revealed that after a proposed border meeting between the two nations fell through, he would instead travel directly to Caracas later this month.

The two leaders had originally scheduled their first face-to-face presidential meeting for mid-March in a Colombian border town, but both governments called off the encounter citing “force majeure” circumstances, though neither provided specific explanations at that time.

“The meeting at the border fell through because of certain precautions, she said there were security issues,” Petro stated in Friday’s television appearance.

Petro made these comments while participating in Barcelona’s “Global Progressive Mobilisation,” a two-day conference bringing together leftist political leaders from around the world. The event, organized by Spain and progressive political organizations, focuses on building opposition to far-right political movements globally.

Hungary’s newly elected Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced Friday that he has begun preliminary discussions with European Union representatives in Budapest, working urgently to restore funding that was suspended during conflicts with his predecessor’s administration.

Magyar, who achieved a decisive win in the April 12 election that will conclude nationalist leader Viktor Orban’s 16-year tenure, stated he plans to begin negotiations by identifying areas where he and EU officials are already in agreement.

“I expect a constructive negotiation. It will not be easy because we have very little time,” he stated during a press briefing.

The incoming leader announced that the chief of staff to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was scheduled to arrive around 5 p.m. local time as part of a senior-level diplomatic team.

“The aim is… to map out before the new government is formed what we agree on and what are the conditions that the next parliament can pass as a law and comply with European conditions,” Magyar explained.

Magyar plans to assume the prime minister role on May 9 or 10, with the exact date depending on when the president schedules parliament’s opening session after the election.

His center-right Tisza party secured a supermajority, providing the authority to modify judicial, public procurement, and media oversight legislation that became central issues in the disputes between Orban’s administration and Brussels.

During Friday’s media briefing, he expressed optimism for reaching a political agreement during his initial trip to Brussels.

Financial markets have responded positively to Magyar’s electoral success, with investors anticipating that the EU will release billions of euros in suspended funds and provide assistance to Hungary’s nearly stagnant economy.

Magyar has previously identified four priority areas where his administration could act quickly to prevent losing approximately 10 billion euros in EU pandemic recovery assistance by the end-August deadline, including anti-corruption initiatives and restoring media and academic independence.

Von der Leyen remarked this week following her conversation with Magyar that urgent work lies ahead.

BUDAPEST – Peter Magyar, the victor in Hungary’s recent election, announced Friday that he anticipates being sworn in as the country’s prime minister either May 9 or May 10, with the exact date contingent upon the president’s scheduling of parliament’s inaugural session.

Magyar indicated he plans to depart from traditional protocol by taking his oath of office on the very same day that parliament convenes for the first time.

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Armed attackers ambushed a passenger bus in Nigeria’s Benue state Thursday, kidnapping students who were traveling to take university examinations, according to state officials.

The kidnapping occurred on the Otukpo-Makurdi highway, where students and other bus passengers were taken captive, Governor Hyacinth Alia announced in a Thursday evening statement.

While the governor did not reveal the exact number of people kidnapped, local news outlets reported that 14 passengers were aboard the bus during the attack.

“The targeting of innocent citizens, particularly students on their way to sit for examinations, is unacceptable and stands against every norm of humanity and civil order,” Alia said.

According to the governor, authorities have launched search and rescue missions throughout the north-central state to secure the safe release of all kidnapped individuals.

So far, no organization has taken credit for Thursday’s kidnapping incident. The Benue region has become a center for armed attacks in Nigeria’s northern areas, where criminal groups frequently assault isolated communities and highway travelers through deadly raids and abductions for money.

Kidnapping of students has become a hallmark of the security crisis plaguing Africa’s largest nation by population, with experts noting that criminal organizations view educational institutions and students as “strategic” victims to generate maximum public attention.

The governor called on local residents to stay composed and continue working with law enforcement during rescue missions and other security activities.

“We will continue to take decisive actions to protect lives and property,” he added.

WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has accused a cryptocurrency company with alleged Russian ties of financially backing Polish politicians and supporting nationalist presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki through political events.

During Friday’s parliamentary session, Tusk made these allegations before lawmakers voted to override Nawrocki’s rejection of proposed cryptocurrency market regulations. The presidential candidate has blocked two separate government attempts to regulate the crypto industry over the past six months.

According to Tusk, the resistance to regulatory measures by certain Polish officials suggests they are working on behalf of Zondacrypto, a company that previously provided them financial backing and maintains connections to Russia.

“The source of this company’s financial success is not only Russian money linked to the so-called Bratva, one of the most important mafia groups in Russia, but also to Russian secret services,” Tusk stated during his parliamentary address.

