News of the World

[kyonides]

NORTH AMERICA

Multiple Dead After Car Plows Through Vancouver Festival: What To Know

At least nine people were killed and more than 20 others injured when a man drove into a crowd at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver on Saturday.

A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene and Vancouver Police Department's major crime section is overseeing an investigation into the incident.

The Context

The Lapu Lapu Festival is a yearly Filipino Canadian celebration named after an Indigenous resistance fighter who fought against Spanish colonization in the 1500s. Advertised as a block party in southern Vancouver, the event took place on Fraser Street.

Vancouver had more than 38,600 residents of Filipino heritage in 2021, representing 5.9 percent of the city's total population, according to Statistics Canada.

What To Know

The vehicle entered the street at 8:14 p.m. on Saturday and struck numerous people attending the festival, the Vancouver Police Department said.

Video of the aftermath showed the dead and injured strewn along a narrow street lined by food trucks. The front of the driver's vehicle was smashed in.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said at a press conference on Sunday: "Nine people were killed and more than 20 were injured in what the Vancouver police are describing as a car ramming attack.

"An investigation is ongoing to determine how and why this horrific attack occurred. Authorities have confirmed one person is custody and it is believed they acted alone."

Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai said that the suspect was arrested after initially being apprehended by bystanders. He added that the suspect was a "lone male" who was "known to police in certain circumstances."

The police department also said on Sunday: "At this time, we are confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism."

Witness Carayn Nulada said that she pulled her granddaughter and grandson off the street and used her body to shield them from the vehicle. She said her daughter had suffered a narrow escape.

It's extremely curious how the leftists always portray the perpetrators as lone wolves, even if they intentionally try to kill as many people as possible, as if they were strictly following a very specific ideology.

Rubio Defends Trump's Canada as 51st State Comments Amid Trade Tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended President Donald Trump's repeated suggestions and interest in annexing Canada during a Sunday interview on NBC News' Meet the Press.
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Trump has publicly called for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state multiple times throughout his 2024 campaign and since taking office on January 20. The comments have escalated tensions between the longtime allies, particularly as they come alongside new tariffs on Canadian imports.

What To Know
The origin of Trump's Canada annexation comments appears to trace back to conversations with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
When pushed by host Kristen Welker on whether the U.S. still wants to make Canada the 51st state, Rubio replied, "I think the president has stated repeatedly he thinks Canada would be better off as a state," adding that these comments stemmed from what "the previous prime minister" told Trump about Canada's trade relationship with the United States.

According to Rubio, Trudeau suggested Canada "couldn't survive as a nation-state" if the U.S. imposed tariffs on Canadian imports, to which Trump reportedly responded that Canada "should become a state."

Trump's 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports, plus the 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy imports, began in early March. On March 12, Trump then implemented 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

The Trump Administration on April 5 imposed a 10 percent baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S., invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to address the national emergency posed by the persistent trade deficit.

Roberts, Gorsuch Join Liberal Justices in Supreme Court Immigration Ruling

In a narrow 5-4 decision on Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled that immigrants who agree to leave the U.S. voluntarily are entitled to deadline flexibility when the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday.

Why It Matters
The ruling came in the case of Hugo Abisai Monsalvo Velázquez, a Mexican national who entered the country illegally as a teenager and lived in Colorado for nearly 20 years before receiving a removal order in 2021. The case was argued in November 2024, shortly after President Donald Trump's re-election and amid a renewed focus on immigration enforcement.

What To Know
Writing for the majority, conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch stated that standard legal principles apply, meaning a Saturday deadline to depart the country should extend to the next business day. He was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts, also a conservative, and the court's three liberal justices.
"Here, as elsewhere, the term 'days' operates to extend a deadline that falls on a weekend or legal holiday to the next business day," Gorsuch wrote in the opinion.

The remaining four conservative justices dissented, arguing that the Court should have left the matter to a lower court to decide whether federal courts have jurisdiction in this case.

Justice Samuel Alito also wrote in a dissent joined by Justice Brett Kavanaugh that the there is "no justification" in finding that Monsalvo Velázquez was entitled to a two-day extension.

