Category: World News

MOSCOW – Russian leadership expressed approval Wednesday for the recently announced two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, while suggesting this development could pave the way for renewed diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov addressed reporters, stating: “We received the news of a truce with satisfaction. We welcome the decision not to proceed further down the path of armed escalation.”

When questioned about whether the Iran ceasefire might open doors for fresh Ukraine negotiations, Peskov responded: “We hope that, in the foreseeable future, (the U.S.) will have more time and greater opportunity to meet in a trilateral format,” referencing discussions between Russia, Ukraine and the United States.

Moscow had indicated earlier that diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine were put on hold following the emergence of conflict involving Iran.

The peace negotiations initially launched last year in Istanbul, with three-party discussions including American participation taking place early this year in Abu Dhabi and Geneva.

However, diplomatic advancement has remained limited, primarily due to territorial disagreements. Moscow insists that Ukraine relinquish control of the remaining portions of the Donbas region, while Kyiv maintains its refusal to cede territory that Russian military forces have been unable to secure during more than four years of warfare.

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Foreign Minister announced Wednesday that three sailors have died following last month’s assault on a Thai-registered ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow revealed the fatalities during a Wednesday press briefing, confirming the deaths of crew members aboard the vessel that came under attack in the critical waterway.

According to Thai officials, Oman’s naval forces successfully rescued 20 crew members following the incident, which resulted in a blast at the ship’s rear section and ignited flames in the engine compartment.

Phuangketkeow announced plans to visit Oman during the middle of April to request help in working with Iranian authorities to ensure safe transit for nine additional Thai vessels currently trapped in the Strait of Hormuz.

Officials noted that one Thai petroleum tanker successfully navigated through the strategic passage in recent weeks without being forced to make any payments to avoid the maritime blockade.

MUMBAI, India (AP) — Mumbai’s historic Sassoon Dock, constructed in 1875, has served multiple roles throughout its nearly 150-year history: a commercial gateway linking India to the Persian Gulf, a vibrant marketplace for textiles and spices, and even a trading post for opium during colonial times.

In recent decades, the waterfront facility has transformed into a vital center for Mumbai’s fishing industry.

However, the once-bustling harbor now displays an unusual quiet.

Fishing vessels cluster together in the morning sunlight, their vibrant flags dancing in the breeze against Mumbai’s towering urban landscape.

Under typical circumstances, the dock pulses with activity. Workers haul nets from boats while diesel motors roar to life. Ice gets transported across the pier as vendors call out their prices above the commotion.

Now, that familiar energy has given way to mounting anxiety.

Shekhar Chogle, a boat owner whose face bears the weathered bronze of countless days on the water, has kept his fishing vessel docked since hostilities erupted in the Middle East. His earnings have plummeted while operating expenses continue, and skyrocketing diesel costs have made fishing ventures financially devastating.

A withered marigold garland drapes over the harbor’s fuel pump, symbolizing the current situation. A dock worker recently returned empty-handed from a nearby gas station, his wooden cart carrying six unfilled containers. Wholesale diesel rates have climbed beyond $1.20 per liter ($4.54 per U.S. gallon), creating hardships for cooperative groups that typically help fishermen access discounted fuel, ice, and equipment.

Throughout India and the broader Asian region, fishing crews confront the same devastating dilemma. They must choose between remaining on land or venturing out knowing they’ll lose money, placing both individual livelihoods and entire seaside communities in jeopardy.

News that Iran, the United States, and Israel have reportedly agreed to a two-week ceasefire provides some hope. However, energy experts caution that fuel supply chains will need considerable time to return to normal operations.

Time is becoming scarce for Chogle. “Our income has dropped significantly since we have not been able to take our boat out to sea,” he said.

Despite soaring fuel expenses, a handful of boats continue their fishing operations. Morning markets maintain some activity, though the daily catch has diminished considerably.

Women wearing bright saris negotiate prices over the limited seafood available. One mother, carrying her infant while examining the fish, carefully considers each purchase against her family’s budget.

“If diesel prices don’t come down soon, I don’t know how we’ll survive,” Chogle said.

VATICAN CITY – The head of the Catholic Church expressed his strong approval Wednesday regarding news of a temporary halt to fighting in the Iran conflict.

Pope Leo stated he received word of the two-week ceasefire with “great satisfaction,” according to Vatican officials.

The pontiff’s comments come just one day after he sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s recent statements targeting Iranian civilians. On Tuesday, Pope Leo called Trump’s threats against the Iranian population “unacceptable.”

In recent weeks, the Vatican leader has become increasingly vocal in his opposition to the ongoing military conflict, positioning himself as a prominent voice calling for peace in the region.

SEOUL – The South Korean government announced Wednesday it will work urgently to secure safe passage for dozens of its commercial vessels currently stuck in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, following a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Officials from the presidential office stated the administration will make every effort to get South Korean ships moving through the waterway as quickly as possible, taking advantage of the two-week truce between Washington and Tehran.

The government plans to work closely with shipping companies while stepping up diplomatic communications with relevant nations to clear the way for vessel transit, according to reports from Seoul.

South Korea’s maritime ministry released a statement Wednesday confirming that officials met with domestic shipping firms to discuss strategies for moving their ships through the strait safely.

Despite the ceasefire opportunity, maritime authorities are maintaining their current travel advisory warning ships to stay away from the strait area due to ongoing security concerns in the region. However, the ministry pledged complete assistance for the 26 South Korean-flagged ships currently stranded in the waterway.

A government official in Seoul confirmed to Reuters that the country intends to evacuate all vessels during the temporary two-week ceasefire window.

BEIJING – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to make a two-day diplomatic trip to North Korea beginning Tuesday, marking Beijing’s latest attempt to rebuild relationships with Pyongyang that have deteriorated since the coronavirus pandemic began and North Korea increased support for Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.

The upcoming diplomatic mission represents Wang’s first publicly announced journey to North Korea in his current role since late 2019, when both nations’ highest-ranking officials exchanged reciprocal visits.

During a routine media briefing, Chinese ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed her country’s desire to “strengthen strategic communication with North Korea and enhance exchanges and cooperation.”

Mao characterized Wang’s scheduled diplomatic mission as “an important move to advance bilateral ties.”

Chinese officials have been working to bring Pyongyang back under their influence following years of frozen diplomatic exchanges during the pandemic, while North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has simultaneously strengthened connections with Moscow by providing military personnel and armaments to support Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.

Transportation links between the two nations have recently been restored, with passenger rail service between Beijing and Pyongyang resuming in March after a six-year suspension that began when the pandemic started in 2020. Additionally, China’s national airline Air China has reestablished flight routes connecting both capital cities.

Last September, Kim Jong Un made the journey to Beijing aboard his armored railway car to participate alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and other world leaders in a large-scale military demonstration in the Chinese capital, where Kim held discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Following that September gathering, China’s second-highest ranking official, Premier Li Qiang, made his own diplomatic journey to Pyongyang in October.

“Preserving, consolidating, and developing China-DPRK relations has always been an unwavering strategic policy of the party and government of China,” Mao stated during Wednesday’s briefing.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced Wednesday that his country will prohibit children younger than 15 from using social media platforms, with the restriction taking effect on January 1, 2027. The decision stems from mounting concerns over youth mental health issues, including increased anxiety and sleep disorders linked to excessive screen time.

Speaking directly to young people in a video message, Mitsotakis explained that prolonged screen exposure prevents children’s minds from getting adequate rest while subjecting them to harmful pressures from constant social comparisons and online feedback.

The prime minister revealed that conversations with numerous parents highlighted troubling patterns: their children experience poor sleep quality, heightened anxiety levels, and excessive phone usage throughout the day.

Public support for such measures appears strong, with a February survey conducted by ALCO indicating approximately 80% of respondents favor implementing the ban. Greek officials have previously taken steps to address youth screen time by prohibiting mobile devices in educational settings and establishing parental oversight systems to monitor teenage internet usage.

“Greece will be among the first countries to take such an initiative,” Mitsotakis stated. “I am certain, however, that it will not be the last. Our goal is to push the European Union in this direction as well.”

The Greek initiative follows a growing international trend, with Slovenia, Britain, Austria, and Spain all developing comparable restrictions. Australia led the way last year by becoming the first nation worldwide to implement social media access blocks for children under 16.

PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday that roughly 15 nations are collaborating to restore shipping operations through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that typically handles one-fifth of global oil transport.

Speaking during a defense meeting with his advisers and cabinet members, Macron detailed the international coordination effort. “About 15 countries are currently mobilised and are participating in the planning, under France’s leadership, to enable the implementation of this strictly defensive mission in coordination with Iran to facilitate the resumption of traffic,” he stated.

The multinational initiative comes after the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. While Macron expressed support for the truce, he raised concerns about Lebanon’s status in the arrangement.

“Our wish in this context is to be assured that the ceasefire fully includes Lebanon,” Macron emphasized, highlighting France’s ongoing diplomatic ties with Lebanon, which was once under French control.

The French president stressed that the mission would be purely defensive in nature and would work in partnership with Iranian authorities to ensure safe passage through the strategic strait.

Gunmen launched a deadly assault on two villages in Nigeria’s Niger state, leaving at least 20 people dead and taking an unknown number of hostages, according to police officials and local residents who spoke out Tuesday evening.

The coordinated strikes targeted the communities of Bagna and Erena in Niger’s Shiroro district, an area where criminal gangs and Islamic extremist groups frequently conduct operations. State police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that attackers stormed both settlements on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of two local security guards and a driver when authorities attempted to respond to the crisis.

However, community members painted a far more devastating picture of the violence. Residents reported that the death toll reached at least 20 individuals, with the assailants also setting fire to residential buildings during their multi-hour occupation of the area. The attackers reportedly overpowered local security forces who tried to intervene.

Many survivors escaped to the neighboring communities of Gwada Zumba and Galadima Kogo as the violence unfolded, according to witness accounts. The incident represents another chapter in the ongoing security crisis that has become Nigeria’s most pressing challenge.

President Bola Tinubu has been advocating for legislation that would permit Nigeria’s 36 individual states to create their own police departments as a strategy to combat the escalating violence throughout the nation.

BEIJING, April 8 – Chinese diplomatic officials announced Wednesday that representatives from Afghanistan and Pakistan have committed to seeking a comprehensive resolution to their ongoing dispute during mediated discussions held in the Chinese city of Urumqi.

During a routine press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning revealed that both nations made commitments during the China-hosted meetings to avoid any actions that might worsen tensions or create additional complications in their relationship.

The diplomatic efforts address a conflict that erupted between the neighboring countries in October of last year. Mao indicated that China plans to maintain its role as an intermediary, continuing discussions with both Afghanistan and Pakistan while offering a neutral venue for future diplomatic exchanges.

BEIJING – Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s Prime Minister, will embark on his fourth journey to China within a four-year period this month, as the nation continues strengthening economic partnerships with the global economic powerhouse.

According to a Chinese foreign ministry representative who spoke Wednesday, Sanchez’s visit is scheduled for April 11 through April 15. During his stay, he will conduct meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and the country’s leading legislative official Zhao Leji.

This marks Sanchez’s return to China following his previous visits in April 2025, September 2024, and March 2023.

The diplomatic relationship between the two nations was further highlighted when King Felipe conducted a state visit to China this past November – marking the first time a Spanish royal had visited the country in nearly two decades. This visit demonstrated the strong bilateral relationship despite growing skepticism toward Beijing from European Union partners and the United States.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming discussions. “China is willing to work with Spain to take Prime Minister Sanchez’s visit to China as an opportunity to further deepen strategic mutual trust, intensify exchanges and cooperation, strengthen multilateral coordination, and push bilateral relations to new heights,” Ning stated.

President Trump has announced an immediate ceasefire agreement with Iran that will last for two weeks, marking a significant development in ongoing tensions between the nations.

Under the terms of this agreement, which goes into effect right away, Trump stated that both the United States and Israel will halt their bombing operations against Iran for the duration of the ceasefire. However, this suspension is contingent upon Iran fulfilling its part of the deal.

Iran has committed to ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open for safe passage throughout the ceasefire period. The strategic waterway is a crucial shipping route for global oil transport.

Images from Tehran showed Iranians gathering at Enqelab Square following news of the ceasefire announcement, reflecting the significant impact this development has had on the region.

COTONOU, April 8 – Benin’s Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni appears set to transition from economic policy architect to the nation’s top office this Sunday, as he enters the presidential race as the clear frontrunner amid ongoing security challenges from extremist groups in the country’s northern regions.

The 49-year-old former corporate executive has dedicated the last ten years to executing the financial policies of current President Patrice Talon, who cannot seek reelection due to constitutional restrictions on presidential terms.

Wadagni’s political platform highlights accomplishments including a threefold increase in the national budget and achieving the West African cotton producer’s strongest economic expansion in over twenty years.

The current administration has concentrated authority within the executive branch while effectively marginalizing opposition political forces, creating a clear pathway for Wadagni’s electoral success.

Following his nomination as the governing party’s standard-bearer last September, Wadagni has dismissed suggestions of any significant departure from his mentor’s policies, describing their bond to French publication “Jeune Afrique” last month as “almost like a father-and-son relationship”.

His policy proposals include establishing new economic development centers nationwide to spread industrial and tourism investment more evenly, plus expanding healthcare availability, while emphasizing the value of governmental continuity.

During a March rally, Wadagni reminded supporters that under Talon “I had the honor of managing one of your most precious assets: your money.”

Should he win the presidency, “I will do the job with the same seriousness and dedication,” he pledged.

DECEMBER MILITARY UPRISING THREATENED ELECTION

The democratic process nearly derailed completely.

Before sunrise on December 7, rebellious military personnel launched a failed overthrow attempt, briefly controlling the national broadcast facility and advancing close enough to Talon that he personally observed the fighting.

Nigerian forces conducted aerial bombardments while the West African organization ECOWAS sent troops from its rapid response unit to preserve Talon’s government. Approximately 100 suspected conspirators remain imprisoned pending prosecution.

The military rebels claimed their actions stemmed partly from official “neglect” of troops fighting in northern territories.

Among coastal West African nations, Benin has suffered the most severe impact from extremist organizations that have expanded significantly throughout the central Sahel region.

Militants associated with al Qaeda and Islamic State have dramatically escalated attacks along the border areas connecting Niger, Benin and Nigeria, transforming isolated transportation routes into active battlegrounds.

The al Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin eliminated 54 Benin military personnel in a single assault one year ago, followed by another attack last month that killed 15 additional soldiers.

“Benin, historically, has never faced a situation like this, with serious threats, with these regular losses in the army,” observed Gilles Yabi, who established the West African research organization WATHI.

Wadagni has conducted multiple campaign events in rural areas, including stops in Parakou and Tanguieta, attempting to show that authorities maintain control throughout the nation’s territory.

He has additionally promised to establish local police units in northern frontier communities to provide protection against militant attacks.

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION MEETS LOCAL HERITAGE

Born June 20, 1976, in Lokossa in Benin’s southern region, Wadagni pursued studies in management, finance and auditing at France’s Grenoble School of Management before joining Deloitte, where he advanced to partnership level. He has also completed executive education at Harvard University.

His campaign team, working to address questions about his connection to Benin following extensive time overseas, has stressed his “deep roots” in the nation and his “ordinary Beninese childhood”.

Throughout Talon’s presidency, opposition political movements have faced systematic weakening, making Wadagni’s electoral triumph virtually certain.

He confronts only one rival candidate: Paul Hounkpe representing the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin party, who argues that ordinary citizens have not gained from Talon’s impressive economic statistics and high-profile tourism developments.

The primary opposition organization, The Democrats, could not secure sufficient legislative endorsements for a presidential candidate and therefore does not appear on the ballot. The party also won no parliamentary seats during January’s legislative contests.

Talon’s allies argue that enhanced presidential authority enables more effective national development, while opponents condemn the reduction in political competition.

Should security problems continue, opposition groups may face even greater restrictions, according to Nina Wilen, who directs the Africa Programme at Belgium’s Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations.

“There is a risk that the government will be increasingly cracking down on any opposition to make sure they maintain that grip on power,” she warned.

“Where there is a jihadist expansion, the rulers want to have complete control.”

For the past month, Hussein Saleh has returned daily to a devastated piece of ground in southern Lebanon, searching through debris for any remnants of the eight family members he lost to an Israeli airstrike.

The 34-year-old man carefully combs through what remains of his former home in Tyre, hoping to discover small treasures that once belonged to his wife, daughter, and other loved ones who perished in the March 6 attack.

“Every day or two I come here, I check on things, I look around to find memories, to find a phone, to find anything that can soothe my heart and make things lighter,” Saleh explained.

The site offers few remnants of the vibrant household that once existed there: broken stones from his destroyed residence, metal fragments from the Israeli weapon, and a damaged book that had belonged to one of his daughter’s cousins.

“I feel the world is so hard, so cruel,” Saleh expressed, becoming emotional while speaking with reporters.

He recalled a modest dwelling that had been filled with activity, where his 5-year-old daughter Sarrah would play with her older cousins and help care for two young goats owned by his wife’s aunt.

However, on March 6, while Saleh was purchasing groceries, an Israeli missile hit his residence, killing his wife, daughter, sister-in-law and her spouse, their two children, and two of his wife’s aunts.

“I heard two strikes and my heart sunk. My heart … my heart felt they were gone,” he recalled.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed organization Hezbollah has claimed more than 1,500 lives in Israeli military operations throughout Lebanon since March 2.

Lebanese health officials report that 130 children and 101 women are among those who have died.

A two-week ceasefire arrangement between the United States and Iran was declared Wednesday. Sources close to the Iran-supported Hezbollah confirmed to Reuters that the group had halted its attacks following the agreement. Israeli operations have persisted, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating Lebanon was excluded from the truce.

Saleh described how the bombing that claimed his family’s lives dismembered their bodies, separating his daughter’s head from her body. He was forced to bury mixed body parts together because the remains were too damaged and disfigured to identify properly.

“The strike that happened here was full of hate. It wasn’t something normal. Why they targeted them, I don’t know,” he told reporters.

He emphasized that his family members were all non-combatants and no military materials were present in his home.

Israeli military officials have not yet responded to Reuters’ inquiries about the attack, including questions about the intended target.

Since March 2, Israel has issued evacuation notices for extensive areas of Lebanon, affecting approximately 15% of the nation, including Tyre. International legal authorities note that evacuation directives should relate to immediate attacks, and following strikes must still prevent civilian casualties.

Saleh mentioned that Sarrah had been receiving physical rehabilitation to regain her ability to walk after a medical condition caused partial paralysis.

“We hoped that in two months she would be able to walk again and play like the other kids … I don’t know how to describe this loss,” he said.

Currently, he finds it impossible to spend time alone because the isolation becomes unbearable.

“The loss, being apart from them, is so hard. My whole life has changed,” he concluded.

A temporary truce has been established in the Middle Eastern conflict as Iran, Israel, and the United States have agreed to a two-week cessation of hostilities. The agreement brings a pause to the warfare that has spread throughout the region and caused significant disruption to worldwide energy markets.

President Donald Trump has withdrawn his previous aggressive statements threatening to obliterate Iranian “civilization” as part of the ceasefire arrangement.

The Associated Press has compiled a collection of photographs documenting this developing story through their photo editors.

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is preparing to unveil restrictions on Wednesday that would prohibit children younger than 15 from using social media platforms, government sources revealed.

The announcement comes as part of a growing international movement to protect minors online. Australia recently made headlines as the pioneer nation to implement such restrictions, blocking social media access for anyone under 16 years old.

Following Australia’s lead, multiple European countries including Slovenia, Britain, Austria, and Spain have indicated they are developing their own versions of youth social media restrictions.

WASHINGTON — In a stunning reversal within 24 hours, President Donald Trump shifted from warning Iran of complete destruction to accepting what he called a viable proposal that resulted in a 14-day ceasefire agreement, which he believes will help conclude the conflict that has lasted nearly six weeks.

This remarkable change in approach occurred while intermediaries, particularly Pakistan, worked intensively to prevent further escalation of hostilities. Sources who spoke anonymously revealed that China, Iran’s largest trade partner and America’s primary economic rival, also worked behind the scenes to establish a path toward ending hostilities.

“The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East,” Trump stated on social media when announcing the temporary halt to fighting, approximately 90 minutes before his ultimatum for Tehran to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz or witness the destruction of its power facilities and essential infrastructure.

The president plans to meet with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House on Wednesday, where discussions are expected to focus heavily on the developing ceasefire and plans to reopen the strategic waterway.

Before the deadline arrived, Democratic legislators condemned Trump’s threat to eliminate an entire nation as “a moral failure,” while Pope Leo XIV cautioned that attacks on civilian infrastructure would breach international law, describing the president’s statements as “truly unacceptable.”

However, Trump may have ultimately stepped back due to a fundamental reality: further escalation risked entangling the United States in the type of prolonged conflict that had troubled previous administrations and which he had promised voters he would avoid if returned to office.

While Trump celebrated American and Israeli military achievements over the past six weeks, he seemed to operate under the assumption that bombing campaigns could force Iran to surrender.

Beginning with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in the war’s initial attacks, he appeared to underestimate the Iranian leadership’s willingness to engage in an extended, costly conflict.

Throughout its 47-year history, the Islamic Republic has consistently demonstrated its readiness to maintain resistance, even when such actions appeared contrary to its own interests from an American perspective.

The religious leadership detained American hostages for 444 days from late 1979 to early 1981, damaging the nation’s global reputation. The clerical authorities permitted the devastating Iran-Iraq conflict to continue for years, resulting in hundreds of thousands of casualties. They supported Hamas following the October 7 attack that triggered a war with Israel, ultimately weakening both the Iran-supported organization in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, while creating circumstances that led to the downfall of Tehran-allied Bashar Assad’s authoritarian government in Syria.

Despite being weakened and outmatched militarily, Iran’s leadership projected confidence in their ability to entangle the world’s dominant military power in an expensive, prolonged engagement, even if they couldn’t defeat the formidable U.S. forces.

Military experts generally concurred that American forces could rapidly seize control of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow Persian Gulf passage between Iran and Oman that handles approximately 20% of global daily oil transport. However, maintaining security over this waterway would demand a dangerous, resource-heavy operation potentially requiring years of American involvement.

Ben Connable, who leads the nonprofit Battle Research Group, explained that securing the strait would necessitate U.S. military control over roughly 600 kilometers (373 miles) of Iranian land, stretching from Kish Island westward to Bandar Abbas eastward, to prevent Iran from launching missiles at vessels navigating the strait. Connable estimated this mission would likely need three U.S. infantry divisions, approximately 30,000 to 45,000 soldiers.

“This would be an indefinite operation — so, you know, think: be ready to do this for 20 years,” explained Connable, a former Marine Corps intelligence officer. “We didn’t think we were going to be in Afghanistan for 20 years. We didn’t think we’re going to have to be in Vietnam as long as we were, or Iraq.”

The temporary ceasefire arrangement includes permitting both Iran and Oman to collect transit fees from vessels passing through Hormuz, according to a regional official. This source indicated Iran would direct its collected funds toward reconstruction efforts. The intended use of Oman’s portion remained unclear.

