Category: World News

Defense expenditures worldwide increased by 2.9% in 2025, reaching a record $2.89 trillion, according to new research from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute released Monday.

The growth marks the eleventh year in a row that global military budgets have expanded, pushing defense spending to 2.5% of worldwide economic output – the largest percentage since 2009. This occurred even as the United States reduced its military expenditures by 7.5% after President Donald Trump stopped approving new financial assistance for Ukraine’s military efforts.

The research institute projects continued expansion in the coming years, stating: “Given the range of current crises, as well as many states’ long-term military spending targets, this growth will probably continue through 2026 and beyond.”

Three nations – the United States, China, and Russia – dominated global spending, combining for $1.48 trillion, which represents just over half of all military expenditures worldwide.

American defense spending dropped to $954 billion in 2025, primarily due to the absence of new Ukraine military aid approvals. Over the prior three years, the U.S. had provided $127 billion in military support to Ukraine.

However, researchers expect the American spending decline to be temporary. “The decline in U.S. military expenditure in 2025 is likely to be short-lived,” the institute noted. “Spending approved by the U.S. Congress for 2026 has risen to over $1 trillion, a substantial increase from 2025, and could rise further to $1.5 trillion in 2027.”

European nations drove much of the global increase, with their combined military budgets rising 14% to reach $864 billion.

Both Russia and Ukraine maintained their upward spending trajectory in the fourth year of their ongoing conflict. NATO countries in Central and Western Europe posted their largest annual budget increases since the Cold War concluded.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military spending decreased 4.9% to $48.3 billion as fighting in Gaza diminished throughout 2025. Iran also reduced its defense budget for the second consecutive year, cutting expenditures by 5.6% to $7.4 billion.

Palestinian officials announced Sunday that weekend local elections held in one Gaza community and across the Israeli-occupied West Bank were successful, describing the voting as progress toward long-awaited presidential elections and future statehood goals.

Saturday’s local election in Deir al-Balah, located in central Gaza, was characterized by the Palestinian Authority as primarily a symbolic test run as officials work to politically unite the territories. The Palestinian Authority oversees semi-autonomous West Bank regions but remains excluded from the U.S.-developed Gaza ceasefire framework.

The voting marked the first election conducted in Hamas-controlled Gaza in more than twenty years. While Deir al-Balah has suffered extensive war damage over the past two years like much of Gaza, it avoided direct Israeli ground operations. Election participation reached 23%, though officials noted obstacles including widespread population displacement and outdated voter registration systems.

Hamas, which maintains control over the Gaza territory that Israel evacuated last year under current ceasefire terms, chose not to present candidates or interfere with the electoral process.

West Bank voter participation hit 56%, representing more than half a million residents, similar to recent election cycles in that region. Final vote tallies were anticipated later Sunday.

“Everyone is aware of the political, security and economic conditions, the fragmentation of Palestinian territory, the war on Gaza, and the regional conflict in Iran,” said Rami Hamdallah, who chairs the Ramallah-based Central Election Commission and previously served as prime minister.

“Simply holding the elections in Deir al-Balah is a significant achievement, and we hope to hold elections in other bodies across the Gaza Strip in the near future,” Hamdallah stated.

Gaza residents expressed determination to vote despite virtually nonexistent public services. Both territories held elections to select local council members responsible for managing water systems, roadways, and electrical infrastructure.

These elections represented the first voting since reform implementation following international pressure. The new system permits individual candidate voting rather than party slate selection. Given declining political party confidence, family and clan affiliations carried more campaign influence.

Hamdallah described the voting as demonstrating national solidarity, expressing hope that “presidential and legislative elections will follow.”

However, the Palestinian Authority has not conducted presidential elections in 21 years, with support for both the authority and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declining amid corruption concerns and frustration over aggressive Jewish settler expansion in West Bank areas.

The Palestinian Authority maintains international recognition as the Palestinian people’s official representative. Hamas expelled the authority from Gaza after winning 2006 parliamentary elections and seizing violent control. Abbas, now 90, won what was intended as a four-year term in 2005. No presidential or legislative elections have occurred since 2006.

Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa characterized Saturday’s elections as “another step on the path to full independence.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, however, remains opposed to Palestinian statehood.

Many Palestinians desire more extensive voting opportunities as they pursue greater influence over their future.

“Municipal elections are an important step, but they are not enough … We want general elections,” stated Bashar Masri, a notable Palestinian-American business leader, via social media.

LONDON, April 26 – Royal officials announced Sunday that King Charles and Queen Camilla will move forward with their planned four-day state visit to America, despite a shooting incident that occurred at a dinner event with President Donald Trump.

A representative from Buckingham Palace confirmed that after extensive consultations between British and American officials throughout the day, and based on government recommendations, the royal couple’s visit will continue as scheduled.

“Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of government, we can confirm the state visit by their majesties will proceed as planned,” a palace spokesperson said.

The palace representative added that the monarchs expressed appreciation for the swift coordination that allowed the visit to continue.

“The king and queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow,” the spokesperson stated.

BOGOTA, Colombia — Officials confirmed Sunday that fatalities from an explosive attack on a passenger bus in Colombia’s turbulent southwest region have climbed to 20 victims.

The deadly incident occurred Saturday when a bomb exploded aboard a bus traveling the Pan-American Highway in Cajibio municipality. Regional Governor Octavio Guzmán reported that the casualties include 15 women and five men.

In a post on X, Guzmán stated that 36 additional people suffered injuries in the blast, with three currently receiving intensive care treatment. The governor also mentioned that five injured children are anticipated to make full recoveries.

Specialists from Colombia’s Institute of Legal Medicine, including dental experts, anthropologists and forensic physicians, are working to identify those killed in the explosion.

This devastating attack represents just the most recent incident of violence plaguing the area, where authorities have documented more than 24 separate attacks over the past 72 hours across southwestern Colombia. The territory serves as a battleground for illegal militant organizations fighting for dominance over coca cultivation zones and strategic waterway passages used for narcotics smuggling to Central America and Europe.

Armed Forces Commander Gen. Hugo López characterized the bombing as a “terrorist act” and attributed responsibility to the criminal network led by “Iván Mordisco” — among Colombia’s most sought fugitives — along with the Jaime Martínez faction. Both organizations represent splinter groups from the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia operating throughout the region.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement condemning the violence targeting civilians and urged government officials to conduct thorough investigations while ensuring “justice for the victims.”

Governor Guzmán announced Sunday that the region would observe three days of official mourning to honor those who perished in the attack.

Tehran’s leadership remains intact. Hamas and Hezbollah continue to operate despite significant losses. President Donald Trump’s priorities may no longer align perfectly with Israel’s strategic interests.

The military campaigns against Iran and its allied groups have not proceeded as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu anticipated, potentially creating electoral challenges for Israel’s most tenured leader as voting approaches later this year. Recent polling data indicates widespread Israeli discontent with how the Netanyahu administration has conducted wartime operations.

When the U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran began in late February, Netanyahu outlined ambitious objectives: weakening the Islamic Republic’s armed forces, eliminating its nuclear and missile capabilities, and establishing conditions for regime change. Though Iran’s military capacity has suffered substantial damage, it continues threatening neighboring countries and maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — while Netanyahu’s broader objectives remained unmet when ceasefire terms were announced this month.

The conflict with Lebanon’s Hezbollah has similarly ended without resolution. Netanyahu stated he accepted the truce following Trump’s request but emphasized Israel was “not finished yet” with the Iranian-supported organization; Israeli military units continue controlling a 10-kilometer zone in southern Lebanon.

The polling showing public dissatisfaction compounds the ongoing Gaza situation — another case where Trump urged Netanyahu to reduce military activity. More than two years following Hamas’ October 2023 assault on Israel that sparked the conflict, the Iranian-backed organization remains operational despite significant weakening.

“After 925 days of fighting since October 7, Israel has failed to achieve decisive victory on any front,” military affairs analyst Yoav Limor observed. “At the end of yet another war, it is perceived as a country whose decisions are not made in Jerusalem, but in Washington.”

Netanyahu has characterized the Iranian campaign as successful, describing it as preventive action against an “existential” danger. “We crushed the Iranian regime’s destruction machine in advance,” he stated recently.

Public confidence in Netanyahu’s administration plummeted following the devastating 2023 Hamas assault. He subsequently pursued an intensive retaliatory operation against Hamas and associated groups while securing the freedom of numerous hostages from Gaza through ceasefire negotiations.

Israel has achieved notable military victories against Iran and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. However, these accomplishments have not translated into personal political gains for Netanyahu. Despite broad public backing for the recent Iranian and Hezbollah operations, their indecisive conclusions have left many Israelis weary and frustrated.

“People were disappointed because it hadn’t achieved the goals,” explained Dahlia Scheindlin, a Tel Aviv political expert.

Research conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based centrist organization, during the Iranian campaign’s opening week showed 64% of participants trusted Netanyahu’s leadership. However, follow-up polling after the April 8 ceasefire revealed Israelis evaluated the government’s war management — beyond just Netanyahu — more critically than favorably.

The survey, completed before U.S. mediation extended the Lebanese ceasefire, also revealed majority support for continuing military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Following the Iranian and Hezbollah ceasefires, Israelis have started questioning the strength of Netanyahu-Trump relations and broader U.S.-Israeli ties compared to pre-war levels.

While Trump’s objectives have occasionally differed from Netanyahu’s, the American president continues expressing public support for Israel. He recently posted on Truth Social that “whether people like Israel or not, they have proven to be a GREAT Ally of the United States of America.”

Trump announced Thursday his intention to welcome both Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House in the “near future” for truce discussions, calling it an honor.

Israeli sentiment remains skeptical.

The Israel Democracy Institute’s research found most Israelis believed there was “fairly” or “very” low probability that U.S.-Iran agreements would adequately consider Israel’s security requirements.

When questioned about the leaders’ relationship, Netanyahu’s office provided no response. An Israeli official speaking anonymously about private discussions confirmed Trump and Netanyahu maintain daily communication.

Netanyahu announced last year his decision to present Trump with the Israel Prize, among the nation’s highest recognitions, making him the first international leader to receive this distinction. Israel extended an invitation for Trump to accept the honor in Jerusalem on April 22, during the country’s 78th independence celebration.

That date passed without a Trump appearance.

The Lebanese ceasefire has generated significant frustration in Israeli border communities that endured six weeks of Hezbollah rocket attacks.

“I live 100 meters from the border,” said Asaf Oakil, a Kiryat Shmona resident. “The ceasefire? It’s a mistake.”

Local businesses remain shuttered while recent protests have erupted, with considerable anger targeting Netanyahu.

“I really hope that the residents of the north will learn from this and vote for someone who can help us here, not someone who brings us down and buries us,” stated Shosh Tsaoula, another Kiryat Shmona resident.

Netanyahu’s administration is approaching the conclusion of its four-year mandate and must conduct elections before October ends.

Opposition leaders Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid declared Sunday their intention to collaborate in upcoming elections. Former military commander Gadi Eisenkot, another prominent opposition figure, is anticipated to join their alliance.

Israeli Yediot Ahronoth newspaper commentator Nadav Eyal suggested Netanyahu faces “big trouble” unless he can demonstrate that conflicts with Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas have produced enduring security benefits.

“With unstable ceasefires that can lapse at any given point, voters will be not happy about it.”

LIMA – A recent survey reveals that Peru’s presidential race has become a statistical tie between right-wing contender Keiko Fujimori and leftist candidate Roberto Sanchez as the country continues tallying votes from its April 12 primary election.

According to polling company Ipsos Peru, both Fujimori, daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, and Sanchez would each capture 38% support in the scheduled June 7 runoff election. This marks the first polling data released since the initial voting round took place.

The extended vote counting process has prompted accusations of electoral misconduct from ultra-conservative candidate Rafael Lopez Aliaga, who currently sits approximately 24,000 votes behind Sanchez in the competition for the second runoff position. This margin has continued to expand over recent days.

Lopez Aliaga has called for the cancellation of thousands of ballots, claiming they represent fraudulent votes. However, European Union election monitors have stated they discovered no supporting evidence for these allegations.

Current tallies with 95.8% of ballots processed show Fujimori maintaining the lead at 17%, followed by Sanchez at 12% and Lopez Aliaga at 11.9%.

The same poll indicates that should Fujimori face Lopez Aliaga in the runoff instead of Sanchez, she would trail by a margin of 31% to 34%.

On Friday, the Organization of American States endorsed the electoral board’s decision to reject calls for additional elections, urging “unrestricted respect for the popular will.”

Sanchez previously held a ministerial position under former President Pedro Castillo, who is currently imprisoned.

JERUSALEM (AP) — A pair of former Israeli leaders announced Sunday their intention to combine their political organizations for the upcoming election cycle, aiming to remove Benjamin Netanyahu from his current position as Prime Minister.

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, who previously shared leadership duties through a rotating arrangement in a coalition they established in 2021, have decided to consolidate their parties under a unified faction with Bennett at the helm.

“The move is intended to unite the bloc, put an end to internal divisions and focus all efforts on winning the critical upcoming elections,” Lapid’s Yesh Atid party said in a statement.

The former prime ministers planned to hold a joint press conference later Sunday.

Their 2021 coalition arrangement brought Netanyahu’s 12-year tenure to a halt. Bennett occupied the prime minister’s office during the initial year before their alliance collapsed. Lapid subsequently assumed the role as interim prime minister for six months until fresh elections returned Netanyahu to office.

Since Netanyahu’s return, Lapid has functioned as Israel’s opposition leader, while Bennett stepped away from the political arena.

Despite having contrasting political philosophies — Bennett maintains Orthodox Jewish beliefs and takes a hardline stance on Palestinian issues, while Lapid follows a secular path and holds more centrist positions — the two leaders maintained an effective partnership during their brief coalition period.

This new partnership seeks to bring together a scattered opposition movement that shares little common ground except for their mutual opposition to Netanyahu’s leadership.

Two former Israeli prime ministers announced Sunday they are combining their political parties in an effort to defeat Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government in elections anticipated later this year.

Ex-prime ministers Naftali Bennett, representing the right wing, and centrist Yair Lapid released statements confirming the consolidation of Bennett’s “Bennett 2026” party with Lapid’s “There is a Future” party.

“This move is intended to unite the bloc, put an end to internal divisions, and focus all efforts on winning the critical upcoming elections – and leading Israel forward into the future,” opposition leader Lapid said.

According to Bennett’s office, the merged organization will operate under the name “Together,” with Bennett serving as party leader.

This political partnership marks another collaboration between Bennett and Lapid, who previously worked together to end Netanyahu’s continuous 12-year leadership following a 2021 election. Their coalition government lasted just 18 months before collapsing.

Earlier, in 2013, the duo successfully secured positions in Netanyahu’s coalition government, effectively excluding his customary ultra-Orthodox partners from power.

Netanyahu, who holds the record as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, returned to office after winning the November 2022 election and establishing what many consider Israel’s most right-wing government ever.

However, Hamas’s 2023 assault on southern Israel sparked regional chaos and forced Israel into conflicts on several fronts, severely damaging Netanyahu’s reputation for security leadership. Subsequent polling consistently indicates he faces defeat in the next election, scheduled by late October.

Despite his controversial status domestically and internationally, Netanyahu remains his generation’s most influential Israeli politician and has demonstrated exceptional political resilience throughout his career.

Recent polling data from Israel’s N12 News on April 23 showed Bennett potentially winning 21 seats in the 120-member Knesset, compared to 25 seats for Netanyahu’s Likud party. The 54-year-old Bennett, a former military commando who became a technology entrepreneur, has been gaining ground against Netanyahu in voter surveys.

The same poll projected Lapid’s party earning just seven seats, a significant drop from their current 24 seats. However, Netanyahu’s alliance of right-wing and religious parties would control only 50 seats, while Bennett and Lapid’s probable coalition with smaller groups could secure at least 60 seats.

These results align with other surveys from academic institutions and Israeli media outlets, which position Bennett as Netanyahu’s primary challenger, though political dynamics remain fluid.

Lapid, 62, is a charismatic former television news presenter who also writes popular music and novels. He represents Israel’s secular middle class, which has grown increasingly frustrated with what they view as unfair taxation and military service obligations.

Netanyahu’s ultra-religious coalition partners have been pushing for military service exemptions for their communities, who typically have low employment rates and receive substantial government assistance.

This contentious issue has gained urgency as military officials warn of being overstretched, with the past two years producing the highest military casualties in decades.

Both Lapid and Bennett have made military service equality a cornerstone of their campaign messaging. They have also attacked Netanyahu for his inability to convert military successes into strategic victories against Iran and its regional allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

Supporters of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas secured decisive victories in municipal elections held across the West Bank and Gaza Strip, election officials announced Sunday following Saturday’s voting.

The elections represented a historic moment as they included participation from Gaza for the first time in almost 20 years. Saturday’s balloting also marked the initial Palestinian elections of any type since the conflict with Israel began over two years ago following Hamas’ attack on southern Israel.

Officials from Abbas’ West Bank-based Palestinian Authority explained that incorporating the Gaza city of Deir al-Balah into the electoral process demonstrated Gaza’s integral role in any future Palestinian state. The city experienced less destruction compared to other areas of the coastal region during the ongoing conflict.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa acknowledged the challenging timing of the elections during Sunday’s results announcement. The voting occurred “at a highly sensitive moment amid complex challenges and exceptional circumstances,” Mustafa stated.

However, he characterized the elections as “an important first step in a broader national process aimed at strengthening democratic life … and ultimately achieving the unity of the homeland.”

Hamas, which took control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority in 2007, chose not to officially field candidates in Gaza and boycotted West Bank races where Fatah’s success was anticipated.

Despite Hamas’ official absence, some candidates in Deir al-Balah were perceived by local residents and political observers as sympathetic to the organization, potentially serving as a gauge of Hamas support levels.

Initial vote counts revealed that the “Deir al-Balah Brings Us Together” slate, viewed as Hamas-aligned, captured only two of 15 available seats in Gaza. The “Nahdat Deir al-Balah” list, supported by Abbas’ Fatah party and the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, obtained six seats. Independent Gaza-based groups “Future of Deir al-Balah” and “Peace and Building” claimed the remaining positions.

Abbas supporters dominated West Bank contests, with many candidates running without opposition.

Fatah representative Abdul Fattah Dawla observed that participation levels matched those from the previous West Bank municipal elections in 2022, commending voters for engaging despite continued Israeli military actions.

“By electing figures linked to Fatah, voters appear to be seeking unrestricted international support for municipal governance and a gradual political shift that could extend beyond the local level,” explained Palestinian political analyst Reham Ouda.

The recent warfare has devastated much of Gaza, leaving numerous residents homeless and struggling for basic survival. Israeli military operations have persisted despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October.

Central Elections Commission Chairman Rami al-Hamdallah reported voter participation reached only 23% in Gaza compared to 56% in the West Bank.

Al-Hamdallah noted that Israeli security measures prevented some voting materials and equipment from entering Gaza, though these obstacles were eventually resolved.

Hamas Gaza representative Hazem Qassem minimized the election outcomes’ importance, stating they bore no influence on broader national political matters.

LONDON – A Sunday phone conversation between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump centered on reopening a critical Middle Eastern shipping corridor that has been disrupted, according to a statement from the British leader’s office.

A spokesperson for Starmer’s administration said the two leaders focused on the immediate necessity of resuming commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, citing major economic ramifications and rising costs affecting British citizens and people worldwide.

“The leaders discussed the urgent need to get shipping moving again in the Strait of Hormuz, given the severe consequences for the global economy and cost of living for people in the UK and globally,” the Downing Street spokesperson stated.

During their discussion, Starmer briefed Trump on recent developments in his collaborative effort with French President Emmanuel Macron aimed at ensuring safe passage for maritime traffic in the region.

“The prime minister shared the latest progress on his joint initiative with President (Emmanuel) Macron to restore freedom of navigation,” the spokesperson added.

The Defense Minister of Mali, Sadio Camara, lost his life during a terrorist assault at his home on a military installation near the nation’s capital on Saturday, according to reports from French radio station RFI released Sunday.

The deadly incident occurred at the Kati military compound located outside Bamako, where the extremist organization JNIM, which maintains connections to al Qaeda, carried out the fatal attack on Camara’s residence.

KYIV, Ukraine — Multiple attacks across Ukraine, Russian-controlled areas, and Russia have resulted in at least 16 fatalities, officials reported, while the four-decade anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe has sparked renewed concerns about nuclear safety risks during Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Regional leader Oleksandr Hanzha confirmed Sunday that casualties from Russian drone and missile attacks on Dnipro had climbed to nine people.

Moscow-appointed officials reported that a Ukrainian drone attack killed one person in the port city of Sevastopol, located in Russian-controlled Crimea. Russia seized the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 in an action widely condemned as illegal internationally, and has utilized it as a logistical hub throughout the current conflict.

In Ukraine’s Luhansk region, which Russia claims to fully control despite Ukrainian denials, Moscow-installed governor Leonid Pasechnik reported three deaths from an overnight Ukrainian drone attack on a village. This followed two additional fatalities reported in the early morning hours of Saturday.

Ukraine has not responded to either incident, and The Associated Press could not independently confirm these reports.

These recent attacks followed the death of a woman in a Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s Belgorod border area, according to regional authorities.

Ukraine’s General Staff announced Sunday that Ukrainian forces had targeted an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, located deep within Russian territory. The attack ignited fires at the facility, which annually processes 15 million tons of oil and manufactures gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel for Russian military use. Russian officials have not yet responded to this incident.

Ukraine has created its own long-distance drone technology capable of striking targets up to 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) inside Russia. Recent attacks have focused on Russian oil infrastructure as Moscow seeks to increase exports following temporary sanctions relief from the Trump administration to address supply shortages. Ukrainian officials express concern that Russia will use additional oil revenues to purchase new weapons for intensified attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used the Chernobyl disaster anniversary to caution that Russian attacks could trigger a repeat of the historic catastrophe.

“Through its war, Russia is once again bringing the world to the brink of a man-made disaster — Russian-Iranian Shaheds regularly fly over the plant, and one of them struck the confinement last year,” he wrote on Facebook.

“The world must not allow this nuclear terrorism to continue, and the best way is to force Russia to stop its reckless attacks,” he said.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi shared similar concerns during his Kyiv visit, emphasizing that repairs to the plant’s damaged outer protective barrier must commence immediately. IAEA evaluations indicate that damage from last year’s strike has already undermined a critical safety feature of the structure, he explained, cautioning that prolonged delays could increase risks to the original containment structure below. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development estimates repairs would cost at least 500 million euros ($586 million).

Ukrainian authorities report that a Russian drone damaged the outer shell of the plant’s New Safe Confinement structure in February 2025 — a $2.1 billion arch-shaped covering completed in 2019 over the remnants of Reactor No. 4. Moscow has denied deliberately targeting the facility, instead claiming Ukraine orchestrated the attack.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced Sunday that he will delay any decision on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon petition until all possibilities for a negotiated plea agreement have been explored first.

The corruption case against Netanyahu has deeply divided Israeli society and caused significant political upheaval, leading to five separate elections from 2019 through 2022. The prime minister’s legal issues stem from investigations that started approximately ten years ago, with the next scheduled election set for October 2026.

Netanyahu has consistently rejected all allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Herzog stated Sunday that negotiating an agreement would represent the optimal outcome for Netanyahu’s situation.

“The President therefore believes that before addressing the pardon request itself, efforts should first be exhausted to reach an agreement between the parties, outside the courtroom,” Herzog said in a statement.

The president’s office released this statement following a New York Times report indicating Herzog planned to facilitate mediation toward a plea agreement, postponing any pardon consideration.

When questioned about whether plea negotiations were currently in progress, a Herzog spokesperson refused to elaborate beyond the official statement. Netanyahu’s representatives did not provide a response to requests for comment.

The pardon petition was filed by Netanyahu in November. Israeli law grants the president pardoning authority for convicted individuals, though no historical precedent exists for pardoning someone during an ongoing trial.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Herzog to issue a pardon for Netanyahu, including appeals made in March during the Iran conflict when court proceedings were temporarily suspended.

Netanyahu is scheduled to return to court this week as his trial, which commenced in 2020, continues. He holds the distinction of being Israel’s first serving prime minister to face criminal charges.

Iran’s top diplomat traveled to Oman on Sunday for high-level discussions about regional stability and ongoing tensions with the United States, according to statements from Iran’s foreign ministry.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said in Muscat to address security concerns in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and surrounding Gulf waters, while also exploring diplomatic solutions to the Iran-U.S. standoff.

During the meeting, Araqchi argued that American military forces stationed throughout the Middle East were contributing to regional instability and creating divisions. He advocated for establishing a security arrangement for the region that would operate without external involvement from foreign powers.

BELFAST – Law enforcement officials in Northern Ireland have initiated an attempted murder probe following a vehicle blast that took place Saturday evening outside a police facility located south of Belfast.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland announced Sunday that their specialized terrorism investigators would be leading the case.

“We have commenced an attempted murder investigation which will be led by our Terrorism Investigation Unit,” authorities stated in an official release.

The incident occurred on Saturday night at the police station south of the Northern Ireland capital.

Australia’s top diplomat announced plans Sunday for a crucial diplomatic mission across Asia this week, focusing on energy stability concerns stemming from ongoing Middle East tensions.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed her upcoming travel schedule will include stops in Japan, China, and South Korea for high-level discussions with government officials. Wong emphasized in her announcement that these diplomatic meetings will “help ensure we are coordinating effectively” as global energy markets face continued volatility.

The Australian official’s first destination will be Tokyo, where she plans to meet with Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegito. Their agenda will cover energy and fuel security matters alongside discussions about the ongoing Middle East crisis.

Wong’s second stop takes her to Beijing for the eighth Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue alongside China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. According to Wong, these talks aim to “progress the full range of our interests and manage our differences” between the two nations.

