Former Bolivian President Arce arrested in corruption investigation

Bolivian authorities arrested former President Luis Arce on charges of breach of duty and financial misconduct linked to alleged embezzlement during his time as economy minister under Evo Morales. The arrest comes a month after conservative President Rodrigo Paz took office, ending 20 years of socialist rule. Officials said the move demonstrates the new government’s commitment to combating corruption at the highest levels. Arce is … Continue reading Former Bolivian President Arce arrested in corruption investigation

Trump talks Ukraine peace deal with Macron, Merz and Starmer

President Trump held a conference call with French President Macron, British Prime Minister Starmer, and German Chancellor Merz to discuss U.S.-led peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Trump has expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s ability to prevail and recently pushed a plan for Kyiv to cede the Donbas region to Russia in exchange for U.S. security guarantees. His shifting stance has frustrated Ukraine … Continue reading Trump talks Ukraine peace deal with Macron, Merz and Starmer

Eileen Higgins becomes Miami’s first Democratic mayor in 30 years

Democrat Eileen Higgins won a stunning upset Tuesday night to become Miami’s first Democratic mayor in 30 years, reversing recent Republican successes in Florida. Higgins, 61, a former county commissioner, focused her campaign on immigration and positioned the race as a referendum on Donald Trump’s policies, resonating with Miami’s 57% foreign-born population. She defeated Republican Emilio González, despite heavy endorsements for him from Trump and … Continue reading Eileen Higgins becomes Miami’s first Democratic mayor in 30 years

Trump doesn’t rule out troops in Venezuela, says President Nicolás Maduro’s ‘days are numbered’

In a Politico interview, President Donald Trump said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s “days are numbered” but declined to comment on whether the U.S. might send troops to the country. He defended strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug vessels, suggested similar actions could target Mexico and Colombia, and criticized European leaders as “weak” and “decaying” due to immigration policies. Trump also claimed Russia holds the upper hand … Continue reading Trump doesn’t rule out troops in Venezuela, says President Nicolás Maduro’s ‘days are numbered’

Zelenskyy ‘ready for elections’ after Trump questions Ukrainian democracy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is ready to hold elections within 60 to 90 days if Ukraine’s parliament and foreign partners can ensure security, responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism that he is clinging to power. Zelenskyy emphasized that the decision belongs to Ukrainians, not foreign leaders, and highlighted logistical and legal challenges under wartime conditions and martial law. Opposition politicians warn that … Continue reading Zelenskyy ‘ready for elections’ after Trump questions Ukrainian democracy

Trump slams Europe’s immigration policies, calls continent ‘weak’

President Donald Trump criticized Europe, calling the continent “weak” and “decaying” due to immigration, and urged countries to deport those who entered illegally. He specifically attacked London Mayor Sadiq Khan, claiming he was elected by immigrants and promoting a harmful ideology. Trump’s remarks follow his administration’s National Security Strategy warning of “civilisational erasure” in Europe and suggesting resistance to current European policies. He also commented … Continue reading Trump slams Europe’s immigration policies, calls continent ‘weak’

Thune says Senate GOP will offer alternative health care bill as Democrats seek to extend tax credits

Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader John Thune, plan to offer a GOP health care bill for a vote alongside Democrats’ proposal to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits later this week. The Republican bill, the Health Care Freedom for Patients Act, would redirect funds to health savings accounts for bronze plan users rather than extending the tax credits, which Democrats say help … Continue reading Thune says Senate GOP will offer alternative health care bill as Democrats seek to extend tax credits

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro faces subpoena over private home security upgrades after firebombing

A GOP-led Pennsylvania legislative committee has issued subpoenas seeking records on roughly $1 million in security upgrades to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s private home, as well as information on charter flights taken earlier this year. The move follows an April arson attack on the governor’s official residence, which prompted police and security experts to recommend increased protections. Shapiro’s office called the investigation a partisan attack, saying … Continue reading Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro faces subpoena over private home security upgrades after firebombing

