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US Supreme Court Halts Deportation of Detained Venezuelans Under Controversial 18th-Century Law

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In a major legal setback for President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, the US Supreme Court issued an order halting the deportation of a group of Venezuelan detainees who were being held in Texas under an obscure and rarely used 18th-century wartime law.

The decision, issued on Saturday, comes amid mounting legal challenges to the administration’s controversial use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a statute that allows the president to detain and deport individuals from countries deemed hostile, without affording them the usual legal rights or hearings. The law has only been invoked three times in US history, most recently during World War II, when it was used to justify the internment of Japanese Americans.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed an urgent lawsuit on behalf of a group of alleged Venezuelan gang members, who were arrested and held at a detention center in North Texas. According to court documents, the detainees were not given an opportunity to contest their deportation orders in court. Notices informing them of their imminent removal were issued in English, even though some of the detainees only speak Spanish.

The ACLU argued that the government’s actions violate fundamental due process rights guaranteed under the US Constitution.

“Without this Court’s intervention, dozens or hundreds of proposed class members may be removed to a possible life sentence in El Salvador with no real opportunity to contest their designation or removal,” the ACLU lawsuit warned.

Since returning to office in January, President Donald Trump has resurrected hardline immigration policies, with a new focus on Venezuelan nationals. The Trump administration claimed that the Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, was responsible for “perpetrating, attempting, and threatening an invasion or predatory incursion” into US territory.

As of April 8, 261 Venezuelans had already been deported to El Salvador, with 137 of those deportations executed under the Alien Enemies Act, according to a senior administration official cited by CBS News.

The administration controversially transferred many of these individuals to CECOT, El Salvador’s massive Terrorism Confinement Centre, known for its harsh conditions and international human rights concerns. This prison complex, touted by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele as a zero-tolerance facility for gang members, has raised serious alarm among human rights watchdogs.

The Supreme Court’s decision on Saturday does not fully block the use of the Alien Enemies Act but requires the government to give detainees a chance to challenge their deportation. The ruling temporarily halts deportations of Venezuelans held under the act until legal questions surrounding due process and language access are resolved.

Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented, maintaining that the administration’s actions were lawful under the broad powers granted by the Alien Enemies Act during times of national emergency.

The initial ruling on April 8 had permitted the administration to proceed with deportations, but Saturday’s emergency order reversed that decision in light of fresh evidence suggesting serious procedural flaws.

The controversy has deepened following the case of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran national who was mistakenly deported under the Alien Enemies Act. Though labeled by authorities as a member of the notorious MS-13 gang, his lawyer and family insist he has never been involved in criminal activity. In fact, Ábrego García has never been convicted of a crime in the United States or elsewhere.

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the government must facilitate his return, but the Trump administration has defiantly stated that he will “never” be allowed to live in the US again.

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland traveled to El Salvador to visit Ábrego García, confirming that he had been moved from CECOT to a different detention facility. The senator called the situation “deeply troubling” and a “clear example of abuse of executive power.”

This ruling could set a critical precedent as immigration attorneys and civil rights groups prepare to challenge the broader legality of the Alien Enemies Act in modern contexts. Critics argue that applying an 18th-century wartime law to peacetime immigration enforcement opens the door to sweeping violations of civil liberties.

The Trump administration has defended its use of the act, citing national security concerns and the presence of transnational criminal organizations. But civil liberties advocates warn that it bypasses the legal safeguards that have protected non-citizens for decades.

With hundreds more Venezuelans facing potential deportation under the same policy, the court’s intervention signals that the battle over immigration enforcement and due process in the US is far from over.

Russian Teen Activist Sentenced to Nearly Three Years in Prison for Anti-War Protest Using Poetry and Graffiti

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In a high-profile case highlighting Russia’s intensifying crackdown on anti-war dissent, 19-year-old activist Darya Kozyreva has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using graffiti and excerpts of Ukrainian poetry. The ruling, handed down by a Russian court on Friday, found Kozyreva guilty of “repeatedly discrediting” the Russian armed forces, a charge increasingly used to silence opposition voices since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Kozyreva first drew authorities’ attention in December 2022, at just 17 years old, when she spray-painted the words “Murderers, you bombed it. Judases” on a public sculpture outside the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. The artwork, symbolizing ties between the Russian city and Mariupol—a Ukrainian city devastated during a prolonged Russian siege—became the canvas for her raw condemnation of the war.