What People Are Saying

Gorsuch, in the Supreme Court's majority opinion: "Who is right on this question of statutory interpretation matters greatly to people like Mr. Monsalvo. Not only does it affect the time one may have to reopen immigration proceedings. As we have seen, it also affects an individual's exposure to detention, removal, and fines, and carries with it serious ramifications for his ability to seek lawful status for years into the future."

Alito, in a dissenting opinion: "The Court is sympathetic to petitioner's plight, but the relevant statutory provision sets a deadline, and no matter how such a deadline is calculated, there will always be those who happen to miss it by a day or so."

What Happens Next

The Court's ruling reversed a decision made by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case was remanded for further proceedings consistent with the Court's opinion.

EUROPE

Ukrainian Resistance Blows Up Railway in Occupied Territory

Pro-Ukrainian partisans said on Sunday they had "destroyed" equipment along a railway running through the eastern Ukrainian Luhansk region, in the latest of claimed attacks by Kyiv-aligned operatives against Russia.

Why It Matters

Russia annexed Luhansk, along with the neighboring Donetsk region and southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Oblasts, in fall 2022. Luhansk and Donetsk collectively make up the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, the country's traditional industrial heartland.

Moscow had seized Crimea, to the south of mainland Ukraine, from Kyiv in 2014 as it backed pro-Kremlin separatists in the Donbas.

Russia's grip on these five regions is not internationally recognized.

What To Know

Atesh, a pro-Ukrainian partisan group active in Crimea and other parts of Russian-controlled Ukrainian territory, said on Sunday its members had "destroyed" transformer equipment along the railway used by Russian troops to transport troops and supplies close to the town of Stanytsia Luhanska.

The town sits northeast of the regional capital, Luhansk City, roughly 11 miles west of internationally recognized Russian territory.

Russia controls the vast majority of Luhansk.

The "successful sabotage" disrupted Russian logistics and caused delays in Moscow's deliveries of equipment and spare parts, the partisans said.

Russia Set To Deploy Motorbikes in Anti-Drone Summer Offensive: ISW

Russia could be preparing to widely use motorbikes in front-line assaults in the next few months in a bid to dodge Ukrainian drones targeting armored vehicles, according to a new analysis.

Why It Matters

Information coming from the front lines has long suggested Russia is using civilian vehicles in assaults on Ukrainian positions, including motorbikes and golf buggies.

Large—and often slow—armored vehicles and tanks are easier targets for the hundreds of drones buzzing around close to the hotspots of battle each day.

What To Know

Russia is likely gearing up to "systematically integrate motorcycle usage" into its attacks along the Ukrainian battlefront for the summer and into the fall, the U.S.-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which tracks daily changes to the frontline, said in its latest analysis.

Russia's Defense Ministry published a brief clip on Saturday it said showed paratroopers at a training ground learning to "seize strongholds on cross-country motorbikes."

The soldiers were grouped in pairs and threes to practice "offensive and defensive" tactics, the Russian government said.

The footage likely showed soldiers belonging to Russia's 299th Regiment of paratroopers, and highlighted that Moscow could be preparing to "issue an increased number of motorcycles to Russian personnel in Ukraine," the ISW said.

Putin Says Kursk Taken Back, General Admits Deploying North Korean Troops

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Moscow has claimed its forces have retaken the Kursk region, but Kyiv has denied any such gains. Meanwhile, a top Russian military official has admitted for the first time to deploying North Koreans into Ukraine.
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Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on a potential peace deal have grown increasingly frayed over the past few weeks, starting with a major blow-up in the Oval Office between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and culminated this week in Trump suggesting the United States would walk away from talks between the warring nations if a deal did not soon materialize.

However, Trump engaged in a surprise sideline conversation with Zelensky at the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday, reviving hopes of a push towards a real conclusion to the conflict.
Trump posted pictures of his meeting, in which he and Zelensky sat alone in an intimate conversation in St. Peter's Basilica, to his account on Truth Social and urged an end to the "cruel and senseless war."

Trump took aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday in a Truth Social post about the war, saying the Kremlin leader may need to "be dealt with differently."

