News

U.S. House passes $95 billion Ukraine, Israel aid package

Published

2 years ago

April 21, 2024

The U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday with broad bipartisan support passed a $95 billion legislative package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, over bitter objections from Republican hardliners.

The legislation now proceeds to the Democratic-majority Senate, which passed a similar measure more than two months ago.

U.S. leaders from Democratic President Joe Biden to top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell had been urging embattled Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring it up for a vote.

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The Senate is set to begin considering the House-passed bill on Tuesday, with some preliminary votes that afternoon. Final passage was expected sometime next week, which would clear the way for Biden to sign it into law.

The bills provide $60.84 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine, including $23 billion to replenish U.S. weapons, stocks and facilities; $26 billion for Israel, including $9.1 billion for humanitarian needs, and $8.12 billion for the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed his thanks, saying U.S. lawmakers moved to keep “history on the right track.”

“The vital U.S. aid bill passed today by the House will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger,” Zelenskiy said on X.

It was unclear how quickly the new military funding for Ukraine will be depleted, likely causing calls for further action by Congress.

Biden, who had urged Congress since last year to approve the additional aid to Ukraine, said in a statement: “It comes at a moment of grave urgency, with Israel facing unprecedented attacks from Iran and Ukraine under continued bombardment from Russia.”

The vote on passage of the Ukraine funding was 311-112. Significantly, 112 Republicans opposed the legislation, with only 101 in support.

“Mike Johnson is a lame duck … he’s done,” far-right Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene told reporters afterward.

She has been a leading opponent of helping Ukraine in its war against Russia and has taken steps that threaten to remove Johnson from office over this issue. Greene stopped short of doing so on Saturday, however.

During the vote, several lawmakers waved small Ukrainian flags as it became clear that element of the package was headed to passage. Johnson warned lawmakers that was a “violation of decorum.”

Meanwhile, the House’s actions during a rare Saturday session put on display some cracks in what generally is solid support for Israel within Congress. Recent months have seen progressive Democrats express anger with Israel’s government and its conduct of the war in Gaza.

News

OpenAI prepares first consumer device amid revenue boom

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

Published

3 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

OpenAI is gearing up to launch its first-ever consumer hardware device in late 2026. The product is expected to be a screenless smart speaker, signalling the tech giant’s move beyond software and into the world of physical devices.

The device comes after OpenAI acquired a promising hardware startup to accelerate development.

The company is also pushing a strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing, working closely with U.S. manufacturers to secure efficient production of essential components.

Despite the progress, technical hurdles remain, especially around the device’s listening capabilities, which could delay the rollout.

This development comes on the heels of OpenAI reporting an annualised revenue of over $20 billion in 2025, representing a staggering 233% increase from the previous year. The combination of massive revenue growth and expansion into hardware marks a new era for the AI pioneer.

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#OpenAI #SmartSpeaker #AIHardware #TechNews #Innovation #Manufacturing #AIRevenue #FutureTech

News

Putin invited to Trump’s Gaza Peace Board

Putin invited to U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza amid ceasefire efforts and reconstruction debates.

Published

3 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Putin invited to U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza amid ceasefire efforts and reconstruction debates.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly received an invitation to join the U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza, according to the Kremlin. The council, created by President Donald Trump, is designed to maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas while overseeing the region’s reconstruction.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow will review the details of the invitation before responding. The board has already extended invitations to several world leaders, with some nations confirming their participation.

The proposal has sparked debate because the Trump administration reportedly requires participating nations to pay $1 billion to secure a permanent seat. Putin’s potential involvement also raises concerns, given his ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

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#GazaPeace #Putin #Trump #MiddleEast #InternationalRelations #WorldLeaders #Ceasefire #GlobalPolitics

News

Trump escalates Greenland standoff as Europe weighs retaliation

Denmark boosts Greenland troops as Trump pushes U.S. control, prompting European leaders to seek diplomatic solutions amidst rising tensions.

Published

3 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Denmark boosts Greenland troops as Trump pushes U.S. control, prompting European leaders to seek diplomatic solutions amidst rising tensions.

Denmark has deployed additional troops to Greenland after President Donald Trump renewed his push for U.S. control of the island, linking the issue to what he claims cost him a Nobel Peace Prize.

The move has raised alarm across Europe, with leaders scrambling to prevent a fresh transatlantic crisis.

Trump has warned of tariffs against countries opposing American control of Greenland, calling the territory vital to U.S. security interests. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has privately raised concerns with Trump, while EU officials assess potential coordinated countermeasures.

Despite the rhetoric, European leaders remain cautious. With U.S. influence deeply embedded in Europe’s defence and security framework, the bloc is keen to avoid further escalation as diplomatic negotiations continue behind the scenes.

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