Blog

Israeli military forces have reclaimed control of a historic medieval fortress in southern Lebanon that carries deep symbolic meaning from decades of regional conflict.

The ancient Beaufort Castle, constructed nine centuries ago, fell back into Israeli hands on Saturday as troops advanced into territory they had previously controlled during an 18-year military presence from 1982 to 2000. That earlier occupation ended after sustained attacks by Hezbollah forced their withdrawal.

The current military action against the Iran-supported Shi’ite organization has brought Israeli forces back to this Crusader-era stronghold, which holds UNESCO cultural protection status, amid fighting that has displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated the fortress’s recapture, addressing criticism of his military strategy in Lebanon and Iran.

“I remind you that, 44 years ago, this place was a symbol of a heroic battle by our fighters, but it was also a symbol of deep division among us,” he said.

“Today, we returned to Beaufort differently. We returned united, determined, and stronger than ever.”

Hezbollah representatives stated they maintained no military operations at the castle when Israeli forces arrived, though combat continues in nearby areas.

The fortress sits dramatically above the Litani River, offering commanding sightlines toward the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights six miles eastward and the Mediterranean Sea 25 miles westward, making it a crucial strategic position.

Originally constructed by a Crusader leader in the 12th century on top of existing fortifications, the castle later fell to the renowned Muslim commander Saladin before passing through the hands of the Knights Templar and Egypt’s Mamluk rulers.

Independent Middle East security expert Riad Kahwaji emphasized that modern warfare technology hasn’t diminished the location’s military importance.

“The site for the castle was chosen because of its significant strategic location. The significance has not declined with time. It’s still important, especially in ground operations,” he said.

During Lebanon’s civil conflict that began in 1975, Palestine Liberation Organisation militants used the deteriorating castle ruins as an operational base for attacks against Israel.

Israel’s 1982 invasion, which reached as far as Beirut, included seizing the fortress as a command center for operations in the predominantly Shi’ite Muslim southern region.

Battle damage from Israeli bombardments of PLO positions in the 1970s and subsequent Hezbollah assaults on Israeli troops in the 1980s and 1990s remains visible on the castle walls today.

For Lebanese residents, the fortress became an enduring reminder of foreign occupation, with Israeli flags prominently displayed atop one of the area’s highest peaks while soldiers maintained surveillance below.

“The fact that they’re back now in Beaufort I think is reminiscent of that era and that level of control over people’s lives,” said Mohanad Hage Ali, deputy director for research at the Carnegie Middle East Center.

“It’s an occupation that you can see.”

Following Israel’s 2000 withdrawal after years of costly fighting, Hezbollah’s yellow banner flying from the castle battlements became central to the group’s victory messaging.

This history creates conflicted emotions among Israelis regarding the fortress.

“It was a symbol for heroism,” said Danny Orbach, a military historian at Israel’s Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

“But it was also a symbol in the eyes of many of the futility of war; the narrative that Israel has nothing to do with Lebanon.”

However, following Israel’s intensive 2024 campaign against Hezbollah and territorial gains this year, those perceptions may be shifting.

“Israel occupying Beaufort is actually telling Hezbollah and the world: we overcame the trauma. We’re not afraid anymore,” Orbach said.

After a brief 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the castle was largely demilitarized and carefully renovated as a tourist destination.

UNESCO, which does not include Israel as a member nation, recognizes the site as among the Middle East’s finest preserved medieval fortresses and recently placed it on a special protection list during the current conflict.

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian researchers have discovered a remarkable collection of ancient treasures, including burial furnishings from the Pharaonic era, remnants of a Roman religious structure, and a carved marble representation of Aphrodite, the Greek deity associated with love and beauty.

These findings, revealed on Sunday, represent part of Egypt’s strategy to revitalize its tourism sector and generate revenue for its struggling economy. Central to this initiative was the November opening of the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum, a massive development situated close to the renowned Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx.

The basilica remnants and Aphrodite sculpture were discovered at an ancient burial ground in Beni Suef province, located 130 kilometres (80 miles) south of Cairo, according to the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry.

The Ehnasiya burial site, also recognized by its historical Roman designation Heracleópolis Magna, ranked among ancient Egypt’s most important urban centers.

Mohammed Abdel-Badei, who leads the antiquities department at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that researchers discovered massive stone blocks that supported columns, with some weighing as much as 45 tons and used in the basilica’s construction. He noted that three blocks continue to stand in their original locations.

The Aphrodite sculpture, measuring approximately 24 centimeters by 25 centimeters (9½ inches by nearly 10 inches), displays intricate details of the deity’s facial features and flowing hair, demonstrating the traditional artistic styles of Greek and Roman eras, according to his description.

Researchers discovered carved writings connected to Senusret III, whose reign spanned from 1837 B.C. to 1819 B.C. during the historic 12th Dynasty. These inscriptions feature his royal and birth designations of the Pharaoh, alternatively called Sesostris III, who stands as one of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom’s most notable leaders.

Additional discoveries included pieces of wall sculptures and clay molds, thought to have been utilized for creating coins during Roman rule. These artifacts demonstrate that Ehnasiya served as a bustling economic and trade center while Egypt remained under Roman control from 30 B.C. to A.D. 395, Abdel-Badei explained.

