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The Pentagon is considering speeding up its planned military pullout from European installations and will share its strategy with alliance partners next month, according to a Saturday report from German publication Welt am Sonntag, which cited an unnamed Pentagon source.

The U.S. revealed plans in May to remove 5,000 military personnel from Germany, a decision many viewed as stemming from disagreements between President Donald Trump and European nations regarding the Iran war. Germany currently hosts approximately 35,000 active-duty American military members, representing the largest U.S. military presence in Europe.

When initially announced, Pentagon officials indicated the troop reduction would take between six and 12 months to complete.

The German newspaper’s report did not specify how significantly the timeline would be shortened or identify which military installations could be impacted. According to the publication, American officials plan to outline their strategy during next month’s North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Force Sourcing Conference.

Pentagon representatives did not immediately provide a response when asked for comment on the report.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — A member of Guyana’s military sustained injuries during an armed confrontation with Venezuelan gunmen near the countries’ shared border, officials reported.

According to a statement from the Guyana Defense Force, their patrol boat operating on the Cuyuni River encountered hostile fire on Friday evening.

This incident represents another violent episode in a series of border confrontations that have occurred in recent years amid ongoing territorial disagreements, with Venezuela asserting claims over two-thirds of Guyana’s land. A prior assault resulted in injuries to eight Guyanese military personnel.

Both nations recently presented their cases before the International Court of Justice in The Hague regarding a disputed 62,000-square-mile (160,000-square-kilometer) area abundant in gold, diamonds, timber and additional natural resources. The contested region sits adjacent to significant offshore petroleum reserves that currently yield approximately 900,000 barrels daily.

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez informed the court in The Hague that diplomatic discussions rather than legal decisions should settle this longstanding territorial disagreement.

Venezuela maintains its claim to Essequibo based on historical colonial boundaries that included the area. The country contends that a 1966 Geneva agreement involving Venezuela, Britain and the former British Guiana, which became Guyana, invalidated boundary lines established by international arbitrators in 1899.

Turkey’s former opposition chief Ozgur Ozel proved his political influence remains strong Saturday, attracting tens of thousands of supporters to a demonstration in Ankara following a court decision that stripped him of his leadership position and potentially strengthened President Tayyip Erdogan’s grip on power.

Following his speech to the massive crowd – with attendance figures reaching into the tens of thousands according to private Anka news agency and opposition-aligned media – Ozel guided supporters through Turkey’s capital in response to last week’s court decision removing him from his role leading the primary opposition CHP party.

The judicial ruling invalidated the CHP’s 2023 party convention, bringing back previous chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu – a controversial figure among party members who suffered defeat against Erdogan in that year’s presidential race.

This development may strengthen Erdogan’s prospects for continuing his leadership of more than twenty years in the NATO member nation and significant emerging economy.

Saturday saw Kilicdaroglu making his first appearance at CHP party headquarters since the May 21 court decision, where he promised to eliminate party corruption, referencing cases involving CHP-controlled municipal governments.

The removed leadership rejects these accusations, labeling them as having political motivations, which the government disputes.

While Kilicdaroglu addressed party members, Ozel spoke to a larger gathering outside the party’s Ankara regional headquarters.

“This is not an internal matter for the CHP,” Ozel declared. “This is a matter between Erdogan and the nation. On one side are the seized buildings; on the other, millions standing up for their party and their country.”

He argued the court’s decision failed to validate Kilicdaroglu’s authority and demanded an immediate party convention, while supporters shouted “Leader Ozgur!” and “Traitor Kemal!”

Ozel then guided a non-violent march to the memorial site of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who established modern Turkey and founded the CHP.

Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, viewed as a potential CHP presidential nominee alongside imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu – who remains Erdogan’s most significant political opponent – participated in the demonstration and also demanded a party convention.

Kilicdaroglu indicated such a gathering would occur “as soon as possible,” though he provided no specific timeframe.

Thousands of Austrian residents brought traffic to a halt Saturday on the Brenner motorway, a crucial transportation route linking Germany and Italy through the Alps, demanding relief from constant truck and tourist congestion overwhelming their communities.

Karl Muehlsteiger, mayor of Gries am Brenner, spearheaded the demonstration in one of several towns affected by the major highway that winds through the narrow Wipp Valley on massive concrete supports.

Traffic volume and pollution concerns in the valley leading to the Brenner Pass have created ongoing friction between Austria and Germany for many years. Officials in Austria’s Tyrol region have implemented different strategies to reduce traffic flow, frequently drawing criticism from German authorities.

“You are making history!” Austrian news agency APA reported Muehlsteiger declared to approximately 3,000 demonstrators who assembled on the highway at 1 p.m. for a symbolic blockade, following police closure of both corridor entrances earlier that morning. Motorists encountering the barriers reversed course and departed.

The demonstration lasted eight hours beginning at 11 a.m. but avoided the widespread disruption many anticipated, as drivers mostly followed advisories to avoid the area despite school holidays in several German regions, including nearby Bavaria.

Local media noted that railway service along the parallel route experienced heavy passenger loads.

Officials also restricted the local road connecting communities alongside the motorway to resident and local traffic only.

Meanwhile in Italy, suspected arson targeting electrical infrastructure overnight caused railway disruptions between Peri and Dolce near Verona on the Verona Porta Nuova–Brenner rail line.

Authorities are examining potential connections to radical environmental or anarchist organizations.

Colombia’s foreign ministry has leveled accusations of “deliberate interference” against Ecuador regarding Colombia’s upcoming presidential election on Sunday, following Ecuador’s decision to eliminate tariffs after discussions with a Colombian candidate.

The controversy emerged after Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa announced Friday that his nation would eliminate bilateral tariffs beginning June 1, following an agreement reached with right-wing Colombian presidential hopeful Abelardo De La Espriella.

In a post on X, Noboa explained the tariff removal would occur after “confirming (De La Espreilla’s) willingness to promote a real and joint fight against narcoterrorism.” The Ecuadorean leader also mentioned they had reached an understanding regarding the transfer of Ecuadorean criminals currently in Colombia.

Colombia’s foreign ministry pushed back against what it called “the misleading presentation of the decision to remove the tariffs as a measure of good faith by the Ecuadorean government,” according to their official statement. However, the ministry indicated it would eliminate measures previously implemented to counter Ecuador’s tariffs.

Noboa’s office has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.

The neighboring nations have been locked in a trade dispute for several months, with Ecuador imposing tariffs due to Colombia’s alleged inability to address drug trafficking problems along their 586-kilometer (364-mile) shared border. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has disputed these claims.

De La Espriella, running as an independent candidate, will compete against Petro ally Ivan Cepeda and right-wing Senator Paloma Valencia, along with other candidates, in Sunday’s election.

Israeli military forces conducted airstrikes and artillery bombardments near a historic medieval fortress in southern Lebanon on Saturday, as combat continued in communities surrounding the southern city of Nabatieh.

The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for more than twelve communities in southern Lebanon, occurring one day after Lebanese and Israeli military representatives conducted their first face-to-face discussions in decades at the Pentagon.

Lebanon’s president and prime minister met Saturday to address the situation in southern Lebanon, later releasing a statement saying they would increase their diplomatic efforts to halt Israeli destruction and bulldozing of residences and historic locations, as well as the evacuation orders.

According to Lebanon’s state-operated National News Agency, Israeli aircraft and artillery targeted areas surrounding the medieval Beaufort fortress, located approximately 15 kilometers from the Israeli border with commanding views over much of southern Lebanon. Israeli forces occupied this strategic fortress for 18 years before withdrawing from Lebanon in May 2000.

For several days, Israeli ground forces have been moving through communities near the fortress, including Yohmor and Zawtar al-Sharqieh close to Nabatieh, after crossing the strategic Litani River, which Israeli military has treated as an informal border.

Extensive territories to the south remain under Israeli military occupation, despite a U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement from April 17.

The National News Agency documented airstrikes across various sections of southern Lebanon, including the village of Ansar where three people were killed. A drone attack on a roadway connecting Ebba village with Nabatieh injured two Lebanese soldiers, according to an army statement.

Hezbollah reported that its fighters launched rockets at Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel’s largest city on the Lebanese border. The organization stated the attack was retaliation for airstrikes that killed civilians in Lebanon. Hezbollah subsequently announced it also fired rockets toward the northern city of Safed.

Among Friday’s casualties in southern Lebanon was a Syrian family — Qais al-Bakir, his pregnant wife and their six children — who perished in an Israeli airstrike on the coastal village of Adloun, north of Tyre.

The family, members of Syria’s minority Alawite sect, had escaped to Lebanon from the central province of Hama following Bashar Assad’s fall in Syria in December 2024. Some Alawite sect members have faced revenge attacks from Islamist groups that ousted the former president.

The family was residing at a sheep farm and received no advance warning of the village strike, according to Ali al-Bakir, brother of the deceased man. He said the family intends to transport the bodies for burial in their Syrian hometown.

