Foreign
American forces coordinating passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz
American forces in recent weeks have helped coordinate the passage of dozens of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. officials, even as travel through the waterway remains risky amid stalled negotiations to end the war with Iran.
U.S. Central Command has guided around 70 commercial ships through the strait, traveling into and out of the Persian Gulf, in the last three weeks, one of the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters.
The U.S. officials added that most of the vessels had turned off their transponders to avoid detection when going through the narrow waterway.
The officials declined to say what type of vessels were going through and what route they took, but one official indicated that at least one route was not close to the Iranian coastline. Ships passing near Iran without obtaining Iranian approval face the threat of an almost-certain attack by Iranian drones or missiles, U.S. officials said. Shipping analysts say the U.S.-guided crossings appear to follow routes that are closer to Oman.
Before the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, well over 100 commercial ships a day passed through the strait. So the U.S.-coordinated passages — an average of three a day over the three-week period — do not represent a big comeback for shipping. And because U.S.-guided crossings take place with transponders turned off, known as “dark” passages, shipping analysts say they cannot independently verify how many may have taken place.
Still, a steady passage of ships under U.S. guidance would suggest that some shipowners are willing to take the risk to get in and out of the Persian Gulf, where many vessels have been stranded for weeks, losing money and leaving their crews in trying conditions.
What you should know about anonymous sources. The Times makes a careful decision any time it shields the identity of a source. The information the source supplies must be newsworthy, credible and give readers genuine insight.
The U.S.-coordinated route is also an alternative for shipowners who don’t want to have to get permission from Iran or pay a toll to make the crossing. The conflict with Iran has led to a sharp reduction in energy supplies to world markets.
By Isa Abdul, Abuja
In Saudi Arabia, a kiss in the mosque would earn you death, as two Bangladeshi nationals, identified as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siri Akhtar, have reportedly been executed in Saudi Arabia following their conviction over the alleged immoral act inside a Mecca mosque.
Reports circulating on social media indicate that the couple had travelled to Mecca for their honeymoon. But what was to be memorable event is their lives became a suicide mission.
The gesture was wrong in a wrong place, not an expression of gratitude to Allah for their marriage, as far as the Saudis are concerned.
Reports claim the couple’s bodies had been returned to Bangladesh in two coffins for burial.
Some online reports claim the couple were newlyweds executed over a kiss (such as a forehead kiss or a kiss inside the mosque).
However, the Saudi government’s official statement did not detail the exact nature of the act, and conflicting reports—including statements from family members and media checks—disputed whether they were newlyweds or what specific physical contact occurred.
But reports indicate the Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah stated they received no advance notice or prior notification from Saudi authorities regarding the executions and have formally requested clarification and acknowledgement.
By Son Tertsea, Abuja
A Catholic priest was crushed to death by a wooden crucifix that pressed him against the pulpit as it fell from the wall while celebrating Mass in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil on Saturday.
According to reports, shouts of “Father, Father! Call an ambulance!” people at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church could be heard shouting just before a livestreamed broadcast cuts out.
The graphic footage of the accident went viral Sunday on social media and was widely carried by news outlets.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil mourned the death of the priest, Patricio Sanchez, in a statement and expressed its “solidarity, affection and love” for his family and friends.
Colombian police say the arrested Israeli suspect is wanted by authorities in the United Arab Emirates for fraud, money laundering, forgery, and the use of falsified private documents
Mikhael Mezrahi, the Israeli national, has been detained following an Interpol Red Notice issued against him. The 61-year-old Israeli national known by the nickname “El Banquero” (The Banker) was arrested at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia, in a joint operation by Colombian police and Interpol, authorities said.
Following his arrest, he was transferred to Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office as extradition proceedings advanced. Investigators allege that Mezrahi was connected to an international network responsible for defrauding a bank identified as Khartoum in Dubai of approximately $16.7 million using fraudulent financial documents
The suspect reportedly carried four passports while traveling to Venezuela.
Colombian media reported that the suspect, identified in some reports by his full name, Mikhael Jaime Shamis Mezrahi, arrived in Bogotá on a flight from Madrid and was preparing to board a connecting flight to Venezuela.
According to the reports, he was carrying four passports issued by different countries. In addition to Israeli and Mexican citizenship, he reportedly also holds Canadian and Lebanese citizenship.
Alleged fraud network linked to international businesses and money transfers.
According to the reports, Mezrahi’s extensive business activities include securities companies in the United Kingdom and real estate and tourism projects in Canada and Mexico.
He was also reportedly the subject of previous investigations in Canada related to drug trafficking. Investigators allege that proceeds from the fraud were transferred, in part, to a company he owned called WYB AG General Trading.
Colombian police hail arrest as international law enforcement success
Col. Alver Vicente Alfonso Sanabria, director of the Interpol investigation unit within Colombia’s National Police, described the arrest as a significant achievement in international law enforcement cooperation.
“Mezrahi’s arrest is a significant result of the international police cooperation mechanisms led by Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Colombia,” Sanabria said.
“It demonstrates the country’s commitment to combating transnational organized crime,” he added.
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