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Quote:Greenland's center-right opposition party has won a surprise general election victory, in a vote overshadowed by Donald Trump's pledge to take over the semi-autonomous territory.
The Demokraatit party, which supports a gradual independence from Denmark, won nearly 30 percent of the vote, compared to just nine percent in the election four years ago.
The party has pushed back against Trump's rhetoric, saying it is for Greenlanders to decide the future of the territory.
Why It Matters
Tuesday's election was a chance for Greenlanders to respond to Trump, who has been outspoken about his desire to control Greenland. Trump told a joint session of Congress last week that he thought the U.S. was going to get it "one way of the other."
Demokraatit leader Jens-Friederik Nielsen said that the result should send a clear message to Trump that Greenland is not for sale.
"We don't want to be Americans. No, we don't want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders. And we want our own independence in the future. And we want to build our own country by ourselves, not with his hope," he told Sky News.
What To Know
The Demokraatit party came first in Tuesday's election with 29.9 percent of the vote. It was followed by Naleraq, the most aggressively pro-independence party, on 24.5 percent. Naleraq supports closer relations with the U.S, but not for Greenland to become an American territory.
The incumbent governing parties, the center-left Inuit Ataqatigiit and left-wing Siumut, were headed for third and fourth places with 21.4 percent and 14.7 percent of the vote.
The Demokraatit party's strong results mean it will get a chance to try to form a coalition government.
Trump has long expressed an interest in acquiring Greenland, and first proposed purchasing the territory in 2019. He later repeated his interest following his presidential election victory in November 2024.
Both Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's outgoing Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede have repeatedly rejected Trump's suggestions.
Quote:President Donald Trump oversaw a surge in ICE arrests during the first 50 days of his second term in office—more than doubling the daily rate under President Joe Biden's administration—newly released figures show.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents made 32,809 migrant arrests between January 20 and March 10, officials said at a news conference on Wednesday. That equates to about 656 per day.
By comparison, ICE arrested and detained about 255 people each day last year under Biden. Despite the sharp increase, the numbers still fall narrowly short of his election promise to carry out "the largest deportation program of criminals in the history of America," when he referenced the 1954 "Operation Wetback," which rounded up an estimated 1 million people.
Why It Matters
At the current daily rate, over a four-year term, more than 950,000 arrests would be made, though that does not mean they would all be deported.
There are more than 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, according to analysts. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on January 29 that the new Trump administration recognized all undocumented migrants as criminals "because they illegally broke our nation's laws."
What To Know
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE leaders claim they discovered that the Biden administration was manipulating ICE arrest data to mislead the public. Officials allege the previous administration was "cooking the books," reporting tens of thousands of arrests while actually releasing many people into the community under catch-and-release policies.
In fiscal year 2024, ICE recorded 33,242 at-large arrests—which refers to arrests made in community settings rather than jails or border checkpoints. In the first 50 days of Trump's second term, ICE has made 32,809 at-large arrests, nearly matching the total from the entire previous year.
Quote:A powerful storm system tore through the central and southern United States, leaving destruction in its wake and killing at least 36 people.
The storm, which produced violent tornadoes, raging wildfires, and blinding dust storms, decimated homes, toppled vehicles, and left entire communities reeling from the devastation.
Why It Matters
The massive storm system impacted millions of Americans, bringing a mix of extreme weather events across multiple states. From deadly tornadoes in Missouri to catastrophic wildfires in Oklahoma, the system demonstrated the unpredictable and devastating force of spring storms.
What To Know
Missouri was among the hardest-hit states, with twisters killing at least a dozen people. In Wayne County, Missouri, resident Dakota Henderson described the devastation after finding multiple bodies outside his aunt's demolished home. "It's really disturbing for what happened to the people, the casualties last night," Henderson said.
In neighboring Butler County, Coroner Jim Akers detailed the destruction, calling one home an "unrecognizable debris field." He added: "The floor was upside down. We were walking on walls."
