Hungary's government-sponsored poll, claiming 95% of participants oppose Ukraine's EU accession, has sparked controversy. The poll, with a reported turnout of 29% of eligible voters, has been criticized for potential manipulation, including duplicate voting. Opposition parties dismissed it as propaganda. Despite the low turnout and allegations, Prime...
Kari Lake, a Trump administration official and senior adviser at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), defended her efforts to dismantle Voice of America (VOA) during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. Lake, without evidence, claimed Chinese Communist Party influence over VOA's coverage and suggested prioritizing American journalists,...
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth defended recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming they decimated Iran's nuclear program despite initial intelligence suggesting otherwise. Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, citing AI modeling, asserted the strikes' success, contradicting a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency assessment they labeled as leaked and...
Senate Republicans suffered a setback in their attempt to pass a large tax and spending bill. The Senate parliamentarian rejected a key GOP proposal to alter state Medicaid provider taxes, deeming it non-compliant with fast-track bill rules. This provision aimed to offset tax cuts. Democrats celebrated the ruling,...
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against Medicaid beneficiaries' right to sue over provider choice restrictions, effectively allowing South Carolina to exclude Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program. This decision stems from a 2018 executive order barring abortion providers from receiving Medicaid reimbursements, despite the funds not being used for...
Russia is ramping up production of its Oreshnik hypersonic missile, boasting a range of 3,415 miles and the ability to reach targets across Europe and the western US. President Putin claims it's virtually uninterceptable, a claim disputed by defense analysts. While its range and speed pose challenges, analysts...
EU leaders will meet Thursday to discuss increased sanctions on Russia, counter US tariffs, and address Middle East conflicts. The summit follows a NATO meeting where defense spending increases were agreed upon, despite tensions with President Trump. Ukraine's situation and potential new sanctions on Russia will be key...
Ten years after the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, plaintiff Jim Obergefell reflects on the victory and expresses fear over the current rollback of LGBTQ+ rights. Obergefell's fight stemmed from his late husband's wish to be recognized as married in their home state...
Vietnam has abolished the death penalty for eight crimes, including embezzlement and bribery, through legal reforms passed Wednesday. This impacts the case of Truong My Lan, a real estate tycoon sentenced to death for her role in a massive financial fraud case. Her lawyer stated she's now eligible...
President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth criticized news coverage of a US intelligence report on the Iranian nuclear facility attacks. They claimed the report downplayed the success of the strikes and caused distress among the B-2 pilots involved. Trump asserted the pilots were "devastated" by the reports, while Hegseth...
