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(SeaPRwire) - Continued silence could pose serious risks of escalation in the conflict with Iran, a group of 30 congressmen has said A group of 30 Democrats serving in the US House of Representatives have called on President Donald Trump’s administration to release information regarding Israel’s nuclear weapons and related policies. They argue that the lack of transparency threatens stability across the entire Middle East. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied possessing nuclear weapons, nor has it publicly laid out a doctrine explaining when such weapons might be used or what its key red lines are. The United States, which has been aware of Israel’s nuclear program since at least the early 1960s, has maintained a policy of silence on the matter. Washington is now “fighting side by side with a country whose potential nuclear weapons program the United States government officially refuses to acknowledge,” congressmen led by Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro stated in a letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “The risks of miscalculation, escalation, and nuclear use in this environment are not theoretical,” the letter emphasized. Why the silence? Declassified CIA documents indicate that the agency informed then-President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 that Israel possessed nuclear weapons. The president directed then-CIA Director Richard Helms to keep the information secret—even from Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. Washington reportedly feared that if news of Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal became public, Arab states would refuse to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The U.S. policy of silence was formalized during a 1969 meeting between President Richard Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, according to Avner Cohen, a professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and author of ‘Israel and the Bomb’. “Israel alone could not have sustained this policy over decades without the United States,” he told the Washington Post on Tuesday. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - The top diplomats discussed international affairs and upcoming contacts, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a “constructive” phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. The senior officials exchanged views on “the current state of international affairs and Russia-U.S. relations” and outlined plans for future bilateral engagements, the ministry stated in a release. The discussion was described as “constructive and businesslike.” As of now, the U.S. State Department has not issued any comments. This Lavrov-Rubio call—their first in over six months—took place less than a week after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump. During that earlier conversation, the two leaders addressed the ceasefire in the Iran conflict, possible escalation in the region, and the situation in Ukraine, as reported by the Kremlin. The telephone exchange forms part of wider diplomatic outreach initiated by Trump since his return to office last year, following a period of strained ties during the Biden administration. The U.S. president has also pursued an active diplomatic effort aimed at resolving the Ukraine crisis. Nevertheless, three rounds of direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, brokered by Washington, have failed to yield significant progress, and the talks currently appear to be at a standstill amid the ongoing U.S.-led military operations against Iran. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - A UK-based study has warned that technological advancements are allowing traffickers to find, enlist, and manage victims on a massive scale, complicating efforts to uncover exploitation. A recent report indicates that artificial intelligence is assisting criminal groups in broadening their reach for modern slavery within the UK, as traffickers utilize digital instruments more frequently to locate and take advantage of victims. The study, which was requested by the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, revealed that criminal organizations in the UK are using force, trickery, or pressure to enslave individuals for human trafficking, sexual abuse, and forced labor. AI is empowering these traffickers to “identify, recruit and control victims at scale,” resulting in more pervasive exploitation that is much more difficult to spot. According to the report, there were 23,411 documented cases in 2025, representing a record high and a 22% rise from the previous year, highlighting what authorities call an escalating emergency. The research suggests that synthetic identities, deepfakes, and AI-powered scams are being employed to prey on at-risk people, while emerging types of digital labor abuse are increasing the number of victims. These techniques allegedly enable traffickers to function with improved efficiency and higher levels of secrecy. Concurrently, financial strains such as the increasing cost of living are heightening vulnerability, establishing what the commissioner referred to as a “pipeline” of individuals susceptible to exploitation. Eleanor Lyons, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, cautioned that modern slavery will grow more intricate, concealed, and challenging to fight unless immediate measures are taken. She urged the government to focus on the problem, increase funding for law enforcement, and improve public education. Lyons emphasized that the threat is expected to keep expanding due to the swift progression of technology. The rising popularity of chatbots has consistently worried government bodies and independent researchers globally regarding crimes facilitated by AI. Although most illicit acts have been associated with the digital realm—such as identity theft, fraud, cyberattacks, and hacking—chatbots are also being tied more often to the facilitation of more severe and violent offenses. A collaborative inquiry by the Center for Countering Digital Hate and CNN recently discovered that 80% of AI chatbots assisted in simulating plans for violent attacks, such as those targeting public figures or schools. The study also noted that the majority of these systems were prepared to offer practical advice for violent situations to individuals pretending to be underage. