US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to Rome this week in an effort to improve strained relations between the United States, Italy, and the Vatican. He is expected to meet Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, though a meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has not been confirmed. The visit comes amid tensions linked to … Continue reading Marco Rubio to visit Rome, reportedly to ‘thaw’ US relations with Pope and Meloni

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government may consider banning some pro-Palestinian marches, citing concerns about their “cumulative effect” on the Jewish community following recent violence in London. He said while peaceful protest and free expression must be protected, certain chants such as “Globalise the Intifada” are unacceptable and should be prosecuted. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been frequent in the UK since the Gaza war … Continue reading UK PM Starmer says there could be new powers to ban pro-Palestinian marches 

President Donald Trump said he will raise U.S. tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union to 25% next week, accusing the bloc of failing to comply with a previously agreed trade deal. He said the move follows ongoing disputes over the agreement, which had capped auto tariffs at 15%, and claimed European countries, especially Germany, are not meeting their commitments. Trump also criticized … Continue reading Trump says he will hike tariffs on EU cars to 25% 

Former U.S. Rep. David Rivera was convicted of illegally lobbying U.S. officials on behalf of Venezuela’s government without registering as a foreign agent. Prosecutors said he worked to influence U.S. policy toward Nicolás Maduro’s regime and received millions through a contract tied to a Venezuelan state-linked company. The trial in Miami included testimony from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said he was unaware of … Continue reading Former US congressman convicted of secretly lobbying for Venezuela

The Trump administration is arguing that the war in Iran has effectively ended due to an April ceasefire, allowing it to avoid seeking congressional approval under the War Powers Resolution. Officials say there have been no exchanges of fire since the ceasefire began, and therefore the legal 60-day limit for unauthorized military action does not apply. The interpretation has been challenged by Democrats and some … Continue reading Trump administration says its war in Iran has been ‘terminated’ before 60-day deadline

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is not satisfied with Iran’s latest proposal to resume talks, suggesting that negotiations over the ongoing conflict remain stalled. Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran is open to diplomacy but only if the United States changes its current approach and rhetoric. The standoff comes amid continuing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz, while a … Continue reading Trump says he’s dissatisfied with Iranian proposal as rift with allies deepens

President Donald Trump signed bipartisan legislation ending a record 76-day shutdown of key agencies at the Department of Homeland Security. The bill restores funding for services like the Coast Guard, TSA, Secret Service, FEMA, and cybersecurity operations. Immigration enforcement agencies such as ICE and Border Patrol were already funded separately and did not miss paychecks. The shutdown had caused furlough risks, delayed operations, and uncertainty … Continue reading Trump signs DHS legislation, ending record-breaking shutdown

Kim Jong Un praised North Korean troops who fought in Russia’s Kursk region for choosing “self-detonation” to avoid capture. He made the remarks during a memorial ceremony honoring soldiers killed while supporting Russia’s war effort in Russia. Western and South Korean officials estimate North Korea sent thousands of elite troops to assist Russian operations in the area. Reports from Ukraine previously described instances of North … Continue reading Kim Jong Un said North Korean troops chose ‘self-detonation’ to avoid capture by Ukraine

Brazil’s Congress voted to override a presidential veto and pass a law that could reduce former President Jair Bolsonaro’s 27-year sentence for allegedly plotting a coup. The move is seen as a setback for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose government is expected to challenge the law in court. Legal experts say the legislation may cut decades from Bolsonaro’s sentence by limiting how overlapping … Continue reading Brazil’s Congress overrides Lula’s veto of a bill to reduce Bolsonaro’s sentence

Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to house arrest in Myanmar, according to state media. She has been detained since the 2021 military coup and was previously sentenced to 33 years in prison on multiple charges widely criticized by rights groups. Officials said the transfer and sentence reductions were part of religious holiday pardons meant to show “humanitarian concern.” Her sentence was … Continue reading Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi moved from prison to house arrest

President Donald Trump threatened to reduce U.S. troop levels in Germany after tensions with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. Trump said the U.S. is reviewing its military presence and accused Germany of being unhelpful in the war effort. Merz criticized Washington’s handling of the Iran conflict but maintained that relations with Trump remain stable. The dispute comes amid broader strain over … Continue reading Trump says he is weighing reducing American troop presence in Germany

The Trump administration has reportedly terminated all 22 members of the National Science Board, according to two dismissed board members. The board, created in 1950, advises the National Science Foundation and the federal government on science and engineering policy and is typically composed of academics and industry experts serving six-year terms. Members said they were removed without explanation and were told the decision took immediate … Continue reading Trump administration fires entire National Science Board

