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Moscow announced Tuesday that its military forces in Africa successfully rescued two hostages who had been held captive by terrorists in West Africa since July 2024.

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, the Africa Corps liberated Russian national Oleg Gret and Ukrainian national Yuri Yurov during a military operation conducted in Mali. Both men had been working for a Russian geological exploration firm when they were kidnapped in Niger by Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a terrorist organization linked to al-Qaeda.

“As a result of a special operation conducted by the Africa Corps in the Republic of Mali, employees of a Russian geological exploration company captured in July 2024 in Niger by the terrorist group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin were freed,” the ministry announced in an official statement.

The two captives had previously been featured in propaganda videos distributed through media channels associated with JNIM, an armed militant organization that maintains control over extensive territories throughout the Sahel region of Africa.

This kidnapping incident represented a significant challenge for Russia’s expanding influence in West Africa, where Moscow has successfully replaced Western allies in recent years. Russia has taken advantage of increasing anti-French sentiment in the region, as France was the former colonial authority, while also capitalizing on rising security concerns from militant attacks.

The Africa Corps, which now handles Russia’s military activities across the African continent, has taken over operations previously managed by the Wagner Group mercenary organization, which was under state control.

Defense officials stated that both rescued individuals will be flown to Moscow aboard Russian military aircraft to receive medical care and undergo rehabilitation following their ordeal.

BRUSSELS, April 22 – A massive European Union financial assistance package worth $105 billion for Ukraine may finally move forward after months of delays caused by Hungarian opposition under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The loan program gained new momentum following Orban’s electoral defeat earlier this month and the restoration of Russian oil shipments to Hungary through Ukrainian territory.

EU leadership approved the joint borrowing initiative last December to provide financial support for Ukraine’s defense efforts against Russia through 2027, with a unique structure that would ultimately make Moscow responsible for repayment through frozen Russian assets.

The lending mechanism will operate through interest-free loans distributed during 2026 and 2027, funded by EU borrowing in capital markets and supported by available budget capacity – the gap between maximum possible member contributions and current spending obligations.

Three nations with governments considered more aligned with Moscow – Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic – negotiated exemptions from participating in the collective borrowing arrangement.

Ukraine will not be required to repay the funds from its own treasury. Instead, repayment is structured to occur only when Russia provides war reparations following the conflict’s conclusion.

Approximately 210 billion euros in frozen Russian central bank assets held within EU jurisdiction could serve as the repayment source. This approach was specifically designed to utilize Russian funds for Ukrainian assistance without directly seizing the money, avoiding what officials considered legally problematic confiscation.

The 90 billion euro package is intended to address two-thirds of Ukraine’s projected 135 billion euro requirements over the next two years. The funding will be distributed as 45 billion euros in both 2026 and 2027.

Annual allocations will designate 28 billion euros for military expenditures and 17 billion for general governmental budget requirements.

Brussels anticipates that other supportive developed nations will contribute the remaining funding gap, with commitments already secured for 2026.

The joint EU borrowing concept initially appeared unachievable due to unanimity requirements and Orban’s resistance. Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic eventually agreed to allow the program after EU leaders guaranteed no financial impact on their countries.

Hungary subsequently blocked the loans when Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline crossing Ukrainian territory ceased. Kyiv attributed the pipeline shutdown to damage from Russian military strikes.

Approval prospects improved significantly after Orban’s April 12 electoral loss, with incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar indicating he would not oppose the disbursements. Additionally, Ukrainian crews have repaired the Druzhba pipeline, with oil flows expected to resume shortly.

Shipping industry leaders predict that Asian maritime companies will likely resume passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz ahead of their Western counterparts, citing differences in risk tolerance and sanctions compliance approaches.

Speaking at the FT Commodities Global Summit on Wednesday in Lausanne, executives explained that Asian operators appear more willing to navigate the dangerous waters and accept Iranian toll requirements, unlike Western firms bound by strict sanctions protocols.

The situation has created an unprecedented maritime crisis, with hundreds of tankers and cargo vessels trapped within the Middle East Gulf since February’s end, unable to transit the crucial waterway. This blockade has generated what experts describe as the most significant energy supply disruption in global history.

Recent escape attempts have met with violent responses from Iranian forces. While some vessels managed to exit the Gulf last Saturday, Iran swiftly halted further departures by opening fire and ordering ships to return. Wednesday saw at least three container ships struck by gunfire while attempting passage.

Larry Johnson, Mercuria’s global head of freight, outlined the complex dynamics at play. “For companies that are happy not to comply with OFAC sanctions, the safety part is still there. But, if that has been resolved by government to government communication, can the Indian navy send a convoy through, can a Chinese convoy go through? Yeah, probably so,” Johnson explained, referring to the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Johnson noted that successful transits have primarily involved government-operated vessels benefiting from diplomatic channels with Iran or military escort protection – advantages unavailable to commercial trading companies.

Peter Weernink, CEO of SwissMarine, echoed these observations while identifying specific nations likely to resume transit operations. “Certain parts of the world will be able to pass through and the odds are that in the next few weeks you’re going to see more of that, and we won’t be able to,” Weernink stated, specifically mentioning Indian, Iraqi and Chinese vessels.

Iran has intensified its control over the waterway by implementing a toll system administered alongside the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an organization currently under international sanctions.

Andrew Jamieson, co-head of Gunvor’s shipping division Clearlake, warned that elevated costs and persistent safety threats will continue affecting Hormuz traffic patterns. He anticipates rising Advanced War Risk Premiums and potential crew shortages as maritime workers demand higher compensation or refuse dangerous assignments altogether.

“If your crew doesn’t want to go, they don’t need to go if they feel unsafe,” Jamieson emphasized.

Despite the current crisis, Roger Horton, Chief Commercial Officer at Clarkson, expressed confidence in the shipping industry’s ability to respond rapidly once Hormuz reopens. However, he acknowledged that many vessels have already departed the Middle East region to pursue more profitable Atlantic Basin opportunities amid elevated freight rates.

OTTAWA – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is positioning himself for crucial trade negotiations with the United States following his party’s decisive victory in last week’s special elections, which secured him a parliamentary majority.

The Canadian leader now confronts a critical July 1 deadline where Canada, the U.S., and Mexico must decide whether to maintain their current trade arrangement, renegotiate terms, or implement yearly reviews leading up to the agreement’s 2036 expiration date. Under mounting pressure from Washington for trade concessions, Carney plans to pursue a restructured agreement this year targeting tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and automotive products.

Prior to the Liberal Party’s electoral sweep, Carney argued that securing a parliamentary majority was essential for effectively managing Trump’s trade policies. Political experts and former government officials now say the Prime Minister must fulfill his campaign promises to revitalize Canada’s economy and successfully navigate negotiations with the Trump administration.

“Dealing with Trump and negotiating a trade deal with the U.S. is what Canadians hired Mark Carney to do,” stated Dan Arnold, who previously served as a senior aide in former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration. “He now has to rise to the moment and show us the fruits of these deals he’s been signing.”

Recent polling conducted by Nanos Research revealed that Canadians prioritize economic issues and inflation concerns, with the nation’s relationship with the United States ranking as their second-highest worry.

While Trump has repeatedly made provocative statements about making Canada the 51st U.S. state, Carney has committed to expanding Canadian exports to alternative markets by 100% over the next ten years. His government has finalized over 20 economic and security partnerships in the past year, including agreements with China, and is currently working toward a deal with India. Despite these efforts, nearly 70% of Canada’s exports still flow to the United States.

During a Sunday video address, Carney characterized Canada’s heavy dependence on U.S. trade as “weaknesses that we must correct.” He encouraged Canadians to draw inspiration from historical leaders like Chief Tecumseh, who organized Indigenous communities around the Great Lakes to oppose American territorial expansion during the War of 1812.

“I will never sugarcoat our challenges,” Carney declared, noting that the United States has dramatically shifted its trade policies and imposed tariff levels not witnessed since the Great Depression era.

While U.S. trade officials conducted meetings in Mexico City this week, formal discussions between Washington and Ottawa regarding the North American trade pact renewal have yet to commence.

Fen Hampson, an international affairs professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, believes the time has come for decisive action. “It’s time for the prime minister to take the gloves off and start negotiating in the trenches,” he said. Hampson suggested that Carney’s majority government provides the political flexibility to make potentially unpopular compromises, such as opening Canada’s protected dairy sector to U.S. competition or persuading provincial governments to increase American alcohol imports.

“If he had a minority, the prime minister might not be able to absorb these concessions,” Hampson explained. “But he has the political capital to do it and he can also use his influence to address provincial premiers who have been obstacles.”

