Caracas, May 15 (IANS) A two-year-old Venezuelan girl, who had been held by the US government after it deported her mother, returned to Venezuela, where she was received by authorities of the South American country.
Maikelys Antonella Espinoza Bernal was taken from her mother’s arms just before she was deported, in an incident that Venezuelan officials described as a “kidnapping”.The toddler returned to Venezuela on Wednesday by a US-registered plane that landed at the the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, which serves the capital Caracas, along with 226 Venezuelan migrants deported from the US, including seven minors and 37 women.Venezuelan First Lady Cilia Flores thanked the people for their solidarity with the minor, noting that the government “remained firm” in demanding her return, Xinhua news agency reported.The girl’s mother, Yorelys Bernal, who was deported to Venezuela in April, was not at the airport to receive her, but officials said the two would soon be reunited.The separation of Maikelys Antonella Espinoza Bernal from her parents had caused an outcry in the South American nation.Several demonstrations were held in Caracas to denounce her “abduction” by US authorities.President Nicolas Maduro thanked his US counterpart and arch-foe, Donald Trump, for returning the child to Venezuela.Striking an unusually conciliatory tone, he said that “there have been, and will be differences” with the Trump administration but called the return of the toddler a “profoundly humane act of justice”.The little girl is one of several children caught up in Trump’s crackdown on illegal migration.The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the girl was placed in foster care to protect her from her parents, who it claimed were members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua criminal gang.Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said her return was “a great victory,” adding she “should never have been separated from her parents,” and the US government should “recognise the mistakes it has made”.Since February, flights repatriating Venezuelan migrants deported from the US have increased.The toddler’s mother said she and her husband were separated from their daughter when they handed themselves over to US authorities after arriving in the country illegally in May 2024.Her father is believed to have been among a group of Venezuelans sent by the US to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison.The Trump administration said that the Venezuelans it sent to El Salvador were members of Tren de Aragua, but has provided scant evidence to back that claim.The Department of Homeland Security claimed that Maikelys’ father, Maiker Espinoza-Escalona, was a Tren de Aragua “lieutenant” who oversaw “homicides, drug sales, kidnappings, extortion, sex trafficking and operates a torture house”.It said the girl’s mother oversaw the recruitment of young women for drug smuggling and prostitution.The mother, Bernal, 20, claimed they were detained because they had tattoos, which US authorities have linked to gang activity.Since February, more than 4,000 migrants have been sent home to Venezuela, some deported from the US and others from Mexico, where they had gathered in the hope of crossing into the US.–IANSint/khz

Beirut, May 15 (IANS) The European Union has announced 8 million euros (about $9 million) to support stability and security in Lebanon, after months of conflict with Israel devastated the country’s infrastructure and caused significant loss of life.

The project, to be implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), aims to support conflict-affected communities and help them return to safe areas, according to a press statement released on Wednesday from the EU Delegation to Lebanon.The project will support local peacebuilding efforts, strengthen the capacity of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) in their delivery of security services, and help the Lebanon Mine Action Center manage unexploded ordnance in conflict-affected areas.The contract was signed at the ISF headquarters in Beirut, in the presence of ISF Director General Raed Abdullah, Director of the EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments Peter Wagner, EU Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele, and UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon Blerta Aliko.”The ISF plays a critical role in maintaining public order and safeguarding communities. The European Union’s crisis response is aimed at bolstering the Internal Security Forces’ capacity at a critical time. At the same time, the work of the Lebanon Mine Action Center to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war remains vital, not only to protect lives, but to enable recovery, development and safe return of displaced families,” Peter Wagner was quoted as saying.”This new program reflects our ongoing commitment to Lebanon and its security institutions in promoting peace and stability across the country, at this critical time,” said Sandra De Waele.A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since November, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale conflict in September last year.Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of nearly 200 people and the injuries of around 500 others.Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, but the deadline was extended to February 18 after Israel refused to comply. It still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.–IANSint/khz

Moscow, May 15 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the composition of the Russian delegation for upcoming talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, Turkey, according to a Kremlin statement.

