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BUDAPEST, April 13 – Following his party’s decisive electoral triumph on Sunday, Hungary’s incoming leader Peter Magyar announced Monday his commitment to constitutional reforms aimed at rebuilding democratic institutions after more than a decade and a half of nationalist leadership.

Magyar’s center-right Tisza party defeated longtime Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his nationalist Fidesz party in what he described as a clear signal that Hungarians want their nation firmly positioned within Europe following 16 years under nationalist governance.

The electoral outcome represents a significant blow to Orban’s international supporters, including allies in Russia and U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

During a Budapest press conference, Magyar detailed his administration’s priorities and timeline for assuming control.

Regarding the transition of power, Magyar stated: “According to the rules, the result of the election becomes final by May 4 the latest, but this could happen earlier and the President… must convene the first session of the new parliament 30 days after the election at the latest.”

He directly addressed President Tamas Sulyok, saying: “I call on President Tamas Sulyok to convene the inaugural session as soon as possible, and not wait until May 12.”

On Hungary’s relationship with the European Union, Magyar emphasized the historical significance of the timing, declaring: “The Hungarian people yesterday, exactly 23 years after the referendum on our EU membership, confirmed Hungary’s place in Europe.”

He added: “I would like to see a strong Central Europe within a strong EU.”

Outlining his reform agenda, Magyar detailed several immediate priorities: “We will have a lot of tasks… the first, to adopt the functional measures, to start Hungary’s accession to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office… to amend the fundamental law (constitution), and to write into it that in the future in Hungary anyone can only serve as prime minister for two terms, which is eight years.”

Addressing concerns about democratic governance, Magyar pledged: “We will fundamentally restore, we will do everything to restore the rule of law, plural democracy, and the system of checks and balances.”

He emphasized his commitment to democratic methods, stating: “I would like to underline that we will not use anti-democratic measures to restore the rule of law, but luckily our two-thirds mandate allows us to do a lot.”

Magyar outlined his vision for government’s role in judicial independence: “A government’s job is to ensure the independence of the judiciary, the independence of the investigative authorities, to provide all possible financial and other resources to carry out their tasks.”

Regarding the current president, Magyar took a firm stance against Sulyok, who assumed the ceremonial position with Fidesz party support. “We don’t need this president,” Magyar declared, criticizing him for merely approving all proposals without scrutiny.

“I call on him to leave, if he doesn’t, we will find a solution,” Magyar added.

On economic matters and the central bank, Magyar acknowledged the nation’s financial challenges while expressing willingness to collaborate with current leadership under certain conditions.

“Hungary is in a difficult financial and economic situation. The National Bank is primarily responsible for ensuring exchange rate stability. I myself believe… Governor Mihaly Varga is doing his job in line with the central bank law and I think that in a country which is in a difficult economic situation, cooperation with the national bank is important… of course while respecting the independence of the central bank,” he explained.

Magyar outlined his approach to working with the central bank: “So I will try to work this way, and if we see that the central bank governor and the bank itself work in line with their legal mandate and are not, for example, trying to obstruct the financial policy of the new government… then we will be able to work together. We do not need yet more chaos… to harm investors’ confidence in Hungary.”

On social issues including LGBTQ+ rights and public demonstrations, Magyar reaffirmed his party’s inclusive stance.

“I have clearly stated several times already last year that everyone has the right to assemble in Hungary,” he said.

He continued: “We have clearly stated that, according to Tisza and the many millions of Hungarians who support Tisza, everyone can live with, and love, whomever they want, as long as they do not violate the laws and do not harm others.”

ROME – Italian politicians and religious officials came to Pope Leo’s defense Monday following harsh criticism from Donald Trump, creating a diplomatic challenge for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as she navigates between Italy’s Vatican relationship and her Trump alliance.

The controversy began when Trump labeled the pope as “terrible,” prompting an unusual direct reply from Leo, who declared he held “no fear” of the American administration and would persist in condemning the U.S.-led conflict with Iran while advocating for immigrant rights.

Meloni, who has built strong connections with Trump over recent years, released a statement supporting Leo as he departed for an extensive four-country African tour, though she avoided directly addressing Trump’s harsh words.

“May the Holy Father’s ministry help foster the resolution of conflicts and the return of peace, both within nations and among them,” Meloni stated, showing papal support while steering clear of criticizing the American president.

Political rivals quickly seized on Meloni’s careful response, arguing her Trump relationship has become a political liability in Italy, where polling shows 66% of citizens view the U.S. leader unfavorably due to his confrontational international approach.

“As a Catholic, I am outraged by a prime minister who invokes Christian values but cannot find the strength and courage to condemn Trump’s unacceptable blasphemy against the pope and the Catholic world,” declared Angelo Bonelli from the left-wing AVS party, also referencing Trump’s later social media post featuring an AI-created image of himself as Jesus.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, despite his own past Trump associations, offered more direct criticism of the American leader, reflecting how European far-right politicians are distancing themselves from Trump’s movement.

“Pope Leo is a spiritual leader for billions of Catholics, but beyond that, if there is one person striving for peace, it is Pope Leo, and so attacking him does not seem either wise or helpful,” Salvini stated.

The pope serves as Rome’s bishop and guides millions of Italian Catholics, making politicians across the political spectrum extremely cautious about confronting him.

“It has been centuries since such a blatant act of aggression against the Roman Pontiff was seen,” commented former center-left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, emphasizing the importance for both Catholics and non-believers to support Leo.

“He is, after all, a ‘builder of bridges,’ unlike Trump, a destroyer of relationships and of civilisation. The only advantage is this: Trumps come and go, popes remain,” Renzi added.

His remarks reflected the traditional Italian expression “chi mangia papa crepa,” roughly translating to “whoever tries to devour the pope dies” – a saying rooted in centuries of conflict between papal authority and political rulers.

“Trump has made the mistake of the century, because ‘chi mangia papa crepa’ has been borne out repeatedly,” observed church historian Alberto Melloni, citing Italy’s royal House of Savoy, which repeatedly clashed with Vatican authority only to eventually fall while the papacy endured.

Vatican official Antonio Spadaro, a Roman Catholic priest and undersecretary of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education, suggested Trump’s attack actually demonstrated his own vulnerability.

“If Leo were irrelevant, he would not merit any comment. Instead, he is invoked, named, opposed — a sign that his words matter,” Spadaro posted on social media. “This is where the Church’s moral force emerges. Not as a counter-power, but as a space in which power is judged by a standard it does not control.”

A comprehensive study released Monday by Tel Aviv University reveals that deadly attacks targeting Jewish communities reached their most severe levels in decades throughout 2025, with researchers documenting 20 fatalities across four separate incidents spanning three continents. The findings show incident numbers fluctuated inconsistently from nation to nation.

The extensive 152-page research, published jointly by Tel Aviv University’s Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry and the Irwin Cotler Institute, documented increases in physical attacks across multiple regions. Anti-Jewish incidents in Western nations continued to register at levels dozens of percentage points above 2022 figures, prior to the Gaza conflict’s start.

Researchers noted that the downward trend observed following the initial spike after October 7 failed to persist throughout 2025. Prof. Uriya Shavit, who served as the study’s editor-in-chief, expressed alarm about the implications. “The data raise concern that a high level of antisemitic incidents is becoming a normalized reality,” Shavit stated. He connected the increase in serious violence to enforcement patterns, explaining: “When law-enforcement authorities are indifferent to small crimes, the result is big crimes.”

The research highlighted particularly troubling statistics from Australia and Canada. Australian authorities documented 1,750 incidents during 2025, representing an increase from 1,727 cases in 2024 and a dramatic jump from just 472 incidents in 2022. The study specifically highlighted the devastating Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack, which claimed 15 lives. Canadian figures showed an escalation from 6,219 incidents in 2024 to 6,800 in 2025, more than tripling the 2022 total.

British incidents climbed from 3,556 to 3,700, with researchers noting increased activity during the final quarter of 2025 following the Gaza war’s conclusion. French authorities reported fewer overall incidents compared to 2024, though physical attacks increased. Belgian data showed rises in both total incident counts and assault numbers. German statistics reflected an overall decrease in incidents, although the reduction in violent cases was more modest. New York City experienced a slight decline in anti-Jewish hate crime reports overall, but saw increases during the October-December period compared to the previous year.

The study included harsh criticism of Israeli government efforts, stating officials had “not contributed in any meaningful way” to combating antisemitism and had actually undermined these efforts by expanding the term’s definition for political purposes. Report authors recommended eliminating the Israeli Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, suggesting its resources be redirected to overseas diplomatic missions.

Additional research within the report analyzed prosecuted perpetrators across the United States, France, Canada, and Britain from 2020 through 2025, revealing many were individual actors representing opposing ideological positions, including white supremacists and anti-Zionist Muslims. Former Canadian Justice Minister Prof. Irwin Cotler characterized the situation as “an unprecedented global explosion in incidents of antisemitism.” The study also examined antisemitism within healthcare settings and the increasing acceptance of anti-Jewish language in American political discussions.

