Category: World News

Stock prices for South Korean retail company Shinsegae dropped on Tuesday following a public apology from Chairman Chung Yong-jin regarding a controversial Starbucks Korea marketing effort that appeared to reference a deadly 1980 military assault on democracy activists.

The retail company, which runs Starbucks operations in Korea, encountered significant public criticism over its “Tank Day” promotional campaign featuring tumblers on May 18, coinciding with the nation’s remembrance of the student-led Gwangju Uprising from May 1980.

“I take it very seriously that Starbucks Korea’s inappropriate marketing hurt and angered many people,” Chung said. “I will take all responsibility for the incident.” While Shinsegae stock initially rose Tuesday morning, it subsequently declined 2.6% after the chairman’s statement.

Military forces and tanks were deployed by the military dictatorship of Chun Doo-hwan to suppress the demonstrations, resulting in an estimated hundreds of deaths and disappearances.

Last week, Shinsegae dismissed the leader of Starbucks Korea following an apology for “inappropriate marketing.” The global Starbucks corporation has also issued an apology and announced the start of an investigation.

In response to the controversy, South Korea’s Interior Minister announced that his department would cease purchasing products from businesses that “make light” of the nation’s democratic heritage.

According to company documents, Starbucks Korea ownership is split between E-Mart at 67.5% and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC at 32.5%.

The Russian leader has authorized financial relief for military recruits joining the Ukraine conflict and their families, according to an announcement from Moscow late Monday, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen military forces in the prolonged war.

Those who enter into military service agreements with Russia’s defense ministry starting May 1, along with their spouses, will have debts up to 10 million roubles ($139,700) forgiven if legal collection proceedings were active prior to that date, according to the official decree published on Moscow’s government website.

Military service agreements for what Russia terms its ‘special military operation’ — Moscow’s designation for its February 2022 invasion and occupation of Ukraine — must span at least one year, officials stated.

The debt forgiveness amount equals roughly the cost of a 35 square meter studio apartment in Moscow, based on Cian real estate data.

This financial incentive joins other support programs for Russian military personnel, including substantial payments and preferential university admission policies, as Moscow works to expand its military capacity while U.S.-led peace negotiations remain stalled.

Both nations blame each other for escalating tensions, with Ukraine preparing to deploy additional forces to northern territories in response to suspected Russian plans for renewed offensive operations.

The Russian leader also signed additional legislation Monday permanently extending state land rental agreements for those participating in the Ukraine conflict, according to government officials.

($1 = 71.6000 roubles)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued official congratulations Monday to King Abdullah II and Jordan’s citizens as the kingdom marked eight decades of independence, highlighting Jordan’s important contribution to Middle East peace and security.

In a statement released to commemorate Jordan’s National Day on May 25, Rubio declared: “On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my best wishes and congratulations to His Majesty King Abdullah II and the Jordanian people on the 80th anniversary of Jordan’s Independence.”

The secretary of state emphasized that the relationship between Washington and Amman stems from “our shared commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, and secure Middle East.”

“We deeply value Jordan’s critical role in advancing our shared priorities for the region,” he stated.

Rubio also voiced America’s commitment to maintaining the ongoing partnership between the nations.

“As you celebrate Jordan’s National Day, the United States wishes the people of Jordan lasting prosperity under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and we look forward to continuing our steadfast, decades-long partnership,” Rubio declared.

An additional statement released under Rubio’s authority noted that the United States “deeply value[s] the pivotal role Jordan plays in advancing our shared priorities in the region” and confirmed Washington’s dedication to preserving its enduring alliance with the kingdom.

Each year on May 25, Jordan celebrates its independence day, marking when the British Mandate concluded and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was founded in 1946.

After World War I ended, the region came under British control. An agreement reached during King Abdullah I’s reign terminated the mandate in March 1946, and the Jordanian Legislative Council officially proclaimed independence on May 25 of that same year.

The milestone is celebrated as a national holiday throughout Jordan featuring government ceremonies, military parades, cultural events, concerts, and public celebrations.

Traditional festivities include gatherings with Hashemite royal family members, government leaders, and international diplomats, alongside fireworks, flag ceremonies, and community events in locations such as Amman.

Israeli military officials confirmed Monday the death of Sgt. Nehorai Leizer, a 19-year-old soldier from Eilat, following a drone attack on Israeli forces conducting operations in southern Lebanon. The explosive device also left another service member from his unit with serious injuries.

According to military sources, Leizer was assigned to the 601st Combat Engineering Battalion within the “Iron Tracks” Brigade (401). The injured soldier was transported to a medical facility for treatment, with his family receiving notification of the incident.

Military officials stated that the attack happened when an explosive-laden drone targeted the location where Israeli troops were positioned during their southern Lebanon mission.

This announcement follows Sunday’s funeral for Staff Sgt. Noam Hamburger, a 23-year-old from Atlit who died during military operations in northern Israel.

Military reports indicate Hamburger was fatally injured when an explosive drone from Lebanese territory hit a position near the Lebanon border where Israeli forces were stationed within Israeli boundaries. The same attack left one soldier with severe wounds and caused minor injuries to a noncommissioned officer.

Hamburger had been serving as a technology and maintenance specialist in Battalion 9 of the “Iron Tracks” Brigade (401) and was scheduled to finish his military duty in just one month.

His funeral drew hundreds of mourners, with local residents from the Hof HaCarmel Regional Council lining the streets with Israeli flags as the funeral convoy proceeded to the burial site.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid delivered sharp criticism of settler violence during a Foreign Press Association briefing, declaring without hesitation that “Settler terror is terror” when questioned about extremist actions in the West Bank.

During the press conference, Lapid addressed foreign policy matters involving Iran, Gaza and the West Bank, but made headlines when he outlined potential leadership arrangements for a future government headed by Naftali Bennett.

“I assume that the ideal government for most Israelis will be Naftali Bennett as prime minister, and former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot as defense minister, and former finance minister Avigdor Lieberman as finance minister, and myself as foreign minister,” Lapid stated. “Again, this will be subject, I assume, to political results, but this is what we’re trying to do.”

Lapid characterized this potential partnership as “a union between the center and the liberal right” while indicating that additional political groups might still join the coalition. He expressed hope that Eisenkot would formally participate, saying “he will eventually.”

When pressed about whether settler violence constitutes terrorism, Lapid responded immediately and forcefully. “I never thought that in my lifetime we would talk about Jewish terrorism,” he declared. “But this is Jewish terror.”

The opposition leader argued that radical settler actions in the West Bank create both security risks and diplomatic problems for Israel. “These people are the greatest gift anti-Semites around the world could ask for,” Lapid explained. “It allows anti-Semites on both the right and the left to claim that this is Zionism and these are the values of the State of Israel. It is not.”

Lapid also targeted National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir regarding treatment of Gaza flotilla activists, describing the situation as “a national disgrace” and emphasizing that “democracy comes with a price,” which includes “upholding international law.”

International relations emerged as a major focus when The Media Line questioned what Israel’s Foreign Ministry had accomplished recently and what changes he would implement. “You’re asking what the Foreign Ministry has done right in the last three and a half years?” Lapid responded. “Nothing.”

He blamed the current administration for damaging Israel’s bipartisan support in the United States, mismanaging European relationships, and choosing public confrontation over diplomatic engagement. “Part of foreign relations is dealing with these issues, not calling everybody an anti-Semite,” Lapid stated. “There are enough anti-Semites. We don’t have to create new ones.”

To illustrate his point, he referenced Israel’s decision to withdraw its ambassador from Ireland during a diplomatic disagreement, while Ireland kept its diplomatic presence in Israel. “So now if you’re an Israeli in Ireland, you have no one to talk to if you lost your passport,” Lapid observed. “But if you’re an Irish man or woman in Israel who lost his passport, you have an ambassador to talk to. This doesn’t make any sense.”

Lapid also expressed concern that Israel’s Washington influence had declined substantially despite the close ties between Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. “In Washington, the Israeli government is actually at an all-time low in its ability to influence decisions in Washington,” Lapid warned. “Israel is not a vassal state and we are not a protectorate.”

Despite his harsh assessment of current diplomatic efforts, Lapid maintained tough positions on Iran and security matters. He supported Israel’s right to take military action against Iran when needed and expressed concerns about developing agreements between Washington and Tehran that could threaten Israeli interests.

“There will be no two-state solution in the coming years,” Lapid declared later during the session, explaining that Israelis have lost confidence that a Palestinian state could avoid becoming “another failing terror state on our border.”

However, he indicated that a Bennett-led administration would pursue a cautious approach in the West Bank, avoiding major policy shifts. The government would implement neither annexation nor significant diplomatic efforts toward Palestinian statehood in the immediate future. “We will make sure that nothing will happen that is irreversible,” Lapid promised.

The head of Australia’s domestic intelligence agency testified that anti-Jewish sentiment had become commonplace and went unaddressed prior to a deadly incident at Bondi Beach that claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah gathering last December.

Michael Burgess, who serves as director-general of security for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, delivered these statements while appearing before the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, a panel established to examine circumstances that led to the Bondi incident.

“There is no doubt that the war in the Middle East invoked a range of emotions in Australia,” Burgess told the commission. “Some of those violent aspects … and those behaviors, including antisemitism that, in our view, were left unchecked, were therefore normalized and gave more permission for violence … and Jewish Australians were on the receiving end.”

The intelligence leader explained that anti-Jewish hostility grew more severe starting in late 2024, evolving from harassment and intimidation into physical assaults aimed at Jewish individuals and organizations.

“From late 2024,” he said, antisemitism escalated from “threatening, intimidating behavior to direct targeting of people, businesses, and places of worship.”

Burgess pointed to destructive acts and fire-bombing incidents against residences, educational facilities, houses of worship, and automobiles in the period leading up to the Bondi incident.

According to Burgess, the intelligence organization also concluded that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps orchestrated strikes against a kosher dining establishment in Sydney and Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue.

“They use their network of proxies and agents to do their bidding, and that is to bring harm to Jewish people wherever they are in the world,” he said.

The security official revealed that his agency elevated Australia’s national terrorism alert status to “probable” in August 2024 following an assessment that terrorist incidents had become more likely.

The alert level had been previously reduced in November 2022 from “probable” to “possible,” which Burgess characterized as the second-lowest designation on the nation’s five-level threat system.

He explained that the prior reduction came after the collapse of the Islamic State group in the Middle East and a decrease in foreign fighter recruitment efforts.

OTTAWA, Ontario — A recent diplomatic visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to India has helped establish a pathway for completely resetting relations between the two nations, according to India’s trade minister speaking on Monday. The diplomatic relationship had deteriorated under Carney’s predecessor following the 2023 death of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil.

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal made these statements during his visit to Canada, where he held discussions with Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu.

Goyal arrived with more than 100 senior business leaders representing India’s mining, energy, automotive and aerospace industries, forming what New Delhi describes as its largest business delegation ever sent to Canada.

“This is a partnership that is being reset very, very rapidly,” Goyal stated on Monday.

According to Goyal, Carney’s late February visit — marking the first time a Canadian prime minister had traveled to India in eight years — “completely changed the way Canada and India looked at each other.”

“It has set in motion the pathway to a complete overhaul of this relationship, setting new agendas, new goals,” he explained.

Trade negotiations between the two countries began in 2010 but were suspended by Ottawa in 2023 when Canadian officials claimed India played a role in the death of Canadian Sikh activist Hareep Singh Nijjar, who was killed near Vancouver in June of that year.

New Delhi strongly rejected these claims and criticized former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration for providing refuge to Sikh extremists associated with the Khalistan movement. This movement seeks to establish an independent Sikh nation and is prohibited in India.

Prior to his meeting with Sidhu, Goyal expressed that both nations are eager to finalize a free-trade agreement within this year.

During Carney’s India trip, he held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the countries executed multiple agreements — including a 2.6 billion Canadian dollar ($1.9 billion) contract to provide approximately 22 million pounds of uranium to India for nuclear power production.

A Canadian trade delegation traveled to New Delhi earlier this month for negotiations, and another Indian delegation plans to visit Canada later this year to advance discussions.

Goyal also mentioned that both countries aim to increase their trade volume threefold to $50 billion by 2030.

While in Ottawa, Goyal held meetings with Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. His itinerary also includes discussions with chief executives from major corporations, startups and pension funds.

Vina Nadjibulla, vice president of research and strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, noted that both nations seek to broaden their partnerships and decrease reliance on the United States, which some allies increasingly view as unpredictable.

India has recently completed trade agreements with the European Union, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

“India is now pivoting to Europe as well as to other Western economies like Australia and Canada to be able to meet its needs for capital, technology and innovation,” Nadjibulla said.

Taiwan’s military forces responded to China’s second major military exercise near the island within a seven-day period, deploying naval vessels and fighter aircraft for monitoring operations.

Beijing has intensified military pressure on Taiwan through expanded naval and air operations in the region, prompting heightened vigilance from Taiwanese officials following recent discussions about Taiwan between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing.

Beijing considers the democratically-run island part of its sovereign territory and conducts near-daily military operations with naval vessels and aircraft in the area. Taiwan’s leadership disputes China’s territorial assertions.

Taiwan’s defense ministry reported Monday evening that surveillance detected 21 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets and unmanned vehicles, conducting operations around the island’s perimeter alongside naval vessels in what officials termed a “joint combat readiness patrol.”

Beijing’s defense ministry has not yet provided comment regarding the military activities.

Taiwanese defense officials released three photographs captured by their personnel – including an image from an F-16 aircraft showing two Chinese fighters following a Y-20 refueling plane, a photo of the Chinese naval vessel Yinchuan, and documentation of a Taiwanese naval crew member observing the vessel with field glasses.

Beijing conducted a comparable “readiness patrol” the previous Tuesday, one day prior to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te commemorating his second anniversary in office. Chinese leadership regards Lai as a “separatist” and has rejected his repeated diplomatic overtures.

During the weekend, Taiwan reported that its coast guard encountered a Chinese coast guard vessel near the Taiwan-administered Pratas Islands, which hold strategic importance at the northern edge of the South China Sea.

On Saturday, Taiwan’s National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu used social media to highlight what he described as 100 Chinese vessels currently positioned in the first island chain, an area extending from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines.

Australian officials announced Tuesday that seven women and 12 children with connections to the Islamic State have arranged to depart a Syrian refugee camp and return to Australia, marking the second such group to make this journey within the month.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized that the government is providing no assistance with their travel arrangements and warned that anyone who has broken laws “can expect to face the full force of the law.”

“These are people who have made the horrific choice to join a dangerous terrorist organisation and to place their children in an unspeakable situation,” Burke stated.

While Burke did not specify an arrival date for this second group, and his office has not yet provided additional details, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported the group departed a northeastern Syrian camp last Thursday and may arrive within days.

Earlier this month, four women and nine children returned to Australia following more than seven years in Syrian detention facilities. Authorities subsequently charged two of the women with slavery-related crimes, while a third faced terrorism charges, including allegations of joining the Islamic State.

The upcoming arrivals have sparked opposition criticism, with detractors arguing the center-left government has failed to prevent these repatriations. Government officials countered that there are “very serious limits” on their ability to block Australian citizens from re-entering their home country.

Officials stated that law enforcement and intelligence services have spent over ten years preparing for such returns and have established monitoring protocols for arriving individuals.

During the period from 2012 to 2016, several Australian women traveled to Syria to reunite with husbands who were reportedly ISIS members. After the caliphate’s fall in 2019, many ended up in detention camps.

This January, the United States initiated the relocation of detained ISIS members from Syria following the breakdown of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which had been overseeing approximately twelve facilities housing fighters and associated civilians, including foreign nationals.

DAKAR, Senegal — A former banking executive has been chosen to lead Senegal’s government after the country’s president dismissed his previous prime minister last week amid mounting political tensions and economic difficulties.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced through a televised statement on Monday his selection of Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo to serve as the nation’s new head of government, taking over from Ousmane Sonko.

The dismissal of Sonko occurred on Friday following several months of growing friction between the former prime minister and the president. This action led to the complete dissolution of the government as all ministers submitted their resignations.

Lo brings extensive financial experience to his new role, having previously worked as an executive with the Central Bank of West African States where he helped develop monetary and economic strategies across the region. He also held positions as state minister to the president and secretary-general under Sonko’s administration.

The relationship between Faye and Sonko had deteriorated over recent months due to disagreements on major policy decisions, particularly regarding discussions with the International Monetary Fund about potential loan arrangements. In May, Faye publicly stated that Sonko’s continued employment depended on his job performance.

Both leaders previously worked together within the political party Pastef, which stands for Patriotes Africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l’Éthique et la Fraternité in French.

The party gained control following the March 2024 parliamentary elections after campaigning against the incumbent Alliance pour la République party, amid widespread concerns that former President Macky Sall might exploit a 2016 constitutional amendment to extend his time in office.

Due to a defamation conviction confirmed by Senegal’s highest court and subsequent rejection by the Constitutional Court, Sonko was prohibited from seeking the presidency. Faye stepped in as the party’s candidate and later named Sonko as prime minister after winning the election.

TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney drew comparisons Monday between an upcoming Alberta independence vote and Britain’s Brexit decision, describing the provincial referendum as a potentially “dangerous bluff.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced last week that residents will vote October 19th on whether the oil-rich province should remain part of Canada or pursue constitutional measures toward holding a binding separation referendum.

Drawing from his Brexit experience as Bank of England governor in 2016, Carney helped steer the central bank through Britain’s European Union departure process.

“I saw firsthand what happened in the United Kingdom when the view was, ‘Vote for this, it’ll be soft and then we’ll negotiate, etc.,’ Carney said. “They’re still 10 years later trying to undo what people didn’t think they were voting for, but what they ended up having.”

The referendum proposal wasn’t part of Smith’s party platform during their most recent provincial election campaign.

Carney expressed concern that the vote undermines his efforts to bring investment into Canada, questioning its democratic legitimacy.

“Is it the democratic will of Albertans? Did they vote for this in the last provincial election? No, they didn’t. It wasn’t on the ballot paper,” Carney said.

Smith has publicly stated her preference for Alberta to stay within Canada. Observers have noted similarities between her position and former British Prime Minister David Cameron’s approach to Brexit — using the referendum to manage internal party divisions while personally opposing separation.

Carney is currently working to develop a new oil pipeline connecting Alberta to Canada’s Pacific coastline. Alberta residents have historically criticized Ottawa for insufficient efforts to connect the province’s substantial oil resources with Asian markets.

“We have to be very careful about this. There’s a very strong positive case for Canada, a strong Alberta in a united Canada,” Carney said. “I look forward to making that case with many, many other Albertans and Canadians over the course of the next 150 days.”

In response to Carney’s Monday remarks, Smith maintained that separation decisions belong exclusively to Alberta residents.

“Albertans’ frustrations have been fueled by the last 10 years of disastrous policies from Ottawa under … Justin Trudeau,” Smith said in a statement from her office, referencing the previous prime minister.

“I would also remind all Canadians that we should not dismiss the legitimate grievances of Albertans. Instead, we should focus on addressing these issues, restoring hope in Canada, and demonstrating that our country can work and is working.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney strongly criticized Israel’s treatment of detained activists during a conversation with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday, according to a statement from Carney’s office.

Carney described the handling of civilians aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla as “appalling” and characterized the Gaza situation as “catastrophic” during the diplomatic exchange.

“The Prime Minister reiterated that the appalling treatment of civilians, including Canadian citizens, aboard the Gaza-bound flotilla was unacceptable, and he called for an independent investigation,” the official statement read.

The Canadian leader also restated his country’s stance against unauthorized Israeli settlement growth, violence by settlers in the West Bank, and attacks on Palestinian civilians, according to the statement.

While Carney had previously criticized Israel’s flotilla response last week, Monday’s comprehensive rebuke demonstrates the growing tension between Israel and some of its traditional allies.

Israeli embassy officials in Ottawa could not be reached for immediate response.

Flotilla organizers report that activists faced mistreatment during detention, with several requiring hospital care for injuries and at least 15 alleging sexual violence, including rape. Israel’s prison service has rejected these claims.

Israel’s ambassador to Canada recently told the Globe and Mail that diplomatic relations between the two nations had reached their lowest point in history.

In a related development, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand revealed she spoke with Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar on Monday, informing him that Ottawa would share evidence of Canadian citizens’ mistreatment aboard the flotilla.

“I raised that denying Canadian citizens access to consular services while they were detained violates the Vienna Convention and must never happen again,” Anand wrote on social media platform X.

Saar responded by claiming the activists were motivated by Hamas and criticized Canada’s handling of antisemitic incidents.

“I also highlighted the horrific antisemitic wave in Canada — an average of 19 incidents a day. The Canadian government must take steps against antisemitic incitement and attacks,” Saar posted on X.

Israeli warplanes conducted bombing missions against Hezbollah positions throughout Lebanon, including targets in the eastern Bekaa Valley region, on Monday evening after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to escalate military operations against the Lebanese militant organization.

The prime minister’s pledge followed recent weeks of Hezbollah deploying fiber optic drones against Israeli military personnel in southern Lebanon and northern Israel – the same type of weaponry that has been extensively utilized during the conflict in Ukraine.

“We will hit them. It’s true that they are shooting drones at us, fiber optic drones. We have a special team working on that and we will solve that too,” Netanyahu said in a video posted on social media. “What this requires of us now is to increase the blows, to increase the intensity. We will smite them hip and thigh.”

Following Netanyahu’s social media statement, some civilians began evacuating Beirut’s southern neighborhoods where Hezbollah maintains a significant presence, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. The same agency reported multiple bombing runs targeted the eastern community of Mashghara in the Bekaa area Monday evening.

