Iran's foreign minister arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, where US envoys Jared Kushner and Brian Witkoff were also dispatched for potential talks. Despite the presence of both delegations, Iran explicitly stated that no direct meetings with US officials were planned, asserting engagement would be through Pakistan.
Former President Trump is reportedly planning to send envoys, including Witkoff and Kushner, to Pakistan for discussions concerning Iran. This diplomatic initiative aims to address issues related to the Middle Eastern nation.
Weeks after stepping down as Disney CEO, Bob Iger has rejoined Josh Kushner's Thrive Capital as an adviser. This move marks his new role in the venture capital firm.
Ukraine has repaired and reopened the damaged Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Europe, with President Zelensky stating there are no longer grounds to block a €90 billion EU loan. This move aims to resolve a dispute that had impacted EU financial support.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced doubts and called it 'disrespectful' for a potential meeting involving Witkoff and Kushner to occur in Moscow without also including Kyiv.
The US House Justice Committee has launched an investigation into Jared Kushner, former special envoy for the Middle East, over potential conflicts of interest concerning his business dealings with Saudi funds while serving in government.
Russian forces launched drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, including strikes on Zaporizhzhia and Cherkasy, while drones also approached the Romanian border, prompting F-16 scrambles. Amid ongoing front-line clashes, President Zelensky appealed for continued international support and a greater European role in peace talks.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's appointment of a chatbot as a virtual minister has drawn scrutiny after the chatbot's creators were accused of being part of a criminal organization that systematically manipulated tenders.
An opinion piece argues that for any breakthrough in Islamabad talks, the United States must abandon its 'forever war' mentality and 'Israel First' foreign policy posture.
Ukrajina i Rusija napreduju prema potencijalnom sporazumu o okončanju rata, objavio je Bloomberg News, citirajući šefa kabineta ukrajinskog predsjednika Volodimira Zelenskog.
Der ehemalige Nationale US-Sicherheitsberater, Jake Sullivan, hält es für möglich, dass Donald Trump in der Straße von Hormus ein gemeinsames Mautkonsortium mit dem Iran anstrebt und die…
President Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Monday, stating the country could be 'eliminated' in a single night, possibly Tuesday, as a deadline for the Strait of Hormuz loomed. During the same press conference, Trump detailed a high-risk pilot rescue mission and threatened a journalist over leaked information.
Reports are questioning Jared Kushner's $170 million investment in an obscure British Amazon aggregator, with some characterizing it as a 'bad bet' that has drawn scrutiny.
US President Donald Trump has postponed his ultimatum to bomb Iran's electricity grid and announced a tactical pause on strikes, claiming to have begun talks with Tehran and that 'regime change' is underway. However, Iran has denied engaging in talks with the US and warned against targeting its vital infrastructure.
A meeting between US and Ukrainian officials, including Jared Kushner and President Zelensky, took place in Miami to prepare for a new summit with Russia aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace agreement.
British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell attended the final talks between the US and Iran and assessed that Tehran's offer regarding its nuclear program was sufficient...
Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, has been given a 10-day deadline to disclose his financial information following his appointment as a peace envoy.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie alleges that Jared Kushner was behind his dismissal from the Trump campaign, stemming from Christie's prosecution of Kushner's father, Charles Kushner, who served prison time for various offenses.
The article examines the worldview of Donald Trump's negotiators, Witkoff and Kushner, noting that the unsuccessful attempt to achieve a peaceful resolution with Iran has not shaken Trump's faith in them.
“Fjalët e Araqchi-t ministrit të Jashtëm iranian drejtuar Wittkoff dhe Kushner në takimin e Gjenevës”, kanë marrë vëmendjen e mediave të huaja, pas nisjes së sulmeve nga SHBA dhe Izraeli ndaj Iranit.
California Governor Gavin Newsom's new book reportedly details his first encounter with Donald Trump, including Trump's comments about wanting Ivanka to marry an NFL star instead of Jared Kushner.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, close associates of Donald Trump, are reportedly traveling extensively in diplomatic circles with the ambitious goal of resolving multiple global crises in a single day.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will attend the indirect talks with Iran’s foreign minister.
Charles Kushner, the US Ambassador to France and Jared Trump's father-in-law, has caused another diplomatic incident and promised not to interfere again.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Rustem Umierov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council and head of Ukraine's negotiating delegation, will hold talks with US negotiators in Geneva on Thursday 26 February.
The U.S. and France are attempting to mend diplomatic relations after U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner's access was restricted following social media posts regarding an activist's death.