BEIJING, April 13 – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed deep concern Monday about the stability of the existing US-Iran ceasefire, describing the situation as “very fragile” during diplomatic discussions.

Speaking with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in a telephone conversation, Wang called on nations worldwide to “unequivocally oppose any actions that undermine the ceasefire or escalate the confrontation,” according to statements from Wang’s ministry.

The Chinese diplomat emphasized that preventing renewed fighting should be the top priority, stressing the need “to preserve the hard-won momentum of ceasefire.”

Wang indicated China’s interest in seeing Pakistan take on a more significant role in diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing tensions, while also affirming that Beijing remains prepared to contribute to peaceful solutions.

Ukrainian officials are breathing a sigh of relief following Monday’s electoral defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose opposition had been blocking a critical 90 billion euro ($105 billion) aid package that Ukraine desperately needs to continue its fight against Russia.

Peter Magyar’s center-right Tisza party secured a decisive victory on Sunday, bringing an end to Orban’s 16-year leadership and gaining the supermajority needed to implement constitutional changes.

For years, Orban had been Ukraine’s most vocal opponent within the European Union. The nationalist leader, who cultivated close relationships with Russian President Vladimir Putin, consistently blocked Brussels’ initiatives to assist Ukraine. Most recently, he prevented approval of the two-year EU loan package, claiming Ukraine had intentionally stopped Russian oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline that crosses Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy maintains that Russian military strikes damaged the Druzhba pipeline in January, with repairs expected to finish this spring. However, he has also encouraged European nations to cease purchasing Russian oil altogether.

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko from the European Solidarity Party offered a measured assessment of the change in leadership. “One should not call Magyar pro-Ukrainian – he isn’t – but he is not anti-Ukrainian, unlike Orban, and that’s already great,” Honcharenko stated. “Putin has lost his main ally in Europe.”

During his inaugural press conference following the election results, Magyar acknowledged Ukraine as the victim in its conflict with Russia and committed to reducing Hungary’s energy dependence on Russia. However, he also indicated that Budapest would continue “pragmatic” relationships with Moscow and tied improved Ukraine relations to addressing concerns about Hungarian minorities living in western Ukraine.

European Union officials and policy experts anticipate that Magyar will eliminate Hungary’s blockade of the aid package and lift opposition to a 20th round of Russian sanctions once he assumes office, likely in mid-May. Magyar appears eager to restore EU funding for Hungary that was frozen due to concerns about democratic deterioration under Orban’s administration.

The timeline remains critical for Ukraine’s financial stability. After four years of warfare, Ukraine depends heavily on Western financial assistance and requires $52 billion this year. Economic analysts warn the country could face a funding crisis as early as next month.

“Hungary’s vetoes on EU financial support for Ukraine will likely cease, improving EU decision-making capacity,” explained Zsuzsanna Vegh, an analyst with the German Marshall Fund think tank. She noted that while Hungary would stop blocking aid, the country itself would not contribute funding, and “Tisza is unlikely to embrace expansive military support.”

In Kyiv, residents responded to Hungary’s election results with measured hope. Yehor Vasylchencko, a 33-year-old technology worker, called the outcome “very positive because it gives us a chance to improve relations with Hungary.” However, noting Magyar’s previous membership in Orban’s nationalist Fidesz party, he added, “I have some doubts about whether Magyar will be an improvement. Time will tell.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that “meticulous, pragmatic, and calm work” would be necessary to establish common ground with Hungary’s incoming leadership.

Volodymyr Fesenko, who directs the Penta think tank, suggested that restarting oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline could serve as a goodwill gesture as Ukraine seeks to rebuild its relationship with Hungary.

Despite the political shift, years of anti-Ukrainian messaging in Hungarian media have left much of the Hungarian population skeptical about closer ties with Kyiv. During Monday’s press conference, Magyar reiterated his opposition to fast-tracking Ukraine’s EU membership application.

Other Central and Eastern European leaders remain Ukraine-skeptical as well. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who opposes EU sanctions on Russia, and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis both publicly supported Orban before Sunday’s vote. In Bulgaria, former President Rumen Radev, who favors improved Moscow relations, leads polling ahead of next Sunday’s parliamentary elections.

Oleksandr Merezhko, who chairs Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, believes Slovakia’s Fico may become more cautious without Orban’s political backing.

However, Yehor Cherniev, a lawmaker from Ukraine’s governing Servant of the People party and deputy chair of the national security committee, cautioned against expecting dramatic changes in European support. “A miracle isn’t going to happen,” Cherniev said.

Policy analysts expect Orban’s departure will reduce the confrontational tone in EU discussions about Ukraine and eliminate Hungary’s obstructionist stance. Budapest will likely stop blocking technical discussions about Ukraine’s EU membership process.

Nevertheless, significant reservations persist in several EU capitals, including Paris and Berlin, that accelerating Ukraine’s membership path might eliminate incentives for implementing promised reforms, particularly anti-corruption measures.

“Magyar will be obviously less hostile than Orban was,” said Orsolya Raczova, an analyst with Eurasia Group. “But, with Magyar as prime minister, Hungary will basically join the mainstream opposition to speedy EU accession for Ukraine.”

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump issued a stark warning Monday that Iranian naval vessels attempting to approach the United States’ new maritime blockade would face immediate destruction.

The president’s threat came as the American naval blockade against Iranian shipping was scheduled to begin at 1400 GMT Monday.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump referenced Iran’s naval capabilities following what he described as a six-week military conflict that left Iran’s navy “completely obliterated.” He wrote: “What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, ‘fast attack ships,’ because we did not consider them much of a threat.”

The president’s warning continued with explicit language about potential consequences. “Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea. It is quick and brutal,” Trump wrote.

The president’s reference points to numerous American military operations targeting suspected narcotics vessels in Caribbean and Pacific waters since September, which have resulted in at least 110 deaths according to reports.

The maritime tensions have escalated as Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, blocking a crucial shipping route that typically handles approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas transportation. This action represents Iran’s response to combined U.S.-Israeli military operations.

While Iran’s traditional naval forces have suffered significant damage, military experts note that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps maintains various tactical options. According to retired Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe, these include rapid-attack vessels, small submarines, naval mines, and explosive-laden watercraft including jet skis.

NEW YORK – The European Union’s foreign policy leader called for building an international maritime security alliance during a United Nations Security Council session on Monday, citing ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz as justification for coordinated action.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, advocated for a “strong international coalition on maritime security” while addressing the Security Council in New York, though she did not outline specific actions such a partnership would take.

Kallas emphasized that the European Union opposes any measures that would restrict “the free and safe passage through the straits in accordance with the international law.”

The Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical shipping route for global oil supplies, making maritime security in the region a key international concern.

A former Nigerian petroleum minister took the witness stand in a London courtroom Monday, firmly rejecting accusations that she accepted millions in bribes in exchange for awarding government oil contracts.

Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, faces allegations that energy companies seeking Nigerian government deals provided her with free access to expensive UK residences worth millions of pounds, complete with renovations and furnishings.

According to prosecutors, the benefits extended far beyond housing. They claim she received private jet transportation, chauffeur services, and extravagant shopping excursions, including a staggering 2 million pounds ($2.7 million) shopping spree at the prestigious Harrods department store in London. Authorities also allege she pocketed 100,000 pounds in direct cash payments during her tenure leading Nigeria’s petroleum ministry from April 2010 through May 2015.

Speaking at Southwark Crown Court, Alison-Madueke firmly stated, “I did not abuse my office during that period.” She faces five separate bribery charges plus one conspiracy count.

Two other defendants are also standing trial. Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who owns Nigerian oil enterprises, contests two bribery charges. Alison-Madueke’s brother, former archbishop Doye Agama, 69, denies conspiracy charges.

“I can state categorically at no time did I ask for, take, or seek a bribe or bribes of any sort from any of these persons,” Alison-Madueke declared during her testimony.

During her ministerial role, Alison-Madueke supervised Nigeria’s state oil corporation and its affiliated companies, including the Nigerian Petroleum Development Co. and Pipelines Product Marketing Co.

Prosecutors detail additional alleged spending sprees throughout London, claiming she used company funds for purchases totaling hundreds of thousands of pounds at high-end antique dealers and luxury home goods stores in the upscale Mayfair district.

In her defense, Alison-Madueke explained that Nigeria’s National Petroleum Company managed all travel logistics and financial arrangements for her official trips. She maintained that any services provided to her were properly reimbursed through official channels.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has voiced serious alarm over two consecutive attacks targeting medical personnel in Lebanon, following a deadly assault on a Red Cross facility Monday and the killing of a volunteer the previous day.