Trump administration announces deal to end Biden-era student debt repayment plan

The Trump administration announced it will end the Biden-era SAVE student loan repayment plan as part of a legal settlement, affecting millions of borrowers. The plan, launched in 2023, reduced monthly payments for low-income borrowers and prevented interest from growing, but had faced lawsuits from GOP-led states claiming it was unlawful. Under the settlement, no new borrowers will be admitted, current applications will be denied, … Continue reading Trump administration announces deal to end Biden-era student debt repayment plan

House Armed Services chair sees no need to further probe boat strike

House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers said he sees no need for further investigation into a disputed military strike in September, saying he already has the answers he needs. Democrats, however, are still calling for a full-scale probe, including hearings and document reviews. Top lawmakers recently viewed classified footage of the strike with military leaders, and the full committee is set to see the unedited … Continue reading House Armed Services chair sees no need to further probe boat strike

Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos

Congress is using the annual defense bill to pressure the Pentagon into releasing unedited videos of strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats off Latin America. Lawmakers plan to withhold a quarter of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget until the footage is provided to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The videos focus on a controversial follow-up strike on Sept. 2 that killed two survivors … Continue reading Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos

Trump threatens 5% tariff on Mexico over water treaty violations affecting Texas farmers

President Donald Trump warned that Mexico’s failure to deliver water under the 1944 Water Treaty is harming Texas farmers and could trigger a 5% tariff if 200,000 acre-feet aren’t released by Dec. 31. Trump said Mexico still owes over 800,000 acre-feet from past years and accused the country of unfairly harming U.S. agriculture. Texas farm groups have faced severe drought-driven shortages, threatening crops, jobs, and … Continue reading Trump threatens 5% tariff on Mexico over water treaty violations affecting Texas farmers

Rep. Jasmine Crockett launches Senate run in Texas, shaking up Democratic primary

Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas launched a campaign for U.S. Senate, shaking up the Democratic primary just before the filing deadline. She argues she is the strongest Democrat to challenge Republican Sen. John Cornyn, saying she can mobilize a diverse coalition and address rising costs while holding Donald Trump accountable. Her entrance pushed former Rep. Colin Allred to exit the race, leaving Crockett to face … Continue reading Rep. Jasmine Crockett launches Senate run in Texas, shaking up Democratic primary

U.S. pushes Zelensky for swift yes on peace plan: Ukrainian officials

The U.S. is pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept major territorial concessions, particularly giving up all of the Donbas region, as part of President Trump’s peace proposal, according to Ukrainian officials. Kyiv believes the plan currently favors Moscow, especially after Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin and then urged Zelensky to agree quickly. While the U.S. insists it has … Continue reading U.S. pushes Zelensky for swift yes on peace plan: Ukrainian officials

White House announces $12 billion farmer bailout package

The Trump administration announced a $12 billion aid package to support farmers affected by tariffs and rising economic pressures. Funds will begin reaching farmers by Feb. 28, with applications opening soon. Most of the money will go to producers of major crops, while a smaller portion is reserved for specialty crop growers. Although Trump claimed the bailout was funded by tariffs, the money comes from … Continue reading White House announces $12 billion farmer bailout package

Trump says Zelenskyy ‘hasn’t read U.S. peace proposal’ as tensions mount

Tensions have risen between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Trump criticized the Ukrainian president for not yet reading U.S. peace proposals. Trump claimed Ukrainian officials support the plan, while suggesting Russia might also accept it. His comments followed Miami talks between U.S. and Ukrainian teams that ended without agreement on a draft peace deal. Outstanding issues include the status of Russian-occupied Donbas and control … Continue reading Trump says Zelenskyy ‘hasn’t read U.S. peace proposal’ as tensions mount

