Politics

Monday brought dramatic developments to Russia as President Vladimir Putin dismissed Transport Minister Roman Starovoit, only for the former minister to be found dead with a gunshot wound to the head that same afternoon. Starovoit's body was discovered in a park near Moscow alongside a pistol. Investigators concluded he had taken his own life, marking what the tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets called "an almost unique occurrence in Russian history." Such incidents are exceptionally rare in Russia's modern era. The last comparable case occurred over three decades ago in August 1991, when Soviet Interior Minister Boris Pugo shot himself following the failed communist coup. The Kremlin has provided limited comment on Starovoit's death. When asked about the incident, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the shock, stating "Normal people cannot but be shocked by this. Of course, this shocked us, too." He deferred […]

President Donald Trump has criticized former ally Elon Musk's announcement of launching a new political party, calling it "ridiculous" and intensifying their ongoing dispute. The world's richest man was previously closely aligned with Trump while heading the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but their relationship deteriorated over disagreements regarding the president's major tax and spending legislation. "I think it's ridiculous to start a third party," Trump told reporters Sunday before boarding Air Force One from his New Jersey golf club. "It's always been a two-party system, and I think starting a third party just adds to the confusion. Third parties have never worked. So he can have fun with it, but I think it's ridiculous." On Saturday, South African-born Musk announced plans to establish the America Party, challenging what he characterized as the "one-party system" in the United States. […]

Growing hopes for a Gaza ceasefire announcement emerge as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets US President Donald Trump in Washington after 21 months of conflict. Trump previously stated he had been "very firm" with Netanyahu about ending the war, expressing confidence that "we'll have a deal" this week. Netanyahu responded before his departure, saying, "We are working to achieve the deal that has been discussed, under the conditions we have agreed. I believe that the conversation with President Trump can definitely help advance this outcome." Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas resumed Sunday evening in Qatar, focusing on a US-sponsored proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and hostage release agreement. However, fundamental disagreements that have consistently prevented previous agreements remain unresolved. Palestinians enduring dire conditions amid continuing bombardment express only cautious optimism. Nabil Abu Dayah, who fled northern Gaza with […]

President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on countries that align with BRICS alliance policies opposing US interests. Trump has consistently criticized BRICS, an organization including China, Russia, and India, designed to enhance member countries' international standing and challenge US and Western European influence. "Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy," Trump posted on social media. Originally set for July 9, the deadline for countries to negotiate tariff agreements with the US has been extended to August 1, according to US officials. The US has secured trade agreements only with the UK and Vietnam so far. However, Britain and America remain deadlocked over taxes on UK steel imports to the US. Since January, Trump has announced multiple import […]

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that the entire region and beyond will face consequences if Israel is not held accountable for its recent attacks on Iran. Speaking at the BRICS summit in Brazil, Araghchi condemned what he described as "US-Israeli attacks on our nuclear facilities," stating they violated the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed Iran's peaceful nuclear program in 2015. He accused the United States of full complicity in what he termed "Israel's war of aggression against Iran." Iran secured support from BRICS+ nations during their meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, with the bloc condemning recent Israeli and US air strikes that targeted military, nuclear and other Iranian facilities. The 11-nation grouping declared the attacks "constitute a violation of international law." "We condemn the military strikes against the Islamic Republic […]

Billionaire Elon Musk has announced the formation of a new political party following President Donald Trump's signing of controversial budget legislation known as the "One Big, Beautiful Bill." Musk declared the creation of the "America Party" on X Saturday, stating it would "give back" Americans their freedom and challenge what he described as the nation's "one-party system." The announcement followed a poll Musk posted Friday asking whether respondents wanted "independence from the two-party (some would say uni-party) system" that has dominated US politics for approximately two centuries. The survey received over 1.2 million responses. "By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!" Musk wrote Saturday. "When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy. Today, the America Party is […]

Hamas has delivered what it calls a "positive response" to mediators regarding the latest US proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement. The Palestinian armed group announced Friday night that it was "seriously ready to enter immediately into a round of negotiations" but did not confirm acceptance of the specific terms. A senior Palestinian official informed the BBC that Hamas requested several modifications, including ending a US-backed aid distribution system and obtaining US guarantees that warfare would not resume if negotiations failed. Israel's government has not issued a statement. President Donald Trump, who said he had not been briefed on the details, described Hamas's positive response as "good" and told reporters aboard Air Force One that "there could be a Gaza deal next week." The timing appears significant as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit […]