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President Trump met with oil industry leaders Tuesday to address how America might handle market disruptions if a naval blockade against Iranian ports extends for several months, according to White House sources.

The discussions come as diplomatic efforts remain stalled and the U.S. continues pressuring Iran’s oil exports through naval operations aimed at forcing Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping.

Taking to Truth Social Wednesday before news of the meeting broke, Trump criticized Iran’s leadership, saying the country “couldn’t get its act together.”

The president’s conversations with energy sector executives covered strategies for stabilizing oil markets during a potentially lengthy blockade, a White House spokesperson confirmed. Topics included domestic oil production levels, futures markets, shipping logistics, and natural gas supplies.

Market reactions were swift, with oil prices jumping nearly 4% Wednesday and Brent crude reaching its highest point in a month following initial Wall Street Journal reporting about possible blockade extensions.

Iran continues threatening to disrupt strait traffic as long as U.S. pressure persists, raising concerns about further Middle Eastern energy supply interruptions from the ongoing conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and created worldwide economic instability.

Iranian officials issued warnings Wednesday about “unprecedented military action” in response to continued American interference with Iran-connected vessels. Trump has repeatedly emphasized that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons, while Tehran maintains it seeks only civilian nuclear capabilities.

“They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They’d better get smart soon!” Trump wrote in his social media post, though he provided no specifics about what such an agreement might include.

His post included a digitally altered image showing him wearing sunglasses and holding a machine gun, captioned “No more Mr. Nice Guy.”

Iran’s economic situation continues deteriorating as its currency plummeted to historic lows of 1,810,000 rials per U.S. dollar Wednesday, according to Iranian Students’ News Agency reports. Demand for foreign currency accumulated during six weeks of fighting is now flooding open markets.

The rial lost nearly 15% of its value over just two days, ISNA noted. Iran’s central bank reported inflation reached 65.8% for the month spanning March 20 to April 20, a trend expected to worsen as currency values collapse.

Iran’s most recent proposal for ending the conflict, which has been suspended since April 8 under ceasefire terms, would postpone nuclear program discussions until the war formally concludes and shipping problems are resolved. This approach conflicts with Trump’s insistence on addressing nuclear concerns immediately.

U.S. intelligence services are analyzing potential Iranian responses if Trump declares unilateral victory, according to two government officials and one source familiar with the situation.

Since fighting began February 28, Tehran has essentially shut down all non-Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy transport. American blockade operations against Iranian vessels started this month.

Iran’s power structure has shifted significantly since several top political and military leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died in U.S.-Israeli attacks. The wounded son of Khamenei, Mojtaba, has assumed leadership roles, giving increased influence to hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, according to Iranian sources and regional experts.

Domestically, Trump faces mounting pressure to conclude a war he has justified with varying explanations to Americans dealing with rising fuel costs. His approval ratings dropped to 34% in recent Reuters/Ipsos polling, down from 36% previously and marking the lowest point of his current presidency.

International governments, especially in Asia, are implementing fuel conservation measures and spending billions on subsidies. The European Union relaxed state assistance regulations, allowing member nations to help agriculture, fishing, and transportation sectors manage increased fuel and fertilizer expenses through 2026, though usage restrictions remain absent.

Authorities in Lebanon have arrested a former Palestinian diplomat on corruption allegations after he landed at the country’s main airport, according to officials who spoke Wednesday.

Ashraf Dabbour, who previously served as Palestine’s ambassador to Lebanon, was taken into custody when he arrived at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut on Tuesday evening. Four officials from judicial and security agencies confirmed the arrest but requested anonymity since they lacked authorization to discuss the matter publicly.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas had already removed Dabbour from his diplomatic position in Lebanon the previous year following corruption accusations from the Palestinian Authority.

According to Lebanese officials, Dabbour’s detention was carried out following an international arrest warrant issued through Interpol in late 2023.

Allegations suggest Dabbour participated in the unauthorized sale of real estate in Lebanon that belonged to the Palestine Liberation Organization, which had maintained its headquarters in the country before Israel’s military operation in 1982 forced its departure.

Officials confirmed that Dabbour was undergoing interrogation by a magistrate at the prosecutor’s office in Beirut.

LEHDE, Germany — After eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring for months, Andrea Bunar has returned to her distinctive role of transporting mail via barge through the winding waterways of the Spreewald Forest delta, located southeast of Berlin.

On Wednesday, the 55-year-old mail carrier resumed her position at the stern of her vessel, wielding a single lengthy oar to propel, direct, and guide her craft through the shallow channels.

“The start of the season is always special for me,” Bunar remarked as she stepped aboard the yellow barge wearing her postal service uniform. “After the long winter break, I enjoy being in the nature and back on the water.”

For 14 years, Bunar has been transporting correspondence and parcels to residents of Lehde, situated approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Berlin.

Throughout winter months, she uses an automobile to reach farms and residences, though this method proves challenging due to icy conditions and requires significantly more time than summer deliveries. Between April and October, she operates her 9-meter-long vessel, depositing mail Monday through Saturday into mailboxes that Lehde residents have positioned directly along the riverbank.

Her services extend beyond delivery, as she also provides stamps to those living along her remote route and collects outgoing mail from residents.

The Spreewald region is renowned for its extensive network of 300 kilometers of waterways, many winding through verdant forests and wetlands. This inland delta forms where the Spree River, which also flows through Berlin, divides into numerous small channels within the forest.

The area has earned UNESCO biosphere designation to safeguard its ecosystem, including the region’s varied plant and animal life.

Lehde holds the distinction of being Germany’s sole location where postal delivery occurs by boat. This village has received its mail via watercraft for 129 years.

Previously, residents collected their correspondence once weekly on Sundays at church following religious services. However, as populations migrated from rural areas to urban centers, the demand for frequent long-distance communication increased, prompting the German postal service to implement more regular delivery schedules — and in Lehde’s case, which resembles a verdant Germanic miniature of Venice, by boat.

Weekly, Bunar transports approximately 600 letters and 80 packages, requiring roughly two hours to navigate her barge along the 8-kilometer route.

In recent times, the postal worker has noticed a shift from letters to packages in her deliveries.

“I already delivered an e-scooter, a lawnmower and a fridge — sometimes my barge feels like a little container ship,” she explained. On Wednesday, her first day of the spring season, she transported a large saw to one resident, along with typical items including bills, registered mail, and personal correspondence.

“This is and has been my dream job all along,” Bunar said with a smile. “Being on the water is just so relaxing — it slows down life.”

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian officials are demanding that social media companies publicly reveal how many underage accounts they have suspended under new government restrictions protecting children under 16, authorities announced Wednesday.

“We will continue to insist that compliance alone is not enough; we must also report the figures to the public in the interest of transparency,” said Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid.

The Southeast Asian nation launched new government restrictions in late March that prohibit children younger than 16 from using digital platforms where they might encounter pornography, cyberbullying, online scams and addiction.

According to Hafid, Indonesian youth spend as much as eight hours daily on the internet.

Several social media and digital platforms did not immediately follow the new restriction, which impacts approximately 70 million children and teenagers across Indonesia.

TikTok emerged as the first platform to demonstrate concrete compliance results, announcing it had shut down 1.7 million accounts owned by users under 16.

The nation’s massive population likely “explains the platforms’ reluctance to accelerate compliance with this regulation,” Hafid noted.

Among the eight platforms designated as high-risk, seven have pledged to limit children’s access to their services, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, and Bigo Live.

Gaming platform Roblox remains the sole holdout, refusing to agree to block access for children under 16. The company has not responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

YouTube declared its commitment to blocking younger users three weeks following the implementation of restrictions, though it has not disclosed how many children’s accounts were located and deactivated.

“We remain focused on protecting the community and will continue working closely with the Indonesian government to support a secure digital future for the next generation,” a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.

Age-based social media restrictions for children under 16 initially launched in Australia last December, where social media companies removed access to roughly 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to minors.

Indonesia has become the first Southeast Asian nation to adopt similar measures.

Several other nations — including Spain, France and the United Kingdom — are implementing or exploring steps to limit children’s social media access due to mounting concerns about harm from uncontrolled social media content.

Hafid acknowledges ongoing challenges in enforcing the regulation, with the Indonesian government permitting platforms to choose their own account verification approaches.

“We understand the technology will continue to evolve rapidly. However, the platform is responsible for determining the best and most appropriate technology for its needs,” Hafid stated.

Critics have pointed to practical enforcement difficulties. Effective age verification typically requires gathering sensitive personal information, raising privacy and data security concerns. Some children will circumvent restrictions using false identification or their parents’ accounts, according to Nenden Sekar Arum, executive director of the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network, or SAFEnet, a digital rights organization.

Arum emphasized the government must monitor each platform’s user identity verification processes to ensure uniform compliance.

“The core problem is not the presence of children in the digital space, but how that digital space is shaped into a safe ecosystem. And how to ensure that those who are actually making this ecosystem harmful are held accountable. That is what needs to be addressed,” Arum said.

Law enforcement officials in Bulgaria announced Wednesday that they have arrested three individuals and are actively searching for a fourth suspect following the discovery of an elaborate marijuana cultivation facility constructed within an abandoned zinc mine.

The operation, which authorities believe was designed for international drug distribution, has yielded significant seizures including approximately 154 pounds of cannabis, roughly $701,400 in cash, and 600 rounds of ammunition, according to Emil Borisov, who serves as deputy director of the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime.

“The former mine was equipped with high-tech infrastructure and was likely used for large-scale production intended for trafficking abroad,” Borisov said.

The underground facility was discovered near Garlyano village, situated at the base of Osogovo mountain just a few kilometers away from the North Macedonia border.

Law enforcement officials indicated that their investigation remains active and could continue for several more months as they work to determine the mine’s ownership structure and assess the complete extent of the criminal enterprise.

BEIRUT (AP) — Thirteen Australian women and children with suspected connections to Islamic State militants remain stranded in Syria after their home country’s government blocked their return, Syrian authorities announced Wednesday.

The four families departed from Roj camp last Friday, a detention facility located near Iraq’s border that holds relatives of alleged extremist fighters, and made their way to Syria’s capital city.

A camp representative had indicated at the time that the families would spend approximately three days in Damascus before being transported back to Australia.

However, when the Associated Press inquired about their whereabouts, Syria’s information ministry revealed in an official statement that following the families’ departure from the camp, the foreign ministry learned that “the Australian government had refused to receive them.”

