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

Hillary Clinton has accused President Donald Trump of orchestrating a “cover-up” over files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling for their full public release. Speaking to the BBC, she said she and Bill Clinton have “nothing to hide” and that the couple is set to testify before a House oversight committee investigating Epstein’s connections to powerful figures. The Justice Department recently released over … Continue reading Hillary Clinton accuses Trump administration of ‘cover-up’ over Epstein files

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked international allies for their support, particularly air defense systems, but raised concerns about the country’s future security guarantees. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he questioned proposals like a free trade zone in the Donbas, warning that Russian opposition and potential provocations could make such arrangements risky. Zelenskyy criticized Moscow’s insistence that Ukraine cede territory in the east and highlighted … Continue reading Zelenskyy says questions remain for allies over security guarantees for Ukraine

Ursula von der Leyen pushed back on NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s claim that Europe cannot guarantee its own security without the United States, calling the situation more nuanced and urging EU nations to activate their mutual defence obligations under Article 42.7. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, she highlighted that European defence spending has risen nearly 80% since Russia invaded Ukraine, but stressed that … Continue reading Von der Leyen rebukes NATO chief, calls for European mutual defence

Quentin D, 23, died in hospital from a traumatic brain injury sustained during an attack on the sidelines of a conference by LFI MEP Rima Hassan in Lyon. Quentin, part of the security team for right-wing protesters from Collectif Némésis, was violently assaulted while the group staged a demonstration against Hassan’s visit. The Lyon prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation for aggravated manslaughter, but no … Continue reading Macron calls for ‘restraint’ after death of young man attacked in Lyon

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a trip to Slovakia and Hungary, pledging closer cooperation with Central European nations that have strong ties to President Donald Trump. In Slovakia, Rubio met Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Peter Pellegrini to discuss energy and defense, including Slovakia’s plans for a new nuclear plant and additional F-16 fighter jets. Rubio emphasized partnership rather than dominance, calling … Continue reading Rubio visits Slovakia and Hungary to bolster ties with pro-Trump leaders

The Liberal government is set to unveil a $6.6-billion strategy to strengthen Canada’s domestic defence industry and reduce reliance on U.S. military suppliers. The plan aims to prioritize Canadian-made equipment, support small and medium-sized businesses, and increase defence-procurement contracts awarded to Canadian firms from roughly 50% to 70%. Officials say the strategy could create 125,000 jobs over a decade and boost defence exports and industry … Continue reading Carney strategy for defence industry pledges 125,000 jobs, sweeping policy changes

Republican senators widely agreed that a video by Sens. Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin urging military members to refuse unlawful orders was inappropriate, but they supported the grand jury’s decision not to indict the lawmakers. GOP leaders, including Roger Wicker, Thom Tillis, and Chuck Grassley, expressed relief that the Justice Department’s attempt to bring criminal charges failed, calling it political “lawfare” and a misuse of … Continue reading GOP senators express relief over failed DOJ effort to indict Democrats

Lawmakers are leaving Washington, D.C., without a deal to prevent a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Senate Democrats blocked a full-year funding bill and a short-term extension, demanding strict reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). With both chambers on recess, DHS is expected to close at midnight Friday unless an agreement is reached. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said lawmakers … Continue reading Dems dig in, guarantee shutdown with block of DHS funding

Lawmakers accused the Department of Justice of tracking their searches of unredacted Epstein files, with Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly using a binder showing members’ search histories during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. Democrats called the move a violation of the separation of powers and a form of intimidation, with Rep. Pramila Jayapal and others demanding investigations by the DOJ’s inspector general. Republicans expressed concern … Continue reading DOJ accused of ‘spying’ on members of Congress’ Epstein searches