Republicans are clashing over the return of earmarks in the fiscal 2026 appropriations bills, pitting fiscal conservatives against Appropriations Committee members seeking to direct federal funds to their states. Conservatives criticize earmarks as “pork-barrel spending” that worsens the $37 trillion national debt, with some pushing for stop-gap measures to freeze spending. Senators like Mike Lee, Ron Johnson, and Rick Scott have proposed stricter rules, including … Continue reading Republican civil war erupts over earmarks in funding bills

Secretary of State Marco Rubio clashed with “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan on Sunday, calling her suggestion that European leaders were visiting Washington to protect President Zelenskyy from being “bullied” a “stupid media narrative.” The dispute comes amid ongoing U.S. efforts to mediate the Ukraine-Russia war following President Trump’s recent summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump plans to meet Zelenskyy and several European … Continue reading Marco Rubio accuses CBS reporter of pushing ‘stupid media narrative’ in fiery clash over Zelenskyy

Bolivians face a historic runoff presidential election after centrist Sen. Rodrigo Paz led Sunday’s vote with 32.8%, ahead of right-wing former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga at 26.4%, but short of a majority. Paz will face Quiroga on Oct. 19. The result marks a major setback for the leftist MAS party, whose candidates garnered minimal support, ending nearly 20 years of dominance. Paz’s moderate stance, distancing … Continue reading Bolivia’s presidential vote headed for first-ever runoff

Mike Davis, a Republican lawyer and former counsel to Sen. Chuck Grassley, has spent three years pushing for federal investigations into Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and senior intelligence and Justice officials. Recent moves by Attorney General Pam Bondi—approving probes into NY Attorney General Letitia James, Sen. Adam Schiff, and Obama-era Russia assessments—have fueled Davis’s claims of a vast Democratic conspiracy against Trump. Democrats … Continue reading Obama, Biden and Clinton criminal investigations are most likely approaching, Trump ally says

President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could end the war with Russia “almost immediately” if he chose, ahead of a Monday meeting at the White House with Zelenskyy and several European leaders. The meeting, including leaders from NATO and the EU, aims to coordinate long-term military aid, support Ukraine’s EU ambitions, and strengthen transatlantic unity against Russian aggression. Trump also promoted his recent … Continue reading Trump says Zelenskyy can end Russia war ‘almost immediately’ before hosting seven European leaders

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced he will not run for president in 2028, dismissing speculation fueled by right-wing activist Laura Loomer. Kennedy, who endorsed Trump after dropping out of the 2024 race, said his focus remains on combating chronic disease through the “Make America Healthy Again” movement. He defended his aide Stefanie Spear, targeted by Loomer for alleged disloyalty to Trump, The Hill … Continue reading RFK Jr.: ‘I am not running for president in 2028’

California Gov. Gavin Newsom urged lawmakers to approve a November ballot measure, the “Election Rigging Response Act,” allowing Democrats to redraw congressional maps to counter Republican mid-decade redistricting in Texas. The move would bypass California’s independent commission and potentially protect Democratic House seats in the 2026 elections. Newsom framed the effort as a response to Trump-backed GOP plans in Texas to gain up to five … Continue reading Newsom calls for a special election to allow for a new congressional map in California

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called a second special session to pass a new congressional map after Democrats blocked the first by leaving the state. The session began shortly after the first ended, but Republicans still lacked a quorum due to absent Democrats, who are mainly in Illinois protesting the redistricting aimed at adding five GOP seats for the midterms. Abbott criticized Democrats for avoiding their … Continue reading Texas Gov. Greg Abbott immediately calls second special session for redistricting

Japan marked the 80th anniversary of its WWII surrender with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressing “remorse” for the first time since 2013. About 4,500 officials and families observed a moment of silence for the more than 3 million war dead, while Ishiba urged passing on the memory of the war to future generations to ensure lasting peace. Meanwhile, right-wing politicians, including Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, … Continue reading Japan PM Ishiba expresses ‘remorse’ on World War II surrender anniversary

President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin began their Alaska summit with a friendly handshake and cordial greetings, signaling a warm rapport despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. Their private talks, excluding Ukrainian and European leaders, could influence the conflict and U.S.-Russia relations. While Trump aims to showcase his dealmaking skills, Putin seeks to solidify Russia’s gains, block Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, and extend Moscow’s influence, the … Continue reading Trump and Putin shake hands warmly in Alaska to kick off their summit

President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and NATO leaders held virtual meetings Wednesday ahead of Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz organized the calls to ensure European and Ukrainian voices are heard. Zelenskyy and Merz emphasized that Ukraine must have a seat at the table, sovereignty must be respected, and security guarantees are essential, CBS News … Continue reading Trump, Zelenskyy, NATO nations talk ahead of U.S.-Russia summit

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London Thursday, following Zelenskyy’s virtual meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders in Berlin. The meetings come ahead of a critical U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska, as Zelenskyy and European leaders seek assurances that any agreements with Russia will prioritize Ukraine’s security amid the ongoing conflict. Trump warned of “very … Continue reading Zelenskyy to meet with UK’s Starmer as Europe braces for Trump-Putin summit

