Cuba Says Trump Fresh Sanctions Amount to ‘Collective Punishment’
Cuba’s government has said new sanctions imposed by Donald Trump amount to 'collective punishment,' according to The Guardian.
Conflicts & Security
US Imposes Sanctions on DR Congo Ex-President Kabila
The US has imposed sweeping sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of backing the M23 rebel group, according to BBC.
What does Chornobyl look like 40 years later?
Forty years after the Chornobyl disaster, the area remains radioactive and shaped by war, according to a recent report from Al Jazeera.
Former US officials criticise Pentagon silence on deadly Iran school attack
Five former US officials, including a retired military lawyer, have criticized the Pentagon for not acknowledging potential American involvement in a deadly strike on an Iranian school earlier this year. According to the BBC, the lack of transparency is unusual compared to past incidents.
Iran Offers to Reopen Strait of Hormuz for U.S.-Led Truce
Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. lifts its naval blockade and ends the war, according to sources. The offer, conveyed via Pakistan, has not yet been publicly accepted by President Donald Trump.
NATO Rift: How Serious Is the Split?
U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering measures against the United Kingdom and Spain after European NATO members refused to join the U.S.-led military action against Iran, according to Al Jazeera.
US Allows Venezuelan Government to Cover Maduro’s Legal Fees
The United States has agreed to ease certain sanctions on Venezuela to allow the country’s government to cover the legal fees for ex-president Nicolas Maduro, who is on trial in New York City for drug trafficking charges after being abducted by US forces in January, according to Al Jazeera.
Gunmen stage simultaneous attacks across Mali, army says
Gunmen have attacked Mali’s capital Bamako and several locations across the country, the army says, in an apparently coordinated assault involving multiple groups. According to the army, the attacks were carried out by “terrorist groups” targeting military barracks.
Turkish Police Arrest 500+ at May Day Rallies
Turkish police arrested more than 500 people and used tear gas during May Day demonstrations in Istanbul. The CHD lawyers' group reported over 500 arrests, with large police deployments also in Ankara, Izmir, and other cities.
Pentagon Announces $54B AI Deals With 7 Tech Firms
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced new agreements with seven artificial intelligence companies for classified military systems, according to Al Jazeera.
US military kills two more in Pacific drug boat strike
The US military announced on Friday that it killed two people in an attack on a boat in the eastern Pacific, part of a series of deadly strikes on vessels in recent months which it claims are targeting 'narco-trafficking' operations, according to The Guardian.
31 Sloths Die in Florida Warehouse as Officials Investigate ‘Sloth World’
Florida wildlife officials are investigating the deaths of 31 sloths in a warehouse linked to a controversial Orlando attraction called Sloth World, according to a report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
UK Stands Firm: Position on Falklands Will Not Change, Says No 10
Downing Street has reaffirmed that Britain will not yield sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, following a leaked Pentagon memo suggesting the US should reconsider its support for the UK’s claim due to a lack of British backing in the Iran conflict, according to The Guardian.
Three Kosovo Serbs Jailed for Deadly 2023 Monastery Siege
A court in Kosovo has sentenced three Kosovo Serbs to life or 30 years in prison for their roles in a deadly 2023 attack, according to the BBC.
NATO Says ‘No Provision’ to Expel Members After Report U.S. Could Seek to Suspend Spain
NATO has stated there are no provisions to expel members, according to a NATO official, following reports of an internal Pentagon email suggesting ways the U.S. could punish allies not supporting operations in the Iran war.