USA under Donald Trump Italy defends Pope against new Trump criticism +++ US military kills three alleged drug smugglers in the Pacific

Donald Trump has been President of the United States again since January 20, 2025. All developments in his second presidency can be found here in the ticker.

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3.05 a.m.

US military kills three alleged drug smugglers in the Pacific

The US military has again attacked a boat of suspected drug smugglers, killing three men. The vessel was on a known drug trafficking route in the eastern Pacific, according to the US Regional Command Southcom on Platform X. The military accused the men of being involved in drug smuggling. The information provided by the US military could not initially be independently verified.

On May 5, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking… pic.twitter.com/CmK9HVK0oG

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) May 6, 2026

On the orders of President Donald Trump, the US military has been attacking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific allegedly used to smuggle drugs into the USA since last fall. Only on Monday, the military killed two men in an attack in the Caribbean.

Critics doubt that the deadly attacks in international waters are permissible under international law.

21.54

Italy defends Pope against new Trump criticism

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has defended Pope Leo XIV against recent criticism from US President Donald Trump. The attacks were "neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace", Tajani wrote on Platform X on Tuesday. He reiterated his support "for every action and every word of Pope Leo", the chief diplomat emphasized. The pontiff's words were "a commitment to dialog, to the value of human life and to freedom".

This is a vision shared by the Italian government, which is committed to using diplomatic means to ensure stability and peace in all conflict regions, Tajani continued.

Gli attacchi nei confronti del Santo Padre @Pontifex_it, capo e guida spirituale della Chiesa cattolica, non sono né condivisibili né utili alla causa della pace. Ribadisco il sostegno ad ogni azione e parola di Papa Leone, le sue sono testimonianze in favore del dialogo, del…

— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) May 5, 2026

Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 0:50 a.m.

Secret Service: Gunman shot near White House

An armed man has shot at emergency personnel near the White House, hitting an uninvolved teenager. The Secret Service said officers returned fire and hit the suspect after he pulled a gun and shot at them. Rescue workers took the two injured men to hospital. The security agency responsible for the personal protection of high-ranking politicians did not provide any information on the condition of the armed man.

According to the Deputy Director of the Secret Service, Matt Quinn, civilian emergency services became aware of the man on Monday afternoon not far from the White House because the outline of a firearm was visible under his clothing. The suspect fled briefly before uniformed officers confronted him. He then opened fire.

According to previous findings, a young passer-by was hit by shots fired by the attacker, but did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.

The incident took place near the Washington Monument, just a few blocks from the White House. The grounds of the government headquarters itself were not affected. Nevertheless, the White House was briefly cordoned off. Journalists were brought into the press room by security forces as a precaution. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump continued an event with small business owners.

11:20 p.m.

Spokesman: New York's ex-mayor Giuliani suffers from pneumonia

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani is suffering from severe pneumonia. The 81-year-old is still in hospital, but no longer needs artificial respiration, his spokesman Ted Goodman told the online service X. His condition is "critical but stable", Goodman wrote.

The spokesman linked Giuliani's illness to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, after which the then mayor had gained a reputation as a committed and prudent politician. His work after the collapse of the World Trade Center, during which Giuliani had inhaled toxic fumes, had led to the "diagnosis of a restrictive respiratory disease", Goodman explained.

"This condition complicates any respiratory infection, and the virus quickly overwhelmed his body, requiring mechanical ventilation to ensure adequate oxygenation and stabilize his condition," the spokesman continued. However, Giuliani is "a fighter through and through" and will also win this battle, Goodman added.

Mayor Rudy Giuliani is recovering from pneumonia. On September 11th, Mayor Giuliani ran toward the towers to help those in need, which later led to a diagnosis of restrictive airway disease.

This condition adds complications to any respiratory illness, and the virus quickly…

— Ted Goodman (@TedCGoodman) May 4, 2026

Monday, May 4, 2026, 4:44 a.m.

Trump's ex-lawyer Giuliani in critical condition in hospital

The 81-year-old former mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, is in a critical condition in hospital. Several US media outlets unanimously quoted a Giuliani spokesperson as saying that he was being treated in "critical but stable condition" in a clinic in the state of Florida. According to the New York Times, spokesman Ted Goodman gave no details of the reason or the length of his hospital stay so far.

Giuliani was once highly respected: He was mayor of New York from 1994 until the end of 2001, including during the attacks of September 11, 2001, and his supporters referred to him as "America's mayor". Giuliani later supported Donald Trump - including during the successful election campaign for the US presidency in 2016. After Trump's election defeat in 2020, Giuliani continued to stand by the Republican. As Trump's personal lawyer, he was one of the driving forces that spread unproven claims of alleged election fraud after the election.

In recent years, Giuliani has had to deal with a number of legal problems, in addition to bizarre appearances. When he was sentenced to pay high damages in one case following false allegations of election fraud at the end of 2023, he filed for bankruptcy. The US state of New York revoked his law license in 2024.

Trump had only announced in September that he wanted to award him the US government's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The president has also now defended his ally. On his platform, he wrote in capital letters that Giuliani was "right about everything" with regard to the accusations of alleged electoral fraud. He had been treated badly by the "radical, left-wing, lunatic Democrats". And now this. "So sad," the 79-year-old US president continued.

Sunday, May 3, 2026, 8.35 p.m.

After exchange of blows with Trump: Pope wants to receive Rubio during visit to Rome

Following US President Donald Trump's recent criticism of Italy and his exchange of blows with Pope Leo XIV, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit Rome and the Vatican at the end of the week. Vatican sources confirmed on Sunday evening that a meeting between the head of the Catholic Church and Rubio is planned. This is intended to ease bilateral relations.

According to information from Italian government circles, Rubio also wants to meet Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto during his visit to Rome. A meeting with head of government Giorgia Meloni has also been requested by Washington. The visit planned for Thursday and Friday was presented in the Italian media as "thawing" diplomacy.

The US-born Pope and the right-wing populist Trump had publicly exchanged blows against the backdrop of the US and Israeli war against Iran. In April, the head of the Catholic Church condemned the "senseless and inhumane violence" and declared that Christians could not stand alongside those who were "dropping bombs today". In front of the faithful in St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope said: "Enough of war!"

⚡️ Rubio will visit the Vatican and Italy this week — Reuters

He is set to hold talks with officials, and a meeting with the Pope is expected on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/jvw8mdXGpB

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) May 3, 2026

22:29

Court temporarily stops shipment of abortion pills

In the USA, a federal appeals court has severely restricted access to abortion pills by post for the time being. On Friday, a panel of judges in New Orleans suspended a regulation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that had allowed the drug mifepristone to be sent by post following a telemedical prescription. This means that for the time being, providers may only dispense the drug in person at clinics or doctors' surgeries.

The decision affects centralized access to abortions in the USA. With the landmark ruling Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court established a nationwide right to abortion in 1973. However, the right was overturned in 2022, allowing states to enact their own, sometimes very strict, bans.

The state of Louisiana has now filed a lawsuit against the Drug Enforcement Agency. It argues that the possibility of obtaining abortion pills by post undermines its almost complete ban on abortion. According to US media reports, the court provisionally accepted this argument. The restriction thus applies immediately, while the proceedings in the case are still ongoing.

8.14 pm

Influential Republicans concerned about troop withdrawal from Germany

Influential Republicans from both chambers of Congress have reacted with skepticism to the planned partial withdrawal of US troops from Germany. "We are very concerned about the decision to withdraw a US brigade from Germany," said Senator Roger Wicker and Representative Mike Rogers in a joint statement. Rogers chairs the committee responsible for the armed forces in the House of Representatives, Wicker the one in the Senate.

Germany has responded to President Donald Trump's demands and significantly increased its defense spending. In addition, Germany has shown itself to be very cooperative in the Iran war, for example with regard to overflight rights, the statement continued.

The allies are already spending more money - but until this results in an effective deterrent, the USA should remain present on the ground, according to Rogers and Wicker. A hasty reduction would risk weakening the deterrent and sending the wrong signal to Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin. "Instead of withdrawing troops completely from the continent, it is in the US interest to maintain a strong deterrent presence in Europe by moving these 5,000 US troops east," they suggest.