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for a ban on lawmakers trading individual stocks, criticizing members like Nancy Pelosi and Ron Wyden for highly profitable trades. While current law prohibits insider trading and requires disclosures, critics say it doesn’t go far enough. Pelosi’s office said she doesn’t own stocks, and she has supported legislation to bar members, spouses, and top officials from trading. Wyden defended his … Continue reading Bessent rips Pelosi, calls for single-stock trading ban in Congress

President Trump said he plans to meet with top congressional Democrats, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, before the September 30 government funding deadline but expressed skepticism about reaching an agreement, calling it “almost a waste of time.” Tensions are high as Congress, currently out of session, faces the risk of a partial government shutdown. While Senate Republicans have passed a few spending bills, a short-term … Continue reading Trump predicts little progress in potential shutdown talks Schumer, Jeffries

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state will draw new congressional maps aimed at helping Democrats regain control of the U.S. House and potentially ending President Trump’s influence, mimicking Trump’s all-caps social media style in his post. The move comes in response to Texas Republicans’ redistricting efforts, which could give GOP candidates three to five additional House seats. California plans to release draft maps on … Continue reading Newsom says California to draw congressional maps

Texas House Democrats who left the state to block a vote on new congressional maps plan to return, claiming victory for derailing the first special session and drawing national attention to the redistricting fight. Their return may shift depending on whether Republicans begin a second special session, which Gov. Greg Abbott has pledged to call immediately if needed. Democrats say their plans remain fluid, contingent … Continue reading Texas Democrats to return after governor ends special session that included redistricting, sources say

Texas AG Ken Paxton has asked a judge to jail Beto O’Rourke, alleging he violated a court order blocking him and his group, Powered by People, from fundraising to cover Democrats’ costs while they fled the state to block a GOP congressional map. Paxton cited O’Rourke’s X posts and rally solicitations, requesting $500 fines per violation and potential jail time. O’Rourke’s lawyers denied wrongdoing, saying … Continue reading Texas attorney general seeks jail for O’Rourke as senate passes Republican-drawn map

President Trump and VP JD Vance will join a virtual meeting Wednesday with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European allies, ahead of Trump’s planned summit with Putin in Alaska on Friday. Zelenskyy said Russia has hinted at a potential ceasefire, but he warned that Putin is preparing new offensives in eastern Ukraine despite the upcoming meeting. Ukraine will not cede territory or limit its military, while … Continue reading Trump, Vance to meet virtually with Zelenskyy ahead of Putin summit

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, formalizing the decision at the UN General Assembly in September. The move follows commitments from the Palestinian Authority to exclude Hamas from government, demilitarize Gaza, and hold elections. Citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel’s defiance of international law, Albanese called a two-state solution the best hope for ending the conflict, … Continue reading Australia latest to say it will recognize a Palestinian state

The EU rejected President Trump’s proposal for Ukraine and Russia to “swap” territory, insisting no concessions should be made until Russia agrees to a full, unconditional ceasefire with security guarantees. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said any U.S.-Russia deal must include Ukraine and the EU, stressing that all occupied Ukrainian territory must be returned and aggression cannot be rewarded. The stance comes ahead of … Continue reading EU hits back at Trump, Zelenskyy comments, no concessions in Ukraine before Putin ceasefire agreement

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has appointed Ed Martin, a conservative former interim U.S. attorney, as a special attorney to investigate mortgage fraud allegations against Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Separate grand juries in Virginia and Maryland will probe the cases. The investigations stem from referrals alleging false mortgage statements linked to both Democrats, who deny wrongdoing. Schiff’s lawyer called … Continue reading DOJ Opens Probes Into New York Attorney General Letitia James and Sen. Adam Schiff

Vice President JD Vance defended the Trump administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, accusing Democrats of political opportunism and inaction during their time in power. Speaking on Fox News, Vance said President Trump demanded full transparency and criticized Democrats for suddenly showing interest in the case. He claimed Epstein had ties to left-wing politicians without providing evidence. Vance emphasized ongoing efforts to release documents, … Continue reading Vance calls out Democrats over Epstein files, reignites push for transparency

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned Democrats who fled the state that the threat of arrest will last “literally years,” as he plans to keep the legislature in special sessions indefinitely. Abbott said Democrats must return or face arrest, and he is also seeking to remove those who refuse to fulfill their legislative duties. About 50 Democrats left Texas, setting up in Illinois and New York … Continue reading Abbott vows indefinite special sessions, says fleeing Dems could face arrest ‘for literally years’

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos warned that while the country hopes to avoid conflict, it could be “dragged kicking and screaming” into any war over Taiwan due to its proximity and ties with the island. He stressed the need to prepare, given the large number of Filipinos working in Taiwan and the Philippines’ geographic location. Marcos’ remarks during a recent interview angered China, which accused him … Continue reading Marcos says Philippines would be dragged ‘kicking and screaming’ into Taiwan war

At a White House summit, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, flanking President Donald Trump, shook hands and signed a historic agreement to end decades of conflict. The deal, which includes reopening key transport routes and creating a major transit corridor named the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,” aims to boost regional connectivity and reduce Russia’s influence. Both leaders … Continue reading Leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan shake hands and sign deal at White House peace summit