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SEOUL, South Korea — Top diplomatic officials from China and North Korea have committed to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding collaborative efforts following high-level discussions in Pyongyang, according to state media reports released Friday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in North Korea’s capital on Thursday, marking his first diplomatic mission to the country since 2017.

According to China’s Xinhua news agency, Wang met with his North Korean counterpart, Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, where they addressed current global and regional matters during Thursday’s session, though specific topics were not disclosed. North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency stated that both officials committed to enhancing strategic dialogue between their respective foreign policy departments.

State media from both nations did not reveal whether discussions included the United States or other international concerns such as the ongoing Middle East conflict.

The diplomatic visit occurs ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned trip to Beijing for a postponed summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for May.

While North Korea and China have traditionally maintained what’s often characterized as a relationship “as close as lips and teeth,” recent years have seen questions arise about their bond. North Korea has concentrated on building stronger ties with Russia, providing military personnel and weapons for Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine, while China appears hesitant to join an anti-Western coalition with North Korea and Russia.

However, both nations have been working to strengthen their partnership. In September, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Xi conducted their first leadership meeting in over six years, during which they committed to mutual assistance.

Transportation links between the countries were restored last month when North Korea and China restarted direct aviation and railway passenger services that had been halted since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.

A high-ranking Russian official declared Friday that Moscow remains committed to supporting Cuba and will continue providing energy assistance to help the island nation overcome challenges created by U.S. sanctions.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov made the statements during a press briefing in Havana following diplomatic discussions, according to Russian news outlets. He emphasized that Russia has no plans to retreat from its regional interests regardless of American objections.

The Russian official indicated that Moscow’s assistance would extend beyond the recent major oil shipment delivered to Cuba last month.

“I am certain that the events of recent weeks in our relations will have us moving forward to find solutions to the toughest problems…emerging from the illegal and absolutely unacceptable blockade of the island by the U.S.,” Ryabkov stated.

“We cannot betray Cuba. That is out of the question. We cannot leave it on its own.”

According to Ryabkov, addressing Cuba’s energy requirements remains a top priority for Russian policy.

“It is too early to say what the next steps will be. But it is clear we will not be limiting our supplies to the load that was aboard the tanker Anatoly Kolodkin,” he explained.

“Russia has no plans to walk away from the Western hemisphere, no matter what Washington might say,” news agencies reported him stating. “They are obsessed with pushing Russia and China out of the region.”

The diplomat also referenced recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, saying they “make it clear that using force, sanctions and political diktat do not produce desired results.”

Last month, the sanctioned Russian vessel Anatoly Kolodkin delivered approximately 700,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba, marking the first major fuel shipment since Washington implemented measures to restrict the island’s energy supplies.

U.S. officials stated they permitted the tanker’s delivery on humanitarian grounds.

Moscow has been working to restore the strong relationship it maintained with Cuba during the Soviet period and has called on Washington to end its economic blockade of the island.

In February, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez traveled to Moscow for meetings with President Vladimir Putin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared Thursday that the ongoing Iran conflict must serve as a pivotal moment for the United Kingdom after twenty years of successive crises, vowing to bolster the nation’s economy and defense capabilities for an increasingly unstable global environment.

President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire Tuesday in the six-week Iran conflict, though Tehran continues its comprehensive blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, creating unprecedented disruptions to global energy markets.

The British leader characterized the current crisis, which has already elevated fuel costs across the UK and threatens additional inflation and economic turbulence, as a critical juncture that must serve as “a line in the sand” for the nation.

Writing in the Guardian newspaper, Starmer outlined Britain’s struggles over nearly two decades, referencing the 2008 financial meltdown and subsequent austerity measures, Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic, and Russia’s military action in Ukraine.

“Britain has been buffeted by crises for nearly two decades now,” he stated. “The war in Iran must now become a line in the sand, because how we emerge from this crisis will define all of us for a generation. And instead of hoping to return to the world of 2008, we will forge a new path for Britain – one that strengthens our energy, our defence and our economic security in a new age.”

The Labour Party leader, who assumed office in 2024 following a decisive electoral victory, has faced challenges implementing his campaign promises due to constrained government finances, internal party disagreements, and international instability.

Recent polling shows his party trailing behind Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party ahead of the 2029 elections, though British citizens have generally endorsed his choice to avoid joining Trump’s military operations against Iran, despite the American president’s displeasure.

Capitalizing on public support, Starmer emphasized that his response strategy focuses on advancing British national priorities and developing greater resilience.

“We will not look backwards. We will not aim to recreate the conditions of a world that has now passed us by, and we will build a Britain that is stronger, more secure and more resilient,” he declared. “That is what this moment demands: and Britain will not be blown off course.”

BEIJING (AP) — When global sensation BTS kicked off their first world tour in over three years, fans noticed a glaring absence from their 12-month schedule: China.

The exclusion of Chinese audiences comes as no shock to industry watchers. Beijing has maintained an unofficial blockade against South Korean entertainment since 2016, affecting everything from pop concerts to television shows and films. This restriction forces devoted Chinese fans to travel to Seoul to catch their favorite performers — a journey many made this week for BTS’s opening shows.

Beijing frequently employs economic measures during diplomatic tensions. The entertainment restriction began when South Korea agreed to host American anti-missile defense technology on its territory. What makes this particular blockade unique is its duration, which experts say reflects Beijing’s anxiety about Korean pop culture’s overwhelming appeal among Chinese youth. The government strongly promotes domestic cultural content instead.

Recent speculation about potentially relaxing these restrictions — something South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has openly hoped for as he works with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to strengthen bilateral relations — has brought renewed attention to the issue.

Beijing’s economic pressure tactics demonstrate government determination, establish clear boundaries for unacceptable behavior, and boost domestic nationalism, according to Seung-Youn Oh, a Bryn Mawr College professor researching China’s informal economic penalties.

“From China’s perspective, these actions go beyond symbolism,” she said in a written response to questions. “They are strategic tools to shape the international environment.”

Korean pop groups with international members have been permitted to perform in China. Merchandise shops selling K-pop items draw lengthy queues and require advance bookings during busy periods.

Streaming services have made Korean dramas somewhat accessible — though newer episodes often appear as unauthorized copies. A survey of four major Chinese platforms revealed roughly 50 available dramas, all produced at least four years ago.