In Cairo, researchers uncovered an almost intact collection of burial furnishings in the Matariya district, which previously belonged to the historic city of Heliopolis, the ministry reported.

Abdel-Badei explained that excavators found a mud brick tomb containing golden remains within a coffin, thought to belong to a military official. They also discovered various beauty implements, including a bronze mirror and alabaster containers for eye makeup.

Researchers also found a set of yellow-toned metal earrings, featuring five pairs of different dimensions, suspected to be crafted from gold, he added.

The discoveries in Beni Suef and Cairo represent the most recent archaeological finds, which officials hope will strengthen the crucial tourism industry, partly sustained by visitors interested in ancient sites.

The tourism sector has faced challenges during periods of political unrest and conflict following the 2011 uprising. Recently, it has begun recovering from the coronavirus pandemic and economic impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict — both nations serve as significant sources of Egyptian tourists.

A historic total of approximately 19 million visitors traveled to Egypt last year, representing a 21% growth from 2024, based on government statistics. The initial four months of 2026 recorded 6.1 million tourists entering the country, compared to 5.7 million during the corresponding period in 2025, the prime minister’s office announced in May.

LONDON, June 1 (Reuters) — The British government on Monday made public extensive documentation connected to Peter Mandelson’s selection as U.S. ambassador, providing insight into Westminster’s sharp-tongued political environment and the complicated vetting process for his role.

The controversy surrounding Mandelson, which led to the exit of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s top advisor, has emerged as a central point of attack against the prime minister, who is struggling to maintain his position amid a likely leadership contest.

Through a massive 1,504-page release, officials published communications spanning from background check emails to private WhatsApp conversations in what appears to be an effort to shift attention away from Starmer while demonstrating that Mandelson was not completely honest about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

MANDELSON: ‘YOU WILL NEVER REGRET’ THE APPOINTMENT

According to one document, officials contacted Mandelson on March 31 requesting access to information stored on his personal device as part of their review of his selection and duties — a request he refused to fulfill.

Personal communications from Mandelson — who was dismissed from cabinet positions twice during Tony Blair’s tenure as Labour’s most enduring prime minister — reveal his frequent conversations with Labour party figures, advocating for his candidacy and occasionally sharing harsh assessments of the administration.

In a note written by hand to then-foreign minister David Lammy on November 18, 2024, Mandelson stated: “I just wanted you to know that if you were minded to appoint me (as ambassador), I would make sure you never regret it.”

He additionally mentioned becoming “tonto” regarding the administration’s delay in approving a customized red ministerial box intended as a present for U.S. President Donald Trump, employing slang that means losing one’s temper.

He also criticized Starmer directly, informing senior minister Pat McFadden that he felt “Keir is not leading from the front”.

During that same conversation, McFadden informed Mandelson that the administration was “asking the wrong questions”, explaining that every discussion centered on “who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others”.

Officials hope that making these documents and communications public will end ongoing questions about Starmer’s decision-making in selecting someone whose relationship with Epstein was already known. However, this is unlikely to quiet demands for the prime minister to resign following Labour’s defeat in last month’s local elections.

Mandelson faces a police inquiry regarding allegations that he shared confidential government materials with the deceased Epstein. He is not accused of any sexual wrongdoing.

A preliminary set of documents was made available in March, revealing that Starmer had been cautioned about the dangers of the appointment, not only concerning Mandelson’s Epstein connections but also due to the Labour veteran’s advocacy for strengthened relations with China.

Starmer currently confronts a potential leadership battle later this year, should his primary opponent, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, secure a parliamentary seat in the June 18 election.

Iran is pursuing a temporary agreement with the United States as a strategy to reduce economic pressures and stabilize conditions domestically, while steering clear of significant compromises regarding its nuclear activities, sources and analysts report.

This strategy represents a well-established pattern for the Islamic Republic: withstanding pressure, preventing permanent concessions, and maintaining diplomatic talks without altering fundamental stances, according to three Iranian sources with ties to decision-makers.

However, the current initiative stems from more pressing concerns. Government officials view a narrow agreement as an opportunity to gain time, secure financial assistance, and manage increasing domestic threats from a worsening economy without tackling the most divisive matters.

This diplomatic activity comes after weeks of intensification following U.S.-Israeli strikes in late February that escalated into wider regional hostilities. Iranian offensive actions throughout the Gulf region increased concerns about the safety of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for approximately one-fifth of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Three months later, despite a fragile ceasefire established in early April, the situation has solidified into deadlock. A U.S. blockade targeting Iranian ports and Tehran’s control over the Strait have maintained reciprocal pressure, increasing economic expenses while leaving the possibility of renewed combat unaddressed.

Given these circumstances, both nations have reduced expectations for a complete resolution. They are instead examining what officials characterize as a temporary memorandum — essentially an interim agreement — designed to prevent a return to open warfare while postponing fundamental disagreements about Iran’s nuclear operations.

For Tehran, this type of arrangement serves mainly as a method to transform military and economic pressure into financial resources, relief, and reduced tensions, without restricting sensitive nuclear activities.

Iran wants an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, access to billions of dollars in oil revenues, waivers on crude exports, removal of the U.S. port blockade, and maintained control over the strait — while delaying decisions on the most controversial matters.

