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Iran launches war drills in Hormuz Strait as US carrier is flying missions 24/7 before Geneva talks

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Iran launched live-fire naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday in preparation for potential security and military threats in the strategic waterway, according to the country’s state-run IRNA news agency.

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The drill, called «Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz,» was led by the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under the supervision of IRGC Commander in Chief Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, according to Iran International.

State media said the exercise was organized to assess the readiness of operational units, review security plans and rehearse scenarios for responding to any security and military threats in the area.

SCOTT BESSENT SAYS IRAN UNDERSTANDS ‘BRUTE FORCE’ AS TRUMP WEIGHS OPTIONS AMID NUCLEAR STANDOFF

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Iran launched naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, hours before nuclear talks resumed in Geneva between the U.S. and Iran. (Press Office of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The exercises came within hours of renewed diplomatic efforts starting in Geneva between the U.S. and Iran that are aimed at reviving negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

«I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal,» Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X on Monday «What is not on the table: submission before threats,» he said.

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President Donald Trump has ordered a buildup of U.S. military forces in the Middle East and has threatened to strike Iran if its leadership does not agree to a deal on its nuclear program.

VANCE WARNS IRAN THAT ‘ANOTHER OPTION ON THE TABLE’ IF NUCLEAR DEAL NOT REACHED

On Friday, Trump also offered an endorsement of regime change in Tehran and said it would be the «best thing that could happen» for Iran.

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U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, went on to show U.S. military presence in the region Monday.

In a post on X, it shared images of EA-18G Growlers from Electronic Attack Squadron 133 and F-35C Lightning IIs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 preparing for launch from the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln.

«Operating in international waters in the Middle East, the aircraft carrier conducts around-the-clock flight operations in support of regional security,» the post said.

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TOP IRAN SECURITY OFFICIAL SEEN IN OMAN DAYS AFTER INDIRECT NUCLEAR TALKS WITH US

Hormuz Drills

Iran carried out live drills Monday after Trump ordered military buildup in Middle East and threatened strikes if Iran doesn’t agree to nuclear deal. (Press office of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Pentagon has been building up what Trump has described as an «armada» in the region.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is present flanked by three warships equipped with Tomahawk missiles and is at the center of a broader U.S. naval buildup in the region.

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Meanwhile, Tehran said the second round of talks would be held on Tuesday «with the mediation and good offices of Oman.»

Negotiations restarted in Muscat on Feb. 6, after previous talks collapsed when Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran in June that sparked a 12-day war and escalated tensions across the region.

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On Monday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said there was «significant and legitimate doubt that the Iranians will ever agree to something that would cause them to lay down any ambitions of nuclear weaponry.»



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EEUU instó a Ucrania a sentarse “rápidamente” a la mesa de negociaciones con Rusia en la víspera de una nueva ronda de conversaciones

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EEUU instó a Ucrania a sentarse “rápidamente” a la mesa de negociaciones con Rusia en la víspera de una nueva ronda de conversaciones (AP)

El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, instó este lunes a Ucrania a sentarse “rápidamente” a la mesa de negociaciones con Rusia, en la víspera de una nueva ronda de conversaciones entre Moscú y Kiev en Ginebra, impulsadas por Washington.

Más vale que Ucrania se siente a la mesa rápidamente”, afirmó el mandatario ante la prensa a bordo del avión presidencial, mientras viajaba hacia Washington. En el mismo intercambio con periodistas, subrayó que se trata de “conversaciones importantes” y aseguró: “Va a ser muy fácil”. “Eso es todo lo que le digo. Estamos en posición de hacerlo. Queremos que vengan”, agregó.

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La reunión prevista en Ginebra tendrá lugar tras dos rondas anteriores de contactos mediadas por Estados Unidos en Abu Dhabi, que no arrojaron señales de avance decisivo. Ambas partes describieron públicamente esos intercambios como productivos, pero mantienen diferencias profundas sobre la cuestión territorial, eje central del conflicto que comenzó con la invasión rusa a Ucrania en febrero de 2022.

Trump impulsa una salida negociada a la guerra y enviará a su principal emisario, Steve Witkoff, junto a su yerno y ex asesor Jared Kushner, como parte de la delegación estadounidense. Por parte de Rusia, la delegación estará encabezada por el exministro de Cultura Vladimir Medinski. Ucrania estará representada por Rustem Umerov, jefe del Consejo de Seguridad Nacional, acompañado por otros funcionarios.