Tusk further alleged that Zondacrypto simultaneously “sponsors political and social events in Poland and promotes very specific political forces,” including funding politicians from the previously ruling Law and Justice party and the far-right Confederation.

The Prime Minister also revealed that Zondacrypto served as a major sponsor for a Conservative Political Action Conference gathering held in Rzeszow, eastern Poland, during March 2025. This event occurred just five days prior to Poland’s presidential election, which featured a close race between Tusk’s liberal coalition candidate and Nawrocki, who had Law and Justice backing.

At that conference, former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized the liberal candidate as “an absolute train wreck of a leader” while praising Nawrocki, who attended the event, as someone who would govern Poland with a Trump-like approach.

“We need you to elect the right leader,” stated Noem, a notable Trump supporter, during her conference speech. “You will be the leaders that will turn Europe back to conservative values.”

Tusk also asserted that Nawrocki possessed complete knowledge about Zondacrypto’s background when he decided to veto the cryptocurrency regulations.

Responding to these allegations, Zbigniew Bogucki, who heads the president’s office, clarified that Nawrocki supports cryptocurrency market regulation but opposes the government’s proposed “flawed regulatory model.”

Confederation leader Slawomir Menzen defended the veto, arguing the proposed legislation would have “destroyed the Polish cryptocurrency market.”

Government officials maintain that the new regulatory framework aims to align Poland with European Union cryptocurrency standards.

The name ‘Amada’ means ‘beloved’ in Spanish.

“We chose to name her ‘Amada’ because she entered our family to be treasured,” explained Lorena Bonilla, whose transgender daughter recently gained approval to update her legal identity papers following an Ecuador Constitutional Court decision.

This case — combined with a second ruling issued in March — has created new opportunities for Ecuadorian teenagers who want to update their names and gender markers on government documents. Adult citizens obtained this same right following years of activism that resulted in legislative changes in 2024.

LGBTQ+ advocates throughout the region celebrated the court decisions, particularly as conservative political movements have strengthened their influence in recent months. However, these supporters also caution about ongoing legal and societal obstacles that transgender individuals must navigate.

“Political, religious and social groups in Ecuador continue to frame gender recognition for minors as dangerous,” stated Cristian González Cabrera, who researches LGBTQ+ issues for Human Rights Watch. “This atmosphere can lead to institutional resistance, bureaucratic delays and unreasonable rejections.”

Bonilla and her 17-year-old daughter encountered these challenges directly in 2018. Their court fight started when Amada was just 9 years old and educational institutions denied her enrollment because her official paperwork didn’t align with her gender identity.

“Fourteen schools turned us away and wouldn’t accept her,” Bonilla recalled. “That’s when we realized we had to pursue changing her name.”

Initially, a court approved Amada’s request to update her identity papers. However, the civil registry challenged this ruling and an appeals court subsequently decided that her passport and identification should display her birth name and assigned gender.

“Our rights took a major setback,” Bonilla stated.

Court decisions rather than legislative action or executive leadership have primarily driven LGBTQ+ progress in Ecuador. This pattern has emerged in neighboring Andean nations including Colombia and Peru as well.

“Legislative and executive officials represent the general population’s views, but LGBTQ individuals are frequently ignored,” explained Christian Paula, who leads the Pakta Foundation that offers legal assistance in cases similar to Amada’s. “Relying on judicial intervention demonstrates how closed-minded and insensitive our institutions remain.”

Three major LGBTQ+ milestones in Ecuador have resulted from court action. These include ending criminal penalties for homosexuality in 1997, a 2009 decision permitting an Ecuadorian transgender woman to legally change her name, and marriage equality recognition in 2019.

These judicial victories triggered opposition from conservative and faith-based organizations.

Following the Constitutional Court’s rulings, André Santos, who heads a prominent conservative advocacy group in Ecuador, posted on X that the court had exceeded its constitutional role. He has also criticized school policies that let students choose uniforms and restrooms matching their gender identity.

Ecuador’s Catholic bishops conference similarly voiced opposition to the court’s action. “Permitting adolescents to make such significant decisions creates substantial risks for their complete development,” the organization stated.

While President Daniel Noboa hasn’t been as vocal against transgender issues as certain other conservative Latin American leaders, his government has demonstrated minimal backing for LGBTQ+ causes.

During his campaign, he promised to protect traditional family structures. Since assuming office, security concerns and economic challenges have taken priority over gender and diversity matters in his policy focus.

“His cabinet members concern us most,” said Diane Rodríguez, an attorney and leader of Silueta X, an Ecuadorian LGBTQ+ advocacy group.

