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Iran shut down the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz shipping channel on Saturday, responding to U.S. naval blockade actions with a declaration that the waterway will stay sealed until “the war fully ends and lasting peace is achieved in the region.”

During a White House press briefing, President Trump minimized the significance of Iran’s action while noting that diplomatic discussions with Tehran continue to advance positively.

Iran “got a little cute” by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, Trump told reporters, emphasizing that negotiations are “working really well.” The president noted “They wanted to close up the strait again,” but insisted “they can’t blackmail us.”

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a formal declaration stating they had received fresh U.S. proposals delivered through Pakistani intermediaries. While avoiding specific details about the proposal’s contents, the council cautioned that America must drop “excessive demands and adjust its requests to the realities on the ground.” The council justified the strait closure by claiming the U.S. naval blockade breached existing truce agreements.

A senior Iranian representative informed CNN that Tehran plans to fast-track vessels willing to pay transit fees. “Given the limitation on the number of vessels that will be allowed to pass,” the official explained to the network, “Iran has decided to give priority to those vessels that respond more quickly to the new Strait of Hormuz protocols and pay the costs of security and safety services.”

Ships refusing to pay the required fees will have their transit “postponed,” according to the Iranian official.

This fee-based system mirrors Iran’s previous attempts to charge ships for Strait of Hormuz passage, which Washington previously rejected while demanding unrestricted access for all maritime traffic.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. military forces are preparing imminent operations to intercept Iran-connected oil tankers and commandeer commercial vessels in international waters, according to government sources. The report indicates this would significantly expand Washington’s naval enforcement operations beyond Middle Eastern waters.

LONDON – Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy expressed his backing for Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday as controversy continues surrounding the selection of Peter Mandelson for the U.S. ambassador position.

The longtime Labour Party figure Mandelson received the ambassadorial appointment from Starmer but was later dismissed due to his connections with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, creating a political crisis that has called the British leader’s decision-making into question.

On Friday, Starmer encountered fresh calls for his resignation after government officials revealed that security clearance procedures had advised against Mandelson’s appointment, though Foreign Office personnel overturned this guidance without notifying the prime minister.

Lammy, who oversaw the Foreign Office during this period and currently serves as deputy prime minister and justice secretary, expressed to the Guardian newspaper his bewilderment that Starmer remained uninformed about the original security assessment.

“I have absolutely no doubt at all, knowing the PM as I do, that had he known that Peter Mandelson had not passed the vetting, he would never, ever have appointed him ambassador,” Lammy told the newspaper.

These remarks precede a parliamentary address scheduled for Monday afternoon where Starmer has pledged to reveal complete details about the situation.

Although political adversaries have dismissed his account as unbelievable and demanded his resignation, prominent figures within his Labour Party – including potential successors – have refrained from publicly condemning him.

When the Guardian initially disclosed Mandelson’s security clearance failure on Thursday, his legal representative declined to offer any statement.

MADRID – Three major nations announced Saturday their commitment to coordinate increased humanitarian assistance for Cuba, describing the situation there as a crisis stemming from U.S. economic sanctions against the island.

Brazil, Spain, and Mexico issued a collaborative declaration during a Barcelona summit, emphasizing their support for open communication that follows United Nations principles. The nations stressed that Cuban citizens should have the autonomy to shape their own destiny.

The announcement emerged from discussions held when Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez welcomed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Mexican leader Claudia Scheinbaum to Barcelona. The gathering was part of a broader international conference focused on countering far-right political movements.

Thousands of supporters gathered in Madrid on Saturday to hear from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who turned down an opportunity to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during her multi-nation European visit.

The Nobel Peace Prize recipient spoke to crowds while Sánchez was conducting a separate gathering of progressive world leaders. Machado used the occasion to praise President Trump’s decision to remove Nicolás Maduro from power in January.

Machado had previously given her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump earlier this year as recognition for his Venezuela policies.

“What happened in the last few hours at the meeting (Sánchez) held in Barcelona with several leaders and political figures from different countries demonstrates why such a meeting was not advisable,” Machado told reporters Saturday.

During an earlier appearance, the opposition leader confirmed her intention to return to Venezuela but would not specify timing or methods, recognizing the difficulties such a return would present.

Her European journey has included meetings with top officials in France, Italy and the Netherlands. This tour occurs as Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez continues serving beyond the original 90-day timeframe, while the United States has reduced certain sanctions against her administration.

Machado condemned Rodríguez’s leadership, characterizing it as representing “chaos, violence and terror,” and emphasized her commitment to establishing democratic elections in Venezuela. She expressed no regret about awarding her Nobel Prize to Trump, despite his administration’s reduced focus on her democracy movement.

The Venezuelan leader stated she maintains regular communication with Trump administration officials and supports Washington’s gradual approach to Venezuela following Maduro’s departure.

“There is one leader in the world, one head of state, who has risked the lives of his country’s citizens for the freedom of Venezuela. And that is Donald Trump,” Machado said, referring to the U.S. military operation in January.

The demonstration took place at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, where Machado appeared alongside Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the conservative regional leader of Madrid who has been a vocal opponent of Sánchez and welcomed Machado earlier that day.

Spain hosts approximately 600,000 Venezuelans, representing the largest Venezuelan population outside the Western Hemisphere. Many relocated due to political oppression and violence, as well as economic collapse in their homeland. Most reside in Madrid.

Among those attending Saturday’s gathering was Grehlsy Peñuela, a 27-year-old Venezuelan living in Spain, who continues to support Machado and hopes for her eventual return to Caracas.

Peñuela carried photographs of two cousins she says remain imprisoned in Caracas as political detainees, and indicated she would only consider returning to Venezuela under specific circumstances.

“That the current government completely steps down,” she said.

BUDAPEST – Final election results show Peter Magyar’s Tisza party has secured 141 parliamentary seats out of 199 total, strengthening what was already a commanding victory over longtime Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, election officials announced Saturday.

The centre-right Tisza party, whose name stands for Respect and Freedom, delivered a crushing defeat to Orban’s administration in Sunday’s voting, bringing an end to 16 years of conservative governance that had influenced similar political movements throughout Western nations.

Following the unexpected scale of Magyar’s triumph during record voter participation, Orban promptly acknowledged defeat. The outcome provides Magyar with the legislative power needed to reverse Orban’s controversial judicial and governmental changes.

“An unprecedented majority, an unprecedented mandate, and at the same time, responsibility,” Magyar said in a statement on the final result.

The dramatic political transformation becomes clear when comparing results to the previous election cycle. Orban’s Fidesz party, which captured 87 out of 106 individual district races in 2022, managed to win only 10 such contests this time and will hold just 52 legislative positions.

Magyar’s electoral success has sparked optimism in Hungarian financial markets, with investors hopeful for improved relationships with European Union leadership after years of tension during Orban’s tenure. The victory could also unlock billions in suspended EU funding that was withheld due to concerns about democratic institutions.

“While a successful unlocking of EU funds would support investment and lower sovereign risk premia, the impact on growth will materialise primarily over the medium term,” Capital Economics analyst Liam Peach said in a note.

“In the near term, the outlook remains shaped by external factors – notably the Iran conflict – and domestic fiscal policy.”

Initial vote tallies had shown Tisza winning 138 seats, already surpassing the two-thirds threshold Magyar required to reverse Orban’s constitutional modifications and address corruption concerns. The final tally increased to 141 after all ballots, including overseas and transferred votes, were processed.

Magyar has committed to implementing comprehensive anti-corruption measures following his scheduled inauguration on May 9 or 10, as part of broader efforts to restore EU funding and revitalize Hungary’s economy, which has experienced minimal growth over the past three years.