The restrictions don’t extend to Macao and Hong Kong — where BTS plans to perform in 2027 — since both territories operate under separate governmental systems within China.

“I’m already really grateful that they can perform in places like Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan,” said Tian Xin, who traveled to Seoul last month for a free comeback concert ahead of the tour. “The rest is a matter of national policy. Of course, I still hope they can come closer to us — fans always want that.”

The missile defense installation, called THAAD, targets North Korean threats, but China argued its radar capabilities could monitor Chinese territory. While Americans operate the system, Beijing’s anger focused on South Korea’s decision to permit the deployment.

Beyond entertainment restrictions, China also forced out South Korean retail chains. The THAAD system continues operating — though recent surveillance footage and imagery suggest the U.S. may have relocated some interceptor missiles to Middle Eastern conflicts involving Iran.

Initially, China embraced the “Korean Wave” as culturally compatible entertainment that could replace Western pop culture, according to a Korea Creative Content Agency report from earlier this year. However, Korean music and drama popularity exploded during the 2010s, creating what the report described as a phenomenon requiring government oversight.

“The Chinese government had never experienced anything like that before,” said Dong-ha Kim, a professor at the Busan University of Foreign Studies.

“While the dispute over THAAD happened to coincide with that period, Beijing’s fundamental concern goes deeper,” he said. “It cannot allow foreign culture to shape the thinking of its young people, especially when its government has no control over the content.”

In 2021, the government prohibited feminine-appearing men from television, likely targeting aesthetics Chinese performers adopted from Korean and Japanese entertainers.

China also aims to build its own pop culture influence globally. Consider the Labubu toy phenomenon and expanding food and beverage franchises.

“China wants cultural governance — to grow its own music industry,” said Hyunji Lee, a financial analyst who covers the entertainment sector. “If K-pop floods back in, there’s a direct conflict.”

However, China has never officially confirmed any prohibition exists.

“China has never imposed any so-called bans on the Republic of Korea,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in 2022. Another spokesperson, Lin Jian, said last September that China welcomes “healthy and beneficial” cultural exchange with South Korea.

Optimism for lifting restrictions increased after Lee and Xi held two meetings. During Lee’s January visit to China, both governments agreed to expand cultural and content cooperation — but only incrementally, beginning with soccer and the traditional board game go.

Xi referenced two Chinese proverbs, according to South Korean officials: “Three feet of ice does not form in a single day” and “Fruit falls only when it ripens.” These sayings indicate any policy changes will require time and proper circumstances.

On Chinese social platforms, some users argued that K-pop — with its provocative choreography — isn’t suitable for children. Others worried Korean entertainment might dominate local industries. Fans expressed hope for domestic performances that would eliminate expensive overseas travel and accommodation costs.

Yu Sang, a fan and event coordinator, made five trips to Seoul last year for K-pop events and organized a “KPop Demon Hunters” gathering at a Beijing shopping center on New Year’s Eve.

“The fans in China are incredibly devoted,” she said. “If you go to the Arctic, I’ll go to the Arctic with you.”

The restrictions have transformed how South Korean entertainment companies view the Chinese marketplace.

Television drama producers have suffered the most significant losses and stand to benefit most from policy changes, more so than the K-pop industry, according to analyst Lee.

Unauthorized versions generate no revenue for producers. These dramas appear on small applications and sometimes vanish within days, based on social media reports. Some applications themselves disappear, then resurface with modified names.

Netflix and Disney+, which distribute most South Korean dramas worldwide, remain blocked in China. Access requires virtual private networks, which violate Chinese law (though enforcement varies).

The K-pop industry has adapted so China no longer represents a crucial market. Japan has become the primary anchor market, while North America serves as the main expansion target.

“China matters,” Lee said, “but it’s not something companies are desperately waiting on anymore.”

The East African nation of Djibouti will hold presidential elections on Friday, with 78-year-old President Ismael Omar Guelleh poised to secure a sixth consecutive term following parliament’s decision to eliminate age restrictions that previously would have prevented his candidacy.

This strategically positioned country, home to fewer than one million residents, sits at a crucial location along the Gulf of Aden near the Red Sea entrance. The nation serves as host to military installations from the United States, China, France, Italy, and Japan. Since 2023, commercial vessels damaged by Houthi militant attacks from Yemen have sought refuge in Djiboutian ports.

Guelleh has maintained control over the relatively peaceful nation since 1999, particularly when compared to neighboring countries like Somalia and Ethiopia. His rise to power came through selection by his uncle, Hassan Gouled Aptidon, who served as the country’s inaugural president following independence from France in 1977.

During Guelleh’s tenure, his administration has made substantial investments in port development, establishing the country as the primary maritime access point for landlocked Ethiopia, which ranks as Africa’s second-largest nation by population.

The incumbent president faces a single opponent in Mohamed Farah Samatar from the small Unified Democratic Centre party. Throughout his five previous electoral victories, Guelleh has never received less than 74% of votes cast, with his 2021 victory margin exceeding 97%.

“Let us remember we have managed to maintain the stability of our country in an unstable region. We have preserved peace when others have descended into chaos,” Guelleh stated during public remarks last month.

International human rights organizations have criticized Djiboutian officials for suppressing political opposition figures, activists, and members of the press. Since 2016, two major opposition parties have refused to participate in elections, claiming electoral authorities lack neutrality.

Government officials have dismissed allegations of systematic abuse and have rejected criticisms regarding their electoral procedures.

According to local news reports, Samatar’s campaign platform focuses on fighting corruption, reducing unnecessary government spending, and increasing social program funding. His party currently holds no parliamentary seats.

In 2020, government security forces suppressed uncommon anti-government demonstrations that began after authorities arrested a former military pilot who had publicly criticized alleged corruption and discrimination based on clan affiliations.

Parliament voted last October to eliminate the 75-year age requirement for presidential candidates and also removed the previously mandated referendum process for constitutional changes.

WASHINGTON — As a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in place, Chinese leadership is weighing how deeply to engage in securing a permanent resolution to Middle Eastern hostilities.

Following American pressure on China to help reopen the blocked Strait of Hormuz, President Trump indicated to Agence France-Presse this week that he believes Beijing influenced Iran’s decision to accept the current temporary halt in fighting.

Three diplomatic sources familiar with China’s behind-the-scenes involvement confirmed that Beijing leveraged its position as Iran’s largest oil customer to push Tehran toward renewed negotiations.

