U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials exchanged sharp threats as widespread protests erupted across Iran following the collapse of the rial and recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. At least eight people have been killed in the demonstrations, now in their sixth day and the largest since the 2022 protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death. Trump publicly warned Iran against violently suppressing protesters, … Continue reading Trump and top Iranian officials exchange threats over protests roiling Iran

Chinese President Xi Jinping used his New Year’s Eve address to reaffirm his commitment to reunifying Taiwan with China, calling it an “unstoppable” trend of the times. The speech came after China conducted its largest military drills near Taiwan in over a year, involving 200 warplanes, missiles fired near the island, and naval encirclement, actions widely criticized by the U.S., EU, and regional allies. Xi … Continue reading Xi Jinping vows to reunify China and Taiwan in New Year’s Eve speech

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un praised his troops fighting in Ukraine as forging an “invincible alliance” with Russia in a New Year’s message, according to state media. Thousands of North Korean soldiers have reportedly been sent to support Russia’s nearly four-year invasion, with at least 600 dead and thousands injured. Analysts say Russia provides Pyongyang with financial aid, military technology, and food and energy supplies … Continue reading Kim Jong-un hails North Korea’s ‘invincible alliance’ with Russia in New Year’s message

The Russian government claims Ukraine targeted President Vladimir Putin’s residence in Novgorod this week with 91 drones, all of which were reportedly shot down without damage or injuries. U.S. intelligence, however, has found no evidence that Ukraine aimed at Putin, and Kyiv denies the allegation, suggesting Russia may be using the story to disrupt peace talks. CIA Director John Ratcliffe reportedly informed former President Trump … Continue reading Russia claims it has proof Ukraine aimed drone at Putin residence

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said his government is open to negotiating with the U.S. on combating drug trafficking, though he declined to comment on a recent CIA-led strike on a Venezuelan docking area. Maduro reiterated that he views U.S. actions—including months of military and economic pressure—as an effort to force regime change and access Venezuela’s oil reserves. He emphasized that Venezuela is willing to discuss … Continue reading Maduro open to US talks on drug trafficking, but silent on CIA strike

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated Thursday, pledging to govern as a Democratic Socialist and revive “the era of big government.” He took the official oath with his hand on a Quran and later a ceremonial oath from Sen. Bernie Sanders. Mamdani vowed to transform City Hall into a proactive government that serves all New Yorkers rather than wealthy interests and said he … Continue reading Mamdani Vows to Govern as Democratic Socialist in Inauguration Speech

President Donald Trump said he is open to additional military action against Iran if it rebuilds its ballistic missile capabilities or resumes its nuclear program, while also urging Tehran to negotiate. Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, Trump warned that the U.S. would act forcefully if Iran continues such efforts but said a deal would be a “much smarter” option. The comments … Continue reading Trump threatens to ‘knock the hell’ out of Iran if they build weapons

President Trump and his advisers urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change Israel’s approach in the occupied West Bank during a meeting on Monday, marking the first time in Trump’s second term he has pressed the issue. U.S. officials warned that escalating violence and controversial Israeli policies could undermine the Gaza peace deal and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords. Trump’s team raised concerns … Continue reading Trump, top aides asked Netanyahu to change policy in occupied West Bank

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti appears set for another term after his Self-Determination party won nearly 50% of the vote in early parliamentary elections. The snap election was called after Kurti’s party failed to form a government following February’s vote, which had caused a political deadlock. Kurti emphasized the need to quickly form a new government and urged voter participation to strengthen institutional legitimacy, while … Continue reading Preliminary results show Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti’s party won snap vote

Foreign ministers from Cambodia, Thailand, and China met in Yunnan province to discuss the ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. The meeting followed a new ceasefire agreement that ended weeks of fighting, which killed over 100 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow emphasized the need to maintain the ceasefire and rebuild trust between the two countries. Holding the meeting … Continue reading Top diplomats of China, Cambodia and Thailand meet as Beijing seeks a stronger role in dispute

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the US has agreed to provide Ukraine with strong 15-year security guarantees, though the fate of the eastern Donbas region remains unresolved after his meeting with Donald Trump. The guarantees, part of a 20-point peace plan, would be voted on by both the US Congress and Ukraine’s parliament and are seen as crucial to deter further Russian aggression. Zelenskyy rejected giving land … Continue reading Zelenskyy says US has agreed to offer Ukraine ‘strong’ 15-year security guarantees

The Trump administration, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, recently barred several European figures, including former EU digital commissioner Thierry Breton, from entering the U.S., citing their role in global censorship efforts. Breton was a key architect of the EU’s Digital Services Act, which imposes rules on speech deemed “disinformation” or “incitement,” and threatened American companies like X to comply with European standards. European politicians, … Continue reading Europe declares war on free speech in the US

