Ukraine-Russia Talks Yield Major POW Swap as U.S. Pushes for Path to Peace 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
Marco Rubio Steps Down as Acting U.S. Archivist Amid Federal Law Limits 
NATO to Discuss Strengthening Greenland Security Amid Arctic Tensions 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman Face Major Hurdles Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Nighttime Shelling Causes Serious Damage in Russia’s Belgorod Region Near Ukraine Border 
Newly Released DOJ Epstein Files Expose High-Profile Connections Across Politics and Business 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Norway Opens Corruption Probe Into Former PM and Nobel Committee Chair Thorbjoern Jagland Over Epstein Links 
U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday 
The United Arab Emirates is reportedly facilitating secret backchannel talks between Syria and Israel, focusing on intelligence-sharing and regional security coordination, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. These indirect discussions began shortly after Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa’s April 13 visit to the UAE. While Syrian and regional officials confirmed the existence of this communication channel, the UAE has denied any involvement, calling reports of mediation "categorically false."
The talks, involving UAE officials, Syrian intelligence agents, and former Israeli operatives, are said to address counterterrorism issues but exclude military activity related to Israeli operations in Syria. President Sharaa acknowledged in Paris that indirect negotiations via mediators were underway, aimed at reducing Israeli interference in Syria’s internal affairs and airspace violations.
This initiative comes amid escalating tensions, including recent Israeli airstrikes near the Syrian presidential palace. Israel says the strikes were in response to threats against Druze communities, a minority group in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. Syria has condemned the attacks as foreign aggression and emphasized its efforts to unify the nation after 14 years of civil war.
Syria’s new leadership has signaled a desire to de-escalate with Israel, detaining two senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad members and stating in a letter to the U.S. that Syria will not pose a threat to any country, including Israel.
The UAE’s 2020 normalization of relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords makes it a strategic intermediary in the absence of direct Syria-Israel relations. Despite internal sectarian challenges, including Sunni-Druze clashes and Alawite killings, Sharaa continues to pledge national unity under a centralized command.
These developments reflect shifting regional dynamics as Syria’s Islamist-led government seeks broader acceptance and stability.
