The United States, led by President Donald Trump, has begun a military operation in Ecuador to fight against groups labeled as "terrorists" involved in drug trafficking. The US Southern Command is working with Ecuadorian forces to target these groups, and the operation involves logistics and intelligence support from the US. This is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to combat drug cartels in Latin America.
Key Facts
The US and Ecuador are working together to combat drug traffickers in Ecuador.
The US Southern Command oversees these joint operations in Central and South America.
The operation began on March 3 and targets "Designated Terrorist Organizations."
US involvement includes providing logistics and intelligence support.
President Trump has pushed to label cartels as “foreign terrorist organisations.”
The campaign is part of a broader initiative to tackle drug trafficking in Latin America.
There have been 44 aerial strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels as part of this effort.
The US has also conducted military operations in Venezuela related to drug trafficking.
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Israel has instructed people living south of the Litani River in Lebanon to leave the area. This evacuation order comes as Israeli forces advance further into Lebanese territory.
Key Facts
Israel has told people living south of the Litani River in Lebanon to evacuate.
Israeli forces are moving deeper into Lebanese territory.
The Litani River is a key geographical point in Lebanon.
Lebanese residents in the affected area are impacted by the evacuation order.
The situation involves cross-border military movement by Israel into Lebanon.
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Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood plans to announce new rules that will limit support for asylum seekers. These changes will stop support payments for those breaking the law or working illegally and focus on providing aid only to those who truly need it. The new rules are part of broader immigration reforms aimed at making the system more controlled.
Key Facts
Shabana Mahmood will introduce new rules for asylum seekers regarding government support.
Asylum seekers who break the law or work illegally will lose government-funded housing and payments.
The changes are planned to start in June and will focus on helping only those who cannot support themselves.
Mahmood's proposal involves ending full support for asylum seekers who can find work.
The changes are inspired by Denmark’s system, which the UK Home Office admires.
Mahmood's speech will try to gain support within her party that may disagree with her approach.
The Refugee Council warns the changes could increase homelessness and local service costs.
Over 107,003 people were receiving asylum support in the UK at the end of last year, with 30,000 housed in hotels.
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The U.S. has approved American Airlines to resume flights to Venezuela for the first time in over six years. This follows a directive from President Donald Trump to lift the previous flight ban put in place in 2019. The decision allows flights from Miami to Caracas and Maracaibo by American Airlines' regional subsidiary, Envoy.
Key Facts
The U.S. Transportation Department approved a request for flights to Venezuela by American Airlines.
President Trump directed the lifting of a 2019 ban that stopped U.S. airlines from flying to Venezuela.
American Airlines will operate flights to Caracas and Maracaibo from Miami.
The airline has not flown to Venezuela since 2019, when the ban started.
The Transportation Security Administration reviewed airport security in Caracas recently.
The two-year approval from the U.S. Transportation Department is in place.
The U.S. State Department still lists Venezuela as a "Do Not Travel" destination.
There are ongoing safety concerns due to military activity in Venezuela's airspace.
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A U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship called the IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan navy recovered 87 bodies and rescued 32 people after the incident. The sinking is part of a larger U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran.
Key Facts
A U.S. submarine fired a torpedo that sunk the Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan navy responded to a distress signal and rescued 32 people, recovering 87 bodies from the sea.
The IRIS Dena was an important ship in Iran's navy and was armed with missiles, guns, and could carry a helicopter.
The sinking highlights a broader U.S.-Israeli military effort against Iran.
The incident marks one of the few times since World War II that a submarine has sunk a ship.
The IRIS Dena had been previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for its connections to military activities.
The bodies and the rescued were taken to a hospital in Galle, Sri Lanka, for medical attention.
The U.S. Defense Secretary mentioned that one goal of the ongoing war is to eliminate Iran's navy.
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A new drug called zorevunersen is helping children with a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome by reducing the number of seizures they experience. Early trial results show promising outcomes for children like eight-year-old Freddie Truelove in the UK. The drug is given through an injection into the spine and aims to fix a gene that affects the brain.
Key Facts
Dravet syndrome affects approximately 1 in 15,000 babies and can cause many seizures a day.
Zorevunersen is an experimental drug administered via spinal infusion to target a faulty gene in the brain.
The drug has reduced the number of seizures from hundreds daily to just a few weekly for patients like Freddie Truelove.
Clinical trial results, published in a medical journal, indicate the drug is safe for children aged two and older.
The drug works by helping the brain produce more sodium channels needed for proper signaling.
Early trials in the US and UK showed patients could have up to 90% fewer seizures on repeat doses.
Continued research is necessary before the drug can become widely used.
Experts are hopeful this drug will offer a better quality of life for children with Dravet syndrome and their families.
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Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Savannah Guthrie, has been missing since January 31. A retired FBI agent highlighted the importance of DNA evidence found at Nancy's home, which could belong to the kidnapper. Authorities are actively investigating, using DNA analysis to find a suspect.
