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The artist who was once known as Kanye West has called off his scheduled performance in Marseille, France following threats from government officials to prohibit the concert from taking place.

This latest cancellation follows Ye being barred from the United Kingdom just one week prior, where he was set to be the main act at the Wireless Festival in July. The rejections stem from ongoing criticism of the performer’s history of making antisemitic statements.

Taking to social media platform X on Wednesday, Ye announced his decision: “After much thought and consideration, it is my sole decision to postpone my show in Marseille, France until further notice. I know it takes time to understand the sincerity of my commitment to make amends.”

The performance was originally set to take place at the Stade Vélodrome stadium on June 11. The artist legally changed his name in 2021.

France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez had committed to investigating “all possibilities” to prevent the concert from proceeding as scheduled, according to statements from his office.

Marseille’s mayor, Benoît Payan, had already voiced strong opposition to hosting the rapper in the diverse Mediterranean city, which has welcomed immigrants for hundreds of years.

“I refuse to let Marseille be a showcase for those who promote hatred and unabashed Nazism,” Payan declared. “Kanye West is not welcome at the Vélodrome, our temple of community and home to all Marseillais.”

The 48-year-old performer has faced severe criticism for expressing antisemitic views and publicly praising Adolf Hitler.

Last year, Ye released a track titled “Heil Hitler” and promoted merchandise featuring Nazi symbols on his website. Australian officials revoked his visa in July following the song’s release.

In January, the rapper issued an apology through a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal. He attributed his actions to his bipolar disorder, stating it caused him to experience “a four-month long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior that destroyed my life.”

In his recent social media statement, Ye added: “I take full responsibility for what’s mine but I don’t want to put my fans in the middle of it. My fans are everything to me. Looking forward to the next shows. See you at the top of the globe.”

Recent satellite imagery reveals China has installed floating barriers and positioned vessels to restrict access to Scarborough Shoal, one of the most contested areas in the South China Sea, according to exclusive photographs obtained by Reuters.

The disputed maritime location has become a flashpoint where diplomatic experts worry ongoing tensions between China and the Philippines could escalate into military confrontation.

Satellite photos captured on April 10 and 11 document four fishing vessels positioned at the shoal’s entrance, alongside what appears to be a Chinese military or coast guard ship. The April 11 image clearly shows a floating barrier stretched across the entrance.

Vantor, the satellite imaging company previously known as Maxar Technologies, confirmed a likely Chinese patrol vessel was visible just beyond the entrance on April 10.

China’s defense ministry has not responded to requests for comment regarding the vessel deployment or the timing of these operations.

The Scarborough Shoal represents a historically productive fishing area located completely within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, though China maintains territorial claims over the region.

In 2023, China’s approval of a national nature reserve at the location drew sharp criticism from Philippine security officials, who described the action as a “clear pretext for occupation.”

Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday that Chinese authorities had positioned a 352-meter (1,150-foot) floating barrier at the entrance during April 10 and 11.

“Six Chinese maritime militia vessels were observed within the shoal, while three others were spotted outside, seemingly obstructing the entrance to BDM,” Tarriela stated, using the Philippine designation Bajo de Masinloc. China refers to the area as Huangyan Island.

Though Philippine coast guard forces have previously cut through such barriers, Tarriela noted the Chinese appear to have withdrawn the most recent obstruction since the weekend. However, Philippine Navy patrols continue in the area.

“According to our assessment in the past, they consistently exhibit suspicion whenever they monitor a group of Filipino fishing boats,” Tarriela explained.

Philippine Navy spokesperson Roy Trinidad reported Tuesday that ten Chinese coast guard ships were documented at the shoal between April 5 and April 12.

While both nations maintain competing territorial claims, no formal sovereignty has been established, leaving the shoal under Beijing’s effective control despite continued Philippine fishing operations.

In January, Philippine and United States military forces conducted joint naval operations at the shoal, marking their eleventh such collaborative exercise as treaty partners.

Military cooperation between the two allies has intensified under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has strengthened ties with Washington in response to China’s expanding South China Sea presence.

Thousands of American and Philippine troops are scheduled to begin major joint exercises across the Philippine islands this month, including operations in Zambales province, located approximately 120 nautical miles from Scarborough Shoal.

Diplomatic sources indicate these military exercises and broader regional tensions are under close scrutiny, with concerns that China might exploit perceptions of American distraction due to Middle East conflicts and efforts to maintain shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz.

China has maintained a continuous presence of coast guard vessels and fishing boats at the shoal since taking control in 2012 following a confrontation with Philippine forces.

Manila has accused Chinese maritime militia of operating fishing vessels at the shoal and other disputed South China Sea locations, though Beijing has never confirmed these allegations.

A significant 2016 decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration supported Manila’s position on various South China Sea disputes, though determining Scarborough Shoal sovereignty fell outside the court’s jurisdiction.

The tribunal determined Beijing’s blockade violated international law, noting the area served as traditional fishing waters for multiple nations, including China, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

BEIJING, April 15 – During a Wednesday meeting with Vietnam’s newly elected president, Chinese leader Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of both nations maintaining clear strategic alignment and making political security a top priority.

To Lam, Vietnam’s highest-ranking official, is visiting China through Friday in what represents his inaugural foreign trip since assuming the role of state president just last week. This diplomatic visit signals strengthening relationships between the two neighboring Communist nations.

Despite ongoing disagreements regarding territorial disputes in the South China Sea, both countries have developed increasingly closer ties in recent years. Their collaboration has expanded across multiple areas including railway development, technological advancement, and various other economic sectors.

More than 250 individuals, consisting of Rohingya refugees and citizens of Bangladesh, remain unaccounted for following a deadly boat disaster in the Andaman Sea during their journey to Malaysia, international refugee and migration organizations reported.

Nine survivors were pulled from the waters on April 9 by the crew of the M.T. Meghna Pride, a Bangladesh-flagged vessel, according to Lt. Com. Sabbir Alam Suzan, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Coast Guard, who spoke with The Associated Press on Wednesday. The rescued group included three Rohingya individuals and six Bangladeshi citizens.

The timing of the vessel’s sinking and current search efforts remained unclear as of Wednesday.

In a combined statement released Tuesday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration revealed that the fishing trawler had departed from Teknaf, located in Cox’s Bazar district in southern Bangladesh, carrying numerous passengers bound for Malaysia.

The vessel lost control and went down due to overcrowded conditions, powerful winds, and turbulent waters, the organizations stated.

Shari Nijman, a UNCHR communications officer stationed in Cox’s Bazar, confirmed Wednesday that her agency had no additional information to share.

A second coast guard media representative, speaking anonymously in accordance with department protocol, told the AP by telephone Wednesday that all nine rescued individuals – eight males and one female – were in good condition after being transferred to coast guard custody and subsequently handed over to Teknaf police.

The rescue operation was not conducted as part of any formal search mission since the incident occurred beyond Bangladesh’s territorial waters, the official explained. The M.T. Meghna Pride crew discovered the survivors while traveling from Chittagong, Bangladesh to Indonesia.

The UNHCR and IOM characterized the tragedy as highlighting the prolonged displacement crisis facing Rohingya populations and the lack of permanent solutions for their situation.

Continued conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine state has created uncertainty about safe repatriation for the Rohingya, while insufficient humanitarian aid and limited educational and employment opportunities in refugee settlements continue driving desperate Rohingya to attempt dangerous ocean crossings, frequently based on misleading promises of better wages and improved living conditions overseas, the agencies explained.

Both organizations called on the global community to increase financial support and solidarity to provide essential aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, which currently houses over one million Rohingya who fled Myanmar.

Ukraine’s top diplomat reached out to Israeli officials this week regarding a Russian ship that was permitted to dock at an Israeli port while carrying grain that Ukraine claims was illegally taken from its territory.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar about the vessel on Tuesday, addressing what Ukraine views as theft of agricultural products from territories under Russian control.

Ukraine maintains that all grain harvested from the four regions Russia has claimed since its 2022 invasion, along with Crimea which Russia seized in 2014, constitutes stolen Ukrainian property.

“I stressed that the illegal export of stolen Ukrainian agricultural products is part of Russia’s broader war effort,” Sybiha wrote in a Tuesday evening social media post. “Such illegal trade with stolen goods must not be allowed.”

While Russia calls these four regions its “new territories,” the international community continues to recognize them as Ukrainian land.

According to Sybiha’s previous statements in March, Russia transported over 2 million tons of allegedly stolen Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea during the past year. Ukrainian officials calculated in August that Russia has taken approximately 15 million tons of Ukrainian grain since launching its full-scale military operation.

The diplomatic conversation also covered broader security issues and Middle Eastern developments.

“We reaffirmed our mutual interest in advancing the bilateral agenda and maintaining an active dialogue, including on security-related matters,” Sybiha stated.

CAIRO (AP) — The devastating conflict in Sudan between government military forces and paramilitary groups is now approaching its fourth year of fighting.

The prolonged warfare has created catastrophic conditions, driving countless civilians toward starvation, generating massive population displacement, and creating urgent humanitarian needs for more than 30 million individuals. Military observers report that both warring factions face allegations of severe human rights violations, including systematic ethnic persecution, unlawful executions, and sexual assault against non-combatants.

The statistical breakdown of this ongoing crisis reveals the scope of devastation:

Casualty figures from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) show minimum death tolls, though humanitarian organizations believe actual fatalities significantly exceed reported numbers due to restricted access across Sudan’s expansive territory during active combat.

Refugee populations have sought safety in neighboring nations including Egypt, South Sudan, Libya, and Chad, with hundreds of thousands crossing borders.

Additional hundreds of thousands remain internally displaced within Sudan’s borders.

World Food Program data indicates that millions of Sudanese citizens are experiencing severe food insecurity and acute malnutrition.

Economic impacts include dramatic fuel price increases following the escalation of Middle Eastern regional conflicts.

Islamic Relief reports that hundreds of community feeding centers have shut down within the past six months, eliminating crucial food sources for millions of vulnerable people.

UNICEF documentation shows thousands of children have suffered death or serious injury during the warfare.

Educational disruption affects millions of school-age children who cannot attend classes, according to UNICEF statistics.

