Hungary has vetoed a €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine, drawing sharp criticism from fellow member states who say the move breaches the bloc’s principle of sincere cooperation. The decision by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán comes amid a dispute over oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, which Budapest claims Ukraine has halted for political reasons. EU leaders including Kaja Kallas and António Costa warned that agreements reached unanimously by the 27 member states … Continue reading EU accuses Hungary of disloyalty for vetoing €90 billion loan to Ukraine

Kim Yo Jong has been promoted to full department director within the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea during a rare party congress in Pyongyang, according to state media. The once-in-five-years gathering brings together thousands of party elites to set national policy on issues ranging from diplomacy to military planning. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, is considered one of his closest advisers and most influential figures … Continue reading Kim Jon-Un’s sister promoted in rare North Korea party congress

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting St. Kitts and Nevis this week to reaffirm American interests in the Western Hemisphere at a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit. The one-day trip comes amid global attention on U.S. military activity in the Middle East and recent actions in Latin America, including the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Rubio aims to discuss regional security, trade, economic growth, and cooperation with Caribbean … Continue reading Rubio heads to Caribbean to reassert US interests after Venezuela strikes

Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court will begin presenting evidence against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for his alleged role in killings linked to his war on drugs. Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity for crackdowns carried out during his time as Davao mayor and as president. The hearing, which Duterte waived, allows prosecutors to outline their case; judges will have 60 days to decide whether to confirm the … Continue reading ICC to hold hearing on charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte

A federal three-judge panel declined to block Utah’s new congressional map, ruling that Republicans were unlikely to succeed in their challenge and that it was too close to the election to make changes. The court-ordered map places most of Salt Lake City in a single district, increasing Democrats’ chances of gaining a House seat. Republican lawmakers had argued the state judge violated the United States Constitution after the map replaced … Continue reading Federal court clears way for Utah’s new congressional map to take effect

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on Sunday that he and Sen. John Fetterman have a “constructive relationship,” but once again declined to say if he would support Fetterman if he runs for reelection. Shapiro dismissed reports of a feud between them, calling claims that they do not speak “not true” and accusing journalists of exaggerating drama. The two Democrats have had a rocky history, including … Continue reading Shapiro declines again to say if he’d back Fetterman for reelection

Uproar erupted after U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in an interview that it “would be fine” if Israel took all of the Middle East, citing biblical claims. The U.S. Embassy said his remarks were taken out of context and that policy toward Israel has not changed. A joint statement from over a dozen Arab and Muslim countries called Huckabee’s comments “dangerous and inflammatory,” … Continue reading US says ambassador’s comments on Israel and the Middle East were taken out of context

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he plans to raise a global tariff to 15%, up from the 10% he proposed after the Supreme Court struck down his broad import taxes. The court had ruled 6-3 that it is unconstitutional for the president to set tariffs unilaterally, as the power to tax belongs to Congress. Trump said he will now use other legal authorities, including … Continue reading Trump says he’ll raise tariffs to 15 percent after Supreme Court ruling

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for the immediate deployment of noncombat Western troops to Ukraine to demonstrate commitment to the country’s independence ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Johnson suggested sending forces to peaceful regions in non-fighting roles, rather than waiting for a ceasefire, arguing that Russia should not dictate terms. He criticized the West for earlier failures, including the lack … Continue reading Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson calls on allies to send noncombat troops to Ukraine

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been re-elected as secretary-general of the Workers’ Party, extending his 15-year rule over the country’s sole governing party. The election took place on the fourth day of the five-yearly party congress, during which Central Committee members were also chosen and some party rules were modified. Kim, who has been supreme leader since 2011, reviewed the past five years … Continue reading North Korea’s Kim Jong Un re-elected as chief of Workers’ Party

Hungary has announced it will block a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine until Kyiv resumes oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline, citing violations of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said. The pipeline, damaged in a January drone attack, halted Russian oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia, which rely on Druzhba for their remaining EU refineries. To address the shortfall, Hungary plans … Continue reading Hungary to block 90 billion euro EU loan to Ukraine in Russian oil dispute

FCC Chair Brendan Carr has urged broadcasters to air “patriotic, pro-America content” as part of a voluntary “Pledge America Campaign” ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The initiative encourages programming that promotes civic education, national pride, and U.S. history, including public service announcements, historical specials, music by American composers, or recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance. Critics argue the campaign risks government overreach into media … Continue reading FCC’s Carr urges broadcasters to air ‘patriotic, pro-America’ content

The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s broad global tariffs in a 6-3 decision, ruling that the president cannot unilaterally impose taxes, which belong constitutionally to Congress. Trump reacted angrily, calling some justices “disloyal” and threatening foreign influence without evidence, while pledging to pursue a new 10% global tariff under a rarely used law. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority that Trump’s … Continue reading Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s sweeping tariffs, sparking fierce pushback

