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The United Nations is weighing its legal options following Israel’s decision to construct a defense ministry facility at the former site of a UN Palestinian relief organization’s headquarters in east Jerusalem, officials announced Tuesday.

The Israeli government gave approval over the weekend for the defense ministry project at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency location in Sheikh Jarrah, which will feature a museum and recruitment center.

“The matter is currently under consideration at the level of the legal council, the highest legal authority of the United Nations in New York,” UNRWA Deputy Commissioner General Natalie Boucly told The Associated Press during a visit to Syria.

“These are U.N. premises and, at a minimum, this is a breach of the 1946 UN Convention on privileges and immunities,” she said.

Israeli forces demolished portions of the UNRWA facility in January, marking the culmination of a long-standing opposition campaign against the organization that intensified after the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.

Israeli officials have claimed the U.N. organization employed individuals with Hamas connections, alleging some participated in the attacks. UNRWA leadership maintains they acted quickly against accused employees and reject claims the agency supports or works with Hamas.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz described the defense complex proposal as “a decision of sovereignty, Zionism and security.”

“In a place where an organization that became part of the terror and incitement mechanism against Israel operated, institutions will be established that will strengthen Jerusalem, the (Israeli army), and the State of Israel,” Katz said in a statement on Sunday.

The announcement coincided with Jerusalem Day, commemorating Israel’s seizure of east Jerusalem, including the Old City and religious sites important to Jews, Christians and Muslims, during the 1967 Mideast war. Israel views all of Jerusalem as its capital, while Palestinians want east Jerusalem as their future state’s capital.

The UNRWA facility closed in May 2025 when far-right demonstrators, including at least one parliament member, breached its entrance while police watched.

UNRWA serves approximately 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, plus 3 million refugees across Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. The agency’s work was restricted after Israel’s Knesset enacted laws cutting ties and prohibiting operations in areas Israel defines as its territory — including east Jerusalem.

Boucly described Gaza’s humanitarian conditions as “absolutely dire.” Though Israel has blocked UNRWA international personnel from Gaza, roughly 10,000 local employees continue working there as educators, medical staff and sanitation workers, she noted.

Even with a fragile ceasefire in place, “there are issues with insufficient aid coming in,” she explained. “It is not coming in at scale and reconstruction is not starting fast enough for the people to see a real change on the ground.”

Boucly spoke with the AP from Syria’s Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, where conditions appear more promising as former residents who departed during the nation’s 14-year civil conflict have slowly returned.

Various militant organizations controlled the camp before government forces under then President Bashar Assad bombarded it, leaving it nearly empty by 2018. Structures surviving the bombing were either torn down by authorities or looted.

Following Assad’s removal in 2024, previous residents started returning and fixing their damaged properties. By April, approximately 60,000 people had come back to the camp, with 80% being Palestinian refugees, Boucly reported.

Aid for returning residents has been restricted, she admitted. UNRWA has obtained donor funding to restore educational facilities and medical centers, but can only offer minimal help to families needing home repairs, she said.

Despite concerns about declining financial support, she stated, “I think there is a situation of hope for Palestine refugees” in Syria.

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Veteran politician Janez Jansa is poised to reclaim Slovenia’s top leadership position after parliamentary lawmakers submitted his nomination on Tuesday, clearing a path for establishing a new administration nearly two months following national elections.

The former prime minister, who previously held the office during three separate terms, received formal backing from members of his Slovenian Democratic Party. His anticipated coalition administration will incorporate additional right-leaning political groups and gain support from an anti-establishment party making its debut in politics.

Parliamentary officials have not yet announced when the new administration will receive official legislative approval. According to Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTV Slovenia, Jansa has secured support from 48 members within the 90-seat legislative body.

Should lawmakers confirm his appointment, Jansa’s selection would represent a conservative shift for the European Union member nation, which had been governed by a liberal administration.

The experienced political figure, age 67, has expressed admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump and maintained strong ties with former populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who suffered a decisive electoral defeat last month.

Jansa’s most recent tenure as prime minister lasted from 2020 through 2022, ending when he was defeated by the liberal Freedom Movement led by outgoing Prime Minister Robert Golob.

The returning leader has consistently criticized Golob’s administration, particularly Slovenia’s 2024 decision to formally recognize a Palestinian state.

Following the April 22 parliamentary elections, both the Freedom Movement and Jansa’s SDS achieved virtually identical results. However, Golob was unable to successfully establish a new liberal coalition partnership, creating an opportunity for Jansa’s political return.

The March 22 voting process faced scrutiny due to claims of external interference and corrupt practices. The Alpine country’s 1.7 million eligible voters remain sharply split along liberal and conservative lines.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An enigmatic strike against an Iranian petroleum facility amid the ongoing Iran conflict has resulted in an oil spill that has impacted a protected Persian Gulf island serving as a crucial wildlife sanctuary, according to video evidence and satellite imagery.

The petroleum-contaminated waters washing ashore on Shidvar Island, an unpopulated landmass, mark another indication of the environmental destruction caused by the conflict. Contaminated precipitation has also descended upon Iran’s capital city, Tehran, following air raids on petroleum installations. Iranian strikes against vessels navigating the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman have likewise resulted in ecological harm.

Cell phone video recorded on April 9 by an Iranian citizen named Ehsan Jalali captures dense black smoke billowing following the attack on a petroleum refinery located on Lavan, an island positioned near mainland Iran close to Shidvar. The recording matches recognized characteristics of both islands and was only uploaded by Jalali to Instagram recently, as Iran’s religious government has blocked broader internet access for several weeks.

Additional video captured by Jalali depicts a deceased bird and crab coated in petroleum, while a person displays a dead swordfish.

“Poor birds, look how they are stuck in oil. Look at the herd of dolphins. Poor things come to the surface to breathe, but they swallow oil,” Jalali describes in the recording. “Look what they did to this island. Look what they have done. The corpses of fish are coming to the surface one by one.”

Images captured on April 10 from an Airbus DS Pléiades Neo high-resolution optical satellite and examined by The Associated Press on Tuesday reveal the blaze continuing to burn at the refinery 48 hours following the strike. A petroleum slick contaminates the surrounding Persian Gulf waters, encircling Shidvar Island, which locals also call Maroo Island.

“Oh my God, the sea is full of oil, oh my God, Maroo Island,” Jalali states in the footage. “The sea is full of oil, the beautiful Maroo Island is ruined now.”

Shidvar Island, measuring approximately 870 hectares (3.3 square miles), holds designation as a wetland of international significance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The location has been recognized as among Iran’s most vital nesting areas for terns, a type of seabird. Iranian authorities have classified the island as a wildlife sanctuary since 1972.

Iranian authorities have not confirmed any ecological harm resulting from the strike at the Lavan petroleum refinery, which occurred hours following an agreement between the United States and Israel for a ceasefire in their conflict with Iran. The U.S. had also requested Israel cease attacks on oil infrastructure after previously targeting facilities connected to Iran’s offshore South Pars natural gas field. That assault triggered major Iranian counterattacks against oil and gas installations throughout Gulf Arab nations, with Qatar suffering particularly severe damage.

