US plan to bomb Yemen’s Houthis accidentally shared with American journalist in group chat
An American reporter was accidentally included in a group chat in which senior officials in Donald Trump’s government discussed conducting airstrikes on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis earlier this month.
Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine, was added to a group which included US vice president JD Vance, defence secretary Pete Hegseth, national security adviser Mike Waltz and director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
In an article titled The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans, Mr Goldberg revealed he “knew two hours before the first bombs exploded that the attack might be coming”.
He said he had received a connection request on the encrypted messaging service Signal by Mr Waltz on 11 March and was invited to join the “Houthi PC small group” two days later.
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From 16 March: US launches multiple strikes on Yemen’s Houthis
On 15 March US airstrikes killed at least 53 people in Yemen in retaliation for Houthi threats to begin targeting “Israeli” ships after Israel blocked aid entering the Gaza Strip. The daily bombardment has continued for the 10 days since then.
“Your time is up, and your attacks must stop, starting today,” Mr Trump said at the time. “If they don’t, hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before.” He said Iran would be held “fully accountable” for its proxy’s actions, adding: “And we won’t be nice about it!”
When Mr Goldberg initially received a connection request from Mr Waltz he was sceptical and initially thought “someone could be masquerading as Waltz in order to somehow entrap me”.
A spokesperson for the National Security Council said: “At this time, the message thread that was reported appears to be authentic, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain.
“The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to our servicemembers or our national security.”
Responding to the report Mr Trump said “I know nothing about it” and called The Atlantic “not much of a magazine”. He added: “I don’t know anything about it. You’re telling me about it for the first time.”
Read more:
Who are the Houthis?
A US ship fires missiles during the strikes. Pic: US Central Command/Reuters
Group included ‘active intelligence officer’ and references to classified computer systems
After he was added to the “Houthi PC small group” on 13 March, Mr Goldberg saw a message from Mr Waltz asking the other members to provide a point of contact “for us to coordinate with over the next couple of days and over the weekend”.
In total 18 people were part of the group, Mr Goldberg said, including Steve Witkoff, Mr Trump’s Middle East and Ukraine negotiator, and an “active intelligence officer” whose name he did not publish.
Smoke rises in Yemen’s capital Houthi after US airstrikes. Pic: AP
The next day Mr Waltz texted the group: “Team, you should have a statement of conclusions with taskings per the Presidents [sic] guidance this morning in your high side inboxes,” with “high side” referring to classified computer systems.
“State and DOD [Department of Defence], we developed suggested notification lists for regional Allies and partners. Joint Staff is sending this am [morning] a more specific sequence of events in the coming days and we will work w DOD to ensure COS [chief of staff], OVP [office of the vice president] and POTUS [president of the United States] are briefed.”
Smoke rises from an explosion after a group of buildings were hit during the strikes. Pic: US Central Command/Reuters
‘I think we are making a mistake’, vice president says
Mr Trump’s vice president Mr Vance, who was at an economic event in Michigan, messaged: “I think we are making a mistake.
“[Three] percent of US trade runs through the [Suez Canal]. 40 percent of European trade does. There is a real risk that the public doesn’t understand this or why it’s necessary. The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message.”
He added: “I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now. There’s a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc.”
The aftermath of US airstrikes in Yemen’s capital Sanaa. Pic: Reuters
European ‘free-loading’ is ‘PATHETIC’, senior officials say
Later in the conversation, Mr Waltz criticised the limited capabilities of European navies, writing: “Whether it’s now or several weeks from now, it will have to be the United States that reopens these shipping lanes. Per the president’s request we are working with DOD and State to determine how to compile the cost associated and levy them on the Europeans.”
Mr Vance addressed Mr Trump’s defence secretary Mr Hegseth in a message reading: “If you think we should do it let’s go. I just hate bailing Europe out again.”
Mr Hegseth replied: “VP: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC. But Mike is correct, we are the only ones on the planet (on our side of the ledger) who can do this. Nobody else even close. Question is timing. I feel like now is as good a time as any, given POTUS directive to reopen shipping lanes. I think we should go; but POTUS still retains 24 hours of decision space.”
An account believed to be the deputy White House chief of staff, Stephen Miller, then said: “As I heard it, the president was clear: green light, but we soon make clear to Egypt and Europe what we expect in return. We also need to figure out how to enforce such a requirement. EG, if Europe doesn’t remunerate, then what? If the US successfully restores freedom of navigation at great cost there needs to be some further economic gain extracted in return.”
Messages could ‘harm American military and intelligence personnel’
The next day, the day of the strikes, Mr Goldberg said he saw messages which “if they had been read by an adversary of the United States, could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel”.
“I will say a prayer for victory,” Mr Vance said.
Mr Goldberg said after the strikes many of those in the group celebrated with messages including “good job” and “God bless”.
When he realised the messages were real Mr Goldberg removed himself from the Signal group and emailed several officials in the group for comment.
