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Trump Derails Saudi Nuclear Deal Within 24 Hours

Trump

Trump Derails Saudi Nuclear Deal Within 24 Hours

A long-awaited civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia was thrown into uncertainty less than 24 hours after it was signed, after President Donald Trump imposed a new condition requiring Riyadh to join the Abraham Accords.

The agreement was formally signed on Wednesday at the US Department of Energy headquarters in Washington after years of negotiations. Energy Secretary Chris Wright participated in the ceremony alongside Saudi officials, with the event marking what had been presented as a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
Deal Signed After Years of Negotiations
Saudi Arabia had secured many of its key objectives in the agreement, including provisions that would eventually allow uranium enrichment on Saudi soil under specific conditions. The deal also did not require Riyadh to adopt the International Atomic Energy Agency's Additional Protocol, a more stringent inspection framework.
However, on Thursday morning Trump announced on social media that the agreement would only proceed if Saudi Arabia normalised diplomatic relations with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords. He also rejected suggestions that the deal would permit uranium enrichment.
Internal Dispute Over Rollout
According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump was already unhappy that the agreement had been unveiled without his direct involvement. The sources said the president had not been informed by Wright that the signing ceremony would take place when it did.
Confusion spread inside the administration as White House officials and the Energy Department offered differing accounts of how the announcement had been handled. Some White House officials argued they had asked the Energy Department to delay the rollout, while others maintained the agreement had not yet been finalised because required notifications to Congress had not been sent.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said the administration had always viewed Saudi participation in the Abraham Accords as a requirement for the nuclear agreement.
The Energy Department rejected suggestions of poor coordination, calling reports of internal disagreement "fake news" and insisting negotiations and the announcement had been closely coordinated with both the White House and the State Department.
Questions about the deal dominated Thursday's White House press briefing, where Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Trump as the administration's "final dealmaker" and defended the president's decision.
Criticism from Experts and Conservatives
The agreement also drew criticism from nuclear non-proliferation experts, who expressed concern over provisions allowing uranium enrichment and the absence of stronger international inspection safeguards.
Supporters argued the agreement would strengthen US influence over Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear programme while preventing Riyadh from turning to China or Russia for nuclear cooperation.
Conservative media outlets also questioned the agreement. The Wall Street Journal's editorial board criticised the absence of any requirement for Saudi Arabia to normalise relations with Israel before receiving nuclear cooperation. Fox News hosts similarly questioned why the arrangement appeared to differ from proposals considered during Joe Biden's presidency.
Sources told CNN that this criticism influenced Trump's decision to halt the agreement in its existing form.
Regional Diplomacy Remains Central
The nuclear agreement is the latest chapter in nearly two decades of US-Saudi nuclear negotiations. A tentative understanding had been reached in late 2025, but concerns over regional tensions and possible congressional opposition delayed progress.
Following Trump's intervention, some observers speculated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had urged the president to tie the agreement to Saudi recognition of Israel. Two Israeli sources said Netanyahu hoped such a condition would be included.
The White House said Trump had not spoken with Netanyahu before announcing the new requirement and insisted the president was simply restating a long-standing policy position.
Saudi Arabia has consistently maintained that it cannot establish diplomatic relations with Israel without a credible pathway towards Palestinian statehood, making the newly imposed condition a significant obstacle to the agreement's future.


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25 July 2026

• Report

• 34 comments
• 1,205 views

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July 24Jul 24

Trump Says Iran School Strike Images May Be AI-Generated

Iranian Conflict

Trump Says Iran School Strike Images May Be AI-Generated

More than four months after a US bombing in southern Iran hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school, killing 120 children and dozens of teachers and parents, uncertainty remains about how the attack unfolded and what evidence will be made public.

Investigators and commentators have pointed to material suggesting the Pentagon’s role in the strike. They cite reports that US Tomahawk missile fragments were found at the site, along with leaked commentary from military analysts and operational profiles of US forces reportedly involved in the region.
Sky News and Forensic Architecture review school history
The debate has been sharpened by a new analysis by Sky News and the research group Forensic Architecture, which reconstructed the school using a three-dimensional model.
The study concluded that the location had been used as a school for years prior to the attack, contradicting an argument advanced elsewhere that older intelligence was a key factor behind the strike.
Supporters of that position say the reconstruction reduces the likelihood that the target was misidentified based on outdated information. Opponents of the US assessment argue that the analysis strengthens calls for further transparency.
Trump tells Fox he may consult generals
US President Donald Trump, however, said he was not satisfied with the explanation and raised the possibility that the imagery at the centre of the controversy could be manipulated.
Speaking to Fox News anchor Trey Yingst, Trump did not say whether the results of the US investigation would be released. He said he still needed to “speak to the generals”.
Trump also suggested that a definitive account of what happened may be impossible, adding that there were images from the site that showed fragments appearing to be from US Tomahawk missiles. When asked whether the incident could have been caused by old intelligence or a mistake during a busy period of fighting, Trump agreed that such scenarios were possible.
He then said it was also possible that the images could be “AI generated”, while arguing that he did not believe there could be a conclusive report.
Amnesty calls for transparency, truth and reparations
Human rights groups have urged the US government to provide clearer information to families of the victims.
In a statement, Amnesty International national director of government relations and advocacy Amanda Klasing said the public and victims’ families must receive transparency and accountability, and that families were owed truth, justice and reparations.
Klasing said Trump had made contradictory statements and that the Pentagon had refused to provide information to Congress. She also criticised responses from lawmakers and the public, saying they were growing frustrated with the “rote” position adopted by Secretary Hegseth and others that the incident was still under investigation.
Amnesty’s statement asserted that the US military was responsible for killing more than 150 people in an attack using precision-guided Tomahawk missiles against a school filled with children.
While the competing accounts continue to evolve, the new reconstruction and Trump’s comments have added fresh pressure on the US to clarify what evidence led to the strike and what conclusions investigators have reached.


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24 July 2026

• 32 comments
• 807 views

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July 23Jul 23

US Justice Department to Drop Subpoenas Against NYT Staff

USA

US Justice Department to Drop Subpoenas Against NYT Staff

The Justice Department said on Thursday it would withdraw subpoenas issued to several New York Times reporters over their coverage of security concerns tied to a newly gifted Air Force One aircraft from Qatar.

The decision was announced during a hearing in a Manhattan federal court, where Judge Arun Subramanian was considering a motion by the newspaper to quash the subpoenas. Sean Buckley, chief counsel to U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, told the court that the government was prepared to withdraw the requests at that stage.
“The government is prepared to unilaterally withdraw the subpoenas at this time,” Buckley said during the hearing in U.S. District Court, according to the New York Times.
Subpoenas for Grand Jury Testimony
Four Times journalists — Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pager and Eric Schmitt — were served with subpoenas on 10 July. The notices sought to compel their testimony before a federal grand jury.
According to the newspaper, the Department of Justice also sought phone and text message records from the reporters, and in some cases records linked to members of their families.
Court Dispute Over Press Freedom
The case arose as the Trump administration sought to identify confidential government sources who had spoken to reporters about the security features of the donated aircraft, a step critics said could deter press reporting and suppress unfavourable coverage.
In a court filing, lawyers for the Times argued the subpoenas were aimed at harassment and intimidation. They said the subpoenas were issued in what they described as a bad faith effort to retaliate against members of the press for reporting on matters the President found embarrassing.
The Times, through its motion to quash, sought to stop the subpoenas being enforced.
First Amendment Arguments and Prosecutors’ Response
At the hearing, Buckley said in an earlier letter to the judge that the First Amendment does not prevent journalists from being compelled to appear before a grand jury to answer questions, including questions about their knowledge of alleged criminal conduct, even where the questions could relate to the identities of sources.
Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York had previously asked Subramanian to pause enforcement of the subpoenas for two weeks while they pursued additional investigative steps.
The Times had also argued that the subpoenas were not issued following the required legal procedures and internal Justice Department regulations. Prosecutors disputed that, calling the claims inaccurate.
Buckley wrote that, without disclosing classified or other sensitive information, the reporters’ arguments were incorrect in asserting, for instance, that the investigation lacked a proper basis and that no investigative steps had been taken before the subpoenas were issued. He said prosecutors considered “among other things, the underlying national security equities at stake”.
Reporting on Air Force One Security
The Times reported earlier in July that President Trump had used the older Air Force One when leaving the NATO summit in Turkey due to a security precaution linked to the war with Iran.
In later reporting, the journalists said the new aircraft lacked “defensive countermeasures” found on older models, including advanced anti-missile capabilities. The newspaper said it relied on information from multiple officials who had been briefed on retrofitting.
In a prior statement to The Hill, the Justice Department said the reporters were not its targets, referring instead to people who were leaking classified information. A spokesperson said the administration would continue to investigate those who leak classified material affecting national security.


