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The Trump administration began a new maritime operation Monday aimed at escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, where hundreds of ships have remained trapped since hostilities with Iran commenced.

According to U.S. military officials, two merchant vessels flying American flags have “successfully transited” the strategic waterway. In a separate development, American military leaders rejected Iranian assertions that they had attacked a U.S. Navy ship in waters southeast of the strait.

Iranian officials delivered their most recent diplomatic proposal to U.S. mediators through Pakistan, according to Iran’s government-controlled IRNA news service on Friday. President Trump later stated he was “not satisfied” with the offer but declined to specify what aspects of the proposal were inadequate. The fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran has now persisted for three weeks.

Financial markets showed mixed reactions Monday, with stocks hovering near record levels while petroleum prices surged amid uncertainty over when oil tankers might resume normal passage through the strait and restore global crude oil distribution. Conflicting reports about a potential Iranian attack on an American naval vessel in the waterway added to market tensions.

The S&P 500 declined 0.1% following its latest record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 216 points, or 0.4%, by 9:35 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.1%.

Oil markets experienced more dramatic movement, with Brent crude prices jumping 2% to $110.37 per barrel and briefly exceeding $114 during morning trading. Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during its conflict with the United States has trapped oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, preventing deliveries to global customers. This disruption has driven Brent prices up dramatically from approximately $70 per barrel before the conflict began.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to visit Rome and Vatican City this week in an attempt to reduce growing friction between the Trump administration and Pope Leo regarding U.S. Middle East policies, particularly concerning Iran.

The State Department announced Monday that Rubio, a practicing Catholic who has made at least three previous visits to Rome and the Vatican since becoming Trump’s chief diplomat, will be in Italy Thursday and Friday.

“Secretary Rubio will meet with Holy See leadership to discuss the situation in the Middle East and mutual interests in the Western Hemisphere,” the department stated. “Meetings with Italian counterparts will be focused on shared security interests and strategic alignment.”

This diplomatic mission occurs as Trump has publicly criticized Pope Leo, America’s first pontiff, for his Middle Eastern positions and other matters, including social media posts comparing Trump to Jesus Christ.

The waterway’s closure has created economic pressure for European and Asian nations that rely on Persian Gulf energy supplies, driving prices higher well beyond the immediate region.

Trump has pledged to reduce gasoline costs as he approaches midterm elections this year.

Washington has cautioned shipping companies they risk facing sanctions for making payments to Iran for strait passage. Since April 13, the U.S. has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports, forcing 49 commercial vessels to turn away, according to U.S. Central Command’s Sunday report. This blockade has cut off oil revenues that Tehran requires to support its struggling economy.

American officials have indicated they hope the blockade will compel Iran to return to diplomatic discussions.

Military leaders confirmed Monday that two American-flagged commercial ships had completed safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with Navy guided-missile destroyers in the Persian Gulf working to restore normal shipping operations. They also disputed Iranian claims of striking an American naval vessel.

This announcement followed President Trump’s Sunday declaration of a new program to assist ships navigating the vital global energy corridor. Iran has maintained an effective closure of the strait since the U.S. and Israel initiated the conflict on February 28, creating worldwide economic instability.

The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center has recommended ships use Omani waters when crossing the strait, establishing what it calls an “enhanced security area.” U.S. Central Command has not disclosed when Navy ships arrived or when the merchant vessels departed.

Questions remain about whether shipping companies and their insurance providers will accept the risks, given that Iran has attacked vessels in the waterway and pledged to continue such actions.

U.S. Central Command on Monday rejected Iranian claims that their forces successfully attacked an American naval vessel in waters near the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran’s account of the incident shifted from a missile strike to warning shots.

Military officials took to social media platform X to refute Iran’s assertions about hitting a U.S. warship. “The truth is, no US military vessel has been attacked,” Central Command declared in their response.

The American denial came after Iran’s Fars news agency reported earlier Monday that Iranian forces launched two missiles at a U.S. warship close to Jask Island following the vessel’s failure to heed Iranian warnings. According to the Iranian report, the American ship reversed course after being fired upon, and U.S. naval forces were blocked from accessing the Strait of Hormuz region.

Following Central Command’s contradiction of their initial report, an Iranian official provided a different version of events to Reuters, stating that Iranian military personnel discharged warning shots toward a U.S. warship to prevent its entry into the strait. This official acknowledged uncertainty about whether any harm resulted from the encounter.

A high-ranking U.S. official also dismissed Iran’s version of events in statements to Al Jazeera, declaring: “The Revolutionary Guards fabricated the story about an attack on a US Navy ship. This is a false story.”

The contradictory reports from both nations have created confusion about whether any actual confrontation occurred between American and Iranian military forces in the strategically important waterway. Iran’s narrative evolved from initially reporting a direct missile attack to later characterizing the event as warning fire, while U.S. authorities consistently denied that any assault took place.

Counterterrorism officials in Pakistan have detained an investigative journalist and social media content creator in Lahore on suspicion of connections to the al-Qaida terrorist organization, according to security sources.

Muhammad Saad bin Riaz, a 31-year-old academic and researcher, was taken into custody during a coordinated intelligence operation based on what authorities described as verified intelligence information.

During the detention, security personnel reportedly discovered an al-Qaida membership card, photographs of Osama bin Laden, and related materials in a bag he was carrying, according to security sources. Riaz, who also goes by Muhammad Saad, holds an MPhil degree in political science from Government College University and has spent the last two years working as a researcher and content strategist for the EON YouTube channel.

A counterterrorism official speaking to The Media Line revealed that intelligence agencies had received reports about someone recruiting individuals for the prohibited al-Qaida organization and distributing banned materials. “Swift action was taken and a man, who identified himself as Muhammad Saad, was taken into custody,” the official stated.

The official further disclosed that investigators found five books about Osama bin Laden in his bag during the search, and “an al-Qaida membership card was also found in his possession.” Additionally, Muhammad Saad had reportedly posted an image featuring Osama bin Laden on his X social media account, @Hafizsaadriaz.

Formal charges have been filed against Muhammad Saad, and he has been transferred to a secure location for additional questioning. However, his spouse, Ayesha A. Qayyum, has strongly disputed the counterterrorism department’s accusations, calling them groundless. In a social media post, she described the case as “an illegal act, a blatant violation of the requirements of justice, and driven by mala fide intent.”

This development comes after reports surfaced in September 2024 suggesting that Hamza bin Laden, Osama bin Laden’s son, remains alive and is working to rebuild al-Qaida operations in Afghanistan, contrary to previous reports that he died in a 2019 CIA airstrike.

Intelligence sources believe that Hamza bin Laden and al-Qaida’s current operational leader, Saif al-Adel, are operating from secure locations across multiple Afghan provinces, including Kandahar, Ghazni, Laghman, Parwan, Herat, and Helmand. These locations allegedly serve as transit points for al-Qaida operatives traveling to and from Iran.

Osama bin Laden, who established al-Qaida and orchestrated the September 11 attacks, was eliminated on May 2, 2011, during a secret US military raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan. More than a decade after his death, the suspected al-Qaida connections of a young academic and social media personality arrested in Lahore represents what some analysts view as a concerning development.

This incident adds to growing concerns that al-Qaida may be quietly working to preserve or broaden its reach, with some experts suggesting the organization could be leveraging anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian rhetoric to advance its messaging.

Israeli naval forces stopped more than 20 ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla on April 30 as they sailed toward Gaza, marking another confrontation over aid delivery to the territory. However, this incident unfolded during an established ceasefire period when aid distribution systems are already functioning.

Unlike previous flotilla attempts during active combat, these vessels approached Gaza’s coastline while a ceasefire agreement remains in effect, complete with organized humanitarian supply routes.