The diplomatic tour concludes in Seoul with meetings involving South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. Wong highlighted South Korea’s significance, calling it “one of Australia’s most important sources of refined fuels.”

The timing of these meetings reflects growing concerns over fuel availability, as Australia relies heavily on imports for most of its energy needs. The country has encountered supply shortages in certain areas since the Middle East conflict erupted in February, prompting these urgent diplomatic efforts.

BAMAKO – Continuous gunfire echoed through a military garrison town close to Mali’s capital on Sunday, according to a Reuters witness, following one of the most significant coordinated assaults by al Qaeda affiliates and Tuareg rebel forces in recent years.

The ongoing shooting in Kati indicated that combat had extended into a second day, even though military officials claimed they had regained control of the area.

Following Saturday’s large-scale attacks, the United Nations has called for international intervention to address violence and terrorism throughout the West African Sahel region.

“The Secretary‑General is deeply concerned by reports of attacks in several locations across Mali. He strongly condemns these acts of violence,” a U.N. spokesperson posted on X.

COORDINATED ASSAULT WAVE

Both an al Qaeda affiliate and Tuareg rebel forces took credit for the synchronized strikes near Bamako, the capital, as well as in gold-mining regions and other locations throughout Mali. This represents one of the most daring operations insurgents have executed in their ongoing campaign against the military-controlled government.

By Sunday, the complete count of casualties remained unknown, as did the status of the disputed city of Kidal, which insurgents claimed they had retaken from government troops during the offensive.

Government spokesperson Issa Ousmane Coulibaly reported that 16 individuals had sustained injuries and stated that authorities had complete control over all targeted locations. Officials have also imposed a three-day overnight curfew.

RUSSIAN FORCES INVOLVED IN CONFLICT

However, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg-led rebel organization that has participated in multiple government uprisings over several decades, announced Sunday that it had regained control of Kidal.

A spokesperson for the FLA stated on X that an agreement had been reached allowing Russian mercenaries to evacuate from a surrounded camp outside the city where Malian military forces remained positioned.

Taking responsibility on Saturday, the FLA announced it had conducted the extensive operation in partnership with al Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).

JNIM also released a statement on Saturday, distributed by SITE Intelligence Group, claiming responsibility for strikes in Kati, at Bamako’s airport, and in northern regions including Mopti, Sevare, and Gao.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm the claims made by JNIM and FLA.

Saturday’s offensive represents the most recent indication that Mali’s government, which assumed power following military coups in 2020 and 2021, is having difficulty providing improved security after expelling Western forces and seeking Russian assistance instead.

In September 2024, JNIM attacked a police training facility near Bamako airport, resulting in approximately 70 deaths. More recently, the group implemented an effective blockade on fuel imports that has deprived the capital’s residents and businesses of power and essential supplies.

The administration led by Assimi Goita has recently pursued stronger relationships with Washington, which has attempted to rebuild security cooperation and investigate mining possibilities.

Mali’s foreign minister informed Reuters on Monday that neighboring nations and foreign powers were providing support to terrorist organizations, but refused to identify specific countries.

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian courts began their inaugural public prosecution of former Assad administration officials on Sunday in the nation’s capital.

Former army brigadier general Atef Najib, who directed the Political Security Branch in Daraa province during Assad’s reign and is related to the ousted leader, stood before judges to answer accusations concerning “crimes against the Syrian people,” according to the state news service SANA.

During his 2011 tenure, Najib oversaw operations when young people who spray-painted anti-regime messages on school property in Daraa were detained and subjected to torture. This incident sparked widespread demonstrations against Assad’s oppressive security apparatus.

Government forces responded with severe violence to the demonstrations, escalating into a devastating 14-year conflict that concluded when rebels removed Assad from power in December 2024 through a rapid military campaign. Assad escaped to Russia while most of his leadership also fled the country.

Court officials filed charges against Assad and his brother Maher, who previously led the Syrian military’s 4th Armored Division — a unit opposition groups claim committed murders, torture, extortion and narcotics operations while operating private detention facilities — though both remain absent from Syria along with other senior security commanders.

Among all the accused, only Najib was detained and physically present for Sunday’s preliminary court session, with proceedings scheduled to resume next month.

Citizens assembled outside the judicial building in celebration.

Interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa’s administration has received criticism for postponing the implementation of promised transitional justice measures. The nation continues working toward recovery following 14 years of warfare that resulted in approximately 500,000 deaths, displaced millions of residents, and left the country devastated and fragmented.

Officials now seem committed to more actively pursuing former Assad loyalists.

Syrian law enforcement detained Amjad Yousef on Friday, a former intelligence operative featured in footage released four years earlier that allegedly documented him and associates killing numerous bound and blindfolded detainees in Tadamon, a Damascus area, during the nation’s conflict.

The Swiss government has sparked diplomatic tensions by demanding Italy pay medical expenses for treating its citizens who were injured in a deadly New Year’s Eve fire at the Crans-Montana ski resort that resulted in 41 fatalities.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the billing request on Friday, calling it “disgraceful” after learning that victim families had received medical invoices.

Switzerland’s Federal Social Insurance Office confirmed Saturday evening to Reuters that the country intends to recover hospital treatment costs, though they clarified the bills would not be sent directly to victim families. According to existing agreements between European Union nations and Switzerland, patients receive invoices solely for verification while charges are sent “to the relevant foreign health insurer.”

A government representative later specified that Italy’s health ministry would handle payment in this situation.

In a Facebook statement Friday night, Meloni declared: “Should this disgraceful request be made formally, I hereby announce that Italy will reject it outright and will not act upon it in any way.”

“I have faith in the Swiss authorities’ sense of responsibility and hope that the report will prove to be entirely unfounded,” she continued.

Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, told news agency ANSA on Saturday that Swiss officials are requesting over 100,000 Swiss francs (approximately $127,000) to cover treatment costs for four Italian citizens who received just one day of care at Sion hospital following the fire.

Cornado pointed out that Swiss patients injured in the same Crans-Montana incident have received months of treatment at Milan’s Niguarda hospital in northern Italy, and that Italian authorities deployed a civil protection helicopter for rescue assistance without requesting any compensation.

Hungary’s newly elected Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced Sunday he will head to Brussels this Wednesday for unofficial discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding the release of billions in EU funding that was suspended during conflicts with the previous administration.

“There is no time to waste,” Magyar stated, following his decisive electoral win on April 12 that brought an end to nationalist leader Viktor Orban’s 16-year tenure in office.

Magyar has previously identified four priority areas where his administration could act quickly to prevent losing approximately 10 billion euros ($11.7 billion) in EU pandemic recovery assistance by the late August cutoff date. These priorities include anti-corruption initiatives and the restoration of media and academic independence.

Following his election victory, Magyar expressed optimism about reaching a political settlement during his inaugural Brussels visit.

Orban, who maintained close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump, frequently found himself at odds with the EU regarding rule of law and human rights issues, leading to the suspension of billions in European funding.

Magyar’s center-right Tisza party secured a supermajority in the April voting, providing the authority to modify judicial, public procurement, and media oversight legislation that became central points of contention between Orban’s administration and Brussels.

For the past three years, Hungary’s economic growth has remained essentially flat.

Financial markets have responded positively and the forint has strengthened following Magyar’s electoral success, as investors anticipate the EU will release the frozen funds.

The Israeli Defense Forces announced on April 26 that they have ordered civilians to leave seven communities in Lebanon situated north of the Litani river.

Military officials stated they plan to take aggressive action against Hezbollah forces, citing breaches of the existing ceasefire arrangement between the two sides.

The evacuation directive affects multiple towns in the region as tensions continue to escalate along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

DAKAR, Senegal — Independence fighters in northern Mali have acknowledged partnering with Islamic extremists in what officials describe as one of the most significant coordinated strikes against government forces in the nation’s capital and multiple other locations, resulting in at least 16 injuries.

This marks the first occasion that the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) has publicly acknowledged working together with JNIM, an organization linked to al-Qaeda that also took credit for Saturday’s assaults targeting Bamako’s international airport and four additional cities across Mali’s central and northern regions.

“This operation is being carried out in partnership with the JNIM, which is also committed to defending the people against the military regime in Bamako,” FLA spokesperson Mohamed El Maouloud Ramadan said in a statement Saturday.

Government spokesperson Gen. Issa Ousmane Coulibaly reported on national television Saturday evening that 16 individuals sustained injuries, including both civilians and service members, while multiple attackers were eliminated. He declined to specify casualty numbers.

Bamako district governor Abdoulaye Coulibaly implemented a three-day nighttime curfew running from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m.

The independence movement also urged Russia to “reconsider its support for the military junta in Bamako, whose actions have contributed to the suffering of the civilian population.”

After experiencing military takeovers, the governing authorities in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso shifted away from Western partnerships toward Russian assistance in their fight against Islamic extremists. However, security conditions have deteriorated recently, with militant attacks reaching unprecedented levels. Military forces have faced accusations of killing civilians suspected of working with extremist groups.

During 2024, an al-Qaeda-affiliated organization took responsibility for strikes on Bamako’s airport and a military training facility in the capital, resulting in numerous deaths.

Ramadane announced Saturday on Facebook that separatist forces had seized the northern community of Kidal along with portions of Gao, another northeastern urban center.

The Azawad independence movement has waged a multi-year campaign to establish a sovereign nation in northern Mali. Kidal had previously functioned as a separatist stronghold until government troops and Russian contractors captured it in 2023. Taking control of the city represented an important symbolic achievement for the military leadership and their Russian partners.

Authorities in Northern Ireland issued a security alert Sunday following reports of a car bomb detonation outside a police station in Dunmurry, a community near Belfast.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that nearby residents have been moved from their homes as a safety measure, and officials are urging the public to stay away from the affected area.

“It is distressing and disturbing to wake up to the news that a car bomb exploded outside Dunmurry police station last night,” said Sorcha Eastwood, a member of the U.K. Parliament who represents the Langan Valley, southwest of Belfast.

“A busy area, a car bomb left outside residential housing, small businesses and any number of people out and about on a Saturday night working or socialising,” she said. “It is only through the grace of God that there are no casualties.”

Authorities have not disclosed any details regarding the motivation behind the bombing.

The incident follows a similar attack last month when law enforcement reported that a “crude but viable” homemade explosive device was used in an attempted strike against another PSNI facility in Lurgan, approximately 20 miles southwest of Dunmurry.

In that case, two individuals wearing masks intercepted a delivery driver, placed the explosive in his vehicle’s trunk, and threatened him with a weapon to transport the device to the police facility, officials reported. Authorities conducted a controlled detonation after evacuating roughly 100 residences.

Law enforcement characterized the Lurgan incident as likely the work of dissident Republican factions in what they called a “pathetic attempt to remain relevant and provoke fear.”

The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 brought an end to most of the violence that had persisted for decades between Republican factions opposing British control and those supporting Northern Ireland’s connection to the United Kingdom. However, extremist groups that reject the peace agreement continue to conduct occasional attacks.

British officials confirmed Sunday they are maintaining close coordination with American security agencies as King Charles prepares for his upcoming visit to the United States, following a violent incident at Saturday’s White House correspondents’ dinner in Washington.

The shooting occurred when an individual fired at security personnel near the event, prompting Secret Service agents to quickly evacuate President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump from the dinner.

During an interview on Sky News, Darren Jones, who serves as chief secretary to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasized that both the British government and Buckingham Palace consider the monarch’s safety “very seriously.” He noted that extensive security discussions are already taking place and will continue in the days ahead.

“In respect of His Majesty’s visit to the United States next week … our security services obviously remain in close cooperation in advance of that,” Jones stated.

The royal couple, King Charles and Queen Camilla, are scheduled to begin their four-day American visit on Monday. Their itinerary includes a private meeting with President Trump and an appearance before Congress, commemorating the 250th anniversary of America’s declaration of independence from Britain.

Russia’s Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has touched down in North Korea, according to an announcement from Moscow’s defense ministry on Sunday. This marks the second high-ranking Russian official to make the journey to Pyongyang within just a few days.

North Korea’s official news agency KCNA had previously reported that Vyacheslav Volodin, who leads Russia’s State Duma, also traveled to the North Korean capital. Volodin is scheduled to participate in the dedication ceremony for a recently constructed monument honoring North Korean soldiers who lost their lives during combat in the Ukraine conflict.

According to Russia’s defense ministry, Belousov’s agenda includes meetings with North Korea’s highest-ranking leadership and military commanders, along with participation in “ceremonial and commemorative events.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a message via telegram to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in recognition of the memorial’s unveiling, the Kremlin announced.

In his communication, Putin expressed gratitude to Kim and North Korean forces for their assistance in pushing back a significant Ukrainian offensive in Russia’s Kursk region. Putin also conveyed his belief that both nations would continue building upon their strategic alliance.

The two leaders held a summit in June 2024, resulting in the signing of an extensive strategic agreement that features a mutual defense clause. Since 2023, both countries have accelerated the development of their diplomatic and military cooperation.

MOSCOW, April 26 – Ukrainian forces struck a major fertilizer manufacturing facility in Russia’s Vologda region during a weekend drone assault, according to regional officials.

Regional Governor Georgy Filimonov reported that the attack in Cherepovets damaged a high-pressure pipeline carrying sulphuric acid at an Apatit facility, which operates under PhosAgro, a global leader in phosphate fertilizer production.

“The leak has been contained and there were no releases of hazardous chemicals,” Filimonov stated, while confirming that five individuals sustained injuries in the incident.

The targeted Apatit complex represents Europe’s largest manufacturer of phosphate fertilizers and produces both phosphoric and sulphuric acids, according to parent company PhosAgro.

Russian military officials described the weekend assault as a massive coordinated attack, reporting that air defense systems destroyed more than 250 Ukrainian drones across over a dozen regions between Saturday evening at 2000 Moscow time and Sunday morning at 0900.

The port city of Sevastopol experienced what officials called one of its most intense bombardments, with 71 drones eliminated by defense systems, according to Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev.

That attack resulted in one fatality and four additional injuries, while causing damage to homes, retail establishments, and vehicles. Debris from destroyed drones also fell across railway lines.

Meanwhile, in the Yaroslavl region – an area where Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted petroleum refineries – Governor Mikhail Yevrayev confirmed that defense forces repelled another large-scale drone offensive, though he provided no additional specifics about the assault.

Health authorities in Gaza reported Sunday that four Palestinians were killed in separate Israeli military operations across the territory.

According to medical personnel, Israeli forces conducted an aerial bombardment that claimed one life near the central community of Al-Mughraqa. Additionally, two individuals were killed by Israeli gunfire and artillery near Gaza City.

A third incident involved the fatal shooting of a 40-year-old woman by Israeli forces in Khan Younis, located in the southern part of the territory, medical officials confirmed.

Israeli military officials stated they were investigating the reported incidents. The military also announced it had eliminated multiple Hamas fighters in Gaza operations since Friday.

The bloodshed continues even after a ceasefire agreement went into effect in October 2025, with Israeli forces conducting nearly continuous operations against Palestinians in the region.

Medical sources report that approximately 800 Palestinians have died since the truce began, while Israeli officials say four of their soldiers have been killed by militants during the same timeframe.

Both Israeli and Hamas leadership have accused the other side of breaking the ceasefire terms.

Gaza health officials say more than 72,500 Palestinians have died since fighting began in October 2023, with the majority being non-combatants.

Israeli casualty figures show that Hamas’ initial assault on October 7, 2023, resulted in 1,200 deaths.

SLAVUTYCH, Ukraine — Hundreds of residents filled the main plaza of Slavutych early Sunday morning, lighting candles arranged in the shape of a nuclear warning symbol to mark four decades since the catastrophic Chernobyl nuclear accident and honor those who died containing its deadly aftermath.

The annual memorial continues each year even as residents face wartime restrictions and official advisories against mass gatherings amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The catastrophic event on April 26, 1986 exposed serious safety failures and government cover-ups within the former Soviet Union. Soviet officials concealed the explosion for 48 hours until radioactive material had drifted across Europe and Swedish scientists publicly raised alarms.

Approximately 600,000 individuals, known as Chernobyl “liquidators,” were deployed to extinguish the reactor fire and remove the most hazardous contamination. Thirty plant workers perished within months from either the blast itself or severe radiation poisoning. The catastrophe subjected millions throughout the area to harmful radiation levels and triggered massive permanent relocations of hundreds of communities across Ukraine and Belarus.

Slavutych, located roughly 50 kilometers (32 miles) from the destroyed reactor, was constructed during this era. While most displaced families were relocated to surrounding areas in the Kyiv region, Soviet officials started constructing this new city in late 1986 to accommodate Chernobyl plant employees and their families. The initial inhabitants arrived around 1988.

The community has weathered a temporary Russian takeover during Moscow’s unsuccessful attempt to capture Ukraine’s capital in the war’s early stages, along with brutal winters — particularly the most recent one, when power outages forced some locals to prepare food over open flames in the streets.

Attendees of various ages filled the square, with some families bringing spring tulips and daffodils. They assembled in the wide courtyard surrounded by Soviet-style residential buildings, where a monument sits alongside displays honoring local citizens killed in the current conflict.

Liudmyla Liubyva, 71, attended the service with a companion. She previously came with her spouse, who was employed at the Chernobyl facility but later developed mobility issues connected to radiation exposure and became unable to walk, she explained.

Liubyva emphasized the importance of recognizing those who sacrificed their well-being following the disaster, though Russia’s invasion has rekindled concerns that the threat was never completely eliminated.

“When the drone struck the arch, it felt like the world could return to 1986,” she said, referencing a Russian drone attack in 2025 that damaged the New Safe Confinement structure, the enormous dome constructed to contain radiation from the destroyed reactor. “We all — young and old alike — must protect our land, because it is so vulnerable.”

Gentle music filled the air while poetry about the tragedy played through speakers. “Years pass, generations change, but the pain of Chernobyl does not fade,” a woman’s voice recited. As the words resonated throughout the plaza, individuals wearing white hazmat suits and masks, representing the liquidators, stood quietly holding candles.

Larysa Panova, 67, frequently remembers the day of the accident that compelled her to abandon her birthplace of Chernobyl and start over in Slavutych. Although the new community has become her home, she continues to think about the woodlands and natural beauty of the area she left behind.

Prior to Russia’s comprehensive invasion, she routinely returned to see family members who stayed or simply to spend time in her childhood region. However, the war has made the exclusion zone largely inaccessible.

“I never stop thinking of Chernobyl as my homeland,” she said. “You remember your school, your childhood, your youth — everything happened there, in Chernobyl.”

BELGRADE, Serbia — What began as a small musical gathering in a Serbian town has blossomed into a nationwide movement bringing together thousands of amateur singers. The Pop Hor initiative operates on a simple principle: every person has the ability to sing.

Community singing groups remain uncommon throughout Serbia, making this relaxed and welcoming approach particularly appealing. The movement has drawn hundreds of participants, with women of various ages making up the majority of members.

Drawing inspiration from international programs, the organization welcomes participants ranging from young children to elderly adults, promoting singing as a source of happiness and tension relief.

Pop Hor launched in the central Serbian community of Gornji Milanovac four years ago and has since expanded to ten municipalities nationwide, with plans for continued growth. The program requires no tryouts, vocal assessments, or musical literacy from participants.

“Participants arrive as complete beginners, with many claiming they lack any singing knowledge,” explained Nenad Azanjac, a trained music educator who established Pop Hor alongside his spouse.

Nevenka Bila, age 72, described how the choir offers welcome relief from the ongoing political unrest and democratic demonstrations affecting the region.

“In this madness that we are living, where I spend half of my free time in the streets fighting for basic human rights, I found something that feels so good for me,” Bila said. “I discovered a new world.”

The ensemble regularly fills performance spaces throughout Serbia, performing contemporary songs primarily in Serbian, along with selections from Croatian and Bosnian artists. Despite their amateur status, the choir frequently appears at festivals and cultural events both domestically and internationally.

“I never miss a class,” stated Radmila Kozarac, a 62-year-old economist. She credits the choir with transforming her life positively, noting the meaningful friendships formed and anticipation for post-rehearsal socializing over coffee.

The choir has had “a very positive effect on me, psychologically,” she said. “It is joyful, it reduces stress.”

Musical participation offers documented neurobiological and psychological benefits, according to psychologist and Singidunum University professor Aleksandra Djuric. Group singing allows people to “release the energy together, cortisol (levels) come down and positive hormones rise out of union and happiness.”

“I keep telling my students that we can’t be exposed on a daily basis to information, to be bombarded by information and follow everything all the time,” Djuric said. “We need to find a space to calm down, relax and connect.”

Serbia experienced devastating conflicts, international isolation, and financial hardship throughout the 1990s. Political divisions and economic challenges persist today. Student-led demonstrations against populist President Aleksandar Vucic emerged in 2024 following a railway station disaster attributed to widespread corruption and negligence in government infrastructure projects.

Azanjac noted that numerous participants joined after mental health professionals suggested singing for stress management. Members “find a sense of belonging here, they enjoy it,” he explained, describing a “feeling of togetherness.”

“Singing comes second, socializing comes first,” Azanjac said.

Approximately 2,000 individuals have participated in Pop Hor since its 2022 inception in Gornji Milanovac. Azanjac envisions continued expansion beyond current boundaries.

The goal is “to have the whole region sing,” he said.

President Donald Trump has canceled plans to send his senior diplomats Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for negotiations with Iran, announcing on Fox News that “they can call us any time they want.”

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared his nation will not enter negotiations while facing a U.S. blockade of its ports. During a Saturday evening phone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pezeshkian stated the United States “should first remove operational obstacles, including the blockade” before new talks can begin, Iranian news outlets ISNA and Tasnim reported.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Pakistan on Saturday night, according to two Pakistani officials who spoke with The Associated Press. Iran’s official IRNA news agency indicated Araghchi plans to return to Pakistan’s capital city Islamabad on Sunday.

In related developments, Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire with Hezbollah for an additional three weeks following White House discussions. This marks the second major diplomatic session between the nations this month, with the original 10-day truce set to end Monday.

The Trump administration announced Friday it will impose economic penalties on a significant Chinese oil refinery and approximately 40 shipping firms and vessels that transport Iranian petroleum. This action represents part of the administration’s strategy to implement secondary sanctions against businesses working with Iran to eliminate the country’s oil exports, a crucial revenue source.

Global airlines have started canceling flights as Middle Eastern conflicts disrupt jet fuel availability and drive up costs. Aviation experts are providing guidance to passengers on handling flight cancellations.

In Iran on Sunday, authorities executed a man convicted of terrorist activities in the southeastern Sistan and Baluchistan province, state media confirmed.

Amer Ramesh was executed after Iran’s Supreme Court confirmed a death sentence from a lower court, the judiciary news source Mizanonline reported.

The report did not specify the execution location or details about his arrest. Mizanonline stated Ramesh underwent training in another regional nation and belonged to the militant organization Jaish al-Adl, which seeks expanded rights for the Baloch ethnic community.

Iran has carried out similar executions for comparable charges and has executed more than a dozen individuals accused of terrorist activities in recent weeks.

During his Saturday night call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian President Pezeshkian reiterated his country’s position on negotiations while under U.S. port restrictions. The Pakistani leader characterized their conversation as a “warm and constructive discussion.”

Foreign Minister Araghchi completed a one-day visit to Islamabad on Saturday after meetings with Pakistani military and government leaders. The visit failed to achieve progress in efforts to restart negotiations following Trump’s decision to cancel his envoys’ planned Islamabad trip.

According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Araghchi will return to Pakistan following his current visit to Oman and before traveling to Russia. The report indicated he was scheduled to arrive back in Islamabad on Sunday to rejoin other delegation members who had returned to Tehran for consultations and “instructions on the topics related to the end of the war.”

A large group wedding ceremony took place Friday in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah area, where multiple Palestinian couples exchanged vows in a collective celebration.

The brides wore customary Palestinian patterned dresses while their grooms donned formal suits accessorized with traditional keffiyeh scarves draped around their shoulders. The newly married couples strolled together through the festivities as drummers provided musical accompaniment and attendees displayed Palestinian flags throughout the ceremony.

The communal wedding event showcased cultural traditions and brought together numerous families for the joyous occasion in the central Gaza region.

Emergency crews in northern Japan are working around the clock as massive mountain fires enter their fifth consecutive day, prompting authorities to mobilize 1,400 firefighters and 100 military personnel to contain the spreading blazes.

The wildfires have consumed approximately 3,393 acres as of Sunday morning, marking a 7% increase from the previous day’s measurements.

The flames pose a serious risk to residential neighborhoods in Otsuchi, a scenic Pacific Coast community that suffered tremendous losses during the catastrophic March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which claimed nearly ten percent of the town’s population.

Local officials have issued mandatory evacuation notices affecting 1,541 households, displacing approximately 3,233 people — roughly one-third of Otsuchi’s entire population.

“Although the Self-Defence Forces are fighting the fires from the sky (with helicopters), the dry weather and winds are helping the fires expand,” Otsuchi Mayor Kozo Hirano told a press conference.

The emergency has sparked deep concerns among local residents who fear the potential devastation. “A fire burns everything down. With a tsunami, you might have something left after the destruction,” said 74-year-old Yoshinori Komatsu while observing military helicopters conducting water drops on the distant flames.

According to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency, only one minor injury has been reported so far — a person who fell while at an evacuation facility.

Weather forecasters with the Japan Meteorological Agency predict continued dry conditions through Monday, with the possibility of light precipitation arriving Tuesday.

Investigators are still working to determine what sparked the fires.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire between the United States and Iran have collapsed after Iran’s foreign minister departed Pakistan and President Donald Trump canceled his envoys’ planned trip to Islamabad.

Trump suggested Iran must now make the next move in potential negotiations.

“If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!” Trump posted on social media.

The planned discussions were intended to build upon groundbreaking direct meetings held earlier this month, where Vice President JD Vance represented the U.S. and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf spoke for Iran.