The structure would focus on temporary relief and gradual access through the waterway, leaving unanswered questions about enrichment capabilities and Tehran’s inventory of highly enriched uranium, including material enriched to 60%.

Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said Tehran’s reasoning is influenced more by economic pressure and uncertainty than battlefield threats.

“Iranian leaders understand that time is not necessarily on their side… their calculation appears to be that dialogue, even limited dialogue, is preferable to entering an open-ended period of economic attrition and uncertainty that could gradually weaken its ability to govern at home and project influence abroad.”

The success of negotiations carries significant weight. President Donald Trump faces pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce U.S. fuel costs, while defending against criticism from Iran hawks within his own Republican party regarding any concessions to Tehran.

Iran’s leadership also confronts domestic challenges. Extended sanctions, economic mismanagement, and conflict have driven inflation, currency devaluation, and a steep drop in living standards.

Immediate financial assistance is therefore essential to Tehran’s interest in a preliminary agreement, sources indicated, as it could maintain economic operations, reduce urgent pressures, and prevent a return of civil unrest.

In January, Iran’s clerical establishment and the Revolutionary Guards killed thousands while suppressing nationwide protests sparked by economic grievances.

Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin, said a memorandum could also tackle growing concerns about the system’s long-term durability.

“By ending the conflict, reducing economic strain, removing U.S. military pressure around Iran, and creating space for reconstruction, an MoU could help prevent a gradual erosion of state capacity and governance,” Azizi said.

The Strait of Hormuz continues to be fundamental to Iran’s leverage. Within the clerical establishment, it is increasingly viewed less as a negotiating tool than as a lasting strategic advantage.

Any agreement that restores shipping while maintaining that leverage would preserve Tehran’s influence over the chokepoint, sources indicated, permitting traffic to resume while stability remains connected to political negotiation.

One source said a limited deal would effectively restore prewar conditions without forcing Iran to surrender to Washington’s demands, adding: “With the start of the war, Trump gave Iran the gift of control over the Strait.”

PLZEN, Czech Republic – A Czech court ruled Monday that German far-right activist Marla-Svenja Liebich, who has been convicted of several crimes, may be sent back to Germany. The case has generated significant discussion regarding which correctional facility should house her following her legal gender transition.

The activist maintains the option to challenge the extradition decision, according to a court spokesperson.

In 2023, while legally recognized as male and going by the name Sven, Liebich received an 18-month prison sentence for various violations including inciting hatred, insults, unlawful entry, and defamation.

The conviction was confirmed by the Halle regional court in Germany during August 2024. A subsequent challenge to a regional court was rejected in May 2025.

Following the implementation of Germany’s Self-Determination Act on November 1, 2024, which allows people to modify their gender identification paperwork, Liebich officially transitioned to female status and took the name Marla-Svenja.

According to regional correctional facility assignment protocols, this change necessitated her placement at Chemnitz women’s prison.

The decision drew backlash, with critics claiming tactical exploitation of the legislation and raising concerns about possible gaps in the law. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt characterized the situation as proof of the law’s vulnerability to misuse.

Liebich escaped and did not surrender to the correctional facility in August 2025. Czech authorities captured her this year in a community close to the German border.

At a preliminary court session in Plzen on May 18, she resisted extradition, expressing concerns about potential placement in a men’s correctional facility.

Crowds gathered in the Kenyan town of Nanyuki on Monday, demonstrating against American plans to establish an Ebola isolation facility at a nearby military installation, according to local witnesses who spoke with Reuters. The demonstration came several days after Kenya’s High Court issued a temporary halt to the project.

The court issued its suspension order on Friday following legal action that argued the proposed location could pose risks to community health and safety.

American officials described the proposed 50-bed facility at the Laikipia county air force installation as a treatment center for Americans who have had contact with the virus but show no symptoms. Kenya’s leadership has endorsed the project, with Health Minister Aden Duale stating Saturday that the facility represents part of broader efforts to enhance emergency preparedness capabilities.

According to American officials, the facility was scheduled to begin operations last Friday. Multiple military aircraft were observed arriving and departing from Nanyuki throughout the previous week and weekend, which diplomatic sources and analysts suggested indicated continued American preparations despite the judicial suspension.

A Reuters correspondent reported Saturday that police and military forces had strengthened their presence along routes approaching the air installation.

Video footage from Monday revealed approximately 100 demonstrators positioned roughly 4 kilometers from the proposed facility location, using whistles and some positioned on a pickup truck. Smoke was visible from materials burning in the roadway. Community members estimated the total number of protesters reached into the hundreds.

Local television networks NTV Kenya and Citizen Kenya broadcast images of people gathered near a wall surrounding the air installation, showing a tank positioned there with several soldiers standing guard.

Patrick Wahome, among those organizing the demonstration, explained to Reuters that participants wanted the medical facility permanently closed by Tuesday, June 9.

“Nanyuki is a very small town. The military personnel who serve the base… live with us. Our kids go to the same schools and that means if anyone is infected, we are all infected,” he said.

“We are picketing for our lives,” he added.

Local business owner Patrick Maina said he had to close his cafe and characterized the circumstances as “very bad.”

“We haven’t opened since morning and it’s likely to be worse tomorrow,” he told Reuters.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed a U.S. military C-130 cargo aircraft arrived in Nanyuki as recently as Friday afternoon.

