US Politics

“Hell to pay”: Trump presses Hamas to disarm after Netanyahu talks

President Donald Trump warned Hamas there would be “hell to pay” if the group does not disarm soon, following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump said the next phase of a Gaza peace plan could advance quickly if Hamas gives up its weapons. The two leaders discussed security, Gaza and regional stability. Hamas controls Gaza and maintains an armed wing that has fought multiple conflicts with Israel. Details of the proposed peace plan and any potential U.S. actions remain unclear.

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Trump announces U.S. strikes vs ISIS in Nigeria

The United States has carried out airstrikes on Islamic State–linked targets in Nigeria, following weeks of public criticism by former President Donald Trump over violence against Christians. U.S. defense officials describe the operation as part of wider counterterrorism efforts in West Africa and have not released detailed casualty figures or target locations. Nigerian authorities face ongoing scrutiny over their response to extremist attacks, communal violence, and rising insecurity in several regions.

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Honduras elects Trump-backed candidate as president

Honduras’ electoral authorities have declared Nasry Asfura, a candidate backed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, as the winner of the country’s presidential election after a weeks-long vote count. The announcement follows extended tallying and verification procedures and draws national and international attention to the political transition, the role of foreign endorsements, and the challenges facing the incoming administration in areas such as security, migration, and economic conditions.

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Kennedy Center Christmas Eve show called off amid Trump name dispute

A planned Christmas Eve jazz concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has been canceled after former President Donald Trump’s name was added in connection with the event. The cancellation removed a scheduled holiday performance from the center’s calendar. Officials have not released detailed public explanations about how Trump’s name became associated with the concert or who made the final decision to call it off. Other holiday programs at the Kennedy Center remain scheduled.

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H-1B visa lottery replaced in sweeping process change

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is ending the random H-1B visa lottery and introducing a wage-based selection system that prioritizes higher-paid, highly skilled foreign workers. The change affects both the regular H-1B cap and the advanced degree exemption, using federal wage levels to rank employer registrations. The agency states that the new process aims to align the program with labor market needs and strengthen protections for U.S. workers by favoring higher-wage positions. The numerical cap on H-1B visas remains unchanged under current law.

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