While Orban has consistently rejected corruption allegations and argued that Hungary faces no greater corruption issues than other European nations, he acknowledged in a Thursday online interview that extensive media coverage of wealth accumulation among Fidesz-connected business figures may have influenced his electoral loss. He declined to address whether those reports were accurate.

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peru’s acting President José María Balcázar has postponed a major military procurement decision involving 24 fighter aircraft worth $3.5 billion, choosing to leave this significant purchase for the incoming administration following the country’s upcoming presidential runoff.

During a Friday evening broadcast on RPP radio, Balcázar revealed his decision to delay the acquisition. His caretaker administration, which started in February, will conclude in July when Peru’s presidential runoff takes place on June 7.

The acting president stated that the future government will possess “full legitimacy to decide” on whether to move forward with acquiring the F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft from U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

“For us to commit such a large sum of money to the incoming government would be a poor practice for a transitional government,” Balcázar said.

Peru held its presidential election this past Sunday, but no candidate secured sufficient votes for an outright victory. Election officials are still tallying ballots to determine which two candidates will compete in the runoff as vote counting continues.

Former conservative lawmaker Keiko Fujimori secured her position in June’s runoff after finishing first among 35 presidential contenders. However, the close competition for second and third positions may require several weeks to resolve.

The victorious candidate from the runoff will assume the presidency on July 28.

Last year, under President Dina Boluarte’s administration, Peru announced plans to spend $3.5 billion on 24 military aircraft, financing the purchase through domestic loans of $2 billion in 2025 and $1.5 billion in 2026. Besides Lockheed Martin, Sweden’s Saab and France’s Dassault Aviation also submitted proposals.

Peru’s legislature selected Balcázar as the nation’s eighth president in ten years this past February, replacing another interim leader who was removed the day before due to corruption charges after serving just four months.

This pattern of presidential turnover in the Andean country demonstrates an ongoing political crisis stemming from leaders’ inability to secure legislative majorities. Legislators have repeatedly used a broad interpretation of constitutional language regarding “permanent moral incapacity” to remove presidents from office.

A flotation device worn by a Titanic survivor during the infamous 1912 disaster brought in more than $900,000 at a London auction house over the weekend.

The life jacket belonged to Laura Mabel Francatelli, who was traveling as a first-class passenger when the massive ocean liner struck an iceberg and sank. The vest bears signatures from Francatelli and fellow survivors who shared the same lifeboat during their escape.

Henry Aldridge & Son auctioneers in Devizes, western England, conducted the sale where an anonymous telephone bidder purchased the item for 670,000 pounds. The final price significantly surpassed the pre-auction estimate of 250,000 to 350,000 pounds.

During the same event, a lifeboat seat cushion from the disaster fetched 390,000 pounds and was acquired by operators of Titanic museums located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri. Both sale prices include standard auction house fees.

“These record-breaking prices illustrate the continuing interest in the Titanic story, and the respect for the passengers and crew whose stories are immortalized by these items of memorabilia,” stated auctioneer Andrew Aldridge.

The massive steamship, marketed as the world’s premier luxury vessel and considered “practically unsinkable,” collided with an iceberg near Newfoundland while traveling from England to New York on its inaugural journey. The vessel went down in the early hours of April 15, 1912, claiming approximately 1,500 lives from the 2,200 people aboard.

Public fascination with the maritime disaster continues more than a century later, partly due to the diverse mix of passengers ranging from wealthy elites to impoverished immigrants.

Francatelli was accompanying her boss, fashion designer Lucy Duff Gordon, along with Lucy’s spouse Cosmo Duff Gordon. The trio escaped in lifeboat No. 1, which departed with only 12 occupants despite being designed for 40 people. The boat’s crew faced criticism afterward for not attempting to rescue people struggling in the icy waters.

The highest amount ever paid for Titanic artifacts remains 1.56 million pounds, which was spent in 2024 for a gold pocket watch presented to the captain of RMS Carpathia, the vessel that rescued 700 survivors from the tragedy.

An 86-year-old French man has made history by delivering what appears to be the nation’s first formal family apology for ancestral involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, expressing hope that others will follow his lead.

Pierre Guillon de Prince’s forebears operated out of Nantes, which served as France’s primary hub for the slave trade, where they owned ships that forcibly carried approximately 4,500 enslaved Africans across the Atlantic and maintained plantation operations in Caribbean territories.

The elderly man emphasized that other French families need to acknowledge their historical connections to slavery, while urging the government to move beyond symbolic actions toward meaningful remedies, including financial reparations.

“Faced with the rise of racism in our society, I felt a responsibility not to let this past be erased,” Guillon de Prince explained, noting his desire to ensure his grandchildren understand their family’s history.

The apology took place at a ceremony in Nantes during the unveiling of an 18-meter ship mast replica, where he appeared alongside Dieudonné Boutrin, whose ancestors were enslaved on the Caribbean island of Martinique.

Both men collaborate through Coque Nomade-Fraternité, an organization committed to ending the silence surrounding slavery’s legacy, describing the memorial mast as a symbol of human compassion.

“Many families of descendants of slave traders don’t dare speak out for fear of reopening old wounds and anger,” Boutrin, 61, observed. “Pierre’s apology is a courageous act.”

Historical records show that between the 15th and 19th centuries, European vessels forcibly transported at least 12.5 million abducted Africans, with French ships accounting for an estimated 1.3 million victims.

This gesture mirrors comparable formal acknowledgments made by families in Britain and other nations, which typically include commitments to help address the damage caused by their ancestors’ actions.

While France officially classified transatlantic slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001, the country has never issued a formal governmental apology for its participation, unlike some other European nations.

President Emmanuel Macron has increased public access to colonial archives during his presidency and announced plans last year to create a commission examining France’s relationship with Haiti, though he avoided mentioning reparations.

International demands for reparations are intensifying globally, encompassing everything from official acknowledgments to monetary compensation, despite opposition from those who believe current institutions shouldn’t bear responsibility for historical wrongs.

Last month, France chose not to support a United Nations resolution led by African nations that labeled slavery as the “gravest crime against humanity” and demanded reparations.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian special forces fatally shot an armed assailant Saturday after he murdered six people and held hostages inside a Kyiv supermarket, according to government officials.

Interior Ministry chief Ihor Klymenko announced on social media that tactical units breached the store following unsuccessful attempts by negotiators to communicate with the shooter. The perpetrator died while fighting against his capture, Klymenko stated.

During a press briefing at the location, Klymenko explained that the assailant had murdered four civilians on the street before entering the grocery store where he killed a fifth victim.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that a sixth casualty, a young woman, succumbed to her wounds at a medical facility.

An Associated Press journalist witnessed the deceased victims lying in the roadway under emergency coverings before being removed from the scene.

The shooter was born in 1968, Klymenko revealed, though he withheld additional identifying information. Police negotiators attempted communication with the attacker for approximately 40 minutes before launching their assault on the building, he reported.

Prior to the gunman’s death, a female police negotiator positioned behind an armored vehicle and wearing protective gear used amplification equipment to address the perpetrator, pleading: “the people are not to blame for this. Please, let them go and we will talk with you.”

“We tried to persuade him, knowing that there was likely a wounded person inside. We even offered to bring in tourniquets to stop the bleeding, but he did not respond,” Klymenko stated. “Consequently, the order was given to neutralize him.”

The Interior Ministry head, who was wearing protective gear, confirmed the suspect wielded a carbine rifle that was properly licensed and registered.

In December, the gunman “approached the licensing authorities to have the weapon test-fired as the permit was expiring. He provided a medical certificate. He had also submitted an application to renew his permit for the weapon. That is all we can say for now,” Klymenko explained.