This marked a significant shift for Beijing, which had previously criticized the U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran as misguided before actively joining efforts to halt the conflict, including discouraging Iranian strikes. Negotiations between the parties are scheduled to commence in Pakistan this weekend.

As the unstable truce continues, China must carefully weigh whether to deepen its diplomatic involvement while considering how prolonged warfare could damage the global economy. Regional instability conflicts with Beijing’s interests, though successful mediation efforts could enhance its international reputation and improve its negotiating position during Trump’s planned visit to China next month.

“Beijing is not in the business of expending its leverage as a favor to others or for the greater good,” said Danny Russel, a former senior diplomat in President Barack Obama’s administration.

Mao Ning, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, told reporters this week that China “has worked actively to help bring about an end to the conflict.”

China’s economy is already experiencing strain from Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of global crude oil typically passes. This blockade significantly impacts Asia, apparently motivating Chinese officials to work with Pakistan in mediating the two-week ceasefire.

Beijing appears reluctant to offer long-term security guarantees for Iran as part of any peace agreement, despite Tehran’s desire for such assurances to prevent future U.S. and Israeli attacks.

Iran’s ambassador to China suggested this week that its closest allies — China and Russia — along with the United Nations should provide such guarantees, something Tehran has unsuccessfully sought before. When asked about this possibility, Mao only stated that “we hope that all parties will resolve their disputes through dialogue and negotiation.”

Nevertheless, Chinese leaders recognize that sustained warfare could seriously damage Beijing’s economic interests. Premier Li Qiang announced last month that the government projects relatively modest 4.5% to 5% economic growth this year amid a property downturn and increasing global uncertainty. This represents the lowest growth target since 1991.

According to one diplomat familiar with Chinese deliberations on the conflict, China’s primary objective remains “growth and development.”

The diplomat, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly, noted that continued closure of the strait undermines that goal. The blockade not only restricts significant crude oil supplies to China but also blocks an important shipping route for Chinese exports to the Middle East.

Trump will likely emphasize this argument to Chinese President Xi Jinping during their highly anticipated Beijing summit next month. The meeting, originally scheduled for this month, was delayed so Trump could oversee U.S. military operations against Iran.

“That the United States and Iran have at least temporarily edged away from the precipice of a catastrophic escalation owes in part to China’s support for the ceasefire that Pakistan brokered,” said Ali Wyne, a senior research and advocacy adviser for U.S.-China relations at the International Crisis Group. “Even if short-lived, that breakthrough affords Beijing another opportunity to present itself as a stabilizing force and Washington as a reckless one.”

Certainly, China’s perspective includes considerable skepticism.

Some Beijing officials view Trump’s decision to launch the Iran war, along with the January military operation to capture then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as partially motivated by his strategy to contain China, according to diplomatic sources. Beijing was a major customer and investor in Venezuela’s oil sector.

Privately, Chinese officials have indicated that both the U.S. and Iran must demonstrate compromise for any agreement to succeed. Beijing also seeks to pressure Trump into removing sanctions on Chinese companies conducting business with Iran as part of a potential settlement, diplomats report.

This situation gives Xi some advantage heading into next month’s summit.

“Trump was in a crisis, and China helped,” said Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Washington-based think tank Stimson Center. “The optics of that alone helps to lighten the mood and sweeten the pot.”

Russel, the former State Department official, notes signs that Beijing perceives Trump as weakened after the president failed to follow through on threats to destroy Iranian power plants and other critical infrastructure if Iran didn’t end the Hormuz blockade.

The hashtag #HeChickenedOut was trending on Chinese social media regarding Trump, and China’s state media promoted the narrative that he backed down when faced with Iranian resistance, Russel said.

Xi appears to be approaching the situation cautiously.

“Beijing’s calculation is wait-and-see, safeguard Chinese energy and commercial interests, avoid direct confrontation with the United States, stay on good terms with its important Gulf partners like Saudi Arabia and UAE, and work with whoever ends up running Iran when the dust settles,” Russel said.

Steve Bannon, who served as a senior adviser to Trump during his first term, said Trump will need to secure Xi’s commitment if he hopes to achieve a lasting peace agreement with Iran.

“Who can actually make a deal and enforce a deal? I know one group of people who can do it, and they live in Beijing,” Bannon said on his “War Room” podcast this week. He added, “Let’s just go to Beijing and sit down with a guy who can actually make a deal — Xi — and enforce a deal.”

BEIRUT (AP) — Without warning on Wednesday, Israeli warplanes unleashed a devastating assault on central Beirut, tearing apart buildings and turning residential blocks into debris piles in neighborhoods that had previously remained untouched by the conflict.

Israeli military officials later stated that the Iran-supported Hezbollah organization had moved operations into civilian and business districts well beyond the militia’s traditional base in the capital’s southern areas, where the group’s distinctive yellow banners line the streets and Israeli evacuation notices have been posted for weeks.

Lebanese Health Ministry officials reported the assault claimed more than 300 lives and left over 1,800 people injured, with the majority of victims located in Beirut and surrounding southern communities. The casualties represent the highest single-day death toll during the five-week conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Wednesday’s military strikes targeted bustling shopping areas, densely packed residential zones, and affluent waterfront neighborhoods — locations that had previously felt insulated from the warfare, aside from the constant presence of Israeli surveillance drones and sporadic explosion sounds.

A devastating attack along Corniche al-Mazraa, one of the city’s major thoroughfares, demolished an apartment complex adjacent to a well-known dried fruit and nut vendor, igniting numerous parked vehicles with occupants still trapped inside.

In the hillside community of Tallet El Khayat, another blast leveled a multi-level structure near an exclusive shopping center — local residents confirmed that a celebrated Arabic poet and her spouse were among the fatalities.

The coastal Ain el Tineh area suffered another direct hit that destroyed an apartment complex housing an exotic plant store, located close to the parliamentary speaker’s home and facing the city’s sole public beach access.

Additional bombardments demolished residential units adjacent to a renowned confectionery in the mixed-use Mar Elias district, obliterated portions of a structure containing a snack bar and beauty salon in Caracas, destroyed ground-level floors of a building on Beirut’s waterfront boulevard, and created burning wreckage in the crowded Basta community near an educational facility housing displaced families — an attack that killed a young woman and her two children among others.

