Blog

Military officials in Paris announced Thursday that NATO fighter jets were deployed 11 times during the past week to intercept Russian aircraft over the Baltic region, representing an unusually elevated level of aerial confrontations.

The interceptions occurred as part of NATO’s ongoing Baltic Air Policing Mission, which safeguards the airspace above Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania using rotating deployments of alliance fighter aircraft to supplement these nations’ defense capabilities. Jets are launched to respond to unidentified aircraft or those not following proper protocols.

A spokesperson for France’s armed forces, Guillaume Vernet, suggested during a weekly press conference that the spike in aerial encounters might indicate Moscow’s attempt to demonstrate military strength during the same period it held its yearly St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

“The French detachment deployed on the Baltic Air Policing mission carried out multiple interceptions of Russian military aircraft flying without flight plans or radio contact,” Vernet said, adding that the intercepted aircraft included armed fighter jets, intelligence and transport planes.

These latest incidents add to a growing pattern of military drone intrusions into the airspace of Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, raising concerns about potential spillover effects from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine into NATO’s northern territories that border Russia.

A fragile truce between Israel and Lebanon has been extended through a new U.S.-mediated agreement announced Wednesday, though the arrangement faces significant opposition from the militant group at its center.

The accord between Israel and Lebanon comes following Israel’s most extensive military push into Lebanese territory in over 25 years, and establishes a framework for broader peace discussions scheduled for later this month.

However, the agreement contains several disputed elements, notably the establishment of experimental security areas within Lebanon where the Iranian-supported Hezbollah organization would be prohibited from operating, along with provisions calling for the group’s ultimate dissolution.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the arrangement Thursday as the “last chance to enter a final and comprehensive ceasefire.” A previous U.S.-mediated accord from November 2024 aimed at stopping hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which began due to the conflict in Gaza, ultimately collapsed.

The announcement follows recent events where a major escalation was barely avoided through a separate Monday agreement that prevented Israel’s planned attacks on Beirut’s southern neighborhoods while Hezbollah agreed to stop striking northern Israel. However, questions persist about the current deal’s viability.

The present arrangement expands upon an initial truce established April 17 between Israel and Lebanon’s government.

Notably, while much of the agreement depends on Hezbollah’s actions, the militant organization did not participate directly in negotiations. Hezbollah’s leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, has instead depended on Iran’s influence in discussions with Washington. Tehran has maintained that any resolution to the Iran conflict must encompass Lebanon.

Kassem harshly criticized the agreement Thursday, describing it as “Satan’s dream in heaven.” He demanded a total ceasefire and Israeli military withdrawal, arguing the deal would destabilize Lebanon and create internal divisions.

“The agreement allows Israel to take in politics what it couldn’t in war,” Kassem stated. “As long as the occupation is still present, then the resistance will continue.”

Israel maintains it is fighting Hezbollah, which it has long viewed as a significant threat, rather than Lebanon directly. Nevertheless, Israeli forces have targeted areas well beyond Hezbollah’s sphere of influence, including central areas of Lebanon’s capital city.

The Shiite Muslim armed organization formed in 1982 as a response to Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon at that time, and has developed into one of Lebanon’s most powerful entities.

Emphasizing its perception of the group as an existential danger, Israel stated in Wednesday’s joint announcement that its security and territorial integrity “can only be achieved through the disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantlement of its infrastructure throughout Lebanon.”

Lebanon’s endorsement of a statement characterizing Hezbollah as a threat highlights the widening rift within the country regarding the organization, and Beirut’s attempts to separate itself from Iran while strengthening relationships with Gulf nations and Washington. This approach also risks alienating Hezbollah and its supporters, primarily from the Shiite population.

The joint announcement states the ceasefire “is contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives” from areas south of the Litani River. This river, situated approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Israel’s border, marks the boundary of a U.N.-established buffer zone from 2006 where Hezbollah is prohibited. Israeli forces have currently advanced well beyond the Litani River into southern Lebanon, displacing hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians.

The statement indicates Lebanon and Israel committed to “swiftly advance the creation of pilot zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces will take exclusive control of the territory to the exclusion of all non-state actors.”

This places additional burden on Lebanon’s financially struggling military to establish authority in regions where Hezbollah maintains significant presence. Lebanon worries that an aggressive approach to disarming Hezbollah could trigger nationwide conflict, while Israel criticizes Beirut for insufficient action.

Israeli forces currently occupy substantial portions of southern Lebanon and have destroyed residential buildings and historical landmarks.

The statement also mentioned that negotiators explored a security structure that would encompass “the dismantlement of non-state armed groups, and the prevention of their reemergence.”

The specific methods for establishing these pilot zones and dismantling Hezbollah remain highly uncertain. Aoun suggested that a series of villages just north of the Litani could serve as the pilot zone.

Lebanon has emerged as a significant obstacle in efforts to expand the separate ceasefire in the Iran conflict. The joint statement declared that “all parties condemned Iran’s attacks on countries in the region, and ongoing activities that undermine stability throughout the Middle East, whether through support for proxies and all other acts of aggression.”

The document also contained explicit language aimed at separating the two conflicts.

“All countries reaffirmed that the future of the relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two sovereign governments. They rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon’s future hostage,” the statement read.

It continued that “any agreement to cease hostilities must be reached directly between the two governments, brokered by the United States, and not through any separate track.”

This language appears designed to stop Tehran from using Hezbollah and the Lebanese conflict as leverage in its own ceasefire talks.

Despite the initial truce agreement in mid-April, combat has persisted, with Hezbollah resuming attacks following Israeli strikes in Lebanon that Israel described as defensive measures.

The fighting shows little indication of decreasing. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Thursday that Israeli forces would maintain their presence in what he termed a security zone in Lebanon, while continuing operations against Hezbollah facilities.

The military “will, at this stage, continue its fire and activity on the ground,” he stated. Katz said the arrangements reflect “the reality we have created in Lebanon so far” and could eventually result in a peace agreement with Lebanon and “real and lasting security” for northern Israel’s residents.

Thursday saw the Israeli military warn southern Lebanon residents that it was continuing to strike Hezbollah “infrastructure located in and near the area south of the Zahrani River.” The warning stated that “anyone who moves south of the river is putting their life at risk.” The Zahrani is positioned approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of the Litani River.

ZAGREB, Croatia — At least four individuals lost their lives Thursday when a small aircraft went down in Croatia, according to police officials.

The aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Medulin, located on the Istria peninsula, authorities confirmed in an official statement. Reports from the HINA news agency indicated the aircraft was registered in Germany and had departed from Austria.

Images from the crash site revealed the destroyed aircraft lying in a field, with emergency responders and fire crews working at the location.

A local aviator, Nijaz Delic, described the incident to the Index news portal, stating the aircraft “spiralled (in the air) and crashed into the ground.”

Authorities have not confirmed the total number of individuals aboard the aircraft. Additional information about the incident remains unavailable at this time.

The small Balkan country of Montenegro has set an ambitious goal to join the European Union by 2028, displaying the slogan “28 by 28 – The Next EU Member” on its national airline’s aircraft.

This nation of 630,000 residents aims to become the 28th EU member state and the first new addition since Croatia joined in 2013. While Montenegro’s small size would make integration into the 450-million-person bloc relatively straightforward, achieving membership by 2028 remains a challenging target.

The country must complete demanding reforms, particularly in fighting corruption, and receive approval from all 27 current EU member states. Despite these obstacles, Montenegro gained momentum last month when the EU established a working group to prepare its membership agreement.

EU officials will meet with Western Balkan leaders this Friday in the coastal city of Tivat to discuss the integration process.

“Montenegro is the most advanced candidate country in the accession negotiations,” EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos told Reuters. “Strong leadership in the country has seen significant steps forward in terms of reforms, but there is still a lot of work to do. Some of the most pressing reforms are… on rule of law and the judiciary.”

The country has undergone major changes since separating from Serbia in 2006. Montenegro’s relationship with Russia, once a close ally providing investment and tourism, has deteriorated significantly.

In 2016, officials accused Moscow of attempting a coup with Serbian extremists, which Russia denies. Tensions escalated when Montenegro joined NATO in 2017 and later imposed sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict, prompting Moscow to label it an enemy state.

Milo Djukanovic, who governed Montenegro for thirty years until 2023 in various leadership roles, described the break from Russia as pivotal.

“Our primary motive is to take control of our own future, which will be European and Euro-Atlantic,” he told Reuters.

Citizens strongly support EU membership, with over 80% viewing it positively according to an April European Commission survey – a sharp contrast to growing skepticism elsewhere in Europe.

“We have a future in Europe, we should not remain a part of the Balkan quagmire,” said Novak, a 45-year-old physiotherapist from the capital who preferred not to share his full name.

Montenegro has made substantial progress, opening all 33 required negotiation areas and completing 14 of them. The country recently finished discussions on agriculture and capital movement in late 2025.

However, critical chapters on legal systems and fundamental rights remain unresolved. EU regulations prevent finalizing other areas until Montenegro meets all requirements in these key sectors.

While the country has launched anti-corruption efforts resulting in arrests and convictions of former senior judges, prosecutors and police officials, conviction rates remain low and problems continue, according to analysts.

Critics and international monitoring groups have accused Djukanovic and his Democratic Party of Socialists of corruption and organized crime connections, which they reject. These groups also cite concerns about press freedom restrictions.

“Montenegro is yet to close the chapters relating to the judiciary, which tend to be among the biggest hurdles for aspiring EU members,” said Mario Bikarski, senior Europe analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft. “Even closer attention is likely to be given to these by the European Commission given the backsliding of several member states on the rule of law in recent years.”

Predrag Zenovic, Montenegro’s chief EU negotiator, expressed confidence the country would satisfy these requirements on schedule.

“When the courts deliver a consolidated track record of results in… verdicts, that will be the final test,” he said.

BEIRUT (AP) — The militant organization Hezbollah turned down a new ceasefire proposal on Thursday that had been negotiated between Israel and Lebanon’s government, insisting instead on a total Israeli pullout from the region. The rejection occurred as Israeli military operations resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals, local officials reported, while a U.N. peacekeeper also died during the fighting.

In a written declaration broadcast on television, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem stated that the proposal’s requirement for Hezbollah militants to evacuate southern Lebanon while under attack would constitute “surrender, defeat and achieving the enemy’s goals.”

“What we are concerned about is an end to the aggression, ceasefire and Israel’s withdrawal,” he said. “We did not make any commitment to any party to stop resisting as long as there is occupation,” he added.

The continued combat in Lebanon, where Israeli military units have captured significant portions of the southern region, poses challenges to efforts aimed at concluding the Iran conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for oil and gas transport whose blockade has disrupted the global economy.

Iran has insisted that any permanent ceasefire must include Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing upcoming elections this year, aims to continue Israel’s military campaign until Hezbollah is no longer considered a threat. Israeli forces have captured approximately one-fifth of Lebanon since Hezbollah started launching rocket and drone strikes in support of Iran shortly after the broader conflict began.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who received unusual criticism from Congress on Wednesday, has attempted to minimize the diplomatic impasse and the inability of announced ceasefires to halt the violence, stating to reporters that in the Middle East, “a ceasefire is when you’re shooting in a more moderate manner.”

A Serbian peacekeeper lost his life, while two additional peacekeepers sustained injuries when mortar fire hit their position near Marjayoun, a town with a Christian majority that has experienced heavy fighting, according to the U.N. mission, called UNIFIL, and Serbia’s Defense Ministry.

Neither organization specified whether the mortar attack originated from Israeli or Hezbollah forces.

Lebanon’s government-operated National News Agency reported that a drone attack killed a motorcyclist and injured four individuals in the village of Maaroub. The agency stated that air attacks on the village of Sohmor in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon resulted in three deaths and additional injuries. Air strikes were also reported in other southern regions.