Iranian news organizations have accused the United Arab Emirates of conducting the attack, claims not confirmed by Emirati authorities. Nevertheless, the UAE has endured more missile and drone strikes than any other nation in the conflict and has intensified its criticism of Iran as Tehran continues controlling the Strait of Hormuz.

The Emirates’ Barakah nuclear facility also suffered an attack on Sunday in a drone strike similar to others conducted by Iran and Iranian-supported groups in Iraq during the war.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Three elephants at a South African zoo have become the center of an extraordinary legal battle, with wildlife advocates claiming the animals are suffering from depression and must be relocated to a conservation facility for their psychological well-being.

This week’s court proceedings will determine whether government officials are fulfilling their constitutional duty regarding animal care and housing conditions, explained David Bilchitz, who serves on the board of Animal Law Reform South Africa, one of the organizations pursuing the lawsuit.

According to Bilchitz, expert testimony will demonstrate the elephants’ distressed state. The advocacy groups argue that South Africa’s Constitution requires government authorities to ensure proper animal care.

The Johannesburg facility, which operates under public ownership, has pushed back against the allegations, insisting their elephant care meets appropriate standards.

Bilchitz explained that elephants require intricate social environments and have specialized physical and psychological requirements, typically living in groups of 20-50 individuals across vast territories in their natural habitat.

The three elephants in question — Lammie, Ramadiba and Mopane — are confined to a space roughly equivalent to a soccer field’s size, lacking essential environmental enrichment such as foraging trees and bathing mud pools, according to Bilchitz.

“They are sad, depressed and frustrated,” Bilchitz explained to The Associated Press. “They are listless and stand around.” He noted the animals display psychological trauma symptoms, including persistent swaying motions and other “repetitive compulsive behavior.”

In response, Johannesburg Zoo issued a statement criticizing what it called a “media scourge” surrounding the elephants’ situation, asserting the animals remain healthy and beloved by both staff and visitors. The facility also cautioned that transferring zoo elephants to semi-wild facilities doesn’t guarantee success.

A similar case provides some legal foundation for the current lawsuit. In 2024, an elderly male elephant named Charley was transferred from a different South African zoo to a wildlife reserve after losing his elephant companions and showing signs of isolation.

Zoo officials agreed to Charley’s relocation to the reserve for retirement following his lengthy captivity, which included approximately 16 years performing in a circus.

Transportation workers across Kenya called off their nationwide work stoppage on Tuesday, agreeing to a one-week pause to negotiate with government officials following two days of violent demonstrations that claimed four lives and injured more than 30 people.

The strike began after discussions broke down on Monday, with transport workers calling for lower fuel costs to help ease the financial burden on both operators and passengers facing higher travel expenses.

For two straight days, passengers found themselves without transportation options as public transit operators refused to operate their vehicles.

Demonstrators filled the streets, clashing with law enforcement officers and igniting tires along main roadways, blocking traffic completely.

Fuel costs in Kenya reached unprecedented levels on Friday, with diesel jumping 23.5% and gasoline rising 8%. Government officials cited the Iran war and resulting disruptions to energy markets as the cause of the price surge.

Opposition leaders, however, pointed to dishonest business practices and companies seeking higher profits as the real reason behind the dramatic cost increases.

During a broadcast news conference, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen announced that discussions with all fuel industry participants would occur within the next seven days to resolve the pricing concerns.

Kennedy Kaunda, speaking for the transporters’ association, confirmed that members agreed to permit the consultation process to move forward, warning that if no deal emerges, the public will receive further instructions within a week.

Monday’s violence resulted in four fatalities and left more than 30 people with injuries. Police also detained 348 individuals who face charges for participating in unauthorized demonstrations.

Russia launched an extensive three-day military exercise Tuesday focusing on its nuclear capabilities, deploying thousands of personnel and weapons systems as tensions escalate over increased Ukrainian drone operations.

The large-scale training operation includes 64,000 military personnel, more than 200 missile launching systems, over 140 military aircraft, 73 naval vessels, and 13 submarines, with eight of those submarines equipped with nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to the Defense Ministry.

Military officials described the exercise as focusing on the “preparation and use of nuclear forces under the threat of aggression,” the ministry stated.

The training operation will also include coordination activities with Belarus, a neighboring ally that provides hosting facilities for Russian nuclear weaponry. Among the Russian military assets stationed in Belarus is the newest intermediate range nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system.

These military exercises are occurring during a period when Ukraine has significantly escalated its drone operations targeting Russia, including a recent weekend assault on Moscow’s surrounding areas that resulted in three fatalities and caused damage to multiple buildings and industrial sites.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently highlighted Moscow’s nuclear capabilities since deploying military forces into Ukraine in February 2022, attempting to discourage Western nations from increasing their assistance to Kyiv.

The escalating attacks have created challenges for Kremlin officials trying to portray the Ukrainian conflict — now entering its fifth year — as a distant situation that doesn’t impact Russian citizens’ everyday lives.

The military training coincides with Putin beginning a two-day diplomatic visit to China on Tuesday.

Putin recently commended the successful testing of the new Sarmat ICBM last week, which is designed to replace older Soviet-era nuclear missiles.

Putin implemented an updated nuclear policy in 2024, stating that any conventional military strike against Russia backed by a nuclear-armed nation would be viewed as a coordinated assault on his country. This warning was clearly designed to discourage Western nations from permitting Ukraine to use longer-range weaponry against Russia and seems to substantially reduce the conditions for potential nuclear weapon deployment.

Russian military hardliners have consistently pressured the Kremlin to retaliate against increasing Ukrainian strikes by targeting Kyiv’s European allies with conventional weaponry, claiming that European NATO countries would not risk retaliation and direct military confrontation with the world’s largest nuclear-armed nation.

The Defense Ministry released a catalog last month identifying European manufacturing facilities it claims are producing drones and related components for Ukraine. Officials cautioned that strikes against Russia using European-manufactured drones could result in “unpredictable consequences.”

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — International prosecutors revealed Tuesday that a Libyan prison commander earned the nickname “Angel of Death” from inmates he allegedly tortured, killed and sexually assaulted at a notorious detention center.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague conducted preliminary hearings for its first-ever defendant from the North African nation, who stands accused of 17 charges involving crimes against humanity and war crimes committed at the notorious Mitiga detention center in Tripoli from 2015 through 2020, during the chaotic years after longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi’s death.

Prisoners at the compound called Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri the “Angel of Death,” deputy prosecutor Nazhat Khan informed the court during opening remarks, citing testimony from one among nearly 1,000 victims involved in the proceedings.

The 47-year-old defendant, dressed in a blue suit and matching tie, showed no emotion while listening to the accusations against him.

The charges allege that El Hishri served as a high-ranking official at the compound and supervised the women’s wing, where sexual assault was routine. Prosecutors stated that El Hishri habitually carried a firearm and would shoot detainees in their legs or knees.

“These were not the acts of rogue Mitiga prison guards,” Khan stated.