“He worked in farming and all he cared about was to feed his children,” his brother said.

The current Israel-Hezbollah conflict began March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel two days following Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran.

The war has resulted in 3,350 deaths in Lebanon and displaced over 1 million people.

In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian nurse died in an Israeli strike Saturday, hospital officials reported, marking the latest death from Israeli fire since an unstable ceasefire stopped major combat in the territory last year.

The late Saturday morning strike targeted a Hamas-operated police checkpoint in the central city of Deir al-Balah. At least three others sustained injuries, according to the city’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital, which treated the victims.

Israeli military representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The deceased nurse was identified as Jamal Abu Aoun, who was employed at Yafa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. His funeral took place at noon in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital courtyard.

He represents the most recent Palestinian fatality in the coastal territory since a fragile October ceasefire agreement sought to end a more than two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Although major fighting has decreased, the unstable ceasefire has witnessed nearly daily Israeli fire. Israeli forces have conducted repeated airstrikes and regularly fire on Palestinians near military-controlled areas, killing at least 929 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

The ministry, operating under the Hamas-led government, keeps detailed casualty documentation considered generally reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts. However, it does not provide breakdowns between civilians and militants.

Militants have conducted shooting attacks on troops, and Israel claims its strikes respond to those and other violations. Four Israeli soldiers have died since the ceasefire.

ISTANBUL (AP) — Massive crowds of demonstrators filled Turkey’s capital city Saturday, rallying behind the ousted chief of the nation’s primary opposition political organization.

A court directive issued May 21 stripped Ozgur Ozel of his leadership position within the Republican People’s Party, known as CHP. Numerous observers view this judicial action as a politically driven effort to weaken opposition forces.

Demonstrators initially assembled at Guven Park in Turkey’s capital center to listen as Ozel delivered remarks criticizing his dismissal. The crowd then accompanied him on an unplanned procession to the memorial site of Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

“They are attempting to replace the CHP’s elected chairman and appoint a trustee,” Ozel told supporters. “Today is the day to restart our march to power. I wish this were an internal party matter. This is not an internal matter for the CHP. This is a matter between (President) Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the nation.”

The appellate court’s decision reversed a 2023 party convention ballot that installed Ozel as CHP chief. The judicial ruling reinstated his former colleague, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, generating anger among party loyalists.

The 51-year-old Ozel took over from the 77-year-old Kilicdaroglu following 13 years of largely unsuccessful resistance to Erdogan.

Ozel has characterized the legal proceedings, which focused on supposed voting violations during the convention, as the most recent judicial assault on the CHP. Legal proceedings nationwide, primarily alleging financial misconduct in CHP-controlled local governments, have resulted in hundreds of elected representatives and party activists being arrested.

Government officials maintain that Turkey’s judicial system operates without bias and functions free from political influence.

While demonstrators assembled at Guven Park, Kilicdaroglu conducted a competing event at CHP offices in Ankara, which law enforcement officers raided the previous Sunday to eject Ozel and his allies.

Speaking to a significantly smaller audience, Kilicdaroglu criticized the former party leadership for allowing extensive financial misconduct.

The CHP currently matches the governing Justice and Development Party, or AKP, in recent polling data, and despite the next scheduled election occurring in 2028, many anticipate Erdogan will seek earlier voting.

Ozel inflicted significant damage on the AKP during 2024 local elections, consolidating the opposition’s control over major urban centers it had captured five years prior, including Istanbul and Ankara.

The CHP mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, has become the most probable opponent to Erdogan, who has governed Turkey since 2003, in the upcoming presidential contest. However, he has been incarcerated since March of last year while confronting multiple criminal proceedings that could result in decades of imprisonment.

Lithuania’s capital city welcomed tens of thousands of visitors over the weekend for an extraordinary celebration dedicated to the nation’s beloved cold beet soup, transforming the entire city into a vibrant pink spectacle.

The three-day Vilnius Pink Soup Fest showcased šaltibarščiai, Lithuania’s traditional cold beet soup, with a massive coordinated “Pink Break” lunch where visitors from around the world gathered at extended tables to share the iconic dish. Event planners projected that attendees would consume over three metric tons (6,614 lbs) of kefir, a fermented milk product essential to the soup, throughout the celebration, with more than 100,000 people expected to participate.

This cooling soup serves as a summer staple for Lithuanians during the Baltic nation’s brief warm season. The traditional recipe combines beets and kefir with boiled potatoes, eggs, cucumbers and dill.

International visitors flocked to the unique celebration, including tourist Connor Holmes from the United Kingdom, who discovered the event online and believed “it was completely ridiculous in the best possible way.”

“Before I knew it, I was building a suit of pink knight armor, carrying a spoon instead of a sword, and decorating my shield with eggs, dill and potatoes,” he said. “At that point, coming to Vilnius and seeing all this craziness myself felt like the next logical step.”

The capital became an enormous pink entertainment zone as both visitors and residents donned pink attire. Additional participants celebrated wearing cucumber, egg and beet costumes while the city organized processions both on streets and along the Neris River.

Jolanta Žukienė, a teacher from Vilnius, attended the festival for the fourth consecutive year, bringing her three children and husband on Saturday.

“I can see how the number of attractions and visitors from abroad is growing, and Vilnius is becoming a real magnet for everyone who loves good food and unique experiences,” she said.

This celebration represents part of the city’s strategy to boost tourism to the Baltic nation.

“Looking at the crowds on the banks and the decorated boats, we joked that cold beet soup already dominates both land and water,” said Dovilė Aleksandravičienė, director of Go Vilnius, the city’s development agency. “Perhaps the air is next.”

Overnight drone operations by Ukrainian forces resulted in blazes at multiple Russian petroleum installations on Saturday, according to regional Russian authorities, marking another chapter in ongoing strikes against Moscow’s crucial energy sector.

Russian officials in the Rostov region reported that debris from downed drones ignited a blaze that harmed an oil storage facility and fuel tanker at Taganrog port, while administrators in the adjacent Krasnodar region documented a fire erupting at a petroleum depot in Armavir from similar causes. “Another facility of Russia’s oil industry has been reached — Armavir,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X Saturday of the attack in the Krasnodar region, noting that Armavir is “500 kilometers from our state border.” “We are rightfully bringing the war back to where it came from,” he wrote.

Ukrainian forces have broadened their medium and long-distance attack capabilities, utilizing drone and rocket systems developed within their borders to combat Russia’s 4-year-old invasion. Strikes against Russian petroleum infrastructure that serves as a crucial funding source for the invasion have become nearly routine events.

Meanwhile, Russia has employed its extended-range ballistic weapons to target Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure and bombard urban areas. The Ukrainian capital is preparing for additional intense bombardments following what the Russian Foreign Ministry described earlier this week as forthcoming “systemic strikes” on Kyiv. Zelenskyy said Thursday that he’s being “very persistent” in pressing the United States to provide his country with more Patriot air defense missiles that can counter devastating Russian ballistic missile attacks. The strikes on Russian petroleum infrastructure occurred one day after a Russian drone participating in an assault on Ukraine veered off course and hit an apartment complex in eastern Romania, wounding two individuals in the NATO member nation. The border violation heightened worries that the conflict might extend beyond the alliance’s boundaries and prompted widespread criticism throughout Europe.

Officials in the Georgian capital have opened a historic wine vault for the first time this week, revealing approximately 40,000 bottles that once belonged to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

The collection, now owned by the Georgian government, contains French and Georgian wine rarities stored in a repository where cobwebs hang from the ceiling and a sweet, musky aroma fills the dimly lit space.

Government officials intend to sell the collection at auction, with some bottles dating back to the early 1800s, and will direct proceeds toward establishing a wine education school within the country.

Irakli Gilauri, owner of Gilauri Wines who collaborated with the nation’s agriculture ministry on this initiative, stated the auction would help to “put Georgia on the collectors’ map.”

The South Caucasus nation promotes itself as wine’s birthplace, citing archaeological findings that show an unbroken winemaking heritage spanning 8,000 years.

Stalin, a Georgian native who ruled the Soviet Union from 1924 until 1953, had a passion for drinking and collecting wine.

His collection features bottles from Bordeaux’s premier estates that previously belonged to Russian Tsar Alexander III and his son Nicholas II. Following the 1917 Russian Revolution, Soviet forces confiscated the Imperial Romanov wine collection, with Stalin serving as its custodian while gradually incorporating his preferred Georgian wine varieties.

Wine collector Victor Chen, who made the journey from Dallas, Texas to view the collection, expressed enthusiasm while examining the dust-laden bottles containing amber-colored wine.

“I feel like you’re Indiana Jones opening up a cave: it could be nothing, it could be something,” Chen commented, making reference to the adventurous movie character.

“There’s not many things that are still historical moments at this point. And this could be one of them.”

ANHOLT, Denmark — Officials in Denmark have pulled the remains of a humpback whale onto shore after the animal’s body spent two weeks floating in shallow coastal waters following its death.