However, Iranian leadership has expressed doubt about America’s trustworthiness following the U.S. military’s decision to impose a naval blockade on Iranian ports in response to Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Two Pakistani government sources, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly, confirmed to The Associated Press that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Pakistan’s capital Saturday evening.

Following his departure from Pakistan, Araghchi traveled to Oman, located across the Strait of Hormuz and known for its previous role in mediating peace negotiations. Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported he planned to return to Pakistan briefly on Sunday before continuing to Russia.

“Shared Iran’s position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy,” Araghchi wrote on social media regarding his Pakistan discussions about what he described as Iran’s non-negotiable demands.

Separately, another ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Iranian-supported Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah faced disruption Saturday as both parties exchanged fire, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to direct his military to “vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.”

Trump announced an open-ended extension of the Iran ceasefire last week. While this has reduced most combat operations, economic consequences continue mounting two months into the conflict as global transportation of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and other essential goods faces disruption from the near-complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Military posturing persists from both nations. Iran’s unified military leadership issued a warning Saturday stating that “if the U.S. continues its aggressive military actions, including naval blockades, banditry, and piracy” it will encounter a “strong response.”

Prior to Saturday’s events, Iran’s foreign ministry had already indicated that any discussions would occur indirectly, with Pakistani representatives serving as intermediaries.

Trump later informed reporters that Iran submitted a “much better” proposal within ten minutes of his decision to cancel the Pakistan trip for his representatives — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. While he declined to provide specifics, he emphasized that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains a key requirement.

Additional disputed issues in potential negotiations encompass Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, the Strait of Hormuz crisis, concerns regarding Iran’s missile capabilities, and its backing of regional armed groups.

Tehran has pointed out that previous indirect negotiations with Washington last year and early this year regarding its nuclear program — historically the primary source of tensions — concluded with Iran facing attacks from both the U.S. and Israel, heightening its suspicions.

Brent crude oil prices, the global benchmark, have surged nearly 50% since the conflict began due to Iran’s stranglehold on the strait, which typically handles one-fifth of worldwide oil shipments during peaceful periods.

Iran launched attacks on three vessels last week, while the U.S. continues its blockade of Iranian ports. Trump has authorized military forces to “shoot and kill” small boats potentially deploying mines.

Also on Saturday, Iran restarted commercial aviation from Tehran’s international airport for the first time since the conflict began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on February 28. State television reported scheduled departures to Istanbul, Oman’s capital Muscat, and the Saudi Arabian city of Medina.

Since hostilities commenced, casualty figures show at least 3,375 deaths in Iran and at least 2,496 in Lebanon, where Israel-Hezbollah combat resumed two days after the Iran war started. Additional fatalities include 23 in Israel, more than a dozen in Gulf Arab nations, 15 Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 U.S. military personnel in the region, and six U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a three-week extension of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire. Hezbollah has remained absent from the Washington-facilitated diplomatic process.

Despite the agreement, Israel conducted strikes in southern Lebanon Saturday, killing at least six individuals it identified as Hezbollah fighters, while multiple rockets and drones were fired at Israel from Lebanese territory.

Iranian officials carried out the death sentence of a convicted militant who authorities say was involved in deadly attacks against the nation’s security forces, according to reports from the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Sunday.

The executed individual was named as Amer Ramesh, who had been taken into custody during an anti-terrorism operation conducted in Iran’s southeastern territories. Officials charged him with armed insurrection, which included participation in explosive attacks and surprise assaults directed at military targets.

Ramesh was found guilty of belonging to Jaish al-Adl, a radical Sunni Muslim organization that operates within Iran’s most economically disadvantaged province of Sistan-Baluchestan.

Travelers with disabilities face numerous obstacles when visiting cultural attractions, ranging from obvious challenges like broken elevators to less apparent issues such as overly lengthy excursions or excessively noisy environments.

With the baby boomer population growing older, the tourism sector is increasingly focusing on serving senior travelers who possess both the resources and time for international travel, yet may require extra support. However, genuine inclusive accessibility extends far beyond this demographic, encompassing visitors with physical limitations as well as individuals with autism or dementia.

Cultural venues and museums around the world have introduced specialized guides and accessible programming to better accommodate guests with various visible or hidden disabilities. Technological advances have made many of these initiatives possible.

These programs encompass sign-language interpretation for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors, tactile experiences for those with visual impairments, and specially designed activities for people on the autism spectrum. Additionally, travel companies focused exclusively on serving disabled tourists have emerged.

According to Ashley Grady, an accessibility program specialist at the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Visitor Accessibility in Washington, providing accessible tours demonstrates that people with disabilities are valued in cultural environments.

These programs communicate that “we’ve thought of you,” Grady explained. “We want you to come to our museums. We want you to see yourselves reflected in our staff and our collections. And we want to make these programs as accessible as possible for you, your family, your loved ones, your friends.”

However, significant gaps persist. Ivor Ambrose, managing director of the European Network for Accessible Tourism nonprofit, noted an ongoing lack of understanding regarding the varying accessibility requirements that travelers have.

“This is actually a really big market and an opportunity, which is still not fulfilled by the operators in all these different areas of tourism,” he stated.

Multiple experts have shared recommendations for maximizing barrier-free travel opportunities for yourself or others.

Josh Grisdale, who founded Accessible Japan—a website featuring databases, resources and navigation guides for people with disabilities—has cerebral palsy and relies on a power wheelchair. When planning trips to unfamiliar destinations, he researches Reddit forums, views YouTube travel content regardless of whether the creators needed accommodations, and examines Google Street View to identify stairs or other wheelchair-incompatible features.

While Facebook can provide useful information, Grisdale noted that helpful tips are often hidden within private, unsearchable groups. He suggests working with hotel concierges when available and contacting venues directly to inquire about proper accessibility features. Most museums and cultural sites maintain online written guides detailing their accessible offerings.

Grisdale also developed tabifolk, an online platform that gathers crowdsourced accessible travel information from worldwide contributors. Since inadequate information can increase trip planning stress, he wanted to create a space where people could share their real-world experiences to help others.

“Even though I’m in a wheelchair and I’ve had a disability my whole life, there’s things that I don’t know about other disabilities,” he said.

Joanne Ndirangu, founder and director of Scout Group Agency accessible tourism company, emphasizes that thorough advance planning is essential for people with disabilities to fully experience Africa’s offerings, including safaris or Mount Kilimanjaro climbs.

Ndirangu advocates for expanding accessible tourism throughout Africa, particularly in Kenya. She encourages visitors to collaborate with local travel professionals or trained specialists who understand the region and available accessible options. These experts may have personally worked to convince hotels or restaurants to install ramps or train staff on assisting neurodivergent individuals.

“Let’s say you want to see giraffes somewhere,” Ndirangu explained. “I can now advise you, ‘That place is not viable if you’re on a wheelchair or on crutches because of the hills and the valleys.’ So I can give you an alternative — and you get to see the giraffes.”

Standard public tours frequently prove unsuitable for people with disabilities, whether due to exhibits positioned too high for wheelchair users to view or environments too loud for those with sensory sensitivities.

The Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum complex, offers the sensory-friendly “Morning at the Museum” program, allowing neurodivergent participants and their families to visit Washington Smithsonian museums monthly before public opening. Visitors can participate in hands-on, multi-sensory activities or explore independently at their preferred pace.

“We can control the environment, we can reduce the crowds,” Grady said. “It’s a completely judgment-free environment and one that’s really meant to hopefully be that full bridge to inclusion, where they are able to come to a museum, have a great experience, and then maybe come back when we’re open to the public.”

In Berlin, Catholic aid organization Malteser Deutschland recognized that people with dementia were frequently overlooked as museum visitors. The organization created accessible tours specifically for this population at Berlin Zoo, the Museum of Natural History, Britzer Garden and Charlottenburg Palace, with plans for additional locations.

The Berlin Zoo tour accommodates only a small group and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Rather than covering the zoo’s extensive animal collection, the program concentrates on select habitats to prevent participant fatigue or overstimulation.

Ndirangu explained that her team receives training to immediately ask visitors whether they or family members need disability accommodations, enabling them to recommend optimal options. She noted it’s not always feasible to address unknown needs in advance. Most Kenyan hotels feature only one or two accessible rooms, which may already be occupied when guests requiring them arrive.

“Give us that opportunity to give you solutions,” she said. “We’ve had guests who don’t mention anything.”

The European Network for Accessible Tourism recommends that travel companies incorporate barrier-free service costs into their overall programming, distributing expenses among all participants rather than only those requiring accommodations. Many museums offer discounted admission for people with disabilities or complimentary or reduced-price companion tickets.

Smithsonian’s Grady said the institution modified its programs based on participant feedback and advisory group input. Recommendations have included adjusting app colors for low-vision users and collaborating with curators to ensure upcoming exhibitions remain fully accessible.

“They’re not asking for anything out of the ordinary,” she said. “They’re literally just trying to experience a visit just like anyone else.”

NEW YORK — Four international leaders endured intensive questioning sessions at United Nations headquarters this week as they compete for what officials described as one of the world’s most challenging job interviews.

The candidates seeking to replace Secretary-General António Guterres when his term ends January 1 include former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, and former Senegalese President Macky Sall. None emerged as a clear frontrunner following their appearances before UN ambassadors.

Additional contenders may still enter the competition after these initial presentations conclude.

General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, who oversaw the questioning sessions, emphasized the position’s significance. “The secretary-general is not only the head of the U.N. and the world’s top diplomat — she or he also represents all 8 billion of us, defending the U.N. Charter and leading on peace, development, human rights,” Baerbock stated.

Each candidate committed to strengthening the UN’s core mission areas, particularly its post-World War II mandate to maintain international peace and security — a goal that has proven elusive amid ongoing conflicts in Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere due to deep international divisions. All four also promised institutional reforms for the organization.

Bachelet, 74, who previously served twice as Chile’s president and led the UN human rights office, emphasized crisis prevention and leadership skills during her presentation. “I stand before you to reclaim the urgent need for dialogue,” she declared, arguing the UN must anticipate, prevent and unite. She also stressed that the next leader should maintain “physical presence in the field” when addressing global challenges.

Grossi, 65, currently heads the International Atomic Energy Agency after a career in Argentine diplomacy. He acknowledged widespread skepticism about the UN’s effectiveness in today’s polarized world. “There are enormous, huge doubts about our institution” in solving global problems, he noted. Without strong leadership and universal support, the organization cannot “regain a key place at the table,” he argued, also advocating for direct engagement in crisis zones.

Grynspan, 65, leads the UN trade and development agency and previously served as Costa Rica’s vice president. She highlighted her ability to maintain principles under pressure and promised to “continue to be the moral voice and the impartial voice that the secretary-general has to be.” She criticized the UN as having become “a risk-conservative organization,” declaring: “We need to take more risks — and I am ready to fail and try again.”

Sall, 64, completed 12 years as Senegal’s president and called for the UN to “regain its place at the global table.” He positioned himself as “a bridge-builder” whose primary goal would be “to contribute to restoring trust, to calm tensions, reduce fragmentation and breathe renewed hope into our collective action.”

Bachelet, a physician by training, addressed criticism from 28 Republican US lawmakers who labeled her a “pro-abortion zealot” and urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to oppose her candidacy. She acknowledged the controversy while defending women’s reproductive rights and pledged to advance existing UN member agreements, including gender equality initiatives.

Regional rotation traditionally influences secretary-general selection, with Latin America expected to provide the next leader. Sall, the sole non-Latin American candidate, argued the UN Charter permits any candidacy and noted that following a leader from the global north — Guterres is Portuguese — the position should shift to the global south. His candidacy sparked both supportive and opposing demonstrations outside UN headquarters, and he has faced corruption allegations, which he denies.

Daniel Forti from the International Crisis Group observed that the candidates “tried to walk a political tightrope.” He noted: “It is not immediately obvious whether any candidate did enough to propel themselves ahead of the others, or to ward off potential challengers who might emerge later.”

The 15-member UN Security Council will make the selection, with particular influence from the five permanent members holding veto power — the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom and France — who have remained silent about their preferences. The 193-member General Assembly must provide final approval.

Minh-Thu Pham, who advised former UN chief Kofi Annan and now leads the Starling Institute, identified widespread desire for a secretary-general willing to take risks and actively promote peace. The UN lacks influence in major crises “because it hasn’t had the courage to take risks,” she explained.

Susana Malcorra, Argentina’s former foreign minister and a 2016 secretary-general candidate, emphasized that the United Nations “more than ever” requires fresh leadership and energy. Her organization, GWL Voices, advocates for selecting a woman as the next UN chief.

Half a dozen travelers required medical treatment following an emergency evacuation at Delhi’s main airport early Sunday morning, according to reports from the Economic Times.

The Swiss Air aircraft, which was scheduled to fly from India’s capital to Zurich, experienced a catastrophic engine malfunction during its takeoff attempt at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The engine failure resulted in a fire, forcing flight crew to immediately halt the departure and order passengers to evacuate the plane while still on the runway.

All six injured passengers were taken to local hospitals for treatment following the emergency response on April 26th.

The United States military announced on April 25th that naval forces successfully stopped a merchant ship attempting to evade Iranian sanctions while operating in the Arabian Sea.

Military officials identified the intercepted vessel as the Sevan, which they say belongs to a network of 19 ships known as a “shadow fleet” that helps transport Iranian petroleum and natural gas products to international buyers.

According to U.S. Central Command, Navy personnel from a helicopter launched from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney carried out the interception operation. The military stated the vessel is “currently complying with U.S. military direction to turn back to Iran under escort.”

Central Command explained that Treasury Department sanctions target this shadow fleet because of their role in moving billions of dollars worth of Iranian energy exports, including oil, gas, propane and butane to overseas markets.

Military officials report that enforcement operations have successfully “redirected” a total of 37 vessels since the sanctions blockade operations began.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Following the catastrophic explosion and blaze at the Chernobyl nuclear facility on April 26, 1986, obtaining reliable details about the disaster’s true extent proved nearly impossible, with only brief official statements coming from Soviet leadership.

Following a phone tip, Associated Press Moscow bureau chief Carol J. Williams and a fellow Western reporter traveled to a burial ground in Moscow’s northwestern district, where they uncovered modest burial sites of disaster casualties. Police temporarily held the reporters at the location on trespassing charges, but they witnessed cemetery staff preparing burial plots for additional victims.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl catastrophe, AP is re-releasing Williams’ original report from June 24, 1986:

By CAROL J. WILLIAMS

MOSCOW (AP) — Twenty-three newly dug burial sites positioned near the primary gate of Mitinskoye Cemetery share identical characteristics. No markers identify the deceased as casualties from the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe.

Fresh flower arrangements rest atop each earthen mound, surrounded by concrete borders. Construction crews install matching marble monuments. Ominously vacant plots suggest additional fatalities are anticipated.

Half a dozen headstones display names of firefighters whom Soviet media identified as radiation casualties from Chernobyl, while a cemetery administrator confirmed Tuesday that this section was designated for nuclear accident fatalities.

At this burial ground on Moscow’s northwestern edge, laborers worked through persistent rain installing marble monuments engraved with victims’ identities, birth years, and death dates in golden lettering. Every death date occurred following the April 26 nuclear plant disaster.

Several burial sites displayed temporary, handwritten markers showing names and dates.

A cemetery administrator who refused identification when speaking with two Western journalists visiting Mitinskoye indicated that a memorial would eventually honor the deceased.

“They will all be brought here,” the official said, declining to say how many deaths have occurred as a result of the Chernobyl accident.

The most recent official casualty count from the Ukrainian facility was announced June 5, when Soviet authorities reported 26 fatalities, including two who perished during the original explosion and fire.

Among the casualties, plant employee Valery Khodemchuk will remain sealed within the destroyed reactor No. 4 since his remains were never found, according to Communist Party publication Pravda’s May 23 report.

The publication stated that another victim, Vladimir Shashenok, died immediately and was interred at a community close to the power facility.

American bone marrow expert Dr. Robert Gale, who assisted Soviet physicians treating radiation poisoning patients, predicted additional deaths among the 55 to 60 individuals still critically ill.

Radiation poisoning victims were transported to a Moscow medical facility where the deaths likely took place.

At Mitinskoye Cemetery, preparations suggest more fatalities are expected. Fifteen burial plots create a line at the rear of the Chernobyl section. A second line contains eight sites, with three plots positioned right and five left of a space that could hold seven additional graves.

The monuments of firefighters Viktor Kibenok, Vladimir Pravik, Nikolai Vashchuk, Vasily Ignatenko, Vladimir Tishchura and Nikolai Titenok feature carved golden stars and military fire service rankings of those who initially responded to the emergency.

Cemetery employees refused to reveal when the burials occurred or whether ceremonies were conducted individually or collectively for the group.

Flower arrangements in red and pink left by family members were carefully arranged on the raised soil of each grave.

“It’s very sad, they were so young,” commented an elderly woman visiting another area of the cemetery. “They were brought here to be treated at hospitals, but they couldn’t be sent home to be buried.”

An exclusion zone has been established surrounding the nuclear facility and all area residents have been relocated.

Cemetery administrators seized the reporters’ notes and camera film, stating that journalists required authorization to visit the burial ground.

A police officer posted at the cemetery explained it was restricted to family members only and special clearance from local officials was required to record headstone names or photograph the site.

The administrator subsequently guided the two reporters to the graves under the condition they neither take notes nor capture images.

Syria’s Interior Ministry revealed Friday that authorities have captured a man identified as Amjad Youssef, accused of participating in severe human rights violations that were recorded on video during Syria’s civil war, including events connected to mass executions in a Damascus suburb during 2013.

Ministry officials stated that Youssef was captured during a security mission conducted in the al-Ghab Plain region within rural Hama province, after multiple days of intelligence surveillance. The government indicated this operation represents part of continuing initiatives to track down individuals sought for crimes related to the armed conflict that began in Syria in 2011.

Officials have not revealed specific legal charges against the suspect beyond connections to what is called the ‘Tadamon Massacre,’ referencing the Damascus district where the killings took place. Authorities have not clarified if he has been officially transferred to judicial proceedings, though they confirmed he remains under investigation for incidents that happened during the conflict.

Youssef’s identity has surfaced in news coverage and human rights documentation over recent years, with reports connecting him to events in the Tadamon neighborhood of southern Damascus in 2013. The situation drew significant global attention after video evidence was released in 2022 showing the execution of civilians in open areas.

Based on investigative reporting and human rights documentation, Youssef allegedly belonged to an armed unit that took part in detaining civilians during security sweeps in the region before moving some to remote sites within Tadamon, where unlawful killings occurred and victims were subsequently placed in mass burial sites nearby.

These accounts characterize the incidents as connected to military campaigns during the war. The former Assad administration never provided independent legal verification about the specifics of these events or the identities of participants.

The video material, which circulated extensively following its release, generated widespread criticism from human rights groups, who characterized the actions as potentially constituting war crimes and demanded independent investigations and prosecution of those responsible.

The Assad government never officially confirmed the authenticity or details of the recordings.

US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack praised the announcement of Youssef’s capture, referring to him as known by the title ‘Butcher of Tadamon’ for crimes against Syrian citizens. He characterized the action as representing a ‘new model of justice’ in Syria following Assad’s removal, founded on legal principles and national healing.

In a social media post on X, Barrack stated the detention represents a ‘strong step away from impunity toward accountability,’ emphasizing that America supports the Syrian people in seeking justice. He noted that US President Donald Trump backs these initiatives designed to strengthen legal institutions and assist the nation’s recovery.

Youssef is thought to have previously served as an official within Syrian security agencies under Bashar Assad’s leadership, with his identity connected to grave violations in the Tadamon region, including torture, murder and unlawful imprisonment. The moniker ‘Butcher of Tadamon’ stems from survivor accounts documenting these crimes.

The disclosure of Youssef’s detention occurs while accountability for violations during Syria’s conflict remains among the most challenging matters, given continuing political disagreements and difficulties establishing functional international justice systems within the nation. Current Syrian leadership describes the action as efforts to implement ‘transitional justice’ and prosecute former government officials.

Human rights groups have generally supported the arrest, viewing it as a possible step toward addressing historical violations, while emphasizing that true significance depends on ensuring open and equitable trials meeting international standards, separate from political or biased motivations.

The Syrian conflict, which started in 2011, has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and displaced millions, along with extensive records of serious violations by multiple conflict participants, particularly the Assad government and Islamic State organization.

Authorities have not yet revealed when the suspect will appear in court or provided additional information about anticipated legal actions against him. Observers await further case developments and whether this will result in public prosecution. Millions of Syrians reportedly celebrated the arrest, with public gatherings occurring in certain Damascus areas, especially in Tadamon where the massacre allegedly happened.

The Media Line reports having video evidence and confessions from Youssef acknowledging civilian killings, but has chosen not to publish them because of their extremely disturbing content. Additional footage reportedly shows Youssef directing civilians to execution and burning without legal proceedings.

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Thirteen passengers died and 38 others were wounded when an explosive went off aboard a bus traveling through southwestern Colombia on Saturday, marking the deadliest incident in a recent surge of violence tied to narcotics trafficking.

The blast occurred as the vehicle moved along the Panamerican Highway in Cajibio municipality, according to Cauca region Governor Octavio Guzmán, who announced the attack on social media. Among those hurt were five children, Cauca Health Secretary Carolina Camargo reported to Noticias Caracol television.

Colombia’s Armed Forces Commander Gen. Hugo López characterized the incident as a “terrorist act” during a press briefing, pointing to criminal networks led by “Iván Mordisco” — a high-priority fugitive — along with the Jaime Martínez faction. These groups are breakaway elements from the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia operating in the area.

Both organizations rejected the 2016 peace accord signed between the government and the main rebel group.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro denounced the bombing on social media platform X.

“Those who carried out the attack and killed seven civilians — and wounded 17 others — in Cajibío — many of them Indigenous people — are terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers,” he wrote.

The bus attack represents just one incident in a wave of at least 26 explosive attacks targeting public facilities across southwestern Colombia over the past 48 hours, all of which have harmed civilians rather than military targets, López stated.

Other recent incidents included gunfire directed at a police facility in rural Jamundi and an assault on a Civil Aviation radar installation in El Tambo, where officials intercepted three bomb-carrying drones on Saturday. Those attacks caused no casualties.

On Friday, explosive-rigged vehicles detonated near military installations in Cali and Palmira, resulting in property damage.

The spike in regional violence — occurring in territory where illegal armed organizations compete for drug trafficking control — triggered the deployment of senior government officials to the area Saturday. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez led a delegation including regional governors and local officials meeting in Palmira when the fatal bus explosion happened.

“These criminals seek to instill fear, but we will respond with firmness,” Sánchez posted on X.

Valle del Cauca Governor Francisca Toro has requested “immediate support” from national authorities. In her social media message, Toro demanded strengthened security forces, improved intelligence work and “decisive actions” against criminal activity amid what she termed a “terrorist-level escalation.”

Government sources indicate that Cauca and Valle del Cauca regions function as crucial operational centers for illegal groups competing to control maritime and river pathways to Buenaventura port — a major shipping hub for narcotics bound for Central America and Europe.

Authorities have posted a reward exceeding $1 million for information leading to the arrest of “Marlon,” identified as the regional dissident leader. Local officials on Friday announced a $14,000 bounty for details helping identify and locate those responsible for the Cali and Palmira attacks.

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung successfully reached the African nation of Eswatini over the weekend, declaring that Taiwan would not be deterred by “authoritarian forces” following allegations that China pressured multiple countries to deny flight access to President Lai Ching-te’s planned diplomatic mission.

The diplomatic controversy began last week when three African nations – the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar – withdrew previously granted overflight permissions for Taiwan’s presidential aircraft heading to Eswatini, which remains one of Taiwan’s dozen remaining diplomatic partners worldwide.

This incident represents an unprecedented situation where a Taiwanese president was forced to cancel an entire international visit due to denied airspace access, suggesting Beijing may be employing new tactics to restrict Taiwan’s global diplomatic activities.

Sharing his arrival on social media late Saturday, Lin posted an image of himself disembarking from a private aircraft in the small southern African nation, previously called Swaziland.

“In that moment, I felt the deep friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini that transcends distance, and I became even more convinced that Taiwan will not be held back by authoritarian forces,” he wrote. “We will certainly step out onto the world stage.”

While Beijing has denied applying pressure on the three African countries, Chinese officials nonetheless commended their decision to block the flight permissions.

Lin provided limited information about his journey, stating only that his team “overcame all obstacles” to reach Eswatini as President Lai’s special representative for King Mswati III’s 40th anniversary celebration of his rise to power.

Beijing maintains that Taiwan, despite its democratic governance, constitutes a Chinese province without legitimate claims to sovereign status. Taiwan’s leadership disputes these assertions and maintains its right to conduct international relations.

The situation has drawn criticism from Washington, while the European Union, along with Britain, France, and Germany, have also voiced their concerns about the incident.

Israel’s High Court of Justice faced a critical decision Thursday that has been mounting for over two years: whether the government can continue postponing a comprehensive investigation into the October 7, 2023 failures, or if the court must step in and mandate one.

Ruby Chen, whose son Itay Chen was an American Israeli soldier killed during the October 7 attack and whose remains weren’t recovered until November 2025, expressed frustration with suggestions that voters could decide the matter in upcoming elections. “That’s the easy way out,” Chen told The Media Line. “We need to make a decision, not just for this time, but maybe for other times as well.”

When asked if he believed the justices grasped the families’ perspective, Chen replied, “I think they understand, but they understand it’s a hot potato.”

Tensions from outside the courtroom spilled inside during the proceedings. Court sessions were temporarily suspended when demonstrators tried to force entry, while grieving families clashed outside over what type of investigation Israel should conduct.

