Senate Democrats blocked Republicans’ 10th attempt to reopen the government, ensuring the shutdown enters a third week as lawmakers prepare for a long weekend after just three days in session. Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, are pushing to pass the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government until Nov. 21, while Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, want to negotiate expiring … Continue reading Senate Democrats block GOP plan for 10th time, ensuring shutdown lasts into next week

Sen. Tim Kaine is leading a bipartisan push to force a Senate vote to prevent President Trump from unilaterally waging war in Venezuela, amid U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean and planned CIA operations in the country. The resolution, co-sponsored by Sens. Adam Schiff and Rand Paul, comes after Trump authorized a recent strike on an alleged drug boat and signaled potential land operations. Kaine … Continue reading Senators will force a vote to prevent war on Venezuela without approval from Congress

During a heated debate Wednesday night, New York City mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa clashed over experience and how they would handle relations with Donald Trump. Cuomo emphasized his gubernatorial and federal experience, defending his record on laws, infrastructure, and the COVID-19 response, while Mamdani criticized Cuomo’s handling of nursing homes during the pandemic and highlighted his legislative work for working-class … Continue reading New York City mayoral candidates spar over how to deal with Trump

President Donald Trump announced that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin plan to meet in Budapest to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war, following what he described as a “lengthy and frank” two-and-a-half-hour phone call with Putin. Trump did not specify a date for the summit but said high-level U.S. and Russian advisers, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will meet next week to prepare. … Continue reading Trump says he and Putin will meet in Budapest to discuss end to Russia-Ukraine war

President Donald Trump is turning his attention to the Russia-Ukraine war after helping broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday. The talks are expected to center on Ukraine’s request for U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles, which could allow strikes deep inside Russia—a move Moscow has warned would dangerously escalate tensions. Trump said he discussed the missile … Continue reading Trump to host Zelenskyy at White House

California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter acknowledged she “could have handled things better” after viral videos showed her losing her temper with a reporter and a staffer. In one clip, Porter nearly ended an interview with CBS correspondent Julie Watts, calling her questions “argumentative” and expressing frustration on camera. In an older 2021 video, Porter yelled at a staffer who walked into her shot during a … Continue reading Katie Porter says she regrets viral outbursts at reporter, staffer

President Donald Trump hosted nearly 130 donors, allies, and corporate representatives at the White House to celebrate fundraising for a $250 million renovation of a new White House ballroom. The planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom, featuring bulletproof glass and a capacity of up to 999 people, is intended to host large events, including presidential inaugurations, eliminating the need for South Lawn tents. Attendees included executives from major … Continue reading Trump hosts glitzy dinner for wealthy donors to new White House ballroom

President Donald Trump announced plans to expand federal crime-fighting operations into additional cities, calling the initiative “Operation Summer Heat.” Speaking with FBI Director Kash Patel in the Oval Office, Trump said federal forces, including surges of personnel and potentially the National Guard, would be deployed to “straighten out” high-crime areas. The administration has already increased resources in mainly Democratic cities like Portland and Chicago, though … Continue reading Trump vows federal ‘surge’ in more American cities to combat crime

Democratic senators are accusing the Department of Homeland Security of potentially violating the Hatch Act by asking airports to show a video of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown. The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity, and violations can lead to penalties including removal or suspension. Many airports, including major hubs like LaGuardia, JFK, and San … Continue reading Democratic senators want investigation into Noem’s TSA video that blamed Democrats for shutdown

Senate Democrats privately debated how to respond to Majority Leader John Thune’s plan to push a vote on funding the Defense Department. Some Democrats indicated they were ready to block a procedural motion on Thursday, but uncertainty about whether Thune will bring a standalone defense bill or combine it with other appropriations complicated their strategy. Democrats are divided over whether supporting the defense bill could … Continue reading Senate Dems tease hardball defense spending strategy

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged increased “firepower” for Ukraine ahead of a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, amid speculation the U.S. could provide Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles. Hegseth highlighted NATO countries’ growing commitments to Ukraine, including initiatives where allies purchase U.S. weapons to supply the country, though it’s unclear if Tomahawks are included. President Trump is expected to discuss the potential missile transfer … Continue reading ‘Firepower’ coming for Ukraine, Hegseth tells NATO

Sir Keir Starmer faces scrutiny after the collapse of a trial against two men accused of spying for China, following the release of witness statements by the government. Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were charged under the Official Secrets Act last year but have denied the allegations, and the case fell apart, with the director of public prosecutions citing the government’s refusal to label China … Continue reading Starmer faces ‘more unanswered questions’ after evidence in China spying case released

President Donald Trump announced that India will stop purchasing Russian oil, calling it a major step in pressuring Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Trump said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him the process is underway, though it will take some time to complete. The move could ease U.S.-India tensions, which escalated after the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on India over its … Continue reading Trump says Modi has agreed to stop buying Russian oil

