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

South Korea’s intelligence agency believes that Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae and around 13 years old, is being positioned as his successor, marking a potential fourth-generation leadership in North Korea. Intelligence officials note her increasingly prominent appearances at missile tests, military parades, factory openings, and diplomatic events, including a 2023 visit to Beijing with her father. Her presence at the … Continue reading Kim Jong Un’s daughter close to being designated future leader, says spy agency

A highly classified whistleblower complaint involving Tulsi Gabbard centers on a foreign-intelligence conversation last year discussing Jared Kushner, though officials say the claims about him appear false. The complaint alleges Gabbard delayed sharing the intelligence with Congress for political purposes after meeting with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. A heavily redacted version of the complaint was provided to select lawmakers, who could only … Continue reading Gabbard Whistleblower Complaint Based on Intercepted Conversation About Jared Kushner

A few Republican lawmakers joined Democrats on Tuesday to block a House rule that would have prohibited snap votes to repeal President Trump’s tariffs, allowing immediate action on tariff resolutions. The rule failed 214-217 after Reps. Kevin Kiley, Don Bacon, and Thomas Massie opposed it, paving the way for votes on repealing Trump’s national emergency declarations for tariffs, including on Canada. Speaker Mike Johnson had … Continue reading GOP rebels rebuke Trump tariffs, blocking ban on snap repeal votes

Attorney General Pam Bondi clashed with lawmakers during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the release of millions of files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s prosecution, calling Ranking Member Jamie Raskin a “washed-up, loser lawyer.” Democrats accused Bondi of harming victims by releasing documents that identified some while protecting Epstein’s powerful associates, and criticized her for ignoring questions about possible indictments of co-conspirators. Bondi defended the … Continue reading Bondi explodes at Dems on House Judiciary panel in fiery clash: ‘Washed up, loser lawyer’

Vice President Vance’s office briefly posted, then deleted, a tweet referring to the “Armenian genocide,” breaking with Trump-era policy. The deleted post showed Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance at a wreath-laying ceremony honoring victims of the 1915 killings, but his office said it was posted in error by staff. A follow-up tweet highlighted the visit and honored Armenian resilience without using the term “genocide.” … Continue reading Vance Deletes Post Recognizing Armenian Genocide

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admitted Tuesday that he and his family had lunch on Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in 2012 during a family vacation. Lutnick testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee that his wife, four children, nannies, and another family were present, and he saw nothing inappropriate during the visit. His admission comes amid scrutiny over previously undisclosed business and personal contacts with Epstein, including … Continue reading Lutnick admits visiting Epstein island during family vacation

A grand jury declined the Justice Department’s attempt to indict six Democratic lawmakers over a video advising service members they have the right to refuse illegal orders. Prosecutors had sought charges under a federal law prohibiting interference with the loyalty or discipline of the armed forces, according to reports. The video, titled “Don’t Give Up the Ship,” featured Sens. Elise Slotkin and Mark Kelly and … Continue reading Grand Jury Rebuffs DOJ Attempt to Indict 6 Dems in Congress

French President Emmanuel Macron warned Tuesday that Europe faces a severe political and economic crisis, risking being “swept aside” by competition from the U.S. and China. Speaking ahead of an EU leaders’ meeting, he called the situation a “profound shock” and urged the bloc to use it as a “Greenland moment” to push economic reforms and reduce reliance on external powers. Macron criticized reliance on … Continue reading Macron warns Europe faces political and economic crisis

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said Monday that “a lot of congressmen probably should be in jail” while discussing Jeffrey Epstein on Newsmax. He criticized former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ahead of potential depositions, calling them an “evil pair” but saying he does not expect meaningful accountability. Burchett argued they are unlikely to face consequences because Congress lacks the power … Continue reading ‘A Lot of Congressmen Probably Should Be in Jail,’ Lawmaker Says

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the U.S. has set a June deadline for Ukraine and Russia to reach a deal to end the nearly four‑year war, with Washington likely to pressure both sides if progress stalls. The next round of trilateral talks is expected to take place in the U.S., likely in Miami, and Ukraine has confirmed its participation. Russia launched over 400 drones and around … Continue reading U.S. gave Ukraine and Russia June deadline to reach peace agreement, Zelenskyy says

