Rubio says 10 Americans detained in Venezuela have been released
"I want to thank my team at the @StateDep & especially President @nayibbukele for helping secure an agreement for the release of all of our American detainees, plus the release of Venezuelan political prisoners," Rubio said in a post on X.
El Salvador's government would send detained Venezuelans home in exchange for Americans held in Venezuela, two U.S. government officials earlier told Reuters.
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Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Harsh reality behind Colbert's 'cancellation' as DNC spokesperson
The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission served a brutal dose of reality to Stephen Colbert (pictured) fans 'wailing' over the loss of the liberal comedian's show. Brendan Carr explained how the drama over Colbert's Late Show cancellation was nothing more than political theater - and the actual motive was just dollars and cents. On Thursday, CBS announced that the comedian's decade-long run as the host of CBS' late night flagship will end next May. The sudden move s parked immediate backlash from left-wing celebrities and politicians, who claim the decision was strictly politically-motivated. The cancellation was revealed two days after Colbert used the term 'big fat bribe' to describe Paramount's $16million settlement with President Trump. Paramount, which owns CBS, decided to settle on the lawsuit over deceptive editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. The entire affair came amid a pending merger between CBS parent company Paramount and Skydance - a deal still awaiting regulatory approval under the oversight of the Trump administration. CBS - long known as the 'Tiffany Network' - insisted that canceling Colbert's show was 'purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.' 'It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount,' it added. Though the program regularly topped its timeslot on network TV, it reportedly hemorrhaged $40 million a year in revenue - a staggering loss that ultimately proved unsustainable. However, the network instantly faced widespread accusations, including from US senators, of cancelling Colbert for political reasons, particularly given the timing following his vocal criticism of Trump. 'Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late night host, slams the deal, days later, he's fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO,' Bernie Sanders wrote to X. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis added her voice to the backlash, telling the Associated Press : 'They just cut NPR and, you know, public broadcasting. Yes, they're trying to silence people, but that won't work. It won't work. We will just get louder.' Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to X : 'CBS canceled Colbert's show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery. America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons,' she added. 'If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better,' California Senator Adam Schiff (pictured) wrote to X. Jon Stewart, Colbert's former Comedy Central colleague, also weighed in on the controversy during Monday's episode of The Daily Show, questioning the network's decision to cancel the program. 'Watching Stephen exceed all expectations in the role and become the number one late-night show on network television has been an undeniable great pleasure for me as a viewer and as his friend, and now Stephen has been canceled for "purely financial reasons," Stewart said. Colbert ultimately gained a reputation as one of Trump's fiercest critics, departing from the traditional late-night in favor of a more overtly partisan approach. Following the announcement of The Late Show's cancellation, President Trump took to Truth Social on Friday to gloat over the news in a celebratory post. 'I absolutely love that Colbert' got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings,' he wrote. Colbert, who briefly addressed the move Friday, devoted much of his Monday show to the controversy, eventually uniting with almost every other liberal late-night talk show host in a show of support, as well as Adam Sandler and even Lin-Manuel Miranda. The 61-year-old comic opened after a standing ovation and a lengthy applause from the New York City crowd by saying 'cancel culture has gone too far' and then joked now that the show is ending, he can say whatever he feels. Colbert said sarcastically of Paramount: 'They made one mistake, they left me alive! For the next ten months, the gloves are off!' The Late Show host then referenced Trump's comments, turning to an 'Eloquence Cam' and said: 'How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go [expletive] yourself.' He then referenced Trump stating in the same Truth Social post: 'I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next.' Colbert replied: 'Nope, no, no. Absolutely not. Kimmel, I am the martyr. There's only room for one on this cross. And the view is fantastic from up here. I can see your house!' He also said that cancellation meant he could finally admit what he felt about the president. In contrast to his often over-the-top anti-Trump monologues, he dryly, quietly said: 'I don't care for him. Doesn't seem to have the skill set to be president. Just not a good fit, that's all.' Colbert also referenced a story from The New York Post saying the show lost $40-$50million last year, though some have suggested its as high as $100million. 'I could see us losing $24 million but where would Paramount have possibly spent the other $16 million, oh...' he quipped, naming the amount the company settled with Trump for over his 60 Minutes lawsuit. He then went back to bashing Trump and the recent news accusing him of writing a 'bawdy' letter to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday. 'I'll have more to say about all this after the commercial break. The only other story is a small one... the president is buddies with a [expletive],' he said. In a follow-up post on X, Carr chimed in again, taking aim at the comedian and slamming him for his reaction to the cancellation. 'I'm surprised to learn that CBS didn't find this stuff profitable,' he wrote.
