China’s Nuclear Expansion Raises Arms Control Concerns as Pentagon Report Warns of Growing Military Ambitions 
U.S., Europe, Ukraine Hold Productive Florida Talks on Ending Russia-Ukraine War 
US and Japan Fast-Track $550 Billion Strategic Investment Initiative 
U.S. Pledges Maximum Sanctions on Venezuela Amid Rising Global Tensions 
Justice Department Restores Trump Photo in Epstein Files After Review Clears Image 
Niigata Set to Approve Restart of Japan’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant in Major Energy Shift 
Democratic Attorneys General Sue Trump Administration Over Proposed Limits on Gender-Affirming Care for Youth 
US Coast Guard Intensifies Operations Against Venezuelan Oil and Drug Trafficking Networks 
Trump Announces Ambitious Plan for New U.S. Navy Super Battleships 
U.S. Signs $2.3 Billion Global Health MOUs With Four African Nations 
Mexico Antitrust Review of Viva Aerobus–Volaris Deal Signals Growth for Airline Sector 
NSW Parliament Recalled After Bondi Beach Shooting to Debate Stricter Gun Laws and Protest Limits 
U.S. Coast Guard Faces Resource Strain as It Pursues Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker 
Najib Razak Awaits Court Rulings in 1MDB Case as Malaysia’s Anti-Graft Drive Faces Test 
Netanyahu to Raise Iran Nuclear Concerns in Upcoming Meeting With Trump 
Federal Judge Upholds Trump Administration’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee 
Top US and Russian officials will meet Tuesday in Riyadh for critical talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. This meeting, featuring US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, marks a shift from the Biden administration's approach, which avoided direct engagement with Moscow. The talks follow a recent call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, sparking urgency among European leaders who gathered in Paris to strengthen defense and support Ukraine.
European leaders, including Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, emphasized the need for Europe to enhance defense efforts and collaborate with the US to ensure Ukraine’s security. Trump, who has pledged to end the war swiftly, is pushing for potential peace talks, though Ukraine insists no agreements can be made without its involvement.
The Riyadh meeting aims to assess Russia’s willingness to negotiate, with the Kremlin indicating broader discussions on US-Russia relations and potential trade cooperation. Trump’s administration, praised by Russia’s sovereign wealth fund head Kirill Dmitriev for its problem-solving approach, seeks to explore options for de-escalation.
Riyadh, already facilitating US-Moscow dialogues, recently brokered a prisoner swap, underscoring its diplomatic role. The meeting also raises questions about Europe’s strategy to engage with Washington, particularly after Trump’s unexpected outreach to Putin. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed willingness to deploy peacekeeping troops, contingent on US security commitments.
As Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg prepares to visit Kyiv, the world watches closely, anticipating whether these talks will pave the way for a Trump-Putin summit and a potential resolution to the prolonged conflict.
