More than three dozen Democrats supported a resolution introduced in the US Senate by Bernie Sanders To ban arms sales to Israel.The move signals growing unease within the party over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid the ongoing war with Iran. The Senate voted on two separate resolutions seeking to stop the sale of bulldozers and bombs to Israel.The Associated Press reported that both measures were opposed by all Republicans and ultimately rejected with votes of 40–59 and 36–63. Sanders, an independent candidate who allies with the Democrats, has repeatedly pressed lawmakers in both parties to vote on the issue.After the vote, he said, “It’s clear that Democrats are beginning to listen to the average American who is sick and tired of spending billions of dollars to support Netanyahu’s terrible wars when people in this country can’t afford housing or health care.”Among those supporting the proposals was Mark Kelly, who had previously opposed some of Sanders’ previous efforts.Explaining his decision, Kelly said that “reckless decisions” by Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump influenced his vote. He cited the expansion of the conflict in Lebanon and continued violence against Palestinians as factors that have “undermined the path forward for peace.”“Under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government, we have seen an extended war in Lebanon that is endangering innocent Lebanese civilians, and continued violence against Palestinians and the demolition of their homes in the West Bank. All of this undermines the path forward for peace,” Kelly said. However, several prominent Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, voted against the proposals. The same day, Democrats also supported a separate resolution to prevent US involvement in the Iran conflict, although that measure was rejected by a margin of 47–52. Senator Chris Coons, who voted against Sanders’ Israel proposals but supports ending the Iran war, said his decisions should not be seen as endorsing Netanyahu’s actions or abandoning Israel.Republicans strongly opposed the measures, warning of broader geopolitical consequences. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch argued that blocking arms sales could embolden Iran and indicated that the United States was prepared to leave Israel vulnerable. “They will not help the United States,” Risch said before the vote.

US-Iran-Israel War News Live Updates: Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic efforts to revive stalled US-Iran talks, with its army chief arriving in Tehran for high-level discussions aimed at securing a second round of talks after nearly seven weeks of conflict. Islamabad, which hosted rare direct talks between the two sides, is emerging as a key mediator, with any new round likely to be held again in the Pakistani capital.

White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt on Wednesday said the next round of peace talks between the United States and Iran are likely to take place in Pakistan.

Responding to a question on the location of the upcoming talks, White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt said the discussions would “very likely” take place at the same location as the previous round.

“They’re very likely to be in the same place they were last time,” Leavitt said during a press conference.

Emphasizing Islamabad’s role, he said, “They (Pakistan) are the only mediator in this dialogue, whereas there are many countries around the world who want to offer their help.”

Even as backchannel diplomacy continues, tensions remain high. The United States has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports for the third consecutive day, increasing economic pressure on Tehran. Officials in Washington have warned of further sanctions on countries and entities doing business with Iran, in what one senior official described as the “financial equivalent” of the bombing campaign.

The US has deployed naval assets to monitor and control access to Iranian ports, with the aim of restricting Tehran’s oil exports, Tehran’s major source of revenue. While Washington says non-Iran-linked shipping can still pass through the Strait of Hormuz, military activity in the area has intensified.

President Donald Trump reinforced the hardline stance by announcing a sweeping blockade. “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the finest in the world, will begin the process of blockading any and all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, warning that “any Iranian who fires at us or peaceful ships will be blown up!”

Iran responded with stern warnings of its own, with the Revolutionary Guards warning that any misstep would trap opponents in a “fatal” situation in the strategic waterway, which Tehran says it completely controls.

The markets have reacted with panic. Oil prices have again risen above $100 a barrel, while global equities fell amid fears of prolonged disruption to energy supplies. Analysts have warned that the blockade is being seen as a continuation of hostilities, raising the possibility of further escalation, including attacks on critical energy infrastructure.

key takeaways

Former world No. 1 doubles player Jamie Murray has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 40, ending a career that spanned more than three decades and included seven Grand Slam titles, 34 tour-level trophies and one Grand Slam title. davis cup Vijay with his brother.Murray confirmed the decision in a statement and sharing a post on social media that included photos from throughout his career, including childhood photos, as well as a message reflecting on the end of a journey that began early and took the pair to the highest levels of the game. He said, “After 36 years, my tennis journey has come to an end. I feel very fortunate and blessed for the wonderful experiences this great game has given me.”