Chen noted how serious the situation has become. “If something similar would have happened in the US Supreme Court, you would see the FBI and people handcuffed,” he observed. After a pause, he added, “We are living in a different place.”

The case centers on a petition demanding the court compel the government to create a state commission of inquiry under current law. Stav Livne Lahav from the Movement for Quality Government in Israel’s legal team explained that while the request appears simple, its consequences are complex.

“We asked the court to order the government to use the authority it already has and establish a state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7,” she stated.

Livne Lahav outlined the legal framework as organized and systematic. “In Israel, this kind of proceeding is a two-stage process,” she noted. “First, we have to show there is a real legal basis. If the court agrees, it issues an order requiring the government to explain why it is not acting. At this stage, the burden is on the government.”

She confirmed that initial phase has been completed. “The court issued a conditional order. That means the government now has to justify why it is not establishing a commission, under a law that clearly exists for this purpose.”

According to Livne Lahav, the core question isn’t about governmental authority, but how that power is being exercised. “No one disputes that the authority is with the government,” she said. “But authority in a democracy is not unlimited. It must be exercised reasonably, without improper considerations, and without conflicts of interest.”

She contended that the extended postponement has gained legal importance. “You cannot wait two-and-a-half years after the biggest failure in the country’s history and claim that nothing has been decided,” she argued. “At some point, inaction becomes a decision.”

The government has proposed an alternative: a politically appointed investigation body. Livne Lahav completely rejected this approach.

“First of all, this is not even law,” she explained. “It has not passed the legislative process. You cannot ask a court to rely on something that does not exist.”

She also questioned the proposed structure’s effectiveness. “A state commission of inquiry is designed to reach the truth,” she said. “It is headed by someone with judicial experience, usually a retired judge, with the tools and the independence to investigate complex events.”

In contrast, she cautioned that the government’s approach could politicize the investigation. “What they are proposing creates a situation where there will be negotiations over the truth,” she warned. “Instead of finding out what actually happened, you will have competing versions, shaped by political positions.”

Livne Lahav emphasized the broader implications beyond legal considerations. “The public should go to elections knowing what happened,” she said. “If we prevent the establishment of a body that can examine this, we are blocking the public’s ability to know.”

Chen echoed this sentiment directly. “Who knew? What did they do? What did they not do?” he questioned.

Chen also highlighted what he sees as inconsistent explanations from officials. “At the beginning, it wasn’t time because we were at war,” he said. “Now they say the court is not authorized. So, what is it? You can’t change each time and give a different excuse.”

For Chen, the postponement carries personal weight affecting how families cope with their losses. “We are still waiting,” he said. “How can you move forward without answers? We’re here at the cemetery now.”

On the opposing side, Likud legislator Tally Gotliv, who was ejected from the courtroom during the session following repeated disruptions, presented a completely different perspective. After her removal, she accused the court of overstepping boundaries and worsening the divisions it claims to address.

“The Supreme Court cannot look bereaved families in the eye,” she declared. “It cannot bear their pain, their criticism, the accusations people feel toward it.”

Gotliv claimed the justices were deliberately silencing certain voices. “The court distances and removes bereaved families from the hall,” she said. “And what is worse, it creates division between them.”

She argued this division was intentional. “There are families who want a state commission and families who do not,” she noted. “And the court is fueling that conflict.”

She went further, alleging political manipulation of the situation. “Left-wing organizations are using this pain, using this division, to advance political interests,” she claimed.

Gotliv characterized her ejection as part of this pattern. “Expelling me is a violation of parliamentary immunity,” she said. “The law is clear. You cannot remove a member of Knesset like that.”

For Gotliv, the matter extends beyond procedure to symbolism. “When they remove me, they remove the people,” she said. “This is part of the contempt the court shows toward the government and the coalition.”

She challenged the entire premise of the hearing. “The court should not be dealing with this issue at all,” she stated. “This is not a question of whether it has authority or not. It simply should not be discussing it.”

Instead, Gotliv advocated for institutional changes. “This is exactly why the power of the court needs to be restrained through legislation,” she said. “There needs to be clear limits on what it can and cannot do.”

Gotliv also disputed claims that the government was avoiding responsibility. “The government has already agreed to establish a mechanism,” she said, referring to the proposed political inquiry. “The question is not whether there will be an investigation, but what kind.”

She maintained the decision shouldn’t come from judges. “This is a decision for the elected government,” she insisted. “Not for the court.”

The divide between these viewpoints is stark. Petitioners like Livne Lahav see the lack of a state commission as governmental failure requiring court intervention. Legislators like Gotliv view judicial involvement as a violation of democratic separation of powers.

Between these opposing positions stands a public still grappling with October 7 and increasingly split over how the events before, during, and after the massacre should be examined.

The court hasn’t issued its decision yet. However, Thursday’s session demonstrated that the question has expanded beyond how October 7 should be investigated. It now encompasses whether Israel’s institutions and society still agree on who holds the authority to establish truth and when such inquiry must commence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on Friday through social media that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in its early stages and has completed successful treatment in Jerusalem, stating that he has made a full recovery and remains in good health.

The 76-year-old prime minister explained that doctors discovered a cancerous tumor smaller than 1 centimeter during routine follow-up appointments after he underwent a procedure in December 2024 to address a non-cancerous enlarged prostate. Medical professionals characterized the discovery as an extremely early-stage malignancy that had not spread to other parts of his body.

Netanyahu completed a course of focused radiation treatment at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. His therapy finished approximately two and a half months prior to making the announcement public in April 2026. Medical professionals report that follow-up scans and laboratory work show no remaining signs of the disease.

In his public statement, Netanyahu described his current physical state as being in “excellent physical condition.”

During his treatment period, Netanyahu asked for his yearly medical report to be postponed to avoid releasing it “at the height of the war, to prevent the Iranian terror regime from spreading further false propaganda against Israel.”

This health revelation follows several other medical interventions in recent years. Netanyahu had surgery in December 2024 for his enlarged prostate condition. Previously, in March 2024, he underwent an operation to repair a hernia. In July 2023, doctors implanted a pacemaker after he experienced what medical staff called a “transient heart block” and “fainting episode.”

Even with this medical background, Netanyahu emphasized that his cancer was detected in its earliest phase and has been effectively eliminated through treatment.

America’s departure from Syrian military installations represents a crucial turning point in a conflict spanning over ten years. This military shift goes beyond tactical changes, sparking wider discussions about foreign military footprints in Syria and their sustainability as regional and global dynamics rapidly evolve.

As Washington exits the conflict zone, discussions have grown more intense about whether Syria faces a comprehensive reshuffling of international influence or if this represents solely an American departure that won’t affect other nations, particularly Russia.

America’s exit, concluding a military presence that started in 2014 during the fight against ISIS, is viewed by strategic experts as reflecting Washington’s broader policy change—minimizing direct military engagement in global conflicts while depending on more cost-effective political and military approaches.

Military expert Hossam Darwish explained to The Media Line that “the United States no longer sees long-term military presence as an effective means to achieve its objectives, which is reflected in similar decisions across multiple theaters.” He emphasized that this change puts foreign military installations in Syria under genuine examination within a complicated environment influenced by intersecting regional and global interests.

America began operations in Syria during 2014 with aerial attacks on ISIS locations in Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and surrounding regions, operating without direct coordination with Syria’s previous government after the militant organization expanded and seized control of significant portions of northern and eastern Syria. Subsequently, American involvement grew to include limited special operations forces providing ground support, advisory services, and coordination with local allies, primarily the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Washington constructed small installations and outposts in northeastern Syria to facilitate air and ground missions, implementing a strategy combining aerial power with local partnerships rather than massive ground forces. Although successful in destroying ISIS’s “territorial caliphate,” the organization wasn’t completely eliminated, continuing operations through dormant cells and conducting occasional attacks in Syria and Iraq, sustaining low-level activities today.

Russia maintains a significant role in Syria through substantial military installations. Moscow joined the conflict on September 30, 2015, responding to the Syrian government’s request under Bashar Assad as violence intensified and the state lost territorial control to opposition groups.

Russian involvement focused mainly on aerial power, conducting extensive bombing operations from Khmeimim Air Base while deploying military advisors, limited special operations units, and sophisticated air defense equipment.

Unofficial assessments indicate Russian personnel in Syria numbered between 4,000 to 7,000 at different times, emphasizing specialized roles rather than massive ground deployment.

Russia also utilized Wagner Group elements, which aren’t classified as regular military forces. This intervention helped shift military advantages toward the Syrian government by supporting the recapture of important cities and strategic territories, while enhancing Moscow’s regional influence before the Syrian regime’s collapse at 2024’s end.

Following that period, Russia has maintained a restricted but strategically important network of military facilities concentrated mainly along Syria’s coastline. The primary installation is Khmeimim Air Base near Latakia, functioning as the central hub for aerial operations where fighter aircraft and bombers conducted most strikes, housing sophisticated air defense systems plus command and logistical support infrastructure.

Tartus naval facility represents the second foundation of Russia’s presence. This location serves as Moscow’s sole Mediterranean naval installation, offering resupply and maintenance capabilities while providing Russia permanent maritime access beyond its territory.

Additionally, Russia maintained less stable operations at military airfields including Shayrat and T4 (Tiyas), plus limited deployments in regions like Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor, before gradually withdrawing from most positions following the regime’s collapse.

Recent months have shown signs of Russia reducing its interior presence while strengthening coastal deployment, indicating tactical repositioning designed to lower expenses while maintaining strategic objectives.

Syrian political expert and Russia specialist Muhammad Hamza told The Media Line that “Russia is moving toward reducing its broad deployment in favor of a more concentrated model in key strategic locations.” He added that “the coastal bases will remain a red line because they are Moscow’s gateway to the Mediterranean, but its inland presence may be reconsidered.”

Researcher Amjad Saeed observes that this deployment’s future depends on “the trajectory of the war in Ukraine, the level of international pressure and the future nature of relations with Damascus.”

Within Syria domestically, foreign military installations remain among the most delicate matters, directly connected to sovereignty questions.

Syrian political activist Kinana al-Kurdi believes Syrian leadership might pursue “restructuring its military relations in a way that allows for a gradual reduction of foreign presence without direct confrontation with partners.” She noted that “the issue cannot be resolved by unilateral decisions but through complex understandings.”

An anonymous diplomatic source suggests further that “Damascus may use the issue of military bases as a bargaining chip to obtain economic or political support, particularly during the reconstruction phase.”

From a legal perspective, expert Mahmoud Hammam clarifies that military agreements with Russia “are not rigid and can be renegotiated if political circumstances change.” This creates possibilities for various outcomes, including modifications, partial reductions, or complete termination.

Within the larger framework, foreign installations’ future in Syria cannot be separated from broader international developments. Ukraine’s ongoing war continues depleting Russian resources, while Western nations seek to restrict Moscow’s Middle Eastern influence. Simultaneously, Turkey and other regional countries closely observe developments due to direct security consequences.

Since Syria’s major political transformations in 2024, including power transitions and certain power centers’ decline, Moscow has shifted toward reducing interior presence and concentrating on coastal installations, appearing to move toward a more restricted role focused on logistical and training support rather than extensive military deployment.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government issued a statement Saturday encouraging Afghan nationals currently housed at a U.S.-operated transit facility in Qatar to come back to their homeland, asserting that safety conditions have improved significantly.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi declared that Afghan citizens living overseas should have confidence in returning to their country. Balkhi emphasized that no security dangers currently exist for anyone within Afghanistan’s borders and stated that residents are not being forced to flee due to safety concerns.

This announcement follows reports from multiple American news organizations that the Trump administration is exploring the possibility of sending former Afghan allies to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a nation widely considered among the world’s most war-torn regions.

The New York Times reported that “After halting a US resettlement program for Afghans who helped the American war effort, President Trump is in talks to send as many as 1,100 of them to the Democratic Republic of Congo, an aid worker briefed on the plan said Tuesday.”

Over 1,100 Afghan evacuees who fled to Qatar following Kabul’s collapse in 2021 are preparing for the closure of Camp As-Sayliyah in Doha, as the American-operated facility was scheduled to close on March 31.

The facility has provided temporary shelter for former Afghan military personnel, translators, and relatives of U.S. military members, many of whom were evacuated during the turbulent withdrawal when the Taliban regained control.

The majority of camp residents have completed thorough security screenings and received approval for U.S. resettlement, including more than 400 minors.

U.S. senators have voiced strong opposition to the reported plan to transfer Afghan allies from Qatar to Congo.

Senator Alex Padilla wrote on his X account, “Unbelievable. When we betray our allies, we signal to every future partner that the US isn’t worthy of their trust.” Senator Jeff Merkley characterized the proposal as “evil and wrong.”

Additional senators, including Tammy Duckworth, Tim Kaine, and Ed Markey, have condemned the reported transfer plan, demanding its immediate suspension and enhanced protections for Afghan partners.

Nadir Khalili, a former Afghan special forces member, expressed his despair to The Media Line, saying “It would have been better for us to have been killed in the war than to be transferred to a country like Congo.”

Khalili added, “At the time, US officials clearly told us that, morally, the responsibility for our protection now rested with the United States, which is why we brought our children with us. But hearing this now has only deepened our anxiety.”

Humanitarian organizations and human rights advocates, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, have consistently called for accelerated international solutions for Afghan refugees, cautioning that resettlement delays heighten vulnerability and create instability.

BOGOTA – A devastating bombing in western Colombia has resulted in 13 fatalities and injured 17 additional victims, according to a police official who spoke with Reuters on Saturday.

The deadly explosive incident took place in Colombia’s western region, though authorities have not yet released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the attack or the identities of those responsible.

The casualty count was confirmed by law enforcement sources as investigations into the bombing continue.

KYIV, April 26 – Ukraine observed the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear catastrophe on Sunday while grappling with concerns that Russia’s ongoing military campaign could trigger another nuclear emergency at the world’s most infamous atomic disaster site.

Ukrainian officials report that Moscow has consistently launched missiles and unmanned aircraft along flight routes that pass dangerously close to the nuclear facility when targeting Ukrainian population centers. Last year, one such attack caused damage to an essential protective barrier at the site.

The annual remembrance of the catastrophe – which released radioactive contamination across vast portions of Europe despite Soviet officials’ attempts to conceal its magnitude – has gained heightened significance during Russia’s military operation against its neighboring country.

“The Chornobyl disaster was the result of a reactor experiment ordered by Moscow, in violation of safety protocols, and followed by lies and cover-ups,” Ukraine’s foreign ministry said in a statement this week.

“To this day, the world has to face consequences brought by a totalitarian system that subordinated truth and science to ideology and political power.”

The catastrophic explosion and subsequent reactor meltdown at the Soviet-constructed facility’s fourth unit during the early morning hours of April 26, 1986, exposed millions to dangerous radiation levels, displaced hundreds of thousands from their homes, and rendered enormous areas uninhabitable due to contamination.

Thousands of people have died from radiation-induced diseases including cancer in the decades since, though experts continue to debate the complete casualty count and lasting health impacts.

International cooperation led to the construction of a enormous steel and concrete containment structure in 2016, designed to protect the hastily-built concrete shelter that was erected in 1986 to encase massive amounts of radioactive wreckage.

But a Russian drone attack in February 2025 breached the airtight seal of this protective barrier, according to officials. While no radiation leaks were found, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development estimates repairs will cost at least 500 million euros to prevent lasting harm.

Ukraine’s chief prosecutor revealed to Reuters earlier this week that radar systems had tracked a minimum of 92 Russian drones flying within a five-kilometer radius of the protective structure since June 2024.

For security reasons, Ukrainian authorities typically do not announce details of official memorial events during wartime.

Located approximately 100 kilometers north of Kyiv and surrounded by a 2,600-square-kilometer restricted area, the facility – which Reuters journalists visited Wednesday – sits in an unsettling quietude that extends throughout the surrounding forests.

National Guard troops monitor the site, where roughly 2,250 workers operate in extended shifts to oversee the facility’s gradual dismantling process. Operations at the plant’s final reactor ceased in 2000.

The command center for the destroyed fourth reactor now stands as a darkened chamber filled with damaged and corroded Soviet-era machinery.

Wildlife including moose and feral horses now inhabit the area surrounding the plant and the deserted city of Prypiat, demonstrating how the natural world has reclaimed territory left vacant by human evacuation.

Moldova’s parliament speaker is urging investigators to expand their probe into a massive banking scandal after a court handed down a 19-year prison sentence to one of the country’s wealthiest businessmen.

Vladimir Plahotniuc was convicted this week in connection with what authorities are calling the “theft of the century” – a scheme that drained $1 billion from Moldovan banks more than ten years ago. The stolen amount represented 12% of Moldova’s entire economic output at that time, with the funds disappearing through questionable loans, asset exchanges, and shareholder agreements.

Prosecutors alleged Plahotniuc personally pocketed $39 million and 3.5 million euros ($4.1 million) from three different banks. The prosecution had originally requested a 25-year prison term.

Igor Grosu, who holds the second-highest position in Moldova’s government structure, emphasized on Saturday that additional investigation remains essential to uncover the complete truth about this widespread fraud. He stressed that Plahotniuc couldn’t have orchestrated such an elaborate scheme without assistance.

“The scale of the investigation shows that Plahotniuc could not have acted alone. He could not have organised, on his own, all the actions, operations and transactions,” Grosu stated.

“This is all quite sophisticated, all the more so as one of the accusations against him was organising a criminal group. I don’t know what other action is being taken by prosecutors, but I believe it is logical to look into episodes involving other persons, including those who insisted he was innocent,” he continued.

Plahotniuc maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. His attorney, Lucian Rogac, criticized the case as a violation of proper legal procedures and claimed the decision was influenced by public pressure and political motivations.

Anti-corruption officials are currently pursuing three additional cases against Plahotniuc, including charges related to criminal organization involvement, bribery allegations, and creating monopolistic conditions in metal exports.

The 60-year-old Plahotniuc led Moldova’s Democratic Party between 2016 and 2019 while it was part of the ruling coalition, and also held the position of deputy parliament speaker. During his tenure in government, he exercised significant control over law enforcement agencies, the judicial system, and the courts.

Mexican authorities announced Saturday that two CIA operatives who perished in a fatal vehicle accident in the nation’s northern territory lacked proper authorization to conduct activities within Mexico’s borders.

The circumstances surrounding the two intelligence officers, who had been traveling back from dismantling an illegal narcotics laboratory in Chihuahua state, continue to raise questions about their mission.

According to regional officials, the agents were traveling in a convoy last weekend when their automobile plunged into a ravine and burst into flames. The incident also claimed the lives of two Mexican law enforcement personnel.

The Associated Press verified earlier this week through a U.S. official and two additional sources with knowledge of the situation that the deceased Americans worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. These individuals requested anonymity when discussing classified intelligence operations.

CIA representatives have refused to provide any statement regarding the incident.

Mexico’s Ministry of Security released information indicating that one American operative had entered the country using visitor status, while the second possessed diplomatic credentials.

The ministry further declared that Mexican leadership had no advance notice of international agents conducting or preparing to execute missions within their sovereign territory.

According to the ministry, officials are examining the situation alongside local law enforcement and the U.S. Embassy located in Mexico.

“Mexican law is clear: it does not permit the participation of foreign agents in operations within the national territory,” the ministry said in a statement.

The statement continued: “The Government of Mexico reiterates its willingness to maintain a close, serious, and respectful relationship with the Government of the United States for the benefit of the security of both countries.”

Representatives from both nations have provided conflicting information about the incident, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledging Wednesday that federal personnel were participating after Mexico’s administration initially claimed no awareness of any mission or American involvement.

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced Saturday through a social media video that he will skip taking his parliament seat after suffering a crushing defeat in this month’s election, choosing instead to concentrate on restructuring his nationalist political movement.

The April 12 election marked the conclusion of Orbán’s 16-year tenure when Hungarian citizens voted decisively for a center-right opponent who campaigned on promises to combat widespread corruption and restore the country’s democratic systems that had weakened during Orbán’s administration.

The victorious challenger, Péter Magyar of the Tisza party who will become Hungary’s new Prime Minister, secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority that will enable his government to reverse numerous policies implemented by Orbán.

Questions about the former prime minister’s political future and potential government involvement had remained unanswered since the election results.

However, in his Facebook video announcement, Orbán declared that his party’s parliamentary delegation would undergo “radical transformation” following the electoral defeat, and confirmed he would forgo his legislative seat.

“Our task now is not in parliament,” Orbán stated, but rather in the “reorganization” of his political faction that he refers to as the “national side.”

“I have led our community for nearly four decades,” Orbán commented. “This camp has always been the most united and cohesive political community in Hungary.”

Magyar has promised to rebuild democratic institutions and legal frameworks that deteriorated during Orbán’s leadership, while also pursuing accountability for individuals he claims oversaw and profited from extensive government corruption.

When Hungary’s new parliament convenes on May 9, it will mark the first occasion since the country’s 1990 transition from state socialism that Orbán will not hold a legislative position.

In his announcement, Orbán indicated he plans to continue as Fidesz party president following the party’s June leadership election.

Magyar’s party captured 141 of 199 parliamentary seats, representing the largest majority in Hungary’s post-Communist era. Orbán’s far-right, eurosceptic Fidesz party will hold 52 seats, a significant drop from their previous 135 seats.

A recent polling survey reveals that Germany’s Alternative for Germany party, known for its far-right positions, has achieved unprecedented support levels, capturing 28% of voter preferences according to INSA’s latest weekly survey released Saturday.

This represents the party’s strongest showing ever in INSA polling data and marks a one-point increase from the week prior, establishing a four-point advantage over Germany’s traditional conservative political bloc.

The polling numbers show Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative CDU maintaining its 24% support from the previous survey, while environmental party the Greens dropped to 12% support. The Social Democrats stayed at 14% backing, and the Left Party held at 11%.

Political analysts note that with 11% of voter support going toward smaller parties unlikely to meet parliamentary entry requirements, any governing coalition would need to secure at least 45% among qualifying parties to achieve a working majority.

Given that established parties continue rejecting partnerships with the Alternative for Germany, potential governing arrangements would likely require three-party agreements, according to the survey analysis. A combination of the Union, Social Democrats and Greens would control 50% support, while joining the Union, Social Democrats and Left Party would total 49%.

The polling organization conducted interviews with 1,203 German citizens from April 20 through April 24, asking participants about their voting intentions if national elections occurred this Sunday.

DAKAR – A terrorist organization with ties to Al Qaeda has announced it partnered with a Tuareg rebel faction to execute synchronized strikes throughout Mali this past Saturday, according to intelligence monitoring service SITE Intelligence Group.

The group known as JNIM, which operates as an Al Qaeda affiliate, stated it collaborated with the FLA, a rebel organization primarily composed of Tuareg fighters, in conducting the coordinated offensive operations across the West African nation.

SITE Intelligence Group reported on the joint claim of responsibility, citing an official statement released by JNIM regarding the attacks.

China’s Foreign Minister made a diplomatic visit to Myanmar’s capital on Saturday, meeting with the nation’s newly-installed military-backed president as Beijing works to expand its influence across Southeast Asia.

According to Myanmar’s state television network MRTV, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held discussions with President Min Aung Hlaing focusing on improving Myanmar’s international standing and collaboration within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The diplomatic meeting in Naypyitaw occurred weeks after Min Aung Hlaing took the presidential oath on April 10, following elections that international observers criticized as unfair and orchestrated to preserve military control five years after the armed forces removed Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian administration.

During their talks, Min Aung Hlaing expressed gratitude that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent congratulations just hours after his electoral victory, according to the state media report.

Beijing maintains significant economic and strategic interests in Myanmar, serving as the country’s largest trade partner and longtime supporter. Chinese companies have poured billions into Myanmar’s mining operations, energy pipelines, and infrastructure projects, while China ranks as a primary weapons supplier alongside Russia.

Among the limited number of nations backing Myanmar’s recent elections, China quickly sent congratulatory messages to Min Aung Hlaing following his presidential appointment.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which counts Myanmar among its 11 members, refused to recognize the elections due to the exclusion of most opposition groups and severe restrictions on dissent. Violence from Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict also prevented voting in certain regions.

ASEAN previously excluded Myanmar’s leadership from meetings after the military government failed to follow through on a peace agreement from April 2021 that demanded an immediate halt to violence, inclusive dialogue, and humanitarian assistance.

The former military administration under Min Aung Hlaing permitted only limited humanitarian aid under strict conditions and ignored other provisions of the peace plan.

During his April 10 swearing-in ceremony, Min Aung Hlaing identified rebuilding ASEAN relationships as a key objective.

Saturday’s discussions also covered border security issues, trade relations, joint efforts against cybercrime, and Myanmar’s domestic peace initiatives, according to the report.

China simultaneously maintains relationships with ethnic armed groups along its border, including the influential “Three Brotherhood Alliance” that has fought for decades seeking greater independence from Myanmar’s central authority.

This alliance seized substantial territory near China’s border and in western Myanmar from late 2023 through 2024, encouraging other resistance movements opposing military rule to expand their campaigns nationwide.

Nevertheless, multiple China-mediated ceasefires in the past year slowed their progress, enabling the army to reclaim strategic areas and regain military advantage since mid-2025.

Lebanese officials reported Saturday that four individuals lost their lives during Israeli military operations in the country’s southern region, according to Lebanon’s state news agency. The fatalities come as both Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants continue exchanging fire despite an extended ceasefire arrangement.

While the truce between Israel and Lebanon has substantially decreased fighting overall, confrontations persist in southern Lebanon’s border area, where Israeli troops maintain positions in what they describe as a protective buffer zone against the Iran-supported militant organization.

Israeli defense forces announced Saturday they had targeted Hezbollah rocket launching equipment at three separate southern Lebanon sites during overnight operations and struck multiple Hezbollah operatives in additional attacks. Military officials later confirmed they had also hit installations operated by Hezbollah’s specialized Radwan unit in the same region.