"There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days. It makes me think that maybe he doesn't want to stop the war, he's just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through 'Banking' or 'Secondary Sanctions?' Too many people are dying!!!" the president wrote.
What To Know
Putin declared on Saturday that his forces had liberated the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces and helped to bring "the defeat of the neo-Nazi regime closer," Russian news outlet Tass reported.

"The enemy's complete rout in the borderline Kursk Region creates conditions for further successful operations by our troops in other major frontline areas and brings the defeat of the neo-Nazi regime closer," Putin said during a meeting with his Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.

"The Kiev regime's venture has failed completely while the huge losses suffered by the enemy, in particular, those among the most combat-fit, best prepared and equipped Ukrainian army units, including the formations provided with Western equipment - and these are assault units and special operations forces - will undoubtedly have their impact along the entire engagement line," the Russian leader said.

Ukraine invaded the Kursk region in the summer of 2024 in a surprise push that led to the capture of Russian territory by a foreign power for the first time in decades. Putin avoided discussing the matter for months until his claim to have retaken the territory.
However, Ukraine has disputed this report and pushed back on Putin's narrative, according to The Kyiv Independent.

"Ukrainian defensive operations in certain areas of Kursk Oblast continue," Ukraine's General Staff of the Armed Forces said in a press release. "The situation is difficult, but our units continue to hold certain positions and carry out tasks as assigned."

Ukrainian forces face no threat of encirclement, with a military source telling The Kyiv Independent that their forces still hold Kursk.
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Putin each year has tried to mark the occasion and has revived his attempts to paint Ukraine and Zelensky, who is Jewish, as a regime of neo-Nazis and his invasion of Ukraine as a mission of denazification.

Gerasimov also said on Saturday that Russia has indeed deployed North Korean troops to the frontlines after Russian officials had avoided any public acknowledgements for months.

In his comments made during the meeting with Putin, Gerasimov hailed the North Korean soldiers for their "considerable assistance," saying that "soldiers and officers of the Korean People's Army were accomplishing combat objectives shoulder to shoulder with Russian servicemen and in the process of repelling the Ukrainian incursion showed high professionalism and displayed endurance, courage and heroism in combat."

Emphasis is mine, but it's worth it.

'Ukrainian Agent' Detained After Russian General Car Bombing: FSB

Russian authorities have detained a "Ukrainian special services agent" accused of planting explosives in a car that killed a senior Russian general on Friday, Moscow's FSB security agency has said.

Why It Matters
Ukraine has been linked to the deaths of several high-profile Russian commanders since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbor more than three years ago, including in operations in Moscow.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Friday that Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, the deputy chief of the main operational directorate of Russia's General Staff, was killed earlier in the day when a car exploded in the Balashikha suburb east of central Moscow.

A number of senior Russian commanders have been killed in Ukraine.

What To Know

Russia's FSB—the country's main domestic security service succeeding the Soviet-era KGB—said on Saturday it had detained Ignat Kuzin, described by the agency as a Ukrainian spy.

"There is reason to believe that Ukrainian special services were involved in the murder," Zakharova said on Friday.

Ukraine has not commented and Kyiv does not typically issue public statements indicating responsibility for targeted attacks outside of its territory.

Kuzin is a "resident of Ukraine," the FSB said, claiming he planted a homemade explosive device in a Volkswagen Golf which was then detonated remotely from Ukrainian territory, according to Russian media.

The FSB said Kuzin had been recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services in April 2023 in the area around the Ukrainian capital. He then traveled to Moscow in September 2023, the agency said.

Russia's investigative committee, which opened an investigation into Moskalik's death, said on Saturday Kuzin was "giving a confession," and had told Russian authorities he had acted on his handler's instructions.

The Next Pope: Who Are The Frontrunners to Succeed Pope Francis?

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Now, the College of Cardinals prepares to gather at the Vatican for a conclave that will shape the Church's future. Their choice won't just name the next leader of 1.37 billion Catholics—it will set the course for doctrine, transparency and the Church's outreach to its flock.

