US President Donald Trump will meet with the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal from July 9 to 11, in a move seen as part of growing US diplomatic engagement with Africa. The mini-summit is expected to focus on trade and investment, reflecting Trump’s push to boost business ties instead of traditional aid. It follows a US-brokered peace deal between Rwanda and the … Continue reading President Trump announces surprise summit with five African Nations

The European Parliament will hold a no-confidence vote next week against the European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen. The motion, launched by a right-wing Romanian MEP over transparency concerns about vaccine deal text messages with Pfizer, is unlikely to pass but highlights growing frustration in Brussels. If successful, it would force the entire Commission to resign, the DW has reported. The vote comes … Continue reading Von der Leyen’s European Commission faces no-confidence vote

Denmark is urging the EU to fully use its legal tools, including the Article 7 “nuclear option,” to address Hungary’s violations of fundamental EU values. Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre called for continuing hearings on Hungary and suggested restricting EU funds for rule-breakers. She also criticized Hungary’s blockade of Ukraine’s EU membership bid, saying Denmark wants all options on the table to move enlargement … Continue reading Denmark pushes to suspend Hungary’s EU voting rights

Thailand’s prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has been suspended by the Constitutional Court pending an ethics probe over a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. In the call, she appeared to criticize Thailand’s army and offered to help Hun Sen during a border dispute, sparking outrage and protests. Her coalition partner withdrew support, threatening her hold on power. Despite apologizing and defending her … Continue reading Thailand’s prime minister suspended over leaked phone call with former strongman

President Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis put aside their rivalry to jointly open a large immigrant detention center in the Everglades, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.” The facility, built in just eight days to house 3,000 detainees, is a key part of Trump’s immigration crackdown and boosts Florida Republicans’ political standing. Despite past tensions, Trump and DeSantis praised each other during the event, signaling a thaw … Continue reading Trump and Ron DeSantis put aside rivalry at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

The House of Representatives is beginning final steps to approve President Trump’s sweeping “big, beautiful bill” after the Senate narrowly passed it with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The bill, covering taxes, border security, energy, defense, and raising the debt limit by $5 trillion, faces potential challenges in the House, where just four GOP “no” votes could block it. Key conservatives on … Continue reading House kicks off final sprint for Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ with key committee hearing

Sir Keir Starmer’s welfare bill passed its first Commons vote by a narrow majority of 75 despite a large rebellion of 49 Labour MPs—the biggest defiance since 1997. The bill, heavily watered down after concessions, mainly cuts Universal Credit sickness benefits for new claimants but delays changes to disability payments (PIP) until after a 2026 review. Many MPs expressed concern over the bill’s impact on … Continue reading Starmer survives rebellion as watered-down welfare cuts pass key vote

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska cast the decisive vote to pass President Trump’s tax-and-spending bill in the Senate, helping secure its narrow 51-50 approval after Vice President JD Vance broke the tie. Though critical of the bill—especially its cuts to SNAP benefits—Murkowski supported it after negotiating carveouts to shield Alaska from those cuts for two years and securing more funding for rural hospitals. She … Continue reading GOP Sen. Murkowski cast crucial vote for Trump’s megabill after getting key carveout

Senate Republicans narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s major tax cuts and spending bill after a tense overnight session, with the vote split 50-50 and Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaker. Three GOP senators joined all Democrats in opposition, highlighting divisions within the party. The bill now returns to the House, where changes—especially to Medicaid—could spark further conflict despite Speaker Mike Johnson’s push to meet … Continue reading Senate passes Trump’s big tax and spending cuts bill

Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina delivered a scathing Senate floor speech criticizing the Senate’s version of Trump’s proposed budget bill, warning it would break Trump’s promise not to cut Medicaid. Tillis, who announced he won’t seek re-election, argued the bill’s Medicaid cuts would threaten coverage for over 660,000 North Carolinians. He blamed “amateurs” advising Trump and urged changes to avoid harming vulnerable people, The … Continue reading Republican senator denounces Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ in fiery speech

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, 80, has confirmed he will run in next year’s election, aiming to extend his nearly 40-year rule. His National Resistance Movement (NRM) removed term and age limits to keep him in power. Critics accuse Museveni of suppressing dissent and using security forces to maintain control. Opposition leader Bobi Wine plans to run again after rejecting the 2021 results as fraudulent, Al-Jazeera … Continue reading Uganda’s President Museveni confirms bid to extend nearly 40-year rule

Hong Kong’s League of Social Democrats, the city’s last active protest group, has announced its disbandment due to mounting political pressure and fear of repercussions under the national security laws. The move comes ahead of the fifth anniversary of Beijing’s sweeping legislation, which critics say has crushed dissent and opposition. Over nearly 20 years, the group endured arrests, internal struggles, and suppression. Leaders cited increasing … Continue reading One of Hong Kong’s last major pro-democracy parties disbands

Jeannette Jara, Chile’s former labor minister and a member of the Communist Party, won the left-wing primary with over 60% of the vote, defeating moderate rival Carolina Toha. Jara will be the government’s candidate in the November presidential election, facing strong center-right and far-right challengers amid declining popularity for the ruling coalition. Known for her work raising the minimum wage and cutting the workweek, Jara … Continue reading Chile communist Jeannette Jara to lead beleaguered ruling coalition at election

