Iran said to offer US deal to reopen Hormuz, end war and put off nuclear talks

Iran said to offer US deal to reopen Hormuz, end war and put off nuclear talks

 TOI STAFF and AGENCIES

Iran has proposed a deal with the United States to reach an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war, while delaying negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program to a later stage, according to a report Sunday, after hoped-for talks in Pakistan over the weekend failed to materialize.

The Axios report, citing a US official and two sources familiar with the matter, was published as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly returned to Islamabad after visiting Oman on Saturday, despite US President Donald Trump signaling that he did not plan to dispatch a negotiating team anytime soon.

Instead, after calling off a planned delegation to Pakistan at the last minute the previous day, the president said on Sunday that the Iranian team could reach Washington by phone if they wished to speak, and Araghchi departed Pakistan again, this time headed for Russia.

According to Axios, Iran’s attempt to kickstart negotiations again by solving the issues centered on the Strait of Hormuz was conveyed to the US by Pakistani mediators.

Trump was expected to discuss the Iranian proposal and other issues held up in the stalled negotiations during a Situation Room meeting with national security and foreign policy teams on Monday, Axios said.

But resolving the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the US blockade and allowing Iran’s oil exports to flow again would leave Trump and Washington without much leverage for future negotiations.

It is also unclear whether Trump would agree to push off the nuclear talks to an unspecified later date, given that he has repeatedly insisted that he will settle for nothing less than Tehran’s commitment to ending its nuclear activities.

The status of Iran’s enriched uranium has long been at the center of tensions. Tehran has 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels, with no peaceful application.

Israel, which has not been involved in the negotiations in Pakistan, has also insisted that the US must put an end to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions as part of any deal to end the fighting. Pakistan, itself a nuclear power, does not recognize Israel.

Meanwhile, Iran’s top diplomat landed in St. Petersburg on Monday for the final leg of his regional tour.

Iranian state media reported that Araghchi would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues, including the war.

Araghchi said the consultations in Pakistan over the weekend had reviewed conditions under which Iran-US talks could resume, stressing that Tehran would seek to secure its rights and national interests following weeks of conflict.

Oil prices rise as hope dims

But his attempts to muster support for resolving the crisis in the strait appeared to have little effect, as oil prices were up more than 1% on Monday, with benchmark Brent crude futures rising $1.35, or 1.3%, to $106.68 a barrel, retreating from early session gains of over $2 a barrel.

New earthquake in Japan: magnitude 6.2 strikes Hokkaido

New earthquake in Japan: magnitude 6.2 strikes Hokkaido

Sweden Herald

An earthquake struck the island of Hokkaido in Japan early Monday local time.

The country has been hit by several earthquakes in recent weeks, and Monday's quake reached magnitude 6.2.

No tsunami warning has been issued after the quake, which struck about 200 kilometers east of the city of Sapporo. It is not yet clear whether anyone was injured.

According to Japanese authorities, the probability of more earthquakes in the area is high in the coming days. Last week, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 occurred off the coast of Iwate Prefecture.

Report: Iran submits new Hormuz-focused proposal to US

Report: Iran submits new Hormuz-focused proposal to US

Israel National News

Iran has transmitted a revised diplomatic proposal to the United States through Pakistani intermediaries, Axios reported on Sunday night. 

The proposal suggests that negotiations over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the current conflict be prioritized, while discussions on its nuclear program are postponed to a later stage, a US official and two sources familiar with the matter told Axios.

The proposal is viewed as an attempt to break the current deadlock in talks and manage internal divisions within Iran’s leadership regarding the level of nuclear concessions it is prepared to make in exchange for an agreement with the Trump administration.

However, US officials note that addressing the Hormuz issue first, including lifting the American blockade, could significantly reduce Washington’s leverage in future negotiations. Without that leverage, the US would face greater difficulty in pressing Tehran to relinquish its enriched uranium stockpile or agree to a long-term halt in enrichment activities.

President Donald Trump has made resolving Iran’s nuclear capabilities a central objective of his administration’s approach to the conflict, whether through diplomacy or military pressure.

Trump is expected to convene a Situation Room meeting on Monday with senior national security and foreign policy officials to assess the stalled negotiations and evaluate possible next steps, according to three US officials who spoke to Axios.

