The United States launched several waves of airstrikes overnight after Iran attacked a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. In response, Tehran fired missiles toward countries across the region that host American military forces.

The latest escalation comes despite an interim agreement between Washington and Tehran that was intended to pave the way for negotiations on a permanent settlement. Instead, the renewed fighting has raised concerns that the conflict could widen.

U.S. Targets Iranian Military Infrastructure

U.S. Central Command said American forces struck dozens of military targets across Iran early Monday. The targets included air defense systems, radar installations, missile and drone equipment, and small naval vessels.

The strikes followed an Iranian attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz that left the vessel on fire and one crew member missing.

Central Command also rejected Iran’s claim that it has exclusive control over the strategic waterway.

“The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade,” the command said.

“Iran does not control it.”

The military said U.S. forces remain prepared to protect commercial shipping and ensure freedom of navigation despite what it described as continued Iranian threats and harassment.

Earlier Sunday, Central Command said U.S. forces had struck about 140 targets across Iran, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition depots and communications facilities.

“We bombed the hell out of them last night,” President Donald Trump said during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press.

Iran Expands Retaliation Across the Region

Iran responded by launching attacks against countries hosting U.S. military forces. Missile warning sirens sounded Monday morning in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.

Authorities did not immediately report any damage in Bahrain.

Iranian state media confirmed fresh U.S. strikes on several locations inside Iran, reporting explosions and at least one death.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had launched a new round of attacks across the Middle East.

“The era of one-sided deals is OVER,” Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf wrote.

“We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.”

Iran also launched attacks Sunday targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman, whose territorial waters form part of the Strait of Hormuz.

Strait of Hormuz Remains at the Center of the Dispute

Control of the Strait of Hormuz has become the main issue threatening the interim agreement between Washington and Tehran.

Iran says it has sole authority over the waterway and has suggested charging vessels to pass through the strait.

The United States rejects that position and maintains the route must remain open to international shipping.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. Before the conflict, about one-fifth of globally traded oil and natural gas passed through the waterway.

Since fighting began on Feb. 28 following the killing of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Tehran has repeatedly targeted commercial vessels in the area.

In response, the United States has escorted commercial ships along a southern route through Omani waters. Iran has continued attacking vessels despite those measures.

Oil prices initially climbed above $120 per barrel after the conflict began but have since fallen significantly.

Diplomacy Continues Despite Renewed Fighting

The United States and Iran are nearing the midpoint of a 60-day interim agreement that was designed to support negotiations on a permanent settlement.

However, the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz has renewed military exchanges between the two sides.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that another full-scale conflict would have severe consequences.

“A return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences,” Guterres said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan, Qatar and Egypt continued diplomatic efforts aimed at preserving the ceasefire framework.

A regional official involved in the negotiations said talks continued Sunday in an effort to prevent further escalation.

Pakistan also confirmed that its foreign minister spoke by telephone with Iran’s top diplomat and urged both sides to pursue de-escalation.

At the same time, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public statement since his father’s funeral, vowing to avenge the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Iran | United States | Strait of Hormuz | Middle East | Donald Trump | Military | Diplomacy | Global Security

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Chile’s navy confirmed the driver was an off-duty service member and said it was cooperating with investigators to determine what caused the crash.

Driver Detained After Market Crash

According to the navy, the vehicle plowed into the market, killing several people and injuring others with varying degrees of severity.

Officials did not immediately release a confirmed death toll. However, local media reported that at least six people were killed.

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the vehicle crashing through market stalls. Other footage showed police escorting the driver away as angry bystanders shouted and chased after him.

Police detained the driver, who remains the only person in custody in connection with the incident.

Investigation Underway

Interior Undersecretary Máximo Pavez said the driver tested negative in a breathalyzer test.

Col. Jorge Guaita, police prefect for Viña del Mar, said the driver told investigators he could not remember what happened.

“The cause of the incident has not yet been determined,” Guaita told reporters.

According to witness statements cited by police, the vehicle was traveling in the correct direction but at a high speed before mounting the sidewalk.

It then spun before crashing into a bus shelter, which brought it to a stop.

“Fortunately, the bus stop brought it to a halt. Otherwise, it might have continued forward and caused even more damage,” Guaita said.

Meanwhile, some witnesses told local media the driver may have lost control after colliding with another vehicle.

