Romania’s central election authority barred far-right candidate Calin Georgescu from running in May’s presidential election re-run. His candidacy, submitted last Friday, was rejected due to allegations of Russian interference, which led to the annulment of the previous ballot. Supporters gathered outside the election bureau in protest. Georgescu, under criminal investigation for multiple charges, including fascist ties and spreading false campaign information, denied the accusations, CNN … Continue reading Romanian right-wing candidate barred from presidential vote

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) discussed Ukrainian President Zelensky’s shift on a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, which was not signed after a tense meeting in February. Johnson expressed gratitude that Zelensky had apologized and said he now wanted the deal. The agreement, aimed at helping Ukraine’s economy and regaining some U.S. aid, was initially stalled due to disagreements over peace talks with Russia. Despite the heated … Continue reading Johnson says Zelensky has done ‘about-face’ on mineral deal

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to pay several nonprofit organizations affected by the freeze on foreign aid and the shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The government has until Monday to release funds to at least nine groups, including the Global Health Council and the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition. While a full $2 billion in aid was previously estimated, … Continue reading Trump administration must pay debts to USAID partners by Monday, judge rules

President Trump announced Thursday that most goods covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be exempt from his 25% tariffs for the next month. The tariffs, which took effect earlier this week, will be reinstated on April 2. Trump imposed the tariffs on Canada and Mexico to combat fentanyl trafficking and lower border crossings. While some, like Dan Greenhouse, see it as a useful tool, … Continue reading Trump to put tariff exemptions on certain goods from Canada, Mexico

Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, was removed from the House chamber during President Trump’s joint address to Congress after disrupting the speech. Green, a long-time critic of Trump, stood and shook his cane at the president, prompting cheers and boos from other lawmakers. The disruption led House Speaker Mike Johnson to call for decorum, and Green was escorted out. Outside, Green explained his protest was due … Continue reading Democratic Rep. Al Green removed after disrupting Trump’s speech

Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin criticized President Donald Trump in her Democratic response to his first joint congressional address of his second term. She accused Trump of worsening the economy with tariffs and pushing for a “giveaway to his billionaire friends.” Slotkin, a first-term senator, warned that Trump’s economic policies could lead to a recession, citing rising national debt and inflation. She also expressed concern about … Continue reading Elissa Slotkin assails Trump’s early actions in Democrat rebuttal

The Speaker of New Zealand’s Parliament, Gerry Brownlee, ruled that complaints about using the Māori name Aotearoa in Parliament would not be considered. The controversy began when lawmaker Ricardo Menéndez March used the term, which means “land of the long white cloud” in Māori, prompting objections from Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. Peters argued that such changes should require a referendum. Brownlee, however, stated that … Continue reading New Zealand lawmakers told to stop complaining about use of the country’s Māori name in Parliament

Opposition MPs in Serbia’s parliament caused chaos on Tuesday, setting off flares and gas bombs in an attempt to block last-minute laws proposed by the outgoing government. The smoke-filled session led to fights between lawmakers, injuring two, and the speaker of parliament, Ana Brnabić, accused the opposition of attempting to disrupt the institution’s work. Outside, citizens threw raw eggs at the parliament building. The unrest … Continue reading Serbian parliament erupts into chaos as opposition hurl smoke bombs and flares

In a speech to Congress, President Donald Trump declared that his administration would guide America into its “greatest era” by focusing on reducing inflation, tackling drug cartels, and securing the U.S. southern border. He highlighted the arrest of a terrorist responsible for the deaths of 13 U.S. troops in Afghanistan and announced that Ukraine was ready to sign a rare-earth minerals deal and resume peace … Continue reading Trump promises ‘this will be our greatest era’ in joint address to Congress

Senate Democrats unanimously voted to block the Republican-led “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act,” which sought to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports at federally funded schools. The bill, introduced by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, failed to meet the 60 votes needed to advance, with a 51-45 vote. While Republicans framed it as a fairness issue, Democrats dismissed it as a political … Continue reading Senate Democrats block GOP-led bill to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports

King Charles, aware of his global diplomatic role, met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Sandringham on Monday, following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A royal source emphasized the king’s commitment to his responsibilities as a global statesman, engaging in sensitive diplomatic efforts amid rising tensions in Europe. While remaining politically neutral, Charles offers symbolic gestures and advice to leaders. Discussions with Trudeau … Continue reading King Charles ‘determined to play part’ in diplomacy as he welcomes Trudeau

Austria’s first three-party government since World War II took office on Monday, ending the country’s longest wait for a ruling coalition. The new government, formed by the conservative People’s Party (OVP), Social Democrats (SPO), and liberals Neos, excludes the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), which won the September election but failed to form a coalition. Chancellor Christian Stocker’s government faces challenges, including recession recovery, spending cuts, … Continue reading Austria’s three-party government takes office, shutting out far right

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposed a peace plan for Ukraine and Russia on Sunday, alongside French President Macron and other European leaders, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. The plan calls for European countries to take on more responsibility for Ukraine’s security in exchange for a peace agreement, with the U.K. ready to deploy troops and air force assets. However, Starmer acknowledged the … Continue reading Starmer lays out Ukraine peace deal framework as Zelenskyy responds to resignation calls

