Ireland’s president, Catherine Connolly, said she is “very proud” but also deeply worried after her sister Margaret Connolly was detained by Israeli forces while sailing toward Gaza with an aid flotilla. Margaret, a doctor, was among several Irish activists held when Israeli troops intercepted multiple vessels carrying humanitarian aid in the Mediterranean. The flotilla group said the activists were part of a mission to deliver … Continue reading Ireland’s president ‘proud’ of sister detained by Israel en route to Gaza

President Donald Trump shared photos showing renovation progress at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which is being restored ahead of America’s 250th anniversary and targeted for completion by July Fourth. He said the project includes upgraded materials, improved stonework, and a higher-quality reflective coating designed to enhance durability and appearance. Critics, including a preservation advocacy group, have raised concerns that the new “industrial-grade” blue finish … Continue reading Trump shares photos of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, says project is ahead of schedule

Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, criticized a reported Trump administration plan to create a compensation fund for individuals tied to claims of political targeting, calling it an “illegal” and “unconstitutional” political slush fund. He argued that only Congress controls federal spending and said lawmakers never approved the proposed $1.7 billion fund. The reported plan could involve payouts to people … Continue reading Top Judiciary Democrat Raskin blasts possible Trump-IRS settlement

The Senate parliamentarian rejected a Republican budget reconciliation provision that included $1 billion for White House and Secret Service security funding linked in part to President Donald Trump’s planned ballroom. The ruling, issued by Elizabeth MacDonough, determined the measure did not comply with Senate rules allowing reconciliation and would instead require 60 votes to pass. Republicans said they would try to revise and resubmit the … Continue reading Senate parliamentarian rejects $1 billion in reconciliation bill for White House security, Trump ballroom

Rep. Thomas Massie said he is confident heading into Tuesday’s Republican primary despite President Donald Trump’s repeated attacks against him and endorsement of his challenger, Ed Gallrein. Massie pointed to strong grassroots fundraising and broad donor support, arguing that recent polling shows him in the lead. Trump has escalated criticism of Massie on Truth Social, calling for Kentucky voters to oust him in what has … Continue reading Thomas Massie unfazed by Bill Cassidy’s defeat in Louisiana

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Beijing next week for a two-day meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the Kremlin announced. The trip, scheduled for May 19–20, will mark the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship. The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and major international and regional issues. The visit comes shortly after U.S. President … Continue reading Putin to visit Chinese leader Xi Jinping days after Trump’s trip to Beijing

The House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards over allegations of creating a hostile work environment and engaging in sexual harassment. Edwards, serving his second term, said he welcomes the inquiry and intends to fully cooperate, calling the allegations politically motivated. The investigation follows reporting that sources described inappropriate conduct toward two female staffers, which allegedly made the workplace uncomfortable. The Ethics Committee said … Continue reading Rep. Chuck Edwards faces House ethics investigation over harassment allegations

President Donald Trump said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached “fantastic trade deals” and agreed on several shared goals during talks in Beijing, including a desire to reduce tensions over Iran. The two leaders met privately at Zhongnanhai, discussing trade, energy routes, and geopolitical issues after years of strained relations following a trade war. Trump claimed China agreed to purchase American goods such as … Continue reading Trump touts “fantastic trade deals” after meeting with China’s Xi

Britain’s Health Secretary Wes Streeting has resigned from the Labour Party government, escalating political pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer following poor local election results. Streeting said he no longer had confidence in Starmer’s leadership and argued the party’s unpopularity contributed to defeats across the UK. His resignation has added to a wider wave of discontent, with more than 80 Labour MPs reportedly urging Starmer to step down or set out … Continue reading Britain’s Health Secretary Streeting resigns as pressure on Starmer grows

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government plans to file a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times over an opinion column by Nicholas Kristof alleging sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners. The column cites interviews with 14 people who reported abuse by Israeli settlers or security forces, though not all claims were fully corroborated, and the Times has defended the reporting as extensively fact-checked and corroborated … Continue reading Netanyahu says Israel will sue The New York Times

Latvia’s centre-right Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has resigned after her coalition lost its parliamentary majority when the left-leaning Progressives Party withdrew support. Her decision came shortly after Defence Minister Andris Sprūds resigned amid criticism of the government’s response to suspected Ukrainian drones entering Latvian airspace. Siliņa said the drone incidents exposed failures in ensuring national air security and undermined public trust in the defence leadership. … Continue reading Latvia prime minister resigns days after ‘stray’ drone incursion

FBI Director Kash Patel clashed sharply with Sen. Chris Van Hollen during a Senate budget hearing after the Maryland Democrat raised allegations about Patel’s conduct, including claims of excessive drinking and poor availability to staff, which Patel strongly denied. Patel called the accusations “unequivocally, categorically false” and accused Van Hollen of making “baseless” claims, while the senator cited a recent media report questioning Patel’s leadership. … Continue reading FBI Director Kash Patel denies drinking allegations in heated Senate exchange