Dominic LeBlanc, the minister overseeing U.S. trade relations, informed a parliamentary committee that Canada aims to secure both sector-specific tariff agreements and a comprehensive North American trade deal. Representatives from Carney’s office and LeBlanc’s department did not respond to requests for comment, though the government has previously stated that Canada’s dairy supply management system remains non-negotiable. The White House also declined to comment.

Diamond Isinger, who handled Canada-U.S. relations during the Trudeau government, believes Carney’s majority provides stability through the uncertainty surrounding November’s U.S. midterm elections, with no Canadian federal election anticipated until 2029.

“The prime minister now has time to get to a better CUSMA deal without the fear of a snap election,” she said, referencing the Canadian name for the trade agreement.

Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, who lags behind Carney by more than 20 points in leadership preference polls, criticized the Prime Minister on Tuesday, claiming he “refuses to stand up against these wrong-headed American tariffs.” Poilievre noted that formal bilateral discussions have not occurred in five months.

Asa McKercher, who teaches public policy at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, argues that Carney must concentrate on domestic priorities, including the pending decision on Canada’s next fighter jet fleet and infrastructure investment projects announced last year.

“He’s done the world circuit and made some great speeches, but now he has to actually focus on being a domestic politician,” McKercher observed.

Drew Fagan, a visiting professor at Yale University, emphasized the need to address rising living costs. Government statistics show that among Group of Seven developed nations, Canada maintains the second-highest unemployment rate and leads in food price inflation.

“This is a country that’s fundamentally getting poorer for many people,” Fagan noted. “Given what’s happened in the world in the last 18 months, Carney is not being blamed for the price of cheese and juice. Canadians have put up with a lot but at some point, they will hold somebody accountable.”

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials are actively working to arrange direct negotiations between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, hoping such a meeting could revitalize dormant peace discussions led by the United States, according to the country’s foreign minister.

At the same time, a Ukrainian drone strike far inside Russian territory hit an apartment building, resulting in the deaths of a woman and child, Russian authorities reported Wednesday.

Ukraine has approached Turkey for assistance in organizing high-level discussions and has contacted other nations about potentially hosting such talks, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha revealed. He noted that Ukraine would accept any location except Russia and Belarus.

“We are … advocating for a (summit) meeting now to bring new momentum to diplomacy,” Sybiha told reporters on Tuesday. His remarks were embargoed until Wednesday.

Diplomatic efforts mediated by the United States over the past year between Russian and Ukrainian representatives have achieved minimal progress on critical matters, including the status of four Ukrainian territories that Moscow seeks to control but has not fully captured. With Washington now focused heavily on the Iran conflict, these negotiations have been suspended.

While Zelenskyy has agreed to an unconditional ceasefire as requested by U.S. President Donald Trump, Putin has rejected this proposal. Experts believe Putin assumes time favors Russia, expecting Western military aid and financial backing to diminish while Ukraine’s ability to resist eventually weakens.

The brutal conflict continues along an approximately 1,250-kilometer (800-mile) battle line stretching across eastern and southern Ukraine. Western intelligence sources and military analysts estimate Russia is experiencing tens of thousands of combat losses monthly, creating conditions reminiscent of World War I’s devastating battles.

Independent confirmation of military casualties and determining which side holds advantages remains impossible.

Ukraine has built up its own weapons manufacturing capabilities, increasingly creating long-distance drones and missiles that can reach targets deep within Russia. Ukrainian forces have focused attacks on Russian oil facilities and factories supporting Moscow’s military operations.

In Syzran, located in Russia’s Samara region approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of Ukraine’s border, a drone attack caused part of an apartment building to collapse, regional officials reported.

Rescue workers recovered the bodies of a woman and child from the debris while 12 additional people sustained injuries, local authorities confirmed.

Photographs from the location revealed a section of a four-story structure reduced to a enormous pile of wreckage, with emergency responders working on top of the rubble.

Russian news outlets noted that a Rosneft oil refinery — a common target of Ukrainian drone operations — sits on the same street as the damaged residential building.

Ukraine’s aerial attacks against Russia surged nearly fourfold last year, increasing from 6,200 strikes in 2024 to over 23,000 in 2025, according to Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia’s Security Council, who made the statement last month.

BRUSSELS — Representatives from European Union member nations convened Wednesday in Brussels, with many expressing cautious hope that a crucial $106 billion aid package for Ukraine could receive approval following months of political gridlock.

The diplomatic gathering focused on whether Hungary would withdraw its opposition to the massive 90-billion-euro financial assistance program, which Ukraine urgently requires to sustain its defense efforts and stabilize its war-torn economy over the coming two years.

Hungarian officials have maintained their position that Russian oil deliveries through Ukrainian territory must restart before they would support releasing the funds. Both Hungary and Slovakia depend heavily on Russian petroleum imports to satisfy their domestic energy requirements.

Both nations have blamed Ukraine for not fixing a compromised pipeline system that transports the oil. Ukraine and the majority of its European allies have opposed Russian oil imports, arguing these purchases provide financial support for President Vladimir Putin’s military campaign, which has now entered its fifth year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Tuesday through social media that his country had finished repairing the Druzhba pipeline system. “The pipeline can resume operation,” Zelenskyy stated, noting the infrastructure “was damaged by a Russian strike.”

However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has indicated he would only support the Ukrainian loans after oil transportation resumes, leaving diplomats waiting for confirmation from Budapest that the blockade will end. Orbán, known for repeatedly obstructing EU assistance to Ukraine, suffered a decisive electoral defeat on April 12 and will step down next month, with pro-European opposition leader Péter Magyar set to take his place.

Cyprus, which currently leads the EU’s rotating presidency, plans to initiate a formal written process to approve the remaining components of the loan arrangement. This procedure would require Hungary or any other dissenting country to provide written justification for their opposition.

These formal processes typically remain open for at least 24 hours, though the exact timeline Cyprus will establish remains unclear. Final authorization could potentially occur Thursday during an EU leaders’ summit scheduled in Cyprus.

Considering numerous previous disappointments in recent months, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas hesitated to predict the outcome when questioned by journalists Tuesday. “We expect an agreement in 24 hours, so I don’t want to jinx it,” she remarked.

The 27-member European Union initially planned to secure the loan using frozen Russian assets held in Europe as backing. Belgium, however, prevented this approach since most of the frozen assets are located within its borders.

Last December, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia committed to allowing their EU partners to secure the funding through international markets, provided the three nations wouldn’t be required to participate directly in the arrangement.

Orbán subsequently frustrated the remaining 24 countries by abandoning this agreement due to the pipeline disagreement and amid intensifying campaign activities before his landslide electoral loss.

During a Tuesday evening speech, Zelenskyy argued that “there can be no grounds for blocking” the financial assistance any longer. “The EU asked Ukraine to repair the Druzhba oil pipeline, which had been destroyed by Russia. We have repaired it.”

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha informed reporters that Ukraine had fulfilled its obligations. “We have completed everything — there is a date (set), and the infrastructure has been repaired.”

Since February, the EU has also attempted to advance additional sanctions against Russia, which Hungary and Slovakia have continued to block. These measures may require more time to approve than the loan package.

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár stated Tuesday that his nation would only agree once “Russian oil arrives in Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline. I can state that we do not have such information yet.”

Economy Minister Denisa Saková indicated Slovakia anticipates oil deliveries to restart early Thursday.

According to Saková, information from Ukrtransnaft, the company managing the pipeline within Ukrainian territory, confirmed that oil began flowing through the Druzhba system again Wednesday.

Recovery teams have located the remains of one crew member from a cargo vessel that capsized during a powerful typhoon near the Northern Mariana Islands, while five others remain unaccounted for.

Military divers from the U.S. Air Force employed underwater drone technology to explore the interior of the capsized ship and successfully retrieved the body on Tuesday, according to a statement from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Japanese Coast Guard diving teams also conducted searches of the vessel but did not locate any additional crew members, Coast Guard officials reported.

“Coast Guard aircrews continue to search for the five missing crewmen and an orange 12-person life raft in the vicinity of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,” the news release said.

The maritime emergency began when the Mariana’s crew contacted the U.S. Coast Guard on April 15, reporting that their 145-foot U.S.-flagged cargo ship had lost its starboard engine amid Super Typhoon Sinlaku and required immediate help. Communication with the vessel was lost the following day.

“Our hearts are with the families of the Mariana crew members and the communities impacted by this tragic incident,” Cmdr. Preston Hieb, search and rescue mission coordinator, Coast Guard Oceania District, said in a statement. “We continue to search in close coordination with our partners, using all available resources to support the ongoing response.”