The marine mammal had become a media sensation across Germany, earning the affectionate names “Timmy” and “Hope” as news organizations provided continuous coverage of its condition after it was initially discovered near the German coastline on March 3.

Authorities discovered the whale’s body on May 14, washed up near the tiny island of Anholt in the Kattegat strait, which runs between Denmark and Sweden and links the Baltic Sea with the North Sea.

The animal’s death brought to a close several months of dramatic and sometimes controversial rescue attempts, which reached their peak on May 2 when crews loaded the whale onto a barge and attempted to transport it toward the North Sea, hoping to guide it back to its natural Atlantic Ocean environment.

Officials with the Danish Environmental Protection Agency say they plan to conduct an examination of the remains in the coming week to identify what caused the whale’s death.

On Saturday, the Danish media outlet “News5” broadcast live footage showing the carcass being pulled up onto the beach using cables connected to a truck positioned on shore.

Marine biologists remain uncertain about why the whale entered the Baltic Sea waters, which are located far from its typical living area and provide unsuitable conditions for the species. Some specialists have suggested the animal may have become disoriented while pursuing a school of herring or during its seasonal migration journey.

Recent changes to Canadian citizenship regulations have triggered a significant spike in applications from Americans seeking to obtain status through family heritage, according to new government statistics.

The revised regulations, which expanded eligibility beyond just first-generation descendants to include more distant family connections, have led to dramatic increases in monthly citizenship approvals. Government records show monthly approvals have climbed from just 275 when the updated law took effect in December 2025 to more than 1,000 additional cases each month this year.

Statistics reveal that approximately 48% of these new approvals through February came from applicants in the United States, highlighting the strong interest among Americans in securing Canadian status.

Legal experts attribute the high American participation to the longstanding connections between the neighboring nations, while also noting that many Americans view Canada as an appealing destination for living or education, particularly given recent political turbulence in the U.S.

William Hunnewell, a 41-year-old Seattle resident who submitted his application this year and anticipates a decision within nine to twelve months, explained his motivation. His great-grandfather homesteaded in Saskatchewan prior to World War One, and his grandfather was born in Canada.

“The biggest thing is it gives our family options,” Hunnewell explained. “If my kid wants to study or live in Canada, she can just go — there’s no visa, no deadlines.”

Immigration attorney Nick Berning, who practices in the United States, believes most newly approved citizens will continue residing abroad but want to maintain flexibility for the future.

“Current interest in Canadian citizenship is definitely influenced by U.S. politics,” Berning stated. “They want to stay in the U.S., but if things become untenable, they want a way out.”

Political divisions have intensified across America, with polling indicating growing dissatisfaction with the current administration. Relations between the two countries have also become strained following the imposition of heavy tariffs on Canadian products and discussions about annexing Canada as the 51st state.

Monthly approval figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada show steady growth: 1,140 approvals in January, 1,255 in February, and 1,405 in March under the new citizenship category.

The updated citizenship legislation came in response to a 2023 court decision that ruled restricting citizenship to only the first generation born outside Canada violated constitutional principles.

Individuals who have lived outside Canada for multiple generations can now qualify for citizenship by demonstrating ancestral connections. This expansion contrasts sharply with recent Canadian government initiatives to reduce immigration quotas.

However, Berning pointed out that new citizens who have never resided in Canada cannot automatically transfer citizenship rights to their children born in foreign countries.

A devastating highway accident in Afghanistan’s eastern region has claimed the lives of at least 22 people, including 10 children, when a transport vehicle carrying Afghan refugees overturned on Saturday. Approximately 36 others sustained injuries in the crash, with women and children comprising the majority of casualties, according to local authorities.

The fatal incident took place in Laghman province along the primary roadway connecting Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, to Nangarhar province, according to Abdul Malik Niazai, the spokesperson for the provincial governor.

Among those who perished were 10 children and five women, while the wounded victims were transported to medical facilities in Nangarhar for treatment, Niazai reported.

Aminullah Sharif, the provincial director of public health, confirmed the death toll of 22 individuals and stated that roughly 36 people were hurt in the incident. According to Sharif, the crash happened when the transport vehicle veered into a roadside ditch after its operator dozed off while driving.

The victims were part of the large population of Afghans who have recently come back from Pakistan, following that country’s enforcement campaign against migrants that began in 2023, resulting in deportations and pressure on many to depart. Iran similarly stepped up removal efforts for Afghan migrants during this period. Millions of Afghans have since returned from both nations, including numerous individuals who were born in Pakistan and had lived and worked there for many years.

In another incident in eastern Nuristan province, a vehicle plunged from the roadway into a river on Friday evening, injuring the operator and leaving four occupants unaccounted for, provincial officials announced Saturday. Search and rescue teams were actively looking for the four missing individuals, the governor’s office reported.

Such transportation incidents occur frequently throughout Afghanistan, where roadway infrastructure is in poor condition and motorists commonly disregard safety rules.

Moscow announced Saturday that it has withdrawn its diplomatic representative from Armenia for discussions, expressing displeasure over the nation’s growing relationship with the European Union with elections approaching on June 7.

The Caucasus country, home to approximately 3 million residents, maintains a formal alliance with Russia but has been strengthening connections with Western nations in recent years, even while remaining economically tied to Moscow.

“The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Armenia, S.P. Kopyrkin, has been recalled to Moscow for consultations in connection with steps taken by the Armenian leadership toward rapprochement with the European Union,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated regarding diplomat Sergei Kopyrkin.

On Friday, a Moscow-led economic alliance of former Soviet states announced it would review potentially suspending Armenia for pursuing EU membership and urged the capital to conduct a public referendum on the matter.

Polling data for the upcoming June vote indicates that pro-Western Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s political party holds a lead over opposition groups favoring Russia.

U.S. President Donald Trump has given his backing to Pashinyan, who rose to leadership following a 2018 popular uprising and secured re-election in 2021.

Armenian officials contend that Russia did not provide adequate security during military conflicts with neighboring Azerbaijan, particularly regarding disputes over Nagorno-Karabakh, a previously separatist territory with ethnic Armenian residents that Azerbaijan reclaimed in 2023.

Moscow maintains that Western nations are interfering in Armenian affairs to diminish Russian authority throughout the former Soviet territories.

Armenian officials have not yet responded publicly to the diplomatic recall announcement.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Asian allies Saturday to increase their military expenditures in response to China’s expanding military capabilities, expressing concern about the nation’s rapid defense buildup during a major regional security conference.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s leading gathering for defense officials, military leaders and diplomats, Hegseth emphasized the need for a more robust and independent network of allies to discourage aggression and maintain regional stability.

“There is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” he said.

“A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power,” Hegseth said. “No state, including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies in question.”

The Pentagon chief announced that the U.S. anticipates its Asian partners to raise defense expenditures to 3.5% of GDP while committing to a $1.5 trillion investment in American military capabilities.

“Less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs,” Hegseth said, emphasizing that the region needed greater defense capability than conferences. Allies want stability, not escalation, he said.

“What they want, and what the United States delivers, is strength that is disciplined, resolve that is steady, and leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick.”

Despite his warnings about China’s military expansion, Hegseth adopted a moderate approach regarding U.S.-China relations, characterizing them as “better than they have been in many years,” with increased military-to-military communication helping to reduce tensions.

“We are meeting more frequently with our Chinese counterparts by maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication.”

Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University and retired People’s Liberation Army senior colonel who was part of the Chinese delegation, described U.S.-China relations as “complicated.”

Nonetheless, he said Hegseth struck “a much better tone” this year than last, attributing the shift to Trump’s visit to China.

“Both sides have open channels of communication, the situation is not as exaggerated as the outside world makes it out to be,” Zhou said.

China, whose defense minister is skipping the dialogue for a second consecutive year, accused Hegseth last year of making “vilifying” remarks.

Hegseth reinforced President Donald Trump’s persistent call for allies to take on greater responsibility for their own defense expenses. Trump has specifically stated that European and NATO partners should decrease their dependence on Washington.

“The era of the United States subsidizing the defence of wealthy nations is over,” Hegseth said. “We need partners, not protectorates,” he added. “We don’t have a strong alliance unless everyone has skin in the game. No freeloading.”

Hegseth acknowledged contributions from allies including South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and said Japan was taking concrete steps to bolster its defences.

Tokyo and Washington “must each pull our weight to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance,” he said.

Regarding Middle East tensions, Hegseth stated the United States remains prepared to resume military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts prove unsuccessful, as negotiators from Washington and Tehran work to resolve significant disagreements preventing an agreement.

“Our ability to recommence if necessary…we are more than capable,” Hegseth said. He added that Trump remains “patient” and is seeking a “strong deal” to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.

Trump said on Friday he would convene advisers in a secure White House setting to make a “final determination” on a proposal to end the Iran war.

Hegseth also dismissed concerns that the Middle East conflict would divert attention from Asia-Pacific priorities.