One of the officials said the meeting will focus on the breakdown in talks and available strategic options moving forward.

Trump on Saturday cancelled planned talks with Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan. His senior envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had been scheduled to travel to Islambad for the talks.

“I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going to Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their ‘leadership,’" he continued. “Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!"

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Pakistan, where he met with local mediators, concluded without tangible progress.

Following the Pakistan talks, Araghchi met with officials in Oman in Muscat on Sunday, where discussions reportedly centered on the Strait of Hormuz. He then returned to Islamabad for additional consultations.

On Monday, Araghchi was expected to travel onward to Moscow for meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Behind closed doors, sources familiar with the discussions say Araghchi and Pakistani officials explored a new phased approach aimed at bypassing the current impasse over Iran’s nuclear program.

One source said Araghchi conveyed to mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar over the weekend that there is no internal consensus within Iran regarding US demands for a prolonged suspension of uranium enrichment and the removal of enriched material from the country.

According to the sources, the revised Iranian-Pakistani framework prioritizes resolving the Strait of Hormuz crisis and ending the US blockade first. Under the proposal, either an extended ceasefire or a permanent end to hostilities would be established.

Only after that stage, the proposal suggests, would nuclear negotiations begin.

Pakistani intermediaries have already forwarded the proposal to the White House, though it remains unclear whether Washington is prepared to consider it.

Israel’s Ongoing Ingathering And The Echo of Ancient Prophecy

Israel’s Ongoing Ingathering And The Echo of Ancient Prophecy

PNW STAFF

The scene at Ben Gurion Airport on April 23 carried a significance that stretched far beyond a routine arrival. As 240 members of the Bnei Menashe community stepped onto Israeli soil, many wept, embraced relatives, and lifted prayers of thanksgiving. Their journey--from remote regions of northeastern India to the modern state of Israel--was not merely geographic. For many, it marked the culmination of generations of longing tied to identity, history, and faith.

This latest arrival, part of "Operation Wings of Dawn," represents the beginning of a broader effort to bring thousands more from this community home. The Bnei Menashe trace their lineage to the biblical tribe of Manasseh, one of the "lost tribes" of ancient Israel. While scholars debate aspects of that claim, what is beyond dispute is their persistent preservation of Jewish customs across centuries and continents. Their Aliyah--the Hebrew term for immigration to Israel--reflects a powerful combination of cultural continuity and spiritual conviction.

Yet this story is not unfolding in isolation. It is part of a much larger and ongoing movement. Even amid the conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, Jewish immigration to Israel has not slowed--it has, in some respects, intensified.

Recent figures underscore this reality. According to data from The Jewish Agency for Israel and Israel's Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, approximately 47,000 Jewish immigrants arrived in Israel in 2023. While that number dipped slightly in 2024 due to the war, tens of thousands still made the journey. 

France, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States remain among the top countries of origin, with notable increases from Western Europe. In France alone, where concerns about antisemitism have surged in recent years, thousands of Jews have chosen to relocate annually.

This trend reflects a sobering reality. Across parts of Europe, antisemitic incidents have risen sharply, particularly following the October 7 attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza. Jewish communities in cities like Paris, Berlin, and London have reported increased harassment, threats, and violence. For many families, the decision to move to Israel is no longer just ideological--it is deeply personal and rooted in a desire for security and belonging.

At the same time, Israel continues to position itself as a refuge and homeland for Jews worldwide, even under the strain of war. Programs designed to assist new immigrants--housing, language training, employment support--have expanded despite national security challenges. Cities like Nof HaGalil and others in the north are preparing to absorb new arrivals, including the Bnei Menashe families who will soon begin rebuilding their lives.

For observers who view these developments through a biblical lens, the implications are profound. The prophet Ezekiel wrote of a time when God would gather the people of Israel "from the nations" and bring them back into their own land. Passages such as Ezekiel 36 and 37 describe not only a physical return but a broader restoration--national, spiritual, and covenantal.

For centuries, such prophecies were read as distant or symbolic, particularly during long periods when the Jewish people lived dispersed across the globe. Yet the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948--and the steady waves of immigration since--have caused many to revisit those ancient texts with renewed attention.

