US embassy in Venezuela reopens as Trump pushes for access to resources
Trump administration has pressed the interim Venezuelan government for concessions on issues such as oil access.
How a Marine Unit in the Middle East Could Open New Phase of Iran War – The New York Times
- How a Marine Unit in the Middle East Could Open New Phase of Iran War The New York Times
- How US Sending of Marines to Strait of Hormuz Signals Posture Shift Military.com
- USS Tripoli, 31st MEU Heading to the Middle East USNI News
- U.S. is deploying Marines to Middle East as it pounds Iran MPR News
- Pentagon sends USS Tripoli, thousands of Marines to Middle East Axios
Iran warns UAE ports and ‘American hideouts’ are targets
An Iranian military spokesperson warned that ports, docks and “American hideouts” in the UAE could be targets.
UK faces ‘seismic moment’ as nationalists target election wins, says John Swinney
SNP leader hails prospect of success for parties in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland that want to break up union
The UK is facing an “absolutely seismic moment”, John Swinney has said, with the prospect of the election of first ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in May who are all committed to the break-up of the union.
Speaking at the Scottish National party’s campaign conference ahead of the Scottish parliament elections, the first minister told delegates: “For people watching around the world, there could be no clearer sign that Westminster’s time is up.”
Continue reading...New York lawyer linked to Trump pardon charged with attempted extortion
Joshua Nass, of alleged $600,000 extortion plot, played role in pardon of man convicted of failing to pay $40m in taxes
A New York lobbyist and attorney connected to a presidential pardon issued by Donald Trump in November has been charged with attempting to extort a former client and the client’s son over an alleged $500,000 debt.
Joshua Nass, 34, was arrested on Friday after being charged in federal court in Brooklyn with attempted Hobbs Act extortion. US justice department prosecutors contend that Nass threatened a client for payment that he claimed he was owed for his services.
Continue reading...Dozens of Medical Workers Killed as Israel Hits Lebanon – The New York Times
- Dozens of Medical Workers Killed as Israel Hits Lebanon The New York Times
- The war that never ended: Israel seizes moment to finish fight against Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon CNN
- Israel planning massive ground invasion of Lebanon, officials say Axios
- Israel and Lebanon to talk as war with Hezbollah rages, Haaretz reports Reuters
- Destroy, displace, dismantle: Israel’s Gaza doctrine comes to Lebanon Al Jazeera
Strait of Hormuz closed only to US, Israeli vessels: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | World News – Hindustan Times
- Strait of Hormuz closed only to US, Israeli vessels: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | World News Hindustan Times
- A Visual Guide to How Iran Is Holding the Strait of Hormuz Hostage WSJ
- Iran ‘to allow Chinese ships’ through Strait of Hormuz The Telegraph
- Hegseth, Trump face perilous options in the Strait of Hormuz The Hill
- Iran unleashes oil shock to blunt US firepower Reuters
German philosopher and social critic Jürgen Habermas dies at 96
One the most influential thinkers in post-war Germany, he linked philosophy and political action throughout his life.
Reform UK government would replace top civil servants with those ‘more likely to implement party’s priorities’
Exclusive: Senior party figures conclude outsiders or existing senior staff deemed more suitable should take over from current permanent secretaries
A Reform UK government would expect to dismiss the top civil servant in every government department and replace them with people seen as more likely to implement the party’s priorities, the Guardian has learned.
Senior Reform figures have concluded that the current crop of permanent secretaries, the lead civil servant in each department, are not up to the necessary standard. Some would be replaced by outsiders, and others by existing officials viewed as more suitable.
Continue reading...Cuban protesters ransack Communist office as energy crisis deepens
Discontent is mounting over rolling blackouts and shortages of food, fuel and medicine, exacerbated by a US blockade.
Duke and Duchess of Sussex hit back at ‘deranged’ author’s claims in new book
Royal couple criticise Tom Bower’s ‘fixation’ on them and describe released extracts as ‘conspiracy and melodrama’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have launched a scathing attack on a “deranged” author whose new book claims Queen Camilla once told a friend: “Meghan’s brainwashed Harry.”
