US Defense Secretary Hegseth issued kill order after strike on Caribbean boat, reports say

Top officials from the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, are convening with Ukrainian negotiators in Florida this weekend. This meeting follows the resignation of Ukraine's chief negotiator, Andrii Yermak, amid an anti-corruption investigation, highlighting the urgency of the discussions.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly denied allegations that he ordered military strikes in the Caribbean that resulted in the deaths of all individuals on board alleged drug-trafficking boats, labeling the reports as 'fake news.' He asserted that the strikes were lawful under U.S. and international law and criticized the media for what he described as inflammatory reporting intended to undermine the military's reputation.

Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul's Blue Mosque on Saturday, marking a significant moment as he became the first Catholic leader to attend a Muslim place of worship. This visit is part of his inaugural international trip to Turkey, which aims to promote peace and unity amid regional tensions. Despite the historical significance, the visit faced backlash from a small nationalist group, with only 40 protesters present in a city of 16 million.

Ukraine is under significant pressure from Washington to agree to a peace deal with Russia, with security guarantees emerging as a critical sticking point. Analysts highlight the ambiguity surrounding these guarantees, raising concerns about their effectiveness in the event of a renewed Russian invasion.

Airlines globally are addressing a software glitch affecting the Airbus A320 family, leading to short-term disruptions as they implement necessary fixes. This issue follows a recent incident involving a JetBlue flight that experienced a sudden altitude drop, prompting urgent updates to the aircraft's software.

An investigation by the FRANCE 24 Observers team has uncovered the first evidence of chlorine gas being used as a chemical weapon in Sudan's civil war, with indications that the Sudanese army deployed it to regain control of a strategic refinery from the Rapid Support Forces militia.

In September 2024, barrels of chlorine gas, initially imported to Sudan for water purification, were repurposed as a chemical weapon near an oil refinery, as revealed by an investigation by FRANCE 24 Observers. The barrels were brought into the country by Ports Engineering Company, which has ties to the military, under the guise of producing potable water.

Former President Donald Trump announced plans to cancel all executive orders signed by President Biden, claiming they were not personally signed by Biden, which escalates his ongoing criticism of his predecessor. This announcement comes amid heightened tensions following a recent shooting incident involving members of the West Virginia National Guard in Washington, D.C.