Pentagon to Halt Ivy League Programs for U.S. Military Officers Starting 2026 
Israel Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran After Death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei 
Philippines, U.S., and Japan Conduct Joint Naval Drills in South China Sea to Boost Maritime Security 
Russia Signals Openness to U.S. Security Guarantees for Ukraine at Geneva Peace Talks 
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Meets President Trump to Tackle Housing Crisis and ICE Detentions 
Macron Urges Emergency UN Security Council Meeting as US-Israel Strikes on Iran Escalate Middle East Tensions 
Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions Escalate as Taliban Offer Talks After Airstrikes 
Germany and China Reaffirm Open Trade and Strategic Partnership in Landmark Beijing Visit 
Netanyahu Suggests Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei May Have Been Killed in Israeli-U.S. Strikes 
Venezuela Oil Exports to Reach $2 Billion Under U.S.-Led Supply Agreement 
Israel Declares State of Emergency as Iran Launches Missile Attacks 
U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Show Progress but No Breakthrough Amid Rising Military Tensions 
ICE Hiring Surge Raises Vetting Concerns Amid Rapid Expansion 
Trump Launches Operation Epic Fury: U.S. Strikes on Iran Mark High-Risk Shift in Middle East 
Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in Israeli, U.S. Strikes: Reuters 
Trump Warns Iran as Gulf Conflict Disrupts Oil Markets and Global Trade 
Federal Judge Blocks Virginia Social Media Age Verification Law Over First Amendment Concerns 
The United Kingdom expressed confidence that its plan regarding Northern Ireland would not violate any international laws. This comes as the British government plans to introduce legislation that will address the problems caused by the arrangements made when the UK left the European Union on trade with Northern Ireland.
According to Reuters, Europe minister James Cleverly said Thursday that the government’s plan related to Northern Ireland will not violate any international laws. Legislation is expected to be introduced that will unilaterally solve the problems coming from the arrangements on trading with Northern Ireland when the UK left the EU.
The legislation is set to be brought to parliament amidst the ongoing dispute among lawmakers about the Northern Ireland protocol, which plays a major role in the post-Brexit trade and was agreed upon when the UK left the bloc.
The protocol aims to keep Northern Ireland in both the UK’s customs territory and the EU’s single market for goods.
“The government is confident that our actions are lawful under international law and in line with long-standing convention we do not set out internal legal deliberations,” Cleverly told parliament.
The UK has criticized the implementation of the trade rules under the protocol, citing that some businesses in the country are unable to send goods to Northern Ireland.
The UK government said the situation would undermine the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. However, the EU as well as the United States, have insisted that it is important to stick to the agreement.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday that he intends to ease the tax burden after the increase caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and that he plans to introduce supply-side reforms to lower costs for households, businesses, and the government.
“The overall burden of taxation is now very high. And sooner or later – and I would much rather it was sooner than later – that burden must come down,” said Johnson in his remarks at northwest England.
“Over the next few weeks, this government will be setting out reforms to help people cut costs in every area of household expenditure,” added Johnson, citing food, energy, the cost of childcare, as well as transportation, and housing.
