EU leaders postponed a decision on using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defense, despite President Zelenskyy urging swift action to hold Moscow accountable. Opposition from Belgium, which hosts €183bn of Russian central bank assets at Euroclear, blocked an agreement, as Belgian officials sought guarantees that other EU countries would cover any losses if Russia challenged the plan. The European Commission proposed using the assets … Continue reading EU leaders fail to agree to use frozen Russian assets to defend Ukraine

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has postponed his visit to China after Beijing confirmed only a single meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, limiting the discussions Germany had planned. The trip, initially scheduled for last week, would have been the first by a minister from Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative government. Germany expressed regret over the change, emphasizing that it had intended to address multiple issues, … Continue reading German foreign minister postpones China trip amid tensions

U.S. Vice President JD Vance sharply criticized Israel’s parliament for a vote on West Bank annexation, calling it an “insult” and a “stupid political stunt,” reaffirming the Trump administration’s opposition to annexation. Vance’s remarks came as part of a U.S. push to maintain momentum on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, alongside the opening of a civilian-military coordination center in southern Israel with 200 U.S. troops. Secretary of … Continue reading Vance slams Israel’s parliament vote on West Bank annexation

Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-led bill aimed at ensuring pay for essential government workers during the ongoing 23-day shutdown, arguing it was too selective and incomplete. The proposal, backed by Sens. Ron Johnson and Todd Young, failed 54-45, falling short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster, with only three Democrats voting in favor. The bill would have provided current and future relief … Continue reading Essential workers left unpaid after Senate Democrats kill pay bill

President Trump announced he was ending trade talks with Canada, citing an Ontario government ad that used a clip of Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs. The ad, which Reagan’s foundation said misrepresented the speech, prompted Trump to claim the former president supported tariffs and accused Canada of interfering with U.S. courts. Trump defended tariffs as vital for the U.S. economy and national security, while the ad’s … Continue reading Trump says he’s ending Canada trade negotiations over anti-tariff ad

Less than two weeks before Election Day, California’s battle over new U.S. House maps under Proposition 50 is shaping up heavily in Democrats’ favor, with Republican opponents running low on ads and resources. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s map aims to strengthen his party’s chances of retaking the House in 2026 and counter GOP efforts in Texas and elsewhere. Voting is underway, with over 1.5 million … Continue reading Fight over new US House districts in California could turn on advertising edge in closing days

North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature passed a new congressional map to secure an additional U.S. House seat, following President Trump’s push for redistricting before next year’s midterms. The previous map, drawn just two years ago, already favored Republicans, giving them 10 of 14 seats despite the state being a swing state. Democratic Governor Josh Stein cannot veto the plan due to state law. North Carolina joins … Continue reading North Carolina Republicans pass new US House map

The Senate failed to advance the House-passed funding bill to end the government shutdown for the 12th time on Wednesday. Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon spoke for 22 hours and 37 minutes, beginning Tuesday evening, in protest of what he called President Trump’s “authoritarianism.” The Senate vote was 54-46, short of the 60 votes needed to move the bill forward, News has reported. At … Continue reading Government shutdown continues as Senate fails to advance GOP bill

Beef producers criticized President Trump on Wednesday after he suggested lowering meat prices amid plans to increase beef imports from Argentina. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said the move undermines U.S. farmers and “undercuts the future of family farmers,” emphasizing that American cattle producers already operate in a highly competitive market. The group urged the administration to focus on completing a $750 million New World … Continue reading Beef producers hit back after Trump rips high prices

Placide Konan, a slam poet in Abidjan, has been using his performances to criticize Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a fourth term amid widespread frustration over poverty and inequality. Despite being a major economic hub and the world’s largest cocoa producer, the country faces a 37.5% poverty rate, with over three-quarters of the population under 35. Ouattara, 83, is expected to win after … Continue reading Youth anger in Ivory Coast as the 83-year-old president seeks a fourth term

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Israel against annexing the West Bank, calling the Knesset’s preliminary vote to extend Israeli sovereignty there and the rise in settler violence a “threat to peace.” The bill, which would apply Israeli law to occupied Palestinian territory, passed an initial vote despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging a delay to preserve the Gaza ceasefire, embarrassing him politically. Annexation … Continue reading Rubio warns against West Bank annexation after Israel’s parliament advances move

Major companies and prominent individuals are donating to fund President Donald Trump’s proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom, according to the White House. Contributors include Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Google, Coinbase, Comcast, Meta, the Winklevoss twins, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and his family, and the Adelson family. Trump has emphasized that the project is privately funded and will not cost taxpayers. He stated Wednesday that the ballroom’s … Continue reading White House releases list of donors for Trump’s multi-million-dollar ballroom

In the final New York City mayoral debate, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa aggressively targeted frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, criticizing his lack of experience, policy positions, and past comments on Israel. Cuomo attacked Mamdani’s record, pandemic book deal, and handling of city issues, while Mamdani fired back by highlighting Cuomo’s scandals and portraying him as aligned with Donald Trump. The debate touched on handling Trump, affordability, … Continue reading Cuomo and Sliwa force Mamdani on defense in final debate