The Israeli military provided no immediate response, though it has cautioned people against entering areas of southern Lebanon where it claims to be targeting Hezbollah installations.

Hezbollah restarted its rocket attacks following Israel and the United States’ unexpected assault on Iran on Feb. 28. Prior to that date, Israel had consistently conducted strikes in Lebanon against what it described as militant locations, frequently resulting in civilian casualties, despite an earlier truce established in 2024.

In the southern city of Sidon, numerous residents responded to the ceasefire announcement with doubt, stating that previous agreements had been unsuccessful in ending the violence.

“Every few days a ceasefire is announced, but people keep getting killed,” said Mayada Hijazi.

“It’s all talk and no action,” said Salah Nassab. “We keep going back to our homes and then we get displaced again, back and forth. We’re very tired.”

During the current fighting, Israeli forces have advanced deeper into southern Lebanon than at any point since Israel’s 1982-2000 occupation concluded. The country now controls approximately one-fifth of Lebanese territory.

The conflict has claimed more than 3,500 lives in Lebanon and displaced over 1.2 million people. The violence has resulted in 27 Israeli military deaths and three civilian fatalities.

The most recent ceasefire declaration emerged from U.S.-mediated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon’s government, which blames Hezbollah for involving the nation in warfare and had attempted to disarm the group before the current hostilities.

The ceasefire proposal does not formally involve Hezbollah and requires Lebanon’s military forces to assume control of security areas in Lebanon where the militants would be prohibited. Hezbollah has previously stated it will only accept a ceasefire if Israel stops its attacks and starts withdrawing from Lebanese territory.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the new proposal on Thursday as “the last chance to enter a final and comprehensive ceasefire.” He indicated Lebanon was prepared to implement Wednesday’s agreement upon receiving responses from relevant Lebanese factions, including Hezbollah. The United States — and Trump personally — would decide how and when the agreement takes effect, he informed reporters on Thursday.

The proposal declares that Hezbollah “is not just an enemy of Israel and an enemy of America, but that it is an enemy of Lebanon” and demands its dismantlement. The government has pledged to accomplish this previously but lacks the capacity to forcibly disarm Hezbollah.

The current agreement did not specify when Israel would withdraw from southern Lebanon but stated the U.S. would assist the Lebanese army as it works to establish control in regions where Hezbollah has maintained influence for years.

A senior Iranian general on Thursday restated Tehran’s requirement for a complete ceasefire in Lebanon and demanded Israel withdraw forces to their positions when the broader war started. At that time, Israel controlled five strategic border locations.

“Supporting the resistance in Lebanon is the duty of all of us, and eliminating Israel from the region is an achievable goal for Muslims,” Esmail Qaani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force, was quoted as saying by the semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies.

As diplomatic initiatives have consistently failed, Iran and the U.S. have engaged in combat in and around the Strait of Hormuz, which remains essentially blocked. Before the conflict, approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas, along with substantial shipments of fertilizer and other commodities, traveled through the narrow passage.

The U.S. has struck what it characterizes as Iranian threats to commercial vessels and its own military, while Iran has conducted missile and drone strikes against Gulf nations hosting U.S. forces.

An attack Wednesday on a commercial airport in Kuwait that American forces also utilize for logistics and refueling resulted in one Indian national’s death and injured more than 60 people, including passengers and workers. Iran has denied responsibility for the strike.

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — European Union leadership plans to explore new methods for accelerating membership procedures for six Western Balkan nations seeking to join the organization, European Council President Antonio Costa announced Thursday.

The countries of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro have pursued membership in the European bloc for many years without completing the merit-based approval requirements. Recent EU efforts have focused on promoting reforms within these applicant nations due to concerns about expanding Russian and Chinese influence.

Speaking at a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital city, Costa stated that “if you want to boost the trust between each other, we cannot create this feel of frustration” regarding the seemingly slow advancement toward membership. Costa clarified this doesn’t mean requirements will be reduced, “but it means how we can deliver together more rapidly.”

Friday’s summit in Tivat, a coastal community in Montenegro, will bring together senior European officials and representatives from the applicant countries. Each nation stands at varying levels of progress, with Montenegro and Albania currently ahead of the others.

Prospective member countries must align their legislation across 35 policy sectors or “chapters,” covering everything from judicial standards to agricultural and fisheries regulations. Opening and closing each chapter requires unanimous approval from all 27 existing EU member states.

The EU has additionally stipulated that Serbia and Kosovo must establish normalized diplomatic relations for their membership bids to advance.

Kosovo operated as a Serbian province until a 78-day NATO air campaign in 1999 concluded warfare between Serbian military forces and ethnic Albanian independence fighters. Serbia refuses to acknowledge Kosovo’s independence declaration from 2008.

Costa explained that “tomorrow the European leaders will discuss with the leaders of the Western Balkans how we can improve our methodology to move forward faster and better.”

“The enlargement is not a utopia but it is something that could be real in the coming years,” Costa emphasized. “For this we need to work harder and faster.”

Costa completed his pre-summit visits to Western Balkan candidate nations Thursday before departing for Montenegro. He informed Serbian populist President Aleksandar Vucic that his administration must strengthen democratic reforms and coordinate foreign policy positions with EU standards to progress.

Serbia faces potential loss of approximately 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion) in EU funding if it continues democratic deterioration, particularly within its court system. Officials have also demanded improvements in press freedoms and electoral conditions.

Ukraine and Moldova are also pursuing EU membership alongside the Western Balkan countries.

Serbia stands as the sole European country refusing to implement sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict and continues maintaining positive relationships with Moscow, plus China, which Vucic recently visited.

“We want and we are ready to do more,” Costa stated. “But let me be clear, the pace of progress depends on Serbia’s own resolve.”

The increasingly authoritarian Vucic continues facing ongoing youth-driven street demonstrations that began in November 2024 following a train station incident in northern Serbia that resulted in 16 deaths. He committed Thursday to pursue reforms with “new enthusiasm” and maintain Serbia’s EU trajectory.

Vucic’s trip to Tivat follows Montenegro’s decision to prohibit 87 Serbian citizens from entering the country due to security concerns. Authorities reported the men possessed communication devices and signs displaying “Serbia wins,” a phrase Vucic regularly uses in public speeches.

The purpose of the men’s intended Montenegro visit remains unclear.

MELBOURNE, Australia — An Australian woman appeared in court Thursday seeking bail on slavery charges after a Yazidi witness testified she was purchased, sexually assaulted and beaten while held captive by the defendant’s family in Syria.

Zeinab Ahmad, 31, faces two slavery-related charges in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, with proceedings set to continue Friday.

Ahmad and her 53-year-old mother Kawsar Ahmad, also called Kawsar Abbas, have remained in custody since arriving back in Australia last month from a Syrian refugee camp alongside other Australian women and children connected to the Islamic State organization.

According to Detective Senior Constable Mark Clendenning’s court testimony, the unnamed Iraqi-born Yazidi victim stated that Mohammed Ahmad — Zeinab’s father and Kawsar’s spouse — purchased her for $10,000 in 2017 within Raqqa, Syria, which was then controlled by IS forces.

Clendenning testified that Kawsar participated in acquiring the teenager as a slave, describing this as an uncommon position for women within the IS-controlled territory.

“Mohammed and Kawsar had status and privileges within Islamic State usually not afforded to others that allowed exceptions to their usual practices,” Clendenning stated.

The victim was taken to the family residence where the couple lived with their five daughters, including Zeinab, who became the witness’s roommate, according to Clendenning’s testimony.

Mohammed reportedly told the victim, “I bought you for the purpose of raping and at the same time serving the home,” Clendenning relayed. He further testified that Mohammed presented her to the household saying, “I bought her for sex and to do housework.”

Court records indicate Zeinab’s first spouse died in a drone strike in 2016, after which she wed an Egyptian IS combatant who had sustained combat injuries resulting in the loss of an arm.

Police testimony alleged Zeinab witnessed her father striking the victim and pulling her by the hair down two sets of stairs within their residence. Authorities said Mohammed, currently imprisoned in Iraq, physically abused the witness two to three times monthly in front of family members.

The victim reported Mohammed sexually attacked her “many times” despite her resistance, police testified. According to Clendenning’s account, the witness said Zeinab “did not physically hurt her, although she did threaten her very badly and ordered her to do things around the house.”

Police said Mohammed sold the victim for $10,000 in 2018, sixteen months following her purchase, telling her she was “bad” and failed to follow instructions.

The Islamic State organization has systematically persecuted Yazidis, a Kurdish-speaking ethnic and religious minority population primarily located in Syria, Iraq and Turkey.

The witness testified she was 15 when she became one of 6,800 Yazidi women and children enslaved and passed between IS members 17 times across five years until Kurdish forces liberated her in 2019.

Three generations of the Ahmad family relocated from Melbourne to Syria through Turkey during 2013 and 2014. Police allege Zeinab traveled there with her spouse in 2014.

Clendenning argued that releasing Zeinab from detention would create an unacceptable danger to public safety and welfare.

He noted she had been married to multiple IS-affiliated men and remains wed to an Egyptian IS member whose current location is unknown.

“The accused has never explicitly renounced or stated that she no longer supports Islamic State since her surrender to Kurdish forces,” Clendenning testified.

She faces two crimes against humanity charges: enslavement and utilizing a slave. Both offenses carry maximum sentences of 25 years imprisonment.

A fresh ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Lebanon, facilitated by American negotiators, has generated optimism Thursday regarding potential diplomatic advancement in the broader conflict involving the United States and Iran, despite lingering questions about implementation timing and methods.

Iran has established a Lebanese ceasefire as a prerequisite for any peace agreement with the United States, and has indicated in recent statements that direct military intervention could occur to support its ally Hezbollah if Israeli attacks in the region persist or intensify.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced the newest truce would take effect within a day of approval from all relevant parties, seemingly referencing Hezbollah, which remains outside the formal agreement and has not issued public statements regarding the arrangement.

However, questions about the durability of the ceasefire emerged when Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz stated Thursday that military operations in Lebanon would persist temporarily and that forces would not retreat from southern areas.

The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, declared that the basic requirement would involve Israeli withdrawal to pre-war positions, according to Iranian state media reports.

Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel resumed on March 2, when the organization launched attacks in solidarity with Tehran during U.S.-Israeli military operations. The conflict has persisted through multiple ceasefire declarations from Washington since April.

GULF REGION ESCALATION

The ceasefire announcement follows increased regional violence. Iranian military units engaged in Gulf combat Wednesday during one of the most severe fighting periods since a previous truce ended major U.S.-Israeli bombardment of Iran in early April.

Iranian military forces attacked Kuwait, causing airport damage and injuring numerous individuals, officials reported, while American forces conducted operations near the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, which typically handles one-fifth of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas transportation, has remained mostly blocked for over three months following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Thursday oil markets retreated from previous gains amid hopes that the Lebanese ceasefire might provide Washington and Iran with diplomatic alternatives to continued warfare.

U.S. President Donald Trump, facing pressure to reduce fuel costs, hinted at possible negotiation progress with Iran potentially occurring this weekend.

“If it happens, it could happen over the weekend,” Trump told reporters in the White House’s Oval Office on Wednesday, without elaborating on what he expected to happen within that timeframe.

Trump mentioned that negotiating parties were attempting to separate strait reopening issues from the Lebanese conflict.

IRAN DISPUTES KUWAIT AIRPORT TARGETING

Wednesday’s Kuwait attacks damaged airport infrastructure and diplomatic facilities, resulting in one death and over 60 injuries, according to Kuwaiti officials and state media.

Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards denied targeting Kuwait’s airport and attributed the damage to failed U.S. interceptor missiles that missed their intended targets, Iranian state media reported. American military officials stated Iranian drones deliberately targeted the airport.

Iranian media reported Revolutionary Guards also struck U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and an American airbase. U.S. Central Command rejected claims its installations were hit and said Iranian ballistic missiles failed to reach regional targets.

CENTCOM announced conducting new “defensive strikes” in southern Iran, targeting missile launch facilities and Iranian vessels attempting mine deployment, and executing strikes on Qeshm Island near the strait following attempted Iranian attacks.

IRAN ESTABLISHES PEACE CONDITIONS

Last week, Iran and the United States indicated movement toward a preliminary agreement to end hostilities and reopen the strait, though both nations have yet to finalize the arrangement, which would defer more complicated negotiations.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei stated Thursday that Iran’s adversaries had suffered battlefield defeats and were now attempting to create internal discord.

“In order to confront these plans, everyone must be patient, clear-minded, maintain unity, harmony, mutual trust, and not be in agreement with the enemy,” he said in a message read on his behalf during ceremonies marking the anniversary of the death of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ruhollah Khomeini.

Khamenei has not appeared publicly since succeeding his father, who died in an airstrike at the war’s beginning.

Beyond Tehran’s requirement for Lebanese fighting to cease, Iran also seeks access to billions in oil revenue, sanctions waivers on crude exports, elimination of U.S. port blockades, and strait control.

Trump has identified preventing Iranian nuclear weapons acquisition as his primary objective. Iran maintains its atomic program serves peaceful purposes.

A deadly aircraft accident occurred Thursday in Croatia’s northwestern Istria region, claiming multiple lives when a small plane went down close to the Adriatic coastal town of Medulin, according to reports from the state news agency Hina citing local police sources.

Preliminary reports indicate that four individuals were discovered deceased at the crash site, while rescue teams continue their search efforts for two additional people who remain unaccounted for.

Authorities from the Istrian police department were not immediately accessible for official statements regarding the incident.

Emergency response teams, law enforcement officers, and fire department personnel have been deployed to the crash location, as reported by Hina.

The aircraft had departed from Germany prior to the fatal accident, according to information published by the Index.hr news portal.

Violence erupted in Brussels on Thursday when demonstrators protesting proposed changes to the education system clashed with law enforcement officers.

Local authorities used social media to warn residents to stay away from the area surrounding the capital’s main train station. News crews on the scene documented damage including vandalized bicycles and destroyed street signs scattered across the area.

The protests targeted reforms proposed by Belgium’s French Community government, which manages education conducted in French. Under the plan, yearly costs for university students would rise to approximately €1,100 ($1,280.18) from the current €835. Additionally, high school teachers would be required to work two extra hours in the classroom each week.

Lawmakers in the French Community parliament are scheduled to consider these budget-reduction proposals in a vote scheduled for later Thursday.

($1 = 0.8593 euros)

The celebrated Iranian-French artist Marjane Satrapi, known globally for her groundbreaking work advocating women’s rights, has passed away at the age of 56, according to an announcement from France’s presidential office on Thursday.

“Her passing marks the loss of a leading figure of French culture and an artist devoted to freedom, whose work carried a universal message and earned her immense international acclaim,” officials from the French presidency stated.

President Emmanuel Macron and his wife “pay tribute to a remarkable artist who transformed an Iranian childhood into a universal fable,” the official statement continued.

French news outlet BFM TV and additional media sources indicated that Satrapi “died of sadness” approximately one year following the passing of her spouse, Swedish film producer and actor Mattias Ripa, based on reports from individuals close to the artist.

The French Academy of Fine Arts, where she held membership, shared their profound grief through a social media post, honoring “a passionate advocate for cinema and film education” who recently established a foundation to assist international students pursuing film studies in Paris.

Satrapi gained worldwide recognition for her black-and-white autobiographical graphic novel and subsequent film “Persepolis,” which chronicles a young woman’s experiences during Iran’s Islamic Revolution.

“Persepolis” earned the Film Critics Grand Prix at Cannes in 2007 and received the César Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2008, while also securing a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 2008 Academy Awards.

The story, which chronicles her experiences growing up in Tehran as the strong-willed child of intellectual Marxists, serves to show that Iranians share common humanity with people everywhere, Satrapi explained to The Associated Press during a 2007 Cannes interview.

“What we wanted to say is, if these people scare you, look closer: They have parents, they have lovers, they have hope, they have stories,” she explained.

Iranian officials objected to the film’s Cannes screening at the time, submitting a formal complaint to the French Embassy in Tehran.

Born November 22, 1969, in Rasht, Iran, Satrapi was sent by her family to Vienna, Austria, in 1983 to complete her education due to rising extremism following the 1979 Revolution that brought Ayatollah Khomeini into power.

However, Satrapi found Austria unwelcoming and longed for her family, prompting her return to Iran in 1989 to study at Tehran University, where she completed a degree in visual communications.

Upon graduation, Satrapi determined she was prepared to depart Iran and embrace the opportunities her parents had urgently wanted to provide her ten years earlier. She relocated to France in 1994, studying in Strasbourg before settling in Paris.

Her additional graphic works include “Broderies” (“Embroideries”) and “Poulet aux prunes” (“Chicken with plums”), with the latter also becoming a film. Her directorial portfolio encompasses multiple projects including “La Bande des Jotas” (“The Gang of Jotas”) and “Radioactive” (“Madame Curie”), a biographical work about Polish scientist Marie Curie.

In 2023, Satrapi collaborated with fellow artists and scholars on the publication “Femme, vie, liberté” (“Woman, Life, Freedom”) to document the uprisings in Iran following Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022 by the “morality police.” The publication condemns the oppression and human rights violations endured by Iranian society, particularly women, under the current Iranian government, according to the foundation.

Satrapi joined the French Academy of Fine Arts as a member in 2024. She was also presented with France’s highest honor, the Legion of Honor, that year but refused the recognition, stating France wasn’t adequately supporting Iranians fighting for democratic freedoms.

“Supporting the women’s revolution in Iran cannot be reduced to photos or speeches,” she stated in a January 2025 correspondence to French officials. “When people are fighting for democracy, we should support them.”

In 2024, Satrapi received the Princess of Asturias Foundation award in Spain for communication and humanities. The institution recognized her as “an essential voice in the defense of human rights and freedom,” with judges calling her “a symbol of civic engagement led by women.”

Satrapi’s husband passed away in April 2025 at age 53. Her Instagram account contained only one final post among her previous content: “Because I have lost the love of my life.”

MOSCOW – Russian officials on Thursday criticized NATO’s involvement in military exercises taking place in Serbia, claiming the alliance is attempting to pressure the Balkan nation into submission.

The controversy centers around Serbia’s annual “Platinum Wolf” military exercise, which launched on June 1 with backing from the U.S. European command. Serbian officials describe the drill as an opportunity for participating nations to share military expertise and strengthen cooperation among the eight NATO member countries involved.

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, alleged that NATO seeks to dominate the Balkans region and separate Serbia from its Russian ties.

“They are wrapping Serbia in the coils of their love like a boa constrictor,” Zakharova stated during a press briefing.

The tensions reflect the historically close relationship between Russia and Serbia, which dates back years and was complicated by NATO’s 1999 bombing campaign during the Kosovo conflict.

The leader of Brunei revealed significant changes to his government structure Thursday, establishing new key positions and naming two of his sons to ministerial roles, suggesting possible succession preparations in the wealthy oil nation.

This marks the first major government reorganization since 2022 and occurs while Brunei, located on Borneo island, confronts challenges from worldwide energy difficulties triggered by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

The announcement also comes one year ahead of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s diamond jubilee celebration. The monarch, who took power in 1967, holds the distinction of being the world’s longest-serving ruler.

The 79-year-old leader, who manages several government positions, has appeared publicly less frequently this year following knee replacement surgery in January.

During a television address, Sultan Hassanal stated he would maintain his positions as prime minister, defence minister and finance minister.

Prince Abdul Malik, his second eldest son, received appointment as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, marking his initial cabinet position.

Prince Abdul Mateen, his second youngest son who enjoys polo and has social media popularity, was named foreign minister, a position the sultan previously managed personally.

Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, his eldest son, kept his existing position as Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The sultan also revealed the establishment of three new ministerial positions designed to improve policy coordination throughout the government. He announced that the Primary Resources and Tourism Ministry would be restructured into the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

“This is intended to accelerate the development of priority sectors, strengthen economic diversification efforts, support sustainable economic growth and create meaningful employment opportunities,” he said.

The reorganization resulted in the greatest number of women appointed to cabinet positions to date, including the education minister and three deputy ministers.

Brunei has gained advantages from the Iranian conflict, increasing exports of crude oil, refined products and gas recently. However, the nation struggles with rising subsidy expenses to maintain some of the region’s lowest fuel prices.

Last month, Brunei implemented restrictions preventing foreign-registered vehicles with fuel tanks less than three-quarters full from entering the country, aiming to prevent cross-border smuggling and preserve domestic fuel supplies.

On Wednesday, the energy department announced that officials had formed a special committee to oversee and coordinate responses to address impacts from the Middle East conflict.

A consumer protection agency in Thailand announced Thursday it intends to file legal action against Meta’s Facebook platform, accusing the social media giant of inadequate protection against fraudulent activity.

The Consumer Council issued a statement declaring its intention to pursue litigation over Facebook’s alleged failure to prevent scammers from exploiting the platform through deceptive advertisements that target and defraud users.

The watchdog organization claims the social media company has not done enough to safeguard its user base from these fraudulent schemes operating through the platform’s advertising system.

Armed clashes erupted between Somali government forces and opposition-backed militias in the capital city of Mogadishu, with fighting continuing from Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, according to local residents who spoke with Reuters.

The armed confrontations took place as demonstrators prepared for Thursday protests challenging President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s choice to continue serving after his presidential term ended last month. In March, parliamentary members approved constitutional modifications that could permit Mohamud to stay in power for an additional year while delaying scheduled elections.

A former president who served from 2009 to 2012, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, claimed that government soldiers had attacked his residence and criticized Mohamud’s administration for “illegally altering the constitution.”

“The government forces encircled and attacked my house. I am never scared of their aggressive attack, I will fight back,” he stated in a video posted to his Facebook page during the overnight hours.

Through a message on X, former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire alleged that government soldiers deployed heavy weaponry including anti-tank armaments and drones within a crowded residential zone. Reuters could not independently confirm these allegations.

Khaire further claimed the government had launched “a sustained and indiscriminate military assault” designed to eliminate both him and Ahmed.

Neither Somalia’s information nor defense ministers answered phone calls or responded to Reuters requests for statements.

Local residents reported that combat started around 5 p.m. Wednesday and extended into Thursday morning, with thousands of government soldiers positioned throughout Mogadishu’s Howlwadag and Abdiasis neighborhoods, where they engaged in firefights with militias backing opposition figures.

“A mortar shell landed on my neighbour’s house, injuring a mother. A big house near us is also ablaze, mortars and other weapons landed on it,” resident Ahmed Ismail told Reuters early Thursday morning.

“In front of our house I see a man injured and carried by hand. Civilians keep on fleeing the war, I see them walking with kids in hand and cursing the two warring groups,” he explained.

Another witness, Mohamud Farah, reported that opposition-supporting militias destroyed at least two armored vehicles.

Somalia has faced ongoing warfare and tribal conflicts without effective central leadership since autocratic leader Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. The nation has also been battling an insurgency lasting nearly twenty years, led by the al Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab organization.

The U.S. embassy in Mogadishu characterized the violence as “reckless.”

“Somali leaders on all sides have a responsibility to preserve stability and resolve differences through peaceful means,” the embassy stated in an X post.

The UK similarly called for moderation and discussion, declaring the violence unacceptable.

