Articles about Confirms

• The Kennedy Center confirmed comedian Bill Maher as the 2026 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor recipient on March 26, 2026, days after White House denial labeled reports fake news. • Maher becomes the 27th honoree following Conan O'Brien and Kevin Hart; he quipped, 'It's like an Emmy, except I win,' in a Kennedy Center release. • White House communications director Steven Cheung called prior Atlantic reporting 'Literally FAKE NEWS,' and press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Maher would not receive the award.

Mohammed bin Salman said to consider war a ‘historic opportunity’ to remake Middle East. Plus, Senate passes funding package for Homeland Security that excludes ICEGood morning.Saudi Arabia has urged Washington to intensify attacks on Iran, a Saudi intelligence source has confirmed, while it considers whether to join the war directly.Have there been reports of active Saudi military involvement? Not so far. But a Saudi analyst said the kingdom was likely to intervene if peace efforts led by Pakistan failed. Mohammed Alhamed said: “If [Iran] rejects the conditions and continues its attacks, the threshold for Saudi action will be crossed.”What is the latest on the strait of Hormuz? On Tuesday, Tehran said it would permit “non-hostile vessels” to pass: here is a visual guide.For the latest updates, follow our live blog.Why has there been no DHS funding? Democrats have blocked it as they demand changes to its immigration crackdown, particularly after agents in Minneapolis killed the US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Continue reading...

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said to view US-Israeli war as ‘historic opportunity’ to remake Middle EastMiddle East crisis – live updatesSaudi Arabia has urged the US to ramp up attacks on Iran, a Saudi intelligence source has confirmed, while it is weighing a decision on whether to join the fight directly.The Saudi source confirmed reporting in the New York Times, which said the kingdom’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has urged Donald Trump not to cut short his war against Iran, and that the US-Israeli campaign represented a “historic opportunity” to remake the Middle East. Continue reading...

• Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin was confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary in a 54-45 Senate vote, replacing fired Kristi Noem to oversee mass immigration raids and deportations. • Republican Rand Paul voted against Mullin, calling him a 'freaking snake' during hearings, while Democrats John Fetterman and Martin Heinrich crossed lines to support him. • Confirmation occurs as DHS partial shutdown risks extending into April amid staffing shortages, with ICE agents deployed to airports to ease security lines.

• The Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin, a 48-year-old former U.S. Senator from Oklahoma, as Secretary of Homeland Security in a 54-to-45 vote on Monday. • Mullin replaces Kristi Noem, who was fired from the position under the Trump administration. • Under Trump, DHS has focused intensively on immigration enforcement as a key policy priority.

Oklahoma senator, confirmed in 54-45 vote, replaces Kristi Noem to lead president’s immigration crackdownSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US Senate on Monday confirmed Markwayne Mullin to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, elevating the Republican senator to a role where he will be among the public faces of Donald Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants.The Republican controlled chamber confirmed Mullin largely along party lines, with a vote of 54-45. Continue reading...

• The US government approved a $4.3 billion deal between Tesla and LG Energy Solution for battery cells produced at a Michigan plant. • Cells will power Tesla's energy storage products like Megapack, bolstering domestic supply chains. • Approval highlights federal support for US EV and renewable energy manufacturing amid trade tensions.

• Elon Musk stated Tesla and SpaceX AI will continue large Nvidia chip purchases even as Tesla advances its AI5 chip, optimized for edge compute in Optimus and Robotaxi. • Tesla's Terafab AI chip manufacturing facility is set to launch within seven days from March 14, potentially by March 21. • Musk praised Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, noting AI5's efficiency in half-reticle format could halve fab needs, with AI6 potentially matching dual AI5.

UAE and Qatar condemn targeting of South Pars gas field; Esmail Khatib confirmed killedIran threatens Gulf energy facilities after Israeli attack on its largest gasfieldFighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah in southern LebanonIran is still exporting millions of barrels of oil, with about 90 ships, including oil tankers, having crossed the strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the war with Iran, according to maritime and trade data platforms reports.This is despite Iran saying it had closed the vital waterway to vessels from the US and its allies. Continue reading...

Prime minister says no Australian personnel were injured and maintains Australia is not at war with IranFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn Iranian projectile hit near Australia’s headquarters at the Al Minhad airbase in the United Arab Emirates, damaging an accommodation block and a medical facility.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, confirmed that no Australian personnel were injured in the strike at 9.15am AEDT on Wednesday morning. Continue reading...

• Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced on national TV that Havana has held secret negotiations with the Trump administration due to a U.S. energy blockade causing power outages exceeding 30 hours in some areas. • The talks, confirmed Friday, stem from Cuba's economic collapse amid Trump's oil restrictions, pressuring the regime's 67-year command system. • Secretary of State Marco Rubio leads U.S. efforts, blaming Cuba's leadership while Florida's Cuban American community demands multiparty elections and prisoner releases.

A U.S. military aircraft crashed in western Iraq on March 14, 2026, killing its entire crew of six, as disclosed by U.S. Central Command, bringing total confirmed American deaths in Iran operations to 13. The incident follows a prior refueling plane crash that killed four, heightening scrutiny on operational safety during escalated regional tensions. Pentagon officials cite mechanical failure pending investigation, while congressional calls grow for briefings on mission risks. Families demand transparency as recruitment challenges intensify.

A U.S. military aircraft crashed in western Iraq on March 14, 2026, killing all six crew members, as disclosed by U.S. Central Command via social media amid ongoing operations. This incident raises the confirmed U.S. death toll to 13 in the military campaign against Iran. The crash underscores operational risks in heightened regional tensions, impacting troop morale and public support. Investigations into causes and potential policy adjustments are expected soon.

Cuba's president confirmed his government held recent discussions with US officials as the nation faces a severe energy crisis attributed to the ongoing American blockade. The talks address humanitarian power shortages affecting millions, with blackouts persisting for weeks. US diplomats renewed alerts for Iraq but no direct link to Cuba noted. Observers see potential for eased restrictions if negotiations advance.

Cuba's president confirmed his government held recent talks with US officials as the nation grapples with a major energy crisis exacerbated by the ongoing American blockade. The discussions aim to address crippling power shortages affecting millions. This diplomatic outreach occurs against backdrop of US Middle East deployments drawing resources. Outcomes of the talks remain undisclosed, with energy imports strained.

Cuba's president confirmed on March 14, 2026, that his government held recent discussions with U.S. officials as the nation grapples with a severe energy crisis exacerbated by the American blockade. The talks focused on humanitarian aid and potential easing of restrictions, amid blackouts affecting millions. Cuban officials described the dialogue as 'constructive,' while U.S. sources noted exploring limited cooperation. Analysts suggest this could signal a diplomatic thaw with implications for regional stability.

Negotiations aimed to ‘find solutions to the bilateral differences’ between the countries, Miguel Díaz-Canel saidCuban officials have held talks with the US government, the country’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, confirmed on Friday, amid growing pain inflicted by a punishing US fuel blockade and frequent power failures.“These talks have been aimed at finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences we have between the two nations,” Díaz-Canel said in a prerecorded statement to senior Communist officials. Continue reading...