First phase of Gaza ceasefire plan nearly complete, says Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the first phase of the UN-backed Gaza ceasefire is nearly complete, emphasizing that the next phase must include Hamas disarmament. He plans to discuss the second phase later this month with former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose proposals form the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 2803. During the first phase, Hamas released the last Israeli hostages in exchange … Continue reading First phase of Gaza ceasefire plan nearly complete, says Netanyahu

Trump pledges to reassert Monroe Doctrine to restore American power

President Donald Trump released a national security blueprint that asserts U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and introduces a “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine. The strategy argues that keeping the region “reasonably stable” and free from foreign influence is essential to U.S. security. It seeks to “enlist and expand” partnerships—working with established allies to combat migration, drug trafficking and security threats, while building new … Continue reading Trump pledges to reassert Monroe Doctrine to restore American power

Top Armed Services Dem says Sept. 2 strike video would show Republicans’ description ‘completely false’

The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, said surveillance video of a U.S. military strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel contradicts claims made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other Republicans. Smith, who viewed the footage, said the surviving individuals were unarmed, stranded, and unable to fight, disputing assertions that they were attempting to recover drugs or reengage. He … Continue reading Top Armed Services Dem says Sept. 2 strike video would show Republicans’ description ‘completely false’

Putin visits India amid Ukraine peace push

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting India for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, amid stalled U.S. efforts to end the conflict. His 30-hour visit comes as U.S.-India relations face tension, with Washington imposing tariffs and threatening sanctions over India’s continued strong ties to Russia and increased purchases of Russian crude. The visit underscores India’s ongoing challenge of … Continue reading Putin visits India amid Ukraine peace push

Venezuela’s Maduro confirms ‘cordial’ call with Trump amid tensions with US

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro confirmed he spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump last month amid rising tensions and a U.S. military buildup in the region. Maduro described the call as “cordial” and emphasized diplomatic prudence, saying he prefers handling sensitive matters quietly rather than through public statements. He expressed hope that the conversation could be a step toward “respectful dialogue” and reiterated Venezuela’s … Continue reading Venezuela’s Maduro confirms ‘cordial’ call with Trump amid tensions with US

Democrats release Epstein Island photos as Maxwell argues against release of grand jury transcripts

House Oversight Committee Democrats released over 150 images and more than a dozen short videos of Jeffrey Epstein’s Virgin Islands estate, capturing rooms, the coastline, a helipad, and other property features, though no people appear in the material. The release coincided with Ghislaine Maxwell’s attorneys arguing against unsealing grand jury materials in her criminal case, citing potential prejudice to a fair retrial despite her exhausted … Continue reading Democrats release Epstein Island photos as Maxwell argues against release of grand jury transcripts

Obama lauds those who are resisting Trump

Former President Barack Obama criticized what he alleged was the politicization of the Justice Department and the U.S. military during a lecture in Arkansas. He claimed that political influence has increased under President Donald Trump, but said it has not fully taken over largely because of resistance within the military. Obama contrasted this with his time in office, saying he earned military leaders’ respect by … Continue reading Obama lauds those who are resisting Trump

Jack Smith subpoenaed for deposition with House Judiciary Committee

The Jim Jordan-led House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena to former Special Counsel Jack Smith, ordering him to give a closed-door deposition on December 17 and turn over documents by December 12. The subpoena is part of the committee’s ongoing review of Smith’s prosecutions of Donald Trump — including election-interference and classified-documents cases — which were dropped after Trump returned to office. Smith previously … Continue reading Jack Smith subpoenaed for deposition with House Judiciary Committee

Justice Department expands legal action against states that have refused its demands for voter data

The Justice Department has sued six more states—Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington—for failing to provide statewide voter registration lists, bringing the total to at least 14 states. The department claims the lawsuits aim to ensure election security, while Democratic officials express concern over privacy and the federal overreach into state-run elections. The requests include detailed voter information, including personally identifiable data, … Continue reading Justice Department expands legal action against states that have refused its demands for voter data