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YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Officials in Cameroon announced Monday that Russian authorities have verified the deaths of 16 soldiers from the Central African nation who were killed fighting in Ukraine, based on correspondence sent to Russia’s embassy in Cameroon.

The foreign affairs ministry in Cameroon sent a communication to the Russian embassy confirming the deaths of the 16 Cameroonian soldiers who were deployed in Ukraine’s conflict zone. Ministry officials stated that “necessary arrangements” have been initiated to reach out to the families of the fallen soldiers.

On the same day, the ministry issued another communication requesting that relatives of six additional Cameroonian citizens residing in Russia visit the ministry regarding “urgent matters” related to their family members. No additional details were provided about these cases.

Last March, Cameroon’s defense minister directed the nation’s military leadership to implement “strict emergency measures” aimed at stopping additional defections among current and former military personnel.

Ukrainian officials estimate that over 1,700 African nationals have been enlisted to fight alongside Russian forces, with multiple African governments reporting that their citizens were deceived into combat roles through promises of well-paying employment or professional training opportunities.

A security briefing delivered to Kenya’s parliament this year revealed that approximately 1,000 Kenyan nationals were recruited for Russian military service after being deceived with false job promises before being deployed to combat zones.

Ukraine’s intelligence services reported this month that two Nigerian citizens were killed in combat while fighting for Russian forces late last year.

A separate AP investigation conducted in 2024 revealed that African women were also deceived into supporting Russia’s military operations, being sent to work in facilities manufacturing attack drones for use against Ukraine. These women were recruited through social media advertisements promoting educational work programs.

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s energy officials confirmed Tuesday that crude oil shipments through a critical Black Sea pipeline continue operating normally, despite a Ukrainian strike that damaged Russian port facilities used for the exports.

Russian military officials reported Monday that Ukrainian forces had struck the maritime transfer complex at Novorossiysk port during overnight operations, causing damage to a docking facility used by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium and sparking blazes at four petroleum storage tanks.

“The work of our oil sector is stable and CPC exports continue to be stable,” Deputy Energy Minister Sungat Yesimkhanov stated to media representatives. A ministry advisor had previously indicated Monday that Kazakhstan was keeping watch on developments following the Novorossiysk incident, though no additional details were provided at that time.

The CPC facility, situated southwest of Novorossiysk, processes 80% of Kazakhstan’s crude oil exports. Transportation volumes through the 938-mile Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline increased in the previous year to 70.5 million metric tons – equivalent to 1.53 million barrels daily – up from 63 million tons in 2024.

Ukrainian officials have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the alleged strike on CPC infrastructure. However, Ukraine’s military separately confirmed Monday that its drone operations had targeted oil loading facilities at Sheskharis, located approximately 9 miles from the CPC terminal.

The CPC consortium, which includes U.S. energy giant Chevron among its stakeholders, has not issued a statement regarding the incident. Chevron’s subsidiary Tengizchevroil, which manages Kazakhstan’s largest oil field at Tengiz and serves as the primary source for CPC exports, reported that field operations have continued without interruption.

Additionally, Tengizchevroil’s director general William Lacobie announced Tuesday that the facility has resumed full production capacity following electrical supply problems experienced earlier this year.

Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov told journalists Tuesday that Ukrainian responsibility for the facility attack was unquestionable and noted similar previous incidents. He directed operational status questions to the CPC’s management team.

“The strikes took place. That much is clear. As we all know, this is not the first time the Kyiv regime has targeted the CPC’s infrastructure,” Peskov stated.

The pipeline consortium was forced to suspend operations temporarily for several days following a late November Ukrainian attack that effectively eliminated one of three offshore loading platforms.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has put forward a proposal to Russia calling for both nations to halt strikes on energy facilities during the upcoming Orthodox Easter weekend celebration.

The proposal was delivered to Moscow through American intermediaries who have been facilitating discussions between Ukrainian and Russian representatives as the conflict enters its fifth year, Zelenskyy announced.

“If Russia is ready to stop strikes on our energy infrastructure, we will be ready to respond in kind,” Zelenskyy stated during his Monday evening address to the nation. “This proposal, conveyed through the Americans, has already been presented to the Russian side.”

Moscow has not yet responded to the Easter truce suggestion. Past ceasefire attempts have yielded minimal results. Last Easter, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral 30-hour halt to hostilities, but both nations later blamed each other for violations.

Russia previously dismissed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by the United States and Ukraine as a pathway to peace negotiations, demanding instead a complete resolution to the conflict. However, Moscow has implemented several brief, one-sided truces.

Zelenskyy expressed skepticism that the Kremlin would accept his April 12 holiday ceasefire proposal, noting that Russia currently profits from elevated oil prices resulting from the Iran conflict.

The Ukrainian president worries that an extended U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran might diminish American backing for Ukraine.

The American-mediated negotiations have stalled on major issues as Washington focuses on Middle Eastern developments, while Russian and Ukrainian forces continue fighting along the approximately 1,250-kilometer front.

Russia has systematically targeted Ukraine’s electrical grid to break civilian morale, while Ukraine has launched domestically manufactured long-range drones against Russian oil facilities to reduce Moscow’s primary export income.

“Ukraine’s expanding long-range strike campaign against Russian oil infrastructure is exploiting overstretched Russian air defenses and significantly damaging Russian oil export capabilities,” stated the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, in Monday’s analysis.

“Russia’s geographical size poses an enormous challenge to defend, especially with traditional air defense systems on which the Russians reportedly still rely to protect against Ukraine drone salvos,” the assessment continued.

Russian forces are also striking public transportation systems, including Ukraine’s critical railway network and bus routes.

Tuesday morning brought tragedy when a Russian drone hit a bus approaching a stop in Nikopol, a southeastern Ukrainian city, killing four civilians and wounding 15 others, local officials reported.

“This brutal attack on civilian regular transportation occurred during rush hour, when people were just going to work,” Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko posted online. “This is not an accident, it’s their (Russian) tactic: deliberate strikes on civilians.”

Ukrainian officials also confirmed three deaths and three injuries from an assault on a residential structure in Kherson, a southern city. Near the eastern city of Synelnykove, an 11-year-old boy died in a separate drone attack, raising Tuesday’s civilian casualties to eight fatalities.

Government and military leaders reported electrical outages across multiple eastern and southern Ukrainian regions following artillery bombardments and drone attacks.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed both the speaker and deputy speaker of the nation’s parliament, according to an official announcement made during Tuesday’s legislative session.

Tulio Odongi Ayahu, who serves as chief whip for Kiir’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), delivered the presidential decree that terminated Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and Deputy Speaker Permena Awerial Aluong from their positions in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.

The dismissals stem from accusations made the previous week by SPLM caucus members, who filed a formal petition alleging Kumba engaged in corrupt practices related to the improper handling of legislative funding. The petition demanded her immediate removal from office.

Kumba, who broke barriers in 2021 by becoming South Sudan’s first female parliamentary speaker, has remained silent regarding these corruption claims.

President Kiir has named Joseph Ngere Paciko as the new speaker, while Abuk Paiti Ayiik will assume the deputy speaker role.

These terminations follow a pattern of sudden leadership changes under Kiir’s administration. In late February, he unexpectedly dismissed Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol after only three months in the position, offering no public explanation for the decision.

Political observers note that Kiir regularly rotates high-ranking officials in both government and military positions as a strategy to consolidate his authority while navigating ongoing political uncertainty and questions about future leadership transitions.

Financial markets across the globe are experiencing uncertainty as President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran approaches this evening at 8 p.m. EDT, with traders watching closely to see if Tehran will reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has declined to reopen the crucial shipping lane and has rejected ceasefire proposals, despite Trump’s warning that the country could be “taken out in one night.” This standoff has left investors wondering whether the president’s aggressive rhetoric will translate into military action or result in another extended deadline.

As markets reopened Tuesday following the extended holiday weekend, trading activity reflected the cautious mood among investors. Oil markets showed particular volatility, with Brent crude initially climbing above $111 per barrel before retreating from those highs. Meanwhile, U.S. WTI crude fluctuated around $113 per barrel after briefly surpassing $116.

Stock markets displayed mixed performance across different regions. Asian markets remained largely unchanged despite an early boost from Samsung Electronics’ record-breaking quarterly earnings forecast. European markets opened with gains, while U.S. futures showed little movement ahead of the opening bell.

The previous trading session saw U.S. markets rise on hopes of continued diplomatic talks regarding a potential ceasefire. However, that optimism diminished after Tehran’s rejection of a temporary truce agreement. Reports indicate that Pakistan continues to serve as a mediator in the ongoing situation.

