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Deadly Explosion at China Fireworks Factory Kills 26, Triggers Massive Rescue Effort

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A powerful explosion tore through a fireworks factory in central China, killing at least 26 people and injuring dozens more, as rescue crews rushed to search for survivors amid flattened buildings and thick smoke rising into the sky.

The blast struck Monday afternoon at a factory complex in Liuyang, a city widely known for its role in the country’s fireworks industry. Officials said the explosion happened around 4:40 p.m. at the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company.

Emergency teams moved in quickly. More than 1,500 firefighters, medical workers, and police officers were deployed, along with drones and robotic equipment, to comb through debris and reduce ongoing risks at the site.

Authorities ordered evacuations in nearby areas due to concerns about highly flammable materials stored in warehouses at the factory. Large quantities of black powder remained a major hazard for rescue crews working through the wreckage.

Images from the scene showed buildings reduced to rubble, with smoke pouring into the air and debris scattered across a wide area. Witnesses described strong shock waves that uprooted trees and left a sharp smell of gunpowder lingering over the site.

A reporter at the scene said much of the area had been leveled, with structures collapsed and access routes blocked by debris, complicating rescue operations.

Officials in Changsha, the provincial capital that oversees Liuyang, said search efforts at the site were largely complete by Tuesday. Authorities confirmed that the person in charge of the company had been detained as investigators work to determine the cause of the explosion.

City officials expressed deep regret over the loss of life.

“We feel extremely sad and extremely guilty,” said Chen Bozhang, a senior official in Changsha’s leadership, offering condolences to victims and their families.

In response to the disaster, authorities ordered all fireworks manufacturers in the city to halt production while safety inspections are carried out. Officials said broader checks would also be launched across industries to identify risks and close gaps in oversight.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for a swift investigation and demanded accountability. He also urged stronger safety measures in high-risk industries and renewed efforts to protect lives and property.

The explosion adds to a long list of industrial accidents in China, particularly in sectors that handle flammable or hazardous materials. Just last year, another blast at a fireworks facility in the same province killed nine people and injured dozens.

The Associated Press noted that authorities have detained the factory’s manager and launched an inquiry into what caused the latest explosion, while ordering a shutdown of similar operations for inspection.

Separately, Reuters confirmed the death toll and scale of the injuries, citing officials and footage from the scene showing widespread destruction.

Liuyang sits at the heart of China’s fireworks production. The city’s industry is massive, supplying a large share of both domestic demand and global exports. That scale brings economic benefits, but it also carries serious risks.

Factories in this sector often store large amounts of explosive materials in close proximity. When safety controls fail, the consequences can be catastrophic, as seen in this latest incident.

Despite repeated accidents over the years, enforcement remains uneven. Local governments face pressure to support industries that drive jobs and revenue, which can sometimes clash with strict safety oversight.

This latest explosion may renew scrutiny of how regulations are applied. Shutting down production across the city, even temporarily, signals a serious response. But past patterns suggest that enforcement can weaken once public attention fades.

There is also a broader question about industrial safety in fast-growing economies. As production expands, so does the need for stronger systems to manage risk. Incidents like this one highlight gaps that can have deadly consequences.

For residents, the impact is immediate and personal. Families have lost loved ones. Workers face uncertainty about their jobs as factories close for inspections. Communities near industrial zones are once again reminded of the dangers nearby.

The use of drones and robots in the rescue effort shows how emergency response is evolving. These tools help teams reach dangerous areas and reduce risk to human rescuers. Still, they cannot fully eliminate the hazards posed by unstable structures and explosive materials.

The global dimension also matters. China dominates the fireworks market, exporting billions of dollars’ worth of products each year. Disruptions in production could ripple through supply chains, especially ahead of major celebrations in other countries.

At the same time, international buyers may pay closer attention to safety standards following repeated incidents. Pressure from outside markets can sometimes push for improvements that local enforcement alone struggles to achieve.

For now, the focus remains on understanding what went wrong. Investigators will examine storage conditions, handling procedures, and compliance with safety rules. Their findings could shape future regulations and enforcement efforts.

But for many, the outcome will not change what has already been lost.

As rescue crews clear debris and authorities promise accountability, the explosion stands as another reminder of the risks tied to industries built around explosive materials—and the cost when safety measures fail.

AP/Reuters

 Secret Service Shoots Armed Man Near White House as Trump Event Continues

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An armed man was shot by United States Secret Service officers Monday afternoon near the White House after he opened fire, leaving both the suspect and a young bystander injured, officials said.

The shooting unfolded near the Washington Monument, a short distance from the White House grounds, where plainclothes agents on patrol spotted a man they believed was carrying a weapon.

Speaking to reporters, Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said agents first noticed what appeared to be the outline of a firearm on the individual. They alerted uniformed officers, who moved in to approach him.

When officers made contact, the man ran briefly, then pulled out a gun and fired toward law enforcement, Quinn said. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect. He was taken to a nearby hospital. His condition was not immediately known.

Authorities also said a juvenile bystander was wounded during the exchange. The injuries were not life-threatening, and the individual was receiving medical care.

Quinn noted that investigators believe the bystander was likely hit by gunfire from the suspect, though officials said medical teams would determine that conclusively.

The incident prompted a rapid security response across the White House complex. Journalists working on the grounds were quickly ushered indoors as a precaution, and parts of the surrounding area were sealed off with police tape.

Despite the disruption, an event hosted by Donald Trump with small business owners continued inside the White House. The president did not address the shooting publicly.

Officials said there was no immediate sign that the suspect was targeting the White House or a specific individual. Quinn added that investigators are still working to determine a motive.

