Category: World News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EXPORT RESTRICTIONS LIMIT UKRAINE’S DEFENSE DEALS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DEPENDENCE ON SKILLED OPERATORS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Independent verification of the footage was not possible.

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

Zelenskyy praised the SBU for the accuracy of its operations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Iranian officials have consistently maintained their nuclear activities serve peaceful purposes. President Donald Trump has cited preventing Iranian nuclear weapons development as a primary justification for military action, while claiming the June strikes “obliterated” Iran’s atomic capabilities.

The IAEA chief disclosed discussions with Russia and other nations about removing Iran’s highly enriched uranium from the country — a complicated undertaking requiring either diplomatic agreement or significant U.S. military intervention in hostile territory.

“What’s going to be important is that that material leaves Iran” or undergoes dilution to lower enrichment levels, Grossi stated.

While the IAEA took part in the most recent round of U.S.-Iran nuclear discussions in February, it has not participated in current ceasefire talks facilitated by Pakistan. The agency maintains separate communications with Washington and informal contact with Tehran.

Iran’s newest proposal would delay nuclear program negotiations while ending its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for oil and gas, contingent on U.S. blockade removal and conflict termination.

Grossi interpreted this as evidence that Iran seeks to prioritize how it addresses American demands, including restricting its ballistic missile development and managing proxy groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen.

“What is indispensable is that we address it,” the IAEA director-general emphasized regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Success requires “political will” from Tehran, he stressed, adding that “Iran has to be convinced that it is important to negotiate.”

While both Iranian leadership and the Republican president express willingness to negotiate, Grossi observed that “where the frustration kicks in, apparently for both, is that they do not seem to come to agreement, or be at an eye-to-eye level on what needs to be done first, or on how.”

Despite challenges, Grossi, who describes himself as a negotiator seeking a “flicker of hope,” pointed out that “one important thing is that there is apparently an interest on both sides to come to an agreement.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News Channel this week that stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons “remains the core issue” requiring attention.

When questioned about Iranian sincerity in negotiations, Rubio characterized them as experienced negotiators seeking to delay action, emphasizing any deal must be “one that definitively prevents them from sprinting towards a nuclear weapon at any point.”

Grossi concluded that comprehensive IAEA inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities must occur under any political settlement.

BRUSSELS (AP) — The head of the European Commission cautioned Wednesday that member nations must carefully direct energy assistance to those most in need, or risk squandering enormous sums as the Middle East conflict drives up fuel costs.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed lawmakers about the financial strain from the U.S.-Israel conflict and Iranian responses, including potential disruption of the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. These developments are draining nearly $600 million daily from EU coffers while driving up gasoline costs and creating concerns about jet fuel availability in coming weeks.

Speaking to European Parliament members in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen emphasized learning from previous energy emergencies. She referenced the 2022 fuel shortage when Russia weaponized energy supplies against European nations supporting Ukraine.

“More than 350 billion euros were spent on untargeted measures and this had a huge impact on member states finances,” von der Leyen stated. “So let us not make the same mistake again, and let’s focus our support where it matters most.”

The Commission President stressed the need to break free from foreign energy dependence, advocating for greater reliance on domestic renewable resources including wind, solar, and nuclear power – similar to how Europe reduced its Russian energy ties.

“Our over dependency on imported fossil fuels makes us vulnerable,” she declared.

Data shows dramatic shifts since 2022, with Russian natural gas imports dropping from 45% to just 12% last year across the 27-nation bloc. Coal purchases were eliminated through sanctions, while oil imports fell from 27% in 2022 to 2%, with only Hungary and Slovakia maintaining Russian petroleum ties.

Von der Leyen predicted lasting consequences from the current Middle East crisis, saying the effects “may echo for months or even years to come.” She identified the solution as developing “homegrown, affordable, clean energy supply from renewables to nuclear.”

Her recommendations included expanding electricity use from renewable and nuclear sources for transportation, aviation, home heating, and industrial applications to reduce fossil fuel dependence. Currently, electricity accounts for less than 25% of the bloc’s total energy consumption.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen issued stark warnings last week about the crisis severity, describing it as more than “a short-term, small increase in prices. This is a crisis that is probably as serious as the 1973 and the 2022 crises combined.”

Jørgensen noted Europe’s limited influence over Middle Eastern developments, saying the continent has been pushed into a reactive position with minimal control over unfolding events.

“Even in a best-case scenario, it’s still bad,” Jørgensen explained. “Whether or not we will be in a security of supply crisis is primarily a result of what goes on in the Middle East. What we can do is to try and prevent, and limit” the damage.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A multinational law enforcement operation targeting criminal networks that offer violence as a paid service has resulted in 280 arrests during its inaugural year, according to a Wednesday announcement from Europol, the European Union’s police agency.

The apprehensions highlight a disturbing pattern emerging throughout Europe where criminals use social media platforms and messaging applications to recruit individuals — often young people — to commit violent acts ranging from physical assaults to homicides, creating what officials describe as a dangerous version of the gig economy.

“Violence is no longer confined to isolated acts or local dynamics. It is increasingly offered as a service: accessible, scalable and driven by online ecosystems that enable recruitment, coordination, and execution across borders,” Europol said in a statement.

The specialized task force was established last year with participation from law enforcement agencies across Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. During its first year of operations, the team identified more than 1,400 individuals connected to violence-for-hire schemes.

Notable cases include the detention of a Dutch citizen allegedly serving as an escape driver for two juveniles suspected of conducting multiple bombings in Germany during July and August 2025. Additionally, Swedish authorities arrested a minor in January for suspected participation in a shooting incident near a correctional facility in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands.

Europol has also published information on its European most-wanted database regarding three men sought for their alleged participation in violence-as-a-service operations — two Swedish nationals and one German citizen. These individuals face charges related to murder, narcotics trafficking, and financial crimes.

PUERTO TRIUNFO, Colombia — Fishermen navigate Colombia’s Magdalena River with extreme caution as massive hippos emerge from the muddy waters without notice, capable of reaching boats in seconds.

“These hippos are a true nightmare,” fisherman Wilinton Sánchez explained, describing the massive creatures that can swim at 8 kilometers per hour and run 30 kilometers per hour on land. “We were out Saturday when one lunged … reared up and swung its jaws wide. If it ever gets hold of you, it’ll tear you to pieces.”

Yet the dangerous animals also captivate visitors. Tourist boats regularly cruise the waterways multiple times weekly, carrying Colombian and international guests hoping to spot the enormous mammals. While these hippo-watching excursions sometimes end with frightened screams as the animals charge toward vessels, they provide crucial income for local communities.

These invasive hippos represent part of a 200-strong population that breeds without natural controls. The animals descend from creatures illegally imported during the 1980s by deceased drug lord Pablo Escobar for his personal menagerie at Hacienda Nápoles — an expansive ranch featuring its own airstrip that served as his isolated stronghold.

Environmental officials warn Colombia’s hippo numbers could surpass 500 by 2030 without action. Authorities recently authorized plans to kill approximately 80 hippos beginning later this year to address the growing crisis.

This decision has triggered intense controversy. Researchers supporting the culling have received death threats, while animal rights groups condemn the strategy as “murder.” Local residents in Puerto Triunfo, located 200 kilometers from Bogota, worry eliminating the animals will devastate tourism revenue supporting their town.

Diana Hincapié stops her restaurant duties to sit near a wall painting depicting a mother hippo with her baby.

“We don’t want to see a dead hippopotamus. They aren’t African anymore; they are Colombian, born and bred here for over 30 years,” the 48-year-old entrepreneur stated, expressing readiness to protest publicly if the killing plan advances.

Her riverside restaurant along the Cocorná Sur River, which feeds into the Magdalena, welcomes nearly 200 monthly visitors. Most arrive specifically seeking hippos, and Hincapié worries government actions could eliminate regional tourism entirely.

These massive land mammals have now occupied roughly 43,000 square kilometers according to ministry data. Without natural enemies and enjoying consistent rainfall unlike their African homeland, the hippos established their primary base on the “Island of Silence,” a plant-covered river island serving as their breeding center.

Álvaro Molina, 61, whose home sits across from the island, remembers the initial pair arriving about 11 years ago. The population has exploded since then. “One night I saw 12 at once, but I understand they have been migrating,” the fisherman noted.

River encounters occur so regularly that Molina expects them during every fishing trip, particularly at sunset. Several years back, his boat drifted directly over two hippos, which panicked and overturned his vessel. He successfully swam to safety aboard another boat without harm.

“Whether they are killed or taken away, it does us a favor,” Molina stated, explaining how hippos have devastated local fishing as many people quit the profession due to safety fears.

Official control measures encompass containment supported by Puerto Triunfo citizens, international transfers to wildlife facilities, and euthanasia as a final option when other methods prove impossible.

In their native Africa, these large plant-eating animals constantly traveling between water and land “can significantly impact the structure of ecosystems,” explained Daniel Cadena, science faculty dean at University of the Andes, who supports implementing combined control approaches including euthanasia.

However, euthanasia presents challenges. Official procedures involve luring animals with food into enclosures for lethal injection after sedation. Alternatively, officials may use high-powered long-distance hunting rifles, though the weapons must be extremely powerful due to hippos’ notoriously thick, penetration-resistant hide.

Senator Andrea Padilla has pressed officials to emphasize relocation rather than killing.

“It is an extermination; it is a massacre of 80 individuals,” Padilla declared. “This is a legacy left to us by a drug trafficker. How can we possibly close this chapter in the exact same way — by shooting the hippos?”

International relocation efforts have stalled. While some countries initially showed interest, ministry officials report no nations have agreed to accept transfers. Potential host countries cite either prohibitive costs for housing the enormous mammals or domestic laws preventing invasive species importation.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The Iranian rial plummeted to an unprecedented low on Wednesday, reaching 1.8 million to the dollar while a fragile ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel remains in effect.

For several weeks during the conflict that started February 28th, the rial had maintained stability, largely due to reduced trading activity and minimal imports entering the nation.

However, the currency began its downward spiral two days prior, culminating in Wednesday’s historic low.

Economic analysts caution that the rial’s dramatic decline will likely intensify inflation throughout Iran, where the dollar exchange rate directly impacts the cost of numerous imported items including food products, medical supplies, electronics, and industrial materials.

While hostilities have ceased under the current ceasefire agreement, ongoing U.S. economic blockades continue applying pressure to Iran’s already weakened economy. These measures have significantly reduced government revenues and foreign currency reserves by halting or seizing oil exports.

This recent currency crisis follows a similar economic shock from January that sparked widespread demonstrations across the country. During that period, the rial dropped from approximately 1.4 million to 1.6 million against the dollar within days, intensifying public frustration over escalating living costs and uncertainty about Iran’s economic prospects.

For decades, Iran’s economy has struggled under international sanctions, persistent inflation, and growing disparities between government-set and market exchange rates. The recent weeks-long conflict has placed additional stress on Iranian businesses, families, and government finances.

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to New York City on Wednesday to pay respects to those killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, continuing their four-day official visit to the United States.

The royal couple’s New York agenda follows an eventful Tuesday in the nation’s capital, where King Charles addressed members of Congress, conducted private discussions with President Donald Trump during ongoing U.S.-UK diplomatic tensions regarding Iran, and met with American technology sector leaders.

During Tuesday evening’s White House state dinner, President Trump indicated that King Charles expressed support for ending Iran’s nuclear capabilities. However, since the monarch does not speak for Britain’s government, this claim remains unverified. Neither Downing Street nor Buckingham Palace immediately provided comment when asked about the alleged statement.

The King and Queen will start their New York activities with a memorial service at the 9/11 site in lower Manhattan, where al-Qaeda terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center’s twin towers on September 11, 2001, claiming nearly 2,800 lives.

King Charles is scheduled to meet with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during the memorial ceremony.

Following the tribute, the King plans to travel to Harlem to tour a community-based organization that established an environmentally-friendly after-school urban agriculture program designed to address local food shortage issues, according to area news outlets. Environmental and sustainability initiatives have remained close to the King’s heart throughout his decades of public service.

Queen Camilla will separately participate in celebrating the centennial of A.A. Milne’s beloved character Winnie the Pooh through her charitable organization, The Queen’s Reading Room, in what Buckingham Palace describes as a “literary engagement” activity.

The royal visit to New York marks the third day of their American state tour, occurring during a period of strained relations between Washington and London, as President Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for allegedly providing insufficient assistance in the Iran conflict.

During his Congressional address Tuesday, King Charles emphasized the enduring military and cultural bonds between Britain and America, officially marking the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence from British sovereignty.

However, the monarch also highlighted NATO’s significance while President Trump has criticized the Western alliance’s hesitancy to provide military support for the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, and cautioned against American withdrawal from international engagement.

“I pray with all my heart that our lands will continue to defend our shared values with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth, and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking,” Charles stated during his joint address to the Senate and House of Representatives.

The conflict in Ukraine has dramatically transformed Sweden’s defense manufacturing sector into one of Europe’s most rapidly expanding military production centers, with perhaps no company experiencing this shift more dramatically than Hagglunds, an armored vehicle manufacturer based in the small northern Swedish town of Ornskoldsvik.

BAE Systems has owned Hagglunds since 2004, but the company’s roots trace back to the late 1800s when it started as a family furniture business before transitioning through various industries including buses, trams, aircraft, and finally armored vehicles during the 1950s.

The end of the Cold War brought significant challenges for the defense contractor, and Tommy Gustafsson-Rask faced the difficult task of eliminating one-third of the company’s employees when he took over as managing director of BAE Systems Hagglunds in 2012.

However, geopolitical tensions began shifting the company’s prospects around 2014. “I think the 2014 annexation of Crimea was when we saw something starting to happen,” Gustafsson-Rask explained during an interview at the Hagglunds testing facility in Ornskoldsvik. He noted that business really accelerated just prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The transformation has been remarkable. “From having a typical order book of a couple of hundred million U.S. dollars, we’re now at 8 billion U.S. dollars. So it’s an enormous development,” Gustafsson-Rask stated.

Sweden’s military equipment exports have experienced explosive growth, increasing more than threefold to 28 billion crowns ($3.02 billion) in 2025, compared to 8 billion in 2015.

The Swedish defense sector now provides employment for approximately 30,000 people, with the majority working at Saab, the manufacturer of Gripen fighter aircraft and A-26 submarines. Saab alone maintains an order backlog exceeding 274 billion crowns.

Hagglunds has committed $300 million toward expanding its manufacturing capabilities, including the addition of a third production line this year. Manufacturing output has increased by 400% since 2020, while the workforce has grown from 800 to 2,600 employees, making it the largest employer in the town of 56,000 residents.

The company’s primary success story centers on the fifth-generation Combat Vehicle 90 infantry fighting vehicle. This armored vehicle operates with a three-person crew and can transport up to eight fully equipped soldiers. More than 1,300 units have been delivered, with an additional 600 currently on order, establishing it as one of Sweden’s most successful military export products.

The CV90 has proven its effectiveness in combat situations in Afghanistan and is currently being utilized in Ukraine. Hagglunds anticipates securing contracts for an additional 500 CV90s from five European countries later this year.

Reports from Ukrainian forces have been largely favorable, although drone threats remain a concern. Notably, no Ukrainian personnel have been killed while inside a CV90, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally expressed his gratitude to Gustafsson-Rask during a visit to Sweden.

“He came forward, hugged me, and told me that your CV90s are saving our soldiers’ lives, and I get goosebumps even now,” Gustafsson-Rask recalled.

Each CV90 carries a price tag of approximately $10 million and has been purchased by ten European nations.

Sweden maintained military neutrality for more than two centuries before becoming a NATO member in 2024. According to the Swedish International Peace Research Institute, the country ranks as the European Union’s seventh-largest arms exporter.

German lawmakers have approved legislation that will establish a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages beginning in 2028, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to address growing obesity rates and reduce strain on its healthcare infrastructure.

The initiative, which received government approval on Wednesday as part of a comprehensive healthcare reform package, is projected to generate roughly 450 million euros (equivalent to $526.5 million) each year. These funds will be directed toward the country’s statutory health insurance program to support prevention initiatives, including workplace wellness programs and community health projects designed to benefit the general public.

Officials have not yet finalized specific details regarding the tax structure, including the exact rate or implementation framework.

The beverage tax proposal has gained significant momentum following increased public advocacy and bipartisan political support for stronger action against excessive sugar consumption and associated health conditions. Daniel Guenther, who serves as state premier of Schleswig-Holstein and championed the proposal, previously stated to Reuters in March that “too much sugar makes people ill,” emphasizing the burden placed on both healthcare systems and the broader economy.

Although Guenther’s conservative CDU party initially opposed the concept in February, support has since grown within the party ranks, as well as among Green Party and Social Democratic representatives.

Public opinion research conducted by Forsa and released in February revealed that approximately 60% of German citizens favor implementing a tax on sugar-sweetened soft drinks.

According to World Health Organization data, more than 100 nations worldwide have implemented taxes on sugary beverages, including roughly half of all European Union member countries. Research conducted in Britain and Mexico has demonstrated that such policies can effectively reduce sugar consumption and help prevent conditions such as diabetes.

SEOUL, South Korea — Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol received a seven-year prison sentence Wednesday from an appeals court for obstruction of justice and resisting arrest following his controversial martial law declaration last year.

The additional sentence compounds an already-imposed life term for rebellion charges connected to his December 2024 authoritarian actions that sparked South Korea’s most significant democratic crisis in recent decades.

Seoul High Court Judge Yoon Sung-sik determined that the former conservative leader circumvented required Cabinet procedures before announcing martial law, created false documentation to hide these violations, and used security personnel “like a private army” to prevent his arrest after impeachment. The former president remained silent during the verdict announcement and offered no statements.

A lower tribunal had previously given Yoon five years in January while partially dismissing abuse-of-power allegations related to the Cabinet meeting requirements, determining he wasn’t accountable for two members’ absence from the gathering.

The appeals court overturned that partial acquittal, convicting him on every charge and determining he infringed upon the rights of those two absent members plus seven additional Cabinet officials who weren’t informed, by assembling only a limited group to mimic an official meeting.

Yoon’s martial law announcement on December 3, 2024, despite lasting only briefly, plunged the nation into severe political upheaval, freezing governmental functions and international relations while destabilizing financial markets. The chaos subsided after his progressive opponent Lee Jae Myung secured victory in an emergency presidential election in June.

Parliament impeached Yoon on December 14, 2024, leading to his immediate suspension, and the Constitutional Court officially removed him from office in April 2025.

After his suspension, Yoon defied a Seoul court’s detention order for questioning, creating a tense confrontation where numerous investigators surrounded the presidential compound in early January 2025 but were prevented from entering by security forces and barriers. He was eventually detained later that month, freed by another court in March, then arrested again in July.

He has remained incarcerated since that time as multiple ongoing criminal proceedings continue.

Tuesday’s decision followed the same court’s enhancement of his wife Kim Keon Hee’s sentence to four years for accepting expensive gifts from the Unification Church, which pursued political influence from Yoon’s administration, and participating in stock manipulation activities.

In a separate case last week, prosecutors sought a 30-year sentence for Yoon regarding accusations that he intentionally escalated North Korean tensions in 2024 by authorizing drone missions over Pyongyang to establish justification for domestic martial law implementation.

The fate of 23 million Taiwanese people may hinge on a crucial diplomatic encounter they won’t be part of.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is preparing to make Taiwan the centerpiece of discussions when President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing next month, marking a significant shift from their previous South Korea summit last year when Xi intentionally avoided the contentious topic.

Officials in Taipei are anxiously monitoring for any indication that Trump, known for his deal-making approach to international relationships, might modify America’s established Taiwan stance in exchange for Chinese purchases of U.S. aircraft and agricultural products or relief from economic tensions.

Wu Xinbo, who leads Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies and advises China’s foreign ministry, explained Beijing’s perspective: “Regarding Taiwan, the logic is simple: if the U.S. does not want to fight a major war with China over Taiwan, it should not support Taiwan independence.”

Wu continued: “Trump has no interest in going to war with China. To avoid a major conflict that involves the U.S., he should make it clear that he won’t support independence or take actions that encourage a separatist political agenda.”

Neither China’s foreign ministry nor the U.S. State Department provided responses to inquiries about the upcoming discussions.

America maintains its “one China policy,” which avoids taking an official stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty while recognizing, though not endorsing, Beijing’s territorial claims over the island. Washington states it “does not support” Taiwanese independence while committing to help the island defend itself.

Taiwan’s position as a semiconductor manufacturing hub makes it crucial to military stability across the western Pacific region. Even subtle modifications to American diplomatic language could influence how Beijing perceives U.S. determination to maintain its Taiwan support, according to regional analysts. Such changes would alarm Taipei and spark renewed concerns about Washington’s broader Asian security pledges.

Trump administration representatives have consistently stated that Taiwan policy remains unchanged and have regularly criticized Chinese pressure campaigns against the island.

Behind closed doors, administration sources emphasize that Trump has authorized significantly more weapons sales to Taiwan during his second term’s first year than predecessor Joe Biden approved throughout his entire presidency.

During a 2024 meeting with Biden, Xi requested that America alter its Taiwan language to state “we oppose Taiwan independence” instead of the current phrasing.

Washington rejected this proposed modification.

Sources familiar with summit preparations indicate that China has persistently conveyed similar messages through diplomatic channels leading up to the Trump-Xi meeting, though they declined to elaborate on specifics due to negotiation confidentiality.

Taiwanese officials, whose government disputes Beijing’s sovereignty assertions, remain vigilant about potential policy shifts.

Shen Yu-chung, deputy minister at Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which handles China policy, stated: “We will be watching whether the U.S. makes any changes to its position on Taiwan Strait issues as a result of that meeting.”

“We will use the remaining time to intensify policy communications with the U.S.,” Shen added.

Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei noted this week that Trump’s administration “has continuously reaffirmed its support for Taiwan” since taking office.

Beijing has maintained that military action remains an option for bringing Taiwan under Chinese control. China conducted its most recent military exercises around the island in late December, responding to a U.S. announcement of an unprecedented $11 billion arms package for Taiwan.

In preparation for the summit, China has employed both incentives and pressure tactics.

Beijing has proposed trade and tourism “benefits” for Taiwan, while simultaneously taking punitive measures. Last week, Taipei accused China of convincing three African nations to deny overflight permissions for President Lai Ching-te’s planned trip to Eswatini, forcing its cancellation.

The United States issued sharp criticism of China’s interference.

