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ROJ CAMP, Syria (AP) — Thirteen Australian women and children departed a Syrian detention facility on Friday in a second effort to return to their homeland, following a previous unsuccessful repatriation attempt earlier this year.

Journalists witnessed the group leaving Roj camp, a isolated detention center located close to Iraq’s border that holds relatives of individuals suspected of Islamic State connections. The families traveled by bus with a Syrian government official escort.

According to Lana Hussein, a representative from the Women’s Protection Units within the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that oversees camp security, the families’ departure was coordinated with Syria’s central government in Damascus.

Hussein indicated the families would spend approximately 72 hours in Damascus before being “deported under security procedures.”

Neither Syrian foreign ministry officials nor Australian government representatives immediately provided comments when contacted.

An earlier effort in February to bring 34 women and children back to Australia from the same facility was halted when Syrian officials turned them back. Australian officials stated at that time they would not facilitate the families’ return, and the government subsequently issued a temporary exclusion order preventing one woman from re-entering the country.

Officials have not confirmed whether Friday’s new attempt involved coordination with Australian authorities.

While Roj camp sits in northeastern Syria under Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces control, the Australians had intended to fly from Damascus.

Camp administrators previously stated that family members of the returnees, rather than Australian officials directly, had organized the planned repatriations.

Following the Islamic State’s territorial defeat in Syria during 2019, former fighters from various nations along with their spouses and children were detained in multiple camps and facilities across northeastern Syria. Despite their defeat, the organization continues operating through sleeper cells that conduct fatal attacks throughout Syria and Iraq.

The larger al-Hol camp has since been shuttered, while the U.S. military transferred thousands of suspected IS fighters previously detained in Syria to Iraq for trial proceedings.

These developments followed January clashes between government troops and the SDF, during which government forces captured significant SDF-controlled territory. The resulting turmoil led to numerous detainee escapes from al-Hol and prisoner breakouts from detention centers.

Australian authorities have previously facilitated the return of Australian women and children from Syrian detention facilities on two separate occasions, while other Australians have returned independently without government assistance.

NICOSIA, April 24 – Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed Friday that the European Union might consider reducing sanctions against Iran as part of a broader peace agreement, though fellow EU leaders responded with more reserved positions.

For several years, the 27-member European Union has maintained sanctions against Tehran, implementing travel restrictions and freezing assets of high-ranking officials and organizations due to human rights abuses, nuclear programs, and military assistance to Russia.

American officials have indicated that a wide-ranging agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz could potentially bring a lasting conclusion to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Tehran, extending beyond the existing ceasefire.

Following an EU summit held in Cyprus, Merz indicated the European bloc might consider a step-by-step reduction of Iran sanctions if a comprehensive agreement were achieved.

While European leaders have found themselves mostly on the sidelines during the ongoing Middle East crisis, some European officials view the bloc’s sanctions as a potential avenue for EU participation in diplomatic solutions.

“The easing of sanctions can be part of a process,” Merz stated to reporters following the Nicosia summit.

“No one has objected to that,” he commented regarding the summit discussions. “It is, so to speak, part of the contribution we can make to advance this process and, hopefully, lead to a permanent ceasefire.”

However, European Council President Antonio Costa, who chaired the summit, expressed a different view during a press conference after the meeting concluded: “It is too early to talk about relieving any kind of sanctions.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that lifting sanctions would require concrete proof of significant policy changes from Iran.

“We believe that sanctions relief should be conditional on verification of de-escalation, particularly on progress on the international effort to contain its nuclear threat, and on a change to the repression of its own people,” she said during the same press conference.

A Lebanese man experienced profound shock when he witnessed through social media an Israeli soldier destroying a religious statue that belonged to his family in their private garden located in the southern Lebanese village of Debel.

Houssam Naddaf explained that he discovered the incident online like countless others. “I saw it on the internet like everyone else,” Naddaf stated. Due to movement limitations enforced by Israeli military forces in the region, he was unable to personally visit his property to assess the destruction.

The area fell under Israeli military control during the current Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which commenced on March 2 following Iran-backed Lebanese militants launching missiles across the border two days after the United States and Israel initiated their campaign against Iran. Subsequently, Israel conducted a ground operation in southern Lebanon, maintaining their presence even after last week’s ceasefire declaration.

The footage showing the soldier wielding an axe against the fallen Jesus statue in Debel generated significant international criticism and outrage throughout Lebanon and beyond.

On Tuesday, Israel’s military announced they had provided a replacement sculpture. Naddaf verified that Israeli forces delivered a similar but smaller crucifix, presented their apologies, and completed the installation with local clergy present.

Nevertheless, Naddaf revealed that his family members, who were absent during that ceremony, had already been approached by United Nations peacekeeping forces regarding a crucifix donation from Italy. The family chose to accept Italy’s contribution, which matched the original statue’s dimensions, while donating the Israeli-provided replacement to a neighborhood church.

Wednesday’s installation of the Italian-donated crucifix featured a modest ceremony with local religious leaders, community members, UN peacekeepers, and Naddaf’s family in attendance.

From Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni transmitted a message describing the replacement statue as “a powerful message of peace, hope, and dialogue.”

The family had originally placed the crucifix in their garden during 2018, within shared property that Naddaf and his three brothers subdivided into four family apartments beginning in 2010.

According to Naddaf, his residence sits at Debel’s perimeter, positioned between the village and neighboring Rmeish—a location residents view as more vulnerable compared to the village center, which remains largely outside the primary conflict zone. When hostilities resumed between Hezbollah and Israel on March 2, Naddaf relocated with his wife and three children to his parents’ residence deeper within Debel.

Following last week’s ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, Israeli forces have been demolishing neighborhoods throughout towns and villages along the Lebanese-Israeli border.

Military officials claim they exclusively target structures that served as militant outposts for the Iran-supported organization. However, destruction appears nearly comprehensive across many regions. This extensive devastation has heightened concerns among Lebanese authorities and citizens that numerous war-displaced individuals may lack homes to return to should the fragile ceasefire endure.

Even with the ceasefire in effect, Naddaf reported that Israeli forces continue preventing his family from returning to their residence.

Israeli troops maintain control over a border zone extending approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) into Lebanese territory, characterizing this area as an essential buffer zone protecting their northern communities from Hezbollah rocket attacks. Many Lebanese civilians worry these actions could result in extended displacement.

Unlike the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah conflict when Naddaf’s family sought refuge in Beirut, they decided to stay within their village this time. “It was clear that the plan was expulsion, so we say good thing we didn’t leave this time,” he explained.

During his UN peacekeeper-escorted visit to his home for the crucifix ceremony, he discovered a “total mess,” though expressed gratitude that his house remained intact, unlike several neighboring homes that faced demolition.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s Cabinet has approved legislation mandating two years of military service for men between the ages of 18 and 25, following deadly border conflicts with Thailand that occurred twice last year.

Government spokesperson Pen Bona announced Friday that this new conscription legislation will replace a 2006 law that was never put into practice and no longer meets current military requirements.

The previous legislation set the maximum draft age at 30 years old. Under the new rules, women may join the armed forces voluntarily.

According to Pen Bona, the Cabinet adopted the comprehensive draft legislation, which contains eight chapters and 20 articles, during Thursday’s meeting.

Border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand erupted into violence on two separate occasions last year over competing territorial claims along their mutual boundary.

The conflicts resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents in both nations and claimed the lives of approximately 100 Cambodian military personnel and civilians. While a December ceasefire ended active hostilities, regional tensions continue to simmer.

According to an official government statement, military service represents both a fundamental obligation and a distinguished honor that enables Cambodians to support national progress and protect their homeland.

Prime Minister Hun Manet announced in July of last year, as relations with Thailand worsened, that Cambodia would enact conscription during this year. He argued that drafted soldiers demonstrate greater effectiveness and professionalism compared to volunteer forces, and that mandatory service would address personnel shortfalls while enhancing military readiness.

The proposed legislation must receive approval from both the National Assembly and Senate before King Norodom Sihamoni can sign it into law.

European Union member nations have decided to continue advocating for worldwide carbon emissions pricing in the shipping industry during upcoming United Nations maritime discussions, potentially creating another diplomatic confrontation with the United States over environmental policy.

Last year, officials at the International Maritime Organization chose to delay the environmental initiative by twelve months following intense resistance from the Trump administration, which had threatened to implement sanctions and travel restrictions on representatives backing the measure.

