Block

• Trump administration ने 'Operation Economic Fury' की घोषणा की है, जो विस्तारित sanctions campaign के हिस्से के रूप में Iran के खिलाफ एक व्यापक blockade लागू करता है। • यह पहल Iran के खिलाफ आर्थिक दबाव में एक महत्वपूर्ण वृद्धि का प्रतिनिधित्व करती है, जो अधिक आक्रामक उपायों की ओर US foreign policy में बदलाव को चिह्नित करती है। • यह कार्रवाई Middle East में व्यापक geopolitical tensions के बीच हुई है और US और Iran के बीच महीनों के diplomatic tension के बाद आई है।

• यह मतदान 60 दिनों की समय सीमा करीब आने पर हुआ है, जिसमें दो GOP सदस्य सीमाओं का समर्थन कर रहे हैं और इस बात पर विवाद है कि क्या युद्धविराम समय-सीमा (clock) को रोकता है • US politics live – नवीनतम अपडेट • Republican-नेतृत्व वाली सीनेट ने गुरुवार को Donald Trump के ईरान में युद्ध को रोकने के Democratic प्रयास को फिर से रोक दिया, और एक युद्ध शक्तियों के प्रस्ताव (war powers resolution) को खारिज कर दिया, जो तब तक संघर्ष को सीमित करता जब तक Congress आगे की सैन्य कार्रवाई को अधिकृत नहीं करती

• ट्रंप प्रशासन ने बुधवार शाम मैसाचुसेट्स के एक संघीय न्यायाधीश के 16 मार्च के उस फैसले के खिलाफ अपील दायर की, जिसने स्वास्थ्य सचिव Robert F. Kennedy Jr. द्वारा देश के बच्चों के वैक्सीन शेड्यूल (vaccine schedule) में किए गए बदलावों को रोक दिया था। • न्यायाधीश Brian Murphy ने फैसला सुनाया था कि Kennedy ने CDC की वैक्सीन सलाहकार समिति को "अवैध रूप से" बदला और समिति द्वारा लिए गए किसी भी निर्णय पर रोक लगा दी। • यह अपील अपने अधिकार के प्रति कानूनी चुनौतियों के बावजूद वैक्सीन सलाहकार प्रक्रिया के पुनर्गठन (restructuring) के साथ आगे बढ़ने के प्रशासन के इरादे का संकेत देती है।

• संयुक्त अरब अमीरात कल OPEC से हट गया, जो बढ़ते क्षेत्रीय संकट के दौरान सऊदी अरब से एक ऐतिहासिक अलगाव का प्रतीक है। • यह निर्णय होर्मुज जलडमरूमध्य (Strait of Hormuz) के लगभग पूरी तरह से बंद होने के साथ मेल खाता है, जो ईरानी तेल निर्यात को रोकने के उद्देश्य से अमेरिकी नौसैनिक नाकाबंदी के कारण हुआ है। • अमेरिका ईरानी तेल के प्रसंस्करण को रोकने के लिए प्रमुख चीनी बैंकों को अपनी वित्तीय प्रणाली से बाहर करने की धमकी दे रहा है, जिससे वैश्विक ऊर्जा तनाव बढ़ गया है।

Oil markets में घबराहट देखी गई क्योंकि Donald Trump अमेरिकी US Navy blockade को बनाए रखने के लिए इच्छुक दिख रहे हैं और Iran ने Strait of Hormuz को लगभग पूरी तरह बंद कर रखा है। बुधवार को Brent oil की कीमत उछलकर $126 a barrel के पार पहुंच गई, जो 2022 के बाद इसका उच्चतम स्तर है। यह Donald Trump की इस चेतावनी के बाद हुआ कि Iranian ports की US blockade महीनों तक चल सकती है और peace talks ठप पड़ी हैं। 24 घंटों में 13% से अधिक की वृद्धि के साथ, Brent crude ने 28 February को युद्ध शुरू होने के बाद से रिकॉर्ड कीमत दर्ज की। 2022 में Russia के Ukraine पर आक्रमण के बाद से Brent $120 के पार नहीं गया था, जब इसकी कीमत $139 के शिखर पर पहुंच गई थी। Continue reading...