Moscú mantiene sus exigencias de amplias concesiones territoriales y políticas por parte de Ucrania, planteamientos que Kiev rechaza y considera equivalentes a una capitulación. Las posiciones continúan alejadas en torno al estatus de los territorios ocupados y las garantías de seguridad futuras.

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Trump impulsa una salida negociada
Trump impulsa una salida negociada a la guerra y enviará a su principal emisario, Steve Witkoff, junto a su yerno y ex asesor Jared Kushner, como parte de la delegación estadounidense (REUTERS)

En paralelo a la presión diplomática, el presidente ucraniano, Volodimir Zelensky, advirtió el lunes que Rusia prepara un “ataque masivo” contra la infraestructura energética del país. Según indicó, instruyó a las autoridades para reforzar la seguridad de instalaciones estratégicas ante el riesgo de nuevos bombardeos.

Zelensky también se refirió a las negociaciones previstas en Ginebra y defendió que Ucrania no debe “repetir errores y ceder parte del territorio” a Rusia. En ese contexto, sostuvo que no se puede frenar las ambiciones del presidente ruso, Vladimir Putin, con “besos y flores”.

El Gobierno ucraniano insiste en que cualquier acuerdo sobre cuestiones territoriales debe tratarse a nivel de líderes y no limitarse a negociaciones técnicas. Kiev mantiene que la soberanía sobre los territorios en disputa no está sujeta a renuncia.

La propuesta planteada por Washington contempla la creación de una zona franca en el territorio en disputa, donde se pueda comerciar libremente como fórmula de compromiso. No obstante, Ucrania remarca que incluso en ese esquema conservaría la soberanía sobre esas áreas.

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Zelensky también se refirió a
Zelensky también se refirió a las negociaciones previstas en Ginebra y defendió que Ucrania no debe “repetir errores y ceder parte del territorio” a Rusia (EP)

En cuanto a las opciones sobre el terreno, Ucrania apuesta por congelar las líneas actuales del frente como paso inicial hacia un arreglo político. Rusia, en cambio, aspira a consolidar el control sobre todo el Donbás, incluyendo zonas que no ocupa actualmente en el marco de la ofensiva iniciada en 2022.

Las conversaciones en Ginebra se desarrollarán en ese contexto de posiciones contrapuestas y bajo la presión de una situación militar que sigue activa. La Casa Blanca presenta la ronda como una oportunidad para avanzar hacia un entendimiento, mientras Kiev y Moscú mantienen exigencias que hasta ahora impiden un consenso sobre el futuro de los territorios en disputa.

(Con información de EP y AFP)



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Swalwell’s ‘I should be working’ gym, pool videos resurface as Dem rival hammers his missed House votes

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One of Rep. Eric Swalwell’s, D-Calif., top Democratic opponents in the race for California governor unleashed a «savage» campaign ad using Swalwell’s own words against him.

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Billionaire gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer, who was also unsuccessful in running for president in 2020, used multiple videos Swalwell posted on social media during the 2025 government shutdown by the pool and at the gym as an attack on his missed votes in Washington, D.C.

The Swalwell videos, which were initially intended as an attack on Republicans and blaming them for why he wasn’t working during the 40+ day shutdown, repeatedly say, «I should be working.»

«Eric Swalwell’s job is to vote in Congress,» the ad starts out in between videos of Swalwell in the pool and at the gym telling his followers that he «should be working» right now. «In 2025, Eric Swalwell missed 95 votes. That’s more than Rep. Raul Grijalva missed. Rep. Grijalva died in March 2025.»

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UNEARTHED PHOTO OF SWALWELL MEETING WITH TOP CCP OFFICIAL RAISES ALARM BELLS: ‘VERY DISTURBING’

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) wears a protective mask while speaking during a House Intelligence Committee hearing on April 15, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images)

According to GovTrack.US, Swalwell missed 102 out of 139 roll call votes, or 73%, between Sept. 19, 2025 and Feb. 9, 2026. In late November, he announced his run to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom as California’s next governor. In Steyer’s ad, the billionaire’s campaign claims Swalwell has missed 68% of votes since declaring his candidacy.  

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«He hasn’t been showing up to work, and now he’s asking for a promotion,» the advertisement concluded, as it continued showing clips of Swalwell bench pressing and talking about how he should be in a suit on Capitol Hill and not pumping iron. 

Eric Swalwell social media advertisement in the gym

Congressman Eric Swalwell pumping iron in a video he posted to social media in July 2025, slamming Republicans for allegedly sending him home and preventing the California congressman from doing his job. (Eric Swalwell for Governor)

ICE DIRECTOR FLIPS SCRIPT ON SWALWELL AFTER DEM LAWMAKER DEMANDED HIS RESIGNATION

«Savage,» Democratic commentator Kaivan Shroff posted on X.

