A major corruption scandal has erupted in Ukraine, with prosecutors charging several senior figures, including Andriy Yermak, once a close aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with corruption and money laundering. The investigation involves allegations of kickbacks and influence-peddling schemes tied to the energy and defense sectors, alongside leaked recordings that suggest a wider network of corruption within government circles. The scandal has intensified political pressure … Continue reading Kyiv’s corruption scandal threatens Zelenskyy’s EU push

French President Emmanuel Macron announced €23 billion ($27 billion) in new investments in Africa at the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya, aimed at reshaping France’s relationship with the continent toward “co-investment” rather than aid. The funding, coming from both French companies and African partners, will support sectors including energy, artificial intelligence, and agriculture. Kenyan President William Ruto emphasized that future partnerships must be based on … Continue reading France’s Macron unveils a $27 billion investment in Africa 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he will continue “getting on with governing” despite growing pressure from within the Labour Party to resign following poor local election results and multiple cabinet departures. Four cabinet ministers resigned on Tuesday, adding to earlier exits and increasing calls for Starmer to step down, while more resignations are reportedly possible. Around a fifth of Labour MPs have now called … Continue reading U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejects mounting calls to resign

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he has referred Senator Mark Kelly to Pentagon lawyers for allegedly disclosing classified information about U.S. weapons stockpiles, a claim Kelly strongly disputes. Kelly said on television that American missile inventories were depleted after recent conflicts and warned it could take years to rebuild, arguing the information came from a public Senate hearing with Hegseth himself. Hegseth responded on social … Continue reading Hegseth says Pentagon will review Mark Kelly’s US weapons stockpile remarks

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed major tax relief legislation into law Monday, lowering income taxes, expanding deductions, and introducing new property tax relief measures for homeowners. The income tax bill gradually reduces the state rate from 5.19% to 4.99% starting in 2026, with plans for further cuts if revenue growth allows, while also increasing standard deductions, dependent exemptions, and retirement tax relief. It additionally provides … Continue reading Gov. Kemp signs Georgia tax relief bills lowering income taxes and expanding homeowner relief

President Donald Trump is urging Congress to pass the Senate’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, breaking a stalemate between the House and Senate over competing housing affordability plans. The Senate version, which has already passed with strong bipartisan support, aims to curb large Wall Street investors from buying single-family homes to prioritize homeownership for individuals. Trump and his allies argue the bill is necessary … Continue reading Trump calls on Congress to pass Senate’s housing bill

Rising global energy tensions tied to the conflict in Iran have pushed gas prices higher, with California averages reaching about $6.15 per gallon and the national average climbing to $4.53. President Donald Trump is urging Congress to temporarily suspend the federal gas tax to ease costs for drivers, though the move requires legislative approval and is not guaranteed to pass. Supporters argue it could provide … Continue reading President Trump calls for suspension of Federal Gas Tax

President Donald Trump and Republican leaders are facing pushback from within their party over a proposed $1 billion in Secret Service funding tied in part to White House security upgrades, including a controversial ballroom project. Some GOP senators and House members are questioning the scope, cost, and justification of the spending, with several demanding more details before supporting it. While the White House argues the … Continue reading Republicans want more details on ballroom security funding request

Lawyers for President Joe Biden are expected to challenge the Justice Department’s plan to release redacted audio recordings and transcripts of his 2017 conversations with his book ghostwriter. The material, obtained during a special counsel investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents, is linked to interviews used for his memoir Promise Me, Dad. Biden’s legal team says the recordings were shared with the understanding they would … Continue reading Biden seeks to block DOJ release of 2017 audio, court filing says

Denmark’s King Frederik has asked centre-right politician Troels Lund Poulsen to try to form a new government after outgoing prime minister Mette Frederiksen failed to secure a coalition despite her party winning the most votes in the March election. The Social Democrats had the largest share of votes but still suffered their weakest result in over a century, leaving parliament deeply fragmented. Efforts by Frederiksen … Continue reading Danish rightwing leader asked to form government after Frederiksen fails to form coalition

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the war in Ukraine may be nearing its end, even as he also reiterated Russia’s commitment to achieving its military goals. Speaking after a scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow, he suggested he would be open to negotiating new European security arrangements. Putin blamed Western policies and NATO expansion for the conflict, which began with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. … Continue reading Putin says he thinks Russia-Ukraine war is coming to an end

Australia’s One Nation party has won its first-ever lower-house seat in the federal parliament, with candidate David Farley taking the regional seat of Farrer in New South Wales. The victory, achieved with just over 57% of the vote, is seen as a breakthrough moment for the right-wing populist party and a sign of shifting voter support away from traditional parties. Party leader Pauline Hanson called … Continue reading Australia’s right-wing One Nation party scores historic parliamentary win 

Sir Keir Starmer plans to promise stronger action on major national challenges in a speech aimed at stabilising his leadership after recent heavy election losses. He is under growing pressure from Labour MPs, some of whom are openly questioning his future as leader following poor results in local and national contests. In his address, he is expected to call for more ambitious policies, including closer … Continue reading Starmer to promise bolder action as leadership threats mount