Thousands of educational facilities are currently occupied by military forces or converted into emergency housing for displaced families, UNICEF reports.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reports that only a fraction of Sudan’s medical facilities maintain full or partial operations.

WHO verification shows numerous deliberate attacks targeting healthcare infrastructure since hostilities began.

Recent ACLED data documents civilian casualties from aerial bombardments and unmanned aircraft strikes during 2025, reflecting an intensification of drone warfare tactics.

SEOUL, South Korea — The director of the International Atomic Energy Agency emphasized Wednesday that comprehensive monitoring protocols for Iran’s nuclear operations must be central to any potential peace agreement between the United States and Iran.

Rafael Grossi, who leads the U.N.’s atomic energy oversight body, highlighted the importance of establishing thorough verification systems for Iran’s nuclear activities, as President Donald Trump indicated Tuesday that additional negotiations with Iran might occur within the coming 48 hours.

The current administration has identified stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as a primary objective in the ongoing conflict. While Iran has consistently maintained it is not pursuing such weapons, the country has resisted accepting restrictions on its atomic energy program.

Recent diplomatic efforts in Pakistan over the weekend between both nations did not yield a breakthrough. The White House pointed to Iran’s nuclear program as a major obstacle, though an Iranian diplomatic source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the private discussions, disputed claims that the nuclear issue caused the talks to stall.

“Iran has a very ambitious, wide nuclear program so all of that will require the presence of IAEA inspectors,” Grossi explained to journalists in Seoul. “Otherwise, you will not have an agreement. You will have an illusion of an agreement.”

The IAEA chief emphasized that any nuclear technology accord “requires very detailed verification mechanisms.”

Following a 12-day conflict in June, Iran has blocked IAEA inspectors from accessing nuclear sites that were targeted by Israeli and American forces, according to a classified IAEA document distributed to member nations and obtained by The Associated Press in February.

The document highlighted that inspectors “cannot verify whether Iran has suspended all enrichment-related activities,” or determine the “size of Iran’s uranium stockpile at the affected nuclear facilities.”

While Iran continues to assert its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes, the IAEA and Western governments maintain that Tehran operated a coordinated nuclear weapons development effort until 2003.

According to IAEA assessments, Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which represents a relatively brief technical process away from the 90% weapons-grade threshold.

Grossi previously stated that this uranium stockpile could potentially produce up to 10 nuclear weapons if Iran chose to weaponize its program.

IAEA protocols typically require monthly verification of such highly enriched nuclear materials.

MANILA – The Philippine government announced Wednesday that its National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano has stepped down from his position for health-related reasons, with former military commander Eduardo Oban set to take his place.

Communications undersecretary Claire Castro addressed the transition during a government briefing, stating: “The President has accepted the resignation of National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano. Secretary Ano has decided to retire from public service after decades of continuous service in government and the military.”

The leadership transition occurs as tensions continue to escalate between the Philippines and China over disputed waters in the South China Sea, with both nations blaming each other for provocative encounters in the maritime region.

Ano’s departure comes as he prioritizes his personal well-being, particularly given his history of cardiac health issues. The outgoing adviser disclosed in 2021 that he had undergone several heart operations.

During his tenure, Ano spearheaded the Philippines’ “transparency initiative,” a program designed to expose what Manila characterized as China’s hostile behavior toward Filipino maritime personnel and fishing crews in contested waters.

The departing security chief built an extensive military background, notably serving as the armed forces’ top commander during the intense Marawi conflict in 2017. Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, Ano emerged as one of the strongest voices opposing Beijing’s actions in the region.

His replacement, Oban, previously held the position of military chief during the administration of former President Benigno Aquino, though his tenure was brief.

A survivor from a catastrophic boat disaster in the Andaman Sea has shared his terrifying experience after a vessel packed with refugees and Bangladeshi citizens overturned, resulting in approximately 250 people reported missing.

The vessel set sail from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh with Malaysia as its destination but went down during the second week of April due to harsh weather conditions, powerful winds, and dangerous overcrowding, according to United Nations refugee and migration officials.

Bangladesh currently provides shelter to approximately 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in southern camps, with the majority having escaped violence in Myanmar during 2017. Many refugees still undertake treacherous ocean voyages seeking security and employment opportunities in other countries.

Those who survived reported that close to 300 individuals were crammed aboard the vessel, including women, children, crew, and alleged human traffickers.

Survivor Rafiqul Islam described how passengers suffered through four days and nights on the water as circumstances quickly worsened. To evade law enforcement patrols, traffickers compelled passengers into tight storage areas designed for fishing equipment and nets.

“There was hardly any oxygen,” Islam shared with Reuters, explaining that no fewer than 30 people perished from lack of air before the vessel overturned. “We could not breathe.”

As the boat flipped over, hundreds of people were hurled into the ocean. Islam calculated that roughly 240 individuals remained on the vessel when it capsized, including approximately 20 women and multiple children. Very few managed to survive.

Islam belonged to a small group who initially escaped alive. A Bangladeshi oil tanker that happened to be passing by rescued four survivors, who then informed the crew about others still struggling in the water.

“They later found five more people,” Islam reported.

He outlined a hazardous, multi-part voyage that started on April 4, when passengers initially departed on a small fishing vessel before being moved to a larger boat near Myanmar’s territorial waters. During one segment, they were compelled to hide in vegetation to avoid being spotted by patrol units.

This disaster underscores the desperate circumstances facing Rohingya refugees, many of whom continue taking life-threatening sea journeys to nations including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Relief organizations caution that conditions are deteriorating as humanitarian assistance decreases. A recent International Rescue Committee study, which surveyed 500 households in Cox’s Bazar, revealed that only 2% of Rohingya parents maintain hope for their children’s futures, compared to 84% among host community families.

With food allowances cut to as low as $7 monthly per individual, numerous families are adopting desperate survival strategies. Close to 69% of refugee households indicate children are leaving school, while half report their children have been compelled to work.

The IRC called on donors and officials to transition from emergency assistance to sustainable solutions, cautioning that without continued support, both refugee and host populations will experience increased poverty and vulnerability.

Ukrainian officials report that Russian forces conducted a massive overnight assault beginning Tuesday at 6 p.m. local time, deploying 324 drones and three ballistic missiles against multiple targets across the country.

According to Ukraine’s air force, defensive systems successfully intercepted or disabled 309 of the attacking drones. However, the remaining 15 drones along with all three missiles found their targets, striking nine separate locations and causing casualties and significant property damage.

In the southeastern city of Dnipro, three residents sustained injuries during the drone bombardment, regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha reported via Telegram. The assault left a nine-story apartment complex and an administrative facility severely damaged, with Ganzha sharing images showing a massive hole torn through one building’s exterior wall.

This latest violence follows Tuesday’s missile attack on Dnipro that claimed five lives and left nearly 30 people injured.

The central city of Cherkasy also faced drone strikes overnight, sending four residents to seek medical care, according to regional governor Ihor Taburets.

Tragedy struck the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia in the early Wednesday hours when shelling claimed the life of a 74-year-old woman working at a kiosk, regional governor Ivan Fedorov announced on Telegram. The attack also inflicted damage on a parking facility, commercial properties, and surrounding homes.

Southern Ukraine’s Odesa region, home to crucial Black Sea port infrastructure, endured another wave of drone attacks that damaged warehouse and administrative structures, regional governor Oleh Kiper confirmed.

The Kyiv region also reported drone activity during the overnight assault.

CAIRO — As Sudan marks the beginning of its fourth year of devastating civil war on Wednesday, United Nations officials are condemning what they describe as an “abandoned crisis” that has received diminishing international attention while other Middle East conflicts dominate headlines.

The ongoing battle between Sudan’s military forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has created what experts call the world’s most severe humanitarian disaster, forcing 13 million citizens from their homes and leaving entire regions of the expansive Darfur area in ruins.

Intelligence reports indicate that regional powers, particularly the United Arab Emirates, are secretly providing support to various fighting factions. Diplomatic efforts led by the United States and other regional authorities have repeatedly failed to broker any meaningful ceasefire, with many now distracted by the broader Iran conflict.

“This grim and chastening anniversary marks another year when the world has failed to meet the test of Sudan,” declared Tom Fletcher, the United Nations’ top humanitarian official.

The death toll has reached at least 59,000 people, including approximately 6,000 who perished during a brutal three-day assault by RSF forces on the Darfur town of el-Fasher last October. UN-supported investigators determined that this particular attack displayed “the defining characteristics of genocide.”

Widespread starvation has gripped multiple areas of Sudan due to the prolonged conflict. Food security specialists from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification warned in February that severe acute malnutrition cases could surge to 800,000 individuals.

According to UN statistics, roughly 34 million Sudanese citizens—nearly two-thirds of the entire population—require immediate humanitarian aid. The World Health Organization reports that only 63% of medical facilities continue operating at full or partial capacity while disease outbreaks, including cholera, spread throughout affected areas.

Recent developments have worsened the situation as fuel costs have jumped more than 24% due to the Iran war’s impact on international shipping routes, subsequently driving food prices even higher.

“A plea from me: Please don’t call this the forgotten crisis. I’m referring to this as an abandoned crisis,” stated Denise Brown, the UN’s senior representative in Sudan, during Monday remarks criticizing the global community’s failure to prioritize ending the violence.

The current warfare stems from a power dispute that developed during Sudan’s attempted democratic transition following mass protests that led to the military removal of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.

Conflict erupted between military leader Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, who heads the ruling sovereign council, and RSF commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who previously served as Burhan’s second-in-command.

The nation now exists as two separate entities: a military-supported, internationally recognized government based in the capital city of Khartoum, and a competing RSF-controlled administration operating from Darfur.

“Neither side can achieve a decisive victory,” observed Shamel Elnoor, a Sudanese journalist and researcher, noting that citizens “have become powerless and are subjected to foreign dictates.”

Military forces maintain authority over northern, eastern, and central territories, including Sudan’s Red Sea shipping facilities and its petroleum processing plants and distribution networks. The RSF and their allies dominate Darfur and sections of the Kordofan region bordering South Sudan, areas containing significant oil deposits and gold mining operations.

