- Live Updates: Iran touts video of Strait of Hormuz cargo ship seizures as Trump keeps quiet on next move CBS News
- Iran tightens control of Strait of Hormuz as Israel warns of strikes Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- Iran war live: Iran seizes ships in Strait of Hormuz as Trump maintains ports blockade Reuters
- How Iran raised Hormuz stakes by capturing ships Al Jazeera
- Ships seized by Iranians 'armed to the teeth' along Strait of Hormuz have been taken toward port: report Fox News
Touring Africa, Pope Leo Raised His Voice, but Didn’t Like the Echo – The New York Times
- Touring Africa, Pope Leo Raised His Voice, but Didn’t Like the Echo The New York Times
- Many African Catholics have greeted Leo’s first visit with joy. Others fear he’s lent legitimacy to strongman leaders CNN
- On Africa trip, the ‘quiet pope’ adopts a confident global voice The Washington Post
- Pope urges Angola to heal divisions at events drawing 130,000 Reuters
- Pope Leo's trip targets major obstacle to Catholicism's spread in Africa: Sorcery National Catholic Reporter
South Africa president suspends police chief over $21m contract
Police chief Fannie Masemola suspended as President Cyril Ramaphosa faces pressure to tackle corruption ahead of polls.
Slovenia to air films about Palestine instead of Eurovision song contest
Ireland and Spain will also not broadcast Eurovision after decision to boycott live event over Israel’s participation
National broadcasters in Ireland, Spain and Slovenia will not air the Eurovision song contest this year, after they decided to boycott the event over Israel’s participation.
Having announced it would not submit a national entry, the Slovenian broadcaster RTV confirmed on Thursday it would implement a broadcasting blackout of the world’s largest live music event and instead show a series of films about Palestine.
Continue reading...Inside the daring 3-hour operation to rescue a group of tourists from a cliff in Australia – CBS News
- Inside the daring 3-hour operation to rescue a group of tourists from a cliff in Australia CBS News
- First responder speaks out after family of 7 rescued from cliff ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
- Emergency Crew Pulls Off Daring Cliffside Rescue of Family-of-Seven Trapped by Waves Yahoo
- Family of seven clinging to cliff could’ve ‘gone’ at any moment before heart-stopping rescue New York Post
- New South Wales Coastal Drama Unfolds: Urgent SES Cliff Rescue at North Head Campground After Tourists Stranded by Fierce Ocean Swells and Rising Tides on Australia’s Treacherous South Coast Travel And Tour World
Woman killed by bear in Polish forest, son and local government say
In an extremely rare fatal encounter, the 58-year-old was killed as she was walking in a mountainous area, her son told rescuers.
Extended naval blockade is admission US military escalation poses even greater risk
Battle of the blockades may still have more time to run as the US and Iran try to assert control over the strait of Hormuz
Donald Trump’s decision to extend the naval blockade of Iran indefinitely may do nothing to reduce world oil prices – but it could amount to a recognition that further US military escalation in breach of the nominal ceasefire comes with greater risk against a regime disinclined to surrender.
In theory, Trump’s military options are increasing. A third US carrier strike group, the George HW Bush, is due to arrive in the Middle East within days after rounding South Africa. A second taskforce of 2,500 US marines is sailing from the Pacific and is due to arrive by the end of April.
Continue reading...China hackers steal western secrets by targeting consumer gadgets – Financial Times
- China hackers steal western secrets by targeting consumer gadgets Financial Times
- China-linked hackers using everyday devices to hide attacks, cyber agencies warn Reuters
- Defending Against China-Nexus Covert Networks of Compromised Devices CISA (.gov)
- Chinese hackers using everyday devices to target UK firms, warns cybersecurity agency The Guardian
- International cyber agencies share fresh advice to defend against China-linked covert networks National Cyber Security Centre
Trump Sparks Crisis in the World’s Other Vital Strait, the Panama Canal – The Daily Beast
- Trump Sparks Crisis in the World’s Other Vital Strait, the Panama Canal The Daily Beast
- Businesses dole out up to $4 million to cross Panama Canal during Strait of Hormuz chokehold AP News
- Iran War Drives Some Ships to Pay $1 Million to Transit Panama Canal WSJ
- Panama Canal says $1 million-plus auction slots reflect temporary surge in demand Reuters
- Iran war drives Panama Canal lane prices to record high Financial Times
Mixed views in Lebanon ahead of controversial talks with Israel
Lebanon remains divided over the best way to end the conflict with Israel, with some backing Hezbollah's armed response.