Made career in doubles, reached top in 2016

Born in Glasgow on 13 February 1986, Murray played his career primarily in doubles, becoming the first British man to reach the ATP world No. 1 ranking in this format when he reached the top in 2016, a position he held for nine weeks.Throughout his career, he played 1,019 ATP Tour-level doubles matches, winning 589 of them, and captured 34 ATP doubles titles, as well as five mixed doubles titles (39 in total). He also earned over $7 million in prize money. Her first Tour title came in 2007, and her last title came in November 2024 at the Belgrade Open. Their last professional appearance was at the 2025 US Open, where they paired with Ivan Dodig and lost to Rafael Matos and Marcelo Melo in the opening round of the men’s doubles.

Grand Slam success in doubles and mixed doubles

Murray’s seven Grand Slam titles were divided into men’s doubles and mixed doubles. He won two men’s doubles titles in 2016, partnering Bruno Soares at both the Australian Open and the US Open. Additionally, she captured five mixed doubles titles with Jelena Jankovic, Martina Hingis and Bethanie Mattek-Sands, winning at Wimbledon and the US Open. His game based on net play gained recognition throughout the circuit, with his brother later describing him as “one of the best volleyers in the game”.

Davis Cup and partnerships Andy Murray

A defining moment of his career came in 2015, when he partnered Andy Murray in the Davis Cup. The pair won the deciding doubles match against Belgium in the final, helping Great Britain capture its first Davis Cup title since 1936. The brothers also won two ATP titles and played together. Andy Murray’s final Wimbledon appearance in 2024. Andy Murray, who is set to retire after the Paris Olympics in 2024, paid tribute in a video released by the Lawn Tennis Association. He said, “You were the first player to win a Wimbledon title, the first British player since the seventies to reach world No. 1, seven Grand Slams… and one of the best volleyers in the game.” “I know you’re ready, I just hope you know how proud we are all of you.”

A career shaped by longevity and continuity

Murray’s career also included appearances in four consecutive Olympic Games, beginning in Beijing in 2008, and a continued presence in the sport beyond the Games.Off the court, he starred in the Tennis Channel series “My Tennis Life” in 2020, and has been the tournament director at ATP tournaments at Queen’s Club since 2023. His contribution to British tennis through both results and longevity was acknowledged by Scott Lloyd, chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association, who said: “Jamie’s achievements of playing over 1000 tour-level matches, winning seven Grand Slam titles, Davis Cup glory and reaching world number one speak for themselves. “We wish him all the best as he enters the next phase of his illustrious career.”

closing a chapter

Murray’s retirement followed that of his younger brother, ending a period in British tennis when both were active on the professional circuit. In his message he concluded by thanking the people closest to him. “Thank you to Mum, Dad, Andy, Elle, Alan, Lewis and Thomas for all your incredible support, efforts and sacrifices during my career, which allowed me to achieve everything I could in the game. “To everyone who has helped/supported me – I appreciate you all! Excited to enter the real world!”

The situation between Candace Owens and Erica Kirk has quickly turned into a public debate, and people are now watching closely. It started when Erica Kirk withdrew from a Turning Point USA event in Georgia, where the U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance was scheduled to speak. TPUSA said Kirk stepped down due to “very serious threats” made against him.Kirk also shared her message on X, explaining why she did not attend. “I was very much looking forward to tonight’s event at @universityofga with our Vice President @JDVance, but after what has happened to our family, I take the recommendations of our security team extremely seriously,” she wrote. His post seemed calm, but the reaction that followed changed the tone of the story.

