Trump Extends “Ceasefire” in Unprovoked War on Iran

Government in Tehran says that the IRGC remains prepared to defend the country in light of the United States maritime blockade, the seizure of an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman and the ongoing threats of military aggression from Washington and Tel Aviv

By Abayomi Azikiwe, Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Wednesday April 22, 2026

Geostrategic Analysis

After two weeks of the United States announced ceasefire in their illegal and unprovoked war against the Islamic Republic of Iran, President Donald Trump announced an extension of the cessation of hostilities indefinitely. 

Trump said that the ceasefire would last until Iran developed a “unified position on the war with the U.S.”

Over the period of the recent phase of the war, Washington and Tel Aviv carried out over 20,000 air strikes against the Islamic Republic. Offensive operations were also escalated by Tel Aviv against neighboring Lebanon where more than 300 people were killed while thousands of residential, commercial and institutional targets were struck. 

Nonetheless, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has said that it will remain prepared for additional aggression from the Pentagon and the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) which launched a bombing and targeted assassinations campaign on February 28. Over the course of the nearly 40-day war, Iran launched thousands of missiles and drones against the apartheid regime in the Occupied Territories along with outposts for Pentagon military bases in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

During a national commemoration of the anniversary of the founding of the IRGC, military spokesmen said that the organization is prepared for any eventuality. Iran also articulated that it has additional military tactics which it will employ in the case of a resumption of aggression by U.S. and Zionist forces. 

Iran did tremendous damage to the business and military operations in the GCC as well as striking deep inside the apartheid Zionist-controlled territories. In addition, a blockade of hostile commercial and naval interests from the Strait of Hormuz has prompted an international energy crisis. In response to these actions by Tehran, Trump deployed an estimated 10,000 soldiers and sailors to the West Asia region. 

A U.S. blockade by naval forces was said to be directed against Iranian ports resulting in the seizure of a commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman. On April 22, the Iranian state media announced that the IRGC naval forces had taken control of two unauthorized vessels traveling near the Strait of Hormuz.

In a report published by Press TV on April 22, it comments on the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz noting:

“The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy says it has intercepted and transferred to Iranian territorial waters two vessels for having committed violations in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the IRGC identified the vessels as the MSC-Francesca, which it said belongs to the Israeli regime, and the Epaminodes. The vessels, it said, were operating without authorization, committing repeated violations, tampering with navigation aid systems, and endangering maritime security in an attempt to exit the strait covertly. ‘With the intelligence dominance of the forces, these vessels were identified and stopped in order to uphold the rights of the noble Iranian nation in the Strait of Hormuz,’ the IRGC Navy said. It added that the vessels have now been transferred to Iranian territorial waters for inspection of their cargo and documents.” (https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2026/04/22/767348/IRGC-seizes-Israeli-ship,-second-vessel-in-Strait-of-Hormuz)

Despite the claims by the White House and the Secretary of War that the IRGC had been destroyed and its leadership completely obliterated, the Iranian armed forces has waged a tremendous military campaign against the U.S. and its allies in the West Asia region. It will be unlikely that the region can return to the status quo which was in operation prior to the launching of True Promise 4 by the IRGC.

Nearly 100 waves of drones and missiles were launched against the Occupied Territories. Tel Aviv and Washington have concealed the actual casualties and property damage inflicted by the IRGC along with the Hezbollah resistance movement in Lebanon. 

The IOF did reach a ceasefire agreement with the Lebanese government, yet violations continue as was the case since October 2024. Tel Aviv has attempted once again to occupy areas in southern Lebanon. Reports from the resistance allied media suggest that there were numerous tanks destroyed by Hezbollah as well as casualties inflicted on the Israeli armed forces. 

Global Impact of the Imperialist War Against Iran

Since February 28, the world economy has suffered serious instability due to the rise in petroleum and other energy costs. In the U.S. gasoline prices have skyrocketed over the last eight weeks.

The rise in price per barrel of oil has broader implications. Other products are derived from petroleum including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, plastics, synthetic rubber, pharmaceuticals, etc. Consequently, inflationary pressures are very much in evidence in the U.S. and internationally. 

Hundreds of cargo vessels remain stalled in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Supply chains have been choked due to the U.S. blockade and the responses of Tehran. The cost of transported goods and insurance charged for the ships have escalated.

A report published by the London-based Financial Times says of the economic crisis that:

“Donald Trump’s war in Iran has unleashed a torrent of inflation in the US that economists warn will linger long after the conflict ends, squeezing Americans ahead of November’s midterm elections. The impact of the conflict has reverberated across the world’s biggest economy since its outbreak in late February and experts say the inflationary shock will take time to recede…. Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US and Israel’s bombing campaign has triggered global fuel shortages and sent prices soaring. Brent crude, the global benchmark, jumped from about $70 a barrel when the conflict began to more than $110 a barrel at its height.” (https://www.ft.com/content/80436d72-25e1-4a97-be09-3327c2d0af9a?syn-25a6b1a6=1)

In Europe, the shortage of jet fuel has triggered the cancellation of thousands of flights over the next few months. The price of airline tickets will rise above the capacity of many working people to travel.

These cancellations will impact several industries including commerce, hotels, tourism and aviation cargo transport. Billions of dollars have already been lost due to the impact of the genocidal war of choice ignited by Washington and Tel Aviv. 

Trump’s discredited illegal imposition of tariffs during 2025 has already had a profound negative impact on the world economy. In the U.S., there is uncertainty over the price of goods produced outside its continental boundaries. 

Even the U.S. Supreme Court of which several were appointed by Trump, struck down the tariffs for their illegality and the by-passing of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Trump’s claims that he would bring down inflation and “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) has resulted in just the opposite outcomes. 

Unemployment has risen in the U.S. and other western capitalist states. In the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries, the Trump administration demanded during 2025 that they increase military expenditures to at least 5% of their national budgets. The White House requested assistance in the bombing of Iran and the blockade against Iranian ports. The UK and other NATO states refused to join Washington in the illegal war. 

The Business Insider reported on the damage being done to the airline industry, emphasizing:

“All but one of the world's 20 largest airlines are reducing capacity in the coming months, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Its analysis found the planned global capacity for May has dropped three percentage points since early March. Cirium revised its initial prediction of 4%-6% growth this year, saying it could decline by up to 3% under some potential scenarios. The war has disrupted supply chains, trapping oil in storage facilities across the Middle East. That saw the price of Brent crude oil rocket past $100 a barrel in early March, before dipping back below that benchmark once ceasefire talks began this month. Jet fuel prices have risen even faster, doubling in price to almost $200 a barrel. And as the war drags on, jet fuel is getting harder to come by for countries that don't produce it or have limited supplies.” (https://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-cancel-flights-rising-jet-fuel-prices-shortage-iran-2026-4)

Therefore, the Trump administration has damaged the standing of U.S. imperialism on a global scale. Its failure to prevail against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its allies in West Asia has drawn scorn and mockery even among other western capitalist states.

These developments since February 28 will undoubtedly enhance the already widespread animosity towards U.S. imperialism and its Zionist proxies in Tel Aviv. Inside the U.S. the approval ratings for the Trump administration have fallen to as low as 36%.

Nonetheless, the existing alternative to the Trump administration and its Republican base within the House and Senate does not represent a radical shift in domestic and foreign policy. The electorate in the U.S. must focus more on policy as opposed to the platitudes being advanced by the leading elements within the Democratic Party who are also pro-imperialist and Zionists.

The majority of politicians now in office in Washington must be challenged over their failure to present a viable alternative to the present course. Independent and critical challenges to the leaderships of the Republican and Democratic parties will be more forthcoming as the domestic and international crises deepen.

Big Defeat to Big Lies: Trump Peddles Iran 'Discord' Fiction to Mask US Military, Strategic Failures

Thursday, 23 April 2026 1:02 PM

By Press TV Strategic Analysis

After 40 days of failed military adventure against the Islamic Republic of Iran, followed by the diplomatic debacle in Islamabad with Iran calling the shots, a new reality is settling over the region, one that Washington is desperately trying to obscure.