Vice President JD Vance had passed through the area shortly before the shooting, though authorities said there is no evidence linking the incident to his motorcade.

The Secret Service said plainclothes agents routinely patrol areas surrounding the White House to identify potential threats before they reach secure zones. Monday’s encounter followed that pattern, with agents noticing suspicious behavior and coordinating with uniformed officers.

The agency urged the public to avoid the area as emergency crews and investigators continued their work.

The shooting comes just over a week after another security scare near the White House. In that case, a man identified by authorities as Cole Tomas Allen allegedly forced his way through a security checkpoint during a high-profile dinner event attended by journalists and government officials. Prosecutors said he was armed and fired at a Secret Service officer, who was protected by body armor and survived.

Allen now faces multiple federal charges, including attempting to assassinate the president.

The latest shooting underscores the constant pressure on security agencies tasked with protecting one of the most sensitive locations in the United States.

The area around the White House is among the most heavily guarded in the country. Still, it remains accessible to tourists and residents, creating a complex balance between openness and security.

Incidents like Monday’s highlight how quickly routine patrols can turn into life-threatening situations. The presence of plainclothes agents is designed to spot risks early, before they escalate closer to the White House itself. In this case, officials say that early detection likely prevented a more serious outcome.

The timing also raises concerns. Two security incidents within days of each other suggest a heightened threat environment, even if investigators have not established a direct link between them.

Security experts often point out that high-profile locations attract individuals seeking attention or driven by personal grievances. While motives can vary widely, the response from law enforcement tends to follow strict protocols aimed at neutralizing threats as quickly as possible.

There is also the question of public safety. The injury to a bystander, even if not severe, shows the risks that come with armed confrontations in busy public areas. The National Mall and surrounding landmarks draw large crowds, making any incident there especially dangerous.

For the Secret Service, each event becomes part of a broader assessment. Agencies review response times, communication, and coordination to refine their approach for future situations.

At the same time, political leaders face pressure to maintain normal operations despite security concerns. The decision to continue the president’s event inside the White House reflects an effort to project stability and avoid disruption.

Still, repeated incidents can shape public perception. Even isolated events may raise questions about safety in areas that many view as symbolic and secure.

Investigators are expected to review surveillance footage, witness accounts, and forensic evidence to determine exactly what happened and whether the suspect had any specific intent.

For now, officials emphasize that there is no clear indication the White House itself was the target. But the investigation remains active, and more details are likely to emerge in the coming days.

AP/NYPost

U.S. and Iran Trade Missiles and Drones Over Persian Gulf

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STRAIT OF HORMUZ — The U.S. and Iran traded missiles, drones, and conflicting claims across the Persian Gulf on Monday in the most volatile day of naval confrontation since their war began in February, as President Donald Trump’s attempt to force merchant ships through the world’s most critical energy chokepoint ended with an oil port on fire, six Iranian boats destroyed, and global shipping companies saying they would wait before risking the passage.

Trump called it “Project Freedom.” Iran’s foreign minister called it “Project Deadlock.” By the end of Monday, the evidence leaned toward Tehran’s characterization.

Explosions and fires were reported on several merchant vessels in the Gulf. Iranian missiles struck and set ablaze the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates — one of the few oil export routes in the Middle East that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz entirely. The UAE, which hosts a large American military base, called the strikes a serious escalation and said it reserved the right to respond. The Emirati state oil company ADNOC confirmed one of its empty tankers was hit by Iranian drones. British maritime security agency UKMTO reported two additional ships struck off the UAE coast.

South Korea reported that one of its merchant vessels, the HMM Namu, suffered an explosion and fire in its engine room while transiting the strait. No crew members were hurt. A South Korean government spokesman said it remained unclear whether the fire resulted from an attack or started internally.

Oil prices surged more than 5 percent in volatile trading as the day’s events unfolded.

A Chokepoint That Won’t Open

The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February — a war that has killed thousands of people across the region. Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply moves through the strait in normal times. Since February, almost none has. Shipping insurance costs have surged to levels that make most commercial transits economically prohibitive, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has made clear that no vessel passes without its permission.

Trump announced “Project Freedom” on social media two days after a legal deadline passed requiring him to obtain congressional authorization for the war. He told Congress the war was “terminated” and the deadline no longer applied — a position disputed by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. He provided few specifics about how the operation would work.

The U.S. military said two American merchant ships made it through the strait Monday with Navy guided-missile destroyer escorts. Maersk confirmed that its vessel Alliance Fairfax, a U.S.-flagged ship, exited the Gulf through the strait under American military escort. Iran denied any crossings had taken place.

U.S. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of American forces in the region, said his fleet destroyed six small Iranian military boats during the operation and issued a direct warning to Iranian forces to stay clear of U.S. military assets. Iran denied the boats were destroyed.

The competing claims were impossible to independently verify. Reuters confirmed it could not independently establish the full picture of what happened in the strait Monday as both sides issued flatly contradictory accounts throughout the day.

Major shipping companies said that regardless of Monday’s reported crossings, they would not resume regular transits until a formal end to hostilities was agreed upon. Two ships getting through under destroyer escort is not a reopened shipping lane. It is a demonstration — and on Monday, it was a demonstration that came at a significant cost.

Iran Expands Its Map

Iranian authorities released a new map Monday showing an expanded maritime zone they claimed as under their control — stretching far beyond the strait to include long sections of the UAE’s coastline. The move was both a tactical statement and a political one, signaling that Tehran intended to contest American naval dominance across a broader stretch of Gulf waters than Washington had anticipated.

