House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers said he sees no need for further investigation into a disputed military strike in September, saying he already has the answers he needs. Democrats, however, are still calling for a full-scale probe, including hearings and document reviews. Top lawmakers recently viewed classified footage of the strike with military leaders, and the full committee is set to see the unedited … Continue reading House Armed Services chair sees no need to further probe boat strike

Congress is using the annual defense bill to pressure the Pentagon into releasing unedited videos of strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats off Latin America. Lawmakers plan to withhold a quarter of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget until the footage is provided to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The videos focus on a controversial follow-up strike on Sept. 2 that killed two survivors … Continue reading Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos

President Donald Trump warned that Mexico’s failure to deliver water under the 1944 Water Treaty is harming Texas farmers and could trigger a 5% tariff if 200,000 acre-feet aren’t released by Dec. 31. Trump said Mexico still owes over 800,000 acre-feet from past years and accused the country of unfairly harming U.S. agriculture. Texas farm groups have faced severe drought-driven shortages, threatening crops, jobs, and … Continue reading Trump threatens 5% tariff on Mexico over water treaty violations affecting Texas farmers

Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas launched a campaign for U.S. Senate, shaking up the Democratic primary just before the filing deadline. She argues she is the strongest Democrat to challenge Republican Sen. John Cornyn, saying she can mobilize a diverse coalition and address rising costs while holding Donald Trump accountable. Her entrance pushed former Rep. Colin Allred to exit the race, leaving Crockett to face … Continue reading Rep. Jasmine Crockett launches Senate run in Texas, shaking up Democratic primary

The U.S. is pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept major territorial concessions, particularly giving up all of the Donbas region, as part of President Trump’s peace proposal, according to Ukrainian officials. Kyiv believes the plan currently favors Moscow, especially after Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin and then urged Zelensky to agree quickly. While the U.S. insists it has … Continue reading U.S. pushes Zelensky for swift yes on peace plan: Ukrainian officials

The Trump administration announced a $12 billion aid package to support farmers affected by tariffs and rising economic pressures. Funds will begin reaching farmers by Feb. 28, with applications opening soon. Most of the money will go to producers of major crops, while a smaller portion is reserved for specialty crop growers. Although Trump claimed the bailout was funded by tariffs, the money comes from … Continue reading White House announces $12 billion farmer bailout package

Tensions have risen between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Trump criticized the Ukrainian president for not yet reading U.S. peace proposals. Trump claimed Ukrainian officials support the plan, while suggesting Russia might also accept it. His comments followed Miami talks between U.S. and Ukrainian teams that ended without agreement on a draft peace deal. Outstanding issues include the status of Russian-occupied Donbas and control … Continue reading Trump says Zelenskyy ‘hasn’t read U.S. peace proposal’ as tensions mount

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the first phase of the UN-backed Gaza ceasefire is nearly complete, emphasizing that the next phase must include Hamas disarmament. He plans to discuss the second phase later this month with former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose proposals form the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 2803. During the first phase, Hamas released the last Israeli hostages in exchange … Continue reading First phase of Gaza ceasefire plan nearly complete, says Netanyahu

President Donald Trump released a national security blueprint that asserts U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and introduces a “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine. The strategy argues that keeping the region “reasonably stable” and free from foreign influence is essential to U.S. security. It seeks to “enlist and expand” partnerships—working with established allies to combat migration, drug trafficking and security threats, while building new … Continue reading Trump pledges to reassert Monroe Doctrine to restore American power

The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, said surveillance video of a U.S. military strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel contradicts claims made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other Republicans. Smith, who viewed the footage, said the surviving individuals were unarmed, stranded, and unable to fight, disputing assertions that they were attempting to recover drugs or reengage. He … Continue reading Top Armed Services Dem says Sept. 2 strike video would show Republicans’ description ‘completely false’

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting India for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, amid stalled U.S. efforts to end the conflict. His 30-hour visit comes as U.S.-India relations face tension, with Washington imposing tariffs and threatening sanctions over India’s continued strong ties to Russia and increased purchases of Russian crude. The visit underscores India’s ongoing challenge of … Continue reading Putin visits India amid Ukraine peace push

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro confirmed he spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump last month amid rising tensions and a U.S. military buildup in the region. Maduro described the call as “cordial” and emphasized diplomatic prudence, saying he prefers handling sensitive matters quietly rather than through public statements. He expressed hope that the conversation could be a step toward “respectful dialogue” and reiterated Venezuela’s … Continue reading Venezuela’s Maduro confirms ‘cordial’ call with Trump amid tensions with US

House Oversight Committee Democrats released over 150 images and more than a dozen short videos of Jeffrey Epstein’s Virgin Islands estate, capturing rooms, the coastline, a helipad, and other property features, though no people appear in the material. The release coincided with Ghislaine Maxwell’s attorneys arguing against unsealing grand jury materials in her criminal case, citing potential prejudice to a fair retrial despite her exhausted … Continue reading Democrats release Epstein Island photos as Maxwell argues against release of grand jury transcripts