The strait lies within the territorial boundaries of both Oman and Iran. Previously, the global community treated this passage as international waters requiring no toll payments.

Following the ceasefire announcement, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., argued that Trump was essentially granting Tehran authority over the strait and providing “a history-changing win for Iran.”

“The level of incompetence is both stunning and heartbreaking,” Murphy stated.

The ceasefire declaration followed Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s appeal for Trump to postpone his deadline by two weeks to allow diplomatic efforts to progress, while simultaneously requesting Iran to open the strait for the same period.

Two weeks has emerged as Trump’s preferred timeframe for delaying major decisions. Last summer, the White House announced he would decide on launching initial bombing operations against Iran within two weeks, though the president ultimately ordered airstrikes claiming to have “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities before that period ended.

Trump has also frequently employed two-week deadlines during negotiations to end Russia’s conflict with Ukraine and, dating back to his first presidency, for resolving major policy challenges like healthcare reform, though these timeframes often produced minimal results.

Throughout the initial 15 months of his second presidency, Trump has consistently made extreme demands before moderating his position.

The president retreated from many of the comprehensive “Liberation Day” tariffs initially announced in April 2025 after they triggered financial market chaos. The most dramatic example occurred during a January World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, where Trump demanded U.S. control over Greenland “including right, title and ownership” before reversing course and abandoning his threat to impose extensive European tariffs to advance his position.

His justification for backing down involved claiming agreement with NATO leadership on a “framework of a future deal” regarding Arctic security, despite the U.S. already possessing substantial military access to Greenland, which belongs to Denmark’s kingdom.

The White House celebrated Tuesday evening, with staff attributing the ceasefire conditions to U.S. military strength and Trump’s strategic maneuvering.

“The success of our military created maximum leverage, allowing President Trump and the team to engage in tough negotiations that have now created an opening for a diplomatic solution and long-term peace,” declared White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. She continued, “Never underestimate President Trump’s ability to successfully advance America’s interests and broker peace.”

A temporary two-week halt to hostilities has been agreed upon by Iran, the United States, and Israel, with Tehran announcing it will enter negotiations with Washington starting Friday in Islamabad.

President Trump initially described Iran’s 10-point proposal as “workable,” but subsequently denounced the plan as fraudulent, though he provided no additional details about his concerns.

Hours before the ceasefire agreement, Trump escalated his warnings to Iran, threatening catastrophic military action. “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” he cautioned, if Iran refused to reach an agreement that included reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement Wednesday morning expressing support for Trump’s choice to halt strikes against Iran for the two-week period. However, the office clarified that this pause does not extend to the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, where casualties have exceeded 1,500 people.

International leaders have responded positively to the development. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated Wednesday that the temporary ceasefire “augurs well for the restoration of peace and stability, not only to the region but also the rest of the world.”

Indonesia similarly praised the agreement as a diplomatic opportunity for reducing tensions. Yvonne Mewengkang, spokesperson for Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs ministry, commented: “The Indonesian government will always support any constructive diplomatic efforts, including those that have the potential to lead to a more permanent resolution, with the protection of civilians as our primary focus.”

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement commending mediation work by nations including Pakistan and urged rapid restoration of Middle Eastern peace and stability. The ministry expressed expectations for the “prompt and safe” return of unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for all vessels, including South Korean ships.

On social media, Trump characterized the ceasefire as a “big day for World Peace” and announced that America “will be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz.”

“There will be lots of positive action!” Trump wrote in his post.

“Big money will be made. Iran can start the reconstruction process. We’ll be loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just ‘hangin’ around’ in order to make sure that everything goes well. I feel confident that it will.”

Trump’s message on his Truth Social platform reflects Washington’s ongoing concerns about Iran’s control over the narrow Persian Gulf passage, through which one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments travel during peacetime.

Despite the ceasefire announcement, Bahrain activated its missile warning systems Wednesday morning. The Interior Ministry of Bahrain confirmed the alert.

The exact timing for when the ceasefire would take effect remained unclear immediately following the announcement.

Following the deal’s announcement, Iran has continued launching missiles targeting Gulf Arab nations and Israel.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — A 45-year-old Scottish man accused of running an international criminal organization has been sent from Indonesia to Spain to face serious drug and money laundering charges, according to Indonesian officials.

Steven Lyons departed Indonesia for Amsterdam on Wednesday morning before continuing his journey to Spain, confirmed Husnan Handano, a representative from Bali’s immigration department. His transfer had been postponed several times while authorities completed their investigation.

Law enforcement agencies describe Lyons as a high-ranking member of a global crime network. He was taken into custody on March 28 when he landed at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport after flying in from Singapore. Indonesian immigration systems detected him based on an Interpol Red Notice requested by Spanish authorities.

Spanish and British law enforcement have been seeking Lyons, who is suspected of heading the Lyons criminal organization. He has been on Spain’s most wanted list for approximately two years following a homicide that occurred there in 2024.

According to Bali Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya, Lyons’ capture resulted from collaborative efforts between Indonesian, Spanish, and Scottish law enforcement agencies.

Indonesian police claim Lyons orchestrated a cross-border criminal enterprise based in Scotland that managed drug smuggling operations between Spain and the United Kingdom. Investigators also believe his organization cleaned illegal proceeds through fake businesses established throughout Europe and the Middle East, spanning Spain, Scotland, England, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, and Turkey.

Before Lyons’ detention in Bali, coordinated raids by Scottish and Spanish police connected to this investigation led to numerous arrests. Additional suspects were apprehended in Turkey, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates.

Bugie Kurniawan, director of Bali’s immigration office, revealed that Lyons came to Bali with two other individuals who remain on the island, though Lyons claimed he traveled by himself. Spanish Interpol has identified these companions as members of the same criminal group, but they are not subject to arrest warrants or Interpol Red Notices.

Bali Police spokesperson Ari Sandy declined to provide details about the ongoing investigation.

Reports from Scottish news outlets indicate that Lyons escaped a 2006 shooting incident in Glasgow that claimed his cousin’s life, subsequently relocating to Spain and eventually establishing residence in Dubai. In the previous year, his brother and an accomplice were fatally shot in what officials characterized as a suspected organized crime attack at a coastal bar in Fuengirola, located in southern Spain.

A preliminary two-week ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel was announced Wednesday, marking a pause in the Middle Eastern conflict that has disrupted global energy markets and prompted President Donald Trump to withdraw his earlier threats to eliminate Iranian “civilization.”

However, confusion arose immediately regarding conflicting proposals to end hostilities, as Iran maintained its position that it would retain control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while continuing uranium enrichment operations.

Trump initially described Iran’s 10-point proposal as “workable” for ending the conflict he initiated with Israel on February 28. Later, however, he denounced the plan as fraudulent without providing details. The president has stated that completely dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities was a primary objective of the war.

While Israel supported the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified early Wednesday that the deal excludes ongoing combat with Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. This statement conflicted with remarks from Pakistan, a crucial mediator, which announced that peace negotiations would commence as early as Friday in Islamabad. Pakistan also declared the ceasefire effective immediately, though Iran subsequently launched attacks on Gulf Arab nations and Israel.

Following the ceasefire announcement, pro-government protesters in Iran’s capital chanted: “Death to America, death to Israel, death to compromisers!” while burning American and Israeli flags. The demonstrations reflected continued anger from hardline factions who had been preparing for what many expected would be catastrophic warfare with the United States.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that strait passage would be permitted under Iranian military oversight. It remained unclear whether this indicated Iran would fully ease its grip on the crucial waterway.

According to a regional official speaking anonymously about negotiations they participated in directly, the proposal permits both Iran and Oman to collect transit fees from ships passing through the strait. The official noted Iran would allocate collected funds toward reconstruction efforts.

Beyond strait control, Iran’s conditions for ending the conflict include removing U.S. military forces from the region, eliminating sanctions, and releasing frozen Iranian assets.

Throughout the war, Trump has consistently postponed deadlines moments before their expiration.

Continuing this pattern Tuesday, Trump announced in a social media statement that he reached his decision “based on conversations” with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s influential army commander. Sharif had posted on X hours earlier, encouraging Trump to extend his deadline for diplomatic progress while requesting Iran open the strait for two weeks.

An anonymous source familiar with the situation revealed Israeli concerns about the agreement, noting that Israel hoped to accomplish more objectives.

Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile remains secured at enrichment facilities. This program had been among the primary justifications cited by Israel and the U.S. for launching military action.

“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” Trump posted online Tuesday morning regarding potential consequences without an agreement. However, he appeared to leave room for alternatives, stating “maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen.”

Trump’s sweeping threat appeared to disregard potential civilian casualties, prompting Congressional Democrats, United Nations officials, and military law experts to declare such strikes would breach international law.

Iran’s U.N. representative, Amir-Saeid Iravani, characterized the threats as “constitute incitement to war crimes and potentially genocide,” warning that Iran would “take immediate and proportionate reciprocal measures” if Trump executed devastating attacks.

U.S. and Israeli forces have repeatedly struck Iran, targeting military assets, leadership, and nuclear facilities. Iran has retaliated with attacks on Israel and neighboring Gulf Arab states, creating regional instability and significant economic and political disruption.

Prior to the deadline, airstrikes damaged two bridges and a railway station, while U.S. forces targeted military infrastructure on Kharg Island, a center for Iranian oil operations.

Although Iran lacks the advanced weaponry and air superiority of U.S. and Israeli forces, its control over the strait has destabilized the global economy and increased pressure on Trump to find a resolution.

Despite the ceasefire announcement, missile warnings persisted in the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait early Wednesday. Officials reported a gas processing plant in Abu Dhabi caught fire following Iranian missile strikes.

An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously per military protocol, confirmed Israel continued attacking Iran. Iran likewise maintained its assault on Israel.

U.S. military forces have suspended all offensive actions against Iran while maintaining defensive operations, according to an official who spoke anonymously about classified military activities.

Earlier Tuesday, Israeli forces reported attacking an Iranian petrochemical facility in Shiraz, marking the second consecutive day of such strikes. The military subsequently announced hitting bridges used by Iranian forces for weapons and equipment transport.

Over 1,900 people have died in Iran during the conflict, though the government has not released updated casualty figures for several days.

In Lebanon, where Israel battles Iran-supported Hezbollah militants, more than 1,500 people have been killed and 1 million displaced. Eleven Israeli soldiers have lost their lives.

In Gulf Arab nations and the occupied West Bank, over two dozen people have died, while 23 deaths have been reported in Israel, and 13 U.S. service members have been killed.

A highly decorated Australian soldier who received his country’s highest military honors will remain in custody after choosing not to seek bail on war crimes charges stemming from his service in Afghanistan.

Ben Roberts-Smith, recipient of both the Victoria Cross and Medal of Gallantry, appeared before a Sydney court Wednesday where he faces serious allegations related to the deaths of Afghan civilians. The 47-year-old veteran becomes just the second Australian Afghanistan war veteran to face war crimes prosecution.

The charges stem from a comprehensive military investigation completed in 2020 that uncovered evidence suggesting elite Australian Special Air Service and commando units illegally killed 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers and other civilians. During Australia’s 20-year involvement in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021, approximately 40,000 military personnel served there, with 41 losing their lives.

Roberts-Smith faces accusations connected to five Afghan deaths that occurred during 2009 and 2012 while he served as an elite SAS corporal. Authorities claim he either directly shot the victims or commanded subordinates to carry out the killings.

Initially announced as five war crime murder charges on Tuesday, the formal court filing Wednesday specified two counts of war crime murder and three counts of assisting or encouraging war crime murder. Each charge potentially carries a life imprisonment sentence.

Under Australian law, war crime murder involves the deliberate killing during armed conflict of individuals not actively participating in combat, including civilians, prisoners of war, or wounded soldiers.

Roberts-Smith spent Tuesday night in custody after his arrest at Sydney Airport that morning. He did not make a court appearance either physically or through video connection Wednesday.

His legal team declined to enter plea agreements or request bail release. Court proceedings have been postponed until June 4.

These criminal charges follow a civil court ruling that found comparable accusations against Roberts-Smith credible. In a defamation lawsuit he initiated after 2018 newspaper reports accused him of various war crimes, a federal judge in 2023 dismissed Roberts-Smith’s claims and determined he likely unlawfully killed four noncombatants during 2009 and 2012.

However, while the civil court determined war crimes allegations were substantially proven based on probability balance, criminal court conviction requires proof beyond reasonable doubt, a significantly higher legal standard.

Roberts-Smith joins former SAS soldier Oliver Schulz as the second Australian Afghanistan veteran facing war crimes prosecution. Schulz has entered a not guilty plea to war crime murder charges for allegedly shooting Afghan civilian Dad Mohammad three times in the head in an Uruzgan province wheat field during 2012.

Legal representatives indicate Schulz’s trial likely won’t commence before 2027.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed support for a Middle East ceasefire agreement on Wednesday while sharply condemning the threatening language used by President Donald Trump during the crisis.

The two-week truce between the United States, Israel and Iran was announced with less than two hours remaining before Trump’s ultimatum for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating strikes against civilian targets.

Trump’s social media announcement marked a dramatic shift from his position earlier that day, when he delivered a stark warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight” unless his demands were satisfied.

Speaking to Sky News, Albanese praised the ceasefire agreement but voiced serious concerns about the American president’s threatening statements.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to use language such as that from the President of the United States, and I think it will cause some concern,” he said.

Though Australia initially backed U.S. military action against Iran when the conflict began, Albanese has grown increasingly uncomfortable with the escalating tensions in recent weeks.

The Australian leader recently called for Trump to provide clearer war objectives while urging all nations involved to reduce hostilities.

Trump responded to Australia’s shifting stance this week by publicly criticizing the country’s level of support.

“Australia didn’t help us,” he stated during a press conference, specifically naming Australia alongside Japan and South Korea as nations that failed to provide adequate assistance.

Taiwan’s primary opposition party leader made a historic appeal for peace during her visit to China this week, calling for reconciliation between the two sides at a ceremony loaded with political significance.

Cheng Li-wun, who heads Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) party, traveled to the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing on Wednesday to pay respects at the mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen, the political figure both sides claim as their founding father.

During the wreath-laying ceremony, which was broadcast live on Taiwanese television, Cheng invoked Sun’s legacy while making her case for cross-strait cooperation.

“The core values of Sun Yat-sen’s ideal that ‘all under heaven are equal’ have always been equality, inclusiveness, and unity,” Cheng stated. “We should work together to promote reconciliation and unity across the (Taiwan) Strait and create regional prosperity and peace.”

The timing of Cheng’s visit is particularly notable, occurring as Chinese military activities around Taiwan have intensified and Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature has blocked a proposed $40 billion defense spending increase.

Sun Yat-sen holds unique status in the complex relationship between Taiwan and mainland China. After overthrowing China’s final imperial dynasty in 1912, he established the Republic of China before his death from cancer in 1925. Today, Taiwan officially honors him as the Republic of China’s founder, while Communist Party leaders in Beijing also celebrate him as a national hero, with Mao Zedong once calling him a “great revolutionary forerunner.”

Nanjing itself carries deep historical meaning, having served as the capital of the KMT-led Republic of China government before it retreated to Taiwan in 1949 following defeat in the civil war against Mao’s communist forces.

During her remarks, Cheng acknowledged both Taiwan’s democratic transformation and China’s economic progress since the civil war ended.

“Likewise, on the mainland, we have also seen and witnessed progress and development that exceeded everyone’s expectations and imagination,” she said, while also referencing the “white terror” period of martial law that Taiwan endured for 38 years until 1987.

The visit drew tight security measures and some public interest from Chinese citizens. Yang Zihang, a 19-year-old student who came to observe Cheng’s motorcade, told reporters: “I think this is very important for peaceful exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.”

However, the diplomatic outreach faces significant obstacles. Beijing refuses direct communication with Taiwan’s current president, Lai Ching-te, labeling him a “separatist.” Lai maintains that only Taiwan’s citizens should determine their island’s future. Neither government officially recognizes the other’s legitimacy.

Taiwan’s ruling administration has urged Cheng to use any meetings with Chinese officials, potentially including President Xi Jinping, to demand an end to military intimidation and respect for Taiwanese self-determination.

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen addressed the situation during a parliamentary session in Taipei, explaining China’s strategic approach to the island.

“China uses military intimidation and harassment to create an atmosphere of rising military danger and instability across the Taiwan Strait,” Tsai explained. “This is intended to make Taiwan’s society and public feel the psychological pressure and anxiety of a possible conflict.”

He added that these tactics aim to “divide Taiwanese society internally, boosting the visibility of pro-China positions” while also working to “obstruct efforts to push forward U.S. arms procurement deals.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced his approval for President Donald Trump’s choice to temporarily halt military strikes against Iran for a fourteen-day period, according to reports from Israeli news outlets on Wednesday.

While expressing Israel’s backing for the two-week suspension of attacks, Netanyahu made clear that Lebanon would not be covered under this ceasefire arrangement, Israeli media sources indicated.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced Tuesday night that his administration plans to present emergency economic legislation and new tax measures to Congress aimed at addressing budget imbalances for 2026.

During a televised speech, Petro warned lawmakers that he would bypass legislative approval and implement the measures through executive action if Congress refuses to support his economic agenda.

“If necessary, we will declare a new economic emergency in Colombia because what we must save is the standard of living, which is now much higher than at any time in history,” Petro stated during his address to the nation.

The Colombian leader also directed his interior minister to introduce new tax legislation to Congress designed to address the budget deficit projected for 2026, though he did not reveal specific revenue targets or collection amounts expected from the proposed measures.

A highly decorated Australian military veteran will stay locked up after his attorneys declined to pursue bail following his arrest on serious war crimes allegations.

Authorities took Ben Roberts-Smith, age 47, into custody Tuesday on five war crimes charges related to the deaths of five Afghan civilians during the period from 2009 to 2012. The charges each carry potential life imprisonment.

Officials denied him bail and transported him to Sydney’s Silverwater Correctional Complex, where he spent Tuesday night.

Roberts-Smith was absent from Wednesday morning’s bail proceeding, conducted via video conference, according to local news outlets.

Attorney Jordan Portokalli informed the court his client would not request release from detention, instead asking for a face-to-face hearing scheduled for later that day.

Judge Lucas Swan set the next court date for June 4, ensuring Roberts-Smith will stay incarcerated until then unless his legal representatives can arrange an earlier proceeding.

The former Special Air Services Regiment member earned recognition as a national war hero through his service across six deployments to Afghanistan spanning 2006 through 2012.

Military officials bestowed numerous prestigious honors upon him, including the Victoria Cross, which represents the top military award for armed forces personnel from Britain and Commonwealth nations.

Federal police investigators plan to argue during trial that the alleged victims were not engaged in combat when killed and were being held as unarmed detainees under Australian military control at the time of their deaths.

Authorities will also contend that Roberts-Smith either personally shot the victims or directed subordinates to kill them while he was present.

These criminal charges stem from a collaborative probe between federal police and the Office of the Special Investigator, an agency established to investigate alleged criminal behavior by Australian defense personnel, which launched in 2021.

Roberts-Smith has continuously rejected claims of misconduct during his military tenure, many of which Nine Entertainment publications first revealed through reporting that began in 2018.

He mounted an unsuccessful legal challenge against these accusations in what became Australia’s costliest defamation case, with a court ultimately determining he likely participated in killing four Afghan civilians.

Vietnam’s newly elected President To Lam is expected to travel to China next week for meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to three sources familiar with the arrangements.

The planned visit, scheduled for April 14-17, would mark Lam’s first international trip since winning the presidency on Tuesday. This election gave him unprecedented dual authority over both party and state operations for the next five years, mirroring China’s leadership structure under Xi Jinping.

Sources spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of high-level diplomatic planning in Vietnam. The trip could face delays due to scheduling complications, they noted.

Both nations are grappling with energy security challenges and increased tariff pressures from the United States, making this diplomatic engagement particularly significant for strengthening bilateral relations.

Chinese foreign ministry officials stated they had no information available regarding the potential visit. Vietnam’s foreign ministry has not responded to requests for comment.

The meeting agenda is expected to focus on technology partnerships and energy cooperation. Despite ongoing territorial disagreements in the South China Sea, the two communist countries have deepened collaboration across multiple sectors, including railway connections, border economic zones, and Vietnam’s 5G telecommunications infrastructure using Chinese technology.

New agreements covering telecommunications and other strategic sectors may emerge from the discussions, though officials suggest any deals might not receive public announcement.

Security partnerships have gained prominence in recent bilateral talks, particularly regarding Chinese surveillance technology imports. This emphasis reflects the increased influence of law enforcement agencies under Lam, who previously served as Vietnam’s public security minister.

Energy security discussions are anticipated as Vietnam relies heavily on Chinese imports for oil products, jet fuel, and fertilizers. Beijing has limited these exports due to supply shortages stemming from regional conflicts.

During March meetings between the countries’ foreign ministers, Vietnam emphasized the need for energy cooperation while developing fuel rationing contingency plans.

Lam previously visited China in August 2024 immediately after assuming party leadership, marking his first overseas trip in that role. A planned meeting with Xi following Lam’s confirmation as general secretary in January was postponed for undisclosed reasons.

SEOUL, South Korea — Military officials in South Korea confirmed that North Korea conducted another missile test Wednesday, marking the second projectile launch in consecutive days from the isolated nation’s eastern shoreline.

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, no additional information was immediately available regarding the distance traveled by the latest missile or the specific type of weapon system used in the test.

South Korean forces had previously identified an unidentified projectile launch near Pyongyang on Tuesday. Officials stated that intelligence agencies from both South Korea and the United States were conducting analysis of Tuesday’s weapons test.

The recent launches follow North Korea’s announcement earlier this week that leader Kim Jong Un had personally witnessed testing of an improved solid-fuel engine for military weapons, describing it as an important advancement for the nation’s strategic defense capabilities.

Weapons systems utilizing solid propellants offer greater mobility and concealment advantages compared to liquid-fuel alternatives, which require fueling procedures prior to launch and have limited operational windows. This latest solid-fuel engine evaluation, the first conducted in seven months, aligns with Kim’s declared objectives of developing more maneuverable and difficult-to-detect missiles capable of targeting the United States and allied nations.

Intelligence officials briefed South Korean legislators Monday that the engine testing likely supports efforts to construct more powerful missiles designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads, according to lawmakers present at the classified briefing.

North Korea has accelerated its nuclear weapons development program following the breakdown of diplomatic negotiations between Kim and former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019. During a Workers’ Party congress held in February, Kim indicated openness to renewed dialogue with Trump while demanding that Washington abandon requirements for North Korean nuclear disarmament as a prerequisite for future negotiations.

North Korea conducted two separate missile launches this week while simultaneously rejecting South Korea’s attempts at diplomatic reconciliation, according to military officials in Seoul.

South Korean forces detected an unknown projectile launched Wednesday toward waters off North Korea’s eastern coastline, following another suspected missile test identified the previous day.

Tuesday’s launch originated from the Pyongyang region and involved what South Korean military officials believe was a ballistic missile, according to statements from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. American and South Korean analysts are currently examining data from both incidents.

Military sources told South Korea’s Yonhap news agency that Tuesday’s projectile traveled eastward before experiencing technical difficulties during its initial flight phase and vanishing from radar. South Korean defense officials suspect the missile may have malfunctioned shortly after launch.