Currency markets reflected the global uncertainty, with the U.S. dollar experiencing a slight decline while maintaining overall strength. The dollar index remained close to the 100 mark after reaching its highest point since May 2025 last week. The Japanese yen continued to struggle, trading near the 160-per-dollar level.

Adding complexity to the situation are recent economic indicators from the United States that suggest broader implications from the Iran crisis. The Institute for Supply Management released survey data Monday showing that growth in the U.S. services sector decelerated in March. Additionally, businesses reported the largest increase in input costs in over 13 years, signaling potential inflationary pressures stemming from the conflict.

The upcoming release of U.S. March consumer price index data on Friday will provide further insight into inflation trends. Meanwhile, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned Monday that current global conditions point toward higher prices and reduced economic growth across “all roads.”

In corporate news, Samsung Electronics announced remarkable first-quarter results, with estimated operating profits of 57.2 trillion won ($37.92 billion) for the January-March period. This figure significantly exceeded analyst expectations of 40.6 trillion won and represented more than an eightfold increase from the previous year’s 6.69 trillion won.

Looking ahead, investors will be monitoring several key economic releases and Federal Reserve communications. Today’s schedule includes U.S. February durable goods data at 8:30 a.m. EDT and a 3-year Treasury note auction at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Additionally, three Federal Reserve officials are scheduled to speak: Philip Jefferson, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee, and San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly.

The fundamental question facing markets remains whether Trump’s latest ultimatum will lead to an escalation or de-escalation of the current conflict. As the 8 p.m. deadline approaches, traders and investors worldwide are preparing for potential market volatility depending on the outcome.

Multiple international and Saudi companies operating in Riyadh have prolonged their remote work policies this week, according to five sources with knowledge of the situation, as tensions mount over a U.S. deadline demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face severe consequences.

Regional Gulf nations, which have endured repeated Iranian attacks since hostilities commenced on February 28, are concerned that any American military escalation could prompt Iran to intensify strikes against vital infrastructure and civilian targets throughout the Gulf region.

The remote work notifications, distributed Monday and Tuesday through individual company emails and text messages, impact operations across Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, Faisaliah Tower, Business Gate, and Laysen Valley, sources revealed.

These business hubs house regional headquarters for prominent American financial institutions and technology companies including Microsoft and Apple, alongside Saudi organizations such as the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund.

Workers initially received instructions to operate remotely at the start of last week, sources indicated, following Iranian threats to target major American technology companies in the region as retaliation for U.S.-Israeli military actions and targeted killings.

Saudi Arabia’s government media office has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.

The kingdom has endured hundreds of Iranian drone and missile strikes since the conflict’s onset but reports successfully intercepting most incoming projectiles. Saudi Arabia has experienced fewer attacks compared to neighboring Gulf nations including the UAE and Kuwait.

On Tuesday, Saudi officials announced they intercepted and eliminated seven ballistic missiles fired toward the country’s Eastern Region, with debris landing near energy infrastructure. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that a petrochemical facility in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail industrial area came under attack.

A high-ranking Iranian official revealed Tuesday that Tehran has established specific conditions that must be fulfilled before engaging in permanent peace negotiations with Washington.

Speaking to Reuters, the official outlined Iran’s demands, which include an immediate cessation of military strikes, assurances that future attacks will not occur, and financial compensation for damages sustained.

The official emphasized that Tehran would not accept any temporary ceasefire arrangement with the United States.

Additionally, the Iranian representative stated that any permanent peace agreement should grant Iran the authority to collect transit fees from vessels navigating through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the official, these fees would be calculated based on factors including vessel type, cargo contents, and current maritime conditions.

Iranian leadership remains steadfast in their position as President Trump’s Tuesday 8 p.m. Eastern time ultimatum draws near, demanding the country reopen the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.

Military operations persist throughout the Persian Gulf waters with no diplomatic resolution on the horizon. The president has maintained his warning to strike Iranian transportation infrastructure and electrical facilities should negotiations fail to produce an agreement.

The escalating standoff continues to unfold in the strategically vital waterway, with both sides showing little indication of backing down from their respective positions as the deadline rapidly approaches.

A worldwide organization representing airline pilots is demanding that flight commanders receive ultimate authority to decline missions through dangerous conflict areas, free from corporate influence or financial pressure.

The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations issued the statement Monday as ongoing warfare in Iran continues to disrupt Middle Eastern aviation for its sixth week, with drone strikes and missile interceptions creating serious safety concerns for flight crews and travelers.

The Montreal-headquartered organization emphasized that airlines must acknowledge the psychological and emotional burden placed on pilots operating in war zones.

“The Commander’s decision regarding the conduct or rerouting of a flight, including refusal to overfly a conflict zone, must be final and non-negotiable,” the document stated. “Additionally, this decision must not be influenced by financial or other incentives, career repercussions or other penalties, or commercial pressures.”

Despite numerous airlines suspending operations to affected regions, Emirates continues flying at roughly 69% of typical capacity while Qatar Airways maintains 26% of normal service levels, based on Flightradar24 tracking information. This represents hundreds of daily flights traversing airspace targeted by Iranian weaponry.

The UAE has established designated “safe corridors” with predetermined routes, though aircraft frequently enter holding patterns during attacks and sometimes face diversions or returns when airspace temporarily closes.

Qatar Airways stated that “the safety of our passengers and crew remains paramount” and confirmed all Doha flights utilize dedicated pathways coordinated with Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority.

Emirates, which has similarly emphasized safety priorities, did not immediately provide comment.

The pilots’ federation stressed that airlines operating in conflict zones must offer support measures including post-flight recovery periods and confidential assistance programs.

“If rerouting, delay, holding, elevated workload, diversion complexity, or sector uncertainty are recurrent and foreseeable, they should be incorporated into scheduling assumptions, fatigue controls, and roster buffers with additional safety margins such as augmented crew rostering, rather than repeatedly managed as an ad hoc exception,” the statement explained.

In a separate development Monday, the United Nations aviation authority announced its governing board condemned Iran for illegal airspace violations affecting Gulf nations including the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, compromising civilian flight safety.

“The council deplored Iran’s illegal use of unmanned aircraft systems for military purposes against civilian infrastructure over the territories of the affected member states,” the International Civil Aviation Organization declared.

The council’s action follows a complaint filed by multiple Arab nations regarding Iran’s weaponized drone operations against neighboring countries, according to a knowledgeable source.

Iran has filed its own separate documentation concerning its territory for consideration during an upcoming council meeting, though specific details remain unclear.

Iranian forces launched a strike Tuesday against a petrochemical facility in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail industrial region, according to reports from Iran’s state-affiliated Fars news agency.

The attack targeted the facility located in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern province. Representatives from Saudi Arabia’s government communications office have not yet provided a response to the reported incident.

Officials from Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s national oil company, and SABIC, the kingdom’s petrochemical subsidiary, also have not issued statements regarding the alleged strike.

ISTANBUL, Turkey – A deadly shooting erupted Tuesday in the vicinity of the Israeli consulate building in Istanbul, resulting in three deaths and leaving two police officers wounded, according to Turkish media outlets.

Video footage captured by Reuters revealed the chaotic scene as law enforcement officers drew their weapons and sought shelter while gunshots echoed through the area. The footage also showed at least one individual covered in blood during the violent incident.

The neighborhood surrounding the Israeli consulate maintains heavy security with armed police stationed there at all times. Following the shooting, television broadcasts displayed additional armed officers conducting patrols throughout the affected area as authorities responded to the scene.

RAZI, Iran (AP) — During a lengthy 12-hour journey across Iran, Associated Press journalists witnessed a nation where ordinary civilian routines continue alongside visible reminders of regional conflict and tension.

The reporting team observed families sharing morning meals at roadside truck stops and spotted a cargo vehicle displaying a Nike emblem while traveling through a mountain pass. At one dining establishment, patrons listened to R.E.M.’s “Losing my religion” while enjoying grilled dishes and saffron beverages, including women who had removed their required head coverings.

Following five weeks of intensive American and Israeli military strikes, significant damage has occurred throughout the country, especially in Tehran where journalists documented destroyed government facilities and law enforcement buildings.

However, during the extended journey from the Turkish border, visible evidence of the regional conflict that has affected Middle Eastern stability and global markets remained limited.

Iranian authorities have authorized the Associated Press to deploy an additional reporting team for a short-term assignment in the country. The AP maintains existing operations in Iran, with visiting journalists required to work alongside government-affiliated media assistants while retaining complete editorial independence.

Large images of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during the conflict’s opening day, decorated the border crossing area with inflammatory messaging. Nearby, a herder moved his flock along the roadway as snow-covered peaks stretched into overcast skies.