Israeli naval personnel broadcast multiple warnings to the flotilla as it traveled through the eastern Mediterranean waters. The radio communications outlined Israel’s legal stance while offering an alternative delivery method.

“This is the Israeli Navy. Attempts to breach the lawful maritime security blockade of the Gaza Strip constitute a violation of international law,” the transmitted message declared. “If you wish to deliver your maintained aid to Gaza, you may do so through established and recognized channels.”

The flotilla participants received instructions to redirect their course toward Ashdod port instead. According to the naval message, humanitarian supplies would undergo inspection there before transfer into Gaza through existing protocols. “You are invited to proceed to the port of Ashdod … the aid will undergo a security inspection and will subsequently be transferred to the Gaza Strip.”

Israeli forces warned of consequences for vessels that continued toward Gaza. “Any further attempt to sail toward Gaza places your safety at risk,” the message stated, noting that military personnel would stop and seize boats if needed.

Following the operation’s completion, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reported that individuals removed from the vessels were taken “unharmed” and arrangements were made for their return to Greece. “Israel will not allow the breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,” he stated.

This incident followed a familiar pattern seen over the past decade: ships departing from European or Mediterranean ports, gaining media attention, receiving warnings as they approach, and facing interception before reaching Gaza waters. The key difference lies in the current circumstances rather than the operational sequence.

The Gaza conflict, which started with Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, transitioned into a ceasefire phase after both sides accepted the initial stage of a 20-point agreement promoted by President Donald Trump. This framework established procedures for hostage releases, prisoner swaps, aid distribution, Israeli troop withdrawals, disarmament, governance, and rebuilding efforts, though later phases remain contested and partially implemented.

Reconstruction planning continues to develop. Oversight procedures remain under discussion. Questions about long-term access management have not been resolved. These unresolved issues created the backdrop for this flotilla’s departure.

Organizers and participants characterized their mission as humanitarian assistance. In public statements before setting sail, activists portrayed the voyage as a response to what they viewed as inadequate action by Israeli authorities. This messaging persisted as events developed at sea.

During a livestream broadcast while nearby vessels faced interception, Chilean participant Macarena Chahuán repeatedly characterized the situation as an impending “kidnapping” in international waters. “We are about to be intercepted … therefore kidnapped by Israeli occupation forces,” she stated. “This is a kidnapping; this is an act of piracy.”

Throughout her broadcast, she urged viewers to pressure authorities in Chile. “It is the duty of all authorities to ensure our rights are not violated,” she declared. “You have to notify the Foreign Ministry … pressure must be applied.”

Meanwhile, she could be heard preparing with others aboard, collecting documents and putting on safety equipment. “We have no communication with any other vessel,” she reported as the situation developed.

Near her recording’s end, she announced her intention to dispose of her phone. “I am going to throw my phone into the water,” she said before the transmission ceased.

The sequence – a live appeal for visibility and external pressure followed by a deliberate decision to end communication – occurred within the same broadcast without additional explanation.

Similar messaging patterns appeared in recordings from participants representing other nations. Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila released a video following comparable structure, directing his appeal toward the Brazilian government. While the specific language differed, the sequence of interception, accusation, and call for national-level political response remained consistent.

These recordings circulated within hours of the interception, accompanied by calls for demonstrations and diplomatic pressure. Public mobilizations were announced in several countries shortly after the vessels were stopped.

The flotilla’s composition explains the rapid transition to public messaging. Many participants were not affiliated with major humanitarian organizations but were activists and public figures with established followings. Their involvement ensured the voyage gained visibility from its beginning, before any vessel approached Gaza.

Alongside the interception, Israeli officials emphasized a different comparison – focusing on land-based aid delivery rather than maritime attempts.

According to data from the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, between 600 and 800 trucks have entered Gaza daily during the ceasefire period, with a significant portion carrying food and essential supplies. These statistics suggest the volume of food and supplies surpasses baseline nutritional requirements as defined by international standards.

This comparison has become central to how the episode is characterized. If aid is already entering at that scale through coordinated mechanisms, the question shifts from access to delivery method. Accounts from flotilla participants present a different perspective, though many claims remain unverified.

“I am Ilaria, I’m a nurse, and I’m here on the flotilla,” began a video testimony provided to The Media Line by an Italian participant. She described increased naval presence in the days before the interception. “Already from the second night of navigation, after leaving Catalonia, we began to see groups … they became more and closer.”

She claimed several boats faced interception and described confusion among participants as events unfolded. She stated some boats were left drifting after the interception. No independent confirmation of that occurrence exists.

Available evidence confirms that warnings were issued beforehand and that the option to redirect toward Ashdod was communicated multiple times before any boarding occurred.

Following the interception, additional footage began circulating. In videos released by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, some individuals removed from the vessels appear moving without visible restraint aboard the transport ship. The ministry also reported that items found on board included personal belongings and small bags containing what it described as drugs, a claim that could not be independently verified.

Collectively, the accounts are not entirely consistent. Different versions of the same sequence of events continue to circulate, often based on separate sources without direct overlap.

The legal argument remains part of that division. Israel maintains the naval blockade is lawful and connected to security concerns. Activists involved in flotilla efforts have long argued the opposite. This disagreement has been present in previous incidents and remains unresolved.

Reactions extended beyond the region. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for the release of activists, including Italian nationals. Coordination with Greece – as confirmed by Sa’ar – became part of managing subsequent events.

In a State Department statement, the United States condemned what it described as a “pro-Hamas Global Sumud Flotilla,” warning that such initiatives risked escalating tensions rather than addressing humanitarian needs. The statement characterized the effort as part of a broader pattern of political mobilization linked to the conflict, rather than as an independent aid operation.

This position places Washington closer to Israel’s interpretation of the event, particularly regarding intent. It also adds an external dimension to the dispute, extending it beyond the immediate actors at sea.

At sea, circumstances have already changed. The intercepted vessels are no longer heading toward Gaza. Others slowed, diverted, or stopped completely.

What remains focuses less on movement and more on how the episode is being interpreted. Organizers continue to describe the mission as humanitarian. Israel points to the existing aid system and argues attempts to bypass it are unnecessary.

Beyond those positions, the event’s structure itself has drawn attention. Messaging appeared early and continued throughout the event, both in pre-recorded videos and live transmissions. Public responses in several countries followed quickly, often within hours of the interception.

Even if all the cargo the flotilla claimed to be carrying had reached Gaza, its scale would still have been limited compared to the volume of aid entering daily through established channels.

This does not resolve the debate over humanitarian need. However, it shifts focus to something else: not just what was delivered, but how the effort was intended to be perceived.

What remains after the interception is not a question of navigation, but of interpretation. With most participants released to Greece and two still reportedly in Israeli custody for questioning, the flotilla’s practical impact appears limited; its political and symbolic impact may prove far greater. In that sense, the episode was not only about reaching Gaza, but about influencing how Gaza, and the systems now governing access to it, are viewed.

One of Berlin’s most visited cultural attractions will welcome tourists back after years of extensive renovation work, officials announced this week.

The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation revealed Monday that the Pergamon Museum will open its doors to the public on June 4, 2027, marking the end of the first phase of a comprehensive restoration project.

The museum’s most famous artifact is the ancient Pergamon Altar from the 2nd century B.C. This remarkable structure features intricate marble carvings and was originally constructed between 197 and 156 B.C. in present-day Bergama, Turkey.

Visitors have been unable to access the museum since October 2023, but the section housing the historic altar has been off-limits to tourists since 2014 due to ongoing restoration efforts.

Even after the 2027 reopening, certain areas will continue undergoing renovation work, including the section that displays Babylon’s famous Ishtar Gate. Complete restoration of the entire facility is expected to finish by 2037.

This restoration project is part of a broader initiative to renovate the historic Museum Island complex, a collection of neoclassical buildings constructed between 1830 and 1930 that holds UNESCO World Heritage status.