Key Facts
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home in Tucson, Arizona, on January 31.
DNA found at her home does not match Nancy or her family but could be from the kidnapper.
The Pima County Sheriff believes Nancy was targeted and needs daily medication.
Ransom notes were allegedly sent to news outlets after her disappearance.
Investigators are using genetic genealogy to identify potential suspects from the DNA.
Gloves found near Nancy's home with unmatched DNA may be linked to her case.
There is an ongoing investigation with significant resources dedicated to finding Nancy.
The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Nancy's recovery.
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California's snowpack levels are below normal for this time of year, despite some improvement from February storms. State officials warn that there is not much time left to reach typical snowpack levels before the usual peak around April 1. The snowpack is crucial as it supplies a significant portion of the state's water needs.
Key Facts
California's snowpack is at 59% of normal levels, as of early March.
Snowpack typically provides about one-third of California's yearly water supply.
Northern California's snowpack is the lowest, at 38% of normal.
Central California's snowpack is 62% of normal.
Southern California's snowpack is the highest, at 82% of normal.
February storms improved snow levels but not enough to reach average.
State officials stress the need for better infrastructure to capture water when large storms occur.
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The United States and Spain are in disagreement over the use of Spanish military bases for U.S. operations in Iran. The U.S. claims Spain agreed to cooperate, but Spain denies changing its stance. Spanish officials, including the Prime Minister, strongly oppose the military actions in Iran and refuse to allow base usage not sanctioned by the United Nations.
Key Facts
The U.S. and Spain disagree about the use of Spanish military bases for operations in Iran.
A White House spokesperson said Spain agreed to help, but Spain’s Foreign Minister denied any change.
Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, opposes the U.S. military actions in Iran, calling them unjustifiable.
Donald Trump threatened to cut off trade with Spain after the disagreement.
Spain insists its military bases cannot be used for non-UN sanctioned actions.
Trump suggested using the bases without Spanish permission, but it's unclear how trade would be cut off.
Spain is part of the European Union, which manages trade negotiations for its members.
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Genetic material from a glove found near the home of Nancy Guthrie in Arizona has been identified as belonging to a restaurant worker nearby. The glove is not connected to Guthrie's disappearance, which investigators are actively exploring. Guthrie, the mother of journalist Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing in February, and authorities are seeking information and offering rewards.
Key Facts
DNA from a glove found near Nancy Guthrie's home matches an employee from a nearby restaurant.
The Pima County Sheriff stated the glove is not related to Guthrie's disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie, age 84, went missing on February 1; authorities believe she was abducted.
The investigation is ongoing, with no arrests made yet.
Savannah Guthrie and her family visited her mother's home and are actively seeking help from the public.
Rewards totaling $1.1 million are being offered for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's recovery or arrest of those involved.
A former FBI agent described the case as highly active, with multiple leads being pursued by law enforcement.
Authorities are examining surveillance footage and have several promising leads in the investigation.
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A woman named Nicole Isaacs planned an underwater photoshoot in French Polynesia and experienced an unexpected moment when whales appeared as she announced her pregnancy. Isaacs, who visited Moorea during the humpback whale migration, participated in the photoshoot while five months pregnant. A humpback whale calf approached her, creating a memorable scene captured in a widely viewed video.
Key Facts
Nicole Isaacs traveled to Moorea, French Polynesia, during the humpback whale migration season for a photoshoot.
She was five months pregnant at the time of the photoshoot.
French Polynesia has been a whale sanctuary since 2002.
The photoshoot faced challenging weather with storms and choppy waters.
Isaacs found it difficult to repeatedly get in and out of the boat due to pregnancy.
Boats must stay at least 100 meters away from whales in the area.
A humpback whale calf approached during the photoshoot, creating a notable moment.
A video of the experience, shared on Instagram, received over 225,000 views.
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Six U.S. soldiers in Kuwait, part of the U.S. Army Reserve, were killed by a drone strike amidst the ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. These soldiers were performing logistics tasks to supply troops with food and equipment. The Pentagon has identified four of the soldiers, with two names pending notification of their families.
Key Facts
Six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers died in a drone strike in Kuwait.
The conflict involves a military campaign by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, leading to retaliatory strikes.
The soldiers who died were tasked with logistics support, providing essential supplies.
Sgt. Declan Coady, one of the soldiers, was only 20 years old and from West Des Moines, Iowa.
The Pentagon has named four out of the six fallen soldiers; two names are yet to be released.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military had prepared maximum possible defenses before engaging offensively.
President Donald Trump commented that unfortunately, more casualties might occur.
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The article discusses the situation involving the United States and Israel's conflict with Iran, focusing on the political dynamics in Washington, D.C. It highlights the lack of strong public support for the war and questions whether American voters can influence the situation.
Key Facts
The article explores the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Washington, D.C. has various political activities related to this conflict.
The U.S. Secretary of State has shown support for Israel in this context.
Public support in the U.S. for the war is low.
The article questions the ability of American voters to impact the war.