A diplomatic dispute threatening US-French ties was swiftly resolved after a phone call between US Ambassador to France Charles Kushner and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
France has restricted US Ambassador Kushner's access to government officials following his comments on X regarding the death of an activist in Lyon, with a phone call now expected to de-escalate the situation.
France has limited U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner's access to senior officials following his failure to attend a summons from the French Foreign Ministry.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot demanded an explanation after the US envoy Charles Kushner failed to appear at the French Foreign Ministry for clarification, leading to a diplomatic dispute where Kushner will be denied meetings with government ministers.
After Charles Kushner, the US Ambassador to France and privately the father of Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, failed to appear at the summons of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was deprived of direct access to...
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, accused US Ambassador Charles Kushner of not respecting "basic expectations from an ambassador," Reuters and Politico write. The US Ambassador
US President Donald Trump said that the reports about General John D. Caine being against the war with Iran were "fake news" and warned the regime against making a deal with the US.
The US Ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, failed to attend a meeting at the French Foreign Ministry and will no longer have direct access to French ministers.
Il padre di Jared Kushner, genero di Trump, non si è presentato alla convocazione del ministero degli Esteri francese dopo i commenti del tycoon “sulla violenza politica di estrema sinistra”
The head of French diplomacy, Jean-Noël Barrot, announced that he is summoning the United States Ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, following his comments regarding the death of the activist...
L'ambassadeur américain Charles Kushner en poste à Paris va être convoqué au ministère français des Affaires étrangères en raison des propos tenus de l'administration Trump sur la mort d'un étudiant d
Venture capitalist Josh Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital, used 'Lord of the Rings' to illustrate his views on the perceived power of AI giants like OpenAI.
Oil Surges On Report Warning US-Iran War Is Far Closer Than Americans Realize
Axios' Barak Ravid, a journalist very close to the Israeli government, writes Wednesday that the Trump White House is now "closer to a major war in the Middle East than most Americans realize. It could begin very soon."
The sources he spoke to, which could be American or Israeli, say that such an operation would be a "massive" campaign at least weeks in sustained length. If it the campaign goes the way of Iraq or Afghanistan, or Syria, the conflict could eventually be measured in years and not just months.
Further, "The sources noted it would likely be a joint U.S.-Israeli campaign that's much broader in scope — and more existential for the regime — than the Israeli-led 12-day war last June, which the U.S. eventually joined to take out Iran's underground nuclear facilities."
USAF/CNN
All of this looks to be going down with no public or Congressional debate whatsoever: "With the attention of Congress and the public otherwise occupied, there is little public debate about what could be the most consequential U.S. military intervention in the Middle East in at least a decade," notes Axios.
Both sides are citing 'progress' in the two rounds of indirect negotiations (in Oman and then Geneva) which have taken place thus far, however, there's been nothing yet in the way of specific agreement. Washington's commitment to see talks through even for weeks at this point is highly in quesiton.
The following was the initial Iranian assessment of how the talks led by Witkoff and Kushner in Geneva went this week:
Iran has said it has reached an understanding with the US on the main "guiding principles" to resolve their dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme.
Speaking after indirect talks in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added that work still needed to be done. The US said "progress was made".
Badr Albusaidi, foreign minister of mediator Oman, said the negotiations "concluded with good progress towards identifying common goals and relevant technical issues".
The Iranians have asked for two weeks to hammer out a detailed proposal, with an American official stating, "Progress was made, but there are still a lot of details to discuss. The Iranians said they would come back in the next two weeks with detailed proposals to address some of the open gaps in our positions."
Given President Trump has ordered a second US carrier group to the region, along with a huge number of support aircraft, does Iran really have two weeks to spare?
Oil reaches HOD Wednesday soon on heels of Axios report, with WTI kissing $64/barrel...
To some degree, the Iranians are likely buying time, knowing that a surprise, unprovoked attack could be imminent. This would be similar to the June war, but unlike that scenario this would indeed be much bigger.
There's reason to believe Trump may stay restrained, however, and give negotiations time. Fear of higher oil prices could ultimately be the deciding factor here, pushing Trump to settle with Iran and not spark another completely unpredictable, likely disastrous war in the Middle East.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 02/18/2026 - 08:36
A whistleblower complaint against Tulsi Gabbard reportedly centers on an intercepted call between foreign intelligence officials discussing President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Iran's foreign minister arrived in Pakistan, fueling speculation about potential direct talks with the U.S. President Trump stated he anticipates Iran will present an offer aimed at satisfying American demands.