The museum complex suffered significant damage during World War II, and the former East German government lacked sufficient resources to complete full repairs. Renovation work has already been finished on three of the island’s five museums, and officials opened a new visitor center called the James Simon Gallery in 2019.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — After facing intense criticism for more than a week, Argentine President Javier Milei has lifted restrictions that prevented credentialed journalists from accessing the presidential palace, according to reports from Buenos Aires.

Media representatives confirmed Monday they were once again permitted to enter the Casa Rosada — Argentina’s presidential headquarters known as the Pink House — marking the first time since April 23 when access was suddenly revoked. On that date, Milei’s administration announced the closure of the decades-old press room utilized by approximately 60 credentialed reporters covering the presidency.

The restriction represented another chapter in Milei’s ongoing conflict with news media, echoing tactics employed by his supporter, former U.S. President Donald Trump. Press freedom organizations and journalists condemned the move as an assault on democratic transparency in Argentina.

According to Reporters Without Borders, Argentina has experienced a dramatic decline in press freedom rankings over the past two years, dropping from position 66 to 98 — representing one of South America’s steepest falls in media freedom.

Government officials defended the press corps restrictions by citing security concerns, specifically alleging that Todo Noticias television channel engaged in espionage by filming unauthorized footage of government facilities using smart glasses technology.

However, Todo Noticias maintains they obtained proper authorization for the recording and argues the filmed areas showing corridors and meeting rooms have always been publicly accessible.

Following widespread condemnation from business organizations, the Catholic Church, and politicians from multiple parties, Cabinet chief Manuel Adorni announced the reversal of the media ban. Adorni indicated new guidelines for credentialed journalists would be developed to address security issues.

“There will definitely be changes,” Adorni stated during a radio interview in Buenos Aires last week, though he did not detail the upcoming modifications.

Milei’s antagonistic relationship with journalists has reached levels not witnessed since Argentina’s return to democratic governance in 1983, with tensions escalating as his anti-corruption and inflation-fighting initiatives face challenges.

The president regularly shares the message “We don’t hate journalists enough” on his social media platforms. Last Tuesday, while entering Congress to support Adorni amid allegations of improper financial gain, Milei responded aggressively to reporters’ questions about the controversy.

“You’re the corrupt ones,” he declared to the assembled journalists.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political party appeared positioned for major victories in state elections Monday, results that could speed up implementation of controversial policies including uniform civil laws and large-scale infrastructure projects, according to political experts and party leaders.

The electoral success demonstrates that Modi’s approach of promoting economic development, providing substantial government benefits, and appealing to India’s Hindu majority population has proven highly effective, even in areas traditionally controlled by opposition parties. This strategy is supported by campaign funding that significantly exceeds what opposition groups can raise.

Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has consistently advocated for implementing a Uniform Civil Code to standardize civil laws across the nation, replacing the current system that permits Indians of different religious backgrounds to follow faith-specific laws or choose secular alternatives.

While the BJP cannot advance this policy nationally due to lacking the required two-thirds parliamentary majority needed for constitutional changes, the party can implement such measures in states under its control. Additionally, their signature infrastructure development initiatives will face less opposition resistance with fewer states under opposition leadership.

Rahul Verma, a researcher at the Centre for Policy Research in Delhi, observed that several BJP-controlled states have already begun developing their own versions of uniform civil codes. He suggested the party might also advance other proposals including redrawing electoral districts nationwide and conducting simultaneous state and federal elections, both potentially benefiting the ruling party.

“It is not like they will act on this immediately, in the next six months to a year,” Verma said. “But you may hear these conversations again. It is definite that the party will get stronger and more confident to push these ideas again.”

According to Election Commission voting trend announcements from last month’s state elections, the BJP was positioned to capture the strategically important eastern state of West Bengal while maintaining control in neighboring Assam. The party invested heavily in the Bengal campaign, with Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah conducting over 80 rallies and public events throughout the state.

These victories would grant the party and its coalition partners control of 20 among India’s 28 states plus two of three federally administered territories with legislatures, representing unprecedented dominance since the 1960s. The primary achievement from April’s elections would be securing West Bengal, a major state that controls India’s eastern region where the BJP has long sought power.

Beyond the anticipated Assam victory, a BJP-aligned coalition has gained considerable ground in the crucial southern state of Tamil Nadu, though a new party led by a film star holds the leading position there.

These successes follow the 2024 national election where the BJP lost its parliamentary majority and required coalition partner support to form the federal government in New Delhi.

BJP legislator Praveen Khandelwal indicated the state victories would enhance investor confidence through increased political stability, accelerate infrastructure development, and improve social program delivery. The wins will also enable the party to advance policies replacing religion-based civil laws.

“The Uniform Civil Code has long been part of the BJP’s ideological and policy agenda,” Khandelwal told Reuters. “With more BJP-ruled states, state-level initiatives toward UCC, like drafting committees, consultations, or partial legal harmonisation, become more likely.”

State governments in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu that strongly opposed the BJP face removal based on voting patterns, delivering a devastating blow to anti-Modi political alliances.

“The inability of the opposition to mobilise and build a stable, ideologically driven base has been a major weakness,” said Neelanjan Sircar, associate professor at Ahmedabad University in Gujarat state.

Opposition groups and some analysts attribute the BJP’s success to factors including electoral district manipulation in Assam and voter registration revisions in Bengal that removed millions from voting lists, many of them Muslims.

Opposition parties claim many excluded voters were their supporters. However, the Election Commission stated the process followed established protocols designed to eliminate duplicate, deceased, or relocated voters among other categories.

Analysts also noted that Modi’s personal appeal combined with his platform of economic growth alongside a strong pro-Hindu agenda continues proving unbeatable.

“The BJP have a charismatic national leader, they are a very organised party, they have a resource advantage that many parties lack, and a clear ideological narrative – all of which help mobilise sections of the Hindu population,” Verma said.

During the 2024-25 fiscal year ending March 31, the BJP reported total income of 67.69 billion rupees ($712 million), compared to 9.18 billion rupees for the primary opposition Congress party, according to the Association of Democratic Reforms.

The BJP’s primary campaign promises in Bengal and Assam included deporting individuals they characterized as illegal Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh.

The party also pledged financial assistance including monthly payments of 3,000 rupees for women and unemployed youth in Bengal. Since the 2020 COVID pandemic, Modi’s government has supplied free food rations to over 800 million of India’s 1.42 billion citizens, a program analysts credit with strengthening support among lower-income voters.

“The party’s so-called ‘lost ground’ is a baseless argument built by the opposition,” said BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli, referring to the 2024 general election result. “There is no challenge to either the BJP or the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

KYIV – Ukrainian law enforcement officials launched extensive operations targeting military recruitment corruption, conducting searches across 16 regions and investigating current and former draft officials suspected of taking bribes, authorities announced Monday.

Ukraine’s armed forces have struggled with severe personnel shortages throughout the ongoing conflict with Russia that started in early 2022. Reports have surfaced of recruitment officials accepting payments to provide military exemptions or allowing draft-eligible men to leave the country illegally despite travel restrictions.

During the operations, the National Police confiscated cash, vehicles, and motorcycles while filing more than 150 administrative violations including unlawful enrichment and fraudulent asset reporting.

“These operations are aimed not only at exposing isolated incidents of corruption but at the systemic cleansing of abuse from the sphere of recruitment,” police officials stated.

“The aim is to restore trust in institutions that, in wartime, perform a critically important function for the state,” the statement continued.

Ukraine’s military forces continue to face significant disadvantages in both personnel and equipment. Public willingness to serve has declined due to accounts of inadequate training, widespread corruption, aggressive recruitment tactics, and harsh battlefield conditions in what has become a grinding war of attrition.

ROME (AP) — For centuries, the Baths of Caracalla served as an ornate retreat where ancient Romans gathered for relaxation, healing, and social connection near the iconic Colosseum.