Rodríguez, who is transgender, highlighted Education Ministry officials, including current minister Gilda Alcívar, who has opposed incorporating what she terms “gender ideology” into curricula. This environment, Rodríguez noted, affects her personal experiences.

Living in Guayaquil where she and her partner, a transgender man, are raising their 4-year-old daughter, Rodríguez has encountered school enrollment obstacles.

“Registration became difficult because people look at me and think I’ll influence children to become transgender based on my appearance,” Rodríguez explained.

Her professional work includes providing legal assistance to those experiencing gender-based discrimination and supporting hormone therapy programs for transgender individuals. She also focuses on educating communities about violence targeting her community.

Silueta X releases yearly data on LGBTQ+ homicides. Their initial 2013 report documented two deaths, with numbers increasing annually. The 2025 publication recorded 30 fatalities, including 21 transgender women.

Amada expressed her female identity to her parents when she turned 3 years old. She requested a princess-themed birthday celebration. However, Bonilla and her husband — both with Catholic upbringings — believed she was mistaken and organized a prince-themed party instead.

Several years passed before they fully accepted their daughter and stopped consulting psychologists who claimed she had problems or that they had failed as parents.

“People make cruel remarks and don’t comprehend what families like ours endure,” said Mauricio Caviedes, Amada’s father. “I hope better education on this topic will help people develop understanding.”

As they gained knowledge about the transgender community, their effort to modify Amada’s documents expanded into broader advocacy. Bonilla and Caviedes became activists, bringing their children to demonstrations and educational events. They championed other LGBTQ+ issues like marriage equality and established a support network for families with transgender children.

“This became our only strategy to challenge the government,” Bonilla said. “We represented 25 families with transgender children of various ages, with the oldest being 12.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, her family relocated to Canada. Although she values how accepting their new country has been toward her daughter, she continues advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in Ecuador.

Amada, now an excellent student who aspires to become a nurse, was influenced by years of observing her parents assist transgender friends and community members seeking discrimination-free healthcare access. While she has never appeared in public media interviews, her case’s visibility represents a lasting impact for Bonilla.

“Society believes transgender people are destined to work in sex industries or remain hidden,” Bonilla said. “But we want all parents to understand that someday their child can achieve any goal they set.”

A new United Nations report shows that women and girls in Gaza faced unprecedented casualties during the recent conflict, with fatalities continuing even after a ceasefire agreement.

UN Women released data Friday indicating that more than 38,000 women and girls lost their lives in Gaza from October 2023 through December 2025, averaging at least 47 deaths per day throughout the conflict period.

Sofia Calltorp, who leads humanitarian action for the gender equality-focused agency, spoke to reporters in Geneva about the alarming statistics.

“Women and girls accounted for a proportion of deaths far higher than those observed in previous conflicts in Gaza,” Calltorp stated.

“They were individuals with lives and with dreams,” she added.

The organization expressed alarm that women and girls continue to die following October’s ceasefire agreement, though exact numbers remain unclear due to insufficient gender-specific data collection.

The October ceasefire brought an end to two years of intensive warfare but resulted in Israeli forces maintaining control over a largely evacuated area comprising more than half of Gaza. Hamas continues to govern the remaining narrow coastal territory.

Medical officials in the area report that over 750 Palestinians have died since the ceasefire began, while militant groups have killed four Israeli soldiers. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaking ceasefire terms.

Israeli officials state their operations target potential attacks from Hamas and other armed groups.

UNICEF also issued a statement Friday highlighting that children continue facing deadly violence in Gaza at disturbing levels, with at least 214 child deaths documented over the past six months.

The displacement crisis affects approximately one million women and girls currently living in Gaza, according to UN Women’s findings.

“Extensive damage to infrastructure has made it almost impossible for women and girls in Gaza to access their basic needs like healthcare,” Calltorp explained.

World Health Organization data indicates that more than 500,000 women cannot access critical medical services, including prenatal care, postnatal support, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.

KINSHASA, Congo — Fifteen migrants from Latin America touched down in Congo’s capital city of Kinshasa early Friday morning after being deported from the United States, according to their legal representative.

The arrival marks another instance of the Trump administration utilizing partnerships with African nations to speed up the removal of migrants from U.S. soil.

U.S. attorney Alma David told The Associated Press that all of the deportees originated from Latin American countries and that Congo’s government intends to house them temporarily within its borders.

A representative from Congo’s migration agency verified that the group had arrived but declined to share additional information.

David explained that each of the deportees had previously been granted legal protections by U.S. judges that were meant to prevent their forced return to their countries of origin. The group is currently being accommodated at a hotel in Kinshasa, she noted.