Halfway through their journey in Zanjan city, reporters encountered their first direct war evidence. An Israeli military strike had recently damaged a religious community facility called a husseiniyah. Iranian authorities reported the attack destroyed medical and library facilities, resulting in two civilian deaths. Israeli forces claimed they targeted a military command center.

Beyond this damaged complex and throughout every community along the Tehran route, normal activities appeared to continue. Commercial establishments remained operational and traffic congestion occurred during peak hours.

Additional Khamenei promotional displays appeared as the team approached Tehran. Arriving after midnight, they traveled through vacant streets past bombed government structures and security positions staffed by Revolutionary Guard and Basij forces, key Islamic Republic institutions that have faced repeated attacks.

This documentary photo story was compiled by AP photo editors.

Associated Press reporter Sam Metz in Ramallah, West Bank, contributed.

PARIS – A deadly collision occurred Tuesday morning when a high-speed passenger train struck a truck transporting military equipment at a railroad crossing in northern France, according to local government officials.

The train’s engineer died in the crash, which happened near the port city of Calais, a local prefecture spokesperson confirmed. Multiple passengers aboard the train were also hurt in the accident.

France’s Transportation Minister Philippe Tabarot acknowledged the fatal incident through a social media post, stating he planned to travel to the crash site personally.

The national railway company SNCF reported through its social media channels that the collision took place at a grade crossing situated between Bethune and Lens. Rail service along the route has been suspended following the accident.

Vietnamese lawmakers made a historic decision Tuesday, unanimously selecting Communist Party Secretary General To Lam as the nation’s state president for the upcoming five-year term, establishing him as Vietnam’s most influential leader in recent decades.

This anticipated decision represents a departure from Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of shared leadership among multiple officials, concentrating power in a single individual in ways experts believe could push the single-party nation toward increased authoritarian control, while potentially allowing for quicker policy implementation similar to neighboring China.

Parliamentary records show that all 495 legislators attending Tuesday’s National Assembly gathering supported the Communist Party’s selection, with five members not present. Government officials indicated that nominations for senior state positions were completed during a late March conference.

The previous public security chief now holds dual authority to govern Vietnam for the coming five years, following his successful bid for a second term as general secretary in January.

In a separate but equally expected development Tuesday, parliament members also gave unanimous approval to Le Minh Hung as Vietnam’s incoming prime minister.

Following the election, Lam addressed legislators in a broadcast speech, expressing gratitude for holding both positions and promising “a new growth model with science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the primary driving forces.”

He outlined his main objectives as maintaining national stability, advancing rapid and sustainable development, and enhancing “all aspects of people’s lives.”

“Concentrating greater power in To Lam’s hands could pose risks to Vietnam’s political system, such as increased authoritarianism,” warned Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

Nevertheless, such power concentration “could enable Vietnam to formulate and implement policies more quickly and effectively,” supporting economic expansion, he noted.

The merger of these two positions “will shift Vietnam’s domestic politics to a new normal where most of the old assumptions about Vietnam’s politics, including those about collective leadership, are no longer valid,” explained Alexander Vuving of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in the United States.

Lam previously managed both roles temporarily following the 2024 death of former party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Even after transferring the state presidency to army general Luong Cuong, Lam continued operating as though he maintained the position, conducting extensive international travel and representing Vietnam in diplomatic meetings with foreign officials.

During his initial term as party leader, the 68-year-old Lam introduced comprehensive economic changes aimed at enhancing Vietnam’s competitiveness, generating both support and opposition.

Lam seeks to achieve double-digit economic expansion through a fresh development approach that reduces dependence on low-cost manufacturing, which has historically anchored Vietnam’s export-focused economic surge driven by international corporations.

His initiatives have occasionally created uncertainty within government circles and business communities, though he has demonstrated practical adaptability in their implementation.

He has endorsed the growth of private business empires, but prior to his reappointment, also released guidance emphasizing state-owned enterprises’ leadership role to satisfy party conservatives.

International investors frequently commend political consistency and view Lam as supportive of business interests. However, his endorsement of domestic champions and pursuit of aggressive growth have sparked concerns among some regarding preferential treatment, corruption possibilities, financial bubbles, and resource misallocation.

Regarding international relations, Lam has continued Vietnam’s “Bamboo Diplomacy” strategy and worked to maintain balanced relationships with major nations while broadening global partnerships.

“Lam’s double-hat would not signal any changes in Vietnam’s foreign policy, even if there are concerns that Vietnam is concentrating more power in a single individual,” stated Khang Vu, a visiting scholar at Boston College.

The newly chosen prime minister Hung, age 55, previously led the central bank from 2016 to 2020, becoming the youngest individual to occupy that role.

He succeeds Pham Minh Chinh, 67, who oversaw a rapidly growing economy during his five-year tenure and became one of Vietnam’s most recognizable leaders domestically and internationally through regular foreign visits and participation in global conferences.

Hung has maintained a reserved public presence in his party and central banking positions.

While lacking formal economics training, Hung’s selection is viewed by some officials as an effort to introduce economic knowledge into senior government levels, which have been primarily filled by politicians with security experience.

In his post-election remarks to lawmakers, Hung committed to pursuing sustainable growth and pledged his utmost effort to achieve the party’s ambitious target of at least 10% annual economic growth through 2030.

He lacks personal security experience, but his family maintains strong connections to the ministry Lam previously headed: Hung’s father served as public security minister, and two siblings hold general ranks in security forces.

LONDON — British government officials are demanding that the artist formerly known as Kanye West be removed from a major London music festival lineup, while the rapper has requested face-to-face meetings with UK Jewish community leaders following controversy over his past antisemitic remarks.

The performer, who legally changed his name to Ye in 2021, is scheduled to headline the Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park from July 10-12, where approximately 150,000 attendees are expected across the three-day event.

Festival organizers face increasing demands from corporate sponsors and government leaders to cancel Ye’s appearances after the artist sparked widespread criticism for making antisemitic comments and expressing praise for Adolf Hitler.

The 48-year-old musician previously released a track titled “Heil Hitler” and promoted Nazi imagery on merchandise through his website. In January, he issued a public apology through a full-page Wall Street Journal advertisement, attributing his behavior to his bipolar disorder and describing “a four-month long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior that destroyed my life.”

Major festival sponsors including Pepsi, Rockstar Energy and Diageo have withdrawn their support since Ye’s headlining announcement, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the booking as “deeply concerning.”

The rapper issued a statement Tuesday expressing his desire for dialogue, saying he “would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the U.K. in person, to listen.”

“I know words aren’t enough — I’ll have to show change through my actions,” he continued. “If you’re open, I’m here.”

Festival Republic, the event’s organizing company, has defended keeping Ye on the bill. Managing director Melvin Benn released a statement Monday encouraging people to show the performer “forgiveness and hope.”

“We are not giving him a platform to extol opinion of whatever nature, only to perform the songs that are currently played on the radio stations in our country and the streaming platforms in our country and listened to and enjoyed by millions,” Benn’s statement read.

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting rejected the organizers’ position as “absurd” and stated Ye should “absolutely not” take the stage at Wireless. Streeting revealed that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is evaluating whether to prohibit the rapper from entering Britain.

Benn confirmed that Mahmood possesses the authority to cancel Ye’s visa for UK entry.

“If she does, she does, and then the issue is over,” he told the BBC Tuesday.

Representatives for Ye have not responded to requests for comment.

ROME, April 7 – America’s standing as a world leader faces serious challenges due to the Iran conflict, according to Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, who voiced alarm about the potential for nuclear escalation he described as “madness.”

Italy joined several NATO partners last week in showing resistance to President Donald Trump’s Iran military operations by refusing to allow American military planes to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily for flights heading to the Middle East.

“This war is also putting the United States at risk in its global leadership,” Crosetto stated during an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that was published Tuesday.

The defense minister, who maintains close ties with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and has established a positive working relationship with Trump, expressed deep concerns that the situation could deteriorate further. He referenced the 1945 atomic bombings that ended World War Two as a historical warning.

“Just think: it was human beings like us who decided that even Hiroshima and Nagasaki were acceptable means of ending a conflict. Unfortunately, we still possess nuclear weapons, and those who do not have them are seeking to acquire them. We have learnt nothing,” Crosetto said.

“The risk is madness, and what we are experiencing is a conflict in which every action triggers a reaction at a higher level,” he added.

Speaking ahead of his scheduled parliamentary address about the Iran war on Tuesday, Crosetto suggested that Trump needs advisers willing to challenge his decisions.

