The killing of drug cartel leader 'El Mencho' by Mexican forces has triggered a wave of violence across Mexico. Despite ongoing military efforts to dismantle cartels, they continue to hold significant power and influence in the country and throughout Latin America. Experts suggest that the cartels' long-standing presence and operations have allowed them to maintain their control despite increased law enforcement actions.
Keith Kellogg, a former U.S. Ukraine envoy, criticized the American abstention at the UN vote supporting a peace resolution in Ukraine, expressing frustration over four years of war and civilian suffering. The UN resolution called for an immediate ceasefire and the return of civilians, passing with 107 votes in favor, 12 against, and 51 abstentions, including the U.S. The White House defended the abstention, citing concerns over certain language in the resolution and emphasizing ongoing diplomatic efforts to negotiate peace.
During the State of the Union address, President Donald Trump was criticized for his handling of Jeffrey Epstein files, with Epstein survivors present wearing badges calling for the release of the files. The survivors and Democratic lawmakers called for greater transparency, criticizing the Justice Department's redactions and alleged withholding of documents related to Epstein and potential links to Trump. Trump did not acknowledge the survivors or address the Epstein files during his speech.
During President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who were fatally shot by federal law enforcement during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, were not explicitly mentioned by the President. Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Norma Torres and Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, attempted to raise awareness of their deaths, with Torres holding up photos labeled "PREMEDITATED MURDER" during the speech. The incident and the broader issue of immigration enforcement and law enforcement conduct drew significant attention and criticism from Democrats.
Missing pages from the Epstein files, reportedly withheld by the US Justice Department, contain allegations that Donald Trump sexually abused a minor in 1983, including a claim that he forced a victim’s head towards his exposed penis. The pages, which are missing from the released documents, include FBI interview notes revealing the woman was between 13 and 15 when she made the allegations, though she ultimately refused to cooperate with investigations. Democrats have accused the Department of Justice of illegally withholding these documents to protect Trump's reputation, while the DOJ denies that any files have been deleted or withheld unjustly.
The Department of Justice has not released summaries or notes from three FBI interviews with a woman who alleged she was sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein and also made sexual abuse allegations against President Trump, with only the July 24, 2019 interview publicly available. The missing files reportedly include additional allegations against Trump, which have not been disclosed, and the DOJ states that responsive documents have been produced unless they are duplicates, privileged, or part of an active investigation. House Oversight Committee member Rep. Robert Garcia expressed concerns about a potential cover-up, noting that he was unable to locate these missing documents during a visit to the DOJ.
A top House Democrat has asked the Justice Department to explain the missing Epstein files related to President Trump, which were not included in recently released public records. The Democrat, Robert Garcia, is demanding transparency regarding why these documents, including interviews and notes about allegations of sexual abuse, are being withheld and whether there is an ongoing investigation into the president. NPR's investigation revealed that some FBI interviews with a survivor have not been made publicly available, prompting calls for the DOJ to clarify the reasons for withholding these materials.
Records involving a woman accusing Donald Trump appear to be missing from the Jeffrey Epstein files, according to CNN's Kara Scannell. The report highlights potential gaps in the documented files related to Epstein's case.
Larry Summers, a former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Harvard president, will resign from Harvard at the end of the academic year amid scrutiny over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Newly released government files reveal Summers' long-standing relationship with Epstein, including emails and visits, as well as Epstein's financial contributions to Harvard. Summers has expressed regret over his association with Epstein, which he described as a "major error in judgment." The resignations follow increased investigation and previous disciplinary actions related to Epstein's connections.
A top House Democrat has requested the Justice Department explain why dozens of Epstein-related files concerning President Trump are missing from public records. The Democrat, Robert Garcia, alleges that these documents, which include interviews and notes about sexual abuse allegations, are being withheld without clear justification, possibly indicating an ongoing investigation. He called for transparency and accountability, demanding the DOJ provide specific reasons for the withholding and an update on any related investigations.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for increased regional cooperation among Caribbean nations to address criminal gangs involved in drug trafficking and arms smuggling, while discussing efforts to combat gang-related violence. The Trump administration has tightened sanctions on Cuba, including blocking oil shipments, worsening its humanitarian crisis, though recent U.S. measures have eased restrictions by allowing Venezuelan oil sales to Cuba. Caribbean leaders expressed concern about the potential regional impact of Cuba's ongoing crisis and emphasized the importance of dialogue and stability in the region.
At the 2026 Munich Security Conference, Senator Marco Rubio delivered a speech emphasizing a shift away from the traditional rules-based international order, advocating for nationalist and authoritarian policies such as border control and rejection of climate initiatives. His rhetoric highlighted a focus on white Christian heritage, territorial sovereignty, and skepticism towards multilateral organizations, aligning with broader trends of U.S. retreat from international treaties under the current administration. The event reflected a broader turn toward nationalist and autocratic sentiments among some Western leaders, with Rubio’s speech receiving support from European autocrats like Viktor Orban.