Three members of Congress are calling on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to resign after reports revealed extensive business and personal dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said Lutnick “lied to the country” about his ties to Epstein and should step down. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., echoed the call, citing evidence from the DOJ’s released Epstein files showing Lutnick … Continue reading Congress members call for Trump Commerce chief Lutnick to resign, or be fired

Vice President JD Vance visited Armenia on Monday, becoming the first sitting U.S. vice president or president to do so, as the Trump administration promotes economic opportunities and a U.S.-brokered peace deal with Azerbaijan. In Yerevan, Vance and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed an agreement advancing negotiations on a civil nuclear energy deal, while the U.S. offered investments in infrastructure, computer chips, and surveillance drones. … Continue reading Vance is in Armenia, a country no sitting US president or vice president has visited before

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to the U.S. to meet President Donald Trump amid ongoing discussions with Iran following indirect talks in Oman. Netanyahu plans to urge the U.S. to press Tehran on limiting its ballistic missile program and curbing support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran insists the negotiations will focus only on its nuclear program, which it considers non-negotiable, while … Continue reading Netanyahu to meet Trump in US to discuss Iran

Center-left Socialist António José Seguro won a decisive victory over hard-right populist André Ventura in Portugal’s presidential runoff, securing 66.7% of the vote to Ventura’s 33.3%. Seguro, a moderate Socialist, gained broad support from mainstream politicians and promises to cooperate with Portugal’s center-right minority government. Ventura, whose Chega party has become the second-largest in parliament, campaigned on anti-immigrant and anti-establishment rhetoric and vowed to continue … Continue reading Center-left Socialist candidate wins over populist in Portugal’s presidential runoff

Lawmakers are increasingly pessimistic about reaching a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security before the Feb. 13 deadline, raising the risk of a shutdown. Democrats are demanding immigration policy changes tied to ICE and CBP operations, while Republicans refuse to consider most of those proposals and say talks have barely begun. Both sides accuse the other of negotiating through the media instead of … Continue reading Senators far apart on DHS deal as talks stall with deadline looming

North Korea will hold a major Workers’ Party congress in late February, where leader Kim Jong Un is expected to lay out domestic and foreign policies for the next five years, state media reported. The rare gathering comes after years of rapid nuclear and missile development and closer ties with Russia amid the war in Ukraine, deepening tensions with the United States and South Korea. … Continue reading Kim expected to issue major policy goals at North Korea party congress

Thailand’s ruling Bhumjaithai party took a strong lead in Sunday’s general election, winning about 194 seats with roughly 93% of polling stations reporting, according to unofficial results. The total falls short of the 251 seats needed to form a government outright, meaning the party will likely need coalition partners. The progressive People’s Party came in second with 116 seats, while Pheu Thai, linked to former … Continue reading Thailand’s conservative Bhumjaithai party tops polls

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi won a decisive snap election victory, securing a supermajority in the lower house that allows her ruling coalition to override the upper chamber. The landslide result validated her high-risk gamble to seek a fresh mandate after taking office in October and strengthened her grip on power. Takaichi said she would continue her coalition with Ishin, focus on fiscal sustainability, and … Continue reading Japan’s Sanae Takaichi wins a supermajority after gambling on a snap election

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned Sunday, taking responsibility for advising the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the U.S. despite Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein. The decision has triggered Starmer’s biggest crisis since taking office, especially after newly released U.S. files detailed Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein and prompted a police investigation into alleged misconduct. McSweeney, a key … Continue reading UK PM Starmer’s top aide McSweeney quits over Mandelson’s Epstein scandal

Senate Democrats are pressing for stronger oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), unveiling a list of 10 demands including policies like requiring judicial warrants and de-masking agents. Republicans, however, accuse Democrats of seeking to defund ICE entirely and promote “open borders,” pointing to a failed Bernie Sanders amendment that would have stripped $75 billion from DHS and ICE. Funding for immigration operations is largely … Continue reading Republicans warn Democrats’ ICE reform push is cover to defund border enforcement