According to the information ministry’s statement, the families were prevented from accessing Damascus International Airport.

“These families are still awaiting a solution, which can only be achieved through coordination with the relevant international parties.”

During a Wednesday press briefing, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared that “we are providing no support for repatriation and no assistance for these people.”

Syria’s information ministry reported that the families had secured passports through legal representation, which were provided by an unnamed “individual” while they remained in northeastern Syria under Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces control.

Lebanese-Australian physician Jamal Rifi had previously informed Australian news outlets that he was facilitating the repatriation process. Attempts to contact Rifi for additional comments were unsuccessful.

An earlier repatriation effort in February involving 34 women and children from the same camp was also blocked by Syrian officials.

Following the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial control in Syria during 2019, former fighters from various nations and their family members have been detained in multiple camps and facilities throughout northeastern Syria. Despite the group’s defeat, dormant cells continue conducting lethal operations across Syria and Iraq.

The larger al-Hol detention facility has since been shuttered, with thousands of suspected Islamic State members previously detained in Syria being relocated to Iraq by U.S. forces to face prosecution.

These transfers occurred following clashes between government troops and the Syrian Democratic Forces in January. Government forces captured significant portions of SDF-controlled territory. During the resulting turmoil, numerous detainees escaped from al-Hol while others broke out of a separate detention facility.

Australian administrations have previously facilitated the return of Australian women and children from Syrian detention facilities on two separate occasions. Additional Australians have also returned home through independent means.

LONDON — A knife attack in London’s heavily Jewish Golders Green neighborhood left two victims hospitalized Wednesday morning, prompting authorities to arrest a 45-year-old suspect on attempted murder charges in what officials are calling an antisemitic assault.

Counterterrorism investigators are examining potential connections between this stabbing incident and multiple recent arson attacks targeting synagogues and Jewish facilities throughout London.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly denounced the violence, declaring that “attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.”

According to the Jewish security group Shomrim, the assailant “was seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and attempting to stab Jewish members of the public” during Wednesday’s morning hours.

Shomrim volunteers subdued the attacker before police arrived and used a stun gun during the arrest, the organization reported.

Scotland Yard’s Metropolitan Police confirmed both victims — men aged in their 30s and 70s — received hospital treatment and remain in stable condition. Officials noted the suspect also attempted to attack responding officers, though no police were harmed.

While counterterrorism detectives have taken charge of the investigation, authorities have not formally classified the incident as terrorism.

Investigators are working to determine the suspect’s nationality and background, with Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams stating that “investigators are considering all possible motives.”

The attack comes after several weeks of arson incidents targeting Jewish institutions in London, including damage to charity ambulances in Golders Green and a nearby synagogue fire.

“It happens in Israel, but happening on our own doorstep, of course it’s shocking,” local resident Moishe Grunfeld told reporters. “I have kids, I have grandchildren.”

Golders Green serves as a major hub for Britain’s Jewish population of approximately 300,000, featuring numerous kosher establishments, Jewish educational institutions, and dozens of synagogues alongside diverse Asian and Middle Eastern communities.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan addressed the escalating situation, saying “London’s Jewish community have been the target of a series of shocking antisemitic attacks.”

“There must be absolutely no place for antisemitism in society,” Khan emphasized.

Counterterrorism officials are exploring whether Iranian-backed groups may be responsible for the recent arson campaign.

The fire-setting incidents caused no injuries but occurred within close proximity to each other, leading to arrests and charges against multiple suspects ranging from teenagers to individuals in their 40s.

Britain’s chief rabbi has warned that Jewish citizens face an organized campaign of violence and intimidation.

The Community Security Trust reports a dramatic surge in antisemitic incidents nationwide since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and the ensuing Gaza conflict, with 3,700 recorded incidents in 2025 compared to 1,662 in 2022.

In October 2025, a separate attack outside a Manchester synagogue during Yom Kippur resulted in one person being fatally stabbed and another killed when police accidentally shot them during the response.

HAVANA — Cuban citizens gathered around tables throughout the island nation this month to participate in their government’s petition drive aimed at defending national independence while challenging the United States amid growing diplomatic friction.

Citizens 16 years and older have been participating in the ‘My signature for the Homeland’ initiative that President Miguel Díaz-Canel introduced in recent weeks.

While critics of the government-sponsored effort question why residents would wait in lines to sign petitions when food shortages and economic hardship continue spreading throughout Cuba, advocates describe the campaign as a message to Washington that ordinary Cubans desire peace but refuse to surrender in the face of recent invasion rhetoric.

‘Anything for the revolution,’ stated Rodolfo Ruiz, 64, who operates a small business selling sunglasses and various goods from his Havana residence. He explained that he participated in the signing last week due to President Donald Trump’s continued statements about Cuba, ‘so that he may hear and know that we are willing to defend our sovereignty.’

‘Watch out, Trump. Think before you invade Cuba, think carefully. The people are prepared,’ Ruiz said.

This past January, Trump issued an executive directive declaring that the ‘policies, practices, and actions of the Government of Cuba constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat,’ a characterization that Cuban leadership has consistently dismissed.

Trump has described the Caribbean nation as a ‘failing nation’ and mentioned the possibility of a ‘friendly takeover.’

‘We may stop by Cuba after we’re finished with this,’ he said in mid-April, referring to the war in Iran.

At the same time, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — whose parents were Cuban immigrants who departed before the revolution — has advocated for ‘new people in charge’ of Cuba.

‘It is absurd for the State Department to claim that Cuba — a relatively small, developing country subjected to a brutal economic war — could pose a threat to the world’s greatest military, technological, and economic power,’ Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodríguez wrote in a post on X on Wednesday.

Díaz-Canel has expressed his opposition to military conflict but emphasized that Cuba must prepare to prevent such action, and if required, overcome it.

Havana resident Delfina Hernández declared she would unite with fellow Cubans to resist a U.S. energy embargo, an intensification of existing American sanctions and what many describe as the ‘imperialist threat.’

During three days last week, the community facility she operates in Havana with her spouse received signature forms and welcomed residents who wanted to sign them. Hernández signed first.

‘Cuba is something very sacred to us,’ she said. ‘We are well-armed, and the people of Cuba will fight to the very end. We are going to hit them — and with everything we’ve got.’

However, social media backlash emerged quickly, with campaign opponents arguing that the ‘homeland’ has failed to provide for their needs. Some suggested the government should permit citizens to sign petitions supporting democratic choices like selecting their president.

The patriotic initiative launched on April 19 and coincides with Cuba’s commemoration of the 65th anniversary of its April 1961 Bay of Pigs triumph over approximately 1,500 Cuban exiles supported by the CIA who unsuccessfully attempted to topple Fidel Castro’s newly established Communist administration.

Alberto Olivera, a visual artist and Hernández’s spouse, wondered how Cuba could threaten the U.S.

‘If it’s a failed revolution, then leave us alone,’ he said. ‘What do they care?’ Hernández added.

Olivera acknowledged that Cubans face unaddressed challenges, noting that he has experienced hunger personally, but maintained that the ‘pressure cooker’ strategy by the U.S. would prove unsuccessful.

‘If I’m a failed state, why are you seeking me out?’ he asked.

The Trump administration has insisted that Cuba free political detainees, enact significant economic changes and alter its governing structure — demands Cuba has refused, stating its willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation in specific areas while advocating for ending a U.S. energy embargo that has worsened the island’s difficulties.

Both nations have acknowledged recent discussions, though specifics remain confidential.

While diplomatic tensions continue, Cuba’s administration is collecting signatures at employment sites and communities throughout the island of approximately 10 million residents, keeping quiet about the total number gathered.

Officials stated in a release that the signatures aim to denounce ‘the U.S. blockade and economic war against Cuba,’ which they labeled a ‘genocidal act,’ and to reject military aggression threats while defending ‘the inalienable right of Cubans to live in peace.’

Britain’s independent terrorism oversight official issued a warning Wednesday that the government may be overextending anti-terrorism statutes by applying them to activist organizations, creating confusion between legitimate demonstrations and genuine security concerns.

Jonathan Hall, who serves as the independent reviewer monitoring Britain’s terrorism laws, released his yearly assessment of how these regulations were implemented throughout 2024. In his findings, Hall pointed to the prohibition of Palestine Action, a pro-Palestine organization, as evidence of significant confusion about whether property destruction alone should constitute terrorist activity.

Hall expressed concern that the legislation’s expansive language might draw peaceful demonstration activities under terrorism enforcement without proper boundaries, even when no intention exists to cause physical harm to individuals.

“There is no legal authority on what ‘serious damage to property’ means,” Hall stated in his report, noting that this definition might encompass everything from violent assaults to simple vandalism, based on judicial interpretation of the standards.

Though Hall acknowledged it would be unrealistic to completely eliminate property destruction from terrorism definitions, he proposed that legislators might tighten the criteria by incorporating requirements for life-threatening risks, national security elements, or exemptions for peaceful demonstrations.

These findings emerge while the government challenges a High Court decision that declared Palestine Action’s prohibition illegal due to free speech violations. The restriction, enacted in July 2025, continues while the appeal proceeds. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk cautioned at that time that employing anti-terrorism measures to enforce Palestine Action’s ban could “hinder the legitimate exercise of fundamental freedoms across the UK.”

Hall’s assessment also emphasized increasing dependence on terrorism statutes to regulate internet propaganda and political discourse.

The independent monitor examined the 2024 prohibitions of Islamic organization Hizb ut-Tahrir and the far-right online Terrorgram network, characterizing both situations as instances where groups faced bans primarily for internet messaging rather than violent operations.

Criminal charges related to banned organizations increased during 2024, partially due to arrests following Britain’s Hamas prohibition after the October 2023 Israeli attack. Hall predicted prosecution figures would climb further following Palestine Action’s 2025 ban.

Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood stated she would examine Hall’s suggestions before providing an official response.

A South African court has ordered the immediate deportation of Bellarmine Mugabe, the son of Zimbabwe’s former longtime leader Robert Mugabe, following his guilty plea to criminal charges this month.

Magistrate Renier Boshoff directed that the 29-year-old be escorted by law enforcement to Johannesburg’s international airport for his return to Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

The younger Mugabe admitted guilt to displaying an item that could reasonably be mistaken for a firearm and to unlawful presence in South Africa. The court imposed financial penalties totaling approximately $36,000, with the alternative being a two-year prison term.