The storm's reach extended beyond Missouri. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed six deaths and reported that three people were still missing late Saturday as the storm continued its deadly march into Alabama. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after confirming three deaths in her state as well.
Quote:U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on Sunday morning that 250 Venezuelans, allegedly members of the MS-13 and Tren de Agua gangs, were sent to El Salvador after a U.S. federal judge ordered to temporarily halt the removals and turn back any planes carrying deportees.
...
Rubio's praise for the deportations on Sunday morning comes shortly after a federal judge temporarily halted the Trump administration's efforts and ordered the planes to return to the U.S.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged gang members. The law, which has been enacted only three times in U.S. history—during the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II—grants the president authority to deport non-citizens without appearing before a judge, among other wartime authorities. Shortly after, a federal judge ordered to temporarily halt it.
Axios reported on Sunday that two senior White House officials acknowledged the administration was aware of and ignored the court order, with one suggesting the legal clash will end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trump's invocation of the act is part of the administration's broader efforts to carry out mass deportations, a key campaign promise that received widespread backing from his Republican base and other Americans. Most Democrats oppose his approach but agree on the need for reform.
What To Know
On Saturday, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, seeking to remove the reported Venezuelan gang members, who he said "have unlawfully infiltrated the United States and are conducting irregular warfare and undertaking hostile actions against the United States."
Shortly after, U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg ordered to halt deportations for at least 14 days and directed that flights already in the air be turned around.
"Any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the United States however that is accomplished. Make sure it's complied with immediately," Boasberg said.
However, it does not appear the government abided by the judge's ruling.
A spokesperson for the State Department told Newsweek on Sunday, "The State Department does not comment on pending litigation. We would refer you to the Department of Justice for additional information."
Quote:US military strikes on Yemen’s Houthi militants will be “unrelenting” until the group stops shooting at civilian and military vessels in the Red Sea, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said on Sunday, a day after President Donald Trump ordered new operations in the Middle East.
“This campaign is about freedom of navigation and restoring deterrence. The minute the Houthis say, ‘We’ll stop shooting at your ships, we’ll stop shooting at your drones,’ this campaign will end,” Hegseth said in an interview on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures. “But until then, it will be unrelenting.”
On Saturday, Trump said he ordered “decisive and powerful” action against the Houthis. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social he said the group has “choked off shipping in one of the most important Waterways of the World, grinding vast swaths of Global Commerce to a halt.” He added attacks on American vessels “will not be tolerated.”
The Houthi ruling political council vowed to retaliate for what it called US “aggression,” saying the maritime operations will continue until the Gaza blockade is lifted, according to the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency. On Tuesday, the militant group said it would resume attacks on Israeli ships for the first time in about two months after demanding Israel end a ban on aid entering Gaza, which the country imposed following disagreements with Hamas over a ceasefire.
The Houthis will now also target US vessels, including warships, as part of escalation in response to the airstrikes, the group’s leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi said in a televised speech Sunday. “We still have escalatory options” should the US attacks persist, he added.
Hegseth said the latest strikes were also a warning to Iran, which backs the Houthis.
“Iran has been enabling the Houthis for far too long. They better back off,” he said.
White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said the attacks were successful.
“We hit the Houthi leadership, killing several of their key leaders last night — their infrastructure, the missiles,” Waltz said on Fox News Sunday. “We just hit them with overwhelming force and put Iran on notice that enough is enough.”
Speaking in a separate appearance on ABC’s This Week, Waltz said Iranian targets in and around Yemen — including ships near the coast that provide intelligence and trainers — “will be on the table, too.”
Quote:Michael Garcia, a delivery driver, has been awarded $50 million in a negligence lawsuit against Starbucks after he suffered serious burns from a hot drink.
...
A number of U.S. establishments have faced high-profile lawsuits over customer burns. In the 1990s, a 79-year-old woman was awarded a sum of nearly $3 million for burns she suffered in an incident involving a cup of McDonald's coffee. Earlier this year, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q were ordered to pay $2.8 million after Genesis Monita, 19, suffered second-degree burns from its barbecue sauce.
