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Hamas Agrees to Disarm in New Gaza Deal as Israel Withdrawal Remains Unconfirmed

Emmanuel Paul
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Hamas Agrees to Disarm in New Gaza Deal as Israel Withdrawal Remains Unconfirmed

Hamas has agreed to a new roadmap aimed at ending the war in Gaza, including a plan to surrender its weapons in stages, U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Thursday.

The agreement requires Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza as the disarmament process moves forward. Israel has not publicly confirmed it will accept the terms.

Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United States finalized the plan through the U.S. led Board of Peace and International Stabilization Force for Gaza, according to a joint statement from the group. Egypt is expected to host further talks among the four mediating countries to monitor compliance in the coming weeks.

Hamas has said it will not carry out any part of the agreement unless Israel meets its own obligations first.

What We Know So Far

The plan calls for a full inventory of Hamas weapons within 14 days of all parties formally accepting the deal. Extensions to that timeline would require approval from an international verification commission.

A newly formed Palestinian National Committee would oversee and carry out the inventory and storage process. It would be the only body permitted to hold or control weapons inside Gaza, with cooperation from Palestinian factions. No weapons would be transferred to Israel or any other country.

Heavy weapons, military production sites, storage depots and tunnel networks would be targeted first. An international verification commission, the stabilization force and a new Palestinian police unit would monitor the process as Israeli troops pull back in stages tied to verification progress.

Officials briefed on the negotiations said the full disarmament timeline could take between 200 and 300 days. The stabilization force, expected to include roughly 5,000 personnel from several countries, would be led by an American general and would help train the new Palestinian police service.

Since a ceasefire took hold in October 2025, Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,100 Palestinians, and aid access into Gaza has remained restricted. Israeli forces have also expanded a military buffer zone inside the territory known as the Yellow Line, a move that experts say may breach the earlier ceasefire terms.

A series of Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza again Friday, killing at least one person and wounding four others, including a child, hospital officials said. Israel’s military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Gaza war began after Hamas led an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed about 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken, the Associated Press reported. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has since killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, including deaths recorded after the ceasefire began, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

What Authorities Are Saying

Trump said the agreement would unfold in structured phases, with Israeli withdrawal tied directly to progress on disarmament. He said the stabilization force would work alongside a new Palestinian police unit to secure Gaza once Hamas steps back.

Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas’s negotiating team, said the group would not move forward unless Israel meets its commitments. He added that Israel would have no role in the disarmament process itself, which would fall solely to the Palestinian committee.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the deal the only encouraging development to come out of the region recently. He said it needed to be carried out fully and without interference.

Nikolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s senior representative, said Palestinian officials and residents need real authority to shape their own governance going forward.

Israel has not issued an official response to the new roadmap.

Why This Matters

The agreement marks the most detailed disarmament framework proposed since the October 2025 ceasefire, but it depends on cooperation that has repeatedly broken down before. Continued Israeli strikes during a period technically covered by a ceasefire have deepened distrust among Palestinians in Gaza, and many residents say daily conditions have shown little improvement since the truce began.

The plan also introduces a new and unusual governing structure. A U.S. led Board of Peace, chaired by Trump, would oversee reconstruction funding and long term strategy. A seven member executive board, led by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, would help set policy, with expected involvement from Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

That structure has drawn criticism from several governments. France, Spain and Norway have raised concerns that the board’s authority could extend well beyond Gaza’s borders, and some diplomats worry it could sideline the United Nations’ traditional role in the region. Israel remains involved in the process despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for its prime minister over allegations tied to the war.

Analysts also note that Hamas’s disarmament is explicitly linked to Israeli withdrawal, meaning either side could stall the entire process by delaying its own obligations. Stephen Zunes, who chairs Middle Eastern studies at the University of San Francisco, said Israel has previously reinterpreted ceasefire terms without facing pressure from Washington to comply fully.

The timing also overlaps with Israel’s general election scheduled for October. Several far right parties within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition have opposed any withdrawal from Gaza and have instead pushed for expanded settlements, adding political pressure against full compliance.

What Happens Next

Implementation is set to begin 14 days after every party formally signs on, though Israel’s acceptance remains unconfirmed. Analysts caution that armed factions outside Hamas could still complicate the disarmament timeline, and verification of compliance is expected to be a central point of dispute.

Adam Weinstein of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft said it remains too early to call the agreement a breakthrough, noting that questions over whether Hamas will surrender all of its weapons are likely to persist. Rami Khouri of the American University of Beirut urged caution before treating the announcement as a resolution, pointing to a pattern of unmet commitments in prior rounds of negotiation.

Elsewhere in the region, tensions tied to the broader Iran conflict continued Friday. Kuwait said it intercepted drones fired at its territory, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed further strikes on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia has proposed a 14 nation maritime security alliance in response to disruptions across regional shipping routes, though Oman and the United Arab Emirates have not joined the initiative.

In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces destroyed a tunnel network beneath the historic Beaufort Castle on Friday, a site Israel says was used by Hezbollah. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the operation sent a discouraging signal ahead of renewed negotiations in Rome over a potential Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Reporting drawn from Al Jazeera and The Associated Press.

At Least 57 Migrants Dead As 60,000 Cross Into Spain’s Ceuta In Unprecedented Border Surge Before Most Return Voluntarily

Omonigho Daibo
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At Least 57 Migrants Dead As 60,000 Cross Into Spain’s Ceuta In Unprecedented Border Surge Before Most Return Voluntarily

At least 57 migrants died and approximately 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into the tiny Spanish enclave of Ceuta in a 24-hour period in an unprecedented border surge that sent shockwaves across Europe, before most of those who had entered began returning voluntarily as food, shelter, and opportunities failed to materialize inside the enclave.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez traveled to Ceuta on Friday, condemned the crossing as a violation of Spain’s territorial sovereignty, and blamed human smuggling networks for triggering the crisis. By Friday evening, an estimated 48,300 of those who had crossed had already returned to Morocco.

What We Know So Far

The Spanish government’s representative in Ceuta confirmed 57 bodies had been recovered on the Spanish side of the border, with officials warning additional casualties may exist on the Moroccan side, Reuters confirmed. Some drowned during the sea crossing. Others were crushed in a stampede to scale the breakwater barrier near the Tarajal Beach border checkpoint. The waters near the fence were strewn with buoys, shoes, and abandoned belongings.

Ceuta’s president Juan Jesus Vivas told reporters the number of people who had crossed was equivalent to 70 percent of the enclave’s entire population of 85,000, the Associated Press confirmed.

An estimated 48,300 had voluntarily returned to Morocco by 6 p.m. local time Friday, Spain’s Interior Ministry confirmed. Others continued returning by the hour, with many telling reporters they had found no food, shelter, or work opportunities in Ceuta and saw no reason to remain.

“Honestly, I don’t even know why I came, and now I’m going back,” a young Moroccan man from Tangier told Reuters. “I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday, even though I brought some money with me. What we’re doing is neither good nor enjoyable.”

Twenty-one year old Abdulah Buji, who had swum into Ceuta hoping for better work, told the Associated Press he was returning home to Tetouan. “There’s nothing at home. I’d have to work 12-hour shifts for a meager wage. That’s why I came here. But I haven’t found any opportunities here either, so I have to go back.”

Ayman, a 20-year-old hairdresser from Larache who told Reuters he had swum for five hours to reach Ceuta on Wednesday, described being forced out by the Spanish army with no food provided.

On the Moroccan side of the border, security forces deployed riot police with water cannons, tear gas, and batons to prevent further crossings by Friday. The charred remains of a bus and seven cars were visible near the border fence from clashes with crowds. Spanish military vehicles lined sections of the border fence while hundreds of migrants watched from a hilltop in Morocco, unable to cross.

Migrants from Morocco also attempted to breach the border at Melilla, Spain’s other North African enclave, where clashes broke out in the Moroccan border town of Bni Nsar. Migrants threw rocks and set police vehicles ablaze, with injuries reported among security forces and dozens arrested.

What Authorities Are Saying

Sanchez blamed human smugglers for exploiting and misrepresenting a Spanish Supreme Court ruling earlier this month, which determined that migrants intercepted at sea approaching Ceuta or Melilla could not be summarily returned without due process.

The interpretation of the ruling “spread like wildfire over the past few hours through the networks of human trafficking organizations,” triggering the surge, Sanchez said.

He called the crossing “a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity” and said authorities were accelerating the repatriation of those who had entered illegally, with Morocco’s full cooperation.

Rachid Sbihi of the local Civil Guard workers association described thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, sleeping in parks and on sidewalks. “It’s chaotic,” he said, calling it a “serious humanitarian crisis.”

Spain’s Guardia Civil police association said on X that there had been too few officers monitoring the fence during Thursday’s surge, making it impossible to stop the rush.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the images from Ceuta were unacceptable. “We cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules. Dangerous crossings must stop immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns must be swift,” she said.

Morocco’s ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, said the situation had unfolded against Morocco’s wishes. “We have always prioritized legal, orderly and safe migration for all,” she said.

European And International Reaction

The scale of the crossing produced an immediate and divisive reaction across Europe.

Italy temporarily suspended its open border Schengen agreement with Spain, reimposing controls on air and sea travel between the two countries. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares summoned the Italian ambassador to protest remarks by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who had claimed Spain’s migrant amnesty policy encouraged human trafficking.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said police presence on the Spanish border would be quintupled by Saturday, with reinforced aerial surveillance and train patrols.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he welcomed Spain’s stated intention not to allow illegal migrants onto the European mainland.

In the United States, President Donald Trump told a cabinet meeting the Ceuta crossings “look like an invasion,” adding: “That same thing’s going to happen to us if the Republicans don’t get elected, except worse,” linking the crisis to upcoming midterm elections. The State Department posted on X that the incident was “the direct result of the Spanish Government’s deliberate efforts to enable and facilitate mass illegal migration into Europe.”

Sanchez defended his migration policy and rejected the characterization that his government’s regularization program had caused the surge. “The crisis in Ceuta has nothing to do with the regularization of migrants adopted by the Government of Spain, as is being falsely claimed by some,” the Spanish government said.

Why This Matters

The scale of what happened at Ceuta on Thursday has little precedent in recent European history. Even the 2021 border surge, when approximately 10,000 people entered in two days, was dwarfed by Thursday’s crossing. The death toll of 57 in a single day’s crossings reflects both the desperation driving migrants toward Ceuta and the physical danger of the routes they take to get there.

Ceuta and Melilla are the European Union’s only land borders with the African continent, and they function as concentrated pressure points for the much larger movement of people across the Mediterranean. What happens at these two cities tends to determine the temperature of European migration politics far beyond Spain.

The political fallout has been immediate. Italy’s suspension of Schengen arrangements with Spain, France’s border reinforcements, and Trump’s commentary all reflect the extent to which migration has become the defining political fault line in Western democracies. The fact that most of those who crossed returned voluntarily within 24 hours, having found no food or opportunity in the enclave, complicates both the humanitarian narrative and the political one.

Sanchez’s government faces pressure from the right, which argues his legalization program for 500,000 undocumented migrants encouraged the crossing, and from the left, which argues the deaths at the breakwater reflect a failure to provide safe legal pathways for people with legitimate economic and humanitarian needs.

What Happens Next

Spain and Morocco were jointly reinforcing the border fence on Friday and appeared to have largely halted further mass crossings by the end of the day.

Repatriations of those remaining in Ceuta illegally were being accelerated, with the Spanish government saying it would work as quickly as legal procedures allowed given the Supreme Court ruling on due process requirements.

Italy’s Schengen suspension was expected to remain in effect in the near term, though experts told the Associated Press it amounted legally to a resumption of border checks rather than a formal border closure.

The broader question of what caused the scale of Thursday’s crossing, specifically whether Moroccan border enforcement was deliberately relaxed as it was during the 2021 crisis, remained publicly unanswered, with Moroccan authorities offering no direct explanation for how thousands of people were able to move simultaneously toward the border without effective interdiction.

Sources: AP; Reuters; CBC

Trump Administration Considers $100,000 Fee On Foreign Graduates Seeking U.S. Work Visas In Latest Legal Immigration Restriction

Zipporah Njoki
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Trump Administration Considers $100,000 Fee On Foreign Graduates Seeking U.S. Work Visas In Latest Legal Immigration Restriction

The Trump administration is considering imposing a $100,000 fee on international students who want to work in the United States after graduating from American universities, a move that would erect one of the highest financial barriers ever proposed for legal immigration and could significantly reduce the appeal of American higher education for overseas students.

The proposal targets Optional Practical Training visas, which currently allow foreign graduates on F-1 student visas to remain in the country and work in their field of study for one to three years after completing their degrees, the Wall Street Journal first reported.

What We Know So Far

The Department of Homeland Security is considering the fee, though no final decision has been made. Officials have not yet determined whether the cost would fall on the student or the employer, India Today confirmed.

A DHS spokesperson confirmed internal discussions were underway without confirming specific proposals.

“No policies should be considered final until formally announced. At DHS, we are always having conversations about how to use all tools in our arsenal to protect the integrity of our legal immigration system,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that under Trump and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the immigration system was being reformed to serve American citizens, workers, and families rather than to “rapidly import foreigners who take American jobs.”

A White House official separately told The Independent that no imminent policy announcement on Optional Practical Training visas was planned.

If enacted, the fee would mirror the $100,000 fee the Trump administration imposed on H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers last year. That proposal was struck down by a federal judge last month, who ruled the fee constituted a tax that only Congress could authorize.