Her activism continued into early 2024, despite previous legal repercussions, including a 30,000-ruble fine (approximately $370 USD) for anti-war social media posts. The consequences escalated when she was expelled from the medical faculty of St. Petersburg State University, effectively derailing her academic future.

On the two-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Kozyreva staged another symbolic protest. She taped a printed verse from Taras Shevchenko, the father of modern Ukrainian literature, onto his statue in a St. Petersburg park. The chosen passage, drawn from one of Shevchenko’s revolutionary poems, read:

“Oh bury me, then rise ye up /
And break your heavy chains /
And water with the tyrants’ blood /
The freedom you have gained.”

The poetic display prompted her swift arrest and detention, initially held in pre-trial custody for nearly a year before being placed under house arrest in February 2025.

Kozyreva Declares Innocence: “The Truth Is Never Guilty”

Throughout the trial, Kozyreva maintained her innocence and defiance, insisting that the case against her was politically motivated and devoid of factual substance.

“I have no guilt, my conscience is clear,” she told the court in her final statement, as quoted in a transcript by Mediazona, an independent Russian media outlet.
“Because the truth is never guilty.”

She pleaded not guilty, describing the charges as “one big fabrication.” Despite her defense, the court ruled in favor of the prosecution, citing her history of public criticism against the military and her interview with Sever.Realii, a Russian-language service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as evidence of her “repeated discrediting” of the army.

Kozyreva’s sentencing marks another chapter in Russia’s intensifying suppression of anti-war activism. According to Memorial, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Russian human rights group, she is one of at least 234 individuals currently imprisoned in Russia for expressing opposition to the war.

Analysts and international observers see her case as emblematic of how youth activism, symbolic resistance, and even literary expression are being criminalized under wartime censorship laws introduced after the 2022 invasion.

The law against “discrediting the Russian military” has been widely criticized for its vague wording and heavy-handed enforcement, allowing authorities to target a wide range of dissenting voices—from social media users and journalists to academics and artists.

Though her case has not yet sparked the international outcry of higher-profile detentions, human rights advocates are beginning to rally around Kozyreva’s story, calling her a prisoner of conscience. Her poetic protests and unapologetic stance have drawn comparisons to Soviet-era dissidents who used literature and culture to challenge the regime.

As her legal team considers appealing the verdict, supporters are urging global pressure on Russian authorities to release Kozyreva and other anti-war prisoners.

Putin Announces Unilateral Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine Amid Continued Clashes and Prisoner Exchange

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In a gesture framed as humanitarian, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, temporarily halting military operations for Orthodox Easter weekend. However, the ceasefire was swiftly overshadowed by ongoing hostilities, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stating that Russian drones were actively attacking Ukrainian territory even as the truce was being declared.

According to an official statement released by the Kremlin, President Putin instructed his military to cease all offensive operations starting at 6:00 p.m. Moscow time (1500 GMT) on Saturday, with the truce extending until the end of Sunday. The ceasefire aligns with the Orthodox Easter holiday, traditionally a time of peace and religious observance in both Russia and Ukraine.

“Based on humanitarian considerations… the Russian side announces an Easter truce,” Putin told General Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s top military officer, during a meeting in Moscow. He added, “We assume that Ukraine will follow our example. At the same time, our troops must remain vigilant and ready to repel any provocation or aggression.”

Putin said Russia remained open to peace talks and welcomed mediation efforts by global actors including the United States, China, and BRICS nations. Still, he reiterated Moscow’s long-standing demands, including that Ukraine renounce NATO membership ambitions and withdraw forces from all four Ukrainian territories that Russia claims to have annexed—a proposition Kyiv continues to reject as unacceptable.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cast doubt on the sincerity of Russia’s ceasefire declaration, reporting that Ukrainian air defense units were actively engaged in repelling Russian drone attacks as the truce was announced.

“This is what Moscow really thinks of Easter and human life,” Zelensky said in a televised statement, calling the attacks another example of Russia’s “empty rhetoric and continuous aggression.”

Ukraine’s military has not officially responded to the ceasefire announcement, but the ongoing clashes suggest no mutual agreement has been reached.

On Friday, ahead of the ceasefire declaration, U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a warning that the United States may withdraw from ongoing diplomatic efforts to mediate peace if there is no clear progress soon.