South Korea generally reports ballistic missile tests immediately since they breach United Nations Security Council restrictions, while exercising more discretion regarding conventional weapons or cruise missile activities. North Korea maintains these UN sanctions violate its constitutional right to national defense.

The missile activities coincided with harsh rhetoric from North Korean leadership that crushed Seoul’s optimism about warming bilateral relations.

Jang Kum Chol, a high-ranking foreign ministry official in Pyongyang, declared that South Korea was deluding itself if it believed North Korea would stop treating it as an adversary.

“The identity of the ROK, the enemy state most hostile to the DPRK, can never change with any words or conduct,” Jang stated through North Korea’s official KCNA news service late Tuesday, referencing the formal abbreviations for both nations.

These remarks followed Monday’s statement from North Korea describing South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s apology regarding drone intrusions earlier this year as “very fortunate and wise.”

Officials in Seoul initially interpreted that comment as an unusual gesture of goodwill from the nuclear-capable North, given the decades of animosity between the countries. The two nations technically remain in a state of war since their 1950-1953 conflict concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.

However, Jang clarified that the statement from Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was intended as a warning to Seoul rather than an indication of friendly intentions toward reconciliation.

WASHINGTON – An American journalist who was taken hostage by an Iranian-backed militant organization in Iraq has been freed, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement on Tuesday.

Shelly Kittleson, a U.S. reporter, was abducted by Kataib Hezbollah, an armed faction with ties to Iran, in an area near Baghdad. Rubio confirmed her release following the recent kidnapping incident.

Financial markets experienced significant movement on Tuesday following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a temporary two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran, made just under two hours before his ultimatum deadline requiring Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face extensive strikes on civilian infrastructure.

The ceasefire news triggered a sharp decline in oil prices while government bonds gained strength and stock markets climbed, as investors viewed the development as potentially opening doors to sustained peace and the restoration of oil and gas shipments from the Gulf region.

Financial experts and market analysts shared their perspectives on the development:

Andrew Lilley, who serves as Chief Rates Strategist at Barrenjoey in Sydney, expressed concerns about market recovery. “We still have a long way to get back to where we were before this began. The worry now is the markets are unsure of the extent to which the oil price is going to get back to $75,” Lilley stated.

He continued, “This little precipice where actually oil is flowing, no one has a shortage, but it stays at an equilibrium price of $90, that is actually where you remove the tail risk that central banks are cutting. It’s kind of the scenario that results in permanently high yields because we’re going to have damaged infrastructure and a sticky high oil price for months to come, which means that we are going to get higher inflation.”

George Boubouras, Head of Research at K2 Asset Management in Melbourne, emphasized the importance of energy supply restoration. “Restocking energy supplies is the key over the next week as the conflict can reignite very quickly. This decreases the probability of a recession particularly if more oil, gas, fertiliser can flow in the next week or so. Markets are always pragmatic and not complacent as they are looking through the conflict and valuations remain compelling on a one-year view,” Boubouras commented.

Martin Whetton, Head of Financial Markets Strategy at Westpac in Sydney, remained skeptical about lasting market changes. “This is what happens all the time. Does it mean people are going to take new risks? No, it doesn’t,” Whetton noted. “It would have to actually be a lasting peace (to change things). People aren’t actually taking risk. This is algos doing stuff.”

Brian Jacobsen, Chief Economist at Annex Wealth Management in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, offered a cautiously optimistic view. “President Trump said he agreed to a two-week ceasefire. That’s enough to keep hopes alive that not only will an entire civilization NOT be destroyed, but we could see oil start flowing through the Strait of Hormuz,” Jacobsen said.

He added, “Is it just kicking the can down the road, moving the goal posts, TACO Tuesday, or whatever metaphor we’d like, to only to have tempers flare and bombs drop again? Who knows? But it’s good enough for now to elicit a positive response from the markets.”

DAKAR, Senegal — A humanitarian worker who spent almost two years imprisoned in Central African Republic has been released, according to his family members who spoke with The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Joseph Figueira Martin’s brother confirmed the news, stating that “the rumor is real and he should land in Lisbon in a couple of hours.”

Martin, who holds citizenship in both Belgium and Portugal, worked as a consultant for FHI 360, an American humanitarian organization. Central African Republic’s prosecutor’s office said he was taken into custody in May 2024 on charges including espionage, communicating with rebel forces to organize a government overthrow, and threatening state security.

Authorities apprehended him in Zemio, a southeastern community that has experienced more than ten years of violence between ethnic armed groups and anti-government insurgents.

Martin was incarcerated at a military facility and had previously refused food to protest his imprisonment conditions.

Government officials have not yet verified his release or provided updates regarding his legal proceedings.

Although foreign humanitarian workers are seldom arrested in Central African Republic, the nation is increasing oversight of relief organizations working in regions where government forces battle armed factions. After Martin’s detention, officials cautioned international NGO personnel against engaging in activities that might compromise state security or risk facing legal action.

The Central African Republic has experienced ongoing warfare since 2013, when rebel forces dominated by Muslims captured control and ousted former president François Bozizé. Christian militia groups retaliated with violence. Although a 2019 peace agreement reduced hostilities, six out of 14 armed organizations that initially agreed to the deal eventually withdrew their support.

The Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary organization, maintains operations in Central African Republic to counter armed rebel movements and support President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who has governed the country since 2016.

In a dramatic shift from his previous stance, President Trump has declared a 14-day suspension of military action against Iran, with the condition that Iranian forces must reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This announcement comes after the President had posted threatening language on social media, stating that “a whole civilization will die tonight.”

The temporary halt in hostilities represents a significant change in tone from the administration’s earlier aggressive posturing toward the Middle Eastern nation. The ceasefire’s continuation will depend entirely on Iran’s compliance with demands to allow passage through the strategically important waterway.

Financial markets experienced dramatic shifts Wednesday following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a temporary halt to military operations in the Middle East, raising hopes for sustained peace and the potential restart of energy exports from the Gulf region.

Trump announced his decision to halt bombing campaigns and military strikes against Iran for a two-week period, stating that negotiations for a comprehensive peace deal are currently underway.

The market response was immediate and substantial. American crude oil prices dropped approximately 9% to reach $103 per barrel, while S&P 500 futures climbed 1.6%. The dollar weakened against multiple currencies.

Asian stock market futures indicated widespread gains ahead of trading sessions, as these markets have faced significant pressure from ongoing conflicts and rising energy costs. Ten-year U.S. Treasury futures jumped roughly 15 ticks in response to the news.

Currency markets also reflected the shift toward reduced risk, with the Australian dollar climbing more than 0.8% to surpass 70 U.S. cents, while the euro gained 0.4% to reach $1.1647. Digital currencies also posted increases during the session.

German intelligence officials issued a cybersecurity alert Tuesday regarding attacks by Russian state-sponsored hackers who have been exploiting internet routers to conduct espionage operations against government and military facilities.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution announced that the hacker collective APT28 had successfully breached vulnerable TP-Link routers as part of a broader surveillance campaign targeting critical infrastructure and defense networks.

This cybersecurity warning was coordinated with multiple intelligence partners, including Germany’s foreign intelligence service BND and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States.

Western intelligence agencies have identified APT28, which also operates under the alias “Fancy Bear,” as being controlled by Russia’s military intelligence organization, the GRU.

According to German officials, the hacking operation affected thousands of routers across the globe, with approximately 30 compromised devices identified within Germany’s borders.

Security experts confirmed successful breaches in multiple instances, leading network operators to remove and replace the affected router equipment.

German intelligence noted that APT28 has previously launched cyberattacks against the country’s parliamentary systems, the Social Democratic Party, and aviation control agencies.

WASHINGTON — Legal experts are raising concerns about potential violations of international law following President Donald Trump’s recent inflammatory threats against Iranian infrastructure, including promises to destroy the nation’s power grid and transportation systems.

During Monday’s press briefing, Trump outlined plans to target every bridge and electrical facility in Iran, statements that military law specialists warn could amount to war crimes. The legality of such strikes would depend on whether these facilities serve military purposes, if the response matches Iran’s actions proportionally, and whether efforts were made to protect civilian populations.

Critics argue Trump’s warnings fail to consider the impact on non-combatants, with Congressional Democrats, United Nations representatives, and legal academics contending such attacks would breach international standards.

While the president’s actual policies sometimes differ from his bold public declarations, his warnings about infrastructure targets have been clear and consistent since Sunday, as he established a Tuesday evening deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

When asked Monday about potential war crime allegations, Trump stated he’s “not at all” worried about such concerns while continuing his destructive threats. He declared that every power facility will be “burning, exploding and never to be used again.”

On Tuesday morning, Trump posted on Truth Social: “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously stated last month that the administration would enforce “no stupid rules of engagement, no nation building quagmire, no democracy building exercise, no politically correct wars. We fight to win and we don’t waste time or lives.”

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson cautioned Monday that targeting such infrastructure violates international regulations.

“Even if specific civilian infrastructure were to qualify as a military objective,” Stephane Dujarric explained, an assault would remain forbidden if it creates “excessive incidental civilian harm.”

Southwestern Law School professor Rachel VanLandingham, a former Air Force judge advocate general, noted that civilian deaths would likely result from power outages affecting hospitals and water facilities. “What Trump is saying is, ‘We don’t care about precision, we don’t care about impact on civilians, we’re just going to take out all of Iranian power generating capacity,’” the former lieutenant colonel explained.

Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical Persian Gulf passage handling 20% of global oil shipments, has virtually stopped, causing oil prices to spike and creating stock market turbulence.

According to Marieke de Hoon, who teaches international criminal law at the University of Amsterdam, the U.N. Charter only allows nations to use military force with Security Council approval or for self-defense purposes.

As the conflict enters its second month, Trump has intensified his infrastructure bombing threats, targeting Kharg Island’s oil operations and water desalination facilities.

In a March 30 Truth Social message, Trump warned America would destroy “all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet ‘touched.’”

On Easter Sunday, Trump used profanity-filled posts to threaten Iran with “Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one,” warning “you’ll be living in Hell” without strait reopening.

“This strikes me as clearly a threat of unlawful action,” said Michael Schmitt, professor emeritus at the U.S. Naval War College and international law instructor at Britain’s University of Reading.

Schmitt explained that power facilities can be legitimate targets under warfare laws if they supply military installations alongside civilian areas. However, attacks must avoid “disproportionate harm to the civilian population, and you’ve done everything to minimize that harm.”

While harm excludes mere inconvenience or fear, Schmitt noted it encompasses severe psychological trauma, physical injuries, or illness.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Tuesday that his nation’s military experts are providing guidance on operations in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, while Asian countries have expressed interest in Ukraine’s naval defense capabilities.

Following conflicts involving Iran, Ukraine deployed hundreds of military specialists to the Middle East to share their proven methods for intercepting Iranian-made drones, the same type Russia deployed during the initial phase of its invasion.

“Ukrainian military personnel are taking part in consultations on the further operation of the Strait of Hormuz. Safe navigation is a global value; we know this from our experience defending the Black Sea,” Zelenskiy stated during his nightly address to the nation.

During the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has successfully prevented Russia from completely cutting off its Black Sea access, which remains vital for both economic and military purposes.

Despite lacking a substantial naval force, Ukraine has used creative solutions like unmanned sea vessels to push Russia’s Black Sea fleet away from its headquarters in Russian-controlled Crimea.

The Ukrainian president noted that international interest in his country’s defense innovations—which are often more sophisticated and significantly less expensive than conventional armaments—has expanded beyond European borders.

“Our diplomats have received a corresponding request from Asian countries, and I have instructed them to work through all this promptly,” Zelenskiy stated.

The president did not identify which specific nations have made these requests.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on President Donald Trump Wednesday to grant a two-week extension on his ultimatum demanding Iran cease its oil blockade in the Gulf region.

In a social media post on X, Sharif made his appeal for additional time to pursue diplomatic solutions. “To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks. Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture,” Sharif wrote.

The Pakistani leader’s intervention comes as Trump’s ultimatum approaches its deadline of 8 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday night, which corresponds to 3:30 a.m. Thursday in Tehran. The President has threatened to target Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power facilities, if the oil blockade continues.

Sharif also called for a broader two-week ceasefire among “all warring parties” to create space for negotiations aimed at “conclusive termination of war.”

The Prime Minister expressed optimism about ongoing peace efforts, describing diplomatic initiatives as “progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future.”

The White House has not yet provided a response to the Pakistani leader’s request.

According to sources familiar with the situation, negotiations between Washington and Tehran faced setbacks following Iran’s strikes on Saudi industrial targets this week.

Pakistan has emerged as the primary intermediary facilitating communication between the United States and Iran, though no breakthrough agreement has materialized thus far.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Asghar Hashemi requires kidney dialysis three times weekly at a medical facility in Tehran’s northern district. The 56-year-old transit worker worries his survival could be at risk if electrical infrastructure gets targeted, as President Donald Trump has warned in recent escalating statements.

Citizens across Tehran hurried on Tuesday to purchase bottled water and power up electronic devices including phones, flashlights and backup batteries while time counted down toward Trump’s newest ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes against electrical facilities and transportation infrastructure. Even with these threats endangering his medical care, Hashemi said his situation mirrors that of fellow Iranians enduring more than five weeks of conflict.

“I am worried, but I am more worried about my fellow citizens,” Hashemi said, lying on his bed at Tajrish Martyrs Hospital for the treatment. “Whatever happens, we will stand until the end.”

While Trump emphasized his 8 p.m. Washington deadline was non-negotiable, Iranian reactions varied from terror to acceptance to defiance like Hashemi’s.

“I will be ready to pick up a gun and start a fight against the enemy,” he said.

The Associated Press has been granted permission by the Iranian government to send an additional team into the country for a brief reporting trip. AP already operates in Iran. The visiting team must be accompanied by a media assistant from a government-affiliated company. AP retains full editorial control of its content.

Tehran and surrounding regions have experienced nearly continuous air bombardments from American and Israeli forces starting February 28. Electrical supply became Iranians’ primary anxiety as Trump’s deadline approached.

“When there is no electricity, there will be no water, no hygiene, nothing,” said Mahan Qayoumi, 23, who works at an artisan shop, where he said business would stop under a power outage. He brought emergency lights to his apartment to prepare, noting that “all aspects of life” would be affected.

A young designer in central Tehran, speaking on condition of anonymity for her safety, said her parents left at the beginning of the war, but she stayed behind to take care of her cat, Maya. Now, because of Trump’s threats, she said she plans to drive north — which has largely been spared heavy strikes — with Maya and join her family.

“If there is no electricity, there is no water,” she told AP on the messaging app Telegram, noting Tehran’s low water pressure and electric water pumps. “You can’t cook, either.”

The avenues of expansive Tehran, watched over by snow-covered peaks, have experienced reduced vehicle movement in recent weeks as many inhabitants departed for more secure locations. Educational institutions and numerous government offices continue closure.

Despite some residents’ urgent preparations and food stockpiling, activity at a major covered marketplace in northern Tehran appeared relatively routine Tuesday. Commerce continued normally, bakeries produced fresh loaves, and traditional Iranian confections like gaz and sohan were being made.

“We are living our normal lives,” said Said Motazavi, 58, who owns a home appliances shop. Motazavi said Iranians have a lot of experience preparing for and living with conflict, referring to the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war and the 12-day war with Israel last year.

At Tajrish Martyrs Hospital, the director told AP that a generator can keep much of the medical facility functioning if needed. He said the hospital has enough fuel to power it, as well as ample medicine and supplies for six months.

“I do not see any problem,” Dr. Masoud Moslemifard said, adding that the hospital has been prioritizing operations for those wounded in the war and postponing nonurgent surgeries.

Security presence increased noticeably throughout Tehran’s streets Tuesday, featuring inspection points across multiple areas of the capital. Military vehicles equipped with mounted heavy weaponry were positioned at key traffic junctions.

Iran’s internet access remains severely restricted, limiting information flow while anxiety mounted over Trump’s warnings.

A 26-year-old Pilates instructor told AP on condition of anonymity for her safety via Telegram that she’s been unable to prepare for possible attacks. She called this week the “worst atmosphere” since the war began.

“Honestly, we’ve kind of lost it at this point,” she said, describing how she’s not left home for the last few days and she and her family refuse to leave Tehran. “Whatever is going to happen, let it happen. We are dying bit by bit.”

One resident told AP that if the U.S. follows through on its threat, the people of Iran — not the government — will be the victims.

“By attacking infrastructure, the Islamic Republic will not be destroyed, only we will be destroyed,” the woman, a teacher in her 20s, told AP via a message on Telegram, on condition of anonymity for her safety.

She fears the attacks will spread chaos. “If we don’t have the internet, and if we don’t have electricity, water, and gas, we’re really going back to the Stone Age, as Trump said.”

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey’s legislature began deliberating Tuesday on proposed legislation that would ban minors under 15 from using social media platforms, joining a growing number of nations implementing measures to shield young people from online dangers.

The proposed legislation would mandate that social media companies implement age-verification technology, create parental oversight features, and quickly address content flagged as dangerous. The duration of parliamentary discussions on the measure remains uncertain.

Officials in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration describe the legislation as an effort to reduce digital threats to children’s well-being and personal information security.

“Protecting our children from all kinds of risks, threats and harmful content is our top priority,” Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, Turkey’s minister for family and social services, said earlier this year.

Opposition lawmakers from the Republican People’s Party or CHP have voiced objections to the plan, arguing that youth protection should come “not with bans but with rights-based policies.”

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

Gaming companies operating online would also need to designate Turkish representatives to guarantee compliance with the new rules. Violations could result in reduced internet speeds and monetary sanctions from Turkey’s telecommunications regulatory agency.

Turkey’s leadership has previously limited online platform access as these services have become channels for political opposition. Internet communications faced widespread limitations during protests last year supporting Istanbul’s imprisoned opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.

Australia pioneered social media age restrictions for those under 16 beginning in December, leading platforms to close approximately 4.7 million accounts belonging to minors.

Indonesia launched similar regulations last month, prohibiting digital platform access for children under 16 to prevent exposure to adult content, online harassment, digital fraud and compulsive usage.

Additional nations including Spain, France and the United Kingdom are implementing or evaluating comparable restrictions on youth social media access due to mounting concerns about harm from unmoderated online content.

ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV delivered sharp criticism Tuesday regarding President Donald Trump’s threatening remarks toward Iranian civilization, describing the statements as “completely unacceptable” while emphasizing that targeting civilian infrastructure breaks international law.

Speaking from his residence at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome, the pontiff made some of his most forceful statements to date regarding the escalating conflict, calling on Americans and others to pressure their elected officials to pursue peaceful resolutions instead of military action.

“Today as we all know there was this threat against all the people of Iran. This is truly unacceptable,” the Pope stated during his departure from the papal retreat.

His remarks addressed Trump’s warning that a “whole civilization will die tonight” should Iran fail to comply with his most recent ultimatum concerning a deal that would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Leo referenced his previous Easter message promoting peace and rejecting military conflict “especially a war which many people have said is an unjust war, which is continuing to escalate, and which is not resolving anything.”

The Pope called upon citizens worldwide to reach out to their government officials and legislative representatives, emphasizing that striking civilian infrastructure violates “international law” and represents a “sign of the hatred, the division, the destruction human beings are capable of, and we all want to work for peace.”

A British political party led by Nigel Farage has unveiled a controversial immigration proposal that would block visa applications from nations seeking compensation for historical slavery, sparking fierce criticism from Caribbean officials.

Reform UK announced Tuesday that it would refuse visa requests from countries pursuing reparations for transatlantic slavery, including former British colonies like Ghana and Jamaica. Despite having just eight members of parliament, the anti-immigration party currently leads in polling ahead of Britain’s next election scheduled by 2029.

Zia Yusuf, who oversees Reform’s domestic policy, defended the proposal by calling reparations demands offensive. He argued these requests “ignore the fact that Britain made huge sacrifices to be the first major power to outlaw slavery and enforce this prohibition,” describing the calls as “insulting.”

The announcement drew sharp condemnation from Hilary Beckles, who leads the Caribbean Community’s reparations commission. At a press conference, Beckles characterized the proposal as evidence that the “legacy of toxic racism… is still so intense that Black people are deemed undeserving” of compensation.

“Punishing the victims again is in fact consistent with those people at the time of emancipation who did not wish… to see the African people freed,” Beckles stated, urging the party to reconsider what he called a “tragic” position.

Multiple international groups have pressed for reparations in recent years, including the Caribbean Community, the African Union, and various Latin American nations. These organizations seek not just financial compensation but also formal apologies and the return of cultural artifacts taken during colonial periods.

However, resistance to reparations discussions has grown among Western leadership. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed preference to “look forward” instead of engaging in “endless discussions about reparations on the past.”

The debate gained additional prominence last month when the United Nations passed a Ghana-sponsored resolution labeling transatlantic slavery the “gravest crime against humanity” and supporting reparations efforts. Britain and other former colonial powers chose not to support the measure.

Reform UK did not respond to requests for additional comment on their proposal.

BAGHDAD – An Iranian-backed militia organization announced Tuesday that it plans to free American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad, but is demanding her immediate departure from Iraq.

The Iran-aligned group Kataib Hezbollah took Kittleson captive in Baghdad during the final days of March.

According to Middle East publication Al-Monitor, Kittleson works as an independent American correspondent operating from Rome who has reported on multiple conflicts throughout the region and has written pieces for their publication.

On Tuesday, a social media platform with ties to Kataib Hezbollah distributed a video that allegedly shows Kittleson.

Reuters was unable to confirm independently whether the video is genuine, though if authentic, it would mark the first footage of Kittleson made public since her abduction.

The footage shows a woman who says she is Kittleson positioned in front of a simple backdrop, addressing the camera in English. Reuters could not confirm the location or timing of the recording.

According to a government source familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters, her pending release comes after increased pressure from Iraq’s government and prominent Shiite religious figures who urged the militia to free her.

This follows a similar incident in March 2023 when Kataib Hezbollah militants abducted Elizabeth Tsurkov, a graduate student from Princeton University with Israeli-Russian citizenship, during an academic research visit to Iraq. She was freed in 2025.

YAHSHOUSH, Lebanon — The sound of church bells mixed with gunfire rang through the mountainous valley Tuesday as hundreds of mourners attended funeral services for a Lebanese Christian political leader and his wife, both victims of an Israeli airstrike this past weekend.

The deaths have intensified political divisions within Lebanon, a nation already fractured by the escalating conflict between Israel and the Iranian-supported Hezbollah militia — part of the broader regional conflict spreading across the Middle East.

Pierre Mouawad, his spouse, and a family visitor died Sunday when an Israeli strike hit an apartment unit located above their residence in Ain Saadeh, a town situated east of Beirut. Israeli military officials stated they were attempting to eliminate a Hezbollah fighter, though details surrounding the attack remain murky.

Mouawad served with the regional chapter of the Lebanese Forces, a Christian political organization widely recognized as Hezbollah’s most vocal political adversary. The party has spent years demanding the militant group’s disarmament and recently accused Hezbollah of pulling Lebanon into another conflict by launching rockets toward Israel in support of Iran, their primary ally and financial backer.