The US war machine not only failed to achieve its stated objectives – a widely acknowledged reality – but it also suffered its most significant military and strategic defeat in decades.

And now, unable to accept that reality, it has fallen back on its oldest weapon: the "big lie."

A defeat on two fronts

The first battlefield was military, as Americans were eager to reveal their much-hyped “military card,” bragging about being the “most powerful military in the world.”

For over a month, the United States – backed by its most advanced naval assets, air power, and the full weight of its global and regional alliances – attempted to pressure the Iranian nation into submission or retreat.

The result: A humiliating defeat that quickly revealed the limits of much-hyped American power. From the strategic waters of the Persian Gulf to the skies over Yemen and Lebanon, Iran and its allies in the Axis of Resistance not only held their ground but dictated the terms of engagement, forcing the aggressors to plead for a ceasefire.

By the time the guns fell silent, it was Washington, not Tehran, that was begging for a ceasefire – not once, but twice. The first request came immediately after the imposed war had completed 40 days, when Washington agreed to Iran’s ten-point proposal.

The second came as a unilateral extension earlier this week, wrapped in the language of magnanimity but born of necessity. It was not a sign of goodwill. It was a strategic retreat.

The negotiating table has proven no kinder to the United States. Time and again, American officials have sought to frame the post-war dynamic as one requiring Iranian concessions: excessive limits on the missile program, the removal of enriched uranium, and the dismantling of ties with the resistance front.

Yet every single one of these demands has been met with Iranian steadfastness – backed overwhelmingly by public opinion. A latest poll conducted by Iran's IRIB Research Center found an overwhelming majority of Iranians reject each of these core American conditions.

The survey, conducted during and after the war, revealed that 85.7 percent of respondents said Iran should not accept restrictions on its missile industry, while 82.6 percent opposed the removal of 400 kilograms of enriched uranium from the country.

Also, 79.4 percent of people rejected shutting down uranium enrichment as a US condition.

Public opposition extends to core issues of sovereignty and regional strategy as well. The poll showed that 73.7 percent of Iranians said the country should not accept unrestricted passage of ships through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and 68.1 percent opposed severing cooperation with the Resistance Front.

With this level of popular support, the Iranian side – which clearly holds the upper hand – has no reason to offer any concessions. The opposing side has won nothing: not on land, not at sea, not at the table. And in the end, it is always the winner who takes it all.

The manufactured "internal disagreement"

Having lost all military and strategic leverage, Washington has now – quite unsurprisingly and predictably – resorted to its trademark practice: the fabrication of lies. In this context, that means peddling the so-called "internal discord" within Iran's leadership.

The narrative being pushed by American policy wonks suggests that senior Iranian figures are divided over the future of negotiations and the continuation of the imposed war.

But this is not intelligence. It is not journalism. It is propaganda straight from the Goebbels playbook: repeat a lie loudly enough, and public opinion will eventually accept it as truth.

The claim is demonstrably false. Iran's silence in the face of repeated enemy overtures is not a sign of weakness or infighting. On the contrary, it is a calculated strategic posture.

For decades, the United States operated on a comfortable assumption: that Iran's reactions were predictable – a known diplomatic rhythm that could be anticipated and exploited.

That era is now over. Iran has entered a new phase of asymmetrical engagement with the enemy, one defined by unpredictability, strategic patience, and an absolute refusal to be read before entering the room. This very element of unpredictability has left the enemy bewildered, and it’s no longer a secret.

And that bewilderment is palpable. When the US Secretary of the Navy resigns in the midst of a naval confrontation – the most expensive and strategically vital branch of the entire American military – it signals something far deeper than routine political turnover.

It signals a deep and irreparable fracture at the very heart of the US decision-making apparatus. More than that, it points to a rotten system that is imploding from within.

Strategic silence as a weapon

Perhaps nothing has unnerved Washington more than Iran's "silence" regarding reports of the next round of negotiations in Islamabad. By refusing to engage with the enemy's narrative, Iran has denied the US the very thing it needs most: a predictable opponent.

Every American strategy – whether war plan or diplomatic overture – was built on decades of familiarity with Iranian behavior. That familiarity is now worthless.

The silence is not an absence of strategy. It is the strategy and Iran has mastered it.

If there remains any doubt about Iran's position, the Iranian people have settled it. The IRIB poll is not merely a dataset; it is a political document and a telling statement.

When 66 percent of Iranians believe their country is the decisive victor of the war, when 87.2 percent rate the performance of Iran's armed forces as strong or very strong, and – most crucially – when 57.7 percent believe the US needs a ceasefire more than Iran does, something profound has shifted.

These figures mark a staggering reversal of the familiar power dynamic. They spell out, in unmistakable terms, that a new dynamic is at work. The old rules no longer apply.

These numbers are not abstract. They come from a population that endured 40 days of airstrikes and bombings, which gave over 3,000 martyrs, and saw its homes destroyed.

And that same population has delivered a clear message to its leaders: do not compromise our dignity. Do not concede our rights. We prefer war over humiliation.

The biggest defeat in a generation

The United States has not lost a battle here or there. It has lost a major war. It has lost its strategic footing. It has lost the initiative. And now, stripped of all credible leverage, it has lost whatever was left of its standing at the global stage.

The fake news about internal Iranian disagreements is not a sign of American confidence. It is a symptom of American desperation after suffering significant losses.

For 40 days, the world watched as the most powerful military in history was held to a standstill. In the aftermath, that stalemate has hardened into a new strategic reality: Iran and the Axis of Resistance are more united than ever, Iran's hand is stronger than ever, and the US has nothing to show for its aggression except a string of resignations and recycled lies.

The big lie will not change the big defeat. And history will record everything.

Iranian Leaders Reject Trump Claims, Affirm National Unity

By Al Mayadeen English

23 Apr 2026 22:40

Iranian officials dismiss US President Donald Trump’s claims of internal divisions, stressing unity, institutional cohesion, and coordinated response.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf rejected claims of internal political divisions in Iran, affirming that the country stands unified in the face of external pressure.

Their statements came in response to remarks by US President Donald Trump, who alleged the existence of internal conflict within Iran’s political system.

In separate posts on the platform X, both officials stressed that political labels such as “hardliners” and “moderates” do not reflect the reality in Iran.

“In our Iran, there are no hardliners or moderates. We are all Iranians and revolutionaries,” the statements read. "And with the iron unity of the nation and the state, with complete obedience to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, we will make the criminal aggressor regret it."

They added that national unity, alongside adherence to the leadership of the country, would ensure a decisive response to any aggression. “One God, one nation, one leader, one path; and this path toward Iran’s victory is more precious than life,” they said.

Araghchi highlights institutional cohesion

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also emphasized the cohesion of state institutions, linking this unity to broader regional developments.

In a statement, he said, “The failure of Israeli terrorist assassinations is evident in the continued functioning of Iran’s state institutions with unity, purpose, and discipline.”

He added that “the field and diplomatic fronts are fully coordinated in the same war,” stressing that Iranians are “more united than ever.”

Response to Trump’s allegations

The remarks were issued in direct response to Trump’s earlier claims that Iran was struggling to identify its leadership and was experiencing internal divisions.

He alleged that "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!" Iran outrightly rejects these characterizations of its politicians.

Tehran’s response reflects a broader effort to counter external narratives portraying internal fragmentation, instead emphasizing institutional stability and national cohesion.

This comes after the Iranian judiciary strongly rejected Trump's comments alleging that Tehran canceled the execution of eight women protesters following his requests, adding that the report was entirely baseless and false. 

Trump Officials Consider Sending 1,100 Afghans Who Aided US to DR Congo

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: The Guardian

22 Apr 2026 08:20

The Trump administration is reportedly discussing plans to send up to 1,100 Afghans who assisted US military operations during the Afghanistan war to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Trump administration is discussing plans to send up to 1,100 Afghans who assisted the US during its occupation of Afghanistan to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country already suffering from one of the world's largest displacement crises, according to a report by Victoria Bekiempis for The Guardian.

The resettlement discussions, first reported by the New York Times, come after President Donald Trump halted an initiative that would have allowed Afghans who supported US war efforts to apply for resettlement in the United States, a non-profit confirmed on Tuesday.