The International Organization for Migration, which operates under United Nations affiliation, will participate in providing what David described as “assisted voluntary return” services.

“The fact that the focus is on offering them ‘voluntary’ return to their home country when they spent months in immigration detention in the U.S. fighting hard to not have to go home is very alarming,” she said.

The IOM has not yet responded to requests for comment from the Associated Press.

Earlier this month, Congo’s Ministry of Communications issued a statement announcing the country would accept certain migrants through a new agreement established under the Trump administration’s third-country program.

The ministry characterized the arrangement as “temporary” and said it demonstrates Congo’s “commitment to human dignity and international solidarity.” Officials stated the agreement would not burden the government financially, as the United States would handle all necessary logistics and expenses.

The statement emphasized that deportees would not be automatically transferred elsewhere, noting: “Each situation will be subject to individual review in accordance with the laws of the Republic and national security requirements.”

The United States has established similar third-country deportation agreements with at least seven additional African nations, many of which have been significantly impacted by Trump administration policies that have limited trade, aid and migration opportunities.

According to a recent report from the Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Trump administration has allocated at least $40 million toward deporting approximately 300 migrants to nations other than their countries of origin.

Legal advocates and activists have questioned the nature of these agreements with African and other nations. Multiple African countries that have entered into such deals maintain governments known for repressive practices and poor human rights records, including Eswatini, South Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.

MEXICO CITY – A controversial conference focused on masculinity will take place as scheduled this Friday in Mexico’s Jalisco state, despite significant backlash over reports that taxpayer funds were used to support the for-profit gathering.

The event, titled “Fearless Masculinity,” features divisive speakers including author Jordan Peterson and is being held in one of Mexico’s most dangerous regions for women. Local media reports indicated that a municipal committee had allocated 400,000 pesos (approximately $23,170) to cover speaker payments, accommodations, and promotional costs for the conference, which charges attendees up to $430 per ticket.

Government agency logos that initially appeared on the event’s sponsorship materials were later removed, with officials subsequently denying any financial involvement in the conference, which promotes Catholic values. Mexico operates as a secular nation, and its constitution prohibits government sponsorship of religious gatherings. President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the controversy during a recent press briefing, stating that the state’s governor owes the public an explanation.

The timing and location of the event have drawn particular criticism given Mexico’s ongoing battle with gender-based violence. Government statistics reveal that 756 women died violently during the first two months of this year alone, with most cases classified as accidents. Additionally, authorities recorded 2,812 rapes and received more than 162,000 emergency calls related to domestic and gender-based violence during the same period.

Luz Leon, speaking on behalf of the advocacy organization Balance, confirmed to reporters that her group along with 35 other associations have submitted an official complaint demanding transparency about the funding situation and calling for an investigation into the officials involved.

“Authorities frequently claim there’s insufficient funding to help victims in Guadalajara and throughout Jalisco, a region plagued by extreme violence and numerous disappearances of young people,” Leon stated. “It’s extremely troubling that rather than allocating resources to tackle these critical problems, they’re being diverted for this purpose.”

Leon further criticized the event’s messaging, explaining, “They are encouraging gender-based violence and promoting narratives that reinforce discrimination through prejudice and harmful stereotypes.” She referenced the conference’s self-promotion as a response to what organizers call “the assault on masculinity.”

The speaker lineup includes Peterson and Mexican entertainer Eduardo Verastegui, a conservative activist, both known for advocating traditional gender expectations for women. The roster also features former Barcelona soccer team captain Carles Puyol and ex-Brazilian midfielder Ricardo Kaka, though their participation remains unconfirmed, alongside several Catholic clergy members.

Documentation from Balance shows that as of April 8, the conference’s sponsor list displayed logos from Jalisco, Guadalajara, and Zapopan local governments, as well as the prominent Catholic Anahuac University Network and Tajin, the company behind Mexico’s widely popular chile-lime seasoning. By the following week, all these logos had been removed from promotional materials.

Neither the event organizers nor the previously listed sponsors provided responses to media inquiries. Local news outlets quoted the conference director as claiming the gathering aims to benefit society rather than harm others.

The three-day conference is taking place in Guadalajara, which is scheduled to host multiple World Cup soccer matches in June. Organizers are marketing it as Latin America’s most significant masculinity conference.

Standing on a sandy stretch of Cuba’s Bay of Pigs coastline, 90-year-old Orestes Chamizo gestures toward the exact location where U.S.-backed Cuban exiles stormed ashore on April 17, 1961.