A spokesperson for Mr Vance replied: “The Vice President’s first priority is always making sure that the President’s advisers are adequately briefing him on the substance of their internal deliberations,” he said. “Vice President Vance unequivocally supports this administration’s foreign policy. The President and the Vice President have had subsequent conversations about this matter and are in complete agreement.”
It comes after Mr Hegseth’s office announced a crackdown on leaking sensitive information.
The outcome of the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial is in the hands of the 12 individuals who have been selected as jurors.
On Monday, the group of jurors – made up of eight men and four women – listened to opening statements from the prosecution and defence as the trial got underway in Manhattan, New York.
The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul has strenuously denied the allegations against him and pleaded not guilty to five charges.
They are: One count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Members of the jury range in age from 30 to 74, coming from different neighbourhoods across New York, and from a wide range of professions.
Here is everything we know about the group tasked with deciding the outcome of the high-profile case.
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P Diddy trial begins in New York
How were jurors selected?
The 12 individuals were whittled down from a pool of 45 prospective jurors last week.
During the selection process, each individual was questioned by Judge Arun Subramanian in a legal process known as “voir dire” – translated from French as “to speak the truth”.
The process aims to find a panel of 12 main jurors and six alternates who can be fair and impartial.
That has been a particularly sensitive issue in this trial, given Combs’ celebrity status as an entrepreneur and rap mogul and the worldwide coverage of the case so far.
Combs motions a heart gesture to his family on day one of the trial. Pic: AP
Jurors were quizzed about their hobbies and musical tastes, with some of the younger jurors in their 30s and 40s saying they listen to hip-hop and R&B music – genres that are closely associated with Combs.
They were also asked if they had any views on the prosecution or the defence, if they or someone close to them had been a victim of crime, and their beliefs on hiring sex workers, the use of illegal drugs, hip-hop artists and law enforcement.
Judge Subramanian then asked jurors whether they had heard of names included on a list of individuals, including celebrities, who may be mentioned during the trial. The list is long, the court heard, with the judge saying it reminded him of Lord Of The Rings.
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Sean Combs’s family arrive at New York court
As jury selection unfolded, Combs sat in court wearing a white shirt with a black crew-neck sweater, grey trousers and glasses. He appeared to express his approval or disapproval at each individual, either with a nod or by shaking his head no, to his attorneys.
Read more about how jury selection unfolded in court here.
Read more:
Diddy on trial: Everything you need to know
Sean Combs: A timeline of allegations
What to know about those selected
The individuals selected to sit on the jury include an investment analyst, a healthcare worker, a massage therapist and a deli worker, according to Sky News’ US partner network, NBC News.
When called for jury duty, potential jurors are allocated a number, which allows the court to keep track of the individuals and ensures a random selection process.
Here is everything we know about those selected for Combs’s trial:
• Juror no 2: A 69-year-old male from Manhattan who works as an actor and massage therapist. He listens to classical, jazz and rock music, and his hobbies include music, theatre, cycling and hiking.
• Juror no 5: A 31-year-old male from Manhattan who works as an investment analyst. He enjoys playing sports and video games.
• Juror no 25: A 51-year-old male from Manhattan who has a PhD in molecular biology and neuroscience. He listens to classical music and opera, and his hobbies include art, science, cooking and the outdoors.
• Juror no 28: A 30-year-old female from the New York state of the Bronx, who works in a deli. She listens to hip-hop and reggaeton and enjoys reading and playing video games.
• Juror no 55: A 42-year-old female from Manhattan who is an aide in a nursing home. She likes to cook and paint, and watch Harry Potter and Disney films.
• Juror no 58: A 41-year-old male from the Bronx who works in communications at a US prison. He listens to reggaeton and ’90s hip-hop, and his hobbies include sports and fantasy football.
• Juror no 75: A 68-year-old male from Westchester County, just north of New York City, who is a retired bank worker. He listens to Indian music and plays cricket and volleyball.
• Juror no 116: A 68-year-old male from Westchester County who is retired and used to work at a telecommunications company. He listens to rock music, and likes to bowl and play golf.
• Juror no 160: A 43-year-old female from Westchester County who works as a healthcare worker. She listens to R&B and hip-hop, and likes dancing.
• Juror no 184: A 39-year-old male from the Bronx who is a social worker. He listens to R&B and popular music from West Africa, and enjoys watching sports.
• Juror no 201: A 67-year-old male from Westchester County who works as a logistics analyst. His hobbies include woodworking and cycling.
• Juror no 217: A 74-year-old female from Manhattan who works as a treatment coordinator. She listens to classical music and likes to travel.
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
The six alternate jurors chosen include four men and two women, ranging in age from 24 to 71. Those individuals will hear the entire case but will only participate in the decision-making if one of the 12 main jurors cannot continue.
The trial is expected to last around eight weeks.