Despite this setback, European nations remain determined to resurrect their climate proposal, based on the EU’s negotiating strategy for the upcoming IMO discussions, which Reuters has reviewed.

According to the strategic document, EU member states “shall oppose any attempts” to eliminate these climate initiatives from the negotiation agenda during the scheduled meeting.

The document indicates that European countries are willing to modify their original carbon pricing framework if such changes would help build broader international support. Nevertheless, several EU representatives expressed doubt that any compromise agreement on environmental measures could succeed, considering America’s steadfast resistance.

Norway’s Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen stated that the IMO maintains an opportunity to achieve a groundbreaking agreement, but must explore “different approaches” to prevent a recurrence of last year’s unsuccessful outcome.

“Also… whether we can do some things already now and potentially postpone other parts of the regulation to a later stage, for example,” he added while speaking to journalists.

During October’s meeting, 57 nations – including China and significant maritime countries such as Liberia – voted to postpone the carbon pricing mechanism, while 49 countries pushed for immediate implementation.

Those favoring the proposal included European states, Brazil, and several small island nations facing climate change threats.

A group representing the world’s three largest ship registration countries – Liberia, Panama, and the Marshall Islands – along with oil transport companies including Saudi Arabia’s Bahri, have encouraged IMO participants to explore alternatives to the existing carbon pricing framework during next week’s sessions.

“Support for the framework in its current form has continued to erode” since the IMO meeting last year, they said in a statement.

Last year’s IMO decision created divisions within the EU, as Greece and Cyprus – both hosting substantial shipping sectors – departed from the bloc’s unified position and abstained rather than supporting the European-backed environmental proposal.

Greece, Malta, and Italy refused to approve the new EU negotiating strategy, which received approval from a reinforced majority of European Union countries, according to officials.

Brazilian law enforcement officials are conducting a criminal investigation into Caldic, an international chemical distribution company majority-controlled by American private equity giant Advent International, over allegations the firm supplied materials for an enormous methanol smuggling operation.

Authorities last year dismantled what they described as a massive $10 billion fuel fraud network operated by Brazil’s most powerful criminal organization, the First Capital Command (PCC), which illegally distributed methanol as automotive fuel through gas stations.

According to a source with direct knowledge of the investigation, Caldic served as the primary methanol supplier in the case under scrutiny.

While law enforcement has not uncovered evidence suggesting Caldic or Advent were aware their products were being misused, the source noted that the investigation by São Paulo state prosecutors highlights how even well-established American investment firms can become inadvertently connected to criminal enterprises that have infiltrated large portions of Latin America’s business sector.

This marks the first public disclosure that the Netherlands-headquartered Caldic faces investigation for potential connections to the fuel fraud network run by the PCC criminal syndicate.

Another distributor, GPC Química, is also facing examination regarding its methanol transactions, though the volumes in question are reportedly smaller than those involving Caldic, according to the source.

The PCC, which originated three decades ago within a São Paulo correctional facility, has evolved into South America’s most extensive drug trafficking organization, operating a money laundering division that has increasingly penetrated legitimate business sectors including real estate, financial technology companies, and fuel distribution.

The criminal organization has created diplomatic friction, with the United States urging Brazil’s government to designate it as a terrorist entity as part of a broader regional approach to combat transnational gangs engaged in what officials term “narcoterrorism.”

Prosecutors plan to file formal charges in the methanol investigation by June and continue assessing the scope and character of Caldic’s involvement in the operation, the source revealed, noting the company could face civil litigation while employees might encounter criminal charges.

When questioned about the criminal investigation, Caldic issued a response through its Brazilian division Quantiq, stating the company is “cooperating with investigators” and “is firmly committed to the highest standards of compliance and integrity.” The statement added that an internal review discovered no misconduct by company leadership.

GPC Química, which neither confirmed nor denied being under investigation, informed reporters it operates “strictly following the legislation and current regulations.”

Advent, consistently ranked among America’s ten largest private equity companies, stated the investigations do not directly involve the investment firm, emphasizing it “conducts all of its business with the highest integrity, and holds its portfolio companies to the same high standards.”

Brazil’s fuel oversight agency ANP announced it has initiated an ongoing “administrative proceeding” to examine Quantiq’s methanol transactions. Internal documents from that separate regulatory investigation, currently sealed, reveal it was prompted by the criminal probe and references prosecutors’ initial conclusions, including electronic communications between Quantiq staff and individuals connected to the PCC.

The regulatory body has already limited Caldic’s methanol distribution in Brazil and could potentially revoke the company’s authorization to handle the substance, according to ANP records.

Methanol, a regulated chemical in Brazil, poses dangers to vehicles and can be fatal to humans. Beginning in 2024, ANP made distributors accountable for improper use of the substance by their clients.

An ANP document from November, obtained from the regulator’s confidential investigation, indicated nearly 25% of Quantiq’s methanol transactions triggered concerns because the listed purchasers, including some connected to the PCC, were either non-operational, never received deliveries, or had no apparent need for the quantities bought.

The document accused Quantiq of failing to establish basic compliance procedures, thereby enabling “the irregular methanol trade, with potential risk to public health and to the regular supply of fuels.” These allegations have not been independently confirmed.

Responding to inquiries about the document’s findings, Quantiq stated it would not address speculation, anonymous sources, or partially disclosed information.

The São Paulo prosecutors’ office refused to discuss specifics of the ongoing sealed investigation.

Both methanol and ethanol play crucial roles in Brazil’s expanding biofuels sector. Methanol serves in small amounts for biodiesel manufacturing, while ethanol functions widely as both an additive and gasoline replacement in Brazilian vehicles.

Since methanol typically costs less than ethanol, criminal actors can blend the substances to increase profits from fuel sales, explained Carlo Faccio, director of ICL, an industry organization established to fight fuel fraud in Brazil.

During the multi-billion-dollar fuel fraud and money-laundering scheme targeted by officials in August, PCC members obtained methanol to contaminate fuel distributed to suppliers and gas stations, the government reported.

Among those served with warrants were two individuals who had been employed for more than ten years at Quantiq, the Caldic subsidiary, according to documents from the ANP investigation. These workers, who held non-executive positions, exchanged electronic messages arranging methanol deliveries with people directly tied to the PCC, the investigation source confirmed.

The company reported its internal review found “no indication of involvement by Quantiq’s representatives or management” in the alleged methanol smuggling, declining to elaborate on specific accusations. Quantiq refused to share audit documentation or identify who performed it, and the findings could not be independently verified.

During the previous year, Quantiq ranked as Brazil’s second-largest methanol importer, trailing GPC Química, based on ANP statistics.

ANP investigation records showed Quantiq distributed approximately 190 million liters of methanol between January and August of last year.

Hundreds of these shipments, which Quantiq brought through the Paranaguá port in southern Brazil, failed to reach their designated recipients, according to financial tracking information examined by ANP officials in their sealed administrative review.

Quantiq also delivered methanol shipments to companies that had ceased operations or lacked clear purposes for the chemical, ANP determined.

When customers did show legitimate uses, ANP officials discovered several purchased far more than their documented requirements.

For instance, Quantiq sold roughly 25 million liters over eight months to a purchaser that informed ANP in October it uses approximately 630,000 liters of methanol monthly, the ANP documents indicated. The destination of the excess amount could not be determined.

In November, ANP prohibited Quantiq from methanol sales while examining issues identified by last year’s criminal investigation. ANP also referenced a regulatory review into similar problems in 2023, when it advised the company to enhance its compliance procedures.

Regarding ANP’s recent conclusions, Quantiq said it maintained compliance and client verification processes, “incorporating regulatory recommendations.”

In February, the regulator permitted Quantiq to restart limited methanol sales to designated buyers under new protective measures, pending a final decision based on its continuing administrative investigation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is considering attending the G20 summit scheduled for Miami in December, according to Kremlin officials who confirmed Friday that Moscow received an invitation from the United States.

The potential attendance would mark Putin’s first appearance at a G20 gathering since 2019, as he skipped previous meetings due to the coronavirus pandemic and later because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which severely damaged relations between Russia and Western nations.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov addressed the possibility during an interview with state television, stating: “President Putin may go to Miami as a member of the G20, or he may not go, or another Russian representative may go.”

A U.S. official confirmed that Washington has extended an invitation to Russia for the annual gathering of the world’s 20 largest economies, and Moscow has accepted the invitation.