This past Sunday, the historic site offered a similar sanctuary to Palestinian children and their families who fled Gaza for life-saving medical treatment through Italy’s humanitarian corridor initiative.

“We brought families with children so they could experience visiting an ancient archaeological site,” Luisa delle Fratte, a tour guide in the group Guides for Gaza, told The Associated Press. “We also offered them a snack, some games and moments of social interaction and togetherness.”

Italian families wandered throughout the expansive ruins, many relaxing on the grass under the warm spring sunshine. The Palestinian families, all currently living in Rome, seamlessly joined the peaceful atmosphere — following their guide and interpreter, capturing photos against the ancient backdrop, and watching water fountains cascade from a modern reflecting pool. Event organizers designed the outing to offer relief from ongoing medical procedures and painful war memories.

“I was injured and lost my ability to speak, as well as mobility and normal function in my hand and leg,” 13-year-old Ahmed Skena said, struggling to string together his words. He haltingly added that he also lost his father and brother in the war.

Mariam Dawwas, 25, attended with her husband and four young children, one of whom is ill. They wound up in Italy after being displaced over 10 times.

“Thank God, I am still in a better situation than in Gaza, away from the bombing. At least I am safe, I have shelter, and there is light for my children,” she said.

Several families at Caracalla on Sunday had known each other back in Gaza but hadn’t reunited since their evacuation, explained Delle Fratte from Guides for Gaza, an organization established last year in Umbria and Tuscany that recently extended operations to Naples and Rome.

“It was very beautiful to see them there embracing again and meeting one another once more,” she said.

During the Palestinian families’ visit to the archaeological site, additional guides conducted tours for Italian visitors who made donations supporting Gazelle, a charity focused on child protection initiatives in the Gaza Strip.

The Gaza conflict started with a 2023 Hamas-led assault on southern Israel, during which militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages. More than 72,000 Palestinians have died since the war’s beginning, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between combatants and civilians. The ministry, operating under the Hamas-led government, keeps comprehensive casualty documentation that U.N. agencies and independent experts consider generally credible.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Two South American nations appeared before the world’s top court Monday as Guyana declared that nearly three-quarters of its national territory hangs in the balance during a century-old boundary conflict with Venezuela.

The week-long proceedings at the International Court of Justice focus on the contested Essequibo territory, a resource-laden jungle area abundant with gold, diamonds, timber, and other valuable materials, positioned near significant offshore petroleum reserves.

“This has been a blight on our existence as a sovereign state from the very beginning,” Guyana Foreign Minister Hugh Hilton Todd declared before justices in The Hague’s Great Hall of Justice.

The territorial boundaries were established through an 1899 arbitration involving representatives from Britain, Russia, and the United States, which largely favored Guyana by placing the border along the Essequibo River. American officials represented Venezuelan interests partly due to severed diplomatic ties between Venezuela and Britain at that time. Venezuelan officials maintain that the Americans and Europeans collaborated to unfairly deprive their nation of rightful territory.

Venezuela has claimed sovereignty over Essequibo dating back to Spanish colonial rule when the area fell within Venezuelan territorial limits. The nation maintains that a 1966 settlement agreement effectively invalidated the previous century’s arbitration ruling.

Following decades of unsuccessful mediation efforts, Guyana petitioned the ICJ in 2018 to validate the original 1899 boundary determination.

Pierre d’Argent, representing Guyana’s legal counsel, dismissed Venezuela’s position as “lengthy, pointlessly controversial and confusing” and informed the court that these arguments “are not new in any way and have already been rejected by the court.”

Both countries have appeared before the tribunal on several occasions. Venezuela previously contested the court’s authority, arguing the case couldn’t proceed without British participation, given the UK’s colonial control over Guyana during the original border ruling. The court determined in 2020 that it possessed proper jurisdiction, allowing this week’s proceedings to move forward.

The tribunal instructed Venezuela in 2025 to avoid conducting elections for officials who would allegedly govern the disputed territory.

During recent diplomatic visits to Grenada and Barbados, Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez displayed a pin shaped like the Essequibo region.

Rodríguez was conducting her inaugural official international travel after Nicolás Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces in early January. The symbolic pin has become increasingly common among Venezuelan government representatives, state media personalities, legislators, and ruling party officials since Maduro’s removal during a dramatic nighttime operation in Caracas.

The proceedings resume Wednesday with Venezuela’s opening arguments.

TOUBAB DIALAO, Senegal – A small fishing village in Senegal transformed into a vibrant stage this weekend as 25 dance troupes from throughout Africa gathered for the African Dance Biennial, the continent’s premier contemporary dance celebration.

Performers dressed in brilliant oranges, greens and blues moved across the sandy grounds of Toubab Dialao, located one hour from Senegal’s capital city of Dakar, with dramatic leaps, stomps and graceful collapses into the earth.

Established in 1997, this major dance festival has traveled to various African cities for nearly 30 years – with its most recent stop in Maputo, Mozambique in 2023 – working to spotlight choreographic artistry throughout the continent.

The weekend celebration, which wrapped up Sunday evening, took place at the École des Sables, known in English as the School of Sands, located in Toubab Diallo.

This institution has emerged as Africa’s leading professional dance training center in recent years. Germaine Acogny established the school in 1998, earning recognition as the pioneering figure of African contemporary dance. The school’s signature outdoor sand studio reflects Acogny’s philosophy of connecting with nature, attracting dancers from numerous countries for intensive training that combines her unique contemporary methods with traditional West African movements and Black modern dance forms.

The École des Sables received worldwide recognition recently as the location for the first African staging of Pina Bausch’s “The Rite of Spring,” which traveled internationally from 2021 through 2025.

However, the festival occurs during a challenging period for the school. A massive deep water port development valued at one billion dollars, managed by Dubai Port World and currently under construction south of the fishing community, poses a threat to nearby properties through potential land seizure, including areas the school purchased to preserve its natural surroundings. Local arts organizations have joined together in an association to oppose this development.

A court in Prague has found a former aide to Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš guilty of fraud, issuing a three-year suspended sentence along with financial penalties on Monday.

Jana Nagyová, who now serves in the European Parliament, was convicted in connection with a $2 million scheme involving misused European Union funding. While Babiš faced charges in the same case, he escaped sentencing after Czech lawmakers voted in March against removing his legal immunity.

The billionaire politician, who started his third term as prime minister in December, has dismissed the charges as “clearly politically motivated.” Due to the parliamentary protection, any potential trial for Babiš must wait until his current term concludes in 2029.

Prague’s Municipal Court ordered Nagyová to pay 500,000 Czech crowns, equivalent to approximately $24,000. The European Parliament had previously voted to remove her immunity, allowing the prosecution to proceed.

Nagyová maintains the right to challenge the ruling through an appeal process.

The fraud centered on a property called the Stork’s Nest farm, which obtained EU funding after being moved from Babiš’s Agrofert business empire to his relatives. The company later regained control of the operation.

These particular subsidies targeted smaller businesses, making Agrofert ineligible for the funding. The conglomerate has since repaid the money.

Babiš regained leadership following his ANO (YES) party’s strong showing in October elections, creating a coalition government with the anti-immigration Freedom and Direct Democracy party and the right-wing Motorists group.

The new government plans to reduce Czech support for Ukraine and oppose certain European Union initiatives.

VIENNA (AP) — Three Russian Embassy workers have been forced to leave Austria after officials discovered they were conducting surveillance operations using antenna equipment installed on diplomatic buildings, the country’s Foreign Ministry announced Monday.

Austrian officials confirmed findings first reported by public broadcaster ORF on Sunday, which revealed that the three diplomats were under investigation for operating spy equipment mounted on the Russian Embassy roof in Vienna and another diplomatic facility in the Donaustadt area.