The arrival of communities like the Bnei Menashe adds a striking dimension to this narrative. Their story suggests that the regathering is not limited to well-known Jewish populations but may extend even to groups long separated by geography and time. Each flight landing in Israel becomes, for some, more than a demographic statistic--it becomes a moment that appears to echo ancient promises.

Despite war, despite global uncertainty, and despite rising hostility in parts of the diaspora, Jewish immigration to Israel continues. Families are still packing their lives into suitcases, boarding planes, and choosing a future in a land that remains both contested and deeply meaningful.

The sight at Ben Gurion Airport was, in many ways, a microcosm of this larger story. Tears, prayers, and reunions marked not just the end of a journey, but the continuation of one--an unfolding chapter in the long and complex history of a people and their land.

Whether viewed through the lens of history, geopolitics, or faith, one thing is clear: the ingathering of the Jewish people is not merely a relic of the past. It is happening now, in real time, with each arrival carrying echoes of both ancient identity and modern urgency.

6.2 Magnitude Quake Strikes Tohoku in Northern Japan

Japan Earthquake Now: 6.2 Magnitude Quake Strikes Tohoku in Northern Japan

Rounak Bagchi

Earlier, a separate magnitude 5.0 earthquake was recorded in the sea several hundred kilometres south of Hokkaido

A strong earthquake has struck the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, according to US and Japanese monitoring agencies, the latest in a series of tremors affecting the country. The quake, with a magnitude of 6.2, occurred at 05:23 local time on Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said, revising an earlier estimate of 6.1. It struck at a depth of 83km (52 miles) in southern Hokkaido. 

No tsunami warning was issued, the agency said. 

The United States Geological Survey assessed that the risk to life and property was likely to be low, noting the relatively sparse population in the affected area, around 200km east of Sapporo.

However, a JMA official warned that "in areas that experienced strong shaking, the danger of falling rocks and landslides has increased". The agency also cautioned that there is a high likelihood of further earthquakes of similar strength in the region over the coming week.

Earlier, a separate magnitude 5.0 earthquake was recorded in the sea several hundred kilometres south of Hokkaido. The latest tremors follow a warning issued last week by the JMA about an increased risk of a "megaquake" — magnitude 8.0 or higher — after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Iwate Prefecture.

That quake injured six people and caused buildings to sway as far away as Tokyo. It also generated tsunami waves of up to 80cm (31 inches) at a port in Iwate, with smaller waves recorded elsewhere along Japan’s northern coast. 

Following the event, the JMA said "the likelihood of a new, huge earthquake occurring is relatively higher than during normal times". 

Japan lies along the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire", where several tectonic plates meet. The country experiences around 1,500 earthquakes each year, accounting for roughly 18% of the world’s total. 

The nation remains marked by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, a magnitude 9.0 undersea quake that triggered a devastating tsunami and nuclear disaster, leaving around 18,500 people dead or missing.

Israel's threats ring hollow as Hezbollah tests the limits in Lebanon

Israel's threats ring hollow as Hezbollah tests the limits in Lebanon

Yoav Limor

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that he had "instructed the IDF to attack Hezbollah terrorist targets in Lebanon with force" must be put to the test. The past few weeks have proved that there is a major gap between Israel's statements and its actions on the ground in Lebanon, and even now it is unclear what this "force" entails, how long it will last, which targets it will include, and in which areas of Lebanon.

It should be recalled that the administration in Washington instructed Israel not to attack in Beirut, and later to completely hold its fire in Lebanon. The decision to extend the ceasefire last Thursday was also made over Israel's head, despite the fact that Hezbollah  is systematically violating the ceasefire with daily rocket and drone attacks into Israeli territory and against IDF forces in southern Lebanon.

This is an impossible and unacceptable reality, the product of the appropriation of Israel's national security by Trump. It is also the result of the Israeli decision to conduct direct negotiations with the Lebanese government "under fire," a move that has been turned on its head. It is hard to assume that strikes now will deter Hezbollah, which is demonstrating a higher level of resilience and determination than was expected on the eve of the war. The terrorist organization understands that Israel is the one under pressure, and is now exploiting this to its advantage.