Iran also said it fired on a U.S. warship approaching the strait, forcing it to turn back. An initial Iranian report claimed the warship was struck. The U.S. denied it. Iranian officials subsequently walked back the claim, describing the fire as warning shots. The sequence illustrated the fog of contested information that has surrounded every significant event in this conflict since February.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Monday’s violence only confirmed that there was no military path to resolving the crisis. He said peace talks were continuing through Pakistani mediation and warned the U.S. and the UAE against being drawn deeper into a conflict he said was being fueled by outside parties with their own agendas.

“Project Freedom is Project Deadlock,” Araqchi wrote on social media.

Peace Talks, Nuclear Standoff

The military confrontation is running parallel to halting diplomatic efforts that have so far produced one round of direct U.S.-Iran talks and little else. The U.S. and Israel suspended their bombing of Iran four weeks ago. Attempts to schedule further face-to-face meetings have broken down.

Iran submitted a 14-point proposal through Pakistani intermediaries. Iranian state media said Sunday that the U.S. had conveyed its response through the same channel and Tehran was reviewing it. Neither government disclosed the substance of either document.

The Iranian proposal would defer discussion of the country’s nuclear program until after a broader agreement ends the war and resolves the shipping standoff. Trump said over the weekend he was still reviewing the proposal but would probably reject it.

At the heart of the nuclear dimension is a straightforward but unresolved dispute. Trump wants Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium removed from the country to prevent further enrichment toward weapons-grade material. Iran insists its nuclear program is entirely civilian. U.S. intelligence assessments reviewed by Reuters showed limited damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure from the bombings conducted by the U.S. and Israel last year — meaning the program remains largely intact despite months of strikes.

 A War With No Exit Ramp in Sight

Monday’s events illustrated the central dilemma facing both Washington and Tehran. Neither side can fully achieve its objectives through continued fighting, and neither has yet accepted the concessions that a negotiated settlement would require.

Trump’s decision to launch “Project Freedom” without congressional authorization, two days after the legal deadline for that authorization expired, creates a domestic political vulnerability that his opponents will press. More immediately, the operation’s mixed results — two ships through, an oil port on fire, insurance costs unchanged, major shippers still standing down — suggest that military force alone cannot reopen the strait against determined Iranian resistance.

For Iran, Monday’s strikes on the UAE represent a significant escalation that carries its own risks. The Emirates hosts American forces and has largely tried to stay out of the direct line of fire. Hitting Fujairah, which sits outside the strait and serves as an alternative oil export route, tells the region that Tehran is willing to expand the conflict’s geography when it feels pressured. That message will land in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and every other Gulf capital calculating its exposure.

The Pakistani mediation channel remains the most credible path to talks, but the 14-point Iranian proposal and the American response to it have not moved either side visibly closer to an agreement. With congressional pressure building in Washington, shipping markets in turmoil, and oil prices climbing on every new exchange of fire, the costs of continued stalemate are rising for everyone — including the two governments that appear most committed to staying in it.

13 People Hospitalized in Oklahoma Lake Party Mass Shooting; Suspects at Large Near Arcadia Lake

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A warm Sunday evening at a lakeside party turned violent just after 9 p.m. when gunfire tore through a crowd of young people near Arcadia Lake, sending at least 13 to hospitals and scattering witnesses across one of Oklahoma City’s most popular outdoor recreational spots.

Nobody was in custody by Monday morning. No motive had been established. And detectives were still fanning out across the Oklahoma City metro area, tracking down victims and witnesses one by one.

“This is obviously a very terrifying situation and we understand the concern from the public and those involved,” Edmond police spokesperson Emily Ward told reporters Sunday night. “We are working extremely hard to find the suspects.”

Emergency crews transported 10 victims by ambulance to hospitals across the area. Several others, bleeding and frightened, skipped the ambulances entirely and drove themselves to the nearest emergency rooms. Ward described victims as being in “various conditions” but confirmed no fatalities.

Ten patients were being treated at Integris Health Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City as of Monday morning. Three more were at Integris Health Edmond Hospital. A hospital system spokesperson confirmed all were victims of the Edmond shooting.

What Led to the Shots

The gathering appears to have been a “Sunday Funday” event — a social outing advertised on social media and held near East 15th Street and Air Depot Boulevard, east of Arcadia Lake. Edmond police said the shooting appeared to have started with a fight at a pavilion on the grounds before weapons were drawn and shots fired into the crowd.

Ward said detectives were conducting interviews across the metro Sunday night and into Monday. Anyone with information was urged to contact police at (405) 359-4338. No arrests had been announced as of early Monday.

Arcadia Lake sits roughly 13 miles north of Oklahoma City, carved out in 1987 through a partnership between the City of Edmond and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control. It became one of the region’s go-to destinations for fishing, boating, camping, and picnicking — exactly the kind of place young people gather on a Sunday when the weather holds.

Edmond itself is a suburb of about 100,000 people, prosperous and generally quiet. But the city carries a dark chapter in American history. On Aug. 20, 1986, postal worker Patrick Sherrill walked into his Edmond workplace and shot 20 colleagues, killing 14 before turning the gun on himself. It remains one of the deadliest workplace shootings in U.S. history and the event that embedded the phrase “going postal” into the American vocabulary.

Sunday’s shooting did not approach that toll. But for the families of 13 people now in hospital beds, and for a community that woke Monday to police tape where a party had been, the number barely matters.

