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Dutch authorities announced Tuesday they will prevent the acquisition of a critical cloud computing firm by an American technology company, citing national security risks.

The Netherlands will block US-based software firm Kyndryl from purchasing Solvinity, a Dutch cloud services provider that operates the country’s essential DigiD digital identity platform. Citizens rely on this system to interact with government agencies and access personal medical, insurance, and tax records.

Junior Economic Affairs Minister Willemijn Aerdts informed parliament in a written statement that government officials determined the proposed acquisition could threaten public interests. The decision follows implementation of legislation aimed at limiting foreign oversight of telecommunications infrastructure.

Parliamentary representatives had expressed concerns that allowing Kyndryl to complete the purchase might enable US authorities to gain access to all data managed by Solvinity’s systems.

Officials from the Economic Affairs ministry indicated they are currently coordinating with Solvinity and its existing ownership to determine how to proceed following this ruling.

South Africa’s president has taken legal action to overturn a panel’s determination that he potentially engaged in misconduct connected to a controversy involving stolen cash hidden in furniture at his property, according to broadcaster eNCA’s Tuesday report.

The president is seeking to have the 2022 finding that he possibly breached the constitution thrown out, contending the report relied on secondhand information and the panel exceeded its authority, eNCA reported, referencing court documents.

Vincent Magwenya, the president’s spokesperson, has not yet responded to requests for comment from Reuters.

The president, who has held office since 2018, has consistently maintained his innocence regarding the controversy that local news outlets have nicknamed “Farmgate.”

The incident sparked concerns about the president’s acquisition of the $580,000 in cash that he claimed was taken from his property in 2020, questions about proper declaration procedures, and why the money was concealed in furniture instead of being placed in a banking institution.

Before entering politics, the president worked as a successful businessman and explained the funds represented earnings from buffalo sales. A central bank review determined he had not broken exchange control rules.

The controversy has created significant political difficulties for the leader, who assumed power promising to combat corruption and restore the reputation of his African National Congress (ANC) party.

In 2022, ANC legislators prevented impeachment actions against the president, but the constitutional court ruled this month that the parliamentary decision was illegitimate and the accusations warrant additional investigation.

The 73-year-old president has stated he accepts the court’s decision and has resisted pressure from political opponents calling for his resignation.

His current term extends until 2029, and political experts believe he will likely survive any parliamentary impeachment vote.

The ANC reaffirmed its backing for the president this month, improving his prospects of surviving any renewed impeachment attempts.

Any impeachment would need approval from two-thirds of parliament, and despite the ANC losing its parliamentary majority in the 2024 election, the party maintains approximately 40% of National Assembly seats.

Federal authorities in Belgium reported Tuesday that multiple individuals sustained injuries when a train struck a minibus transporting children at a railroad crossing in the northern part of the country.

The collision occurred at a railway crossing close to Buggenhout, situated approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of Brussels, the nation’s capital. Authorities have not yet released specific information about how the incident developed.

Federal police confirmed that “several people” sustained injuries in the collision, though they stated they cannot release additional specifics at this time. A Belgian private television network, VTM, reported that multiple fatalities occurred in the incident.

Officials said that prosecutors along with forensic investigators and transportation specialists were expected to arrive at the location.

Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin posted on social media expressing “great sadness” regarding “the tragic accident in Buggenhout, where a school bus was struck by a train. My thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones.”

Ukrainian air force officials reported Tuesday that Russia launched more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles targeting Ukraine during overnight attacks, while Moscow issued warnings of intensified strikes on the capital city.

Moscow on Monday advised foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel to quickly evacuate the Ukrainian capital and warned civilians to avoid military and government buildings. Russian officials stated they were preparing “systemic strikes” against Kyiv.

According to a foreign ministry statement, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov contacted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio by telephone Monday, urging America to withdraw its diplomatic personnel from Kyiv. While Rubio did not indicate whether the State Department would follow that recommendation, he expressed concerns during his India visit that the “terrible” conflict in Ukraine might intensify.

The Trump administration has spent more than a year attempting to end the hostilities that began following Russia’s February 2022 invasion. However, these diplomatic efforts have produced no major breakthroughs and are currently suspended as Washington concentrates on the Iran war.

No diplomatic missions announced plans to depart from Kyiv. The European Union, French and Polish delegations publicly declared their intention to remain.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry issued a statement late Monday asserting that security threats from Russia against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities “remains the same as in previous years and months.”

The ministry emphasized that Russia has consistently conducted missile and drone strikes against the capital for over four years, while noting Ukraine stands ready to help diplomatic missions requiring enhanced security measures.

Moscow characterized its largest missile assault of the year last weekend as retaliation for Friday’s fatal Ukrainian drone attack on what Russia described as a college dormitory in Starobilsk, located in Ukraine’s Russia-controlled Luhansk region.

However, the Ukrainian General Staff stated that its Starobilsk strike targeted the regional headquarters of the Russian military’s specialized drone unit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy observed that advanced American-manufactured air defense systems needed by Ukraine to counter Russian ballistic missiles are scarce because of the Iran war.

“Unfortunately, there has been no progress for a long time with America on expanding the production of anti-ballistic capabilities,” Zelenskyy posted on social media late Monday, noting that Kyiv is collaborating with Europe to develop sufficient anti-ballistic defenses.

He highlighted that Ukrainian military successes in recent months have allowed the country to “stabilize” the 1,250-kilometer (780-mile) front line across eastern and southern Ukraine, indicating Kyiv’s forces are maintaining their position against Russia’s larger military.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russia’s spring offensive is struggling as Ukraine’s medium-range drone attacks disrupt Moscow’s rear supply operations.

The Washington-based think tank stated late Monday that Moscow’s threats of major strikes are designed to divert public focus from its “poor battlefield performance” and economic strain from war expenses and international sanctions.

A century-old private club in India’s capital faces potential closure after government officials demanded it abandon the prestigious location it has called home since British colonial times, setting off a court fight and public discussion about privilege among India’s wealthy elite.

The Delhi Gymkhana Club has operated continuously since 1913 on a sprawling property adjacent to where the prime minister lives in central New Delhi. The facility features an expansive complex of elegant buildings and perfectly maintained grounds, complete with teakwood furnishings, leather seating, and large artwork adorning the walls.

While the organization and government officials have previously disagreed over how the club is run, authorities issued a notice last Friday demanding return of the leased property, pointing to security concerns and infrastructure requirements.

Through a legal filing exceeding 900 pages that Reuters reviewed, a coalition of club members and staff petitioned the Delhi High Court to stop the action while their legal challenge proceeds.

According to court documents Reuters examined, the government seeks to “illegally gain possession of a hundred-year-old institution in a period of 15 days.”

During Tuesday’s court session, the club’s legal representative asked the judge to block authorities from taking forceful measures, while government attorneys stated no removal would occur without proper procedures. The judge scheduled the next hearing for July.

The exclusive venue serves as a gathering place for high-ranking government workers, military leaders, and influential corporate executives, with membership waiting periods extending over three decades. The Delhi Gymkhana Club has also been the setting for elaborate celebrations, including wedding parties for children of the capital’s wealthy families.

The private facility provides recreational amenities such as an indoor pool and tennis courts with both clay and grass surfaces. Multiple dining establishments and bars operate within the club, which maintains strict clothing requirements that prohibit round-neck T-shirts.

The organization relocated to its present 27-acre location two years following Britain’s designation of New Delhi as India’s capital city.

The conflict with government officials has generated discussion across social media platforms and television broadcasts, with some critics questioning whether such exclusive organizations should exist on subsidized government property, while supporters argue the club provides important cultural and recreational value.

“If ‘elite privilege’ is suddenly the issue . . . why not also question sprawling ministerial residences, endless VIP (very important person) convoys, private aircraft and the entire ecosystem of taxpayer-funded political privilege?” one user wrote on X.

The dismissal of Senegal’s prime minister by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has injected new momentum into long-stalled negotiations to address West Africa’s most severe debt crisis, though the move brings both opportunities and fresh uncertainties.

Faye’s decision Friday to remove Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a vocal opponent of International Monetary Fund policies, could eliminate a key barrier to reaching an IMF agreement. However, financial experts and investors warn that the political upheaval may create new challenges for the ongoing discussions and increase risks for those holding Senegalese bonds.

“The removal of PM Sonko creates additional political uncertainty,” explained Thalia Petousis, portfolio manager at Allan Gray. “There is also a chance that a newly appointed PM might be in favour of a deep debt restructuring, increasing the probability of a negative outcome for Senegalese bondholders.”

On Monday evening, Faye appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, an experienced economist and former regional central bank official, to take over from the populist Sonko.

Financial markets responded negatively Tuesday, with Senegal’s foreign currency government bonds dropping significantly – falling as much as 5.7 cents on the euro and nearly 4 cents on the dollar, according to Tradeweb data.

Morgan Stanley noted Tuesday that investors were now calculating higher chances of a restructuring following recent developments.

Petousis cautioned that if foreign-currency debt underwent restructuring while local currency debt remained untouched, “the risks are that realised haircuts could be steeper than what is currently priced.”