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24 July 2026

• 1 comment
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webfact

July 23Jul 23

Oil Prices Surge Past $100 Mark for First Time Since May

Iranian Conflict

Oil Prices Surge Past $100 Mark for First Time Since May

Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil prices, rose to $100 a barrel for the first time since May on Thursday, as renewed Middle East conflict raised concerns about energy supplies.

The move came after several days of increases, with the latest gains driven by an escalation in military activity involving the United States and Iran and fresh disruptions to shipping routes in the region.
Oil jumps after attacks in the Red Sea
Brent climbed more than 6% on Thursday, extending a run of higher prices. The latest escalation followed reports that the US had stepped up military strikes against Iran.
Oil prices also spiked after Houthi militia in Yemen attacked oil tankers in the Red Sea. The incidents threaten a key export route that Saudi Arabia has used to divert shipments and bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
Ceasefire falters and gas prices rise
Oil prices had been trending lower following a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran. Prices fell back to levels last seen before the US and Israel began military action against Iran on 28 February.
That truce has not held. This week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the people in charge in Iran were “not ready to make a deal”.
Gas prices have meanwhile continued to rise. The UK gas benchmark is currently around 150p per therm, up from about 98p at the end of June, extending a steady move higher over the past month.
Inflation risks and implications for interest rates
With energy costs rising, analysts warned the renewed conflict could put pressure on inflation in the UK and the US, feeding through into consumer prices.
Higher oil prices typically lift the cost of petrol and diesel. That can also affect the prices of other goods, as businesses may pass on increased transport and energy costs, including for items such as food.
Inflation has already eased in both countries. In the UK, it fell to 2.6% in the year to June, helped by slowing diesel and petrol prices. In the US, inflation was 3.5%.
However, questions remain about whether that slowdown will last. New figures released on Thursday showed UK petrol prices have risen by 5p a litre since the beginning of July, reaching almost £1.56. Diesel prices are at £1.72 a litre on average, according to the RAC.
In the US, average gasoline prices have also moved back above $4 a gallon, rising from $3.92 a month earlier, according to AAA.
Jonathan Raymond, an investment manager at Quilter Cheviot, said more expensive fuel and energy can “ripple through the wider economy”, increasing costs for businesses and feeding into prices for food and other goods. He added that this could add to pressure on central banks in their efforts to reduce inflation, potentially affecting decisions on whether rates are kept higher for longer.
Bank of England and Federal Reserve in focus
The Bank of England has held interest rates at 3.75% in its last four meetings. Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said the bank would “almost certainly” hold rates again, but added that analysts still expect cuts next year if energy prices ease.
In the US, Kevin Warsh, the newly appointed chair of the Federal Reserve, told Congress last week that the central bank had “no tolerance to persistently elevated inflation”. President Donald Trump has pushed for borrowing costs to fall, having urged Warsh’s predecessor, Jerome Powell, to cut rates.
At Warsh’s first meeting last month, the Fed held US rates between 3.5% and 3.75%. Warsh also told Congress that the bank was committed to “restoring price stability” in the wake of the Middle East conflict affecting prices.


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24 July 2026

• 13 comments
• 495 views

webfact

July 23Jul 23

UK PM Burnham Halts Early Prison Release Plan

UK-Politics

UK PM Burnham Halts Early Prison Release Plan

Andy Burnham has announced a pause to a scheme that would have allowed thousands of prisoners in England and Wales to be released earlier than planned, with eligibility depending on the type of sentence and how much of it had been served.

The decision follows criticism from survivors and victims’ families, including the widow of Thames Valley Police officer Andrew Harper, who was killed in 2019. Lissie Harper said the prospect of the men who killed her husband being freed early was “deplorable”, as the plan faced renewed scrutiny ahead of its planned implementation.
Pause agreed after victim backlash
Under the Sentencing Act, due to take effect in September, some offenders would have been moved out of custody at earlier points to help ease pressure on prisons. Justice Secretary Alex Norris said the pause was intended to “give victims and survivors certainty” and ensure the government “got the implementation of this policy right”.
Norris said a review would also examine what information had been provided to victims and survivors as part of the early release process. Burnham earlier said no prisoners would be released “under this policy” until an urgent review was completed and measures were taken to “minimise risk to the public”, adding that changes would be made where needed.
The BBC understands the scheme would have resulted in around 700 prisoners being released early in September.
Norris said the government had heard concerns from victims and survivors and from people across the country about implementation of parts of the Sentencing Act. He said one element needing to be handled properly was the information given to victims before release decisions were made.
He refused to say why concerns had not been raised when the Sentencing Act was introduced but said Burnham was “quite right” to review the policy.
How early release would have worked
The scheme was designed to apply in stages from September and would have shifted release dates for prisoners serving fixed terms. Offenders due to be released after 50% of a standard fixed sentence would have been eligible after serving 33%, with the remainder served in the community under monitoring. If an offender offended again, they could be returned to prison. For those serving fixed sentences for serious sexual and violent offences, the planned change would have moved release from 66% of the sentence to 50%.
The most serious categories, including life prisoners and those subject to extended monitoring, would not have been included.


Source: BBC

Norris said Burnham was pausing the policy to ensure implementation is correct, rather than abandoning the act entirely. He said he hoped to provide victims with “certainty as soon as we can”.
Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman welcomed the pause, calling the original version of the early release plan “the wrong course of action”. She said many victims had already been told offenders who harmed them could be released early, leaving them with “renewed fear and uncertainty”, and argued victims should have safety and confidence prioritised.
Reactions and timetable
The pause comes after letters were sent to victims in recent weeks warning them the early release scheme was due to begin in September. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, said she welcomed the pause but called for killers and rapists to be “permanently” exempt from any future version, describing the policy as “dangerous” in a post on X.
Jade Belgrove, a survivor of sexual assault campaigning against the scheme, said receiving a letter informing her attacker might be released early was “horrific” and described relief at the pause.
Steve Gillan, general secretary of prison officers’ union POA, said he understood concerns about “operational stability” but said the government was correct to pause early releases to ensure “adequate public protection” and to put victims first.
Prison officers also reacted, with one telling the BBC that prisons were “super overcrowded” and warning that if releases do not proceed in September, capacity could become critical by November. Another said the pause showed the government was “putting public safety first”.
In 2024, the Labour government announced separate and temporary emergency measures to release some prisoners early to ease overcrowding.


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24 July 2026

• 18 comments
• 602 views

webfact

July 23Jul 23

Pauline Hanson Criticised Over Domestic Violence Remarks

Australia

Pauline Hanson Criticised Over Domestic Violence Remarks

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has come under renewed criticism after comments from a podcast recorded in November 2025 resurfaced, in which she described paid family and domestic violence leave as "ridiculous" and suggested police were being diverted from dealing with "real crime."
Unearthed Podcast Sparks Fresh Backlash
The remarks, made during an appearance on the Broken Fathers podcast and first reported by Nine newspapers, re-emerged after Hanson defended earlier comments describing domestic violence as a "two-way street."
The senator has rejected criticism, accusing the media and the Labor government of misrepresenting her views.
Criticism of Family Violence Policies
Speaking on the podcast, which focuses on fathers' experiences in family law disputes, Hanson criticised Australia's family violence framework and argued that changes to family law had increasingly favoured women.
She said the system had become "broken" because it was "suppressing the males all the time" and claimed reforms had been driven by "woke" politicians and women's advocacy groups.
"I do think it is broken because we've got too many woke people in parliament now, and it's pushing women's rights," Hanson said.
"But with ... women's rights, you've got to have women's responsibilities."
Hanson also criticised the introduction of 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave, calling the entitlement "ridiculous" and describing it as a "holiday."
The leave entitlement was introduced during the Albanese government's first term. Since 2024, victim-survivors leaving violent relationships have also been eligible to receive up to A$5,000 in tailored financial assistance.
Police and Family Violence Claims
During the 70-minute interview, Hanson argued that domestic violence cases were consuming most police resources, claiming officers were spending about 75% of their time responding to such incidents.
She said this was preventing police from tackling what she described as "real crime" and argued the current approach should be scaled back.
Hanson also said police had become frustrated with the reporting requirements associated with domestic violence cases.
Union Response
The Australian Council of Trade Unions condemned Hanson's comments, particularly her characterisation of paid domestic violence leave.
ACTU president Michele O'Neil described the remarks as "shockingly out of touch" and called them "reckless and dangerous."
O'Neil said paid family and domestic violence leave was introduced after unions campaigned on behalf of victim-survivors who said they needed time to leave abusive relationships without sacrificing their income.
She rejected Hanson's description of the leave as a holiday, saying those accessing it faced difficult and often dangerous circumstances while seeking safety.