Severe weather conditions initially hampered rescue operations, but search teams eventually located the capsized vessel on Saturday approximately 40 miles northeast of Pagan, an island within the Northern Marianas U.S. territory.

Coast Guard officials announced Monday that rescue boats and diving teams had been dispatched to attempt underwater drone searches of the overturned ship. Search crews also discovered debris, including a partially flooded inflatable life raft, roughly 110 miles away from the vessel’s location.

Super Typhoon Sinlaku devastated the Northern Mariana Islands with destructive winds and severe flooding.

American military forces have begun using Ukrainian-developed anti-drone technology at a critical air base in Saudi Arabia following a series of Iranian attacks, according to five sources familiar with the situation.

The Sky Map command system, created by Ukrainian company Sky Fortress, has been installed at Prince Sultan Air Base in recent weeks. Ukrainian military trainers have arrived to instruct U.S. personnel on operating the platform, which Ukraine’s forces use extensively to identify approaching drone threats and coordinate defensive responses.

This marks a significant development as Ukraine’s experience fighting Russia for four years has advanced their drone warfare capabilities. The Sky Map system specializes in detecting Iranian-made Shahed drones and directing interceptor drones to neutralize them.

Timothy Walton, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, noted persistent weaknesses in American air defense systems. “There’s been longstanding gaps in U.S. air missile defense coverage around the world,” Walton stated. “This has been well understood. However, it hasn’t been addressed.”

The deployment contradicts President Trump’s earlier dismissal of Ukrainian assistance. In March, Trump told Fox News, “We don’t need their help in drone defense,” after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered support against Iranian drone attacks.

Neither the Pentagon nor Central Command, which oversees Prince Sultan Air Base, provided comments. Sky Fortress and Zelenskyy’s office also declined to respond.

The Pentagon’s anti-drone division recently allocated $350 million to strengthen defenses under Operation Epic Fury. Adam Scher, spokesman for Joint Interagency Task Force 401, emphasized that multiple technologies including sensors, cameras and interceptors are being deployed.

“There is no ‘silver bullet’ tool that will stop every drone threat,” Scher explained.

Sky Fortress launched in 2022 when Ukrainian engineers connected to the military installed over 10,000 acoustic sensors nationwide to detect Russian drone attacks. The company received backing from Brave1, Ukraine’s military innovation division, to create Sky Map as a software platform coordinating anti-drone operations.

Prince Sultan Air Base, located approximately 400 miles from Iran, has also tested other new counter-drone systems. Merops interceptor drones, developed by Project Eagle with backing from former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, have been deployed at the facility. However, testing hasn’t gone smoothly – earlier this month, a Merops interceptor malfunctioned during trials and crashed into a bathroom facility on base.

The air base has endured multiple waves of Iranian drone and missile attacks since the conflict began. A valuable E-3 AWACS radar aircraft was destroyed on March 27, while several KC-135 refueling tankers sustained damage in separate strikes. One attack destroyed a tent reportedly housing radar equipment supporting the base’s THAAD missile defense system.

The base previously relied on Northrop Grumman’s Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) system, first deployed in the 1990s, to track incoming threats ranging from mortars to drones. For close-range drone attacks, the facility primarily used RTX-manufactured Coyote interceptors – winged drones that can either carry warheads or use microwave technology to disable enemy drone electronics.

A Northrop Grumman representative said FAAD “is consistently dependable in theater today and we are confident in the competitive advantage FAAD provides to the warfighter.”

RTX spokesman Chris Johnson noted the Coyote system has “proven highly effective, defeating hundreds of aerial threats during combat operations.”

A South Korean court has handed down a seven-year prison sentence to a former Samsung Electronics researcher who was convicted of stealing valuable semiconductor technology and providing it to a Chinese competitor.

On Wednesday, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the 56-year-old defendant violated South Korea’s Industrial Technology Protection Act. The court determined that the stolen information represented core national technology and that the defendant had actively participated in a conspiracy to transfer the sensitive data.

The convicted researcher was part of a group of 10 individuals charged last year with stealing memory chip production secrets and delivering them to Chinese manufacturer ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT). South Korean authorities stated this technology theft assisted China in advancing its high-bandwidth memory capabilities, which are essential components for artificial intelligence systems.

Neither Samsung Electronics nor CXMT provided statements when contacted for comment regarding the sentencing.

According to reports from Yonhap News Agency, the defendant transferred Samsung’s DRAM manufacturing process technology to CXMT after joining the Chinese company alongside another former Samsung executive. The prosecution alleged he collected approximately 2.9 billion won, equivalent to $1.96 million, from CXMT over a six-year period in exchange for the stolen technology.

Representatives from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office were unavailable for immediate comment when contacted.

CXMT, a major Chinese semiconductor manufacturer, announced plans last year to conduct an initial public offering worth 29.5 billion yuan ($4.33 billion) by selling 10.6 billion shares on the Shanghai stock exchange. The company indicated it would use the funding to enhance its production facilities and technological capabilities.

Three commercial container vessels came under attack by gunfire while traveling through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to maritime security officials and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.

The incidents occurred as Iran has implemented shipping restrictions in the strategic waterway, initially responding to U.S.-Israeli military actions against the country, followed by additional measures due to American port blockades targeting Iran.

The first attack involved a container ship flying the Liberian flag, which suffered bridge damage after coming under fire from both gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades in waters northeast of Oman.

According to UKMTO reports, the ship’s captain stated that an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboat approached the vessel before opening fire. Maritime security officials confirmed three individuals were aboard the attacking gunboat. Despite the damage, all crew members remained safe with no fires or environmental damage reported.

The captain of the Greek-operated container ship noted that no radio communication occurred before the attack, and the vessel had previously received clearance to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

A second incident involved a Panama-flagged container ship that came under fire approximately eight nautical miles west of Iran, UKMTO officials later reported. This vessel escaped damage and its crew remained unharmed.

Maritime security sources confirmed a third attack on another Liberian-flagged container ship in the same area, about eight nautical miles west of Iran, as it traveled outbound through the strait. While this vessel also avoided damage, it stopped in the water following the incident. The crew aboard this ship also remained safe.

Prior to the conflict that began on February 28, this critical shipping route typically carried approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

KYIV, April 22 – Ukrainian officials have reached out to Turkey with a request to facilitate a diplomatic meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the country’s foreign minister, as efforts continue to restart stalled peace negotiations.

“We asked the Turks about it, we asked some other capitals,” Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told reporters Tuesday in remarks released Wednesday.

Sybiha explained that Ukrainian leadership would be open to meeting Putin in any location except Belarus or Russia – a summit that Zelenskyy has been pursuing in hopes of accelerating an end to the conflict that has stretched beyond four years.

Belarus remains off limits as a potential venue due to its close relationship with Russia and its role in allowing Moscow to use its territory as a launching point for the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The foreign minister did not reveal Turkey’s response to the diplomatic overture.

“We addressed the Turks specifically,” Sybiha stated. “But if another capital, besides Moscow and Belarus, organises such a meeting, we will go.”

Russian leadership has previously indicated willingness to host Zelenskyy in Moscow, but the Ukrainian president has firmly rejected traveling to the Russian capital.

In related diplomatic developments, Sybiha confirmed he has already begun correspondence with Anita Orban, who is set to become Hungary’s foreign minister when the newly elected government assumes power following this month’s election victory.

BEIJING – Chinese government officials issued sharp criticism Wednesday following the Japanese prime minister’s ceremonial offerings at the Yasukuni war memorial and visits by other Japanese government figures to the controversial site.

During a routine press conference, a representative from China’s foreign ministry described Japan’s actions regarding the shrine as behavior that “grossly trample on human conscience.” The spokesperson added that Beijing feels “very indignant at these heinous acts and strongly condemns them.”

The Yasukuni memorial site pays tribute to Japan’s military dead, including servicemen and government officials who were found guilty of war crimes by international courts. Many of Japan’s neighboring Asian countries consider the shrine a representation of Japan’s aggressive military history during wartime.

LONDON — British inflation accelerated in March as fuel costs surged following energy supply disruptions linked to the Iran conflict, according to government data released Wednesday.

The Office for National Statistics reported that annual consumer price inflation jumped to 3.3%, up from the previous month’s 3% rate. This increase matched what financial experts had predicted.

Economic analysts noted that this uptick has eliminated any possibility that the Bank of England might reduce interest rates in the near term. Before the conflict began on February 28, financial markets had anticipated the central bank might lower its benchmark rate from the current 3.75%, as inflation was expected to move closer to the target of 2% during spring months.