Officials have not confirmed whether the four deaths reported by Lebanese state media resulted from these specific Israeli military actions.

Israeli forces renewed their advisory for Lebanese civilians to stay away from the Litani River region in southern Lebanon during ongoing operations against Hezbollah militants.

Military representatives reported intercepting a “suspicious aerial target” in territory currently under their control, while noting that Hezbollah launched two rockets toward northern Israel, with one being successfully intercepted. No injuries were reported from the rocket attacks.

On Friday, a Hezbollah legislator declared the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel meaningless, one day after the truce received a three-week extension. The original ceasefire had been scheduled to end this Sunday.

Iran’s top diplomat outlined his nation’s stance during weekend peace negotiations in Pakistan, rejecting what Tehran calls excessive American demands in efforts to resolve a deadly conflict affecting worldwide energy supplies.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi concluded discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials before departing Islamabad under military escort Saturday, according to government sources. Specific details about the negotiations remained limited.

The White House previously announced that President Donald Trump’s special representative Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner would fly to Islamabad on Saturday.

Whether Araqchi plans to return to Pakistan for additional talks remains uncertain. Tehran has previously rejected the possibility of renewed direct negotiations with Washington.

The standoff continues as Iran maintains its closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that typically handles 20% of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas transport, while America blocks Iranian petroleum exports.

The crisis began February 28 with joint US-Israeli military strikes against Iran, though a ceasefire is currently holding. Iran has retaliated with attacks on Israeli territory, American military installations, and Gulf region nations. The fighting has driven energy costs to multi-year peaks, fueling inflation concerns and threatening global economic growth.

Araqchi “explained our country’s principled positions regarding the latest developments related to the ceasefire and the complete end of the imposed war against Iran”, according to a statement posted on the minister’s official Telegram channel.

When questioned about Iran’s objections to American negotiating positions, an Iranian diplomatic source in Islamabad told Reuters: “Principally, Iranian side will not accept maximalist demands.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier suggested Iran still had an opportunity to reach a favorable agreement.

“Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely,” he stated. “All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways.”

Araqchi reached Islamabad on Friday. However, an Iranian foreign ministry representative posted on social media that Iranian officials had no plans to meet with US representatives and would communicate Tehran’s position through Pakistani mediators.

Trump revealed Friday that Iran intended to present a proposal addressing American requirements, though he said he didn’t know the specifics. He refused to identify Washington’s negotiating partners, saying only “but we’re dealing with the people that are in charge now”.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt indicated the US had observed some Iranian progress recently and anticipated further developments over the weekend, while Vice President JD Vance remained prepared to travel to Pakistan if needed.

Following Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire earlier this week, international air travel resumed from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport on Saturday, Iranian media reported. Initial flights departed for Medina in Saudi Arabia, Muscat, and Istanbul, with expanded operations planned for coming days.

“Well, it’s a good feeling. When flights resume, trade is done, and people can do their jobs. It’s a good feeling,” one traveler told reporters at the airport, where passengers lined up at check-in counters.

Iranian airspace has remained largely shut since hostilities began. Tens of thousands of flights worldwide have faced cancellations, diversions, and schedule changes, effectively closing much Middle Eastern airspace due to missile and drone threats.

Trump unilaterally extended a two-week ceasefire Tuesday to provide additional time for negotiators to reconvene.

Energy markets surged this week, with Brent crude futures jumping 16% amid uncertainty about peace negotiations and renewed regional violence.

Maritime data from Friday showed only five vessels had passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the preceding 24 hours, compared to approximately 130 daily crossings before the conflict. The ships included an Iranian petroleum products tanker but none of the massive crude-carrying vessels that typically supply global energy markets.

Analytics company Vortexa reported recording 35 total passages through the US blockade between April 13-22, involving Iran-connected or sanctioned ships traveling in both directions.

“The enemy, whose objective of crippling Iran’s missile and military capabilities has failed, is now seeking an honorable exit from the quagmire of war,” Iranian media quoted a defense ministry representative as saying. “Iran is today in firm control of the Strait of Hormuz.”

Iranian state television quoted the nation’s military leadership reaffirming that Iran would respond if US forces continued their “blockade and piracy” in the region.

Thursday saw Israel and Lebanon extend their ceasefire for three weeks during a White House meeting facilitated by Trump, though fighting persisted in southern Lebanon.

Israel launched an invasion of its northern neighbor last month to eliminate Iran’s Hezbollah allies after the militant organization fired across the border in support of Iran. Tehran maintains that a ceasefire there represents a prerequisite for negotiations.

Four people died in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon Saturday, Lebanon’s state news agency reported, while Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel, the Israeli military confirmed, representing the latest challenge to that ceasefire agreement.

ATHENS, Greece — French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized Saturday that Europe’s increased military spending represents a response to longstanding American requests for greater self-reliance, not an effort to create a rival to NATO.

Speaking alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, Macron stressed that European nations are finally addressing Washington’s decade-long appeals for the continent to shoulder more responsibility for its own protection.

“The lesson we must draw is, let us no longer be dependent,” Macron stated following discussions with Mitsotakis. “We Europeans must strengthen this European pillar of NATO, we must strengthen this Europe of defense — not against anyone, not as an alternative to anything.”

The Greek leader supported Macron’s position, arguing that the United States should welcome Europe’s commitment to greater self-sufficiency and increased defense investments, describing American calls for higher spending as “justified.”

Macron’s Athens visit followed an informal European Union summit in Cyprus and focused on reinforcing a 2021 defense agreement between France and Greece that features a mutual protection provision for armed attacks on either nation.

“This mutual assurance and assistance clause is inviolable, and it is not up for debate between us,” Macron declared. “So there are no question marks, no doubts to be entertained — and all our potential, or real, enemies need to be very clear about that.”

The comprehensive 3-billion-euro deal encompasses Greece’s acquisition of 24 Rafale fighter aircraft and four advanced frigates, including the Kimon vessel that both leaders toured Saturday.

Greece has been modernizing its armed forces amid ongoing tensions with neighboring Turkey, purchasing much of its new equipment from French suppliers. The procurement includes France’s MICA anti-aircraft missile technology designed for use across air, ground, and naval platforms.

Both officials promoted their partnership as a model for other EU members to enhance the 27-nation alliance’s global competitiveness. Mitsotakis urged European leaders to abandon “national egotism” that shields domestic industries and pursue greater consolidation for improved efficiency.

Macron highlighted the importance of European innovation and manufacturing to attract consumers with superior products that will fund the EU’s security objectives.

“All of us Europeans — the Franco-Greek relationship is a prime example — need to buy more European products, produce more European goods, and innovate more within Europe,” he explained.

The leaders referenced Article 42.7, the EU’s collective defense provision, which Macron insisted represents more than “just empty words.” He cited both nations’ rapid deployment of naval vessels to Cyprus in early March after a Shahed drone attacked a British facility during the Iran conflict.

Regarding concerns about energy supplies, Macron cautioned against creating alarm over potential fuel shortages linked to Strait of Hormuz disruptions, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas flows. He described the fuel situation as “under control” and predicted no supply interruptions.

While acknowledging that normalizing conditions will require time, Macron said Europe remains committed to reopening the strategic waterway.

Mitsotakis, representing Greece’s significant maritime industry, insisted any diplomatic resolution must guarantee “non-negotiable” unrestricted passage through the strait without vessel fees, matching pre-conflict conditions.

Slovenia finds itself in political limbo after President Natasa Pirc Musar announced Saturday that she will not designate a prime minister candidate following last month’s parliamentary elections, citing insufficient coalition support among competing parties.

Last month’s electoral contest resulted in a razor-thin margin, with current Prime Minister Robert Golob’s liberal Freedom Movement (GS) claiming 29 parliamentary seats compared to 28 won by former Premier Janez Jansa’s right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS).

Despite his party’s narrow lead, Golob attempted negotiations with various political groups but acknowledged this week that he could not gather the necessary 46 parliamentary votes, leading his Freedom Movement to accept an opposition role.

Meanwhile, Jansa has challenged the election outcome and denies actively pursuing government formation, though reports suggest he may be quietly building support among smaller center-right parties that gained parliamentary representation.

The president’s refusal to nominate a candidate transfers the responsibility to parliament members, who must propose a prime ministerial nominee within a two-week timeframe.

Should lawmakers fail in this initial attempt, the 90-member parliament will proceed to a third round of nominations.

“Only if the second and third rounds are not successful, I can call early elections,” Pirc Musar explained during a press conference announcing her choice.

During this week’s political consultations, no parliamentary faction provided the required 46 votes of confidence, the president noted. She also expressed concern about the absence of trust and mutual respect among the political leaders she met with.

“If political actors want to gain my trust to propose a candidate for prime minister after consultations with them, I expect them to speak honestly and frankly,” she stated.

Any shift in leadership could significantly impact Slovenia’s policy direction, as Golob has championed European Union-compatible foreign relations and progressive social legislation.

Conversely, Jansa, who has expressed support for former U.S. President Donald Trump, advocates for corporate tax reductions and decreased government spending on non-governmental organizations, social programs, and media outlets, potentially reversing current policies if he returns to power.

Romanian authorities discovered debris from two Russian drones on Saturday following overnight strikes on neighboring Ukraine, marking an escalation in cross-border incidents that damaged property for the first time.

Officials found drone wreckage in the southeastern city of Galati, where an electrical pole and residential outbuilding sustained damage, along with additional fragments in nearby Tulcea county. No injuries were reported in either location, according to Romania’s defense ministry.

Emergency responders temporarily relocated residents near the Galati crash site while bomb disposal teams secured the potentially explosive drone remnants.

The incidents occurred as Russia targeted Ukrainian ports along the Danube River. Romania, which maintains NATO and European Union membership, shares approximately 400 miles of border with Ukraine and has experienced repeated airspace violations from Russian drones during Moscow’s ongoing military campaign.

While drone debris has previously landed on Romanian soil, Saturday’s events represented the first instance of actual property destruction.

“The defence ministry firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasizes that these represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area,” the ministry’s statement said.

“Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation’s lack of respect for the norms of international law and endanger not only the safety of Romanian citizens, but also the collective security of NATO.”

British Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft participating in Romania’s air policing mission launched to monitor the situation, following standard protocols. Authorities also issued shelter warnings for Tulcea county residents.

Recent months have seen increasing tensions across Europe’s eastern borders as suspected Russian drones have violated multiple NATO countries’ airspace.

Romanian legislation permits shooting down drones during peacetime when lives or property face threats, though officials have not yet exercised this authority.

Defense Minister Radu Miruta announced Friday that an American-made, artificial intelligence-powered anti-drone system would join national air defenses within days after completing final testing.

The Merops system, created by Project Eagle — a U.S. company supported by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt — will address drone threats along the Danube River, Miruta explained.

Poland currently operates the same system along NATO’s eastern frontier.

Romania’s foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to formally protest the border violations.

BEIJING – Chinese officials issued a sharp rebuke Saturday against the European Union’s decision to place several Chinese businesses on its newest sanctions list targeting Russia, marking the 20th round of such penalties.

Beijing’s commerce ministry voiced strong disapproval of the EU’s action, calling for the Chinese companies to be struck from the sanctions roster without delay.

The latest European sanctions focus on foreign suppliers providing crucial advanced technology components to Russia. Several China-based companies were targeted for allegedly supplying equipment that serves both civilian and military purposes, or weapons technology, to Russia’s defense manufacturing sector.

A commerce ministry representative stated the EU’s decision “runs counter to the spirit of the consensus reached between Chinese and EU leaders, and seriously undermines mutual trust and the overall stability of bilateral relations.”

Chinese officials issued a stern warning that they would implement “necessary measures” to safeguard their domestic companies. The ministry added that “all consequences will be borne by the EU side” for this action.

A high-ranking Russian official arrived in North Korea Saturday to participate in ceremonies celebrating the country’s military support for Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, according to reports from Russian state media.

Vyacheslav Volodin, who serves as speaker of Russia’s Duma and maintains close ties to President Vladimir Putin, was greeted by Jo Yong-won upon his arrival. Jo holds significant influence as a trusted advisor to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and leads the nation’s Supreme People’s Assembly, the Tass news agency confirmed.

Intelligence estimates indicate North Korea has contributed approximately 14,000 soldiers to assist Russian military operations against Ukrainian forces. International officials from South Korea, Ukraine, and Western nations report that more than 6,000 of these North Korean troops have been killed in combat.

The visit coincides with North Korea’s planned commemoration of what they term the “liberation of Kursk,” marking one year since Moscow announced it had retaken control of the disputed region from Ukrainian forces.

The military cooperation stems from a comprehensive strategic agreement signed by Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin during their June 2024 meeting. This treaty established a mutual defense arrangement between the two nations, whose diplomatic and military partnership has strengthened considerably since 2023.

French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized Saturday his dedication to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, following warnings from TotalEnergies’ chief executive about potential worldwide energy shortages if the Iranian conflict extends for additional months.

During a press briefing in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Macron noted that fear driven by geopolitical instability can itself create supply shortages.

“Our goal is to achieve a full reopening in the coming days and weeks, in accordance with international law, guaranteeing freedom of navigation without tolls on the Strait of Hormuz. Then things can gradually return to normal,” Macron stated.

Patrick Pouyanne, TotalEnergies’ chief executive, advocated Friday for the waterway’s reopening, noting that approximately 20 percent of worldwide oil and gas supplies typically pass through this corridor.

Transit through this crucial passage, which also serves as a vital shipping lane for fertilizers and pharmaceuticals, has been severely restricted due to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Iranian forces have captured container vessels while the United States has established a blockade at Iranian harbors.

“If it lasts two, three months more, we are entering in a world of scarcity of energy, which Asian countries have already suffered,” Pouyanne stated at the World Policy Conference in Chantilly, near Paris. “You cannot have 20% of the oil and gas of the planet being stranded and not accessible without major consequences.”

Over a dozen nations have expressed willingness to participate in a French-British led international mission to safeguard shipping through the strait once conditions allow, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that American assistance from allies is unnecessary.

“We’re all in the same boat, and it’s not a boat we chose, if I may say. We’re victims of geopolitics and we’re victims of this war that started several months ago,” Macron commented Saturday.

A grieving Palestinian father laid to rest his pregnant wife and two young children on Saturday following deadly Israeli military strikes in Gaza that claimed at least 13 lives on Friday.

Hospital officials reported that the Friday casualties included two fatalities in Gaza City and eight deaths in the southern community of Khan Younis. Medical staff at Nasser Hospital confirmed that the eight victims in Khan Younis, which included four police officers, died when Israeli forces struck a police vehicle.

Khalid Al-Tanani from Beit Lahiya described the devastating sequence of attacks that took the lives of his wife and two of his four children in northern Gaza.

“With the first shell, thank God we all survived and were calling out to each other. Then they fired the second, third, and fourth shells one after the other. Their voices fell silent. I went inside and found my wife, Islam Al-Tanani, martyred, and my son, Hamza, and Naya in her mother’s arms. I found them martyred,” Al-Tanani recounted. The children were ages 4 and 13.

One of Hamza’s 13-year-old twins and another child from the family survived the attack. Al-Tanani mentioned that he and his wife had recently begun discussing preparations for the expected twins, including gathering baby supplies and clothing.

During Saturday’s burial ceremony, family members grieved openly over the victims. “You took my soul with you, Hamza, you took me with you and broke me, Hamza,” cried the boy’s grandmother through tears.

Israeli military officials stated that armed militants had posed threats to their forces in the region, prompting the targeted airstrike after issuing civilian warnings. However, Al-Tanani maintained that no advance warning was provided before the strikes occurred.

The Israeli military confirmed targeting two militants who had threatened their personnel in Gaza City but offered no statement regarding the Khan Younis strike that resulted in eight deaths.

Although major combat operations have largely ended, continued Israeli military actions have consistently interrupted the ceasefire that began on October 10. The mounting Palestinian casualties have led many Gaza residents to feel that hostilities have never truly stopped.

Israeli troops regularly engage Palestinians approaching military-controlled areas. Armed groups have conducted attacks against Israeli forces, with Israel citing these incidents and other ceasefire violations as justification for their strikes. Four Israeli soldiers have died since the ceasefire implementation.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that Israeli operations have resulted in more than 790 Palestinian deaths during the six months since the tenuous ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was established. The ministry, operating under Hamas governance, keeps comprehensive casualty documentation that United Nations agencies and independent analysts consider generally credible. However, the records do not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties.

According to the health ministry’s overall count, 72,300 Palestinians have died since the Gaza conflict began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on Israel.

The current war started when Hamas-led fighters launched a major attack into southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, on October 7, 2023.

The U.S. Navy has launched operations to locate and remove underwater explosives from the Strait of Hormuz, according to President Donald Trump, as the military works to reopen the critical shipping lane that carries a fifth of the world’s oil supply.

Military officials briefing House Armed Services Committee members this week indicated the mine-clearing mission could require half a year to complete, even with a fragile ceasefire in place between Washington and Tehran following weeks of warfare, according to sources familiar with the classified discussion.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to confirm the six-month timeline when questioned by reporters Friday, though he didn’t dispute the estimate. “Allegedly that was something that was said,” Hegseth stated during a Pentagon briefing. “But we feel confident in our ability, in the correct period of time, to clear any mines that we identify.”

The challenge extends beyond simply removing explosives from the seabed, according to defense analysts who warn that restoring commercial confidence in the waterway’s safety may prove even more difficult.

“You don’t even have to have lain mines — you just have to make people believe that you’ve laid mines,” explained Emma Salisbury, a researcher with the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s National Security Program.

“And even if the U.S. sweeps the strait and says everything’s clear, all the Iranians have to do is say, ‘Well, actually, you haven’t found them all yet,’” added Salisbury, who also works with the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre. “There’s only so much the U.S. can do to give that confidence back to commercial shipping.”

Trump announced an intensification of the mine-clearing efforts through social media Thursday, declaring he had directed naval forces to target any vessel attempting to deploy explosives in the strait.

“Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now,” the president wrote. “I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!”

The operation represents one of several strategies the Trump administration is pursuing to restore traffic through the vital waterway as energy costs climb and economic pressures mount. Officials have also imposed blockades on Iranian ports, confiscated vessels linked to Tehran, and scheduled participation in additional ceasefire negotiations in Pakistan this weekend.

Admiral Brad Cooper, the senior U.S. military commander overseeing Middle East operations, recently confirmed to reporters that forces would work to eliminate mines from the strait, though he provided no operational specifics.

Current naval assets in the region include two littoral combat ships equipped with mine-clearing capabilities, according to defense officials speaking anonymously about sensitive military deployments. Additionally, two Avenger-class minesweepers stationed in Japan have begun transit toward the Middle East but remained in Pacific waters as of Friday.

Steven Wills, a former lieutenant commander with experience aboard Avenger-class vessels, explained that current operations likely focus on creating secure passage channels rather than comprehensive area clearing, which typically occurs after conflicts conclude.

“Minehunting is walking through your yard pulling individual weeds and dandelions so that you can walk safely from one side to the other. Minesweeping is more like mowing the grass,” said Wills, now an analyst with the Center for Maritime Strategy at the Navy League of the United States.

Intelligence assessments suggest Iran possesses several thousand mines in its arsenal, primarily older Soviet designs supplemented by some Chinese models and domestically produced variants, according to Salisbury. The weapons likely rest on the ocean floor or hang suspended beneath the surface on cables, activated by changes in water pressure or engine noise from passing ships.

“Minelaying is a lot easier than minesweeping, so you can literally push these things off the back of a speedboat,” Salisbury noted, though she acknowledged such activities would likely be detected by U.S. surveillance.

Iranian submarines capable of covert mine deployment pose a more significant detection challenge and appear to have survived the recent conflict, she added.

Naval mine-clearing teams employ remotely operated underwater vehicles equipped with sonar technology to locate explosives, along with specialized charges to destroy them safely. Helicopter units can also search for mines using laser systems, while explosive ordnance disposal divers provide additional clearing capabilities.

Scott Savitz, a RAND Corporation researcher specializing in naval operations and mine warfare, emphasized that complete clearance isn’t always necessary for resuming commercial traffic.

“There’s still areas that have not been cleared from World War II — and in some cases, World War I — just because it is so resource intensive and it takes a lot of time,” he explained.

Shipping companies will eventually accept calculated risks to transit the lucrative route, Savitz predicted, though current Iranian requirements mandate vessels use northern passages closer to Iranian shores rather than traditional shipping lanes.

Insurance companies have begun requiring ship owners to coordinate with Iranian authorities for safe passage certification, according to Dylan Mortimer, marine war insurance leader for broker Marsh. These approvals address the full spectrum of threats including missiles, drones, and potential vessel seizures, not just mines.

However, the psychological impact of potential mine threats continues influencing commercial decisions regardless of actual explosive presence, creating what Mortimer termed the “specter of threat.”

“That plays in the Iranians’ favor, because whether there are mines there or not, people think there’s mines there and they will operate accordingly,” Mortimer observed.

These persistent concerns may significantly delay the restoration of commercial confidence in strait safety even after hostilities formally conclude, experts warn.

Armed militants launched what appears to be a coordinated assault on multiple locations across Mali early Saturday morning, striking the West African nation’s capital and several other major cities, according to local residents and government officials.

Mali’s military confirmed in an official statement that “unidentified armed terrorist groups targeted certain locations and barracks in the capital.” The army added that its forces were “currently engaged in eliminating the attackers.”

The troubled nation has faced ongoing conflicts with militant groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, along with separatist fighters operating in northern regions.

A journalist with the Associated Press reported hearing continuous heavy gunfire and automatic weapons fire emanating from Modibo Keïta International Airport, located approximately 15 kilometers from Bamako’s center. Military helicopters were observed flying over surrounding areas. The airport sits next to an air base operated by Mali’s military. A local resident near the facility confirmed the gunfire and reported seeing three helicopters conducting patrols above.

Citizens in additional Malian cities described hearing weapons fire and explosions Saturday morning, indicating the attacks may have been synchronized across multiple locations.

Armed fighters penetrated the northeastern city of Kidal, seizing control of certain districts and engaging in firefights with military personnel, according to a former Kidal mayor who spoke to AP by telephone. The individual requested anonymity due to safety concerns.

The Azawad separatist faction has waged a prolonged campaign to establish an independent state called Azawad in Mali’s northern territory. These rebels previously expelled government security forces from the area before a 2015 peace agreement, which later fell apart, allowed some former insurgents to join Mali’s armed forces.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, speaking for the Azawad Liberation Front, claimed on Facebook that his organization’s fighters had seized multiple areas in both Kidal and Gao, another northeastern city. The Associated Press was unable to independently confirm these assertions.

A Gao resident reported that gunfire and explosions began in the predawn hours Saturday and continued into late morning.

“The force of the explosions is making the doors and windows of my house shake. I’m scared out of my wits,” the resident told AP by phone. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of concerns for his safety. The resident said the gunfire came from the army camp and the airport, which are right next to each other.

In Kati, a community close to Bamako that houses Mali’s primary military installation, another resident reported being awakened early by sounds of gunfire and explosions.

Last year, an al-Qaeda-affiliated organization took responsibility for an assault on Bamako’s airport and a military training facility in the capital that resulted in dozens of deaths.

Mali, together with neighboring countries Niger and Burkina Faso, has struggled for years against armed organizations connected to al-Qaeda and ISIS, with violence intensifying over the last ten years.

After military takeovers, the ruling governments in these three nations shifted away from Western partnerships toward Russian assistance in their fight against Islamic extremists.

However, security conditions across Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have deteriorated recently, according to experts, with militant attacks reaching record levels. Government troops have also faced accusations of killing civilians suspected of supporting militants.

The Biden administration has adjusted its sanctions policy toward Venezuela, clearing the way for that nation’s government to fund legal representation for former president Nicolás Maduro in his ongoing drug trafficking prosecution, according to court documents filed Friday.

Maduro, age 63, along with his spouse Cilia Flores, 69, were apprehended at their Caracas residence by American special operations forces on January 3rd and transported to New York to answer criminal charges that include narcoterrorism conspiracy. Both defendants have entered not guilty pleas and remain in custody at a Brooklyn detention facility while awaiting trial.

Defense attorney Barry Pollack petitioned Manhattan federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein in February to throw out the prosecution, arguing that existing U.S. economic restrictions were blocking Venezuela from covering his client’s legal expenses.

According to Pollack, this prohibition violated Maduro’s constitutional guarantee to legal representation of his choosing.

Defense counsel indicated that neither Maduro nor Flores possess the financial means to hire attorneys independently, while Venezuela’s government stands ready to cover their legal costs.

Constitutional protections for criminal defendants in America extend to all individuals facing charges, regardless of their citizenship status.

During a March 26th court session, Hellerstein indicated he would not dismiss the prosecution but expressed doubt about the government’s justification for preventing the fee payments.

Federal prosecutor Kyle Wirshba argued in court that the sanctions blocking these payments served valid national security and foreign policy objectives. Wirshba further contended that Hellerstein lacked authority to compel the Treasury Department to alter its sanctions framework, since foreign policy falls under executive rather than judicial control.

Hellerstein observed that Washington had already eased various Venezuelan sanctions following Maduro’s removal from power. Diplomatic ties between Caracas and Washington have strengthened since Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former deputy, assumed interim leadership of Venezuela.

“The defendant is here, Flores is here. They present no further national security threat,” Hellerstein stated. The judge, who was appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton, added: “The right that’s implicated, paramount over other rights, is the right to constitutional counsel.”

Throughout his initial presidential term, Donald Trump intensified economic penalties against Venezuela amid accusations that Maduro’s administration engaged in corruption and weakened democratic governance. Washington declared Maduro’s 2018 electoral victory illegitimate.

Maduro rejected these allegations, as well as drug trafficking accusations, characterizing them as fabricated justifications for what he described as America’s attempt to gain control over the South American OPEC member’s extensive petroleum resources.