The proceedings represent a preliminary hearing rather than a full trial, providing prosecutors an opportunity to present their evidence before the court. Judges will have 60 days to review the evidence and determine if it warrants proceeding to trial against El Hishri.

Germany transferred El Hishri to the Netherlands in December following his arrest there in July based on a sealed ICC arrest warrant.

This case marks the first time a Libyan defendant will face trial at the international tribunal, whose investigators received authorization from the United Nations Security Council in 2011 to examine alleged crimes in the north African country as it fell into chaos after the uprising that removed Gadhafi from power.

The tribunal quickly issued an arrest warrant for Gadhafi himself, but opposition forces killed him before authorities could apprehend and transfer him to The Hague.

Nine additional Libyan defendants remain subject to outstanding arrest warrants from the court, including one of Gadhafi’s sons.

Italian authorities detained but subsequently freed another suspect, Ossama Anjiem, also called Ossama al-Masri, in January due to a legal technicality, generating criticism from human rights organizations. He also faced accusations related to crimes at the Mitiga detention facility.

British authorities announced Tuesday they expect to reveal criminal charges by next June related to the devastating 2017 Grenfell Tower fire that claimed 72 lives in London.

The tragic blaze stands as Britain’s most fatal residential building fire since World War Two, sparking nationwide discussions about construction standards and housing safety for low-income residents.

A 2024 public inquiry final report attributed the catastrophe to failures across multiple sectors – government oversight, construction practices, and particularly companies that installed dangerous exterior cladding that had been promoted as fire-safe.

During a Tuesday media briefing, Garry Moncrieff, who leads the police investigation, revealed that 57 individuals and 20 businesses or organizations “remain as suspects” facing potential charges including corporate and gross negligence manslaughter, fraud and health and safety violations.

Moncrieff stated that investigators plan to transfer evidence files to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) by September’s end for charging decisions.

“When something that’s this complex and so hugely significant, it’s really important that we get this investigation right … to enable the CPS to take those charging decisions,” Moncrieff explained.

He recognized the lengthy timeline, acknowledging investigators “could not begin to understand the impact it had had on the bereaved, the survivors, and all those affected.”

Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS, had previously hoped for charging decisions by year’s end but now says “it is not possible to be definitive about timescales.” However, he expressed confidence decisions would come before the disaster’s 10th anniversary.

The fire began from a refrigerator’s electrical malfunction and swept through the 23-story public housing tower during early morning hours on June 14, 2017.

Police launched what they describe as the most extensive and complicated investigation in London force history, though detectives postponed any criminal charges until the public inquiry concluded.

Grenfell United, representing affected families and survivors, expressed frustration with the extended timeline.

“For our community, this is not news we meet with celebration,” the group stated. “We have waited almost a decade for accountability. No family should have to wait over 10 years for justice for their loved ones, if it comes at all.”

Following the disaster, Britain announced plans to review companies involved in the tower’s renovation to potentially bar certain firms from receiving government contracts, though most companies have escaped financial responsibility.

The government initiated demolition of building sections last year, with memorial plans also expected to be revealed this year.

VENTANILLA, Peru, May 19 – As she prepares for her fourth consecutive Peruvian presidential runoff election, Keiko Fujimori is wagering that public anxiety about escalating violence will restore faith in the authoritarian style of governance her father practiced during Peru’s tumultuous 1990s.

During earlier campaigns, Keiko had kept her distance from Alberto Fujimori, her deceased father who spent time behind bars for human rights violations and remains a polarizing figure in Peruvian society.

However, the 50-year-old conservative politician has now restructured her campaign to champion his political approach, promising hard-line security policies, stringent counter-terrorism legislation, and greater military involvement in law enforcement.

Prior to voting in the April 12 first round, Fujimori made a pilgrimage to her father’s burial site. She has drawn parallels between contemporary criminal organizations and the leftist Maoist rebels he crushed during his decade in power from 1990 to 2000, promising to deploy Peru’s intelligence apparatus and elite military units in what she calls a “frontal war” against crime and extortion.

“There is a deep collective memory of Fujimorismo,” said Luis Galarreta, Keiko Fujimori’s running mate and one of her closest allies, in an interview with Reuters. “What was done in the 1990s — the rescue of Peru — still matters.”

Alberto Fujimori’s supporters praise him for bringing economic stability and crushing Shining Path guerrillas during the 1990s, though his detractors condemn him as a dictator. He was found guilty in 2009 of authorizing a massacre and spent 16 years imprisoned before dying in 2024.

EXTORTION A DAILY PROBLEM

Public safety issues have taken center stage in this year’s Peruvian election, reflecting a wider pattern throughout Latin America where increasing violence tied to criminal organizations has boosted support for tough-stance politicians, including El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele and Chile’s Jose Antonio Kast.

In Ventanilla, an extensive northern Lima suburb close to Callao port, local residents interviewed by Reuters described widespread theft and constant extortion demands.

People living in a low-income housing development in Ventanilla that was officially established during Alberto Fujimori’s administration reported that criminal organizations demand daily tribute from even the tiniest enterprises.

“Extortion is being carried out against everyone,” said Rosa Rengifo Zegarra, 39. “There’s a man with a ceviche (fish dish) place, they ask him for 10 soles ($3) a day,” she said.

Across the country, extortion incidents reported to law enforcement increased by approximately 20% last year according to government statistics, while murders in the Lima area more than doubled from 9 per 100,000 residents in 2021 to 23.1 per 100,000 in 2025.

“You can no longer even think about having a business that operates,” said Pilar Cardenas Lopez, 49, who runs a community food kitchen. “Once they see that you have something, that’s it.”

Criminal activity in Peru has surged due to growing organized crime networks and deteriorating government institutions, according to Martin Cassinelli of the Atlantic Council. International gangs like Tren de Aragua have expanded their presence, while the explosive growth of unlawful gold extraction has become a primary source of criminal enterprise.

The government’s capacity to respond has been compromised by years of political chaos and corruption, along with legislation that has reduced prosecutors’ power to investigate and pursue organized crime cases, Cassinelli noted.

Ventanilla locals described broad-daylight shootings, vanishings and mobile phone theft in conversations with Reuters.

“On that corner, at the store, they killed someone,” said Teresa Cardenas, 48, signaling beyond the food kitchen entrance. “In the other block, a young man also disappeared,” she said.

Multiple administrations have relied on temporary emergency declarations and enforcement sweeps to combat rising crime, but these measures have not tackled the root problems, experts say.

For households, danger now influences everyday choices. Zegarra mentioned her 17-year-old daughter frequently comes home late following dance rehearsal.

“You worry,” she said. “One thing is that they snatch the phone — another is that they take her.”

ROOTED IN FUJIMORI’S NAME

The Ventanilla settlement carries the presidential candidate’s name – Keiko Sofia Fujimori. During the 1990s, homeless families were relocated to empty sandy hills north of Lima, and this location was named after Alberto Fujimori’s daughter, whom he designated as his first lady following a dispute with his first wife.