South Africa’s parliament will establish an impeachment committee to investigate President Cyril Ramaphosa over the “Farmgate” scandal involving $4 million in cash allegedly hidden in a sofa at his game farm. The move follows a constitutional court ruling that revived impeachment proceedings after parliament previously blocked an inquiry into the matter. The committee will review evidence and decide whether to recommend formal impeachment steps, a … Continue reading South Africa plans presidential impeachment probe over ‘Farmgate’ scandal

A major corruption scandal has erupted in Ukraine, with prosecutors charging several senior figures, including Andriy Yermak, once a close aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with corruption and money laundering. The investigation involves allegations of kickbacks and influence-peddling schemes tied to the energy and defense sectors, alongside leaked recordings that suggest a wider network of corruption within government circles. The scandal has intensified political pressure … Continue reading Kyiv’s corruption scandal threatens Zelenskyy’s EU push

French President Emmanuel Macron announced €23 billion ($27 billion) in new investments in Africa at the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya, aimed at reshaping France’s relationship with the continent toward “co-investment” rather than aid. The funding, coming from both French companies and African partners, will support sectors including energy, artificial intelligence, and agriculture. Kenyan President William Ruto emphasized that future partnerships must be based on … Continue reading France’s Macron unveils a $27 billion investment in Africa 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he will continue “getting on with governing” despite growing pressure from within the Labour Party to resign following poor local election results and multiple cabinet departures. Four cabinet ministers resigned on Tuesday, adding to earlier exits and increasing calls for Starmer to step down, while more resignations are reportedly possible. Around a fifth of Labour MPs have now called … Continue reading U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejects mounting calls to resign

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he has referred Senator Mark Kelly to Pentagon lawyers for allegedly disclosing classified information about U.S. weapons stockpiles, a claim Kelly strongly disputes. Kelly said on television that American missile inventories were depleted after recent conflicts and warned it could take years to rebuild, arguing the information came from a public Senate hearing with Hegseth himself. Hegseth responded on social … Continue reading Hegseth says Pentagon will review Mark Kelly’s US weapons stockpile remarks

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed major tax relief legislation into law Monday, lowering income taxes, expanding deductions, and introducing new property tax relief measures for homeowners. The income tax bill gradually reduces the state rate from 5.19% to 4.99% starting in 2026, with plans for further cuts if revenue growth allows, while also increasing standard deductions, dependent exemptions, and retirement tax relief. It additionally provides … Continue reading Gov. Kemp signs Georgia tax relief bills lowering income taxes and expanding homeowner relief

President Donald Trump is urging Congress to pass the Senate’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, breaking a stalemate between the House and Senate over competing housing affordability plans. The Senate version, which has already passed with strong bipartisan support, aims to curb large Wall Street investors from buying single-family homes to prioritize homeownership for individuals. Trump and his allies argue the bill is necessary … Continue reading Trump calls on Congress to pass Senate’s housing bill

Rising global energy tensions tied to the conflict in Iran have pushed gas prices higher, with California averages reaching about $6.15 per gallon and the national average climbing to $4.53. President Donald Trump is urging Congress to temporarily suspend the federal gas tax to ease costs for drivers, though the move requires legislative approval and is not guaranteed to pass. Supporters argue it could provide … Continue reading President Trump calls for suspension of Federal Gas Tax

President Donald Trump and Republican leaders are facing pushback from within their party over a proposed $1 billion in Secret Service funding tied in part to White House security upgrades, including a controversial ballroom project. Some GOP senators and House members are questioning the scope, cost, and justification of the spending, with several demanding more details before supporting it. While the White House argues the … Continue reading Republicans want more details on ballroom security funding request

Lawyers for President Joe Biden are expected to challenge the Justice Department’s plan to release redacted audio recordings and transcripts of his 2017 conversations with his book ghostwriter. The material, obtained during a special counsel investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents, is linked to interviews used for his memoir Promise Me, Dad. Biden’s legal team says the recordings were shared with the understanding they would … Continue reading Biden seeks to block DOJ release of 2017 audio, court filing says

Denmark’s King Frederik has asked centre-right politician Troels Lund Poulsen to try to form a new government after outgoing prime minister Mette Frederiksen failed to secure a coalition despite her party winning the most votes in the March election. The Social Democrats had the largest share of votes but still suffered their weakest result in over a century, leaving parliament deeply fragmented. Efforts by Frederiksen … Continue reading Danish rightwing leader asked to form government after Frederiksen fails to form coalition

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the war in Ukraine may be nearing its end, even as he also reiterated Russia’s commitment to achieving its military goals. Speaking after a scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow, he suggested he would be open to negotiating new European security arrangements. Putin blamed Western policies and NATO expansion for the conflict, which began with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. … Continue reading Putin says he thinks Russia-Ukraine war is coming to an end

Australia’s One Nation party has won its first-ever lower-house seat in the federal parliament, with candidate David Farley taking the regional seat of Farrer in New South Wales. The victory, achieved with just over 57% of the vote, is seen as a breakthrough moment for the right-wing populist party and a sign of shifting voter support away from traditional parties. Party leader Pauline Hanson called … Continue reading Australia’s right-wing One Nation party scores historic parliamentary win