“One of the problems of this presidency is that no one dares contradict the boss,” he remarked.

As tensions grow between Trump and European nations over their war positions, Crosetto confirmed that Italy has maintained its restrictions on U.S. base usage beyond the recent incident.

Prime Minister Meloni, who has avoided taking a strong public stance against the conflict, traveled to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates over the weekend. The diplomatic mission aimed to demonstrate Italy’s support for Gulf states facing Iranian threats while also securing the country’s energy interests amid global fuel price increases.

Mounting fuel costs and concerns about petroleum availability have triggered an unprecedented shift toward electric motorcycles throughout Pakistan, with dealers reporting record-breaking sales increases.

In Rawalpindi, Haseeb Bhatti, who converts gasoline-powered motorcycles to electric models, experienced a remarkable 70% jump in March sales. Meanwhile, Ali Gohar Khan, who operates a nationwide electric bike dealership established seven years ago, described the recent sales spike as the most dramatic he has ever witnessed.

“People have this fear that maybe in the near future, they might not get petrol at all,” Khan said.

The ongoing Middle East conflict has caused worldwide petroleum prices to climb sharply, adding to the financial burden on Pakistani citizens already struggling with inflation and economic challenges following the pandemic. Since Pakistan relies on imports for nearly all its oil through the Strait of Hormuz, concerns about supply disruptions have spread despite government reassurances.

Transportation experts note that approximately 40% of Pakistan’s gasoline consumption powers the country’s 30 million motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles that fill the streets in a nation where automobiles remain unaffordable for most and mass transit systems are limited.

Market specialists and researchers predict the current crisis will accelerate Pakistan’s transition to electric vehicles, a movement that benefits from the country’s abundant and inexpensive solar energy resources for charging stations. This transformation could significantly reduce oil import dependency, strengthen foreign currency reserves, and cut pollution in what was ranked as the world’s most polluted nation in 2025.

Following an 18% government fuel price increase last week, Pakistani families earning average wages now spend 31% of their daily earnings on a single liter of gasoline – ranking among the highest 22 countries out of 139 nations monitored by globalpetrolprices.com and Our World in Data.

“My monthly salary is 30,000 rupees. I can barely cover expenses for my family of six with this. How am I supposed to fill my bike?” said Zahoor Ahmed, a security guard in the southern city of Karachi.

The shift to electric vehicles has attracted everyone from working professionals to university students in recent months. Data from consultancy Renewables First revealed that elevated gasoline prices drove electric vehicle sales up nearly threefold last year to 90,000 units, representing 5% of all two-wheeled vehicle purchases.

This year marks the first time electric vehicles have captured more than 10% of monthly motorcycle sales, according to Talha Khan, CEO of EV logistics planning firm Orko. He anticipates this trend will accelerate since conventional fuel costs can be up to 10 times higher than electric charging expenses.

“Keeping inflation and fuel prices in mind, I took matters in my own hands and bought an electric scooter,” said Mehvish Qureshi, a lawyer in southern Hyderabad.

A standard electric motorcycle costs approximately 250,000 rupees – exceeding half of Pakistan’s annual per capita income and 56% more than the popular gasoline-powered Honda CD 70, priced around 160,000 rupees.

The government launched the Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification (PAVE) initiative in February, offering subsidies covering one-fifth of purchase prices plus interest-free financing for the remainder. The program focuses specifically on electric motorcycles and autorickshaws.

Finance Ministry adviser Adnan Pasha told Reuters the program has already attracted roughly 270,000 applications – nearly seven times PAVE’s initial phase goal ending in June. The government plans to finance 2 million electric vehicles over five years, funding the initiative through existing fuel sales taxes.

“Electrifying just 2 million vehicles could result in nearly half a billion dollars in annual savings, as we don’t have to import that fuel,” Pasha said.

Many Pakistani households adopted solar power following IMF-mandated electricity rate increases in 2023, purchasing affordable Chinese-manufactured panels for residential use. The government now seeks to leverage this solar expansion to support electric vehicle growth.

“Using solar can reduce electricity costs at charging stations, and make it more affordable to charge at home,” Pasha said.

Ammar Habib, an adviser to Pakistan’s power minister, explained that electric vehicles are also “great for the grid as the steady demand from electric vehicle charging will ease some of the daytime volatility linked to solar oversupply.”

Similar to Pakistan’s solar energy transformation, the country’s electric motorcycle adoption relies heavily on Chinese manufacturers. Scooter companies including Yadea and Jinpeng, along with locally assembled electric bikes using batteries and parts from firms like AIMA and Sunra, are positioned to meet growing demand.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD, which has partnered with Pakistan’s HUBCO Green to establish charging networks nationwide, announced plans to support broader electrification efforts before eventually introducing passenger vehicles.

Pasha indicated the government wants domestic companies to construct charging facilities and expects the 45% reduction in charging station electricity rates implemented last year to continue encouraging adoption.

However, financial support programs could face pressure if regional conflicts continue, while limited local technical expertise and challenging charging infrastructure expansion present additional obstacles for Pakistan’s electric vehicle transition, according to Ahtasam Ahmad, energy finance lead at Renewables First.

Reliable maintenance networks are essential since electric vehicles are more vulnerable to road damage from potholes, which are widespread on South Asian streets. In neighboring India, operating electric scooters on poorly maintained roads has created significant service delays.

“When Chinese players flood the market, it may look promising on paper, but with virtually no after-sales service infrastructure, they risk eroding consumer confidence in the technology,” Ahmad said.

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Vice President JD Vance arrived in Hungary’s capital city Tuesday for a two-day visit aimed at supporting Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s struggling reelection campaign just days before voters head to the polls.

The visit, which includes an official meeting with Orbán followed by an appearance at one of his campaign events, represents the most direct signal yet that the Trump administration is fully backing the Hungarian leader’s bid for another term when the nation votes this Sunday.

Orbán has held power continuously since 2010 and is seeking a fifth consecutive term as prime minister. However, he and his Fidesz party are confronting their most challenging electoral battle in twenty years against center-right opposition candidate Péter Magyar, who leads the Tisza party and could potentially end Orbán’s decade-and-a-half grip on power.

Critics have long accused the Hungarian leader of seizing control of the country’s institutions, restricting media freedoms, and allowing widespread government corruption to flourish — allegations Orbán rejects. Despite these controversies, he has emerged as a prominent figure within international far-right political circles.

President Trump has publicly backed Orbán’s reelection efforts multiple times, with many supporters of the Make America Great Again movement praising the Hungarian prime minister’s strict immigration policies, restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, and control over media outlets and educational institutions.

However, recent independent polling data suggests Fidesz is running more than ten points behind among committed voters in advance of the April 12 election, prompting Orbán to seek public appearances with his international supporters to enhance his standing.

This marks the second major show of American backing for Orbán’s government in recent months.

Hungary has diverged from most European Union member nations by declining to provide Ukraine with financial aid or military equipment to defend against Russia’s ongoing invasion, while continuing to purchase Russian energy resources despite EU efforts to reduce such dependencies.

Following a White House meeting between Orbán and Trump last November, Hungary secured an exemption from American sanctions targeting Russian oil and gas imports.

During a February visit to Budapest, Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered strong praise for Orbán and highlighted the “person-to-person connection” between the Hungarian leader and President Trump. Rubio told Orbán: “President Trump is deeply committed to your success because your success is our success.”

At the end of last month, Orbán welcomed dozens of international allies to Budapest for the Hungarian version of the Conservative Political Action Conference and a gathering of the Patriots for Europe party alliance, which holds the third-largest bloc of seats in the European Parliament.

Trump contributed a video message to the Hungarian CPAC event, declaring that Orbán had his “complete and total endorsement” and calling him a “fantastic guy.”

The Trump administration’s support for Orbán demonstrates its broader alignment with European far-right political movements, with mutual admiration evident across countries including Spain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Nevertheless, Trump’s recent foreign policy decisions regarding Greenland, Venezuela, and Iran have created tension with some European relationships.

Orbán has maintained his loyalty to Trump, including repeating the former president’s unfounded assertions about winning the 2020 election. Speaking on state radio shortly before Trump’s second term began, Orbán claimed Democrats “took the presidency away from Donald Trump through fraud.”

Vance’s scheduled participation in Orbán’s campaign rally represents an uncommon move for a foreign official and departs from the typical practice of political leaders avoiding direct involvement in other nations’ electoral contests.

Ironically, Orbán has previously criticized any mention of Hungary’s election by fellow EU leaders, condemning expressions of support for his political rivals as serious violations of Hungarian sovereignty and improper interference in the democratic process.