The primary driver of the inflation surge was motor fuel costs, which shot up 8.7% in a single month — marking the steepest rise since June 2022, which occurred shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Aviation fares and grocery prices, both tied to the energy cost increases, also contributed to the overall price growth.

BEIRUT – Veterans who survived Lebanon’s devastating 1975-1990 civil war are raising alarms about troubling similarities between current tensions and the conditions that sparked decades of internal conflict.

The ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah have intensified divisions within Lebanese society, with some observers warning the nation’s fragile political system may be approaching a breaking point.

Recent fighting that began March 2nd has displaced more than 1.2 million Lebanese residents and killed nearly 2,300 people during five weeks of Israeli airstrikes. A temporary ceasefire announced last week has provided some relief but has also highlighted sharp disagreements over potential peace talks with Israel.

Ziad Saab, now 68, recently examined a handwritten note from 1981 describing Israeli bombardments of southern Lebanese villages – the same communities targeted in recent attacks.

“This letter could be written today,” said Saab, who previously fought with Lebanon’s Communist Party and currently leads Fighters for Peace, a group established by former combatants.

Saab cautioned his fellow Lebanese against turning on one another, noting that the underlying conflicts from the civil war period were never properly resolved.

“Don’t repeat our experience. Because you’ll be surprised where it will take you,” Saab warned during an interview at his Beirut residence. “We ripped the country apart.”

The former fighter said April 8th’s intense Israeli bombardments, which killed over 300 people, “basically brought back the scenes of the whole civil war in seconds.”

Lebanon’s original civil war erupted in April 1975 when religious and economic tensions exploded into violence between Christian militias and Palestinian fighters, eventually drawing in other communities and foreign powers. Approximately one million people fled their homes during that conflict.

Hezbollah emerged in 1982 during the height of the civil war and remained the only faction to keep its weapons when hostilities ended. Following Israel’s 2000 withdrawal, the group expanded its military capabilities and political influence.

After a 2024 conflict significantly weakened Hezbollah, a new U.S.-supported Lebanese government committed to disarming the organization. Lebanese military forces have begun gradually seizing weapons, attempting to avoid direct confrontation.

When Hezbollah launched attacks into Israel on March 2nd to support Iran, many Lebanese citizens blamed the group for dragging their country into another war. Some have also criticized the broader Shiite community that provides Hezbollah’s popular support base.

Meanwhile, Shiite Muslims who have endured the heaviest casualties in conflicts with Israel view Hezbollah as their primary protection and have criticized government officials for failing to defend them. Several displaced Shiites described Lebanon’s leadership as “traitors” in recent interviews.

Patrick Baz, a Lebanese photographer who documented much of the civil war, pointed to concerning divisions among young people that could potentially lead to renewed internal conflict. He cited recent scenes of armed Christian men firing weapons into the air during a funeral for a Christian politician killed in an Israeli strike.

“I’m sure if you go to universities today and you tell them to carry guns and go and fire at your political opponents or someone you don’t like, they will do it,” Baz observed.

The recently announced temporary ceasefire has created additional complications. While providing welcome relief from bombardments, the agreement fails to address critical issues including Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanon or explicit requirements for Hezbollah’s disarmament.

One diplomat working on Lebanese issues described the ceasefire text as a “detailed recipe for internal confrontation.”

Rafic Bazerji, who served as a senior figure in a Lebanese Christian militia during the civil war, argued that agreements lacking “a good foundation” are destined to restart tensions. He pointed to the Taif Agreement that ended the civil war but was never fully implemented.

Bazerji, who now operates a mountain guesthouse and heads the Latin League representing Latin Christians, has taught his adult sons to shoot and believes a new generation could potentially take up arms.

“As much as we were, in our days, fanatics and we were excited to fight, I’m seeing today a new generation that is scary. We’re kids compared to them,” he told reporters.

While Lebanese citizens fear repeating the 1975-1990 war that killed approximately 150,000 people, Bazerji warned that deep divisions over Hezbollah, Israel and other critical issues could still escalate into violence.

“In the end, if we can avoid it, we avoid it. But if the razor reaches our throats, we’re also not going to take it lying down,” Bazerji concluded.

Overnight drone strikes by Russian forces targeted Ukraine’s crucial Odesa port on the Black Sea, according to Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba’s Wednesday announcement.

The assault damaged multiple critical facilities including shipping berths, storage warehouses, railway systems, and port operator buildings, Kuleba reported via Telegram.

A cargo vessel’s hold was struck during the bombardment, sparking a blaze according to Ukraine’s seaports authority.

Initial reports indicate no casualties occurred at the port facility, and operations continue despite the damage, the authority confirmed through Telegram.

Moscow has consistently targeted Ukraine’s maritime shipping lanes throughout the conflict, which began over four years ago, focusing attacks on ports essential to international commerce and the nation’s wartime economic stability.

In a separate incident, Kuleba reported that Russian drones killed an assistant train operator at a railway sorting facility near Zaporizhzhia-Live station in southern Zaporizhzhia region. The primary train operator was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Ukraine’s air defense command reported that Russian forces deployed 215 unmanned aircraft against the country beginning at 6 p.m. local time Tuesday, with Ukrainian forces successfully intercepting or disabling 189 of the attacking drones.

Chinese government officials have announced a comprehensive initiative designed to transform urban areas into environments more supportive of young people and families, according to a new policy document released Wednesday.

The comprehensive strategy, developed collaboratively by 15 government departments, focuses on creating “youth-development-oriented cities” through improvements in employment opportunities, housing options, healthcare access, family support programs, and municipal services.

This announcement follows Beijing’s March declaration to establish a “childbirth friendly society” during the 2026-2030 period.

Government officials are working to address China’s declining population trends following recent statistics showing births decreased to 7.92 million in 2025, marking a historic low in birth rates. The nation’s overall population decreased by 3.39 million people last year, representing the fourth straight year of population decline.

The new policy framework encompasses several key initiatives: enhanced matchmaking and social programs, expanded childcare financial assistance, increased availability of nursing facilities for mothers and babies in public spaces, improved maternal and pediatric healthcare, strengthened childcare programs during school breaks and after hours, and improved educational access for children whose families have relocated for work.

“By 2030, the concept of youth-development-oriented cities will be widely established,” officials stated in the policy document, further noting that China expects to establish a “relatively mature and complete system for youth development” by 2035.

Chinese authorities previously released urban development guidelines last year focused on creating more livable metropolitan areas by 2035.

This policy shift represents a change from the rapid urban expansion that previously fueled growth in the world’s second-largest economy, as government leaders now prioritize improving living standards and sustainable development over rapid expansion.

Ukrainian officials report that Russian military forces have continuously directed missiles and drones along flight paths dangerously close to the abandoned Chornobyl nuclear facility during their ongoing attacks, creating potential for a catastrophic nuclear incident.

Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko shared these details about previously undisclosed Russian military operations near Ukrainian atomic facilities in written statements to Reuters, coinciding with Ukraine’s preparation for Sunday’s 40th commemoration of the devastating 1986 Chornobyl catastrophe.

Beyond the shuttered Chornobyl facility, Ukraine operates four active nuclear power stations, including Europe’s most massive nuclear complex located in the southern Zaporizhzhia area, which Russian troops have controlled since the early days of Moscow’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

According to Kravchenko, both the Chornobyl location and the two-reactor Khmelnytskyi nuclear facility in western Ukraine have been positioned along the trajectory paths of Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles throughout the invasion period.

Ukrainian authorities have tracked thirty-five Kinzhal missiles at different distances within approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) of either the Chornobyl complex or the Khmelnytskyi facility, Kravchenko reported. Among these incidents, 18 missiles traveled within roughly 20 kilometers of both nuclear sites during single flights, he noted.

“Such launches cannot be explained by any military considerations. It is evident that the flights over the nuclear facilities are carried out solely for the purpose of intimidation and terror,” Kravchenko stated.

Russia’s defense ministry did not provide responses to requests for commentary regarding this report.

The International Atomic Energy Agency monitoring organization indicated it regularly documents military operations occurring near nuclear power facilities and strikes against electrical infrastructure critical to atomic safety protocols.

“IAEA Director General (Rafael) Grossi has repeatedly expressed deep concern about the risks and dangers of these military activities for nuclear safety and security,” the agency commented.

“The DG has also repeatedly called for maximum restraint near nuclear facilities to avoid the danger of a nuclear accident,” the statement continued.