Hezbollah announced it conducted eight separate operations during the day, including launching a drone strike against Israeli soldiers stationed in Misgav Am in northern Israel.

These daily exchanges of fire between both forces have continued even with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that took effect on April 17.

A U.S. State Department official reported Monday that Hezbollah has disregarded multiple calls to cease attacking Israel, including a recent ultimatum. The official, who lacked authorization to speak publicly and requested anonymity, stated that Israel cannot be expected to passively endure assaults on its military personnel and citizens.

The official revealed that since the ceasefire began, Hezbollah has launched more than a thousand drones and over 700 rockets in an effort to disrupt ongoing diplomatic discussions between Lebanon and Israel, describing “the status quo is untenable.”

Lebanon and Israel initiated their first face-to-face negotiations in over thirty years last month through meetings conducted in Washington. Military representatives from both Lebanese and Israeli forces are scheduled to reconvene Friday at the Pentagon to review the ceasefire agreement. Both Israel and the United States are working toward Hezbollah’s disarmament.

The State Department official explained that the direct diplomatic engagement between Lebanon and Israel, along with the possibility of substantial U.S. assistance to Lebanon, poses a challenge to the Iran-supported Hezbollah and undermines its anti-Israel resistance messaging.

“A successful ceasefire led by the government of Lebanon would strip Hezbollah of their power and their narrative,” the official said.

Earlier Monday, an Israeli bombing attack on the southern community of Kfar Rumman resulted in four deaths and three injuries, the Lebanese NNA documented. Additional Israeli drone operations in southern areas – including an attack on a roadway near Kfar Rumman’s municipal center – caused three more fatalities.

Israeli military officials confirmed striking more than 70 Hezbollah infrastructure locations throughout Monday.

The current Israel-Hezbollah conflict started March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets toward northern Israel, occurring two days following the commencement of U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran.

Lebanese Health Ministry data shows more than 3,000 people have died in Lebanon during the recent hostilities. Additionally, 22 Israeli soldiers and one defense contractor have been killed in or around southern Lebanon, while two civilians have died in northern Israel, according to Netanyahu’s office.

HAVANA, May 25 – Cuban officials on Monday made public the full roster of inmates who were freed during a prisoner release program in April, which took place while the island nation engaged in complex diplomatic talks with the United States.

In April, Cuba announced plans to release more than 2,000 inmates from its correctional facilities, marking the second prisoner amnesty declared by the communist-led administration this year.

Prior to Monday’s announcement, officials had not disclosed the names of those who benefited from the release program.

Iranian news agencies reported Monday that multiple explosions were detected in coastal regions of Iran near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, though officials have not determined what caused the blasts.

According to Tasnim news agency, three separate explosions were detected in the port city of Bandar Abbas. Meanwhile, Fars news agency reported that comparable explosive sounds were registered near the towns of Sirik and Jask, both located close to the crucial maritime passage.

Iranian authorities have not yet provided an explanation for the source of the explosions in the area.

Hospital officials in Gaza report that an Israeli airstrike on Monday resulted in the deaths of a Palestinian woman and a young girl in the southern region of the territory.

According to the Kuwait field hospital that treated the victims, the attack targeted a temporary shelter housing a displaced family in Muwasi, located on Khan Younis’ western edge. Medical staff confirmed that another young girl sustained injuries in the incident.

Israeli military officials acknowledged conducting a strike against what they described as a militant target, though they provided no additional information about the operation.

These deaths add to the ongoing casualties among Palestinians in the territory following an October ceasefire agreement that sought to end more than two years of conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant Hamas group controlling Gaza. Despite the reduction in major combat operations, the fragile truce continues to experience nearly continuous Israeli military action.

Since the ceasefire began, Israeli military operations including repeated aerial bombardments and regular gunfire targeting Palestinians in proximity to military-controlled areas have resulted in over 880 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

While the ministry operates under Hamas leadership, United Nations agencies and independent experts generally consider its casualty reporting credible. However, the ministry does not distinguish between civilian and militant fatalities in its counts.

Palestinian militants have conducted armed attacks against Israeli forces, with Israel justifying its military responses as necessary to address ceasefire violations or protect its personnel from threats. Israeli military casualties since the truce began total four soldiers.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov contacted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio by phone on Monday to inform him of Moscow’s plan to target military-connected locations in Kyiv, according to an announcement from Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

The ministry released a statement indicating that Lavrov explained the action to Rubio as a response “in response to the continuing terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime against the peaceful population and civilian sites on Russian territory.”

According to the statement, Russian military forces “are starting systematic strikes on facilities located in Kyiv that are used for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as on centres where the corresponding decisions are being made.”

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition secured a surprising victory in Venice’s mayoral race on Monday, according to election projections, maintaining their grip on Italy’s most high-profile city in nationwide local elections.

The electoral contest took place across more than 600 Italian municipalities, marking the government’s first major political test following a significant loss in a justice referendum this past March – a defeat that represented Meloni’s biggest political setback since assuming office in 2022.

Venice, which has remained under right-wing leadership for ten years, appeared headed for a political shift based on recent polling data that indicated the center-left held a commanding position. The city recently faced diplomatic tensions regarding Russia’s participation in the Biennale Art Festival.

Despite the polling predictions, center-right candidate Simone Venturini captured approximately 51% of voter support, latest projections indicated, significantly outpacing his primary challenger who received 39%. This margin eliminated the need for a runoff election that occurs when no candidate reaches the 50% threshold.

Polling firm Youtrend declared Venturini the winner, stating his substantial lead made the election outcome certain.

Giovanni Donzelli, a high-ranking member of Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, commented on the victory: “(Opposition) turned up in Venice convinced they could push the narrative that Meloni was finished, that the centre-right was in crisis. Then Italians went to the polls and those expectations ran up against reality.”

These local elections represent some of the final contests before national elections scheduled for next year, with political analysts viewing the two major coalitions as evenly matched in a competition that will determine the country’s political direction through 2027.

In other election results, Vincenzo De Luca secured his fifth consecutive term in Salerno, located near the Amalfi Coast in southern Campania, after previously completing a decade as regional governor within a center-left alliance.

The Sicilian city of Messina saw former Mayor Federico Basile, who operates independently of the major coalitions, win another term. Meanwhile, the center-right achieved significant gains in Reggio Calabria, displacing leftist leadership that had controlled the city since 2014.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Monday that his country has encountered significant obstacles in discussions with America about boosting missile defense manufacturing capabilities.

“Unfortunately, there has been no progress for a long time with America regarding the expansion of anti-ballistic missile production,” he stated during his evening video address.

“We are trying to accelerate this work in Europe, the production of our own anti-ballistic systems on the continent in sufficient quantities.”

The Ukrainian leader emphasized that his nation continues diplomatic discussions with America about potential assistance, noting that American leadership remains crucial to Ukraine’s defense efforts.

Zelenskiy expressed appreciation to French President Emmanuel Macron for his contributions to developing defense systems and highlighted Europe’s significant role in providing financial support for Ukraine’s weapons procurement.

“Europe is helping us financially. But the leadership of the United States is also very much needed. Today it is very, very important to say this,” he remarked.

While acknowledging gratitude for American technical knowledge, Zelenskiy stressed the importance of achieving tangible outcomes. “Very important that there are results. The same applies to diplomacy. We expect new diplomatic measures with representatives of the President of the United States of America.”

American-led diplomatic efforts to reach a resolution in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has persisted for more than four years, have encountered delays as attention has shifted toward the war with Iran. Last week, Zelenskiy indicated he anticipated fresh American proposals for advancing peace negotiations.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A new military draft law in Cambodia is now active, establishing prison terms as long as five years for individuals who dodge mandatory service, according to the country’s Prime Minister Hun Manet, who announced the development Monday.

Senate president Hun Sen signed the legislation Saturday while serving as interim head of state as King Norodom Sihamoni receives treatment in China for prostate cancer.

The push for updated conscription rules came after deadly border clashes with Thailand that erupted on two occasions last year, killing roughly 100 individuals and forcing hundreds of thousands from their homes.

The updated legislation features eight chapters and 20 articles, taking the place of a 2006 law that was never put into practice and had become obsolete. Under the new rules, Cambodian males between 18 and 25 must complete two years of military duty, while females can volunteer for service. Those called to serve have 30 days to report after notification or face charges for avoiding service, unless they have legitimate reasons for absence.

Punishment for dodging service depends on whether the nation is experiencing peace or conflict.

In times of peace, violators could receive six months to two years behind bars plus fines between $250 and $1,000. If the country faces war or foreign invasion, sentences jump to two to five years in prison with fines from $1,000 to $2,500.

The law provides exceptions for monks, priests, disabled individuals and people with specialized expertise in science and technology. Following completion of mandatory service, citizens join reserve units until reaching age 45.

Speaking to legislators earlier this month, Hun Manet characterized the law as a framework for shaping young Cambodians’ thinking to develop love for their homeland, build patriotic feelings and create readiness to serve militarily in defense of the nation.

Iran’s president has directed the restoration of global internet connectivity following an almost three-month restriction period, according to state media outlets reporting Monday.

The directive was confirmed by the head of public relations at Iran’s Communications Ministry, though details about the timeline and implementation process remain unclear.

According to internet monitoring group NetBlocks, Iranian citizens have been largely cut off from worldwide web access for 87 days as of Monday. Only a small number of residents with costly and sophisticated VPN technology have been able to bypass the restrictions.

The initial internet shutdown began January 8 in response to widespread anti-government demonstrations across the country. Service had started returning to normal in February before officials implemented another blackout on February 28, coinciding with military strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran.

Even during typical periods, Iranian internet access faces significant limitations through website censorship. Government officials have increasingly shifted toward using a domestic intranet system to deliver online services without depending on global internet infrastructure, particularly for educational institutions currently operating with digital learning programs.

The United States and Iran are reportedly negotiating an agreement that would lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz approximately one month following a peace deal between the two nations, according to a report published Monday by the Nikkei newspaper citing a Middle East diplomatic source.

Under the proposed arrangement, Iran would spend a 30-day period removing mines from the strategic waterway after reaching an agreement, the report states. Once this process is completed, vessels from all nations would regain the ability to travel through the strait without restrictions or safety concerns, and Iran would cease charging transit fees, according to Nikkei.

The publication also reported that the ceasefire established in early April would receive a 60-day extension, during which time negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program would take place throughout the two-month period.

Canada’s Prime Minister issued a stern warning Monday about Alberta’s upcoming referendum on potentially leaving the country, describing the non-binding vote as potentially becoming “a dangerous bluff.”

The western oil-producing province announced last week its intention to hold a non-binding referendum this October asking residents whether they want Alberta to stay part of Canada.

Drawing from his experience during Britain’s exit from the European Union, the Prime Minister referenced the ongoing complications from that 2016 decision. “I saw firsthand what happened in the United Kingdom … They’re still 10 years later trying to undo what people didn’t think they were voting for, but what they ended up having,” he stated.

October’s ballot will ask Albertans if their province should continue as part of Canada or if officials should begin constitutional procedures needed for a future binding independence vote.

“Is it helpful to ask these fundamental questions? No, it’s not helpful, of course it’s not,” the Prime Minister told reporters. “Is it the democratic will of Albertans? Did they vote for this in the last provincial election? No, they didn’t.”

Alberta’s right-of-center United Conservative Party made no mention of separation during their successful 2023 provincial campaign.

A new Angus Reid survey released Monday shows 60% of Alberta residents would choose to remain in Canada, with 67% opposing a binding independence referendum if one were eventually scheduled.

Separation supporters cite frustration with environmental policies from the Prime Minister’s predecessor, which they claim damaged Alberta’s oil and gas sector. The current Prime Minister has reversed several of those environmental measures since assuming office in March 2025.

Having served as governor of the Bank of England during Brexit, the Prime Minister cautioned against arguments that supporting a non-binding vote would improve Alberta’s negotiating position with Ottawa.

“This is an observation from experience. In these separation issues, it’s often advanced that, ‘Vote for this, and it’s a free option, vote for this, and we will strengthen our hand in future negotiation.’ That is a very dangerous bluff,” he explained.

This October vote would represent the first instance in Canadian history where a province other than Quebec has presented separation as a public question.

The referendum is anticipated to create divisions both within Alberta and across Canada, as the Prime Minister works to maintain national unity while addressing U.S. trade tariffs and upcoming negotiations for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

Armed groups carried out two devastating attacks in Nigeria’s Kwara state over the weekend, resulting in three deaths and the kidnapping of 25 people, according to local authorities.

The first assault occurred around 2 a.m. Sunday morning in Yashikira, located in the Baruten local government area close to Nigeria’s northwestern border. Police described the incident as a well-planned coordinated strike.

Armed attackers targeted the police divisional headquarters, but officers successfully fought off the assault, according to a statement from the Kwara State Police Command. However, during the same operation, the gunmen torched portions of the Emir of Yashikira’s palace and kidnapped 10 local residents before fleeing to parts unknown.

Police Commissioner Ojo Adekimi announced that security forces have initiated a comprehensive search operation combining military personnel, forest guards and local vigilantes. The mission focuses on combing through nearby wooded areas and suspected criminal hideouts to free the hostages and capture the perpetrators.

In a separate incident, authorities confirmed another attack occurred late Friday in the Ekiti local government area. Gunmen opened fire on worshippers conducting an overnight prayer vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, killing three people and taking 15 others captive.

A local pastor reported the Friday night assault, stating the attackers invaded the religious gathering around 8:30 p.m., firing randomly before forcing victims to leave with them.

Law enforcement officials said they have deployed specialized tactical units, including drone operators and mobile force specialists, to conduct rescue missions and pursue the attackers.

Kwara state, situated in Nigeria’s north-central area, has increasingly experienced violence from armed criminal organizations locally known as bandits in recent years. These groups typically operate throughout forested border territories and frequently engage in kidnapping schemes to collect ransom payments.

A controversial Turkish appeals court decision has removed opposition leader Ozgur Ozel from his leadership role, creating a significant political upheaval that has disrupted financial markets and may extend President Tayyip Erdogan’s 23-year tenure in power.

The May 21 court decision represents the latest development in an ongoing government offensive targeting the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), which has resulted in the arrest or imprisonment of hundreds of party members and multiple mayors.

Opposition Response and Street Protests

The CHP has denounced the appeals court decision as a “judicial coup,” with Ozel pledging to challenge the ruling through legal channels.

Following a police action involving tear gas that forced him from party headquarters on May 24, Ozel proceeded to parliament and declared that the CHP would now be “on the streets, in the squares, marching towards power.”

Other opposition groups have also criticized the decision as undemocratic, though Erdogan ally Devlet Bahceli suggested courts should avoid interfering in party internal affairs.

The pro-Kurdish DEM, which holds the third-largest parliamentary presence, condemned the ruling and called the police action at CHP headquarters a “disgrace to democracy.”

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek defended the court’s action, stating it showed democracy’s self-correcting mechanisms and rule of law were working properly, a position supported by a spokesperson for Erdogan’s ruling AK Party (AKP).

The European Union expressed concerns about rule of law, judicial independence and democratic pluralism in Turkey, an EU membership candidate, emphasizing that opposition parties must operate freely without facing repression.

Political analysts consider the ruling a critical test of the democratic-autocratic balance in NATO member Turkey and believe it could extend Erdogan’s time in office.

The political crisis caused market turbulence, weakening the lira and other Turkish investments and forcing the central bank to sell billions in foreign reserves, though markets recovered the following day.

Central Political Figures

Ozel assumed the CHP chairmanship through a party congress in 2023, succeeding Kemal Kilicdaroglu. He has organized anti-Erdogan demonstrations since the detention of Erdogan’s primary political opponent, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

The court ruling has restored Kilicdaroglu to CHP leadership. The controversial figure headed the party for 13 years and lost his leadership position after his 2023 presidential election loss to Erdogan.

Imamoglu was imprisoned in March 2025 facing corruption and additional charges including espionage and terrorism, all of which he firmly denies. His university credentials were also invalidated, making him ineligible under Turkish law to seek the presidency.

Erdogan has reached his constitutional term limits and can only seek reelection if an early election occurs or the constitution is modified. He currently lacks the required 360 members in the 600-seat parliament needed for a referendum. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2028.

Timeline of Government Actions

The crackdown began on October 31, 2024, when Ahmet Ozer, the CHP mayor of Istanbul’s Esenyurt district, was imprisoned pending trial over suspected connections to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant organization, before his release on November 12, 2025 with proceedings still ongoing.

Hundreds of party members and elected officials have faced detention since 2024 on corruption and other allegations, which the CHP rejects. Imamoglu’s March 2025 arrest triggered significant market decline and Turkey’s biggest demonstrations in ten years.

The CHP, fellow opposition parties, rights organizations and some European officials characterize the crackdown as a politically motivated effort to silence opposition under Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian governance. Government officials reject these claims, maintaining Turkey’s judicial system operates independently.

Imamoglu, whose legal proceedings continue, confronts additional allegations of espionage and insulting chief prosecutor Gurlek, whom Erdogan appointed as justice minister earlier this year.

Gurlek has previously sought a prison term exceeding 2,000 years for Imamoglu, claiming he directed an extensive corruption scheme that cost the government billions of lira, allegations the Istanbul mayor categorically denies.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has begun preventive radiation therapy following a diagnosis of early-stage skin cancer, according to his medical team and presidential office announced Monday.

The 80-year-old leftist leader underwent surgery on April 24 to remove a basal cell lesion.

Medical staff at the Sirio-Libanes Hospital released a statement saying they “decided to proceed with complementary treatment with preventive, superficial radiotherapy on the scalp.” The doctors noted that the president will continue his normal daily responsibilities without any limitations.

A presidential spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that the “small” lesion was identified as early-stage cancer. The president will complete 15 radiotherapy treatments designed to prevent additional lesions from developing.

The president is anticipated to seek a fourth non-consecutive term in the October election and currently holds a lead over right-wing opponent Flavio Bolsonaro in multiple polling surveys for a possible second-round runoff.

As Brazil’s oldest serving president, he has faced several health challenges, including emergency surgical procedures in 2024 to address and prevent brain bleeding. In 2011, the president received treatment for throat cancer.

Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party on Monday criticized a court decision that removed leadership of the country’s main opposition party, describing a police raid that forced leaders from their headquarters as shameful for democratic principles.

Security forces deployed tear gas and stormed the Republican People’s Party headquarters in Ankara on Sunday, removing ousted leader Ozgur Ozel. His party has characterized the court decision as an attack on democracy and promised to challenge it.

The DEM Party, which holds the third-largest number of seats in parliament, joined other opposition groups in denouncing the appeals court decision as undemocratic.

After meeting with Ozel at parliament, DEM Party co-chair Tuncer Bakirhan described the police actions as “shameful and unacceptable,” stating the security forces’ response represented “a disgrace to democracy and a scandal for the rule of law.”

“The fate of political parties should not be determined by courts; it should be determined by their members and the choices of their voters,” Bakirhan added.

The DEM Party ranks as the third-largest parliamentary group, trailing the Republican People’s Party and President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party.

The party has worked to broker peace negotiations between Turkish authorities and the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a conflict that has claimed over 40,000 lives since 1984.

However, the DEM has criticized government management of peace efforts, demanding more substantial democratic reforms. The party has expressed concern that the crackdown on opposition forces undermines public confidence in the peace process.

Thursday’s court ruling removed Ozel by invalidating results from the 2023 party congress where he won leadership, citing procedural violations, and restored former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who lost to Erdogan in that year’s presidential race.

The Republican People’s Party accused the court of functioning as an extension of the governing party.

Following his departure from party headquarters Sunday, Ozel organized a demonstration march to the national parliament, declaring to assembled supporters that the legislature would serve as their temporary base “until this struggle frees the party from occupation.”

Omer Celik, spokesman for Erdogan’s AK Party, dismissed criticism of the court ruling Monday.

“Today’s events simply involve the judiciary investigating and reaching a conclusion regarding certain allegations that emerged as a result of internal conflicts and struggles within the CHP,” Celik said.

This controversy unfolds during an extraordinary legal campaign targeting the Republican People’s Party, which polls similarly to Erdogan’s conservative, Islamic-oriented AK Party.

Since 2024, hundreds of party members and elected officials, including Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu who serves as the party’s expected presidential nominee, have been arrested on corruption allegations the party disputes.

Turkey’s next nationwide election is scheduled for 2028, though it would require earlier scheduling if Erdogan, now 72 and facing constitutional term restrictions, seeks another candidacy.

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz announced Monday that he will reduce his own salary along with his cabinet members’ compensation by 50% as the South American nation grapples with mounting civil disorder and calls for his ouster.

During remarks at a gathering in Sucre, Bolivia’s constitutional capital, Paz characterized the salary reductions as evidence of his administration’s “commitment to the country.”

The wage cuts follow nearly four weeks of ongoing political turmoil and civil demonstrations across Bolivia. The unrest has disrupted supply chains throughout La Paz and El Alto, creating critical shortages of essential items including food, fuel and medical supplies that have impacted retail outlets, healthcare facilities and fuel stations.

Demonstrators are demanding that Paz’s moderate administration reverse budget-cutting policies and tackle escalating costs of living.

Paz, who assumed the presidency in November after inheriting significant economic challenges, has maintained that reducing government spending and cutting fuel subsidies are essential steps to restore fiscal stability.

Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned on Monday the potential agreement under discussion between the United States and Iran, stating it accomplishes none of Israel’s objectives for the conflict while criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his inability to secure more favorable terms.

Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, Lapid, who leads an alliance working to remove Netanyahu from office in upcoming elections this year, described the specifics of the potential agreement as “troubling.”

“The deal is bad for Israel, bad for the region, bad for the citizens of Iran,” Lapid stated.

The conflict began February 28 with Israel and the United States declaring their intention to dismantle Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, halt its backing of proxy militant organizations throughout the region, and eliminate Iran’s capacity to develop nuclear weapons. Both Netanyahu and President Donald Trump also expressed hopes of creating circumstances that would lead to the overthrow of Iran’s current government.

Regional officials report that the current agreement under consideration would require Iran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz. In return, the U.S. would end its blockade of Iranian ports and remove sanctions against the country. Critical aspects of Iran’s nuclear program would be addressed through negotiations over a 60-day timeframe. Whether the agreement will tackle Iran’s missile capabilities or its backing of regional militant organizations remains uncertain.

While Lapid thanked Trump for initiating the conflict alongside Israel, he faulted Netanyahu for permitting Washington to pursue negotiations with minimal coordination with Israeli leadership.

“The Israeli government is at an all-time low in its ability to influence decisions in Washington,” he stated, referencing Trump’s recent comment that “Netanyahu will do whatever I want him to do.”

The leader of the centrist “Yesh Atid” party, Lapid held the position of prime minister temporarily in 2022 through a power-sharing arrangement with Naftali Bennett, who heads a smaller conservative party. Their coalition administration brought Netanyahu’s 12-year tenure to an end.

The two politicians have again combined their parties into a unified faction under Bennett’s leadership as they work to defeat Netanyahu in elections scheduled by late October.

Since Netanyahu’s return to office in late 2022, Lapid has served as Israel’s opposition leader, while Bennett stepped away from political activities. Their partnership seeks to consolidate a divided opposition largely united by their mutual opposition to Netanyahu.

Among the dwindling number of Israeli political figures who advocate for Palestinian independence, Lapid indicated this matter would not be prioritized by the next administration. He cited inappropriate conditions following the devastating impact of the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and subsequent conflicts.

“There will be no two-state solution in the coming years, because Israelis now understand this will become just another failing terrorist state on our borders,” Lapid explained, adding that the Palestinian Authority lacks the capability to effectively stop attacks against Israel.

However, Lapid indicated he would resist unilateral actions that would eliminate the possibility of a future Palestinian state and had secured commitments from Bennett, a former West Bank settlement leader, that Israel would not pursue annexation of the occupied territory.

Lapid also dismissed the possibility of working with Arab parties to create a coalition capable of removing Netanyahu from power.

Polling data suggests Bennett and Lapid may be unable to establish a governing majority without support from Arab legislators, similar to their previous administration. They challenged a long-standing convention in 2021 by including Mansour Abbas, who leads a small Arab faction, in Israel’s governing coalition – marking the first and only occurrence in the nation’s history.

Lapid characterized his earlier collaboration with Abbas as “the right government for the moment,” but emphasized that Israel faces vastly different circumstances after almost three years of warfare, and he and Bennett will not form a coalition with Abbas’ party in the upcoming elections.

BEIJING (AP) — While tens of thousands of protesters clashed with police in his home country over the weekend, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic was in Beijing on Monday strengthening his nation’s relationship with China through high-level diplomatic meetings.

Vucic met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and the two leaders oversaw the execution of more than 20 cooperation deals spanning politics, trade, technology and education sectors, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. During their discussions, Xi emphasized that both nations should enhance their exchanges and collaborative efforts to elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership.

“China supports Serbia in persisting on a development path that suits its own national conditions, and is willing to strengthen exchanges of governance experience with Serbia,” CCTV quoted Xi as saying.

Xi also highlighted the importance of expanding collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital economy and green energy sectors to create new opportunities for growth.

A joint statement issued by Chinese official news agency Xinhua outlined both countries’ position that human rights issues should not be used for political purposes, while emphasizing their commitment to sovereign equality, multilateralism and adherence to international legal frameworks.

According to CCTV, Vucic expressed Serbia’s strong commitment to building relations with China and pledged unwavering support for China’s core interests. Xi presented him with a “friendship medal,” Xinhua reported.

The Serbian leader launched his five-day state visit to China on Sunday while confronting significant political challenges at home. Violence broke out between protest groups and riot police following Saturday’s massive anti-government demonstration that drew tens of thousands of opposition supporters to the Serbian capital of Belgrade.

Vucic has attempted to suppress the widespread demonstrations that have challenged his authoritarian governance in the Balkan nation. However, Saturday’s large turnout indicated that public opposition remains strong more than a year after protests initially began demanding accountability for a fatal train station collapse in November 2024.

The disaster has become a catalyst for widespread frustration with Serbia’s leadership and has sparked increasing public calls for transparency in the corruption-riddled country, which has implemented a rapid succession of major infrastructure developments, primarily through Chinese contractors.

While Serbia officially pursues European Union membership, the country has cultivated relationships with Russia and China. In an opinion piece Vucic published in the South China Morning Post newspaper on Sunday, he argued that European discussions about China are “too often clouded by suspicion and strategic anxiety.”

“I understand that every major political community must guard its future, but I believe Europe should approach China not with fear and suspicion but with confidence and a serious, open-eyed willingness to cooperate,” he wrote.

BRUSSELS, May 25 – Officials forced residents to leave their homes Monday after a textile warehouse caught fire in Turbize, Belgium, creating what the local mayor described as a substantial explosion threat from gas canisters stored in the facility.

The town council instructed other residents throughout Turbize to remain indoors with all windows and doors shut tight because of dangerous smoke from the blaze, according to information posted on the municipality’s website.

“Right now, we are evacuating everybody in the street, as there is a significant risk of explosion for the nearby houses because of the gas canisters inside the building,” mayor Samuel d’Orazio told local radio station RTBF.

The mayor explained that officials were conducting tests to determine the toxicity levels of the dense black smoke rising from the fire.

The safety warning to secure homes extended throughout a wide region west of Brussels as dangerous fumes continued spreading across the surrounding area.

Medical professionals working to contain Congo’s Ebola crisis are confronting a dangerous new challenge as violent incidents target treatment facilities, causing infected patients to escape into surrounding communities.

Three separate assaults have taken place in Ituri province, where initial cases emerged, including two weekend incidents at one hospital that resulted in more than 24 patients fleeing the facility.

These violent episodes echo the widespread targeting of medical centers during Congo’s 2018-2020 Ebola crisis in the eastern region, which resulted in over 25 healthcare worker fatalities.

Previous attacks involved community members angry about burial restrictions or those believing the disease was fabricated. The sudden arrival of resources and personnel in regions long overlooked during years of warfare and humanitarian disasters has created local skepticism about true intentions behind the heightened attention.

Dr Richard Lokodu, who leads the Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital that experienced attacks on both Saturday and Sunday, indicated similar patterns are emerging now.

“There is denial of the disease within the population, with some members wanting to claim the bodies of suspected and/or confirmed cases,” he said.

The World Health Organization has classified this outbreak of the uncommon Bundibugyo strain as the third-largest recorded and declared it a public health emergency of international concern.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported Sunday that more than 900 suspected cases have occurred during this outbreak, with 101 laboratory-confirmed infections.

On Monday, Tedros announced 220 suspected fatalities in the current crisis and noted that delayed case identification has left response teams “playing catch-up”.

At Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital in the town where numerous cases have emerged, 18 Ebola patients escaped Saturday after “unidentified individuals” set fire to isolation tents established by medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, according to Lokodu.

Laboratory testing of four escapees has returned three negative and one positive result, he reported.

“So we have one confirmed case of Ebola that continues to circulate in the community and evade the response,” Lokodu said.

Sunday brought four separate assault waves by youth organized by family members of a deceased Christian religious leader who died from Ebola, he explained.

Seven additional patients escaped while Congolese law enforcement and military forces intervened to restore calm, he said.

A critically ill suspected Ebola patient experiencing hemorrhaging died during the second assault while attempting to leave his bed, Lokodu reported.

Those conducting the attacks demanded release of deceased Ebola victims for burial purposes, according to Lokodu.

Ebola victims remain extremely contagious after death, and improper burials where family members contact bodies without adequate protective gear represent a primary transmission source.

Healthcare workers encountered several mob attacks during West Africa’s 2013-2016 outbreak, the largest recorded, with some accusers claiming medical staff were spreading the disease.

However, such incidents dramatically increased during eastern Congo’s 2018-2020 outbreak in a region characterized by widespread violence and distrust toward official institutions.

Beyond spontaneous community anger, research revealed many attacks were conducted by armed groups seeking to exploit the outbreak for political and economic advantage.

The present outbreak reportedly began in Ituri before expanding to North and South Kivu provinces, including territories controlled by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, and crossing into neighboring Uganda.

Monday brought two additional confirmed Ebola cases in Uganda, raising that country’s total to seven infections.

President Trump has made it clear that any potential agreement with Iran must meet his standards of being exceptional and significant, or no deal will be reached at all.

The president shared his position this morning through a Truth Social post as reports surface that some form of agreement may be developing – described as a potential Memorandum of Understanding that could require several days to finalize.

President Trump is criticizing those who oppose a potential agreement to resolve the current tensions with Iran.

Through his social media platform, the president states that those finding fault with the proposed arrangement lack understanding of the situation. Various conflicting reports have emerged regarding what terms have been settled.

The timeline and process for completing any agreement remains uncertain, as does when different components might go into effect. The president held discussions with Middle Eastern allies, including Israel, during the weekend. These details come from two regional officials and a U.S. official who requested anonymity due to the delicate nature of the ongoing negotiations.

A delegation from Iran headed by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made the trip to Qatar on Monday as negotiations continue, although the specific topics for discussion were not immediately known. Qalibaf previously conducted significant direct negotiations with Vice President JD Vance in Pakistan last month.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A leading Cambodian opposition figure was freed from house arrest Monday after receiving a royal pardon that overturned his 27-year treason conviction, just one month following an appeals court’s decision to uphold both his guilty verdict and sentence.

The Senate president, Hun Sen, acting in place of King Norodom Sihamoni while the monarch receives medical care in China during an extended visit, granted the pardon that released Kem Sokha from his confinement.

In a post shared on Telegram, Prime Minister Hun Manet characterized the pardoning decision as a measure to promote national unity. Kem Sokha has not yet made any public statements regarding his release.

Political analysts suggest this development will have minimal impact on Cambodia’s political landscape, given that other prominent opposition leaders remain in exile while activists continue facing limitations on their freedom of expression and activities.

The opposition leader’s conviction came in 2023 after spending an extended period in pretrial custody. Authorities alleged he plotted with the United States to overthrow Cambodia’s ruling government. Prosecutors relied heavily on video footage showing him receiving political guidance from American pro-democracy organizations.

Kem Sokha has maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings, telling the appeals court last month that he had never conspired with any foreign country to cost the lives of Cambodian citizens or the loss of national territory.

His 2017 detention triggered a widespread government campaign targeting independent journalists and political adversaries, particularly affecting Kem Sokha’s well-supported Cambodia National Rescue Party.

Following his arrest in 2017, the Supreme Court disbanded the political party. This action enabled Hun Sen’s governing Cambodian People’s Party to claim every parliamentary position in the 2018 electoral contest.

When Kem Sokha faced arrest and conviction, Hun Sen held the prime minister’s office. In 2023, Hun Sen transitioned to Senate president while his son, Hun Manet, assumed the role of prime minister.

Throughout his 38-year tenure leading Cambodia, Hun Sen faced persistent allegations of weaponizing the court system against critics and political rivals. Despite government claims of upholding legal principles within a democratic electoral framework, the judiciary has repeatedly dismantled opposition parties viewed as threats and imprisoned or intimidated their leadership.

Critics maintain that conditions have shown little improvement under Hun Manet’s leadership.

At the end of April, the Phnom Penh Appeals Court upheld Kem Sokha’s 27-year punishment after a significantly delayed appeals hearing. The court imposed an additional restriction preventing him from international travel for five years beyond his sentence completion. The current status of this travel ban remains uncertain.

Earlier Monday, before the pardon announcement, Kem Sokha had received court approval to visit his sick 101-year-old mother.

While he avoided media interviews, his attorney shared social media footage showing him embracing his mother and expressing that if freed, he would join the Buddhist monkhood in her honor. He also stated he would not pursue retribution against those responsible for his imprisonment.

Former President Donald Trump announced Monday that he believes several Middle Eastern nations should be required to sign the Abraham Accords simultaneously as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran.

Speaking about weekend conversations with foreign leaders, Trump said he discussed the normalization agreements with officials from Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, along with representatives from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, who have already signed the accords establishing diplomatic relations with Israel.

“I stated that, after all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform Monday.

The former president indicated that these nations would welcome Iran’s participation in the accords following the completion of a peace agreement to end current conflicts.

While Trump described talks with Iran as “proceeding nicely,” he provided no timeline or details suggesting an agreement might be reached soon.

A British mountaineer who recently achieved his 20th successful climb of Mount Everest is calling on expedition companies to more carefully evaluate the qualifications of those attempting the dangerous journey.

Kenton Cool, age 52, completed his latest ascent of the world’s tallest peak at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet) last week, setting a record for most summits by a non-Sherpa climber. Speaking from Kathmandu on Monday, he emphasized that expedition leaders need to be more selective about which climbers they accept for summit attempts.

“It is the operators who should be more diligent with who they allow to be with the team (of guides) that goes to the summit,” Cool stated, highlighting the importance of screening out climbers with insufficient experience.

This climbing season has already seen five fatalities on Everest, with several mountaineers requiring emergency rescue operations from the dangerous high-altitude area known as the “death zone” during their descent.

Cool believes the mountain itself isn’t inherently dangerous when proper protocols are followed, including working with qualified guides, using correct techniques, and implementing thorough preparation strategies.

“People should not die on Everest if they have good enough experience,” Cool explained.

The safety concerns have intensified following last week’s unprecedented milestone when 274 climbers successfully reached the summit on the same day – the highest single-day total ever recorded from Nepal’s side of the mountain.

This massive influx of climbers has reignited discussions about the dangers of overcrowding on Everest and renewed criticism that Nepal has previously encountered regarding mountain management.

The congestion often creates dangerous bottlenecks and extended waiting periods in the “death zone,” where oxygen levels fall far below what humans need to survive safely.

Nepalese authorities have recognized these hazards stemming from crowded conditions and inexperienced climbers, responding with stricter regulations and increased permit costs.

Cool, whose first Everest summit occurred in 2004, noted that mountaineering conditions have evolved significantly due to technological advances.

According to Cool, Sherpa guides now have better understanding of their clients, rope installation has become more systematic and reliable, and improvements in gear, communication systems, and weather prediction have enhanced safety.

While Cool acknowledged that passing other climbers at the congested Hillary Step bottleneck during summit attempts remains challenging due to crowds, he described the situation as ultimately manageable.

Earlier this season, a massive ice formation caused nearly two weeks of delays in opening the climbing route, leaving hundreds of mountaineers stranded at base camp throughout April.

However, Cool praised the skilled Sherpas from the “Icefall Doctors” team and the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal for completing rope installations to the summit on schedule despite the initial setbacks.

“It is much more professional than last year,” Cool concluded.

Provincial authorities in Pakistan report that a devastating suicide attack on a passenger train has claimed the lives of more than 30 individuals, marking another deadly incident in the country’s ongoing security crisis.

The attack occurred Sunday when a suicide bomber crashed a vehicle packed with explosives into a shuttle train in Quetta, the capital of southwestern Pakistan’s restive province. Two provincial officials, who requested anonymity because they lacked authorization to share the details publicly, confirmed Monday that fatalities had climbed beyond 30 from an initial count of 24.

The targeted train was transporting Pakistani security forces members and their relatives from Quetta’s military cantonment district. Passengers were connecting to the Jaffar Express for holiday travel to their hometowns for Eid al-Adha celebrations, according to an official.

The powerful blast caused the locomotive and three cars to derail, while two additional cars flipped over, Pakistan’s railways ministry reported. Photographs from the attack site revealed charred vehicles, overturned train cars, damaged homes, mangled metal and scattered wreckage along the railway line, with flames and smoke continuing to rise from the destruction.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has taken responsibility for the bombing, characterizing it as a suicide attack. Reuters was unable to independently confirm this claim.

Neither Pakistan’s civilian government nor its military leadership has issued an official casualty figure for the incident, which represents the most recent in an ongoing series of assaults targeting trains, security personnel and critical infrastructure.

The separatist organization has waged a multi-decade campaign over what it calls the unfair exploitation of natural resources in the mineral-wealthy province, arguing that residents are denied their rightful portion of the benefits.

The province shares borders with both Iran and Afghanistan and hosts Chinese development initiatives as well as the strategically important Gwadar deep-water port.

In a previous major incident last March, BLA fighters seized control of the same Jaffar Express while it carried army soldiers, holding hundreds of passengers captive before military forces ended the daylong siege. That confrontation resulted in 21 hostage deaths, four military casualties and the elimination of all 33 attackers.

Pakistani security forces announced earlier this year that they had eliminated 145 militants following coordinated strikes the group launched throughout the province that killed nearly 50 people.

NICOSIA, Cyprus — A Cypriot social media influencer who transformed his internet fame into a rapid-fire political rise announced Monday he will retain his position in the European Parliament, turning down a seat he won in Cyprus’ national legislature.

Fidias Panayiotou, known simply as Fidias, told reporters ahead of a ceremonial event that staying in the European Parliament would benefit his Direct Democracy party. “I’ll stay in the European Parliament because it would be good for the Direct Democracy party to have a European Parliament member,” he stated.

“We could’ve done better but we’re happy with what has happened, this is a small victory,” he added.

The 26-year-old YouTuber and TikToker kept observers guessing about his political intentions throughout his campaign, creating widespread speculation about his plans.

Fidias established the Direct Democracy party just six months ago with the goal of disrupting Cyprus’ traditional political establishment both domestically and internationally. The party’s approach allows regular citizens to participate in policy development and apply online to become candidates.

In Sunday’s parliamentary contest, Direct Democracy secured 5.4% of votes cast and claimed four positions in the 56-seat House. While Fidias received the highest vote count among his party’s nominees, he passed his seat to the second-place finisher, Yiannis Laouris.

The outcome represents a significant achievement for an organization that rejected conventional voter outreach methods and policy presentations. However, the results disappointed compared to Fidias’ earlier performance when nearly 20% of voters supported him in the June 2024 European Parliament race, despite his refusal to take policy stances, make campaign pledges, or outline governing plans.

“It seems now that people are hungry not for political positions, but for true people that are not lying, (but) saying the truth,” he explained to The Associated Press following the 2024 election.

Fidias built his following through years of attention-grabbing video content, including footage of lavish spending sprees in Vietnam, surviving a week in an airport without money, and remaining buried underground for 10 days.

His online breakthrough occurred when he persistently sought and obtained an embrace from billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who subsequently became a supporter.

Fidias has recognized that his internet stunts provided Cypriot voters—who have grown deeply frustrated with perceived corruption in a political system built on exchanging favors for votes over decades—a method to voice their dissatisfaction.

Using digital platforms as his main communication channel, Fidias has shared European Parliament operations with supporters, explained his voting decisions on various issues, and responded to increasing criticism from those who view him and his learning-as-he-goes approach as politically immature.

He has generated significant controversy for his apparent backing of discussions with Russia regarding the Ukraine conflict and for questioning the International Criminal Court’s characterization of Ukrainian children’s transfer to Russia as “unlawful deportation.”

Sunday’s parliamentary voting showed substantial gains for the ultranationalist National Popular Front, or ELAM, party, which captured nearly 11% of votes and eight seats—an increase from just under 7% and four seats in the prior election.

Emergency crews are working urgently against the clock to reach seven individuals who have remained stuck inside a cave in central Laos since the previous week.

The group of local residents from Xaisomboun province entered the cave on May 19 searching for gold, but intense rainfall caused flash flooding that sealed off their escape route, rescue teams from both Laos and Thailand reported.

On Monday, Bounkham Luanglath, who heads the Laos’ Rescue Volunteer for People, explained to The Associated Press that one member of the original group managed to get out before the entrance became blocked and notified emergency services. The condition of the seven individuals who remain trapped is currently unclear.

According to him, the cave consists of a tight passageway that local residents frequently visit while hunting for gold deposits. He noted that officials had consistently cautioned people not to enter the cave due to safety risks.

Lao National Radio, operated by the state, reported that rescue personnel from Thailand reached the location on Sunday to provide support. Diving teams have started making their way through the water-filled portions of the cave system toward the location where officials believe the group could be stranded.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos refused to provide comment. The Southeast Asian country operates as a single-party communist government without organized political opposition, and officials frequently restrict information flow.

Cambodia’s monarch has issued a royal pardon for former opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was serving time for a treason conviction, according to an official decree made public Monday.

The 72-year-old Kem Sokha, who helped establish the now-disbanded Cambodia National Rescue Party, had remained under house arrest following his treason conviction in March 2023. Authorities alleged he worked with foreign entities in a plot to remove then-premier Hun Sen from power.

Just last month, a Phnom Penh court confirmed his 27-year prison term and imposed a five-year travel restriction to take effect after his sentence concluded. The royal decree specified that the pardon covers only his original punishment.

Legal representatives for Kem Sokha could not be reached for immediate response regarding the pardon.

Kem Sokha’s prosecution stood out as one of the most high-profile cases in an extensive campaign against rivals of the Cambodian People’s Party, which has maintained control over Cambodia for more than 40 years.

