German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared that Syrians no longer have grounds for asylum in Germany following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government, urging them to return and help rebuild their country. He indicated that voluntary returns are expected, though those who refuse could face deportation, a stance that partly contradicts Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who cited ongoing instability and devastation in Syria. Over 1 … Continue reading Friedrich Merz says Syrians no longer have reason for asylum in Germany

The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether President Trump can unilaterally impose tariffs on nearly every country under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The case challenges a core part of Trump’s second-term economic agenda, with lower courts ruling that most of the tariffs exceed the president’s authority. The tariffs, including a baseline 10% on nearly all trading partners and … Continue reading Supreme Court hears arguments in dispute over Trump’s sweeping tariffs

California voters have approved Proposition 50, giving the Democrat-controlled state legislature temporary authority to redraw congressional districts, bypassing the nonpartisan commission. The move could create up to five new Democratic-leaning districts, countering GOP efforts in states like Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina to gain additional Republican seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a likely 2028 presidential contender, led the push for the … Continue reading California voters pass congressional redistricting proposition in victory for Newsom

Democrat Abigail Spanberger has won Virginia’s gubernatorial race, defeating Republican Winsome Earle-Sears to become the first woman to lead the state, NBC News projects. The former congresswoman and CIA officer ran a campaign focused on affordability, public safety, and abortion rights, portraying herself as a pragmatic moderate. Spanberger’s decisive 57%–42% victory in the blue-leaning state gives Democrats key momentum following their 2024 losses. Her opponent, … Continue reading Democrat Abigail Spanberger wins Virginia governor’s race

Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor first elected to Congress in 2018, has won New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli, according to the Associated Press. Her victory marks the first time since the 1960s that Democrats have held the governor’s office in New Jersey for three consecutive terms. The closely contested race drew national attention as one of … Continue reading Rep. Mikie Sherrill wins N.J. governor

Democrat Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, has won New York’s mayoral race, defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo by about nine points, according to NBC News projections. His campaign energized progressives nationwide while drawing backlash from President Donald Trump, Republicans, and moderate Democrats. In his victory speech, Mamdani declared that New York would “be the light” in a time of political darkness and vowed to … Continue reading Zohran Mamdani wins the New York mayoral race

Peru has severed diplomatic ties with Mexico after Mexico granted asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who is under investigation for rebellion linked to a failed 2022 coup attempt by ex-President Pedro Castillo. Peru’s government called Mexico’s action an “unfriendly act” and accused it of repeated interference in domestic affairs. Chávez, accused of aiding Castillo’s attempt to dissolve Congress, faces up to 25 … Continue reading Peru breaks diplomatic relations with Mexico over asylum claim of former prime minister

A bipartisan group of House moderates unveiled a proposal Monday to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for two years, aiming to break the stalemate that has kept the government shut down for over a month. The plan would phase out eligibility for households earning $200,000–$400,000, introduce income verification, strengthen fraud prevention, and increase transparency on the value of tax credits. Lawmakers behind the … Continue reading House Dems and GOP float compromise plan to end shutdown

On the eve of New York City’s mayoral election, President Trump threatened to withhold federal funds if Democrat Zohran Mamdani wins, calling him a “communist” and urging voters to back independent Andrew Cuomo or Republican Curtis Sliwa instead. The White House has already clashed with New York over congestion pricing and withheld $18 billion for a tunnel project during the government shutdown, with a judge … Continue reading Trump threatens to cut funds if ‘communist’ Mamdani wins mayoral election

New Jersey’s closely watched gubernatorial race is between Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican businessman Jack Ciattarelli, with polls showing a tight contest. Sherrill, leveraging early voting momentum and support from former President Obama, has tied Ciattarelli to Trump and emphasized affordability and utility costs, promising a state of emergency on electricity rates if elected. Ciattarelli, endorsed by Trump, has leaned into MAGA themes and … Continue reading N.J. governor’s race is close with all eyes on Trump voters

Virginia is set to swear in its first female governor, with Democrat Abigail Spanberger leading Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in polls and outspending her seven-to-one. Spanberger has earned endorsements from the Virginia Police Benevolent Association and former President Barack Obama, while Earle-Sears has backing from the Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association, 50 individual sheriffs, and support from former President Trump. The candidates clashed in … Continue reading Virginians set to pick 1st woman governor in historic election

Election Day 2025 is underway in New York City, where Democrat Zohran Mamdani, independent Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa are locked in a tight mayoral race. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. across all five boroughs following record early voting turnout. Mamdani, a 34-year-old Queens assemblyman, leads most polls and could become the city’s first Muslim mayor and second-youngest in history. … Continue reading NYC voters head to polls for Election Day 2025 to cast votes in mayoral race

Former Vice President Dick Cheney died Monday at age 84 from complications of pneumonia and heart disease, his family announced. Remembered by loved ones as a man of courage, honor, and devotion to family and country, Cheney was praised for his lifelong service. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1941, his early years included academic struggles, blue-collar work, and two DUI arrests. He later turned his … Continue reading Former Vice President Dick Cheney dies