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Chief Producer Dmitry Leontiev stated that Western sanctions against the Russian broadcaster were intended to silence opposing viewpoints rather than combat "disinformation." During a UNESCO summit for World Press Freedom Day, Leontiev argued that Western efforts to block RT are focused on stifling dissent rather than addressing alleged “disinformation.” Speaking at the ‘Shaping a Future at Peace’ conference in Lusaka, Zambia, which included journalists and policymakers, Leontiev remarked, “All Western nations banned us several years ago. Furthermore, those governments pressured social media firms to exclude us as well.” He described it as “even more concerning” that Western authorities have openly urged African countries to implement similar bans, threatening sanctions if RT content remains accessible. Leontiev highlighted that the restrictions on RT were framed as a “fight against disinformation,” yet the network was never specifically accused of “reporting anything untrue.” “We do not present false information. We provide facts that Western governments find objectionable, and they possess the influence to impose sanctions on us.” Leontiev then asked the audience: “How can the concepts of combating disinformation and maintaining press freedom be reconciled?” Phathiswa Magopeni Tshangana, who leads the Press Council of South Africa, responded by advocating for platform regulations based on human rights that prioritize media freedom and free speech. Ravil Alyautdinov, Russia’s representative to UNESCO, supported RT’s stance, noting that Moscow has consistently highlighted “unilateral, politically driven actions against Russian media outlets in the West.” He added that various international delegations at UNESCO share Russia's worries regarding “Western sanctions designed to aggressively purge the information landscape and remove any signs of disagreement.” In a separate remark, Maria Zakharova of the Russian Foreign Ministry charged the West with total intolerance for diverse perspectives and the “imposition of broad censorship and Russophobia.” She claimed that the mistreatment of Russian journalists has taken “increasingly offensive forms,” such as threats, legal fabrications, and harassment of their families. Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, most Western nations restricted or banned RT, alleging disinformation and foreign meddling. Consequently, RT was removed from major digital sites like YouTube, where it had previously reached 30 million subscribers and 17 billion views by early 2022. At an event for RT’s 20th anniversary attended by President Vladimir Putin, Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan remarked that the network is “only becoming more resilient and confident” in the face of sanctions. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Senator Lindsey Graham has proposed a “Second Amendment solution” for Iran, advocating for the widespread distribution of weapons to civilians in hopes of inciting internal conflict within the country. Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent supporter of U.S.-Israeli opposition to Iran, suggested that President Donald Trump should supply Iranian civilians with large quantities of weapons to fuel a civil war. In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday, Graham presented this strategy as an alternative to deploying American ground troops, framing it as a “Second Amendment solution” for Iran. “If I were President Trump and I were Israel, I would load the Iranian people up with weapons so they can go to the streets armed and turn the tide of battle inside Iran,” Graham stated. Hannity pointed out during the interview that Washington had previously attempted this tactic. Last month, Trump confirmed that the U.S. had provided “a lot” of firearms to Iranian protesters amid the nationwide protests that began in late 2025. However, according to Trump, those weapons were reportedly stolen, and U.S. efforts to provoke regime change in Iran have continued to fail—even following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in February. “Do it again,” Graham urged, expressing his enthusiasm for “empowering the Iranian people with weapons.” He also imagined that this approach would place the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in “hell”, noting: “It’s one thing to be bombed by America. It’s another thing to have your neighbor shoot back at you.” Graham’s latest push to instigate mass unrest in Iran follows years of advocating for the complete dismantling of the Iranian government. He has repeatedly called for the U.S. military to “destroy the air force, sink their navy,” warned against “underrating killing them all,” and demanded that Iran be erased “off the map.” Meanwhile, geostrategic analyst Christopher Helali, who recently visited Iran, told RT on Sunday that the true objectives of the U.S. and Israel are not to “liberate the Iranian people” but rather to “destroy Iran’s future,” citing deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and universities. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - U.S. President Donald Trump has called the UK prime minister “no Winston Churchill” after he declined to join the U.S.