The administration is also finalizing a separate rule that would end the longstanding “duration of status” system under which international students could remain in the United States for as long as they were enrolled as full-time students. Under the new regulation, most international students would receive a fixed four-year authorization. Those whose programs extend beyond that would need to apply to the Department of Homeland Security for an extension before their authorized stay expires. The new rule still requires congressional approval before taking effect, India Today confirmed.

Around 419,000 international graduates were working under the Optional Practical Training program in 2024.

Why This Matters

The Optional Practical Training program is widely regarded as one of the principal reasons international students choose American universities over competitors in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. For many families, particularly those from India, China, and Southeast Asia who invest substantial sums in American degrees, the ability to work in the country after graduation and recoup part of that investment is a central part of the calculation.

A $100,000 fee would fundamentally alter that calculation. If the cost falls on employers, companies may simply choose American graduates rather than pay the premium. If it falls on students, many would be unable to afford it. Either outcome reduces demand for American university places among international applicants, the Wall Street Journal confirmed.

Universities rely heavily on international students as a revenue source. Foreign students typically pay full tuition without accessing financial aid, generating income that cross-subsidizes domestic students and university operations. A significant drop in international enrollment would create financial pressure across American higher education, particularly at institutions with large international student populations.

The technology sector faces a separate but related risk. Silicon Valley and Wall Street firms disproportionately hire international graduates from American universities to fill technical and quantitative roles. Restricting or pricing out that talent pipeline would affect companies at the moment when American technology firms are competing globally for engineering and data science expertise.

India Today noted that Indian students represent one of the largest international student populations in the United States, with more than 330,000 currently enrolled. For that community, the direction of American immigration policy is becoming increasingly costly and unpredictable.

The broader pattern of the Trump administration’s immigration approach is visible in the Optional Practical Training proposal. The $100,000 H-1B fee, the Trump Gold Card offering permanent residency for a $1 million investment, stricter student visa checks, and now the proposed Optional Practical Training fee all reflect a consistent strategy of using financial barriers rather than numerical caps to reduce legal immigration flows.

What Happens Next

The Optional Practical Training fee remains a proposal under internal DHS discussion. No formal announcement has been made and no timeline has been indicated.

The four-year duration of status rule, also under consideration, must pass through congressional approval before it takes effect.

The administration has signaled that additional changes to the Optional Practical Training program are expected later this year, suggesting the current proposals are part of a broader and ongoing review of international student visa rules.

For students currently in the United States on F-1 visas or planning to come, the immediate practical guidance is that neither policy is yet in effect. But the direction of travel is clear enough that prospective international students and the universities that recruit them are likely to begin adjusting their plans before any formal announcement arrives.

Sources: India Today; The Independent

Spain Deploys Military To Ceuta After Thousands Of Migrants Break Through Morocco Border As 9 Die In Mass Crossing

Omonigho Daibo
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Spain Deploys Military To Ceuta After Thousands Of Migrants Break Through Morocco Border As 9 Die In Mass Crossing

Spain deployed military units and hundreds of additional police officers to its North African enclave of Ceuta on Thursday after thousands of migrants broke through border fences and swam ashore from Morocco in one of the largest single-day border crossings Europe has seen in years, leaving at least nine people dead and local authorities overwhelmed.

The head of the Civil Guard officers’ association described the situation as absolute chaos. The border, he said, had “totally collapsed.”

What We Know So Far

Migrants entered Ceuta through two routes simultaneously. Hundreds swam or floated on inner tubes around the Tarajal breakwater, a border seawall that migrants can circumnavigate from the sea. Others broke through a land gate and ran into the city. Video footage showed crowds of people, the majority young men but also families with women and small children, walking onto local roads while shouting “Viva España,” the Associated Press confirmed.

Spanish state television TVE reported between 2,000 and 3,000 people had crossed. Local Civil Guard officers described thousands entering, and migrant arrivals had been building since Wednesday, when more than 1,500 people entered the territory in a single day.

Nine people died during the crossings, Spain’s government delegation in Ceuta confirmed. Bodies were seen floating in the water. At least 60 migrants have died attempting to reach Ceuta in recent months.

The Spanish government announced it would deploy 200 specialized police officers and 60 troops from the mainland to reinforce Ceuta’s regular forces. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced they would travel to Ceuta on Friday for meetings with security forces and local authorities.

Local businesses shuttered. Shop owner Enrique Serrano told Reuters he was not opening for the afternoon because the situation was extremely tense. He said when the fence was breached after midnight, hundreds of migrants rushed through in minutes. Business owners, he said, were organizing self-defense because they believed police resources would be insufficient.

Migrant Jadid Zacaria, his hair and shirt still wet from the ocean, described the crossing to Reuters.

“It was very tough. The police tried to stop us. But our will and determination allowed us to come here,” he said.

Migrant rights activist Zakaria Zarroqui said people were still flocking to the adjacent Moroccan city of Fnideq attempting to cross, and the situation remained out of control.

Morocco’s Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Spain’s Interior Ministry said Morocco was closely cooperating and that Moroccan police were stopping numerous people attempting to cross. Both governments agreed to work together for the rapid return of all those who entered illegally.

What Authorities Are Saying

Ceuta Mayor Juan Jesus Vivas urged the national government to declare an emergency over what he described as a national security crisis and called for the army to be deployed to guarantee the inviolability of the border and public safety.

Spain’s Interior Ministry said existing emergency legislation does not consider migration flows a national security risk and therefore a formal declaration could not be issued. The ministry said government agencies were coordinating to respond with speed and efficiency.

A Guardia Civil spokesperson told Reuters the surge followed a pattern of slow increases since a Spanish Supreme Court ruling earlier this month but described Thursday as “an explosion.” The ruling determined that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be summarily returned without due process under the enclaves’ special border rejection regime.

Spain’s government attributed the surge specifically to criminal organizations exploiting that ruling, not to its separate program to provide legal status to approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants, Reuters confirmed.

Conservative opposition People’s Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo said in a post on X that the situation was desperate and accused the government of failing to act before the crisis reached its current scale.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the images from Ceuta showed Spain’s migration policy was misguided. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni threatened to suspend Italy’s Schengen open border agreement with Spain, though the two countries do not share a land border.

Why This Matters

Ceuta and its sister enclave Melilla are the European Union’s only land borders with the African continent. They function as pressure points where the economic and humanitarian migration flows crossing the Mediterranean concentrate into specific and manageable geographic chokepoints.

Thursday’s events echoed the crisis of May 2021, when more than 8,000 migrants entered Ceuta in just two days amid a diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco. At the time, Morocco was widely accused of easing border controls after Spain allowed a Polisario Front leader to receive medical treatment in a Spanish hospital, triggering a diplomatic confrontation between the two countries over the status of Western Sahara.

The current surge shares structural similarities with 2021, though the precise diplomatic or policy trigger remains unclear. Some activists in Morocco told the Associated Press they doubted most migrants would have been aware of the Supreme Court ruling, suggesting other factors may be driving the crossings that authorities have not yet publicly identified.

