News of the World
03-25-2025, 10:51 AM
USA
Quote:Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has forcefully denied allegations that he texted classified war plans to a group chat that accidentally included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic.
The denial came after Goldberg published an article claiming he was inadvertently added to a Signal group chat where Trump administration officials discussed plans for military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Why It Matters
This apparent security breach has caused intense bipartisan concern and scrutiny in Washington, with lawmakers from both parties calling for immediate investigations.
The incident raises serious questions about operational security within the highest levels of the national security apparatus, potentially compromising sensitive military operations.
What To Know
According to The Atlantic's report, Goldberg was added to a Signal group chat called "Houthi PC small group" that included high-ranking officials such as National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and Hegseth. The chat reportedly contained specific operational details about planned strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
Hegseth made his denial while in Hawaii, where he is conducting official business including meetings with civilian and military leaders at Indo-Pacific Command. His itinerary includes touring U.S. military installations in Guam, receiving briefings on operational capabilities, and continuing on to the Philippines and Japan.
The National Security Council (NSC) has confirmed the authenticity of the message chain, stating it "appears to be authentic" and that they are "reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain."
Quote:Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency announced on Monday that it has canceled almost 300,000 government credit cards.
DOGE said in a post on X on Sunday that after five weeks of a pilot program to audit unused or unneeded credit cards, about 298,000 have been deactivated in total.
"As a reminder, at the start of the audit, there were ~4.6M active cards/accounts, so still more work to do," the post added.
DOGE said in February that the active credit cards had processed 90 million unique transactions for an estimated $40 billion of spending in the 2024 fiscal year.
Major Changes to Small Business Loans
DOGE has announced that loans offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) are now subject to new rules.
Loans administered by the SBA will now require a date of birth of the applicant, and direct loans are no longer available for those under 18 and over 120 years old.
"Basic sanity checks like these are initial steps toward minimizing fraud in government payment programs," DOGE wrote in a post on X.
It comes after the SBA said it will cut its workforce by 43 percent, cutting about 2,700 jobs from the agency's total workforce of almost 6,500. The cuts will be made through a combination of voluntary resignations, the expiration of COVID-era and other term appointments, and a "limited" number of job cuts, the SBA said.
The SBA said the cuts will not impact "core" services to the public, including the agency's loan guarantee and disaster assistance programs, and its field and veteran operations.
Quote:The Trump administration invoked "state secrets privilege" on Monday in response to a federal judge's order to provide further information on its deportation of more than 200 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador this month.
The Context
Citing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, the Trump administration carried out the deportations despite U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg's verbal order instructing the government to hold off on deporting the Venezuelan nationals pending further legal proceedings.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has argued that the migrants who were deported have ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, though it has not provided ample evidence of an association.
After the deportations, Boasberg asked lawyers for the DOJ to explain whether they had violated his order.
The judge also told the government to provide more information about the number of planes that took off, where they went, what time they took off, when they landed and how many people were transferred from each plane into the custody of the country in which they landed.
The DOJ subsequently informed the court that the Cabinet was discussing whether to invoke state secrets privilege over the information sought by Boasberg.
What To Know
State secrets privilege allows the U.S. government to withhold information if revealing it would harm national security.
In a Monday court filing, the Trump administration argued that the court "has all of the facts it needs to address the compliance issues before it."
"Further intrusions on the Executive Branch would present dangerous and wholly unwarranted separation-of-powers harms with respect to diplomatic and national security concerns that the Court lacks competence to address," the filing said. "Accordingly, the states secrets privilege forecloses further demands for details that have no place in this matter, and the government will address the Court's order to show cause tomorrow by demonstrating that there is no basis for the suggestion of noncompliance with any binding order."
The government's filing went on to say that "the information sought by the Court is subject to the state secrets privilege because disclosure would pose reasonable danger to national security and foreign affairs."