Two local residents also reported observing military aircraft approaching the installation over the weekend, though Reuters could not verify whether these were American aircraft.

Israeli defense officials revealed Monday that France has prohibited government representatives from Israel from participating in the Eurosatory defense exhibition scheduled for this month in Paris.

According to the announcement from Israel’s Defence Ministry, French authorities have also imposed restrictions on Israeli weapons manufacturers, preventing them from showcasing offensive military systems at the exhibition. The companies will only be allowed to present “air defence products” during the event.

Military officials from China and the United States conducted discussions in Hawaii late last month, with both sides describing the talks as productive and straightforward, according to a statement released Monday by the Chinese navy.

The Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working group convened from May 28 through May 29, focusing on air and sea safety protocols and exploring ways to strengthen military maritime security cooperation. Both delegations concluded that enhanced communication between their forces could help prevent misunderstandings and promote greater professionalism in military operations.

In its official statement, China’s navy also outlined its position on regional security matters. “China firmly opposes any action to undermine China’s sovereignty and security under the pretext of freedom of navigation and overflight, (and) opposes any infringement, provocation and close-in reconnaissance and harassment targeting China,” the statement added.

British immigration officials announced Monday they have prevented two political commentators from entering the United Kingdom for planned speaking engagements.

The commentators affected are Hasan Piker, a Turkish American who streams political content online, and Cenk Uygur, who runs the “Young Turks” internet political program and is said to be Piker’s uncle. Piker, who regularly criticizes U.S. President Donald Trump, Israel and the Gaza conflict, has built a following of 2.8 million on the Twitch platform.

Immigration authorities revoked the electronic travel permits for both men, stating their entry “may not be conducive to the public good,” according to the Home Office.

“Decisions to refuse or cancel an ETA on these grounds are based solely on an assessment of the potential risk an individual may pose to U.K. society,” the Home Office explained.

Both men had been scheduled to appear at SXSW London, a festival celebrating culture, technology and creativity, happening this month. Uygur was additionally set to address the Oxford Union, the well-known student debate organization.

Responding on his YouTube channel, Piker stated: “A sad state of affairs where obviously the interests of Israel take the highest priority.”

On the social media platform X, Uygur wrote he had been prohibited “for criticizing Israel. Are we free any more?”

Piker has drawn controversy for certain statements, including expressing support for the Hamas militant organization, which both the U.K. and U.S. classify as a terrorist group.

Hamas-led fighters launched an assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 people taken captive, sparking the current Gaza war.

A Labour lawmaker named David Taylor, who had advocated for blocking Piker’s entry, stated that “there is no reason we should open our doors to those who seek to spread hate and division, especially someone who’s supported a proscribed terror group.”

However, Green Party leader Zack Polanski argued the government was “doing everything possible to silence criticism of the Israeli government.”

This action follows a similar decision in April when British authorities prevented rapper Ye, previously called Kanye West, from entering the country for a scheduled London festival performance following controversy over his antisemitic statements.

At that time, Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared his administration “stands firmly with the Jewish community, and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism.”

Iran announced Monday it is ending diplomatic message exchanges with the United States conducted through third-party mediators, according to the Tasnim news agency. The decision comes as Tehran objects to ongoing attacks in Lebanon during the continuing three-month conflict.

According to the news agency, Iran and the Resistance Front—which encompasses its Shiite allies across Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq—have developed plans to fully obstruct the Strait of Hormuz and engage other strategic locations, including the Bab El Mandeb Strait, as a means to “punish” Israel and its supporters.

Should the Houthis, who are Iran’s partners in Yemen, establish a new battlefront, they would likely target the Bab El Mandeb Strait located near Yemen’s coastline. This narrow waterway serves as a crucial shipping corridor that regulates maritime traffic flowing toward the Suez Canal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X Monday: “Violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts. The U.S. and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation,” addressing Israeli military actions in Lebanon.

The conflict initiated by the U.S. and Israel on February 28 has resulted in thousands of casualties, predominantly in Iran and Lebanon. The war has also triggered worldwide economic disruption by elevating energy costs, as Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial international corridor for oil and liquefied natural gas transport.

Tasnim further reported: “The immediate cessation of the Zionist regime’s aggressive and brutal army operations in Gaza and Lebanon and the necessity of the regime’s complete withdrawal from the occupied areas in Lebanon have been emphasized by Iranian officials and negotiators, and there will be no talks until Iran and the resistance’s views on this matter are met.”

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Hundreds of women marched through Kenya’s capital city on Monday, demanding immediate government action to address escalating gender-based violence and femicide cases.

Demonstrators carried signs reading “Stop Killing Women” as they walked through Nairobi’s streets, accompanied by police escorts. The protesters also brought a coffin and raised awareness about recent local reports of missing and murdered children.

Advocacy organizations for women’s rights have sounded alarms about increasing gender-based violence incidents and are pushing for the government to officially recognize it as a national emergency.

The demonstration follows a tragic incident where a local singer was burned alive after being doused with gasoline, later dying from her injuries.

Police announced on May 23 that they had established a special investigation team, combining criminal intelligence analysts, forensic specialists, homicide detectives and other experts.