Mass casualty shootings at public social events have become a pattern so familiar in the United States that the shock has begun to dull — which is itself part of the problem. A lakeside party on a Sunday evening, advertised on social media, drawing young people out for an afternoon of sun and music, is not a context that should require a threat assessment. Yet the data on shootings at outdoor gatherings, festivals, and community events tells a consistent story: accessible crowds, limited security, and the ready availability of firearms create conditions where a single argument can become a mass casualty event within seconds.

The Edmond shooting followed that template almost exactly. A fight broke out. Guns came out. Thirteen people ended up in hospitals before anyone fully understood what had happened. Suspects were gone before police arrived.

The question of who fired, why, and whether any of the victims were intended targets or simply standing nearby will take days or weeks to establish. What is already clear is that a community gathering meant to close out a weekend with friends ended with ambulances, emergency rooms, and a city’s worth of unanswered questions before Monday morning arrived.

A warm Sunday evening at a lakeside party turned violent just after 9 p.m. when gunfire tore through a crowd of young people near Arcadia Lake, sending at least 13 to hospitals and scattering witnesses across one of Oklahoma City’s most popular outdoor recreational spots.

Nobody was in custody by Monday morning. No motive had been established. And detectives were still fanning out across the Oklahoma City metro area, tracking down victims and witnesses one by one.

“This is obviously a very terrifying situation and we understand the concern from the public and those involved,” Edmond police spokesperson Emily Ward told reporters Sunday night. “We are working extremely hard to find the suspects.”

Emergency crews transported 10 victims by ambulance to hospitals across the area. Several others, bleeding and frightened, skipped the ambulances entirely and drove themselves to the nearest emergency rooms. Ward described victims as being in “various conditions” but confirmed no fatalities.

Ten patients were being treated at Integris Health Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City as of Monday morning. Three more were at Integris Health Edmond Hospital. A hospital system spokesperson confirmed all were victims of the Edmond shooting.

What Led to the Shots

The gathering appears to have been a “Sunday Funday” event — a social outing advertised on social media and held near East 15th Street and Air Depot Boulevard, east of Arcadia Lake. Edmond police said the shooting appeared to have started with a fight at a pavilion on the grounds before weapons were drawn and shots fired into the crowd.

Ward said detectives were conducting interviews across the metro Sunday night and into Monday. Anyone with information was urged to contact police at (405) 359-4338. No arrests had been announced as of early Monday.

Arcadia Lake sits roughly 13 miles north of Oklahoma City, carved out in 1987 through a partnership between the City of Edmond and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control. It became one of the region’s go-to destinations for fishing, boating, camping, and picnicking — exactly the kind of place young people gather on a Sunday when the weather holds.

Edmond itself is a suburb of about 100,000 people, prosperous and generally quiet. But the city carries a dark chapter in American history. On Aug. 20, 1986, postal worker Patrick Sherrill walked into his Edmond workplace and shot 20 colleagues, killing 14 before turning the gun on himself. It remains one of the deadliest workplace shootings in U.S. history and the event that embedded the phrase “going postal” into the American vocabulary.

Sunday’s shooting did not approach that toll. But for the families of 13 people now in hospital beds, and for a community that woke Monday to police tape where a party had been, the number barely matters.

Mass casualty shootings at public social events have become a pattern so familiar in the United States that the shock has begun to dull — which is itself part of the problem. A lakeside party on a Sunday evening, advertised on social media, drawing young people out for an afternoon of sun and music, is not a context that should require a threat assessment. Yet the data on shootings at outdoor gatherings, festivals, and community events tells a consistent story: accessible crowds, limited security, and the ready availability of firearms create conditions where a single argument can become a mass casualty event within seconds.

The Edmond shooting followed that template almost exactly. A fight broke out. Guns came out. Thirteen people ended up in hospitals before anyone fully understood what had happened. Suspects were gone before police arrived.

The question of who fired, why, and whether any of the victims were intended targets or simply standing nearby will take days or weeks to establish. What is already clear is that a community gathering meant to close out a weekend with friends ended with ambulances, emergency rooms, and a city’s worth of unanswered questions before Monday morning arrived.

NBC/AP

North Korean Women’s Team Set for Rare Match in South Korea as Rivals Reopen Limited Sports Contact

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A women’s soccer club from North Korea is expected to compete in a regional tournament in South Korea later this month, marking a rare moment of contact between the long-divided neighbors.

Officials in Seoul said Monday that Naegohyang Women’s FC, based in Pyongyang, is scheduled to face Suwon FC Women in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League on May 20. The match will take place in Suwon, a city just south of the capital.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which oversees relations with the North, confirmed the planned fixture and described it as part of a regional competition organized under the Asian Football Confederation.

The Korea Football Association said the continental governing body has received a roster of players and staff from the North Korean club who are expected to travel for the match. Officials added that failure to appear could result in disciplinary action from the AFC.

State media in North Korea has not publicly addressed the team’s expected trip.

The planned appearance stands out. Direct exchanges between the two Koreas have been rare in recent years as political tensions deepened. The last time North Korea sent athletes south was in December 2018, when players took part in a table tennis event. That visit came during a brief period of improved ties, which also included North Korean participation in the Winter Olympics hosted by South Korea earlier that year.

Before that, North Korea’s women’s national soccer team competed at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, marking the last time female players from the North played on southern soil.

On the field, the visiting club arrives with strong credentials. North Korea’s women’s programs have seen success in youth competitions, holding titles at both the Under-17 and Under-20 levels on the global stage.

Naegohyang Women’s FC has also impressed in the current tournament. The team secured a 3-0 win over Suwon FC Women during the group stage held in Myanmar last November, then advanced past a club from Vietnam in the quarterfinals earlier this year.

