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Three people believed to be migrants died and another was hospitalized after two boats capsized off Panama’s Caribbean coast on Tuesday, authorities said. The Panama Maritime Authority said the incidents happened along a remote stretch of coast near the border with Colombia, a region that has seen more “reverse migration” in the past year as people try to return to their home countries in South America. The boats were headed to Puerto Obaldia in the Guna Yala Indigenous region, the authority said. The autonomous Indigenous leadership of the General Guna Congress posted on social media that those who died were on a boat that had left Miramar with 16 people aboard and that the passengers were migrants. According to the statement, the first rescuers to reach the overturned boat found four people trapped underneath. Two Venezuelan women and a Colombian man died, and another Venezuelan woman was taken to hospital. Twelve others were pulled to safety. Two babies among 53 dead or missing after migrant boat capsizes off Libya, UN reports Many migrants from countries such as Venezuela and Colombia are now choosing to pay for boat trips along the Caribbean Sea to return to northern Colombia rather than risk the dangerous journey through the Darien jungle between Colombia and Panama. In a similar incident in February 2025, an 8-year-old Venezuelan boy died when another migrant boat bound for Colombia capsized in rough seas, though other passengers were rescued.

A former police chief in Florida told the FBI that Donald Trump called him in 2006 and said “everyone” knew about Jeffrey Epstein’s behaviour, according to a newly released FBI document. The document summarises a 2019 FBI interview with the former Palm Beach police chief, who said Trump contacted him after local authorities began investigating Epstein. According to the record, Trump said: “Thank goodness you’re stopping him, everyone has known he’s been doing this.” Although the officer’s name is blacked out in the document, it identifies the interviewee as the Palm Beach police chief at the time of the Epstein investigation. That position was held by Michael Reiter, who later told the Miami Herald that he received the call from Trump. President Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and has said he was unaware of his crimes. The reported call could raise fresh questions about what Trump knew at the time. In 2019, after Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges, Trump told reporters he had no suspicions about him. “No, I had no idea. I had no idea. I haven’t spoken to him in many, many years,” he said. According to the FBI interview summary, Reiter said Trump told him in July 2006 that he had expelled Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club and that “people in New York knew he was disgusting.” Reiter also claimed Trump described Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein’s “operative” and said “she is evil and to focus on her.” Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for helping recruit underage girls for Epstein. The former police chief further told the FBI that Trump said he had been around Epstein when he was with teenage girls but “got the hell out of there.” The document also states that Trump was among the “very first people to call” Florida police after learning about the investigation. In 2006, Palm Beach police were investigating Epstein over allegations of sexually exploiting underage girls. The case was later transferred to federal prosecutors. In 2008, Epstein reached a controversial plea deal that included a non-prosecution agreement shielding him from more serious federal charges. In a statement to the BBC, a US Justice Department official said authorities were not aware of any evidence confirming that the president contacted law enforcement two decades ago. Epstein associate Maxwell refuses to testify, seeks clemency At a White House briefing on Tuesday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the reported call “may or may not have happened in 2006” and that she did not know the answer. “What President Trump has always said is that he kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club because Jeffrey Epstein was a creep,” she said. “And that remains true in this call. If it did happen, it corroborates exactly what President Trump has said from the beginning.” The BBC has contacted Reiter for comment. Trump and Epstein were seen together socially and photographed in the 1990s. The president and the White House have maintained that he was unaware of Epstein’s crimes and ended contact with him around 2004, years before Epstein’s first arrest. Trump has said their relationship ended after he learned Epstein was trying to recruit employees from Mar-a-Lago. “When I heard about it, I told him, we don’t want you taking our people,” Trump said in July. “He was fine and then not too long after that he did it again and I said ‘outta here’.” The renewed attention comes after Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence, testified virtually before the US House Oversight Committee on Monday. During the closed-door session, she declined to answer questions and invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, according to committee chairman James Comer. Maxwell’s lawyer said she would be willing to speak “fully and honestly” if granted clemency by President Trump. Trump has said he has not considered pardoning her.    #With inputs from BBC  