“There was no electricity, no water — just sand,” Cardenas said, remembering her arrival in 1995. She lives in a section called Keiko 1.

Long-time residents remembered Alberto Fujimori’s visits and social assistance programs during his administration. However, they noted his daughter had never personally visited the community bearing her name.

“I’ve been here 27 years, and she has not come personally — not at all,” said Cardenas Lopez.

Keiko Fujimori still maintains backing in the neighborhood, motivated partly by pledges of economic aid, including direct cash payments, should she win office, some residents explained. In April’s first round she captured approximately 22% of votes in Ventanilla, the largest percentage of any candidate in the district.

DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

Following the completion of first-round counting after weeks of postponements and fraud accusations, Fujimori obtained roughly 17% of the national vote in a divided field, qualifying for a second round against leftist congressman Roberto Sanchez.

An April 26 Ipsos opinion poll showed Fujimori and Sanchez tied for the June 7 runoff at 38% each.

As she intensifies her campaign before the second round, relying too heavily on the Fujimori political brand could present dangers for Keiko, political observers warned.

“Anti-Fujimorismo is the reason Keiko Fujimori has fallen just short of the presidency three times,” said historian and political analyst Daniel Parodi. “That rejection may be weakening, but by how much?”

Eileen Gavin, of consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, described Fujimori’s focus on security as a “double-edged sword.”

Some voters may be receptive to her tough-on-crime message, Gavin said. “But many also expect commitments to the rule of law and democratic institutional rebuilding to be part of any solution.” Commitments to those areas have been “sorely lacking in Fujimorismo,” she added.

Alfaro Rojas Carla, a 48-year old mother of five in Ventanilla, looked back on the time of the elder Fujimori era as one of greater security, when she received financial support for her first child.

“There are many who say (Keiko Fujimori) is like her father, which is why they vote for her,” said Rojas Carla.

“We hope she’ll work in the same way her father did.”

LONDON (AP) — A British television network has removed every episode of the UK version of a popular reality dating program from all its platforms following sexual assault allegations made by three female participants against their matched partners.

The network described the accusations as “very serious,” while British government officials stated Tuesday that there must be “consequences for criminality or wrongdoing.”

The reality program is part of a global television franchise that originated in Denmark, with versions airing in numerous countries including the United States, Australia and South Africa. The show pairs strangers through expert matchmaking, with participants moving in together following staged wedding ceremonies.

According to the allegations, two female participants from the British version say they were raped by their television husbands, while a third woman claims she experienced a nonconsensual sexual encounter.

These accusations emerged during an investigation conducted by a BBC investigative news program called “Panorama.” The BBC reported that none of the accusers have filed police reports, and the accused men deny all allegations.

A Conservative lawmaker who chairs the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee told the BBC that the program clearly contains “an element of risk.”

“It’s a TV show that almost expects and anticipates people that have only just met will have to become really quite intimate with each other,” she told the BBC. “They’re expected to share a bed and a life together within minutes of meeting. It almost feels like an accident waiting to happen.”

An independent production company creates the British version of the show. The program has aired for 10 seasons, with an 11th season planned for broadcast this year. The production company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The broadcaster stated that the show operates under “some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry,” which include background screenings, behavioral conduct standards and “daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team.”

Network officials have initiated a comprehensive review of their welfare standards and procedures.

“I want to express my sympathy to contributors who have clearly been distressed after taking part in ‘Married at First Sight UK,’” the network’s chief executive said. “The well-being of our contributors is always of paramount importance.”

These allegations represent the most recent incident fueling ongoing discussions in Britain regarding reality television ethics and the psychological pressures faced by show participants. Previous controversies include the deaths by suicide of two former contestants from another reality dating show in 2018 and 2019, as well as the suicide of that program’s former host in 2020.

MADRID — A Madrid court has launched an investigation into former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero over allegations of influence peddling and other potential crimes connected to a government airline rescue package.

The National Court in Madrid is examining potential financial misconduct related to the Spanish government’s bailout of Plus Ultra airline, which obtained 53 million euros (currently $62 million) in taxpayer funds during 2021 as part of COVID-19 recovery assistance.

Court officials announced in a statement that the probe has been expanded to encompass Zapatero, who was called to respond to judicial questioning on June 2. On Tuesday, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at Zapatero’s office under orders from the investigating judge.

The 65-year-old Zapatero served as prime minister between 2004 and 2011. He belongs to the Socialist party currently led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

During a Senate hearing in March, he rejected any misconduct allegations regarding the bailout, stating he “never received any commissions from Plus Ultra.”

Plus Ultra operates as a Spanish-owned carrier with Venezuelan investors. The airline focused on routes connecting Spain with Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador.

After departing from office, Zapatero has dedicated much of his efforts to fostering communication with Venezuela’s far-left government, which faced isolation from Western nations following its suppression of democratic opposition groups.

When Plus Ultra obtained the bailout funding, Zapatero had been away from public office for ten years.

The former leader maintains political ties with Sánchez, whose party has faced multiple corruption controversies during the past two years.

The United Nations has begun its search process to select a new secretary general, with the decision expected to be finalized before the end of this year.

Among the top contenders for the position is Michele Bachelet, who previously served as Chile’s president and currently holds the role of U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. Bachelet has drawn attention for her strong advocacy positions on reproductive rights, supporting abortion access through all stages of pregnancy and advocating for government funding of such procedures globally.

Additionally, Bachelet has expressed support for transgender rights initiatives, including medical transition procedures for minors. The selection process for the UN’s top leadership position will continue throughout the coming months.

Leaders from South Korea and Japan announced Tuesday they will enhance collaboration on natural gas and oil supplies, establishing new stockpiling arrangements and petroleum exchange programs.

During a summit meeting in Andong, South Korea, President Lee Jae Myung and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi outlined plans to strengthen coordination for stable energy distribution and broaden partnerships with other Asian nations. The initiative comes as conflicts in the Gulf region create supply challenges for both import-reliant economies.

“Recent instability in supply chains and energy markets stemming from the situation in the Middle East has further underscored the need for close cooperation between our two countries,” Lee said in a joint press statement.

Takaichi announced the launch of a bilateral program aimed at bolstering energy supply resilience throughout the Indo-Pacific region, “assessing energy security through measures such as mutual swap transactions for crude oil, petroleum products and LNG.”

The meeting also addressed security matters, with both nations committing to enhanced defense coordination alongside the United States as they face mutual threats from North Korea and growing regional tensions.

Lee highlighted that recently enhanced vice ministerial-level security discussions between the countries represented “meaningful progress” in establishing formal defense dialogue structures.

Tuesday’s gathering marked the sixth encounter between the two leaders since Lee assumed office and their second meeting this year under an established “shuttle diplomacy” arrangement.

Both officials emphasized that the frequent meetings, including visits to each leader’s home region, demonstrate growing trust and expanding cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic channels to include regional and economic partnerships.

The two nations continue working to strengthen ties despite ongoing historical disagreements, as both governments prioritize economic security, advanced technology collaboration including artificial intelligence development, and regional stability.