5.04 pm

Pope makes former refugee a bishop

Pope Leo XIV has made a former refugee, who once came to the USA without valid papers, a bishop in the United States. The Catholic priest Evelio Menjivar-Ayala from the Central American state of El Salvador had allowed himself to be brought across the border illegally in 1990. The first head of the Catholic Church from the USA has now appointed the 55-year-old as bishop of the Wheeling-Charleston diocese in the US state of West Virginia, according to the Vatican.

The appointment is also seen by many as a sign against the migration policy of US President Donald Trump. Since the Republican's return to the White House at the beginning of last year, the US government has been taking extremely tough action against migrants, many of whom come from Central and South America. The current Pope, who himself lived for many years as a missionary and bishop in Peru, had already strongly criticized this during his time as a cardinal. Even now, he repeatedly pleads for a humane approach to refugees.

Last month, Trump in turn repeatedly called on Leo to stay out of politics, sometimes in harsh tones. At the same time, he claimed that Leo had only come into office as an American because he himself had been elected president. To this end, he posted an image on the internet created using artificial intelligence that showed himself as Jesus. After much criticism, including from within his own ranks, Trump had the image removed.

The new Bishop Menjivar-Ayala had entered the country illegally as a 20-year-old across the border between Mexico and the USA, hidden in the trunk of a car. There was a bloody civil war in his home country at the time. In recent years, he has worked as an auxiliary bishop in the US capital Washington.

Saturday, May 2, 12.41 p.m.

Nato wants to gain clarity on US troop withdrawal

NATO is trying to find out details about the announced US troop withdrawal from Germany. "We are working with the US to find out the details of their decision on troop presence in Germany," a Nato spokeswoman told Platform X.

However, the adjustment underlines the need for Europe to become more involved in the defense alliance, invest more in defense and take on a greater share of responsibility for common security. Progress has already been made. "We remain confident that we can ensure our deterrence and defense as this transformation to a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO continues," the spokeswoman continued.

We are working with the U.S. to understand the details of their decision on force posture in Germany. This adjustment underscores the need for Europe to continue to invest more in defence and take on a greater share of the responsibility for our shared security - where we’re…

— NATO Spokesperson (@NATOpress) May 2, 2026

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 US troops from Germany. According to a spokesperson, the withdrawal should be completed within the next six to twelve months. The exact background to the decision and which locations are affected as well as which personnel are to be relocated is still unclear.

Friday, May 1, 6.09 p.m.

Trump announces tariffs of 25 percent on cars from the EU

US President Donald Trump has announced tariffs of 25 percent on vehicles from the EU from next week. The EU is not adhering to the trade agreement, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Friday.

Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed on a trade agreement in July last year. This set a tariff rate of 15 percent for most goods. However, the status of the agreement was called into question by a Supreme Court ruling that Trump does not have the authority to declare an economic emergency and impose tariffs on EU goods.

President Trump on TruthSocial: I am pleased to announce that, based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States. The… pic.twitter.com/4z6m0VKMal

— Donald J Trump Posts TruthSocial (@TruthTrumpPost) May 1, 2026

11:07 p.m.

US senator comes down hard on Hegseth for calling for mercilessness

The US Senate has taken Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to task for his call for mercilessness in war. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly referred to the Department of Defense's war manual. Hegseth's call on March 13 that there should be "no quarter, no mercy for our enemies" violated the regulation on dealing with enemy combatants who have surrendered, Kelly said, and called on the minister to distance himself from it.

Hegseth dodged and simply asserted "We fight to win and we abide by the law." Kelly said, "Your response here and now makes it perfectly clear to the American people why you are unfit for this job."

In November, Kelly, his Senate colleague Elissa Slotkin and four Democratic members of the House of Representatives called on members of the US military to uphold the constitution and resist "illegal orders". Soldiers must stand up for the laws and constitution of the USA, the six veterans explained in a video. President Donald Trump then spoke of sedition, which could be "punishable by death", and Hegseth initiated demotion proceedings against Kelly. However, a grand jury, which examines whether there is sufficient evidence to initiate criminal proceedings, declined to bring charges.

As a general rule in the USA, soldiers - especially commanding officers - have a duty to refuse orders if they believe them to be unlawful. Conversely, they face severe consequences if they refuse an order that turns out to be lawful.

21.02 hrs

US House of Representatives decides to end government shutdown

After weeks of delay, the US House of Representatives has voted in favor of a legislative package to fund the Department of Homeland Security, bringing an end to its record shutdown. "It's about damn time," said Democratic MP Rosa DeLauro. She had already proposed the corresponding bill more than two months ago. The legislative package must now be signed into law by President Donald Trump.

According to the decision of the House of Congress, a large part of the Department of Homeland Security will be funded, but not the Department's operations to enforce Trump's immigration policy. Members of the opposition Democratic Party had refused to fund ICE and Border Patrol without prior changes to their operations. Federal agents shot and killed two US citizens in the US state of Minnesota during protests against the authorities' immigration crackdown. Representatives of the Republican Party, on the other hand, did not want to support a plan by Democrats to fund the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other parts of the Department of Homeland Security unless funding for ICE and Border Patrol was also approved.

8:47 a.m.

Trump raves about astronauts - then suddenly has a crazy idea

Donald Trump brings himself into play as an astronaut - and causes astonishment at a NASA appearance in the White House. In addition to big words about space travel, he also makes statements that raise eyebrows.

Our colleagues have summarized everything about Trump's bizarre appearance here.

"Can I go up there?"Trump raves about astronauts - then he suddenly has a crazy idea

8.43 a.m.

Car manufacturer Ford switches to armaments

The American car giant Ford is negotiating military contracts with the US government. There are talks in the early stages about some defense-related projects, said CEO Jim Farley in a conference call with analysts. However, Ford would not give any details.

Two weeks ago, the Wall Street Journal wrote that the US government wanted to involve car manufacturers such as Ford and General Motors and other companies more closely in defense production.

Among other things, the Pentagon wants to draw on their employees and production capacities to replenish ammunition stocks that have been depleted by years of support for Ukraine and the Iran war.

Farley also said that the company, as a major customer, wanted to promote the relocation of various suppliers to the USA, for example for chips and batteries. In the short term, this may be the biggest contribution Ford could make to help the USA, said the company boss.

In the past quarter, Ford benefited from the fact that the Group was able to sell more large and more expensive vehicles. Sales increased by six percent to 43.3 billion US dollars (around 34.3 billion euros). At the same time, with an adjusted operating profit of 3.5 billion dollars, Ford clearly exceeded the average expectations of analysts, who had rather expected 1.3 billion dollars.

At the bottom line, Ford posted a consolidated profit of 2.5 billion dollars - after 500 million dollars in the same quarter of the previous year. In its electric car division, however, Ford was once again in the red with an operating loss of 777 million dollars.

4.10 a.m.

Supreme Court weakens rights of black voters

In a ruling, the US Supreme Court has weakened a law dating back to the civil rights movement, which was intended to give blacks and other minorities greater representation in Congress.

Specifically, the Supreme Court on Wednesday invalidated the controversial redistricting of a black-majority constituency in Louisiana. This undermined a section of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and paved the way for further redistricting across the country, which could give Republicans a greater chance of gaining control of the House of Representatives.

By a vote of 6 to 3, the court's conservative majority found that the Louisiana constituency was too heavily weighted toward ethnicity. It was an "unconstitutional gerrymandering", wrote Justice Samuel Alito on behalf of the six conservatives.

The ruling's impact may not be more noticeable until the 2028 election, as most of the deadlines for the fall congressional elections have already passed. However, Louisiana may have to change its redistricting plan to comply with the ruling.

The ruling also weakens Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which gave black Americans access to the ballot box and reduced discrimination. Liberal Justice Elena Kagan, who voted against the conservative majority, wrote that this Section 2 is now just empty words. According to estimates by election law expert Nicholas Stephanopoulos, this Section 2 is currently still applied in almost 70 of the 435 congressional districts in the USA.

