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Thousands of educators flooded the streets of Portugal’s capital on Saturday, voicing their frustration with the centre-right government over inadequate compensation, slow career advancement, and poor working conditions.

The demonstration was coordinated by the FENPROF teachers’ union, which criticized government officials for failing to address concerns about insufficient wages, career stagnation, and excessive workloads. Union representatives reported thousands of participants, though law enforcement has not yet provided crowd estimates.

Last May, government officials reached an agreement with union representatives to incrementally restore over six years and six months of career progression that had been suspended following Portugal’s 2011 financial rescue package. This arrangement enabled more than 100,000 educators in public schools to advance on the salary scale, increasing their monthly earnings by several hundred euros, though no retroactive compensation was included.

Numerous educators believe these steps are insufficient. Entry-level public school teachers receive approximately 1,714 euros monthly before taxes, positioning Portugal among the lower-compensated OECD nations for beginning educators.

“I lost 60,000 euros that I will never recover. They are giving us back just a few crumbs, and we’re supposed to be happy with that? No. We need to be properly valued,” said geology teacher Catarina Pinheiro, 47, during the demonstration.

Throughout an entire career, educators’ compensation can fall 15% to 25% beneath the OECD average. Although maximum earnings reach approximately 3,700 euros monthly before taxes, achieving this level can require nearly four decades. Public sector compensation also establishes standards for private educational institutions.

Educators participating in the rally expressed that inadequate pay and sluggish advancement opportunities were creating widespread discontent throughout the profession, especially among newer staff members, and cautioned that public education systems were facing significant pressure.

Hundreds of citizens gathered in Tunisia’s capital city on Saturday to voice their opposition to President Kais Saied, charging him with eroding civil liberties while overseeing a deepening economic and social crisis.

The demonstration took place under the rallying cry: “The people are hungry and prisons are full”.

Those who gathered demanded an end to authoritarian leadership and displayed signs condemning the detention of political figures, media workers and community activists, as worries grow about an expanding campaign against opposition voices.

Rally participants also condemned what they characterized as Saied’s inability to address the nation’s economic troubles, while employing courts and law enforcement to suppress opposition.

The North African nation is experiencing severe economic difficulties, including stagnant economic expansion, rising costs, medical and food supply shortages, budget constraints, and declining government services.

Saied, who disbanded the legislative body and started governing through executive orders in 2022, has encountered increasing condemnation from human rights organizations regarding what they describe as the destruction of the democratic framework established after 2011.

Saied dismisses these charges, stating his actions are essential to rescue the nation from disorder and corruption.

The legal profession has announced work stoppages in upcoming days over the weakening of court independence, while the media workers’ organization is planning demonstrations against the imprisonment of reporters and limits on news media freedoms.

Government officials maintain they are upholding legal standards and deny claims of political persecution.

SAO PAULO, May 16 – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro would finish in a statistical dead heat if they faced each other in an October runoff election, new polling data from Datafolha revealed Saturday.

The survey shows both candidates would capture exactly 45% of voter support in a head-to-head matchup. Flavio is the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

This represents a slight shift from April’s polling, which had given Flavio a narrow 46% to 45% edge over Lula – though that difference fell within the survey’s two percentage point margin of error, making it essentially tied.

In first-round voting scenarios, the poll of 2,004 voters found Lula would capture 38% support, with Flavio finishing second at 35%.

Most interviews for this latest survey were completed before Intercept Brasil broke a story detailing Flavio’s connections to former banker Daniel Vorcaro.

The report alleges Flavio worked to secure 134 million reais ($26.5 million) from Vorcaro, who previously owned Banco Master, to fund a biographical film about his father.

Vorcaro remains behind bars as authorities investigate the scandal surrounding Banco Master’s financial collapse.

Flavio has rejected any claims of impropriety regarding his dealings with Vorcaro. Legal representatives for Vorcaro have previously refused to provide statements about the Intercept Brasil investigation.

Romanian defense officials announced Saturday that they discovered an unexploded device containing explosives in a village located in the southeastern part of the country, close to its border with Ukraine.

The NATO and European Union member nation has a 650-kilometer border with Ukraine. Unmanned aircraft from Russia targeting Ukrainian ports along the Danube river have repeatedly entered Romanian airspace, with debris occasionally landing on Romanian soil when Ukrainian defenders intercept them.

Defense ministry officials identified the device as an unguided reactive projectile, which was located in the yard of an empty residence in Pardina village within Tulcea county, according to their official statement. Authorities did not specify where they believe the projectile originated.

“Technical verifications confirmed the presence of 2 kg worth of explosives in the projectile’s body,” the statement said, adding that the area’s perimeter had been secured.

In the previous month, an explosive unmanned aircraft crashed into a residential backyard in the city of Galati, representing the initial occurrence since Ukraine’s conflict began where such an event caused property damage within Romania.

Leaders from NATO’s 14 eastern member countries stated this week that Russia’s continued airspace violations demonstrate the critical importance of strengthening the alliance’s defensive capabilities against missiles and unmanned aircraft.

GAZA CITY (AP) — New photographs from Gaza City reveal the devastating aftermath of an Israeli military strike that resulted in the death of Izz al-Din al-Haddad, a high-ranking Hamas military official whom Israel has identified as a key planner behind the October 7, 2023 attacks. The images show fire and widespread damage at the location of the strike, with local residents responding to the scene and mourners assembling for funeral services.

This collection of photographs was assembled by AP photo editors.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale shook the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda on Saturday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The seismic event was recorded by federal monitoring systems in the region.

An Austrian filmmaker opened up Saturday about the challenges she faced while creating her latest movie, which explores the devastating impact of child sexual abuse allegations on a family.

Director Marie Kreutzer discussed her Cannes Film Festival submission “Gentle Monster” with reporters following the movie’s debut, describing how difficult it was to find support for the sensitive project.

“I could feel that everywhere, when I went somewhere with the project, people were like, shying away,” Kreutzer explained to journalists. “I knew this was not the easy path.”

According to Kreutzer, the movie intentionally avoids providing simple solutions and instead aims to challenge viewers. “The idea of the film is to ask you questions, to ask us as a society questions,” she stated.

The drama features French actress Lea Seydoux as Lucy, a musician who relocates her family to rural surroundings before law enforcement officers arrive to detain her spouse Philip, portrayed by Laurence Rupp, for allegedly possessing and distributing illegal images involving children.

Following the shocking detention, Lucy begins questioning everything she thought she knew about her partner while worrying whether their child might have suffered harm. Cinema legend Catherine Deneuve appears as Lucy’s strong-willed mother, providing crucial emotional support during the crisis.

Kreutzer revealed that her inspiration came from news coverage of a criminal network in Germany involving similar crimes.

“I just felt helpless after reading it. And I felt that the only thing that I could do as a filmmaker, as a storyteller, is make a film about it,” the director explained.

Instead of concentrating on the accused individual, Kreutzer deliberately focused her narrative on the people surrounding him.

“This was a story about how society, how people who love someone who did this deal with it,” she noted.

Kreutzer previously brought her Austrian period piece “Corsage” to Cannes in 2022, where it screened in the Un Certain Regard section.

“Gentle Monster” now vies alongside 21 other productions for the prestigious Palme d’Or award, with winners to be announced on May 23.

TULA, Mexico (AP) — Explosive devices dropped from above and gunfire echoing through her concrete home forced 74-year-old María Cabrera and her relatives to escape into the dark mountainous terrain of central Mexico carrying nothing but what they wore.

Seven days after fleeing, Cabrera sifts through the burnt remains of her belongings, recovering cookware, fabric pieces and a small wooden cross. She understands this marks her final visit to the residence where she lived for six decades.

“Oh God, why have you abandoned me,” she expressed while crying inconsolably, walking among the burned remnants of her former mattress in a tiny room with a caved-in ceiling and a damaged refrigerator nearby. “How are we going to rebuild? We don’t have money, we don’t have anything.”

She became part of an expanding population of displaced individuals in violence-plagued areas of Mexico who must abandon their residences. Researchers characterize this situation as a hidden crisis with lasting humanitarian impacts — official statistics on displaced populations remain limited, and these individuals have minimal support systems available after violence drives them away.

Cabrera escaped her small community on Friday following years of escalating criminal organization violence in Tula. This settlement of approximately 200 indigenous Náhuatl residents represents one of numerous communities in the central state of Guerrero devastated by decades of splintering competing criminal organizations fighting for territorial dominance.

During the previous week, an organization called Los Ardillos launched an assault on her community and several neighboring ones using explosive devices fired from drones, engaged in combat with local community police units, slaughtered farm animals and incinerated residences like Cabrera’s beyond recognition.

Cabrera cautiously passed bags of personal items to military personnel accompanying a small number of families returning to collect their possessions. She offered prayers while armed uniformed men loaded her belongings into a vehicle’s cargo area. During her final walk through her garden, she asked for forgiveness from the dogs and chickens she had to abandon.

“We don’t want to abandon them,” she expressed. “But we suffered through everything. We can’t live here anymore.”

A regional human rights organization, Indigenous and People’s Council of Guerrero-Emiliano Zapata, or CIPOG-EZ, calculated that no fewer than 800 individuals, including minors and elderly residents, were forcibly relocated alongside Cabrera, and three community police members — units frequently established for self-protection due to government absence — who resisted the criminal organization were killed.

The government statistics show much smaller numbers: Mexico’s administration announced on Tuesday that just 120 individuals were compelled to relocate and verified zero fatalities. One community representative staying at the basketball facility on Friday informed a local government representative that in their settlement alone they calculated approximately 280 residents had been compelled to flee.

Some households escaped into the hills without looking behind them. Hundreds found refuge beneath a neighborhood basketball facility, hoping conditions might become safe enough to eventually return to their homes. Additional families — some injured by bullets — entered automobiles, buses and trucks, dispersing to various areas of Mexico.

Footage shared on social platforms this week display groups of weeping women and children asking for assistance.

These scenes prompted the administration to send 1,200 military and police personnel to the area. Authorities report they have mostly controlled the violence, created a “safe corridor” for humanitarian assistance to arrive, and established the foundation to resolve the area’s complex conflict.