SAO PAULO — A leadership vacuum in Rio de Janeiro state continues to deepen after Brazil’s Supreme Court delayed a crucial ruling Thursday on how the region will choose its next governor, leaving the nation’s most famous state in administrative limbo for over three weeks.

The state has operated without permanent executive leadership since March 23, when Governor Cláudio Castro stepped down to pursue a Senate bid in October’s elections, following legal requirements. Potential successors have been unavailable to assume control, leaving urgent matters including law enforcement decisions, transportation issues, and fuel pricing without proper oversight.

Supreme Court Justice Flávio Dino requested additional time to review the case, which will determine whether Castro’s replacement serves through January via a special election or through selection by state legislators. Dino has up to three months to present his findings to the court.

Currently, the Supreme Court’s 10 justices favor legislative selection by a 4-1 margin.

Deputy Governor Thiago Pampolha would normally assume the role, but he resigned in 2025 to join a state oversight agency. State legislative speaker Rodrigo Bacellar was next in succession until his recent arrest and removal from office.

Ricardo Couto de Castro, who heads Rio’s state court system, now serves as interim governor. However, his temporary status has created difficulties in securing cooperation from other government officials, according to local news reports.

A permanently elected governor may not take office until January, as Rio residents were already scheduled to choose new leadership during October’s general elections.

Political consultant and former government minister Thomas Traumann described the ongoing crisis as both embarrassing and potentially dangerous for the state.

“Brazil’s government has just offered a deal to reduce diesel prices, which are high because of the conflict in the Middle East. Rio is one of the few that did not agree because there’s no one to authorize it. Now we will have Brazil’s most expensive diesel,” Traumann said. “And what if there’s violence from crime gangs tomorrow morning. Who is going to tell police to react?”

Local news outlets report that Rio’s judicial officials worry about potential delays in court proceedings as their leader manages state government duties indefinitely.

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and potential challenger to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in October’s elections, has advocated for state legislator Douglas Ruas to receive the governorship through legislative appointment.

Meanwhile, supporters of President Lula and his Rio gubernatorial candidate Eduardo Paes have called for a direct voter election to fill the position.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — In his inaugural interview with an American television network, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel firmly declared he will not resign from office, according to NBC News’ Meet the Press. A segment of the interview aired Thursday.

During the nearly five-minute preview of a longer interview set to broadcast Sunday, NBC journalist Kristen Welker questioned whether Díaz-Canel would consider resignation “if it meant saving Cuba.”

The Cuban leader responded by challenging the question itself, asking if she had ever posed such a query to other world leaders: “Is that a question from you, or is that coming from the State Department of the U.S. government?”

Díaz-Canel emphasized Cuba’s sovereignty, stating: “In Cuba, the people who are in leadership position are not elected by the U.S. government, and they don’t have a mandate from the U.S. government. We have a free sovereign state.”

The president explained his role stems from public service rather than personal gain, saying he assumed the presidency not from “personal ambition or corporate ambition or even a party ambition,” but through a mandate from citizens.

“If the Cuban people understand that I am not fit for office, that I have no reason to be here, then I should not be holding this position of president, I will respond to them,” he stated.

The interview occurs amid continued strain in U.S.-Cuba relations, though both nations have confirmed ongoing discussions without revealing specifics.

Díaz-Canel criticized what he termed America’s “hostile policy” toward his country, claiming the U.S. government has “no moral to demand anything from Cuba.”

He urged American recognition of how current policies have harmed Cuban citizens “and how much they have deprived the American people from a normal relationship with the Cuban people.”

The Cuban president expressed willingness for unconditional dialogue on any subject, “not demanding changes from our political system as we are not demanding change from the American system, about which we have a number of doubts.”

Cuba attributes its mounting economic challenges to what it calls a U.S. energy embargo, with fuel shortages impacting healthcare, public transit, and production of essential goods and services.

A Russian vessel delivered 730,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba in late March, representing the island’s first petroleum shipment in three months. Russia has committed to sending an additional tanker.

Although President Donald Trump’s administration threatened tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba in early January, officials permitted the Russian delivery to proceed.

“Cuba’s finished,” Trump commented at the time. “They have a bad regime. They have very bad and corrupt leadership and whether or not they get a boat of oil, it’s not going to matter.”

The island nation generates only 40% of its fuel requirements internally and lost crucial oil supplies from Venezuela following U.S. actions against that South American nation in early January, including the arrest of its former leader.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed concern over Iran’s plan to charge transit fees for ships using the Strait of Hormuz, warning that such measures could harm worldwide commerce and energy distribution, according to Reuters.

During an address to Italy’s lower parliamentary chamber, Meloni stated, “If Iran were to succeed in obtaining the authority to apply additional tariffs to transits through the Strait, this could still lead to economic consequences and shifts in trade flows.” She continued, “We are already working with the UK-led coalition for the Strait of Hormuz, which includes more than 30 countries, to try to build security conditions that allow for the full restoration of freedom of navigation and supply.”

Meloni’s comments come amid ongoing disruptions to shipping traffic through the strategic waterway following conflict with Iran. Warnings about potential closures and attacks on critical infrastructure have significantly decreased oil shipments through this vital international trade route.

While tensions have somewhat diminished since a ceasefire took effect on Wednesday, uncertainty continues and maritime operations have not yet resumed normal activity levels.

This narrow waterway serves as one of the planet’s most crucial energy transport channels, handling approximately 20% of daily global oil and natural gas shipments. Any interruption to vessel movement through the strait can rapidly impact international markets, pushing energy costs higher and creating supply chain difficulties.

Italy has indicated boundaries regarding its participation in naval security missions. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini announced on Wednesday that Italy would not send warships to patrol the region without United Nations approval.

The international coalition initiative seeks to create stable conditions in the waterway and maintain uninterrupted access for worldwide energy transportation, while governments continue monitoring developments after the ceasefire and evaluating possibilities of renewed conflict.

Iranian citizens are experiencing mixed emotions following a two-week halt in hostilities with the United States, as the temporary reprieve from feared military strikes comes alongside growing concerns about increased government oppression at home.

The truce announcement provided immediate comfort to Iranians who had been anticipating what many believed could be devastating U.S. military action. Citizens with limited internet connectivity had reportedly been sharing what they thought might be their final communications before President Donald Trump revealed an agreement to pursue diplomatic talks with Iran.

While the temporary peace has offered emotional comfort, it has done little to calm deeper worries about how the Iranian government treats its own people. Opposition leaders and activists express particular concern that authorities will exploit this period to intensify their crackdown on dissidents and accelerate executions of political detainees.