The royal couple hit out at Tom Bower, the author of Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, criticising his “fixation” on the pair.
Continue reading...Treasure hunter freed from prison after refusing to turn over shipwreck gold
Tommy Thompson spent more than a decade in prison after refusing to disclose the whereabouts of 500 missing gold coins.
How US Sending of Marines to Strait of Hormuz Signals Posture Shift – Military.com
- How US Sending of Marines to Strait of Hormuz Signals Posture Shift Military.com
- How a Marine Unit in the Middle East Could Open New Phase of Iran War - The New York Times The New York Times
- USS Tripoli, 31st MEU Heading to the Middle East USNI News
- More Marines and Warships Head to Middle East as Hormuz Mission Intensifies WSJ
- More Marines heading to Middle East as U.S. continues relentless strikes on Iran PBS
This Week in Palestine: Israeli Settlers Kill With Impunity, Israeli Soldiers Rape With Impunity – Zeteo
- This Week in Palestine: Israeli Settlers Kill With Impunity, Israeli Soldiers Rape With Impunity Zeteo
- Man reported killed in W. Bank settler attack; separately, 3 said hurt by settler gunfire The Times of Israel
- Israeli settlers shoot Palestinians in West Bank villages, steal livestock Al Jazeera
- Police arrest three for attack on Palestinian village The Jerusalem Post
- EU and UK demand Israel stop surge in West Bank settler violence since Iran war BBC
Five arrested in Cuba after protest at local Communist party office
Rare action began peacefully but ‘degenerated into vandalism’ according to state-run newspaper
Five people have been arrested in Cuba for acts of “vandalism” after a small group of protesters broke into a provincial office of the Cuban Communist party and set fire to computers and furniture.
The incident, which also affected a pharmacy and another shop, took place in the town of Moron, a little more than 300 miles (500km) east of Havana.
Continue reading...Rescuers blame weather and ‘underprepared skiers’ for rise in Alps avalanche deaths
The BBC joins a French Alps rescue team as the number of skiers killed this season passes 100.
Rescuers blame weather and ‘underprepared skiers’ for rise in Alps avalanche deaths
The BBC joins a French Alps rescue team as the number of skiers killed this season passes 100.
Jürgen Habermas Dies at 96; One of Postwar Germany’s Most Influential Thinkers – The New York Times
- Jürgen Habermas Dies at 96; One of Postwar Germany’s Most Influential Thinkers The New York Times
- Acclaimed 20th century philosopher Jürgen Habermas dies at 96 NPR
- German philosopher and social critic Jürgen Habermas dies at 96 BBC
- Jürgen Habermas, German philosopher and sociologist, dies aged 96 The Guardian
- Habermas, the philosopher who shaped Germany's post-war conscience Reuters
Iran war entering ‘decisive phase’, Israel says, as attacks continue – South China Morning Post
- Iran war entering ‘decisive phase’, Israel says, as attacks continue South China Morning Post
- Live updates: Israel says it is planning at least three more weeks of military campaign in Iran CNN
- Senior Israeli official: There are ‘signs of cracks’ in Iranian regime, it may take time The Times of Israel
- Live Updates: What's going on in Israel-Iran war? The Jerusalem Post
- Israeli And U.S. Officials Indicate War Could Go On For Another Three Weeks The War Zone
Pope Leo takes possession of apartment in Apostolic Palace – Vatican News
- Pope Leo takes possession of apartment in Apostolic Palace Vatican News
- Pope Leo moves into papal residence eschewed by Pope Francis CBS News
- Vatican Awaits Pope Leo’s Next Moves National Catholic Register
- After renovation, Pope Leo XIV moves into papal apartment eschewed by Pope Francis National Catholic Reporter
- In a return to tradition, Pope Leo moves into new home in the Apostolic Palace OSV News