The delegation will be led by Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky and include Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin; Igor Kostyukov, chief of the main directorate of the general staff of the Russian army; and Russian Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin, Xinhua news agency reported.Apart from the delegation members, a list of four experts was also approved for the talks.Putin also appointed experts to help with the talks. The list includes Alexander Zorin, first deputy head of the information department at the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces; Yelena Podobreyevskaya, deputy head of the Presidential Directorate for State Policy in the Humanitarian Area; Alexey Polishchuk, director of the Second Department of CIS countries at the Russian Foreign Ministry; and Viktor Shevtsov, deputy head of the Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation at the Russian Defence Ministry.According to Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov, Moscow and Kyiv on May 15 will resume the talks that they held in 2022 — before they were suspended at the suggestion of then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.The Russian delegation heading to Istanbul plans to discuss both technical and political issues.In a statement last Sunday, Putin proposed the resumption of direct negotiations with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had said he would be in Turkey on Thursday and expected to meet Putin.”I am waiting to see who will come from Russia, and then I will decide which steps Ukraine should take. So far, the signals from them in the media are unconvincing,” Zelensky wrote in his social media platform late Wednesday night.The Russian delegation will address political and technical issues at talks in Istanbul, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday, reported Xinhua news agency.Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Russia’s delegation will be in Istanbul on Thursday and Moscow will announce the names of its negotiators once Putin decides.Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha on Wednesday in Turkey’s city of Antalya before the upcoming Russia-Ukraine peace talks scheduled in Istanbul.According to a report by Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, Fidan told Sybiha that Turkey is ready to provide all kinds of support, including holding talks, to help achieve peace.After the meeting, Sybiha wrote on the social media platform X that he and Fidan thoroughly discussed ways to advance a “meaningful peace process”.”I reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to peace, our immediate and unconditional readiness for a full and durable ceasefire, as well as our offer of the highest-level direct meeting between Ukraine and Russia,” he wrote.–IANSint/khz

Berlin, May 15 (IANS) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres here, reaffirming Germany’s steadfast commitment to UN peacekeeping operations.
The meeting followed the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025, hosted by Germany on Tuesday and Wednesday, which brought together representatives from nearly 130 countries, Xinhua news agency reported.At a joint press conference on Wednesday, Merz said Germany will remain one of the most important contributors to the United Nations.Guterres praised Germany as a pillar of multilateralism, a strong supporter of the UN, and an essential partner for peacekeeping, peacebuilding and humanitarian aid.Expressing concern about the impact of US funding cuts on the UN, Guterres said there is a certain degree of uncertainty regarding contributions to the UN, calling on donors to fulfill their obligations.During the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025, Guterres emphasised the urgent need for reforms to peacekeeping operations amid growing fiscal challenges.”It is absolutely essential that all Member States respect their financial obligations, paying their contributions in full and on time,” Guterres said following the event.Guterres underscored the significance of Germany’s leadership: “With almost 200 German peacekeepers now serving in our ranks, I am especially pleased to be here so soon after the new government took office, and I look forward to building on our partnership in the time ahead.”He emphasised the growing risks to peacekeepers, pointing to evolving conflict environments.”Let me be clear that peacekeeping operations today are facing massive challenges… terrorism and transnational crime… and the targeting of peacekeepers through drones, improvised explosive devices, and even social media.”Financial strain is compounding operational risks, he warned.”Unfortunately, peacekeeping operations have been facing serious liquidity problems. It is absolutely essential that all members respect their financial obligations, paying their contributions in full and on time.”German Chancellor Merz reaffirmed his country’s role in global peace and security efforts.”Germany will continue to contribute with military, police and civilian personnel to UN missions. We would also like to assume political responsibility in the United Nations. And that is why we have announced our candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the period 2027 and 2028.”On the war in Ukraine, Merz and Guterres expressed support for a ceasefire.”The Secretary-General and I also discussed the diplomatic efforts under way toward setting up establishing a peace in Ukraine. We both agree that what we need to see now is an unconditional ceasefire,” Merz said.–IANSint/khz

Ankara, May 15 (IANS) Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Turkey’s city of Antalya before the upcoming Russia-Ukraine peace talks scheduled in Istanbul.