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24 July 2026

• 17 comments
• 414 views

webfact

July 23Jul 23

US House Votes to Curb Trump's Iran War Powers

Trump

US House Votes to Curb Trump's Iran War Powers

The US House of Representatives has approved a resolution seeking to halt President Donald Trump's military action against Iran unless Congress authorizes it, marking the latest congressional rebuke of the administration's handling of the conflict.

The measure passed by 214 votes to 208, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support. Republican Representatives Thomas Massie, Brian Fitzpatrick, Tom Barrett and Warren Davidson crossed party lines to back the resolution, which was introduced by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal.
Although the vote represents a significant political setback for the White House, the resolution would not legally force the administration to end military operations. As a concurrent resolution, it is not sent to the president for approval or veto and does not carry the force of law.
Senate Rejects Similar Measure
Later on Thursday, the Senate voted on a separate effort to limit Trump's war powers in Iran, but the proposal failed by 47 votes to 49.
Republican Senator Susan Collins joined Democrats in supporting the measure, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted with Republicans to reject it.
The votes came after fighting resumed following the collapse of a recent ceasefire and the breakdown of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.
Growing Republican Unease
The House vote marked the second time lawmakers have attempted to limit Trump's authority to continue military action against Iran, but it was the first since diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran collapsed.
Democrats have repeatedly forced votes in both chambers to restrict the president's war powers. While those efforts have largely failed, they have attracted increasing Republican backing, reflecting growing unease within the party over the prolonged conflict.
The debate has intensified following the return to the United States on Wednesday of the flag-draped bodies of four American service members killed during the war.
Some Democrats argue that congressional war powers resolutions remain legally binding despite questions over their enforceability, noting that courts have not definitively ruled on the issue.
Democrats Highlight Political Message
House Democrats said the repeated votes also reflect public opposition to another prolonged US military conflict as the midterm elections approach.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said many Americans were tired of the United States entering wars without sufficient justification and spending vast sums on overseas conflicts.
She said passing the resolution before lawmakers left for the August recess sent a message opposing the war, warning that it had harmed the global economy while diverting attention from the concerns of working-class Americans.
Jayapal said she believed some Republicans who did not participate in the vote wanted to avoid explaining to constituents why they opposed ending what she described as an illegal war.
Trump has previously criticised Republicans who backed earlier efforts to curb his war powers, calling them "losers" in posts on Truth Social and telling party members in private meetings that their actions had made his job more difficult.
In June, during the ceasefire, the Senate approved a resolution aimed at removing US military forces from Iran. However, lawmakers reversed course a day later after failing to advance a similar war powers measure.


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24 July 2026

• USA

• 11 comments
• 685 views

webfact

July 23Jul 23

Trump Says Decision on Major Iran Attack Is Near

Iranian Conflict

Trump Says Decision on Major Iran Attack Is Near

US President Donald Trump said he is close to deciding whether to launch what he described as a “massive attack” against Iran, signalling the possibility of a military operation larger than previous strikes during the months-long conflict with Tehran.

Speaking to Axios on Thursday, Trump said he was considering a significant escalation.
He acknowledged such action would have consequences but said no final decision had been made. Trump also claimed Israel would join any operation quickly if requested, though he added that the United States did not need additional support.
Oil prices climb as tensions deepen
Trump's remarks came as Brent crude oil rose above $100 a barrel for the first time in the latest phase of the conflict, amid growing concerns that further disruption to Middle East shipping could push prices even higher.
The comments followed threats by Trump of "major military punishment" against Iran and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement after the Houthis attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
The Houthis said they struck the tankers Encelia and Layla, causing fires aboard both vessels. No casualties were reported. The attack marked the group's first reported strike on a vessel since announcing a blockade of Saudi-linked shipping.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is one of the world's most important maritime routes. Around 12% of global trade and roughly a quarter of the world's container traffic passes through the waterway on routes connecting Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal.
Ships have begun avoiding the strait after the Houthis declared a blockade of Saudi ports, including Yanbu, which Saudi Arabia has used to export oil to Asia as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted.
Maritime intelligence firm Lloyd's List Intelligence warned the attacks threaten Saudi oil exports from Yanbu and further undermine an alternative shipping route already under pressure because of disruptions in the Gulf.
International concern grows
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the Security Council that the Middle East was approaching a dangerous turning point.
"The situation is getting out of control," Guterres said, adding that the region was being pulled into an expanding cycle of confrontation in which each escalation fuelled another.
Several countries also took precautionary measures. The UK temporarily withdrew diplomatic staff from Iran, Germany announced it would pull two naval vessels from the Red Sea, and the US State Department warned Americans in the region that flight cancellations were possible. Israeli authorities also opened bomb shelters in several cities.
Reports of Iranian support for Houthis
Reuters, citing four sources including two Iranian officials, reported that Iran sent Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel and military equipment, including drone components, to Yemen on 13 July. The report said the deployment coincided with Tehran's calls for the Houthis to blockade the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Trump warned on social media that any further Houthi attacks would result in Iran being held responsible, describing the group as an Iranian proxy and threatening major military retaliation against both Iran and the Houthis.
Saudi nuclear deal linked to Israel
Separately, Trump said a proposed US agreement to help Saudi Arabia develop a civilian nuclear programme would depend on Riyadh normalising relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords.
Saudi Arabia has long maintained that recognition of Israel depends on meaningful progress toward Palestinian statehood. It later emerged that the new condition had not been discussed with Saudi officials.
Trump has also intensified his rhetoric toward Iran in recent days, suggesting the US could strike an underground nuclear-related facility that Israel claims houses uranium enrichment centrifuges.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran was seeking a deal but warned it would face severe consequences if its actions continued. At the same time, Trump's handling of the conflict faces increasing political pressure at home, with opinion polls showing declining support and the US House of Representatives narrowly approving a resolution calling for an end to US military action in Iran.

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24 July 2026

• USA

• 18 comments
• 733 views

webfact

July 23Jul 23

Israeli Security Min Joins Mass Visit to al-Aqsa Compound

Israel

Israeli Security Min Joins Mass Visit to al-Aqsa Compound

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir joined thousands of Jewish visitors at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site on Thursday, in a visit that drew strong condemnation from Palestinian officials, Jordan and Israeli peace activists.

Escorted by armed police, Ben-Gvir and other visitors entered the compound, where many prayed, waved Israeli flags and sang the national anthem. The site is known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount.
Status Quo Under Pressure
Under a long-standing arrangement governing the site, non-Muslim visitors are permitted to enter but are not allowed to pray there. Critics say Ben-Gvir has steadily weakened those restrictions through repeated visits and changes to regulations for Jewish visitors, including allowing them to bring prayer books and other religious materials onto the compound.
In January, Ben-Gvir also secured the appointment of a close ideological ally to lead the Jerusalem police, a move seen by critics as making further policy changes easier.
Posting on social media after Thursday's visit, Ben-Gvir said there had been "enormous progress" and that Jewish worshippers at the site "feel like the owners." He has previously called for an Israeli flag to be flown at the compound and for a synagogue to be built there.
Regional Condemnation
The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments and Affairs accused the Israeli government of pursuing policies that risk inflaming religious tensions across the region.
"The provocative practices... seek to ignite a religious war throughout the entire region," the ministry said.
Israeli lawmaker Amit Halevi, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, also joined visitors who raised Israeli flags and sang the national anthem, according to Haaretz, citing activists campaigning for expanded Jewish worship rights at the site.
Israeli peace group Peace Now described the prayers near al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock as a "dangerous provocation" that violated the long-standing status quo governing the compound.
Jordan's foreign ministry also condemned the visit, calling on the international community to pressure Israel to halt what it described as continuing violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
According to the Islamic Waqf Department, which administers the compound, 3,228 Israelis entered the site during the morning, with thousands more expected later in the day.
Historical Sensitivity
Thursday's visit coincided with Tisha B'Av, the Jewish day of mourning marking the destruction of the First and Second Temples, both traditionally associated with the site.
The compound has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ariel Sharon's visit there in 2000 helped trigger the second Palestinian intifada, while Hamas named its October 2023 attack on Israel "Al-Aqsa Flood," saying it was carried out in response to alleged Israeli violations at the site.
Earlier this year, Netanyahu publicly supported Jewish prayer at the compound, saying changes promoted by Ben-Gvir had been coordinated with his office, while maintaining that Israel had not breached the status quo agreement.
Overnight, thousands of people marched through parts of Jerusalem's Old City near the compound. According to Haaretz, some participants attacked Palestinians and vandalised a Muslim cemetery near Lions' Gate. Police said they arrested 16 Jewish suspects in connection with the violence.


