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Leaders from a Russian-dominated economic alliance issued a stern warning to Armenia on Friday, threatening potential suspension from the trade bloc due to the nation’s pursuit of European Union membership, as ongoing tensions between Moscow and Armenian officials continue to escalate.

During a summit held in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana, Russian President Vladimir Putin joined with leaders from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to express concerns that Armenia’s European Union membership pursuit poses “significant risks” to their economic security. The four officials directed their staff to compile a December report examining “possible consequences of suspending” Armenia from the alliance.

The leaders additionally called for Armenia to conduct a referendum allowing citizens to choose between pursuing EU membership or remaining within the Eurasian Economic Union, a trade partnership established in 2015 that facilitates unrestricted movement of goods, capital and workers. Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has previously dismissed calls for such a vote.

This threat emerges just over one week prior to Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary elections, where Pashinyan, who has held power since 2018, aims to maintain his position.

Following a U.S.-mediated agreement last year that concluded decades of conflict with Azerbaijan, Armenia has progressively worked to strengthen relationships with both the United States and European Union. Pashinyan has announced plans to pursue EU membership while his administration has halted the nation’s involvement in the Moscow-controlled security alliance known as the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Armenia’s pivot toward Western nations has frustrated the Kremlin. Putin has cautioned Pashinyan that his nation would experience severe economic harm if it continues pursuing EU membership. Recently, Moscow threatened to halt deliveries of discounted natural gas to Armenia and prohibited imports of Armenian brandy, fruits and vegetables, representing part of the Kremlin’s strategy to influence Armenia’s election results.

Putin has stated that Armenia cannot simultaneously belong to both the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union. During Friday’s meeting, he cautioned that Armenia might lose as much as 14% of its Gross Domestic Product if it withdraws from the Moscow-controlled alliance.

Pashinyan has responded to Putin’s threats by maintaining that Armenia can currently balance its Eurasian Economic Union membership while building cooperation with the EU.

During Friday’s remarks, Putin also drew parallels between the current disagreements with Armenia and events in Ukraine, where attempts to establish an association agreement with the EU resulted in the removal of its pro-Moscow president, Russia’s takeover of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014, and Moscow’s backing of separatist forces in eastern Ukraine that began that same year. In February 2022, Putin launched military operations in Ukraine, initiating Europe’s largest armed conflict since World War II.

A judicial ruling in Brazil’s northern Pará state has mandated that government authorities at both federal and municipal levels take action to restore and safeguard Fordlandia, an abandoned settlement that U.S. automotive pioneer Henry Ford created in the Amazon rainforest almost 100 years ago.

Legal officials announced Friday that this ruling represents a major achievement for cultural preservation efforts.

The ghost town of Fordlandia, which currently serves as a district within Aveiro city, was constructed in 1927 by Ford Motor Co. in Pará state as an ambitious rubber production center aimed at providing a reliable source of natural rubber for automobile tires.

The settlement was planned to mirror an ideal American suburban community and at its peak became the Amazon’s third-most populous area. But plant diseases destroyed the rubber tree farms, forcing residents to abandon the community. The Brazilian government took control of the property in 1945.

Brazil’s federal prosecution office in Pará filed suit in 2015 against the nation’s Iphan architectural heritage agency and Aveiro city officials for neglecting to maintain Fordlandia. The lawsuit also sought official protected designation for the settlement.

“Fordlandia is a landmark chapter in the history of Brazil and of global industry. The project was an American effort to challenge the British monopoly on rubber, bringing cutting-edge infrastructure—including a hospital, running water, electricity and a movie theater — to the heart of the Amazon in the 1920s,” the prosecutors’ office in Pará said in a statement.

Even though the business operation failed, authorities stressed that the district continues to hold importance in Brazil’s collective heritage and deserves protection for coming generations.

A Pará judge issued orders two weeks ago requiring federal and municipal governments to rehabilitate Fordlandia. This judgment followed more than ten years of court battles.

While the district lacks formal heritage site designation, the court determined it holds historical, cultural, and architectural value that Brazil’s Constitution requires the government to safeguard.

The court order also mandates that government officials create and execute a restoration strategy for the district, with possible monetary sanctions for failure to comply.

Ghana’s legislative body voted Friday to enact new legislation that makes promoting LGBTQ activities a criminal offense, marking another step in West Africa’s increasing restrictions on sexual minorities.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, received approval through a voice vote following a unanimous endorsement from the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, according to first deputy speaker Bernard Ahiafor.

The legislation was brought forward last year after President John Dramani Mahama assumed office. Religious leaders and other advocates had pressed lawmakers from Mahama’s National Democratic Congress party to move forward with the vote, creating pressure for the president to approve the measure.

Parliament had previously passed a similar version of this legislation in 2024 during the administration of Mahama’s predecessor, President Nana Akufo-Addo, though legal challenges prevented Akufo-Addo from signing it into law.

Friday’s approved legislation keeps current penalties of up to three years imprisonment for same-sex intimate acts. The measure also prohibits “funding, sponsorship or promotion” of LGBTQ activities, carrying sentences from three to five years in prison. Additionally, it establishes a “duty to report” requirement for prohibited LGBTQ activities to law enforcement or other officials, with violations punishable by up to three years incarceration.

The legislation also modifies Ghana’s Extradition Act of 1960 to classify violations under the new law as extraditable crimes.

Multiple West African nations have enacted similar anti-LGBTQ measures in recent months.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye approved legislation in March that doubles maximum prison sentences for same-sex intimate acts to 10 years while also criminalizing efforts to promote homosexuality.

Last September, Burkina Faso’s lawmakers voted to criminalize same-sex intimate acts for the first time and banned “behaviour likely to promote homosexual practices and similar practices.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned Friday that his country’s intelligence agencies have detected preparations for a significant Russian offensive, according to his announcement on the Telegram messaging platform.

During his evening video briefing, Zelenskiy stated: “We have intelligence information about Russia preparing a new large-scale strike.”

“Our services are responding promptly and are prepared. The Air Force and other defenders of the sky will work 24/7, as they always do,” he added.

Earlier this week on Monday, Russian officials announced plans for “systematic strikes” targeting locations in Kyiv while advising foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel to evacuate the area.

Russian authorities justified this planned action as retaliation for a drone attack that occurred last week at a dormitory facility in Ukraine’s Russian-controlled Luhansk region, resulting in 21 fatalities. Ukrainian officials have rejected responsibility for that incident.

Previous Russian bombardments targeting Kyiv and surrounding Ukrainian territories last Sunday resulted in two deaths and injured multiple civilians.

Through his Telegram message, Zelenskiy urged the international community to impose additional sanctions against Russia and emphasized the urgent need to implement previously agreed-upon air defense partnerships without delay.

Federal authorities in Switzerland announced Friday they are investigating Thursday’s stabbing incident at a Winterthur railway station as a possible act of terrorism, according to the Office of the Attorney General.

The federal prosecutor has initiated criminal charges against the suspected attacker for alleged multiple attempted murder and potential involvement with or support of a terrorist organization.

The Thursday morning assault in Winterthur, located north of Zurich, left three Swiss men wounded. One victim sustained a leg wound, another suffered a neck injury, and the third was stabbed in the thigh. Medical teams transported all three to area hospitals, with one requiring emergency surgical treatment.

Law enforcement apprehended the alleged assailant, identified as a 31-year-old individual holding both Swiss and Turkish citizenship, at the station within minutes of receiving the initial emergency report.

Authorities are currently examining the attacker’s motivations through a comprehensive investigation of the suspect’s history.

Officials stated their “main hypothesis” centers on the incident being suspected terrorism.

Law enforcement revealed Thursday that the suspect had come to police attention in 2015 for allegedly distributing propaganda materials from the extremist organization Islamic State.

A Swiss publication, Blick, reported obtaining footage that appears to show an individual fleeing the station’s main area while shouting “Allahu Akbar,” which means “God is greatest” in Arabic. Reuters has not confirmed the authenticity of this video.

Federal prosecutors emphasized Friday that the event demonstrates jihadist-inspired terrorism continues to pose a significant threat within Switzerland.

A Moscow-controlled economic alliance of former Soviet nations announced Friday it may suspend Armenia’s membership over the country’s efforts to join the European Union, demanding Yerevan hold a public vote on its future direction.

The Eurasian Economic Union made the threat following a summit meeting in Astana, where leaders from Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan expressed concern that Armenia’s westward shift threatens the bloc’s financial stability.

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan skipped the gathering, citing his active campaigning for parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7. Pashinyan has been steering his nation toward closer relationships with Europe and America while publicly criticizing Moscow’s policies.

The four attending nations stated that Armenia’s western integration creates “significant risks to the economic security” of their union and announced plans to review the country’s membership status during their December meeting.

The economic bloc, established in 2015, also demanded Armenia conduct a nationwide referendum on EU membership that includes an option to remain within the Russian-led organization.

Moscow has been increasing economic pressure on Armenia in recent weeks, implementing temporary bans on agricultural products and threatening to cut off supplies of discounted oil and natural gas that the South Caucasus nation depends on heavily.

The upcoming election features Pashinyan, who advocates stronger EU and U.S. connections, competing against multiple opposition parties that generally favor Russian alignment. Polling data indicates Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party leads with approximately 30% voter support.

Russian officials have consistently maintained that EAEU membership cannot coexist with EU aspirations. Armenia enacted legislation last year formally beginning its European Union accession procedures.