Injured Remain in Stable Condition

Officials at Gustavo Fricke Hospital said five injured people, including two babies, were admitted with traumatic injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Two other injured people received treatment and were later discharged.

“At this stage of the evaluation, they are stable and out of life-threatening danger, but of course they are still awaiting the completion of all the examinations required in these cases,” said Denise Cataldo, the hospital’s deputy director.

Emergency responders, including police officers, firefighters and paramedics, treated numerous victims at the scene.

President Expresses Condolences

President José Antonio Kast said the tragedy had left the country in mourning.

“The entire country” is mourning, Kast wrote on X, adding that state institutions were working to assist victims and determine responsibility for the crash.

The Caupolicán market, located in the upper part of Viña del Mar, operates every Thursday and Sunday. It includes more than 1,000 stalls and numerous informal vendors, attracting large crowds.

Authorities continue investigating what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and crash into the busy marketplace.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Chile | Viña del Mar | Traffic Accident | Public Safety | Latin America | Emergency Response

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The blaze broke out at the Na Ladprao pub in northern Bangkok shortly after midnight. Firefighters brought it under control in about 30 minutes, but not before it claimed dozens of lives and left scores of people hospitalized.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene, confirmed that at least 27 people had died and said authorities were investigating what caused the fire.

Smoke and Explosion Trapped Patrons

Anutin said a musician performing at the venue told him smoke was first seen rising from a circuit breaker near the stage before the electricity failed.

According to the prime minister, an explosion followed, sending thick smoke rapidly through the pub and making escape difficult.

Many victims were found near restrooms at the rear of the building, where they had apparently sought refuge from the smoke and flames.

Videos shared online by first responders showed flames engulfing the entrance as thick black smoke billowed into the night sky while patrons scrambled to escape.

Dozens Hospitalized

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said 63 people were taken to hospitals, with 22 listed in critical condition.

Authorities were working to identify victims, many of whom were unconscious or were not carrying identification when they were rescued.

Officials also established a registration center outside the venue to help relatives searching for missing family members and friends.

Images taken after the fire was extinguished showed extensive damage, with charred tables and chairs and large sections of the pub’s interior destroyed.

Music Community Mourns Victims

Singer Sukanya Wongwongwai said she rushed to the pub after learning about the fire because several members of her band had been performing there.

She said one band member was killed, three others were hospitalized and another remained unaccounted for.

“From what I heard from people who were inside, when the fire started everything went dark. The power was out and there was smoke everywhere, so they couldn’t locate other people,” she said.

Latest in a Series of Deadly Venue Fires

Thailand has experienced several fatal nightclub and entertainment venue fires over the past two decades.

In 2022, a fire at a music pub in eastern Thailand killed 14 people.

The country’s deadliest nightclub fire occurred on New Year’s Day in 2009, when a blaze at Bangkok’s Santika nightclub killed 66 people and injured more than 200 others. Investigators concluded that fire was likely caused by an indoor fireworks display.

Authorities continued investigating the cause of Monday’s fire at the Na Ladprao pub.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Thailand | Bangkok | Fire | Public Safety | Emergency Response | Nightclub Fire | Investigation | Asia

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The incident occurred shortly after a Malta Air flight operated on behalf of Ryanair departed Thessaloniki for Memmingen, near Munich. The aircraft landed safely back in Thessaloniki about an hour after takeoff.

A 61-year-old passenger suffered neck and shoulder injuries as well as friction burns and received medical treatment after landing, according to a Greek hospital official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly.

Passengers describe chaotic moments after decompression

Ryanair said the flight returned to Thessaloniki shortly after departure after “a passenger window dislodged in-flight.”

Passengers told Greek media they heard a loud bang before oxygen masks deployed and the aircraft began descending.

One passenger, identified only as Christina, told Radio Thessaloniki that a man seated beside the damaged window was partially pulled outside the aircraft.

“His whole head, neck, shoulders” were pulled out of the window, she said, adding that nearby passengers managed to pull him back into his seat.

“Most people had fallen asleep, we had closed our eyes. We heard a sound, I’d describe it like a tire bursting … but very loud,” she said. “We knew straight away we lost pressure because we lost altitude.”

She described panic inside the cabin, with passengers screaming as the aircraft descended.

Investigation focuses on decompression

Ryanair has not identified the cause of the window failure.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it had been notified that the aircraft returned because of “a right engine issue and cabin decompression.”

The airline did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the reported engine issue.