“What we do not want is a confrontation that would affect the civilian population. Above all, we must preserve people’s lives,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated during a press briefing last week.

Opponents argue this represented another instance of government inaction and attempts to minimize the severity of the displacement crisis in Mexico. Unlike Colombia, Mexico lacks a comprehensive database of displaced individuals. Government statistics are frequently described as inadequate by organizations like the U.N. refugee agency, human rights organizations and researchers studying the crisis.

A 2025 government National Survey of Victimization and Public Security Perception calculated that almost 250,000 households were compelled to abandon their residences in 2024 alone to protect themselves from criminal activity.

From 2024 to 2025, the Ibero-American University recorded no fewer than 44,695 individuals who had escaped their homes to different regions of Mexico. Many additional people migrate to the U.S.

In a May analysis, the university observed that forced relocations are increasing in Mexico during a period when the administration has attempted to emphasize security improvements — such as significant decreases in murders — to counter threats by the administration to conduct military operations against Mexican cartels.

“There’s no more life in these communities,” stated Prisco Rodríguez, a local representative for CIPOG-EZ. “The government says people have already returned to their houses, but there’s no one here. People don’t say where they’re going out of fear … and the majority never appear.”

Cabrera and her spouse, 75-year-old Alejandro Venancio Bruno, were struggling to determine their destination. Cabrera mentioned that her children urge her to relocate with them in Mexico City, roughly 350 kilometers (220 miles) from their residence, or the state of Queretaro, and restart their lives in a different location.

However, Venancio explained that he has dedicated his life to cultivating his property, and without funds, a residence or his most precious assets — his goats — any alternative existence beyond Tula appears impossible.

“It’s like starting from zero,” he stated.

A former British health minister announced Saturday his plans to mount a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer, making the declaration just days after resigning from his government role and calling on Starmer to establish a timeline for stepping down.

Wes Streeting addressed supporters at a Progress group gathering for Labour Party members, stating his commitment to enter the race. “We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I will be standing,” Streeting declared during his remarks to the conference.

The announcement comes as political tensions continue within the Labour Party leadership structure in London.

Chinese commerce officials on Saturday labeled trade agreements reached during President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Beijing as “preliminary” arrangements still requiring finalization.

The U.S. President concluded his two-day stay in China on Friday following discussions with President Xi Jinping that emphasized ceremony and diplomatic language but offered limited concrete details regarding trade and investment outcomes.

According to a commerce ministry website statement, both nations agreed to create an investment board and trade board for negotiating mutual tariff reductions on specific products, along with broader cuts affecting various goods including agricultural items.

Regarding agricultural trade, Beijing indicated both countries would address non-tariff obstacles and market access challenges.

“The U.S. side will actively promote the resolution of China’s long-standing concerns regarding the automatic detention of dairy products and aquatic products, exports of bonsai in growing media to the United States, and recognizing Shandong province as an area free of avian influenza,” the ministry stated.

“The Chinese side will also actively promote the resolution of U.S. concerns regarding registration of beef facilities and exports of poultry meat from some U.S. states to China,” officials added.

The ministry statement lacked specific company names, transaction volumes, monetary values, or completion schedules.

Saturday’s announcement represented China’s initial public assessment of trade discussions conducted this week in Beijing and Seoul, emerging as observers question the concrete achievements of Trump’s first state visit to China in almost ten years.

While Trump announced China’s commitment to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft, analysts have raised concerns about the absence of specific timelines.

The commerce ministry acknowledged arrangements regarding “Chinese purchases of U.S. aircraft and U.S. assurances on the supply of aircraft engines and parts to China” without providing additional specifics.

Officials indicated that detailed discussions continue and stated the agreements would be “finalised as soon as possible.”

Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkevics announced Saturday his choice of opposition lawmaker Andris Kulbergs to serve as the nation’s next prime minister, following the resignation of Evika Silina.

Silina announced her departure on Thursday, leading to the breakdown of her governing coalition just months ahead of elections scheduled for October.

Kulbergs represents the United List of smaller parties, which serves as the biggest opposition group in the country’s parliament. His appointment to the top government post depends on legislative approval of both him and his cabinet members.

“Considering recent events, I think the new prime minister should come from opposition parties,” Rinkevics stated during a news conference.

The political crisis began when Silina removed Defence Minister Andris Spruds from his position last weekend following an incident where two Ukrainian drones wandered into Latvian territory from Russia and detonated at an oil storage site. Similar drone incidents have occurred recently in other NATO member countries Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.

Latvia’s military forces acknowledged they were unable to track the drones as they entered from Russian airspace. Silina held Spruds responsible for insufficient progress in creating anti-drone defense capabilities.

Following his dismissal, Spruds’ Progressives party pulled their backing from Silina’s administration on Wednesday, eliminating her parliamentary majority and making her vulnerable to a confidence vote.

President Donald Trump’s latest statements characterizing weapons sales to Taiwan as a bargaining tool with China have sparked growing concern on the self-governing island that Beijing views as its territory.

During a Fox News interview with Bret Baier broadcast following Trump’s recent high-profile trip to China on Friday, the president made these troubling remarks.

Beijing considers Taiwan a rogue territory that must be brought back under Chinese control, using military force if needed. While the United States maintains no official diplomatic recognition of Taiwan as an independent nation—like other countries with formal Beijing relationships—America has served as the island’s primary supporter and weapons provider.

Trump now indicates this support could become part of broader negotiations.

When questioned about approving a stalled $14 billion weapons deal for Taiwan, Trump indicated the decision rests with China.

“I’m holding that in abeyance and it depends on China,” he stated. “It’s a very good negotiating chip for us, frankly. It’s a lot of weapons.”

American law requires the U.S. to supply Taiwan with defensive capabilities, and Washington considers any threats against the island as serious concerns.

William Yang, who analyzes Northeast Asia for International Crisis Group, warned that Trump’s approach of linking Taiwan arms sales to Chinese negotiations could trigger one of the island’s worst fears: becoming a bargaining item rather than a participant in discussions.

While Trump hasn’t specified what he would seek from China in exchange for blocking Taiwan’s weapons access, he has pushed Beijing to increase American product purchases and assist with Iran pressure campaigns.

Trump and Congress had previously authorized an $11 billion Taiwan arms deal in December. China responded with aggressive military exercises around the island.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent meeting with Trump, China characterized Taiwan as the most critical issue between the two nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit Beijing next week.

Xi delivered one of his most forceful warnings Thursday, cautioning Trump about potential “clashes and even conflicts” if Taiwan issues aren’t managed carefully.

Taiwan’s presidential office responded Saturday by emphasizing “that the consistent U.S. policy and position toward Taiwan remain unchanged.”

“The Republic of China is a sovereign, independent, democratic country; this is self-evident, and Beijing’s claims are therefore without merit,” stated Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo, using Taiwan’s formal designation. She expressed continued appreciation for Trump’s backing and noted that U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan are legally mandated.

Island officials also expressed unease about Trump’s demand that Taiwan’s semiconductor industry—the world’s most extensive and sophisticated—relocate to America.

“I’d like to see everybody making chips over in Taiwan come into America,” Trump told Fox News, calling such relocation “the greatest thing you can do.”

Trump has consistently urged Taiwanese semiconductor companies, which manufacture over 90% of the globe’s most sophisticated chips used in artificial intelligence, mobile devices, and defense systems, to establish American manufacturing operations.

TSMC, Taiwan’s premier chipmaker, has pledged $165 billion for an Arizona facility. Through a comprehensive trade deal with America this year, Taiwan’s administration committed $250 billion toward U.S. semiconductor investments, incorporating TSMC’s earlier pledge.

Trump also repeated previous claims that Taiwan “stole” America’s chipmaking capabilities years ago.

Although Trump didn’t modify official U.S. Taiwan policy language during his Xi summit—something many experts had worried about—he appeared to embrace some of the Chinese leader’s rhetoric about Taiwan’s leadership.

Beijing has labeled Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te a “Taiwan independence diehard” and claimed he would bring conflict and devastation to the island.

Trump and senior American officials typically avoid direct contact with Taiwanese leaders but have demonstrated support previously, such as permitting former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to stop on American territory while traveling to Latin America. Lai, approaching his presidency’s second anniversary, hasn’t visited the U.S. mainland, which some analysts view as reduced Trump administration support.

In his Fox News discussion, Trump emphasized his preference for maintaining current Taiwan-Beijing arrangements. “But they have somebody there now that wants to go independent,” he remarked, apparently referencing Lai.

“They’re going independent because they want to get into a war and they figure they have the United States behind them.” He added his reluctance to engage in distant military conflicts.

Wen-Ti Sung, an Atlantic Council fellow, suggested Trump’s concerning Taiwan statements might represent “his transactional rhetoric being turned up to the max.” “What matters more is the substance, which Taiwan is holding its collective breath for.”

Forty-two students remain unaccounted for following an assault on a Nigerian school by suspected militant fighters, according to a regional senator who spoke out Saturday.

The attack took place Friday at Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area while students were attending classes, according to local residents who witnessed armed individuals taking an undetermined number of pupils.

Ali Ndume, who represents the Borno South district where the educational facility is situated, released a statement explaining that school officials told him 32 students were taken from the campus while an additional 10 were captured from nearby residences.

Military and police authorities have not yet provided responses to requests for information about the incident.

The region of Borno, which spans an area comparable to Ireland and shares borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger, continues to serve as the central battleground for a militant insurgency led by the Boko Haram group that has persisted for more than a decade and a half.

While no organization has taken credit for Friday’s assault, Boko Haram has previously conducted comparable student kidnappings.

The Borno South senatorial district was the location where Boko Haram seized more than 270 female students in Chibok during 2014, sparking international condemnation. No other school abductions had occurred in the state since that time.

The majority of student kidnappings have occurred in Nigeria’s northwestern regions, where criminal organizations conduct abductions seeking ransom payments.

In a separate development, the presidents of the United States and Nigeria announced that a joint military operation successfully eliminated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who served as the global second-in-command for ISIS in Borno during the early morning hours Saturday.

LONDON — Massive crowds flooded London’s streets Saturday as two distinct demonstrations unfolded simultaneously, drawing tens of thousands of participants to rallies addressing immigration policies and Palestinian support.