Will the next pope continue Francis's progressive reforms, or will the cardinals pivot back toward theological conservatism? The answer will be clear when the symbolic white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel.

Francis's Influence on the Election

The next pope will face a Church shaped by Francis's appointments and reforms. His tenure saw major structural changes, including the decentralization of the Vatican's power and the appointment of more non-European cardinals than any of his predecessors.

However, his governance style has also left the College of Cardinals in an uncertain position. "He selected the majority of the cardinals who possess the right to vote," said Ulrich Lehner, professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame.

"However, his approach to governance, characterized by unilateral decisions made without consultation with the College of Cardinals, has made it impossible to form interpersonal relationships among them."

A key issue for the conclave will be Francis's handling of sexual abuse cases, which has divided Church leaders. "Most importantly, can the voters trust that the person they elect is not a sexual predator who could be exposed?" Lehner asked.

According to Michelle Dillon, dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of New Hampshire, "Francis was consistently trying to bring much greater transparency and professionalism to the Curia." Yet, she also noted that some cardinals remain skeptical about his openness to secular engagement, fearing that the Church could lose its unique identity.
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Who Are the Leading Candidates?

As speculation builds, several high-ranking cardinals have emerged as top contenders. According to Vatican observers and bookmakers, the following candidates have the strongest odds. Here is a closer look at each of them.

Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines)

Currently the betting favorite at 3:1 odds, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, is considered a strong contender to continue Pope Francis's progressive agenda. Tagle, an advocate for inclusion and evangelization, has significant experience leading the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and was a trusted figure in Francis's inner circle.
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Pietro Parolin (Italy)

At 4:1 odds, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, is one of the most experienced Vatican officials. In his role as the Vatican's Secretary of State since 2013, he has played a major part in diplomatic affairs, including sensitive negotiations with China and Middle Eastern governments.
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Peter Turkson (Ghana)

Currently at 5:1 odds in betting markets, Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, is a well-known figure in the Church's social justice circles. As former head of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Turkson has been vocal on issues such as climate change, poverty and economic justice.
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Peter Erdő (Hungary)

A leading conservative candidate, Cardinal Peter Erdő, 72, is currently at 6:1 odds. A respected canon law scholar, Erdő has been a strong advocate for traditional Catholic teachings and doctrine. He previously served as head of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences and has emphasized theological orthodoxy.
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Angelo Scola (Italy)

At 8:1, Cardinal Angelo Scola, 82, is a long-standing papal contender. He was among the favorites in the 2013 conclave that ultimately elected Pope Francis. Scola, a former Archbishop of Milan, has deep theological roots and appeals to those who support a more centralized and hierarchical Church.

Israeli sources also cite another possible candidate called Pierbattista Pizzaballa who has become the first cardinal of Jerusalem thanks to the late Pope Francis. Even so, I must note here that according to some other sources, all candidates are supposed to be under 80 years old if they want to partake in the process. This would mean that Scola would be disqualified any time soon.

MIDDLE EAST

Houthis Send Defiant Warning to Trump: "Quagmire"

The head of the Houthi-run Supreme Political Council, Mahdi al-Mashat, threatened further escalation against the United States in response to intensified airstrikes on Houthi strongholds in Yemen and the growing deployment of American weaponry in the region.
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The comments underscore an escalation in the Red Sea conflict and raise questions over the effectiveness of U.S. military pressure in deterring the Iran-backed Houthis—who threaten a vital global shipping route. President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against them last month.

The U.S. has recently expanded its military footprint across the Middle East in response to rising tensions with Iran, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, and the Gaza conflict—deploying missile defenses, bombers, carriers, and strike groups from the Red Sea to Diego Garcia.

What To Know

"If the American escalates further, it means his weapons have failed and he's just offering more targets," Mashat said in a televised speech Sunday evening, dressed in military attire following a top-level military meeting. "Trump may have thought it would be a leisurely affair, but he landed in a strategic quagmire called Yemen."

The Houthis claimed attacks on two U.S. military aircraft as well as the shooting down of U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones and the bypassing of advanced electronic warfare systems. U.S. officials have not commented on those claims.

