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COPENHAGEN, Denmark — The disruption to container shipping traffic in the Red Sea is increasing and is expected to reduce the industry's capacity between the Far East and Europe by some 15%-20% in the second quarter, shipping group Maersk said on Monday. Maersk and other shipping companies have diverted vessels around Africa's Cape of Good Hope since December to avoid attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi militants in the Red Sea, with the longer voyage times pushing freight rates higher. "The risk zone has expanded, and attacks are reaching further offshore," Maersk said in an updated advisory to customers on Monday. "This has forced our vessels to lengthen their journey further, resulting in additional time and costs to get your cargo to its destination for the time being," it added. The Danish company, viewed as a barometer of world trade, last week said that shipping disruptions caused by the Red Sea attacks were expected to last at least until the end of the year. The effects included bottlenecks and so-called vessel bunching, where several ships arrive at port at the same time, as well as equipment and capacity shortages. "We are doing what we can to boost reliability, including sailing faster and adding capacity," Maersk said, adding that it had so far leased more than 125,000 additional containers. "We have added capacity, where possible, in line with our customers' needs," the company said.

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

Israel raids the offices of Al Jazeera after ordering the local offices of Qatar's satellite news network to close Sunday. We talk to Professor Joseph Russomanno from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication journalism at Arizona State University. The latest round of Gaza cease-fire talks ended in Cairo after “in-depth and serious discussions,” the Hamas militant group said Sunday, reiterating key demands that Israel again rejected. Earlier signs of progress dimmed as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to resist international pressure to halt the war.

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Schools in Bangladesh reopened on Sunday and classes were continuing over the weekend after a searing heatwave a week ago that suspended lessons as the country baked in temperatures that surged to well over 40 degrees Centigrade. Bangladesh has wavered over reopening schools for some 33 million students amid pressure to prepare pupils for exams, even as the worst heatwave in seven decades sent temperatures as high as 43.8 C (110.84° Fahrenheit) last week. Many people have died across the region, and experts warned the heat could exacerbate inequalities, widen a learning gap between developing and developed nations in the tropics. Bangladesh, which follows the Islamic work week from Sunday to Thursday, will hold classes on Saturdays until further notice, the education ministry said. Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury has said schools would open on Friday if needed to complete the curriculum. Parents have welcomed the decision. "Children don't want to study at home. This will help them make up for the loss," said Fatema Akhtar, who was waiting to pick up her grade-two daughter outside a school. Scientists have said climate change is causing more frequent, severe, and lengthy heat waves during summer months. The U.N. children's agency has estimated that one in three children, or nearly 20 million children, in low-lying Bangladesh bear the brunt of such climate change every day. Separately, a fire that broke out amid the heatwave on Saturday and spread across three acres of the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest that is home to the Royal Bengal tiger, was brought under control on Sunday, officials said. Intense heatwaves have caused water shortages and frequent power cuts, hitting the key apparel sector that accounts for more than 80% of exports and supplies retailers such as H&M, Walmart and Gap Inc.

N'DJAMENA, Chad — Chadians go to the polls on Monday three years after their military leader seized power, in the first presidential election in Africa's Sahel region since a wave of coups. Analysts say Mahamat Idriss Deby, who seized power the day rebels killed his long-ruling father Idriss Deby in April 2021, is most likely to win, although his chief opponent has been drawing larger-than-expected crowds on the campaign trail. Deby has promised to bolster security, strengthen the rule of law and increase electricity production. The vote coincides with a temporary withdrawal of U.S. troops from Chad, an important Western ally in a region of West and Central Africa courted by Russia and wracked by jihadism. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 5 p.m., with some 8.5 million people registered to vote. Soldiers began early voting on Sunday. Provisional results are expected by May 21 and final results by June 5. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the votes, a run-off will be held on June 22. Since replacing his father at the helm of the oil-producing Central African country, Deby has remained close with former colonial power and longtime ally France. While other junta-ruled Sahel countries including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have told Paris and other Western powers to withdraw and turned to Moscow for support, Chad remains the last Sahel state with a substantial French military presence. The U.S., however, announced a temporary withdrawal of at least some troops last month, saying it would continue with a review of security operations after the election. Opposition concerns Monday's vote pits Deby against his prime minister Succes Masra, previously a political opponent who fled into exile in 2022 but was allowed back a year later. Also running are former prime minister Albert Pahimi Padacke and seven other candidates. Yaya Dillo, an opposition politician who had been expected to run against Deby despite coming from the same clan, was shot and killed in the capital N'Djamena on Feb. 28, the day the election date was announced. Padacke has accused Masra of collaborating with Deby. But Masra has attracted large crowds to his own rallies. Some opposition members and civil society groups have called for a boycott, citing concerns about possible vote-rigging. That has raised fears of potential violence. "This presidential election is of capital importance for the country because an entire people aspires for change," said Baniara Yoyana, a former minister and magistrate. "The process must be conducted with transparency to avoid any risk of confrontation." One Deby supporter, however, said he expected no problems. "We want the election to go well and peacefully," said Abdelkhader Sougui, a 28-year-old student. "My wish is to go out and vote the morning of May 6 to confirm our victory... in the first round."

Panama City — Panama's former security minister Jose Raul Mulino built a commanding early lead in the country's presidential election with almost half the votes counted, preliminary data showed on Sunday.  With more than 45% of the ballots tabulated, Mulino was pulling ahead with 34% of the tallied votes, with second place Ricardo Lombana getting 25%.  Mulino was one of the favorites for the presidency after he replaced popular ex-President Ricardo Martinelli on the ballot after Martinelli was barred from running due to a money laundering conviction.  Martinelli played a key role in the election despite being holed up in Nicaragua's embassy in Panama's capital, where he sought asylum. Many voters saw Mulino as a proxy for Martinelli, though opponents called him a puppet of the former president.  Nicaragua granted Martinelli asylum, but Panamanian authorities have blocked him from leaving the country. Mulino visited Martinelli at the embassy after casting his vote on Sunday.  Whoever wins the presidency will face a daunting task of mending social divisions and regaining the faith of an electorate fed up with political graft.  The new president will also need to fix Panama's pressing economic problems, tackle corruption, and restore the country's reputation as an investment haven.  Mulino has promised to usher in prosperity through ambitious infrastructure investment and to keep Martinelli out of jail.  Ricardo Lombana, who also ran in the past election, has portrayed himself as an anti-corruption crusader who promised cuts to government spending.  Magali Rosa, 60, a retiree, said she voted for Mulino because she felt he could bring more jobs and improve security, and that during the presidency of his backer, Martinelli, there was "a lot of money" for everyone.  Panama's electoral rules do not require a run-off, making Sunday's result final. Results are expected within a few hours and the winner will take office on July 1 for a five-year term.  No single party is forecast to win control of the legislature, where 885 seats are up for grabs. 

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.