UPDATE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a critical warning that Ukraine may face a “pivotal choice” between defending its sovereignty and risking the loss of vital American support. This urgent announcement comes as discussions intensify around a U.S. peace proposal perceived to favor Russia, stirring fears in Kyiv.
Officials report that Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautiously welcomed the U.S. plan, which includes many of the Kremlin’s demands while offering limited security guarantees to Ukraine. The proposal suggests Ukraine could cede territory to Russia, a scenario Zelenskyy has firmly ruled out. As the war enters its fourth year, the stakes are higher than ever for Ukraine, which relies heavily on American military assistance.
Meanwhile, in a shocking political shift, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia announced her resignation from Congress effective January. In a lengthy video posted late Friday, she cited a desire to avoid a contentious primary battle as her reason, following a public fallout with former President Donald Trump, who branded her a “traitor.” Greene’s departure raises questions about the political landscape in Georgia and the broader implications for Trump’s influence in the party.
In Brazil, former President Jair Bolsonaro was arrested on Saturday, just days before beginning his 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup attempt. The Brazilian Federal Police apprehended him in Brasília after a Supreme Court request, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the former leader who served from 2019 to 2022.
In Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that labeled the state’s 2026 congressional redistricting plan as racially biased. The order, issued by Justice Samuel Alito, aims to avoid confusion ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, as the court deliberates the implications of the plan, which is favored by Republicans.
Health officials in Grays Harbor County, Washington, have reported a tragic first: a resident is believed to be the first person to die from a rare strain of bird flu, H5N5. The individual, who had underlying health conditions, was previously treated after exposure to domestic poultry. Authorities stress that the overall risk to the public remains low.
In Nigeria, a horrifying attack on a Catholic school resulted in the abduction of over 200 schoolchildren and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s School in the Papiri community. This incident follows a similar kidnapping earlier in the week, highlighting the alarming trend of school abductions in the region, often orchestrated by gangs seeking ransom.
Lastly, the widow of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has joined Democratic lawmakers in demanding the release of a call transcript between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This request follows Trump’s dismissal of U.S. intelligence findings regarding the Crown Prince’s potential role in Khashoggi’s murder, raising significant questions about transparency and accountability.
This series of urgent developments underscores an increasingly volatile political landscape both domestically and internationally. As events unfold, the implications for global peace, national security, and human rights remain critical. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