The semifinal winner will advance to the final three days later, also in Suwon. In the other semifinal, Melbourne City FC will meet Tokyo Verdy Beleza.

While the match is a sporting event, its meaning goes beyond soccer.

For years, sports have served as a quiet bridge between North and South Korea during moments of reduced tension. Joint teams, shared marches at global events, and athlete exchanges have all appeared at times when diplomacy showed signs of progress.

That has not been the case recently.

Relations between the two countries have cooled sharply since 2019, when talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump broke down over sanctions and nuclear policy. Since then, dialogue has stalled, and cooperation has largely disappeared.

The North has stepped up weapons testing and taken a harder line toward the South, which it now describes as a primary adversary. At the same time, authorities in Pyongyang have moved to limit the spread of South Korean culture inside the country.

In that climate, even a single sports event carries weight.

The upcoming match does not signal a major diplomatic shift on its own. Still, it offers a small window into how limited engagement can continue even when political ties are strained. Sporting events are often easier to arrange than formal negotiations, making them one of the few remaining channels for contact.

For South Korea, hosting the North Korean team presents both an opportunity and a challenge. It allows officials to show openness and stability while managing security and public attention around a sensitive event.

For North Korea, participation may serve multiple purposes. It gives its athletes international exposure and maintains a presence in regional competitions. It may also signal a controlled willingness to engage, even as broader tensions remain unresolved.

There is also a practical side. The Asian Football Confederation tournament carries competitive stakes, and teams are expected to fulfill their fixtures. Financial penalties or sanctions could follow if a club withdraws without cause.

Beyond politics, the match will draw interest from fans. Encounters between teams from the two Koreas are rare, and they often carry an added layer of emotion and curiosity.

Past experiences show that sports exchanges can briefly soften public attitudes, even if they do not lead to lasting political change. Shared moments on the field have, at times, created images of unity that stand in contrast to the broader divide.

Whether this event leads to further interaction remains unclear. Much will depend on the political climate in the months ahead. If tensions continue to rise, this could remain an isolated case. If conditions improve, it could open the door to more exchanges.

For now, attention turns to May 20 in Suwon, where a soccer match will bring together players from two nations that have spent decades apart.

AP

Masked Armed Men Abduct Mali Junta Critic and Defense Lawyer From His Bamako Home as Military Government Reels From Deadly Coordinated Attacks

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BAMAKO, Mali — Armed men in masks stormed into Mountaga Tall’s home just before midnight Saturday and dragged him away. No warrant. No explanation. His wife tried to photograph them. They roughed her up and took her phone.

By Sunday morning, one of Mali’s most prominent lawyers and junta critics was gone — and his family had no idea where.

Tall’s relative Mahmoud Touré confirmed the abduction to the Associated Press. The men, Touré said, were from the armed forces.

“They did not explain why and did not present an arrest warrant,” Touré told AP. “The soldiers mistreated Mountaga Tall’s wife and took his phone.”

A family member who witnessed the scene told AFP that “two men in balaclavas came to take him away, they left with him.” The family has since filed a formal complaint for kidnapping and disappearance with security forces. The Malian government has not commented.

Mountaga Tall is not a minor figure. He served as Mali’s minister of education and science from 2016 to 2017 and leads the National Congress for Democratic Initiative, a political party openly opposed to military rule. As a lawyer, he has spent recent months in courtrooms defending politicians and military officers arrested by the junta for criticizing the government.

He was also one of the key figures in the M5-RFP movement — the coalition of protest groups whose street pressure helped bring down former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in 2020. When the military officers who seized power initially took over, Tall was among those who gave them a degree of political cover. He later broke with them entirely and became one of their sharpest public critics.

His legal work made him a direct thorn in the junta’s side. He had filed challenges in multiple courts contesting the military government’s decision to dissolve political parties. He was simultaneously serving as defense counsel for several officers the junta had arrested on charges of attempting to destabilize state institutions.

Now he is the one who has been taken.

Tall’s abduction comes in the middle of the worst security crisis Mali’s military government has faced since taking power. On April 26, coordinated attacks struck Bamako and multiple other cities across the country in what the Associated Press confirmed was among the heaviest assaults on the Malian army since 2012.

The attackers were a joint force — the Islamic militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, known as JNIM and linked to Al-Qaeda, fighting alongside the Azawad Liberation Front, a Tuareg-led separatist movement. Together they seized several towns and military bases. At least 23 people were killed, among them civilians and children, according to UNICEF. Mali’s defense minister, Sadio Camara, was also killed in the attacks.

The scale of the assault shook the junta visibly. On Friday, the military government’s prosecutor’s office said it had obtained what it called solid evidence that certain members of the armed forces helped plan, coordinate, and execute the attacks from within — an accusation of internal betrayal that sent a wave of arrests across the military establishment.

The same prosecutor’s office also accused Oumar Mariko — an exiled opposition politician, former lawmaker, and one-time presidential candidate — of involvement in the attacks. Mariko has not been brought back to Mali and the basis for the accusation has not been publicly detailed.

The arrest wave following the April 26 attacks has targeted military personnel suspected of complicity. Tall’s abduction fits a broader and more troubling pattern — the silencing of civilian critics, lawyers, and political opponents under the cover of the security emergency.

His family has filed the kidnapping complaint. The government has said nothing. No charge has been announced. No location disclosed. AFP and AP both confirmed the abduction through family members on the ground in Bamako, and neither Malian authorities nor the junta’s spokesperson had offered any response as of Sunday.