KYIV – Three people lost their lives and twelve others sustained injuries when a Russian drone targeted a public bus during Tuesday morning’s commute in Nikopol, located in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The attack occurred as commuters were making their way to work, striking the public transportation system during one of the busiest travel periods of the day. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko described the incident on Telegram, stating: “It is a devastating blow at public transport. It happened during rush hour, just as people were heading to work.”

The drone assault represents the latest in ongoing attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in the eastern Ukrainian region.

A Japanese citizen who has been held in Iranian custody since the beginning of this year has been granted bail and released, Tokyo government officials announced Tuesday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed during a press briefing that the individual’s release was verified on Monday, while emphasizing that Japanese officials continue to push Iranian authorities for complete freedom for the detainee.

Kihara reported that Japan’s ambassador to Iran, Tamaki Tsukada, conducted a meeting with the released person and verified their good health condition, though he declined to share additional information.

Sources indicate the detained individual works as a journalist for NHK, Japan’s national public broadcasting network. This case follows another incident where a different Japanese citizen, who had been held in Iran starting last June, gained freedom and returned home in March.

The bail announcement followed diplomatic discussions between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who spoke by telephone on Monday about Iran’s ongoing conflicts with both the United States and Israel.

According to a Foreign Ministry statement issued after their conversation, Motegi pressed again for the detainee’s complete release, while Araghchi indicated he would give serious consideration to Japan’s appeal.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has identified the person taken into custody in January as an NHK broadcast journalist. According to the CPJ, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps officials made the arrest on January 20, and the journalist was later moved to Evin Prison on February 23, based on information from unnamed sources who cited safety concerns.

HANOI, Vietnam — In a unanimous decision, Vietnam’s National Assembly has selected Communist Party General Secretary To Lam for a five-year presidential term, marking a significant shift in the country’s leadership structure.

This decision breaks with Vietnam’s long-standing practice of distributing power among different officials, instead mirroring the concentrated leadership models seen in China under Xi Jinping and in neighboring Laos.

Political observers had anticipated this outcome following Lam’s reconfirmation as party leader in January, when analysts recognized that his strengthened party position would likely lead to his assumption of presidential duties.

Following his swearing-in ceremony, the 69-year-old leader addressed the National Assembly, emphasizing that maintaining peace and stability would be his primary focus as the foundation for rapid and sustainable economic development. “We aim to improve people’s livelihoods so all can share the benefits of development,” he stated.

This marks Lam’s second period holding dual roles, having previously served in both capacities briefly in 2024 following the death of his predecessor as party chief, Nguyen Phu Trong.

According to Nguyen Khac Giang from Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute research center, this power consolidation is particularly noteworthy because it provides Lam with a “stronger mandate and far more political room to push through his agenda than any leaders” since the 1980s, when Vietnam implemented reforms transitioning from a state-controlled economy to a market-based system welcoming foreign investment.

“The opportunity is obvious. Faster decision-making, greater policy coherence, and a better chance of pushing difficult reforms at a pivotal moment. But the risk is that concentration of power can move faster than institutional reform,” Giang explained.

Lam’s ascension represents the culmination of a former police officer’s journey through Vietnam’s security apparatus to the pinnacle of political power. His rise was facilitated by an extensive anti-corruption initiative launched by his predecessor, which he supervised while serving as Minister of Public Security.

In his role as party leader, Lam has spearheaded Vietnam’s most extensive administrative restructuring since the 1980s, eliminating positions, consolidating ministries, reorganizing provincial borders, and promoting significant infrastructure developments.

His agenda emphasizes economic achievement and private sector expansion, seeking to transition Vietnam away from its current labor- and export-dependent framework that has successfully elevated millions from poverty and established a manufacturing-focused middle class. The nation has set ambitious targets of achieving 10% or greater annual economic growth throughout the next five years.

However, significant obstacles persist, particularly the immediate challenge of implementing this bold strategy amid global economic disruption caused by energy market volatility from the conflict in Iran. Vietnam’s economy grew at a 7.8% annualized rate during the first quarter, improving from 7.1% the previous year but falling short of the 9.1% goal and slower than late 2025 performance.

Giang noted that Lam must also navigate political obstacles to secure reform support while preserving Vietnam’s practical foreign policy approach.

Vietnam faces pressure from the United States regarding its trade surplus while simultaneously managing relationships with China, its primary trading partner and competitor in South China Sea territorial disputes.

“It has benefited from a careful balancing strategy in foreign policy, but maintaining that position will become harder in a more turbulent world,” he observed.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australian authorities have filed war crime charges against a 47-year-old former military member on Tuesday, accusing him of murdering five defenseless Afghan civilians during his deployment between 2009 and 2012, according to law enforcement officials.

The identity of the accused veteran has not been disclosed by authorities. Court officials expect him to make his initial appearance before a Sydney judge on Tuesday.

This case represents just the second instance of an Australian Afghanistan war veteran facing war crime prosecution.

The first case involves 44-year-old Oliver Schulz, a former member of the Special Air Service Regiment, who has entered a not guilty plea to war crime murder charges. Prosecutors allege Schulz fatally shot an Afghan civilian named Dad Mohammad three times in the head while in a wheat field in Uruzgan province during May 2012.

Under Australian federal law, war crime murder constitutes the deliberate killing of individuals not actively engaged in combat operations, including civilians, captured soldiers, or wounded personnel during armed conflict. Conviction carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The suspect was taken into custody at Sydney Airport on Tuesday following his arrival from Brisbane, according to Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett.

“Authorities will contend that the deceased individuals were not participating in combat activities when they were allegedly murdered in Afghanistan. We will argue that these victims had been detained, were without weapons, and remained under Australian Defense Force supervision at the time of their deaths,” Barrett explained during a media briefing.

“The prosecution will maintain that the accused either personally shot the victims or that subordinate ADF personnel carried out the killings while in his presence and following his commands,” Barrett continued.

These criminal charges stem from a military investigation completed in 2020 that documented evidence showing elite Australian SAS and commando units illegally executed 39 Afghan detainees, agricultural workers, and other non-combatants.

Barrett emphasized that only a limited number of service members are implicated in the current allegations.

“The alleged misconduct associated with these charges involves only a very small portion of our reliable and esteemed ADF personnel who work to protect our nation’s security,” Barrett stated.

“The vast majority of our military forces make our nation proud. These charges do not represent the conduct of most service members who wear the Australian uniform with integrity, excellence, and democratic principles,” she concluded.

The Office of the Special Investigator was created to collaborate with police on war crime investigations. Investigation director Ross Barnett reported that 53 potential war crimes have been examined, with 39 investigations completed without resulting in charges. Approximately 40,000 Australian service members were deployed to Afghanistan from 2001 through 2021, with 41 losing their lives during the conflict.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — From their apartment balcony overlooking Iran’s capital, Zahra Arghavan and Mehdi Alishir watched the evening sky while preparing themselves for the possibility of incoming strikes.

With President Donald Trump’s newest deadline approaching, the couple faces troubling questions: What happens if electrical facilities get hit and the lights go out for days? How would they escape Tehran if bombing destroys the city’s bridges?

After five weeks of conflict, the pair has adapted to the thunder of U.S. and Israeli military aircraft overhead, the rumble of explosions, and nights without rest. Similar to many residents, they’ve evacuated and returned to the capital multiple times seeking security. The married couple of more than ten years survived both the coronavirus outbreak and last June’s nearly two-week conflict.

They’ve applied transparent tape along their window frames as protection from potential blast damage. Glass items and breakable decorations have been relocated or fastened down. An emergency bag containing important papers, medicine and necessities sits ready for rapid departure.

During a profanity-filled warning this past weekend, Trump declared that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day,” threatening that Iranian officials will be “living in Hell” unless they reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

“Honestly, the situation is really unclear,” Arghavan said. “We don’t really understand things like how long the power might go out if it does, or what life without electricity would even look like.”

Alishir explained that he and his spouse could manage without electrical power — and possibly without water service — for about seven days maximum. “If it goes on longer, we’ll definitely run into problems,” he said.

Their difficulties started before the initial American and Israeli attacks hit Iran on February 28.

Tehran’s response to January’s nationwide demonstrations included severe internet restrictions. According to NetBlocks, an organization that tracks online connectivity, this represents the most extended countrywide internet blackout on record.

Arghavan operates a small educational business teaching French language skills to Iranian citizens planning to relocate to Quebec, Canada.

“We were basically an online school, and our students had classes with kids abroad,” she said. “Around 50% of our learners were outside the country. But now, with all these internet outages, it’s really disrupting our work.”

Iranian citizens remain split regarding the conflict: Some participate in daily government-supporting demonstrations, while others privately support military action against their leadership despite opposing civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction.