Israel has no comfortable way out of the situation it has found itself in. It promised residents of northern Israel that it would crush Hezbollah, and it will not meet that commitment. Even now, it is struggling to provide them with full security, while they are under threat and in danger at all times. In fact, the current situation in the north is worse than the one that prevailed in the area on the eve of the war with Iran. Back then, Hezbollah was fully deterred and Israel did as it saw fit, including eliminating hundreds of the terrorist organization's members. Now the equation has changed, and not for the better.

In this state of affairs, empty threats and declarations will not help. Netanyahu must coordinate positions and boundaries with the administration in Washington, which is far more concerned by developments in Iran. He must also accelerate the handling of the northern communities, which continue to be treated shamefully. In the absence of full security, which it appears cannot be provided at this time, the minimum is to grant the region preferential treatment in order to stem the dangerous trend of residents leaving.

Iran continues to raise the stakes

Meanwhile, on the Iranian front, the diplomacy of threats between the sides continues. The abandonment of the negotiations-that-never-took-place shows that both Washington and Tehran are prepared to continue raising the stakes. Iran, it seems, believes that Trump is not interested in renewing the war. It is not certain that it is wrong, although Israel is also struggling now to read the moves of the US president, who changes his mind with great frequency.

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Hezbollah and Israel escalate attacks, accusing each other of violating ceasefire

Hezbollah and Israel escalate attacks, accusing each other of violating ceasefire

YONAH JEREMY BOB, AMICHAI STEIN

Hezbollah and Israel on Sunday both escalated their attacks and accusations over the other side violating the ceasefire.

Leading into Sunday, the first dispute between the sides following the April 17 ceasefire was that Israel said that the ceasefire only applied North of the Litani River, but not within southern Lebanon.

The IDF already controlled southern Lebanon and wanted to continue to destroy Hezbollah’s weapons stored in nearby villages as well as kill the terror group’s fighters if they remained in that area and refused to surrender.

Since the ceasefire, the IDF had killed over 40 Hezbollah fighters, but almost all in southern Lebanon.

In the broader scheme, Israel has also hoped to hold onto southern Lebanon for an extended period to help pressure Hezbollah into a process of disarming.

In contrast, Hezbollah wanted the IDF to cease operations in southern Lebanon on the way to a more speedy withdrawal from the area back to within Israel’s borders.

Senior Israeli officials have told their American counterparts that if Hezbollah continues attacking IDF soldiers, Israel will be unable to maintain its current measured response, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.

Last week, President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire would be extended for another three weeks following a meeting between Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad. Trump also said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House in the near future.

On Sunday evening, Netanyahu convened a small group of ministers along with senior security officials to discuss both Iran and the situation in Lebanon. One option under consideration is escalating strikes against Hezbollah, including targeting areas beyond southern Lebanon.

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U.S. enforces “ironclad blockade” on Iran in escalating show of force

U.S. enforces “ironclad blockade” on Iran in escalating show of force

Patrick Lewis

• U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced an "ironclad blockade" under Operation Epic Fury, with U.S. naval forces intercepting vessels globally to cripple Iran's economy and nuclear program.
• The blockade aims to suffocate Iran's trade, with 34+ ships already denied passage. Hegseth warned of military retaliation if Iran escalates, including strikes on naval mines or IRGC harassment tactics.
• The Strait of Hormuz disruption threatens 20% of world oil trade, risking prices surging to $250/barrel if Iran retaliates by targeting oil fields or further blocking shipments.
• Iran's hypersonic missiles can strike U.S. bases (55,000 troops at risk), while its alliances with Russia and China complicate U.S. regime-change efforts. Israel's push for war may backfire given its weakening military.
• The U.S. bets sanctions will force Iran's surrender, but Tehran historically resists coercion. If Iran closes the Strait or attacks U.S. assets, global instability and war could erupt—potentially reshaping the Middle East.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the U.S. has imposed what he called an "ironclad blockade" on Iran, expanding enforcement beyond the immediate region as part of Operation Epic Fury—a broader campaign aimed at crippling Tehran's economy and nuclear ambitions. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth declared that U.S. naval forces are actively intercepting and turning away vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports, signaling a dramatic escalation in Washington's pressure campaign.

A blockade going global

Hegseth emphasized that the blockade, which began on April 13, is tightening by the hour. "From the Gulf of Oman to the open oceans, our Navy is enforcing this blockade without hesitation or apology," he said. As of Friday morning, 34 vessels had been denied passage, including Iranian-flagged ships and those linked to Iranian trade. Non-Iranian vessels have been permitted transit only after thorough scrutiny.