The development comes after reports emerged Thursday that President Trump planned to invite Putin, though Trump later told journalists he was unaware of any invitation or whether the Russian leader would attend.

A senior administration official clarified that formal invitations have not yet been distributed. “But Russia is a G20 member and will be invited to attend ministerial meetings and the leaders’ summit,” the official said while requesting anonymity.

Peskov emphasized that Russia will ensure appropriate representation at the summit, noting that Moscow considers the G20 forum extremely valuable given the various global crises currently unfolding.

The Kremlin previously expressed agreement with Trump’s assessment that removing Russia from the Group of Eight in 2014 was an error, though Moscow has since characterized the G7 as insignificant and “rather useless” for Russian interests.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin confirmed through state news agencies that Russia received an invitation to participate at the highest level in the Miami G20 summit.

During Thursday’s remarks to reporters, Trump suggested that Putin felt deeply insulted by his removal from the G8. “He was very offended by that. I’d venture to say you probably wouldn’t be having these problems if you didn’t throw him out,” Trump commented. “I’m of the opinion that you talk to everybody.”

However, Trump expressed skepticism about Putin’s actual attendance. “I doubt he’d come, to be honest with you. I sort of doubt he’d come,” Trump said while discussing his efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict.

Since beginning his second presidential term, Trump has demonstrated a more accommodating approach toward Russia and has criticized Ukraine regarding the ongoing war. The administration recently extended exemptions allowing Russian oil purchases without triggering sanctions.

Trump has faced ongoing criticism for his historically positive statements about Putin, with critics arguing he maintains a lenient stance toward Russia. Trump disputes these characterizations, claiming no previous U.S. president took a tougher approach with Moscow.

A State Department representative clarified the administration’s position Thursday, explaining: “As a member of the G20, Russia has been invited to all working-level meetings to date. President Trump has been clear that Russia is welcome to attend all G20 meetings as the United States focuses on delivering a successful and productive summit.”

Authorities in Portugal announced Friday they have confiscated a massive collection of 278 artworks from a former domestic worker who may have been attempting to sell pieces that didn’t belong to him.

The collection, which investigators say includes potential works by renowned artists Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró, was discovered in the possession of a man who previously worked as a butler for an American citizen living in Penalva do Castelo. The artwork’s original owner passed away in 2024.

Investigators have not yet verified whether the pieces are authentic, according to authorities. The former employee is currently being questioned by police in connection with suspected attempts to sell portions of the valuable collection.

Law enforcement conducted their investigation through what they dubbed “Operation Butler,” working alongside art experts from the National Museum Machado de Castro to properly handle and assess the seized items.

The remarkable collection spans multiple centuries and artistic movements, featuring works attributed to 27 different creators. Among them are pieces believed to be by German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer, Spanish masters Picasso and Miró, and contemporary British artist David Hockney. The haul also contains various sculptures and cultural artifacts.

Police have launched a formal investigation into the matter but have not released additional information regarding potential criminal charges at this time.

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A former Syrian intelligence operative featured in a disturbing leaked video showing mass executions has been captured by authorities, officials announced Friday.

The Interior Ministry confirmed that Amjad Yousef was taken into custody in Hama province, where he had been in hiding. Officials released an image showing him wearing a striped prison jumpsuit.

The arrest follows the December 2024 overthrow of former President Bashar Assad by insurgent forces, leading to the capture of numerous security personnel accused of committing war crimes. Assad has since fled to Russia for refuge.

The devastating conflict that erupted from peaceful demonstrations in March 2011 eventually escalated into a full-scale civil war, resulting in approximately 500,000 deaths and more than one million injuries.

Yousef was identified as one of multiple Syrian security operatives featured in footage that surfaced in 2022, depicting the systematic execution of bound and blindfolded prisoners who were shot and disposed of in a pit.

The disturbing 6-minute and 43-second recording captured members of the infamous Military Intelligence Branch 227 executing approximately 40 detainees in a deserted structure in Tadamon, a Damascus suburb adjacent to the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee settlement. This area remained a battleground between government troops and rebel forces throughout much of the war.

The victims appeared with blindfolds and hands restrained behind them. The Branch 227 operatives systematically positioned each prisoner at the rim of a pit containing old tires before forcing them inside and shooting them as they fell.

During the recording, intelligence personnel deceived some prisoners by claiming they would traverse a dangerous sniper zone and instructed them to run quickly. The victims collapsed onto the remains of previous victims. As corpses accumulated in the pit, some victims continued moving, prompting additional gunfire into the mass of bodies.

The perpetrators subsequently ignited the remains, apparently attempting to destroy evidence of their crimes.

Syrian security forces announced last year that three additional individuals connected to these same killings had been apprehended.

Friday’s Interior Ministry announcement emphasized that authorities remain committed to tracking down everyone involved in the Tadamon executions to ensure they face prosecution.

The U.S. State Department imposed travel restrictions on Yousef, his spouse, and immediate family members in March 2023, barring their entry into the United States.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Friday, marking his second trip to the kingdom within a month as Ukraine works to strengthen security partnerships and showcase its military technology throughout the Middle East during ongoing regional tensions.

Upon his arrival, Zelenskyy posted on social media platform X: “Yesterday, at a meeting with European leaders, we secured financial guarantees for our resilience. Today, we are advancing our agreements with Saudi Arabia in the areas of security, energy, and infrastructure.”

The Ukrainian leader indicated his intention to hold discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the visit. While Zelenskyy did not specify his destination in his own statements, Saudi state television confirmed his arrival in Jeddah.

This follows Zelenskyy’s previous trip to Saudi Arabia in late May, where Ukraine and the kingdom established a defense cooperation framework that the president characterized as creating extensive groundwork for future military contracts.

Following regional conflicts involving Iran, Ukraine has successfully negotiated agreements with multiple Middle Eastern nations by offering its technology and knowledge in intercepting Iranian long-range attack drones.

Zelenskyy has previously highlighted Ukraine’s support as producing positive outcomes across the Middle East region, and has also proposed that Kyiv could contribute its specialized knowledge to help restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

LONDON — Legislation permitting terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose assisted death will expire Friday as the parliamentary session concludes without final passage.

While the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill successfully passed through the elected House of Commons last June, the upper chamber House of Lords has effectively stalled the measure through extensive debate and procedural delays.

Supporters of what advocates call “assisted dying” — also known as “assisted suicide” — viewed this legislation as potentially the most significant social policy transformation in Britain since abortion became partially legal in 1967.

However, House of Lords opponents successfully delayed passage by submitting over 1,200 proposed amendments to the legislation. This represents what experts believe is the highest number of amendments ever filed for a backbencher-sponsored bill rather than government-introduced legislation. Parliamentary rules restrict backbencher bills to Friday debate sessions only, severely limiting available discussion time.

Since the current parliamentary session ends next week, the legislation will expire. Britain’s five-year parliamentary terms include multiple government-determined sessions, and bills must complete the entire legislative process within one session to become law.

Assisted dying advocates have expressed frustration that unelected House of Lords members blocked the will of elected representatives and pledge to reintroduce the measure in the upcoming parliamentary session beginning after King Charles III delivers the government’s agenda speech to both chambers on May 13.

The legislation under consideration for approximately 18 months would have permitted adults in England and Wales with terminal diagnoses of six months or less to request assisted death following approval from two physicians and an expert review panel.

House of Lords members filing amendments argued they were conducting essential legislative review to improve the bill. Critics labeled the measure dangerous and impractical, expressing concerns about potential pressure on vulnerable individuals and insufficient protections for disabled persons.

Kim Leadbeater, who introduced the legislation to the House of Commons in late 2024, has committed to entering the backbencher ballot to reintroduce the bill next session.

“I will keep pushing for a safer, more compassionate law until Parliament reaches a final decision,” she stated.

Last month, Scottish Parliament members defeated similar legislation that would have made Scotland the first UK region to permit terminally ill adults to end their lives. Scotland maintains semi-autonomous governance with authority over various policy areas including healthcare.

Physician-assisted suicide — where patients consume lethal medication prescribed by doctors — is currently legal in multiple countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and several U.S. states, with varying qualification requirements across jurisdictions.

Federal authorities have unveiled a major offensive targeting cybercrime networks operating across Southeast Asia, with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro describing the effort Friday as part of a “new theater of war” the Trump administration is waging against Chinese organized crime syndicates.