Over the past three months, Senegalese dollar-denominated bonds have generated losses of 9.7% for investors, contrasting sharply with the 0.1% average return of comparable securities in the JPM EMBI Global Diversified Africa index. Bonds maturing in May 2033 were trading around 50.6 cents on the dollar, reaching historic lows.

Senegal has been pursuing intermittent discussions to secure a new IMF agreement since the Fund suspended a $1.8 billion program in 2024 after discovering previously undisclosed debt that pushed the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio beyond 130%.

The nation is essentially shut out of international capital markets and faces mounting challenges in controlling escalating fuel subsidy costs. Investors are becoming increasingly concerned about the government’s capacity to meet its debt obligations.

Earlier this month, President Faye’s office announced he was assuming direct control of Senegal’s debt portfolio. Cheikh Diba, who served as finance minister until Friday, indicated that IMF discussions would restart during the week of June 8, with a potential agreement on a new program’s framework possible by late June.

In one of his final actions as prime minister, Sonko, who had previously advocated against debt restructuring pressure, criticized the IMF Friday before lawmakers, declaring it had “never developed a country” and arguing Senegal should depend more on domestic resources rather than foreign lenders.

Despite losing his prime ministerial position, Sonko is expected to maintain significant political influence. His party continues to control the National Assembly and plans to meet Tuesday to “reintegrate” him as a legislator.

The sudden resignation of the National Assembly speaker Sunday has sparked rumors that Sonko might assume that position, which would preserve his ability to influence Senegal’s future relationship with the Fund.

Previous government timelines for IMF agreements have proven overly ambitious, with officials initially projecting a program would be established last year.

Responding to emailed inquiries, the IMF told Reuters it was monitoring Senegalese developments closely and anticipated working with the new administration.

“The timing of IMF staff’s next visit to Dakar will be guided by the availability and readiness of the incoming authorities,” the organization stated.

Fuel subsidies will likely dominate future negotiations when talks resume.

Senegal had allocated 250 billion CFA francs ($446.03 million) for subsidies this year before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February, triggering a conflict that drove oil prices higher.

Former Finance Minister Diba warned Friday that subsidy costs could surpass the 2026 budget by 1.39 trillion CFA francs – approximately $2 billion – should oil prices reach $115 per barrel.

However, Sonko had rejected a proposal to increase fuel prices, Diba informed parliament.

Barclays analyst Michael Kafe wrote that it “seems unlikely that the IMF would sign an agreement with Senegal that would not include the removal of the country’s expensive fuel subsidies.”

Should Sonko become parliament speaker, Kafe added, this could create conditions for future confrontations between executive and legislative branches.

“In many countries, energy prices are incredibly politically sensitive and thus governments will be tempted to alleviate price pressure,” observed Nicholas Sauer, portfolio manager at Robeco.

“There is indeed a long history of inflation-inspired social unrest that can eventually topple governments.”

A Lithuanian communications official reports that Russia has significantly expanded its capability to disrupt GPS signals across large portions of Europe, with interference now extending up to 280 miles from Russian territory.

According to Darius Kuliesius, deputy head of Lithuania’s communications regulator, Russia has dramatically increased its GPS “spoofing” equipment in the Kaliningrad region from just three antennas in early 2025 to 36 currently operating. These devices transmit false location data designed to confuse navigation systems.

The equipment operates from Kaliningrad, a heavily fortified Russian territory located between NATO members Lithuania and Poland along the Baltic Sea.

“The occasional interference began with the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius. Now they have built up the infrastructure and the interference has become systemic, permanent, unending Russian provocation against European security,” Kuliesius stated.

Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, European countries have repeatedly alleged electronic interference from Moscow, though President Vladimir Putin’s administration rejects these claims, attributing them to Western smear campaigns.

The Russian embassy in Lithuania’s capital Vilnius did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment, though Moscow has consistently denied similar allegations previously.

Lithuanian regulatory data shows the GPS disruption potentially affects Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, most of Poland, portions of Finland, Sweden, Belarus, and Baltic Sea waters within the 280-mile range.

Several high-profile incidents have occurred, including GPS interference experienced by a Spanish military aircraft carrying Defence Minister Margarita Robles near Kaliningrad, and jamming of a plane transporting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen while traveling to Bulgaria.

Both Estonia and Finland have also attributed GPS navigation disruptions in regional airspace to Russian interference.

Despite these disruptions, most commercial aircraft and major airports maintain multiple navigation backup systems when GPS becomes unreliable.

Kuliesius noted that mobile phone service quality near Kaliningrad suffers due to frequency interference, with notable increases during Ukrainian drone operations against Russia.

“Online bus schedules in Klaipeda stop working during the spikes, because they rely on tracking buses by GPS,” he explained, referencing a community located 30 miles from the Kaliningrad border.

A deadly Israeli military strike targeted a village in eastern Lebanon, claiming 12 lives according to state media reports released Tuesday. Israeli officials confirmed the deployment of additional military personnel to the region.

The attack occurred late Monday in Mashghara, located in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported.

The strike followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement authorizing more aggressive military operations against the Hezbollah militant organization throughout Lebanon. While Israeli military forces did not provide details about this specific attack, they confirmed Monday that operations were focused on Hezbollah facilities in eastern Lebanon.

A security official from Israel, speaking anonymously due to protocol requirements, confirmed that military leadership had deployed an additional battalion to Lebanon.

Emergency response teams recovered a dozen bodies from debris after a series of overnight bombardments struck multiple areas across southern and eastern Lebanon.

The escalated military action occurs just three days before scheduled direct negotiations between Lebanese and Israeli military representatives in Washington.

Hezbollah forces continue their offensive against Israeli military units in southern Lebanon and northern Israeli communities, pledging to maintain combat operations until Israel ceases daily bombardments and removes military forces from Lebanese territory.

In recent weeks, Hezbollah has claimed success using advanced fiber-optic drone technology that Israeli forces have found difficult to counter, successfully targeting both military personnel and northern border communities.

Israel has revised its security protocols for northern regions in response to current developments, advising residents to avoid large gatherings.

“What this requires of us now is to increase the blows, to increase the intensity. We will smite them hip and thigh,” Netanyahu said in a video posted on social media Monday ahead of the strikes.

Lebanese government officials express hope that upcoming direct negotiations with Israel, which Hezbollah opposes, will result in a ceasefire agreement.

More than one million Lebanese residents have been forced from their homes due to the conflict, which began when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel on March 2 in solidarity with Iran.

Lebanese Health Ministry statistics show 3,185 people in Lebanon have died from Israeli strikes since fighting began, with over 9,600 additional casualties reported as wounded.

The increased military operations have raised concerns throughout Lebanon about the possibility of expanded warfare, leaving the capital vulnerable to potential future attacks.

“By just saying a few words on TV he (Netanyahu) causes everyone to panic and flee their homes,” said Tony Aboud, in Beirut’s bustling Hamra district. “I don’t know what’s going to happen and how long we can live like this.”

A tragic incident in Seoul, South Korea claimed three lives and left three people injured on Tuesday when an aging overpass being demolished partially gave way, according to fire department officials.

The deadly incident happened while safety inspectors were examining the structure after demolition crews had stopped their work when they observed that part of the bridge had begun to sink slightly during concrete cutting operations, according to Lee Jong-woon, an official at Seoul’s Seodaemun District Fire Station. The fatalities occurred when victims were struck by falling debris and wreckage as a portion of the bridge deck suddenly gave way, authorities reported.

Law enforcement and emergency responders blocked off traffic in the surrounding area, where mangled steel supports and broken concrete pieces remained dangerously suspended from the overpass edge.

Falling debris also struck a nearby railroad line, prompting the Korea Railroad Corp. to halt certain train services to Seoul Station.

The overpass, originally constructed in 1966, had been in the demolition process since August of the previous year due to structural safety issues.

French authorities announced Tuesday that seven fatalities have occurred due to circumstances directly or indirectly connected to the ongoing heat wave affecting the nation, according to French Junior Energy Minister Maud Bregeon.

Among the casualties, five deaths involved individuals who drowned while seeking relief in lakes, rivers, or at beaches, Bregeon reported.

In response to the dangerous conditions, officials have directed local authorities to implement protective measures during sporting events, the minister stated.

The country has been experiencing temperatures above normal levels since Saturday, with weather conditions continuing to deteriorate.

Weather agency Meteo France has issued an orange-level alert for most of Brittany, forecasting temperatures could climb as high as 36 degrees Celsius by Tuesday afternoon.

The extreme heat conditions are anticipated to persist through Wednesday and Thursday, according to Meteo France’s official website.

DHAKA, May 26 – Border security forces in Bangladesh have stepped up patrol operations and initiated community outreach efforts along sections of the India-Bangladesh frontier amid worries that India is unlawfully pushing individuals across the border, according to government officials.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in India, which controls the frontier states of Tripura, West Bengal and Assam, has indicated it plans to address unauthorized migration as a key objective.