Monday's filing was signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, principal associate deputy attorney general Emil Bove and other top DOJ officials. Politico's Kyle Cheney reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem also backed the invocation.
Quote:Louis DeJoy, the postmaster general of the United States Postal Service (USPS), who earlier this month revealed he had sought help from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on several matters, said he's resigning effective Monday.
Why It Matters
It was reported in February that President Donald Trump was considering plans to transfer the USPS to the Commerce Department. The president and his allies have also indicated they are willing to privatize the service.
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DeJoy told Congress earlier this month that USPS would work with DOGE to tackle "big problems" at the agency, which has faced funding issues for several years. He also said the agency planned to cut 10,000 jobs through a voluntary early retirement program.
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) held rallies in more than 200 cities on Sunday to protest privatizing or restructuring USPS.
What To Know
DeJoy first announced his intention to retire from the USPS last month, the postmaster general said in a statement obtained by Newsweek.
"I have today informed the Postal Service Board of Governors that today will be my last day in this role," he said.
Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino will lead the postal service until its Board of Governors selects a new postmaster general.
Quote:President Donald Trump's efforts to engage with Iran on a possible nuclear agreement reflect an attempt to avoid conflict, according to U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Speaking to Fox News Sunday, Witkoff said that Washington prefers a diplomatic resolution over military confrontation.
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Why It Matters
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have remained high since Trump reinstated harsh sanctions aimed at crippling Iran's economy. The U.S. views Iran's nuclear program as a direct threat, while Tehran insists its efforts are for peaceful purposes. The standoff has led to military escalations in the past.
A return to negotiations could ease tensions and prevent further conflict in the Middle East. However, Iran remains skeptical of U.S. intentions, particularly after Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement.
What to Know
Witkoff reiterated Washington's preference for a diplomatic solution, stating that war is not the desired course of action. "We don't need to solve everything militarily," he said, emphasizing that the U.S. is willing to engage in negotiations. He added that diplomacy remains the best path forward but warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to a more dangerous alternative.
U.S. Maintains Pressure
Separately on Sunday, White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz took a more hardline position towards Tehran. Speaking on CBS News, Watlz reinforced Washington's demand for Iran to fully dismantle its nuclear program. He stated that "all options are on the table" and that Tehran must abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Earlier in March, Trump confirmed he had sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, outlining two potential outcomes for Iran: "militarily, or you make a deal." The letter underscored Washington's willingness to negotiate but also reinforced Trump's firm stance on Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Khamenei Rejects U.S. Overture
Khamenei dismissed the U.S. offer, calling it "a deception" aimed at further tightening sanctions. Iran has long argued that Washington's negotiations come with strings attached, designed to weaken Tehran rather than offer a fair agreement. Despite this, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that Iran would formally respond to Trump's letter, acknowledging both the "threats and opportunities" it presented.
RUSSIA
Quote:Agrowing split is emerging between the Kremlin and the Central Bank of the Russian Federation (CBR) over the latter's wartime economic policies, according to the Institute for the Study of War's (ISW) Sunday assessment.
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The Kremlin wants to portray the Russian economy as resilient despite Western sanctions caused by Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022.
Business leaders in Russia are unhappy at the record high key interest rate of 21 percent imposed by the CBR, which is headed by Elvira Nabiullina, who is widely regarded as the key figure maintaining stability in Russia's sanctions-hit economy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to shift blame onto the CBR and Nabiullina in particular to deflect business community anger, according to the ISW, a U.S.-based think tank, citing a prominent Telegram channel that reports on Kremlin insider news.
The CBR now faces an audit that is designed to exert pressure on Nabiullina as tension grows between her and the Kremlin over her stewardship of the economy.
What To Know
The CBR kept its key interest rate on hold at 21 percent on Friday in a move that had been predicted by analysts.
However, Putin had earlier urged his economic officials not to freeze the Russian economy with its tight monetary policy that is aimed to lower the official inflation rate which at 10.1 percent is more than double its 4-percent goal.