The Kinzhal represents an air-launched hypersonic weapon system capable of delivering a 500-kilogram warhead and has been promoted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Operating at speeds of 6,500 kilometers per hour, the missile can traverse 5 kilometers within seconds.

Kravchenko described three distinct incidents where Kinzhal missiles crashed to earth during their flights and came to rest within approximately 10 kilometers of the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power station.

The reasons for these missile failures remain unclear, though Kravchenko noted the debris showed no signs suggesting they had been shot down by defensive systems.

The 1986 Chornobyl explosion dispersed radioactive material throughout Europe and forced Soviet leadership to deploy massive numbers of workers and equipment to address the disaster’s consequences. The facility’s final operational reactor ceased operations in 2000.

Russian forces seized control of the Chornobyl plant for over a month during the initial phase of their invasion while attempting to advance toward the capital city of Kyiv, before eventually retreating.

Beginning in July 2024, when Russia intensified drone strikes against Ukraine, Kravchenko said radar systems have identified no fewer than 92 Russian drones flying within a five-kilometer range of Chornobyl’s radiation containment structure.

This protective barrier was constructed to prevent radioactive leakage from Reactor Number 4, which detonated on April 26, 1986, triggering a massive blaze.

The true count of drone overflights, Kravchenko explained, was almost certainly far greater than 92, since radar signatures can represent multiple drones and some aircraft avoid detection entirely.

“Deliberate flights of (drones) with a powerful warhead over a nuclear facility are at least extremely irresponsible and indicate a complete disregard … for the safety of civilians not only in Ukraine, but throughout Europe,” he declared.

In February of the previous year, an object Ukrainian officials identified as a Russian long-range attack drone impacted the Chornobyl site, penetrating the radiation containment barrier.

The Kremlin rejected Russian responsibility at that time, claiming its military does not attack nuclear infrastructure and suggesting Ukraine had likely conducted the strike itself as a “provocation.”

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has calculated repair costs at a minimum of 500 million euros ($588 million) and warned that without such repairs, “irreversible corrosion” of the structure will commence within four years.

An investigation by Ukrainian state prosecutors concluded the Russian attack was most likely intentional, Kravchenko said.

This determination was based on the sharp angle investigators found the drone used when striking the containment barrier. During their final approach, explosive-laden attack drones typically plunge toward targets while accelerating until collision.

Kravchenko suggested Russian military forces were probably utilizing Chornobyl as a drone attack corridor to circumvent heavily defended areas of Ukrainian air defense systems.

Ukraine, operating with restricted air defense capabilities across territory twice the size of Italy, positions these systems near populated centers and vital infrastructure to maximize effectiveness against Russian assaults.

The Chornobyl complex, positioned less than 10 kilometers from the Belarus border and roughly 100 kilometers from Kyiv, sits within an exclusion zone of contaminated wilderness.

Questions continue to surround potential diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran following President Donald Trump’s decision to prolong a ceasefire at Pakistan’s urging while he waits for a “unified proposal” from Iranian leadership.

Tehran has yet to issue any response to Trump’s ceasefire extension announcement, with both nations indicating they stand ready to return to hostilities should negotiations fail to produce an agreement.

In a Tuesday evening social media statement, Trump declared that “Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open” to facilitate crude oil sales, this coming after his earlier statements that U.S. forces would continue blocking Iranian ports.

Separately, Israel and the Iranian-supported militant organization Hezbollah in Lebanon engaged in limited combat Tuesday, even as anticipated discussions in Washington were scheduled for this week following a 10-day ceasefire that began last Friday.

Combat operations since the conflict began have resulted in the deaths of no fewer than 3,375 individuals in Iran and over 2,290 in Lebanon. The casualties also include 23 fatalities in Israel, more than a dozen deaths across Gulf Arab nations, 15 Israeli military personnel in Lebanon, and 13 American service members across the region.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces fired upon a commercial container vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday morning, causing damage to the ship and heightening tensions as anticipated ceasefire negotiations in Pakistan failed to occur.

According to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, the incident occurred at approximately 7:55 a.m. within the strait, with a container ship as the target.

The UKMTO reported that Guard personnel aboard a gunboat launched their attack without any prior communication with the targeted vessel.

Officials confirmed no injuries resulted from the incident and no environmental damage occurred.

Iranian semi-official news outlets Fars and Tasnim, which maintain close ties to the Revolutionary Guard, both covered the attack using UKMTO information as their source.

Fars characterized Iran’s actions as “lawfully enforcing” its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway at the Persian Gulf’s entrance through which approximately 20% of global crude oil and natural gas once flowed.

The strait has traditionally been recognized as international waters for commercial shipping, despite falling within the territorial boundaries of both Iran and Oman.

This latest incident follows recent U.S. military actions, including the seizure of an Iranian container ship after opening fire over the weekend and the boarding of an oil tanker linked to Iran’s petroleum trade in the Indian Ocean.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces launched an unprovoked attack on a commercial container vessel Wednesday morning in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, escalating maritime tensions as diplomatic efforts to reduce regional conflicts have stalled.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, operated by British military officials, the assault occurred at approximately 7:55 a.m. local time when Revolutionary Guard naval forces targeted the commercial shipping vessel.

Maritime authorities reported that the Iranian gunboat launched its attack without any prior communication or warning to the container ship’s crew.

Officials confirmed that while the vessel sustained damage from the assault, no crew members were injured and the incident did not result in any environmental contamination.

Tehran has not yet issued any official statement regarding the maritime attack.

This latest incident follows recent U.S. military actions over the weekend, when American forces intercepted and seized an Iranian container ship after engaging it with gunfire, and separately boarded an oil tanker linked to Iran’s petroleum export operations in the Indian Ocean.

BEIJING – A Chinese naval squadron returned home Wednesday after completing military training exercises in the Western Pacific, traveling through contested waters between two Japanese islands.

The naval formation, designated as Vessel Formation 133 and including a newly commissioned destroyer, navigated through the waterway separating Japan’s Yonaguni and Iriomote islands on its journey back to China. The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command confirmed the fleet had finished conducting far-seas operational training.

The Eastern Theater Command, which oversees military operations in East China, the East China Sea, and Taiwan Strait regions, reported that the naval group had successfully completed its Pacific Ocean training mission.

This marks the second time in recent days that Chinese warships have used the same narrow passage. The PLA fleet initially traveled through the Yonaguni-Iriomote Waterway on Sunday to access the Pacific for their training operations.

The naval movements follow heightened regional tensions after a Japanese destroyer transited through the Taiwan Strait on Friday. Chinese officials had characterized Japan’s naval passage as a “deliberate provocation.”

MOSCOW – A residential building in the Russian city of Syzran suffered a partial collapse following what local officials described as a Ukrainian drone strike, leaving 11 people injured, authorities reported Wednesday.

The incident occurred in Syzran, a city situated along the Volga River approximately 621 miles from Ukraine’s border. The area houses a major oil refinery facility.

Samara region Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev announced through a Telegram post that rescue teams have successfully extracted four individuals from the rubble, including one child. He confirmed that search and rescue efforts remain ongoing.

According to RIA Novosti news agency, which cited local emergency response teams, the total number of wounded stands at 11, with two children among the injured.

In recent months, Ukrainian forces have escalated their targeting of Russian energy facilities, particularly as diplomatic peace negotiations facilitated by the United States have stalled while Washington redirects attention to conflicts involving Iran.

Meanwhile, in Russia’s Kursk region, which shares a border with Ukraine, regional governor reported that a drone crashed in a residential yard, prompting the evacuation of 36 residents. No injuries were reported in that incident.

The current U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has created the most severe daily oil supply disruption in recorded history, according to new analysis of International Energy Agency and U.S. Department of Energy data.

Energy officials announced Tuesday that this crisis represents the most devastating energy emergency the world has encountered, particularly when combined with ongoing European natural gas shortages stemming from Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion.

The magnitude of today’s supply disruptions has prompted energy experts to draw parallels with previous major energy crises, including the 1973 Arab oil embargo, Iran’s 1979 revolution, and the 1991 Gulf War, while highlighting how dramatically global energy markets have evolved.

UNPRECEDENTED MULTI-SECTOR IMPACT

What sets this crisis apart from previous energy emergencies is its simultaneous impact across multiple energy sectors. The conflict has disrupted crude oil, natural gas, refined petroleum products, and fertilizer supplies all at once, revealing new weak points in the global energy system developed over decades of increasing demand and international trade expansion.

Previous energy crises from the 1970s inflicted long-term economic harm, destabilized governments, and left lasting memories for citizens in developed countries like the United States, where fuel shortages and long gas station lines persisted for months.

