Houthis Capture Strategic Red Sea Island; Saudi Pipeline Shuts
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have captured Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, consolidating control over a key chokepoint for global shipping. The seizure follows the militia's earlier capture of the Red Sea port of Mokha, about 50 miles from the strait, and places the group in a stronger position to threaten shipping lanes used for Saudi oil exports and global commerce.
Saudi Arabia shut down its East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack that Saudi authorities said was launched from Iraq. The pipeline links Abqaiq, near the Gulf, to the Red Sea port of Yanbu and has become a crucial alternative route since the start of the wider Middle East war, which has restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq removed a military commander and opened investigations into the attack.
Trump Backs United Ireland During Dublin Visit
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would "love" to see a united Ireland and that unification "may as well happen now," making an unexpected endorsement of constitutional change at the start of a two-day visit to Ireland. Trump is meeting politicians and business leaders in Dublin and attending the Irish Open at his golf club in Doonbeg. He also said the war in Iran "will end very soon," without elaborating.
Arrest Made in Death of Mississippi Woman Tasia Fortune
Mississippi police have arrested a man in connection with the death of Tasia Fortune, a Black woman found hanging from a tree last month at an abandoned property. Investigators said additional arrests are expected and that the inquiry remains active. Fortune's family remembered her as a mother, athlete and woman of faith.
Reform UK Receives Record £72 Million From Crypto Donors
Reform UK has received a record-breaking £72 million over two days from two cryptocurrency investors, after Christopher Harborne matched a £36 million donation from Ben Delo. Delo, a British cryptocurrency billionaire, was convicted in the United States for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls and was later pardoned by Trump. The gifts dwarf previous single donations to British political parties and come amid scrutiny of Reform's finances.
Rapper Lil Durk Acquitted in Murder-for-Hire Trial
Grammy‑winning Chicago rapper Lil Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, was acquitted by a federal jury in Los Angeles of all charges related to a murder‑for‑hire scheme. Prosecutors had alleged that he was involved in a 2022 shooting that killed the cousin of rival rapper Quando Rondo, but the jury found him not guilty.
Anthropic CEO Urges Slowdown in AI Development
Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei called for the artificial intelligence industry to slow down, warning in a blog post that swarms of rogue AI agents could take over the internet in as little as six months. He proposed a three-part plan that includes third-party evaluations of AI systems and said Anthropic would unilaterally commit to the first step.
Oscar-Winning Producer Jeremy Thomas Dies at 77
British film producer Jeremy Thomas, whose credits include the Oscar-winning "The Last Emperor" and "Sexy Beast," has died at the age of 77. A representative said he died peacefully on Friday at his country home in Oxfordshire, surrounded by his family. Thomas was celebrated for decades of collaboration with international directors including Bernardo Bertolucci and David Cronenberg.