Losing EAEU membership would create immediate economic disruption for Armenia’s 3 million residents. The nation’s per-capita economic output measured roughly half of Russia’s level in 2024, based on World Bank figures.

Trade statistics from Armenian government sources show Russia represented about 35% of the country’s international commerce last year, while EU nations accounted for approximately 11%. Armenia also imported 82% of its natural gas from Russia during the same period.

Military delegations from Lebanon and Israel conducted direct negotiations at the Pentagon on Friday, marking the first such discussions between the two nations in decades, even as combat operations continued in southern Lebanon.

Israeli forces advanced into the southern Lebanese village of Dibbine, located near Marjayoun, while air operations resulted in the deaths of at least six individuals. According to state media reports, five people died in aerial attacks on the villages of Deir Qanoun al Nahr and Abbasiyeh, and a municipal police officer was killed in Ebba village.

The six-person Lebanese military team met with Israeli military representatives in Washington on Friday, with the Lebanese delegation headed by Brig. Gen. George Rizkallah, the army’s operations chief. A senior Lebanese military official told The Associated Press that the goal was to establish a comprehensive ceasefire, building on the nominal truce that took effect on April 17.

The Lebanese representatives plan to request the restoration of a monitoring committee that oversaw enforcement of a previous U.S.-mediated ceasefire which ended the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in late 2024, according to the official.

A second Lebanese official, who receives regular briefings on the Pentagon discussions, confirmed that the delegation would push for full ceasefire implementation and an end to current hostilities. This official noted that successful implementation would lead to future discussions about positioning Lebanese army forces along the border and removing Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.

Both officials requested anonymity as they lacked authorization to discuss the ongoing Washington negotiations publicly.

President Joseph Aoun’s office announced he spoke by phone Friday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Lebanon’s situation and broader Middle Eastern developments. Aoun told Rubio that ceasefire implementation should be the primary focus, calling it “the essential entry point for transitioning to any other issues,” according to his office.

The current talks represent the first direct Lebanon-Israel discussions in Washington in over thirty years, following initial meetings held in April.

Israeli military forces issued multiple evacuation orders for southern Lebanon on Friday, compelling hundreds of families to relocate to safer northern areas.

Combat erupted between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters in the villages of Yohmor and Zawtar al-Sahrqieh near Nabatieh city after Israeli forces crossed the strategic Litani River, which serves as an unofficial Israeli military boundary. Extensive southern territories remain under Israeli military authority despite the April ceasefire agreement.

Hezbollah, whose fighters have engaged Israeli forces in the region for several days, issued statements claiming their members attacked Israeli troops within Yohmor.

Both villages sit near the medieval Beaufort castle, positioned approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Israeli border with commanding views of southern Lebanon. It remains unclear whether Israeli forces intend to seize the castle, located north of the Litani River.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured the northern front Friday and addressed military personnel. “I must tell you that there are very impressive results here. Our forces have crossed the Litani; they have advanced to controlling positions,” he stated.

“We are operating in Beirut, in the Bekaa, across the entire width of the front, and we are dealing Hezbollah a crushing blow,” Netanyahu added, referencing Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley and Beirut’s southern suburbs, which Israeli air forces targeted Thursday.

The southern Lebanon violence occurred as U.S. and Iranian negotiators reportedly reached a preliminary agreement Thursday to extend the ceasefire in the three-month conflict by 60 days and begin fresh discussions on Iran’s nuclear program, according to a U.S. official with knowledge of the matter.

Iran has not yet confirmed any agreement. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Thursday evening that a tentative deal existed but expressed uncertainty about President Donald Trump’s approval.

Hezbollah legislator Hassan Fadlallah stated Friday that any U.S.-Iran agreement would halt Israel’s Lebanese offensive. Iranian officials, representing Hezbollah’s primary supporter, have maintained that any Washington deal must end the current Israel-Hezbollah war that began March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel two days after mutual attacks between Israel and Iran.

The ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict has resulted in 3,200 deaths in Lebanon and displaced over one million people.

Ukrainian weapons experts have discovered that a Russian Oreshnik missile launched at their country in January was actually manufactured nine years ago, challenging Moscow’s claims about the weapon being revolutionary new technology.

After analyzing debris from the strike, investigators determined the missile was built in 2017 using components that date back to 2016 or earlier, all originating from Russia or Belarus, officials announced Friday.

The Oreshnik represents a nuclear-capable weapon system with a striking distance exceeding 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles). Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed the missile cannot be intercepted, though numerous Western defense analysts have disputed this characterization.

Fragments collected from the limited number of Oreshnik strikes during the ongoing conflict have provided Ukrainian officials with valuable intelligence about the weapon system while raising doubts about Moscow’s promotional claims.

Ukrainian defense assessments conclude the Oreshnik represents an updated variant of the earlier RS-26 Rubezh missile, which achieved its first successful test flight in 2012.

During Friday’s briefing showcasing electronic components retrieved from Russian weapons and unmanned aircraft, a Ukrainian missile analysis specialist expressed surprise at their findings.

“We were rather surprised, because they say that this is a very new missile, but if you look at the year of assembly, it says 2017,” stated the expert, who provided only his first name Petro citing security concerns.

Moscow has deployed the Oreshnik weapon system against Ukrainian targets on at least three occasions throughout the conflict, including an attack on a community near Kyiv during an intensive aerial bombardment on May 24.

Vladyslav Vlasiuk, who serves as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s sanctions adviser, confirmed the electronic components were salvaged from an Oreshnik strike on the western city of Lviv in January. Vlasiuk noted that debris analysis from this month’s most recent Oreshnik attack remains ongoing.

Vlasiuk also reported that Ukrainian forensic teams are documenting increased replacement of Western missile technology with Chinese alternatives, describing this substitution pattern as appearing “forced.”

Despite export restrictions imposed by Ukraine’s Western partners on electronics potentially useful in missile production, Western-manufactured chips obtained through illegal channels continue appearing in Russian weapons and drone systems.

Ukrainian officials have consistently urged Western nations to strengthen enforcement mechanisms preventing electronic component shipments to Moscow.

Israeli military forces have pushed beyond Lebanon’s Litani River in an expanded ground operation against Hezbollah fighters, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday during a border visit.

The advancement occurs while American military officials facilitate discussions between Israeli and Lebanese defense officials in Washington, working to implement a U.S.-mediated peace framework aimed at ending hostilities and dismantling the Iran-supported Hezbollah organization.

These Pentagon meetings also seek to strengthen an April 16 truce agreement that has struggled to stop border violence, as Israeli aircraft continue striking southern and eastern Lebanon while Hezbollah launches drone and rocket attacks against Israel.

Military officials reported this week they had widened ground operations beyond a buffer zone their forces have controlled since April 16. During Friday’s border inspection, Netanyahu announced troops had advanced further, crossing the Litani River that runs east-west approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) into southern Lebanon.

“Our forces have crossed the Litani and advanced to controlling positions,” Netanyahu told military personnel, according to statements from his office.

“We are operating in Beirut, in the Bekaa (Valley), across the entire width of the front, and are dealing Hezbollah a crushing blow.”

Lebanese security officials reported Israeli troops crossed the Litani near Zawtar al-Sharqiyah village Thursday before withdrawing to the river’s southern side later that day. Forces crossed again Friday, though sources described it as a limited advance at an eastern Litani position near the Israeli border.

The Lebanese conflict represents the deadliest expansion of the Iran war, displacing over 1.2 million Lebanese civilians through Israeli airstrikes and evacuation directives since March 2, when Hezbollah began attacking Israel to support Tehran.

Israeli bombardments have devastated Lebanon’s south, east, and capital Beirut since then, resulting in more than 3,200 deaths according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Israel reports 23 soldiers and four civilians killed during the same timeframe.

Initially, Israel commanded residents south of the Litani River to evacuate. Thursday brought new evacuation orders for people south of the Zahrani River — located roughly 10 kilometers north of the Litani — as the military designated that area a combat zone.

Israeli military commander Eyal Zamir told northern command troops Friday they would continue targeting Hezbollah “launch squads” and their operators and leadership at all levels.

“Wherever we identify a threat, we will strike it,” he stated, according to military-released remarks.

At the Pentagon, Israeli and Lebanese military representatives met to examine ceasefire implementation. The two nations agreed May 15 to extend the truce by 45 days, with talks scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. (1200 GMT).

An Israeli source familiar with the discussions said the countries were not expected to address Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold where Israel claims it has largely avoided attacks due to American pressure.

A U.S. official confirmed the Pentagon talks proceeded as planned, stating: “The only path to lasting peace is through direct negotiations between the two sovereign governments.”

Israel and Lebanon have divided their American-facilitated talks into diplomatic and security components. Diplomatic sessions are planned for next week at the State Department.

JOHANNESBURG — An appeals court in South Africa heard arguments Friday in a contentious dispute over the final resting place of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, whose body has remained unburied for nearly a year following his death.

The former Zambian leader, who served his country from 2015 to 2021, passed away at age 68 on June 5, 2025, in a South African medical facility due to an illness that was not publicly disclosed.

The delay in burial stems from an ongoing conflict between Lungu’s relatives and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who had been political adversaries for years.

The current Zambian president seeks to have Lungu’s remains brought back to Zambia for an official state ceremony. His administration secured a victory in August when the Pretoria High Court ordered that the body be released to Zambian diplomatic officials for transport home.