“We can do two things at one time.”

During his address, Hegseth did not reference Taiwan, a sensitive issue in U.S.-China relations.

When questioned about weapons sales to the island afterward, Hegseth minimized worries that a multi-billion-dollar package might be impacted as the United States reduces its weapons stockpiles during the Middle East conflict. “We feel very good about our stockpiles and how we use them,” he said.

Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has been waiting for the U.S. to approve an arms sale that Reuters reported could be worth up to $14 billion.

Trump sowed uncertainty in Taipei by saying, after meeting China’s President Xi Jinping this month, that he was undecided on whether to approve the package.

Any decision on future arms sales would rest with President Trump, Hegseth said, signalling no shift in Washington’s longstanding approach despite recent engagement with Beijing.

“Those decisions will depend on the president and the nature of that relationship,” Hegseth said. “There’s been no change in our status.”

Three allied nations are joining forces to create unmanned underwater vehicles through their defense partnership, according to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Speaking to reporters in Singapore on Saturday, Hegseth revealed that the United States, Britain and Australia are collaborating on this underwater drone technology as part of their AUKUS trilateral defense agreement.

The announcement highlights the ongoing military cooperation between the three countries under the AUKUS framework.

Emergency teams successfully extracted four additional individuals from a water-filled cave in Laos on Saturday, according to Thai rescue officials.

The Saturday rescue mission took place just hours following the Friday evening extraction of another person from the same flooded cavern.

All five individuals who have now been brought to safety were part of a seven-person group of Lao citizens who had ventured into the cave system located in Xaisomboun province while searching for gold. The group became stranded when floodwaters blocked their path out, leaving them stuck underground for over a week.

Vietnam’s highest-ranking official believes that strengthening relationships with neighboring China could enhance peace and stability throughout the region, despite ongoing territorial conflicts between the two nations.

Communist Party General Secretary and President To Lam shared this perspective during his inaugural interview with international media in his current position, speaking with Reuters on Friday.

“We do not pick sides,” Lam stated, emphasizing Vietnam’s balanced approach to foreign relations.

The Vietnamese leader explained that pursuing closer ties with China while working to resolve longstanding territorial disagreements in the South China Sea presents no conflict of interest.

“If we can maintain good relations and dialogue, then all disagreements can be resolved,” Lam explained through an interpreter.

“Having good relations with China, safeguarding our sovereignty and settlement of issues in the East Sea are mutually reinforcing, not mutually exclusive,” he added, referencing Vietnam’s terminology for the South China Sea.

Lam restated Vietnam’s established stance of resolving territorial disputes through international law, specifically citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The territorial tensions between China and Vietnam are significant, with Vietnam claiming the Chinese-controlled Paracel islands and the complete Spratlys archipelago located further south. The Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have competing claims over this crucial shipping corridor, where military presence continues to expand, making it an increasingly volatile regional hotspot.

These comments come as Lam works quickly to elevate Vietnam’s international standing, seeking to strengthen relationships with China, the United States and other major nations while pursuing an aggressive economic growth strategy.

Lam characterized the rivalry between the United States and China as an “objective reality.”

“We do not approach our relations with major powers through the prism of security,” he noted, demonstrating Vietnam’s traditional flexible diplomatic approach known as “bamboo diplomacy.”

“We need good relations with major countries so that we can jointly address essential, important issues.”

Now serving in both the party leadership and presidential roles, Lam has become Vietnam’s most influential leader in recent decades, with his dual position enabling him to take a more active diplomatic role.

International diplomatic observers are carefully monitoring his leadership style as he develops a more assertive and adaptable stance for a country previously viewed as diplomatically reserved and careful due to its shared leadership structure.

Some experts have observed that concentrating power in a single individual could push the one-party system toward increased authoritarianism, while simultaneously allowing for quicker policy decisions.

Described as soft-spoken yet decisive, the 68-year-old Lam rose through Vietnam’s domestic security organization, an influential but discrete agency not typically associated with producing diplomatic leaders.

Lam’s Reuters interview occurred following his keynote address on Friday evening at Asia’s premier defense conference, the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore — marking the first time a Vietnamese party leader has delivered such a speech.

Speaking to an audience of international defense officials, military personnel, intelligence officers and scholars, Lam identified global challenges including weakening international rules and law, developmental crises involving reduced growth and climate change, and deteriorating trust between nations.

“The three crises confronting our world today are not inevitable realities that we are bound to accept,” Lam declared.

He advocated for strengthening international law, establishing inclusive and sustainable economic drivers, and promoting dialogue and openness.

During the post-speech interview in a hotel meeting room, wearing casual attire with a burgundy tie, Lam acknowledged to Reuters that his administration’s growth objectives were “ambitious and highly challenging” but expressed determination to reach them.

Vietnam aims to achieve developed, high-income nation status by 2045, targeting 10% GDP growth this year and continued double-digit increases in coming years, powered by advances in science, technology and digital innovation.

When questioned about whether the Iran crisis and other global challenges might require adjusting these targets, Lam maintained the core goals remained “within reach.”

“Our answer is clear: we will not adjust this objective downward.

“We believe there is no alternative path. If we fail to achieve this target, we will fall short of the broader development aspirations we have set for our country,” he concluded.

Air operations came to a temporary standstill at Munich Airport in southern Germany on Saturday morning following reports of a suspected drone in the airspace, according to German news outlets Focus Online and Bild.

Focus Online later reported that flight operations had resumed at the facility. However, the airport’s departure information showed that multiple flights scheduled around 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) experienced delays or cancellations, though not all services were affected.

Neither airport officials nor local police provided immediate responses when contacted for comment about the incident.

Emergency crews in Laos continued their mission Saturday to safely extract four villagers discovered alive inside a water-filled cave, where they have been stranded for 10 days following the successful rescue of one survivor the previous day.

The rescue operation aims to bring out the remaining four men Saturday after determining they weren’t prepared for evacuation on Friday. Teams are working to pump additional water from the cave system while simultaneously searching for two individuals who remain unaccounted for.

“One person has made it out safely, and we will not stop until the remaining four make it home too,” Norrased Palasing, a Thai cave diver participating in the operation, wrote Saturday on his Facebook page.

The first evacuation on Friday required approximately 30 minutes, according to rescue personnel. Footage captured the moment the survivor surfaced alongside a rescue diver, gasping for air before struggling through a tight, water-filled corridor and rising unsteadily. As rescue workers assisted him from the tunnel, someone could be heard cautioning others about his injured hands. Emergency responders then covered him with a foil blanket and helped him sit down.

Additional footage showed the individual exiting the cave entrance wearing a headlamp, walking shakily with support from two people who transferred him to other team members as onlookers gathered.

The group had reportedly gone into the cave the previous week searching for precious minerals when sudden flooding trapped them inside. Another villager managed to escape in time and notified authorities about the seven people left behind.

Search teams located five survivors on Wednesday, identified by their first names as Khamla, Mued, Ee, Ing and Laen. Officials have not disclosed which individual was brought to safety Friday.

The trapped men received supplies including water, soft food and thermal blankets for warmth, though video footage from inside the cave indicated their situation was worsening.

International rescue teams from Laos and Thailand have been joined by specialists from Japan and Malaysia. Additional experts from Indonesia, France and Australia have also arrived at the remote location in Xaisomboun province, approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Vientiane, the capital.

Multiple team members had participated in the complex 2018 cave rescue operation in northern Thailand that saved 12 schoolchildren and their soccer coach.

In video recorded Friday, roughly one hour before the first evacuation commenced, Thai rescuer Kengkaj Bongkawong of the Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin explained the operational difficulties they face.

The rescue team has established a base inside a large cave chamber, reachable only by navigating over 200 meters of winding, narrow, flooded passages with sharp walls. From that point, divers must travel through a submerged tunnel spanning about 30 meters to reach the stranded individuals.

“To dive in a cave, there are issues with the temperature, narrow areas, control of movement, and managing the panic of the survivor, which will be difficult, but we have to do it,” Kengkaj said.

The operation carries substantial risk as rescue teams guide survivors with no diving experience through water with zero visibility.

Video showed Thai diver Norrased and Finnish diver Mikko Paasi instructing the men on diving equipment use, including underwater breathing methods.

“All the way, breathe through your mouth only. Do not ever breathe with your nose, do you understand?” Norrased said during the session.

Emergency teams are also preparing to look for the two villagers who remain missing.

Kengkaj indicated the team intends to explore a section further inside the cave, roughly 20 to 25 meters past where the survivors were discovered. He warned, however, that the area is extensively flooded.

“That area has a lot of water. The water goes there because it’s even deeper than this place,” he said.

Regional officials in southern Russia reported Saturday that Ukrainian drone attacks overnight targeted a tanker vessel and oil storage facility in two separate cities near the Ukrainian border.

According to Rostov region Governor Yury Slyusar, who posted on Telegram, blazes at the tanker and throughout the port of Taganrog were put out without causing an oil spill. The governor reported two people sustained injuries in the port city, which is home to approximately 240,000 residents.

