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Trump remains open to talks with Kim Jong Un as South Korea warns of North Korean missile reach
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President Donald Trump is open to talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un «without any preconditions,» a White House official said, as South Korea’s unification minister warned Pyongyang’s missiles could reach the U.S. mainland.
«President Trump in his first term held three historic summits with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un that stabilized the Korean Peninsula. U.S. policy on North Korea has not changed,» a White House official told Fox News Digital. «President Trump remains open to talking with Kim Jong Un, without any preconditions.»
South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young used blunt language in Berlin this week, telling reporters, «North Korea has become one of the three countries capable of attacking the U.S. mainland,» according to the Yonhap News Agency. «What needs to be acknowledged should be acknowledged rationally.»
The White House did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on Chung’s claim.
NUCLEAR THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA LOOM QUIETLY BEHIND WARS IN GAZA AND UKRAINE AT UNGA
President Donald Trump and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un at the Military Demarcation Line that divides North and South Korea, in the Joint Security Area (JSA) of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), June 30, 2019. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Yonhap also reported that Chung said Pyongyang’s «strategic position is different» than in 2018, when Trump and Kim held their first summit in Singapore.
«Acknowledging this reality should be the starting point» in dealing with the regime, Chung told reporters.
But experts say North Korea has long held the capability to reach the U.S. mainland with intercontinental ballistic missiles.
«They’ve tested ICBMs for a long time,» said Bob Peters, senior research fellow for strategic deterrence at the Heritage Foundation.
«The question, then, for a long time, is, do they have a warhead that can go underneath a nose cone on an ICBM that goes by definition, exo atmospheric, comes down and then hits a target with some semblance of accuracy and then detonate and produce a nuclear yield,» Peters added. «That’s been the real question — do they have that capability? That’s not what it sounded like the South Korean minister said.»
TRUMP TOUTS KIM JONG UN RELATIONSHIP AMID SOUTH KOREA SUMMIT
Trump met with Kim three times during his first administration. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Kim has said dialogue with the U.S. is possible, but on his terms.
«If the United States drops the absurd obsession with denuclearizing us and accepts reality, and wants genuine peaceful coexistence, there is no reason for us not to sit down with the United States,» state media quoted Kim as saying.
A meeting with Kim would make Trump’s fourth sit-down with the dictator, at a time when his nation has once again grown increasingly hostile to U.S. interests.
In July, the White House said Trump «remains open to engaging with Leader Kim to achieve a fully denuclearized North Korea.» But North Korea asserted it would not meet the U.S. president if he was going to demand denuclearization.
On Monday, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong told the United Nations General Assembly that his country will never give up its nuclear program, Reuters reported.
Trump is scheduled to travel to Asia later this month for an economic leaders’ summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. A senior U.S. official said no Demilitarized Zone meeting with Kim is currently on the agenda.
Talks between Trump and Kim quieted threats between the two nations but did not lead to a denuclearized North Korea. (API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Reports have suggested Trump may meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, though plans are still being finalized.
In a call last month, Xi invited Trump and first lady Melania Trump to visit China. Trump returned the invitation.
The same official said progress on nuclear talks depends on China.
«The first thing that would need to happen is for the Chinese to acknowledge and be more transparent about its own programs,» the official said.
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U.S. estimates put China’s nuclear arsenal at about 600 warheads in 2024, with projections of 1,000 by 2030. North Korea is believed to possess roughly 50 warheads, with enough fissile material for up to 90.
Pyongyang last year declared an «irreversible hegemonic position» after test-firing its Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile, which North Korea has claimed can strike the American mainland.
Trump is strengthening deterrence even as he keeps the option of «talks without preconditions» open.
north korea,world,white house,donald trump,nuclear proliferation
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MANCHESTER, N.H. – Former Transportation Secy. Pete Buttigieg tops the list of potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders in a new poll conducted in New Hampshire, which has traditionally held the first primary in the race for the White House for over a century.
Twenty percent of Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire said they would vote for Buttigieg if the 2028 presidential nomination contest was held today. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York were tied for second at 15%, with former Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrats’ 2024 nominee, and Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona each at 10%, with everyone else in single digits.
The University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll was released Thursday, a couple of hours before Buttigieg arrived in New Hampshire to campaign with Democrats running in this year’s midterm elections.
Asked about the survey by Fox News Digital, Buttigieg noted,» I’m not on any ballot right now.»