A Mozambican worker seeking employment in South Africa found himself running for his life just four days ago when hostile residents in the coastal town of Kleinmond demanded all foreign nationals leave immediately.

Lado Amido, 49, was forced to hide in nearby mountains for two nights after an angry group arrived at his residence and confiscated his possessions. He now joins approximately 100 other displaced immigrants taking refuge in the local municipal building.

The incident reflects a broader pattern of anti-foreigner hostility sweeping through multiple communities in South Africa’s Western Cape region, where workers from neighboring Malawi and Mozambique have been targeted by organized groups going house to house.

Recent weeks have witnessed an escalation in anti-immigrant demonstrations throughout South Africa, with some turning deadly. Officials from Mozambique confirmed that five of their nationals lost their lives during xenophobic violence in Mossel Bay over the weekend.

“On the 31st, people came to my house, knocked on the door, and then took all my belongings,” Amido explained. The job-seeker had arrived in the country in February hoping to find employment opportunities.

Many of those now seeking safety are considering voluntary return programs established by their home governments rather than remain in an increasingly hostile environment.

Anti-foreign sentiment represents a persistent challenge in South Africa, where immigrant communities frequently face blame for the nation’s economic struggles, including widespread joblessness and criminal activity.

Political leaders across party lines have historically validated these unfounded accusations to appeal to voters, particularly with local elections scheduled for later this year, despite no supporting evidence for such claims.

During a parliamentary address on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the migration issue while simultaneously denouncing recent xenophobic attacks. “As we work to build a safer … and more prosperous society, we need to address the challenge of migration,” he stated.

Grant Cohen, who serves as ward councillor for Kleinmond, noted that immigration officials had recently conducted inspections of local restaurants and businesses searching for workers without proper documentation.

However, Cohen told Reuters that many immigrants currently sheltering at the municipal facility possess legal status to remain in the country.

“We’ve got kids here at the moment who should be in school, who have been in school in Kleinmond… (but) now want to flee the country out of fear and intimidation,” Cohen observed.

“I don’t believe that residents should take things into their own hands,” he added.

Michael Markson, a 31-year-old from Malawi, described spending one night outdoors in the mountains after evacuating the informal community where he had resided for approximately one year.

“My landlord came telling me that I should evacuate because if they find us, they’re going to kill us,” Markson recounted about Saturday’s events.

The following day, his employer brought food supplies while they remained hidden in the wilderness after a friend contacted the boss on their behalf.

From his hiding spot, Markson witnessed a substantial crowd of demonstrators in the town center, with some brandishing knives and wooden clubs.

He now awaits financial assistance to return home, lacking the resources for travel expenses.

“In our country there’s no-good economy… (but) it’s better than living in a community where your life is under threat,” Markson reflected.

A progressive Peruvian lawmaker is adopting a more moderate stance as the country approaches its presidential runoff election this weekend, backing away from earlier proposals that had concerned business interests.

Roberto Sanchez, who captured 12.03% of votes in April’s initial voting round, trails conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori’s 17.18% as they head into the June 7 decisive election. Polling data indicates the final contest will be competitive.

The 57-year-old former cabinet member, who served under the now-imprisoned ex-President Pedro Castillo, is representing the leftist Together for Peru party. While his campaign centers on major governmental reforms, recent weeks have seen him signal a more measured approach to economic matters.

“Insisting on something that is not viable, is not sensible,” he stated to reporters recently. He recognized that international challenges, including fuel price increases due to the Iran war, were influencing his policy agenda.

Sanchez became an unexpected competitor in the initial round’s crowded field by advocating for a new constitution to create a “plurinational” state while appealing to marginalized rural and Indigenous communities.

His platform’s cornerstone involves replacing the constitution from the 1990s that was established under the late President Alberto Fujimori, who is the father of his current opponent.

“The rural vote, the Andean vote, the Quechua, Aymara and Amazonian vote were never respected,” Sanchez explained during an April Reuters interview at a party headquarters in Lima, donning a broad-brimmed straw hat that previously belonged to Castillo and represents typical headwear in certain Peruvian rural regions.

As one of the globe’s top copper-producing nations, Peru relies on mining for approximately 10% of its economic output.

Sanchez has advocated for increased government supervision of natural resources, including contract reviews, windfall taxes, and wealth taxes — policies he describes as “rebalancing” to benefit extraction communities.

“Thirty years of mining and the mining towns are still the poorest in our country,” he observed.

Should he win, his agenda would encounter obstacles in the legislature, where conservative parties maintain control.

As the campaign reaches its conclusion, Sanchez has begun tempering his rhetoric — a change highlighted by his economic advisory team.

In May, he named former economy minister Pedro Francke, viewed as more business-friendly, as a senior advisor.

Francke, who also worked under Castillo, has quickly worked to calm investor concerns, stating a Sanchez administration would encourage private investment, honor current mining agreements, and maintain central bank autonomy.

“There will be no nationalizations,” Francke declared during a televised debate. “We will respect contracts and maintain a macroeconomic policy of stability.”

Political observers note this partnership demonstrates Sanchez’s effort to attract moderate voters who fear economic disruption. However, his previous connections to figures like Antauro Humala, a nationalist imprisoned for leading a 2001 government uprising, present difficulties. While Sanchez has attempted to create distance, he risks losing support from his core supporters, according to analyst Nicholas Watson of Teneo.

Sanchez’s relationship with imprisoned former president Castillo has also troubled Peruvian investors.

Castillo, removed from office in 2022 following an attempt to disband Congress, has endorsed Sanchez. He currently faces rebellion and conspiracy charges.

Sanchez has stated he would not restore power to Castillo if elected, though he has promised to pursue Castillo’s freedom.

As Castillo’s former foreign trade minister, Sanchez has maintained Peru should stay open to international partnerships but under “just” conditions.

Coming from an Indigenous family in southern Peru, Sanchez describes his humble background and former aspiration to join the priesthood, connecting his political involvement to church-based community service.

As a Catholic, he supports abortion access only in rape cases or when maternal life is threatened, and opposes discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, or religion.

His party has recommended stronger anti-corruption initiatives, judicial changes, and enhanced military assistance for police to address increasing crime.

Sanchez faces financial crime accusations, with a prosecutor alleging he falsified statements and campaign finance documents. His legal representative disputes these claims. Local media reports indicate a judge will decide June 4 whether the case proceeds to trial.

MILAN (AP) — Numerous artists taking part in the current Venice Biennale contemporary art exhibition are considering legal proceedings unless organizers remove their names from a visitor ballot system that replaced traditional jury awards for the prestigious Golden Lions.

The Venice Biennale launched what many consider its most tumultuous and controversial edition in years on May 9, after the jury resigned to protest the inclusion of Israel and Russia. The preview week before public opening featured noisy demonstrations outside both the Israeli and Russian exhibition spaces.

Rather than traditional jury recognition, organizers implemented a visitor voting system at the two primary locations, the Giardini and the Arsenale, to select winners for best national pavilion and top participant in the central exhibition called “In Minor Keys,” developed under the direction of the late Koyo Kouoh. Winners will be announced when the event concludes on Nov. 22.

A protest letter released Wednesday criticized the voting system for its “lacked transparency and accountability,” noting that organizers ignored the artists’ initial removal request submitted on May 20. The letter also received signatures from curators and commissioners.

The artists announced they were initiating legal proceedings.

When asked to respond, the Biennale provided a May 28 correspondence to the artists, curators and commissioners stating they would maintain all names on the voting list “to guarantee all visitors have the freedom of expression,” while confirming that protest signatories would be excluded from prize consideration.

The protest letter described this approach as “a waste of time” by requesting visitors “to cast votes that cannot be counted.”

In their resignation statement, the jury specifically mentioned Russia and Israel, referencing International Criminal Court investigations into crimes against humanity related to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Those requesting removal from the visitor prize system include approximately 70 artists in the main exhibition and nearly 40 national pavilions, including Iceland, Norway and Denmark, which have spearheaded efforts to ban Russia from future Biennales following its comprehensive invasion of Ukraine.

The list also includes Austrian artist Florentina Holzinger, whose display incorporating recycled waste water from portable toilets outside the Austrian Pavilion has become among the Biennale’s most visited attractions.

A member of the British Parliament announced Thursday that she has initiated legal proceedings against Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, claiming violation of privacy after fabricated images of her were generated through their Grok chatbot.

Jess Asato, who serves as a legislator with the governing Labour Party, alleges that an individual utilized Grok to produce unauthorized images showing her in swimwear during January, following her public criticism of deepfake pornography proliferation on the internet.

The legal action was submitted Wednesday to London’s High Court, citing improper use of personal information under the Data Protection Act.

Asato is pursuing financial compensation and aims to establish legal precedent holding companies responsible for their artificial intelligence system designs.

“Nobody would be able to walk up to me in the street and strip me and put me in a bikini, and I don’t see why anybody should be able to do that to me online, because the feeling, while it is not quite the same, is very similar,” she stated. “It is like somebody has digitally stripped me without my consent.”

Asato expressed hope that additional individuals will participate in the legal action.

Following global criticism regarding deepfake pornography, Musk’s company announced in January that Grok users would no longer be permitted to modify images of actual people by digitally removing their clothing.

Legislation enacted last year in the U.K. criminalized the creation or solicitation of non-consensual deepfake images of adults. However, Asato maintains that xAI must answer for harm already inflicted.

“Once the damage is done, the damage is done,” she explained. “If you think about any other products, like a car, for example, that might have been manufactured with a fault, it doesn’t matter if, you know, the cars get recalled and the faults are fixed and no more harm is done.”

xAI had not provided a response to requests for comment as of Thursday.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Authorities in the Netherlands have arrested four men as part of a major criminal investigation involving allegations that they drugged and sexually assaulted women known to them, then recorded videos of the attacks, according to police officials.

The four suspects, whose names have not been made public due to Dutch privacy laws, were taken into custody following coordinated house searches conducted throughout the Netherlands over a two-day period last week. The arrests came after Dutch authorities received information from law enforcement agencies in Germany and the United Kingdom, police announced Thursday.

“Information indicates that possibly multiple women in the Netherlands were drugged by someone in their immediate circle. Subsequently, sexual acts were performed on the victims while they were being filmed,” police said. Investigators believe the suspects used online messaging platforms to distribute images of sexual abuse and exchange techniques for drugging victims.

Authorities are still working to determine the total number of victims involved in the case. Law enforcement officials are analyzing evidence collected from mobile devices and computers confiscated during last week’s raids to identify those who may have been victimized.

“But what is clear is that this is a case with an enormous impact,” Milou van der Kolk of the Rotterdam Sexual Crimes Team said in the police statement. “As a victim, you may not know what happened to you, because you may have been drugged and were unconscious. The news that your partner or an acquaintance may have drugged you and perhaps even raped you or attempted to do so can turn your life completely upside down.”

Investigators have not ruled out additional arrests as the probe continues.

The case mirrors the recent high-profile trial in France involving Gisèle Pelicot. In December 2024, her former husband, Dominique Pelicot, along with 50 other men, were found guilty of sexually assaulting her over nearly a decade from 2011 to 2020 while she was incapacitated by drugs. He received a 20-year prison sentence, while the other defendants were sentenced to terms between three and 15 years.

Dominique Pelicot, who had been married to Gisèle Pelicot for almost five decades, admitted to secretly adding sedatives to her meals and beverages for years, allowing him to assault her and facilitate attacks by other men.

NEW DELHI (AP) — Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday as India works to strengthen relationships with oil-producing nations amid global energy supply challenges.

According to Rudrendra Tandon, a senior official in India’s foreign ministry, the discussions in New Delhi centered on enhancing energy partnerships. He noted that Venezuela has risen to become India’s third-largest source of crude oil in recent weeks.