The Independent
14 minutes ago
- The Independent
Fossil fuels are ‘flailing and failing' as world enters new energy era, says UN chief
The age of fossil fuels is nearing its end and a clean energy revolution is well underway, UN secretary-general António Guterres said on Tuesday, urging governments to accelerate the shift before it is too late. 'We are on the cusp of a new era. Fossil fuels are running out of road. The sun is rising on a clean energy age,' Mr Guterres said in a speech in New York. 'I have never been more confident that they will fail – because we have passed the point of no return.' Backed by the latest figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Mr Guterres said that renewables made up 92.5 per cent of new electricity capacity last year. Investment in clean energy reached $2 trillion in 2024 – nearly $800bn more than what flowed into fossil fuels. 'The clean energy future is no longer a promise. It's a fact,' he said. 'No government. No industry. No special interest can stop it.' Despite his optimistic tone, the UN chief warned that the transition is still too slow and uneven, particularly in developing nations that lack access to finance and technology. He called on wealthy countries and major tech firms to lead the charge by committing to 100% renewable-powered operations by 2030. 'The energy transition is unstoppable,' he said. 'But the transition is not yet fast enough or fair enough.' The remarks marked a notable shift in tone from previous UN warnings that focused on the escalating dangers of global heating. This time, Mr Guterres framed the energy transition as an economic and security imperative. 'Countries that cling to fossil fuels are not protecting their economies – they are sabotaging them,' he said. 'Driving up costs. Undermining competitiveness. Locking-in stranded assets. And missing the greatest economic opportunity of the 21st century.' 'There are no price spikes for sunlight. No embargoes on wind. Renewables mean real energy security. Real energy sovereignty. And real freedom from fossil-fuel volatility.' More than 90 per cent of renewable energy projects today are cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives, according to IRENA. Solar power is now 41 per cent cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel option, while onshore wind is less than half the price. Still, major gaps remain. A UN report released alongside IRENA's data warned that grid investment is failing to keep pace with the boom in renewables. For every dollar spent on clean generation, only 60 cents is going into infrastructure – when parity is needed to support the transition. Critical mineral supplies also remain a concern, as do geopolitical tensions and trade disputes that could raise costs or slow momentum. Yet Mr Guterres insisted the shift is already transforming lives – and holds vast potential for regions like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia where energy access remains limited. 'You can't build a coal plant in someone's backyard,' he said. 'But you can deliver solar panels to the most remote village on earth.' Environmental groups welcomed the speech. Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics, said: 'Any investment in new fossil fuels now is a fool's gamble, while joining the race to renewables can only bring benefits – not just jobs and cheaper energy at stable prices, but energy independence and access where it's needed most.' Shady Khalil, senior global policy strategist at Oil Change International, said the speech sent a clear signal that 'the fossil fuel era is ending and the renewable energy transition is now unstoppable.' But he warned that 'Global North countries like the US, Canada, Norway, and Australia are still gearing up for massive oil and gas expansion,' calling it 'reckless and gluttonous short-termism' that would backfire on their economies. Jacobo Ocharan, head of political strategies at Climate Action Network International, said Guterres was 'on the money' in calling for a transition that delivers 'equity, dignity and opportunity for all.' He said COP30 must produce a roadmap 'grounded in human rights, justice and equity' rather than remaining stuck in 'the polluting and unfair past, which is where the fossil fuel industry wants us trapped.' Mr Guterres called on countries to use their updated national climate plans – due in September – to slash fossil fuel subsidies and invest in clean energy. The message, he said, was not about sacrifice but smart economics. 'This is not just a shift in power,' he said. 'This is a shift in possibility. This is our moment of opportunity.'