President Lai maintains that Taiwan already functions as an independent nation under its official designation, the Republic of China. Beijing characterizes Lai as both a “separatist” and an illegitimate leader driving cross-strait relations toward armed conflict.

Raymond Greene, America’s top diplomatic representative in Taiwan, has been publicly reinforcing assurances that U.S. commitments, including arms sales mandated by the Taiwan Relations Act, remain “rock solid” as the summit approaches.

Former Trump adviser Robert O’Brien suggested the president would resist becoming “the first American president to lose Taiwan. That would not be a Donald Trump goal to have in mind. That’s not the legacy he wants.”

America also faces significant strategic considerations given Taiwan’s geographic importance, as Washington quietly utilizes the island’s sophisticated radar installations and surveillance facilities positioned in Taiwan’s mountainous regions to monitor China, according to security officials.

“Does the United States really want to lose one of its best locations for gathering intelligence on China?” questioned a Western security source, who requested anonymity when discussing sensitive security matters.

The political status of Taiwan remains one of the most complex international issues, with the island functioning as an independent democracy while facing claims from mainland China.

Taiwan’s complicated history began thousands of years ago with indigenous peoples, followed by brief Dutch and Spanish control in the 1600s. The Qing dynasty made Taiwan part of Fujian province in 1684, later designating it as a separate Chinese province in 1885. Japan controlled the island from 1895 until 1945, when it was transferred to the Republic of China government after World War Two ended.

The current situation developed in 1949 when Mao Zedong’s Communist forces defeated the Republic of China government, forcing them to relocate their capital to Taiwan. The Republic of China remains Taiwan’s official name today. Meanwhile, Mao established the People’s Republic of China on the mainland, declaring it the sole legitimate Chinese government over all of China, including Taiwan.

Taiwan’s international recognition is limited. Only 12 nations maintain official diplomatic relations with Taipei, primarily smaller developing countries like Belize and Tuvalu. In 1971, Beijing replaced Taipei in China’s United Nations seat.

Despite limited formal recognition, most major Western nations and U.S. allies maintain unofficial relationships with Taiwan, recognizing Republic of China passports and operating de facto embassies. Taiwanese citizens travel freely worldwide using their passports.

The United States ended official diplomatic ties with Taipei in 1979 but remains legally obligated to help Taiwan defend itself. Washington maintains a “One China” policy, taking no official stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Beijing refuses to rule out military force to bring Taiwan under its control and has proposed a “one country, two systems” arrangement similar to Hong Kong’s model. However, no major Taiwanese political party supports this approach, and polling consistently shows most Taiwanese prefer maintaining current relations with China.

China argues that 1971’s United Nations Resolution 2758 legally establishes Taiwan as part of China, since it recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate Chinese government. Taiwan’s government disputes this interpretation, noting the resolution never mentioned Taiwan or its status. Last year, the U.S. State Department accused China of misrepresenting the resolution as part of “coercive attempts to isolate Taiwan from the international community.”

Taiwan functions with de facto independence, despite lacking formal recognition from most countries. Its people elect their own leaders, and the government controls defined territory with its own military, passport, and currency. Taiwan’s government maintains that the Republic of China is a sovereign state and Beijing has no authority to represent it, since the People’s Republic of China has never governed Taiwan and has no role in choosing its leaders.

Formally declaring a “Republic of Taiwan” would require significant legal hurdles, including parliamentary approval of constitutional amendments and a referendum. At least 75% of lawmakers would need to approve such changes, but the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and opposition Kuomintang currently hold equal seats in parliament. The DPP, in power since 2016, hasn’t attempted constitutional changes, while the KMT strongly opposes altering the Republic of China name.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te faces criticism from China, which labels him a “separatist.” Before his election, Lai described himself as a “practical worker for Taiwan independence,” though he maintains this simply means Taiwan is already an independent country. Since taking office in 2024, Lai has repeatedly stated that the Republic of China and People’s Republic of China are “not subordinate to each other,” which Beijing interprets as promoting independence.

China established legal grounds for potential military action through its 2005 Anti-Secession Law, passed by the country’s parliament. The law authorizes military force against Taiwan if it declares independence or if “possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted,” though the legislation remains deliberately vague about specific triggers.

A New Zealand city council has turned down a proposal to build a memorial statue honoring women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese military forces during World War II, following diplomatic pressure from Japan’s government.

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board within Auckland Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday to deny the Korean Garden Trust’s request to place a bronze sculpture depicting a young girl at Barry’s Point reserve on the city’s North Shore.

The memorial would have honored an estimated 200,000 women, primarily from Asian countries, who were enslaved by Japan’s military in what has been euphemistically called the “comfort women” system.

Kim O’Neill, who heads land and property advisory services for Auckland Council, explained the decision in a statement: “Auckland Council staff recommended that the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board decline a proposal for a statue for Barry’s Point Reserve in Takapuna based on the results of the public consultation and feedback received, which demonstrated a lack of community support for the proposal.”

During public consultations held in January, the council received nearly 700 responses from community members and organizations. According to officials, 57% of individual respondents and 15 out of 20 organizations expressed opposition to the memorial.

Those against the statue cited worries about creating community divisions, concerns over political messaging, and questions about its connection to New Zealand. Supporters argued the memorial would encourage historical reflection, recognize past injustices, and enhance educational opportunities, council representatives noted.

Japan’s Ambassador to New Zealand, Makoto Osawa, submitted formal opposition to the proposal, stating he “strongly” disagreed with the statue’s installation.

“I am concerned that it will cause division and conflict within New Zealand’s wonderful multi-ethnic and multicultural society and between Japanese and Korean communities,” Osawa wrote in his submission.

The ambassador further warned: “The installation of the statue could have a significant impact not only on the relations between peoples, private sectors and local governments in both countries, but also on the diplomatic relations between Japan and New Zealand.”

The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance had offered the statue as a gift to New Zealand. The memorial design matches sculptures that activists first placed outside Japan’s embassy in Seoul, South Korea, in 2011 as part of ongoing demands for formal apologies and compensation.

The bronze figure shows a young girl sitting beside an vacant chair. According to Project Sonyeo, an organization that tracks similar memorials worldwide, the empty seat represents the comfort women who have died.

PARIS, April 29 – The French government is advising all of its citizens currently in Mali to evacuate immediately after a series of coordinated attacks struck the West African nation over the weekend, according to updated travel guidance issued by France’s foreign ministry.

French officials warned that the security environment remains unpredictable, and until French nationals can depart the country, they should remain in their homes, minimize travel, and follow directives from local government officials while maintaining contact with family members. The ministry’s advisory strongly discourages any travel to Mali at this time.

The weekend violence involved al Qaeda’s West African branch and a separatist organization led by Tuareg fighters, who struck Mali’s primary military installation and locations near Bamako airport on Saturday. The same groups also forced Russian military personnel backing Mali’s government forces to withdraw from the strategically important northern city of Kidal.

On Tuesday, the head of Mali’s military administration promised to “neutralize” the individuals behind the attacks.

Ukrainian businesses and critical infrastructure facilities are getting a new form of protection against nightly Russian drone attacks through an innovative private defense initiative.

The country introduced a pilot program last year that permits industrial companies to create their own air defense units to safeguard their operations. According to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, twenty businesses have enrolled in the program, with two currently providing active air defense services.

One participating company, Carmine Sky, utilizes multiple defensive strategies tailored to each client’s requirements, including interceptor drones and automated gun systems equipped with M2 Browning heavy machine guns.

“It’s like an onion, made of layers,” explained Ruslan, a Carmine Sky representative who shared only his first name for security purposes.

Russia sends thousands of inexpensive, long-distance attack drones toward Ukraine monthly. Although Ukrainian forces intercept most of these threats, the ones that penetrate defenses have caused significant damage to military sites, manufacturing plants, and power infrastructure, leaving millions without heat and electricity during the previous winter.

During a Reuters interview at Carmine Sky’s control center, Ruslan showed how employees track incoming Russian drones. Workers sat in comfortable chairs, holding gaming controllers while scanning for threats in a darkened room covered with camouflage netting.

The firm provides services in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region and additional areas, though Ruslan wouldn’t specify locations or reveal client identities.

“We are only complementing the traditional state air defence model,” Ruslan stated. “State air defence has a more strategic role, while we are local.”

These private companies must obtain Defense Ministry approval before beginning operations and integrate with the Ukrainian air force’s command structure.

“Targets and the decision to open fire is made solely by them,” Ruslan noted. “We cannot do so on our own.”

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov highlighted initial achievements last month, announcing that a private company had successfully destroyed Russian drones in the Kharkiv region. On April 17, he reported that a private air defense team had eliminated a jet-powered Shahed drone.

Civilian personnel undergo extensive screening, including polygraph examinations repeated quarterly, according to Ruslan.

Roman Korzh from Gvardiia, another air defense service provider, said training inexperienced recruits to operate interceptor drones requires approximately three weeks. Those who don’t qualify as pilots join teams as observers or maintenance staff.

Gvardiia primarily recruits from existing volunteer air defense groups with battlefield experience.

“The volunteer units are, as they say, our backbone,” said Korzh, who oversees training operations.

Work schedules remain adaptable, enabling employees to balance defense duties with civilian employment when necessary.

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — The small Balkan nation of Kosovo will hold its third parliamentary election in just over a year after its legislature failed to select a new president, plunging the country deeper into political chaos.

Kosovo’s parliament faced a Tuesday midnight cutoff to name a replacement for President Vjosa Osmani, whose presidency ended earlier this month. After lawmakers missed this crucial deadline, the legislative body was automatically disbanded.

Officials must schedule the upcoming election within 45 days, though no specific date has been revealed yet.

Political expert Ilir Deda forecasted the election will likely occur in June. According to Deda, this vote will determine “whether people are willing to hold politicians accountable.”

The nation of 2 million residents has experienced ongoing governmental instability following February 2025’s inconclusive election results, which created months of legislative gridlock.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti established a new administration following a December 28 snap election, but another crisis quickly developed regarding Osmani’s replacement.

Kosovo’s 120-seat parliament requires at least 80 members present to select a president. Opposition parties refused to attend the session due to disagreements over potential candidates, effectively preventing any vote from taking place.

This continued political instability has already damaged Kosovo’s economic prospects and weakened public confidence in democratic institutions.

Kosovo broke away from Serbia in 2008 after a devastating 1998-99 conflict. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo’s independence, and these unresolved tensions remain a significant concern throughout the unstable Balkan region.

European Union officials have informed both Kosovo and Serbia that normalizing their relationship is essential for advancing their eventual membership applications to the 27-member organization.

Moscow’s annual commemoration honoring the 81st anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat will proceed without tanks, missiles, or other heavy weaponry, according to a late Tuesday announcement from Russia’s Defense Ministry.

This marks the first occasion since Moscow began its comprehensive military operation in Ukraine during 2022 that armored vehicles and artillery will be absent from the May 9th procession through Red Square, traditionally the nation’s most significant non-religious observance and a display of military strength.

Defense officials pointed to the “current operational situation” as justification for removing military hardware and cadet units from the event, though no additional details were provided in their statement.

The ceremony will still include “servicemen from higher military educational institutions of all kinds and certain service branches of the Russian Armed Forces” along with the customary aerial demonstration, according to ministry officials.

The commemoration of World War II represents one of the few historical moments that unites Russians across political divides during the nation’s turbulent Communist era, and the Kremlin has leveraged this shared reverence to foster patriotic feelings and emphasize Russia’s status as a world power.

During what Russians call the Great Patriotic War from 1941-45, the Soviet Union suffered 27 million casualties, a massive loss that continues to influence the country’s collective consciousness.

Vladimir Putin, who has led Russia for more than 25 years, has made Victory Day a cornerstone of his leadership and has attempted to connect it to the current conflict in Ukraine.

The previous year’s celebration was the most extensive since Russian forces entered Ukraine, attracting the highest number of international leaders to Moscow in ten years, including notable attendees such as China’s Xi Jinping, Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Slovakia’s Robert Fico.

That event showcased more than 11,500 military personnel and over 180 pieces of equipment, including battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and artillery systems deployed in the Ukrainian conflict, along with massive Yars nuclear-capable intercontinental missile launchers and truck-mounted drones. Military aircraft also conducted flyovers above Red Square.

Putin had announced a one-sided 72-hour halt to hostilities beginning May 7, while authorities disabled mobile internet service in Moscow for multiple days to prevent potential Ukrainian drone strikes.

The 2023 ceremony was reduced in scope, featuring fewer soldiers and military hardware with no aerial component.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Four members of Indonesia’s military faced their first day in court Wednesday on charges stemming from an acid attack that left a prominent human rights lawyer partially blind and severely burned.

The defendants include three navy marines and one air force officer, all working in military intelligence roles. They stand accused of premeditated assault for the March attack on Andrie Yunus, a 27-year-old attorney who works with the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence, an organization known as KontraS.

Facing trial at Jakarta’s military court are Sgt. Edi Sudarko, First Lt. Budhi Hariyanto Widhi Cahyono, Capt. Nandala Dwi Prasetya, and Air Force First Lt. Sami Lakka. Each could receive up to 12 years behind bars if found guilty.

Military prosecutors claim the four worked in coordination but maintain their actions were driven by personal grievances. According to the prosecution, the defendants wanted “to teach him a lesson and deter him from making disparaging remarks about the TNI.”

“The actions of the defendants who threw chemical liquid on Andrie Yunus, resulting in the loss of sight in his right eye and severe burns with no hope of complete recovery, were inappropriate actions for members of the TNI,” prosecutor Iswandi stated during court proceedings.

Human rights organizations have expressed strong criticism regarding both the characterization of personal motivation and the choice to conduct proceedings in military rather than civilian court.

“This case has been narrowed to just four individuals, without transparency, while the motive is framed as personal,” stated Usman Hamid, who leads Amnesty International Indonesia. Hamid pointed out the lack of any clear personal or professional connections between Yunus and those accused, while noting that official military resources appeared to have been utilized in the assault.

“It is difficult to accept that state facilities were used solely for personal revenge,” Hamid warned, expressing concern that the case’s handling could damage public confidence.

Following Wednesday’s reading of charges, the four defendants chose not to challenge the accusations. Two of the accused also suffered minor facial and eye injuries from acid exposure during the incident. The judge scheduled the next hearing for May 6 to hear witness testimony.

The investigation initially fell under Jakarta police jurisdiction before authorities revealed military personnel were involved. Six days following this announcement, military police took four suspects from the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ Strategic Intelligence Agency into custody.

The attack occurred on the evening of March 12 when Yunus was traveling by motorcycle through central Jakarta. Attackers threw hydrochloric acid at his face, causing chemical burns across approximately 20% of his body and damaging roughly 40% of his right cornea, according to prosecutors.

Multiple surgical procedures have been required for Yunus’s ongoing recovery, preventing his attendance at the trial’s opening session, military prosecutor Mohammad Iswandi reported.

Yunus has gained recognition for his work challenging impunity in Indonesia, particularly regarding security sector reform and civil liberties protection. He participated actively in demonstrations last year opposing proposed changes to Indonesia’s military law that would have expanded armed forces involvement in civilian matters. Associates report he has faced ongoing intimidation related to this advocacy work.

The incident has drawn parallels to the 2004 killing of Munir Said Thalib, a prominent human rights advocate and KontraS founder who died from arsenic poisoning during a flight to Amsterdam. While convictions were secured, activists maintain the true orchestrator was never identified.

Growing pressure from civil society organizations demanding disclosure of who authorized and funded the attack on Yunus has prompted a response from President Prabowo Subianto, a former army general.

Prabowo has committed to pursuing those responsible and indicated he may establish an independent investigative team. Rights advocates view the Yunus trial as a crucial test of the military’s post-reform dedication to accountability.

Following the 1998 fall of dictator Suharto, Indonesia’s military officially stepped back from political involvement, leading to reforms designed to enhance civilian oversight.

Ukrainian officials reported Wednesday that overnight drone strikes by Russian forces targeted maritime facilities in the southern Odesa region, causing damage to a medical facility and civilian buildings while injuring two individuals.

Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, posted on Telegram that the assault in southern Odesa destroyed the hospital’s intake department and severely damaged additional sections of the medical complex.

Medical personnel and patients had taken refuge in a protective shelter during the bombardment and were subsequently relocated to an alternative healthcare facility, according to Kiper’s statement.

Local prosecutors confirmed that harbor infrastructure was struck during the assault but did not provide specific details about the extent of the damage.

Emergency response teams reported that two individuals sustained injuries from blazes that erupted in civilian neighborhoods. Officials shared images showing buildings consumed by flames and rescue crews working to extinguish the fires.

Kiper also noted that a blaze was detected at the Danube Biosphere Reserve, a protected natural area within the region.

The Odesa area, home to significant Ukrainian maritime ports and Danube River shipping facilities, has faced continuous bombardment throughout Moscow’s ongoing conflict that has lasted more than four years.

Ukrainian air defense forces reported that Russia deployed 171 drones against the nation beginning Monday night. Defense systems successfully intercepted or disabled 154 of those aircraft, according to military officials.

In a separate assault involving drones and missiles in the northeastern Sumy region, one person died and two others were wounded, with the attack sparking extensive fires in residential neighborhoods, local authorities confirmed.

SEOUL – Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to seven years in prison by an appeals court Wednesday for blocking law enforcement officials who were trying to carry out his arrest warrant following his brief martial law announcement in December 2024.

The Seoul High Court announced the verdict during a broadcast proceeding, marking the first ruling from a specialized court division created specifically to handle legal matters connected to Yoon’s attempted martial law implementation last year.

The charges against the former president center on his efforts to prevent investigators from executing the arrest warrant issued against him after his controversial decision to impose martial law, which lasted only a short period before being reversed.

A new analysis reveals that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s March warning about boarding Russian ‘shadow fleet’ vessels has failed to reduce the number of sanctioned ships passing through UK waters.

Data from Reuters shows that 98 Russian vessels under UK sanctions traveled through British waters in the month following Starmer’s March 25 announcement – roughly the same number seen in each of the previous three months.

British authorities have not announced any actual boardings or detentions of these ships, which often have unclear ownership structures and carry oil, grain, and weapons to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.

Tracking information from LSEG indicates 63 vessels sailed within 12 nautical miles of Britain’s coastline through the English Channel, the fastest route connecting the Baltic Sea to southern Europe. An additional 35 ships traveled through Britain’s Exclusive Economic Zone extending 200 nautical miles from shore, primarily around northern Scotland.

Maritime security specialist Elisabeth Braw from the Atlantic Council criticized the British response, stating: “You have to quickly follow up with boardings or otherwise those vessels will conclude that it was an empty threat — and that is the regrettable situation we are in now.”

Meanwhile, other European nations including France, Belgium, and Sweden have actively boarded and detained Russian shadow fleet ships in recent months.

The British Ministry of Defence declined to comment when asked about their limited enforcement actions.

Britain’s Royal Navy has shrunk to its smallest size since the 1600s, despite once being a dominant maritime force. The military now faces pressure from allies to support operations across eastern Europe, the Arctic, and Middle East regions.

London currently lists 544 vessels connected to Russia’s shadow fleet on its sanctions roster.

The tracking data revealed at least 10 ships engaged in ‘spoofing’ – disabling or falsifying their location systems – while crossing British waters.

Russian officials have denounced sanctions against their vessels as unlawful and labeled Britain’s boarding policy a ‘deeply hostile move’ that could trigger retaliation.

Security analysts point to several obstacles hampering UK enforcement, including the absence of a specialized law enforcement coast guard like those in France and Sweden, plus complex legal and economic challenges when dealing with numerous vessels.

ZURICH – Swiss voters are increasingly embracing a controversial ballot measure that would impose a 10 million person ceiling on their nation’s population, according to new polling data released Wednesday.

The survey findings show 52% of respondents now favor or lean toward supporting the June 14 referendum, while 46% oppose the measure. This represents a notable shift from March polling that showed 45% in support and 47% against the population cap proposal.

Switzerland’s government has come out against the initiative, which is championed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP). Officials argue the measure would undermine relationships with the European Union and weaken the economy through labor market restrictions.

However, growing concerns about rapid demographic changes and strain on public services are driving voter sentiment toward the proposal, according to the Tamedia poll conducted with “20 Minuten” newspaper and Leewas polling.

The Alpine nation currently houses more than 9 million residents, with government statistics indicating foreign nationals comprise over 27% of the population as of 2024.

Polling company researchers surveyed 16,176 people on April 22-23, with results published in the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper. The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The timing of increased support breaks typical Swiss voting patterns, where referendum proposals usually see declining backing as election day approaches, the newspaper noted.

If approved, the measure would mandate that Switzerland’s permanent resident population cannot surpass 10 million before 2050. The country would also need to terminate its freedom of movement pact with the EU.

This referendum comes as Swiss legislators examine a late-2024 agreement with the EU aimed at strengthening economic partnerships, following a difficult 2025 when Switzerland faced Europe’s steepest U.S. trade tariffs.

The SVP, which holds the largest share of seats in Switzerland’s parliament, opposes deeper EU integration, viewing such ties as threats to national independence and sources of excessive regulation.

KHARTOUM, Sudan — When Khaled Abdulgader saw children playing with what looked like a soccer ball, he rushed to intervene. The moment he picked up the object, it detonated in his hands, severing two of his fingers and sending metal fragments into his chest.

During a medical follow-up visit after the explosion occurred last year, Abdulgader remained grateful despite his injuries.

“I feel like, ‘Thank God it was just my hands,’” Abdulgader said.

His experience reflects a growing crisis affecting hundreds of civilians who have been wounded or killed by unexploded military devices during Sudan’s ongoing three-year conflict. These dangerous remnants include landmines along with failed bombs, artillery shells, grenades and rockets — totaling tens of thousands of items scattered throughout the region.

Officials and humanitarian organizations report the problem is especially severe in and around Khartoum, where many residents unfamiliar with these dangers have begun returning home after Sudanese forces regained control of the capital in recent months.

United Nations data shows nearly 60 individuals were wounded or killed in Khartoum state during the previous year, with children accounting for more than half of these casualties. In just the first quarter of this year, 23 more people became victims, including 21 children.

Sudan’s history of prolonged warfare has resulted in unexploded ordnance contaminating an area equivalent to roughly 7,700 football fields across the nation.

More than half of this contamination stems from fighting that began in 2023 between Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces militia, bringing this threat to previously unaffected regions like Khartoum state.

Aid organizations report that both Sudan’s army and the RSF have been accused of deploying mines during their battle for the capital.

“The presence of land mines and other explosive ordnance is of great concern to everybody,” said Juma Abuanja, the team leader for Jasmar, a Sudanese demining group.