While Russia claims to be open to peaceful resolution, Western leaders have criticized Moscow’s ceasefire declarations as public relations gestures that mask continued military action. The Kremlin’s conditions for ending the war have remained largely unchanged and are seen by Kyiv and its allies as unrealistic and one-sided.

In a separate development, both countries carried out a large-scale prisoner exchange on Saturday, involving 246 prisoners of war (POWs) on each side. The exchange was brokered by the United Arab Emirates, a nation that has increasingly taken on a mediating role in the conflict.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the released Russian soldiers were transported to Belarus, where they are receiving medical and psychological assistance. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed the repatriation of 246 Ukrainian servicemen, but did not immediately disclose their conditions.

The exchange comes just weeks after another major swap on March 28, underscoring that despite the ongoing war, limited cooperation channels remain open for humanitarian efforts.

The conflict began on February 24, 2022, when Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed, millions displaced, and large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine turned into war zones.

Putin continues to refer to the invasion as a “special military operation,” a term rejected by Ukraine and much of the international community, which has condemned Russia’s actions as a violation of international law and Ukrainian sovereignty.

Despite sporadic talks and intermittent truces tied to religious holidays or humanitarian corridors, no comprehensive ceasefire or political agreement has been reached. Peace remains elusive as both sides prepare for what analysts believe could be another escalation in the coming months.

Kenyan Authorities Arrest Woman Smuggling Cocaine Hidden in Private Parts During Moyale-Nairobi Sting

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In a significant crackdown on narcotics trafficking along Kenya’s Northern Frontier, law enforcement officials have arrested a 28-year-old woman who was found to be smuggling nearly 300 grams of cocaine. The suspect, identified as Jane Njeri Muigai, was taken into custody after a routine stop-and-search operation revealed the illicit cargo concealed within her private parts.

The arrest took place along the Moyale-Nairobi highway, a corridor increasingly scrutinized by anti-narcotics authorities due to its suspected use as a drug trafficking route. According to a detailed statement released by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Muigai was a passenger on a Nairobi-bound bus that was intercepted by a multi-agency security team during a standard traffic check.

The operation was part of a broader initiative by Kenyan law enforcement to monitor and disrupt drug smuggling operations flowing from border regions into the capital. During the inspection, officers reportedly became suspicious of Muigai’s demeanor, prompting them to carry out a secondary screening.

Female officers on the scene were tasked with conducting a more intimate body search in a private setting. It was during this procedure that 294 grams of cocaine were found hidden inside the suspect’s private parts. Authorities noted that the drugs were carefully wrapped and positioned to evade detection by conventional scanning methods.

The suspect was immediately detained and transferred to Moyale Police Station, where she is currently being held as investigations continue. The DCI’s Anti-Narcotics Unit is now leading the probe and preparing to formally charge Muigai with narcotics possession and trafficking under Kenya’s stringent anti-drug laws.

The Northern Frontier region of Kenya, which includes border towns like Moyale, has long been identified as a high-risk zone for transnational crime, including the movement of illegal drugs, arms, and contraband. The Moyale-Nairobi route in particular has come under increased scrutiny, with security agencies intensifying surveillance and establishing roadblocks to intercept smugglers.

Kenyan authorities have vowed to dismantle organized drug trafficking networks that exploit this corridor. Speaking following the arrest, officials emphasized that such operations are part of a national strategy to combat the flow of narcotics into major urban centers, including Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.

“This arrest sends a clear message to those who believe they can outsmart the law by using desperate and dangerous methods to traffic drugs,” said a senior DCI officer who requested anonymity. “We will continue to track, intercept, and prosecute traffickers with full force.”

Drug-related offenses have been a growing concern for Kenyan law enforcement, with an increasing number of arrests involving cross-border trafficking syndicates. Authorities have highlighted the use of women as drug mules, often coerced or manipulated into smuggling illicit substances in exchange for promised money or travel.

Experts say the concealment of drugs inside body cavities is part of a wider trend among traffickers trying to evade intensified border controls and road surveillance. The risks, however, are high—not only due to legal consequences but also because of the severe health dangers associated with internal drug concealment.

Jane Njeri Muigai is expected to face formal charges in court in the coming days, with prosecutors likely to request her continued detention given the severity of the offense. If convicted, she could face substantial prison time, as Kenya maintains a tough stance on narcotics trafficking, especially where cross-border movement is involved.

Meanwhile, the DCI has called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity as the war against drugs intensifies.