The operation has already extended beyond the Middle East, with U.S. forces seizing two Iranian "dark fleet" vessels in the Indo-Pacific that had departed before the blockade’s implementation. Hegseth warned that the U.S. Navy's reach is expanding, with a second aircraft carrier expected to reinforce operations soon. "No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy," he asserted.

Dan Caine, another Pentagon official, confirmed that enforcement applies universally: "We're enforcing the blockade across the board against any ship of any nationality transiting to or from an Iranian port or territory." U.S. forces are reportedly tracking vessels entering and leaving the region, prepared to intercept them if necessary.

The blockade's primary objective, according to Hegseth, is to economically suffocate Iran while preventing it from advancing its nuclear program. "Operation Epic Fury has delivered decisive military results in just weeks," he said. "Clear mission objectives, and ultimately, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon."

Despite the aggressive posture, Hegseth claimed Iran still has a diplomatic off-ramp. "Iran has an important choice, a chance to make a deal, a good deal, a wise deal," he said, echoing President Trump's recent remarks. "We have all the time in the world, and we're not anxious for a deal."

However, the military threat remains unmistakable. Hegseth warned that U.S. forces are authorized to respond to any hostile actions, including naval mine deployments. "If Iran is putting mines in the water, or otherwise threatening American commercial shipping or American forces, we will shoot to destroy," he stated. He also criticized Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for employing irregular tactics, such as small boats harassing commercial vessels.

The blockade has already disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy trade. Approximately 20% of the world's traded oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the strait, and recent data indicates only seven vessels transited between April 22 and early April 23—most linked to Iran-related trade.

Hundreds of ships and roughly 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf as insurers and shipping companies assess risks. Analysts warn that prolonged disruption could send oil prices skyrocketing, with some projections suggesting crude could reach $250 per barrel if Iran retaliates by targeting regional oil fields.

The U.S. blockade comes amid heightened tensions following years of unilateral American actions against Iran, including Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and his administration's aggressive sanctions regime. Critics argue that Washington's policies have pushed Tehran toward closer ties with Russia and China while fueling regional instability.

Iran, for its part, has demonstrated growing military capabilities, including hypersonic missiles capable of striking U.S. bases across the Middle East—where approximately 55,000 American troops are stationed. A full-scale conflict could see Iran targeting these installations, potentially inflicting heavy casualties.

Moreover, Iran's strategic partnerships with Russia and China complicate any U.S. attempt at regime change. Moscow views Tehran as a crucial trade partner linking the Far East, Russia and the Middle East, while Beijing relies on Iranian energy supplies. Any military confrontation risks drawing these powers into a broader conflict.

The U.S. blockade represents a high-stakes gamble, betting that economic pressure will force Iran to capitulate without triggering a full-scale war. Yet Tehran has historically responded to sanctions with defiance rather than submission. If Iran retaliates by closing the Strait of Hormuz or attacking U.S. assets, the global energy crisis could spiral out of control, destabilizing economies worldwide.

As Hegseth vowed, "A blockade as long as it takes." But the question remains: How long can the U.S. sustain this pressure before the situation explodes into open conflict—one that could reshape the Middle East and beyond?

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the U.S. enforcing an "ironclad blockade" on Iran is yet another reckless escalation by globalist warmongers, pushing the world toward unnecessary conflict while violating international law—just like their false flags and economic warfare tactics. This aggression serves only the elites' depopulation and control agenda, not peace or stability, and must be exposed as part of their broader tyranny.

Iranian Foreign Minister to Visit Russia on April 27, Plans to Meet With Putin: Russia-Iran Alliance Continues To Strengthen

Iranian Foreign Minister to Visit Russia on April 27, Plans to Meet With Putin - Envoy

Sputnik

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Russia on April 27 and plans to hold a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, the Islamic republic's ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, said on Sunday. 

"The visit will take place on Monday, and during it, Araghchi will hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin," Jalali said in a statement published by the Iranian Embassy in Russia on Telegram.