Egypt provides backing to Sudan’s military leadership, while UN investigators and human rights organizations accuse the UAE of supplying weapons to the RSF. UAE officials have denied these allegations.

Researchers from Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab, who monitor the conflict using satellite technology, reported this month that RSF forces had received military assistance from an Ethiopian base. RSF representatives declined to address this claim.

Josef Tucker, a senior analyst specializing in Horn of Africa affairs at the International Crisis Group, warned The Associated Press that the war might expand beyond Sudan’s borders, potentially making the situation “even more intractable.”

Three years of combat have produced widespread human rights violations, including mass executions and extensive sexual violence such as gang assaults.

Medical facilities, emergency vehicles, and healthcare personnel have faced targeted attacks throughout Sudan, resulting in over 2,000 deaths according to WHO documentation.

The International Criminal Court has announced investigations into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly focusing on Darfur, a region that gained international notoriety two decades ago for genocide and systematic atrocities.

Most recent violations have been attributed to RSF forces and their Janjaweed partners, Arab militia groups infamous for committing atrocities against East and Central African populations in Darfur during the early 2000s. The RSF organization evolved from these Janjaweed militias.

“We have … no reason at all to believe it will stop the mass atrocities that we saw in el-Fasher,” Brown warned.

Military control of Khartoum and other urban centers in central Sudan during early 2025 enabled approximately 4 million displaced persons to return home, according to the UN migration agency’s March report. However, these returnees face significant challenges including damaged infrastructure and other obstacles.

“It’s not really a return to normal. It is trying to survive amidst a new normal,” explained Tjada D’Oyen McKenna, chief executive of humanitarian organization Mercy Corps.

President Donald Trump indicated that the ongoing conflict with Iran is approaching its conclusion during interview segments scheduled to broadcast Wednesday, as military officials confirmed their naval blockade of Iranian ports has reached complete operational status.

Pakistani officials announced Tuesday they are working to broker negotiations between Washington and Tehran to bring the conflict to an end, following Trump’s earlier statement to the New York Post suggesting additional diplomatic discussions “could be happening over next two days.”

In separate diplomatic developments, Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad described recent discussions between Lebanon and Israel in Washington as “constructive.” Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter expressed appreciation for his Lebanese colleagues following their two-hour session, stating “we’re on the same side of the equation.” However, the Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah has rejected these direct negotiations and declared it will not honor any resulting agreements.

The Middle Eastern conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with fatalities reaching at least 3,000 in Iran, over 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and more than a dozen across Gulf Arab nations. Thirteen American military personnel have also lost their lives.

In related financial developments, Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced Wednesday that Saudi Arabia will place $3 billion into Pakistan’s central banking system. This injection provides crucial economic support to Pakistan, whose financial system has faced pressure amid regional instability connected to the U.S.-Iran confrontation. Aurangzeb is currently in Washington attending World Bank and International Monetary Fund conferences.

Additionally, Aurangzeb revealed that an existing $5 billion Saudi deposit will no longer require yearly renewal procedures and will instead be extended for an extended timeframe, according to government communications. Pakistani officials also disclosed earlier this month their intention to return $2 billion deposited by the United Arab Emirates in Pakistan’s central bank during 2019.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah executed a collaborative agreement Wednesday pledging to prevent unnecessary energy and food commerce limitations resulting from the Iranian conflict. The accord was finalized during Albanese’s visit to the small Southeast Asian kingdom.

Australia represents Brunei’s largest trading partner, with Brunei supplying Australia diesel fuel and fertilizer-grade urea. Albanese mentioned discussions regarding Brunei potentially expanding urea deliveries. “What’s guaranteed is that they are not looking at export restrictions on Australia,” he stated. Albanese intends to meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Thursday to strengthen Australian fuel and diesel supply arrangements.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey this week as part of diplomatic efforts to arrange another round of U.S.-Iran negotiations. This journey follows Islamabad’s hosting of unusual talks that concluded without formal resolution.

Sharif aims to organize additional discussions before the current temporary ceasefire concludes on April 22. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry stated that the visits beginning Wednesday and concluding Saturday will emphasize bilateral relationships. Sharif plans to address continued cooperation and regional stability with Saudi Arabian and Qatari leadership.

During his Turkey visit, Sharif will participate in the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum and conduct meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan along with other international leaders.

South Korean officials report providing information to Iran, the United States, and Gulf countries regarding 26 South Korean vessels currently trapped in the Strait of Hormuz. South Korea is working to ensure their safe departure from the waterway.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told lawmakers Wednesday that officials view the current U.S.-Iran ceasefire as an opportunity to guarantee the ships’ safe evacuation from the area.

Student activist Luka Mishveladze has transformed from sleeping on university floors during protests to leading demonstrations against education reforms threatening to close his school.

The 20-year-old began his activism when anti-government demonstrations erupted across Georgia in late 2024. Now, 18 months later, he finds himself rallying outside the same Tbilisi building where he once studied, fighting to save his academic home.

“It was hard for me to realise that this was happening in reality, that I am losing my university, the place I am used to calling home,” Mishveladze told Reuters.

Critics view the education overhaul approved in February as another step in the ruling Georgian Dream party’s pivot away from Western partnerships toward Russian influence, a trend that accelerated following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The former Soviet republic, once viewed as a promising democracy on track for European Union membership, has increasingly distanced itself from Western alliances while strengthening Moscow connections.

CENTRALIZED CONTROL OVER UNIVERSITIES

Georgian Dream officials defend the education changes as necessary market-driven adjustments designed to strengthen regional institutions and improve resource allocation.

Government leaders claim they want to eliminate what they describe as excessive concentration of universities in the capital city and end wasteful spending practices.

Opposition voices argue the reforms represent further evidence of the administration’s effort to steer the nation of 3.7 million citizens away from Western integration, more than thirty years after breaking free from Soviet control.

The new system operates under a “one faculty, one city” framework, restricting multiple universities in the same location from offering identical degree programs.

State officials will determine which academic subjects each of the 19 public institutions can teach and will reallocate student enrollment limits across the system that serves more than half of Georgia’s college students.

Ilia State University in Tbilisi, where Mishveladze and approximately 17,300 other students attend classes, faces the most severe impact. The highly-ranked research institution, known for its outspoken liberal stance and extensive European partnerships, will see dramatic cuts.

University administrators report that over 90% of their academic programs will be eliminated, forcing a three-year shutdown process. This fall, ISU can only accept 335 new undergraduate students, compared to 3,770 admitted the previous year.

“No other sector in Georgia has been so integrated into the European space than higher education. So they’re killing it,” said Ketevan Darakhvelidze, the chancellor of ISU. “The more isolated Georgia will be, the better for the government.”

Seven additional universities received reduced enrollment quotas, though only ISU reports facing complete closure.

Education policy researcher Shalva Tabatadze noted that government funding in Georgia has historically supported universities “which have political affiliations,” calling this practice “problematic.”

A March assessment by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe identified “marked democratic backsliding” in Georgia and referenced concerns about the education reforms. The report suggested the faculty redistribution might be designed to scatter large student protest groups.

Government officials did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. Education Minister Givi Mikanadze, who served on the committee developing the reforms, also declined interview requests.

Georgian Dream, governing since 2012, rejects accusations of authoritarianism and maintains its policies aim to preserve peace in Georgia, which suffered defeat in a brief 2008 conflict with Russia. Party leaders accuse opposition groups of attempting violent overthrows.

ACADEMIC FREEDOM UNDER THREAT

Student and faculty opposition to the changes has energized nightly anti-government demonstrations that began when officials announced suspension of EU membership negotiations in late 2024.

While the relatively modest rallies don’t threaten government stability, they have gained support at universities throughout Georgia.

“They are going to shut down every free-thinking institution capable of critical reasoning,” said ISU sociology professor Nino Rcheulishvili.

Since its 2006 establishment, ISU has developed partnerships with 145 European institutions for joint degree offerings.

“All those programmes are at risk,” said Nino Doborjginidze, ISU’s rector, noting that recent legislative changes could eliminate access to most international grants.

Protesters achieved one small success when the government abandoned plans to merge two Tbilisi universities in February, but many young people still consider leaving Georgia.

Twenty-year-old Davit Mshvenieradze represents students contemplating departure, though he wants to see Georgian Dream removed from power first.

“If they are here (in power), I want to stay here and protest against them,” he said.

Berlin officials announced Wednesday that Germany will contribute an additional 20 million euros, equivalent to $23.6 million, in humanitarian assistance to Sudan during 2025, with additional funding proposals currently being evaluated by the development ministry.

The announcement came ahead of an international humanitarian conference taking place in Berlin on Wednesday, where German officials revealed they had already allocated 155.4 million euros for relief projects in Sudan and surrounding nations impacted by the ongoing conflict by the end of 2025.

The devastating conflict between Sudan’s military forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces reached its second anniversary on Wednesday, creating massive food shortages and forcing millions from their homes in what has become one of the globe’s most severe humanitarian emergencies.

Conference organizers are working to secure funding commitments totaling at least 1 billion euros for Sudan relief efforts. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed optimism about reaching that goal during an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio, stating: “That seems to be working.”

Wadephul acknowledged the enormous challenge of securing adequate funding for global crises, particularly with ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine and reduced aid commitments from the United States. He described the effort as “a Sisyphean task.”

“We must try to compensate for what others, including the United States, unfortunately fail to do,” Wadephul explained during the radio interview.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that providing humanitarian assistance serves Germany’s strategic interests by preventing mass hunger, which could trigger another large-scale migration crisis similar to the Middle Eastern refugee influx experienced in 2015 and 2016.

BUDAPEST – Following his election victory, Hungary’s new leader Peter Magyar announced Wednesday his administration will halt state media operations and establish fresh media legislation once he assumes office.

Speaking during a radio interview on state-run Kossuth radio, Magyar outlined plans to create a new media oversight body and guarantee press freedom. “Every Hungarian deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth,” Magyar stated.

Magyar’s TISZA (Respect and Freedom) party secured a decisive win in Sunday’s election, bringing an end to Viktor Orban’s 16-year tenure as Prime Minister.