According to Lebanon’s state news agency, Monday’s attack, which the agency attributed to Israeli forces, resulted in one fatality and caused damage to Lebanese Red Cross vehicles.

The ICRC confirmed that the Lebanese Red Cross facility located in the Tyre district, situated along Lebanon’s coastline, was struck during the attack. The organization refrained from identifying who carried out the strike or providing additional details about the casualty.

Israeli military officials have not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding Monday’s incident.

The day before, the Lebanese Red Cross announced that volunteer Hassan Badawi had succumbed to injuries sustained during a drone strike in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon.

Israel’s military acknowledged conducting a strike against what it described as a “Hezbollah terrorist” in that region and stated the matter was being investigated following reports of Red Cross personnel being injured.

Agnes Dhur, who leads the ICRC delegation in Lebanon, released a statement Monday expressing deep concern. “The loss of those who dedicate their lives to saving others is gravely concerning, given the impact on the civilians who depend on their help,” Dhur stated.

She continued, “Humanitarian and medical personnel must be protected. They must be allowed to reach and help the wounded, and return unharmed.”

The current conflict in Lebanon commenced on March 2, when the Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah launched attacks against Israeli positions in solidarity with Iran.

Since then, Israel has intensified its aerial bombardment and ground operations throughout the nation, with these military actions resulting in over 2,000 deaths, displacing more than one million residents, and prompting warnings that medical facilities may exhaust critical supplies.

BEIRUT (AP) — Sixteen-day-old Shiman has only experienced life inside a makeshift tent on Beirut’s coastline — surrounded by the odor of damp, moldy bedding, constant bug bites, and the terrifying sounds of Israeli fighter jets bombing Lebanon’s capital city.

Her mother, Haifa Kenjo, says the infant was delivered in the muddy camp conditions on March 28.

The 34-year-old Kenjo was in her final month of pregnancy when Israeli bombardments targeting Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern neighborhoods, forced her family to flee their home immediately. She, her husband, and their toddler son Khalid escaped wearing only sleepwear and flip-flops as explosions rocked their residence, leaving behind all possessions including clothing and money.

The family found shelter in a donated tent structure near central Beirut, using stones to anchor the tarp against strong winds that constantly threaten to tear it away.

Among Lebanon’s more than one million displaced residents affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran-supported Hezbollah, 13,500 women are currently pregnant, with over 1,500 expected to give birth within the coming month, according to this week’s report from the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency. The organization warns that many mothers cannot obtain proper prenatal and delivery care.

During peacetime, Kenjo had planned to deliver at Beirut’s primary public medical facility, the same hospital where she had given birth to Khalid. Originally from Syria, despite living nearly half her lifetime in Lebanon’s capital and marrying a Lebanese citizen, she must pay hospital fees that Lebanese women receive at no cost.

When labor began and her water broke on March 28, she contacted emergency services while her husband gathered the required $40 entrance fee. However, the $500 needed for the actual delivery remained trapped under the rubble of their destroyed home, which had been leveled by an Israeli air attack the previous week.

The couple returned to their tent shelter, contacted a midwife, and hoped for the best.

The midwife, known as Umm Ali, explained she provided the best care possible under the circumstances, but the tent environment was unsanitary. Rainwater leaked through the structure, and they could only clean newborn Shiman using bottled water.

Kenjo’s body failed to produce breast milk for her daughter. Baby formula costs exceed her husband’s daily wages from his water tank installation work.

She recognizes her infant is malnourished. Food distribution volunteers at the displacement site provided only enough formula to last several days.

Rather than typical newborn crying, Shiman produces coughing sounds. Her skin feels cold and damp, covered with bite marks from insects.

“She is so precious,” Kenjo said, stroking her baby girl. “But for her we have nothing. We have less than zero.”

BEIRUT (AP) — Intense combat erupted Monday in the Lebanese border town of Bint Jbeil, where Israeli forces moved to surround the strategically important location as Hezbollah fighters responded with rocket and artillery attacks.

The mountainous community, positioned just over 2 miles from the U.N.-established Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel, has seen escalating violence during the past week following an Iran-U.S. agreement on a temporary ceasefire. The timing is significant as Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States are scheduled to conduct face-to-face discussions in Washington on Tuesday, marking the beginning of what could be historic direct peace negotiations.

Israeli military operations in Lebanon have shifted focus recently, with reduced bombardments in Beirut following a series of unannounced deadly attacks that struck busy residential and commercial districts in the capital, resulting in more than 350 deaths.

Simultaneously, Israel has intensified its ground operations and airstrikes in southern Lebanon, working to establish a security buffer zone extending to the Litani River, located approximately 20 miles from the international border. Bint Jbeil sits among numerous communities south of this river that Israel ordered evacuated when the current conflict began. The violence was triggered when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel on March 2 as a show of support for Iran.

Lebanese Health Ministry statistics show that Israeli attacks have claimed at least 2,055 lives throughout Lebanon, including 252 women, 165 children, and 87 healthcare personnel, with an additional 6,588 people injured.

Reports from Lebanon’s government-operated National News Agency indicate Israeli ground troops have advanced into the town while blocking most escape routes. Regional media outlets suggest that numerous Hezbollah militants have become trapped in the encirclement.

Israeli military officials confirmed their forces have surrounded Hezbollah installations and initiated ground combat in Bint Jbeil and nearby areas, claiming to have eliminated more than 100 Hezbollah combatants. Hezbollah has not disclosed any losses from its fighters, while Israel has remained silent about its own military casualties.

On Sunday, Hezbollah reported conducting at least five separate attacks against Israeli troops in and around the town using rockets, artillery, and unmanned aircraft. The organization’s communications indicated Israeli forces had taken positions near educational facilities, medical centers, and key intersections in Bint Jbeil’s center. That same day, Israeli forces said they engaged Hezbollah personnel conducting surveillance from Bint Jbeil Government Hospital and discovered stored machine guns and rockets.

During Israel’s previous occupation of southern Lebanon, which lasted until 2000, the country used Bint Jbeil and other high-elevation sites as crucial observation posts. Hezbollah’s recapture of this hilltop community became a significant milestone, culminating in a victory address by former Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah at a local stadium. Israeli military sources released satellite imagery Monday showing the apparent destruction of that same stadium in a recent strike.

In other developments, funeral services were held in Choueifat, south of Beirut, for a Lebanese Red Cross volunteer who died in an Israeli attack Sunday while conducting a rescue operation in the southern village of Beit Yahoun.

Monday brought another incident when an Israeli strike near Red Cross headquarters in the coastal city of Tyre killed an injured person during transport, while also damaging multiple Red Cross vehicles. A source with knowledge of the situation said the attack targeted an individual on a motorcycle who was transporting the wounded person. The identities of both victims remain unclear. The source requested anonymity as they were not authorized to share this information.

Red Cross officials have not yet issued a statement regarding the incident. Israeli military representatives did not provide an immediate response when contacted by The Associated Press for comment.

Thailand’s annual Songkran water festival marks the beginning of the Thai new year with traditional water ceremonies. Participants splash and spray water as part of the celebration, with the ritual symbolizing spiritual purification and bringing good luck.

The festival showcases the cultural significance of water in Thai traditions, where the act of dousing represents washing away negativity and welcoming prosperity for the year ahead.

The celebration has been captured in a series of photographs compiled by Associated Press photo editors, documenting the vibrant festivities and community participation in this important Thai cultural event.

LAGOS – Nigerian military forces conducting an airstrike against a village marketplace have reportedly killed more than 200 civilians in what marks another tragic incident where non-combatants became casualties during operations targeting militant organizations.

This devastating attack represents just one example in a troubling pattern of civilian deaths resulting from military air operations across Nigeria. The following timeline shows recent incidents where innocent people lost their lives during military strikes:

In April 2026, Nigerian fighter jets bombed a village marketplace while chasing Islamic extremists in the country’s northeastern region, resulting in at least 200 feared casualties according to local officials and community members who spoke on Sunday following Saturday evening’s attack.

During January 2025, Nigeria’s Air Force launched an investigation into reports of non-combatant deaths during bombing operations that targeted criminal gangs in the nation’s northwest region. Local residents reported to Reuters that no fewer than 15 innocent people died, including community security personnel.

The military admitted in December 2024 that bombing raids aimed at a Lakurawa terrorist cell’s compound in northwestern Sokoto state resulted in 10 civilian deaths due to secondary explosions that followed the initial strike.

September 2024 saw at least 24 people lose their lives when military aircraft bombed a community in Kaduna state while conducting operations against criminal organizations and their strongholds.

An April 2024 military operation targeting kidnapping syndicates and their bases in northwestern Zamfara state killed at least 33 villagers during the Eid holiday celebration.

In December 2023, military drone attacks in northern Kaduna state claimed the lives of at least 85 individuals, including women and children. President Bola Tinubu ordered a full investigation, leading to court-martial proceedings against two military personnel.

