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Los Angeles Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
MMA at the White House is ‘going to happen,' UFC's Dana White says as July 4 Fight Night plans solidify
A mixed martial arts fight card held next summer at the White House is 'absolutely going to happen,' Ultimate Fight Championship chief executive Dana White said Tuesday. White said the UFC will stage the event July 4 to celebrate America's 250th birthday. He added that he spoke to President Trump on Monday and is scheduled to meet with him and his daughter Ivanka in two weeks to solidify the plan. Trump mentioned last July 4 during a kickoff of events centered around the country's 2026 birthday celebration that he wanted to stage a UFC match on the White House south lawn with 20,000 spectators. 'We have a lot of land there,' said Trump, who has attended several UFC matches and considers White a friend. Now it has gone from a notion into the planning stages, which is the second thrill of the week for White. On Monday he announced that the UFC has finalized a seven-year streaming agreement with Paramount worth an average of $1.1 billion a year. The deal represents a departure from UFC's traditional pay-per-view model. Thirteen marquee UFC events and 30 fight nights will be televised on the Paramount+ streaming platform with some events also planned to simulcast on CBS. Plans for UFC events in other countries are also on the table, according to Paramount. 'You have the NFL, the NBA, the UFC and soccer globally,' White told the Associated Press. 'We're coming. We're coming for all of them.' White, 56, has been the driving force behind the enormous growth of the UFC, which he purchased in 2001 for $2 million. He negotiated broadcast-rights deals with Fox and ESPN, then spearheaded a $4-billion sale in 2016 to TKO Group Holdings, a group led by the Hollywood talent agency WME-IMG. White remained as president and retained a stake in the new company. The Paramount-UFC deal came on the heels of Skydance and Paramount closing their $8-billion merger — a complicated negotiation that resulted in the creation of an entertainment giant. White said he was impressed with Skydance chief executive David Ellison's vision for UFC and how the plans could be activated now that Ellison is chairman and chief executive of Paramount. 'Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy — driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty,' Ellison said in a statement. 'The addition of UFC's year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win.' The debut Paramount fight card is in the planning stages, with UFC officials meeting this week to arrange bouts. White said it is too early to discuss a main event for the White House card.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Greece denies plan to send air defence system to Ukraine
Greece said it is not considering sending advanced air defence systems to Ukraine following negotiations by the Trump administration for more weapons for Kyiv. A Greek official denied that Patriot systems will be moved amid claims that Western allies were discussing a package of new aid ahead of the Nato summit in late June. Reports circulated on Sunday that the US was pushing for more defensive weapons for Ukraine after signing a minerals deal and putting pressure on Vladimir Putin to agree to a peace deal. Ukraine has urgently sought more Patriot systems, with president Volodymyr Zelenskiy saying his government would purchase 10 of the US-made systems if possible. Ukrainian analysts estimate the country currently operates seven batteries. The New York Times reported on Sunday that Washington plans to send Ukraine a Patriot system previously based in Israel, with ongoing discussions about Germany or Greece potentially providing another. Mr Zelensky discussed air defence capabilities with Donald Trump during a meeting at Pope Francis' funeral, which he described as their most productive encounter. Mr Trump said on Sunday that a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine might be within reach. He said: 'We want a peace deal. We want Russia and Ukraine to agree to a deal. We think we're fairly close, and we're going to save a lot of people from being killed, going to save a lot of money, too.' The American president also claimed European leaders have repeatedly asked him to contact Vladimir Putin because 'he doesn't return their phone call.' He added: 'Russia doesn't want the strip that they have now - Russia wants all of Ukraine. And if it weren't me, they would keep going.' Thank you for following our live coverage of the war in Ukraine and ongoing peace negotiations. We will be back soon with more updates and analysis. Donald Trump is set to meet at the White House today with a Russian-American ballerina who was imprisoned by Moscow, writes Cameron Henderson. The president will today greet Ksenia Karelina, 33, who was sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony in 2024 after a Russian court found her guilty of treason for giving £40 to a charity that sends aid to Ukraine. Ms Karelina was released on 10 April in exchange for Washington freeing Arthur Petrov, 33, a German-Russian national accused of exporting sensitive US-made electronics to Russian military manufacturers. At the time of Ms Karelina's release, Mr Trump credited Ultimate Fight Championship CEO Dana White with alerting him to her plight. Mr Trump previously said: 'Dana White called me, and he said it's the friend or the relationship