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit Washington on Nov. 18–19 to meet President Trump, marking his first U.S. trip since early 2018 and advancing efforts to restore his international standing. The visit could pave the way for Saudi-Israeli normalization, which stalled during the recent Israel-Hamas war, while a more immediate outcome may be a U.S.-Saudi defense cooperation agreement on weapons sales, intelligence … Continue reading Saudi Crown Prince Plans First White House Visit Since 2018

Arizona sued the Republican-controlled U.S. House on Tuesday over the delayed swearing-in of Democratic Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva. Grijalva won a special election last month to fill the seat left vacant by her father, Raul Grijalva, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has kept lawmakers out of Washington until the Senate passes a measure to end the government shutdown. Arizona’s lawsuit argues that the Constitution does not … Continue reading Arizona sues US House over delay in swearing in Democrat

Former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., was released from prison last week after President Donald Trump commuted his federal fraud sentence, but local criminal exposure remains possible. Santos had served three months of a seven-year sentence for deception, fraud, and lying to Congress before Trump’s intervention. Trump’s clemency granted Santos “immediate commutation of his entire sentence to time served” with no fines, restitution, probation, or supervised … Continue reading Prosecutors not ruling out state charges for commuted ex-Rep. George Santos

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said public pressure will likely grow on Republicans to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance subsidies, a central issue in the ongoing government shutdown. The federal government remains largely closed after Senate Republicans and Democrats failed to pass a spending bill Monday to reopen it. Democrats insist the ACA subsidies, which help over 20 million people afford monthly … Continue reading Hakeem Jeffries says public pressure will force Congress to extend ACA subsidies

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha arrived in Jerusalem Tuesday for high-level talks aimed at reinforcing the Gaza cease-fire. They were greeted at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office by Netanyahu and his wife Sara in a small private ceremony. The first meeting between Vance and Netanyahu will be followed by an expanded session with senior staff. Vance and Usha landed at Tel … Continue reading Vance arrives for meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem

The White House has paused plans for a second summit between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials said. The move reflects Washington’s recognition that the gap between Russia and Ukraine remains too wide for a peace deal. A White House official confirmed there are “no plans” for Trump and Putin to meet in the near future. Trump told reporters he has not made … Continue reading In a shift, White House says no plan for Trump-Putin summit

Republican leaders are preparing a new, longer continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government as the shutdown enters its fourth week. The current “clean” CR through Nov. 21, repeatedly rejected by Senate Democrats over health care disputes, is seen as insufficient to complete full-year appropriations. GOP leaders are debating new deadlines, with late January emerging as the most supported option, though some hard-line Republicans favor … Continue reading GOP leaders eye new stopgap spending measure to end shutdown

Construction crews began demolishing part of the East Wing of the White House on Monday as part of President Donald Trump’s plan to build a new ballroom. Trump previously said the project would not interfere with the existing structure, describing it as “near it, but not touching it.” Despite that assurance, parts of the East Wing are being removed to make room for the new … Continue reading Demolition of the White House’s East Wing starts for Trump’s ballroom project

George Santos, the former Republican congressman from New York, said he plans to focus on prison reform after President Trump commuted his seven-year sentence for wire fraud and identity theft. Released on Friday, Santos described his 84 days in federal prison as “dehumanizing” and criticized the facilities for poor conditions, including mold, broken air conditioning, and shoddy construction. He expressed a desire to use his … Continue reading George Santos wants to use his newfound freedom to reform prisons

President Trump met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House as the U.S. government shutdown enters its fourth week. The leaders signed a rare earth minerals agreement aimed at competing with China’s sector dominance. Meanwhile, the Senate is set to vote for the 11th time on a stopgap funding measure, with military pay emerging as a key point in the GOP’s shutdown … Continue reading Trump signs rare minerals agreement with Australia

Sanae Takaichi is poised to become Japan’s first female prime minister after securing a coalition with the conservative Japan Innovation Party. The 64-year-old LDP leader seeks to end a three-month political deadlock following her party’s loss in the July elections. Her previous coalition partner, the centrist Komeito party, split over concerns about her ultraconservative stance and the LDP’s handling of corruption scandals, the Associated Press … Continue reading Sanae Takaichi on track to become Japan’s first female prime minister

Rodrigo Paz, a previously little-known centrist senator, won Bolivia’s presidential election with 54% of the vote, defeating former right-wing President Jorge Quiroga, who conceded. Paz’s victory reflects voter frustration with the MAS party’s 20-year rule and economic mismanagement, attracting support from working-class and rural voters wary of Quiroga’s radical IMF-backed policies. Paz aims to implement major economic reforms, including ending the fixed exchange rate, reducing … Continue reading Centrist Rodrigo Paz wins Bolivia’s presidential runoff