Scott Bessent caused a stir during a televised interview when he advised Americans looking to curb inflation that one of the fastest ways to lower their personal cost-of-living numbers is to relocate from a “blue” state to a “red” state. Bessent explained that his internal economic analysis found inflation to be approximately 0.5 percentage points higher in states governed by Democrats, attributing the difference to heavier regulation and higher energy costs in those regions. He maintained the overall national rate of prices is moderating and expressed confidence that inflation will decline further in the coming quarters. The remarks sparked immediate…
Author: Steadfast Admin
The State Department is disputing accusations from lawmakers that the administration’s draft peace proposal for the Russia–Ukraine war was essentially crafted to satisfy Moscow’s conditions. The controversy erupted after several senators said they were briefed that the document “was not the administration’s plan” and appeared to align closely with Russian preferences. Secretary of State Marco Rubio firmly rejected that portrayal, insisting the plan was developed by the United States, though he acknowledged it incorporated feedback from both Ukraine and Russia as part of the negotiation process. He stressed that describing the document as a “Russian wish list” was inaccurate and…
An 18-year-old was taken into custody in Kannapolis, North Carolina, after allegedly hurling a drink at a police officer’s head during a demonstration against immigration enforcement. The protest involved approximately 75 participants, many of them students from a local high school, who gathered to protest recent actions by immigration authorities. According to authorities, the incident escalated when the officer was standing passively among protesters and was struck from behind by a plastic cup filled with liquid. The suspect attempted to flee but was quickly tackled and hand-cuffed by police. She now faces charges of assaulting a government official and resisting…
Representative Eugene Vindman is urging former President Donald Trump to declassify the transcript of a phone call from 2019 between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Vindman described the conversation as “shocking” and raised concerns it may reveal a quid pro quo arrangement. The call took place shortly after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and has become a focal point in the debate over U.S.-Saudi relations, as Washington deepens its partnership with Riyadh even amidst lingering human-rights and strategic questions. Vindman, who once reviewed classified transcripts on the National Security Council, said the American public and Khashoggi’s…
A former television news anchor has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $64 million in restitution for orchestrating a massive COVID-relief fraud scheme. Prosecutors say the defendant and her husband founded a company that submitted thousands of false applications for pandemic-era federal loans, enriching themselves while many genuine businesses were sidelined. The anchor was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in June 2025 and is scheduled to begin her sentence later this year at the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas — the same facility now housing convicted sex-trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. The…
A mid-day explosion tore through a senior-living apartment complex in Austintown, Ohio on Saturday, injuring multiple residents and forcing a full-scale evacuation of the building. The blast occurred around 12:30 p.m. at the Phoenix House Apartments, a facility that houses older adults and individuals with mobility challenges. Firefighters and police arrived to find part of the building’s exterior blown apart, with debris scattered across the property and sections of interior hallways exposed. The impact shattered windows, damaged apartments on multiple floors and sent dust and insulation into the surrounding area. One resident suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a…
Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for American military assistance, especially after criticism from the U.S., while distancing Ukraine from a newly proposed 28-point peace framework that could demand significant concessions to Russia. In his remarks, Zelensky acknowledged the value of U.S. aid and reinforced Ukraine’s determination to shape any settlement on its terms, insisting the country will not accept a deal that undermines its political independence, territorial integrity, or future security. Meanwhile, Europe is reportedly amending parts of the U.S.-backed plan, voicing concern that the draft overly favors Russia and may dirty Ukraine’s negotiating position. Tensions are rising as Kyiv, Washington,…
In Marlboro, New Jersey, school board member and mother of three, Danielle Bellomo, says she was shocked to learn that a group chat involving local candidates and school officials targeted her with violent and degrading messages. Among the texts revealed were threats to let her “die by herself” and other comments suggesting they “couldn’t wait” for her death. The chat also included insults about her appearance posted during a board meeting, prompting one candidate to withdraw from the upcoming election. Although local police considered charges for harassment and threats, the county prosecutor ultimately declined to file indictments. Bellomo says her…
The social-media platform X has activated a location-tracking feature that has revealed dozens of accounts claiming to be Gaza-based journalists or American influencers, but which are actually operating from countries such as India, Poland, Egypt and the U.K. The updated “About This Account” section now displays the country of origin for each user. After the rollout, some high-profile accounts posing as victims or news-reporters in Gaza were exposed. One account presented itself as a mother in Gaza begging for donations while its recorded location was India. Another claimed to be a Palestinian news network based in Palestine but was shown…
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff are scrambling to recalibrate an embattled 28-point peace proposal aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine after facing intense backlash from Kyiv, U.S. lawmakers and European allies. The original draft, which was leaked and widely criticized for mirroring Russian negotiators’ demands, proposed sweeping concessions by Ukraine—including territorial forfeiture, limits on its arsenal and a ban on joining NATO. Debate erupted over the plan’s authorship, with accusations it was more Russian blueprint than U.S. strategic framework. Rubio later insisted the U.S. authored the document but acknowledged it draws on input…
In reaction to Marjorie Taylor Greene’s announced resignation from Congress, Donald J. Trump issued a sharp statement calling her a “traitor,” while also claiming he “refused to return her never-ending barrage of phone calls.” Trump said her decision to step down stemmed from sinking poll numbers and an impending primary challenge he implied she could not win without his backing. He added that her alignment with Thomas Massie, who frequently departs from party leadership, further harmed her standing. Despite his harsh tone, Trump acknowledged that he “appreciates” Greene for her past service and indicated he would allow for the possibility…
The head of the European Commission issued a firm statement stressing that Ukraine — not global powers or outside negotiators — must ultimately decide the conditions of any agreement aimed at ending Russia’s ongoing war. Her remarks came as international debate grows over what a potential settlement might require and who should have the authority to shape it. She underscored that the European Union will not support any proposal that forces Ukraine to surrender territory or accept a deal dictated by Moscow. According to her, peace built on coercion would not only violate international norms but would also create deeper…
A bomb threat targeting the Michigan residence of Senator Elissa Slotkin triggered a police response just days after she appeared in a video encouraging U.S. service members to refuse any “illegal orders.” Authorities say state troopers were dispatched to the home after a threat was reported, prompting a full search of the property and surrounding area. No explosive device or hazardous materials were found. Slotkin was not at the residence when the threat occurred. Her office later issued a statement thanking Michigan State Police for their swift work and confirming that the U.S. Capitol Police will take the lead in…
A woman convicted in the infamous 2014 “Slender Man” stabbing has escaped from a supervised living facility in Madison, Wisconsin after removing her court-mandated electronic monitoring device. The missing person, now 23, was last seen late Saturday evening accompanied by an adult inside the group-home area. Originally tried as an adult for the knife attack—where she stabbed a classmate 19 times—to appease the fictional character, she was determined not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and committed to a psychiatric institution. In January 2025, after years of treatment, she was released into a structured group-home setting under long-term…
In a mounting global rivalry, U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine is increasingly coming into conflict with French President Emmanuel Macron’s push for a “Europe First” strategy — a clash that is reshaping the dynamics of Western influence. Trump has made clear that American interests will take precedence in security, trade and diplomacy, signalling a shift toward unilateral decisions and tougher demands on allies. Meanwhile, Macron has stepped up calls for European strategic autonomy, insisting that Europe must bolster its own defence, reduce dependency on U.S. leadership and act independently on the global stage. France’s president has argued that…