Iran holding world’s economy ‘hostage’ with Strait of Hormuz closure – Cooper Donald Trump insisted talks with Iran are ‘going very well’ despite little information being known about the negotiations. Evening Standard · Mar 27
Newsletter: ‘Not our war’ - Rubio joins G7 talks amid transatlantic rift over war in Iran Also in this newsletter: Lebanon’s Minister of Culture Ghassan Salamé tells Europe Today that Israel's "creeping military action" in the country's south has become an "invasion". Euronews · Mar 27
Trump extends Hormuz deadline even as strikes continue; oil prices ease: What's happening in US-Israel vs Iran war US President Donald Trump has extended a pause on strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure until early April, as Washington signals that diplomacy remains its preferred path forward in the escalating conflict. The temporary halt, announced as a 10-day window, comes amid claims from Trump that negotiations with Tehran are progressing,… The Times of India · Mar 27
G7 unity tested as US envoy Rubio faces pressure from allies on Iran G7 allies were on Friday pressing US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for clarity on American plans for Iran almost one month into the war in the Middle East, with concern also intensifying over the extent of cooperation between Russia and Tehran. Radio France Internationale · Mar 27
Iran-US war latest: Ship carrying thousands of Marines arrives in Middle East as Yemen’s Houthis warn of more attacks It comes amid speculation of an impending ground invasion The Independent UK · Mar 27
'Ukraine isn’t our war, yet …': Rubio calls on G7 to help with Hormuz reopening; slams Nato US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized NATO allies for their perceived uneven engagement in global crises, highlighting US contributions to Ukraine while questioning European commitment to securing the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio emphasized that the strait's security is in Europe's interest, urging them to step up and address disruptions… The Times of India · Mar 27
Marco Rubio Testifies He Was Targeted in Alleged Assassination Plot by Top Venezuelan Official Cabello Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified in federal court that he was alerted in 2017 about an alleged assassination plot against him ordered by Venezuelan official Diosdado Cabello Latin Times · Mar 26
Notorious rap fan Marco Rubio references Public Enemy to back Iran attacks in Trump’s Cabinet meeting The Secretary of State has a history of slipping rap lyrics into his public statements, recently quoting Biggie Smalls in reference to ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro The Independent UK · Mar 26
Cuban President Says He's Open To Conversation About 'How The U.S. Can Participate In The Economy' Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said he's open to having conversations about "how the U.S. can participate" in the island's economy, but as long as Washington D.C. doesn't question its "sovereignty" or "political system." Latin Times · Mar 26
Marco Rubio took the stand in a federal criminal trial, but what the defense attorney asked afterward had even the judge baffled “Is that allowed?” We Got This Covered · Mar 25
Marco Rubio Says He 'Would've Been Shocked' to Know Friend and Former Lawmaker Was Lobbying for Maduro Rivera argues the aim was to attract investment to Venezuela's energy sector and that his interactions with Rubio were consistent with efforts to remove Maduro Latin Times · Mar 25
Iran wants to negotiate with JD Vance, rejects Kushner, Witkoff: Who’s involved in peace talks? President Trump announced ongoing negotiations with Iran, involving several top officials including Jared Kushner and JD Vance. While Trump expressed optimism for a deal, Iranian officials denied any talks, accusing the US of spreading fake news. Iran reportedly prefers negotiating with Vance, viewing him as more inclined to end the… The Times of India · Mar 25
Rubio testimony sheds light on friend's shadowy Venezuela play Trial offers a behind-the-scenes look at Maduro regime's push to curry favor with the U.S. Axios · Mar 25
Cuba Considers Paying Americans for Nationalized Property to Ease U.S. Sanctions Based on U.S. government data and industry estimates collected by Bloomberg, nearly 6,000 American individuals and businesses have filed claims for nationalized property, which studies estimate is worth $9 billion. Latin Times · Mar 24
International Business Times · Mar 24 Marco Rubio Testifies Against Former Friend & Congressman Accused of Secretly Working for Maduro On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified against his longtime friend and former Florida congressman, David Rivera, who is accused of working for the Venezuelan government.
The Independent UK · Mar 24 American detained in Afghanistan is freed after being held for over a year The State Department said earlier this month that the Taliban was believed to hold at least four U.S. nationals
The Times of India · Mar 24 ‘A positive step’: Taliban frees American academic Dennis Coyle after more than a year in detention American academic Dennis Coyle, detained for over a year in Afghanistan, has been released by Taliban authorities on humanitarian grounds coinciding with Eid al-Fitr. While Washington welcomes this positive step, it renews calls for the return of other Americans still believed to be held, emphasizing an end to 'hostage diplomacy'.
The Independent UK · Mar 24 Rubio testifies in former congressman's Venezuela lobbying trial Secretary of State Marco Rubio is testifying over his interactions with former Miami congressman David Rivera
International Business Times UK · Mar 24 'Use Your Position,' Conservative Leader Pushes JD Vance to Invoke 25th Amendment Against Trump A conservative commentator's call for JD Vance to invoke the 25th Amendment against Donald Trump has reignited debate over presidential fitness.
Salon · Mar 24 Next for Cuba: A GOP oligarchy Business and commerce are driving Donald Trump and Marco Rubio's desire to "take" Cuba
The Conversation · Mar 24 How the National Security Council typically functions to plan and fully assess risks when presidents consider going to war Three weeks into the U.S. war with Iran, it seems increasingly evident that President Donald Trump and his administration miscalculated how Iran would respond to attacks.
Salon · Mar 24 A Cabinet behind military gates Housing officials on military bases has little precedent in U.S. history. It has plenty in authoritarian regimes
Axios · Mar 24 Rubio to testify in friend's trial over Venezuela oil deal The Miami trial sheds light on the unseemly world of shadowy foreign influence efforts in Latin America.
The Conversation · Mar 24 Cuba has been in Washington’s crosshairs for decades. The Iran war is raising the stakes On March 16, Cuba’s national electricity grid collapsed for the third time in four months, plunging 10 million people into more than 29 hours of darkness. Hospitals struggled to keep generators running, water pumps shut down and refuse piled up on streets where collection trucks have sat empty for weeks.
Latin Times · Mar 23 Former Florida Congressman Accused of Secretly Lobbying For Maduro's Regime David Rivera's defense says he was pursuing legitimate business interests and advocating for political change in Venezuela, not secretly lobbying for Maduro's government.