live Six vessels hit in Gulf as war threatens merchant shipping- Thursday, 12 March
Explosive-laden Iranian boats reportedly attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters on Wednesday, killing one crew member, after four other vessels ...
The U.S. Senate confirmed Kash Patel as FBI director in a 51-49 vote on Thursday, placing a Trump loyalist at the helm of the agency despite concerns from Democrats over his qualifications and past remarks.
🔹 The Republican-controlled Senate confirmed Patel with Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) breaking ranks to oppose his nomination.
🔹 Democrats expressed concerns about Patel’s lack of management experience and past comments, which they argued could compromise the agency’s integrity.
🔹 Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called Patel "the worst choice" for the role, while Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) warned that confirming him would "haunt those who voted for him."
🔹 Patel has pledged to reduce the FBI’s presence in Washington, shifting the focus away from intelligence and national security toward traditional law enforcement duties.
🔹 He has been critical of past FBI investigations into Trump, previously referring to law enforcement officials involved as "criminal gangsters."
🔹 Patel also stated before his nomination that he would “come after” those in government and the media whom he believed conspired against Trump.
🔹 Republicans welcomed Patel’s confirmation, with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) saying he would restore accountability to the FBI.
🔹 Democrats protested his appointment, with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) saying Patel “lacks the integrity to do this job.”
🔹 A group of Senate Democrats gathered outside FBI headquarters before the vote in a last attempt to block his confirmation.
🔹 Patel replaces Christopher Wray, who resigned before Trump took office after serving for more than seven years.
🔹 The FBI has been in turmoil in recent months, with the Justice Department pushing out senior officials and demanding the names of agents involved in the January 6 investigations.
🔹 Patel denied involvement in any firings but Democrats have raised concerns about his potential role in the removal of FBI personnel linked to Trump-related investigations.
The 32 countries belonging to the Internatioanl Energy Agency agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil on Wednesday (11 March), in efforts aimed at bringing down the price of crude oil, which has soared since fighting between Iran, Israel and the U.S. started at the end of February.
A towering lava fountain from Kilauea shot about 400 metres into the air late on Tuesday (11 March) on Hawaii Island, prompting temporary closures at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and part of a key highway as volcanic ash and debris fell over nearby areas.
Norwegian police apprehended three brothers suspected of carrying out Sunday's (8 March) bombing at the U.S. embassy in Oslo, in an attack investigators have branded an act of terrorism.
Azerbaijan is evacuating nearly 200 people from the Middle East on a special charter flight departing from Oman.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
Norwegian police apprehended three brothers suspected of carrying out Sunday's (8 March) bombing at the U.S. embassy in Oslo, in an attack investigators have branded an act of terrorism.
Oil prices continue to fluctuate as a result of the conflict in the Middle East with Iran and the insecurity of ships sailing through the key Strait of Hormuz route. Iran has said it will target any ship linked to the U.S., Israel or their allies.
Britain has deployed the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon to the eastern Mediterranean to strengthen protection for its military assets in the Middle East after a drone strike targeted a key UK air base in Cyprus earlier this month.
Member countries of the International Energy Agency have unanimously agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to stabilise global markets disrupted by the war involving Iran.
The annual pro-Palestinian al-Quds Day march in London, scheduled to take place on Sunday, has been banned by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood following warnings from the Metropolitan Police about the risk of “serious public disorder.”
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