“The mercenaries came in right there,” Chamizo explains, remembering the failed invasion and his participation in hunting down fleeing survivors who escaped into the surrounding marshland.

With President Donald Trump making repeated threats against Cuba and enforcing what amounts to an oil embargo on the island nation, Chamizo warns that any future American invasion would meet the same fate as the first attempt.

“I’m 90 years old but if I have to pick up a gun again, I’ll do it without fear,” the energetic veteran told reporters. “The last invasion failed … and the next one will too.”

The idea that communist Cuba could successfully repel an attack from the world’s dominant military power seems just as unlikely now as it did six and a half decades ago.

Conversations with more than 20 Bay of Pigs area residents of various ages reveal a stark contrast between the passionate defiance of those who experienced the revolution firsthand and the despair of younger Cubans struggling under the weight of a failing government-controlled economy and American economic sanctions.

“Young people here don’t have the same spirit they used to,” explains Miguel Piloto Garcia, a 22-year-old barber speaking from his front porch near the 1961 invasion site. “We want to improve our lives, but right now there’s no future for us.”

Both nations, despite being separated by only 90 miles of ocean, have confirmed they are engaged in diplomatic discussions. However, Trump has repeatedly suggested military action against Cuba might be possible, telling journalists as late as March that he could be “taking” the Caribbean island.

“I mean, whether I free it, take it. Think I can do anything I want with it,” Trump stated.

Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel recently informed NBC that his country has no desire for armed conflict. Nevertheless, he cautioned that Cuba would resist any attack through “irregular warfare” that would render any American military operation “untenable.”

The island’s legal framework mandates military service for all young citizens, beginning at age 18. This typically one-to-two-year commitment includes weapons instruction as part of Cuba’s comprehensive “War of All the People” strategy, which is codified in the National Defense Law and promoted by Diaz-Canel during his recent television appearance.

“Every Cuban man or woman has a mission, a purpose, a place to defend, and they will have their own place to take in the defense,” Diaz-Canel explained. “So this is all based on people’s participation, voluntary participation.”

Since the United States invaded Venezuela in early January and removed former president Nicolas Maduro from power, Cuba has conducted weekly military exercises every Friday, dubbed “National Defense Days.”

These training sessions, frequently broadcast on Cuban state television news, feature citizens in both city and countryside settings practicing with rifles, operating aging Soviet tanks, piloting drones, and throwing explosive devices.

Although these military preparations receive increasing media attention, Cuba’s defense capabilities remain largely mysterious to international observers, with no public information available regarding troop readiness, budget allocation, equipment inventory, or overall strength.

Without access to public polling data, determining popular support for the military remains challenging in Cuba.

The heated exchanges between Washington and Havana take considerable time to reach the remote Bay of Pigs region, an isolated area within the Zapata Swamp that currently endures 22-hour daily power outages. Local residents have adapted to life with minimal public transportation and limited access to modern technology like cellular service and internet connectivity.

Thirty-year-old Yudel Ramos, who makes his living fishing and catching crabs, finds himself too preoccupied with survival to focus much attention on potential warfare. His wages don’t cover basic necessities like purchasing charcoal, forcing him to spend his time searching for burning materials.

“If the time came to give my life for Cuba, I would, but sometimes I don’t know what to think,” he shared outside his residence in Palpite. “We are going through a very difficult time.”

Mass emigration has also reduced the pool of potential military personnel.

From 2020 through 2024, Cuba experienced a population decrease exceeding 1.4 million residents, representing more than 10% of the total population, primarily due to emigration heavily concentrated among people aged 18 to 30, based on recent statistics from Cuba’s ONEI data collection agency.

This demographic transformation deeply troubles Jesus Bernardino Alonso, an 87-year-old Bay of Pigs veteran among the few still residing in Palpite, a community whose entrance features a monument commemorating the victory over American-trained attackers.

Alonso remembers how the entire community mobilized to respond to the invasion 65 years earlier.

“It’s true times have changed, and young people today … some don’t share the same ideals,” Alonso reflected. “But there are still many of us who defend this, even though we know we are facing a superpower.”

Documentary filmmaker Stephen Shaw, creator of “Birthgap,” is sounding the alarm about a demographic crisis he believes world leaders and experts are failing to address adequately. Shaw points to dramatically declining fertility rates across the globe as a looming threat that demands immediate attention.

According to Shaw, wealthy nations around the world — the United States included — are experiencing birth rates that fall short of replacement levels. This means women in these countries are not having sufficient children to offset the number of deaths occurring in their populations.

The filmmaker argues that modern societies have systematically made parenthood a lower priority, a shift he warns could lead to serious repercussions in the coming years.