Mayor Svetlana Kambulova announced that a local emergency declaration, first implemented on May 27, would continue beyond its original timeframe.

In the adjacent Krasnodar region, officials from Armavir reported that a blaze at an oil storage facility within the city’s industrial area was successfully contained without any casualties. Armavir has approximately 185,000 inhabitants.

Governor Slyusar stated that regional air defenses intercepted nearly 50 drones throughout the area, with strike attempts documented across the province that shares a border with Ukraine’s Donbas region, where intense combat between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues.

Beyond the port city of Taganrog, the governor indicated that only minimal property damage occurred from the drone activity.

ATHENS, Greece — Soccer brought communities together on the streets of Greece’s capital as amateur teams prepared for their own version of World Cup competition.

Athletes competed and formed connections on neighborhood practice fields throughout Athens rather than in the massive venues hosting matches across Mexico, Canada and the United States.

The local tournament featured no premium seating or elaborate facilities — instead, migrant and Greek athletes played on municipal fields while spectators gathered along chain-link barriers as music echoed through surrounding neighborhoods.

Though teams representing Albania, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria and Sudan won’t appear in the official World Cup, amateur athletes connected to these nations showcased their skills in Athens.

Numerous migrant athletes have been preparing for Europe’s tougher migration and asylum policies set to begin in June. However, the competition for migrant and refugee communities offered a welcome break — a festival of soccer and cultural pride.

One playing location sat near Plato’s Academy, where ancient Athenians once discussed citizenship concepts, with the Acropolis visible beyond the field. In the crowded Kypseli neighborhood, fans displayed Congolese and Ivory Coast banners while volunteers conducted drumming workshops nearby.

Squads played to African pop songs while coaches called out directions and fans applauded from the edges of the field.

Amelie Nguedia of Cameroon moved rhythmically onto the pitch before game time as teammates followed her lead, sharing laughter.

“Coming to play here is a real pleasure,” she said. “We aren’t professionals, but we love participating.”

Nguedia mentioned she would cheer for Ivory Coast during the World Cup, since Cameroon didn’t make the tournament.

Ivorian Moussa Sangare established the Kypseli Mundial tournament three years earlier, explaining he hoped to use soccer to address fear and suspicion directed at migrants in Greece.

The Mediterranean country serves as a primary entry point for migrants entering the European Union without authorization and experienced the 2015 refugee emergency. Though unauthorized border entries to Greece decreased over the past ten years, anti-migration feelings have intensified as the government implements tighter border security and promises more deportations.

“People are often afraid of migrants, but we wanted to change this narrative,” he said. “Interacting with migrants and second-generation migrants and doing things together: People change their minds through experience.”

Sangare remained constantly active during the event — organizing schedules, greeting teams, recording social media content and tidying up following games.

“For us, this tournament is like a mini–World Cup in Greece,” he said.

The scheduling of the Athens event held special meaning.

The five-week World Cup begins June 11. One day afterward, updated EU migration and asylum regulations become active, featuring stronger border enforcement and quicker deportations. Greece also plans to relocate migrant holding centers overseas to African nations.

Even with this context, Athens maintained a celebratory mood.

Games remained competitive without becoming aggressive. Rough plays prompted reactions from spectators. Coaches delivered instructions from tight sideline areas. Supporters exchanged friendly comments with opposing fans across the barriers.

Soon after, they would share moments of humor.

For most participants, the competition provided relief from everyday responsibilities. Many spend extended hours working behind the scenes in restaurant kitchens, hotels, construction projects and food delivery services throughout Athens.

“I am very proud to be playing in this tournament for the first time,” said Amissi, a midfielder from Mali, after completing a match. He is employed at a facility that builds water heaters.

Following competition among 21 teams, Nigeria’s squad captured the men’s championship, while Greek community club Fostiras earned the women’s trophy.

Head referee Chara Vogiatzidaki noted the tournament’s importance reached beyond field outcomes.

“There are so many countries and different cultures, and I think the main goal is to show respect for all communities,” she said.

“There are some teams that are technically very advanced, and others that are less so. But the important thing is that all the teams have the mindset of enjoying themselves,” Vogiatzidaki said. “That’s really beautiful.”

Delegates at Asia’s most important defense conference are asking one pressing question: “Where is China?”

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun has now missed the Shangri-La Dialogue for two consecutive years, choosing not to attend Singapore’s premier security gathering. His absence means missed chances to engage directly with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and defense officials from Australia, France, Britain, Japan and numerous other countries.

Instead of sending high-ranking military leadership, Beijing opted to dispatch a modest group of People’s Liberation Army “experts and scholars” – a significant downgrade from their typical influential representation.

The annual conference traditionally features a major address from China’s defense minister or another senior official outlining Beijing’s military philosophy and perspective on international conflicts. However, this signature presentation has been removed from this year’s schedule, just as it was in 2025.

Hegseth acknowledged the notable absence during his Saturday keynote address.

“I wish my counterpart was here at this conference, but I look forward to other options when we can cross paths and communicate, talk about things where often actions at sea or actions in the air are perceived differently,” he stated.

Australia’s Richard Marles described the situation as a missed chance for nations to engage in direct, honest discussions about regional tension points.

Despite skipping the Singapore forum, Dong Jun did hold talks with Hegseth when U.S. President Donald Trump visited China earlier this month.

Zhou Bo, a former PLA senior colonel participating in China’s delegation, minimized the significance of the defense minister’s absence.

“This is not the first time the defence minister is not attending,” he explained. “And academic delegations have come before. But it is true that the level of the delegation is relatively low this time.”

Several experts suggest Beijing made a strategic decision to avoid difficult questioning about Taiwan-related tensions and how military corruption investigations might affect China’s battlefield capabilities.

“My feeling is that they are trying to avoid tough questions,” explained Chong Ja Ian, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore.

“The question that comes up with the (Chinese) delegation, since it is so researcher heavy, is their representativeness and authoritativeness.”

Diplomatic sources indicate Beijing may have wanted to prevent a repeat of last year’s forum, when Hegseth characterized China as a regional threat and called on Asian partners to increase military expenditures.

At that time, Beijing accused the United States of unfairly demonizing China.

This year, Hegseth adopted a more moderate approach, though he warned that “no state, including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies in question.”

He also noted that U.S.-China diplomatic ties were in better shape than they had been for several years.

China started participating in the 23-year-old conference with typically high-ranking delegations beginning in 2007. The country sent its defense minister in 2011 and 2019, then maintained this practice from 2022 through 2024. The forum was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bilahari Kausikan, an experienced Singapore diplomat, noted that the Shangri-La Dialogue’s main purpose has always been maintaining U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia and guaranteeing America’s defense secretary visits Singapore and the region annually.

“Whether China is represented by its defence minister is a secondary factor. It would be nice but not essential to have the Chinese defence minister here.”

The U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Asian partners to significantly increase their military expenditures during a major defense conference in Singapore on Saturday, citing concerns about China’s expanding military capabilities across the region.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s leading gathering for defense officials and military leaders, Hegseth emphasized the need for stronger, more independent allied networks to prevent regional dominance by any single power.

“There is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” he said.

The Pentagon leader warned against allowing any nation to control the Pacific, stating: “A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power. No state, including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies in question.”

Hegseth announced that the U.S. expects its Asian partners to raise defense spending to 3.5% of their GDP, while America commits $1.5 trillion to its own military investments.

The defense secretary emphasized that allies seek stability rather than conflict, explaining: “What they want, and what the United States delivers, is strength that is disciplined, resolve that is steady, and leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick.”

Despite his warnings about China’s military expansion, Hegseth adopted a more measured approach regarding U.S.-China relations, describing them as “better than they have been in many years,” with increased military-to-military communication helping manage tensions.

“We are meeting more frequently with our Chinese counterparts by maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication,” he noted.

Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University and retired People’s Liberation Army senior colonel who was part of the Chinese delegation, described U.S.-China relations as “complicated.”

However, he said Hegseth struck “a much better tone” this year than last, attributing the shift to Trump’s visit to China.

“Both sides have open channels of communication, the situation is not as exaggerated as the outside world makes it out to be,” Zhou said.

China’s defense minister is absent from the dialogue for the second year running. Last year, China criticized Hegseth for making “vilifying” remarks.

Hegseth reinforced President Donald Trump’s ongoing position that allies must take greater responsibility for their own defense costs, stating that European and NATO partners should depend less on Washington.

“The era of the United States subsidizing the defence of wealthy nations is over,” Hegseth declared. “We need partners, not protectorates. We don’t have a strong alliance unless everyone has skin in the game. No freeloading.”

The defense secretary commended contributions from allies including South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, noting that Japan was taking concrete steps to strengthen its defenses.

Regarding Japan specifically, he said Tokyo and Washington “must each pull our weight to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance.”

