Placide Konan, a slam poet in Abidjan, has been using his performances to criticize Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a fourth term amid widespread frustration over poverty and inequality. Despite being a major economic hub and the world’s largest cocoa producer, the country faces a 37.5% poverty rate, with over three-quarters of the population under 35. Ouattara, 83, is expected to win after … Continue reading Youth anger in Ivory Coast as the 83-year-old president seeks a fourth term

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Israel against annexing the West Bank, calling the Knesset’s preliminary vote to extend Israeli sovereignty there and the rise in settler violence a “threat to peace.” The bill, which would apply Israeli law to occupied Palestinian territory, passed an initial vote despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging a delay to preserve the Gaza ceasefire, embarrassing him politically. Annexation … Continue reading Rubio warns against West Bank annexation after Israel’s parliament advances move

Major companies and prominent individuals are donating to fund President Donald Trump’s proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom, according to the White House. Contributors include Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Google, Coinbase, Comcast, Meta, the Winklevoss twins, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and his family, and the Adelson family. Trump has emphasized that the project is privately funded and will not cost taxpayers. He stated Wednesday that the ballroom’s … Continue reading White House releases list of donors for Trump’s multi-million-dollar ballroom

In the final New York City mayoral debate, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa aggressively targeted frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, criticizing his lack of experience, policy positions, and past comments on Israel. Cuomo attacked Mamdani’s record, pandemic book deal, and handling of city issues, while Mamdani fired back by highlighting Cuomo’s scandals and portraying him as aligned with Donald Trump. The debate touched on handling Trump, affordability, … Continue reading Cuomo and Sliwa force Mamdani on defense in final debate

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit Washington on Nov. 18–19 to meet President Trump, marking his first U.S. trip since early 2018 and advancing efforts to restore his international standing. The visit could pave the way for Saudi-Israeli normalization, which stalled during the recent Israel-Hamas war, while a more immediate outcome may be a U.S.-Saudi defense cooperation agreement on weapons sales, intelligence … Continue reading Saudi Crown Prince Plans First White House Visit Since 2018

Arizona sued the Republican-controlled U.S. House on Tuesday over the delayed swearing-in of Democratic Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva. Grijalva won a special election last month to fill the seat left vacant by her father, Raul Grijalva, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has kept lawmakers out of Washington until the Senate passes a measure to end the government shutdown. Arizona’s lawsuit argues that the Constitution does not … Continue reading Arizona sues US House over delay in swearing in Democrat

Former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., was released from prison last week after President Donald Trump commuted his federal fraud sentence, but local criminal exposure remains possible. Santos had served three months of a seven-year sentence for deception, fraud, and lying to Congress before Trump’s intervention. Trump’s clemency granted Santos “immediate commutation of his entire sentence to time served” with no fines, restitution, probation, or supervised … Continue reading Prosecutors not ruling out state charges for commuted ex-Rep. George Santos

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said public pressure will likely grow on Republicans to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance subsidies, a central issue in the ongoing government shutdown. The federal government remains largely closed after Senate Republicans and Democrats failed to pass a spending bill Monday to reopen it. Democrats insist the ACA subsidies, which help over 20 million people afford monthly … Continue reading Hakeem Jeffries says public pressure will force Congress to extend ACA subsidies

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha arrived in Jerusalem Tuesday for high-level talks aimed at reinforcing the Gaza cease-fire. They were greeted at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office by Netanyahu and his wife Sara in a small private ceremony. The first meeting between Vance and Netanyahu will be followed by an expanded session with senior staff. Vance and Usha landed at Tel … Continue reading Vance arrives for meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem

The White House has paused plans for a second summit between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials said. The move reflects Washington’s recognition that the gap between Russia and Ukraine remains too wide for a peace deal. A White House official confirmed there are “no plans” for Trump and Putin to meet in the near future. Trump told reporters he has not made … Continue reading In a shift, White House says no plan for Trump-Putin summit

Republican leaders are preparing a new, longer continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government as the shutdown enters its fourth week. The current “clean” CR through Nov. 21, repeatedly rejected by Senate Democrats over health care disputes, is seen as insufficient to complete full-year appropriations. GOP leaders are debating new deadlines, with late January emerging as the most supported option, though some hard-line Republicans favor … Continue reading GOP leaders eye new stopgap spending measure to end shutdown

Construction crews began demolishing part of the East Wing of the White House on Monday as part of President Donald Trump’s plan to build a new ballroom. Trump previously said the project would not interfere with the existing structure, describing it as “near it, but not touching it.” Despite that assurance, parts of the East Wing are being removed to make room for the new … Continue reading Demolition of the White House’s East Wing starts for Trump’s ballroom project

George Santos, the former Republican congressman from New York, said he plans to focus on prison reform after President Trump commuted his seven-year sentence for wire fraud and identity theft. Released on Friday, Santos described his 84 days in federal prison as “dehumanizing” and criticized the facilities for poor conditions, including mold, broken air conditioning, and shoddy construction. He expressed a desire to use his … Continue reading George Santos wants to use his newfound freedom to reform prisons