In a “60 Minutes” interview, President Trump said Chinese officials “know the consequences” of taking military action against Taiwan while he is in office, though he avoided making explicit threats. When asked whether he would defend Taiwan, Trump declined a direct answer, saying the outcome would be revealed if an incident occurred. He noted that Taiwan was not discussed during his recent meeting with Chinese … Continue reading Trump warns of ‘consequences’ if China invades Taiwan

At the Apec summit in Gyeongju, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung jokingly questioned the security of smartphones gifted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, asking if the devices were safe to use. Xi, rarely known for public humor, laughed and quipped that Lee should “check if there is a backdoor,” referencing concerns over pre-installed software that could allow surveillance. The lighthearted exchange, captured on TV … Continue reading Xi Jinping cracks joke about spying with phones given to South Korean president

In the New York City mayoral race, polls have now closed until Tuesday, meaning voters must go to their regular polling locations then if they haven’t voted early. Early turnout has been strong, with many voters having already made up their minds, while the three mayoral candidates continue campaigning to sway undecided voters. Andrew Cuomo emphasized his experience over Zohran Mamdani’s, warning that Mamdani would … Continue reading NYC mayoral candidates make final push ahead of Election Day

Congress is poised to preside over the longest U.S. government shutdown in history, reaching 35 days on Tuesday and surpassing the partial shutdown under President Trump in 2019. The stalemate threatens SNAP food aid, early education programs, air traffic control, and health care subsidies, while bipartisan talks among senators remain slow. Lawmakers’ return to Washington is delayed until after Tuesday’s elections in Virginia, New Jersey, … Continue reading Congress to crush US record this week for longest shutdown

Centrist liberal leader Rob Jetten has claimed victory in Wednesday’s tight Dutch election, narrowly edging out anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders. Jetten’s D66 party holds a slim lead of roughly 15,000 votes, giving them 26–27 seats in the 150-seat parliament, while Wilders’ Freedom Party trails closely. If confirmed, Jetten, 38, would become the youngest Dutch prime minister, though forming a coalition will require support from at … Continue reading Dutch centrist Rob Jetten claims victory in neck-and-neck election race

President Trump on Friday denied reports that he was considering military strikes in Venezuela, calling the claims “not true.” The Wall Street Journal had reported that his administration identified Venezuelan military facilities used for drug smuggling as potential targets, though no final decision had been made. The administration has recently taken a more aggressive stance in the region, sending the USS Gerald R. Ford and … Continue reading Trump says he’s not considering strikes within Venezuela

Republicans are pushing back against President Trump’s call to eliminate the Senate filibuster as a way to end the 31-day government shutdown. Key GOP senators, including Majority Leader John Thune and John Barrasso, insist the 60-vote threshold is a crucial Senate safeguard and reject changing the rules. Trump proposed using the “nuclear option” to pass legislation without Democratic support, but Republicans lack the votes to … Continue reading Republicans quickly push back on Trump’s call to nix filibuster

Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, former head of Ukraine’s state-owned power company Ukrenergo, was abruptly forced to resign in 2024 despite successfully keeping the country’s power grid operational during nearly four years of Russian attacks. Last week, he was arraigned on embezzlement charges related to a seven-year-old infrastructure contract that was never completed, with no evidence he personally benefited. Critics—including opposition lawmakers and anti-corruption activists—say the prosecution is … Continue reading Opposition, activists accuse Ukraine’s leaders of using lawfare to silence critics.

The Senate hearing for President Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Casey Means, has been postponed as she goes into labor with her first child. Means was set to be the first nominee to appear virtually before the Senate HELP Committee, scheduled two days after her due date. Nominated in May, Means is a Stanford-trained physician and author known for advocating holistic health, natural foods, … Continue reading Confirmation hearing delayed for surgeon general nominee as she goes into labor

The Virginia House of Delegates advanced a constitutional amendment allowing the state to redraw congressional lines if another state conducts midcycle redistricting, moving it closer to influencing the 2026 midterms. Democrats passed the measure 51-42, with the Senate committee also approving it, and it is expected to pass the full Senate, where Democrats hold a majority. Republicans have filed a lawsuit challenging the Legislature’s authority … Continue reading Virginia Democrats advance redistricting amendment

The Senate voted 50-46 to approve a resolution blocking President Trump’s tariffs on Canada, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support, following a similar vote on tariffs for Brazil. The resolution, which challenges the national emergency used to justify the tariffs, is largely symbolic since the GOP-controlled House is unlikely to take it up. Trump imposed the tariffs citing Canada’s role in the fentanyl crisis, … Continue reading Senate approves Democratic resolution to block Trump’s tariffs on Canada

U.S. President Donald Trump has approved South Korea’s plan to build a nuclear-powered submarine, a significant shift from the diesel-powered vessels currently in use. The announcement came during his meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju, where the leaders also discussed broad trade and investment deals. Trump said the submarine would be built in Philadelphia, but details about nuclear propulsion technology and … Continue reading Trump gives South Korea permission to build nuclear-powered submarine