The U.S. military struck a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean yesterday, killing two people aboard. The attack pushed the death toll in Washington’s campaign past 180 since September, while the Pentagon has still not publicly produced evidence linking the targeted vessels to Latin American trafficking networks.
Iran said today it still holds large missile stockpiles despite the 12-day war and the U.S. is watching whether Tehran could use remaining missiles or thousands of naval mines against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Israel struck missile launch systems in southern Lebanon today after rockets were fired from the area into Israel and intercepted. The Israeli military said the targets were Hezbollah-linked sites selected on intelligence. Questions over U.S.-Iran contacts also returned to the agenda, but Tehran denied today that direct talks with Washington were planned.
Russia’s oil income is back in focus, but higher crude prices offer the Kremlin only a brief budget cushion. Output is slipping, investment is stalled and Ukrainian strikes on Black Sea ports and refineries are already disrupting exports. Argentina urged Britain to resume talks over the Falkland Islands, citing fresh signals from the U.S. position. Three people were killed in clashes in northeast India.
In Mali, witnesses described gunfire across several regions over the past day, including near the junta’s stronghold. Scientists from Cambridge and other European laboratories said yesterday that lab-grown coffee cells are now advanced enough to measure taste, caffeine and antioxidant levels. The next step is to scale up pilot production and refine the material for commercial sale as an alternative to coffee crops exposed to weather swings and disease.
Donald Trump said Iranian negotiators can call the United States at any time to discuss nuclear talks. Giorgia Meloni opposed any invitation for Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit in the United States.