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order warning of additional tariffs on countries that continue doing business with Iran, escalating pressure amid renewed diplomatic talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme. The order, issued on Friday, does not fix a specific tariff rate but cites 25 percent as an example. It states that such duties could be imposed on goods imported into the United States from any country that “directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires” goods or services from Iran. Although Trump did not directly comment on the executive order, he reiterated his long-held position that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One late Friday. The move came shortly after talks between senior US and Iranian officials in Oman, the first such engagement in months, following weeks of sharp rhetoric from both sides. Trump had earlier warned of a 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Iran in a January post on his Truth Social platform, though details were not provided at the time. The White House said the new order reaffirmed the “ongoing national emergency with respect to Iran” and noted that the president could modify the measures if circumstances change. It said the administration was holding Iran accountable for pursuing nuclear capabilities, supporting terrorism, developing ballistic missiles and destabilising the region. Separately, the US State Department announced sanctions on 15 entities accused of trading in Iranian-origin crude oil, petroleum and petrochemical products. Iran, already under sweeping US and Western sanctions, did not immediately respond. Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and denies accusations that it is seeking nuclear weapons. Under a 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers, Iran was restricted from enriching uranium beyond 3.67 percent and barred from enrichment at the Fordo facility for 15 years. Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, calling it insufficient, and reimposed sanctions that severely damaged Iran’s economy, including so-called secondary sanctions targeting countries trading with Tehran. Iran later began breaching key limits of the agreement, particularly on uranium enrichment. Last year, the United Nations reimposed economic and military sanctions after European powers accused Iran of continued nuclear escalation and poor cooperation. Despite sanctions, more than 100 countries still trade with Iran. China remains its largest export partner, importing more than $14 billion worth of Iranian goods in the year to October 2025, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. The Oman talks were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also part of the US side. Trump described the discussions as “very good” and said Iran appeared eager to reach a deal, warning of “very steep” consequences if talks fail. Another round of talks is expected early next week. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the discussions helped clarify positions and identify possible areas of progress, while Araghchi called them “a good start” and said a positive atmosphere prevailed. Rising tensions have fuelled fears of a wider conflict, with Trump repeatedly warning that military action remains an option if Iran refuses to agree on its nuclear programme. Iran continues to reject such accusations, insisting its activities are for peaceful purposes only.   With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump said he did not see the racist portion of a social media video depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes before it was shared from his account. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said he had only watched the beginning of the 62-second video and was unaware that it ended with the offensive clip. Asked whether he would apologise, he said, “I didn’t make a mistake.” The video, set to the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, included false claims about voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. The racist clip appeared at the end. The post was later removed from Trump’s Truth Social account following widespread backlash. Trump said the video was posted by a staff member and claimed he did not know about the depiction of the Obamas. “If my people had looked at the whole thing, they probably would have had the sense to take it down,” he said, adding that it was removed as soon as the issue was discovered. The White House initially defended the post, calling it an “internet meme video,” but reversed course after criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. A White House official later said the video had been shared in error by a staffer. Republican Senator Tim Scott described the clip as “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House” and called for its removal. Other Republican lawmakers, including Representatives Mike Lawler and Senators John Curtis, also condemned the post, calling it offensive and unacceptable. The clip appears to have originated from a meme video shared on X last year, which portrayed several Democratic leaders as animals. The Obamas have not commented publicly on the video. The incident has drawn strong reactions from civil rights groups and Democratic leaders. NAACP President Derrick Johnson called the video “disgusting,” while several Democratic officials accused Trump of promoting racism. The controversy adds to Trump’s long history of attacks on Barack Obama, including past false claims questioning Obama’s birthplace, which Trump later acknowledged were untrue.   With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump’s social media account on Friday took down an AI-generated video depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes, following strong criticism from politicians and commentators. Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina said on X that he hoped the video was fake, calling it the most racist content he had seen from the White House and urging the president to remove it. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also condemned the post, saying the Obamas “represent the best of this country” and calling on all Republicans to denounce what he described as Trump’s “disgusting bigotry.” According to Axios, the clip was part of a longer video produced by a pro-MAGA meme account and was shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform at 11:44 pm Eastern Time on Thursday. The post remained online for about 12 hours before being removed. The longer video also featured other Democratic figures, including former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Trump endorses Japan’s PM Takaichi ahead of snap election Earlier, White House officials had defended the post. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said it originated from an internet meme portraying President Trump as the “King of the Jungle” and Democrats as characters from The Lion King. US media outlets and commentators have repeatedly described Trump’s rhetoric and related content as racist.