Abbas Khorsandi, who serves as secretary of the Free Democratic Party of Iran, expressed urgent alarm about the safety of political prisoners. “In the current extremely critical situation, we reiterate our grave concern for the lives of political prisoners in Iran,” he stated. Khorsandi emphasized that government oppression “has continued unabated,” with “consecutive executions persisting and claiming the lives of our young people.” He warned that during the ceasefire, officials are “deeply concerned about the prospect of this societal anger manifesting in concrete form in the streets.” “As a result,” he explained, “they are intensifying executions and continuing to endanger the lives of political prisoners.”

Anxiety extends to ordinary citizens still living within Iran’s borders. A Tehran-based artist known only as Goli shared her concerns with The Media Line, expressing fear that Iran’s leadership will exploit both conflict and peace to maintain heavy security presence in public areas. “What fills me with dread,” she explained, “is that the Islamic Republic may use the war and the ceasefire as a pretext to keep military forces on the streets and effectively maintain a state of martial law, so that any protests are met with live fire from the very outset.”

Some observers believe the real conflict lies not between Tehran and Washington, but between Iranian citizens and their own government. Amelia Assadi emphasized to The Media Line that “the central issue here is the conflict between the people of Iran and the Islamic Republic, not the war, ceasefire, or any peace arrangement between the regime and the United States.” She stressed that “the struggle between the people and the Islamic Republic will never come to an end.” Describing the government as fundamentally illegitimate, she argued that “a regime that, for more than 47 years, has not ceased killing, torture and executions can never establish legitimacy among the Iranian people and is ultimately destined to fall.”

The temporary peace follows 40 days of warfare that severely damaged Iran. Senior military and security officials were killed, while crucial economic and infrastructure sectors sustained major damage. Attacks targeted petrochemical plants, steel manufacturing facilities, and energy installations. The conflict claimed over 2,000 lives and destroyed tens of thousands of homes, creating widespread displacement. As citizens prepared for what President Trump had characterized as “hell” and “a return to the Stone Age,” major retailers had already begun increasing prices on essential items.

Despite the current ceasefire, Iran remains unstable. Public focus has shifted to political prisoners awaiting execution, mass arrests conducted during wartime, and the potential for renewed widespread civil unrest. Many view this calm period as temporary, with underlying tensions that could soon reignite into broader social upheaval against the Islamic Republic.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed his cabinet to pursue immediate direct discussions with Lebanon, with the primary objectives of dismantling Hezbollah and establishing a peaceful agreement between the nations.

Netanyahu shared on social media platform X that his decision came after “repeated calls” from Lebanon seeking negotiations. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had previously posted on X that the “only solution” involves a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, followed by “direct negotiations” between the countries. Aoun noted that Lebanese security forces have been “carrying out their work fully to enforce security, despite the difficult circumstances they are facing.”

Israeli sources informed Kan News that military actions against Hezbollah will persist throughout the negotiation period, including air strikes and ground operations. These military efforts would only decrease once agreements are secured regarding Hezbollah’s disarmament and protecting northern Israeli residents’ safety.

Kan News reported that an Israeli cabinet source indicated Lebanon must remove Hezbollah ministers from government positions as a trust-building step during discussions. Israeli leadership believes an agreement could be finalized before anticipated October elections, with talks proceeding amid ongoing conflict while addressing border disputes.

This diplomatic effort follows Wednesday’s ceasefire announcement between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other. After that ceasefire was declared, Israel initiated extensive operations targeting Hezbollah. President Donald Trump clarified that Lebanon was excluded from the truce agreement, while Iran cautioned that ongoing strikes in Lebanon might threaten the ceasefire arrangement.

Pakistani officials have implemented comprehensive security protocols throughout Islamabad as the nation prepares to host critical diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran beginning April 10.

The capital city’s administration has announced a two-day closure of government offices on Thursday and Friday to accommodate the high-profile negotiations, which come after Pakistan successfully mediated a two-week ceasefire between the two nations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended invitations to both countries for direct diplomatic engagement in hopes of establishing a lasting peace agreement.

Representatives from Washington and Tehran have both verified their participation in the Pakistan-hosted negotiations.

President Donald Trump has designated Vice President JD Vance, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner to represent American interests during the discussions.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister announced that their delegation will be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf for the Islamabad meetings.

Extensive protective measures have been established throughout the city’s governmental Red Zone, major administrative buildings, diplomatic quarters, and all transportation access points.

Security forces including police and Rangers have increased their presence across the capital, with the Army’s rapid response units standing by for deployment.

An Interior Ministry official informed The Media Line that military forces will assume control of the Red Zone’s security, supported by Rangers and police personnel stationed throughout the area.

Negotiation participants will stay at a luxury hotel situated within the secured Red Zone perimeter.

Security sources report that a US Air Force C-130 transport plane delivered an advance security and tactical team to Nur Khan Air Base on Thursday afternoon.

Officials told The Media Line that US Secret Service and CIA personnel have also arrived in Islamabad to evaluate security protocols and prepare the venue for the American delegation.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with US Ambassador Natalie Baker on Thursday for extensive discussions regarding Middle East developments and logistical preparations for the Islamabad negotiations. Naqvi stated that a thorough security strategy has been established to ensure complete protection for all international visitors.

Prior to the US-Iran discussions, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conducted a significant meeting Thursday afternoon with Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. A statement from the prime minister’s office indicated their conversation centered on ceasefire developments and related issues as Pakistan prepares to facilitate negotiations between the United States and Iran.

As this latest round of diplomatic engagement approaches, underlying mistrust between the two nations remains evident. Throughout the previous year, they have attempted negotiations on two separate occasions, with both efforts disrupted by renewed conflict before achieving meaningful progress.

Independence advocates in Alberta say recent political shifts positioning Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for a potential parliamentary majority are fueling their movement to break away from Canada.

Organizers collecting signatures across the western Canadian province for a citizen-initiated independence referendum report increased public backing following Wednesday’s party switch by longtime Conservative member Marilyn Gladu to Carney’s Liberal party.

“We’ve had thousands of signatures since then,” Jeff Rath, spokesperson for the Alberta Prosperity Project independence group, stated during a Thursday interview.

“Mark Carney himself has been the biggest help to the Alberta independence movement,” Rath added.

