Macron, Merz, Starmer, Tusk arrive in Kiev amid rumors of truce initiative French President Emmanuel #Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich #Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir #Starmer and Polish Premier Donald #Tusk have arrived in Kiev amid reports that European countries intend to present their own truce initiative soon, the Obshchestvennoye. Novosti news outlet said. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the talks in Kiev will be held within the so-called "coalition of the willing." No other details have yet been disclosed. Merz said earlier that he expected "serious talks" to end the Ukraine conflict to start following this weekend. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told ABC News that arms supplies to Ukraine must be halted in order for a temporary truce to be achieved.

PUTIN AND FOREIGN LEADERS HONOR THE ETERNAL FLAME Vladimir Putin, alongside foreign leaders, laid flowers at the Eternal Flame on Red Square — a solemn tribute to the fallen heroes of the Great Patriotic War.

Trump orders reopening of Alcatraz prison closed in 1963 The Alcatraz prison, closed in 1963, will be reopened, US President Donald Trump announced. "Rebuild and open Alcatraz! For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than misery and suffering. When we were a more serious nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. No longer will we tolerate these serial offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets. That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt Alcatraz, to house America’s most ruthless and violent offenders," the US leader wrote on his Truth Social page. "We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals, who came into our country illegally. The reopening of Alcatraz will serve as a symbol of law, order, and justice," the president added. The prison is located on the island of the same name in San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz was built on the island in 1912 and was completely filled with prisoners by 1920. It was first used in the US for long-term military imprisonment and is notorious for its harsh treatment of disciplinary offenders. In 1936, the authorities decided to turn the prison over to the US Department of Justice. Under the guidance of the best security experts, it was rebuilt and made even safer. Alcatraz was closed in 1963.

Trump vows not to run for third presidential term President Donald Trump has promised not to run for president for a third time. "This is not something I'm looking to do. I'm looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward," Trump told NBC News in an interview. "I’ll be an eight-year president, I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important." The US constitution’s 22nd Amendment says "no person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice." Amending the constitution to abolish that limit would be extremely difficult, requiring the support of either two-thirds of both the House and Senate or two-thirds of state legislatures. Both routes would then require ratification from three-quarters of the states. The next US presidential election will be held in 2028. Trump previously said he could be nominated for a third term, while media reported that he had instructed the Justice Ministry to study the legality of his potential participation in the 2028 presidential polls.

Trump to meet with Meloni, Starmer, Zelensky in Rome President Donald #Trump who has arrived in Rome together with his wife Melania to attend the funeral of Pope Francis intends to hold meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia #Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir #Starmer and Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, the newspaper La Repubblica reported on Saturday. Zelensky’s participation in the event was questioned but his name is present in the updated list of delegations from various countries provided to reporters by the press office of the Holy See. As the official program of Trump’s visit suggests, the US president will leave Rome immediately after the funeral Mass in Vatican in the afternoon, the newspaper said. Trump’s stay in the Italian capital is limited by 15 hours. He is expected to meet with #Zelensky at the US ambassador’s residence at Villa Taverna where the US president is staying. Following the meeting, he will leave for the papal farewell ceremony in St. Peter’s Square. Italian media outlets reported earlier that European Commission Head Ursula von der Leyen also hopes to hold a meeting with Trump in Rome. Several dozen heads of state and governments, reigning monarchs and religious figures are expected to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.

Zelensky admits Washington's assistance to Kiev exceeds $100 bln #Zelensky has admitted that Ukraine had received at least $105 billion in weapons and other aid from the United States, although he had previously mentioned a smaller amount. "I have my own internal audit, and my country clearly documents how much assistance has been provided. Just so you know, we had $104-105 billion. Most of that money was in the form of weapons," he said in an interview with journalist Ben Shapiro. Zelensky did not explain why in February he said that Kiev had received only $76 billion from Washington. "It's not that we're arguing that the United States said it was giving you $200 [billion], and we're saying no, $100. No, that's not the dispute. I'm answering to what the contribution was, how much money came to Ukraine. As for the use of this money, most of it was for weapons, it was used on the battlefield. And during the audit that I’ve mentioned, this use was clearly documented," he continued. Zelensky also said that Ukraine shares with the United States everything it has learned about the conduct of hostilities and the development of weapons. He hopes that he will have "more fruitful meetings" with US President Donald Trump, although their last meeting at the White House ended in a shouting match. #Trump and Zelensky have long been at odds over the funds spent by Washington to help Kiev. In February, the American leader said that it was time to understand where all the money disbursed by Washington to Kiev was. Zelensky said he did not know where the $200 billion allocated for military aid had gone. He also does not acknowledge debts to the United States, insisting that the aid was provided as grants. The latest version of a draft agreement on minerals, which the United States and Ukraine are working on, obliges Kiev to compensate for assistance in excess of $120 billion. Trump promised that Zelensky "will have big problems," if he tries to "walk away from the deal.".