This month, India’s foreign ministry informed journalists that the country has requested Bangladesh confirm the citizenship status of over 2,860 individuals believed to be Bangladeshi nationals residing unlawfully within India’s borders. India’s foreign ministry did not provide a response to requests for comment on Tuesday.

The 60th Battalion of Border Guard Bangladesh initiated outreach efforts on Sunday in frontier regions of the Brahmanbaria district, employing loudspeakers to alert local populations and encourage them to watch for efforts to force people across the boundary.

“We have started miking in border villages to raise awareness among residents and ask them to stay vigilant against any illegal crossings or push-in attempts,” Lieutenant Colonel S. M. Shariful Islam, commander of the battalion, told Reuters.

“Our patrols and surveillance have been strengthened across the border areas. Intelligence operations are also continuing to prevent illegal push-ins, human trafficking, and the smuggling of drugs and other goods,” he said.

The frontier between Bangladesh and India extends for more than 4,000 kilometres (2,485 miles), representing one of the world’s most extensive land boundaries.

Three administrative areas within Brahmanbaria district in eastern Bangladesh encompass approximately 73 kilometres of the frontier with India’s Tripura state.

India’s northeastern Assam state, which borders Bangladesh, has since May 2025 forced hundreds of individuals back into Bangladesh from among the 30,000 people that legal tribunals have determined to be non-citizens. Multiple human rights organizations have stated that officials have randomly expelled people from the nation.

The government in Dhaka has consistently stated that any deportation process must adhere to established diplomatic protocols and has cautioned against one-sided forced movements across the frontier.

BANGKOK — Rescue operations for seven villagers stuck in a water-filled cave in central Laos have reached their seventh day Tuesday, with emergency crews facing challenging conditions and harsh weather while attempting to locate the group whose status remains unclear.

The group went into the cave located in Xaisomboun province on May 19, but intense rainfall caused sudden flooding that sealed off their way out, rescue teams from Laos and Thailand reported.

Rescue Volunteer for People, a Lao organization collaborating with local officials, announced on Facebook that Tuesday’s rescue strategy involves examining air shafts located above the cave to find potential entry routes and determine where the trapped individuals might be.

Emergency personnel from Thailand arrived at the location during the weekend to help with rescue efforts.

Rescue teams report that diving specialists have made their way approximately 100 meters into the water-filled, confined cave. Officials believe the villagers could be stuck roughly 30 meters past the farthest reachable location. Teams are operating pumps to remove water from the cave to help their search mission.

The location sits in an isolated section of Longcheng district in Xaisomboun province, positioned approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Vientiane, the capital city. Emergency workers have documented on social media the difficult mountainous landscape and persistent rainfall creating obstacles for their mission.

Online footage from Thai rescue workers demonstrated that accessing the cave opening demands a challenging uphill trek on foot covering roughly 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). The opening itself features steep, rocky terrain and remains so narrow that only one individual can pass through at any given time.

Within the cave, rescue workers must navigate through muddy corridors, water-filled areas and tight passages requiring them to crawl on their hands and knees.

Officials have not provided formal confirmation regarding the villagers’ purpose for entering the cave, though rescue personnel indicated they went inside searching for gold deposits.

Bounkham Luanglath from the Lao rescue organization informed The Associated Press that local people regularly visited the cave seeking gold, despite repeated safety warnings from authorities advising against cave entry.

Laos maintains one of Southeast Asia’s lowest average individual incomes at approximately $2,000-2,500, with even lower earnings in underdeveloped rural regions.

While Laos doesn’t rank as a significant gold-producing nation, its mining sector represents a substantial portion of the developing country’s economy. Foreign investment, primarily from Thailand and China, drives the mining industry. Copper serves as a major export product, while rare earth element mining for modern technology has grown increasingly prevalent in Laos.

The Laos Foreign Ministry stated Tuesday that no official details are available for media distribution. The Southeast Asian country operates as a single-party communist government without organized political opposition and maintains strict control over information release.

The situation gained attention in Thailand due to similarities with the dramatic 2018 cave rescue in northern Thailand, where 12 boys and their soccer coach remained trapped for over two weeks before successful rescue in an operation that captured worldwide attention. A former Thai navy SEAL diver died during that search and rescue mission.

Another recent tragedy occurred this month when five Italian divers were discovered dead after disappearing while cave diving in the Maldives. A Maldivian military diver participating in the body recovery operation was killed during the dangerous retrieval mission.

Cave entrapment poses significant health dangers, with cold temperatures rapidly causing hypothermia. While the human body can survive weeks without food, clean water remains essential to prevent dehydration. Contaminated water sources may trigger diarrhea, accelerating dehydration.

Reduced oxygen levels create symptoms resembling altitude sickness and can eventually harm lungs and other vital organs, while carbon dioxide accumulation leads to fatigue and potential loss of consciousness.

Continuous darkness affects time awareness and disrupts the body’s natural sleep cycles. It also creates extreme light sensitivity when eyes must readjust to illumination.

Spanish regulators have issued a temporary shutdown order against two American prediction market platforms, Polymarket and Kalshi, after determining they were operating without proper gambling licenses, according to the country’s official state gazette published Tuesday.

The Consumer Rights Ministry announced that its gambling oversight agency has launched an investigation into the U.S.-based firms for allegedly violating domestic regulations by failing to obtain required administrative permits.

Officials estimate the prohibition will remain in effect for approximately three to four months while the investigation runs its course.

These prediction market platforms allow participants to purchase and trade positions based on anticipated results of upcoming events, with market prices indicating the likelihood of various outcomes.

Spanish authorities — similar to other European regulators — classify prediction markets as gambling activities when participants wager on uncertain results.

According to the ministry, unlicensed operators are missing essential technical and regulatory protections including identity verification processes, age restriction controls for minors, blocking mechanisms for individuals who have self-banned or been prohibited from gambling, plus necessary user protection standards.

What began as a specialized internet sector has expanded into a multi-billion-dollar market after establishing significant presence in American political betting during 2024.

Rescue operations in Laos are showing promising signs as teams work around the clock to reach seven individuals who have been stuck underground for nearly a week, according to the mission leader.

The group became stranded inside a cave located in Laos’ central Xaisomboun province on May 20 when heavy rainfall caused a landslide that blocked their path out, local rescue organizations and state-run Lao Phattana News reported.

International assistance arrived Sunday when a Thai rescue squad joined the mission, bringing expertise that has led to major advances in reaching the chamber where the trapped individuals are believed to be located.

“From this moment on, I believe our success is not far away,” said Kengkard Bongkawong, who leads the rescue operation, in a statement posted to social media Monday.

The rescue effort is being conducted in partnership with a local organization called the Laos Rescue Volunteer for People, which reported that the seven people had gone into the cave system while searching for gold. Attempts to contact the country’s disaster management agency were unsuccessful.

Video shared on the Facebook account of Lao Phattana News revealed the challenging conditions facing rescuers, showing helmet-wearing team members crawling through narrow passages by flashlight, struggling to breathe, while others moved slowly through muddy water that reached their chests in the cave’s depths.

Among the rescue personnel is a diver who participated in the 17-day mission at a flooded mountain cave in Thailand during 2018 that drew worldwide attention, when experts from multiple countries, including American military forces and Thai Navy SEALs, converged on Chiang Rai province to free a youth soccer team called the “Wild Boars.”

Kengkard, who leads a volunteer emergency response organization in northeastern Thailand, announced that water removal operations would proceed continuously, following the team’s breakthrough of sand and rock barriers that brought them closer to an underwater passage they believe will provide access to the trapped group.

He reported that an examination of the terrain above the cave system identified four potential shafts that might connect to the underground network and offer an alternative rescue route.

“We estimate that less than 20 metres remain before we reach the key target area,” he stated.

BEIJING, May 26 – Beijing voiced its concerns Tuesday regarding the four-nation alliance between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, emphasizing that international partnerships should promote regional stability and prosperity without singling out specific nations.

“We also do not support the formation of exclusive cliques or bloc confrontation. No cooperation should undermine mutual trust and cooperation among regional countries,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, told a daily press conference.

Foreign ministers from the four Quad nations met Tuesday in India, where they reached agreements to jointly construct a port facility in Fiji and established agreements focused on critical minerals and energy security matters.

WILER, Switzerland – One year has passed since a catastrophic glacier collapse wiped out the Swiss village of Blatten, and residents are demonstrating remarkable resilience as they work to rebuild their shattered community.

Standing prominently above Switzerland’s Loetschen Valley, Hotel Momentum represents hope and determination in the face of devastating loss. The wooden structure, completed in just 105 days near the adjacent town of Wiler, serves as a powerful example of how displaced villagers are piecing their lives back together following the natural disaster.

A German-language wooden plaque at the hotel’s front desk delivers a poignant message that captures the spirit of many who lost everything: “The past is no longer, the future is not here yet, life is here and now.”

Through the hotel’s windows, visitors can gaze across rugged mountain peaks toward the site where Blatten previously existed — now transformed into a gray expanse of rubble and a turquoise lake, with rooftops of buried homes still protruding from the water.