The timing is unlikely to be coincidental. Tall represented the exact kind of legal opposition the junta has struggled to suppress through normal channels — his court filings against the dissolution of political parties were working their way through the judiciary. His clients included the very officers the junta had already imprisoned. His removal from the picture, even temporarily, benefits the government in multiple active legal proceedings.

The abduction of a defense attorney in the middle of active cases he is litigating is not a side effect of a security crackdown. It is the crackdown itself, applied to the legal system.

Mali’s military government has steadily dismantled the formal institutions of political opposition since seizing power in 2020 — dissolving parties, arresting critics, and now, it appears, removing the lawyers who represent them. That progression follows a recognizable pattern in states where military governments consolidate power over time: the first targets are the politicians, the second are the journalists, and the third are the lawyers, because lawyers are the ones who can make a legal record of what is happening.

Tall’s case sits at the intersection of all three threats from the junta’s perspective. He was a politician. He was a public critic. And he was building legal challenges that, if they succeeded, could have forced the government to restore political freedoms it had abolished.

The international community’s response to Mali’s security crisis has been complicated by the junta’s expulsion of French forces, its embrace of Russian military contractors, and its withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States. Those ruptures have left fewer external pressure points available to human rights organizations and foreign governments that might otherwise push for Tall’s release.

What happens to Mountaga Tall in the coming days will say a great deal about whether any institution in Mali — legal, political, or international — retains enough independence to hold the junta accountable for what happened in his home just before midnight on Saturday.

Englishahram/AP

Kenya Floods Turn Deadly as Heavy Rains Kill 18, Displace Thousands in One Week

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Relentless seasonal rains across Kenya have turned deadly once again, leaving at least 18 people dead in the past week and forcing tens of thousands from their homes as floodwaters spread across large parts of the country.

Police officials confirmed Sunday that most of the deaths were linked to drowning incidents as rivers burst their banks and water swept through residential areas. The scale of the destruction has stretched from rural communities to the capital, Nairobi, where entire neighborhoods have been inundated.

Figures released by Kenya’s Interior Ministry indicate that more than 54,000 households have been affected nationwide. Of those, about 6,000 are in Nairobi, underscoring the reach of the disaster into densely populated urban areas.

The flooding has also crippled essential services. Schools and hospitals have been forced to close after water entered buildings, while at least 17 roads have been rendered impassable, cutting off communities and slowing relief efforts.

The situation has been made worse by landslides in parts of the western Rift Valley, where unstable ground has pushed thousands of residents to abandon their homes. Authorities have issued fresh warnings to communities living along the Tana River and Athi River, urging them to move to higher ground as water levels continue to rise.

Forecasters at the Kenya Meteorological Department have cautioned that the worst may not be over. Weather officials expect intensified rainfall to persist through the first half of May, raising fears of further flooding and additional casualties.

The Associated Press earlier detailed how the seasonal rains, which began in March, have already left a trail of destruction. By the end of that month, more than 100 people had died as storms swept across the country.

Separately, Reuters noted that the death toll from flooding and landslides had climbed to 18, citing Kenya’s National Police Service. Authorities described the situation as a growing national emergency driven by sustained downpours.

Police said landslides have struck several regions, including Tharaka Nithi, Elgeyo-Marakwet, and Kiambu counties. In a statement, the National Police Service stressed that the fatalities highlight the severe risks posed by the continuing weather conditions.

“This underscores the grave danger,” the police said, pointing to the combined threats of flooding and collapsing terrain.

Across the country, the damage is becoming more visible by the day. Flooded roads have isolated villages. Farmland has been submerged, threatening crops and livelihoods. In some areas, families have been forced to shelter in schools or makeshift camps after losing everything.

Residents describe scenes of sudden chaos. Water levels have risen quickly, leaving little time to react. In low-lying areas, homes have been overtaken within hours, with belongings swept away by fast-moving currents.

Government agencies have mobilized emergency response teams, but access challenges remain a major hurdle. Damaged infrastructure has slowed the delivery of aid, while ongoing rains continue to complicate rescue operations.

The crisis is not new for Kenya. Each year, the March-to-May rainy season brings heavy downpours, but recent years have seen more intense and unpredictable weather patterns. This year’s floods appear to be following that trend, with early-season storms already proving deadly.

What is unfolding in Kenya reflects a broader pattern seen across East Africa, where climate variability is reshaping traditional weather cycles. The increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events has raised concerns among scientists and policymakers alike.

Flooding in urban areas like Nairobi highlights a different challenge: rapid population growth combined with strained infrastructure. Drainage systems often struggle to handle large volumes of water, turning streets into rivers and worsening the impact on residents.

Rural regions face their own vulnerabilities. Landslides in the Rift Valley are often tied to deforestation and land use changes, which weaken soil stability. When heavy rains arrive, the ground can give way with little warning.

There are also longer-term implications for food security. Flooded farmland can delay planting seasons or destroy crops entirely, potentially driving up food prices and increasing pressure on already vulnerable households.

Hydroelectric dams, which play a key role in Kenya’s energy supply, are another point of concern. Rising water levels may boost power generation in the short term, but they also raise the risk of controlled water releases that could worsen downstream flooding.

The economic toll is likely to grow as well. Damaged roads disrupt trade routes. Closed schools interrupt education. Health facilities affected by flooding face challenges in treating patients, especially in areas already dealing with limited resources.

Kenya’s experience mirrors challenges seen in other parts of the world, where extreme weather is becoming more common. The current crisis could renew calls for stronger investment in climate resilience, including improved drainage systems, better land management, and more effective early warning systems.