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«Steyer going negative on Swalwell this early is the latest piece of evidence Dem primaries this cycle are going to be nastier than they’ve been in a while,» senior Huffington Post editor Kevin Robillard posted on X.

«Brutal ad,» Washington Free Beacon reporter Jon Levine posted on X.

Swalwell began posting these videos last summer, complaining that Republicans had sent him home for political reasons. 

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«I should be working right now. I should be in Congress. I should be voting to lower your costs. But, instead, I’m in a pool because Republicans sent everyone home because they don’t want to release the Epstein files,» Swalwell said in a late July video he posted to his social media accounts from a glistening pool on the water. «We could be working to lower your costs, make sure healthcare is affordable, and make sure we are restoring the rights of everyone in our community. I should be working right now.»

«Swalwell has, however, kept constituents informed of his workouts even if he is not actually working,» Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley posted on X last summer. «It turns out that the shutdown was not the problem since he is being outvoted by deceased colleagues.»

According to Swalwell and other Democrats, at the time, Republicans sent everyone in Congress home early to avoid voting on an Epstein transparency app, later passed. However, Republicans said that Democrats were trying to ram through measures already being pursued by the executive branch at the time. 

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The pool video was part of a series of other «I should be working right now» videos from Swalwell at the time, including one he took while throwing out the first pitch for his hometown’s minor league baseball team and another one of him bench pressing 135 pounds at the gym.

Eric Swalwell social media advertisement in the pool from July 2025

Congressman Eric Swalwell lounging in his pool in a video he posted to social media slamming Republicans for allegedly sending him home and preventing the California congressman from doing his job in July 2025. (Eric Swalwell for Governor)

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Fox News Digital reached out to Swalwell and his representatives for comment on the criticism about him missing votes, but did not hear back in time for publication.

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100 US troops land in Nigeria as Islamic militants threaten West Africa regional security

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Around 100 U.S. troops and military equipment arrived in Nigeria Monday to help support local forces battling Islamic militants and other armed groups in the West African nation, the Nigerian military said.

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The U.S. personnel touched down as part of a broader security cooperation effort between Washington and Abuja with 100 more arriving over time.

The arrival came at the request of the Nigerian government, which sought assistance with training, technical support and intelligence sharing as it confronts violence, the Associated Press reported.

About 200 U.S. Africa Command personnel are expected to deploy to Nigeria in total and in what officials have described as a support mission aimed at strengthening the capacity of Nigerian forces.

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NIGERIA’S FIRST LADY SAYS US STRIKES WERE A ‘BLESSING,’ WELCOMES COLLABORATION WITH TRUMP

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, deputy commander, U.S. Africa Command met Nigerian officials upon arriving in Nigeria for talks. (U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri)

The effort is focused on combating Islamist extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, both of which have carried out attacks in northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.

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The first batch of troops represents the initial group of what is expected to be a roughly 200-person deployment of others, including U.S. intelligence analysts, advisers and trainers.

The move follows recent visits by senior U.S. Africa Command officials to Abuja to reinforce military-to-military ties and expand counterterrorism cooperation.

DEADLY STRIKE ON US TROOPS TESTS TRUMP’S COUNTER-ISIS PLAN — AND HIS TRUST IN SYRIA’S NEW LEADER

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Nigerian soldiers man a checkpoint in Gwoza, Nigeria. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi)

On Feb. 8, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu met with a high-level U.S. delegation led by U.S. Africa Command commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson at the State House in Abuja, according to Nigeria’s presidency.

The meeting included senior officials from Nigeria’s military, security and intelligence agencies and focused on expanding intelligence sharing and operational coordination.

Monday’s deployment came as tensions between Washington and Abuja have eased following earlier friction over religious violence and civilian protection.

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AMERICANS CAN’T CLOSE OUR EYES TO THE MURDER OF CHRISTIANS IN NIGERIA

President Donald Trump and President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu

Split of President Donald Trump and President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu (Ton Molina/Getty Images; Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump had previously accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from what he described as a genocide, citing attacks by extremist groups and armed bandits.

Trump ordered airstrikes on Dec. 25 targeting Islamic State militants and said they were responsible for killing Christians.

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Africom conducted strikes in Sokoto State in northwest Nigeria targeting what it described as Islamic State terrorists and said they were coordinated with Nigerian authorities.

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«The United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!» Trump said in a post on Truth Social at the time.

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