• अमेरिकी प्रतिनिधि Jared Huffman और Jamie Raskin ने इस महीने की शुरुआत में समझौतों को अपमानजनक और गैरकानूनी बताया • अपने इनबॉक्स में न्यूज़लेटर अलर्ट प्राप्त करने के लिए Breaking News US ईमेल के लिए साइन अप करें • ट्रम्प प्रशासन ने इस सप्ताह दो अनुमति प्राप्त अमेरिकी पवन ऊर्जा परियोजनाओं के विकास पर रोक लगा दी, साथ ही उनके पीछे की कंपनियों को रिफंड में लाखों डॉलर का भुगतान करने का समझौता किया है यदि उन निधियों को तेल और गैस में फिर से निवेश किया जाता है।

Facebook की मालिक कंपनी Meta ने AI एजेंट्स में अपनी क्षमताओं को बढ़ाने के प्रयास में दिसंबर 2025 में 2 बिलियन अमेरिकी डॉलर से अधिक में Manus का अधिग्रहण किया था।

Meta ने सोमवार को कहा कि लेनदेन "लागू कानून का पूरी तरह से अनुपालन करता था" और उसे उम्मीद है कि "जांच का उचित समाधान होगा।"(Image credit: Jeff Chiu/AP)

• AI स्टार्टअप Blocks ने ऑटोनॉमस डिजिटल वर्कफोर्स विकसित करने के लिए Entrée Capital के नेतृत्व में $20 मिलियन की सीरीज A फंडिंग प्राप्त की। • यह फंडिंग उन AI एजेंटों की तैनाती में सहायता करेगी जो स्वतंत्र रूप से जटिल कार्यों को संभालने में सक्षम हैं। • यह निवेश एंटरप्राइज ऑटोमेशन की मांगों के बीच एजेंटिक AI तकनीकों में बढ़ते VC (वेंचर कैपिटल) रुझान को दर्शाता है।

• वेनेजुएला के सुरक्षा बलों ने सोमवार को विपक्षी दलों को उनके चुनावी मुख्यालयों में प्रवेश करने से रोक दिया, जिससे इस साल के राष्ट्रपति चुनावों से पहले लोकतांत्रिक आचरण को लेकर नई चिंताएं पैदा हो गई हैं। • इस नाकेबंदी ने विपक्षी उम्मीदवारों और कर्मचारियों को चुनावी हस्ताक्षर जुटाने और मतदाता संपर्क प्रयासों को व्यवस्थित करने से रोका, जिससे उनके अभियान ढांचे को काफी नुकसान पहुंचा। • Organization of American States के अंतर्राष्ट्रीय पर्यवेक्षकों ने इस कदम पर चिंता जताई और इसे राजनीतिक स्वतंत्रता का उल्लंघन बताते हुए चेतावनी दी कि यह आगामी चुनावों की वैधता को कमजोर कर सकता है।

• Sudanese Armed Forces और Rapid Support Forces के बीच जारी सक्रिय लड़ाई ने मानवीय गलियारों की नाकेबंदी को और तेज कर दिया है, जिससे 20 लाख से अधिक आंतरिक रूप से विस्थापित लोग भोजन और चिकित्सा आपूर्ति के बिना फंस गए हैं। • UN World Food Programme ने रिपोर्ट किया है कि भुखमरी की स्थिति अब कई क्षेत्रों को प्रभावित कर रही है, और कुछ क्षेत्रों में बच्चों में कुपोषण की दर 40 प्रतिशत से अधिक हो गई है। • U.S. State Department ने 150 मिलियन डॉलर की अतिरिक्त आपातकालीन मानवीय सहायता की घोषणा की है, लेकिन यह स्वीकार किया है कि असुरक्षा के कारण सहायता पहुंचाना तेजी से कठिन होता जा रहा है।

• चीन के National Development and Reform Commission ने 27 अप्रैल, 2026 को Meta द्वारा सिंगापुर स्थित AI स्टार्टअप Manus के अधिग्रहण पर रोक लगा दी और सभी पक्षों को इसे वापस लेने का निर्देश दिया। • चीनी जड़ों वाले Manus को विदेशी निवेश की सुरक्षा समीक्षा के दायरे में रखा गया, जबकि Meta ने अपने कैलिफोर्निया मुख्यालय से अनुपालन के दावे किए थे। • यह निर्णय अमेरिका-चीन तकनीकी तनाव को बढ़ाता है, जिससे Meta के AI विस्तार और सेमीकंडक्टर एवं इंटेलिजेंस टूल्स में सीमा पार M&A (विलय और अधिग्रहण) पर प्रभाव पड़ेगा।

• UN International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated that the blockading of ships in the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Iran conflict has turned international shipping and seafarers into leverage in geopolitical disputes. • The crisis highlights how vessels and crews, not involved in the conflict, are being caught up in hostilities between the United States and Iran, disrupting global trade routes. • This development underscores critical weaknesses in global shipping networks, potentially leading to supply chain disruptions, higher costs, and risks to maritime security worldwide.

