International

Dominican prosecutors seek five-year prison term for MLB player Wander Franco in sexual abuse case

The Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Dominican Republic requested on Monday a five-year prison sentence for Major League Baseball player Wander Franco during the trial against him for sexual abuse of a minor, the Prosecutor’s Office reported.

In addition, according to a statement from the Prosecutor’s Office, Franco is also facing a fine and the payment of legal costs.

The trial, held at the Collegiate Court in Puerto Plata (northern region), also involves the minor’s mother, who is charged with sexual exploitation and money laundering. The Public Prosecutor demands a 10-year prison sentence and a fine for her.

Authorities are also requesting the confiscation of seven assets seized from the mother, including a 600-square-meter plot of land, a vehicle, 2.1 million Dominican pesos (around $35,000 USD), and amounts of $68,500 and 800,000 pesos (over $13,000 USD). Additionally, confiscation of mobile phones and all funds in the accused’s frozen accounts is requested, along with payment of legal costs.

During the ongoing trial, where the defense is presenting its arguments and conclusions, the Prosecutor’s Office submitted 165 pieces of evidence, which it considers sufficient to issue a guilty verdict. It stated that the trial established the defendants’ involvement in the case.

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According to the accusation, Franco allegedly lived with the minor for several days and provided her with large sums of money to prevent her from reporting the incident to her mother. The mother allegedly used those funds to acquire vehicles and other assets.

The indictment states that the conduct of Wander Franco and the minor’s mother violates several articles of the Dominican Code for the Protection and Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents, the Dominican Penal Code, the Law on Illicit Trafficking of Migrants and Human Trafficking, and the Law on Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing.

Wander Franco was the starting shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays in Major League Baseball and signed an $182 million contract over 11 years with the team in 2021.

International

Two killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport

Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a restaurant in Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport, according to local police.

Preliminary findings indicate that an armed individual entered the establishment at around 03:45 local time (02:45 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries.

The suspect fled and remains at large, while the motive behind the shooting is still unclear, German media reported. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation.

International

U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he has resigned from his post, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

In a post on X, Kent said he could not, “in good conscience,” support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. He also claimed that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its lobbying influence in Washington.

In a resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent alleged that at the start of the current administration, senior Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media carried out a disinformation campaign that undermined the “America First” platform and fostered pro-war sentiment aimed at triggering a conflict with Iran.

Kent further stated that he could not support sending a new generation of Americans to “fight and die in a war that provides no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives.”

Since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed, while 10 others have been seriously wounded and around 200 have sustained minor injuries, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

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International

German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz

The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.

Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.

“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”

The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.

The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

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Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.

“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”