Law enforcement mobilized 4,000 officers, bringing in additional personnel from beyond the capital city, promising “the most assertive possible use of our powers” for what officials described as their largest public order operation in recent years.

Authorities reported 11 arrests by 1200 GMT, shortly after both demonstrations commenced, for various violations. Officials had anticipated attendance of no fewer than 80,000 people.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized organizers of the Unite the Kingdom demonstration on Friday, stating they were “peddling hate and division, plain and simple.”

Anti-Islam activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who goes by Tommy Robinson, organized the immigration-focused march. Officials prevented 11 individuals they labeled “foreign far-right agitators” from entering Britain to speak at the demonstration.

A similar Robinson-led demonstration in September attracted approximately 150,000 attendees, according to police, and included a video message from U.S. tech billionaire Elon Musk. That event resulted in over 20 arrests, with authorities still pursuing more than 50 additional suspects.

Saturday’s Robinson supporters assembled in central London, displaying primarily British and English flags.

“I think that too much migration – not migration, but too much migration – is causing a lot of problems, upsetting a delicate balance here,” said Allison Parr, who also criticized net-zero environmental policies.

Official statistics show annual net migration reached nearly 900,000 in 2022 and 2023, before declining to approximately 200,000 last year following stricter work visa regulations.

Immigration concerns, particularly regarding asylum seekers arriving by small boats, have damaged Starmer’s approval ratings and strengthened the right-wing Reform UK party, whose leader Nigel Farage has distanced himself from Robinson.

Several protesters directed hostile chants toward Starmer.

Robinson, whose criminal record includes convictions for assault, stalking and other charges, encouraged supporters this week to demonstrate peacefully in what he promoted as “the greatest patriotic display the world has ever seen.”

Earlier this year, he visited the U.S., meeting with a State Department official and speaking to supporters about what he termed “the dangers of Islam” and “the Islamification of Great Britain.”

Census information revealed 6.5% of England and Wales residents identified as Muslim in 2021, increasing from 4.9% in 2011.

In a nearby area, pro-Palestinian demonstrators conducted their own march observing Nakba Day, which commemorates Palestinians’ territorial losses during the 1948 conflict following Israel’s establishment. “Nakba” translates to catastrophe in Arabic.

This demonstration also attracted opponents of the Unite the Kingdom rally, with participants carrying mainly Palestinian flags.

London has recently experienced several arson attacks targeting Jewish locations, and two Jewish men suffered stab wounds last month in an incident authorities are investigating as terrorism.

Police noted that ongoing large pro-Palestinian demonstrations — 33 since the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023 — have made many Jewish residents feel too threatened to visit central London.

Though protesters expressed diverse viewpoints, police regularly arrest individuals for racially and religiously motivated public order violations, inciting racial hatred or supporting banned organizations.

Government officials stated police would detain protesters chanting “globalise the intifada,” referencing Palestinian uprisings against Israel that many British Jews consider antisemitic incitement.

Some Saturday protesters shouted “Death to the IDF,” targeting the Israeli army — rhetoric police indicated had previously justified arrests when directed at Jewish individuals.

A devastating collision between a container freight train and a public bus in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday claimed eight lives and left 32 people wounded, according to rescue officials and a deputy transport minister.

The deadly crash occurred near the Airport Rail Link’s Makkasan station when the bus became trapped on railway tracks while stopped at a red traffic signal. Emergency responders and firefighters rushed to the scene as flames consumed the bus and surrounding vehicles, including cars and motorcycles caught in the collision.

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat explained to media that the bus had stopped on the railroad tracks due to the red light, which prevented the crossing barriers from properly closing. The freight train, carrying containers, could not brake in sufficient time to prevent the impact.

“Eight people were killed and 32 injured, with the wounded being treated at various hospitals. All eight dead were on the bus,” the deputy transport minister stated.

Social media footage captured the moment of impact, showing the train striking the bus and pulling several other vehicles down the tracks with it.

Wanthong Kokpho, a motorcycle taxi driver who saw the accident happen, described the scene to Reuters: “The bus was stuck at a red light, so it couldn’t move. Cars were also blocked and unable to move forward.”

“The fire broke out immediately … If this had been a normal working day, the damage would have been much worse,” Kokpho added.

Emergency crews worked to extract injured passengers from the wreckage while firefighters used water hoses to combat the flames. Officials reported that the fire was eventually controlled, and teams continued cooling the area, venting gas, and searching for additional victims.

Authorities have launched an investigation into what caused the tragic incident. According to the World Health Organization, Thailand’s roadways are among the most dangerous globally due to insufficient enforcement of safety regulations.

A collaborative military mission between American and Nigerian forces has eliminated a high-ranking commander of the Islamic State organization operating in Nigeria, according to President Donald Trump.

In a social media statement, Trump announced that the early Saturday morning operation successfully targeted Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, who held a leadership position within the regional Islamic State branch in West Africa.

Nigerian officials and military leaders confirmed the mission took place in the Lake Chad Basin area, known as a operational base for Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). They described the operation as a product of a newly established collaborative agreement with the United States government.

Al-Mainuki, born in 1982 in the northeastern Nigerian village of Mainok or Mainuki in Borno state, emerged as a prominent figure during the insurgency that began with Boko Haram’s establishment around 2009. Following ISWAP’s separation from Boko Haram, he rose to become a principal commander and served under Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the ISWAP leader reportedly killed in 2021.

According to a Nigerian military spokesperson, he functioned as a “key ISIS operational and strategic figure” with central responsibilities for the organization’s media campaigns, financial operations, and arms development.

Military officials also indicated that recent intelligence suggested his possible appointment as “Head of the General Directorate of States,” potentially placing him as the second-highest ranking official in the worldwide IS structure. Trump echoed this assertion, though some analysts have questioned this characterization.

The U.S. Department of State designated him as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” in 2023.

Nigerian leadership credited American intelligence and partnership as essential elements of the successful operation. This represents a notable shift in relations between the two nations, which deteriorated significantly last year when Trump alleged the West African country was committing “Christian genocide.”

Nigerian authorities consistently rejected accusations of Christian persecution and pursued diplomatic engagement with the United States, eventually leading to military collaboration. Following a December airstrike against IS targets, the U.S. deployed troops to Nigeria in February.

While government officials previously indicated American forces would be limited to advisory and training functions, this weekend’s mission signals an evolved approach, according to expert analysis.

“It would demonstrate to them (militants) that the American-Nigerian operation has really picked up,” said Bulama Burkati, a security analyst specializing in sub-Saharan Africa. “We know the Nigerian forces lack the basic capacity to fight violent extremist groups, especially in places like the Lake Chad region, which is densely forested.”

Multiple armed organizations maintain operations throughout the resource-abundant Lake Chad region spanning four countries, generating revenue by imposing taxes on local populations. The area’s terrain offers effective concealment from military operations.

Expert analysis indicates Al-Mainuki represents the highest-ranking militant eliminated by security forces in the West African nation. Previous militant leader deaths typically resulted from internal conflicts between rival organizations or factions.

His elimination is expected to temporarily disrupt ISWAP operations, though analysts emphasize the need for continued targeted strikes against the group.

“This kind of counterterrorism operation can disrupt the group’s finance, recruitment, and planning at the provincial level,” Burkati explained.

Nigeria confronts a multifaceted security challenge involving various organizations. Jihadi groups including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Lakurawa operate alongside criminal networks specializing in kidnapping for financial gain. United Nations data shows tens of thousands have died in attacks since 2009, with millions more displaced throughout the nation.

Fatal violence has erupted on the Comorian island of Anjouan, where confrontations between demonstrators and police have resulted in one death and five people wounded as nationwide protests over dramatic fuel cost increases continue to spread.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Mutsamudu released a statement Saturday confirming the tragic incident. “The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Mutsamudu informs the public that a tragic event occurred today in Anjouan, in the Mpage area, resulting in the death of one person and five injuries,” the prosecutor announced.

The violent confrontations erupted Friday following discussions between the mayor of Mirontsy and representatives from the fishermen’s association, a group that has refused to work since Wednesday in opposition to escalating fuel costs.

Demonstrators used stones to barricade streets in Mutsamudu, Anjouan’s main city, while authorities have launched a judicial inquiry to establish how the fatality occurred.

The violence stems from a widespread work stoppage that started Monday when officials implemented a 46% increase in diesel costs and boosted gasoline prices by 35%, attributing the hikes to the Middle East conflict. Transportation employees and merchants have brought public transit to a standstill in the capital Moroni, with the National Human Rights Commission reporting that 39 individuals have been arrested since the labor action began.

In response to mounting tensions, officials have announced reductions in government travel expenses and a 40% decrease in customs fees.

President Trump’s recent diplomatic trip to Beijing this week delivered limited achievements by typical standards for U.S.-China meetings, but analysts say it demonstrated a clear advantage for China: following last year’s intense trade conflict, both nations have returned to their customary economic and strategic deadlock.

The two-day discussions between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping emphasized that even following Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs and the subsequent trade détente reached in late 2024, Washington and Beijing remain engaged in the same competitive struggle that Trump faced when beginning his second presidential term.

From America’s perspective, this means the most concerning elements of the bilateral relationship — including what Washington views as Beijing’s mercantilist trade practices and China’s efforts to expand military influence in the Indo-Pacific region — continue without significant resolution.

However, for Xi, the situation provides some relief and a return to more manageable challenges. He seemed to characterize this shift during the week by introducing a new framework for bilateral relations that he termed “constructive strategic stability.”

China emerged with advantages, considering the step back from the Trump administration’s aggressive trade stance from early 2025, according to Scott Kennedy, a China expert at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“Compared to where we were a year ago, with 145% tariffs and the U.S. really trying to push China and the rest of the world to fundamentally change, we’ve had a counterrevolution and we’re back at stability,” Kennedy said.

Trump brought some of America’s most influential business leaders to the Thursday-Friday summit, including Tesla’s Elon Musk and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, though most had limited concrete results to demonstrate beyond attending an elaborate state dinner.

The discussions also failed to obtain any public pledge from China to assist the U.S. in ending the conflict in Iran that has disrupted international markets and affected Trump’s public approval numbers.