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24 July 2026

• 0 comments
• 400 views

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July 23Jul 23

Houthi Red Sea Attacks Deepen Middle East Tensions

Middle East

Houthi Red Sea Attacks Deepen Middle East Tensions

Yemen's Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, raising concerns about a further escalation of tensions across the Middle East and the potential for wider economic disruption.
Shipping Threats Add to Regional Instability
The group says it has targeted vessels near the Bab El Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway linking the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean. The attacks have reportedly forced ships to alter their routes, threatening one of the world's busiest maritime trade corridors between Europe and Asia.
The developments come as US air strikes on Iranian military targets continue and shortly after Washington announced a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, adding to concerns about the region's long-term stability.
Shipping Routes Face New Pressure
The Houthis said they struck two Saudi vessels and warned other ships to avoid Saudi ports, claiming that around 10 vessels had turned back in response. If sustained, the disruption could place additional pressure on global trade already affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key route for exports of oil, gas and fertiliser. Saudi Arabia has partly reduced the impact on its oil exports by using its East-West Pipeline, which transports crude across the kingdom to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. From there, tankers normally travel south through the Bab El Mandeb Strait to reach Asian markets.
The latest Houthi threats now place that alternative export route at risk, potentially adding further strain to global supply chains and increasing transport costs.
Houthis Remain a Difficult Military Challenge
US President Donald Trump has pledged to defeat the Houthis, but the group has previously demonstrated its ability to withstand sustained military campaigns.
Originating in northern Yemen, the Iran-backed movement seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014 before expanding its control over much of the country's populated areas, including the port of Hodeidah.
Saudi Arabia launched a military intervention in 2015 in support of Yemen's internationally recognised government, expecting its air campaign to force the Houthis into negotiations. Instead, the conflict continued for years, leaving the group firmly established despite extensive bombardment and heavy civilian casualties.
Between 2023 and 2025, the Houthis repeatedly attacked shipping they said was linked to Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza. They also fired missiles at US and British naval vessels involved in protecting commercial shipping.
Yemen's mountainous Red Sea coastline provides numerous locations where weapons can be concealed before being used in attacks, making it difficult to eliminate the group's military capabilities.
Regional and Economic Concerns Grow
While Iraq and Syria have become comparatively more stable after years of conflict, analysts are increasingly focused on rising tensions in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula.
US air strikes have continued against Iranian military positions for nearly two weeks, while Iran has responded with attacks targeting neighbouring countries that host US military bases, including Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.
The longer shipping remains disrupted through the Strait of Hormuz, the greater the pressure on global energy supplies and international trade. Any prolonged disruption at the Bab El Mandeb Strait would add another major obstacle to maritime commerce.
The recently announced US-Saudi civil nuclear agreement has also prompted debate about regional security. Although there is no indication Saudi Arabia intends to pursue nuclear weapons, some analysts have expressed concern that expanded civilian nuclear programmes could encourage greater nuclear development elsewhere in the region, including in Turkey and Egypt.
The Middle East has experienced repeated periods of conflict in recent decades, but the combination of ongoing US-Iran hostilities, renewed Houthi attacks on shipping and broader regional security concerns has increased fears that instability could persist unless a broader diplomatic settlement is reached.


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24 July 2026

• 10 comments
• 571 views

webfact

July 23Jul 23

Trump Ties Saudi Nuclear Deal to Israel Recognition

Report

Trump Ties Saudi Nuclear Deal to Israel Recognition

The United States will only move forward with a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia if the kingdom formally recognises Israel by joining the Abraham Accords, President Donald Trump has said.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the proposed agreement, which he stressed would involve no uranium enrichment and be limited to civilian purposes, remained conditional on Saudi Arabia establishing diplomatic ties with Israel.
It remains unclear whether the condition is included in the text of the agreement, which has not yet been released, or whether Saudi Arabia has formally accepted it. Riyadh has not publicly responded to Trump's comments.
White House Reaffirms Position
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump has repeatedly made the condition clear during discussions with Saudi leaders.
“He has said if they don't join the Abraham Accords, the deal is off,” she said, adding that discussions with Saudi officials would continue.
The comments followed criticism from nuclear experts and some lawmakers, who warned the agreement could increase long-term nuclear proliferation risks in an already volatile Middle East. Although members of both major US political parties have voiced concerns, opponents are not expected to have enough votes in Congress to block the deal.
According to the US Department of Energy, the package includes a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement and a bilateral safeguards agreement intended to support civilian nuclear development while strengthening non-proliferation measures.
The department said the agreements establish the legal framework for a long-term partnership and will be submitted to Congress for review.
International Oversight and Regional Reaction
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was aware of plans for a bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement and expected to receive a request to implement verification measures.
The agency said it looked forward to working with both Washington and Riyadh to ensure those safeguards were carried out.
During Trump's first term, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords, normalising relations with Israel. Sudan, Morocco and Kazakhstan later joined the agreements.
Saudi Arabia has consistently maintained that it will not recognise Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state. The White House has nevertheless said the nuclear agreement depends on Riyadh joining the accords.
Israel welcomed Trump's statement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office described potential Saudi participation in the Abraham Accords as “an historic leap forward for peace in the Middle East,” although it did not refer directly to the nuclear agreement.
Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat previously said Israel could accept Saudi Arabia developing nuclear power for peaceful purposes. However, former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned that civilian nuclear programmes can eventually become military ones.
Enrichment Concerns
The agreement has drawn additional scrutiny after earlier media reports suggested Saudi Arabia might eventually be allowed to enrich uranium, a process that can produce fuel for nuclear power plants but also material suitable for nuclear weapons. Trump's latest remarks appeared to rule out that possibility.
Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East programme at the US-based Defense Priorities think tank, said allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium would represent a significant departure from previous US policy.
She said the United States had never before assisted another country in developing domestic uranium enrichment capabilities because such technology increases the risk of future nuclear weapons development.
The issue comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme. While Tehran continues to deny seeking nuclear weapons, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in 2018 that although the kingdom was not pursuing a nuclear bomb, it would seek one if Iran successfully developed nuclear weapons.

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24 July 2026

• USA

• 51 comments
• 350 views

webfact

July 23Jul 23

Trump Administration Weighs Military Options in Mali

Report

Trump Administration Weighs Military Options in Mali

The Trump administration is considering possible military action in Mali aimed at an al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group known as Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), according to current and former U.S. officials familiar with internal deliberations.

Officials said there is no final decision, but that approval would make Mali the eighth country where President Donald Trump has ordered strikes since the start of his second term. Trump initially said the chapter of his presidency would focus on ending global conflicts and shifting U.S. resources towards Americans.
Dispute inside senior U.S. ranks
The officials said there is disagreement among senior figures over whether to proceed with attacks. Sebastian Gorka, a senior counterterrorism director on the National Security Council, was identified as a prominent advocate of using force.
Some officials who discussed the planning process did so on condition of anonymity. Mali’s government, the Pentagon and the White House did not provide direct confirmation of whether the president would authorise strikes.
When asked about the prospect of action, an administration official said the United States was urging governments in North and West Africa to buy American equipment and services to support their counter-terror efforts. The official also described terrorism in the Sahel, the semi-arid region south of the Sahara, as a “multinational problem”.
The administration urged regional partners and NATO allies to back the Alliance of Sahel States in operations against JNIM and ISIS affiliates. The alliance comprises Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger—countries where military leaders have seized power in coups in recent years, reduced ties with the West and turned to Russia for security assistance.
The official did not place blame on those governments for the escalation, but on Russia, saying Moscow had proved to be an ineffective security partner for Mali.
Militants’ grip and recent attacks
JNIM has built a stronghold in Mali and has increasingly carried out attacks across coastal West African states, officials said. The group is described as the best-armed militant organisation in the region.
Militants mounted a fuel blockade last year that disrupted much of Mali. This spring, they carried out co-ordinated attacks that included fighters moving through the streets of Bamako, seizing a strategic northern city from Mali’s forces and Russian-linked fighters, and killing Mali’s defence minister in a suicide attack.
A rival Islamic State affiliate in the Sahel, known as IS Sahel, has also strengthened positions near Mali’s border with Niger. Last year its militants kidnapped American missionary Kevin Rideout, who is believed to be held in Mali.
Russia-linked security forces and U.S. risk calculations
Mali’s junta has relied on Russian mercenaries, first via the Wagner Group and later through Africa Corps, which is more closely tied to Russia’s defence ministry. Human rights groups and previous reporting have accused Russian-linked forces of serious abuses.
U.S. officials said any direct American involvement could raise the risk of clashes with Russian forces operating in the region. They also said it could require deconfliction mechanisms between Washington and Moscow similar to those used in Syria during its civil war.
Last year, as part of a renewed U.S. focus on Mali, the United States increased intelligence sharing with Mali’s government, officials said. They said the intelligence was used in strikes carried out by Mali’s military, after the Biden administration had largely avoided co-operation because of Mali’s refusal to set a timeline for a return to democratic elections and its reliance on Russian security support.
However, officials said the level of cooperation remains limited compared with other U.S. partnerships in the region, including the U.S.-Nigeria security relationship. They said it also included U.S. airstrikes and a ground operation that killed a senior ISIS figure in Africa.
When the U.S. State Department was asked whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio supports military action in Mali, it did not answer directly. It said the administration “unequivocally condemns” terrorist activity in Mali and is monitoring threats to the United States.
Analysts cited by the officials said military strikes carry wider political risks. They pointed to past French and Russian efforts against insurgents that did not halt the spread of armed groups, and argued that additional U.S. strikes could affect the balance between JNIM and IS Sahel. One expert also warned that helping Mali’s forces kill JNIM leadership could provoke new threats against Americans or push the group closer to al-Qaeda’s core.