Addressing Middle East tensions, Hegseth indicated the United States remains prepared to resume military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail, as negotiators from both countries work to resolve significant disagreements preventing an agreement.

“Our ability to recommence if necessary…we are more than capable,” Hegseth stated. He added that Trump remains “patient” and is seeking a “strong deal” to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.

Trump announced on Friday he would gather advisers in a secure White House setting to make a “final determination” on a proposal to end the Iran war.

Hegseth dismissed concerns that the Middle East conflict would divert attention from Asia-Pacific priorities, saying: “We can do two things at one time.”

When questioned about arms sales to Taiwan, Hegseth minimized worries that a multi-billion-dollar package could be impacted as the United States reduces its weapons stockpiles amid the Middle East conflict. “We feel very good about our stockpiles and how we use them,” he said.

Taiwan, which China considers its own territory, has been awaiting U.S. approval for an arms sale that Reuters reported could be worth up to $14 billion.

Trump created uncertainty in Taipei by saying, after meeting China’s President Xi Jinping this month, that he was undecided on whether to approve the package.

Any decision on future arms sales would rest with President Trump, Hegseth said, indicating no change in Washington’s established approach despite recent engagement with Beijing.

“Those decisions will depend on the president and the nature of that relationship,” Hegseth said. “There’s been no change in our status.”

Parliamentary elections commenced Saturday in Malta, with polling data indicating the ruling Labour Party is positioned to secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive term in office.

Prime Minister Robert Abela initiated the early election four years into the current five-year term, referencing future challenges facing the Mediterranean nation due to international uncertainties.

The country’s economic performance ranks among the European Union’s strongest, with 4% growth recorded last year, minimal inflation, and virtually no unemployment. Energy and fuel costs have remained frozen for nearly a decade, resulting in Europe’s most affordable rates.

Nevertheless, officials worry that Middle Eastern conflicts could increase inflation in the EU’s smallest member nation, which depends heavily on imports, and could damage the tourism sector as aviation fuel costs climb.

Multiple polling surveys have repeatedly indicated his Labour Party is positioned to secure a substantial parliamentary majority, similar to victories achieved in 2013, 2017 and 2022.

Although six political organizations appear on the ballot, Labour and the opposition centrist Nationalist Party have been the sole parties to gain parliamentary representation since 1966, with minor parties receiving under 5% of votes.

Abela has focused his campaign on economic achievements, pledging competence and stability.

The Nationalist Party under new leader Alex Borg has argued that the robust economy has failed to improve living standards.

A significant increase in migrant workers during the past decade has also sparked concerns about rising housing costs, overcrowding and strain on infrastructure and healthcare systems.

Election outcomes are anticipated around midday Sunday.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli reservist watched as his fellow soldiers celebrated enthusiastically, cheering each other on. They had just attacked a Palestinian vehicle traveling near the Israeli-controlled section of the Gaza Strip, leaving all occupants dead.

The military member said such incidents had become routine following the implementation of a fragile ceasefire in October. During his weeks of deployment in Gaza, he witnessed troops eagerly pursuing those who violated — or nearly violated — the yellow boundary line separating Israeli-controlled zones from Palestinian territories.

“It was a jungle,” the soldier, who is in his twenties, told The Associated Press. “After the ceasefire, the order was: If someone crosses the line, you shoot them.”

While diplomatic attempts to reinforce the agreement have reached an impasse, three military personnel shared with AP their experience of disorder in the war-torn region, citing unclear guidelines for engagement near the yellow boundary. The soldiers reported that some commanding officers publicly supported the ceasefire while privately expressing hopes for continued warfare in Gaza. Occasionally, forces were positioned too distantly or responded too hastily to properly identify their targets, according to one soldier — a worry also raised by a veteran whistleblower organization.

These military accounts offer an uncommon look into events within Israeli-controlled Gaza since the agreement took effect seven months prior. The soldiers — reserve forces deployed across Gaza from October through January who have since returned home — requested anonymity due to concerns about potential social isolation for their statements. They explained their motivation for speaking publicly stemmed from anger and grief over their observations.

AP has recorded instances of Palestinian civilian shootings, including children at play, near the yellow boundary. The soldiers indicated that fatal incidents seemed continuous throughout the unstable agreement.

“To call it a ceasefire is a joke,” one soldier told AP.

Following the ceasefire implementation, Israel repositioned forces to a buffer area marked by a yellow boundary, securing control over slightly more than half the territory. The agreement requires Israeli forces to execute a more complete withdrawal, though no specific timeline exists. The diplomat backed by the U.S. who supervises the truce reports that advancement has stalled due to the primary obstacle of disarming Hamas, which affects all other matters — including Israeli pullbacks and rebuilding efforts.

During this period, Israel has extended its authority over additional Gaza territory. Each side has blamed the other for ceasefire violations.

The boundary’s precise position has remained unclear and sometimes unmarked. In certain areas, yellow blocks and barrels indicate its location; elsewhere, it has occasionally gone completely unmarked.

The Israeli military brought AP this week to observe a portion of the yellow boundary in central Gaza, close to the Maghazi refugee camp. The boundary was clearly visible there, marked by a broad dirt pathway and small yellow indicators. To the east lay an empty expanse of open ground extending to a heavily defended Israeli military position approximately 500 meters distant.

An Israeli military commander stated that Hamas operates on the opposite side of the boundary and regularly dispatches individuals — both fighters and civilians — toward and across the line to evaluate the army’s preparedness and reactions.

“There is no reason for anyone to come near the line,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity under military rules. “There’s nothing here.”

The army claims the complete boundary, spanning Gaza’s entire length, now has clear markings.

Since the ceasefire began, over 900 individuals have died in Gaza — dozens of them near or beyond the yellow boundary, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry does not specify how many were fighters, but unarmed men and children were among the casualties.

Israel’s military has stated that most individuals killed while crossing the boundary presented a danger to troops. However, soldiers who spoke with AP and Breaking the Silence — the whistleblower organization that has gathered troop testimonies during the war — report that soldiers sometimes acted from too great a distance, too rapidly, and under excessive pressure to make accurate determinations.

Israel’s army informed AP that the zone near the yellow boundary represents a “sensitive operational environment” with posted warnings against approaching. It stated the army does not target civilians merely for approaching the boundary and that engagement rules mandate warnings before force is used. In cases involving immediate danger, forces have authorization to respond, it explained.

This marked the combat soldier’s second deployment in Gaza when the ceasefire commenced. He reported being positioned several hundred meters from the yellow boundary and witnessing multiple individuals attempting to cross it being killed by soldiers.

Soldiers conducting shootings or requesting drone attacks do not always identify who is crossing the boundary, he explained. While soldiers must provide location coordinates and obtain superior approval before attacking, delivering precise information becomes difficult as people move, he noted. He described soldiers reporting coordinates based on assumptions or the last observed location of someone.

Breaking the Silence reports that general engagement rules are extremely lenient, particularly regarding boundary crossers, with instructions in many zones being “shoot to kill.” Executive director Nadav Weiman, a veteran who served in Gaza but not during this conflict, identified distance from targets and some overeager soldiers as problematic factors.

He stated that directives and policies from military leadership “have created a reality where countless civilians have and are being killed for crossing invisible lines.”

In one testimony to Breaking the Silence, documented in interview notes reviewed by AP, a soldier describes instructions for troops regarding anyone crossing the yellow boundary: “eliminate him no matter what.”

Another soldier deployed in Gaza for weeks following the ceasefire said commanders emphasized maintaining the boundary at any cost.

“There was a general feeling that human lives are not valuable,” he said.

Regarding yellow boundary marking, the soldier reported his superiors called it “too much work,” not their responsibility, and claimed Palestinians should know its location.

Gaza deployment created emotional strain, he explained.

While snipers sometimes fired warning shots at people approaching the boundary, he said, commanders instructed troops to take greater self-protective measures. The soldier interpreted this as authorization for more lethal shooting.

He and other soldiers who spoke with AP said troops generally believed, based on leadership and peer actions, that Israel planned a permanent Gaza presence rather than eventual withdrawal.

An internal report distributed among aid organizations last month and reviewed by AP indicated that throughout Gaza, Israel has grown “increasingly proactive” with its attacks.

Independent data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a nonprofit based in the U.S., showed April as Gaza’s deadliest month this year and reported that documented deaths near the yellow boundary or of people who crossed it rose over 25% from January to April, increasing from 58 to 73.

This week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel controls 60% of Gaza and indicated the next objective was advancing to 70% control.

The soldiers informed AP that conditions on the ground make the ceasefire seem nonexistent.

“We need to stop using this term,” one said regarding the word ceasefire. “It’s not serving people that want to stop the war.”

Three high-ranking European intelligence officials have revealed to The Associated Press that Russia’s spy operations are becoming increasingly bold in their attempts to obtain Western technology and military secrets, driven by economic pressure from international sanctions.