The comprehensive operation, spearheaded by a newly formed Scam Center Strike Force, resulted in Treasury Department sanctions against 29 individuals and entities, including a high-profile Cambodian legislator. Federal prosecutors have also brought criminal charges against two Chinese citizens connected to similar schemes in Myanmar.

During a virtual news conference linking Washington with reporters across Asia, Pirro outlined the scope of the initiative, which includes obtaining warrants to dismantle a significant recruitment operation on Telegram and freezing hundreds of millions in criminal proceeds.

Online fraud has exploded throughout Southeast Asia in recent years, with Cambodia and Myanmar serving as major hubs for illegal enterprises that generate enormous profits by targeting victims worldwide, according to United Nations researchers and crime analysts. FBI data shows Americans alone suffered losses approaching $21 billion from cyber-enabled fraud and digital scams during 2025.

These criminal enterprises are deeply connected to human trafficking networks, exploiting foreign workers who are lured with promises of legitimate employment only to be forced into operating romance scams and cryptocurrency fraud under conditions resembling modern slavery.

The strike force brings together Pirro’s U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, along with the FBI and Secret Service.

The operation’s highest-profile target is Kok An, a Cambodian senator and influential business figure whom Treasury officials have labeled a “scam center kingpin.”

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on Kok An and his associates for their alleged roles in a criminal network that has reportedly stolen millions from American victims. The penalties freeze any U.S.-based assets belonging to Kok An and ban American businesses from conducting transactions with him.

Attempts by The Associated Press to reach Kok An or his representatives were unsuccessful.

“His Excellency Kok An is a Cambodian Senator and he was elected by elections, and as a senator he has parliamentary immunity,” stated Chea Thyrith, a spokesperson for Cambodia’s Senate, adding that only American officials could provide clear details about the sanctions.

This marks at least the second time the U.S. has sanctioned a Cambodian senator. In 2024, Washington took similar action against another wealthy businessman, Ly Yong Phat, who faced accusations of involvement in forced labor, human trafficking and profitable online fraud schemes.

According to Pirro, the current enforcement action began in November when FBI agents deployed to Thailand gained access to extensive evidence recovered from a deserted scam facility in Myanmar, including over 8,000 mobile phones and 1,500 computer devices.

This evidence led to wire fraud conspiracy charges against two Chinese nationals, Huang Xing Shan and Jiang Wen Jie, who allegedly managed the Myanmar compound before attempting to relocate their operations to Cambodia. Both men are currently detained by Thai authorities on immigration charges while the U.S. pursues their extradition, Pirro explained.

Cambodia’s parliament unanimously passed legislation in March specifically targeting online scam operations with penalties up to life imprisonment, following government promises to eliminate these centers by April’s end.

This past January, Cambodia extradited another suspected scam leader, Chen Zhi, founder of the Prince Holding Group business empire, to China despite U.S. efforts to secure custody after indicting him last year for allegedly orchestrating a massive fraud operation.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani leaders held discussions Friday with Iran’s foreign minister about ceasefire arrangements in the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel, as Islamabad continues pushing to arrange another round of peace negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Islamabad has been working to bring American and Iranian representatives back to the negotiating table, though anticipated discussions earlier this week failed to occur. President Donald Trump agreed to extend the ceasefire indefinitely at Pakistan’s urging this week, giving diplomats additional time to pursue talks.

Despite the ceasefire extension, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile. This crucial shipping route handles one-fifth of global oil and natural gas transportation during normal conditions. Iranian forces continue blocking vessel traffic and launched attacks on three ships this week, while American forces maintain their blockade of Iranian harbors and have authorized military personnel to “shoot and kill” small watercraft suspected of laying mines.

The U.S. military presence in the area has expanded significantly with the arrival of the USS George H.W. Bush in the Indian Ocean this week, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea and the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Red Sea.

This marks the first instance since 2003 that three American aircraft carriers have operated simultaneously in the region. According to U.S. Central Command, the combined naval force includes 200 aircraft and 15,000 sailors and Marines.

The conflict has caused dramatic increases in global oil costs, with Brent crude reaching over $107 per barrel in Friday’s spot trading — nearly 50% higher than February 28 levels when the U.S. and Israel initiated military action against Iran.

During Friday’s diplomatic conversation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir about “regional developments and issues related to the ceasefire,” according to Araghchi’s statement, though specific details were not disclosed.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry later confirmed that “both sides exchanged views on regional developments, the ceasefire, and ongoing diplomatic efforts being pursued by Islamabad in the context of U.S.-Iran engagement.”

The ministry added that Dar “underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement to address outstanding issues, in order to advance regional peace and stability at the earliest.”

Casualty figures from the conflict show at least 3,375 deaths in Iran and more than 2,290 in Lebanon, according to official sources. Israel has reported 23 fatalities, while Gulf Arab nations have lost more than a dozen people. Military losses include 15 Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 U.S. service members across the region.

PRAGUE (AP) — Czech Republic’s leading electricity provider ČEZ announced Friday it has entered into an agreement with British company Rolls-Royce SMR for preliminary development of the country’s inaugural small modular nuclear reactor.

According to ČEZ chief executive Daniel Beneš, the collaboration will focus on creating project blueprints and obtaining the regulatory documentation required for construction permits.

Beneš expressed optimism that all necessary governmental approvals will be secured by 2030. Construction of the compact nuclear facility is planned for the location where the current Temelín nuclear power station operates.

Earlier this year on April 13, Great Britain Energy – Nuclear, a governmental organization, entered into an agreement with Rolls-Royce SMR to initiate design development for Britain’s first small nuclear reactors.

According to Beneš, the Czech facility will represent the British company’s second small nuclear reactor project, following completion of their initial installation in the United Kingdom.

ČEZ maintains a 20% ownership stake in Rolls-Royce SMR, and the two companies previously established a strategic alliance aimed at developing up to 3 gigawatts of energy capacity within Czech borders.

The Czech government controls nearly 70% of ČEZ shares and is working toward complete ownership of the utility company.

Small modular reactors represent a nuclear technology designed to produce less electricity than conventional large-scale reactors. Proponents argue these compact units can be constructed more quickly and economically than traditional nuclear facilities, with flexibility to match specific regional energy demands.

RUYIGI, Burundi (AP) — Hundreds of Congolese refugees who fled violence in their homeland are now making the journey back across the border from Burundi, taking advantage of enhanced safety conditions after rebel forces pulled back from strategic locations.

The most recent group of 470 individuals crossed into eastern Congo after spending nearly four months at the Busuma refugee facility in Burundi’s Buhumuza province, where they had taken shelter following clashes near Uvira. United Nations data shows these returnees are part of a larger movement, with no fewer than 33,000 Congolese having made the trip home by March.

The M23 rebel organization, which captured extensive territory across North and South Kivu provinces along Rwanda’s border last year, subsequently pulled out of Uvira under mounting international pressure.

President Donald Trump has taken on a significant role in peace negotiations as the United States works to secure lasting ceasefire commitments from both nations, while potentially creating opportunities for American businesses to access Congo’s valuable mineral resources essential for technology ranging from aircraft to smartphones.

A Congolese Embassy representative from Burundi supervised Thursday’s homecoming ceremony, which brought joy to refugees who had endured food shortages and supply deficits at the Busuma facility.

Officials from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees announced the transport operation will extend for several more weeks, with a minimum of two bus groups departing weekly.

“I am happy, very joyful,” Hassan Masemo, one of those returning home, expressed, while thanking Burundian officials for “reopening the border for us.”

UNHCR statistics indicate Burundi currently provides refuge to over 200,000 Congolese displaced persons, with 66,000 residing in the Busuma location alone.

The facility opened in December 2025 to house Congolese civilians escaping the rebel offensive toward Uvira, which led Burundi to shut down the Gatumba crossing point. The border resumed operations following M23’s departure.

“This is being done only for those who are going straight to their homes, because for areas which are not yet safe for return, we are not going to organize the return,” stated Brigitte Mukanga-Eno, UNHCR’s representative in Burundi.

After local administration was reestablished in Uvira, some refugees began voluntary returns in March, which encouraged others to follow their example, she explained.

Eastern Congo’s resource-abundant region has endured generations of conflict as government military units battle more than 100 armed organizations, with M23 representing the most formidable threat.

While neither Rwanda nor M23 have openly confirmed Rwandan military participation alongside the rebels, United Nations investigators have documented proof of their engagement. Rwanda characterizes its actions as protective steps to safeguard its borders from Hutu militants linked to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.