According to Abuanja, the cleanup effort will require years to complete. The painstaking demining process allows crews to safely clear only 10 to 15 square meters each day.

Khartoum remains largely deserted, littered with evidence of fierce combat. Burned and empty structures show bullet damage throughout the city.

During a recent visit, AP reporters witnessed a soldier retrieving what appeared to be part of a rocket-propelled grenade from a residence after a local resident called for assistance in identifying the potential threat.

Despite the dangers, tens of thousands have returned to the city, with 1.7 million people now back in Khartoum state, according to UN figures.

UN reports indicate that demining specialists have cleared approximately 7.8 million square meters of land in Khartoum state over nearly the past year. Their efforts uncovered more than 36,000 dangerous items, including hundreds of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.

Items that can be safely transported are taken to remote areas for destruction, while those too dangerous to move are detonated where they’re found.

Significant work remains as residents attempt to rebuild their communities.

In Khartoum, Jasmar’s demining crew has dedicated eight months to clearing explosives from a well-known park, one of at least seven identified minefields in Khartoum state. These contaminated zones range from suburban areas to downtown locations, with some positioned near critical bridges.

Team members took breaks under shade trees last week, removing their protective gear and face masks between work periods to escape the intense heat.

The park cleanup covering some 123,000 square meters started in August and should finish by May. The team has already discovered more than 160 explosive devices, including both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines.

Abuanja confirmed at least one fatality occurred in the park before their clearance work began. The location is now secured with barriers and warning signs.

Sudan’s government acknowledges it’s working to minimize the threat but faces severe limitations in funding and staffing.

A government representative told AP they’re conducting awareness campaigns through mosque visits, market outreach, radio programs and podcasts, while developing educational resources for schools. The official requested anonymity as they lacked media authorization.

However, multiple injured victims informed AP they had never encountered any warnings, which only began in late 2024.

Some residents suggested people might hesitate to report unexploded weapons to authorities due to concerns about being questioned regarding possession of military items. A Human Rights Watch report from earlier this year documented security forces detaining civilians on suspicion of collaborating with the RSF, particularly in areas where the army has regained territory.

Others fail to recognize the danger before it’s too late.

Mogadem Ibrahim thought he was picking up automotive debris when he grabbed a metal fragment. When the object adhered to his hand and he attempted to shake it off, it exploded.

The 18-year-old now conceals his bandaged left arm under his clothing. The August blast near his Omdurman home destroyed his fingers and ended his ability to work in manual labor.

“I feel depressed and worthless. I was supporting my family and now I’m sitting here and doing nothing,” he said.

CHIANG SAEN, THAILAND — Seventy-five-year-old fisherman Sukjai Yana pulled in just one small fish from his nets as he worked the waters where the Mekong and Kok rivers meet in northern Thailand. From his long-tail boat, he cast his nets again, hoping for a better catch in waters that once teemed with fish.

Contaminated water flowing from rare earth mining operations in Myanmar and Laos is now reaching Thailand’s river systems, putting at risk the livelihoods of millions who depend on these waterways for fishing and farming.

The heavy metal pollution poses a serious threat to Southeast Asia’s economically vital agricultural exports, which generate billions of dollars annually and serve as a foundation for the region’s growing economies.

“The Mekong and Kok Rivers are both a source of food and income, which gives life to the people,” said Sayan Khamnueng of the Living Rivers Association. “The river contaminants are the biggest transboundary issue we’ve ever faced.”

So far, Thailand has only responded to the escalating crisis by tracking heavy metal concentrations and informing local residents about potential health dangers. This limited approach has sparked worry in downstream nations Cambodia and Vietnam.

“If the contamination continues … the new generation (will) have to move to the city because they cannot continue their farmer’s life,” said Sangrawee Suweerakarn of the Romphothi Foundation, an advocacy group for the Shan ethnic group.

In Ukraine’s northeast region, military crews spend long nights monitoring computer screens from mobile command centers, tracking incoming threats with the help of interceptor drones and caffeine to stay alert.

These operators represent approximately 1,000 similar teams across Ukraine working to counter Russia’s most devastating aerial weapon: the Shahed drone.

“Even if you use 50 drones to shoot down one Shahed, it’s worth it,” explained Borys, a team leader who previously worked as a television news producer before the conflict changed his career path. “One Shahed can fly in and destroy something far more valuable.”

Russia has deployed thousands of these Iranian-designed, cost-effective long-range attack drones monthly against Ukraine. Moscow has modified the original Shahed design, renaming it the Geran, with enhanced navigation systems, improved engines, and more powerful explosive payloads.

Ukrainian forces successfully intercept most Shaheds and similar long-range drones, but those that penetrate defenses cause significant damage. According to Ukrainian air force statistics, over 1,000 drones reached their targets out of approximately 6,500 launched last month, devastating military installations, urban areas, and power infrastructure while leaving millions without electricity and heat.

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced in February an ambitious goal to neutralize 95% of all incoming Shaheds and comparable long-range attack drones from Russia.

Military charity Come Back Alive compiled air force data showing February’s interception rate exceeded 85%. With Russia’s ground offensive stalled, Fedorov emphasized that strengthening aerial defenses could prove crucial for Ukraine’s survival through another year of warfare.

Reuters spoke with twelve Ukrainian officials, defense manufacturers, and military personnel involved in this defensive campaign, who reported steady progress. Fedorov recently stated the interception rate had climbed to 90%.

Reuters could not independently confirm the drone launch and interception statistics. Russia’s defense ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Moscow consistently denies deliberately targeting civilian populations, claiming its aerial campaigns aim to weaken Ukraine’s military capabilities. Ukraine has also launched thousands of long-range drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles, against Russian targets including energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian personnel involved in the interception program warn that developing a nationwide defense network with thousands of air defense units will require months, and technological advances may prove temporary in the ongoing arms race with Russia.

The initial interceptor that successfully destroyed a Shahed in early 2025 became obsolete within four months when Russians discovered they could outpace it by boosting the Shahed’s velocity from 170 kilometers per hour to over 200 kph, according to Taras Tymochko, a technology expert at Come Back Alive.

Consequently, interceptors must travel faster than their targets to achieve successful intercepts, requiring upgrades to reach speeds up to 300 kph, Tymochko noted.

Currently, approximately 15-20% of Russian Shaheds use jet propulsion instead of traditional propellers, enabling speeds of 400 kph, said Yuriy Cherevashenko, a senior Ukrainian air force commander.

Fedorov told Reuters that jet-powered interceptor drones, currently under development by Ukrainian manufacturers, would address this speed challenge.

Russia first imported Shaheds from Iran shortly after Moscow’s 2022 invasion began. These aircraft, resembling small planes with pointed fronts and triangular wings, became infamous for their distinctive high-pitched engine noise, earning the nickname “mopeds.”

Russia now produces thousands monthly in domestic facilities, forming the majority of its long-range drone fleet.

“As Russia builds out more and more of these UAVs, they represent an existential threat to Ukraine,” said Samuel Bendett, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think-tank. “Therefore taking them down is of the utmost importance.”

Production costs remain classified, but the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated last year that Russian Shahed variants cost $35,000 each to manufacture.

Ukrainian interceptor drones cost several thousand dollars each, with the most affordable models priced under $1,500, according to manufacturers. These typically consist of 3D-printed plastic shells containing explosives and powered by four small rotors.

Field operations prove challenging for Ukrainian interceptor teams. Soldiers have only minutes from when a Shahed appears on radar until it moves beyond range. They must guide an interceptor toward the target until spotting the Shahed through their drone’s camera, then execute a collision course and detonate.

Target identification depends heavily on weather conditions. “We had a night when we had 10 launches and we didn’t find a single (Shahed),” said Borys.

The 47-year-old left television work to enlist after the invasion and now leads three interceptor crews in the 420th Unmanned Systems battalion. He requested his surname be withheld following standard Ukrainian military protocol.

When fog rolled in during a cold March evening, soldiers in Kharkiv region had to abort their mission due to zero visibility through their drones’ cameras.

Fedorov said Ukraine is developing automated drone guidance technology to improve effectiveness during poor weather.

Facing nightly attacks of over 500 drones, Ukraine has rapidly developed cost-effective urban and infrastructure defense methods. The country employs a comprehensive, multi-tier system using electronic warfare equipment, interceptor drones, armed pickup trucks, helicopters, and fighter aircraft.

Air force commander Cherevashenko said the military is applying knowledge gained from Russia’s drone campaigns last summer and winter to defeat the Shahed threat. “We have a great opportunity to do this.”

Electronic warfare systems that disrupt Shahed navigation show varying effectiveness, but can neutralize nearly half the drones during some attacks, said air force spokesperson Colonel Yuriy Ihnat.

Interceptor drones currently eliminate 40% of Russia’s Shahed-type weapons and other long-range attack UAVs, according to Cherevashenko, up from approximately 25% during winter.

Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets also participate, with each aircraft capable of destroying up to 10 Shaheds nightly, Ihnat told Reuters.

Cherevashenko identified Russia’s use of artificial intelligence to develop new tactics and flight routes as a major challenge, making it difficult for Ukraine to maintain pace.

He also noted the deployment of “mesh networks,” where drone groups function as signal relays in grids extending over 120 kilometers, enabling them to overcome Ukrainian navigation jamming.

Ukrainian interception efforts benefit from an unexpected advantage: remote operations. Elite pilots now control interceptors remotely via internet connections across multiple Ukrainian regions, instantly switching between video feeds, Cherevashenko explained. Ground support teams handle drone preparation and antenna setup, but pilots can operate from any location.

JAKARTA – Four Indonesian military personnel appeared in court Wednesday facing charges related to an acid attack on a human rights advocate who spoke out against the military’s growing influence in civilian affairs. Prosecutors are seeking maximum prison sentences of 12 years for each defendant.

Andrie Yunus, who serves as deputy coordinator for KontraS (Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence), sustained severe chemical burns covering one-fifth of his face and body when attackers on a motorcycle doused him with acid on March 12.

The assault left Yunus with lasting disfigurement and significant damage to his right eye, prompting widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.

Court records indicate the four defendants face charges of serious premeditated assault under Indonesia’s criminal code, which carries potential sentences up to 12 years behind bars.

Military prosecutor Mohammad Iswadi told the military tribunal that the intelligence unit officers allegedly targeted Yunus in retaliation for his protests against legislative changes that expanded military appointments to civilian government positions.

“With the incident, the suspects deemed Andrie Yunus to have insulted and stomped on the military as an institution,” Iswadi stated, revealing that the attackers used a combination of automotive battery acid and rust removal chemicals.

Reuters could not immediately reach the four officers or their attorneys for comment. The defendants, whose ranks span from captain to second sergeant, were all present at Wednesday’s proceedings.

Indonesia’s national human rights commission, Komnas HAM, has identified at least 14 individuals connected to the attack through its independent inquiry.

“The attack could lead to fear among civilians to criticise government officials,” the commission warned.

The human rights body expressed concern that trying the case in military court limits public oversight and may result in more lenient treatment for the officers. It has called for civilian courts to handle proceedings against the remaining 10 suspects.

Democratic institutions in Indonesia, ranked as the world’s third-largest democracy, face increasing pressure as military involvement in civilian sectors and state enterprises has expanded substantially under President Prabowo Subianto, a former general.

Prior to the attack, Yunus had participated in a podcast discussion about the military’s broadening authority in civilian matters.

President Prabowo characterized the assault on Yunus as “terrorism” last month and committed to ensuring a comprehensive investigation.

Standing at the front of his traditional fishing vessel in Chiang Saen, Thailand, 75-year-old Sukjai Yana pulled a meager collection of tiny fish from his nets, worried about both the size of his catch and whether anyone would buy what he hauled in.

Many days, Yana returns home empty-handed as customers increasingly avoid purchasing fish due to concerns about contamination in the Mekong River system. Toxic chemicals flowing downstream from rare earth mining operations are endangering the livelihoods of millions who depend on these waterways for agriculture and fishing.

For generations, Yana’s family has called this northern Thai fishing community home. “I don’t know where else I’d go,” he said.

Yana represents just one of 70 million residents across mainland Southeast Asia whose lives depend on the massive Mekong River, which stretches nearly 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles). Growing global appetite for rare earth minerals has sparked an uncontrolled mining surge primarily in conflict-ridden Myanmar, with operations now expanding into neighboring Laos.

The mighty Mekong has already endured numerous environmental challenges, including plastic waste, upstream hydroelectric projects, and riverbank sand extraction. However, environmental specialists caution that toxic discharge from mining activities represents a potentially catastrophic danger.

Contact with dangerous heavy metals including arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium increases the likelihood of cancer, organ damage and birth defects, particularly affecting children and expectant mothers.

Thailand faces the most severe impact from this mining expansion as these contaminants threaten its worldwide agricultural exports — affecting everything from rice sold in American grocery stores to edamame consumed in Japan and garlic used throughout Malaysian cooking. Current responses remain localized and insufficient, while smuggling activities and Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict prevent comprehensive regional solutions, creating additional concerns for downstream nations Cambodia and Vietnam.

Suebsakun Kidnukorn from Mae Fah Luang University in northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai province emphasized that farming forms the economic foundation of Southeast Asia, cautioning that rare earth extraction is destroying “the world’s kitchen.”

While harvesting banana clusters at his farm in the mountainous Thai village of Tha Ton, 63-year-old Lah Boonruang counted on his fingers the contaminated crops he grows — rice, garlic, corn, onion, mangoes and bananas.

Boonruang waters his farmland using the Kok River, a Mekong branch that carries pollutants as it flows from Myanmar into Thailand.

“Everyone is afraid of the toxins,” he said. “If we can’t export, a farmer is the first to die.”

Thailand ranks among the globe’s leading rice exporters alongside India and Vietnam. The country shipped more than $10 billion in rice and fruit products during 2024, with trade data showing the United States as the primary rice purchasing nation.

Niwat Roykaew, who established The Mekong School environmental institute in northern Thailand’s Chiang Khong district, expressed deep concern about the situation. “Our worry is that toxins accumulate in the rice we export. This would make our rice farming industry, which is our culture, collapse,” he said.

Thai researchers have discovered increased heavy metal contamination in additional Mekong tributaries, including the Sai and Ruak rivers.

The Mekong originates in China and travels through five Southeast Asian countries before reaching the ocean. Countless people throughout the Mekong Basin depend on fish as their primary protein source.

Advisories telling ethnic communities in northern Thailand’s hills to stop using river water create particular hardship for the Lahu people, renowned for their fishing traditions, explained Sela Lipo, a 56-year-old Lahu community leader.

“The Lahu’s way of life is always with a river,” he said. “The contaminated river has cut off our lifeline.”

Thai officials acknowledge having minimal influence over mining activities occurring across borders in troubled Myanmar and Laos. Thailand’s ability to respond has been hampered by insufficient technical knowledge, data and financial resources, according to Aweera Pakkamart from Thailand’s Pollution Control Department.

Public universities, municipal authorities and regional groups like the Mekong River Commission have instead concentrated primarily on tracking heavy metal concentrations and informing local populations about potential dangers.

Warakorn Maneechuket, a scientist at Thailand’s Naresuan University, reported that recent testing of water, fish and riverbed samples from Mekong tributaries revealed elevated concentrations of hazardous heavy metals including arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium linked to rare earth extraction.

In her laboratory, she demonstrated clear indicators of contamination using a surgical blade to highlight abnormal growths resembling tumors, altered scale coloration, and strange eye pigmentation before examining a catfish captured from the Kok River.

Heavy metal buildup occurs gradually and dangerously. Arsenic exposure can trigger organ shutdown. Mercury attacks the nervous system. Lead interferes with brain function while cadmium damages kidney tissue.

Tanapon Phenrat from Naresuan University helped create a mobile application allowing fishers to assess fish safety, teaching Chiang Saen fishermen to use the technology for identifying and photographing questionable catches. Developing a community-based scientific database for northern Thailand can help measure contamination extent and distribution, he explained.

“Each and every sample is very important,” he said.

Because rare earth elements appear everywhere in modern life, market demand continues climbing.

These materials prove essential for contemporary technology, powering everything from mobile phones and electric cars to military weapons and aircraft. Despite their name suggesting scarcity, rare earths exist abundantly. What makes them valuable is the expensive extraction process and complicated refinement procedures, which China dominates.

The Washington-based Stimson Center has employed satellite imagery analysis to locate almost 800 suspected illegal rare earth and other mining locations along Mekong tributaries throughout Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Numerous Myanmar sites sit in active combat zones. The ongoing war has created a “diversification of mines” across different regions, noted Regan Kwan from The Stimson Center, who has documented mining expansion to 26 riverside locations in Laos.

Rare earth extraction involves either excavating rock formations or using chemical solutions to wash minerals from soil, generating poisonous waste products. This process creates distinctive patterns visible in satellite monitoring, Kwan explained.

Myanmar serves as China’s primary heavy rare earth supplier, delivering over $4.2 billion worth of these materials to China from 2017 through 2024, with most exports occurring following the 2021 military coup.

President Donald Trump has prioritized securing America’s critical mineral and rare earth supplies as a central foreign policy goal. These materials power F-35 fighter aircraft, submarines, Tomahawk missiles, radar equipment and precision weapons, according to federal agencies, with demand increasing as the United States restocks and expands military reserves depleted by conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.

This development brings troubling news for the river system supporting mainland Southeast Asia.

Brian Eyler from the Stimson Center compared the situation to previous regional disasters, noting that while 20th-century conflicts including the Vietnam War and Khmer Rouge massacres caused the most devastating damage to the Mekong region, toxic contamination ranks as a close second threat, calling it an “atomic bomb” for the river ecosystem.

The pollution proves far more destructive than other challenges like massive dam construction and “it is not stopping.”

NEW YORK — Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla made their way to New York City on Wednesday during their highly anticipated diplomatic mission to the United States.

The royal pair’s visit to the Big Apple occurred at the halfway point of their four-day journey celebrating America’s 250th anniversary of independence. This marks the first time a sitting British monarch has set foot in New York since Queen Elizabeth II’s 2010 visit.

The couple participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National September 11th Memorial, where they had the opportunity to meet first responders and family members of those who perished in the terrorist attacks. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other officials were also present at the ceremony, which took place as the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of the tragic events.

Following the memorial service, Queen Camilla made her way to the New York Public Library to present a new “Roo” stuffed animal to complement the library’s renowned Winnie-the-Pooh collection, marking the beloved character’s 100th birthday this year.

The library currently displays five cherished dolls — Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and Kanga — which served as the creative foundation for A.A. Milne’s classic children’s stories. These toys belonged to the British writer’s son, the real Christopher Robin, during the 1920s. The library received the dolls as a gift in 1987, and they now serve as a highlight of its children’s literature archive. In Milne’s stories, Roo appears as a small brown kangaroo who is Kanga’s offspring.

During the same timeframe, King Charles visited an after-school urban agriculture program that serves youth dealing with food insecurity, and later met with business and financial executives in Manhattan.

The royal duo then attended an evening reception for the King’s Trust, a charitable organization Charles established in 1976.

This four-day journey represents Charles’ inaugural state visit to America since ascending to the throne. His late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, completed four state visits to the United States during her reign.

On Monday, the monarchs shared tea with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House.

Tuesday’s schedule included a private Oval Office discussion between Charles and Trump. The king subsequently addressed Congress in a historic speech — the first delivered by a British monarch since his mother’s 1991 appearance — before attending an official state dinner at the White House.

The royal itinerary also includes planned stops in Virginia before concluding their American visit with a formal White House farewell ceremony on Thursday hosted by Trump. Charles will then travel alone to Bermuda for his first royal visit to a British overseas territory since becoming king.

A high-ranking Taiwanese official has confirmed she traveled to two disputed islands in the South China Sea this week, marking the first ministerial visit to the contested territory in seven years.

Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling announced Wednesday on social media that she had visited both Itu Aba and the uninhabited Zhongzhou Reef during what her department described as environmental and humanitarian training exercises.

During her stop at Zhongzhou Reef, Kuan participated in beach cleanup efforts and observed the daily operations of Coast Guard personnel stationed there. She shared photos of herself and her team, including one staff member holding a large Taiwanese flag.

“There, I personally witnessed marine debris that had drifted in from surrounding countries and gained a deeper appreciation for the day-to-day life of our Coast Guard personnel stationed in the Nansha islands,” Kuan wrote, referring to the area by its Chinese name.

When questioned by lawmakers Wednesday about her South China Sea expedition, Kuan emphasized Taiwan’s unwavering position on territorial claims. “In the defence of sovereignty of course there is absolutely no backing down,” she stated.

Both Taiwan and China assert control over large portions of the South China Sea, with Taiwan maintaining authority over Itu Aba in the disputed Spratly Islands chain. The islands visited by Kuan are also claimed by both China and Vietnam.

Kuan acknowledged that Vietnamese officials had filed objections regarding her trip, but characterized their response as routine. “Our exercise has not caused, nor will it cause, any regional tension,” she posted on Facebook, noting that Vietnam’s protest “has not been notably more forceful than usual.”

Itu Aba features infrastructure including an airstrip capable of handling military supply flights from Taiwan and a newly constructed pier that opened in 2023, designed to accommodate patrol vessels weighing up to 4,000 tons. Despite these facilities, the island maintains lighter defenses compared to nearby Chinese-controlled territories, and Chinese forces typically do not interfere with Taiwan’s presence on Itu Aba and Zhongzhou.

Vietnamese foreign ministry officials have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the territorial dispute.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced late Tuesday that the nation will proceed with its annual Victory Day celebration on Moscow’s Red Square next month, though the traditional display of military hardware will be absent due to ongoing combat operations in Ukraine.

The May 9th commemoration, which honors the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in what Russians refer to as the Great Patriotic War, represents one of Russia’s most significant national holidays. The annual event typically brings together aging veterans wearing their military decorations in an emotional celebration featuring films, documentaries, and wartime songs.

However, this year’s ceremony will take a notably different approach, according to the Defense Ministry’s announcement.

“Military personnel from the higher military educational institutions of all types and individual branches of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will take part in the parade as part of the marching column,” the ministry stated.

The official statement explained that certain educational institutions would be excluded from participation, “and nor will a column of military equipment take part in the military parade in connection with the current operational situation.”

Despite the absence of ground-based military vehicles, the parade will showcase personnel from various military branches currently involved in what the Kremlin terms its “special military operation.”

According to the ministry, participants will include members of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, Aerospace Forces, and naval personnel. Aircraft will conduct aerial demonstrations and conclude the ceremony by displaying Russia’s white, blue, and red flag colors across the sky.