According to police findings, most gender-based violence incidents stem from household disputes, partner violence, sexual crimes, physical attacks and unresolved family issues.

The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya reports handling approximately 70 gender-based violence cases weekly through their offices in Nairobi, the coastal city of Mombasa and lakeside Kisumu.

Advocacy organizations delivered a 40-day deadline to the government on May 21, threatening nationwide demonstrations if no action is taken. However, protests have begun ahead of schedule.

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — A flamboyant attorney who supports former President Trump has emerged as the frontrunner in Colombia’s presidential contest following first-round voting over the weekend, tapping into widespread demand for tough action against criminal organizations throughout Latin America.

However, the runner-up, progressive senator Iván Cepeda, along with his political partner President Gustavo Petro, challenged Sunday night’s election outcomes without offering proof.

Aberaldo de la Espriella quickly built momentum before Sunday’s voting, securing almost 44% of ballots cast, overtaking progressive senator Iván Cepeda, who had maintained polling leads during the campaign but received less than 41% of votes.

Both candidates will advance to a runoff contest scheduled for June 21, where de la Espriella is anticipated to gain additional support from Colombians who backed other conservative contenders in the initial round.

Cepeda faces significant challenges in the upcoming runoff, according to Colombian political analyst Sergio Guzmán. “Abelardo de la Espriella won the first round. In other words, that’s a shift in public opinion that is very difficult to overcome. So now Abelardo is emerging as the likely favorite to win.”

De la Espriella, nicknamed “El Tigre” or “The Tiger,” has no previous governmental experience in Colombia and boasted about his lavish lifestyle in Italy before choosing to seek the presidency. He marketed himself as a political outsider who would align with President Donald Trump and adopt El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s anti-gang strategy, which has reduced murder rates while sparking human rights violation allegations.

“I will wipe out narcoterrorism and those who I’ve declared a military target like cockroaches, like rats. I will unleash upon them the wrath of God never seen before,” De la Espriella said in an interview with The Associated Press in the final stretch of the campaign, where he promised to open 10 mega-prisons to fight crime.

He represents a growing trend of leaders throughout Latin America – from Chile to Honduras – attempting to embrace the “Bukele model” as voters across the region increasingly reject leaders who promoted progressive policies designed to tackle underlying conflict causes, including limited youth opportunities and corruption.

De la Espriella’s backers represent diverse demographics. Yolanda Peréz, a 64-year-old woman serving coffee in downtown Bogotá who smoked a cigarette, said with a wink the day before the election: “I’m thinking of voting for El Tigre.”

Miguel Maheca, a 20-year-old first-time voter, displayed a paper proving he voted to his mother while leaving the polling location on Sunday, saying with a smile, “Love isn’t what’s going to make us safe in Colombia.”

However, analysts argue El Salvador’s security achievements will be virtually impossible to duplicate in a nation like Colombia, which is more than 50 times larger than the Central American country and contains many more armed factions fighting for control.

The divided election occurs as the Trump administration takes a more assertive stance in Latin America than any U.S. government in recent decades, applying increased pressure on nations including Colombia, Mexico, and Ecuador to combat crime.

De la Espriella, 47, built his reputation as an attorney representing prominent clients including former President Álvaro Uribe (2002–2010), along with controversial individuals like Alex Saab, a close associate of Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolás Maduro who faces legal troubles in the U.S. and whom he ceased representing approximately seven years ago.

De la Espriella’s emergence as a presidential contender creates difficulties for progressive Cepeda, who maintained polling advantages before Sunday’s election, although his opponent rapidly gained momentum in the weeks preceding the vote.

Cepeda is a progressive senator who has pledged to continue his ally Petro’s troubled strategy to achieve “total peace” through negotiating peace agreements with guerrillas and criminal gangs.

Their political movement emerged from strong opposition by many Colombians to a militarized campaign by Uribe in previous decades used to defeat the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, guerrillas, which resulted in thousands of civilian deaths by Colombian forces in a scandal called “false positives.”

Mr. De la Espriella “represents a return to the paramilitary politics and drug-trafficking, – a mafia-run, plutocratic, and corrupt past that the country experienced during Álvaro Uribe’s two administrations,” Cepeda said on Sunday.

Petro, a former rebel, captured Colombia’s presidency in 2022 in a landmark election that concluded decades of right-wing control by leaders from Uribe’s political faction. He received enormous support from rural, indigenous and lower-income Colombians who believed they had never been directly addressed by Colombian leaders.

Currently, that movement finds itself in a defensive position.

“This is De la Espriella’s election to lose,” wrote Renata Segura, director of International Crisis Group’s Latin America and the Caribbean Program. “Cepeda thought he could win appealing squarely to the left, and that proved to be a massive mistake. How he pivots in the next month will determine if he has any chance to win.”

KHUJAND, Tajikistan (AP) — Dawn breaks at 5:30 a.m. as activity kicks into high gear at the Panjshanbe Bazaar, among the nation’s most expansive marketplaces. Merchants empty trucks filled with fresh cabbage while pigeons gather near the adjacent mosque, all under the watchful gaze of a towering image of President Emomali Rahmon.

