WASHINGTON (AP) — Tulsi Gabbard resigned as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence on Friday, saying she needed to leave office as her husband battles cancer. She is the fourth Cabinet member to depart during Trump’s second term, all of them women.
In her resignation letter, which she posted on social media, Gabbard said she told Trump she would leave her job overseeing the coordination of 18 intelligence agencies on June 30. She said her husband had recently been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer and “faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months.”
“At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle,” she wrote in the letter, which was reported earlier by Fox News.
Trump, in his own social media post, said “Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her.” He said her principal deputy, Aaron Lukas, will serve as acting director of national intelligence.
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While Gabbard says her departure is for personal reasons, the juxtaposition between her long-held, anti-interventionism stance and Trump’s series of overseas military operations had seemed to put them on a collision course.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, July 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, July 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
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Iran put Gabbard and Trump at odds
There had been rumblings that Gabbard would split with Trump after the president’s decision to strike Iran, which caused some division within his administration. Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation in March and said he “cannot in good conscience” back the war.
Gabbard, a veteran and former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, built her political name on her opposition to foreign wars. This put her in an awkward position when the U.S. joined Israel in launching attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.
During a congressional hearing in March, her measured comments were notable for their careful non-endorsement of the Iran war. She repeatedly dodged questions about whether the White House had been warned of potential fallout from the conflict, including Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway crucial for global oil shipments.
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Gabbard said in written remarks to the Senate Intelligence Committee that there had been no effort by Iran to rebuild its nuclear capability after U.S. attacks last year “obliterated” its nuclear program. That statement contradicted Trump, who has repeatedly asserted that the war was necessary to head off an imminent threat from the Islamic Republic.
This created several awkward exchanges with lawmakers who asked Gabbard for her opinion on the threat posed by Iran as the nation’s top intelligence official. She repeatedly said it was Trump’s decision to strike, not hers.
“It is not the intelligence community’s responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent threat,” she said.
Gabbard’s departure follows Trump having ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in late March, in the midst of mounting criticism over her leadership of the department — including the handling of the administration’s immigration crackdown and disaster response.
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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard walks past pallets of seized cocaine aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Stone Nov. 19, 2025, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard walks past pallets of seized cocaine aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Stone Nov. 19, 2025, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
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The second Cabinet member to leave was Attorney General Pam Bondi, in response to growing frustration over the Justice Department’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. And Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned in April, after being the target of various misconduct investigations.
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Lukas, who will be taking over for Gabbard, was an intelligence aide to the acting director of national intelligence, Ric Grenell, in 2020 during Trump’s first term. A former policy analyst at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, he also served as deputy senior director for Europe and Russia at the National Security Council in the final year of Trump’s previous administration.
A surprising choice for the job
A military veteran but without any intelligence experience, Gabbard was a surprising choice for director of national intelligence. She ran for president in 2020 on a progressive platform and her opposition to U.S. involvement in foreign military conflicts.
Citing her military experience, she argued that U.S. wars in the Middle East had destabilized the region, made the U.S. less safe and cost thousands of American lives. Gabbard later dropped out of the race and endorsed the ultimate winner, President Joe Biden.
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Two years later, she left the Democratic Party to become an independent, saying her old party was dominated by an “elitist cabal of warmongers” and “woke” ideologues. She subsequently campaigned for several high-profile Republicans and became a contributor to Fox News.
She later endorsed Trump, who also was a strong critic of past U.S. wars in the Middle East and campaigned on a pledge to avoid unnecessary wars and nation-building overseas.
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U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, second from left, celebrates with supporters after announcing her candidacy for president in Waikiki, Feb. 2, 2019, in Honolulu. Her parents, Carol Gabbard and Hawaii state Senator Mike Gabbard, stand at her right. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File)
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, second from left, celebrates with supporters after announcing her candidacy for president in Waikiki, Feb. 2, 2019, in Honolulu. Her parents, Carol Gabbard and Hawaii state Senator Mike Gabbard, stand at her right. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File)
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Iran caused early tensions
But friction with the president started soon after he began his second term and tapped Gabbard to lead ODNI, which was set up after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to improve coordination between the nation’s intelligence agencies.
Shortly after taking on the job and before this year’s war, Gabbard testified before lawmakers that there was no intelligence suggesting Iran was seeking to develop nuclear weapons. After Trump launched attacks on Iranian nuclear sites last June, he said Gabbard was wrong and that he didn’t care what she said.