He noted that investigators will examine which healthcare facility provided the medical documentation.

The violence occurred in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district, the mayor confirmed. Television coverage displayed officers seeking protection within the shopping center containing the supermarket as gunfire erupted. Civilians were evacuated from the area.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — After more than two years without commercial air service, Haiti and the Dominican Republic will resume flights between their nations starting in May, both governments announced in a coordinated statement released Friday.

The agreement will restore connections linking three airports in the Dominican Republic with the airport serving Cap-Haïtien, Haiti’s northern coastal city.

Air service was suspended in March 2024 when Dominican authorities shut down the shared airspace, pointing to widespread violence and instability in Haiti that escalated after the 2021 killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. During the closure, only emergency humanitarian aircraft were authorized to operate.

Both nations occupy the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, and their relationship had deteriorated significantly before the flight ban due to disputes over a controversial irrigation project. Haitian business interests had begun building a canal system drawing water from the Massacre River, which flows along the border between the two countries. Dominican officials strongly objected to the construction, claiming it would cause environmental damage and hurt farmers on both sides of the border.

The announcement came after diplomatic meetings that concentrated on immigration issues, border security measures, and commercial relationships between the neighboring countries.

“This measure seeks to facilitate mobility, boost economic ties and strengthen relations between both countries,” the joint statement said following discussions between Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez and his Haitian counterpart, Raina Forbin.

The diplomatic statement also expressed appreciation to international partners, especially the United Nations, for assisting Haitian officials in their work to restore stability and peace within the country.

Maritime traffic through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz continues to operate at severely reduced levels, with vessel movement dropping to single digits despite the recent ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump and accepted by Israel.

According to Noam Raydan, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, current data reveals that shipping activity through the waterway remains “still very weak” with “at least five to six vessels” moving in both directions. This represents a significant decline from earlier in April, when vessel counts reached double digits before current restrictions took effect. “We were still seeing around between like 10 and 15 vessels,” Raydan explained. “But now it’s back down to single digit.”

The expert emphasized that the reduced numbers only tell part of the story, noting that remaining activity doesn’t represent typical maritime operations. “This is not normal flow,” she stated. “We’re not seeing a kind of healthy movement of ships, non-Iranian vessels.”

This maritime crisis has emerged as political leaders debate long-term solutions. Just days before the ceasefire announcement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed discussions about redirecting Gulf oil exports toward Mediterranean routes, reviving proposals that have remained stalled for years. Meanwhile, President Trump had concentrated on immediate reopening efforts and establishing deadlines for further action.

Current conditions at sea reveal the ongoing severity of the situation. Raydan described observing unusual vessel behavior, stating: “At least one ship we saw making a U-turn in the Gulf of Oman and returning back to the Strait of Hormuz,” which demonstrates “some effectiveness to the blockade.” However, she cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions, explaining: “As long as we are dealing with these dark activities, it is really difficult to give a full assessment.”

The uncertainty extends throughout maritime operations in the region. Some Iranian-linked vessels continue entering the Persian Gulf from areas near the United Arab Emirates and Oman, while “some ships are turning off their AIS” (Automatic Identification System). Raydan also noted at least one vessel that stopped transmitting signals in the Gulf of Oman and hasn’t resumed communication.

Rather than complete closure or reopening, the situation presents complex operational challenges. “You need to look at case by case,” Raydan explained. “You cannot just say, yes, it’s working. No, it’s not working. It doesn’t work like that.”

Iranian authorities aren’t characterizing these conditions as temporary measures. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has referenced what they term a “new Persian Gulf order” and indicated the strait won’t return to previous operational status. This messaging aligns with observable traffic patterns showing limited resumed movement under fundamentally altered conditions.

For shipping companies, these challenges create immediate operational problems. Raydan referenced comments from a Western European shipping firm whose vessels remain immobilized due to persistent uncertainty about risk levels.

“It’s very unclear to them what the security situation is, what the security guarantees are,” she said. “Will Iran attack? What about the mines?” While acknowledging she lacks concrete mine data and stressing that reports don’t constitute confirmed operational intelligence, Raydan noted that uncertainty alone prevents normal operations. “The operational environment for the shipping industry” continues to be “very volatile,” she said. “There are risks. They need to take them into consideration.”

This uncertainty translates into widespread immobilization. “We’re talking about hundreds of ships, thousands of seafarers,” she said. “They’re just stuck in the Persian Gulf.” Vessels face stark choices: “You wouldn’t expect ships to just decide to sail without coordinating with Iran,” she explained. “Either they coordinate, they work with Iran, meaning reach out to Iran, or probably they might be forced to pay, or they just don’t leave.”

These conditions raise questions about potential alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz. Prof. Eyal Zisser, vice rector of Tel Aviv University and scholar of Syrian, Lebanese, and broader Arab politics, told The Media Line that renewed interest in alternatives reflects genuine shifts in Gulf state perspectives, though not in their practical limitations.

“First of all, we need to wait and see what will be the end, the point where the war will be ended,” he said. “But clearly, Iran became a source of threat. I mean, it was well known, but this time it was materialized.” This represents the fundamental change he identifies.

The threat has evolved from theoretical possibility to present reality, making alternative route exploration inevitable. “I think they will have to find alternatives,” he said. “And there are alternatives, and they will start, but it takes time.”

When asked about the feasibility of current proposals, Zisser provided a direct assessment: “It will take years.” He added a crucial caveat that challenges much public discussion: “And still the Iranians can hit those installations. So, it’s not very easy.”

Vita Avrahamov, a researcher at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security specializing in geopolitics, economics, and energy issues, provided quantitative analysis supporting these concerns. “There is no immediate solution that can fully replace the energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz,” she told The Media Line.

Her calculations show the strait typically handles approximately 20 million barrels of oil daily, while existing alternatives can manage only 3.5 to 5.5 million barrels per day, representing roughly 17 to 27 percent of that capacity.

“These options are viable as strategic diversification, but not as a full bypass solution,” she explained. Avrahamov outlined three primary alternative directions. The Red Sea route through Saudi infrastructure represents “the most immediately viable” option, though still limited. “Saudi Arabia’s exports through the Red Sea … is only a partial solution and cannot fully replace exports through the Strait of Hormuz,” she said, citing constraints including “limited loading capacity available at the Yanbu export terminal.”

Mediterranean routes, including potential connections through Israel or revived Iraq-Turkey pathways toward Ceyhan or Haifa, “offer shorter access to European markets but face substantial geopolitical barriers.” Routes toward Oman and the Arabian Sea are “politically more neutral and strategically attractive” but would require massive new investments in pipelines, ports, logistics networks, and secure transit arrangements. Her conclusion: “none currently offers a comprehensive or politically frictionless alternative to Hormuz.”

Raydan offered an even more definitive assessment: “Nothing can substitute the Strait of Hormuz.” While acknowledging existing contingency plans, including “pipelines like the one in Saudi Arabia, the east-west pipeline to the Red Sea, which has definitely been leveraged in order to push volumes and bypass the Strait of Hormuz” and noting that “UAE also has a pipeline,” she challenged how these options are presented in public discourse.

“Let’s be honest,” she said. “We cannot replace, these pipelines cannot replace the flows out of the Strait of Hormuz.”

She quantified the scale of what’s at stake: “We’re talking about an average loading of some 20 million barrels per day,” referring to the January to early March period before current conflicts. “We need to be realistic here,” she said. “You can have contingency plans like pipelines, but let’s not pretend.”

Her frustration with current reporting became evident: “I’ve been seeing a lot of reports about it, that Strait of Hormuz can be substituted and that land routes can substitute sea lanes. It doesn’t work like that.”