Since taking office in 1992, Rahmon has led this Central Asian nation through decades of change following its break from the crumbling Soviet Union. The landlocked, mountainous territory ranks as the most economically disadvantaged among the 15 nations that gained independence, enduring a brutal five-year conflict between Moscow-supported government troops and opposition groups made up primarily of democracy advocates and Islamic forces. The Khujand region served as a stronghold for government supporters during this period.

Now, with the nation approaching its 35th independence milestone, the area enjoys stability and relies heavily on money sent home by workers employed in Russia. Images of Rahmon are displayed throughout educational institutions, lodging facilities, dining establishments and cultural sites. His stern expression and prominent eyebrows even watch over patrons at the community swimming facility, surrounded by Soviet-inspired artwork.

Similar to other areas across the country, Khujand’s marketplace retains elements from the Soviet period, including aging infrastructure and Cyrillic lettering mixed with Islamic designs. Though Panjshanbe means Thursday in the local language, Sunday brings the weekly livestock market to life. Colorful parakeets, rabbits and hedgehogs are available for purchase while youngsters and their fathers observe cockfighting matches in the parking area.

Despite the ever-present reminders of its Soviet heritage, Tajikistan has joined other Central Asian nations in developing its distinct cultural identity. In Khujand, previously known as Leninabad, a monument honoring Soviet Union creator Vladimir Lenin once stood prominently in the city center. Authorities relocated it in 2011 to the city’s edge, where it now sits between a muddy lot and a gravel pathway.

Government statistics show Tajikistan welcomed 1.8 million visitors in 2025, with more than 91.5% arriving from other former Soviet territories. Though tourist numbers continue growing annually, travelers from English-speaking nations remain uncommon. Local bread makers, surprised to encounter an American visitor, eagerly displayed their 3-somoni ($0.32) non, or lepyoshka, bread.

At an educational facility, uniformed female students prepared for an inspection by a regional administrator by cleaning the building’s front, which displayed a banner commemorating Tajikistan’s 34th independence year and featured words from poet Rudaki, whom the government honors as a national icon: “Whoever has not learned from the passing of time will also not learn from any teacher.”

NEW DELHI (AP) — India announced it will maintain diplomatic relations with Myanmar following Monday’s meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the head of Myanmar’s military-backed administration, even as Western countries continue sanctions after the military takeover in 2021.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri explained that India’s approach is “not intended to be a commentary on the internal political arrangements” in Myanmar, with New Delhi viewing continued engagement as the most effective path forward.

Countries in the West have attempted to isolate Myanmar’s military leadership since they removed the democratically elected administration of Aung San Suu Kyi through a 2021 coup that sparked widespread repression and created a nationwide conflict and humanitarian emergency. Some observers and human rights organizations argue that Min Aung Hlaing’s trip to India could provide credibility to the military-controlled government.

“We have always proceeded on the principle that sustained dialogue is what is important,” Misri stated, emphasizing that cutting off Myanmar would prove ineffective.

“History has shown that disengagement doesn’t give us any results that are better than engagement,” he explained.

This marks Min Aung Hlaing’s initial trip to India since taking office as president in April after an election that opponents claim was structured to solidify military control. His previous Indian visit occurred in 2019 while serving as Myanmar’s top military commander.

India and Myanmar share a 1,643-kilometer (1,020-mile) land border plus a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. India currently shelters thousands of Myanmar refugees, including many who escaped violence in northwestern Chin state and other war-torn regions.

Myanmar holds strategic significance for India’s security concerns. Both nations have coordinated on border protection and intelligence operations to counter insurgent organizations active along their shared frontier.

Following their discussion, Modi and Min Aung Hlaing did not speak publicly, breaking from the typical protocol for bilateral meetings with visiting foreign leaders in New Delhi.

However, Misri revealed that the leaders covered trade, defense and security partnerships, border oversight, and regional matters, with conversations also emphasizing expanded economic and technological relationships. He noted both parties committed to strengthening cooperation in multiple areas including commerce, energy and essential minerals, while accelerating major infrastructure projects.

The officials also addressed joint efforts against cybercrime and human trafficking, problems that have impacted thousands of Indians deceived into working at fraudulent operations throughout the region. Misri reported that India and Myanmar have collaborated to rescue over 2,400 Indian citizens during the past 18 months.

Throughout his stay, Min Aung Hlaing also conducted meetings with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

The European Union is developing new regulations that could prevent major American technology companies from securing critical government cloud computing contracts, according to internal documents obtained by Reuters.

The restrictions would target Amazon, Microsoft and Google through stringent requirements for highly sensitive state procurement projects. These proposed rules form part of the European Commission’s Cloud and AI Development Act, which the EU’s technology leader Henna Virkkunen plans to unveil on Wednesday.

The announcement will be included in a broader set of initiatives designed to decrease Europe’s reliance on American technology firms. The draft proposal, which has not been previously disclosed and may still undergo modifications, would establish mandatory evaluation standards beyond pricing considerations.

These new standards would include stipulations that software and hardware be created within EU borders, a requirement that would put American technology giants at a significant disadvantage in the bidding process.

When asked for comment, the European Commission refused to discuss specific details of the upcoming proposal. However, officials stated that the technology independence package represents something that is “crucial for strengthening Europe’s own technological capacities, for Europe’s competitiveness and security.”