COLOMBO – More than 200 Iranian naval personnel have been successfully returned to their home country after being rescued by Sri Lankan authorities last month, according to a senior government official who spoke Wednesday.

The rescue operations began on March 4 when Sri Lankan forces saved 32 crew members from the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, which had been struck by a torpedo from an American submarine. The vessel was returning from naval exercises conducted by India during ongoing U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran.

A day later, on March 5, Sri Lankan authorities conducted a second rescue mission, saving 208 sailors from another Iranian ship, IRIS Booshehr, which had contacted Colombo requesting emergency assistance due to mechanical problems with its engines.

“The crew of both ships were flown out about 11 p.m. on a special flight on Tuesday night,” Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekera told Reuters.

Following the evacuation of its crew in Colombo, the IRIS Booshehr was pulled by tugboats to waters near Sri Lanka’s eastern coastline at Trincomalee, arriving Tuesday morning.

“There are about 8-10 Iranian crew remaining aboard to assist operations,” Jayasekera added.

Sri Lankan officials provided the rescued sailors with 30-day temporary entry permits and accommodated them at naval and air force facilities while coordinating their return journey to Iran.

An Iranian charter aircraft also transported the remains of 84 crew members from the Dena who lost their lives during the American military strike.

Eleven-year-old Jawad Younes was enjoying a soccer match with his cousins in the space between their family homes when tragedy struck on March 27. He had briefly escorted his tired 4-year-old brother Mehdi back to their mother before rejoining the game in Saksakieh, Lebanon.

An Israeli airstrike targeted his uncle’s residence moments later. The explosion rocked surrounding structures and knocked Jawad’s siblings to the floor inside their home. As mother Malak Meslmani rushed to help her fallen children, her thoughts immediately turned to her eldest son.

“I was pulling my children off the floor in the house, but as I was running to pick them up, I screamed, ‘Jawad,’” she said. “My heart told me.”

The March 27 attack instantly claimed Jawad’s life along with one of his cousins, who had been like a brother to him. Multiple other children sustained injuries in the blast.

The strike also killed Jawad’s uncle, an interior design engineer whom the boy admired and hoped to emulate professionally. Meslmani described her brother-in-law as a civilian, though acknowledged their family’s loyalty to Hezbollah, the militant organization and political party established in the 1980s to resist Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon.

Jawad and his cousin represent two of the 168 children who have perished among more than 2,100 total deaths during six weeks of renewed conflict between Israel and the Iran-supported Hezbollah movement.

Israeli forces have frequently conducted surprise attacks on suspected Hezbollah operatives and leaders at their residences, often targeting locations distant from active combat zones where families live among uninvolved neighbors in apartment complexes. While Israeli military officials seldom identify specific strike targets, they maintain they implement safeguards to reduce civilian harm and attribute responsibility to Hezbollah members for operating within civilian populations. Families who have lost children accuse Israel of war crimes due to extensive civilian casualties.

Current hostilities have resulted in at least two Israeli civilian deaths and 13 military fatalities, according to Israeli statistics. One civilian death resulted from mistaken Israeli fire.

When questioned by the Associated Press, Israeli military representatives did not dispute that children have died in Lebanese operations but emphasized their focus on Hezbollah installations and fighters. Military officials claim to have eliminated hundreds of Hezbollah personnel while providing limited supporting evidence.

International conflict regulations prohibit direct civilian targeting, though incidental harm during legitimate military operations is permissible when proportionate to expected military advantages.

Israeli military officials told AP their operations comply with legal standards, “including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and the taking of precautions.”

University of South Carolina law professor Charles Trumbull, who specializes in armed conflict law and ethics, noted the difficulty of evaluating proportionality without knowing strike objectives and whether military planners knew children were present.

“To the extent that they knew that children were likely to be harmed or killed in these strikes, and as an ethical matter, absolutely I think that should affect the calculus,” he said. “Just because certain strikes might not violate the law on conflict doesn’t mean that they’re not concerning or problematic or that they are morally justified.”

Three-year-old Taline Shehab was sleeping at 2 a.m. on March 12 when missiles destroyed an upper apartment in her family’s Aramoun building, approximately 12 miles south of Beirut, causing structural collapse. Both Taline and her father died while her mother suffered critical injuries.

Aramoun’s religiously diverse community had generally felt secure, despite experiencing airstrikes during the previous Israel-Hezbollah conflict in 2006.

Taline’s father Mohamad worked as a drone operator and video producer, frequently collaborating with Lebanese military forces and major television productions. He and wife Nathalie operated a fashion business that regularly featured Taline on social media platforms.

“They were a very close family. Their daily life revolved around their daughter,” said Ali Shehab, Mohamad’s brother.

He described Taline as “full of personality” and “very attached to her father. She loved being around him and didn’t like to share him with anyone.”

Ali finds solace believing “maybe Mohammed and Taline, because they are so attached to each other, God chose them both.”

Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, who has treated war casualties extensively in Gaza and Lebanon through his American University of Beirut Medical Center initiative, reports that most cases he encounters involve “children being crushed underneath the rubble of their own homes,” similar to Taline’s situation.

Ten-year-old Zeinab al-Jabali accompanied her father Hassan everywhere: neighborhood shops, mountain excursions around their Bekaa Valley village.

Hassan now sleeps at the Beirut hospital where medical staff treat his wife and three older daughters, all injured in the attack that took Zeinab’s life.

Conflict has marked much of Hassan al-Jabali’s existence. In 1982, his brother—also 10 years old like Zeinab—died from an Israeli missile strike.

Al-Jabali earned income selling mouneh (preserved foods like raisins and dried herbs) and working at his cousin’s laban (yogurt) production facility.

On March 5, al-Jabali’s wife and daughters were preparing iftar—the meal concluding daily Ramadan fasting—at his sister-in-law’s residence when the airstrike occurred.

Al-Jabali acknowledged his brother-in-law who perished “in the past was with the resistance,” referring to Hezbollah.

“But they struck him at home, in a house full of children, full of girls,” said al-Jabali, who heard the explosion from elsewhere in the village and discovered devastation upon rushing to check his family.

He has not informed his wife of Zeinab’s death, fearing grief might compromise her medical recovery.

Regarding the strikes that killed Jawad, Taline, and Zeinab, Israeli military officials provided no specific target details beyond Hezbollah connections.

Military statements expressed regret for civilian harm while emphasizing operations against Hezbollah, “which attacked the State of Israel under Iranian backing.”

Many Lebanese citizens blame Hezbollah for involving their nation in warfare by launching cross-border missiles on March 2, two days following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. However, Israeli strike devastation has strengthened support among others.

“We are now holding onto the resistance more than any time before,” said Meslmani, Jawad’s mother.

Despite Israeli military evacuation notices covering extensive southern Lebanese territories, many Saksakieh residents remained. Displaced populations from further south sought shelter there, and daily life seemed relatively normal before the fatal strike.

Meslmani now visits Jawad’s grave in a small cemetery overlooking mountain scenery, where warplane sounds echo overhead.

“I remember everything,” she said. “How he used to eat and drink, how he used to play, how he would get dressed and fix his beautiful hair.”

Since his death, aircraft noise no longer disturbs her.

“The most precious thing, my heart, is gone,” she said. “What more can they do?”

GUADALAJARA, México (AP) — Under Mexico’s scorching heat, Raúl Servín spends countless hours digging through soil mixed with anguish, determination and often disappointment. His mission: finding his son who vanished eight years ago and “all the other missing people” throughout Mexico.

Each Tuesday, Servín fills a vehicle with digging tools, shovels, drinking water and meals. After asking for divine protection, he gathers three fellow volunteers. Together they travel to dangerous territories where the earth may conceal bodies of those killed in a Mexican region plagued by drug trafficking violence.

This group calls itself the Guerreros Buscadores — the “Searching Warriors.” Their task is enormous, shared by dozens of similar organizations: Official data shows over 130,000 individuals have vanished since 2006.

Juggling search missions with everyday responsibilities proves challenging. Servín lost his employment after beginning his quest for his missing child. He now earns money serving tables during weekends.

Yet the most heartbreaking moments also provide paths forward — discoveries revealed through skeletal remains, damaged bodies, evidence that brings various forms of resolution. Occasionally there’s even happiness — despite it emerging from excavated holes.

During these challenging times, the 54-year-old Servín confronts a disturbing reality: Sometimes the most feared outcome becomes the most hopeful result possible.

Servín’s existence contains emotionally complex situations difficult to observe. Recently, these Warriors allowed an Associated Press photographer to document their activities — showing their work and its significance. They planned to visit multiple sites around Guadalajara, Jalisco state’s capital and a World Cup venue.

Servín and his female colleagues work independently, without any security escort. Their sole protection involves a “panic button” carried by Servín that links to a federal system protecting human rights advocates.

This dangerous work occurs in a hazardous setting. Despite Mexico not experiencing war or military rule, thousands vanish annually due to cartel conflicts. Hidden burial sites are regularly uncovered; over 70,000 unidentified bodies have accumulated in morgues and graveyards.

Previous leadership acknowledged this crisis and established official search agencies, but widespread impunity and government inaction continue. Current officials state that missing data for one-third of disappeared individuals makes searching impossible. Families drive most search efforts and discoveries.

The team travels to various locations following anonymous information received through the Guerreros Buscadores website. These reports often come from people who heard screaming or gunfire or witnessed suspicious activity but fear contacting police.

During their last expedition, they excavated over three feet deep at four sites. They found nothing. Sometimes they discover blood evidence or bullet shells. They investigate every lead regardless. Servín explains: “There cannot be room for doubt.”

He gets a phone call. A source reports a body buried in a neighborhood. The intelligence appears credible, prompting them to alter their schedule. This time they cannot scout the location beforehand, a safety protocol to avoid meeting cartel guards or armed criminals who might force them away with warning shots. This has occurred previously.

Gateway arches mark the entrance to the housing development the informant identified. It borders a commuter rail line outside Guadalajara, a city covered with missing person flyers. Jalisco state, controlled by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, represents a disappearance hotspot.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum toured the region after February violence following the cartel leader’s death. She promised World Cup security would be ensured.

Search organizations want to use global attention on Mexico to highlight their situation. “I love soccer,” Servín states, “but that’s not going to stop me from going out to search.”