The modified parade format comes as Russian forces continue their gradual advancement through eastern Ukraine, now more than four years into the conflict.

Senior military leaders claim Moscow’s troops are making progress across multiple battlefronts, with the Defense Ministry regularly reporting the seizure of Ukrainian villages, including two announced on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts brokered by the United States to reach a peaceful resolution remain at an impasse, as Washington’s attention has shifted toward Middle Eastern conflicts.

President Vladimir Putin has stated Moscow’s objective of capturing the complete Donbas region, encompassing both Donetsk and Luhansk areas, including territories that remain under Ukrainian control. Ukrainian leadership continues to reject any proposals involving withdrawal from currently held positions.

SYDNEY – Rising energy costs linked to Middle East conflicts have pushed Australian consumer prices significantly higher during the first three months of 2024, creating headaches for policymakers who may now face pressure to increase interest rates.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released figures Wednesday revealing that the nation’s consumer price index climbed 1.4% during the January-March period, marking the steepest quarterly increase since the final months of 2023. The annual inflation rate accelerated from 3.6% to 4.1% in the first quarter, with March alone reaching 4.6%.

Core inflation measurements also showed concerning trends for Australia’s Reserve Bank. The trimmed mean indicator rose 0.8% for the quarter, slightly below economist predictions of 0.9%. However, the yearly core inflation rate increased from 3.4% to 3.5%, keeping it well beyond the central bank’s preferred range of 2% to 3%.

The elevated inflation figures come as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East continue to disrupt global energy markets, creating ripple effects across the Australian economy and putting additional strain on household budgets.

Negotiators from European Union member countries and the European Parliament were unable to strike an agreement on proposed modifications to artificial intelligence regulations following an exhausting 12-hour bargaining session that concluded Tuesday without resolution.

The proposed modifications target the AI Act, legislation that took effect in August 2024 with implementation scheduled to roll out in phases beginning this year. These changes form part of the European Commission’s Digital Omnibus initiative, designed to streamline multiple digital sector regulations and help European businesses compete more effectively against American and Asian competitors.

The continent’s artificial intelligence regulations are widely regarded as the most stringent globally, developed in response to growing worries about the technology’s effects on young people, the workforce, businesses, and digital security.

A representative from Cyprus, which currently leads the rotating EU Council presidency, confirmed the breakdown in negotiations. “It was not possible to reach an agreement with the European Parliament,” the Cypriot official stated.

Kim van Sparrentak, a Dutch member of parliament, expressed sharp criticism over the failed negotiations. “Big Tech is probably popping champagne. While European companies that care about safety and did their homework now face regulatory chaos,” she declared in a public statement.

Sources with firsthand knowledge of the discussions indicated that the next negotiation session will likely occur within two weeks.

These same sources revealed that Tuesday’s talks, which began at 1100 GMT, hit roadblocks due to demands from certain countries and legislators. They insisted that industries already operating under specific sector regulations, including product safety requirements, should receive exemptions from the artificial intelligence legislation.

The AI regulation establishes more demanding standards for technology use in “high-risk” sectors including biometric identification systems, utility services, healthcare, credit assessment, and law enforcement operations.

The broader Omnibus package encompasses additional regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the e-Privacy Directive, and the Data Act, among other measures.

Privacy advocates and civil rights organizations have voiced strong opposition to the suggested modifications to both these regulations and the AI Act, arguing that officials are yielding to pressure from major technology corporations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a warning of potential sanctions against Israel following accusations that stolen Ukrainian grain is being accepted at Israeli ports, according to Reuters reports.

Speaking directly to Israel on Tuesday, Zelenskyy stated that acquiring grain shipped from occupied territories “violates Israel’s laws,” and emphasized that “buying stolen grain cannot be considered a legitimate business.” The Ukrainian leader expressed his expectation that Israeli officials “to respect Ukraine and refrain from actions that undermine relations between the countries.” Zelenskyy also noted that another vessel carrying what Ukraine deems stolen grain “has arrived in Israel and is preparing to unload.”

The diplomatic tension escalated when Ukraine’s foreign ministry called in Israeli Ambassador Michael Brodsky for questioning regarding these allegations. This action follows previous accusations that have created friction between the two nations, including a social media disagreement on Monday and earlier discussions between foreign ministers on April 15. A Ukrainian diplomatic official indicated that Israel had previously “brushed off” such complaints.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X that “Friendly Ukrainian-Israeli relations have the potential to benefit both countries, and Russia’s illegal trade with stolen Ukrainian grain should not undermine them.” He continued, “Now that another such vessel has arrived in Haifa, we once again warn Israel against accepting the stolen grain and harming our relations.”

Sybiha confirmed that Ukraine had “already officially summoned the Israeli ambassador to [the Ukrainian foreign ministry] tomorrow morning to present our protest note and request appropriate action.”

Israeli officials have pushed back against these accusations. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded on X, stating “Allegations are not evidence,” and noted that “Evidence substantiating the allegations have yet to be provided.” He promised the matter would be investigated and that international law would be followed.

According to Haaretz newspaper, a ship called the Panormitis, suspected of transporting grain from occupied Ukrainian regions, was waiting for clearance to enter Haifa port. The publication reported that four grain shipments from occupied Ukraine had already been processed in Israel during this year.

Ukraine maintains that grain grown in the four territories Russia has claimed since its 2022 invasion, along with Crimea which Russia annexed in 2014, constitutes stolen property taken by Moscow.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Guyana has lodged a formal complaint with Caribbean leadership following Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez’s decision to display a disputed territorial symbol during recent diplomatic missions throughout the region.

The controversial accessory depicts Guyana’s mineral-rich Essequibo territory, a massive area comprising two-thirds of the nation that sits at the center of a longstanding border disagreement between the neighboring South American countries.

Venezuelan officials across government agencies have adopted the symbolic pin with growing frequency since Nicolás Maduro’s dramatic capture during a pre-dawn operation at his Caracas residence in early January.

Guyanese President Irfaan Ali addressed his concerns in correspondence to Terrance Drew, who serves as St. Kitts and Nevis’ prime minister and leads the Caribbean Community trade organization known as Caricom. Ali stated the accessory represents “Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory.”

Rodríguez displayed the territorial symbol during her Monday diplomatic mission to Barbados and had previously worn it while visiting Grenada in April, marking her inaugural international travel since assuming leadership following Maduro’s detention.

Ali expressed worry that Rodríguez’s choice to wear the symbol during formal state business might suggest host nations show “acquiescence or tolerance” toward Venezuela’s territorial assertions.

“Caricom’s principled support for Guyana must be reflected not only in declarations but in the context and conduct of official engagements,” Ali stated in his communication to the regional bloc.

The territorial disagreement stems from Venezuela’s position that an 1899 international boundary determination unfairly deprived the country of the region while under British colonial administration. The Netherlands’ International Court of Justice currently oversees the dispute.

Ali’s letter emphasized the trade organization’s consistent backing of Guyana’s territorial rights during important gatherings and argued that Venezuela should be prohibited from showcasing “symbols and maps” representing Essequibo, as such displays could weaken the ongoing international legal proceedings.

The Guyanese leader has also criticized Venezuela’s practice of incorporating Essequibo into official government maps, characterizing it as a “calculated and provocative assertion of a claim” that his nation continues to reject.

Recent tensions have escalated as Venezuela deployed naval vessels near American-operated offshore drilling platforms operating under Guyanese licensing, demanding cessation of petroleum extraction activities that the companies have disregarded.

Venezuelan government representatives in Caracas were unavailable for immediate response regarding the diplomatic complaint.

Israeli military forces have eliminated a massive underground tunnel complex in southern Lebanon that officials say was constructed with Iranian oversight and funding over the past ten years.

The Israel Defense Forces announced Tuesday that soldiers from the 36th Division successfully demolished two major tunnels in the Lebanese town of Qanater, acting on what military officials called “precise intelligence.” The subterranean network stretched approximately 2 kilometers in total length and was situated roughly 10 kilometers from Israeli communities along the northern border.

Military officials report that the underground facility reached depths of about 25 meters and was developed under what they termed “direct guidance” from Iran. According to the IDF, the project received “funding by the Iranian terror regime and as part of Hezbollah’s plan to conquer the Galilee.”

During their exploration of the tunnel system, Israeli troops discovered extensive weapons caches, residential areas, water storage systems, and various equipment intended to sustain extended underground operations. Military sources indicate the network was designed to enable militant fighters to infiltrate northern Israeli communities.

The IDF stated that Hezbollah’s Radwan Force had recently utilized one tunnel section “to advance terror attacks against the State of Israel and its citizens, thereby posing a direct threat to Israeli civilians and IDF troops.”

The tunnel destruction required massive controlled detonations that were so powerful they registered on Israel’s seismic monitoring equipment, according to the Geological Survey of Israel. However, the explosions did not trigger earthquake warning systems.

Israeli military leadership characterized these tunnels as the most extensive underground network they have encountered in Lebanon throughout the ongoing conflict, emphasizing that the operation targeted infrastructure they viewed as an urgent danger to Israeli citizens and military personnel.

WASHINGTON — American military forces intercepted and searched a commercial cargo vessel this week as part of the ongoing naval blockade targeting Iranian shipping, but permitted the ship to continue its journey after determining it posed no threat.

According to U.S. Central Command’s social media announcement, Marines rappelled from helicopters onto the Blue Star III on Tuesday and “released the vessel after conducting a search and confirming its voyage would not include an Iranian port call.” Video footage captured American troops descending by rope onto the ship’s deck.

This marks the fourth commercial vessel inspected since the Trump administration launched its Iranian shipping blockade more than two weeks ago, though it’s the first ship not detained by U.S. forces. The naval operation seeks to apply economic pressure on Iran during ongoing ceasefire negotiations, as Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues disrupting global energy markets through the vital shipping corridor.

Maritime tracking data indicates the Blue Star III had departed from Qasim port in Pakistan and was traveling toward Sohar port in Oman.

Military officials provided no details about what initially raised suspicions about the vessel. U.S. Central Command has intensified efforts to demonstrate the blockade’s effectiveness despite criticism from maritime analysts.

The Middle East military command has been issuing regular reports on merchant vessels it claims the blockade has deterred, and stated Tuesday that “U.S. forces cut off economic trade going into and coming out of Iran.”

When the blockade commenced, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine announced that enforcement operations would reach beyond Iranian territorial waters and U.S. Central Command’s jurisdiction.

Military authorities have also published an extensive catalog of items classified as contraband, stating they will inspect, search and confiscate such materials from commercial ships “regardless of location.”

An official notice declares that any “goods that are destined for an enemy and that may be susceptible to use in armed conflict” are “subject to capture at any place beyond neutral territory.”

Maritime specialists like Campbell University professor Salvatore Mercogliano have pointed out that Iranian vessels possess multiple methods to evade the blockade, such as falsifying their location data or navigating through Pakistani waters.

Mercogliano also emphasized that monitoring the enormous volume of maritime traffic presents significant logistical challenges for military forces.

U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins described Tuesday’s Blue Star boarding as evidence that “demonstrates our thorough enforcement of the blockade.”

A former Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson is sounding the alarm that current Middle East ceasefires are providing a false sense of security while hostile groups rebuild their military strength.

Jonathan Conricus, who previously served as an international spokesperson for the IDF and now works as a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, cautioned that existing ceasefire agreements should not be viewed as lasting solutions to regional conflicts.

“I think both sides, all sides, Iran, Israel, various Gulf countries, the Iranian proxies, Hezbollah, everybody is using this time, militarily speaking, in order to resupply and prepare for what probably inevitably is going to come,” Conricus explained in an interview with The Media Line. He believes future hostilities could emerge either locally between Israel and Hezbollah or expand regionally to include Israel, Iran, and the United States.

During ongoing questions about President Donald Trump’s ceasefire initiatives, Conricus emphasized that Israel and its opponents are exploiting the current lull to strengthen their military arsenals. “Gulf states are frantically trying to improve their defensive capabilities, and Israel is replenishing all of the stockpiles, both offensive and defensive ones,” he noted. “And I think that the Iranian regime is trying to do the same in order to try to brace themselves for whatever will come.”

Regarding diplomatic efforts with Iran, Conricus expressed pessimism about potential breakthroughs. “The negotiations, they look like two parallel lines that are not going to meet,” he stated, explaining that “the maximum that the Iranian regime is willing to address doesn’t meet the very basic minimum that the US is willing to consider.” He emphasized that Iran lacks the leverage to “be dictating terms,” citing the country’s vulnerability to economic sanctions and infrastructure damage.

While discussing Iran’s current military capabilities, Conricus avoided declaring the regime completely neutralized. “The Iranian regime is down, but it’s definitely not out,” he observed. Although Iran’s capacity “to project force,” produce ballistic missiles and drones, and serve as “the bully of the region” has been “significantly reduced,” it has “not permanently destroyed.”

“If the regime is left in place, then I have very little doubt that what we will eventually see within a relatively short period of time would be the Iranian regime going back to what they did before,” he predicted, identifying nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, drones, and terrorism support as probable focus areas. “There’s no indication … that the Iranian regime is changing its trajectory,” he concluded.

Addressing the situation in Lebanon, Conricus argued that calling the current arrangement a “ceasefire” misrepresents actual conditions. “We have a ceasefire on paper, but it isn’t really a ceasefire in the way that I would interpret the phrase, whereby both sides of a conflict cease their military operations,” he explained. Israel continues operating “to defend Israeli civilians in northern Israel” and weaken Hezbollah’s capabilities, while Hezbollah maintains rocket and drone attacks and engages Israeli forces stationed in Lebanon.

According to Conricus, Israel appears to be honoring American requests only by restraining major strikes against Hezbollah’s strategic infrastructure in Beirut and the Beqaa Valley. “In that … we have a certain aspect of a ceasefire,” he acknowledged. However, he maintained that the fundamental problem remains Hezbollah’s presence as an armed Iranian proxy within Lebanon.

“What really needs to happen here is for a strategic decision to be made by the Lebanese government,” he argued. “That is to make sure that there’s only one military in Lebanon, and that is the military of the state of Lebanon, the Lebanese Armed Forces.” Without this change, Conricus predicted Israel and Lebanon will continue experiencing “various aspects of ceasefires and violations of ceasefire and fighting and attacks and moving population and many other things.”

When asked about the Litani River’s strategic importance, Conricus dismissed its significance. “I don’t think that the Litani River holds any strategic significance,” he said. He suggested Israel should prioritize cutting connections between Iran and Hezbollah and blocking Hezbollah’s access to weapons.

“The ability to achieve our long-term goals using military only are very limited,” he admitted. “Military are necessary, but they are not the ones that will actually deliver what Israel needs on a long-term security perspective.” He recommended Israel employ military, diplomatic, financial, and non-kinetic approaches while supporting Lebanon’s government and army.

Conricus stressed that any Lebanese agreement will remain ineffective unless Beirut directly confronts Hezbollah. “Until we see the Lebanese government order the Lebanese armed forces to take meaningful kinetic military action against Hezbollah, action that would also entail casualties on the Lebanese side, then everything said and done will be void and of very little relevance,” he declared.

He suggested that once Lebanese authorities take such action, “then we know that they crossed the Rubicon.” At that point, he recommended Israel provide “maximum support, intelligence, and kinetic support and diplomatic support,” while avoiding actions that would complicate the Lebanese government’s domestic efforts.

Turning to Gaza, Conricus noted that Hamas maintains control over areas beyond Israeli military presence. “If we’re honest about it, Hamas controls half of the Gaza Strip,” he stated. “Is it a robust, functioning, and well-oiled bureaucracy? No, it’s jungle laws.” He characterized Hamas governance as “the survival of the fittest and the rule of the most cruel and violent,” adding that Hamas “still has weapons, and still controls the Palestinian civilian population.”

Conricus expressed no surprise at Hamas’ refusal to surrender weapons. “Hamas was never going to disarm,” he said. “The only way to disarm Hamas is to defeat them.” He described this process as lengthy and politically challenging. “This is not a quick fix. This doesn’t align with American or Israeli political calendars,” he warned.

Regarding Hamas’ tunnel infrastructure, Conricus noted increased caution in official Israeli evaluations. “The last assessment I heard was something to the tune of 60%,” he mentioned, referring to reported Hamas infrastructure destruction. “But I take that with many grains of salt and with caution, because I think that the gap between what we know and what we don’t know is still significant.”

He explained that certain Gaza areas remain beyond Israeli troop access, while zones within Israel’s deployment area undergo systematic searches and clearance. “It’s a spider web of underground network,” he described. “It appears almost endless in terms of the amount, depth, and diversity of tunnels that Hamas dug over so many years.”

Conricus recommended similar caution when evaluating Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas capabilities. “We’ve seen many times with the benefit of hindsight that what Intel assessments provided, they were perhaps a bit more optimistic than reality.”

For Conricus, the key insight across all three conflict zones is that incomplete military damage does not equal strategic victory. “Until you are able to force an enemy to surrender and give up and capitulate, it doesn’t really matter how much of his assets you’ve been able to degrade,” he concluded. “Whether you destroy 40%, 60% or 70 or 80%, it is important, but it is not decisive and crucial.”

Two Israeli Defense Forces personnel sustained injuries during a Hezbollah drone assault, with military officials reporting one soldier suffered severe wounds while the other received minor injuries, according to statements from the Israeli military. The attack took place despite an existing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

Military sources indicate this incident represents one of several drone assaults conducted by Hezbollah in recent days, violating the current peace arrangement. Israeli forces have also documented numerous attempts by unmanned aircraft to penetrate northern Israeli airspace during this timeframe.

Israeli military officials characterized the assault as a “violation of the ceasefire understandings by the Hezbollah terror group” in their official statement regarding the incident.

Sources from Lebanon confirmed that Israeli military forces conducted retaliatory operations in southern Lebanon, targeting locations including the villages of Kounin, Touline, and areas near Bint Jbeil.

During a senior military leadership meeting on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted what he termed “significant achievements” in Lebanese operations. “We are striking in the security zone, north of the security zone and also north of the Litani,” Netanyahu stated.

The Prime Minister identified two continuing security challenges emanating from Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, specifically mentioning missile capabilities and unmanned aerial vehicle threats. “There are still two main threats from Lebanon, from Hezbollah: the rocket threat (Grad), the drone and UAV threat … I expect from you is to solve these two problems, because I think we will be able to solve the political side,” Netanyahu added.

A Jerusalem-based watchdog organization has published a comprehensive 35-page analysis claiming that the international medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières, commonly known as Doctors Without Borders, has transformed into a vehicle for spreading anti-Israel messaging, specifically allegations of genocide in Gaza.

NGO Monitor released their findings on Monday, targeting the humanitarian organization that works across more than 70 nations with an annual budget of $2.4 billion. The monitoring group claims the medical charity has abandoned its core humanitarian mission in favor of what they characterize as an extensive influence campaign against Israel.

The analysis contends that Doctors Without Borders has taken a leading position in anti-Israel advocacy efforts and what the report describes as Holocaust inversion narratives, particularly genocide allegations. NGO Monitor further claims the organization systematically fails to acknowledge Hamas’ military use of Gaza medical facilities and applies legal standards exclusively to Israel.

Additionally, the study alleges connections between Hamas and other militant groups among the charity’s staff and volunteers, stating that personnel in Gaza failed to report on Hamas operations within healthcare facilities.

The report also examines the organization’s refusal to meet Israeli counter-terrorism registration standards and analyzes their public statements following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. According to NGO Monitor, Doctors Without Borders participated in advocacy campaigns labeling Israel’s military response as genocide, using what they claim is distorted evidence while omitting crucial operational details.

Prof. Gerald M. Steinberg, who serves as NGO Monitor’s President, stated: “In its ‘genocide’ propaganda and heinous Holocaust inversion, many MSF officials promoted blatantly false testimonies, violating basic principles of medical ethics.”

“To restore its shattered reputation and resume its mission of providing aid, an independent investigation leading to fundamental organizational changes and close oversight is vital. MSF in its current framework is no longer a trustworthy humanitarian organization,” Steinberg continued.

The monitoring group’s analysis indicates that the medical organization’s statements gained traction across international news outlets, medical publications, academic institutions, United Nations bodies, and international legal proceedings.

NGO Monitor’s recommendations call for independent investigations into Doctors Without Borders International and its national divisions, including branches in the United States and United Kingdom. They also demand an end to genocide-related accusations, external screening of staff members, and examination of the organization’s charitable status.

JERUSALEM — Israeli President Isaac Herzog extended an invitation Tuesday to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and government prosecutors, hoping to facilitate settlement discussions that could resolve the corruption charges pending against the country’s leader.

Herzog’s office sent the invitation several days after declaring he would not make an immediate decision on Netanyahu’s pardon request, choosing instead to encourage both parties to pursue a negotiated resolution.

The formal invitation, bearing the signature of Herzog’s legal adviser, stated the president’s belief that settlement negotiations “must be exhausted first” before any pardon consideration could move forward. The document expressed hope for discussions conducted “with an open heart and sincere, good intention” and requested responses by Sunday.

In November, Netanyahu petitioned Herzog to halt his trial, arguing that dismissing the criminal charges would promote national unity. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Herzog to bring the proceedings to an end.

The prime minister faces charges including breach of trust, fraud, and bribery across three distinct cases that allege he traded political favors with wealthy business partners. Netanyahu maintains his innocence on all counts.

The legal proceedings have stretched across six years, creating deep divisions among Israeli citizens. Netanyahu and his allies maintain he has become the target of a coordinated political attack orchestrated by media outlets, law enforcement, and judicial officials.

Neither Netanyahu’s representatives nor the attorney general’s office provided immediate responses to the invitation.

The United States is withholding billions in overdue payments to the United Nations until the international organization implements nine specific reforms, including measures to limit China’s growing influence, according to a report published Tuesday.

Development news organization Devex obtained two diplomatic documents showing America’s demands for what officials call “quick-hit” changes before releasing additional funding to the cash-strapped UN.

The reform demands include restructuring the United Nations pension program, eliminating business-class air travel for certain senior staff and all mid-level employees, reducing the number of top-tier positions, and cutting peacekeeping operations by 10% where missions have proven ineffective over time.

Most notably, Washington wants to prevent China from contributing tens of millions annually to a discretionary account controlled by the UN Secretary-General’s office, a strategy designed to reduce Beijing’s institutional influence.

“These reforms will be an indication that the UN is serious about reform,” one diplomatic note stated, according to Devex reporting.

