Muscat: The Maritime Security Centre has reported that three oil tankers were targeted in separate attacks off the Omani coast, with one crew member confirmed killed and three others still missing, as authorities continue to monitor the situation and coordinate response efforts.
Archiv: wirklich schlechte Nachrichten / really bad news
Indian sailor killed in Iranian strike on oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz
One Indian crew member was killed, and eight others were wounded in an Iranian missile strike targeting two Emirati oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Arab Emiratesâ Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Companyâs (Adnoc) shipping arm confirmed that two of its very large crude carriers were struck and sustained âsignificant damageâ while passing through the strait.
US and Iran launch new strikes, as Kuwait says airport hit by Iranian drones | BBC News
Iran said it had attacked US bases and helicopters in a „regional country“ using missiles and drones in retaliation. Centcom said Tehran fired two missiles at Kuwait and three at Bahrain, all of which broke apart or were intercepted.
Kuwait‘s army later said Iranian drones had hit its international airport, causing „significant“ building damage and injuries to a number of people.
One killed in Iranâs attack on Kuwait airport; diplomatic facilities damaged
Kuwaitâs Foreign Ministry says one person was killed as a result of the drone and missile strikes on a terminal at its international airport.
It expressed âcondemnation and denunciation, in the strongest terms, of the brutal and ongoing Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and dronesâ, said a statement on X.
The strikes âtargeting once again civilian and vital facilities, including Kuwait International Airport, resulted in the death of one individual, injuries to others, and damage to vital facilities, including diplomatic missionsâ.
The farce of Israelâs âliberalâ investigative journalism
Two weeks ago, the investigative program HaMakor on Israelâs Channel 13 aired a 60-minute report on the December 2023 killing of three Israeli hostages â Yotam Haim, Alon Shamriz, and Samer Al-Talalka â who were shot by Israeli soldiers in Shujaâiya, eastern Gaza City, after emerging from a hiding place carrying a white flag.
Even without intimate knowledge of the details, one thing should have been clear from the outset: When soldiers fire from inside buildings at three shirtless men carrying a white flag, kill two of them, then pursue the third, call him out of hiding, and shoot him dead, the issue is not merely âmistaken identity.â The issue is that Israeli soldiers routinely shoot innocent people. One would have to be extraordinarily naĂŻve to believe that the single time this happened, the victims just happened to be Israelis.
USDA to develop âOne Farmer, One Fileâ with Palantir
(March 2
Government websites in December reported a Palantir contract with USDA.
Palantir has said it can revolutionize government computer systems, but concerns have also been raised that its system can be used for government surveillance.
Farmers have long been concerned about the privacy of their information, particularly with private companies.
USDA signs $300m agreement with Palantir to boost farm security with AI
(April 22, 2026)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) signed a $300 million blanket purchase agreement with AI company Palantir Technologies to update the government agencyâs digital infrastructure and address the goals of the National Farm Security Action Plan.
Angriff der Hisbollah vermutet: Französischer Blauhelmsoldat im Libanon getötet
(today)
UN-Soldaten beseitigten auf einer StraĂe im SĂŒden Libanons SprengsĂ€tze. Dabei gerieten sie unter Beschuss. Ein französischer Soldat wurde getötet. Frankreich vermutet die pro-iranische Hisbollah hinter dem Angriff.
Hezbollah denies involvement in deadly attack on UN peacekeepers
Hezbollah on Saturday denied it was involved in a deadly attack on United Nations peacekeepers (UNIFIL) in South Lebanon, after France accused the group of being behind the incident.
„Hezbollah denies any connection to the incident that occurred with UNIFIL forces in the Ghandouriyeh-Bint Jbeil area, and calls for caution in making judgments and assigning responsibilities regarding the incident pending the Lebanese Army‘s investigations to determine the full circumstances of the incident,“ the group said in a statement.
One peacekeeper was killed and three others wounded from the French battalion, with Paris blaming Hezbollah.
UNIFIL statement (18 April 2026)
18 April 2026
This morning, a UNIFIL patrol clearing explosive ordnance along a road in the village of Ghanduriyah to re-establish links with isolated UNIFIL positions came under small-arms fire from non-state-actors. Tragically, one peacekeeper succumbed to his injuries and three others were injured, two of them seriously.
The injured peacekeepers have been taken to medical facilities for treatment.
We extend our most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the brave peacekeeper who lost his life in service of peace. Our thoughts and wishes go out for the full and speedy recovery of the injured peacekeepers.
UNIFIL condemns this deliberate attack on peacekeepers engaged in their mandated tasks. The work of explosive ordnance disposal teams is vital in the missionâs area of operations especially in the wake of the recent hostilities.
UNIFIL has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Initial assessment indicates the fire came from non-state actors (allegedly Hizbullah).
We reiterate the obligations of all actors under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times. Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes.
UNIFIL calls on the Government of Lebanon to swiftly initiate an investigation to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable for the crimes committed against UNIFIL peacekeepers.
French soldier killed in Lebanon in attack on UN peacekeepers
Macron named the soldier as Florian Montorio, a staff sergeant in the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment of Montauban serving with Unifil, the United Nations‘ peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
He was killed on Saturday morning in southern Lebanon, the president said in a post on X. The three soldiers wounded in the same attack were evacuated, he added.