The broader context is Spain’s position as the main Mediterranean entry point into Europe for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and Morocco seeking economic opportunity or escape from violence. To reach Ceuta by sea, migrants typically swim approximately five kilometers from the Moroccan town of Fnideq. The route is dangerous in all weather conditions, and the nine deaths confirmed Thursday represent only those whose bodies were recovered.

Spain’s decision to legalize approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants has sharpened the political debate within the country and across Europe about whether regularization programs encourage further irregular arrivals. The right-wing opposition’s immediate reaction to Thursday’s crisis demonstrated how quickly migration incidents become domestic political confrontations in European politics.

What Happens Next

Sanchez and Grande-Marlaska were traveling to Ceuta on Friday for direct meetings with security forces and local authorities. The military deployment announced Thursday evening was expected to be operational by the time they arrived.

Spain and Morocco said they were coordinating for the rapid return of those who entered illegally. How quickly that process can be implemented, given the scale of Thursday’s crossings and the Supreme Court ruling on due process requirements, will determine how long thousands of migrants remain in a city of 85,000 people whose reception facilities were already overwhelmed before Thursday’s surge.

Migrant rights organizations with lawyers on the ground in Ceuta were working to ensure those who crossed had access to legal representation and asylum procedures, Mauricio Valiente of the Spanish Commission for Refugees confirmed.

Whether Morocco adjusts its border enforcement posture, and what diplomatic conversations are happening between Rabat and Madrid behind the scenes, will be the critical variables shaping how the crisis develops in the days ahead.

Sources: AP; Reuters; The Atlantic

UEFA Threatens FIFA World Cup Boycott as CONCACAF Rejects Infantino Private Equity Plan

Simeon Bateren
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UEFA Threatens FIFA World Cup Boycott as CONCACAF Rejects Infantino Private Equity Plan

Europe’s football governing body has threatened to pull its member nations from FIFA competitions after rejecting FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to open the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments to private investment, escalating one of the most significant governance disputes in the history of international football.

UEFA announced Thursday that its 55 member associations unanimously agreed they would not participate in FIFA competitions if the governing body proceeds with plans to create a privately funded commercial enterprise linked to the World Cup. Hours later, the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, known as CONCACAF, also rejected the proposal after raising concerns over transparency, governance and the speed of the approval process. 

The coordinated resistance marks the strongest challenge yet to Infantino’s leadership and raises uncertainty over the future of FIFA competitions if the dispute remains unresolved.

What we know so far

FIFA is seeking approval from its 211 member associations for the creation of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a commercial subsidiary valued at about $20 billion that would oversee the marketing and commercial operations of major FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups and Club World Cups.

Under the proposal, outside investors would acquire a minority stake of up to 20 percent in the new company while FIFA maintains it would retain control over governance and competition rules. Investment firm Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner, has been identified as the principal outside investor. FIFA has stated that the project would generate billions of dollars for football development worldwide. 

Infantino has offered increased development funding to member associations that support the proposal before the September deadline, promising substantially larger financial distributions over the coming years if the plan is approved. 

UEFA argues the proposal would fundamentally change the nature of international football by introducing commercial interests into competitions traditionally managed solely by football authorities.

The European body warned that football’s flagship tournament should remain under the stewardship of the sport rather than private investors.

“The FIFA World Cup belongs to football,” UEFA declared after an emergency meeting of its national associations. “It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.” 

CONCACAF echoed many of UEFA’s concerns following a separate meeting involving its 41 member associations.

The confederation questioned why FIFA requires outside investment after staging what it described as the most profitable World Cup in its history and criticized what it viewed as an unusually compressed approval timetable without sufficient consultation through FIFA’s governance structures. 

The next FIFA tournament affected by any boycott could be the FIFA Women’s Under 20 World Cup scheduled to begin in Poland in September, while longer term uncertainty could also affect future international competitions if the dispute continues. 

What authorities are saying

UEFA described the proposal as a serious departure from FIFA’s responsibility to protect football’s long term interests.

The organization warned that introducing private shareholders would permanently shift decision making toward financial returns rather than sporting priorities, potentially influencing tournament formats, scheduling, broadcasting strategies and future competition expansion.

European officials also criticized the absence of extensive consultation before FIFA presented the proposal to national associations for approval, arguing that an initiative of this scale should have undergone broader review throughout world football. 

CONCACAF similarly expressed concerns over governance and transparency, stating that member associations were uncomfortable approving such a significant structural change without a more comprehensive review by FIFA’s established decision making bodies. 

Earlier in the day, the Asian Football Confederation also voiced reservations, warning that unilateral action could undermine the existing balance between FIFA and continental confederations and affect domestic and regional competitions across Asia. 

Why this matters

The dispute extends far beyond a disagreement over finances. It has evolved into a battle over who should shape the future of world football.

UEFA argues that introducing private equity into FIFA’s flagship competitions would fundamentally alter the governance of the sport. European officials contend that once outside investors obtain financial interests in tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and Club World Cup, commercial returns could become a driving force behind decisions on competition formats, tournament expansion, broadcasting rights and the international match calendar. 

Critics fear that investor expectations could encourage FIFA to stage larger tournaments more frequently, creating additional pressure on an already congested football calendar while reducing the commercial value of continental competitions organized by UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, CONCACAF, the Confederation of African Football, CONMEBOL and the Oceania Football Confederation. 

The controversy also represents one of the deepest divisions between FIFA and several continental confederations since the failed attempt to introduce a World Cup every two years in 2021, a proposal that was ultimately abandoned following widespread opposition led by UEFA. 

Growing pressure on Infantino

The mounting resistance has placed FIFA President Gianni Infantino under increasing political pressure ahead of the next FIFA presidential election scheduled for 2027.

After more than a decade in office, Infantino had widely been viewed as the overwhelming favorite to secure another term. However, the coordinated opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF and criticism from the Asian Football Confederation has significantly altered the political landscape.

Although FIFA has maintained that the proposed commercial restructuring would leave all sporting decisions under its control, critics argue the process lacked transparency and was presented to member associations without adequate consultation through FIFA’s established governance channels. 

FIFA defends the proposal

FIFA has described the initiative as an opportunity to generate unprecedented investment for football development worldwide.

The governing body says the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise would remain fully controlled by FIFA despite attracting minority outside investment. Under the plan, every one of FIFA’s 211 member associations could receive substantially increased development funding over the next decade through expanded FIFA Forward programs and a new Fast Forward initiative. 

FIFA has insisted that governance, sporting regulations, tournament formats and the international calendar would remain exclusively under FIFA’s authority even if private investors purchase minority stakes in the commercial subsidiary. 

The confrontation illustrates an increasingly visible struggle between two competing visions for global football.

Supporters of FIFA’s proposal view outside investment as a means of unlocking new financial resources that could accelerate football development, particularly in emerging football nations that depend heavily on FIFA grants.