This analysis provides important context for political discussions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. According to Raydan, the core issue is being mischaracterized when quickly transformed into infrastructure debates. “It’s more an issue of maritime security,” she emphasized, describing this as “a key topic that requires the full focus right now, maritime security, the principle of freedom of navigation,” which will remain “a key subject in the region for years to come.”

Zisser offered similar perspective when challenging recent political statements: “Sometimes these statements do not have anything to do with reality.” Later, when asked what the public might be overlooking, he was more direct: “Sometimes… statements by politicians are more wishful thinking than has to do with reality.”

Avrahamov framed it in technical terms but reached comparable conclusions. Large-scale alternatives require “substantial capital investment, long development timelines, and credible security guarantees,” with feasibility remaining limited by “enduring geopolitical fragmentation.”

The immediate reality isn’t that new networks stand ready to replace Hormuz operations. Instead, the route that continues handling regional oil exports operates under degraded, highly uncertain conditions, while frequently cited public alternatives remain either partial, politically challenging, or years from implementation.

While the ceasefire has reduced tensions, it hasn’t resolved operational conditions in the strait. Raydan’s assessment remains most accurate: traffic is “still very weak,” non-Iranian vessel movement isn’t healthy, ships remain stranded, and the entire situation can’t be resolved through pipeline rhetoric. For now, Hormuz continues as the primary system in use—just a system operating under significant stress. As Raydan concluded: “Nothing can substitute the Strait of Hormuz.”

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched a crucial diplomatic mission to the Middle East as his nation emerges as a potential mediator between the United States and Iran.

Sharif began his three-day journey to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey on Wednesday, traveling with a high-level delegation that includes Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The presence of such senior officials underscores the significance of this diplomatic tour.

The timing of this regional visit is particularly noteworthy, as President Donald Trump recently suggested that US-Iran negotiations could take place in Pakistan. However, with Sharif’s tour scheduled to end on April 18, any potential discussions between Washington and Tehran would need to wait until after his return.

According to sources in Islamabad speaking to The Media Line, the Pakistani leader is updating regional allies on confidential details regarding a US-Iran ceasefire arrangement. This coordinated effort reportedly has Washington’s full knowledge and backing, establishing Pakistan as a crucial go-between for the two adversaries.

The three nations Sharif is visiting – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey – have reportedly provided important support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts between the longtime rivals.

Arab News quoted an unnamed American official stating that “Future talks are under discussion, but nothing has been scheduled at this time.” Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance emphasized during a Turning Point USA gathering at the University of Georgia that Trump is not interested in a limited agreement with Iran, but instead wants a comprehensive deal.

When questioned about potential US-Iran negotiations, Vance outlined Trump’s firm stance that Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons, noting that current discussions center on achieving this goal.

Vance indicated that if Iran agrees to halt nuclear weapons development, America would assist the country in achieving economic growth and prosperity.

The Vice President revealed that Trump had directed him to travel to Pakistan for good-faith discussions with Iran. However, Vance acknowledged the deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran, emphasizing that such issues cannot be resolved quickly. He noted that the current ceasefire remains intact and expressed optimism about the trajectory of developments.

Syrian security forces have successfully broken up an ISIS-affiliated terror cell operating in the eastern region near Aleppo, marking another chapter in the country’s ongoing battle against extremist organizations.

An official from Syria’s Interior Ministry, speaking to The Media Line on condition of anonymity, revealed that the takedown came after extensive surveillance and intelligence work. Security personnel monitored the cell members’ activities before launching coordinated strikes that led to multiple arrests. During the confrontation, authorities also killed one key member of the terrorist group.

The intelligence-driven approach proved crucial in uncovering the cell’s plans. Initial questioning revealed the group had been preparing strikes against government security forces and military installations as part of ISIS’s broader strategy to reactivate dormant cells throughout Syria. The raids also uncovered a cache of weapons and explosives, underscoring the serious threat the organization continues to pose.

The anonymous source explained that this particular cell had connections to previous attacks on security patrols in various regions. This discovery prompted authorities to expand their investigation, leading to additional arrests before finally capturing the remaining network members and completely shutting down their operations.

These latest developments occur as experts warn of renewed ISIS activity across Syria, especially in territories where the group previously held substantial control. Although ISIS has faced major defeats in recent years, the organization still depends on hidden cells to conduct smaller-scale attacks designed to destabilize regional security.

Syrian officials have pledged to maintain their preventive strikes against ISIS operatives. They have previously conducted broad security sweeps across several provinces, leading to the detention of dozens of suspected ISIS members and the confiscation of weapons and explosive materials.

Security analysts note that these successful missions demonstrate better cooperation between different agencies and improved intelligence-gathering methods. Nevertheless, they warn that the ISIS threat remains active, pointing out that complicated security conditions in some areas could enable the group to rebuild.

This increased security activity connects to wider developments throughout Syria, where intersecting local and regional factors continue to influence the nation’s stability. Consequently, the campaign against extremist organizations remains an ongoing struggle requiring persistent, comprehensive efforts.

Within this context, the recent security operations mark an important advance in confronting ISIS. However, they also underscore that the fight against the organization is nowhere near finished and that preserving stability will demand continued security and intelligence work, along with addressing the root causes that allow armed groups to resurface.

As officials work to strengthen security oversight, the primary challenge remains stopping ISIS from rebuilding its capacity for major operations. Success will require ongoing preventive measures, enhanced security partnerships, and careful surveillance of suspicious activity in vulnerable areas.

The elimination of the ISIS cell east of Aleppo demonstrates the continuing battle against the group and reinforces that completely destroying the organization will require sustained commitment on both security and political levels.

LONDON — Counterterrorism investigators in Britain are examining an attempted fire attack in London that targeted a building with ties to the Jewish community, marking the latest in a series of similar incidents across the capital.

Authorities announced Saturday they are not yet connecting this incident to other recent attacks on Jewish charity vehicles and an Iranian media outlet.

The Metropolitan Police stated that while investigators are not classifying these events as terrorism, Counter Terrorism Policing London has taken charge of the probe “due to the similarities of each attack.”

According to police reports, a suspect was observed Friday evening placing a bag with three bottles of liquid outside a structure that had previously served the Jewish community. The individual tried to ignite the materials, but the attempt was unsuccessful before he escaped the scene. Authorities have not made any arrests.

The Friday evening incident occurred in Hendon, located near Golders Green, where four vehicles belonging to a Jewish charity were set ablaze on March 23. Four individuals face charges in connection with that attack.

Investigators are also examining an attempted arson at a synagogue in northwest London on Wednesday. That same day, authorities report an “ignited container” was hurled into the offices of a Persian media company in Wembley, another northwest London neighborhood. Two adult men and one teenage boy have been charged with arson in that case.

Fortunately, no injuries have occurred in any of these incidents.

Investigators are exploring whether these attacks may be connected to Iran. British officials have accused Iran of employing criminal networks to carry out attacks across Europe, specifically targeting opposition media organizations and Jewish communities. Britain’s MI5 domestic intelligence agency reports disrupting more than 20 “potentially lethal” plots backed by Iran in the year leading up to October.

Authorities in Ukraine’s capital are conducting an active manhunt after a gunman killed multiple people and wounded others during a shooting spree on Saturday.

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that law enforcement officers are working to capture the suspect, who has taken refuge inside a grocery store in the city’s Holosiivskyi neighborhood.

“A special operation is proceeding to detain the man who started the shooting and is currently inside a supermarket,” Klitschko wrote in a message posted to the social media platform Telegram.

The mayor added that gunfire continued even after the suspect entered the store. “According to preliminary information, shots are also being fired in the supermarket. As a result of the shooting, there are injured and several dead,” he stated.