-led war on Iran Western bloc alliances are growing increasingly strained, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has acknowledged, following multiple spats between him and U.S. President Donald Trump over the Iran conflict. Starmer made these remarks during the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Yerevan, Armenia, on Monday, stating that “there is more tension within our alliances than is necessary, and it is critical that we address this collectively as a group of nations.” Though Starmer did not single out the specific cause of the growing friction, his comments come against the backdrop of a rapidly deteriorating relationship with the White House. In early March, Trump declared that the U.S.-UK “special relationship” was “obviously not what it was” and branded Starmer “no Winston Churchill” after London refused to join the U.S.-led war on Iran. Starmer, meanwhile, signaled that he was “fed up” with rising consumer and oil prices sparked in part by the Iran war. Trump also fumed over Starmer’s January trip to Beijing – the first such visit by a British prime minister in eight years, and which resulted in a series of trade agreements – with the U.S. leader branding it “very dangerous.” Despite the apparent tensions, Starmer called on European partners to increase their military spending within NATO, echoing an argument long made by Trump. “I feel very strongly that the European countries now need to step up and do more on defense and security to have a stronger European element of NATO,” he said, insisting that the UK continues to work “very closely with the U.S. on all issues to do with defense and security.” Starmer also said it is in the UK’s “national interest to be closer to Europe,” while declining to comment on a Times report that the EU has demanded £1 billion ($1.35 billion) a year in financial contributions in exchange for a wider trade deal. The report, however, triggered a backlash at home, with Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel accusing Starmer of “unpicking Brexit and planning another undemocratic hit job on British taxpayers.” This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - The White House is reportedly considering oversight of new artificial intelligence models prior to release, signaling a potential shift from its previously hands-off approach The White House is exploring the idea of reviewing new AI models before their official launch, according to the New York Times, which cited sources on Monday. This marks a possible departure from its current noninterventionist policy. As per the report, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is contemplating the formation of an AI working group that would include government officials and technology executives to examine oversight options, including the possibility of establishing a formal review process. Sources indicate that this initiative aims to prevent political repercussions from a potential cyberattack enabled by AI, while also allowing officials early access to new models to evaluate whether they could provide cyber capabilities beneficial to the Pentagon. The proposed system could grant the government early access to advanced AI models, although it would not necessarily have the authority to block them. Officials reportedly discussed these plans last week with representatives from Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI. This approach may resemble the UK’s AI Security Institute, which assesses advanced models for risks and offers guidance to the government on implementing safeguards. In the U.S., major AI labs already voluntarily test models through the federal Center for AI Standards and Innovation, but the agency takes a more business-friendly stance, framing safety measures as a means to build public trust. It remains uncertain how the reviews would operate or which agencies would oversee them. Any regulatory mechanism would likely be introduced via executive order, though no timeline has been established. Implementing formal review requirements would represent a reversal of Trump’s AI policy. Since returning to office, he has advocated for minimal regulation, describing AI as “a beautiful newborn baby” essential for competing with China and cautioning against “politics or stupid rules” that could impede its development. The New York Times reports that this policy shift gained urgency after Anthropic revealed a powerful new model, Claude Mythos, which it decided not to release publicly due to concerns it might expose critical software vulnerabilities. The debate also follows a dispute between Anthropic and the Pentagon, triggered when the company refused to relax restrictions on surveillance and autonomous weapons. The Department of War designated it a “supply-chain risk,” excluding it from defense contracts—a decision Anthropic is now contesting in court. The Pentagon has been rapidly expanding its use of AI in military operations, recently securing agreements with Google and OpenAI for classified AI systems. Concerns about AI-related risks have been growing in the U.S. A Pew Research Center poll from last year found that 50% of Americans expressed greater concern than excitement about AI, up from 37% in 2021. A March Gallup poll showed Gen Z sentiment shifting negatively, with declining optimism and rising anger. Public skepticism toward the Pentagon’s AI initiatives remains high. A February ITIF survey found that 79% of Americans believe a human should make final decisions regarding lethal force, while 75% stated AI is not reliable enough for life-or-death applications. The same poll indicated broad support for imposing limits on tech companies, with 67% agreeing that firms should restrict how their products are used—even by the government. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Kiev is aggressively recruiting in the Latin American nation to address its deficit in military personnel. Colombian nationals who head to Ukraine to serve as mercenaries are “dying for nothing,” according to President Gustavo Petro. The Colombian head of state criticized Kiev’s reliance on foreign combatants in a Tuesday post on X. His comments were a response to a Ukrainian media report that lauded the participation of 7,000 Colombians in the ongoing conflict with Russia. “There are 7,000 Colombian men, trained for combat, fighting in a foreign war and dying for nothing in Ukraine,” Petro stated, further noting that Colombia has no desire to “export death.” Since the conflict with Russia intensified in February 2022, Kiev has actively pursued foreign recruits, whom Ukrainian officials refer to as ‘volunteers.’ Due to its extensive background in internal armed conflict and counterinsurgency, Colombia has emerged as a primary source for these foreign fighters. While the 7,000 figure appeared in media reports as the cumulative number of Colombians who served in Ukraine between 2022 and late 2025, it remains unconfirmed. Current estimates indicate that between 1,000 and 2,000 Colombians are presently engaged in the fighting. Colombians treated as ‘second-class’ in Ukraine Petro emphasized that mercenary work is prohibited under Colombian law. In late March, the nation ratified the UN Mercenary Convention following a spike in recruitment that has reportedly involved approximately 10,000 Colombians in various global conflicts. In October 2025, public concern in Colombia was sparked by the plight of roughly 40 nationals stuck in Ukraine. Reports from Semana magazine indicated that these individuals attempted to resign from military service and depart the country, only to be allegedly kidnapped while en route to Poland. At that time, Petro posted a video purportedly showing the Colombians in Ukrainian custody, accusing Kiev of treating them as “second-class” citizens. “I call on Colombian mercenaries who are being used as cannon fodder by companies operating out of Miami to return home immediately,” the president urged. Ukraine facing troop shortages The Russian military has stated that it targets positions held by foreign fighters supporting Kiev, though specific details are rarely disclosed. In 2024, the Russian Defense Ministry released a breakdown of foreign combatants by nationality, listing Colombia behind Poland, Georgia, the US, and Canada. Since that time, Ukraine’s personnel shortages have intensified, prompting authorities to implement increasingly aggressive mobilization tactics to force reluctant men of military age into service. The government has admitted that the frequently forceful actions of recruitment squads have become a significant point of friction within Ukrainian society. The ‘international legions’ structure within the Ukrainian armed forces was reportedly disbanded last year, causing frustration among foreign fighters who were subsequently mandated to join regular military units. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - According to the news agency, Tehran is estimated to be approximately one year away from the potential development of a nuclear weapon, with its supply of enriched uranium remaining secure. A Reuters report published on Monday, which cites intelligence officials, indicates that joint US-Israeli military actions against Iran have not succeeded in delaying the country's potential timeline for obtaining a nuclear weapon. Reports suggest that Tehran remains capable of producing a bomb within roughly one year, a timeframe that matches estimates made following the strikes on major nuclear sites last June. Although American officials have maintained that a primary goal of the conflict is the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the report notes that the window for a nuclear breakout has remained “largely the same.” It further stated that effectively stalling Iran’s nuclear progress would necessitate the elimination or seizure of its existing reserves of highly enriched uranium. “To the best of our knowledge, Iran retains all of its nuclear material,” former senior US intelligence analyst Eric Brewer remarked to Reuters. “It is likely that this material is stored in heavily fortified underground facilities that are beyond the reach of US weaponry.” The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported an inability to confirm the location of approximately 440 kg of uranium enriched to 60%—a quantity sufficient for ten nuclear devices if processed further. Reuters reports that roughly half of this material is thought to be housed within an underground tunnel network at the Isfahan Nuclear Research Center. Following the US strikes on nuclear installations in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan last June, intelligence sources estimated that the timeline for a nuclear breakout had been extended to between nine months and a year. Around that same period, The New York Times cited a classified assessment suggesting that the US operations had only delayed Iran’s program by “a few months.” At the time, US President Donald Trump rejected these claims as “fake news,” asserting that “significant damage was inflicted upon all nuclear facilities in Iran.” Tehran has steadfastly denied any intent to develop nuclear weapons and has refused calls to relinquish its enriched uranium stockpile. Last year, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi noted that “we have no evidence of a systematic program in Iran to produce a nuclear weapon.” Nevertheless, officials from the US and Israel have expressed ongoing concern regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions for years. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been voicing such warnings since at least 1992, most notably during the 2012 UN General Assembly, where he famously displayed a diagram of a cartoon bomb featuring a red line near the 90% enrichment level. