US confirms two strikes ordered on boat

The publisher of the Franklin the Turtle children's book series has condemned a recent online post by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that depicted the character in a violent context. This condemnation highlights concerns over the appropriateness of using children's characters in controversial political discourse.

The White House has distanced itself from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding allegations that he ordered military strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of all individuals on board. A spokesperson clarified that while Hegseth gave the order for strikes, he did not instruct to 'kill everybody.'

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed soldiers in Iraq to disregard legal advice regarding rules of engagement, particularly concerning the use of lethal force against enemy combatants. This directive is detailed in Hegseth's recent book, where he criticizes the constraints imposed by international laws of war and the Geneva Conventions.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is under scrutiny following the authorization of a second military strike on a boat in the Caribbean, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of survivors from an earlier attack linked to alleged drug trafficking. This has raised significant concerns regarding the conduct of military operations in the region.

A shooting incident near the White House resulted in the death of one National Guard member and critical injuries to another. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, was reportedly experiencing a personal crisis at the time of the attack. A U.S. official has disputed the White House's account regarding the circumstances surrounding a separate deadly boat strike in the Caribbean.

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have escalated as President Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, suggesting he can choose to resolve the situation 'the easy way or the hard way.' This comes amid a significant military buildup by the U.S. in the Caribbean, reminiscent of Cold War-era confrontations.

Trinidad and Tobago's approval of a US military radar installation has raised concerns about the Caribbean's potential involvement in the escalating US-Venezuela crisis. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has attempted to downplay fears, asserting that a US C-17 aircraft was merely transporting marines for a road project, claiming no marines remain in the country.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is in Moscow for high-stakes peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aiming to persuade the Kremlin to cease its military actions in Ukraine. This meeting follows a series of diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict that has severely affected Ukraine's economy and stability.