Both Mugabe and his cousin were taken into custody in February, initially facing attempted murder allegations connected to the shooting of a worker at Mugabe’s Johannesburg residence. Authorities have yet to recover the weapon involved in the incident.

Through negotiations with prosecutors, Mugabe accepted responsibility for reduced charges that were separate from the shooting incident.

His relative, Tobias Matonhodze, admitted guilt to attempted murder in the shooting case along with additional charges, receiving a three-year prison sentence. The magistrate determined that Matonhodze would also face deportation to Zimbabwe upon completing his incarceration.

Addressing Mugabe directly, Boshoff stated: “I do not know whether the second accused took the rap for you. Number two pleaded guilty on all these counts… and I can only act on what is before me.”

Bellarmine Mugabe is the youngest offspring of the deceased Zimbabwean president and his second spouse, Grace Mugabe. Robert Mugabe governed Zimbabwe for nearly four decades, earning recognition as one of Africa’s most enduring authoritarian rulers until his overthrow in a military coup during 2017. He passed away in 2019 at age 95.

Various members of the Mugabe family have faced legal troubles through the years.

Grace Mugabe faced accusations of attacking a model with an electrical cord in front of her children at an upscale Johannesburg hotel in 2017. Though initially summoned to court while serving as first lady, she ultimately received diplomatic immunity protection.

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine House committee determined Wednesday there exists “probable cause” to move forward with impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte following an investigation into criminal accusations, including undisclosed wealth, improper handling of government money, and assassination threats against the president.

The Southeast Asian democracy has faced ongoing challenges with governance scandals and political instability for decades, including an escalating feud between Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The 53-member House justice committee’s unanimous ruling represents another blow to the vice president, who has consistently denied all accusations and declined to provide detailed responses to the specific charges.

The impeachment accusations focus on Duterte’s suspected illegal handling and mismanagement of substantial sums from both the vice presidential office and during her tenure leading the education department under Marcos.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the National Bureau of Investigation testified that statements Duterte made during a 2024 online press conference threatening to kill Marcos, his spouse, and the House speaker if she were assassinated constituted a national security threat.

The committee’s ruling advances both impeachment cases against Duterte to the full House chamber for consideration and voting by more than 300 lawmakers.

Should the Marcos-controlled House vote to impeach, Duterte would then stand trial in the Senate.

Critics have expressed particular alarm about Duterte’s alleged misconduct given her announced plans to run for president in 2028.

Justice committee chair Rep. Gerville Luistro criticized the vice president for skipping six televised hearings over recent months and petitioning the Supreme Court to halt the impeachment investigation into various accusations, including substantial unreported bank transactions spanning multiple years.

“If there is nothing to hide, there is no reason to hide, there is no reason to obstruct,” Luistro stated as Wednesday’s committee session began. “The only people who fear the disclosures of these transactions are those with dirty secrets.”

On Monday, Duterte’s spouse, Manases Carpio, filed criminal charges against Luistro and other officials after the couple’s banking records were publicly disclosed during a recent House hearing, claiming violations of banking privacy laws.

Duterte is the child of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces detention by the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands for suspected crimes against humanity related to his administration’s lethal anti-drug campaigns.

Many of the current accusations against the vice president were part of a previous impeachment attempt she escaped on procedural grounds last year.

The House voted to impeach her previously and forwarded the matter to the Senate for trial. The Supreme Court subsequently determined that the lower chamber had violated a constitutional provision limiting impeachment proceedings to one case annually.

Public opinion polls continue to show the vice president maintains strong popular support.

Duterte and the president formed a surprising partnership for the 2022 election but have since engaged in a bitter public dispute.

KYIV, April 29 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has transformed his nation’s battlefield innovations in unmanned aircraft technology into powerful diplomatic leverage, securing defense partnerships across Europe and the Middle East as he works to expand Ukraine’s global influence.

Following Russia’s 2022 invasion, Zelenskyy has worked to expand Kyiv’s international partnerships beyond traditional Western supporters to include nations from the “global south,” aiming to limit Moscow’s diplomatic influence worldwide.

The ongoing conflict has demonstrated the critical role of unmanned aircraft in contemporary military operations, providing Zelenskyy with significant diplomatic advantages during a period when American backing for Ukraine appears uncertain, according to defense analysts.

Throughout the conflict, Ukraine has developed cost-effective methods to defend against drone strikes rather than depending solely on advanced missile defense systems like the expensive U.S. Patriot systems deployed in the Gulf region. Kiev has additionally created long-distance attack capabilities using unmanned aircraft to target Russian energy facilities.

This month, Ukraine has finalized defense and drone agreements with Germany, Norway and the Netherlands, building on long-term security partnerships established with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in March.

Zelenskyy has recently established security cooperation frameworks with Turkey and Syria, and completed agreements over the weekend with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev covering defense and energy sectors.

“Zelenskyy is really trying hard to show that Ukraine is an asset and not a liability and that it has an answer to the changing nature of war,” said Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House, a London-based think tank. “Ukraine now needs to organize itself to actually deliver.”

EXPORT RESTRICTIONS LIMIT UKRAINE’S DEFENSE DEALS

Ukrainian drone producers report substantial unused manufacturing capacity, yet government officials have authorized only limited defense export permits.

Ukraine has established drone production facilities abroad, including operations in Germany and Britain, though this overseas manufacturing is designated for Ukrainian military requirements.

“In Ukraine, the choke point is the export control: basically it’s an export ban,” Lutsevych said, adding that Ukraine needed to streamline the rules. “It needs to find a balance between its war needs and exports.”

During his Tuesday evening remarks, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine’s defense manufacturing sector maintains 50% unused capacity in certain areas and will soon commence weapons exports. Officials plan to reduce bureaucratic export procedures, he stated, while implementing safeguards to prevent Ukrainian technology and weaponry from reaching Russian forces.

Ukraine faces an additional obstacle as its achievements have primarily involved creating effective integrated systems – including coordinated networks of interceptor drones, automatic weapons and electronic jamming equipment for aerial defense – rather than revolutionary technology breakthroughs.

To demonstrate these capabilities, Ukraine has stationed approximately 200 specialists in Gulf nations to assist with defense against Iran’s Shahed long-range drones.

Kurt Volker, a former U.S. NATO ambassador and Ukraine envoy during President Donald Trump’s first administration, said Kyiv was rightly cautious about sharing its wartime systems too widely.

“Much of what the Ukrainians have done is develop process and mentality,” Volker said, adding Ukraine was concerned about Russia learning how its systems operate. “What any business would do is protect your IP for as long as possible. That’s what makes it valuable. So of course they’re doing that.”

DEPENDENCE ON SKILLED OPERATORS

Ukraine’s budget-friendly air defense systems depend heavily on the expertise and training of personnel operating interceptor drones, according to Fabian Hoffmann, a senior researcher at the Norwegian Defence University College.

This approach has proven highly successful against propeller-driven aircraft, including Russia’s Geran-2, though the gradual deployment of jet-powered variants capable of 400 kilometer per hour speeds presents greater challenges for human operators.

“Ukraine has been moving towards autonomously guided interceptor drones but, so far, the operators have done a lot of the heavy lifting,” Hoffmann said, adding that European companies such as Tytan in Germany and Frankenburg in Estonia were developing autonomous systems that might erode Ukraine’s advantage.

Defense exports would provide significant economic advantages for Ukraine, specialists indicate. Approximately 400,000 individuals currently work in Ukraine’s defense manufacturing sector, according to UCDI, a manufacturers’ association. Enhanced funding for the defense industry could decrease dependence on Western financial and military assistance while driving economic expansion following an eventual ceasefire.

Zelenskyy anticipates that drone diplomacy will help secure energy supply agreements with Middle Eastern nations and create markets for Ukrainian agricultural exports.

He also seeks to enhance Ukraine’s missile defense capabilities. The U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran has generated concerns in Ukraine that Patriot system supplies – essential for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles – might become scarce as Washington prioritizes domestic requirements.

Ukraine’s $4-billion defense agreement with Germany this month included Patriot system deliveries and commitments for collaboration on European ballistic missile defense development. Zelenskyy has stated Ukraine requires independent anti-ballistic missile defenses within twelve months.

Hoffmann noted the enormous challenges in developing interceptors capable of destroying modern maneuvering ballistic missiles: the Patriot PAC-3, achieving perhaps 60% success rates, represents decades of development work.

Behind Ukraine’s diplomatic initiative, analysts suggest, lies uncertainty about Washington’s dependability as a partner.

“He (Zelenskyy) understands that America stopped being an ally,” Lutsevych said. “The Ukrainians also understand that they need to walk a fine line by keeping America on side as long as possible.”

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia’s highest court confirmed Wednesday a 21-year prison term for a man convicted of terrorism after he shot the country’s Prime Minister Robert Fico in an assassination attempt nearly two years ago.

The gunman, 73-year-old Juraj Cintula, shot Fico on May 15, 2024, while the prime minister was meeting with supporters after a government session in Handlová, a town located roughly 85 miles northeast of Slovakia’s capital.

Police took Cintula into custody immediately following the shooting and he has remained jailed since. During proceedings, he stated his actions were motivated by opposition to government policies, though he disputed being labeled a “terrorist.” He maintained that while he intended to injure Fico, he did not plan to kill him.

Cintula expressed disagreement with several of Fico’s policy decisions, specifically citing the elimination of a specialized anti-corruption prosecutor’s office and the termination of military assistance to Ukraine.

The initial sentencing occurred on October 21, which Cintula subsequently challenged through an appeal.

The Supreme Court’s decision Wednesday marks the end of the legal process.

The shooting wounded Fico in his stomach, and emergency responders transported him from Handlová to a medical facility in nearby Banská Bystrica. Doctors performed an initial five-hour surgical procedure, followed by an additional two-hour operation 48 hours later. Fico has made a full recovery from his injuries.

Since regaining power in 2023, Fico has remained a polarizing political figure. His pro-Russian stance and various policy positions have sparked widespread public demonstrations throughout the country.

A Russian oil facility caught fire Wednesday after Ukrainian forces launched what officials described as their latest extended-range drone strike deep into enemy territory.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed it targeted an oil pumping station in Russia’s Perm region, nestled in the Ural Mountains over 900 miles from Ukraine’s border. The strike represents part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to cripple Russia’s energy infrastructure.