The group of more than 1,000 Afghans has been stranded in Qatar for an entire year. According to the Times, the group includes interpreters, relatives of US military personnel, and more than 400 children. The United States evacuated these Afghans to Qatar for their protection because they had supported the US during its occupation of Afghanistan, which is now once again under Taliban control following American military withdrawal.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently reeling from decades of conflict and instability, according to the report. The UN Refugee Agency estimates that 8.2 million people were displaced in Congo as of September 2025, with that number expected to reach 9 million by the end of the year.

Shawn VanDiver, president of the non-profit AfghanEvac, told The Guardian that he had learned of these discussions from people at and around the US State Department.

Advocate says Afghans should be brought to US

VanDiver stated that 900 of the 1,100 Afghans in Qatar are eligible for resettlement in the United States. For the remaining 200 who are not eligible, he suggested that Washington could explore options with countries other than Congo, which is struggling with widespread violence.

"The others should just come here," VanDiver told The Guardian. "This is an easy solve: 'Hey, welcome to America.'"

VanDiver said that between 100 and 150 of these Afghans are family members of active duty service members, while more than 700 are women and children.

"It's insane – this could all be fixed just by a policy change," VanDiver said, noting that the Department of Homeland Security could allow entry to Afghans who have already qualified for the program. "They can come here – there's no law that is preventing them."

VanDiver also warned that returning to Afghanistan would likely result in death for these individuals, given their collaboration with US forces.

State Department calls third-country resettlement 'positive resolution'

A State Department spokesperson told The Guardian that officials are continuing to identify options for voluntary resettlement of the Afghans currently living at Camp As-Sayliyah in Qatar. The spokesperson claimed that moving this group "to a third country is a positive resolution" for their safety and that of Americans.

The spokesperson added that "the Afghan nationals at CAS do not currently have a viable pathway to the United States."

The State Department says it remains in routine, direct communication with camp residents regarding resettlement initiatives, but would not disclose details surrounding the negotiations due to sensitivity.

It remains possible that the Congo talks will not materialize into actual resettlement, leaving this group of Afghans in further limbo, the report notes.

The Trump administration's willingness to abandon Afghan allies to a country already collapsing under its own humanitarian crisis reveals a fundamental truth about US foreign policy: those who serve the empire, whether interpreters, soldiers, or local collaborators, are ultimately disposable. 

Russia Says Its Africa Corps Has Freed Russian and Ukrainian Citizens Abducted in Niger

8:00 AM EDT, April 22, 2026

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Russia’s Africa Corps freed one Russian citizen and one Ukrainian who had been abducted by an al-Qaida affiliate in Niger in July 2024, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

The ministry identified the freed captives as Russian citizen Oleg Gret and Ukrainian citizen Yuri Yurov. They both appeared in a video posted on a media platform affiliated with Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an armed group which controls large swathes of territory in the Sahel region.

“As a result of a special operation conducted by the Africa Corps in the Republic of Mali, employees of a Russian geological exploration company captured in July 2024 in Niger by the terrorist group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin were freed,” the statement said.

The abduction was a hit to Russia in the region, where it has since displaced previous Western partners. In recent years, Russia has capitalized on the growing dissatisfaction with France, the former colonial power in the region, and escalating attacks from armed groups.

The Russian state-controlled paramilitary proxy group, the Africa Corps, replaced the mercenary Wagner Group for Moscow’s military operations on the continent.

“The hostages freed by the Russian Africa Corps servicemen will be transported by Russian military transport aircraft to Moscow for treatment and rehabilitation,” the ministry said.

Pope Urges US and Iran to Return to Peace Talks, Condemns Capital Punishment

By NICOLE WINFIELD

1:53 PM EDT, April 23, 2026

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Leo XIV urged the United States and Iran to return to talks to end the war Thursday and condemned capital punishment, in a wide-ranging press conference en route home from his trip to Africa.

Leo also asserted that countries have the right to control their borders but mustn’t treat migrants worse than “animals,” and lamented that the church’s morality teaching is often reduced to sexual issues.

On Iran, capital punishment and peace

After a trip that was dominated by the very public back and forth between Leo and U.S. President Donald Trump over the war, Leo urged the United States and Iran to return to negotiations.

He called for a new “culture of peace” to replace the recourse to violence whenever conflicts arise.

He said the question wasn’t whether the Iran regime should change or not. “The question should be about how to promote the values we believe in without the deaths of so many innocents.”

He revealed that he carries with him the photo of a Muslim Lebanese boy who had been killed in Israel’s recent war with Hezbollah. The boy had been photographed holding a sign welcoming the pope when he visited Lebanon last year.

“As a pastor I cannot be in favor of war,” he told reporters aboard his plane. “I would like to encourage everyone to find responses that come from a culture of peace and not hatred and division.”

Asked if he condemned Iran’s recent executions, Leo said he condemned “all actions that are unjust” and included capital punishment in the list.

“I condemn the taking of people’s lives. I condemn capital punishment. I believe human life is to be respected and that all people from conception to natural (death), their lives should be respected and protected.

“So when a regime, when a country takes decisions which take away the lives of other people unjustly, then obviously that is something that should be condemned,” he said.

Pope Francis changed the church’s social teaching to declare capital punishment immoral in all cases.

On migration and the rights of states

Leo affirmed the right of countries to impose immigration controls on their borders and acknowledged that uncontrolled migration had created situations “that are sometimes more unjust in the place where they arrive than from where they left.”

“I personally believe that a state has the right to impose rules for its frontiers,” he said. “But saying this, I ask: ‘What are we doing in the wealthier countries to change the situation in poorer countries’ to provide opportunities so that people aren’t compelled to leave?”

Regardless, he said migrants are human beings and deserve to be respected in their human dignity and not be treated “worse than house pets, animals.”

On LGBTQ+ blessings and morality

Leo was asked about the recent invitation by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munich, for the priests and pastoral workers in his archdioceses to adopt a set of guidelines formalizing and ritualizing blessings of same-sex couples.

The guidelines were approved last year by a controversial German church governing body made up of the German bishops’ conference and a Catholic lay group that has been working to have a greater say in church decision-making.

The Vatican in 2023 allowed for such blessings, but it made clear that they were not to be formalized or ritualized. The Vatican allowed them to be offered spontaneously and informally, as a priest gives a final blessing to all people at the end of Mass.

Leo said the Holy See had made clear to German bishops that “we do not agree with the formalized blessing” of gay couples or couples in other “irregular situations.”

The Vatican’s 2023 declaration allowing an informal blessing, promulgated with virtually no consultation outside the Vatican, sharply divided the church, with African bishops delivering a continent-wide dissent and refusing to implement it. Homosexual activity is criminalized in several African countries.

Asked how he would handle keeping the church unified over such a divisive issue, Leo spoke broadly about how culture war questions of sexual morality had dominated church discourse, particularly in the West, far too much.

“I think it’s very important to understand that the unity or division of the church should not revolve around sexual matters,” he said. “We tend to think that when the church is talking about morality, that the only issue of morality is sexual.

“And in reality, I believe that there are much greater and more important issues such as justice, equality, freedom of men and women, freedom of religion that would all take priority before that particular issue.”

The comment was significant because it suggested that even though he is American, Leo believes the church in the U.S. and the West has excessively reduced its moral teachings to revolve only around sex at the expense of other pressing issues.

A pope who keeps on eye on how he’s being covered

History’s first U.S. pope showed himself keenly aware of how his Africa trip had been reported and interpreted, including about his sometimes tame public addresses to African leaders who are accused of corruption or authoritarianism.

With a few notable exceptions, Leo kept his political remarks to the leaders largely diplomatic, using a language of encouragement and subtle messaging rather than headline-grabbing condemnations.

He also allowed some of the circumstances of his visit to speak louder than his words: a choreographed song and dance routine by prisoners in a country known for gross human rights abuses, or the extravagant luxury of a president’s hometown in a country where more than half the population lives in poverty.

Leo insisted that his primary reason for visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea was as a pastor, to accompany his flock in their faith.

