President-elect Donald Trump is considering Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as a potential replacement for Pete Hegseth, his current nominee for Secretary of Defense. This development arises amid concerns over Hegseth's ability to secure Senate confirmation due to allegations of sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is daring his critics to "cancel" him after expressing his willingness to collaborate with President Trump and his newly appointed Border Czar, Tom Homan, on addressing the issue of illegal immigration, particularly focusing on the deportation of criminal aliens.
China announced Tuesday a ban on exporting certain minerals and metals to the U.S., escalating the ongoing trade and tech war. The targeted materials—germanium, gallium, antimony, and superhard substances—are vital for manufacturing semiconductors, batteries, and military hardware.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed a growing interest in peace negotiations with Russia, reportedly considering a deal that would trade NATO membership for the surrender of Russian-occupied territories.
A new federal complaint filed in the Central District of California alleges that Shenghua Wen and unnamed co-conspirators "successfully exported at least two shipments of firearms and ammunition to North Korea by concealing the items inside shipping containers that were shipped from Long Beach, California, through Hong Kong, China, to North Korea."
Iran reportedly paused plans for a retaliatory attack on Israel following President-elect Donald Trump’s November victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The New York Times reported that Iranian officials adopted a more diplomatic tone after the election, including halting military escalation and engaging in cease-fire discussions with regional actors.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte cautioned President-elect Donald Trump against brokering a Ukraine-Russia peace deal that could favor Moscow. Rutte expressed concerns that such an agreement could embolden adversaries like China, Iran, and North Korea, creating long-term security risks for both Europe and the United States.
Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday killed at least 14 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to medics, as the military continued its operations against Hamas in the densely populated enclave. The strikes primarily targeted the northern town of Beit Lahiya, where eight people were reported killed, with additional casualties in Gaza City and Jabalia, a refugee camp in northern Gaza.
President Joe Biden’s unconditional pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, has ignited political and legal controversies, with critics labeling it unprecedented. The sweeping pardon covers over a decade of potential legal infractions, including activities dating back to Hunter’s involvement with Burisma in Ukraine during Biden’s vice presidency. By shielding his son from further legal scrutiny, Biden also circumvents potential inquiries into his own actions.
