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Relatives of two Americans who have been held in Chinese prisons for more than a decade are making an urgent plea to President Donald Trump to raise their cases during his scheduled summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The imprisoned Americans are Dawn Michelle Hunt, a 54-year-old artist and former flight attendant from the Chicago area, and Nelson Wells Jr., a 52-year-old Louisiana man and father of three children. Both were found guilty on narcotics charges following what their relatives describe as separate schemes where they were deceived into transporting drugs without their knowledge.

This summit presents an opportunity for Trump, who has positioned himself as a negotiator capable of bringing Americans home, to achieve a concrete victory by securing the freedom of two sick U.S. citizens. The meeting is anticipated to yield few major breakthroughs given ongoing disputes over trade policies, Iran, and Taiwan.

From China’s perspective, releasing the two Americans on humanitarian grounds would represent a relatively inexpensive way to generate positive relations with an unpredictable U.S. leader during a delicate period in bilateral ties.

“With President Trump meeting President Xi, our two families are writing letters – we’re asking, ‘Can you please ask for the release of our loved ones?’,” said Tim Hunt, Dawn Michelle’s older brother.

“Hopefully, we can get those letters delivered and read.”

Tim Hunt described his sister as an artistic “brainiac,” a highly intelligent person, and former flight attendant with a degree in fashion design who loved entering sweepstakes with her mother.

According to Hunt, Dawn Michelle was deceived into taking an international “prize” trip by fraudsters who, after she arrived in China, gave her handbags and a new suitcase that contained concealed drugs, which she unknowingly agreed to transport on her departure flight.

Nelson Wells Jr. was a world traveler who climbed mountains and explored Japan’s peaks, sharing the views with his father. Wells was taken into custody after agreeing to carry someone else’s luggage while returning from a China trip, his family explained. The person disappeared after airport security found narcotics concealed in the bag.

“I enjoyed serving my country,” said Wells’ father, Nelson Wells Sr., a U.S. Army veteran whose wife also worked for the Department of Defense for 28 years. “Now I just want my country to serve me.”

A U.S. State Department representative confirmed they are providing consular assistance to both individuals and that officials are working to protect the health and welfare of the two citizens, but refused to elaborate due to privacy concerns.

A representative from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that both individuals are completing sentences for significant drug-related offenses and that the government is managing their cases in accordance with legal procedures while ensuring their health and legitimate rights remain protected.

HEALTH CONCERNS MOUNTING

Sources indicate the State Department has formally requested Chinese officials to release both prisoners on compassionate grounds, and Chinese authorities have privately suggested they would consider such a request if it comes from high-level U.S. officials.

“The Chinese side has shown a willingness to grant the humanitarian release, but they are also keen to hear from the U.S. side just how important it is for the American people,” said Beijing-based lawyer James Zimmerman, who is advising the Hunt and Wells families.

Family members report that both prisoners are experiencing worsening health conditions. Hunt has developed significant medical issues and requires blood transfusions but lacks confidence in prison medical staff to agree to surgical procedures. Wells experiences severe seizures, diabetes, high blood pressure and other medical complications, according to his family.

In 2024, China and the U.S. each released three citizens both governments said were wrongfully detained in the other country, concluding years of diplomacy.

Supporters say U.S. government focus has increased in recent months. Peter Humphrey, a fraud investigator and former Chinese prisoner who now counsels families of foreign detainees in the country, reported that the U.S. embassy has been discussing these cases more regularly with Chinese officials.

Medical concerns have become the focal point of both families’ campaigns.

“Both Dawn Michelle Hunt and Nelson Wells are gravely ill and in desperate need of medical care in the U.S. – they should both be granted humanitarian parole,” said John Kamm, whose San Francisco-based Dui Hua Foundation researches political prisoners in China. Dui Hua estimates that there are around 200 Americans in carceral facilities in China.

Both families report their cases gained traction after they provided testimony at a September 2024 Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing, which brought broader attention to Americans held in Chinese prisons.

They are also supporting legislation introduced by Representative Chris Smith, named for Hunt and Wells, that they believe would enhance assistance for families facing similar situations.

For both families, the emotional burden at home has grown heavier over time. Tim Hunt revealed his father passed away in January without witnessing his daughter’s release. Wells’ youngest daughter, now 12 and residing in Japan, has little connection with her father since she was only six months old when he was arrested, his family explained.

“We are common people,” Wells Sr. said. “We cry every night. Our loved ones never leave our minds.”

BANGKOK – Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra walked free from a Bangkok prison Monday morning, completing roughly eight months of incarceration after a court determined he had improperly extended his hospital stay to dodge jail time.

The 76-year-old billionaire politician, who shaped and controlled Thai politics for 25 years, emerged from Klong Prem Central Prison at approximately 7:40 a.m. local time wearing a simple white shirt with closely trimmed hair. His political influence has diminished recently due to his imprisonment and his Pheu Thai Party’s historically poor showing in this year’s elections.

Family members immediately embraced Thaksin upon his release, including his daughter and political successor Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was removed from the prime minister position by court order last August, just weeks before his father’s imprisonment.

Crowds of supporters who had gathered outside the Bangkok prison since early morning hours shouted “we love Thaksin” as he acknowledged them following his release. He completed approximately two-thirds of his sentence before receiving parole.

Following 15 years of voluntary exile, Thaksin came back to Thailand in 2023 to face an eight-year prison term for conflicts of interest and power abuse during his 2001-2006 tenure as prime minister. The king had reduced his sentence to one year.

However, his actual prison time lasted only hours after his return, as he reported cardiac issues and chest discomfort. He subsequently spent six months in a hospital’s VIP section before gaining parole status.

The Supreme Court ruled in September that Thaksin must complete his sentence behind bars, determining that he and his medical team had deliberately extended his hospital treatment through unnecessary minor procedures.

Prison officials confirmed he must wear an electronic monitoring device on his ankle for his remaining sentence period.

A 76-year-old supporter from northern Chiang Rai province, Rommanee Nakano, expressed that Thaksin never deserved punishment.

“He is a very good person,” she stated before his release. “Whatever he did, he did it for the people. He just wanted the people to be well-fed and have enough to live on.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his goal to eliminate U.S. military assistance to his nation within the next ten years during a television interview broadcast Sunday.

Speaking on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” Netanyahu expressed his desire to completely phase out American financial assistance for military cooperation between the two countries. “I want to draw down to zero the American financial support, the financial component of the military cooperation that we have,” the Israeli leader stated.

Currently, Israel receives approximately $3.8 billion annually in U.S. military assistance. Under an existing agreement, America has committed to providing $38 billion total in military aid to Israel spanning from 2018 through 2028.

Netanyahu emphasized that now represents the ideal moment to potentially restructure the financial relationship between the United States and Israel, calling it “absolutely” the appropriate time for such a change.

“I don’t want to wait for the next Congress,” Netanyahu explained to CBS reporters. “I want to start now.”

Although Israel has historically enjoyed broad bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress regarding military assistance, that backing has weakened among both legislators and American citizens following the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez touched down in the Netherlands on Sunday, preparing to present her nation’s case before the world’s highest court regarding a long-standing territorial conflict with neighboring Guyana over a resource-abundant region.