January 2023 witnessed the deaths of numerous ethnic Fulani cattle herders during aerial bombardment in central Nasarawa state as they were retrieving livestock from government authorities in an adjacent state. The Nigerian Air Force later accepted responsibility for this incident, which became the focus of a Reuters investigative report.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated Hungary’s stunning electoral upset as a triumph for democratic values, drawing parallels between Viktor Orban’s defeat and pivotal moments in Hungarian history including the 1956 revolt against Soviet control and the nation’s 1989 communist collapse.

Citizens across Hungary awakened to dramatic political change following the center-right opposition’s overwhelming electoral success, creating ripple effects from Washington to Kyiv while boosting financial markets and sparking celebrations throughout Budapest.

Speaking to media in Brussels on Monday, von der Leyen addressed the Hungarian people directly: “I really want to say to the Hungarian people, you’ve done it again!”

She continued her remarks by referencing Hungary’s history of resistance: “Again against all odds, like you did in 1956 when you courageously stood up, like you did in 1989 when you were the first to cut the barbed wire that was dividing our continent.”

Throughout his tenure, Orban served as Vladimir Putin’s primary European Union supporter, frequently opposing the bloc’s initiatives and hampering assistance efforts for Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia.

Political experts suggest that Orban’s departure following his 16-year leadership could bring Hungary closer to European Union consensus positions.

The 1956 Hungarian revolution against Soviet rule ended in violent suppression by Red Army forces.

When the uprising reached its 50th anniversary, Orban’s Fidesz movement attempted to connect itself with the rebels’ anti-communist principles, drawing criticism from leftist, liberal, and some conservative groups.

While supporters viewed Orban as a patriotic figure who had been an outspoken anti-communist activist during the Cold War era, domestic and international critics argued his policies pushed Hungary toward authoritarian governance.

The Pentagon announced plans to impose a naval blockade on Iranian ports beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, following the collapse of diplomatic negotiations.

U.S. Central Command officials stated the maritime blockade will be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations” after peace negotiations broke down following 21 hours of talks.

The military action represents a significant escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran, coming after diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis failed to produce an agreement.

LIVERPOOL, England – A British public inquiry has determined that the tragic deaths of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class could have been avoided if government agencies had properly recognized the danger posed by their killer.

The devastating knife attack occurred on July 29, 2024, during a summer holiday dance event in Southport, located in northern England. Teenager Axel Rudakubana carried out the brutal assault, which British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as “a devastating moment” in the nation’s history.

Following his guilty plea last year, Rudakubana received a prison sentence of at least 52 years for the murders.

Adrian Fulford, who chaired the inquiry, determined that various agencies – including law enforcement, social services, and the anti-radicalization program Prevent – failed to “take ownership of the risk” that Rudakubana represented.

“This failure lies at the heart of why (Rudakubana) was able to mount the attack, despite so many warning signs of his capacity for fatal violence,” Fulford stated.

The inquiry revealed that authorities had referred Rudakubana to the Prevent program on three separate occasions, beginning in December 2019 when he brought a knife to school and conducted online searches about school shootings. However, officials took no additional measures.

Later that same month, Rudakubana returned to his former school carrying both a hockey stick and a knife, an incident Fulford characterized as “a watershed event.”

“If appropriate arrangements and reasonable resources had been in place to address the risk that (Rudakubana) posed to others from December 2019 onwards, it is highly likely that the tragedy … would not have occurred,” Fulford concluded.

The inquiry chair also determined that Rudakubana’s parents “bear significant responsibility” for their failure to notify authorities about the threat their son presented.

During the attack, the then-17-year-old killer took the lives of three young victims: six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Ten additional people suffered injuries in the assault, which subsequently triggered several days of riots across the country.

Extremist fighters on motorcycles launched a deadly assault on a Nigerian military installation close to the Chad border Sunday evening, resulting in the deaths of seven soldiers including the base commander, according to military officials.

The attack on the 242 Battalion barracks in Monguno was carried out by Boko Haram fighters and members of Islamic State West Africa Province, military sources revealed to Reuters. The incident follows a series of coordinated strikes against military facilities throughout Borno State in recent days.

Among the casualties was the base commander, who was just weeks away from retirement, along with six additional soldiers who died when their vehicle hit an explosive device while rushing to support their fellow troops during the firefight, the sources reported.

Military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity since they lacked authorization to discuss the matter publicly, confirmed that at least 12 attackers were eliminated during the battle at the barracks.

The violence represents an escalation in militant activity across the region, where insurgent groups have intensified their campaigns against military outposts and seized weapons from government forces. This mounting pressure challenges President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to bring an end to the prolonged conflict.

The extremist uprising has persisted for 17 years as militants attempt to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria’s northeast. Humanitarian organizations report that the insurgency has claimed thousands of lives and forced at least 2 million people from their homes, despite extensive military operations aimed at defeating the groups.

American naval forces have begun implementing a maritime blockade in strategic Middle Eastern waters, according to a military communication obtained by news agencies on Monday.

The U.S. Central Command issued guidance to maritime operators stating that American forces will control shipping traffic in Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea waters located east of the Strait of Hormuz, with restrictions applying to vessels of all nations.

The naval operation became active at 1400 GMT on Monday, military officials confirmed.

According to the maritime advisory, “Any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture.”

However, the military emphasized that normal shipping routes would remain open, stating “The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations.”

The restricted zone covers Iran’s entire coastal region, including major shipping ports and petroleum export facilities, according to the official notice. While commercial traffic faces restrictions, the military indicated that relief supplies such as food, medical equipment, and other critical humanitarian materials would be allowed through following inspection procedures.

The maritime action comes as diplomatic efforts over the weekend failed to produce an agreement to halt ongoing conflicts, putting existing ceasefire arrangements at risk. Iranian officials have warned they may target neighboring Gulf states’ port facilities in response to the blockade.

TORONTO (AP) — Monday’s special elections in three Canadian districts could push Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party over the threshold needed for majority control of Parliament.

Voters in two Toronto-area constituencies — Scarborough Southwest and University-Rosedale — along with residents of Terrebonne near Montreal, are heading to the polls. Political analysts view the Toronto races as likely Liberal victories, while the Montreal-area contest remains competitive.

The Liberal Party currently holds 171 seats in the House of Commons and requires just 172 for majority status. Achieving this milestone would enable Carney’s government to advance legislation without opposition support and potentially remain in office through 2029 without calling another general election.

Election outcomes are anticipated later Monday evening.

Recent defections from rival parties have positioned the Liberals within striking distance of their goal. Five politicians have switched allegiance to Carney’s party, with four coming from the Conservative opposition.

One defector cited Carney’s recent address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as influential in their decision-making process. During that appearance, Carney criticized economic intimidation tactics used by powerful nations against smaller states, earning broad acclaim for his statements.

Carney’s electoral success last year stemmed largely from Canadian frustration over President Donald Trump’s territorial acquisition rhetoric targeting their nation.

The former Bank of England governor, who also previously led Canada’s central bank, has shifted the Liberal Party toward more centrist-conservative positions since succeeding Justin Trudeau as prime minister in 2025.

McGill University political science professor Daniel Béland predicts strong Liberal performances in both Toronto constituencies, with reasonable prospects for success in Terrebonne as well.

According to Béland, worsening diplomatic relations between Canada and the United States during Trump’s second presidency has prompted many Canadians, including non-Liberal voters, to support their prime minister.

“Carney has thus far proved that he is an astute politician, despite the fact that he only formally entered the political arena in January of last year,” Béland said.

“The Davos speech has certainly helped boost Carney’s support at home, and he is now significantly more popular than when he became prime minister nearly 13 months ago.”

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. staged an unusual public display Monday, performing jumping jacks and a brief jog outside his Manila office to silence persistent speculation about his physical condition.

The 68-year-old commander-in-chief, dressed in business attire complete with reading glasses and leather shoes, conducted the spontaneous fitness demonstration before assembled reporters to address concerns about his wellbeing during a period when citizens face challenges from Middle Eastern conflicts.

“I challenge anyone who are saying that I am sick, that they come and exercise with me,” Marcos declared to the media. “You come to the gym with me. Let’s see who can lift the weights better.”

“Those people who tell you that I’m sick, that I’m paralyzed, they’re all liars,” Marcos stated firmly.

Speculation regarding the president’s physical condition and even false reports of his death have circulated across social media platforms following his temporary absence from public appearances in January. He later revealed through a video statement that medical professionals had treated him for an abdominal condition he attributed to stress and advancing age.

The Philippine leader dismissed reports of his death with laughter and disclosed his diagnosis of diverticulitis, a medical condition characterized by inflamed pouches within the digestive system, typically affecting the colon and causing symptoms including pain, elevated temperature, nausea, and digestive issues.

