Category: International

  • Iran rules out further talks with U.S. amid Strait of Hormuz tensions

    Iran rules out further talks with U.S. amid Strait of Hormuz tensions

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — The war in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran shows no sign of easing, as Tehran has dismissed prospects for renewed negotiations with Washington.

    Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, stated that Tehran has “no plan” for another round of talks with the U.S., adding, “If the U.S. sends a team to Islamabad, that is a matter that concerns them.” His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American envoys were en route to Islamabad to continue discussions aimed at ending the conflict.

    Baqaei stressed that Iran would not accept deadlines or ultimatums, reiterating that its “red lines” remain unchanged. He further clarified that the issue of transferring Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles abroad was “never raised” and is “not on the agenda.”

    The spokesperson also criticized U.S. actions, describing the ongoing naval blockade as a violation of the ceasefire. He accused Washington of making “unreasonable demands” and insisted that progress depends on “good faith” from the American side.

    Tensions have escalated following Iran’s decision to reimpose the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which the U.S. condemned as a breach of prior agreements. In response, President Trump warned of “devastating consequences” should Iran persist with the blockade.

    Analysts note that uncertainty over the Islamabad Talks and mutual accusations of violations have left the conflict at risk of further escalation, with trust between the two sides at a low point.

  • Zelenskyy condemns Kyiv shooting, confirms multiple casualties

    Zelenskyy condemns Kyiv shooting, confirms multiple casualties

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned a deadly shooting incident in Kyiv, yesterday, where a lone gunman went on a rampage, killing and injuring several people.

    Zelenskyy said at least two people were initially confirmed dead and 10 others injured, noting that the number of casualties later rose as more details emerged from the scene.

    According to him, the attacker took hostages during the incident, killing one of them, while four others were shot dead on the street. One additional victim later died in hospital from injuries sustained in the attack.

    “My condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims,” he said.

    The president added that four hostages were successfully rescued, while at least 14 people have been reported injured, including a 12-year-old boy. He warned that the casualty figure could increase as more victims seek medical attention.

    Zelenskyy said the attacker was neutralised by security operatives.

    He disclosed that investigators from the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine are examining the circumstances surrounding the attack on civilians in Kyiv.

    Preliminary findings indicate that the suspect had earlier set fire to an apartment before carrying out the shooting. He was also said to have had a prior criminal record and had lived in the Donetsk region, with reports indicating he was born in Russia.

    The president said all available information regarding the suspect and his motives is being thoroughly investigated.

    “Every detail must be verified,” he added.

  • Netanyahu mourns Israeli Soldier Killed in Southern Lebanon, prays for injured

    Netanyahu mourns Israeli Soldier Killed in Southern Lebanon, prays for injured

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mourned the death of an Israeli soldier, Staff Sergeant (res.) Lidor Porat, who was killed in battle in southern Lebanon amid the ongoing military offensive against the Iran-backed group, Hezbollah.

    In a statement, Netanyahu conveyed his deep condolences, as well as those of his wife, Sara Netanyahu, to the family of the fallen soldier.

    “My wife and I, along with all the citizens of Israel, join in their deep grief and extend our profound condolences to the family of Staff Sergeant (res.) Lidor Porat, who fell in battle in southern Lebanon,” he said.

    The Prime Minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of other soldiers injured in the operation, wishing them a swift and complete recovery.

    He noted that the deceased and the injured fought with valour to protect Israeli communities from attacks by Hezbollah, and reaffirmed that Israel would continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard its citizens.

    “May his memory be blessed,” the statement added.

  • South Korea’s MFDS named first WHO collaborating centre for food safety emergencies

    South Korea’s MFDS named first WHO collaborating centre for food safety emergencies

    INTERNATIONAL — 18 April 2026 (NPA) — The Risk Information Division of the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has been designated as the first World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Food Safety Emergencies, marking a significant step in strengthening global preparedness for food-related health risks.

    The designation, formalised in November 2025, recognises over a decade of collaboration between the MFDS and WHO, particularly through the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN). The partnership has focused on improving international coordination in responding to food safety incidents, which can spread rapidly across borders in an increasingly interconnected world.

    Food safety emergencies, including outbreaks of foodborne diseases, require swift and coordinated action across multiple sectors such as health, agriculture, trade and laboratory services. Experts note that effective systems enable earlier detection of risks, faster information sharing and stronger protection of public health.

    As a WHO collaborating centre, the MFDS is expected to expand its role in supporting countries by providing training and education to INFOSAN members, assisting in the development of emergency response plans, and contributing technical expertise to both regional and global coordination efforts. The goal is to enhance countries’ capacity to detect, assess and respond to food safety threats while maintaining confidence in food systems during crises.

