Edan Alexander, the last living American held hostage by Hamas, freed from captivity
Edan Alexander, the last living American held hostage by Hamas, was freed from Gaza Monday — more than 19 months after he was taken captive. Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American citizen from New Jersey, was turned over to the Israeli military … Read More
Trump signs executive order to align U.S. drug prices with other countries
May 12 (UPI) — U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in the White House on Monday to reduce drug prices in the United States by between 30% and 80% with the aim of equalizing global prices. The executive … Read More
Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – May 9, 2025
Greetings from Tyler, The white smoke poured out of the Vatican chimney signifying they had chosen a new pope. Forgive me for not capitalizing the title. Having read some of his writings, one can’t help wonder if they chose him to blunt the … Read More
UK’s King Charles lays wreath to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day
Britain’s King Charles and heir to the throne Prince William laid wreaths in Westminster Abbey on Thursday at the culmination of the country’s four days of commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The thanksgiving service … Read More
US and UK agree deal slashing Trump tariffs on cars and metals
The US has agreed to reduce import taxes on a set number of British cars and allow some steel and aluminium into the country tariff-free, as part of a new agreement between the US and UK. The announcement offers relief … Read More
Vatican announces first U.S. pope: Leo XIV
May 8 (UPI) — Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States has been elected the new pope and has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo XIV is the first U.S. pope and the second American pope after Pope … Read More
Trump Ceasefire with Houthis Leaves Israel Alone — or Free — to Face Threat
President Donald Trump’s announcement of a separate ceasefire with Houthi rebels in Yemen took Israel by surprise and left some Israelis feeling abandoned — although it also preserved Israel’s freedom of action. Trump announced the ceasefire with the Iranian-backed rebel … Read More
US, China to launch formal trade talks in Switzerland after tariff onslaught
Senior US and Chinese officials will meet in Switzerland this week to restart stalled trade talks after President Donald Trump’s tariff rollout, both countries said. The discussions mark the first public engagement to ease trade tensions since Trump’s January return … Read More
Ukraine launches more drone attacks at Moscow as China’s President Xi prepares to fly in for Putin’s Victory Day showpiece – while Russia pounds Kyiv in revenge strikes hours before planned ceasefire
Ukraine has targeted Moscow with drones for a third consecutive day as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to host 29 world leaders to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Most of the Russian … Read More
Conservative leader Merz overcomes historic defeat to become Germany’s chancellor
BERLIN (AP) — Conservative leader Friedrich Merz succeeded Tuesday in becoming Germany’s next chancellor, drawing applause and a palpable sense of relief in the parliament chamber after a historic loss in the first round of voting threatened the new government’s … Read More
US Supreme Court allows Trump to enforce transgender military ban
The US Supreme Court temporarily allowed President Donald Trump to enforce his ban on transgender people serving in the military while legal challenges to the policy move forward. Shortly after taking office in January, Trump signed a pair of executive … Read More
India strikes Pakistan as tension between nuclear-armed neighbors following terror attack reaches fever pitch
MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan/NEW DELHI— India said it attacked nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir on Wednesday where strikes against it had been planned, and Pakistan reported at least three people died and 12 were injured, according to an initial assessment. … Read More
U.S. wants to give $1,000 to undocumented immigrants so they will leave the country
Average cost to arrest, detain and remove an unregistered immigrant is more than $17,000, DHS says. May 5 (UPI) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Monday announced an incentive for undocumented immigrants to leave the country: a $1,000 … Read More
Israel may seize all Gaza in expanded operation, officials say
JERUSALEM, May 5 (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday an expanded offensive against Palestinian militant group Hamas would be “intensive” after his security cabinet approved plans that may include seizing the Gaza Strip and controlling aid. … Read More
Oil prices plunge to multi-year low as OPEC+ plans to accelerate production hikes
Crude oil prices fell to a multi-year low on Monday as OPEC+ confirmed plans to continue unwinding production cuts, accelerating output increases in June. The move is expected to exacerbate a market surplus amid weakening demand driven by escalating US-China … Read More