The ruling is a damper for Democrats, who are fighting with Republicans in several states over the way voting districts are drawn, and Representative Suzan DelBene said the decision was further evidence of how the Trump administration and the right-wing Supreme Court were restricting the rights of black voters. A White House spokeswoman, Abigail Jackson, however, welcomed the decision. "This is a complete and unqualified victory for American voters. The color of a person's skin should not determine which congressional district you belong to," she wrote in an email.

2 p.m.

Florida redraws constituencies - advantage for Republicans

The Congress of the US state of Florida has passed a new electoral district map. This aims to give the Republicans an advantage in the upcoming US congressional elections. The map could increase the Republicans' lead in Florida's delegation in the US House of Representatives by four seats. The vote took place just two days after Governor Ron DeSantis presented his proposal.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday also weakened a Civil Rights-era law that sought to give blacks and other minorities more representation in Congress with a ruling. This decision could make it more difficult for Democrats to challenge Republican efforts to redraw districts to limit the influence of non-white voters.

Florida's new constituencies are also likely to face legal challenges, especially since the state constitution prohibits redistricting on explicitly partisan grounds. However, DeSantis and his staff believe that these provisions will not be an obstacle in court.

At the behest of US President Donald Trump, Republicans want to change the electoral districts in several states in their favor so that the party can expand its majority in the midterm elections. This is because the Democrats would only need to gain three seats to regain control of the House of Representatives. So far, gerrymandering has led to Republicans seeing opportunities for additional seats in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, while Democrats are hoping for gains in Virginia, California and Utah, among others.

Thursday, April 30, 2026, 1:30 a.m.

Trump: USA considering troop reduction in Germany

According to President Donald Trump, the USA is examining a possible troop reduction in Germany.

Iran war divides politiciansFirst allies - now Trump openly threatens Merz

11.16 pm

Ex-FBI chief Comey on trial for alleged threat against Trump

Former FBI chief James Comey, who was indicted on Tuesday for an alleged threat against President Donald Trump, appeared in court in Virginia on Wednesday. The accusation against him relates to a photo of mussels that he posted on Instagram last year. The shells were arranged in such a way that the numbers "86" and "47" could be read.

The US Department of Justice recognized this as a threat against Trump, the 47th president of the USA. Comey affirmed that he had assumed that the figures represented a political message and not a call for violence against Trump. After the post with the photo was interpreted as a threat by observers, Comey removed it. "I reject violence of any kind, so I removed the post," he explained.

Comey is considered a long-time opponent of Trump. Last year, charges against Comey were dropped due to accusations of making false statements. This time, too, the public prosecutor's office is likely to have a hard time proving that Comey deliberately intended to send a threatening message with the post or at least negligently disregarded the possibility that the post could be interpreted as a threat.

Vendetta of the US presidentShell threat against Trump? Beach photo puts ex-FBI chief in trouble

8.43 pm

US Federal Reserve leaves key interest rate at 3.5 to 3.75 percent

The US Federal Reserve has left its key interest rate unchanged - in the face of the energy crisis and inflation concerns in the wake of the Iran war. A majority of the Federal Reserve Board voted to keep the key interest rate at a range of 3.5 to 3.75 percent.

At the same time, all eyes are on the possible successor to Jerome Powell, who is still head of the Fed. Experts fear that the Fed will lose independence and therefore credibility if the candidate proposed by US President Donald Trump, Kevin Warsh, is confirmed.

In 2025, the Fed lowered the key interest rate three times by one step (25 basis points) each time due to concerns about the labor market. It then paused at its first two meetings this year. In view of the uncertain global situation combined with high inflation, interest rate cuts are a distant prospect.

09.08 am

"Two kings": Trump post causes outrage

The White House published a picture of President Donald Trump and King Charles III - with the provocative caption "two Kings". A term that Trump's critics have been using as a protest slogan for months.

Opponents of the president use the expression "No Kings" to demonstrate against what they see as a growing concentration of power. Trump himself firmly rejects this portrayal. In an interview, he said: "I'm not a king - if I were a king, I wouldn't have to deal with you." He also previously emphasized: "I don't feel like a king; I have to fight my way through hell to get things approved." He continued: "No, no, we're not a king. We're not a king at all."

LMFAO! The White House just posted this!

“TWO KINGS 👑 “ 🤣😂🇬🇧🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/WHa5gmVyEs

— BLT (@BLT21_) April 28, 2026

Trump linked the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday to the "No Kings" protests. According to reports, the suspect had previously taken part in such a demonstration in California and spread anti-Trump and anti-Christian content online.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt went further, blaming political opponents: "This political violence stems from a systematic demonization of him and his supporters - by commentators, elected members of the Democratic Party and even parts of the media." She added: "This hateful, constant and violent rhetoric against President Trump - day after day, for 11 years - has helped legitimize this violence and lead us to this dark moment."

The Democrats firmly reject these accusations. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sharply criticized the statements, saying, "She actually had the audacity to stand there and read prepared statements criticizing Democrats for statements taken out of context - and didn't have a word to say about what MAGA extremists have said or done."

08.54 am

Seven meters high and gold-plated: Trump statue sparks controversy

Donald Trump is once again making headlines on one of his luxury golf courses - this time not because of politics, but because of a giant statue. An almost seven-metre-high figure of the US president was erected on the grounds of the Trump National Doral in Miami - completely covered in gold leaf. The imposing bronze statue shows Trump with a raised fist. The pose is strongly reminiscent of a much-noticed picture from 2024, which was taken immediately after an assassination attempt.

Although the statue stands on a Trump estate, the funding did not come from his circle. The cryptocurrency group $PATRIOT is responsible. The work was created by sculptor Alan Cottrill from Ohio.

Trump just erected a golden idol statue of himself for boomers to worship at his Doral golf course. pic.twitter.com/vXk8MwMsDc

— Stew Peters (@realstewpeters) April 28, 2026

However, there is controversy surrounding the project. Cottrill got into a legal dispute with the crypto group because they used the statue to advertise the sale of a memecoin. The artist received around 500,000 Australian dollars for the artwork.

The Trump family, meanwhile, emphasizes that it has nothing to do with the project. "The Trump Organization has no connection to the Patriot Token or the meme coin," Eric Trump made clear back in February. "We appreciate the support and enthusiasm, but we want to make it very clear: We have no involvement with this coin."

5 o'clock

Now Trump's likeness is also emblazoned on US passports

A special series of US passports will soon be issued with an image of President Donald Trump on the inside. According to the State Department, this is to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the USA. The limited special series will be standard in the capital Washington for as long as it is available, according to media reports citing the authorities. The classic design will be available online and elsewhere.

In his second term in office, Trump is placing great emphasis on prominently displaying his name or likeness. For example, there is the "Trump Gold Card", which is supposed to offer a visa with the right to stay in the USA for one million dollars. Trump's portrait can also be seen on the annual pass for US national parks. His signature is also to appear on dollar bills - a first for a sitting president. He has also had a renowned cultural institution in the capital, the Kennedy Center, renamed the Trump Kennedy Center.

The Trump picture in his passport is based on the official portrait of his second term in office. The plan was met with scathing criticism and ridicule on online platforms. Some users criticized that only autocratic rulers or dictators would have their likeness glorified in this way. The White House account on the online service X, on the other hand, countered with a photo of a special map of Washington's public transportation system featuring President Barack Obama's likeness on the occasion of his inauguration in 2009.

4:30 a.m.

Trump administration criticizes Coop and Migros

According to "Tamedia", the US government under Donald Trump has criticized Switzerland for its organic regulations and two dominant retailers.

Tariff dispute rages onTrump administration attacks Migros and Coop

4.08 am

Ex-FBI Director Comey charged again

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted following an Instagram post with shells laid out on the beach.

Vendetta of the US presidentShell threat against Trump? Beach photo puts ex-FBI chief in trouble

Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 0:10 a.m.

Dispute over Kimmel: Trump administration orders early review of ABC broadcast ads

The US government is stepping up pressure on the ABC television station, where Trump-critical late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is on air. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is forcing several local ABC stations in New York and San Francisco, among others, to renew their licenses ahead of schedule. It referred to investigations that have been ongoing for a year into alleged discrimination at the stations belonging to entertainment giant Disney.