According to a report by Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, Fidan told Sybiha on Wednesday that Turkey is ready to provide all kinds of support, including holding talks, to help achieve peace.After the meeting, Sybiha wrote on the social media platform X that he and Fidan thoroughly discussed ways to advance a “meaningful peace process”.”I reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to peace, our immediate and unconditional readiness for a full and durable ceasefire, as well as our offer of the highest-level direct meeting between Ukraine and Russia,” he wrote.The meeting also covered preparations for a planned visit to Turkey by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Xinhua news agency reported.Last Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed resuming direct negotiations with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul. That same day, Ukrainian President Zelensky said he would be prepared to meet with Putin in Istanbul.Earlier on Wednesday, Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that the Russian delegation would address political and technical issues at the upcoming talks, and the topics on the agenda will guide the selection of the delegation.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan spoke on Monday to discuss Kremlin leader Putin’s proposal to hold direct Russian-Ukrainian talks this week in Turkey, Reuters reported, citing the Russian Ministry.”The heads of the two Ministries discussed issues linked with the initiative by Russian Federation President V.V. Putin about beginning direct talks on a Ukrainian settlement on May 15 in Istanbul,” the Ministry said in a statement.A Turkish diplomatic source earlier said the two Ministers had spoken, but gave no further details.Putin issued the proposal at the weekend after European leaders met in Kyiv and urged Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire in its war in Ukraine by Monday or face new sanctions.On Monday, US President Donald Trump offered to join the prospective Ukraine-Russia talks in Turkey.–IANSint/khz

Beirut, May 15 (IANS) The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has expressed concern after one of its sites in southeastern Lebanon was struck by Israeli gunshots.

In a statement sent to Xinhua news agency on Wednesday, the UNIFIL expressed concern over the recent hostile actions taken by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) against its personnel and assets near the Blue Line, including an incident on Tuesday in which Israeli fire hit the vicinity of a UNIFIL position south of Kfarchouba village.”In the incident, which occurred at around 7:20 p.m. local time yesterday, peacekeepers observed two shots fired from south of the Blue Line, one of which struck a UNIFIL base,” said the statement.”This marks the first time a UNIFIL position has been directly hit since a ceasefire agreement came into effect on November 27, 2024,” it added.UNIFIL has also reported observing at least four additional incidents involving the IDF firing near its positions along the Blue Line in recent days, Xinhua news agency reported.UNIFIL was established in 1978 following the first Israeli invasion of Lebanon to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and to assist the Lebanese government in reestablishing authority over the area.In a latest round of cross-border hostilities, Lebanon has witnessed fierce clashes between Hezbollah and Israel since October 2023 following the conflict in Gaza.A truce, mediated by the US and France, has largely held since late November last year, though sporadic flare-ups have continued.In violation of the truce, the Israeli military continues to hold several strategically important positions in southern Lebanon and launch occasional strikes, claiming they were targeting “Hezbollah threats”.Amid the challenges, the Lebanese Army, as per the truce deal, is advancing its deployment in the south and along the border to assume security responsibilities and prevent the presence of militants and weapons.On Wednesday, the Lebanese Defence Ministry, the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, and the UN Development Programme in Lebanon signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding to rally and coordinate international support for the Lebanese Army, which is expected to reinforce the ongoing partnership between the Lebanese Army and the UN.–IANSint/khz

United Nations, May 15 (IANS) More torrential rains have hit Somalia, this time in Banadir, northeast of the capital Mogadishu, killing nine people and triggering deadly flooding 24,000 people being affected, UN humanitarians said.
“Key infrastructure was destroyed, and shelters in displacement sites were swept away,” said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday.”The federal government is leading the response, and the UN and its partners are supporting and delivering food, shelter items, hygiene kits and cash.”OCHA said the Banadir rain started on Friday, adding to the heavy seasonal downpours that began in mid-April, causing flash flooding that has claimed 17 lives and affected more than 84,000 people across Somalia, Xinhua news agency reported.Despite heavy rains in most areas of the country, dry and hot conditions persist in parts of northern regions.The office said the flooding came when severe funding cuts forced humanitarian partners in Somalia to scale back or even close critical programs.The $1.4-billion Somalia Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is 11 per cent funded, with only $158 million received to date.OCHA said Somalia’s humanitarian crisis is among the world’s most complex, driven by cycles of internal conflict and climate shocks that drive displacement and undermine development efforts.The cumulative effect of both violence and climate shocks continues to drive displacement and destroy livelihoods, leaving millions of people in urgent need of assistance.The humanitarians said these shocks’ increased frequency and severity have left large population segments in prolonged states of risk and vulnerability.Light to heavy Gu (April to June) seasonal rains have triggered localised flooding in several parts of the country since mid-April.The UN agency said the Somali government has formed a committee that includes federal ministers and regional officials to respond to the flooding crisis.Somalia, a country where nearly two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods, has experienced extreme climate shocks in the past, including prolonged dry seasons causing drought and heavy rains leading to flooding, media reported.Many communities, initially displaced by drought or conflict, have been displaced a second or third time by floods or renewed violence.–IANSint/khz