    Officials from the MFDS and WHO marked the designation during events held in Seoul and Osong in November 2025, highlighting the importance of sustained international cooperation.

    Minister of Food and Drug Safety, Yu-Kyung Oh, described the recognition as a milestone built on years of trust and collaboration, noting the agency’s role in supporting global food safety response efforts.

    WHO officials also underscored the significance of the partnership. Carmen Savelli said the designation reflects the MFDS’s consistent contributions to strengthening national and regional capacities, including hosting meetings and sharing best practices. Similarly, Katherine Helena Oliveira de Matos emphasised that no country can manage food safety emergencies alone, stressing the importance of collective action.

    The development is expected to reinforce preparedness across the Western Pacific region, ensuring faster and more coordinated responses to food safety risks worldwide.

  • UNICEF condemns killing of water truck drivers in Gaza

    UNICEF condemns killing of water truck drivers in Gaza

    INTERNATIONAL — 18 April 2026 (NPA) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed outrage over the killing of two drivers operating trucks contracted to deliver clean water to families in the Gaza Strip.

    The organisation said the victims were killed by Israeli fire in an incident that occurred early Friday morning at the Mansoura water filling point in northern Gaza. It extended its condolences to the families of the deceased.

    UNICEF noted that two other individuals were injured in the same incident, which took place during routine water trucking operations without any changes in movement or established procedures.

    It further explained that the Mansoura water filling point is currently the only operational truck filling facility connected to the Mekorot water supply line serving Gaza City. The facility is used several times daily by UNICEF and its humanitarian partners to maintain critical water distribution for hundreds of thousands of residents, including children.

    Following the incident, UNICEF said its contractors had been instructed to suspend on-site activities until security conditions improve.

    The organisation called on Israeli authorities to immediately investigate the incident and ensure full accountability. It stressed that humanitarian workers, essential service providers, and civilian infrastructure — including vital water facilities — must not be targeted.

    UNICEF also emphasised that protecting civilians and those delivering life-saving assistance is a legal obligation under international humanitarian law.

    As of the time of filing this report, there has been no immediate response from Israeli authorities about the circumstances surrounding the shooting and whether an investigation into the incident has commenced.

  • US deploys advanced military assets to enforce Iranian port blockade as Tehran protests 

    US deploys advanced military assets to enforce Iranian port blockade as Tehran protests 

    INTERNATIONAL — 17 April 2026 (NPA) — The United States has deployed advanced military assets to enforce a blockade of all Iranian ports, following directives from President Donald Trump.

    According to operational information released by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) is actively engaged in blockade operations in the Arabian Sea as of April 16. Its carrier air wing includes F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 fighter jets, EA-18G electronic attack aircraft, E-2D command and control planes, MH-60 helicopters, and CMV-22B Ospreys for logistics support.

    Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) are also participating, maintaining vigilance against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports. The operation further involves U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conducting readiness flights in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, as well as U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and sailors aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18).

    The blockade is part of United State’s strategy to pressure Iran into an agreement by restricting its ability to export oil and generate revenue to finance the war.

    Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have accused the United States of “piracy at sea,” with some officials issuing threats of sinking U.S. ships. Washington has clarified that the operation is not directed at neutral vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, but specifically targets traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports.

  • Netanyahu vows continued strikes on Hezbollah targets amid US–Iran tensions in the Strait of Hormuz

    Netanyahu vows continued strikes on Hezbollah targets amid US–Iran tensions in the Strait of Hormuz

    INTERNATIONAL — 15 April 2026 (NPA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) will intensify operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.

    In a televised address on Wednesday, Netanyahu said he had instructed the military to press forward with its campaign, including efforts to capture the strategic town of Bint Jbeil, which he claimed is close to falling under Israeli control. He added that Israel would continue to expand its security zone along the border.

    Netanyahu also noted that the United States has been keeping Israel updated on its contacts with Iran regarding ongoing ceasefire negotiations. He stressed that Israel’s objectives are aligned with those of Washington. “In anticipation of the possibility that the fighting will resume, we are prepared for any scenario,” he said.

    Meanwhile, US–Iran ceasefire talks held in Islamabad earlier this week ended without agreement. After marathon negotiations lasting more than 21 hours, US officials said Tehran refused to accept Washington’s truce terms, while Iran insisted it did not expect a deal in the first meeting. The failure has left the fragile ceasefire uncertain, with the US military warning of possible escalations, including a blockade of Iranian ports.