Candace Owens calls out Erica Kirk and questions threat claims behind her exit from TPUSA event

Candace Owens did not agree with Kirk’s explanation. He responded publicly on X and directly challenged the reason given. Owens wrote, “Wait. This is exhausting. You pulled out due to poor ticket sales.” Similar events were also quietly changed or delayed, he said.Candace Owens didn’t stop there. He questioned the idea of ​​a serious threat, pointing to the security around the Vice President. He said, “The Secret Service sits above your security team. If there was really any potential threat, the vice president would not have continued with the program.”His comments quickly spread online and the situation turned into a huge debate. Some supported Erica Kirk’s decision to prioritize safety, while others sided with Owens and questioned the timing of the return.The exchange also drew attention to past tensions between the two. Their disagreement isn’t exactly new, but this moment has made it all the more apparent. Social media users began sharing both statements and adding their own opinions, causing the story to continue trending.Meanwhile, TPUSA has not added anything beyond its original statement regarding safety concerns. There has been no official update confirming details of any specific threat. At the same time, there is no confirmed public data about ticket sales for the event.Due to this the situation remains unclear. On one hand, security risks are being claimed. On the other hand, strong allegations have also been made regarding low attendance. As of now, neither side has provided detailed evidence to fully settle the argument.What is clear is that this matter has gone beyond just one incident. It turned into a public confrontation between two well-known voices and continues to garner attention online.

Eileen Gu is once again in the headlines, but this time it is not just about her skiing. The 22-year-old freestyle skier, who was born in San Francisco, is once again in the news for her decision to represent China instead of the United States. The topic arose again following comments by US Vice President JD Vance, who questioned why athletes raised in the US choose to compete for other countries.Gu didn’t give a long explanation this time. In a recent interview with Esquire, he sidestepped the topic in a very simple way. “This is old news,” she said. Her brief response showed that she has moved on, although the debate still follows her.

eileen Gu addresses criticism, talks candidly about future plans and personal loss

During the Winter Games earlier this year, Gu had already responded to the criticism. When asked about JD Vance’s comments, he responded with a mix of humor and confidence. “I’m glad. Thank you, JD! It’s great,” she said. Then she said, “So many athletes compete for a different country. People have a problem with me doing that just because they lump China into this monolithic entity, and they just hate China. And also, because I win. Like if I wasn’t performing well, I think maybe they wouldn’t have cared as much.”While the debate over his nationality continues, Gu made one thing clear. His Olympics are not over yet. At just 22, she has already competed in two Winter Games and won six medals. But he believes there is more to come. “I think I have more game in me. I can probably do another Olympics, maybe two,” she said.His life is no longer limited to skiing. Following his recent success, particularly during the Winter Games in Italy, Gu’s profile has risen beyond the sport. She is now known as a model, influencer and also a student of Stanford University. Talking about her identity she said, “I don’t know what my job title is. I think it’s just Eileen.”He explained it in his unique way. “I didn’t fit in the pond, so I made my own pond. I’m not a big fish in a small pond, and I’m not a small fish in a big pond. I’m a lonely fish in my pond.”There was also a painful moment behind the success. During the Games, Gu learned that his grandmother, Feng Guozhen, had passed away. The news came just minutes after winning the gold medal in the halfpipe. Later he shared his feelings in a press conference.She said, “The reason I was late was because I just found out that my grandmother passed away. She was a big part of my life growing up and I looked up to her a lot.”He added, “She was very strong, she was a fighter. This woman took charge of life and she took charge of it and she made it what she wanted and she inspired me a lot.”

Chevron executive Andy Walz suggested that Americans could save money by driving less and trying to conserve energy. When Walz was asked how Americans could try to save money at the pump, he told CBS News, “People should try to drive less. They should try to save energy.” “We should do this all the time. Energy is essential to people’s lives, but we must conserve it.”Since the beginning of the war, ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which supplies about 20% of the world’s oil and gas, has been affected, resulting in skyrocketing fuel prices. Prices of international benchmark Brent crude have risen to around $100 a barrel in recent weeks. Walz said there is probably no “silver bullet” to help lower prices for Americans over the long term while oil prices remain high for everyone else. “This is a global market for crude oil,” Walz said. “We have crude oil here, close to us, that we’re all processing and using. That’s helping Americans buffer their price. … If this goes on for a long time, it’s probably going to get tougher.”Walz also warned of potential supply chain problems if the crisis continues.“The US is more dependent on local production, but there are countries in Asia and other parts of the world that are much more dependent on Middle East crude,” he said. “They can’t get it. They can’t refine it. They can’t make the products that people need, and they’re starting to run out. And that’s a real problem. We’re worried about the price here. There are other countries that don’t have the products. And to me, that’s a big concern.”The White House dismissed concerns about the US economy amid the Iran war, calling the increased prices a “short-term disruption”. White House spokesman Kush Desai said last week, “As the Administration ensures the free flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. economy remains on a solid trajectory due to the Administration’s strong supply-side agenda of tax cuts, deregulation, and energy abundance.”