The catastrophe unfolded after several days of official warnings. Government officials ordered the evacuation of more than 300 village residents when falling rocks destabilized the Birch glacier positioned above their community. On May 28, 2025, an avalanche of stone, earth and ice thundered down the slope in an enormous dust cloud, covering most of Blatten.

Scientists have connected the glacier failure to climate change impacts throughout the Alps. Melting permafrost undermines rock formations that were once permanently frozen — creating concerns about whether settlements like Blatten can be safely restored.

Despite these challenges, reconstruction blueprints target completion around 2030. Meanwhile, former villagers such as hotel proprietor Lukas Kalbermatten have been forced to begin anew.

Kalbermatten’s family lost the Hotel Edelweiss, which served as both their residence and a three-generation family enterprise. Following their safe evacuation, he partnered with another displaced Blatten hotel operator to establish Hotel Momentum.

BEGINNING AGAIN

Almost twelve months later, Kalbermatten describes his journey using grief as a comparison.

“In the grieving process, there’s always that first time, isn’t there? For us, it was the first church service, then the kids’ first St. Nicholas Day that wasn’t spent at home, then the first Christmas,” he explained. “And now this anniversary is coming up, and I think then we’ve made it once around, right?”

Welcoming visitors once more has created conflicted feelings. “Now you’re welcoming them back in a different place and it’s difficult,” Kalbermatten noted. “Some of them are very sad themselves, still almost in shock.”

Throughout Momentum’s interior, subtle touches honor Blatten — including throw blankets designed to match those from the destroyed village — though the facility itself is planned as temporary. Stairwell walls remain incomplete, and the building serves as a five-year interim measure before potential disassembly and relocation.

RESTORATION ‘WILL TAKE TIME’

Authorities report that progress toward reconstructing Blatten remains on schedule. Road reconstruction commenced last month, and if everything proceeds as planned, residents whose properties survived could potentially return this year. By 2029, major benchmarks should enable wider resettlement.

Manfred Ebener, construction project lead of the Blatten 2030 coordination group, emphasized that the focus involves creating a village capable of lasting for coming generations, regardless of whether all former residents choose to return.

“Rebuilding Blatten will take time before the village can return to a size similar or the same as what it was before. We realise that some of us may not live to see that happen,” he stated.

With climate change threats increasing, surrounding mountains, including those near Kandersteg, face continuous monitoring. Several kilometers from Blatten, isolated fragments breaking from the Oigschtchummun glacier triggered preventive road closures this month.

However, specialists indicate that the collapse that devastated Blatten was uncommon. Matthias Huss, head of the Swiss glacier monitoring network, informed the media outlet Swissinfo that the Birch glacier collapse resulted from an exceptional accumulation of rock, and warned against making direct comparisons.

RETURNING HOME?

For Daniel and Karin Ritler, reconstruction has involved transforming their means of earning a living.

Prior to the catastrophe, their work encompassed everything from sheep farming to glamping accommodations and food service. One month following the upheaval of their world, they started planning a fresh beginning.

They are currently launching a new hotel within the Loetschen Valley, explaining that additional lodging is essential — not just for visitors, but also for homeless residents. Through April, they remained in temporary housing.

The pair has since relocated to an apartment within their new hotel, scheduled to debut later this year under the name Zeitlos, meaning “timeless.”

While official statistics are unavailable, Kalbermatten believes approximately 80% of Blatten’s previous residents continue living in the valley. Students from the village still attend identical schools in Wiler.

As reconstruction efforts advance, the mountainside’s stability cannot be assumed, and Blatten’s future remains unclear.

“We’re not saying we will never go back to Blatten, and we also can’t say we will be back in Blatten at this or that time. That will have to unfold,” Daniel Ritler explained.

For others, the choice is more definite.

“Personally, we will certainly go back. That’s not really up for debate for us,” said Kalbermatten.

South Korea’s Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back announced Tuesday that the nation plans to develop its first nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-2030s as part of efforts to address submarine-launched nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.

According to Ahn, the submarine will utilize low-enriched uranium fuel and will be constructed domestically within South Korea. The defense minister outlined South Korea’s fundamental strategy for obtaining nuclear-powered submarine capabilities.

The initiative will leverage South Korea’s existing nuclear technology, shipbuilding expertise, and defense manufacturing sectors, Ahn explained, while preserving Seoul’s pledge to avoid acquiring or developing nuclear weapons.

During the process of obtaining low-enriched uranium fuel, South Korea plans to collaborate closely with the United States to ensure non-proliferation standards are met and will also coordinate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to Ahn.

The defense minister confirmed that the timeline calls for deploying the first submarine by the mid-2030s.

Government officials have stated that nuclear propulsion technology would allow these new submarines to remain submerged for significantly longer periods and provide enhanced mobility compared to South Korea’s current submarine fleet.

SEOUL, May 26 – A portion of a bridge in South Korea’s capital city came down Tuesday during demolition operations, leaving six people injured, according to reports from the Yonhap News Agency.

Authorities are working to determine if additional individuals were caught in the incident, according to the news report.

North Korea conducted a missile test Tuesday, firing several short-range ballistic missiles into the sea from its western coastline, according to South Korean military officials.

The missiles were launched from Jongju city along North Korea’s western shore, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported.

In response to the weapons test, South Korean military officials said they have increased their surveillance operations and are sharing intelligence with both U.S. and Japanese counterparts.

Tuesday’s missile launch marks the first weapons test conducted by North Korea since April 19, when the nation fired several short-range missiles that state media characterized as testing cluster bomb warheads.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has prioritized building up his country’s nuclear and missile capabilities following the breakdown of nuclear negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019. While Trump has publicly stated his interest in restarting diplomatic talks with Kim, North Korea has dismissed these attempts and insists Washington must abandon its demands for nuclear disarmament before any negotiations can proceed.

Kim has adopted an increasingly aggressive approach toward South Korea, labeling it his nation’s permanent and most hostile enemy while working to sever all diplomatic connections.

During a Cabinet session earlier Tuesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for enhanced military development efforts. He highlighted the need for advances in artificial intelligence and drone technology, as well as the possible procurement of a nuclear-powered submarine, which has been a topic in discussions with Washington.

Lee, who advocates for better relations with North Korea, did not directly address the northern threat. However, he emphasized South Korea’s need to show “resolve to take responsibility for and protect our own security ourselves,” arguing that such independence would also strengthen the alliance with the United States.

South Korean military authorities reported Tuesday that North Korea launched multiple missiles, including at least one short-range ballistic missile, into waters along the nation’s western shoreline.

According to a statement from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the weapons were fired around 1 p.m. local time (0400 GMT) from Chongju, located in North Korea’s North Pyongan Province.

This represents the first documented missile test by North Korea since April 19, when the nation launched several short-range ballistic missiles that officials claimed were fitted with cluster bomb technology.

Earlier in April, Pyongyang announced it had conducted tests of a new cluster-bomb warhead attached to a ballistic missile along with an electromagnetic weapon. Military analysts characterized these tests as demonstrations of North Korea’s capabilities for contemporary warfare.

In March, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that his nation’s nuclear weapons status could not be reversed and emphasized that building up a “self-defensive nuclear deterrent” remained crucial for the country’s security.

North Korea has intensified its weapons development programs under Kim’s leadership in recent years, despite facing U.N. sanctions on its nuclear and ballistic missile activities since 2006. These efforts have drawn criticism from South Korea, Japan and the United States.

Financial markets across Asia showed varied results Tuesday following U.S. military operations in southern Iran that targeted missile launch facilities and vessels deploying mines, according to military officials who described the actions as defensive measures.

The military operations occurred despite President Donald Trump’s social media statements indicating that peace negotiations were “proceeding nicely.”

American market futures experienced significant gains while petroleum prices showed mixed movement, with Brent crude trading under $95 per barrel.

Military officials stated the Monday operations aimed “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.” They noted exercising restraint due to an existing ceasefire agreement with Iran, which has not provided an official statement. Additional information regarding specific Iranian threats and negotiation implications remained unavailable.

Financial markets continue responding to various developments and Trump’s statements as the future of peace discussions with Iran remains uncertain.

“Markets are behaving as though a full Iran breakthrough already exists, even though the hardest parts of the negotiation remain unresolved,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management wrote in a commentary. “Washington continues to signal optimism, while Tehran insists no agreement is imminent.”

Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 0.4% to 64,897.64, retreating from Monday’s record closing high.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 0.3% to 25,668.55, while Shanghai’s Composite index dropped 0.7% to 4,122.87.

South Korea’s Kospi surged 2.9% to 8,075.71, making up ground after Monday’s holiday closure.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.4% to 8,653.80.

Early Tuesday trading showed S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rising 0.6%.

U.S. benchmark crude oil dropped $5.01, more than 4%, reaching $91.59 per barrel. International standard Brent crude increased $1.57 to $94.99 per barrel following Monday’s nearly $5 decline.

American markets remained closed Monday for Memorial Day while European exchanges posted gains.

France’s CAC 40 advanced 1.1%, Germany’s DAX climbed 1.0%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 added 0.2%.