Tragedy on Congo River: At Least 148 Dead After Boat Fire and Capsizing

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In one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s recent history, at least 148 people have been confirmed dead following a catastrophic fire and capsizing of a passenger boat on the Congo River. Officials fear the final death toll could climb much higher, as hundreds of passengers remain missing.

According to local authorities, the tragedy began when a woman cooking on board the motorized wooden boat accidentally started a fire. The flames rapidly engulfed the vessel, named HB Kongolo, which was carrying an estimated 500 people when the incident occurred on Tuesday night. The boat had departed from the port of Matankumu and was en route to the Bolomba territory before the disaster struck near the northwestern town of Mbandaka.

Senator Jean-Paul Boketsu Bofili of Équateur province confirmed on Friday that the official death toll had surged to 148. “As we speak, more than 150 survivors suffering from third-degree burns are without humanitarian assistance,” he said, underscoring the scale of the crisis and the urgent need for medical aid.

Tragically, many of the fatalities occurred when passengers—particularly women and children—jumped into the river in a desperate attempt to escape the flames. Most were unable to swim and drowned in the strong currents of the Congo River, officials said. Local river commissioner Competent Loyoko confirmed that the fire started due to cooking activity on the deck, a common but hazardous practice on long river voyages in the region.

Approximately 100 survivors were taken to an improvised shelter at the town hall of Mbandaka, while others suffering severe burn injuries were transported to local hospitals. Medical personnel have described dire conditions as facilities are overwhelmed, with many patients in urgent need of advanced burn treatment and surgery.

Deadly boat accidents are tragically frequent in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where waterways serve as a primary mode of transportation for millions, particularly in remote provinces where road infrastructure is virtually nonexistent. With a population exceeding 100 million, the vast nation relies heavily on rivers for the movement of people and goods. However, safety standards remain lax, and many boats operate without proper regulation or oversight.

Late-night departures, overloading of vessels, and a lack of basic safety equipment such as life vests are common across the country’s water transport system. In recent years, several high-profile accidents have led to mass casualties, yet enforcement of maritime safety laws remains weak.

The HB Kongolo disaster adds to this grim legacy. Witnesses report that the vessel was not only overloaded but lacked emergency response tools to handle a fire. Survivors described chaos as the blaze spread quickly, igniting fuel and cargo, and causing a stampede toward the riverbanks.

In the wake of the disaster, local officials have called for an immediate review of river safety protocols and stricter regulation of passenger boats. Senator Bofili has appealed for humanitarian organizations and the national government to urgently dispatch aid to Mbandaka and other affected areas.

Calls are also growing for the creation of a river safety authority with the power to regulate passenger numbers, enforce equipment requirements, and train boat crews in emergency preparedness. Without such reforms, analysts warn that similar tragedies will continue to occur.

President Félix Tshisekedi has yet to make a public statement about the accident, though a presidential spokesperson confirmed that the administration was monitoring the situation closely and would coordinate with local health services.

The Congo River, the second-longest in Africa, has long been a vital lifeline for communities across the country. Yet its role as a major transportation artery is fraught with danger due to systemic neglect and underinvestment in water transport safety.

As rescue and recovery operations continue, families await news of missing loved ones. For many, the loss of life is not just a personal tragedy but a reminder of the urgent need for reform in a nation that depends on its rivers but too often overlooks their risks.

Russia and Ukraine Exchange Nearly 1,000 Fallen Soldiers in Largest Body Swap Since Start of War

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In a rare act of cooperation amid an otherwise unrelenting war, Russia and Ukraine on Friday exchanged the remains of nearly 1,000 fallen soldiers in the second such large-scale body swap in less than a month. Officials from both nations confirmed the exchange, highlighting that even during intense hostilities, limited humanitarian coordination efforts persist.

According to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the bodies of 909 Ukrainian servicemen were returned to Kyiv during the exchange. Most of the fallen soldiers were recovered from the front lines of eastern and southeastern Ukraine, including the fiercely contested Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions. Some remains also came from the northeastern Sumy region, where Ukrainian military officials warn that Russian troops may be preparing for a new offensive.

The soldiers repatriated in this exchange had fallen in some of the bloodiest battles of the ongoing war, which has now stretched into its third year. Ukrainian authorities pledged to identify the bodies and return them to families for proper burials.

