QtrendsThe US House voted to curb Trump's war powers on Iran in a rare bipartisan rebuke. Trump acknowledged calling Netanyahu 'crazy' and suggested Israel is complicating Iran peace talks. He also declined to permanently eliminate a $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund, drawing Republican backlash. Ukrainian drones struck a St. Petersburg oil terminal hours before Russia's economic forum, escalating cross-border attacks. Trump and Putin are both heading to China, underscoring Beijing central role in great-power diplomacy.
The US House of Representatives passed an Iran war powers resolution, delivering the strongest congressional rebuke yet to President Trump. The bipartisan vote aims to restrict Trump's ability to unilaterally take military action against Iran. Supporters framed it as a constitutional check on executive war-making authority. The move signals deepening congressional unease over escalating tensions with Tehran.
President Trump confirmed that he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 'crazy' during a phone conversation, acknowledging the remark publicly for the first time. He said the two still maintain a functional relationship but suggested that Israel's stance is complicating US-led peace negotiations with Iran. The revelation adds fresh strain to US-Israel relations amid heightened Middle East diplomacy. Netanyahu has not publicly responded to the comment.
President Trump refused to commit to permanently eliminating a $1.8 billion fund originally designed to counter foreign weaponization, despite earlier signals that he supported its removal. The fund has become a point of contention, with Republicans accusing Trump of backing a program that could be misused as a payout mechanism. Trump's 'I love it' remark has fueled internal party criticism. The controversy threatens to deepen rifts ahead of key legislative battles.
Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg just hours before the city was set to host Russia's flagship economic forum, often called 'Putin's Davos.' The attack marks one of the deepest Ukrainian strikes inside Russian territory since the war began. It is widely seen as a symbolic blow aimed at disrupting the Kremlin's efforts to project normalcy. Russian officials condemned the strike but did not postpone the forum.
After President Trump's recent visit to Beijing for US-China reset talks, Russian President Vladimir Putin is now heading to China for a Sino-Russian strategic refresh. The sequence highlights Beijing's emerging role as a central hub for great-power diplomacy. Analysts suggest both Washington and Moscow are seeking China's engagement on separate tracks. China Daily framed the trend as an opportunity for broader Sino-US cooperation.