Brazil, Mexico, and Spain have pledged to increase humanitarian aid to Cuba to mitigate the impact of the ongoing U.S. blockade. In a joint statement, the three nations called for a sincere dialogue based on the UN Charter and emphasized the right of the Cuban people to determine their own future.
Oil prices have risen for the fourth consecutive day due to ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. The struggle for control of the strategic waterway has led to uncertainty regarding the prospects for a ceasefire.
US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan has resigned from his position effective immediately, according to an announcement from the Pentagon. No official explanation has been provided for the sudden departure.
Emergency services, including divers and a police helicopter, conducted a search for a person reported in the IJ river near Java-eiland and Amsterdam-Noord. Commercial shipping was halted as a precaution while fire crews and a drone team surveyed the water. The incident occurred late Wednesday evening following reports of someone falling into the river.
Dutch tennis player Jesper de Jong was defeated in the first round of the Madrid Masters by Spain's Rafael Jódar. Despite winning the first set, the world number 109 lost the match 6-2, 5-7, 4-6 after more than two and a half hours of play.
A man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for committing five violent chain robberies at metro and train stations in Amsterdam. The perpetrator used methods including pepper spray and the "football trick" to overpower victims, several of whom will receive financial compensation for damages. Despite claiming to be a minor, fingerprint evidence confirmed the man was an adult at the time of the offenses.