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China Grove (United States) (AFP) – US farmers are grappling with soaring fertilizer and fuel costs as supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz coincide with the peak of the planting season, forcing many to reduce their usage and risk lower yields. “Seeing those huge increases right here at planting time really did kind of hit a lot of farmers hard, including us,” says Russell Hedrick, a farmer in North Carolina.

Washington (United States) (AFP) – A McDonald’s delivery to the White House on April 13 took an astonishing turn as US President Donald Trump used the occasion to hold an impromptu press conference, covering the war in Iran, his attacks against Pope Leo XIV and the backlash over his AI-generated image in which he depicted himself as Jesus.

Madrid (AFP) – Going against the grain of its European and US partners, Spain’s left-wing government approves an “extraordinary regularisation” scheme for half a million undocumented migrants, many of whom are from Latin America, amid criticism from the right. The administration has long argued that Spain needs migration to fill workforce gaps and counteract an ageing population that could imperil pensions and the welfare state. Speaking during a press conference in Madrid, Spanish Migration Minister and government spokesperson Elma Saiz calls the move “one of the major milestones of this parliamentary term.”

San Isidro (Argentine) (AFP) – In the presence of medical professionals accused of negligence and relatives, a new trial over the death of football legend Diego Maradona opens in Argentina, 10 months after a scandal involving a judge caused the first trial to collapse. Maradona, considered one of the world’s greatest players, died in November 2020 at the age of 60 while recovering from brain surgery. His medical team is accused of gross negligence causing his death. IMAGES

Caracas (AFP) – Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez witnesses the signing of agreements between Chevron Venezuela and the national government at the Miraflores Palace. The agreements will allow to increase crude oil production. IMAGES

Tehran (AFP) – Residents in Tehran react after marathon US–Iran talks in Islamabad ended without a deal, raising fears that the conflict could continue. “We knew from the beginning that the other side are not the type of people that you can negotiate anything with,” says Farhad, a shop owner. “I think there is no other way left but war and confrontation,” says Hamed, another Tehran resident. This video was filmed in Iran but compiled by AFP teams outside of Iran.

Aboard the Papal Plane (AFP) – Pope Leo XIV says he has “no intention of entering into a debate” with Donald Trump, after the US president criticised him over his comments on the US-Iran war. “I have no fear of neither the Trump administration nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the gospel,” the pope tells reporters aboard the papal plane as they head to Algeria for the pontiff’s first visit to Africa.

Hungarian youths dance and sing into the early hours of April 13 in central Budapest to celebrate the end of nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s 16-year “illiberal” rule following a resounding electoral drubbing. The next morning, on the streets of the Hungarian capital, residents share their relief. “Sixteen years of suffering and corruption will come to an end,” says Zoltan, a 74-year-old retiree. “Many people contributed to this, some only prayed for it, some longed for it, and now it has been achieved.”

Russia has withdrawn almost all its staff from Iran’s sole nuclear power plant, built and operated with help from Moscow, says the head of Russia’s atomic energy agency. “We began the final rotation at the Bushehr station,” says Alexei Likhachev, adding that 108 people have been evacuated while just 20 — top managers and those responsible for equipment safety — remain at the station.

Budapest (AFP) – Pro-European conservative Peter Magyar tells supporters “Hungary will once again be a strong ally within the EU and NATO” after his party won a two-thirds parliamentary majority in Sunday’s elections. Orban, a self-described “thorn” in the EU’s side and defender of “illiberal democracy”, lost Sunday’s elections after 16 years in power, despite vocal support from both US President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, as Hungarians fed up with corruption gave Magyar a decisive victory.

Budapest (AFP) – Hungarian political newcomer Peter Magyar defeats nationalist Viktor Orban in elections seen as a blow to right-wing populism worldwide. Orban, a self-described “thorn” in the EU’s side and defender of “illiberal democracy”, lost the 12 April elections after 16 years in power, despite vocal support from both US President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, as Hungarians fed up with corruption gave Magyar a decisive victory.

Aboard the Papal Plane (AFP) – Pope Leo XIV says he has “no response” to Donald Trump, after the US president criticised him over his comments on the US-Iran war, answering reporters aboard the papal plane as they head to Algeria for the pontiff’s first visit to Africa as head of the Catholic church. “I believe that the Church has a moral duty to speak out very clearly against war and in favour of peace and reconciliation”, he says.