US President Donald Trump is reportedly sending special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to Pakistan for talks with Iran's foreign minister.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the failure of US envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to visit Kyiv while traveling to Moscow is "disrespectful."
Donald Trump has repeatedly shared AI-generated images depicting himself in religious contexts, including being embraced by Jesus, drawing both praise from some evangelical leaders and broader discussion.
US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that the United States has begun "the process of clearing the Strait of Hormuz" and verbally attacked again the countries that rejected his request to carry out...
PoliticsBBCwapoAl Jazeera+8delfi-ltYahooaktuality-skjutarnji-listTimes of Indiahindustan-timesdanasn1-bih13d ago11 sources
US Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has arrived in Islamabad with an American delegation for negotiations with Iran, a mission described as challenging given regional tensions and the need to balance various factions.
A US delegation, including JD Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, arrived in Islamabad for talks with Iranian officials, with Vance stating he looks forward to the negotiations and has received instructions from Trump.
Trump Warns Of Action If Iran Fails To Uphold 'Real' Ceasefire, But Optimism Persists As Bombing Largely Subsides
Summary:
WH confirms Vice President Vance will lead Kushner-Witkoff…
US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit Kyiv during April, according to Ukrainian authorities. The visit aims to strengthen ties and discuss ongoing support.
President Trump has extended his ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 10 days, paused attacks on its energy sector, and expressed a desire for a speedy end to the war, though he stated there is no cease-fire. Meanwhile, Israel launched more strikes on Iran, and markets have reacted to these developments, with oil falling, gold rising, and stocks finishing higher.
A Ukrainian delegation met with Trump's envoy Witkoff and Kushner in Miami for a new round of peace negotiations, more than a month after their last meeting. Witkoff commented on efforts to narrow and resolve remaining items in their discussions, with talks expected to continue.
Two prominent lawmakers wrote to the White House and Mr. Kushner after The New York Times revealed private fund-raising efforts by President Trump’s envoy in the region.
Reports indicate that Jared Kushner sought $5 billion from Middle Eastern governments for his firm while he was serving as a US envoy, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and former Mideast Envoy, is reportedly attempting to raise over $5 billion from foreign governments and other entities for his private equity firm.
Signs of tension are emerging in US-Israel relations amidst the escalating Middle East conflict, as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner unexpectedly canceled a planned visit to Israel.
US President Donald Trump put his son-in-law Jared Kushner and long-time friend Steve Witkoff in charge of resolving the war in Ukraine and a stand-off with Iran.
US Demands Iran Dismantle Its 3 Main Nuclear Sites In Hours-Long Talks
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held more than three hours of negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister…
The Ukrainian delegation, led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and including members of the government's economic team, is continuing its work in Geneva, holding meetings with figures like Witkoff and Kushner.
Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov is expected to meet with US envoys Steve Whitkoff and Jared Kushner in Geneva on Thursday, as announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The US Ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, justified his absence from a meeting with the French Foreign Minister, leading to the lifting of a ban on his meetings with government members.
Charles Kushner, the US ambassador to France, is set to hold talks with France's foreign minister after failing to respond to a summons earlier in the week, sparking a diplomatic row.
Donald Trump's decision on whether to order strikes against Iran will largely depend on the assessment of his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, regarding whether Tehr...
Rabat – France’s foreign minister has barred US Ambassador Charles Kushner from meeting directly with government ministers following his absence at a scheduled discussion on controversial comments fro
Trump’s decision to order airstrikes against Iran will hinge in part on the judgment of Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner
Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog.
Donald T
Ambasador USA w Paryżu Charles Kushner nie stawił się na wezwanie francuskiego Ministerstwa Spraw Zagranicznych. W reakcji szef dyplomacji Jean-Noel Barrot "zażądał, by nie miał on już bezpośredniego
France has cut off access for US Ambassador Charles Kushner after he failed to appear at the Foreign Ministry in Paris despite being summoned, sending a strong diplomatic message.
France has requested the revocation of direct access to the French government for US Ambassador Charles Kushner, who ignored a summons from the Foreign Affairs Ministry following comments on the death of a far-right student activist.
France has reportedly banned US Ambassador Charles Kushner from direct contact with government ministers. The ambassador has also missed a second summons from the French Foreign Ministry.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot today requested that US Ambassador to Paris Charles Kushner be denied further direct access to members of the French government after he avoided d
Donald Trump’s ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, has been banned from meeting French government ministers after failing to attend a summoned meeting to explain comments related to the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque.
