The United States and Qatar have solidified their military partnership with the establishment of a new Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the agreement during a meeting with his Qatari counterpart, Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, at the Pentagon on Friday. The facility will serve as a training ground for Qatari pilots to operate F-15 fighter jets, enhancing combined training, lethality, and interoperability between the two nations. Hegseth emphasized the strength of the partnership, stating, ‘You can count on us.’ The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s executive order last month, which pledged to use all measures, including military force, to defend Qatar. This order underscores an extraordinary security pact between the US and its key Arab ally, akin to aspects of a NATO alliance. The move comes in the wake of recent tensions, including Israeli air strikes in Doha and Iran’s attack on the al-Udeid Air Base, the US’s largest military facility in the Middle East, located in Qatar. Qatar has also played a pivotal role in mediating ceasefire efforts in Gaza, further cementing its strategic importance in the region.
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White House slams Nobel Committee for not awarding Peace Prize to Trump
The White House has sharply criticized the Nobel Committee for its decision to award the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan pro-democracy activist María Coria Machado, accusing the committee of prioritizing politics over peace. The announcement, made on Friday, recognized Machado for her relentless efforts in advancing democratic rights in Venezuela. President Donald Trump, who has openly expressed his desire for the prestigious award, was notably overlooked despite his claims of resolving global conflicts and brokering a recent ceasefire in Gaza. White House communications director Steven Cheung condemned the decision, stating, ‘The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace.’ Cheung further praised Trump’s humanitarian efforts, calling him ‘the peace president’ and emphasizing his role in ending wars and saving lives. Trump’s supporters, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, have previously advocated for his nomination. Putin, however, remarked that the award had ‘lost credibility,’ a statement Trump shared on his Truth Social platform. Machado, in her acceptance message, acknowledged Trump’s support for her cause. Despite Trump’s diplomatic achievements, including the Gaza ceasefire, his eligibility for the prize was hindered by the nomination deadline of January 31, just days after he assumed office. The Nobel Committee’s criteria emphasize contributions to arms control, peace negotiations, democracy, and human rights—areas where Trump’s policies, such as mass deportations and the use of National Guard troops domestically, have drawn criticism. Only four U.S. presidents have received the Nobel Peace Prize, with Barack Obama being the sole recipient while in office.
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Massive blast at Tennessee explosives plant leaves several dead and others missing
Newly released images from the site of a recent explosion reveal a scene of utter devastation. Towering plumes of dense grey smoke dominate the skyline, while the ground is littered with charred vehicles and scattered debris. The aftermath of the blast paints a grim picture of destruction, with the extent of the damage clearly visible in the photographs. The images, sourced from WTVF, provide a harrowing glimpse into the chaos and destruction left in the wake of the incident. Authorities have yet to release details on the cause of the explosion or the number of casualties, but the visuals underscore the severity of the event. Emergency responders are reportedly on the scene, working to assess the situation and provide aid to those affected.
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Trump threatens to pull out of planned Xi meeting
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the United States and China, President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from an anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The move comes in response to Beijing’s recent tightening of export controls on rare earths, a critical component in various high-tech industries. Trump took to social media to express his discontent, stating he saw ‘no reason’ to proceed with the meeting and accusing China of adopting a ‘very hostile’ stance, aiming to ‘hold the world captive.’
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump warned of a ‘massive’ increase in tariffs on Chinese goods, reigniting fears of a renewed trade war between the two economic superpowers. The announcement sent shockwaves through financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping approximately 1.4% in late morning trading in New York.
China’s recent actions extend beyond rare earths. Beijing has launched a monopoly investigation into U.S. tech giant Qualcomm, potentially disrupting its acquisition of another chipmaker. Despite being headquartered in the U.S., Qualcomm relies heavily on its Chinese operations. Additionally, China has announced new port fees targeting ships linked to the U.S., including those owned or operated by American firms.
Trump’s frustration was evident in a social media post on Friday, where he remarked, ‘Some very strange things are happening in China! They are becoming very hostile.’ The U.S. and China have maintained a fragile trade détente since May, when both sides agreed to roll back triple-digit tariffs that had nearly halted bilateral trade. Since then, officials have engaged in discussions on various issues, including TikTok, agricultural purchases, and the trade of advanced technology and rare earths.
Jonathan Czin, a China expert at the Brookings Institution, suggested that Xi’s recent moves are strategic efforts to influence upcoming negotiations with the U.S. He noted that the rare earths directive does not take immediate effect, indicating a calculated approach. ‘He’s looking for ways to seize the initiative,’ Czin said. ‘The Trump administration is having to play a game of whack-a-mole and deal with these issues as they come up.’