Russia, meanwhile, received the remains of 41 of its own soldiers, according to State Duma lawmaker Shamsail Saraliyev, who spoke to the RBC news outlet. The disparity in numbers reflects the ongoing intensity of fighting in Ukrainian-held regions, where Ukrainian troops have continued to mount defense operations amid ongoing Russian offensives.

Friday’s exchange marks the eighth time since October that the two sides have swapped the remains of 500 or more Ukrainian troops. The last major exchange took place on March 28, when Ukraine received 909 bodies while Russia took back 43 of its dead.

Despite the collapse of broader diplomatic channels and ongoing military escalations, these coordinated exchanges represent one of the few remaining forms of communication between Moscow and Kyiv. Both sides work through intermediary organizations and, in some cases, humanitarian agencies to facilitate the return of remains to grieving families.

The staggering human cost of the war continues to mount. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a recent interview with CBS News, stated that as many as 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. This figure represents the highest public estimate from Ukrainian leadership to date.

Russia, on the other hand, has not released updated casualty statistics since the fall of 2022, when it officially acknowledged fewer than 6,000 deaths. However, independent investigations paint a very different picture. A joint analysis by Russian news outlet Mediazona and BBC News Russia has confirmed the names of around 100,000 Russian soldiers killed in action—based solely on publicly available records such as obituaries, burial notices, and social media posts.

The regions from which the Ukrainian bodies were recovered—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Sumy—are currently some of the most volatile in the conflict. Russian forces have made recent gains in Donetsk, while skirmishes continue around the strategic city of Avdiivka. Ukrainian officials have warned of possible Russian troop buildups in Sumy, suggesting that a renewed eastern offensive may be imminent.

Though the conflict shows no signs of abating, the coordinated return of the dead provides a rare moment of dignity and relief for the families of soldiers on both sides. Military analysts note that these exchanges are critical not only for humanitarian reasons but also for maintaining morale among troops and public support in each country.

As the war drags on and casualty numbers climb, such exchanges may become more frequent—even as the battlefield grows more brutal.

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 25 in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict; U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee Makes Debut in Jerusalem

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At least 25 Palestinians, including children, were killed in a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Friday, according to hospital officials, intensifying an already dire humanitarian crisis and dimming hopes for renewed ceasefire talks. The latest bombardments came as newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee made his first public appearance in Jerusalem, marking a symbolic step in the Biden administration’s deepening diplomatic engagement amid the war.

Medical officials at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported receiving 15 bodies following three separate Israeli strikes on the southern city. In northern Gaza, another 10 people were killed in Jabaliya, including eight members of a single family, according to the Indonesian Hospital. The total number of casualties may rise as rescue efforts continue.

These latest strikes follow Thursday’s deadly bombings that killed more than two dozen people across the enclave. Israeli forces have intensified operations as pressure mounts on Hamas to disarm and return hostages abducted during the 

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee made his first official appearance in Jerusalem, visiting the Western Wall—the holiest prayer site in Judaism. Huckabee, a former governor and presidential candidate, placed a handwritten note in the Wall, which he said was penned by U.S. President Donald Trump and signed with his initials “D.T.”

Speaking to reporters, Huckabee said President Trump had instructed him to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” He reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to securing the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas and emphasized that efforts were underway to facilitate new negotiations. While Huckabee has previously voiced support for controversial Israeli policies, including annexation of the West Bank, he stated that it would not be his role to push those agendas as ambassador.

His appointment comes at a critical juncture in the 18-month conflict, as international mediators, led by the U.S., attempt to revive a collapsed ceasefire agreement reached earlier this year.

The core of the ceasefire negotiations remains the return of hostages taken by Hamas during its Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border assault, which left approximately 1,200 people dead and 251 abducted. Israel insists any new truce must begin with the release of remaining hostages and culminate in Hamas’ disarmament and withdrawal from Gaza.

However, Hamas has rejected the latest Israeli proposal. Speaking Thursday, senior Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya reiterated the group’s conditions: a full Israeli withdrawal, a permanent ceasefire, and a large-scale prisoner exchange. Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to still be alive.

Friday’s bombings came amid heightened warnings from humanitarian organizations over Israel’s six-week-long blockade of Gaza, which has effectively halted the flow of food, medicine, and fuel into the territory. The United Nations has sounded alarms over rapidly increasing child malnutrition rates, with many families surviving on one sparse meal per day as supplies dwindle.