An unmanned aircraft from Ukraine struck a residential high-rise in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg on Saturday, marking the first time the major urban center has been targeted since the conflict between the two nations began, according to regional authorities.

Denis Pasler, who serves as governor of the Sverdlovsk region, reported through the Telegram messaging platform that while no deaths occurred, several individuals sustained minor injuries and one woman required hospital treatment.

“Residents of the affected building have been evacuated,” he said. “All emergency services are working promptly.”

Social media footage confirmed by Reuters displayed thick smoke billowing from the upper floors of the contemporary tower. The building’s exterior showed significant fire damage and numerous shattered windows from the impact.

Ukrainian officials have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.

This attack on Yekaterinburg occurred following a substantial overnight Russian assault on Ukraine that resulted in seven deaths and injured many others.

The targeted city houses 1.5 million people and sits in Russia’s Ural mountain region within Sverdlovsk, an area known for its numerous military manufacturing facilities. The distance from Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv to Yekaterinburg spans more than 1,200 miles.

Since hostilities commenced in 2022, Russian forces have conducted extensive bombardments of Ukrainian locations using artillery, unmanned aircraft, and aerial strikes. In response, Ukraine has launched operations deep within Russian territory using sabotage teams and drones, eliminating Russian military commanders and targeting petroleum facilities and pipeline infrastructure.

KYIV, Ukraine — Overnight bombardments by Russian forces struck the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, leaving three dead and injuring 21 others, regional officials reported Saturday.

Rescue teams discovered the three victims in the debris of a residential home that was leveled during the nighttime assault, according to Dnipropetrovsk regional leader Oleksandr Ganzha, who warned that additional people could remain buried beneath the wreckage.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Saturday that “11 people in hospitals in Dnipro after the Russian attack on the city.”

“The Russians have been hitting Dnipro and other cities and communities practically all night,” Ganzha posted on Telegram, describing the bombardment that sparked blazes throughout Dnipro and left multiple apartment complexes, commercial structures and a residence in partial ruins.

In the Odesa region to the southwest, drone assaults during the night injured two additional civilians.

The southern portion of that region saw damage to homes, port facilities and vehicles, regional administrator Oleh Kiper announced Saturday.

Meanwhile in Russia, a drone attack in the border area of Belgorod resulted in one woman’s death and left a man with severe injuries, according to local authorities.

These latest attacks came one day after Russia and Ukraine completed a prisoner exchange on Friday, trading 193 military personnel.

Such prisoner swaps represent among the limited positive developments from otherwise unsuccessful months of U.S.-mediated discussions between Moscow and Kyiv. The diplomatic efforts have failed to achieve breakthroughs on major obstacles to ending Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine, which has now entered its fifth year.

Afghanistan’s foreign ministry is encouraging Afghan nationals who supported American military operations and remain stranded in Qatar while hoping to reach the United States to come back to their homeland safely.

The Saturday announcement from foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi follows news reports indicating the Trump administration is considering relocating approximately 1,100 Afghans who aided U.S. forces during the Afghanistan conflict, along with family members of American military personnel, to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A support organization known as #AfghanEvac, which advocates for Afghan resettlement initiatives, reported Wednesday that American officials had notified them of ongoing conversations between the U.S. and Congo regarding accepting the Afghan refugees who have remained in uncertain circumstances at Camp As-Sayliyah, an American military facility in Doha, throughout the past year.

The State Department confirmed it is exploring ways to “voluntarily” relocate these refugees to a third nation but declined to specify which countries are under consideration.

According to #AfghanEvac, refugees were presented with the option of returning to Afghanistan, where they worry about retaliation or execution by the Taliban, who have controlled the nation since taking control following the turbulent departure of U.S.-led military forces in 2021, due to their collaboration with American forces during the twenty-year conflict.

Afghanistan’s foreign ministry “reiterates that Afghanistan constitutes the shared homeland of all Afghans and it invites all those concerned, as well as others sharing a similar situation, (to) return to their homeland, whose doors remain open to them, to do so with full confidence & peace of mind,” Balkhi wrote in his statement.

He continued that “those intending to travel to another country may do so at an appropriate juncture through legal & dignified channels.” Afghanistan’s foreign ministry “stands ready to engage with all countries,” Balkhi stated, emphasizing that the foreign ministry “underscores to all sides that there exist no security threats in Afghanistan, & none is compelled to leave the country on account of security considerations.”

In a collective statement released by the #AfghanEvac organization representing those at Camp As-Sayliyah, the Afghans expressed they had not been informed by U.S. officials about discussions to potentially move them and learned about it through media reports. They described how their prolonged uncertain status is severely affecting their wellbeing.

“Many of us are not well. The uncertainty has been more than some of us can carry. There is deep depression,” the group stated, noting that some individuals are experiencing mental health challenges due to their circumstances.

“We will say this plainly. We do not want to go to the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the group declared, explaining that “it is a country in its own war. We have been in enough war. We cannot take our children into another one.”

The African nation has endured prolonged conflict between government troops and Rwanda-supported insurgents in its eastern territories for decades.

The Afghans at the Doha facility emphasized that returning to Afghanistan was not viable. “The Taliban will kill many of us for what we did for the United States,” the group stated. “This is not a fear. This is a fact. The United States knows this, because the United States is the reason we cannot go home.”

These relocation talks, first reported by The New York Times, emerge more than a year after President Donald Trump suspended his predecessor’s Afghan resettlement initiative as part of multiple executive actions targeting immigration.

This policy stranded thousands of refugees who escaped conflict and persecution and had completed an extensive, sometimes multi-year screening process to begin new lives in America at various locations globally, including the Qatar base.

In a Milan suburb each afternoon, Diego Di Franco collects his kids from school, coordinates their extracurricular activities, and cooks dinner — duties typically handled by Italian mothers. While this daily routine might seem ordinary, Di Franco stands out because he’s a father who documents his caregiving role on social media.

Although Italy’s legislature turned down a February proposal for equal maternity and paternity leave, Di Franco represents a growing movement of “dad influencers” who are transforming perceptions of fatherhood in a nation grappling with work-life balance and gender equality challenges.

Despite being the eurozone’s third-biggest economy under its first female prime minister, Giorgia Meloni — who has a 9-year-old daughter — Italy continues to see women handling most caregiving responsibilities while facing one of Europe’s largest gender employment disparities, hampering long-term economic growth as the population ages.

Economic experts and advocacy groups point to a significant policy disparity that worsens the problem: mothers receive five months of leave compared to fathers’ mere 10 days of paternity leave.

Opposition lawmakers proposed equal, non-transferable, and fully compensated parental leave for both parents, similar to reforms implemented in Spain and other nations. However, the center-right majority defeated the measure 137-117, claiming budgetary limitations.

Olympic swimming champion Federica Pellegrini, mother of two, expressed her frustration on Instagram after the bill’s defeat: “If a woman wants a career in Italy, she is better off not becoming a mother.” Her statement reflects what many Italians view as an impossible choice between professional advancement and family life.

This legislative setback stands in sharp contrast to developments on social platforms, where Italian fathers increasingly share content about daily childcare responsibilities, making paternal involvement more visible and mainstream.

Sociologist and Children’s Health Centre consultant Annina Lubbock observed: “The number of dad-influencing bloggers is increasing and it’s very varied. They’ve made a huge contribution in putting forward a different narrative about fatherhood, which is more inclusive, more equal, also fun.”

She added: “This is a reflection of a change that’s been ongoing in Italy already for some time, but these influencers are also driving this change.”

Di Franco exemplifies this trend as a 45-year-old father with over 50,000 Instagram followers who serves as the primary caregiver while his wife Raffaella maintains a full-time senior management position — an unusual arrangement in Italy.

“Around 85% of my followers are women, many asking how to encourage their partners to be more present at home,” Di Franco explained.

Raffaella credits Diego’s involvement as crucial to her professional success: “It gave me the confidence to face challenges and seize opportunities.”

However, the Di Franco family’s situation remains exceptional. Italy’s female employment rate reached only 53% in 2024, representing the European Union’s largest gender employment gap, according to Eurostat data. The EU average for female employment stands at 70.8%.

Women comprise approximately 70% of voluntary job departures in Italy, frequently occurring after childbirth, while involuntary part-time employment remains common.

Statistician Linda Laura Sabbadini characterized this pattern as “a clear sign of the child penalty women pay for having children.”

Economic analysts connect the challenges of balancing careers with child-rearing to Italy’s declining birth rates, emphasizing that increased female workforce participation is crucial for sustaining economic growth and public finances. They argue that additional support for working mothers would encourage childbearing.

Opposition Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein told parliament: “This law would have been a cultural revolution.”

Representatives from Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party claimed they harbored no ideological opposition to expanding paternity leave but maintained it was economically unfeasible.

Walter Rizzetto, who chairs the Chamber’s Labour Committee, told reporters: “Furthermore, a mandatory five-month leave for fathers would require deeper analysis due to possible impacts on public administration and small businesses.”

International examples demonstrate that policy structure is critical. After Spain expanded paid paternity leave to 16 weeks and made it mandatory and non-transferable in 2021, father participation increased dramatically and the gender wage gap decreased, according to academic research.

Italian research by the Tortuga think tank reveals that when private employers provide extended paternity leave, utilization rates climb to 71%, surpassing the 64% national average, with younger fathers showing greater likelihood to use the benefit.

Di Franco remains hopeful based on his personal observations: “With my first child I was the only dad at kindergarten. Six years later, there were three or four. And I thought: things are changing.”

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — The fragile peace established in the Middle East following the October 7th attacks hangs by a thread, held together only by temporary ceasefires and ongoing threats between opposing forces.

While Iran has taken significant hits, the damage hasn’t been substantial enough to alter its stance in negotiations. The country’s regional partners, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, remain weakened yet operational as Israeli forces continue conducting regular strikes against both organizations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces increasing pressure to convert battlefield successes into concrete political gains before this year’s elections.

President Donald Trump, who frequently highlights his diplomatic capabilities, continues pursuing a nuclear agreement with Iran alongside broader Middle Eastern peace initiatives. However, negotiations have yielded no concrete outcomes, and both nations remain locked in an intensifying confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz.

While large-scale military campaigns have ceased, the fundamental issues that existed long before Hamas launched its October 7, 2023 assault remain unresolved. Millions continue living in displacement, with widespread concerns that hostilities could resume without warning.

According to Michael Ratney, former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, ceasefires “don’t fix anything — they just stop things from getting worse.” He explained, “It’s part of an answer to an immediate political problem, which is (Trump) needs to get out of war and can’t figure out how do that.”

Trump has spent recent weeks alternating between threatening devastating strikes on Iranian infrastructure — at one point warning he could destroy “a whole civilization” — and pursuing diplomatic solutions for Iran’s nuclear program and other longstanding disputes.

Earlier this week, the president extended an existing ceasefire while maintaining America’s naval blockade of Iranian ports. On Wednesday, he promised to target Iranian fast boats operating in the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has effectively sealed since fighting began, creating a global energy crisis.

Iran has shown no public willingness to compromise on its nuclear activities, ballistic missile development, or backing of regional allies. Iranian officials state the strait will remain blocked until America ends its blockade and Israel stops attacking Iran-supported groups including Hezbollah.

Both nations appear reluctant to engage in full-scale warfare, with new ceasefire discussions scheduled for Saturday in Pakistan.

Iranian leadership, based on their social media communications, appears convinced they can endure the blockade longer than Trump can tolerate rising fuel costs and an unpopular conflict, particularly with U.S. midterm elections approaching.

Jon Alterman, who chairs Global Security and Geostrategy at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted Trump’s history suggests he favors generating media attention and declaring rapid victories.

“The most visible part of the fighting has stopped, but the less visible efforts are roaring ahead,” Alterman observed. “Ceasefires can seem comfortable but lock in unsustainable patterns, with one side feeling it has lost the urgency to resolve the underlying conflict.”

A Lebanese ceasefire established last week has generally held except in border regions where combat continues. Israel has signaled intentions to maintain control over portions of southern Lebanon indefinitely. Iran-backed Hezbollah, which isn’t formally bound by the ceasefire agreement, insists Israel must withdraw.

Following White House meetings between Israeli and Lebanese representatives, Trump announced a three-week ceasefire extension on Thursday.

American and Israeli officials have insisted Lebanon’s government must take responsibility for dismantling Hezbollah. Beirut attempted implementing portions of such a plan before the current fighting erupted. However, Lebanese leadership acknowledged their limited capabilities, and their efforts produced minimal results as Hezbollah maintained its capacity to launch thousands of missiles and drones toward northern Israel over recent months.

Given Beirut’s reluctance to risk civil conflict by directly confronting the militants — particularly while Israeli forces occupy Lebanese territory — the ceasefire provides temporary relief.

Similar to Gaza, Israeli forces have established a “yellow line” in southern Lebanon, destroying homes they claim Hezbollah used, preventing resident returns, and announcing strikes against individuals they identify as militants attempting to cross. Many Lebanese fear a repeat of Israel’s 1982-2000 southern occupation, which concluded after years of deadly Hezbollah attacks on Israeli soldiers.

Wednesday, one day before Washington talks, Israeli strikes killed a prominent Lebanese journalist reporting from southern Lebanon and injured another reporter. Health officials reported Israeli forces fired on ambulance crews attempting to rescue journalist Amal Khalil, forcing them to retreat. Israel denied targeting journalists or rescue personnel.

A U.S.-mediated ceasefire reached in October resulted in the release of remaining Hamas-held hostages and ended major military operations. However, Israel continues conducting regular strikes against what it identifies as militant targets. Gaza health officials, considered generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, report over 790 Palestinian deaths since last year’s ceasefire, including approximately 225 children. Israeli forces have also faced occasional attacks.

Israel links its withdrawal from Gaza territories under its control, the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced residents, establishing new political authority, and urgently needed reconstruction to Hamas disarmament — something the militant organization shows no indication of accepting.

Hamas claims it has presented proposals to surrender weapons while seeking additional Israeli concessions and accusing Israel of ceasefire violations.

This situation leaves the vast majority of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents trapped in extensive tent settlements or their destroyed homes, with no visible end to their hardship.

Israel maintains its right to respond to ceasefire breaches or movement across another “yellow line” established there. Health officials report dozens of civilians have died in these strikes.

A committee of Palestinian technocrats has been formed to temporarily govern Gaza, but Israel has prevented their entry from Egypt, while Hamas continues controlling half the territory.

TUNIS, Tunisia — The Tunisian government has imposed a month-long closure on the Tunisian League for Human Rights, marking another escalation in what critics describe as an expanding assault on civil liberties organizations throughout the North African nation.

The targeted organization represents one of Africa and the Arab world’s most established human rights advocacy groups and was a member of the National Dialogue Quartet that received the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize.

In a Friday evening statement, the league acknowledged the government action and condemned it as “a serious and arbitrary violation of freedom of association” and “a direct assault” on fundamental democratic principles that Tunisia has achieved.

Under President Kais Saied’s leadership, foreign financial support for advocacy organizations has become a frequent target of criticism. The president regularly characterizes such funding as dangerous to Tunisia’s sovereignty and uses this narrative to brand political adversaries and social justice advocates as foreign operatives working to create domestic instability.

The organization emphasized that the suspension represents part of a larger pattern. “This measure cannot be seen in isolation from a broader context in the country marked by increasing systematic pressure on civil society and independent voices,” the group stated, announcing plans to contest the ruling through legal channels while maintaining their commitment to protecting human rights victims regardless of background.

This latest action continues a series of government moves against advocacy organizations across Tunisia, where judicial authorities previously forced several prominent non-governmental organizations to cease operations for month-long periods, including groups dedicated to protecting migrants and advancing women’s rights.

The suspension coincides with the 48-hour detention of journalist Zied El-Heni related to content he posted on Facebook, reflecting a wider campaign of arrests and legal actions targeting government critics.

During a Friday demonstration in Tunis, Mohamed Yassine Jlassi, who previously led the Tunisian journalists union SNJT, spoke with The Associated Press about the deteriorating situation. He reported that hundreds of individuals currently face detention on speech-related accusations, including charges stemming from social media activity.

“Repression has come to affect everyone. Journalism has become a crime, civil society work has become a crime, political opposition has been criminalized,” Jlassi explained.

“People now increasingly find themselves facing arbitrary prosecutions without the bare minimum guarantees of a fair trial.”

The investigative publication Inkyfada also faces legal challenges, with a May 11 court date scheduled as authorities seek to dissolve Al Khatt, the organization responsible for publishing the outlet.

According to the group’s statement, they reject the government’s legal justification for the case and maintain that the allegations have not undergone proper examination by Tunisian courts since 2024.

These recent actions have intensified worries among human rights advocates regarding restrictions on independent journalism, civil society organizations, and dissenting perspectives under Saied’s rule. The president has concentrated authority since 2021 and continues to target groups he consistently claims accept foreign money to create unrest and undermine Tunisia’s national security.

Turkey’s top diplomat indicated his nation would be open to participating in mine removal efforts in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz if Iran and the United States successfully negotiate a peace deal.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made the comments while speaking with journalists in London on Friday evening, explaining that an international technical team would likely handle the explosive ordnance removal following any potential agreement between the two nations.

Fidan described Turkey’s perspective on such humanitarian operations as fundamentally supportive, calling them a moral obligation.

The foreign minister outlined several key points regarding Turkey’s potential involvement:

• An international technical team comprising multiple nations would handle the mine-clearing operations following a hypothetical Iran-United States peace accord

• Turkey would be willing to join such mine-removal efforts under these circumstances, stating the country would have “no problem” with participation

• However, Fidan warned that Turkey would reconsider its involvement if the international technical coalition eventually became entangled in renewed hostilities

• The minister also expressed optimism that disputes surrounding Iran’s nuclear program could find resolution during upcoming discussions scheduled to take place in Pakistan

An extensive overnight Russian bombardment across Ukraine resulted in four fatalities and more than 30 injuries, as Moscow deployed over 660 drones and missiles targeting multiple regions, with the southeastern city of Dnipro bearing the brunt of the assault.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy took to social media to describe the intensity of the attack, stating “Practically all night, the Russians bombed Dnipro and our other cities and communities.” He noted that urban infrastructure was the primary target of the strikes.

Regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha confirmed that rescue teams pulled two bodies from a structure damaged in the Dnipro attack, while five additional individuals may remain buried beneath the debris. The governor also reported that 21 residents of the city sustained injuries.

The northern Chernihiv region also suffered casualties, with local officials reporting two deaths and seven injuries from missile and drone strikes in that area.

Calling for international support, Zelenskiy emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying “Every strike like this must remind our partners that the situation needs immediate and firm action, rapid strengthening of our air defences.”

Ukrainian air defense forces reported intercepting a significant portion of the assault, shooting down 580 of the 619 drones and 30 of the 47 missiles that Russia launched, according to a statement posted on Telegram.

This large-scale bombardment represents an escalation from Russia’s typical pattern of conducting nightly attacks with smaller numbers of drones, occasionally punctuated by major offensives involving hundreds of drones and multiple missiles.

Iranian officials announced Saturday they had executed a man accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence services during this year’s widespread demonstrations across the country, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The executed individual, identified as Erfan Kiani, was described by authorities as a “hired thug of Mossad” who participated in destroying and burning both government and private buildings in Isfahan, a major city in central Iran. Officials also accused him of using a machete to intimidate residents and create widespread panic in the area.

According to Tasnim’s report, the execution took place in the early morning hours after Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence and all required legal processes were completed.

DAKAR, April 25 – Witnesses reported hearing two powerful explosions and gunfire early Saturday morning close to Mali’s primary military installation at Kati, located outside the capital city of Bamako, according to Reuters.

Military personnel responded to the incident by deploying troops and establishing roadblocks throughout the surrounding area, effectively cutting off access to the region where the disturbances occurred.

The sounds of combat were detected in the early morning hours near the West African nation’s most significant military facility.

American diplomatic officials are preparing to travel to Pakistan this Saturday, though Iranian representatives have announced they will not participate in direct discussions with the United States regarding efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted worldwide markets.

The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner will depart Saturday morning for potential discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed reporters, stating that Iran has an opportunity to reach a “good deal” with the United States.

“Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely,” he said. “All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways.”

Foreign Minister Araqchi reached Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad on Friday. However, a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry announced on social media platform X that Iranian representatives would not conduct meetings with U.S. officials, and that Tehran would communicate its position through Pakistan as an intermediary.

The White House has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding Iran’s announcement.

The standoff between Washington and Tehran continues to carry significant economic consequences, as Iran has effectively blocked most traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that typically handles one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments, while the United States maintains restrictions on Iranian oil exports. This nine-week conflict has driven energy costs to their highest levels in years, contributing to inflation and threatening global economic growth.

In a Friday interview with Reuters, Trump revealed that Iran was preparing to present a proposal designed to address American requirements, though he stated he was unaware of the proposal’s specific details. When asked about negotiating partners, he declined to identify them but noted, “we’re dealing with the people that are in charge now”.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that the U.S. had observed some positive developments from Iran recently and expressed optimism for additional progress during the weekend, while noting that Vice President JD Vance was also prepared to make the trip to Pakistan if needed.

Previous negotiations in Islamabad two weeks earlier included Vance, Witkoff, Kushner, Araqchi, and Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, but those discussions ended without resolution.

Araqchi, who announced on social media that his diplomatic tour would include Pakistan, Oman and Russia, conducted meetings with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday at the Serena Hotel, the same venue where earlier negotiations took place. Pakistani sources confirmed that an American logistics and security team had already arrived in Islamabad.

President Trump made the decision Tuesday to extend a two-week ceasefire for additional time to allow negotiators to reconvene.

Energy markets experienced significant volatility this week, with Brent crude futures climbing 16% amid concerns about the peace negotiations’ future and renewed violence in the region.

Maritime tracking information from Friday revealed that only five vessels had passed through the Strait of Hormuz during the previous day, a dramatic decrease from the approximately 130 ships that typically crossed daily before the conflict began on February 28 when the U.S. and Israel launched military action. The vessels included one Iranian oil-products tanker, but none of the large crude-carrying supertankers that normally supply global energy markets.

On Thursday, Israeli and Lebanese officials agreed to extend their ceasefire for an additional three weeks during White House negotiations facilitated by Trump, though fighting in southern Lebanon shows little sign of ending.

Israel launched its invasion of Lebanon last month with the goal of eliminating Iran’s Hezbollah allies after the militant organization conducted cross-border attacks. Tehran maintains that a ceasefire in that conflict is necessary before broader negotiations can proceed.

Lebanese officials reported six fatalities from an Israeli airstrike, while Hezbollah forces shot down an Israeli drone. Israel’s military confirmed it had eliminated six armed Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.

Iran’s top diplomatic official Abbas Araghchi touched down in Pakistan’s capital city on Friday, setting the stage for high-level peace negotiations with American representatives.

The White House has confirmed that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to fly to Islamabad on Saturday for the diplomatic meetings. Officials stated the American delegation aims to “move the ball forward towards a deal” during the discussions.

The timing of these talks comes as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, making diplomatic efforts increasingly crucial for regional stability.

The White House announced Friday that President Donald Trump is deploying envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for a second round of ceasefire discussions with Iran.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already reached Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad, where he held overnight discussions with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the country’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, according to officials.

Pakistani authorities are making preparations to host Witkoff and Kushner for the continuation of diplomatic talks, though no specific arrival date has been announced for the American representatives. The White House confirmed that Vice President JD Vance will not be participating in these discussions.

Simultaneously, the Trump administration revealed new economic penalties targeting a significant Chinese oil refinery along with approximately 40 shipping firms and vessels that transport Iranian petroleum. This action appears connected to the administration’s strategy of implementing secondary sanctions against organizations conducting business with Iran to eliminate the country’s oil export revenues.

Araghchi has additional meetings scheduled for Saturday with Pakistani leadership. Early Saturday photographs from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry depicted the Iranian minister in discussions with Dar, Munir, and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, the Iranian diplomatic team will engage in conversations with high-ranking Pakistani officials regarding current regional developments and initiatives to advance peace and stability in the area.

This diplomatic mission coincides with Pakistan’s preparations to welcome the American envoys, though the exact timing of Witkoff and Kushner’s arrival in Islamabad remains unspecified.

Late Friday evening, the foreign ministers of Egypt and Pakistan conducted a phone conversation about launching fresh negotiations between the United States and Iran. Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty spoke with his Pakistani colleague Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

Egypt’s foreign ministry reported that both diplomats emphasized their belief that diplomatic negotiations represent the most effective approach to ending the current conflict.

ISTANBUL (AP) — Representatives from Australia, New Zealand, and Turkey came together Saturday morning in northwestern Turkey to mark 111 years since the deadly World War I Battle of Gallipoli took place.

The ceremonial event started at 5:30 a.m. local time close to the shoreline where forces from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, known as Anzacs, first came ashore at dawn on April 25, 1915.

The one-hour memorial featured somber musical pieces, religious observances, and wreath presentations by attendees, including delegates from numerous nations worldwide.

The Gallipoli military operation was part of a British-led strategy to overcome the Ottoman Empire but ended in failure, causing tens of thousands of casualties for all sides throughout the eight-month campaign. The mission sought to establish a maritime passage from the Mediterranean Sea through the Dardanelles to Istanbul and remove the Ottomans from the conflict.

This historic confrontation played a crucial role in shaping the national character of both Australia and New Zealand while also establishing lasting bonds with Turkey, their one-time opponent.

“From great suffering, understanding can grow. From former enemies, friendships can blossom. The relationship between Turkey, Australia and New Zealand is built on remembrance, respect and recognition of our shared humanity,” New Zealand’s Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro stated in her opening remarks.

Turkish Colonel Fatih Cansiz recited words from a 1934 memorial tribute by Turkey’s founding leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk honoring those who perished: “Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives … you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours.”