But Lungu’s relatives opposed any funeral arrangements that would involve Hichilema due to their longstanding political rivalry, preferring instead to lay him to rest in South Africa. They challenged the court decision before South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal.

During Friday’s proceedings in Bloemfontein, the family’s legal representative Tembeka Ngcukaitobi contended that Zambia’s request for a state burial lacked justification because Lungu had his presidential privileges stripped before his passing. He maintained that the deceased’s widow should have the final say in burial matters.

Representing the Zambian government, attorney Ben Stoop countered that both parties had previously reached an understanding allowing Hichilema to participate in funeral proceedings and welcome international guests, but the family later abandoned this arrangement.

The panel of five justices hearing the case raised concerns about the lack of clear written evidence showing Lungu specifically wanted to be interred in South Africa, despite the possibility that he would have opposed having his political successor oversee his funeral.

The court has not announced when it will issue its decision.

Hamas issued sharp criticism on Friday following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that his nation would increase its territorial control in Gaza, calling the move a dangerous escalation that has also alarmed Palestinian residents.

Netanyahu revealed plans to grow Israel’s controlled territory from the current 53% established under an October ceasefire agreement to an initial 70%, though he provided no specific details or timeline for the expansion.

The Palestinian militant organization, whose October 7, 2023, assault on Israel sparked two years of devastating conflict in Gaza, characterized Netanyahu’s remarks as a strategy for ethnic cleansing and the forced relocation of Palestinians.

MAJOR DISPUTES POSTPONED

Ismail al-Thawabta, head of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, stated that “Any attempt to impose a new reality of occupation in Gaza is null and illegitimate,” emphasizing that Netanyahu’s announcement “represents a dangerous escalation.”

Despite more than eight months of ceasefire and while global focus has shifted to the conflict in Iran, Gaza’s fundamental issues persist without resolution, marked by ongoing Israeli military actions, minimal humanitarian aid delivery, and the potential for renewed major violence.

Israeli forces have already increased their controlled territory in Gaza beyond the original 53% marked by a “yellow line” in the ceasefire agreement to approximately 64%, establishing restricted zones shown in maps distributed to humanitarian organizations.

Any additional reduction of available space for Gaza’s more than 2 million residents, who are predominantly housed in temporary tent encampments throughout the small Palestinian territory, threatens to worsen the already catastrophic living conditions.

Mohammed al-Shagra, 72, from Khan Younis, expressed his frustration: “Where do we go? To the sea? There is no space.”

The agreement negotiated last year by U.S. President Donald Trump created a Board of Peace to supervise the staged ceasefire implementation and received United Nations Security Council approval.

Nevertheless, the most challenging disagreements, including Hamas disarmament, complete Israeli military withdrawal, and the structure of Gaza’s future government, were deferred to later phases of the process. Board of Peace mediators are currently engaged in discussions with both parties regarding disarmament matters.

Both Israel and Hamas have consistently blamed each other for ceasefire violations. Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in over 900 Palestinian deaths since the truce began, while Palestinian militant activities have killed four Israeli soldiers.

Neither Israel’s military nor the prime minister’s office provided immediate responses to Reuters’ requests for additional information and commentary regarding Netanyahu’s announcement.

A Board of Peace representative declined to comment on Netanyahu’s statement. Foreign ministries from permanent U.N. Security Council members Britain and France did not immediately respond to comment requests.

A spokesperson for Germany’s foreign ministry expressed concern about Israeli intentions to seize additional Gaza territory and opposed any permanent partition of the Palestinian region.

RISK OF FURTHER VIOLENCE

With elections approaching this year and facing criticism over Israel’s inability to achieve strategic objectives in conflicts with Iran and Lebanon, Netanyahu may be attempting to strengthen his position with voters.

Max Rodenbeck, Israel-Palestine Project Director at International Crisis Group, explained: “He’s determined to look tough in front of the electorate and he’s blamed by his opponents for having fought this seven-front war, but having won none of the wars.”

Rodenbeck warned: “Unless there’s some sort of pushback from the Trump administration it really does risk a return to something very bloody,” noting other ways Israel has intensified pressure on Hamas, including continued aid limitations on Gaza and targeted strikes against Hamas leadership.

For Gaza’s population, where virtually all residents were forced to evacuate their homes during the war and most remain in temporary tents or shelters, the possibility of increased Israeli military pressure is deeply concerning.

Mohammed al-Jundi, a displaced resident in Gaza City, questioned: “We see no ceasefire or anything and they keep advancing beyond the yellow line. For how long will the world stay silent?”

In Israel, security advocates view renewed military pressure as the sole method to compel Hamas disarmament and secure a lasting agreement.

Kobi Michael, a researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies and former strategic affairs ministry official, stated: “It looks as if we are taking a step towards another collision. But I believe this time it will be much shorter and maybe would open the path towards a new future.”

Romanian officials announced Friday that two civilians were hurt when a drone struck a southeastern Romanian city during Russia’s nighttime assault on neighboring Ukraine, an event that threatens to escalate tensions along NATO’s eastern border.

International leaders responded swiftly with condemnation and pledges of support:

ROMANIAN PRESIDENT NICUSOR DAN

“Romania is a NATO member state and will not accept, under any circumstances, that the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine be transferred to its citizens.

“The unprecedented nature of the event demands a firm, coordinated and proportionate response – at national, allied and international level.”

He later stated: “I want to thank our partners for their solidarity, in the EU and NATO; this … proves there is Euroatlantic solidarity and unity.”

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE

“NATO stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory. We will continue to enhance our readiness to deter and defend against any threat, including from drones.

“Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all. They continue to target civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. And last night showed yet again that the implications of their illegal war of aggression don’t stop at the border.”

OUTGOING ROMANIAN PRIME MINISTER ILIE BOLOJAN

“This situation is unacceptable and represents a new violation of airspace, generated by the irresponsible and unjustified continuation of the war waged by Russia in Ukraine.”

EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN

“Russia’s war of aggression has crossed yet another line.

“A Russian drone incursion struck a densely populated area in Romania, injuring civilians. On EU territory.

“We stand in full solidarity with Romania and its people.”

GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ

“Russia’s reckless drone incursion into Romania shows once again Russia’s willingness to escalate. Germany stands with our NATO Allies. The incident once again underscores the need for strong NATO posture on the Eastern flank. We are ready to defend every inch of Allied territory.”

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY

“We are ready to support Romania in whatever way is necessary under these circumstances. We count on the European Union’s new sanctions measures against Russia to be truly strong and to make Russia feel that its strikes mean significant losses for Russia itself.”

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO NATO MATTHEW WHITAKER

“We stand with our NATO Ally Romania and condemn this reckless incursion on its territory. Our thoughts are with the injured in Galati. We will defend every inch of NATO territory.”

UK FOREIGN MINISTER YVETTE COOPER

“Russia’s violation of NATO airspace, hitting a residential building in Romania, is extremely dangerous and reckless.”

CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY

“Another escalation in Russia’s unjust war of aggression against Ukraine. This incident is a serious violation of Romanian airspace and international law by Russia.”

EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF KAJA KALLAS

“Russia has long ago stopped respecting borders. Moscow cannot be allowed to breach European airspace with impunity.”

POLISH PRESIDENT KAROL NAWROCKI

“I stand in solidarity with President Nicusor Dan and the entire Romanian nation. What happened is another installment of the hybrid war in which NATO’s eastern flank countries are participating.”

FRENCH MINISTER FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS BENJAMIN HADDAD

“Russia has not only attacked Ukraine, but also threatened the European security architecture.”

MOLDOVAN PRESIDENT MAIA SANDU

“I strongly condemn Russian drones striking Romanians in their homes. This is grave.

“Russia is a danger to all and must be stopped.”

ESTONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MARGUS TSAHKNA

“It is clear that NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, especially air defence, must be strengthened.”

SLOVAK PRIME MINISTER ROBERT FICO

“I express my full solidarity with the Romanian government, call for restraint in making inflammatory statements, and once again urge the immediate opening of dialogue between the European Union and the Russian Federation.”

CZECH PRIME MINISTER ANDREJ BABIS

“The Czech Republic stands firmly with our alliance partners and equally condemns the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI

“This is a very serious act, demonstrating how this war of aggression spares no one, continuing to brutally target innocent civilians, ignoring every limit, and endangering European security.”

POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER RADOSLAW SIKORSKI

“Regardless of whether it was on purpose or the result of ineptitude, Russia is still dangerous and we must defend ourselves against it.”

BELGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MAXIME PREVOT

“A weapon of war hitting an apartment building in an EU member state and NATO ally is a dangerous escalation that concerns us all.”

HUNGARIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ANITA ORBAN

“Yesterday’s Russian drone attack once again underlines that Europe and NATO’s unity, strength and deterrence are more important than ever.”

The United Nations has included Israel and Russia on its official blacklist of nations suspected of sexual violence in conflict areas, according to a Friday announcement that sparked Israel’s foreign ministry to declare it would cut all connections with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The Secretary-General’s yearly report to the UN Security Council regarding conflict-related sexual violence advances beyond the previous year’s action, when Guterres warned Israel and Russia they might be included on the roster of parties “credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence.”

The current report takes that step and includes disturbing accounts of violations by Israeli and Russian military and security personnel.

Hamas, Israel’s primary adversary whose October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel sparked the Gaza conflict, was previously included on the blacklist. Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon posted on X Thursday that placing Israel alongside the militant organization represented a “new low.”