“India is aggressively seeking new sources of crude oil and energy to strengthen its energy security,” Tandon stated, describing Venezuela as an “opportunity and is very much part of our plans.”

The leaders also discussed potential investments by Indian companies in Venezuelan industries such as mining, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals and automobiles, according to Tandon.

The diplomatic meeting occurs as India has boosted Venezuelan crude purchases over recent months, elevating the South American nation’s importance as a supplier to the world’s third-largest oil importing country.

India relies on imports for approximately 90% of its oil needs. Roughly half of these supplies travel through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping corridor that has been effectively blocked due to the Iran war.

Rodriguez also conducted meetings with India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, on Thursday and has planned discussions with Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Her visit will include tours of Indian facilities in the energy, pharmaceutical and automobile industries.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Twelve residents lost their lives and eight sustained injuries when flames engulfed a care facility in western Sri Lanka, authorities reported Thursday.

The blaze erupted late Wednesday evening at the facility located in Anguruwatota town. According to police spokesman Fredrick Wootler, 51 residents were successfully evacuated from the building. Wootler noted that the facility also provided care for individuals with mental health conditions.

Authorities have taken the facility’s director into custody on charges related to causing deaths through negligence. Officials are conducting a full investigation into the incident.

Video from Associated Press revealed the building’s interior completely destroyed, with burned furniture and equipment scattered throughout. Victims’ bodies were visible in the surrounding area.

Television footage from local channel Hiru captured firefighters, law enforcement officers, and community members working together to battle the intense flames. Emergency responders and military personnel helped evacuate survivors onto buses, transporting them to secure locations.

Kosovo voters will head to the ballot box this Sunday for the nation’s third parliamentary election in just a year and a half, following the inability of political factions to find common ground on selecting a new president.

The small Balkan country, recognized as Europe’s newest nation, seeks membership in the European Union but has operated without an effective government for most of the previous year as divided parliaments couldn’t first choose a speaker, then struggled to pick a new head of state.

While recent polling data isn’t available, political experts anticipate another win for Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Vetevendosje party. Analysts note, however, that he’ll still require cooperation from opposing parties to obtain the two-thirds parliamentary support needed for presidential selection.

Kurti’s political movement captured 51.1% of votes in December’s previous election but couldn’t find consensus with other parties regarding a presidential nominee for the mostly symbolic position, leading to parliament’s dissolution in April and this upcoming snap election.

“We can have 10 rounds of elections, but if there is no political will to sit down and find a deal, there is no solution. I don’t see that will among the parties,” said Eugen Cakolli, a researcher at Kosovo’s Democratic Institute (KDI).

POLITICAL STALEMATE EXPECTED TO PERSIST

Cakolli indicated that Kurti’s party would require over 60% of the vote to guarantee the selection of their chosen candidates for parliamentary speaker and president, describing this outcome as improbable.

“This Sunday’s election may not be the only one this year and holding four rounds within two years would be the worst scenario imaginable,” he added.

The EU has called on Kosovo politicians – the nation broke away from Serbia in 2008 – to establish robust institutions capable of implementing necessary reforms for EU membership.

“The EU can support Kosovo, but it cannot do Kosovo’s homework,” European Council President Antonio Costa said during a visit to Pristina on Wednesday.

Kurti’s party initially gained power in 2021 promoting a more nationalist, welfare-oriented platform. Similar to all Kosovo parties, it maintains a pro-Western stance while opposing additional concessions to Serbia, with whom tensions persist.

Kosovo’s election commission reports that over 900 candidates representing 17 parties and three coalition groups are vying for positions in the 120-seat parliament.

Approximately 2.1 million voters have registered – exceeding Kosovo’s 1.6 million resident population because of an extensive diaspora, primarily located in western Europe and typically supportive of Kurti’s party.

Many Kosovo citizens simply desire political stability.

“I am tired of voting,” pensioner Sadri Alija said in the capital Pristina. “May Allah unite our politicians – they are only thinking of themselves.”

A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon could open the door to resolving the larger conflict between America and Iran, according to the Trump administration.

Tehran has established an end to Lebanon hostilities as a prerequisite for any peace agreement with Washington, and has indicated in recent statements that it might intervene directly to support its ally Hezbollah if Israel continues or intensifies attacks in the region.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced Thursday that the ceasefire would take effect within 24 hours once all involved parties give their approval, seemingly referencing Hezbollah, which has yet to issue a statement about the agreement.

However, questions remain about how solid the truce will be, as Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz stated Thursday that military operations would persist in Lebanon for now and troops would not pull back from southern areas.

The agreement follows escalated violence throughout the region. Israeli attacks resulted in at least six deaths in southern Lebanon, while U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged strikes in the Gulf on Wednesday during one of the most severe confrontations since a previous ceasefire stopped major U.S.-Israeli bombardment of Iran in early April.

Iranian forces attacked Kuwait, causing airport damage and injuring dozens, while U.S. military forces conducted operations near the Strait of Hormuz. The strait, which typically handles one-fifth of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas transport, has remained mostly shut for over three months following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Oil markets Thursday gave back some of Wednesday’s increases amid optimism that the Lebanon ceasefire might help Washington and Iran discover a diplomatic solution to their conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump, facing pressure to reduce fuel costs, hinted that progress in Iran negotiations could occur as early as this weekend.

“If it happens, it could happen over the weekend,” Trump informed reporters in the White House’s Oval Office on Wednesday, without providing details about what he anticipated within that timeframe.

Trump noted that parties were attempting to separate the strait reopening issue from the Lebanon conflict.

Wednesday’s attacks on Kuwait harmed airport infrastructure and diplomatic facilities, resulting in one death and more than 60 injuries, according to Kuwaiti officials and state media.

Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards denied firing at Kuwait’s airport and attributed the damage to U.S. interceptor missiles that missed their intended targets, Iranian state media reported.

The U.S. military disputed that account, stating that Iranian drones deliberately targeted the airport.

Iranian media indicated the Revolutionary Guards also struck the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and a U.S. airbase. U.S. Central Command rejected claims its bases were hit and said Iranian ballistic missiles failed to reach their regional targets.

CENTCOM announced it conducted additional “defensive strikes” in southern Iran, targeting missile launch locations and Iranian vessels attempting to place mines, and carried out strikes on Qeshm Island near the strait following attempted Iranian attacks.

Last week, Iran and the U.S. indicated movement toward a preliminary agreement to end the war and reopen the strait, but both sides have not yet finalized the deal, which would postpone more complicated negotiations.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei stated in a Thursday message that Iran’s adversaries had already suffered battlefield defeats and were now attempting to create internal divisions.

“In order to confront these plans everyone must be patient, clear-minded, maintain unity, harmony, mutual trust, and not be in agreement with the enemy,” he said in a message delivered on his behalf during ceremonies marking the anniversary of the death of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ruhollah Khomeini.

Khamenei has not appeared publicly since succeeding his father, who died in an airstrike when the war began.

Beyond Tehran’s demand for ending Lebanon fighting, it also seeks access to billions in oil revenue, sanctions waivers on crude exports, removal of a U.S. port blockade, and continued control over the strait.

Trump has identified preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons as his primary objective. Iran maintains its atomic program serves peaceful purposes. In a podcast interview released Wednesday, Trump said Iran had committed to not developing nuclear weapons and that Khamenei was participating in negotiations.

Medical facilities in Gaza reported that nine Palestinians died during overnight attacks in Gaza City, as international attention remained largely focused on the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.

Hospital officials at Shifa Hospital confirmed they received the bodies from at least four different attacks that occurred throughout Gaza City during the night.

Israeli military officials have not yet provided any statement regarding these overnight operations. Earlier this week, Israeli forces eliminated a senior Hamas military commander, coming just two weeks after similar strikes that killed that leader’s predecessor.

These deaths represent the most recent casualties in the Palestinian territory following an October ceasefire agreement that aimed to end more than two years of warfare between Israeli forces and the Hamas militant organization controlling Gaza. Despite the reduction in major combat operations, the fragile truce continues to experience nearly constant Israeli military action.

Israeli military forces have conducted numerous aerial bombardments and regularly engage Palestinians approaching military-controlled areas, resulting in over 936 deaths since the ceasefire began, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports.

The ministry operates under Hamas leadership but maintains credibility with United Nations organizations and independent analysts. Officials do not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties in their reporting.

Hamas fighters have launched armed assaults against Israeli troops, with Israel stating its military operations respond to ceasefire violations or threats against its personnel. Israeli military casualties in Gaza total four soldiers since the truce took effect.

Israel began its Gaza military campaign following Hamas’ October 2023 assault that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 people taken as hostages.

A mountain guide from Nepal has been pulled to safety from Mount Everest after enduring nearly a week on the world’s tallest peak with no food or supplemental oxygen, according to climbing officials who described the survival as extraordinary.

The 52-year-old guide, Dawa Sherpa, had been descending the mountain with a Polish climber following an unsuccessful summit attempt when he disappeared somewhere between Camp III and Camp IV.

Climbing records show Dawa was last spotted on May 29. While his client made it back to base camp safely, officials have not explained how the two became separated during their descent.

The pair were among the final mountaineers attempting Everest during this year’s climbing season, which concluded last month.

Lama Kazi Sherpa, who works with the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, reported that his cleanup crew found Dawa positioned above base camp close to the Khumbu Icefall and successfully brought him to safety. The team had been conducting post-season cleanup operations when they made the discovery.

Medical personnel transported Dawa, who was still wearing his climbing gear, from the helicopter landing area to a medical facility using a stretcher.

Family members report that Dawa is recovering and receiving medical care for frostbite along with other health issues related to his ordeal.

“He recognised me … is good and speaks,” said Mhendo Lhamo Sherpa, the guide’s daughter. “We are happy.”

The Himalayan Times reported that throughout seven days, the guide survived with “no food, no bottled oxygen, no rescue team.”

This climbing season saw unprecedented numbers, with more than 1,000 mountaineers and their guides successfully reaching Everest’s summit. The government distributed 494 climbing permits during the period.

Earlier in the season, numerous climbers found themselves stuck at base camp when a massive glacial ice formation blocked access to the summit route during April.

Vietnam’s foreign ministry has pushed back against U.S. Trade Representative findings that suggest the Southeast Asian nation has not done enough to prevent trade involving goods produced through forced labor.

Speaking at a Thursday press briefing in Hanoi, foreign ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated that the U.S. assessment “does not fully or accurately reflect Vietnam’s mitigation efforts.”

“Vietnam’s policy strictly prohibits any form of forced labour, and it complies with the regulations of the International Labour Organization,” Hang explained during the regular press conference.

The disagreement follows the Trump administration’s announcement earlier this week of proposed tariffs reaching 12.5% on goods from 60 nations, including Vietnam. The administration determined these countries had not adequately addressed trade involving forced labor products, a claim that affected trading partners have disputed.

This investigation has occurred alongside a dramatic increase in Vietnamese exports to America. During the first quarter of this year, the U.S. trade deficit with Vietnam hit $54.8 billion, ranking second only to Taiwan and exceeding deficits with major exporters China and Mexico, according to U.S. trade data.

The Trump administration has consistently expressed its goal of reducing trade deficits with other nations.

“Vietnam has been and will continue to exchange and work with the United States in a constructive and cooperative manner to resolve existing disagreements, while always trying to protect legitimate interests of workers and businesses,” Hang stated.

The Trump administration has focused on Vietnam for what it considers trade distortions through excess capacity, intellectual property violations and the use of goods from forced labour.

CANTON, Mich. — Each week, Mirvet Makki allocates a portion of her catering business profits to assist Lebanese families forced from their homes due to ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah forces.