While Russian media confirmed the incident, Perm Governor Dmitry Makhonin would only acknowledge that a drone struck an unidentified industrial site, causing a blaze.

Russian authorities have remained tight-lipped about Ukraine’s claims of conducting increasingly sophisticated long-distance attacks using domestically manufactured drones with improved precision capabilities.

Drone warfare has emerged as a crucial element in the conflict as Russia’s larger military continues its invasion that began more than four years ago. Ukraine has responded by accelerating development of both offensive and defensive drone systems.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared footage on Telegram Wednesday showing thick black smoke billowing skyward from a rural area near populated zones. While not confirming the video showed the Perm strike, Zelenskyy announced Ukraine was extending its long-distance attack capabilities, calling it a new phase aimed at cutting Russia’s oil revenues that fund its war effort.

Independent verification of the footage was not possible.

The SBU alleged that multiple oil storage tanks were burning at the targeted facility, which it identified as belonging to Transneft, Russia’s pipeline operator, and described as a critical component of the nation’s oil transport network. These assertions could not be independently confirmed.

Zelenskyy praised the SBU for the accuracy of its operations.

“The straight-line distance is more than 1,500 kilometers. We will continue to increase these ranges,” he stated.

This attack followed Tuesday’s Ukrainian strike on the Tuapse oil refinery and terminal along the Black Sea, marking the third such assault in under two weeks. That operation forced local evacuations and prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to warn of potential “serious environmental consequences.” Tuapse authorities reported containing the fire by Wednesday.

According to the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War, Ukraine has intensified its long-range campaign against Russian oil infrastructure to prevent Moscow from benefiting financially from a U.S. sanctions waiver during global supply constraints linked to conflicts involving Iran.

Kiev is taking advantage of Russia’s vast territory and its defensive weaknesses, the think tank noted.

“Ukrainian forces will likely continue to exploit the large attack surface of Russia’s deep rear and overstretched Russian air defenses to launch more frequent and larger strikes against Russian oil infrastructure and military assets, supported by increased Ukrainian domestic drone production,” the institute reported Tuesday evening.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Wednesday that its air defense systems intercepted 98 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russian territories and Crimea, which Russia unlawfully seized in 2014.

Following years of heavy dependence on international military aid, Ukraine now appears ready to share its advanced drone technology with other nations.

Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine is generating surplus production of up to 50% for certain weapon categories.

Military partnerships with Ukraine’s supporting allies “is already underway” involving nations across the Middle East, Gulf region, Europe and Caucasus, he announced on Telegram Tuesday night.

These agreements encompass drone and missile production and delivery, plus software and technological transfers, Zelenskyy explained.

Ukraine has also submitted a cooperation proposal to the United States covering drones, defense systems and various weapons for air, land and sea applications, he added.

Meanwhile, Russia has maintained its own long-distance strikes targeting Ukrainian civilian areas, causing damage to residential buildings and infrastructure, regional officials reported.

The northeastern Kharkiv region saw eight people wounded during overnight attacks, according to regional prosecutors.

In the northeastern Sumy region, authorities reported a 60-year-old woman died from carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from an attack.

Russian forces also hit Izmail in the southern Odesa region, damaging city infrastructure and a district hospital building, local administrators said.

Ukraine’s air force reported successfully intercepting 154 of 171 drones Russia launched during overnight operations.

China’s capital city has implemented a comprehensive prohibition on unmanned aircraft within its boundaries effective May 1.

Municipal authorities in Beijing approved new regulations in late March that eliminate both the sale and operation of drones throughout the metropolitan area, though aerial restrictions for these devices were already in place.

Online marketplace Taobao, a major Chinese e-commerce platform, now prevents customers with Beijing shipping addresses from completing purchases of drone equipment. A representative from a local DJI electronics retailer informed state media outlet Jiemian that management has instructed them to clear all drone inventory by Thursday.

The updated rules provide exemptions for academic institutions, research organizations, and law enforcement applications, though operators must secure police authorization beforehand. Those who violate these restrictions could face penalties of 500 yuan (approximately $73) and risk having their equipment seized.

Current regulations in China require all drone operators to create verified accounts using their actual names and identification through an official government website before operating these devices.

Chinese manufacturers control much of the worldwide consumer drone industry, creating security worries in nations like the United States, where the Federal Communications Commission has prohibited new foreign drone models.

Beijing typically enforces stricter security measures compared to other regions across the nation. In the past, China has prevented Tesla owners from parking their electric vehicles at certain government facilities, including airports, due to surveillance concerns about the cars’ built-in camera systems.

Diplomatic negotiations between Iran and the United States to resolve their ongoing conflict hit a roadblock on Wednesday, even after President Donald Trump previously stated that Iran had told his administration it was experiencing a “State of Collapse.”

“They want us to ‘Open the Hormuz Strait,’ as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation,” Trump wrote on social media. The White House has not yet responded to inquiries about how this communication occurred.

At the same time, Pakistan announced that its weekly petroleum import costs have skyrocketed by approximately 167% because of climbing worldwide energy prices. During a Wednesday cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed the weekly petroleum import expenses had jumped from $300 million prior to the Middle East crisis to $800 million.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a comparable assessment, stating that the U.S.-Israel conflict, along with Iranian countermeasures like blocking the Strait of Hormuz, is draining nearly 500 million euros ($600 million) daily from the European Union, driving up fuel costs and creating concerns about potential jet fuel shortages in the coming weeks.

The United Arab Emirates declared on Tuesday its intention to exit OPEC starting May 1, removing one of the oil organization’s major producers. Although this decision won’t immediately affect global oil supplies already limited by the Iranian war and Hormuz Strait blockade, it might help reduce petroleum prices once the conflict ends.

In Lebanon, an army serviceman and his brother died Wednesday when Israeli forces struck the motorcycle they were riding as the soldier traveled from his duty station to his residence in al-Souaneh village, according to military officials.

The Lebanese military has remained neutral during the current Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which started March 2 when the militant organization fired missiles into Israel, two days following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. However, troops have repeatedly been caught in combat zones.

Israeli strikes have claimed the lives of 20 Lebanese army personnel since March 2, primarily while traveling to or from their assignments, military sources reported. Overall casualties in Lebanon have exceeded 2,500 during the war and a fragile ceasefire implemented this month that has decreased but not eliminated hostilities.

According to the United Nations nuclear agency director, most of Iran’s weapons-grade uranium likely remains at the Isfahan nuclear facility, which suffered bombing last year and experienced additional attacks during this year’s U.S.-Israeli campaign.

In a Tuesday interview with The Associated Press, Rafael Grossi explained that the International Atomic Energy Agency possesses satellite imagery documenting the impact of recent U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran and continues gathering intelligence.

IAEA monitoring ceased at Isfahan when Israel initiated a 12-day conflict last June that included U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear installations.

The UN nuclear oversight body estimates that most of Iran’s weapons-grade uranium “was stored there in June 2025 when the 12-day war broke out, and it has been there ever since,” Grossi explained.

Pakistan’s petroleum import expenses have increased roughly 167% due to escalating global costs, putting additional pressure on the financially struggling nation’s vulnerable economy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Wednesday.

During televised cabinet proceedings, Sharif explained that weekly petroleum import costs had climbed from $300 million before the conflict to $800 million.

He indicated the government is implementing energy conservation measures to reduce petroleum consumption while continuing diplomatic initiatives to encourage peace.

European Union nations must direct their energy assistance primarily toward at-risk families and industries or risk squandering billions of euros as the Iran conflict affects oil and gas costs, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cautioned Wednesday.

The U.S.-Israel war, combined with Iranian retaliation including Strait of Hormuz restrictions, is costing the EU nearly 500 million euros ($600 million) daily, increasing pump prices and raising concerns about jet fuel shortages within weeks.

Von der Leyen urged the world’s largest trading alliance to apply lessons from the 2022 energy crisis — when Russia weaponized energy against European nations to weaken their Ukraine support — to prevent further economic damage.

Over 350 billion euros “were spent on untargeted measures and this had a huge impact on member states finances,” she informed EU legislators in Strasbourg, France. “So let us not make the same mistake again, and let’s focus our support where it matters most.”

Iran’s national currency, the rial, reached an unprecedented low Wednesday at 1.8 million to $1 while a tentative ceasefire with the U.S. and Israel continues.

The rial had maintained stability for weeks during the war that commenced February 28, partly because limited trading and imports entered the country.

Currency decline began two days earlier, reaching the record low Wednesday.

Financial analysts caution that the rial’s depreciation will likely increase inflation in a nation where numerous imported items, including food, medicine, electronics, and raw materials, depend on dollar exchange rates.

While the war is currently under ceasefire, ongoing U.S. economic sanctions continue pressuring Iran’s already weakened economy, reducing a crucial government revenue source and foreign currency by blocking or seizing oil shipments.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated Wednesday that his administration continues working to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran.

During an Islamabad cabinet session, he described a “marathon session” held in the capital during initial direct negotiations between both parties on April 11, resulting in progress toward a ceasefire that remains active.

He noted that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan over the weekend during the ceasefire for extended discussions between Iran and Pakistan. Araghchi subsequently traveled to Oman, returned briefly, then departed for Russia, Sharif reported.

Before leaving for Moscow, Araghchi contacted him by telephone and “assured me that after consulting with his leadership, he would respond as soon as possible,” Sharif said. He didn’t specify Araghchi’s response topic, though Pakistan has expressed interest in hosting additional U.S.-Iran negotiations.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will undergo congressional questioning for the first time since the Iran war started.

Wednesday’s House Armed Services Committee hearing will examine the Trump administration’s $1.5 trillion military budget for 2027.

Democratic representatives will likely challenge Hegseth regarding the Iran war’s expenses and significant depletion of essential ammunition supplies. Despite the current ceasefire, the U.S. and Israel initiated the war February 28 without congressional authorization.

Coast Guard officials announced Wednesday they are ending their search for five sailors who disappeared when their cargo vessel capsized during a powerful typhoon in the Pacific.

The 145-foot cargo vessel Mariana was carrying six crew members when it overturned near the Northern Mariana Islands during Super Typhoon Sinlaku. Rescue divers managed to retrieve one crew member’s body from the capsized ship on April 21.