As complaints mount from business leaders, the Russian Federation Council Accounts Chamber has started an audit of how the bank's monetary policy between 2022 and 2024 affected inflation, budget expenditures, and investment, according to Telegram channel The Kremlin Whisperer, cited by the ISW.
The fact an audit is of an area traditionally outside its competence indicates the presence of more serious reasons, the Telegram post said.
It added that this audit "was actually an attack" on Nabiullina, and its results may affect the country's future economic strategy and that Russian business lobbyists are pushing for interest rate reductions.
High military spending and a shortage of workers fueled by losses in the ongoing war with Ukraine spiked the actual inflation rate to a far higher 25 percent than official figures show, creating a case for the CBR to raise the key rate even further last week, the ISW said.
Quote:Vladimir Solovyov, a Russian state TV host and key ally to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was forced to film an apology following his criticism of military blogger Roman Alekhine live on air.
Solovyov's choice of his words appear to have offended Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov's Akhmat battalion, which plays a significant role in the war in Ukraine, and Chechen officials.
Why It Matters
Solovyov, considered Russia's chief propagandist, is known to make highly contentious remarks on state TV, and rarely apologizes for doing so. His public apology underscores the severity of backlash and pressure he must have received for upsetting Chechen officials.
What To Know
Live on air on March 19, Solovyov rebuked Alekhine, a former adviser to the governor of Russia's Kursk region, who said he briefly served with Akhmat and claimed to have taken part in one of the battalion's recent military operations.
Alekhine said he had signed a contract with the battalion, but realized that he had "made a mistake" and quit after just 23 days.
Solovyov expressed outrage over his brief stint with the battalion, suggesting this tarnished its reputation.
"Is this an army or a gang? Here, Akhmat is an army," the Kremlin propagandist said on state TV. "Who the hell is he? Who is this crook? How can the legendary Akhmat unit keep this in its ranks?"
Solovyov's comments triggered backlash from Chechen authorities. Minister of National Policy, External Relations and Information Akhmed Dudayev publicly lambasted Solovyov, saying in a video on Telegram that his criticism could "disrupt" their friendly relations.
Quote:ARussian Su-25 fighter jet crashed during a routine training mission in Russia's Far East, the country's Defense Ministry said on Monday, bringing Russia's aircraft losses to five in a single day.
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Russia's air force has suffered extensive casualties throughout the war in Ukraine, and a large number of its losses—such as that of the Su-25 crash on Monday—have been self-inflicted.
General Christopher Cavoli, the head of the U.S. European Command, told American lawmakers that by April 2024, Russia had lost around 10 percent of its aircraft fleet since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
What To Know
The Defense Ministry said in a statement cited by Russia's state-run news agencies Tass and Interfax that the Su-25 fighter jet crashed in Russia's Primorsky Krai due to a technical malfunction.
The pilot was able to eject and was rescued by a search and rescue team. There is no threat to the pilot's life or health.
Quote:Day-long talks in Saudi Arabia between the U.S. and Russia over a ceasefire in the Ukraine war were "difficult" but "constructive," a Russian official said.
Grigory Karasin, a member of the Russian delegation and head of the international committee of the Federation Council, gave the update to state news agency RIA.
"A very interesting, difficult, but quite constructive conversation took place with the U.S. expert team. They sat all day from morning until late at night," Karasin said on Tuesday morning.
The delegations were discussing the technical details of a ceasefire on energy infrastructure agreed by Moscow and Kyiv and a potential maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.
They met on Monday at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh for 12 hours. A joint statement on the meeting is expected on Tuesday, RIA reported.
The Trump Administration is trying to broker partial ceasefires that it hopes will lead to a full peace deal that ends the Russia-Ukraine war.
As the Russians return home, the U.S. will now hold more talks in Saudi Arabia with Ukraine. Delegations from Kyiv and Washington had also met on Sunday in Riyadh.
"What we need is movement toward real peace—toward guaranteed security," Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video posted to X on Monday evening.