The 47-year-old entrepreneur, who prepares traditional Lebanese cuisine including couscous dishes and kibbeh in Dearborn Heights, came to Michigan in 1990. However, her emotional ties remain strong to Bint Jbeil, her hometown village, which has become one of the most severely affected regions in southern Lebanon.

The current round of violence has touched virtually every Lebanese American family, forcing over 1 million residents to flee their homes — approximately one-sixth of Lebanon’s entire population — while claiming more than 3,500 lives. This represents Israel’s most extensive military operation in Lebanon in over 25 years.

“I was thinking, ‘What can I do for other people?’” Makki said. “So I used my business.”

Despite increasing living expenses across America, she explained, “the money I can spare personally, I’ve been sending it to family.”

Throughout metro Detroit, where Arabic script decorates restaurant storefronts, coffee shops, and bakeries along busy commercial strips, a profound sadness has settled over the community as residents monitor the distant crisis.

Similar to Makki’s experience, many community members struggle with feelings of guilt and powerlessness. Providing assistance to relatives who cannot or will not abandon their homeland becomes increasingly challenging amid Lebanon’s deteriorating economic situation.

“Honestly it’s hard. Like, what do you say?” Makki said. “They’re going to ask me what I’m doing. Let’s say I’m at work. They lost their jobs. Let’s say I tell them I’m home. They lost their homes.”

Lebanese migration to America began in the 1890s. Current census figures show approximately 625,000 Lebanese Americans residing in the United States, though alternative calculations suggest the population may reach 1.4 million.

Political perspectives regarding Lebanon’s government, Hezbollah, and Israel differ throughout the diaspora community, mirroring the divisions within Lebanon itself, where viewpoints correlate strongly with religious identity. The nation’s demographics include roughly equal proportions of Sunni Muslims, Shiite Muslims, and various Christian groups, plus a smaller Druze population.

Regardless of these disagreements, the worldwide Lebanese diaspora maintains strong homeland connections, partially through billions of dollars in annual remittances.

“There is really no Lebanese homeland without the Lebanese diaspora,” Edward Curtis, director of Arabic Studies at Indiana University, said.

Lebanese Americans frequently unite around shared concerns, such as during the 2024 presidential campaign supporting the “uncommitted movement” opposing American backing for Israel’s Gaza operations, or denouncing the Michigan synagogue incident perpetrated by a Lebanese individual in March.

“When they see suffering in Lebanon, people’s immediate reaction … is for the community to come together, raise funds, raise money, and try to help everybody as much as they can,” Akram Khater, director of Lebanese Diaspora Studies at North Carolina State University, said.

Most community members depend on mutual support networks rather than seeking federal government assistance.

Curtis noted that numerous Lebanese Americans have become frustrated with American political processes, instead choosing to “celebrate Lebanese life when other peoples are threatening its death.”

Maya Attoui, whose parents remain in Beirut, coordinates a metro Detroit charity event supporting Lebanon while increasing public awareness about the situation. Although lacking sufficient personal funds to help her extended family members, she believes an event featuring activities and speakers will generate substantially more resources.

“We don’t feel like talking, we don’t feel like cooking in our houses,” Attoui said. “We’re just 24/7 on the phone or on the news. Our heart is really melting and breaking because of whatever we see.”

While international remittances flow to nations worldwide, Lebanon demonstrates exceptional reliance on its extensive diaspora population. The nation’s financial system has collapsed dramatically in recent years, with the American dollar increasingly replacing local currency in daily transactions.

During Makki’s February Lebanon visit, she witnessed dramatic price increases firsthand. Previously, $200 covered both vehicle rental and hotel accommodations; this trip, the same amount barely purchased a single restaurant meal.

Some individuals utilize online crowdfunding platforms. Although established humanitarian organizations exist, most prefer transferring funds directly to family members.

Makki plans to limit her total contributions to $10,000 to avoid raising regulatory concerns. Beyond that threshold, she joked, “Maybe take it there myself?”

Nadia Bryant, 37, from Troy, Michigan, regularly transfers money to her half-sisters in Lebanon, who currently occupy temporary shelter after Israeli forces entered their village of Ayta ash-Shab.

Instead of using the funds personally, Bryant explained, her sisters directed the money toward helping orphaned children.

“They’re such righteous people,” Bryant said. “They are not even trying to take the money and get themselves a better house or anything. They’re like, ‘Oh, we have shelter, but this person needs a mattress.’”

Through WhatsApp, her sister shared an image of a boiling teapot positioned over flames among the scattered remains of their former residence. The message stated: “Best cup of tea since 9 october 2023.”

“I don’t even ask, ‘How are you?’ That feels so stupid to me,” Bryant said. “I ask, you know, ‘What does today look like,’ or ‘Where are you today?’”

Attoui, who organizes fundraising efforts, has repeatedly attempted to persuade her family to relocate to America since her own 2006 arrival. They refuse to depart. Additionally, the United States suspended immigrant visa processing for Lebanese citizens in late January.

“I have all my aunts and my cousins over there,” she said. “So like, how many people can you bring here?”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei delivered a message Thursday claiming that the country’s adversaries have shifted tactics after suffering military setbacks, now attempting to weaken public morale and create internal discord.

In his statement, Khamenei emphasized the need for national solidarity when confronting these challenges and cautioned that behaviors fostering pessimism or discouragement among citizens serve to assist hostile forces.

The statement was delivered on his behalf during commemorative events honoring the death anniversary of Ruhollah Khomeini, who founded the Islamic Republic, alongside observances of an important Shi’ite religious occasion.

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Violence broke out Wednesday night between opposition supporters and government security forces in Somalia’s capital city of Mogadishu, occurring just hours before a scheduled protest against the current administration.

Casualty numbers from the fighting were not immediately released, though the violence prompted both the United Nations and United States to call for calm as government officials and opposition leaders pointed fingers at each other for starting the conflict.

Local residents described hearing intense gunfire and explosions as battles spread across multiple neighborhoods on Wednesday.

“We heard heavy weapons fire, and people were fleeing their homes,” said Abdullahi Mohamed, who lives in the city’s Howlwadaag district. “Many families left the area looking for safer places.”

Opposition leaders stated that Thursday’s planned demonstration was meant to challenge what they describe as constitutional violations and attempts by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to extend his time in office. Government officials have denied these claims.

Police in Mogadishu characterized the violence as stemming from “organized attacks” conducted by armed militias connected to groups with political motivations.

“The incidents were not the organization of peaceful public demonstrations, but rather coordinated armed acts that directly threatened the security, order and stability of the capital,” the police said in a statement.

According to police, state security forces fought off attacks on their locations and began investigations to determine who was responsible for planning, funding and executing the violence.

Opposition figures claimed that security forces targeted homes associated with former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

“We are under attack,” Khaire said in a statement. “For the second time in less than 24 hours, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has directed armed forces against our peaceful gatherings.”

Khaire reported that traditional elders, politicians, and community leaders were gathered at his home when the attack took place.

Government officials disputed this version of events.

The U.N. expressed serious concern about the fighting. Secretary-General António Guterres noted that the violence caused deaths, civilian injuries, and damage to essential infrastructure.

“The Secretary-General strongly condemns all acts of violence and incitement to violence undertaken for political advantage,” he said in a statement. Guterres also called on all parties to exercise restraint, protect civilians and resolve political differences through dialogue.

The U.S. also expressed worry about the conflict. The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu called the violence “reckless” and pushed for Somali leaders to find a peaceful solution.

“Somali leaders on all sides have a responsibility to preserve stability and resolve differences through peaceful means,” the embassy said. “Actions taken in the coming hours and days may have lasting consequences for Somalia’s security, unity, and future.”

Khaire accused the president of using government security forces against political rivals and claimed that troops trained and equipped by international allies to combat the al-Shabab extremist group had been turned against opposition members.

The fighting highlights increasing political tensions as disagreements over the nation’s electoral and constitutional future have created growing friction between government and opposition leadership. Somalia remains engaged in fighting al-Shabab while working to build stronger government institutions with help from international allies.

HAVANA — Rising temperatures and mounting concern gripped residents on a Havana street as they confronted a makeshift garbage dump sprawling across the sidewalk.

The pile contained decomposing food waste, ripped plastic bags, cardboard pieces and construction debris. Flies swarmed the area while stray cats prowled through the refuse, which emitted a foul odor carried by ocean breezes.

“What you’re looking at is depressing,” lamented María Odalys Ramírez, a 63-year-old who lives across the street from the capital’s iconic Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital. “The trash in this area, the flies, the rats, the filth — it’s completely unsanitary.”

For several months, Havana’s 2 million inhabitants — representing one-fifth of Cuba’s nearly 10 million population — have endured growing mounds of refuse on virtually every corner. Conditions worsened following a U.S. energy blockade that caused electrical blackouts, water supply disruptions and a fuel shortage that left government waste collection vehicles unable to operate.

With no regular pickup service, citizens have resorted to incinerating garbage in public areas, prompting health authorities to express concern about dangerous fumes.

Local residents worry that approaching months will bring deteriorating circumstances as summer temperatures rise and hurricane season approaches.

An extensive survey conducted by The Associated Press throughout the city documented similar conditions in neighborhoods across Havana, where locals reported sporadic garbage truck visits at best.

From downtown districts to suburban areas, vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians navigate around waste heaps. Some people sift through the debris searching for salvageable items.

Municipal data from last July showed Havana generated solid waste equivalent to roughly 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools daily. Even at that time, city services managed to collect only 57% of the total.

The “improper management of urban solid waste” has been designated as a major environmental concern in Cuba’s national strategy, according to Odalys Goicochea, an official at the ministry of science, technology and the environment.

Goicochea cautioned that the present waste collection crisis, when combined with increasing heat and approaching rainfall, threatens to make matters worse. The combination of elevated temperatures and humidity could lead to explosive growth of disease-transmitting flies and mosquitoes.

The emergency has prompted grassroots efforts to address neighborhood cleanup needs.

El Batazo represents one such program covering eight city blocks in Havana. A waste collector sounds a bell twice each day to gather pre-separated household garbage, while additional team members maintain street cleanliness.

Participants generate income by selling recyclable materials including aluminum and glass, convert organic waste into animal feed, and deposit remaining refuse in containers for eventual landfill disposal.

“The fundamental impact of this project is proving to the community that it can be done,” said Evelyn Martínez, a collaborator at El Batazo. “It is entirely possible to live in a cleaner environment, give value to what we call ‘trash’ and put it to good use.”

When Anna Yegoyan relocated from Armenia’s capital city to the mountainous northern community of Ijevan, she had to navigate rough, damaged roadways to reach her destination.

Today, she highlights freshly constructed streets and roadways as evidence of progress during Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s leadership, who was raised in that area, and declares her intention to support him in Sunday’s electoral contest.

The nation has transformed into “a proper country,” stated the 40-year-old, who participated in a Pashinyan campaign event in the community of approximately 20,000 residents. “Our place in the world is more recognisable.”

Citizens will cast ballots in a parliamentary election on June 7 that will evaluate Pashinyan’s attempts to establish peace with long-standing adversary Azerbaijan and strengthen relationships with Western nations, shifting away from traditional ally Russia. He expresses his goal to transform the landlocked country of 3 million into a “crossroads of peace,” reopening borders with Azerbaijan and its partner Turkey that have been sealed for years.

Polling data indicates Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party holds the lead with approximately 30% backing, while his primary opponent, Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who advocates for strengthened Moscow relations, follows with 6 to 11% support.

The shift from Russia represents a sensitive maneuver. Armenia exports roughly one-third of its goods to Russia and has historically relied on Moscow for energy needs. Recently, Russia – which operates a significant military installation in Armenia – has increased pressure by limiting various Armenian exports and threatening to eliminate affordable gas and oil supplies.