The International Energy Agency was created following the Arab oil embargo to provide energy supply guidance and security advice to developed nations. The organization also oversees member countries’ emergency oil reserves and has responded to the current situation by releasing an unprecedented 400 million barrels from strategic reserves to help stabilize prices and replace lost Middle Eastern production.

COMPARING DISRUPTION MAGNITUDE

Current supply losses have reached more than 12 million barrels daily, representing 11.5% of worldwide oil consumption, which averages approximately 104.3 million barrels per day this year, the IEA reported.

These daily losses exceed the combined peak disruptions of 4.5 million barrels per day during the 1973-74 Arab embargo and 5.6 million barrels per day during Iran’s 1978-79 revolution. The current crisis also surpasses estimated peak losses of 4.3 million barrels per day during the 1991 Gulf War.

The Iran conflict has additionally shut down roughly one-fifth of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas production capacity. Global gas consumption today far exceeds levels during the oil crises of the 1970s-1990s. During the Arab embargo and Iranian Revolution, the LNG industry was just beginning, with Qatar not starting LNG exports until 1996.

Today’s disruption extends beyond crude oil and natural gas into refined fuel markets. The conflict has interrupted millions of barrels per day of fuel production and exports from Gulf region refineries, creating shortages of jet fuel and diesel. Massive refineries constructed in the Gulf over recent decades have become essential to global fuel distribution, supplying jet fuel to Africa, Europe, and Asia.

DURATION AND CUMULATIVE IMPACT ANALYSIS

Reuters analysis shows the current conflict has lasted 52 days and eliminated an estimated 624 million barrels from global markets, based on 12 million barrels per day losses over that timeframe.

Supply disruptions are anticipated to continue for months even if peace agreements are reached soon, with gas supply issues potentially lasting years, significantly increasing the total cumulative impact.

While Iran’s 1978-79 revolution caused smaller daily losses at 5.6 million barrels per day, it resulted in larger cumulative losses over time. According to U.S. Department of Energy data, the revolution caused Iran’s crude production to drop by an average of 3.9 million barrels per day from 1978 to 1981, totaling approximately 4.27 billion barrels over three years, though Gulf neighbors compensated for much of this loss.

In the current crisis, countries with spare production capacity like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates cannot compensate because they have also been affected by the Strait of Hormuz shipping halt.

Oil industry expert Ian Seymour estimates Iran produced an average of 3.1 million barrels per day during 1979 compared to 6 million barrels per day in late 1978, resulting in over 1 billion barrels lost in 1979 alone.

The 1973-1974 Arab oil embargo took three months to reach maximum production cuts of 4.5 million barrels per day. The embargo lasted from October 1973 to March 1974, causing approximately 530 million to 650 million barrels of lost production, making its cumulative impact comparable to the current U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

REGIONAL SHORTAGE PATTERNS

The current crisis has initially manifested as supply shortages in Asia and Africa. The United States, the world’s largest oil consumer, experienced more severe impacts during the Arab oil embargo, which forced drivers to endure lengthy gasoline lines and sparked comprehensive energy policy reforms and new approaches to energy security.

The 1991 Gulf War disrupted oil production for four months and resulted in cumulative losses of at least 516 million barrels, making its total impact smaller than both the current crisis and the Arab oil embargo.

Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion triggered a global energy crisis as European nations worked to reduce Russian oil and gas dependence. Russian oil production fell 9% in April 2022, roughly 1 million barrels per day, much smaller than current disruptions. Russian output later stabilized as Moscow redirected exports to counter Western sanctions, though Ukrainian drone attacks continue causing production cuts in 2026.

ISTANBUL (AP) — While working behind the counter of an Istanbul bakery selling borek, a traditional layered pastry, Sadri Haghshenas cannot stop thinking about her daughter back in Tehran.

Despite concerns about an unstable ceasefire that could break down at any moment, the family had no choice but to send their daughter back to Iran when they encountered problems extending her visa.

Thousands of Iranian citizens have relied on temporary residence permits for years to find work opportunities and achieve greater security in Turkey, their neighboring country. However, this arrangement remains unstable, and the ongoing conflict has made their situation even more precarious.

“I swear, I cry every day,” Haghshenas said, raising her hands from behind the counter of the pastry shop. “There is no life in my country, there is no life here, what shall I do?”

Five years ago, Haghshenas and her spouse relocated to Turkey with their teenage daughters, surviving on tourist permits that require renewal every six months to two years.

Financial constraints prevented them from hiring legal representation this year, as her husband became unemployed due to medical issues. Consequently, they failed to meet the application deadline for their 20-year-old daughter Asal’s visa renewal, even though she was completing her final year of secondary education.

Earlier this month, authorities detained Asal at a security checkpoint, and she spent one night in an immigration detention center. Rather than risk formal deportation procedures that might prevent future entry to Turkey, her mother arranged for a friend to escort her back to Tehran. The family hopes Asal can return using an educational visa.

Due to Iran’s extended internet shutdown lasting several months, Haghshenas has been unable to communicate with her daughter since her departure.

Turkey has not experienced a major refugee crisis, as most Iranians have remained within their home country seeking safety. Many individuals who have crossed the border were traveling through Turkey to reach other nations where they hold citizenship or legal residence.

Turkish Statistical Institute data shows nearly 100,000 Iranians resided in Turkey in 2025. According to United Nations refugee agency figures, approximately 89,000 have entered Turkey since the conflict began, while about 72,000 have left.

While some Iranians have utilized short-term visa-free periods to wait out the war, limited options exist for those seeking extended stays.

Sedat Albayrak from the Istanbul Bar Association’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Center explained that obtaining international protection status presents challenges, leading the system to push Iranians toward short-term permit applications instead.

“There are people who have lived on them for over 10 years,” he said.

Nadr Rahim arrived in Turkey eleven years ago to provide better educational opportunities for his children. Now, the war threatens to force his return home.

Due to restrictions on obtaining business permits or legal employment authorization in Turkey, he depended on income from his motorcycle dealership in Iran. However, sales have completely stopped since the war began, and international sanctions combined with internet disruptions make money transfers extremely challenging.

His family’s finances will only sustain them in Turkey for a few additional months. Having grown up in Turkey, his children struggle with Farsi reading and speaking skills. While he worries about their adjustment to life in Iran, he acknowledged that “if the war continues, we will have no choice but to return.”

Currently, he passes most days browsing his phone for updates from his parents in Tehran or discussing the conflict over water pipes with fellow Iranians.

An Iranian woman, age 42, arrived in Turkey eight months ago hoping to earn income for her family’s support. She and her daughter enrolled as university students to obtain study permits. She attends morning classes to maintain legal status before hurrying to service employment, sometimes working until 3 a.m.

At a women’s boarding facility, they share living space with six other people, she explained, requesting anonymity due to security concerns should she return to Iran.

“I truly love Iran. If necessary, I would even go and defend it in war,” she says. However, she sees no opportunities there, while in Turkey, she barely survives and can only send minimal financial support to her parents.

“I have a bad life in Turkey, and my parents have a bad life in Iran,” she said. “I came to Turkey with so much hope, to support my parents and build a future. But now I feel hopeless.”

A 33-year-old independent architect from Tehran traveled to Turkey during Iran’s harsh suppression of widespread demonstrations in January. She initially planned to return once conditions improved, but then the United States and Israel entered into conflict with Iran at February’s end.

“I started to believe that it’s a very bad situation, worse than I expected,” she said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of persecution if she returns to Iran.

The internet blackout has prevented her from working with her regular Iranian clients. With her 90-day visa-free period ending soon, she cannot afford to apply for extended permission to remain in Turkey.

Instead, she has chosen to travel to Malaysia, where she will receive free housing in exchange for constructing shelters during a month-long visa-free visit.

Her future plans remain uncertain.

KYIV, Ukraine — When nuclear disaster struck the Chernobyl power plant on April 26, 1986, Associated Press photographer Efrem Lukatsky was living in Kyiv, just two hours away from the catastrophe. Over the past four decades, he has documented the exclusion zone dozens of times, capturing the haunting legacy of a disaster that continues to impact Ukraine today.

The catastrophe didn’t begin with official announcements — it started with workplace rumors.

Soviet authorities made no immediate public statement about the nuclear accident in 1986. Information spread only through hushed conversations between coworkers.

Lukatsky was working as a specialized underwater welder in his late twenties, traveling to offshore platforms and secret military installations throughout the Soviet Union for a Kyiv research institute.

Public discussion of the Chernobyl incident remained forbidden, though anxiety was mounting. Many people, including Lukatsky, experienced strange symptoms — a metallic flavor in their mouths and throat irritation that no one could explain.

