Iran school bombing: grounds to believe US was behind atrocity, UN finds

• The Spanish government under Pedro Sánchez has spent recent years avoiding open confrontation with Morocco to maintain stability. • This diplomatic strategy covers critical shared interests including trade, security, migration, and the territories of Ceuta, Melilla, and Western Sahara.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for immediate de-escalation and diplomacy in the Middle East and Ukraine. • He demanded that all parties cease actions harming civilians and restore navigational rights in the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.

• Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition exchanged fire recently as part of the ongoing conflict in Yemen. • The Houthis claimed to have shot down a Saudi jet, while the coalition reported rebel attacks near the city of Mecca.

• United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for urgent reforms to the Security Council on Wednesday to address its current state of paralysis. • Guterres stated that the conduct of permanent members has created an "environment of impunity" where powers violating international law sit on the body meant to maintain global peace.

• Houthi rebels in Yemen have advanced their positions, leading to Saudi counterstrikes and turning a vital Middle East shipping artery into a battlefield. • The conflict has resulted in extraordinary success for the rebels while causing severe humanitarian distress for Yemeni civilians.

• Global trade routes and infrastructure are transforming into geopolitical battlegrounds as logistics and chokepoints redefine the risks of globalization. • The shift means that political agreements between states no longer guarantee the physical security of infrastructure located thousands of kilometers away.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the BRICS New Delhi declaration for its commitment to the United Nations and multilateralism, which is the practice of multiple countries working together. • Guterres specifically highlighted the support for a UN-centered approach from major powers including China and Russia.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for urgent de-escalation and a return to diplomacy across the Middle East to protect civilians and humanitarian operations. • The appeal follows threats to oil supplies and disruptions to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, Yemen, and Gaza.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that geopolitical divides are currently preventing the UN Security Council from taking action on global crises. • Guterres called for urgent reform of the Security Council to address these divisions and improve its effectiveness.

• Robert Kraft pledged to donate $2 million to Gaza following a challenge from the artist Macklemore. • The donation comes after Kraft barred Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s tour due to the singer's pro-Palestinian remarks.

• Iran-backed Houthi rebels swept down the west coast of Yemen this month, gaining control of a strategic strait. • The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 125,000 people have already been displaced by this latest round of conflict.

Jeffries said the legislation had ​so many loopholes that sanctions harming Russia might not be appliedHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said the Russia sanctions bill had “so many loopholes” as Congress passed the sweeping bill to give Donald Trump the power to raise tariffs on top buyers of Russian energy.Why in the world would this Congress give this president additional authority to visit that kind of economic harm on the American people?Donald Trump responded to the Federal Reserve’s unanimous decision on Wednesday to raise its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point, to a range of 3.75% to 4%, by demanding a massive cut in rates.Asked why it is so important to him to have his name inscribed on the Kennedy Center, a memorial to another president, Trump said he deserves “recognition” for saving the venue. If not, Trump said, “It’ll end up being ripped down.Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, a Democrat and Kennedy Center trustee, has filed a motion for an emergency hearing on the performing arts venue’s apparent closure.Mitch McConnell, the former Republican Senate majority leader who returned to work this week after a months‑long absence, had to be prompted by colleagues as to how to vote near the start of a televised meeting of the Senate agriculture committee on Wednesday.The House speaker, Mike Johnson, cancelled votes currently scheduled for Thursday, meaning that lower chamber lawmakers will now head back to their districts for the midterm recess a day early. The change to schedule means that the House will avoid voting on Republican congressman Thomas Massie’s resolution to impeach the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth.Speaking in North Carolina, Trump explicitly compared his effort to blame Democrat Roy Cooper, the former governor and Senate candidate, for the brutal killing of a young Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, last year, by using false information, on the infamous 1988 Willie Horton ad. Continue reading...