“The decision to suspend the search is an incredibly difficult one that is only made after very careful consideration of all available information,” said Cmdr. Preston Hieb of the U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District in a video message posted on X. “From working and communicating with the families, I know how devastated they are by this outcome.”

Hieb reported that rescue teams spent over 100 hours searching an area that exceeded California’s total size for any sign of the missing sailors.

The tragedy began two weeks ago when the ship’s crew radioed the Coast Guard reporting they had lost their starboard engines and required emergency help as Super Typhoon Sinlaku pounded the Pacific island territory. Communication with the vessel was lost the following day.

Powerful winds initially hampered rescue operations, but search teams located the overturned ship on April 18 approximately 40 miles northeast of Pagan, an island within the Northern Marianas U.S. territory.

During the search, Coast Guard teams discovered debris including a partially flooded inflatable life raft located roughly 110 miles away from the capsized vessel. Despite extensive efforts, the five remaining crew members have not been found, Hieb confirmed Wednesday.

“We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of the Mariana crew, as well as the entire Saipan community,” Hieb stated.

Super Typhoon Sinlaku brought destructive winds and flooding to the Northern Mariana Islands during its passage through the region.

The director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency believes the bulk of Iran’s highly enriched uranium remains stored at the Isfahan nuclear facility, despite the site being targeted by airstrikes during last year’s conflict and additional attacks in the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign.

In a Tuesday interview with The Associated Press, Rafael Grossi revealed that his agency possesses satellite imagery documenting the impact of recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and that “we continue to get information.”

International inspections at the Isfahan location ceased when a 12-day military conflict erupted last June, during which American forces targeted three Iranian nuclear installations.

According to Grossi, the nuclear oversight organization estimates that a substantial portion of Iran’s highly enriched uranium “was stored there in June 2025 when the 12-day war broke out, and it has been there ever since.”

“We haven’t been able to inspect or to reject that the material is there and that the seals — the IAEA seals — remain there,” Grossi explained. “I hope we’ll be able to do that, so what I tell you is our best estimate.”

Satellite photographs from Airbus captured a vehicle carrying 18 blue containers entering a tunnel system at the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center on June 9, 2025, shortly before the June military action commenced. Intelligence suggests these containers, suspected of holding highly enriched uranium, are still located there.

The nuclear agency chief also expressed interest in examining Iran’s atomic facilities at Natanz and Fordo, which house additional nuclear materials.

As a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, currently under review at United Nations headquarters, Iran must allow IAEA inspectors access to its nuclear installations, Grossi noted.

Current data shows Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which represents a brief technical leap from weapons-grade concentrations of 90%. Grossi estimates approximately 200 kilograms (about 440 pounds) sits in underground storage at Isfahan.

The Iranian nuclear stockpile could potentially enable the construction of up to 10 nuclear weapons if Tehran chose to weaponize its atomic program, according to Grossi’s previous statements to the AP.

Iranian officials have consistently maintained their nuclear activities serve peaceful purposes. President Donald Trump has cited preventing Iranian nuclear weapons development as a primary justification for military action, while claiming the June strikes “obliterated” Iran’s atomic capabilities.

The IAEA chief disclosed discussions with Russia and other nations about removing Iran’s highly enriched uranium from the country — a complicated undertaking requiring either diplomatic agreement or significant U.S. military intervention in hostile territory.

“What’s going to be important is that that material leaves Iran” or undergoes dilution to lower enrichment levels, Grossi stated.

While the IAEA took part in the most recent round of U.S.-Iran nuclear discussions in February, it has not participated in current ceasefire talks facilitated by Pakistan. The agency maintains separate communications with Washington and informal contact with Tehran.

Iran’s newest proposal would delay nuclear program negotiations while ending its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for oil and gas, contingent on U.S. blockade removal and conflict termination.

Grossi interpreted this as evidence that Iran seeks to prioritize how it addresses American demands, including restricting its ballistic missile development and managing proxy groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen.

“What is indispensable is that we address it,” the IAEA director-general emphasized regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Success requires “political will” from Tehran, he stressed, adding that “Iran has to be convinced that it is important to negotiate.”

While both Iranian leadership and the Republican president express willingness to negotiate, Grossi observed that “where the frustration kicks in, apparently for both, is that they do not seem to come to agreement, or be at an eye-to-eye level on what needs to be done first, or on how.”

Despite challenges, Grossi, who describes himself as a negotiator seeking a “flicker of hope,” pointed out that “one important thing is that there is apparently an interest on both sides to come to an agreement.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News Channel this week that stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons “remains the core issue” requiring attention.

When questioned about Iranian sincerity in negotiations, Rubio characterized them as experienced negotiators seeking to delay action, emphasizing any deal must be “one that definitively prevents them from sprinting towards a nuclear weapon at any point.”

Grossi concluded that comprehensive IAEA inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities must occur under any political settlement.

BRUSSELS (AP) — The head of the European Commission cautioned Wednesday that member nations must carefully direct energy assistance to those most in need, or risk squandering enormous sums as the Middle East conflict drives up fuel costs.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed lawmakers about the financial strain from the U.S.-Israel conflict and Iranian responses, including potential disruption of the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. These developments are draining nearly $600 million daily from EU coffers while driving up gasoline costs and creating concerns about jet fuel availability in coming weeks.

Speaking to European Parliament members in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen emphasized learning from previous energy emergencies. She referenced the 2022 fuel shortage when Russia weaponized energy supplies against European nations supporting Ukraine.

“More than 350 billion euros were spent on untargeted measures and this had a huge impact on member states finances,” von der Leyen stated. “So let us not make the same mistake again, and let’s focus our support where it matters most.”

The Commission President stressed the need to break free from foreign energy dependence, advocating for greater reliance on domestic renewable resources including wind, solar, and nuclear power – similar to how Europe reduced its Russian energy ties.

“Our over dependency on imported fossil fuels makes us vulnerable,” she declared.

Data shows dramatic shifts since 2022, with Russian natural gas imports dropping from 45% to just 12% last year across the 27-nation bloc. Coal purchases were eliminated through sanctions, while oil imports fell from 27% in 2022 to 2%, with only Hungary and Slovakia maintaining Russian petroleum ties.

Von der Leyen predicted lasting consequences from the current Middle East crisis, saying the effects “may echo for months or even years to come.” She identified the solution as developing “homegrown, affordable, clean energy supply from renewables to nuclear.”

Her recommendations included expanding electricity use from renewable and nuclear sources for transportation, aviation, home heating, and industrial applications to reduce fossil fuel dependence. Currently, electricity accounts for less than 25% of the bloc’s total energy consumption.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen issued stark warnings last week about the crisis severity, describing it as more than “a short-term, small increase in prices. This is a crisis that is probably as serious as the 1973 and the 2022 crises combined.”

Jørgensen noted Europe’s limited influence over Middle Eastern developments, saying the continent has been pushed into a reactive position with minimal control over unfolding events.

“Even in a best-case scenario, it’s still bad,” Jørgensen explained. “Whether or not we will be in a security of supply crisis is primarily a result of what goes on in the Middle East. What we can do is to try and prevent, and limit” the damage.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A multinational law enforcement operation targeting criminal networks that offer violence as a paid service has resulted in 280 arrests during its inaugural year, according to a Wednesday announcement from Europol, the European Union’s police agency.

The apprehensions highlight a disturbing pattern emerging throughout Europe where criminals use social media platforms and messaging applications to recruit individuals — often young people — to commit violent acts ranging from physical assaults to homicides, creating what officials describe as a dangerous version of the gig economy.

“Violence is no longer confined to isolated acts or local dynamics. It is increasingly offered as a service: accessible, scalable and driven by online ecosystems that enable recruitment, coordination, and execution across borders,” Europol said in a statement.

The specialized task force was established last year with participation from law enforcement agencies across Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. During its first year of operations, the team identified more than 1,400 individuals connected to violence-for-hire schemes.

Notable cases include the detention of a Dutch citizen allegedly serving as an escape driver for two juveniles suspected of conducting multiple bombings in Germany during July and August 2025. Additionally, Swedish authorities arrested a minor in January for suspected participation in a shooting incident near a correctional facility in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands.

Europol has also published information on its European most-wanted database regarding three men sought for their alleged participation in violence-as-a-service operations — two Swedish nationals and one German citizen. These individuals face charges related to murder, narcotics trafficking, and financial crimes.

PUERTO TRIUNFO, Colombia — Fishermen navigate Colombia’s Magdalena River with extreme caution as massive hippos emerge from the muddy waters without notice, capable of reaching boats in seconds.

“These hippos are a true nightmare,” fisherman Wilinton Sánchez explained, describing the massive creatures that can swim at 8 kilometers per hour and run 30 kilometers per hour on land. “We were out Saturday when one lunged … reared up and swung its jaws wide. If it ever gets hold of you, it’ll tear you to pieces.”

Yet the dangerous animals also captivate visitors. Tourist boats regularly cruise the waterways multiple times weekly, carrying Colombian and international guests hoping to spot the enormous mammals. While these hippo-watching excursions sometimes end with frightened screams as the animals charge toward vessels, they provide crucial income for local communities.

These invasive hippos represent part of a 200-strong population that breeds without natural controls. The animals descend from creatures illegally imported during the 1980s by deceased drug lord Pablo Escobar for his personal menagerie at Hacienda Nápoles — an expansive ranch featuring its own airstrip that served as his isolated stronghold.

Environmental officials warn Colombia’s hippo numbers could surpass 500 by 2030 without action. Authorities recently authorized plans to kill approximately 80 hippos beginning later this year to address the growing crisis.

This decision has triggered intense controversy. Researchers supporting the culling have received death threats, while animal rights groups condemn the strategy as “murder.” Local residents in Puerto Triunfo, located 200 kilometers from Bogota, worry eliminating the animals will devastate tourism revenue supporting their town.

Diana Hincapié stops her restaurant duties to sit near a wall painting depicting a mother hippo with her baby.

“We don’t want to see a dead hippopotamus. They aren’t African anymore; they are Colombian, born and bred here for over 30 years,” the 48-year-old entrepreneur stated, expressing readiness to protest publicly if the killing plan advances.

Her riverside restaurant along the Cocorná Sur River, which feeds into the Magdalena, welcomes nearly 200 monthly visitors. Most arrive specifically seeking hippos, and Hincapié worries government actions could eliminate regional tourism entirely.