Berlin, May 15 (IANS) Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to make national security…

New York, May 15 (IANS) A federal judge in the US has ordered the release of an Indian academic held by the immigration authorities and threatened with deportation.

Judge Patricia Giles ruled on Wednesday that the US government had not given proof that Badar Khan Suri was a danger to society and that that he had the right to freedom of expression, which applied to non-citizens also.”The First Amendment extends to non-citizens and doesn’t distinguish between citizens and non-citizens,” she said, noting that the government likely wanted to deport him because of his views and his marriage to a Palestinian-American woman.US Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused Suri of “spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media”.Suri, who has a PhD from Jamia Milia University in New Delhi, was a was a post-doctoral fellow at Georgetown University in Washington, where he was teaching a course on “Majoritarianism and Minority Rights in South Asia” while researching peacebuilding in conflict zones.He is married to a US citizen, Maphaze Ahmad Yousef, the daughter of Ahmed Yousef, who was described in a Hindustan Times article quoted by Politico as “a senior political advisor to the Hamas leadership”.Suri was seized by masked immigration officers outside his home in a Washington suburb in Virginia State in March and told that his student visa had been revoked, according to his lawyer.After his arrest, he was moved to a detention centre in Louisiana and then to another in Texas pending his deportation.Suri’s lawyers had filed a habeas corpus petition seeking his release and opposing his detention in Texas.Government lawyers wanted the case moved to Texas, where judges are more conservative.Suri is still facing a deportation case in a Texas court.Judge Giles’ ruling in Suri’s case in a court in Alexandria was the third high-profile setback for President Donald Trump’s administration’s efforts to deport students accused of supporting Hamas, the terrorist organisation that controls Gaza and had launched an attack on Israel.Another judge on Friday ordered the release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University.She was arrested in a similar manner to Suri’s on the grounds that her visa had been revoked because of her alleged support for Hamas in an article in a student newspaper.Mohsen Mahdawi, who led anti-Israel protests at Columbia University and was detained pending his deportation, was ordered released by a judge on April 30.–IANSal/khz

United Nations, May 15 (IANS) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has commended India and Pakistan for taking steps to reduce tension when he took a phone call from Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to a UN spokesperson.

During the conversation, Guterres welcomed the “ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan and commended both sides for taking steps to reduce tensions,” his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Wednesday.He added that they “exchanged views on possible next steps” and Guterres “reiterated the availability of his good offices”.When they spoke, Guterres was in Berlin for the Ministerial Meeting on Peacekeeping.This was Sharif’s third phone conversation with Guterres in two weeks.With the ceasefire between India and Pakistan holding, “we’re in a better place,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.”We hope the ceasefire will continue to hold, and we hope that the parties will use this to deal with a lot of the outstanding issues between them,” he said at his briefing.”The ceasefire is holding,” Dujarric said while responding to a Palestinian journalist’s statement critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that his speech on Monday indicated the ceasefire is “very fragile”.To back his assertion, the journalist also quoted what he said was a Pakistani statement “to check this kind of tone by Indian Prime Minister”.Dujarric added, “We’re in a better place than we were before.”The understanding to end four days of conflict was reached on Saturday following a call from Pakistan’s Directorate General of Military Operations (DGMO) to the counterpart in India.India launched targeted strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and the Kashmir territory it occupies last Wednesday in retaliation for last month’s massacre of 26 people in Pahalgam by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Toiba.Islamabad launched attacks on India, leading to an escalation of the situation.Soon after the understanding was announced, Guterres welcomed it “as a positive step toward ending current hostilities and easing tensions”.Earlier on Tuesday, while the confrontation was building up, the United Nations Chief called for restraint saying, “The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”–IANSal/khz