According to these officials, Moscow’s operatives are establishing fraudulent businesses, enlisting intermediaries, and using digital espionage specialists and hackers to collect intelligence that might also be weaponized against vital infrastructure.

International sanctions imposed over four years have restricted Moscow’s access to European machinery, technology, and research, while the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has strained critical industries and threatens to push the nation toward economic crisis.

Christoffer Wedelin, deputy head of operations at the Swedish Security Service, explained that Russian agents “really know what they need” and are investing “serious effort” into obtaining sophisticated machine tools, manufacturing equipment, research materials, and dual-use technology.

According to Wedelin, Russia is focusing on Sweden’s defense sector and cutting-edge research involving the nation’s most sophisticated weapons, including the Gripen fighter jet. Moscow is also attempting to acquire camera and laser technologies originally designed for civilian applications that could be incorporated into Russian military systems, he noted.

Juha Martelius, director of Finland’s Security and Intelligence Service, stated that Moscow is also attempting to acquire technology to maintain competitiveness or gain advantages over the West in coming decades.

“We’re talking about space technology, quantum … arctic technology, marine technology,” he explained, noting that space technology is something Russia requires “right now,” though he didn’t provide additional details. Nations utilize such technology for satellite imagery, communications, and navigation systems.

Martelius also mentioned that Russia requires sanctioned computer technology and software updates for machine tools.

On Wednesday, Anne Keast-Butler, director of the U.K’s signals intelligence agency, charged Russia with “relentlessly targeting” the U.K. and its European partners through technology theft and planning sabotage and assassination operations.

Swedish authorities arrested two individuals in May on charges of sanctions violations connected to a Turkish company that has shipped dozens of metalworking and metal-turning machine tools to Russia.

Wedelin warned that as these technology acquisition schemes become more sophisticated, businesses must recognize they could inadvertently become part of Russia’s military supply network.

“All of the security and intelligence services in Russia are helping out on the state’s efforts to get this,” he stated.

Moscow is also launching cyberattacks against European companies and critical infrastructure to collect intelligence, which it could use “when they get the chance and when it serves their purpose,” Wedelin explained. He referenced an attack on a Swedish power facility last year.

Russian-affiliated groups attempted to “destroy” the facility but were unsuccessful because security systems identified the breach, Wedelin said. He noted the attack was partially designed to weaken Western support for Ukraine.

Previously, Sweden’s security agencies had primarily observed reconnaissance for possible attacks, intelligence collection, or activities connected to cybercriminals. The attack represented a “switch” in Russia’s approach, Wedelin said.

“They’re no longer caring as much about potential attribution after their activities, so they are taking greater risks to achieve their goals,” he explained.

Russia’s escalating aggressive methods may indicate growing internal worries about its economy, which “is not doing well at all,” according to Kaupo Rosin, head of Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service.

Martelius reported that approximately one-third of Russia’s gross domestic product is currently allocated to the war effort. The conflict and resulting sanctions have reduced growth and sustained high inflation.

Russian leadership projected a budget shortfall of 3.7 trillion rubles ($52.1 billion) for all of 2026 and had already accumulated about 3.4 trillion rubles ($47.9 billion) by February’s end, Rosin reported.

The Iran war that began on Feb. 28 has provided relief by driving oil prices higher. The U.S. has issued sanctions exemptions for Russian oil sales and the U.K. reduced its sanctions to attempt lowering global fuel costs.

Higher revenues since then have probably enhanced Russia’s budget, but “it doesn’t save them,” Rosin said, adding that continued Western pressure could lead Moscow to face a financial crisis by year’s end.

Rosin said intelligence reviewed by his agency indicates a more pessimistic outlook among Russian officials over the past six months, with the narrative of “total victory” in Ukraine having disappeared. Keast-Butler, of British intelligence, reported nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have died in Ukraine since the comprehensive invasion in 2022.

Russia and Ukraine have generally kept their battlefield casualty numbers confidential.

Stagnant battlefield progress and economic difficulties have many Russian officials privately questioning “what is this all for,” Rosin said, referencing intelligence reports.

Martelius, from Finland’s intelligence service, said that although some reports about the Ukraine war may have been “sanitized” before reaching President Vladimir Putin’s office, he believes the Russian leader understands the economic difficulties fairly well.

However, that doesn’t indicate political change will occur.

It is “very dangerous … to start analyzing Russia as if it is some country like ours,” Martelius said. “It is not.”

SINGAPORE — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered reassurances to Pacific region partners during a Saturday address, confirming America’s ongoing dedication to the area while adopting a more moderate stance regarding China compared to his previous statements.

During his presentation to international leaders, diplomatic representatives and senior security personnel at Singapore’s Shangri-La defense summit, Hegseth emphasized that the Pacific region “has profound implications for U.S. security and prosperity.” He stated Washington’s objective was to “achieve a lasting and favorable balance of power in the Pacific.”

This marked Hegseth’s second appearance at the annual gathering. During his previous participation, he drew criticism from Beijing after delivering stark warnings about China’s escalating threats, especially regarding Taiwan. He had declared that China was no longer merely expanding its armed forces to capture Taiwan, but was “actively training for it, every day.”

However, this year’s conference occurred approximately two weeks following President Donald Trump’s visit to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. After that diplomatic encounter, Trump praised Xi as a “great leader” and expressed optimism about having a “fantastic future together.”

Hegseth, who accompanied Trump during the Beijing visit, revealed that both leaders had reached an understanding that China and the United States should “build a constructive relationship of strategic stability, based on fairness and reciprocity, reaffirming that while our nations will vigorously protect our respective interests, we can secure practical, mutually beneficial agreements where our interests align.”

Nevertheless, he maintained that preventing Chinese dominance over the Indo-Pacific remained a key American objective.

“There is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” he stated.

“We share a clear-eyed assessment of that security environment and a mutual understanding that a Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power and undermine the equilibrium we all seek to preserve,” he added.

Following the Xi-Trump discussions, the American president questioned Washington’s commitment to Taiwan’s defense, describing a pending $14 billion weapons package as “a very good negotiating chip for us” with China.

China maintains territorial claims over the democratically governed island, with Xi refusing to eliminate military action as an option for reunification. American law mandates providing Taiwan with defensive capabilities, though the U.S. maintains “strategic ambiguity” regarding potential military intervention if China attacks the island.

Hegseth informed attendees that there was “no change in our status” concerning Taiwan, but declined to discuss the weapons agreement.

“Any decision about future Taiwan arms sales, as the president said, will rest with him,” he explained.

He emphasized the Trump administration’s demand that allies boost defense expenditures, declaring “we need partners, not protectorates.”

He praised multiple Asian nations for their contributions while criticizing unnamed European allies who he claimed became “distracted by empty globalist rhetoric about the rules-based international order.”

“Our partners in Asia have long understood that the bedrock of a durable partnership is not based on idealistic values but on the concrete alignment of national interests,” he stated.

“When our interests diverge, we adjust pragmatically, without the drama or the moralizing,” he continued. “I think Western Europe might take note — this is a mindset we fully embrace.”

Hegseth omitted references to the Ukraine conflict or Iran during his presentation. When questioned about Iran, he simply noted that Trump had assured him that upon completion of Tehran negotiations, “any deal will be a good deal.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared Saturday that the United States stands prepared to resume military operations against Iran should diplomatic negotiations fail to produce an agreement, as representatives from both nations continue working to overcome significant obstacles to a deal.

“Our ability to recommence if necessary…we are more than capable,” Hegseth stated while speaking in Singapore.

“Our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe, so we’re in a very good place,” he continued.

During his remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue, the region’s leading conference for defense officials, military leaders and diplomatic personnel, Hegseth emphasized that America remains committed to the Asia-Pacific area despite ongoing Iranian hostilities.

“We can do two things at one time. We’re super-charging our defence industrial base so that we’re building 2X, 3X, 4X the munitions very soon to ensure that all of our (operations) plans are properly funded throughout the world,” he explained.

The Defense Secretary characterized President Donald Trump as “patient” and seeking to negotiate a “great deal” that would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.

Trump announced Friday his intention to convene in a secure White House location to reach a “final determination” regarding a proposal to halt the Iranian conflict, which would extend a truce established in early April for an additional 60 days while negotiators work toward a lasting resolution.

The military campaign initiated by the United States and Israel on February 28 has resulted in thousands of casualties, predominantly in Iran and Lebanon, while creating worldwide economic disruption through elevated energy costs caused by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

New Zealand’s defense minister announced Friday that the country plans to gradually increase military expenditure to reach a target of 2% of GDP over the next eight years, representing nearly double current spending levels.

Defense Minister Chris Penk outlined the strategy during remarks in Singapore before the start of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier defense conference. He emphasized the government’s goal of maintaining consistent growth in military funding.

“As much as possible, it’s our intention to have a smooth and steady upward trajectory to 2 percent,” Penk stated during his interview with Reuters.