Exclusive: Trump’s decision will be driven by envoys’ judgment on whether Iran is stalling on a nuclear deal
Donald Trump’s decision to order airstrikes against Iran will hinge in part on the judgment of Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, about whether Tehran is stalling over a deal to relinquish its capacity to produce nuclear weapons, according to people familiar with the matter.
The president has not made a final determination on any strikes, as the administration pre...
Le chef de la diplomatie française demande que l’ambassadeur des États-Unis Jean-Noël Barrot n’ait plus d’accès direct au gouvernement après ce manquement. La France avait dénoncé dimanche les comment
France has summoned the U.S. Ambassador after the State Department cited 'violent radical leftism' in the beating death of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque, following comments by President Trump's envoy to Paris, Charles Kushner.
De Franse minister van Buitenlandse Zaken Jean-Noël Barrot heeft de Amerikaanse ambassadeur in Parijs, Charles Kushner, op het matje geroepen. Reden daarvoor zijn uitspraken van de Amerikaanse regerin
France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, announced that France has summoned US Ambassador Charles Kushner to denounce comments made by the Trump administration regarding the death of a young nationalist student, Quentin Deranque.
WorldNYTwsjAl Jazeera+4Business InsiderTimes of Indiazerohedgeprotothema-en2mo ago7 sources
Josh Kushner's venture capital firm, Thrive Capital, has successfully raised over $10 billion in its largest funding round to date, expanding its investment capacity.
Iran said on Monday that the United States’s position on Iran’s nuclear programme “has moved towards a more realistic one”, a day ahead of a second round of US-Iranian talks in Geneva.
Tehran’s foreign minister arrived in Geneva for the new round of indirect negotiations with the US, as the Revolutionary Guards began military drills in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for oil and gas.
The two sides recently resumed indirect talks, mediated by Oman, after US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened military action against Iran over a deadly crackdown on protesters last month.
A previous attempt at negotiations collapsed when Israel launched surprise strikes on Iran, beginning a 12-day war that Washington briefly joined to bomb Iranian nuclear sites.
“A cautious assessment is that, from the discussions that have taken place in Muscat to date, at least what we have been told is that the US position on the Iranian nuclear issue has moved towards a more realistic one,” said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, the official IRNA news agency reported.
According to Tehran, talks mediated by Oman will be held on Tuesday in Switzerland.
Washington has previously pushed for other topics to be discussed, including Iran’s ballistic missiles and support for armed groups in the region.
The war games being conducted by the Guards, the ideological arm of the military, aim to prepare it for “potential security and military threats” in the Strait, Iranian state TV said.
Iranian politicians have repeatedly threatened to block the strait, a strategic waterway through which about 20 per cent of global oil passes, as both sides ramp up pressure with talks set to resume.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Monday, “We’re hopeful there’s a deal”.
“The president always prefers peaceful outcomes and negotiated outcomes to things.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, wrote on X that he was meeting in Geneva with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, “for deep technical discussion”.
Grossi later confirmed the meeting on X, calling the conversation with Araghchi “in-depth” ahead of Tuesday’s “important negotiations”.
Protest crackdown
Araghchi is also set to hold talks with his Swiss and Omani counterparts as well as other international officials, Iran’s foreign ministry said.
“I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal. What is not on the table: submission before threats,” Araghchi added on X.
Washington has dispatched Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, the White House confirmed on Sunday.
The latest talks follow repeated threats from Trump of military action against Tehran, first over Iran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests, and then more recently over the country’s nuclear programme.
The West fears the programme is aimed at making a bomb, which Tehran denies.
On Friday, Trump said a change of government in Iran would be the “best thing that could happen”, as he sent a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East to ratchet up military pressure.
His remarks came before demonstrations outside Iran against its authorities swept a number of cities, including in the US, over the weekend.
‘Viable’ deal
Iran’s deputy foreign minister told the BBC that Tehran would consider compromises on its uranium stockpile if Washington lifts sanctions that have crippled the country’s economy.
“If we see the sincerity on their (American) part, I am sure we will be on a road to have an agreement,” said Majid Takht-Ravanchi.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that any deal must involve the removal of all enriched uranium from Iran as well as Tehran’s ability to enrich more.
The whereabouts of Iran’s stockpile of around 400 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 per cent remains unknown, with inspectors having last seen it in June.