American officials characterized his conviction as rooted in “fabricated conspiracy theories” when it was announced.

He remained one of the few opposition voices left in the Southeast Asian nation, as many others had fled following a 2017 Supreme Court decision that dissolved the CNRP.

Cambodia’s current administration, led by Hun Manet, the American- and British-educated son of the still-powerful former premier Hun Sen, rejects claims of political persecution and maintains that convicted individuals violated the law.

Hun Sen, who currently holds the position of senate president, executed the decree on behalf of King Norodom Sihamoni, who is receiving medical care for prostate cancer.

President Xi Jinping described China’s relationship with Pakistan as “unbreakable” during a Monday meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing, as both nations work to strengthen their comprehensive partnership.

The Chinese president greeted the Pakistani leader as an “old friend” during ceremonies at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, noting that both nations have “understood, trusted and supported each other” for many decades.

Pakistan holds a special status among the select nations that China considers an “all-weather strategic partner,” a designation that encompasses extensive economic, trade and security collaboration.

However, recent attacks by Islamist militants targeting Chinese citizens and infrastructure projects in southwestern Pakistan have created tensions with Beijing, while Pakistan’s improved relations with Washington have added complexity to the bilateral relationship.

“No matter how the international situation changes, China always prioritises the development of China-Pakistan relations in its neighbourhood diplomacy,” Xi stated.

According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, China expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan across multiple sectors including agriculture, industry, artificial intelligence and talent development.

Beijing indicated its readiness to collaborate with Pakistan in building a stronger China-Pakistan community with shared objectives, CCTV reported. The Chinese leader stressed the importance of maintaining high-level diplomatic exchanges and reinforcing strategic communication.

Prime Minister Sharif responded by describing China and Pakistan as “iron brother” nations with a relationship that is “next to none.”

Sharif traveled to Beijing alongside Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, who recently visited Tehran for discussions with Iranian leadership.

Following a fragile ceasefire in the Iran conflict established in April, Pakistan facilitated mediation discussions between Washington and Tehran, serving as an intermediary for proposals and communications between the two sides.

After several weeks of Pakistan’s diplomatic intervention, Washington has indicated advancement in negotiations with Tehran.

“I know that you have just returned from Iran and made positive efforts for the current peace. We still appreciate the constructive role played by Pakistan,” Xi remarked.

CCTV quoted Xi as saying both nations should pursue enhanced and more comprehensive security cooperation to support regional peace and stability, though he did not reference any particular conflict.

For Pakistan, involving China in its mediation activities holds significance given the close relationship between Beijing and Tehran.

In March, China and Pakistan released a joint initiative when their foreign ministers convened in Beijing, advocating for peace negotiations and the restoration of regular shipping operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Palestinian medical authorities reported Monday that an Israeli helicopter attack on a displacement camp in southern Gaza resulted in the deaths of two civilians, including a young child, while injuring 17 others.

Health officials identified the victims as six-year-old Mennatallah Abu Libda and 31-year-old Hanan Mahmoud, who were killed when the strike hit tents housing displaced families in the Mawasi section of Khan Younis in Gaza’s southern region.

According to witnesses at the scene, the assault involved two military helicopters.

Israeli military officials had not provided a response regarding the incident at the time of this report.

The deadly strike occurred despite a ceasefire agreement negotiated by U.S. President Donald Trump in October, which has not succeeded in stopping Israeli military operations in Gaza. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain stalled over implementing the agreement’s second phase, which would require the militant organization to disarm and Israeli forces to withdraw.

Under the current truce terms, Israel maintains authority over more than half of Gaza’s territory, while Hamas retains control of a narrow coastal strip.

Gaza health authorities report that approximately 900 Palestinians have died in Israeli military actions since the ceasefire took effect, though these numbers do not separate militant fighters from non-combatants.

Israeli military sources indicate that four of their soldiers have been killed by militants during this same timeframe.

Hamas has not released casualty figures for its fighters. Israeli officials state that their continued strikes after the ceasefire are designed to prevent attacks and stop individuals from approaching the armistice boundary with Hamas.

KYIV, Ukraine — The exiled opposition leader from Belarus traveled to Kyiv on Monday as Ukraine’s capital worked to recover from Russia’s most extensive missile bombardment this year, while international leaders monitored how much assistance the Belarusian government might offer to Moscow’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine.

Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya of Belarus reached Kyiv by rail for her inaugural trip to the Ukrainian capital, occurring one day after French President Emmanuel Macron conducted a telephone conversation with President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with authoritarian control for over thirty years.

The French president “underscored the risks for Belarus of allowing itself to be dragged into Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine,” according to a presidential aide in Macron’s office who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with the presidential palace’s practices.

Macron additionally held discussions on Sunday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has recently intensified warnings that Belarus might serve as a staging area for Russia to establish a new battlefront in northern Ukraine.

With the comprehensive invasion extending beyond four years, Russian forces remain engaged in a difficult and expensive campaign along the 1,250-kilometer (780-mile) battle line that primarily winds through eastern and southern Ukraine. Given the shortage of American-manufactured air defense missiles due to the Iran war, Ukrainian defenses face greater challenges stopping Russian projectiles.

American diplomatic initiatives to end the conflict have achieved minimal advancement and are currently at a standstill.

Sunday’s massive bombardment featured Russia’s advanced hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, capable of carrying multiple warheads. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed it can strike targets at velocities reaching Mach 10.

Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian intelligence agencies had been alerted by the United States and European nations that Russia was preparing to deploy an Oreshnik missile.

No fewer than 87 individuals sustained injuries in Kyiv, including three minors, during the attack, Zelenskyy announced Monday. Twenty-one people required hospitalization.

The fierce bombardment caused damage to structures throughout the city, including areas near government facilities, apartment buildings, educational institutions and a marketplace, Ukrainian officials reported. Broken glass remained scattered on walkways Monday.

Macron’s conversation with Lukashenko marked their first communication since 2022, shortly following Russia’s launch of the comprehensive invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, when Belarus’ administration permitted Moscow to utilize the nation’s land as a base for deploying forces into neighboring Ukraine.

A brief statement issued by the Belarusian presidential press office indicated the call occurred “on the French side’s initiative” and that both leaders addressed “regional issues” and Belarus’ relationships with the European Union and France.

Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, stated Sunday that France aims to prevent Belarus from becoming involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“The main goal — to warn Lukashenko that dragging Belarus into the war would be unacceptable,” Tsikhanouskaya told The Associated Press.

“Lukashenko’s regime knows well what needs to be done to improve ties with the European Union, but it isn’t happening, instead hybrid attacks, nuclear blackmail and threats to the entire region continue,” she said.

Lukashenko depends on the Kremlin for affordable energy, financial assistance and additional support. Russia and Belarus conducted joint nuclear exercises last week.

Zelenskyy has consistently cautioned that Belarus might expand its assistance to Moscow.

The estranged spouse of a former Scottish First Minister admitted guilt Monday for stealing more than $540,000 from the Scottish National Party during his time as the organization’s top executive.

Peter Murrell, age 62, was taken into custody following his confession at Edinburgh’s High Court that he misappropriated the funds to purchase a recreational vehicle, two automobiles, and high-end merchandise.

Authorities first detained Murrell in April 2023 during a probe into the party’s financial dealings, with formal charges filed against him in April 2024.

The former First Minister, who was a commanding presence in Scottish politics for nearly ten years, was exonerated of any misconduct last year, roughly two years following her surprise departure from leading Scotland’s semi-autonomous administration. Her tenure in that position lasted eight years.

Murrell and the former leader announced their marital separation last year, ending approximately 15 years together as husband and wife.

The financial probe created uncertainty around the former First Minister for nearly two years and sparked concerns about party governance as authorities examined how more than $810,000 earmarked for Scottish independence efforts was utilized.

A former party financial officer was also exonerated. Both he and the former First Minister were detained and questioned approximately three years ago before being released pending further investigation.

The former leader transformed her party into Scotland’s dominant political force and reshaped it from a single-focus organization into a governing powerhouse with progressive social policies. She steered her party through three nationwide elections and two Scottish contests, while guiding Scotland during the health crisis and earning recognition for her clear and thoughtful public communications.

However, she stepped down while the party faced internal conflicts, without achieving her primary objective of securing independence from the United Kingdom for the nation of 5.5 million residents.

Emergency crews transported 25 individuals to area hospitals Monday following reports that someone released an unidentified chemical near an upscale Tokyo shopping center, according to local fire officials.

Officials with the Tokyo Fire Department reported that 26 individuals suddenly experienced throat irritation and felt sick close to the Ginza Six retail complex, with 25 requiring hospital treatment. Authorities described the symptoms as minor in severity.

Both fire and police departments confirmed an active investigation is taking place. According to the widely-read Yomiuri newspaper, law enforcement has found evidence of pepper spray residue on building walls.

Emergency response teams deployed numerous fire trucks and ambulances to the scene, leading to temporary street closures in the vicinity. News broadcasts captured images of first responders in protective gear helping victims, including some individuals being evacuated from the structure.

Yuzo Tsuda, a 78-year-old Tokyo resident, spoke with The Associated Press about his experience. He explained that after finishing lunch with companions, he approached the shopping center due to the visible emergency activity when he experienced sudden throat discomfort and began coughing. “The ache in his throat subsided about an hour later and he did not plan to go to the hospital,” Tsuda stated.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s already fragile economy is facing a new crisis as conflict in the Strait of Hormuz has severed crucial supply lines, leaving businesses struggling and humanitarian aid organizations unable to deliver life-saving assistance.

The landlocked nation had already lost access to Pakistan’s key Karachi shipping hub when border disputes closed crossings between the two countries in late 2023. Afghan importers then shifted their operations to Iran’s Bandar Abbas port as an alternative route.

However, that backup plan quickly unraveled when warfare erupted in the strategic waterway, trapping hundreds of vessels and thousands of crew members. Simultaneously, thousands of containers destined for Afghanistan remained stranded in Pakistan.

The dual blockade has created a catastrophic situation for Afghan commerce and international relief efforts.

The World Food Program, which provides essential nutrition assistance including supplements for undernourished mothers and children plus fortified energy biscuits for students, has watched transportation expenses soar while supply deliveries ground to a halt.

According to the organization, most nutrition materials previously came through Pakistan. When that border shut down in October, shipments were redirected through Dubai and Iran by sea. However, that pathway became unusable as Tehran gained control over the strait while U.S. forces established blockades around Iranian ports.

Critical nutritional supplies steadily decreased before completely running out by mid-April.

“At a time when malnutrition is already at near-record levels, weakened and desperate mothers and children are being turned away from health clinics, as we have no food to give them,” said John Aylieff, WFP’s country director in Afghanistan.

The organization was already struggling with severe funding shortfalls, having received just 8% of its annual budget requirements this year.

“On top of a funding crisis, conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the border with Pakistan are choking WFP’s operations — blocking supply routes, driving up costs and straining markets at the worst possible time,” Aylieff said in emailed comments.

Relief supplies now must travel overland through Central Asian countries, completely avoiding ocean routes. This has caused WFP’s shipping expenses to triple, while supplement costs for malnourished mothers and children have increased by 35%, according to Aylieff.

When the Iran conflict began in late February, one of the organization’s shipments of fortified energy biscuits became stranded in the United Arab Emirates.

Rather than taking the direct route from Dubai through Iran into Afghanistan, the cargo has been forced onto an extremely lengthy detour through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and across the Caspian Sea into Turkmenistan, the organization reported.

That shipment has been in transit for three months.

Local businesses are equally devastated. Lutfullah Akbari, who operates a small Kabul company importing construction machinery, faces an impossible situation with his Chinese supplies trapped on vessels unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while logistics costs continue climbing.

“I have nothing else to use to continue my business here,” he said.

Akbari is now contemplating abandoning his cargo entirely if the waterway doesn’t reopen soon.

“The Iran-U.S. war has had a huge impact on my business,” he said. While other merchants have redirected shipments through Central Asia, the route is both longer and more costly.

“The logistics company now wants more than the value of our goods and the capital we had invested in them. We can’t afford it,” Akbari said.

“Even if I bring them here, I’ll have to sell them all at a loss. I can’t afford to lose twice.”

Gul Meer Amini, logistics director at freight company Etifaq Bamyan International Transport and Trade Forwarding, reported that the Iran conflict has dramatically inflated expenses. His company handles various cargo including humanitarian supplies.

Container rental fees that previously ranged from $3,000 to $3,600 per shipment have now jumped above $7,000. For certain goods, costs have exceeded $11,000, he noted.

“The impact is reaching all traders,” Amini said.

Mohammad Murtaza Ishaqzai, a Kabul electronics retailer, said shipping his Chinese merchandise through Iran previously cost between $1,100 and $1,500 before the conflict. Those expenses have now skyrocketed to more than $15,000.

“We can’t export and we can’t import,” he said, urging the Taliban government to settle its dispute with Pakistan to allow border commerce to restart.

If current conditions persist, he warned, “our business will be finished.”

Afghanistan’s Commerce and Trade Ministry spokesperson Abdul Salam Jawad noted that nationwide price increases have remained relatively modest at approximately 3%, due to ongoing commerce with Iran and sourcing many imports from Central Asia, Russia and China.

“The problem we faced was the restrictions on our imported goods and containers coming from other countries” via Iran, he said. “We are waiting for a solution to be found in the Strait of Hormuz so that we can export normally.”

Khan Jan Alokozai, senior adviser to Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said over 60% of Afghanistan’s trade now flows through Central Asia, helping to reduce the Iran conflict’s overall impact.

Food and fuel products are arriving through Central Asia and Russia, while significant trade is now being conducted via Turkey, with goods then transported by rail through Iran or Azerbaijan, Alokozai explained.

The former chief executive of Scotland’s National Party entered a guilty plea on Monday for stealing more than $540,000 from party coffers, acknowledging he redirected organizational funds to purchase vehicles, a recreational vehicle, and high-end merchandise.

Peter Murrell was previously married to the former party leader, who stepped down unexpectedly in 2023 just before being taken into custody during the financial investigation. She was exonerated of any criminal conduct in March of last year.

The law enforcement investigation and detention of the party’s most tenured leader created significant scandal for the independence-supporting organization that has controlled Scottish governance for much of the past twenty years.

Authorities had been examining the fate of donations collected by Scottish independence advocates in 2017 that were meant to be set aside but were reportedly diverted for alternative uses.

According to his written admission of guilt, Murrell acknowledged stealing £400,310.65 from the party spanning from August 12, 2010, through January 13, 2023, approximately £60,000 below the initial charges.

“Peter Murrell has shown utter contempt for the high public trust placed in him as the Chief Executive of a political party and his position in the wider political establishment in Scotland for many years,” said Police Scotland’s Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston.

“He abused his privileged position with access to Scottish National Party funds to divert cash into his own accounts and bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could not afford.”

Court documents revealed he had purchased multiple automobiles and merchandise from premium retailers including Estee Lauder and Harrods using the stolen funds.

Murrell remains in jail custody awaiting his sentencing hearing scheduled for June 23.

Russian investigators announced Monday they discovered multiple magnetic mines manufactured by NATO countries on a commercial tanker docked at the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga.

Divers conducting a hull inspection found the explosive devices attached to the tanker Arrhenius, which had sailed from Belgium’s Antwerp port to take on liquefied petroleum gas cargo, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee.

Russian authorities have enhanced security protocols at their ports following what they describe as suspected sabotage attempts targeting the country’s energy facilities.

The heightened security measures were implemented last year after Russia mandated underwater inspections of vessels following suspected attacks on four oil tankers. In February 2025, the Suezmax tanker Koala became grounded at Ust-Luga following an explosion in its engine compartment.

Ship tracking information from LSEG indicates the Arrhenius operates under Liberia’s flag and is operated by Maple Mariner Holding based in the UAE.

Svetlana Petrenko, a spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee, confirmed the mines originated from a NATO member nation. She noted the ship docked at Ust-Luga on May 20 and was preparing to depart for the Turkish port of Samsun.

NATO officials were not immediately accessible for a response.

The explosive devices have been rendered safe, Petrenko confirmed.

“Based on initial investigative actions, it can already be concluded that the magnetic mines could not have been installed in Russia’s territorial waters,” Petrenko said.

The creator of a satirical social media presence that rapidly attracted more than 22 million Instagram followers in India claims he’s facing government retaliation and family intimidation after his content criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.

Abhijeet Dipke, who runs the “Cockroach Janta Party” account, says his content struck a chord with India’s younger generation by addressing issues like joblessness and educational scandals, including leaked examination materials.

“The government has taken down our iconic website,” Dipke stated on X, claiming that his X account had been restricted in India, his Instagram presence had been hacked, and his relatives had been intimidated.

Reuters was unable to confirm independently whether government officials ordered the website’s removal. Neither India’s home ministry nor IT department responded when asked for comment about any actions taken against the social media accounts or website.

The account’s rapid rise in popularity stands in sharp contrast to recent election successes by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party in important state races, strengthening the party’s position after governing nationally for over ten years.

The Internet Freedom Foundation, which advocates for digital rights, condemned what it called an arbitrary attempt to silence free expression through the alleged blocking of the X account.

Federal minister Kiren Rijiju, a prominent BJP official, responded to the controversy on social media by expressing sympathy for those who he suggested were gaining followers from foreign sources.

“Those who are heroes of the anti-India gang cannot be heroes of India,” Rijiju wrote on X without directly referencing the viral account. “We have complete faith in Indian democracy and Indian youth.”

In response to the minister’s comments, Dipke shared data about his Instagram audience demographics, stating, “More than 94% of the audience is from India.”

He also questioned on X, “Why is a union minister, Kiren Rijiju, labelling Indian youth as Pakistani?”

Research by polling organization CVoter revealed that the issues raised by the account connected with younger Indians, with over 60% of survey participants between ages 18 and 24 expressing worry about their prospects.

Sixty percent of those surveyed indicated the account captured their frustrations regarding joblessness and administrative problems such as leaked test materials, including a recent medical school entrance examination that impacted approximately 2.3 million test-takers.

Official statistics show that unemployment among India’s city-dwelling young people reaches 14%, significantly exceeding the national unemployment rate of roughly 5%.

Most survey participants believed government efforts to block such social media platforms would be unjustified.

Lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan suggested the online movement might expand if it moves beyond digital platforms.

“If they want to take it forward, they will have to organise and mobilise on the ground,” he stated.

Deadly flooding in China’s Chongqing municipality has claimed nine lives while 11 individuals remain unaccounted for after intense storms battered the region, according to state broadcaster CCTV’s Monday report.

Multiple communities and rural areas within the Yongchuan district experienced devastating impacts from intense precipitation that struck suddenly during Saturday night hours, according to earlier state media accounts. Officials had initially confirmed three fatalities on Sunday.

The intense precipitation triggered rapid flooding and slope failures throughout the region, prompting authorities to evacuate more than 2,000 local residents, according to the state-operated Xinhua news agency.

The latest casualties add to the dozens of fatalities recorded earlier in the week as a band of severe weather moved through extensive portions of central and southwestern China.

Law enforcement officials in Greece detained 20 individuals on the island of Crete Monday, announcing they had broken up a criminal organization accused of stealing European Union agricultural subsidies in what represents the most recent development in an expanding fraud investigation that has created political turmoil for the government.

Police officials reported that the organization’s alleged ringleaders included two accountants along with government workers who helped farmers file paperwork to obtain EU agricultural funding through fraudulent land ownership claims.

Authorities stated that the criminal network generated illegal profits exceeding €3 million ($3.49 million) after beginning operations in 2019.

The Monday detentions represent the most recent developments in multiple local investigations connected to a broader examination by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office — an independent EU agency — into suspected criminal activity in Greece targeting the bloc’s financial resources.

During the previous year, European prosecutors brought charges against numerous Greek livestock farmers for falsifying grazing land ownership documents to obtain millions of euros in EU subsidies, allegedly with assistance from government employees and conservative politicians.

The fraud investigation has created significant political controversy in Greece, leading to parliamentary investigations — which reached no definitive conclusions — along with cabinet resignations and demands from opposition parties for early elections.

Following a request from the European chief prosecutor, parliament voted in April to remove parliamentary immunity from 13 lawmakers belonging to the ruling New Democracy party, allowing them to face investigation regarding their suspected involvement in related cases.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on EU prosecutors to quickly determine whether to formally charge the lawmakers, as he attempts to limit the political damage from the investigation ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled by spring 2027.

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Officials in Lithuania are investigating what they believe was a state-sponsored cyberattack that compromised more than 600,000 records from government databases.

On Friday, Lithuania’s general prosecutor’s office revealed that hackers gained access to property and business registry information by using stolen login credentials belonging to organizations with authorized access to the databases.

Adrijus Jusas, who led the State Enterprise Centre of Registers, stepped down from his position on Monday in the wake of the security breach.

In response to the incident, officials quickly put new cybersecurity protocols in place, which included shutting down accounts belonging to users under suspicion and requiring all users to create new login credentials, according to prosecutors.

While prosecutors indicated they believe another nation orchestrated the attack, they have not identified which country they suspect.

The breach has heightened concerns in Lithuania, a nation of 2.9 million people that faces ongoing threats from Russia’s hybrid warfare campaign targeting Europe, which encompasses sabotage operations, arson incidents, vandalism, and propaganda efforts.

On Sunday, opposition politician Laurynas Kasčiūnas posted on social media that he believes Russian intelligence services were behind the data theft, though he provided no supporting evidence for his assertion.

The politician expressed concern that the stolen information could include home addresses of intelligence operatives, service members, diplomatic staff, or elected officials, potentially enabling foreign actors to conduct surveillance or intimidation campaigns against these individuals.