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23 July 2026

• 54 comments
• 447 views

webfact

July 22Jul 22

Former Biden Aide Doubts Harris's 2028 White House Bid

USA

Former Biden Aide Doubts Harris's 2028 White House Bid

Former Biden administration aide Michael LaRosa said he does not believe former Vice President Kamala Harris is well positioned to win the White House in 2028 if she decides to seek the Democratic presidential nomination.

Speaking on Fox News's America Reports on Tuesday, LaRosa, who previously served as press secretary to former first lady Jill Biden, argued that Harris would struggle to persuade voters to give her another opportunity after two unsuccessful presidential campaigns.
His comments came in response to a New York Magazine article that described Harris as the leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.
Questions Over Harris's Prospects
Democratic strategist Minyon Moore told the magazine that Harris has been listening closely to voters and seeking to understand the issues affecting them.
"She's been listening to the American people and really trying to figure out what's impacting them and how she can be of service to them," Moore said.
LaRosa rejected that assessment, saying Harris's extensive political experience means she should already be taking a more decisive leadership role rather than positioning herself as a listener.
He argued that voters are looking for a fresh candidate and criticised Harris's political style, describing her as overly cautious and reluctant to take risks.
"She follows. She doesn't take risks. She calculates. She doesn't answer questions, she equivocates," LaRosa said, adding that he did not believe voters would "give Kamala Harris a third at-bat."
Alternative Democratic Candidates
Asked which Democrats he would prefer to see as the party's nominee, LaRosa named several prominent figures he believes have the qualities needed to serve as president.
"I want somebody who can run the country. I want somebody who is competent," he said, citing Rahm Emanuel, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg among his preferred choices.
Newsom has not announced whether he will enter the 2028 race. Earlier this year, he told CBS News's Face the Nation that any decision would be made in consultation with his family.
LaRosa, now a communications strategist, said his support was not limited to those three figures but reiterated that he wants the Democratic Party to nominate a candidate who leads rather than follows political trends.
Harris's office did not immediately respond to a request from The Hill seeking comment on LaRosa's remarks.

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23 July 2026

• 5 comments
• 349 views

webfact

July 22Jul 22

Pan Am Wreck Found 74 Years After Fatal Atlantic Crash

Report

Pan Am Wreck Found 74 Years After Fatal Atlantic Crash

The wreckage of a Pan American Airways aircraft that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean 74 years ago has been discovered off the coast of Puerto Rico, bringing closure to a decades-long search and highlighting a tragedy that reshaped commercial aviation safety.
Discovery Ends Decades-Long Search
The Clipper Endeavor was located about 2,000ft (610m) below the surface using an autonomous sonar-equipped drone. The aircraft crashed on 11 April 1952 after suffering multiple engine failures shortly after take-off.
Although everyone initially survived the emergency water landing, many passengers were unable to find life vests and life rafts as the aircraft quickly sank. Of the 69 people on board, including 64 passengers and five crew members, only 17 ultimately survived.
Crash Changed Airline Safety
The disaster prompted major changes to airline safety procedures. It became a driving force behind mandatory pre-flight safety briefings and improved flotation equipment on commercial aircraft.
Aviation safety expert John Cox told the Associated Press that the confusion following the crash became a catalyst for regulations requiring airlines to explain emergency procedures and the use of life-saving equipment before every flight.
Today, cabin crew routinely demonstrate emergency exits, the location of life vests and how they should be used before take-off.
Expedition Unknown host Josh Gates said modern air travel is safer because of the lessons learned from the Clipper Endeavor disaster, describing its legacy as lasting nearly three-quarters of a century.
Search Guided by Historic Records
The search was led by the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation in partnership with Discovery Channel's Expedition Unknown and several other organisations.
The breakthrough came after researchers uncovered records from a public hearing in Puerto Rico, including a map drawn by US Air Force pilots who witnessed the crash. Combined with historical weather data and official accident reports, the information narrowed the search area to a 10-square-nautical-mile section of the Atlantic seabed.


Picture courtesy of Air/Sea Heritage Foundation and Deep Sea Vision

An earlier search in 2024 was abandoned because of poor weather, but expedition leader Russ Matthews said the team was determined to return before the 75th anniversary of the accident.
The autonomous drone detected the wreckage on its first pass through the search area on 2 June. The aircraft was found in two sections.
A follow-up photographic survey confirmed the identity of the wreckage, with images showing both the Pan Am logo and the Clipper Endeavor name still visible on the fuselage.
Matthews said the team was both excited by the discovery and mindful of the lives lost. He added that he first became interested in the crash in 2019 after reading about a luggage tag from the flight that had washed ashore in Florida, and was surprised that such a significant event had largely faded from public memory.
Legacy Beyond the Discovery
Gates, who was aboard the expedition vessel when the wreckage appeared on monitors, described witnessing the discovery as a remarkable experience.
Researchers say the successful search could also provide encouragement for efforts to locate other aircraft lost at sea, including Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared 12 years ago with 269 people on board and has yet to be found despite extensive searches of the Indian Ocean.
The discovery of the Clipper Endeavor will be featured in a special episode of Expedition Unknown later this autumn.


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23 July 2026

• Aviation

• 0 comments
• 371 views

webfact

July 22Jul 22

Mamdani Says He Lacks Authority to Arrest Netanyahu

USA

Mamdani Says He Lacks Authority to Arrest Netanyahu

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stepped back from his earlier pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited the city, saying he does not have the legal authority to do so.
Mayor Revises Earlier Position
In a video posted on social media, Mamdani said his administration had examined all available legal options and concluded that the city lacked the independent authority to enforce an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
"The federal government, however, does," he said, urging the United States to join the ICC and carry out the warrant.
ICC Warrant and US Position
Netanyahu is expected to visit New York in September to attend the UN General Assembly. Although the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for him over alleged war crimes in Gaza, the United States is not a member of the court, meaning it is not obligated to enforce its warrants.
The ICC issued the warrant in 2024 as part of its investigation into the Gaza conflict. At the same time, it also issued an arrest warrant for a Hamas commander. The court has jurisdiction over allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed on the territory of states that are parties to its founding Rome Statute.
President Donald Trump has rejected any suggestion that Netanyahu could face arrest while in the United States.
Writing on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said the Israeli leader would not be "arrested, in any way, shape or form" while in the US. He also praised Netanyahu's actions against Iran, saying he was fighting the Islamic Republic.
Campaign Promise Reversed
Trump's comments followed an interview Mamdani gave to the New York Times on Saturday, in which he said he was holding "an active conversation" with law enforcement about whether the ICC warrant could be enforced.
However, in his latest statement on Tuesday, Mamdani acknowledged that the city's legal powers do not extend to carrying out such an arrest. Even so, he said Netanyahu was "not welcome" in New York.
During his campaign for mayor, Mamdani repeatedly described Netanyahu as a war criminal and referred to the war in Gaza as a genocide. He had previously vowed to instruct police to arrest the Israeli leader if he came to the city, saying he intended to honour the ICC warrant.
Political Reaction
Mamdani's latest comments come as opinion among Democratic voters on US policy toward Israel appears to be changing. A recent poll found that 58% of Democrats believe the United States is too supportive of Israel, compared with 45% in 2024.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon criticised Mamdani following his earlier interview, saying the mayor had been elected to represent New Yorkers rather than promote what he described as Hamas propaganda.