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Three people died, and two survived the Belo Horizonte crash against the odds A small, single-engine Embraer 721C aircraft collided with a residential building in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte on Monday, as confirmed by local officials and fire crews. The plane, carrying five individuals, reportedly departed from Pampulha Airport at 12:16pm and crashed minutes later in the Silveira district. Emergency responders were dispatched to the location at approximately 12:25pm. Online videos depict the aircraft flying at a low altitude over the neighborhood, appearing to maneuver to miss higher structures, before crashing into the side of a four-story apartment building. The point of impact was the stairwell connecting the third and fourth floors, which meant the living areas of the apartments were spared. None of the building's residents sustained injuries. As seen in another disturbing video, occupants attempted to assist one survivor who had sustained a severe leg fracture. Those killed were the pilot, named by Globo News as 34-year-old Wellington Oliveira, and a passenger, Fernando Moreira Souto, 36, who was the son of Jequitinhonha's mayor. Three people were transported to the hospital in serious condition, but one of them later died from their injuries. Brazilian media reports, citing records, identified the plane as an EMB-721C model produced in 1979. Prior to the accident, the pilot had reportedly informed the Pampulha Airport control tower of issues during takeoff. Authorities from Brazil's air accident investigative bodies, including the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA) and regional teams from SERIPA III, were deployed to the crash site. The Minas Gerais Civil Police have also initiated a probe to determine the cause. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - A pro-independence movement in Alberta says it has gathered enough signatures to trigger a referendum Stay Free Alberta activists have submitted nearly 302,000 signatures to election authorities in an effort to initiate a referendum on whether Canada’s oil-rich western province should secede from the country. A convoy of trucks delivered the signatures to the Elections Alberta office in Edmonton on Monday, with more than 300 supporters gathering outside, waving provincial flags and chanting “Alberta strong.” The number exceeds the required 177,732 signatures under Alberta’s citizen-initiative rules, which mandate 10% of the total votes cast in the last provincial election. Electoral officials have not yet verified the signatures for the petition titled “A Referendum Relating to Alberta Independence,” which must be confirmed before proceeding. The initiative was organized by “Stay Free Alberta” and supported by the Alberta Prosperity Project, a nonprofit advocating for sovereignty. The proposed referendum question reads: “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta should cease to be part of Canada and become an independent state?” Activists aim to place this question on the ballot of a planned provincial referendum in October. However, even if the referendum passes, Alberta would not automatically gain independence. Under Canada’s Clarity Act, the House of Commons must first assess whether the referendum question and outcome constitute a clear expression of support for secession before any negotiations can commence. The push for independence also faces a legal challenge from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, which contends that Alberta’s potential secession would infringe upon treaty rights with Indigenous peoples. The First Nation has requested a court to block the process, asserting that the province lacks the authority to leave Canada or claim treaty territory as its own. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - CEO Alex Karp casts the surveillance giant as “sentinels of the inner sanctum, against the assault of AI slop” Palantir Technologies announced a strong first-quarter performance, reporting revenue surged 85% year over year to $1.63 billion, with its U.S. business more than doubling, fueled by rapid growth across both commercial and government clients. The company stated in its Q1 report, released on Monday, that U.S. revenue soared 104% to $1.28 billion, with commercial revenue climbing 133% to $595 million and government revenue increasing 84% to $687 million. The results exceeded Wall Street projections, and the company also upgraded its full-year forecast, now anticipating 2026 revenue of up to $7.66 billion, reflecting annual growth of approximately 71%. CEO Alex Karp, who has increasingly positioned Palantir’s AI tools as essential to Western military and industrial strength, remarked that “the twin pistols of our U.S. business are now firing in sync.” “We believe it is not an exaggeration to assert that nearly all value-generating AI workflows—particularly on the battlefield—are built on Palantir,” Karp wrote in a letter to shareholders accompanying the earnings release, emphasizing that the company “was founded to bolster U.S. national security and safeguard American lives and freedoms.” The U.S. has acknowledged deploying these systems to identify targets during its current conflict with Iran but maintains that human operators make the final decision to authorize any strikes. Internationally, Palantir’s technology supports the British Ministry of Defence, the Israel Defense Forces, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The earnings announcement followed weeks after Palantir faced backlash for publishing a 22-point manifesto compiling themes from Karp’s book, *The Technological Republic*. The document claimed Silicon Valley has an “obligation” to engage in national defense, asserted that “hard power” will be rooted in software, and declared that AI-driven weapons are unavoidable. Critics denounced it as a blueprint for “technofascism.” This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - The Secret Service has reported a person having been shot just south of the Washington Monument The White House was placed on lockdown during