Trump Announces Three-Day Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire From May 9

<p>US President Donald Trump on Friday announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, stating that both sides had agreed to halt military operations from May 9 to May 11. Trump said the temporary truce would coincide with Russia&rsquo;s Victory Day celebrations and would also include a large-scale prisoner exchange involving 1,000 prisoners from each country. The announcement comes amid ongoing international efforts to end the war, which Trump described as the &ldquo;biggest conflict since World War II&rdquo;.</p> <h2>Ceasefire From May 9 To 11</h2> <p>In a statement, Trump said the ceasefire would involve a complete suspension of &ldquo;all kinetic activity&rdquo; during the three-day period.</p> <p>He claimed the request for the truce had been made directly by him and thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for agreeing to the proposal.</p> <p>Trump also noted that the pause in fighting coincides with Russia&rsquo;s Victory Day commemorations, while adding that Ukraine too played a major role during the Second World War.</p> <p><strong>Also Read:</strong> <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-news-live-iraniran-issues-fresh-warning-to-us-says-readiness-to-defend-itself-at-1-000-1842357">Iran Issues Fresh Warning To US, Says Readiness To Defend Itself At &lsquo;1,000%&rsquo;</a></p> <h2>Prisoner Swap Planned</h2> <p>The proposed agreement also includes an exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side, potentially making it one of the largest prisoner swaps since the war began.</p> <p>Trump expressed hope that the temporary ceasefire could pave the way for a broader peace agreement and eventually bring an end to the prolonged conflict.</p> <p>He said discussions aimed at permanently ending the war were continuing and claimed negotiators were &ldquo;getting closer and closer every day&rdquo; to a breakthrough.</p> <p><strong>Also Read:</strong> <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-releases-classified-ufo-records-after-trump-directive-on-alien-life-1842369">US Releases Classified UFO Records After Trump Directive On &lsquo;Alien Life&rsquo;</a></p>

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Middle East Crisis Hits Pakistani Families As Gulf Remittances Slow Down

<p><em><strong>Edited by:</strong> Srinivas Mazumdaru</em></p> <p>Samina Bibi, a 34-year-old mother of three, lives in a modest house on the outskirts of Rawalpindi, the fourth-most populous city in Pakistan.</p> <p>One early morning this week, she received a message from her husband saying that his salary would be delayed again.</p> <p>She says she had to fight back tears.</p> <p>Bibi's husband has been living in Saudi Arabia for the past decade. He works for a Riyadh-based construction company.</p> <p>"He says the company is facing issues due to regional conflict," she said, referring to the Iran war. "I just think, what about us relying solely on his 80,000 rupees (&euro;245, $288) per month?"</p> <p>For Samina, the delay in remittance is not merely an inconvenience, but a disruption that ripples through every part of her life. She says the Middle East crisis is directly affecting the families of migrant workers in the region.</p> <h2>Dependent on money transfers from abroad</h2> <p>Pakistan is among the world's largest recipients of remittances, with tens of billions of dollars flowing in each year &mdash; much of it from workers in the Gulf.</p> <p>For millions of households, this money offer an economic lifeline, allowing them to cover basic needs including food, rent, education and healthcare.</p> <p>According to the State Bank of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) contributed more than half of Pakistan's record $38.3 billion remittances in fiscal year 2025.</p> <p>But as the crisis bites, causing delays and fluctuations, many are now questioning Pakistan's heavy reliance on Gulf economies.</p> <p>Analysts warn that rising Middle East tensions, along with labor market shifts like increased automation and preference for hiring local workers, could threaten the remittance income for millions of Pakistani families.</p> <p>"There are rising reports of workers from the Gulf being sent back. No numbers or data are available at the moment though," said Khurram Husain, an economic analyst.</p> <p>"The UAE accounts for 20% of all Pakistan remittances, so a sudden slowdown from this one source alone would create significant pressure on the reserves and families of migrant workers back home," he added.</p> <p>Remittances have grown into a pillar of the national economy &mdash; supporting foreign exchange reserves and even stabilizing the currency. But that pillar rests on foundations far beyond Pakistan's borders.</p> <p>"A slowdown in remittances would obviously cause a lot of difficulty &mdash; we export labor more than goods and services," Safiya Aftab, an Islamabad-based economist, told DW.</p> <h2>Families split by borders</h2> <p>Bibi's husband has spent 10 years working in Saudi Arabia. He visits home once every two years. In between, their relationship exists largely through video calls.</p> <p>Their children have grown up this way. "My youngest child still asks when his father will come back for good," she said. "I don't know what to tell him."</p> <p>Her situation is not uncommon. Migration has reshaped family life across Pakistan, creating what sociologists describe as "transnational households" &mdash; families split between countries but bound by financial necessity.</p> <p>Regional tensions, economic slowdown, and labor market shifts in Gulf countries can directly affect migrant workers' earnings &mdash; and, by extension, the families who depend on them.</p> <p>"When something happens there, we feel it here," Bibi lamented.</p> <p>Her husband's hours were cut earlier this year, forcing him to send smaller amounts of money. One delayed payment forced her to borrow money to pay her children's school fees. "It's like everything stops," she said. "You wait, and you hope."</p> <h2>A limited safety net</h2> <p>Many Pakistani workers in the Gulf hold low- or semi-skilled jobs, which makes them particularly vulnerable to layoffs during economic downturns.</p> <p>"Too much depends on one region and one type of labor. Many young people are now coming to us looking for work visas for Malaysia or even Belarus. They consider a UAE work contract an uncertain prospect," Osama Malik, an Islamabad-based immigration lawyer, told DW.</p> <p>In Saudi Arabia, there are often delays in the payment of salaries to overseas workers, with certain restrictions on how much can be remitted back to their home countries, he added.</p> <h2>The human cost of migration</h2> <p>For families, migration brings economic benefits but also causes emotional strain.</p> <p>Bibi manages the household alone, raising children, caring for in-laws and making financial decisions. Her husband, meanwhile, lives in shared accommodation abroad, working long hours.</p> <p>"We talk every day," she said. "But it's not the same."</p> <p>There are moments when the distance feels heavier, particularly during illness, school events, family emergencies, Bibi told DW. "You realize how much is missing."</p> <h2>An uncertain future</h2> <p>Experts say Pakistan should provide more security for its workers by strengthening domestic industries and diversifying migration destinations.</p> <p>"Pakistan should not rely so heavily on remittances from the Gulf or any other place," Aftab stressed.</p> <p>"There is no substitute for growth in the domestic commodity-producing sectors. We need to focus on improving productivity in agriculture, manufacturing, and high-end services," he added.</p> <p>For families like Bibi's, however, such policy debates feel distant.</p> <p>"Our life depends on his job there," she said. "If something happens, we have nothing here."</p> <p><strong><em>Disclaimer:</em></strong> This report first appeared on <strong><em>Deutsche Welle</em></strong>, and has been republished on <em><strong>ABP Live</strong></em> as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by <em><strong>ABP Live</strong></em>.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/middle-east-crisis-hits-pakistani-families-as-gulf-remittances-slow-down-1842373