The Andong summit included cultural elements, with leaders attending a dinner featuring dishes from both countries to symbolize bilateral friendship. The program also featured musical performances, including piano music and traditional Korean riverside fireworks and pansori entertainment.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian farmer’s dinner preparations took an unexpected turn when he discovered a living amphibian nestled among the greens in his grocery store lettuce bag.

Rhys Smoker was getting ready to make steak and salad for his three housemates on Saturday at their residence in Esperance, located in Western Australia state, when he made the surprising find inside the sealed plastic packaging he had purchased from a local supermarket, according to housemate Laura Jones, who spoke on Tuesday.

“He’s like, ‘Oh Bro, there’s a frog in the lettuce.’ And we’re like, ‘No, you’re taking the mick, like that’s not real,’” Jones explained to AP. The phrase “taking the mick” refers to trying to trick someone.

Smoker carried the package to the living area to demonstrate the discovery to Jones and her partner Billy Le Pine.

“Obviously there’s a little frog hiding out and, yeah, we all had a little laugh about it,” Jones recalled.

According to Le Pine, the group decided to call their unexpected visitor Greg and later set him free at a nearby pond.

“We thought we’d give him a wee send off tune as we played Crazy Frog for him,” Le Pine shared with Australian Broadcasting Corp. Crazy Frog refers to a Swedish computer-animated character and Eurodance performer.

The lettuce had been purchased by Smoker and his partner Lilli Ashby from a Woolworths store in Esperance on the same day Greg was found.

This isn’t the first time Australian shoppers have encountered wildlife in supermarkets. Five years earlier, a customer came face-to-face with a 3-meter-long (10-foot-long) harmless diamond python on a Woolworths shelf in Sydney. Additionally, in 2021, another shopper found a dangerous pale-headed snake wrapped with lettuce in plastic at an ALDI store in Sydney.

According to Woolworths, the frog incident appears to be a one-off occurrence with no similar reports received. “Our teams are investigating this with our suppliers as a priority,” the company stated.

The supermarket chain offered an apology to the household and supplied them with a new lettuce bag.

A Hong Kong court wrapped up closing arguments Tuesday in a national security case against two former leaders who organized the city’s annual remembrance ceremonies for the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.

Judge Alex Lee, serving on a three-judge panel selected by the government, announced they expect to issue a ruling in July for defendants Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan. Both previously led the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.

The disbanded organization ran China’s only major public memorial event for decades, drawing tens of thousands of participants each year before authorities prohibited it in 2020 amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Both defendants were indicted in 2021 on charges of inciting subversion under Beijing’s national security legislation, which carries a potential 10-year prison sentence upon conviction. They entered not guilty pleas in January.

Legal experts view their case and the end of the memorial events as representing the erosion of civil liberties that Beijing had guaranteed when the former British territory was handed back to Chinese control in 1997. Officials in Hong Kong and Beijing maintain the security legislation is essential for maintaining order in the city.

During earlier court sessions, prosecutors emphasized the alliance’s call for “ending one-party rule,” contending the organization encouraged others to pursue illegal methods to topple China’s Communist Party leadership.

Chow, a lawyer representing herself, told the court Tuesday her case was “a very strange case” since the defendants haven’t disputed their actions or claimed their public statements didn’t represent their actual beliefs.

She explained that “ending one-party rule” refers to eliminating unchecked authority, noting a central issue is whether the law truly protects the Chinese Communist Party’s permanent governance while prohibiting citizens from advancing democratic reforms.

Chow contended the case has inverted normal standards of justice.

“Speaking the truth has become inciting hatred, seeking justice has become exploiting suffering, limiting power has become violating the constitution, and returning power to the people has become subverting the state,” she stated.

She warned that if the court doesn’t properly evaluate the reasonable impact of their words, it risks becoming complicit by allowing those in authority to commit wrongdoing.

Prosecutors argued Monday that rights to free speech, assembly and association have limits, claiming the defendants are trying to shift attention using human rights arguments.

Following both sides’ presentations, Lee stated Tuesday the judges cannot set an exact date but anticipate reaching a decision between mid- and late July.

The proceedings, originally planned for 75 days, progressed more quickly than anticipated. Tuesday marked the 24th day of hearings.

Albert Ho, another defendant in the case, admitted guilt when proceedings started in January. Guilty pleas often lead to reduced sentences.

Hong Kong’s yearly Tiananmen commemorations honored those killed during the 1989 suppression of student demonstrations, when military tanks entered central Beijing and troops used live ammunition. The death toll included hundreds or possibly thousands of civilians, plus dozens of military personnel.

Officials prohibited the Hong Kong vigil in 2020, citing COVID-19 health concerns.

However, once pandemic restrictions ended, pro-Beijing organizations held a festival at the former vigil location instead. People attempting to mark the anniversary near the site on June 4, the date of the crackdown, were arrested.

BEIJING, May 19 – Chinese authorities have prohibited the importation of pork, wild boar, and associated products from the Philippines following concerns about swine fever, according to an announcement from the General Administration of Customs.

The trade restriction was implemented as a preventative measure against the spread of the animal disease.

Authorities in Spain’s Catalonia region have taken Jonathan Andic into custody on Tuesday as part of their ongoing probe into the death of his father, Isak Andic, who established the Mango clothing empire, according to the Mossos police force.

A representative speaking for the family confirmed that Jonathan Andic was undergoing questioning by authorities but declined to provide additional information.

The family previously expressed confidence in his innocence last year following reports from multiple regional news outlets that he was under official investigation for potential homicide charges.

Isak Andic lost his life after plunging more than 100 metres (328 ft) from a cliff during a hiking excursion with family members at the Montserrat caves near Barcelona in December 2024.

Financial leaders from the world’s most advanced economies convened in Paris this week to address economic disruptions caused by escalating Middle East tensions, with France’s top finance official calling for enhanced international assistance.

During their two-day gathering in the French capital, finance ministers and central bank governors from G7 nations discussed how the regional conflict has affected global markets and created economic instability worldwide.

The Tuesday session expanded to include representatives from Gulf nations, Brazil, and Kenya as the group of seven wealthy countries seeks to strengthen international partnerships while managing multiple global crises including ongoing pressure on Russia regarding Ukraine.

“We agree on the fact that the IMF and the World Bank have to step up their game for those countries (most vulnerable to the impact of the Middle East conflict) and make sure we help them,” French Finance Minister Roland Lescure told reporters, adding that a shortage of fertiliser would have a particular impact.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack against Iran after Tehran sent a peace proposal to Washington, and that there was now a “very good chance” of reaching a deal limiting Iran’s nuclear programme.

However, several G7 nations have voiced concerns that Washington and Israel proceeded with military action against Iran without fully considering economic ramifications, including the potential shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for global energy supplies.

According to Lescure, officials from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates joined the Paris discussions to address the Gulf region crisis.

Representatives from Syria and Ukraine took part in portions of the talks, reflecting the G7’s focus on supporting nations considered essential to regional and worldwide stability.