Rapper Tory Lanez has said he was stabbed 14 times while serving his prison sentence for shooting hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion in the foot.
Lanez, 32, sustained “7 wounds to his back, 4 to his torso, 2 to the back of his head, and 1 to the left side of his face”, according to a post on his verified Instagram account.
Canadian Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, was attacked at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi at 7.20am (3.20pm UK time) on Monday, according to a spokesman for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
He was hospitalised following the stabbing, which is being investigated by authorities.
Rapper Tory Lanez performs in 2018. File pic: Scott Roth/Invision/AP
“Both of his lungs collapsed,” the rapper’s social media statement said, adding Lanez was “now breathing on his own”.
“Despite being in pain, he is talking normally, in good spirits, and deeply thankful to God that he is pulling through. He also wants to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support,” the post said.
Lanez is serving a 10-year sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, 30, in the foot and shouting at her to dance as she walked away from an SUV they drove in after leaving a party at Kylie Jenner‘s Hollywood Hills home in July 2020.
He was convicted of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence in December 2022.
US rapper Megan Thee Stallion at the Met Gala. Pic: Reuters
In January, a Los Angeles judge granted her request for a protective order until early 2030 after she alleged Lanez had been harassing her from prison through surrogates.
Megan Thee Stallion, whose legal name is Megan Pete, was already a rising hip-hop star at the time of the shooting, and her music’s popularity has only soared since.
Read more from Sky News:
What it was like in court for start of P Diddy trial
Kim Kardashian’s Paris robbery: Everything you need to know
She had number one singles with Savage and as a guest on Cardi B’s WAP in 2020, winning a Grammy for best new artist a year later.
Lanez started to release mixtapes in 2009 and steadily rose in popularity, moving on to major label albums, with his last two reaching the top 10 on the Billboard charts.
Donald Trump has claimed it would be “stupid” not to accept the gift of a free Qatari plane to replace Air Force One, with the jet already in the US, according to flight tracking data.
The US president toured the Boeing 747-8 earlier this year and he is now preparing to accept it as a gift from the Qatari royal family.
Despite concerns raised over the president accepting the $400m (£303m) gift, Mr Trump told reporters on Monday: “I think it’s a great gesture from Qatar.”
The Boeing jet that Mr Trump toured back in February after it took off from an airport in Florida.
Pic: AP/Ben Curtis
He added: “I appreciate it very much. I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer.
“I mean, I could be a stupid person saying: ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane’.”
The jet is currently sitting at San Antonio International Airport, according to tracking data, Sky News’ US partner NBC News reported, adding it has been parked there since 3 April.
It is the same plane the US leader toured at Palm Beach International Airport on 15 February.
Friendly fire
Critics of the plan have warned that the move threatens to turn a global symbol of American power into an airborne collection of ethical, legal, security and counterintelligence concerns.
In an effort to cut off some opposition, Mr Trump said he would not keep the plane after his term finished, instead donating it to a future presidential library.
However, that has done little to quell anger, which has even come from within the Republican party.
Mr Trump’s motorcade parked next to the Qatari-owned Boeing 747-8 when the US president toured it in February.
Pic: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque
“My view is that it would be better if Air Force One were a big, beautiful jet made in the United States of America. That would be ideal,” said senator Josh Hawley.
Senator Rand Paul, when asked whether Mr Trump should accept the plane, simply said: “No.”
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Trump 100: Could Putin, Zelenskyy and Trump really meet?
Some of the most vocal members of his MAGA group of supporters, including Ben Shapiro and Laura Loomer, have voiced their opposition to the move in a rare show of dissent to the president they usually back so vociferously.
Mr Trump will likely face questions over the plane in the coming days as he travels to the Middle East, including a stop in Qatar.
Inside the ‘palace in the sky’
The following images are from inside the Boeing 747-8 that Mr Trump is pushing to accept.
It shows the luxury jet before any potential refitting it might undergo in the hands of the US president.
Inside the Qatari plane Mr Trump wants to use as a replacement for Air Force One.
Pic: Amac Aerospace
Pic: Amac Aerospace
Pic: Amac Aerospace
The 78-year-old has previously complained about Boeing taking too long to deliver the new Air Force One planes commissioned during his first term.
The current Air Force One planes were built from scratch near the end of the Cold War and host a range of improved security features, including being hardened against the effects of a nuclear blast and hosting a vast communications suite.
A former US official briefed on the replacement project said there would be no time to add the full host capabilities to the Qatari replacement plane.
Read more:
Trump attacks Europe as he hails China ‘reset’
Why Trump’s Middle East tour takes on new importance
Sky correspondent on her run-in with Trump loyalist
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
There are fears Mr Trump would be compromising security by rushing to modify the replacement jet.
William Evanina, who served as director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center during Mr Trump’s first term, said checking the Qatari plane for surveillance devices alone would “take years”.
Others have also questioned what it means for the sitting president to accept such an expensive gift.
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