Zelenskiy Praises Positive Talks With U.S. Envoys as Ukraine Peace Efforts Regain Momentum 
Putin Says Ukraine War Could End Through Compromise as Russian Forces Continue Advances 
Xi Jinping Visits North Korea as Kim Jong Un Strengthens Position with Russia and Nuclear Expansion 
Peru Presidential Election Too Close to Call as Ipsos Quick Count Shows Statistical Tie 
Canada-Indonesia Trade Pact Gains Momentum as Carney and Prabowo Discuss Economic Cooperation 
MOL Gets More Time to Negotiate Acquisition of Russian-Owned Stake in Serbia’s NIS 
France, Allies Prepare Coordinated Sanctions Over West Bank Settler Violence 
Trump Says Iran Sanctions and Frozen Assets Will Remain Until Peace Deal Is Reached 
US Approves $1.5 Billion Seahawk Helicopter Sale to New Zealand Amid Defense Spending Surge 
Gaza Ceasefire Talks Resume as Israeli Strike Kills Seven Palestinians 
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan Suspended as Member States Consider Removal 
Trump Urges Restraint as Israel-Iran Tensions Threaten Fragile Peace Talks 
US-Iran Gulf Clash Raises Oil Market and Defense Stock Concerns 
Russian Strikes Kill Five in Ukraine’s Kherson Region as Border Attacks Continue 
Starmer Hosts Zelenskiy, Macron and Merz for Ukraine Peace and Security Talks in London 
Trump Lawyers Face Scrutiny After Missing Deadline in $10 Billion BBC Defamation Lawsuit 
Peru Election 2026: Sanchez Takes Narrow Lead Over Fujimori 
U.S. President Donald Trump has officially nominated Todd Blanche to serve as the next U.S. attorney general, elevating his former personal lawyer to lead the Department of Justice. The nomination, submitted to the U.S. Senate on Monday, comes after Blanche has served as acting attorney general since April 2026.
The move highlights Trump’s confidence in Blanche, a longtime ally who previously represented him in several high-profile criminal cases. However, the nomination is expected to face intense scrutiny in the Senate, where Republicans hold a narrow 53-47 majority. Blanche will likely need strong support from nearly all Republican senators to secure confirmation.
Blanche’s nomination follows controversy surrounding a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund intended for victims of what Trump described as government “weaponization.” The plan faced bipartisan opposition, with lawmakers criticizing both the proposal and Blanche’s role in advancing it. Republican senators ultimately pushed the Justice Department to abandon the initiative before approving funding tied to Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts.
Several Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about Blanche’s leadership. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has previously questioned his handling of the weaponization fund and the Justice Department’s criminal case involving former FBI Director James Comey.
Despite the criticism, Trump has praised Blanche for aggressively pursuing investigations and legal actions against individuals and organizations viewed as political opponents. During his tenure as acting attorney general, Blanche oversaw renewed legal actions involving Comey and approved charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley endorsed the nomination, describing Blanche as committed to transparency and public safety. In contrast, the committee’s top Democrat, Senator Dick Durbin, sharply criticized the selection, accusing the Trump administration of undermining ethical standards within the federal government.
Blanche assumed leadership of the Justice Department after Trump dismissed former Attorney General Pam Bondi in April. Before joining the administration, Blanche worked as a federal prosecutor in New York and later became one of Trump’s most prominent legal defenders. His confirmation battle is expected to become a major political test of Trump’s influence over Senate Republicans in 2026.
