Republican lawmakers are warning of a possible government shutdown this fall after intense partisan clashes over President Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” and a $9 billion rescissions package have soured relations in Congress. The White House plans to send another round of spending cuts to Congress, but GOP leaders fear it could derail efforts to pass regular appropriations bills before government funding expires in … Continue reading Republicans fear Washington headed for shutdown after bruising spending fights

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba denied reports that he plans to resign following a historic election defeat in which his ruling coalition lost its majority in both houses of parliament. Despite growing pressure to step down, Ishiba said he intends to remain in office to oversee the implementation of a new tariff agreement with the U.S. The trade deal, which reduces tariffs on Japanese exports, … Continue reading Japan’s Ishiba denies reports he will resign

Former President Barack Obama has denied President Donald Trump’s recent claim that he was the “ringleader” behind the Trump-Russia investigation, calling the accusation “bizarre” and a “weak attempt at distraction.” The rare statement from Obama’s office followed Trump’s renewed push to investigate Obama and other former officials, based on newly declassified documents alleging the Obama administration politicized intelligence to create the Trump–Russia collusion narrative. Trump … Continue reading Obama denies Trump’s ‘bizarre allegations’ that he was Russiagate ‘ringleader’ in rare statement

The GOP-led House Oversight Committee plans to subpoena convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell for testimony about Jeffrey Epstein’s case “as soon as possible.” Committee Chairman James Comer will coordinate with the DOJ and Bureau of Prisons to schedule the deposition. Despite bipartisan pressure, GOP leadership has delayed releasing more Epstein-related information. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is meeting with Maxwell’s legal team soon. Maxwell, serving … Continue reading Congress subpoenas Maxwell over Epstein files

The House will not vote on a resolution demanding the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents before the August recess, Speaker Mike Johnson announced Monday. Though the House Rules Committee advanced the measure last week amid GOP pressure, Johnson said he wants to give the Trump administration more time to act, as President Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to request the unsealing of grand jury … Continue reading Speaker Johnson says House won’t vote on Epstein resolution before recess

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey plans to appeal after losing the local Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) endorsement to progressive challenger State Sen. Omar Fateh. Fateh won about 60% of delegate support in a party endorsement process marked by technical issues and delays, which Frey’s camp called flawed and irregular. The party endorsement, the first for a mayoral candidate in 16 years, could boost Fateh’s bid in the … Continue reading Minneapolis mayor to appeal after losing party endorsement to democratic socialist

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley released declassified documents criticizing the FBI’s investigation of Hillary Clinton’s private email server, saying the agency “failed to fully investigate” and showed negligence under then-Director James Comey. The documents reveal that key evidence, including sensitive information on thumb drives, was never properly examined. Grassley accused the FBI of a politically biased approach favoring Clinton, contrasting it with its aggressive … Continue reading FBI botched investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails, declassified documents allege

Japan’s ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house after Sunday’s election, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party and its partner Komeito falling three seats short of the 50 needed to maintain control. The defeat follows an earlier loss of the lower house and deals another blow to Ishiba’s minority government, which faces pressure amid high-stakes trade talks with the U.S. The … Continue reading Japan’s gov’t loses upper house control, as far-right party makes gains

Annie Tomasini, a former top Biden aide, invoked the Fifth Amendment multiple times during a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee on Friday, becoming the third ex-Biden official to do so. Lawmakers are investigating whether Biden’s inner circle concealed signs of cognitive decline and mishandled classified documents. Tomasini declined to answer questions about whether she was instructed to lie about Biden’s health or conceal … Continue reading House Republicans face mounting resistance as third ex-Biden WH aide pleads Fifth Amendment

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) reiterated his call Sunday for the Department of Justice to release evidence related to Jeffrey Epstein, while urging caution to protect victims’ identities. Speaking on ABC’s This Week, Burchett dismissed former President Trump’s criticism of Republicans demanding transparency, calling it misguided. He welcomed Trump’s recent move to unseal grand jury evidence as “a start,” ABC News has reported. While critical of Attorney … Continue reading GOP Rep. Tim Burchett still wants Epstein files to be released

President Donald Trump has signed the GENIUS Act, the first major federal law regulating cryptocurrency, with a focus on stablecoins—digital currencies tied to assets like the U.S. dollar. The bipartisan bill aims to boost public trust and mainstream adoption of stablecoins by easing rules for banks and issuers. Trump, who has embraced crypto in recent years and launched his own coin, called the law a … Continue reading Trump signs 1st major federal cryptocurrency bill into law

The Department of Justice has recently contacted at least six states requesting detailed voter information, including voter registration lists and procedures for identifying noncitizens on voter rolls. In Colorado, outreach was linked to a former staffer of Rep. Lauren Boebert, reportedly acting on behalf of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, raising concerns among election officials. Some officials were also contacted by individuals … Continue reading DOJ contacted states for voter data, access to voting machines

