Russian aircraft invade NATO airspace as three countries issue 'urgent' response

 

Russian aircraft crossed into NATO airspace and struck alliance territory this week, three countries have said.

In a statement by Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania the countries blasted Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and called for an urgent boost to NATO air defences along the Russian border.

The statement, titled "Joint statement by the Ministers of Defence of the Baltic countries on drone incidents" slammed what they called "recent incidents fuelled by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine".

The statement continued: "This week several foreign unmanned aerial vehicles have crossed NATO airspace in the Baltic states and struck our soil/struck or territory. Fortunately, no civilians were injured, and the damage to infrastructure was minimal."

The defence ministers praised allied contributions to "NATO's Air Policing Mission" along the border with Russia and said the three nations were prioritising developing their air defences in the face of the rising threat from Moscow.

A Royal Air Force Typhoon 

"While the investigation is underway to determine all relevant details and circumstances, we remain steadfast in our support to Ukraine’s defensive operations against Russia and Ukraine’s legitimate right to self-defence," the three nations said.

The ministers called for an acceleration of NATO's Eastern Sentry mission, with efforts to strengthen air defences including countering drones. They also called on allied nations to "urgently reinforce" detection and interception along Europe's eastern border.

"The current presence of NATO aircraft and air defence systems in the Baltic states must be maintained and further strengthened to counter all air threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles," the statement said.

An RAF airman on deployment as part of Eastern Sentry over Poland

The news comes after calls from Putin ally and prominent Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov for terrible actions' using 'new types of weapons' and attacks on the UK.

TV host and Putin lackey Solovyov said last week: “This is a time for terrible actions,” in a rant on his show Sunday Evening With Vladimir Solovyov. He called for “decisive actions and new types of weapons” and clashed with a guest on how best to "strike these dirtbags" - referring to an attack on the UK.

Russian aircraft invade NATO airspace as three countries issue 'urgent' response

Story by Joe Smith

Epstein survivors launch class-action lawsuit against Trump and Google

 

• Jeffrey Epstein survivors have filed a class-action against the Justice Department and Google.
• The lawsuit alleges the Justice Department disclosed private information of approximately 100 survivors by releasing millions of documents related to Epstein’s cases.
• It claims Google failed to prevent this sensitive information from circulating online, including in search results and AI-generated content, despite repeated notifications.
• Survivors are reportedly experiencing renewed trauma, harassment, and threats due to the disclosure, which they attribute to a policy prioritizing disclosure over privacy.
• Plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial, at least $1,000 in damages per survivor, and punitive damages, citing violations of the federal Privacy Act and California Civil Code.
• Epstein survivors launch class-action lawsuit against Trump and Google
• Story by Alex Woodward

Pentagon staff mock Hegseth with scathing nickname

 

• Pentagon staffers have reportedly given Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth the nickname "Dumb McNamara," comparing him to Robert McNamara, who significantly expanded U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
• The nickname is a jab at Hegseth's hardline military approach, drawing parallels to the Vietnam War, which is widely considered a major strategic failure in U.S. history.
• Hegseth is a strong public supporter of President Donald Trump’s military campaign in Iran, with Trump himself praising Hegseth as an early and enthusiastic backer of the aggressive approach.
• Recently, Hegseth made controversial statements, including "We negotiate with bombs," and prayed for "overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy" at a Pentagon worship service.
• Unlike Robert McNamara, who later expressed regret over his role in Vietnam, Hegseth has shown no indication of reconsidering his stance and continues to advocate for forceful military action.
• Pentagon staff mock Hegseth with scathing nickname
• Story by Erin Keller

Donald Trump's 'nuclear orange' appearance explained: What doctors are saying about his skin in 2026

 

Donald Trump appeared noticeably flushed and sweat-soaked during a high-profile speech recently, which immediately sparked speculations about his health, stamina and appearance.

At the NRCC's annual fundraising dinner on 25 March, Trump's face appeared unusually bright, reddish-orange under harsh stage lighting, quickly earning the label 'nuclear orange' across social media.

While many users on the internet are questioning his health and how it positions him as the president of the US, medical experts and prior disclosures suggest the explanation lies not in any sudden health scare.

The 'Nuclear Orange' Appearance

At the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual dinner, which was held in Washington, D.C., Trump took the stage under intense lighting at Union Station.

Photos and video from the event quickly circulated, showing his face appearing unusually bright and reddish-orange, with visible perspiration and an animated speaking style that drew attention online.

The term 'nuclear orange' began trending within hours, with social media users debating whether the look signalled a possible health issue or was simply a visual effect.

