Zelenskyy’s grim choice: Take Trump’s peace deal or rely on flaky European friends

Despite celebrating “good progress” in talks in Geneva, European countries are still too weak or too timid to save Ukraine, even with a loan from frozen Russian assets. LONDON — European officials congratulated themselves after talks in Geneva at the weekend suggested Donald Trump will listen to their concerns about forcing a bad peace deal … Read more

Johnson: Carlson interview with Fuentes was a ‘big mistake’

The House speaker said people should not “amplify” Fuentes’ views. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tucker Carlson’s decision to interview white supremacist Nick Fuentes on his podcast last month was a “big mistake.” “He has a lot of listeners, and I think giving Nick Fuentes that platform is a big mistake,” the Louisiana Republican told … Read more

Johnson: Carlson interview with Fuentes was a ‘big mistake’

The House speaker said people should not “amplify” Fuentes’ views. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tucker Carlson’s decision to interview white supremacist Nick Fuentes on his podcast last month was a “big mistake.” “He has a lot of listeners, and I think giving Nick Fuentes that platform is a big mistake,” the Louisiana Republican told … Read more

Looming affordability crisis set to hit Americans with health insurance through work

It’s a perilous combination for 165 million people with employer-sponsored health insurance. Premiums are rising, while yearly pay raises shrink. Rising Obamacare premiums are a political problem for Republicans. Rising premiums for workers who get health insurance from their employers could be an even bigger one. Republicans in Congress are focused on finding a way … Read more

Turkey to host 2026 climate summit, in defeat for Australia

But Australia will hold the summit’s presidency — and therefore control the diplomacy, Climate Minister Chris Bowen told reporters. BELÉM, Brazil — Turkey will host next year’s U.N. climate conference after Australia’s bid imploded. Turkey and Australia had faced off for more than a year over the talks’ location, an impasse that extended almost until … Read more

Trump administration proposes opening waters off California and Florida to oil drilling

The proposed plan is a jab at California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, but could face bipartisan pushback for opening acres off Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Trump administration proposed a plan Thursday that would open federal waters off the California coast to new oil and gas leasing for the first time in four decades and reignite … Read more

Carney hits the road, Trump hits resistance

“He takes every chance he can to be Flavor Flav to Mark Carney’s Chuck D,” Conservative MP Jamil Jivani told the Playbook Canada podcast. It was a broadside against Ontario Premier Doug Ford that captured the tensions within both the Conservative Party and NDP following this week’s tight budget vote. Those tensions come as Mark … Read more

Vance tries to thread the affordability needle

In a Thursday fireside chat, Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the economic crush some Americans are feeling — but blamed them on Democratic policies. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday offered an explanation for the slate of political quagmires Republicans are juggling, including persistent cost of living issues and even divisions within the Republican Party … Read more