Politics

At least four people died and 20 were injured during overnight Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, according to local officials. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported Friday morning that search and rescue operations continued across multiple locations, with 16 wounded individuals hospitalized. Ukrainian authorities stated that Russian forces launched 407 drones and 45 missiles, including cruise and ballistic types. Ukraine's defense systems successfully destroyed approximately 200 drones and 30 missiles. The attack created widespread fear and destruction across the capital. Multiple explosions echoed through Kyiv as falling debris sparked fires in several districts while air defense systems worked to intercept incoming projectiles, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Administration. "Our air defence crews are doing everything possible. But we must protect one another – stay safe," Tkachenko wrote on Telegram. Ukraine's human rights chief, […]

China has issued a stern warning to the United States following comments by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a major security summit in Singapore, where he characterized China as a regional threat. At the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, Hegseth stated that China was "credibly preparing" for military action that could alter Asia's power dynamics, specifically alleging that Beijing was rehearsing a potential invasion of Taiwan. The comments triggered an immediate response from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which emphasized that Taiwan is an internal Chinese matter and cautioned foreign nations against exploiting the issue. China considers Taiwan, which governs itself independently, to be part of its territory and has committed to reunification by force if necessary. Taiwan's government disputes Beijing's sovereignty claims, maintaining that only Taiwan's residents can determine their future. "The US should not entertain illusions about using the […]

President Donald Trump announced the US will increase tariff rates on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%, effective Wednesday. Speaking at a Pittsburgh rally Friday, Trump said the measure would strengthen the local steel industry and national supply while reducing dependence on China. He also revealed that $14bn would be invested in regional steel production through a US Steel-Nippon Steel partnership, though he later told reporters the final deal remained under review. The announcement represents another shift in Trump's tariff strategy since returning to office in January. "There will be no layoffs and no outsourcing whatsoever, and every US steelworker will soon receive a well-deserved $5,000 bonus," Trump told the crowd of steelworkers to enthusiastic applause. Steelworkers had expressed concern about how Japan would honor union contracts regulating pay and hiring under the US-Japan trade arrangement. Trump claimed […]

China's Defence Minister Dong Jun was notably absent from this weekend's Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier security forum, marking the first time since 2019 that Beijing has not sent its defence minister to the high-level event. Instead of Dong, China dispatched a delegation of lower-ranking representatives to the annual gathering at Singapore's Shangri-La Hotel. The absence occurred during heightened tensions between China and the United States, raising questions about Beijing's diplomatic strategy. The no-show meant no face-to-face meeting between Dong and his US counterpart, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, who delivered pointed warnings about China's military intentions during his address to delegates. "It has to be clear to all that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific," Hegseth told the forum, citing China's military drills around Taiwan and […]

President Donald Trump has accused China of violating an agreement to reduce tariffs and trade restrictions on critical minerals, claiming Beijing was in "grave economic danger" before he negotiated a deal earlier this month. Writing on Truth Social Friday evening, Trump stated he made a "fast deal" with China for both nations to suspend triple-digit tariffs for 90 days to "save" Beijing from a "very bad situation." Trump claimed his tariffs of up to 145 percent on Chinese imports had made it "virtually impossible" for China to trade with the US, leading to factory closures and "civil unrest" in the country. "China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH the US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!" Trump wrote. The president did not specify how China violated the agreement made following Geneva trade talks in […]

President Donald Trump has announced that Canada would need to pay $61 billion to participate in his proposed Golden Dome missile defense system "if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation." In a TruthSocial post, Trump stated that Canada "very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System" and would receive free access by joining the United States. According to Trump, participation would cost Canada "ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State," adding "They are considering the offer!" Trump's comments followed Canada's parliament hosting King Charles III for a rare royal address emphasizing Canadian sovereignty during "dangerous and uncertain" times, amid ongoing pressure from the US president for Canada to join America. After the royal speech, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated to CBC that Canada hopes to join ReArm Europe by July 1 to […]

Elon Musk has publicly criticized a key policy initiative from Donald Trump, creating a notable rift with the president he helped secure re-election in 2024. The US House of Representatives narrowly approved Trump's legislation last week, which the president describes as his "big, beautiful" bill. The package includes multi-trillion-dollar tax breaks and increased defense spending commitments before heading to the Senate. In an interview with CBS News, Musk expressed disappointment with the plan, stating it "undermines" his cost-cutting efforts for the administration. The tech billionaire had served as Trump's appointed efficiency leader, working to eliminate various government expenditures, including foreign aid programs, before recently announcing his intention to step back from the role. "I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly," Musk told CBS Sunday Morning in a preview clip released by the broadcaster. He argued that Trump's […]

Contradictory reports have emerged regarding a potential Gaza ceasefire agreement, with Hamas claiming acceptance of a US proposal while American officials strongly dispute the characterization. According to Al Jazeera sources, Hamas agreed to a ceasefire proposal during meetings with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Doha, Qatar. The reported deal includes a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living captives held in Gaza across two stages, with President Trump guaranteeing the terms and Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. The agreement would also allow unconditional humanitarian aid entry from day one. However, Witkoff rejected claims that Hamas had accepted his proposal, telling Reuters the terms were "completely unacceptable." A US source close to Witkoff described Hamas's claims as "inaccurate" and their offer as "disappointing." Israeli officials also denied that the proposal originated from the US, stating no Israeli government […]

North Korea has condemned the United States' planned "Golden Dome" missile defense system, warning it could transform "outer space into a potential nuclear war field." The futuristic defense system, which President Donald Trump aims to deploy by the end of his term, is designed to counter "next-generation" aerial threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles targeting the US. Pyongyang's foreign ministry denounced the plan as representing "the height of self-righteousness [and] arrogance," according to state media reports. North Korean officials accused Washington of being "hell-bent... to militarise outer space" and cautioned that the initiative might trigger "a global nuclear and space arms race." Given North Korea's adversarial relationship with Washington and its routine condemnation of US-South Korea joint military exercises, Pyongyang likely views the Golden Dome as a threat that could "significantly weaken" its nuclear capabilities, according to Hong Min, a […]

Donald Trump has described Vladimir Putin as "crazy" following Russia's largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began. The US president posted on Truth Social: "Something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely crazy. He is needlessly killing a lot of people." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized this as "a very important moment which is connected to an emotional overload of everyone involved" but maintained Putin was making decisions "necessary for the security" of Russia. Russia launched 355 drones and nine cruise missiles against Ukraine between Sunday evening and Monday morning, according to Kyiv's air force. Ukrainian officials confirmed this was the largest drone attack since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said "only a sense of total impunity" could enable Russia to "carry out such strikes and continue increasing their scale." Kyiv […]