Hats and cloth coverings protect searchers from sunlight. Each wears a customized shirt featuring their loved one’s photograph. Servín’s displays “Searcher Dad.”

The team prepares their gear. A metal probe they term “the seer” proves essential: For more than ten years, this basic yet crucial instrument has aided searchers. They insert it into soil and smell. Organic odors provide clues.

They start excavating in a small dirt patch at a residential corner. They continue digging extensively. Nothing appears.

After hours without results, Servín exits the housing complex and walks between the barrier and railroad tracks. The earth feels loose. “I saw a hole with small rocks; it was strange.”

Previously, his pulse would have quickened. Now he reports, “I don’t get nervous anymore.”

He crouches and grabs his shovel. A train rolls by. Initially he spots skull fragments. He starts removing dirt with his tool and hands.

“We’ve got a positive!” he calls out.

All four put on protective masks and gloves. A jawbone emerges. No question exists: This is human remains.

Servín displays the skull to his teammates, handling it with extreme care. They decide to continue excavating seeking the complete skeleton. A bag containing bones surfaces. Then footwear. Then hip bones. They gently position each item outside the hole. Any duplicate bone gets placed separately since it might belong to another victim.

The women’s voices blend like gentle songs. “Hi baby, you’re going home soon.” “Your family is waiting for you.” Someone places a candle beside the excavation.

To those unfamiliar with violent situations, this scene might appear disturbing. To witnesses, it represents tremendous compassion and unity performed by people repeatedly victimized by officials for years. In 2021, a prosecutor gave a woman her relative’s remains in garbage bags. A photograph of her blank expression over the large black bag at her feet became widely shared.

Criminals conceal victims because without bodies, no crimes exist. Nearly 20,000 missing individuals have been recovered dead since 2010. Therefore discovering bodies can be risky.

Servín triggers his panic device that many searchers possess. Since 2010, at least 36 searchers have been murdered, according to civil organizations. The most recent occurred in mid-March.

Servín communicates with federal personnel, verifies his identity using a code, describes his discovery and provides coordinates. He requests hourly check-ins, meaning calls confirming their safety.

Next he contacts police.

One woman prepares for live Facebook broadcasting. This creates documentation. Without livestreaming when they discovered a ranch used by the Jalisco Cartel, convincing people about their findings would have been difficult. It also helps people identify items.

“There’s a pair of gray underwear that says ‘Sport’ in orange letters, some size 5 brown boots,” one searcher describes. “There’s the skull, it still has some hair. … There’s the pelvis.”

The camera focuses on shoe details and the toothless jawbone. Every detail might assist identification. One woman hopes the “little person” will soon reunite with family. They offer prayers.

Servín responds to online questions. Though not an expert, his experience suggests the body was buried approximately 18 months earlier. This cannot be his son, but hope never completely disappears; two weeks prior, a mother located her son after seven years searching. He thanks God that remains exist for DNA analysis.

When the Guerreros discover bodies “in pieces,” Servín wants to weep. “What hits us hardest is to think that our children might be in those conditions.”

Yet he also feels satisfied. Because he knows answers exist there.

While awaiting officials, the searchers rest. This becomes an intimate discussion among people connected by loss and their purpose.

A neighborhood woman arrives with her son. She has a missing child and wants to see if he recognizes anything. An hour later, another mother appears. The searchers hug her and recommend visiting the prosecutor’s office for DNA testing. Emotions overflow.

When police arrive, Servín answers their inquiries. Suspicion remains because he knows some officers work for cartels. He says “some time ago” authorities accused them of contaminating crime scenes, but the groups have slowly gained credibility.

As darkness approaches, the forensic team begins working. In Mexico, genetic test results can take days or years. The remains of one searcher’s brother — a searcher who is also Servín’s partner — have been at the forensic institute for six years. A match exists, but experts haven’t finished processing remains from all bags found then. “It’s illogical,” he says. His frustration is obvious.

At 9 p.m., Servín presses the panic button again to confirm he’s home safely. “I arrive feeling at peace,” he says, “knowing the day was fruitful.”

BEIJING (AP) — In a Wednesday diplomatic meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping described the steadiness and reliability of China-Russia relations as especially valuable given today’s turbulent global environment marked by instability and disorder.

Meeting with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing, Xi emphasized how the robust energy and model character of the friendship agreement between both nations becomes even more significant against this backdrop of international turmoil.

The Chinese leader stated that diplomatic departments from both nations must fully execute the agreements made between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the need for enhanced strategic dialogue and tight diplomatic cooperation. Xi also called on officials to advance the broad strategic partnership between Beijing and Moscow to “stand higher, walk more steadily and go further.”

While Xi highlighted the importance of bilateral relations between the two powers, he did not elaborate on his references to disorder and shifts in the global situation, as questions remain about the duration of the Iran conflict.

In footage from a Fox Business Network interview, U.S. President Donald Trump stated Tuesday that the conflict was “close to over.” Trump has consistently claimed American success in Iran since hostilities began, though conditions on the ground remain much more complex.

The bond between China and Russia has strengthened significantly in recent years, especially after Russia’s military action in Ukraine began in early 2022. Trump’s unconventional handling of the Ukraine conflict has introduced new dynamics to the relationship but appears not to have altered its fundamental nature.

During Putin’s September visit to China, Xi greeted his counterpart as an “old friend,” while Putin also referred to Xi as “dear friend.”

Lavrov began a two-day visit to China on Tuesday following an invitation from his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Diplomatic optimism emerged Wednesday regarding potential fresh negotiations between Washington and Tehran, even as American naval forces confirmed their blockade of Iranian ports had become fully operational and Iran issued threats of regional retaliation.

Former President Donald Trump indicated Tuesday that additional diplomatic discussions might occur “over the next two days,” informing the New York Post that negotiations could again take place in Islamabad while diplomatic representatives worked behind the scenes to coordinate arrangements.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed agreement, stating it’s “highly probable” that diplomatic discussions will resume. He referenced a recent conversation with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Commodity markets responded positively to prospects of conflict resolution, with petroleum prices declining and American equity markets climbing near January’s record levels. The ongoing conflict, now entering its seventh week, has disrupted global markets and destabilized the international economy through severed shipping routes and military strikes targeting infrastructure throughout the region.

In Washington developments, the first face-to-face discussions in decades between Israeli and Lebanese diplomatic representatives to America ended on an encouraging note Tuesday, the State Department reported.

Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter stated both nations stand “on the same side of the equation” regarding “liberating Lebanon” from Hezbollah militants. Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad described the discussions as “constructive” while advocating for an end to the current hostilities between Israel and Iran-supported Hezbollah forces. Since March, this conflict has forced over one million Lebanese residents from their homes.

Israel and Lebanon have remained technically in a state of war since Israel’s establishment in 1948, with Lebanon continuing to experience deep internal divisions regarding diplomatic relations with Israel.

Previous weekend negotiations in Pakistan aimed at permanently resolving the US-Iran standoff ended without achieving any breakthrough. White House officials identified Iran’s nuclear program as a primary obstacle.

“I think they want to make a deal very badly,” Trump stated during an interview excerpt with Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” set to broadcast Wednesday morning. He continued: “I view it as very close to over.”

A US government source revealed Tuesday that potential new discussions with Iran remained under consideration without any confirmed scheduling. The source requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Muhammad Aurangzeb, Pakistan’s finance minister, informed The Associated Press that “our leadership is not giving up” regarding efforts to facilitate conflict resolution between America and Iran.

While the current ceasefire appeared stable, the confrontation over the crucial Strait of Hormuz threatened to reignite violence and worsen the regional conflict’s economic consequences.

Combat operations have resulted in at least 3,000 Iranian fatalities, more than 2,100 Lebanese deaths, 23 Israeli casualties, and over a dozen deaths in Gulf Arab nations. Thirteen American military personnel have also lost their lives.

US Central Command reported Tuesday that no vessels successfully bypassed the blockade during the initial 24-hour period, while six commercial ships followed American military directions to reverse course and return to Iranian territorial waters.

The naval blockade aims to apply pressure on Iran, which has continued exporting millions of oil barrels, primarily to Asian markets, since hostilities began February 28. Much of this trade likely involves covert shipping operations that circumvent sanctions and monitoring, generating crucial revenue for Iran’s continued operations.

Oil tankers approaching the strait Monday changed direction shortly after blockade implementation, though one vessel subsequently reversed course again and passed through the waterway.

Since conflict eruption, Iran has restricted maritime traffic, with most commercial shipping avoiding the passage. Tehran’s effective blockade of the strait, which normally handles one-fifth of global oil transit during peacetime, has caused petroleum prices to surge dramatically, increasing costs for gasoline, food, and essential commodities well beyond Middle Eastern borders.

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — A traditional soup crafted from cow stomach and legs is believed to remedy everything from stomach ulcers to morning-after misery — provided diners have the stomach for it.

Dimitris Tsarouhas, who runs a specialty restaurant in Thessaloniki, Greece, is working to have “patsa” officially recognized by UNESCO as an authentic Greek dish with roots stretching back to Homer’s ancient epic “The Odyssey.”

This effort has sparked fresh tensions with neighboring Turkey, which maintains the soup belongs to their culinary tradition. The two nations have long battled over food origins, from Turkish coffee and dolmas to the beloved pastry baklava — remnants of their shared Ottoman history. Turkish officials are now protesting Greek attempts to claim exclusive ownership of what they call “iskembe,” asserting it has been central to their culture for generations.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Tsarouhas explained he has assembled an extensive documentation file with assistance from a regional cultural group and Lena Oflidis, who authored the sole historical account of the soup’s origins, seeking to establish patsa as part of Greece’s official cultural legacy.

Customers flock to Tsarouhas’ establishment around the clock — especially in the early morning hours — drawn by patsa’s reputation for settling upset stomachs after excessive drinking. The dish typically comes topped with seeds and spicy peppers.

Each serving is customized to individual preferences, particularly regarding how finely the cow legs are diced — chunky pieces or fine cuts being the typical breakfast choice.

“Cow leg meat provides 33.4% pure, digestible collagen — medical professionals say this significantly aids joint surgery recovery,” explains the 53-year-old restaurant owner. “It also treats ulcers and digestive problems from alcohol.”