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are meeting in Florida to push forward a potential peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. Trump said he believes the framework for an agreement exists, while Zelenskyy emphasized that outcomes depend on continued pressure on Russia and support from Ukraine’s partners. The talks follow a major Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed … Continue reading Trump meets with Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago as peace talks advance

President Donald Trump accused the New York Times of endangering national security, calling it “a serious threat” in a late-night post on his Truth Social platform and alleging false, biased reporting. He did not specify which article prompted the attack, but it continues a pattern of repeated public criticism of the paper and the media. Earlier this month, Trump accused the Times of “seditious” or … Continue reading Trump calls the New York Times ‘a threat to national security’

The Trump administration is recalling about 30 U.S. ambassadors worldwide to align diplomatic representation with President Trump’s America First agenda, Fox News reported. Officials emphasized the recalls are standard practice, with ambassadors being reassigned within the State Department rather than fired or punished. The administration said decisions were made to maintain continuity, avoiding recalls from countries at war or involved in critical negotiations. The large-scale … Continue reading Trump admin recalling around 30 ambassadors as part of State Dept realignment

President Donald Trump announced a new class of nuclear-capable U.S. battleships that will bear his name, called “Trump-class battleships.” Speaking at Mar-a-Lago, Navy Secretary John Phelan said the ships, including the USS Defiant, will be heavily armed with missiles, hypersonic weapons, rail guns, lasers, and nuclear-armed cruise missiles. Trump said the Navy aims to build 20 to 25 of the battleships, which are expected to … Continue reading Trump announces new class of U.S. battleships named after himself

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, easing long-standing restrictions on the drug. The move recognizes cannabis as having accepted medical use and a lower potential for abuse, similar to ketamine and certain pain medications. Trump highlighted that the change would benefit patients with chronic illnesses, veterans, and older Americans suffering from debilitating … Continue reading Trump signs executive order reclassifying cannabis

House Republicans moved their Christmas recess up by a day, scheduling final House votes for Thursday afternoon instead of Friday, just ahead of the DOJ’s deadline to release unclassified Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. The release is mandated under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by President Donald Trump, which gave Attorney General Pam Bondi 30 days to disclose the materials by Friday. While there is no … Continue reading House Republicans Call Early Christmas Break Before Epstein Files Release

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced he will step down from the bureau in January, thanking President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve. Bongino was an unconventional choice for the role, as neither he nor Patel had prior FBI experience, and he was better known as a pro-Trump podcaster and former law enforcement officer. His tenure … Continue reading FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino says he will step down in January

President Donald Trump used a prime-time White House address to promise lower prices, defend his economic record, and blame inflation and high costs on former President Joe Biden as frustration grows ahead of the midterm elections. Despite claiming major progress and forecasting an economic boom, Trump faces low approval ratings on the economy, with polls showing widespread affordability concerns among Americans. Economists warn that job … Continue reading Trump tells America the economy is strong, blames Biden for nation’s struggles

The Senate passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act, authorizing $901 billion in defense spending and a 3.8% pay raise for troops, while demanding more Pentagon transparency on strikes against alleged drug boats near Venezuela. The 3,000-page bill balances bipartisan priorities, maintaining U.S. troop levels in Europe, providing military aid to Ukraine, and implementing Trump administration policies on military diversity and border powers. It also … Continue reading Senate passes $901 billion defense bill that pushes Hegseth for boat strike video

Four House Republicans broke with party leadership to join Democrats on a discharge petition, securing the 218 signatures needed to force a vote on a three-year extension of enhanced Obamacare subsidies set to expire Dec. 31. If the subsidies lapse, insurance premiums are expected to double on average for about 22 million people who rely on Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage. The move highlights divisions … Continue reading 4 Republicans revolt, force vote on Obamacare funding

Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers in a closed-door interview that his team developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Donald Trump criminally conspired to overturn the 2020 election. Smith also said investigators gathered strong evidence that Trump illegally retained classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and obstructed efforts to recover them. He emphasized that his decisions were based solely on facts and … Continue reading Jack Smith tells lawmakers his team developed ‘proof beyond a reasonable doubt’ against Trump

A group of Democratic senators is pressing the Justice Department to explain why federal investigators never interviewed Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime lawyer, Darren Indyke, or his in-house accountant, Richard Kahn, during probes of his sex-trafficking operation. Both men were senior officers in Epstein-controlled entities that handled finances, cash payments, and transactions later linked to the scheme, according to The Wall Street Journal. Despite their close and … Continue reading Senators Press FBI Over Failure to Investigate Epstein’s Lawyer and Accountant

Sen. Mark Kelly called Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s investigation into him “a bunch of bull****,” saying it appears intended to intimidate retired service members from speaking out against the president. The probe stems from a video Kelly and five other Democrats, all military veterans, posted urging troops not to follow illegal orders. Hegseth asked the Secretary of the Navy to review Kelly for “potentially unlawful … Continue reading Sen. Mark Kelly clashes with Hegseth over Pentagon’s investigation into him