US judge throws out criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James | First Thing

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made a significant return to the White House, meeting with President Donald Trump, marking a diplomatic reset after previous tensions following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This visit underscores a shift in U.S.-Saudi relations amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges involving Iran, China, and Russia.

Russia has issued a warning that it may reject the U.S.-Ukraine peace plan proposed by President Donald Trump if the key understandings from the Alaska summit with President Putin are not honored. This statement reflects ongoing tensions in the negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Former deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes criticized the Trump administration's 28-point peace proposal for Ukraine, labeling it a 'surrender plan' during an interview on MS NOW. Rhodes emphasized that the proposal, developed without Ukrainian input, fails to genuinely seek peace and instead capitulates to Russian demands.

The Trump administration has reported progress in peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, following modifications to an initial proposal that addressed concerns from European and Ukrainian officials. This shift indicates a more collaborative approach to the negotiations, which have faced criticism for excluding Ukrainian input in earlier drafts.

President Trump announced that he has directed Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to engage in discussions with Russia and Ukraine as part of ongoing peace negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. Trump emphasized that there has been 'tremendous progress' in these talks, indicating a potential shift towards a resolution of the war.

Ukraine has informed the Trump administration of its willingness to sign a U.S.-drafted peace deal aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia, with only minor details left to finalize. This development comes as discussions between U.S. and Russian officials are reportedly progressing, indicating a potential resolution to a conflict that has persisted for nearly two years.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, has taken a pivotal role in formulating a new peace proposal aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This initiative marks a significant shift as Dmitriev, who is not a traditional diplomat, is influencing negotiations that could potentially end the war that has persisted since Russia's invasion nearly four years ago.

A federal judge has dismissed the criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the prosecutor appointed by President Trump, Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed and lacked the authority to pursue these cases. This decision highlights significant legal questions regarding the appointment powers within the Justice Department.