Within the restaurant kitchen, soup preparation resembles a ceremony as chef Pantazis Koukoumvris skillfully works his blade beside bubbling pots where legs and stomachs simmer in rich broth.

“The artistry starts each morning,” Koukoumvris explains, drawing on 22 years of patsa preparation experience.

“We start boiling the stomachs and legs to create the base broth in smaller vessels,” he describes, noting that Byzantines inherited this recipe from ancient Greeks before passing it to the Ottomans.

Tsarouhas points to “The Odyssey” as evidence, specifically referencing the banquet Penelope arranged for her suitors when Odysseus returned from his decade-long voyage.

According to Tsarouhas, the text describes cow stomachs stuffed with suet — cooking fat — and blood.

“What else could this describe besides patsa?” he questions.

Despite Turkish claims to the soup’s invention, Tsarouhas remains confident. He welcomes their challenge if they’re prepared to back up their assertions.

“Nothing prevents them from attempting it,” he states. “We’re confident we possess the necessary evidence to establish and validate patsa’s status. There’s nothing to split with our neighbors — flavor brings us together instead.”

Shared culinary appreciation isn’t on Ali Turkmen’s agenda. The 59-year-old Turkish restaurant owner insists the dish belongs historically and culturally to Turkey, though the soup serves the same late-night comfort food role after heavy drinking as it does in Greece.

“Like baklava and numerous other items, they seek to make it theirs,” Turkmen commented regarding Greece’s ownership claim. “However, they’ll likely struggle to appropriate something uniquely ours. It’s been embedded in our culture for centuries. Tripe soup is distinctly Turkish.”

Ali Ohtamis manages the kitchen at Turkmen’s Istanbul restaurant Alem Iskembe, which specializes in the soup in the Kiziltoprak district.

Ohtamis begins cooking cow stomachs — the tripe — at 4 a.m. daily after thorough cleaning and washing. The cooking process takes eight to nine hours, he notes, before the meat gets sliced according to customer specifications.

Though both Greek and Turkish versions feature rich, garlic-heavy broths, Turkish iskembe contains only tripe.

Turkish news outlets have condemned Greece for “stealing” a nationally cherished dish. The Onedio news website referenced 17th-century explorer Evliya Celebi’s “Book of Travels,” which documented tripe and trotters soup vendors in Istanbul, presenting this as proof of the soup’s 400-year Turkish history.

Alem Iskembe patron Murat Pajik firmly believes Turkey must resist the Greek initiative.

“I’m unsure who’s accountable, but action is required. Tripe soup represents one of our dishes deserving global recognition,” Pajik declared.

Engin Cakar argued that Greek ownership claims are futile.

“Greece’s approach seems wrong to me. This tripe recipe comes from our ancestors, our mothers,” he stated.

In Greece, Christos Mousoulis holds a different view. As a regular customer at Tsarouhas’ restaurant, he maintains that patsa has been prepared traditionally in Greek households across generations.

“I don’t question that patsa flavors, whether Greek or Turkish — which I haven’t sampled — might be comparable, but we were raised on Greek patsa,” he observes.

TOKYO – Over the past ten years, Japan has systematically removed some of the globe’s most restrictive weapons export prohibitions, marking a significant departure from the post-World War II pacifist approach that previously guided its defense policies.

The transformation began in 2014 when former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe eliminated an almost complete prohibition on arms exports that had been in effect since 1976. The new policy permitted certain transfers for humanitarian aid and international cooperation that would strengthen Japan’s security, along with collaborative development projects.

Two years later, the Philippines became the first nation to lease five previously-owned TC-90 training aircraft for maritime surveillance missions over the contested South China Sea, representing the initial major military equipment transfer following the policy revision.

However, Japan’s export aspirations faced an early disappointment in 2016 when Australia turned down a Japanese government-supported $40 billion proposal from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to provide sophisticated diesel submarines. Australia instead chose a competing French design.

A breakthrough came in 2020 when Mitsubishi Electric achieved a historic milestone as the first Japanese corporation to sell brand-new defense equipment internationally, securing a contract to provide air-surveillance radar systems to the Philippines.

Japan’s defense collaboration expanded significantly in 2022 when it partnered with Britain and Italy in the Global Combat Air Programme, aimed at developing an advanced stealth fighter aircraft by the mid-2030s. This marked Japan’s first major joint defense initiative without U.S. involvement.

In 2023, Tokyo created the Overseas Security Assistance program, a framework for providing military support to allied nations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. This initiative has delivered patrol vessels to Indonesia and Bangladesh, unmanned aircraft to Tonga and Sri Lanka, and radar technology to Djibouti and the Philippines.

The same year brought the first modification to the 2014 export regulations, permitting equipment manufactured under license to be sold back to the originating country. This adjustment allowed Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to provide Patriot air defense systems to the United States, indirectly supporting Washington’s efforts to arm Ukraine.

A subsequent adjustment in 2024 authorized future international sales of the GCAP fighter aircraft, while maintaining restrictions on exports to nations engaged in active conflicts.

Japan achieved its largest military export success in 2025 when Australia selected an enhanced version of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Mogami-class frigate in a $7 billion contract for 11 vessels to replace its aging Anzac-class fleet.

Also in 2025, Japan announced it would double OSA funding to partner nations, including several facing maritime pressure from China.

Looking ahead to 2026, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s governing party recommended in April eliminating restrictions that currently limit arms sales to five categories: transportation, relief and rescue operations, early warning systems, surveillance, and mine clearance. These modifications, expected to receive government approval this month, will maintain the prohibition on conflict zone exports except under extraordinary circumstances.

BEIJING – Chinese government officials on Wednesday dismissed American allegations that Beijing is applying military intimidation tactics against Taiwan, characterizing these accusations as deliberate misrepresentations that reveal “malicious intentions” from Washington.

Beijing has intensified its military operations in the vicinity of Taiwan, a democratically-run island that China considers part of its territory. These activities have included multiple military exercises, with the most recent live-ammunition drills conducted in late December.

“Certain people on the U.S. side are jumping up and down, continuously rehashing the so-called ‘mainland threat’ or ‘military pressure,’” Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, told reporters.

Chen described these characterizations as “a complete distortion of the facts and harbours malicious intentions,” emphasizing that Taiwan represents a domestic Chinese matter that will not tolerate external meddling.

The Chinese official called on Washington to exercise extreme care and manage Taiwan-related issues with careful consideration.

Beijing has consistently called for an end to American arms sales to Taiwan, which serves as the island’s primary international supporter despite the absence of official diplomatic relations between Washington and Taipei.

These Wednesday statements followed last week’s State Department appeal for China to engage in dialogue with Taiwan and end its military and other forms of pressure against the island. The timing coincided with Taiwan opposition figure Cheng Li-wun’s meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Beijing refuses diplomatic contact with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, labeling him a “separatist.” Lai dismisses China’s territorial claims, maintaining that only Taiwan’s citizens have the authority to determine their island’s destiny.

Cheng stated her visit aimed to promote peaceful relations, during which China announced measures intended to benefit Taiwan, including relaxed restrictions on food exports. However, Beijing continued its routine military operations around the island throughout her stay.

Taiwan’s administration maintains that government officials, rather than private party representatives, should lead diplomatic engagement with China.

Cheng’s visit occurred one month before a planned trip by U.S. President Donald Trump, with the opposition leader expressing hope for improved Chinese-American relations and cooperation.

“We can definitely go down the path of peace,” Cheng, the chairwoman of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, told a Taiwan radio station on Wednesday. “This is the important message I hope to send to Washington.”

While China has not ruled out military action to bring Taiwan under its authority, Beijing states it favors “peaceful reunification,” a message it has emphasized more frequently in recent weeks.

Chen expressed hope that Taiwan’s population would recognize the benefits of such an arrangement, citing reduced living expenses and improved housing conditions.

“In short, national reunification is not only a great moral cause, but also of great benefit,” he added.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency announced Wednesday that North Korea has dramatically expanded its nuclear weapons manufacturing capabilities.

Rafael Grossi, who leads the United Nations nuclear monitoring agency, made the statement while visiting Seoul. He reported observing significantly increased operations at multiple installations within North Korea’s primary Yongbyon nuclear facility, including the five-megawatt reactor, reprocessing plant, light water reactor, and additional structures.

According to Grossi’s assessment, North Korea’s nuclear weapons stockpile is believed to contain several dozen warheads.

The conflict involving Iran has transformed routine international shipping into a costly logistical nightmare, with cargo vessels forced to navigate complex detours that are driving up prices for consumers worldwide.

What was once a straightforward 45-day journey for Austrian spruce lumber destined for Qatar’s construction industry has become an expensive odyssey involving multiple ports, overland trucking, and vessel transfers.

Before the current crisis, these construction-grade timber pieces – commonly called 2x4s in the building industry – followed a predictable path from Austria to Dubai’s Jebel Ali port, then onward to Qatar’s Hamad Port via smaller cargo ships.

Now these same shipments must be unloaded at alternative ports, transported by truck across land, and reloaded onto different vessels, creating additional expenses in the thousands of dollars and extending delivery schedules by months.

The disruption affects far more than just wooden construction beams. Medical supplies, food products, and the white wood spruce lumber used extensively in building projects are all experiencing significant delays and cost increases.

These two-inch by four-inch timber pieces, available in multiple lengths, may not represent critical strategic materials, but any supply shortage threatens to slow construction projects while inflating building costs across the region.

One Qatar-based building materials distributor, speaking anonymously to Reuters, described how the February 28 U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran disrupted his business operations. At that time, he had 17 shipping containers of white wood timber in transit.

Each shipping container carries approximately 2,850 individual Austrian spruce beams, representing roughly 15,000 euros ($17,702) in value.

His cargo departed Croatia’s Rijeka port according to schedule, but instead of proceeding to Jebel Ali as planned, the shipment was redirected to Khor Fakkan on the UAE’s eastern coastline to avoid passing through the now-dangerous Strait of Hormuz passage required to reach Jebel Ali.