Former President Barack Obama criticized what he alleged was the politicization of the Justice Department and the U.S. military during a lecture in Arkansas. He claimed that political influence has increased under President Donald Trump, but said it has not fully taken over largely because of resistance within the military. Obama contrasted this with his time in office, saying he earned military leaders’ respect by … Continue reading Obama lauds those who are resisting Trump

The Jim Jordan-led House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena to former Special Counsel Jack Smith, ordering him to give a closed-door deposition on December 17 and turn over documents by December 12. The subpoena is part of the committee’s ongoing review of Smith’s prosecutions of Donald Trump — including election-interference and classified-documents cases — which were dropped after Trump returned to office. Smith previously … Continue reading Jack Smith subpoenaed for deposition with House Judiciary Committee

The Justice Department has sued six more states—Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington—for failing to provide statewide voter registration lists, bringing the total to at least 14 states. The department claims the lawsuits aim to ensure election security, while Democratic officials express concern over privacy and the federal overreach into state-run elections. The requests include detailed voter information, including personally identifiable data, … Continue reading Justice Department expands legal action against states that have refused its demands for voter data

Republican Matt Van Epps won a hotly contested special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, holding the seat for the GOP against Democratic challenger Aftyn Behn. Although Trump carried the district by 22 points in 2024, Democrats narrowed the margin this year, with Van Epps winning by about nine points, highlighting stronger Democratic turnout compared to early voting. Both parties spent heavily on ads, with … Continue reading Republican Matt Van Epps holds deep-red House district in Tennessee special election

President Emmanuel Macron denied plans for a “ministry of truth” in France after criticism from right-wing politicians and media that his anti-disinformation efforts could threaten press freedom. He has called for legislation to quickly block false information online and for professional certification of media outlets to distinguish reliable sources. Critics, including far-right leaders and media outlets owned by Vincent Bolloré, accused Macron of authoritarianism and … Continue reading Macron Denies ‘Ministry Of Truth’ Plan In Standoff With Far Right

Talks between Russia and the U.S. on ending the war in Ukraine were described as constructive by a senior Putin aide, though no agreement has been reached, particularly on territorial issues. Putin met U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the Kremlin, while parallel talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials took place in Florida. Trump’s peace plan, which has raised concerns over concessions to … Continue reading US-Russia talks on Ukraine were ‘constructive’ but work remains, Putin adviser says

US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Colombia over drug trafficking, warning that those selling cocaine into the US could be attacked. His comments come amid heightened tensions with Venezuela, where the Trump administration has doubled the reward for information leading to President Nicolás Maduro’s capture. Trump reportedly urged Maduro to step down during a phone call, but Maduro refused. The President held … Continue reading Trump threatens attack on Colombia amid Venezuela war fears

In Honduras’ presidential election, former Tegucigalpa Mayor Nasry Asfura and conservative candidate Salvador Nasralla were nearly tied in preliminary results, with Asfura initially holding a slight lead. Voter support for Asfura was influenced by nostalgia for better economic times under the previous National Party government and U.S. President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Trump’s comments and his promise to pardon former President Juan Orlando Hernández may have … Continue reading Trump’s impact is debated in Honduras, where conservatives lead the presidential vote

Sen. Mark Kelly said Monday he will not be silenced by President Trump or Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after the Department of Defense announced a review of him over alleged misconduct. The comments follow a video in which Kelly and other Democrats told U.S. service members they could refuse illegal orders. Kelly criticized Hegseth for allegedly authorizing a second strike on a Caribbean boat … Continue reading Sen. Kelly slams Trump, calls for investigation into Caribbean strikes and for Hegseth to testify

The White House said Monday that President Trump underwent advanced abdominal and cardiovascular imaging in October as part of a preventative health evaluation. This came after Trump told reporters he had “no idea” what his MRI covered, only that it was not of his brain and that the results were “perfect.” A letter from his physician, Sean Barbabella, stated the imaging was routine for men … Continue reading White House releases details of Trump’s MRI scan

President Donald Trump met with top national security advisers to discuss increasing pressure on Venezuela, according to a senior U.S. official. The meeting occurred as Washington intensified accusations that Venezuela is involved in drug trafficking. Trump escalated tensions by declaring Venezuelan airspace “closed in its entirety,” causing confusion in Caracas. He also confirmed speaking with President Nicolás Maduro, whom the U.S. considers illegitimate, though he … Continue reading White House holds high-level talks as Trump ramps up Venezuela campaign

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek threatened to investigate and prosecute federal immigration agents operating in the state, accusing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of using “violent actions” and “stoking fear” under the guise of enforcement. In an Instagram video, she said Oregon would monitor all ICE operations, investigate misconduct, and hold officers accountable if they violate state law. Kotek criticized the use of “excessive force” … Continue reading Oregon Gov. Threatens to Investigate, Prosecute Federal Immigration Agents