Immediate dismissal demandedTrump rages against "coward" Kimmel after assassination attempt

The investigations are based on the position of President Donald Trump's administration to consider diversity programs and anti-discrimination initiatives for disadvantaged groups of people as discrimination against others. The FCC has already forced several telecommunications companies to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, known in the USA by the acronym DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion). ABC stations have also been under investigation for diversity programs since March 2025 - which are now being escalated.

In the US, however, the timing of the FCC's request for early license renewal is likely to be seen as part of the renewed conflict surrounding late-night host Kimmel. The US President and his wife Melania Trump had called on ABC and Disney to take Kimmel off the air on Monday.

This was triggered by a joke Kimmel made last Thursday in which he described Melania Trump as having "the glow of an expectant widow". According to Kimmel, he was alluding to the large age difference between the presidential couple. However, Trump described the joke as an incitement to violence after the attempted attack on the Capital Journalists Gala with him on Saturday.

In a reaction on CNBC, among others, Disney expressed its conviction that it would abide by all rules and qualify for new licenses - if necessary through "legal channels". The licenses were not actually due for renewal until 2028 and 2031. Now the (FCC Federal Communications Commission) has given the ABC stations 30 days.

8:51 p.m.

Trump: "No closer friends than the British"

In view of strained relations with Great Britain, US President Donald Trump has emphasized the deep friendship between the two countries. "In the centuries since our independence, there have been no closer friends for Americans than the British," Trump said after King Charles III, Queen Camilla and First Lady Melania took their seats next to him on a podium in front of the White House at the ceremonial reception.

The United Kingdom and the United States "share the same roots, speak the same language, share the same values", said the Republican. Together, "our warriors have defended the same extraordinary civilization" under the common colors of red, white and blue.

Trump and First Lady Melania had received the royal couple in Washington for a state visit lasting several days, which is considered a diplomatic tightrope act. Trump had recently sharply criticized the British government and above all Prime Minister Keir Starmer for what he saw as a lack of support in the Iran war, among other things.

18.58

Trump: My mother was in love with Charles

US President Donald Trump revealed a surprising memory from his family during the ceremonial reception for King Charles III and Queen Camilla. "My mother was in love with Charles," Trump said in a speech at the White House. He added: "Can you believe it? Unbelievable, I wonder what she thinks now."

Shortly before, he had spoken of his mother's Scottish roots in the Scottish Hebrides. "My wonderful mother, Mary MacLeod was born in Stornoway, Scotland, in the Hebrides. That's what they call the real Scotland," the Republican said after Charles, Camilla and First Lady Melania took their seats next to him on a podium. "She came to America when she was 19 and met my incredible father," Trump continued.

His mother always watched royal events with Queen Elizabeth II spellbound on the television, the US President recalled. She would say: "Look Donald, how beautiful that is!" and "Charles, young Charles, he's so cute."

4.40pm

Trump's customs policy: planned chemical plant in Muttenz halted

The planned chemical plant of Basel-based drug manufacturer Corden Pharma in Muttenz BL has been halted, according to CH Media newspapers. Following a strategic review, the contract manufacturer has decided to postpone the peptide project for the time being and examine alternatives. The company, which is owned by the French private equity company Astorg, has not commented on the reasons for this decision, nor have the local authorities been informed.

The mayor of Muttenz regretted the decision and stated that the rejection was now definitive. The Baselland location promotion agency also does not know the exact background. An industry insider suspects that Donald Trump's customs policy played a central role.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - 4.36 am

Main course of the canceled correspondents' dinner donated

Around 2600 portions of the main course of the media gala with US President Donald Trump in Washington, which was canceled after an attempted attack, will be donated to shelters for abused women and children. Steak and lobster had been freeze-dried for a longer shelf life, wrote Weijia Jiang, chairwoman of the journalists' association, on the X platform.

The Hilton donated the ~2600 dinners that went unserved at WHCD. They freeze dried the steak and lobster for longer shelf life before giving them to 2 shelters for abused women and children. HUGE thank you to the staff that worked through the night under terrible circumstances.

— Weijia Jiang (@weijia) April 27, 2026

Before the main course could be served, the gala was interrupted after an attempted attack. An armed man ran through a checkpoint outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton Hotel and was arrested a few meters away after shots were fired. One officer was injured in the incident.

The Journalists Association of Correspondents Accredited to the White House has been organizing the traditional gala evening for more than 100 years. Trump attended the event for the first time on Saturday, having previously stayed away from it during both of his terms in office.

22.45

Trump greets King Charles and Camilla at the White House

US President Donald Trump has greeted the British royal couple in Washington. Trump received King Charles III (77) and Queen Camilla (78) together with President's wife Melania in sunny weather at the south entrance to the White House. Charles and Camilla had arrived in the USA a few hours earlier.

The royal couple's trip also comes in light of the recent strained British-American relations following differences over the Iran war. Charles wants to address the US Congress this Tuesday.

Following the shooting at the Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, the plans for the state visit were reviewed at the last minute, but the trip was able to go ahead as planned. Trump assured the monarch that he would be "very safe" on the White House grounds.

🇬🇧🇺🇸 King Charles III has arrived in the United States

The British monarch, accompanied by Queen Camilla, landed at a military base in Maryland as part of his official visit to the US, CNN reports.

The royal couple walked along a red carpet past an honor guard of American… pic.twitter.com/a1OFJv2EGl

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 27, 2026

8:38 p.m.

Alleged Washington shooter charged with attempting to assassinate Trump

After the attack on a gala dinner with President Donald Trump and numerous high-ranking politicians and media people in Washington, the perpetrator appeared in court on Monday and was charged. The 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen was accused of the attempted murder of Trump. He sat in the courtroom in blue prison garb next to his lawyers.

Allen had no criminal record and had legally purchased a semi-automatic handgun in October 2023 and a 12-gauge shotgun last year, according to the AP news agency.

The 31-year-old lived in the Californian city of Torrance in the greater Los Angeles area and had worked part-time for the past six years as a tutor for a company that advises and supports prospective students preparing for entrance exams. On his voter registration, he listed his parents' home on a tree-lined residential street in one of Torrance's oldest neighborhoods as his address. According to publicly available documents, Alllen is the oldest of four adult children. He has two sisters and a brother.

⚡️Man who opened fire at an event with Trump has been charged with attempted assassination of a U.S. president and remains in custody

He faces a possible life sentence. https://t.co/e7r3JTR1Xu pic.twitter.com/Jo5AeBVMH2

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 27, 2026

8:17 p.m.

"Widow in waiting": Melania Trump outraged by statement from US presenter Kimmel

US First Lady Melania Trump has sharply criticized US presenter Jimmy Kimmel after he called her a "widow in waiting" on his show. Kimmel's words were "corrosive and worsen the sick political climate in the US", the 56-year-old wrote on the online service X on Monday. The wife of US President Donald Trump called on ABC to take action against Kimmel: "Enough is enough. It's time for ABC to take a stand."

Kimmel made the comment on his show last Thursday, two days before the shooting incident on the sidelines of the correspondents' dinner with US President Trump in Washington on Saturday evening. An armed man had attempted to overcome a security checkpoint one floor above the entrance to the event hall. Several shots were fired during his arrest. According to government sources, the man apparently wanted to kill Trump and other members of the US government.

Following the incident, numerous right-wing commentators were furious about Kimmel's comments and called for his dismissal. On the show, Kimmel had taken on the role of host at the upcoming correspondents' dinner, where there is usually a lot of joking around. He turned to the imaginary presidential wife sitting in the audience and said, "Mrs. Trump, you're glowing like a widow in waiting."

Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy- his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America.

People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to…

— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) April 27, 2026

7:17 p.m.

Trump: Controversial US agency ICE to become NICE

According to his government spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, US President Donald Trump supports the idea of renaming the controversial immigration authority ICE to NICE. She wrote this on Platform X. The Republican had previously shared a post on his Truth Social platform in which the conservative influencer Alyssa Marie suggested adding "National" to the name of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency ("Ice"). This would create the abbreviation NICE ("nice, beautiful"). "Great idea!!! Do it. President DJT," wrote Trump.