She appeared to be back in Trump’s good graces when she took a lead role in Trump’s effort to relitigate his 2020 election loss to Biden. She appeared at an FBI search of election offices in Fulton County, Georgia, even though her office was created to focus on foreign espionage, not state elections.
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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, left, and FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey, enter a command vehicle as the FBI takes Fulton County 2020 Election ballots, Jan. 28, 2026, in Union City, Ga., near Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)
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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, left, and FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey, enter a command vehicle as the FBI takes Fulton County 2020 Election ballots, Jan. 28, 2026, in Union City, Ga., near Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)
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Gabbard made big changes in her time in office
Gabbard vowed to eliminate what she said was the politicization of intelligence by government insiders. But she quickly used her office to support some of Trump’s most partisan arguments — that he won the 2020 election.
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She also worked to undermine the results of earlier investigations into Trump’s ties to Russia.
In her year on the job, Gabbard oversaw a sharp reduction in the intelligence workforce, as well as the creation of a new task force that she charged with considering big changes to the intelligence service.
Earlier this year, an intelligence sector whistleblower filed a complaint that Gabbard was withholding intelligence for political reasons, a complaint that prompted calls from Democrats for Gabbard’s resignation.
Gabbard, 44, was born in the U.S. territory of American Samoa, raised in Hawaii and spent a year of her childhood in the Philippines. She was first elected as a 21-year-old to Hawaii’s House of Representatives but had to leave after one term when her National Guard unit deployed to Iraq.
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As the first Hindu member of the House, Gabbard was sworn into office with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, the Hindu devotional work. She was also the first American Samoan elected to Congress.
During her four House terms, she became known for speaking out against her party’s leadership. Her early support for Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ 2016 Democratic presidential primary run made her a popular figure in progressive politics nationally.
“In space we don’t experience any forces, our muscles, our bones immediately start to diminish because we’re not being loaded by those forces,” says Dr Dan Cleather, professor of strength and conditioning at St Mary’s University who is on the team developing the British equipment, HIFIm.
Falling drone debris triggers fire at oil terminal in Russia’s Novorossiysk
Falling debris from drones triggered a fire at an oil terminal in Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and one person was injured, officials said this morning.
The General Headquarters of southern Krasnodar Region, posting on Telegram, said several technical and administrative buildings had caught fire. Debris had also fallen on the facility’s oil storage terminal.
Stuti Mishra23 May 2026 07:56
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Pete Hegseth facing bipartisan pressure over $600 million Ukraine aid package
A bipartisan group of senators is pushing back on delays by the Department of Defense in sending $600 million in security aid to Ukraine and other allies in eastern Europe, dispatching a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday that calls for the funding to be disbursed.
Friction has grown between Congress and the Trump administration in recent weeks as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle push for updates on what has happened with $400 million in Ukraine and $200 million more for defense programs in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The money was allocated by Congress last year.
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Even Republican lawmakers have aired their frustration as President Donald Trump’s administration disengages with Ukraine and other European allies.
“Ukraine has persistently and bravely repelled a four-year Russian onslaught, but its military needs and deserves continued American support,” said Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin and Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley in the joint letter.
Harriette Boucher23 May 2026 07:28
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Russia becoming ‘more reckless’ as Moscow weakened by war – Yvette Cooper
A weaker performance on the battlefield is making Russia “more reckless and dangerous”, the UK foreign secretary has warned.
Yvette Cooper said the peace dividend which began when the Cold War ended is “gone”, following a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Sweden.
She said: “We discussed in the Nato foreign ministers’ meeting how Russia’s weakening on the battlefield against Ukraine is also making them more reckless and dangerous.
“In the face of that threat and the ongoing global instability, the Nato alliance is vital and enduring, but within it Europe and the UK must do more.
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“We have already been stepping up with significantly increased defence investment but we have to face up to the need to do much more so we properly protect our citizens.
“Russia is now under huge pressure from Ukraine’s military response and from economic challenges but that is making them more unpredictable with escalating attacks on Ukrainian civilians, increasing hybrid threats across the continent, and reports of drone incursions.
“The threat from Russia is increasing on air, land, sea, space, cyber and information warfare.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hands with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper during a visit to the Houses of Parliament in March (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)
Bryony Gooch23 May 2026 04:00
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Watch: Nato tests ‘deep strike’ missile operations from London Tube station to prepare for Russian attack
Nato tests ‘deep strike’ missile operations from London Tube station to prepare for Russian attack
Bryony Gooch23 May 2026 03:00
Belarusian journalist falls dangerously ill in prison, relatives say, urging for him to be released
Bryony Gooch23 May 2026 02:00
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European leaders vow to ‘double down’ support for Ukraine
Sir Keir Starmer and leaders from France and Germany have vowed to “double down on their support” for Ukraine, No 10 said on Friday.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister held a virtual meeting with the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of France Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz this afternoon.