The Lebanese Forces maintains four cabinet positions in Lebanon’s government and controls the largest parliamentary bloc.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports that 1,530 individuals have died in Israeli attacks since the Israel-Hezbollah conflict reignited last month in the small Mediterranean nation. Over one million residents have fled their homes, primarily from southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern neighborhoods, areas where Hezbollah maintains strong support and control.

As fighting continues and Israeli troops enter Lebanese territory, hostility has increased in Christian, Sunni, and Druze communities toward displaced Shiite residents, who represent Hezbollah’s primary support base.

Host community residents worry that Hezbollah fighters might be concealed among the Shiite civilians who have relocated to their neighborhoods.

The caskets containing Mouawad and his wife, covered with the white Lebanese Forces banner, were carried into St. Simon Church on a mountainside in Yahshoush, located north of Beirut.

Church bells, gunshots, and political music from speakers created a cacophony as government officials, local residents, and party supporters gathered in large numbers for the memorial service.

“They died because Hezbollah dragged us into a war,” declared Lebanese Forces parliamentarian Pierre Bou Assi, describing the conflict as “an Iranian decision with Hezbollah’s implementation.”

“Nobody among all the Lebanese asked them to start this war,” he stated.

While Lebanon’s military announced it is examining the incident, and the government banned Hezbollah’s armed operations and Iranian Revolutionary Guard presence in Lebanon last month, the Ain Saadeh attack has worsened existing tensions.

Many Lebanese citizens who believed they would avoid the war’s impact due to their lack of Hezbollah connections have been shocked as Israeli strikes have hit Hezbollah operatives and Iranian Guard members renting apartments or hotel rooms in their communities.

The property owner of the apartment above the Mouawads, the local mayor, and Lebanese military investigators all confirmed the unit was vacant.

However, the victims’ family members and Mouawad’s political party insist someone — the strike’s intended target — was residing in that apartment, endangering nearby residents.

“If that person had died, it would have been better for us,” said Raymond Mouawad, Pierre’s brother. “Instead, my brother died while he escaped.”

PANAMA CITY — A deadly fuel truck explosion Monday afternoon has forced officials to shut down a crucial bridge spanning the Panama Canal while investigators work to determine what caused the blast and engineers examine potential structural damage.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m. at the base of Panama’s Bridge of the Americas, creating a towering fireball that rose nearly to the bridge’s peak. Security cameras recorded the dramatic explosion on the vital span that links the nation’s capital to the airport and western residential areas. While multiple vehicles were crossing during the blast, their occupants escaped injury.

One fuel truck employee perished in the explosion, while two firefighters sustained injuries while battling the resulting blaze, according to officials.

“We have no confirmation of any other people injured,” stated Víctor Raúl Álvarez, who heads Panama’s Fire Department. He noted that investigators are just beginning their work and have not yet identified what triggered the explosion.

The intense fire has raised concerns about potential damage to the aging bridge, which serves as a critical transportation link between Panama City and the country’s western regions.

On Tuesday, Panama’s Public Works Ministry shared video footage on social media platforms showing engineers examining the site for structural compromises. President José Raúl Mulino posted on X that the bridge closure would “cause disruption” and expressed hope for a swift “return to normal.”

“The Bridge of the Americas is a structure that is over 60 years old. Due to the effects of the fire, if the metal structure was subjected to excessively high temperatures, it may have sustained damage,” explained Edwin Lewis, a ministry engineer.

Expert teams are currently analyzing both concrete and steel elements of the bridge. Authorities have declared the span will stay closed until safety can be guaranteed.

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina — The president’s eldest son delivered harsh criticism of the European Union during a Tuesday visit to Bosnia, claiming the bloc’s progressive policies are driving away investors and forecasting a significant rift between eastern and western member nations.

Donald Trump Jr. told attendees at a business forum that top figures in banking, finance, technology and artificial intelligence view Europe as troubled but fixable. “The biggest players, the biggest names in banking and finance, in tech and AI across the board” believe that “Europe is a disaster,” but “the disaster that they feel also needs to be fixed,” he stated.

“The only way it gets fixed, though, in my opinion is if they (Europe) get out of of their own way,” Trump Jr. remarked during the business discussion in the northwestern Bosnian city, according to footage from state broadcaster RTRS.

The visit took place in Banja Luka, the primary city of Republika Srpska, the Serbian-controlled portion of Bosnia whose officials strongly support both President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

U.S. Embassy officials in Sarajevo, Bosnia’s capital city, confirmed to The Associated Press via email that Trump Jr. was visiting “in a private capacity.” However, local observers interpreted the trip as an endorsement of Serb separatist political figures.

The visit occurred simultaneously with Vice President JD Vance’s journey to Hungary, where he campaigned for nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of a closely-watched election this weekend.

Milorad Dodik, a Bosnian Serb leader and former Republika Srpska president who maintains ties with Orbán, wrote on X that both visits “signal an important shift of the U.S. administration under the leadership of President Trump and the care for this part of Europe regarding the position of Christians.”

Speaking in Banja Luka, Trump Jr. praised eastern European nations for maintaining “a work ethic that has (withstood) some of the ‘woke’ nonsense that has really been a parasitic thing in the mind in Western Europe.”

“I see that creating major fractures in the European Union between those few countries in eastern Europe that actually still believe in common sense, and Western Europe that’s clearly missing in the political discourse these days,” he added.

Dodik has consistently advocated for the Serbian half of Bosnia to separate from areas governed by Bosniaks, who are predominantly Muslim, and Croats. This Serbian push for independence and potential merger with Serbia was considered the primary trigger of the 1992-95 ethnic conflict that claimed over 100,000 lives before concluding with a U.S.-mediated peace deal.

The Biden administration sanctioned Dodik and related individuals and entities in 2022 due to separatist activities that raised concerns about renewed conflict. These sanctions were removed by the Trump administration last year.

The current administration has maintained longstanding criticism of the EU, particularly regarding trade disputes and EU oversight of technology companies. This criticism of traditional European partners has grown stronger during the Iran war.

Bosnia holds candidate status for EU membership, and the 27-member union describes itself as Bosnia’s largest trading partner, investor and source of financial assistance.

HAVANA — Hundreds of women took to the streets of Cuba’s capital Tuesday, staging a demonstration against U.S. energy restrictions and other sanctions implemented during Donald Trump’s presidency that they say are choking the island nation.

The Federation of Cuban Women, a large government-affiliated organization with strong Communist Party connections, coordinated the protest to pay tribute to Vilma Espín, who founded the group, fought as a guerrilla, and was married to Raúl Castro.

Demonstrators assembled at a park dedicated to a 19th-century independence hero, displaying Cuban flags, carrying banners reading “Down with the Blockade” and holding photographs of Fidel Castro and Espín.

Leading the protest were Deputy Prime Minister Inés María Chapman, Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal, and Mariela Castro, who is Espín’s daughter and former President Raúl Castro’s child.

“This policy of abuse has to stop,” Vidal told The Associated Press. “The Cuban people don’t deserve this. It’s the most comprehensive, all-encompassing, and longest-running system of coercive measures ever imposed against an entire country.”

Vidal, who played a crucial role in the historic Cuba-U.S. diplomatic warming in 2014 during Barack Obama’s presidency, continued: “It subjects us to collective punishment, recognized as such under international law, and we couldn’t fail to be here.”

Early this January, U.S. forces targeted Venezuela and detained its former leader, cutting off vital oil deliveries to Cuba. Trump later in the month warned of tariffs against any nation providing oil to the Caribbean island.

Nevertheless, Trump expressed no objection when a Russian vessel loaded with 730,000 barrels of crude reached Cuba recently, representing the island’s first oil delivery in three months. Russia has announced plans to dispatch another tanker.

The island generates just 40% of its required fuel, and this shortage has crippled the nation, impacting healthcare, mass transit, manufacturing, and worsening an economic downturn that has persisted for five years.

“I am here fighting for the people of Cuba,” said Leydys de la Cruz, a 57-year-old seamstress who joined Tuesday’s rally. “I would ask Trump to leave us in peace. The situation is very bad because of the blockade he’s imposed on us.”

Georgina Reyes, a 36-year-old IT technician, also pleaded with Trump: “I would tell him that we don’t hurt anyone. … Please don’t hurt us.”

Trump has pushed for government overthrow in Cuba and threatened military action while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — whose parents emigrated from Cuba — has called for freeing political detainees and implementing free-market changes.

Both American and Cuban officials have acknowledged ongoing discussions, though details about their scope remain uncertain.

A humanitarian mission organized by Vatican officials was compelled to retreat Tuesday when artillery fire erupted near a Christian community in southern Lebanon that has been cut off from essential supplies.

The relief convoy, coordinated through the Vatican’s Lebanese embassy, was attempting to reach the town of Debel with desperately needed provisions when nearby combat forced the mission to abort, according to Father Fadi Falfil, a local priest.

Christian communities across southern Lebanon have remained in their homes throughout the intensifying conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters, hoping their neutrality might protect them from the violence engulfing neighboring areas.

However, ongoing military operations and aerial bombardments in surrounding regions have made transportation extremely hazardous, creating severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.

“We don’t have basic medication like insulin – we don’t even have drinking water,” Father Falfil stated in an interview.

The priest explained that the relief mission was initially scheduled for Easter Sunday but had to be postponed due to intense artillery activity in the region.

“We were waiting all day, and they were at pains all day to try to get this aid to us. It was five minutes away and it had to turn back,” Falfil described.

According to the priest’s briefing, Israeli military operations targeting Hezbollah fighters in the vicinity prevented the delivery from proceeding, with no alternative date currently established for another attempt.

Neither Israeli military officials, Hezbollah representatives, nor Vatican embassy personnel in Lebanon provided immediate responses to media inquiries.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, designated as UNIFIL, was providing security escort for Tuesday’s humanitarian convoy.

“The mission had to be cut short due to shelling in the area. We did have some very minor injuries among peacekeepers due to the impacts nearby,” explained UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel.

Lebanese television network MTV reported the aid shipment contained three trucks loaded with essential items including bread and fresh vegetables.

“No matter what happens, we’re going to stay. We stay because of our faith and our history here – it isn’t a choice, it’s a message,” Father Falfil declared.

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia and Herzegovina – The eldest son of President Donald Trump made a controversial visit to Bosnia’s Serb Republic on Tuesday, where he delivered sharp criticism of the European Union during a private gathering with regional leaders.

During his stop in Banja Luka, the de facto capital of the Serb Republic, Donald Trump Jr. described the European Union as “a little bit of a mess” while speaking to a closed panel of political figures and business leaders. He was invited by Igor Dodik, son of the region’s former separatist leader Milorad Dodik.

Trump Jr., who serves as executive vice president of the Trump Organization alongside his brother Eric, shared feedback he claimed to have received from international business contacts. “But it’s a disaster they feel also needs to be fixed because of the impact that it does have on the values and Western civilization,” he stated, referring to concerns about Europe’s current state.

The timing of the visit aligned with Vice President JD Vance’s appearance in Budapest, where he accused the EU of interfering in Hungarian electoral processes.

The Serb Republic represents one half of Bosnia’s dual autonomous structure, established through the U.S.-brokered Dayton peace agreement in 1995. This accord ended a devastating three-year conflict that claimed approximately 100,000 lives and forced around 2 million people from their homes.

Milorad Dodik, who previously led the region, lost his political position last August following a court ruling that prohibited him from holding office. He had faced U.S. sanctions for violations of the Dayton peace framework but has emerged as a vocal supporter of Trump administration policies.

“The arrival of Vance in Hungary and Donald Trump Jr. in Banja Luka is a signal of an important shift in the U.S. administration under President Trump, showing concern for this part of Europe,” Dodik wrote on social media platform X.

The Treasury Department removed sanctions against Dodik and his associates in October without providing public justification for the decision. Serbian officials indicate they have been working behind the scenes to strengthen ties with Washington while preserving their relationship with Russia.

The panel discussion was restricted to government-friendly media organizations, though footage was subsequently aired on regional television networks.

LISBON, April 7 – Portuguese officials have granted permission for 76 American military aircraft to land at the Lajes air facility in the Azores, along with 25 flights over Portuguese airspace during the current U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, according to government statements made Monday.

The approvals come with strict stipulations that American forces avoid striking civilian targets, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel disclosed during testimony before parliament. Rangel confirmed that Washington has honored these requirements as part of what he described as “loyal cooperation” between the NATO partners, though he noted that Portuguese authorities have denied some landing requests.

Multiple European nations including Spain, France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland have either limited or completely blocked American military aircraft from using their airspace and facilities during the Iranian conflict.

The restrictions come as President Donald Trump has set a Tuesday 8 p.m. Washington time deadline – which translates to 3:30 a.m. Wednesday in Tehran – for Iran to lift its Gulf oil blockade or face American strikes against Iranian bridges and power facilities.

“We are against any attack on civilian infrastructure, and we made that a condition for the use of the Lajes air base,” Rangel explained to lawmakers. He said Lisbon provides base access for military responses to attacks on America, but only when the retaliation is “necessary and proportional” and avoids civilian casualties.

“The Portuguese government has always made a point of handling this transparently. We say when we authorise it and when there are transits of U.S. aircraft, other (European) governments do as they see fit,” the Foreign Minister stated, emphasizing Portugal’s preference for diplomatic solutions to the Iranian crisis.

The Lajes facility serves as a crucial strategic location housing the U.S. Air Force’s 65th Air Base Wing, which supports American, NATO and allied military operations throughout the region.

Ukrainian military personnel have established operations in western Libya through a secret agreement backed by Western nations, and launched a drone strike against a Russian gas tanker from Libyan territory last month, two Libyan officials revealed Tuesday.

The Russian vessel Arctic Metagaz, loaded with 61,000 tons of liquefied natural gas, sustained severe damage from what authorities believe was a sea drone assault near Malta’s waters in early March. The ship has since been drifting off Libya’s coast. Rescue teams evacuated all 30 crew members to another ship bound for Benghazi, according to Libya’s Maritime Authority.

The targeted vessel belongs to Russia’s unofficial shadow fleet that transports oil despite international sanctions imposed over Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which began more than four years ago. Recent temporary U.S. sanctions relief aims to address supply shortages during the Iran conflict.

Moscow has attributed the assault to Ukrainian sea drones. Ukraine maintains that oil export profits are financing Russia’s military campaign.

The Ukrainian personnel, primarily drone specialists, are based mainly at a Misrata air facility along the coast, while also maintaining presence at military installations in Tripoli and the coastal community of Zawiya, the officials informed The Associated Press. Both requested anonymity when discussing sensitive information.

According to one official, Ukrainian operatives launched the March 3 drone assault from a Tripoli military installation.

Libya’s Maritime Authority reported at the time that the vessel suffered “sudden explosions, followed by a massive fire” approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) from Sirte. The maritime agency incorrectly initially announced the tanker had been destroyed.

Following the strike, the Arctic Metagaz stayed afloat and ocean currents pushed it toward Libya’s shoreline, the World Wide Fund for Nature reported. Recently, Libyan officials tried towing the vessel to safer waters off their western coastline. These attempts were unsuccessful due to severe weather and powerful winds that left the tanker drifting without control.

Russian and Ukrainian representatives have not immediately responded to these allegations. Tripoli’s government also did not provide immediate comment.

Ukraine has emerged as a center for rapid military technological advancement, particularly in unmanned aircraft systems, while defending against Russia’s larger military force.

Ukraine’s Sea Baby naval drones have successfully targeted Russian vessels throughout the Black Sea. These effective operations forced Russia to modify its tactics, reducing Black Sea attack opportunities and pushing Ukrainian specialists to plan more ambitious strikes.

The officials explained that Ukrainian forces were progressively positioned in western Libya over recent months through what one described as a “covert deal” between Kyiv and the struggling administration of Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli.

Western nations, including the United States, supported this arrangement. U.S. African affairs adviser Massad Boulos has created a proposal to resolve Libya’s prolonged conflict while maintaining Dbeibah as prime minister, the officials stated.

Boulos’ plan also involves naming Saddam Hifter, son of influential eastern military leader Khalifa Hifter, to lead the presidential council. Saddam Hifter serves as chief of staff for the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army controlling eastern and southern Libya, including significant oil reserves.

For over ten years, the nation has remained divided between a U.N.-recognized Tripoli government under Dbeibah and a competing eastern administration supporting Russia-aligned Hifter. Various armed factions and international governments have backed each side.

Dbeibah’s governmental authority ended when Libya couldn’t conduct its planned presidential election in December 2021. He has since resisted attempts to form a new government and guide the petroleum-rich country toward elections, cautioning that his removal could spark warfare.

Jalel Harchaoui, a Libya expert with the Royal United Services Institute, indicated that Ukrainian forces in western Libya represent NATO’s continuing efforts to prevent the region from falling under “Russia’s reach.”

“It is entirely plausible that, with the knowledge and blessing of NATO powers — chiefly the United States but also the United Kingdom and Turkey — several small groups of Ukrainian operatives now maintain a presence in the greater Tripoli area,” he stated.

Libya has experienced turmoil since a NATO-supported rebellion overthrew and killed longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The oil-wealthy country has become a battleground for ongoing competition between Russia and Western powers. With borders touching six nations, Libya has created challenges for Europe by serving as a migration route for people attempting to reach European territories.

Two French citizens who spent more than three years imprisoned in Iran have been released and are traveling back to France, according to French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement Tuesday.

Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris were permitted to depart Iran after being confined to French diplomatic facilities since their prison release in November. “Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris are free and on route toward French territory, after three and a half years of detention in Iran,” Macron wrote on social media platform X.

The breakthrough came after extensive diplomatic efforts by France to secure their departure from Iranian territory. Macron acknowledged Oman’s assistance in mediating the release, stating “It’s a relief for us all and obviously for their families.”

According to Iran’s official news agency IRNA, Tehran agreed to release the French pair in exchange for Iranian citizen Mahdieh Esfandiari. Iranian officials had been demanding Esfandiari’s release since last year following her conviction in France for promoting terrorism through statements she made regarding the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks against Israel.

The prisoner exchange highlights Iran’s strategic approach to international relations during ongoing regional conflicts. Macron has maintained France’s distance from the broader Middle East tensions, stating his nation was not consulted about U.S.-Israeli military operations.

Iranian authorities had freed Kohler and Paris from prison in November but prevented their departure from the country. The two had been detained since May 2022 on espionage allegations that French officials consistently rejected as baseless.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed he spoke with both released citizens, who “expressed their emotion and their joy at soon being reunited with their country and their loved ones.” He praised France’s embassy staff in Tehran for keeping them secure “under very difficult conditions.”

France has long criticized Iran for what it calls a “hostage policy,” using foreign nationals as diplomatic leverage. Tehran denies these accusations from Western governments.

In September, Iranian officials indicated the two nations were close to finalizing a prisoner exchange involving Esfandiari. France subsequently withdrew its case against Iran at the International Court of Justice, where it had accused Tehran of violating consular protection rights.

A French court convicted Esfandiari in February on terrorism incitement charges, sentencing her to one year in prison plus a three-year suspended sentence and permanent ban from French territory.

O’SMACH, Cambodia (AP) — Thai military officials provided journalists with an unprecedented look inside what may be the largest online fraud operation ever discovered, a massive complex spanning 197 acres along the Thailand-Cambodia border.

The facility, known as the O’Smach Resort, covers an area equivalent to 150 football fields and housed an estimated 10,000 people engaged in elaborate online scamming operations targeting victims across the globe.

Thai forces seized control of the compound in December amid border tensions with Cambodia, with military officials stating they captured the area after Cambodian forces used it to launch cross-border attacks.

The sprawling operation represents the growing scale of online fraud networks that have expanded rapidly across Southeast Asia following the pandemic. United Nations human rights officials estimate approximately 300,000 workers are involved in similar scamming enterprises throughout the region.

The complex belonged to Cambodian politician Ly Yong Phat, who currently faces U.S. sanctions for human rights violations connected to this same facility. Construction materials and cranes scattered throughout the grounds suggest ongoing expansion plans.

Inside a four-story office building, evidence of the sophisticated American-targeted schemes remained scattered across desks. Investigators found detailed instruction manuals written in Chinese, along with American SIM cards and leftover snacks from the previous occupants.

Among the materials discovered was an elaborate 24-page character profile for a fictional woman named Mila, created to deceive targets interested in gold options trading. The fabricated backstory included tragic personal details about losing her husband to leukemia, childhood bullying experiences, and a manufactured history of living in South Africa with relatives.

The compound featured 157 buildings total, with 29 structures dedicated to housing the fraudulent operations and their administrative offices. The remaining buildings included large dormitory facilities and upscale living quarters featuring apartments and three-story residential villas.

To serve the predominantly Chinese workforce, the facility included multiple restaurants offering regional cuisines from Hunan, Shaxian, and Sichuan provinces, complete with traditional dishes like hot and sour rice noodles.

Recent FBI statistics reveal Americans suffered losses approaching $21 billion from various scam operations during 2025 alone, highlighting the financial impact of these international fraud networks.

Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee, who guided the media tour, emphasized the global nature of the challenge facing law enforcement agencies.

“Every country of the world has to join together to solve this problem, (we) cannot do it alone with Cambodia and Thailand,” Sornchaidee stated.

Despite commitments from both Thailand and Cambodia to address these criminal enterprises, officials acknowledge the international scope of the problem requires coordinated global response efforts.

Residents living along Israel’s northern border are taking a stand, refusing to abandon their homes despite facing renewed rocket attacks from Hezbollah forces across the Lebanese frontier.

Fifty-nine-year-old Orna Weinberg was among those who evacuated from her home in Manara after a Hezbollah rocket damaged her property in October 2023. She spent two years away from her close-knit community, which sits mere meters from Lebanon’s border.

Weinberg characterized those years of displacement as “pretty tough,” marked by devastating personal losses. Several elderly community members, including her mother-in-law and uncle, passed away while living away from home.

“The day we had electricity, and we could put a mattress in, we got back, and we started fixing the house from inside out,” Weinberg explained about returning to her damaged home.

Despite current rocket fire targeting northern Israel as military forces engage Hezbollah in broader regional conflict, Weinberg and fellow residents of the small kibbutz are determined to remain, having only returned last October.

“We will never, ever leave this place again,” Weinberg declared.

The kibbutz of Manara was founded in 1943 by Jewish immigrants during the British Mandatory Palestine period, five years before Israel’s establishment as a state.

From Manara’s perimeter, Lebanese villages are easily visible, highlighting the community’s exposure to cross-border attacks. The sound of Israeli artillery responding into Lebanon regularly reverberates across the area.

People living in Manara and neighboring northern Israeli settlements, which house hundreds of thousands of residents, typically have mere seconds to reach protective shelters when rockets launch from Lebanon, unlike those in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem who have several minutes. Occasionally, alerts arrive only after projectiles have already hit their targets.

Construction work on Weinberg’s residence has stopped due to safety concerns. Other damaged homes in the kibbutz await demolition after sustaining damage from Hezbollah rockets during more than a year of combat that paralleled the Gaza conflict. The Israel-Hezbollah hostilities decreased following a ceasefire agreement in 2024.

