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 

Sir Keir Starmer plans to promise stronger action on major national challenges in a speech aimed at stabilising his leadership after recent heavy election losses. He is under growing pressure from Labour MPs, some of whom are openly questioning his future as leader following poor results in local and national contests. In his address, he is expected to call for more ambitious policies, including closer … Continue reading Starmer to promise bolder action as leadership threats mount

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo at the Vatican City for 45 minutes to discuss the Middle East amid rising tensions between the Trump administration and the pope over the Iran war. The meeting, described as “frank,” focused on peace, humanitarian aid, and religious freedom, and included an exchange of symbolic gifts. Relations between Washington and the Vatican have been strained after President Donald Trump publicly criticized … Continue reading Marco Rubio meets with Pope Leo after Trump’s criticism over Iran war

A US trade court ruled that President Donald Trump’s 10% global tariffs were unlawful, saying they were not justified under the 1974 Trade Act used to impose them. The 2–1 decision sided with small businesses that challenged the tariffs, arguing the administration was bypassing a previous Supreme Court of the United States ruling limiting emergency trade powers. The court found the law Trump cited did not apply to … Continue reading US trade court rules against Trump’s 10% global tariffs

The United States and Iran exchanged fire late Thursday in the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides accusing the other of initiating the latest escalation, though President Donald Trump said a ceasefire still remains in effect. Iran claimed U.S. forces struck an oil tanker, another vessel, and coastal areas, while the U.S. said it responded to Iranian attacks on its naval ships with self-defence strikes. United States Central Command said it destroyed incoming Iranian … Continue reading Trump says US-Iran ceasefire still in place after exchange of fire in Strait

Tennessee lawmakers passed a new congressional map that could eliminate the state’s only Democratic seat, setting up a likely 9–0 Republican delegation. The redistricting targets the 9th District, a majority-Black seat centered in Memphis, Tennessee, prompting concerns about reduced Black voter representation. Republicans say the changes reflect Tennessee’s increasingly conservative electorate, while Democrats argue the map is an example of gerrymandering that suppresses minority voices. The … Continue reading Tennessee passes new congressional map likely to flip final Dem seat as protests erupt

Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders are preparing a contingency plan that emphasizes international law, sovereignty, and freedom of navigation as they meet for an ASEAN summit in the Philippines. The draft declaration also addresses regional risks from the Middle East war, including energy shortages, inflation, and disruptions to global trade. It calls for coordinated measures such as emergency fuel sharing, a regional power grid, and diversified … Continue reading Southeast Asian leaders will reaffirm core values in veiled Mideast war rebuke

President Donald Trump hosted top UFC fighters at the White House to preview an upcoming mixed martial arts event planned for June 14 on the South Lawn. The event is intended to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and will feature championship bouts, including Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane. Trump said the fight card would be a historic, one-time spectacle showcasing … Continue reading UFC stars thank President Trump for transforming the sport with historic White House fight

Former President Barack Obama warned in a televised interview that American democracy is at risk when the Justice Department and other institutions are used for political purposes. Speaking on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” he said the greatest danger is not policy disagreements but the politicization of law enforcement and the use of government power against political opponents. Obama argued that the Justice Department … Continue reading Obama tells Colbert he worries about “politicization of the criminal justice system”

President Donald Trump has promoted a large new White House ballroom as being fully funded by private donors, but new legislation could require up to $1 billion in taxpayer money for related security upgrades. Donald Trump previously said no public funds would be used, but the project now includes extensive security enhancements such as reinforced structures, underground facilities, and bomb shelter elements. Republicans say the … Continue reading Republicans propose $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to secure Trump ballroom

British voters are heading to elections that could deepen political instability for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with his Labour Party expected to suffer major losses in local and regional contests across the U.K. Polls suggest voter frustration over a weak economy, strained public services, and controversial political appointments has turned the vote into a referendum on Starmer’s leadership. Opposition parties, including Reform UK and the … Continue reading Local elections could hasten the exit of Britain’s embattled prime minister

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee about his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, facing accusations from Democrats that he gave inconsistent and misleading accounts. Lawmakers pointed to evidence from the so-called Epstein files suggesting business ties and visits to Epstein’s properties, including a Caribbean island, despite Lutnick previously claiming he cut ties years earlier. Democrats, including Rep. Ro … Continue reading Lutnick’s testimony in Epstein probe earns harsh criticism from House Democrats

House Democrats have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to publicly acknowledge that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, arguing that U.S. policy of ambiguity is no longer sustainable. In a letter led by Rep. Joaquin Castro, 30 lawmakers said the U.S. cannot support military action against Iran over nuclear concerns while refusing to confirm Israel’s own capabilities. They argued that Congress needs clearer information about nuclear … Continue reading Democrats urge Rubio to acknowledge Israel possesses nuclear weapons