The International Court of Justice located in The Hague is conducting a series of proceedings between these South American nations, both of whom assert ownership over Essequibo — a nearly 62,000-square-mile area abundant in gold, diamonds, timber and additional natural resources, positioned close to substantial offshore petroleum reserves.

Since the era of Spanish colonization, Venezuela has regarded Essequibo as part of its territory, as the forested region was within its colonial borders. However, an 1899 arbitration decision made by representatives from Britain, Russia and the United States established the boundary along the Essequibo River, primarily favoring Guyana’s position.

Venezuelan officials contend that a 1966 Geneva agreement designed to settle the territorial disagreement essentially invalidated the 19th-century arbitration decision.

Monday will mark the concluding court session, featuring Rodríguez’s testimony. The tribunal will likely require several months before delivering a final and legally enforceable decision.

Upon her arrival at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, Rodríguez — who took office in January after a U.S. military action that removed Nicolás Maduro from power — stated that her nation has “demonstrated at every historical stage what our territory has meant since we were born as a Republic.”

Guyana initiated the Essequibo case at the ICJ in 2018, seeking international confirmation that the 1899 decision — rather than the 1966 agreement — should determine the boundary. Venezuelan officials have cautioned that their participation in these proceedings doesn’t constitute acceptance or acknowledgment of the ICJ’s authority.

During the hearings’ opening session, Guyanese Foreign Minister Hugh Hilton Todd informed the international panel of judges that this territorial disagreement “has been a blight on our existence as a sovereign state from the beginning” and noted that 70% of Guyana’s land area is in question.

LONDON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is mounting a desperate effort to save his political career, planning to announce Monday that strengthening ties with Europe will become the cornerstone of his administration’s new direction amid escalating demands for his resignation.

The Labour Party leader finds himself in serious jeopardy following devastating defeats in last week’s local elections, which marked the worst performance by a ruling party in over thirty years. More than 30 members of parliament from his own party have demanded either his immediate resignation or a clear timeline for his departure.

According to advance excerpts from his upcoming address, Starmer plans to acknowledge that “incremental change won’t cut it” and will admit the scope of necessary reforms for economic recovery, military reconstruction, and energy independence exceeds his initial expectations.

While the speech preview contains no specific new policy announcements, Starmer intends to declare his administration “will be defined by rebuilding our relationship and by putting Britain at the heart of Europe” – a significant shift nearly ten years after the Brexit vote.

This European focus could resonate well with Labour parliamentarians and younger demographics, as recent polling indicates approximately 60% of British citizens now view the EU departure as an error.

Nevertheless, such efforts to restore European connections would create complex challenges, including potential agreements to increase European immigration in exchange for enhanced EU market access. This approach would likely draw fierce resistance from conservative Eurosceptic movements and certain media organizations.

Starmer secured one of the most commanding parliamentary victories in recent British political history during 2024, campaigning on promises to stimulate economic growth, reduce unauthorized immigration, and eliminate healthcare waiting periods in the national health system.

His administration’s progress has stalled due to policy reversals, internal party criticism regarding his reluctance to make tough choices, and multiple political controversies, resulting in approval numbers among the lowest recorded for any British leader.

In his forthcoming remarks, Starmer will concede his government has sometimes fallen short of delivering the transformation voters expected, stating that “people need hope” while expressing readiness to “face up to the big challenges” confronting the nation.

The crisis intensified when former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner issued a rare public warning Sunday that the Labour Party might be approaching its “last chance” for course correction.

Additionally, Catherine West, a relatively unknown former junior minister, demanded over the weekend that cabinet members remove the prime minister. She threatened that if they refuse by Monday and she finds his speech unsatisfactory, she will personally attempt to initiate leadership proceedings.

However, the Labour Party has never successfully ousted one of its prime ministers throughout its 125-year existence.

Party regulations require 20% of parliamentary members – totaling 81 lawmakers – to unite behind a single alternative candidate to launch a leadership challenge.

Thus far, none of Starmer’s primary potential successors have acted against him. Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor and considered a leading replacement candidate, lacks parliamentary membership and cannot mount a challenge.

This threat to Starmer’s leadership, occurring less than two years following his electoral triumph, exemplifies Britain’s growing governance difficulties.

Should Starmer face removal in coming weeks, Britain would experience its seventh prime minister within the past decade, representing unprecedented political instability in nearly 200 years.

Political experts attribute this pattern to multiple factors: sluggish economic expansion since the 2007-2009 financial crisis, stressed government budgets particularly after extensive pandemic borrowing, and deep political divisions following Brexit.

President Donald Trump announced Sunday through his Truth Social platform that five individuals from Poland and Moldova have been freed from detention facilities in Belarus and Russia.

The announcement detailed the release of three Polish nationals and two Moldovan citizens. Trump gave recognition to special envoy John Coale for facilitating the prisoner releases and expressed gratitude to Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko for his “cooperation and friendship.”

Among those freed was Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist and activist holding both Polish and Belarusian citizenship, who had been imprisoned in Belarus. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had previously confirmed Poczobut’s release on April 28, explaining it occurred through a prisoner exchange agreement.

Lukashenko, who maintains close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has freed hundreds of detainees over the past two years. This prisoner release pattern has gained momentum since Trump began his second presidential term. In exchange for these releases, the United States has started lifting economic sanctions imposed on Belarus.

NAIROBI, Kenya — French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Kenya Sunday to launch the Africa Forward Summit, a diplomatic gathering designed to demonstrate France’s evolving relationship with African nations as Paris moves away from its colonial-era influence.

The summit represents the first time this event has taken place in an English-speaking African nation, coming after France completed its military withdrawal from West Africa last year following declining regional influence across the continent.

For decades following independence, France maintained what critics called “Françafrique” — a system of economic, political and military control that included deploying thousands of soldiers throughout the region. African leaders and opposition groups frequently condemned this approach as patronizing and heavy-handed.

Kenyan President William Ruto, who is hosting Macron, expressed hopes that the summit will serve as a “turning point” for improved partnerships between the nations.

Addressing the evolving political dynamics, Macron acknowledged that France may “disagree” with West African governments but “never disagrees with the people.”

The two-day conference beginning Monday expects to host 30 heads of state, with ten having already arrived in Nairobi.

However, Kenyan opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka criticized selecting Kenya as the host location, arguing the country faces democratic challenges, opposition suppression and human rights violations as it approaches the 2027 elections.

“There will be an air of pretense that we are a cohesive nation,” Musyoka said. “We know that is far from the truth.”

Ruto responded Sunday by stating that Nairobi aims to develop diverse international relationships and was “neither looking East nor West” but “looking forward.”

During Sunday’s proceedings, Kenya and France finalized 11 partnership agreements covering multiple sectors, including plans for a major nuclear energy facility, transportation improvements, and sustainable farming initiatives.

Macron described these investments as efforts to build “human capital,” aligning with the summit’s emphasis on innovation and Africa’s expanding youth population.

WASHINGTON/BEIJING – A high-ranking American official voiced frustration on Sunday following Taiwan’s legislative decision to authorize military funding below what the United States considers necessary for the island nation’s security needs.

Speaking anonymously, the official stated that Washington found the outcome “disappointing in that there was some stuff left on the cutting room floor that we believe still needs to be funded.”

The official added, “We’d like to see the rest of the original proposed package funded.”