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — At least 15 people died and 10 others sustained injuries when a truck loaded with iron rods and carrying passengers flipped over on a main highway during the early morning hours Monday in central Bangladesh, according to police reports.

The accident occurred around 5 a.m. when the driver lost control of the vehicle in the Soratoil area of Tangail district, located 83 kilometers (52 miles) northwest of Dhaka, the country’s capital, according to local police chief Fuad Hossain.

The truck was transporting hitchhiking passengers and was en route from Dhaka to the northern part of the country as holiday travelers began their journeys before the Islamic festival Eid al-Adha scheduled for Thursday, Hossain explained. The vehicle rolled over, killing the victims instantly at the crash site, he reported.

According to the official, the majority of those aboard were day laborers making their way to reunite with family members for the religious celebration.

People who saw the accident told television news outlets that they hurried to the crash site after hearing the commotion and began helping to rescue passengers who had become trapped.

Traffic fatalities claim thousands of lives annually in this country of over 170 million residents due to poor enforcement of driving regulations, deteriorating roadway infrastructure and inexperienced drivers.

An opposition politician in Latvia announced Monday his efforts to establish a new four-party majority government following the breakdown of the current ruling coalition earlier this month due to national security disagreements.

The collapse occurred amid ongoing concerns about Russian drone violations in the Baltic region, as these NATO member nations continue supporting Ukraine while facing repeated airspace breaches during Ukraine’s expanded military operations against Russian targets near the Baltic Sea.

The current Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned following internal coalition disagreements about the government’s response to the drone violations, causing the government to fall apart just five months ahead of the planned general election.

“We have now reached a division plan,” stated Andris Kulbergs of the United List, who has received authorization from President Edgars Rinkevics to establish a new cabinet, during a news conference.

“The way we reached this solution, a division among four partners, was straightforward. We had to proceed based on the simplest possible principles – four partners, equal terms – and simply move forward from there,” he explained.

As head of the United List, which represents the parliament’s largest opposition group, Kulbergs would assume leadership if legislators approve his proposed centre-right cabinet. According to Rinkevics, parliamentary voting on the new government could occur within days.

Security matters are anticipated to continue as a primary focus for any new coalition led by Kulbergs, as the Baltic nations maintain their strong opposition to Russia and continue as vocal opponents of Moscow regarding the Ukrainian conflict.

The current administration under Silina will continue operating in a temporary capacity until a replacement government takes office.

Political instability in Senegal has intensified as the country’s National Assembly leader El Malick Ndiaye stepped down from his position on Sunday, just two days following the president’s decision to remove the prime minister from office.

Ndiaye, who holds a prominent position within the governing PASTEF party, characterized his departure as a personal choice, stating he was acting in the “higher interest of the nation” when explaining his decision to resign.

The resignation follows President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s Friday dismissal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and the dissolution of the entire government, marking the end of months of escalating friction between the two officials.

The relationship between Faye and Sonko, former political partners who rose to power as a team in 2024, has deteriorated amid increasing economic pressures related to national debt and domestic consequences stemming from the Iran war.

Parliamentary members are scheduled to meet Tuesday for votes on two key matters: restoring Sonko’s status as a legislator and selecting Ndiaye’s replacement to lead the National Assembly.

However, some opposition voices argue that returning Sonko to parliamentary status would violate legal requirements, pointing out that he has never previously served as a member of parliament.

Indian oil refineries have shifted their crude oil purchasing patterns, turning to suppliers in Latin America and Africa after Middle Eastern supply chains faced disruptions, according to trade data sources.

The world’s third-largest oil importing nation and consumer historically relied heavily on Middle Eastern crude until conflict erupted at the end of February. The Israeli-U.S. war on Iran has created shipping restrictions through the Strait of Hormuz, forcing refiners to seek alternative sources.

Trade data from Kpler reveals that during April and May, Indian refineries increased their purchases from Venezuela, Brazil, Angola and Nigeria to compensate for the supply gaps, while maintaining their Russian oil acquisitions.

In April, India halted purchases from Iraq due to suspended exports, but resumed Iranian oil imports for the first time in seven years after Washington issued a temporary waiver aimed at stabilizing global oil markets.

Russian oil imports to India dropped by approximately 29.4% from March levels to 1.6 million barrels daily, primarily due to Nayara Energy closing its 400,000-barrel-per-day refinery for scheduled maintenance.

May projections indicate India will receive roughly 1.9 million barrels per day from Russia and about 41,000 barrels per day from Iraq, according to preliminary Kpler data.

India’s total oil imports reached 4.57 million barrels daily in April, matching March levels but representing a 15.5% decrease compared to the previous year.

Imports from the United Arab Emirates surged in April to 669,700 barrels per day from March’s 230,600 barrels per day, while Saudi Arabian oil intake remained steady at approximately 619,500 barrels per day.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia maintain the only Gulf pipeline systems that can export crude oil without using the Strait of Hormuz, unlike Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, and Bahrain, which depend on the waterway for shipments.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ portion of India’s oil imports climbed to 45.2% in April from roughly 30% in March, with the UAE counted as a member during that period.

The UAE withdrew from OPEC in May, eliminating its obligation to follow oil production quotas.

Increased UAE imports helped prevent a larger drop in the Middle East’s share of India’s oil supply, while Russian oil’s portion fell to about 35% from nearly 50%.

Russia maintained its position as India’s primary oil supplier, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia following. Brazil ranked as the fourth-largest supplier, and Venezuela came in fifth. Data suggests Venezuela is positioned to become the fourth-largest supplier in May.

CAIRO (AP) — An agreement appears to be taking shape between the United States and Iran to conclude their conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. President Donald Trump stating over the weekend that negotiations had been “largely completed.”

The timeline for finalizing the agreement and implementing its various components remains unclear. Trump made his comments following conversations with Middle Eastern allies, including a separate discussion with Israel. Information comes from two regional officials and a U.S. official who requested anonymity to discuss the delicate negotiations.

Here’s the current situation:

During the 12 weeks following the start of hostilities when the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran that resulted in the deaths of senior officials including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Tehran has maintained that any agreement must address ending combat on all battlefronts. This encompasses Lebanon, where the Iranian-supported Hezbollah militant organization has been engaged with Israel since the conflict’s second day.

A tentative ceasefire has remained in place since April 7. Concluding the war would reduce tensions across a region that witnessed Gulf safe havens and transportation centers like the United Arab Emirates hit by Iranian missiles and drones. This would permit global commerce, including approximately 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies, to resume passage through the Strait of Hormuz. It would also enable reconstruction of energy and other critical infrastructure throughout the region.

Both regional officials indicated the preliminary agreement encompasses ending hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, along with a pledge to avoid meddling in regional countries’ internal matters, including Iran. This represents a crucial reference to Iran’s backing of proxy forces, which also encompass the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Hamas militants in Gaza and Shiite armed groups in Iraq.

The U.S. seeks Israel to maintain freedom to respond to perceived Lebanese threats while Iran opposes this, one regional official noted. The U.S. official stated the agreement would ensure Israel’s right to act against immediate threats in self-defense.

Iran’s nuclear activities, missile capabilities and proxy support were the declared justifications for U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. However, Tehran’s retaliatory control over the Strait of Hormuz rapidly became a primary global concern as hundreds of vessels transporting oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other commodities became stranded.

According to the developing accord, the strait would progressively reopen alongside the U.S. ending its blockade of Iranian ports initiated on April 17, the regional officials reported. The blockade has restricted Iran’s capacity to export oil and generate desperately needed revenue for its struggling economy.

The U.S. would permit Iran to market its oil through sanctions exemptions, according to one official briefed on the discussions. Sanctions relief and the release of Iran’s billions in frozen assets would be negotiated during a 60-day timeframe, the official added.

Iran’s nuclear activities and international worries about its potential weapons development underpin all tensions, with the U.S. and Israel having contemplated highly sophisticated military operations to eliminate its highly enriched uranium.

Under the prospective agreement, Tehran would consent to surrender that stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to regional officials. One official with direct negotiation knowledge said the method of Iran’s surrender would be determined through additional discussions during the 60-day period. Some would likely be diluted while the remainder transferred to a third nation, possibly Russia, the official noted. Russia has expressed willingness to accept it.

A U.S. official verified the 60-day timeframe and stated that without Iran surrendering its stockpile, sanctions relief would not occur.

Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, representing a brief technical advancement from weapons-grade levels of 90%, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran claims an “inalienable” right to nuclear technology while maintaining its program serves peaceful purposes. On Sunday, President Masoud Pezeshkian told state television they were prepared “to assure the world that we are not after a nuclear weapon.”

Trump posted on social media Sunday that “our relationship with Iran is becoming a much more professional and productive one. They must understand, however, that they cannot develop or procure a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb.”

Several matters have not been addressed in descriptions of the developing deal, including Iran’s uranium enrichment status.

Another concern is Iran’s missile program, which Israel particularly has aimed to eliminate.

While the United States and Israel began the war with declared goals of encouraging Iranians to challenge their government following nationwide demonstrations earlier in the year, any discussion of leadership change in Tehran seems to be excluded.

Regarding Iran’s previously stated negotiation objectives, there appears to be no reference to U.S. military withdrawal from the region, or compensation for war-related damages.

Iran’s foreign ministry announced Monday that substantial progress has been achieved on various issues being discussed in potential talks with the United States, though officials stressed this doesn’t indicate an imminent agreement.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei clarified that Iran’s current diplomatic efforts center on ending warfare and do not involve nuclear matters at this time. He also reiterated concerns that shifting stances from U.S. officials continue to complicate any potential agreement.

The comments come as diplomatic discussions continue between the two nations, though the timeline for any formal agreement remains unclear.

JAMUNDI, Colombia — Gladys Marín faces a difficult decision this Sunday. Though the polling station sits just across the street from her home in the small Colombian town of Potrerito, safety concerns may prevent her from casting her ballot in the country’s presidential election.

Marín’s residence sits within 100 meters of the local police station, which has repeatedly been targeted by explosive devices dropped from drones. Government officials attribute these assaults to rebel fighters who refused to accept a peace deal negotiated with the Colombian government ten years ago.

“You have to stay alert to what is happening, because we live very close to the police station,” Marín explained while speaking from her porch in the town located approximately 470 kilometers from Bogotá, the nation’s capital.

The South American nation will select its next president and vice president on May 31 in elections widely viewed as a judgment on President Gustavo Petro’s administration, particularly his divisive “total peace” program designed to establish negotiations with remaining insurgent organizations.

Most observers agree that violence from armed factions has intensified during Petro’s presidency.

Data from Colombia’s Electoral Observation Mission shows that 386 municipalities — roughly one-third of all local governments — face threats from illegal military organizations. Research from the Ideas for Peace Foundation indicates approximately 27,000 individuals remain armed across the nation.

In the nearby community of Robles within Jamundi municipality, makeshift barriers block roads approaching the police headquarters. Law enforcement personnel have fortified their positions behind sandbag and black fabric shelters, constantly monitoring the skies for incoming drone threats.

“You pass by the police station with this sense of dread, looking up, hoping you won’t run into a nasty surprise,” explained Eucaris Zamora, who was forced to abandon her residence after a cylinder bomb damaged it in October, leaving the structure partially demolished.

Guillermo Londoño, a regional security administrator in Valle del Cauca where Jamundi is situated, noted that criminal armed organizations have adopted coordinated “swarm-style” drone operations to increase destruction. This represents a change from earlier methods where attackers used single drones, reloaded them, and continued their offensive.

Explosive-carrying drones have transformed Colombia’s internal conflict dynamics since 2024, creating significant dangers for both civilians and military personnel, especially near the Venezuelan frontier, in northern Bolivar province, and along southwestern coastal regions.

The Defense Ministry documented 333 drone strikes in 2025, a sharp increase from 61 incidents in 2024. Military forces have logged 107 drone assaults this year alone, resulting in two soldier fatalities.

Regional authorities believe their area has suffered consequences from Petro’s “total peace” approach, which seeks to end one of the globe’s most enduring conflicts.

Petro admits the program has not succeeded in dismantling illegal networks as intended, and his willingness to engage with all groups has become more restrictive. He has suspended talks with certain organizations due to ongoing violence while maintaining communication with others.

A sharp division exists among presidential candidates. Some support continued negotiations with illegal groups, including Sen. Iván Cepeda from Petro’s political coalition. Others advocate abandoning such efforts in favor of military action, such as opposition Democratic Center Sen. Paloma Valencia and Abelardo de la Espriella, who describes himself as an admirer of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and promises aggressive action against armed groups.

Elizabeth Dickinson, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, warns violence could escalate if an aggressive candidate wins office.

“Right-wing candidates propose a ‘hard-line’ response that could exacerbate the violence, because the armed groups will respond to pressure from security forces with terror-style attacks, as they lack the means to respond symmetrically, army-to-army,” Dickinson stated.

Last December, gunmen terrorized the small southern community of Buenos Aires, attacking the police facility and injuring multiple officers while destroying a local bank and surrounding residences.

The destruction included the home of 89-year-old Celimo Enrique Aguilar.

“I haven’t lost faith that, someday, one might be able to live in peace,” he said.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Seventeen people died and five others sustained injuries when a fast-moving minibus collided with a stationary bus on a highway in northwestern Pakistan on Monday, according to police and emergency response officials.

The deadly collision happened close to Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as the minibus crashed into the parked vehicle, Shah Fahad, director-general of Rescue 1122 emergency services, reported. Initial investigations point to driver negligence as the probable cause of the tragedy, he stated.

The stationary vehicle had been transporting travelers headed for the picturesque Swat Valley.

Emergency responders and law enforcement transported both the deceased and wounded to a medical facility, Fahad reported.

Such traffic collisions occur frequently throughout Pakistan due to inadequate road systems, dangerous driving practices and insufficient enforcement of vehicle safety laws.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has secured another term as Iran’s parliamentary speaker, according to a Monday report from the semi-official Fars news agency.

Qalibaf, who also serves as Iran’s chief negotiator in discussions with the United States, won reelection to the legislative leadership position.

Workers equipped with metal detectors searched mountainous terrain in northern Sudan, hunting for gold deposits in conditions lacking even basic safety protections. One miner crouched down with a digging implement to probe the earth for valuable ore.

These unregulated workers operate at a small private gold extraction site in the northern community of Dalgo Mahas. This facility represents just one among thousands of small and artisanal mining operations spread throughout Sudan, forming part of an industry central to the destructive conflict that has occasionally driven regions of the nation toward starvation.

The precious metal emerged as a crucial revenue source for Sudan’s national treasury following the loss of more than two-thirds of oil income when South Sudan gained independence in 2011. Gold represented 70% of national income in the years following South Sudan’s separation, supplying the Sudanese administration with essential foreign currency.

Currently, gold sits at the heart of the continuing conflict between military forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Substantial amounts of gold have been illegally transported from the country to fund paramilitary groups, who maintain control over gold-producing territories in Darfur and Kordofan regions, according to United Nations-commissioned experts.

The fighting has resulted in the deaths of at least 59,000 individuals, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, a U.S.-based war tracking group that says its toll is almost certainly an underestimate, given the difficulties in reporting.

The conflict also generated the globe’s most severe humanitarian catastrophe, compelling over 10 million individuals to abandon their residences. Numerous displaced persons entered the mining sector to support their families financially.

“Gold mining is the only thing I can rely on,” said Atta al-Khazin, a 28-year-old miner who abandoned his previous profession as a farmer. “Due to the high oil prices, agriculture no longer covered expenses.”

Zahir Adam, a 35-year-old father from the Darfur city of el-Fasher who worked in gold mining for more than a decade, said the sector has drawn many people since the war broke out over three years ago.

They had “no other option,” he said. “Many young people, and many families, depend on mining.”

Sudan extracted 70 tons of gold during the previous year, increasing from 64 tons in 2024, according to official figures, positioning it among Africa’s leading producers. Gold brought in approximately $1.8 billion in income during 2025, data from the state-run Sudanese Mineral Resources Company indicated.

Small-scale and artisanal gold extraction represents the bulk of gold recovered in the vast nation, where safety protocols are mostly disregarded.

Independent miners like those working in Dalgo Nahas typically remove the gold, then pulverize the raw material before adding poisonous mercury to form an amalgam. The mixture is subsequently heated, often using a stove, to eliminate the mercury and retrieve the gold.

This procedure, involving dangerous chemicals, also poses threats to residents living close to mining sites.

Government oversight does not extend to many of these operations. The U.N. panel of experts stated in their 2024 report that more than 50% of the gold mined in Sudan was not traded through formal channels but was smuggled out of the country.

Fatal mining cave-ins occur regularly in Sudan, where safety requirements are not broadly enforced. During the previous month, no fewer than seven miners perished in a mine collapse within the Red Sea province. Thirteen additional workers died in another collapse in South Kordofan province during January.

A civilian transitional government that ruled the country for over a year after the military overthrow of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 attempted to regulate the crucial industry.

However, its efforts were aborted by a military coup in October 2021, and the war that began in 2023.

ANGELES, Philippines — Emergency crews recovered two construction workers from the debris of a collapsed nine-story hotel building early Monday morning in a northern Philippine city, raising the fatality count to three while 17 people remain unaccounted for, according to local authorities.

The first worker was found deceased, while rescue teams worked frantically in the pre-dawn hours attempting to save the second worker’s life inside an ambulance positioned near the massive debris field of concrete chunks, mangled steel rods, and twisted aluminum framework that once formed the structure in Angeles City, located in Pampanga Province. Medical personnel ultimately ceased their revival attempts and departed the scene.

This heartbreaking moment unfolded before a small gathering of reporters, including representatives from The Associated Press, who observed as hundreds of emergency responders — primarily firefighters and law enforcement — worked tirelessly for hours to free the two workers, who had been conscious but pinned beneath heavy concrete and metal beams.

Emergency teams attempted to deliver fluids and medications through IV lines to one of the pinned workers amid the wreckage in a frantic bid to sustain him through the intense summer temperatures, regional police chief Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez explained to the AP.

“He never made it despite all the efforts,” he said.

The third fatality involved a Malaysian visitor who had been staying at a nearby budget lodging facility that sustained partial damage from the cascade of falling debris. A second guest at the same establishment suffered injuries but successfully escaped, authorities reported.

Following the thunderous collapse of the incomplete structure after severe storm activity, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin announced that search and rescue operations would continue rather than transitioning to body recovery mode.

“My best hope is that we can rescue more people alive,” Lazatin told the AP. “We don’t want to give the families of the trapped workers any bad news.”

Growing distress and concern grip the family members of those still buried, who maintain vigil in temporary shelters erected close to the wreckage site.

“I’m losing hope because of what I see— slow rescue work,” said Lea Mendoza Casilao, a 47-year-old sardine factory worker whose boyfriend, a mason, was among those still trapped in the rubble.

She had delivered a week’s worth of rice and canned fish for him at the job site, but explained they would never have their planned weekend meeting after the structure where he had been resting collapsed in the early Sunday morning hours.

Lazatin explained that rescue personnel were proceeding with extreme caution due to massive concrete sections being supported only by tangled aluminum framework that could potentially fall and endanger the rescue teams.

A total of 26 construction workers either escaped or were successfully extracted from the failing structure, where they had been sleeping on plywood sheets at ground level. Among the 17 workers who remain missing, one has been spotted but rescue teams have not yet been able to reach him, officials confirmed.

National police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced his department will assist with an “ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the incident and possible violations of safety and building regulations.”

Angeles City previously served as the location for one of America’s most significant Air Force installations beyond the continental United States, transforming Angeles and surrounding communities into major entertainment and business centers within the primary northern Philippine island of Luzon.

Clark Air Base, situated approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Manila, ceased operations in the early 1990s.

The former military installation has evolved into a thriving industrial and tourist destination known as the Clark Freeport Zone, and remains encircled by vestiges of the American military era including adult entertainment districts, drinking establishments, nightlife venues, tattoo parlors and affordable accommodations.

MELBOURNE, Australia — The leader of Australia’s primary domestic intelligence service testified Monday that he had redirected resources from counterterrorism operations to focus on espionage and foreign interference several years prior to a deadly shooting that claimed 15 lives at a Sydney Hanukkah event.

Mike Burgess, who heads the Australian Security Intelligence Organization known as ASIO, appeared before a comprehensive government investigation examining antisemitism’s growth in Australia leading up to the December 14 attack at Bondi Beach.

The intelligence agency lowered Australia’s National Terrorism Threat Level from “probable” to “possible” in November 2022 — placing it at the second-lowest rating on their five-level system — following the defeat of the Islamic State group in the Middle East and the end of their recruitment efforts.

Following this change, ASIO redirected attention toward foreign interference and espionage cases while maintaining adequate staffing for counterterrorism operations, according to Burgess.

“Because terrorism has the potential to cause people to lose their lives or get harmed, it always remained a priority for us. There was just less activity that we were investigating because the nature of the environment had changed and the number of tasks we were looking at had reduced,” Burgess testified.

“At the same time, every rock we lifted up we found espionage or foreign interference that needed to be inquired and investigated and so resources were moved over there,” he continued.

Following the Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, Burgess said he took the unusual step of issuing a public warning about how inflammatory rhetoric could spark violence — something no previous ASIO director had done.

“Before the Israeli government responded to that horrific attack, we saw the strong emotions appear in this country where we had people celebrating the Hamas terrorist attack,” Burgess stated.

The intelligence chief reported that threatening and intimidating conduct toward Jewish Australians continued through late 2023, especially in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. This behavior intensified to include targeting Jewish-owned businesses and religious sites by October 2024, he noted.