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has condemned the spread of a deepfake image showing her in lingerie, saying it was created using artificial intelligence to attack and manipulate her. She posted the altered photo on Facebook alongside criticism of the person who shared it and warned that such content can deceive and harm people. Meloni said she is able to defend herself but emphasized that … Continue reading Italy’s Meloni denounces deepfake photo as a political attack

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said it is a basic right for countries to conduct state visits after returning from a trip to Eswatini, one of Taiwan’s few remaining diplomatic partners. He said China had tried to block his travel by pressuring countries to deny airspace access, though Beijing did not confirm this and instead reiterated its “one-China principle.” Lai’s visit to Eswatini included discussions on … Continue reading Taiwan’s president says state visits are ‘basic right’ after trip he says Beijing tried to block

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed former Supreme Court justice and international war crimes prosecutor Louise Arbour as the country’s new governor general. Arbour previously served as a UN human rights commissioner and led prosecutions for war crimes in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. She will act as King Charles III’s representative in Canada, succeeding Mary Simon, the first Indigenous person in the role. … Continue reading Carney appoints former war crimes prosecutor as Canada governor general

Romania’s pro-European coalition government collapsed after lawmakers voted no confidence in Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, who had been in office for less than a year. The motion passed overwhelmingly with 281 votes in favor, following a split between coalition partners and opposition parties. The government’s fall adds to ongoing political instability in Romania, which has faced repeated crises since its post-communist transition. President Nicușor Dan … Continue reading Romania’s pro-European coalition collapses after prime minister fails a no-confidence vote

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told a European Political Community summit that Europe could help rebuild a new international order rather than accept a more “brutal” and transactional global system. He suggested shifting global leadership dynamics as tensions rise over conflicts in the Middle East and doubts grow about U.S. commitments to NATO, including troop reductions in Europe. Leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron … Continue reading Europe will not submit to an ‘insular and brutal world’, says Carney

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host a Downing Street summit with business, cultural, and policing leaders to coordinate a “whole of society” response to rising antisemitism. The meetings will involve ministers and representatives from multiple sectors working with Jewish community leaders to identify how antisemitism appears and how to address it more effectively. The initiative follows a series of suspected antisemitic attacks in the … Continue reading Starmer to host Downing Street summit to address antisemitism

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders held a “Fighting Oligarchy” rally in Detroit with Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and House candidate Donavan McKinney. Sanders called for leaders willing to challenge the political and economic establishment and urged support for El-Sayed’s Senate bid. El-Sayed promoted progressive policies such as Medicare for All and abolishing ICE and previously lost the 2018 Michigan gubernatorial primary to Gretchen Whitmer. He is … Continue reading Bernie Sanders campaigns with controversial Michigan Senate candidate

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he is sending Rep. Joe Morelle to meet with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers to discuss possible mid-decade redistricting in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling on voting rights. The Court’s 6-3 decision weakened a key Voting Rights Act provision and could affect majority-minority districts nationwide, prompting Democrats to consider countermeasures. Jeffries argued Democrats must … Continue reading Top Democrat aims for New York redistricting after Supreme Court’s Voting Rights ruling

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a newly redrawn congressional map into law on Monday, a move Republicans say could help them gain up to four additional U.S. House seats. The GOP-controlled Legislature approved the map shortly before DeSantis formally enacted it, prompting immediate legal challenges. A lawsuit filed by civil rights groups and Florida voters argues the map violates anti-gerrymandering protections and constitutes an extreme … Continue reading DeSantis signs Florida’s new GOP-friendly congressional map into law

President Trump said the United States will reduce its troop presence in Germany further, beyond an initial cut of 5,000 soldiers, as tensions with German leadership grow over the Iran conflict. The Pentagon has already begun a planned drawdown, but Trump signaled even deeper reductions are likely. Republican lawmakers expressed concern that pulling troops from Europe could weaken U.S. deterrence against adversaries. At the same … Continue reading Trump says U.S. will pull ‘a lot’ more troops from Germany

Sen. Thom Tillis said he may oppose confirming acting Attorney General Todd Blanche if he is nominated, citing concerns over the Justice Department’s handling of Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot cases. He criticized a recent DOJ move to vacate seditious conspiracy convictions of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys members involved in the attack. Tillis said his stance against leniency for those who committed violence on … Continue reading Tillis leaves door open to not backing Blanche nomination over Jan. 6 appeals

Sen. Adam Schiff said the Justice Department pursued a new grand jury indictment against former FBI Director James Comey for political reasons, arguing it is tied to President Trump’s influence and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s desire to keep his position. The indictment stems from a social media post by Comey that prosecutors allege was a threat against Trump, though Comey has denied any violent … Continue reading Schiff: DOJ prosecuting Comey because Blanche ‘wants to keep this job’