NAIROBI, Kenya — Large crowds of young demonstrators gathered Monday in the central Kenyan town of Nanyuki to voice opposition to plans for establishing an Ebola quarantine facility for American citizens at the Laikipia Air Base.

The demonstrations occurred just two days following a Kenya High Court decision to temporarily halt the facility’s creation and block any incoming foreign patients while reviewing a legal challenge brought by the Law Society of Kenya and a constitutional watchdog organization.

Both groups pointed to Kenya’s vulnerable healthcare infrastructure as justification for why foreign Ebola patients should not receive quarantine treatment within the country’s borders.

American officials announced Thursday their intention to transport Americans who have been exposed to Ebola overseas to this new Kenyan facility rather than bringing them back to the United States. Speaking anonymously about the administration’s strategy, these officials indicated the Laikipia Air Base location would become operational by Friday with capacity for 50 quarantine patients.

During Monday’s demonstration, large numbers of young people gathered at the air base entrance, shouting slogans opposing Ebola-related activities.

Health Minister Aden Duale stated Sunday that the quarantine facility was designed for “everyone” rather than being limited to U.S. citizens exclusively.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in a statement that the U.S. government plans to provide $13.5 million to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness initiatives.

Regional officials, including Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu, have expressed their opposition to creating an Ebola quarantine center to media representatives.

“This will expose our people to Ebola,” he stated, noting that numerous local residents are employed at the air base and face potential exposure risks.

While Kenya has recorded no Ebola infections, nearby Uganda has documented nine cases and shut down its border with Congo.

Congo has reported a minimum of 282 confirmed infections along with more than 1,000 suspected instances of the Bundibugyo virus, the current Ebola strain, for which no authorized treatment or vaccination exists.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — International arbitrators have dismissed Rwanda’s $134 million legal challenge against the United Kingdom over a terminated refugee resettlement program that Prime Minister Keir Starmer cancelled upon assuming office in 2024.

The agreement, established in 2022 under Starmer’s predecessor, Rishi Sunak, called for relocating asylum seekers who reached the U.K. by boat or as stowaways to the East African nation. The arrangement included financial provisions to Rwanda for associated expenses. When Starmer terminated the program, his home secretary at the time, Yvette Cooper, described it as “the most shocking waste of taxpayer money I have ever seen.”

The Permanent Court of Arbitration dismissed two separate Rwandan demands, each worth 50 million pounds ($67 million), related to financing for the cancelled program. While the ruling was dated May 15, the Hague-based tribunal officially released it on Monday. The panel also turned down two additional Rwandan complaints concerning alleged U.K. violations of the agreement.

In their 76-page decision, arbitrators determined that formal diplomatic correspondence between both nations following Starmer’s cancellation constituted a mutual understanding that the U.K. would not provide the two 50 million-pound installments scheduled for April 2025 and 2026 to fund migrant relocations.

The original plan called for transferring migrants to Rwanda, where asylum applications would be reviewed and approved applicants would remain permanently. Britain’s Supreme Court declared the policy illegal, ruling that Rwanda could not be considered a safe destination for relocated migrants.

The British government issued a statement saying: “The U.K. robustly defended its position, and the tribunal has now ruled in favor of the U.K. on all grounds.”

The statement continued that Starmer’s government is “now focused on delivering vital reforms to restore order and control to our borders, including removing the incentives drawing illegal migrants to Britain and scaling up removals of those with no right to be here.”

Rwanda has not yet provided a response to the ruling.

BEDZIN, Poland — Researchers have made extraordinary discoveries in a southern Polish house that once sheltered Jewish resistance fighters during World War II, uncovering hidden bunkers, underground passages, and artifacts that tell a powerful story of survival and defiance.

Among the most moving finds was an armband displaying the Star of David, discovered by the Cukerman’s Gate Foundation during their methodical search of the property.

“This armband is a witness, it’s like directly touching that evil which people created for other people,” Karolina Jakoweńko from the Cukerman’s Gate Foundation, which organized the search, told The Associated Press. Seeing it felt like a “jolt,” she said.

The two-story red brick structure sits in what was once the Jewish ghetto during the war. Young people from left-wing Zionist groups established a “kibbutz” there — essentially a support network designed to help members survive and fight back against Nazi forces.

During recent preparation work for renovations, Jakoweńko and her team methodically searched the attic, removing floorboards piece by piece and sifting through debris collected in buckets. Their careful examination revealed items from multiple time periods, including a Jewish prayer book from 1934 and the significant armband.

The foundation made even more dramatic discoveries last year when they found a bunker and underground passage on the property, guided by survivor accounts and oral histories they had gathered. Research indicates three separate bunkers existed around the building.

“The entry to the bunker was through the kitchen oven,” Piotr Jakoweńko said, pointing to a second bunker located under the kitchen, where bricks were arranged differently. “We are not aware any of the people here survived when the Nazis discovered this place. Perhaps as many as 60 were hiding here.”

Finding these hiding places required painstaking examination of every section of the property, with archaeological experts providing guidance throughout the process.

Wojciech Mazan, one of the volunteers who helped with the search, said their work was grueling but it mirrored what the Jewish youth was doing to dig out the tunnel and bunkers. “We feel some closeness to them in this energy. The house is speaking to us.”