The incident occurred on April 18th, with authorities still working to apprehend the armed individual as the situation develops.

The Biden administration has barred a senior Nicaraguan government official from entering the United States due to accusations of human rights violations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Saturday.

The visa restrictions target Luis Roberto Cañas Novoa, who serves as Nicaragua’s vice-minister of the interior. The sanctions prevent Cañas Novoa from obtaining entry to the United States.

Rubio’s announcement on Saturday detailed the administration’s decision to block the official’s travel privileges based on his alleged participation in human rights abuses.

ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — A high-ranking Iranian diplomat announced Saturday that Tehran remains unprepared for direct negotiations with American officials, blaming Washington’s unwillingness to drop what he characterized as “excessive” positions on critical matters.

Speaking with The Associated Press during a diplomatic conference in Turkey, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh firmly dismissed President Donald Trump’s assertions about transferring enriched uranium, stating his nation would never surrender such materials to America.

“I can tell you that no enriched material is going to be shipped to United States,” Khatibzadeh stated. “This is non-starter and I can assure you that while we are ready to address any concerns that we do have, we’re not going to accept things that are non-starters.”

Trump declared Friday that America would enter Iran to “get all the nuclear dust,” referencing approximately 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium reportedly stored beneath nuclear facilities severely damaged during U.S. military operations last year.

While acknowledging ongoing message exchanges between both nations, Khatibzadeh criticized the United States for maintaining positions that Iran considers unreasonable.

“We are still not there yet to move on to an actual meeting because there are issues that the Americans have not yet abandoned their maximalist position,” Khatibzadeh explained. He noted Iran wants to complete a “framework agreement” before proceeding with face-to-face discussions.

The Iranian representative declined to detail specific negotiation points or identify outstanding disputes, but urged Washington to address Tehran’s primary concerns, particularly economic sanctions targeting Iran.

“The other sides also should understand and address our main concerns, which are illegal unilateral sanctions that Americans have imposed on Iranians and this economic terrorism which has targeted Iranian people to suffocate them and make them to revolt against the political structure inside Iran,” Khatibzadeh said.

Regarding potential Iranian responses to renewed Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite the ceasefire, Khatibzadeh declared: “Iran has no option, just to stop aggressors once and forever.”

Trump announced that Israel faces U.S. restrictions on additional Lebanese strikes, saying “enough is enough” regarding the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

The State Department clarified these limitations apply solely to offensive operations, not defensive actions.

The Iranian official reaffirmed Tehran’s stance that its actions were defensive responses to unprovoked aggression during ongoing negotiations.

He also restated Iran’s demand that any ceasefire include Lebanon, where Israel has been battling the Iran-supported militant organization Hezbollah.

Following last week’s temporary U.S.-Iran truce, Pakistan and Iran claimed it covered Lebanon, but Israel and subsequently the U.S. rejected this interpretation. Israel then conducted multiple airstrikes on central Beirut, prompting Iran to announce another closure of the Strait of Hormuz. After Friday’s Lebanese truce implementation, Iran declared the strait reopened.

“Iran negotiated with good faith, accepted a ceasefire and told everybody that this ceasefire should include all countries, including Lebanon,” Khatibzadeh said. “Then the other side said that, it is not committed to this and then started atrocities.”

He indicated that negotiations with the U.S. would establish a “new protocol” for the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring it would “remain open and safe for all civilian passage.”

Trump has indicated the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will continue and military action will resume without an Iranian agreement.

A crude oil tanker flying the Indian flag came under attack Saturday while navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources within the Indian government.

Officials identified the targeted ship as the Sanmar Herald and confirmed that both the vessel and its crew members remain safe following the incident.

Saturday’s attack was part of broader hostilities in the strategic waterway, with at least two commercial ships reporting they were struck by gunfire while attempting passage through the strait.

In response to the incident, Indian officials have called Iran’s ambassador to India for discussions regarding the attack.

The violence comes amid ongoing tensions over shipping access through the vital corridor. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Iran had committed to keeping the strait open, while Iranian leadership stated they expect America to completely end its blockade of Iranian oil tankers.

Shipping records indicate that more than a dozen tankers, including three vessels under sanctions, successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz after authorities ended a 50-day shipping blockade on Friday. However, Iran reinstated restrictions on Saturday and opened fire on some vessels attempting transit.

A French peacekeeper lost his life and three colleagues sustained injuries during an ambush in southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron pointed the finger at Hezbollah for the deadly assault, stating on social media that “Everything suggests that responsibility for this attack lies with Hezbollah.” The French leader called on Lebanese officials to “immediately arrest those responsible and assume their responsibilities alongside UNIFIL,” referring to the United Nations peacekeeping mission operating in southern Lebanon.

The fallen soldier was identified as Staff Sgt. Florian Montorio, who served with the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment based in Montauban. Macron noted that three of Montorio’s “comrades in arms were injured and evacuated.”

“The nation bows in respect and extends its support to the families of our soldiers and to all our military personnel engaged for peace in Lebanon,” Macron declared.

This tragedy marks the second deadly incident involving French forces in the region within a month. On March 12, a drone strike at a Kurdish military installation in Iraq’s Erbil area claimed the life of French Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion and left six others wounded.

French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin revealed that Montorio died during an ambush in Lebanon’s Deir Kifa area. According to Vautrin, the soldier was attempting to establish access to a UNIFIL outpost that had been cut off for multiple days due to combat between Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops.

The attack occurred just one day after a 10-day ceasefire agreement went into effect in Lebanon, though questions remain about Hezbollah’s commitment to a truce they did not help negotiate.

“He was caught in an ambush by an armed group at very close range,” Vautrin explained on X. “Immediately hit by a direct shot from a light weapon, he was pulled back under fire by his comrades, who were unable to resuscitate him.”

Following the incident, Macron contacted Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to demand that Lebanese authorities “shed full light on this incident, to identify and prosecute those responsible without delay, and to do everything possible to ensure the safety of UNIFIL soldiers, who must under no circumstances be targeted,” according to the French president’s office.

Macron also emphasized “the importance of full respect for the ceasefire by all parties and reaffirmed France’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, for the benefit of all Lebanese people and regional stability.”

A major baby food manufacturer has issued an urgent recall across Austria after discovering evidence of possible product tampering that could endanger infants.

HiPP has withdrawn its complete line of baby food products from more than 1,500 SPAR grocery stores throughout Austria as a safety precaution. The recall was announced Saturday by both companies.

“It cannot be ruled out that a dangerous substance was introduced into the product,” HiPP stated, specifically noting concerns about their Vegetable Carrot with Potato variety in glass containers.

The baby food company warned that eating from the potentially compromised jars could result in life-threatening consequences.

A SPAR representative confirmed to Reuters that the widespread recall impacts 1,500 Austrian locations as a preventive step, though stores in other countries remain unaffected.

“According to our current knowledge, this critical situation involves an external criminal interference that affects the SPAR Austria distribution channel,” a HiPP representative explained, emphasizing that their manufacturing processes and quality control standards have not been compromised.

Both retailers are urging shoppers who purchased the products from Austrian SPAR locations to avoid consumption and return items for complete refunds.

Law enforcement officials in Austria’s Burgenland region are actively investigating the incident and requesting public assistance with information, according to HiPP.

Turkey’s top diplomat warned Saturday that America stepping back from its European security commitments could cause serious damage if not handled properly.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan revealed that conversations are taking place about how to address a potential American reduction in what he called the “European security architecture,” though he didn’t provide specifics about these talks.

The comments come as President Donald Trump has made threats to withdraw from NATO following European allies’ refusal to deploy naval vessels to help clear the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Speaking at a diplomatic conference in Antalya, a province in southern Turkey, Fidan expressed concern about the potential consequences.