At Hagoshrim, another kibbutz located approximately two kilometers from the Lebanese border, residents have similarly committed to staying despite deadly rocket threats. A community member was killed by Hezbollah fire in 2024.

Hagoshrim resident Dror Gavish acknowledges the terror posed by the Lebanese militant organization. Two Israelis have died in Hezbollah strikes since the group began launching rockets in support of Iran on March 2 this year.

Nevertheless, forty-two-year-old Gavish said he, his spouse, and their three children chose to remain rather than evacuate. “We are here and we’re not going to go anywhere.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration has maintained that no northern residents will face forced evacuation as combat continues.

This approach contrasts sharply with conditions across the border, where Israeli forces have commanded hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians to flee their communities as bombing campaigns destroy villages, with Israel claiming Hezbollah uses these areas for launching attacks. Israel’s renewed military campaign in Lebanon has displaced over 1.2 million people.

Following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on southern Israel, Manara’s population evacuated, fearing Hezbollah might execute a similar attack. Tens of thousands of northern Israeli residents received government support to stay in temporary housing throughout the country, with many still not returned.

Currently, Netanyahu’s government has not provided funding for residents to stay in hotels elsewhere until hostilities end. Instead, officials have promised to capture Lebanese territory to prevent Hezbollah from threatening northern Israeli communities with short-range weapons.

Weinberg expresses criticism toward Netanyahu’s government. Like numerous Israelis, she believes an investigation must examine the failures leading to the October 7 attack, which resulted in nearly 1,200 deaths, including two of her family members. Another relative was kidnapped to Gaza and subsequently killed, she reported.

Netanyahu has denied personal accountability for the failures and has resisted an independent investigation, instead supporting an inquiry where the government would select half the panel members.

“I don’t think the government are our saviours, and I don’t expect them to be,” Weinberg stated. She believes Israel’s leadership should pursue peaceful relations with neighboring countries rather than engaging in warfare.

Gavish from Hagoshrim said that while he, like many Israelis, views Iran as a significant threat, he lacks confidence in Netanyahu’s government to act in the nation’s best interests.

He anticipates upcoming elections will produce new leadership focused on diplomatic solutions, including peace agreements with Lebanon.

“I really believe things here can be much better for us,” he said.

The escalating Middle East conflict has reached extraordinary intensity as American and Israeli forces work together to dismantle Iran’s military and economic infrastructure, according to a senior Israeli defense official.

Brigadier General Amir Avivi, who founded and leads the Israel Defense and Security Forum, shared his analysis of the current situation with The Media Line. Despite facing continuous attacks across multiple fronts, Avivi expressed confidence in the coalition’s progress. “Obviously, it’s very, very challenging, but we are winning decisively,” he stated.

The general revealed details of recent joint operations, including a dramatic rescue mission where American forces, supported by Israeli intelligence and special units, extracted a downed US pilot from Iran’s mountainous regions. Avivi described how the airman moved “towards the top of the mountain to … a place where he can hide” while the US “built a whole base in the area in order to support the troops that were involved in the rescue itself.” Israeli forces provided intelligence support and elite unit participation in the operation.

According to Avivi’s assessment, the allied campaign has achieved remarkable success in degrading Iran’s capabilities, destroying 90% of the country’s essential military production facilities and eliminating 85% of petrochemical operations. The economic impact has been severe, with “tens of billions of dollars have gone to the drain,” he observed. The strategy aims to reach a point where “Iran cannot sustain anymore, where this regime cannot pay salaries, cannot sustain its economy and its military capabilities.”

Drawing parallels to World War II strategy against Japan, Avivi explained that current efforts focus on forcing surrender without requiring American ground forces. He noted that President Trump has discussed targeting electrical infrastructure and seizing control of Iranian oil resources. Supporting this approach, Avivi warned, “They have to lose everything,” predicting that “in a few attacks, this country will not function anymore at all.”

Regarding Iran’s interference with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Avivi argued there “shouldn’t be a problem for the US to take over the Strait,” describing it as strategically essential. He emphasized the waterway’s importance, noting “Twenty percent of the oil and gas goes through this Strait” and stressed that “Whoever controls it has a lot of power. And this power shouldn’t be in the hands of this apocalyptic, crazy regime.”

To address potential disruptions to global energy supplies, Avivi described an alternative transportation route through Saudi Arabia and Israel. This corridor would utilize Saudi pipelines and move petroleum from the Red Sea through Eilat to Ashkelon, making “Israel will become a corridor of energy that will supply huge amounts of oil to Europe.” Combined with increased exports from America, Venezuela, and Azerbaijan, he estimated this alternative route could address approximately half of the market disruption caused by strait closures.

The general emphasized that complete victory requires total elimination of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile threats. “If you want to get to the point where the Iranians give all the enriched uranium, where you have forces going in and dismantling all their underground cities with ballistic missiles. … This can be done only when the regime surrenders or falls,” he argued.

Avivi’s most dramatic recommendation involves destroying Iran’s electrical grid to paralyze the government’s ability to function. He believes this would leave the state without operational banking systems, command centers, or computer networks. “When you take down the electricity, they will have maybe a few days to use generators. … But this is good for a few days, not anymore. And once this is done, they’re done,” he explained.

Using biblical imagery, he advocated for “a plague of darkness in Iran, taking out their electricity plants and rendering this regime completely incapable.” However, Avivi clarified that the strategy targets the regime rather than ordinary Iranians. “You can destroy certain elements that can be rebuilt later on,” he noted, seeking to “enable the Iranian people to rebuild their future once there is a change of regime.”

On the home front, Avivi described the ongoing impact of Iranian ballistic missile strikes on Israeli civilians. While Israel’s defense systems intercept more than 90% of incoming threats, he acknowledged the psychological burden on the population. “People wake up in the middle of the night to sirens and in the middle of the day and little children,” Avivi described, adding that Iran’s indiscriminate targeting of civilians proves “It’s not a regime that can continue to exist.”

In Lebanon, Israeli forces have advanced five to six miles into the southern region to reduce anti-tank missile threats. When questioned about the permanence of this presence, Avivi responded, “Probably. We’ll see.” Israeli air operations continue targeting Hezbollah leadership, weapons systems, and financial networks. However, he stressed that Iran remains the primary target, serving as the financial backbone for “militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza.” He noted that “it’s the Iranian regime that is sustaining Hezbollah, that paid them in 2025, $2 billion.”

While Israeli operations have eliminated over a thousand Hezbollah operatives, Avivi argued that logistical advantages over Iran are crucial for overall victory. He pointed out that Israel and America maintain continuous weapons production while Iran’s manufacturing facilities have been destroyed. Quoting a military principle often attributed to General Omar Bradley, Avivi said, “Amateurs talk strategy, professionals talk logistics.”

Despite significant progress, he counseled patience in achieving complete victory. “We are winning the war. But we have to understand what was built in 47 years, you don’t destroy in a few weeks. It takes some time.” He summarized his strategic philosophy by declaring, “Iran is the key. And we really need to cut the head of the snake.”

Avivi strongly criticized NATO’s decision not to participate in the conflict, calling it a historic error that could reshape international alliances. He predicted growing tensions, stating, “I think the US understands that they cannot trust NATO anymore. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the US leaving NATO.” He warned that European nations will need to rebuild their military capabilities to counter Russian threats while observing that US-Israel cooperation is strengthening, potentially expanding the Abraham Accords after the conflict ends. “The US understands that they only have one really serious, capable ally. Nobody else really stepped [up] and helped in this war,” he observed.

Regarding Gaza operations, Avivi confirmed that Israeli forces control more than half the territory while maintaining clear objectives about Hamas’s future. “If anybody thinks that Israel will let Hamas stay armed in Gaza, this is not going to happen,” he stated firmly.

The general also addressed domestic Israeli debates about military conscription during wartime. He criticized exemptions that allow some groups to avoid service during what he considers an existential crisis, arguing that all Israeli society must contribute to defense efforts. “In Israel, everybody needs to serve,” he declared, calling draft avoidance “completely against our Jewish values.”

Looking back on the conflict’s development, Avivi expressed surprise at the rapid success achieved during last June’s 12-day campaign against Iran, particularly the swift destruction of Iranian air defenses within thirty-six hours. Comparing actual results to pre-war projections, he admitted, “With all the challenges that we have now, it’s not even 1% of what we thought it might be.”

Intelligence sources indicate that Iran’s recently appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remains unconscious and in grave condition in the city of Qom, creating uncertainty about who holds power in Tehran, according to a diplomatic briefing citing American and Israeli intelligence that was published Tuesday in The Times of London.

Former President Trump has questioned whether the Iranian leader remains alive or capable of governing. Speaking last month, Trump stated, “The supreme leader of Iran is dead or seriously wounded because nobody hears from him. Who would want to lead Iran? Nobody.”

Mojtaba Khamenei has been absent from public view since early March, just weeks after taking over as supreme leader. His current medical crisis stems from wounds he received during a combined American-Israeli military strike on February 28 that marked the beginning of the conflict. That same attack resulted in the deaths of his father Ali Khamenei, along with his mother, spouse, and child.

The intelligence memo reveals that funeral arrangements are being made in Qom for Ali Khamenei, with construction of an expansive mausoleum designed to accommodate “more than one grave,” suggesting additional family members may be interred at the location.

Meanwhile, Iran International, an opposition news source, has reported that a military committee consisting of high-ranking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders has taken control of governmental decisions in Iran. This council is allegedly blocking Mojtaba Khamenei from receiving updates about the nation’s wartime situation.

Additional friction has emerged between President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government and the Revolutionary Guards. Reports indicate that Pezeshkian sought an audience with Mojtaba Khamenei, but his request received no response and contact was never made.

Israeli military forces launched extensive bombing operations across Iran on Monday, striking facilities the military claims were essential to the country’s weapons manufacturing capabilities, according to statements from the Israel Defense Forces.

Military officials reported that warplanes targeted a chemical manufacturing complex in Shiraz that produced nitric acid, a substance Israeli forces describe as crucial for creating explosives and developing ballistic missiles. Israeli military representatives stated this location was among the limited number of Iranian sites still capable of manufacturing vital chemical materials for weapons production.

The Israeli military indicated these latest attacks followed previous bombardments of other major chemical manufacturing complexes, including what they characterized as Iran’s largest petrochemical operation and another facility in Mahshahr. Military officials claim these combined strikes have disabled more than 85% of Iran’s chemical export capabilities.

In addition to the Shiraz facility, Israeli forces reported hitting a major ballistic missile installation in Iran’s northwestern region during the same military operation.

Israeli officials expect the infrastructure damage will significantly hamper Iran’s capacity to produce essential missile components, which they say Iran uses to threaten Israel and neighboring Middle Eastern nations.

The United Nations migration agency reported Tuesday that over 80 migrants remain unaccounted for following a devastating boat accident in the central Mediterranean Sea. Two bodies have been found so far from the tragedy.

The vessel was carrying approximately 120 individuals when it left Tajoura, a coastal community in northwestern Libya, on Sunday. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the boat took on water and flipped over due to severe weather conditions in the area.

Rescue operations by a commercial ship and tugboat successfully pulled 32 survivors from the water, who were subsequently transported by Italy’s coast guard to Lampedusa, a southern Italian island. Officials confirmed the recovery of two victims’ bodies during the operation.

The North African nation has become a primary departure point for people escaping conflict and economic hardship across Africa and the Middle East. Libya descended into turmoil following the 2011 rebellion that resulted in the death of long-ruling leader Moammar Gadhafi.

This latest tragedy occurred roughly one week following another deadly incident when Italian coast guard personnel discovered 19 bodies and saved 58 individuals from a migrant dinghy approximately 80 nautical miles from Lampedusa. That rescue operation took place in Libya’s search and rescue waters during challenging weather.

The small Mediterranean island of Lampedusa serves as Europe’s primary arrival destination for migrants making the dangerous crossing from North Africa, with thousands perishing during these treacherous voyages. Most fatalities occur when small vessels launch from Tunisian and Libyan shores.

According to Tuesday’s IOM report, early 2026 has become the most lethal beginning to any year for Mediterranean crossings since 2014, with no fewer than 990 documented deaths already recorded. In the Central Mediterranean specifically, 765 people have lost their lives in 2026, representing approximately a 150% surge compared to the same timeframe last year.

IOM Director General Amy Pope recently told The Associated Press that the organization is observing increasing numbers of migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sudan aboard Mediterranean vessels.

“The issue of people crossing the Mediterranean is really dependent on what else is happening in the world and the factors at the moment, war, instability, lack of access to food, sexual violence, all of these things will drive people to move,” she said.

BULLY-LES-MINES, France — A locomotive engineer lost his life Tuesday when a high-speed passenger train collided with a truck transporting military equipment at a railroad crossing in northern France, according to local officials.

Sixteen passengers sustained injuries in the crash, with two in serious condition, authorities reported. The truck operator has been taken into custody as investigators launch an aggravated manslaughter probe, though Prosecutor Etienne Thieffry told media it remains too soon to pinpoint what caused the deadly collision.

Jean Castex, who leads France’s national railway system SNCF, confirmed that the crossing’s safety gates were operating properly at the time of impact.

Emergency responders descended on the crash site in Bully-les-Mines, located along the rail line connecting Dunkirk to Paris, regional officials stated. More than 200 train passengers were safely evacuated from the scene following the accident.

An Associated Press reporter observed extensive damage to both vehicles, with the locomotive’s front end severely crushed and the truck also heavily damaged. The train cars stayed upright on the rails, though railway operations were suspended while emergency crews conducted their response operations.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan diplomatic officials announced Tuesday that peace negotiations taking place in China between Afghanistan and Pakistan aimed at stopping cross-border violence have shown encouraging progress.

The diplomatic meetings commenced last week in Urumqi, a city in western China, after Beijing extended an invitation to both nations in hopes of resolving the deadly conflict that erupted in February and has claimed hundreds of lives. Pakistan previously declared it was engaged in “open war” with Afghanistan and has conducted aerial bombardments on Afghan territory, including strikes in Kabul.

According to a Tuesday post by the United Nations humanitarian coordination office in Afghanistan, the ongoing violence has forced 94,000 people from their homes, while another 100,000 residents in two Afghan border districts have been completely isolated by the fighting since February began.

The escalating violence has created significant concern among international observers, especially given that extremist groups like al-Qaida and ISIS maintain operations in the contested region.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held discussions with China’s ambassador to Afghanistan on Tuesday, as reported by Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal on social media. Takal expressed gratitude to Beijing for organizing and facilitating the negotiations, while also acknowledging mediation assistance from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

“Noting that constructive discussions have taken place so far, FM Muttaqi expressed hope that minor interpretations would not hinder the progress of the negotiations,” Takal wrote.

Official communications about the diplomatic talks have remained limited since mid-level representatives from both countries began meeting on April 1.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, Afghanistan has repeatedly alleged that Pakistan continued cross-border artillery attacks during the talks, resulting in civilian casualties. Pakistani officials have not responded to these accusations.

Pakistan frequently claims that Afghanistan allows militant groups to operate from its territory and launch deadly strikes inside Pakistan, particularly the Pakistani Taliban organization known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. This group maintains ties with but operates separately from the Afghan Taliban, which assumed control of Afghanistan in 2021 after U.S.-led forces withdrew. Afghan authorities reject these allegations.

Pakistani military leadership pledged Tuesday to maintain current anti-terrorism operations until what they described as “militant safe havens” are destroyed and “the use of Afghan territory against Pakistan” ceases.

These statements emerged from a high-level military conference led by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, according to an official military announcement.

The gathering assessed current domestic and international security conditions. The statement indicated that “terrorist proxies” working for “external sponsors” and their supporters would be tracked down and eliminated “relentlessly and without exception.”

The current violence represents the most intense fighting between the neighboring countries and began when Afghanistan launched retaliatory cross-border operations following Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan soil. These clashes shattered a Qatar-mediated ceasefire agreement from October that had ended earlier fighting which killed dozens of military personnel, civilians and suspected militants.

A Pakistani airstrike on March 17 targeted a drug rehabilitation facility in Kabul, with Afghan authorities reporting more than 400 deaths. Pakistan disputed targeting civilians, claiming its operations focused on military installations.

Crude oil costs have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels approaching $150 per barrel as the escalating Middle East conflict continues to strangle global energy supplies, according to industry data released April 7.

The ongoing war involving the U.S.-Israel alliance against Iran has resulted in the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off approximately 12 million barrels of oil per day from reaching world markets. This represents roughly 12% of global oil production, creating severe supply shortages that are driving prices to historic peaks.

While Brent crude futures climbed to $119.50 per barrel last month – the highest level since 2022 – the actual cost of physical oil deliveries has far surpassed even those elevated prices. North Sea Forties crude reached an all-time high of $146.09 per barrel on Tuesday, surpassing the previous 2008 record of $147.50.

The dramatic price surge stems from desperate competition among refineries in Europe and Asia scrambling to secure alternative oil sources to replace the lost Middle Eastern supplies. This has created a bidding war for immediately available crude from regions like Europe and Africa.

Veteran oil trader Adi Imsirovic attributed the extreme pricing to widespread “panic” in the marketplace. “When there is a real, physical shortage, people are not thinking about July delivery – June loading and hence June futures prices – but oil NOW,” Imsirovic explained.

The gap between immediate delivery prices and future contracts has widened dramatically, with dated Brent crude – which reflects actual cargo prices – trading nearly $20 above June futures contracts. This premium reflects the urgent need for oil that can be delivered immediately rather than months down the road.

“At the moment, the market is scrambling for prompt, refinery-usable barrels, and stress is appearing first in the part of the benchmark that is closest to the immediate physical problem,” Morgan Stanley analysts noted in their latest market assessment.

S&P Global Energy Platts, a major oil price publisher, valued dated Brent at $141.365 on April 2, approaching the 2008 record of $144.22. Using this benchmark would push many physical oil cargoes, including Forties crude, well beyond the $150 threshold.

The supply crisis has also sent refined fuel costs soaring across European markets. Jet fuel prices reached $226.40 per barrel on Tuesday, nearly matching record highs set in mid-March. Diesel prices climbed to $203.59 per barrel, though still below the peaks reached in 2022.

BAGHDAD — Three Iraqi government sources revealed Tuesday that local officials suspect the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia orchestrated the March 31 kidnapping of American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson from a Baghdad street corner, though efforts to secure her freedom have encountered significant roadblocks.

While U.S. authorities had previously pointed to this group as responsible for Kittleson’s abduction, Iraq’s government has not officially identified the perpetrators, and the militia organization has made no public claims regarding the kidnapping.

When contacted for comment, representatives from Kataib Hezbollah refused to respond.

Two Iraqi security officials and one member of the pro-Iran Coordination Framework political alliance shared details with The Associated Press under anonymity, as they lacked authorization to discuss the sensitive matter publicly.

According to one security source, a representative from the Popular Mobilization Forces — an umbrella organization of Iran-backed militias operating under nominal Iraqi military oversight — was assigned to establish contact with the kidnappers for Kittleson’s release but encountered substantial communication barriers with Kataib Hezbollah’s leadership.

“The primary challenge is that the leaders of the Kataib militia — specifically, the commanders of the battalions — are nowhere to be found. No one knows their whereabouts, and the process of establishing contact with them is extremely complex,” they said. “These leaders have gone underground, maintaining no active lines of communication, out of fear of being targeted.”

The political source indicated that Iraqi officials sent communications to Kataib leadership seeking their conditions for the journalist’s release. While authorities expressed readiness to free six detained Kataib Hezbollah members — most held for attacks on a U.S. facility in Syria — the militia has yet to clearly state its demands.

A second security official noted additional complications, explaining that the Iraqi official overseeing the case still awaits authorization from U.S. authorities to move forward with negotiations.

U.S. officials have not yet responded to requests for comment. The State Department has previously stated it is collaborating with the FBI to secure Kittleson’s freedom.

Press freedom organizations have called on the U.S. government to officially classify Kittleson as a hostage or “wrongful detainee,” a status that would activate enhanced government response protocols.

The 49-year-old Kittleson spent years working internationally, previously operating from Rome while establishing a distinguished journalism career throughout the Middle East, with particular focus on Iraq and Syria. As is common for independent journalists, she frequently operated with limited resources and without the security measures provided by major news organizations to their staff reporters.

She had recently re-entered Iraq before her capture. U.S. officials report they repeatedly warned her about threats to her safety, but she chose to remain in the country.

Iraqi authorities described the kidnapping as involving two vehicles, with one crashing during a pursuit near al-Haswa in Babil province, located southwest of Baghdad. The journalist was subsequently moved to a second vehicle that escaped.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations Security Council will cast ballots Tuesday on a significantly diluted measure calling for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, though uncertainty remains over whether Russia and China will block the Bahrain-backed proposal.

The balloting comes just hours ahead of an 8 p.m. Eastern time ultimatum issued by U.S. President Donald Trump requiring Iran to reopen the crucial shipping lane or face military strikes on its infrastructure including power facilities and bridges. Approximately 20 percent of global oil shipments normally transit through this waterway, and Iran’s blockade amid the ongoing conflict has caused energy costs to spike dramatically.

Even if the measure passes, it’s unlikely to influence the conflict, which has now entered its fifth week, given how substantially it has been diluted in attempts to persuade Russia and China to abstain instead of using their veto power.

The original proposal from Bahrain would have permitted nations to employ “all necessary means” — diplomatic language at the UN that encompasses military force — to guarantee passage through the Strait of Hormuz and prevent closure attempts.

Following objections from Russia, China and France, all permanent Security Council members with veto authority on the 15-nation body, regarding the authorization of force, the measure was amended to remove all references to offensive operations. The revised version would have permitted only “all defensive means necessary.” Voting had been anticipated for Saturday.

However, the proposal underwent further weakening to remove any mention of Security Council authorization — which constitutes a directive for action — and restrict its scope specifically to the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier versions had encompassed surrounding waters.

Tuesday’s resolution “strongly encourages states interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts, defensive in nature, commensurate with the circumstances, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the Strait of Hormuz.”

This would encompass providing protection for merchant and commercial ships, and preventing efforts to shut down, block or disrupt international shipping through the waterway, according to the text.

The measure also calls on Iran to immediately cease attacks on merchant and commercial vessels and stop hindering their navigation freedom through the Strait of Hormuz and targeting civilian infrastructure.

Following U.S. and Israeli military operations that began February 28, Iran has struck hotels, airports, residential areas and other civilian targets across more than 10 nations, including the Islamic Republic’s Gulf neighbors, some of whom rank among the world’s leading oil and natural gas exporters.

Gulf states view Iran’s strait blockade as a threat to their survival. Bahrain, which houses the U.S. Fifth Fleet and currently serves as the Security Council’s Arab representative and monthly president, has been advocating for UN intervention.

Meanwhile, Trump reiterated Monday his demand for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while praising U.S. forces for their bold rescue of two fighter jet crew members shot down over Iran. The Republican leader cautioned Iran that the “entire country can be taken out in one night, and that might be tomorrow night.”

He echoed this threat Tuesday, stating a “whole civilization will die tonight” unless Tehran meets his deadline to accept an agreement that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia and China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong have held the U.S. and Israel responsible for initiating the conflict and creating a widening international crisis. They informed the Security Council last week that the most pressing need is an immediate cessation of military activities.