SEOUL, South Korea — Prosecutors in South Korea have declined a police request to arrest Bang Si-Hyuk, the billionaire music executive who chairs the company that manages global K-pop sensation BTS, citing insufficient grounds for detention in a major investor fraud investigation.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency had sought an arrest warrant earlier this week for Bang, who founded and leads Hybe. However, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office determined the police request didn’t provide adequate justification for holding the executive and directed investigators to build a stronger case.

Bang has been prohibited from traveling outside South Korea since August, though authorities don’t consider him a significant flight risk.

The 53-year-old executive faces accusations of deceiving investors in 2019 by suggesting Hybe had no immediate intentions of becoming a publicly traded company, leading investors to sell their stakes to a private equity firm just before the company launched its stock market debut.

Investigators suspect the private equity fund may have paid Bang approximately 200 billion won ($135 million) through a separate agreement that guaranteed him 30% of profits from stock sales following the public offering.

According to Hybe representatives, Bang maintains his innocence. His attorneys have condemned the police effort to arrest him, emphasizing that he has fully participated in the investigation for several months.

The legal challenges facing Bang create unwelcome publicity for Hybe as BTS embarks on a worldwide tour following a nearly four-year break while the group’s seven members completed required military service.

BTS recently performed before thousands of international fans at a free reunion concert in Seoul and has since held shows in Goyang city, South Korea, and Tokyo. The band is scheduled to begin its American tour dates with a performance in Tampa, Florida, this weekend.

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declined Friday to engage with reports suggesting the Pentagon might consider disciplinary action against NATO members who don’t back U.S. military operations in Iran.

Spain finds itself potentially targeted after blocking American military forces from utilizing Spanish territory and airspace for Iran-related operations. Spanish officials argue that actions taken by the U.S. and Israel in the Iran conflict violate international law.

Reports indicate the Pentagon may be considering Spain’s suspension from NATO, based on an unnamed U.S. official’s reference to a Defense Department email cited by Reuters.

“Well, we do not work with emails,” Sánchez stated to media during a European Union summit in Cyprus. “We work with official documents and positions taken, in this case, by the government of the United States.”

“The position of the government of Spain is clear: absolute collaboration with the allies, but always within the framework of international legality,” he added.

NATO functions through unanimous agreement among members. The alliance’s charter contains no provisions for removing or suspending any of its 32 nations, though countries can voluntarily withdraw after providing one year’s notice to other members. NATO itself plays no direct part in the Iran conflict beyond protecting member territory.

President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with what he perceives as inadequate support from certain NATO allies regarding American Iran operations and assistance with securing the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. Trump has publicly questioned America’s continued participation in the military alliance.

EU foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas expressed confusion about U.S. complaints, noting that Britain and France are spearheading efforts to secure maritime trade in the strait post-conflict.

“When we have had contacts with the American counterparts, then actually their asks for us have been exactly what we are able to offer after the cessation of hostilities,” she explained. “Demining, escorting of ships, all of this that we have been discussing.”

However, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has emphasized that America maintains “long-standing arrangements and agreements with European allies on overflight, on basing” that deserve respect, appearing to criticize countries like Spain and France.

Despite Spain’s restrictions on U.S. military activities tied to the Iran situation, American aircraft have operated through other NATO nations’ airspace and utilized U.S. installations in different member countries for conflict-related missions.

Trump has even suggested potential trade restrictions against Spain due to its base and airspace limitations. Additionally, Spain has disappointed allies by not matching their planned defense spending commitments.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed the country’s primary intelligence training facility to restore the name of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the controversial figure who established the Soviet Union’s brutal secret police apparatus following the 1917 revolution.

Known as “Iron Felix,” Dzerzhinsky was a Polish aristocrat who became a revolutionary and helped create the oppressive security system that would later be expanded under Josef Stalin. While Russian dissidents view him as a symbol of tyranny, current intelligence officials in Putin’s administration regard him as a heroic figure.

The fall of communist regimes brought symbolic rejections of Dzerzhinsky’s legacy. Celebrating crowds destroyed his statue in Warsaw, Poland in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down. Two years later, as the Soviet Union collapsed, Moscow residents toppled his monument outside KGB headquarters at Lubyanka Square.

However, “Iron Felix” has now returned to the FSB training institution, following a similar restoration at the Foreign Intelligence Service nearly two years ago.

According to a Kremlin announcement released this week, Putin has mandated that the FSB Academy, formerly called the KGB Higher School, will now operate under the title “F.E. Dzerzhinsky Academy of the Federal Security Service.”

Putin, who served as a KGB lieutenant colonel before entering politics, justified the change by citing Dzerzhinsky’s “outstanding contribution to ensuring state security,” the official decree stated.

Historical records show the KGB Higher School previously carried Dzerzhinsky’s name from 1962 through 1993. Putin himself trained at the facility during 1979 and the early 1980s, according to his official biographical information.

Located in southern Moscow, the FSB academy operates departments covering foreign languages, information security, counterintelligence, operational support, applied mathematics, and specialized equipment.

**REVOLUTIONARY ENFORCER**

Many Russians interpret Dzerzhinsky’s return as evidence of increasing authoritarian control during wartime and Russia’s complete break from its post-Soviet efforts to align with Western nations.

Serving as one of Vladimir Lenin’s most devoted supporters, Dzerzhinsky helped consolidate revolutionary power through merciless Leninist methods: savage persecution of enemies and anyone merely suspected of opposition.

From 1917 until his death in 1926, Dzerzhinsky directed the secret police operations for both Lenin and Stalin, orchestrating the campaign of fear, arrests, violence and killings that became infamous as the “Red Terror.”

He created the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission, called the Cheka, which carried out widespread executions without trial during the Civil War period.

His influence remains so significant that contemporary Russian intelligence operatives still identify themselves as Chekists, referencing his security organization, and honor Dzerzhinsky as “Chekist no. 1.”

Some officials anticipate Dzerzhinsky may eventually return to the FSB’s main Lubyanka Square location.

“After the return of Dzerzhinsky to the FSB Academy, many really await the return of Felix Edmundovich (Dzerzhinsky’s) statue to its rightful place on Lubyanka,” said Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of the National Defence magazine.

Chinese authorities are implementing new measures that would block major technology companies from accepting American investment dollars without first obtaining government clearance, according to a Bloomberg News report released Friday.

The news outlet cited sources with knowledge of the situation, though Reuters has not been able to independently confirm these details.

According to the report, Chinese government agencies, including the National Development and Reform Commission, have recently directed multiple private technology companies to turn down investment from United States sources during funding rounds unless they secure explicit approval beforehand.

The new guidance has reportedly reached artificial intelligence companies Moonshot AI and StepFun, Bloomberg indicated. Additionally, ByteDance, the parent company behind the popular social media platform TikTok, has been instructed that it must obtain clearance before allowing any secondary share transactions involving American investors.

The development represents another layer in the ongoing technological tensions between the world’s two largest economies, as both nations continue to scrutinize cross-border investments in sensitive technology sectors.

International development organizations have released a sobering assessment indicating that worldwide food insecurity will continue at alarming levels throughout 2026, as armed conflicts, climate-related droughts, and decreased international assistance create a perfect storm for hunger.

The latest edition of the Global Report on Food Crises, marking its tenth year of tracking worldwide hunger patterns, reveals that severe food shortages have increased twofold during the past ten years. For the first time since the report began, two regions – Gaza and Sudan – were officially classified as experiencing famine conditions in 2025.

The comprehensive study documented that 266 million individuals across 47 nations and territories experienced dangerous levels of food shortage during 2025, while 1.4 million people endured the most extreme hunger conditions in Haiti, Mali, Gaza, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen.

The crisis has particularly impacted children, with 35.5 million young people worldwide suffering from acute malnutrition in 2025 alone. Nearly 10 million of these children faced the most severe form of nutritional deficiency.

Examining current conditions, the assessment indicates that crisis-level hunger persists, with only Haiti showing signs of potential improvement from the most catastrophic category due to modest security gains and expanded humanitarian support.

Alvaro Lario, who leads the U.N. International Fund for Agricultural Development and contributes to the annual assessment, emphasized the evolving nature of the crisis. “We are no longer seeing just temporary shocks, but persistent shocks over time,” Lario stated.

He further explained to Reuters: “The main message is that food insecurity is not an isolated issue anymore, but is putting pressure on global stability.”

The ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has intensified concerns about food security, according to Lario. He cautioned that extended disruptions to energy and fertilizer markets could impact global food systems and intensify hunger in nations that rely heavily on food imports and are already experiencing crises.

“Even if the conflict in the Middle East were to end right now, we know that a lot of the food price shocks and inflation will happen in the next six months,” he explained.

Beyond Middle Eastern tensions, West African nations and the Sahel region face continued challenges from violence and ongoing price increases, with Nigeria, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso expected to experience particular difficulties.

Nigeria specifically is anticipated to witness one of the most significant rises in food insecurity during 2026, with projections showing 4.1 million additional people will face acute hunger.

In East Africa, insufficient rainfall throughout much of the Horn of Africa region is expected to intensify hardships in Somalia and Kenya, where drought conditions, security threats, elevated food costs and diminished humanitarian support are likely to create deteriorating circumstances.

The report also highlighted concerning trends in international funding, noting that humanitarian and development financing for food-related programs dropped significantly in 2025 and is expected to decline further.

Financial support for humanitarian food initiatives is estimated to have decreased by approximately 39% in the previous year compared to 2024 figures, while development aid contracted by no less than 15%.

Indonesia’s finance minister confirmed Friday that the nation has abandoned any consideration of charging fees to vessels navigating through the Malacca Strait, following international concern over earlier remarks about monetizing the crucial shipping corridor.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa reinforced a statement made Thursday by Indonesia’s foreign minister, emphasizing that the Southeast Asian nation will not implement any tariff system for the strategic waterway.

During a Friday press briefing, Purbaya stated that Indonesia remains committed to following the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which establishes international guidelines for maritime passages used by global shipping.

The clarification came after Purbaya created international concern Wednesday when he publicly discussed potential methods for countries to charge vessel fees in the strait, though he had noted such arrangements would not be feasible.

The controversy emerged as Asian policymakers grapple with maritime security challenges following the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East, raising concerns about other critical shipping passages.

The Malacca Strait spans 900 kilometers (550 miles) and borders Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The U.S. Energy Administration has designated it as the world’s largest “oil transit chokepoint,” serving as the most direct maritime route connecting East Asia with the Middle East and Europe.

According to data from Malaysia’s Marine Department, more than 102,500 vessels—primarily commercial ships—passed through the Malacca Strait in 2025, representing an increase from approximately 94,300 ships in 2024.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have instructed their defense departments to move ahead with a troubled European fighter jet initiative worth $116 billion, according to government officials.

The ambitious military aviation program, which includes Spain as a partner, has faced serious obstacles due to public disagreements between France’s Dassault Aviation and Airbus over who should lead the massive undertaking.

When a journalist questioned whether the FCAS program had failed, Macron responded firmly. “No, not at all,” the French leader stated during an EU summit in Cyprus, where he had met with Merz to address the issue.

“We had a good discussion this morning with the chancellor, and we gave a mandate to our defence ministries to work precisely on several areas, on a range of different issues,” Macron explained. “Not just the future combat aircraft, but various levers of cooperation between our two countries.”

A representative from the German government verified that the two leaders had discussed the matter.

“The Chancellor and the President instructed their defence ministers to continue working on various areas of cooperation and to agree on the next steps. This work will be completed in the coming weeks,” the spokesperson confirmed.

Earlier this week, defense officials from both nations presented conflicting schedules for resolving the fighter jet program’s future, with some suggesting an immediate decision while others requested additional time for negotiations.

The central conflict revolves around which country will oversee the primary fighter aircraft component of a comprehensive system designed to connect manned aircraft with armed drones through advanced digital technology.

Industry experts have anticipated that Germany and France might scale back their joint fighter development while maintaining collaboration on drone technology and the digital infrastructure that would link various military assets including aircraft, unmanned vehicles, and ground-based radar systems. However, abandoning the original plan would create political difficulties for Macron.

European Union officials will develop a comprehensive plan for the bloc’s mutual defense agreement following concerns about America’s dedication to NATO, according to announcements made during a summit in Cyprus this week.

The decision comes as President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of NATO over the Iran conflict, combined with his earlier threats to take control of Greenland from Denmark, has prompted European leaders to strengthen their own security arrangements.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides announced that EU leaders reached consensus during Thursday evening’s summit to create detailed procedures for Article 42.7, the union’s mutual assistance provision.

“We agreed last night that the (European) Commission will prepare a blueprint on how we respond in case a member state triggers Article 42.7. There are a number of questions that we need to have an answer to,” Christodoulides said.

The EU’s mutual assistance agreement differs significantly from NATO’s Article 5 collective defense provision, which serves as Europe’s primary security foundation and includes detailed military planning and operational structures.

France remains the only nation to invoke the EU clause, doing so following the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks that claimed 130 lives. Member countries responded by contributing to EU and international military operations, allowing France to redeploy its forces.

Cyprus has particular interest in strengthening Article 42.7 after a drone attack targeted a British military installation on the island during last month’s Iran conflict. The nation, which currently leads the rotating EU Council presidency, does not belong to NATO.

However, several EU member states worry about appearing to distance themselves from NATO and its established Article 5 defense framework.

“For me it is an absolutely crucial thing that Article 5 is the key of our collective defence and collective security and it will remain so,” Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda told reporters on Thursday.

Article 42.7 of the Treaty on the European Union states that “if a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all means in their power.”

“Let’s say France triggers Article 42.7. Which countries are going to be the first to respond to the request of the French government, what are the needs of the government or the country that triggers Article 42.7? All those will be put in a blueprint,” Christodoulides said.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas provided leaders with updates on current efforts to develop Article 42.7 procedures during the summit, according to EU sources.

“NATO remains the bedrock of collective defence,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “But the EU has tools available that are complementary to NATO – such as sanctions, financial assistance and humanitarian aid – which could come into play in an Article 42.7 situation.”

Kallas’ team is examining various scenarios including hybrid warfare, traditional military attacks, and situations where both Article 42.7 and NATO’s Article 5 might be activated simultaneously, the official added.

BEIJING – Chinese foreign ministry officials on Friday dismissed President Donald Trump’s suggestion that a recently seized Iranian cargo vessel contained materials provided by Beijing.

U.S. forces opened fire on and captured an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that attempted to bypass American enforcement of sanctions at Iranian ports. Iranian military officials confirmed the vessel had departed from China and promised to respond to what they characterized as “armed piracy by the U.S. military.”

During a Tuesday interview with CNBC, Trump suggested the intercepted ship “had some things on it, which wasn’t very nice. A gift from China perhaps, I don’t know.”

Beijing’s foreign ministry dismissed those remarks during Friday’s briefing.

“China opposes any accusations and associations that lack a factual basis,” ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.

“Normal international trade relations between countries should not be subject to interference and disruption,” he added.

The cargo vessel Touska was boarded and captured by American forces on Sunday. Maritime security experts indicated Monday that the ship likely carried what U.S. officials consider dual-use materials that could potentially serve military purposes.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Floating naval mines threatening oil vessels in the Persian Gulf. Iranian patrol boats spraying ships with automatic weapons fire in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States caught in the crossfire.

These scenes aren’t from today’s tense standoff between Iran and America, currently on hold due to an unstable ceasefire. Rather, they describe the “Tanker War” of the 1980s, when Iran attacked commercial shipping during its conflict with Iraq, prompting American warships to provide protection for Kuwaiti oil vessels to maintain global crude supplies.

America might consider adopting a similar approach today and take more forceful action to safeguard vessels traveling through the waterway, which handles 20% of global oil and natural gas shipments during normal times. The military provided limited ship protection in the Red Sea recently for vessels under attack, and President Donald Trump announced this week he has directed American forces to “shoot and kill” Iranian small craft.

However, implementing escort operations in the Strait of Hormuz would present significant challenges. Military capabilities have evolved dramatically since the “Tanker War.” America lacks the same focused, specific objectives it maintained during the 1980s conflict. Additionally, international shipping companies might not trust American naval protection given the U.S. is now directly involved in combat.

The American Navy has extensive experience dealing with small vessel strategies employed by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which has adapted to international economic restrictions limiting access to military ships by converting smaller civilian craft for warfare.

The Guard has spent years using boats comparable in size to small fishing vessels to track American aircraft carriers transiting the strait. Rather than carrying fishing equipment, these craft typically mount Soviet-era heavy machine guns on their front sections along with small rocket systems on top.