According to Marcos, his most recent medical examination several months ago confirmed his recovery from the condition. He reported returning to his regular eating habits and maintaining a consistent exercise routine.

Regarding ongoing medical treatment, the president acknowledged taking prescribed medications for gout and elevated blood pressure.

Throughout his presidency beginning in mid-2022, Marcos has confronted numerous challenging situations and political complications.

These obstacles encompass escalating territorial tensions with China over South China Sea disputes, destructive natural disasters including earthquakes, typhoons, and floods, economic pressures, strained relationships with his vice president, and a corruption investigation involving influential lawmakers and political associates that has generated public anger.

NEW DELHI, April 13 – Tehran is maintaining strong communication channels with New Delhi regarding the transit of Indian vessels through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali announced Monday.

Fathali described the diplomatic coordination as “good contact” and emphasized Iran’s commitment to assisting the Indian government with maritime passage through the vital shipping lane.

The ongoing U.S.-Israeli military conflict with Iran, which commenced in February, has created significant disruptions to maritime traffic through this critical waterway. The strait serves as a crucial transportation route for approximately 40% of India’s crude oil imports, with the current restrictions creating substantial impacts on commercial trade and creating pressure on energy supply chains.

Moscow officials announced Monday that Russia wants to establish shared food stockpiles with BRICS partner nations and former Soviet states as ongoing Middle East conflicts threaten worldwide food supplies.

Alexander Maslennikov, who serves as deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, stated that fertilizer supply disruptions have created serious concerns for agricultural production globally. Approximately half of the world’s food production depends on fertilizer, with one-third of global fertilizer trade previously moving through Iran’s Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor, which has faced major disruptions since regional conflicts intensified.

“To ensure food security, it is highly important to expand cooperation with friendly countries, primarily the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union and BRICS, including through the creation of joint food reserves,” Maslennikov told Russian news outlets.

The Security Council, headed by President Vladimir Putin, plays a key role in shaping Russia’s major national security policies. Putin was scheduled to meet with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Monday, with food security expected to be a primary discussion topic.

Maslennikov warned that continued fertilizer shortages extending into early summer could slash major crop production by 50 percent, potentially triggering the most severe global food price increases seen in recent years. He projected that worldwide hunger could affect a record 673 million people.

International financial institutions including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and United Nations World Food Programme issued warnings last week about escalating oil, natural gas, and fertilizer costs from Middle East warfare inevitably leading to higher food prices and increased food insecurity.

As the world’s top wheat exporter, Russia produces and ships significant amounts of fertilizer but cannot substantially boost production capacity this year. The country aims to increase agricultural exports by 50 percent before 2030.

While acknowledging risks to Russia’s domestic food security, Maslennikov described the current crisis as creating long-term export opportunities for Russian agricultural producers.

“Russia is in a strong position to increase food exports to the countries of the Middle East, as well as to Asia, Africa and Latin America,” he explained.

Egypt leads BRICS nations in purchasing Russian wheat, while Russia also supplies food to China and India, the trading bloc’s largest economies. Russia heads the Eurasian Economic Union alongside grain-producing Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A comprehensive study released Monday by Tel Aviv University reveals that 2025 became the most lethal year for anti-Jewish violence in more than 30 years, claiming 20 lives across multiple continents.

Researchers documented fatal incidents spanning three continents, with the most devastating occurring during a December Hanukkah gathering at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where 15 people lost their lives. Additional deadly attacks struck Washington D.C. and Colorado in the United States, while Britain witnessed two fatalities during a Yom Kippur service at a Manchester synagogue.

The surge in lethal violence represents a continuation of trends that emerged following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault and the ensuing Gaza conflict, according to the study’s authors.

“The data raise concern that a high level of antisemitic incidents is becoming a normalized reality,” said Uriya Shavit, the chief editor of the widely cited annual report.

The research indicates that 2025 surpassed all previous years for anti-Jewish fatalities since 1994, when a bombing targeting a Jewish community center in Argentina resulted in 85 deaths and over 300 injuries. Iranian involvement through its Hezbollah affiliate has been determined by Argentine courts in that earlier attack.

Beyond fatal incidents, investigators documented rising numbers of physical assaults, including beatings and stone-throwing incidents targeting Jewish individuals and communities.

While overall incident numbers showed modest growth compared to 2024, the totals represent a dramatic escalation from 2022 levels, before the Gaza war commenced. The study encompasses various forms of hostility, from physical violence and property damage to online harassment and verbal intimidation.

“The peak in the number of incidents was recorded in the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack, after which we began to see a downward trend — but unfortunately, that trend did not continue in 2025,” Shavit said.

Country-specific data shows the United Kingdom recording 3,700 incidents in 2025, up slightly from 3,556 the previous year. Canadian statistics jumped from 6,219 incidents in 2024 to 6,800 in 2025, representing more than triple the 2022 figures.

Even following the Gaza ceasefire implementation last October, hostile incidents continued climbing compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. Australian data shows incidents rising from 492 between October and December 2024 to 588 during the corresponding 2025 period. This contrasts sharply with the 472 total incidents recorded across all of 2022 in Australia, before the Israel-Hamas conflict began.

Carl Yonker, the study’s research director, noted that most physical assaults were perpetrated by individuals acting independently, making prevention efforts particularly challenging. He observed that attackers typically fell into categories of white supremacist extremists or radical Muslims, often sharing characteristics of unemployment and financial hardship.

The annual assessment comes from Tel Aviv University’s Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry in partnership with the Irwin Cotler Institute for Democracy, Human Rights and Justice. The timing coincides with Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins Monday evening to honor the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Data compilation draws from law enforcement reports, government agencies, and Jewish community organizations worldwide.

LIMA, Peru – Election officials in Peru continue tallying votes from a chaotic weekend election as conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori maintains a slim advantage in the country’s crowded presidential contest.

Distribution problems with voting materials forced election authorities to keep polls open through Monday for thousands of citizens who couldn’t vote Sunday when numerous polling locations opened late.

According to Peru’s national electoral office ONPE, the former congresswoman commands approximately 17% of ballots cast, with half of all votes now processed. Right-wing former Lima mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga trails closely in second place with roughly 15%, while center-left contender Jorge Nieto holds third position at around 13%.

Sunday’s exit polling had indicated Fujimori would take the early lead, though Lopez Aliaga temporarily surged ahead during earlier vote counting phases, highlighting just how competitive and unpredictable this election has become.

Fujimori is the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, who is currently serving a prison sentence for human rights violations during his time in office.

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s top diplomat voiced alarm Monday over the possibility that Iran or the United States might implement fresh restrictions governing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while expressing skepticism about plans to reopen the crucial waterway using an international military presence.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan – who maintains regular communication with American, Iranian and Pakistani mediator officials – told the state-run Anadolu Agency that diplomatic solutions should be pursued to reopen Hormuz following unsuccessful weekend negotiations between Washington and Tehran that failed to produce a war-ending agreement.

The minister emphasized that negotiators must employ “convincing methods” when engaging with Iran and stressed the urgent need to reopen Hormuz quickly, noting that “nobody wants” the strategic passage to become entangled in the ongoing conflict.

“There are many difficulties to intervening here with an international armed force. Especially as the war continues, how much will it narrow, expand? We see many countries are not keen on this,” Fidan stated.

“The problem is whether there will be proposals on new regulations from now on, particularly from Iran,” which might choose to become “more active” regarding the strait, he explained.

Iran effectively sealed off Hormuz in response to American-Israeli military strikes, blocking approximately one-fifth of worldwide energy shipments and causing fuel costs to surge dramatically.

Beginning Monday, American military officials announced plans to implement a comprehensive blockade targeting all shipping traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports and coastal regions. The United States has requested assistance from international partners to help reopen the strait, though allies have shown little enthusiasm for the proposal.

Fidan characterized both American and Iranian negotiators as “sincere” during ceasefire discussions, but warned they might face obstacles if they take an “all-or-nothing” approach to addressing Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities.

According to sources, Fidan held discussions Sunday with American and Pakistani representatives participating in the diplomatic talks.

The United Kingdom and France are preparing to lead international discussions this week focused on reopening the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor, with plans for what French President Emmanuel Macron called a strictly defensive maritime operation.

The diplomatic meetings aim to unite Britain, France, and other willing nations in creating a peaceful international coalition designed to restore open navigation through the strategic waterway.

“This strictly defensive mission, which will be separate from the warring parties, is intended to be deployed as soon as the situation allows,” Macron wrote on X.

Gulf region tensions have escalated following the United States’ announcement of a maritime blockade targeting Iranian port traffic, while Iran has essentially closed the strait, a critical passage that handles approximately 20% of global oil shipments.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the ongoing Strait of Hormuz closure is severely harming international commerce and contributing to rising living expenses worldwide.

“This week the UK and France will co-host a summit to advance work on a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping when the conflict ends,” Starmer posted on X.