Czin also expressed skepticism that China is concerned about U.S. retaliation, citing Beijing’s belief in its higher pain threshold during previous tariff escalations. ‘From their perspective, the Trump administration blinked,’ he added.
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Peru wakes up to 7th president in less than a decade after President Boluarte ousted by Congress
Peru has witnessed yet another dramatic political shift as 38-year-old José Jerí assumed the presidency on Friday, marking the nation’s seventh leader in less than a decade. This transition followed the overnight impeachment of President Dina Boluarte, who was removed by Congress over her administration’s failure to address rampant crime and corruption. Jerí, a young lawyer with limited political experience, was sworn in early Friday after lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to oust Boluarte, citing her inability to tackle the country’s escalating security crisis. In his inaugural address, Jerí pledged to prioritize national reconciliation, combat crime, and ensure neutrality in the upcoming April 2026 elections. Boluarte’s removal came after a heated congressional session where 124 lawmakers voted unanimously to impeach her, the ninth such attempt during her tumultuous presidency. Her tenure, which began in December 2022 after the impeachment of her predecessor Pedro Castillo, was marred by widespread protests, scandals, and accusations of corruption. Boluarte, Peru’s first female president, defended her record in a televised speech, but the broadcast was abruptly cut to air Jerí’s swearing-in ceremony. Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Office has requested a travel ban on Boluarte as it investigates allegations of money laundering and corruption. Jerí’s rise to power, though unexpected, reflects Peru’s ongoing political instability, with the nation now looking toward the next elections for a more permanent resolution.
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Gymnastics governing body reacts to Indonesia’s block on Israeli team at worlds in Jakarta
JAKARTA, Indonesia — The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) issued a restrained response on Friday to Indonesia’s decision to bar Israeli athletes from participating in the upcoming World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta. In a brief statement, the FIG acknowledged the Indonesian government’s refusal to grant visas to the Israeli delegation, citing the challenges faced by the host nation in organizing the event. Notably, the statement did not threaten to revoke Indonesia’s hosting rights, despite FIG regulations that permit such action in cases of visa denial. The FIG expressed hope for a future where athletes worldwide can compete in a safe and peaceful environment. Indonesia’s decision follows widespread opposition in the predominantly Muslim nation, which has historically supported the Palestinian cause. Israel, one of 86 registered countries, had planned to send a team led by 2020 Olympic gold medalist Artem Dolgopyat. The Israeli Gymnastics Federation had previously received assurances from Indonesian officials that their participation would be welcomed, contradicting Indonesia’s long-standing policy of excluding Israeli sports delegations. On Thursday, Indonesia’s senior law minister, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, confirmed the ban, even as Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire. The Indonesian Olympic Committee and Gymnastics Federation have both expressed respect for the government’s decision, with the latter claiming FIG support. This incident highlights the growing intersection of politics and sports, as global criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza spills into cultural and athletic arenas. Earlier this year, Indonesia lost hosting rights for the Under-20 FIFA World Cup due to similar political tensions, though it was later awarded a different youth tournament that Israel did not qualify for, reportedly due to close ties between Indonesian soccer officials and FIFA leadership.
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As Nobel Prize goes to Venezuela’s opposition leader, how far would Trump go to help her?
The recent Nobel Prize awarded to Maria Corina Machado, a prominent opposition figure in Venezuela, has been met with widespread acclaim by her supporters. This recognition is seen as a pivotal moment that could reignite international focus on the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in the country. Machado, in her response, appealed directly to former U.S. President Donald Trump, urging his support to help Venezuela achieve ‘freedom and democracy.’ She emphasized the need for collaboration with the U.S., Latin American nations, and other democratic countries worldwide.
Venezuela’s current situation is dire. Millions live in poverty, with unreliable access to basic services like electricity and a healthcare system crippled by severe medicine shortages. The mass exodus of citizens, many fleeing to the U.S. and neighboring countries, underscores the gravity of the crisis. The 2023 elections were widely criticized as neither free nor fair, leading to violent crackdowns on protests and the detention of numerous political prisoners.
In recent months, the U.S. has intensified its pressure on Venezuela, conducting military strikes on boats in international waters off the Venezuelan coast, allegedly targeting drug traffickers. However, these actions have raised legal and ethical concerns, with some experts arguing they violate international law. The U.S. has also increased its military presence in the region, with thousands of troops stationed nearby and plans for potential operations.
