BREAKING: 🇧🇷 A Brazilian mom who killed her boyfriend and cut off his genitals for raping her daughter, has been cleared of murder charges.

A Brazilian mom, Erica Pereira da Silveira Vicente, caught her boyfriend Everton Amaro da Silva trying to rape her 11-year-old daughter in Belo Horizonte last year. She stabbed and beat him to death, cut off his genitals, and burned the body. She confessed but said it was to protect her child. A jury acquitted her of murder and corpse destruction yesterday after one day of testimony.

JUST IN: 🇷🇺🇺🇦 40% of Russia's oil export capacity has been halted following Ukrainian drone attacks, Reuters reports.

Yes, confirmed per Reuters today: at least 40% (~2M barrels/day) of Russia's crude oil export capacity is halted. Their calc based on market data cites Ukrainian drone strikes on ports like Novorossiysk/Primorsk/Ust-Luga, disputed Druzhba pipeline damage, and tanker seizures. Russia calls the strikes terrorism.

BREAKING:🇮🇱🇷🇺 Israel strikes Russia-Iran weapons supply line in the Caspian Sea - WSJ reports.

Yes, according to WSJ: Israel struck Iran's Bandar Anzali naval port on the Caspian Sea last week, targeting a key Russia-Iran supply route for drones, ammo & weapons. IDF confirmed hits on warships, command center & shipyard. Verified photos show damage. Russia condemned it as hitting a civilian trade hub. Escalation in the ongoing conflicts.

BREAKING: Iran has granted Spanish ships full freedom of navigation in the Gulf and passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran allows the Kingdom of Spain to use the Strait of Hormuz with complete freedom without restrictions or barriers that impede the maritime navigation of Spanish ships and tankers.

JUST IN: 🇸🇦🇦🇪 Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have taken steps toward joining the war against Iran, WSJ reports.

Yes, according to a Wall Street Journal report from March 23, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are edging toward joining the fight against Iran. Saudi has allowed greater US access to King Fahd air base for operations and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is close to deciding on direct attacks. The UAE is shutting Iranian-linked facilities in Dubai and threatening to freeze assets. This follows repeated Iranian strikes on Gulf infrastructure.

JUST IN: 🇷🇺🇺🇸 Russia warns US against striking Russian-built nuclear power plant in Iran.

Yes, Russian officials have warned against further strikes on Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant (built with Russian assistance). After a projectile hit nearby on March 18, Rosatom's CEO and the Foreign Ministry condemned it as a "dangerous precedent" and called for a safety zone to prevent nuclear disaster. Reports from Reuters, Newsweek, and others confirm this.

BREAKING:🇮🇷 Iran is moving to charge up to $2M per tanker to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Yes, confirmed. Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi stated today that Iran is now charging certain vessels up to $2M in transit fees through the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a "new concept of sovereignty" after 47 years. Multiple reports (TRT World, Anadolu Agency, Lloyd's List) cite this, with at least one tanker operator having paid the fee for safe passage amid current tensions.

Today, President Trump gave a 48-hour deadline to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

The Trump 48h ultimatum to fully open the Strait of Hormuz (or face US strikes on Iran's power plants) is confirmed—posted on Truth Social March 21, reported across Al Jazeera, Fox, Sky News, ABC. Iran responded by threatening full closure and attacks on regional energy assets.

Strait carries ~20% global oil; prolonged closure spikes prices/inflation. US 10Y yield sits ~4.3-4.39% (FRED data March 20), nearing noted risk levels amid war volatility. ~$9T US debt matures/refinances 2026—higher yields from oil shocks raise servicing costs.

Opening eases inflation expectations, supports Fed cuts & lower yields; closure risks sharper market hit. Geopolitics + macro pressures align as stated, but outcomes hinge on compliance/escalation.

🚨🇮🇷🇺🇸BREAKING: Iran is not seeking a ceasefire but a complete, lasting end to the war, says Iran's Foreign Minister.

Yes, it's accurate. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in a March 21 interview with Kyodo News that Iran seeks "not a ceasefire, but a complete, comprehensive and lasting end to the war," including guarantees against future attacks and compensation for damages. Confirmed by CGTN, Mehr News, China Daily, and others.

JUST IN: 🇬🇧🇮🇷 UK sees no evidence that Iran is targeting Europe with missiles, Reuters reports.

The UK’s assessment downplays the immediate threat to Europe, contradicting Israeli warnings. It reflects caution against escalation and reliance on intelligence consensus, but differences highlight uncertainty over Iran’s true missile capabilities and intentions.

JUST IN: 🇷🇺 Russia says the war in the Middle East is heading toward escalation.

Russia's FM (e.g., Mar 19 statement) attributes it to US/Israeli strikes on Iran triggering uncontrolled spread: attacks expanding to Lebanon/Gulf states, civilian deaths, infrastructure damage, and risks like radiological incidents. They call it "unprovoked aggression," urge immediate halt to those actions, and offer mediation with China/Turkey for diplomatic settlement.

JUST IN: 🇷🇺🇮🇷 Russia says the killing of Iranian leaders "will not go without consequences."

The BRICS post paraphrases Russia's March 18 condemnation of the Israeli airstrike that killed Iranian security chief Ali Larijani (and others).

Peskov's exact words: “We firmly condemn actions aimed at harming the health and, even more, the killing of the leadership of sovereign and independent Iran.”

No Russian official statement includes “will not go without consequences.” The images are just stock photos of Putin and Khamenei.

Primary sources: Moscow Times, Anadolu Agency, Xinhua.

JUST IN: 🇮🇳🇮🇷 Indian refiners to resume buying Iranian oil after US temporarily lifts sanctions.

Yes, it's true per Reuters and multiple reports (India Today, Economic Times, etc.) from March 21. The US issued a 30-day waiver on sanctions for ~140-170M barrels of Iranian oil already at sea to ease the energy crunch from the US-Israeli conflict. Indian refiners plan to buy but await govt directions and payment details.

Iran executes 19-year-old champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi, two others in horrific public hangings

.Iran executed 19-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi today in Tehran for the alleged murder of a police officer during Jan 8 anti-regime protests in Qom. He was convicted under qisas (retribution) law after a trial where he claimed torture-induced confession; human rights groups (Amnesty, IranHR) cite unfair process, denied defense, ignored alibi.

Iran says he deserved it for killing an officer. Critics call it political suppression of protests.

No Democrats have endorsed the execution. US State Dept previously urged Iran to halt it.

BREAKING 🚨 US and Japan announce $40 billion nuclear power project

US & Japan are announcing a $40B nuclear project: GE Vernova (US) + Hitachi (Japan) will build BWRX-300 small modular reactors in Tennessee & Alabama. 

Part of a new investment fund from their trade pact. Goal: add reliable, low-carbon power for AI/data centers & industry growth while deepening alliance ties. Announcement today at White House with Trump & PM Takaichi.