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Category: International

  • Trump survives assassination attempt; Netanyahu, Modi react

    Trump survives assassination attempt; Netanyahu, Modi react

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPA) —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed shock over the alleged attempted assassination of President Donald Trump last night in Washington, D.C., saying he was relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong.

    Netanyahu, alongside his wife Sarah, extended best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer and saluted the U.S. Secret Service for their swift and decisive action.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reacted to the incident, stating he was relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady, and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the security breach at a Washington, D.C. hotel. He extended his best wishes for their continued safety and well-being, stressing that violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned.

    Earlier, Trump posted on Truth Social: “Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room. The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days.”

    Trump described the incident as “quite an evening in D.C.,” praising the Secret Service and law enforcement for acting quickly and bravely. He confirmed that the shooter had been apprehended and noted that while he recommended that the event “LET THE SHOW GO ON,” final decisions would be guided by law enforcement. “Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again,” he added.

  • Senegal, AU, Turkey, international community condemn Mali terrorist attacks

    Senegal, AU, Turkey, international community condemn Mali terrorist attacks

    DAKAR, Senegal(NPA) — Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has strongly condemned the coordinated terrorist attacks in the Republic of Mali carried out today by the Al-Qaeda–linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA).

    Fighting erupted in Bamako, Gao, Kidal, Sévaré, and around the Kati military base near the capital, with the FLA claiming to have seized control of Kidal.

    In a statement, President Faye expressed solidarity with Mali, noting: “In the face of the ordeal and widespread killings and destruction by the terrorists, the Senegalese people, and in my own name, stand firmly with the Malian Government, the Defense and Security Forces, and the entire Malian people.” He reiterated Senegal’s commitment to work alongside Mali and other countries in the sub-region toward restoring peace and security.

    As of the time of filing this report, Malian military authorities announced that the situation had been brought under control, describing the assault as the most coordinated attack against the government in years.

    The African Union has also condemned the attacks, warning they endanger civilians and undermine regional stability.

    Turkey and other international actors also issued strong condemnations, pledging solidarity with Mali. The U.S. Embassy in Mali advised citizens to shelter in place and avoid travel.

    Mali has faced persistent insecurity since 2012, with jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS operating alongside Tuareg separatists. The country’s military junta, led by Assimi Goïta, relies heavily on Russian-backed Africa Corps mercenaries after expelling French forces and UN peacekeepers.

    Today’s attacks in Mali were carried out by JNIM (Al-Qaeda affiliate) and Tuareg separatists (FLA), striking multiple cities including Bamako and Kidal. The violence has drawn widespread condemnation across Africa and internationally, underscoring the worsening instability in the Sahel.

  • Macron meets Middle East leaders, pledges support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and regional stability

    Macron meets Middle East leaders, pledges support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and regional stability

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, and Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II on the sidelines of the informal European Council meeting in Cyprus. The discussions focused on addressing the challenges facing countries in the Middle East and strengthening cooperation between the region and Europe.

    Macron stressed the importance of working together on a shared agenda of sovereignty, stability, and prosperity, noting that both Europe and the Middle East are grappling with the consequences of ongoing regional conflicts. He emphasized that the Middle East is poised to become a central link in supply routes with the European Union, a development he said would benefit both peoples and economies.

    The French President announced that France will continue to play its part in advancing these objectives, particularly by supporting Lebanon in its efforts to uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity. He underscored France’s backing for the Lebanese state’s monopoly over weapons, describing it as a categorical plan to disarm Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed armed group operating in Lebanon.

    Macron further stated that France stands ready to mobilize its partners when the time comes, including by organizing a conference in support of Lebanon’s armed and security forces as well as the country’s economic recovery.

    European diplomats at the Cyprus meeting welcomed Macron’s initiative, noting that France’s leadership could help galvanize broader EU support for stability in the Middle East. They emphasized that coordinated action is essential to prevent further escalation and to strengthen regional partnerships.

    The meeting in Cyprus highlighted France’s ongoing diplomatic engagement in the Middle East, with Macron positioning his country as a key partner in efforts to stabilize the region and foster closer ties with Europe.

  • WTO, ITC launch WEIDE Program in Jordan to empower women entrepreneurs

    WTO, ITC launch WEIDE Program in Jordan to empower women entrepreneurs

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — The World Trade Organization (WTO) has congratulated 46 women-led businesses in Jordan selected to benefit from the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, a program designed to strengthen their participation in international trade through digital commerce. The announcement was made in Amman on April 23 at a launch event organized by the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO), the program’s local partner.

    The beneficiaries were chosen from a pool of 469 applicants and will undergo a one-year program combining technical assistance, mentorship, access to international business networks, and financial support. The WEIDE Fund, launched in 2024 by the WTO Secretariat and the International Trade Center (ITC), is currently being implemented in four countries, including Jordan.

    WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, speaking virtually, said: “Digital trade is reshaping the global economy and creating new pathways for women entrepreneurs to participate in international trade. Ensuring women’s participation is essential for inclusive growth and the creation of even more jobs.”

    ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton emphasized that the program equips women-led businesses with both finance and digital skills to scale sustainably. Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Yarub Qudah, described the initiative as part of national efforts to enhance women’s economic participation, calling it “an economic necessity.”

    Dana AlZoubi, Acting CEO of JEDCO, noted that the program provides technical support, training, and grants totaling $1.4 million. Beneficiaries are divided into two tracks: the Discovery Track, offering $5,000 grants to early-stage businesses, and the Booster Track, providing up to $30,000 for advanced firms ready to expand globally.

    Ahead of the launch, participants attended training sessions covering business development, digital trade, financial management, and soft skills such as leadership and negotiation. A pitch competition selected Hanan Aqeel, Manager of Khayrat Alsahra, to represent Jordan at an international trade fair.

    The WEIDE Fund is supported by the United Arab Emirates, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Legacy Fund, and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Besides Jordan, it is also active in the Dominican Republic, Mongolia, and Nigeria.

  • UNIFIL mourns Indonesian peacekeeper, cites UN Resolution 1701

    UNIFIL mourns Indonesian peacekeeper, cites UN Resolution 1701

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Corporal Rico Pramudia, an Indonesian peacekeeper who succumbed to injuries sustained in a projectile explosion at his base in Adchit Al Qusayr on March 29.

    Corporal Pramudia, 31, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2026, at a hospital in Beirut after weeks of critical care.

    In a statement, UNIFIL extended condolences to his family, friends, the Indonesian Army, and the Government and people of Indonesia, describing the loss as tragic and irreparable.

    The mission called on all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times. UNIFIL stressed that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701, warning that such acts may amount to war crimes.

    Adopted in August 2006, Resolution 1701 ended the 34-day conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. It called for a full cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and the deployment of Lebanese armed forces alongside UNIFIL peacekeepers. The resolution also strengthened UNIFIL’s mandate, authorizing it to monitor hostilities, support humanitarian access, and assist the Lebanese government in securing its borders to prevent the flow of arms to non-state actors.

    UNIFIL reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in southern Lebanon, while honoring the sacrifice of Corporal Pramudia and the dedication of all peacekeepers serving under the UN flag.

  • EU unleashes sweeping 20th sanctions blitz on Russia, targets energy, banks, crypto and war machine

    EU unleashes sweeping 20th sanctions blitz on Russia, targets energy, banks, crypto and war machine

    BRUSSELS, Belgium (NPA) — The European Union has approved its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting key sectors of its economy, including energy, finance, trade and the military-industrial complex, in response to Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

    The new measures, described as one of the most expansive in two years, include 120 additional individual listings and a broad range of economic restrictions aimed at weakening Russia’s war capacity and sustaining pressure on its leadership.

    Announcing the decision, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc remains committed to supporting Ukraine while intensifying pressure on Russia to end the conflict and engage in meaningful peace negotiations.

    The sanctions package places significant emphasis on curbing Russia’s energy revenues, with new restrictions spanning oil exploration, refining and transport. The EU also moved to tighten measures against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” adding 46 vessels to its sanctions list, bringing the total number of affected ships to 632.

    Additional measures include a future maritime services ban on Russian crude oil and petroleum products, coordinated with G7 partners, and a prohibition on transactions involving key Russian ports used to bypass existing restrictions.

    In the financial sector, the EU imposed transaction bans on 20 Russian banks and sanctioned several foreign financial institutions accused of facilitating sanctions evasion. The bloc also expanded its restrictions to cover cryptocurrency activities, banning Russian-based crypto platforms and targeting digital assets linked to the Russian economy.

    The package further tightens restrictions on Russia’s military-industrial complex, designating 58 companies and individuals involved in the production of military equipment, including drones. It also targets entities in third countries accused of supplying critical technologies to Russia’s defence sector.

    Trade measures were expanded, with new export bans covering industrial goods, chemicals and machinery, alongside import restrictions on raw materials and metals that generate revenue for Russia. The EU also activated an anti-circumvention mechanism to prevent re-export of sensitive goods through third countries.

    In a move to enhance accountability, the EU sanctioned individuals and entities linked to the alleged deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children, as well as those accused of appropriating Ukrainian cultural heritage and spreading state-backed propaganda.

    The sanctions package also extends measures against Belarus for its role in supporting Russia’s war efforts, including new listings tied to its military-industrial sector.

    The EU reaffirmed its continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing its commitment to maintaining and increasing pressure on Russia until a just and lasting peace is achieved.