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23 July 2026

• 27 comments
• 603 views

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July 22Jul 22

Tourist Visiting US Killed After ICE Encounter, Report Says

USA

Tourist Visiting US Killed After ICE Encounter, Report Says

A Mexican tourist who was struck and killed by a semi-truck while fleeing US federal immigration officers in Florida was visiting the country on a valid tourist visa, according to reports published this week.
Tourist Dies During Immigration Operation
Juan Jairo Coronilla Durán, 28, died on 14 July after an encounter with federal officials, including personnel from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), at a gas station in Florida, according to state authorities.
Officials said federal agents approached Coronilla and four other men at the service station on the morning of 14 July. The group then ran from the scene. A spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol said Coronilla entered a roadway and was hit by a passing semi-truck.
Reports Detail Visit to the United States
According to the Miami Herald, Coronilla, who was from the Mexican state of Guanajuato, had arrived in the United States about three weeks before his death. He initially travelled to Atlanta to visit relatives and friends before heading to Florida two days before the incident to spend time at the beach.
The newspaper reported that Coronilla was visiting the country on a tourist visa.
His wife travelled to the United States after his death to make arrangements. An immigrant rights organisation, Colectivo Árbol, told the Miami Herald she had been unable to contact her husband and only learned of his death after seeing news coverage. The group said Coronilla is survived by a seven-year-old son and a seven-month-old daughter.
Death Among Recent ICE-Linked Incidents
Coronilla's death was one of four incidents linked to ICE operations within less than a week. Two people, one in Texas and another in Maine, were shot and killed by ICE officers. A fourth person died while in ICE custody during a transfer to an immigration detention centre in Georgia.
The series of deaths has prompted renewed criticism from members of the public and some lawmakers, who have called for increased oversight of ICE and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as they implement President Donald Trump's expanded immigration enforcement and mass deportation agenda.
Identity Confirmed
The Department of Homeland Security has not publicly identified Coronilla. However, the Associated Press confirmed his identity through a Mexican government official.
Although the Florida Highway Patrol initially described the incident as part of an ICE operation, a Homeland Security source familiar with the case told The Guardian that US Border Patrol agents were involved in the encounter.

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23 July 2026

• 120 comments
• 1,680 views

webfact

July 22Jul 22

Trump Says Fallen Troops Backed Iran War Goal

Iranian Conflict

Trump Says Fallen Troops Backed Iran War Goal

President Donald Trump attended a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday to honour U.S. service members killed in the war with Iran.

Before departing Washington aboard Air Force One, Trump described the ceremony as "one of the hardest things to do as a president" and paid tribute to the fallen troops, calling them "great heroes."
Claims about soldiers' views
Speaking to reporters, Trump defended the U.S. military campaign against Iran, claiming the service members who had died supported his central war objective.
"All of them said very strongly, 'We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon,'" Trump said.
It was not the first time Trump has attributed similar sentiments to fallen troops and their families. During a primetime address on 1 April, he said relatives of service members killed in the conflict had urged him to "finish the job," saying every family had asked him to complete the mission for which their loved ones had died.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump also posted on social media comparing the number of U.S. military deaths in the Iran conflict with casualties in previous American wars, in comments that appeared to minimise the current toll.
Asked what message he would give grieving families, Trump said he wanted them to know they were loved.
"All I'm going to say is, we love you. We love your child," he said, adding that parents had lost "their child" and that "all you can do is throw out your heart."
Fallen service members
Later on Wednesday, during an event in Marietta, Georgia, Trump introduced the family of 1st Lt. Tyler J. Feehan, one of the soldiers killed in Iranian attacks, saying he had flown with them from Dover aboard Air Force One.
The ceremony marked the third dignified transfer Trump has attended since the conflict with Iran began.
The Pentagon overnight identified a third soldier killed in Friday's Iranian strike on a U.S. base in Jordan as Army Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York.
The other two soldiers killed in the attack were Pfc. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, and 1st Lt. Tyler J. Feehan of Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
A fourth service member, Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died on Sunday after the controlled detonation of a downed Iranian attack drone at Erbil Air Base in Iraq, according to the U.S. Army.
Conflict continues
The Department of Defense says at least 18 U.S. service members have been killed and around 500 wounded since the war with Iran began in late February.
The fighting has intensified after a ceasefire reached in mid-June collapsed, with the latest attacks marking an 11th consecutive night of strikes.
Trump was greeted on arrival at Dover by Col. Jamil Musa, commander of the 436th Airlift Wing, and Chief Master Sgt. Elijah Edwards. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine also attended the transfer ceremony.

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23 July 2026

• 7 comments
• 315 views

webfact

July 22Jul 22

Maduro Trial Set for June 2027 After US Capture

USA

Maduro Trial Set for June 2027 After US Capture

Former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, will stand trial in New York on 1 June 2027 after a US judge set the date during a hearing on Wednesday.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein also scheduled a pre-trial hearing for 17 November, when both the prosecution and defence are expected to present legal motions ahead of the case.
Maduro and Flores face US charges relating to alleged weapons and drug offences. Both deny the allegations.
Defence plans immunity challenge
The couple were brought to the United States after US forces seized them during a night-time operation at their compound in Caracas on 3 January.
Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, indicated that the defence will argue the former Venezuelan leader is protected by sovereign immunity, which generally shields serving or former heads of state from prosecution under certain circumstances.
Heavy courtroom security
The hearing drew significant public interest, with spectators lining up for hours to secure seats inside the courtroom.
Before proceedings began, a court officer instructed those in attendance to remain seated and warned them not to speak to Maduro. The officer said anyone who failed to follow courtroom rules could face legal consequences.
Most people remained silent as Maduro and Flores entered shortly after noon, although some quietly reacted as they walked past.
Maduro, dressed in a beige jail uniform and not wearing handcuffs, acknowledged the gallery with a nod before taking his seat beside Flores at the defence table. Both wore headphones to listen to translations while their lawyers spoke with the judge.
At the end of the hearing, Maduro turned toward the public and gave a brief wave before US Marshals escorted him from the courtroom.
Protesters gather outside
Outside the courthouse, demonstrators opposing the US military operation that led to Maduro's capture condemned the proceedings, carrying signs reading "Free President Maduro" and describing the case as a "sham trial."
A speaker from the Anti-War Action Network accused the United States of attempting to extend its influence over Venezuela, Latin America and the Middle East.
Others welcomed the prosecution.
Wilmer Contreras, a 53-year-old Venezuelan who moved to the United States about three decades ago, described Maduro as responsible for destroying his homeland and said he fully supported the Trump administration's decision to capture him.
Contreras said the operation was something many Venezuelans had hoped for over a long period and argued it had changed the situation in his country.


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23 July 2026

• Venezuela Crisis

• 1 comment
• 284 views

webfact

July 22Jul 22

Austria Opens Police Station at Hitler Birthplace

Report

Austria Opens Police Station at Hitler Birthplace

Austria has opened a police station inside the building where Adolf Hitler was born, in an effort to strip the site of its symbolic appeal and discourage neo-Nazi visitors who have long treated it as a place of pilgrimage.

Hitler was born on 20 April 1889 in a rented apartment in the centre of Braunau am Inn, where he spent the first weeks of his life.
Police Move Aims to End Neo-Nazi Pilgrimages
The building has now been converted into offices for a police unit specialising in combating narcotics trafficking. Authorities hope the presence of law enforcement will discourage extremist gatherings and displays, which are illegal under Austrian law.
District police commander Stefan Haslberger said the unit was well suited to the location because Braunau lies close to the German border on a major route used for drug trafficking.
Years of Debate Over the Building's Future
The redevelopment, which cost an estimated €20 million, followed years of public debate over how best to prevent the property from becoming a shrine for supporters of Nazi ideology.
According to Austrian news agency APA, even rubble from the renovation work was secretly disposed of to prevent it from becoming a destination for Hitler admirers.
At the opening ceremony, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner described the project as the start of a "new chapter", saying the building would now serve as "a place of democracy, the rule of law, security". He added that its historical significance would not be forgotten.
The property has repeatedly attracted extremists. In recent years, some visitors left flowers and wreaths on Hitler's birthday, while others posed outside performing the banned Nazi salute. Local residents, frustrated by such incidents, have come to refer to the building as the "house of evil".
Official Use Chosen Over Museum
An expert commission examining the site's future recommended it be used for official, administrative, charitable or social purposes rather than becoming a museum.
The panel warned that a museum could continue to attract far-right extremists, particularly those who place symbolic importance on birthplaces and graves through "blood and soil" ideology. Demolishing the building, it concluded, would erase part of the area's history.
Opinion polls indicated most Austrians preferred the building to be used as a centre promoting democracy.
Parts of the property date back to the 17th century. Over the years it served as an inn and brewery, with apartments on the upper floors, including the flat briefly occupied by Hitler's family.
The Austrian government took ownership of the building about a decade ago after acquiring it from a private owner. Previously, it had been leased to the Interior Ministry and used as a care home for people with disabilities. The building has remained empty since 2011.
A memorial stone outside, made from stone taken from the former Mauthausen concentration camp, bears the inscription: "For peace, freedom and democracy. Never again fascism. The millions who died serve as a warning."
Broader Historical Context
German magazine Der Spiegel recently reported that hackers altered the building's address on Google Maps, replacing the correct street number with 88, a numerical code used by neo-Nazis to represent "Heil Hitler".
The Austrian government said the police station was intended to help "neutralise" the site and reduce its appeal to Hitler sympathisers.
Other properties linked to Hitler have also been repurposed. His former apartment in Munich has housed a police station since the late 1940s, while his official residence in Berlin, the Reich Chancellery, was destroyed during the Second World War.
Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938. Historians say the country long avoided acknowledging its role in the Holocaust and other Nazi crimes.
The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), founded by former Nazis, won the largest share of votes in Austria's September 2024 general election but failed to form a government after mainstream parties refused to join a coalition. Since then, support for the party has continued to increase.