Taiwan’s legislature gave final approval on Friday to additional military expenditures totaling $25 billion, representing approximately two-thirds of the full amount Taiwan’s government had requested. The funding is intended to strengthen the island’s defensive capabilities as it faces an increasingly advanced Chinese military threat.

The reduced spending approval came through Taiwan’s parliament, which is currently under opposition party control.

The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Narges Mohammadi has been transferred to a Tehran medical facility and granted temporary release from prison on bail following a recent heart attack, according to her family’s foundation.

The 54-year-old activist received the prestigious award last year while incarcerated for her efforts promoting women’s rights and opposing capital punishment. She experienced cardiac complications two weeks ago while serving her sentence.

Family members had advocated for her relocation from Zanjan, located northwest of the Iranian capital, where she was initially hospitalized, seeking access to superior medical treatment for her condition.

According to a statement from the Narges Mohammadi Foundation, she has been transported by ambulance to Tehran Pars Hospital, where her personal medical specialists are providing treatment.

Earlier this year in February, Mohammadi received an additional prison sentence totaling seven and a half years, the foundation reported. This occurred weeks prior to escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran. The Nobel Prize committee urged Iranian authorities to release her without delay.

Her December arrest followed her public criticism regarding the death of attorney Khosrow Alikordi. Officials stated that she made inflammatory statements during Alikordi’s memorial service.

The foundation did not provide specific information about the bail conditions or details surrounding her sentence suspension.

“However, a suspension is not enough,” the organization stated. “Narges Mohammadi requires permanent, specialized care. We must ensure she never returns to prison.”

Iranian authorities severely restricted internet access throughout the country in January while suppressing widespread demonstrations sparked by economic concerns. Human rights organizations have documented continued executions of individuals connected to the civil unrest.

Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Mexico City on Sunday, led by mothers whose children vanished during years of cartel-related violence. The Mother’s Day march drew attention to the country’s crisis of missing persons as Mexico gears up to co-host the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Groups representing families of the disappeared organize this annual demonstration each Mother’s Day. This year, they urged soccer supporters to stand with them, declaring in a public statement that “there is nothing to celebrate, because the mothers of Mexico are playing the most difficult match: the one for justice.”

Marchers filled Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City’s main thoroughfare, carrying photographs of missing loved ones on banners and posters. “Mexico, champion in disappearances,” the crowd chanted as they walked past a traffic circle permanently decorated with images of those who have vanished, now surrounded by metal barricades.

“We had to start fighting, because no one wanted to take charge of the disappearance (case),” explained Graciela Perez Rodriguez. Her daughter and four other family members went missing in 2012 while driving through the northern state of Tamaulipas after visiting the United States.

The nation faces a staggering crisis with over 130,000 people reported missing. These disappearances dramatically increased following 2006, when Mexico declared war against drug trafficking organizations.

Law enforcement officers and government workers are frequently connected to these crimes. Mothers who conduct their own searches when official investigations stall often become targets themselves, facing threats and violence from criminal organizations.

Mexican officials announced in March that they had possibly identified more than 40,000 individuals from the missing persons database who might still be alive, following an examination of the national registry that revealed activity in other government databases.

However, research from Mexico Evalua, a public policy organization, shows disappearances have tripled during the past ten years as organized crime groups have expanded their influence.

Rodriguez expressed concern that authorities no longer prioritize her family’s case after nearly 14 years have elapsed.

“We feel this emptiness,” she said.

A high-ranking United States official confirmed on Sunday that the current rare earth materials agreement between America and China remains valid, with discussions underway regarding a possible extension.

The confirmation comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, set to take place in Beijing on May 14 and 15.

“It’s still in effect. It doesn’t expire yet,” the official stated during a briefing with reporters. The official added that while discussions continue, it remains unclear whether the agreement will receive an extension. “I’m confident we’ll announce any potential extension at the appropriate time.”

The upcoming two-day summit, beginning Thursday, is expected to cover several contentious topics including the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, trade relations, Taiwan, and other areas of tension between the two nations.

The leaders previously met in October in South Korea, where they reached an agreement to halt an escalating trade dispute. That conflict had resulted in the United States implementing substantial tariffs on Chinese products while Beijing had threatened to limit global access to rare earth materials.

Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Narges Mohammadi has been moved to a medical facility in Tehran after collapsing in prison over a week ago, according to her foundation.

The organization reports that Mohammadi’s hospital transfer occurred following persistent appeals from family members and supporters. Officials have granted her a temporary suspension of her prison term with bail conditions.

Since December, Mohammadi had been held at Zanjan prison facility. On May 1st, she was taken to a nearby medical center after losing consciousness on two separate occasions.

In a statement provided to The Associated Press, her foundation expressed that the temporary release falls short of what’s needed, emphasizing that Mohammadi requires “permanent, specialized care.”

The organization’s statement further declared: “we must ensure she never returns to prison to face the 18 years remaining on her sentence. Now is the time to demand her unconditional freedom and the dismissal of all charges.”

A controversial activist organization already prohibited in the United Kingdom is facing new scrutiny in Canada over digital materials that critics say blur the lines between legitimate protest and potential targeting operations.

Palestine Action has created an online mapping system that identifies businesses with connections to Israel’s military sector, including detailed information about companies, their suppliers, operational facilities, and in certain instances, personal addresses of individuals associated with these enterprises. The organization also provides an accompanying instructional guide for supporters looking to organize activities.

Although British authorities imposed a ban on Palestine Action this past February, the group continues its operations without restriction in other nations. The organization’s Canadian affiliate actively distributes the controversial materials, which remain accessible to the general public online.

B’nai Brith Canada has formally requested that Ottawa conduct an investigation into whether Palestine Action warrants inclusion on Canada’s list of designated terrorist entities. The Canadian advocacy group expressed concerns about the nature of the shared materials and their potential implications for public safety.

The debate centers on whether the detailed mapping and organizational guidance crosses the boundary from protected protest activity into more concerning territory that could facilitate vandalism or operational targeting of specific locations and individuals.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria has announced sweeping changes to his administration through multiple presidential orders, marking the latest phase in ongoing governmental reforms that began following the establishment of a transitional government in March 2025.

Reports from Damascus indicate that Presidential Order No. 98 of 2026 has designated Abdul Rahman Badr al-Din Al-A’ma as the new secretary-general of the presidency. This appointment removes Dr. Maher al-Sharaa, the president’s brother, from his position after a brief period in office, bringing to a close a disputed selection that had generated significant public discussion.

Additional ministerial changes include Presidential Order No. 100 of 2026, which places Khaled Zaarour in charge of the information ministry, taking over from Hamza Al-Mustafa. Order No. 101 simultaneously designates Basel Hafez Al-Suwaidan as the new agriculture minister, succeeding Amjad Badr.

The administrative changes reach into regional leadership as well, with four new provincial governors receiving appointments. The president has selected Ghassan Al-Sayyed Ahmed to lead Quneitra province, while Marhef Khaled Al-Nassan will oversee Homs. Ahmed Ali Mustafa takes charge of Latakia, and Ziad al-Ayesh assumes leadership of Deir ez-Zor province.

These personnel moves follow the March 29, 2025 establishment of Syria’s transitional administration. The 23-member cabinet was characterized as a “government of reconstruction and stability” during the nation’s political transformation period.