Two days passed before officials made their first minimal acknowledgment — confirming only that an incident had taken place. Citizens whispered about emergency responders being airlifted to Moscow medical facilities.

Government operations proceeded as if nothing had occurred.

Citizens secretly listened to foreign radio broadcasts each evening — an activity still considered dangerous during that era — seeking information their government refused to share. These reports revealed that radioactive contamination had drifted beyond Soviet territory. International specialists recommended sealing windows, using protective masks, and administering iodine to children. Lukatsky heeded this guidance, daily placing iodine drops on sugar cubes to shield his thyroid from radiation absorption.

Living with his family in Kyiv, a neighbor alerted Lukatsky about radioactive particles in the air. He later witnessed her police officer husband removing his uniform in their building’s hallway and sealing the clothing in bags before entering their home.

A nuclear scientist friend contacted Lukatsky, strongly advising him to permanently relocate from Kyiv. Some residents evacuated their children to distant areas. Lukatsky chose to remain because his parents lived there and it was his hometown.

Using an old military radiation detector, Lukatsky tested everything around him — his living space, clothing, and neighborhood streets. The measurements were disturbing. Playground readings soared well beyond safe levels. His home showed even higher contamination. He used adhesive tape to remove radioactive particles from his garments.

Despite the nuclear emergency, Kyiv’s traditional May Day celebration proceeded as scheduled five days after the explosion. Thousands participated in the parade, including many children. Lukatsky marched past a statue honoring Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin while carrying a banner celebrating the government.

The city subsequently hosted a bicycle competition with spectators gathering along the route as though conditions were normal. While officials insisted everything was safe, residents already suspected otherwise.

Following the accident, endless convoys of buses transported thousands of displaced residents from Pripyat, the community where nuclear plant employees resided, into Kyiv.

Lukatsky remembers their expressions — worried yet composed. Authorities told them their departure would last only several days. They abandoned their residences, possessions, and animals who perished waiting for owners who never came back.

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev finally spoke to the nation three weeks following the catastrophe, offering no justification for the communication delay or complete disclosure of events.

In fall 1986, Lukatsky made his initial journey to what became Chernobyl’s exclusion zone — a 2,600-square-kilometer area — first as part of his scientific institute’s team, then later photographing for the Soviet publication Ogonyok.

Empty residential buildings stood alongside educational facilities, recreational centers, and commercial establishments that appeared recently vacated.

Most memorable were the emergency workers sent to manage the crisis. Firefighters had pulled water hoses through debris, attempting to extinguish flames that water couldn’t stop. Tens of thousands of cleanup workers, called liquidators, arrived to extract contaminated earth and encase the damaged reactor in concrete. Military personnel removed radioactive wreckage from the plant’s rooftop, facing potentially fatal exposure within minutes.

Coal miners played a crucial role. To prevent radioactive material from contaminating groundwater, they excavated tunnels underneath the facility through darkness and extreme heat, frequently working in minimal clothing.

Protective equipment — suits, boots, and masks — felt insufficient. Before departing, workers underwent inspection and decontamination procedures, as though this could reverse any radiation exposure. After each visit, Lukatsky sealed his clothing in containers and disposed of footwear and outerwear.

Authorities maintained strict information control. Photographers were required to surrender their film following each assignment.

However, reality was already emerging. Kyiv residents began speaking more freely. Initial protests started small and cautious but expanded into larger demonstrations demanding transparency — gatherings that eventually became the foundation of Ukraine’s independence movement.

This marked the beginning of Lukatsky’s journalism career. His photographs appeared in an amateur exhibition and were published internationally. He feared possible arrest.

By that time, the Soviet system was experiencing significant pressure.

After the USSR’s dissolution in 1991 and Ukraine’s independence, Lukatsky returned to the exclusion zone repeatedly, often accompanying scientists, law enforcement, and firefighters. The Associated Press hired him in 1989.

Another enduring memory involved people waiting for medical screenings. He photographed elderly and young residents standing patiently for examinations to detect illness signs.

Thirty plant employees and firefighters died immediately from severe radiation poisoning. Subsequently, thousands more died from radiation-related diseases. Six media professionals who documented the initial response all later died from illness.

Pripyat became suspended in time. At the medical facility where initial victims received treatment, radiation remained at dangerous levels.

Nearby sat an enormous equipment cemetery: Emergency vehicles, buses, trucks, military transports, and helicopters used during cleanup were abandoned due to extreme contamination. Photographers worked rapidly to limit exposure while documenting these machines.

Within the power facility, thick dust particles floated in the air, visible in the light. Workers moved swiftly but cautiously to the control center, where a routine test on Reactor No. 4 went catastrophically wrong at 1:23 a.m. on April 26, 1986, causing two explosions. Many control panel buttons were missing — removed as mementos.

As teams ventured deeper into the plant, radiation measurements increased, forcing them to retreat. Some boundaries cannot be crossed.

Over time, the original reactor covering deteriorated, creating openings where radiation escaped. In 2019, engineers installed a massive arch-shaped containment structure designed to last for generations. The situation appeared finally stabilized.

Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine brought troops into the exclusion zone as they advanced toward Kyiv. Soldiers created defensive positions in contaminated ground, disturbing long-buried materials. Three years later, a Russian drone attack damaged the protective structure. While no radiation escaped, the incident demonstrated that dangers persist.

In the absence of human habitation, the contaminated exclusion zone has experienced unexpected environmental recovery. Forests have expanded. Animal populations have grown. Rare species now inhabit areas once synonymous with catastrophe.

While Pripyat remains frozen in time, it’s no longer completely deserted as wildlife moves through the abandoned city.

After four decades, perhaps the clearest lesson is this: Lives were devastated, and truth was concealed for years. Yet when left undisturbed, nature persists — even at Chernobyl.

NICOSIA, Cyprus — The leader of Cyprus is urging European Union officials to develop a concrete action plan for responding when member nations face military threats, following a recent drone attack on his island nation.

During an exclusive interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the need for EU leadership to define specific procedures under Article 42.7 of the union’s founding documents, which requires all 27 member countries to provide mutual aid during emergencies.

The provision mandates that when any nation faces armed aggression within its borders, fellow members must offer “aid and assistance by all the means in their power.” However, this clause has never been activated, leaving no established guidelines for how EU countries should coordinate their response to assistance requests.

“We have Article 42.7 and we don’t know what is going to happen if a member state triggers this article,” Christodoulides explained before hosting an EU-Middle East summit focused on regional conflicts and their consequences. “So we’re going to have a discussion and prepare, let’s say, an operational plan of what is going to happen in case a member state triggers this article, and there are a number of issues.”

The topic holds special significance for Christodoulides after he requested help from EU partners last month when a Shahed drone attacked a British military facility on Cyprus’s southern shore. According to Cypriot authorities, the unmanned aircraft originated from Lebanon, located just 207 kilometers (129 miles) from Cyprus’s southern coastline. In response, Greece, France, Spain, The Netherlands and Portugal deployed naval vessels equipped with anti-drone technology to protect the island.

Christodoulides noted that since numerous EU members also belong to NATO, any emergency response framework must address potential conflicts between EU obligations and commitments to the military alliance.

NATO’s security provision, Article 5, declares that an assault on any member constitutes an attack on the entire alliance, mandating coordinated retaliation.

“So what is going to happen in this situation if a member state is both NATO member state and an EU member state? What is going happen?” Christodoulides questioned.

Additional considerations for Article 42.7 implementation include determining whether responses should involve collective action similar to NATO’s approach or focus on neighboring countries assisting the threatened nation. Officials must also establish which resources would be deployed based on different types of emergencies.

Christodoulides expressed satisfaction that other EU leaders now “understand the importance” of strengthening the bloc’s relationships with Middle Eastern nations through programs like the Mediterranean Pact, which funds various projects covering healthcare, education and energy initiatives in the region.

Developing stronger EU connections with Middle Eastern countries represents a central goal of Cyprus’s EU presidency, which Christodoulides described as a “very good opportunity … to give substance” to this mission. The upcoming informal EU summit will include leaders from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, creating chances “not just to exchange ideas but to see in action how we elevate our cooperation in a strategic level.”

“We can represent the interest of the countries of the Greater Middle East to Brussels, but at the same time, and this is very, very important, the countries in the region, they trust Cyprus to represent them in the European Union,” he stated.

Christodoulides actively supports the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), an ambitious infrastructure project designed to create trade, energy and digital connections between the continent and the world’s most populous democracy while promoting regional peace and stability.