Senior officials from the United States and Iran are expected to hold direct talks in Oman later, as tensions between the two adversaries continue to raise fears of a possible military confrontation. The discussions follow a significant US military build-up in the Middle East, which Washington says was prompted by Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests last month. Human rights groups claim the repression resulted in thousands of deaths. Uncertainty over the venue and scope of the talks had earlier threatened to derail the meeting. The dialogue is part of a broader diplomatic push by regional mediators to ease escalating tensions between the two countries. Despite the talks, Washington and Tehran remain sharply divided. Officials hope that if the meeting proves successful, it could pave the way for a broader framework for future negotiations. The United States has demanded that Iran freeze its nuclear programme and abandon its stockpile of enriched uranium. US officials have also said the discussions should address Iran’s ballistic missile programme, its backing of armed groups across the region, and its human rights record. Iran, however, has insisted that the talks will focus solely on its nuclear programme, and it remains unclear whether the differing positions have been reconciled. In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Iran if a deal is not reached. The US has deployed thousands of additional troops to the region, along with what Trump described as an “armada,” including an aircraft carrier, other warships and fighter jets. Iran has warned it would retaliate forcefully against any attack, threatening strikes on US military assets in the Middle East and on Israel. Trump administration launches TrumpRx website to promote discounted drugs The Iranian delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who last week said Iran’s armed forces were “with their fingers on the trigger.” The US side will be represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The meeting will be the first direct engagement between US and Iranian officials since last June’s war between Israel and Iran, during which the US bombed Iran’s three main nuclear facilities. Iran says its uranium enrichment activities ceased following those attacks. For Iran’s embattled leadership, analysts say the talks may represent a last opportunity to avert US military action that could further destabilise the regime, which is seen as being in its weakest position since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Trump’s threats have coincided with Iran’s forceful suppression of widespread protests sparked by a worsening economic crisis, during which demonstrators called for the end of the Islamic Republic. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said it had confirmed at least 6,883 deaths, warning the toll could be higher, and reported that more than 50,000 people had been arrested. The current crisis has renewed focus on Iran’s nuclear programme, a long-standing source of dispute with Western powers. Iran has repeatedly said its nuclear activities are peaceful, while the US and Israel accuse it of seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran insists it has the right to enrich uranium on its own territory and has rejected demands to transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, estimated at 400kg (880lb), to another country. Iranian officials have signalled openness to certain concessions, including the possible creation of a regional uranium enrichment consortium, an idea previously discussed in talks that collapsed when Israel launched a surprise war last year. At the same time, Iran has firmly rejected demands to curb its ballistic missile programme or end its support for regional allies – an alliance it calls the “Axis of Resistance,” which includes Hamas in Gaza, militias in Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen – saying such demands violate its sovereignty. On Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he had instructed Araghchi to pursue “fair and equitable negotiations” with the US, provided that appropriate conditions exist. Iran is also expected to press for the lifting of economic sanctions that have severely damaged its economy. Critics of the regime argue that sanctions relief would provide a crucial lifeline to Iran’s clerical rulers. For the United States, the talks could offer a way out of Trump’s military threats, depending on the outcome. Regional countries have warned that a US strike could trigger a wider conflict or prolonged instability in Iran, and cautioned that air power alone would be unlikely to topple the country’s leadership. Asked whether Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei should be concerned, Trump told NBC News on Wednesday, “I would say he should be very worried.” US-Russia nuclear arms pact expires, ending limits US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said any meaningful outcome would require the talks to extend beyond the nuclear issue. “I’m not sure you can reach a deal with these guys, but we’re going to try,” he said, adding that there was no harm in exploring possible solutions. The talks were initially planned to take place in Istanbul as part of mediation efforts led by Egypt, Turkey and Qatar. However, Iran requested at the last moment that the venue be shifted to Oman – which hosted talks last year – and that the meeting be limited to Iranian and American officials only.   #With inputs from BBC