The increases followed indications of peace agreement progress. Regional officials reported Sunday that the United States was approaching a deal with Iran to conclude the conflict, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and secure Iran’s surrender of highly enriched uranium stockpiles.

The Strait of Hormuz reopening will significantly influence petroleum pricing direction. War-related closure has blocked oil tankers from leaving the Persian Gulf and delivering crude to global customers. Japan, which imports nearly all its oil primarily through the strait, exemplifies this impact.

Early Tuesday currency trading showed the U.S. dollar rising to 158.94 Japanese yen from 158.91 yen. The euro traded at $1.1634, down from $1.1645.

A devastating construction site accident in the Philippines has left families heartbroken as rescue teams officially ended their search for survivors following a building collapse that occurred early Sunday morning.

Lea Casilao, 47, described the daily routine she shared with her husband Joselito – morning text messages that began each day with her “Good morning” greeting and his response of “Good morning, love.” However, Sunday brought only silence.

Casilao explained that her spouse had been staying overnight in the workers’ housing facility on Saturday, as they had been texting until evening hours. This meant he was likely inside when the structure under construction in Angeles, located north of Manila, came crashing down at daybreak on Sunday.

Officials terminated search and rescue activities Monday night after emergency responders used specialized life detection equipment and found no indications of survivors trapped in the wreckage.

Recovery operations for the deceased began Tuesday.

“My hope of still finding him alive has collapsed,” Casilao expressed, her voice filled with emotion.

The grieving wife recounted how she and her husband had arranged to meet at the construction location Sunday afternoon, where he was supposed to collect her. When she couldn’t contact him, she traveled directly to the site and witnessed the destruction of concrete debris, twisted metal, and fallen scaffolding.

“I kept calling his number, but nothing,” Casilao shared while sitting in a temporary shelter as heavy machinery worked outside to remove debris from the roadway.

Other families sat nearby, anxiously awaiting updates about their missing relatives.

“We know how hard this is for you,” stated Maria Leah Sajili, information officer at the regional Bureau of Fire Protection, during a Tuesday news conference.

“We sympathise with what you are going through. Rest assured, we did everything we could to save lives, and now we have to move forward,” she added.

The confirmed death toll stands at four people, including one Malaysian citizen whose body was retrieved Sunday from an adjacent hotel structure also damaged in the collapse. Sixteen individuals, primarily construction workers, are still unaccounted for.

Among the fatalities was the father of 19-year-old Evelyn Alicaway. She learned about the accident from her uncle, and after viewing footage on social media, she recognized her father among those rescue workers were trying to extract from the debris.

“Even with his face blurred, I knew right away it was him. It hurt me so much to see my father like that,” Alicaway said through tears during her father’s funeral service.

Officials have initiated an investigation into the cause of the structural failure and whether the project exceeded its approved construction permits. While authorization was granted for only nine floors, a swimming pool was being built on a tenth level.

The Philippine labor agency had halted construction at the location in September 2025 due to safety infractions, but removed the work stoppage order one month later after the company addressed regulatory requirements.

“We hope the owner will take responsibility and address what happened to the workers. The families are also suffering. This is not what we wanted, but they need to coordinate with us,” said Rosenda, Alicaway’s mother.

Energy markets experienced volatility Tuesday as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran encountered new obstacles, according to financial analysts tracking global developments.

Crude oil values increased following U.S. military operations in southern Iran, which American officials characterized as defensive measures. The timing proved particularly significant as negotiators had been pursuing diplomatic solutions to end the ongoing three-month conflict.

Iran’s chief negotiator and foreign minister traveled to Doha on Monday for discussions with Qatar’s prime minister regarding a possible agreement with the U.S. to conclude the war. However, both Washington and Tehran have tempered expectations for any immediate diplomatic breakthrough.

This cautious approach has influenced financial markets, with the dollar strengthening as investors seek safer assets while stock markets showed mixed performance.

Market participants remain focused on the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor. Japan’s Nikkei newspaper indicated that both nations are exploring a framework to reopen this waterway approximately 30 days following any peace agreement, though specific details have not been disclosed.

The continued uncertainty is expected to keep energy costs elevated, creating challenges for policymakers and increasing financial pressure on businesses and consumers as inflationary concerns mount.

In other economic developments, Sri Lanka’s central bank surprised markets by implementing a substantial 100 basis point increase to its benchmark policy rate, aiming to address inflation and currency pressures.

Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino noted that Middle Eastern developments would influence the central bank’s decisions regarding interest rate adjustments.

Financial markets are now anticipating a 25-basis-point rate increase from the Federal Reserve by December, marking a significant shift from the two rate reductions that were expected at the beginning of the year. Similar policy tightening is anticipated from the European Central Bank and Bank of England.

Tuesday’s economic calendar includes the release of the Conference Board’s U.S. Consumer Confidence Index for May, with economists projecting a decline of eight-tenths of a point to 92. Rising gasoline prices related to the Iran conflict are expected to continue affecting consumer sentiment.

NEW DELHI (AP) — Top diplomats from four allied nations convened in India’s capital Tuesday to address ways to bolster their partnership across the Indo-Pacific region amid shared concerns over China’s expanding regional influence.

The diplomatic gathering brought together India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. According to India’s foreign ministry, the diplomats planned to review current Indo-Pacific developments and explore enhanced collaboration between their countries.

The diplomatic leaders are also anticipated to address the Iran war and disrupted energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

These four countries comprise the Quad group, an important strategic alliance focused on maritime security collaboration, supply chain coordination and regional planning as China extends its military and economic reach throughout the Indo-Pacific.

The Quad has consistently criticized China for demonstrating military strength in the South China Sea and forcefully advancing its ocean territorial demands. Beijing argues that its military presence serves defensive purposes to safeguard what it considers China’s rightful sovereignty and characterizes the Quad as an effort to limit its economic development and regional power.

The diplomatic session occurs following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent visit to China, a journey that New Delhi officials monitored carefully for potential changes in Washington’s strategy toward Beijing.

Rubio, who touched down in India on Saturday, stated that Washington seeks to transform the Quad from a discussion forum into an organization that implements concrete measures on topics such as maritime security and critical minerals. He also mentioned that officials are planning a summit of the four leaders sometime this year, though no specific date has been set.

The four nations had previously planned to conduct a leaders’ summit in India last year, but those arrangements were postponed due to tensions in U.S.-India diplomatic relations, including disputes over tariffs.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Nineteen Australian women and children with ties to the Islamic State group have arranged flights back from Syria, with some potentially facing criminal charges upon arrival, according to Australia’s government on Tuesday.

The group consists of seven women and 12 children who were scheduled to land in Sydney and Melbourne on Tuesday. This comes less than three weeks following the return of 13 individuals in comparable circumstances to Australia’s two most populous cities.

Among the four women from the previous flights, three were hit with slavery and terrorism charges and are currently incarcerated.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that any of the 19 individuals heading to Australia who committed crimes “can expect to face the full force of the law.”

“The government has not and will not provide any assistance to this group,” Burke declared in a statement.

“These are people who have made the horrific choice to join a dangerous terrorist organisation and to place their children in an unspeakable situation,” he continued.

Burke explained that Australian law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been making preparations for their return since 2014 and have established long-term plans to manage and monitor them.

“The priority of the government, as always, is the safety of the Australian community,” he stated.

Following this latest group’s departure, a minimum of two Australians will stay at Roj camp, a facility in northeastern Syria close to the Iraq border where individuals connected to IS have been detained since IS forces in the Middle East were defeated in 2019.

A mother who was blocked from returning to Australia in February through a temporary exclusion order was not part of this traveling group.

The government previously disclosed that one woman at Roj was subject to an order that can be utilized to prevent high-risk citizens from returning for as long as two years.

These exclusion orders were established through legislation passed in 2019 to stop defeated IS fighters from coming back to Australia.

The most recent Australian group returned from Syria on May 7, also without government assistance.

Kawsar Ahmed, also known as Kawsar Abbas, 53, and her daughter Zeinab Ahmed, 31, were taken into custody upon landing in Melbourne regarding allegations that their family had purchased a female Yazidi slave.

Janai Safar, 32, was arrested at Sydney Airport when she arrived with her 9-year-old son on charges of membership in a terrorist organization and entering or remaining in territory controlled by a terrorist organization.

Australian governments have brought Australian women and children back from Syrian detention camps on two separate occasions. Other Australians have returned discreetly without government support.

A tragic residential fire in Russia’s Omsk region has claimed the lives of six individuals, with four children among the deceased, according to reports from the TASS news agency citing regional officials.

The deadly blaze occurred at a private residence in the region, which is situated in southwestern Siberia approximately 1,370 miles east of Moscow.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that reaching an agreement with Iran might require “a few days” more, diminishing expectations for a swift resolution to the conflict following new American military strikes in southern Iran on Monday.

The strikes targeted various locations including vessels attempting to place mines and sites for launching missiles, according to Rubio, who emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must remain accessible “one way or the other.”