The episode is part of Al Jazeera’s coverage and features correspondent Patty Culhane.
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A Russian tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) sank in the Mediterranean Sea after explosions and a fire. Russia accused Ukraine of attacking the ship using naval drones. The crew of 30 Russian nationals survived, and Maltese rescue services assisted.
Key Facts
A Russian tanker, Arctic Metagaz, sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Malta.
The tanker was carrying about 62,000 metric tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Russia accused Ukraine of using naval drones from Libya to attack the ship.
The Russian crew of 30 people was rescued safely.
Russia called the incident an act of terrorism and piracy.
The United States and European Union have sanctioned the Arctic Metagaz.
Libya's maritime authority warned ships to avoid the area and look out for pollution.
Egypt stated the tanker was not involved with any contracts to deliver LNG there.
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The conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran is seeing heavy use of weapons, with stockpiles being quickly used up. Iran's missile and drone attacks have significantly decreased, possibly due to reduced stockpiles or strategic conservation. The US and Israel are focusing on destroying Iran's missile and drone launch capabilities.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump stated that the US has a large supply of key weapons.
Iran had a stockpile of over 2,000 short-range ballistic missiles before the conflict.
US and Israeli forces have conducted over 2,000 strikes so far.
Iran's missile launches have decreased by 86%, and drone launches by 73% since the start of the war.
The US and Israel now have control of the skies over Iran, affecting Iran's ability to sustain attacks.
The US military primarily uses precision-guided weapons.
The US plans to boost weapons production, with a meeting with defense contractors scheduled.
Iran's ability to continue operations is hindered, but destroying all its weapon stockpiles remains challenging.
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Recent events involving the death of Iran's supreme leader and subsequent retaliation have led the US and Israel to examine how strong the Iranian government is. The Iranian political structure is built to handle leadership changes and external pressures, which may be underestimated by other countries.
Key Facts
Iran's supreme leader has been killed, which is significant for their leadership.
There have been acts of retaliation following the leader's death.
The United States and Israel are assessing the resilience of Iran's government.
Iran's political system is designed to withstand the loss of a leader.
Iran is prepared to deal with external threats and pressures.
The discussion involves insights from an Al Jazeera correspondent, Ali Hashem.
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Hillary Clinton will speak at a forum about ending child marriage. The event is organized by the Institute of Global Politics' Women's Initiative. The forum also features a discussion with leaders from UNICEF and other organizations.
Key Facts
Hillary Clinton, a former U.S. Secretary of State, will discuss efforts to stop child marriage.
The event is organized by the Institute of Global Politics' Women's Initiative.
It is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
PBS News' Ali Rogin will host a conversation with other notable figures.
The discussion will include Catherine Russell from UNICEF and other leaders.
The event can be watched live through a video player.
Ending child marriage helps improve children's lives globally.
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Israel has ordered residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate, leading to mass displacement. The Israeli military is conducting air and ground attacks, targeting what it calls Hezbollah sites. The conflict has resulted in numerous casualties and widespread disruption.
Key Facts
Israel has instructed people in southern Lebanon to leave their homes and move north.
The Israeli military is targeting areas in Lebanon they describe as Hezbollah locations.
More than 83,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon due to the conflict.
At least 72 people have died, including children, and 437 have been injured in Lebanon.
Hezbollah is launching attacks on Israel, including rocket fire and ground confrontations.
Aid organizations warn of severe impacts on the Lebanese population due to ongoing violence.
UNICEF reported that over 12,000 families are taking shelter in approximately 300 shelters in Lebanon.
Lebanese leaders are seeking international help to stop the Israeli attacks and assist displaced families.
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The U.S. Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, announced that the U.S. will carry out deeper strikes into Iran. The report also discusses Iran's response to previous U.S.-Israeli strikes. Journalists from BBC examine challenges in reporting from Iran and share a Pentagon video showing an Iranian warship sinking.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth is the U.S. Defense Secretary.
The U.S. announced plans to conduct deeper strikes into Iran.
Iran has reacted to previous military actions by the U.S. and Israel.
A Pentagon video was released showing the sinking of an Iranian warship.
The report highlights the difficulties journalists face when reporting from Iran.
The Newscast episode is presented by Adam Fleming.
The discussion features insights from Jane Corbin and Siavash Ardalan from the BBC.
Listeners can access Newscast on various smart speakers and online platforms.
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Spain has denied claims by the White House that it has agreed to work with the U.S. military amid the conflict with Iran. President Trump had warned of trade consequences for Spain's initial refusal, but Spain maintains its opposition to the war. Spain's Foreign Minister asserted that there has been no change in their position.
Key Facts
The White House claimed Spain agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military concerning the war with Iran.
Spain's Foreign Minister denied this claim, saying nothing has changed in their stance.
President Trump threatened to halt all trade with Spain over its opposition to the war.
Spain's Prime Minister reiterated the country's opposition to war and violations of international law.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised Spain for opposing military aggression.
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