China Defies Trump Sanctions Push, Tells Firms To Keep Buying Iranian Oil

<p>China has directed domestic companies to disregard US sanctions targeting Iranian oil imports, escalating tensions with Washington and setting up a direct challenge to the Trump administration&rsquo;s pressure campaign against Tehran.</p> <p>According to a report by Fox News, China&rsquo;s Commerce Ministry issued a directive on Sunday invoking a 2021 &ldquo;blocking statute&rdquo; that bars Chinese firms from complying with foreign sanctions Beijing considers illegitimate.</p> <p>The order reportedly applies to several Chinese refiners accused by the United States of purchasing Iranian crude, including independent &ldquo;teapot&rdquo; refineries.</p> <h2><strong>Trump Administration Intensifies Pressure On Iran</strong></h2> <p>The move comes as the Trump administration ramps up sanctions aimed at cutting off a major source of Iranian revenue.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/australia-arrests-3-women-with-alleged-is-links-after-return-from-syria-1842125">Austria Shooting Horror: 3 Dead In Linz, Police Launch Major Probe</a></strong></p> <p>US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused China of effectively financing Iran&rsquo;s military activities through large-scale oil purchases.</p> <p>Speaking to Fox News, Bessent said: &ldquo;China, let&rsquo;s see them step up with some diplomacy and get the Iranians to open the strait.&rdquo;</p> <p>He added: &ldquo;Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism &hellip; China has been buying 90 percent of their energy, so they are funding the largest state sponsor of terrorism.&rdquo;</p> <p>Bessent has repeatedly defended the administration&rsquo;s &ldquo;maximum pressure&rdquo; campaign against Iran, saying the US is &ldquo;suffocating&rdquo; Tehran through financial restrictions and naval enforcement measures.</p> <h2><strong>China Remains Iran&rsquo;s Biggest Oil Buyer</strong></h2> <p>China continues to remain the primary destination for Iranian oil exports despite mounting US sanctions.</p> <p>Much of Iran&rsquo;s sanctioned crude reportedly reaches Chinese refiners through indirect shipping channels and complex maritime networks designed to avoid detection.</p> <p>Defending its latest action, China said the US sanctions unlawfully interfere with normal trade between sovereign nations.</p> <p>China&rsquo;s Commerce Ministry said the American measures violate international norms and confirmed that Chinese firms were prohibited from recognising or complying with the sanctions.</p> <h2><strong>Diplomatic Tensions Rise Ahead Of Trump-Xi Meeting</strong></h2> <p>The latest dispute comes ahead of a highly anticipated meeting later this month between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/business/wall-street-slips-from-record-highs-as-chip-stocks-retreat-iran-talks-in-focus-1842119">Wall Street Slips From Record Highs As Chip Stocks Retreat, Iran Talks In Focus</a></strong></p> <p>Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beijing this week for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, underlining China&rsquo;s growing role as both Iran&rsquo;s leading oil customer and a major diplomatic partner.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/business/china-defies-trump-sanctions-push-tells-firms-to-keep-buying-iranian-oil-1842128