„Everything suggests that Hezbollah is responsible for this attack,“ Macron said. „France demands that the Lebanese authorities immediately arrest the perpetrators and assume their responsibilities alongside Unifil.“
But Hezbollah denied any connection to the attack. In a statement, the group urged „caution in making judgments and assigning responsibilities“ pending the results of an investigation by the Lebanese army.
Iran reportedly closes Strait of Hormuz as ceasefire agreement remains in peril
Fars said tanker traffic would come to a âcomplete stop,â citing what it described as Israeli violations of the ceasefire, including attacks in Lebanon. Israel has said it will continue operations in Lebanon, arguing it was not part of the agreement, a claim disputed by Iran.
The report said two ships were allowed to pass through the strait before Iran reversed course.
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again over Israeli attacks in Lebanon, state media says
TEHRAN, Iran â Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Iranian state media reports.
Cuban President Acknowledges Talks With Trump Administration
President Miguel DĂaz-Canel, whose country is rapidly running out of fuel, said the talks were based on ârespect for the political systems of both countries.â
UN Security Council passes resolution urging Iran to stop Gulf attacks; China, Russia abstain
The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday (March 11) adopted a resolution urging Iran to stop its attacks on Gulf nations, but the text avoided mentioning recent US or Israeli strikes on Iran, drawing sharp criticism from Tehran.
The resolution passed with 13 votes in favour, while veto-holding members China and Russia abstained. It âdemands the immediate cessation of all attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.â
UNO isoliert den Iran
Der UN-Sicherheitsrat hat am Mittwoch mit klarer Mehrheit eine Resolution angenommen, in der ausschlieĂlich die Angriffe des Iran auf die Golfstaaten verurteilt werden â nicht jedoch die vorangegangenen Angriffe der USA und Israels auf den Iran. China und Russland haben sich enthalten.
UN Security Council adopts resolution condemning Iran‘s attacks on Gulf states
Presented by Bahrain and co-sponsored by 135 countries, the resolution emphasized „strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence“ of the GCC states and Jordan.
It strongly condemns the „egregious attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against“ the Gulf countries and Jordan, emphasizing that the attacks „constitute a breach of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security.“
Jesse Jackson, Charismatic Champion of Civil Rights, Dies at 84
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose impassioned oratory and populist vision of a ârainbow coalitionâ of the poor and forgotten made him the nationâs most influential Black figure in the years between the civil rights crusades of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the election of Barack Obama, died on Tuesday at his home in Chicago. He was 84.
Congress Squanders Last Chance to Block Venezuela War Before Going on Vacation
âAmericans do not want another Iraq. If we intensify hostilities in Venezuela, we have no idea what weâre walking into,â McGovern said. âAt least George Bush had the decency to come to Congress for approval in 2002. Donât the American people deserve that respect today?â
Bush in 2002 sought and received a formal authorization for his attack on Iraq. Without taking any similar steps, Trump has massed thousands of American service members in the Caribbean without formal approval.
âAbsolute Dereliction of Dutyâ: House Republicans Kill Venezuela War Powers Resolutions
The resolution was defeated 210-216, with seven lawmakers not voting. Two RepublicansâReps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Thomas Massie of Kentuckyâvoted in favor of the measure. Democratic Texas Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez joined their GOP colleagues in voting down the proposal.
The second resolution, introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), would have directed Trump to âremove the use of United States armed forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization for use of military force.â
The resolution failed by a vote of 211-213, with nine members not voting. Republicans Bacon, Massie, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia voted âyesâ on the legislation, while Cuellar voted against the proposal.
US official says shooting suspect was vetted by intel agencies and âclean on all checksâ
At the time, the CIA would have done its own vetting of him through a variety of databases, including the National Counterterrorism Center database, to see if he had any known ties to terrorist groups. The CIA did its own vetting before he started working with them and kept the identities of those they worked with secret, the official said.
NCTC would have vetted him again during Operation Allies Welcome in 2021 for any ties to terrorism before he was allowed into the US. He was clean then as well and did not show any ties to terror organizations, per the senior US official.
Afghan national charged in Guard ambush shooting drove across US to carry out attack, officials say
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, declined to provide a motive for Wednesday afternoonâs brazen act of violence which occurred just blocks from the White House. The presence of troops in the nationâs capital and other cities around the country has become a political flashpoint.
National Guard shooting suspect served in CIA counterterrorism unit, group says
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan man who allegedly shot two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, previously served in one of Afghanistan‘s elite counterterrorism units, according to AfghanEvac, a nonprofit run by U.S. veterans and others who served in Afghanistan.
The unit was operated by the CIA with direct U.S. intelligence and military support, according to AfghanEvac.
Attentat auf Nationalgarde: Wie Trump den Angriff instrumentalisiert
Washingtons BĂŒrgermeisterin und auch die örtliche Polizei haben sich immer wieder gegen den Einsatz der Nationalgarde in ihrer Stadt ausgesprochen. Der Bundesdistrikt Washington D.C. hatte sogar eine Klage gegen die Trump-Regierung eingereicht – und recht bekommen. Eine Bundesrichterin entschied vor etwa einer Woche, dass der immer wieder verlĂ€ngerte Einsatz der Nationalgarde in der Stadt illegal sei.
Von dieser Entscheidung zeigt sich der US-PrĂ€sident aber unbeeindruckt. Nach den SchĂŒssen auf die beiden Nationalgardisten fĂŒhlt er sich im Recht. Seinen Pentagon-Chef hat er jetzt sogar angewiesen, noch weitere 500 Nationalgardisten in die Hauptstadt zu schicken.