Trump says US is taking partial control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves

Police in Arizona have released the text of two ransom notes six months after the abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of prominent US television presenter Savannah Guthrie. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office made the decision to publish the communications in the hope that members of the public might recognise distinct linguistic patterns or writing habits attributable to the perpetrator. Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home near Tucson, Arizona, on 31 January. The first note, received by a local news station on 2 February, demanded $4 million in Bitcoin within five days, threatening that she would be killed if a total of $6 million was not paid by 9 February. The note included specific details regarding the crime scene, referencing a damaged backyard floodlight and a white smartwatch left on her bedroom floor. A second note arrived four days later, claiming that Nancy Guthrie had died from a heart-related condition shortly after her abduction and had been “buried in nature”. However, law enforcement officials stated they cannot confirm her death and continue to treat the investigation as an active missing persons and kidnapping case. Savannah Guthrie, who hosts NBC’s Today show, has released multiple public appeals urging the abductors to reveal the location of her mother’s remains so the family can bring her home.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned that the United Kingdom could face shortages of certain food products as prolonged drought conditions and heatwaves continue across England. Following severe winter flooding that disrupted planting, many agricultural businesses are now facing water abstraction restrictions during the third drought in five years. NFU President Tom Bradshaw called on the UK government to prioritise domestic food production and offer tax relief to enable farmers to invest in water storage systems. Record-breaking heat and dry soil have pushed cereal crops, including wheat, to half their normal height, driving the earliest harvest recorded since data collection began in 2006. According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), cereal yields across southern and eastern England are below the 10-year average, exacerbating financial strains on farming businesses following years of rising costs and diminished EU-derived subsidies. In response to sustained temperatures above 30°C, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber and yellow heat health alerts across several regions, advising social care providers and the public to take precautions for vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, industry representatives from the Country, Land and Business Association urged the government to fund long-term infrastructure and wildfire prevention to protect the future of British agriculture.

The United States has rejected suggestions that it is reducing its involvement in Asia. A senior Pentagon official said Washington plans to strengthen its position in the Indo-Pacific and maintain what it considers a favourable balance of power in the region. US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby made the remarks during a speech in Manila on Monday. He said the United States was not leaving Asia. Instead, Washington was increasing its focus on the region. Colby also called on US allies and partners to take greater responsibility for their own defence. He said Washington wanted stronger partnerships rather than relationships based on dependence. According to Colby, the United States expects its regional allies to increase defence spending and strengthen their own military capabilities. He said greater responsibility from partner countries should not be interpreted as a sign that Washington is abandoning the region. Colby argued that stronger allies would contribute to stronger deterrence and help maintain regional stability. The Pentagon official said the US strategy includes maintaining a credible military presence along the First Island Chain. The strategic area stretches from Japan through Taiwan and the Philippines toward Borneo. It is considered important to US efforts to deter potential military threats in the Indo-Pacific. Colby said the United States was committed to maintaining a balance of power in the region. He also emphasised the need for allies to contribute more to regional security. His comments come amid continuing questions about the long-term US security commitment to Asia. Some regional governments and analysts have expressed concerns about whether Washington will remain as deeply involved in the Indo-Pacific as it has been in previous years. Colby sought to address those concerns by stressing that the United States intends to remain engaged. The Philippines is the first stop on Colby’s Southeast Asian tour. He is also scheduled to visit Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia. The Philippines is a longstanding US treaty ally and has strengthened defence cooperation with Washington in recent years. The Pentagon official’s remarks are likely to be closely watched by US partners across the region. Washington is seeking to strengthen cooperation with allies while encouraging them to invest more heavily in their own defence. The approach reflects a broader US strategy of sharing the security burden with regional partners while maintaining a strong American military presence. Colby said the goal was to build capable partners rather than create countries that depend entirely on US protection. He maintained that stronger regional partners would make the overall US deterrence strategy more effective.