Delegates from Brazil, India and South Korea also participated, representing efforts to expand international cooperation during a period when established alliances face challenges.

The gathering also addressed strategies for diversifying sources of rare earth elements and essential minerals, along with tackling global economic imbalances – key priorities during France’s G7 leadership.

Lescure has emphasized that worldwide economic disparities are creating trade tensions and could lead to dangerous market disruptions, pointing to patterns where China under-consumes, the United States over-consumes and Europe under-invests.

“We see how others are changing the rules, and I have no desire for us to end up being the fools,” German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil told reporters on Monday, calling for Europe to set local content requirements and assert its interests.

Regarding essential minerals and rare earth elements, G7 governments are working together to decrease dependence on China, which controls supply networks crucial for electric vehicle technology, clean energy systems, and defense equipment.

European Economic Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said the G7 is making progress in raw materials partnerships, but he added it is not something that would happen overnight. “That requires time and adequate preparation.”

He also emphasized maintaining pressure on Russia following the United States’ announcement of another 30-day extension for a sanctions waiver permitting purchases of Russian seaborne oil to assist “energy-vulnerable” countries.

“From the EU point of view, we do not think that this is the time to ease pressure on Russia,” Dombrovskis told reporters on Tuesday, adding that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had been “reassuring” that it would only be temporary, but also noting it was the second extension of this measure.

Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary election on June 7 represents a crucial crossroads for the nation’s foreign policy direction, as voters will choose between the current government’s Western-leaning approach and opposition parties that favor stronger Russian connections.

Polling data and political experts anticipate that the Civil Contract party, under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s leadership, will secure the most seats but probably won’t achieve the two-thirds parliamentary control required for constitutional amendments.

Peace Agreement Focus

The ruling Civil Contract party, which has governed since 2018, has campaigned heavily on its diplomatic efforts toward establishing peace with Azerbaijan, highlighting an initial accord that Pashinyan signed with Baku during a White House ceremony last August.

The mountainous nation of approximately 3 million people has experienced intermittent conflict with Azerbaijan dating back to the late 1980s, primarily centered on the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

In 2023, Baku launched a rapid military campaign that restored complete control over Karabakh, forcing nearly all 100,000 ethnic Armenians living there to relocate to Armenia.

Russian-Aligned Opposition Forces

Opposition political movements in Armenia are primarily composed of pro-Russian factions, many connected to former presidents who lack popular support.

The most significant opposition challenger is the Strong Armenia party, headed by an Armenian-Russian billionaire currently facing legal proceedings for allegedly inciting government overthrow.

Strong Armenia has built its campaign around pro-business policies while criticizing Pashinyan for supposedly provoking tensions with Moscow.

Evolving Russian Relations

Armenian-Russian diplomatic ties have deteriorated since 2023, particularly after Azerbaijan’s successful Karabakh operation occurred while Russian peacekeeping forces were stationed in the territory.

Armenia maintains membership in a Russian-dominated economic alliance, making complete separation from Moscow challenging given their significant trade relationship. The country relies heavily on both Russia and neighboring Iran for energy resources and accommodates a substantial Russian military installation.

Russian officials have voiced concerns about Armenia’s Western orientation, warning of potential “negative political and economic consequences” for Yerevan.

Armenian civic organizations have expressed concerns about alleged Russian state-backed misinformation campaigns targeting the election period. Moscow consistently denies interference in foreign nations’ domestic politics.

Western Partnership Development

Armenia enacted legislation last year to begin the European Union membership application process, with Pashinyan positioning his nation as Europe’s primary regional ally in the South Caucasus.

The Armenia-Azerbaijan peace framework includes plans for a transit route through Armenian territory that would enhance Asia-Europe connectivity while reducing dependence on Russian pathways.

A recent agreement with U.S. Vice President JD Vance during his Yerevan visit this year could enable an American corporation to construct a nuclear reactor facility in Armenia.

Regional Diplomatic Progress

Yerevan and Baku established a U.S.-mediated peace framework in August but haven’t finalized a comprehensive treaty. Azerbaijan insists Armenia must first modify certain constitutional language, which Yerevan has indicated willingness to address. A constitutional referendum may follow the election.

Armenia’s frontiers with both Azerbaijan and Turkey have remained sealed for decades, with Turkey closing its border in 1993 to support its strategic partner Baku regarding the Karabakh dispute.

Recent diplomatic advances with Ankara have occurred, particularly in commercial relations, though overall progress remains gradual.

The executive leading Starbucks Korea operations has been terminated following intense public backlash over a marketing initiative that inadvertently referenced a tragic military assault on democracy advocates in 1980.

Shinsegae Group, the retail company that operates the American coffee brand’s South Korean locations, announced the dismissal of Sohn Jeong-hyun, who oversaw Starbucks Korea, citing “inappropriate marketing” as the reason for his termination.

The controversy erupted when Starbucks introduced its “Tank Day” promotional event on Monday, advertising its “Tank” tumbler collection with the slogan “put it on the table with a sound of ‘Tak!’”

The timing proved particularly problematic as Monday coincided with Democratisation Movement Day, an annual observance honoring the student-led Gwangju Uprising from May 1980. The marketing campaign triggered widespread condemnation throughout South Korea.

During that uprising, military forces under dictator Chun Doo-hwan’s regime used troops and armored vehicles to suppress demonstrators, resulting in hundreds of deaths and disappearances. Many aspects of the incident remain unclear, including who authorized soldiers to fire upon protesters. Chun eventually resigned in 1988 as democratic movements gained momentum.

The promotional phrase “tak” also drew criticism for resembling official explanations given by South Korean authorities in 1987 regarding a student activist’s death, who was later determined to have been tortured. Officials at that time claimed the student died after investigators hit a desk producing a “tak” noise, according to media accounts.

Attempts to contact Sohn were unsuccessful, and Starbucks Korea refused to provide access to him, stating he had departed the organization. The company has discontinued the campaign.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed his fury over the promotion on social media Monday, demanding an apology to families of those killed during the uprising.

“I deeply bow in apology as the representative of the group,” Chung said. The marketing “deeply hurt the public, the bereaved families, and the victims of the May 18 demonstration.”

The campaign “tarnished the bloody protests of Gwangju citizens and the victims of the protests,” Lee stated, describing it as the work of a “degenerate peddler.”

Both Starbucks Korea and Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin issued public apologies on the company website.

Despite the apologies, Starbucks Korea’s statement received over 2,800 mostly negative social media responses, with users sharing images of themselves obtaining refunds on prepaid cards and terminating their mobile app accounts with the coffee retailer.

Additional users posted videos showing themselves destroying Starbucks merchandise including tumblers and mugs.

Stock prices for Shinsegae’s E-Mart retail division, which holds a 67.5% ownership in Starbucks Korea (now called SCK Company), dropped 5.5% at Seoul’s market close.

Starbucks Global released its own statement Tuesday, expressing regret about the incident and announcing an internal investigation.

“We sincerely apologize to the people of Gwangju, to those impacted by this tragedy, and to our customers and communities,” a spokesperson at Starbucks Global said in an email to Reuters.