Previously, Britain has organized meetings with representatives from more than 40 nations who support reopening navigation through the waterway. The United States did not participate in those earlier discussions.

Russian officials announced Monday their desire to maintain diplomatic relationships with Hungary’s incoming government after longtime ally Viktor Orban was defeated in recent elections by center-right candidate Peter Magyar.

Moscow’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov addressed reporters, stating that Russia honors the decision made by Hungarian voters and seeks to preserve positive relationships with Hungary and broader Europe. Peskov described the current diplomatic relationship as “pragmatic ties” that the Kremlin wishes to continue under the new administration.

The electoral outcome marks a significant shift for Hungary, as Orban had maintained close partnerships with Russian leadership during his time in office.

Authorities in Noida, India deployed tear gas Monday to disperse factory workers whose labor demonstration entered its fourth day and escalated into violent confrontations, according to local police reports.

The industrial suburb near India’s capital witnessed scenes of chaos as demonstrators overturned and burned vehicles while hurling rocks at law enforcement officers throughout the satellite city.

Noida ranks among Asia’s most significant planned industrial centers, hosting thousands of manufacturing facilities across its territory.

The unrest comes amid rising living expenses worldwide, attributed to supply chain disruptions from ongoing conflicts affecting fuel availability. Similar worker demonstrations in Haryana state’s automotive sector recently prompted government officials to approve a 35% increase in minimum wage standards.

Vinay Mahoti, a 30-year-old employee from Bihar state working at a local textile manufacturer, explained his participation in the movement began within his workplace before joining street demonstrations with workers from other companies.

“Duty hours should be fixed, overtime hours should be paid, and companies…should adhere to the guidelines laid by the federal government,” he stated when outlining the protesters’ demands.

Video footage captured dozens of demonstrators marching through streets while chanting demands as riot-equipped security forces monitored the situation.

Additional recordings showed burning overturned vehicles and protesters attempting to breach police barriers while throwing projectiles.

Law enforcement officials confirmed they employed “minimum force” tactics to preserve public order, while Narendra Kashyap, a regional legislator representing Uttar Pradesh state, encouraged demonstrators to pursue dialogue with government representatives.

“Senior police and administrative officials are making persistent efforts to counsel the workers and urge them to maintain peace and restraint,” Gautam Budh Nagar police stated in their official announcement.

SEOUL – South Korean authorities announced Tuesday they will prohibit the hoarding of medical syringes and needles in an effort to ensure healthcare facilities maintain adequate supplies, according to the nation’s finance ministry.

Government officials met with syringe and needle manufacturers last week to assess current inventory levels and explore options for ramping up production amid growing supply chain concerns linked to the conflict in Iran, the industry ministry reported.

Rising costs for plastic materials used in medical equipment and packaging have resulted from disrupted oil and petrochemical supply chains, creating fears about potential shortages and excessive stockpiling behavior.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney appears positioned to gain a parliamentary majority for his Liberal administration following Monday’s special elections, a development that would strengthen his ability to advance his policy priorities amid growing global uncertainty.

Monday’s voting takes place in three districts across Ontario and Quebec, with two of these areas having historically supported Liberal candidates. Securing victory in just one district would provide Carney with the majority he needs, while polling data suggests the Liberals may claim at least two seats.

Carney has indicated this parliamentary control would enhance his capacity to address ongoing trade disputes with the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration. The Liberal Party currently holds 171 positions in Canada’s 343-member House of Commons.

Achieving a parliamentary majority would grant Carney greater governing flexibility and strengthen his leadership position through 2029, when the next national elections are scheduled.

“He will be able to pass legislation without having to go to the opposition to secure enough votes,” explained Andrew McDougall, who teaches Canadian politics at the University of Toronto. The Liberal government has depended on occasional Conservative Party support to advance economic and trade-related bills over the past year.

McDougall noted that majority control would also allow Carney to determine when future elections occur. Minority governments face the constant threat of sudden elections if they fail confidence votes and typically survive less than two years.

Carney’s position has been bolstered by five opposition lawmakers who joined the Liberal Party over five months, providing him with a more substantial margin beyond a single-seat majority. Only governments under Canada’s first prime minister John A. Macdonald and Jean Chretien have experienced more defections to the ruling party.

This past Wednesday, veteran Conservative politician Marilyn Gladu announced her switch to Carney’s government, stating Canada requires “a serious leader who can address the uncertainty that has arrived due to the unjustified American tariffs.”

Gladu, a former chemical engineer who has faced criticism for promoting unverified scientific treatments during COVID-19, opposing conversion therapy bans, and suggesting military intervention against Indigenous pipeline protests, expressed gratitude to Carney for welcoming her into “the large Liberal tent.”

Speaking Thursday, Carney emphasized that fundamental Liberal Party principles including inclusivity, diversity, and protecting Charter of Rights and Freedoms remain unchanged, with government caucus membership requiring support for these values.

However, Yves-Francois Blanchet, who leads the separatist Bloc Quebecois party, criticized the development, saying “the ideological differences between the Liberals and Conservatives are getting thinner and thinner by the minute.”

The Bloc Quebecois faces an extremely close contest with the Liberals in Terrebonne, Quebec. While the Liberals won this district by a single vote in the previous federal election, Canada’s Supreme Court invalidated the result due to a printing error on a voter’s envelope.

The remaining two contested seats are located in Ontario, including one left vacant by former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and another previously occupied by former Liberal member Bill Blair, who stepped down after receiving appointment as ambassador to the United Kingdom. Analysts expect the Liberals to retain both positions.

“What we’re seeing right now is a change of focus for the Liberal party,” observed Laura Stephenson, who chairs the political science department at the University of Western Ontario.

Stephenson noted that while Carney’s predecessor Justin Trudeau moved the party leftward and emphasized Indigenous reconciliation, minority rights, and immigration, Carney faces more immediate challenges as a more centrist leader.

“He is focused on helping Canada survive the economic turmoil, not remaking society,” she explained. “When we’re in tough times like this, there are different calculations being made.”

New polling data from Nanos indicates more than half of Canadians favor Carney as prime minister, with only 23% supporting Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Before Carney assumed Liberal Party leadership last year, Poilievre was projected to win the next election by over 20 percentage points.

“Carney has done a fairly good job showing Canadians he can handle Trump,” McDougall from the University of Toronto said. “He’s shown Canadians he’s a competent manager of the economy and the country. And so far Canadians have not been overly impressed by the alternatives.”

KAMPALA, Uganda — In an unprecedented legal proceeding, Uganda launched its first mobile court session Monday as Christopher Okello Onyum faced charges for allegedly murdering four children at a nursery school.

The historic trial took place inside a large tent erected on church property, located near the scene where the horrific crime occurred on April 2. President Yoweri Museveni had specifically ordered this public court format to allow community members direct access to the proceedings.

Onyum entered a not guilty plea to all four murder charges during Monday’s session. Prosecutors allege he carried out a machete attack at the Gaba Early Childhood Development Program in a Kampala suburb, though authorities have not determined his motivation for the shocking assault.

According to witness accounts, the defendant posed as a parent to gain entry to the school facility. After speaking briefly with staff members, he reportedly secured the entrance gate before launching his attack on the children.

Following the incident, an enraged mob attempted to kill Onyum before police intervened to take him into protective custody. If found guilty, he faces potential execution under Uganda’s laws.

The mobile court concept has sparked significant debate since President Museveni ordered the expedited public trial. Critics argue this approach risks turning a tragic case into a spectacle while compromising the defendant’s legal rights.

The Uganda Law Society issued a sharp rebuke of the president’s directive, calling it governmental overreach that jeopardizes fair trial protections. “This is not justice,” the organization stated. “It’s a judicial lynching rally.”

Hundreds of spectators gathered to observe the proceedings, marking the inaugural use of mobile courts after formal operational guidelines were established in March.

Court officials have defended the innovative approach, describing it as demonstrating their “commitment to taking justice closer to the people through innovative approaches.”

BUDAPEST (AP) — Hungarian voters delivered a stunning blow to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s 16-year reign, decisively choosing pro-European candidate Péter Magyar in what many are calling a political earthquake that could reshape the nation’s future.

Magyar, a reformist leader who campaigned on restoring Hungary’s relationship with Europe, secured a commanding victory that has left citizens across the country wondering what comes next after more than a decade of increasingly authoritarian rule.

Crowds of jubilant supporters, including many young Hungarians, flooded Budapest’s streets late Sunday to celebrate what they see as a turning point toward greater freedom and a return to European democratic values.

Among the celebrants was Adrien Rixer, who traveled from London specifically to cast his ballot. “Because I really wanted to make my vote count, and I’m over the moon,” Rixer explained during the festivities.

“Finally I can say that I’m a proud Hungarian, finally after 16 years,” he said.