“The summit projected stability but it left the stalemate intact,” said Craig Singleton, a China expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. It “produced modest, marketable and managed outcomes, which is about all the U.S.-China relationship can bear right now.”

When asked for response, a White House official said, “President Trump leveraged his positive relationship with President Xi of China in order to bring home deliverables for the American people,” pointing to Boeing aircraft sales and agricultural deals designed to boost American exports.

A spokesperson with the Chinese embassy in Washington described the meetings between Xi and Trump as “candid, in-depth, constructive and strategic,” noting they “explored the right way for two major countries to get along with each other.”

Through last year’s trade conflict, Trump seems to have overestimated tariffs’ ability to force China into one-sided compromises, according to policy experts. Beijing responded with retaliatory tariff increases and threatened to restrict supplies of essential minerals required by U.S. industries, creating an uncomfortable standoff.

Following that period, the White House has demonstrated reluctance to accept the economic costs that would accompany using other forms of U.S. financial and technological pressure, including sanctions targeting China’s major banking institutions.

Demonstrating the shift in approach, this week’s meetings included no public discussion of many persistent U.S. demands, including calls for China to address industrial overcapacity that trading partners claim unfairly saturates their markets with inexpensive products.

China seems satisfied with the delicate ceasefire as it manages a struggling domestic economy while working to strengthen technologies it believes will provide advantages in long-term rivalry with the U.S.

Top Trump administration officials had minimized expectations for major breakthroughs even before the meeting began, indicating no urgency to extend a trade ceasefire set to expire in five months, which the leaders negotiated following discussions in South Korea in October.

A person with knowledge of the trade discussions said China sought a longer extension of the ceasefire than the Trump administration was prepared to offer, along with guarantees regarding pending U.S. investigations likely to restore some tariffs on imports that were eliminated by the Supreme Court this year.

In general, neither country offered substantial proposals for the summit, the source informed Reuters, noting that some business agreements might be reserved for autumn, when Xi is anticipated to make a return visit to the White House.

The source asked for anonymity to discuss the negotiations openly.

The summit’s limited commercial achievements stand in contrast to Trump’s 2017 China visit, when accompanying businesses signed agreements and memorandums valued at $250 billion.

This week’s meetings produced no progress on selling Nvidia’s advanced H200 artificial intelligence chips to China, likely satisfying Republican and Democratic China critics in Washington who had cautioned the administration against supporting China’s AI advancement.

While not yet confirmed, Trump announced that Boeing had completed an agreement for China to buy 200 aircraft, significantly less than the 500 that were expected and the 300 Beijing committed to purchase during the 2017 visit.

The White House official mentioned that the U.S. had created a new Board of Trade that U.S. officials had referenced as a joint mechanism to reduce tariffs on non-sensitive products, but provided limited specifics.

Wendy Cutler, a former acting deputy U.S. Trade Representative, described the economic outcomes as “way below expectations.”

For China, though, the meetings represented positive progress toward realistic competition, according to Cui Shoujun, a professor of international affairs at Renmin University in Beijing.

The summit demonstrated that Washington and Beijing are “no longer aspiring to pull China-U.S. relations back to a cooperative golden age, but instead acknowledging the long-term nature of competition and disagreement,” he said.

PARIS, May 16 – France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office announced Saturday that a magistrate has been designated to investigate the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, following a court decision to accept the case for review.

The investigation will examine allegations of torture and enforced disappearance, according to the prosecutor’s office, known as PNAT. This comes after the Paris Court of Appeal determined on May 11 that complaints submitted by human rights organizations TRIAL International and Reporters Without Borders could proceed, PNAT stated.

However, a separate complaint brought by DAWN, which employed Khashoggi, was rejected by the court, PNAT noted.

Khashoggi was murdered and his body dismembered by Saudi operatives at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul during October 2018, in what U.S. intelligence agencies concluded was an operation directed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

While the crown prince has rejected claims he ordered the assassination, he has admitted it occurred “under my watch.”

This French investigation opens another legal avenue in a case that has experienced minimal judicial progress elsewhere.

Turkey’s court system suspended its prosecution of 26 Saudi defendants in 2022 and sent the matter to Saudi Arabia, a decision that sparked criticism from human rights advocates.

In America, the Biden administration provided bin Salman with immunity following his designation as prime minister, prompting a federal court to reject a civil case filed by Khashoggi’s fiancée.

French legal statutes permit judges to investigate certain grave crimes that occur in other countries, though criminal prosecutions typically require defendants to be physically located within French borders.

The Saudi government’s media representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment.

The Israeli military announced it has eliminated a senior Hamas military commander who played a key role in planning the October 7, 2023 attacks that sparked the current Gaza conflict.

Israeli forces killed Izz al-Din al-Haddad during an operation in Gaza City on Friday, according to military officials. Haddad was described as among the remaining high-ranking Hamas military leaders who helped orchestrate the October 7 Hamas-led assault on Israel.

According to Israeli officials, Haddad had taken over leadership duties following the death of his predecessor, Mohammed Sinwar. The Associated Press confirmed Haddad’s death through his family members on Saturday.

The strike occurred while the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas continues to face challenges, with unresolved matters such as Hamas disarmament creating obstacles to the deal’s implementation.

BANGKOK, May 16 – Emergency responders in Thailand’s capital report that eight people lost their lives and 25 others sustained injuries following a devastating multi-vehicle crash involving a train that ignited a deadly blaze on Saturday.

The collision involved a passenger train, a public transit bus, several automobiles, and motorcycles, according to rescue officials and police. The impact caused flames to spread rapidly through the bus and surrounding vehicles.

Emergency response teams rushed to the scene as the fire consumed the bus and spread to other vehicles in the area. Rescue workers scrambled to extract injured passengers from the twisted wreckage while firefighters deployed water hoses in an urgent effort to stop the flames from spreading further.

Authorities report that fire crews have successfully extinguished the blaze and are now working to cool down the affected area while venting dangerous gases. Search and rescue operations continue as teams look for additional victims. Officials have launched an investigation to determine what caused the tragic accident.

Following President Donald Trump’s recent threats to take control of Greenland, officials on the Arctic island have turned to Canada for assistance in strengthening their defenses.

The Canadian armed forces operate a reserve unit known as the Rangers, which has maintained a continuous presence in remote Arctic settlements for years. Officials from Greenland and Denmark have spent three years consulting with Canadian representatives about creating their own version of this force — discussions that became more pressing after Trump’s statements and increasing concerns about Russian aggression in the Arctic region.

“The rhetoric coming out of the White House has sped up efforts to rebuff the idea that Arctic communities need the U.S. to come in and save them,” said Whitney Lackenbauer, an honorary lieutenant-colonel Canadian Ranger involved in the talks, who spoke with Reuters during a recent 5,000-kilometer Arctic snowmobile trek by the Rangers. “The Nordic countries and Canada, we’re increasingly realizing we can come together in military and diplomatic ways to send a message that carries moral weight.”

As Canada works to reduce its dependence on U.S. protection for its extensive Arctic territory, Prime Minister Mark Carney has been building stronger relationships and sharing defense strategies with Nordic nations, which he considers reliable allies. This enhanced military cooperation represents part of Carney’s broader strategy to forge stronger bonds between what he terms “middle powers” in an era where America is viewed as a less dependable partner.

The White House responded that Trump’s leadership has encouraged allies “to recognize the need to meaningfully contribute to their own defense” and emphasized the Arctic’s importance for U.S. national security and economic interests.

“The administration is participating in diplomatic high-level technical talks with the governments of Greenland and Denmark to address the United States’ national security interests in Greenland,” a White House spokesperson said in an email.

Arctic partnerships are evolving as climate change increases accessibility to the region. Russia maintains significantly more military installations there than any other country, while China has recently expanded its presence in the resource-rich area, primarily through Russian partnerships. Although Carney states Canada will no longer depend on other nations to defend its territory, he identifies Russia as the primary Arctic threat — with Nordic countries enhancing their own defenses since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In March, Canada joined the five Nordic nations — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden — in an agreement to enhance cooperation in military purchasing and increase defense manufacturing to address security challenges, including cyber threats. Government policy documents indicate a strategy for Greenland’s adaptation of the Canadian Rangers model should be completed by year’s end.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand told Reuters she maintains regular contact with Nordic officials regarding collective defense and Arctic security matters. While Canada’s NORAD partnership with the United States remains vital, she emphasized Canada’s focus on developing new alliances. This includes opening a Canadian consulate in Nuuk in February and inviting Nordic counterparts to visit Canada’s Arctic this year.

“We have to build something new, and it has to be a world order that is built on the values that we represent,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Carney during the Nordic-Canadian summit in Oslo in March.

In April, Alexander Stubb became the first Finnish president to visit Canada in twelve years, signing multiple Arctic cooperation agreements. Stubb and Carney participated in a hockey practice on Ottawa ice, after which Stubb revealed he and Carney exchange messages nearly daily.

The two leaders sometimes discuss hockey or baseball, Stubb told reporters, but “most of the time it’s about NATO or Ukraine or Iran.”

Lackenbauer, who serves as an Arctic specialist at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, believes Canada should restructure its Arctic security approach similar to how Nordic countries responded after Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022.

“The more we can go and help Canada’s allies in northern Europe, the more hostile nations will get the message that they do not get a free pass in the Arctic,” he said.

Among the eight Arctic nations, Canada’s defense spending for the region has consistently ranked near the lowest, behind Russia, the U.S., Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, according to the Arctic Business Index. Alongside Greenland, Canada has historically invested the least. Last year, Canada achieved the NATO benchmark of spending 2% of GDP on defense, approximately CA$63 billion, following repeated criticism from Trump. This marked a significant increase from a low of just 1% in 2014.

Neil O’Rourke, Director General at Canada’s Coast Guard for Fleet and Maritime Services, explained that he and a Danish defense colleague recognized years ago that during any serious Arctic incident, their first contact should be with each other.

“Up north, we’re just across the water and it makes much more sense to share resources than to get help from down south,” O’Rourke said in an interview. He noted Canada is also studying Norway’s maritime emergency vessel towing procedures.

Rob Huebert, an Arctic specialist at the University of Calgary, stressed that U.S. cooperation remains essential, highlighting America’s advanced military technology and Canada’s continued reliance on U.S. forces for northern region protection.

