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WASHINGTON — Five Senate Republicans broke with party leaders on Thursday to advance legislation that would rein in President Trump’s use of the U.S. military in Venezuela, a move that comes as a growing number of GOP lawmakers have expressed unease about the White House’s threats to use force to acquire Greenland.

The procedural vote, which came over the objections of Republican leaders, now sets the stage for a full Senate vote next week on a measure that would block Trump from using military force “within or against Venezuela” without approval from Congress. Even with the Senate’s approval, the legislation is unlikely to become law as it is unlikely to pass the House, and President Trump — who has veto power over legislation — has publicly condemned the measure and the Republicans who supported it.

“This vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President’s Authority as Commander in Chief,” Trump wrote in a social media post shortly after the 52-47 vote in the Senate.

The Republican defection on the issue underscores the growing concern among GOP lawmakers over the Trump administration’s foreign policy ambitions and highlights the bipartisan concern that the president is testing the limits of executive war powers — not only in Venezuela but also in Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, a U.S. ally.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Me.), one of the Republicans who voted for the resolution, said that while she supported the operation that led to the capture and extradition of Nicolás Maduro, she did not “support committing additional U.S. forces or entering into any long-term military involvement in Venezuela or Greenland without specific congressional authorization.”

The resolution is co-sponsored by Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). The Republicans who supported it were Sens. Collins, Paul, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Todd Young of Indiana and Josh Hawley of Missouri.

“Finally, the Senate is exercising its constitutional power over the authorization of the use of force to prevent America from being dragged into a new war over oil,” Schiff said in a social media post after the vote.

Vice President JD Vance told reporters at the White House on Thursday that he was not concerned about Trump losing support among Republican lawmakers in Washington, adding that passage of the resolution in the Senate would not “change anything about how we conduct foreign policy over the next couple of weeks or the next couple of months.”

But Republican support for the resolution reflects a deepening concern within the GOP over Trump’s foreign policy plans, particularly his threats to acquire Greenland — a move that prompted European leaders earlier this week to call on the United States to respect the Arctic territory’s sovereignty

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters on Wednesday that he does not believe “anybody’s seriously considering” using the military to take control of Greenland.

“In Congress, we’re certainly not,” Johnson said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) struck a similar tone the same day, telling reporters that he does not “see military action being an option” in Greenland.

Other Republican lawmakers have been more openly critical, warning that even floating the idea of using force against a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a defense alliance that includes the United States, risks weakening America’s position on the world stage.

“Threats and intimidation by U.S. officials over American ownership of Greenland are as unseemly as they are counterproductive,” Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement. “And the use of force to seize the sovereign democratic territory of one of America’s most loyal and capable allies would be an especially catastrophic act of strategic self-harm to America and its global influence.”

In a statement Tuesday, the White House said acquiring Greenland was a “national security priority” and that using the military to achieve that goal was “always an option.” A day earlier, Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy, told CNN that “Greenland should be part of the United States.”

“Nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland,” Miller said.

Miller’s remarks angered Republican senators, including Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) who in an interview with CNN on Wednesday called the idea of invading Greenland “weapons-grade stupid.”

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C), who has served as the top Republicans on the Senate NATO Observer Group since 2018, criticized the idea as well in a searing Senate floor speech.

“I’m sick of stupid,” Tillis said. “I want good advice for this president, because I want this president to have a good legacy. And this nonsense on what’s going on with Greenland is a distraction from the good work he’s doing, and the amateurs who said it was a good idea should lose their jobs.”

Tillis, who is not seeking reelection this year, later told CNN that Miller needs to “get into a lane where he knows what he’s talking about or get out of this job.”

OUR Spotlight On column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in popular holiday spots and off-the-beaten track destinations.

This week we look at Palermo in Sicily, a popular destination in Italy thanks to its fascinating architecture and delicious food.

I visited the city myself, after hopping off a Princess Cruise trip for the day.

And a day is perfect for seeing the city – as long as you are ready to cram in everything.

There aren’t too many “must do” attractions so you can take in the famous sites of churches and fountains without too much pressure.

And being an Italian city, you won’t struggle to find a great place for lunch and dinner as well as a quick drink before heading back onto the ship.

CAMP ON

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ON THE SLOPES

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Here are some other top tips of what to do in Palermo.

MUST SEE/DO

Palermo is often said to be one of the most conquered places in the world, with stints under the Romans and Normans as well as the Spanish and French.

One of the most interesting places that shows this is the cathedral. Built in 1184, it has both Arab and Norman influences, and stands on the site of a Muslim mosque.

Make sure to also head over to Quattro Canti, a beautiful octagonal plaza with fountains and live music surrounded by restored historic buildings.

HIDDEN GEM

If you want to grab a bargain, then Palermo has some of the best markets where you are more likely to spot a local than a tourist.

One of the biggest is Mercato Antico, which takes place every Sunday. You can find everything from jewellery and artwork to books and rugs, and most of it is fairly affordable.

Or for real secret finds, tucked down Piazza Domenico Peranni are hidden antique stalls selling handcrafted homeware.

