The FBI analyzed the cellphone “tolling data” of nine Republican lawmakers as part of its 2023 probe into the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, GOP senators revealed Monday. The data, collected under the “Arctic Frost” investigation, focused on call metadata—who was called, along with time, date, and duration—but did not include call content. Lawmakers identified include Sens. Ron Johnson, Lindsey Graham, Bill Hagerty, Josh Hawley, Dan … Continue reading FBI analyzed Republican lawmakers’ phone records during Jan. 6 probe

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi will face the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday amid heightened scrutiny of President Trump’s interventions in the justice system and law enforcement actions. Lawmakers are expected to question her on high-profile moves, including the indictment of former FBI director James Comey, which came after the dismissal of a top federal prosecutor. Bondi defended the charges on social media, framing them … Continue reading Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify before Congress

Utah lawmakers on Monday approved new congressional district lines aimed at preserving the state’s all-Republican delegation after a court ordered redistricting ahead of next year’s midterms. The proposed map splits Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County into two districts instead of four, making them somewhat more competitive while keeping the other districts solidly GOP. Republicans defended the map as compliant with a 2018 voter-approved measure prohibiting gerrymandering … Continue reading Utah lawmakers pass new GOP-backed congressional map

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet President Donald Trump in the Oval Office Tuesday amid strained U.S.-Canada relations caused by trade disputes and tariff threats. The visit comes ahead of the 2026 review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is vital to Canada as more than 77% of its exports go to the U.S. While Canada hopes to ease sector-specific tariffs, such … Continue reading Canadian PM Carney visits Trump

Virginia’s gubernatorial race, long focused on issues like affordability, abortion, and transgender rights, was shaken Friday by revelations that Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones had once suggested via text that a top Republican lawmaker be shot. The resurfaced messages drew bipartisan criticism and forced Democratic front-runner Abigail Spanberger to defend herself, giving Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears a potential opening. Spanberger has maintained strong … Continue reading Virginia Democratic AG nominee’s violent texts shake up the closing weeks of the state’s race for governor

President Trump on Monday suggested he might invoke the Insurrection Act if courts continue blocking his deployment of the National Guard to U.S. cities. The 1807 law allows the federal government to send troops to quell domestic unrest without state approval. A federal judge in Oregon temporarily blocked his planned deployment of California troops to Portland, and Illinois filed a similar lawsuit after he announced … Continue reading Trump floats Insurrection Act use amid National Guard standoff with states

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned lawmakers Monday not to be swayed by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to divide Europe, urging unity ahead of two no-confidence votes against her this week. Far-left and far-right parties in the European Parliament have filed censure motions accusing her of mishandling trade, Gaza policy, and migration, but the measures are expected to fail since centrist pro-EU … Continue reading EU chief von der Leyen faces more confidence votes this week

President Donald Trump praised Japan’s selection of Sanae Takaichi as its first female prime minister, calling the development “incredible for the people of Japan.” Takaichi, a conservative lawmaker, won a key leadership vote Saturday and is expected to formally take office later this month, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba. In a Truth Social post, Trump described her as “a highly respected person of great wisdom and strength.” … Continue reading Trump congratulates Japan’s first female prime minister

Czech billionaire Andrej Babiš is poised to form a new government after his ANO party won 35% of the vote in the general election, signaling a major political shift in Central Europe. Although lacking a parliamentary majority, Babiš is expected to seek coalition partners among anti-Green Deal and anti-immigration parties or form a minority government. Analysts say his leadership could strengthen ties with Hungary’s Viktor … Continue reading Czech elections: Babiš will pave his own way in the EU

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