Opponents believe the proposal introduces commercial obligations that could gradually influence sporting decisions. Their concern is not necessarily about immediate changes to tournament rules, but about the long term incentives created when investors expect sustained financial returns from football’s most valuable competitions.

The dispute also exposes broader governance questions. UEFA, CONCACAF and other confederations are challenging not only the proposal itself but also the decision making process behind it. Their objections suggest that future reforms affecting international football may face stronger institutional scrutiny, especially where commercial interests intersect with sporting governance.

If the European boycott threat is maintained, FIFA could face unprecedented disruption. European nations account for many of the world’s strongest men’s and women’s national teams, along with a significant share of global television audiences, commercial sponsorship and tournament revenue. Their absence would fundamentally reshape any FIFA competition.

What happens next

Attention now turns to FIFA’s consultation process and the approaching September deadline for member associations to decide whether to support the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.

Several continental confederations are expected to hold additional meetings before taking formal positions. The Confederation of African Football is scheduled to review the proposal, while the Oceania Football Confederation also plans discussions with its member associations. 

Should FIFA proceed without addressing the concerns raised by UEFA and CONCACAF, world football could face one of its most significant governance crises, with the possibility of European nations withdrawing from future FIFA competitions and reshaping the international football calendar.

For now, negotiations remain possible, but the coming weeks are expected to determine whether the proposal moves forward or joins previous FIFA initiatives that failed in the face of widespread opposition.

Sources: The Associated Press, Reuters, FIFA, NBC News, FlashscoreUSA, Sports Illustrated. 

Raid On Pakistani Police Post Kills 11 Officers And 15 Militants As Reinforcements Walk Into Ambush

Emmanuel Paul
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Raid On Pakistani Police Post Kills 11 Officers And 15 Militants As Reinforcements Walk Into Ambush

 Militants armed with heavy weapons launched a coordinated nighttime assault on a police checkpoint in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province Wednesday, killing at least 11 police officers including a senior officer who led reinforcements to the scene, before security forces killed 15 attackers in an hourslong battle that also left more than two dozen officers wounded.

The attack on the Khazina Banda police post in Hangu district came just days after a similar assault in the Tank district killed 15 security personnel, underscoring the intensifying militant campaign against Pakistani security forces in the province bordering Afghanistan.

What We Know So Far

Militants struck the Khazina Banda checkpoint with heavy weapons late Wednesday evening, triggering an intense and prolonged exchange of fire with officers stationed at the post, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed.

Additional police personnel were immediately dispatched to reinforce the checkpoint. The militants had anticipated the response and laid an ambush along the reinforcement route, severely damaging the lead armored personnel carrier before officers fought back, the IG said, the Express Tribune confirmed.

Among those killed was Deputy Superintendent of Police Diyar Khan, a senior officer who personally led the reinforcing unit to the scene. Eight other police personnel were also killed. A total of 28 officers and personnel were wounded, including another deputy superintendent, Mujahid Hussain, the Express Tribune confirmed.

Security forces killed 15 militants and wounded several others in the retaliatory operation, the IG confirmed. The vehicle of Hangu District Police Officer Tariq Habib came under fire during the operation but sustained only damage, with Habib escaping unharmed.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Suspicion fell on the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, known as TTP, which has significantly escalated attacks on Pakistani security forces across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recent months, the Associated Press confirmed.

In a separate operation in Swat district, a joint strike by the Counter Terrorism Department and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police against militants in the Shalkho Sar area resulted in the deaths of six terrorists and the martyrdom of one police constable and four members of the Village Defence Committee, security officials confirmed. Several other militants were wounded and evacuated by their accomplices. Surveillance and clearance operations in Swat were continuing.

What Authorities Are Saying

Inspector General Hameed paid tribute to the fallen officers in direct terms.

“The sons of the K-P police stood like rocks against the enemy under extremely difficult and nerve-racking circumstances and embraced martyrdom,” Hameed said. He announced that recommendations would be made for the department’s highest honors for the killed officers and said he would personally meet the families of the martyrs to offer condolences.

“The morale of the K-P police is high and its resolve is as firm as rock. This war to completely eliminate terrorists from every corner of the province will continue with full force and determination,” he said.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to DSP Khan and the officers killed alongside him.

“The martyred DSP and police personnel sacrificed their lives and foiled the nefarious designs of the khawarij,” Naqvi said. “The K-P Police are on the front line in the war against terrorism, and I salute their unmatched sacrifices.”

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the attack and sought a report from the inspector general, directing authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the wounded.

“The establishment of peace is our top priority, and we will not allow the sacrifices of the police force to go in vain,” Afridi said.

Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan described the attack as “an extremely cowardly act” and pledged that the families of those killed would receive every possible support from the government.

Funeral prayers for Constable Gulfam Khan, killed in the Swat operation, were held with full state honors at Police Lines Swat, attended by senior military and police commanders. His body was subsequently transported to his native village in Kohat for burial.

Why This Matters

Wednesday’s assault follows the Tank district attack on Friday in which militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a security checkpoint, killing 15 security personnel including soldiers, police officers, and a government official. Security forces killed 12 militants in that operation.

Two major attacks on security checkpoints within days in the same province, both using coordinated tactics including heavy weapons and ambushes on reinforcements, reflect a level of planning and capability that distinguishes the current militant campaign from opportunistic violence.

The TTP, which operates separately from but in close alliance with Afghanistan’s Taliban government, has significantly escalated its operations since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of providing sanctuary and logistical support to TTP militants, an allegation Kabul consistently denies.

The dispute has produced a bitter diplomatic rift and active armed conflict between the two neighboring countries. Pakistan has carried out airstrikes on eastern Afghan territory it says target militant positions. The Taliban government and the United Nations said dozens of civilians were killed in the most recent Pakistani strikes in June, an account Pakistan disputes.

The tactical evolution visible in the Hangu attack, specifically the pre-positioned ambush along the reinforcement route, demonstrates that militants in the region have developed sophisticated counter-response planning designed to maximize casualties even after the initial assault is contained. DSP Khan’s death while leading reinforcements to the scene illustrates the particular danger this tactic poses to experienced officers.

What Happens Next

Clearance and search operations were continuing in both the Hangu and Swat areas as of Thursday morning, security officials confirmed. Surveillance operations in Swat were also ongoing to prevent any resurgence of militant activity.

The bodies of the officers killed in Hangu were transferred to local hospitals before being handed over to their families. The IG confirmed he would personally visit the families of the martyred officers.

Pakistan’s broader counter-terrorism campaign under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam continues across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, with security forces conducting intelligence-based operations alongside the reactive responses to direct attacks. Whether those operations can reduce the tempo of militant attacks that has produced two major checkpoint assaults in less than a week remains the central security question facing the province.