The current administration has consistently implemented step-by-step institutional modifications, encompassing regular ministerial adjustments and high-level personnel changes, all aimed at updating government operations and enhancing effectiveness throughout critical departments.

Political observers interpret the recent personnel changes as the president’s strategy to restructure influential positions within the government structure. This comes particularly as various ministries face performance critiques, with the Ministry of Information receiving notable criticism, alongside continued discussions regarding the placement of presidential allies in crucial roles.

The removal of Information Minister Hamza Al-Mustafa has generated divided responses on Syrian social media platforms. Some citizens have commended his efforts to promote more transparent media communication compared to earlier periods, while critics contend that his ministry struggled to adapt to Syria’s quickly changing political and governmental landscape.

These recent modifications demonstrate Syria’s quickening institutional reorganization process, as presidential authority extends its influence across governmental departments, ministerial positions, and regional administrations, indicating comprehensive changes to the nation’s political and administrative framework.

Iran has established a new regulatory body to oversee vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, implementing a mandatory registration system that requires ships to gain approval from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps before entering the vital shipping corridor.

The newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) mandates that maritime companies complete comprehensive documentation before their vessels can traverse the waterway. CNN obtained copies of the registration documents, which contain over 40 required data points including vessel identification numbers, current and former ship names, departure and arrival ports, cargo specifications, and nationality information for crew members, vessel owners, and operators.

Communications from the PGSA emphasize that “complete and accurate information is essential” for passage authorization, with additional guidance to be provided through email correspondence.

The authority’s messaging warns that “any incorrect or incomplete information provided will be the sole responsibility of the applicant, and any resulting consequences will be borne accordingly.”

Industry experts have not confirmed whether shipping companies have begun using this new approval process. Security analysts caution that participation in Iran’s system could potentially subject companies to United States sanctions. Iran previously suggested in April that transit fees might be implemented to offset infrastructure damage and conflict-related expenses, though current fee requirements remain uncertain.

This development coincides with the United States advancing Project Freedom, a maritime protection program for vessels departing through Omani territorial waters on the strait’s southern boundary. The American initiative operates as a cost-free, US-supervised transit arrangement. Iran has expressed opposition to this program and has conducted attacks against commercial ships and US Navy vessels in attempts to interfere with the operation.

The Strait of Hormuz serves as a conduit for approximately 20% of global oil and natural gas shipments. The creation of the PGSA represents Iran’s effort to strengthen its influence over this passage amid ongoing tensions with the United States and Israel, signaling Tehran’s intention to treat such control as a strategic advantage gained through conflict.

A social media account attributed to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei recently advocated for a “new regional and global order under the strategy of a strong Iran,” declaring no tolerance for foreign presence “and their mischief.” The posts also referenced “using the leverage of closing the strait” as part of this strategic vision.

LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to step down as dozens of lawmakers demand his resignation following crushing defeats for his Labour Party in recent local elections.

The embattled leader plans to deliver a critical speech Monday in an attempt to demonstrate he can shift course and restore his government’s standing. However, his position remains precarious as political rivals consider their next moves. Lawmaker Catherine West has threatened to initiate a leadership challenge if Starmer’s Monday address fails to meet her expectations.

Angela Rayner, the former Deputy Prime Minister who many view as a possible successor, stopped short of directly demanding Starmer’s departure but emphasized that the party “needs to change.”

“The prime minister must now meet the moment and set out the change our country needs,” Rayner stated.

The prime minister is attempting to rebuild support following significant defeats for his center-left party in English local elections and legislative races in Scotland and Wales. Political observers widely interpreted last week’s voting as an unofficial judgment on Starmer’s leadership, whose approval ratings have nosedived since his landslide victory less than two years ago.

His administration has failed to deliver on promises of economic expansion, improvements to struggling public services, and relief from rising living costs. The government has also been weakened by a series of blunders and policy reversals on matters including welfare changes. Starmer’s standing took another hit with his controversial choice to name Peter Mandelson, who has connections to Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain’s ambassador to the United States.

The recent elections showed Labour losing support from multiple directions, with voters abandoning the party for both the anti-immigration Reform UK party and the environmentally-focused Green Party. This demonstrates the growing political fragmentation in Britain, historically controlled by Labour and Conservative parties.

Despite the turmoil, Starmer expressed to The Observer newspaper Sunday his intention to remain in power for ten years. He’s counting on Monday’s address and an extensive legislative agenda that King Charles III will outline Wednesday during the State Opening of Parliament.

A central element of his strategy involves strengthening relationships with the European Union, which Britain departed in 2020 following a narrow “leave” victory in a 2016 referendum. Starmer’s administration has already begun reducing some trade barriers that have challenged British companies since Brexit, and he promises to negotiate a youth mobility agreement allowing young people to work throughout Europe for several years.

“Brexit has held back our young people,” Starmer told The Observer, stating that “we have to be closer to Europe.”

While Labour supported remaining in the EU during the 2016 campaign, the party has hesitated to restart a debate that deeply divided Britain. Starmer has rejected pursuing EU membership again or rejoining the EU’s customs union or single market, moves that would significantly benefit UK businesses.

High-profile Labour figures viewed as potential rivals to Starmer — including Rayner, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham — have not demanded his resignation.

However, increasing numbers of Labour legislators are urging the prime minister to establish a departure timeline. British political system permits parties to replace leaders during their term without requiring new elections.

Josh Simons, a previously loyal Labour representative, wrote in the Times of London that Starmer “has lost the country” and “should take control of the situation by overseeing an orderly transition to a new prime minister.”

West, a former junior minister, is attempting to accelerate the process by threatening to initiate a leadership contest unless Starmer delivers an exceptional speech Monday. West admitted she lacks support from the 81 colleagues required to force such a contest, and her action appears designed to pressure more prominent contenders to act.

“Working people sent us a message,” West declared. “We have to listen to that, and we have to change and we have to do it quickly.”

PARIS – A French national evacuated from a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak developed concerning symptoms while aboard an emergency repatriation flight, according to French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.

The individual was among five French citizens being transported back to France on Sunday following the disease outbreak aboard the cruise vessel. Lecornu announced the development through a post on the social media platform X.

The Prime Minister did not provide additional details about the passenger’s condition or specify which symptoms had emerged during the flight home.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a public appeal on Sunday, May 10th, calling on the nation’s residents and companies to reduce their fuel consumption as rising worldwide energy costs put pressure on the country’s foreign currency reserves.

The Prime Minister specifically recommended that both individuals and organizations should embrace remote work arrangements and virtual meetings once again – practices that became widespread during the coronavirus pandemic – stating these measures would provide benefits to the nation as a whole.

According to Modi, the elevated cost of fuel on the international market means India needs to preserve its foreign currency by decreasing the use of gasoline and diesel products throughout the country.

Latvia’s Defense Minister Andris Spruds stepped down from his position on Sunday, following a controversial incident where Ukrainian drones crossed into the country and struck oil storage tanks.

The resignation came after Prime Minister Evika Silina called for Spruds to leave his post, criticizing the government’s slow response in setting up anti-drone defense systems. Silina has named army colonel Raivis Melnis as Spruds’ replacement.