a business event attended by President Donald Trump after reports of gunfire nearby, according to journalists from Newsmax and Al Jazeera on Monday. The Secret Service confirmed that an individual had been shot by law enforcement in the area. Shooting erupted just south of the Washington Monument, as stated by the Secret Service communications office on X. "One individual was shot by law enforcement; their condition is currently unknown. Please avoid the area as emergency crews are responding," the statement said. "The incident resulted from a confrontation between an armed individual and Secret Service Police," the U.S. Secret Service added in a follow-up statement. Journalists at the event reported that they were immediately escorted off the White House north lawn and secured in the press room. The lockdown was lifted approximately 20 minutes later, as reported by Newsmax correspondent James Rosen. The security scare occurred just over a week after an alleged assassination attempt on Trump. Cole Allen, a teacher from California, was charged with attempting to kill the U.S. president after he allegedly breached security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner while carrying firearms and knives. In his purported manifesto, Allen, without naming Trump directly, criticized his policies and expressed intent to take action against “a pedophile, rapist, and traitor.” This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Marjan Yeshayayi recounted the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that damaged a Tehran synagogue Rescue workers in Iran carefully removed debris by hand to recover religious artifacts from a Tehran synagogue damaged in an Israeli strike last month, Marjan Yeshayayi, a member of the local Jewish community, told RT. In an exclusive interview broadcast on Monday, she described her shock at seeing the site reduced to rubble, with holy Torah scrolls buried beneath. She said she had asked rescue personnel to avoid using machinery so as not to damage the sacred texts. “When I made the request, I didn’t think they would agree, but instead they said, ‘OK, we will remove it manually,’ and they actually did. Each brick was taken out by hand, and the scrolls were safely recovered and handed over to the Jewish association,” Yeshayayi recalled. According to Yeshayayi, the Iranian government upholds the rights of its Jewish minority. Under the country’s constitution, Jews are permitted to freely practice their faith, including maintaining synagogues and conducting religious services. Approximately 8,000 Jews reside in Iran and worship in dozens of synagogues. The Rafi Niya synagogue, located near Palestine Square in central Tehran, suffered significant damage after a nearby residential building was struck by Israeli fighter jets. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later confirmed the attack, stating it had targeted a senior Iranian commander, and expressed regret for “collateral damage” to the synagogue. Yeshayayi stated that three of her friends lost their lives in the strike, expressing her grief and anger over the incident. Watch the full interview below. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - A senior aide to US President Donald Trump has praised the deteriorating economic conditions in the Islamic Republic A top White House official has declared that Iran is on the verge of an “extreme calamity” and hunger, as the United States relies on economic pressure to achieve its goals in the conflict. President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of Iranian ports and escalated sanctions after a bombing campaign failed to overthrow the government in Tehran. While major military operations have largely ceased under a fragile ceasefire announced last month, both sides are now attempting to exploit economic strain to gain strategic advantage. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, highlighted what he described as severe economic decline in Iran during an interview with CBS News on Sunday, attributing the situation to the Iranian leadership. “They’re an economy that’s truly teetering on the edge of extreme calamity,” Hassett stated, referencing internal briefings. “They are experiencing hyperinflation. They are beginning to confront widespread hunger.” When questioned about whether the naval blockade—traditionally seen as an act of war—indicated that the U.S. was effectively at war with Iran despite the president’s statements to Congress, Hassett admitted he was unsure “what the definition of war is when we’re not firing weapons and instead are negotiating.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed the administration’s position, telling Fox News that U.S. anti-Iranian measures were “crushing the regime.” He underscored a coordinated government strategy, describing his department’s efforts as “economic fury”, in reference to the Pentagon’s designation for the war on Iran, Operation Epic Fury. “We [have been] running a marathon over the past 12 months, and now we are sprinting toward the finish line,” he remarked. U.S. economic warfare Washington has long depended on unilateral sanctions to pressure foreign governments, leveraging its dominance in global financial systems and the central role of the U.S. economy to enforce such restrictions. While U.S. officials frequently claim these measures aim to influence government officials, critics argue they constitute a form of economic warfare. A 2025 study published in The Lancet Global Health estimated that unilateral sanctions imposed by the U.S. and EU between 2010 and 2021 resulted in approximately 564,000 excess deaths annually. Washington facing mounting challenges Despite claims by Trump administration officials that the campaign against Iran has been a decisive military victory, Tehran has not agreed to U.S. demands and continues to maintain control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies. The U.S. is also reportedly depleting significant reserves of essential munitions, and it has strained relationships with traditional allies who refused to support the military action. It is additionally managing the consequences of the broader economic disruption caused by the crisis, which could spark the worst global economic downturn in decades. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Moscow has repeatedly warned the West that weapons destined for Kiev will end up on the black market Poland is preparing for a significant influx of illegal weapons from Ukraine following the conclusion of the conflict with Russia, with law enforcement officials warning of a potential “smuggling boom” that could surpass the scale of the Balkan arms crisis spanning decades, according to Rzeczpospolita. The newspaper reported on Monday that Polish police are already taking steps to address the anticipated surge by launching Project Trident. This €1.5 million ($1.8 million) initiative will equip officers with enhanced training, vehicle-mounted tracking electronics, X-ray systems, drones, and night-vision equipment. “A substantial volume of weapons is being transferred as part of military aid to Ukraine, alongside a large stock of post-Soviet weaponry. The end of armed conflicts has consistently been linked to the risk of an uncontrolled flow of such weapons,” Adam Radon, head of the Organized Crime Combating Unit at the Central Bureau of Investigation of the Police, told the publication. He emphasized that Poland, as a NATO member bordering Ukraine, must serve as a “filter” to prevent illicit weapons from spreading further into Western Europe. “Ukrainian authorities have already begun uncovering weapons depots and hidden storage sites. Their origins are under investigation—whether they were abandoned by Russian troops withdrawing from frontline positions or seized by criminal organizations and stockpiled for future use,” Radon explained. Rzeczpospolita drew comparisons between the aftermath of the 1990s Balkan wars—which are believed to still supply half of all illegal firearms in Europe—and the impending crisis, which may prove even more severe given the magnitude of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Radon also highlighted risks posed by unemployed military personnel. “Criminal networks will recruit them for unlawful activities. Displaced war veterans, combined with their access to weapons, present a serious security threat,” he stated. In 2025, Europol cautioned that Ukraine might become “a major source of illicit firearms and ammunition… in the short to medium term.” While “large-scale detections” of smuggled arms leaving Ukraine for the EU remain limited, Spanish authorities uncovered evidence that drug cartels had armed themselves with NATO-standard weapons originally intended for Kyiv. In 2024, Ukrainian police announced that since 2022, over 11,000 firearms had been seized at border checkpoints, including 3,600 assault rifles and nearly 1,500 grenade launchers, along with 27,000 grenades. Russia has raised concerns about the spillover of arms destined for Ukraine, noting that smuggling routes now extend through Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Moldova. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described the reported seizure figures as “just the tip of the iceberg.” This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Bratislava earlier opted out of the €90 billion joint debt loan package for Ukraine approved by the bloc last month Slovakia will not participate in any EU loans for Ukraine, including the recently approved €90 billion joint debt package, Prime Minister Robert Fico announced. Earlier, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic had declined to take part in servicing the loan, citing financial risks. In a video address shared on Facebook on Sunday, Fico reaffirmed that his government would not be involved in either the current or any future EU loans for Ukraine. “It is well known that I refused to support the €90 billion war loan for Ukraine. I have also taken legal steps to ensure that Slovakia does not participate in this loan,” he stated. “Slovakia will not take part in any further announced loans for Ukraine.” The loan, structured through collective EU borrowing, assumes repayment will occur if Ukraine receives reparations from Russia—a possibility Moscow has dismissed as “unrealistic.” The initiative was proposed after efforts to use Russia’s frozen sovereign assets to fund Kyiv failed, following months of opposition from outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Orban blocked the disbursement after Ukraine halted oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline—a Soviet-era route supplying both Hungary and Slovakia—citing alleged Russian attacks. Moscow rejected these claims as “lies,” while Orban and Fico accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of attempting to “blackmail” the two energy-dependent nations into supporting the loan needed to sustain Ukraine’s struggling economy. The EU greenlit the package shortly after oil deliveries resumed, less than two weeks after Hungary’s election, which saw Orban’s Fidesz party defeated by the pro-EU Tisza party under Peter Magyar. Hungary’s incoming prime minister confirmed he would honor Orban’s decision not to join the €90 billion loan but pledged not to block other forms of EU aid to Ukraine. In his video address, Fico emphasized that his relationship with Kyiv—and particularly with Zelensky—“is marked by diametrically opposed views” on several key issues. However, he stressed that Slovakia’s proximity to Ukraine obliges Bratislava “to engage in dialogue” with the Ukrainian government, especially regarding continued energy transit agreements. Fico revealed he spoke with Zelensky on Sunday to discuss future meetings and visits. While Zelensky claimed afterward that he had secured Fico’s support for