Throughout his campaign, Magyar committed to reversing Hungary’s alignment with Russia and rebuilding relationships with European partners. He told voters that following 16 years of authoritarian leadership and weakened legal institutions under Orbán, he would eliminate corruption and establish a “peaceful, functioning and humane” Hungary.

The specifics of these promised changes remain unclear. Throughout his lengthy tenure, Orbán wielded a two-thirds legislative supermajority that enabled him to enact a new constitution, overhaul election laws, and restructure the court system.

Magyar’s Tisza party achieved precisely that level of control Sunday, capturing 138 out of 199 parliamentary positions, providing extensive power to reverse much of the policy framework that enabled Orbán to influence the courts, distort electoral processes, restrict media freedoms, and target LGBTQ+ rights.

Numerous Hungarians, along with European observers who monitored the election closely, worried that a simple Tisza majority would prove insufficient to genuinely reform Orbán’s established system. Others express concern about the implications of such sweeping authority, questioning whether transferring a supermajority from Orbán to his rival is wise.

“Its hard to see that with two-thirds that it’s going to be a fair government, but we will see,” said celebrant Dániel Kovács. “Lets hope that it’s going to be a promising four years.”

Magyar has criticized Orbán and his administration for poor economic and social service management, along with widespread corruption that he claims has enriched a select group of political allies while neglecting average citizens.

The incoming leader has committed to addressing these alleged violations and intends to establish an Office for the Recovery of National Assets to retrieve what he characterizes as improperly obtained wealth by Orbán’s associates.

A central campaign theme for Magyar involved promising to secure billions of euros in frozen European Union funds that were withheld from Hungary due to corruption and legal system concerns during Orbán’s leadership. He has also committed to adopting the euro currency by 2030 — a move Orbán’s administration consistently opposed.

Budapest resident Imre Végh stated early Monday that Orbán had constructed an “illiberal system” that contradicted Hungary’s core principles.

“We are Europeans and we want to stay in Europe,” he said.

Armed attackers targeted a police vehicle escorting polio vaccination workers in Pakistan’s northwestern region on Tuesday, resulting in the death of one officer and injuries to four others, according to law enforcement officials. Police forces engaged the assailants, killing two of them during the firefight.

The assault took place in Hangu district within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which shares a border with Afghanistan, as reported by local police official Mahmood Alam. The incident coincided with Pakistan’s launch of its second countrywide polio prevention initiative this year.

Although no organization has taken credit for the attack, authorities suspect involvement by the Pakistani Taliban or regional extremist factions known for conducting similar assaults throughout the area. According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the sole remaining nations where polio transmission continues.

During the weeklong immunization effort targeting more than 45 million children under age 5 nationwide, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari called on families to have their children vaccinated. She emphasized that the initiative will coordinate with Afghanistan to prevent cross-border disease spread and address remaining coverage gaps.

The First Lady, whose parents are President Asif Ali Zardari and the late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto—who was assassinated by militants in 2007 after championing polio elimination efforts—issued a statement declaring that “Pakistan stands at a crucial moment in the fight against polio.” She noted that despite being closer to eradication than ever before, “the final stretch remains the most challenging.”

She pointed to progress made, citing 31 polio cases documented across Pakistan in 2025 compared to just one case recorded this year, while cautioning against overconfidence.

Pakistan’s vaccination strategy involves teams visiting homes directly to immunize children, contrasting with Afghanistan’s approach of operating fixed vaccination centers where families bring their children for shots.

In Afghanistan’s capital, Ministry of Public Health spokesman Sharafat Zaman announced the start of the country’s first annual polio vaccination drive, conducted alongside international organizations to immunize approximately 12.6 million children under 5 years old. He noted that harsh weather conditions have caused delays in certain regions.

Zaman appealed to parents, religious leaders, and community figures to maximize campaign participation, emphasizing that vaccination remains the sole method of polio prevention.

Pakistan’s anti-polio efforts have continued for years despite ongoing threats to health workers and their police escorts from militants who spread false claims that vaccination programs represent Western plots to harm children’s fertility.

Security forces have positioned thousands of officers to safeguard workers after receiving intelligence about potential attacks. Since the 1990s, more than 200 polio vaccination workers and their police protectors have lost their lives in Pakistan, according to government figures.

Venezuela is making a renewed push to bring international mining companies back to develop its mineral wealth, but the effort faces significant obstacles from criminal organizations that have taken control of mining operations over the past two decades.

The South American nation’s government has gained support from the Trump administration for its initiative to draw foreign investment to extract gold, iron and bauxite deposits. However, nine local miners, residents and community advocates interviewed by Reuters expressed doubt that international firms can make meaningful investments without substantial security improvements in Bolivar state.

Local sources report that criminal organizations operate alongside Colombian rebel groups in the region, while government security forces have been accused of working with criminals to support illegal gold mining operations.

“The (crime) syndicates control the mines. They’re the ones who set the rules and enforce the law in many of the mines where we work. Depending on the situation, they impose punishments and can be very violent,” said Ines Garcia, a 51-year-old informal miner in El Callao municipality. “You look after yourself, because even talking is a risk.”

The Trump administration has endorsed efforts by Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, to draw investors since she assumed power in January. This includes backing for mining legislation approved in April by the ruling party-controlled national assembly, led by Rodriguez’s brother Jorge. The new law permits foreign and private companies to form partnerships for extracting gold and strategic minerals.

Venezuela’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered for years from extreme inflation, widespread emigration of skilled workers, international sanctions, crumbling oil infrastructure and widespread corruption. The country urgently needs revenue to finance Rodriguez’s commitments to enhance public services and increase wages after Washington ousted former president Nicolas Maduro in January. Mining investments could provide additional sources of tax revenue, royalties and jobs.

During a March visit, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated the legislation would create business opportunities and that Rodriguez would guarantee company security. The United States has already issued permits authorizing specific transactions involving Venezuelan gold, including deals with state-owned mining firm Minerven.

“You have guarantees, you have legal certainty, political security, stability and peace of mind so your investments can be developed fully — not only in the hydrocarbons sector, where there are many opportunities, but also in the mining sector,” Rodriguez told visiting investors at a March event. The government has not disclosed specifics about its security strategy for Bolivar.

Canadian-listed Gold Reserve, which has announced plans to restart mining operations in Venezuela and participated in the Burgum delegation, subsequently received a U.S. license providing 30 days to negotiate with the government. Gold Reserve did not respond to Reuters inquiries about whether it was pursuing the return of its Brisas mine, which the government seized in 2009.

Swiss commodities trader Trafigura is already collaborating with Venezuela’s state gold mining company Minerven on a responsible sourcing initiative announced last month, stating the work complies with U.S. Treasury licensing requirements. Mining firms Hartree, Peabody Energy, Ivanhoe and TechMet, identified in local media as part of the Burgum delegation, did not respond to Reuters questions.

While many international mining companies have extensive experience handling security challenges, residents and workers in the Orinoco Mining Arc—four municipalities in Bolivar designated by Rodriguez’s predecessor for mining development—view corporate interest as premature.

“For real investment to take place it is essential to resolve supply-chain transparency, security — because this is a hot zone with armed groups present — and oversight of the socio-environmental impact of operations,” said an engineer who worked for Minerven for a decade and requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation.

According to sources, Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels and former members of the disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) operate in Bolivar, along with local criminal organizations including Tren de Guayana and 3R, plus unnamed groups led by individuals known as ‘Juancho’ and ‘Fabio.’

Criminal networks have provided mining equipment, fuel and weapons in the area while extracting gold for years, according to Pedro Yepez, 61, who has worked in mining in El Callao and Sifontes municipalities for two decades. “There is no way they can do that without the government’s complicity and permission,” he said.

A community activist who has documented human rights abuses in the area for decades and requested anonymity for safety reasons confirmed that armed groups control mining operations with government complicity. Other residents and community leaders shared similar concerns, with several telling Reuters that criminals routinely extort businesses while authorities ignore the situation.

Venezuela’s communications ministry, which manages all government press inquiries, did not respond to detailed questions about allegations of military complicity, regional security plans or investor contacts.

The military’s ‘Operation Roraima,’ designed to combat illegal mining in Bolivar, launched in 2023 and has continued since, with senior officials publicly showcasing the destruction of illegal mining camps and equipment through social media posts featuring controlled explosions.

The U.S. Department of the Interior did not respond to detailed questions regarding regional security concerns.

A 2022 UN Human Rights Council fact-finding mission report accused both military forces and armed groups of involvement in killings and disappearances, along with other rights violations in the region. The report also expressed serious concern about worker exploitation, child labor, human trafficking, Indigenous rights violations and environmental damage.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development noted in a separate 2021 report that gold exports from Venezuela have steadily increased since Maduro established the Arc in 2016, driven mainly by informal and illegal mining. The report highlighted human rights abuses, environmental destruction and military collaboration with armed groups connected to the industry.