The incident occurred Thursday when two unmanned aircraft crossed over from Russian territory and exploded at a Latvian oil storage facility. The strike prompted both Latvia and neighboring Lithuania to request enhanced NATO air defense capabilities for their region.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed Sunday on social media platform X that the drones belonged to Ukraine. He explained that the aircraft ended up in Latvia due to “Russian electronic warfare deliberately diverting Ukrainian drones from their targets in Russia.”

Following the cross-border incident, Sybiha announced Friday that Ukraine is exploring the possibility of sending technical specialists to help improve air defense systems across the Baltic region.

Venezuelan officials are raising alarm about what they claim is a significant oil spill originating from neighboring Trinidad and Tobago that has damaged coastal areas across multiple Venezuelan states.

In a statement released Saturday evening to the global community, Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry reported that preliminary evaluations revealed “severe risks” to natural habitats in Sucre and Delta Amacuro states, as well as the Gulf of Paria region. Officials warn the contamination threatens mangrove forests, wetland areas, and the overall ecological stability of the Caribbean region.

Venezuelan authorities have not disclosed when they initially discovered the spill or provided estimates of the volume of oil involved. Trinidad and Tobago’s government has yet to respond to or acknowledge the spill allegations.

The Venezuelan administration has called for detailed information regarding the incident and plans for cleanup and containment efforts, while also seeking compensation measures under international environmental regulations, according to the official declaration.

Both nations share the Gulf of Paria, an enclosed body of water situated at Venezuela’s western boundary and south of Trinidad island, following a border agreement signed in the 1990s that outlined terms for developing oil and gas resources along their shared maritime boundary.

According to Trinidad’s Ministry of Energy, Trinidad and Tobago operates extensive petroleum and natural gas extraction projects both onshore and in coastal waters, ranking among the Caribbean region’s top energy producers.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is set to travel to South Korea next week to participate in trade discussions with American officials, according to an announcement from China’s Ministry of Commerce on Sunday.

The scheduled meetings on May 12-13 will build upon agreements made during previous conversations and gatherings between leadership from both countries, including a meeting that took place in Busan last October, the ministry stated on its official website. The talks are expected to address economic and trade matters of shared interest.

According to Reuters sources, President Donald Trump is anticipated to travel to China later this week, with the White House extending invitations to a select group of corporate executives to join the presidential delegation to Beijing.

Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez has traveled to the Netherlands to represent her nation at the International Court of Justice in a territorial dispute hearing, the presidential office announced.

Rodriguez will head Venezuela’s delegation at Monday’s proceedings before the United Nations’ highest judicial body regarding a longstanding disagreement with neighboring Guyana over the Esequibo region, an area abundant in oil resources that has been contested for more than a century.

The legal challenge was initiated by Guyana in 2018 when they brought the matter before the international court.

While a final decision remains several months away, any ruling issued by the court carries binding authority with no option for appeal. However, the judicial body lacks enforcement mechanisms and must depend on the U.N. Security Council for implementation.

This marks Rodriguez’s inaugural European visit since assuming leadership following the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a January operation.

The European Union had previously imposed travel restrictions on Rodriguez, along with other Venezuelan officials, citing allegations that they had worked to undermine democratic institutions in Venezuela.

Tehran delivered its official response to a United States peace initiative through Pakistani mediators on Sunday, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.

The Iranian counter-proposal prioritizes ending current military conflicts in the region as the main objective of ongoing diplomatic talks, an informed source told IRNA.

Multiple sources from both nations have informed Reuters that current diplomatic efforts seek to establish a temporary agreement that would stop the fighting and restore normal shipping through the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway. Such an interim deal would provide time for negotiators to work toward a comprehensive agreement addressing more complex issues, including Iran’s controversial nuclear development program.

The conflict, which has now lasted more than two months, continues to threaten one of the world’s most important shipping lanes for oil and commercial goods.

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian law enforcement officials conducted a major raid Saturday against an illegal online gambling network in Jakarta, detaining 321 foreign nationals in what authorities describe as one of the nation’s most significant operations targeting digital betting crimes.

The foreign workers, predominantly from Vietnam, were taken into custody at a commercial facility located near Jakarta’s Chinatown district. Investigators say the location served as headquarters for more than 70 gambling websites that marketed services to customers outside Indonesia, according to promotional materials and electronic evidence gathered during the operation.

The detained individuals consist of 228 Vietnamese citizens, 57 Chinese nationals, and others from Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia, according to Wira Satya Triputra, who heads general crimes investigations for Indonesia’s National Police. Authorities continue working to identify the organizers and financial supporters of the network.

“We arrested the suspects in the act while they were carrying out activities related to online gambling,” Triputra stated during Saturday’s press briefing. He explained the enterprise functioned with clear organizational structure, assigning workers to specific duties including customer support, sales calls and money management. Law enforcement estimates the operation had been active for approximately two months.

Officials noted that gambling organizations frequently relocate their activities to avoid law enforcement detection, commonly hiring foreign employees to manage websites and customer support services.

According to Triputra, many suspects had entered Indonesia with temporary tourist visas but remained beyond their authorized stay while employed at the gambling facility. He added that “immigration violations were uncovered in addition to suspected gambling and money-laundering offenses.”

During the raid, police confiscated currency from various countries, computing equipment, cellular devices, travel documents and other materials believed connected to the gambling platform management. Officials estimate the organization controlled at least 75 betting websites.

By Saturday, 275 detainees had been officially designated as suspects, while remaining individuals continued under interrogation, Triputra reported. Those facing charges could receive up to nine years imprisonment under Indonesia’s criminal and immigration statutes, plus fines reaching 2 billion rupiah ($116,000).

Comparable international criminal enterprises have emerged recently in Surabaya, Bali and Batam, demonstrating the necessity for enhanced cooperation between law enforcement and government departments to address online gambling and associated fraud schemes, stated Untung Widyatmoko, secretary of Indonesia’s Interpol division.

Widyatmoko indicated authorities have observed evidence that online gambling operators formerly operating in Myanmar and Cambodia are moving their activities to different nations, including Indonesia, following crackdowns in those locations.

“After enforcement measures in Cambodia, we started to see a shift toward Indonesia, and that was something we anticipated,” Widyatmoko explained.

Approximately 210 foreign citizens – including 47 women – from Vietnam, China and Myanmar, suspected of involvement in online investment fraud schemes, were detained Wednesday during an immigration enforcement action at an apartment complex on Indonesia’s Batam island, adjacent to Singapore.

Officials in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, announced Friday they had arrested 44 foreign nationals from Japan and China for impersonating law enforcement officers in an international telephone and online fraud operation, following the March arrest of 13 Japanese men in West Java’s Bogor city connected to the same case.

During the previous month, approximately 16 suspects from an international scamming network from China, Malaysia and Taiwan were arrested in West Java’s Sukabumi region, while 26 alleged online fraudsters, including individuals from Philippines and Kenya, were expelled from Bali.

Online gambling remains prohibited in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, which has intensified enforcement efforts due to concerns about organized crime and international cyber operations. Police indicated the investigation may result in additional arrests connected to international networks.

Military forces from the United Kingdom executed an unprecedented humanitarian mission over the weekend, parachuting medical personnel and emergency supplies onto one of the world’s most isolated islands to treat a suspected hantavirus patient.