Following this port change, the timber was loaded onto trucks for transport to Abu Dhabi, where it was transferred again to smaller cargo vessels heading toward Doha. This complicated rerouting process added approximately $3,600 in extra charges per container, though some shipping companies quoted surcharges as high as $5,000 per container – more than tripling the typical cost of transporting a 40-foot container of lumber from Europe to Qatar.

Despite these expensive adjustments, the cargo still hasn’t reached Qatar, with delivery now expected to require an additional one to two months.

Meanwhile, several containers of plywood ordered by the same supplier were loaded onto feeder vessels at Jebel Ali but spent weeks at sea before being returned to port, demonstrating how importers lose oversight of their shipments once vessels depart.

The financial impact on consumers has been substantial. Previously, the supplier sold standard 2×4 pieces for approximately QAR 23-25 ($6.30-$6.90) each. The additional expenses from rerouting and extended transit times have pushed his selling prices to QAR 35-37 ($9.60-$10.20) per piece.

Future shipments may prove even more expensive. Routing timber through Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port of Jeddah represents one alternative under consideration, but would involve higher shipping fees and trucking materials 1,500 kilometers across the Arabian Peninsula to Qatar, further increasing per-unit costs.

Similar disruptions are affecting numerous other supply chains throughout the region.

Logistics company Geodis had originally planned to transport medicine from the UK to Dubai in approximately four days by air. That same journey now requires about 40 days using combined land and sea transportation.

For containers of onions traveling from India’s western coast to Dubai warehouses, what was previously a week-long voyage has become a three-week journey costing twice as much, according to Ravi Punjabi, Managing Director at Avalon General Land Transport, a UAE-based logistics firm.

Dubai and the broader United Arab Emirates benefit from having built their economies around serving as regional centers for tourism and trade, with the strategic advantage of ports like Fujairah and Khor Fakkan located on the Arabian Sea outside the Persian Gulf.

Other regional countries face more severe challenges, particularly Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, which rely heavily on Gulf shipping routes and passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Gulf governments have attempted to coordinate responses to ease these transportation bottlenecks.

During a recent meeting with regional counterparts, Saudi Arabia’s Transport Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser announced new measures, including permission for empty refrigerated trucks from other Gulf nations to enter Saudi Arabia and the creation of shared storage and redistribution facilities at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam.

Dubai has also established what officials describe as a green corridor arrangement with Oman, enabling goods diverted to Omani ports to be trucked directly to the UAE with expedited customs processing and facilitating UAE exports to global markets through Omani ports.

However, these solutions remain imperfect, and transportation industry executives predict that cargo flows into Dubai and onward to other Gulf capitals will likely continue operating at reduced speeds and higher costs.

Prices for food items, personal care products and industrial supplies have already increased by 5% to 10% across parts of the region since late February, with additional price increases possible if shipping disruptions continue.

Geodis executive Eric Martin-Neuville noted that certain items, including some medications and food requiring refrigeration, face particular vulnerability.

“You have only so many plugs for electricity, so you can only accommodate so many containers in the port,” he explained.

This uncertainty compounds existing challenges for businesses that have already experienced prolonged disruption.

While 45 days represented standard shipping time for white wood from Europe before February, there was a period before Red Sea Houthi attacks began in 2023 when shipments took only about a month. Although those attacks have diminished, most shipping companies continue detouring around the Cape of Good Hope.

In Qatar, the building materials supplier reported having sufficient white wood inventory for several months, but must soon place new orders without knowing which shipping routes will be available or their associated costs.

A deadly industrial accident in central India has claimed the lives of 14 workers and left 20 others wounded after a massive boiler explosion rocked a Vedanta Ltd power facility on Tuesday.

The tragic incident occurred at the company’s Singhitarai plant, located approximately 230 kilometers from Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh state. Authorities have yet to determine the exact circumstances that led to the devastating blast.

District Superintendent of Police PK Thakur provided updated casualty figures to Reuters, stating: “The death toll from the Vedanta power plant blast in Chhattisgarh has risen to 14, and the number of injured has increased to 20.”

According to Thakur, preliminary investigations suggest the explosion may have resulted from excessive heat buildup within the boiler’s tubing system.

Vedanta Ltd has acknowledged the tragedy in an official statement, describing it as an “unfortunate incident” at their Singhitarai facility. The company indicated that a comprehensive investigation is currently in progress to identify the root cause of the explosion.

Local law enforcement confirmed the incident details on Wednesday, one day after the industrial accident occurred.

During his ongoing Australian tour, Prince Harry opened up about the emotional challenges of becoming a father, sharing personal insights about parenthood while visiting a Melbourne sports facility on Wednesday.

The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan are currently on a four-day Australian visit focused on sports initiatives, mental health awareness, and veterans’ support programs.

Speaking at the Western Bulldogs Australian rules football training facility, Harry delivered remarks about early parenting struggles during an event co-sponsored by the Movember mental health organization.

“Certainly, I felt a disconnection because my wife was the one creating life, and I was there to witness it,” Harry shared with attendees.

“From a therapy standpoint, you want to be the best version of yourself for your kids. And I knew that I had stuff from the past that I needed to deal with, and therefore prepare myself to basically cleanse myself of the past,” he continued.

Harry and Meghan’s children, Archie and Lilibet, remained in the United States during this trip.

The royal couple relocated to America in 2020 after stepping away from official royal duties, seeking financial independence and privacy from intense media attention.

Their last Australian visit occurred in 2018 as working royals, when they announced Meghan’s first pregnancy shortly after landing in Sydney.

Public reaction to their current visit has been divided across Australia, where King Charles serves as head of state despite growing republican sentiment among some citizens.

While hundreds of families and children warmly welcomed the couple at a Melbourne children’s hospital Tuesday, other Australians have criticized their visit.

A Sydney Morning Herald editorial described the trip as “tone-deaf hawking by a couple estranged from reality” rather than a genuine royal engagement.

Although the couple is privately financing their travel expenses, Australian taxpayers are covering some security costs, prompting a protest petition that has gathered over 45,000 signatures.

Unlike their previous official visit, this trip includes commercial ventures, with Meghan planning to host a weekend wellness retreat at an upscale Sydney beachfront resort.

The wellness event, featuring yoga sessions, manifestation workshops, and sound healing, carries ticket prices starting at approximately $1,912 per participant.

Thousands of people, including Holocaust survivors from across the globe, came together at the former Auschwitz concentration camp to participate in the March of the Living commemoration.

At the same time, Israel conducted its official state ceremony in Jerusalem to remember Holocaust victims, with the solemn observance taking place as the nation remains engaged in military conflict.

The commemorative events were documented in a collection of photographs assembled by Associated Press photo editors.

A diplomatic conflict between South Korea and Israel appears to have been settled, according to statements from Seoul officials on Wednesday.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced that a senior Israeli official confirmed Israel’s acceptance of Seoul’s clarification regarding controversial social media posts made by President Lee Jae Myung about the Holocaust, indicating the matter has been put to rest.

The diplomatic tension arose when President Lee posted on the social media platform X, drawing parallels between Israeli military operations targeting Palestinians and the Holocaust. These remarks triggered both international diplomatic friction and criticism within South Korea, with Israeli officials expressing strong objections to the comparison.

WASHINGTON – A coalition of ten nations issued a strong rebuke Tuesday regarding the deaths of United Nations peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, as violence continues between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.

The international group, which includes Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, released a coordinated statement expressing grave concerns about the deteriorating conditions in the region.

“Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland and the United Kingdom remain deeply concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation and displacement crisis in Lebanon,” the nations declared in their Tuesday announcement, while demanding a cessation of fighting.

The diplomatic response follows the tragic deaths of three UN peacekeepers last month. According to initial UN investigation results, the fatalities resulted from an Israeli tank round and an explosive device that investigators believe was most likely deployed by Hezbollah forces.

Federal authorities have targeted a prominent Mexican human rights advocate with sanctions, claiming he has been secretly working for a major drug trafficking organization while publicly criticizing Mexico’s military forces.

The Treasury Department announced Tuesday that Raymundo Ramos, who heads the Committee for Human Rights of Nuevo Laredo, has been operating as a cartel operative for over ten years while maintaining his public role as an activist. Officials claim Ramos has been creating fabricated allegations against Mexico’s Army to benefit the Cartel of the Northeast (CDN).

“On the CDN payroll, Ramos engages in these activities with the goal of boosting the public opinion of CDN and discrediting Mexican authorities’ law enforcement initiatives against the cartel,” the Treasury Department said in a statement.

The sanctions freeze any U.S.-based assets belonging to Ramos and prohibit American citizens and businesses from conducting transactions with him. Ramos has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations.

Operating from Nuevo Laredo, a border city in Tamaulipas state known for extreme violence, Ramos has established himself as one of the region’s most visible human rights advocates. Last year, he brought attention to alleged unlawful killings by military personnel, releasing footage that appeared to show Army soldiers fatally shooting five young men in a pickup truck, with one victim shot in the back of the neck. The previous year, he accused Navy personnel of forcibly disappearing civilians.

Both incidents prompted Mexican officials to detain military personnel and launch investigations, though it remains unclear whether formal charges or convictions resulted from these probes.

Mexico’s attorney general’s office has not responded to inquiries about the allegations against Ramos or whether they are conducting their own investigation into his activities.

Notably, in 2020, Mexican government agencies used Pegasus surveillance software to monitor Ramos’ communications, according to research by Mexico’s Digital Rights Defense Network and Toronto-based Citizen Lab. The organizations identified him among hundreds of Mexican journalists and activists who were subjected to government surveillance through the controversial spyware program.

Tensions are rising in Peru as ballot counting from Sunday’s presidential election enters its third day, generating accusations of electoral misconduct and prompting legislative intervention, while uncertainty persists over who will challenge conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori in the runoff.

Fujimori, who previously served in Congress and is the child of deceased former President Alberto Fujimori, continues to hold the top position with 16.8% of votes cast in Sunday’s contest, based on official tallies covering approximately 80% of all ballots.

The former congresswoman is positioned to move forward to a second-round election scheduled for June 7, as no contender has approached the 50% threshold required for an immediate victory. This marks Fujimori’s fourth attempt at securing the presidency.