Sources: AP; Express Tribune of India; France24

Kentucky Powerball Winner James Farthing Arrested For Fourth Time Since Winning $167 Million, Now Faces Domestic Violence Charges

Omonigho Daibo
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Kentucky Powerball Winner James Farthing Arrested For Fourth Time Since Winning $167 Million, Now Faces Domestic Violence Charges

ames Farthing, the Kentucky man who won a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot in April 2025, was arrested Sunday for the fourth time since claiming the largest lottery prize in the state’s history, this time on charges of strangling a woman following a boating trip.

Farthing, 51, of Georgetown, was booked into Scott County Jail and is being held on charges of first-degree strangulation, domestic violence related, and fourth-degree assault causing minor injury, jail records confirmed.

What We Know So Far

The unidentified woman told police she and Farthing argued after returning from a boating trip. She said Farthing placed both hands around her neck and restricted her breathing, WKYT confirmed.

Farthing appeared in Scott County District Court on Tuesday and entered a not guilty plea. A judge set his bond at $15,000 and ordered him to have no contact with the alleged victim. He must also wear an electronic monitoring device that alerts authorities if he violates the order, People confirmed.

It is his fourth arrest since winning the Powerball in April 2025.

His first arrest came just four days after claiming his prize. On April 30, 2025, Farthing was arrested at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida, after allegedly punching another guest at the hotel and then kicking a Pinellas County sheriff’s deputy in the face when officers arrived to break up the fight. He was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. He later pleaded guilty and received a sentence of time served and $1,000 in fines.

In February 2026, Farthing was arrested in Georgetown on an intimidation charge after a woman called 911 saying she feared for her life. Officers found the woman hiding under a desk. She told investigators Farthing had allegedly pressured her to take a drug. A search of the home uncovered a handgun, ammunition, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

In March 2026, Farthing was arrested a third time on charges of second-degree burglary and marijuana possession. Police alleged security footage showed him entering a Lexington home and stealing approximately $12,000 in cash. He was booked into the Fayette County Detention Center and later released on bond.

Sunday’s domestic violence arrest is his fourth.

What Farthing Said After His Earlier Arrests

After his Florida arrest in 2025, Farthing spoke to WKYT about making better choices.

“I’ve caused a lot of stress on her, my mom, you know, I’ve made some bad decisions in life, and you know, God’s been good because I’ve kept my faith and done right, and something’s happened good for me,” he said in May 2025.

When he won the jackpot in April 2025, Farthing said he planned to split the prize with his mother, Linda Grizzle.

“It’s going to be a good Mother’s Day,” Grizzle told WHAS at the time. “This is going to pay off my debt.”

Why This Matters

Farthing’s criminal record predates his lottery win by decades. It dates to 1994 and includes arrests in multiple Kentucky counties on charges including burglary, drug offenses, engaging in organized crime, and escaping from a detention facility, WKYT confirmed.

Under Kentucky law, anyone 18 or older may legally purchase a lottery ticket regardless of their criminal history, unless the terms of their probation or parole specifically prohibit it.

The series of arrests since April 2025 illustrates a pattern that has become a recurring media story: lottery winners whose sudden wealth does not resolve pre-existing behavioral or legal problems and in some cases appears to accelerate them.

Farthing won the $2 Powerball ticket that produced Kentucky’s largest-ever lottery prize on April 26, 2025, in Georgetown. He and his mother collected the prize and posed with an oversized check two days later. Four days after that, he was in a Florida jail.

What Happens Next

Farthing remains in Scott County Jail on the domestic violence charges. His bond is set at $15,000.

He faces active legal proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, including the Florida case, the Georgetown intimidation charge, and the Lexington burglary case, in addition to Sunday’s arrest.

A no-contact order and electronic monitoring are now in place as conditions of his release once bail is posted.

Sources: People.com; The Independent

Russia Charges Telegram Founder Pavel Durov With Aiding Terrorism And Adds Him To International Wanted List

Omonigho Daibo
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Russia Charges Telegram Founder Pavel Durov With Aiding Terrorism And Adds Him To International Wanted List

Russia’s Federal Security Service charged Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and chief executive of the Telegram messaging app, with aiding terrorism on Wednesday and placed him on an international wanted list, in the latest escalation of the Kremlin’s campaign to bring digital communications under state control.

The charges against Durov, 41, who was born in Russia but lives in Dubai and holds citizenship in France, the United Arab Emirates, and the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, could carry a sentence of up to life in prison if he is convicted in a Russian court.

What We Know So Far

The FSB said in a statement that Telegram’s administration had failed to remove channels, chats, and bots allegedly used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies and extremist organizations to plan and coordinate terrorism, sabotage, mass murder, and cyberfraud inside Russia, resulting in what it described as numerous human casualties, the Associated Press confirmed.

The FSB also accused Ukrainian security services of using a popular dating chatbot on Telegram called Daivinchik, which has 13.6 million monthly active users, to lure and recruit Russians for what it called sabotage and terrorist activities. It said 46 users of the chatbot, aged between 12 and 22, had been detained across Russia over the past year for assaulting law enforcement officers and committing arson.

Durov had said earlier this year that Russian authorities had already opened a criminal investigation against him. He accused them of fabricating pretexts to restrict Telegram as part of an effort to suppress privacy and free speech.

Telegram did not respond to a request for comment. Its official account on X posted an image of Durov raising a middle finger to the camera.

Telegram boasts more than one billion monthly active users worldwide. Its company is based in Dubai, where Durov has resided since leaving Russia in 2014.

Durov’s History With Russia And France

Durov founded VKontakte, Russia’s largest social network, with his brother Nikolai in 2006. The platform came under pressure following mass anti-Kremlin protests in 2011 and 2012, eventually prompting Durov to sell his stake and leave the country.

He and Nikolai launched Telegram in 2013. Russia tried and failed to block the platform between 2018 and 2020.

In August 2024, French authorities arrested Durov in Paris on allegations that Telegram was being used for drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse material. He was released after four days of questioning on five million euros bail. French investigators have questioned him repeatedly since then, including as recently as this month, the Paris prosecutor’s office told the Associated Press. He remains under formal investigation in France.

Durov said in March 2025 that he had returned to Dubai after spending several months in France.

What Authorities Are Saying

The FSB called Telegram’s failure to moderate harmful channels a direct enabler of violence inside Russia.

Durov has consistently rejected that framing, describing Russian pressure on Telegram as politically motivated censorship rather than legitimate law enforcement.

The Kremlin’s position has shifted notably. When French authorities arrested Durov in 2024, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the action as selective. He said at the time that terrorists also use cars and asked why no one was arresting the CEO of Renault or Citroen. Peskov did not respond to questions Wednesday about what had changed in Russia’s own position.

Despite the charges and restrictions, Russian government agencies continue to use Telegram regularly. The Kremlin’s own Telegram channel had more than 284,000 followers as of Wednesday, the Associated Press confirmed.

Why This Matters

Wednesday’s charges represent a significant escalation in Russia’s long-running effort to control the internet, timed as the country prepares for parliamentary elections in September amid public fatigue with the Ukraine war and growing economic strain.