“The straits have to be open, they’re going to be open one way or the other, so they need to be open,” Rubio stated while speaking to journalists aboard his aircraft in India’s Jaipur.

U.S. Central Command announced Monday that despite an April ceasefire remaining in effect, American forces executed additional strikes intended “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.”

Iranian officials reported Monday that their military had shot down what they described as a “hostile” stealth drone using newly deployed air defense technology, though they did not specify the aircraft’s origin, according to Iranian media outlets.

The American military action occurred while Iran’s chief negotiator and foreign minister were meeting in Doha with Qatar’s prime minister to discuss a possible agreement with the United States to conclude the three-month conflict, according to a source familiar with the visit.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi earlier, Rubio indicated the U.S. would exhaust diplomatic options before exploring alternative approaches to dealing with Iran.

He described having a “pretty solid thing on the table” regarding discussions about reopening the strait and a “very real, significant, time-limited negotiation on the nuclear matter.”

President Donald Trump posted extensively on Truth Social Monday, stating that discussions with Iran were progressing “nicely” while cautioning about potential additional attacks if negotiations collapse. “It will only be a Great Deal for all, or no Deal at all,” he posted.

Highlighting regional tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday that Israel would escalate attacks against the Iran-supported Hezbollah militia operating in Lebanon.

Israeli military forces subsequently confirmed they were striking Hezbollah facilities in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley and additional locations.

While Israel and Lebanon established a ceasefire in mid-April, Israeli airstrikes have continued, with Israel characterizing them as defensive measures against Hezbollah, which was not included in the truce agreement.

The source briefed on the Iranian delegation’s Doha visit told Reuters that conversations centered on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, with Iran’s central bank governor participating to address potentially unfreezing Iranian assets as part of any final agreement.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated earlier that nuclear discussions would only commence after establishing the framework agreement.

Trump has identified preventing Iran from creating nuclear weapons using its highly enriched uranium as his primary objective in the conflict. Tehran has repeatedly rejected claims that it intends to develop such weapons.

Baghaei noted that the proposed Iran agreement lacks specific provisions for managing the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes.

Iran would not impose transit fees for ships but would charge for services like navigation assistance and environmental protection measures, he explained, under a protocol to be established with Oman, located on the waterway’s opposite side.

Japan’s Nikkei newspaper, citing a Middle East diplomatic source, reported that the U.S. and Iran were considering a proposal to reopen the strait approximately 30 days after reaching a hostilities agreement.

Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran beginning February 28, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped to only dozens of ships compared to the previous daily average of 125 to 140.

This standoff has triggered rising oil prices and increased costs for fuel, fertilizer, and food products.

During early Tuesday Asian trading, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude showed slight gains from Monday’s closing price but remained 5.5% below Friday’s close.

A prominent international human rights organization released findings Tuesday alleging that the United Arab Emirates provided military instruction to Colombian fighters before deploying them in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.

Human Rights Watch’s latest findings represent another accusation against the Gulf nation, claiming it has provided financial and military assistance to the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organization facing widespread allegations of committing serious violations including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The UAE rejected these new claims when contacted by The Associated Press for comment.

“The recruitment of Colombian private military contractors adds to a growing body of evidence that the UAE provides military support to the Rapid Support Forces, which have repeatedly carried out heinous atrocities in Sudan,” said Mausi Segun, executive director of HRW’s Africa Division.

The conflict in Sudan began on April 15, 2023, after tensions between the country’s military leadership and the RSF escalated into armed confrontations in Khartoum and other areas throughout the large northeastern African nation.

The RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militias, Arab groups that gained infamy for brutal acts committed against East and Central African populations in Sudan’s Darfur region during the early 2000s.

According to Human Rights Watch’s investigation, hundreds of Colombian fighters received instruction from UAE citizens at a military installation in the Al Dhafra region, located approximately 250 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi, as well as at a second location in Abu Dhabi, before being sent to Sudan to support RSF operations.

The organization cited an unidentified Colombian fighter who said he provided training to RSF personnel at facilities near Nyala, South Darfur’s main city, in April of the previous year.

Numerous trainees were “young children,” according to the fighter’s account. The rights organization reported conducting interviews with another Colombian fighter and additional sources, including former Colombian military personnel.

A United Nations expert panel reported to the U.N. Security Council in September that Colombian fighters participated in combat operations across various regions of Sudan, including Khartoum, the neighboring city of Omdurman, and the Darfur and Kordofan areas. The panel noted that these fighters’ responsibilities included operating RSF unmanned aircraft, artillery equipment and armored vehicles, while also taking part in direct military operations.

In February video statements, RSF commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo confirmed that Colombian fighters have assisted his organization with drone operations.

Human Rights Watch identified Global Security Services Group, a private security company based in Abu Dhabi, as the entity responsible for hiring the fighters. The U.N. experts reported that Mohammed Hamdan Al-Zaabi, a UAE citizen, led the company.

While UAE authorities and the security firm did not respond to Human Rights Watch’s inquiries, the UAE’s Foreign Ministry disputed the claims in correspondence with the AP.

“The UAE does not permit its territory to be used for the recruitment, training, financing or transit of foreign fighters to any conflict, including Sudan,” the ministry stated.

The ministry added that any individual or organization, whether Emirati or foreign, providing assistance to non-state armed organizations “would be doing so without state authorization, in violation of Emirati law, and would be subject to criminal investigation and prosecution.”

Human Rights Watch reported authenticating video evidence showing fighters, believed to be Colombian, supporting RSF forces during their seizure of el-Fasher in Darfur this October. U.N.-commissioned experts characterized this military campaign as displaying “the hallmarks of genocide.” The United Nations reported that no fewer than 6,000 people died within three days.

The rights organization urged the global community, including the European Union, to pressure the UAE to cease its RSF support by halting military cooperation and weapons transactions.

“Other countries need to stop accepting the UAE’s blanket denials of support to the RSF which fly in the face of the facts, and should put an end to its impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Segun said.

The United States has placed sanctions on numerous individuals and companies in Colombia’s capital, Bogota, for allegedly recruiting and sending Colombian fighters to support the RSF. However, it has not responded to reports regarding the UAE’s alleged RSF assistance, despite accusing the group of conducting “summary executions, ethnically motivated attacks, sexual and gender-based violence, and torture throughout areas under its control” during the conflict.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project reported that at least 59,000 people have died during the three-year period. The U.S.-based monitoring organization acknowledged that its casualty count likely underrepresents the actual toll due to reporting challenges.

Authorities in Malaysia took 51 men into custody during weekend operations at a Kuala Lumpur hotel, where officials say drugs were being used during what they characterized as illegal activities.

The arrests occurred across four different raids on Sunday, according to narcotics investigations department director Hussein Omar Khan, who released details in a Monday evening statement. The detained individuals ranged in age from 21 to 52 years old, with 28 being foreign nationals.

Officers confiscated illegal substances valued at approximately 103,070 ringgit ($26,021), which included MDMA, ecstasy in both pill and powder forms, and ketamine, Khan reported.

“This group was found to be using rooms in upscale hotels for entertainment, drug abuse, and is believed to be involved in immoral activities,” Khan stated, noting that investigators are proceeding under the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Before the raids took place, authorities discovered an unconscious man in the hotel lobby who they suspect was connected to the gathering. Emergency responders transported him to Kuala Lumpur Hospital, where medical staff declared him deceased upon arrival. Khan did not reveal information regarding what caused the death.

The detained men are being held for three to six days while the investigation proceeds, Khan explained, and drug tests came back positive for 36 of those arrested.

In Malaysia, a nation with a Muslim majority, homosexuality remains illegal under a dual legal framework that combines Islamic law for Muslims with civil statutes. Sodomy carries criminal penalties, while sharia law prohibits same-sex relationships and cross-dressing.

Advocacy organizations have cautioned that LGBT individuals in Malaysia are experiencing heightened surveillance and growing hostility.

In the previous year, Kuala Lumpur law enforcement announced they would examine their protocols following an incident where 171 people detained on suspicion of same-sex conduct were released without charges when no prosecutable evidence emerged. LGBT rights organizations criticized police for allegedly holding some detainees illegally for almost two days despite a court order for their release.

America’s top diplomat declared Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz must remain accessible following U.S. military strikes against Iran the previous day.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the emphatic statement while speaking with reporters aboard his aircraft in Jaipur, India.

“The straits have to be open, they’re going to be open one way or the other, so they need to be open,” Rubio declared.

The Secretary of State also indicated that finalizing the language for an agreement with Iran could require “take a few days” to complete.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The chairman of South Korea’s Starbucks operations delivered his second public apology within two weeks on Tuesday, following intense criticism over a marketing promotion that many interpreted as disrespectful to victims of a 1980 military assault on democracy advocates.

Chung Yong-jin, who leads Shinsegae Group that controls a 67.5% ownership in Starbucks Korea, performed three ceremonial bows during a broadcast appearance while seeking forgiveness from relatives of democracy fighters killed under the nation’s previous military regime and from citizens at large.