Why His Appearance Stood Out

The images captured a combination of factors happening at once. Trump, 79, appeared visibly flushed while speaking energetically, gripping the lectern and raising his voice.

Under strong stage lights, his skin looked shinier and more saturated in colour than usual, a detail that became exaggerated in photos and video clips.

While some online reactions veered into speculation about his health, there has been no official indication of any new medical concern tied to the appearance.

It is also important to note that many Americans have been calling or mocking Trump as 'orange' for a very long time. Even before he became the president for the first time, a reputation of being 'orange' always haunted him, mostly because of his skin condition.

What Doctors Say About His Skin

Medical experts point to well-documented, long-term conditions rather than anything new.

Trump has been known for years to manage rosacea, a chronic skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels on the face. His former physician, Harold Bornstein, previously confirmed he used medication to control it.

Dermatologists say this condition alone can cause sudden flushing, especially under heat, stress, or bright lighting.

More recently, Trump's current physician, Sean Barbabella, confirmed he had been using a topical treatment for skin damage linked to sun exposure. Experts reviewing that disclosure say it likely relates to actinic keratosis, which is a common, treatable condition caused by years of UV exposure, particularly in fair-skinned individuals.

Treatments for this condition often intentionally irritate the skin, leading to temporary redness, peeling, and heightened sensitivity.

Is It A Sign Of Serious Health Issue?

Despite the viral attention, there have been no new statements from the White House or Trump's medical team addressing the specific appearance at the event. Trump has continued his public schedule without interruption, and the conversation surrounding his health — whether its alleged dementia or any skin bruises — continues to swirl around.

Meanwhile, the 'nuclear orange' look reflects a mix of lighting conditions, existing skin treatments, and a long-managed dermatological condition, not a sudden or serious health development.

Donald Trump's 'nuclear orange' appearance explained: What doctors are saying about his skin in 2026

Story by Ria Pathak

Keir Starmer sends big message to Donald Trump after latest rant and vents frustration

 

Keir Starmer has said he "will not buckle" as Donald Trump tries to pressure him into getting stuck into the Middle East conflict.

The Prime Minister also vented his frustration at the misery the US President's actions is inflicting on the UK economy. In his latest tantrum, the unpredictable 79-year-old dismissed British aircraft carriers as "toys" and ranted about the PM refusing to let him launch his haphazard war in Iran from UK military bases.

Mr Starmer said he did not know whether Trump was trying to bounce him into changing his mind, adding: "But it's obvious that you know, from a number of sides there's pressure being applied, but I'm not going to buckle under pressure and that's the long and the short of it."

Speaking to Sky News' Electoral Dysfunction podcast he went on: "I think I understand what's happening, it's to put pressure on me in different ways. But that pressure isn't going to make me waver.

"It's not going to make me abandon my principles or values. And that's just the way I am. That is not new. That isn't because of President Trump. I've got core values and principles I've held all my life and they're irreducible."

He admitted he was frustrated that Trump's war - launced on February 28 alongside Israel - is impacting the UK economy. The Prime Minister told the host: "Of course there's a frustration there.

"The spring statement, which was only a few weeks ago, we were able to show that inflation was down to 3% and predicted to go down further. Interest rates have been cut six times, and the prediction was they'd go down again.

"We've built up a good headroom, so there was the stability. And, you know, these aren't just statistics. What that meant is that for families across the country, here's the economy at last stabilised, the conditions in which we could then build. And so now, a few weeks later, yeah, of course, there's a frustration with that."

And asked if he felt frustrated about the economic impact, with rising petrol prices expected to cause inflation to swell, he said: "Well, I say two things about that. Firstly, it is really important to acknowledge that we go into this conflict in a stronger place than we went into the Ukraine conflict in 2022.

"Two, that the extent of damage, the extent of the challenge we now face will depend on how long this war goes on, and that's why we've got to de-escalate. But am I frustrated that, having spent 18 months getting the economy stabilised and in a better position..."

Ms Rigby interrupted to ask: "Having quite a rough time?" The PM responded: "Well, of course we had to take difficult and hard decisions." He continued: "Well, what the spring statement showed with inflation, as I say, in the right place and all the rest of it, is that the plan that we had in place was the right plan, notwithstanding the criticism that everybody puts on it...

"But now the question is, look, there are these challenges, these are global conflicts and there's no point in me sort of complaining about it. That's the world we live in.

"You've got to face the world as it is. I have to lead us through this war too on two fronts..." Asked if he sometimes goes to his studies and swears, the PM said: "Well, occasionally. I keep my expletives to myself most of the time. Although I don't think that's even safe all the time."