The rooftop equipment enabled Russian operatives to capture satellite internet communications from major international organizations headquartered in Vienna, according to ORF’s investigation.

Vienna serves as home base for numerous significant global organizations, including multiple United Nations agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, along with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

“Espionage is a security problem for Austria. In this government, we have changed course and are taking decisive action against it,” Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said in a statement.

“We have made this unequivocally clear to the Russian side, also with regard to the array of antennas at the Russian embassy. One thing is clear: it is unacceptable for diplomatic immunity to be used to engage in espionage.”

Diplomatic expulsions between Western European countries and Russia have become increasingly common following Moscow’s large-scale military assault on Ukraine that began in February 2022. While Austria maintains military neutrality as European Union policy and initially showed reluctance to take such measures, the nation has recently increased its expulsion of Russian diplomatic personnel.

ORF reported that Austrian authorities summoned the Russian ambassador in April to address the suspected activities of the three diplomats. Officials requested that Russia waive diplomatic immunity to allow criminal prosecutors to move forward with their investigation, but Russian authorities declined, ultimately resulting in the expulsions. The three individuals have already departed Austria, according to the report.

The foreign minister noted that Austria is currently working to strengthen its espionage legislation to address similar situations in the future. Current laws only criminalize foreign intelligence operations that specifically target Austrian national interests. The Austrian Press Agency reports that proposed government reforms would extend similar legal protections to cover international organizations operating within the country.

Russian Embassy officials in Vienna declined to provide comment when contacted. However, the embassy posted a response on Telegram Monday, stating it had noted Austria’s “outrageous” decision regarding its personnel.

The statement indicated Moscow plans a strong response, declaring, “Vienna bears full responsibility for the further deterioration of bilateral relations, which are already at a historical low.”

Crude oil markets experienced a sharp 5% increase Monday following Iran’s claims that it successfully blocked a United States naval vessel from entering the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping corridor. American officials disputed Iranian reports suggesting the warship had been hit by missile fire.

The maritime confrontation unfolded after President Donald Trump announced Sunday that America would launch operations to help vessels trapped in the strait, describing the mission as a “humanitarian gesture.” While Trump provided few operational details, U.S. Central Command outlined the scope of the effort, indicating deployment of 15,000 military personnel along with over 100 aircraft operating from land and sea platforms.

Energy markets reacted swiftly to news of the warship incident, pushing Brent crude to approximately $112 per barrel while West Texas Intermediate reached around $106 per barrel. Iranian leadership had previously issued warnings that any foreign military forces attempting to enter the strait would face attack.

According to Iranian state television, Washington has delivered a response through Pakistani intermediaries regarding Tehran’s 14-point proposal to conclude the ongoing conflict. Trump indicated Saturday he would probably decline the Iranian peace plan.

Diplomatic progress remains stalled, with nuclear negotiations timing serving as a primary obstacle, suggesting continued disruption and deadlock in the Gulf region for the foreseeable future.

Currency markets also showed volatility Monday as Japan’s yen gained strength against the dollar, briefly reaching 155.7 before retreating. The movement sparked fresh speculation about additional Japanese government intervention following last week’s suspected currency support operations, which may have cost authorities up to $35 billion to strengthen their weakening currency.

Asian equity markets posted gains Monday, with South Korea’s technology-focused KOSPI index climbing nearly 5%. Memory chip manufacturer SK Hynix saw shares surge more than 12% amid increased artificial intelligence spending by American technology companies. Japanese markets remained closed through Wednesday for the Golden Week holiday period.

European stock exchanges declined after opening, with automotive companies facing pressure following Trump’s Friday announcement of renewed automobile tariff increases.

The week ahead features significant economic data releases and corporate earnings reports. Friday’s U.S. employment report is expected to show 60,000 new jobs added in April, substantially below March’s 178,000 figure. However, the Federal Reserve’s recent hawkish stance makes interest rate reductions unlikely this year, with policymakers refocusing on inflation concerns within their dual mandate.

Major technology firms scheduled to announce quarterly results include AMD, Super Micro Computer, and Palantir.

In aviation news, budget carrier Spirit Airlines suspended all operations over the weekend after failing to obtain creditor approval for a federal government rescue package. The airline’s shutdown, attributed to doubled fuel expenses due to the Iran conflict, eliminates a key affordable travel option for lower-income Americans and represents the first major corporate failure linked to the ongoing war.

Shipping data reveals dramatically reduced oil tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz since hostilities began. While a small number of vessels have successfully navigated the waterway recently, overall traffic flows remain significantly below typical levels.

Commercial vessel movement through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz remained virtually nonexistent Monday, despite President Donald Trump’s announcement that American forces would work to restore shipping access through the waterway.

Maritime tracking data from MarineTraffic revealed only minimal activity on Monday, with just one sanctioned liquefied petroleum gas tanker of modest size making the passage, accompanied by several cargo vessels and one cable-laying ship entering the Gulf of Oman.

No commercial tankers or other merchant vessels were observed waiting to make the transit, and major German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd reported that passage for their fleet remained unfeasible due to unclear security protocols.

The US Central Command announced Monday it would initiate operations to help reestablish safe navigation through the strait while maintaining its blockade of Iranian ports.

However, the shipping industry has not received any operational guidance about the American initiative or its objectives, with overall security conditions remaining unchanged, according to the Baltic and International Maritime Council, which issues safety advisories for the maritime sector.

“Without consent from Iran to let commercial ships transit safely through the Strait of Hormuz, it is currently not clear whether the Iranian threat to ships can be degraded or suppressed,” stated Jakob Larsen, the organization’s chief safety and security officer.

The International Maritime Organization reports that hundreds of commercial ships and as many as 20,000 sailors have been prevented from using the waterway due to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The US-led Joint Maritime Information Center maintained that the maritime security threat level in the strait remained at “critical” status, recommending that mariners consider alternative routes through Omani territorial waters south of established shipping lanes.

Central Command characterized American missions as “defensive” operations that would blend diplomatic initiatives with military coordination.

Iran responded by warning US naval forces to avoid the Strait of Hormuz and declaring that commercial ships would need to coordinate any transit with Iranian military forces. Tehran also released a new chart showing what it claims as its area of control.

Pakistan announced that all 22 crew members from the Iranian-flagged container vessel Touska, which was seized by US forces last month, had been evacuated to Pakistan and would be sent home.

The ship will also be returned to its owners following repairs, Pakistan’s foreign ministry stated, describing the action as a “confidence-building measure.”

The US naval blockade established at Iranian ports on April 13 has also reduced Tehran’s petroleum exports.

LONDON — Royal family members Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank revealed Monday they have another baby on the way.

The princess, who is the youngest daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, is due to deliver the baby during the summer months, according to an official statement from Buckingham Palace.

Their existing children — 5-year-old August and 2-year-old Ernest — are “very excited” about becoming big brothers again, while King Charles III feels “delighted” about the pregnancy announcement, palace officials reported.

King Charles serves as Eugenie’s uncle, being the elder sibling of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was formerly known as Prince Andrew.

NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governing Hindu nationalist party appears on track to capture West Bengal state for the first time, marking a historic victory in a region long controlled by opposition forces.

Preliminary tallies from India’s Election Commission show the Bharatiya Janata Party leading in no fewer than 190 constituencies within West Bengal’s 294-seat state assembly. Complete vote counts are anticipated by Monday evening.

This represents a historic political shift for Modi’s party, which has spent years attempting to unseat the All India Trinamool Congress administration under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. The BJP has never held power in West Bengal, a state with considerable political influence, where Banerjee — among Modi’s most vocal opponents — has maintained control since 2011.

Critics from opposition parties have strongly condemned the electoral process in West Bengal following the election commission’s decision to remove millions of registered voters from voting lists.

Three additional states participated in this round of voting.