The U.S. launched a fresh wave of airstrikes on Sana'a, Hudeidah, and other regions last week, including a major raid on Ras Isa fuel port. Washington said the strikes destroyed key targets and killed dozens of Houthi fighters. Houthi media said there were dozens of civilian casualties.

Mashat said the group had avoided major losses thanks to intelligence gathered before the attacks. He did not identify the source or which operations. The U.S. recently accused China of providing satellite imagery to the Houthis—an allegation Beijing has denied.

US Bolsters Israel With Airlift Amid Regional Threats

At least eight U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft were tracked flying from Ramstein Air Base in Germany to Israel's Nevatim Airbase on Sunday.

According to flight tracking data and open-source intelligence monitors, the mission is part of a broader operation that has seen at least 25 C-17 flights land in Israel since April 10, making it one of the largest such deployments in years.

The operation comes as Israel signals possible military action against Iran. It also coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran to establish the framework for a new nuclear agreement.

Why It Matters

The scale of the U.S. deployment highlights mounting urgency amid escalating regional threats. While Israel reportedly weighs "limited strikes" on Iran and the U.S. pursues diplomacy, the buildup may serve broader purposes: deterring Iranian aggression, countering attacks from Tehran's regional proxies such as the Houthis in Yemen, reinforcing defenses amid continued conflict in Gaza, and preparing for instability along Israel's northern front with Hezbollah or in Syria.

What to Know

While the exact contents of the C-17 flights have not been confirmed, the volume and coordination suggest a significant reinforcement effort. The continued arrival of such aircraft to Nevatim Airbase—already a hub for joint operations—comes amid heightened threat perceptions from Iran and its regional allies.

The C-17s could have carried advanced air-defense systems, with THAAD and Patriot PAC-3 missiles among the top candidates, military analysts said. Both systems have been deployed to Israel in recent years.

A Reuters report said that Israel's current military planning focuses on limited operations targeting Iran's nuclear sites—actions that would require far less American support than previous proposals. The options include airstrikes and special forces raids, aimed at delaying Iran's nuclear advances. Last week, The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump had rejected a proposal from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for "extensive" strikes against Iran.

Diplomatic Talks Continue

Meanwhile, a second round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks concluded in Rome, with further negotiations planned in the coming days.

Despite both sides agreeing to continue with further negotiations some Iranian officials remain skeptical. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran's National Security Committee said, "We still have serious doubts about the ideas and intentions of the Americans and their will to reach an agreement."

Iran Offers to Help Trump Revive US Nuclear Sector in Canceled Speech

Iran's top diplomat sought to entice President Donald Trump's administration with up to tens of billions of dollars' worth of contracts to help revitalize the U.S. nuclear industry in a canceled speech.

The address was to be delivered virtually Monday by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Nuclear Policy Conference. The organizers mandated, however, that Araghchi then open up to questions, a condition that led to his team pulling out of the event.

The Iranian Mission to the United Nations later shared with Newsweek the transcript of the planned remarks, which in one notable section doubled down on Tehran's emphasis on the potential investment value of a new nuclear agreement with Washington as the two sides engage in talks.

"Iran has never stood in the way of economic and scientific collaboration with the United States," Araghchi was to say, according to the transcript. "The obstacle has been previous U.S. administrations, often acting under the influence of the same Special Interest groups. As I recently made clear in the pages of the Washington Post, the trillion-dollar opportunity that our economy presents may be open to U.S. enterprises."

"This includes companies which can help us generate clean electricity from non-hydrocarbon sources," the speech continued. "Iran currently operates one reactor at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. Our longstanding game plan is to build at least 19 more reactors, meaning that tens of billions of dollars in potential contracts are up for grabs. The Iranian market alone is big enough to revitalize the struggling nuclear industry in the United States."

Why This Matters

Despite their deep-rooted distrust and mutual escalations of military rhetoric, the U.S. and Iran have both reported progress following two rounds of indirect talks geared toward an agreement that would limit Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities in exchange for sanctions relief.

Such a deal would replace the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) abandoned by Trump during his first term in 2018. The U.S. leader argued that the agreement was unfair, as it did not do enough to serve U.S. interests.