  • BREAKING: Trump orders U.S. Navy to destroy Iranian boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

    BREAKING: Trump orders U.S. Navy to destroy Iranian boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Navy to destroy any Iranian vessels found laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, following Tehran’s closure of the vital waterway.

    Trump, in a statement posted on Truth Social, said there should be “no hesitation” in carrying out the order. He added that U.S. mine-sweeping operations are already underway and instructed that the activity be intensified.

    “The United States Navy is to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be, that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine sweepers are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled-up level,” Trump wrote.

    In another statement, the U.S. President claimed Iran is struggling with internal divisions. “Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don’t know! The infighting is between the ‘Hardliners,’ who have been losing badly on the battlefield, and the ‘Moderates,’ who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!), is crazy! We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz. No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy. It is sealed up tight until such time as Iran is able to make a deal,” Trump declared.

    The Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global oil and gas shipments, has become the focal point of escalating tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Analysts note that control of the strait could ultimately determine the trajectory of the conflict, given its centrality to Iran’s economy and U.S. strategic interests.

    Iran’s closure of the strait and Washington’s countermove highlight the high stakes of the confrontation, with both sides seeking to assert dominance over one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

  • Iran’s President Pezeshkian decries blockade, calls for dialogue amid deadlock with U.S.

    Iran’s President Pezeshkian decries blockade, calls for dialogue amid deadlock with U.S.

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated his country’s readiness to engage in dialogue and reach agreements with the United States, even as tensions escalate and scheduled peace talks falter.

    In a statement on Thursday, Pezeshkian said that “bad faith, siege, and threats are the main obstacles to genuine negotiation.” He accused unnamed counterparts of hypocrisy, noting the contradiction between their public claims and actual actions.

    Posting separately on his verified X account, the Iranian leader emphasized that the Islamic Republic continues to welcome dialogue and agreement but warned that breaches of commitments, blockades, and threats remain barriers to progress. “The world sees your endless hypocritical rhetoric and contradiction between claims and actions,” he wrote, again without naming specific individuals.

    The remarks follow the collapse of a planned second round of talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, aimed at ending hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Iran accused Washington of breaching a ceasefire agreement by imposing a blockade on its ports. U.S. President Donald Trump has maintained that the blockade will remain until a deal is reached.

    The deadlock is seen an attestation of the deep mistrust between both sides, with Iran insisting on the removal of blockades as a precondition for meaningful negotiations, while the U.S. continues to press for broader concessions with it in place.

  • WTO DG Okonjo-Iweala celebrates Lord Nick Stern at 80, highlights trade’s role in sustainability

    WTO DG Okonjo-Iweala celebrates Lord Nick Stern at 80, highlights trade’s role in sustainability

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has joined global leaders in celebrating Lord Nick Stern, renowned economist and Chair of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics (LSE), who recently marked his 80th birthday.

    In a statement, Okonjo-Iweala described Lord Stern as one of the foremost intellectuals and practitioners who has worked tirelessly to demonstrate the compatibility of growth, jobs, and climate action through the New Climate Economy initiative.

    She also participated in a high-level panel at LSE alongside Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, and Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.

    Okonjo-Iweala noted that despite global disruptions, trade can be part of the solution to sustainability and environmental challenges. She extended her appreciation to Professor Larry Kramer, President and Vice Chancellor of LSE, for moderating the session.

    Reflecting on Earth Day, the WTO chief emphasised the role of communities worldwide in driving lasting change to make the planet more liveable. “We cannot achieve this without aligning trade to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” she said.

    Okonjo-Iweala stressed that WTO members are working together to ensure that open and fair trade accelerates a green and just transition, particularly for vulnerable populations.

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  • CENTCOM Denies claims Iranian vessels evaded US blockade

    CENTCOM Denies claims Iranian vessels evaded US blockade

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has dismissed reports that Iranian vessels successfully breached the ongoing American blockade against Iran.

    In a statement, CENTCOM confirmed that US forces have directed 29 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of enforcement operations. Media reports had alleged that several commercial ships — including M/V Hero II, M/V Hedy, and M/V Dorena — slipped past the blockade to deliver millions of barrels of oil.

    CENTCOM described these claims as inaccurate. It clarified that Hero II and Hedy remain anchored in Chah Bahar, Iran, after being intercepted earlier in the week, while Dorena is under escort by a US Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean following an earlier attempt to violate the blockade.

    The command stressed that evading a US blockade is “impossible,” citing America’s global reach. “American forces are operating and enforcing the blockade across the Middle East and beyond,” the statement said.

    The blockade has been a major source of tension between Washington and Tehran. Iran recently withdrew from a second round of talks with the United States, accusing the blockade of violating ceasefire terms.

    US President Donald Trump has insisted the blockade will remain in place until Washington secures agreement with Iran on key demands and a pathway to ending the war.