While Alberta’s election officials have not confirmed signature totals, Rath claims the citizen petition has already surpassed the roughly 177,000 signatures required under provincial law to initiate an October separation referendum.

Carney’s office has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Gladu represents the fourth Conservative lawmaker to switch to the Liberals since November. Carney could achieve a House of Commons majority as early as Monday if his party captures at least one seat in three upcoming special elections. Such a majority would strengthen the prime minister’s ability to advance his legislative priorities.

The most recent defection has sparked significant anger among Conservative supporters. In oil-rich Alberta, which typically votes conservative, many residents feel abandoned by these party switches and fear a Liberal majority government would harm provincial interests, according to Rath.

Social media posts from separatist supporters also suggest the defections could drive additional independence backing.

“If more conservative floor crossers come forward, winning a referendum becomes very hard to stop,” read one social media post on platform X, which independence activist Keith Wilson shared Thursday.

The separatist movement has expanded outreach efforts to the United States to gauge American reactions to potential Alberta independence, Rath noted.

Wilson recently appeared on conservative media host Glenn Beck’s show, with Beck expressing support for the independence cause.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk also seemed to back Alberta separatism this week, responding “Yeah” on X to an independence supporter’s claim that leaving Canada represents the only path to saving the country.

Rath characterized Musk as a “big supporter” of the movement.

The separatist groups face a May 2 deadline to file their petition with Elections Alberta.

Public opinion surveys consistently indicate separation support remains limited in Alberta. A recent poll conducted before Gladu’s defection showed 27% of decided voters would support independence.

A wedding celebration in Sudan’s North Darfur region turned tragic when a drone attack killed at least 30 civilians, including women and children, United Nations officials announced Thursday.

The deadly strike occurred during a wedding ceremony in the town of Kutum, according to Stéphane Dujarric, who serves as spokesperson for the U.N. secretary-general, during his Thursday briefing.

This attack represents another escalation in the growing use of drone warfare between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, groups that have been engaged in conflict since April 2023. The ongoing war has claimed more than 40,000 lives based on U.N. data, though aid organizations believe the actual death toll may be significantly higher.

Local advocacy groups, including the Emergency Lawyers and Resistance Committees in el-Fasher, issued statements Thursday via social media pointing to the Sudanese Armed Forces as responsible for Wednesday’s attack.

“We condemn this and all attacks against civilians. Attacks using drones against civilians and civilian objects are unacceptable,” Dujarric stated regarding the incident.

Military officials have not yet responded to requests for comment about the attack.

According to the Emergency Lawyers, there has been a “recurring pattern” of drone strikes by both warring factions since March across multiple provinces including South Kordofan, Blue Nile, East, Central and South Darfur, forcing additional civilian displacement.

Just last week, another drone assault targeted a medical facility in the country’s south-central region, resulting in at least 10 deaths. The international medical organization Doctors Without Borders, known as MSF, reported that the RSF conducted two drone attacks on al-Jabalain Hospital in White Nile province, striking both an operating room and maternity unit.

“MSF is outraged by these repeated attacks on health care, which have escalated dangerously in recent weeks,” stated Esperanza Santos, MSF’s emergency operations chief for Sudan. “Health facilities, medical staff and patients must always be protected. We call on RSF and SAF to immediately stop this spiral of violence against medical facilities.”

The increase in drone attacks throughout Sudan’s Kordofan region has created mounting casualties among civilians while also disrupting humanitarian aid efforts, according to analysts and relief workers.

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan legislators enacted comprehensive mining legislation Thursday as the nation attempts to draw cautious international investors to an industry previously controlled by criminal organizations with government connections.

The legislative action represents the most recent policy initiative by acting President Delcy Rodríguez following increased pressure from the Trump administration, which resulted in the U.S. military removing former President Nicolás Maduro from power in January after 26 years of socialist governance.

The comprehensive legislation must now face constitutional review by Venezuela’s highest court before implementation.

The new law governs mineral extraction rights, creates classifications for small, medium, and large mining operations, and permits independent dispute arbitration — a provision international investors consider essential protection against government asset seizures. Additionally, the legislation prohibits top officials including the president, vice president, cabinet members, and governors from obtaining mining permits.

National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez described the legislation as a “vehicle for the construction of future prosperity” and an “instrument that protects” mining workers throughout Venezuela following its passage.

The vote occurred one day after the acting president requested patience from public and private employees, whose salaries have long been insufficient to purchase basic goods, while her administration addresses economic challenges. She pledged a wage adjustment for May 1 without revealing specific amounts.

While workers demonstrated for improved compensation in Caracas on Thursday, Delcy Rodríguez departed for Grenada on her inaugural international visit as acting president.

Twenty years ago, numerous international companies in Venezuela’s mining and petroleum industries experienced government asset confiscation. Nevertheless, as essential oil income declined, Maduro’s administration established a mining development area in 2016 covering more than 10% of Venezuelan territory across the nation’s central region.

Mining activities for gold, diamonds, copper, and additional minerals have expanded significantly since that designation. Many operations remain informal and unlicensed, functioning under harsh conditions with criminal organization involvement.

Murder, human trafficking, fuel smuggling, and additional criminal activities occur regularly in mining regions, yet ordinary Venezuelans continue migrating there seeking quick wealth and poverty escape.

Government officials and military personnel receive portions of illegal mining profits in exchange for permitting mine operations.

“The mining and subsequent sale of gold has proven to be a lucrative financial scheme for some well-connected Venezuelans and senior officers within the National Bolivarian Armed Forces, which profits from charging criminal organizations for access and inputs, such as fuel,” according to a U.S. State Department congressional report from last year.

“The estimated market value of gold mined in Venezuela is difficult to confirm, but well-respected sources estimate that it averaged $2.2 billion annually over the past five years.”

The recently enacted legislation establishes royalty payments and taxation while limiting mining permits to 30-year terms with renewal options. The law also creates imprisonment penalties for illegal activity participants and environmental damage causes, while authorizing confiscation of illegally extracted minerals.

Venezuelan legislators officially appointed Larry Devoe to serve as the nation’s attorney general during a Thursday session of the National Assembly. Devoe, who maintains close ties with interim President Delcy Rodriguez, received overwhelming support for the permanent position.

The 46-year-old official had been fulfilling the role temporarily since February, when former attorney general Tarek Saab stepped down from his long-held position. Prior to his current role, Devoe led the National Council of Human Rights in the South American country.

Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodriguez, who is the acting president’s brother, announced that a legislative panel had reviewed more than 70 potential nominees before recommending Devoe for the post. The final vote tally showed 275 lawmakers supporting his appointment.

The opposition put forward their own candidate, with lawmaker Henrique Capriles backing longtime legal scholar Magaly Vasquez, who garnered 10 votes in the final count.

BEIRUT (AP) — At exactly 2:14 p.m., the initial explosion struck, creating a thunderous crash that sounded like a massive truck collision right outside our newsroom. An Israeli airstrike had targeted a location in the immediate vicinity.

Almost immediately, columns of smoke began ascending throughout Beirut’s horizon — from the waterfront promenade to the city’s most congested crossroads, emerging from both affluent districts and impoverished areas. The explosions continued relentlessly. We gave up tracking them. A colleague rushed upstairs from the lower floor, her complexion pale and mouth quivering.

Throughout my decade of residence in Beirut, Lebanon’s capital has endured multiple waves of Israeli bombardments, the explosive device attacks on Hezbollah operatives, and the catastrophic harbor blast of 2020. However, Wednesday marked the first occasion when the entire city seemed paralyzed with shock.

Within a 10-minute timeframe, Israeli forces claim they struck 100 locations throughout Lebanon. The majority were concentrated in Beirut. The death toll exceeded 300 individuals, with more than 100 being women, children, and senior citizens. Evening news programs compared it to the darkest periods of Israel’s 1982 Beirut invasion — specifically that August when approximately 300 people perished during roughly 10 hours of continuous shelling.

Prior to Wednesday’s assault, numerous Lebanese citizens had anticipated that a ceasefire declaration made earlier regarding the Iran conflict would halt the ongoing month-long hostilities between Israel and the Iranian-supported militant organization Hezbollah.

The specific targets remain unclear. Israeli officials stated they attacked Hezbollah command facilities, though they only confirmed eliminating one assistant to the organization’s leader.

As explosions continued, frightened residents became trapped in gridlock while rushing home to relocate their families, uncertain of Israel’s next target. Others frantically attempted calls through overloaded phone systems, searching for family members or shouting at relatives to evacuate immediately. Bewildered motorists gazed at the thick black and white smoke clouds engulfing the city, attempting to identify safe routes.

Within the affected zones, chaos reached extreme levels. Residents’ faces were blackened with debris. At Corniche al-Mazraa, one of Beirut’s major intersections, an Associated Press photographer witnessed burned vehicles stacked upon each other. One contained a crushed victim.

On Mar Elias, a primary commercial avenue, an explosion created dust clouds and wreckage that obscured an entire city block. Across the road, Sahar Charara remained hidden in her residence.

Following the 2020 port disaster that caused minor injuries to her two children, Charara has attempted to shield herself from witnessing violence victims — reflecting how years of accumulated trauma have affected Lebanese citizens. However, when the debris settled, she glanced outside and witnessed the anguish of an entire city reflected in an elderly woman who stood motionless, screaming continuously.

“There were so much horror and fear in her screaming,” said Charara.

When Charara emerged from her residence an hour afterward, she briefly spoke with her neighbor whose business was demolished. The woman’s expression showed a “blank look of horror,” Charara said.

She discovered later from her building’s security guard that another resident had fallen from their balcony and died upon impact.

Several hundred meters west of Charara’s location, drivers maneuvered erratically while attempting to flee Tallet al-Khayyat, one of Beirut’s elevated areas featuring some of the city’s most prestigious residential buildings. One structure disintegrated instantly after an Israeli bomb struck; a resident reported hearing the building’s foundation grinding before collapse.

An attack occurred near Nahida Khalil’s residence, close to the waterfront. She then noticed smoke rising from her brother’s building further down the road.

The following 15 minutes seemed endless as she attempted to contact her brother without success. Eventually, his wife answered, screaming that their building was struck. They had searched through black smoke filling their home to locate their three children. Upon reaching the street, they discovered half their building was destroyed, with the remaining portion slowly collapsing as emergency workers searched for survivors.

“I lived through all the wars since 1975. I never felt this fear,” said Khalil, who has lived in the same building for decades. “These strikes are meant to terrorize … and to spoil the ceasefire and cause division” between Lebanese.

By evening, residents continued evaluating damage and casualties while determining safe locations. Some families slept in separate rooms, reasoning that if overnight attacks occurred, some family members might survive.

Emergency operations continued throughout the night.

At Khalil’s family building in the Ain Mreisseh area, rescue teams received encouragement after discovering a 92-year-old man alive. However, by Thursday morning, they continued searching for four or five additional victims, they informed the AP. A man whose 23-year-old daughter remained missing stood atop the debris pile assisting in the search.

At medical facilities, personnel continued attempting to identify numerous bodies.

The final attack occurred just past midnight, targeting Beirut’s southern outskirts, which have faced regular bombardment during the conflict. Mohammed Mehdi’s barbershop, operating for three decades, was destroyed.

During the current conflict, he and his family abandoned their home in the Chiyah neighborhood, now sleeping in a dental office near Khalil’s family building. Despite this, he maintained his barbershop operations, visiting daily to meet friends, drink coffee, and occasionally cut hair. He closed Wednesday as explosions began across the city.

“They carried out 100 strikes. Ours was the 101st,” he said Thursday. He is mourning Lebanon’s dead from the day. “I am still in shock, and I don’t know where things are going. I lost my job and this loss may last for a while.”

TABRIZ, Iran (AP) — Following a five-day journalism assignment in Iran’s capital, an Associated Press photography team embarked on an extensive road trip toward Turkey’s border. The nearly half-day journey captured glimpses of daily Iranian life through vehicle windows, documenting moments defined by travel and geographic diversity.

The visual narrative traces the photographers’ path using highway designations, starting with Highway 2 departing Tehran and progressing through Routes 16, 24, and 32. Their cameras captured herders guiding flocks of goats and sheep, commercial trucks in transit, a wandering stray dog, and the rhythm of roadside commerce. In Tabriz, they photographed a vendor creating cotton candy, while other stops revealed a baker at work and merchants selling fresh produce, meals and warm beverages. Near Golshahr, they documented a hotel worker maintaining spotless hallway floors.

Throughout the expedition, dramatic terrain unfolded under expansive azure skies dotted with brilliant white clouds and darker formations drifting overhead.

