As Russia and Ukraine prepare for possible direct talks cue President Trump NPR

The reforms place serious criminal cases under the authority of trained prosecutors. Previously, key decisions had been left up to victims' own commanders.

The NSC has traditionally played a pivotal role in advising the president for his biggest diplomatic and security decisions. But in Trump's second term, it has seen its influence shrink.

Japan's governing party on Saturday elected Sanae Takaichi, a hard-line ultra-conservative and China hawk, as its new leader, making her likely to become the country's first female prime minister.