Under international aviation rules, the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Committee of North Macedonia will lead the investigation because the incident occurred within that country’s airspace. The NTSB said it is prepared to assist the inquiry.

Authorities in North Macedonia had not commented publicly on the investigation by Friday.

Videos show emergency inside aircraft

Short videos shared by Radio Thessaloniki appeared to show passengers wearing oxygen masks after the cabin lost pressure.

Another recording appeared to show the damaged window with a passenger seated nearby wearing an oxygen mask, while a separate video taken after landing showed emergency personnel assisting passengers inside the aircraft.

Aviation expert highlights importance of seatbelts

Shye Gilad, a former airline pilot who now teaches at Georgetown University’s business school, said the incident demonstrates why passengers should keep seatbelts fastened whenever seated.

He explained that rapid cabin decompression can briefly create powerful suction near a breach before pressure equalizes.

“The seatbelt can help in those first few seconds. It’s a difference maker and people should keep their seatbelts fastened at all times,” Gilad said.

He added that such events remain extremely uncommon because commercial aircraft cabins are designed to withstand significant pressure differences.

Flight landed safely after precautionary return

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-800 delivered to Ryanair in 2008, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24.

Flight data indicated the aircraft climbed above 15,000 feet (4,570 meters) approximately six minutes after takeoff before descending to around 6,000 feet (1,830 meters), where it remained for about 30 minutes to burn fuel before returning to Thessaloniki.

Ryanair said the aircraft landed normally, passengers returned to the terminal, and one passenger received medical assistance on the ground. A replacement aircraft was later arranged to complete the journey to Germany.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Greece | Ryanair | Malta Air | Aviation Safety | Cabin Decompression | Boeing 737-800 | Germany | Air Travel

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This report is based on available official information. The story is developing.

The woman identified as the primary suspect in the Monaco bombing that wounded a Ukrainian businessman has been found dead in Ukraine, where authorities have arrested two men in connection with her killing.

Interpol had previously identified the suspect as 39-year-old Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian-born woman who had recently been living in Germany.

On Tuesday, Ukraine’s National Police announced that Berezovska had been found dead and that two men had been detained on suspicion of her murder.

Intelligence Officer Among Suspects

According to Ukrainian police, one of the detained men is a current employee of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry. Investigators said he admitted to killing Berezovska and claimed he acted independently.

Police said the second suspect, a former law enforcement officer, is believed to have assisted in the crime.

Authorities stated that the intelligence officer did not inform his superiors about his contacts with Berezovska or financial transactions made to her before her death.

The suspect told investigators he had “acted on his own initiative,” according to the police statement.

Financial Transfers Prompted Investigation

Investigators said Berezovska entered Ukraine on July 1 and remained in contact with family members as well as the two suspects.

Police said their investigation found that both men had repeatedly transferred money and cryptocurrency to Berezovska.

Those financial transactions prompted investigators to consider them “individuals potentially involved in the attempted murder in Monaco,” according to the official statement.

Authorities launched an urgent search operation that resulted in the arrests.

Basement Discovery Under Investigation

During searches linked to the investigation, police said officers found a basement room at the former law enforcement officer’s residence that they described as resembling a torture chamber.

Authorities did not immediately provide additional details about the room or explain whether it was connected to Berezovska’s death.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Monaco Bombing Investigation Continues

Berezovska had been sought internationally in connection with the bombing attack in Monaco that seriously wounded a Ukrainian businessman.

Authorities have not released further details regarding the relationship between Berezovska and the detained suspects or whether additional arrests are expected.

The case remains under investigation by Ukrainian authorities.

This report is based on reporting by CNN.

Topics: Ukraine | Monaco | Interpol | Crime | Investigation | Intelligence | Europe | World News

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Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). UNICEF said the conflict is now concentrated in the Kordofan, Darfur and Blue Nile regions, where drone warfare accounts for about 60% of reported casualties involving children.

The latest warning comes as the United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom and other governments have expressed growing concern over reports of possible atrocities as the Sudanese military and the RSF battle for control of the strategic city of El-Obeid in North Kordofan.

On Monday, the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council in Geneva approved a resolution introduced by five European countries condemning the escalating violence by the RSF and its allied forces in and around El-Obeid.

The measure, adopted without a vote, also called for increased support for countries hosting Sudanese refugees and condemned “all forms of external interference” in the conflict.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The war has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced approximately 13 million and pushed large areas of Sudan into famine, according to humanitarian agencies.