“This is a political decision! Disconnected from the facts and reality!” Danon stated in another message from the Israeli UN mission, which noted he learned of the decision during a telephone conversation with Guterres.

Russia’s UN mission has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.

Inclusion on the roster does not automatically trigger specific penalties like sanctions, though public identification and condemnation can inflict considerable reputational harm on the nations involved. Countries repeatedly listed face exclusion from UN peacekeeping missions.

Danon stated Israel had provided comprehensive responses to every accusation and had extended invitations for UN officials to visit and assess the circumstances, but they declined to do so.

“Given that Antonio Guterres has chosen to violate every standard of honesty, integrity and professionalism, Israel has decided to sever all ties with the Secretary-General’s Office and will wait until a new UN Secretary-General is appointed,” the ministry announced on X.

A replacement UN secretary-general is scheduled to be selected later this year.

When questioned about Danon’s statements during a routine briefing Thursday, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric responded: “I can tell you from the Secretary-General’s point of view, his door remains open to Israeli representatives, as to the other 192 member states and the two observer states.”

This year’s document stated that in 2025, “the United Nations verified multiple incidents of conflict-related sexual violence, including as a form of torture, inflicted against 14 men, seven women, nine boys and one girl from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.”

The report indicated 13 incidents happened in 2025, with 18 occurring in 2023 and 2024.

“Violations consisted of rape, including with objects, gang rape, attempted rape, physical violence to the genitals, instances of targeted shooting of the genitals, touching of breasts and genitals, strip and cavity searches conducted without apparent security justification, forced nudity and threats of rape,” the document detailed.

“Rape and gang rape, in some cases repeated, were perpetrated against nine victims, the majority from Gaza,” it continued, noting that perpetrators included Israeli military and security personnel and occurred mainly during detention and questioning across multiple locations, including military facilities, checkpoints, and during Israeli operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The report noted that victims included journalists and human rights advocates, and that some violations were recorded on video or in photographs, including one rape incident.

The document further stated that sexual violence against female prisoners primarily involved rape threats, forced nakedness, unwanted contact, and humiliating strip searches without justification, while men and boys experienced rape, attempted rape, and genital violence.

This led to five male victims experiencing severe rectal bleeding or swelling lasting days or weeks, according to the report.

Regarding Russia, the document stated the UN human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine had confirmed 310 instances of conflict-related sexual violence committed by Russian military and security forces.

These cases, involving rape, gang rape, genital mutilation, electric shocks, and genital beatings, affected 280 men, 26 women, and four girls, the report noted.

WASHINGTON — Doubts emerged Friday regarding a proposed agreement between the United States and Iran to prolong their current ceasefire arrangement, with questions remaining about presidential backing and Iranian officials emphasizing military power over diplomatic discussions.

Vice President JD Vance announced Thursday that the two nations had reached a preliminary understanding. However, he noted that negotiators were still working through “a couple of language points” and could not confirm whether President Trump would endorse the arrangement.

Speaking on X Friday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stated his nation has “no trust in guarantees or words,” only actions, declaring “no step will be taken before the other side acts.”

“We do not gain concessions through talks, but through missiles. In negotiations, we only make them understand that,” Qalibaf posted, having participated in this week’s negotiations in Qatar. He continued: “The winner of any agreement is the one who is better prepared for war the day after it is signed.”

A U.S. official with knowledge of the discussions revealed the preliminary deal would extend the current ceasefire in the three-month conflict by 60 days while launching fresh discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

The official, speaking anonymously without authorization for public comment, said early negotiations during the 60-day extension would address Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The Islamic Republic currently possesses 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency — just steps away from the 90% weapons-grade threshold.

Vance explained Thursday evening that negotiators were discussing “a couple of issues on the nuclear stuff, the highly enriched stockpile, and also the question of enrichment.” The vice president indicated talks aimed to establish broad principles regarding uranium in the preliminary agreement, with detailed terms to follow in subsequent negotiations.

While Trump’s administration initially stated preventing Iranian nuclear weapons development as a primary goal, Vance characterized the conflict’s achievements in more modest terms.

“We’re in a position where we could substantially set back their nuclear program, not just during the term of this president but over the long term,” Vance stated. “That’s a very very good thing for the American people.”

Iran, which maintains its nuclear activities serve peaceful purposes, has not publicly agreed to surrender its uranium reserves. The stockpile is reportedly stored beneath three nuclear facilities severely damaged in U.S. bombing campaigns last year.

Nuclear experts suggest Iran might accept China or Russia, both Tehran allies, as potential third parties to secure the enriched uranium. However, Trump expressed Wednesday he “wouldn’t be comfortable” with such arrangements.

The draft agreement specifies Iran cannot levy fees on Strait of Hormuz passage and must clear all mines from the crucial shipping lane within 30 days, according to the anonymous official.

Throughout the conflict, Iran has essentially blocked the strait, previously handling roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas trade. This closure has driven worldwide energy prices dramatically higher.

Iran reports allowing limited commercial traffic — approximately two dozen vessels daily recently, compared to over 100 daily before hostilities began. The Islamic Republic has also imposed transit fees on certain ships and created an official oversight agency this month, prompting new U.S. sanctions this week.

The proposed agreement would see America gradually end its naval blockade of Iranian ports while easing sanctions to permit increased Iranian oil sales.

Despite deal discussions, the U.S. Treasury Department added fresh sanctions targeting the Iranian military’s petroleum sales division. These new measures, initially reported by The Associated Press, continue the Trump administration’s economic pressure strategy against the Islamic Republic.

Iran demands any agreement include cessation of Israel’s military actions in Lebanon against Iranian-supported Hezbollah forces. Lebanese tensions escalated Thursday as Israel launched airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and the coastal city of Tyre, killing at least 14 people across southern regions.

Since the ceasefire implementation roughly seven weeks ago, both nations have exchanged attacks and mutual accusations of violations. However, they have avoided returning to full combat while maintaining diplomatic efforts.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar touched down in Washington Friday to hold discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding recent progress in Iran peace negotiations.

Initial peace discussions held in Pakistan ended without reaching a formal agreement, though Reuters reported Thursday that sources indicated Tehran and Washington had achieved a preliminary understanding to extend an April ceasefire and remove shipping limitations in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump has not yet given his approval to the arrangement, and Iran’s Tasnim news agency confirmed Friday that no final deal has been completed, noting recent modifications to the terms.

The State Department’s official schedule shows Dar will sit down with Rubio at 10 a.m. (1400 GMT). Pakistan’s foreign ministry confirmed Dar’s Washington arrival and indicated he plans to return home the same day.

Though Dar also serves as deputy prime minister, Pakistan’s mediation efforts to resolve the Iran conflict have been spearheaded by army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. The ongoing conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and created worldwide economic hardship through rising energy costs.

Trump, who has commended Munir’s efforts, has consistently stated since mid-March that a war resolution appears imminent, despite limited visible progress between Washington and Tehran toward mutual understanding.

Iran continues demanding sanctions removal, asset unfreezing, and U.S. military withdrawal from the region, while the United States insists Iran must dismantle its nuclear program, which Tehran maintains serves peaceful objectives.

The most pressing concern involves reopening traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that previously handled one-fifth of worldwide oil and gas shipments before hostilities began.

MarineTraffic data showed no oil tankers passed through the strait during the previous 24 hours, though one Chinese-flagged vehicle carrier made the crossing. The data only tracks vessels actively transmitting their locations as of 1200 GMT Friday.

Multiple supertankers and liquefied natural gas carriers departed earlier this week.

Iranian state television reported 24 vessels navigated the strait within the past day, emphasizing that no ships may pass without authorization from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

Pakistan previously announced that Dar’s Washington discussions with Rubio would center on bilateral relationships and “Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy.”

Vietnam’s highest-ranking official delivered a stark warning about worldwide instability during Friday’s opening of a major Asian defense conference in Singapore.

To Lam, who serves as Vietnam’s top leader, addressed the Shangri-La Dialogue by identifying three significant threats facing nations globally. According to Lam, these include the weakening of international rules and legal frameworks, developmental challenges such as reduced economic growth and environmental issues, and deteriorating trust between countries.

“The three crises confronting our world today are not inevitable realities that we are bound to accept,” Lam stated during his address. He advocated for strengthening international legal systems, establishing inclusive and sustainable economic growth mechanisms, and promoting dialogue and openness between nations.

The annual Singapore-based conference, which continues through Sunday, attracts defense officials, military leaders, intelligence directors, diplomatic personnel, policy experts, and defense industry representatives from across the globe.

Among those present were U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and defense leaders from Australia, Britain, France, Japan, and additional countries. However, China’s defense minister was notably absent, marking the second consecutive year without Chinese ministerial participation.

Australia’s defense chief commented that China’s minimal representation at the gathering – sending only military academics and researchers rather than senior officials – represented a missed chance for meaningful international engagement.

This keynote address represents one of the most significant international appearances by a leader from the typically reserved Southeast Asian nation.

Having been appointed to the presidency last month while maintaining his position as head of the Communist Party, Lam now holds more authority than any Vietnamese leader in recent decades, positioning him for enhanced diplomatic engagement on the world stage.

American and Iranian officials worked out a preliminary agreement Thursday to prolong their current ceasefire by 60 days while launching fresh discussions about Iran’s nuclear program, a U.S. official with knowledge of the negotiations reported. Iranian officials have not yet verified any agreement. Vice President JD Vance confirmed Thursday night that negotiators had reached a preliminary deal, though he noted it remains uncertain whether President Donald Trump will give his approval.

