World

Ahead of the deadline set by United States President Donald Trump for Iran last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an urgent call to the White House. He warned the president against pursuing a ceasefire with Tehran. After the temporary truce was announced, Netanyahu was quick to clarify that the Israeli army would not stop its operations in Lebanon. Many observers interpreted his actions as an attempt to ensure his own political survival by prolonging the war.

Turkey's Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Ufuk Ulutaş, stated in an interview with Kun.uz and a speech at the International Institute of Central Asia that Turkey and Uzbekistan must boost investments in transport-logistics corridors and expand cooperation in underdeveloped economic sectors, including agriculture and regional production. This statement comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East and their impact on global trade chains.

Zimbabwean fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been banned from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for two years. This decision came after he signed with the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, despite having previously agreed to terms with the PSL team Islamabad United.

The Nigerian military conducted an airstrike on Jilli market on the border of north-eastern Borno and Yobe states on Saturday, killing as many as 200 people, according to local councillor Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam. Many of the victims were civilians, raising serious questions about the operation's justification and precision.

Haiti has entered a three-day period of national mourning following a fatal stampede that occurred on Saturday at the historic Citadelle Laferrière fortress in the country's north. The incident resulted in 25 confirmed deaths and 25 injuries, with authorities initially reporting a higher toll of 30 before revising it downward. The tragedy has cast a shadow over the nation already grappling with instability.

On the first full day of the blockade on Iranian ports imposed by the US regime, at least three vessels, including two US-sanctioned tankers, entered the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data. These vessels were not heading to Iranian ports and thus were unaffected by the blockade.

A shooting occurred at the Anatolian Vocational and Technical High School in Siverek, a city in Turkey's Şanlıurfa province, when an armed individual opened fire on the premises. The incident, which took place at an educational institution previously not considered high-risk, has raised concerns about security lapses and societal tensions in the region, with emergency services quickly responding to control the situation.

Swiss ice hockey head coach Patrick Fischer has admitted to using a falsified COVID-19 vaccination certificate to circumvent China's travel restrictions for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. In a statement, Fischer acknowledged making a "serious mistake in this matter," citing a personal crisis over vaccination reluctance and a desire not to let his team down at the Games.

The United Nations' top official in Sudan, Denise Brown, has condemned efforts to end the country's catastrophic war as "unacceptable," expressing deep concern over the lack of political urgency to resolve a conflict that has displaced 14 million Sudanese and left tens of thousands missing. Speaking ahead of the war's third anniversary, Brown questioned the international focus, stating, "Every single conversation on Sudan is about the humanitarian crisis. How about focusing on finding a solution to end the war?" She described the situation, with 33 million in need of aid and an estimated 150,000 killed, as "bloody unacceptable," criticizing the world for prioritizing other crises over Sudan.

German club Union Berlin has condemned the sexist and derogatory online abuse directed at Marie-Louise Eta after she was appointed interim head coach of the men's Bundesliga team, making her the first woman to take charge in the club's history. Eta will oversee the men's first team for the remainder of the season following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, before moving to the club's women's side as planned.

An armed attack occurred on April 14 at the Ahmet Koyunju Vocational High School in the Siverek district of Şanlıurfa province, southeastern Turkey. The assailant entered the school building with a hunting rifle and opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in at least 16 people injured. According to provincial governor Hasan Şıldak, the wounded include 10 students, four teachers, one police officer, and one cafeteria worker.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that a prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could result in a global food "catastrophe", as shipments of critical agricultural inputs remain blocked in the key waterway due to the US-Israel war on Iran.