Last month, Starbucks announced a major restructuring initiative that will include the elimination of 1,100 corporate roles.
What To Know
Garcia was working as a delivery driver for Postmates when the incident occurred. He was collecting three venti-sized hot teas at a Starbucks drive-thru. "The barista working the window negligently failed to properly 'seat' or 'secure' one of the hot drinks into a drink carrier," said Garcia's attorney from Trial Lawyers for Justice.
The attorney added that this caused the drink to "immediately" fall into Garcia's lap, and caused him "third-degree burns to his penis, groin and inner thighs."
"After a hospitalization and multiple skin grafts, Michael has lived for five years with the disfigurement, pain, dysfunction and psychological harm caused by the burns," the statement read.
The legal team also said in its statement that Starbucks had initially offered a settlement of $30 million but wanted confidentiality. The attorneys refused this and said that they would settle for $30 million, without confidentiality, if Starbucks agreed to both policy changes to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
Quote:An entire Texas town has been evacuated due to multiple wildfires erupting across the northern region of the state.
Multiple volunteer fire departments are working to battle the blazes in Gray County, east of Amarillo, on Friday.
Why It Matters
The U.S. Drought Monitor has warned that much of Texas is currently suffering from drought conditions, with 8.65 percent of the state in extreme drought, 19.81 percent in exceptional drought, 13.49 percent in severe drought, 20.77 percent in moderate drought and 26.72 percent abnormally dry.
The National Weather Service has also issued a red flag warning for much of the state on Friday, which means that a combination of low humidity, warm temperatures and strong winds in the area has formed critical fire weather conditions. The red flag warning for Amarillo will remain in place until 7 p.m. CDT.
A high wind warning is also in place, meaning that existing fires may be spread much faster.
What to know
At least 1,000 acres have already been engulfed by the fires, which have been 0 percent contained, as today's strong winds of 35 to 50 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph, fan the flames of several grass fires throughout the Panhandle.
Alanreed, a small town just over 60 miles east of Amarillo, has been entirely evacuated.
However, officials told Newsweek that reports that the town had been burned down were exaggerated
Quote:Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Friday that South Africa's ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, is "no longer welcome" in the country.
...
President Donald Trump, whose close ally Elon Musk is from South Africa, has also been critical of the South African government, issuing an executive order last month promoting the resettlement of white South Africans to the U.S.
Conservatives have raised concerns about some policies in South Africa they believe promote anti-white racism. Proponents of these policies, however, say they are intended to achieve greater racial equality in a post-Apartheid society.
What to Know
Rubio posted on X, "South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country. Emrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS. We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA."
Rubio's post included a link to a Breitbart article that reports that Rasool told participants at a foreign policy seminar Friday that President Donald Trump is leading a white "supremacist" movement.
"What Donald Trump is launching is an assault on incumbency, those who are in power, by mobilizing a supremacism against the incumbency, at home, and — I think I've illustrated — abroad as well," he said during the seminar.
He continued, "So in terms of that, the supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the USA, the MAGA movement, the Make America Great Again movement, as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the USA in which the voting electorate in the USA is projected to become 48 percent white."
The announcement follows Trump's executive order cutting aid and assistance to South Africa's Black-led government. In the order, Trump claimed that Afrikaners—descendants of Dutch colonial settlers—are being targeted under a new law allowing government expropriation of private land.
The South African government has denied that the law is race-based, arguing that Trump's assertions are misleading and full of distortions.
Rasool served as ambassador from 2010 to 2015 before returning to the position this year. Prior to his career in government, Rasool, who as a child was evicted from a Cape Town neighborhood for white people, became an anti-Apartheid campaigner.
EUROPE
Quote:Rheinmetall, the German defense giant once controlled by the Third Reich, is considering acquiring one of Volkswagen's soon-to-be idle plants, exploring ways to repurpose existing automotive infrastructure for military production.
After predicting strong sales growth for 2025, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said on an earnings call this week that the weapons manufacturer sees an opportunity to expand production capacity as struggling carmakers cut back operations.