In other developments, former Attorney General Pam Bondi will appear before House lawmakers examining Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse cases, a highly anticipated testimony that brings renewed attention to the administration’s mishandled release of Epstein case documents.

Here are the latest developments:

The former attorney general is making her appearance before House lawmakers as they examine how the federal government has managed the investigations into Jeffrey Epstein.

Bondi lost her position as attorney general last month, but in her earlier congressional testimony she has shown defiance when facing lawmakers’ inquiries about how the Department of Justice managed the release of Epstein case documents. She is also joined today by Department of Justice officials — a setup Democrats have condemned.

Multiple survivors of Epstein’s abuse also gathered outside the House office room where the interview is taking place in private. They urged the committee chair, Republican Rep. James Comer, to thoroughly question Bondi.

“We want justice for the survivors, we do,” Comer told them.

Democrats may find themselves in a more celebratory spirit than typical as they convene Friday in South Carolina, a state controlled almost completely by Republicans.

The party is organizing events just days after the GOP-controlled state Senate defeated an effort supported by President Donald Trump to redraw House district boundaries to benefit Republicans this fall. That initiative was designed to remove longtime Rep. Jim Clyburn, the state’s only congressional Democrat and a party powerbroker who has served since 1993.

Friday’s events begin with the Blue Palmetto Dinner, an annual party fundraiser that usually highlights potential presidential candidates and the party’s national leaders. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear will serve as the main speaker.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is appearing before House lawmakers examining Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse cases, a highly anticipated testimony that brings renewed attention to the administration’s mishandled release of Epstein case documents.

Bondi showed defiance in earlier public testimony when lawmakers confronted her about the Epstein investigation. It remains uncertain whether she will take the same stance Friday, given that she no longer leads the Justice Department. The meeting will occur in private.

The recorded interview will provide lawmakers an opportunity to seek information about the Trump administration’s management of the Epstein documents and other related issues, including the prison sentence of his former girlfriend and associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. The Justice Department transferred Maxwell to a prison camp in Texas last August.

“I think she absolutely could clear up many missing pieces if she wanted to,” said Rep. Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. “Now it’s a question of whether or not she is willing to be transparent.”

A federal judge has refused to stop Trump’s executive order establishing a federal voter list and restricting mail voting, allowing for potential major changes in how American elections are conducted shortly before this year’s midterm elections.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee in Washington, late Wednesday dismissed the request by Democrats and civil rights groups that had contended Trump’s order would likely be ruled unconstitutional because the states and Congress, not the president, hold the authority to establish election rules. Nichols sided with the Republican Trump administration’s argument that it was premature to block the order since it has not yet been put into effect.

Nichols’ decision keeps the door open for additional challenges when the Trump administration begins to implement the president’s directive. A separate lawsuit attempting to block the executive order is proceeding in Boston. Regardless of how quickly the administration acts, no voting changes are anticipated during primary elections, which continue into next month.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Thursday that his department has completed the design for a $250 bill featuring Trump, expecting the approval of stalled legislation in Congress to place the president on a new denomination of legal tender.

Bessent stated at the White House that authorizing the new currency will depend on lawmakers on Capitol Hill, but that “we’ve created the bill” because “we have to be prepared.”

The secretary minimized the notion that the administration is promoting the matter, despite Trump’s tendency for incorporating his name and image throughout the nation’s capital and into the commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. However, he also maintained there is nothing improper about Trump’s image being part of the significant national celebration.

The chief federal prosecutor in Chicago rejected Thursday evening that his office had launched an investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the longtime advice columnist who has stated Trump sexually assaulted her 30 years ago, hours after several news organizations reported that the Justice Department was investigating whether she had lied during civil litigation against Trump.

The Associated Press and other news organizations, citing unnamed sources, reported that the federal prosecutors’ office in Chicago had launched an investigation into Carroll.

But Andrew Boutros, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, released a statement roughly 24 hours after the initial report was published saying that his office “has not opened — and has never opened — a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll.”

A person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, initially told the AP on Thursday morning that investigators were focused on Carroll but later clarified that the actual focus was on a nonprofit that had helped fund her case.

American and Iranian officials worked out a preliminary agreement Thursday to prolong their current ceasefire in the 3-month-old war by 60 days while launching fresh discussions about Iran’s nuclear program, a U.S. official with knowledge of the negotiations reported.

Iranian officials have not yet verified any agreement. Vice President JD Vance confirmed Thursday night that negotiators had reached a preliminary deal, though he noted it remains uncertain whether Trump will give his approval.

“It’s hard to say exactly when or if the president’s going to sign,” Vance told reporters.

He added: “We’re going back and forth on a couple of language points.”

The developing memorandum of understanding emerged as the fragile ceasefire in the war between the U.S. and Iran seemed to be weakening. The most recent escalation in fighting occurred less than a day earlier, when Kuwait intercepted missiles fired from Iran, according to U.S. Central Command.

Poland’s president announced Friday his intention to have a state advisory body consider removing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s highest Polish decoration following Ukraine’s controversial decision to honor nationalist fighters connected to wartime atrocities against Poles.

The diplomatic tension arose after Zelenskiy signed an order recognizing a Ukrainian special forces unit’s battlefield contributions against Russian forces by designating it with the name of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, known as UPA.

While Poland has remained one of Ukraine’s strongest allies throughout Russia’s ongoing invasion, this particular move has sparked outrage due to the UPA’s dark historical legacy. The nationalist group participated in the Volhynia massacres between 1943 and 1945, during which Polish authorities say approximately 100,000 Polish civilians were killed by Ukrainian nationalists. The violence also resulted in thousands of Ukrainian deaths through retaliatory attacks.

“Glorifying the UPA has provided Russian propaganda with ample oxygen for disinformation,” Nawrocki told reporters in Warsaw on Friday.

The president emphasized that backing Ukraine against Russian aggression remains a crucial strategic objective for Poland. However, he announced that the Chapter of the Order of the White Eagle, the advisory council responsible for overseeing Poland’s most prestigious and historic state award, will convene on June 8.

“I proposed that one of the items on the agenda be the revocation of President Zelenskiy’s Order of the White Eagle,” he stated, noting that “certain mechanisms” including a Chapter meeting were required before making any final determination.

Nawrocki, a conservative nationalist who has drawn inspiration from U.S. President Donald Trump, has appealed to growing fatigue among some Polish citizens regarding the substantial Ukrainian refugee population in their country. During his electoral campaign, he pledged to prioritize “Poles first.”

Poland’s foreign ministry expressed its disapproval on social media Friday, stating that redesignating the Ukrainian military unit after the UPA “wounds the memory of the victims of that organisation and strikes at the dialogue between our nations.”

When asked about Nawrocki’s statements, a representative for the Ukrainian presidency chose not to provide direct commentary.

“We’re just thankful to Poland for all the support and we hope that our independence, and Poland’s, will remain strong despite all the Russian attempts to kill it,” the spokesperson said.

For many Ukrainians, the UPA represents heroic resistance fighters who battled both Soviet and Nazi occupying forces, serving as symbols of their nation’s struggle for independence from Moscow’s control.

Zelenskiy was awarded the Order of the White Eagle in 2023 by former President Andrzej Duda in acknowledgment of his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, promote democracy, maintain peace and security across Europe, and demonstrate “steadfastness in defending inalienable human rights.”

A Russian unmanned aircraft involved in nighttime strikes against Ukraine struck an apartment complex in eastern Romania, wounding two civilians in the NATO alliance nation, according to Romanian officials who expressed growing alarm that the four-year conflict might expand beyond Ukraine’s boundaries.

Following the incident in Galati, Romanian authorities requested expedited delivery of anti-drone technology from the military alliance, with the Foreign Ministry describing the aircraft’s path as a grave breach of international law.

This event represents the most recent in a series of unmanned aircraft episodes involving both Russian and Ukrainian drones that have troubled NATO member nations and heightened alliance tensions, prompting sharp criticism from Romania’s partners.

Gen. Gheorghe Maxim, serving as interim commander for Romania’s military joint staff, stated during Friday’s news briefing that the occurrence “is not an attack from Russia against Romania,” while noting that “Romanians should understand that Russia is a threat to the security of the countries in the area.”

Emergency responders and law enforcement arrived at the location in Galati, which sits along the Danube River close to Ukraine and Moldova’s borders.

Ukraine’s air force reported destroying 217 unmanned aircraft during Friday’s overnight period. Russia launched a total assault using 232 drones plus one ballistic missile, with strikes documented across 14 regions, military officials stated.

Romanian Defense Ministry officials confirmed radar systems monitored the drone’s movement through national airspace before it struck a building rooftop in Galati. The collision sparked a blaze, causing minor wounds to two individuals while prompting evacuations of additional residents.

Romania Describes Most Severe Incident Yet

Though Romania has previously discovered drone debris within its borders on numerous occasions since fighting began in 2022, including earlier this year in Galati during April, no injuries had occurred in previous incidents where most aircraft landed in unpopulated regions.

Responding to this latest breach, Romanian President Nicusor Dan assembled the NATO member’s highest defense council for Friday discussions regarding what he termed “the worst incident to hit the national territory” since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, placing blame directly on Russia.