He added that the Holy See can sometimes achieve more behind the scenes via its diplomatic work, including through the release of political prisoners, than with “great proclamations criticizing, judging or condemning.”

——-

Associated Press writer Monika Pronczuk contributed to this report.

New Bridge Helps Cement Lesotho as Water Lifeline for South Africa’s Economic Hub

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME

10:52 AM EDT, April 23, 2026

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — For every glass of water or a shower taken in Gauteng, South Africa’s most populous province that includes Johannesburg, there is a 60% chance the water came from its small neighbor, the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.

A newly built bridge launched this week is part of a network of constructions that will help the landlocked nation, cited by the World Bank as one of the poorest in the world, nearly double its water exports to South Africa to power one of Africa’s biggest industrial and economic hubs. It will also boost the water royalties and revenue for a country where half the population lives under the national poverty line.

The Senqu Bridge, 825 meters (2,700 feet) long and 90 meters (295 feet) high, is part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project that will increase water exports to South Africa from 780 million cubic meters a year currently to more 1,270 billion cubic meters.

The bridge goes over the reservoir behind the Polihali Dam, ensuring continuous movement once the water levels have risen. The construction of the dam is not yet complete.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is one of the biggest transboundary water projects in the world and it is the largest investment South Africa has ever made outside its borders. It also boosts Lesotho’s hydropower output, advancing energy security and reducing the country’s reliance on electricity imports.

The total cost of the project is currently estimated at over 53 billion rands ($3.2 billion), with over 120 kilometers (75 miles) of tunnels that channel water from Lesotho’s mountainous regions into South Africa’s river systems. Its first phase began in 1990, as a result of a 1986 treaty between the two countries, and it is currently in its second phase that is estimated to be completed between 2028 and 2029.

The 2.4 billion-rand ($144-million) bridge, the largest of the three bridges that support water infrastructure in the northeastern part of the country, has been lauded as an engineering achievement for Lesotho, rising more than 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level.

“South Africa is a water-scarce country and the waters of Lesotho’s highlands are vital to our country’s development. We remain forever grateful to the great Basotho nation for making water resources available to us,” South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa said during the launch of the bridge.

The construction of the bridge created about 1,200 jobs, mostly for Lesotho residents. The government last year declared a state of economic emergency after the unemployment rate hit about 30%.

“The royalties and infrastructure that flow from this project are not incidental benefits. They are central to our development finance strategy,” said Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane.

Some of the construction still pending includes a 38-kilometer (23-mile) tunnel connecting the Polihali and Katse reservoirs.

“The project must deepen impact on the people, strengthen accountability in delivery and ensure that its benefits are not abstract but are felt in the daily lives of the people affected,” Matekane said.

The country’s economic woes have been worsened by trade tariffs of up to 50% imposed by the United States, the biggest importer of Lesotho’s textile and mining products. It has also been at the receiving end of massive U.S. foreign aid cuts which were funding most of its health programs.

At Least 17 Somalian Migrants Die After Boat Capsizes off Algeria

By OMAR FARUK

3:38 PM EDT, April 23, 2026

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A boat capsized in waters between Algeria and Spain, leaving at least 17 Somali migrants dead, Somalia’s ambassador to Algeria said Thursday.

Ambassador Yusuf Ahmed Hassan told Somali state media that he was contacted by distressed parents searching for information about their missing relatives. The victims include 12 men and five women who drowned when their boat capsized while attempting the often-dangerous journey to Europe.

“I was reached by parents who were looking for their children and wanted to know their whereabouts,” he said.

Hassan said that he then contacted the Algerian Foreign Ministry, which informed him that a group of African migrants had died in a coastal province about 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of the capital, Algiers.

The ambassador said that he traveled to the Algerian city of Bou Ismail early Thursday, arriving at around 6 a.m.

“I visited two hospitals in the province and saw the bodies,” he said.

The route between North Africa and Spain is one of several commonly used by migrants seeking to reach Europe, often involving overcrowded and unseaworthy boats.

Shipwrecks are frequent along these routes, particularly in the western Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors, where thousands of migrants risk their lives each year fleeing conflict, poverty and climate-related hardships.

Somali migrants are among those increasingly undertaking such journeys, driven by insecurity, limited economic opportunities and prolonged drought conditions at home.

Algerian authorities haven’t yet released full details about the latest tragedy, including the total number of passengers on board or how the boat capsized.

Political Divorce Looms as the ANC Threatens to Purge Dual Members Who Campaign for SACP

Cape Town

Lindsay Dentlinger

23 April 2026 | 11:31

The ANC is warning that those in leadership positions who fail to respond to its letter can face being stripped of their jobs. 

Political divorce looms as the ANC threatens to purge dual members who campaign for SACP

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula. Picture: @MYANC/X.

The battle lines between the African National Congress (ANC) and its alliance partner, the South African Communist Party (SACP), have been drawn.

While the ANC on Thursday issued letters to dual members requiring them to declare their allegiance ahead of the local government polls, the SACP says it won’t be acceding to the demand.

Both parties have held separate briefings to clarify their positions following the SACP’s decision to contest elections independently.

The ANC is warning that those in leadership positions who fail to respond to its letter can face being stripped of their jobs.

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula on Thursday read dual members the riot act if they don’t respond to his missive within the next ten days.

"Should you decide to ignore this communication, and you are found to be campaigning for any other political party outside the ANC, we will take steps."

The directive puts the SACP in a difficult position, given it also has two ministers in government - Mineral Resources and Petroleum minister Gwede Mantashe and Higher Education minister Buti Manamela.

"If you are in the executive, at local government or service in any position of influence, including deployment, we will take steps, including removal from those positions with immediate effect."

While the ANC insists the stance it’s adopted towards the SACP is not antagonistic, it’s not being received that way.

SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila says the ANC’s directive is akin to demanding subordination from the SACP.

South Africa’s Police Chief Suspended Over Corruption Allegations

South Africa’s national police commissioner Fannie Masemola appears in the Pretoria Magistrates Court in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/ Mogomotsi Magome)

12:18 PM EDT, April 23, 2026

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s top police official was suspended by the president on Thursday after he was charged with breaking finance laws related to an allegedly corrupt police contract.

Fannie Masemola appeared in court on Tuesday and was set to return alongside 12 other senior police officers suspected of fraud, corruption and money laundering in connection with the contract, which was allegedly awarded unlawfully to a local company. Charges against Masemola relate to his responsibilities as the accounting officer for the police service.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a press briefing on Thursday that he had appointed Puleng Dimpane, the commissioner for financial management services in the police service, as acting police commissioner while Masemola is on trial.

“I have agreed with General Masemola that he be deemed to be on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of the case,” Ramaphosa said.

His suspension follows wide-ranging allegations of corruption in the country’s criminal justice system that were revealed at a commission of inquiry appointed by Ramaphosa last year.

Masemola faces four counts of violating the Public Finance Management Act, a law that regulates the government’s awarding of contracts, over a 360 million-rand ($21 million) deal to provide health and well-being services to police officers. It is alleged that some of the police officers received bribes from the winning bidders.

‘Sovereignty’ Bill Seeking to Deter Foreign Influence Has Drawn Widespread Concern in Uganda

By RODNEY MUHUMUZA

7:51 AM EDT, April 23, 2026

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — A bill by Ugandan authorities whose stated purpose is to deter foreign interference has drawn widespread criticism as concern grows over its all-encompassing definition of a foreign agent and its potential to hurt the work of civic groups.

The “Protection of Sovereignty” bill is being examined by lawmakers who could pass it within days despite criticism by banks, traders, the political opposition, civic groups and others who depend on remittances in foreign currency from abroad.

Many critics say the sovereignty bill really seeks to weaken opposition parties and civic groups, which usually depend on generous grants to do their work in governance and human rights, in a sign of what they see as increasing government repression.

Charles Onyango-Obbo, a prominent Ugandan political commentator, said the bill’s clauses were “unprecedented” in their reach and consequences. “They redefine who is foreign,” he said. “They extend control from politics into everyday economic and social life.”

The bill’s definition of a foreigner includes “a non-Ugandan citizen” as well as “a Ugandan citizen residing outside Uganda,” in addition to other categories of individuals and companies not domiciled in the East African country. That includes students, businesspeople, migrant workers, diplomats and others who live abroad.