It was initially unclear how realistic it would be to change the name of the authority. This is under the Department of Homeland Security DHS. According to the US newspaper "The Hill", the renaming of a federal agency usually requires a congressional resolution in the form of a law. This is the only way to change the legal basis on which the agency was founded and thus its name.

President Trump endorses the idea of changing ICE to NICE

https://t.co/rbCGanHV7g

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) April 27, 2026

Monday, April 27, 2026, 4:31 a.m.

Three dead in attack on alleged drug boat in the Pacific

The US military says it has attacked another boat suspected of carrying drugs in the eastern Pacific. Three people were killed on Sunday (local time). This was announced by the US Southern Command in a post on social media. A video published on the X platform shows a boat bursting into flames. As in previous announcements, the military stated that the target was suspected drug smugglers along known drug trafficking routes.

Since September last year, the USA has repeatedly attacked boats in the Caribbean and Pacific that are believed to be loaded with drugs. According to reports, at least 186 people have been killed so far.

On April 26, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/br2znnUM1x

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) April 27, 2026

President Donald Trump had previously declared that the US was in an "armed conflict" with cartels in Latin America and justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stop the flow of drugs. However, his government has provided little evidence to back up these claims. Critics question the legality of the attacks. Despite the war with Iran, attacks have recently increased again.

Saturday, April 25, 2026, 7.27 pm

Court: Trump may not withdraw asylum rights from illegal immigrants

In the USA, a federal appeals court has confirmed that President Donald Trump cannot withdraw the right to apply for asylum from people who have illegally crossed the Mexican border. The court in Washington upheld a corresponding decision by a lower court on Friday (local time). Congress had not granted the government "the broad revocation authority" that it claimed for itself, according to the reasons for the ruling.

According to current law, all foreigners who are "physically present" in the USA have the right to apply for asylum, the court clarified. If the US government wanted to change the "carefully structured and complex" asylum law, it would have to submit this to the only constitutional body authorized to do so: the US Congress.

Before his re-election as US President, Trump had announced that he would deport millions of migrants from the USA without the right to stay. Since taking office in January last year, the Republican has significantly increased deportations and curbed illegal border crossings. However, Trump's restrictive immigration policy has repeatedly met with opposition from US courts.

5.08 pm

US prosecutor closes investigation against Federal Reserve Chairman Powell

The US judiciary has closed the criminal investigation against Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, clearing the way for the appointment of a successor. Prosecutor Jeanine Pirro explained online on Friday that instead of the judiciary, the Federal Reserve's (Fed) internal oversight will now investigate the costs of renovating the central bank building. Republican Senator Thom Tillis, whose vote will be decisive in the appointment of Powell's successor-designate Kevin Warsh, had made his approval conditional on the investigation against Powell being dropped.

Friday, April 24, 2026, 5:57 a.m.

US Secretary of State: Iran's participation in the World Cup is its own decision

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described the Iranian team's participation in the World Cup as Iran's decision alone. "If they decide on their own not to come, it's because they decided not to come," Rubio said at an event at the White House in Washington.

The World Cup will be held in the US, Canada and Mexico this year. The USA and Israel started a war on February 28 with attacks on Iran. A ceasefire is currently in place.

US President Donald Trump had previously been asked about the possibility of Iranian players not being allowed to enter the country. "I don't think much about it", he said. It was an "interesting question" and he wanted to think about it. According to US media, he then gave the floor to Rubio, who said: "They have not been told by the US that they can't come."

Rubio added: "The problem with Iran would not be the athletes. It would be some of the other people they want to bring." Rubio suggested, according to US media, that Iranian militants wanted to enter the US as coaches or journalists. "We may not be able to let them in," he said. "But not the athletes themselves."

There had been repeated discussions about the participation of the Iranian national team, which qualified early for the World Cup, due to the war between the USA and Iran. Most recently, one of Trump's special envoys made headlines with a proposal to replace Iran with Italy at the World Cup. Italian politicians reacted negatively to the idea.

20:54

US Department of Justice reviews its own handling of Epstein files

Following fierce criticism of the US Department of Justice's handling of the Epstein files, the department's oversight committee is stepping in. The internal control body has announced an investigation into the extent to which the law on the publication of the Epstein files has been complied with, according to a statement.

blue News exposes fakesHow fake news is created in the Epstein case - and how to recognize it

The aim was to assess whether the ministry had complied with the law when identifying and redacting the documents and addressing concerns regarding publication. The oversight committee announced a report following the conclusion of the review - it was not stated when this would be available.

The US Department of Justice has been under pressure for some time over its handling of the files relating to the case of the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Critics accuse the department, which has recently been led by former Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, of withholding particularly sensitive files and protecting certain prominent figures.

From Musk to ex-Prince AndrewWhat's inside the newly released Epstein Files

There was also criticism that the names and contact details of victims were not made sufficiently unrecognizable during the gradual publication of some files. This came after US President Donald Trump, under considerable pressure from the US parliament, signed a law in November ordering the release of Epstein files by the Department of Justice.

Thursday, April 23, 2026, 4:40 a.m.

Judge halts redistricting in Virginia

In the fight for a better starting position in the US midterm elections in November, the Democrats in Virginia have suffered a defeat in court. Less than 24 hours after voters had voted in favor of redistricting in their state, a court declared the vote invalid.

According to media reports, the redistricting would have given the Democrats the chance to take four seats in the House of Representatives from the Republicans in the mid-term elections. The Republicans want to defend their wafer-thin majority in Congress in the mid-term elections.

The judge based his decision on the fact that the question on the ballot paper was worded in a "patently misleading" way, according to court documents published by ABC News. In addition, the proposal had been presented to voters earlier than required by the Virginia Constitution. All votes cast were therefore inadmissible and a redistricting of Virginia's electoral districts was not allowed to take place. The Democratic Attorney General of Virginia, Jay Jones, announced that he would challenge the ruling. "An activist judge should not have veto power over the vote of the people," he announced on Platform X.

10.14 pm

Dispute over badges for US immigration officials: success for Trump

In a legal dispute over the deployment of US immigration officials in California, President Donald Trump's government has achieved a stage victory. A law passed in California in 2025 that required federal officials to wear a badge or be otherwise identifiable has been temporarily suspended by an appeals court. The three judges issued a temporary injunction blocking the law until the actual appeal has been decided. The judges had already halted the implementation of the law in a previous ruling.

The Trump administration filed a lawsuit against the law in November, arguing that it endangers the safety of officers who are exposed to harassment and violence. It also violated the constitution, as California was directly encroaching on the jurisdiction of the federal government. The Court of Appeal agreed with this view in its reasoning.

21:33

State could hold 90 percent of low-cost airline according to media report

The business of US low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has been struggling with turbulence for years. Now the pressure is increasing due to expensive kerosene - but Donald Trump wants to help with state money. According to the financial service Bloomberg, the government is negotiating a rescue package worth around 500 million dollars for the ailing airline. The government could be given the option to acquire a stake of up to 90 percent in the airline. Spirit filed for insolvency for the second time in just a few months last August.

US President Donald Trump had already hinted on Tuesday that the state could lend Spirit a helping hand. "Maybe the government should help out in this case," he said in an interview on CNBC, pointing out that Spirit has 14,000 jobs, among other things. He would also like to see a takeover of Spirit.

8.32 p.m.

Mexican president considers sanctions over CIA operation

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is considering sanctions against the government of the state of Chihuahua in connection with an operation by the US foreign intelligence agency CIA. "There can be no agents from any institution of the US government operating in Mexico," Sheinbaum said at a media conference. Chihuahua borders the US state of Texas.

Two CIA agents were killed in a traffic accident at the weekend while returning from a mission against a drug laboratory in northern Mexico. Several sources confirmed this to the AP news agency on Tuesday. Two Mexican investigators were also killed in the accident.

Sheinbaum admitted that the Mexican military had been involved in the operation. However, the Mexican federal government had not been aware that CIA agents had been involved. Sheinbaum said that she had sent a letter to the US ambassador in Mexico requesting that he provide all available information on the incident.