And this is something we all need—in Ukraine, in Europe, in America, and across the world—everyone who wants stability in international relations.
"Russia remains the only actor dragging this war out, jeering at both our people and the global community. To push Russia toward peace, we need strong moves and strong actions.
"We are ready to support every strong initiative that can make diplomacy more effective—and that means applying pressure to force Russia to want to end this war. That means sanctions. That means support for Ukraine. That means international coordination."
EUROPE
Quote:Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin has said that Russian spies had helped thwart the protests against President Aleksandar Vucic, Reuters reported.
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Russia's aiding the Serbian government in stopping the protests highlights Moscow's close ties with Belgrade, which could jeopardize Serbia's ambitions of joining the EU.
Moscow's involvement in Serbian political affairs also appears to be part of a larger trend in and around Europe, as Russia has also been accused of interfering in elections in Romania and Moldova.
What To Know
The deputy prime minister told Reuters on Friday that he was "very grateful to Russia's special services, which always support us in our fight against color revolutions, primarily with information," and added that "They know what danger hangs over Serbia."
In mid-March, thousands descended on Belgrade in a demonstration that marked the culmination of anti-corruption protests, which were sparked by the collapse of a railway station roof in Novi Sad in November that killed 16 people. President Aleksandar Vučić has often described these demonstrations as attempts at a "color revolution," referring to pro-Western protests that toppled governments in Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. The protest leaders have denied having any Western ties, according to Reuters.
"The color revolution in Serbia has been organized by US deep state, same one which is trying to obstruct peace efforts of President Trump, as well as several European intelligence services," Deputy Prime Minister Vulin told the Russian outlet TASS on Sunday.
ASIA
Quote:South Korea's Han Duck-soo has been reinstated as the nation's acting president with immediate effect after a constitutional court dismissed his impeachment on Monday.
Han, 75, formerly the prime minister, stepped in as acting president in December after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial imposition of martial law. Han was also impeached later that month.
Why It Matters
The Constitutional Court's decision is likely to restore some form of stability and ease political tensions in the country after the turmoil caused by the dual impeachments. The court has yet to rule on Yoon's separate impeachment case.
What To Know
Han was brought in as South Korea's president after Yoon was impeached after a weeks-long standoff over his failed attempt to declare martial law on December 3.
He lasted just two weeks as the country's leader following clashes with the opposition-led parliament. Han faced accusations of abetting Yoon's martial law declaration, interfering with the process to fully reinstate the Constitutional Court, and blocking investigations into Yoon's purported rebellion.
Finance minister Choi Sang-mok was then tasked with leading South Korea.
On Monday, seven of the Constitutional Court's eight judges overturned or dismissed Han's impeachment, arguing that accusations against him either did not constitute legal violations or were not severe enough to justify removing him from office.
In his first public duties since having his impeachment dismissed, Han visited the site of a wildfire in Gyeongbuk province in the east of the country, which has sparked the evacuation of around 600 people. He also visited evacuees temporarily seeking shelter at a local gymnasium, according to local media.
Quote:China has swiftly denied a German newspaper report that said it was considering a peacekeeping role in Ukraine once Russia's war comes to an end.
Welt am Sonntag, which reported the sensitive discussions on Saturday, became the latest publication recently to quote Western officials about the possibility of direct Chinese involvement.
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China has gained a positive reputation for its contributions to United Nations peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa. Thus far, however, it has shown little interest in any role as a ceasefire enforcer in a regional conflict without a U.N. Security Council mandate.
Any future presence in Ukraine would signal a major shift in Chinese foreign policy away from decades of nonintervention. However, a readiness to commit military resources of its own accord could also align with President Xi Jinping's ambitions to turn the country into a net contributor to global security.
Short of that, China's state-backed enterprises are expected to bid for contracts to help rebuild Ukraine's tattered infrastructure after three years of conflict, an idea that may have support in some corners of Europe amid souring relations with the United States under President Donald Trump.