Penk acknowledged that spending patterns may fluctuate during periods when the country purchases major military equipment and platforms, but stressed the overall objective remains doubling New Zealand’s defense budget to strengthen military capabilities.

The defense minister assumed his role in April, taking over from Judith Collins following her retirement after an extensive political career.

These remarks follow the government’s announcement last week of NZ$1.58 billion ($924.62 million) in additional defense allocations for the 2026 budget as part of military modernization efforts.

The planned investments include acquiring two new surveillance and intelligence drones designed for operations in the South-West Pacific region and polar environments. New Zealand is also seeking long-term replacements for its aging pair of Anzac-class frigates and the multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury.

Essential maintenance work for the surface fleet is also in preparation phases.

Speaking during a panel at Saturday’s dialogue, Penk revealed that Wellington continues assessing British and Japanese alternatives for the frigate replacement program.

The defense spending increases are part of a broader budget that includes enhanced funding for education and healthcare, despite Prime Minister Chris Luxon’s conservative government implementing an otherwise restrictive fiscal approach this week.

Government projections show a budget deficit of NZ$15.06 billion for the fiscal year concluding June 30, 2026, representing an improvement from the NZ$16.93 billion deficit forecast in December’s mid-year review.

As a treaty partner with Australian forces, New Zealand has been expanding its presence throughout East Asia alongside Western military forces and their allies in response to China’s expanding military capabilities.

“I think the word inter-operability is an important one for us, and I would add inter-changeability, certainly with regard to Australia, who’s our nearest neighbour, but also a formal ally,” Penk explained.

“I think it’s important that we are very visibly present…in the Asian region, and we do things in conjunction with the likes of Korea and Japan,” he continued, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and exercising navigation freedoms.

Myanmar’s newly appointed president will travel to India this Saturday for his inaugural foreign trip since assuming civilian leadership, marking a significant diplomatic milestone less than two months after his transition from military junta commander.

The five-day diplomatic mission will include meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and represents Myanmar’s gradual re-entry into regional diplomacy, five years after neighboring countries isolated the Southeast Asian nation’s military government following their seizure of power.

India views this visit as a chance to reduce China’s substantial sway over Myanmar while pursuing access to the nation’s valuable rare earth mineral reserves and strengthening security along India’s northeastern frontier, according to policy experts.

“After changing into civilian clothes as president, Min Aung Hlaing is looking to boost diplomatic engagement across the region,” said Richard Horsey, senior Myanmar adviser at Crisis Group.

“He expects more normal ties with ASEAN,” Horsey added, referring to the grouping of 11 southeast Asian countries, “with support from Thailand and some other member states. He is also likely to visit Beijing soon to meet Xi Jinping. India is Myanmar’s other key neighbour.”

A Myanmar presidential office representative contacted by phone refused to provide details about the upcoming visit.

Indian foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told reporters on Friday: “All issues that form part of the gamut of relations between Myanmar and India will come up for discussion.”

The military takeover occurred at dawn on February 1, 2021, when Min Aung Hlaing removed the democratically elected civilian administration headed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering widespread protests that evolved into a nationwide armed resistance against military rule.

The power grab generated international criticism, including from the ASEAN alliance that prohibited Myanmar’s military leaders from attending its conferences, leaving the new military government increasingly cut off from the international community.

A catastrophic earthquake last year offered a diplomatic opportunity for Min Aung Hlaing, who attended a regional conference in Bangkok, an opening he hopes to expand following a controversial election that led to his presidency.

“He is seeking more and more regional and international respectability post-election,” said Gautam Mukhopadhaya, a former Indian ambassador to Myanmar.

Despite Beijing’s historical support and extensive investments in Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing’s decision to make India his first international destination partly aims to offset China’s extensive influence, analysts explained.

“This has been part of Myanmar’s way of dealing with India and China, capitulating more to China and trying to sort of balance it with India,” said Mukhopadhaya.

The diplomatic trip occurs as Myanmar’s armed forces have initiated fresh military campaigns in border regions containing rare earth deposits and crucial trade corridors connecting to India and Thailand.

“Min Aung Hlaing will almost certainly seek India’s help in countering the Arakan Army and Chin armed groups,” Horsey said, referring to rebels fighting the military in Myanmar’s Chin state, which borders India, and nearby Rakhine state.

India has shown interest in accessing Myanmar’s natural resources, including efforts to obtain mineral samples with assistance from a powerful rebel group, Reuters has reported.

“The bottom line behind this visit from the Indian side is what they can get out of it in terms of raw materials, rare earths (and) business propositions,” Mukhopadhaya said.

“And that’s exactly what the Myanmar military wants, because it wants its military enterprises strengthened.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a stark warning to Asian partners on Saturday, calling for increased military investments to counter China’s expanding military capabilities and prevent regional dominance.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s leading defense and diplomatic gathering, Hegseth emphasized the need for stronger, more independent allied networks to discourage aggression and maintain regional stability.

“There is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” he said.

Hegseth warned against any single power controlling the Pacific region. “A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power,” he stated. “No state, including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies in question.”

The Pentagon leader announced expectations for Asian allies and partners to boost defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, while the U.S. commits $1.5 trillion to military investments.

Hegseth emphasized that allies seek stability rather than conflict escalation. “What they want, and what the United States delivers, is strength that is disciplined, resolve that is steady, and leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick.”

Despite security concerns, Hegseth adopted a balanced approach regarding U.S.-China relations, describing them as “better than they have been in many years,” with increased military-to-military communications helping manage tensions.

“We are meeting more frequently with our Chinese counterparts by maintaining open lines of military to military communication.”

“NO FREELOADING”

Hegseth reinforced President Donald Trump’s ongoing demands for allies to bear greater defense responsibilities, similar to expectations for European and NATO partners to reduce dependence on Washington.

“The era of the United States subsidizing the defence of wealthy nations is over,” Hegseth declared. “We need partners, not protectorates,” he continued. “We don’t have a strong alliance unless everyone has skin in the game. No freeloading.”

The Defense Secretary commended contributions from multiple allies including South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, while noting Japan’s concrete measures to strengthen its defenses.

Regarding the U.S.-Japan partnership, he said both nations “must each pull our weight to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance.”

ARMS SALES DECISION TO TAIWAN IS TRUMP’S CALL

When questioned about weapons sales to Taiwan, Hegseth dismissed concerns that a multi-billion-dollar package might be impacted by U.S. weapons stockpile reductions due to Middle East conflicts. “We feel very good about our stockpiles and how we use them,” he said.

Taiwan, which China considers its territory, awaits U.S. approval for an arms sale that Reuters reported could reach $14 billion.

Trump created uncertainty in Taipei by stating, following his meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping this month, that he remained undecided about approving the package.

Hegseth indicated that any future arms sales decisions would remain with President Trump, showing no departure from Washington’s established approach despite recent Beijing engagement.

“Those decisions will depend on the president and the nature of that relationship,” Hegseth explained. “There’s been no change in our status.”

A devastating climbing accident on Alaska’s Mount McKinley has claimed the lives of three mountaineers from Latvia, while a fourth climber survived and was airlifted to safety, according to officials and a climbing organization from the victims’ homeland.

The tragedy unfolded Wednesday when four members of a seven-person climbing team plummeted near Denali Pass, positioned roughly 2,100 feet below the 20,310-foot peak of McKinley, which stands as North America’s highest mountain, the National Park Service reported.

Emergency crews rescued the surviving climber Thursday from a mountain basin situated at 17,200 feet elevation. The survivor was subsequently transported by air ambulance to receive medical treatment, park officials stated.

“Operations for the three remaining climbers have transitioned from a search and rescue mission to a recovery effort,” the Park Service said in an online statement, adding the agency “does not release information about fatality victims until 72 hours after next-of-kin notification.”

Park authorities provided limited additional information and did not identify the climbers’ country of origin in their official announcement.

However, the Latvian Mountaineering Association identified the three deceased mountaineers as Inese Puceka, Vija Olte, and Renars Kunigs-Salaks, based on a translation of the organization’s website statement from Latvian to English.

“This is an indescribably painful and irreversible loss for the entire Latvian climbing community,” the group said in its statement.

The mountaineering association also reported that the fourth climber who fell, Mārtiņš Bilzēns, remained in critical condition.

The expedition’s three other members, who were unharmed in the incident, safely returned to a mountain camp after assisting their injured teammates, park officials confirmed.

According to the Latvian Mountaineering Association, the three uninjured climbers intended to descend from their 17,000-foot camp with help from rescue personnel.

The mountain serves as the focal point of the surrounding park and is commonly known to area residents and Alaska Natives as Denali, which translates to “the high one” in the Athabascan indigenous language. The peak received its official designation in 1917 to honor William McKinley, the 25th U.S. president, who was killed by an assassin in 1901.

In 2015, President Barack Obama formally changed the mountain’s name back to Denali, observing that McKinley had never set foot on the mountain and had no meaningful historical ties to the peak or Alaska. The Trump administration later restored McKinley as the official designation.