“Leadership accountability actions have been taken, and a thorough investigation is underway,” the spokesperson said. “We are implementing stronger internal controls, review standards, and company-wide training to ensure this does not happen again.”

Emergency crews in eastern Germany continued their search Tuesday morning for three individuals trapped beneath debris after a structure collapsed Monday evening in Görlitz, a city located near the Polish border.

Authorities believe a gas explosion may have triggered the building’s collapse, which occurred Monday night.

Rescue workers approached the site with extreme care due to potential gas leak hazards, according to German news agency dpa.

Following failed efforts to find the missing individuals using search dogs, rescue teams started removing debris with excavation equipment and manual labor at approximately 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Earlier fears that as many as five individuals could be buried beneath the wreckage proved to be incorrect, authorities confirmed.

A man concerned that his wife and cousin might be trapped beneath the debris explained Monday that they had come that day for a holiday stay at the rented property. While purchasing items at a local supermarket, he heard an explosion and returned to discover only a massive pile of rubble where the house had stood, dpa reported.

The destroyed structure featured historic Wilhelminian architecture and housed rental and vacation units, authorities said.

Görlitz serves as Germany’s easternmost municipality, home to 57,000 residents. Its well-preserved historic center frequently serves as a backdrop for international movie productions.

Malaysia’s defense minister announced Tuesday that officials have formally notified Norway of their intent to pursue compensation exceeding 1 billion ringgit ($251.76 million) following Oslo’s unexpected cancellation of export permits for naval strike missile systems designated for Malaysian warships.

Norwegian officials stated that specific export licenses for certain defense technology to Malaysia were withdrawn due to changes in Oslo’s export control policies. The unexpected decision surprised Malaysian officials and ignited a diplomatic dispute, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim describing the action as “unilateral and unacceptable.”

Defense Minister Mohamad Khaled Nordin explained that the government plans to pursue reimbursement for both direct and indirect expenses, noting that Malaysia had already remitted approximately 126 million euros ($146.66 million), representing 95% of the contract’s total value, for the missile systems.

Malaysia will also pursue additional compensation to address costs associated with removing and replacing equipment on vessels designed to house the Norwegian-manufactured missiles, along with expenses for retraining military personnel, he informed reporters.

Mohamed Khaled stated that Norway’s action creates concerns about the reliability of international defense partnerships, especially those involving Western or NATO member nations.

“What has happened to us was not just a defence procurement issue. It reflects a larger problem, namely, the erosion of trust among countries in international relations,” he said.

The Norwegian ministry of foreign affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Malaysia’s compensation demand.

The defense division of Norwegian company Kongsberg announced in 2018 that it had secured a 124 million euro agreement with the Royal Malaysian Navy to provide NSM missiles for six littoral combat ships. Mohamed Khaled revealed last week that a second contract existed to deliver the system to two additional naval vessels.

BRUSSELS – European Union officials were set to reach an agreement Tuesday on eliminating import tariffs on American products, working to honor a trade agreement made with the United States last year while avoiding threatened tariff increases from former President Trump.

The agreement, negotiated at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland last July, requires the EU to eliminate import tariffs on American industrial products and provide better access for US agricultural and seafood items. The United States would maintain 15% tariffs on most European Union goods in return.

Despite the deal being nearly 10 months old, both the European Parliament and the Council representing EU member nations must still approve legislative language before the tariff reductions can take effect. The primary disagreements center on protective measures in case Trump abandons the agreement.

Parliamentary and council negotiators were scheduled to convene for what sources expected to be final discussions beginning at 9 p.m. local time. EU legislators participating in the negotiations expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached late Tuesday or early Wednesday morning.

Trump has established a July 4th deadline for the European Union to fulfill its trade commitments, warning he would impose substantially higher tariffs on EU products including automobiles if the bloc fails to act. He previously threatened to increase tariffs on European car imports from the current 15% to 25%.

European lawmakers have twice delayed the necessary legislation following Trump’s threats to impose additional tariffs on European partners who didn’t support his proposed Greenland acquisition and after the Supreme Court overturned his global tariffs.

If negotiators reach an agreement, the bloc should satisfy Trump’s July 4th timeline, with the European Parliament expected to hold a final approval vote in mid-June.

Parliamentary representatives are pushing for stronger protective measures, including a provision requiring the United States to fulfill its obligations before the EU reduces duties, the ability to halt the agreement if America violates the terms, and an expiration date of March 31, 2028 for EU tariff concessions.

EU member governments have shown less enthusiasm for including such provisions, worried they might anger the Trump administration and create business uncertainty for European companies.

MALE, Maldives — Specialized diving experts from Finland began efforts Tuesday to retrieve the remains of four Italian divers who perished in a deep underwater cave system in the Maldives, nearly a week after they disappeared during an exploration dive.

The victims’ bodies were discovered Monday when search operations resumed following a tragic setback — a local military diver lost his life during the dangerous rescue attempt. The Italian diving group was first reported missing Thursday.

According to Maldives government spokesman Ahmed Shaam, the three-person Finnish team will work to bring up the remains from approximately 60 meters (200 feet) below the surface, at which point they’ll transfer responsibility to coast guard personnel who will transport the bodies closer to shore for police custody.

Recreational diving regulations in the Maldives limit depths to 30 meters (nearly 100 feet).

Officials from the Indian Ocean nation announced Monday that the Finnish diving specialists, working alongside local police and military personnel, located the bodies in the deepest section of the cave system.

“As was previously thought, the four bodies were found inside the cave, not only inside the cave, but well inside the cave into the third segment of the cave, which is the largest part,” Shaam said.

He described finding the four victims “pretty much together,” with plans to recover two bodies Tuesday and the remaining two Wednesday.

The Divers’ Alert Network Europe, which sent the Finnish team, described them on its website as technical and cave diving specialists with international expertise in search and recovery operations, including work in “deep overhead environments, confined spaces and high-risk scenarios.”

The recovery team utilized sophisticated technical equipment, including closed-circuit rebreathers — systems that recycle exhaled air and eliminate carbon dioxide through chemical scrubbing, enabling “significantly longer dives,” according to the organization.

A fifth Italian diver — identified as a diving instructor — was recovered outside the cave entrance on the same day the group was reported missing. According to Italy’s Foreign Ministry, the five-person team had been exploring a cave system approximately 50 meters (160 feet) down in Vaavu Atoll Thursday.

Earlier search teams had already descended to locate and mark the entrance to the cave system where the Italian divers vanished.

New Zealand’s Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced Tuesday that the government will eliminate approximately 9,000 public sector positions by mid-2029, representing 14% of all government jobs, as part of an effort to reduce spending by billions of dollars.

Speaking to a business gathering in Auckland, the country’s largest city, Willis outlined plans that include three straight years of budget reductions for most government agencies, a substantial decrease in the number of departments, and accelerated implementation of artificial intelligence technology throughout the public sector. These changes are projected to save 2.4 billion New Zealand dollars ($1.4 billion) over the specified timeframe.