Israel’s Defense Minister has defended the blockade as a strategic pressure tactic aimed at cutting off Hamas’ lifelines. However, aid agencies dispute allegations that humanitarian aid is being diverted by militants, insisting that U.N. distribution is closely monitored. Rights groups have denounced the blockade as a “starvation tactic” in violation of international law.

Despite the ongoing war, Gaza’s Christian minority gathered on Friday to commemorate Good Friday inside the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrios—believed to be the third-oldest church in the world. Worshippers lit candles and prayed in solemn remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion. The church compound itself was damaged in an October 2023 strike that killed more than a dozen civilians sheltering inside.

Before the war, Gaza was home to around 1,300 Christians, according to the U.S. State Department. Their numbers have since dwindled amid displacement and destruction.

Since Israel launched its retaliatory offensive in October 2023, more than 51,000 Palestinians—primarily women and children—have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The conflict has razed vast swaths of the territory, destroyed much of its agricultural infrastructure, and displaced roughly 90% of the population. Hundreds of thousands of residents now live in makeshift tent camps and bombed-out buildings, dependent on dwindling aid supplies and uncertain international relief.

With ceasefire negotiations once again at a standstill and casualties mounting by the day, diplomatic observers warn the window for peace may be closing fast. The arrival of Ambassador Huckabee signals renewed U.S. involvement—but whether it will bring about meaningful progress remains to be seen.

Deadliest U.S. Strike in Yemen Kills 74 at Red Sea Fuel Terminal, Houthis Say

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The United States carried out its deadliest airstrike in Yemen to date on Thursday, killing at least 74 people and injuring 171 more in a targeted attack on the Ras Isa fuel terminal, according to the Houthi-run health ministry. The Red Sea port facility, located roughly 55 kilometers north of the city of Hodeidah, was heavily damaged in what has become the most lethal single strike in Washington’s campaign against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.

The airstrike was part of a broader military escalation ordered by President Donald Trump last month—marking the largest U.S. military operation in the Middle East since he assumed office in January. The Trump administration has vowed to keep up the pressure on the Houthis until they fully halt their attacks on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea.

The U.S. military confirmed the strike but did not comment on the casualty figures released by the Houthis. In a brief statement posted on X, U.S. Central Command said the strike was aimed at degrading “the economic source of power of the Houthis, who continue to exploit and bring great pain upon their fellow countrymen.” The Ras Isa terminal is a critical node in the Houthi-controlled economy, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue annually through fuel import taxes.

According to Yemeni sources, the port serves not only as a commercial fuel hub but also hosts a substantial military presence. The strike reportedly killed employees of both the Safer Oil Company, which operates the terminal, and the Yemen Petroleum Company, which oversees the distribution of imported fuel.

Health ministry spokesman Anees al-Asbahi described the bombing as “a massacre,” stating that emergency crews were still working to extract bodies from the rubble as of Friday morning. He warned that the death toll could rise significantly as search and rescue efforts continue.

Washington and its allies, including Israel, have previously targeted the Ras Isa facility, which they believe has been used by the Houthis to launch drones and missiles aimed at commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea. Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched dozens of such attacks, claiming they were targeting ships linked to Israel in protest of the war in Gaza.

Although the group observed a temporary ceasefire during a two-month pause in Israeli operations, they pledged to resume attacks following Israel’s renewed assault on Gaza in March. Despite that vow, no new Red Sea attacks have been confirmed in recent weeks, prompting questions about the Houthis’ current military capabilities or strategy.

U.S. officials maintain that the Ras Isa strike was necessary to sever a key logistical and financial artery sustaining the group’s military operations. With a storage capacity of around 3 million barrels, the facility is one of Yemen’s largest and most strategically significant fuel terminals.

The deadly strike underscores the Trump administration’s increasingly aggressive posture toward the Houthis and their Iranian backers. While the U.S. has focused its diplomatic efforts on resolving the conflict in Ukraine, its military attention in the Middle East is expanding—particularly in response to the Houthis’ growing influence and disruption of global trade routes through the Red Sea.

In March, a similar two-day barrage of U.S. airstrikes killed more than 50 people, according to Houthi officials. Thursday’s bombing now surpasses that in both scale and impact, drawing international scrutiny amid escalating regional tensions.

President Trump has defended the strikes as necessary to protect global commerce and U.S. interests in the region. Critics, however, warn that such operations risk deepening Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and further destabilizing the war-torn country.