Following Iran’s attacks on its Gulf neighbors, the Security Council passed a Bahrain-sponsored resolution March 11 denouncing the “egregious attacks” and demanding Tehran immediately stop its strikes.

That measure, approved 13-0 with Russia and China not participating, also criticized Iran’s Strait of Hormuz actions as endangering global peace and security and demanded an immediate end to all shipping blockade activities.

Turkish law enforcement officers fatally shot an assailant during an armed confrontation outside the structure that houses Israel’s consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, officials and eyewitnesses confirmed.

The violent encounter brings attention to Turkey’s extensive record of extremist violence spanning nearly a decade. Here’s a chronological overview of significant terrorist incidents that have occurred across the country:

December 29, 2025 – Six Islamic State fighters and three Turkish law enforcement officers died during armed combat in Yalova, located in Turkey’s northwest region.

September 8, 2025 – Authorities detained a teenager, age 16, in connection with the fatal shooting of two officers during an assault on a police facility in Izmir, a western Turkish municipality.

October 24, 2024 – A pair of armed assailants murdered five individuals at TUSAS, Turkey’s premier aerospace company in Ankara. Officials attributed the assault to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) extremist organization.

January 28, 2024 – Two masked shooters fatally wounded one person while attacking a religious service in Istanbul. Law enforcement apprehended the suspects and established connections to Islamic State.

October 1, 2023 – Two militants set off an explosive device outside government facilities in Ankara, killing themselves and injuring two law enforcement officers. The PKK took credit for the bombing.

November 13, 2022 – An explosion on a crowded Istanbul street resulted in six deaths and 81 injuries. Turkish officials accused the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which they regard as a PKK affiliate, though both organizations rejected involvement.

January 5, 2017 – A vehicle bomb in Izmir claimed the lives of one police officer and one court worker. Officials determined PKK members carried out the attack.

December 31, 2016 – Islamic State accepted responsibility for a New Year’s Eve mass shooting at an Istanbul entertainment venue that resulted in 39 fatalities.

December 17, 2016 – A car bomb explosion killed 13 military personnel in Kayseri. A PKK splinter group claimed the attack.

December 10, 2016 – Dual explosive attacks near an Istanbul football stadium killed 44 people, primarily law enforcement officers. The Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK), affiliated with PKK, claimed responsibility.

August 26, 2016 – A suicide truck bomb targeting a police station in southeastern Turkey killed no fewer than 11 people. The PKK claimed the operation.

August 20, 2016 – A suicide bomber struck a wedding celebration in Gaziantep, killing at least 51 attendees. President Tayyip Erdogan stated the perpetrator had Islamic State connections.

June 28, 2016 – A coordinated attack involving three suicide bombers and gunmen at Istanbul’s primary airport killed 45 and injured more than 160. The attackers, believed connected to Islamic State, received life imprisonment sentences.

March 19, 2016 – A suicide bomber killed four people in Istanbul, including three Israeli citizens (two holding dual U.S. citizenship) and one Iranian national. A Turkish Islamic State member was responsible.

March 13, 2016 – An explosive-laden vehicle detonated at a busy transportation center in Ankara, killing 37 people. TAK claimed responsibility.

February 17, 2016 – A car bomb targeted military transport vehicles near the armed forces headquarters, parliament, and additional government structures in Ankara, killing 28 and wounding many others. TAK claimed the attack.

January 12, 2016 – A suicide bomber killed at least 10 individuals, predominantly German visitors, in Istanbul’s historic district. Authorities attributed the incident to Islamic State.

October 10, 2015 – Twin bomb attacks outside Ankara’s central railway station killed more than 100 people. Turkish courts gave life sentences to the perpetrators, who had Islamic State ties.

September 8, 2015 – PKK fighters killed 15 law enforcement officers in the eastern provinces of Mardin and Igdir.

July 20, 2015 – An Islamic State suicide bomber killed over 30 people, mainly young students, in Suruc, a predominantly Kurdish community near Syria’s border.

Two French citizens who spent more than three years imprisoned in Iran are now heading home, French President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday.

Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris are “free and on their way to France, after three and a half years of detention in Iran,” Macron wrote on the social media platform X.

The news prompted French legislators to rise in a standing ovation when the announcement was shared at the National Assembly in Paris.

Military strikes targeted infrastructure across Iran on Tuesday, hitting transportation networks and a train facility, while President Donald Trump issued what he called a final ultimatum demanding Tehran agree to terms that would reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Trump delivered stark warnings that “a whole civilization will die tonight” unless Iranian leaders accept his latest proposal by an 8 p.m. Washington deadline. The president has previously extended similar ultimatums but indicated this one would be his last.

American forces also conducted operations against military installations on Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil export facility, marking the second assault on the location. Previous attacks on the island destroyed air defense systems, radar equipment, an airfield, and a naval base, according to satellite imagery analyzed by defense research organizations.

The escalating conflict has Iran’s leadership calling on citizens to protect critical infrastructure. Iranian official Alireza Rahimi released a video appeal urging “all young people, athletes, artists, students and university students and their professors” to create protective human barriers around electrical generation facilities.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on social media that 14 million citizens have responded to recruitment drives, volunteering for military service, and declared his intention to join them. Revolutionary Guard commanders have encouraged families to send their children to staff security checkpoints.

The military standoff centers on Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil supplies normally flow during peacetime. Iran imposed the shipping restrictions after coordinated attacks by Israel and the United States on February 28 initiated the current conflict.

Iranian forces retaliated Tuesday morning by launching seven ballistic missiles toward Saudi Arabia, with debris scattering near energy installations as defense systems intercepted the projectiles. The attacks forced Saudi authorities to temporarily shut down the King Fahd Causeway, the sole roadway linking Bahrain and the Arabian Peninsula.

Additional missile strikes targeted Israeli territory, with incoming projectiles reported near Tel Aviv and Eilat. Israel’s military confirmed it attacked an Iranian petrochemical facility in Shiraz for the second consecutive day and issued warnings in Farsi advising Iranians to avoid railway travel.

The humanitarian toll continues mounting, with Iranian state media reporting over 1,900 deaths since hostilities began, though officials haven’t updated casualty figures recently. In Lebanon, where Israel battles Iran-supported Hezbollah forces, more than 1,400 people have died and over one million have been displaced.

Economic consequences are spreading globally as oil prices surge. Brent crude reached above $108 per barrel in Tuesday trading, representing approximately a 50% increase since the conflict started.

International leaders are expressing alarm at the escalating rhetoric. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that strikes against civilian and energy infrastructure “are barred by the rules of war, international law” and would trigger “a new phase of escalation.”

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also cautioned the United States that attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international legal standards, according to his spokesperson.

When asked about potential war crimes concerns, Trump told reporters he’s “not at all” worried about such allegations.

Behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts are continuing despite the public threats. Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey are working intensively to broker a compromise before the deadline expires. Iran has connected any reopening of the strait to sanctions relief, while the United States has shown willingness to ease some restrictions, particularly on Iran’s oil sector, partly to stabilize global energy markets.

Tehran rejected a 45-day ceasefire proposal on Monday, demanding instead a permanent end to hostilities. However, indirect communication channels between Washington and Tehran remain active as negotiators race against time.

The mood in Iran’s capital reflects the gravity of the situation. One teacher in Tehran, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, expressed fear that continued attacks on infrastructure could create widespread chaos. Many Iranians who initially hoped the conflict might topple their government now worry about returning to primitive conditions without electricity, internet, or basic utilities.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has threatened to “deprive the U.S. and its allies of the region’s oil and gas for years” and expand attacks throughout the Gulf region if Trump follows through on his ultimatum.

The conflict has also claimed lives beyond Iran and Lebanon, with more than two dozen deaths reported in Gulf Arab states and the occupied West Bank, 23 fatalities in Israel, and 13 American service members killed.

LAGOS, Nigeria — Massive crowds gathered in Nigeria’s commercial capital of Lagos for the spectacular annual Fanti Carnival, honoring the rich Afro-Brazilian culture of the “Aguda” community — descendants of formerly enslaved individuals who made their way back from Brazil during the 1800s.

Typically held during the Easter season in recent years, this cultural extravaganza ranks among West Africa’s most significant celebrations, drawing comparisons to Brazil’s famous Rio Carnival, known worldwide as the ultimate party.

Upon arriving in West Africa, many of these returnees made Lagos their home, integrating with the local Yoruba community while maintaining elements of Brazilian and Portuguese traditions. These influences became woven into local music, cuisine, building styles, religious practices, and daily life, ultimately creating the foundation for the Fanti celebration.

“If you know the history of Lagos, you will understand how this carnival is important to the city and its history,” carnival participant Ademola Oduyebo explained on Monday. “It is important that we preserve this so for our children.”

Under this year’s banner “A Homecoming of Heritage,” parade groups from throughout Lagos made their way to Tafawa Balewa Square, showcasing multiple generations of descendants from formerly enslaved communities.

Participants donned vibrant attire as they danced through the streets toward downtown, with some riding on horseback. Each group proudly showcased aspects of their Brazilian ancestry and cultural identity.

Performers and artists from across the African continent displayed stunning outfits adorned with beads and feathers, while others painted their bodies in brilliant colors, moving to traditional Yoruba beats.

Festival attendee Glamour Sandra expressed her enthusiasm for participating in both the Fanti celebration and Brazil’s Rio Carnival.

“I love the energy, the artistic splendor that they create,” she remarked about the Fanti festival.

Community organizations representing the historic Aguda neighborhoods play a central role in the yearly celebration and assist with its coordination.

ISTANBUL, Turkey — A violent confrontation erupted outside the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday when three armed individuals launched an assault on police officers, resulting in one gunman’s death and the capture of two wounded suspects, according to Turkish authorities.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gul reported to the media that two law enforcement officers received minor injuries during the exchange of gunfire. The attackers were armed with long-barrel firearms during the incident.

Turkey’s Interior Minister Mustafa Cifti revealed on X that the perpetrators had driven approximately 60 miles from Izmit to Istanbul in a rental vehicle. According to Cifti, one of the suspects had connections to an organization that “exploits religion,” though he did not specify which group. Turkey has previously experienced fatal attacks carried out by the Islamic State organization.

The Interior Ministry identified the two captured brothers as Onur C. and Enes C., with the former having a prior criminal history involving narcotics. Both suspects are currently undergoing questioning.

Footage captured during the assault revealed one gunman wielding what looked like an assault weapon while wearing a brown backpack, taking cover behind a bus during the firefight with officers. The video shows a police officer being struck and falling before rolling to safety behind a tree.

Ministry officials confirmed that one officer sustained a leg wound while another was injured in the ear during the confrontation.

The consulate operates within a high-rise structure located in Levent, a major commercial area of the city. Authorities noted that no Israeli diplomatic personnel are currently stationed at Israeli facilities throughout Turkey, as Israel removed its diplomats due to safety concerns and worsening diplomatic ties during the Gaza conflict.

Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced that three prosecutors, including a deputy chief prosecutor, have been appointed to oversee the investigation.

Law enforcement cordoned off the building and closed multiple streets while forensic specialists in protective gear searched the scene for evidence.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack criticized the attack and commended Turkish officials for “their swift and decisive response.” He stated on X: “Attacks on diplomatic missions are attacks on the international order — and an assault on the principles that bind nations together.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry similarly condemned the incident and praised Turkish security personnel for their “swift action in thwarting this attack.”

Vice President JD Vance confirmed Tuesday that recent American military strikes against Iran’s Kharg Island do not signal any shift in the United States’ current approach, while a U.S. official confirmed the attacks focused on military installations rather than oil facilities.

An unnamed U.S. official speaking with Reuters indicated that the strikes targeted locations that had been hit in previous operations, with the military action taking place during the early morning hours on Tuesday.

During remarks made in Budapest, Vance emphasized that these strikes maintain consistency with existing U.S. policy, noting the Trump administration expects Iran to respond by 8 p.m. Tuesday (0001 Wednesday GMT) regarding ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving the current conflict. President Trump has demanded that Iran abandon its nuclear weapons program and allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil transport.

“We were going to strike some military targets on Kharg Island, and I believe we have done so,” Vance stated.

“We’re not going to strike energy and infrastructure targets until the Iranians either make a proposal that we can get behind or don’t make a proposal,” he continued. “I don’t think the news in Kharg Island … represents a change in strategy, or represents any change from the President of the United States.”

Officials from Afghanistan announced Tuesday that productive negotiations occurred in the Chinese city of Urumqi as part of efforts to address escalating tensions with neighboring Pakistan.

China, which borders both nations along its western frontier, has stepped into a mediating role to help resolve what has become the most serious diplomatic crisis between the two countries since Taliban forces regained control of Afghanistan in 2021.

The talks represent an attempt to repair the deteriorating relationship between the former allies, whose partnership has soured significantly in recent years.

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Officials in Cameroon announced Monday that Russian authorities have verified the deaths of 16 soldiers from the Central African nation who were killed fighting in Ukraine, based on correspondence sent to Russia’s embassy in Cameroon.

The foreign affairs ministry in Cameroon sent a communication to the Russian embassy confirming the deaths of the 16 Cameroonian soldiers who were deployed in Ukraine’s conflict zone. Ministry officials stated that “necessary arrangements” have been initiated to reach out to the families of the fallen soldiers.

On the same day, the ministry issued another communication requesting that relatives of six additional Cameroonian citizens residing in Russia visit the ministry regarding “urgent matters” related to their family members. No additional details were provided about these cases.

Last March, Cameroon’s defense minister directed the nation’s military leadership to implement “strict emergency measures” aimed at stopping additional defections among current and former military personnel.

Ukrainian officials estimate that over 1,700 African nationals have been enlisted to fight alongside Russian forces, with multiple African governments reporting that their citizens were deceived into combat roles through promises of well-paying employment or professional training opportunities.

A security briefing delivered to Kenya’s parliament this year revealed that approximately 1,000 Kenyan nationals were recruited for Russian military service after being deceived with false job promises before being deployed to combat zones.

Ukraine’s intelligence services reported this month that two Nigerian citizens were killed in combat while fighting for Russian forces late last year.

A separate AP investigation conducted in 2024 revealed that African women were also deceived into supporting Russia’s military operations, being sent to work in facilities manufacturing attack drones for use against Ukraine. These women were recruited through social media advertisements promoting educational work programs.

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s energy officials confirmed Tuesday that crude oil shipments through a critical Black Sea pipeline continue operating normally, despite a Ukrainian strike that damaged Russian port facilities used for the exports.

Russian military officials reported Monday that Ukrainian forces had struck the maritime transfer complex at Novorossiysk port during overnight operations, causing damage to a docking facility used by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium and sparking blazes at four petroleum storage tanks.

“The work of our oil sector is stable and CPC exports continue to be stable,” Deputy Energy Minister Sungat Yesimkhanov stated to media representatives. A ministry advisor had previously indicated Monday that Kazakhstan was keeping watch on developments following the Novorossiysk incident, though no additional details were provided at that time.

The CPC facility, situated southwest of Novorossiysk, processes 80% of Kazakhstan’s crude oil exports. Transportation volumes through the 938-mile Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline increased in the previous year to 70.5 million metric tons – equivalent to 1.53 million barrels daily – up from 63 million tons in 2024.

Ukrainian officials have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the alleged strike on CPC infrastructure. However, Ukraine’s military separately confirmed Monday that its drone operations had targeted oil loading facilities at Sheskharis, located approximately 9 miles from the CPC terminal.

The CPC consortium, which includes U.S. energy giant Chevron among its stakeholders, has not issued a statement regarding the incident. Chevron’s subsidiary Tengizchevroil, which manages Kazakhstan’s largest oil field at Tengiz and serves as the primary source for CPC exports, reported that field operations have continued without interruption.

Additionally, Tengizchevroil’s director general William Lacobie announced Tuesday that the facility has resumed full production capacity following electrical supply problems experienced earlier this year.

Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov told journalists Tuesday that Ukrainian responsibility for the facility attack was unquestionable and noted similar previous incidents. He directed operational status questions to the CPC’s management team.

“The strikes took place. That much is clear. As we all know, this is not the first time the Kyiv regime has targeted the CPC’s infrastructure,” Peskov stated.

The pipeline consortium was forced to suspend operations temporarily for several days following a late November Ukrainian attack that effectively eliminated one of three offshore loading platforms.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has put forward a proposal to Russia calling for both nations to halt strikes on energy facilities during the upcoming Orthodox Easter weekend celebration.

The proposal was delivered to Moscow through American intermediaries who have been facilitating discussions between Ukrainian and Russian representatives as the conflict enters its fifth year, Zelenskyy announced.

“If Russia is ready to stop strikes on our energy infrastructure, we will be ready to respond in kind,” Zelenskyy stated during his Monday evening address to the nation. “This proposal, conveyed through the Americans, has already been presented to the Russian side.”

Moscow has not yet responded to the Easter truce suggestion. Past ceasefire attempts have yielded minimal results. Last Easter, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral 30-hour halt to hostilities, but both nations later blamed each other for violations.

Russia previously dismissed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by the United States and Ukraine as a pathway to peace negotiations, demanding instead a complete resolution to the conflict. However, Moscow has implemented several brief, one-sided truces.

Zelenskyy expressed skepticism that the Kremlin would accept his April 12 holiday ceasefire proposal, noting that Russia currently profits from elevated oil prices resulting from the Iran conflict.

The Ukrainian president worries that an extended U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran might diminish American backing for Ukraine.

The American-mediated negotiations have stalled on major issues as Washington focuses on Middle Eastern developments, while Russian and Ukrainian forces continue fighting along the approximately 1,250-kilometer front.

Russia has systematically targeted Ukraine’s electrical grid to break civilian morale, while Ukraine has launched domestically manufactured long-range drones against Russian oil facilities to reduce Moscow’s primary export income.

“Ukraine’s expanding long-range strike campaign against Russian oil infrastructure is exploiting overstretched Russian air defenses and significantly damaging Russian oil export capabilities,” stated the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, in Monday’s analysis.

“Russia’s geographical size poses an enormous challenge to defend, especially with traditional air defense systems on which the Russians reportedly still rely to protect against Ukraine drone salvos,” the assessment continued.

Russian forces are also striking public transportation systems, including Ukraine’s critical railway network and bus routes.

Tuesday morning brought tragedy when a Russian drone hit a bus approaching a stop in Nikopol, a southeastern Ukrainian city, killing four civilians and wounding 15 others, local officials reported.

“This brutal attack on civilian regular transportation occurred during rush hour, when people were just going to work,” Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko posted online. “This is not an accident, it’s their (Russian) tactic: deliberate strikes on civilians.”

Ukrainian officials also confirmed three deaths and three injuries from an assault on a residential structure in Kherson, a southern city. Near the eastern city of Synelnykove, an 11-year-old boy died in a separate drone attack, raising Tuesday’s civilian casualties to eight fatalities.

Government and military leaders reported electrical outages across multiple eastern and southern Ukrainian regions following artillery bombardments and drone attacks.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed both the speaker and deputy speaker of the nation’s parliament, according to an official announcement made during Tuesday’s legislative session.

Tulio Odongi Ayahu, who serves as chief whip for Kiir’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), delivered the presidential decree that terminated Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and Deputy Speaker Permena Awerial Aluong from their positions in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.

The dismissals stem from accusations made the previous week by SPLM caucus members, who filed a formal petition alleging Kumba engaged in corrupt practices related to the improper handling of legislative funding. The petition demanded her immediate removal from office.

Kumba, who broke barriers in 2021 by becoming South Sudan’s first female parliamentary speaker, has remained silent regarding these corruption claims.

President Kiir has named Joseph Ngere Paciko as the new speaker, while Abuk Paiti Ayiik will assume the deputy speaker role.

These terminations follow a pattern of sudden leadership changes under Kiir’s administration. In late February, he unexpectedly dismissed Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol after only three months in the position, offering no public explanation for the decision.

Political observers note that Kiir regularly rotates high-ranking officials in both government and military positions as a strategy to consolidate his authority while navigating ongoing political uncertainty and questions about future leadership transitions.

Financial markets across the globe are experiencing uncertainty as President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran approaches this evening at 8 p.m. EDT, with traders watching closely to see if Tehran will reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has declined to reopen the crucial shipping lane and has rejected ceasefire proposals, despite Trump’s warning that the country could be “taken out in one night.” This standoff has left investors wondering whether the president’s aggressive rhetoric will translate into military action or result in another extended deadline.

As markets reopened Tuesday following the extended holiday weekend, trading activity reflected the cautious mood among investors. Oil markets showed particular volatility, with Brent crude initially climbing above $111 per barrel before retreating from those highs. Meanwhile, U.S. WTI crude fluctuated around $113 per barrel after briefly surpassing $116.

Stock markets displayed mixed performance across different regions. Asian markets remained largely unchanged despite an early boost from Samsung Electronics’ record-breaking quarterly earnings forecast. European markets opened with gains, while U.S. futures showed little movement ahead of the opening bell.

The previous trading session saw U.S. markets rise on hopes of continued diplomatic talks regarding a potential ceasefire. However, that optimism diminished after Tehran’s rejection of a temporary truce agreement. Reports indicate that Pakistan continues to serve as a mediator in the ongoing situation.

Currency markets reflected the global uncertainty, with the U.S. dollar experiencing a slight decline while maintaining overall strength. The dollar index remained close to the 100 mark after reaching its highest point since May 2025 last week. The Japanese yen continued to struggle, trading near the 160-per-dollar level.

Adding complexity to the situation are recent economic indicators from the United States that suggest broader implications from the Iran crisis. The Institute for Supply Management released survey data Monday showing that growth in the U.S. services sector decelerated in March. Additionally, businesses reported the largest increase in input costs in over 13 years, signaling potential inflationary pressures stemming from the conflict.

The upcoming release of U.S. March consumer price index data on Friday will provide further insight into inflation trends. Meanwhile, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned Monday that current global conditions point toward higher prices and reduced economic growth across “all roads.”

In corporate news, Samsung Electronics announced remarkable first-quarter results, with estimated operating profits of 57.2 trillion won ($37.92 billion) for the January-March period. This figure significantly exceeded analyst expectations of 40.6 trillion won and represented more than an eightfold increase from the previous year’s 6.69 trillion won.

Looking ahead, investors will be monitoring several key economic releases and Federal Reserve communications. Today’s schedule includes U.S. February durable goods data at 8:30 a.m. EDT and a 3-year Treasury note auction at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Additionally, three Federal Reserve officials are scheduled to speak: Philip Jefferson, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee, and San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly.

The fundamental question facing markets remains whether Trump’s latest ultimatum will lead to an escalation or de-escalation of the current conflict. As the 8 p.m. deadline approaches, traders and investors worldwide are preparing for potential market volatility depending on the outcome.

Multiple international and Saudi companies operating in Riyadh have prolonged their remote work policies this week, according to five sources with knowledge of the situation, as tensions mount over a U.S. deadline demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face severe consequences.

Regional Gulf nations, which have endured repeated Iranian attacks since hostilities commenced on February 28, are concerned that any American military escalation could prompt Iran to intensify strikes against vital infrastructure and civilian targets throughout the Gulf region.