“If we are talking about war-fighting capability, that means working with the U.S. military,” he said.

Huebert suggested Carney’s March visit to observe a Norwegian-led NATO exercise in Bardufoss might signal a shift in Canada’s approach.

“Until very recently, Canada’s participation in NATO’s Arctic exercises in the Nordics has been very token,” he said. “But then all of a sudden because of Trump, we decide we’d better do something with the Nordics.”

LONDON (AP) — Law enforcement officials in London are mobilizing for an intense Saturday as massive crowds converge on the British capital for competing political demonstrations while thousands more gather for England’s premier domestic soccer championship at Wembley Stadium.

The Metropolitan Police will deploy armored vehicles, mounted officers, canine units, aerial drones and helicopters alongside a minimum of 4,000 personnel in an effort to prevent confrontations.

Authorities have established separate pathways to maintain distance between participants in a demonstration led by far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who goes by the alias Tommy Robinson, and the yearly march recognizing Nakba, the Arabic word meaning “catastrophe” that refers to the displacement of approximately 700,000 Palestinians from present-day Israel in 1948.

Nevertheless, law enforcement remains concerned about potential contact between breakaway factions from the primary demonstrations.

Legal officials have been instructed to evaluate whether signs, displays and verbal expressions documented on social platforms could constitute crimes of inciting hatred during the gatherings.

“This is not about restricting free speech,” said the Crown Prosecution Service’s director, Stephen Parkinson. “It is about preventing hate crime and protecting the public, particularly at a time of heightened tensions.”

British officials have also prevented 11 international individuals from entering the nation for the “Unite the Kingdom” demonstration.

Conservative political figures reportedly denied entry include Polish politician Dominik Tarczynski, Belgian politician Filip Dewinter, anti-Islam commentator Valentina Gomez and Dutch activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek.

“We will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “For anyone who sets out to wreak havoc on our streets, to intimidate or threaten anyone, you can expect to face the full force of the law.”

On Friday, Starmer toured the Met’s operations center to review security preparations for the demonstrations with Met Commissioner Mark Rowley and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Live facial recognition technology will be implemented for the first time during protest security operations, with surveillance equipment positioned in the north London area of Camden, which lies outside the “Unite the Kingdom” march path but is anticipated to be used by many event participants.

At Wembley in the northern part of the city, authorities hope the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City, scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., will proceed without problems.

BANGKOK — At least eight people died Saturday afternoon when a freight train collided with a public bus at a railway crossing in Thailand’s capital city.

According to Thai media reports, the deadly incident occurred in the central district near an airport rail station. The Erawan Medical Center, which coordinates the city’s emergency response, confirmed the death toll of eight with more than 20 additional people suffering injuries.

Social media footage captured the moment of impact, showing multiple vehicles stopped at the railroad crossing when the freight train slammed into an orange-colored bus positioned at the front of the line. The force of the collision pulled several other vehicles down the tracks, and the bus quickly became consumed by fire. The crash also sent multiple motorcycles and their operators flying across the roadway.

Additional footage from the scene showed emergency responders entering the burned-out bus shell once firefighters had extinguished the blaze.

VIENNA, May 16 – While television viewers may hardly spot them, a dedicated crew of stage workers known as ‘ninjas’ at the Eurovision Song Contest accomplish an incredible behind-the-scenes challenge: completely changing each country’s stage setup in just 48 seconds between performances.

Despite the massive LED screen displays providing much of the visual spectacle, all 25 nations participating in Saturday’s competition finale bring their own physical stage elements that must be quickly moved on and off stage – including Finland’s set piece that actually catches fire.

The entire transformation happens in under one minute.

‘That’s the setup time these 20-odd people have to move from one ‘prop’ to the next and from one show’s set-up and dismantling to the next. It’s just mad what they manage to achieve,’ explained Christian Elgner, who serves as head of props and supervises the stage elements.

The approximately two dozen crew members must meticulously plan and practice every movement, making their accomplishment even more remarkable since most are local residents taking on the work as extra income.

‘We have to be always in a rush and we are not allowed to make any mistakes because once we make a mistake the show is over,’ explained Ahmed Abdelati, a civil engineering student from Egypt who lives in Austria.

‘I’m working here because I love music, like my other colleagues,’ he added.

Within just a few weeks, this black-clad team has transformed into a seamlessly functioning unit.

‘I’m not sure who first used that term but it’s taken off in the past three, four days: backstage ninjas. I mainly call them dancers because the (set) assembly is danced – it’s choreographed,’ Elgner noted.

‘There haven’t been any big mishaps so far. We rehearse often enough to always learn from the mishaps we have and to perfect everything.’

MOSCOW, May 16 – Moscow’s military announced Saturday that its forces have seized two settlements in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, according to reports from the RIA state news agency.

The Defence Ministry claims Russian troops now control the villages of Borova and Kutkivka in the contested region.

The battlefield claims could not be independently confirmed by news organizations.

Sierra Leone has reached an agreement with the United States to receive hundreds of West African migrants facing deportation from America, according to the country’s foreign minister in a recent interview with Reuters.

The initial flight carrying deportees will land in Sierra Leone on May 20, bringing 25 individuals from Senegal, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria, foreign minister Timothy Kabba announced.

“Sierra Leone signed a Third Country National Agreement with the U.S. to accept 300 ECOWAS citizens from the U.S. per year with a maximum of 25 a month,” Kabba explained, referencing the West African regional organization.

This marks the latest arrangement by the Trump administration as it works to speed up deportation processes. America has previously transported deportees to various African nations including Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Eswatini.

Legal experts and human rights organizations have criticized these transfers, questioning both the legal foundation for sending people to nations where they lack citizenship and how these deportees are treated upon arrival.

Sierra Leone’s decision to only accept deportees from ECOWAS member countries mirrors Ghana’s approach. Previous Reuters investigations revealed that deportees sent to Ghana, Equatorial Guinea and other African destinations were subsequently forced to return to their home nations, despite having received court-ordered protection in America designed to prevent such outcomes.

Whether deportees arriving in Sierra Leone will be permitted to remain there remains uncertain. A government spokesperson did not provide an immediate response when asked for comment on Saturday.

Kabba declined to specify what Sierra Leone would receive in exchange for accepting the deportees. “It’s part of our bilateral relationship with the U.S. to assist with its immigration policy,” he stated.

A February report from Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee revealed that while the total expense of third-country deportations remains unknown, over $32 million has been transferred directly to five nations: Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini and Palau.

Sierra Leone and the United States have previously clashed over deportation issues. During the first Trump presidency in 2017, Washington announced that the American Embassy in Freetown would stop issuing tourist and business visas to Sierra Leonean foreign ministry and immigration officials because the government was declining to accept Sierra Leonean deportees.

The State Department has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this new arrangement with Sierra Leone. Both the White House and State Department have maintained in the past that these deportations comply with legal requirements.

A high-ranking Hamas official confirmed to Reuters on Saturday that the leader of the organization’s military operations had been killed, following Israeli airstrikes that targeted him the previous day.

Witnesses in Gaza City reported that local mosques had proclaimed Izz al-Din al-Haddad’s “martyrdom.” His death marks the highest-profile Hamas leader eliminated by Israeli forces since an October ceasefire agreement backed by the United States was designed to end hostilities in Gaza.

The organization has not issued an official public statement confirming Haddad’s death.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with his defence minister, released a joint statement Friday announcing they had targeted Haddad, though they stopped short of confirming whether the operation resulted in his death.

Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz described Haddad as a key planner behind the October 7, 2023 attacks conducted by Hamas militants that triggered Israel’s continued military campaign in Gaza.

According to their statement, Haddad assumed leadership of the group’s military operations in Gaza following Israel’s elimination of Mohammad Sinwar in May 2025, and “was responsible for the murder, abduction, and harm inflicted on thousands of Israeli civilians (and) soldiers.”

Israel and Hamas continue to face an impasse in indirect negotiations aimed at advancing U.S. President Donald Trump’s post-conflict strategy for Gaza, which seeks to conclude more than two years of warfare.

Gaza medical personnel reported Friday that the airstrikes, which hit both a residential building and a vehicle, resulted in at least seven fatalities, including three women and one child, with at least 50 people wounded. Officials have not confirmed whether Haddad was among those killed.

Israeli forces have intensified their operations in Gaza during recent weeks after suspending joint military actions with the U.S. in Iran, refocusing their efforts on the devastated Palestinian territory where military officials report Hamas fighters are consolidating control.

The Kremlin announced Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Beijing for a two-day visit next week to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The visit comes just under 24 hours after U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up his state visit to China, where he held discussions with Xi about trade and the U.S. and Israel’s war in Iran.

According to a Kremlin statement, Putin’s May 19-20 visit is timed to mark the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship.

The statement indicated the two leaders will focus on bilateral ties along with “key international and regional issues” and economic cooperation.

China-Russia relations have strengthened significantly in recent years, especially after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in early 2022, which left Moscow isolated internationally and dependent on Beijing for trade due to Western sanctions.

During Putin’s September 2025 visit to China, Xi greeted his counterpart as an “old friend,” while Putin also called Xi “dear friend.”

The Russian leader has plans to return to China in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen.

In other developments, Ukraine received the remains of fallen soldiers Saturday after an earlier prisoner exchange with Moscow.

Russia handed over 528 bodies that “according to the Russian side, may belong to Ukrainian servicemen,” according to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

Officials said experts will now “take all necessary measures aimed at identifying the deceased who have been repatriated.”

This follows Friday’s prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine involving 205 prisoners of war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as the initial stage of a planned exchange of 1,000 POWs from both sides. He noted some of the returned Ukrainians had been in Russian custody since 2022 and participated in some of the conflict’s most intense fighting.

Separately, Russian forces conducted overnight drone strikes against Ukraine’s southern Odesa region Saturday, according to regional officials.

Regional head Oleh Kiper reported that Russian drones hit a five-story apartment building and a single-story home, wounding two people. He added that the city’s port sustained damage.

Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia deployed 294 drones overnight, with 269 intercepted and destroyed.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported its forces downed 138 Ukrainian drones overnight across 14 Russian regions, including Moscow. The ministry said drones were also eliminated over the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and the Black and Azov seas.