    Consequently, US President Donald Trump ordered the blockade of Iranian ports, cutting off Tehran’s ability to export its main source of revenue and dealing a heavy blow to its economy. Iran, however, has condemned the move, describing it as an affront to international law, vowing resistance.

  • Philippines, China trade claims over West Philippine Sea operations

    Philippines, China trade claims over West Philippine Sea operations

    INTERNATIONAL — 14 April 2026 (NPA) — The Philippine Coast Guard and China’s Foreign Ministry have issued conflicting statements regarding recent activities in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

    Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela rejected remarks by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, insisting that cyanide testing in the area was conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation using established forensic protocols. Tarriela said the results, based on samples recovered from vessels, were credible and transparent.

    He further noted that Ayungin Shoal lies within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, citing the 2016 Arbitral Award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). According to Tarriela, the Philippines has sovereign rights to protect marine resources and enforce its laws in those waters.

    Tarriela also pointed to environmental damage in the region, attributing it to large-scale reclamation and construction activities by China. He said the Philippines’ presence at Ayungin Shoal, maintained by the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, was defensive, while alleging that Chinese actions posed risks to the marine ecosystem.

    China has consistently asserted sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines. The dispute remains one of the most contentious issues in regional maritime security, with both sides continuing to defend their positions under international law.

  • United Nations launches Borrowers’ Platform on April 15

    United Nations launches Borrowers’ Platform on April 15

    INTERNATIONAL —13 April 2026 (NPA) — The United Nations has officially launched the Borrowers’ Platform, a new initiative designed to give developing countries a stronger collective voice in global debt discussions. Facilitated by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the platform seeks to address long-standing gaps in the international financial system by creating a borrower-led space for cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building.

    Debt servicing costs in developing countries have surged over the past decade, with external debt reaching $11.7 trillion in 2024. That year, governments spent nearly 10% of their revenue on interest payments, while least developed countries devoted almost a quarter of their revenue to external creditors. According to UNCTAD, 54 countries—home to 3.4 billion people—now spend more on debt than on health or education.

    Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, underscored the urgency of reform: “3.4 billion people deserve better outcomes. They’re not asking for charity. They want a level playing field where finance enables development rather than constraining it.”

    Egypt’s Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk, who chairs the initial working group, explained that the Borrowers’ Platform is not a debt restructuring forum but rather a cooperative space to share experiences, strengthen debt management capacity, improve transparency, and engage more effectively in global financial discussions.

    The platform’s creation follows a series of milestones: in December 2024, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed an Expert Group on Debt; in June 2025, the group proposed the Borrowers’ Platform; in July 2025, Member States endorsed the idea in the Sevilla Commitment at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development; and in October 2025, the Geneva Consensus at UNCTAD16 called on UNCTAD to facilitate borrower cooperation. A working group led by Egypt and Pakistan, with members including Colombia, Honduras, Maldives, Nepal, and Zambia, drafted the platform’s modalities.

    UNCTAD will serve as the platform’s secretariat, providing technical and administrative support. Advocates say the initiative sends a positive signal to markets by promoting debt sustainability and transparency, while giving developing countries a long-overdue seat at the table in shaping global financial rules.

  • Macron meets AU Commission President, calls for stronger partnership amid Strait of Hormuz crisis

    Macron meets AU Commission President, calls for stronger partnership amid Strait of Hormuz crisis

    PARIS, France, 13 April 2026 (NPA) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday received the President of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, at the Élysée Palace in Paris.

    Macron said he was delighted to welcome Youssouf at what he described as a time of increasing global turbulence, stressing that the African Union remains an essential partner for France, the European Union, and the international community in advancing development, peace, security, and the protection of global public goods across Africa.

    On diplomatic and partnership fronts, Macron pledged that France intends to be a reliable and steadfast partner of the African Union. He highlighted the upcoming Africa Forward Summit, scheduled for Nairobi on 11–12 May, as a major opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Europe and Africa.

    Turning to the Middle East, Macron emphasized that no effort should be spared in pursuing a strong and lasting diplomatic settlement. He said such a settlement must address core issues, including Iran’s nuclear and ballistic activities, its destabilizing actions in the region, the urgent need to restore free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and ensuring Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Macron pledged France’s readiness to play its full part in these efforts, noting that Paris has consistently sought to contribute since the onset of the conflict. He announced that France, together with the United Kingdom, will organize a conference in the coming days with countries willing to contribute to a peaceful multinational mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that the mission would be strictly defensive and separate from the warring parties, to be deployed as soon as conditions permit.

    Earlier, Newpost Africa reported that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had also announced a summit of 40 nations to address the ongoing Strait of Hormuz standoff.