Under Cyprus’s EU leadership, officials have established a “Friends of IMEC” coalition to advance the initiative, though Christodoulides acknowledged it currently lacks sufficient concrete projects. One example is the Great Seas Interconnector, an electrical cable system linking power networks in Greece, Cyprus and eventually Israel, which has experienced significant construction delays.

“We can work together with the Americans, with the U.S. Government, with President Trump in order to give substance because it will be a win-win situation for both the European Union and the United States” through additional specific projects, Christodoulides said.

Recent Middle Eastern conflicts have highlighted the EU’s urgent need to diversify its energy supply sources. Christodoulides revealed ongoing discussions with EU executives about utilizing Cyprus’s offshore natural gas reserves to help the bloc secure alternative energy supplies and distribution routes.

He indicated that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will announce “very specific proposals” on Friday addressing energy expenses and strategies for achieving greater energy independence.

The Cypriot leader acknowledged that while the EU has improved its decision-making speed, the organization has failed to fulfill promises of adding new members over the past two years, eroding confidence among candidate nations.

“So we have a strong geopolitical tool that we are losing mainly because of our mistakes. The situation today is much better. We are deciding in a much faster, let’s say, pace,” Christodoulides observed. “And enlargement is one of the geopolitical tools that, as a European Union, we need pretty soon to have specific decisions.”

Mexican officials announced enhanced security measures at popular tourist destinations following a deadly shooting at the historic Teotihuacan pyramids that left one Canadian visitor dead and twelve others wounded.

The attack occurred Monday when a single shooter opened fire from atop one of the ancient pyramids at the UNESCO World Heritage site, located approximately one hour from Mexico City. The archaeological complex ranks among Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations.

The incident prompted immediate questions from journalists to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum regarding safety preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada this summer.

Teotihuacan was designated as a major destination for World Cup visitors. Local officials had recently advanced plans to restore a nighttime light display on the pyramids specifically for tournament guests, reviving a show that was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The violence occurs as Sheinbaum’s administration works to present Mexico as secure ahead of the soccer tournament, particularly following cartel-related violence that erupted in February in Guadalajara, another World Cup host city.

“Events like this only further magnify the negative images that Mexico has on security issues, undermining the narrative that President Sheinbaum is trying to build that Mexico is a safe country,” said Mexican security analyst David Saucedo.

During a Tuesday briefing, Sheinbaum admitted the archaeological site lacked adequate security screening to prevent such an attack, describing the shooting as “an isolated incident” unprecedented at such a public location.

Mass shootings in public areas remain uncommon in Mexico compared to the United States, where firearms are more readily available through legal channels, despite ongoing cartel violence in strategic and rural regions.

The president indicated the attacker seemed influenced by “outside influences,” specifically referencing the 1999 Columbine massacre in Colorado.

“Our obligation as a government is to take the appropriate measures to ensure that a situation like this does not happen again. But clearly, we all know — Mexicans know — that this is something that had not previously taken place,” Sheinbaum said Tuesday morning.

Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, who leads the government’s anti-cartel efforts, announced Tuesday that security forces received orders to “immediately strengthen security” at archaeological sites and major tourist locations nationwide.

The enhanced measures include expanded National Guard presence, increased security screenings at critical locations, and improved surveillance systems designed to “identify and prevent any threats” against citizens and visitors.

Mexican authorities hope these announcements will address persistent violence concerns ahead of the tournament.

Sheinbaum’s government has highlighted security achievements during her tenure, with homicide rates dropping significantly since she assumed office to decade-low levels, according to government data. Officials have also eliminated several high-ranking cartel leaders and noted decreased fentanyl seizures at the U.S.-Mexico border.

However, recent challenges include the February violence outbreak in Guadalajara following the assassination of Mexico’s most influential cartel leader. The bloodshed generated widespread concern domestically and internationally. Sheinbaum pledged “no risk” for tournament attendees, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed “full confidence” in Mexico as a host nation. Sheinbaum subsequently met with FIFA officials to review World Cup security arrangements.

Mexico’s government has committed to comprehensive security preparations, including deploying 100,000 security personnel nationwide, with concentrations in the three host cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Plans involve more than 2,000 military vehicles, numerous aircraft and drones, and security perimeters around stadiums and airports in key locations.

“As you can see, we are very prepared for the World Cup,” Sheinbaum said in early March.

Despite the unusual nature of Monday’s pyramid shooting, the violent incident has renewed questions about the government’s ability to prevent violence during the soccer competition, increasing pressure on officials.

FIFA declined to comment on the pyramid shooting when contacted, as the organization typically avoids addressing security matters and incidents occurring away from tournament facilities.

Saucedo warned that concentrating security resources in host cities and tourist areas like Teotihuacan could reduce protection in other violence-plagued regions requiring police and military attention.

“Events like the one that took place yesterday in Teotihuacan clearly show that public safety agencies are overwhelmed,” he said.

TOKYO — Japanese officials announced Wednesday that the nation experienced a trade deficit of 1.7 trillion yen ($10.7 billion) during the fiscal year concluding in March, continuing a pattern of deficits for the fifth consecutive year.

The Finance Ministry’s data showed exports increased by 4% compared to the prior year, while imports grew modestly by 0.5%.

Higher tariffs implemented by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Japanese imports and products from other nations have dealt a significant setback to international automotive manufacturers and other industrial companies. Japanese exports to America declined by 6.6% during the previous fiscal year, with automobile shipments plummeting by 16%.

Despite these challenges, Japan experienced a 26% increase in its trade surplus during March compared to the same period last year, suggesting the export industry is beginning to recover from previous disruptions. March saw exports surge by nearly 11.7% while imports climbed almost 10.9%.

Major Japanese automotive companies, including Toyota Motor Corp., have relocated significant portions of their manufacturing operations to countries where their vehicles are ultimately sold, helping them avoid the negative effects of such policy changes. Nevertheless, several automakers continue to ship substantial numbers of vehicles from Japan to the United States.

Since Japan relies on imports for virtually all of its oil and natural gas supplies, the ongoing conflict with Iran has created concerns about potential disruptions to Middle Eastern oil deliveries. Beyond energy implications, oil shortages could impact the production of naphtha-based products essential for medical equipment and various plastic materials.

Japanese officials have sought to reassure citizens by highlighting the country’s 254-day emergency oil reserve stockpile, which was created following the oil crisis of the 1970s. Authorities are currently releasing portions of these reserves to maintain stable supply levels.

Japan is also exploring alternative supply routes beyond the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as the primary shipping corridor for much of Asia’s oil and gas imports. This crucial waterway has been effectively blocked due to the current conflict.

SYDNEY – Technology suppliers are pushing back against claims that Australia’s historic social media ban for teenagers is failing due to technological limitations, arguing instead that major platforms are simply not properly utilizing existing age verification tools.

The Age Verification Providers Association (AVPA) released findings suggesting that enforcement challenges with Australia’s under-16 social media prohibition stem from poor implementation by platforms rather than inadequate technology capabilities.

“The issue is not capability, it is application,” stated Iain Corby, executive director of AVPA.

The trade group emphasized that early implementation problems highlight the need for stricter expectations and better enforcement, not that age verification systems are fundamentally flawed.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner is currently examining potential violations by major platforms including Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Google’s YouTube, TikTok, and Snap regarding the world’s first national ban of this type, which took effect in December.

Companies found in violation could face penalties reaching A$49.5 million (approximately $35 million) per breach. Government officials indicate they are collecting evidence for potential Federal Court proceedings if platforms don’t improve their compliance efforts.

According to the association’s analysis, initial deployment demonstrated that age verification systems can function effectively on a large scale, but social media companies are failing to implement them properly or at crucial moments like account registration.

Representatives from TikTok and Snap refused to provide comments, while Meta and Google did not respond to requests for statements.

These conclusions challenge social media platforms’ claims about insufficient age verification technology, suggesting that continued access by underage users results from how companies choose to deploy available tools rather than technical limitations.

Government data indicates millions of suspected underage accounts have been deleted since the legislation became active.

Nevertheless, the eSafety regulator has identified ongoing problems including inadequate age verification during account creation, allowing multiple verification attempts until users succeed, and continued dependence on user-reported ages.

The AVPA’s analysis concluded that independent testing and early real-world implementation indicated these deficiencies primarily resulted from platform practices rather than technological failures.

The organization identified major effectiveness concerns including excessive dependence on internal age-estimation algorithms that attempt to determine user age through online behavior patterns, and insufficient re-verification of established accounts.

Before implementing the ban, Australia conducted comprehensive testing of AVPA member companies’ verification systems.