Ataturk initially gained recognition leading Turkish troops at Gallipoli before later commanding Turkey’s independence movement and establishing the modern Turkish Republic.

GALATI, Romania – Pieces of Russian drone wreckage caused property damage in southeastern Romania following a nighttime assault on Ukraine, according to the country’s defense ministry.

The debris struck an electrical pole and a residential outbuilding in Galati, marking the first instance of actual property damage from such incidents. No injuries occurred during the event.

Romania maintains a 400-mile border with Ukraine and belongs to both NATO and the European Union. The nation has repeatedly experienced Russian drones entering its airspace as Moscow continues targeting Ukrainian ports across the Danube River.

Though drone debris has frequently landed on Romanian soil, this weekend’s incident represents the initial case of structural damage.

“The defence ministry firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasizes that these represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area,” officials stated.

“Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation’s lack of respect for the norms of international law and endanger not only the safety of Romanian citizens, but also the collective security of NATO.”

British Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft conducting air patrol duties in Romania were deployed to observe the attack, following standard protocol. Authorities also issued shelter warnings to residents in nearby Tulcea county.

Recent months have seen increasing tensions across Europe’s eastern border as suspected Russian drones have violated the airspace of multiple NATO member countries.

Romanian legislation permits shooting down drones during peacetime when lives or property face danger, though the country has not yet exercised this authority.

Defense Minister Radu Miruta announced Friday that an American-made, artificial intelligence-enhanced anti-drone defense system will join the national air defense network within days following final testing.

The Merops technology, created by Project Eagle – a U.S. firm supported by former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt – will provide drone defense capabilities along the Danube River, Miruta explained.

Poland has already deployed this system along NATO’s eastern border.

Malaysian officials have selected a former judge to oversee the nation’s anti-corruption commission following a series of misconduct allegations that have plagued the current leadership.

Abdul Halim Aman will assume control of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) beginning May 13, according to government chief secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar’s announcement on Saturday.

“The government is confident that with his vast experience and high integrity, he would be able to bolster efforts to strengthen governance, improve public confidence and intensify the anti-corruption agenda in the interest of the country,” Shamsul Azri said.

The current commission leader, Azam Baki, has faced repeated accusations of improper conduct related to his stock investments, beginning with initial claims in 2022. Despite these controversies, his contract that started in 2020 has received multiple extensions.

Additional pressure for his resignation mounted this year following February media coverage that alleged both Azam and other senior MACC officials violated public servant regulations and engaged in misconduct.

Both Azam and the commission have rejected these claims as unfounded.

These controversies have created divisions within Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government, with some important supporters questioning his dedication to fighting corruption.

While authorities have examined some accusations against Azam, they have not released their conclusions publicly, citing ongoing investigations by police and other agencies.

The country’s monarch, Sultan Ibrahim, made Abdul Halim’s appointment after stating this week that he would personally select the agency’s new leader to avoid political interference.

Saturday’s announcement indicated that the king’s choice followed a recommendation from Anwar.

Malaysia’s constitutional framework allows the monarch to name leaders of important government agencies based on prime ministerial advice. While the monarchy typically serves in a ceremonial capacity and stays removed from political matters, it has gained greater influence recently due to extended political turmoil that has required the king to exercise seldom-used discretionary authority.

TOKYO – Emergency crews in northern Japan entered their fourth consecutive day Saturday fighting two devastating wildfires that have displaced more than 3,200 residents and consumed nearly 1,800 acres across Iwate Prefecture.

More than 1,000 firefighting personnel are now deployed to combat the blazes, which are advancing dangerously close to homes in Otsuchi, where approximately one-third of all residents have been ordered to leave their properties.

The crisis began Wednesday afternoon when the first wildfire ignited in Iwate Prefecture’s mountainous terrain. A second blaze started just two hours later, located roughly 6.2 miles away and positioned near Otsuchi’s neighborhoods.

Emergency response teams include 1,225 firefighters working both on the ground and from aircraft, with many crews brought in from neighboring prefectures to assist local departments. Military helicopters from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces are joining civilian aircraft in conducting water-dropping operations over the burning areas.

As of Saturday morning, the wildfires had destroyed 730 hectares of land and prompted mandatory evacuation orders affecting 1,541 households containing 3,233 people. Eight structures have been lost to the flames, including one home, though authorities report no injuries or deaths have occurred.

Weather conditions remain challenging for firefighting efforts, with Japan’s Meteorological Agency forecasting no rainfall for the upcoming week.

The combined destruction makes these fires the third-most devastating wildfire event in Japanese history, according to media reports. Only the 2025 Ofunato fire that burned approximately 3,370 hectares and the 1992 Kushiro fire that consumed 1,030 hectares have caused more widespread damage.

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Palestinians in war-torn Gaza are participating in their first opportunity to vote in local elections in twenty years, marking a significant political moment on Saturday.

Meanwhile, residents of the Israeli-occupied West Bank are heading to polling stations for their first electoral experience since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. Voter participation could signal the degree of public confidence in the broader political structure overseen by veteran West Bank leadership, as Gaza anticipates a possible shift away from Hamas governance.

West Bank balloting will decide the composition of local councils responsible for managing water systems, roadway maintenance, and electrical services. In contrast, the single Gaza city participating represents more of a symbolic gesture, with authorities describing it as an experimental “pilot” program.

Despite not conducting presidential or parliamentary elections since 2006, the Palestinian Authority has championed these local contests following reform measures implemented last year in response to pressure from international supporters.

Operating under the motto “We Stay,” the Ramallah-headquartered Central Election Commission has worked to boost involvement among approximately 70,000 eligible voters in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah and one million throughout the West Bank.

According to spokesperson Fareed Taamallah, casting ballots “reflects the will if the Palestinian people to stay on their land and develop their country.”

Given that extensive portions of Gaza have been destroyed during more than two years of warfare, the commission selected Deir al-Balah for its inaugural vote because while the area sustained airstrike damage, it remained among the few locations that avoided Israeli ground operations. Officials had to adapt their approach since standard voter registration procedures proved impossible.

“The main idea is to link the West Bank and Gaza politically as one system,” Taamallah explained. Palestinians view combining both territories under unified governance as essential for any future path toward statehood.

The commission avoided direct coordination with either Israel or Hamas before the Deir al-Balah election and could not transport essential supplies including ballot papers, voting boxes, or ink into Gaza, he noted. COGAT, the Israeli military organization managing humanitarian matters in Gaza, did not respond to inquiries about permitting election materials entry.

While Palestinian voter participation has slowly declined, it has remained comparatively strong in previous local elections by regional measures, commission data shows, typically ranging from 50% to 60%. For context, recent local election turnout in Lebanon and Tunisia fell below 40% and 12%, respectively.

Ninety-year-old President Mahmoud Abbas approved legislation last year restructuring the electoral framework to address some Western donor requirements. The changes permit voting for individual candidates instead of party lists, reduced the minimum age for candidacy, and increased quotas for female candidates.

In January, another Abbas order mandated that candidates endorse the Palestine Liberation Organization’s platform, the organization leading the Palestinian Authority. This platform demands recognizing Israel and abandoning armed resistance, effectively excluding Hamas and other militant groups.

Candidate lists in major cities are primarily controlled by Fatah, the Palestinian Authority’s leading faction, and independents, some connected to other political groups. However, this marks the first instance across six local elections where no other faction has formally presented its own candidate list — an omission that experts say demonstrates political disappointment with Abbas and the authority’s elderly leadership.

Throughout the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the authority maintains limited self-governance, with local councils managing services from waste collection to construction permits. Elections will occur in villages within “Area C” under Israeli military administration and in municipalities that have been occupied by Israel’s military since launching a ground offensive in the northern West Bank last year.

Campaign advertisements have been displayed throughout cities, although many locations — including Ramallah and Nablus — will skip elections due to insufficient candidate or slate registration.

The Palestinian Authority’s influence has diminished during years without peace talks with Israel and continued growth of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. However, it views local elections as a low-risk method to showcase reform progress, according to Aref Jaffal, director of the al-Marsad Arab World Democracy and Electoral Monitor.

“The PA wants to show it is on the right track on political, financial and administrative reforms, and is using local elections as a symbol of that,” he stated. “With the weak legitimacy of the national government, it is seeking to bolster legitimacy through local elections.”

With the authority having limited options to address hundreds of new military checkpoints and settler outposts restricting West Bank movement, he explained that many councils have gained greater significance, managing local healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and public services that residents previously accessed elsewhere.

Hamas secured parliamentary victories in 2006 and forcibly took Gaza control from the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority the following year. While not fielding candidates for Saturday’s elections, surveys from the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research indicate it continues as the most favored Palestinian faction in both Gaza and the West Bank.

Ramiz Alakbarov, the U.N. deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, described the elections as “an important opportunity for Palestinians to exercise their democratic rights during an exceptionally challenging period.”

However, other international participants have remained mostly quiet regarding the Gaza vote, with recent memories of previous elections sparking conflict and alternative governance options remaining uncertain.

Hamas maintains control over the Gaza section that Israeli forces evacuated last year, including Deir al-Balah, but the coastal territory is preparing to shift toward new governance arrangements under U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan.

The plan created a Board of Peace consisting of international representatives and a committee of unelected Palestinian specialists designed to function beneath it. Movement toward additional phases, including Hamas disarmament, reconstruction, and power transfer, remains stalled.

Although elections in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem regularly create tension between Israel and Palestinian officials, the 1995 Oslo Accords contained no stipulations regarding the authority conducting local elections there.

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Escalating fuel shortages and surging energy costs stemming from ongoing conflict with Iran have prompted European Union officials to explore funding alternative energy transportation corridors throughout the Middle East that would avoid unstable regions such as the Strait of Hormuz.

During an informal gathering of EU leadership in Cyprus’s capital, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Friday that the bloc stands prepared to collaborate with Persian Gulf nations on developing new energy delivery systems to global markets that would remain immune to warfare and regional tensions.

“The events of the past month have taught us a hard lesson,” von der Leyen stated during a press briefing following the leadership meeting. “Our security is not just related, it is intrinsically linked. A threat to a merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is a threat to a factory, for example, in Belgium.”

While the EU leadership emphasized strengthening defense partnerships and highlighted the bloc’s Red Sea maritime security operations as a potential naval protection model for the Persian Gulf, von der Leyen concentrated her public statements on European assistance for rebuilding and constructing Middle Eastern energy facilities.

“We are also ready to team up with the Gulf countries to diversify export infrastructure away from solely the bottleneck of the Hormuz Strait,” she declared, additionally proposing EU support for repairing Gulf energy systems damaged during the conflict.

Approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments typically transit through the Strait of Hormuz, though the ongoing war has effectively shut down this crucial waterway, causing fuel costs to surge dramatically.

During Friday morning trading, Brent crude climbed 98 cents to reach $100.33 per barrel, while U.S. benchmark crude increased 81 cents to $96.66 per barrel.

Von der Leyen reiterated that due to these oil and gas price increases, the 27-member bloc’s energy expenses have jumped by 25 billion euros ($29.3 billion) over the past 43 days.

Both von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa declined to provide specific information about which initiatives are under consideration or their anticipated timelines. However, von der Leyen mentioned the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor connecting the EU with the world’s most populous democracy.

Von der Leyen indicated that an upcoming summit between the EU and Gulf Cooperation Council later this year would provide both parties an opportunity to examine such initiatives.

Cyprus currently holds the rotating EU presidency, positioning this island nation near Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Turkey as a key regional player. Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has worked to strengthen ties between the bloc and Middle Eastern countries to support their economies and enhance regional security.

This regional emphasis was highlighted by the distinguished attendees at the informal EU summit: Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El Sissi, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi.

“We know that Europe needs Syria as much as Syria needs Europe,” Al-Sharaa remarked, while Aoun requested EU assistance for reconstructing his conflict-torn nation.

Costa commended Aoun for prohibiting Hezbollah’s military operations, which he described as “an existential threat” to Lebanon, promising to help the country eliminate the militant organization.

Costa emphasized that “the European Union is not part of the conflict, but we will be part of this solution.”

Human rights organizations criticized EU leadership for failing to increase pressure on Israel regarding its Middle Eastern military operations.

EU officials including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated they would maintain sanctions on Iran until numerous concerns are addressed, including terminating its missile development and regional proxy support.

“It’s too early to talk about relief of any kind of sanctions,” Costa explained.

Cyprus experienced direct attack early in the conflict when a Shahed drone launched from Lebanon on March 2 struck an aircraft hangar at a British military installation on the island’s southern shoreline. Greece, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands deployed warships equipped with anti-drone technology to protect the island.

This incident has renewed focus on a mutual assistance provision within the EU’s founding treaties for situations when member states face attack.

Christodoulides reported that EU leaders agreed to begin developing a formal response mechanism, concluding that “ad hoc arrangements” prove unreliable.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — President Trump is dispatching diplomatic representatives to Pakistan this Saturday in a fresh attempt to restart ceasefire negotiations with Iran, though Tehran has rejected face-to-face discussions as its foreign minister landed in Islamabad.

This renewed diplomatic push occurs while an open-ended ceasefire has halted most combat operations, yet economic consequences continue to escalate due to disrupted global energy shipments caused by the blocked Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistani officials have been working to bring American and Iranian representatives back to negotiations after Trump announced this week an open-ended extension of the Iran ceasefire, responding to Islamabad’s appeal for additional time to pursue diplomatic solutions.

The White House announced Friday that President Trump would dispatch Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to meet with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. However, immediately following Araghchi’s arrival in Islamabad, his ministry declared that any discussions would be conducted indirectly, with Pakistani officials serving as intermediaries between the parties.

Araghchi and the two Trump representatives participated in extensive indirect discussions in Geneva on February 27 regarding Tehran’s nuclear program, but departed without reaching an agreement. The following day, Israel and the United States initiated military action against Iran.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed Fox News that the president had chosen to send Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan “to hear the Iranians out.”

“We’ve certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days,” Leavitt stated. She provided no specifics about what American officials were learning.

In a separate development Friday, the White House announced Trump had issued a 90-day extension to the Jones Act waiver, facilitating foreign vessels’ transport of oil and natural gas.

He initially announced a 60-day waiver in March designed to stabilize energy costs and improve oil and gas deliveries to the United States following the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway that handles one-fifth of global oil shipments during peacetime.

Iran continues to maintain its grip on strait traffic, launching attacks on three vessels this week, while the United States maintains a blockade of Iranian ports and Trump has authorized the military to “shoot and kill” small boats potentially deploying mines.

Brent crude oil prices, the global benchmark, declined on this news, fluctuating between $103 and over $107 per barrel — still approximately 50% above February 28 levels when hostilities commenced.

The restricted shipments through the strait have affected global maritime commerce, including traffic through the Panama Canal on the opposite side of the world.

Since hostilities began, at least 3,375 people have died in Iran, and over 2,490 in Lebanon, where renewed conflict between Israel and the Iran-supported militant organization Hezbollah erupted two days after the war’s start, according to official sources.

Furthermore, 23 people have perished in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab nations. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 American service members across the region have been killed.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon has also suffered losses. UNIFIL reported Friday that an Indonesian peacekeeper died from injuries received during a March 29 attack on his base, bringing to six — four Indonesians and two French — the total force members killed since the conflict began.

Conditions in Lebanon remained unstable after Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks. Hezbollah has not taken part in the Washington-mediated diplomacy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video message issued by his office Friday, praised “a process to achieve a historic peace between Israel and Lebanon.”

Previously, the Israeli military instructed residents of the southern Lebanese village of Deir Aames to evacuate, claiming Hezbollah was using the location to conduct attacks against Israel.

Israel’s military reported shooting down a drone over Lebanon after Hezbollah launched a small surface-to-air missile. The militant organization, meanwhile, claimed it destroyed an Israeli drone with a surface-to-air missile near the southern port city of Tyre.

King Charles III faces the ongoing challenge of matching his late mother’s diplomatic legacy as he begins a significant state visit to America this week.

Queen Elizabeth II delivered a memorable address to Congress in 1991 that honored the shared democratic values between Britain and America, referencing Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ralph Waldo Emerson while emphasizing the strong ties connecting both countries.

Charles will focus on similar themes during his visit as he marks America’s 250th anniversary and works to ease diplomatic friction over Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision not to back President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran, according to Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian at Rice University in Texas.

“We’ve got to always make the distinction that there’s a difference between the government of the U.K. and the kings and queens of Great Britain, who are really always coming to try to put (on) a good face,” Brinkley told The Associated Press. “Politics come and go, prime ministers, presidents, come and go, but there’s something deeper about the special relationship between the United States and the U.K.”

Behind the ceremonial aspects of Charles’ four-day journey through Washington, New York and Virginia lies a strategically planned diplomatic mission organized, like all royal visits, upon the British government’s request. Starmer rejected calls to postpone the trip despite Trump’s criticism of British military contributions in Afghanistan and personal attacks on the Prime Minister for not supporting American actions in Iran.

Nevertheless, Trump continues to express positive feelings toward Charles personally.

“History has shown that President Trump really tries to be impressive whenever he’s dealing with British royalty,” Brinkley said. “And I’m sure it’ll be the same this time around.”

Since 1939, when King George VI made history as the first British royal to visit America, these visits have generated unique enthusiasm among Americans.

That inaugural visit occurred as World War II threatened Europe. The royals toured the eastern United States and joined Roosevelt for an informal gathering at his Hyde Park, New York residence. “King tries hot dog and asks for more,” reported the New York Times.

The most significant moment came when the royals visited Mount Vernon to honor George Washington at his tomb, demonstrating respect during America’s isolationist period.

“People could see the handwriting on the wall and know that it was going to be important for the United States and Britain to stay strong for fighting against Hitler,” said Barbara Perry, a presidential scholar at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center.

However, sharing casual meals created broader connections, helping the royals establish relationships with ordinary Americans beyond political leaders. When war began in September 1939, Queen Elizabeth, George VI’s wife and future Elizabeth II’s mother, corresponded with first lady Eleanor Roosevelt about touching letters from Americans who donated money for British forces.

“Sometimes, during the last terrible months, we have felt rather lonely in our fight against evil things, but I can honestly say that our hearts have been lightened by the knowledge that friends in America understand what we are fighting for,” she wrote.

Queen Elizabeth II expanded these relationships through four state visits during her seven-decade reign. She joined President Gerald R. Ford for America’s bicentennial celebration in 1976 and met President George W. Bush in 2007 while British and American troops served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

These visits consistently aimed to calm diplomatic tensions and highlight shared values between the nations.

Charles’ trip will follow this tradition, featuring a September 11th memorial event, a ceremony for fallen soldiers, and Queen Camilla will attend a celebration marking the centennial of A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories.

Controversial topics will be deliberately avoided.

The royals will not meet Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, despite requests for the king to address his brother’s connections to the convicted criminal. Charles also has no scheduled meetings with his son Prince Harry, who has criticized the monarchy since relocating to California and abandoning royal responsibilities.

These matters aren’t the focus, explained Robert Hardman, author of “Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story.”

“He’s going because 250 years ago the Founding Fathers of the USA kicked out his great-times-five grandfather, and he’s going to say, ‘No hard feelings, it’s been a great divorce, we’ve had a lovely 250 years and let’s reflect on the high points,’” Hardman said. “I mean, there are going to be some very, very large elephants in the room during that visit … but, you know, there are plenty of other things for the king to focus on.”

Charles’ congressional address provides an opportunity to emphasize that lasting friendship outweighs temporary disagreements.

He will likely include humor, as his mother did when addressing lawmakers in 1991.

Dressed in soft peach among the gray-suited legislators, the petite queen opened with a joke about the previous day’s White House mishap, when her podium was too high for the audience to see her.

“I do hope you can see me today from where you are,” she said with perfect timing.

The room burst into laughter and applause before she delivered her remarks about democratic principles, legal foundations and the Atlantic partnership.

Charles must present his own interpretation of these concepts, Brinkley noted.

“The theme of the speech is going to be American exceptionalism, American history, the importance of U.S.-British alliance, and some memories from the past,” he said. “But also about the love affair the two countries share with each other, even though it goes over rocky rapids from time to time.”

Palestinians participated in local elections Saturday that included Gaza voters for the first time in nearly two decades, as political tensions remain high amid ongoing conflict with Israel.

The Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank, hopes that including the Gaza city of Deir al-Balah in the voting will strengthen its claim to govern the war-damaged territory, where Hamas has maintained control since forcing out the Authority in 2007.

Residents of Gaza, still dealing with basic survival needs in the devastated region, expressed enthusiasm about the chance to participate in the democratic process.

“I’ve been hearing about elections since I was born,” said Adham Al-Bardini, speaking from beside cooking equipment outside his family’s tent shelter in the city. “We are eager to take part … so we can change the reality imposed on us.”

The elections come as a U.S.-negotiated ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that began in October has led to sporadic diplomatic discussions, though little meaningful progress toward a comprehensive peace agreement involving international oversight of Gaza.

International leaders from Europe and Arab nations generally favor eventually returning Palestinian Authority leadership to Gaza and creating an independent Palestinian nation that would include Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, where the Authority currently has limited governing power under Israeli military occupation.

Foreign diplomatic officials believe these local elections might create a pathway for the first nationwide Palestinian elections in almost 20 years and could help push forward reforms aimed at improving government transparency and accountability that Palestinian Authority leaders say are already in progress.

These represent the first Palestinian elections conducted since the Gaza conflict began over two years ago with Hamas’s cross-border attack on Israeli communities in the south. The most recent municipal voting in the West Bank occurred four years ago.

The Palestinian Authority faces financial difficulties paying employee salaries as Israel continues holding tax money it normally collects for the Palestinians, creating concerns about potential economic breakdown. Israeli officials defend withholding these funds as opposition to welfare payments made to prisoners and families of those killed by Israeli forces, claiming such payments encourage violent attacks.

Israel’s government has also implemented measures to assist settlers in obtaining West Bank property, and ultranationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has stated, “We will continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state.”

In Deir al-Balah, which has experienced less destruction from Israel’s military campaign since 2023 compared to other Gaza cities, campaign banners displaying candidate names are displayed on buildings. Some ballot casting will occur in temporary tent structures, and voting hours will be shortened due to limited electrical power.

Palestinian election officials pointed to extensive damage as one reason voting could not occur throughout the remainder of Gaza, where Israel controls more than half the territory while Hamas governs the rest.

Several Palestinian political groups are refusing to participate in the elections to protest the Palestinian Authority’s requirement that candidates support its diplomatic agreements, including acknowledging Israel’s right to exist as a state.

Hamas, which has governed Gaza for nearly 20 years, did not officially put forward any candidates, though one candidate slate in the Deir al-Balah race is widely considered by local residents and political observers to support the militant organization.

Political analysts suggest the electoral performance of candidates connected to the militant group could indicate its current level of public support. Most candidates, both in Gaza and the West Bank, are campaigning under the Fatah movement, which leads the Palestinian Authority, or as independent candidates.

Hamas leadership has indicated it will accept the election outcomes, and Palestinian officials informed Reuters before the voting that the group’s civilian police officers would be stationed at Gaza polling locations to provide security.

The Palestinian Central Elections Committee reported that over one million Palestinians, including 70,000 in Gaza, were qualified to vote, with final results anticipated late Saturday or Sunday.

A dual-citizen American journalist who spent nearly two months in Kuwaiti detention has been freed and has departed the Middle Eastern nation, according to U.S. State Department officials.

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, 41, was cleared of all charges by a Kuwaiti court and has safely left Kuwait, a State Department representative confirmed Friday.

The journalist had been held since early March after Kuwaiti officials arrested him during a broader government crackdown on individuals sharing content about the recent Iran conflict on social media platforms.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based media advocacy organization, Shihab-Eldin was last seen publicly on March 2nd. He was taken into custody the following day while visiting relatives in Kuwait.

Kuwaiti authorities charged him with disseminating false information, threatening national security, and improperly using his cellular device, the CPJ reported.

The media watchdog organization announced Thursday that a Kuwaiti court had dismissed all accusations against Shihab-Eldin, based on information from attorneys representing his sisters. The CPJ expressed approval of the court’s decision to acquit him.

Throughout his detention, various press freedom organizations and human rights groups had urged Kuwait to drop the charges and release the journalist.

“We can confirm that American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin has safely departed Kuwait. While in detention, the State Department was in contact with Mr. Shihab-Eldin and provided consular assistance,” the State Department official said.

The official declined to provide additional details, citing privacy concerns and other factors. Kuwait’s Washington embassy did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

On March 15th, Kuwait implemented new legislation that includes penalties of up to a decade in prison for circulating false information about military organizations with the goal of damaging public confidence in them.

Prior to his arrest, Shihab-Eldin had shared videos and photographs on social media platforms concerning the regional conflict, including material depicting a U.S. military aircraft crash within Kuwait.

Shihab-Eldin identifies himself as an independent journalist with experience at major international news organizations including the New York Times, HBO, Vice, PBS, BBC and Al Jazeera.

The conflict began when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28th. Iran retaliated with its own attacks on Israel and Gulf nations hosting American military installations. The ongoing U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran and Israeli military actions in Lebanon have resulted in thousands of casualties and displaced millions of people.

A tentative ceasefire in the Iran conflict took effect more than two weeks ago.

Kuwait’s Interior Ministry issued a public warning on February 28th advising citizens against recording missile defense activities, posting such material on social media, or filming security forces during operations, encouraging people to depend on official information sources instead.

PRIPYAT, Ukraine — Two devastating blasts have shaken the Chernobyl nuclear facility nearly four decades apart, both occurring in the early morning darkness.

The initial catastrophe struck at 1:23 a.m. on April 26, 1986, releasing a lethal radioactive plume that terrorized Europe and contributed to the Soviet Union’s eventual downfall.

The recent explosion occurred at 1:59 a.m. on February 14, 2025, when Ukrainian authorities say a Russian drone carrying explosives struck the site. Though less devastating than the original disaster, the attack has intensified concerns about Moscow’s war against Ukraine, targeting a location that represents immense tragedy for the nation.