“We will have proportional measures in relation to the Russian Federation. … There is no ambiguity about the author and the cause of this assault,” Dan posted on Facebook.

The president added his concern for wounded individuals, families and residents “who experienced terrible moments in their own homes.”

Romanian forces deployed two F-16 fighter aircraft and one helicopter with authorization to engage targets, while emergency notifications reached residents in affected zones.

Airspace breaches have grown so frequent in Romania that legislators passed laws last year permitting military forces to destroy incoming drones as a final option. However, Romania has maintained restraint in shooting down wayward aircraft due to risks posed to populated communities.

Russia continues employing long-distance ballistic weapons and drones to target Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure and attack urban areas, while Ukraine prepares for additional heavy bombardments.

This latest episode compounds recent drone-related challenges facing Europe. During recent months, Ukrainian drones have struck a power facility smokestack in Estonia, damaged empty fuel storage in Latvia and been destroyed by Romanian fighter jets operating from Lithuania. Ukrainian leaders apologized, explaining the aircraft targeted military installations inside Russia but were diverted by Russian electronic interference.

Since hostilities commenced in 2022, Poland, Croatia, Romania and non-NATO nation Moldova have documented airspace violations and recovered drone wreckage on their soil.

These repeated airspace intrusions have raised concerns about air defense readiness along NATO’s eastern border.

International Partners Condemn Violation

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed speaking with Romania’s president and conveying the organization’s “absolute solidarity” with its partner.

Writing on X, Rutte stated he “affirmed that NATO stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory. We will continue to enhance our readiness to deter and defend against any threat, including from drones.”

NATO partners are discussing the violation informally, though no formal session was scheduled for Friday. Romania may request official NATO consultations if it believes its territory or safety faces threats.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the incident as evidence that Russia “has crossed yet another line.” She indicated the EU would continue strengthening eastern border security while actively preparing additional sanctions against Russia, marking the 21st package to date.

“A Russian drone incursion struck a densely populated area in Romania, injuring civilians,” von der Leyen posted on social media. “On EU territory.”

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna attributed increased risk of such “serious incidents” to “Putin’s increasing nervousness, driven by military setbacks.”

Ukrainian Leader Seeks More Defense Systems

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Thursday he was urging the United States to supply additional Patriot air defense systems capable of countering Russian strikes.

He cautioned that shipments to Ukraine are dangerously inadequate as the Iran war redirects and reduces U.S. inventory. “I believe (the U.S.) must act quicker. We are being very persistent,” Zelenskyy informed reporters while visiting Sweden.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned the U.N. Security Council that escalating and intensifying attacks threaten to spiral beyond control, creating “unknown and unintended consequences.” He noted more civilians died during this year’s first four months than during equivalent periods in the previous three years.

Guterres advocated for increased diplomacy, immediate de-escalation and “a full and unconditional ceasefire.”

Negotiators from America and Iran have struck a preliminary agreement to extend their current ceasefire by 60 days while launching fresh discussions about Iran’s nuclear program, a U.S. official with knowledge of the situation reported Thursday.

Iran has not yet publicly confirmed any agreement. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Thursday evening that negotiators had reached a preliminary deal, though he expressed uncertainty about whether President Donald Trump would give his approval.

“It’s hard to say exactly when or if the president’s going to sign,” Vance told reporters.

He added: “We’re going back and forth on a couple of language points.”

The developing memorandum of understanding emerged as the delicate ceasefire in the 3-month conflict between America and Iran showed signs of strain. Fighting escalated less than 24 hours earlier when Kuwait shot down missiles launched from Iran, U.S. Central Command reported.

The memorandum specifies that Iran cannot charge fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz and must clear all mines from the critical waterway within 30 days, the official said, speaking anonymously because they lacked authorization to discuss the matter publicly.

Throughout the conflict, Iran has effectively blocked the strait, which previously carried approximately one-fifth of global oil and natural gas trade. The blockade has caused oil prices to surge worldwide. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested Thursday during a news briefing that oil costs could “come down very quickly” after a deal is completed.

Iran claims it has permitted some commercial ships to pass — roughly two dozen daily in recent days, compared to over 100 daily before the conflict — but the Islamic Republic has also imposed fees on at least some vessels. The country established a formal oversight agency earlier this month, prompting fresh U.S. sanctions this week.

According to the preliminary agreement, America would slowly remove its naval blockade of Iranian ports and ease sanctions, permitting Iran to increase oil sales.

Even as news of the potential agreement surfaced, the U.S. Treasury Department announced additional sanctions targeting the Iranian military’s oil sales division. The new restrictions, initially reported by The Associated Press, continue the Trump administration’s economic pressure strategy against the Islamic Republic.

The news outlet Axios first reported details of the preliminary agreement.

A primary topic for negotiation during the 60-day ceasefire will be the fate of Iran’s highly enriched uranium, the first official indicated. The Islamic Republic possesses 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, just one technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%, the International Atomic Energy Agency reports.

Vance indicated Thursday evening that negotiators were working to establish broad terms regarding the highly enriched uranium in the preliminary agreement, with specific details to be resolved in subsequent talks.

Vance said the ongoing discussions involved “a couple of issues on the nuclear stuff, the highly enriched stockpile, and also the question of enrichment.”

Iran has not publicly agreed to surrender the stockpile. The material is reportedly stored beneath three nuclear facilities that sustained significant damage from U.S. airstrikes last year.

Nuclear experts suggest Iran might accept China or Russia, both maintaining close ties with Tehran, as potential third parties to secure the enriched uranium. However, Trump stated Wednesday that he “wouldn’t be comfortable” with such an arrangement.

While Trump and his administration declared from the conflict’s beginning that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons was a primary goal, Vance described the war’s achievements in more measured terms.

“We’re in a position where we could substantially set back their nuclear program, not just during the term of this president but over the long term,” Vance said. “That’s a very very good thing for the American people.”

Iran, which has consistently claimed its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes, has demanded that any agreement must include ending Israel’s military operations in Lebanon against the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. Tensions escalated Thursday in Lebanon as Israel launched an airstrike on a southern Beirut suburb and conducted additional strikes in the southern coastal city of Tyre. At least 14 people died across the country’s southern region.

Kuwait announced that its air-defense systems shot down incoming missiles and drones Thursday, without specifying targets. Iran claimed it had responded to earlier strikes during the week by attacking a U.S. base in an unnamed Gulf state.

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry denounced Iran for what it termed “blatant aggression,” while U.S. Central Command labeled the attack on one of America’s key Persian Gulf allies an “egregious ceasefire violation.” Kuwait faced repeated attacks from Iran and Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Iraq before the April ceasefire took effect.

This exchange occurred after U.S. officials reported late Wednesday that American forces conducted additional strikes against Iran, destroying four one-way attack drones that threatened the strait area and hitting an Iranian ground-control station in Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch a fifth drone.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard confirmed the attack near Bandar Abbas International Airport and announced through the state-run IRNA news agency that it launched a retaliatory strike on the air base responsible for the assaults. The Revolutionary Guard did not identify whether the response targeted Kuwait, which hosts U.S. Army Central’s forward headquarters, air bases and a naval facility.

On Monday, America conducted what the Pentagon described as “self-defense” strikes against missile launch sites and minelaying boats in southern Iran.

Despite exchanging strikes and accusations of ceasefire violations, Washington and Tehran have avoided returning to full-scale warfare and continue negotiations.

Vance noted that “Ceasefires are always a little messy” but it’s “very much holding.”

Later Thursday, Iranian defenses destroyed “a hostile aircraft” near the southern city of Jam, the area’s governor, Masood Tangestani, told state broadcaster IRIB. Additional details were not immediately available.

The former leader of China’s renowned Shaolin Temple has been sentenced to nearly a quarter-century behind bars on corruption charges, according to Chinese state media reports released Friday.

Shi Yongxin, who is 60 years old, received the 24-year prison term after being convicted of embezzlement and bribery. He had been formally charged this past March following an investigation that began in July of last year.

The conviction came from a court located in Henan province in central China. Court officials determined that Shi had misused his position of authority to steal funds, misappropriate money, and engage in bribery schemes that totaled approximately 300 million yuan, which equals about $44.33 million in U.S. currency.

The criminal activity spanned almost thirty years, according to the court’s findings.

NAIROBI, Kenya — Eight female students have been taken into custody by Kenyan authorities on suspicion of deliberately setting a fatal dormitory fire, officials announced Friday. The Thursday morning blaze at Utumishi Girls School in central Kenya claimed the lives of 16 children and left 79 others with injuries.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, a division of Kenya’s national police force, the detained students are suspected of orchestrating and executing the arson attack at the boarding facility. Investigators are still working to uncover what motivated the deadly incident.

Law enforcement officials spent all of Thursday interviewing 30 students from the school. Parents were instructed to return home without their daughters and come back Friday morning. However, families found themselves waiting without clear answers about when the remaining students would be allowed to leave.

DCI spokesperson John Marete detailed the ongoing investigation in an official statement: “Investigators have conducted extensive interviews with students, teaching staff, and other witnesses, while forensic teams carry out a detailed review of available CCTV footage.”

Parents gathered at the school Friday morning expressed frustration over the lack of communication from authorities. One mother, speaking anonymously due to concerns about potential retaliation against her daughter, told The Associated Press: “We have not even been told about the eight that police have arrested. We are just here and no one is giving us any information.”