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s recent military success in Iran has created new opportunities to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, signaling a shift in focus from defeating Hamas to prioritizing their return. His comments mark a change from earlier pledges of “total victory” over Hamas. The Hostages Families Forum urged a comprehensive deal to bring all 50 hostages home. Meanwhile, … Continue reading Netanyahu says ‘opportunities have opened up’ to free hostages, as Trump demands Gaza ‘deal’

President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” cleared a key Senate vote 51–49, with Republicans largely united behind it despite Democratic opposition. Sen. Ron Johnson switched to a “yes,” calling it a vital step toward fiscal responsibility. Democrats condemned the nearly 1,000-page bill as radical and plan to delay debate by forcing a full reading, Fox News has reported. Trump praised GOP senators for advancing his … Continue reading Trump, lawmakers react after ‘big, beautiful bill’ clears Senate hurdle

Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman was laid to rest with her husband on Saturday, weeks after they were killed in a politically motivated attack at their home. Authorities say the suspect, who also targeted other lawmakers, posed as a law enforcement officer to carry out the shootings. The attack, which left two others injured, prompted Minnesota’s largest manhunt. Thousands mourned Hortman, who was the … Continue reading Joe Biden, Kamala Harris among attendees as slain Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman laid to rest

Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim vowed not to be intimidated after Czech intelligence revealed Chinese diplomats planned to stage a car collision during her visit to Prague in March 2024. Czech officials said the plot, coordinated from the Chinese embassy, aimed to “demonstratively confront” her but was stopped in the planning stage. Taiwan condemned the actions as a serious threat to Hsiao’s safety and demanded … Continue reading China ‘planned car collision’ during Taiwan vice-president’s visit to Prague

After the apparent victory of Zohran Mamdani in New York’s Democratic mayoral primary, the Instagram account of the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee—who died last year—was seen liking a congratulatory post, highlighting a growing trend of social media activity from accounts of deceased lawmakers. Other examples include the late Rep. Sylvester Turner’s account changing its profile picture and posting after his death, and Rep. Gerry … Continue reading Dead members of Congress can’t stop posting on social media

Elon Musk blasted the Senate’s large domestic policy bill on Saturday, calling it “utterly insane” and “destructive” for raising taxes on clean energy projects like solar, batteries, wind, geothermal, and nuclear. He argued it would kill millions of jobs and harm U.S. competitiveness while subsidizing coal for steel production. The bill, backed by President Trump, has fueled a public feud between Musk and Trump after … Continue reading Elon Musk rips into ‘utterly insane’ Trump-backed megabill

The White House plans to limit intelligence sharing with Congress after an early assessment of U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites leaked, a senior official confirmed. The administration will reduce what it posts on CAPNET, the classified system for lawmakers. The move, criticized by Democrats as an attempt to hide facts, comes ahead of a Senate briefing on the strikes. The leak revealed the strikes … Continue reading White House to limit intelligence sharing with Congress after leak of early Iran report

Pope Leo XIV on Friday renewed his call for unity in the Catholic Church, urging priests to work closely with their superiors and be models of reconciliation in a divided world. During a special Holy Year week for clergy in Rome, he hosted meetings, ordained 32 new priests at St. Peter’s Basilica, and sent a written message to priests worldwide. Leo emphasized humility over perfection, … Continue reading Pope Leo XIV appeals for unity within the Catholic Church

Oslo police have charged Marius Borg Høiby, the 28-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, with rape, sexual assault, and bodily harm following a months-long investigation involving a “double-digit” number of alleged victims. The charges include one count of rape involving intercourse, two counts without intercourse, four sexual assaults, and two cases of bodily harm. Høiby has cooperated with police but denies most allegations, especially … Continue reading Son of Norway’s crown princess charged with rape, sexual assault and bodily harm

New York Mayor Eric Adams launched his re-election campaign Thursday, announcing he will run as an independent after skipping the Democratic primary, where democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won the party’s nomination. Adams positioned himself as a “blue-collar” alternative to Mamdani’s progressive agenda, criticizing him as a “silver spoon socialist.” Business leaders, alarmed by Mamdani’s proposals like rent freezes and higher taxes on the wealthy, may … Continue reading New York: Adams launches re-election bid after Mamdani’s surprise primary showing

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced he’s running for a third term in 2026, even as speculation grows about a possible 2028 presidential bid. In his announcement video, the Democratic governor pledged to fight for affordability and freedoms while criticizing Donald Trump’s administration. Pritzker, a billionaire heir and vocal Trump critic, is considered the clear favorite in the deep-blue state. While he’s downplayed presidential ambitions, his … Continue reading Pritzker launches campaign for 3rd term as Illinois governor

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) has withdrawn from the race to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, acknowledging she lacked the support needed for the leadership role. Crockett, known for her outspoken style, said her approach didn’t align with what colleagues were seeking. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) won the internal vote to succeed the late Rep. Gerry Connolly as ranking member, Fox News … Continue reading Jasmine Crockett drops out of race for top House Oversight Committee Democrat