Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, has increased its rocket attacks on Israeli targets in recent days. This escalation comes amid ongoing cross-border fire between Hezbollah and the Israeli army since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. On Tuesday, Hezbollah announced that two of its members were killed by Israeli fire, while the Israeli army claimed to have eliminated ‘significant’ members of the group in south Lebanon.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, is a controversial figure with a complex legacy. He has ruled Iran for over 30 years, and his time in power has been marked by both progress and setbacks. On the one hand, Iran has made significant economic and political strides under Khamenei’s leadership. On the other hand, the country has also faced numerous challenges, including international sanctions, political unrest, and human rights abuses. Khamenei’s legacy will be shaped by how he handles these challenges in the years to come.
A Tenerife activist, Atterni Rivero Quintero, has raised concerns about the dwindling presence of native islanders due to the increasing influx of expats, particularly British tourists. Quintero warns that this overtourism and property acquisition by outsiders could lead to the extinction of the local population if left unchecked. The protests in Santa Cruz on April 20, with 120,000 participants, highlighted the frustration and anger among islanders over the negative impacts of tourism, including environmental degradation, poverty, and rising property prices. Quintero, a former resident of El Medano, was forced to leave her hometown due to the overwhelming presence of outsiders and the disruption it caused to her daily life.
Bosnian authorities, in collaboration with Europol, have apprehended 23 individuals, including corrupt officials, suspected of being part of a global drug kingpin’s inner circle. The suspects face charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and organized crime. The operation, which involved agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI, seized various evidence, including weapons, money, and electronic devices. This operation highlights the ongoing efforts to combat criminal networks operating within Europe’s cocaine trade.
The Indian government, SBI Cards and Payment Services Ltd, and telecom operators are collaborating to develop a solution to address the increasing threat of cyber fraud and phishing attacks in the banking sector. The solution involves monitoring both the registered address and geolocation of customers where a one-time password (OTP) is delivered. Any inconsistency between the two locations will trigger an alert to customers about a potential phishing attempt. This measure aims to strengthen the second factor of authentication for digital payment transactions, which has been compromised by sophisticated OTP theft techniques employed by fraudsters.
Despite initial resilience, Russia’s economy is facing a looming crisis due to escalating military costs, Western sanctions, and unsustainable economic measures. Experts warn that President Putin has only a year and a half of financial cushioning left to address a policy trilemma involving military funding, living standards, and economic stability.
US and South Korean officials are gathering in Hawaii this week to address the cost-sharing arrangements for American forces stationed in South Korea. The United States seeks a fair and equitable agreement to bolster the alliance. The meeting, part of the 12th ROK-U.S. Special Measures Agreement, aims to reach a consensus before any potential comeback by former President Donald Trump in the November elections. South Korea has gradually assumed the financial burden of the deployment since the early 1990s. The US currently maintains over 28,000 troops in the region to deter nuclear-armed North Korea.
The United Kingdom has pledged an additional $620 million in military supplies for Ukraine, including long-range missiles and millions of rounds of ammunition. The announcement comes as Ukraine faces advancing Russian forces in the eastern region of the country. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the assistance to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, assuring him of the UK’s unwavering support. The aid package includes 400 vehicles, 60 boats, 1,600 munitions, 4 million rounds of ammunition, and British Storm Shadow long-range missiles. President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the continued support, acknowledging that the new assistance will significantly aid Ukrainian forces on the front lines.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have commenced border delimitation as part of ongoing normalization efforts. The move sparked protests from Armenian residents, who fear isolation and the loss of territory. The border adjustment stems from a decision to return four frontier villages to Azerbaijan, as part of efforts to resolve territorial disputes and prevent further conflict.
Manchester United’s center-back, Lisandro Martinez, has signaled a potential imminent return to the field after battling various injuries. Initially sidelined for a month with a calf strain in early April, Martinez has faced multiple setbacks this season. Despite his progress from the latest injury, it is unlikely he will feature in the upcoming matches against Sheffield United and Burnley. However, his Instagram post suggests he may be available for the trip to Crystal Palace on May 6. United has grappled with several other injury issues during Martinez’s absence, particularly in the center-back position. With Harry Maguire as the only senior center-back available for the FA Cup semi-final, Casemiro had to fill in alongside Maguire, who played despite his own injury.