Yerevan’s administration has mostly minimized these concerns, though polling reveals one-third of Armenians now consider Russia threatening, ranking only behind Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Pashinyan has received strong backing from U.S. President Donald Trump, who facilitated discussions between him and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev while promoting a transportation route through southern Armenia as part of peace negotiations.

European leaders are also monitoring developments closely. Seeking influence in a region positioned between Russia and Iran, Europe has clear interests in Armenia “being more sovereign, more autonomous, and more able to trade westwards,” according to Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe.

Sunday’s election marks the first since Armenia’s 2023 military loss, when Azerbaijan reclaimed the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, causing approximately 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee.

Pashinyan emphasizes his achievements toward peace and reopening the Turkish border, closed since 1993. However, no agreement with Baku has been finalized, and opponents argue he has surrendered too much.

“The ruling party says peace has arrived, (but this) diverts the responsibility for all the security failures we’ve had throughout the years,” said Tigran Grigoryan, director of the Regional Centre for Democracy and Security think-tank in Yerevan.

If Pashinyan cannot achieve a two-thirds parliamentary majority, his commitment to Azerbaijan regarding a constitutional referendum would become challenging to honor, potentially hampering peace initiatives.

He also confronts accusations of authoritarian behavior from opposition groups and international human rights organizations. Numerous political opponents have been arrested, including supporters of main challenger Karapetyan, who remains under house arrest for allegedly inciting power seizure.

Karapetyan and another candidate, former President Robert Kocharyan, seek to preserve positive Russian relations and caution that Pashinyan is developing excessive closeness with Azerbaijan.

During the 2021 election, Pashinyan gained backing from voters outside power centers while struggling in the affluent capital.

“Pashinyan is able to talk the language of the common people, the language people understand,” said Mikayel Zolyan, a political analyst and former member of parliament.

Since assuming leadership during the 2018 Velvet Revolution, he has presided over doubled GDP per capita, established hundreds of kindergartens, and constructed thousands of kilometers of roadway.

Such achievements hold no significance for Anahit Grigoryan, who escaped Nagorno-Karabakh with her young child after her spouse died in a military fuel depot explosion during the brief conflict.

Now 26, she resides with four family generations in a village near Yerevan, surviving on modest refugee assistance and income from selling baked goods made with eggs from her backyard poultry.

As a former Karabakh resident, Grigoryan would require Armenian citizenship documentation to participate in voting, but expressed no interest.

“I feel like my voice will not be heard,” said the mother of four-year-old Karen. “Justice, for me is not realistic…It’s very hard for me to look my mother, my grandmother, and other women who lost their kids in the eyes.”

BELGRADE, June 4 — Serbia’s intelligence service has cautioned President Aleksandar Vucic against attending a summit in Montenegro on Friday where European Union and Balkan leaders will gather, pointing to safety concerns amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the neighboring nations.

The coastal town of Tivat will host French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen on Friday as they meet with leaders from six Western Balkan nations to evaluate progress on EU membership prospects.

In a Wednesday evening statement, Serbia’s Security and Information Agency (BIA) declared that Montenegro poses significant safety risks for Vucic because of “hostile activities of foreign secret services and a presence of a criminal clan there.”

Despite the security warning, Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic indicated that Vucic intends to proceed with his Montenegro travel plans and expects to conduct significant meetings during his visit.

The security alert follows reports from media outlets in Podgorica that Montenegro authorities on Wednesday rejected entry to an aircraft carrying 87 Serbian men who had landed in Tivat, declaring them a security concern before the EU-Western Balkan Summit.

According to the Vijesti news portal, law enforcement confiscated two buses intended to transport the group.

Diplomatic relations between Serbia and Montenegro have deteriorated due to Podgorica’s connections with Kosovo, which Serbia refuses to acknowledge, and Belgrade’s perceived interference in domestic political matters through religious institutions and political organizations linked to Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party.

Montenegro, a NATO member nation, declared independence in 2006 after ending its union with Serbia, and contrary to Belgrade’s position, has imposed sanctions on Russia while coordinating its foreign policy with the European Union.

Serbian N1 TV reported that Serbia implemented enhanced border controls with Montenegro on Wednesday evening, resulting in extensive delays at border crossings.

Japan’s central bank is anticipated to increase interest rates this month unless severe escalation of Middle East conflicts disrupts financial markets, according to three sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because they lack authorization to comment publicly.

The sources indicate that rising energy costs from regional tensions are contributing to growing inflation pressures throughout Japan’s economy. Central bank officials plan to monitor Middle East developments and their economic impact right up until their final decision.

Financial markets are currently anticipating approximately an 80% probability that the central bank will increase its short-term policy rate from 0.75% to 1% during the two-day policy meeting concluding June 16. Such an increase would push the policy rate to heights not witnessed since 1995.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda nearly guaranteed a June rate increase during Wednesday remarks, signaling a clear shift toward combating inflation and suggesting more regular increases in borrowing costs ahead.

“Unless there’s a severe escalation in the conflict, the BOJ will probably hike rates in June,” stated one source knowledgeable about the bank’s deliberations, with two additional sources expressing similar views.

These comments follow a series of recent signals from the central bank that have increased expectations for a June rate adjustment, as worries about inflation risks from the Iran war drove bond yields to nearly 30-year peaks last month.

Following that development, central bank board members Kazuyuki Masu and Junko Koeda have issued warnings about increasing price pressures, suggesting they might align with three other officials favoring a rate increase as early as June.

A surge in wholesale inflation has concerned policymakers regarding how quickly businesses are transferring costs to consumers, which analysts believe will drive consumer inflation beyond the central bank’s 2% objective.

The Bank of Japan ended its decade-long massive stimulus program in 2024 and has implemented several policy rate increases, including one in December, based on expectations that Japan was approaching sustainable achievement of its inflation goal.

Escalating energy expenses from Middle East conflicts have created challenges for central bank rate decisions, driving up prices while simultaneously harming an economy that depends heavily on fuel imports.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s Democratic Party dominated Wednesday’s local elections across the nation, securing 12 out of 16 major mayoral and provincial races, while the conservative People Power Party claimed four victories.

The results provide Lee’s party with extensive control over local governments one year after he took office. However, the ruling party faced a significant symbolic blow when conservative incumbent Oh Se-hoon secured another term as Seoul’s mayor.

The defeat in Seoul, the nation’s largest city and most politically significant mayoralty, dampened the ruling party’s overall success and provides conservatives with an important stronghold as they work to recover from the controversy surrounding former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unsuccessful 2024 martial law attempt and resulting impeachment.

On the first anniversary of taking office, President Lee stated the government would “humbly accept the will of the people” and collaborate actively with local governments from all political parties.

Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae expressed gratitude to voters for what he described as a “great victory” across the nation, while recognizing the disappointment of the capital city loss.

“I deeply thank the people for giving the Democratic Party a great victory across the country. But it hurts that we failed to retake Seoul,” Jung stated.

During his victory address, Oh declared that Seoul voters had maintained “the great democratic principle of checks and balances” to prevent the nation from leaning completely toward one political direction.

“The key question was who would win symbolic battlegrounds such as Seoul and Busan,” explained Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University.

According to Shin, Seoul voters seemed partly influenced by displeasure with the government’s housing policies, as officials attempt to moderate the capital’s overheated real estate market.

Nevertheless, the Democratic Party’s comprehensive performance, including a victory in Busan — the country’s second-largest city and traditional conservative territory — indicates Lee maintains solid nationwide backing, supported by strong exports from an AI chip surge and related stock market gains.

Prior to the election, the opposition People Power Party held 12 of the 16 major local government positions.

Fourteen parliamentary by-elections occurred simultaneously with the local races. In Busan’s Buk-A district, independent candidate and former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon prevailed, representing a political return for a prominent conservative who had separated himself from the party’s pro-Yoon wing.

The election faced disruption due to ballot paper shortages at several Seoul polling locations, prompting demands for accountability from Lee and both major political parties.

The shortages, documented at more than a dozen voting sites, forced some citizens to wait for hours or depart without voting, leading to extended voting hours at impacted locations.

These problems sparked demonstrations by voters and conservative organizations, including actions that blocked ballots from leaving a Seoul polling station and prevented the National Election Commission from officially validating the Seoul mayoral results as of Thursday midday.

The commission issued an apology and promised a comprehensive investigation, stating the incidents did not justify postponing the election or conducting a new vote.

Lee voiced “deep regret” regarding the ballot shortages, directing relevant organizations to identify the cause, hold responsible parties accountable, and quickly establish reliable protective measures.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — A mountain guide has been rescued alive from Mount Everest after disappearing for seven days, with a helicopter transporting him to medical care on Thursday, according to rescue teams.

Dawa Sherpa was last spotted approximately on May 29 making his way down the mountain, but failed to reach base camp despite his client successfully completing the descent. The two were among the final climbers on the peak as the season concluded and equipment was being removed.

A cleanup team discovered Dawa on Thursday morning as he crawled through the snow-covered terrain near the Khumbu Icefall above base camp, according to Pemba Sherpa from 8K Expeditions, who helped coordinate rescue efforts.

Rescue workers immediately brought him to safety and provided food and water before a helicopter arrived to transport him to medical facilities.

Despite the guide’s disappearance since the previous week, organizing a search operation was delayed. Air searches conducted earlier this week failed to locate him.

The crew that found him belonged to the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, an organization responsible for installing ladders and ropes at the beginning of each climbing season and later removing equipment and cleaning the area after climbers depart.

The 52-year-old Dawa is employed by Himalayan Traverse, a small company based in Kathmandu, and was leading a Polish climber. He originates from Okhaldhunga, a town located south of Everest.

Over 1,000 climbers and their guides successfully reached Everest’s summit this May, marking the most crowded climbing season in the mountain’s history.

This year’s climbing period started later than usual due to a large ice formation blocking the path above base camp, requiring approximately two weeks to remove.

The peak, standing 8,849 meters (29,032 feet) tall, was initially conquered on May 29, 1953, by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay.

China has imposed a one-year travel prohibition on four New Zealand parliamentarians and is requesting they issue an apology following their visit to Taiwan during a parliamentary delegation, according to correspondence from China’s embassy that was shared with The Associated Press on Thursday through parliamentary channels.

While China has previously imposed sanctions on legislators from other nations for Taiwan-related activities, this marks the first instance involving New Zealand parliamentarians, Wellington’s government confirmed. China has escalated its pressure in recent years on the democratically-ruled island, which it considers part of its territory.

When contacted by the AP on Thursday, two of the affected lawmakers refused the apology demand, while the remaining two were not immediately available for comment. New Zealand’s government indicated it plans to raise concerns about these travel restrictions with China.

The parliamentarians traveled to Taipei in May, continuing a practice New Zealand legislators have maintained “for decades,” according to a statement from a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Winston Peters.

China maintains that Taipei lacks authority to engage in foreign diplomatic activities and considers visits by international lawmakers to the island as challenges to China’s territorial claims.

The spokesperson for Peters stated the officials’ trip was “not inconsistent with New Zealand’s One China policy,” which recognizes China’s position that Taiwan constitutes a Chinese province. New Zealand does not maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan’s government, unlike 12 other countries globally.

Communications sent to the legislators through New Zealand’s Parliamentary Service, which the AP reviewed, indicated that China’s Wellington embassy had requested notification be given to the four officials regarding their prohibition from entering China, Macau and Hong Kong for twelve months.

The restriction could potentially be lifted if the affected lawmakers issued apologies for their Taiwan visit, the correspondence noted.

“China has consistently opposed visits to China’s Taiwan region by members of the legislatures of countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, including New Zealand, and this case is no exception,” stated a spokesperson for China’s Wellington embassy in a Thursday website posting. “The New Zealand side should not be surprised.”

