House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries challenged Speaker Mike Johnson to a floor debate Monday over the ongoing government shutdown, which has extended into a second week. Jeffries argued the debate would provide transparency and allow Johnson to explain the Republican “my way or the highway” approach, as Democratic votes are needed to end the impasse. Johnson rejected the challenge, calling it “nonsense” and saying the … Continue reading Mike Johnson rebuffs Hakeem Jeffries’ request for a live shutdown debate

President Trump announced that the U.S. will take a 10% stake in Canadian minerals explorer Trilogy Metals and approved a permit for a mining road in northwest Alaska. The road provides access to the Ambler Mining District, rich in copper, cobalt, and gold—critical minerals for technology and national defense—which had been blocked under President Biden over environmental and tribal concerns. The U.S. investment of $35.6 … Continue reading Trump announces U.S. stake in Trilogy Metals, Alaska mining road permits

President Donald Trump said Monday that Sean “Diddy” Combs requested a pardon following his conviction on two prostitution-related charges. Combs was sentenced Friday to over four years in prison, with credit for the 12 months he has already served and a $500,000 fine. His lawyers are considering an appeal, arguing the sentence was excessively long and based on unproven allegations, while noting he was acquitted … Continue reading Trump says Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs asked him for a pardon

The government shutdown has entered another week with no resolution as Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over funding and health care provisions. Two competing Senate measures to reopen the government failed for the fifth time Monday. Democrats insist any funding bill must include an extension of health insurance tax credits, while Republicans argue such talks should come only after the shutdown ends. Speaker Mike Johnson … Continue reading Government shutdown stretches into second week as Senate rejects funding bills again

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned Monday after less than a month in office, deepening France’s ongoing political turmoil. His resignation came just a day after unveiling a new Cabinet that led a key conservative ally to withdraw support, leaving his government without a majority. Lecornu, who replaced François Bayrou in September, became the shortest-serving prime minister in the history of France’s Fifth Republic. President … Continue reading France in fresh political crisis as PM Lecornu quits after 26 days

President Donald Trump briefly suggested he might negotiate with Democrats over Affordable Care Act subsidies tied to the ongoing government shutdown, but later retracted the idea. Democrats have refused to support a short-term funding bill unless it includes an extension of the health care subsidies. Trump initially said talks with Democrats could lead to “very good things” for health care, offering a rare hint of … Continue reading Trump says he’s open to health care deal but government must reopen first

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of being “not serious” about ending the ongoing government shutdown, now in its fifth day, while Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans for the stalemate. Negotiations between the two parties have stalled, with both sides trading blame and no votes expected soon to reopen the government. Johnson claimed his chamber had done its part by passing a funding … Continue reading House speaker says Democrats aren’t serious about shutdown negotiation

At the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary ceremony, President Donald Trump promised that service members affected by the ongoing government shutdown would receive full back pay and an “across-the-board” raise once funding is restored. While active-duty troops continue to serve without pay, many civilian Defense Department employees have been furloughed, and military family services have been reduced. Trump reiterated his support for a 3.8% pay raise, … Continue reading Trump tells troops ‘every last penny’ coming despite ongoing government shutdown affecting military pay

The White House has warned that mass layoffs of federal workers could begin if President Donald Trump decides negotiations with congressional Democrats over the partial government shutdown have stalled. As the shutdown entered its fifth day, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said layoffs would occur only if talks completely broke down. Trump blamed Democrats for any potential job losses, calling them “Democrat layoffs.” He … Continue reading White House threatens mass layoffs amid deepening US government shutdown

Syria has completed voting in its first parliamentary elections since the fall of the Assad regime, marking what officials called a key step in the nation’s political transition. Counting continued late Sunday, with final results expected Monday, as early tallies showed no women winning seats so far — meaning President Ahmad al-Sharaa is likely to use his appointment powers to meet the 20% female quota. … Continue reading Syria concludes first election since fall of Assad regime

President Donald Trump said Sunday that negotiations to implement his plan for releasing all remaining hostages held by Hamas and ending the Gaza war could be completed within days. U.S. officials say Trump and his team are pressing both Israel and Hamas to move quickly, calling the deal “a great one for Israel and the Arab world.” Talks in Egypt are set to finalize logistical … Continue reading Trump pushing Israel and Hamas for Gaza deal within days

President Donald Trump redeployed 200 California National Guard troops from Los Angeles to Portland after a court blocked his initial attempt to send troops there. The move bypassed a judge’s order and sparked outrage from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called it a “breathtaking abuse of power” and vowed to sue. The White House defended the action, saying it was necessary to protect federal property … Continue reading Trump sends troops from California to Portland, Oregon

House Speaker Mike Johnson blamed Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown, calling their actions a “terribly selfish decision” during an interview. He said Republicans proposed a “clean” continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open, but Senate Democrats repeatedly voted it down in favor of a “dirty CR” that Johnson claimed would repeal Trump-era health care reforms and add trillions in spending. Johnson argued that … Continue reading Speaker Johnson blames House Dems for ‘terribly selfish’ government shutdown

