Saudi Arabia Pushes for Continued US Military Action Against Iran
A Saudi intelligence source has confirmed that the kingdom is urging Washington to intensify attacks on Iran, according to a New York Times report. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader, has reportedly encouraged former President Donald Trump not to end the ongoing conflict, describing the US-Israeli war as a "historic opportunity" to remake the Middle East.
Trump Acknowledges Saudi Stance
Trump appeared to confirm the crown prince's role, telling journalists on Tuesday: "Yeah, he's a warrior. He's fighting with us." While there have been no reports of active Saudi military involvement so far, analysts suggest the kingdom might intervene if peace efforts led by Pakistan fail.
Mohammed Alhamed, a Saudi analyst, stated: "If [Iran] rejects the conditions and continues its attacks, the threshold for Saudi action will be crossed."
Latest Developments in the Region
On Tuesday, Tehran announced it would permit "non-hostile vessels" to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. This comes amid heightened tensions in the region.
Senate Passes Homeland Security Funding Package Excluding ICE
The Senate has passed legislation funding most of the Department of Homeland Security, except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and part of Customs and Border Protection. This deal aims to ease the chaos that has recently engulfed US airports.
Impact on Airport Security
The government shutdown left airport security staff without pay for weeks, leading nearly 500 Transportation Security Administration officers to quit since last month. This exodus has caused airport waiting times to skyrocket.
The House of Representatives must still act before funded agencies within DHS can reopen. The deal followed Trump's announcement that he would sign an order for DHS to immediately pay TSA agents, though he did not specify the funding source.
Political Standoff Over Immigration
Democrats have blocked DHS funding to demand changes to its immigration crackdown, particularly after agents in Minneapolis killed US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Venezuelans Detail Torture Claims at El Salvador Mega-Prison
A group of 18 Venezuelan men deported by the US have filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, alleging torture and abuse at El Salvador's Cecot mega-prison. They demand Salvadoran authorities be held internationally accountable for human rights violations.
The men, sent to the notorious prison in March 2025 without charge before being returned to Venezuela in July, recount "a pattern of abuse, including beatings, humiliation and sexual assault," resulting in lasting mental and physical damage.
Uncertain Response from El Salvador
While most American states have historically complied with orders from the inter-American human rights system, it is unclear how El Salvador's autocratic president, Nayib Bukele, will respond. Bukele has governed under a "state of exception" since 2022.
Other Key Developments
- Faith Kates, a top modelling industry executive, was close friends with Jeffrey Epstein and introduced him to women on her agency's payroll, a Guardian investigation found.
- Two sailboats carrying humanitarian aid to Cuba have gone missing, according to Mexico's navy.
- Vladimir Putin has reportedly asked Russia's oligarchs to contribute to the country's dwindling defence budget to continue its war on Ukraine.
Stat of the Day: Screen Time Guidelines
Children under five should spend no more than an hour a day on screens, according to new UK government advice. This aligns with US recommendations, which limit non-educational screen time to about an hour on weekdays for children aged two to five. High screen time has been linked to impacts on language development.
Culture Pick: Terrifying Wedding Horror Series
TV critic Lucy Mangan warns that the eight-episode wedding horror series Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen from the makers of Stranger Things is so terrifying it "may never sleep again." The series, starring Camila Morrone, is described as a must-watch for horror fans and a warning for others.
Don't Miss: R&B Star Leon Thomas on Music and Persona
Leon Thomas, R&B's rising star, recalls Stevie Wonder presenting him with a custom-made gift at Coachella. Reflecting on his musical background and persona, Thomas says: "A broken heart can turn somebody into a bad Casanova."
Climate Check: Kenya's Water Fund Success
Africa's first water fund, created in 2015 to conserve the watershed of Kenya's Tana River, is delivering about 5.9 million gallons of additional dry-season water daily to Nairobi. By supporting farmers in adopting sustainable practices, the fund protects water security and livelihoods in a changing climate.
Last Thing: Mailbox Collector's Passion
Arthur Reeder, who started collecting postboxes in 1994, now has 260 in his museum on the Isle of Wight. His collection includes items from Scotland, England, Ireland, and Hong Kong. While he claims not to have a favorite, he highlights one standout that "looks like a giant tin of baked beans."