Why It Matters
Rheinmetall's interest in unused auto plants aligns with its broader strategy to expand defense production amid rising European military expenditures. The Düsseldorf-based company reported a 30 percent increase in its defense business last year, driving total sales to $10.6 billion.
The German government has pledged to significantly boost its defense budget, part of a broader European trend of rising military spending in response to geopolitical shifts. This includes the potential impact of a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and growing pressure from President Donald Trump on European allies to increase defense investments after his administration signaled that defending Europe was no longer a priority.
During WWII, Rheinmetall — then known as Rheinmetall-Borsig — was absorbed into Germany's state-owned industrial conglomerate that produced arms for the Nazi war effort. The company's production lines were partially staffed by enslaved people from concentration camps, according to its website. Its weapons manufacturing was severely curtailed during the Allied air raids toward the end of the war.
What To Know
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Papperger confirmed that Volkswagen's Osnabrück plant in northern Germany is being evaluated as a potential site for military production.
"Osnabrück would be a very suitable location for defense production," Papperger said. He noted that while Rheinmetall could convert some of its own automotive plants, acquiring sites from automakers under the right conditions was also an option.
Quote:The Russian captain of a cargo ship that crashed into a U.S. fuel tanker in the North Sea, appeared in a British court where he was charged with manslaughter and gross negligence.
Vladimir Motin, 59, from Saint Petersburg, was remanded in custody after he appeared in court in Hull, east Yorkshire on Saturday.
Why It Matters
Molin was captain of the Portuguese-flagged Solong container vessel, which hit the Stena Immaculate, a vessel chartered by the U.S. military to carry jet fuel, on Monday at full speed while it was anchored 10 miles off the coast of Hull.
The crash caused fires and explosions and one of the Solong's crew members, 38-year-old Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, is missing "presumed" dead.
The British government has ruled out foul play in the incident but there are still questions over the cause of the crash which the court case is expected to reveal.
What To Know
Although one crew member is missing and presumed dead, 36 other crew members from both vessels survived and were brought to shore following the incident that occurred shortly before 10 a.m. Monday.
U.S.-based maritime management firm Crowley, which operates the Stena Immaculate, said the tanker "sustained a ruptured cargo tank containing Jet-A1 fuel," when the container ship struck it, triggering a fire and "multiple explosions onboard," with fuel released into the sea.
According to Sky News, Port State Control inspection documents from July 2024 show officials warned that Solong's "emergency steering position communications/compass reading" was "not readable." It was one of 10 issues inspectors highlighted.
Motin, from the district of Primorsky, did not apply for bail when he appeared in Hull magistrates' court on Saturday.
Quote:Raphael Glucksmann, a member of the center-left Place Publique party in France, demanded on Sunday that the United States return the Statue of Liberty, accusing it of siding with "tyrants."
...
Europe has negatively responded to President Donald Trump's approach to Ukraine and Russia amid their ongoing war, with many accusing Trump of siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin against Ukraine in ceasefire negotiations. Initial talks excluded Ukraine, with Trump insisting that Kyiv had "no cards" to play in negotiations.
Matters came to a head when Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had an explosive argument in front of reporters during an Oval Office press gaggle on February 28, which resulted in the U.S. temporarily withdrawing military aid and intelligence from Ukraine.
Russia has long been viewed by Republicans and Democrats as an adversary of the U.S. whereas Ukraine is an ally. U.S. allies in Europe have also raised alarms over Trump's stance toward Ukraine and Russia.
What To Know
Glucksmann, a staunch defender of Ukraine, spoke at a party convention and took time to scold the U.S. for what he viewed as a shifting position on values.
"Give us back the Statue of Liberty," he said, according to the Agence France-Presse (AFP). "We're going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: 'Give us back the Statue of Liberty.'"
He added: "We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So, it will be just fine here at home."
Quote:Russia's military said it has taken over Sudzha, the biggest town in the Kursk region that was previously controlled by Ukrainian forces. The Russian defense ministry said in a Telegram post that it had "liberated" Sudzha, Melovoy and Podol in its recent offensive.