If the bill is passed in its current version, Ugandans abroad would have to register as foreign agents to avoid delays in the processing of transactions through the banks, which would be punished for non-compliance.

Authorities are backing the bill, citing a need for social cohesion and protection from meddlers who would interfere in Uganda’s internal affairs. Opponents say the law, if enacted, would directly or indirectly affect almost every Ugandan at home or abroad.

“It does not protect sovereignty,” Isaac Ssemakadde, president of the Uganda Law Society, said in a statement. “It destroys the sovereignty — the people’s right to self-determination — that belongs to Ugandans.”

The legislation forbids foreign agents from obtaining grants or other monetary support from external sources in excess of 400 million Ugandan shillings — roughly $110,000 today — within a 12-month period without the approval of the interior minister.

In a letter to the office of the attorney general, the Uganda Bankers’ Association warned of a range of consequences for banking operations — notably by introducing other regulators other than the central bank, undermining foreign investment, and creating an unpredictable environment for commercial banks.

As most commercial banks have foreign shareholders and borrow offshore, “compliance and reputational risk rise overnight” when routine banking triggers the foreign agent’s label, the group said.

Civic leaders have voiced strong criticism of the bill, which comes months after President Yoweri Museveni won his seventh term. Museveni has repeatedly accused his most prominent rival, Bobi Wine, of being an unpatriotic agent of foreigners. The authoritarian Museveni, 81, has held power since 1986.

“If you want to regulate and close civil society, go in the NGO Act and put that,” Sarah Bireete, the leader of the Center for Constitutional Governance group, told reporters. “If you want to deregister civil society in Uganda, go to the constitution, amend it and say there will be no civil society in Uganda. But to hide behind protection of sovereignty, that you want to control civil society, why don’t you go to the law managing civil society and amend it?”

Wine, who went into hiding after January’s election and is now in temporary exile in the U.S., denies the charges and asserts that Museveni must be held accountable for his excesses during his long rule. Wine, who has wide support among young people in urban areas, officially took 24.7% of the vote, a result he rejected as fake.

Why a Bitter Political Feud Has Left a Former Zambian President Unburied 10 Months After His Death

By MICHELLE GUMEDE

2:57 PM EDT, April 23, 2026

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A feud over his funeral has meant the body of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu still hasn’t been buried nearly a year after he died in a South African hospital.

Lungu’s family wanted to bury him in South Africa because of his bitter political rivalry with current Zambian leader Hakainde Hichilema. But the Zambian government has gone to court to win custody of Lungu’s remains so that it can repatriate them for a state funeral.

A new twist in the monthslong drama came Wednesday when the Zambian government said it took custody of the body with the assistance of South African authorities, only for a court to order the remains returned to a funeral home where the family had kept them.

Here’s what to know about the bizarre row that’s been a source of morbid fascination for people in both countries:

10 months on, still not buried

Lungu died on June 5 last year of an undisclosed illness at the age of 68, having traveled to South Africa for medical treatment. His family made plans to bury him in South Africa, refusing to return the body to Zambia for a state funeral to be attended by Hichilema.

The family, through a spokesperson, said it was because one of Lungu’s last wishes was that Hichilema should not go “anywhere near his body” when he is buried. The Zambian government launched a court case to win custody of the remains, arguing a state funeral was in the national interest.

Zambian authorities also prepared a space for Lungu months ago in a cemetery where some of the country’s ex-leaders are buried. The grave remains empty.

Bitter political rivals

Lungu and successor Hichilema were bitter political rivals in the southern African nation for years.

Lungu beat Hichilema in a 2016 election. A year later, Hichilema was imprisoned for four months on a charge of treason after failing to give way to the presidential motorcade on a road. The charge was dropped and Hichilema was released as advocacy groups condemned the arrest.

After Hichilema became president in 2021, Lungu claimed he was harassed by police and effectively placed under house arrest. His family said he was for a time prevented from leaving the country for medical treatment. Hichilema’s government denied those allegations.

Lungu reportedly traveled to South Africa by slipping away to an airport unnoticed and buying a ticket at the counter.

Legal battle over the remains

The Zambian government’s court case seeking custody of Lungu’s body halted a planned funeral service for him in South Africa last June. The move forced members of Lungu’s family — dressed in black funeral attire — to stop the service and travel to a courthouse for the urgent case.

A South African court later ruled in favor of the Zambian government and said the body should be repatriated. A date of May 12 was set for the body to be handed over.

Unlawful seizure of the body

The Zambian government announced late Wednesday that it had taken custody of Lungu’s body and moved it from a mortuary at a private funeral home in the South African capital, Pretoria, to another facility in preparation for repatriation.

Soon after, a court ordered the government to return the body to the family immediately, accusing it of contempt of court because it attempted to take Lungu’s remains before the agreed-upon date.

A new legal drama could now unfold after the court ordered the Zambian government — and South African authorities who apparently helped facilitate the moving of the body — to show why they shouldn’t be charged with contempt of court.

12 CPV Martyrs Laid to Rest in Solemn Burial Ceremony

Spirit of Chinese People’s Volunteers a valuable legacy to be passed down: expert

By Cui Meng in Shenyang and Sun Langchen in Beijing

Apr 23, 2026 04:48 PM

A burial ceremony for the remains of the 13th batch of Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs, who lost their lives during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), was held at a martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning Province on April 23, 2026. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

A grand burial ceremony for the remains of the 13th batch of Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, who lost their lives during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), was held at a martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning Province on Thursday morning. The spirits of 12 CPV soldiers, who gave their lives defending the country and lay in a foreign land for more than 70 years, have finally been laid to rest on Chinese soil.

Representatives of martyrs' families and hero units of the war attended the ceremony, alongside nearly 500 participants including officials from China's central departments, students and other youth representatives. 

At the scene, Global Times reporters observed that the sunken memorial square was encircled by a wall engraved with martyrs' names, beneath which yellow and white chrysanthemums were densely arranged. Participants stood in solemn silence, with many members of the public gathered early outside the square, lining up to witness the ceremony.

At 10 am, the ceremony began as a military band played the mournful melody of remembrance. Under escort by the PLA Honor Guard, pallbearers marched in unison, carrying the caskets of the martyrs slowly into the memorial square. After a eulogy delivered by Chinese Minister of Veterans Affairs Pei Jinjia, all attendees bowed three times. A total of 27 honor guards then fired 12 volleys in tribute, offering the highest respect to the fallen.

"Martyrs have always been buried with the highest honors. The 12-gun salute represents the utmost respect and remembrance," Su Wei, a professor at the Party School of the Communist Party of China Chongqing Municipal Committee, told the Global Times on Thursday. "The ceremony carries dual significance - welcoming them home and commemorating their heroic deeds."

Su noted that the war embodies the courage of the CPV to fight against formidable odds. "For more than 70 years, we have never forgotten the soldiers who composed this heroic chapter, nor those who contributed to victory. Carrying forward this spirit today means upholding peace and security."

Earlier on Wednesday, the remains and personal effects of the 12 CPV soldiers were returned to China aboard a Y-20B large transport aircraft and escorted to the cemetery by a motorcycle convoy.

More than 70,000 residents in Shenyang took to the streets to welcome the martyrs, many carrying flowers in tribute. According to CCTV News, among those present at the ceremony were eight elderly CPV veterans, with an average age of 93. Veteran Cheng Maoyou wrote a calligraphy piece reading "Welcome comrades home."

He Yue, a mother who brought her child to the ceremony, told the Global Times on Thursday that many residents had already gathered outside the cemetery the previous day, including retired soldiers, police role models, students, and volunteers. 

"We watched the convoy escort, and it was deeply moving. The martyrs made tremendous sacrifices. Their fearless spirit is something that we and our children should learn from. It reminds us that today's peace is hard-won," she said.

Yu Jialin, a primary school student from Mao Anying School in Dandong, Liaoning Province, said that seeing the ceremony made a lasting impression. "I felt as if I saw them marching bravely to the battlefield. I couldn't calm down for a long time. I will study hard and carry forward their spirit," the student said.