Neither the US mission to the United Nations nor China’s UN representatives provided immediate responses when asked for comment. Washington has consistently pressured the organization for changes after withdrawing from multiple UN agencies this year and reducing funding in previous years.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasized that member nations’ financial contributions represent “a treaty obligation” and noted Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is already pursuing “a pretty heavy reform” agenda.

“It involves decisions that member states must take if we want to have a U.N. that is more effective, that uses its resources in the best way possible,” Dujarric explained during a press briefing. “The secretary-general is doing everything he can in that direction.”

Guterres warned earlier this year that the United Nations faced potential “imminent financial collapse” due to unpaid member contributions, with the vast majority owed by the United States. By February, America had paid approximately $160 million of its total $4 billion debt.

Current US obligations include $2.19 billion for the regular UN operating budget as of early February, representing more than 95% of all outstanding member dues worldwide. Additional American debts total $2.4 billion for current and previous peacekeeping operations, plus $43.6 million for UN tribunal expenses.

Federal intelligence officials are conducting assessments on Iran’s potential reactions should President Donald Trump announce a unilateral victory in the current conflict that has stretched into its second month, according to two government sources and an individual with knowledge of the situation.

Senior administration leaders have requested these intelligence evaluations as part of broader strategic planning. Sources indicate the analysis aims to gauge consequences of Trump potentially stepping back from military engagement that some advisers fear may hurt Republican prospects in upcoming midterm contests.

Although no final determination has been reached – and military escalation remains possible – a rapid de-escalation might relieve political pressures facing the president. However, such a move could strengthen Iran’s position, potentially allowing the nation to reconstruct its nuclear capabilities and missile infrastructure while posing renewed threats to regional U.S. partners.

Sources requested anonymity when discussing classified intelligence operations.

The timeline for completing these intelligence assessments remains unclear, though agencies have previously evaluated Iranian leadership responses to potential American victory announcements.

Following the February bombing operations, intelligence evaluations concluded that Iranian officials would likely interpret a Trump victory declaration coupled with regional force reductions as their own success, according to one source.

Alternatively, if Trump claimed victory while maintaining substantial military presence, Iran would probably view this as diplomatic maneuvering rather than genuine conflict resolution, the same source explained.

Both the CIA and Office of the Director of National Intelligence refused to provide statements.

White House representative Anna Kelly stated the administration continues Iranian negotiations and will “not be rushed into making a bad deal.”

“The president will only enter into an agreement that puts U.S. national security first, and he has been clear that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” she said.

Public opinion data reveals widespread American opposition to the military campaign. Recent Reuters/Ipsos polling found just 26% of Americans believe the operation justified its costs, while only 25% feel it enhanced national security.

Three individuals familiar with recent White House conversations describe Trump as acutely conscious of political consequences affecting both himself and his party.

Despite Trump’s ceasefire declaration twenty days ago, diplomatic efforts have failed to fully reopen the economically critical Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s attacks on vessels and mine deployment have kept the strategic waterway largely closed.

This shipping disruption affects approximately 20% of global crude oil transport, driving up worldwide energy costs and American gasoline prices. Iran’s commercial disruption capabilities provide significant leverage against the United States and allied nations.

Reducing American military presence while mutually ending the blockade would eventually lower fuel costs.

Nevertheless, both nations appear distant from reaching any accord.

Trump recently cancelled a planned meeting between his special representative Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner with Iranian representatives in Pakistan. He told reporters Saturday the process would require “too much time” and suggested Iran could simply “call” if interested in discussions.

Military alternatives remain officially available, including renewed airstrikes targeting Iranian military and political leadership, according to someone familiar with administration planning.

However, one official and another knowledgeable source indicated that extensive options like ground invasion of Iranian territory appear less probable than several weeks ago.

A White House representative characterized domestic pressure on the president to conclude the conflict as “enormous.”

One source noted Iran has utilized the ongoing ceasefire to recover launchers, ammunition, drones and other equipment previously buried during initial U.S. and Israeli bombardments.

Consequently, the tactical challenges of resuming full military operations have potentially increased since the April 8 ceasefire began.

BELGRADE, Serbia — A group of demonstrators assembled outside Serbia’s national television headquarters on Tuesday, calling for their country to withdraw from the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel’s inclusion in the competition.

The annual musical competition featuring 35 nations is set to take place May 12-16 in Vienna. Serbia’s representative will be Lavina, a metal group with six members.

In Belgrade’s city center, demonstrators displayed Palestinian flags and carried signs condemning Israel for alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict. They urged the state broadcaster RTS to cancel coverage of the event and asked Serbian citizens to avoid watching.

Organizers of the demonstration released a statement saying “A Eurovision without Israel would mean defending the ideals that this event proclaims.”

RTS has not yet responded to the protesters’ demands. Serbia maintains strong diplomatic relations with Israel.

While Eurovision aims to prioritize entertainment over political matters, the contest has frequently become entangled in global conflicts. Russia faced exclusion in 2022 following its full-scale military action against Ukraine.

Contest officials made the decision in December to permit Israel’s participation, leading to withdrawals by Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain. Slovenia’s state broadcaster RTV Slovenia announced plans to air programming focused on Palestinian issues during the Eurovision broadcast time slot.

DAKAR, Senegal – Lawmakers in Senegal’s National Assembly voted decisively on Tuesday to approve modifications to the nation’s election laws, creating a pathway for Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to potentially seek the presidency in 2029.

The 51-year-old political firebrand had been barred from participating in this year’s presidential contest due to a criminal conviction that could have blocked future campaigns as well. Instead, Sonko endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who successfully captured the presidency.

Political observers have noted growing tensions between President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko since the administration began, sparking speculation that Sonko may pursue the nation’s highest office when the next election cycle arrives.

Parliamentary members passed the legislation by a commanding margin of 128 in favor, 11 opposed, and 2 abstentions. The dominant presence of Sonko’s Pastef party in the assembly helped secure the outcome, though opposition groups criticized the use of emergency procedures to fast-track the measure.

The approved changes specifically target legal provisions that had disqualified Sonko from seeking elected office, effectively clearing a major hurdle to his potential presidential ambitions.

The legislation now moves to President Faye’s desk for final approval. Opposition parties retain the option to contest the new law before the Constitutional Council.

In related developments, the presidential office released proposed constitutional and electoral reforms on Monday for public review before cabinet discussions begin.

BUREIJ, Gaza Strip — A group of young Palestinian artists organized an outdoor art exhibition Tuesday in Gaza, using their artwork as another medium to communicate their wartime experiences to the global community during the current fragile ceasefire.

The collection of artwork was set up in the open air, much like daily life throughout Gaza, exposed to weather conditions and onlookers’ attention. The paintings depicted images including a dove, bullet damage, and human figures in a region where the conflict between Israel and Hamas has claimed more than 70,000 lives.

Under clear skies in central Gaza’s Bureij area, children could be heard playing and shouting while visitors photographed the artwork and contemplated its meaning.

Ghanem Al-Din, who coordinated the exhibition featuring numerous paintings, explained: “They painted their feelings, their ambitions, their hopes, their visions, over four months during a continuous workshop in my studio.”

Among the participating artists was 21-year-old Obay Al-Qarshali, who evacuated his Gaza City residence in late 2023 when the conflict erupted following Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel. During his hasty departure, he could only take essential items, abandoning more than 30 of his artworks.

Those pieces have since been destroyed in the bombing and devastation, he explained.

The artwork he contributed to the exhibition depicted shattered glass, vehicles loaded with mattresses and personal possessions, and building rubble — scenes all too recognizable to him and countless other displaced Palestinians who have relocated multiple times.

Al-Qarshali reported moving at least seven times throughout the war.

“Because of how much we were displaced and suffered in moving and carrying our belongings, the tents, the crowds, and so much more, I wanted to express something that deeply troubled me: that we left our homes and our safe places, forced to flee, scatter, and change our location. This piece expresses so much,” he stated.

The timeline for Gaza’s next ceasefire phases remains uncertain. Dismantling Hamas represents a significant obstacle before the territory can transition to new governance, achieve stability, and begin serious reconstruction efforts.

According to a recent United Nations and European Union assessment, rebuilding efforts will likely exceed $70 billion and require a decade to complete.

The report indicated Gaza’s economy has shrunk by 84 percent. More than 371,000 residential units have been demolished. Over half of the territory’s hospitals are “non-functional.” Almost all educational facilities in the area housing more than 2 million residents are either destroyed or damaged.

Although major combat operations have decreased since the ceasefire began in October, Israeli military forces have maintained almost daily attacks and gunfire near military-controlled zones, resulting in over 800 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry, operating under Hamas leadership, keeps comprehensive casualty documentation that U.N. agencies and independent analysts generally consider credible. However, it doesn’t distinguish between civilian and militant casualties.

Tuesday saw an Israeli airstrike target a vehicle in Gaza City, killing four men, Shifa Hospital reported.

The attack occurred outside the designated Yellow Line that divides Israeli-controlled territory from other Gaza areas. Israel’s military confirmed striking a “terrorist” at that location but provided no additional information.

The victims were shrouded in white cloth and laid on the ground outdoors, allowing mourners to gather.

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — The military leader of Mali appeared publicly for the first time since his West African country endured massive coordinated strikes by Islamic extremists and separatist forces over the weekend, meeting Tuesday with Russia’s top diplomat in the capital.

Colonel Assimi Goita’s office distributed photographs of his meeting with a Russian diplomatic team headed by Ambassador Igor Gromyko, which took place at what appeared to be the presidential palace in Bamako.

At the same time, the United States Embassy in Mali warned of “possible terrorist movements within Bamako, including reports of forced school closures” in a security bulletin.

The military government, which has controlled Mali since seizing power in 2020, faced its most significant challenge Saturday when al-Qaida-affiliated fighters and the Azawad Liberation Front separatist organization launched synchronized strikes against at least four cities in what experts consider a global terrorism hotspot.

The nearly simultaneous assaults targeted Bamako’s main airport, the military garrison town of Kati located nearby, and multiple locations in northern and central Mali, including the cities of Kidal and Sevare.

According to the Azawad Liberation Front, their forces ultimately captured Kidal after both Malian troops and Russian personnel pulled back from the area. The violence also claimed the life of Mali’s defense minister, General Sadio Camara.

Three days after the attacks began, questions remained about who controlled the affected territories and how many people were killed or wounded in the fighting.

Tension gripped Bamako as some citizens expressed concerns about their personal security.

Russia’s Defense Ministry characterized the weekend violence as an attempted overthrow of the government and stated that Russian troops — specifically the Africa Corps supporting Mali’s military leadership — working alongside Malian security personnel successfully thwarted the effort.

According to a Russian military statement, approximately 12,000 fighters launched the offensive using advanced weaponry, prompting the deployment of military aircraft to support ground troops who used “all types of weapons” while pursuing the attackers.

The ministry acknowledged pulling back from Kidal but described it as a Malian government decision, stating that forces stationed in the northern city had “fought for more than 24 hours in full encirclement against vastly superior enemy forces and repelled four massive attacks on its main stronghold and outer defensive positions.”

Mali’s government has not released any comprehensive details about the attacks, and The Associated Press was unable to independently confirm the Russian version of events.

KAMPALA, Uganda — Officials in Uganda announced Tuesday they have arrested 231 foreign nationals during a multi-day operation investigating suspected human trafficking networks and illegal immigration schemes.

The arrests began Monday and focused on two main locations: a group of Nigerian nationals in Uganda’s northern region and a heavily secured residential compound in the capital city of Kampala where foreigners from multiple countries were living.

The Kampala facility housed 169 individuals from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Malaysia. The Ministry of Internal Affairs described the location as a tightly controlled residential complex with its own dining facilities and amenities specifically designed to limit residents’ freedom of movement. Among those found at the compound, 36 were women.

Government officials said they launched the operation based on intelligence reports indicating large numbers of foreign nationals were residing and working in Uganda without proper legal documentation. Many of those detained did not possess valid passports, according to ministry officials.

“Some individuals have claimed they were trafficked into Uganda with promises of employment,” the statement said. “Others were engaged in cyber-scamming activities. A few were found in possession of materials suggesting involvement in other criminal activities.”

Ministry spokesman Simon Peter Mundeyi explained to The Associated Press that the detained individuals fall into three distinct groups: people believed to be trafficking victims, suspected criminal operators, and those who simply exceeded their visa limits without engaging in illegal activities.

According to Mundeyi, trafficking victims and visa overstayers will receive assistance to purchase their own transportation out of Uganda, while suspected trafficking leaders will face criminal charges and potential deportation proceedings.

The East African nation is known for its open-door policy toward foreign visitors and refugees, currently providing sanctuary to hundreds of thousands of people escaping violence in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and South Sudan. Citizens from numerous African and other nations can enter Uganda for short stays without obtaining advance visas.

BUENOS AIRES – Argentine President Javier Milei has intensified his public stance regarding the disputed Falkland Islands, marking a departure from his earlier diplomatic approach as he navigates complex international relationships.

The libertarian president, who previously admired former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and favored bilateral talks with Britain, faced domestic criticism for not being forceful enough about Argentina’s territorial claims to the South Atlantic archipelago, which Argentines call Las Malvinas.

That changed dramatically on Friday when Milei posted a strong message on social media platform X, declaring that Las Malvinas “were, are and will always be Argentine.” His statement came just hours after Reuters reported on an internal Pentagon email suggesting the U.S. might reassess its position on the islands in response to Britain’s stance regarding Iran.

The territorial dispute dates back to Argentina’s claim that it inherited the islands from Spain following independence in 1816, while Britain assumed control in 1833 in what Argentina considers an illegal colonial seizure. The conflict escalated into a 74-day war in 1982 under Thatcher’s leadership, resulting in 649 Argentine and 255 British military deaths after Argentina’s unsuccessful invasion attempt.

More than four decades later, the islands remain an emotionally charged issue for Argentines. Memorial portraits of war casualties cover Buenos Aires walls, some athletic organizations prohibit British flag imagery, and the nation observes an annual commemoration of the conflict.

Current tensions between Washington and London may provide Milei with a political opportunity as his approval numbers decline due to increasing inflation and corruption allegations, according to policy analysts.

“The fight for the Falklands is a national obsession in Argentina, and there is no upside to downplaying it,” explained Benjamin Gedan, who heads the Latin America program at Washington’s Stimson Center. “Though Milei is not known for pandering to his opponents, he might find the Falklands to be an irresistible opportunity for a rally-around-the-flag boost in his popularity.”

Milei’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

During his presidential campaign, Milei had praised Thatcher as among the world’s “greatest leaders,” drawing sharp criticism from war veterans who accused him of disrespecting fallen soldiers. In a 2024 BBC interview, he criticized politicians who “beat their chests” about sovereignty without achieving results.

He previously suggested Argentina wanted islanders “to one day decide to vote for us,” mirroring Britain’s position on residents’ self-determination rights. In 2013, islanders voted decisively in a referendum to remain under British governance.

However, Milei recently claimed in a streaming platform interview that Argentina was “making progress like never before” on the islands question.

Guillermo Carmona, who formerly served as secretary for Argentina’s foreign ministry’s Malvinas, Antarctica and South Atlantic office under the previous center-left administration, believes Argentina should “take advantage of the fissures that are being produced.”

The United States has historically maintained neutrality on the islands’ sovereignty while acknowledging British administration. President Donald Trump, who has called Milei his “favorite president,” could potentially mediate future Argentina-Britain negotiations, though Gedan suggests the leaked Pentagon correspondence reduces that likelihood by revealing potential U.S. bias toward Argentina.

Despite current political developments, experts believe the territorial status quo will likely persist.

“It’s difficult for me to think that the United States can force Britain to modify its position if it changes its own, since Britain is a strategic ally of the U.S.,” noted Argentine historian Federico Lorenz.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has publicly honored troops who took their own lives during combat operations in Ukraine’s Kursk region rather than risk being captured by Ukrainian forces.

Speaking at a memorial ceremony for fallen North Korean soldiers, Kim acknowledged for the first time the extreme measures taken by his forces deployed alongside Russian troops. Approximately 14,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to support Russia’s military operations in the Kursk area, where they have faced significant losses.

According to South Korean, Ukrainian and Western military officials, more than 6,000 North Korean personnel have been killed in the fighting. Intelligence reports and accounts from defectors have documented instances where North Korean soldiers chose self-detonation and other suicide methods to avoid capture.

During his address to Russian officials and families of the deceased at the memorial dedication ceremony, Kim referred to these soldiers as “heroes,” according to Monday’s report from North Korea’s state news agency KCNA.

“It is not only the heroes who unhesitatingly chose the path of self-destruction and suicide to defend great honor, but also those who fell while charging at the forefront of assault battles,” Kim stated.

The North Korean leader also praised surviving soldiers, saying: “Those who writhed in frustration at failing to fulfil their duty as soldiers rather than suffering the agony of their bodies being torn apart by bullets and shells — these too can be called the party’s loyal warriors and patriots.”

South Korean intelligence agencies report that in exchange for providing military personnel and weapons to Russia, North Korea has received economic aid and advanced military technology from Moscow.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — An international tribunal has mandated a comprehensive medical examination for Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb military leader dubbed the “Butcher of Bosnia,” after his legal team petitioned for his humanitarian release due to declining health at age 84.

The former commander received a life sentence in 2017 for his role in genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes during Bosnia’s devastating 1992-95 conflict.

Defense attorneys argue that Mladic has entered an “advanced, irreversible medical decline” and merits release on compassionate grounds.

Court documents reveal the ex-general required emergency medical treatment earlier this month for undisclosed health complications.

Judge Graciela Gatti Santana has mandated an independent health evaluation to be completed by May 1, seeking details about Mladic’s “current health condition” and the quality of medical care at his detention center, where he has remained for 15 years.

The Yugoslav conflict began following the nation’s dissolution in the early 1990s, with Bosnia experiencing the most severe atrocities. The war claimed over 100,000 lives and displaced millions before peace accords were reached in 1995.

Following approximately a decade in hiding, Mladic was captured in Serbia during May 2011.

The defiant Bosnian Serb commander was removed from the United Nations war crimes tribunal courtroom while his sentence was announced, after shouting at the panel: “Everything you said is pure lies. Shame on you!”

Mladic represented the final prominent figure to face prosecution for the conflict that concluded over 25 years ago. His case is now under review by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which handles remaining matters from the defunct U.N. courts for Rwanda and the Balkans.

The tribunal previously rejected his bid for early release in 2025, stating his “conditions of detention continue to be in full compliance with the principles of humanity and respect for human dignity.” Judges also refused his November request to visit Serbia for a funeral.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A diplomatic dispute has erupted between Ukraine and Israel over allegations that Israeli ports are accepting grain shipments that Ukraine claims were illegally seized by Russia from occupied territories.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Tuesday that a grain-carrying vessel had reached an Israeli port and was getting ready to discharge its cargo, describing the transaction as unlawful and threatening punitive measures against participants.

Israeli officials countered that the ship had not docked at the port and had yet to file required paperwork. However, the marine tracking platform MarineTraffic.com indicated the vessel had been stationed in Haifa for multiple days.

“In any normal country, purchasing stolen goods is an act that entails legal liability,” Zelenskyy posted on X, noting that Ukraine’s intelligence agencies were developing sanctions aimed at businesses and people benefiting from these deliveries.

“We will also coordinate with European partners to ensure that the relevant individuals are included in European sanctions regimes,” he stated.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that the nation’s tax officials had launched a probe into a vessel anticipated to arrive at Haifa port.

Saar criticized Zelenskyy’s statements as “Twitter diplomacy,” stating during a Jerusalem press briefing that Ukraine had failed to supply adequate details or seek legal cooperation.

Heorhii Tykhyi, representing Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, maintained that Kyiv had notified Israeli officials about the ships beforehand. He reported that over two vessels had reached Israel carrying agricultural goods that Ukraine claims Russia illegally seized from occupied Ukrainian territory.

The ministry reported summoning Israeli Ambassador Michael Brodsky and delivering a formal complaint regarding what it characterized as an ongoing stream of such deliveries. Officials added that they had determined the grain’s source and were familiar with concealment tactics, including vessel-to-vessel transfers in the Black Sea.

Nevertheless, the shipments kept arriving at Israeli ports and entering commercial markets, the ministry stated, criticizing Israel for not responding to official requests to seize the ships and their cargo.

Kyiv characterized the problem as widespread rather than an isolated incident, calling on Israel to stop imports it claims involve stolen Ukrainian grain and cautioning that the situation could damage diplomatic ties between the nations.

KAMPALA, Uganda – The World Bank has expressed serious concerns to Uganda’s government about pending legislation that would require individuals and organizations receiving overseas funding to register as foreign agents, warning it could severely impact the bank’s operations in the country.

According to a Reuters-obtained letter, the international lending institution cautioned that the proposed law could interfere with its development work throughout Uganda.

President Yoweri Museveni’s administration presented the bill to parliament on April 15, claiming it aims to safeguard national sovereignty. Under the proposed rules, any Ugandan citizen or organization accepting international funding must register with authorities and report all incoming financial support.

The draft legislation further prohibits foreign agents from actions that could “hinder, frustrate or disrupt the implementation of a government policy” and makes it illegal to create or advocate for alternative public policies without official government authorization.

In correspondence dated April 23 that Reuters reviewed, the World Bank warned the law could make many of its standard “routine development activities” subject to criminal prosecution, including hosting meetings where different policy approaches are explored.

“By classifying international organisations as ‘foreigners’ without qualification, the bill subjects them … to all of its substantive restrictions, registration requirements, financial reporting obligations, and criminal penalties,” the Bank stated.

Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi has not yet responded to requests for comment on the World Bank’s concerns.

The World Bank serves as a significant financial partner for Uganda, maintaining approximately $4.57 billion in active projects throughout the nation.

The institution previously suspended new loans to Uganda in 2023 following the passage of strict anti-homosexuality legislation, but restored funding two years later after government officials agreed to certain modifications.

Violations of the proposed sovereignty legislation could result in substantial penalties, including fines reaching 4 billion Ugandan shillings (equivalent to $1.08 million) and prison terms extending up to two decades.

The measure, currently under review by a parliamentary committee, faces opposition from political rivals, non-governmental organizations, and commercial banking institutions, all arguing it would restrict legitimate international funding streams.

Museveni, Uganda’s leader since 1986, has consistently claimed his political opponents operate as representatives of foreign interests.

BUDAPEST – Hungary’s tax authorities have halted international money transfers from individuals connected to a key adviser of departing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, according to incoming leader Peter Magyar.