5.03 am

Trump reads polarizing passage at Bible marathon

President Donald Trump and numerous Christian supporters as well as leading Republicans are taking part in a Bible reading this week as part of the "America 250" program. The entire Bible will be read aloud in sections, mostly at the Museum of the Bible in Washington. Trump's contribution was broadcast via video from the Oval Office. The Bible is "inextricably intertwined with our national identity and way of life", explained the President.

The event advertises a "return to the spiritual foundations" of the USA. However, critics see the project as a strongly partisan initiative that links the 250th anniversary of the United States with a Christian nationalist view. This presents the founding of the state as essentially Christian - an assessment that many historians dispute. White Christians, especially evangelicals, are among Trump's most important voter base.

The biblical passage from the Old Testament that Trump read out has been quoted at religious and political events for decades - often in connection with the view that the USA must return to God. It originally refers to a prayer by King Solomon in ancient Israel, in which God promises forgiveness after repentance. The organizers of the Bible Marathon had asked Trump to read out the verse.

Critics see the current use as a political instrumentalization. The verse is popular among Christian nationalists, said Baptist pastor Brian Kaylor. Historian Jemar Tisby explained that "you cannot quote the Bible and at the same time justify violence, war and exclusion".

4.44 a.m.

Ruling: Texas may prescribe Ten Commandments in the classroom

In the struggle for more Christian content in schools, conservatives in the US state of Texas have won a victory in court. An appeals court in New Orleans ruled that a law passed by the Republican-governed state, which obliges schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, is legal. In the previous instance, the law had been stopped and deemed a violation of religious freedom.

The lawsuit was brought by 15 Texan families who were supported by several associations. The court of appeal now argued that the Texas law does not prescribe any religious acts or customs. The pupils would neither be taught the commandments nor would they have to follow them. Students and parents could therefore continue to freely decide which religion they choose. "We are deeply disappointed with today's decision," said a statement from the plaintiffs' side. The First Amendment protects the separation of church and state as well as the right of families to decide for themselves on the issue of religious education. "The ruling tramples on these rights." The group intends to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

The Texas law is part of a broader push to embed Christian messages more firmly in school buildings and curricula. In addition to Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Alabama have also passed laws requiring the commandments to be displayed in public schools, according to the New York Times. Several other states are considering similar measures.

There are also financial incentives for schools in Texas to follow biblically based curricula. Although schools can decide for themselves whether they want to take part, they can receive up to 60 dollars per pupil per year. Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of Texas, described the ruling as a huge success. "The fundamentals of Western law and morality belong in our classrooms," he announced on the X platform.

3.42 a.m.

Virginia voters vote in favor of redistricting

Voters in the US state of Virginia approved a redistricting on Tuesday. This could give the Democrats four additional seats in the US House of Representatives in November's midterm elections, where control of the narrowly divided Congress is at stake. "Virginia has changed the direction of the 2026 midterm elections," said Don Scott, Democratic leader of the state's House of Delegates. "While Trump and his allies are trying to secure power before the people vote, Virginians have responded and created a level playing field across the country."

The constitutional amendment narrowly supported by voters bypasses a bipartisan commission and allows the use of new voting districts designed by Virginia's Democratic-led legislature. However, the result of the referendum may not be final: The state Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legality of the plan.

The referendum in Virginia represents a setback for US President Donald Trump, who last year sparked a nationwide debate on redistricting. He had called on Republican leaders in several states to redraw constituencies in their favor in order to increase their majority in the midterm elections. This is because the Democrats would only need to gain three seats to regain control of the House of Representatives. However, the move in Virginia could partially offset Republican gains in other states.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 0:29 a.m.

Trump speaks kindly of AI firm Anthropic Artificial Intelligence after dispute

The AI company Anthropic can once again hope for a better relationship with the US government after the dispute over direction with the Pentagon. "We get along with them," said President Donald Trump in an interview on the business channel CNBC. Trump pointed out that representatives from Anthropic had been to the White House for talks a few days ago.

BREAKING: President Donald Trump tells CNBC Anthropic is shaping up and a deal is ‘possible’ for Department of Defense use

— CNBC (@CNBC) April 21, 2026

The company risked a conflict with the US government because, despite massive pressure, it insisted that its AI models should not be used in autonomous weapons systems and for mass surveillance in the US. The Pentagon subsequently declared Anthropic a supply chain risk. Trump instructed US authorities not to do business with the company. Anthropic took this to court.

However, Anthropic recently demonstrated how important the company's technology is to the US government. A new Anthropic model called Claude Mythos Preview finds vulnerabilities in various software, some of which have remained undiscovered for decades. In the wrong hands, it would be a dangerous cyberweapon - and could also give the US government an advantage in hardening its own programs and exploiting potential vulnerabilities for espionage abroad. Anthropic has no plans to make Mythos Preview public.

6:40 p.m.

Meloni after Trump attack: "Courage means speaking your mind"

Following harsh criticism from US President Donald Trump, Italy's head of government Giorgia Meloni has remained calm. She was "not disappointed" by his words, but had expected them, she said on the fringes of a furniture fair in Milan.

The dispute goes back to Trump's harsh criticism of Pope Leo XIV's repeated appeals for peace. Meloni had described these as "unacceptable". Trump then accused her of lacking courage and declared that he was "shocked" by her. She was "no longer the same person".

At the furniture fair, the Prime Minister emphasized that she was merely expressing her opinion. "I believe that courage means speaking your mind, even if you disagree" - the same applies to friendship. This does not change the relationship between Italy and the United States. When asked, Meloni also said that she had not spoken to the US president "recently".

6.09 a.m.

Refund of unlawful customs duties: a test of patience for companies

According to Blick, the reimbursement of illegally levied US customs duties is likely to be a test of patience for the companies affected. "I only believe in the repayments when the money is actually in the accounts of the Swiss companies," said Jean-Philippe Kohl, Deputy Director of the industry association Swissmem, to the newspaper. There is a great deal of interest in repayments among the association's members. Another option is a lawsuit, wrote "Blick". The Swiss branch of the US law firm Quinn Emanuel is bundling the legal requests of Swiss companies. The aim is a class action involving as many companies as possible.

4.45 pm

Trump's Secretary of Labor leaves office after controversy

US Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer is the third woman in seven weeks to leave President Donald Trump's administration. She will take up a post in the private sector, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung announced on the X platform. Her deputy, Keith Sonderling, will continue to run the business until further notice.

Chavez-DeRemer has been under pressure for months because of several investigations. As reported by the "Washington Post", among others, this also involves possible violations in the use of budget funds and allegations of inappropriate behavior in office. In addition, supervisory authorities are to investigate complaints about a problematic working atmosphere in the ministry. Three female employees had described a "hostile work environment" with retaliatory measures, reported the New York Times and the New York Post. According to media reports, her husband was expelled from the ministry following allegations of sexual misconduct against employees. Chavez-DeRemer denied the allegations.

Chavez-DeRemer had been Secretary of Labor since March 2025 and was previously a member of parliament for Oregon. Her appointment was considered unusual because she held relatively pro-union positions compared to many Republicans.

It was only at the beginning of March that President Trump fired his controversial Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. At the beginning of April, Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had come under fire for the Epstein affair, also had to go. This is Chavez-DeRemer's third departure in less than seven weeks - always women.

4.30 a.m.

Inadmissible partner USA: Japan relaxes rules on arms exports

The Japanese government has largely lifted its historic restrictions on arms exports abroad. As reported by the Kyodo news agency, the changes approved by the cabinet and the National Security Council are aimed at "expanding Japan's security cooperation with partner countries". This means that the country is increasingly turning away from the pacifist course it adopted after the Second World War.

In future, the country will be allowed to sell armaments classified as "lethal weapons" to countries with which Japan has certain defense agreements. According to Kyodo, exports to conflict regions will also be possible in exceptional cases.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is regarded as an advocate of a tough security policy. The relaxation of export restrictions is seen as an attempt to expand the domestic arms industry, among other things. Until now, Japanese companies have largely been restricted to producing for the country's own armed forces. Neighboring countries North Korea and China in particular, which are rapidly arming themselves militarily, are increasingly perceived as a threat in Japan.