A woman in Newburgh, Maine, received 250 blank state election ballots in an Amazon package containing ordinary groceries, prompting an investigation by the Secretary of State. The package appeared to have been opened and resealed, and the woman handed the ballots to the local town office. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows emphasized that safe and secure elections are a top priority and has tasked law … Continue reading Woman claims Amazon delivery box came stuffed with hundreds of blank ballots

The Trump administration is enlisting National Guard and Army Reserve lawyers as temporary immigration judges after firing dozens of existing judges, aiming to address the growing backlog of cases. Training for the first group begins Monday, with roughly 100 lawyers expected to participate and 50 starting nearly six-month assignments immediately after. The plan could expand to as many as 600 military-trained attorneys to decide which … Continue reading Trump administration taps Army Reserve and National Guard for temporary immigration judges

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will select a new leader on Saturday to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, with the winner expected to become the country’s next prime minister. Three frontrunners include a potential first female prime minister, the son of a former premier, and a veteran moderate. The new leader faces the immediate challenge of restoring public support, addressing rising prices, and stabilizing … Continue reading Japan’s governing party is choosing a new leader Saturday to succeed Ishiba

Prince William told actor Eugene Levy in an Apple TV+ interview that he plans to bring measured change to the monarchy when he becomes king, balancing tradition with relevance. Speaking candidly at Windsor Castle, he discussed family pressures, media scrutiny, and raising his children with openness, emphasizing support and resilience. William reflected on his upbringing, the importance of questioning outdated practices, and his desire to … Continue reading I’ll change the monarchy when I’m king, says Prince William

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that supplying long-range missiles, such as U.S. Tomahawks, to Ukraine would seriously harm Moscow-Washington relations but would not alter the battlefield, where he claims Russian forces are steadily advancing. Speaking at a forum in Sochi, Putin said Russian air defenses would quickly adapt and dismissed criticism of Russia’s military, arguing it is facing all of NATO backing Ukraine. He also … Continue reading Putin warns supplies of US long-range missiles to Ukraine will badly hurt ties

Senators from both parties pressed the Pentagon’s top lawyer, Earl Matthews, in a classified briefing to better explain the legal basis for U.S. military strikes on alleged Latin American drug boats. Matthews cited President Trump’s designation of some cartels as foreign terrorist organizations to justify unilateral action but declined to provide a written rationale. Lawmakers, including Sen. Tim Kaine and Sen. Jack Reed, expressed concern … Continue reading Lawmakers From Both Sides Pressed Pentagon on Legal Basis for Drug Boat Strikes

California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned he would strip billions in state funding from any California university that signs onto President Trump’s new “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” which ties federal dollars to compliance with administration rules on admissions, hiring, free speech, teaching, and use of endowments. Newsom vowed to cut off Cal Grants and other aid if schools “surrender academic freedom.” The compact … Continue reading Gov. Newsom threatens to withhold billions from California colleges that sign Trump’s ‘compact’

President Donald Trump said Thursday he is working with budget director Russell Vought to identify “Democrat” agencies for potential cuts after Congress failed to pass a funding bill, triggering a partial government shutdown. Trump framed the standoff as an opportunity to target what he called “political scams,” hinting at possible layoffs and permanent reductions, Fox News has reported. He argued Democrats forced the shutdown to … Continue reading Trump sees ‘unprecedented opportunity’ to cut government during shutdown

President Donald Trump has declared U.S. drug cartels to be “unlawful combatants,” asserting that the United States is in an “armed conflict” with them, according to an administration memo obtained by the Associated Press. The memo, tied to recent U.S. strikes on drug boats in the Caribbean, marks a sweeping use of presidential war powers by framing drug trafficking as armed conflict under the law … Continue reading Trump says US is in ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels after ordering strikes in the Caribbean

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller visited Memphis Wednesday to rally a federal law enforcement task force operating there under President Trump’s crime-fighting plan. The officials met with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and addressed federal, state, and local officers as well as National Guard members, emphasizing support and promising a surge in safety and … Continue reading Bondi and Hegseth rally federal agents and troops in Memphis as part of crime task force

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said the Senate may stay in session through the weekend if Democrats continue blocking a House-passed bill to fund the government through Nov. 21, which has already failed twice in the Senate. Democrats are demanding negotiations on extending health care premium subsidies before reopening federal agencies. The Senate will vote again Wednesday on advancing the House bill, but the … Continue reading Thune says Senate will work over weekend if Democrats don’t reopen government

EU leaders are considering using frozen Russian assets to fund long-term financial and military support for Ukraine, covering part of the estimated €130 billion ($153 billion) Ukraine will need for 2026–2027. The European Commission is proposing a “reparation loan” backed by these assets, though not all EU members have agreed. Russia has condemned the plan as “theft,” while Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed … Continue reading EU leaders consider using seized Russian assets to fund a loan to Ukraine