The remote work notifications, distributed Monday and Tuesday through individual company emails and text messages, impact operations across Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, Faisaliah Tower, Business Gate, and Laysen Valley, sources revealed.

These business hubs house regional headquarters for prominent American financial institutions and technology companies including Microsoft and Apple, alongside Saudi organizations such as the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund.

Workers initially received instructions to operate remotely at the start of last week, sources indicated, following Iranian threats to target major American technology companies in the region as retaliation for U.S.-Israeli military actions and targeted killings.

Saudi Arabia’s government media office has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.

The kingdom has endured hundreds of Iranian drone and missile strikes since the conflict’s onset but reports successfully intercepting most incoming projectiles. Saudi Arabia has experienced fewer attacks compared to neighboring Gulf nations including the UAE and Kuwait.

On Tuesday, Saudi officials announced they intercepted and eliminated seven ballistic missiles fired toward the country’s Eastern Region, with debris landing near energy infrastructure. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that a petrochemical facility in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail industrial area came under attack.

A high-ranking Iranian official revealed Tuesday that Tehran has established specific conditions that must be fulfilled before engaging in permanent peace negotiations with Washington.

Speaking to Reuters, the official outlined Iran’s demands, which include an immediate cessation of military strikes, assurances that future attacks will not occur, and financial compensation for damages sustained.

The official emphasized that Tehran would not accept any temporary ceasefire arrangement with the United States.

Additionally, the Iranian representative stated that any permanent peace agreement should grant Iran the authority to collect transit fees from vessels navigating through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the official, these fees would be calculated based on factors including vessel type, cargo contents, and current maritime conditions.

Iranian leadership remains steadfast in their position as President Trump’s Tuesday 8 p.m. Eastern time ultimatum draws near, demanding the country reopen the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.

Military operations persist throughout the Persian Gulf waters with no diplomatic resolution on the horizon. The president has maintained his warning to strike Iranian transportation infrastructure and electrical facilities should negotiations fail to produce an agreement.

The escalating standoff continues to unfold in the strategically vital waterway, with both sides showing little indication of backing down from their respective positions as the deadline rapidly approaches.

A worldwide organization representing airline pilots is demanding that flight commanders receive ultimate authority to decline missions through dangerous conflict areas, free from corporate influence or financial pressure.

The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations issued the statement Monday as ongoing warfare in Iran continues to disrupt Middle Eastern aviation for its sixth week, with drone strikes and missile interceptions creating serious safety concerns for flight crews and travelers.

The Montreal-headquartered organization emphasized that airlines must acknowledge the psychological and emotional burden placed on pilots operating in war zones.

“The Commander’s decision regarding the conduct or rerouting of a flight, including refusal to overfly a conflict zone, must be final and non-negotiable,” the document stated. “Additionally, this decision must not be influenced by financial or other incentives, career repercussions or other penalties, or commercial pressures.”

Despite numerous airlines suspending operations to affected regions, Emirates continues flying at roughly 69% of typical capacity while Qatar Airways maintains 26% of normal service levels, based on Flightradar24 tracking information. This represents hundreds of daily flights traversing airspace targeted by Iranian weaponry.

The UAE has established designated “safe corridors” with predetermined routes, though aircraft frequently enter holding patterns during attacks and sometimes face diversions or returns when airspace temporarily closes.

Qatar Airways stated that “the safety of our passengers and crew remains paramount” and confirmed all Doha flights utilize dedicated pathways coordinated with Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority.

Emirates, which has similarly emphasized safety priorities, did not immediately provide comment.

The pilots’ federation stressed that airlines operating in conflict zones must offer support measures including post-flight recovery periods and confidential assistance programs.

“If rerouting, delay, holding, elevated workload, diversion complexity, or sector uncertainty are recurrent and foreseeable, they should be incorporated into scheduling assumptions, fatigue controls, and roster buffers with additional safety margins such as augmented crew rostering, rather than repeatedly managed as an ad hoc exception,” the statement explained.

In a separate development Monday, the United Nations aviation authority announced its governing board condemned Iran for illegal airspace violations affecting Gulf nations including the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, compromising civilian flight safety.

“The council deplored Iran’s illegal use of unmanned aircraft systems for military purposes against civilian infrastructure over the territories of the affected member states,” the International Civil Aviation Organization declared.

The council’s action follows a complaint filed by multiple Arab nations regarding Iran’s weaponized drone operations against neighboring countries, according to a knowledgeable source.

Iran has filed its own separate documentation concerning its territory for consideration during an upcoming council meeting, though specific details remain unclear.

Iranian forces launched a strike Tuesday against a petrochemical facility in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail industrial region, according to reports from Iran’s state-affiliated Fars news agency.

The attack targeted the facility located in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern province. Representatives from Saudi Arabia’s government communications office have not yet provided a response to the reported incident.

Officials from Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s national oil company, and SABIC, the kingdom’s petrochemical subsidiary, also have not issued statements regarding the alleged strike.

ISTANBUL, Turkey – A deadly shooting erupted Tuesday in the vicinity of the Israeli consulate building in Istanbul, resulting in three deaths and leaving two police officers wounded, according to Turkish media outlets.

Video footage captured by Reuters revealed the chaotic scene as law enforcement officers drew their weapons and sought shelter while gunshots echoed through the area. The footage also showed at least one individual covered in blood during the violent incident.

The neighborhood surrounding the Israeli consulate maintains heavy security with armed police stationed there at all times. Following the shooting, television broadcasts displayed additional armed officers conducting patrols throughout the affected area as authorities responded to the scene.

RAZI, Iran (AP) — During a lengthy 12-hour journey across Iran, Associated Press journalists witnessed a nation where ordinary civilian routines continue alongside visible reminders of regional conflict and tension.

The reporting team observed families sharing morning meals at roadside truck stops and spotted a cargo vehicle displaying a Nike emblem while traveling through a mountain pass. At one dining establishment, patrons listened to R.E.M.’s “Losing my religion” while enjoying grilled dishes and saffron beverages, including women who had removed their required head coverings.

Following five weeks of intensive American and Israeli military strikes, significant damage has occurred throughout the country, especially in Tehran where journalists documented destroyed government facilities and law enforcement buildings.

However, during the extended journey from the Turkish border, visible evidence of the regional conflict that has affected Middle Eastern stability and global markets remained limited.

Iranian authorities have authorized the Associated Press to deploy an additional reporting team for a short-term assignment in the country. The AP maintains existing operations in Iran, with visiting journalists required to work alongside government-affiliated media assistants while retaining complete editorial independence.

Large images of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during the conflict’s opening day, decorated the border crossing area with inflammatory messaging. Nearby, a herder moved his flock along the roadway as snow-covered peaks stretched into overcast skies.

Halfway through their journey in Zanjan city, reporters encountered their first direct war evidence. An Israeli military strike had recently damaged a religious community facility called a husseiniyah. Iranian authorities reported the attack destroyed medical and library facilities, resulting in two civilian deaths. Israeli forces claimed they targeted a military command center.

Beyond this damaged complex and throughout every community along the Tehran route, normal activities appeared to continue. Commercial establishments remained operational and traffic congestion occurred during peak hours.

Additional Khamenei promotional displays appeared as the team approached Tehran. Arriving after midnight, they traveled through vacant streets past bombed government structures and security positions staffed by Revolutionary Guard and Basij forces, key Islamic Republic institutions that have faced repeated attacks.

This documentary photo story was compiled by AP photo editors.

Associated Press reporter Sam Metz in Ramallah, West Bank, contributed.

PARIS – A deadly collision occurred Tuesday morning when a high-speed passenger train struck a truck transporting military equipment at a railroad crossing in northern France, according to local government officials.

The train’s engineer died in the crash, which happened near the port city of Calais, a local prefecture spokesperson confirmed. Multiple passengers aboard the train were also hurt in the accident.

France’s Transportation Minister Philippe Tabarot acknowledged the fatal incident through a social media post, stating he planned to travel to the crash site personally.

The national railway company SNCF reported through its social media channels that the collision took place at a grade crossing situated between Bethune and Lens. Rail service along the route has been suspended following the accident.

Vietnamese lawmakers made a historic decision Tuesday, unanimously selecting Communist Party Secretary General To Lam as the nation’s state president for the upcoming five-year term, establishing him as Vietnam’s most influential leader in recent decades.

This anticipated decision represents a departure from Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of shared leadership among multiple officials, concentrating power in a single individual in ways experts believe could push the single-party nation toward increased authoritarian control, while potentially allowing for quicker policy implementation similar to neighboring China.

Parliamentary records show that all 495 legislators attending Tuesday’s National Assembly gathering supported the Communist Party’s selection, with five members not present. Government officials indicated that nominations for senior state positions were completed during a late March conference.

The previous public security chief now holds dual authority to govern Vietnam for the coming five years, following his successful bid for a second term as general secretary in January.

In a separate but equally expected development Tuesday, parliament members also gave unanimous approval to Le Minh Hung as Vietnam’s incoming prime minister.

Following the election, Lam addressed legislators in a broadcast speech, expressing gratitude for holding both positions and promising “a new growth model with science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the primary driving forces.”

He outlined his main objectives as maintaining national stability, advancing rapid and sustainable development, and enhancing “all aspects of people’s lives.”

“Concentrating greater power in To Lam’s hands could pose risks to Vietnam’s political system, such as increased authoritarianism,” warned Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

Nevertheless, such power concentration “could enable Vietnam to formulate and implement policies more quickly and effectively,” supporting economic expansion, he noted.

The merger of these two positions “will shift Vietnam’s domestic politics to a new normal where most of the old assumptions about Vietnam’s politics, including those about collective leadership, are no longer valid,” explained Alexander Vuving of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in the United States.

Lam previously managed both roles temporarily following the 2024 death of former party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Even after transferring the state presidency to army general Luong Cuong, Lam continued operating as though he maintained the position, conducting extensive international travel and representing Vietnam in diplomatic meetings with foreign officials.

During his initial term as party leader, the 68-year-old Lam introduced comprehensive economic changes aimed at enhancing Vietnam’s competitiveness, generating both support and opposition.

Lam seeks to achieve double-digit economic expansion through a fresh development approach that reduces dependence on low-cost manufacturing, which has historically anchored Vietnam’s export-focused economic surge driven by international corporations.

His initiatives have occasionally created uncertainty within government circles and business communities, though he has demonstrated practical adaptability in their implementation.

He has endorsed the growth of private business empires, but prior to his reappointment, also released guidance emphasizing state-owned enterprises’ leadership role to satisfy party conservatives.

International investors frequently commend political consistency and view Lam as supportive of business interests. However, his endorsement of domestic champions and pursuit of aggressive growth have sparked concerns among some regarding preferential treatment, corruption possibilities, financial bubbles, and resource misallocation.

Regarding international relations, Lam has continued Vietnam’s “Bamboo Diplomacy” strategy and worked to maintain balanced relationships with major nations while broadening global partnerships.

“Lam’s double-hat would not signal any changes in Vietnam’s foreign policy, even if there are concerns that Vietnam is concentrating more power in a single individual,” stated Khang Vu, a visiting scholar at Boston College.

The newly chosen prime minister Hung, age 55, previously led the central bank from 2016 to 2020, becoming the youngest individual to occupy that role.

He succeeds Pham Minh Chinh, 67, who oversaw a rapidly growing economy during his five-year tenure and became one of Vietnam’s most recognizable leaders domestically and internationally through regular foreign visits and participation in global conferences.

Hung has maintained a reserved public presence in his party and central banking positions.

While lacking formal economics training, Hung’s selection is viewed by some officials as an effort to introduce economic knowledge into senior government levels, which have been primarily filled by politicians with security experience.

In his post-election remarks to lawmakers, Hung committed to pursuing sustainable growth and pledged his utmost effort to achieve the party’s ambitious target of at least 10% annual economic growth through 2030.

He lacks personal security experience, but his family maintains strong connections to the ministry Lam previously headed: Hung’s father served as public security minister, and two siblings hold general ranks in security forces.

LONDON — British government officials are demanding that the artist formerly known as Kanye West be removed from a major London music festival lineup, while the rapper has requested face-to-face meetings with UK Jewish community leaders following controversy over his past antisemitic remarks.

The performer, who legally changed his name to Ye in 2021, is scheduled to headline the Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park from July 10-12, where approximately 150,000 attendees are expected across the three-day event.

Festival organizers face increasing demands from corporate sponsors and government leaders to cancel Ye’s appearances after the artist sparked widespread criticism for making antisemitic comments and expressing praise for Adolf Hitler.

The 48-year-old musician previously released a track titled “Heil Hitler” and promoted Nazi imagery on merchandise through his website. In January, he issued a public apology through a full-page Wall Street Journal advertisement, attributing his behavior to his bipolar disorder and describing “a four-month long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior that destroyed my life.”

Major festival sponsors including Pepsi, Rockstar Energy and Diageo have withdrawn their support since Ye’s headlining announcement, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the booking as “deeply concerning.”

The rapper issued a statement Tuesday expressing his desire for dialogue, saying he “would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the U.K. in person, to listen.”

“I know words aren’t enough — I’ll have to show change through my actions,” he continued. “If you’re open, I’m here.”

Festival Republic, the event’s organizing company, has defended keeping Ye on the bill. Managing director Melvin Benn released a statement Monday encouraging people to show the performer “forgiveness and hope.”

“We are not giving him a platform to extol opinion of whatever nature, only to perform the songs that are currently played on the radio stations in our country and the streaming platforms in our country and listened to and enjoyed by millions,” Benn’s statement read.

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting rejected the organizers’ position as “absurd” and stated Ye should “absolutely not” take the stage at Wireless. Streeting revealed that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is evaluating whether to prohibit the rapper from entering Britain.

Benn confirmed that Mahmood possesses the authority to cancel Ye’s visa for UK entry.

“If she does, she does, and then the issue is over,” he told the BBC Tuesday.

Representatives for Ye have not responded to requests for comment.

ROME, April 7 – America’s standing as a world leader faces serious challenges due to the Iran conflict, according to Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, who voiced alarm about the potential for nuclear escalation he described as “madness.”

Italy joined several NATO partners last week in showing resistance to President Donald Trump’s Iran military operations by refusing to allow American military planes to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily for flights heading to the Middle East.

“This war is also putting the United States at risk in its global leadership,” Crosetto stated during an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that was published Tuesday.

The defense minister, who maintains close ties with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and has established a positive working relationship with Trump, expressed deep concerns that the situation could deteriorate further. He referenced the 1945 atomic bombings that ended World War Two as a historical warning.

“Just think: it was human beings like us who decided that even Hiroshima and Nagasaki were acceptable means of ending a conflict. Unfortunately, we still possess nuclear weapons, and those who do not have them are seeking to acquire them. We have learnt nothing,” Crosetto said.

“The risk is madness, and what we are experiencing is a conflict in which every action triggers a reaction at a higher level,” he added.

Speaking ahead of his scheduled parliamentary address about the Iran war on Tuesday, Crosetto suggested that Trump needs advisers willing to challenge his decisions.

“One of the problems of this presidency is that no one dares contradict the boss,” he remarked.

As tensions grow between Trump and European nations over their war positions, Crosetto confirmed that Italy has maintained its restrictions on U.S. base usage beyond the recent incident.

Prime Minister Meloni, who has avoided taking a strong public stance against the conflict, traveled to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates over the weekend. The diplomatic mission aimed to demonstrate Italy’s support for Gulf states facing Iranian threats while also securing the country’s energy interests amid global fuel price increases.

Mounting fuel costs and concerns about petroleum availability have triggered an unprecedented shift toward electric motorcycles throughout Pakistan, with dealers reporting record-breaking sales increases.

In Rawalpindi, Haseeb Bhatti, who converts gasoline-powered motorcycles to electric models, experienced a remarkable 70% jump in March sales. Meanwhile, Ali Gohar Khan, who operates a nationwide electric bike dealership established seven years ago, described the recent sales spike as the most dramatic he has ever witnessed.

“People have this fear that maybe in the near future, they might not get petrol at all,” Khan said.

The ongoing Middle East conflict has caused worldwide petroleum prices to climb sharply, adding to the financial burden on Pakistani citizens already struggling with inflation and economic challenges following the pandemic. Since Pakistan relies on imports for nearly all its oil through the Strait of Hormuz, concerns about supply disruptions have spread despite government reassurances.

Transportation experts note that approximately 40% of Pakistan’s gasoline consumption powers the country’s 30 million motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles that fill the streets in a nation where automobiles remain unaffordable for most and mass transit systems are limited.

Market specialists and researchers predict the current crisis will accelerate Pakistan’s transition to electric vehicles, a movement that benefits from the country’s abundant and inexpensive solar energy resources for charging stations. This transformation could significantly reduce oil import dependency, strengthen foreign currency reserves, and cut pollution in what was ranked as the world’s most polluted nation in 2025.

Following an 18% government fuel price increase last week, Pakistani families earning average wages now spend 31% of their daily earnings on a single liter of gasoline – ranking among the highest 22 countries out of 139 nations monitored by globalpetrolprices.com and Our World in Data.

“My monthly salary is 30,000 rupees. I can barely cover expenses for my family of six with this. How am I supposed to fill my bike?” said Zahoor Ahmed, a security guard in the southern city of Karachi.

The shift to electric vehicles has attracted everyone from working professionals to university students in recent months. Data from consultancy Renewables First revealed that elevated gasoline prices drove electric vehicle sales up nearly threefold last year to 90,000 units, representing 5% of all two-wheeled vehicle purchases.

This year marks the first time electric vehicles have captured more than 10% of monthly motorcycle sales, according to Talha Khan, CEO of EV logistics planning firm Orko. He anticipates this trend will accelerate since conventional fuel costs can be up to 10 times higher than electric charging expenses.

“Keeping inflation and fuel prices in mind, I took matters in my own hands and bought an electric scooter,” said Mehvish Qureshi, a lawyer in southern Hyderabad.

A standard electric motorcycle costs approximately 250,000 rupees – exceeding half of Pakistan’s annual per capita income and 56% more than the popular gasoline-powered Honda CD 70, priced around 160,000 rupees.

The government launched the Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification (PAVE) initiative in February, offering subsidies covering one-fifth of purchase prices plus interest-free financing for the remainder. The program focuses specifically on electric motorcycles and autorickshaws.

Finance Ministry adviser Adnan Pasha told Reuters the program has already attracted roughly 270,000 applications – nearly seven times PAVE’s initial phase goal ending in June. The government plans to finance 2 million electric vehicles over five years, funding the initiative through existing fuel sales taxes.

“Electrifying just 2 million vehicles could result in nearly half a billion dollars in annual savings, as we don’t have to import that fuel,” Pasha said.

Many Pakistani households adopted solar power following IMF-mandated electricity rate increases in 2023, purchasing affordable Chinese-manufactured panels for residential use. The government now seeks to leverage this solar expansion to support electric vehicle growth.

“Using solar can reduce electricity costs at charging stations, and make it more affordable to charge at home,” Pasha said.

Ammar Habib, an adviser to Pakistan’s power minister, explained that electric vehicles are also “great for the grid as the steady demand from electric vehicle charging will ease some of the daytime volatility linked to solar oversupply.”

Similar to Pakistan’s solar energy transformation, the country’s electric motorcycle adoption relies heavily on Chinese manufacturers. Scooter companies including Yadea and Jinpeng, along with locally assembled electric bikes using batteries and parts from firms like AIMA and Sunra, are positioned to meet growing demand.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD, which has partnered with Pakistan’s HUBCO Green to establish charging networks nationwide, announced plans to support broader electrification efforts before eventually introducing passenger vehicles.

Pasha indicated the government wants domestic companies to construct charging facilities and expects the 45% reduction in charging station electricity rates implemented last year to continue encouraging adoption.

However, financial support programs could face pressure if regional conflicts continue, while limited local technical expertise and challenging charging infrastructure expansion present additional obstacles for Pakistan’s electric vehicle transition, according to Ahtasam Ahmad, energy finance lead at Renewables First.

Reliable maintenance networks are essential since electric vehicles are more vulnerable to road damage from potholes, which are widespread on South Asian streets. In neighboring India, operating electric scooters on poorly maintained roads has created significant service delays.

“When Chinese players flood the market, it may look promising on paper, but with virtually no after-sales service infrastructure, they risk eroding consumer confidence in the technology,” Ahmad said.

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Vice President JD Vance arrived in Hungary’s capital city Tuesday for a two-day visit aimed at supporting Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s struggling reelection campaign just days before voters head to the polls.

The visit, which includes an official meeting with Orbán followed by an appearance at one of his campaign events, represents the most direct signal yet that the Trump administration is fully backing the Hungarian leader’s bid for another term when the nation votes this Sunday.

Orbán has held power continuously since 2010 and is seeking a fifth consecutive term as prime minister. However, he and his Fidesz party are confronting their most challenging electoral battle in twenty years against center-right opposition candidate Péter Magyar, who leads the Tisza party and could potentially end Orbán’s decade-and-a-half grip on power.

Critics have long accused the Hungarian leader of seizing control of the country’s institutions, restricting media freedoms, and allowing widespread government corruption to flourish — allegations Orbán rejects. Despite these controversies, he has emerged as a prominent figure within international far-right political circles.

President Trump has publicly backed Orbán’s reelection efforts multiple times, with many supporters of the Make America Great Again movement praising the Hungarian prime minister’s strict immigration policies, restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, and control over media outlets and educational institutions.

However, recent independent polling data suggests Fidesz is running more than ten points behind among committed voters in advance of the April 12 election, prompting Orbán to seek public appearances with his international supporters to enhance his standing.

This marks the second major show of American backing for Orbán’s government in recent months.

Hungary has diverged from most European Union member nations by declining to provide Ukraine with financial aid or military equipment to defend against Russia’s ongoing invasion, while continuing to purchase Russian energy resources despite EU efforts to reduce such dependencies.

Following a White House meeting between Orbán and Trump last November, Hungary secured an exemption from American sanctions targeting Russian oil and gas imports.

During a February visit to Budapest, Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered strong praise for Orbán and highlighted the “person-to-person connection” between the Hungarian leader and President Trump. Rubio told Orbán: “President Trump is deeply committed to your success because your success is our success.”

At the end of last month, Orbán welcomed dozens of international allies to Budapest for the Hungarian version of the Conservative Political Action Conference and a gathering of the Patriots for Europe party alliance, which holds the third-largest bloc of seats in the European Parliament.

Trump contributed a video message to the Hungarian CPAC event, declaring that Orbán had his “complete and total endorsement” and calling him a “fantastic guy.”

The Trump administration’s support for Orbán demonstrates its broader alignment with European far-right political movements, with mutual admiration evident across countries including Spain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Nevertheless, Trump’s recent foreign policy decisions regarding Greenland, Venezuela, and Iran have created tension with some European relationships.

Orbán has maintained his loyalty to Trump, including repeating the former president’s unfounded assertions about winning the 2020 election. Speaking on state radio shortly before Trump’s second term began, Orbán claimed Democrats “took the presidency away from Donald Trump through fraud.”

Vance’s scheduled participation in Orbán’s campaign rally represents an uncommon move for a foreign official and departs from the typical practice of political leaders avoiding direct involvement in other nations’ electoral contests.