As images of the destroyed terminal and mangled debris circulated on social media, humanitarian organizations urged restraint and called for independent investigations into the attack. The U.N. has yet to issue an official response but has repeatedly warned that targeting civilian infrastructure could constitute a violation of international law.

Regional observers say the strikes may signal a shift in U.S. tactics from containment to crippling economic warfare, aimed at forcing the Houthis into submission or to the negotiating table. Yet, with the group still in control of large swathes of northern Yemen and significant military assets, the long-term effectiveness of such strikes remains uncertain.

For now, Ras Isa lies in ruins, its port operations halted, and dozens of families left mourning. As the U.S. continues its campaign, the question looms: will this intensification bring peace to the Red Sea—or ignite a broader, more dangerous conflict in the Middle East?

US Threatens to Abandon Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Stalled Progress, Trump and Rubio Warn

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The United States is poised to withdraw from its push to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine unless there is immediate and tangible progress, President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaled Friday. Their statements reflect rising frustration in Washington over stalled negotiations and the growing belief that diplomatic momentum is fading fast.

Speaking from the White House, Trump made clear that while he remains committed to ending the war, patience is wearing thin. “Quickly, we want to get it done,” he told reporters. “If one of the parties makes it very difficult, we’re going to say, ‘You’re foolish, you’re fools, you’re horrible people,’ and we’re going to just take a pass. But hopefully we won’t have to do that.”

Rubio echoed this urgency during remarks in Paris following high-level talks with European and Ukrainian leaders, emphasizing that Washington will not allow negotiations to drag on indefinitely. “We’re not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end,” he said. “We need to determine very quickly—within days—whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks. If it’s not, I think the president is at a point where he’s going to say, ‘We’re done.’”

While Trump declined to name a firm deadline, he reinforced Rubio’s stance. “Marco’s right… we want to see it end,” Trump said. When asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was intentionally delaying peace, Trump replied, “I hope not.”

According to multiple diplomatic sources, White House frustration has been mounting over what officials perceive as Russia’s reluctance to negotiate in good faith. Recent attempts to reignite talks—including high-level discussions in Saudi Arabia and now in Paris—have produced only limited outcomes, such as partial ceasefires, without resolving broader territorial and political disputes.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged “some progress” had been made, but noted that discussions with Washington remained “difficult.” He reiterated that Moscow remained open to dialogue but insisted Russia’s national interests must be preserved in any resolution.

The most recent Paris meeting marked the first in-person talks involving the US, Ukraine, and key European powers under the Trump administration’s peace initiative. Rubio said the US proposal for a ceasefire and roadmap toward broader peace received an “encouraging reception.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office described the discussions as “constructive and positive.”

Vice President JD Vance, speaking from Rome after meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, said he remained “optimistic” that the US could help end the war, which he called a “very brutal conflict.” A US official confirmed that the next round of talks is scheduled to take place in London next week, with hopes that Ukraine will agree to a preliminary “term sheet” including a 30-day comprehensive ceasefire over land, sea, and air.

Trump initially promised during his campaign to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office. After assuming the presidency, he extended that timeline, aiming for a peace agreement by April or May. As military and political complications mounted, however, that ambition has met significant resistance.

The president has applied pressure on both Kyiv and Moscow to return to the negotiating table—threatening tighter sanctions on Russia while also warning of a potential end to the flow of US military aid to Ukraine if talks continue to stall.

Despite earlier hopes raised by the US-led meeting in Saudi Arabia, the outcome has been limited. The conflict rages on, punctuated by continued violence, including a deadly missile strike on Sumy in northeastern Ukraine that killed 35 civilians—an incident Trump called “a mistake.”

A source familiar with internal White House deliberations said Trump has begun to question whether remaining in the peace process is worthwhile, given the lack of traction and the risk of the conflict becoming “Trump’s war.” Rubio’s statements, the source added, were designed to publicly reflect Trump’s growing impatience.

Should the US withdraw from its role in negotiations, the peace process could falter altogether. With no other global power capable of exerting similar leverage over both Moscow and Kyiv, Washington’s exit would leave a dangerous vacuum.

Still, what follows remains unclear. The US could choose to maintain its current posture—enforcing sanctions on Russia and continuing aid to Ukraine—or pivot more drastically, cutting off military support and reshaping its entire Ukraine strategy.