In the early morning hours at a Buenos Aires butcher shop in the Mataderos district, workers begin their day unloading beef from delivery trucks while wholesale customers wait in line. Inside the shop, 73-year-old owner Jorge García and his team start preparing meat orders before sunrise.

Alongside the traditional displays of red meat hanging from hooks and stacked in boxes, chicken and pork are becoming more common sights.

Beef consumption across Argentina — a nation traditionally known as one of the globe’s top beef-eating countries — has dropped to its lowest point in 20 years following economic belt-tightening policies implemented by libertarian President Javier Milei.

Data from the Agricultural Foundation for Argentina’s Development shows annual per-person beef consumption decreased to 44.5 kilograms (98 pounds) as of April 2026, compared to 49.5 kilograms (109 pounds) in the same period the previous year. This represents a significant decline from the 63.4 kilos (139 pounds) per person recorded in 2006.

“People are switching to cheaper proteins. They’re eating pork, they’re eating chicken,” García explained.

Experts point to rising beef costs, reduced cattle availability, and diminished household buying power as key factors behind this trend. Argentina’s decision to open its beef market to international commerce has also brought domestic prices more in line with worldwide rates.

“Beef moved into a completely different purchasing-power category. Workers’ wages fell far behind,” explained Juampi Quintero, a 25-year-old meat distributor who estimates his customers’ consumption has dropped by more than half.

After taking office in December 2023 facing 211% annual inflation, Milei vowed to eliminate what he termed “the cancer of inflation” through an adjustment program featuring spending cuts equal to nearly one-third of public expenditures, represented by his signature chainsaw imagery.

While the administration successfully turned around the fiscal deficit and achieved a budget surplus — an uncommon achievement in Argentina’s recent past — the social impact of these austerity policies has faced widespread criticism.

In a matter of months, Milei’s government dissolved 13 ministries, terminated approximately 30,000 government workers, suspended public construction projects, and reduced funding for essential sectors including education, healthcare, and scientific research. The administration also eliminated subsidies for basic utilities like electricity, gas, water, and public transportation.

“That affects household income because families now have to pay more for services that were previously subsidized by the state,” explained economist Camilo Tiscornia. “As a result, they have less disposable income and must give up certain more expensive goods, such as beef.”

Meanwhile, family incomes failed to keep pace with rising beef costs, further contributing to declining consumption patterns.

According to the most recent available information, registered workers saw wage increases averaging 1.8% in February, while monthly inflation reached 2.9%.

“Before, I had the freedom to buy what I wanted,” shared Alberto Brajin, a 61-year-old retiree who operates a street-side barbecue stand in Buenos Aires.

Brajin noted he must now “trade down” to less expensive protein options like chicken.

According to the Argentine Beef Promotion Institute, beef prices increased by more than 60% over the past year, reaching an average of 18,500 pesos ($13) per kilogram in Buenos Aires during May.

In July 2025, Milei’s administration lowered export taxes on beef and poultry while eliminating production quotas to boost international sales, reversing some restrictions put in place under former President Alberto Fernández aimed at controlling domestic price increases. These regulatory changes coincided with a more than 10% drop in Argentina’s beef production due to flooding and drought conditions, according to CICCRA, the nonprofit representing the country’s beef producers.

Government officials announced this week that beef exports jumped 54% in the first quarter compared to the previous year, totaling nearly 200,000 tons valued at over $1 billion. This growth followed a U.S. decision earlier this year to expand Argentina’s duty-free beef quota due to American cattle shortages.

With market liberalization, producers started selling beef — previously accessible across much of Argentina’s social hierarchy — at prices reflecting international market values.

“Previously, all meats had similar prices, which encouraged high beef consumption that did not reflect its real production costs,” agricultural consultant Iván Ordóñez noted.

As beef prices climb beyond many Argentine families’ reach, chicken and pork are emerging as more affordable protein options.

“We’ve chosen to buy pork and chicken because beef is too expensive,” stated shop owner Ruth Simon.

Chicken averages 4,900 pesos ($3.50) per kilogram, while pork ribs cost approximately 8,900 pesos ($6.30).

García, the butcher shop proprietor, mentioned he started offering chicken and pork less than a year ago after observing shifts in his customers’ purchasing patterns.

“You have to adapt,” he stated. “We can’t just sit around crying. No crying. We have to work. We have to keep our dignity. We have to fight.”

American and Nigerian military forces successfully eliminated a high-ranking Islamic State commander during a Friday operation in Nigeria, according to U.S. President Donald Trump.

The president revealed details of the collaborative mission in Africa’s largest nation through a late-evening social media announcement that provided limited specifics. Trump identified the target as Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, describing him as the Islamic State’s second-highest global commander who “thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing.”

Intelligence officials described Al-Mainuki as a central figure in the terrorist organization’s operational structure and financial networks, who had been developing plans for attacks targeting America and American assets, according to a source who requested anonymity due to the classified nature of the information.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu verified the military action and reported that Al-Mainuki died along with “several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.”

Records show Al-Mainuki was born in Nigeria’s Borno province in 1982 and assumed leadership of the Islamic State’s West African operations following the 2018 death of the previous regional commander, Mamman Nur, according to the Counter Extremism Project, an organization that monitors militant activities.

The Counter Extremism Project reported that Al-Mainuki operated from the Sahel region and likely participated in combat operations in Libya during the Islamic State’s presence in that North African country over ten years ago. U.S. authorities placed sanctions on him in 2023.

In his social media statement, Trump characterized Al-Mainuki as the “second in command globally” and claimed he was hiding in Africa, though security experts question the accuracy of this assessment.

Analysts indicate that Al-Mainuki served as deputy to Abu Musab al-Barnawi, who led the Islamic State West African Province until his reported death in 2021. He played a significant role in establishing ISWAP following its separation from Boko Haram in 2016.

“If confirmed, the killing of Al-Mainuki is huge because this is the first time a security agency has killed someone this high in the ranking of ISWAP,” said Malik Samuel, a senior researcher at Good Governance Africa who specializes in insurgent groups in Nigeria.

“The potential to cause chaos within the group is also there because the operation must have been carried out in the heart of ISWAP’s fortified base, which is very difficult to access.”

Trump previously authorized U.S. military strikes against Islamic State forces in Nigeria during December, though he provided minimal details about the results of those operations.

Nigerian military officials attributed the successful mission to their “recently formed U.S.-Nigeria partnership and intelligence sharing efforts.” Military spokesperson Samalia Uba stated that the operation has “disrupted a violent terrorist network that endangered Nigeria and the broader West African region.”

Nigeria continues to confront multiple armed organizations, including at least two groups with Islamic State connections, while managing a complex security emergency. Islamic State affiliates across Africa have become among the continent’s most aggressive militant organizations since the collapse of the IS caliphate in Syria and Iraq in 2017.

The United States deployed military advisors to the West African nation in February to assist its armed forces, and in March, the U.S. stationed surveillance drones there after Trump claimed that Christians were being specifically targeted in Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis.

Friday’s military action represents the most recent in a series of overseas covert operations that Trump has disclosed this year, beginning with the dramatic January overnight mission to capture and extract Venezuela’s then-leader Nicolás Maduro to the United States, followed nearly two months later by strikes that initiated the conflict with Iran.

The U.S. President announced that China’s leader has endorsed requiring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz during recent discussions in Beijing, though Chinese officials have not confirmed this stance.

During his return flight on Friday following two days of meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the President indicated he was weighing whether to remove U.S. sanctions on Chinese companies purchasing Iranian oil. China represents Iran’s largest oil customer.

“I’m not asking for any favors because when you ask for favors, you have to do favors in return,” the President told a reporter aboard Air Force One when questioned about whether Xi had made a concrete pledge to pressure Iran regarding the strategic waterway.

While Xi remained silent about his Iran discussions with the President, China’s foreign ministry voiced displeasure with the Iran conflict, describing it as a war “which should never have happened, has no reason to continue.”

Iran has maintained its closure of the strait, which previously handled one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before U.S. and Israeli military operations began on February 28. The shipping disruption has triggered the most severe oil supply emergency in recorded history, causing petroleum prices to surge dramatically.

The February U.S. and Israeli airstrikes resulted in thousands of Iranian casualties, while thousands more have died in Lebanon during renewed hostilities between Israel and the Iran-supported organization Hezbollah.

Although the U.S. suspended its airstrikes last month, it initiated a port blockade. Tehran has declared it will not reopen the strait until the U.S. terminates its blockade. The President has warned of resumed military action if Iran refuses to negotiate an agreement.

“We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon, we want the straits open,” the President stated while in Beijing with Xi.

Iran, which has consistently rejected accusations of nuclear weapons development, has declined to halt nuclear research or surrender its concealed enriched uranium reserves, causing frustration for the President.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reported that Tehran had received communications from the U.S. suggesting Washington’s willingness to pursue continued negotiations.

“We hope that, with the advancement of negotiations, we will reach a good conclusion so that the Strait of Hormuz can be completely secured and we can expedite the normalisation of traffic through the strait,” he informed reporters in New Delhi.

The President, who expressed diminishing patience with Iran during a Thursday interview on Fox News’ “Hannity” program, urged Tehran to “make a deal.”

Oil prices climbed approximately 3% to roughly $109 per barrel on Friday due to concerns about stalled conflict resolution efforts, while U.S. Treasury yields reached nearly year-high levels amid expectations that the Federal Reserve might increase interest rates.

Negotiations to end the war, which has become politically problematic for the President before November’s U.S. congressional elections, have stalled since last week when both Iran and the U.S. rejected each other’s latest proposals.

Iran would welcome Chinese involvement, Araqchi stated Friday, noting that Tehran was attempting to give diplomacy an opportunity but remained distrustful of the U.S., which has disrupted previous negotiation rounds by launching airstrikes.

A 38-year-old man has died following a shark attack off Australia’s western coastline on Saturday, marking the nation’s second deadly shark encounter this year, according to law enforcement officials.

The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, suffered the attack Saturday morning at Horseshoe Reef near Rottnest Island, located approximately 31 kilometers (19.2 miles) west of Perth, authorities reported.