The couple holds Israel and the United States responsible for initiating the conflict and hopes diplomacy will prevail.

“I really hope an agreement is reached soon and that whatever happens, it ends up helping people, because right now people are the ones paying a heavy price,” Arghavan said.

Iranian officials have declined a proposed 45-day temporary ceasefire, instead demanding a complete and permanent conclusion to the ongoing conflict as President Donald Trump’s Tuesday 8 p.m. ET ultimatum approaches with expanded threats targeting the nation’s power grid and transportation infrastructure.

Speaking Monday, Trump expressed he is “not at all” worried about potential war crimes allegations while reiterating his threats to demolish Iranian infrastructure should Tehran fail to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his specified deadline.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned the United States that targeting civilian infrastructure violates international law, according to his spokesperson’s Monday statement.

Israeli forces launched fresh strikes against Iran in the early hours of Tuesday, prompting Iranian missile retaliation directed at Israel and neighboring Gulf nations.

The death toll in Iran has surpassed 1,900 since hostilities began, though officials have not provided updated casualty figures in recent days.

Lebanese authorities report over 1,400 fatalities and more than one million displaced residents. Eleven Israeli military personnel have lost their lives in that theater.

Casualties in Gulf Arab nations and the occupied West Bank exceed two dozen, while Israel has reported 23 deaths and 13 American service members have been killed.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced plans to send his chief of staff on a diplomatic mission to Kazakhstan, Oman and Saudi Arabia, seeking alternative fuel sources amid energy shortages triggered by the Middle Eastern conflict.

Kang Hoon-sik confirmed his Tuesday evening departure for talks aimed at securing additional crude oil and naphtha supplies, essential for plastic production.

Last month, South Korea secured an agreement with the United Arab Emirates for 24 million barrels of crude, with initial deliveries already arriving.

South Korea’s energy imports – over 60% of crude oil and half of naphtha supplies – typically transit through the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway now largely obstructed by Iran as leverage against the United States and Israel.

The King Fahd Causeway connecting Saudi Arabia to Bahrain was shuttered early Tuesday due to Iranian attack threats.

Officials from the King Fahd Causeway Authority announced via social media that traffic had been “suspended as a precautionary measure” following Iranian strikes targeting Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

The 25-kilometer bridge serves as Bahrain’s sole road connection to the Arabian Peninsula, with the island nation hosting the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters.

Though no direct threats against the causeway have been issued, Iranian hardliners have increasingly suggested it as a potential target.

Such risks could escalate if Trump proceeds with his threatened bridge strikes within Iran.

Saudi military officials reported early Tuesday that seven Iranian ballistic missiles struck the kingdom’s oil-rich Eastern Province, with “debris from the missiles” landing near energy installations.

Major General Turki al-Malki, speaking for Saudi forces, provided limited details about ground damage while confirming an “assessment is underway.”

The specific energy facilities affected remained unclear.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Officials temporarily shut down a crucial roadway connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain early Tuesday morning due to concerns about potential Iranian military strikes.

The King Fahd Causeway Authority announced the closure through a social media post on X.

Officials stated that traffic flow had been “suspended as a precautionary measure” due to Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

The 25-kilometer (15.5 mile) roadway serves as Bahrain’s sole land connection to the Arabian Peninsula. Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.

President Donald Trump has given Iran an ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and has warned of strikes against Iranian power facilities and infrastructure if compliance doesn’t occur by Tuesday 8 p.m. EDT.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — A prominent Taiwanese opposition figure departed for mainland China on Tuesday following an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing her diplomatic mission as a “journey for peace” while Beijing continues pressing for control over the self-governing island.

Cheng Li-wun’s trip represents the first time a Taiwan opposition leader has visited China in ten years, occurring just months before a planned May meeting in Beijing between Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Speaking to media before her departure from Taipei, the Kuomintang party chairwoman emphasized that Taiwan should exhaust every possible avenue to avoid conflict and embrace opportunities for peaceful dialogue.

Beijing maintains its claim over the democratically-governed island and has refused to eliminate military action as an option for achieving unification.

“The purpose of this visit to mainland China is precisely to show the world that it is not just Taiwan that unilaterally hopes for peace,” Cheng said.

“I believe that through this journey for peace, everyone is even more eager to see the sincerity and determination of the CPC Central Committee to use peaceful dialogue and exchange to resolve all possible differences between the two sides,” she added, referring to the initials of the Communist Party of China.

Several dozen people gathered at Taipei’s airport to either support or protest Cheng’s departure, displaying banners and voicing their opinions.

The Trump administration announced in December a substantial arms package for Taiwan worth over $10 billion, including medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones, prompting anger from Beijing.

Beijing requires all nations with diplomatic relations, including the United States, to avoid official connections with Taipei. The U.S. serves as Taiwan’s most significant unofficial ally and weapons supplier, with the recent arms deal expected to feature prominently in discussions during the Xi-Trump meeting.

During a February phone conversation between Xi and Trump, the Chinese president declared that “Taiwan will never be allowed to separate from China,” according to a Chinese government readout of the call. “The U.S. must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence,” the statement continued.

Beijing also characterized the “Taiwan question” as “the most important issue in China-US relations.”

China has maintained an almost daily presence of military aircraft and ships near Taiwan, recently conducting two significant military drills around the island. The latest exercise occurred in December following the U.S. arms sale announcement and featured coordinated air, naval and missile forces in live-fire training.

The U.S. State Department condemned such military activities as unnecessarily escalating tensions and urged Beijing to end its military intimidation of Taiwan.

China refuses diplomatic engagement with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, labeling him a separatist.

Cheng’s visit to China coincides with the opposition-controlled parliament blocking efforts by Taiwan’s government to approve a $40 billion special defense spending package.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has extended his ultimatum for Iran to negotiate a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz until Tuesday evening, marking another postponement in a pattern of shifting deadlines that began in March, while warning that without compliance “Hell will reign down on them.”

Trump’s original March 23rd deadline has been moved multiple times over recent weeks as the president has alternated between aggressive warnings, announced postponements, and declarations of diplomatic progress, sometimes within the same public statement.

Iranian officials turned down the most recent ceasefire offer, according to the nation’s state-controlled IRNA news agency on Monday. Following this rejection, Trump issued a stark warning about Iran’s fate if it fails to comply, indicating Tuesday’s 8 p.m. deadline would be his final extension.

“They’ll have no bridges. They’ll have no power plants. They’ll have no anything,” he stated.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned the United States through his spokesperson that targeting civilian infrastructure violates international law. When questioned by reporters, Trump said he’s “not at all” worried about potential war crimes charges related to such strikes.

The timeline of Trump’s ultimatums began March 21, when he posted on Truth Social demanding Iran “FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time,” or face attacks on their power facilities.

This initial ultimatum set a March 23 evening deadline.

However, twelve hours before that deadline expired, Trump announced on Truth Social that productive talks were underway between both nations.

“I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD,” he posted, noting this depended on successful negotiations.

This delay moved the deadline to the end of that week.

On March 26, before the new deadline arrived, Trump intensified his warnings on Truth Social: “They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!”

Yet that same day, he granted another 10-day extension until April 6 at 8 p.m., posting on Truth Social that talks were “going very well.”

Trump issued conflicting messages on March 30, praising negotiation progress while simultaneously broadening his bombing threats if an agreement wasn’t “shortly reached,” adding that “it probably will be.”

“We will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!),” he posted.

The meaning of Trump’s “shortly reached” timeline remained unclear, but no agreement materialized as the deadline approached.

“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday, “Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them.”

As the deadline neared, his social media posts escalated the threats until Sunday, when Trump again postponed the deadline in a profanity-laden message.

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F——-in’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, followed by a separate post establishing the 8 p.m. Tuesday deadline.

On Monday, Trump indicated Tuesday’s deadline would be his last, claiming he had already provided Iran with sufficient extensions.

“The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump declared. “We have a plan, because of the power of our military, where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night.”

Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, Iran’s diplomatic mission chief in Cairo, stated that Iran has lost confidence in the Trump administration following two previous U.S. bombing campaigns during earlier negotiation attempts.

“We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won’t be attacked again,” he informed The Associated Press.

A regional official participating in the diplomatic efforts indicated that negotiations haven’t completely broken down. “We are still talking to both sides,” the official said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the closed-door discussions.

Israeli television station Channel 13’s evening broadcast featured a prominent digital countdown timer marking the hours and minutes remaining until Tuesday’s deadline.

SEOUL, April 7 – Officials in South Korea announced Tuesday that North Korea’s unusually diplomatic reaction to an apology over drone flights represents significant advancement in reducing military hostilities between the neighboring countries.