New Zealand representatives in both Beijing and Wellington plan to address this issue with China “in order to express concern at this departure from past practice and to better understand it,” Peters’ spokesperson noted. New Zealand lawmakers make individual decisions about joining international delegations, and these trips typically include members from various political parties.

Laura McClure, a legislator from the libertarian ACT party, characterized the apology “demand” as “frankly insulting” and stated she would not comply.

Duncan Webb from the center-left Labour Party emphasized that New Zealand supports democratic institutions and the freedom to engage with international partners.

“If the cost of doing that is to be excluded from China for a year, I will pay that price,” Webb stated in an email response.

Wellington-Beijing relations have generally remained favorable in recent years. China serves as New Zealand’s primary trading partner, and New Zealand became the first Western nation to establish a free trade agreement with China.

In neighboring Australia, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced Thursday that her government would also voice concerns to Beijing and China’s Canberra mission regarding the lawmakers’ restrictions.

“We agree with the principle expressed by New Zealand that members of parliament, including the Australian Parliament, are free to make their own decisions about their travel independent of government,” she informed a Senate committee in Canberra on Thursday.

“Placing pressure on parliamentarians is not appropriate,” she continued.

Chinese officials are intensifying their efforts to eliminate any public remembrance of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, blocking families of victims from visiting graves on Thursday’s 37th anniversary of the deadly crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations.

Authorities informed family members they would be prohibited from accessing a Beijing cemetery on the anniversary date, according to an individual familiar with the situation who requested anonymity due to concerns about retaliation.

For over three decades, family members belonging to the Tiananmen Mothers organization had conducted annual cemetery visits on the anniversary to deliver memorial statements while under police surveillance, according to Amnesty International.

The 1989 military assault resulted in hundreds or potentially thousands of deaths as armed forces pushed through crowds attempting to block troops from reaching demonstrators in the expansive central Beijing plaza. The Communist Party leadership’s choice to deploy military force marked a crucial turning point in China’s contemporary history, establishing that economic reforms transforming the nation into the globe’s second-largest economy would proceed without accompanying political freedoms.

In Hong Kong, law enforcement increased security measures Thursday to block any commemorative activities at or around a park that previously hosted an annual massive candlelight ceremony until restrictions began following significant anti-government demonstrations in 2019. On Wednesday, officers detained two performance artists attempting symbolic acts in separate events, including one who briefly displayed a question-mark-shaped balloon outside a retail store.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently traveled with President Donald Trump on a state visit to Beijing, released a commemorative statement. “No amount of censorship can erase the past,” it said. “Those who sacrificed to uphold their unalienable rights of free expression and peaceful assembly will be vindicated someday.”

The Tiananmen Mothers organization published their yearly justice appeal before this year’s anniversary. Their declaration, endorsed by 107 individuals, called for complete transparency about the events, victim and family compensation, and legal prosecution of responsible parties.

“The sacrifice of our family members is an indelible pain etched in our hearts. Our tears have run dry, grief is buried deep within, what remains is eternal remembrance of our family members and hatred for the crime of massacring the people,” Zhang Xianling, a group member, stated in a Facebook video message — a platform banned within China.

Amnesty expressed serious concern about China’s apparently intensifying suppression of commemoration efforts. “Banning the relatives of people killed in the Tiananmen crackdown from visiting their loved ones’ graves is a heartless act by the Chinese authorities,” Sarah Brooks, the organization’s deputy director for Asia, said in a statement.

The Beijing Public Security Bureau failed to respond to a faxed comment request.

Hong Kong officials have prohibited the vigil since 2020, initially citing COVID-19 pandemic concerns. Three vigil organizers face charges under a 2020 national security law, with one entering a guilty plea that could lead to reduced sentencing while the other two await trial verdicts.

Lawyer Chow Hang-tung, one of the defendants, announced in a recent online post that she would conduct a 37-hour prison hunger strike. “Behind the glitter of power and dictatorship lies the blood and broken dreams of ordinary people. For in amnesia lies the demise of democracy,” she wrote.

Derek Chu, a former district councilor, posted on Instagram that he visited Chow on Thursday and pledged to join her 37-hour fast in solidarity. He noted that his shop is distributing LED candles for victim remembrance.

NEW DELHI (AP) — A lethal blaze tore through a structure in New Delhi’s Malviya Nagar district on Wednesday.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

MELBOURNE, Australia — An Australian court issued a restraining order Wednesday against a 63-year-old man, prohibiting him from contacting Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexander or her relatives for the next two years while she pursues her education at a Sydney university.

David James Cook faced court proceedings where he received an Apprehended Violence Order lasting two years, which bars him from stepping foot on Sydney University grounds, conducting online searches about the 22-year-old royal, or reaching out to her or her family members.

These protective orders are designed to shield individuals from violent acts, threatening behavior, or persistent harassment.

Speaking to media outside the Newtown Court House in Sydney, Cook explained that the legal action resulted from correspondence he mailed to Ingrid, who holds the position of second heir to Norway’s throne.

“I sent her a card just asking for friendship, that’s all,” Cook stated to Nine News television. He continued: “I did not intentionally upset her in any way and I wouldn’t do so. She’s a nice person. I bumped into her at an event and I followed up with the card.”

Following his court hearing, Cook faced additional charges for attacking a news photographer. Police confirmed the photographer sustained minor injuries during the incident.

Authorities released Cook from custody, and he is scheduled to return to court July 17 to face the assault charges.

The princess has resided on the Sydney university campus since arriving in Australia the previous year to pursue a three-year academic program in international relations.

According to media accounts, the daughter of Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit recently traveled back to Norway to be with her mother, who is facing a serious illness.

Taiwan plans to dramatically expand its collection of anti-ship missiles to exceed 1,800 weapons by early 2029, according to a calculation by Reuters. The massive buildup represents the island’s effort to strengthen defenses against potential Chinese invasion or blockade threats.

This weapons expansion reflects Taiwan’s adoption of an asymmetric defense strategy, where the island seeks to counter China’s overwhelming military superiority through large quantities of cost-effective yet lethal armaments. The approach also incorporates shorter-range missiles and swarms of surface and aerial drones, according to current and former Taiwan military officers.

Military officials say Taiwan’s goal is creating a defensive force capable of surviving an initial Chinese bombardment and remaining able to attack invasion fleets or vessels attempting to blockade the island. These officers cite Ukraine and Iran’s effectiveness in using missiles and drones against more powerful opponents as proof this strategy works.

Reuters’ calculation draws from arms trade information, U.S. export approval records, defense analyst projections, and conversations with Taiwanese government representatives.

Taiwan’s parliament recently authorized an additional $25 billion for U.S. munitions purchases, funding more precision missiles with enough range to target Chinese ships in the Taiwan Strait or forces at Chinese coastal departure points.

The core of Taiwan’s anti-ship capabilities consists of U.S.-provided Harpoon missiles and locally manufactured Hsiung Feng missiles. Such a substantial weapons force would enable Taiwan to establish a “kill zone” in the Taiwan Strait, creating concentrated firepower to inflict severe casualties and potentially stop a Chinese invasion, explained Ou Si-fu, deputy chief executive officer for research at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, Taiwan’s leading military think tank.

“Our goal is to stop them from landing and completing their mission, not to destroy every PLA ship,” Ou told Reuters, referring to the People’s Liberation Army, China’s military.

Grant Newsham, a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel and researcher at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies, called anti-ship missile investment a smart decision.

From China’s perspective, “one thing you’d not want to deal with are long-range precision weapons that can crack your ships in half before they even set out across the Taiwan Strait, or at any point between the Chinese mainland” and Taiwan’s shores, Newsham said. “Employed properly and with adequate numbers, these missiles are a huge problem for a Chinese invasion force.”

Military experts say China would require a massive fleet of warships and civilian transport vessels to launch an invasion across the Taiwan Strait. China operates the world’s largest navy and an enormous merchant fleet.

Taiwan’s defense ministry stated that anti-ship missiles “can establish a powerful maritime strike capability and degrade the enemy’s combat effectiveness. Details regarding their deployment involve military security and are not disclosed.”

China’s defense ministry and Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to comment requests. A Pentagon official said they had no comment on Taiwan’s specific capabilities, delivery schedules, or potential future security assistance packages. The White House did not respond to questions.

Taiwan is seeking approval from U.S. President Donald Trump for an arms sale package worth up to $14 billion currently under consideration. Trump indicated last month he would decide soon on the sale after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. During their discussions, Xi cautioned Trump that mishandling Taiwan could trigger conflict between the two superpowers.

Beijing considers Taiwan its own territory and has never ruled out using force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that only the island’s residents can determine their future.

Ou and other military specialists point to Ukraine’s success attacking Russian warships and transports with missiles and surface drones in the Black Sea as proof this strategy could work for Taiwan against Chinese invasion or blockade. Iran’s continued ability to strike shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and hit other regional targets despite over a month of massive U.S. and Israeli air-and-missile attacks showed how a weaker power could maintain fighting capability, they noted.

Supporters of this warfare type argue that anti-ship missiles, especially those on ground-based mobile launchers, could be spread out and hidden around Taiwan. This would make it harder for the PLA to locate and destroy them in initial attack waves.

However, many of the island’s anti-ship missiles remain deployed on warships and at fixed ground installations vulnerable to preemptive strikes, said Yuster Yu, a retired Taiwanese naval officer who served on Taiwan’s National Security Council. “And, the Chinese know where they are,” he said.

Taiwan’s defense ministry said existing anti-ship missiles were “deployed in a mobile and dispersed manner to preserve combat effectiveness.” Missiles in fixed positions, it said, were “equipped with protective and backup mechanisms and can be converted to mobile configurations as needed to enhance battlefield survivability.”

While Taiwan’s military keeps weapon inventory sizes secret, the figure of more than 1,800 anti-ship missiles includes 450 Boeing-manufactured Harpoon missiles already delivered to the island, according to two senior Taiwanese government officials speaking anonymously.

Deliveries of another 400 of these sea-skimming cruise missiles will start this year under an arms sale worth $2.4 billion approved during the final months of the first Trump administration in late 2020. All 400 missiles are expected to arrive by the end of March 2029, according to U.S. government arms sales approval documents. The Taiwanese navy told Reuters that according to the letter of offer signed by the U.S. in 2021, the missiles would arrive on schedule.

If deliveries proceed as planned, Taiwan would possess 850 Harpoon missiles by early 2029.

By that time, the island’s military will also have approximately 1,000 or more domestically manufactured Hsiung Feng II and Hsiung Feng III anti-ship cruise missiles, according to Ou and two senior Taiwanese government officials. This would bring Taiwan’s anti-ship missile collection to roughly 1,850.

This projection of Taiwan’s anti-ship missile inventory by 2029 assumes U.S. deliveries occur mostly on time and in full. It doesn’t account for potential production delays or competing wartime demands on U.S. supplies that could slow deliveries.

One of the two senior Taiwanese officials told Reuters the delivery schedule could extend to 2030.

In separate arms agreements, Washington has also approved selling another 195 air-launched Harpoon missiles or weapons derived from this system, valued at a combined $1.36 billion, according to U.S. government approval documents and arms trade data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The two sides are still negotiating terms for these deals and no delivery date has been set, according to one of the senior Taiwanese officials.

Michael F. Miller, director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, confirmed during congressional testimony in March that Taiwan is America’s top priority for Harpoon deliveries.

To coordinate this additional firepower, the Taiwan military will establish a new Littoral Combat Command on July 1 to combine its coastal radars, anti-ship missiles and drones into one force.

For Taiwan’s defenders, the anti-ship missiles will support their goal of resisting an attempted invasion long enough to allow allied forces time to assist the island.

“We must always be prepared to fight a prolonged, war-of-attrition style battle,” Ou said.