Machado, who is in hiding, and Edmundo González, the U.S.-recognized president-elect living in exile, face significant threats from the Venezuelan government, which has accused them of treason. Despite calls for the military to abandon President Nicolás Maduro, key militia groups remain loyal to him. The opposition’s hopes now rest on the extent to which international allies, particularly the U.S., are willing to intervene.
The situation remains precarious, with Venezuela’s allies, including China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba, potentially complicating any U.S. intervention. If the U.S. decides to escalate its actions, the conflict could rapidly intensify, with far-reaching consequences for the region and beyond.
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Trump blasts Spain for being NATO’s spending ‘laggard.’ Madrid replies that it is a ‘loyal’ ally
Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles has robustly defended her nation’s dedication to NATO following remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Spain’s expulsion from the alliance due to insufficient military expenditure. Trump’s comments, made during a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in the Oval Office, labeled Spain as a ‘laggard’ and urged NATO members to pressure the country to increase its defense budget. Trump even suggested that Spain might be ousted from the alliance, citing its failure to meet the agreed-upon spending target of 5% of GDP.
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Melania Trump says Putin responded to her pleas about Ukrainian children
First Lady Melania Trump revealed on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has responded to her letter concerning the plight of child victims in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The letter, which was personally delivered to Putin during his visit to Alaska in August, urged the Russian leader to prioritize the protection of children affected by the war. Melania emphasized that safeguarding these children would not only benefit Russia but also serve humanity as a whole. President Donald Trump shared excerpts of the letter on social media, highlighting its humanitarian appeal. Following an ‘open channel of communication’ with Putin, the First Lady announced that several Ukrainian children displaced by the war have been successfully reunited with their families. This development marks a significant step in addressing the humanitarian crisis stemming from the conflict. Further updates on this story are expected shortly. For real-time updates, follow @BBCBreaking on X or download the BBC News App.
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Man given life sentence for murder of Dublin woman
A 56-year-old man, George Turner, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Emma Costello McCrory, a 45-year-old mother-of-two, in north Dublin. Turner, from Fairview Avenue, pleaded guilty to the crime earlier this week. The tragic incident occurred on December 15, 2022, when McCrory was found dead in her home on Howth Road, Clontarf, following a house fire.
Detective Gardaí revealed that Turner had been in a relationship with McCrory for approximately three months prior to the murder. On the day of the incident, Turner had been asked by McCrory to go to the shops to buy alcohol and withdraw money using her cash card. After visiting a bookmaker’s, Turner returned to the house. He later claimed to have seen smoke emanating from the building and knocked on neighbors’ doors for assistance. However, prosecutors argued that Turner had set the fire after his return and only drew attention to it when smoke became visible. Notably, Turner did not use his phone to call emergency services.
McCrory’s body was discovered in an upstairs bedroom, and efforts to resuscitate her at the scene were unsuccessful. A post-mortem examination confirmed her death was caused by inhaling carbon monoxide and other toxic gases released during the fire. Traces of alcohol and prescription drugs were found in her blood, which would have rendered her vulnerable and sleepy when the fire started. Fire services found no evidence of an accelerant and determined the fire originated at the foot of her bed.
Initially, Turner speculated that a cigarette might have caused the fire. However, in March 2023, he confessed to an acquaintance that he had ‘burnt Emma’ and set a blanket on fire ‘to take her out of her pain.’ He later admitted to Gardaí that he had ignited McCrory’s bedclothes and left as they began to smolder. Turner claimed McCrory had no quality of life and did not want to live, though he insisted he had not intended to kill her. Shockingly, Turner continued to use McCrory’s cash card for personal expenses for up to 10 days after her death.
Turner, who has 42 prior convictions, mostly for public order and road traffic offenses, had previously been jailed for four years in 2016 for possessing firearms and ammunition under suspicious circumstances, as well as drug-related offenses. McCrory’s mother, Pauline Costello, expressed her heartbreak in court, describing her daughter as a ‘wonderful woman’ and ‘a very caring individual.’ She revealed that McCrory had battled cancer while studying for her degree in England at the age of 19 but had recovered and built a life for herself. Costello emphasized her daughter’s vulnerability when she met Turner.
Turner’s defense lawyer highlighted his client’s remorse and unprompted confessions in March 2023, leading to his guilty plea. Ms. Justice Eileen Creedon extended her sympathies to McCrory’s family, stating that her death occurred in ‘needless and tragic circumstances.’