The Trump administration on Thursday unveiled TrumpRx, a new government-backed website it says will help Americans access prescription drugs at lower prices, as rising health care expenses and living costs remain a major concern for households. President Donald Trump, speaking at the launch event, said the initiative would significantly reduce costs for patients and benefit the broader health care system. “You’re going to save a fortune,” he said, adding that the move would have a positive impact on overall care. TrumpRx does not sell medicines directly. Instead, the website serves as a hub that directs consumers to pharmaceutical companies’ direct-to-consumer platforms, where drugs can be purchased, and also offers discount coupons for use at retail pharmacies. At launch, the site features more than 40 medications, including popular weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Trump urges US to move on from Epstein amid ongoing scrutiny The rollout is part of the administration’s broader effort to demonstrate action on affordability, an issue that has become politically sensitive ahead of the November midterm elections, as Americans continue to worry about the costs of housing, food, utilities and other essentials. Trump said the lower prices were achieved by pressing drugmakers to charge Americans the same prices as those offered in other developed countries. He argued that this would end what he described as the United States subsidizing cheaper medicines abroad, even if prices rise in foreign markets as a result. While the administration is highlighting what it calls substantial discounts, the real impact on household spending remains uncertain. The website notes that listed prices reflect out-of-pocket costs and that people with insurance may pay less. It also acknowledges that some patients may find cheaper options through generic alternatives. Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, praised the initiative, describing it as a major shift in access to care. He claimed that lower prices for weight-loss drugs could lead to significant health improvements nationwide and suggested that reduced costs for fertility treatments could boost birth rates. Trump first announced plans for TrumpRx in September, alongside the first of more than 15 agreements with pharmaceutical companies aimed at lowering U.S. drug prices to match the lowest levels in comparable countries. In December, he said the platform would offer “massive discounts,” though it remains unclear whether prices on manufacturers’ sites will consistently undercut what many insured consumers already pay. The website’s launch followed several delays that the administration has not publicly explained. Initial expectations last year pointed to a release before the end of 2025, with another planned launch in late January also postponed. In recent months, Trump has repeatedly highlighted his administration’s efforts to curb prescription drug prices, including agreements with major manufacturers such as Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Merck. Under these deals, some Medicaid drug prices are set to align with “most favored nations” rates, and certain new medicines are to be introduced to consumers at discounted prices through TrumpRx. US launches plan to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals However, many details of the agreements remain unclear, and drug costs in the United States continue to vary widely based on factors such as insurance coverage and market competition. Most Americans are shielded from full prices through employer-based insurance, private plans or government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Separately, the administration has also secured lower prices for several drugs for Medicare beneficiaries through a direct negotiation program established under a 2022 law.

President Donald Trump has called for the United States to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein case as the Justice Department concludes its review of millions of documents related to the convicted sex offender’s sex-trafficking network. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the review, mandated by Congress in November, found no grounds for new prosecutions. While the Justice Department’s review has ended, the House of Representatives continues its own investigation into Epstein. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are scheduled to testify later this month, after Republicans threatened contempt of Congress for noncompliance. Members of Congress and Epstein’s survivors continue to demand additional disclosures, citing documents they claim have not been released. Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, said at the White House on Tuesday that it was “really time for the country to get on to something else.” However, his name appears over 6,000 times in the released files, often mentioned by Epstein and his associates, although no evidence has directly implicated him in criminal activity. Other high-profile figures named in the documents, including Prince Andrew, former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson, and former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, have faced scrutiny and personal consequences for their ties to Epstein. Tech billionaires like Bill Gates and Elon Musk have also had to address references to them in the files. The documents include unverified FBI tips from 2016, some naming Trump, Epstein, and other prominent figures. The Justice Department said these tips were unfounded and many contain false or sensational claims. A few new photographs and emails were released, but none substantially changed the narrative regarding Trump’s involvement. Epstein’s victims, including Lisa Phillips, expressed dissatisfaction with the Justice Department’s actions, citing incomplete disclosure and the release of survivors’ names. Despite the president’s call to move on, Democrats in Congress have signaled they may issue similar subpoenas for Trump and other Republicans if they regain control of the House in the November midterm elections. The Epstein saga, years after the financier’s death, continues to attract legal and political attention, highlighting ongoing calls for transparency and accountability in one of the most high-profile criminal cases involving powerful figures in the United States.   With inputs from BBC

