Middle East crisis live: Iran claims it has ‘new cards for battlefield’, and weighs talks in Pakistan

Iranian official stresses no decision made on taking part, as US vice-president JD Vance is set to travel to Islamabad for negotiations

Iran’s armed forces are ready to deliver an “immediate and decisive response” to any renewed hostile action by its adversaries, Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, was quoted by the Tasnim news agency as having said.

He said Tehran had the upper hand militarily, including in the management of the strait of Hormuz, and would not allow Donald Trump to “create false narratives over the situation on the ground.”

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Trump’s Federal Reserve chair pick to face lawmakers at key confirmation hearing – US politics live

The hearing marks a key hurdle Kevin Warsh must overcome in order to succeed Jerome Powell when his term ends on 15 May

While the long-delayed hearing is a necessary step for Kevin Warsh, it’s not clear when the committee may even be able to vote on his nomination.

The Justice Department is investigating Powell and the Fed over a building renovation, and senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, has said he would effectively block Warsh until the probe is dropped, AP reported.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Donald Trump’s labor secretary, resigned from her role with the administration. She said it was “an honor and a privilege to serve” to serve and that she would take on a job in the private sector. The departure came after she became entangled in a string of political and personal controversies. Democrats celebrated, writing “this administration is imploding”.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, called for Kash Patel’s immediate resignation following a report from the Atlantic detailing the FBI director’s alleged excessive drinking and absences. Patel has sued the magazine for defamation with his attorneys calling the article a “sweeping, malicious, and defamatory hit piece”.

Donald Trump signed memorandums related to coal supply chains, natural gas and grid infrastructure on Monday. The president invoked the Defense Production Act in the energy-related memos, writing that increasing energy production is “essential to United States national defense”.

The crowded field of Democratic candidates in the California’s governor’s race appears to be narrowing as Betty Yee — a former state controller— announced Monday she planned to end her campaign. Meanwhile, the California Democratic party chair Rusty Hicks continued to urge candidates trailing in the polls to exit the race.

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Exclusive: Russia to halt Kazakhstan’s oil flows to Germany via Druzhba, sources say – Reuters

  1. Exclusive: Russia to halt Kazakhstan's oil flows to Germany via Druzhba, sources say  Reuters
  2. Moscow to suspend Kazakh oil flows through key pipeline supplying Berlin  Financial Times
  3. Kazakhstan says Ukrainian drone strikes cause of oil flow stoppage to Germany  Baird Maritime
  4. Berlin will face attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine: the minister said why the transit of Kazakh oil will stop  EADaily
  5. Poland can ship oil for non-Russian shareholders of Schwedt refinery if asked  marketscreener.com
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US ‘restricts intelligence sharing with South Korea’ after minister identified suspected nuclear site

Washington reportedly limits satellite data after minister spoke publicly about suspected facility in North Korea

The US has partly restricted intelligence sharing with South Korea after the country’s unification minister publicly identified a suspected North Korean nuclear site, according to reports in South Korean media.

Chung Dong-young told lawmakers in March that North Korea was operating uranium enrichment facilities in Kusong, a north-western area that had not previously been officially confirmed as a nuclear site alongside the known facilities at Yongbyon and Kangson.

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Sam Neill says New Zealand goldmine supporters have threatened him with violence

Actor, who has publicly objected to plans to fast-track project near his farm, says he has received personal abuse

The actor Sam Neill says he has received threats of violence from supporters of a controversial goldmine that could be opened several kilometres away from his farm in New Zealand’s Central Otago district, after he publicly objected to the government’s plans to fast-track the mine.

The Australian mining company Santana Minerals is pushing to expedite a 85-hectare (210-acre) open-cast goldmine, called Bendigo-Ophir, in the Dunstan mountains, an area described as “outstanding natural landscape” by the Central Otago district council.

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Xi Calls For Hormuz to Reopen as China Balances Its Gulf Interests – The New York Times

  1. Xi Calls For Hormuz to Reopen as China Balances Its Gulf Interests  The New York Times
  2. Xi says for first time Strait of Hormuz should be reopened  The Hill
  3. China’s Xi Urges Ceasefire, Full Hormuz Transit in Saudi Call  Bloomberg
  4. China's Xi, in call with Saudi crown prince, calls for Strait of Hormuz to remain open  Reuters
  5. Xi Calls For Reopening Of Homruz And ‘Immediate Ceasefire’ In U.S.-Iran War  Forbes
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EU top court strikes down Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ rules – politico.eu

  1. EU top court strikes down Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ rules  politico.eu
  2. Unprecedented ruling finds Hungary's anti-LGBTQ laws in breach of EU values  BBC
  3. EU’s top court finds Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ law in breach of key values  The Guardian
  4. Hungary: Orban-era LGBTQ rules breach EU laws, ECJ finds  DW.com
  5. Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation violates EU law, court finds  AP News
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Minnesota boy fighting for life after rescuing younger brother from creek

Ashkan Thibodeaux, five years old, saved his kid brother Wyatt after he fell into ‘icy water’ of creek they were exploring

A five-year-old Minnesota boy reportedly jumped into frigid water after his younger brother fell in on Easter Sunday to successfully rescue him – and has subsequently had to fight for his life at a hospital, a battle in which he is making steady progress, according to his family.

Ashkan Thibodeaux’s story, which has captured widespread attention in corners of the internet dedicated to spotlighting remarkable displays of bravery, began with exploring a creek in Minnesota’s Itasca county alongside his kid brother, Wyatt, on 5 April, his family and their supporters say.

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Teenager charged with arson after attack on synagogue in London

Boy, 17, charged after footage showed bottle of liquid set alight and thrown through window of Kenton united synagogue in Harrow

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with arson after an attack on a synagogue in north-west London.

The teenager, a British national from Brent, north-west London, who has not been named because of his age, is due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on Tuesday.

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EU expects positive decisions on 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine on Wednesday – Reuters

  1. EU expects positive decisions on 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine on Wednesday  Reuters
  2. EU decides on key €90bn Ukraine loan after pipeline deadlock ends  BBC
  3. Back on the E.U. Agenda: A $106 Billion Loan to Ukraine  The New York Times
  4. Europe Today: Bettel, Marin speak exclusively to Euronews as Hungary’s Ukraine loan veto nears end  Euronews.com
  5. EU eyes Ukraine loan, Israeli settler sanctions, after Hungarian election  Al Jazeera
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Rebel Wilson labelled ‘nuts’ by PR team she allegedly hired to attack colleague, court hears

Wilson is being sued for defamation by actor Charlotte MacInnes over social media posts alleging a sexual harassment complaint

Rebel Wilson was labelled “nuts” by a PR team she allegedly hired to create websites attacking a co-producer of her directorial debut, a court has heard.

The Pitch Perfect actor directed, co-produced and acted in The Deb, a musical comedy set in rural NSW that remained unreleased for two years due to legal disputes.

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Japan Scraps Most Curbs on Weapons Exports in Historic Shift Since World War II – Bloomberg

  1. Japan Scraps Most Curbs on Weapons Exports in Historic Shift Since World War II  Bloomberg
  2. Japan to Sell More Weapons Abroad, Breaking With Postwar Pacifism  The New York Times
  3. Japan Abandons Ban on Weapons Exports in Latest Shift from Postwar Pacifism  Democracy Now!
  4. Japan loosens arms export rules in break from post-WW2 pacifism  BBC
  5. Japan lifts ban on lethal weapons exports in major shift of pacifist policy  Al Jazeera
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