China Shows Off New Warplanes in Challenge to U.S.

China's first joint air force exercise with U.S. ally Egypt featured advanced fighter jets, radar aircraft, and aerial refueling planes, highlighting Beijing's push to project power far into the Middle East and North Africa in a challenge to the United States.

Why It Matters

China's deepening relationship with Egypt comes at a time that Egyptian ties with Washington have been strained by President Donald Trump's proposal for relocating Palestinians from the Gaza Strip — potentially to Egypt — in a plan that Cairo has strongly opposed.

The Middle East is a new location for Chinese rivalry with the United States as the two superpowers are also at odds elsewhere, not least over Taiwan and the South China Sea and with tensions rising there.

What To Know

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force deployed J-10C fighter jets, a YU-20 aerial refueling tanker and a KJ-500 radar aircraft, according to open-source flight-tracking data and security publications.

The PLA Air Force sent J-10C and J-10S fighters while Egypt fielded its MiG-29 jets for the exercise, China's state-run Global Times reported.

The KJ-500, an airborne early warning and control aircraft, participated in an international military exercise for the first time, according to the Belgium-based defense magazine Army Recognition.

This week, open-source flight data appeared to show multiple Chinese military aircraft arriving in Egypt via the United Arab Emirates, including at least five Y-20 transport planes and one KJ-500 radar aircraft, according to specialist outlet Aviation Week.

The joint exercise with the North African country comes as the United States increases its military presence in the Middle East and amid rising tensions with Iran. Egypt is also a potential market for Chinese weapons sales.

Egypt has received substantial military aid from the United States since signing a peace deal with Israel in 1979. Egypt was granted $1.3 billion in U.S. military aid in 2024, according to Reuters.

It is the second time the Chinese military has deployed to Egypt since last summer, when it sent seven J-10 fighter jets from an air force aerobatic team and a Y-20 transport aircraft to an air show.

Trump: US and Israel 'On Same Side' Over Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are united on Iran, following a phone call amid renewed nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.

"The call went very well – We are on the same side of every issue," Trump said on his social media platform, as American and Iranian diplomats prepared to resume negotiations this week.
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Trump's show of unity with Netanyahu comes at a pivotal time in U.S.-Iran relations. The decision to resume direct talks marks a significant diplomatic shift, but it also places pressure on America's closest Middle East ally.

Israel has repeatedly warned against concessions to Tehran, saying that Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. Trump's balancing act between advancing diplomacy and preserving strategic alliances will shape outcomes in the region.

What to Know

The Trump-Netanyahu phone call took place on Tuesday, with the U.S. president describing it as harmonious and far-reaching. Trump said the two leaders were aligned on every issue, including Iran and trade. Trump also told reporters on Monday that his administration had held "good meetings" with Iranian officials. The nuclear discussions, which began in Oman and continued in Rome, are expected to resume on Saturday.

Iran Accuses Israel of Undermining Talks
While Washington has signaled openness to diplomacy, Iran accused Israel of trying to "undermine" the talks. The charge reflects growing tensions between the two regional powers, even as the U.S. seeks to reestablish dialogue with Tehran. The New York Times reported last week that Trump had privately advised Israel to delay any potential military action targeting Iran's nuclear facilities in order to give diplomacy a chance.

US Friends and Foes in Syria Respond to Trump Reducing Troops

President Donald Trump's decision to reduce the presence of U.S. forces in Syria has drawn mixed reactions among local factions, with U.S. partners expressing to Newsweek that threats remain and critics arguing the move does not go far enough.

After months of speculation over whether Trump would move to fulfill his first-term goal of pulling troops out of Syria, the Pentagon announced Friday that it would begin a "consolidation" of the U.S. military presence in the country. The process would reportedly shutter three bases and bring the number of troops down to less than 1,000, closer aligning to the number of troops deployed to Syria before then-President Joe Biden's increase to 2,500 personnel, announced in December.

The U.S. presence in Syria is largely divided between the self-proclaimed Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and a garrison in the southeastern desert region of Al-Tanf, manned by the Syrian Free Army rebel militia.