Iran captured two commercial ships this week using these small boats. Guard footage showed their personnel on patrol craft that appeared tiny next to the enormous container vessels. Guard members fired weapons at the cargo ships before boarding them while carrying automatic rifles.

Apart from their publicity impact, these captures demonstrated that nearly two months into hostilities with America and Israel, despite an American naval blockade of Iranian shores, the Guard can utilize minimal resources to effectively close the strait and threaten the global economy.

The “Tanker War” emerged from the brutal eight-year conflict between Iraq and Iran during the 1980s.

Iraq initially struck Iranian oil facilities and tankers in the Persian Gulf. Iran eventually launched its own systematic campaign against regional shipping, including deploying mines.

Iraq would ultimately strike more than 280 ships compared to Iran’s 168, according to the U.S. Naval Institute. However, Iran’s mine deployment created widespread chaos in the area.

America, which backed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein with intelligence, weapons and other support, initiated “Operation Earnest Will” and began protecting Kuwaiti oil tankers that were redesignated under American flags.

The mission carried significant risks. The Kuwaiti supertanker Bridgeton hit a mine while under American protection at the operation’s beginning. An Iraqi missile attack on the USS Stark resulted in 37 sailor deaths, while an Iranian mine strike injured 10 aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts. America also mistakenly identified a passenger aircraft as a military jet and destroyed it, killing all 290 passengers and crew on Iran Air flight 655.

Despite these difficulties, the “Tanker War” operation achieved success as Navy vessels escorted approximately 70 convoys through the region.

Repeating such success today would prove extremely challenging.

America would need to ensure it could establish a protective barrier that Iran couldn’t breach — a demanding task since even a single Iranian missile, drone or boat attack would restore the anxiety currently affecting the strait.

“I think even if you compare it with the ‘Tanker War,’ I think just in terms of the way military technology has evolved, especially on that asymmetrical side, it’s much more difficult to secure a waterway now than it was then,” said Torbjorn Soltvedt, an analyst with risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.

“Unless there is some sort of agreement or unless the U.S. can significantly curb Iran’s ability to launch fast boats, to launch drones, to launch short-range missiles, then this problem just remains unresolved.”

This explains why European nations, despite Trump administration pressure, have stated they won’t participate in ship escort missions until hostilities end.

The Reagan administration also maintained more limited, defined objectives in its Cold War operation, such as keeping the strait open, according to Tom Duffy, a former U.S. diplomat and naval officer.

“In contrast, the American goals (now) have been sort of a kaleidoscope of regime change to all sorts of very maximalist goals,” said Duffy, who recently published a book called “Tanker War in the Gulf.”

Recently, the American Navy provided limited protection for ships traveling through the Red Sea passage to shield them from attacks by Yemen’s Iranian-supported Houthi rebels. However, the Navy concentrated on American-flagged vessels or those transporting supplies for the U.S. government.

During those missions, the Navy encountered its most severe maritime combat since World War II. Using military force to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz could result in similarly fierce fighting.

Duffy observed that it remains unclear whether the Trump administration even desires such a confrontation.

“There’s a White House statement this week in which we said that the ceasefire is not in jeopardy because they aren’t attacking U.S. and Israeli ships. That’s a fundamental shift,” he said. “That goes past centuries of U.S. practice and statements about the needs for freedom of the sea.”

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Celebration erupted across Indonesia’s capital Friday as community members, municipal employees, and environmental activists pulled massive nets filled with invasive suckermouth catfish from a city reservoir during a major crackdown on the destructive species.

Officials aim to extract a minimum of 10 tons of these unwanted fish from Jakarta’s water systems, hoping the initiative will help restore ecological balance to the Ciliwung River while drawing public focus to water quality issues.

Throughout the contaminated waterway and along concrete barriers near downtown’s towering buildings, dark silhouettes of these fish attach themselves firmly to river walls. Upon closer inspection, they look almost ancient, featuring armored frames that shine a muted brown color under the cloudy water.

These suckermouth catfish, scientifically called Pterygoplichthys and known locally as ‘sapu-sapu,’ originated outside Indonesia. Brought in years ago for home aquariums due to their algae-eating capabilities, they eventually escaped into Jakarta’s heavily contaminated rivers where they flourished. These creatures can reach lengths of 50 centimeters (nearly 20 inches) and survive 10-15 years.

Scientists have repeatedly cautioned that uncontrolled invasive species populations can upset freshwater environments, especially in crowded metropolitan regions like Jakarta.

Dian Rosleine, an environmental scientist from the Bandung Institute of Technology, explained that these fish demonstrate remarkable adaptability, thriving in polluted environments where native species cannot survive.

‘So, these fish are biological indicators that the water is in poor condition,’ she said.

The Ciliwung previously transported pristine water from West Java’s mountains into Jakarta. Currently, it winds through crowded residential areas, collecting untreated domestic sewage and factory discharge. Concrete barriers have replaced natural riverbanks. When dry seasons arrive, warmer and slower water creates ideal conditions for janitor fish while harming native species, according to Rosleine.

Jakarta officials have launched widespread removal efforts, focusing on these invasive fish throughout municipal waterways. The initiative started last week.

The removal campaign, directed by Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung, occurred simultaneously across all five administrative districts of the capital, involving hundreds of workers including firefighters, emergency personnel, and local volunteers. Teams have captured and disposed of more than seven tons of janitor fish citywide within one week.

Friday’s cleanup at a 6-meter-deep (19-foot-deep) water reservoir in East Jakarta’s Ciracas district attracted interested onlookers as municipal crews gathered approximately 320 kilograms (705 pounds) of the invasive species.

Stacks of squirming janitor fish filled red containers beside the reservoir — concrete evidence that meaningful action was finally underway.

‘The janitor fish populations have reproduced at a notable level while also feeding on native species,’ East Jakarta’s mayor, Munjirin, told reporters during Friday’s cleanup visit. ‘The impact extends beyond ecosystem destruction, contributing to structural damage to riverbank and embankment walls.’

Munjirin, who follows the Indonesian custom of using one name, stated that this coordinated effort begins a long-term strategy to manage the species, with regular surveillance and removal scheduled to prevent additional environmental harm.

Nevertheless, he promised to reassess the program’s approach after the Indonesian Ulema Council, or MUI, expressed concerns about apparent cruelty, guaranteeing that all fish will be deceased before disposal.

While supporting the cleanup, MUI’s religious ruling commission cautioned that burying living janitor fish constitutes a breach of animal welfare principles established in Islamic teachings.

Officials remain careful about future steps. Although janitor fish provide food in certain nations, worries about heavy metal pollution mean they cannot be immediately cleared for human consumption in Jakarta. Instead, authorities are investigating options including converting the fish into livestock feed or soil enhancement products.

Anung stated that the disposal process will mandate killing the fish before burial at approved locations, with sanitary protocols implemented to prevent their return to waterways or commercial markets.

The Jakarta governor observed that buried janitor fish can function as organic fertilizer and recommended following Brazil’s approach, where the fish become charcoal to create greater economic value.

However, scientists warn that removal represents just the beginning. Without enhancing sewage treatment and decreasing contamination, the river may rapidly return to previous conditions.

‘The Ciliwung River requires rehabilitation, our major challenge that must be addressed,’ Rosleine said. ‘Addressing the symptoms without tackling the root causes will not provide a lasting solution.’

TOKYO (AP) — Celebrated Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami is breaking new ground with his upcoming release, which will be his first full-length work to spotlight a female lead character as she navigates her way through an extraordinary and puzzling reality.

Set for release on July 3 in both printed and electronic editions, “The Tale of KAHO” follows the journey of Kaho, a 26-year-old who creates children’s picture books.

This upcoming release represents Murakami’s return to novel-writing after a three-year hiatus. His last work, “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” told the story of a man’s quest through themes of romance, grief, and the blurred lines separating reality from the unconscious mind.

According to a Thursday announcement from Shinchosha Publishing Co., Kaho represents the first solitary female lead to anchor a complete novel in Murakami’s body of work.

The novel’s origins trace back to a brief story called “Kaho,” which Murakami performed during a literary event at Waseda University — where he studied — two years ago. He shared the stage with acclaimed female writer Mieko Kawakami, who is known to admire his writing. This initial story appeared in Shincho magazine’s June 2024 issue.

The protagonist Kaho possesses ordinary appearance and intellect but maintains an inquisitive nature. During a meal with a male companion, he delivers a shocking statement: “I’ve never seen one as ugly as you.” Rather than becoming angry, the puzzled and curious Kaho seeks to decode the meaning behind his words.