of one of the fighters, or UFC, or one of the fighters, and Dana is an incredible guy.' Ukrainian forces smashed through the border into Russia in what appears to be a second incursion into the Kursk region. Ukrainian troops fired missiles, breached the border, and used specialised vehicles to cross minefields, pro-Russian reporters said. They blew up bridges with rockets overnight before launching an armored assault in the morning, taking advantage of poor weather. One Russian Telegram channel reporting on the war said at least 50 Ukrainian soldiers crossed into the region, with fighting reported near the villages of Zvannoe and Tetkino. The channel reported: 'The mine clearance vehicles began to make passages in the minefields, followed by armoured vehicles with troops. There is a heavy battle going on at the border.' The reported attack follows claims by Russia's military leadership last month that Ukrainian troops had been completely expelled from the Kursk region after what was described as the largest incursion into Russian territory since World War Two. The Kremlin confirmed on Monday that Vladimir Putin has no planned trips to the Middle East in mid-May, responding to speculation about a possible meeting with Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said a meeting between the two leaders is 'necessary' but would require proper preparation and 'continued contacts between Moscow and Washington.' The statement follows Trump's weekend remarks that he and his advisors have had 'very good discussions' about Russia and Ukraine in recent days. Three police officers were killed on Monday in a shoot-out in the southern Russian region of Dagestan, regional authorities said. Slovak prime minister Robert Fico has criticised Volodymyr Zelensky for warning foreign leaders against attending Russia's May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow. Mr Fico dismissed the warning as an attempt to intimidate foreign delegations into boycotting the event. 'I reject such threats for security reasons,' Mr Fico said. 'If Mr Zelensky thinks his words will deter foreign leaders from attending, he is gravely mistaken.' Mr Zelensky said on Saturday that Ukraine could not guarantee the safety of officials attending the celebration, suggesting Russia might orchestrate provocations like 'arsons, explosions, or other actions' and blame Ukraine. Western allies are reportedly discussing supplying Ukraine with more Patriot air defence systems before the Nato summit in late June. The United States and Greece are amongst potential suppliers of these missile defence platforms. Volodymyr Zelenskiy has emphasised the urgent need for more Patriots, saying last month that his government was ready to purchase 10 of the US-made systems. Ukraine currently has around seven Patriot batteries, according to Ukrainian defence express military analysts. Patriots have proven essential for Ukraine's defence against Russian missile strikes targeting infrastructure and civilian areas throughout the war. Julie Davis has been appointed as charge d'affaires to Ukraine, the US state separtment announced. 'President Trump and Secretary Rubio have identified Ambassador Julie Davis to serve as the charge d'affaires in Kyiv,' said State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Ms Davis assumed her duties on Monday and will lead the US diplomatic mission until a permanent ambassador is nominated. She replaces Bridget Brink, who was appointed during the Biden administration. A career diplomat with 30 years of experience, Davis previously served as ambassador to Cyprus and special envoy to Belarus. Lithuania will invest €1.1 billion (£937m) to fortify its borders with Russia and Belarus, the Baltic nation's defence ministry announced on Monday. The Nato member said €800 million will be spent on anti-tank mines as part of efforts to 'block and slow down the actions of hostile states.' Earlier this year, Lithuania joined Finland, Poland, and other Baltic states in withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention that prohibits anti-personnel mines. The defensive preparations will focus on the Suwalki Gap, a 70-kilometre corridor connecting the Baltic states with Poland. The strategic strip of land lies between Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus. Plans include deepening irrigation ditches to serve as trenches, reforesting border areas, planting trees along roads, and deploying electronic warfare systems and anti-drone technology. In January, Lithuania announced it would increase defence spending to five to six percent of GDP annually from 2026 to 2030. The Baltic states fear they could be targeted by Moscow if Russia succeeds in its war against Ukraine. Ukrainian-born Russian journalist Ekaterina Barabash has fled to France with assistance from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), she announced Monday at a Paris news conference. Ms Barabash, 64, who faces up to 10 years in prison in Russia for criticising the war in Ukraine, said her journey lasted about two-and-a-half weeks but provided few details about her escape. She was arrested in February on charges of spreading 'false information' about the Russian armed forces through social media posts Russian authorities reported her missing in April. Reporters Without Borders smuggled her out of Russia. Born in Kharkiv during the Soviet era, Barabash had written for several news outlets including Radio France Internationale's Russian service. In March 2022, she wrote that Russia had 'bombed the country' and 'razed whole cities to the ground.' Russia has cancelled its planned Victory Day military parade in Sevastopol, Russian state media reported on Monday. Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev cited safety concerns as the reason for cancelling the May 9 event, which commemorates the Soviet victory in World War II. The decision follows a Ukrainian sea drone strike that destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet near Novorossiysk on May 2. The $50 million (£37.6m) aircraft reportedly crashed into the sea after the attack, which Ukraine's military intelligence described as the first time a sea drone has downed a jet. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Ukraine cannot guarantee safety for foreign officials attending Russia's main Victory Day parade in Moscow. Mr Zelensky said Russia could attempt to blame Ukraine for any security incidents. Sevastopol, a major naval base, has been under Russian control since Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Ukraine attacked Moscow with drones as the capital prepares for Victory Day celebrations with world leaders including Chinese president Xi Jinping. Russia said it intercepted 26 drones and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said no injuries or damage resulted from the falling debris from four near the drone activity temporarily disrupted air travel, with flights halted at Domodedovo Airport for around 1.5 hours 'to ensure air safety,' according to Russia's aviation president Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters that Kyiv 'cannot be responsible' for what happens on Russian territory during the upcoming World War II commemorations. Vladimir Putin has declared a three-day ceasefire for May 8-10 marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet and allied victory. Mr Zelensky responded by calling for a more substantial halt to hostilities in the war. A Russian Telegram channel has reported that at least 50 Ukrainian soldiers crossed into Russia's Kursk region, with fighting reported near the villages of Zvannoe and Tetkino. According to Mash, Ukrainian forces destroyed a bridge near Zvannoe before deploying mine-clearing vehicles and troops. The report added that Ukrainian soldiers attempted to enter settlements in small groups but Russian forces resisted. A Ukrainian attack has destroyed the Strela factory in Suzemka, Bryansk region, according to Russian regional governor Alexander Bogomaz. Mr Bogomaz said workshops and administrative buildings at the facility were damaged in the strike. The factory is located near the Ukraine-Russia border in western Russia. Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Centre for Countering Disinformation, confirmed the plant that produced electronics for Russia's defence industry is 'no longer operational.' Russian Telegram channel Mash reported the facility was hit by a Grad rocket system. Russian authorities reported minor damage to residential buildings and vehicles in Podolsk, near Moscow, after debris from intercepted Ukrainian drones fell overnight. No casualties were reported, according to local administration statements. Russia's defence ministry said four drones were shot down over the Moscow region during the night. A Ukrainian military blog has reported Russian forces making territorial gains east of Novodarivka in Zaporizhzhia, as part of what it describes as a coordinated attack launched on Saturday. According to the Telegram post, Russian forces Russians carried out 46 assault operations with two infantry companies supported by over 75 motorcycles. It added that Russian forces suffered at least 90 killed and 45 wounded, though the numbers cannot be independently verified. 'The situation is bad east of Novodarivka,' the post said, reporting that Russian forces had crossed the Vorona River and established positions along a highway. Donald Trump said European Union leaders have asked him to contact Vladimir Putin because the Russian leader doesn't return their calls. 'Do you know that the European Union leaders have asked me to call Putin so many times? Because he doesn't return their phone calls,' Mr Trump said. He added: We want a peace deal. We want Russia and Ukraine to agree to a deal. We think we're fairly close, and we're going to save a lot of people from being killed. 'Going to save a lot of money, too. Because we're spending money like - you know, Europe is spending a third of the money that we're spending. And it's more important for Europe than it is for us.' Ukrainian partisan group Atesh has claimed responsibility for disabling a transformer substation in Russia's Saratov region. The group said the operation cut power to two cellular base stations serving industrial areas including the GazPromMash oil refinery, Pirogroup plant, and a military mobilisation centre. 'This sabotage had serious consequences for the critical infrastructure of the occupiers,' the statement read. Atesh said the attack would disrupt communications needed for Russian military logistics and defence coordination. A Russian military blog has reported that Ukrainian forces are attempting to breach the Russian border near Tetkino in Kursk Oblast. 'The Ukrainian armed forces are attempting to break through the state border in the Kursk region in the area of the village of Tyotkino,' the military blog said. Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine. We'll bring you the latest news and analysis throughout the day. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