India, home to over 1.4 billion citizens, consists of 28 states and eight federal territories. State elections occur on rotating schedules throughout the country, with several state contests taking place nearly every year.

The West Bengal results are anticipated to enhance Modi’s political standing and consolidate his authority during the middle portion of his third term, particularly after the 2024 national elections required his party to partner with regional allies to establish a governing coalition.

Modi is anticipated to seek an unprecedented fourth term when elections occur in 2029.

This defeat represents a substantial blow to India’s opposition movement, which has faced ongoing difficulties in creating a cohesive and effective resistance to the BJP’s national dominance.

Banerjee had positioned herself as a leading national opponent to Modi, especially through her efforts to unite regional parties in opposition to the BJP. Her loss will likely diminish her influence within an opposition coalition already weakened by regional conflicts and internal divisions.

In Tamil Nadu, a southern state, popular film actor Joseph Vijay, whose Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party was established just two years ago, appears positioned to defeat the incumbent DMK administration. Tamil Nadu, among India’s most economically advanced states, has a tradition of electing entertainment figures to its highest office.

In Kerala, another southern state, the Indian National Congress-led opposition appeared ready to topple the governing communist administration, potentially ending leftist control in one of its final remaining power bases.

Modi’s party was also positioned to maintain control in Assam, a northeastern state, for a third straight term.

THE HAGUE, May 3 – The small South American nation of Guyana has petitioned the International Court of Justice to declare that Venezuela lacks any valid territorial claim over the resource-rich Esequibo region, an area that has sparked conflict between the neighboring countries for generations.

“Facing a larger and more powerful neighbour’s designs on our territory has not only threatened our peace and security, it has held back our development,” Guyana’s Foreign Minister Hugh Hilton Todd stated to the panel of judges as week-long proceedings began at the World Court.

The contested area encompasses 160,000 square kilometers (62,000 square miles) of primarily rainforest territory surrounding the Esequibo river, plus adjacent ocean waters where enormous oil and natural gas deposits have been found.

According to Todd, Venezuela’s “unlawful” territorial assertion covers more than 70% of Guyana’s total land mass.

Guyana filed its case with the ICJ – the United Nations’ highest judicial body for international disputes – in 2018, seeking validation of boundaries established through an 1899 arbitration between Venezuela and British Guiana, the former colonial territory that awarded the region to Guyana.

Venezuelan citizens voted in a 2023 referendum to dismiss the ICJ’s authority over the border disagreement with Guyana and supported establishing a new Venezuelan state within the Esequibo area, which Venezuela created the following year.

Following the January capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his spouse by U.S. authorities, Venezuela is currently operating under interim leadership. Venezuelan representatives will present their arguments on Wednesday.

A final ruling remains months away. While ICJ decisions are legally binding and cannot be appealed, the court lacks enforcement mechanisms and must depend on the U.N. Security Council for implementation.

BRUSSELS – European Union officials announced Monday that they are urging member countries to keep Chinese technology companies Huawei and ZTE out of their telecommunications infrastructure.

A European Commission representative revealed during a Brussels press conference that upcoming cybersecurity regulations would give the EU authority to prohibit equipment from suppliers deemed high-risk from operating within European markets.

The announcement comes after China issued warnings of potential retaliatory actions against the European Union last week if these new security measures move forward. Chinese officials have labeled the proposed regulations as “discriminatory” against their companies.

The recommendation represents the latest development in ongoing tensions between Western nations and Chinese technology firms over concerns about potential security risks in critical communications infrastructure.

Iranian naval forces announced Monday they successfully blocked American warships from entering the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz by delivering what they called a “swift and decisive warning,” according to reports from Iranian state television.

The confrontation occurred as President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the United States would begin efforts Monday morning to rescue vessels trapped in the waterway, describing the mission as a “humanitarian gesture” to assist neutral nations during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

According to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, an American naval vessel was struck by two missiles while navigating near Jask port at the strait’s southern entrance and subsequently retreated from its attempt to pass through the waterway.

Iranian military officials delivered multiple warnings Monday to international naval forces, cautioning them against attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz and threatening a “decisive response” to any such actions.

Four individuals in Iraq received six-year prison sentences Monday after a court determined they possessed materials advocating for the outlawed Baath Party once headed by former dictator Saddam Hussein.

According to the Karkh Criminal Court’s official statement, authorities discovered the prohibited content stored on the defendants’ mobile phones while they were in Kirkuk province during 2025 and 2026.

Following the 2003 American-led military intervention that ended Saddam’s dictatorial regime, Iraq established extensive de-Baathification measures designed to eliminate the party’s influence throughout government agencies.

These measures specifically focused on former party affiliates, especially those who occupied high-ranking roles during the prior administration, resulting in widespread terminations throughout government departments, armed forces, educational systems, and administrative services.

However, such criminal prosecutions have become uncommon in recent times. Several former government officials have been permitted to resume their careers provided they had no involvement in major criminal activities.

Nevertheless, ongoing investigations have resulted in certain political candidates being barred from recent electoral contests. Individuals subject to de-Baathification decisions cannot seek appointment to cabinet positions, top government roles, or senior security posts.

The continuing impact of de-Baathification policies creates ongoing political and social tensions throughout Iraq, especially within the nation’s Sunni minority community.

Hussein belonged to the Sunni sect, and Sunni Muslims held a disproportionate number of leadership roles during his reign. After his removal from power, Sunnis bore the brunt of institutional purges, creating bitterness and political alienation that sometimes contributed to the emergence of Sunni radical organizations.

The Accountability and Justice Commission continues to serve as Iraq’s designated agency for managing de-Baathification initiatives. Sunni parliamentary representatives across multiple legislative sessions have demanded the commission’s elimination, contending that its mission should be reassessed or terminated as part of comprehensive national unity measures.

Those who defend the commission argue it provides essential legal mechanisms to block any resurgence of Baathist power within government structures.

Ukrainian authorities reported Monday that a deadly Russian missile strike on the town of Merefa in the northeastern Kharkiv region has left five civilians dead and wounded 18 others.

According to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov, the casualties included two men and three women, with four of the wounded requiring hospitalization in serious condition. The strike caused extensive damage to at least 10 residential homes, an administrative facility, four retail shops, an automotive repair garage, and a restaurant.

“Today during the day, the occupiers attacked civilian infrastructure of a town quite far from the front with a missile,” Syniehubov stated on Telegram.

Prosecutors in the region indicated that Russian forces likely deployed an Iskander-type ballistic missile in the assault.

Emergency response teams shared images showing the aftermath of the strike, including a building with its roof destroyed and windows shattered, firefighters putting out a vehicle blaze, and rescue workers assisting a bloodied woman on the ground.

Russian officials have not responded to requests for comment regarding the attack. The Kremlin maintains it does not deliberately target civilian areas during the conflict, despite thousands of civilian deaths since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

While Ukrainian forces have also struck civilian areas in Russia and Russian-controlled territories, such incidents occur on a significantly smaller scale.

Swedish authorities have detained a Chinese ship captain on charges related to fraudulent documentation and maritime safety violations, according to prosecutors who announced the arrest Monday.

Law enforcement and coast guard officials boarded the Syrian-flagged oil tanker Jin Hui on Sunday while it was traveling through Swedish waters.

Senior Prosecutor Adrien Combier-Hogg announced in a statement that the unnamed captain would face questioning on Monday.

Officials believe the vessel is part of what’s known as the shadow fleet – a secretive network of ships that Russia operates to circumvent Western economic sanctions implemented due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

This marks Sweden’s fifth seizure of such a vessel in 2023, as European countries intensify their campaigns to identify and stop these sanction-evading operations.

While Russia has not issued any response to this latest incident, the country has historically criticized the interception of its ships as aggressive actions.

The captain’s reaction to both the vessel’s seizure and the charges he faces remains unknown at this time.