Sixteen local non-governmental organizations criticized the new mining law in an open letter published in late March, arguing it would provide “a veneer of legality” to “severe environmental degradation and ongoing human rights violations.” They expressed particular concern about continued military oversight.

“Military presence in mines has historically been associated with human rights violations, corruption and the creation of hybrid governance structures,” the letter stated.

Even if foreign mining companies successfully established operations in Bolivar, some activists and residents remain concerned about community impacts and what international presence would mean for small-scale and informal miners, including Indigenous groups in the region.

“You have to put the term ‘benefit’ in quotation marks — who benefits? Because the same state that negotiates and seeks investors forgets all the problems that exist,” said Italo Pizarro, an activist from Sifontes municipality, who warned that Indigenous communities could face particular risks.

A Bolivar geologist with over 40 years of industry experience said removing tens of thousands of informal miners working in the region, along with criminals who profit from extortion, would be challenging: “This won’t be simple.”

Foreign ministers from Southeast Asian nations issued a joint appeal Monday for Washington and Tehran to maintain diplomatic efforts toward a lasting peace agreement, while ensuring current ceasefire terms are properly enforced.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations held a virtual meeting to address ongoing Middle Eastern tensions and their worldwide effects. During the session, ministers emphasized the importance of keeping maritime and air traffic flowing freely through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

The diplomatic gathering revealed growing concerns about how the conflict affects regional stability beyond immediate security threats, particularly regarding energy supplies and food distribution networks.

Leaders from the 11-nation organization emphasized the critical importance of maintaining energy access for member countries when international crises emerge.

The ministers renewed their pledge to strengthen existing partnerships with China, Japan, and South Korea designed to address food shortages, price volatility, and supply chain interruptions across the region.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro told reporters that discussions included coordinated strategies for obtaining fertilizer and other essential agricultural materials.

Lazaro also revealed that ministers considered creating a rapid-response communication system for ASEAN foreign ministers during emergency situations.

The Philippines, currently serving as ASEAN chair, plans to move forward with the leaders’ summit scheduled for May, which will concentrate on food and energy security issues along with protecting citizens abroad, Lazaro confirmed.

Ghanaian officials report that France has signaled willingness to participate in discussions regarding reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, following diplomatic meetings held in Paris last week.

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, accompanied by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and additional government representatives.

Following the diplomatic session, Ablakwa posted on social media platform X that Macron demonstrated France’s readiness to engage in conversations about reparations. These discussions would encompass returning stolen cultural artifacts, tackling worldwide economic disparities, and eliminating institutional racism.

A spokesperson from the Élysée Palace confirmed on Sunday that both nations discussed France’s initiatives to repatriate culturally important items and human remains, along with the legal structures governing such returns.

However, the French official made no reference to the broader measures that Ablakwa described.

This diplomatic encounter occurred after the United Nations passed a resolution last month, spearheaded by Ghana, that designated slavery as the “gravest crime against humanity” while demanding reparations. France joined other European nations in abstaining from the vote.

France’s UN representative explained the abstention stemmed from worries that the resolution seemed to “establish a hierarchy among crimes against humanity.”

Despite the abstention, Ablakwa stated that Macron expressed France’s readiness for an “open and honest dialogue” on the issue.

France acknowledged transatlantic slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001. However, similar to most European countries, it has not issued a formal apology for its participation or pledged to provide reparations.

Between the 15th and 19th centuries, European vessels kidnapped and forcibly transported at least 12.5 million Africans who were then sold into slavery. Historical records from the Slave Voyages database indicate France was responsible for trafficking approximately 1.3 million people.

Macron announced last year his intention to establish a commission to investigate France’s historical relationship with Haiti.

While demands for reparations have gained global support in recent years, opposition has also intensified, with critics contending that contemporary nations should not bear responsibility for past injustices.

A diplomatic crisis has erupted between South Korea and Israel following inflammatory social media posts by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung that drew parallels between Israeli military operations and the Nazi Holocaust.

The international incident began Friday when President Lee posted on the social platform X, stating that “wartime killings” conducted by Israeli Defense Forces were “no different from the Jewish massacre” carried out by Nazi forces during World War Two. He also shared video footage claiming it depicted Israeli soldiers torturing and forcing a Palestinian off a building rooftop.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded sharply on Saturday, posting that Lee “for some strange reason, chose to dig up a story from 2024.” Israeli officials explained the incident happened during a military operation targeting what they termed “terrorists” and underwent complete investigation.

The ministry condemned Lee for the “trivialization of the massacre of Jews on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel,” declaring his statements were “unacceptable and warrant strong condemnation.” Israel observes Yom HaShoah on Monday, honoring the six million Jews killed by the Nazis.

Israeli military officials acknowledged in 2024 they were examining the incident shown in the videos, calling the soldiers’ behavior serious and inconsistent with military standards.

These Friday remarks represent an unusual foray into international affairs on social media for Lee, occurring while his administration deals with rising energy costs following American and Israeli military strikes against Iran. Iran has blocked tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz, significantly impacting South Korea as a major global oil and gas importer.

While Lee’s posts didn’t reference the Iran conflict directly, he mentioned South Koreans currently experiencing “immense pain and national hardship.”

On Saturday, the president expressed disappointment over Israel’s criticism, saying it was normal to feel sympathy for those who are suffering.

South Korea’s foreign ministry subsequently stated it was unfortunate that Israel “misunderstood” Lee’s comments, which focused on universal human rights principles.

The controversy has also divided domestic opinion in South Korea.

Conservative opposition parties criticized Lee for lacking diplomatic prudence and accused him of applying double standards by remaining silent about North Korean human rights violations. Meanwhile, Lee’s Democratic Party commended him for defending universal human dignity values.

The influential Joongang Ilbo newspaper editorial on Monday suggested Lee should recognize the significant impact of presidential statements and the potential for miscommunication when making unfiltered social media posts about delicate international conflicts.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has arrived in China this week for his fourth visit in four years to the globe’s second-largest economy, as Spain works to build stronger political and economic relationships with Beijing.

The visit occurs during a complicated international period, with European leaders attempting to help end the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran. Spain’s relationship with the United States has become tense, particularly because of Sánchez’s strong criticism of the U.S.-Israeli military actions in Iran.

Speaking at Beijing’s Tsinghua University on Monday, Sánchez called on China to take a larger leadership role in a multipolar world, one day before his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“For example, by demanding … that international law be respected and that the conflicts in Lebanon, Iran, Gaza and the West Bank and Ukraine cease,” Sánchez said.

Spain has stated its goal to expand political relationships with major global powers, including Beijing.

Spanish government officials have indicated they want to increase Chinese investment and boost exports to China, despite the fact that trade negotiations are handled by the European Union on behalf of all 27 member nations, including Spain.

The southern European country, which produces more than half of its electricity through renewable energy sources, requires Chinese essential raw materials, solar panels and clean energy technologies — much like other European nations moving away from fossil fuels.

From a political standpoint, this visit happens as Spain has emerged as Europe’s most outspoken opponent of U.S. and Israeli military operations in the Middle East, with Sánchez’s administration recently closing Spanish airspace to U.S. aircraft being used in Iran and denying the U.S. access to jointly operated military facilities in southern Spain.

“Given the increased frictions with the U.S. administration, these annual meetings have taken on an increased importance,” said Eric Sigmon, a Madrid-based political analyst and a former U.S. national security adviser, about Sánchez’s latest trip to China.

Sánchez’s visit to China runs from April 13-15, and will include meetings Tuesday with Xi, Premier Li Qiang and China’s top lawmaker, Zhao Leji, who ranks third in the ruling Communist Party leadership.

Spain, which has the eurozone’s fourth-largest economy, has maintained a less confrontational approach toward China compared to other EU nations in recent years. The country has worked to restructure trade relationships with China, whose exports to Spain significantly exceed those from the Iberian nation of 49 million people to China, which has over 1.4 billion residents.

According to the American Enterprise Institute think tank’s China Global Investment Tracker, while Chinese investment in major EU economies like France and Germany has declined over the past five years, it has increased in Spain since 2019, though investment levels remain lower than several other European countries.

As a medium-sized political power, Spain under Sánchez has expressed its desire to develop stronger bilateral relationships with major global powers and economies, including China and increasingly India, alongside its U.S. relationship.

In November, Spain’s King Felipe VI also conducted an official visit to China, marking the first time in 18 years that a Spanish monarch had done so, highlighting the nation’s commitment to strengthening connections with Beijing.

“The economic and commercial part of the relationship is the most important part. Spain needs foreign capital and it needs investment and it likely sees China as a potential source for that,” said Sigmon.

For China, Spain represents “a more friendly and conciliatory partner in Western Europe,” he noted, adding that the unequal nature of the relationship may make it challenging for Spain to persuade Chinese negotiators to make concessions regarding technology or other areas the Spanish government has shown interest in.