Behind her, a competitive battle is developing, with right-leaning former Lima Mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga holding second position at roughly 12% of votes, while center-left contender Jorge Nieto follows closely at approximately 11%, based on data from ONPE, the South American country’s election oversight body.

Left-wing legislator Roberto Sanchez occupied fourth position, capturing slightly more than 10% of the vote.

While ballot processing continues, claims of electoral misconduct have gained broader circulation. Lopez Aliaga, who previously declared that a “brutal fraud” was occurring, received support Tuesday from Sanchez, who expressed doubts about the process’s legitimacy, though both failed to present supporting evidence for their claims.

Several observers noted that the delayed counting mirrors patterns from past elections in the mineral-rich nation, pointing out that former President Pedro Castillo’s victory wasn’t officially validated until eight days following the 2021 runoff election.

INTERNATIONAL MONITORING

Election monitors from the European Union reported finding no substantial proof supporting fraud claims that have emerged since Sunday, while recognizing notable difficulties in the process.

“It is clear that there have been serious problems,” stated Annalisa Corrado, who leads the EU Election Observation Mission to Peru, during Tuesday’s media briefing, while noting that observers had “not found objective elements to support the narrative of fraud.”

The extended counting period resulted from operational breakdowns that disrupted the transport of voting supplies on Sunday, forcing officials to extend polling hours into Monday for over 50,000 citizens who couldn’t vote on the designated election day, primarily affecting areas within Lima, the nation’s capital housing roughly one-third of all voters.

Piero Corvetto, who heads Peru’s election commission, testified before Congress following lawmakers’ demands for explanations regarding the delays. He rejected suggestions of major irregularities, blaming the postponements on a single mistake in ballot material distribution. Corvetto issued an apology for the disruptions.

The election, encompassing both presidential and congressional contests, created multiple obstacles for both voters and election officials, Corvetto explained, following extended political instability in Peru that has weakened institutional trust and left numerous citizens feeling discouraged.

Peru has experienced a succession of different presidents in recent years, creating doubt about whether any new government will complete a full five-year mandate given ongoing impeachment efforts, corruption investigations, and unstable governing partnerships.

The nation’s temporary President Jose Balcazar assumed office through legislative appointment in February, succeeding removed President Jose Jeri, who was ousted by Congress after serving only four months due to controversy over undisclosed communications with a Chinese business figure.

An American naval destroyer stopped two Iranian oil tankers and directed them to return to port on Tuesday, marking the second day of President Donald Trump’s maritime blockade against Iran, according to a U.S. official who requested anonymity.

The vessels had departed from Chabahar port along the Gulf of Oman when the American warship made radio contact with them, the official reported. Details about any additional warnings issued remain unknown.

This incident provides new insight into the early stages of Trump’s blockade strategy, designed to compel Iran to stop its effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that handles approximately 20% of global oil shipments.

The president hopes this naval operation will force Iran to agree to American demands for concluding a conflict that began February 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli military action, particularly requiring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has indicated this condition is also part of a temporary ceasefire agreement with Iran set to end next week.

Policy experts remain skeptical about the blockade’s effectiveness. Noam Raydan from The Washington Institute for Near East Policy noted that tracking information did confirm one tanker reversing course after the blockade started, but warned that many vessels involved in Iranian oil operations disable their tracking systems.

“We just don’t know yet how effective it is. We are still in day two,” Raydan stated.

The U.S. official confirmed these two tankers were part of six commercial ships that U.S. Central Command announced earlier Tuesday had complied with orders to “turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman.”

Central Command reported that no vessels have successfully bypassed the blockade since its Monday launch at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.

The blockade represents a substantial military operation requiring more than 10,000 American service members, over twelve warships, and numerous aircraft, according to military officials.

U.S. military commanders say they will continue protecting navigation rights for ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, provided those vessels are not traveling to or from Iranian ports.

Trump declared the blockade after weekend negotiations to end the ongoing conflict collapsed. Oil markets initially spiked above $100 per barrel before retreating Tuesday amid speculation about renewed diplomatic talks.

Should Trump’s approach prove successful, it would remove Iran’s primary bargaining chip in discussions with Washington and restore normal commercial traffic through the strait. However, military analysts warn that blockades constitute acts of war requiring sustained deployment of substantial naval forces.

Such action could also prompt new Iranian retaliation and place additional stress on the already tenuous ceasefire agreement.

Iranian threats against shipping have driven global oil prices up roughly 50%. The conflict has claimed approximately 5,000 lives so far.

Extensive U.S. military strikes have significantly damaged Iran’s armed forces. Nevertheless, experts believe Tehran has emerged from the fighting as a persistent challenge for Washington, now featuring more hardline leadership and hidden reserves of weapons-grade uranium.

Raydan predicted likely Iranian countermeasures if the blockade proves effective and continues long-term, highlighting Iranian warnings to attack Gulf nations hosting U.S. military bases and Iran’s history of targeting commercial vessels.

“We’re in the testing period,” Raydan concluded.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts continued Tuesday as officials worked to organize another round of negotiations between the United States and Iran following Washington’s implementation of a naval blockade at Iranian ports, while Tehran issued warnings of potential retaliatory strikes throughout the conflict-torn region.

President Donald Trump indicated that another round of negotiations could take place “over the next two days,” informing the New York Post that discussions might once again occur in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres agreed with this assessment, stating it’s “highly probable” that negotiations will resume. He referenced a discussion he held with Pakistan’s deputy prime minister, Ishaq Dar.

In Washington, the first face-to-face discussions in decades between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States wrapped up with positive results, the State Department reported.

Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter stated that both nations are “on the same side of the equation” regarding “liberating Lebanon” from Hezbollah militants. Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad described the session as “constructive” while calling for an end to the current conflict between Israel and Iran-supported Hezbollah forces. This war has forced over 1 million Lebanese people from their homes since March.

Israel and Lebanon have remained technically in a state of war since Israel’s establishment in 1948, with Lebanon continuing to be sharply divided regarding diplomatic relations with Israel.

Initial negotiations held in Pakistan over the weekend, designed to permanently resolve the US-Iran conflict, failed to reach any agreement. The White House identified Iran’s nuclear program as a primary obstacle.

A US official stated Tuesday that additional discussions with Iran remain under consideration, though no meetings have been confirmed. The official requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations.

Pakistan’s finance minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, informed The Associated Press that “our leadership is not giving up” on efforts to help resolve the US-Iran conflict.

“We’ll keep at it,” Aurangzeb stated Tuesday.

While the ceasefire appeared stable, the standoff over the crucial Strait of Hormuz threatened to restart fighting and worsen the regional conflict’s economic impact.

The conflict, now entering its seventh week, has disrupted markets and shaken the global economy as shipping routes have been blocked and airstrikes have devastated military and civilian infrastructure throughout the region.

The violence has claimed at least 3,000 lives in Iran, over 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab nations. Thirteen American service members have also died.

The blockade aims to pressure Iran, which has shipped millions of oil barrels, primarily to Asian markets, since fighting began February 28. Much of this oil likely moved through covert transportation methods that avoid sanctions and monitoring, providing crucial revenue for Iran’s operations.

US Central Command reported Tuesday that no vessels successfully passed the blockade during the initial 24-hour period, while six commercial ships followed US military directions to reverse course and return to an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman.

Oil tankers approaching the strait Monday changed direction shortly after the blockade began, though one vessel reversed course again and passed through the waterway.

The tanker Rich Starry had been positioned off the United Arab Emirates coast, according to shipping data company Lloyd’s List, which referenced information from energy cargo-tracking firm Vortexa. It remained unclear whether the tanker had previously docked in Iran, though the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control listed it as connected to Iranian shipping.

Lloyd’s List, using ship registry and tracking information, indicated the vessel belongs to a Chinese shipping company and was destined for China with a planned stop at an Omani port south of the strait. The ship modified its broadcast signal Tuesday evening to remove its previous destination of Sohar, Oman, according to maritime analytics firm MarineTraffic tracking data.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Chinese tankers would be prohibited from passing through the strait. “So they’re not going to be able to get their oil,” he informed reporters Tuesday.

In unusual public criticism apparently aimed at Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that nations should “oppose the world’s retrogression to the law of the jungle.” Xi emphasized that countries should work to “jointly safeguard genuine multilateralism.”

Since the conflict began, Iran has restricted maritime traffic, with most commercial vessels avoiding the waterway. Tehran’s effective closure of the strait, which handles one-fifth of global oil transit during peaceful times, has caused oil prices to surge, increasing costs for gasoline, food, and other essential goods well beyond the Middle East.

Trump has warned he will destroy any Iranian military ships that challenge the US blockade. Iran has promised to target Persian Gulf ports if attacked.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will jointly lead a conference Friday for nations willing to provide warships to escort oil tankers and container ships through the strait. The deployment will occur “when security conditions allow,” Macron’s office announced Tuesday.

The Israel-Lebanon discussions in Washington were “productive,” the State Department confirmed, noting that “all sides agreed to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who facilitated the discussions, had minimized expectations for immediate results.

Israeli ambassador Leiter stated after the talks that both countries found common ground in multiple areas.

“The Lebanese government made it very clear that they will no longer be occupied by Hezbollah, and Iran has been weakened. Hezbollah is dramatically weakened,” he explained. “This is an opportunity.”

Lebanon’s top US envoy Moawad issued a brief statement calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and the safe return of Lebanese civilians displaced by the fighting.

Following the ceasefire in Iran, Israel continued its air and ground operations, maintaining that the truce does not cover fighting in Lebanon. However, it has suspended strikes in Beirut, the country’s capital since April 8, after a devastating bombardment that struck multiple crowded commercial and residential areas in central Beirut and killed over 350 people in a single day.

These casualties prompted international condemnation and Iranian threats to abandon the ceasefire.

Lebanese officials have advocated for a ceasefire. Israel has structured the negotiations around Hezbollah’s disarmament and a possible peace agreement, without publicly promising to stop hostilities or withdraw its forces.

Israel wants Lebanon’s government to take responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, similar to what was outlined in a November 2024 ceasefire. However, the militant organization has withstood decades of efforts to reduce its power and announced Monday that it will not honor any agreements that might emerge from the talks.