Footage posted online shows police telling people they were being removed due to suspicion they would interrupt ceremonyWestern Australian police say they proactively blocked 15 members of “issue motivated groups” from attending Anzac Day commemorations, following disruptions that marred earlier ceremonies in the eastern states.One man was arrested at the Sydney dawn service at Martin Place, where there was a small but noisy interjection of booing during the Indigenous acknowledgment of country. Booing also marred ceremonies in Melbourne and Perth. Continue reading...

• Myanmar's military junta has blocked UN humanitarian corridors to conflict-affected regions, preventing food and medical aid from reaching approximately 2 million people at imminent risk of famine. • UN humanitarian agencies report that supplies have been halted for two weeks; the blockade coincides with intensified fighting between military forces and opposition groups in central Myanmar. • The US has condemned the blockade as a war crime and called for emergency UN Security Council action, though Russia and China have signaled opposition to any intervention.

• The UN Security Council failed to reach consensus on a resolution extending cross-border humanitarian aid to Syria, with Russia vetoing the measure on Friday amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Western nations over the Syrian conflict's humanitarian toll. • Russia's veto marks the third such blocking in two years, preventing critical medical supplies and food assistance from reaching 5.5 million internally displaced Syrians, according to UN humanitarian coordinator statements. • Western diplomats warned the blockade could exacerbate an already severe humanitarian crisis, with aid agencies reporting shortages of vaccines, antibiotics, and nutrition programs across northern Syria.

Kim Leadbeater tells of plan to table identical bill that peers would be unable to stopMPs and peers who led the assisted dying bill have promised to bring it back to parliament after it ran out of time in the House of Lords.Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP who tabled the private member’s bill, said the plan would be to table an identical bill in the next parliamentary session, which would prevent peers blocking it again, as the Lords cannot stop the same bill twice. Continue reading...

The department of justice has refused to hand over key evidence from the Jeffrey Epstein files and could delay Scotland Yard’s criminal inquiry.Good morning. The UK criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson has reportedly ground to a halt after the US justice department refused to hand over evidence contained in the Epstein files.The documents relate to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which Scotland Yard believes could hold key evidence related to Mandelson, who served as business secretary and US ambassador. While the Met has asked for voluntary disclosure, the US department of justice is insisting on a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request, a legal back and forth between countries to obtain evidence, the Telegraph has reported. Continue reading...

Officials assessing route after serac between base camp and camp one deemed unstable and too risky for climbers A large ice block on the route just above the Mount Everest base camp has forced hundreds of climbers and local guides to delay their attempt to scale the world’s highest peak.The serac between base camp and camp one is unstable and is risky for climbers, said Himal Gautam of Nepal’s department of mountaineering on Friday. Continue reading...

• Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired by the Pentagon on Wednesday night amid escalating tensions with Iran over the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. • The firing comes as the U.S. maintains military pressure on Iran, with reports indicating the blockade is costing Iran an estimated $500 million per day and pushing the regime toward economic collapse. • U.S. intelligence officials warn that Iran retains thousands of missiles and drones capable of threatening American interests in the region.

Battle of the blockades may still have more time to run as both the US and Iran try to assert control over the strait of HormuzDonald Trump’s decision to extend the naval blockade of Iran indefinitely may do nothing to reduce world oil prices – but it could amount to a recognition that further US military escalation in breach of the nominal ceasefire comes with greater risk against a regime disinclined to surrender.In theory, Trump’s military options are increasing. A third US carrier strike group, the George HW Bush, is due to arrive in the Middle East within days after rounding South Africa. A second taskforce of 2,500 US marines is sailing from the Pacific and is due to arrive by the end of April. Continue reading...