The controversy erupted when the coffee company tried to market a large tumbler called a ‘tank’ by designating May 18 as ‘Tank Day.’ This date marks the anniversary of a democratic revolt in Gwangju, a southern city where military forces using troops, armored vehicles and aircraft violently crushed the movement, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries.

The marketing effort further inflamed public anger by featuring the phrase ‘Thwack it on the table!,’ which many interpreted as referencing an infamous 1987 police explanation that sought to conceal the torture killing of student protester Park Jong-chol. Authorities had claimed Park suddenly died after investigators ‘hit the desk with a thwack.’

Public fury was swift, prompting Shinsegae to halt the campaign within hours and dismiss Starbucks Korea’s chief executive. Law enforcement also launched an inquiry following complaints from families of Gwangju victims.

‘I take it very seriously the fact that many people felt deep pain and anger because of Starbucks Korea’s inappropriate marketing campaign,’ Chung stated Tuesday.

He additionally urged the public not to direct their anger toward store employees, emphasizing that leadership bears the responsibility. No significant incidents at retail locations have been reported.

Chung’s initial apology came on May 19, when he released a statement acknowledging the campaign brought ‘deep pain to the victims and bereaved families of the May 18 Democratization Movement as well as to the public.’

Jeon Sangjin, a top Shinsegae Group official, indicated the company hasn’t discovered definitive proof that Starbucks Korea marketing staff deliberately intended to ridicule the pro-democracy movement, claims the workers have rejected.

Nevertheless, he noted some staff members declined management’s requests to surrender their mobile phones during a seven-day internal investigation. Jeon stated the company would review findings from the police examination and terminate any employee proven to have intentionally mocked protesters.

The campaign backlash has generated widespread boycott demands, supported by government leaders including Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung, who announced Starbucks items would be banned from government functions and criticized the company’s ‘anti-historical behavior.’

President Lee Jae Myung posted on X last week that the campaign demonstrated ‘inhumane and disgraceful behavior by cheap profiteers who deny the values of the South Korean community, basic human rights and democracy.’

The Gwangju suppression occurred months following General Chun Doo-hwan’s power seizure through a late 1979 military takeover. Official documents indicate approximately 200 deaths in Gwangju, though activists believe the actual casualty count was significantly higher. Chun’s administration also jailed tens of thousands under the guise of eliminating social problems.

Public fury regarding Chun’s authoritarian rule sparked massive nationwide demonstrations in 1987, compelling him to approve constitutional changes establishing direct presidential voting, commonly regarded as the beginning of South Korea’s democratic transformation.

Top diplomats from four major Indo-Pacific nations are convening Tuesday in New Delhi, working to breathe new life into their strategic alliance that observers say has lost steam during President Donald Trump’s administration.

The foreign ministers gathering represents the third such diplomatic meeting since September 2024, bringing together Australia’s Penny Wong, India’s S Jaishankar, Japan’s Toshimitsu Motegi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Plans for a leadership summit in India last year fell through as tensions mounted between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Washington’s trade tariffs and other disagreements.

Despite these challenges, the four countries remain united in their concerns about China’s expanding influence in the region. Rubio, who touched down in India Saturday for a four-day diplomatic mission focused on strengthening ties with New Delhi, has emphasized the critical need to preserve a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Speaking to Indian media Sunday, Rubio outlined his vision for the partnership’s future. “We don’t just want the Quad to be a semi-annual meeting of like-minded countries,” he explained. “We want it to actually be a forum on which we continue to partner on things.”

The U.S. Secretary of State called for the Quad to pursue “concrete actions” in areas such as maritime security and critical minerals cooperation, while diplomatic teams work toward arranging a leaders’ summit before year’s end.

“I don’t have a date on that yet, but hopefully this year we’ll find a time for all four leaders to get together,” Rubio stated.

Japan has particular urgency in diversifying its critical mineral sources after Beijing halted shipments of materials essential for aerospace, defense and semiconductor manufacturing following a recent diplomatic clash.

The diplomatic gathering occurs amid ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations potentially aimed at resolving their three-month standoff and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran’s blockade of this vital shipping lane has thrown energy markets into chaos and disrupted the worldwide economy, creating an issue expected to dominate Quad discussions.

Earlier Quad initiatives have focused on preserving “the free and open maritime order” throughout the Indo-Pacific by enhancing intelligence-sharing about regional maritime activities.

A Japanese foreign ministry official indicated last week that Japan anticipates discussions will address the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, alongside rising tensions in the East China Sea and South China Sea, where China’s increased military activity in contested waters has heightened friction with Tokyo, the Philippines and neighboring nations.

Beijing has denounced the Quad as a Cold War-era mechanism designed to restrict its growth and development.

India also faces territorial disagreements with China, though Modi had indicated openness to improving relations with Beijing during his disputes with Trump.

New Delhi has advocated for a Trump visit to India, a trip that would likely coincide with a Quad summit. Political analysts have raised concerns that the absence of high-level leadership engagement may have diminished the Quad’s strategic significance.

The Japanese official noted that India, as the host nation, would determine when a leaders’ meeting could be scheduled.

“It is quite difficult to get all four leaders together,” the official acknowledged.

Trump’s attention has been divided by the Iranian conflict, failed attempts to resolve the Ukraine situation, and strained relationships with Quad partners due to his broad tariff policies.

However, Trump recently praised Modi during a phone call to a U.S. reception in New Delhi Sunday, expressing his affection for the Indian prime minister.

“India can count on me, 100%,” Trump declared.

Stock prices for South Korean retail company Shinsegae dropped on Tuesday following a public apology from Chairman Chung Yong-jin regarding a controversial Starbucks Korea marketing effort that appeared to reference a deadly 1980 military assault on democracy activists.

The retail company, which runs Starbucks operations in Korea, encountered significant public criticism over its “Tank Day” promotional campaign featuring tumblers on May 18, coinciding with the nation’s remembrance of the student-led Gwangju Uprising from May 1980.

“I take it very seriously that Starbucks Korea’s inappropriate marketing hurt and angered many people,” Chung said. “I will take all responsibility for the incident.” While Shinsegae stock initially rose Tuesday morning, it subsequently declined 2.6% after the chairman’s statement.

Military forces and tanks were deployed by the military dictatorship of Chun Doo-hwan to suppress the demonstrations, resulting in an estimated hundreds of deaths and disappearances.

Last week, Shinsegae dismissed the leader of Starbucks Korea following an apology for “inappropriate marketing.” The global Starbucks corporation has also issued an apology and announced the start of an investigation.

In response to the controversy, South Korea’s Interior Minister announced that his department would cease purchasing products from businesses that “make light” of the nation’s democratic heritage.

According to company documents, Starbucks Korea ownership is split between E-Mart at 67.5% and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC at 32.5%.

The Russian leader has authorized financial relief for military recruits joining the Ukraine conflict and their families, according to an announcement from Moscow late Monday, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen military forces in the prolonged war.

Those who enter into military service agreements with Russia’s defense ministry starting May 1, along with their spouses, will have debts up to 10 million roubles ($139,700) forgiven if legal collection proceedings were active prior to that date, according to the official decree published on Moscow’s government website.

Military service agreements for what Russia terms its ‘special military operation’ — Moscow’s designation for its February 2022 invasion and occupation of Ukraine — must span at least one year, officials stated.

The debt forgiveness amount equals roughly the cost of a 35 square meter studio apartment in Moscow, based on Cian real estate data.

This financial incentive joins other support programs for Russian military personnel, including substantial payments and preferential university admission policies, as Moscow works to expand its military capacity while U.S.-led peace negotiations remain stalled.

Both nations blame each other for escalating tensions, with Ukraine preparing to deploy additional forces to northern territories in response to suspected Russian plans for renewed offensive operations.

The Russian leader also signed additional legislation Monday permanently extending state land rental agreements for those participating in the Ukraine conflict, according to government officials.

($1 = 71.6000 roubles)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued official congratulations Monday to King Abdullah II and Jordan’s citizens as the kingdom marked eight decades of independence, highlighting Jordan’s important contribution to Middle East peace and security.

In a statement released to commemorate Jordan’s National Day on May 25, Rubio declared: “On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my best wishes and congratulations to His Majesty King Abdullah II and the Jordanian people on the 80th anniversary of Jordan’s Independence.”

The secretary of state emphasized that the relationship between Washington and Amman stems from “our shared commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, and secure Middle East.”

“We deeply value Jordan’s critical role in advancing our shared priorities for the region,” he stated.

Rubio also voiced America’s commitment to maintaining the ongoing partnership between the nations.

“As you celebrate Jordan’s National Day, the United States wishes the people of Jordan lasting prosperity under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and we look forward to continuing our steadfast, decades-long partnership,” Rubio declared.

An additional statement released under Rubio’s authority noted that the United States “deeply value[s] the pivotal role Jordan plays in advancing our shared priorities in the region” and confirmed Washington’s dedication to preserving its enduring alliance with the kingdom.

Each year on May 25, Jordan celebrates its independence day, marking when the British Mandate concluded and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was founded in 1946.