More than 30 million people now require humanitarian assistance.

UNICEF said drone strikes and shelling have repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure, including schools, markets, fuel depots and water facilities, placing more than 500,000 people at risk. In several communities, civilians have endured conditions resembling prolonged sieges for more than a year.

“Children are being caught in a relentless cycle of violence, displacement and deprivation,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF’s representative for Sudan.

The United Nations urged all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and take all possible measures to protect children from harm.

Gold Mine Collapse Kills Informal Miners

In a separate incident on Monday, at least 15 informal miners were killed after part of an abandoned gold mine collapsed near Wadi Halfa, close to Sudan’s border with Egypt, authorities said.

One additional miner was injured in the collapse at the Mohamed Taqfiq mine, according to the state-run Sudanese Mineral Resources Company.

The company said miners had resumed operations at the site despite authorities previously closing it because of safety concerns.

Sudan remains one of Africa’s leading gold producers, with official figures showing production reached 70 tons last year, up from 64 tons in 2024.

Most of the country’s gold is extracted through artisanal and small-scale mining, where safety regulations are often poorly enforced.

Fatal mine accidents occur frequently. In May, at least seven miners died in a collapse in Red Sea State, while another 13 were killed in South Kordofan in January.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press. 

Topics: Sudan | UNICEF | Children | Humanitarian Crisis | Rapid Support Forces | Civil War | Gold Mining | World News

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The changes were outlined in an internal message sent to Xbox employees worldwide by Xbox President Asha Sharma. According to the company communication, approximately 3,200 positions will be eliminated during fiscal year 2027, including around 1,600 roles affected immediately. Four game studios will also move outside Microsoft’s ownership as part of the restructuring.

The announcement frames the overhaul as a response to financial and operational challenges that company leadership says have weighed on Xbox despite years of investment in content, subscriptions and platform expansion.

Company cites profitability and industry pressures

In the message, Sharma said Xbox’s business is operating with profit margins that are between three and 10 times lower than comparable platform and publishing businesses.

The executive said Microsoft’s gaming division entered the current console generation with a smaller hardware install base and a higher cost structure. Investments in Xbox Game Pass, multiplatform publishing and a broader portfolio of games created value, Sharma said, but did not expand as quickly as expected.

According to the memo, continued investment during that period coincided with a weakening core business, while the wider video game industry is experiencing what leadership described as its most severe hardware downturn.

The restructuring is intended to reposition Xbox for future growth by reducing costs, simplifying operations and concentrating investment on higher-priority areas.

Studio portfolio to be reshaped

A central part of the restructuring involves changes to Microsoft’s first-party development organization.

Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will become independent studios under new management, retaining their intellectual property portfolios, existing game catalogs and resources for future projects, according to the company.

Ninja Theory and Undead Labs have entered agreements to transition to new ownership that will provide funding to complete development of the Senua franchise and State of Decay 3, the memo said.

In France, Arkane’s management has begun the legally required consultation process with its Works Council to examine potential strategic options for the studio.

The company also confirmed workforce reductions across several business units, including Activision, Bethesda/ZeniMax, Blizzard, King, Mojang and Xbox Game Studios.

Despite the restructuring, the memo states that none of Microsoft’s publicly announced first-party games or projects are being canceled as part of the workforce reductions.

Leadership changes accompany restructuring

Microsoft is also changing how several of its largest gaming businesses are managed.

Mojang and King will now report directly to Sharma. The executive said both businesses have evolved into large-scale gaming platforms with the company’s highest monthly active player bases while providing geographic and demographic diversity across Xbox’s portfolio.

The restructuring also introduces a new chief operating officer position responsible for profit-and-loss management across content, hardware, platform and services.

Helen Chiang has been promoted to the newly created role after nearly two decades with Xbox. According to the company, Chiang previously contributed to Xbox Live and later led Mojang and the Minecraft franchise. She will oversee investment decisions and operational coordination across Microsoft’s gaming businesses.

The announcement also marks the retirement of Dave McCarthy after 17 years with Xbox.

Organizational simplification

Beyond staffing reductions, Microsoft plans to simplify its organizational structure.

According to the internal message, some parts of Xbox currently have as many as 14 layers of management. The company said platform teams have expanded by roughly 40% since the beginning of the current console generation despite declines in player numbers and total playtime.