President Trump has paused military aid to Ukraine following a clash with President Zelenskiy, citing a need to ensure the aid supports peace efforts. Trump criticized Zelenskiy for lacking gratitude and reacted strongly to comments suggesting the war’s end is far off. Despite tensions, Trump indicated a potential deal for U.S. investment in Ukraine’s minerals is still on the table. Since Russia’s invasion, the U.S. … Continue reading Trump halts all U.S. military aid to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met King Charles III at Sandringham after attending a European summit on Ukraine’s war. Zelensky, warmly received, discussed UK support over tea in a brief meeting. He praised the Royal Family’s backing, while Charles reiterated his solidarity with Ukraine. The visit came ahead of Trump’s upcoming UK trip, following his tense Oval Office exchange with Zelensky, the BBC has reported. Meanwhile, … Continue reading Warm reception for Zelensky as he meets King Charles

Speaker Mike Johnson downplayed concerns after Trump’s tense meeting with Zelensky, calling it “absurd” to suggest Republicans support Putin. Johnson defended Trump and VP Vance, criticizing Zelensky’s stance in the meeting. He argued that Trump was optimistic about a mineral deal benefiting both nations and blamed Zelensky for the failed talks, The Hill has reported. While acknowledging Putin as a U.S. adversary, Johnson emphasized the … Continue reading Johnson dismisses concerns, calls idea that GOP supports Putin ‘absurd’

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with King Charles III to discuss U.S. President Trump’s threats to make Canada the 51st state. Trudeau emphasized the importance of defending Canada’s sovereignty and independence. The king has faced criticism in Canada for not commenting on Trump’s threats, sparking debate about his role as the head of state. While the antiroyal movement is small, some Canadians are … Continue reading Trudeau to bring up Trump’s threat to annex Canada in meeting with King Charles

France and Britain are proposing a one-month truce in Ukraine, focusing on air and sea, with European troops potentially deployed later in the peace process. French President Macron emphasized no European soldiers would be sent to Ukraine soon, and any peace deal would take weeks of negotiations. He also advocated for European defense spending to rise to 3-3.5% of GDP in response to Trump’s requests. … Continue reading Macron: France and Britain propose one-month truce in Ukraine

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reinforced his commitment to supporting Ukraine, including a willingness to deploy troops, as part of a four-point plan. The plan focuses on maintaining military aid, ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty in peace talks, deterring future Russian invasions, and forming a coalition to defend Ukraine. Starmer also announced £1.6bn in UK export finance for air defense missiles, which will be produced in Belfast, … Continue reading Starmer doubles down on ‘boots on the ground, planes in the air’ plan

Doug Ford secured a rare third term as Ontario’s premier, with his Progressive Conservatives winning 43% of the vote. Ford called the election early to strengthen his mandate against Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs, which could heavily impact Ontario’s manufacturing sector. Voter turnout was 42.6%, despite winter storms. Ontario faces major healthcare challenges, with 2.5 million residents lacking primary care. Ford’s campaign included trips to Washington … Continue reading Doug Ford wins Ontario election on back of tariff rallying cry

India and the EU have agreed to finalize a long-pending free trade deal by the end of 2024, aiming to strengthen ties in trade, technology, and defense. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized their shared democratic values and strategic partnership. The deal, which would be the largest of its kind, gains urgency amid potential U.S. tariffs on EU … Continue reading India and EU agree to conclude a long-pending free trade agreement 

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has asked Attorney General Pam Bondi for clarification on whether the DOJ is being weaponized against her after repeated attacks from Trump’s immigration adviser, Tom Homan. Homan accused her of potentially violating federal law by hosting a “Know Your Rights” webinar for immigrants, suggesting she was helping them evade law enforcement. Ocasio-Cortez defended the event as protected free speech and accused … Continue reading Ocasio-Cortez asks DOJ: Am I under investigation?

House Democrats are quietly preparing for the possibility that Nancy Pelosi, 84, will step down at the end of her term, with the party’s campaign arm reportedly gathering information on potential successors. While Pelosi has not announced her plans, concerns over her health and leadership strategy have grown. Rumored candidates include her daughter Christine Pelosi, state Sen. Scott Wiener, and former AOC staffer Saikat Chakrabarti. … Continue reading Dems start work on Pelosi succession plan

Donald Trump clashed with Volodymyr Zelensky in a heated Oval Office meeting, accusing him of being ungrateful for U.S. military aid and demanding he negotiate peace with Russia. The shouting match, which also involved Vice President JD Vance, led Trump to cancel a planned minerals deal and expel Zelensky from the White House. Trump later stated Zelensky could return “when he is ready for peace.” … Continue reading Trump and Zelensky’s meeting descends into screaming match

Donald Trump announced a new “$5M gold card” visa offering wealthy buyers permanent U.S. residency and a path to citizenship, replacing the EB-5 investor visa. He claimed it would boost job creation and help pay off U.S. debt. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called it an improvement over the EB-5 program, though details on eligibility and limits remain unclear, the BBC has reported. Written by B.C. … Continue reading Trump says $5m ‘gold card’ immigration visas will ‘sell like crazy’