To date, a total of 1,023 CPV martyrs repatriated from South Korea have been laid to rest at the cemetery. Huang Yueyi, a staff member at the cemetery, said the burial site is located along the central axis in the northern section, where previous ceremonies have also been held. 

"To create a solemn atmosphere, we carefully arranged the site, placing 33 wreaths beneath the wall of names, representing deep remembrance from all sectors of society," per CCTV News.

Surrounding the square is a wall composed of 138 black granite slabs, each three meters high and one meter wide, engraved with the names of martyrs. Of the more than 197,000 CPV soldiers who sacrificed their lives, over 20,000 shared duplicate names, leaving more than 170,000 names inscribed on the wall, as reported by CCTV News.

Standing before the wall, gray-haired Du Yanping pointed to her father Du Yizhen's name and broke down in tears. She told the Global Times that her father died in 1953 without leaving any belongings, and the wall has become her only place of remembrance. 

Nearby, another visitor surnamed Liu brought a photo of her father as a young man. She said she had visited many times and even dreamed of him and his comrades the night before.

"In times of peace, we won't forget that peace is hard-won. We must safeguard stability and oppose war. This reflects a shared aspiration," Liu said.

Lü Chao, a professor at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday that Shenyang has served as a "base camp" for the war effort, making it a longstanding tradition to lay martyrs to rest there. 

People come voluntarily because they deeply recognize the hardships of the war. It was a founding battle that demonstrated the resilience of the Chinese people and their determination to defend world peace. The spirit of the CPV is a valuable legacy to be passed down, Lü said. 

"Behind every name is a young face and a life once devoted to the country," Lü added. "We may not remember every individual name, but we should remember their shared name — Chinese People's Volunteers."

GT Voice: US Critical Minerals Small Circle Will Only Raise Costs, Not Security

By Global Times

Apr 23, 2026 11:54 PM

Illustration: Chen Xia/Global Times

American allies must be ready to pay a "national security premium" for certain minerals, which would be sourced from outside China and from within a proposed group of trading partners including Europe, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told the Financial Times in an interview published on Wednesday.

The US wants the club of countries to trade minerals at set minimum prices to protect their investments in mining and processing, and this could hit outside producers such as China with steep tariffs or other barriers to prevent them driving down prices, according to the report.

However, the US attempt to form a small circle of critical minerals trade that excludes China and demand that its allies pay more for its geopolitical calculation seriously deviates from the basic laws of the market economy and rests on no sustainable economic footing.

For starters, the so-called "national security premium" is a blatant violation of economic common sense. The formation of critical mineral prices is a complex process, determined by market factors such as global supply and demand, mining costs, processing technology, and economies of scale, and it cannot be arbitrarily manipulated. China's advantageous position in the global critical mineral supply chain is the result of decades of continuous investment, constant technological iteration, and large-scale production capacity. 

Take rare earths as an example: in 2024, China's rare-earth output reached 270,000 tons, accounting for 68.54 percent of the global output, according to a Xinhua report in October 2025. Mature technology, large scale and efficient operations have made China's mineral processing costs much lower than those in the West. This cost gap, however, cannot be erased by any politically imposed "security premium."

The US demand for its allies to abandon low-cost supplies and instead purchase high-priced minerals is forcing global supply chains to bear the cost of geopolitical ambitions. The extra cost will not vanish, but will be passed down the supply chain, creating cost chaos for downstream industries. 

As noted in the FT report, several people familiar with talks between Washington and its trading partners said that there were concerns that protecting minerals would increase costs for sectors such as defense, automaking and clean energy. Such artificial pricing, which defies market laws, is unsustainable in the long run. Under such artificial pricing, consumers would reduce demand as prices rose, and businesses would lose competitiveness as costs increased.

Perhaps the biggest question is who will pay the premium bill. The reality is that even in the US, implementing a floor price for certain minerals is controversial. While US mining and processing companies have pushed for price floors and other government backstops, critics of price floors warn they could expose US taxpayers to significant financial risk by forcing the government to subsidize minerals when market prices fall, potentially locking in long-term liabilities, Reuters reported in January. 

The report, citing anonymous sources, mentioned that at a closed-door meeting hosted by a Washington think tank, two senior US officials told US minerals executives that their projects would need to prove their financial independence without government price support.

How can a policy that is full of uncertainty even at home be extended to its allies? A price floor is essentially a way of inflating prices to support high-cost producers. It fosters industrial laziness that discourages technological innovation and efficiency gains, eventually leaving taxpayers to foot the bill or causing the whole policy to collapse.

Furthermore, by pushing a "security premium" or "minimum price," the US is essentially building an exclusive "small circle" in an attempt to achieve so‑called "supply chain security." In reality, such an approach undermines the global division of labor based on market rules and comparative advantage. It also ignores the long investment cycles, slow implementation, and high technical barriers that characterize critical mineral industries.

Any attempt to forcibly distort supply chains through political fiat cannot genuinely reduce risks; on the contrary, it creates new vulnerabilities for involved parties. History has repeatedly shown that capital pursues efficiency - the very opposite of what exclusive resource alliances tend to produce: inefficiency, internal friction, and rigid supply structures.

The US push for a mineral "price alliance" not only violates basic economic laws and drives up downstream costs, but also lacks practical feasibility and is unsustainable in the long run. True supply chain security can never be attained through closed "small circles" and forced premiums. Only by respecting market laws and strengthening international cooperation can the world build a stable, efficient, and low cost global critical mineral supply chain.

PLA Navy Celebrates 77th Anniversary with Ships Open to Public; Enhanced Naval Capabilities Add Fresh Footnote to Mission of Peace: Expert

By Liang Rui, Guo Yuandan and Huang Lanlan

Apr 23, 2026 11:06 PM

Visitors attend the ship open-day event of the Northern Theater Command Navy in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, on April 22, to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy. Photo: VCG

At a naval port in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, the Type 081 mine countermeasures ship Qingzhou opened to the public for the first time, drawing steady streams of curious visitors eager for a rare, up-close look at the vessel.

The open day forms part of nationwide celebrations marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy on Thursday. Naval bases across more than 10 cities have opened their gates, with over 40 active-duty vessels welcoming visitors—making it the largest and most diverse lineup in the history of such events, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Beyond the docks, the commemorations have unfolded on a grand scale, featuring open barracks, military band performances, solemn ceremonies honoring naval heroes, and flag-raising events.

In recent years, the PLA Navy has held open-day events on multiple occasions, with the types, scale, and influence of these events steadily expanding. Vessel open-day activities have become an important window for the public to learn about the PLA Navy and an effective means of promoting maritime awareness, said Xinhua.

In addition to a series of on-site events, the PLA Navy released 18 posters on social media on Thursday showcasing its equipment and the spirit of its personnel to celebrate the anniversary.

A large number of netizens left blessings in the comment sections. One comment read: "Looking back at the 77 years since the founding of the PLA Navy, it has been 77 magnificent years: years of striving for maritime strength, years of growing from nothing into a formidable force, and years of venturing into blue waters." Another said: "The PLA Navy guards the peace of the nation with loyalty. Happy birthday, and may your journey be vast and mighty."

Assets on display

This year's Navy open-day events unfolded in a vibrant, celebratory atmosphere, drawing enthusiastic crowds across multiple locations. Global Times reporters observed visitors eagerly boarding warships, engaging in interactive exhibits, and gaining an up-close look at the capabilities of the PLA Navy.

"We are essentially a team of maritime engineers," said Hong Jinyu, an officer of the ship Qingzhou. Naval mines - low-cost, easy to deploy, and difficult to clear - remain a critical threat in modern naval warfare, and mine countermeasures ships exist specifically to counter them. 

The open-ship events have been met with an enthusiastic response in Shanghai. The Global Times learned that just days earlier, once reservations for ship visits were made available to the public, the slots were snapped up within seconds. Reporters noticed veterans in wheelchairs accompanied by their families, children holding hands with their parents, and middle-aged visitors who joked they had skipped work just to be there.