“President Zelensky updated on the progress made by Ukraine’s military in recent weeks, as it continues to ramp up its defence in the face of (Russian president Vladimir) Putin’s continued attacks.
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“The leaders paid tribute to the strength and courage of the Ukrainian people and confirmed they would double down on their support in the coming months.
“They agreed that standing up to Russian aggression remains vital for European and global security, and reaffirmed their commitment to securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
“They agreed to speak again soon.”
Bryony Gooch23 May 2026 01:06
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Watch: Putin says using nuclear weapons would be ‘last resort’ after massive joint drills with Belarus
Putin says using nuclear weapons would be ‘last resort’ after massive joint drills with Belarus
Bryony Gooch23 May 2026 00:01
Recap: Germany’s defence spending to surpass 4% of GDP this year
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said on Friday his government will spend more than 4% of the country’s gross domestic product on defence this year and is on its way to 5%.
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Germany will suggest intensifying defence cooperation with Ukraine with the goal to speed up production, Wadephul also said prior to a meeting of NATO held in Helsingborg, Sweden.
James Reynolds22 May 2026 23:00
Recap: France eyes involvement in British-German long-range missile programme
France is reportedly looking to join a British-German plan to make new long-range missiles as Europe weans itself off military reliance on the United States.
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Sources familiar with the discussions told the Financial Times that Paris has formally expressed interest in joining the deep precision strike programme.
The three nations are hoping to hold trilateral talks early next month, the newspaper reports.
The programme aims to build a series of ground-launched missiles with a range of more than 2,000km, capable of hitting military targets deep inside Russia.
James Reynolds22 May 2026 22:00
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Russia launches nuclear war games on Europe’s doorstep as Nato issues stark warning
Russia has begun nuclear war games and moved Iskander-M missiles into Belarus, on the doorstep of the European Union. Ukraine has rushed troops to its northern border, and Nato has condemned the threatening moves.
Ria Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned news site, said: “Since May 18, Belarus has begun training in the combat use of nuclear weapons and their provision by military units. It involves the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Pacific Fleets, the Long-Range Aviation Command, as well as part of the forces of the Leningrad and Central Military Districts.”
The two acts that made it through the fourth semi-final last Saturday (May 17) were poet Sonny Green and magician Rafferty Coope.
They’ll be joined in the final by singer Matty Juniosa, dog act Anastasiia and Salsa and dance group LMA.
Also through to the final are magician Fabian Fox, fire-juggler Liwei Yang, and comedian Ted Hill.
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This evening, the remaining eight semi-finalists will take to the stage in a bid to land the last two spots in the grand finale line-up.
Judge Amanda Holden’s golden buzzer act The Hawkstone Farmers Choir will go up against industry-leading drone art company Celestial, sideshow and suspension duo Baron & Vesper, magician Jake Banfield, singer James Miller, schoolboy dancer Juan Carlos, Japanese comedian Mr. Cherry and rock boyband SOS.
The 32-strong group of farmers moved the judging panel to tears with a soaring rendition of Elbow’s One Day Like This prompting Amanda to press the gold buzzer – sending them straight into the semi-finals.
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It also has been confirmed that the cast of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical will take to the stage as the Guest Act this week.
ITV has confirmed when fans can expect the next Britain’s Got Talent champion to be crowned and there isn’t long to wait.
The live final of the 2026 series will air next Saturday (May 30) at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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Last year’s series of Britain’s Got Talent saw magician Harry Moulding crowned the winner after he was put straight through to the final by judge KSI, who pressed the live show golden buzzer.
Harry won a life-changing £250,000 and the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.
Fans will have to wait and see which act will win over the nation and follow in Harry’s footsteps as series 19 draws to a close.
Britain’s Got Talent continues Saturday, May 23 at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX
The pedestrian was injured after being involved in the crash with a car, a Toyota Crolla, in Huntington Road at about 5.20pm on Tuesday, April 14.
Huntington Road was closed to traffic after the crash as emergency services worked at the scene.
Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
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“In support of the ongoing investigation, we are urging witnesses to come forward or motorists with relevant dashcam footage of the incident,” a police spokesperson said.
You should check where you can go with dogs before heading out on a day trip.