Tokyo's national security depends heavily on its traditional ally, the USA. However, since US President Donald Trump's second term in office, the United States has been perceived as an increasingly unreliable partner. Trump has repeatedly questioned US security guarantees to its allies.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 4 a.m.

FBI chief Patel sues US magazine for 250 million dollars

FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a defamation lawsuit against the US news magazine "The Atlantic" and author Sarah Fitzpatrick, demanding 250 million dollars in damages. The magazine crossed a line "by publishing an article filled with false and obviously fabricated allegations," according to the lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington. The allegations were "intended to damage Patel's reputation and drive him from office."

"The Atlantic" had reported that Patel's position as head of the FBI was in jeopardy due to "episodes of excessive drinking" and "unexplained absences". Patel describes the article as a "defamatory, malicious and libelous attack" and criticizes the fact that the author relied exclusively on anonymous sources. "Fitzpatrick could not get a single person to publicly support these outrageous allegations," the lawsuit states.

The magazine defends its reporting and announces that it will "vigorously defend itself against this baseless lawsuit". For the article, The Atlantic had cited more than two dozen current and former officials who said Patel repeatedly showed up to work drunk and missed important deadlines without explanation.

16.51

Pope Leo XIV does not want a "new debate" with Trump

Pope Leo XIV has expressed his regret that statements made by him were perceived as a critical allusion to US President Donald Trump. He has "absolutely no interest" in a "new debate with the president", the Pope said on Saturday during his trip to Africa on the flight from Cameroon to Angola.

Among other things, the head of the Catholic Church referred to a speech he gave in Cameroon in which he denounced "tyrants" who plunder the world. The speech had already been written two weeks ago, said Pope Leo. "But it was perceived as if I were trying to start a new debate with the president, which I have absolutely no interest in doing."

8.40 a.m.

Trump's insight on climate change

At the aforementioned Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, Arizona - see previous entry - Donald Trump also spoke about the climate - and offered his very own view of things.

"The Green New Scam [instead of Green New Deal] is the biggest scam in history," said the 79-year-old. "Remember: climate change, global warming, all that... They actually had global warming, but that didn't work because the planet is actually cooling."

The fact that the earth has demonstrably warmed compared to pre-industrial times does not bother the US president. "And then they had another one, and another one, and they were wrong," Trump continues without making the connection clear. "And then they said climate change! Because climate change includes heat, snow, whatever."



[image or embed]

— Michael E. Mann (@michaelemann.bsky.social) 18. April 2026 um 00:41

8:04 a.m.

Trump wants to publish UFO files

Donald Trump has promised at an event organized by the conservative movement Turning Point USA in Phoenix, Arizona, that he will have "very interesting" UFO files published in the near future.

"I recently directed the Secretary of War to release the government files on UFOs and unexplained aerial phenomena," Trump said . "That process is well underway, and we've found a lot of very interesting documents, and the first releases will begin very, very soon."

Trump:

I directed Pete Hegseth to begin releasing government files relating to UFOs and unexplained aerial phenomena.

We found many interesting documents. pic.twitter.com/UeRfwKc5Jp

— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 17, 2026

Saturday, April 18, 7 a.m.

Rutte: "I don't see the US leaving Nato"

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte considers speculation about a possible withdrawal of the USA from the defense alliance to be absurd. "I don't see the USA leaving Nato," Rutte told "Welt am Sonntag".

The nuclear protection of Europe by the USA is also not in question. "The American nuclear umbrella is the ultimate guarantor of security here in Europe. And I am convinced that it will remain so."

In recent weeks, statements made by US President Donald Trump had stoked fears of the USA leaving the alliance. Trump criticized what he saw as a lack of support from NATO partners for the war against Iran. The US Senate would have to approve a NATO withdrawal with a two-thirds majority - which is considered very unlikely.

Rutte met with Trump in the White House around a week and a half ago and said that Trump was "clearly disappointed" with the transatlantic alliance and several partner states.

Points of contention with NATO states included the use of military bases and a mission to open the Strait of Hormuz. Trump repeatedly attacked Spain, France and the United Kingdom in particular.

"They were absolutely useless. They need us so badly" -- Trump goads his Turning Point audience into booing NATO

[image or embed]

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 18. April 2026 um 00:05

Rutte showed understanding for the US President's annoyance. Trump was visibly disappointed with some Nato members. "And I understand his frustration", Rutte told Welt am Sonntag. With a view to improving Europe's defense, he called for the defense industry to be strengthened. "This is crucial to maintain our deterrence and defense."

16:22

"They want to stay away": Trump rages against Nato again

After Iran and the USA declared the Strait of Hormuz open, Nato is said to have contacted the White House, writes Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform.

"Now that the problem in the Strait of Hormuz is over, NATO called me and asked if we needed help. I told them to stay away unless they just want to load their ships with oil. They were useless when they were needed - a paper tiger!"

2:25 p.m.

USA deports Latin Americans to the Congo

The USA has deported around 15 people from Latin America to the Congo. The group arrived in the capital Kinshasa this morning, their lawyer announced. The US government under President Donald Trump has signed agreements with African countries to speed up deportations.

US Attorney General Alma David told the AP news agency that the Congolese government plans to keep the deportees in the country for a short time. An official from the migration authority in Congo confirmed the arrival, but gave no further details.

According to David, all those affected were granted protection by US courts from being returned to their home countries. They are currently being accommodated in a hotel in Kinshasa. The International Organization for Migration will offer all of them "assisted voluntary repatriation", said David.

The Congolese Ministry of Communications recently announced that it would take in some migrants as part of a third-country program run by the US government. The agreement is temporary and reflects Congo's "commitment to human dignity and international solidarity".

There would be no costs for the government because the USA would take care of the necessary logistics. Each case will be examined individually; automatic transfers of deportees are not planned.

1.50 p.m.

Defense in Kirk murder case wants to ban cameras

The suspect in the case of the fatal attack on right-wing US activist Charlie Kirk wants to ban cameras in the courtroom for his trial.

A live broadcast of the trial would violate their client's right to a fair trial, the 23-year-old defendant's lawyers said. The alleged assassin Tyler Robinson was due to appear in court today.

Tyler Robinson is due in court Friday as his attorneys press their claims that biased coverage is tainting potential jurors in his aggravated murder case. https://t.co/2TOUbhDLXE

— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) April 17, 2026

The defense argues that the media coverage of the case was one-sided and influenced potential jurors. As an example, an article in the "New York Post" was cited, which suggested that the accused had confessed to the attack on Kirk on December 11 in his first hearing after the indictment.

The conversation with his attorneys was not audible, but the newspaper reported, citing a lip-reading analysis, that Robinson said he thought about the crime every day.

Media organizations, prosecutors and Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, are calling for the court to allow cameras. They argue that a transparent trial is the best way to prevent the spread of misinformation and conspiracy narratives.

Kirk, a right-wing influencer, supporter of US President Donald Trump and founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot dead on 10 September 2025 during a discussion event at a university in the state of Utah. The public prosecutor's office is seeking the death penalty.

10.30 a.m.

Pentagon allegedly pushes ahead with Cuba plans

The newspaper "USA Today" claims to have learned from two sources close to the Pentagon that the US armed forces are pushing ahead with plans for an attack by Cuba in the event that the President orders it.

Trump: We're gonna do this [Iran] and we may stop by Cuba after we're finished with this."

[image or embed]

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 13. April 2026 um 18:53

The USA has imposed a de facto embargo on the Caribbean island since January. Donald Trump himself said in the White House on April 13: "Maybe we'll stop by Cuba when we're done with this." We will see what happens to the island.

Will the next war follow soon? Brian Fonseca from Florida International University points out that Washington is not yet talking about an "imminent threat" in Cuba - unlike Venezuela or Iran previously.

