Israeli Strikes Kill at Least 11 in Deadliest Lebanon Attack Since June

Ship Traffic Through Hormuz Chokepoint Continues As Normalization Efforts Remain "Fragile" U.S. and Iranian negotiators concluded a lengthy initial round of technical talks, backed by Qatar and Pakistan, with early progress reported. Still, the diplomatic road to a permanent peace deal remains fragile. For now, despite Tehran declaring on Sunday that the Strait was "closed," millions of barrels of crude continue to exit the Persian Gulf through the critical maritime chokepoint.  Bloomberg reports that five laden oil tankers carrying a combined 8 million barrels were seen entering or moving through...

Drought Engulfs 60% Of U.S. As Farmers Begin Spring Planting A massive drought has emerged across large swaths of the US agricultural belt, threatening crops and livestock and eventually affecting food prices, at a time when fertilizer and diesel costs are soaring. As of early April, 60% of the Lower 48 is in drought as the Northern Hemisphere growing season begins and farmers begin plantings, according to NOAA.  The southern US is already experiencing severe, extreme, and even exceptional drought conditions, putting pressure on key crops such as sugarcane, rice,...

The US and Israel have rejected a peace proposal from Hamas that would see the Palestinian group disarm in the process of the creation of an independent Palestinian state.  A senior Palestinian source speaking with Middle East Eye said that Hamas and other Palestinian factions sent the US and Israel the framework of an agreement […]