Under the restructuring, management layers will be reduced to no more than five wherever possible, with some organizations targeting three layers.

The company also plans to streamline development by simplifying its code base, expanding shared services and reducing vendor spending by approximately 50%.

Long-term growth strategy

Although the restructuring includes significant workforce reductions, Xbox leadership characterized the initiative as an effort to build a more sustainable business rather than reduce its long-term ambitions.

The company said it intends to maintain investment levels while allocating capital more selectively and with greater financial discipline.

Sharma said Xbox aims to return to growth in 2027 while pursuing a longer-term objective of expanding its global reach and strengthening its position across gaming content, platforms and creator tools.

Topics: Xbox | Microsoft | Corporate Restructuring | Gaming Industry | Workforce Reductions | Game Studios | Corporate Strategy

This report is based on reporting by Team XBOX employees globally.

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Addressing the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva on Friday, Türk described the developments in North Kordofan as a “red alert,” urging world leaders to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent additional violence against civilians. According to the Associated Press, the warning came during an emergency debate convened by the council as fighting intensifies around the strategically important city.

Concerns Grow Over Civilian Protection

Türk told council members that conditions in and around el-Obeid point to a worsening human rights emergency, saying civilians remain caught between Sudan’s armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

He urged governments to prioritize efforts aimed at preventing further atrocities not only in el-Obeid but across the wider Kordofan region, where violence has continued despite repeated international appeals for restraint.

According to Türk, communities around the city have endured prolonged insecurity, including months of severe restrictions and repeated drone attacks linked to the ongoing fighting.

Human Rights Council Considers New Resolution

The emergency session comes as the Human Rights Council considers a draft resolution introduced by Britain, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway.

The proposed measure condemns the escalating violence attributed to the RSF and allied groups in and around el-Obeid, calls for increased international assistance to countries hosting Sudanese refugees and denounces external interference in Sudan’s conflict.

Council members are expected to continue discussions on the draft as concerns mount over the humanitarian situation.

Conflict Continues Into Fourth Year

Sudan’s war began in April 2023 following a power struggle between the Sudanese military and the RSF after months of political tensions.

According to figures cited by the Associated Press, the conflict has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced approximately 13 million, and contributed to famine conditions in several parts of the country. More than 30 million people now require humanitarian assistance.

Strategic City Faces Renewed Threat

The Sudanese military lifted a siege of el-Obeid in February 2025 after more than a year of isolation. Since then, the RSF has launched multiple offensives aimed at regaining control of the surrounding area and reimposing pressure on the city.

The United Nations and several governments have expressed concern over reports that RSF forces are reinforcing positions near el-Obeid, a city with an estimated population of around 500,000.

Humanitarian Conditions Continue to Deteriorate

The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned that repeated attacks on critical infrastructure have sharply reduced access to food, fuel, clean water, healthcare and transportation for civilians living in and around el-Obeid.

As diplomatic efforts continue, international officials have stressed that preventing further civilian suffering will require increased humanitarian support alongside renewed efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

Tags: Sudan, el-Obeid, United Nations, Volker Türk, Human Rights Council, Rapid Support Forces, Sudan Conflict, North Kordofan, Humanitarian Crisis, Africa, War, Civilians

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According to a U.N. experts’ report reviewed by the Associated Press, the Congolese armed forces, the M23 rebel movement and Rwanda have all failed to fully implement provisions of the U.S.-brokered agreement reached in December. The accord, initiated during the Trump administration, sought to curb hostilities and stabilize one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts.

Armed Groups Accused of Breaking Commitments

The U.N. panel said the Congolese military has continued cooperating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed Hutu group whose ranks include individuals linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Kinshasa had pledged under the peace agreement to end any collaboration with the group.

The report also found that the Rwanda-backed M23 movement has not withdrawn from territory captured during its rapid military offensive in early 2025. Instead, investigators said the group has consolidated its positions and continues to pursue objectives that include challenging the authority of the government in Kinshasa.

U.N. Describes Extensive Rwandan Support

The panel concluded that Rwanda continues to exercise substantial influence over M23 and maintains a significant military presence inside eastern Congo.

According to the report, U.N. experts estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 Rwandan troops remained deployed in South Kivu, with an additional 6,000 to 8,000 personnel operating in North Kivu during late 2025. Investigators said they found no evidence of major troop withdrawals after that period, describing the deployment as inconsistent with commitments made under the peace agreement.