These massive land mammals have now occupied roughly 43,000 square kilometers according to ministry data. Without natural enemies and enjoying consistent rainfall unlike their African homeland, the hippos established their primary base on the “Island of Silence,” a plant-covered river island serving as their breeding center.

Álvaro Molina, 61, whose home sits across from the island, remembers the initial pair arriving about 11 years ago. The population has exploded since then. “One night I saw 12 at once, but I understand they have been migrating,” the fisherman noted.

River encounters occur so regularly that Molina expects them during every fishing trip, particularly at sunset. Several years back, his boat drifted directly over two hippos, which panicked and overturned his vessel. He successfully swam to safety aboard another boat without harm.

“Whether they are killed or taken away, it does us a favor,” Molina stated, explaining how hippos have devastated local fishing as many people quit the profession due to safety fears.

Official control measures encompass containment supported by Puerto Triunfo citizens, international transfers to wildlife facilities, and euthanasia as a final option when other methods prove impossible.

In their native Africa, these large plant-eating animals constantly traveling between water and land “can significantly impact the structure of ecosystems,” explained Daniel Cadena, science faculty dean at University of the Andes, who supports implementing combined control approaches including euthanasia.

However, euthanasia presents challenges. Official procedures involve luring animals with food into enclosures for lethal injection after sedation. Alternatively, officials may use high-powered long-distance hunting rifles, though the weapons must be extremely powerful due to hippos’ notoriously thick, penetration-resistant hide.

Senator Andrea Padilla has pressed officials to emphasize relocation rather than killing.

“It is an extermination; it is a massacre of 80 individuals,” Padilla declared. “This is a legacy left to us by a drug trafficker. How can we possibly close this chapter in the exact same way — by shooting the hippos?”

International relocation efforts have stalled. While some countries initially showed interest, ministry officials report no nations have agreed to accept transfers. Potential host countries cite either prohibitive costs for housing the enormous mammals or domestic laws preventing invasive species importation.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The Iranian rial plummeted to an unprecedented low on Wednesday, reaching 1.8 million to the dollar while a fragile ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel remains in effect.

For several weeks during the conflict that started February 28th, the rial had maintained stability, largely due to reduced trading activity and minimal imports entering the nation.

However, the currency began its downward spiral two days prior, culminating in Wednesday’s historic low.

Economic analysts caution that the rial’s dramatic decline will likely intensify inflation throughout Iran, where the dollar exchange rate directly impacts the cost of numerous imported items including food products, medical supplies, electronics, and industrial materials.

While hostilities have ceased under the current ceasefire agreement, ongoing U.S. economic blockades continue applying pressure to Iran’s already weakened economy. These measures have significantly reduced government revenues and foreign currency reserves by halting or seizing oil exports.

This recent currency crisis follows a similar economic shock from January that sparked widespread demonstrations across the country. During that period, the rial dropped from approximately 1.4 million to 1.6 million against the dollar within days, intensifying public frustration over escalating living costs and uncertainty about Iran’s economic prospects.

For decades, Iran’s economy has struggled under international sanctions, persistent inflation, and growing disparities between government-set and market exchange rates. The recent weeks-long conflict has placed additional stress on Iranian businesses, families, and government finances.

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to New York City on Wednesday to pay respects to those killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, continuing their four-day official visit to the United States.

The royal couple’s New York agenda follows an eventful Tuesday in the nation’s capital, where King Charles addressed members of Congress, conducted private discussions with President Donald Trump during ongoing U.S.-UK diplomatic tensions regarding Iran, and met with American technology sector leaders.

During Tuesday evening’s White House state dinner, President Trump indicated that King Charles expressed support for ending Iran’s nuclear capabilities. However, since the monarch does not speak for Britain’s government, this claim remains unverified. Neither Downing Street nor Buckingham Palace immediately provided comment when asked about the alleged statement.

The King and Queen will start their New York activities with a memorial service at the 9/11 site in lower Manhattan, where al-Qaeda terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center’s twin towers on September 11, 2001, claiming nearly 2,800 lives.

King Charles is scheduled to meet with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during the memorial ceremony.

Following the tribute, the King plans to travel to Harlem to tour a community-based organization that established an environmentally-friendly after-school urban agriculture program designed to address local food shortage issues, according to area news outlets. Environmental and sustainability initiatives have remained close to the King’s heart throughout his decades of public service.

Queen Camilla will separately participate in celebrating the centennial of A.A. Milne’s beloved character Winnie the Pooh through her charitable organization, The Queen’s Reading Room, in what Buckingham Palace describes as a “literary engagement” activity.

The royal visit to New York marks the third day of their American state tour, occurring during a period of strained relations between Washington and London, as President Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for allegedly providing insufficient assistance in the Iran conflict.

During his Congressional address Tuesday, King Charles emphasized the enduring military and cultural bonds between Britain and America, officially marking the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence from British sovereignty.

However, the monarch also highlighted NATO’s significance while President Trump has criticized the Western alliance’s hesitancy to provide military support for the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, and cautioned against American withdrawal from international engagement.

“I pray with all my heart that our lands will continue to defend our shared values with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth, and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking,” Charles stated during his joint address to the Senate and House of Representatives.

The conflict in Ukraine has dramatically transformed Sweden’s defense manufacturing sector into one of Europe’s most rapidly expanding military production centers, with perhaps no company experiencing this shift more dramatically than Hagglunds, an armored vehicle manufacturer based in the small northern Swedish town of Ornskoldsvik.

BAE Systems has owned Hagglunds since 2004, but the company’s roots trace back to the late 1800s when it started as a family furniture business before transitioning through various industries including buses, trams, aircraft, and finally armored vehicles during the 1950s.

The end of the Cold War brought significant challenges for the defense contractor, and Tommy Gustafsson-Rask faced the difficult task of eliminating one-third of the company’s employees when he took over as managing director of BAE Systems Hagglunds in 2012.

However, geopolitical tensions began shifting the company’s prospects around 2014. “I think the 2014 annexation of Crimea was when we saw something starting to happen,” Gustafsson-Rask explained during an interview at the Hagglunds testing facility in Ornskoldsvik. He noted that business really accelerated just prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The transformation has been remarkable. “From having a typical order book of a couple of hundred million U.S. dollars, we’re now at 8 billion U.S. dollars. So it’s an enormous development,” Gustafsson-Rask stated.

Sweden’s military equipment exports have experienced explosive growth, increasing more than threefold to 28 billion crowns ($3.02 billion) in 2025, compared to 8 billion in 2015.

The Swedish defense sector now provides employment for approximately 30,000 people, with the majority working at Saab, the manufacturer of Gripen fighter aircraft and A-26 submarines. Saab alone maintains an order backlog exceeding 274 billion crowns.

Hagglunds has committed $300 million toward expanding its manufacturing capabilities, including the addition of a third production line this year. Manufacturing output has increased by 400% since 2020, while the workforce has grown from 800 to 2,600 employees, making it the largest employer in the town of 56,000 residents.

The company’s primary success story centers on the fifth-generation Combat Vehicle 90 infantry fighting vehicle. This armored vehicle operates with a three-person crew and can transport up to eight fully equipped soldiers. More than 1,300 units have been delivered, with an additional 600 currently on order, establishing it as one of Sweden’s most successful military export products.

The CV90 has proven its effectiveness in combat situations in Afghanistan and is currently being utilized in Ukraine. Hagglunds anticipates securing contracts for an additional 500 CV90s from five European countries later this year.

Reports from Ukrainian forces have been largely favorable, although drone threats remain a concern. Notably, no Ukrainian personnel have been killed while inside a CV90, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally expressed his gratitude to Gustafsson-Rask during a visit to Sweden.

“He came forward, hugged me, and told me that your CV90s are saving our soldiers’ lives, and I get goosebumps even now,” Gustafsson-Rask recalled.

Each CV90 carries a price tag of approximately $10 million and has been purchased by ten European nations.

Sweden maintained military neutrality for more than two centuries before becoming a NATO member in 2024. According to the Swedish International Peace Research Institute, the country ranks as the European Union’s seventh-largest arms exporter.

German lawmakers have approved legislation that will establish a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages beginning in 2028, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to address growing obesity rates and reduce strain on its healthcare infrastructure.

The initiative, which received government approval on Wednesday as part of a comprehensive healthcare reform package, is projected to generate roughly 450 million euros (equivalent to $526.5 million) each year. These funds will be directed toward the country’s statutory health insurance program to support prevention initiatives, including workplace wellness programs and community health projects designed to benefit the general public.

Officials have not yet finalized specific details regarding the tax structure, including the exact rate or implementation framework.

The beverage tax proposal has gained significant momentum following increased public advocacy and bipartisan political support for stronger action against excessive sugar consumption and associated health conditions. Daniel Guenther, who serves as state premier of Schleswig-Holstein and championed the proposal, previously stated to Reuters in March that “too much sugar makes people ill,” emphasizing the burden placed on both healthcare systems and the broader economy.

Although Guenther’s conservative CDU party initially opposed the concept in February, support has since grown within the party ranks, as well as among Green Party and Social Democratic representatives.

Public opinion research conducted by Forsa and released in February revealed that approximately 60% of German citizens favor implementing a tax on sugar-sweetened soft drinks.

According to World Health Organization data, more than 100 nations worldwide have implemented taxes on sugary beverages, including roughly half of all European Union member countries. Research conducted in Britain and Mexico has demonstrated that such policies can effectively reduce sugar consumption and help prevent conditions such as diabetes.

SEOUL, South Korea — Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol received a seven-year prison sentence Wednesday from an appeals court for obstruction of justice and resisting arrest following his controversial martial law declaration last year.

The additional sentence compounds an already-imposed life term for rebellion charges connected to his December 2024 authoritarian actions that sparked South Korea’s most significant democratic crisis in recent decades.

Seoul High Court Judge Yoon Sung-sik determined that the former conservative leader circumvented required Cabinet procedures before announcing martial law, created false documentation to hide these violations, and used security personnel “like a private army” to prevent his arrest after impeachment. The former president remained silent during the verdict announcement and offered no statements.

A lower tribunal had previously given Yoon five years in January while partially dismissing abuse-of-power allegations related to the Cabinet meeting requirements, determining he wasn’t accountable for two members’ absence from the gathering.