The European Union formally approved a substantial multi-billion euro loan package for Ukraine and a new round of sanctions against Russia, following Hungary's decision to drop its opposition. This financial lifeline aims to support Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict and its aspirations for full EU membership.
President Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran to allow for further negotiations, but Tehran swiftly rejected the move, labeling it a "trap" and expressing deep distrust. The decision also led to the postponement of JD Vance's trip to Pakistan and contributed to oil market uncertainty.
The European Union moved to unlock a €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Hungary's Viktor Orbán lifted his veto, marking a significant development in EU financial aid to Kyiv.
US officials Jared Kushner and Avi Witkoff reportedly traveled to Islamabad for discussions concerning a potential Iran conflict, while a petition in France urged leaders to prevent Lebanon from becoming another Gaza, both reflecting international engagement with escalating regional tensions.
A commentator on Japan's TV Asahi questioned whether Jared Kushner's Jewish background should disqualify him from Iran talks, drawing criticism from a Wiesenthal Center rabbi.
Israel's ambassador to Japan and the Simon Wiesenthal Centre have condemned a Japanese political commentator for remarks about Jared Kushner's Jewish identity made on a morning news program.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, iranski političar s dugogodišnjom vojnom i političkom karijerom, predvodi iransku delegaciju u mirovnim pregovorima sa Sjedinjenim Američkim Državama (SAD) u Pakistanu.
Former Albanian MP Myslym Murrizi has strongly reacted to Prime Minister Edi Rama's statements on European integration, bringing up allegations about an Ukrainian caught in Germany who reportedly worked with Rama's brother in a call center.
SRBIJA je s izraelskim vojnim divom Elbit Systems dogovorila proizvodnju dronova na svom teritoriju, objavila je u utorak Balkanska istraživačka mreža (BIRN) u suradnji s izraelskim listom Haaretz.
Donald Trump is reportedly moving forward with plans to reopen the legendary Alcatraz prison, closed decades ago, to house the most brutal criminals, with a budget request of $152 million submitted to Congress for its first phase of reopening.
US President Donald Trump has confirmed 'very good' talks to end combat with Iran, leading to a delay in US strikes and a rise in markets, though Iran denies these discussions, outlines 'red lines' for peace, and continues its strikes, even firing rockets at Israel and mocking Trump.
The Trump administration is reportedly preparing a special diplomatic team, led by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and has begun preliminary discussions on potential peace talks with Iran, according to Axios.
Diretor-adjunto da "task force" de Segurança Interna dos EUA acusa os enviados de Trump de terem ocultado uma "ótima proposta iraniana" e de terem forçado a entrada em guerra a pedido de Israel.
Încercarea eșuată de a ajunge la o soluție pașnică cu Iranul nu a zguduit încrederea președintelui în cei doi oameni pe care i-a însărcinat cu realizarea păcii în lume.
US says its firepower will ‘surge dramatically’ and IDF warns of ‘surprises ahead’, as Iran launches retaliatory strikes
Middle East crisis – live updates
Israel and the US have bombarded Iran and…
TRUMPOV izaslanik Steve Witkoff rekao je da su iranski pregovarači njemu i Trumpovu zetu Jaredu Kushneru "izravno i bez imalo srama" poručili da kontroliraju 460 kilograma uranija obogaćenog na 60…
Motwani described the experience as humbling, noting the highlight was witnessing high-level "war room" activity involving officials like Marco Rubio and Jared Kushner.
The briefing came while the Trump administration's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner were in Geneva holding nuclear talks with Iran.
US Ambassador Charles Kushner is at the centre of a diplomatic row raging in Paris, but he is not the only one. US President Donald Trump’s envoys are stirring controversy across Europe – from social media spats to public snubs of foreign leaders – testing alliances and leaving longtime partners to pick up the pieces.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi meets Trump envoy Steve Witkoff in Geneva as U.S. and Iran exchange proposals on Tehran’s nuclear program.
California Governor Gavin Newsom revealed an alleged insult Donald Trump made about Jared Kushner, reportedly calling him 'some schmuck' before knowing he was dating Ivanka.
Ukraine's lead negotiator Rustem Umerov will meet with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday, ahead of a fresh round of trilateral talks with Russia expected in March. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments.
The US ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, assured France's foreign minister that the US would not interfere in French affairs, following a diplomatic disagreement over Washington's remarks after a killing.
US Ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, contacted French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in an effort to de-escalate diplomatic tensions that arose after the murder of a far-right activist.
