Meet the US’s drug running friends: A history of narcotics involvement

The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, claiming that new restrictions imposed by the Trump administration on press access and reporting violate press freedoms and chill independent journalism. The lawsuit highlights concerns over limited access to vital national security information for journalists covering the military.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that President Trump will engage in efforts to resolve the ongoing civil war in Sudan, asserting that Trump is uniquely positioned to address the crisis. This involvement comes as violence continues to escalate in the region, prompting international concern and calls for intervention.

A report by Amnesty International has revealed severe human rights violations at the Florida immigration detention facility known as 'Alligator Alcatraz,' where detainees were reportedly shackled and left in a metal cage without water for extended periods. This alarming situation raises significant concerns about the treatment of individuals in immigration detention.

A recent U.S. military operation targeting a Venezuelan drug ferry resulted in the deaths of two survivors from an earlier strike, igniting widespread outrage and raising legal questions about the campaign's legitimacy. The Pentagon's Law of War manual explicitly prohibits attacks on survivors, complicating the justification for the ongoing military actions against alleged drug trafficking in the region.

Five families from different parts of the world, including Kenya and Nepal, are sharing their experiences in combating the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among children. This issue is particularly alarming as UPFs now constitute a significant portion of diets globally, especially in the UK and US, where they make up over half of the average diet.

A report from the Transition Security Project highlights that the US is allocating billions to stockpile critical minerals for military applications, including advanced weaponry and AI-driven warfare. This diversion of essential resources is occurring amidst a global arms race, which is impeding efforts to address climate change as these minerals are vital for sustainable technologies like solar panels and electric vehicles.

President Trump is set to host the signing of a peace deal between the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Rwanda in Washington, aiming to foster stability in the resource-rich region. This agreement is seen as a crucial step towards reducing tensions that have historically plagued the two nations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia is prepared to take control of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region 'by force' if necessary, a comment that appears to contradict reports suggesting a willingness to negotiate a deal with the U.S. under the Trump administration. This declaration was made during an interview with Indian media, emphasizing Russia's readiness to escalate its military actions in the region.