238 Venezuelans in El Salvador prisons

 

The United States has sent a total of 261 people, including 238 Venezuelan citizens, to El Salvador despite a court order. Venezuela and various human rights groups have criticized the Trump administration's move. Reuters, BBC

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the information in separate statements. Nayib Bukele wrote on social media on Sunday morning local time that among the extradited people are 238 members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. There are 23 members of the international gang group MS-13. These people will be held in a high-security prison in El Salvador. For this, the Central American country will receive money from the United States.

According to a report by the news agency Reuters, US President Donald Trump ordered the use of the centuries-old Alien Enemies Act on Friday to quickly extradite the Tren de Aragua members. It is known as wartime law.

The following day, Saturday, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg in Washington ordered a 14-day stay of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. He said the law covers “hostile acts” committed by another country that “tantamount to war.”

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele mocked the U.S. judge’s order, saying, “Oh, it’s too late.”

The United States signed a deal with El Salvador last month to hold foreign criminals in prisons in the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it an “unprecedented and extraordinary immigration deal.”

Bukele said that those extradited from the United States were immediately sent to a terrorist detention center (SECT) for a year. Their detention could be extended if necessary.

The United States has agreed to pay El Salvador $6 million to keep 300 accused members of the Train de Aragua in prison for a year, the Associated Press reported on Saturday. Venezuela has criticized the United States for using martial law against its own citizens. In a statement, the country said the United States is “unjustly criminalizing Venezuelan migrants, invoking the horrific memories of slavery and Nazi concentration camps, which are known as the darkest episodes in human history.”

US: Operation will continue unless Houthis announce end to ship attacks

 The United States has said that the ongoing operation against the Houthis will continue until they announce an end to attacks on ships in the Red Sea. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the announcement on Sunday local time. But the Houthis have announced that they will continue to retaliate if the US attack continues. Reuters reports

On Saturday night, the US military began attacking various Houthi targets in Yemen. At least 53 people have been killed in the attack, according to the Houthi-run Ministry of Health. Five children and two women are among the dead. 98 people were injured in the attack. However, the Pentagon did not immediately comment on the civilian casualties.

The ongoing attack against the Houthis in the Middle East is the largest US military operation since Trump took office in January. The attack began at a time when Washington is trying to force Tehran to negotiate over its nuclear program by increasing sanctions. A US official told Reuters that the attack could last for weeks.

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said on Sunday that if the US continues its attacks on Yemen, our attacks on its ships in the Red Sea will continue. “If they continue their aggression, we will continue to respond,” he said.

The Houthi political bureau has described the US attack as a “war crime.” Moscow has called on Washington to stop the attacks.

On Sunday, a Houthi military spokesman claimed, without providing any evidence, that they had launched missile and drone attacks on the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and other warships in the Red Sea. The strikes were in response to the US attacks.

The same day, a US official told Reuters that their aircraft had shot down 11 Houthi drones. None of the drones came close to the Harry S. Truman. The official added that their forces had identified a missile that had crashed off the Yemeni coast. They did not see it as a threat.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures", "Whenever the Houthis say we will stop attacking your ships, we will stop shooting at their drones. When they say they will stop attacking the ships, this operation will end. But until then, the operation will continue."

Pete Hegseth said, "The issue is that we have to stop targeting our assets in vital waterways ... so that freedom of navigation can be restored, which is a vital national interest of the United States. Iran has been sponsoring the Houthis for a long time, and that has to stop."

The Houthis have been fighting an armed struggle for more than a decade. They currently control most of Yemen. Since November 2023, they have carried out more than 100 attacks targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea. They claim that they are carrying out these attacks in solidarity with Palestinians who are victims of Israeli attacks in Gaza. The US is having to launch a costly military operation to intercept the missiles and drones fired by the Houthis. Last week, the group said it would attack Israeli ships in the Red Sea if Israel lifted its blockade on Gaza, or face a military strike.

On Saturday, Trump called on the Houthis to stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, warning them of “hell rain” if they did not. Trump threatened Tehran, saying that if Iran threatened the US, “America will hold you fully accountable. That will not be good for you.”

Newcastle become champions 70 years after beating Liverpool

 

Newcastle United's 70-year title drought has finally ended. The team won the English League Cup final by defeating the powerful Liverpool 2-1. This is their first major domestic title in English football since winning the FA Cup in 1955.

Newcastle made history in the final held at the traditional Wembley Stadium in London. Dan Byrne's goal in added time in the first half gave them the lead. Alexander Isak increased the gap in the seventh minute of the second half after the break. Federico Chiesa scored a goal for Liverpool in the last minute of the match. However, that did not change the result - Newcastle left the field with the title after securing the victory.

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes said in an emotional voice, holding the trophy high, "We are champions again. Today is one of the best days of my life. Those who supported the club as children saw Newcastle as champions today. For the fans, it is as exciting as winning the World Cup.’

On the other hand, Liverpool, who have been in a good form throughout the season, recently lost the League Cup trophy after being eliminated from the Champions League. Liverpool now only has the dream of winning the Premier League title.