In a veiled swipe at Tony Blair, who criticised the decision not to support the US at a private event earlier this month, the PM said: "I looked back at the example of the Iraq invasion, the invasion and learned the lessons. It is not in our interest to join a war like this, and I'm not going to do so. Undoubtedly, pressure is being put on me by many quarters."

Mr Starmer confirmed that any support the Government provides will be targeted, as Rachel Reeves indicated on Tuesday. He said: "I think we need to try and reduce the cost for everybody. But, and we don't want to leave anyone behind, but any support is likely to have to be targeted. Now, obviously, the extent of that, the nature of the package will depend on where we are."

In a rant on Thursday the US President lashed out at the UK. He claimed: "We had the UK say that 'we'll send' - this is three weeks ago - 'we'll send our aircraft carriers', which aren't the best aircraft carriers by the way. They're toys compared to what we have.

"But 'we'll send our aircraft carrier when the war is over'. I said 'oh that's wonderful, thank you very much. Don't bother. We don't need it"'.

Keir Starmer sends big message to Donald Trump after latest rant and vents frustration

Story by Dave Burke

Unredacted Epstein email apparently contradicts core Trump claim

 

Representative Dan Goldman revealed an unredacted 2009 email on the House floor Wednesday contradicting President Donald Trump's longstanding claims about Jeffrey Epstein's relationship to Mar-a-Lago.

Trump's attorney Alan Garten stated Epstein was "never asked to leave" the club, directly contradicting Trump's public assertions that he kicked Epstein out.

The email documents Trump's deposition responses, where he stated he "may have been" on Epstein's plane with "no young girls" and "may have been" to Epstein's residence. Trump has publicly denied being "friendly" with Epstein and claimed he was "never" on his plane.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted Trump expelled Epstein for being "a creep." However, evidence contradicts these claims: Trump appears thousands of times in Epstein files, photographs show them socializing 1980s-2000s, flight logs document Trump on Epstein's aircraft, and membership records show Epstein retained Mar-a-Lago membership until October 2007, over a year after his indictment.

Unredacted Epstein email apparently contradicts core Trump claim

Story by María Teresita Armstrong-Matta

DOJ tried to hide this Epstein document about Trump — here’s what it reveals: Rick Wilson

 

In his weekly Lincoln Project podcast, Rick Wilson mocked President Donald Trump for a complete and utter failure to distract from the case around trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The latest in the ongoing scandal, however, is that a document has been exposed that was completely redacted by the Justice Department.

Under the law passed by Congress, the only redactions the Justice Department can make are the names of the survivors of Epstein's abuse. But Wilson has a copy of one document that was redacted by the DOJ and doesn't mention survivors. It mentions Trump.

Wilson said that he was given the document by Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), who obtained the full copy from another source.

"In it, Trump's attorney at the time, Alan Garten, I believe, is the name, revealed a few small things," Wilson said. "One of which is that Trump never threw Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago."

Trump has said for years that he and Epstein got into a fight over a real estate matter. Then it was reported that Trump was actually mad that Epstein was taking girls from his country club to work for him. It isn't clear which one or if both are true, but Trump maintains that he and Epstein fell out and he banned the trafficker from Mar-a-Lago.

A more recent report cites Trump telling a local Palm Beach County police officer that he was grateful Epstein was finally arrested, saying, "everyone has known he's been doing this." It flagged Trump's continued denials that he never knew about Epstein's crimes.

Wilson said that Epstein was never a member of Mar-a-Lago and that Trump never threw him out.

"That even after that, he went to Epstein's home, flew on his plane," Wilson said. "This is material that the FBI and the Department of Justice have absolutely no reason to redact, and yet it is still redacted in their official version, even the one they will provide for members of Congress."

Attorney General Pam Bondi testified to Congress that there is no evidence that Trump committed a crime in his activities with Epstein. She has resisted appearing under oath before the House Oversight Committee, and on Thursday had a closed-door meeting with Republicans where she was not under oath.

Democrats fought back, refusing to take part in the meeting and demanding that Bondi comply with the subpoena.

There are about 3 million more documents that have not been released by the Justice Department.

Wilson said that Epstein is still the elephant in the room for the GOP. Through all of these allegations, including one from a girl who was between 13 and 15 when she alleges Trump assaulted her, Trump remained friends with Epstein. Wilson believes that the DOJ is still working to hide the files from the public "because they know the clock is running. They know the clock is running fast. There's going to be something cataclysmic in November."

DOJ tried to hide this Epstein document about Trump — here’s what it reveals: Rick Wilson

Story by Sarah K. Burris