Officials have not yet revealed what may have prompted the suspected arson. Marete explained that the investigation continues: “Detectives continue to record statements and analyze all available evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events, establish the full circumstances of the incident, and determine the motive.”

The 16 victims were transported to a government hospital morgue Thursday, where DNA analysis is being conducted to confirm their identities.

School fires have become a significant safety concern for educational authorities across East Africa. Many facilities suffer from overcrowded classrooms and dormitories while lacking proper firefighting equipment. These incidents are often linked to electrical problems or students deliberately setting fires due to disciplinary conflicts.

BRUSSELS (AP) — Hungary’s newly elected Prime Minister Péter Magyar is scheduled to hold his inaugural meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday in Brussels, as he works to release billions of euros in EU funding that was suspended due to his predecessor’s undermining of democratic institutions.

Magyar’s stunning electoral victory in April brought an end to Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure, with Magyar campaigning partly on promises to rebuild relationships with the European Union. Orbán had previously attacked von der Leyen and other EU officials while systematically weakening Hungary’s democratic safeguards.

The EU suspended billions in financial assistance to Budapest in 2022 due to Orbán’s actions and worries about government corruption and attacks on judicial independence. The commission determined a year later that Hungary had implemented adequate reforms to justify releasing approximately 10.2 billion euros ($12.1 billion).

Following Magyar’s Tisza party securing a super-majority in parliament that will allow for rapid and comprehensive reforms, officials in both Brussels and Budapest have made releasing the funds a top priority to help revive Hungary’s struggling economy.

The frozen money consists of 10 billion euros in COVID recovery assistance and 6.3 billion euros in cohesion funding meant to support weaker EU economies. Officials are focusing first on releasing the COVID funds since they expire in August.

Magyar has stated his administration is implementing essential reforms including restoring judicial independence, protecting academic and media freedoms, and launching comprehensive anti-corruption initiatives to regain access to the funding.

The Hungarian leader has expressed confidence about reaching a deal in Brussels. In a Friday social media message, he announced his upcoming meeting with von der Leyen, writing that “we will reach a political agreement on the hundreds of billions of (Hungarian) forints in EU funding allocated to our country.”

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine anti-corruption court issued an arrest warrant Friday for a sitting senator accused of accepting millions of dollars in kickbacks from a flood control project, marking another scandal affecting the nation’s Senate.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada turned himself in and posted bail at the Sandiganbayan court, which will allow him to stay out of custody as his case moves forward.

The court prohibited Estrada from traveling outside the country as he faces the first of two corruption charges related to irregularities in the flood control project.

A second arrest warrant for a non-bailable charge is anticipated to be issued soon, according to top anti-graft prosecutor Jesus Crispin Remulla, who spoke to The Associated Press.

The 63-year-old Estrada has vigorously rejected accusations primarily made by a former government public works engineer claiming he accepted over 570 million pesos ($9.3 million) in illegal payments.

“I intend to avail myself of every lawful means to defend myself and clear my name,” Estrada said.

The senator previously worked as an actor, following in the footsteps of his father, former President Joseph Estrada. Both men have faced detention on separate corruption-related charges in the past.

Multiple other senators and House of Representatives members have been connected to the flood control irregularities in the impoverished Asian island nation, which faces extreme vulnerability to fatal floods and typhoons.

A different senator, Ronald dela Rosa, has remained in hiding after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity.

Dela Rosa previously served as national police chief and implemented a harsh anti-drug campaign under former President Rodrigo Duterte that resulted in thousands of deaths, primarily among minor suspects. The extraordinarily high death toll concerned Western nations.

Duterte, who left office in 2022 following his turbulent six-year presidency, was arrested last year on ICC orders and transported to the Netherlands, where he remains detained and will stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity beginning in November related to some of the killings.

Both Duterte and dela Rosa have rejected any wrongdoing, though Duterte had regularly threatened drug suspects with death.

Dela Rosa has been missing from the Senate since November due to arrest concerns. On May 11, he unexpectedly returned to assist an ally, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, in securing the Senate presidency with a narrow 13-vote majority in the 24-member body.

Dela Rosa rushed to the Senate floor after government agents attempted to apprehend him. He was placed under the Senate’s protective custody but escaped two days later when the chamber’s security chief and two assistants opened fire after spotting government agents in a nearby building.

The multiple gunshots caused no injuries but created pandemonium in the Senate that police investigators believe may have given dela Rosa an opportunity to flee.

Estrada, dela Rosa and Cayetano are supporters of Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, who was impeached by the House of Representatives in an overwhelming May 11 vote over criminal accusations including unexplained wealth and threatening to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife and a former House speaker.

The vice president, who has declared her intention to run for president in 2028, denies the charges but has not provided detailed responses.

Despite the ongoing Senate crises, the chamber has assembled as an impeachment court for the vice president’s trial, which may begin in July.

Colombian citizens will cast their ballots Sunday in a presidential election that reflects sharp divisions over the country’s direction on peace negotiations and economic policies.

The election pits those who want to continue the current leftist administration’s approach against voters seeking change focused on security improvements and economic expansion.

Ivan Cepeda, representing the leftist Historic Pact coalition, has maintained a polling advantage based on his promises to expand President Gustavo Petro’s social programs and continue peace negotiations with illegal armed groups to resolve the nation’s six-decade internal conflict. However, political observers expect he will face significant challenges in any potential runoff election.

The 63-year-old philosopher, who has served as a congressman since 2010, wants to implement tax reforms that would expand the tax base, impose wealth taxes and eliminate exemptions for large companies to pay for social spending. He has indicated willingness to consider constitutional rewrites proposed by the left.

Cepeda’s father, a communist leader, was murdered in a 1994 paramilitary attack. He now faces opposition from a fractured right wing led by independent businessman Abelardo De La Espriella and Senator Paloma Valencia, who has backing from former President Alvaro Uribe.

De La Espriella, a 47-year-old political newcomer whose followers refer to him as “The Tiger,” has built his campaign around security issues, reducing government size and economic revival. His platform calls for aggressive action against crime, drug trafficking and illegal armed groups, along with military strengthening and construction of mega-prisons. He wants to reduce taxes and revitalize the mining and oil industries.

Valencia, 48, works as a lawyer and represents the right-wing Democratic Center party. She has similarly focused on security and economic recovery themes. She promises to fight illegal armed groups, halt Petro’s peace negotiation efforts, reduce corporate taxes to increase employment and pursue healthcare, justice and pension reforms.

Centrist contenders, including former Antioquia Governor Sergio Fajardo and former Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez, have performed poorly in polling compared to past elections.

Polling data indicates no candidate will likely receive more than 50% of Sunday’s vote, which would send the top two vote-getters to a runoff election on June 21.

The eventual winner will confront significant obstacles, including stabilizing government finances in Latin America’s fourth-largest economy, reducing poverty levels, controlling violence related to the internal conflict, and meeting social needs.

Over 41 million Colombians can participate in voting that begins at 8 a.m. local time (1300 GMT) and ends eight hours later.

The ongoing conflict and widespread displacement in Gaza has triggered a significant surge in child marriages, with families in desperate circumstances arranging marriages for daughters as young as 13 years old, seeking to provide them with safety and economic stability.

The Associated Press conducted interviews with six young girls in Gaza, ages 13 to 16, who entered into marriages, along with their families. Among these girls, two reported experiencing repeated sexual assault and severe physical violence. Four had already given birth and described high-risk pregnancies, while three experienced at least one pregnancy loss.

Government statistics reveal an uptick in underage marriages, reversing a downward trend that had been occurring prior to the October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the current conflict, which is now temporarily halted by an unstable ceasefire.

Every parent interviewed by the Associated Press stated that without the war’s circumstances, they would never have considered arranging such early marriages for their children.

The report highlights key findings from these interviews and data analysis.

One mother, identified only as Majda, was interviewed while residing in a deteriorated tent following the deaths of her spouse and oldest son in military strikes. The vast majority of Gaza’s residents have been forced to evacuate their homes, with hundreds of thousands now living in overcrowded, unsanitary temporary camps offering minimal security or privacy, depending on charitable organizations for sustenance.

Facing extreme poverty and overwhelmed by loss, Majda arranged marriages for her daughters, ages 13 and 14, to two brothers in their twenties.

“I thought I was protecting them,” she said. “Fear was slaughtering me.”

Both daughters reported that their spouses sexually assaulted them and that their new families physically abused them. The younger daughter experienced two pregnancy losses, both occurring after her husband physically attacked her during pregnancy.

The six girls and their families agreed to participate in interviews only under the condition that their complete identities remain confidential due to the extremely sensitive nature of the subject matter. The Associated Press maintains a policy of not identifying victims of sexual assault. Majda consented to being identified solely by her given name.

Majda’s older daughter delivered a baby boy. Several months afterward, she escaped, traveling 15 kilometers (9 miles) on foot while carrying her infant to reach her mother’s shelter. Shortly thereafter, her younger sister also returned to Majda while expecting another child.

Majda faced intense pressure from her father and her daughters’ in-laws, who argued she lacked the resources to support both daughters, her grandson, and the expected newborn.

Believing she had no alternative, she agreed to their demands. The daughters were sent back to their spouses in early May. Since that time, Majda has been unable to establish contact with either daughter.

“They did not want to return,” she said. “They were crying.”

Gaza’s legal framework permits exceptions to the 17-year minimum marriage age when parents provide consent and a judge grants authorization. Court administrators have received instructions to reject exception requests for individuals younger than 14 years and seven months, though some families create unofficial arrangements that bypass these regulations.