BEST VIEW

For 360-degree views of the city you will want to head up the Torre di San Nicolo.

Costing just a few euros, you can enjoy the scene of the winding streets being overlooked by Mount Pellegrino.

RATED RESTAURANT

If you want a slice of Sicilian island life on a budget then brave the chaotic street stalls.

Trattoria del Carmine has loads of atmosphere and buzz, from pumping music to the smoky grills barbecuing meat.

Make sure to try one of their huge arancini balls of risotto rice, as well as local classic stigghiola – a skewer of lamb intestines.

Vegetarians are well catered for too, with snacks including parmigiana di melanzane – a roll filled with tomato and aubergine.

BEST BAR

Bar Timi is said to have the island’s best negroni, serving it to tiny tables on the street.

It was the drink of choice, with every table opting for the classic cocktail that is the perfect mix of sweet and bitter.

Don’t worry if you aren’t a negroni fan, their Aperol spritz is just as good.

Want to drink on a budget? Head to any pop-up stall in the city and you’ll find a pomegranate spritz for just €3 (£2.62).

HOTEL PICK

One of Palermo’s newest hotels is NH Collection Palermo Palazzo Sitano, which opened during the summer.

The brand’s second offering on the island, the 86-room hotel is in a converted 18th century residence.

Many of the Baroque features remain, especially in the stunning hotel bar and restaurant.

Rooms start from around £110 per night.

WASHINGTON — Standing alongside President Trump at his Palm Beach estate, Volodymyr Zelensky could only smirk and grimace without overtly offending his host. “Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed,” Trump told reporters, shocking the Ukrainian president before claiming that Vladimir Putin is genuine in his desire for peace.

It was just the latest example of the American president sympathizing with Moscow in its war of conquest in Europe. Yet Zelensky emerged from the meeting Sunday ensuring once again that Ukraine may fight another day, maintaining critical if uneasy support from Washington.

Few signs of progress toward a peace agreement materialized from the meeting at Mar-a-Lago, where Zelensky traveled with significant compromises — including a plan to put territorial concessions to Russia before the Ukrainian people for a vote — in order to appease the U.S. president.

But Zelensky won concessions of his own from Trump, who had for weeks been pushing for a ceasefire by Christmas, or else threatening to cut off Ukraine from U.S. intelligence that would leave Kyiv blind on the battlefield. “I don’t have deadlines,” Trump said Sunday.

Over the course of Trump’s first year in office, Zelensky and other European leaders have repeatedly worked to convince Trump that Russia’s President Putin is, in fact, an aggressor opposed to peace, responsible for an unprovoked invasion that launched the deadliest conflict in Europe since the Second World War.

Each time, Trump has come around, even going as far over the summer as to question whether Ukraine could win back the territories it has lost on the battlefield to Russia — and vowing to North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, “we’re with them all they way.”

Yet, each time, Trump has changed course within a matter of days or weeks, reverting to an embrace of Putin and Russia’s worldview, including a proposal that Ukraine preemptively cede sovereign territories that Russia has sought but failed to occupy by force.

Zelensky’s willingness to offer concessions in his latest meeting with Trump has, at least temporarily, “managed to keep President Trump from tilting further towards the Russian position,” said Kyle Balzer, a scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute. “But Trump’s position — his repeated insistence that a deal is necessary now because time is not on Ukraine’s side — continues to favor Putin’s line and negotiating tactics.”

U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that Putin’s revanchist war aims — to conquer all of Ukraine and, beyond, to reclaim parts of Europe that once were part of the Soviet empire — remain unchanged.

Yet Trump’s director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, whose own sympathies toward Russia have been scrutinized for years, recently dismissed the assessments as products of “deep state” “warmongers” within the intelligence community.

On Monday, hours after speaking with Trump, Putin ordered the Russian military to push toward Zaporizhzhia, a city of 700,000 before the war began. The city lies far outside the Donbas region that Moscow claims would satisfy its war aims in a negotiated settlement.

“Trump’s instincts are to favor Putin and Russia,” said Brian Taylor, director of the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs at Syracuse University. “Ukraine and its European partners still hope to convince Trump of the obvious fact that Putin is not interested in a deal that doesn’t amount to a Ukrainian surrender.

“If Trump was convinced of Putin’s intransigence, he might further tighten sanctions on Russia and provide more assistance to Ukraine to try to pressure Putin into a deal,” Taylor added. “It’s an uphill battle, one might even say Sisyphean, but Zelensky and European leaders have to keep trying. So far, nearly a year into Trump’s second term, it’s been worth it.”

On Monday, Moscow claims that Ukraine orchestrated a massive drone attack targeting Putin’s residence that would force it to reconsider its stance in negotiations. Kyiv denied an attack took place.

“Given the final degeneration of the criminal Kyiv regime, which has switched to a policy of state terrorism, Russia’s negotiating position will be revised,” Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister since 2004, said in a Telegram post.

Another senior Russian official said the reported attack shocked and infuriated Trump. But Zelensky, responding on social media, said that Russia was “at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump’s team.”