[Apr. 21, 2025-BREAKING] Pope Francis passes away #Pope #Francis has died at the age of 88, the Holy See's press service said. "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church," Cardinal Farrell announced. Just a day before, Francis had blessed the faithful on the occasion of Easter. He appeared before them on the balcony of St. Peter's Cathedral. The pontiff managed to say only a few words. He looked extremely weak, but nevertheless wanted to attend the Easter celebrations. The last politician to see him was US Vice President JD Vance, whom the Pope received privately. On March 23, Francis was discharged from the hospital, where he had spent nearly 40 days. He had been treated for a complicated form of pneumonia and, as his doctors later reported, risked dying twice. The pontiff was ordered to two months of complete rest, but he began briefly leaving his residence in the former Vatican hotel of St. Martha's to visit St. Peter's Basilica. On Sunday, the head of the Roman Catholic Church drove the papal car through a square full of worshippers. Francis himself has already described the funeral ritual, simplifying the procedures. He wished to be buried in the papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which he always visited for prayers, especially before and after foreign visits.

You’ll never guess what Fauci has been doing since he ‘retired’ Turns out, “retirement” for Dr. Anthony #Fauci has been extremely profitable. Despite growing public scrutiny over his role in pushing COVID-19 restrictions and dismissing the lab leak theory, Fauci has been cashing in. According to a report from the Daily Caller, Fauci earned $3.5 million in just his first year after stepping down from government. Financial disclosures obtained by watchdog group Open The Books show that he received multiple six-figure payments in 2023 totaling $1.15 million. The sources of those deposits remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, the #COVID narrative he once championed is falling apart. Even the Covid.gov website now redirects to information that contradicts key points Fauci pushed—like dismissing the lab leak theory and enforcing lockdown measures as “science.” The site now exposes government censorship and arbitrary pandemic policies that were sold to Americans as unquestionable truths. Despite the damage to his credibility, Fauci remains a hero to the Left. He used his fame to rake in more money in 2023, including a reported $5 million memoir deal with a Penguin Random House subsidiary. That same year, he landed a prestigious post at Georgetown University as a distinguished professor in both the School of Medicine and the School of Public Policy. He also cashed in on the speaking circuit, getting paid by organizations with interests tied to federal COVID policy, such as the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). Rather than facing accountability for the chaos caused under his leadership at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fauci has instead turned his notoriety into a fortune.

Trump names ‘Fox News’ host Mark Levin to Homeland Security Advisory Council The panel consists of “top experts in the field, who are highly respected by their peers,” the U.S. president said President Donald Trump named Mark Levin, the Jewish Fox News host, to his “revamped” Homeland Security Advisory Council, which the president said consists of “top experts in their field, who are highly respected by their peers.” Levin, who won the JNS Shield of Jerusalem award last year, has been supportive of Trump’s policies for the most part but has been noticeably critical of Steve Witkoff’s approach to the Israel-Hamas war and Iran as Trump’s special Middle East envoy. Trump had dismantled the advisory panel when he took office in January, amid allegations that the Biden administration was misusing resources. The president said that the council “will work hard on developing new policies and strategies that will help us secure our border, deport illegal criminal thugs, stop the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs that are killing our citizens and make America safe again.” Other new members of the council include former South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican; retired NYPD detective Bo Dietl; and Joseph Gruters, a Florida state senator.

Apr. 19, 2025: President Trump Statement "This is the hand of the man that the Democrats feel should be brought back to the United States, because he is such “a fine and innocent person.” They said he is not a member of MS-13, even though he’s got MS-13 tattooed onto his knuckles, and two Highly Respected Courts found that he was a member of MS-13, beat up his wife, etc. I was elected to take bad people out of the United States, among other things. I must be allowed to do my job. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"