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo at the Vatican City for 45 minutes to discuss the Middle East amid rising tensions between the Trump administration and the pope over the Iran war. The meeting, described as “frank,” focused on peace, humanitarian aid, and religious freedom, and included an exchange of symbolic gifts. Relations between Washington and the Vatican have been strained after President Donald Trump publicly criticized … Continue reading Marco Rubio meets with Pope Leo after Trump’s criticism over Iran war

A US trade court ruled that President Donald Trump’s 10% global tariffs were unlawful, saying they were not justified under the 1974 Trade Act used to impose them. The 2–1 decision sided with small businesses that challenged the tariffs, arguing the administration was bypassing a previous Supreme Court of the United States ruling limiting emergency trade powers. The court found the law Trump cited did not apply to … Continue reading US trade court rules against Trump’s 10% global tariffs

The United States and Iran exchanged fire late Thursday in the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides accusing the other of initiating the latest escalation, though President Donald Trump said a ceasefire still remains in effect. Iran claimed U.S. forces struck an oil tanker, another vessel, and coastal areas, while the U.S. said it responded to Iranian attacks on its naval ships with self-defence strikes. United States Central Command said it destroyed incoming Iranian … Continue reading Trump says US-Iran ceasefire still in place after exchange of fire in Strait

Tennessee lawmakers passed a new congressional map that could eliminate the state’s only Democratic seat, setting up a likely 9–0 Republican delegation. The redistricting targets the 9th District, a majority-Black seat centered in Memphis, Tennessee, prompting concerns about reduced Black voter representation. Republicans say the changes reflect Tennessee’s increasingly conservative electorate, while Democrats argue the map is an example of gerrymandering that suppresses minority voices. The … Continue reading Tennessee passes new congressional map likely to flip final Dem seat as protests erupt

Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders are preparing a contingency plan that emphasizes international law, sovereignty, and freedom of navigation as they meet for an ASEAN summit in the Philippines. The draft declaration also addresses regional risks from the Middle East war, including energy shortages, inflation, and disruptions to global trade. It calls for coordinated measures such as emergency fuel sharing, a regional power grid, and diversified … Continue reading Southeast Asian leaders will reaffirm core values in veiled Mideast war rebuke

President Donald Trump hosted top UFC fighters at the White House to preview an upcoming mixed martial arts event planned for June 14 on the South Lawn. The event is intended to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and will feature championship bouts, including Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane. Trump said the fight card would be a historic, one-time spectacle showcasing … Continue reading UFC stars thank President Trump for transforming the sport with historic White House fight

Former President Barack Obama warned in a televised interview that American democracy is at risk when the Justice Department and other institutions are used for political purposes. Speaking on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” he said the greatest danger is not policy disagreements but the politicization of law enforcement and the use of government power against political opponents. Obama argued that the Justice Department … Continue reading Obama tells Colbert he worries about “politicization of the criminal justice system”

President Donald Trump has promoted a large new White House ballroom as being fully funded by private donors, but new legislation could require up to $1 billion in taxpayer money for related security upgrades. Donald Trump previously said no public funds would be used, but the project now includes extensive security enhancements such as reinforced structures, underground facilities, and bomb shelter elements. Republicans say the … Continue reading Republicans propose $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to secure Trump ballroom

British voters are heading to elections that could deepen political instability for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with his Labour Party expected to suffer major losses in local and regional contests across the U.K. Polls suggest voter frustration over a weak economy, strained public services, and controversial political appointments has turned the vote into a referendum on Starmer’s leadership. Opposition parties, including Reform UK and the … Continue reading Local elections could hasten the exit of Britain’s embattled prime minister

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee about his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, facing accusations from Democrats that he gave inconsistent and misleading accounts. Lawmakers pointed to evidence from the so-called Epstein files suggesting business ties and visits to Epstein’s properties, including a Caribbean island, despite Lutnick previously claiming he cut ties years earlier. Democrats, including Rep. Ro … Continue reading Lutnick’s testimony in Epstein probe earns harsh criticism from House Democrats

House Democrats have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to publicly acknowledge that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, arguing that U.S. policy of ambiguity is no longer sustainable. In a letter led by Rep. Joaquin Castro, 30 lawmakers said the U.S. cannot support military action against Iran over nuclear concerns while refusing to confirm Israel’s own capabilities. They argued that Congress needs clearer information about nuclear … Continue reading Democrats urge Rubio to acknowledge Israel possesses nuclear weapons

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has condemned the spread of a deepfake image showing her in lingerie, saying it was created using artificial intelligence to attack and manipulate her. She posted the altered photo on Facebook alongside criticism of the person who shared it and warned that such content can deceive and harm people. Meloni said she is able to defend herself but emphasized that … Continue reading Italy’s Meloni denounces deepfake photo as a political attack