“What once seemed unthinkable — strikes on nuclear facilities and other hazardous sites — has now become reality,” said Oleh Solonenko, head of a radiation safety shift at Chernobyl, which Ukrainians transliterate as Chornobyl.

The drone struck the exterior of the New Safe Confinement structure, a massive $2.1 billion arch-shaped barrier completed in 2019 to surround the original concrete “sarcophagus” built hastily after the disaster to contain the destroyed Reactor No. 4 and prevent radiation leaks. Russia has denied deliberately attacking the facility, claiming Ukraine orchestrated the incident.

The impact ignited a blaze on the enormous structure — large enough to encompass the Statue of Liberty — but failed to breach it completely, affecting a section with minimal contamination. Radiation monitoring equipment showed no increase in levels beyond the protective barrier, and no injuries occurred.

However, the International Atomic Energy Agency cautioned that the damage could dramatically reduce the structure’s intended 100-year operational period, compromising its essential safety role.

For Klavdiia Omelchenko, who works alongside more than 2,200 engineers, scientists and other personnel at the shuttered facility, the attack brought back painful memories from four decades ago.

In 1986, Omelchenko was a 19-year-old working at a textile plant, sleeping in her Pripyat home where most Chernobyl employees resided. She never heard the explosion during what was supposed to be a routine reactor test.

She awakened to whispers about an accident, but only grasped its magnitude weeks afterward — following her evacuation with just a small bag containing identification papers and makeup. Her previous residence now sits within Chernobyl’s “exclusion zone,” a 2,600-square-kilometer area that remains uninhabited.

Soviet officials initially concealed the extent of what became the planet’s most severe nuclear accident, which released radiation clouds over present-day Ukraine and Belarus, creating panic throughout Europe. While dozens perished immediately, the long-term fatality count from radiation exposure remains undetermined.

Omelchenko never established another permanent residence and returned in 1993 to work in the plant’s dining facility. That homecoming “wasn’t as scary as now. Back then, at least, there was no bombing,” she added.

To her, the comprehensive 2022 invasion and last year’s drone assault are more frightening than radiation exposure.

She experienced headaches following the 1986 incident and later underwent surgery for a precancerous condition, but at 59 years old, she dismisses contamination risks.

“We grew up in it,” she said. “We don’t pay attention to it anymore.”

Bright yellow daffodils flourish next to military defensive positions at the Chernobyl facility as employees in regular clothing, carrying identification badges and special authorization, move through the restricted area.

The plant ceased generating power in 2000 when its final reactor was decommissioned. An international initiative constructed the protective NSC — a groundbreaking project intended to secure the location and allow for dismantling the deteriorating Soviet-era covering over the reactor.

However, Russia’s military offensive has suspended that initiative.

Liudmyla Kozak, an engineer with over twenty years at Chernobyl, was working when Russian forces captured the plant in February 2022. Staff maintained operations under armed supervision for nearly three weeks, exposing workers to radiation levels far exceeding their standard shift limits.

“We had no hope we would make it out alive — it was really that scary,” she said.

Kozak described how employees slept on floors and desks while Russian soldiers controlled critical areas. Equipment suffered damage and theft, she noted. The troops also operated heavy machinery through contaminated zones and excavated trenches, disturbing radioactive particles.

“With the drone strike as well, it will be much more complicated,” Kozak said.

The IAEA determined the damage has compromised the arch’s ability to perform its primary duties of containing radioactive materials and enabling safe reactor dismantlement. Without repairs, the structure would progressively deteriorate, heightening radiation exposure dangers for Ukraine and neighboring nations.

Serhii Bokov, who manages NSC operations, was on duty during the early hours of February 14, 2025, when the muffled explosion from the drone reverberated through the structure.

He and his team rushed outside, detecting smoke but initially seeing nothing. A nearby military post confirmed the attack, and firefighters arrived approximately 40 minutes later.

Ascending into the structure, they discovered flames burning through the outer covering. Fire hoses were extended across the arch as crews fought blazes that repeatedly reignited. The fire required more than two weeks to completely extinguish.

“There was no feeling of fear, none at all. It was just a fire — something we practice in drills — only this time it was real,” he said. “I didn’t think, honestly, that we could lose the entire arch.”

The damage has been temporarily repaired and concealed internally, while a sealed rupture remains visible externally.

Each evening, Bokov walks more than a kilometer through the structure via what employees call the “golden corridor” — a pathway bordered by yellow panels protecting them from radiation. It passes abandoned control centers, including Reactor No. 4’s.

When the NSC was finished in 2019, he felt pride in participating in something remarkable, observing its construction and development, and serving on the team maintaining its operation.

Currently, though, the structure no longer maintains complete containment. While no immediate radiation danger exists, dismantling work on the sarcophagus has stopped — delayed, Bokov estimates, by at least ten years.

“Everything depends on how quickly we can restore this and return to normal operations — and to preparing for dismantling,” he said.

Bokov believes the arch can continue operating in its present condition temporarily. However, the real worry involves the stability of the underlying sarcophagus — and why resuming its dismantlement is critical.

Oleh Solonenko, head of a radiation safety shift at the facility, confirmed the drone damaged the NSC’s outer layer without fully penetrating it. The damage affected a low-contamination area, with no radiation increase detected outside the arch.

Nevertheless, the incident demonstrated how the conflict has disrupted nuclear safety assumptions, he said.

Without immediate repairs, the sarcophagus collapse risk increases substantially, Greenpeace Ukraine warned in a report by engineer Eric Schmieman, who worked at Chernobyl for years and helped design the NSC.

“It is difficult to comprehend the scale of the deadly, hazardous conditions inside the sarcophagus,” he said. “There are tons of highly radioactive nuclear fuel, dust and debris. Now it is critical to find a way to restore the key functions of this facility.”

Officials in Tunisia have issued a directive halting operations of the nation’s Human Rights League for one month, the organization announced Friday. The group, known locally as LTDH, was part of a coalition of civil society organizations that received the Nobel Peace Prize nearly a decade ago.

Government representatives have not responded to requests for comment regarding the suspension order.

According to the league’s statement, this action represents part of a “wider pattern of increasingly systematic curbs on civil society and on free and independent voices.”

This latest move follows similar government actions from last October, when authorities also halted operations of other notable organizations including Democratic Women and the Economic and Social Rights Forum. Human rights advocates have denounced what they characterize as an unprecedented campaign against non-governmental organizations, political opposition, and media outlets since President Kais Saied consolidated additional authority in 2021.

The Human Rights League has been a vocal opponent of Saied’s administration, consistently raising alarms that the nation has been moving toward autocratic governance since the president dissolved parliament in 2021 and subsequently began governing through executive orders.

President Saied has rejected accusations of dictatorial behavior, stating that civil liberties remain protected in Tunisia while emphasizing that legal accountability applies universally, regardless of individual status or reputation.

During recent months, the organization has been prohibited from conducting prison inspections to monitor detention conditions across multiple cities throughout the country.

Established in 1976, the Human Rights League holds significant standing as a fundamental pillar of civil rights advocacy in Tunisia and ranks among the most established such organizations across the Arab world and African continent.

The group joined three other Tunisian civil society organizations in receiving the Nobel Peace Prize as members of the National Dialogue Quartet in 2015, recognized for their contributions to facilitating the country’s transition to democracy.

Tunisia, previously celebrated as the sole democratic achievement emerging from the Arab Spring movement fifteen years ago, now faces mounting international criticism from human rights organizations over restrictions imposed on political opponents, news media, and civil society groups.

In a related development Friday, prominent Tunisian journalist Zied Heni was taken into custody following publication of an article critical of the judicial system, his legal representative confirmed.

Washington D.C. officials made an embarrassing mistake while preparing for King Charles’ upcoming state visit, accidentally displaying Australian flags instead of British ones near the White House, according to a spokesperson from the D.C. Department of Transportation who spoke Friday.

While Charles does serve as Australia’s head of state, that position is primarily symbolic in nature.

The mix-up involved 15 Australian banners that were temporarily hung among more than 230 flags being arranged to greet the British monarch upon his arrival Monday in the nation’s capital. Transportation officials said the incorrect flags were swapped out for proper British flags once the error was discovered.

This state visit represents what many consider the most significant journey of Charles’ time as king, scheduled to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence from Britain.

The diplomatic trip is designed to strengthen the “special relationship” between the two nations, which has reportedly reached its weakest point in seven decades due to tensions related to the Iran conflict.

The State Department has issued a worldwide diplomatic alert accusing Chinese artificial intelligence companies of stealing intellectual property from American AI laboratories, according to a confidential cable obtained by Reuters.

The diplomatic message specifically names Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, along with companies Moonshot AI and MiniMax, as part of what officials describe as systematic theft efforts targeting U.S. technology.

According to the cable, the communication aims to “warn of the risks of utilizing AI models distilled from U.S. proprietary AI models, and lay the groundwork for potential follow-up and outreach by the U.S. government.”

The document explains that distillation involves training smaller AI systems using data from larger, more costly models to reduce development expenses for new AI technology.

DeepSeek gained international attention last year when it released a low-cost AI model that surprised the tech world. On Friday, the company unveiled a preview of its newest model designed to work with Huawei chip technology, demonstrating China’s increasing independence in the AI sector.

Neither the State Department, DeepSeek, nor the Chinese Embassy in Washington provided immediate responses to requests for comment. Moonshot AI and MiniMax also did not respond to inquiries.

Earlier this week, the White House made similar accusations against Chinese companies. The Chinese Embassy dismissed these claims as “baseless allegations,” stating that Beijing “attaches great importance to the protection of intellectual property rights.”

The Friday cable, distributed to U.S. diplomatic and consular offices worldwide, directs diplomatic personnel to discuss with foreign officials their “concerns over adversaries’ extraction and distillation of U.S. A.I. models.”

“A separate demarche request and message has been sent to Beijing for raising with China,” the document notes.

This previously unreported cable demonstrates the Trump administration’s serious approach to growing concerns about Chinese copying of American AI technology.

The communication argues that “AI models developed from surreptitious, unauthorized distillation campaigns enable foreign actors to release products that appear to perform comparably on select benchmarks at a fraction of the cost but do not replicate the full performance of the original system.” It further claims these campaigns “deliberately strip security protocols from the resulting models and undo mechanisms that ensure those AI models are ideologically neutral and truth‑seeking.”

In February, OpenAI informed U.S. lawmakers that DeepSeek was targeting the ChatGPT creator and other leading American AI companies to copy their models for its own development purposes, Reuters previously reported.

This diplomatic action, coming just weeks before President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, threatens to escalate tensions in the ongoing technology competition between the two superpowers, which had been reduced through a diplomatic agreement reached last October.

The presidents of Colombia and Venezuela reached agreements on Friday to enhance intelligence cooperation and strengthen economic ties during a diplomatic meeting at the presidential palace in Caracas.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodriguez committed to new information-sharing protocols designed to address criminal activity along their mutual border, while also discussing expanded trade relationships and electrical grid improvements for Venezuela’s western regions, which experience regular power outages.

Both presidents face significant pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump – Rodriguez to welcome foreign investment into Venezuela’s economy and Petro to intensify anti-drug trafficking efforts.

This marked Rodriguez’s second meeting with another head of state since taking office, following a brief visit to Grenada earlier this month.

“It makes no sense for Colombia or Venezuela to look toward other latitudes, another hemisphere, for what we can get in our own territories,” Rodriguez stated during joint remarks alongside Petro. She emphasized plans to boost bilateral commerce and energy cooperation, adding, “Electrical interconnection is already a step forward, and so is gas interconnection, through which we can not only supply gas to Colombia but also jointly export gas to other countries.”

The two nations share profound historical and cultural connections, particularly along their extensive 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border where numerous families hold dual citizenship. Approximately 3 million Venezuelan refugees have relocated to Colombia in recent years, escaping their homeland’s economic crisis.

While the border area generates over $1 billion in yearly commerce, it also serves as a corridor for drug trafficking, contraband smuggling, and other criminal enterprises operated by armed organizations including criminal networks and Colombian rebel groups.

Human rights organizations and former Colombian administrations have accused these armed factions of operating with Venezuelan military assistance or tolerance, claims that Caracas has consistently rejected.

Petro and Rodriguez’s predecessor, Nicolas Maduro, who was ousted in a U.S. operation in January, had previously expanded military presence along the border to counter drug trafficking.

The nations are adopting “a very serious, very comprehensive approach” to addressing border criminality, Rodriguez explained, and will promptly implement “mechanisms for sharing information and developing intelligence” to combat narcotics and fuel smuggling, along with other illegal activities.

Petro declared that the border must serve the citizens of both nations, not criminal organizations.

Rodriguez, who previously served as vice president, has been working to attract oil and mining investors while operating under close Trump administration oversight. Trump has publicly commended her efforts, and she has hosted U.S. officials and prospective investors in Caracas.

She has actively called for the U.S. to remove sanctions against Venezuela, arguing that special permits and exemptions provide insufficient security for investors or economic recovery.

Petro has experienced multiple disagreements with Trump, who has consistently demanded greater Colombian cooperation in anti-drug operations, while Petro points to record drug seizures during his presidency.

Despite personal sanctions Washington imposed on Petro, both leaders expressed optimism following a direct meeting earlier this year. In March, they held a cordial phone conversation about border economic issues, according to Petro’s office.

The chief executive of artificial intelligence company OpenAI has issued a public apology following revelations that his firm failed to notify authorities about troubling online activity from an account connected to a deadly school shooting in British Columbia, Canada.

Sam Altman released the apology letter on Friday, expressing remorse over the company’s decision not to contact law enforcement about suspicious behavior from an account they had previously suspended.

“I am deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June,” Altman stated. “While I know words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to recognize the harm and irreversible loss your community has suffered.”

The tragic incident unfolded on February 10 when authorities say 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar first killed her mother, 39-year-old Jennifer Jacobs, and 11-year-old stepbrother, Emmett Jacobs, at their family residence in northern British Columbia. Van Rootselaar then proceeded to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School where she fatally shot five students and one educator before taking her own life. The rampage left 25 additional victims wounded.

Following the massacre, OpenAI disclosed that their automated systems had flagged Van Rootselaar’s account the previous June for content related to “furtherance of violent activities.” The San Francisco-based technology firm acknowledged they debated whether to report the concerning activity to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police but ultimately decided the content did not reach their threshold for law enforcement notification. Instead, they terminated the account for policy violations.

British Columbia Premier David Eby had previously criticized the company’s inaction, suggesting OpenAI “looks like” they could have prevented the mass casualty event.

Altman’s letter, dated Thursday and shared through Premier Eby’s social media accounts and local news outlet Tumbler RidgeLines, detailed conversations with Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka and Eby about the community’s response.

“I want to express my deepest condolences to the entire community,” Altman wrote. “No one should ever have to endure a tragedy like this. I cannot imagine anything worse in this world than losing a child. My heart remains with the victims.”

The OpenAI leader pledged to work with government officials at all levels to prevent similar tragedies in the future, stating his company would continue focusing on collaborative prevention efforts.

Despite the apology, Premier Eby characterized Altman’s statement as “necessary, and yet grossly insufficient for the devastation done to the families of Tumbler Ridge” in his own social media response.

For the first time in two decades, residents of Gaza will participate in municipal elections this Saturday, with voting taking place in the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah. The elections will run concurrently with the West Bank’s fifth round of municipal voting since 2005.

Officials describe the synchronized elections as a demonstration of Palestinian solidarity and a representation of future statehood aspirations.

The last Gaza elections occurred in 2006, when Hamas won a majority. Following a short-lived conflict between Hamas and Fatah in 2007, Hamas gained authority over the Gaza Strip and began directly selecting local government officials.

According to the Central Elections Commission, 70,449 eligible voters can participate at 12 voting locations throughout Deir al-Balah. These sites include nine temporary tent structures and three community organization buildings, with eight voting booths available at each location.

Election officials have deployed approximately 675 personnel to manage the voting process. Additionally, 292 monitors from 10 local oversight organizations and 45 credentialed media representatives will observe the proceedings.

Jamil al-Khalidi, who serves as the commission’s Gaza regional director, explained to Asharq al-Awsat that voters will participate through a closed-list format. “Voters will select one list and cast votes for five candidates within it,” al-Khalidi stated. The election will establish a 15-member city council comprised of the top vote recipients, with a minimum of four positions designated for women candidates.

Four competing candidate lists are participating in the race, with one list reportedly containing several candidates who support Hamas positions. Election officials characterize all participating groups as independent and family-oriented, with competition primarily influenced by neighborhood ties and kinship connections.

All candidates had to sign an agreement supporting the Palestine Liberation Organization’s platform and acknowledging its authority as the official Palestinian representative. This requirement could create tension with Hamas ideology, since it suggests acceptance of policies that include Israeli recognition. The Palestinian Authority is implementing this pledge requirement as part of its support for a two-state resolution.

Initial election outcomes are anticipated Sunday morning.

American military leaders are developing contingency plans for targeted strikes against Iranian naval forces in the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz as diplomatic efforts continue to stagnate, according to a CNN report.

The military strategy focuses on what officials call “dynamic targeting” of Iranian capabilities throughout the Strait of Hormuz, the southern Arabian Gulf, and Gulf of Oman regions.

Intelligence sources outlined potential operations against Iran’s fleet of rapid attack craft, mine-laying ships, and other unconventional naval assets that Tehran has deployed to control shipping lanes and exert pressure on Washington.

This critical maritime corridor handles approximately 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas shipments, while tensions between the two nations escalate amid stalled diplomatic discussions.

Previous American military actions targeted locations away from the Strait itself, allowing for operations deeper within Iranian territory. These new strategic plans emphasize a concentrated strike campaign focused specifically on the crucial shipping channels.

In a related development, US forces announced Thursday they had boarded a sanctioned tanker transporting Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean. Pentagon officials described conducting a “maritime interdiction” operation on the vessel M/T Majestic X, defining the action as intercepting or examining a ship suspected of legal violations.

American forces have stopped numerous ships since establishing a naval blockade of maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13.

President Donald Trump has authorized US military personnel to “shoot and kill” any vessel attempting to place mines within the Strait.

These escalating developments come after Wednesday’s incident where Iranian Revolutionary Guard patrol boats opened fire on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, capturing two ships while inflicting damage on a third.

Nations across the Persian Gulf region are slowly restoring normal operations following extended disruptions caused by military conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran, which led to Iranian strikes on Gulf urban areas, power infrastructure, and civilian targets.

Bahrain declared the complete restoration of full-capacity government operations beginning Sunday, April 26. Since March 1, Bahraini government workers had been operating under reduced staffing at half capacity.

Educational institutions in Bahrain transitioned back to traditional classroom instruction last week following a temporary shift to remote learning platforms.

Kuwaiti officials revealed on Thursday their plans for the phased reopening of Kuwait International Airport and the restoration of aviation operations following almost two months of complete shutdown. The closure came after multiple drone and missile strikes originating from Iran and Iraq targeted Kuwait, with several projectiles hitting critical infrastructure including the main airport facility.

Qatari leadership announced the step-by-step return of international carrier operations and expanded Qatar Airways service schedules. The United Arab Emirates has implemented comparable measures.

Signs of regional recovery extend beyond transportation, with business and retail sectors across multiple GCC nations showing renewed activity as shopping districts and commercial centers welcome customers at levels approaching pre-conflict patterns, while professional gatherings, cultural events, and recreational activities steadily resume throughout the Gulf region.

A Lebanese journalist who survived an Israeli airstrike that claimed her colleague’s life has shared her harrowing account of the hours they spent waiting for rescue, speaking to The Associated Press from her hospital bed on Friday.

Zeinab Faraj, a freelance photographer and video journalist, regularly worked alongside Amal Khalil, an experienced correspondent for the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar who covered southern Lebanon.

The pair were traveling behind one of Faraj’s relatives through the village of al-Tiri on Wednesday, approximately 8 kilometers from the Israeli border. They had arrived five days after a delicate ceasefire took effect between Israel and Hezbollah, intending to document conditions in the area following the truce.

While passing through the village with Khalil recording video on her phone through the car window, an Israeli strike targeted the vehicle ahead of them, Faraj explained from her recovery room at a Beirut medical facility.

Both women exited their vehicle and sought cover along the roadside while a drone circled above. Approximately one hour later, a second attack struck Khalil’s car parked nearby.

Faraj managed to force open a shop’s metal security door, and both journalists took shelter inside the building.

“Amal was crawling, she was wounded — her nose and head and shoulder and leg,” Faraj remembered, her words difficult to understand through facial swelling and bruising. She noted that Khalil also sustained burns when the targeted vehicle burst into flames.

The two were able to contact their families and news organizations. According to Faraj, Khalil maintained a positive demeanor and attempted to reassure her loved ones that both were safe.

During this time, urgent communications began between the Lebanese Red Cross, Lebanese military forces, the U.N. peacekeeping mission UNIFIL, and Israeli forces to arrange safe evacuation for the journalists.

As time passed, Faraj began losing consciousness.

“When I said I wanted to go to sleep, Amal came closer and hugged me and told me, ‘Zeinab, don’t leave me alone,’” she recalled. “I realized that Amal was not in good condition. The color of her face had changed and I realized that she had some internal bleeding, too.”

While drifting in and out of consciousness, she heard incoming ordnance. A third strike hit their shelter.

The blast ejected Faraj from the shop while Khalil remained trapped inside.

“I was in and out of consciousness, and then I thought my dad had come to get me and I began calling to him, ‘Baba, I’m here, come and help me,’” Faraj said.

Emergency responders arrived and extracted Faraj from the debris, also recovering the bodies of two people killed in the initial vehicle strike. Lebanon’s health ministry reported that Israeli forces fired upon the Red Cross ambulance attempting to reach Khalil, forcing the crew to retreat.

The Israeli military stated that individuals in the village had breached the ceasefire agreement, putting Israeli soldiers at risk, and rejected claims that it targets media personnel or blocked rescue operations. Officials said the incident remains under investigation.

Faraj had lost consciousness and remained unaware that Khalil hadn’t been evacuated with her until several hours later.

Just before midnight, after Lebanese military, civil defense, and Red Cross teams received authorization to enter the area, Khalil’s body was recovered from the wreckage.

Faraj maintains that “if they had gotten to her a bit sooner, Amal would be here today.”

The current Israel-Hezbollah conflict started on March 2, when the militant organization launched a missile barrage across the border, occurring two days after the United States and Israel began their military action against Iran. Israel countered with extensive bombing campaigns in Lebanon and ground operations.

Following the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces have maintained control over a border zone extending approximately 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory, characterizing this area as essential for protecting northern Israeli communities from Hezbollah rocket attacks. Despite the truce, both Israel and Hezbollah have continued launching strikes.

Faraj suspects the journalists were intentionally targeted. Khalil had previously disclosed that during her reporting in southern Lebanon during the earlier 2024 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, she received threatening communications from an Israeli phone number.

The origin of these messages — whether from Israeli military sources or private individuals — remains unclear. The Israeli army has not yet responded to requests for comment on this matter.

Prior to Khalil’s death, Avichay Adraee, an Israeli military spokesman, shared on social media platform X a video from Al-Akhbar featuring Khalil rescuing a cat from destroyed building debris. He labeled the publication “terrorist media speaking on behalf of Hezbollah, the devil” due to its pro-Hezbollah editorial stance.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, an international advocacy organization, condemned the post as “incitement” in an official statement.

“Under international humanitarian law, journalists, as civilians, are protected from direct and indiscriminate attack, regardless of the positions or affiliation of their media outlets, provided they do not directly participate in hostilities,” the organization stated. “There is no evidence that Khalil or Faraj were directly participating in hostilities.”

The group has requested an international investigation into Khalil’s death.

Lebanon’s information ministry reports that nine journalists have died in Israeli strikes since March 2. The latest Israel-Hezbollah war has resulted in nearly 2,500 Lebanese deaths, including 277 women, 177 children, and 100 healthcare workers. Fifteen Israeli soldiers and three civilians have also been killed.

CARACAS, Venezuela — Colombian President Gustavo Petro arrived at Venezuela’s presidential palace Friday for crucial discussions with acting President Delcy Rodríguez, marking their first face-to-face meeting since the U.S. military detained former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his spouse at their residence in January.

The diplomatic encounter at the Miraflores palace was designed to address a wide range of shared concerns between the neighboring nations, including cross-border migration issues, security cooperation, trade relationships, and industrial partnerships.

Originally scheduled for last month at the countries’ shared frontier, the high-level talks were suddenly postponed by both governments, who cited “force majeure” circumstances without providing additional details, stating only that the meeting would be rescheduled.

Prior to Friday’s discussions, Petro revealed that his team, featuring senior military and law enforcement commanders, would prioritize border security matters with Rodríguez during their talks.

Special attention was directed toward the volatile Catatumbo area, where competing armed factions battle for territorial dominance. Petro emphasized the critical need for “close collaboration on intelligence,” cautioning that without proper coordination, “bombs land in the wrong places … and end up killing civilians.”

Relations between the two South American neighbors have remained strained for years. Following Venezuela’s disputed July 2024 presidential election that sparked demonstrations and subsequent government crackdowns, Petro refused to acknowledge Maduro’s claimed victory. Despite this stance, Colombia continued maintaining diplomatic channels with Caracas.

Colombian officials stated that Friday’s Petro-Rodríguez summit was intended to “contribute to a resolution of Venezuela’s political crisis.”

The path forward, however, remains uncertain.

According to Ronal Rodríguez Durán, who studies Venezuelan affairs at Universidad del Rosario’s Venezuela Observatory, Petro’s ability to broker meaningful change appears constrained, particularly since his presidential term concludes in August. Colombia’s future relationship with Venezuela will likely depend significantly on whoever assumes Colombian leadership next.