NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Washington this week to meet President Trump and other top officials, as Trump pushes plans to sell advanced U.S. weapons to NATO allies for transfer to Ukraine. The talks come as Trump signals stronger support for Ukraine despite earlier skepticism about funding the war. Sen. Lindsey Graham says weapons will soon flow at record levels to Ukraine, while … Continue reading Trump to meet NATO secretary general as plan takes shape for Ukraine weapons sales

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) renewed his call for the Trump administration to release all Jeffrey Epstein-related files, citing Elon Musk’s claim that Trump appears in them. In an MSNBC interview, Raskin said the Justice Department should at least release any material Musk referenced, given Musk’s past role as a White House adviser. Raskin and other House Judiciary Democrats also sent a letter demanding Attorney General … Continue reading Top House Democrats demand release of Epstein files

President Donald Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi amid backlash from his supporters over a recent memo on the Jeffrey Epstein case. Critics, including prominent conservatives like Elon Musk and Laura Loomer, accused Bondi of withholding information, especially after the memo stated there was no incriminating client list or blackmail evidence. Trump urged supporters to “let Pam Bondi do her job” and not focus on … Continue reading Trump defends US Attorney General Pam Bondi over Epstein files

Donald Trump has accepted King Charles III’s invitation for a rare second state visit to the UK, scheduled for September 17–19, and will be hosted at Windsor Castle alongside First Lady Melania Trump. This visit is unusual as second-term presidents typically do not receive full state visits. The event will feature traditional ceremonies and a state banquet with senior Royals, including the Prince and Princess … Continue reading Trump will be hosted by King at Windsor during second state visit

French President Emmanuel Macron announced an additional €6.5 billion ($7.6 billion) in military spending over the next two years, citing unprecedented threats from Russia, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and cyberattacks. He aims to increase France’s annual defense budget to €64 billion ($74.8 billion) by 2027, doubling the level from when he took office in 2017. In a Bastille Day speech, Macron warned that freedom in Europe is under serious threat … Continue reading French President Macron announces 6.5 billion euros in extra military spending

Former US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 35% tariff on Canadian goods starting 1 August, along with broader tariff threats on other trade partners. The move comes as the US and Canada approach a deadline to finalize a new trade deal. Trump linked the tariff threat to trade imbalances and Canada’s alleged failure to stop fentanyl trafficking. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney … Continue reading Trump threatens 35% tariffs on Canadian goods

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held peace talks in the UAE on Thursday but announced no breakthrough. Despite agreeing to continue negotiations and border delimitation efforts, major issues remain unresolved, including Azerbaijan’s demand for constitutional changes in Armenia and a transport corridor to its Nakhchivan exclave. The talks follow decades of conflict, most recently Azerbaijan’s 2023 offensive to recapture Nagorno-Karabakh, … Continue reading Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders meet for peace talks in UAE, no breakthrough

A South Korean court approved the new arrest of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday over his brief imposition of martial law in December, citing risk of evidence destruction. Yoon, previously impeached and released from detention in March, now faces additional charges including abuse of power and falsifying documents. Prosecutors accuse him of attempting an illegal power grab to suppress opponents. His new detention … Continue reading South Korean court approves new arrest of former President Yoon Suk Yeol

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen survived a rare confidence vote in the European Parliament, with 175 in favor and 360 against. The motion, led by far-right MEPs, accused her of lacking transparency over Covid-19 vaccine negotiations. Despite criticism over her party’s occasional cooperation with the far right, von der Leyen retained support from centrist, socialist, liberal, Green, and left-wing groups, the BBC has … Continue reading EU chief von der Leyen survives rare confidence vote

On the final day of his UK state visit, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new plan to curb small boat crossings. The proposed “one in, one out” policy would return migrants arriving illegally in small boats to France in exchange for legal asylum seekers. Critics say the plan lacks deterrence and details remain unclear, the BBC has reported. … Continue reading ‘One in, one out’, as Starmer and Macron unveil new migrant deal

Talks between the European Union and the U.S. on a new trade deal remain unresolved after missing a July 9 target date originally tied to a pause on President Trump’s threatened “reciprocal” tariffs. While no deal was reached by the deadline, Trump suggested an agreement could still be finalized within days, noting improved negotiations with the EU. U.S. officials said Europe has made meaningful offers … Continue reading Trump says EU has been ‘very nice to us’ in trade talks and decision on tariffs is close

Joe Biden’s former doctor, Kevin O’Connor, refused to answer questions about giving Biden a clean bill of health before his cancer diagnosis during a closed-door Congressional hearing. Summoned by the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, O’Connor invoked patient-doctor confidentiality and the Fifth Amendment when asked if he was told to lie or believed Biden was unfit. Chairman James Comer accused him of a cover-up, citing claims … Continue reading Biden’s doctor refuses to testify to Congress about ex-president’s health