“We are very much discussing how to manage or mitigate the withdrawal of the U.S. from the European security architecture. Not totally, but partially. Even a partial withdrawal… would be very destructive for Europe if it’s not done in a coordinated way,” Fidan stated during the panel discussion.

The Turkish minister, representing a nation that belongs to NATO but remains outside the European Union, criticized what he sees as problematic behavior within the alliance. He said EU member countries within NATO have been “acting like a separate club” and making independent decisions that sometimes conflict with the broader alliance’s stance.

“You want to be a separate EU organisation within NATO? Well America said ‘I’m letting you go, cutting off your ties’,” Fidan remarked.

The diplomatic tensions have been building since Trump announced his interest in acquiring Greenland, adding another layer of friction to alliance relationships.

Looking ahead, Fidan urged fellow NATO members to view the upcoming alliance summit scheduled for Ankara in July as a chance to repair relationships with Trump and Washington, while simultaneously preparing for potentially reduced American participation.

NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte has acknowledged Trump’s concerns with the alliance but emphasized that most European nations have provided valuable support for Washington’s military efforts against Iran.

According to a senior White House source who spoke with Reuters earlier this month, Trump has also been considering the possibility of withdrawing some American military personnel from European bases as part of his broader frustrations with NATO.

BARCELONA – A significant diplomatic breakthrough occurred Saturday when Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum held talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during her visit to Barcelona for an international progressive leaders conference.

According to Spain’s state news agency EFE, this represents the first time a Mexican head of state has traveled to Spain since the Morena party assumed control of Mexico’s government in 2018, indicating a warming of previously chilled relations between the two nations.

The diplomatic rift originated when Sheinbaum’s political mentor and former president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, demanded in 2019 that Spain apologize for colonial-era atrocities committed during the Spanish conquest of Mexico – a request that Spain declined to fulfill.

Spain’s economy minister expressed optimism about the renewed contact, telling journalists at the summit: “I believe that President Sheinbaum’s presence here is a very important and positive sign of a rapprochement between the two countries.” The minister highlighted opportunities for expanded commerce and investment cooperation, particularly in energy development, infrastructure projects, and banking sectors.

Sheinbaum’s participation in the Barcelona gathering of global left-wing leaders, hosted by the Spanish government, provided the framework for this diplomatic reset between the historically connected nations.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Saturday that a French military member serving with international peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon has died in an attack that France believes was carried out by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Macron revealed that three additional soldiers sustained injuries in the incident and have since been moved to safety for medical treatment. The French president called on Lebanon’s government to take action against those believed to be behind the deadly assault.

The affected military personnel were serving as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, which operates peacekeeping missions throughout the southern region of the country.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addressed progressive leaders gathered in Barcelona on Saturday, urging the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to modify their approach following their inability to prevent conflict in Iran.

Speaking at the summit, Lula criticized what he described as inflammatory social media posts from world leaders. “We cannot wake up every morning and go to bed every night with a tweet from a president threatening the world and declaring wars,” the Brazilian leader stated, appearing to reference U.S. President Donald Trump though he did not mention him by name.

The remarks came during a progressive leaders’ summit held in the Spanish city on April 18, where Lula emphasized the need for behavioral changes among the Security Council’s most powerful nations.

Commercial ships attempting to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday were turned away by Iranian naval forces, with at least two vessels coming under gunfire from Iranian boats, according to maritime sources.

Multiple merchant ships had tried to make the crossing after receiving maritime notices Friday indicating that passage through the waterway would be permitted, though limited to specific routes that Iran considered secure.

However, on Saturday, Iranian vessels opened fire on at least two ships in the waters near Qeshm and Larak islands, forcing them to retreat before completing their journey, shipping and maritime security officials told Reuters.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed receiving reports of an incident occurring 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. According to the report, a tanker’s captain said two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboats had approached and fired upon his vessel. The tanker and its crew remained unharmed.

Maritime security sources also confirmed that a container ship was struck by gunfire during a separate incident.

Multiple vessels reported receiving VHF radio broadcasts from Iran’s navy announcing the waterway’s closure.

The Iranian radio transmission stated: “Attention all ships, regarding the failure of the U.S. government to fulfil its commitment in the negotiation, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely closed again. No vessel of any type or nationality is allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”

The closure has left hundreds of ships and approximately 20,000 maritime workers stranded in the Gulf region, unable to transit through the critical shipping lane that carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

ORVAULT, France (AP) — An elderly French woman who wed an American military veteran has arrived back in her home country following more than two weeks in U.S. immigration detention, with her family now focused on her recovery from the traumatic experience.

Marie-Thérèse Ross, 85, returned to France after enduring what her son described as a challenging ordeal that began when she was detained for exceeding her visa limits. During a Friday news conference in Orvault, located in western France, her son Hervé Goix emphasized that the family’s main concern is protecting their mother.

“To preserve her health and her rest, and for her to be able to rebuild herself,” Goix stated while appearing with his two siblings before the media.

“We are particularly relieved today to see our mother again, to have her back,” he continued. “She has necessarily gone through a difficult ordeal.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed Ross’s return on Friday, criticizing the detention methods used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as falling short of French expectations and being unacceptable to his government, though he provided no additional details.

Court documents reveal that Ross arrived in the United States last June following her marriage to a former U.S. military member who had served in France during the 1960s. However, when her spouse passed away from natural causes in January, conflicts emerged regarding his estate. An Alabama judge determined that Ross’s stepson, who works for the federal government, played a role in having her placed in immigration detention.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, immigration officials apprehended Ross in Alabama on April 1 for exceeding her 90-day visa allowance. She was subsequently transferred to a detention center in Louisiana while French authorities voiced concerns about her treatment.

During the news conference, Goix revealed that his mother had been working on obtaining permanent residency status when authorities took her into custody. He stressed that “the essential thing is that she is truly safe, that she regains her comfort, that she is surrounded by her children and grandchildren.”

Orvault’s mayor, Sébastien Arrouët, shared with French news outlets that he had spoken with Ross, describing her as “delighted,” “happy,” and “relieved.”

“Put yourselves in her place, in a country she knows a little bit, it all happened to her so suddenly,” he explained. “We don’t realize the psychological violence. She needs to process all this, and the most important thing is that she is back with us.”

Documentation indicates that authorities detained Ross while she was wearing her nightclothes and prevented her from gathering essential items including her mobile phone, passport, and other personal identification documents.

The U.S. military announced Saturday that two dozen vessels have followed American orders to return to Iranian waters since the implementation of a blockade targeting Iran’s ports and coastal regions.

According to military officials, 23 ships have heeded commands from U.S. forces to reverse their course and head back toward Iran after the United States established the maritime blockade.

The blockade represents an enforcement action against Iranian ports and surrounding coastal waters, with American military personnel directing vessel traffic in the affected areas.

Iranian leadership announced Saturday that future diplomatic discussions with the United States remain on hold until both nations can establish a preliminary agreement framework.

Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh made the announcement during a diplomatic conference in Antalya, Turkey, following last weekend’s unsuccessful high-level meetings in Islamabad – the most significant US-Iran diplomatic engagement since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

“We are now focusing on finalising the framework of understanding between two sides. We don’t want to enter into any negotiation or meeting which is doomed to fail and which can be a pretext for another round of escalation,” Khatibzadeh told reporters at the Turkish forum.

While President Donald Trump indicated to Reuters that additional direct discussions might occur this weekend, diplomatic sources expressed skepticism about the logistical feasibility of reconvening in Islamabad.

Khatibzadeh explained that substantial advancement occurred during previous talks, but attributed the breakdown to what he characterized as unreasonable American positions regarding Iran’s nuclear activities.