President Trump met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House as the U.S. government shutdown enters its fourth week. The leaders signed a rare earth minerals agreement aimed at competing with China’s sector dominance. Meanwhile, the Senate is set to vote for the 11th time on a stopgap funding measure, with military pay emerging as a key point in the GOP’s shutdown … Continue reading Trump signs rare minerals agreement with Australia

Sanae Takaichi is poised to become Japan’s first female prime minister after securing a coalition with the conservative Japan Innovation Party. The 64-year-old LDP leader seeks to end a three-month political deadlock following her party’s loss in the July elections. Her previous coalition partner, the centrist Komeito party, split over concerns about her ultraconservative stance and the LDP’s handling of corruption scandals, the Associated Press … Continue reading Sanae Takaichi on track to become Japan’s first female prime minister

Rodrigo Paz, a previously little-known centrist senator, won Bolivia’s presidential election with 54% of the vote, defeating former right-wing President Jorge Quiroga, who conceded. Paz’s victory reflects voter frustration with the MAS party’s 20-year rule and economic mismanagement, attracting support from working-class and rural voters wary of Quiroga’s radical IMF-backed policies. Paz aims to implement major economic reforms, including ending the fixed exchange rate, reducing … Continue reading Centrist Rodrigo Paz wins Bolivia’s presidential runoff

President Trump insisted that the ceasefire in Gaza remains in effect despite Israeli strikes following alleged Hamas attacks near Rafah. Israel accused Hamas of killing two soldiers beyond the agreed “yellow line,” but Trump suggested Hamas leadership may not have been involved. The Israel Defense Forces said it had begun renewed enforcement of the truce after the incident. Trump stated the situation would be handled … Continue reading Trump says Gaza ceasefire still in place after Israeli strikes

President Donald Trump announced he will cut U.S. aid to Colombia and impose tariffs because he claims President Gustavo Petro is not stopping drug production. Trump called Petro “an illegal drug leader” and threatened unilateral action if Colombia does not act against narcotics. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed a recent U.S. strike on a boat allegedly linked to the Colombian rebel group ELN. Petro denied … Continue reading Trump announces tariffs and an end to U.S. aid to Colombia amid clash over drug trade

During a heated White House meeting, President Donald Trump warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine would be “destroyed” if it refused to accept Russia’s peace terms. The discussion reportedly escalated into shouting, with Trump tossing aside maps of Ukraine’s front lines that Zelenskyy had brought to demonstrate the situation on the ground. Zelenskyy traveled to Washington seeking additional U.S. support, including long-range Tomahawk missiles … Continue reading Trump warned Putin will destroy Ukraine in ‘second White House shouting match’ with Zelensky

House Republicans in competitive districts are largely rallying behind Speaker Mike Johnson’s shutdown strategy, refusing to renegotiate their federal funding plan despite mounting criticism and a stalled government. Eight GOP lawmakers in vulnerable seats told Fox News Digital they support Johnson’s position, emphasizing a “clean” continuing resolution (CR) to fund programs through Nov. 21 while keeping broader policy debates, like healthcare, separate. Several expressed frustration … Continue reading Republicans hold the line as Johnson pressures Dems on shutdown

Senate Democrats blocked a full-year $852 billion Defense spending bill Thursday, despite its strong bipartisan support in committee, as the government shutdown entered its third week. The measure failed 50-44 after Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer insisted it should not advance without also considering the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill. Republicans, including Sen. Mitch McConnell and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, criticized Democrats … Continue reading Shutdown tensions high after Dems block Defense spending bill

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reported $1.4 million in blackjack winnings from a Las Vegas casino in his latest tax filing. The governor, who is seeking a third term and is on the 2028 presidential short list, said he won the money while on vacation with his wife and friends and plans to donate it to charity. Pritzker and his wife reported a total income of … Continue reading Gov. JB Pritzker won $1.4 million in Vegas playing blackjack

President Donald Trump announced a deal with pharmaceutical company EMD Serono to lower the cost of fertility drugs in the U.S., aiming to make IVF more affordable for millions of Americans. The agreement will provide discounts on drugs like Gonal-f, with price reductions ranging from 42% to 79% depending on a patient’s income, starting in early 2026. IVF costs in the U.S. can exceed $40,000 … Continue reading Trump announces deal to reduce cost of specific IVF medication

Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced plans to advance a bipartisan bill imposing sanctions on Russia, saying the “time has come” and aiming for action within 30 days. The move follows President Trump’s recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who agreed to meet him in Budapest, just before Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s White House visit. The sanctions legislation, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham in April, … Continue reading Thune says “time has come” for Senate to move forward with Russia sanctions bill

Madagascar has sworn in Colonel Michael Randrianirina as president following a military takeover after mass protests forced President Andry Rajoelina into exile. The High Constitutional Court formalized Randrianirina’s appointment after Rajoelina was impeached for desertion, amid weeks of deadly demonstrations over power and water shortages that left at least 22 dead. Randrianirina vowed to reform governance, socioeconomic systems, and electoral laws, and emphasized collaboration with … Continue reading Military leader Randrianirina sworn in as Madagascar’s new president