Magyar, scheduled to take office on May 9 following his election victory, announced through social media that Hungary’s NAV tax agency had “suspended several transfers linked to Antal Rogan’s circle worth billions of forints, on suspicion of money laundering.”

The allegations, shared in a social media video posted Monday evening, were not backed by supporting evidence from Magyar, and Reuters could not independently confirm the claims. The amount referenced equals millions of dollars in U.S. currency.

Government representatives did not respond to requests for comment regarding Rogan, who serves as minister of the prime minister’s cabinet under Orban’s administration. Direct contact with Rogan or his legal representation was not established.

When questioned about Magyar’s statements, Hungarian police referenced an existing announcement on their website indicating an ongoing investigation into suspected hiding of illegally obtained money or assets. No suspects were named in the police statement.

Both the tax office and Hungary’s central bank, which oversees financial regulation, failed to respond to comment requests.

Magyar did not specify which individuals within Rogan’s network were involved in the alleged activities.

The incoming leader has previously expressed concerns that Orban’s supporters might attempt to protect profits from what he characterizes as extensive corruption throughout Orban’s 16-year tenure during their remaining time in office.

According to Magyar, banking accounts belonging to “several front men” connected to the departing administration have also been frozen, though he provided no identifying information or supporting documentation for these claims.

In his recorded message, Magyar urged Hungary’s tax authority leadership to submit police reports regarding the questionable financial activities and called on banking institutions to strengthen their compliance operations while reporting suspicious transactions.

“Let me signal now, that anyone – be it an authority or a bank – not acting in line with the letter and the spirit of the law will have to face the Hungarian justice system,” he stated.

The 54-year-old Rogan has served as one of Orban’s most trusted advisers during his administration and holds a prominent position within the Fidesz Party.

In January 2025, the Biden administration imposed U.S. sanctions on Rogan over corruption allegations that Washington claimed benefited entities connected to the ruling party. Fidesz dismissed these accusations as politically driven at the time. President Donald Trump’s administration later removed the sanctions, reflecting Trump’s support for Orban.

BUCHAREST – Romania’s pro-European Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan faces the potential downfall of his minority administration in early May following Tuesday’s submission of a no-confidence motion by his previous coalition allies, the leftist Social Democrats, working alongside far-right opposition forces.

The breakdown of the governing coalition threatens to create weeks or potentially months of political gridlock, which analysts warn could negatively impact Romania’s debt yields, credit ratings, and ability to secure European Union funding while negotiations for a new parliamentary majority take place.

Ministers from the Social Democratic party abandoned the government last week, though the reform-focused Bolojan has declined to resign from his position. He maintains his administration must continue implementing essential reforms to secure more than 10 billion euros ($12 billion) in pandemic recovery and resilience funding before the EU’s August cutoff date.

The country faces additional pressure to reduce the European Union’s highest budget deficit, targeting 6.2% of economic output this year compared to over 9% in 2024, or face the risk of losing its investment grade status.

Romania’s leading employers’ organization Concordia warned Tuesday that losing this rating would burden Romania with 100 billion lei ($23 billion) in additional debt expenses over the next five years.

Although the Social Democrats (PSD), who represent parliament’s largest party and are essential for forming any pro-EU majority, have indicated willingness to rejoin a similar pro-European coalition under different leadership, other parties have declared they will refuse future collaboration with the PSD.

The PSD has partnered with the hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR) to advance the no-confidence motion, though PSD leadership has rejected any plans for cooperation with AUR beyond the May 5 vote.

Should Bolojan’s government survive the challenge, he must still pursue a new confidence vote within 45 days, coinciding with the expiration of interim appointments replacing departed PSD ministers.

In the event of government collapse, centrist President Nicusor Dan, who holds the authority to nominate prime ministers, is anticipated to work toward reconstructing the four-party pro-EU coalition with either a different Liberal leader or a technocratic candidate at the helm.

A 20-year-old man received a seven-year prison sentence Tuesday from a court in Brno, Czech Republic, after being convicted of attempted terrorism and attempted murder.

The defendant was among two minors who attempted to firebomb a synagogue in the Czech Republic’s second-largest city during January 2024, using a homemade explosive device. The pair also attempted to kill an individual who survived the assault.

The now-20-year-old defendant received an additional two-year sentence for terrorism promotion, crimes committed after he reached adulthood.

His co-defendant remained below the legal age for prosecution and faced proceedings in a closed courtroom.

Both individuals belonged to a five-person group of teenagers arrested last year following alleged online radicalization by the Islamic State terrorist organization, Czech officials reported.

According to authorities, the five promoted hateful content targeting minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and Jewish people across social media platforms. Law enforcement operations in both the Czech Republic and Austria resulted in the confiscation of various weapons, including knives, machetes, axes, and gas-powered firearms.

Officials indicated the teenagers participated in online recruitment networks for Islamic State fighters in Syria and demonstrated shared interests in violence and hatred directed at Jewish people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other groups.

The case involved collaborative efforts between Czech authorities and their counterparts in Austria, Britain, and Slovakia, along with Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency.

BAMAKO – Mali’s military chief Assimi Goita emerged publicly for the first time since devastating weekend attacks, meeting with Russia’s ambassador on Tuesday according to his office’s social media announcement.

The Tuesday afternoon post marked Goita’s first visible activity following coordinated strikes by insurgent forces on Saturday that targeted multiple locations across the West African nation.

The weekend offensive saw al Qaeda’s West African branch team up with a Tuareg separatist organization to launch simultaneous assaults on Mali’s primary military installation and locations surrounding Bamako’s airport. The attackers also successfully expelled Russian military personnel from the northern city of Kidal, where they had been stationed to support government troops.

The violence claimed the life of Mali’s defense minister Sadio Camara during the assault, while Goita remained out of public view until Tuesday’s diplomatic meeting.

Military analysts noted the attacks revealed an extraordinary level of coordination between disparate militant organizations with varying objectives, allowing them to execute strikes across the expansive nation and penetrate the military government’s core defenses.

Despite the scope of the offensive, Mali’s military leadership maintains they have regained control of the security situation.

Authorities in Northern Ireland have taken a 66-year-old man into custody under terrorism legislation following a weekend car bomb incident targeting a Belfast police station, officials announced Tuesday.

The militant organization New IRA has claimed responsibility for the attack at Dunmurry police station and issued disturbing threats to escalate their campaign by targeting law enforcement officers at their residences.

According to reports from the Irish News, the extremist group acknowledged hijacking a delivery truck and compelling the driver to transport the vehicle to the police facility on Saturday. Their plan involved having the driver alert authorities to the explosive device as officers exited the building.

In a statement containing authentication codes provided to the newspaper, the organization made an ominous declaration: “It is our intention, if they keep harassing the republican people, to bomb them (police officers) in their own houses, with no warning.”

This threat represents a dangerous escalation in tactics. The most recent police fatality in Northern Ireland occurred 15 years ago when Constable Ronan Kerr lost his life after an explosive device detonated beneath his vehicle outside his residence.

The New IRA represents one of several small extremist factions that reject the historic 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to decades of sectarian conflict in the region. These dissidents oppose the peace accord’s central principle that Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom unless residents vote through referendum to join with Ireland.

This organization, significantly smaller than the original Irish Republican Army that surrendered weapons following the peace settlement, has been responsible for numerous attacks against law enforcement, including a similar attempted bombing at another police station outside Belfast just last month.

In response to these escalating threats, senior law enforcement officials have announced enhanced security measures across Northern Ireland. Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck characterized the recent incident as demonstrating clear intent to destabilize communities while potentially causing serious harm or death to police personnel and staff.

The police response includes increased high-visibility patrols throughout the region as authorities work to counter what they describe as a persistent threat from dissident groups.

Law enforcement officials in Greece have taken into custody an 89-year-old man suspected of injuring five individuals during a pair of shooting incidents that occurred Tuesday in Athens, according to the Greek citizens’ protection ministry.

The elderly suspect initially used a shotgun to open fire at an EFKA social security office, striking one worker in the leg, authorities reported.

Following the first attack, the shooter took a taxi to a nearby courthouse where he discharged multiple rounds inside the building, causing minor injuries to four female administrative staff members, law enforcement officials, court representatives and the judicial workers’ union confirmed.

According to media accounts, the assailant abandoned his shotgun at the courthouse location alongside correspondence intended for news organizations before escaping on foot.

When authorities apprehended the suspect, they discovered he possessed a second firearm, local news outlets reported. News sources have identified the man as a sanitation worker from the greater Athens region.

Law enforcement has not disclosed any potential reasons behind the attacks.

Officials captured the individual at a lodging facility in Patras, located approximately 200 kilometers from the Greek capital.

BUCHAREST, Romania — An unlikely political alliance between Romania’s main leftist party and a hard-right opposition group filed paperwork Tuesday aimed at removing the country’s center-right prime minister from office.

The Social Democratic Party, known as PSD and Romania’s biggest political force, teamed up with the opposition Alliance for the Unity of Romanians to present their no-confidence motion to Parliament. Their target is liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan of the center-right National Liberal Party, whose pro-European coalition took power less than 12 months ago.

According to PSD officials, they have gathered sufficient backing for their effort to oust Bolojan. Alliance leader George Simion announced at Tuesday’s press briefing that their motion carries 251 signatures and predicted it would succeed “without any problems.”

Parliamentary voting on the no-confidence measure is expected to occur next week.

This political maneuvering comes after PSD abandoned the governing coalition last week, stripping Bolojan of his parliamentary majority and pushing the EU member nation into another governmental crisis.

The country has endured extended political upheaval since presidential elections were canceled in December 2024, while also wrestling with one of the European Union’s largest budget shortfalls, rising inflation, and a technical recession.

PSD President Sorin Grindeanu acknowledged Monday that “there are many things that divide us … but there is a common goal, that of voting for this motion and toppling the Bolojan government.”

“I want to be very clear, it is a parliamentary initiative, it is an initiative that currently has support beyond political color,” Grindeanu stated, noting that the far-right nationalist S.O.S. Romania party and additional right-wing factions have endorsed their effort.

Last June’s governing coalition had committed to prioritizing budget deficit reduction. However, PSD frequently clashed with Bolojan regarding various austerity policies, including increased taxes, frozen public sector salaries and pensions, and reductions in government spending and administrative positions.

In Tuesday’s statement, PSD accused Bolojan of having “failed to implement any genuine reform” during his 10-month tenure and argued Romania requires leadership “capable of collaboration.”

“In the complicated geopolitical context we find ourselves in, Romania urgently needs coherent leadership, without blockages and without political arrogance, which can ensure good administration and economic recovery,” their statement declared.

Should Bolojan’s removal succeed, PSD would become essential for establishing a pro-European parliamentary majority, though the party has previously rejected governing alongside AUR.

Siegfried Muresan, a Romanian European Parliament member from Bolojan’s National Liberal Party, defended the prime minister’s fiscal reform implementation according to coalition agreements.

Bolojan remains “serious about consolidating the budget, reforming the country, and respecting the commitments,” Muresan explained to the Associated Press. “The Socialist Party has now decided all of a sudden not to continue supporting this prime minister, to oppose the reforms and the measures which they all agree to in the coalition.”

Bucharest political analyst Cristian Andrei predicts Romania will probably encounter “a long crisis” following the vote, which “breaks the pro-European coalition and offers the populist party, AUR, a place at the mainstream table.”

“For PSD it’s a power play and a way to get back in touch with and to signal to its former voter base that has migrated toward populist parties,” he explained. “PSD wants to be great again, to regain the status of the party in charge. AUR gains a respectability aura and it shows a strong position in the Parliament, at the same time with PSD moving towards populism at speed.”

Under the original power-sharing arrangement, the prime ministerial role was scheduled to transfer from Bolojan to a PSD leader in 2027, with general elections planned for 2028.

A Swiss court has abandoned corruption charges against the daughter of Uzbekistan’s former president, citing her inability to participate in legal proceedings while imprisoned in her home country.

Gulnara Karimova, 53, daughter of the late President Islam Karimov, faced allegations of money laundering and bribery in Switzerland, but the case was dropped Tuesday in Bellinzona just one day after proceedings began.

The presiding judge explained that Uzbek officials confirmed Karimova remains incarcerated and will not gain freedom until completing her full prison term in December 2028. This timeline means the Swiss corruption charges will expire due to statutory time limits before she could stand trial.

Karimova currently serves a 13-year prison sentence in Uzbekistan for leading a criminal organization, extortion, and embezzlement. Her legal troubles began in 2015 with her first conviction, initially allowing her to serve house arrest at her daughter’s residence. However, authorities moved her to prison in 2019 after she violated confinement conditions.

According to Uzbek media outlet Podrobno, Karimova has been detained at a women’s correctional facility near Tashkent, the nation’s capital, since early 2023.

The Swiss investigation focused on an alleged criminal network called “The Office,” involving dozens of individuals and multiple companies accused of bribery and laundering assets valued at hundreds of millions of dollars.

While charges against Karimova were dismissed, the trial continues against Swiss private banking institution Lombard Odier and a former staff member. Swiss prosecutors allege these defendants played a “decisive role” in concealing profits from the criminal organization’s operations.

Lombard Odier disputes the allegations, stating the charges involve “organizational shortcomings in prevention measures” rather than direct participation in money laundering activities. The bank maintains it will contest all accusations.

WASHINGTON — King Charles III arrived in the nation’s capital today hoping to strengthen the relationship between Britain and America through formal diplomatic ceremonies, despite recent tensions between the two allies.

The royal visit occurs during a difficult period for US-UK diplomatic relations. President Trump’s rocky relationship with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has deteriorated in recent months as Trump has worked to build international backing for military action in Iran.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will start their Washington schedule with a White House meeting alongside President Trump at 10:35 a.m. ET. Later this afternoon at 3 p.m. ET, the King will make history by speaking to the US Congress — marking the first time a British monarch has done so since his mother Queen Elizabeth II addressed lawmakers in 1991. The day concludes with a formal state dinner at the White House.

An interesting revelation emerged this week when Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper reported that Trump and King Charles share ancestry that would make them 15th cousins. Both men reportedly descend from the 3rd Earl of Lennox, who was a great-grandson of Scotland’s King James II.

“Wow, that’s nice. I’ve always wanted to live in Buckingham Palace!!!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Tuesday morning before welcoming the royal couple. “I’ll talk to the King and Queen about this in a few minutes!!!”

Some members of Congress have called for King Charles to meet with Jeffrey Epstein victims during his American visit. There are no signs he plans to do so, despite the scandal affecting his brother, former Prince Andrew, who was taken into custody in February on misconduct charges that he disputes.

California Democratic Representative Ro Khanna encouraged the King over the weekend to at least mention the matter during his congressional address.

Trump has consistently praised Charles, calling the monarch his “friend” and describing him as a “great guy.”

The President frequently references his “amazing” September visit to Britain with First Lady Melania Trump for an unusual second state visit. Prime Minister Starmer personally delivered the King’s invitation in the Oval Office just five weeks after Trump took office, in a clear effort to court the Republican leader.

During that trip, the British royal family provided elaborate ceremonies for the Trumps, featuring red-uniformed guards, military bands, and an elegant feast at Windsor Castle.

“President Trump has always had great respect for King Charles, and their relationship was further strengthened by the president’s historic visit to the United Kingdom last year,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said to The Associated Press.

Trump’s relationship with Prime Minister Starmer has grown increasingly strained as the President seeks global support for Iranian military operations. Trump criticized Starmer for largely rejecting his appeals, saying he was “no Churchill.”

The President has also placed tariffs on Britain and threatened additional trade penalties, despite a Supreme Court decision earlier this year that complicated such unilateral actions. Just last week, Trump warned he would impose a “big tariff” on the UK unless it eliminates a digital services tax affecting American tech companies.

Trump has more broadly questioned the traditional Atlantic partnership through attempts to acquire Greenland and warnings about leaving NATO. He has repeatedly imposed trade penalties on and criticized Canada, which belongs to the British Commonwealth.

Today’s congressional address will make King Charles III the first British ruler to speak before US lawmakers since Queen Elizabeth II three decades ago. Her 1991 speech emphasized the common heritage of both nations and the significance of their democratic principles — themes Charles is expected to echo today.

Such speaking opportunities are reserved for only the most distinguished international figures, including Pope Francis, Václav Havel, and Winston Churchill. This will likely represent the most significant public statement Charles makes during his four-day American visit celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence from British rule.

The King and Queen Camilla began their day with the White House meeting with Trump. The Oval Office session provides another chance for the spontaneous, sometimes controversial encounters with foreign dignitaries that have characterized Trump’s second presidency.

However, given the traditionally non-political role of British monarchs and Trump’s appreciation for the royal family, the chances of an uncomfortable meeting may be lower.

Trump will welcome Charles this evening for a state banquet at the White House.

American officials and companies finalized agreements worth billions of dollars with southeastern European nations on Tuesday, expanding Washington’s energy footprint in the region while supporting artificial intelligence initiatives.

The partnerships represent America’s strategy to strengthen relationships and challenge Russian energy dominance in southern Europe, building on last year’s long-term liquefied natural gas export arrangement with Greece.

“President Trump is opening a new era of cooperation with southern, and central and eastern Europe,” U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told reporters at the Three Seas Initiative business forum in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

In Albania’s capital of Tirana, U.S. ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle formalized a $6 billion, two-decade contract between Venture Global and Aktor LNG USA for liquefied natural gas exports to Albania.

“This commitment strengthens energy security – and national security – across the entire region,” Guilfoyle said on X.

The Albanian agreement coincided with Wright’s endorsement of a partnership between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia to construct a natural gas pipeline. The infrastructure will transport American natural gas from Croatia’s Krk island LNG facility to Bosnia.

This pipeline initiative seeks to diversify Bosnia’s energy portfolio while decreasing dependence on Russian gas supplies. American firm AAFS Infrastructure and Energy LLC will finance and oversee the project, with leadership from Jesse Binnall, a former Trump attorney, and Joseph Flynn, brother of Trump’s previous national security adviser Michael Flynn.

AAFS has committed approximately 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion) to fund the pipeline construction.

Additionally, Croatia and the United States released a collaborative statement regarding civilian nuclear energy cooperation.

In a separate development, Croatian engineering firm Rade Koncar partnered with American investment group Pantheon Atlas LLC through a letter of intent for an artificial intelligence development and data center initiative in central Croatia, with an estimated value of 50 billion euros.

The proposed facility would feature 1 gigawatt of power capacity dedicated to AI computing and cloud services, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and operations launching by 2029, pending necessary permits and electrical grid improvements.

A senior American diplomat expressed optimism Tuesday that Belarus may release additional prisoners in the coming weeks, while suggesting that further sanctions relief could be considered if such releases occur.

Speaking from Warsaw, U.S. Special Envoy John Coale shared his expectations during a phone interview, stating his belief that prisoner releases could happen within the next 30 days.

“I expect that we can get some prisoners released in the next month,” Coale explained to reporters. “And I’ll be going back to facilitate that in the next month. Nothing definite, but probably the next month.”

The envoy’s comments suggest ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Minsk regarding detained individuals, with the possibility of sanctions adjustments tied to any successful prisoner releases.

THE HAGUE – International Criminal Court judges ruled Tuesday that more than 65,000 people harmed by a Malian extremist leader deserve 7.25 million euros ($8.5 million) in reparations. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz played a central role in the religious police that enforced strict Islamic law in Timbuktu during 2012, overseeing public beatings and harsh punishments.

The compensation will primarily take the form of group rehabilitation efforts, including education initiatives, job training, and mental health services, with special focus on women and girls who bore the brunt of Al Hassan’s persecution, court officials announced.

Female residents faced the harshest restrictions under the Islamic police control, as their daily activities were severely monitored and regulated. Women could only venture outside their homes while wearing specific clothing requirements, leading many to develop a fear of leaving their residences, according to the judges’ findings.

Al Hassan received his conviction in June 2024 on eight separate charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, but judges determined he lacks the financial means to pay victims directly. The court has requested assistance from its Trust Fund for Victims to finance the compensation package. This fund currently manages reparation payments in five additional ICC cases following convictions.

The defendant received a 10-year prison sentence for his participation in running the Islamic police established by the Ansar Dine extremist organization after militants seized control of the Sahara desert city. Since Al Hassan has already served approximately six years in detention leading up to his conviction, his release is anticipated in the near future.

Court records show Al Hassan either participated in or witnessed numerous public floggings that caused severe psychological trauma to both victims and community members who were forced to watch.

The Trust Fund for Victims has until January to develop an implementation strategy for the compensation program, which requires judicial approval before moving forward.

The ICC serves as the globe’s sole permanent tribunal for war crimes and has been investigating Mali-related incidents since 2012. French and Malian military forces successfully expelled the rebel groups from Timbuktu the year after their takeover.

LONDON – The British government launched an appeal Tuesday to defend its controversial terrorism designation of Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian organization, after a court determined the ban violated constitutional rights to free expression.

The activist group, which has conducted operations against Israeli-connected military contractors throughout Britain with special attention to Elbit Systems, Israel’s primary defense manufacturer, received the terrorist classification under anti-terrorism legislation last year.

In February, London’s High Court determined the prohibition was illegal, though the designation continues while the government pursues its appeal, which commenced Tuesday.

Legal representatives for Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood argued before the Court of Appeal that the lower court’s conclusion regarding free speech violations was “overstated and wrong.”

Huda Ammori, Palestine Action’s co-founder who established the organization in 2020 and successfully contested the ban, contends the terrorist designation has created “severe restrictions on the fundamental free speech and assembly rights of vast numbers of people.”

The organization received its terrorist classification following a June incident at RAF Brize Norton air base, where demonstrators broke in and caused damage to two military aircraft.

This designation puts Palestine Action in the same category as Islamic State and al Qaeda, making participation a felony carrying potential sentences up to 14 years imprisonment.

Since the ban took effect, authorities have detained more than 2,700 individuals for displaying Palestine Action support signs, though prosecutors may dismiss these cases if the High Court’s February decision stands.

Following the court’s ruling in February, London’s Metropolitan Police announced a temporary halt to arrests while reassessing their approach, but enforcement resumed this month with over 500 additional arrests.

The High Court’s February decision came shortly after six defendants facing charges related to a 2024 Elbit facility raid were cleared of aggravated burglary accusations.

These same six individuals are currently facing trial for property destruction charges, with one defendant additionally accused of attacking a police officer with a sledgehammer. All defendants have entered not guilty pleas.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates declared Tuesday its intention to withdraw from the OPEC oil cartel and the broader OPEC+ alliance, with the departure taking effect May 1. Industry observers had speculated about this possibility as the Emirates grew frustrated with output limitations and experienced deteriorating ties with Saudi Arabia.