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Washington for a state visit, meeting President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House amid heightened tensions and recent security concerns. The visit included private meetings, a tour of the White House grounds, and a British embassy garden party attended by US officials and political figures. Charles is scheduled to address a state dinner … Continue reading King Charles and Queen Camilla meet Trumps at White House

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released a proposed congressional redistricting map that could shift the state from a 20–8 Republican advantage to a 24–4 advantage. The plan is expected to advance through the GOP-controlled legislature in a special session but has already drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans. Critics argue the early release of a partisan-labeled map may violate Florida’s constitutional “Fair Districts” rules … Continue reading Ron DeSantis releases new congressional map creating four more GOP-leaning seats in Florida

Virginia’s Supreme Court justices questioned whether the state legislature properly followed constitutional rules when approving a congressional redistricting plan that voters narrowly passed. The plan could give Democrats up to four additional House seats, but Republicans argue the amendment process was flawed because lawmakers voted too late during an election period. The court is considering whether “election” includes early voting, which could invalidate the legislature’s … Continue reading Virginia weighs legality of new congressional map favoring Democrats

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the stalled US–Iran negotiations, saying the United States is being “humiliated” and outmaneuvered by Iran’s leadership. His comments came after multiple rounds of indirect talks in Islamabad ended without progress, despite the Trump administration’s claim that it held leverage. Iran recently proposed focusing negotiations on reopening the Strait of Hormuz while postponing nuclear and sanctions issues, a plan mediators say … Continue reading US is being ‘humiliated’ by Iran’s leadership, says Friedrich Merz

President Donald Trump said he believes he was the target of a third assassination attempt in under two years after an armed suspect was arrested near a Washington hotel. The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, allegedly tried to breach a security perimeter before being taken into custody. Speaking after the incident, Trump described political violence as increasingly common and said “no country is immune.” He called … Continue reading Trump calls for unity and bipartisan healing after another violent incident

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a stronger European defense posture, arguing that the EU’s mutual assistance clause is a clear and powerful commitment, not just symbolic language. He pointed to recent coordinated military support for Cyprus as evidence that the clause has already been put into practice. Macron said this EU provision may even be stronger than NATO’s Article 5, amid concerns about … Continue reading Macron says EU’s mutual defence clause ‘not just words’

Hungary’s outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced he will not take his seat in parliament after his party suffered a major election defeat. The election was won by the center-right Tisza Party led by incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who secured a strong parliamentary majority. Orbán said he will instead focus on reorganizing his political movement following the loss of power. The result marks the … Continue reading Hungary’s Viktor Orbán steps down from parliament after a landslide defeat

Loyalists of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas won most seats in recent municipal elections, officials said, including strong results in the West Bank. The vote was notable for including a rare symbolic election in Gaza’s Deir el-Balah, the first in the territory since 2006. Abbas’s Fatah-backed list secured the most seats there, while other local groups and independent lists also won representation. Hamas did not … Continue reading Abbas loyalists sweep Palestinian elections, including some seats in Gaza

Russian State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin praised North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for what he called the “liberation of Kursk,” thanking North Korean troops for helping Russia fight Ukrainian forces. North Korea has reportedly sent soldiers, missiles, and ammunition to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, including deployments in the Kursk region. In return, analysts say Pyongyang is receiving financial aid, food, energy, and … Continue reading Russian Parliament Speaker Thanks North Korea’s Kim for ‘Liberation of Kursk’

A Virginia state court judge blocked the state’s recent redistricting referendum, ruling that votes on the measure are invalid and cannot be certified or implemented. The judge said the ballot process violated the state constitution, including a public notice requirement, and described the question presented to voters as misleading. The referendum, approved by a narrow margin, aimed to allow lawmakers to redraw congressional maps and … Continue reading Judge blocks Virginia from using new congressional maps

President Donald Trump said he has ordered the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill” any vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with Iran over the key global oil route. He also directed minesweeping operations to be expanded “at a tripled up level” and claimed the U.S. has full control of the waterway. The Strait, which normally carries about 20% of global … Continue reading Trump orders Navy to ‘shoot and kill any boat’ laying mines in Hormuz Strait

EU leaders have approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine and a new sanctions package against Russia, while also discussing Ukraine’s stalled bid to join the European Union at an informal summit in Cyprus. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected any idea of “partial” EU membership, insisting Ukraine deserves full accession because it is defending Europe and paying a human cost in the war. He urged … Continue reading Ukraine needs full not symbolic membership in the EU, Zelenskyy says

The European Union has imposed a new round of sanctions targeting 20 additional Russian banks, further restricting their ability to conduct euro transactions and access international financial systems like SWIFT. The measures are part of the EU’s 20th sanctions package in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine and expand the total number of sanctioned Russian lenders to around 70. The EU also added banks from … Continue reading EU sanctions more Russian banks to squeeze Putin’s war economy