The Senate rejected a GOP-led stopgap funding bill for the ninth time Wednesday, making it likely the government shutdown will continue into next week. The bill, which would have funded the government through November 21, passed 51-44 with minimal Democratic support, and another vote is expected Thursday with little expectation of a different outcome. Republicans are pressuring Democrats to break ranks, while blocking Senate Minority … Continue reading Senate fails for ninth time to advance government funding plan

The Trump administration warned it could cut more than 10,000 federal jobs during the ongoing government shutdown, according to White House budget director Russell Vought. Vought highlighted potential targets for layoffs, including Green New Deal programs at the Department of Energy, environmental justice efforts at the EPA, the Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency, CISA, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Earlier, the White House … Continue reading Trump admin federal job cuts likely to be ‘north of 10,000,’ Vought says

President Donald Trump said the U.S. may carry out military strikes on land to stop drugs from Venezuelan cartels entering the United States. He noted that while maritime routes are largely under control, land operations are now being considered. The comments followed reports that the Trump administration secretly authorized the CIA to take covert action in Venezuela against President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. Since September, the … Continue reading Trump says he’s considering strikes on land to combat Venezuelan drug cartels

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes demanded that House Speaker Mike Johnson immediately swear in Democratic Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, threatening legal action if he delays. Grijalva won a special election to succeed her late father, Raúl Grijalva, but has not yet been sworn in due to Johnson keeping the House in recess amid the government shutdown. Mayes argued that with the certificate of election transmitted, swearing … Continue reading Arizona attorney general threatens legal action if Johnson doesn’t seat recently elected Democrat

Syria’s interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, visited Russia for the first time, meeting President Vladimir Putin to discuss cooperation and regional developments. The visit signals Russia’s intent to maintain ties with Syria’s new leadership and secure its military bases on the Syrian coast. Despite supporting Assad for years, Moscow granted him asylum after his ouster and did not intervene against the rebel offensive. Both countries emphasized … Continue reading Syria’s interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa meets with Putin in Moscow

Kenya’s former Prime Minister and longtime opposition leader Raila Odinga has died at 80 following a cardiac arrest during a morning walk in Kerala, India. Widely regarded as a key architect of Kenya’s modern democracy, Odinga ran unsuccessfully for president five times, including the contentious 2007 election that sparked deadly ethnic violence. President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning, calling Odinga “the father … Continue reading Raila Odinga, Kenya’s former Prime Minister, dies at 80

Madagascar’s military leader, Col. Michael Randrianirina, announced Wednesday that he is “taking the position of president” following a coup that ousted President Andry Rajoelina. Randrianirina said he expects to be sworn in soon after the High Constitutional Court invited him to assume leadership while Rajoelina fled for his safety amid the uprising. The takeover follows weeks of youth-led protests over government failures, with Randrianirina promising … Continue reading Madagascar’s military coup leader says he is “taking the position of president”

President Donald Trump pledged a $20 billion currency swap to support Argentina’s economy, contingent on the election victory of right-wing President Javier Milei. Milei, a self-described anarcho-capitalist, met Trump at the White House on Tuesday, where the two leaders emphasized their close political bond. Trump said the U.S. would back Milei’s economic policies but indicated no support if Milei loses, criticizing opposing philosophies as incapable … Continue reading Trump says US will not ‘waste our time’ helping Argentina if Milei loses

Senate Democrats on Tuesday again rejected the GOP-led funding patch, extending the government shutdown beyond two weeks. This marks the eighth failed attempt to advance the House-passed measure, with only a few Democrats breaking rank or abstaining, leaving the vote at 49-45. Senate leaders say negotiations are ongoing, but progress is stalled without direct involvement from party leadership and the White House. Republicans are considering … Continue reading Senate tanks GOP funding patch for eighth time amid shutdown gridlock

President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a White House ceremony on Tuesday. Kirk, killed in a September shooting at Utah Valley University, was a major figure in right-wing politics and founder of Turning Point USA, known for mobilizing young conservatives and his close alliance with Trump. The award, presented on what would have been … Continue reading Erika Kirk accepts Presidential Medal of Freedom honoring late husband Charlie Kirk

President Donald Trump warned Hamas on Tuesday that if the group does not disarm voluntarily, “we will disarm them.” His remarks came after the release of all 20 surviving hostages held in Gaza, though most of the 28 deceased hostages remain unrecovered. Under the U.S.-brokered deal, Hamas was expected to return all hostages—living and dead—within 72 hours, but the group has said it cannot locate … Continue reading Trump issues dire warning to Hamas: If they don’t disarm ‘we will disarm them’

California will no longer allow the sale of new Glock handguns, after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1127 into law. The bill targets Glocks because their design can be easily modified with a 3-D printed “Glock Switch” to fire fully automatic, even though such switches are already illegal. The law does not ban possession or the resale of used Glocks, but seeks to push … Continue reading Gov. Gavin Newsom signs law banning new Glock sales in California