Rwanda has consistently stated that its security actions are intended to counter the FDLR and address threats along its border. Congo and the United States, however, have accused Kigali of supporting M23 to strengthen access to eastern Congo’s valuable mineral resources. Rwanda has rejected those allegations.

Humanitarian and Security Concerns Persist

The U.N. report identified M23 as a leading perpetrator of conflict-related sexual violence in areas under its control and warned that the humanitarian situation remains severe.

The United Nations has repeatedly described the conflict in eastern Congo as one of the world’s most prolonged and complex humanitarian crises, with millions of civilians affected by displacement, insecurity and recurring violence.

Mineral Smuggling Remains a Key Concern

Investigators also said mineral resources extracted from Rubaya and other mining areas in the Masisi territory continue to be transported into Rwanda through networks controlled by M23.

According to the report, the rebel movement has established parallel administrative and economic structures in territories under its control, with mineral exports reportedly benefiting companies linked to Rwanda.

International Pressure Increases

The findings come as the Congolese government pursues legal action against Rwanda before the International Court of Justice, accusing its neighbor of responsibility for the violence that has destabilized eastern Congo.

Separately, the United States recently imposed sanctions on Gasabo Gold Refinery, a Rwanda-based company. U.S. authorities said the refinery formed part of a network operating in coordination with M23 and stated the measures were intended to support ongoing peace initiatives led by the United States and Qatar.

Diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting settlement remain underway, but the latest U.N. assessment suggests significant obstacles remain before the December peace agreement can be fully implemented.

Tags: Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, M23, United Nations, Eastern Congo, FDLR, International Court of Justice, Conflict, Humanitarian Crisis, Mineral Smuggling, Sanctions, Africa

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According to the Associated Press, Peru’s electoral authority certified the results on Friday after completing the national vote count. Official figures showed Fujimori received approximately 9.223 million votes, or 50.135%, narrowly defeating nationalist congressman Roberto Sánchez, who secured about 9.173 million votes, or 49.865%.

Fujimori, 51, will become Peru’s ninth president in the past decade when she assumes office later this month, underscoring the country’s prolonged period of political instability and frequent leadership changes.

Security Emerged as the Defining Campaign Issue

The presidential race was shaped largely by public concern over worsening crime, particularly extortion and violence linked to organized criminal groups operating across parts of the country.

Throughout the campaign, Fujimori pledged tougher law enforcement measures, promising an “iron fist” approach against organized crime. Her proposals included constructing four new prisons, developing another high-security detention facility modeled on El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), requiring prison inmates to work, strengthening border security and deporting undocumented migrants.

Following confirmation of her victory, Fujimori wrote on social media that the transition period would provide an opportunity to engage with different sectors of society before her administration takes office.

Narrow Victory Ends Competitive Election

Fujimori and Sánchez advanced to the June 7 runoff after emerging as the top two candidates from a crowded first-round election in April that featured 35 presidential contenders.

The narrow final margin reflected a highly competitive race in which voters weighed competing visions for addressing Peru’s economic and security challenges.

Election authorities confirmed the final results after all ballots had been counted, formally concluding the electoral process.

Political Legacy Remains Central to Fujimori’s Public Profile

Fujimori’s election marks her fourth attempt to win Peru’s presidency. She is the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, whose administration in the 1990s defeated the Shining Path insurgency but was later criticized for authoritarian practices.

Alberto Fujimori was convicted in 2009 on human rights charges related to counterinsurgency operations and was later found guilty in corruption cases.

His political legacy has remained a defining feature of Keiko Fujimori’s public career, with supporters crediting the former administration for restoring security while critics continue to raise concerns over its human rights record.

Regional Political Landscape

Fujimori’s victory follows recent conservative electoral successes elsewhere in Latin America, including the elections of Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia and José Antonio Kast in Chile, reflecting broader political shifts in parts of the region.

The results contrast with earlier periods when left-leaning governments gained prominence across Latin America, illustrating the evolving political landscape as voters increasingly prioritize issues such as public safety, governance and economic stability.

Fujimori is expected to begin the transition process ahead of taking office later this month as her incoming administration prepares to implement its domestic policy agenda.

Tags: Peru, Keiko Fujimori, Roberto Sánchez, Presidential Election, Lima, Crime, Public Security, Alberto Fujimori, Latin America, Politics, Elections, Americas

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