At the same time, the immediate focus remains on saving lives and supporting those displaced. Relief agencies are working to provide food, shelter, and medical care, but needs are expected to rise if the rains continue as forecast.

For many families, the road to recovery will be long. Rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and returning to normal life may take months, if not longer.

As the rainy season continues, authorities face a difficult task: managing an unfolding emergency while preparing for the possibility of even more severe weather in the weeks ahead.

Reuters/AP

Rudy Giuliani in Critical but Stable Condition After Hospitalization, Spokesperson Confirms

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Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized and is in critical condition, a spokesperson said Sunday, offering few details about the health scare involving the former New York City mayor.

Ted Goodman, speaking on behalf of Giuliani, said the 81-year-old is “critical but stable” as he receives medical care. The statement did not explain what led to his hospitalization or when he was admitted.

“Mayor Rudy Giuliani is currently in the hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition,” Goodman said. “He has faced challenges throughout his life with strength, and he is continuing that fight now.”

The statement also asked the public to keep Giuliani in their thoughts and prayers, reflecting concern among supporters and political allies who have followed his long public career.

Giuliani served as mayor of New York City from 1994 through 2001, a period that brought him national attention for his leadership style and his response during times of crisis. His time in office included years marked by falling crime rates and major changes in policing strategy, as well as the aftermath of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, when he became widely known across the country.

Beyond City Hall, Giuliani remained a visible figure in national politics for decades. He later worked as an attorney and political adviser, including a high-profile role in the orbit of President Donald Trump. His public profile has stayed strong, even as his career has moved through both praise and controversy.

Details about his current medical condition remain limited. No hospital has been named, and family members have not issued a separate statement. It is also unclear whether additional updates will be released in the coming days.

The lack of information has left many questions unanswered. Still, the description of “critical but stable” suggests a serious situation, though not one that is rapidly worsening at this stage.

Giuliani’s hospitalization comes at a moment when his legacy continues to draw attention across political and legal circles. For many Americans, he remains closely tied to his time leading New York City, especially during moments that shaped the nation’s sense of security and resilience.

At the same time, his later years have placed him in a different light. His involvement in national politics and legal battles has kept him in headlines, sometimes shifting the public’s perception of his earlier achievements. That contrast has made him a complex figure, viewed in sharply different ways depending on political and personal perspectives.

Health concerns involving high-profile figures often carry broader implications. In Giuliani’s case, his age and long public career naturally draw attention to the physical toll of decades in demanding roles. Public service at that level often involves intense pressure, long hours and constant scrutiny.

There is also a human side that cuts through the political narrative. News of serious illness tends to bring a pause, even among critics. Moments like this shift the focus from public debate to personal well-being.

The phrase “critical but stable” is often used in medical settings to describe a patient whose condition is serious but not rapidly declining. It can mean that doctors are closely monitoring vital functions while working to stabilize the situation. Without more details, it is difficult to assess the exact nature of Giuliani’s condition.

For supporters, the hope is for recovery. For observers, the situation serves as a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change, even for those who have spent decades in the public eye.

Giuliani’s career has spanned law enforcement, politics and legal advocacy. That breadth has made him one of the more recognizable figures in modern American public life. His leadership during key moments in New York City’s history continues to shape how he is remembered, even as later chapters have added complexity to that legacy.

As updates emerge, attention will likely remain high. His condition, and any changes in it, will be closely followed by both the public and political figures who have worked with him over the years.

For now, the focus remains on his health. The statement from his spokesperson offers a brief but clear picture: the situation is serious, but he is holding steady under medical care.

ABC

2 U.S. Soldiers Missing in Morocco After Military Exercise as Search Effort Expands

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Two U.S. Army soldiers are missing in southwestern Morocco after taking part in a multinational military exercise, prompting a large search effort involving American and Moroccan forces.

United States Africa Command said Sunday that the soldiers disappeared Saturday night near a coastal training area after the day’s activities had ended. A U.S. defense official familiar with the situation said the pair had gone on a recreational hike when they failed to return.

“They were not engaged in training at the time,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. “The exercises had wrapped up for the day, and they were out hiking.”

The soldiers were last seen near steep ocean cliffs close to the Cap Draa training zone, near the city of Tan-Tan along Morocco’s Atlantic coast. The area is known for rugged terrain, combining rocky hills with desert and open plains.

Search teams launched a joint operation soon after the soldiers were reported missing. The effort includes helicopters, naval units, mountain rescue teams and divers working along the coastline and nearby inland areas.

AFRICOM said the search is ongoing and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance remain under review.

Moroccan military officials confirmed the timeline, saying the soldiers were reported missing around 9 p.m. Saturday. Authorities from both countries moved quickly to coordinate a response.

The incident occurred during African Lion, an annual training event that brings together forces from across Africa, Europe and North America. The exercise, which began in April, is spread across several countries, including Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal, and is scheduled to conclude in early May.

More than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations are taking part this year. The drills involve multiple branches of the U.S. military, including active-duty troops, the National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force and Marine Corps.

The exercise, which began in 2004, is the largest of its kind on the African continent. It is designed to strengthen cooperation among partner nations and improve readiness for regional and global crises.

U.S. military officials have often pointed to the drills as a key part of their engagement in Africa, where security concerns continue to evolve.

Morocco remains one of Washington’s closest partners in the region, hosting joint exercises and supporting a range of defense initiatives. The country’s strategic location along the Atlantic coast and near key trade routes adds to its importance.

Still, the disappearance of the soldiers has cast a shadow over this year’s exercise.