The photographic documentation concludes at the Razi–Kapıköy international crossing, where both the highway and narrative transition once again.

The collection represents a curated selection by Associated Press photography editors.

Vladimir Putin announced Thursday that Russian military forces will halt operations in Ukraine for 32 hours during the Orthodox Easter holiday weekend, responding to an earlier request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to pause some fighting during the religious observance.

The Russian leader’s order, issued through the Kremlin, directs all forces to stop combat activities beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday through the end of Sunday.

Earlier this week, Zelenskyy had suggested both nations refrain from attacking energy infrastructure during the holiday period, making his proposal through United States mediators who have been facilitating discussions between Moscow and Kyiv representatives as the invasion enters its fifth year.

Ukrainian officials had not responded publicly to Putin’s ceasefire declaration as of Thursday evening.

Past ceasefire attempts have yielded minimal results. Putin announced a similar 30-hour pause last Easter, though both nations later blamed each other for violating the temporary truce.

The official Kremlin announcement stated that “orders have been issued for this period to cease hostilities in all directions,” while noting that “troops are to be prepared to counter any possible provocations by the enemy, as well as any aggressive actions.”

“We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow the example of the Russian Federation,” the statement added.

Moscow has turned down a 30-day unconditional ceasefire that the United States and Ukraine proposed last year as a pathway to peace negotiations, demanding instead a complete resolution agreement while continuing to announce brief, one-sided truces.

The American-facilitated discussions have stalled on major issues, with Washington’s focus shifting toward Middle Eastern conflicts as Russian and Ukrainian forces continue fighting along an approximately 800-mile battle line.

BEIRUT (AP) — The current hostilities between Israel and Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah represent merely the most recent chapter in a bitter rivalry spanning more than four decades. This antagonistic relationship has been marked by episodes of intense combat and full-scale warfare, interrupted by periods of fragile peace.

Below are key moments that have defined this long-standing confrontation:

1982: Israeli forces launch a major incursion into Lebanon, targeting the Palestinian Liberation Organization and its allies. During this period, Hezbollah emerges with support from Iran, modeled after Iran’s Islamic Revolution, specifically to resist Israel’s subsequent occupation of southern Lebanon. The group begins conducting guerrilla operations against Israeli forces.

1992: Israeli helicopter gunships kill Hezbollah commander Abbas Mousawi. Hassan Nasrallah takes over leadership of the organization, a position he would hold for the following thirty years.

1996: Israeli forces conduct a major operation designed to force Hezbollah forces north beyond the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border. Israeli artillery fire strikes a United Nations facility sheltering hundreds of displaced civilians in Qana, resulting in at least 100 civilian deaths and injuring many more.

2000: Following an extended campaign of attrition, Israeli troops complete their withdrawal from southern Lebanon. This development is celebrated throughout the Arab world as a significant triumph for Hezbollah.

2006: Hezbollah militants conduct a cross-border operation, ambushing an Israeli military patrol and killing three soldiers while capturing two others, triggering a month-long conflict between the two sides that concludes without a clear victor. Israeli bombing campaigns devastate villages and residential areas in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern neighborhoods, employing a comprehensive destruction strategy later termed the “Dahiyeh Doctrine.”

2008: Imad Mughniyeh, serving as Hezbollah’s top military commander, dies when an explosive device detonates in his vehicle in Damascus. Israeli intelligence is suspected of orchestrating the killing.

2012: Hezbollah joins the Syrian conflict, backing President Bashar Assad’s government. Subsequently, Israel begins conducting periodic air operations in Syria, targeting Iranian and Hezbollah installations, personnel, and weapons transfers allegedly destined for Hezbollah. During this timeframe, Israel refrains from conducting operations against Hezbollah within Lebanese borders.

OCT. 8, 2023: Following Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel that trigger the Gaza conflict, Hezbollah launches rocket attacks across the Israeli border. Israel retaliates with aerial bombardments and artillery fire, initiating a limited conflict that initially remains concentrated along the border region.

SEPT. 17, 2024: Israel executes an operation in Lebanon involving remotely-detonated explosive devices concealed in pagers distributed to Hezbollah operatives and civilian staff. The following day, a comparable attack involves walkie-talkie devices. These operations result in dozens of fatalities and thousands of injuries, primarily affecting Hezbollah personnel but also harming women and children.

SEPT. 27, 2024: Hassan Nasrallah perishes in extensive Israeli airstrikes targeting Beirut’s southern districts.

NOV. 27, 2024: A ceasefire arrangement mediated by the United States formally concludes the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Israel maintains regular military operations in Lebanon, claiming these actions prevent Hezbollah from reconstituting its capabilities.

MARCH 2, 2025: Following joint Israeli and American attacks on Iran two days earlier that sparked broader Middle Eastern warfare, Hezbollah fires missiles at Israeli targets. The group states this bombardment responds to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and “ongoing Israeli violations” in Lebanon.

CARACAS, Venezuela — Law enforcement officers formed blockades throughout Venezuela’s capital city Thursday as labor union representatives, retired workers and government employees attempted to reach the presidential residence demanding improved salaries and retirement benefits.

The demonstration took place just one day after acting President Delcy Rodríguez appeared on state television requesting patience from both government and private sector employees while her administration addresses the nation’s economic challenges.

For several years, employee compensation has fallen far short of covering essential living expenses. Government workers typically earn approximately $160 monthly, while private sector employees averaged around $237 annually.

Law enforcement personnel positioned themselves throughout central Caracas early Thursday morning to prevent the demonstration from advancing. Protesters managed to push through several initial roadblocks multiple times. However, strengthened police barriers ultimately stopped the crowd approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away from the Miraflores presidential compound.

Authorities reported no immediate casualties or detentions resulting from confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators.

During her televised statement, Rodríguez pledged salary improvements beginning May 1. While she did not specify exact amounts, she indicated the adjustments would be structured to prevent the economic inflation that occurred following previous minimum wage modifications.

The country’s current minimum wage stands at 130 bolivars, equivalent to $0.27 monthly, unchanged since 2022. This amount falls significantly below the United Nations’ extreme poverty threshold of $3 daily.

“This increase, as we have indicated, will be a responsible increase,” Rodríguez said. “Likewise in the near future, as Venezuela enjoys more resources that allow for the sustainability of salary improvements and workers’ income, we will continue moving forward on this path.”