The South Korean Unification Ministry characterized North Korea’s response as “meaningful progress” following President Lee Jae Myung’s expression of regret regarding unauthorized drone operations that crossed into North Korean territory.

Lee’s administration has been working to repair severely damaged relations between the two nations, which technically remain in a state of war following the armistice that ended the Korean War from 1950-53.

In an official statement, the ministry responsible for managing inter-Korean relations said Seoul would continue adhering to its commitment to avoid hostile actions against North Korea while pursuing peaceful coexistence across the Korean peninsula.

The ministry’s comments came in response to statements published Monday by North Korea’s state-run KCNA news agency. In those remarks, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, described Lee’s apology and promise to prevent future incidents as “very fortunate and wise” – language markedly different from the harsh criticism typically seen in recent years.

However, Kim Yo Jong also warned that Seoul should “refrain from any attempt at contact” with North Korea.

President Lee issued his statement of regret Monday, acknowledging that the drone incursions had created unnecessary military tensions. He explained that civilians acting contrary to government policy had conducted these flights into North Korean airspace.

Lee revealed that an investigation discovered involvement by a National Intelligence Service worker and an active military official, describing these incidents as violations of South Korea’s constitution.

South Korean media reported Tuesday that presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik explained Lee’s decision to express regret demonstrated his strong commitment to reducing military tensions and rebuilding trust. The president ordered the message after receiving briefing materials about the investigation’s findings.

In recent years, Pyongyang has designated South Korea as its “most hostile state” and abandoned reunification goals, instead treating inter-Korean relations as connections between two enemy nations rather than parts of a divided country.

Kyungnam University professor Lim Eul-chul interpreted North Korea’s response as a measured acceptance of Lee’s statements, but warned that South Korea remains viewed as a hostile state. Any reduction in tensions would likely focus on managing the current situation rather than changing Pyongyang’s rigid two-state approach.

Taiwan’s top security officials are warning that Beijing is orchestrating a systematic campaign to acquire the island’s cutting-edge semiconductor technology and skilled workers as part of efforts to circumvent international trade restrictions.

According to a new report from Taiwan’s National Security Bureau presented to legislators, China’s pursuit of chip expertise has grown more aggressive as Beijing seeks independence in advanced semiconductor production while facing escalating technology competition with the United States.

The island nation, which Beijing considers part of its territory, regularly discovers and dismantles Chinese operations illegally attempting to recruit semiconductor professionals and high-tech specialists. Taiwan maintains stringent regulations preventing its most sophisticated technologies from reaching China.

In their briefing to lawmakers, security officials detailed how China attempts to “lure” Taiwan’s technology sectors, particularly artificial intelligence and semiconductor companies, into establishing or maintaining business operations on the mainland.

“It also continues to use indirect channels to poach Taiwanese talent, steal technology, and procure controlled goods, with the aim of obtaining key core technologies and products such as Taiwan’s advanced-process chips, thereby breaking through international technological containment.”

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has not responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations. Beijing maintains its position that Taiwan represents a Chinese province that will ultimately fall under mainland control.

The island serves as headquarters for TSMC, the globe’s largest contract semiconductor manufacturer and a key supplier to major corporations like Nvidia and Apple.

Beyond technology theft, the security report warns that China plans to deploy various unconventional tactics, including artificially generated content and fabricated polling data, to meddle in Taiwan’s upcoming local elections at year’s end.

Government computer networks faced more than 170 million attempted cyber intrusions during the first three months of 2024, according to the document reviewed ahead of Director-General Tsai Ming-yen’s scheduled legislative testimony on Wednesday.

“It cannot be ruled out that the Chinese Communist Party is laying the groundwork to interfere in Taiwan’s year-end elections, with the intent of expanding intelligence collection, surveillance, and data theft,” the report said.

Military tensions also continue escalating around the island nation.

During the opening quarter of this year, Taiwan’s defense systems tracked over 420 Chinese military aircraft operating in surrounding airspace, while naval forces conducted coordinated operations in 10 “joint combat readiness patrols,” security officials documented.

The report characterizes China’s Communist leadership as facing increased internal and external challenges, including economic difficulties and international strategic competition.

“Nevertheless, it continues to employ a range of hybrid threats against Taiwan, including military intimidation,” the report added.

Taiwan’s administration dismisses Beijing’s territorial claims, maintaining that only the island’s residents possess the authority to determine their political future.

A former Australian military member who received his country’s highest honors has been taken into custody on war crimes charges related to killings during his deployment in Afghanistan, according to reports from Sydney.

Ben Roberts-Smith, age 47, was apprehended at Sydney Airport on Tuesday morning by Australian Federal Police. Authorities have charged him with five counts of war crimes for the alleged murders of five individuals in Afghanistan during the period from 2009 to 2012.

Each charge carries a potential sentence of life behind bars, police officials confirmed.

The former soldier had achieved hero status in Australia after receiving multiple prestigious military decorations, including the Victoria Cross, for his conduct during six deployments to Afghanistan spanning 2006 through 2012.

Roberts-Smith has maintained his innocence regarding allegations of misconduct during his military service. These accusations first came to public attention through a series of reports published by Nine Entertainment newspapers beginning in 2018.

The published allegations included claims that Roberts-Smith fatally shot an unarmed Afghan youth and forced a handcuffed individual off a cliff before commanding subordinates to kill him.

In what became Australia’s costliest defamation case, Roberts-Smith attempted to fight the newspaper reports but was unsuccessful. A Federal Court judge determined in 2023 that the publications had substantiated four out of six murder allegations they had made. The High Court rejected his final appeal attempt in September 2025.

A government report released in 2020 documented credible evidence showing that Australia’s Special Air Service Regiment members had killed numerous unarmed prisoners during the extended conflict in Afghanistan.

The Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator launched their probe into Roberts-Smith in 2021. The Special Investigator’s office was established specifically to examine war crime allegations against Australian military personnel who served in Afghanistan.

Officials stated that the defendant is scheduled to make his first court appearance in New South Wales later Tuesday.

Legal representatives who handled Roberts-Smith’s defamation case have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the criminal charges.

Vietnam’s National Assembly unanimously approved Communist Party chief To Lam for the position of state president on Tuesday, granting him dual leadership authority that political analysts say represents the most significant concentration of power in the Southeast Asian nation in decades.

The parliamentary approval, which was widely expected, formally breaks with Vietnam’s longstanding tradition of shared leadership among multiple officials. This shift toward centralized control mirrors developments in neighboring China and could fundamentally alter how the single-party state operates moving forward.

Lawmakers endorsed the Communist Party’s selection of Lam, a decision that party officials confirmed was reached during closed-door discussions in late March. The 68-year-old former security chief now holds both the general secretary and presidential positions simultaneously for a five-year term, after securing his second stint as party leader this past January.

Following the legislative vote, Lam addressed parliament members in remarks broadcast on television, expressing gratitude for the dual appointment. He outlined his vision for the country, promising “a new growth model with science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the primary driving forces.” Lam also emphasized his commitment to strengthening national defense capabilities through domestic resources.

Singapore-based political expert Le Hong Hiep from the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute warned about potential consequences of this power consolidation. “Concentrating greater power in To Lam’s hands could pose risks to Vietnam’s political system, such as increased authoritarianism,” Hiep noted. However, he acknowledged that streamlined leadership “could enable Vietnam to formulate and implement policies more quickly and effectively,” potentially boosting economic development.

Alexander Vuving from the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in the United States described the change as transformative. The dual role arrangement “will shift Vietnam’s domestic politics to a new normal where most of the old assumptions about Vietnam’s politics, including those about collective leadership, are no longer valid,” Vuving explained.

This marks Lam’s second time holding both positions simultaneously. He previously served in both capacities for several months in 2024 following the death of former General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Even after temporarily stepping back from the presidency in favor of military leader Luong Cuong, Lam continued conducting presidential duties, including extensive international travel and diplomatic meetings with foreign officials.

Throughout his initial tenure as party leader, Lam has pursued ambitious economic restructuring aimed at enhancing Vietnam’s global competitiveness, though his initiatives have generated mixed reactions. He has committed to achieving double-digit economic growth by moving away from the low-wage manufacturing model that has traditionally powered Vietnam’s export economy under foreign corporate leadership.

While Lam’s reform agenda has sometimes created uncertainty within government circles and the business community, he has demonstrated adaptability in his approach. He supports expanding private sector conglomerates but has also issued guidance reinforcing the importance of state-owned companies, apparently to maintain support from party conservatives.