After World War I ended, the region came under British control. An agreement reached during King Abdullah I’s reign terminated the mandate in March 1946, and the Jordanian Legislative Council officially proclaimed independence on May 25 of that same year.

The milestone is celebrated as a national holiday throughout Jordan featuring government ceremonies, military parades, cultural events, concerts, and public celebrations.

Traditional festivities include gatherings with Hashemite royal family members, government leaders, and international diplomats, alongside fireworks, flag ceremonies, and community events in locations such as Amman.

Israeli military officials confirmed Monday the death of Sgt. Nehorai Leizer, a 19-year-old soldier from Eilat, following a drone attack on Israeli forces conducting operations in southern Lebanon. The explosive device also left another service member from his unit with serious injuries.

According to military sources, Leizer was assigned to the 601st Combat Engineering Battalion within the “Iron Tracks” Brigade (401). The injured soldier was transported to a medical facility for treatment, with his family receiving notification of the incident.

Military officials stated that the attack happened when an explosive-laden drone targeted the location where Israeli troops were positioned during their southern Lebanon mission.

This announcement follows Sunday’s funeral for Staff Sgt. Noam Hamburger, a 23-year-old from Atlit who died during military operations in northern Israel.

Military reports indicate Hamburger was fatally injured when an explosive drone from Lebanese territory hit a position near the Lebanon border where Israeli forces were stationed within Israeli boundaries. The same attack left one soldier with severe wounds and caused minor injuries to a noncommissioned officer.

Hamburger had been serving as a technology and maintenance specialist in Battalion 9 of the “Iron Tracks” Brigade (401) and was scheduled to finish his military duty in just one month.

His funeral drew hundreds of mourners, with local residents from the Hof HaCarmel Regional Council lining the streets with Israeli flags as the funeral convoy proceeded to the burial site.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid delivered sharp criticism of settler violence during a Foreign Press Association briefing, declaring without hesitation that “Settler terror is terror” when questioned about extremist actions in the West Bank.

During the press conference, Lapid addressed foreign policy matters involving Iran, Gaza and the West Bank, but made headlines when he outlined potential leadership arrangements for a future government headed by Naftali Bennett.

“I assume that the ideal government for most Israelis will be Naftali Bennett as prime minister, and former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot as defense minister, and former finance minister Avigdor Lieberman as finance minister, and myself as foreign minister,” Lapid stated. “Again, this will be subject, I assume, to political results, but this is what we’re trying to do.”

Lapid characterized this potential partnership as “a union between the center and the liberal right” while indicating that additional political groups might still join the coalition. He expressed hope that Eisenkot would formally participate, saying “he will eventually.”

When pressed about whether settler violence constitutes terrorism, Lapid responded immediately and forcefully. “I never thought that in my lifetime we would talk about Jewish terrorism,” he declared. “But this is Jewish terror.”

The opposition leader argued that radical settler actions in the West Bank create both security risks and diplomatic problems for Israel. “These people are the greatest gift anti-Semites around the world could ask for,” Lapid explained. “It allows anti-Semites on both the right and the left to claim that this is Zionism and these are the values of the State of Israel. It is not.”

Lapid also targeted National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir regarding treatment of Gaza flotilla activists, describing the situation as “a national disgrace” and emphasizing that “democracy comes with a price,” which includes “upholding international law.”

International relations emerged as a major focus when The Media Line questioned what Israel’s Foreign Ministry had accomplished recently and what changes he would implement. “You’re asking what the Foreign Ministry has done right in the last three and a half years?” Lapid responded. “Nothing.”

He blamed the current administration for damaging Israel’s bipartisan support in the United States, mismanaging European relationships, and choosing public confrontation over diplomatic engagement. “Part of foreign relations is dealing with these issues, not calling everybody an anti-Semite,” Lapid stated. “There are enough anti-Semites. We don’t have to create new ones.”

To illustrate his point, he referenced Israel’s decision to withdraw its ambassador from Ireland during a diplomatic disagreement, while Ireland kept its diplomatic presence in Israel. “So now if you’re an Israeli in Ireland, you have no one to talk to if you lost your passport,” Lapid observed. “But if you’re an Irish man or woman in Israel who lost his passport, you have an ambassador to talk to. This doesn’t make any sense.”

Lapid also expressed concern that Israel’s Washington influence had declined substantially despite the close ties between Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. “In Washington, the Israeli government is actually at an all-time low in its ability to influence decisions in Washington,” Lapid warned. “Israel is not a vassal state and we are not a protectorate.”

Despite his harsh assessment of current diplomatic efforts, Lapid maintained tough positions on Iran and security matters. He supported Israel’s right to take military action against Iran when needed and expressed concerns about developing agreements between Washington and Tehran that could threaten Israeli interests.

“There will be no two-state solution in the coming years,” Lapid declared later during the session, explaining that Israelis have lost confidence that a Palestinian state could avoid becoming “another failing terror state on our border.”

However, he indicated that a Bennett-led administration would pursue a cautious approach in the West Bank, avoiding major policy shifts. The government would implement neither annexation nor significant diplomatic efforts toward Palestinian statehood in the immediate future. “We will make sure that nothing will happen that is irreversible,” Lapid promised.

The head of Australia’s domestic intelligence agency testified that anti-Jewish sentiment had become commonplace and went unaddressed prior to a deadly incident at Bondi Beach that claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah gathering last December.

Michael Burgess, who serves as director-general of security for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, delivered these statements while appearing before the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, a panel established to examine circumstances that led to the Bondi incident.

“There is no doubt that the war in the Middle East invoked a range of emotions in Australia,” Burgess told the commission. “Some of those violent aspects … and those behaviors, including antisemitism that, in our view, were left unchecked, were therefore normalized and gave more permission for violence … and Jewish Australians were on the receiving end.”

The intelligence leader explained that anti-Jewish hostility grew more severe starting in late 2024, evolving from harassment and intimidation into physical assaults aimed at Jewish individuals and organizations.

“From late 2024,” he said, antisemitism escalated from “threatening, intimidating behavior to direct targeting of people, businesses, and places of worship.”

Burgess pointed to destructive acts and fire-bombing incidents against residences, educational facilities, houses of worship, and automobiles in the period leading up to the Bondi incident.

According to Burgess, the intelligence organization also concluded that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps orchestrated strikes against a kosher dining establishment in Sydney and Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue.

“They use their network of proxies and agents to do their bidding, and that is to bring harm to Jewish people wherever they are in the world,” he said.

The security official revealed that his agency elevated Australia’s national terrorism alert status to “probable” in August 2024 following an assessment that terrorist incidents had become more likely.

The alert level had been previously reduced in November 2022 from “probable” to “possible,” which Burgess characterized as the second-lowest designation on the nation’s five-level threat system.

He explained that the prior reduction came after the collapse of the Islamic State group in the Middle East and a decrease in foreign fighter recruitment efforts.

OTTAWA, Ontario — A recent diplomatic visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to India has helped establish a pathway for completely resetting relations between the two nations, according to India’s trade minister speaking on Monday. The diplomatic relationship had deteriorated under Carney’s predecessor following the 2023 death of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil.

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal made these statements during his visit to Canada, where he held discussions with Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu.

Goyal arrived with more than 100 senior business leaders representing India’s mining, energy, automotive and aerospace industries, forming what New Delhi describes as its largest business delegation ever sent to Canada.

“This is a partnership that is being reset very, very rapidly,” Goyal stated on Monday.

According to Goyal, Carney’s late February visit — marking the first time a Canadian prime minister had traveled to India in eight years — “completely changed the way Canada and India looked at each other.”

“It has set in motion the pathway to a complete overhaul of this relationship, setting new agendas, new goals,” he explained.

Trade negotiations between the two countries began in 2010 but were suspended by Ottawa in 2023 when Canadian officials claimed India played a role in the death of Canadian Sikh activist Hareep Singh Nijjar, who was killed near Vancouver in June of that year.

New Delhi strongly rejected these claims and criticized former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration for providing refuge to Sikh extremists associated with the Khalistan movement. This movement seeks to establish an independent Sikh nation and is prohibited in India.

Prior to his meeting with Sidhu, Goyal expressed that both nations are eager to finalize a free-trade agreement within this year.

During Carney’s India trip, he held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the countries executed multiple agreements — including a 2.6 billion Canadian dollar ($1.9 billion) contract to provide approximately 22 million pounds of uranium to India for nuclear power production.

A Canadian trade delegation traveled to New Delhi earlier this month for negotiations, and another Indian delegation plans to visit Canada later this year to advance discussions.

Goyal also mentioned that both countries aim to increase their trade volume threefold to $50 billion by 2030.

While in Ottawa, Goyal held meetings with Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. His itinerary also includes discussions with chief executives from major corporations, startups and pension funds.

Vina Nadjibulla, vice president of research and strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, noted that both nations seek to broaden their partnerships and decrease reliance on the United States, which some allies increasingly view as unpredictable.

India has recently completed trade agreements with the European Union, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

“India is now pivoting to Europe as well as to other Western economies like Australia and Canada to be able to meet its needs for capital, technology and innovation,” Nadjibulla said.