In Shanghai, the vessel on display was the Fuyang, a new-type guided-missile frigate independently designed and built in China. Moored alongside the Fuyang is the Qiandaohu, a new-type, domestically-built ocean-going comprehensive replenishment ship. The ship is capable of providing integrated logistical support to frontline warships under complex weather and sea conditions across multiple maritime areas.

These are just a small fraction of what was on display. According to Xinhua, a variety of active combat ships are open to visitors, including guided-missile destroyers, as well as guided-missile frigates, minesweepers, missile boats and amphibious landing ships. Additionally, auxiliary vessels, including comprehensive supply ships, ocean-going navigation training ships and hospital ships are also accessible to the public.

According to Xinhua, visitors from Taiwan island boarded the active-duty ships Urumqi and Weifang in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province on Thursday. They learned about the vessels' weapons and equipment, as well as the daily work and life of the crew members onboard.

In Qingdao, six vessels - the Urumqi, Weifang, Qiqihar, Wuhu, Dongpinghu, and Yangchenghu - were moored at dock with full dressing. Qingdao also had the largest number of warships opened to the public of any city during this event. In Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province, the Nanning, Kunlunshan, and Wulungu were presented at a naval port. As evening lights came on, the warships displayed full lighting, reflecting the city's neon lights in a harmonious display.

Many of the participating ships have carried out major missions such as escort missions in the Gulf of Aden, overseas visits and joint exercises, reported Xinhua.

In addition to the ship open days, the PLA Navy also organized open house events at multiple naval ports and barracks. Civilians visited Navy military airfields in cities including Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang Province and Shanghai, where they got an up-close look at active-duty main combat aircraft such as the KJ-500H airborne early warning and control aircraft, the Y-8 and Y-9 transport aircraft, and the Z-9D helicopter, Xinhua said.

Toward deeper blue

Last year marked an explosive expansion in the PLA Navy's overall combat assets, Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The country's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, equipped with electromagnetic catapults, was officially commissioned on November 5, 2025, marking China's official entry into an era with three aircraft carriers.

In September 2025, the LY-1 shipborne laser weapon made its first public appearance at the V-Day military parade on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

At the military parade, the YJ-18C cruise missile, which has long-range precision strike capability, also made its debut.

Beyond equipment and technology development, extensive large-scale exercises activities were also conducted last year.

Starting from December 29, 2025, the PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted joint military drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" in the Taiwan Straits and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan Island, focusing on subjects of sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade on key ports and areas, as well as all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain.

In terms of far-sea operations, in June 2025, the aircraft carrier battle groups of the Liaoning and Shandong conducted training in the Western Pacific and other maritime areas, testing the troops' far-sea defense and joint operation capabilities.

In the past year, the PLA Navy steadily advanced its long-range combat readiness patrol capabilities while maintaining mature medium- and short-range capabilities. This positions the Navy to execute both major combat missions and experimental tasks, and represents a significant step in its ongoing shift from medium- and short-range offshore defense toward open-ocean defense, Wang said.

Wang said that further developments and changes are expected this year, including the possible emergence of new equipment in areas such as unmanned combat forces and underwater warfare capabilities. At the same time, the coming year is likely to be critical for major platforms to achieve operational capability. For instance, previous reports from CCTV News have suggested that the Fujian could conduct far-sea training in 2026. 

On Wednesday, China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, headed to the South China Sea for routine cross-regional trials and training. 

The PLA Navy has always adhered to a defensive national defense policy. Its development is not directed against any country, but rather aims to better fulfill international responsibilities and obligations, and to contribute to the maintenance of world peace and regional stability, said Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe.

World Book and Copyright Day: Why April 23 Matters for Global Culture

The date of April 23 — symbolic for world literature — became the foundation for establishing the World Book and Copyright Day, intended to strengthen a love of books and reading.

Old book bindings at the Merton College library

On this day in 1616, Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega passed away. It is also the birth or death date of such well-known authors as Maurice Druon, Halldór Laxness, Josep Pla, and Manuel Mejía Vallejo.

It was therefore natural that the UNESCO General Conference, held in Paris in 1995, decided to pay tribute to books and authors on this day, calling on everyone — especially young people — to discover the joy of reading and to respect the invaluable contribution of those who have advanced the social and cultural progress of humanity. At that time, World Book and Copyright Day was officially established, along with the UNESCO Prize for Children's and Young People's Literature in the Service of Tolerance.

The decision was made with the aim of promoting education, fostering awareness of cultural traditions, and recognizing that books are the greatest means of disseminating knowledge and the most reliable way of preserving it.

Through books, we gain access not only to knowledge but also to ideas, spiritual and moral values, an understanding of beauty, and humanity's creative achievements. As a carrier of information and a foundation of education and creativity, the book allows every culture to express itself, introduces the customs and traditions of different peoples, and draws attention to the many aspects of human activity connected with books — creative, publishing, regulatory, political, national, and international.

The book is a window into the world of cultural diversity, a bridge that connects different civilizations across time and space.

A Global Celebration of Reading

Today, World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated in more than one hundred countries by millions of people united in hundreds of associations. It is marked in schools and universities, cultural and educational institutions, professional organizations, and private enterprises. Over time, this international day has brought together book lovers from diverse cultures across all continents and has contributed to strengthening copyright protection.

UNESCO emphasizes that with the active participation of all stakeholders — writers, publishers, teachers, librarians, public and private institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the media — World Book and Copyright Day has become a platform that unites millions of people around the world.

The Role of Books in Preserving Culture

As we celebrate this day, special attention should be given to the vital role of books in preserving and enriching the culture of every nation. Books remain one of the most powerful tools in the collective effort to protect and expand humanity's cultural heritage.

Each year, the number of initiatives and events dedicated to this day continues to grow, as does their geographic reach. Among the most popular traditions worldwide are book fairs and exhibitions, public readings, presentations of classic literary works, and various cultural events.

World Book Capital Tradition

Another important tradition associated with this day has been observed since 2001: each year, a city is designated as the World Book Capital for a one-year term. The selection committee includes representatives of UNESCO and three major international publishing organizations — the International Publishers Association, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, and the International Booksellers Federation.

This title reflects a city's commitment to promoting books, reading, and cooperation among key stakeholders in the publishing industry. Over the years, cities around the world have held this title, including Madrid, Alexandria, New Delhi, Montreal, Bogotá, Beirut, Ljubljana, Buenos Aires, Yerevan, Bangkok, Port Harcourt, Wrocław, Athens, Sharjah, Tbilisi, Guadalajara, Accra, Strasbourg, Rio de Janeiro, Rabat, and many others.

Russia’s Economy Defies Predictions of Collapse Amid Sanctions and Industrial Growth

Western media predicted the collapse of the Russian economy, but real changes in industry, employment, and capital flows paint a different picture.

Electric locomotive 2ES7-024 with a freight train

Military-Industrial Complex as a Driver of Economic Growth

Western "analysts” portray Russia's economy as dying and soon unable to finance the special military operation or social programs. They further suggest that this would lead to public unrest, the removal of Vladimir Putin, and ultimately the division of Russia's resources by Ukraine and NATO.

This chain of assumptions breaks down at every stage. The first point of analysis is the economy itself.

Russia is likely to emerge from the special military operation in a stronger economic position than before it began. It has long been established that the military-industrial complex is a key driver of economic growth, supporting science, technology, demand, and employment.

The Russian government has been investing heavily in defense procurement for five consecutive years, creating well-paid jobs and providing significant contract payments to servicemen. This generates consumer demand, especially in previously underdeveloped regions, which in turn increases production, consumption, and budget revenues.

The result is visible in the improvement of small and medium-sized cities across Russia, not only major regional centers.

Sanctions and Economic Sovereignty

Sanctions and the withdrawal of Western companies have accelerated the "sovereignization” of the Russian economy. Many assets were acquired at symbolic prices, and profits now remain inside the country instead of flowing abroad.

This situation has also forced technological development. Russia has produced the MC-21 aircraft (with PD-14 engines and composite wings) and the SJ-100 (with PD-8 engines). The company "Power Machines” has begun serial production of GTD-170 and GTD-65 gas turbines, replacing Siemens and General Electric equipment.