“Until we agree the framework, we cannot set the date… There was significant progress made actually. But then the maximalist approach by the other side, trying to make Iran an exception from international law prevented us to reach an agreement,” he stated.

The Iranian official emphasized his country’s commitment to operating within established international legal boundaries.

“I have to be very crystal clear that Iran would not accept to be an exception from the international law. Anything that we are going to be committed will be within the international regulations and international law,” Khatibzadeh declared.

Addressing questions about the Strait of Hormuz situation, Khatibzadeh confirmed Iran had initially agreed to permit commercial vessel passage following Thursday’s US-mediated 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

However, he accused American officials of undermining that arrangement by attempting to exclude Iranian vessels from the safe passage agreement.

“The other side, the American side, tried to sabotage that by saying that it is open except for Iranians. So that was the reason we said that ‘if you are going to violate the ceasefire terms and conditions, if Americans are not going to honour their words, there will be repercussions for them’,” Khatibzadeh explained.

A Swiss soccer club has pulled the plug on a scheduled Kanye West concert, joining a growing number of European venues refusing to host the controversial rapper following his antisemitic remarks.

FC Basel announced Saturday they will not move forward with the performance that was reportedly set for June at their St. Jakob-Park stadium. The club manages all entertainment events at the venue.

Club officials said they carefully evaluated the concert request before making their decision.

“FCB received an enquiry and considered it. However, after thorough review, we have decided not to proceed with the project, as we cannot, in accordance with our values, provide a platform for the artist in question within this context,” a spokesperson for the club stated.

The Swiss cancellation follows similar moves across Europe. Just days ago, a stadium in Poland announced it would scrap a West concert, coming after the artist delayed a French performance. Earlier this month, British authorities prevented the 48-year-old performer from entering the country for a festival appearance.

West, who now goes by Ye, issued an apology in January for his conduct, saying it stemmed from his untreated bipolar disorder. He also disavowed his previous statements praising Adolf Hitler.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has strongly denounced an assault that targeted French peacekeeping personnel serving with the United Nations mission UNIFIL on Saturday, announcing he has directed authorities to launch an immediate probe into the incident.

Salam made his statement through a social media post on X, where he expressed his condemnation of the attack against the French contingent members who are part of the international peacekeeping operation in the region.

The Prime Minister’s office has called for a thorough and swift investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the assault on the UN forces.

Efforts to broker peace between companies locked in a heated battle over Europe’s ambitious fighter aircraft program have collapsed, according to a German business publication’s weekend report.

The newspaper Handelsblatt revealed that negotiators from both France and Germany were unable to bridge the gap between feuding corporations in the Future Combat Air System initiative, though government officials may still step in to rescue the troubled venture.

Sources close to the discussions told the publication that the appointed mediators will now file individual reports detailing their unsuccessful attempts to reach a compromise.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to receive a briefing about the ongoing corporate standoff over the weekend and will determine Germany’s next steps by Tuesday, according to the report.

The German leader is scheduled to sit down with French President Emmanuel Macron during an unofficial European Union gathering in Cyprus next Thursday and Friday, potentially providing an opportunity to address the crisis.

The €100 billion military aircraft development program has been paralyzed by an extended power struggle between France’s Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which serves as the representative for both Germany and Spain in the multinational effort.

Earlier this month on April 1, Dassault Aviation’s chief executive announced he was allowing his organization a brief window of two to three weeks to determine if an agreement could be reached regarding the combat aircraft system.

Merz previously stated in late March that he was exhausting all available options to preserve the program and had arranged for two neutral parties to help bridge the corporate divide.

When contacted for comment, an Airbus Group representative in France chose not to respond, while officials from the German government, French presidency, and Dassault Aviation did not provide immediate statements.

BARCELONA, Spain — A diplomatic rift spanning five years between Mexico and Spain came to an end Saturday when Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Barcelona, settling their disagreement over Spain’s treatment of indigenous peoples during colonial times.

Speaking at the IV Meeting in Defense of Democracy, where delegates from 15 nations gathered to address growing threats to democratic values, Sheinbaum dismissed any notion of ongoing tensions. “There is no diplomatic crisis, there never was one,” the Mexican leader declared upon her arrival.

Before greeting Sánchez with a handshake, she emphasized the significance of honoring indigenous contributions, stating, “The important thing is to recognize the efforts of the indigenous people of our land.”

The resolution became possible after King Felipe VI of Spain took an unprecedented step in March by publicly recognizing that Spain’s conquest of the Americas resulted in the “abuse” of native populations.

The diplomatic friction began in 2019 when former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador sent correspondence to both the Spanish monarch and Pope Francis, calling on Spain to “publicly and officially” acknowledge wrongdoings during Mexico’s conquest.

When Spain declined to provide such recognition, relationships between the nations deteriorated significantly.

The situation reached its lowest point in 2024 when Sheinbaum excluded Felipe from her presidential inauguration ceremony due to the Spanish palace’s unwillingness to offer a formal apology. Sánchez denounced this decision as “unacceptable,” leading Spain to break with protocol by sending no official representative to the inauguration.

Following the king’s historic acknowledgment, Mexico extended an invitation to the Spanish monarch to attend a World Cup soccer match scheduled for this summer, signaling the beginning of diplomatic repair.

During Saturday’s gathering, Sánchez avoided referencing the now-resolved conflict while expressing gratitude to Sheinbaum for Mexico’s offer to host next year’s democracy summit.

Two commercial ships reported coming under gunfire Saturday while navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, according to three maritime security and shipping industry sources.

The vessels were attempting to pass through the strategic waterway when they reported being struck by gunfire, though the extent of any damage or casualties was not immediately known.

The incidents highlight ongoing tensions in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, which serves as a vital passage for global oil and trade shipments.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on April 18th that Moscow believes it’s the right moment to begin discussions with Washington regarding future economic partnerships between the two nations, though he acknowledged ongoing disagreements persist.

Speaking during a diplomatic gathering in Antalya, Turkey, Lavrov made the remarks as part of Russia’s broader diplomatic outreach efforts. He also commented on the Western military alliance, describing NATO as being “not in the best state,” while emphasizing that Russia has no intention of interfering in the organization’s internal matters.

The push for enhanced economic collaboration with America has become a central element of Russia’s strategy to establish a diplomatic thaw with President Donald Trump’s administration.

Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado revealed Saturday that she turned down an opportunity to meet with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during her recent trip to the country, citing his involvement in hosting a progressive political gathering in Barcelona.

Machado, who identifies as a right-wing liberal, chose to avoid the leftist coalition government headed by Sanchez, instead focusing her time on meetings with Spain’s conservative opposition figures who oppose the current administration.

Speaking at a Madrid event, Machado explained her decision by referencing the Barcelona summit. “What has transpired in the past few hours at the meeting he held in Barcelona with various political leaders from different countries is proof that such a meeting was not advisable,” she stated.

The incident highlights the political divide between Machado’s conservative stance and the progressive agenda promoted by Sanchez’s government, demonstrating how international political alignments influence diplomatic interactions even during unofficial visits.

Acclaimed French actress Nathalie Baye, recognized internationally for her performance in Steven Spielberg’s hit film “Catch Me if You Can,” has passed away at 77 years old, according to reports from AFP news agency on Saturday.

The celebrated performer died on Friday night at her residence in Paris, the French news outlet confirmed through statements from Baye’s family members.

NABATIYEH, Lebanon — Emergency medical crews arrived at the outskirts of Mayfadoun village in southern Lebanon during late morning hours, responding to reports of attacks on fellow paramedics.