What To Know
Chinese diplomats have raised the idea of Chinese peacekeepers with the European Union, with the view of gauging desirability, Welt said.
"Involving China in a 'coalition of the willing' could potentially increase Russia's acceptance of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine," the newspaper quoted a diplomatic source in Brussels as saying.
The coalition refers to rallying done by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who seek a consensus on near-term European support for Ukraine to strengthen its hand in U.S.-brokered negotiations with the Kremlin.
"The report is not true at all," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during a press conference in Beijing. "China's stance on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear," he said, without elaborating.
Quote:China has developed a device capable of cutting reinforced undersea cables thousands of feet below the ocean's surface.
The innovation comes amid concerns that Chinese vessels are targeting subsea infrastructure—threatening not only civilian but also military communications during a crisis.
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Since early 2024, Chinese ships have been implicated in several cases of suspected cable sabotage, including in the Baltic Sea and around Taiwan, the self-ruled island claimed by China. The vessels were discovered to be in the area when the damage occurred, with investigators citing evidence such as anchor dragging as a likely cause.
Meanwhile, China has seen a rise in patent filings for tools designed to cheaply and efficiently sever submarine cables—vital infrastructure that carries more than 95 percent of global communications.
What To Know
The new invention was designed by the China Ship Scientific Research Center and its partner, the state-owned Laboratory of Deep-Sea Manned Vehicles, the South China Morning Post reported Saturday.
It can reportedly slice cables at depths of up to 4,000 meters (13,123 feet)—twice as deep as the deepest underwater cables currently in use.
The tool was first made public last month in the Chinese-language journal Mechanical Engineer.
The report marks the first time this capability has been unveiled by any country, despite its stated purpose of enabling civilian salvage and mining operations on the ocean floor.
Developed specifically for deployment on submersible vehicles such as the Fendouzhe and Haidou-1, the device's titanium alloy covering and specialized seals can withstand the intense pressures of that depth for long periods, Interesting Engineering cited the authors as saying.
A grinding wheel covered in diamond edges, spinning at a rapid 1,600 revolutions per minute, gives the device the ability to make short work of the protective steel layer encasing a cable.
MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
Quote:Egypt could lose American economic support if it refuses to take in hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from Gaza, a message conveyed to Cairo from the president of the United Arab Emirates has indicated, a source told The New Arab’s sister site.
Egyptian diplomatic sources revealed to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s brief visit to Cairo over the weekend included discussions the UAE leader had with American officials on Gaza, where Israel resumed its offensive last week.
Al Nahyan had met with US President Donald Trump during his recent visit to Washington.
Trump has proposed forcibly displacing the Palestinians from war-torn Gaza into neighbouring Egypt and Jordan, something the two Arab states have refused, and which has been slammed as an attempt to ethnically cleanse the territory.
Cairo proposed a counterplan which would see the reconstruction of Gaza in phases and an overhaul of its government, but Trump and Israel have rejected it.
Other countries including Syria, Sudan and Somalia have been suggested as other options, but these countries have also refused.
Al Nahyan’s meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo is reportedly part of Washington’s continued pressure on Egypt to accept moving the Palestinians into Sinai, which borders Gaza and southern Israel.
According to the Egyptian source which spoke to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the message received by Sisi states that this was the last chance to achieve mutual benefit by allowing a portion of Gaza’s population into Egypt in exchange for financial support and injecting billions of dollars into the troubled Egyptian economy.
If Cairo refuses the offer and insists on rejecting Trump’s controversial plan, alternatives could mean redirecting economic aid meant for Egypt to other countries, the source said.
The US proposal includes transferring between 500,000 and 700,000 Palestinians to North Sinai. This was also reported by Israel’s i24NEWS channel.
The source explained that the US and Israel were currently focusing on Egypt for the displacement plan, and will later focus on Jordan where they wish to move Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, something Amman has strongly opposed.