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Trump announces $550 billion Japan trade deal
President Donald Trump announced he had reached a new trade deal with Japan, terming it 'the largest deal in history' as he celebrated with Republican lawmakers at the White House. The president announced a new 15 percent tariff on Japanese imports – down from a threatened 25 percent. The pep rally came on a day Trump's White House was whipsawed by the Jeffrey Epstein controversy, with the president cheerfully proclaiming a win hours after tearing into predecessor Barack Obama. 'I just signed, and it was really helped a lot by our big, beautiful deal that we just did,' Trump said in the East Room of the White House at a reception with Republican members of Congress. 'But I just signed the largest trade deal in history, I think maybe the largest deal in history, Japan,' Trump said. He repeatedly gushed about its size, saying, 'This is, they say, the biggest deal ever made.' Trump, who had earlier announced deals with Indonesia and the Philippines as an August 1 deadline he declared after pausing his 'reciprocal' tariffs approaches, told lawmakers there were more talks in the works. Failure to reach agreements after his administration promised '90 deals in 90 days' could spark yet another market meltdown, something Trump is eager to avoid as he touts surging markets. 'We have Europe coming in tomorrow,' said Trump, days after reports of the tariffs he could slap on the European Union. Trump announced the deals minutes after posting about it on Truth Social. 'Japan will invest, at my direction, $550 Billion Dollars into the United States, which will receive 90% of the Profits,' Trump said, without spelling out how the investments would be calculated. Japan is already a top U.S. investor. Trump said it would create 'hundreds of thousands of jobs.' 'Perhaps most importantly, Japan will open their Country to Trade including Cars and Trucks, Rice and certain other Agricultural Products, and other things. Japan will pay Reciprocal Tariffs to the United States of 15 percent,' Trump wrote. 'This is a very exciting time for the United States of America, and especially for the fact that we will continue to always have a great relationship with the Country of Japan. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' Trump concluded. Trump said the country was 'becoming very rich again,' although some of the market's recent gains came after Trump hit 'pause' on his tariff decisions and backed off his repeated threats to fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Trump also dangled further talks. 'We're going to make a deal with Japan on the LNG in Alaska,' Trump said. A deal with Japan that puts off an escalatory trade war would restore some stability to a major trade relationship. Trump cranked up the pressure earlier this month when he threatened to slap a 25 percent tariff on Japan and South Korea – both key political allies – if they didn't reach an agreement by August 1. He also lauded House Republicans who jammed through his 'big, beautiful bill,' and promised to lend them political support. 'We're going to make all those robo calls for you,' Trump said, on a day he once again threatened to go after 'no' vote Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). 'There's been no Congress like this Congress in terms of achievement,' Trump said. He called out birthdays and anniversaries in the crowd, and spoke about House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise after he suffered a shooting. 'He was going to be a goner,' Trump said. 'You look better now than you did then,' he told him. 'We're so grateful for you,' Housing Secretary Scott Turner told the president when Trump invited him to say grace. 'You are a tremendous leader and we thank God for you,' he told Trump before the prayer. 'Thank you for giving us favor to pass this big, beautiful bill,' Turner said during the prayer of the bill that passed the House 218-214 with Trump losing just two Republican votes. Trump took the opportunity to praise Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, on a day he accused Barack Obama of 'treason' and applied pressure for him to be investigated over the origins of the Russia probe in 2016. 'Where's Tulsi? She's like hotter than everybody. She's the hottest one in the room right now,' Trump said. Trump repeated his claim that 'Obama cheated on the election,' after Obama slammed his earlier attacks. 'With your stamina, you know we can never sleep,' Speaker Mike Johnson told Trump when he took the microphone.