The Pentagon received direct orders from President Trump to prepare for a military escalation in Cuba, according to multiple reports. Trump’s existing oil and aid blockade of Cuba has caused rampant human suffering, as the island experiences blackouts, food shortages, and inflation. trib.al/4PrBxi8

[image or embed]

— The New Republic (@newrepublic.com) 16. April 2026 um 22:54

It is probably more about exerting military pressure on the ongoing negotiations with Havana. "At the moment, that's a lot of signaling." An invasion is treacherous, warns Fonseca: "That would be a very easy military victory, but a much more difficult political victory."

9.12am

Merciless: What Trump allegedly told Greene when she talked about threatening her children

Republican ex-congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who fell out of favor with Donald Trump, has once again given an insight into her break with the US president in the YouTube show "Piers Morgan Uncensored".

The 79-year-old had called the mother of three a "traitor", which caused the threats against the 51-year-old to "escalate". "I was so upset about the death threats against my children - because of him," says Greene Morgan. She also told Trump about it.

"What did he say to you?" the Englishman asks and is stunned when the American replies: "He had no sympathy for the death threats against my children. He basically accused me of saying that it would be my fault if my son was killed."

For Greene, the break with her former idol was final. "Some of my biggest political enemies would never say that to me," she said. "Democrats I might have had disagreements with in Congress would never have said that to me. No one has ever said those kinds of words to me."

The Georgia woman ended, "I don't know what kind of person that is that has no compassion and doesn't care that someone is threatening to kill someone else's child. That's just unimaginable."

When asked by The Hill to comment on these statements, the White House said Greene was simply "ridiculously" trying to stay in the conversation by appearing in "liberal media."

Spokesman Davis Ingle then writes or says this sentence: "Unfortunately, Trump Derangement Syndrome has rotted the peanut-sized brain of former Congresswoman Greene."

7 .45 a.m.

Minnesota indicts ICE agents

A federal agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been charged with aggravated assault. He is accused of pointing a gun at occupants of a car on a highway in the Minneapolis area, according to prosecutors in the state of Minnesota yesterday.

Hennepin County District Attorney Mary Moriarty said it was the first criminal case against a federal officer in connection with the controversial crackdown on immigrants in Minnesota.

"There is no absolute immunity for federal officers who violate the law in the state of Minnesota," she said. The officer had acted outside the scope of his authority.

A nationwide warrant has been issued in the first criminal charges against an ICE agent for on-duty actions during the enforcement surge in Minnesota.

[image or embed]

— Minnesota Star Tribune (@startribune.com) 16. April 2026 um 23:16

An arrest warrant from Hennepin County alleges two counts of aggravated assault against the ICE officer. A spokesman for the district attorney's office said there is no voluntary plea agreement yet for the defendant, and there is a nationwide warrant out for his arrest.

If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison on each charge. Representatives of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice did not initially respond to requests for comment.

According to authorities, the 35-year-old was on his way back to an immigration office at the end of his shift on February 5 when the incident occurred. According to the warrant, two occupants of a car called 911 and reported that an unmarked SUV had pulled up next to them, rolled down the window and pointed a gun at them.

They said they feared it was "a crazy person on the road pointing guns at people." The defendant told Minnesota State Highway Patrol investigators that another vehicle cut him off and slowed down.

He said he pulled his gun out of fear for his safety and yelled "Police! Stop!" out of fear for his safety. However, according to investigators, those involved could not recognize him as an officer and could not hear him due to closed windows.

5.47 a.m.

ICE director resigns at the end of May

The acting director of the controversial US immigration authority ICE, Todd Lyons, will step down at the end of May. This was announced on Platform X by Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security.

Lyons has played a key role in helping US President Donald Trump's administration "remove murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists and gang members from American communities," Mullin continued. "Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer today."

Reasons for Lyons' resignation were not initially given.

Trump had appointed him to his post in March 2025. Prior to that, Lyons had been with ICE for 20 years. The US President is using the immigration authority to push through his controversial plans for the mass deportation of migrants. The agency has been in the spotlight due to controversial raids in US cities such as Chicago and Minneapolis, in which masked federal officials also took action against migrants.

Following the death of two US demonstrators by gunfire from US federal officers in Minneapolis and violent protests, the ICE operation was called off. The Department of Homeland Security, with then Secretary Kristi Noem, also found itself increasingly in the headlines as a result. Noem was finally dismissed by Trump at the beginning of March. Her successor, Mullin, has only been in office for just under a month. He must calm the heated situation.

Friday, April 17, 2026, 2.42 a.m.

Parmelin expected to meet US Trade Representative

President Guy Parmelin is expected to meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington on Friday at 3 p.m. (local time). Switzerland continues to strive for a trade agreement with the USA, especially as the US government has become unpredictable on customs issues under President Donald Trump.

In addition, the US opened investigations into Switzerland and many other countries in mid-March for violations of trade law. The Americans accuse the states of "unfair or discriminatory trade practices". The Federal Council rejects these accusations and has decided to take the necessary steps to present Switzerland's view in the context of these investigations.

3.25 p.m.

Trump's fight against the Pope: Washington cuts millions from Catholic aid organizations

Donald Trump's battle with the head of the Catholic Church is entering the next round: the US government has cut 11 million dollars in funding to Catholic aid organizations, reports the Miami Herald.

The church organizations had been working for the Office of Refugee Resettlement, looking after children who entered the USA without their parents. The organizations have been doing this job since the 1960s, the report continues.

"The US government has abruptly decided to end more than 60 years of collaboration with Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Miami," said Archbishop Thomas Wenski. "The Archdiocese of Miami's services for unaccompanied minors have been recognized for their outstanding work and have served as a model for other agencies across the country."

The clergyman continues, "Our track record in serving this vulnerable population is second to none. Yet Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami has had its funding for unaccompanied minors cut and will be forced to close its services within three months."

When asked by the "Miami Herald", the authorities justify the move by saying that there are significantly fewer children affected thanks to Trump's immigration policy. The archbishop also concedes this, but counters: "It is incomprehensible that the US government wants to discontinue a program that it can hardly replicate with the same competence."

5.46 am

US military again kills suspected drug smugglers at sea

The US military has again attacked a suspected drug smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific and killed three men. According to intelligence services, the boat was on a known drug trafficking route and was engaged in drug smuggling, the US Regional Command Southcom, which is responsible for the region, announced on Platform X. Just the day before, the US military had announced the killing of four alleged drug smugglers, also in the East Pacific.

On April 15, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/EaGDMHmpan

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) April 16, 2026

On the orders of US President Donald Trump's administration, the military has been attacking boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific allegedly used to smuggle drugs into the US since last fall. People are regularly killed in the process.

The United States has a major drug problem for which it blames foreign smugglers. Critics doubt that the deadly attacks in international waters are permissible under international law.

4.30 a.m.

Switzerland rejects US accusations of unfair trade practices

According to "CH Media", Switzerland has rejected accusations of unfair trade practices made by the USA in a statement signed by the head of Seco, Helene Budliger Artieda. In two letters, Budliger Artieda denied the allegations point by point, including the accusation of indirect profits from forced labor. The statement was made as part of the US consultation procedure, which serves to prepare new punitive tariffs. It is unclear whether US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will take the objections into consideration.

Thursday, April 16, 2026, 0:31 a.m.

After Trump criticism: Brazil's President Lula defends the Pope

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defended Pope Leo XIV against the backdrop of a tense exchange of blows with US President Donald Trump. Lula said on Wednesday (local time) that the Pope must be protected from "powerful people" who have recently criticized him. The 80-year-old Lula made his comments in a video message sent to a meeting of the Brazilian Bishops' Conference.

"My deepest solidarity is with Pope Leo XIV. Throughout human history, defenders of peace and the oppressed have been attacked by powerful people who believe they are god-like beings who should be worshipped," Lula said. "It is better to have a heart full of love than the power of weapons and money."

Trump had recently intensified his criticism of the Pope's comments on the war in Iran. The dispute flared up after the Pope said that God does not bless those who drop bombs. The pontiff also described Trump's threat to destroy Iranian civilization as "totally unacceptable". The president retorted that the Pope was weak on crime and a prisoner of the left. Trump also claimed that the Pope owed his position to him.

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