Six paratroopers and two military medical specialists from the 16 Air Assault Brigade made the historic jump onto Tristan da Cunha, delivering crucial oxygen tanks and other medical equipment. The team flew more than 6,700 kilometers from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire to Ascension Island, then traveled an additional 3,000 kilometers south to reach their destination.

The emergency airdrop took place Saturday and marks the first instance of UK military forces deploying medical staff through parachute operations for humanitarian purposes, according to Ministry of Defence officials.

The mission was launched to assist a British citizen who health officials believe contracted hantavirus while aboard a cruise vessel that experienced an outbreak. The ship made port at Tristan da Cunha from April 13 through April 15, and the passenger began showing symptoms consistent with the virus on April 28. World Health Organization representatives report the individual remains in stable condition under isolation protocols.

“With oxygen supplies on the island at a critical level, an airdrop with medical personnel was the only method of getting vital care to the patient in time,” Ministry of Defence officials stated.

The remote British territory houses approximately 200 residents and sits roughly halfway between the African and South American continents. Located more than 2,400 kilometers from its closest inhabited neighbor, St. Helena, Tristan da Cunha typically requires a six-day sea voyage to reach. The island operates with just two medical professionals under normal circumstances and lacks any airport facilities.

Military aircraft had previously delivered PCR testing materials to Ascension Island on May 7 for another British passenger from the same cruise who was later evacuated to South Africa for treatment.

“The arrival of paratroopers, medical personnel and medical supplies from the sky has hopefully reassured the people of Tristan da Cunha,” stated Brigadier Ed Cartwright, who leads the 16 Air Assault Brigade.

Military forces in the United Arab Emirates successfully intercepted two unmanned aircraft originating from Iran on Sunday, according to an announcement from the country’s Defense Ministry. This incident represents the most recent escalation in a series of renewed hostilities targeting the wealthy Gulf nation.

The Emirates has faced multiple attacks from Iran in recent days, breaking a month-long period of relative peace that followed the announcement of a ceasefire in the Iran conflict by the United States.

While Iran has rejected claims that it conducted operations against the UAE recently, Tehran issued a warning of a “crushing response” should any hostile actions be launched from Emirati territory against Iran.

The ongoing security concerns forced the UAE to transition schools to remote instruction last week. However, officials announced Sunday that classroom learning will return starting Monday.

Iranian petroleum officials have firmly rejected claims that an oil spill occurred near the country’s largest crude export facility, following reports this week of satellite images showing what appeared to be contamination in Gulf waters.

The head of Iran’s Oil Terminals Company announced Sunday that thorough examinations revealed no evidence of petroleum leakage from any infrastructure at Kharg Island, including storage facilities, transport pipelines, loading equipment, or vessels operating in the vicinity.

The executive noted that the Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre (MEMAC), which monitors regional maritime pollution incidents, had similarly found no indication of any spill in the area surrounding the critical export hub.

Iranian authorities conducted comprehensive on-site evaluations and scientific analysis following the initial reports, with officials stating they discovered no trace of contamination whatsoever in their investigation.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Search and rescue teams in Indonesia successfully recovered the remains of two Singaporean hikers on Sunday, following a deadly volcanic eruption that occurred Friday on the remote island of Halmahera.

The two men, ages 30 and 27, were discovered just a short distance from where recovery teams had found the body of an Indonesian woman hiker the previous day, according to Abdul Muhari, a spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency. The three fatalities had been positioned approximately 165 feet from the main crater’s edge when Mount Dukono erupted.

Dense volcanic debris had completely buried the men’s remains, creating significant challenges for rescue operations and hampering recovery efforts, Muhari explained.

“The bodies were buried under deep, densely packed volcanic material that is difficult to dig through,” Muhari said, “Rescue teams must proceed cautiously to ensure safety.”

The three deceased hikers were part of a 20-person group that had attempted to climb the 4,445-foot mountain in North Maluku province, despite existing safety prohibitions. The group became trapped when the volcano erupted in the early morning hours Friday, launching a massive ash plume approximately 6 miles skyward.

Emergency teams successfully rescued 17 individuals within hours of the initial eruption, including seven people from Singapore. Ten of those rescued sustained minor burn injuries, while two were able to assist in the search efforts by providing crucial information about the missing hikers’ locations.

Nearly 100 rescue personnel participated in the search operation, confronting challenging terrain while the volcano remained active, Muhari reported.

Iwan Ramdani, who leads the regional search and rescue department, explained that Sunday’s recovery mission required constant monitoring by volcanic experts as Mount Dukono continued ejecting ash, heated materials, and glowing debris.

“The search operation was repeatedly disrupted by Mount Dukono’s continued volcanic activity,” Ramdani said, “Teams must be extremely careful during the evacuation process.”

All three victims’ remains were initially brought to an emergency staging area before being transferred to Tobelo Regional Hospital for identification procedures and additional processing, Ramdani confirmed.

Officials from the National Disaster Management Agency announced the formal conclusion of all search and rescue activities.

The agency issued a strong appeal for residents, visitors, and tourism companies to follow established safety protocols and stay away from designated danger zones.

Government officials have implemented a complete prohibition on all activities within a 2.5-mile radius surrounding the crater, following guidance from Indonesia’s volcanic monitoring agency.

Mount Dukono represents one of over 120 active volcanic peaks throughout Indonesia, a nation particularly susceptible to geological instability due to its position along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a curved chain of volcanoes and seismic fault lines surrounding the Pacific Ocean.

MOSCOW, May 10 – Moscow has condemned Armenia for allowing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to deliver what Russia calls anti-Russian statements during his recent visit, signaling deepening tensions between the traditionally allied nations.

During his trip to Yerevan last week, Zelenskyy suggested that Russia was concerned about potential drone strikes over Red Square in Moscow during the May 9 Victory Day celebration marking the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two.

The military parade proceeded on Saturday as scheduled but in a reduced format, omitting the typical display of military equipment due to concerns about possible Ukrainian drone strikes.

Russian officials had already called in Armenia’s ambassador on Thursday to object to what they characterized as terrorist threats against Russia delivered by Zelenskyy while in Yerevan.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed displeasure with the situation, stating: “This is not normal, it is not in keeping with the spirit of our relations with Yerevan.”

“The main thing for us is that Armenia does not adopt an anti-Russian stance,” Peskov added, noting that Russia expects clarification from Yerevan regarding the matter.

On Thursday, Russian officials also voiced concerns about Armenia being pulled into what they termed the European Union’s anti-Russian sphere of influence following Armenia’s hosting of a European Political Community gathering on May 4.

Over 40 European leaders, including Zelenskyy, participated in that meeting, which was followed by an EU-Armenia summit.

Relations between Russia and Armenia, which houses several Russian military installations, have become increasingly strained since Azerbaijan forcibly reclaimed its separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region in September 2023, despite Russian peacekeepers being stationed there.

Kuwaiti military forces successfully neutralized multiple hostile unmanned aircraft that entered the nation’s airspace during early morning hours on Sunday, marking another episode in a pattern of cross-border drone incidents connected to regional Middle East tensions.

This latest incident follows a previous attack on April 25, when Kuwaiti defense forces reported that two unmanned aircraft launched from Iraqi territory struck a pair of northern border installations, resulting in property damage.