Before the war began, approximately 27,000 Jewish residents called Bedzin home, making up half the town’s population. Additional Jewish families lived in surrounding communities in this coal-mining region near Germany, creating one of Poland’s most diverse and economically thriving Jewish populations. Nazi authorities officially established ghettos for Jewish residents in 1942.

The building now being preserved represents a crucial location in the history of Jewish resistance throughout Nazi-occupied Poland. While the Warsaw Ghetto uprising in 1943 remains the most widely known example of Jewish resistance, numerous other resistance efforts occurred throughout the country.

According to Joanna Król-Komła from the POLIN Museum of the History of the Polish Jews in Warsaw, this site could become an important destination for Holocaust education across Europe.

“There are only a few authentic places in Europe where Jews hid that have been preserved,” she said. “But in those cases, the story is usually told from the perspective of the righteous — those who saved Jews.” In Bedzin, by contrast, the preserved hiding place was organized by Jews themselves.

When Nazi forces began dismantling the Bedzin ghetto during summer 1943, Jewish residents had successfully obtained approximately 20 firearms from outside the ghetto walls. They understood that the Warsaw Ghetto, which had a larger and better-equipped resistance movement, had been destroyed in May.

The Jews in Bedzin knew well they stood no chance to survive and some chose to die weapons in hand, shooting at the Nazis who found them, Król-Komła said.

Frumka Płotnicka, a female fighter and courier from the Warsaw resistance movement who was sent to Bedzin to help organize local Jews, died in a third bunker that hasn’t been found yet, according to Karolina Jakoweńko.

She said the acts of resistance in the community went beyond shooting back at the Nazis. “Whether building bunkers or trying to hide a child or an aging parent, this is all resistance. It doesn’t always have to be a fight with weapons in hand. The fact that they wanted to survive was a form of resistance.”

Prior to World War II, Poland housed Europe’s largest Jewish community, with approximately 3.3 million residents. Although Nazi Germany, which controlled Poland during the conflict, bears responsibility for the Holocaust, Poland continues to grapple with historical instances where Polish neighbors participated in local attacks against Jewish communities.

In Bedzin, however, the local community is actively working to revive its Jewish history. Karolina Jakoweńko, who is originally from Bedzin, said “this Jewish history, for me, gave meaning to this town.”

She also recognized the Polish family who constructed the red brick house between the wars, Maria and Józef Polak, who lived alongside Jewish residents throughout the conflict, with children playing together, as allowed under Bedzin ghetto regulations. Family accounts shared with Jakoweńko describe how the woman saw the courtyard filled with bodies after Nazi forces killed the Jewish people who had been hiding.

Following the war’s end, the Polish family and their descendants decided against fencing the property, welcoming Jewish visitors and others. Recently, they agreed to transfer ownership to the Cukerman’s Gate Foundation, which intends to establish a museum called “the Bedzin Ghetto Fighters’ House.”

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confronts another political crisis Monday as hundreds of pages of government documents about former U.K. ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson are set to become public, highlighting the diplomat’s connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The government plans to meet parliamentary demands to disclose records concerning Mandelson’s selection for and performance in Britain’s top diplomatic position.

After serving just nine months, Mandelson was dismissed, and the controversy surrounding his problematic appointment has put Starmer’s leadership in jeopardy.

An initial batch of documents released in March showed that government officials had been cautioned that Mandelson’s association with Epstein could create “reputational risk” for the administration.

Subsequently, it emerged that Mandelson received approval for the ambassadorial position despite not passing security clearance requirements, leading to heated finger-pointing between Starmer and top civil service officials responsible for security screening.

Monday’s document release may contain over 1,000 pages, including correspondence such as emails and text messages exchanged between Mandelson and government officials and advisers.

Law enforcement has requested that certain documents remain confidential as they are part of an ongoing criminal probe into Mandelson for suspected misconduct in public office. The 72-year-old Mandelson was temporarily detained in February by investigators looking into claims he shared classified government intelligence with Epstein during his ministerial tenure fifteen years earlier.

He remains free with no bail restrictions while the police inquiry proceeds.

Health Secretary James Murray stated Monday that the document disclosure represents an “unprecedented” degree of government openness.

“It’s right we do that. We have been very clear that the appointment of Mandelson was wrong,” he told Sky News.

Conservative lawmaker Alex Burghart warned that any effort to suppress or heavily edit documents beyond those requested by police “will be viewed by the House as a contempt of Parliament, and as a cover-up by the British public.”

Starmer terminated Mandelson’s position in September 2025 following an earlier document release that demonstrated he had continued communication with Epstein after the financier’s 2008 conviction for sexual crimes involving a minor.

Opposition figures argue that Starmer’s choice to name Mandelson demonstrates poor decision-making by a prime minister who has committed numerous errors since leading the center-left Labour Party to an overwhelming electoral win in July 2024.

Information about Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, exposed in extensive files released by the U.S. Department of Justice in January, generated fresh concerns about Starmer’s leadership abilities, prompting adversaries and some Labour members of parliament to demand the prime minister step down.

These demands grew stronger after Labour experienced significant defeats in local elections in May. A senior Cabinet minister, Wes Streeting, stepped down with plans to contest Starmer for Labour leadership. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is seeking a parliamentary seat in a June 18 special election and is also anticipated to challenge Starmer if successful.