This is not the first time a serious incident has occurred during the training. In 2012, a helicopter crash during the same exercise near Agadir killed two U.S. Marines and injured two others.

The disappearance highlights the risks that remain even outside active training scenarios. Military exercises often take place in challenging environments, and off-duty activities can carry their own dangers, especially in unfamiliar terrain.

The coastal cliffs and desert landscape near Tan-Tan present unique hazards. Sudden drops, shifting ground and limited visibility at night can quickly turn a routine hike into a life-threatening situation. The proximity to the ocean adds another layer of risk, particularly if someone falls or is swept into the water.

The scale of the search effort reflects both the seriousness of the situation and the close military ties between the United States and Morocco. Joint operations like this are not just about training; they also test how quickly and effectively forces can respond to emergencies.

There is also a broader strategic backdrop. The African Lion exercise takes place at a time when security dynamics in parts of Africa are shifting. In recent years, military-led governments in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have reduced cooperation with Western nations, creating new challenges for U.S. engagement on the continent.

That makes partnerships with countries like Morocco even more significant. Incidents like this, while tragic, also show the depth of coordination between allied forces.

For now, the focus remains on locating the missing soldiers. Search teams are working against time, terrain and weather conditions, with hope that the soldiers may still be found alive.

The outcome of the search will likely shape how future exercises handle off-duty safety and risk management, especially in remote or hazardous areas.

AP

Trump Announces U.S. Plan to Escort Ships From Strait of Hormuz as Tensions With Iran Persist

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President Donald Trump said the United States will begin guiding commercial vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday, outlining a new effort to assist ships stranded in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes amid ongoing tensions with Iran.

In a message posted Sunday, Trump said the operation—described as “Project Freedom”—is aimed at helping vessels from what he called “neutral and innocent” nations safely leave the restricted waters and resume trade.

He offered few operational details but indicated the plan would involve direct U.S. support in escorting ships through the narrow passage, where traffic has been disrupted since fighting began earlier this year.

“Those ships will be guided safely out so they can get back to business,” Trump said, adding that talks with Iranian officials were ongoing and could lead to a positive outcome.

The announcement comes as hundreds of vessels remain stuck in the Persian Gulf region, with crews facing growing shortages of food, water and supplies. Many sailors, including workers from Asia, have spent weeks waiting for safe passage as the security situation remains uncertain.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply, has been sharply reduced after Iran moved to restrict access following the outbreak of war on Feb. 28 involving U.S. and Israeli forces.

Trump framed the planned escort mission as a humanitarian step, but he also issued a warning. Any attempt to disrupt the operation, he said, would be met with force.

His comments were quickly picked up by Iranian media, which cast doubt on the plan and described it as an unverified claim.

The situation in the region remains volatile. Earlier Sunday, a cargo vessel traveling near the strait reported being approached by several small boats, in what British military monitors described as a possible attack. The incident occurred near the Iranian coast, east of the main shipping channel.

All crew members aboard the vessel were reported safe. Iranian officials later denied any hostile action, saying the ship had been stopped briefly for routine checks.

Still, the encounter underscored the risks facing commercial shipping. Since the conflict began, at least two dozen similar incidents have been recorded in and around the strait.

Small patrol boats used in the area are fast and difficult to track, raising concerns among shipping companies and military planners. U.S. forces have already been authorized to respond aggressively to threats, including boats suspected of laying naval mines.

Elsewhere in the region, ships near the United Arab Emirates reported receiving radio messages instructing them to move from anchorage points, though it was unclear who issued the warnings.

At the same time, Iran signaled it is reviewing a recent U.S. response to a proposal aimed at ending the conflict. A spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry said there are no active negotiations on nuclear issues at this stage, suggesting talks are focused instead on halting hostilities.

Iran’s plan reportedly calls for sanctions relief, an end to the U.S. naval blockade and a withdrawal of foreign forces from the region. Trump has expressed skepticism that the proposal will lead to a breakthrough.

Despite a fragile ceasefire now in place for several weeks, Iran has made clear it does not intend to return the Strait of Hormuz to prewar conditions. Officials in Tehran say control of the waterway remains a strategic priority.

The United States, meanwhile, has warned shipping firms against making payments to Iran for safe passage, saying such actions could trigger sanctions.

U.S. officials say the naval blockade imposed in April has already cut deeply into Iran’s oil revenue. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the country’s oil storage facilities are nearing capacity, which could soon force production cuts.

The planned escort operation marks a significant shift in how the United States is handling the crisis in the Gulf. Rather than relying solely on military deterrence, Washington is now moving to directly manage commercial traffic through a contested zone.

That carries both opportunity and risk.

On one hand, helping ships move again could ease pressure on global energy markets. Oil prices have surged since the strait effectively closed, and any sign of restored flow could bring some relief to consumers and industries worldwide.

On the other hand, escorting vessels through a high-risk area increases the chance of direct confrontation. Even a minor incident involving U.S. forces and Iranian patrols could quickly escalate.

There is also a political dimension. By presenting the move as humanitarian, Trump is attempting to frame the operation as support for global trade rather than a military escalation. But the warning of force suggests the line between those roles remains thin.

For Iran, maintaining leverage over the strait is a powerful tool. It allows Tehran to influence global markets and apply pressure without engaging in full-scale conflict. Any effort to weaken that control is likely to face resistance.

The coming days will test whether the U.S. plan can move ships safely without triggering new clashes. Much will depend on communication between both sides and the willingness to avoid miscalculation.

For now, thousands of sailors and hundreds of vessels remain caught in the middle, waiting to see if the world’s most important shipping route can reopen without further conflict.

AP

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