The Israeli foreign ministry has already set up a directorate to facilitate the "voluntary" exit of Palestinians, and many far-right Israeli officials have called for the full annexation of Gaza – and the West Bank – and the reconstruction of Israeli settlements.
Egypt denies reports
The Egyptian government on Monday reiterated its "complete and categorical rejection" of media allegations which say it accepted to displace Gaza’s inhabitants in exchange for economic aid.
Cairo had already denied the allegations on Friday.
"Egypt reaffirms its firm and principled position of absolute rejection of any attempt to forcibly or voluntarily displace our Palestinian brothers from the Gaza Strip to any location outside of it, particularly to Egypt," Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS) said in its recent denial.
It added that such a move would end the Palestinian cause and pose an "imminent threat to Egyptian national security".
Quote:One of the oldest and largest Christian communities in the Middle East faces renewed threats in a cycle of violence that has forced millions of Christians to flee the region over the past half-century.
Although most of the thousand or so people reported killed in recent violence on the Syrian coast were Alawites — members of a Syrian religious minority which follows a branch of Shia'a Islam — rights groups say that Christians were also among those killed in a crackdown by the Sunni Muslim-led factions of Syria's new government.
"We are entering a dangerous new phase," Deputy Leader of the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) Bashir al-Saadi, a Christian, told Newsweek. He warned of an escalating push toward hardline Islamic rule with crackdowns on alcohol sales and gender mixing.
"There is a fear of identity-based killings, not only for Christians but for other religious minorities as well... Christians face constant provocation, and there is a widespread sense of insecurity," he said.
Syria's leading churches — including the Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, and Melkite Greek Catholic communities — have expressed concern over the recent violence. While Christians were not the primary target, they remain vulnerable, with reports of extremists broadcasting jihadist messages in Christian neighborhoods and burning Christmas trees.
Quote:Israeli authorities have announced the arrest of a 65-year-old man accused of spying for Iran.
The suspect, identified as Eduard Yusupov, was indicted on Monday for allegedly photographing sensitive locations on behalf of Iranian intelligence, according to a joint statement from the Shin Bet and Israel police.
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Why It Matters
Israel and Iran have been engaged in a longstanding covert conflict, with both nations accusing each other of espionage and cyber operations. Iran has repeatedly targeted Israeli infrastructure and officials, often through third-party operatives. The latest arrest underscores Israeli concerns over efforts by Tehran to gather intelligence within Israel.
What to Know
According to Israeli security agencies, Yusupov had been conducting surveillance operations since October. He was first approached by a man claiming to be an Azerbaijani living in Dubai, who recruited him for espionage activities. Yusupov was instructed to photograph key sites, including military bases, Haifa Port, the Haifa oil refineries, and the Negev Nuclear Research Center.
Operations Based in Haifa
To carry out his mission, Yusupov rented an apartment in Haifa overlooking the port, allowing him to monitor activities in the area. While he reportedly suspected he was working for a hostile entity, he continued following his handlers' instructions. The Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, stated that these handlers were Iranian intelligence agents.
Payments in Cryptocurrency
Yusupov was allegedly paid in cryptocurrency, receiving tens of thousands of dollars to maintain secrecy. The use of digital currency made it more difficult for authorities to trace the financial transactions back to Iranian intelligence networks.
Quote:Hamas has released a new video purporting to show two Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian militant group calling on the Israeli government to allow freed hostages to speak out about the conditions of their captivity in the war-torn Gaza Strip.
The clip was released Monday by Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, and shows two men, who identify themselves as "Prisoner 21," believed to be Yosef Haim Ohana, and "Prisoner 22," believed to be Elkana Bohbot. Both were abducted from the Nova music festival during the Hamas-led surprise attack on Israel from nearby Gaza on October 7, 2023, and are among the 59 hostages still believed to be held by the group.
The clip comes nearly a week after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) resumed strikes in Gaza despite a ceasefire agreement reached with Hamas in January.