The country’s air defense systems also successfully countered a wave of Iranian unmanned aircraft on April 8 that were directed at critical infrastructure facilities.

Despite a reduction in active hostilities following an April ceasefire agreement, unmanned aircraft continue to be deployed from Iraqi territory toward Gulf nations, with both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait experiencing such attacks.

BERLIN, May 10 – German leadership on Sunday rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to have former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder serve as a mediator for potential European Union peace negotiations regarding Ukraine.

The suggestion came after European Council President Antonio Costa recently indicated he saw “potential” for EU discussions with Russia about negotiating peace and addressing Europe’s future security framework. Putin responded by naming Schroeder as his preferred intermediary for such discussions.

However, a German official told Reuters the proposal lacked credibility since Russia hasn’t modified any of its existing demands. The official, speaking anonymously, noted that Moscow’s willingness to extend a three-day ceasefire would serve as an initial measure of their genuine interest in negotiations.

The same official characterized Putin’s suggestion as part of a pattern of false proposals designed to create divisions within the Western alliance.

Schroeder’s relationship with Russia has drawn significant controversy in Germany. Following his departure from the chancellorship in 2005, he immediately accepted a position leading a German-Russian gas pipeline consortium, leading to widespread criticism over his ties to Putin.

A German government representative stated Friday that Berlin has observed no indication that Moscow is genuinely interested in meaningful negotiations. The spokesperson emphasized that any potential EU discussions would require careful coordination with member nations and Ukraine.

Moscow and Kyiv exchanged accusations Sunday over violations of a weekend ceasefire that President Trump helped negotiate, with both sides reporting continued military action despite the temporary truce.

Russian defense officials claimed Ukraine broke the ceasefire more than 1,000 times, according to state media reports from a Sunday briefing. The ministry alleged Ukrainian forces targeted civilian areas in Russian territory and struck military positions along the front lines.

Russia’s military “responded in kind” to the ceasefire violations,” the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian regional leaders reported casualties from ongoing Russian attacks. Ivan Fedorov, who heads the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, confirmed one death and three injuries from artillery and drone strikes over a 24-hour period.

In the Kherson region, Oleksandr Prokudin reported seven wounded civilians during the same timeframe. Additionally, Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-appointed leader of Russian-controlled Kherson territory, said two people were hurt by Ukrainian bombardment.

A Russian drone strike also damaged a nine-story apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, injuring five residents, according to regional administrator Oleh Syniehubov.

The temporary halt in fighting was announced Friday by President Trump, who said both nations agreed to his request for a Saturday-through-Monday ceasefire to coincide with Victory Day, Russia’s commemoration of defeating Nazi Germany.

Trump said there would also be an exchange of prisoners, declaring that the break in fighting could be the “beginning of the end” of the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously suggested Russian authorities “fear drones may buzz over Red Square” during the May 9 parade in Moscow. Following Trump’s announcement, Zelenskyy sarcastically declared Red Square temporarily off-limits for Ukrainian strikes to allow the Russian parade to proceed. The Kremlin dismissed his remarks as a “silly joke.”

Ukraine’s air force reported Sunday that it successfully intercepted or destroyed all 27 attack and decoy drones launched by Russia during overnight operations.

South Korean officials confirmed Sunday that an unknown object struck a cargo ship operated by shipping company HMM while the vessel remained stranded in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4, following an inspection conducted Friday.

The rear section of the bulk carrier HMM Namu was damaged in the incident. The same ship had suffered an explosion and fire seven days earlier while anchored near United Arab Emirates waters in the strait. No crew members were injured in either incident.

President Donald Trump previously attributed the initial blast to an Iranian attack on the vessel.

Following the fire on Monday, investigators towed the damaged ship to a Dubai port facility. South Korean authorities had been conducting their own investigation into the original incident.

Ministry officials stated they could not determine the nature of the object that struck the vessel. Authorities plan to gather debris from the area for further examination and analysis.

In response to the incidents, Trump called on South Korea to participate in “Project Freedom,” a currently halted American-led initiative aimed at protecting maritime traffic through the vital shipping corridor.

Iran’s diplomatic mission in South Korea has rejected any involvement in the attack. Embassy officials did not provide immediate responses to inquiries about the unidentified object incident when contacted after business hours.

An HMM company representative refused to provide comments regarding the ministry’s announcement about the investigation findings.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is standing firm against mounting pressure to resign, declaring his administration a decade-long initiative following devastating local election results this week.

The Labour Party leader’s political future hangs in the balance after suffering the most significant local election defeats by any ruling party in over thirty years. The poor showing has sparked increasing demands from party members for Starmer’s ouster.

One former government minister has threatened to gather support from fellow lawmakers to initiate a leadership challenge unless Starmer’s cabinet removes him by Monday.

When questioned by the Observer newspaper about his political future and whether he would lead Labour into the next national election while serving a complete second term, Starmer firmly declared: “Yes, I will.”

“I’m not going to walk away from the job I was elected to do in July 2024. I’m not going to plunge the country into chaos,” he stated.

Should Starmer be forced out in the coming weeks, Britain would face its seventh prime minister within a single decade.

Despite Thursday’s electoral setback, Starmer’s cabinet members have remained supportive of his leadership.

Education Minister Bridget Phillipson expressed confidence in the prime minister’s ability to reverse the party’s fortunes, announcing on Sky News Sunday that Starmer would outline a “fresh direction” for the nation during Monday’s address.

“We got a real kicking from the voters, there’s no escaping that,” Phillipson acknowledged regarding Labour’s electoral performance. “We have to reflect seriously on that.”

Catherine West, who previously held a junior foreign ministry position before Starmer dismissed her last year, indicated she would evaluate Monday’s speech before deciding whether to pursue the 81 parliamentary supporters required to launch a leadership challenge.

When asked Sunday about her chances of securing sufficient backing, West responded to the BBC: “We will find out.”

Britain’s next general election must occur no later than 2029. If Starmer completes a second five-year term, he would rank as the third-longest serving consecutive British leader over the past two centuries, following Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.

Iran’s highest-ranking military official has received fresh strategic directives from the country’s Supreme Leader, according to reports from the Fars news agency on Sunday.

Ali Abdollahi, who leads the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters overseeing Iran’s unified military command, met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to receive what Fars described as “new guiding measures to pursue military operations and firmly confront adversaries.” The timing of their meeting was not disclosed by the news outlet.

During the session, Abdollahi provided Khamenei with an assessment of Iran’s military preparedness across all branches of the armed forces.

“The armed forces are ready to confront any action by the American-Zionist (Israeli) enemies. In case of any error by the enemy, Iran’s response will be swift, severe, and decisive,” Abdollahi stated, according to the Fars report.

MOSCOW, May 10 — Moscow’s Defense Ministry accused Ukrainian forces on Sunday of breaking ceasefire agreements through drone operations and artillery bombardments targeting Russian military positions, according to reports from the Interfax news agency.

The ministry stated that Russian forces intercepted and destroyed 57 Ukrainian unmanned aircraft during the previous 24-hour period, while asserting that Moscow has been adhering to ceasefire conditions.

According to the ministry, Russian forces had “responded in kind” to Ukraine’s military actions, conducting counterattacks using multiple launch rocket systems and mortar fire.