Emergency responders transported the injured man to shore, but medical personnel were unable to save his life, police confirmed. Officials stated that a coroner’s report will be compiled regarding the incident.

Local government officials have issued warnings urging beachgoers to exercise heightened vigilance while in waters around Rottnest Island, a well-known vacation spot.

Video captured by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation from above showed law enforcement vessels, officers on scene, and an emergency helicopter equipped with medical stretcher equipment responding to the location.

This latest incident comes after a young boy lost his life in January when a shark attacked him in Sydney Harbour, following multiple shark encounters reported along Australia’s eastern coastline.

Data from Australia’s Institute of Health and Welfare indicates that the majority of shark attacks happen along the nation’s eastern and southeastern shores, with the country recording approximately 20 such incidents annually.

MADRID (AP) — Gone are the elaborate party spreads, festive decorations, and collective excitement over which performer’s extravagant act will claim victory.

For the first time in seven years, Silvia Díaz is skipping her traditional Eurovision Song Contest viewing party this Saturday evening. The annual celebration was canceled after the country’s public television network pulled out of the competition, objecting to Israel’s inclusion due to its military conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Díaz plans to stream it on YouTube instead, but only if her schedule permits.

“It’s not the same watching it alone at home as it is with friends. That’s the only thing that upsets me.”

The five-day musical competition attracted 166 million viewers last year — significantly exceeding Super Bowl audience numbers in the United States. While the country hasn’t claimed victory since 1969, the annual event typically generates months of media coverage, bringing families and friends together at homes and bars, with their representative’s performance making front-page news the following day. Citizens attending the event proudly display their national flag, dress in red attire, or occasionally sport bullfighter outfits.

The boycott was announced in December following the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to permit Israel’s participation, with Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland also joining the protest. Many fans support this principled stand despite the disappointment of missing their cherished tradition.

The public broadcaster has consistently voiced opposition to Israel’s involvement. During last year’s semifinals, RTVE’s commentators mentioned Israel’s performer while simultaneously referencing Palestinian casualties from the conflict. Prior to broadcasting the final show, the network displayed “Peace and justice for Palestine” on black screens across hundreds of thousands of television sets throughout the country.

While Eurovision finals proceed in Vienna, RTVE will broadcast a special celebrating the network’s musical heritage, featuring Tony Grox and Lucycalys, the artists originally selected to represent the nation at Eurovision.

Ireland’s public broadcaster will show a documentary about rural Irish life. Slovenian viewers will see an installment of a 10-part series about Palestinians. While audiences can still access Eurovision through the European Broadcasting Union’s YouTube channel, the absence of their own country’s performer or commentary significantly diminishes the passionate atmosphere.

Israel has participated for five decades and secured four victories. Citizens gather at bars to watch and show strong enthusiasm for their country’s involvement, viewing it as validation of international acceptance and normalcy. Each year’s representative becomes a household name, and strong performances — even without winning — generate national pride.

Eurovision enthusiasts are split on this year’s boycott decision.

For Rebeca Carril, who enjoys watching archived performances from the 1960s and 1970s before her birth, the breaking point came several years ago with increased Israeli sponsorship. She refused to support their promotional activities by watching.

“I have Palestinian friends and I began to understand a little better how things worked,” said Carril, a 42-year-old marketing executive in Madrid.

Others, like Guillermina Bastida, believe music and politics should remain separate. She traveled 3 1/2 days from northern regions in a van with her two daughters to attend last year’s competition in Basel, marking her third live attendance. This year, she’ll resort to YouTube viewing.

“It’s a song festival, period,” Bastida, a 47-year-old communications professional, said by phone from Asturias province. “I also have my own stance, which is critical, but not to the point of boycotting the festival.”

Eurovision operates under the slogan “United by Music,” with organizers attempting unsuccessfully in recent years to exclude political elements. Following Ukraine’s invasion in 2022, the European Broadcasting Union expelled Russia, which remains banned. Competition regulations prohibit explicitly political lyrics or symbols, with organizers emphasizing it’s a contest between national broadcasters, not governments.

As one of the “Big Five” nations providing the most financial support to Eurovision, this absence means lost broadcasting revenue and diminished publicity and credibility, according to Jose García, co-director of a competition news website whose social media platforms collectively reach nearly 100,000 followers.

However, complete viewer abandonment is unlikely, he noted.

“It has marked the television and personal history of many people, and fans will watch it via international channels or YouTube. But it’s one thing to be able to watch it and another to agree with what’s happening,” García said.

On Vienna’s streets, the absence of the typically vibrant delegation is apparent, observed Vicente Rico after attending the first semifinal night.

“We’re a group that, just like at other events, makes its presence felt — we’re among the happiest, the loudest and the most fun,” said Rico, 40, who operates a perfumery in Madrid.

This marks Rico’s 18th Eurovision attendance, and he felt conflicted before making his annual journey because he considers the boycott morally justified. Nevertheless, the situation troubles him.

“It bothers me that Eurovision is being used as a scapegoat,” he said, pointing to inaction by international organizations and lack of boycotts at other events like the FIFA World Cup, which begins in a month.

Without his home country competing, who will Rico support?

“I think Finland is going to win, but the support for Italy is crazy,” he said. Victories by Sweden, Serbia or Australia would satisfy him.

“This year, we’re rooting for everyone except Israel.”

JERUSALEM (AP) — The close partnership between Israel and the United Arab Emirates is usually conducted behind closed doors. However, this week the relationship was pushed into public view, revealing strains within the partnership as regional warfare involving Iran spreads across the Middle East.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee first drew attention to the growing cooperation between Israel and the UAE when he disclosed that Israel had deployed Iron Dome air-defense systems and operators to help shield the UAE from Iranian strikes.

Following this revelation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he had secretly traveled to the UAE during the conflict, which prompted an immediate public rejection from the Gulf state.

While Netanyahu and the Trump administration promote their regional partnerships as part of efforts to strengthen anti-Iran coalitions, Gulf nations prefer to minimize public attention on these collaborations — demonstrating how open connections to Israel continue to create significant controversy across the region.

Here’s what you need to understand about the Israel-UAE partnership:

Netanyahu’s choice to disclose his wartime journey to Abu Dhabi created waves, especially following Huckabee’s confirmation of military collaboration between the nations. Speculation emerged that Israel’s security leadership had also made visits.

The UAE’s official WAM news agency published a statement rejecting “reports circulating” about the visit. The agency stated that the country’s relations with Israel “are public and conducted within the framework of the well-known and officially declared Abraham Accords, and are not based on non-transparent or unofficial arrangements.”

The statement also rejected claims that any Israeli military delegation was hosted in the UAE.

“It complicates Abu Dhabi’s wartime-frame posture by forcing it into the open — which is why the denial was issued so quickly and worded so carefully,” said Hesham Alghannam, a Saudi Arabia-based scholar at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center.

Although the UAE established normalized relations with Israel in 2020, its leadership prefers to maintain the partnership with some discretion.

Hostility toward the Jewish state remains widespread in Arab and Muslim nations throughout the Middle East. These negative sentiments intensified due to the Gaza conflict, which started after Hamas, a militant organization supported by Iran, launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.

Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza devastated large portions of the territory and has resulted in more than 72,700 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant casualties. The conflict expanded regionally, with Israel conducting deadly and destructive operations against Iran-backed militants in Lebanon and Yemen, and attacking militant positions in Qatar and Syria.

“We are the ugly duckling of the Middle East,” said Dan Diker, the president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, a conservative Israeli think tank.

Diker, who has conducted extensive discussions and built relationships with Abraham Accord nations in the region, noted that regional officials he frequently negotiated with consistently requested to maintain low profiles.

Israel and the UAE worked together militarily during the conflict with Iran. Israel benefited from establishing a defense presence in a nation geographically nearer to its primary adversary. The UAE, in return, obtained access to Israeli military technology, including the Iron Dome air-defense system.

The partnership has also provided economic advantages for both nations, with commerce between them growing consistently since 2020.

Israel, historically isolated in the Middle East, gains credibility through partnership with an Arab nation. The UAE gains influence in Washington.

The UAE became the third Arab nation, following Egypt and Jordan, to create complete diplomatic relations with Israel.

Netanyahu confronts strong domestic opposition as Israel approaches election season. He believes his standing improves when he can demonstrate to his supporters that he operates as a Middle East power broker.

The Iran conflict did not significantly boost the leader’s domestic approval. One factor that might improve it — while strengthening his strained relationship with President Donald Trump — would be additional regional powers following the UAE’s example. Israel is currently in discussions with Azerbaijan about joining the Abraham Accords.

However, if Netanyahu hoped that publicizing close Israel-UAE connections could serve as an example for other nations, he may need to moderate his expectations.

Saudi Arabia, a regional leader that has refused to join the Abraham Accords, has pursued a different strategy throughout the conflict. It has kept open communication channels with Tehran, and has backed Pakistan’s mediation efforts between the parties, said Alghannam, the Saudi Arabia-based scholar.

“The aim is not to take a posture on Israel, per se. It is to refuse entanglement in a war whose dynamics Riyadh did not set and cannot control,” he said.

“Riyadh discussing the full range of options openly, with partners, without locking into one track, is itself a strategic signal,” he said. “The regional security architecture will be designed regionally, not inherited from whatever Washington and Tehran negotiate bilaterally.”

CAIRO (AP) — Unmanned aircraft warfare has emerged as the most lethal danger facing civilians caught in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, with both government forces and the opposing paramilitary Rapid Support Forces receiving equipment from multiple nations across the Middle East and other regions, according to security analysts.

“Armed drones have now become by far and away the leading cause of civilian deaths,” accounting for more than 80% of conflict-related fatalities, United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk stated this week, urging action to halt their shipment to Sudan. These unmanned aircraft killed no fewer than 880 civilians from January through April.

Sudan’s conflict commenced in April 2023 and has resulted in no fewer than 59,000 deaths, forced approximately 13 million people from their homes and created famine conditions in portions of the nation.

During recent weeks, the RSF has conducted unmanned aircraft strikes against Khartoum International Airport and additional locations surrounding the capital, territory that government forces captured last year.