EARLY MOVES ALREADY WELL UNDERWAY IN 2028 WHITE HOUSE RACE
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg greets patrons during a stop at a restaurant in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Feb. 19, 2026 (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News )
«Obviously it feels good to be well received,» added Buttigieg, who made plenty of friends in the Granite State as he came in close second in the 2020 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, slightly behind Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Buttigieg’s stop in New Hampshire was his third in an early voting state in the Democratic nominating calendar since stepping down as Transportation secretary following the end of former President Biden’s administration, following trips last year to South Carolina and Iowa. While he mostly avoids 2028 talk, Buttigieg has said he would consider what he brings «to the table» in regards to another White House run.
As he kicked off a three-day swing in key New England swing state, Buttigieg teamed up with Rep. Chris Pappas, the clear frontrunner for the Democratic Senate nomination in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a fellow Democrat. Shaheen’s seat is a top GOP target in the midterms.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, center, and Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, a Democratic Senate candidate, campaign in Manchester, N.H. on Feb. 19, 2026 (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
Later Thursday, Buttigieg joined the state’s other Democratic House member, Rep. Maggie Goodlander. And he was scheduled to hold more events on Friday and Saturday, including a grassroots mobilization event that was expected to draw some top New Hampshire supporters from his 2020 presidential campaign.
Buttigieg is heading next week to battleground Nevada, and a source familiar told Fox News Digital Buttigieg has plans to campaign for candidates in Ohio, Georgia and Pennsylvania in the weeks ahead.
«I’m a big believer in going everywhere across the media landscape and geographically. Some are well known places on the political map. Some are a little bit off the beaten path. All of them deserve attention,» Buttigieg told Fox News Digital.
NEWSOM’S UPCOMING STOP IN KEY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY STATE SPARKS MORE 2028 BUZZ
He added that he’ll «continue to go wherever I think I can be useful in elevating attention to issues and working with candidates I believe in and Chris Pappas is a great example of a candidate I am proud to be supporting and speaking up for.»
Newsom will be next up in New Hampshire.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during an election night press conference at a California Democratic Party office Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP Photo)
The California governor’s tour for his new book, «Young Man in a Hurry,» will bring him to Portsmouth, New Hampshire on March 5. It will be his first stop in the state in two years.
Newsom grabbed headlines this past weekend, as he was one of a handful of potential Democratic presidential contenders to speak at the high-profile Munich Security Conference in Germany.
TRUMP HAMMERS AOC MUNICH STUMBLES AS ‘NOT A GOOD LOOK FOR THE UNITED STATES’
Ocasio-Cortez was among the other Democrats in Munich. But the progressive champion, who has long been laser focused on affordability and other domestic issues, has faced intense criticism for nearly a week over a gaffe in Munich, when she asked during a panel discussion whether the U.S. should send troops to defend Taiwan from a possible invasion by China.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., attends the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (Liesa Johannssen/Reuters)
The four-term lawmaker appeared to stall for nearly 20 seconds before offering that the U.S. should try to avoid reaching a clash with China over Taiwan.
Social media posts on the right slammed her for offering up a world salad.
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But it wasn’t just Republicans who critiqued Ocasio-Cortez.
A veteran Democratic strategist who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely told Fox News Digital, «It is abundantly clear that AOC is not ready for prime time given her remarks in Europe.»
pete buttigieg,gavin newsom,alexandria ocasio cortez,democrats elections,presidential primaries,new hampshire
INTERNACIONAL
NATO country orders citizens to immediately evacuate Iran, warning ‘possibility of a conflict is very real’
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NATO country and U.S. ally Poland warned its citizens Thursday to immediately flee Iran, with its prime minister saying the «possibility of a conflict is very real.»
The remarks from Donald Tusk come as the U.S. has been bolstering its military presence in the Middle East, with tensions escalating over Iran’s nuclear program.
«Please leave Iran immediately and under no circumstances travel to this country,» Tusk said Thursday in the town of Zielonka outside of Warsaw, according to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency. «I do not want to alarm anyone, but we all know what I am referring to. The possibility of a conflict is very real.»
«In a few, a dozen, or several dozen hours, evacuation may no longer be possible,» Tusk reportedly added.
RUSSIA URGES IRAN, ‘ALL PARTIES’ IN MIDDLE EAST TO SHOW RESTRAINT AMID US MILITARY BUILDUP
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, center, followed by Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, watches an open test of unmanned weapon systems conducted by the Polish Armaments Group at the Military Institute of Armament Technology training ground in Zielonka, near Warsaw, Poland, on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (Aleksander Kalka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and its strike group are moving from the Caribbean toward the Middle East.
The move would place two aircraft carriers and their accompanying warships in the region.
WORLD’S LARGEST AIRCRAFT CARRIER HEADS TO MIDDLE EAST AS IRAN NUCLEAR TENSIONS SPIKE DRAMATICALLY
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, was seen in the North Sea during the NATO Neptune Strike 2025 exercise in September 2025. (Jonathan Klein/AFP via Getty Images)
The USS Abraham Lincoln and three guided-missile destroyers arrived in the Middle East more than two weeks ago.