"During his visit to Moscow, Araghchi will hold consultations with Russian officials on the current state of negotiations [between Iran and the US], the conditions of the ceasefire and related issues, and will also present a report on these talks to the Russian authorities," Jalali said.

Araghchi will also discuss possible joint initiatives between Iran and Russia regarding the US talks, Jalali added.

"Should any initiatives arise from either side, including joint initiatives, they will be discussed," the Iranian ambassador said.

Earlier on Sunday, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported that Araghchi arrived in Pakistan from Oman to meet with senior Pakistani officials and will later travel to Moscow.

The minister reportedly arrived at Nur Khan Airbase in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi following a day-long visit to Oman.

Previously, Araghchi discussed security in the Persian Gulf and Oman, as well as shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on targets in Iran, causing damage and civilian casualties. On April 7, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire. Subsequent talks in Islamabad ended inconclusively. While no resumption of hostilities was announced, the US began a blockade of Iranian ports.

IDF soldier killed, 6 wounded in Hezbollah drone attack in southern Lebanon

IDF soldier killed, 6 wounded in Hezbollah drone attack in southern Lebanon

Emanuel Fabian

An Israeli soldier was killed and six were wounded in a Hezbollah explosive drone attack in southern Lebanon this morning, the military announces.

The slain soldier is named as Sgt. Idan Fooks, 19, of the 7th Armored Brigade’s 77th Battalion, from Petah Tikva.

He is the third soldier to be killed in southern Lebanon despite the ongoing ceasefire.

The IDF says that an officer and three troops were seriously wounded, one soldier was moderately hurt and another soldier was lightly hurt in the attack.

While the wounded troops were being evacuated, Hezbollah launched two more explosive-laden drones at the forces. One of the drones was intercepted, while the second struck near the troops, without causing any additional injuries, according to an IDF probe of the incident.

Hezbollah took responsibility for the attack, saying it attacked Israeli troops in the southern Lebanon town of Taybeh in response to alleged Israeli violations of the truce.

Israeli Airstrikes Reported In S Lebanon Following Evacuation Warnings

Israeli airstrikes reported in south Lebanon following evacuation warnings

Emanuel Fabian

Following Israeli evacuation warnings, Lebanese media reports several airstrikes in southern Lebanon.

Earlier, the IDF ordered the villages of Mayfadoun, Shoukine, Yohmar, Arnoun, Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, and Kfar Tebnit to evacuate.

Strikes are now reported in the area.

AI is making it very easy for the government to spy on you. Some lawmakers are worried

AI is making it very easy for the government to spy on you. Some lawmakers are worried

Jared Perlo

Lawmakers are leery that AI will give old-fashioned snooping a dangerous new edge.

The long-running fight to rein in the government’s power to search Americans’ phone calls, emails and text messages without a warrant has gained new urgency on Capitol Hill over concerns that AI will supercharge state surveillance.

Lawmakers are currently jockeying over reforms to a key law that enables warrantless monitoring of Americans’ communications, with privacy advocates and national security hawks warning that AI will allow faster and more invasive analysis of vast amounts of information — including communications swept up in foreign intelligence programs and commercially available location or behavioral data.

“Imagine instead of doing a query with one person that you turned AI loose on these databases,” Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said Thursday at a press conference announcing a new bill to close data-collection loopholes. “There’s virtually nothing the government can’t know about you.”

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) allows the government to collect the communications of foreigners abroad, but it also enables the government to collect messages, emails and other transmissions from Americans when they contact foreigners. The government can then perform warrantless searches on those emails, messages and other communications. Though the provision was originally passed in 2008, lawmakers must renew it every few years.

A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers has emerged in recent weeks to tackle concerns about AI’s ability to search through the mountains of data procured through Section 702. In March, Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, and co-sponsors in the House and Senate introduced a sweeping FISA reform bill.

“For years, there have been jaw-dropping abuses of section 702,” Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a co-sponsor of the Government Surveillance Reform Act, said on the Senate floor last week. “Government officials have searched through 702 data to find Black Lives Matter protesters, political campaign donors, elected officials, even a state judge who complained about police abuses.”

America’s law enforcement agencies should be able to harness technology responsibly, Wyden said, “but new tools require new rules. Without new rules, you can count on the executive branch to run roughshod over Americans’ privacy rights and constitutional freedoms.”

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