Under Putin, Russia has systematically restricted or banned platforms that declined to comply with state demands. Facebook, Instagram, and X have all been banned. YouTube has been throttled. Signal and Viber have been blocked. WhatsApp and Telegram have been restricted. In their place, Russian authorities actively promote a state-aligned messaging app called MAX, which openly states it will share user data with authorities on request and does not use end-to-end encryption.

Russia’s move against Telegram carries an additional irony. Russian military bloggers have repeatedly criticized the platform’s restriction, arguing Telegram is an indispensable tool for Russian troops in Ukraine and for activists running crowdfunding campaigns to support Russian forces. The government initially promised not to restrict Telegram on the battlefield. That promise was later walked back.

Russia itself has faced accusations from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Ukraine of using Telegram to recruit individuals for sabotage operations across Europe. A British man was recruited through the platform to organize a plot to set fire to a warehouse in London containing satellite equipment for Ukraine. Dutch teenagers were contacted by Russian hackers on Telegram to map Wi-Fi networks in The Hague near the International Criminal Court and other sensitive institutions. Moscow has denied involvement in those incidents.

Telegram has long faced criticism in both Russia and the West for insufficient content moderation. Its architecture, allowing group chats of up to 200,000 users, significantly outpaces rivals and creates conditions where misinformation and criminal coordination can spread quickly. Its end-to-end encryption is available only for individual conversations and must be manually activated, unlike Signal and Facebook Messenger where it is on by default.

What Happens Next

Durov faces an international wanted notice issued by Russia. Whether that notice will have practical effect depends on which countries choose to honor it. Durov lives in Dubai and holds UAE citizenship, and the UAE has not been part of Russian extradition arrangements historically.

The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed Durov remains under formal investigation in France, with questioning continuing as recently as this month. He faces potential charges in France covering alleged criminal activities linked to Telegram’s operations.

Both legal processes are proceeding simultaneously and independently. Durov’s response to the Russian charges, delivered via a middle finger photograph on his own platform, suggests he has no intention of engaging with Russian judicial proceedings from abroad.

Sources: AP/The Independent

Iran Fires Missiles at US Forces as American and Saudi Strikes Hit Tehran Backed Militias in Iraq

Omonigho Daibo
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0
Iran Fires Missiles at US Forces as American and Saudi Strikes Hit Tehran Backed Militias in Iraq

Iran launched a new wave of missile attacks against United States military positions in the Middle East on Wednesday, while American and Saudi forces carried out coordinated airstrikes against Tehran backed militias in Iraq, sharply escalating tensions across the region.

The renewed fighting comes after several days of relative calm and threatens to derail diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

The Associated Press said the coordinated military operations killed at least 20 militia fighters and six Iranian military advisers in eastern Iraq, according to Iraqi militia officials.

Iran’s latest missile barrage targeted Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, a major United States military installation supporting regional operations.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it launched ballistic missiles against the base in retaliation for recent American military actions.

Jordan’s armed forces said air defense systems intercepted five incoming missiles before they reached their targets. Authorities reported no casualties or significant damage.

Shortly afterward, the United States military announced that American and Saudi fighter aircraft had struck multiple logistics centers and weapons storage facilities linked to Iran backed militias in eastern Iraq.

Saudi Arabia said the operation followed recent drone attacks targeting its oil infrastructure.

The Saudi Defense Ministry said the kingdom does not seek further escalation but would respond to attacks threatening its national security.

The Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of largely Shiite armed groups aligned with Iran, said the overnight strikes killed at least 20 fighters and wounded 32 others.

Two militia officials also confirmed that six Iranian military advisers died during the attacks. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss military operations publicly.

The Iraqi government condemned the airstrikes, describing them as a violation of national sovereignty.

President Nizar Amidi’s office said the attacks breached Iraq’s territorial integrity, while the National Security Council said the government had already been working with American and Saudi officials to investigate earlier drone incidents.

The renewed violence forced the postponement of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi’s planned visit to Saudi Arabia, highlighting the growing diplomatic fallout.

The fighting extended beyond Iraq.

Two commercial vessels carrying natural gas caught fire after drone strikes at Egypt’s Damietta port, maritime security company Ambrey said.

One vessel is owned by a United States company while the other belongs to a Greek operator.

No injuries were reported, and investigators have not identified those responsible for the attacks.

The latest military exchanges have renewed concerns over energy security across the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia accused Iran backed militias operating from Iraq of launching drones against key oil facilities over the past two days.

An umbrella organization representing several Iraqi militias denied involvement.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for separate drone strikes targeting Saudi energy infrastructure, describing the attacks as part of its ongoing confrontation with the kingdom.

France24, citing Agence France Presse, said Saudi authorities intercepted several drones launched from Iraqi territory before they reached petroleum facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia and the capital, Riyadh.

Saudi officials urged Iraq to prevent armed groups from using its territory to launch attacks against neighboring countries.

The Houthis separately announced strikes on Saudi oil infrastructure, saying they were responding to alleged Saudi drone operations over Yemen.

Saudi authorities have not publicly confirmed the Houthi claims.

The latest exchanges threaten to deepen an already fragile regional security environment.

The Houthis have also declared a blockade targeting Saudi shipping routes through the Bab el Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime corridor connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

Earlier this week, satellite imagery analyzed by The Associated Press showed apparent damage to Saudi Aramco’s Abqaiq oil processing complex following previous attacks.

Regional officials also confirmed that a refinery in Jazan temporarily halted production after sustaining significant damage during recent strikes.

The refinery processes about 400,000 barrels of crude oil each day.

The renewed fighting has also complicated efforts to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran rejected a proposal from Oman to jointly manage vessel traffic through the strategic waterway.

Instead, Iran proposed temporary shipping arrangements through its territorial waters while maintaining tighter control over maritime traffic.

Gharibabadi said Tehran does not intend to return the strait to its prewar operating conditions.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy corridors, carrying roughly one fifth of global oil shipments.

Continued disruptions have fueled concerns about supply shortages and higher fuel costs worldwide.

Financial markets reacted quickly to the latest military escalation.

Brent crude oil rose 3.1 percent to $84.58 per barrel as traders assessed the potential impact on global energy supplies.

Diplomatic efforts continue despite the renewed fighting.

Regional mediators said negotiations remain active, although officials acknowledged that restoring a ceasefire has become increasingly difficult following renewed clashes around the Strait of Hormuz.

One regional official familiar with the talks said discussions are continuing with both Washington and Tehran but declined to provide details because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.

President Donald Trump signaled that additional military action remains possible.

“It is going to be straightened out,” Trump said. “In the meantime, we are going to be hitting them very hard because it is our turn to hit them.”

What we know so far

Iran launched ballistic missiles toward a United States military base in Jordan, where all reported missiles were intercepted.

