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Abelardo De La Espriella will take office as Colombia president on Friday after promising a hard line on security and drug trafficking. The 48-year-old lawyer won the June runoff and plans to shrink the state. He will be the first leader sworn in at Cali amid a major security lockdown.
Protesters recently filled a town hall in Hudson, Colorado, to oppose an immigration detention center opening in an empty prison. The facility sits near the Eighth Congressional District, where Representative Gabe Evans faces a tough re-election. Many residents now feel caught in a national debate that has jolted the local race.
Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Deterrence Agreement on Friday. Leaders Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mohammed bin Salman, and Shehbaz Sharif signed the pact in Mecca. It says an armed attack against one nation is an attack on all three, as they work to improve regional collective security.
Senator Lisa Murkowski said on Friday that she would oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general. She worries he will "fail to check the worst impulses of this administration." With Democrats against him, Mr. Blanche cannot afford more Republican defections. His path to confirmation now looks very difficult indeed.
A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that President Trump cannot build a White House ballroom without Congress. The judges said he lacked the power to replace sections of the building. While construction continues for now, the case will likely head to the Supreme Court to decide the final outcome.
The Trump administration finalized a framework this week to test new artificial intelligence models for safety risks. Officials met with tech leaders on Tuesday but kept the details private. This secret process leaves many questions about how the government will check if these models threaten global cybersecurity or public safety.
Two civilians died and 14 got injured in a Houthi strike on Marib, Yemen’s government said on Friday. Health minister Qassem Bahaibah denounced the Houthis as a “terrorist militia” after the attack. Authorities told health facilities to stay alert as the government condemned the targeting of safe residential neighbourhoods and camps.
Modern wars now target civilian energy infrastructure, shifting from past norms. Experts at West Point say this is the age of energy warfare. From Ukraine to Sudan, power grids and oil refineries are frontline targets. The authors of the report wrote, "Such sanctuary is over," as these attacks become common.
Astoria has become the center of democratic socialist power in New York City. Longtime resident Pura Barakos said, "Now, it feels fantastic to live here." The neighborhood now elects socialists to the city council and state assembly. This shift shows how these politicians use local victories to push their national agenda.
The United States is pushing for a naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz, but European allies remain hesitant. Despite earlier plans, the coalition effort stalled. "Neither UK nor France has much appetite for being drawn into a confrontation with Iran," said analyst HA Hellyer about the ongoing regional tension.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll concluded early this week showed independent voters support key progressive goals like taxing billionaires and Medicare for all. These findings offer hope for candidates like Abdul El-Sayed. Republican strategist John Feehery said, "The label hurts him a lot more than the issues," regarding the socialist tag.
Nigel Farage triggered a by-election in Clacton for next Thursday following scrutiny of his finances. He framed the contest as a people versus the establishment battle. While his national ratings fell, many local voters still support him. Host Lucy Fisher discussed these Reform UK fortunes with her political team today.