Security experts indicate that internationally-provided sophisticated drone capabilities allow the fighting factions to expand attacks on heavily populated regions, making peace negotiations more difficult and increasing concerns about a wider proxy war.

“On the battlefield, drones have emerged as a force multiplier, enabling ground offensives and weakening enemy defenses,” stated Jalale Getachew Birru, East Africa senior analyst at the U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project.

Government forces and RSF both deploy unmanned aircraft to control disputed areas, interrupt mobilization activities and create instability in territories held by opponents, he explained.

No fewer than 2,670 individuals, including fighters and civilians, died in 2025, representing a 600% rise in drone-caused fatalities and an 81% jump in unmanned aircraft attacks from the prior year, ACLED determined.

Unmanned aircraft strikes conducted by the fighting groups have hit civilian facilities including medical centers, dams, educational institutions, marketplaces and refugee camps.

The majority of civilian fatalities from drone strikes have taken place in the Kordofan region of central Sudan, Türk reported.

On May 8, unmanned aircraft attacks in South Kordofan and close to the city of el-Obeid in North Kordofan allegedly resulted in 26 civilian deaths. Over 70 individuals died in drone strikes on crowded areas in Kordofan during the early months of this year, the Sudan Doctors Network reported.

On Tuesday, a Sudanese advocacy organization, the Emergency Lawyers, reported that nine unmanned aircraft attacks on civilian vehicles had resulted in no fewer than 36 deaths during the previous 10 days throughout seven provinces.

The organization held both government forces and RSF responsible and noted that some drones employ visual surveillance technology able to identify specific targets, creating worries that the strikes may not have been random.

The paramilitary RFS started using drones extensively only last year, according to Gabriella Tejeda, research associate at The Soufan Center.

Government forces and RSF are working to acquire new drone variants, especially from China, but the RSF is adapting drones and “increasingly competing to acquire newer, more sophisticated models, with the UAE likely supplying them,” Tejeda explained. The United Arab Emirates has rejected claims of providing drones to the RSF.

Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health, indicated the RSF receives support from foreign technology, especially from the UAE, with satellite pictures revealing its deployment of Chinese-manufactured CH-95 and FH-95 drones that are approximately the size of small aircraft.

In locations like el-Fasher city in North Darfur, where no fewer than 6,000 individuals died during three days last year, RSF drones disable communications of civilians “crying for help” and attack them when a signal is identified, Raymond explained.

The RSF would not have been able to capture the city without these technologies, he noted.

“The sophistication of how they use drones in el-Fasher is unique because it’s the first time you’ve seen this layered, hunter-killer concept of operations to kill people, basically in a kill box or trapped inside a wall, in this case to prevent them from crying for help,” Raymond stated regarding the city, where U.N. specialists said the violence showed “hallmarks of genocide.”

Government forces’ drone technology has been blamed for attacking civilian facilities like Al Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur, where no fewer than 64 individuals died. The military officially rejected responsibility. Two military officials at that time, however, indicated the planned target was a nearby police station.

Raymond reported there has been an “alarming increase” in government drone attacks on protected facilities like schools and markets during the previous four to six months. Government forces have insisted they do not attack civilian infrastructure.

Last month, ACLED indicated the military’s drone technology comes from Turkey, Russia, Iran and Egypt, while the RSF receives supplies through networks connected to the UAE via regional transfer locations including Ethiopia, Chad and Libya.

Earlier this month, the Sudanese government blamed neighboring Ethiopia for recent drone strikes on locations including the Khartoum airport. It accused the UAE of providing the drones. Both nations rejected the accusations.

“Ethiopia is a central partner to the UAE, so the allegations are not unfounded and reflects an attempt by the UAE to try to influence the outcome of the war,” Tejeda stated.

International drone operations may have contributed to increasing civilian casualties, but Birru and Raymond indicated that is challenging to verify.

“Both the warring parties’ battle tempo only increasing, and their backers actively still investing in the war, makes it clear that neither side is interested in a resolution,” Tejeda concluded.

President Donald Trump’s aggressive diplomatic approach that secured wins on trade and military issues during his second term has reached an impasse with Iran, potentially prolonging an 11-week crisis that continues to disrupt the world economy.

The same confrontational strategy featuring public ultimatums, harsh language and threats that yielded results elsewhere appears ineffective against Iranian leadership, raising concerns the current stalemate could continue indefinitely with repeated cycles of brinksmanship.

Trump has displayed mounting impatience with the prolonged crisis while maintaining his uncompromising stance toward Iran’s government, according to analysts.

This suggests little hope for rapid diplomatic resolution, stoking worries the standoff and its severe impact on global energy markets may persist with occasional escalations.

Experts point to Iranian leadership psychology as a key barrier, noting their need to maintain credibility domestically even after U.S.-Israeli military actions eliminated senior officials and significantly weakened the Islamic Republic’s armed forces.

Despite Iran maintaining effective control over the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, providing substantial negotiating power, Trump continues employing tactics marked by extreme demands, erratic behavior, contradictory messages and inflammatory rhetoric.

More critically, analysts note Trump’s determination to portray any resolution as complete American triumph regardless of actual circumstances, while demanding Iran accept total capitulation, which appears unlikely.

“That inevitably gets in the way of reaching a reasonable deal because no government, not just Iran’s, can afford to be viewed as having capitulated,” said Rob Malley, a former Iran negotiator in the Obama and Biden administrations.

The ongoing deadlock occurs as Trump confronts domestic challenges including elevated fuel costs and declining public approval following his decision to enter an unpopular conflict before November’s midterm elections. His Republican Party faces potential loss of congressional control.

White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales supported Trump’s negotiating methods, citing his “proven track record of achieving good deals” and claiming Iranian officials demonstrate growing “desperation” for agreement.

“President Trump is a master negotiator who always sets the right tone,” she said.

Trump’s most alarming statement occurred last month when he posted on social media threatening to eliminate Iran’s civilization without a deal – language administration officials told the Wall Street Journal was spontaneous and not reviewed as national security policy.

While Trump eventually agreed to a temporary ceasefire, he has maintained threatening language since his expletive-filled Easter Sunday warning about destroying Iranian infrastructure, repeating similar threats to reporters aboard Air Force One following his China visit Friday.

Last week, Trump told journalists they would recognize ceasefire collapse by seeing “one big glow coming out of Iran,” interpreted by some as nuclear weapon threats, though he insists he would never use such weapons.

Trump has directed particularly harsh language at Iranian leadership, labeling them “crazy bastards,” “lunatics” and “thugs,” while Tehran has responded with extensive mockery through graphic online content and social media campaigns.

He has consistently claimed Iran faces complete defeat despite contradictory evidence, stated they were “begging” for agreements only to have Iranians deny this, while alternating between demanding “unconditional surrender” and seeking negotiated solutions. Iranian officials have claimed victory simply by surviving military assault while demonstrating their ability to impose significant economic costs.

No internal White House efforts exist to encourage Trump toward more restrained Iran messaging, according to two knowledgeable sources speaking anonymously about internal discussions.

While polling indicates his MAGA movement largely supports him, some previous supporters have criticized the war and condemned his most extreme threats.

Many of Trump’s harshest statements, frequently posted on his Truth Social platform after midnight, have occurred during crucial moments, including last month when he suddenly announced Iranian port blockades, prompting retaliation that endangered the fragile ceasefire.

Monday, Trump rejected the newest Iranian peace proposal as a “piece of garbage.”

“The lack of strategic patience and inconsistency of the president’s rhetoric undercuts whatever message he wants to send,” said Dennis Ross, a former senior Middle East adviser in Democratic and Republican administrations.

During his Beijing trip, Trump largely avoided harsh Iran criticism while focused on important Chinese relations, given China’s role as Tehran’s ally and oil purchaser.

However, some analysts suggest Trump, who frequently speaks publicly and conducts spontaneous reporter interviews, should permanently moderate his language if seriously seeking conflict resolution.

“He talks too much,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters last month during a visit to Turkey.

Trump, a former New York real estate developer who promotes himself as an expert dealmaker, has long maintained that unpredictability serves as negotiating strategy to keep adversaries uncertain.

This method has produced concessions in certain situations when pursuing tariff deals with trading partners, though he often accepts less than initial demands. In some conflicts, including rapid U.S. military action against Venezuela resulting in leadership capture and last year’s negotiations securing Gaza war ceasefire, his pressure tactics have succeeded.

With Iran, Trump, who campaigned promising to avoid foreign wars, seeks to appear threatening to force concessions on nuclear programs and other matters, analysts explain.

However, former U.S. officials experienced in Iranian negotiations say this approach will likely fail, given the entrenched nature of clerical and military institutions and the nation’s historical pride.

Trump’s threats may actually strengthen Iran’s new leadership, considered more hardline than eliminated predecessors, who trust him even less following U.S. attacks during negotiations twice in the past year, analysts suggest.

“There’s been this false perception that if you just put enough pressure on Iran, they’ll capitulate, but that’s just not how it works with Iran,” said Nate Swanson, a former State Department official who served on the Iran negotiating team until July.

Barbara Leaf, former Middle East envoy under Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden, said beyond presidential rhetoric, his Iran campaign suffers from “a giddy assumption that Iran was a Venezuela-like problem for resolution (and) wholesale misunderstanding of the regime’s inherent resilience.”

Some experts believe Trump’s approach, which he says primarily aims to prevent Iranian nuclear weapons development, could produce opposite results.

U.S. military action combined with Trump’s coercive diplomacy might encourage Iran to accelerate rather than abandon eventual nuclear bomb development for protection similar to nuclear-armed North Korea, analysts warn. Iran has consistently maintained uranium enrichment rights while claiming purely peaceful purposes.

Adding complications, Trump and Iranian officials appear operating on different timelines – the impulsive president typically wants quick agreements to move forward, while Iranian delegations historically prolong negotiations.

Abdulkhaleq Abdullah, an academic in the United Arab Emirates, a U.S. Gulf ally, said the president could moderate his language but Iranian stubbornness bears more responsibility for current deadlock than Trump’s “threats and bombastic comments”.

Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft in Washington, said Tehran leadership may interpret Trump’s inconsistent approach as desperation and believe they can outlast him.

“In some ways, Trump plays right into their hands,” he said.