UK prepared to deploy RAF Typhoons to keep strait of Hormuz open after Iran war
Proposal at heart of offer made during a 30-country two-day meeting jointly organised by France
Britain is prepared to deploy a squadron of RAF Typhoons based in Qatar to patrol over the strait of Hormuz as part of a multinational mission to keep open the strategic waterway once the Iran war comes to an end.
The UK military also offered to deploy mine-hunting drones and specialist divers to help clear the strait mined by Iran – but no decision has been made on whether HMS Dragon or another warship would also be deployed.
Continue reading...On Everest, Everyone Is Waiting for a Block of Ice to Fall – Newser
- On Everest, Everyone Is Waiting for a Block of Ice to Fall Newser
- Huge chunk of glacier blocks Everest route in peak climbing season BBC
- Ice block stalls hundreds of Everest climbers at base camp The Guardian
- Mount Everest Summit Route Blocked by Immovable Slab of Ice The Inertia
- Everest: New Drone Service to Counter Delays in the Khumbu Icefall Explorersweb »
EU formally approves €90bn Ukraine loan and 20th sanctions package against Russia
Ursula von der Leyen hails ‘good news’ after Hungary’s lifting of vetoes allows leaders to sign off on agreements
EU leaders have welcomed the end of diplomatic deadlock over a long-awaited €90bn (£78bn) loan for Ukraine, after the bloc completed the agreement along with a 20th sanctions package against Russia.
After weeks of delay, the EU signed off on the loan on Thursday, in time for a summit in Cyprus that began in the evening and will include talks over a dinner with the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Continue reading...The no-go zone paradox: Chornobyl’s wildlife thrives amid pro-nuclear shift – The Guardian
- The no-go zone paradox: Chornobyl’s wildlife thrives amid pro-nuclear shift The Guardian
- PHOTO ESSAY: Chernobyl liquidators return to where they faced an invisible enemy AP News
- Scientists are still learning from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster The Economist
- Chornobyl first responder says few survive 40 years on Reuters
- Chernobyl at 40: The lies, the loss and why we can't let go Phys.org
The welcome return of German military might – Financial Times
- The welcome return of German military might Financial Times
- Germany unveils first ever military strategy for Bundeswehr DW.com
- Can the Germans fight? The Economist
- Germany unveils strategy for becoming Europe’s strongest military by 2039 Defense News
- Boris Pistorius, the man preparing Germany for war Le Monde.fr
More than 6 million Somalis face hunger amid climate shocks and conflict
Drought, failed rains, and conflict drive 6.5 million Somalis into hunger; children face acute malnutrition risks.
Israeli forces kill Palestinian teenager in occupied West Bank raid
Teenager dies in hospital after Israeli forces shot him with live ammunition in the shoulder, Palestinian media reports.
Dozens of Mexican mafia members arrested in California crackdown
Prosecutors say 43 people indicted on charges including murder, kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking
More than two dozen members and associates of the Mexican mafia were arrested during an early morning crackdown in southern California, federal authorities said on Thursday.
The FBI and other federal and local agencies executed search and arrest warrants at locations mostly in Orange county, south of Los Angeles, according to the US attorney’s office.
Continue reading...Iran’s Mehr says air defences heard ‘engaging hostile targets’ in Tehran – Reuters
- Iran's Mehr says air defences heard 'engaging hostile targets' in Tehran Reuters
- Iran war live: Air defences engaged over Tehran, reason unclear Al Jazeera
- Israel denies it is attacking Iran after air defenses reportedly fire at 'hostile targets' over Tehran The Times of Israel
- Air defenses activated in Tehran against ‘hostile targets’; Katz: Israel awaiting US green light to resume strikes ynetnews
- US-Iran War Live: Iran activates air defences, engages 'hostile targets', local media reports India Today
Lebanese Christians rejoice over new Christ statue brought by Italian soldiers – OSV News
- Lebanese Christians rejoice over new Christ statue brought by Italian soldiers OSV News
- Israel jails two soldiers who damaged and photographed a Jesus statue in Lebanon CNN
- How a single incident undermines Israel’s religious tolerance reputation The Jerusalem Post
- IDF Replaces Smashed Crucifix In Lebanon, Metes Out Punishment To Guilty Soldier i24NEWS
- Opinion | Israel Is Weaponizing Lebanon’s Diversity The New York Times