Both U.S.-backed groups have expressed their continued support for their ally's presence even as they've moved to integrate themselves into the Islamist-led coalition that toppled longtime Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December.

But questions linger as to the goals of U.S. troops in the country, whose new rulers—as with the old government and its supporters—consider their presence to be an illegal occupation.

In light of the news of a U.S. drawdown, Sinam Mohamad, representative of the SDF's political wing, the Syrian Democratic Council, in Washington, pointed to the lasting value of the U.S. presence in the country, given the lingering threat posed by the Islamic State militant group (ISIS).

"The presence of the American troops is essential when we see the resurgence of ISIS is a threat to the whole region and the prisons that hold thousands of ISIS fighters in addition to the camps that holds the families of ISIS is still a threat," Mohamad told Newsweek. "We believe that the U.S. troops will help toward any threat from ISIS."

The fate of these prisons remains in question after the SDF struck a deal last month to join the central government led by new Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, former head of Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Mohamad argued that the agreement "is going forward in a good way" thus far, and "we hope to have a decentralized system in Syria to keep a sustainable peace and stability."

The SDF has continued to clash, however, with other former opposition groups who helped to overthrow Assad, particularly the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army. The violence has come despite Ankara reaching a ceasefire deal last month with the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has ties to the SDF.

The Syrian Free Army, whose commander told Newsweek in January that U.S. troops continued to serve a key role in the fight against ISIS, had also announced its intentions to join the new government led by Sharaa in February, though it continues to train with U.S. troops.

While Sharaa has sought to improve ties with the U.S. since leading the charge to topple Assad, he has stated that the current presence of U.S. forces did not adhere to international law due to a lack of agreements between Damascus and Washington.

Stakes High for Trump in Middle East Trip

U.S. President Donald Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to May 16, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed late Tuesday.

The trip, which follows Trump's attendance at Pope Francis' funeral in Rome on Saturday, marks a continuation of his administration's focus on Middle Eastern diplomacy and regional security cooperation.
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Trump's Gulf visit signals a renewed push to solidify U.S. alliances amid rising regional tensions. The trip follows months of quiet diplomacy and strategic coordination with key partners like Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

It also comes as nuclear talks with Iran continue, prompting growing pressure from Israel a more aggressive U.S. posture. Israel views Tehran's nuclear ambitions and regional influence—particularly in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen—as a direct threat, urging Washington to abandon hopes of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.

What to Know

Though originally planned as Trump's first overseas trip of his second term, the Middle East visit was delayed following the pope's death. Leavitt emphasized the trip's significance, especially with regard to Saudi Arabia, which also hosted Trump's first foreign visit during his first term.

Saudi Centerpiece

Saudi Arabia continues to serve as the centerpiece of Trump's Middle East diplomacy. The kingdom hosted early discussions in Trump's second term on mediating the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since February, several U.S. delegations led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Council Advisor Michael Waltz have visited Riyadh. They met with both Russian and Ukrainian officials, as well as with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Trump Open to Meeting Iran's Supreme Leader

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is willing to meet with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding the country's nuclear program.

In an interview with Time magazine, Trump also emphasized his preference for negotiation over conflict, even as he refused to rule out the possibility of military action to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The comments come amid a renewed U.S. push to reach an agreement with Tehran.
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Trump's openness to a face-to-face meeting with Iran's top leadership could represent a significant shift in tone and strategy, especially given decades of hostile rhetoric between the two nations.

While negotiations continue through diplomatic channels, the possibility of a direct encounter suggests that the White House is preparing to test the limits of its diplomatic outreach.

What to Know

Asked by Time magazine whether he would meet with Iran's President or Supreme Leader, Trump responded, "Sure." The brief but direct answer underscores an administration effort to present diplomacy as a credible alternative to conflict, even as pressure on Iran intensifies.

Diplomacy Over Military Action

Trump addressed reports that he blocked an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. "I didn't stop them," he said. "But I didn't make it comfortable for them, because I think we can make a deal without the attack." While military action remains an option, Trump emphasized a preference for reaching a negotiated deal to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.