At least a dozen Democratic lawmakers plan to boycott Donald Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address, opting instead to attend a “People’s State of the Union” rally on the National Mall organized by progressive groups MoveOn and MeidasTouch. The event is billed as counterprogramming to Trump’s speech, highlighting everyday Americans affected by his policies. Lawmakers skipping the address include Sens. Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, … Continue reading At least 12 Democratic lawmakers plan to boycott Trump’s State of the Union address

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison for leading an insurrection after declaring martial law on December 3, 2024, which plunged the country into political chaos. Armed soldiers attempted to storm the National Assembly, but lawmakers and citizens successfully blocked them, forcing Yoon to reverse course within six hours. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun received a 30-year sentence, while … Continue reading Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol handed life sentence for leading insurrection

Donald Trump signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to protect domestic production of glyphosate-based herbicides such as Roundup and the phosphorus used to make them, framing the move as vital to national and food security. The order also grants legal immunity to producers complying with it, as Bayer faces tens of thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging its glyphosate products cause cancer—claims the … Continue reading Trump order seeks to protect weedkiller at center of barrage of lawsuits

Donald Trump convened the first meeting of his newly formed Board of Peace in Washington, focusing on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire and broader global conflict resolution. He said members from at least 40 countries pledged $7 billion for Gaza reconstruction, while announcing a $10 billion U.S. commitment to the initiative. Trump described the board as a cornerstone of his second-term legacy and … Continue reading Trump vows $10 billion from U.S. for his Board of Peace as he leans into global role

Donald Trump said he will direct the Defense Department to begin releasing government files related to aliens, UFOs and unidentified aerial phenomena, citing strong public interest. His move follows comments by Barack Obama on a podcast suggesting that while extraterrestrial life may statistically exist, there is no evidence aliens have visited Earth. Obama later clarified online that he saw no proof of extraterrestrial contact during … Continue reading Trump Orders Release of UFO Government Files

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled two budget proposals to address the city’s growing deficit: raising taxes on the wealthiest residents and corporations, or, as a last resort, a 9.5% property tax hike affecting millions of homes and commercial properties. Mamdani emphasized that taxing the wealthy is the fairer and more sustainable option, warning that relying on property taxes and reserves would burden working- and … Continue reading Mamdani threatens to raise New York property tax if wealth tax isn’t passed

Environmental groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council and Sierra Club have sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the Trump administration’s plan to roll back federal emissions and fuel economy standards. The lawsuit challenges the EPA’s decision to rescind the 2009 “endangerment finding,” which identified greenhouse gas emissions from cars as a threat to public health and underpins current fuel efficiency rules. The administration … Continue reading Trump sued over plan to ‘bring car prices tumbling down dramatically’

French President Emmanuel Macron met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai to strengthen economic and strategic ties amid global uncertainty. Their talks emphasized expanding cooperation beyond defense to trade, technology, energy, and space, with France positioning itself as a reliable European partner for India. The leaders inaugurated India’s first private-sector helicopter assembly line in Karnataka, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. … Continue reading France’s Macron holds bilateral talks with India’s Modi to boost economic and strategic ties

The Vatican announced it will not join U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” saying crisis management should be led by the United Nations, according to Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The board, initially meant to oversee Gaza’s temporary governance under Trump’s plan, aims to expand to global conflicts, with its first meeting set in Washington this Thursday. Italy and the European Union plan to attend as … Continue reading Vatican says it will not participate in Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, recently reappointed after a landslide election, said she aims to deepen ties with U.S. President Donald Trump and expand cooperation in rare earths and economic security during her Washington visit next month. Takaichi plans to bolster Japan’s military capabilities, increase defense spending, lift the ban on lethal weapons exports, and consider developing a nuclear-powered submarine, while pursuing ultra-conservative social policies … Continue reading Takaichi, reelected as Japan’s leader, wants to cooperate with US

Peru’s Congress voted Tuesday to remove interim President José Jerí amid corruption allegations, deepening political instability just weeks before the April elections. Jerí, who assumed office on Oct. 10 after predecessor Dina Boluarte was dismissed, faces a preliminary investigation over undisclosed December meetings with two Chinese executives, which he denies were improper. With 75 votes in favor, Congress will now select a new interim president … Continue reading Peru’s Congress removes interim President Jerí as he faces a corruption probe

Tarique Rahman has been sworn in as Bangladesh’s new prime minister after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a two-thirds majority in the first election since the 2024 student-led uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina. He took the oath in a televised ceremony in Dhaka, pledging to uphold the law, while lawmakers also swore loyalty to the country. The BNP and its allies secured at least … Continue reading Tarique Rahman sworn in as new Bangladesh prime minister