The United Nations and most humanitarian organizations classify marriages involving girls under 18 as early marriages.

The majority of girls interviewed by the Associated Press indicated their parents did not force them into marriage. However, they expressed feeling obligated to reduce their families’ financial strain.

Through marriage, they became eligible to receive aid as independent family units with their spouses, rather than being included in their parents’ assistance allocation. Multiple girls also noted that with educational institutions largely closed during the conflict, they perceived no opportunity to continue their studies.

“Marriage felt like the only sense of normalcy I could restore to my life,” said a girl who agreed to be married at 17.

Girls who marry at younger ages face increased risks of sexual violence and abuse, including mistreatment from their spouse’s family, explained Amal Siyam, director of the Women’s Affairs Center in Gaza. Given the high rate of divorce in early marriages, “the girl ends up returning home with one or two children,” she said.

Prior to the conflict, child marriage rates had been gradually decreasing in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. In 2022, the most recent data released by the bureau, 17.8% of all marriages included a bride under 18, representing a decline from over 22% in 2015.

This positive trend appears to have been reversed.

Following a request from the Associated Press, the Supreme Shariah Court in Gaza, which handles marriage registration, compiled information from court staff. Their data indicates that 20.6% of the 35,474 marriages documented in 2024 and 2025 involved brides under 18, including 627 marriages of girls younger than 15.

The actual percentage is likely significantly higher since many marriages have not been officially registered amid the wartime disruption, Siyam noted. The total count of marriage contracts processed by the Shariah court decreased by 35% in 2024, the first complete year of the conflict.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip – Facing complete destitution after losing her husband and oldest son to Israeli bombing raids, Majda found herself living in a deteriorating tent surrounded by sewage and rodents. Unable to provide for her remaining children and worried about her daughters’ safety in overcrowded displacement camps, she made a heartbreaking decision she continues to regret.

The desperate mother arranged marriages for her 13- and 14-year-old daughters to men who offered protection and financial support.

“I thought I was protecting them,” she said. “Fear was slaughtering me.”

The widespread destruction caused by Israel’s military operations in Gaza has contributed to a sharp rise in marriages involving underage girls, according to specialists and government statistics. With nearly all residents forced from their homes and most surviving in deplorable camp conditions while relying on humanitarian assistance, some families have turned to marrying off their teenage daughters as a way to secure economic stability.

These arrangements have robbed girls of their youth and prospects for the future, often resulting in hazardous pregnancies.

In Majda’s case, her daughters endured terrible physical violence.

Prior to the current conflict, child marriage rates had been gradually decreasing in Gaza, data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics shows. The bureau’s most recent figures from 2022 indicated that 17.8% of marriages included a bride younger than 18, a decline from over 22% recorded in 2015.

Gaza law sets the minimum marriage age at 17, though exceptions are permitted. The United Nations and most relief organizations classify marriages involving girls under 18 as premature unions.

This positive trend has now been reversed.

Following a request from the Associated Press, the Supreme Shariah Court in Gaza, which handles marriage registration, compiled statistics from court staff. Their data reveals that 20.6% of the 35,474 marriages documented in 2024 and 2025 involved girls under 18, including 627 unions with girls younger than 15.

The actual percentage may be significantly higher since many marriages went unrecorded amid wartime disruption, explained Amal Siyam, who heads the Women’s Affairs Center in Gaza. Marriage contracts processed by the court fell by 35% in 2024, the first complete year following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas that sparked the war.

The Associated Press interviewed six girls in Gaza who married between ages 13 and 16, along with their parents, all requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic. The AP maintains a policy of not identifying sexual assault victims. Majda consented to using only her first name.

Every parent stated they would never have considered arranging such early marriages for their daughters without the war’s circumstances.

Following the deaths of her husband and son in separate bombing incidents in April 2024, Majda fell into deep depression.

She pleaded with medical staff for sleeping medication, which left her unconscious for extended periods. She became unable to care for her daughters in their makeshift seaside shelter, which was constantly battered by harsh weather. Food distribution from charitable organizations, their primary sustenance source, was unreliable and infrequent.

“I was entirely shaken from the inside,” Majda said.

Two brothers in their twenties, from a family that had lived near them in Gaza City before displacement forced everyone to flee, requested permission to marry her daughters.

Despite having married at 14 herself, Majda wanted to spare her girls the same experience. However, her father sided with the brothers’ family, insisting this was their only option. They assured Majda that while marriage contracts would be signed, the girls could remain with her until after the war ended.

“I was not in my right mind. I am still not in my right mind,” Majda said. “I don’t know how I agreed to this.”

Majda’s older daughter, then 14, resisted the arrangement. “I felt lost,” the daughter recalled. “I thought if I got married, someone would be financially responsible for me … I truly regretted it.”

Most girls interviewed by the AP said their parents didn’t force them into marriage. However, they felt obligated to reduce their families’ financial strain.

Marriage allowed them to be classified as separate households with their husbands for aid distribution purposes, rather than remaining under their parents’ allocation. Several girls also mentioned that with schools mostly closed during the conflict, they saw no possibility of continuing their studies.

One girl described being displaced over 25 times with her parents and seven siblings during the war. Her father had strongly opposed early marriage and hoped she would attend university. But their desperate situation led him to accept a marriage proposal.

She also agreed to the arrangement at age 16.

“I couldn’t forgive myself for taking a share of the little food my family had,” she explained. She also feared that she and her siblings would be left without support if their parents died in airstrikes. Now 17, she was five months pregnant during her interview with the AP.

Another girl mentioned her family’s numerous relocations, each depleting their limited resources. While sheltering at a hospital in Khan Younis, a 25-year-old man there proposed to her. At 17, she accepted.

“Marriage felt like the only sense of normalcy I could restore to my life,” she said.

Gaza law permits exceptions to the 17-year minimum age with parental approval and judicial authorization. The Supreme Shariah Court has established guidelines preventing court officials from approving exceptions for girls under 14 years and seven months.

However, parents sometimes make informal arrangements without official registration. Two mothers interviewed by the AP chose this route, one after an official rejected her request because her daughter was only 14.

In the Israeli-controlled West Bank, Palestinian authorities established an 18-year minimum age in 2019, and early marriages have dropped dramatically to approximately 5%, according to government data.

Siyam noted that during periods of widespread displacement in conflicts with Israel, some Palestinians have viewed marriage as a way to provide stability for their daughters. “Wars and conflicts lead to a return to more conservative traditions,” she observed.

Girls who marry young face greater risks of sexual violence and abuse, including mistreatment from in-laws who burden them with household duties, Siyam explained. Given the high divorce rates in early marriages, “the girl ends up returning home with one or two children.”

Majda said the in-laws violated their agreement and soon demanded her older daughter join her 23-year-old husband, who was staying in his family’s tents in Deir al-Balah.

During the initial 10 days, the girl screamed whenever her husband came near her. “I kept screaming and he hit me,” the older daughter said.

Eventually, his mother “tied up my hands above my head,” the daughter recalled. Her husband then sexually assaulted her.

Subsequently, he repeatedly threatened to have his mother restrain her if she screamed, she said. She described multiple instances of sexual assault and mentioned being hospitalized once due to bleeding.

Several months later, the family came to collect her 13-year-old sister for her 21-year-old husband. The younger girl “kept screaming that she did not want to get married,” Majda remembered.

The younger sister told the AP that she was also restrained by her mother-in-law and sexually assaulted by her husband. She reported having two miscarriages, both following incidents where her husband kicked her while pregnant.

Majda’s older daughter gave birth to a son. Months later, in November, she escaped, carrying her infant for 15 kilometers (9 miles) to reach her mother’s tent.

Shortly afterward, the younger sister also fled back to Majda. They then learned she was expecting a child.

The maternity section of Awda Hospital in central Gaza experienced an increase in teenage pregnancies during the war, according to department head Yasser Shaaban. Many suffered serious health complications from becoming pregnant at such young ages, he reported.

Additionally, the vast majority were undernourished, as Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid repeatedly pushed Gaza’s population toward starvation.

Four girls interviewed by the AP had given birth, and all experienced dangerous pregnancies or deliveries. Three had suffered at least one miscarriage.

One nearly died during childbirth from severe bleeding, her mother reported. She was 16 and severely malnourished at the time.

“I was unconscious for many days (after birth), and I couldn’t hold my daughter for a while,” the girl said.

Back with their mother, Majda’s daughters were terrified by any mention of returning to their husbands. During an April interview with the AP, her youngest daughter said going back would be like “death.”

Majda described how her younger daughter had previously been chatty and playful. But since her marriage, “she does not talk to anyone, not to her husband and not to me,” she said.

The girls had resumed schooling, but the older daughter felt isolated and ashamed as the only married student with a baby. She described herself as a child raising a child.

“I am tired,” she said. “I want to die.”

Majda faced intense pressure from her father and in-laws, who argued she couldn’t afford to support her daughters, grandson, and expected baby.

While women can divorce their husbands in Gaza, the procedure is costly and complex. Divorce also carries social stigma, particularly for women, and would make future remarriage difficult for the girls.

The in-laws promised Majda that her daughters would receive proper treatment.

Believing she had no alternative, she gave in. The girls returned to their husbands in Gaza City in early May. Majda has been unable to reach her daughters since then.

“They did not want to return,” she said. “They were crying.”