President Trump met with his Cabinet at the White House to discuss trade, foreign policy, and other issues. He addressed the recent deadly flooding in Texas and announced plans to visit the area Friday. Trump also spoke about new tariff letters sent to several countries and the August 1 deadline for trade deals aimed at correcting imbalances. The administration highlighted progress on a major agenda … Continue reading Trump’s Cabinet talks Texas flooding, tariffs, Iran attacks

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is capitalizing on growing criticism of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of a crucial European Parliament confidence vote. Orbán condemned von der Leyen over undisclosed communications with Pfizer’s CEO during the pandemic, calling the vote a test of Europe’s future amid corruption and competence concerns. This attack follows the EU urging Hungary to adopt stricter fiscal measures, … Continue reading ‘Time to go,’ Orbán tells von der Leyen on eve of confidence vote

President Trump met with leaders from five African nations—Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal—at the White House to discuss business opportunities, economic development, security, and infrastructure. Trump praised Africa’s natural resources and highlighted recent peace efforts on the continent. While the five countries are unlikely to face US tariffs, concerns remain over US trade policies and visa restrictions, which African officials criticize as harmful. The … Continue reading White House hosts West African leaders to discuss trade and development

A new book, 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America, describes First Lady Jill Biden’s growing influence as President Joe Biden’s political fortunes declined. The authors say Jill Biden emerged as a powerful, protective figure who encouraged Biden to stay in the 2024 race even after a disastrous debate against Donald Trump raised concerns about his age and cognitive fitness. Her … Continue reading New book exposes Jill Biden’s power grab amid husband’s political demise

President Donald Trump’s recent letters announcing steep new U.S. tariffs on imports from over a dozen countries, including allies, have prompted “shock” and “regret” abroad while leaving room for further negotiations. Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Africa all expressed disappointment at the new tariffs—ranging from 20% to 36%—but signaled they would continue talks with the U.S. to try to reduce them before the … Continue reading Japan calls Trump’s latest tariff salvo ‘regrettable’

The U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution Monday urging Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to end their escalating oppression of women and girls and to eliminate all terrorist groups. Despite U.S. and Israeli opposition, the resolution passed 116–2 with 12 abstentions. It also calls for economic recovery and humanitarian aid for Afghanistan. The measure is nonbinding but signals global condemnation of the Taliban’s harsh policies since 2021, … Continue reading UN adopts resolution on Afghanistan’s Taliban rule over US objections

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte began a three-day state visit to the UK, greeted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Windsor. It is the first French presidential state visit to Britain since 2008 and the first by an EU leader since Brexit. The visit aims to strengthen UK–France ties, with talks expected on migration, defence, security, and economic growth. Macron … Continue reading French president greeted by King Charles as state visit begins

An imposter used AI-generated audio to mimic Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s voice and contacted senior U.S. officials and foreign ministers through Signal, according to a State Department cable. At least five people, including three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress, received fake voicemails or texts from the impersonator, who also created a fake Signal account using Rubio’s name. The scheme … Continue reading Rubio impostor using AI voice to call high-level officials

Billionaire Elon Musk announced on X that his new “America Party” will support the Second Amendment, Bitcoin, free speech, and reduced regulations. He endorsed a platform with goals like cutting debt, modernizing the military with AI, promoting tech, and centrist policies elsewhere. Musk said the party aims to challenge the two-party system and focus first on House and Senate races before potentially backing a presidential … Continue reading Elon Musk indicates his new political party will be pro-gun, pro-bitcoin

Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit died by apparent suicide on Monday, hours after President Vladimir Putin fired him.  He was found with a gunshot wound in his car near Moscow. Russian investigators said the main theory is suicide, amid reports he faced arrest for alleged embezzlement of funds meant for fortifications in the Kursk region, where he was previously governor, CNN has reported. His … Continue reading Russian minister dies by suicide hours after getting fired by Putin, officials say

President Trump threatened an extra 10% tariff on countries aligning with what he called the “Anti-American policies of BRICS,” as the bloc met in Rio de Janeiro. BRICS leaders issued a joint statement criticizing rising unilateral tariffs—implicitly targeting Trump’s trade policies—warning they violate WTO rules and hurt the global economy. The BRICS group (including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and new members like Iran … Continue reading Trump threatens extra 10% tariff on countries that align with ‘Anti-American’ BRICS policies

The BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and new members including Indonesia and Iran) issued a joint declaration at a summit in Brazil condemning rising unilateral tariffs without naming the U.S. or Trump. They warned such measures violate WTO rules and harm global trade and supply chains. The statement comes as Trump’s 90-day pause on new tariffs nears its end. He has threatened … Continue reading BRICS group raises ‘serious concerns’ with increased tariffs

President Trump aims to secure a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu during their White House meeting on Monday, according to U.S. officials. The proposed agreement includes a 60-day truce and the release of 10 live and 18 deceased Israeli hostages. Trump hopes it will lead to a broader peace deal following months of stalled negotiations. Key issues to be discussed include who … Continue reading Trump hopes to align with Netanyahu on Gaza war endgame during visit