Russia has rejected a proposal to hand control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to the United States, instead offering Ukraine discounted energy supplies, Reuters reported from Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are pressing to finalize a peace agreement by the end of March, though negotiations remain stalled over territorial issues and security guarantees.

Michael Ratney, the former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia under President Joe Biden, told *Politico* that Iran’s push to change the format and location of the talks is telling. While Washington initially took a “take-it-or-leave-it” stance, it ultimately agreed to the venue change. “Trump doesn’t appear eager for war with Iran, and he may be listening to his Gulf allies,” Ratney said—a view shared by several Arab officials in close contact with the White House. Four Arab officials from two countries said President Trump and his senior aides have taken seriously their warnings that an attack on Iran could trigger retaliation against neighboring states such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, potentially spiraling into a prolonged, large-scale regional conflict. They also cautioned that Iran could respond by targeting regional oil exports, driving up energy prices and risking a global economic crisis, possibly by attempting to block the Strait of Hormuz. Some Gulf officials further argue that even an intensified bombing campaign—beyond last June’s U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites—would be unlikely to bring down the Islamic Republic. “This is far more complex than Venezuela,” one official said, referencing last month’s U.S.-backed operation that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and the installation of his deputy, who has shown openness to working with the Trump administration.

🚨U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran tells citizens to "leave Iran now." - statement

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Politico reports that U.S. President Donald Trump is planning to boost beef imports as part of a trade agreement with Argentina.

According to Axios, President Donald J. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner held discussions with Russian officials on the sidelines of Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Thursday, negotiating a possible extension of New START, the last remaining nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia.

U.S. President Donald Trump: “Beginning tonight, dozens of the most commonly prescribed medications will be offered at steep discounts to consumers through a new website, TrumpRX.gov.”

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent on Iran: “We engineered a dollar shortage inside the country, and it had rapid effects. The tipping point came in December, when one of Iran’s largest banks collapsed following a bank run, forcing the central bank to print money. The Iranian currency then went into a free fall, inflation surged, and as a result, we’ve seen the Iranian people take to the streets.”

A man from Los Angeles has been arrested for allegedly sending text messages to the daughter and son-in-law of Nancy Guthrie asking about transferring Bitcoin, Fox News correspondent Matt Finn reports. The suspect, identified as Derrick Callella, told investigators he was simply testing whether the family would respond. According to a criminal complaint, the messages are not connected to the February 2 ransom demand.

President Donald J. Trump said he declined an offer to rest upon arrival, explaining that he didn’t need sleep after being on a plane. He added that he doesn’t like sleeping on aircraft, joking that he prefers looking out the window, “watching for missiles and enemies.”

During remarks at the 74th Annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington this morning, President Donald J. Trump joked about Iran, Venezuela, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan “Raizin” Caine. Trump quipped that Caine was “brutal,” adding, “Just ask Venezuela. Ask Iran. They’re negotiating now — and they don’t want us to hit them. We’ve got a big fleet heading toward Iran.” He then joked about meeting Caine at the bottom of an aircraft staircase, recounting a playful exchange about his name: “What’s your name? Raizin. What’s your last name? Caine. So let me get this straight — your name is Raizin Caine, right?”

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias described Greece’s planned missile defense system, known as the Achilles Shield, as a far more comprehensive concept than existing systems like Iron Dome or the Golden Dome. He said the system is designed to address every type of threat — from space and cyberspace to the sea, undersea, air, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles — offering a fully integrated, multi-domain defense approach. Dendias emphasized that Greece is working closely with Israel on the project, but not through the traditional model of simply buying weapons platforms. Instead, Greece plans to domestically produce at least 50 percent of the systems while acquiring the underlying know-how. “Our goal is for Israel’s highly efficient and successful innovation ecosystem to work hand in hand with our own,” he said, stressing technology transfer and long-term capability building rather than off-the-shelf procurement.

Trump announced that on May 17, 2026, Americans from across the country will be invited to gather on the National Mall to pray, give thanks, and rededicate the nation as “One Nation Under God.”

Trump: “Iran is negotiating… they don't wanna… haha"

New footage shows a U.S.-led coalition convoy departing the Al-Shaddadi base in northeastern Syria, reportedly en route to Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq following the withdrawal.

Kostiantynivka in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, about 20 kilometers from Kramatorsk, now lies in ruins, with burned-out high-rise buildings. The video shows a neighborhood that was still largely intact just a few months ago.

Unbelievable.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva met the Palestinian ambassador and donned the keffiyeh himself after taking it from him.

Tony Cuomo: “Hey buddy, just letting you know whatever I read in the papers about you doesn’t bother me. I am your friend for life and true or not, my friendship is yours.” Epstein: “Thanks, me too.” Cuomo: “I’m going to have to figure out a way to get to your island.”

U.S. President Donald Trump on tackling crime: “We’re closely evaluating five cities, but we want to be invited. We could make Chicago a safe city, just like Washington, D.C., and just like other places where we’ve stepped in. We’ll be announcing them very soon.”