ASIO raised Australia’s terrorism threat level back to “probable” in August 2024.

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, Australia’s most authoritative form of investigation, must deliver its findings to the government before the first anniversary of what became the country’s deadliest mass shooting since 1996.

Prosecutors claim the father-and-son shooters, Sajid and Naveed Akram, drew inspiration from IS and carried homemade IS banners to Bondi.

Both attackers sustained injuries during a police confrontation, with the father dying from his wounds, all within eight minutes of the shooting’s start. The son faces charges for terrorist activity, 15 murder counts and 40 attempted murder counts. He has not entered any pleas.

Richard Lancaster, who directs the legal team as Senior Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission, revealed that only four police officers were present when the attackers began firing on approximately 1,000 attendees.

In the first 29 seconds of gunfire, 10 people died and another was injured, Lancaster reported.

Eleven police officers arrived within five minutes, with three sustaining wounds, he added.

The Community Security Group, a Jewish safety organization, had asked the New South Wales Police Force to station officers at the waterfront park throughout the Hanukkah celebration, Lancaster explained. Instead, officers received orders to make periodic visits.

Law enforcement assigned the Hanukkah event the lowest security classification on their three-level system, with a local commander overseeing police deployment, Lancaster said.

In contrast, Jewish High Holy Days in September and October received top-level security status, with the specialized Police Force Major Events Group coordinating with the Police Force Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command.

“There is no evidence that any intelligence agency or law enforcement agency had any actual knowledge or specific information to suggest there might be an armed attack on the Hanukkah celebration,” Lancaster testified.

“In that sense, it was a surprise attack,” he concluded.

NEW DELHI (AP) — America’s top diplomat Marco Rubio traveled to India this week as both nations work to repair diplomatic relationships that have become strained while attempting to strengthen strategic and economic partnerships amid ongoing trade disputes.

During Sunday discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Rubio emphasized collaboration in areas including trade, energy, defense and maritime security. The Secretary of State indicated both nations continue to share strategic goals and voiced confidence about reaching a comprehensive trade agreement.

The four-day diplomatic mission will also feature discussions with representatives from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, an Indo-Pacific partnership commonly referred to as the Quad.

Here’s the significance of Rubio’s diplomatic mission for India-U.S. relations:

Diplomatic ties between India and America have become tense in recent months following the Trump administration’s decision to implement significant tariffs on Indian exports, partially due to New Delhi’s ongoing Russian oil purchases. This action frustrated Indian leadership and raised questions within India’s government about America’s dependability as a partner.

Both nations subsequently negotiated a temporary trade agreement that reduced certain tariffs and increased Indian acquisitions of American products, including energy resources. However, negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement remain incomplete.

Even with these diplomatic challenges, India and America are continuing to expand defense and technology partnerships, as Washington considers India crucial for balancing China’s power in the Indo-Pacific area.

In Sunday’s discussions with Jaishankar, Rubio characterized India as among America’s most vital strategic allies and expressed confidence that both countries would complete a bilateral trade agreement in the near future. Rubio also delivered an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump for Modi to visit Washington this year.

Rubio’s diplomatic visit is also scheduled to feature Tuesday meetings with foreign ministers from India, Australia and Japan, which comprise the Quad alliance membership alongside America.

This partnership has emerged as an important forum for collaboration on maritime security, supply chains and regional strategy as China increases its military and economic presence throughout the Indo-Pacific.

The Quad has consistently condemned China’s behavior in the South China Sea, charging Beijing with militarizing contested waters. China’s government has responded by accusing the Quad of attempting to limit China’s growth and regional power.

Current trade disputes between Washington and New Delhi, combined with Trump’s recent China visit, have generated increased focus on this alliance.

Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, explained that India’s expanding global significance has been largely connected to its function in countering China’s regional power, and any modification in American policy toward Beijing might impact New Delhi’s strategic importance to Washington.

“If the U.S. changes its approach towards China, it will diminish India’s importance,” Donthi said.

The Iran conflict has intensified India’s energy challenges, creating concerns about shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, an essential pathway for the nation’s crude oil imports. Increasing fuel expenses have added economic pressure on India.

Jaishankar stated Sunday that India would continue increasing energy imports, including from America, while diversifying suppliers to maintain market stability and affordable pricing. He indicated New Delhi seeks energy markets to stay open and unrestricted to support worldwide economic expansion.

India’s acquisition of discounted Russian crude oil since the Ukraine conflict began has occasionally created tension with America.

Washington has encouraged India to boost purchases of American oil and gas as part of broader initiatives to diversify energy sources, with Rubio highlighting enhanced energy cooperation during New Delhi meetings.

Beyond official discussions, Rubio’s visit has also featured cultural activities.

He started the trip in Kolkata and toured the Missionaries of Charity headquarters established by Mother Teresa. He also participated in a gala reception in New Delhi celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Rubio’s schedule includes visits to Agra and Jaipur, two of India’s most popular tourist locations famous for monuments, forts and palaces.

International tensions surrounding the war in Iran, America’s strategic focus in Asia, and escalating disputes over Taiwan are expected to take center stage at Singapore’s premier defense conference this week.

The Shangri-La Dialogue, scheduled for May 29-31, brings together defense ministers, military leaders, intelligence officials, diplomats, policy experts and defense contractors for both public presentations and private discussions at the annual gathering.

Vietnam’s President To Lam will present Friday evening’s main address, but attention will center on U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as he speaks amid ongoing efforts to resolve the Iranian conflict.

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he had instructed his negotiators to avoid rushing into any agreement with Iran, as his administration tempered expectations for a quick resolution to the three-month conflict.

The American naval blockade of Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz will “remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed,” Trump posted on Truth Social. Iran has effectively closed the strait since fighting began February 28, blocking a crucial shipping route that normally handles approximately 20 percent of worldwide oil and gas transport.

Regional partners are anticipated to closely watch Hegseth for indications that President Trump’s government is stretched too thin, drawn into Middle Eastern warfare, engaged in European disputes including German troop withdrawals, and therefore less focused on Asian concerns.

“There will likely be some continued anxiety over the unpredictability and volatility of U.S. policy, and the consequences for stability,” said Chong Ja Ian, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore.

“The most pressing issue for Asia would be the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict and its effects on energy supply.”

The Iranian conflict has disrupted the worldwide economy through significantly increased oil costs that fuel inflation and stress supply networks for everything from fertilizer to food products, creating particular challenges for Asia’s import-reliant nations.

Uncertainty remains over China’s participation after Beijing declined to attend last year’s forum, allowing Washington to dominate the proceedings while China later criticized Hegseth for “vilifying” the country.

China’s defense ministry has not announced whether Defense Minister Dong Jun will participate or which other representatives might attend. The ministry did not reply to Reuters’ inquiry.

Hegseth’s appearance follows the recent summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump in Beijing, occurring during heightened Taiwan-related tensions.

China has intensified pressure on Taiwan through expanded military activities near the island, maintaining Taipei’s alertness for additional Chinese actions after the leadership meeting.

China considers democratically ruled Taiwan part of its territory, a stance Taiwan’s government disputes.

“In the aftermath of the summit, I suspect he will tread carefully on China,” said Bonnie Glaser, head of the Indo-Pacific Program of the German Marshall Fund think-tank, adding that Hegseth might further push allies and partners to spend more on defence.

Military representatives indicate the Chinese delegation will likely encounter direct questions about how extensive anti-corruption campaigns targeting senior officers are impacting Chinese military preparedness.

Experts anticipate discussions on how smaller nations manage U.S.-China competition, along with attention on maritime conflict zones in the South China Sea and Strait of Malacca, plus defense expenditures.

Vietnam’s Lam is expected to emphasize Hanoi’s neutral stance as it strengthens relationships with both Washington and Beijing while asserting its territorial claims against China.

Recently appointed to both Communist Party leadership and the presidency, Lam represents Vietnam’s most influential leader in recent decades and is positioned to assume a greater diplomatic presence.

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD, May 25 (Reuters) – America will either secure a favorable deal with Iran or handle the situation through alternative means, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday, while Washington tempered expectations for a quick resolution to the three-month conflict.

Speaking to the press in New Delhi, Rubio indicated that diplomatic efforts would be given full opportunity to work before considering other options, following President Donald Trump’s Sunday statement that he had instructed negotiators against rushing into any Iranian agreement.

“There was a pretty solid thing on the table in terms of their ability to open up the strait, get the strait open, enter into a very real, significant, time-limited negotiation on the nuclear matter, and hopefully we can pull it off,” Rubio stated.

The previous day, Trump posted on Truth Social that America’s naval blockade of Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz would “remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed.”

“Both sides must take their time and get it right,” he continued.

Iranian officials have not yet responded publicly. However, the Tasnim news agency, which has connections to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, reported that America continues to block certain aspects of a possible agreement, particularly Tehran’s request for unfrozen assets.

Energy markets responded positively Monday, with oil prices dropping 6% to two-week minimums as investors grew hopeful that Washington and Tehran were progressing toward a peaceful resolution.

Expectations for a quick agreement rose Saturday when Trump announced that both nations had “largely negotiated” a memorandum of understanding for a peace framework that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Prior to the hostilities, this vital shipping channel handled one-fifth of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas transportation.

Both nations continue disagreeing on several complex matters, including Iran’s nuclear program, Israel’s military operations in Lebanon against the Iranian-supported Hezbollah organization, and Tehran’s insistence on sanction removal and the release of billions in Iranian petroleum revenues held in international banks.

STICKING POINTS

A high-ranking Trump administration official described what he characterized as the current framework of negotiated issues.

The official, speaking without attribution, revealed that Iran had accepted “in principle” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in return for America ending its naval blockade, and to eliminate Tehran’s weapons-grade uranium stockpile.

America believes Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has approved the general structure of the agreement, the official noted.

Iranian officials have not immediately verified this or explained the meaning of an “in principle” commitment.

The American official explained that Washington envisions initially reopening the waterway and ending the naval blockade. Working out nuclear program specifics would require additional time.

The official disputed claims that Iran had rejected disposing of its enriched uranium reserves. “It’s a question about how,” the official explained.

Another senior administration official revealed Sunday that the proposed structure would allow negotiators 60 days to finalize an agreement.

Iranian sources previously informed Reuters that in subsequent phases, “feasible formulas” might be developed to address the enriched uranium stockpile disagreement, potentially including diluting the material under U.N. nuclear agency oversight.

Iran has consistently rejected American and Israeli claims of pursuing nuclear weapons, maintaining its right to enrich uranium for peaceful uses, though the concentration levels achieved exceed power generation requirements.

Trump, whose public support has suffered due to the conflict’s effect on American energy costs and who faces legislative attempts to limit his military authority, has consistently emphasized the possibility of an agreement to end the conflict that began February 28 between America and Israel.

A fragile ceasefire has remained in place since early April.

The president responded to those criticizing his negotiation approach and willingness to reach compromises with Iran.

“If I make a deal with Iran, it will be a good and proper one … So don’t listen to the losers, who are critical about something they know nothing about,” Trump wrote Sunday.

Any agreement strengthening the current unstable ceasefire would provide market relief but wouldn’t immediately resolve the worldwide energy crisis that has increased fuel, fertilizer, and food expenses.

The American-Israeli military campaign against Iran resulted in thousands of Iranian deaths before being halted in early April.

Israel has also caused thousands more casualties and displaced hundreds of thousands in Lebanon during its invasion targeting the militant organization Hezbollah. Iranian attacks on Israel and nearby Gulf nations have resulted in dozens of deaths.

Iranian authorities carried out the execution of a man connected to nationwide anti-government demonstrations that took place in January, according to state media reports released Monday.

State media sources identified the executed individual as Abbas Akbari.

Taiwan’s top diplomat indicated Monday that his government would welcome a phone conversation between President Trump and Taiwan’s president, though he emphasized that no preparatory discussions have taken place between the two nations.

Such a conversation between the leaders would mark a historic first and could potentially strain relations between Washington and Beijing, which considers the democratically-run island nation part of its territory. Direct communication between American and Taiwanese presidents has been absent since Washington transferred its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.

Last Wednesday, Trump reiterated his intention to have a conversation with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, clearing up earlier uncertainty about whether his initial comments following a recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping were made inadvertently.

During questioning by lawmakers in parliament, Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung explained that while Trump would need to initiate such contact, no bilateral discussions about arranging the call have occurred, though such preparations would be necessary if the conversation were to happen.

“If there were a phone call between the heads of state of the United States and Taiwan, I think we would view that very positively,” Lin said.

“I believe the president’s side is well prepared,” he added, referring to Lai. “But of course, this also depends on President Trump and how he might proactively bring it about.”

Last week, Lai indicated that if given the chance to speak with Trump, he would express concerns that China was threatening peace and that no nation has the authority to “annex” the island. Lai did not indicate whether any conversation had been arranged.

Reuters reported Friday that the U.S. and Taiwan have not established concrete arrangements for presidential discussions.

The situation affects a proposed $14 billion military equipment package for Taiwan, which Trump has indicated he has not yet decided upon. In December, Washington greenlit $11 billion worth of weapons for Taiwan, representing the largest such approval to date.

Officials from both Taipei and Washington have stated that U.S. policy regarding Taiwan has not changed following the Trump-Xi meeting.

The U.S. remains obligated under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to supply Taiwan with defensive capabilities.

Lai, who disputes Beijing’s territorial claims, has consistently proposed dialogue with China but has been rejected. Beijing labels him a “separatist”.

America’s top diplomat issued a firm warning to Iran on Monday, declaring the United States will pursue either successful negotiations or handle the situation through “another way.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that diplomatic efforts will be given full opportunity to work before the nation considers “alternatives,” speaking to reporters during his visit to New Delhi.

According to Rubio, there appears to be “a pretty solid thing on the table in terms of their ability to open up the strait, get the strait open, enter into a very real, significant, time-limited negotiation on the nuclear matter, and hopefully we can pull it off.”

Eleven Australian aid workers have returned home following their detention by Israeli forces during an international humanitarian mission to Gaza, bringing with them disturbing accounts of their treatment while in custody.

The activists were part of a 430-person volunteer group from 40 nations operating 50 vessels that were stopped in international waters last week as they attempted to transport aid supplies to Gaza.

The returning Australians arrived at various airports over the weekend and Monday, landing in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane after what organizers describe as a traumatic ordeal.

Documentary filmmaker and activist Juliet Lamont described her experience to reporters Monday, saying she endured physical violence and sexual assault during her capture.

“That was just the beginning of four days of absolute hell. I’ve looked into the eyes of the most soulless people in the universe, and nothing came back. These people need to be stopped,” Lamont said.

Fellow Australian activist Sam Woripa Watson reported suffering a broken rib along with multiple bruises and cuts. Watson also described witnessing other volunteers being subjected to tasers, rubber bullets, and stun grenades.

The flotilla’s organizing group, Global Sumud Flotilla, claims to have recorded evidence of at least 15 instances of sexual abuse. According to their statement, the most severe incidents occurred aboard an Israeli vessel that had been modified into a temporary detention facility using barbed wire and shipping containers.

Israeli prison authorities have categorically rejected all accusations of mistreatment, sexual assault, and abuse. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the activists’ claims.

The controversy has intensified international criticism of Israel, particularly after far-right Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted video footage showing him mocking detained activists who were restrained on the ground.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the video as “shocking and unacceptable.” Australia previously imposed travel restrictions and financial penalties on Ben-Gvir last year due to his role in encouraging violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Search and rescue operations continue in the Philippines after emergency crews recovered two additional bodies from a collapsed construction site, raising the fatality count to three people, authorities announced Monday.

Maria Leah Sajili, information officer at the regional Bureau of Fire Protection, confirmed in a telephone interview that one victim showed vital signs during extraction but subsequently passed away, while the second person went into cardiac arrest while still buried in the debris.

The multi-story structure under construction came down in Angeles, a city located north of Manila, the nation’s capital. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine what triggered the building’s collapse.

Emergency teams are working to extract another body from the wreckage, though Sajili noted it won’t be included in the official count until recovery is complete.

Thermal imaging equipment has detected breathing patterns and heartbeats underneath the collapsed structure, suggesting additional survivors may be trapped, according to Sajili.

Seventeen individuals remain unaccounted for, with the majority being construction workers who were documented as present at the worksite when the incident occurred, Sajili reported.

The first fatality was a 65-year-old Malaysian citizen whose remains were found Sunday in an adjacent hotel structure that was also impacted by the collapse.

Building permits showed the structure was approved as a nine-story condominium-hotel, but construction crews were adding a swimming pool to an unauthorized tenth level, officials revealed.

Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin informed media that local authorities are attempting to contact the property owner for answers, including verification of how many workers were present during the collapse.

Relatives of the missing workers have expressed mounting anger and impatience over the speed of rescue efforts.

Lea Casilao, who made the journey from Manila, said she simply wants consistent updates regarding her husband, a construction worker believed to be buried in the rubble.

“My youngest child keeps asking, but I do not have answers,” the 47-year-old said.

Lorena Angcao, 50, shared similar concerns, stating officials should provide regular information to waiting families.

Angcao explained that her brother and sister-in-law, who operated as vendors close to the construction site, are among the missing persons. “They can’t feel what we’re feeling,” she said.

GIBRALTAR (AP) — Hundreds of British naval personnel are standing by off Gibraltar’s coast, ready to deploy for a mine-clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz that remains uncertain.

President Donald Trump has criticized allies for insufficient support during the U.S. conflict with Iran, as Iran’s control over the strategic waterway has disrupted global shipping and driven up energy costs. In March, Trump told NATO partners to “go get your own oil” and handle strait security independently.

At Gibraltar, the British Overseas Territory on the Iberian Peninsula’s southern edge, the Royal Navy is making preparations for exactly that mission — but only after peace negotiations conclude. Trump announced Saturday that an agreement with Iran has been “largely negotiated” following discussions with Israel and regional partners, though final details remain pending.

Britain’s Armed Forces Minister Al Carns brought reporters aboard the RFA Lyme Bay as preparations continue for a potential international mission, with the U.K. and France leading efforts to secure the waterway. During the visit, crews were loading the amphibious vessel with ammunition and sonar-equipped mine-hunting drones at the Mediterranean gateway.

The RFA Lyme Bay, carrying several hundred crew members, will soon leave Gibraltar to meet up with the destroyer HMS Dragon and allied vessels for air support before transiting the Suez Canal toward the Persian Gulf.

“Which other country can pull together 40 nations and come up with a solution to deal with a complex problem that we couldn’t predict because we weren’t involved?” Carns asked when questioned by The Associated Press about Trump’s expectations for Britain.

Following the February 28 launch of the U.S.-Israeli military action, Tehran responded by essentially shutting down the strait, a vital passage for regional oil, natural gas and fertilizer exports, creating worldwide economic disruption. Britain has particularly drawn Trump’s criticism, with the president calling the British fleet “toys” and describing Prime Minister Keir Starmer as “not Winston Churchill.”

According to Carns, more than 6,000 vessels have been prevented from transiting the strait since hostilities started.

Iranian mines could pose varied dangers

Iran may have deployed a “huge” array of mines across the strait, according to Cmdr. Gemma Britton, who leads the Royal Navy’s Mine and Threat Exploitation Group. These explosive devices could be rocket-powered, tethered by cables, or positioned on the ocean floor with triggers activated by sound, motion or light.

AP reporters were shown automated systems capable of scanning seabed and water column areas with sonar technology in roughly half the time required for manned vessels to survey and chart hazardous zones. These unmanned sonar-equipped craft generate images of underwater objects ranging from fishing equipment to infrastructure pipelines. These images help identify mines that can then be examined using sophisticated acoustic equipment and cameras, Britton explained.

Several systems aboard the RFA Lyme Bay can be transferred to smaller craft that launch and operate independently from the main vessel, which serves as a command ship positioned safely outside suspected mine areas, Britton noted. This approach minimizes personnel exposure to danger zones.

Traditional mine disposal involves a diver manually attaching explosive charges to mines before swimming to safety for detonation. However, the RFA Lyme Bay is testing a remote-controlled underwater vehicle that can place charges near mines and trigger them without human divers, Britton said.

The initial focus will be establishing a clear transit corridor through the strait to enable approximately 700 stranded ships to depart, she explained. Subsequently, crews would clear a reverse-direction lane for incoming vessels, though completely clearing the entire strait might require months or years.

Deployment remains uncertain

Whether mines actually exist in the strait — or whether British and allied forces will ultimately deploy — remains unclear.

A U.S. official, speaking anonymously about sensitive military information, told AP that American forces have neither located nor eliminated any mines in the strait, and no vessels have sustained mine damage. Commercial shipping has continued at reduced levels throughout the conflict.

When AP asked whether the British preparations were partially theatrical to please the U.S., Carns acknowledged some mines may have exploded or drifted away, but said such uncertainty fails to satisfy commercial insurance requirements. Insurance companies demand “absolute certainty” before authorizing renewed strait transit.

“That’s what this capability will provide,” he stated.

The multinational strait security operation would commence only after fighting ends.

“Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly,” Trump posted Saturday on social media, without specifying timing.

Recent weeks have seen multiple claims of near-completed agreements.

“We don’t know when the Americans, Iranians and Israelis are going to come up with a suitable solution,” Carns said.

Until then, the RFA Lyme Bay and its personnel will remain on standby and be “really, really ready,” Carns added.

KUALA LUMPUR – A workplace tragedy at a Malaysian offshore oil facility has resulted in three fatalities and one injury during routine maintenance operations on Sunday, according to the state energy company.