International businesses, which play a crucial role in Vietnam’s export-focused economy, generally view the country’s political consistency favorably and regard Lam as business-friendly. Nevertheless, his promotion of domestic corporate champions and aggressive growth targets have sparked concerns among some observers about potential favoritism, corruption vulnerabilities, speculative bubbles, and inefficient resource allocation.

In international relations, Lam has maintained a balanced approach. He continues Vietnam’s established “Bamboo Diplomacy” strategy, working to maintain equilibrium among major global powers while pursuing broader international cooperation.

Boston College visiting scholar Khang Vu believes the leadership consolidation will not alter Vietnam’s foreign policy direction. “Lam’s double-hat would not signal any changes in Vietnam’s foreign policy, even if there are concerns that Vietnam is concentrating more power in a single individual,” Vu stated.

The head of Taiwan’s primary opposition party departed Tuesday for China on what she calls a diplomatic mission aimed at preventing conflict, while Taiwanese officials revealed the current positioning of Chinese naval vessels surrounding the island.

Cheng Li-wun, who leads the Kuomintang (KMT) party, embarked on her journey during a period of heightened military tensions with China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory. Her trip also coincides with legislative delays over a proposed $40 billion increase in Taiwan’s defense budget.

Before heading to the airport from her party’s offices, Cheng addressed reporters about what she described as a “historic journey for peace,” while acknowledging that some citizens have concerns about her visit.

“If you truly love Taiwan, you will seize even the slightest chance, every possible opportunity, to keep Taiwan from being ravaged by war,” Cheng stated.

“So I would rather believe that all Taiwanese people hope this trip will succeed, because we can transform the most dangerous place in the world into the safest place in the world,” she added.

Beijing maintains its position that military action remains an option for bringing Taiwan under Chinese control and refuses diplomatic contact with Taiwan’s current President Lai Ching-te, whom Chinese officials label a “separatist.”

On Monday evening, Kuan Bi-ling, who oversees Taiwan’s coast guard through the Ocean Affairs Council, shared a Facebook image showing current Chinese naval deployments around Taiwan – including two vessels positioned off the eastern coastline and one ship each stationed to the north, northwest, and southwest of the island.

“When you depart, you are doing so from within what they see as the ‘Taiwan cage’,” Kuan explained to parliamentary reporters Tuesday, referencing China’s military terminology for Taiwan’s planned T-Dome air defense system while discussing Cheng’s diplomatic mission.

During separate parliamentary remarks, Chiu Chui-cheng, Taiwan’s chief official handling China relations through the Mainland Affairs Council, emphasized that Beijing should work with Taiwan’s democratically chosen leadership.

“We call on Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, when facing the Communist Party authorities in person, to demand that they immediately stop their compounded pressure against Taiwan, including military aircraft and naval harassment,” Chiu stated.

Cheng’s China visit occurs one month ahead of a planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi in Beijing.

Although Trump and Xi may reach cooperative agreements on agricultural trade and aircraft components during their Beijing meeting, discussions are anticipated to cover contentious issues including Taiwan, where diplomatic breakthroughs appear unlikely.

During a February phone conversation, Xi cautioned Trump that the United States “must carefully handle arms sales to Taiwan.”

This marks the first visit by a KMT leader to China in ten years, though Chinese officials have not confirmed whether Xi will definitely meet with Cheng, who plans to remain in Beijing starting Thursday.

Her itinerary includes an initial stop in Shanghai followed by rail travel to Nanjing, where the tomb of party founder Sun Yat-sen is located. Sun Yat-sen led the overthrow of China’s final imperial dynasty and established the Republic of China in 1912.

The KMT-controlled republican government relocated to Taiwan in 1949 following their defeat in a civil conflict against Mao Zedong’s communist forces.

Vietnam’s National Assembly has unanimously selected Communist Party General Secretary To Lam to serve as the nation’s president for the next five years, according to parliamentary officials following Tuesday’s vote.

This expected decision represents a departure from Vietnam’s longstanding tradition of shared leadership among multiple officials, concentrating power under a single leader in a manner that experts believe could push the communist nation toward increased authoritarian control, while potentially allowing for quicker policy decisions similar to neighboring China.

National Assembly members approved Lam’s selection after the Communist Party formally nominated him during meetings concluded in late March.

The 68-year-old former public security chief now holds dual authority to govern Vietnam for five years ahead, having already secured his second term as general secretary this past January.

“Concentrating greater power in To Lam’s hands could pose risks to Vietnam’s political system, such as increased authoritarianism,” stated Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

Nevertheless, this power concentration “could enable Vietnam to formulate and implement policies more quickly and effectively,” which would support economic expansion, he noted.

The merging of these two positions “will shift Vietnam’s domestic politics to a new normal where most of the old assumptions about Vietnam’s politics, including those about collective leadership, are no longer valid,” explained Alexander Vuving from the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in the United States.

Lam previously occupied both roles temporarily following the 2024 death of former party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Despite transferring the presidency to army general Luong Cuong, Lam continued functioning as though he maintained the position, conducting extensive international travel and representing Vietnam in diplomatic meetings with foreign officials.

During his initial tenure as party leader, Lam introduced comprehensive economic reforms aimed at enhancing Vietnam’s competitiveness, generating both support and opposition.

Following his reappointment as party chief, Lam pledged to achieve double-digit economic growth through a fresh development strategy reducing dependence on low-cost manufacturing, which has historically driven Vietnam’s export-focused economic success under foreign multinational leadership.

While Lam’s initiatives have occasionally created uncertainty within government circles and business communities, he has demonstrated practical adaptability in their implementation.

He has supported private conglomerate expansion, though prior to his reappointment, he also released guidance emphasizing state-owned enterprises’ primary importance to satisfy party traditionalists.

International investors, who play a crucial role in Vietnam’s export-dependent economy, frequently commend the nation’s political stability and view Lam as business-friendly. However, his support for domestic champions and aggressive growth targets have sparked concerns among some regarding preferential treatment, corruption possibilities, asset inflation, and resource misallocation.

Regarding international relations, Lam has maintained a practical approach.

He has preserved Vietnam’s “Bamboo Diplomacy” strategy while working to maintain balanced relationships with major global powers and expanding international partnerships.

“Lam’s double-hat would not signal any changes in Vietnam’s foreign policy, even if there are concerns that Vietnam is concentrating more power in a single individual,” said Khang Vu, a visiting scholar at Boston College.

SQUAMISH, British Columbia — Officials in British Columbia are warning residents to avoid a cliff area above a major highway where engineering students apparently hung a red Volkswagen Beetle shell as part of an elaborate stunt.

Provincial authorities announced Monday that BC Parks crews are working to take down the vehicle and anticipate completing the removal by week’s end. The Environment Ministry confirmed that both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and park officials have been called in to look into the incident.

The hollowed-out car emerged on the cliff face overlooking Highway 99 in Squamish last week, displaying a prominent “E” painted on its top — a marking that suggests University of British Columbia engineering students were continuing their longstanding practice of positioning Beetle shells in challenging spots.

This type of stunt has occurred before. In 2009, another Beetle dropped from the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge, leading Vancouver police to arrest five students who had unsuccessfully tried to hang it from the bridge structure.

University representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment about the latest incident.

Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford expressed concern about the location chosen for the prank, describing the Stawamus Chief rock formation area as a “sacred place” that holds significant cultural importance for the Squamish Nation.

The mayor noted that the location draws many outdoor enthusiasts for hiking and climbing activities, and emphasized that what “may have felt like an innocent prank” has negatively impacted the local community.

“This is an area that deserves respect, and that wasn’t the case here,” Hurford said in the statement.

A Japanese citizen who spent nearly three months detained in Iran has been granted bail and released from custody, according to Japan’s government officials.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara announced during a Tuesday press conference that the individual, who was taken into custody on January 20th, was freed on bail this past Monday. Kihara reported that the person appears to be in good health but declined to share additional information including the detainee’s name or what charges were involved.

Earlier this year in February, Radio Free Europe published reports indicating that Shinnosuke Kawashima, who serves as the Tehran bureau chief for Japan’s public broadcasting network NHK, had been arrested by Iranian authorities and moved to a prison facility.

When the arrest reports first emerged, NHK representatives stated that “there is nothing we can answer at this stage” while emphasizing that protecting their staff members’ safety remained their highest concern.

Japanese government officials subsequently acknowledged that one of their citizens was being held in Iran and confirmed they had established communication with both the detained person’s relatives and Iranian government representatives.

The detention occurred during a period of heightened tensions involving Iran, particularly following the start of hostilities between the United States and Israel against the Middle Eastern nation on February 28th.