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23 July 2026

• 0 comments
• 302 views

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July 22Jul 22

OpenAI Says AI Launched Unprecedented Cyber-Attack

Technology

OpenAI Says AI Launched Unprecedented Cyber-Attack

OpenAI has disclosed that one of its most advanced AI agent systems breached the limits of a controlled security test and autonomously launched a cyber-attack against AI platform Hugging Face, in what the company described as an "unprecedented" incident.

The ChatGPT developer said the AI agent, designed to carry out tasks independently after receiving human instructions, identified weaknesses in its testing environment and escaped the sandbox intended to contain it. After breaking free of those restrictions, the system targeted Hugging Face, one of the world's largest repositories for AI models, and gained access to parts of the company's internal systems.
AI Security Test Breach Sparks Investigation
OpenAI said it is investigating the incident together with Hugging Face. Hugging Face chief executive Clement Delangue described the event as "mind-blowing" in a post on X, saying the attack had occurred without human intervention. He added that the investigation remained ongoing and could represent the first known incident of its kind.
The UK government said its AI Security Institute is analysing the behaviour of the AI system involved and continues to work with OpenAI and other developers to strengthen safeguards. A government spokesperson also urged organisations to improve their cyber-security by adopting measures such as the Cyber Essentials certification scheme.
Sandbox Security Under Scrutiny
Experts said the incident has highlighted weaknesses in the testing environments used to evaluate advanced AI systems.
Gina Neff, head of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at the University of Cambridge, said security sandboxes are intended to isolate AI models so researchers can safely assess their capabilities. She suggested the containment system used by OpenAI was not sufficiently secure, allowing the AI agents to exploit vulnerabilities and escape.
Once outside the sandbox, the AI identified Hugging Face as a likely source of information relevant to its assigned task and attempted to gain access to the platform.
Neil Lawrence, professor of machine learning at the University of Cambridge, described the breach as an "impressive feat" but said it remained within the known capabilities of today's most advanced AI models. He also noted that OpenAI is preparing for a stock market listing while facing growing competition from Anthropic, whose Mythos AI model has recently drawn significant attention.
Lawrence argued the incident demonstrated shortcomings in OpenAI's ability to deploy its technology safely.
Hugging Face Closes Vulnerabilities
Hugging Face said it had been assessing whether any customer or partner data was affected by the breach and would notify any impacted parties if necessary.
The company said it has since fixed the vulnerabilities exposed during the incident and rebuilt the affected systems.
In a statement, Hugging Face warned that autonomous AI-powered offensive cyber tools are no longer a theoretical risk. It said defending online platforms now requires treating AI models and data as key attack surfaces while increasingly relying on AI-powered defensive systems to keep pace with evolving threats.
Calls for Stronger AI Defences
The incident has renewed debate over whether current safeguards are sufficient as AI systems become more capable.
Spencer Starkey of cyber-security company SonicWall said organisations must strengthen their cyber resilience, warning that attackers are increasingly operating at machine speed while many defenders still respond at human speed.
Travis Lelle, principal security engineer at Guidepoint Security, described the incident as a "sobering moment" for the cyber-security industry. He said offensive AI systems can operate with fewer constraints than defensive tools, which are often limited by safety guardrails.
Jake Moore, global cyber-security adviser at ESET, suggested the announcement may also reflect growing competition within the AI industry. He said OpenAI could be seeking to demonstrate its cyber capabilities as Anthropic gains momentum with its Claude Mythos model.
The disclosure comes a week after Chinese AI start-up Moonshot introduced its Kimi K3 model, which the company says can compete with leading AI systems developed in the United States.

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23 July 2026

• 31 comments
• 652 views

webfact

July 22Jul 22

Trump to Announce Landmark Nuclear Deal With Saudi Arabia

USA

Trump to Announce Landmark Nuclear Deal With Saudi Arabia

The United States is expected to announce an agreement with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that would allow the kingdom to develop a civilian nuclear programme, according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner.
US and Saudi Arabia Prepare Nuclear Agreement
The deal, backed by President Donald Trump's administration, is expected to open the door for US companies to help build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia. While enriched uranium is commonly used as fuel for nuclear power plants, it can also be used in the production of nuclear weapons.
The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.
Major Investment and Long-Term Partnership
According to reports, the agreement would permit US companies to operate nuclear power facilities on Saudi soil. The companies expected to participate have not been identified, and the proposal will require consultation with the US Congress.
Following a joint study with the United States, Saudi Arabia could be permitted to enrich uranium domestically at a US-built facility rather than relying on imported nuclear fuel.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the agreement would remain in force for 30 years and could be worth tens of billions of dollars.
The proposed arrangement differs from a 2009 nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, which bars the UAE from enriching uranium and includes additional non-proliferation restrictions.
Concerns Over Nuclear Proliferation
The enrichment provision has prompted concern among nuclear experts, former Israeli officials and non-proliferation advocates, who warn it could eventually provide Saudi Arabia with the capability to develop a nuclear weapon.
Israel, Washington's closest ally in the Middle East, has previously expressed concerns about nuclear technology spreading across the region.
The issue comes amid continuing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme. The United States and Israel have said one of the reasons for their military strikes against Iran in February was to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon, an allegation Iran has consistently denied.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told CBS News in 2018 that the kingdom did not intend to acquire nuclear weapons. However, he added that if Iran were to obtain a nuclear bomb, Saudi Arabia would "without a doubt" seek one as quickly as possible.
Congressional Review Ahead
The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump has already approved the agreement. It also said that if, following the joint study, Washington opposes uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom would be barred from pursuing enrichment independently or through another foreign partner for 10 years.
The proposal will now be submitted to Congress, where it is expected to face opposition from some lawmakers in both parties, despite Republicans holding majorities in both chambers.
According to The New York Times, the agreement is not tied to Saudi Arabia establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, despite long-standing US efforts to encourage normalisation between the two countries.


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23 July 2026

• 12 comments
• 306 views

webfact

July 22Jul 22

England Bus Fares to Be Capped at £2 From January

UK

England Bus Fares to Be Capped at £2 From January

Single bus fares across England will be limited to £2 from January, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced, stepping in to reduce the cost of everyday travel for passengers outside London.

The national cap is currently £3 for single journeys until the end of March 2027. Burnham said the new £2 limit will apply across England except London, where the mayor had already set lower top rates. Greater Manchester, also where Burnham previously set a £2 cap as mayor, has similarly had a lower ceiling for single tickets.
What the cap will do
Burnham said the measure will be held at £2 throughout 2027. He described it as reversing a rise introduced by Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves in 2024, when the £2 cap that had previously been in place was lifted. A £2 limit had run from January 2023 to December 2024, but the incoming Labour administration at the time argued it was not affordable.
Some metro mayors, including Burnham, funded extensions of the lower fares in their areas even after the national change, maintaining cheaper single tickets locally.
Burnham’s announcement also said the policy is intended to help people travel for day-to-day needs while easing pressure from the cost of living.
Funding and cost
The government said the £2 cap is supported by £454m in funding, including money to allow devolved administrations to adopt similar approaches. Of that total, around £400m will be raised by switching investment in international climate finance from investment models to loans.
The remaining funding will come from savings in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero budget.
The overall cost of the scheme is expected to be more than £500m, with the rest met through Department for Transport funding that is already allocated to buses.
Political background and government response
The policy reverses the increase applied after the previous national £2 cap ended in December 2024. During that transition, Labour argued at the time that extending the lower fare limit nationally would be difficult to afford, though some local areas continued lower caps through their own funding.
Chancellor John Healey said the measure would cut fares by a third compared with the current £3 cap and said it could be paid for through savings made elsewhere, rather than by adding a burden to British taxpayers. Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, said the plan would make journeys easier and cheaper for people travelling day to day.
Burnham said he wanted to ensure transport costs do not exclude people from accessing services and jobs, presenting the cap as a direct response aimed at keeping fares affordable across the country outside London.