The Malaysian state energy firm Petronas, formally known as Petroliam Nasional Berhad, announced Monday that the deadly incident took place at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time at the FSO Sepat facility located off the coast of Terengganu state on Malaysia’s eastern peninsula.

Company officials confirmed that three workers were declared deceased upon reaching the hospital, while a fourth employee who sustained injuries was transported for emergency medical care and continues to be monitored by medical staff.

“Investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing in coordination with the relevant authorities,” the company stated in its official announcement.

The energy company declined to release additional information about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

According to Malaysia’s state news agency Bernama, the workers had entered a lifeboat positioned on the floating storage and offloading platform with plans to descend into ocean waters for maintenance duties. Local law enforcement sources told Bernama that the rope or connecting mechanism securing the lifeboat appears to have failed, resulting in the workers plunging into the water below.

Colombia’s three main presidential contenders brought their campaigns to a close Sunday with large-scale public events, setting the stage for the May 31 election that political experts believe will lead to several weeks of intense and divisive campaigning before a June 21 runoff vote.

According to the most recent polling data before the May 31 election, leftist politician Ivan Cepeda, 63, held a slim lead among the candidates. However, the same survey suggested he would be defeated in the June runoff against either of his conservative opponents. Previous polling had indicated he would prevail in a second-round contest.

Cepeda has committed to advancing the social reform agenda initiated by current President Gustavo Petro, but he faces scrutiny over the sitting president’s unsuccessful “total peace” strategy that seeks to resolve conflicts through dialogue with illegal armed organizations operating in the nation.

Opposition voices claim Cepeda maintains connections to former leaders of the disbanded FARC guerrilla movement, whose breakaway groups continue to play significant roles in the ongoing six-decade conflict that has included right-wing paramilitary forces, narcotics traffickers and resulted in over 450,000 deaths.

Running closely behind Cepeda in the polls was Abelardo De La Espriella, 47, a business executive and attorney who has promised to reduce taxes, boost investment in mining and energy sectors, and launch military operations against illegal armed organizations and drug trafficking networks.

De La Espriella has encountered criticism for his legal representation of disputed clients, including businessman Alex Saab, who stands accused of serving as a financial intermediary for Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolas Maduro. Saab was extradited to the U.S. last week to face criminal charges.

Running in third place in polling was Paloma Valencia, 48, whose platform includes expanding military forces, reducing government size and lowering tax rates. She has received endorsement from former President Alvaro Uribe.

“We can expect a fear-mongering campaign focused on each candidate’s worst attributes,” Sergio Guzman, director of consulting firm Colombia Risk Analysis, told Reuters.

According to Guzman, accusations like “corrupt, amoral, guerrillas, drug traffickers, and paramilitary sympathizers” will likely characterize the political discourse leading up to the runoff election.

The incoming president will confront significant challenges including restoring public safety, strengthening the nation’s financial position, addressing informal employment issues and tackling poverty and inequality.

Cepeda held his final campaign event in the Caribbean coastal city of Barranquilla, while De La Espriella chose Colombia’s second-biggest city and corporate hub Medellin, and Valencia concluded her campaign in the capital Bogota.

Detainees at a correctional facility in Venezuela’s Barinas region climbed onto the building’s roof Sunday in a dramatic demonstration against alleged violence by guards and administrative misconduct.

The inmates set mattresses ablaze during their rooftop demonstration and demanded the dismissal of the facility’s administrator, claiming guards had fired weapons at unarmed detainees.

“We want justice. They are shooting us, the guards and the wardens,” one detainee stated in footage distributed by the Venezuelan Prison Observatory, a local advocacy organization, on X. The video showed an individual with what appeared to be a gunshot injury to his torso.

The demonstrating prisoners maintained they were conducting a peaceful protest when correctional staff discharged firearms, resulting in injuries to some detainees.

Government officials in Venezuela have not yet provided a response to inquiries about the incident.

In footage circulated by the advocacy group, detainees demanded the dismissal of the newly installed facility administrator Elvis Macuare Guerrero. The prisoners alleged their garments had been confiscated, family visits had been prohibited, and they faced coercion to participate in narcotics trafficking.

Relatives of the detainees confronted National Guard personnel equipped with protective shields outside the facility, attempting without success to prevent their entry. These family members reported to the advocacy organization that they heard shouting and explosive sounds shortly after the officers went inside.

The advocacy organization stated it was recording the incidents and would submit reports to human rights monitoring agencies.

Venezuela’s correctional system has drawn international attention as the administration of interim President Delcy Rodriguez enacted legislation to free hundreds of individuals classified as political detainees. The U.S. launched an operation against Caracas in January, resulting in the capture of then-President Nicolas Maduro.

KINSHASA, Congo — Medical workers at a Congo hospital scrambled to evacuate Ebola patients Sunday night after furious men broke into the facility demanding the remains of deceased relatives, amid sounds of gunfire in the surrounding area.

The assault on Monbgwalu General Hospital left casualties unknown, according to Dr. Richard Lokudu, the facility’s medical director, who spoke with The Associated Press. The intruders insisted on receiving two bodies of family members who had died.

“There was gunfire and the medics were trying to evacuate the patients and the staff,” Lokudu explained during a phone interview.

“Monbgwalu General Hospital is on general alert,” he stated, noting he lacked additional information about the developing crisis.

This incident represents the third assault in seven days targeting medical centers where healthcare workers battle limited resources while treating potential Ebola patients, highlighting the difficulties surrounding this outbreak that the World Health Organization has labeled a public health emergency of international concern.

Remains of Ebola victims carry extreme infection risks and can trigger additional transmission when families handle burial preparations and hold funeral ceremonies.

Congo’s government has ordered that burial procedures for suspected victims be handled by officials when feasible, a policy that has sparked resistance from grieving families and communities. Friday brought new restrictions as authorities prohibited funeral gatherings and assemblies exceeding 50 people across northeastern Congo to limit viral transmission.

Saturday saw Mongbwalu residents attack and burn down a tent facility established by Doctors Without Borders for treating suspected and confirmed Ebola patients.

That assault resulted in 18 individuals with suspected infections fleeing the site, with their current whereabouts unknown, Lokudu had reported previously.

Thursday witnessed another treatment facility destroyed by fire in Rwampara after relatives were prohibited from claiming a local man’s body who allegedly died from Ebola.

The World Health Organization has elevated the outbreak’s threat level to “very high” for Congo, upgrading from the previous “high” classification, while maintaining that global spread probability remains minimal.

Sunday morning brought updated figures from Congo’s Ministry of Communication via X, reporting 904 suspected Ebola cases, predominantly in northeastern Ituri Province — a substantial increase from the previously reported total exceeding 700 suspected infections.

The ministry listed total suspected Ebola fatalities at 119, though regional breakdowns totaled 220 deaths. Officials were unavailable to clarify this numerical inconsistency.

No vaccine exists for the Bundibugyo virus, an uncommon Ebola strain that circulated undetected for weeks throughout Ituri after the initial reported death in late April in Bunia, the provincial capital, while authorities tested unsuccessfully for a more prevalent Ebola variant.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies announced Saturday that three volunteers had perished from the outbreak in Mongbwalu. The organization believes these healthcare workers became infected March 27 while handling corpses during a humanitarian operation unconnected to Ebola.

If verified, this information would dramatically alter the outbreak’s established timeline.

New Zealand announced Monday it will impose stricter English language standards for certain work visa categories while creating new philanthropic opportunities for investor visa holders, according to Immigration Minister Erica Stanford.

The policy updates take effect June 1 and affect the Accredited Employer Work Visa program and the Active Investor Plus Visa Growth category. Officials are also working to launch two additional skilled residence programs in August.

Under the revised rules, English proficiency requirements for the Accredited Employer Work Visa will now include skill level 3 positions in areas like hospitality and skilled trades. This brings those roles in line with standards already required for skill levels 4 and 5.

“Being able to communicate in basic, everyday English ensures that workers understand their rights and engage effectively at work and in the community while they are here,” Stanford stated.

The English language mandate does not affect Global Workforce Seasonal Visa or Peak Seasonal Visa candidates, and existing workers seeking job changes are also exempt from the requirement.

Meanwhile, applicants for the Active Investor Plus Visa Growth category will now have the option to direct up to 20% of their investment total toward charitable contributions. This allows up to NZ$1 million ($587,600) of the required NZ$5 million minimum investment to go to philanthropic causes, with remaining funds still required to go toward higher-growth investments.

A small aircraft accident in northern Israel’s Jezreel Valley claimed the lives of two retired Israeli Air Force officers on Sunday morning, according to emergency services and local media outlets.

Officials identified the victims as Lt. Col. (res.) Yuval (Eyal) Inbar, 50, a former squadron commander, and retired Lt. Col. Itai Talmi, 70, who also served as an Air Force officer and later worked as a captain for El Al.

The fatal accident happened during the morning hours of May 24, 2026, when the small plane went down in farming fields close to Tel Adashim in northern Israel.

According to Magen David Adom, both men, described as being around 50 years of age, sustained life-threatening injuries when their small plane crashed. Emergency medical teams rushed both victims to HaEmek Medical Center in Afula while performing life-saving procedures, but hospital staff ultimately declared them deceased.

Emergency services received the initial report at 9:06 a.m. through Magen David Adom’s 101 emergency dispatch center serving the Gilboa region.

First responders reported that crews who reached the crash site discovered the plane severely damaged in an open field close to the moshav.

Magen David Adom motorcycle unit paramedic Maor Atadgi described the emergency response to Ynet.

“This is a difficult incident. We arrived at the scene with ambulances, intensive care units, and motorcycles as an immediate response. They led us through the area to the crashed plane, which had severe metal damage, and nearby were 2 men who were unconscious, without a pulse, and not breathing.”

Atadgi continued, “We immediately began advanced resuscitation efforts and evacuated them in MDA intensive care units to the hospital while their condition was critical.”

Authorities continued investigating the crash circumstances and gathering additional information throughout Sunday.

Pakistan’s Federal Shariat Court has overturned legislation that removed criminal penalties for attempted suicide, determining the changes conflict with Islamic principles.

The court made this decision after reviewing multiple petitions challenging the law that Parliament enacted.

In 2022, the National Assembly modified the Pakistan Penal Code by eliminating attempted suicide from criminal offenses. The amended law prohibited legal prosecution of individuals who attempted suicide.

The Federal Shariat Court explained in its decision that governments must safeguard citizens’ lives and emphasized that criminalizing suicide attempts previously served to discourage such actions and prevent them through fear of prosecution.

The court determined that mental illness alone does not justify eliminating this law.

During proceedings, government representatives cited World Health Organization statistics showing millions of annual suicide deaths globally, with mental illness being the leading factor.

The federal government maintained that the law’s main purpose was recognizing that people who attempt suicide typically experience psychological problems or mental health issues.

Government officials additionally argued that since suicide attempters are victims themselves, these situations should be addressed medically rather than legally, without criminal prosecution.

Officials contended that people in these circumstances often face mental, economic, and social pressures, requiring medical care instead of punishment.

However, the Federal Shariat Court countered that suicide and attempted suicide stem from factors beyond just mental illness or psychological distress.

These factors may encompass suicide attempts for terrorist purposes, hunger strikes seeking political or economic benefits, public self-immolation using kerosene, and sometimes suicide attempts influenced by internet content or mobile apps.

The court noted that while each suicide attempter faces unique circumstances, removing criminal status from all suicide attempts regardless of motivation is inappropriate.

The court pointed out that Pakistan’s Constitution already contains provisions for helping individuals with mental disabilities.

The Federal Shariat Court also consulted the Council of Islamic Ideology, which declared suicide a serious sin requiring discouragement.

Tanzeela Javed, an Islamabad-based clinical psychiatrist, told The Media Line “In most cases, attempted suicide is associated with treatable mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, or acute psychosocial stressors like financial hardship or relationship breakdown.”

She added “Prevention strategies are never purely medical; they also require social support systems, crisis services, and responsible public policy. The most effective frameworks internationally tend to treat suicide prevention as a public health priority while still ensuring appropriate safeguards in exceptional contexts”.

Javed emphasized, “Ultimately, the clinical goal is not punishment, but risk reduction, treatment access, and preservation of life through early and non-judgmental intervention.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is organizing a restricted security cabinet session for Sunday night to address a developing agreement between the United States and Iran, as Israeli leadership expresses worries about specific terms in the proposed memorandum of understanding that could halt hostilities with Hezbollah and postpone comprehensive nuclear discussions.

A representative for one of the ministers scheduled to attend the session confirmed the meeting to The Times of Israel, noting that a specific time has not been established.

Based on reports from Kan, Netanyahu has expressed worry about at least two components of the proposed deal: a mandate to cease military actions against Lebanon and the deferral of meaningful talks about Iran’s nuclear program to a later phase of negotiations.

The memorandum of understanding being considered would extend the ceasefire for 60 days and mandate that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States would terminate its naval blockade. Throughout the 60-day timeframe, the US would consider removing sanctions against Iran, while American forces would stay in the area until negotiations are completed.

Hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah would cease under the agreement, though Israel would maintain the capability to respond with military force if Hezbollah initiates attacks.

Israel was excluded from Saturday’s “phone summit” that included the United States and leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey discussing the revised memorandum of understanding. Reuters indicated that Pakistan also joined the call.

Israeli broadcaster N12 stated that Netanyahu considers the proposal potentially detrimental to Israel. An Israeli official mentioned in the coverage said US special envoy Steve Witkoff strongly backed the agreement and “wants a deal at almost any price, and is placing immense pressure on Trump not to resume the war.”

Two American officials informed The New York Times that Iran had consented as part of the developing arrangement to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

The coverage indicated that the proposal does not detail how Tehran would give up the material, and talks on implementation were delayed to the subsequent round of nuclear negotiations.

The coverage stated that Iran initially opposed including uranium provisions in the first stage of the agreement, but American officials communicated through intermediaries that military operations would continue without such an understanding.

During his annual State of the Union speech on Sunday, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa highlighted his administration’s crime-fighting initiatives backed by the United States while also pointing to improvements in economic measures.

Speaking before the National Assembly in Quito, the capital city, Noboa pointed to the transfer of twelve crime leaders to the U.S. and the confiscation of nearly 300 tons of illegal drugs as proof of what he called a strong and successful strategy against organized crime, which remains the primary worry for citizens of Ecuador during this decade.

“We will seek them out, find them and extradite them,” Noboa declared regarding wanted criminals, emphasizing that the South American nation cannot progress “if families live in fear” because of organized crime.

The country has faced challenges controlling drug-related violence beginning in 2021 as competing cartels form alliances with neighborhood gangs and fight over control of trafficking routes and coastal ports for moving cocaine. Ecuador sits between Colombia and Peru, which are the world’s leading cocaine-producing nations.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, Ecuador experienced its worst homicide rate in decades last year with 50 killings for every 100,000 people.

To address this crisis, Noboa, who won reelection last year for a four-year period, has implemented emergency powers allowing military forces to execute various anti-crime tactics, including combined patrols with law enforcement and searches of properties without warrants. Earlier this year, Ecuador’s armed forces also conducted a joint mission with U.S. military against a training facility reportedly operated by Colombian drug dealers, striking the location using drones, helicopters and boats.

Civil society organizations have criticized Noboa, arguing his aggressive tactics have not succeeded in lowering crime rates while endangering innocent people.

Glaedys González, who analyzes the Andean region for the International Crisis Group, stated Sunday that Noboa may have presented an overly positive view of the nation’s security situation in his address, but “progress on violence is far from being achieved.”

“It is evident that the situation in Ecuador has reached unprecedented levels,” González said.

During Sunday’s address, Noboa also highlighted economic improvements, informing legislators that poverty decreased from 26% to 21.4% in 2025 while severe poverty fell from 10.4% to 8.4%.

Noboa initially won office in 2023 through a special election that occurred after former President Guillermo Lasso disbanded the National Assembly and cut short his own presidency.

Ireland’s center-right ruling Fine Gael party and the smaller center-left Social Democrats each secured victories in Sunday’s by-elections, while a figure identified by courts as leading a notorious criminal organization failed once again to win office.

The outcomes represented a setback for the left-wing nationalist Sinn Fein party, which has emerged as one of Ireland’s three major political forces and had aimed to capture a seat in the Dublin Central district where party leader Mary Lou McDonald currently serves as a representative.

The weak performance by Fianna Fail, the other party in the governing coalition, across both contests may intensify criticism of Prime Minister Micheal Martin from members of his own party.

Daniel Ennis of the Social Democrats claimed victory in Dublin, building on the party’s success from the general election held 18 months earlier when it expanded its representation from six to 11 seats in the 174-member legislative body.

The party now holds the position as parliament’s fourth-largest faction, achieving this status just over ten years since its establishment.

The results indicated that the Social Democrats attracted some progressive voters who previously supported Sinn Fein, though the main opposition party also saw erosion of its traditional working-class base to increasingly popular right-wing candidates, continuing a trend from 2024.

Gerry Hutch, identified by an Irish court in 2023 as leading a prominent criminal organization in Ireland, secured 11% of initial preference votes to finish in fourth place. Running on a platform that included anti-immigration positions, Hutch barely failed to secure one of four Dublin Central seats during the 2024 general election.

In media statements, Hutch has rejected claims that he leads a criminal enterprise.

Sean Kyne, a former junior minister representing Fine Gael, achieved the rare distinction of becoming just the fourth government party candidate to win a by-election since 1982. His success in the western Galway county preserved the coalition’s substantial parliamentary majority.

Independent Ireland, a recently formed rural-oriented right-wing party that prominently backed recent public demonstrations against rising fuel costs, posed the strongest challenge to Kyne.

The election results highlighted the divided state of Ireland’s voting public, with four parties spanning the political spectrum engaged in tight competition for the two available seats.

STAROBILSK, Russian-controlled Ukraine, May 24 (TV Delmarva) — Investigation teams spent Sunday examining the destroyed remains of a dormitory building following what Russian officials describe as a deadly Ukrainian drone assault in the Luhansk region, an area under Russian occupation during the ongoing four-year conflict.

Officials reported that rescue operations ended late Saturday evening, with the final casualty count from the attack on the educational facility reaching 21 victims, including numerous young women.

The structure’s front wall showed massive damage with large openings and shattered glass throughout. Debris consisting of bent metal pieces and broken concrete scattered around what had been the building’s central yard, while damaged furniture and classroom equipment remained stacked inside.

An investigator wearing safety equipment studied metal fragments and other wreckage arranged on a protective covering while personnel from Russia’s Investigative Committee gathered evidence from Friday’s incident.

Reuters covered this story from Starobilsk during an official press tour arranged by Russia’s Foreign Ministry on May 24, 2026.

Ukrainian military officials rejected claims of responsibility for the strike, stating they had targeted a specialized drone operations unit in the vicinity and maintained adherence to international humanitarian standards.

Reuters could not independently confirm the details of what occurred.

“Three waves of UAVs (drones) 10-15 minutes apart,” Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Yana Lantrova, told journalists outside the damaged structure while a group displayed photographs of the deceased.

“Sixteen UAVs in total. They waited for the children to run out. They fired directly at the children.”

The educational institution, located in eastern Luhansk region and annexed by Russia months following the Kremlin’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, displayed official Russian government emblems.

Posted on one interior wall were guidelines for responding to “the threat of terrorism.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin directed his armed forces to develop retaliatory options against Ukraine following the incident.

Less than 24 hours later, during the early hours of Sunday, Russia launched an assault on Kyiv and nearby regions using hundreds of drones and missiles in what represented one of the most intense bombardments of the capital since the conflict began.

The nighttime attack resulted in four deaths and included the deployment of a Russian Oreshnik hypersonic missile targeting an area south of Kyiv.

Eight Arab-Islamic nations issued a harsh rebuke on Sunday against Israeli police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for his conduct toward humanitarian workers who were detained while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.

The controversy erupted after Ben-Gvir shared a video showing him mocking activists who were restrained on the ground during their detention. Several of the detained individuals, who had been part of a flotilla seeking to transport humanitarian supplies to Gaza, have since claimed they suffered physical abuse while in custody – allegations that Israel’s prison service has rejected.

In their joint statement, the foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan declared: “Ben-Gvir’s deliberate public humiliation of detainees is a disgraceful assault on human dignity and a clear violation of Israel’s obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and international human rights law.”

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu secured his party’s nomination for the upcoming presidential election after winning Saturday’s primary by an overwhelming margin, according to results released Sunday.

The All Progressives Congress party conducted its presidential primary following an unexpected challenge from Stanley Osifo. Tinubu dominated the voting, capturing close to 11 million votes while Osifo received only 16,500.

The president has earned praise from international investors following his implementation of significant economic reforms, which included eliminating fuel and electricity subsidies, dismantling foreign exchange restrictions, and restructuring the nation’s tax system.

Tinubu’s path to re-election became clearer when an opposition alliance aimed at presenting a unified candidate against him fell apart earlier this month.

The president assumed office in 2023 following his victory over two primary opponents, who later contested the election results in court claiming fraud. Tinubu maintained that his victory was legitimate.

Approximately 2,000 demonstrators marched through Bilbao, Spain on Sunday, expressing outrage over how Basque police officers handled activists returning from a Gaza aid mission who had been held in Israeli custody.

The controversy erupted Saturday at Bilbao airport when a family member of one of six returning activists attempted to reach them, but was forcibly stopped by an officer, sparking confrontations between both groups, according to footage from state broadcaster TVE.

Video evidence revealed officers using batons to strike individuals and forcing others to the ground while bystanders shouted in disapproval. Prior to the altercation, the activists had apparently blocked passenger exits, prompting police intervention to relocate them.

