Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed openness to further peace talks with Ukraine but emphasized that Russian forces are advancing along the entire front. His comments followed a deadly missile strike on Kyiv and came amid U.S. threats of new sanctions if a ceasefire isn’t reached soon. Putin reiterated demands Ukraine sees as surrender—neutrality and recognition of occupied territories. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he’s ready … Continue reading Putin not swayed by Trump’s Ukraine war ultimatum

The Senate reached an agreement Friday to advance three fiscal 2026 spending bills, ending a days-long stalemate. The deal combines the Military Construction-VA and Agriculture-FDA bills into a package, while a third bill funding Congress will be voted on separately at the request of Sen. John Kennedy. Votes are expected to begin Friday afternoon. Although the full set of 12 annual appropriations bills won’t be … Continue reading Senate unlocks ‘minibus’ deal, prepares to advance three spending bills

South Korea’s jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol refused questioning by investigators on Friday by removing his prison uniform and lying on the floor of his cell. Yoon, ousted in April for declaring martial law, is on trial for rebellion and faces further investigations into election-related misconduct involving him and his wife. Despite a court-issued warrant, investigators did not forcibly remove him due to safety … Continue reading South Korea’s jailed ex-leader Yoon resists questioning by taking off his clothes and lying on the floor

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned a ruling by the EU’s top court that tightens rules on how member states can designate countries as “safe” for rejecting asylum seekers. The Court of Justice of the EU said such designations must be justified with public data and apply to all regions and populations of a country. The ruling challenges Italy’s practice of repatriating migrants to countries … Continue reading Meloni fumes as EU top court makes it harder to reject asylum-seekers

El Salvador’s legislature, dominated by President Nayib Bukele’s New Ideas party, approved constitutional changes on Thursday allowing indefinite presidential reelection and extending presidential terms from five to six years. The reform also eliminates the second round of voting in presidential elections. Bukele, already reelected despite a prior constitutional ban, has faced growing criticism over his consolidation of power since 2021, when his party removed top … Continue reading El Salvador approves indefinite presidential reelection and extends terms to 6 years

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigned Thursday amid investigations into his business dealings that sparked protests in the capital. Paluckas, leader of the Social Democrats, faced media scrutiny and probes over alleged past misconduct, including an unpaid fine related to a 2012 corruption case. His entire cabinet is expected to step down, leaving the government in limbo just weeks before joint Russian-Belarus military exercises, NBC … Continue reading Lithuania Prime Minister steps down after investigations and protests

A newly declassified annex to the 2023 Durham report reveals memos suggesting Hillary Clinton approved a plan to “smear Donald Trump” by exaggerating the Russia scandal during the 2016 election. The annex also suggests the plan aimed to distract from Clinton’s email controversy. The report criticized the FBI’s handling of the Russia investigation, calling it “seriously flawed,” KEPR TV has reported. White House Press Secretary … Continue reading Newly declassified documents reveal Clinton’s alleged plan to smear Trump in 2016

The White House criticized former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday, blaming her for renewed efforts to ban lawmakers from trading stocks. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed to Pelosi’s wealth and her husband’s successful investments, claiming it raises concerns about insider trading. The remarks followed President Trump’s accusation that Pelosi enriched herself through inside information. Pelosi denied wrongdoing, saying she supports a trading ban to … Continue reading Trump backs stock trading ban so lawmakers like Pelosi can’t continue ‘ripping off’ constituents, WH claims

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has urged 17 major pharmaceutical companies to cut U.S. drug prices within 60 days, threatening aggressive action if they fail to comply. In letters to companies like Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson, Trump demanded they offer Americans the same low prices they provide in other developed countries, particularly for Medicaid and Medicare patients. He also called for … Continue reading Trump says he asked 17 drugmakers to take steps to cut U.S. prices within 60 days

The White House announced Thursday that construction will begin in September on a new $200 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom, set to be completed before President Donald Trump’s term ends in early 2029. It will be the first structural addition to the Executive Mansion since the Truman Balcony in 1948. The ballroom, which will seat up to 650 guests, will be built near the East Wing without … Continue reading White House announces new $200M ballroom