Austria Shooting Horror: 3 Dead In Linz, Police Launch Major Probe

<p><em>Edited by: Rana Taha</em></p> <p>Shots were fired in Linz in Austria on Thursday. A police spokesman told the Reuters news agency that three people had been killed and the weapon used had been recovered by law enforcement.</p> <p>National public broadcaster ORF reported a large police presence in the Klausenbachstrasse area in the north of the city.</p> <h2>What do we know about the Linz shooting?</h2> <p>"The deceased found at the scene were one male and two female persons," Ulrike Handlbauer, a spokeswoman for Upper Austria state police, told ORF. "Police cannot currently give any more detailed comments on the more specific circumstances of the motive or the identity of the deceased."</p> <p>The tabloid news outlet <em>Kronen Zeitung</em> offered further details on the incident, reporting that an elderly man had shot two women and then himself outside a gastronomical business. It also cited police as saying that the wider danger to the public had passed.</p> <p>Linz is situated on the River Danube in the Upper Austria region in the north of the country, around half way between Salzburg in the west and Vienna in the east. It's home to more than 200,000 people.</p> <p>Gun crime is relatively rare in Austria with only around 0.2 people per 100,000 per year being killed by gunshots. For orientation, that's more than 25 times less frequent than in the US but also not among the lowest levels in Europe.</p> <p><em>If you are suffering from serious emotional strain or suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to seek professional help. You can find information on where to find such help, no matter where you live in this world, at this website: </em><a href="https://befrienders.org/">https://befrienders.org/</a></p> <p><em>Disclaimer: This report first appeared on <strong>Deutsche Welle</strong>, and has been republished on <strong>ABP Live</strong> as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by <strong>ABP Live</strong>.</em></p>

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Australia Arrests 3 Women With Alleged IS Links After Return From Syria

<p><em>Edited by: Rana Taha</em></p> <p>Australian authorities arrested three women who arrived at Sydney and Melbourne airports after flying back from Syria where they had allegedly supported fighters from the so-called "Islamic State" (IS), police said.</p> <p>The women, aged 31, 32 and 53, are all Australian citizens. They have spent the last few years in refugee camps in Syria after the downfall of IS.</p> <p>Another woman who was travelling with the group was not arrested. According to reports, nine children were also among the groups flying back to Australia.</p> <h2>Women welcomed by security and reporters</h2> <p>Police said ahead of the arrivals that the women could be charged with "terrorism offences" after travelling to a banned area, as well as "crimes against humanity offences such as engaging in slave trading."</p> <p>The groups of returnees were greeted by black-clad security personnel as well as throngs of journalists.</p> <p>Heavily-armed police officers were present to supervise the escorting of the women and children past the reporters to a minibus, the Australian public broadcaster ABC said.</p> <h2>Australia not keen for return of citizens from Syria</h2> <p>Australia, as well as countries like the UK and Canada, has been reluctant to bring back its citizens who traveled to Syria to support IS.</p> <p>Australian officials said they would not help IS-connected individuals to return, but also could not stop them.</p> <p>Some 21 Australians are still believed to be in the Al-Roj camp in north-eastern Syria, according to ABC.</p> <p>One of the returning women told the broadcaster she was looking forward to being back in Australia.</p> <p>"We just want our children to be safe. It was like hell [in Syria] for them," she told ABC in Doha Airport before boarding the flight to Melbourne.</p> <p>Australian law considered travel to the former Syrian IS stronghold of Raqqa without a legitimate reason between 2014 and 2017 illegal.</p> <p><em>Disclaimer: This report first appeared on&nbsp;<strong>Deutsche Welle</strong>, and has been republished on&nbsp;<strong>ABP Live</strong>&nbsp;as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by&nbsp;<strong>ABP Live</strong>.</em></p>

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‘God Is Good’: Karoline Leavitt Announces Arrival Of Baby Viviana