The Basque regional police department announced Sunday that it has opened an inquiry to assess whether officers followed proper protocols. Reuters has contacted the Spanish government seeking their response.

During Sunday’s demonstration, pro-Palestinian marchers displayed signs criticizing the Basque police department and claiming the regional government was cooperating with Zionism.

The activists had been freed from Israeli custody following their detention aboard a flotilla attempting to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza. Event organizers claimed Friday that the activists faced mistreatment during Israeli detention, with multiple individuals requiring hospitalization for injuries and no fewer than 15 alleging sexual violence, including rape.

Israel’s prison service rejected these accusations, and Reuters could not independently confirm the activists’ allegations.

Spain joined other Western nations Thursday in expressing outrage after Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video of himself ridiculing the activists while they were restrained on a prison floor.

Francesca Albanese, a UN expert on the Palestinian territories, has urged accountability for those involved in the Bilbao airport incident, while Amnesty International has called for a comprehensive investigation.

The Israeli Embassy in Spain has requested an “explanation” from the Spanish government regarding the airport events.

Israel’s Prime Minister conveyed to the U.S. President during a Saturday phone conversation that his nation would continue operating freely against security threats in Lebanon, according to an Israeli government source.

The discussion occurred as the President revealed that Washington and Iran had “largely negotiated” a memorandum of understanding regarding a peace agreement that would restore access to the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route that has been essentially blocked since the U.S. and Israel began their military campaign against Iran in February.

“In last night’s conversation with President Trump, the Prime Minister emphasized that Israel will maintain freedom of action against threats in all arenas, including Lebanon, and President Trump reiterated and supported this principle,” the Israeli political source told Reuters on Sunday, asking not to be named.

Hope increased for a possible resolution to the three-month conflict after the President announced that Pakistan was helping broker an emerging deal to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Fars news agency reported the proposed agreement includes provisions preventing the U.S. and its partners from attacking Iran or its allies, while Iran would commit to avoiding preemptive strikes against them.

A prominent Israeli politician expressed opposition to accepting any ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have deployed to combat the Iranian-supported Hezbollah militia, as part of negotiations with Iran.

The Israeli source indicated that the U.S. continues briefing Israel on the ongoing diplomatic talks with Iran.

“President Trump made it clear that he will stand firm in negotiations on his consistent demand for the dismantling of the Iranian nuclear program and the removal of all enriched uranium from its territory,” the source said, “and that he will not sign a final agreement without these conditions being met”.

The President posted on Truth Social that his conversation with Israel’s leader had proceeded “very well”.

Thousands of demonstrators filled Madrid’s city center Sunday, voicing their frustration over escalating housing prices that have pushed homeownership and rental costs beyond reach for many Spanish citizens, despite the nation’s recent economic growth. The problem is particularly acute in major urban centers like Madrid and Barcelona.

The housing affordability crisis poses a significant political challenge for Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as he approaches the 2027 elections.

Spain has historically emphasized homeownership with limited public rental housing available. According to analysts, rental prices have climbed due to heightened demand from tourism growth and population increases tied to immigration.

Demonstrators carried signs and voiced chants emphasizing housing as a basic right. One sign displayed the message: “We want neighbors, not tourists.”

Among those marching was Estrella Baudu, a 28-year-old teacher currently residing with her grandmother. “The situation for many young people like me is quite complicated, and it is very difficult to find a rental home due to the prices and low salaries,” she said.

The housing demonstration occurred one day following a separate large-scale protest in Madrid targeting Sanchez, amid growing political tensions surrounding corruption accusations and general government dissatisfaction.

Home purchases have become financially impossible for many Spanish residents, with market forces and speculation inflating costs, particularly in major metropolitan areas and coastal regions.

In recent weeks, Spain’s government approved an extensive 7 billion euro ($8.23 billion) initiative aimed at constructing additional public housing over four years while providing assistance to young renters and prospective homebuyers who face the greatest burden from elevated housing expenses.

“The government may say it is taking measures, but the reality for those of us who rent is that we are receiving notices from our landlords who want to evict us,” said protester Fernando de los Santos, a 36-year-old university professor. “The only thing they offer us are abusive price increases.”

A related legislative measure that would have continued temporary rent controls failed to gain parliamentary approval, leaving the Sánchez administration vulnerable to additional housing-related criticism in the near term.

Spanish citizens have organized multiple street demonstrations nationwide in recent years to oppose high rental and purchase costs. A primary demand involves stricter regulation of tourist rental properties that have expanded throughout Spanish city centers, as the country welcomed a record 97 million international visitors last year.

Housing expenses increased nearly 13% compared to the previous year by late 2025, based on data from Eurostat, the EU statistics agency.

Spain’s central bank calculates that the Southern European country of 50 million residents faces a shortage of 700,000 homes when comparing housing demand to new construction rates.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — A veteran British mountaineering guide shows no signs of slowing down after achieving a remarkable milestone on the world’s tallest peak.

Kenton Cool, a climber from southwest England, reached Mount Everest’s summit for the 20th time this week, establishing a new record for most successful climbs by a non-Sherpa guide on the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) mountain.

“Maybe another two or three more times,” Cool said when speaking with reporters following his flight from the mountain region to Kathmandu on Sunday.

The 52-year-old mountaineer had previously indicated last year that he planned to attempt Everest perhaps just once more before turning his attention to other, smaller peaks.

Cool joined hundreds of other climbers and their Sherpa guides who successfully reached the summit in recent days, despite delays created by a dangerous serac threatening the climbing route. The hazardous conditions forced mountaineers to attempt their climbs during a brief window of favorable weather, creating significant crowding at the top.

Wednesday saw 274 climbers reach the summit in a single day, establishing a new daily record for the popular southern route located in Nepal.

“We had no issues. We had no crowds, we had a great summit,” Cool explained, noting that his successful climb occurred on Friday.

While climbers can approach the summit from Nepal’s southern side or from the northern face in China’s Tibet region, Chinese officials have blocked access to their route this season. Nepal’s authorities granted climbing permits to 494 mountaineers, each accompanied by an equal number of Sherpa guides.

Veteran guide Kami Rita Sherpa, who holds climbing records of his own, has recommended limiting climber numbers due to excessive crowding this season.

Cool disagreed with restricting climber quantities, instead advocating for greater focus on the expertise and knowledge of permit holders attempting the mountain.

“It is the various companies being little more diligent on who they take, so they are making sure there is the experience of the climbers and then just being little more careful with when they want to climb,” he explained.

Nepal’s mountaineering officials are working to implement new rules that would require climbers to demonstrate previous experience, though current regulations only mandate payment of $15,000 permit fees.

Benin’s newly inaugurated president, Romuald Wadagni, promised during Sunday’s ceremony to tackle increasing security concerns and make sure economic progress reaches ordinary citizens in meaningful ways.

The Constitutional Court confirmed Sunday that Wadagni secured his victory on April 12, capturing more than 94% of votes cast against opponent Paul Hounkpe.

The incoming leader replaces Patrice Talon, who governed the West African country from 2016 and departed after completing two terms as required by the constitution.

At 49 years old, the former finance minister brings a decade of experience in that position and is anticipated to build upon Talon’s reform policies that produced consistent economic expansion and enhanced the nation’s business environment.

“Our economy has progressed. That’s a fact. But we all know that national growth only makes sense when it becomes visible in people’s everyday lives,” Wadagni stated during his swearing-in speech.

His administration plans to emphasize employment opportunities, availability of essential services, and social safety nets.

“The development of Benin must be experienced in every component of society and in every territory of the Republic,” he declared.

The new president also recognized growing security concerns, as extremist organizations spreading from the Sahel region have increased attacks in Benin’s northern areas over recent years.

“Benin will not yield to fear or complacency,” he stated, promising enhanced collaboration with neighboring nations confronting similar threats.

Representatives from Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, the Sahel nations most affected by these security issues, attended the inauguration ceremony along with several other countries.

In an area where certain leaders have attempted to prolong their time in office, Wadagni emphasized his dedication to democratic principles.

“I will serve with the constant awareness that power is never a personal privilege,” he remarked.

The previous administration barely weathered an attempted coup in December, highlighting the unstable political and security conditions Wadagni inherits as he begins his presidency.

HASSAKEH, Syria (AP) — Parliamentary voting took place Sunday across Syria’s Kurdish-populated northeastern Hassakeh province and the community of Kobani, territories that returned to government authority following military action in January.

The remainder of Syria participated in People’s Assembly elections last October, nearly twelve months following the collapse of the Assad dynasty during a rebel campaign. At that time, however, extensive portions of the nation’s northeastern territory remained under Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces authority, particularly Hassakeh and Kobani.

The nation continues to struggle with the catastrophic effects of its civil conflict that lasted from 2011 through 2024, with doubt persisting among significant portions of minority populations now governed by Islamist leadership, while countless Syrians face economic hardship.

During January, government military operations against Kurdish forces brought those areas back under Damascus control, now governed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s Islamist-led administration.

Sunday’s balloting determined the final 11 positions in Syria’s inaugural parliament following former President Bashar Assad’s removal from power. Hassakeh accounts for nine positions while Kobani in Aleppo province represents two additional seats.

Although legislative contests during Assad’s rule lacked genuine competition and essentially involved internal Baath Party member selection, the current system under al-Sharaa also falls short of complete democratic representation. Electoral colleges within Syria’s districts select most parliamentary positions, while al-Sharaa personally selects the remaining third of lawmakers.

Nevertheless, participants expressed contentment with the procedure as progress in Syria’s post-conflict and post-authoritarian transition.

“We want representatives who will amplify the voices of people the Hassakeh,” Mukhalaf al-Hatthal, one of the voters in Qamishli, told The Associated Press. He said the biggest concerns are related to infrastructure, agriculture and maintaining peace. “There is a great democratic atmosphere here.”

However, Masoud al-Majeed, another member of the electoral college, said he hoped that the voting process will change, adding the current one does not represent everyone.

HONG KONG (AP) — Thousands of festival-goers flocked to Cheung Chau, an outer island of Hong Kong’s bustling metropolis, to participate in the famous bun celebration that honors a hundred-year-old custom based on seeking peace and divine favor.

Visitors and locals endured sweltering temperatures to observe youngsters in elaborate outfits participating in the “Piu Sik” procession, meaning “floating colors.” Young participants, portraying mythical gods, historical figures, or community leaders, were elevated on platforms above the spectators as they traveled through the island’s tight pathways.

The main attraction occurs at midnight with the “bun-scrambling” contest, where competitors scale a structure laden with plastic buns. Contestants must gather buns within a designated timeframe, with each bun worth varying points based on its position. Victory goes to whoever accumulates the most points, while a separate “Full Pockets of Lucky Buns” prize recognizes the person collecting the most buns overall.

The climbing event was halted for many years following a 1978 incident when bun structures fell down, causing injuries to numerous participants. Officials brought back the custom in 2005.

Hong Kong’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Office explains that local folklore tells of Cheung Chau suffering from a deadly epidemic, prompting villagers to bring in religious leaders to establish a prayer altar beside a temple for divine intervention. Residents also carried religious statues through community streets. Following these ceremonies, the disease ended, leading Cheung Chau inhabitants to continue hosting this event, also called the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, to ward off calamity and seek divine protection and tranquility, according to the office.

This celebration has emerged as among Hong Kong’s most sought-after tourist experiences in recent times. Visitors frequently purchase steamed buns marked with Chinese symbols meaning “peace” and “safety” along with festival-themed keepsakes.

ANKARA, May 24 – Law enforcement officers deployed tear gas and forced their way past the entrance barriers of Turkey’s primary opposition party building on Sunday to remove leadership that had been ordered out by the courts, according to an eyewitness account.

A higher court ruled Thursday to remove Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel from his position, invalidating the outcome of the CHP leadership vote that brought him to power in 2023 due to alleged procedural violations.

The judicial decision restored former CHP chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu to the leadership role, who had been defeated by President Tayyip Erdogan in the country’s national election during that same year.

A court in Bahrain has imposed life sentences on nine people and sentenced two additional defendants to three years behind bars for working with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in activities the court characterized as “hostile and terrorist acts” targeting Bahrain, according to the state news agency’s Sunday report.

According to the court statement, those convicted participated in collecting intelligence about sensitive locations and enabling related financial transactions.

On May 9, Bahrain’s interior ministry announced the detention of 41 individuals allegedly connected to the IRGC. Security officials discovered a network with ties to the IRGC, while prosecutor investigations also examined cases involving support for Iranian attacks, the ministry stated.

Following a war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, Iran conducted strikes against targets in Bahrain and other Gulf Arab nations that host American military installations.

President Donald Trump announced that negotiations with Iran concerning Middle East warfare have been “largely negotiated,” following weekend discussions with Israel and regional partners about reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

However, other administration figures urged restraint on Sunday, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that “significant progress, although not final progress has been made” during the talks.

During his four-day trip to India for conferences with Indian, Australian and Japanese representatives, Rubio expressed optimism for positive developments in the near future.

According to Rubio, the discussions have achieved one of Trump’s primary objectives, “that is a world that no longer has to be in fear or worry about an Iranian nuclear weapon.”

Trump revealed on Saturday that he had conducted conversations with officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, plus a separate discussion with Israel.

“Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly,” Trump posted on social media without providing specifics.

This development followed a week during which the U.S. considered launching additional strikes against the Islamic Republic that could have shattered the delicate ceasefire.

According to two regional sources, the prospective agreement would involve Iran’s pledge to abandon nuclear weapons development and Tehran’s consent to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

One source with firsthand knowledge of the discussions explained that the method for Iran’s uranium surrender remains under negotiation throughout a 60-day timeline.

The source indicated that portions of the material would likely be diluted, while remaining quantities could be sent to another nation, possibly Russia.

The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which represents a brief technical leap from the 90% weapons-grade threshold.

The official stated that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen progressively alongside the U.S. lifting its blockade of Iranian ports.

The second briefed official revealed that America would permit Iran to market oil through sanctions exemptions. Relief from sanctions and release of Iran’s frozen assets would be negotiated within the 60-day period, the source added.

Both sources confirmed the proposed deal encompasses ending hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, plus a pledge against meddling in regional nations’ internal matters. The officials requested anonymity to discuss private negotiations.

Three months have elapsed since the U.S. and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28, eliminating senior Iranian leadership including its supreme leader and disrupting nuclear discussions between America and Iran for the second time in under a year. Iran retaliated against Israel and neighbors housing U.S. military presence, alarming Gulf states that had viewed themselves as secure zones in a volatile region.

A ceasefire has remained intact since April 7. However, Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz to vessels transporting regional petroleum, natural gas and other essential materials has become a center of worldwide anxiety and economic hardship.

Israeli leadership worries that Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant organization aligned with Iran, continues posing a major threat to Israel and that Lebanon lacks capability to disarm the group.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned Trump that Israel “maintains freedom of action against threats in all arenas, including Lebanon,” according to a source familiar with their conversation. The source requested anonymity due to lack of media authorization.

The source reported that Trump clearly informed Netanyahu he would not approve any final arrangement without requirements that Iran dismantle its complete nuclear program and eliminate all enriched uranium from Iranian territory.

Israel’s Minister of Science and Technology Gila Gamliel, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party and part of his national security cabinet, told Israel’s Army Radio on Sunday morning that Israel is taking a “wait-and-see” approach.

A fragile, U.S.-mediated ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon has existed since April 17, a war that commenced two days following the Iran conflict’s start.

Regardless of the ceasefire, combat persists on both sides. Hezbollah fires daily drones and missiles at Israeli forces and northern Israel, while Israel attacks Lebanese targets as its military maintains presence across extensive areas of southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese Health Ministry reports over 3,000 deaths in the recent fighting round. Furthermore, 22 Israeli soldiers and one defense contractor have died in or around southern Lebanon, and two civilians have perished in northern Israel, primarily from Hezbollah drones, Netanyahu’s office confirmed.

ANKARA (AP) — A tense confrontation unfolded Sunday at Turkey’s primary opposition party offices, where members have barricaded themselves inside to prevent a court-mandated leadership change from taking place.

The crisis at the Republican People’s Party, known as CHP, began Thursday after an appeals court overturned the party’s November 2023 leadership election that brought Ozgur Ozel to power, replacing former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

The court decision removes Ozel and the current executive committee from their positions, mandating that Kilicdaroglu and his previous leadership team be reinstated. Party officials argue this judicial intervention represents a politically motivated attack designed to undermine their organization amid numerous ongoing legal battles targeting party members and elected representatives.

The 77-year-old Kilicdaroglu had stepped down after leading the party for 13 years without securing victory in any nationwide contests. In contrast, Ozel achieved a significant triumph against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party during his first major test in the 2024 local elections.

Turkey’s next presidential contest is scheduled for 2028, though Erdogan retains the authority to schedule an earlier vote. His primary political rival, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu from the CHP, has been behind bars since March of last year while facing corruption-related charges in court.

Political analysts widely believe the numerous legal proceedings against the CHP, primarily involving corruption accusations, represent an effort to weaken the opposition before upcoming elections. Government officials maintain that Turkey’s judicial system operates without political interference and makes independent decisions.

The overwhelming majority of party members have shown support for Ozel. He and most party officials have remained inside the CHP’s Ankara headquarters since Thursday’s court ruling, preventing the court-appointed leadership from accessing the building. Both factions planned to hold discussions Sunday afternoon seeking a resolution to the crisis.

Media outlets reported that a group appeared outside the building whom Ozel characterized as non-party members sent to create intimidation. Police numbers increased throughout the morning, and Kilicdaroglu’s attorney, Celal Celik, formally requested Ankara law enforcement assistance in clearing the building. The Ankara Governor’s office issued a statement granting approval for this request.

Erdogan has maintained control over Turkey as either prime minister or president since 2003. His winning streak faced a significant challenge in 2019 when the CHP captured control of multiple major cities during local elections. Imamoglu gained prominence in Istanbul as a compelling political figure whom many believed capable of defeating Erdogan in future contests.

Health officials in Gaza report that three family members, including an infant, were killed when Israeli forces struck an apartment building at a refugee camp in the central part of the territory on Sunday.

According to medical personnel, the attack at the Nuseirat refugee camp claimed the lives of Mohammad Abu Mallouh, his wife Alaa Zaqlan, and their six-month-old son Osama.

Israeli military officials have not yet provided a response regarding the deadly incident.

The violence continues despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October through mediation by U.S. President Donald Trump. The truce has not succeeded in ending Israeli military operations in Gaza, as Israel and Hamas remain at an impasse during indirect negotiations concerning the militant organization’s disarmament.

Under the current ceasefire arrangement, Israel maintains authority over more than half of Gaza’s territory, while Hamas retains control of a narrow coastal strip.

Gaza health authorities report that 880 Palestinians have died in Israeli military operations since the ceasefire took effect. These statistics do not separate militant fighters from non-combatants.

Israeli military sources indicate that four of their soldiers have been killed by militants during this same timeframe.

Hamas has not released casualty figures for its own forces. Israeli officials state that their military actions following the ceasefire are designed to thwart potential attacks and prevent individuals from approaching the armistice boundary established with Hamas.

Turkish government officials directed law enforcement to forcibly remove the current leadership of the nation’s primary opposition party from their headquarters on Sunday, following through on a court decision that has triggered a significant political upheaval.

Law enforcement officers in riot gear and large crowds assembled outside the Republican People’s Party (CHP) headquarters in Turkey’s capital after the Ankara governor’s office issued directives to remove party members who support the current leader Ozgur Ozel.

An appeals court in Turkey ruled on Thursday to invalidate the outcome of a party convention where Ozel won leadership in 2023, referencing unspecified procedural violations. The judicial decision restored former CHP Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu to power, who had previously been defeated by President Tayyip Erdogan in that year’s presidential race.

On Saturday, Ozel urged that a new party convention should take place immediately, while Kilicdaroglu stated that such a gathering would occur at a suitable moment.

The current CHP leadership supporting Ozel has denounced the judicial decision as a “judicial coup” and Ozel vowed to challenge it through the legal system while remaining “day and night” at the party’s headquarters in Ankara.

Party legislators on Saturday chose Ozel to lead the CHP’s legislative caucus.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Authorities in Australia report a deadly shark encounter at the Great Barrier Reef on Sunday, marking the country’s second fatal attack in just over a week.

A 39-year-old man lost his life while spearfishing with three companions at Kennedy Shoal, located off the Queensland state coastline south of Cairns, according to Police Inspector Elaine Burns.

“The man had been spearfishing when he was attacked and died from a critical head injury,” Burns told reporters.

The Cairns resident was transported by boat around midday to Hull Heads, a tourist destination, where emergency medical personnel were standing by. According to an ambulance service statement, he had “sustained injuries not compatible with life.”

Kennedy Shoal serves as a shallow coral reef destination favored by recreational anglers. The location also draws diving enthusiasts to explore the Lady Bowen, a shipwreck from the 19th century.

Before the attack occurred, anglers had reported bull shark sightings in the vicinity.

Just over a week earlier, on May 16, another spearfisher, Steve Mattabonni, was fatally attacked at a coral reef near Rottnest Island off Western Australia state’s southwest coastline.

The 38-year-old Perth man was transported by boat to the vacation island, where medical responders could not save his life.

Officials suspect a five-meter (16-foot) white shark was responsible for that incident.

In recent decades, Australia has recorded an average of more than three deadly shark encounters annually. This latest fatality represents Australia’s third shark-related death for 2026.

Earlier this year, 12-year-old Nico Antic passed away in a hospital following an attack by a suspected bull shark near a Sydney beach on Jan. 18.