The Russian claim that it had recaptured Sudzha could not be independently verified and Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment.
Ukrainian forces crossed into Russia last year and captured several settlements, trying to pull Russian military resources away from Ukraine.
Putin's Surprise Visit
As his troops gained ground again, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to Kursk on Wednesday evening and donned a military uniform for the occasion. He suggested creating a "buffer zone" along the border.
"I am counting on the fact that all the combat tasks facing our units will be fulfilled, and the territory of the Kursk region will soon be completely liberated from the enemy," Putin said.
Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 in a conflict that broke out with Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Ukraine's Foothold in Russia
The Ukrainian army's seven-month foothold inside Russia has been under intense pressure for months from a renewed effort by Russian forces, backed by North Korean troops.
Ukraine's daring incursion last August led to the first occupation of Russian soil by foreign troops since World War II and embarrassed the Kremlin.
Kyiv launched the raid in a bid to counter the unceasingly glum news from the front line, as well as draw Russian troops away from the battlefield inside Ukraine and gain a bargaining chip in any peace talks.
But the incursion didn't significantly change the dynamic of the war.
Quote:Ukraine's military denied U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that thousands of its troops were surrounded, following similar comments by Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
"Reports about the enemy's alleged 'encirclement' of Ukrainian units in the Kursk region are not true and are created by the Russians for political goals and pressure on Ukraine and partners," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a statement.
"The situation has not changed significantly during the day. Hostilities in the operational zone of the Kursk group of troops continue."
The statement was posted to the general staff's Facebook page and came after Trump had commented on the situation in a Truth Social post on Friday morning.
Why it Matters
Neither Russia nor Ukraine wants to show signs of weakness as negotiations continue on a potential 30-day ceasefire the U.S. is attempting to broker. Both want to maximize their negotiating positions before full peace talks take place, anticipated later this year.
Russia has made advances since the middle of 2024 and Ukraine has faced political setbacks with the U.S. under Trump, who wants to end the war quickly and has shown a willingness to work with Putin, despite concerns from European allies and Kyiv.
Ukraine, which relies on American military aid for its defense against Russia's invasion, fears Trump will force it to make painful compromises with Putin without guaranteeing its future security from what it sees as an existential threat posed by Moscow.
Quote:A devastating fire erupted early Sunday at a nightclub in Kocani, an eastern town in North Macedonia, claiming the lives of 59 people and injuring 155 others, authorities said. Officials said 39 of the deceased had been identified, and 18 of the injured were in critical condition.
Amid an outpouring of condolences and offers of help from neighboring countries, the detention of 15 people has focused attention on corruption in the tiny Balkan nation.
The Context
The fire is the deadliest tragedy in recent memory for North Macedonia, a nation of fewer than 2 million people.
The Pulse nightclub was housed in an old building that had previously functioned as a carpet warehouse. It had been operating for several years, but questions have now been raised regarding its licensing and safety measures. According to local media outlet MKD, the structure may not have been equipped to handle large crowds or indoor pyrotechnics.
What To Know
The blaze broke out around 2:35 a.m. local time during a concert by a local pop group, reportedly triggered by pyrotechnics used by young clubgoers, which ignited the roof. Videos circulating on social media capture the ensuing chaos inside the venue.
The fire caused the roof of the single-story building to partially collapse, exposing charred wooden beams and debris. Police cordoned off the site and deployed forensic teams alongside state prosecutors.
Officials said those injured were taken to hospitals across the country, including in the capital, Skopje, with many suffering severe burns. The response effort was supported by multiple volunteer organizations.
Health Minister Arben Taravari confirmed that 118 people had been hospitalized and stated that offers of assistance had come from neighboring countries, including Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey, where arrangements were underway to accommodate patients with critical injuries. Additionally, paramedics from Serbia and Bulgaria traveled to North Macedonia to assist with local emergency efforts.
ASIA
Quote:Video has surfaced of China's newly constructed landing barges that analysts say could be put to use during an invasion of Beijing-claimed Taiwan.
