US AND CANADA

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The United States ordered non-essential government personnel to depart Saudi Arabia on Monday as the widening war with Iran rattled global markets and sent oil prices surging past $110 a barrel. Officials warned that escalating missile and drone threats across the Gulf had sharply increased security risks for diplomats and their families.

The departure order from the U.S. embassy in Riyadh marks the first major drawdown of American staff in the kingdom since hostilities between Israel and Iran erupted into open regional conflict. Officials cited the possibility of attacks originating from Yemen or Iran-aligned militias as fighting spreads beyond its original front lines.

Meanwhile, Iran confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei had been selected as the country's new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, during recent strikes. The decision places power in the hands of a cleric long believed to maintain close ties with the Revolutionary Guard.

Energy markets reacted almost instantly. Benchmark crude climbed above $110 as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz raised fears that one of the world's most critical oil corridors could be choked by military confrontation. Several Gulf producers signaled temporary output cuts as tankers slowed or rerouted to avoid the narrow waterway.

U.S. President Donald Trump argued the spike in crude was a tolerable cost if it ultimately weakens Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Posting on Truth Social, he said higher energy prices were "a small price to pay" for neutralizing what he described as Iran's strategic threat.

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Donald Trump has said he wants to be involved in choosing Iran’s next supreme leader, reiterating his goal of helping install leadership that would be friendly to the United States.

Trump opposed the possible appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, saying, “They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment,” according to reports from Axios.

He also said he would prefer a leader similar to Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, whom he described as an example of a leader who has cooperated with U.S. interests. Trump said, “Venezuela was so incredible because we did the attack, and we kept government totally intact. And we have Delcy, who’s been very good,” while speaking to reporters.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that once the United States finishes its focus on the conflict with Iran, attention may shift to Cuba, the Caribbean nation already struggling under heavy U.S. pressure.

Speaking at a White House reception, Trump said the Iran situation remains the priority but hinted that efforts involving Cuba are imminent. “We want to fix, finish this one first — but that will be just a question of time before you and a lot of unbelievable people are going to be going back to Cuba,” he told guests, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Trump also praised Rubio, the Miami-born son of Cuban immigrants saying he has done “a fantastic job on a place called Cuba.”

The United States has tightened economic pressure on Cuba, including measures that have cut off Venezuelan oil supplies to the island. Cuba’s fuel supply has dropped sharply as a result, forcing airlines to reduce flights and deepening the country’s ongoing energy crisis.

Many observers see Trump’s comments as part of a broader effort to increase U.S. influence in the region. Cuba has been dealing with a severe energy shortage after U.S. actions blocked foreign oil imports, contributing to widespread power outages and economic hardship.

Trump and Rubio have previously signaled that they want to see political change in Havana, and recent remarks have raised speculation that Cuba could become a future focus of U.S. policy once the situation with Iran is resolved.

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Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates visited the White House on Monday to meet with President Donald Trump in celebration of their first MLS Cup title. The team, co-owned by David Beckham, secured the championship in December. The visit took place while the club was in Washington ahead of their match against DC United this Saturday.

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Russian oil has returned to the centre of global energy politics after the United States temporarily allowed India to buy shipments currently stranded at sea.

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The US government has officially labeled the American AI firm Anthropic a "supply chain risk," marking the first time a domestic company has received this designation. The Pentagon’s decision is an escalation in a dispute over Anthropic's refusal to grant the government unrestricted access to its AI technology. The company has cited concerns that its tools could be used for mass surveillance and the development of autonomous weapons.