Coast guard officials reported that the ship appears on multiple international sanctions lists, including those maintained by the European Union and the United Kingdom. The vessel’s intended destination was uncertain, and authorities believe it was not transporting any cargo at the time of its seizure.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Jewish community members in Australia testified Monday before a national commission about experiencing dramatically increased hatred and fear following a deadly attack at a Hanukkah gathering last December.

The December shooting at Bondi Beach claimed 15 lives when two attackers opened fire on the celebration. Authorities have charged father and son duo Sajid and Naveed Akram with the massacre, which officials say was motivated by Islamic State ideology. The pair used legally purchased firearms despite Australia’s strict gun regulations.

This tragic incident led to the establishment of a Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, Australia’s most comprehensive form of investigation. The commission launched its public testimony phase in Sydney Monday, beginning two weeks of hearings focused on examining how widespread antisemitic sentiment has become throughout Australian society and institutions.

Additional hearings are scheduled throughout the year before commissioners release their final findings in December.

Commissioner Virginia Bell noted the connection between Middle Eastern conflicts and domestic hate crimes. “The sharp spike in antisemitism that we’ve witnessed in Australia has been mirrored in other Western countries and seems clearly linked to events in the Middle East,” Bell stated. “It’s important that people understand how quickly those events can prompt ugly displays of hostility toward Jewish Australians simply because they’re Jews.”

Monday’s testimony came exclusively from Jewish Australians describing their encounters with hatred, with several speaking anonymously due to safety concerns. Sheina Gutnick, whose father died in the Bondi attack, recounted being verbally attacked in a Sydney shopping center a year earlier when someone noticed her Star of David jewelry.

“I felt shocked, exposed and unsafe,” Gutnick testified. “There were many people around me but no one intervened.”

Gutnick’s father, 62-year-old Reuven Morrison, threw a brick at one of the gunmen during the beach attack before being fatally shot. She told commissioners she now avoids public family events and certain Sydney neighborhoods.

Testimony revealed that antisemitic incidents skyrocketed after the October 7, 2023 start of the Israel-Hamas war. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which monitors such crimes, recorded more than 2,000 incidents in the following year compared to their previous annual record of just under 500.

While similar increases occurred in Britain and other nations, Australia’s relatively small Jewish population found the surge particularly alarming since they hadn’t previously experienced such widespread serious threats, witnesses explained.

Toby Raphael, vice president of Sydney’s Newtown Synagogue, described the community’s transformation. “Now everyone is scared all the time,” said Raphael, whose synagogue was vandalized with swastikas during a 2025 wave of antisemitic crimes.

Raphael explained how he previously assured congregation members that security wasn’t necessary at their synagogue, but the escalation in hate-motivated attacks changed that approach. He now participates in a parent security team at his son’s Jewish school, which also employs armed professional guards.

“Why do kids have to go to school like that?” Raphael questioned. “This is the world that the Jews of Australia live in now and it needs to change.”

Even before the Bondi massacre, antisemitic incidents had gained national attention through attacks targeting Jewish educational institutions, businesses, and religious sites. In August, Australia’s government accused Iran of orchestrating at least two such crimes and severed diplomatic relations with Tehran.

Several Monday witnesses referenced these earlier incidents when explaining their considerations about relocating overseas or existing plans to leave Australia.

Testimony included accounts of verbal and physical assaults, as well as pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathering outside synagogues. Alex Ryvchin, a Jewish community leader whose home was targeted in a 2025 arson attack, warned that Australia was heading toward disaster.

“This was January, and by December there was a horrific massacre which has transformed us permanently,” Ryvchin told the hearing, referencing his earlier warning to reporters that someone would die.

The massacre deeply affected Australia, where serious gun violence has been uncommon since firearm restrictions were strengthened following a Tasmania mass shooting three decades ago. Federal and state officials are now evaluating additional reforms.

The Royal Commission’s April interim report, which assessed Australian law enforcement and security agencies’ capabilities to address antisemitic crimes, urged leaders to prioritize creating uniform national gun legislation and implementing a weapons buyback program.

Police fatally shot Sajid Akram at the crime scene. He held a valid shooting license and legally possessed the weapons used in the attack.

His son survived with injuries. Naveed Akram faces charges including committing a terrorist act, 15 murder counts, and 40 attempted murder counts. He has not yet entered any pleas.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political party appeared headed for major victories in two important state elections on Monday, strengthening his political position while dealing significant blows to opposition groups.

Election trends from India’s Election Commission indicated that Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was positioned to secure another term governing Assam in eastern India, marking their third consecutive victory there. The party also showed strong performance in West Bengal, both states sharing borders with Bangladesh where immigration concerns dominated campaign discussions.

The potential West Bengal victory would represent a historic breakthrough for the BJP, which has never controlled that state and held just three local legislative seats as recently as 2021.

Modi, along with Home Minister Amit Shah and other top BJP officials, conducted intensive campaigning throughout West Bengal in recent weeks. Their message centered on concerns about unauthorized immigration from Bangladesh and economic challenges under current Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s leadership.

Banerjee, who has governed the state since 2011, represents one of Modi’s most vocal critics and serves as a prominent figure in India’s opposition coalition.

Financial markets responded positively to the BJP’s strong showing in West Bengal, with 10-year government bond yields dropping 2 basis points to 6.9954%, according to bond traders.

In Tamil Nadu, a southern state known as a major center for electronics and automotive manufacturing, popular film actor Joseph Vijay appeared positioned to defeat the current DMK party leadership. Vijay, making his political debut with a party established just two years ago, benefits from an enthusiastic fan base in a state known for electing entertainment figures to high office.

Meanwhile, in Kerala, another southern state, a Congress party-led coalition looked set to overcome the incumbent Communist Party of India (Marxist) government.

The potential defeats of the DMK and Banerjee’s TMC party would significantly damage the Congress-led INDIA opposition alliance, which these groups helped anchor. This coalition challenged Modi in 2024’s general election and prevented him from achieving an outright parliamentary majority, forcing him to form a coalition government with regional partners.

These losses could substantially weaken organized opposition to Modi when he potentially seeks an unprecedented fourth term in 2029.

Complete election results were expected by Monday evening, though the outcomes are not anticipated to immediately affect federal government politics or policy decisions.

VIENNA – Austrian authorities have removed three Russian diplomatic officials from the country following the discovery of what officials described as an extensive network of antennas atop Russian diplomatic facilities that could facilitate intelligence gathering operations.

The government announced Monday that the three diplomats have been designated as unwelcome persons and have already departed Austria. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger condemned the alleged activities in an official statement.

“It is unacceptable that diplomatic immunity be used to commit espionage,” Meinl-Reisinger declared when confirming the expulsions had taken place.

This latest diplomatic action increases the total number of Russian officials Austria has removed since 2020 to 14, highlighting ongoing tensions between the two nations over suspected intelligence operations.

ISLAMABAD – Twenty-two sailors from an Iranian cargo vessel seized by American forces have been transferred to Pakistan and will be returned to Iranian custody on Monday, according to Pakistan’s foreign ministry, which described the action as a “confidence-building measure.”

The Iranian container ship Touska, operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) – a company subject to U.S. sanctions – was captured by American forces near Iran’s Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman last month.

According to U.S. Central Command, the vessel’s crew ignored repeated warnings over a six-hour period, and the ship was breaking a U.S. naval blockade.

Iranian officials denounced the seizure as “unlawful and a violation” of international maritime law, calling for the immediate return of the ship, crew members, and their families.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry announced Monday that the vessel will be moved into Pakistani waters for repairs before being returned to its owners.

The incident occurred during heightened tensions following a U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran that started in February but was paused four weeks ago under a fragile ceasefire agreement. Despite the truce, Washington and Tehran continue to clash at sea, with both sides seizing each other’s commercial ships.

Diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan last month aimed at reaching a broader agreement between the nations, but the negotiations failed to produce a deal.

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — European officials responded Monday to President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement that he plans to withdraw thousands of American military personnel from Germany, calling it surprising but further evidence that Europe needs to become more self-sufficient in defense matters.

Last week, the Pentagon revealed plans to remove approximately 5,000 troops from Germany, though Trump informed journalists on Saturday that “we’re going to cut way down. And we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000.”

Trump provided no explanation for the withdrawal, which caught NATO officials unprepared, though the announcement follows growing tensions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and Trump’s frustration over European reluctance to participate in Middle Eastern military operations.

When questioned about the 5,000-troop reduction from Germany, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre responded: “I wouldn’t exaggerate that because I think we are expecting that Europe is taking more charge of its own security.”

“I do not see those figures as dramatic, but I think they should be handled in a harmonious way inside the framework of NATO,” Støre told journalists in Yerevan, Armenia, during a European leadership summit.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged that “there has been a talk about withdrawal of U.S. troops for a long time from Europe. But of course, the timing of this announcement comes as a surprise.”

“I think it shows that we have to really strengthen the European pillar in NATO,” Kallas stated.

When asked whether Trump might be retaliating against Merz, who claimed Iran had embarrassed the U.S. during war-ending negotiations, Kallas replied: “I don’t see into the head of President Trump, so he has to explain it himself.”

During the weekend, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed that representatives from the 32-member alliance “are working with the U.S. to understand the details of their decision on force posture in Germany.”

European partners and Canada have anticipated troop withdrawals since Trump’s return to office last year — some forces already departed Romania in October — though American officials had promised to coordinate such moves with NATO partners to prevent security gaps.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte minimized the significance of the withdrawal, noting that “there has been at this point disappointment on the U.S. side” regarding European backing for the Iranian conflict.

Several major allies including France, Spain, and the United Kingdom have refused to grant American forces unrestricted access to their military installations for Iranian operations. Spain has specifically prohibited U.S. use of its airspace and military bases for the conflict.

However, Rutte, who has supported Trump’s NATO leadership despite the president’s criticism of most alliance members, commented: “I would say the Europeans have heard a message. They are now making sure that all the bilateral basing agreements are being implemented.”

Rutte mentioned that European countries “have decided to pre-position assets, key assets, close to the theater for the next phase.”

While he offered no specifics, European leaders have maintained they will not assist in monitoring the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial energy shipping lane, until hostilities conclude.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A new American-led operation began Monday aimed at helping commercial ships navigate through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which remains under Iranian control following ongoing regional conflicts.

The initiative, dubbed “Project Freedom” by President Donald Trump, established what officials called an “enhanced security area” located south of standard shipping lanes. The Joint Maritime Information Center advised ship captains to work closely with Omani officials due to expected heavy vessel traffic in the region that borders both Iranian and Omani waters.

Maritime authorities issued warnings that traveling near conventional shipping paths “should be considered extremely hazardous due the presence of mines that have not been fully surveyed and mitigated.”

This American-led naval coalition’s announcement signals the beginning of efforts to restart commercial traffic and rebuild trust among merchant vessels navigating the critical waterway. However, the move threatens to destabilize the delicate ceasefire that remains in place despite little advancement on underlying war issues.

By Monday morning, it remained uncertain whether any commercial ships had taken advantage of the American assistance. Iran’s military leadership told the state-controlled IRIB network that vessels must coordinate their passage with Iranian forces.

“We warn that any foreign military force — especially the aggressive U.S. military — that intends to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted,” Major General Pilot Ali Abdollahi said.

The blockage of this vital shipping channel, through which approximately 20 percent of global oil normally flows, has emerged as one of the most lasting effects of the conflict that America and Israel initiated on February 28. The disruption has strained European and Asian nations reliant on Persian Gulf energy supplies while creating fresh uncertainty in worldwide energy markets for consumers and businesses.

In a social media announcement Sunday, Trump pledged to help “neutral and innocent” nations by promising “that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business.”

U.S. Central Command indicated the operation would deploy guided-missile destroyers, over 100 aircraft, and 15,000 military personnel. Pentagon officials have not yet provided details about specific deployment strategies.

Numerous vessels and crew members, particularly those aboard oil tankers and cargo ships, have remained trapped in Persian Gulf waters since hostilities began. Sailors have told The Associated Press about witnessing intercepted drones and missiles detonating overhead while their ships face shortages of fresh water, food, and essential supplies.

“They are victims of circumstance,” Trump stated, characterizing the mission as a humanitarian effort “on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran.”

Trump also issued a stern warning: “If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”

Following additional ship attacks reported Sunday, Iran’s official IRNA news service dismissed Trump’s announcement as part of his “delirium.” Ebrahim Azizi, who leads Iran’s parliamentary national security committee, posted on X that any interference in the strait would constitute a ceasefire violation.

Trump’s announcement came after Iran indicated it was examining the American response to Tehran’s most recent peace proposal, while clarifying that nuclear discussions are not currently part of negotiations. The fragile three-week ceasefire continues to hold.

Iran’s judiciary-linked Mizan news outlet quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei saying Sunday that Tehran is studying the U.S. response to its latest peace initiative.

However, “at this stage, we have no nuclear negotiations,” Baghaei stated. While Iran’s nuclear activities and uranium enrichment have historically been central to U.S.-Iran tensions, Tehran prefers addressing these matters later.

According to Iranian state-affiliated media, Iran’s proposal seeks resolution of other matters within 30 days and aims to completely end the conflict rather than simply extending the current ceasefire. Trump said Saturday he was examining the proposal but expressed skepticism about reaching an agreement.

Iran’s 14-point plan demands American sanctions relief, termination of the U.S. naval blockade at Iranian ports, regional force withdrawals, and cessation of all military actions, including Israeli operations in Lebanon, according to the semi-official Nour News and Tasnim agencies, which maintain close connections to Iran’s security apparatus.

Iranian leaders have declared the strait will not return to pre-conflict conditions and have begun imposing fees on passing ships, though the U.S. has cautioned shipping companies they risk sanctions for making payments to Iran.

The American naval blockade implemented April 13 is preventing Tehran from accessing oil revenues needed to support its struggling economy. U.S. Central Command reported Sunday that 49 commercial vessels have been ordered to reverse course.

“We think that they’ve gotten less than $1.3 million in tolls, which is a pittance on their previous daily oil revenues,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News Sunday, noting that Iran’s oil storage capacity is rapidly reaching limits and “they’re going to have to start shutting in wells, which we think could be in the next week.”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced Monday that European allies have received President Trump’s message loud and clear regarding military cooperation and are now taking action to fulfill base usage agreements.

Speaking to reporters at a European Political Community summit in Armenia, Rutte acknowledged U.S. frustrations while highlighting European responses to American concerns about support during the Iran conflict.

“Yes, there has been some disappointment from the U.S. side, but Europeans have listened,” Rutte stated during the summit.

The NATO chief emphasized that European nations are now working to ensure proper implementation of bilateral military base agreements. “They are now making sure that all the bilateral basing agreements are being implemented,” he explained.

President Trump has previously criticized certain NATO members for providing inadequate assistance to the United States in the ongoing Iran war. These tensions prompted the U.S. to announce Friday its intention to remove 5,000 military personnel from Germany.

While Spain has declared that its military installations cannot support the Iran conflict, Rutte noted that numerous other NATO allies are cooperating with American requests. Countries including Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Britain, France and Germany are all providing base access and logistical assistance, according to the secretary general.

Rutte also revealed that an increasing number of European countries are positioning naval assets like minehunters and minesweepers near the Persian Gulf region in preparation for potential future operations.

Several European nations have expressed willingness to participate in missions aimed at protecting maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz following the conclusion of current hostilities.