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22 July 2026

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July 22Jul 22

Iran Warns US Against Attacks on Nuclear Facilities

Iranian Conflict

Iran Warns US Against Attacks on Nuclear Facilities

The United States carried out strikes on Iran for an 11th consecutive night late on Tuesday, as Tehran warned Washington not to target its nuclear facilities. US Central Command (Centcom) said the latest attacks were intended to further reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state media reported that air defences were activated in Tehran, and that explosions were heard in several other locations including Tabriz in the north-west, the ports of Chabahar and Konarak in the south-east, and Bushehr in the south, where Iran’s only nuclear power plant is located.
Centcom targets military and maritime assets
Centcom said US forces hit Iranian military operation centres, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities and military logistics infrastructure.
It also accused Iran of attacking more than 30 commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz over the past three months. Centcom said the waterway remained open for commercial vessel transit, adding that the attacks had endangered mariners and undermined freedom of navigation.
Iran, which has retaliated against the US and its Middle East allies, warned of reprisals after President Donald Trump said the US would soon strike an underground nuclear site near Natanz.
Trump told reporters at a White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that the next target could be a facility known as Pickaxe Mountain, where Iran is suspected of building an undeclared enrichment operation.
“We’ll be hitting that area pretty soon, and very heavily,” he said, adding that he would not normally announce targets but that “there’s not a thing they can do about it”.
Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya military command said an attack on such a site would be considered “an expansion of war in the region”, with state-run broadcaster IRIB reporting that it threatened strikes on “all the interests of America, the allies and supporters”.
Regional air defences report intercepts
Kuwait’s army said early on Wednesday that its air defences were engaging drone attacks from Iran. Bahrain and Jordan said they also intercepted drone and missile strikes.
The renewed fighting comes after a ceasefire agreement agreed in April between Iran and the US. Hostilities resumed last week as both sides contested control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route.
The US and Iran had previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding in June that set out steps to halt military operations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, along with a plan to reach an agreement ending the war over the next 60 days. Three weeks after the MoU was signed, Trump said the ceasefire was “over” following Iranian attacks on ships in the strait and subsequent US strikes.
Houthis warn of Red Sea blockade threat
Separately, Trump threatened to “take care of” the Houthi rebels in Yemen if the Iran-backed group carried out a threatened blockade of Saudi ports.
Earlier, a Houthi media official said it would close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea’s southern gateway, to Saudi vessels. The Red Sea has become particularly important for oil shipments from Saudi Arabia during the US-Israeli war with Iran, after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Following the Houthi announcement, two tankers that had loaded Saudi crude at the Red Sea port of Yanbu and were bound for China and India made U-turns on Tuesday, British maritime risk management group Vanguard said, and instead headed towards the Suez Canal.
The prospect of disruption through the Red Sea adds to concerns for international shipping, with the broader conflict already contributing to significant fluctuations in global fuel prices.
US costs rise as funding sought
The war with Iran has cost the US about $37.5bn (£28bn) so far, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday. He said the figure had increased by nearly $8bn since the last estimate made in May.
Speaking before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hegseth said US military training would have to be curtailed unless lawmakers approved an urgent funding boost.


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22 July 2026

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July 22Jul 22

Russian Frigate Holds Live-Fire Drill off Plymouth

UK

Russian Frigate Holds Live-Fire Drill off Plymouth

A Russian warship, shadowed by a Royal Navy vessel, carried out a live-fire artillery exercise about 46 miles (74km) south of Plymouth on Monday, UK officials said. The Royal Navy monitored the activity and is “tracking the vessel’s activity closely”, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.
Notice Given Before Gunnery
The BBC was told that the Russian frigate Neustrashimy, also known as Dauntless, informed the Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Tyne before it opened fire, stating it intended to carry out gunnery activity.
The live-fire exercise took place in international waters and lasted for 30 minutes. The Russian ship asked HMS Tyne to reposition to a safer distance, and it complied.
The Kremlin said the drill was conducted in line with international law and played down any suggestion it was politically linked to changes in the UK government.
Kremlin Response and UK Criticism
Newly appointed Defence Secretary Wes Streeting criticised the exercise, saying it was “performative and irresponsible”.
The Kremlin has signalled there was no connection between the exercise and Andy Burnham becoming prime minister. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told BBC News: “All [military] exercises and all actions undertaken by our warships are carried out in strict compliance with international and maritime law.”
He added: “Therefore, there is no need to see any signals in this,” referring to reports of broader meaning being attached to the timing.
Peskov nevertheless said Burnham had sent signals to Russia, saying the new prime minister had declared “unconditional support for Ukraine” and the UK’s intention to continue backing the war.
Streeting said Russia should be “in no doubt” about the resolve of the new government. UK defence sources did not comment on whether the incident might have been timed to coincide with the start of Burnham’s premiership.
Air and Sea Monitoring Near the Channel
The BBC was also told that the Russian frigate was monitored by a French military aircraft that made radio contact, asking the warship to clarify its intentions.
BBC Verify analysed flight and ship-tracking data showing HMS Tyne and several UK aircraft operating in and around the Channel near Plymouth on Monday.
Flight data on ADS-B Exchange indicated at least four Royal Air Force and Royal Navy aircraft flew off the Dorset coast, mostly above UK territorial waters, including two Eurofighter Typhoons, a Voyager air refuelling tanker and a Super Lynx helicopter. A French military H160M Guépard helicopter also flew in the afternoon, though it was not clear if it was the aircraft that contacted the Russian warship.
Ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic showed HMS Tyne began broadcasting its location about 40 miles off Plymouth at 13:57 BST and remained there for around two hours before departing at 15:56 to return to Plymouth.
HMS Tyne has been tracking Neustrashimy since at least 16 July, when both vessels were captured together in the North Sea about 36 miles from the port of Felixstowe, Suffolk, on satellite imagery.
The incident comes amid recent reminders for the new prime minister of increased Russian naval activity near UK waters. Last month, Royal Marine Commandos boarded a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the English Channel in a six-hour operation, described as the first of its kind by UK armed forces. In June, a British couple, Jane and Alan Kelvey, encountered the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich about 23 miles off the Isle of Wight, after Russia’s defence ministry said they had made a “dangerous approach”. The couple said they had not been on a collision course.
Retired Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe said on BBC Radio 4 that it was “very unusual” to conduct a gunnery exercise so close to the south coast, even if such activity is allowed. He added that, apart from warning HMS Tyne, he believed the Russian vessel did not take additional safety measures before firing a 100mm cannon, noting the potential for ricochets and the challenge of predicting their path in a busy shipping lane.


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22 July 2026

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July 22Jul 22

Zelensky Ousts Army Chief After Days of Protests

Ukraine Conflict

Zelensky Ousts Army Chief After Days of Protests

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has removed the country’s commander-in-chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, following days of demonstrations triggered by the sacking of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Zelensky dismissed Fedorov last week, a move that drew crowds onto streets and exposed a public rift within Ukraine’s military leadership over Kyiv’s approach to the war against Russia. The protests continued even as the president moved to reshape his defence team.
Offer to Fedorov
On Tuesday, Zelensky said Fedorov had been offered a “prominent position in government”, describing it as a role that would let him help “unify the technical component of our state” and ensure its development. It was not immediately clear whether the minister had accepted the proposal.
Fedorov, 35, had built a reputation for promoting innovation in technology and recruitment, but his tenure also saw friction with other figures in the defence establishment. His removal came after recent battlefield successes by Ukrainian forces, increasing the political and institutional backlash against Syrskyi.
Drone strategy at the centre of dispute
A central part of Fedorov’s policies was the push for advanced military technology, particularly drones. Ukrainian use of unmanned systems has helped slow Russian progress and has contributed to attacks on targets including oil refineries located deep inside Russia, according to the account of his role in defence policy.
As protests against Fedorov’s departure continued, attention shifted to Syrskyi’s future. On Monday, Zelensky met with several senior generals, and the chief of staff later issued comments described as signalling that “the position of society has been heard”.
Syrskyi, who seldom speaks publicly, published an opinion piece in local military media on Monday in which he said he was sorry if he had offended Fedorov. He also said he was responsible for setting up a drone unit as a separate branch of the military and rejected suggestions that he opposed the broad use of drones.
In the article, Syrskyi said: “I can’t switch a million-people army to drones in two months and say, ‘Now this is how we’re going to fight,’” adding that he viewed an accelerated change as risky. He argued that large-scale experimentation would carry costs for Ukrainian land and people.
New appointment
Zelensky later named Mykhailo Drapatyi as Syrskyi’s replacement. Drapatyi is the commander of Ukraine’s Joint Forces.
Wider fallout in defence leadership
The reshuffle marks a further turn in a widening dispute between senior figures in Ukraine’s wartime leadership, sparked by last week’s removal of a minister described as popular for his technology and recruitment agenda, and intensified by protests that drew attention to differences over how Kyiv should pursue the war.

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22 July 2026

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July 21Jul 21