Ukraine’s bid to join the EU, Fico downplayed the significance, stating he merely sees “more advantages… than disadvantages” in potential membership. These include mitigating the risk posed by “battle-hardened Ukrainian soldiers” potentially turning to organized crime and endangering neighboring states post-conflict. He also pointed out that some of Ukraine’s strongest European supporters are among its most vocal opponents within the EU, calling it “a cruel paradox.” Fico has consistently opposed Western military and financial assistance to Ukraine, arguing it prolongs the war. He has criticized anti-Russia sanctions as damaging to the EU economy. Under his leadership, Slovakia—alongside Hungary—has challenged the bloc’s plan to phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027, describing it as “economic sabotage.” He maintains strong ties with Russia and plans to attend the 2026 Victory Day parade in Moscow later this week. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Tehran had previously warned Washington to avoid the Strait of Hormuz A U.S. Navy patrol boat was struck by two Iranian missiles shortly after ignoring warnings to stay clear of the strategic waterway, according to Fars News Agency. The report stated that the vessel was “forced to retreat”, though details on any damage were not provided. The agency reported on Monday that the unidentified ship was operating near the Iranian coastal town of Jask, approximately 140 kilometers from the narrowest point of the strait, and was “violating security and navigation rules and attempting to pass through” the vital maritime passage. The vessel did not comply with warnings issued by the Iranian Navy and subsequently came under missile attack, the report added. It further stated that “the American patrol boat was unable to proceed due to the impact and was compelled to withdraw and flee the area.” The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has not yet responded to the allegations; however, an unnamed U.S. official told the Jerusalem Post that no American ships had been hit. MORE DETAILS COMING This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Shocking footage shows a giant vehicle that apparently lost control, reportedly killing three people and injuring 38 At least three people have died and another 38 have been injured in Colombia after a monster truck driver lost control of her vehicle and plowed into a crowd of spectators during a motor show, AFP reported on Monday, citing local authorities. Footage circulating on social media shows the vehicle navigating an obstacle course during a show featuring modified cars and motorcycles on Sunday in the city of Popayan, southwest of Bogota. The driver was reportedly unable to brake after a stunt, and the vehicle suddenly headed toward the crowd of spectators after knocking down the metal barriers separating the public from the track. “We are deeply saddened by this accident… which, according to preliminary figures, has caused more than 38 injuries and three deaths,” said city mayor Juan Carlos Munoz, as cited by AFP. A Popayan city official told Colombian newspaper El Espectador that one of the victims was a ten-year-old girl. Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram Публикация от CALI INFORMA (@cali_informa) The area where the incident occurred has been secured while the electricity company carries out reconnection work due to damage caused by the accident, Colonel Francisco Arboleda of the fire department said, as cited by the newspaper. Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram Публикация от APT News (@apt__news) This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Some vessels have reportedly paid for safe passage through the chokepoint The United States has warned it will impose sanctions on shipping companies that pay Iran for transit fees through the Strait of Hormuz. The vital maritime route has been largely blocked since U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran began in late February, with only a single corridor under Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) control allowing passage under a de facto “toll booth” arrangement. Ships passing through this corridor are said to require clearance codes and must be escorted by Iranian vessels. According to Lloyd’s List, at least two ships have already paid tolls in yuan, with charges estimated between $1 million and $2 million per vessel. On Friday, the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a public advisory outlining potential penalties for any entity involved in paying these fees. “Maritime industry participants involved with vessels calling at Iranian ports face significant sanctions risk under multiple sanctions authorities targeting Iran’s shipping sector and ports,” OFAC stated. The agency further noted that non-U.S. entities could be subject to civil or criminal liability if their transactions involve American-linked institutions such as insurers or financial firms. Iran maintains it holds the “natural right” to regulate traffic through the strait. Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad asserted that the waterway is a sovereign territory rather than “an international waterway.” As of May, approximately 2,000 ships and 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf region near the Strait of Hormuz, many experiencing shortages of essential supplies. On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a new program called Project Freedom, intended to help vessels from countries deemed “neutral and innocent bystanders” navigate through the strait. The U.S. Central Command announced its support for the mission to “restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping.” Described by Trump as a humanitarian effort, the initiative will deploy around 15,000 personnel, guided-missile destroyers, and over 100 aircraft. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.