The Emirates had maintained OPEC membership for decades, initially joining through Abu Dhabi in 1967 before continuing as a unified nation following the UAE’s formation in 1971.

However, the UAE has pursued an independent Middle Eastern foreign policy approach that has sometimes conflicted with Saudi positions, especially as the kingdom under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has aggressively competed with the Emirates for international investment opportunities.

The Emirates disclosed its decision through the official WAM news service.

“This decision reflects the UAE’s long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile, including accelerated investment in domestic energy production, and reinforces its commitment to a responsible, reliable, and forward-looking role in global energy markets,” the UAE said.

“Following its exit, the UAE will continue to act responsibly, bringing additional production to market in a gradual and measured manner, aligned with demand and market conditions,” the country added.

Saudi Arabia has traditionally dominated OPEC, the Vienna-headquartered oil organization that has experienced diminished influence as American crude production has expanded in recent years.

Competition between Saudi Arabia and the UAE has intensified across economic and regional political matters, especially concerning Red Sea affairs. Both nations initially collaborated in a military alliance against Yemen’s Iranian-supported Houthi forces starting in 2015. However, this partnership deteriorated into mutual accusations by late December, when Saudi forces struck what they claimed was an arms shipment destined for UAE-supported Yemeni separatists.

Saudi media companies that had operated from Dubai, the UAE’s commercial center, have also relocated back to the kingdom recently as bilateral relations have soured.

DUBROVNIK, Bosnia-Herzegovina — Two Balkan nations took a major step toward energy independence Tuesday when Croatia and Bosnia finalized an agreement to construct a natural gas pipeline aimed at breaking their dependence on Russian energy sources.

The project, known as the Southern Interconnection pipeline, will connect Bosnia to Croatia’s existing gas infrastructure and a liquefied natural gas facility located on Krk island in the Adriatic Sea. Bosnia has selected AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, a company based in the United States, to serve as the investor and developer for this initiative.

The agreement was formalized by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Borjana Kristo, who chairs Bosnia’s Council of Ministers, with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright witnessing the ceremony. The signing took place during a regional summit involving countries from the Baltic, Black Sea, and Adriatic areas.

Writing on social media, Plenkovic emphasized the pipeline’s role in supply diversification, stating: “We are strengthening energy security and independence … which is especially important in these challenging global circumstances.”

Kristo described the occasion as “a big day for both countries.”

Currently, Bosnia relies almost entirely on Russian gas imports that flow through pipelines crossing neighboring Serbia and Bulgaria via the TurkStream corridor.

According to reports from regional media outlets, the pipeline project could require investments totaling $1.5 billion.

The American delegation also featured Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, who addressed a panel discussion by explaining how the United States can assist efforts to “reduce energy dependency on Russia and to spur economic growth” throughout the region.

In a related development, investment firm Pantheon Atlas LLC revealed plans to build a massive 50 billion-euro ($58 billion) artificial intelligence data center and innovation facility in Croatia. The company signed a letter of intent with Croatia’s Koncar Group to serve as their local partner.

SAO PAULO – A new survey released Tuesday shows Brazil’s upcoming presidential race could be extremely close, with current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro running virtually even in polling data.

The AtlasIntel/Bloomberg survey indicates that in a hypothetical second-round matchup, the conservative challenger Bolsonaro would capture 47.8% of voter support, while the leftist president would earn 47.5%.

This represents a slight shift from March polling, which had shown Bolsonaro at 47.6% compared to Lula’s 46.6%. Another recent survey from BTG Pactual/Nexus released Monday similarly found the two leading candidates in a statistical dead heat.

When looking at potential first-round voting scenarios, the polling data suggests Lula could earn between 44.2% and 46.6% of votes, while Bolsonaro might receive between 39.3% and 39.7%, with exact percentages varying based on which other candidates participate.

Under Brazil’s electoral system, any race where no candidate secures more than half of valid votes triggers a runoff between the top two finishers – a scenario that has occurred in every presidential election since 2002.

The South American nation’s general elections are scheduled for October, and financial markets have been closely monitoring polling trends since December, when former President Jair Bolsonaro – currently under house arrest – threw his support behind his 44-year-old son Flavio.

The 80-year-old Lula, who previously defeated the elder Bolsonaro in the 2022 election, is now pursuing what would be his fourth non-consecutive presidential term.

The AtlasIntel poll questioned 5,008 respondents between April 22 and 27, with a margin of error of plus or minus 1 percentage point.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — An international court has mandated that a militant extremist pay 7.2 million euros ($8.4 million) in compensation to those harmed during his leadership of religious police forces in Mali’s historic city of Timbuktu.

The International Criminal Court’s ruling Tuesday targets Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, who received a 10-year prison sentence in 2024 following his conviction on charges including torture, religious persecution and cruel treatment. Court officials determined he played a central role in brutal control after Islamic militants seized Timbuktu in 2012.

“Mr. Al Hassan, as the person found responsible for the crimes, which caused the harm to the victims, is the person financially liable for the cost of repairing the harm,” Presiding Judge Kimberly Prost said, addressing the courtroom in the Dutch city of The Hague.

However, the tribunal cannot recover funds from the 49-year-old defendant, who was deemed financially unable to pay and required court-appointed legal representation throughout his proceedings.

The Trust Fund for Victims, established by court member nations to distribute compensation, will instead provide reparations to more than 65,000 affected individuals.

“We are one of the many innovations of the Rome Statute,” the fund’s executive director, Deborah Ruiz Verduzco, told The Associated Press.

According to the court’s founding document, the Rome Statute, the fund “responds to the harm resulting from the crimes under the jurisdiction.”

Ruiz Verduzco oversees 24 staff members responsible for supporting victims and families, creating programs in violence-affected communities and securing financial backing for their mission.

Throughout its twenty-year history, the trust fund has collected money directly from convicted individuals in just one instance.

“Substantial fundraising will need to take place,” Prost said.

Member nations provide most funding, though the organization also welcomes private contributions. Germany donated 40,000 euros ($46,000) in March, while Sweden and the Netherlands serve as primary supporters.

Court officials determine compensation distribution methods while seeking input from affected parties through their legal representatives and the trust fund.

For Al Hassan’s case, compensation will fund “socio-economic support, educational programs or trainings and psychological support,” the ruling states. Initiatives should prioritize women and girls, who experienced particularly severe treatment under extremist control.

Malian communities have previously received assistance. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi admitted guilt and faced conviction in 2016 for demolishing historic burial sites in Timbuktu. The trust fund launched building restoration efforts in 2021.

Mali and neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger have confronted more than ten years of insurgent violence from armed organizations, including groups affiliated with al-Qaida and Islamic State. After recent military takeovers in all three countries, new governments have removed French troops and sought security assistance from Russian mercenary forces.

Tuesday’s announcement follows recent large-scale coordinated attacks in Mali by an alliance of al-Qaida-affiliated militants and separatist groups, marking the biggest such offensive in more than a decade.

WARSAW, Poland — A well-known journalist who spent three years behind bars in Belarus has walked free following an international prisoner exchange involving 10 people, according to officials from multiple countries who announced the development Tuesday.

Andrzej Poczobut, who writes for Poland’s major newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza and serves as a prominent voice for Belarus’s Polish community, had been sentenced to eight years in prison in what critics called a politically driven prosecution.

Authorities arrested Poczobut in 2021, sparking condemnation across Europe. The European Union later honored him with the Sakharov Prize, its highest human rights recognition.

The prisoner release represents another example of U.S.-brokered exchanges that have characterized improving ties between Belarus’s capital and Western governments since President Trump began his second presidency.

According to a Polish Foreign Ministry representative, Belarus freed five prisoners, with three traveling to Poland in return for three individuals Poland sent to Belarus. The broader exchange involved additional nations and totaled 10 people.

Earlier this year in March, Belarus’s leader Alexander Lukashenko authorized the freedom of 250 political detainees as part of an agreement with Washington that resulted in the lifting of certain American sanctions.

Belarus, which maintains close ties with Russia, has endured years of international isolation. Lukashenko has controlled the country of 9.5 million people with authoritarian rule for over thirty years, facing repeated Western sanctions for human rights violations and for permitting Moscow to launch its 2022 Ukraine invasion from Belarusian soil.

On the social media platform X, John Coale, Trump’s special representative for Belarus, confirmed that three Polish citizens and two Moldovan nationals gained their freedom through the exchange.

“We thank Poland, Moldova, and Romania for their invaluable support in this effort, as well as President Lukashenka’s willingness to pursue constructive engagement with the United States,” Coale posted.

PARIS – What typically amounts to a mundane parliamentary procedure has been converted into a divisive political theater, providing France’s far-right movement with an unexpected opportunity to launch a cultural battle against state-funded television and radio networks.

The investigation is being spearheaded by Charles Alloncle, a 32-year-old politician allied with National Rally leader Jordan Bardella, who has converted the process into a compelling clash between far-right parliamentary members and media organizations they’ve long claimed show political favoritism.

Through his confrontational questioning of well-known reporters, celebrity hosts and top-level management – while sharing attention-grabbing clips across social platforms – Alloncle has generated remarkable public interest and positioned himself as an emerging figure within the far-right movement.

With the six-month investigation into France’s 4-billion-euro annual public broadcasting system nearing completion, media experts and politicians predict its influence will extend far beyond the actual hearings.

They caution that the inquiry has contributed to undermining confidence in public media and established a foundation for the National Rally’s (RN) commitment to sell off the industry should they gain control in the 2027 elections.

RN leadership has enjoyed directing attention toward public broadcasters that have historically examined the far right and its media supporters closely.

For Alloncle, who currently serves with a faction of former conservatives now supporting the RN, the potential reward could include a ministerial position in a future far-right administration, according to RN insiders.

“He really did the job,” RN lawmaker Renault Matthias told Reuters. “It’s part of a culture war. Privatising public broadcasting is in our manifesto, so this serves our programme.”

FINANCIAL CRITICISMS CONNECT WITH VOTERS

Opponents argue the investigation has exceeded typical parliamentary supervision, drawing parallels to assaults by Britain’s conservative parties against the BBC surrounding the Brexit vote.

Although initial questions concentrated on supposed editorial prejudice, the focus moved toward expenses, employing cherry-picked instances and unsubstantiated suggestions to diminish public backing for government-funded media, according to critics.

“The strategy is not so much to debate editorial bias, but to hammer home the message that it ‘costs too much’,” said Erwan Balanant, a centrist lawmaker on the committee. “It’s a very effective way of destroying the legitimacy of public broadcasting.”

Alloncle highlighted a 60,000 euro payment made to actress Virginie Efira for hosting the 2022 Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony – a standard amount by global measures – as evidence of what he characterized as wasteful expenditure by public broadcasters.

He additionally disclosed the total sum the public broadcaster paid for the festival’s broadcast rights – confidential business information that private rivals could exploit to submit lower bids in future negotiations.

When the investigation began in December, surveys indicated 70% of French citizens held positive views of public broadcasting. However, Alloncle’s budget-centered messaging has gained traction during a period of economic strain.

During Reuters’ conversation with Alloncle near parliament, a pedestrian approached to praise him. “Keep up the good work,” the man said.

Alloncle informed Reuters he entered politics from the financial industry after encountering Bardella at a tech conference. He was subsequently selected as a candidate through an agreement between the RN and a smaller coalition ally.

He offered no regrets for his aggressive approach, which he attributed to toughness developed in business rather than politics. He stated his only objective was enforcing French media regulations that ensure diverse political perspectives.

“That means making sure public broadcasters do not chronically under-represent the RN, but also, say, the hard-left party France Unbowed,” he said.

CONCERNS ABOUT BOLLORE’S MEDIA INFLUENCE

Alloncle’s narrative has received support from conservative Catholic billionaire Vincent Bolloré’s media conglomerate, which stands to gain from any privatization of state media. His properties – including CNews, Journal du Dimanche and Europe 1 – have provided substantial coverage of the investigation and Alloncle’s public appearances.

Several lawmakers claim Bolloré’s media division, Lagardère News holding, went beyond coverage – alleging it distributed suggested question lists reflecting what they characterized as an antagonistic stance toward public broadcasters.

“It was a clear case of interference, and I told them to stop,” the inquiry’s chair, centrist lawmaker Jeremie Patrier-Leitus told Reuters, confirming an earlier Le Monde report.

Neither Lagardère News nor Alloncle responded to requests for comment regarding the question lists.

Media historian Alexis Lévrier views the situation as demonstrating a wider alignment between media ownership and political influence. “It’s a political and media empire aspiring to wield power in 2027,” he said.

During his testimony before the same investigation last month, Bolloré rejected any coordination with Alloncle. “I had never seen him before today,” Bolloré told lawmakers. “But he seems very likeable — and very effective.”

A journalist of Polish descent has been freed from a Belarusian prison through a prisoner exchange conducted at the border between the two nations on Tuesday.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the release of Andrzej Poczobut, who holds both Polish and Belarusian citizenship, on social media. “Andrzej Poczobut is free! Welcome to your Polish home, my friend,” Tusk wrote on social media platform X, posting a picture of himself with the journalist of Polish origin.

The exchange involved five prisoners from each country, according to Belarus’s state-run news agency Belta.

Poczobut had been behind bars since his arrest in March 2021. A Belarusian court handed him an eight-year prison sentence in 2023 after convicting him of inciting ethnic hostility and undermining Belarusian security.

Polish officials have consistently maintained that the accusations against Poczobut were unfair and driven by political motives.

Poland has served as a safe haven for critics and dissidents fleeing the authoritarian rule of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The country has also emerged as one of Ukraine’s strongest allies following Russia’s full-scale military assault on Ukraine that began in 2022, with Russia being Belarus’s primary partner.

LONDON – British authorities announced Tuesday they are examining a suspected arson incident targeting a memorial wall located in Golders Green, a north London neighborhood with a significant Jewish population, following a series of recent incidents throughout the capital city.

The Metropolitan Police of London confirmed that Counter Terror Policing units are spearheading the inquiry, although officials clarified the case is not being classified as terrorism-related.

Authorities reported that no individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the incident, and the memorial wall itself sustained no damage from the attack.

“We recognise that this incident will heighten concerns in the Golders Green area, where residents have already faced a series of attacks,” stated Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams.

During the past month, counter terrorism investigators have taken more than two dozen individuals into custody as part of ongoing probes into assaults on Jewish-affiliated properties, including an incident on March 23 where ambulances owned by Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer emergency service, were set ablaze in Golders Green.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian defense forces successfully intercepted more than 33,000 Russian drones of different varieties during March, marking the highest monthly total since Moscow began its full-scale invasion over four years ago, according to Ukraine’s defense minister.

Simultaneously, Ukrainian-manufactured long-range attack drones targeted a Russian oil refinery and terminal along the Black Sea coast for the third occasion in under two weeks, leading to precautionary evacuations of area residents.

The nation has created advanced and combat-proven drone technology that has become vital for defending against Russia’s larger military force and has attracted military attention from nations worldwide.

Ukrainian officials report that Middle Eastern and Gulf nations are now seeking interceptor drones as components of comprehensive air defense systems due to ongoing conflicts involving Iran.

Ukraine continues expanding its supply of interceptor drones to counter Russian aerial assaults, with the military establishing a new command structure within the air force to enhance the nation’s defensive abilities, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced in a Monday evening Telegram post.

Ukrainian offensive capabilities have similarly advanced, with the Defense Ministry announcing Tuesday that the country’s forces have more than doubled their deep-strike range since Russia’s February 2022 invasion began.

Initially, Ukrainian forces could engage military targets approximately 630 kilometers (400 miles) away, the ministry stated. Current operations now reach targets roughly 1,750 kilometers (1,100 miles) behind enemy lines, according to the ministry’s statement.

This enhanced capability has enabled Ukraine to target Russian oil facilities that generate essential funding for Moscow’s military operations. Ukrainian forces have also struck manufacturing facilities supplying Russia’s armed forces.

Ukraine hit a Russian oil refinery at the Black Sea port of Tuapse for the third time this month through a coordinated operation involving multiple defense and security service branches, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces announced Tuesday.

The two previous strikes this month eliminated 24 oil storage tanks and damaged four additional tanks, according to the report.

Independent confirmation of these claims was not available.

Residents living near the Tuapse refinery underwent evacuation Tuesday, stated Krasnodar Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev. He provided no specifics regarding evacuation numbers or duration.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported Tuesday that its air defenses intercepted 186 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russian regions, annexed Crimea, and the Black and Azov seas.

In the border region of Belgorod adjacent to Ukraine, three individuals died and three others sustained injuries in a drone strike, Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov reported.

Russian drone strikes on Ukraine resulted in three civilian deaths and five injuries, Ukrainian authorities confirmed.

Two fatalities occurred in Chuhuiv city within the northeastern Kharkiv region, reported regional military administration head Oleh Syniehubov.

A 40-year-old man perished and five other men were injured in Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

An additional Russian assault on Konotop in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region disrupted the city’s electrical and water services.

ATHENS, Greece — Greek police launched a manhunt Tuesday after an elderly shooter attacked two government buildings in downtown Athens, injuring multiple victims with a shotgun. Media reports identified the suspect as an 89-year-old man.

The violence began at a social security office in central Athens, where authorities say the armed suspect shot and wounded a worker. Emergency responders provided medical care to the victim before the shooter escaped the scene.

The same individual later targeted a courthouse in a different area of downtown Athens, where additional people were injured, according to police. Officers recovered the shotgun used in both incidents.

Video from Greece’s state television network ERT captured paramedics loading at least three victims from the courthouse into ambulances for transport to area hospitals.

Authorities have not determined what motivated the attacks. ERT reported that the gunman scattered envelopes containing documents across the courthouse floor following the second shooting, suggesting they explained his reasons for the violence.

Alexandros Varveris, who leads the National Social Security Fund (EFKA), described how the attacker entered the Kerameikos district office and climbed to the fourth floor before opening fire. The gunman concealed his weapon beneath a trench coat and warned one worker to take cover before shooting another employee in the leg.

“He went in, went up to the fourth floor, raised his shotgun, told an employee to duck and hit another one,” Varveris explained during an ERT radio interview. The official noted that the shooter did not appear to deliberately target the specific employee he wounded.

Medical personnel transported the injured worker to a hospital after police applied emergency first aid, including a tourniquet, at the scene.

Such violent incidents remain uncommon in Greece, where citizens may own firearms but face strict government regulations.

SEOUL, South Korea — A South Korean appeals court has extended the prison term for Kim Keon Hee, spouse of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, increasing her sentence from 20 months to four years on corruption-related charges. This development comes roughly two months following her husband’s life sentence for rebellion.

Kim, the former first lady, initially received a 20-month prison sentence in January from a district court after being found guilty of accepting luxury items, including a diamond necklace from Graff and a Chanel handbag, from the Unification Church in exchange for pledges of political influence. At that time, she was cleared of charges related to stock manipulation that allegedly occurred before her tenure as first lady.

Following appeals from both sides, the Seoul High Court on Tuesday extended her imprisonment to four years after finding her guilty of accepting an additional Chanel bag from the religious organization and the stock manipulation allegations.

The presidential pair experienced a steep decline after Yoon’s December 2024 martial law declaration triggered his impeachment and ultimate removal from the presidency. Yoon now confronts multiple criminal proceedings stemming from his martial law actions and additional controversies. Authorities have stated that Kim played no role in her husband’s martial law implementation.

The Seoul High Court emphasized that as a first lady, being in the closest position to a president, Kim represents the nation alongside her spouse and wields considerable influence over him. The court determined that Kim disappointed public trust expectations and instead leveraged her prominent position to obtain gifts from the Unification Church.

Kim and the independent prosecutor have seven days to file an appeal with the Supreme Court, South Korea’s highest judicial authority. Independent prosecutor Min Joong-ki’s team had previously sought a 15-year sentence, while Kim’s legal representatives have contended that Min’s probe was politically motivated.

Kim has remained in custody since August when the Seoul district court granted an arrest warrant, citing concerns she might tamper with evidence. During Yoon’s presidency, Kim became entangled in multiple controversies that damaged her husband’s public approval and gave his political opponents continuous ammunition.

On December 3, 2024, Yoon, representing the conservative faction, suddenly imposed martial law and deployed military and law enforcement to the National Assembly, claiming his goal was to eliminate “anti-state forces” and “shameless North Korea sympathizers.” He has justified his actions as a last-resort effort to gain public backing in his conflict with the liberal opposition Democratic Party, which blocked his legislative priorities.

In February, the Seoul Central District Court convicted Yoon of rebellion for illegally deploying military and police forces in an attempt to take control of the Assembly, detain political adversaries, and establish unlimited authority for an undetermined duration.

A controversial bill allowing physician-assisted death in England and Wales has been rejected by the United Kingdom’s House of Lords. The proposed legislation would have permitted terminally ill individuals to end their lives with medical assistance.

Advocates for the measure have announced plans to reintroduce the bill during the upcoming summer legislative session, though they acknowledge the procedural challenges ahead will be complex.

The proposal faces considerable resistance from both the general public and pro-life organizations. Critics cite evidence from other European nations where similar laws have been enacted, noting significant increases in suicide rates following legalization of the practice.

Nearly eight weeks have passed, yet Rabih Khreiss struggles to accept his drastically changed circumstances.

The 45-year-old mechanic once supported his nine children through his automotive repair business in southern Lebanon, but now finds himself barely getting by while living in a makeshift tent in Lebanon’s capital city.

The Khreiss family joined countless others who evacuated their home community of Khiyam during the early morning hours of March 2nd, after receiving word that Hezbollah militants had launched attacks against Israel, marking the beginning of renewed warfare.

As a seasoned resident, Khreiss quickly realized that Israeli forces would likely respond with airstrikes against southern Lebanese communities and immediately moved his family to safety, taking only what they wore.

His prediction proved accurate as bombing commenced almost immediately. However, Khreiss never anticipated that nearly eight weeks later, his family would remain on Beirut’s streets as fighting continues, surviving solely through charitable assistance.

“I feel like my children and I are prisoners in a room, sentenced to life imprisonment. But when will relief come so we can get out of this life sentence? No one knows,” said Khreiss.

Each morning, the family awakens inside shelters constructed from wooden supports and plastic sheeting that shake ominously during strong winds. Without access to proper bathing facilities, they wash using plastic containers and clean their clothing by hand.

Adding to their hardships, Khreiss’s elderly sister who lives with the family battles cancer but has difficulty accessing medical treatment.