The appeals court overturned that partial acquittal, convicting him on every charge and determining he infringed upon the rights of those two absent members plus seven additional Cabinet officials who weren’t informed, by assembling only a limited group to mimic an official meeting.

Yoon’s martial law announcement on December 3, 2024, despite lasting only briefly, plunged the nation into severe political upheaval, freezing governmental functions and international relations while destabilizing financial markets. The chaos subsided after his progressive opponent Lee Jae Myung secured victory in an emergency presidential election in June.

Parliament impeached Yoon on December 14, 2024, leading to his immediate suspension, and the Constitutional Court officially removed him from office in April 2025.

After his suspension, Yoon defied a Seoul court’s detention order for questioning, creating a tense confrontation where numerous investigators surrounded the presidential compound in early January 2025 but were prevented from entering by security forces and barriers. He was eventually detained later that month, freed by another court in March, then arrested again in July.

He has remained incarcerated since that time as multiple ongoing criminal proceedings continue.

Tuesday’s decision followed the same court’s enhancement of his wife Kim Keon Hee’s sentence to four years for accepting expensive gifts from the Unification Church, which pursued political influence from Yoon’s administration, and participating in stock manipulation activities.

In a separate case last week, prosecutors sought a 30-year sentence for Yoon regarding accusations that he intentionally escalated North Korean tensions in 2024 by authorizing drone missions over Pyongyang to establish justification for domestic martial law implementation.

The fate of 23 million Taiwanese people may hinge on a crucial diplomatic encounter they won’t be part of.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is preparing to make Taiwan the centerpiece of discussions when President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing next month, marking a significant shift from their previous South Korea summit last year when Xi intentionally avoided the contentious topic.

Officials in Taipei are anxiously monitoring for any indication that Trump, known for his deal-making approach to international relationships, might modify America’s established Taiwan stance in exchange for Chinese purchases of U.S. aircraft and agricultural products or relief from economic tensions.

Wu Xinbo, who leads Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies and advises China’s foreign ministry, explained Beijing’s perspective: “Regarding Taiwan, the logic is simple: if the U.S. does not want to fight a major war with China over Taiwan, it should not support Taiwan independence.”

Wu continued: “Trump has no interest in going to war with China. To avoid a major conflict that involves the U.S., he should make it clear that he won’t support independence or take actions that encourage a separatist political agenda.”

Neither China’s foreign ministry nor the U.S. State Department provided responses to inquiries about the upcoming discussions.

America maintains its “one China policy,” which avoids taking an official stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty while recognizing, though not endorsing, Beijing’s territorial claims over the island. Washington states it “does not support” Taiwanese independence while committing to help the island defend itself.

Taiwan’s position as a semiconductor manufacturing hub makes it crucial to military stability across the western Pacific region. Even subtle modifications to American diplomatic language could influence how Beijing perceives U.S. determination to maintain its Taiwan support, according to regional analysts. Such changes would alarm Taipei and spark renewed concerns about Washington’s broader Asian security pledges.

Trump administration representatives have consistently stated that Taiwan policy remains unchanged and have regularly criticized Chinese pressure campaigns against the island.

Behind closed doors, administration sources emphasize that Trump has authorized significantly more weapons sales to Taiwan during his second term’s first year than predecessor Joe Biden approved throughout his entire presidency.

During a 2024 meeting with Biden, Xi requested that America alter its Taiwan language to state “we oppose Taiwan independence” instead of the current phrasing.

Washington rejected this proposed modification.

Sources familiar with summit preparations indicate that China has persistently conveyed similar messages through diplomatic channels leading up to the Trump-Xi meeting, though they declined to elaborate on specifics due to negotiation confidentiality.

Taiwanese officials, whose government disputes Beijing’s sovereignty assertions, remain vigilant about potential policy shifts.

Shen Yu-chung, deputy minister at Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which handles China policy, stated: “We will be watching whether the U.S. makes any changes to its position on Taiwan Strait issues as a result of that meeting.”

“We will use the remaining time to intensify policy communications with the U.S.,” Shen added.

Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei noted this week that Trump’s administration “has continuously reaffirmed its support for Taiwan” since taking office.

Beijing has maintained that military action remains an option for bringing Taiwan under Chinese control. China conducted its most recent military exercises around the island in late December, responding to a U.S. announcement of an unprecedented $11 billion arms package for Taiwan.

In preparation for the summit, China has employed both incentives and pressure tactics.

Beijing has proposed trade and tourism “benefits” for Taiwan, while simultaneously taking punitive measures. Last week, Taipei accused China of convincing three African nations to deny overflight permissions for President Lai Ching-te’s planned trip to Eswatini, forcing its cancellation.

The United States issued sharp criticism of China’s interference.

President Lai maintains that Taiwan already functions as an independent nation under its official designation, the Republic of China. Beijing characterizes Lai as both a “separatist” and an illegitimate leader driving cross-strait relations toward armed conflict.

Raymond Greene, America’s top diplomatic representative in Taiwan, has been publicly reinforcing assurances that U.S. commitments, including arms sales mandated by the Taiwan Relations Act, remain “rock solid” as the summit approaches.

Former Trump adviser Robert O’Brien suggested the president would resist becoming “the first American president to lose Taiwan. That would not be a Donald Trump goal to have in mind. That’s not the legacy he wants.”

America also faces significant strategic considerations given Taiwan’s geographic importance, as Washington quietly utilizes the island’s sophisticated radar installations and surveillance facilities positioned in Taiwan’s mountainous regions to monitor China, according to security officials.

“Does the United States really want to lose one of its best locations for gathering intelligence on China?” questioned a Western security source, who requested anonymity when discussing sensitive security matters.

The political status of Taiwan remains one of the most complex international issues, with the island functioning as an independent democracy while facing claims from mainland China.

Taiwan’s complicated history began thousands of years ago with indigenous peoples, followed by brief Dutch and Spanish control in the 1600s. The Qing dynasty made Taiwan part of Fujian province in 1684, later designating it as a separate Chinese province in 1885. Japan controlled the island from 1895 until 1945, when it was transferred to the Republic of China government after World War Two ended.

The current situation developed in 1949 when Mao Zedong’s Communist forces defeated the Republic of China government, forcing them to relocate their capital to Taiwan. The Republic of China remains Taiwan’s official name today. Meanwhile, Mao established the People’s Republic of China on the mainland, declaring it the sole legitimate Chinese government over all of China, including Taiwan.

Taiwan’s international recognition is limited. Only 12 nations maintain official diplomatic relations with Taipei, primarily smaller developing countries like Belize and Tuvalu. In 1971, Beijing replaced Taipei in China’s United Nations seat.

Despite limited formal recognition, most major Western nations and U.S. allies maintain unofficial relationships with Taiwan, recognizing Republic of China passports and operating de facto embassies. Taiwanese citizens travel freely worldwide using their passports.

The United States ended official diplomatic ties with Taipei in 1979 but remains legally obligated to help Taiwan defend itself. Washington maintains a “One China” policy, taking no official stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Beijing refuses to rule out military force to bring Taiwan under its control and has proposed a “one country, two systems” arrangement similar to Hong Kong’s model. However, no major Taiwanese political party supports this approach, and polling consistently shows most Taiwanese prefer maintaining current relations with China.

China argues that 1971’s United Nations Resolution 2758 legally establishes Taiwan as part of China, since it recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate Chinese government. Taiwan’s government disputes this interpretation, noting the resolution never mentioned Taiwan or its status. Last year, the U.S. State Department accused China of misrepresenting the resolution as part of “coercive attempts to isolate Taiwan from the international community.”

Taiwan functions with de facto independence, despite lacking formal recognition from most countries. Its people elect their own leaders, and the government controls defined territory with its own military, passport, and currency. Taiwan’s government maintains that the Republic of China is a sovereign state and Beijing has no authority to represent it, since the People’s Republic of China has never governed Taiwan and has no role in choosing its leaders.

Formally declaring a “Republic of Taiwan” would require significant legal hurdles, including parliamentary approval of constitutional amendments and a referendum. At least 75% of lawmakers would need to approve such changes, but the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and opposition Kuomintang currently hold equal seats in parliament. The DPP, in power since 2016, hasn’t attempted constitutional changes, while the KMT strongly opposes altering the Republic of China name.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te faces criticism from China, which labels him a “separatist.” Before his election, Lai described himself as a “practical worker for Taiwan independence,” though he maintains this simply means Taiwan is already an independent country. Since taking office in 2024, Lai has repeatedly stated that the Republic of China and People’s Republic of China are “not subordinate to each other,” which Beijing interprets as promoting independence.

China established legal grounds for potential military action through its 2005 Anti-Secession Law, passed by the country’s parliament. The law authorizes military force against Taiwan if it declares independence or if “possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted,” though the legislation remains deliberately vague about specific triggers.

A New Zealand city council has turned down a proposal to build a memorial statue honoring women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese military forces during World War II, following diplomatic pressure from Japan’s government.

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board within Auckland Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday to deny the Korean Garden Trust’s request to place a bronze sculpture depicting a young girl at Barry’s Point reserve on the city’s North Shore.

The memorial would have honored an estimated 200,000 women, primarily from Asian countries, who were enslaved by Japan’s military in what has been euphemistically called the “comfort women” system.

Kim O’Neill, who heads land and property advisory services for Auckland Council, explained the decision in a statement: “Auckland Council staff recommended that the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board decline a proposal for a statue for Barry’s Point Reserve in Takapuna based on the results of the public consultation and feedback received, which demonstrated a lack of community support for the proposal.”

During public consultations held in January, the council received nearly 700 responses from community members and organizations. According to officials, 57% of individual respondents and 15 out of 20 organizations expressed opposition to the memorial.

Those against the statue cited worries about creating community divisions, concerns over political messaging, and questions about its connection to New Zealand. Supporters argued the memorial would encourage historical reflection, recognize past injustices, and enhance educational opportunities, council representatives noted.

Japan’s Ambassador to New Zealand, Makoto Osawa, submitted formal opposition to the proposal, stating he “strongly” disagreed with the statue’s installation.

“I am concerned that it will cause division and conflict within New Zealand’s wonderful multi-ethnic and multicultural society and between Japanese and Korean communities,” Osawa wrote in his submission.

The ambassador further warned: “The installation of the statue could have a significant impact not only on the relations between peoples, private sectors and local governments in both countries, but also on the diplomatic relations between Japan and New Zealand.”