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Naval News reported in January that several barges were at a shipyard in the southeastern city of Guangzhou. Characterizing the ships are their ramps, which are longer than football fields, enabling military vehicles to bypass heavily defended beaches.
China claims Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to unify with the island democracy, through force if necessary. However, Beijing's Chinese Communist Party government has never ruled there.
What To Know
The now-deleted footage, shared on China's WeChat social media app, showed three vessels supported in the shallows on retractable pillars.
The barges appear to be connected in a continuous span, with the lead ship's ramp extended past the beach.
China has already ramped up production of roll-on/roll-off ships—commercial vessels that can be repurposed for military transport. These ships are equipped with ramps that can quickly load, transport, and unload tanks and other heavy equipment in wartime.
Naval News reported that the ships could potentially link up with a landing barge's stern, enabling the rapid transfer of tanks and other vehicles. The arrangement has been compared to the Allies' preparations for the D-Day seaborne invasion of Normandy in 1944.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has sharply increased its military pressure campaign against Taiwan in recent years, including regular sorties into its air defense identification zone and conducting drills that simulate a blockade.
Several U.S. officials, including former CIA Director Bill Burns, have said they believe Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered his military to be ready for a potential move against Taiwan by 2027, acknowledging this does not guarantee an invasion would take place that year or at all.
Quote:Why It Matters
China, the world's biggest steel exporter, is dealing with a supply glut as a prolonged housing crisis drags down construction. Steel shipments hit a nine-year high last year, sparking protectionist moves from several countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump's blanket tariff on foreign steel, which took effect Wednesday, is expected to have only a limited impact on China's steelmakers. A far blow comes from anti-dumping duties imposed by two of the export giant's neighbors.
What To Know
China's top steel destination, Vietnam, imposed temporary tariffs ranging from 19 to 28 percent on certain Chinese hot-rolled steel coil products on March 7. Citigroup estimates the 120-day duties will apply to about half of that import category.
The second largest importer of Chinese steel, South Korea, announced a provisional tariff of 38 percent on Chinese steel plate shipments, a key material in construction and shipbuilding.
In the meantime, the industry ministry is investigating potential damage to its steel sector from the influx of Chinese steel, which made up nearly half of South Korea's imports of the alloy last year.
China's already troubled steel industry is expected to be hit hard this year, largely driven by the Vietnamese and South Korean import taxes, according to a Wednesday forecast by S&P Global Ratings.
The credit rating agency said that in the second quarter, China's steel export volumes could fall between 15 and 20 percent.
A portion of recent steel exports could even be shipped back, exacerbating the country's supply woes.
Quote:An Iranian cargo ship loaded with alleged missile components is sailing toward Iran from China. The vessel departed Chinese waters on Monday and is expected to arrive at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas on March 26.
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The Jairan has been linked to Iran's procurement of sodium perchlorate, a chemical used in solid rocket fuel, according to The Financial Times.
Iran's reported transfer of missile propellant chemicals to its armed forces signals a possible military buildup. If China is assisting Tehran in acquiring these materials, tensions could escalate with the United States and its regional allies.
The map below illustrates the vessel's most recent movements and when it is expected to arrive in Iran. It also marks Jairan's location as of publication time:
[Map]
What To Know
In January, Newsweek reported that intelligence sources had suggested Iran is attempting to import 1,000 metric tons of the substance, which, if converted into ammonium perchlorate, could support the production of hundreds of midrange missiles.
The Jairan is one of two Iranian cargo ships named in these reports. The other is the Golbon, which completed a similar journey last month.
U.S. Sanctions
Tracking data confirms the ship's departure from China and destination in Iran, underscoring ongoing concerns about Iran's missile capabilities. This comes despite U.S. sanctions aimed at disrupting Tehran's procurement networks. Both the Jairan and Golbon remain under U.S. Treasury Department sanctions for their ties to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), which has been accused of facilitating weapons proliferation.