<p>Karoline Leavitt has announced the birth of her daughter, Viviana, sharing an emotional post alongside a photograph of herself holding the newborn.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">On May 1st, Viviana aka &ldquo;Vivi&rdquo; joined our family, and our hearts instantly exploded with love. 💕 <br /><br />She is perfect and healthy, and her big brother is joyfully adjusting to life with his new baby sister. We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble.<br /><br />Thank you to&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/wM1P1zEGsa">pic.twitter.com/wM1P1zEGsa</a></p> &mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@karolineleavitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/karolineleavitt/status/2052392674297020617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <p> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <p>In the post shared on social media, Leavitt revealed that her daughter, whom the family will call &ldquo;Vivi&rdquo;, was born on May 1.</p> <h2><strong>&lsquo;Our Hearts Instantly Exploded With Love&rsquo;</strong></h2> <p>Announcing the birth, Leavitt wrote, &ldquo;On May 1st, Viviana aka &lsquo;Vivi&rsquo; joined our family, and our hearts instantly exploded with love. 💕&rdquo;</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/40-passengers-left-cruise-ship-after-first-death-multiple-countries-on-alert-1842076">40 Passengers Left Cruise Ship After First Death - Multiple Countries On Alert</a></strong></p> <p>She added that the baby is &ldquo;perfect and healthy&rdquo; and said the family is adjusting to life with its newest member.</p> <h2><strong>&lsquo;Big Brother Is Joyfully Adjusting&rsquo;</strong></h2> <p>Leavitt also shared that her son has warmly welcomed his baby sister.</p> <p>&ldquo;She is perfect and healthy, and her big brother is joyfully adjusting to life with his new baby sister. We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble.&rdquo;</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/this-is-not-covid-who-reassures-public-over-hantavirus-outbreak-1842112">&lsquo;This Is Not COVID&rsquo;: WHO Reassures Public Over Hantavirus Outbreak</a></strong></p> <p>The post included a picture of Leavitt cradling the newborn in her arms.</p> <h2><strong>Thanks Supporters For Prayers During Pregnancy</strong></h2> <p>The Trump administration official also thanked supporters who had sent prayers and wishes during her pregnancy.</p> <p>&ldquo;Thank you to everyone who reached out with prayers during my pregnancy - I truly felt them throughout the entire experience. God is Good.🙏&rdquo;</p> <p>The announcement quickly drew congratulatory messages and reactions across social media.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/god-is-good-karoline-leavitt-announces-arrival-of-baby-viviana-1842122

US Navy Disables Iranian Oil Tanker In Gulf Of Oman Over ‘Blockade Violation’

<p>The US military on Wednesday said it disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel allegedly attempted to violate an American blockade and sail towards an Iranian port. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the tanker M/T Hasna ignored repeated warnings issued by American forces before a US Navy fighter jet fired cannon rounds that disabled the ship&rsquo;s rudder. The incident marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran at a time when the United States is continuing negotiations with Iran following the recent ceasefire.</p> <p>President Donald Trump has also warned that the US would intensify bombing operations if Tehran refuses to agree to a deal.</p> <h2>Tanker Stopped By US Forces</h2> <p>In a statement, CENTCOM said the Iranian-flagged vessel was observed travelling through international waters towards an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman at around 9 a.m. ET.</p> <p>American forces reportedly issued multiple warnings to the tanker&rsquo;s crew and informed them that the vessel was violating the US blockade imposed on ships attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports. However, according to the US military, the crew failed to comply despite repeated instructions.</p> <p>CENTCOM stated that a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier subsequently fired several 20mm cannon rounds, disabling the tanker&rsquo;s rudder and preventing it from continuing its journey towards Iran.</p> <p>The US military later confirmed that the vessel was no longer transiting towards Iranian territory and reiterated that the blockade against ships entering or departing Iranian ports &ldquo;remains in full effect&rdquo;.</p> <h2>Tensions Rise Again</h2> <p>The naval confrontation comes amid growing tensions surrounding ongoing US-Iran negotiations. President Donald Trump recently warned that American forces would begin bombing Iran &ldquo;at a much higher level and intensity&rdquo; than before the ceasefire if Tehran failed to reach an agreement with Washington.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would hold discussions with Trump regarding the negotiations with Iran.</p> <p>Netanyahu stressed that there was &ldquo;full coordination&rdquo; between Israel and the United States and said both countries shared the objective of removing enriched nuclear material from Iran and dismantling Tehran&rsquo;s enrichment capabilities.</p> <p>Despite the rising military tensions in the Gulf, diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran are still continuing, although uncertainty over the outcome of the talks remains high.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-news-live-update-us-navy-disables-iranian-oil-tanker-in-gulf-of-oman-over-blockade-violation-1841883