“We’re living in tents, not knowing where these days will take us. We start thinking, ‘if only we could wake up and win the lottery so we could get out of this mess’,” Khreiss said.

Even with a United States-mediated truce in place, Israeli military operations have continued throughout Lebanon while forces maintain control over portions of the southern region, demolishing structures they claim serve as Hezbollah facilities.

This includes regular controlled explosions in Khiyam, which has been almost completely leveled and abandoned by its previous population of approximately 10,000 residents.

Hezbollah forces have maintained their offensive operations against Israeli soldiers stationed in Lebanon and continue targeting northern Israeli territory.

Both Israeli and Hezbollah representatives claim the opposing side has violated the ceasefire agreement, which received signatures from Israeli and Lebanese government officials but not directly from Hezbollah leadership.

The persistent violence has intensified feelings of hopelessness among many Lebanese citizens, especially the 1.2 million displaced individuals who expected the ceasefire would enable their homecoming but instead remain permanently blocked from southern regions.

“Khiyam is my town, my region, my land, my home, my work, my people, my loved ones, everything. Of course, all my memories are in Khiyam. I miss everything about it,” said Khreiss, describing his community situated among rolling hills and agricultural areas including olive orchards.

During the previous Hezbollah-Israel conflict in 2024, one of Khreiss’s older sons suffered the loss of an eye when an Israeli attack struck their Khiyam residence. Khreiss personally extracted his children from the debris and recalls aging “years” during that single hour.

His repair shop sustained damage during that earlier conflict. Nevertheless, he returned and reconstructed his business, though he remains uncertain whether his workshop or residence survived the current destruction.

Khreiss worries that stress about his children’s prospects might cause him to suffer a stroke. He contemplates selling his vehicle if employment opportunities don’t materialize.

“It’s showing in my children that they’ve never known joy or happiness, never been to an amusement park, never had fun like other children,” he said.

“I brought them into this world, and I have to take responsibility for them and secure their future. But circumstances have forced me to do nothing for them. There’s nothing I can do.”

MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian government has unveiled new draft legislation targeting major social media platforms with a revenue-based tax designed to support local journalism funding.

Officials released the proposed bill on Tuesday, planning to present it to Parliament before July 2nd. The legislation would establish financial pressure on companies like Meta, Google, and TikTok to negotiate compensation agreements with news publishers for journalistic content.

The social media companies have criticized the initiative, calling it a misguided “digital services tax” that fails to recognize changes in the advertising landscape and won’t create long-term sustainability for news organizations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of compensating journalists for their work during a press conference.

“It shouldn’t just be able to be taken by a large multinational corporation and used to generate profits for that organisation with no compensation appropriate for the people who produce that creative content,” Albanese told reporters.

“We think that investment in journalism is critical to a healthy democracy,” he added.

This represents Australia’s second legislative effort to require these platforms to compensate for Australian news content and imagery consumed by their users.

Previously, the 2021 News Media Bargaining Code had pressured digital companies to establish payment agreements with Australian news publishers rather than face mandatory arbitration proceedings.

Initially, the platforms opted to negotiate commercial agreements with content creators to avoid court-mandated pricing. However, they subsequently discontinued these arrangements by eliminating news content from their platforms entirely.

Under the new News Bargaining Incentive proposal, major platforms that refuse to establish commercial agreements with news publishers would face a 2.25% tax on their Australian earnings.

Companies would receive tax reductions and lower overall expenses if they choose to compensate publishers for journalism, according to government officials.

Australian authorities anticipate the incentive could generate between 200 to 250 million Australian dollars ($144 million-$179 million) annually. This amount roughly matches what platforms previously paid news outlets when the original News Media Bargaining Code was most effective.

Communication Minister Anika Wells explained that the government would allocate these funds to news organizations based on their journalist employment numbers.

The tax would target Meta Platforms (Facebook and Instagram’s parent company), Google (owned by Alphabet Inc.), and TikTok (majority-owned by U.S.-backed investors).

Meta strongly opposed the proposed legislation, stating that news organizations “voluntarily post content on our platforms because they receive value from doing so.”

“The idea that we take their news content is simply wrong. This proposed legislation, which would apply to platforms regardless of whether news content even appears on our services, is nothing more than a digital services tax,” Meta said in a statement.

“A government-mandated transfer of wealth from one industry to another, with no connection to the value exchanged, will not deliver a sustainable or innovative news sector. Instead, it will create a news industry dependent on a government-administered subsidy scheme,” Meta added.

Google responded by saying “we reject the need for this tax.”

“It ignores the fact that Google already has commercial agreements with the news industry, misunderstands how the ad market changed and mandates payments from some companies while arbitrarily excluding platforms like Microsoft, Snapchat and OpenAI — despite the major shift in how people consume news,” a Google statement said.

TikTok had not provided an immediate response to requests for comment.

All three targeted platforms are American companies. U.S. critics have previously argued that Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code unfairly burdened American corporations.

Albanese dismissed concerns about potential U.S. government opposition to the measure.

“We’re a sovereign nation and my government will make decisions based upon the Australian national interest,” Albanese said.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, April 28 – During a diplomatic meeting in Brunei on Tuesday, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas encouraged Southeast Asian nations to avoid purchasing Russian oil as they navigate fuel supply challenges stemming from Middle East conflicts.

Earlier this month, the EU implemented new sanctions targeting Russia, which included stricter limitations on oil commerce, as part of efforts to weaken Moscow’s financial capacity to continue its military operations in Ukraine.

According to Kallas, Russia has gained advantages from the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has resulted in the practical shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz – a crucial shipping lane that handles approximately 20 percent of global oil transportation and other essential commodities.

“Just let me remind you that the oil revenues are the revenues that Russia is using to fund this war (in Ukraine). We have an interest that this war stops,” she stated to journalists following her discussions with foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“That’s why we are, of course, advocating for diversifying resources and finding them elsewhere, not from Russia,” Kallas added.

The EU diplomat did not clarify whether this topic was specifically discussed during her formal meetings with ASEAN officials.

According to previous Reuters reporting from last month, several Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, have been exploring increased oil purchases from Russia.

ACCRA, April 28 – Armed attackers ambushed a Ghanaian military convoy escorting 140 civilians through the northern town of Binduri on Monday, leaving three civilians dead and one wounded, according to military officials.

The convoy was traveling through Ghana’s Upper East Region from Bawku toward Bolga when unknown gunmen launched multiple attacks on the vehicles, military authorities reported in an official statement.

Binduri sits near the violence-plagued town of Bawku, where ongoing ethnic tensions between the Mamprusi and Kusasi communities have centered around disputes over traditional leadership appointments in the region.

This ethnic conflict has claimed over 300 lives since 2021, with the bloodshed now extending beyond Bawku’s city limits into surrounding areas like Binduri.

Local authorities had previously implemented nighttime curfews in Binduri Township starting in March 2025, which were lifted in February 2026 after security conditions showed signs of improvement.

Military personnel fought back against Monday’s assault, fatally shooting seven of the attackers, according to army officials. Following the confrontation, troops seized a G3 automatic rifle, two loaded magazines containing 20 rounds each, and an additional 176 rounds of ammunition from a suspect who had sought refuge in a local mosque.

Authorities have taken ten additional suspects into custody, who are now cooperating with ongoing investigations into the attack, military sources confirmed.

Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister announced Tuesday that the country stands ready to transfer its defensive military technology to allied nations, particularly those belonging to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, according to reports from Iranian state media.

Deputy Defense Minister Reza Talaei-Nik made the announcement during a defense ministers’ meeting in Kyrgyzstan’s capital city. The statement follows a two-month military confrontation between Iran and both the United States and Israel that stretched from late February through early April.

During that conflict, Iranian forces deployed multiple waves of unmanned drones and missile strikes targeting American military installations throughout the region and Israeli locations. Iran also successfully intercepted various U.S. aircraft, mostly drones, that entered Iranian airspace during the hostilities.

“We are ready to share the experiences of America’s defeat with other members of the organisation,” Talaei-Nik stated during the SCO defense ministers’ gathering.

The Iranian defense official has recently conducted discussions with military leaders from Russia and Belarus, with both Moscow and Minsk expressing their commitment to maintaining collaborative relationships with Tehran.

While a ceasefire declaration earlier this month has temporarily suspended the two-month military confrontation, diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving a permanent resolution to the conflict have reached an impasse.

Iran has identified underwater internet cables running through the Strait of Hormuz as potential targets, sparking worries about threats to critical digital infrastructure that keeps the global internet running.

This strategic waterway, already crucial for worldwide oil transport, serves as an equally important pathway for digital communications. Multiple fiber-optic cables run along the ocean floor through the strait, linking nations from India and Southeast Asia to Europe through Gulf nations and Egypt.

These underwater cables carry approximately 99% of global internet traffic, according to the International Telecommunication Union, the UN’s digital technology agency. The cables also transport telecommunications signals and electrical power between nations, making them essential for cloud computing services and online communications worldwide.

“Damaged cables mean the internet slowing down or outages, e-commerce disruptions, delayed financial transactions … and economic fallout from all of these disruptions,” explained geopolitical and energy analyst Masha Kotkin.

Gulf nations, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have poured billions into artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure as they work to reduce their dependence on oil revenues. Both countries have created national AI companies serving regional customers — all depending on these underwater cables for high-speed data transmission.

Key cable systems passing through the Strait of Hormuz include the Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE-1), which links Southeast Asia to Europe through Egypt with connection points in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The FALCON network connects India and Sri Lanka to Gulf states, Sudan, and Egypt. The Gulf Bridge International Cable System links all Gulf nations, including Iran. Several additional networks are currently being built, including one led by Qatar’s Ooredoo.

While submarine cable length has expanded significantly from 2014 to 2025, cable failures have held steady at approximately 150-200 incidents annually, according to the International Cable Protection Committee. Though state-sponsored sabotage remains a concern, 70-80% of cable damage results from accidental human activities, mainly fishing operations and ship anchors.

Additional threats include ocean currents, seismic activity, underwater volcanic activity, and severe storms, noted Alan Mauldin, research director at telecommunications research company TeleGeography. The industry mitigates these dangers by burying cables, adding protective armor, and choosing safer routes.

The Iran conflict, now approaching its second month, has caused unprecedented disruption to global energy supplies and regional infrastructure, including damage to Amazon Web Services data centers in Bahrain and the UAE. The submarine cables have remained undamaged thus far.

However, an indirect threat exists from damaged ships accidentally striking cables while dragging anchors.

“In a situation of active military operations, the risk of unintentional damage increases, and the longer this conflict lasts, the higher the likelihood of unintentional damage,” Kotkin stated. A comparable incident happened in 2024 when a commercial ship attacked by Iran-backed Houthis drifted in the Red Sea and cut cables with its anchor.

The extent to which cable damage might affect connectivity in Gulf countries depends heavily on individual network operators’ reliance on them and available backup options, according to TeleGeography.

Fixing damaged cables in war zones presents unique challenges beyond simply protecting them. While the actual repair work isn’t extremely complex, repair ship owners and insurance companies may hesitate due to risks from combat or mines, experts explain.

Getting permission to enter territorial waters creates another complication. “Often one of the biggest problems with doing repairs is you have to get permits into the waters where the damage is. That can take a long time sometimes and can be the biggest source (of problems),” Mauldin explained.

After conflicts end, industry operators must also re-examine the sea floor to identify safe cable locations and avoid ships or debris that may have sunk during fighting.

While potential submarine cable damage wouldn’t cause complete connectivity loss due to land-based connections, experts agree that satellite systems cannot serve as adequate replacements since they cannot manage the same traffic volume and cost significantly more.

“It’s not as though you could just switch to satellite. That’s not an alternative,” Mauldin emphasized, explaining that satellites depend on ground-based network connections and work better for mobile applications like aircraft and ships.

Low-Earth-orbit systems like Starlink represent “a boutique solution, which is not scalable to millions of users, at this time,” Kotkin added.

A South Korean appeals court on Tuesday handed down a four-year prison term to Kim Keon Hee, the country’s former First Lady, following her conviction on charges of stock manipulation and accepting bribes.

The Tuesday ruling represented an increase from her previous sentence, as the appeals court decided to impose harsher punishment for the financial crimes.

Kim Keon Hee faced charges related to illegally manipulating stock prices and receiving bribes during her time in the public spotlight.

German military officials have ruled out working with American defense technology firm Palantir, citing national security concerns about data access, according to statements made to a German business publication.

Thomas Daum, who oversees cyber defense operations for Germany’s armed forces, told Handelsblatt newspaper that such partnerships are not being considered currently. “I don’t see that happening at all at the moment,” Daum stated in the publication’s Tuesday edition.

The military official explained that while German forces recognize the potential benefits of the company’s database capabilities, security protocols prevent such collaboration. “As much as we are interested in the functionality for our own database, it is simply inconceivable at the moment to grant industry staff access to the national database,” Daum explained.

This decision comes as Palantir has secured significant contracts with the U.S. military. Last month, reports indicated that the company’s artificial intelligence technology had been formally adopted by the Pentagon for long-term use, particularly for weapons-targeting applications across American military branches.

German military leaders have been exploring artificial intelligence solutions to process battlefield information more quickly than traditional human analysis methods allow.

Rescue operations have concluded following a devastating train accident near Jakarta, Indonesia, with officials confirming 14 fatalities and 84 people wounded in the collision.

The tragic incident occurred Monday evening in Bekasi, located just outside Indonesia’s capital, when a commuter train and a long-distance train crashed into each other.

PT KAI, Indonesia’s state railway company, confirmed through CEO Bobby Rasyidin that the death count had reached 14 people.

Mohammad Syafii, who leads Indonesia’s search and rescue operations, announced Tuesday that all evacuation efforts had wrapped up. He described the complex nature of freeing passengers who were stuck inside the destroyed train cars.

“We needed to involve personnel with certain skills to perform a measured extrication,” Syafii explained, noting that while no additional passengers remain to be found, rescue workers will continue searching the debris for any remaining body parts.

The crash’s most severe damage occurred to a car designated exclusively for female passengers. According to Syafii, every person who died was a woman, with the majority crushed beneath twisted metal.

Emergency responders used specialized cutting equipment, including angle grinders, to slice through the metal compartments and reach those who survived before separating the trains.

Railway executive Bobby explained during a news briefing that the sequence of events began when the commuter train struck a taxi positioned on the railway tracks, followed by the long-distance train hitting the commuter train.

Green SM Indonesia, the taxi company involved, confirmed through social media that one of their vehicles was part of the accident. The company stated it provided information to investigators to help with their inquiry.

The taxi service operates as the Indonesian division of Green and Smart Mobility JSC, a Vietnamese electric vehicle company connected to Vingroup.

Following a visit to a Bekasi medical facility, President Prabowo Subianto announced plans to construct an overpass near the railway to address severe traffic problems in the area. He also promised a thorough investigation into the accident and acknowledged that significant portions of the country’s rail system lack proper maintenance.

The crash is currently under review by Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee.

Family members and concerned individuals gathered at the train station Tuesday, many searching for missing relatives.

Heriyati, who was traveling on the train, shared that she had originally planned to board the women’s car but chose the one directly behind it instead. She was speaking with her husband by phone, arranging for him to collect her from the station, when the collision happened.

“I haven’t even finished with the call and the trains collided,” she recalled.

The commuter rail system serves as one of Jakarta’s busiest transportation networks in what ranks as the world’s most populated urban area. PT KAI announced that several commuter routes were shortened Tuesday due to the crash aftermath.

Adriansyah Yasin Sulaeman, who holds an executive position at the Forum Transport for Jakarta research organization, emphasized the need for government investment in upgrading the deteriorating railway infrastructure. He specifically recommended creating separate tracks for express long-distance services and local commuter trains.

“These commuter trains are a symbol for the working class,” Sulaeman stated. “It’s a big alarm for the government to seriously improve it.”

Transportation accidents involving land vehicles occur frequently throughout Indonesia. A separate train accident in West Java province during 2024 resulted in four deaths and numerous injuries.

War-displaced civilians who sought safety in a remote South Sudan village have been cut off from critical humanitarian assistance by their own government, despite mounting casualties, according to witnesses and relief organizations.

The Associated Press interviewed individuals who recently escaped to Nyatim, a community surrounded by marshland. They reported severe food shortages and contaminated water sources in such an isolated location that satellite internet was their only means of requesting emergency help.

However, when humanitarian workers contacted South Sudan’s leadership requesting permission to provide emergency supplies, officials refused. Even reports indicating dozens had perished, some apparently from hunger, failed to change their decision.

“It was a ‘no’ from local and national authorities and from the military,” said Yashovardhan, the head of mission for Doctors Without Borders in South Sudan, who goes by one name. “Meanwhile, people are eating leaves and roots to survive.”

The U.N. World Food Program, typically cautious about addressing this ongoing issue in South Sudan, confirmed to the AP that authorities had prevented their assistance despite “numerous engagements with both national and local authorities,” according to the agency’s country director, Adham Effendi.

This pattern has repeated throughout South Sudan’s history, where citizens battled for independence from Sudan before civil conflict erupted internally. Whichever faction controls relief supplies stands accused of preventing the opposition from accessing them, leaving ordinary people to bear the consequences.

Current violence has escalated since Riek Machar, President Salva Kiir’s longtime political adversary, was removed from his position as first vice president and placed under house detention for alleged conspiracy last year. These leaders commanded rival armies during a brutal civil conflict that claimed approximately 400,000 lives before a 2018 peace accord established their unstable coalition government.

Last December, opposition troops supporting Machar captured military installations in Jonglei state. Government armies retaliated the next month.

On February 7, government soldiers approached Lankien town’s perimeter, where days before an air assault had targeted a Doctors Without Borders medical facility. Local residents described heavy weapons fire before troops invaded the settlement using armored vehicles.

Thomas Nim was among the evacuees. Accompanied by his expecting wife, three young children, and elderly mother, they navigated through wetlands, praying soldiers wouldn’t pursue them.

They joined many others who eventually reached Nyatim, roughly one day’s journey on foot.

“Some of the most vulnerable, like the elderly and children, ended up in Nyatim because they couldn’t make it any farther,” said Nim, a 43-year-old pharmacist.

As time went on and fatalities began occurring due to hunger and contaminated water, he requested assistance. Yet no help arrived.

Gatkhor Dual, an opposition representative managing relief efforts in Jonglei state, pointed to county commissioner James Bol Makuei for preventing humanitarian access. Makuei refuses aid to reach individuals who “support the opposition,” Dual explained, particularly when they’re located near government-controlled territories.

Makuei confirmed that entry to Nyatim had been limited but argued that population estimates of displaced persons — 30,000 according to Doctors Without Borders — were inflated. He charged South Sudan’s primary opposition movement, identified by its acronym SPLM-IO, with keeping civilians in Nyatim to draw aid and establish a strategic position near the county’s government center.

Nim, the pharmacist, insisted no opposition fighters were present in the region.

Worries about aid misappropriation have historical basis. Armed factions in South Sudan, including government forces, have extensively redirected humanitarian resources for military use. During recent Jonglei fighting, combatants ransacked more than two dozen humanitarian-operated medical centers, the U.N. reported.

Doctors Without Borders indicated it initially contacted authorities about Nyatim on February 22. The organization made another appeal on March 3 after receiving death reports. By March’s end, the medical organization released a public statement highlighting their efforts.

Providing assistance in South Sudan presents constant challenges. Transportation networks are inadequate. Water-based transport, when possible, faces attack risks. Official authorization remains mandatory.

The humanitarian emergency has worsened significantly. In March, more than half of over 1,000 children examined by Doctors Without Borders in Chuil, where South Sudan’s government has permitted humanitarian entry, showed severe malnutrition.

Relief workers face overwhelming demands. During February, Doctors Without Borders expanded a four-bed clinic to 60 beds, then 80. The facility is now expanding to accommodate 100 patients.

Meanwhile, some people are abandoning isolated Nyatim and returning to destroyed homes.

“People are returning to their homes,” said one of them, Koang Pajok. “There was no food and shelter.”

Unable to access the region through ground or water routes, the World Food Program has conducted airdrops of 415 metric tons of food supplies to Chuil since March, country director Effendi reported.

However, as civilians arrive seeking help, armed young men carrying assault rifles also appear. Some residents fear this could make Chuil a military target.

During an April morning, an aircraft circling above created nervous spectators.

“It’s a surveillance plane,” said Gal Wai Tut, who had reached the area days earlier with his wife and infant child. He remembered observing a similar aircraft over Lankien on the day he claimed a December bombing killed at least 11 civilians.

An elderly man warned against clustering together, explaining that groups are more vulnerable to attack.

Security fears are mounting across Colombia as insurgent forces have launched a devastating campaign of violence just weeks before the nation’s May presidential election.

Since Friday, militant groups have carried out more than 24 violent strikes targeting both civilian populations and government military installations throughout Colombia’s southwestern regions.

The escalating attacks have heightened concerns about safety and stability as the country prepares for its upcoming presidential vote.

The violence represents a significant security challenge for Colombian authorities as they work to ensure safe conditions for the democratic process.

BEKASI, Indonesia — Emergency teams have finished retrieving the final casualties from a deadly railway accident that occurred just outside Indonesia’s capital city on Tuesday. The tragic collision took place Monday evening when a passenger train traveling long distances struck the back end of a commuter train that had stopped at the Bekasi station near Jakarta.

Recovery operations continued through Tuesday as rescue workers worked to extract all victims from the wreckage at the station located in the outskirts of the Indonesian capital.

BEIJING (AP) — More than 200 people were forced from their homes after intense rainfall created dangerous flooding conditions in a southern Chinese city, according to state media reports released Tuesday.

Emergency responders used inflatable boats to reach residents who became trapped inside their homes in Qinzhou, located in the Guangxi region, the official Xinhua news agency reported. Video from the scene showed rescue workers moving through water that reached their chests, while firefighters physically carried elderly residents to safety.

Local officials in Qinzhou reported that weather monitoring equipment measured more than 270 millimeters of precipitation — approximately 10 inches — in the 24-hour span that concluded Monday morning at 8 a.m. This rainfall total set a new single-day record for the month of April in the area.

Weather expert Lin Nan explained in a social media post that this type of extreme precipitation normally doesn’t occur in coastal areas of southern China until the summer monsoon season begins in the middle to end of May. “It is rare to see such a heavy downpour in late April,” Lin said.

By Tuesday morning, educational institutions throughout Qinzhou had reopened for regular classes, and vehicle movement had returned to normal conditions in most areas of the city, according to reports from a news organization run by China’s emergency management officials.