In a separate development, Trump mentioned plans to sign a mineral rights deal with Ukraine next week—reviving a proposal that collapsed in February following tensions between Zelenskiy, Vice President Vance, and other Republican leaders.

Meanwhile, Rubio confirmed that he spoke directly with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov following the Paris talks to brief him on the US peace framework. However, significant divides remain.

Putin has demanded that Ukraine relinquish its bid for NATO membership, formally cede four contested regions to Russia, and drastically reduce the size of its military—terms that Kyiv considers unacceptable and tantamount to surrender.

Rubio acknowledged that European nations would play a key role in any final agreement, particularly when it comes to lifting sanctions on Russia as part of a settlement. Discussions also touched on potential US security guarantees, which he said could be addressed in ways “acceptable to everyone.” But he warned that these were secondary to more urgent obstacles facing the peace effort.

As the clock ticks, the White House is sending a clear message: without rapid and meaningful progress, the US is prepared to walk away from the negotiating table—leaving the fate of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in even deeper uncertainty.

Russia Removes Taliban from Terror List in Strategic Shift Toward Engagement

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In a significant geopolitical move, Russia’s Supreme Court on Thursday formally lifted the long-standing designation of Afghanistan’s Taliban as a terrorist organization—ending more than two decades of official restrictions on engagement with the group.

The ruling, requested by Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office, clears a major legal hurdle for future diplomatic, political, and economic relations between Moscow and Kabul. The Taliban had been labeled a terrorist entity by the Russian government in 2003, making any interaction with the group a prosecutable offense under Russian law. That label, however, stood increasingly at odds with Russia’s evolving foreign policy priorities in the region.

The Taliban’s resurgence in August 2021, following the chaotic U.S. and NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, prompted a reconsideration of Moscow’s stance. While Russia never formally recognized the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government, it has hosted Taliban delegations at various forums and treated the group as the de facto rulers of the country. Thursday’s court decision now aligns Russia’s legal framework with its pragmatic diplomacy.

“This is a legal correction that matches political reality,” said Ibraheem Bahiss, a senior analyst with Crisis Group’s Asia Program. He explained that the former terrorist designation had created “a legal impairment for trade and political ties with Kabul,” which are now easier to pursue.

Russia is not alone in changing its stance. In recent years, Central Asian neighbors Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have also removed the Taliban from their national terror lists. These shifts reflect a growing regional consensus that some level of engagement with the Taliban is necessary to maintain stability in Central Asia, particularly in light of concerns about extremist offshoots like Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K), which has openly threatened both Taliban rule and Russian interests.

Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert, characterized the decision as “not groundbreaking,” noting that many countries—including some in the West—never officially designated the Taliban as a terrorist group. Still, he said the ruling is a “win-win” that allows Russia to deepen its regional influence while offering the Taliban a much-needed boost in international legitimacy.

Despite this diplomatic success, the Taliban continue to face heavy criticism over their human rights record, especially regarding the treatment of women and girls. Since taking control in 2021, the group has reimposed draconian policies reminiscent of their first regime (1996–2001), banning girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade and restricting women from most forms of employment and public life.

These restrictions have severely limited international recognition and foreign aid to Afghanistan. While some Taliban factions reportedly support softening these policies to attract global assistance and investments, the leadership has thus far remained largely uncompromising.

The United Nations has repeatedly urged the Taliban to reverse their bans, while major donor nations have tied financial aid to the restoration of basic rights and freedoms. Yet, Taliban leaders have instead leaned on alternative diplomatic relationships with countries like China, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Russia’s interest in Afghanistan is deeply rooted in its historical ties. The former Soviet Union waged a brutal ten-year war in Afghanistan beginning in 1979, ultimately withdrawing in 1989 after suffering major losses. Since then, Russian policymakers have viewed the country as a volatile yet strategically critical neighbor.

With the new ruling, Moscow appears poised to expand its influence in Afghanistan, not through military intervention, but through diplomacy, trade, and regional security cooperation. As Bahiss noted, “Beyond making it easier for individuals and businesses to engage with Afghanistan, I am not sure what other major benefit this will have.” Still, the move represents a symbolic and practical shift that could reshape regional dynamics.

The court’s decision does not signal full diplomatic recognition of the Taliban, but it paves the way for deeper political engagement and potentially greater economic cooperation—at a time when both Russia and Afghanistan are seeking new allies in a rapidly evolving global order.

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