On Wednesday, U.S. Central Command posted photos showing F/A-18 Super Hornets landing on the decks of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.
F/A-18 Super Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron 14 land on the deck of USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea in this image released Wednesday, Feb. 18, by U.S. Central Command. (U.S. Central Command)
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«When launched from a catapult on an aircraft carrier, the Super Hornet can go from a full stop to airborne in under 3 seconds,» CENTCOM said.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
iran,middle east,military,nato,europe,world
La Asamblea Nacional (AN, Parlamento), controlada por el chavismo, aprobó este jueves una histórica ley de amnistía propuesta por la presidenta encargada de Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, en medio de huelgas de hambre de familiares que exigen la liberación de todos los presos políticos.
La ley beneficiará a presos políticos condenados en episodios de crisis política entre 2002 y 2025 y excluye a personas que promovieron o participaron en acciones armadas o de fuerza contra los ciudadanos, la soberanía y la integridad del país.
El proyecto, aprobado por unanimidad, es denominado oficialmente Ley de Amnistía para la Convivencia Democrática. Ahora deberá ser promulgada por la mandataria interina.
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La norma aplicaría a dirigentes opositores, sindicalistas, activistas de derechos humanos, estudiantes, académicos y periodistas, entre otros, detenidos durante meses o incluso años por motivos políticos.
El Legislativo había aprobado hace dos semanas la propuesta en primera discusión. Luego sostuvo reuniones con sectores de la sociedad civil, entre ellos ONG y familiares de presos políticos.
La norma aprobada este jueves podría beneficiar a dos argentinos detenidos, el gendarme Nahuel Gallo y el abogado Germán Giuliani.
La ley excluirá a las personas “que se encuentren o puedan ser procesadas o condenadas por promover” acciones armadas contra el país, según un artículo que aprobó el Parlamento este jueves.
“Estarán igualmente excluidos de la amnistía prevista en ley las personas que se encuentren o puedan ser procesadas o condenadas por promover, instigar, solicitar, invocar, favorecer, facilitar, financiar o participar en acciones armadas o de fuerza contra el pueblo, la soberanía y la integridad territorial de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela por parte de Estados, corporaciones o personas extranjeras”, reza el texto.
Dirigentes opositores como María Corina Machado o Leopoldo López fueron señalados por el chavismo de pedir invasiones a Venezuela, que fue bombardeada el 3 de enero por Estados Unidos.
Por qué tardó en aprobarse la amnistía
La Asamblea Nacional había aplazado la semana pasada el segundo y último debate necesario para la aprobación de la ley, al haber diferencias por un artículo que exigía a los beneficiados presentarse ante tribunales.
La ONG Acceso a la Justicia advirtió que el proyecto de ley “incurre en contradicciones fundamentales al hablar de ‘extremismo’”, con lo cual, a su juicio, “se descalifica de entrada a quienes podrían beneficiarse de la amnistía y presupone su responsabilidad penal”. Estudiantes universitarios exigen la libertad de los presos políticos en Caracas (Foto: EFE)
Por otra parte, mencionó “un claro conflicto de intereses”, ya que se atribuye la ejecución de la amnistía a los tribunales y a la Fiscalía, las mismas instituciones -señaló- que participaron en la “represión masiva e indiscriminada”, según denunciaron organismos como la Misión de Determinación de los Hechos de la ONU.
La amnistía, tal como está planteada, cubre casos desde 1999, lo que abarca los 27 años de Gobiernos del chavismo.
Sin embargo, su artículo 6 la limita a diez períodos específicos de coyunturas políticas, entre el golpe de Estado de abril de 2002 contra el fallecido presidente Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) hasta las protestas desatadas tras la controvertida elección presidencial del 28 de julio de 2024, lo que dejaría por fuera a varias personas que se consideran presos políticos.
Leé también: Escándalo en el Reino Unido: detuvieron al príncipe Andrés en medio de las acusaciones por el caso Epstein
La propuesta de ley se enmarca en lo que la presidenta encargada denomina un “nuevo momento político” para el país y en medio de un proceso de excarcelaciones anunciado el pasado 8 de enero, cinco días después de la captura del mandatario Nicolás Maduro por parte de Estados Unidos.
El debate de la ley de amnistía trascurre cuando un grupo de mujeres familiares de presos políticos se mantienen en huelga de hambre desde el sábado pasado a las afueras de un comando policial en Caracas para exigir la liberación de sus parientes.
Un total de 644 personas permanecen detenidas en Venezuela por motivos políticos, informó recientemente la ONG Foro Penal.
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