Ironically, Orbán has previously criticized any mention of Hungary’s election by fellow EU leaders, condemning expressions of support for his political rivals as serious violations of Hungarian sovereignty and improper interference in the democratic process.

KYIV – Three people lost their lives and twelve others sustained injuries when a Russian drone targeted a public bus during Tuesday morning’s commute in Nikopol, located in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The attack occurred as commuters were making their way to work, striking the public transportation system during one of the busiest travel periods of the day. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko described the incident on Telegram, stating: “It is a devastating blow at public transport. It happened during rush hour, just as people were heading to work.”

The drone assault represents the latest in ongoing attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in the eastern Ukrainian region.

A Japanese citizen who has been held in Iranian custody since the beginning of this year has been granted bail and released, Tokyo government officials announced Tuesday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed during a press briefing that the individual’s release was verified on Monday, while emphasizing that Japanese officials continue to push Iranian authorities for complete freedom for the detainee.

Kihara reported that Japan’s ambassador to Iran, Tamaki Tsukada, conducted a meeting with the released person and verified their good health condition, though he declined to share additional information.

Sources indicate the detained individual works as a journalist for NHK, Japan’s national public broadcasting network. This case follows another incident where a different Japanese citizen, who had been held in Iran starting last June, gained freedom and returned home in March.

The bail announcement followed diplomatic discussions between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who spoke by telephone on Monday about Iran’s ongoing conflicts with both the United States and Israel.

According to a Foreign Ministry statement issued after their conversation, Motegi pressed again for the detainee’s complete release, while Araghchi indicated he would give serious consideration to Japan’s appeal.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has identified the person taken into custody in January as an NHK broadcast journalist. According to the CPJ, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps officials made the arrest on January 20, and the journalist was later moved to Evin Prison on February 23, based on information from unnamed sources who cited safety concerns.

HANOI, Vietnam — In a unanimous decision, Vietnam’s National Assembly has selected Communist Party General Secretary To Lam for a five-year presidential term, marking a significant shift in the country’s leadership structure.

This decision breaks with Vietnam’s long-standing practice of distributing power among different officials, instead mirroring the concentrated leadership models seen in China under Xi Jinping and in neighboring Laos.

Political observers had anticipated this outcome following Lam’s reconfirmation as party leader in January, when analysts recognized that his strengthened party position would likely lead to his assumption of presidential duties.

Following his swearing-in ceremony, the 69-year-old leader addressed the National Assembly, emphasizing that maintaining peace and stability would be his primary focus as the foundation for rapid and sustainable economic development. “We aim to improve people’s livelihoods so all can share the benefits of development,” he stated.

This marks Lam’s second period holding dual roles, having previously served in both capacities briefly in 2024 following the death of his predecessor as party chief, Nguyen Phu Trong.

According to Nguyen Khac Giang from Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute research center, this power consolidation is particularly noteworthy because it provides Lam with a “stronger mandate and far more political room to push through his agenda than any leaders” since the 1980s, when Vietnam implemented reforms transitioning from a state-controlled economy to a market-based system welcoming foreign investment.

“The opportunity is obvious. Faster decision-making, greater policy coherence, and a better chance of pushing difficult reforms at a pivotal moment. But the risk is that concentration of power can move faster than institutional reform,” Giang explained.

Lam’s ascension represents the culmination of a former police officer’s journey through Vietnam’s security apparatus to the pinnacle of political power. His rise was facilitated by an extensive anti-corruption initiative launched by his predecessor, which he supervised while serving as Minister of Public Security.

In his role as party leader, Lam has spearheaded Vietnam’s most extensive administrative restructuring since the 1980s, eliminating positions, consolidating ministries, reorganizing provincial borders, and promoting significant infrastructure developments.

His agenda emphasizes economic achievement and private sector expansion, seeking to transition Vietnam away from its current labor- and export-dependent framework that has successfully elevated millions from poverty and established a manufacturing-focused middle class. The nation has set ambitious targets of achieving 10% or greater annual economic growth throughout the next five years.

However, significant obstacles persist, particularly the immediate challenge of implementing this bold strategy amid global economic disruption caused by energy market volatility from the conflict in Iran. Vietnam’s economy grew at a 7.8% annualized rate during the first quarter, improving from 7.1% the previous year but falling short of the 9.1% goal and slower than late 2025 performance.

Giang noted that Lam must also navigate political obstacles to secure reform support while preserving Vietnam’s practical foreign policy approach.

Vietnam faces pressure from the United States regarding its trade surplus while simultaneously managing relationships with China, its primary trading partner and competitor in South China Sea territorial disputes.

“It has benefited from a careful balancing strategy in foreign policy, but maintaining that position will become harder in a more turbulent world,” he observed.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australian authorities have filed war crime charges against a 47-year-old former military member on Tuesday, accusing him of murdering five defenseless Afghan civilians during his deployment between 2009 and 2012, according to law enforcement officials.

The identity of the accused veteran has not been disclosed by authorities. Court officials expect him to make his initial appearance before a Sydney judge on Tuesday.

This case represents just the second instance of an Australian Afghanistan war veteran facing war crime prosecution.

The first case involves 44-year-old Oliver Schulz, a former member of the Special Air Service Regiment, who has entered a not guilty plea to war crime murder charges. Prosecutors allege Schulz fatally shot an Afghan civilian named Dad Mohammad three times in the head while in a wheat field in Uruzgan province during May 2012.

Under Australian federal law, war crime murder constitutes the deliberate killing of individuals not actively engaged in combat operations, including civilians, captured soldiers, or wounded personnel during armed conflict. Conviction carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The suspect was taken into custody at Sydney Airport on Tuesday following his arrival from Brisbane, according to Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett.

“Authorities will contend that the deceased individuals were not participating in combat activities when they were allegedly murdered in Afghanistan. We will argue that these victims had been detained, were without weapons, and remained under Australian Defense Force supervision at the time of their deaths,” Barrett explained during a media briefing.

“The prosecution will maintain that the accused either personally shot the victims or that subordinate ADF personnel carried out the killings while in his presence and following his commands,” Barrett continued.

These criminal charges stem from a military investigation completed in 2020 that documented evidence showing elite Australian SAS and commando units illegally executed 39 Afghan detainees, agricultural workers, and other non-combatants.

Barrett emphasized that only a limited number of service members are implicated in the current allegations.

“The alleged misconduct associated with these charges involves only a very small portion of our reliable and esteemed ADF personnel who work to protect our nation’s security,” Barrett stated.

“The vast majority of our military forces make our nation proud. These charges do not represent the conduct of most service members who wear the Australian uniform with integrity, excellence, and democratic principles,” she concluded.

The Office of the Special Investigator was created to collaborate with police on war crime investigations. Investigation director Ross Barnett reported that 53 potential war crimes have been examined, with 39 investigations completed without resulting in charges. Approximately 40,000 Australian service members were deployed to Afghanistan from 2001 through 2021, with 41 losing their lives during the conflict.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — From their apartment balcony overlooking Iran’s capital, Zahra Arghavan and Mehdi Alishir watched the evening sky while preparing themselves for the possibility of incoming strikes.

With President Donald Trump’s newest deadline approaching, the couple faces troubling questions: What happens if electrical facilities get hit and the lights go out for days? How would they escape Tehran if bombing destroys the city’s bridges?

After five weeks of conflict, the pair has adapted to the thunder of U.S. and Israeli military aircraft overhead, the rumble of explosions, and nights without rest. Similar to many residents, they’ve evacuated and returned to the capital multiple times seeking security. The married couple of more than ten years survived both the coronavirus outbreak and last June’s nearly two-week conflict.

They’ve applied transparent tape along their window frames as protection from potential blast damage. Glass items and breakable decorations have been relocated or fastened down. An emergency bag containing important papers, medicine and necessities sits ready for rapid departure.

During a profanity-filled warning this past weekend, Trump declared that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day,” threatening that Iranian officials will be “living in Hell” unless they reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

“Honestly, the situation is really unclear,” Arghavan said. “We don’t really understand things like how long the power might go out if it does, or what life without electricity would even look like.”

Alishir explained that he and his spouse could manage without electrical power — and possibly without water service — for about seven days maximum. “If it goes on longer, we’ll definitely run into problems,” he said.

Their difficulties started before the initial American and Israeli attacks hit Iran on February 28.

Tehran’s response to January’s nationwide demonstrations included severe internet restrictions. According to NetBlocks, an organization that tracks online connectivity, this represents the most extended countrywide internet blackout on record.

Arghavan operates a small educational business teaching French language skills to Iranian citizens planning to relocate to Quebec, Canada.

“We were basically an online school, and our students had classes with kids abroad,” she said. “Around 50% of our learners were outside the country. But now, with all these internet outages, it’s really disrupting our work.”

Iranian citizens remain split regarding the conflict: Some participate in daily government-supporting demonstrations, while others privately support military action against their leadership despite opposing civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction.

The couple holds Israel and the United States responsible for initiating the conflict and hopes diplomacy will prevail.

“I really hope an agreement is reached soon and that whatever happens, it ends up helping people, because right now people are the ones paying a heavy price,” Arghavan said.

Iranian officials have declined a proposed 45-day temporary ceasefire, instead demanding a complete and permanent conclusion to the ongoing conflict as President Donald Trump’s Tuesday 8 p.m. ET ultimatum approaches with expanded threats targeting the nation’s power grid and transportation infrastructure.

Speaking Monday, Trump expressed he is “not at all” worried about potential war crimes allegations while reiterating his threats to demolish Iranian infrastructure should Tehran fail to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his specified deadline.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned the United States that targeting civilian infrastructure violates international law, according to his spokesperson’s Monday statement.

Israeli forces launched fresh strikes against Iran in the early hours of Tuesday, prompting Iranian missile retaliation directed at Israel and neighboring Gulf nations.

The death toll in Iran has surpassed 1,900 since hostilities began, though officials have not provided updated casualty figures in recent days.

Lebanese authorities report over 1,400 fatalities and more than one million displaced residents. Eleven Israeli military personnel have lost their lives in that theater.

Casualties in Gulf Arab nations and the occupied West Bank exceed two dozen, while Israel has reported 23 deaths and 13 American service members have been killed.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced plans to send his chief of staff on a diplomatic mission to Kazakhstan, Oman and Saudi Arabia, seeking alternative fuel sources amid energy shortages triggered by the Middle Eastern conflict.

Kang Hoon-sik confirmed his Tuesday evening departure for talks aimed at securing additional crude oil and naphtha supplies, essential for plastic production.

Last month, South Korea secured an agreement with the United Arab Emirates for 24 million barrels of crude, with initial deliveries already arriving.

South Korea’s energy imports – over 60% of crude oil and half of naphtha supplies – typically transit through the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway now largely obstructed by Iran as leverage against the United States and Israel.

The King Fahd Causeway connecting Saudi Arabia to Bahrain was shuttered early Tuesday due to Iranian attack threats.

Officials from the King Fahd Causeway Authority announced via social media that traffic had been “suspended as a precautionary measure” following Iranian strikes targeting Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

The 25-kilometer bridge serves as Bahrain’s sole road connection to the Arabian Peninsula, with the island nation hosting the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters.

Though no direct threats against the causeway have been issued, Iranian hardliners have increasingly suggested it as a potential target.

Such risks could escalate if Trump proceeds with his threatened bridge strikes within Iran.

Saudi military officials reported early Tuesday that seven Iranian ballistic missiles struck the kingdom’s oil-rich Eastern Province, with “debris from the missiles” landing near energy installations.

Major General Turki al-Malki, speaking for Saudi forces, provided limited details about ground damage while confirming an “assessment is underway.”

The specific energy facilities affected remained unclear.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Officials temporarily shut down a crucial roadway connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain early Tuesday morning due to concerns about potential Iranian military strikes.

The King Fahd Causeway Authority announced the closure through a social media post on X.

Officials stated that traffic flow had been “suspended as a precautionary measure” due to Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

The 25-kilometer (15.5 mile) roadway serves as Bahrain’s sole land connection to the Arabian Peninsula. Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.

President Donald Trump has given Iran an ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and has warned of strikes against Iranian power facilities and infrastructure if compliance doesn’t occur by Tuesday 8 p.m. EDT.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — A prominent Taiwanese opposition figure departed for mainland China on Tuesday following an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing her diplomatic mission as a “journey for peace” while Beijing continues pressing for control over the self-governing island.

Cheng Li-wun’s trip represents the first time a Taiwan opposition leader has visited China in ten years, occurring just months before a planned May meeting in Beijing between Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Speaking to media before her departure from Taipei, the Kuomintang party chairwoman emphasized that Taiwan should exhaust every possible avenue to avoid conflict and embrace opportunities for peaceful dialogue.

Beijing maintains its claim over the democratically-governed island and has refused to eliminate military action as an option for achieving unification.

“The purpose of this visit to mainland China is precisely to show the world that it is not just Taiwan that unilaterally hopes for peace,” Cheng said.

“I believe that through this journey for peace, everyone is even more eager to see the sincerity and determination of the CPC Central Committee to use peaceful dialogue and exchange to resolve all possible differences between the two sides,” she added, referring to the initials of the Communist Party of China.

Several dozen people gathered at Taipei’s airport to either support or protest Cheng’s departure, displaying banners and voicing their opinions.

The Trump administration announced in December a substantial arms package for Taiwan worth over $10 billion, including medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones, prompting anger from Beijing.

Beijing requires all nations with diplomatic relations, including the United States, to avoid official connections with Taipei. The U.S. serves as Taiwan’s most significant unofficial ally and weapons supplier, with the recent arms deal expected to feature prominently in discussions during the Xi-Trump meeting.

During a February phone conversation between Xi and Trump, the Chinese president declared that “Taiwan will never be allowed to separate from China,” according to a Chinese government readout of the call. “The U.S. must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence,” the statement continued.

Beijing also characterized the “Taiwan question” as “the most important issue in China-US relations.”

China has maintained an almost daily presence of military aircraft and ships near Taiwan, recently conducting two significant military drills around the island. The latest exercise occurred in December following the U.S. arms sale announcement and featured coordinated air, naval and missile forces in live-fire training.

The U.S. State Department condemned such military activities as unnecessarily escalating tensions and urged Beijing to end its military intimidation of Taiwan.

China refuses diplomatic engagement with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, labeling him a separatist.

Cheng’s visit to China coincides with the opposition-controlled parliament blocking efforts by Taiwan’s government to approve a $40 billion special defense spending package.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has extended his ultimatum for Iran to negotiate a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz until Tuesday evening, marking another postponement in a pattern of shifting deadlines that began in March, while warning that without compliance “Hell will reign down on them.”

Trump’s original March 23rd deadline has been moved multiple times over recent weeks as the president has alternated between aggressive warnings, announced postponements, and declarations of diplomatic progress, sometimes within the same public statement.

Iranian officials turned down the most recent ceasefire offer, according to the nation’s state-controlled IRNA news agency on Monday. Following this rejection, Trump issued a stark warning about Iran’s fate if it fails to comply, indicating Tuesday’s 8 p.m. deadline would be his final extension.

“They’ll have no bridges. They’ll have no power plants. They’ll have no anything,” he stated.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned the United States through his spokesperson that targeting civilian infrastructure violates international law. When questioned by reporters, Trump said he’s “not at all” worried about potential war crimes charges related to such strikes.

The timeline of Trump’s ultimatums began March 21, when he posted on Truth Social demanding Iran “FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time,” or face attacks on their power facilities.

This initial ultimatum set a March 23 evening deadline.

However, twelve hours before that deadline expired, Trump announced on Truth Social that productive talks were underway between both nations.

“I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD,” he posted, noting this depended on successful negotiations.

This delay moved the deadline to the end of that week.

On March 26, before the new deadline arrived, Trump intensified his warnings on Truth Social: “They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!”

Yet that same day, he granted another 10-day extension until April 6 at 8 p.m., posting on Truth Social that talks were “going very well.”

Trump issued conflicting messages on March 30, praising negotiation progress while simultaneously broadening his bombing threats if an agreement wasn’t “shortly reached,” adding that “it probably will be.”

“We will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!),” he posted.

The meaning of Trump’s “shortly reached” timeline remained unclear, but no agreement materialized as the deadline approached.

“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday, “Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them.”

As the deadline neared, his social media posts escalated the threats until Sunday, when Trump again postponed the deadline in a profanity-laden message.

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F——-in’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, followed by a separate post establishing the 8 p.m. Tuesday deadline.

On Monday, Trump indicated Tuesday’s deadline would be his last, claiming he had already provided Iran with sufficient extensions.

“The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump declared. “We have a plan, because of the power of our military, where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night.”

Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, Iran’s diplomatic mission chief in Cairo, stated that Iran has lost confidence in the Trump administration following two previous U.S. bombing campaigns during earlier negotiation attempts.

“We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won’t be attacked again,” he informed The Associated Press.

A regional official participating in the diplomatic efforts indicated that negotiations haven’t completely broken down. “We are still talking to both sides,” the official said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the closed-door discussions.

Israeli television station Channel 13’s evening broadcast featured a prominent digital countdown timer marking the hours and minutes remaining until Tuesday’s deadline.

Taiwan’s top security officials are warning that Beijing is orchestrating a systematic campaign to acquire the island’s cutting-edge semiconductor technology and skilled workers as part of efforts to circumvent international trade restrictions.

According to a new report from Taiwan’s National Security Bureau presented to legislators, China’s pursuit of chip expertise has grown more aggressive as Beijing seeks independence in advanced semiconductor production while facing escalating technology competition with the United States.

The island nation, which Beijing considers part of its territory, regularly discovers and dismantles Chinese operations illegally attempting to recruit semiconductor professionals and high-tech specialists. Taiwan maintains stringent regulations preventing its most sophisticated technologies from reaching China.

In their briefing to lawmakers, security officials detailed how China attempts to “lure” Taiwan’s technology sectors, particularly artificial intelligence and semiconductor companies, into establishing or maintaining business operations on the mainland.

“It also continues to use indirect channels to poach Taiwanese talent, steal technology, and procure controlled goods, with the aim of obtaining key core technologies and products such as Taiwan’s advanced-process chips, thereby breaking through international technological containment.”

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has not responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations. Beijing maintains its position that Taiwan represents a Chinese province that will ultimately fall under mainland control.

The island serves as headquarters for TSMC, the globe’s largest contract semiconductor manufacturer and a key supplier to major corporations like Nvidia and Apple.

Beyond technology theft, the security report warns that China plans to deploy various unconventional tactics, including artificially generated content and fabricated polling data, to meddle in Taiwan’s upcoming local elections at year’s end.

Government computer networks faced more than 170 million attempted cyber intrusions during the first three months of 2024, according to the document reviewed ahead of Director-General Tsai Ming-yen’s scheduled legislative testimony on Wednesday.

“It cannot be ruled out that the Chinese Communist Party is laying the groundwork to interfere in Taiwan’s year-end elections, with the intent of expanding intelligence collection, surveillance, and data theft,” the report said.

Military tensions also continue escalating around the island nation.

During the opening quarter of this year, Taiwan’s defense systems tracked over 420 Chinese military aircraft operating in surrounding airspace, while naval forces conducted coordinated operations in 10 “joint combat readiness patrols,” security officials documented.

The report characterizes China’s Communist leadership as facing increased internal and external challenges, including economic difficulties and international strategic competition.

“Nevertheless, it continues to employ a range of hybrid threats against Taiwan, including military intimidation,” the report added.

Taiwan’s administration dismisses Beijing’s territorial claims, maintaining that only the island’s residents possess the authority to determine their political future.

SEOUL, April 7 – Officials in South Korea announced Tuesday that North Korea’s unusually diplomatic reaction to an apology over drone flights represents significant advancement in reducing military hostilities between the neighboring countries.

The South Korean Unification Ministry characterized North Korea’s response as “meaningful progress” following President Lee Jae Myung’s expression of regret regarding unauthorized drone operations that crossed into North Korean territory.

Lee’s administration has been working to repair severely damaged relations between the two nations, which technically remain in a state of war following the armistice that ended the Korean War from 1950-53.

In an official statement, the ministry responsible for managing inter-Korean relations said Seoul would continue adhering to its commitment to avoid hostile actions against North Korea while pursuing peaceful coexistence across the Korean peninsula.

The ministry’s comments came in response to statements published Monday by North Korea’s state-run KCNA news agency. In those remarks, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, described Lee’s apology and promise to prevent future incidents as “very fortunate and wise” – language markedly different from the harsh criticism typically seen in recent years.

However, Kim Yo Jong also warned that Seoul should “refrain from any attempt at contact” with North Korea.

President Lee issued his statement of regret Monday, acknowledging that the drone incursions had created unnecessary military tensions. He explained that civilians acting contrary to government policy had conducted these flights into North Korean airspace.

Lee revealed that an investigation discovered involvement by a National Intelligence Service worker and an active military official, describing these incidents as violations of South Korea’s constitution.

South Korean media reported Tuesday that presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik explained Lee’s decision to express regret demonstrated his strong commitment to reducing military tensions and rebuilding trust. The president ordered the message after receiving briefing materials about the investigation’s findings.

In recent years, Pyongyang has designated South Korea as its “most hostile state” and abandoned reunification goals, instead treating inter-Korean relations as connections between two enemy nations rather than parts of a divided country.

Kyungnam University professor Lim Eul-chul interpreted North Korea’s response as a measured acceptance of Lee’s statements, but warned that South Korea remains viewed as a hostile state. Any reduction in tensions would likely focus on managing the current situation rather than changing Pyongyang’s rigid two-state approach.

A former Australian military member who received his country’s highest honors has been taken into custody on war crimes charges related to killings during his deployment in Afghanistan, according to reports from Sydney.

Ben Roberts-Smith, age 47, was apprehended at Sydney Airport on Tuesday morning by Australian Federal Police. Authorities have charged him with five counts of war crimes for the alleged murders of five individuals in Afghanistan during the period from 2009 to 2012.

Each charge carries a potential sentence of life behind bars, police officials confirmed.

The former soldier had achieved hero status in Australia after receiving multiple prestigious military decorations, including the Victoria Cross, for his conduct during six deployments to Afghanistan spanning 2006 through 2012.

Roberts-Smith has maintained his innocence regarding allegations of misconduct during his military service. These accusations first came to public attention through a series of reports published by Nine Entertainment newspapers beginning in 2018.

The published allegations included claims that Roberts-Smith fatally shot an unarmed Afghan youth and forced a handcuffed individual off a cliff before commanding subordinates to kill him.

In what became Australia’s costliest defamation case, Roberts-Smith attempted to fight the newspaper reports but was unsuccessful. A Federal Court judge determined in 2023 that the publications had substantiated four out of six murder allegations they had made. The High Court rejected his final appeal attempt in September 2025.

A government report released in 2020 documented credible evidence showing that Australia’s Special Air Service Regiment members had killed numerous unarmed prisoners during the extended conflict in Afghanistan.

The Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator launched their probe into Roberts-Smith in 2021. The Special Investigator’s office was established specifically to examine war crime allegations against Australian military personnel who served in Afghanistan.

Officials stated that the defendant is scheduled to make his first court appearance in New South Wales later Tuesday.

Legal representatives who handled Roberts-Smith’s defamation case have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the criminal charges.