The boat in the deadly Cuba Coast Guard clash was stolen from the Florida Keys and had U.S. citizens aboard.

Four people were killed and six injured. Cuba says the boat’s occupants fired first.

Source: Axios

Anthropic says the Pentagon’s “final offer” on AI safeguards is unacceptable because it doesn’t block mass surveillance or autonomous weapons use of its model, Claude.

With a Friday deadline looming, the company risks penalties — including possible blacklisting — but says it’s still negotiating.

Source: Axios

Hillary Clinton says she is certain her husband knew nothing about Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes.

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The top U.S. commander in the Middle East, Adm. Brad Cooper, briefed Trump on military options against Iran as U.S.–Iran nuclear talks wrapped up in Geneva.

It was Cooper’s first briefing to Trump since tensions escalated last December.

Source: Axios

U.S. intelligence does not support Trump’s claim that Iran will soon have missiles capable of reaching the United States.

A 2025 Defense Intelligence Agency assessment says Iran is unlikely to develop a viable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) before 2035, even with possible foreign assistance.

While Marco Rubio said Iran is “on a pathway” to eventually developing such weapons, intelligence officials reportedly see no evidence of an imminent threat.

Source: Reuters

JD Vance on Iran:

The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight — there is no chance that will happen.

Source: WaPo

JD Vance on Iran:

I think we all prefer the diplomatic option.

But it really depends on what the Iranians do and what they say.

Source: WaPo

JD Vance to WaPo:

I do think we have to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. I also think that we have to avoid overlearning the lessons of the past.

Just because one President screwed up a military conflict doesn’t mean we can never engage in military conflict again.

We’ve got to be careful about it, but I think the President is being careful.

Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of Block (and co-founder of Twitter), says the company is cutting nearly half its workforce — reducing staff from 10,000 to under 6,000 — because AI is fundamentally changing how businesses operate. He believes most companies will soon make similar structural changes.

Block, which owns Square, Cash App, and Tidal, expects up to $500m in restructuring costs but reported strong recent profits. Its shares rose over 20% after the announcement.

Nuclear talks between the United States and Iran in Geneva ended without an agreement. Oman said “significant progress” was made. Technical discussions will continue next week in Vienna.

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According to CNN analysis, Trump’s approach to Iran echoes the 2003 Iraq War. Geneva talks showed progress, but the U.S. military buildup and unclear strategy maintain the risk of an Iraq-style quagmire.

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Tensions explode on the Durand Line: Pakistan declares war on Afghanistan after Taliban attacks. Airstrikes now reach Kabul. Iran and Russia call for dialogue and immediate halt to hostilities.

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Iran’s Marshall Plan for Syria Collapsed

Iran invested billions in Syria to rebuild the war‑torn state and secure economic influence, inspired by the U.S. Marshall Plan, Reuters found in looted embassy documents. The strategy, enacted in May 2022, collapsed following Assad’s ouster in December 2024.

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NEW: The U.S. State Department authorized the departure of non-essential U.S. government staff and their families from Israel due to security risks.

The U.S. Embassy may also suddenly restrict travel for its personnel in parts of Israel, Jerusalem’s Old City, and the West Bank.

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Kostiantynivka, a key Ukrainian logistics hub in Donetsk region, is under heavy and constant Russian attack.

The city is heavily destroyed.

Around 2,000 civilians remain.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to embassy staff:

Anyone who wants to leave should do so today.

Source: Amit Segal

Several Hungarian opposition parties have withdrawn from the April elections to avoid splitting the vote and boost Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, which is currently leading Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz in the polls.

Magyar is urging all remaining opposition groups to step aside, arguing that only a united front can end Orbán’s 16-year rule.

Source: FT

African CDC Warns on Sovereignty Risks in US Health Aid Deals with African Nations

Africa CDC chief Dr. Jean Kaseya said there are huge concerns over data & pathogen sharing in new U.S. health funding deals. Zimbabwe exited a $367m pact & Zambia delayed a $1bn agreement, while 17 African states have signed similar compacts.

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Türkiye’s flagship & the world’s first dedicated drone carrier TCG ANADOLU (L-400) arrived in Rotterdam, Netherlands as part of a Turkish naval task group participating in NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise.

It was joined by support and frigate ships.

Labour suffers shocking defeat in Gorton and Denton, England, as Green Party wins first northern seat. Starmer faces mounting pressure ahead of May elections.

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The Pentagon is developing AI-powered cyber tools to map and exploit vulnerabilities in Chinese infrastructure (like power grids and sensitive networks) to prepare for a potential conflict.

Officials say AI would automate reconnaissance and speed up targeting.

One former CIA official compared it to “the thief in the night who tries the front door to homes until they find one that has been left unlocked.”

The US has already awarded about $200mn in AI contracts to companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and xAI, but tensions are rising.

Some AI labs are resisting unrestricted military use.

A senior official warned Anthropic it could face consequences if it rejected Pentagon terms. One person familiar with the US position said:

“It’s open-ended use, we can’t have shackles on us when it all kicks off.”

Source: FT