The final remaining nuclear arms agreement between the United States and Russia expired on Thursday, eliminating limits on the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals for the first time in over 50 years. Experts warn that the end of the New START Treaty could trigger an unchecked nuclear arms race. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously expressed willingness to extend the treaty for another year if Washington agreed, but U.S. President Donald Trump has remained noncommittal. Trump has suggested including China in any future deal, an idea Beijing has rejected. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin discussed the treaty’s expiration with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, noting that the U.S. has not responded to Russia’s extension proposal. “Russia will act in a balanced and responsible manner based on thorough analysis of the security situation,” Ushakov added. Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated Wednesday night that, under the current circumstances, both parties are no longer bound by any obligations under the New START Treaty and are free to choose their next steps. US launches plan to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals Signed in 2010 by President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, New START limited each side to 1,550 nuclear warheads and 700 delivery systems, including missiles and bombers. The treaty, originally set to expire in 2021, was extended for five years and included on-site inspections to verify compliance, which halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2023, Putin suspended Russia’s participation in inspections, citing concerns over U.S. and NATO statements regarding Russia’s defeat in Ukraine, while emphasizing that Moscow would still respect the warhead limits. In September, he proposed adhering to New START’s limits for one more year to allow negotiations on a successor pact, warning that the treaty’s expiration could destabilize global security and fuel nuclear proliferation. New START follows a series of previous U.S.-Russia nuclear arms reduction agreements, all of which have since ended. While Trump has expressed a desire to maintain nuclear limits, he insists China be included in any new treaty. Beijing, which has a smaller but expanding nuclear arsenal, has refused to participate in nuclear disarmament talks, urging the U.S. to resume dialogue with Russia. US seeks critical minerals trading bloc with allies to counter China “China’s nuclear forces are not on the same scale as those of the U.S. and Russia, and thus China will not participate in nuclear disarmament negotiations at the current stage,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Thursday, calling on Washington to respond positively to Russia’s suggestion to continue observing the treaty’s core limits.

The United States has unveiled a new initiative to form a trade zone for critical minerals, aiming to reduce global dependence on China, which dominates the supply of materials essential for products ranging from smartphones to weapons. On Wednesday, the State Department hosted the first Critical Minerals Ministerial, attended by representatives from the UK, European Union, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Delegates discussed access to key minerals used in manufacturing electric vehicle batteries, computer chips, and other high-tech applications. China currently leads in the mining and processing of many of these critical minerals, including rare earths. Although US officials did not explicitly name China, Vice President JD Vance referred to the "foreign supply" of minerals affecting global markets, making it difficult for other nations with mineral deposits to secure funding for production. Washington Post slashes one-third of staff in sweeping layoffs The US plans to use tariffs to prevent critical mineral prices from falling too low, which could discourage investment, according to Vance. David Copley, a special assistant to President Donald Trump, said the US intends to "deploy hundreds of billions of dollars into the mining sector" to jumpstart projects. Investments are already underway in companies such as rare earth magnet maker MP Materials and Lithium Americas, a producer of materials vital for rechargeable batteries. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the US, Japan, and the European Commission are coordinating trade policies to collectively safeguard access to critical minerals. Ahead of the meeting, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry called for adherence to market principles and international trade rules, urging countries to strengthen communication and dialogue. The ministerial is part of broader US efforts to counter China’s leverage over the critical minerals industry, including the recent creation of a $12 billion reserve called “Project Vault,” announced by Trump on Monday. Industry experts welcomed the move, highlighting the importance of securing reliable domestic and allied supplies. Iran, US to hold nuclear talks in Oman amid tensions; Trump issues warning to Khamenei The ministerial coincided with a phone call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, described by the US president as “very positive.” Analysts note that while China eased some recent export curbs on rare earths, its dominance remains a strategic tool in trade negotiations with Washington.  #With inputs from BBC