If you’re interested in sports, you know Ilona Maher. She’s an Olympic bronze medalist, the powerhouse of the USA Rugby Sevens team, and the undisputed queen of sports social media. But while she’s a global icon, it turns out she doesn’t spend much time looking at it nflA fact that led to the funniest celebrity conversations of 2026.In a recent episode of her podcast, mahar’s houseIlona told a story that shocked the sports world. She was attending a New York Giants team party hosted by star running back Cam Skattebo.

Olympian Ilona Maher not recognized jackson dart at the giants party

Now, most people at the Giants’ party will be surprised. The room was filled with professional athletes who are household names. But Ilona? She just went there to have a good time with her friends and her sister.The highlight of the night came when Ilona struck up a conversation with a “nice, young looking blonde guy”. In her mind, he was just another guest. In fact, it was star quarterback Jackson Dart, who led the Giants through a massive breakout season.The conversation went like this:

She did not stop here. He reportedly had a similar conversation with veteran QB Jameis Winston later that night. Her sister joked on the podcast that they were essentially treating some of New York’s most famous people like they were “regular people” trying to make it in the big city.The reason this story went viral isn’t just because Ilona didn’t recognize him, but because of the “humble” energy she brought to the room.In the NFL, quarterbacks are often treated like royalty. They walk into rooms and everyone knows their stats, their salary and their jersey number. Jackson Dart asked “What position do you play?” What a ridiculous reality to have come from a woman who is arguably an even bigger global star than she is (with the Olympic medals to prove it).Ilona Maher proves that you can be at the top of your game and still not be completely affected by the “hype.” She wasn’t mean; She was just herself.While Jackson is busy throwing dart touchdowns, Ilona is busy being the “polite queen” of the Olympics. It’s a refreshing reminder that even if you’re the starting QB for the New York Giants, there’s always someone out there who has no idea who you are and might have a bronze medal in their pocket.

Lionel Messi now faces a legal battle in the United States. A Florida-based company has filed a lawsuit, claiming the Argentina star missed a scheduled match and suffered huge financial losses. According to TMZ, the company says it spent millions anticipating Messi’s arrival, but when he did not, the event lost both value and money.

Miami promoter sues Lionel Messi and Argentine Football Association over missing Venezuela match

Miami-based company VID is behind the lawsuit. It organizes sports and concerts. VID says it signed a deal worth about $7 million with the Argentine Football Association for two exhibition matches last October. These matches were planned against Venezuela and Puerto Rico. As part of the deal, Messi was expected to play at least 30 minutes in both games, unless injured. But things did not go according to plan.Messi did not play in the match against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium. VID claims this broke the agreement. Things got worse for him when Messi played for Inter Miami CF the very next day and even scored two goals against Atlanta United. VID says this shows he was fit to play. He also said he paid for a private suite so that Messi and his family could watch the Venezuela game even though they did not step onto the field.

Match changes, losses and previous of MLS The matter adds to the controversy of Lionel Messi

Messi played in the second match against Puerto Rico and provided two assists in a 6–0 victory. But VID says the damage was already done.The company claims it lost more than $1 million. A major reason was also the change of venue. The Venezuela match was moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale due to poor ticket sales.There was confusion as to who took this decision. The Argentine Football Association pointed to strict immigration rules affecting fans in Chicago. Local officials in Chicago blamed low demand for tickets.VID also says that future matches, including games in China, were promised to compensate for the losses. Those matches never happened.This is not the first time that Messi-related incidents have led to legal trouble. Just last month, Major League Soccer and the Vancouver Whitecaps settled a separate case involving promotional claims. That case involved fans hoping to see Messi and other stars like Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.Despite all this, Messi’s performance on the field remains strong. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, he has scored 83 goals in 96 games. He has also helped the club win the League Cup, Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup. Messi is expected to play an important role for Argentina in the next World Cup also.