White House says Tehran in ‘very weak position’; Iran says two seized ships transferred to its coast; US navy secretary exiting post ‘effective immediately’, says Pentagon‘Impossible’ to reopen strait of Hormuz amid ‘flagrant’ ceasefire breaches, Iran saysWelcome to our live coverage of events in the Middle East.Iran has seized two ships in the strait of Hormuz a day after Donald Trump announced he was indefinitely calling off US attacks, while there is no sign of peace talks restarting.Trump was “satisfied” with the US naval blockade and “understands Iran is in a very weak position”, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. The US president had not set a deadline on Iran submitting a peace proposal, she said, after Trump on Tuesday said he was indefinitely extending the ceasefire at the request of mediator Pakistan until Tehran responded to the US’s negotiating positions or until talks were concluded “one way or the other”.The Pentagon announced that the US secretary of the navy, John Phelan, would depart the office “effective immediately”, without providing an explanation for his sudden exit. The US army’s top officer, Gen Randy George, and two other senior officers were removed earlier this month amid the continuing war with Iran.The US-Israeli war against Iran is “starting to weaken Europe”, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told his German counterpart. Erdoğan said: “If we do not address this situation with an approach that prioritises peace, the damage caused by the conflict will be far greater.”Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed a Lebanese journalist, Amal Khalil, and wounded a photographer accompanying her, a senior Lebanese military official and Khalil’s employer said. The death of Khalil, 43, brought the death toll to five people on Wednesday – the deadliest day since a 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah was announced on 16 April. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on Khalil’s death.Khalil and freelance photographer Zeinab Faraj were covering developments near the town of al-Tayri when an Israeli strike hit the vehicle in front of them, Reuters reported. They ran into a nearby house that was then also targeted by an Israeli strike, said Lebanon’s health ministry. Lebanese prime minister Nawaf Salam said Israeli targeting of journalists and obstructing relief effort constituted war crimes.Oil prices leapt 4% on Thursday after Iran vowed not to reopen the Hormuz strait amid the US naval blockade despite the truce extension. Around 0025 GMT, the benchmark US oil contract West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 4.06% to $96.73 a barrel, while the international oil benchmark Brent North Sea crude climbed 3.62% to $105.63. Both eased back minutes after.Two Palestinians, including a 14-year-old schoolboy, were killed in the occupied West Bank after Israeli settlers opened fire near a school amid mounting assaults on education in the territory, witnesses and local officials have said.United Airlines implemented broad-based rises of 15-20% on fares as it sought to offset the surge in petrol prices while protecting profits, executives said. The big US carrier has also cut its 2026 flying capacity by 5%. Continue reading...

Journalists Amal Khalil and Zeinab Faraj were both caught in an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon, with the former trapped under rubble for hoursIsraeli strikes in southern Lebanon wounded one journalist and left another trapped under rubble on Wednesday with rescuers temporarily blocked from reaching her by ongoing Israeli fire, Lebanon’s health ministry, a senior military official and press advocates said.Israel’s military said in a statement it had received reports that two journalists were injured as a result of its strikes, and denied it was preventing rescue teams from reaching the area. Continue reading...

The injunction pauses policy giving senior Trump official direct sign-off on federal clean energy projectsA federal judge in Massachusetts on Tuesday struck down several Trump administration actions slowing down development of clean energy, including a requirement that all solar and wind energy projects on federal lands and waters be personally approved by the interior secretary, Doug Burgum.Denise J Casper, chief judge of the US district court for Massachusetts, ruled that a coalition of plaintiffs representing wind and solar developers were likely to succeed on the merits of their claims that the administration’s actions violate federal statute and will cause irreparable harm if the court did not intervene. Continue reading...

Iran’s goal is to maintain chokehold on global economy even as some say it could run out of oil storage by SundayMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump’s indefinite shelving of the plan to bomb Iran’s bridges and power station on Tuesday night is being widely described as leaving the conflict in limbo, but that is anything but the truth.Pakistan insists the prospect of talks in Islamabad has not evaporated, and positive messages are still being exchanged, but in the meantime the site of kinetic activity has switched from land to sea. Both sides are vying to prove they can enforce their blockade of the strait of Hormuz more effectively than the other. It has become a form of gunboat diplomacy brought to life in the most significant geopolitical waterway in the world. Continue reading...

Agreement for urgently needed loan reached after Ukraine resumed pumping Russian oil to Hungary and SlovakiaEurope live – latest updatesEU member states have reached agreement on unblocking an urgently needed €90bn (£78bn) loan for Kyiv and a new package of sanctions against Moscow after Ukraine resumed pumping Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, prompting Budapest to lift its veto.Cyprus, which holds the bloc’s rotating presidency, said member states’ ambassadors had agreed to launch “written procedures” for the final approval of the loan and the sanctions package, with formal sign-off on both due by Thursday afternoon. Continue reading...