Following this encounter, strange occurrences begin infiltrating her daily existence.

A promotional preview from the publishing house declares: “I must find the way out of this world,” adding that “Murakami world is in full force.”

Since then, Murakami has continued the character’s story through three additional installments in Shincho magazine, with the most recent appearing in March. These pieces include “The Anteater of Musashi-sakai,” “Kaho and the Termite Queen,” and “Kaho and the Motorcycle Man, and Scarlett Johansson.”

Philip Gabriel provided the English translation of the initial story for The New Yorker magazine’s 2024 publication.

According to the publisher, Murakami has woven these four segments together and breathed fresh energy into them for this 352-page novel.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Hundreds of mountaineers hoping to conquer Mount Everest find themselves stuck at base camp after a dangerous ice formation has blocked their path up the world’s tallest mountain, Nepalese officials announced Friday.

The unstable ice formation, known as a serac, sits between base camp and the first climbing camp and poses significant danger to anyone attempting to pass, according to Himal Gautam from Nepal’s Department of Mountaineering.

Government officials are collaborating with climbing teams and expedition leaders to evaluate the dangerous conditions while hundreds of mountaineers and their guides remain stranded, unable to continue their ascent.

The mountaineering department has granted climbing permits to 410 international adventurers seeking to reach Everest’s summit during this spring’s climbing window, which concludes at May’s end.

Specialized climbing guides known as “Icefall Doctors” typically complete the annual route preparation by mid-April, installing ropes and placing aluminum ladders across dangerous gaps in the ice.

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, responsible for deploying the route-setting team, intends to examine the ice formation from the air. “The risk of avalanche is high and they are waiting for the serac to melt down on its own to a safe level,” stated committee Chairman Lama Kazi Sherpa.

This ice formation belongs to the notorious Khumbu Icefall, a continuously moving glacier filled with deep cracks and enormous overhanging ice structures that can tower as high as ten-story buildings. Climbers regard this section as among the most challenging and dangerous parts of the entire Everest ascent.

A similar ice collapse in 2014 triggered a devastating avalanche that claimed the lives of 16 Sherpa guides who were transporting client equipment up the mountain, marking one of Mount Everest’s most tragic climbing disasters.

Next month, hundreds of international climbers along with approximately the same number of Nepalese guides and support staff plan to attempt the summit during brief periods of suitable weather conditions.

Since New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay first successfully climbed the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak on May 29, 1953, thousands of people have reached Everest’s summit.

The crisis between the United States and Iran reached new heights Friday following President Donald Trump’s directive to American forces to fire upon Iranian small vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iranian officials rejected Trump’s assertions about internal political divisions within their country.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf responded with nearly matching posts on social media, stating: “In Iran there are no ‘hardliners’ or ‘moderates’. We are all Iranians and revolutionaries.”

Following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the initial military action on February 28, questions remain about which Iranian officials now hold ultimate power among the nation’s civilian leadership and military commanders who currently appear to be running the country.

Trump announced Thursday night that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah following discussions at the White House.

The ongoing conflict has brought oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz to a virtual halt, blocking a waterway that typically handles one-fifth of global oil trade during normal conditions, with no resolution appearing imminent.

European Union foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas warned Friday that current peace talks between Washington and Tehran could result in a less effective deal than agreements reached ten years ago.

Speaking from Cyprus, Kallas said: “If the talks are only about the nuclear (issue) and there are no nuclear experts around the table, then we will end up with an agreement that is weaker than the JCPoA was,” referencing the 2015 nuclear accord from the Obama era that Trump withdrew from in 2018.

Kallas emphasized that without addressing Iran’s “missile programs, their support to proxies, and also hybrid and cyber activities in Europe,” negotiators risk creating “a more dangerous Iran.”

Meanwhile, Turkish officials reported that a humanitarian supply convoy departed for Iran on Friday, according to Turkey’s official Anadolu news service.

Van Health Director Muhammed Tosun confirmed that six trucks left the eastern Turkish city of Van to cross at the Gurbulak border checkpoint.

“The materials include medicines and medical supplies,” Tosun explained.

“We previously sent three trucks. With today’s trucks, a total of nine trucks of aid materials will have been delivered to our Iranian colleagues to serve their citizens,” he added.

WARSAW, April 24 – Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has raised serious doubts about America’s willingness to stand by its NATO commitments should Russia launch an assault on European territory, according to statements he made to the Financial Times.

In remarks that highlight mounting concerns across Europe about President Donald Trump’s unpredictable approach to foreign policy and his criticisms of European allies, Tusk emphasized the urgent need for the European Union to transform into a “real alliance” capable of defending the continent.

During an interview published Friday in the British publication, Tusk described the uncertainty surrounding NATO’s readiness as the continent’s most pressing concern. “For the whole eastern flank, my neighbours… the question is if NATO is still an organisation ready, politically and also logistically, to react, for example against Russia if they try to attack,” he stated.

The Polish leader characterized the possibility of Russian aggression as “something really serious” and stressed the immediate nature of the threat.

“I’m talking about short-term perspectives, rather months than years… For us, it’s really important to know that everyone will treat the NATO obligations as seriously as Poland,” Tusk explained.

These comments came as Tusk participated in an unofficial European Union gathering in Cyprus, where leaders are also addressing Middle Eastern conflicts, energy policy responses, and the bloc’s upcoming long-term financial planning.

Looking toward potential changes in EU defense cooperation, Tusk mentioned the possibility of strengthening Article 42.7 of the EU treaty – the mutual defense provision – particularly following the eventual departure of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains close ties with Russia.

“What you need if you want to have, not only on paper, a real alliance, is true tools and real power when it comes to defence instruments and mobility of militaries from country to country etc. It’s a very practical problem for today,” he remarked.

Tusk outlined his broader vision for European security, stating: “This is why my obsession now and my mission is to reintegrate Europe. It means common defence… a common effort to protect our eastern borders.”

Federal investigators in India have placed a drone technology firm under scrutiny after arresting government aviation officials and executives from a major industrial conglomerate on bribery charges this week.

The Central Bureau of Investigation took action against personnel from India’s aviation regulatory body and Reliance Industries, claiming corrupt payments were made to fast-track approval processes for importing certain unmanned aircraft.

At the center of the controversy is Asteria Aerospace, an obscure subsidiary within billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s vast Reliance business network. Reliance has stated it neither authorized nor had knowledge of any such financial arrangements, while legal representation for the aviation official has challenged his detention.

India’s unmanned aircraft sector has experienced significant expansion following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration relaxing regulatory restrictions in 2021. The nation now operates approximately 39,000 authorized drones for agricultural monitoring, community mapping, and various government programs.

According to its corporate website, Asteria Aerospace markets itself as a drone technology enterprise delivering “actionable intelligence from aerial data.” The company assists clients in gathering precise information and performing artificial intelligence-driven analysis using geographic imagery collected by unmanned aircraft.

Through its fleet of more than 400 deployed drones, Asteria serves the farming, building, telecommunications, and energy industries. One example includes drone operations for Reliance BP Mobility, where the company studied road traffic patterns and calculated vehicle velocities to determine optimal locations for retail establishments.

Entrepreneurs Nihar Vartak and Neel Mehta established the business in 2011 within Bengaluru, India’s prominent technology center. Reliance purchased the company in 2019 through a $2.45 million transaction.

The acquisition aligned with Reliance’s strategy to invest in cutting-edge technologies, according to company statements. Current ownership data from March 2024 indicates that Reliance Jio Platforms, the conglomerate’s technology division, holds a 74% stake in Asteria.

Reliance Jio Platforms is also preparing for a public stock offering that analysts predict could become India’s largest initial public offering in history.

Financial records show Asteria’s income jumped dramatically from 11 million rupees ($117,000) in fiscal year 2020 to 400 million rupees ($4.24 million) by fiscal year 2024.

Current aviation regulations established in 2021 require all unmanned aircraft systems to obtain proper certification before operating within Indian airspace. Asteria claims to be the first domestic drone manufacturer achieving three distinct certifications from the country’s aviation safety authority.

The company highlighted that its domestically-produced AT-15 drone model was featured during the 77th Republic Day Parade held earlier this year.

Law enforcement officials report they initiated their investigation after receiving information suggesting a Reliance executive and government regulator had agreed upon a $16,000 payment to expedite processing of three import applications submitted by Asteria Aerospace.