American and Saudi aircraft struck Iran backed militia positions in Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters and six Iranian advisers, militia officials said.

Drone attacks also damaged two natural gas vessels at Egypt’s Damietta port, though responsibility has not been established.

Saudi Arabia says it intercepted additional drones targeting oil facilities, while Yemen’s Houthis claimed separate attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.

Oil prices climbed as concerns grew over potential disruptions to global energy supplies.

What authorities are saying

Jordan’s military said its air defenses successfully intercepted all incoming missiles.

Saudi Arabia said it acted in self defense and called on Iraq to prevent armed groups from launching attacks from its territory.

Iraq condemned the airstrikes, calling them a violation of its sovereignty.

Iran defended its missile launches as part of its broader military response and rejected proposals that would reduce its control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Why this matters

The latest escalation illustrates how quickly localized military actions can spread across multiple countries in the Middle East.

The involvement of Iran, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan and Yemen increases the risk that isolated confrontations could develop into a broader regional conflict involving additional state and nonstate actors.

The attacks also threaten global energy markets. Any prolonged disruption to oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz or the Bab el Mandeb Strait could drive higher energy prices, increase inflation and place additional pressure on economies already coping with geopolitical uncertainty.

Diplomatic efforts now face greater challenges as military operations continue alongside stalled negotiations.

What happens next

Military officials are expected to assess the effectiveness of the latest operations while strengthening defenses around key regional bases and energy infrastructure.

Diplomatic mediators are likely to continue efforts to restore negotiations between Washington and Tehran, although further retaliation by either side could complicate those talks.

Energy markets will remain focused on developments around the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi oil facilities, where any additional disruption could have immediate global economic consequences.

Sources: This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press and France24, which cited Agence France Presse (AFP)

Japan Earthquake Kills at Least 13 as Rescuers Search for Survivors Trapped in Collapsed Buildings

Emmanuel Paul
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Japan Earthquake Kills at Least 13 as Rescuers Search for Survivors Trapped in Collapsed Buildings

A powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Japan has killed at least 13 people and left dozens injured as emergency crews continue searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Tuesday afternoon in Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu. The shallow quake caused widespread structural damage, disrupted transportation and triggered a brief tsunami advisory that was later lifted.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said rescue operations remain the government’s highest priority.

“People are still waiting to be rescued, and this is a race against time,” Takaichi said. “We will use every available resource to save as many lives as possible.”

Thousands of military personnel, firefighters and disaster response teams have been deployed across the affected region as authorities work to reach victims trapped beneath rubble.

One of the deadliest incidents occurred at an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima Town, where part of the second floor collapsed following what investigators believe may have been a gas explosion triggered after the earthquake.

Two women in their twenties were among those killed inside the shopping complex. Rescue teams pulled several survivors from the debris, while search efforts continued for others believed trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

Witnesses said they detected the smell of gas before hearing a powerful explosion nearly an hour after customers had begun evacuating.

A shop employee told Japanese broadcaster TBS that staff returned briefly after helping customers leave the building when they noticed a strong gas odor before the explosion occurred.

Another major rescue operation is underway at Nippon Paper Industries’ factory in Yatsushiro, where a massive chimney collapsed during the quake.

Officials said multiple workers became trapped beneath debris. Emergency crews continued searching throughout Wednesday after recovering several victims.

The earthquake also damaged roads, bridges and residential neighborhoods across Kumamoto Prefecture.

Historic Kumamoto Castle, which continues to undergo restoration following the devastating 2016 earthquake, sustained additional structural damage as sections of stone walls collapsed.

Power outages affected approximately 35,000 households across Kyushu, while ruptured water lines and damaged infrastructure complicated emergency operations.

Authorities urged residents to remain alert for extreme heat as temperatures climbed into the upper 90s while many communities remained without electricity.

Transportation across southern Japan also suffered significant disruption.

Bullet train services throughout Kyushu were suspended while engineers inspected railway lines for structural damage.

A freight train derailed at Yatsushiro Station during the violent shaking, while flights at Aso Kumamoto Airport remained suspended as officials assessed runway conditions.

Several major manufacturers temporarily halted production.

Toyota suspended operations at three factories in Kyushu for safety inspections. Honda Motor Co., Nippon Paper Industries and other companies also paused operations while damage assessments continued.

Delivery services into affected communities were disrupted as damaged roads slowed transportation.

Hospitals across Kumamoto and neighboring cities treated dozens of injured residents, including passengers hurt aboard high speed trains during the earthquake.

More than 260,000 residents were advised to evacuate vulnerable coastal and low lying areas after tsunami advisories were issued for parts of western Kyushu.

The Japan Meteorological Agency later canceled the advisory after determining that tsunami risks had subsided.

Officials, however, warned that powerful aftershocks remain likely.

The agency cautioned residents to prepare for additional earthquakes of similar intensity over the coming week, particularly during the next two to three days.

Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said inspections found no abnormalities at nearby nuclear power stations, including the Sendai nuclear plant.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it had been informed of the inspections and would continue monitoring developments.

The safety of nuclear facilities remains a major concern in Japan following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Japan sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active regions where multiple tectonic plates converge.

The country experiences nearly one fifth of all earthquakes worldwide measuring magnitude 6.0 or greater, making strict building standards and rapid emergency response central to disaster preparedness.

What we know so far

  • At least 13 people have died.
  • Dozens of others were injured.
  • Several people remain missing beneath collapsed structures.
  • Part of an Aeon shopping mall and a chimney at a paper factory collapsed.
  • More than 260,000 residents received evacuation advisories.
  • Around 35,000 households lost electricity.
  • Rail services, airport operations and manufacturing were disrupted.
  • No damage has been reported at nearby nuclear power plants.

What authorities are saying

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government has mobilized all available emergency resources to locate survivors and restore essential services.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned residents to expect potentially strong aftershocks during the coming days and urged continued caution around weakened buildings.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority said inspections found no operational problems at nearby nuclear facilities.

Why this matters

The earthquake underscores Japan’s continued vulnerability to powerful seismic events despite decades of investment in earthquake resistant infrastructure and emergency preparedness.

Although modern engineering has significantly reduced casualties compared with past disasters, aging buildings, industrial facilities and densely populated commercial centers remain vulnerable when powerful shallow earthquakes strike near urban areas.

The disaster also serves as a reminder that recovery from previous earthquakes, including the devastating 2016 Kumamoto disaster, remains an ongoing challenge as historic landmarks and public infrastructure continue to undergo reconstruction.

What happens next

Rescue teams will continue searching collapsed buildings while engineers inspect roads, bridges and public infrastructure for additional damage.

Authorities are expected to maintain evacuation shelters until utilities are restored and structural inspections determine that affected neighborhoods are safe for residents to return.

Seismologists will closely monitor aftershock activity over the coming days, while government agencies begin assessing long term reconstruction costs and financial assistance for affected communities.

Sources: This story is based on reporting by The Associated Press and NBC News

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