MIDDLE EAST
Quote:Ministers from Iran, China and Russia met in Beijing on Friday, calling for an end to U.S. sanctions on Iran and the resumption of nuclear negotiations. The move comes after President Donald Trump attempted to engage Iran's Supreme Leader through a private letter, which was met with resistance from Tehran.
The talks highlight growing cooperation between China, Russia, and Iran, who criticized Washington's "maximum pressure" campaign that includes economic sanctions and potential military strikes.
...
The meeting underscores a shift in global alliances as Beijing and Moscow bolster their support for Tehran. China and Russia have expanded their ties with Iran through energy partnerships and military cooperation, including Iran's supply of armed drones to Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Iran's nuclear program has advanced significantly since Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal, fueling concerns about potential weapons development. Tehran says that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
What To Know
During the meeting, China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, alongside Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich and Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, called for an end to what they described as "unlawful unilateral sanctions." The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to diplomatic engagement based on "mutual respect."
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to meet with the delegation later in the day, signaling Beijing's increasing role in Middle Eastern affairs. Last year, China hosted talks leading to the restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, reinforcing its diplomatic ambitions in the region.
Honestly, the article should state that Iran didn't care about complying with the now-defunct nuclear deal instead of claiming that the nuclear program advanced a lot as if Trump were guilty of it. The deal was already dead, it just happens that Trump admitted it and started sanctioning Iran during his first term. Biden had a chance to continue punishing Iran for that, but simply preferred to unfreeze billions of dollars and let them send the money to Iranian accounts in Iraq instead. Events like October 7th would have been delayed probably even for a whole decade otherwise. 
Quote:The leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has been killed, Iraq's prime minister said on Friday.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as Abu Khadija, was killed by Iraqi security forces, with the support of the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State.
The Context
Al-Rifai was "deputy caliph" of the Islamic State and "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world," Al-Sudani said Friday.
His rise to power came former Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a raid carried out by U.S. special forces in Syria in 2019.
What To Know
A security official told the Associated Press the operation targeting al-Rifai was carried out by an airstrike in the western Iraqi province of Anbar. Another official told the AP the operation took place on Thursday night and al-Rifai's death was confirmed on Friday.
News of al-Rifai's death came on the same day that Syria's top diplomat traveled to Iraq, where officials emphasized the importance of working together to combat the Islamic State.
Iraq's foreign minister, Fouad Hussein, said at a press conference Friday that "there are common challenges facing Syrian and Iraqi society and especially the terrorists of IS." Hussein added that officials spoke "in detail about the movements of ISIS, whether on the Syrian-Iraqi border, inside Syria or inside Iraq" during Friday's meetings.
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Thessalonians 5:9
Maranatha!
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My Original Stories (available in English and Spanish)
List of Compiled Binary Executables I have published...
HiddenChest & Roole
Give me a free copy of your completed game if you include at least 3 of my scripts!
Just some scripts I've already published on the board...
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Maranatha!
The Internet might be either your friend or enemy. It just depends on whether or not she has a bad hair day.
My Original Stories (available in English and Spanish)
List of Compiled Binary Executables I have published...
HiddenChest & Roole
Give me a free copy of your completed game if you include at least 3 of my scripts!
Just some scripts I've already published on the board...
KyoGemBoost XP VX & ACE, RandomEnkounters XP, KSkillShop XP, Kolloseum States XP, KEvents XP, KScenario XP & Gosu, KyoPrizeShop XP Mangostan, Kuests XP, KyoDiscounts XP VX, ACE & MV, KChest XP VX & ACE 2016, KTelePort XP, KSkillMax XP & VX & ACE, Gem Roulette XP VX & VX Ace, KRespawnPoint XP, VX & VX Ace, GiveAway XP VX & ACE, Klearance XP VX & ACE, KUnits XP VX, ACE & Gosu 2017, KLevel XP, KRumors XP & ACE, KMonsterPals XP VX & ACE, KStatsRefill XP VX & ACE, KLotto XP VX & ACE, KItemDesc XP & VX, KPocket XP & VX, OpenChest XP VX & ACE