The rescue teams had learned just minutes before on Wednesday that Israeli forces had struck two ambulances in the area, targeting the second vehicle as it arrived to assist the first. Despite knowing the risks, they rushed to help their colleagues and discovered a devastating scene.

Both initial ambulances lay in ruins with blown tires and shattered glass. Six of the eight crew members were bloodied and scattered across the roadway or inside the damaged vehicles. In one driver’s seat, a paramedic with blood flowing from his stomach held an unconscious colleague, desperately urging him to remain awake.

“I felt sick. I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Mohammed Jaber, 43, shared with The Associated Press on Friday from his emergency team’s base in Nabatiyeh, where crew members rested on foam mattresses. A 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict gave the exhausted workers a rare break from constant explosions.

Jaber explained that his team quickly began loading the most severely injured victims into their functional ambulances. However, as team leader Mahdi Abu Zaid moved to secure the vehicle doors, they too came under fire.

These three separate attacks, resulting in four paramedic deaths and six injuries, represent another instance of Israel targeting Lebanon’s medical infrastructure.

During the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, such strikes became a major point of controversy, with Israel claiming that Hezbollah, like Hamas in Gaza, operated from Lebanese medical facilities — allegations both Hezbollah and Lebanon’s Health Ministry reject.

The frequency of these attacks has remained steady, with humanitarian organizations documenting an average of two healthcare worker deaths daily throughout the war until Friday’s ceasefire began.

When asked about the Mayfadoun incidents, Israeli military officials did not reiterate previous claims about Hezbollah’s use of medical sites. They stated they were “aware of reports about the ambulance attacks” and that “the incident is under review.”

The assault on the third rescue team occurred while they were still evaluating injuries from the first two crews, happening less than six minutes after they reached the scene.

According to colleagues who spoke with the AP, an Israeli drone shattered the vehicles’ windows and hit 30-year-old Abu Zaid, knocking him to the ground. Abu Zaid, who had a 4-year-old child and worked selling spices and nuts when not volunteering as a paramedic, was declared dead upon arrival at al-Najda Hospital.

The medical workers’ testimonies align with video evidence from a GoPro camera worn by one paramedic. The footage documents intense gunfire striking the ambulance while medical personnel treated two bloodied colleagues, one breathing weakly through an oxygen mask.

Following the third assault, a fourth rescue team successfully reached the trapped medics and evacuated the wounded without being targeted.

These ambulance attacks have sparked widespread criticism, including from the United Nations’ human rights office, which expressed being “shocked” and cautioned that deliberately targeting medical personnel constitutes a war crime.

For the emergency workers involved, this incident exemplifies Israel’s campaign to dismantle southern Lebanon’s healthcare infrastructure as its military expands security operations to the Litani River, approximately 20 miles into Lebanese territory, seeking to protect northern Israeli communities from Iran-backed Hezbollah.

“They should be targeting fighters, where the fighting is happening, at the border,” said Jaber. “Why target medics and civilians? So that life becomes unbearable and people tell Hezbollah to give up?”

Lebanon’s Health Ministry has documented at least 100 medical worker fatalities since Israel began its bombing campaign and ground operations in Lebanon, responding to Hezbollah missile attacks across the border on March 2, following Israeli and U.S. strikes against Iran.

“This war is different than all the other wars,” stated Mohammed Suleiman, chief paramedic for Nabatiyeh Emergency Services.

Suleiman’s own 16-year-old son Joud — who had accompanied and assisted on missions since childhood — died alongside a fellow paramedic in an Israeli motorcycle strike on March 24, marking the unit’s first casualties since its 2002 establishment.

“I always had my fears, but I believed that as a neutral organization with no connection to politics, we would be safe, off-limits,” he explained.

Beyond its military operations, Hezbollah functions as one of Lebanon’s most influential political parties and operates an extensive network of civilian institutions including medical facilities and educational centers.

The initial two paramedic teams attacked Wednesday were deployed by the Islamic Health Committee, a major healthcare provider connected to Hezbollah, and the Risala Scout Association, a medical response group linked to Hezbollah’s ally, the Amal movement.

Numerous paramedics from both organizations have died during these six weeks of warfare. The primary Islamic Health Committee facility in Jibsheet village, near Nabatiyeh, was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike last month, joining 59 primary healthcare centers closed due to Israeli attacks, according to the World Health Organization.

The U.N. health agency also condemned Israeli strikes that hit Lebanon’s Tebnine Government Hospital twice within three days this week, injuring 11 medical staff, damaging the emergency ward and pharmacy, and destroying vital equipment including ventilators and monitoring devices.

With Friday’s ceasefire in place, the Nabatiyeh medics hired a tow truck and returned to the Mayfadoun roadside where they were attacked. The three ambulances remained there, riddled with shrapnel, while bloodstains marked the pavement.

They transported Abu Zeid’s destroyed ambulance to a public square in Nabatiyeh, hoping it would serve as a memorial.

“We want this vehicle to bear witness,” said Mahdi Sadeq, a service coordinator. “To bear witness to what happened, to what this war has done to our profession.”

BARCELONA, Spain — Democratic leaders from multiple nations convened in Spain’s second-largest city Saturday to address growing threats to liberal democracy worldwide, as far-right movements gain momentum and international conflicts strain global stability.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, known for his vocal opposition to President Donald Trump and the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, organized two concurrent events focused on democratic values and progressive governance at a Barcelona convention facility.

The fourth iteration of the Meeting in Defense of Democracy drew presidents from Brazil (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva), Mexico (Claudia Sheinbaum), South Africa (Cyril Ramaphosa), and Colombia (Gustavo Petro), alongside senior officials from ten additional nations. British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy also participated in the discussions.

Though Trump’s name wasn’t explicitly mentioned during the portions accessible to media, his administration’s unilateral approach—which breaks from longstanding U.S. foreign policy traditions—and his criticism of NATO and the United Nations created an underlying tension at the gathering aimed at preserving multilateral cooperation.

“We all see the attacks against the multilateral system, the repeated attempts to undermine international law and the dangerous normalization of the use of force,” Sánchez stated as the conference began.

The Spanish leader outlined priorities including strengthening multilateral institutions through U.N. reform, implementing social media regulations to curb hate speech and false information, and developing strategies to address widening economic disparities.

“We all share the vision that democracy is the best system to respond to the complexities of our societies,” he declared.

Brazil, Spain, and Chile established this forum in 2024 to facilitate idea-sharing aimed at countering what organizers describe as “extremism, polarization and misinformation” that weakens democratic participation.

Saturday evening will feature the debut Global Progressive Mobilization, bringing together approximately 3,000 left-leaning elected officials and policy experts for strategic discussions.

These meetings followed Friday’s summit between Sánchez and Lula at a former Barcelona royal residence, where they expressed mutual concerns about global instability stemming from Russia’s Ukrainian invasion, Israel’s Gaza operations following Hamas attacks, and current Iranian conflicts affecting energy markets.

Both Lula and Sánchez represent a shrinking group of progressive leaders who maintain domestic popularity while advocating for multilateral agreements, human rights protections, environmental safeguards, and gender equality—principles frequently challenged by Trump, Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei, and European far-right movements.

Australian authorities are investigating a fatal vehicle incident that occurred at a popular entertainment convention in Melbourne, leaving one person dead and another with severe injuries.

The tragedy unfolded shortly before 5 p.m. local time when a vehicle jumped the curb and struck two pedestrians, according to police reports released Saturday. Officers arrested the driver immediately at the scene.

“The circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established and the investigation remains ongoing,” authorities stated in their official release.

Media outlets report the incident took place at the location where the Supanova Comic Con and Gaming event was being held, adding to concerns about public safety at large gatherings.

The investigation continues as police work to determine what led to the deadly crash that has shaken the Melbourne community.