Johnson hammers Senate Dems with shutdown impacts in their states

Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Senate Democrats on Wednesday for blocking a government funding stopgap, emphasizing the real-world impact in their states. He highlighted Georgia Senators Warnock and Ossoff, who he said have voted five times to keep the government closed, affecting families and food bank access. Johnson also called out New Hampshire Senators Shaheen and Hassan for votes that have kept national parks closed. He … Continue reading Johnson hammers Senate Dems with shutdown impacts in their states

Senate Republicans vote down legislation to check Trump’s use of war powers against cartels

Senate Republicans rejected a bill that would have limited President Trump’s ability to use military force against drug cartels, with the vote largely along party lines at 48-51. The resolution would have required congressional approval for further strikes, which the White House justifies by labeling traffickers as armed combatants threatening the U.S. So far, Trump’s campaign has destroyed four vessels, killed at least 21 people, … Continue reading Senate Republicans vote down legislation to check Trump’s use of war powers against cartels

Democratic frontrunner for California governor threatens to walk out of interview

A video of Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former California Rep. Katie Porter threatening to walk out of a CBS News interview over questions about appealing to Republican voters has drawn widespread attention and criticism from rivals. The tense exchange occurred when reporter Julia Watts asked Porter how she would win over the 40% of California voters who supported Donald Trump. Porter, appearing frustrated, questioned the … Continue reading Democratic frontrunner for California governor threatens to walk out of interview

Madagascar president asks for one year to resolve problems or he will resign

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has given himself one year to resolve the country’s challenges, pledging to resign if problems persist, during a town-hall-style meeting with government supporters. The dialogue comes amid ongoing protests led by the youth movement Gen Z Mada, which has rejected engagement, accusing the government of repression and human rights abuses. Rajoelina promised that ongoing power projects would add 265 megawatts to … Continue reading Madagascar president asks for one year to resolve problems or he will resign

North Korea’s Kim lauds ruling party as foreign delegations visit for 80th anniversary

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised the legacy of the Workers’ Party of Korea ahead of its 80th anniversary, as delegations from China, Russia, and Vietnam arrived in Pyongyang for celebrations. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian delegation led by former President Dmitry Medvedev, and Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam attended, with Lam’s visit marking the first by a Vietnamese party leader in nearly … Continue reading North Korea’s Kim lauds ruling party as foreign delegations visit for 80th anniversary

Starmer meets Modi on his first visit to India

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai on Thursday during his first visit to India, aimed at strengthening trade and business ties. The meeting comes after the UK and India signed a landmark trade deal in July, expected to boost the UK’s GDP by £4.8 billion annually and increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion by 2040. Starmer, leading … Continue reading Starmer meets Modi on his first visit to India

Speaker clashes with Dem senators over Epstein files amid shutdown

Speaker Mike Johnson clashed with Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly on Wednesday over the ongoing government shutdown and the delayed swearing-in of Arizona Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva. The senators accused Johnson of stalling Grijalva’s swearing-in to block her from becoming the 218th signature needed to force a House vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. Johnson denied the claim, saying Grijalva’s election occurred while the … Continue reading Speaker clashes with Dem senators over Epstein files amid shutdown

Noem likens Antifa to ISIS, other terror groups that want to ‘kill’ Americans

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sharply condemned Antifa during a White House roundtable on Wednesday, comparing the group to international terror organizations such as ISIS and Hezbollah. Speaking alongside President Donald Trump and other top officials, Noem claimed Antifa operates as a “sophisticated network” intent on destroying American society and endangering law enforcement and civilians. She said recent arrests in Portland were helping investigators uncover … Continue reading Noem likens Antifa to ISIS, other terror groups that want to ‘kill’ Americans

MTG calls on Speaker Johnson to bring House back to DC

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene broke with GOP leaders on Wednesday, urging Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the House amid the ongoing government shutdown and rising tensions over health care policy. In an interview with CNN, Greene warned that Republicans risk voter backlash if they fail to address surging health insurance costs tied to the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies. She criticized both parties — … Continue reading MTG calls on Speaker Johnson to bring House back to DC

Democrat, Republican nominees in key race for governor blast each other on debate stage

With less than a month before Election Day, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli clashed fiercely in their final debate for New Jersey governor. The candidates traded personal attacks — Sherrill accused Ciattarelli of profiting from the opioid crisis, while he alleged she broke disclosure laws and questioned her military record. The debate also focused on state issues such as taxes, energy costs, … Continue reading Democrat, Republican nominees in key race for governor blast each other on debate stage

Appeals court restores Trump’s control over Oregon National Guard

A federal appeals court on Wednesday temporarily lifted a lower court order blocking President Trump from federalizing Oregon National Guard troops, though he still cannot deploy them in the state. The Ninth Circuit’s administrative stay pauses U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut’s earlier ruling while the court considers the administration’s appeal, maintaining the “status quo” in which the troops are federalized but not deployed. Immergut had … Continue reading Appeals court restores Trump’s control over Oregon National Guard

FBI analyzed Republican lawmakers’ phone records during Jan. 6 probe

The FBI analyzed the cellphone “tolling data” of nine Republican lawmakers as part of its 2023 probe into the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, GOP senators revealed Monday. The data, collected under the “Arctic Frost” investigation, focused on call metadata—who was called, along with time, date, and duration—but did not include call content. Lawmakers identified include Sens. Ron Johnson, Lindsey Graham, Bill Hagerty, Josh Hawley, Dan … Continue reading FBI analyzed Republican lawmakers’ phone records during Jan. 6 probe

Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify before Congress

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi will face the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday amid heightened scrutiny of President Trump’s interventions in the justice system and law enforcement actions. Lawmakers are expected to question her on high-profile moves, including the indictment of former FBI director James Comey, which came after the dismissal of a top federal prosecutor. Bondi defended the charges on social media, framing them … Continue reading Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify before Congress

Utah lawmakers pass new GOP-backed congressional map

Utah lawmakers on Monday approved new congressional district lines aimed at preserving the state’s all-Republican delegation after a court ordered redistricting ahead of next year’s midterms. The proposed map splits Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County into two districts instead of four, making them somewhat more competitive while keeping the other districts solidly GOP. Republicans defended the map as compliant with a 2018 voter-approved measure prohibiting gerrymandering … Continue reading Utah lawmakers pass new GOP-backed congressional map

Canadian PM Carney visits Trump

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet President Donald Trump in the Oval Office Tuesday amid strained U.S.-Canada relations caused by trade disputes and tariff threats. The visit comes ahead of the 2026 review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is vital to Canada as more than 77% of its exports go to the U.S. While Canada hopes to ease sector-specific tariffs, such … Continue reading Canadian PM Carney visits Trump

Virginia Democratic AG nominee’s violent texts shake up the closing weeks of the state’s race for governor

Virginia’s gubernatorial race, long focused on issues like affordability, abortion, and transgender rights, was shaken Friday by revelations that Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones had once suggested via text that a top Republican lawmaker be shot. The resurfaced messages drew bipartisan criticism and forced Democratic front-runner Abigail Spanberger to defend herself, giving Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears a potential opening. Spanberger has maintained strong … Continue reading Virginia Democratic AG nominee’s violent texts shake up the closing weeks of the state’s race for governor

Trump floats Insurrection Act use amid National Guard standoff with states

President Trump on Monday suggested he might invoke the Insurrection Act if courts continue blocking his deployment of the National Guard to U.S. cities. The 1807 law allows the federal government to send troops to quell domestic unrest without state approval. A federal judge in Oregon temporarily blocked his planned deployment of California troops to Portland, and Illinois filed a similar lawsuit after he announced … Continue reading Trump floats Insurrection Act use amid National Guard standoff with states

EU chief von der Leyen faces more confidence votes this week

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned lawmakers Monday not to be swayed by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to divide Europe, urging unity ahead of two no-confidence votes against her this week. Far-left and far-right parties in the European Parliament have filed censure motions accusing her of mishandling trade, Gaza policy, and migration, but the measures are expected to fail since centrist pro-EU … Continue reading EU chief von der Leyen faces more confidence votes this week

Trump congratulates Japan’s first female prime minister

President Donald Trump praised Japan’s selection of Sanae Takaichi as its first female prime minister, calling the development “incredible for the people of Japan.” Takaichi, a conservative lawmaker, won a key leadership vote Saturday and is expected to formally take office later this month, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba. In a Truth Social post, Trump described her as “a highly respected person of great wisdom and strength.” … Continue reading Trump congratulates Japan’s first female prime minister

Czech elections: Babiš will pave his own way in the EU

Czech billionaire Andrej Babiš is poised to form a new government after his ANO party won 35% of the vote in the general election, signaling a major political shift in Central Europe. Although lacking a parliamentary majority, Babiš is expected to seek coalition partners among anti-Green Deal and anti-immigration parties or form a minority government. Analysts say his leadership could strengthen ties with Hungary’s Viktor … Continue reading Czech elections: Babiš will pave his own way in the EU

Mike Johnson rebuffs Hakeem Jeffries’ request for a live shutdown debate

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries challenged Speaker Mike Johnson to a floor debate Monday over the ongoing government shutdown, which has extended into a second week. Jeffries argued the debate would provide transparency and allow Johnson to explain the Republican “my way or the highway” approach, as Democratic votes are needed to end the impasse. Johnson rejected the challenge, calling it “nonsense” and saying the … Continue reading Mike Johnson rebuffs Hakeem Jeffries’ request for a live shutdown debate

Trump announces U.S. stake in Trilogy Metals, Alaska mining road permits

President Trump announced that the U.S. will take a 10% stake in Canadian minerals explorer Trilogy Metals and approved a permit for a mining road in northwest Alaska. The road provides access to the Ambler Mining District, rich in copper, cobalt, and gold—critical minerals for technology and national defense—which had been blocked under President Biden over environmental and tribal concerns. The U.S. investment of $35.6 … Continue reading Trump announces U.S. stake in Trilogy Metals, Alaska mining road permits

Trump says Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs asked him for a pardon

President Donald Trump said Monday that Sean “Diddy” Combs requested a pardon following his conviction on two prostitution-related charges. Combs was sentenced Friday to over four years in prison, with credit for the 12 months he has already served and a $500,000 fine. His lawyers are considering an appeal, arguing the sentence was excessively long and based on unproven allegations, while noting he was acquitted … Continue reading Trump says Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs asked him for a pardon

Government shutdown stretches into second week as Senate rejects funding bills again

The government shutdown has entered another week with no resolution as Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over funding and health care provisions. Two competing Senate measures to reopen the government failed for the fifth time Monday. Democrats insist any funding bill must include an extension of health insurance tax credits, while Republicans argue such talks should come only after the shutdown ends. Speaker Mike Johnson … Continue reading Government shutdown stretches into second week as Senate rejects funding bills again

France in fresh political crisis as PM Lecornu quits after 26 days

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned Monday after less than a month in office, deepening France’s ongoing political turmoil. His resignation came just a day after unveiling a new Cabinet that led a key conservative ally to withdraw support, leaving his government without a majority. Lecornu, who replaced François Bayrou in September, became the shortest-serving prime minister in the history of France’s Fifth Republic. President … Continue reading France in fresh political crisis as PM Lecornu quits after 26 days