Previously, Ukrainian officials had blamed Russia for carrying out drone operations and approximately 150 combat encounters during the same timeframe, despite an existing U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement.

Independent verification of these military claims from the battlefield was not immediately available through Reuters.

Israeli authorities expelled two humanitarian activists on Sunday following their detention for more than a week after leading an aid convoy that attempted to breach Israel’s naval blockade around Gaza.

The expelled activists were identified as Saif Abukeshek, a Spanish-Swedish national of Palestinian heritage, and Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian citizen. Both individuals served on the leadership board of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an organization working to challenge Israel’s maritime blockade while delivering humanitarian supplies to Palestinian territories.

In a Sunday statement posted to X, Israel’s Foreign Ministry labeled the pair as “professional provocateurs,” declaring that “Israel will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.”

When initially apprehended, Israeli officials stated the duo was being held for interrogation, with Abukeshek “suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization” and Ávila “suspected of illegal activity,” though no supporting evidence was presented. No official charges have been made public.

The governments of Spain and Brazil jointly denounced what they termed “the kidnapping of two of their citizens in international waters by the Government of Israel” when the detention occurred. The incident prompted solidarity demonstrations across multiple nations.

Israeli naval forces intercepted a total of 22 vessels carrying 175 activists. According to the activists, Israeli military personnel boarded their ships, destroyed engines, and arrested several participants. The confrontation took place several hundred miles from both Gaza and Israel during the overnight hours between Wednesday and Thursday.

Israeli representatives justified their preemptive action against the flotilla, citing the substantial number of vessels involved as requiring intervention before they could enter Israeli territorial waters.

This flotilla mission represents the group’s second attempt to reach Gaza in under a year, following Israeli authorities’ successful prevention of an earlier effort. The previous operation included approximately 50 ships and 500 activists, featuring notable participants such as Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, Mandla Mandela (Nelson Mandela’s grandson), and various elected officials.

Israel had previously arrested, detained, and deported those participants, including Ávila, who alleged mistreatment during custody. Israeli authorities rejected these allegations.

Meanwhile in Gaza, an Israeli airstrike targeted a vehicle, resulting in at least two fatalities including a Hamas police official, according to Nasser hospital records.

The attack occurred late Sunday morning in the Al-Amal district of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, according to civil defense officials operating under the Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry.

Among those killed was Col. Wessam Abdel-Hadi, who directed the police investigation unit in Khan Younis, hospital officials confirmed.

Israeli military officials stated they were examining the incident.

These deaths add to the Palestinian casualties in the coastal territory since a fragile ceasefire agreement in October aimed to end more than two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Although major combat operations have decreased, the unstable truce has witnessed nearly daily Israeli military action.

Israeli forces have conducted numerous airstrikes and routinely opened fire on Palestinians approaching military-controlled areas, resulting in at least 850 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

The ministry, operating under Hamas governance, keeps comprehensive casualty documentation that UN agencies and independent analysts generally consider credible. However, it does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths.

Armed groups have conducted attacks against Israeli troops, with Israel claiming its strikes respond to these incidents and other ceasefire violations. Four Israeli soldiers have died since the ceasefire began.

Three Palestinians lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Sunday, medical officials reported, with two victims being members of the Hamas-controlled police force. The deadly incidents raise fresh questions about the durability of the U.S.-mediated truce agreement.

According to medical personnel, one fatality occurred when an airstrike hit the Maghazi refugee camp within the Gaza Strip. In a separate attack, the commander of Khan Younis criminal police, Wessam Abdel-Hadi, was killed alongside his assistant, as confirmed by Gaza’s Hamas-controlled interior ministry.

Previous Reuters reporting has documented Israel’s increased targeting of Gaza’s Hamas-operated police units, which the militant organization has deployed to reestablish administrative control in territories under their authority.

Israeli military officials have not yet provided statements regarding either attack.

Despite the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, hostilities in Gaza have continued, with Israel launching strikes on an almost daily basis.

Local medical sources report that no fewer than 850 Palestinians have died since the truce began, while Israeli officials state that militants have killed four Israeli soldiers during the same timeframe.

Both Israel and Hamas have accused one another of breaking the ceasefire terms.

Gaza health officials report that more than 72,500 Palestinians have died since the conflict began in October 2023, with the majority being civilians.

LA PAZ, Bolivia — Fed up with fuel shortages and rising gas prices, Simón Huanca decided to take action.

The 53-year-old Indigenous craftsman purchased a Chinese electric vehicle to get around El Alto, Bolivia’s highest-elevation city, using it to transport his family and alpaca wool for his textile business.

Huanca even put in his own charging station at home for convenience, since only three public charging points exist for the entire metropolitan region of El Alto and nearby La Paz — an area with over 1.6 million residents.

“Since last year, I’ve been trying to get an electric car to save on costs,” Huanca said while driving his electric SUV through a working-class district.

Huanca represents a small but increasing group of Bolivians switching from gas-powered vehicles to electric ones as the South American nation faces fuel shortages and a presidential order that eliminated longtime fuel subsidies, essentially doubling gasoline costs.

Bolivia’s energy problems intensified in 2023 during former President Luis Arce’s administration, which maintained government subsidies where the nation bought fuel at world prices but sold it domestically at half the cost.

However, Bolivia — which brings in 80% of its diesel and 55% of its gasoline from other countries — slowly exhausted its foreign currency reserves to buy fuel, with the subsidy costing the government over $2 billion annually.

Extended lines of cars at gas stations became routine.

In December — just one month after assuming office — President Rodrigo Paz eliminated the subsidy, causing energy costs to nearly double and severely impacting Bolivians.

Several weeks afterward, transportation workers complained that inferior gasoline was harming their vehicles. The administration blamed sabotage, with Paz stating that fuel distributed by state oil company Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos contained gum and manganese residue left in storage tanks from the previous Arce government.

The contaminated fuel controversy sparked widespread strikes and demonstrations among transport workers and led to two senior officials at the state oil company stepping down.

The final breaking point for many Bolivians was the Iran conflict. Confronted with potential additional fuel price increases, some exchanged their gasoline vehicles for electric alternatives.

“The investment exceeds $36,000, but I no longer waste valuable working hours searching for fuel or managing vehicle repairs,” said Ever Vera, a 54-year-old attorney.

Electric vehicle registrations in Bolivia increased from 500 to 3,352 over the past five years, based on Single Registry for Tax Administration data tracking tax-registered vehicles. The biggest jump occurred in the last two years during the fuel crisis. These still represent only a small portion of approximately 2.6 million vehicles in the nation of nearly 12 million people.

Most of these vehicles came from China, with the United States as the second-largest source.

“The growth is exponential,” said Freddy Koch, an electric mobility specialist with nonprofit organization Swisscontact. While noting these vehicles are currently purchased by wealthier buyers, he anticipates broader market appeal and projects the electric vehicle total could triple within two to three years.

Paz also removed import duties on all automobile types, increasing the number of importers competing to bring these vehicles into Bolivia at reduced prices.

The growing electric vehicle market has opened new business prospects for 38-year-old electrician Marcelo Laura. A month ago, he discovered a profitable specialty installing home and business charging stations.

“There aren’t many public charging stations,” he said. “A year ago, I thought it was practically impossible to think that people would actually be bringing in electric cars.”