Charles Kushner failed to turn up after he was summoned to the French foreign ministry on Monday. In response, France blocked the ambassador from having access to French government ministers until he
US President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision on potential airstrikes against Iran, as his administration awaits a final offer from Tehran before the last round of negotiations in Geneva.
French official Barrot stated that the American ambassador, Kushner, must explain his absence from a meeting to regain access to French ministers, following a controversial announcement.
The US Ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, will regain full access to the French government after explaining his decision not to appear after being summoned over comments made on the killing of a French far-right activist.
US Ambassador to France Charles Kushner lost the right of direct access to members of the French government after failing to respond to an invitation for talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sources said.
The remarks differ from what Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is said to have told the president in high-level White House meetings.
American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to meet with an Iranian delegation in Geneva on Thursday, according to a senior US official.
The US Ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, was summoned by the French Foreign Ministry following comments from the Trump administration regarding the death of a far-right student, but failed to appear, prompting France to consider changes to ambassadorial access.
The US Ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, has been stripped of direct access to French government members after he failed to attend a summoned meeting.
France will summon US Ambassador to Paris Charles Kushner for talks over comments by the US State Department regarding the death of nationalist activist Quentin Deranque, for whose murder they are
France announced it will summon the US ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, over comments made regarding the killing of French far-right activist Quentin Deranque.
Steven Spielberg Flees California Amid Raging Wealth Tax Battle
Another day, another rich liberal leaving a state over policies they promoted.
In today's episode of modern hypocrisy, Steven Spielberg, director of blockbuster hits like Jaws, E.T., Poltergeist and Saving Private Ryan, has moved to Manhattan, according to the Los Angeles Times. A spokesperson for one of Hollywood’s most reliable Democrat Party donors was quick to insist the relocation has nothing to do with California’s highly controversial wealth tax proposal.
“Steven’s move to the East Coast is both long-planned and driven purely by his and Kate Capshaw’s desire to be closer to their New York-based children and grandchildren,” spokeswoman Terry Press told the newspaper. Unsurprisingly, Press declined to say where Spielberg stands on the wealth tax when asked.
California is now seriously considering a new wealth tax targeting billionaires, including a levy on unrealized gains. The idea has already spooked investors and contributed to several high-profile tech figures running for the exits. It’s a familiar pattern when progressive policies finally start to bite, a surprising number of billionaires discover a sudden deep affection for Florida, Texas, or even New York.
Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin quietly began unwinding portions of their financial empires in California in the days leading up to Christmas, while Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg dropped $150 million on a Miami mansion. Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan had been looking for a home on Indian Creek Island, the ultra-exclusive, heavily guarded enclave nicknamed “Billionaire Bunker” that is already home to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, former NFL star quarterback Tom Brady, and Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump.
Even Jeffrey Epstein pal Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder and major Democratic donor, has taken aim at the billionaire tax proposal, slamming it as a "horrendous idea" that could drive tech founders and executives out of the state.
Rep. Khanna reached out to me to discuss the proposed California wealth tax; and while I am against the proposed tax, I'm always open to dialogue with our elected leaders.
The proposed CA wealth tax is badly designed in so many ways that a simple social post cannot cover all of…
January 7, 2026
"The proposed CA wealth tax is badly designed in so many ways that a simple social post cannot cover all of the massive flaws. One well-documented example is the horrendous idea to tax illiquid stock in the proposal. Poorly designed taxes incentivize avoidance, capital flight, and distortions that ultimately raise less revenue," Hoffman said of the plan.
Hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, a longtime Democrat who voted for Trump in the 2024 election, warned that California is on a "path to self-destruction."
California is on a path to self-destruction. Hollywood is already toast and now the most productive entrepreneurs will leave taking their tax revenues and job creation elsewhere.
And then the Democrats highlight @CAgovernor Newsom as a great leader. Crazy. https://t.co/bFyLhARrNn
December 27, 2025
"Hollywood is already toast, and now the most productive entrepreneurs will leave, taking their tax revenues and job creation elsewhere,” Ackman said.
Our readers will recall that Tesla and SpaceX Ceo Elon Musk was one of the first big names to leave California years ago, citing the state’s punishing taxes and its embrace of radical left-wing governance. The list keeps growing.
Buckle up, Newsom. Musk was the first and Spielberg won’t be the last.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 02/20/2026 - 16:40
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have reportedly held negotiations in Geneva with the aim of securing a nuclear deal with Iran and bringing an end to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner head the U.S. team and are responsible for Russia-Ukraine talks nearby, meaning they may be shuttling quickly between venues.