The level of localization in the energy sector exceeds 80%. The number of domestic machine tool manufacturers has tripled, from 40 to 120. Advances have also been made in laser and plasma technologies, nuclear engineering, microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, and information technology.

Another key factor is capital flow reversal. Previously, capital was exported abroad; now, sanctions and financial restrictions have kept money within Russia, increasing domestic investment and liquidity.

Russia has also redirected energy exports, achieved food independence, and developed a level of digitalization rarely seen in Western economies. The system has become more stable and resilient — a process that has been unfolding since 2014.

Some critics ask why the "Russian Spring” did not continue after Crimea. The answer lies in preparation: without adaptation to isolation, collapse would have followed. Now, however, revenues are sufficient to finance both social programs and military needs.

Living Standards in Russia and EU

Russia currently has high employment in well-paid sectors and historically low unemployment at around 2.4%. The military industry has absorbed available labor, while mobilization and relocation have tightened the labor market, pushing wages upward and increasing purchasing power.

The average salary in Russia is around 103,000 rubles. In the EU it is approximately 186,000 rubles after taxes. However, in countries such as Hungary it ranges between 74,000 and 83,000 rubles, while living costs in Europe are significantly higher — often by 1.5 times.

This places living standards at a broadly comparable level. When has such parity ever existed before?

There are risks, especially inflationary ones, but the Central Bank appears to be managing them. Exchange rates, imports, and retail activity do not reflect the double-digit inflation often cited in Western narratives.

Even major global economies such as China and India are revising GDP forecasts downward.

Claims of a weak Russian economy are largely political narratives. Western predictions of imminent collapse function more as psychological messaging than as accurate economic analysis.

ICC Pre-Trial Chamber Confirms Charges Against Former Philippine President Duterte

The court concluded that there were substantial grounds to believe that Mr. Duterte had been responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder

Rodrigo Duterte Karl Alonzo/Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division via AP

THE HAGUE, April 23. /TASS/. The Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed all charges filed against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and ruled to commit him to trial, the ICC said in a statement on Thursday.

"Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court… unanimously confirmed all the charges comprised of three counts of crimes against humanity brought by the Prosecutor against Rodrigo Roa Duterte and committed him to trial before a Trial Chamber," the statement reads.

According to the court’s statement: "Pre-Trial Chamber I concluded that there are substantial grounds to believe that Mr. Duterte is responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder…"

"These crimes were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population on the territory of the Republic of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the "war on drugs" campaign," the statement added.

Duterte case

Police in the Philippines detained Duterte on March 11, 2025, under an ICC arrest warrant for crimes against humanity, as he arrived in Manila on a flight from Hong Kong, before he could be handed over to The Hague. In her appeal, Vice President of the Philippines Sara Duterte-Carpio condemned her father’s detention as "a blatant affront to our sovereignty and an insult to every Filipino who believes in our nation’s independence."

On September 15, 2021, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber approved the prosecution’s request to launch a full investigation into crimes committed during the fight against drug trafficking in the Philippines. It concluded that there were grounds to investigate killings carried out in the country between November 1, 2011, and March 19, 2019. According to the prosecutor’s office, between 12,000 and 30,000 people were killed for using or selling drugs as part of the authorities' campaign, with many cases allegedly involving extrajudicial killings during police operations.

In March 2018, during Duterte’s presidency, the Philippines decided to withdraw from the ICC and submitted a relevant application to the UN, which came into force a year later. According to the court, this does not prevent the investigation, as the ICC retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was a member.

Russian Troops Pound Ukrainian Army’s Energy, Transport Infrastructure Over Past Day

According to the latest figures, the Ukrainian army lost more than 1,325 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

© Alexey Konovalov/TASS

MOSCOW, April 23. /TASS/. Russian troops struck energy and transport infrastructure used by the Ukrainian army and enemy deployment areas over the past 24 hours, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported.

"Operational/tactical aircraft, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groups of forces struck energy and transport infrastructure used by the Ukrainian army and temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 138 locations," the ministry said in a statement.

Kiev loses over 1,325 troops along engagement line in past day - latest figures

The Ukrainian army lost more than 1,325 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours, according to the latest data on the special military operation in Ukraine released by Russia’s Defense Ministry.

The latest figures show that the Ukrainian army lost over 220 troops and an armored personnel carrier in the responsibility area of Russia’s Battlegroup North, roughly 205 troops and two armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup West and about 185 troops and three armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup South.

During the last 24-hour period, the Ukrainian army also lost over 360 troops and three field artillery guns in the responsibility area of Russia’s Battlegroup Center, roughly 295 troops and two armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup East and about 60 troops and two armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup Dnepr, the latest figures show.

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicts over 220 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 220 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy armored personnel carrier in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup North units improved their tactical position and inflicted losses on formations of a mechanized brigade, an assault regiment of the Ukrainian army and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Novodmitrovka, Stetskovka, Pisarevka and Malaya Slobodka in the Sumy Region," the ministry said.

In the Kharkov direction, Battlegroup North units inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of two mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army and two border guard detachments of Ukraine’s Border Guard Service in areas near the settlements of Makarikha, Rubezhnoye, Vesyoloye and Sosnovy Bor in the Kharkov Region, the ministry reported.

The Ukrainian army lost more than 220 personnel, an armored personnel carrier, 18 motor vehicles, an Israeli-made RADA counterbattery radar station and two electronic warfare stations in those frontline areas over the past 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed an ammunition depot and seven materiel depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicts 205 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 205 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup West units improved their forward positions and inflicted losses on formations of two mechanized brigades and an assault brigade of the Ukrainian army in areas near the settlements of Osadkovka and Borovaya in the Kharkov Region, Tatyanovka and Krasny Liman in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 205 personnel, two armored combat vehicles, 18 motor vehicles and three artillery guns in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed four ammunition depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicts 185 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 185 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup South units gained better lines and positions and inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of three mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army and a territorial defense brigade in areas near the settlements of Rai-Aleksandrovka, Tikhonovka, Novosyolovka and Konstantinovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 185 personnel, three armored combat vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, three field artillery guns and two electronic warfare stations in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed three ammunition depots and five materiel depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicts over 360 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 360 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy field artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup Center units improved their tactical position and inflicted losses on formations of three mechanized brigades, an air assault brigade of the Ukrainian army, a marine infantry brigade and two National Guard brigades in areas near the settlements of Novogrigorovka and Novopavlovka in the Dnepropetrovsk Region, Kucherov Yar, Svetloye, Toretskoye, Dobropolye and Kalinino in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost more than 360 personnel, four motor vehicles and three field artillery guns that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicts 295 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 295 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup East units kept advancing deeper into the enemy’s defenses and inflicted losses on formations of a mechanized brigade, an air assault brigade, two assault brigades and three assault regiments of the Ukrainian army in areas near the settlements of Pokrovskoye, Gavrilovka, Lesnoye, Velikomikhailovka and Aleksandrovka in the Dnepropetrovsk Region, Yasnaya Polyana and Vozdvizhevka in the Zaporozhye Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 295 personnel, two armored combat vehicles and five motor vehicles in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr eliminates 60 Ukrainian troops in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr eliminated roughly 60 Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup Dnepr units inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of a mechanized brigade, a mountain assault brigade of the Ukrainian army and a territorial defense brigade in areas near the settlements of Kamyshevakha, Yurkovka and Orekhov in the Zaporozhye Region," the ministry said.

"Up to 60 [Ukrainian] military personnel, two armored combat vehicles, 20 motor vehicles and three electronic warfare stations were destroyed," the ministry said.

Russian air defenses intercept 418 Ukrainian UAVs, 10 smart bombs over past day

Russian air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 418 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and 10 smart bombs over the past 24 hours, the ministry reported.

"Air defense capabilities shot down 10 guided aerial bombs and 418 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said.

Overall, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 671 Ukrainian combat aircraft, 284 helicopters, 137,138 unmanned aerial vehicles, 656 surface-to-air missile systems, 29,020 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,705 multiple rocket launchers, 34,583 field artillery guns and mortars and 60,019 special military motor vehicles since the start of the special military operation, the ministry reported.