A Brazilian court has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to wear an ankle monitor, observe a nighttime curfew, and remain under 24-hour surveillance amid fears he may flee while standing trial for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election. Bolsonaro, who denies any wrongdoing, is accused of coordinating with others to prevent President Lula from taking office, culminating in the January 2023 storming … Continue reading Court orders Bolsonaro to wear ankle tag and puts him under curfew

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has called for the prosecution of former President Barack Obama and top national security officials, accusing them of orchestrating a “treasonous conspiracy” to undermine Donald Trump’s 2016 election win. Gabbard alleges they fabricated intelligence about Russian interference, relying on the discredited Steele dossier to support claims of collusion. She says newly released documents show efforts to subvert Trump’s presidency … Continue reading Tulsi Gabbard calls for Obama to be prosecuted over 2016 election claims

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee walked out of a hearing after Republicans advanced President Trump’s judicial nominee, Emil Bove, despite whistleblower allegations. Senator Cory Booker led the protest, urging Chairman Chuck Grassley to delay the vote for further debate, citing serious concerns raised by former DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni. Grassley refused, prompting a heated exchange and the Democrats’ exit. Bove, a former Trump defense … Continue reading Democrats storm out of vote on controversial Trump nominee

Japan has launched a new government body to address growing public concerns over the rising number of foreign residents, ahead of national elections on July 20. The agency will coordinate responses to issues like crime and over-tourism involving foreigners. With foreign nationals now making up 3% of the population, Japan has eased immigration to counter labor shortages, but anxieties remain. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s party … Continue reading Japan launches government body to address concerns over foreigners

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended suspending four Labour MPs for repeatedly defying the party whip, saying all MPs must uphold the party’s manifesto for change. The suspended MPs—Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff, Neil Duncan-Jordan, and Rachael Maskell—voted against welfare cuts and are now sitting as independents pending review. Starmer insisted discipline is necessary to deliver Labour’s agenda, despite criticism from backbenchers who argue the suspensions … Continue reading Starmer defends suspending rebel MPs after backbench criticism

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed the Kensington Treaty, a historic agreement to deepen cooperation between the UK and Germany on migration, defense, trade, and education. Despite expressing regret over Brexit, Merz proposed a strategic axis between London, Paris, and Berlin to tackle illegal migration and enhance defense ties. The treaty includes joint efforts to counter Russian threats, develop defense … Continue reading Merz calls for UK, Germany and France to align on migration and defence

The UK government, led by the Labour Party, has announced plans to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 ahead of the next general election, a move critics say is aimed at benefiting the political left. The reform, part of broader electoral changes, also includes expanding voter ID to include bank cards and tightening rules on foreign interference and donations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer … Continue reading UK government to lower voting age to 16 before next national election

House Oversight Committee Republicans say they may subpoena former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden as part of an investigation into whether aides covered up signs of Biden’s mental decline while in office. Chairman James Comer said “every option’s on the table,” while Rep. Byron Donalds called for all former Biden staffers to testify. The committee recently questioned Jill Biden’s longtime aide … Continue reading House Republicans float grilling Joe, Jill Biden as former aides stonewall cover-up probe

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada may have to accept some US tariffs as part of a trade deal, acknowledging the Trump administration’s insistence on including levies in negotiations. This comes as Trump plans to raise tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% starting August 1. Carney warned of possible further Canadian counter-tariffs if no deal is reached but said any agreement must be in Canada’s … Continue reading Carney says US-Canada trade deal likely to include some tariffs

President Trump will host a ceremony Wednesday to sign the bipartisan HALT Fentanyl Act, which toughens prison sentences for trafficking fentanyl and its copycat variants by classifying them as Schedule I drugs. The legislation aims to close legal loopholes and help law enforcement target traffickers. Critics warn it could impose harsh penalties on drug users, CNN has reported. Families who lost loved ones to fentanyl … Continue reading Trump to sign legislation cracking down on illicit fentanyl

House Speaker Mike Johnson joined calls for releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related files, despite Republican leaders blocking a Democratic push to force the issue. Johnson said he supports transparency and urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to clarify her past remarks about an alleged “client list.” Meanwhile, Trump has told his supporters to drop the matter, calling it unimportant, Axios has reported. The split has exposed tensions in … Continue reading Mike Johnson signals break with Trump on Epstein

Former President Trump criticized some of his Republican allies for pushing conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein, saying he doesn’t want their support if they keep demanding more disclosures. Trump called GOP calls for further investigation “Democrat work” and accused them of falling for a smear campaign. Despite this, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans have joined Democrats in seeking more transparency about Epstein’s associates … Continue reading Trump wars with allies over Epstein

French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to significantly boost defense spending, warning that Europe faces its greatest threat since World War II. He proposed increasing France’s defense budget by €3.5 billion next year and another €3 billion in 2027, aiming to double the military budget to €64 billion by then—three years ahead of schedule. Macron condemned Russia’s “imperialist policies” amid its ongoing war in Ukraine … Continue reading Europe’s freedom faces greatest threat since WW2, Macron says