Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Honduras Awaits Final Election Results as Asfura Holds Slim Lead Amid U.S. Attention 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Trump’s New U.S. Strategy Seeks to Deter China and Protect Taiwan 
CFPB to Review Anti-Discrimination Policies and Fair Lending Rules Amid Policy Shift 
Putin and U.S. Envoy Witkoff Hold “Truly Friendly” Talks as Ukraine Peace Efforts Intensify 
Trump Backs Review of U.S. Childhood Vaccine Schedule After Hepatitis B Policy Change 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Cuba Quietly Signals Openness to Post-Maduro Venezuela as U.S. Pressure Intensifies 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the U.S. will send weapons to Ukraine via NATO, with the alliance covering 100% of the costs. Trump also hinted at a "major statement" on Russia set for Monday, as tensions escalate over Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
In an NBC News interview, Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin over the stalled progress in ending the conflict and confirmed that NATO would act as the intermediary for U.S. weapons transfers to Kyiv. Under the plan, arms from U.S. stockpiles will be delivered to NATO, which will then supply them to Ukraine. The arrangement is backed by the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which enables emergency military aid from U.S. reserves.
This marks the first time since returning to office that Trump has authorized direct military aid to Ukraine, following previous reliance on packages initiated under former President Joe Biden. Sources say the package, potentially worth $300 million, may include Patriot missiles and medium-range rockets, though final decisions are pending.
On the same day, Russia launched a massive drone and missile assault on Kyiv, killing two and injuring 26. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said around 400 drones and 18 missiles were used, calling it "nightly terror."
Meanwhile, Zelenskiy attended a Ukraine reconstruction summit in Rome, where over $12 billion was pledged by global allies, including €2.3 billion from the European Commission. Zelenskiy urged countries to utilize frozen Russian assets for rebuilding and invest in joint defense initiatives.
In Malaysia, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, urging Moscow to outline a clear path toward ending the war. Rubio also said the Trump administration is working with Congress on potential new sanctions against Russia.