"We, the prisoners in Gaza, want to tell you about our situation," Ohana said in the clip. "We want you to know that Hamas did not ask us to say this, that this video clip is not intended for psychological warfare. We are the ones who asked and begged to be heard. Please hear our voice."
Such claims have been challenged by Israel in the past. Israeli officials consider such clips depicting hostages to be propaganda attempts by Hamas to weaponize claims made by captives under duress.
Ohana went on to describe Israel's decision to scrap the truce as a "severe blow," leading to a swift deterioration in living conditions as result of nearby attacks, the closure of border crossings and dwindling supplies, including food. Bohbot then accused the Israeli government of "silencing" the voices of freed hostages, including that of a man named "Ohad," possibly Ohad Ben Ami, who was freed last month.
"Let them speak. Let the truth come out. Everyone who has left here should be allowed and be granted to the right to speak," Bohbot said. "Why is everyone being silenced? Why? Ohad, why don't you tell them? You were here with us. You were sitting with us. Speak for us. Explain to everyone what we've been going through. Let everyone know."
"You know how much we're suffering, we're going through here," he continued. "You know how it was during the deal and during the war. You returned to your wife and daughters. I was hoping that after a few weeks I would be able to go out to my wife, but I haven't gone out yet. Explain to them how hard it is for me to stay here every day, every day without my son and my wife. Tell them how much we're suffering. Tell them how different it is."
Both men begin to shout, "Tell them, Ohad," before the video cuts to a message from Hamas reading "Only a Ceasefire Agreement Bring Them Back Alive," followed by "Time is Running Out."
Why It Matters
Some 251 people are believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas during its October 2023 attack that Israeli officials say also killed around 1,200 people, most of them civilians.
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Hours after the latest Hamas video was published, the IDF reported that "two projectiles that crossed into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip were intercepted by the IAF [Israeli Air Force]." The IDF later reported on a third interception from Gaza.
Earlier, the IDF reported on the killing of Hamas Political Bureau member Ismail Barhoum, described as the head of Hamas' finances and successor to head of the group's government, Essam al-Da'ais, who was killed last week in an Israeli raid. Barhoum was said to have been killed in a strike conducted against Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
Israel is also contending with an intensified missile and drone campaign by Yemen's Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthi movement, a member of the Iran-aligned Axis of Resistance coalition that has intervened in support of Hamas. The IDF reported on the interception of a projectile originating from Yemen on Monday.
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Quote:Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has asserted that no nation would "dare" attack Iran.
His comments come amid increasing tensions in the Middle East, as the United States strengthens its naval presence in the region.
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Why It Matters
Araghchi's remarks highlight Iran's stance on deterrence and its rejection of direct negotiations with Washington. Meanwhile, the U.S. has escalated its military posture in response to ongoing conflicts involving Iran-backed groups. These developments add to the already volatile dynamics in the region.
What to Know
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Araghchi emphasized that Iran's military capabilities prevent any external aggression.
"Our enemies are well aware of the consequences of any aggression against our territory," he stated, underlining the preparedness of Iran's armed forces and emergency services. He further stressed that this level of readiness acts as a deterrent, ensuring that no adversary has the capability or courage to violate Iran's borders.
Indirect U.S. Negotiations
Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's refusal to engage in direct negotiations with the U.S., though he acknowledged the possibility of indirect talks through intermediaries. "We will not enter into any direct negotiations with the American side. However, the path for indirect negotiations is open, and there are various channels through which it can be done." Araghchi stated.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump revealed that he had sent a letter to Tehran, signaling openness to negotiations but also warning of military action against Iran.
IRGC Weighs In
Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy commander also said that Iran is ready for any attack.
"Combat readiness and combat capability are our priority," said Alireza Tangsiri in an interview with state media. He added that the IRGC is incorporating artificial intelligence into its weaponry, calling it a necessity for the military's future operations.
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Maranatha!
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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
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