“We keep working together to bring peace closer,” Zelensky said. “This alleged ‘residence strike’ story is a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russia’s own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war.”

“Ukraine does not take steps that can undermine diplomacy. To the contrary, Russia always takes such steps,” he added. “It is critical that the world doesn’t stay silent now. We cannot allow Russia to undermine the work on achieving a lasting peace.”

Frederick Kagan, director of the Critical Threats Project, which collaborates with the Institute for the Study of War to produce daily battlefield assessments on the conflict, said that the meeting did not appear to fundamentally shift Trump’s position on the conflict — a potential win for Kyiv in and of itself, he said.

“U.S.-Ukraine negotiations appear to be continuing as before, which is positive, since those negotiations seem to be getting into the real details of what would be required for a meaningful set of security guarantees and long-term agreements to ensure that any peace settlement will be enduring,” Kagan said.

Gaps still remain between Kyiv and the Trump administration in negotiations over security guarantees. While Trump has offered a 15-year agreement, Ukraine is seeking guarantees for 50 years, Zelensky said Monday.

“As Trump continues to say, there’s no deal until there’s a deal,” Kagan added. “We’ll have to see how things go.”

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has told his players to “enjoy themselves” but to “use common sense” over christmas. His comments follow Pep Guardiola’s admission that Manchester City’s players will be weighed when they return to training to check their fitness has not dropped over the festive period.

READ MORE: Dyche urges ‘common sense’ and won’t weigh players

At least two people have been killed in clashes in Aleppo between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that control the country’s northeast. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a deal in March with the SDF to integrate the group into the country’s state institutions by the end of this year.

LOLA Young has made her comeback to social media after taking a sudden break from her music career.

The performer shocked concert-goers when she plummeted to the ground on stage in September and just days later announced she was stepping away from the limelight for the “foreseeable future.”

Lola, 24, returned to Instagram with some positive news for fans and promised she was doing a lot better.

“Hey, I just wanted to express gratitude to everyone who has given me time and space to gather myself and get my head in a better place,” she wrote in the heartfelt post.

“I’ve felt so much love and support from you all and it has helped more than you will ever know.”

Lola continued: “I am hoping to gradually get back to performing and continuing pursuing my dreams. Happy holidays to you all and can’t wait to see you in 2026.

SO MESSY

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MUSIC BATTLE

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“Life is a journey, nothing is perfect but today I am doing well. All my love always, Lola x.”

The London-born singer had just released her critically-acclaimed debut when she made the sudden decision to press pause on her career and cancelled her tour.

Announcing her departure in a heartbreaking statement shared on Instagram, Lola said she hopes her followers will give her a “second chance”.

“I’m going away for a while. It pains me to say I have to cancel everything for the foreseeable future. Thank you for all the love and support,” she wrote in a post at the time.

“I’m so sorry to let anyone down who has bought a ticket to see me, it hurts me more than you know.”

The singer had gone through a series secret struggles – from a mental health diagnosis to an ongoing nepo baby row and even legal issues.

Last year, while Lola’s biggest hit was climbing up the charts, she was checked into a rehab facility for an addiction to cocaine.

It’s thought she was admitted last November and the drug addiction swamped the singer for “a long time”, she said in an interview with The Guardian.

She also revealed she ‘hated’ her body after trolls flooded her social media accounts with cruel comments.

Meanwhile, when she was 17, she was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder.

The condition is a mix of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, according to the NHS.

Writing on Instagram in 2022, Lola explained: “I have struggled immensely learning to accept this part of myself, and I am still learning.”

THE children of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, have spoken out days after their parents were found dead with their throats slit in their Los Angeles home.

The director’s children, Jake, 34, and Romy, 28, released a statement regarding the “horrific and devastating” loss of their parents.

The couple’s middle son, Nick, 32, was arrested and charged with their murders on Sunday evening.

“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” Jake and Romy told TMZ.

“The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”

The children went onto thank everyone for their support and ask for privacy during this time.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life.

“We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.”

Tracy Reiner, the adopted daughter from Rob’s first marriage, said she was “in shock” when she heard the news.

“I came from the greatest family ever,” Tracy, 61, told NBC News. “I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock.”

Jake, Romy, and Tracy notably did not mention the alleged involvement of their other sibling, Nick.

Nick is facing two counts of first-degree murder over the deaths of his mother and father.

In California, those two charges hold up to two life sentences with the option of parole after 25 years.

“Their loss is beyond tragic and we will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges at a news conference.

Hochman said prosecutors have not decided whether they plan to seek the death penalty.

“This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones but for our entire city,” LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell said at the conference.

Nick was expected to appear in court on Tuesday, but was unable to be transported from jail for medical reasons, forcing the hearing to be pushed to Wednesday.

SHOCKING SCENE

The Oscar-nominated director and his wife were reportedly found by their daughter, Romy, stabbed to death around 3:30 pm on December 14.

Nick was arrested later that day at 9:15 pm, according to arrest records.

The arrest was announced on Monday, and Nick was booked into an LA County jail and was being held on a $4 million bond.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

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