The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance had offered the statue as a gift to New Zealand. The memorial design matches sculptures that activists first placed outside Japan’s embassy in Seoul, South Korea, in 2011 as part of ongoing demands for formal apologies and compensation.

The bronze figure shows a young girl sitting beside an vacant chair. According to Project Sonyeo, an organization that tracks similar memorials worldwide, the empty seat represents the comfort women who have died.

PARIS, April 29 – The French government is advising all of its citizens currently in Mali to evacuate immediately after a series of coordinated attacks struck the West African nation over the weekend, according to updated travel guidance issued by France’s foreign ministry.

French officials warned that the security environment remains unpredictable, and until French nationals can depart the country, they should remain in their homes, minimize travel, and follow directives from local government officials while maintaining contact with family members. The ministry’s advisory strongly discourages any travel to Mali at this time.

The weekend violence involved al Qaeda’s West African branch and a separatist organization led by Tuareg fighters, who struck Mali’s primary military installation and locations near Bamako airport on Saturday. The same groups also forced Russian military personnel backing Mali’s government forces to withdraw from the strategically important northern city of Kidal.

On Tuesday, the head of Mali’s military administration promised to “neutralize” the individuals behind the attacks.

Ukrainian businesses and critical infrastructure facilities are getting a new form of protection against nightly Russian drone attacks through an innovative private defense initiative.

The country introduced a pilot program last year that permits industrial companies to create their own air defense units to safeguard their operations. According to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, twenty businesses have enrolled in the program, with two currently providing active air defense services.

One participating company, Carmine Sky, utilizes multiple defensive strategies tailored to each client’s requirements, including interceptor drones and automated gun systems equipped with M2 Browning heavy machine guns.

“It’s like an onion, made of layers,” explained Ruslan, a Carmine Sky representative who shared only his first name for security purposes.

Russia sends thousands of inexpensive, long-distance attack drones toward Ukraine monthly. Although Ukrainian forces intercept most of these threats, the ones that penetrate defenses have caused significant damage to military sites, manufacturing plants, and power infrastructure, leaving millions without heat and electricity during the previous winter.

During a Reuters interview at Carmine Sky’s control center, Ruslan showed how employees track incoming Russian drones. Workers sat in comfortable chairs, holding gaming controllers while scanning for threats in a darkened room covered with camouflage netting.

The firm provides services in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region and additional areas, though Ruslan wouldn’t specify locations or reveal client identities.

“We are only complementing the traditional state air defence model,” Ruslan stated. “State air defence has a more strategic role, while we are local.”

These private companies must obtain Defense Ministry approval before beginning operations and integrate with the Ukrainian air force’s command structure.

“Targets and the decision to open fire is made solely by them,” Ruslan noted. “We cannot do so on our own.”

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov highlighted initial achievements last month, announcing that a private company had successfully destroyed Russian drones in the Kharkiv region. On April 17, he reported that a private air defense team had eliminated a jet-powered Shahed drone.

Civilian personnel undergo extensive screening, including polygraph examinations repeated quarterly, according to Ruslan.

Roman Korzh from Gvardiia, another air defense service provider, said training inexperienced recruits to operate interceptor drones requires approximately three weeks. Those who don’t qualify as pilots join teams as observers or maintenance staff.

Gvardiia primarily recruits from existing volunteer air defense groups with battlefield experience.

“The volunteer units are, as they say, our backbone,” said Korzh, who oversees training operations.

Work schedules remain adaptable, enabling employees to balance defense duties with civilian employment when necessary.

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — The small Balkan nation of Kosovo will hold its third parliamentary election in just over a year after its legislature failed to select a new president, plunging the country deeper into political chaos.

Kosovo’s parliament faced a Tuesday midnight cutoff to name a replacement for President Vjosa Osmani, whose presidency ended earlier this month. After lawmakers missed this crucial deadline, the legislative body was automatically disbanded.

Officials must schedule the upcoming election within 45 days, though no specific date has been revealed yet.

Political expert Ilir Deda forecasted the election will likely occur in June. According to Deda, this vote will determine “whether people are willing to hold politicians accountable.”

The nation of 2 million residents has experienced ongoing governmental instability following February 2025’s inconclusive election results, which created months of legislative gridlock.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti established a new administration following a December 28 snap election, but another crisis quickly developed regarding Osmani’s replacement.

Kosovo’s 120-seat parliament requires at least 80 members present to select a president. Opposition parties refused to attend the session due to disagreements over potential candidates, effectively preventing any vote from taking place.

This continued political instability has already damaged Kosovo’s economic prospects and weakened public confidence in democratic institutions.

Kosovo broke away from Serbia in 2008 after a devastating 1998-99 conflict. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo’s independence, and these unresolved tensions remain a significant concern throughout the unstable Balkan region.

European Union officials have informed both Kosovo and Serbia that normalizing their relationship is essential for advancing their eventual membership applications to the 27-member organization.

Moscow’s annual commemoration honoring the 81st anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat will proceed without tanks, missiles, or other heavy weaponry, according to a late Tuesday announcement from Russia’s Defense Ministry.

This marks the first occasion since Moscow began its comprehensive military operation in Ukraine during 2022 that armored vehicles and artillery will be absent from the May 9th procession through Red Square, traditionally the nation’s most significant non-religious observance and a display of military strength.

Defense officials pointed to the “current operational situation” as justification for removing military hardware and cadet units from the event, though no additional details were provided in their statement.

The ceremony will still include “servicemen from higher military educational institutions of all kinds and certain service branches of the Russian Armed Forces” along with the customary aerial demonstration, according to ministry officials.

The commemoration of World War II represents one of the few historical moments that unites Russians across political divides during the nation’s turbulent Communist era, and the Kremlin has leveraged this shared reverence to foster patriotic feelings and emphasize Russia’s status as a world power.

During what Russians call the Great Patriotic War from 1941-45, the Soviet Union suffered 27 million casualties, a massive loss that continues to influence the country’s collective consciousness.

Vladimir Putin, who has led Russia for more than 25 years, has made Victory Day a cornerstone of his leadership and has attempted to connect it to the current conflict in Ukraine.

The previous year’s celebration was the most extensive since Russian forces entered Ukraine, attracting the highest number of international leaders to Moscow in ten years, including notable attendees such as China’s Xi Jinping, Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Slovakia’s Robert Fico.

That event showcased more than 11,500 military personnel and over 180 pieces of equipment, including battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and artillery systems deployed in the Ukrainian conflict, along with massive Yars nuclear-capable intercontinental missile launchers and truck-mounted drones. Military aircraft also conducted flyovers above Red Square.

Putin had announced a one-sided 72-hour halt to hostilities beginning May 7, while authorities disabled mobile internet service in Moscow for multiple days to prevent potential Ukrainian drone strikes.

The 2023 ceremony was reduced in scope, featuring fewer soldiers and military hardware with no aerial component.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Four members of Indonesia’s military faced their first day in court Wednesday on charges stemming from an acid attack that left a prominent human rights lawyer partially blind and severely burned.

The defendants include three navy marines and one air force officer, all working in military intelligence roles. They stand accused of premeditated assault for the March attack on Andrie Yunus, a 27-year-old attorney who works with the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence, an organization known as KontraS.

Facing trial at Jakarta’s military court are Sgt. Edi Sudarko, First Lt. Budhi Hariyanto Widhi Cahyono, Capt. Nandala Dwi Prasetya, and Air Force First Lt. Sami Lakka. Each could receive up to 12 years behind bars if found guilty.

Military prosecutors claim the four worked in coordination but maintain their actions were driven by personal grievances. According to the prosecution, the defendants wanted “to teach him a lesson and deter him from making disparaging remarks about the TNI.”

“The actions of the defendants who threw chemical liquid on Andrie Yunus, resulting in the loss of sight in his right eye and severe burns with no hope of complete recovery, were inappropriate actions for members of the TNI,” prosecutor Iswandi stated during court proceedings.

Human rights organizations have expressed strong criticism regarding both the characterization of personal motivation and the choice to conduct proceedings in military rather than civilian court.

“This case has been narrowed to just four individuals, without transparency, while the motive is framed as personal,” stated Usman Hamid, who leads Amnesty International Indonesia. Hamid pointed out the lack of any clear personal or professional connections between Yunus and those accused, while noting that official military resources appeared to have been utilized in the assault.

“It is difficult to accept that state facilities were used solely for personal revenge,” Hamid warned, expressing concern that the case’s handling could damage public confidence.

Following Wednesday’s reading of charges, the four defendants chose not to challenge the accusations. Two of the accused also suffered minor facial and eye injuries from acid exposure during the incident. The judge scheduled the next hearing for May 6 to hear witness testimony.

The investigation initially fell under Jakarta police jurisdiction before authorities revealed military personnel were involved. Six days following this announcement, military police took four suspects from the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ Strategic Intelligence Agency into custody.

The attack occurred on the evening of March 12 when Yunus was traveling by motorcycle through central Jakarta. Attackers threw hydrochloric acid at his face, causing chemical burns across approximately 20% of his body and damaging roughly 40% of his right cornea, according to prosecutors.

Multiple surgical procedures have been required for Yunus’s ongoing recovery, preventing his attendance at the trial’s opening session, military prosecutor Mohammad Iswandi reported.

Yunus has gained recognition for his work challenging impunity in Indonesia, particularly regarding security sector reform and civil liberties protection. He participated actively in demonstrations last year opposing proposed changes to Indonesia’s military law that would have expanded armed forces involvement in civilian matters. Associates report he has faced ongoing intimidation related to this advocacy work.

The incident has drawn parallels to the 2004 killing of Munir Said Thalib, a prominent human rights advocate and KontraS founder who died from arsenic poisoning during a flight to Amsterdam. While convictions were secured, activists maintain the true orchestrator was never identified.

Growing pressure from civil society organizations demanding disclosure of who authorized and funded the attack on Yunus has prompted a response from President Prabowo Subianto, a former army general.

Prabowo has committed to pursuing those responsible and indicated he may establish an independent investigative team. Rights advocates view the Yunus trial as a crucial test of the military’s post-reform dedication to accountability.

Following the 1998 fall of dictator Suharto, Indonesia’s military officially stepped back from political involvement, leading to reforms designed to enhance civilian oversight.