Senate Democrats blocked a full-year $852 billion Defense spending bill Thursday, despite its strong bipartisan support in committee, as the government shutdown entered its third week. The measure failed 50-44 after Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer insisted it should not advance without also considering the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill. Republicans, including Sen. Mitch McConnell and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, criticized Democrats … Continue reading Shutdown tensions high after Dems block Defense spending bill

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reported $1.4 million in blackjack winnings from a Las Vegas casino in his latest tax filing. The governor, who is seeking a third term and is on the 2028 presidential short list, said he won the money while on vacation with his wife and friends and plans to donate it to charity. Pritzker and his wife reported a total income of … Continue reading Gov. JB Pritzker won $1.4 million in Vegas playing blackjack

President Donald Trump announced a deal with pharmaceutical company EMD Serono to lower the cost of fertility drugs in the U.S., aiming to make IVF more affordable for millions of Americans. The agreement will provide discounts on drugs like Gonal-f, with price reductions ranging from 42% to 79% depending on a patient’s income, starting in early 2026. IVF costs in the U.S. can exceed $40,000 … Continue reading Trump announces deal to reduce cost of specific IVF medication

Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced plans to advance a bipartisan bill imposing sanctions on Russia, saying the “time has come” and aiming for action within 30 days. The move follows President Trump’s recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who agreed to meet him in Budapest, just before Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s White House visit. The sanctions legislation, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham in April, … Continue reading Thune says “time has come” for Senate to move forward with Russia sanctions bill

Madagascar has sworn in Colonel Michael Randrianirina as president following a military takeover after mass protests forced President Andry Rajoelina into exile. The High Constitutional Court formalized Randrianirina’s appointment after Rajoelina was impeached for desertion, amid weeks of deadly demonstrations over power and water shortages that left at least 22 dead. Randrianirina vowed to reform governance, socioeconomic systems, and electoral laws, and emphasized collaboration with … Continue reading Military leader Randrianirina sworn in as Madagascar’s new president

Senate Democrats blocked Republicans’ 10th attempt to reopen the government, ensuring the shutdown enters a third week as lawmakers prepare for a long weekend after just three days in session. Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, are pushing to pass the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government until Nov. 21, while Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, want to negotiate expiring … Continue reading Senate Democrats block GOP plan for 10th time, ensuring shutdown lasts into next week

Sen. Tim Kaine is leading a bipartisan push to force a Senate vote to prevent President Trump from unilaterally waging war in Venezuela, amid U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean and planned CIA operations in the country. The resolution, co-sponsored by Sens. Adam Schiff and Rand Paul, comes after Trump authorized a recent strike on an alleged drug boat and signaled potential land operations. Kaine … Continue reading Senators will force a vote to prevent war on Venezuela without approval from Congress

During a heated debate Wednesday night, New York City mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa clashed over experience and how they would handle relations with Donald Trump. Cuomo emphasized his gubernatorial and federal experience, defending his record on laws, infrastructure, and the COVID-19 response, while Mamdani criticized Cuomo’s handling of nursing homes during the pandemic and highlighted his legislative work for working-class … Continue reading New York City mayoral candidates spar over how to deal with Trump

President Donald Trump announced that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin plan to meet in Budapest to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war, following what he described as a “lengthy and frank” two-and-a-half-hour phone call with Putin. Trump did not specify a date for the summit but said high-level U.S. and Russian advisers, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will meet next week to prepare. … Continue reading Trump says he and Putin will meet in Budapest to discuss end to Russia-Ukraine war

President Donald Trump is turning his attention to the Russia-Ukraine war after helping broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday. The talks are expected to center on Ukraine’s request for U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles, which could allow strikes deep inside Russia—a move Moscow has warned would dangerously escalate tensions. Trump said he discussed the missile … Continue reading Trump to host Zelenskyy at White House

California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter acknowledged she “could have handled things better” after viral videos showed her losing her temper with a reporter and a staffer. In one clip, Porter nearly ended an interview with CBS correspondent Julie Watts, calling her questions “argumentative” and expressing frustration on camera. In an older 2021 video, Porter yelled at a staffer who walked into her shot during a … Continue reading Katie Porter says she regrets viral outbursts at reporter, staffer

President Donald Trump hosted nearly 130 donors, allies, and corporate representatives at the White House to celebrate fundraising for a $250 million renovation of a new White House ballroom. The planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom, featuring bulletproof glass and a capacity of up to 999 people, is intended to host large events, including presidential inaugurations, eliminating the need for South Lawn tents. Attendees included executives from major … Continue reading Trump hosts glitzy dinner for wealthy donors to new White House ballroom

President Donald Trump announced plans to expand federal crime-fighting operations into additional cities, calling the initiative “Operation Summer Heat.” Speaking with FBI Director Kash Patel in the Oval Office, Trump said federal forces, including surges of personnel and potentially the National Guard, would be deployed to “straighten out” high-crime areas. The administration has already increased resources in mainly Democratic cities like Portland and Chicago, though … Continue reading Trump vows federal ‘surge’ in more American cities to combat crime