Restrictions on dogs on beaches throughout the summer months were put in place on Friday, May 1, and will be in place until the end of September. With Norfolk and Suffolk so close to Cambridgeshire, many people love taking the family, including the dog, on a seaside day trip.
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It is worth checking where you can and cannot go with your furry friends. A few beaches in Suffolk will be subject to Public Spaces Protection Orders, which are put in place to tackle anti-social issues. The orders make sure to keep beaches in popular areas safe for people to use during the summer.
While some beaches might be completely closed off to dogs in the summer months, there are often spaces at popular beaches where the restrictions do not apply. You should check before you travel if there are places that will allow dogs to avoid possible fines.
If you breach one of the orders, you can get an on-the-spot fine of £100. Alternatively, you could get a fine of up to £1,000 if the issue goes to court, according to the GOV.UK website.
Here are the beaches to avoid if you are looking to take the whole family on a trip to the seaside:
Officials running the coal mine have been detained, according to state media. The cause of the gas explosion has not yet been revealed, but state media reported that the levels of carbon monoxide – a highly toxic, odourless gas – in the mine were found to have “exceeded limits”.
Take a peek at the week ahead on Coronation Street (Picture: ITV)
We’ve got another busy week to look forward to on Coronation Street, with new faces and budding friendships taking centre stage.
But, of course, it wouldn’t be Corrie without some drama, and Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) is at the centre of it as the targeted hate campaign against him hits new heights.
So, what are you waiting for? Take a sneak peek at our spoiler videos below.
Tuesday, May 26
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Hope attempts to connect with Will in classic Hope fashion – some playful banter and mischief – and he gives as good as he gets in return.
The conversation quickly shifts to Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon), with Hope announcing that she saw Will with her the night before.
Will denies being the one to seek her out and insists that nothing happened, though Hope clearly isn’t convinced.
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As she laments to Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances-Brown) about the male species, Will finds Megan’s new number in his pocket. What will he do?
Wednesday, May 27
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When Daniel is left alone outside No.1, he is startled by a sudden attack from two teen lads who spray him with bottles of ketchup, all while filming the ordeal.
At least 82 people have been confirmed dead so far, and dozens are feared trapped underground after an explosion occurred at a coal mine in northern China, state media reported.
The accident at Changzhi city’s Liushenyu coal mine in the province of Shanxi happened on Friday evening, according to official news agency Xinhua, which reported that around 247 workers were underground at the time.
The death toll jumped up sharply after initial reports that dozens of people were rescued.
“Reporters learnt from the scene of the gas explosion at the Liushenyu Coal Mine… that the accident has resulted in 82 deaths and nine people missing,” state broadcaster CCTV said on Saturday.
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President Xi Jinping urged “all-out efforts” to treat the injured and called for thorough investigations into the incident, state news agency Xinhua said.
He “emphasised that all regions and departments must draw lessons from this accident, remain constantly vigilant regarding workplace safety… and resolutely prevent and curb the occurrence of major and catastrophic accidents”.
Premier Li Qiang echoed the instructions, calling for the timely and accurate release of information and rigorous accountability.
Xinhua reported earlier that levels of carbon monoxide – a highly toxic, odourless gas – had “exceeded limits” at the mine.
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Rescue efforts were ongoing, officials said.
Some of those trapped underground were in “critical condition”, the earlier report said.
The cause of the explosion was under investigation, state media reported. Executives of the company responsible for the mine have reportedly been detained.
Shanxi province is known as China’s main coal mining province. With a size larger than Greece and a population of around 34 million, the province’s hundreds of thousands of miners dug 1.3 billion tons (1.17 billion metric tons) of coal last year, or almost a third of China’s total.
He said he has been overwhelmed by the support he received from the Horwich community.
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Darren said: “My first day back in Darren’s Barbers was incredible.
“Big shout out to the best chippy in Horwich, Mr Chips, who supplied fish and chips free of charge for my ‘chips and champagne’ shop warming do.
“I want to say thank you to everyone who called in for a trim and for all the special gifts I received. I really am extremely grateful.”
A passer-by said it looked like one side of the car had been “flattened” after the dramatic crash (Image: Ruby Watson)
Discussing the kindness shown by people during a turbulent time, Darren said three nearby barbers offered him a chair in their shops.
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He chose Haer Collective down the road while he worked to get his business back on track.
Darren said the strangest part of the incident was that he owns a framed newspaper article dated April 23, 1937, which tells the story of almost exactly the same thing happening.
At the time of the crash, Greater Manchester Police confirmed there had been injuries but no fatalities.
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