The workforce reductions will primarily affect Wellington, the capital city where most government employees are based. Public servant numbers would drop to 55,000, down 8,700 positions from December 2025 levels, according to Willis.

This reduction would bring public servants to 1% of New Zealand’s 5.3 million residents, compared to the current 1.2%.

“That’s unsustainable, it’s unaffordable and it’s out of step with international trends,” Willis stated during her Tuesday address. Military personnel, educators, and medical professionals would be protected from the job eliminations, she noted.

The reforms would also consolidate the current 39 government departments and agencies into a smaller, unspecified number.

The job cuts won’t begin immediately, and Willis provided no specifics about how decisions would be made regarding which positions to eliminate. Her center-right administration, in office since 2023 after campaigning on reducing government size, must face voters again in November.

Labor organizations and opposition politicians strongly criticized Tuesday’s announcement.

“There is no way you can reduce that many people working for our public service without reducing front-line services,” said Labour Party and opposition leader Chris Hipkins. Duane Leo, spokesperson for the union representing thousands of public servants, said the measures were “an act of willful destruction.”

The National Party-led government attributes what it characterizes as financial irresponsibility by the previous center-left Labour administration for expanding public servant employment from 48,000 to 63,000 during Labour’s tenure. In 2018, Labour had eliminated a public sector hiring cap established by the previous National government, arguing that restriction had led to increased spending on contractors and consultants as agencies avoided hiring permanent staff.

Most government departments will see their funding reduced by 2% in the budget scheduled for late May, Willis explained. Additional 5% annual cuts would follow for the subsequent two years if the government wins reelection.

The public sector “hasn’t been keeping pace” with developments in AI and digital technology and must adopt these innovations, Willis emphasized.

These public sector reduction promises come as New Zealand’s economic growth remains weak and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who positioned himself as a superior fiscal steward compared to his political rivals, attempts to demonstrate economic improvement before November’s election. Luxon described Tuesday the possibility of a more streamlined public sector as “exciting.”

“The public service is not a make-work function,” he stated.

Ukrainian military forces are dealing significant setbacks to Russia’s war operations through an expanded strategy of medium-range drone strikes that target enemy positions dozens of kilometers from the front lines.

Military commanders and defense experts report that Ukraine has dramatically increased its “middle strikes” capability in recent months, focusing on targets positioned 30 to 180 kilometers behind enemy lines. These operations are disrupting Russian battlefield progress and creating openings for extended-range attacks on oil and military installations.

The enhanced drone operations have allowed Ukrainian forces to hit Russian radar systems, air defense networks, communication infrastructure, supply chains, and heavy military equipment at what military experts call “operational depth,” according to two Ukrainian commanders, drone specialists, and military analysts.

Robert Brovdi, who leads Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, explained that long-range attack drones can now penetrate Russian defenses more effectively to strike oil installations far from the fighting zones.

“The role of middle strikes is currently decisive,” Brovdi stated in a voice message to Reuters, discussing operations reaching up to 2,000 kilometers.

Defense experts acknowledge that while these attacks cannot single-handedly reverse the war’s trajectory, they are creating substantial impact and potentially altering the conflict’s momentum.

Over recent months, Ukrainian long-distance drone operations have inflicted the most severe damage to Russian oil infrastructure since Moscow launched its 2022 invasion. Last month, Russia decreased oil production due to drone strikes on ports and refineries, and crude oil deliveries through Russia’s sole remaining European pipeline were stopped.

These attacks have boosted Ukrainian morale following a winter of Russian strikes on power infrastructure, while Russia’s territorial advancement rate has dropped to its lowest level since 2023.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced this month that Ukrainian “middle strikes” had doubled compared to March and increased fourfold since February.

A field commander identified as “Kusto” from the 7th battalion of Brovdi’s 414th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade reported significant growth in Ukraine’s medium-strike capabilities since autumn.

“We have scaled up, increased the number of crews, and expanded the number of systems in use. There is also greater diversity in the available platforms,” he explained in written statements.

Kusto’s unit primarily focuses on objectives within 100 kilometers of the contact line, with Russian radar installations and air-defense systems including Buk, Tor and Pantsir representing the most valuable targets. Additional priority targets include large vehicles and logistics operations.

“The aircraft (drone) itself typically flies about 150 kilometres from the launch point and then begins searching for targets in the designated area,” he described.

The unit most frequently employs domestically manufactured Chaklun V drones for middle-strike operations, followed by the B-2 model.

Brovdi noted that manual control provides superior precision compared to coordinate-based guidance, with typically no more than three drones required to confirm target destruction.

His forces have eliminated at least 129 air-defense systems this year in Russian-controlled territories, though Reuters could not independently confirm this number.

Ukraine has conducted multiple attacks on oil facilities in the Russian Black Sea port city of Tuapse, and Brovdi announced Friday that his forces had struck the Ryazan oil refinery, among Russia’s largest. Ukrainian operations have also forced operational suspensions at NORSI, Russia’s fourth-largest refinery, and facilities in Perm, approximately 1,500 kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border.

The extended-range strikes have facilitated more medium-range attacks by compelling Russia to spread air defenses away from front-line positions, explained Justin Bronk, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.

This allows Ukrainian forces to target assets beyond artillery or remotely operated First-Person View drone range, including ammunition and fuel storage, command centers, supply vehicles and other medium-range drone teams.

In April, Ukrainian forces executed over 160 middle strikes at distances of 120-150 kilometers, according to the Defence Ministry.

Such operations hinder Russian battlefield activities by extending the gap between front-line troops and their support forces, said Illia Mashyna, commander of Ukraine’s 431st Separate Unmanned Aircraft Systems Battalion “Brodiahy.”

“The farther you pull back, the more you complicate logistics,” Mashyna emphasized, highlighting the importance of thorough planning and consistent coordination for operational effectiveness.

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War reported that Russia’s battlefield progress has decelerated since October, partially due to medium-range strikes but also because of local fortifications and terrain challenges, particularly in the Donbas region.

Russian forces have also encountered communication difficulties since tech billionaire Elon Musk restricted their access to the Starlink satellite internet service.

RUSI’s Bronk explained that Kyiv’s rapid medium-range capability development addressed a critical gap, as Russia pressured Ukraine’s outnumbered and outgunned forces while also effectively employing middle strikes.

Continuous battlefield deployment has accelerated innovation as Ukraine works to strengthen domestic defense production and reduce dependence on foreign supplies.

Direct communication between manufacturers and front-line operators means user feedback gets incorporated into drone systems within days, Kusto reported.

A technical engineer in Kusto’s unit, using the call sign “Symbol,” said some manufacturers now provide platforms that arrive nearly combat-ready, requiring minimal additional programming.

“Previously, middle strike was more of a one-off capability,” he noted in written comments. “Now it’s a systematic part of operations.”

Emil Kastehelmi from the Finland-based Black Bird conflict analysis group said medium-range attacks may not reverse the tide against Russia but present a challenge requiring Russian force adaptation.

“And I don’t think we’ve seen the pinnacle of it yet,” he concluded.