Democratic senators are accusing the Department of Homeland Security of potentially violating the Hatch Act by asking airports to show a video of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown. The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity, and violations can lead to penalties including removal or suspension. Many airports, including major hubs like LaGuardia, JFK, and San … Continue reading Democratic senators want investigation into Noem’s TSA video that blamed Democrats for shutdown

Senate Democrats privately debated how to respond to Majority Leader John Thune’s plan to push a vote on funding the Defense Department. Some Democrats indicated they were ready to block a procedural motion on Thursday, but uncertainty about whether Thune will bring a standalone defense bill or combine it with other appropriations complicated their strategy. Democrats are divided over whether supporting the defense bill could … Continue reading Senate Dems tease hardball defense spending strategy

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged increased “firepower” for Ukraine ahead of a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, amid speculation the U.S. could provide Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles. Hegseth highlighted NATO countries’ growing commitments to Ukraine, including initiatives where allies purchase U.S. weapons to supply the country, though it’s unclear if Tomahawks are included. President Trump is expected to discuss the potential missile transfer … Continue reading ‘Firepower’ coming for Ukraine, Hegseth tells NATO

Sir Keir Starmer faces scrutiny after the collapse of a trial against two men accused of spying for China, following the release of witness statements by the government. Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were charged under the Official Secrets Act last year but have denied the allegations, and the case fell apart, with the director of public prosecutions citing the government’s refusal to label China … Continue reading Starmer faces ‘more unanswered questions’ after evidence in China spying case released

President Donald Trump announced that India will stop purchasing Russian oil, calling it a major step in pressuring Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Trump said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him the process is underway, though it will take some time to complete. The move could ease U.S.-India tensions, which escalated after the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on India over its … Continue reading Trump says Modi has agreed to stop buying Russian oil

The Senate rejected a GOP-led stopgap funding bill for the ninth time Wednesday, making it likely the government shutdown will continue into next week. The bill, which would have funded the government through November 21, passed 51-44 with minimal Democratic support, and another vote is expected Thursday with little expectation of a different outcome. Republicans are pressuring Democrats to break ranks, while blocking Senate Minority … Continue reading Senate fails for ninth time to advance government funding plan

The Trump administration warned it could cut more than 10,000 federal jobs during the ongoing government shutdown, according to White House budget director Russell Vought. Vought highlighted potential targets for layoffs, including Green New Deal programs at the Department of Energy, environmental justice efforts at the EPA, the Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency, CISA, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Earlier, the White House … Continue reading Trump admin federal job cuts likely to be ‘north of 10,000,’ Vought says

President Donald Trump said the U.S. may carry out military strikes on land to stop drugs from Venezuelan cartels entering the United States. He noted that while maritime routes are largely under control, land operations are now being considered. The comments followed reports that the Trump administration secretly authorized the CIA to take covert action in Venezuela against President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. Since September, the … Continue reading Trump says he’s considering strikes on land to combat Venezuelan drug cartels

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes demanded that House Speaker Mike Johnson immediately swear in Democratic Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, threatening legal action if he delays. Grijalva won a special election to succeed her late father, Raúl Grijalva, but has not yet been sworn in due to Johnson keeping the House in recess amid the government shutdown. Mayes argued that with the certificate of election transmitted, swearing … Continue reading Arizona attorney general threatens legal action if Johnson doesn’t seat recently elected Democrat

Syria’s interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, visited Russia for the first time, meeting President Vladimir Putin to discuss cooperation and regional developments. The visit signals Russia’s intent to maintain ties with Syria’s new leadership and secure its military bases on the Syrian coast. Despite supporting Assad for years, Moscow granted him asylum after his ouster and did not intervene against the rebel offensive. Both countries emphasized … Continue reading Syria’s interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa meets with Putin in Moscow

Kenya’s former Prime Minister and longtime opposition leader Raila Odinga has died at 80 following a cardiac arrest during a morning walk in Kerala, India. Widely regarded as a key architect of Kenya’s modern democracy, Odinga ran unsuccessfully for president five times, including the contentious 2007 election that sparked deadly ethnic violence. President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning, calling Odinga “the father … Continue reading Raila Odinga, Kenya’s former Prime Minister, dies at 80

Madagascar’s military leader, Col. Michael Randrianirina, announced Wednesday that he is “taking the position of president” following a coup that ousted President Andry Rajoelina. Randrianirina said he expects to be sworn in soon after the High Constitutional Court invited him to assume leadership while Rajoelina fled for his safety amid the uprising. The takeover follows weeks of youth-led protests over government failures, with Randrianirina promising … Continue reading Madagascar’s military coup leader says he is “taking the position of president”