The Justice Department joined a Republican-led lawsuit challenging California’s new Democratic-drawn congressional map approved by voters last week. The map could allow Democrats to gain up to five additional House seats in next year’s midterms. DOJ and California GOP lawyers claim the map constitutes a racial gerrymander, arguing it manipulates district lines to favor Hispanic voters, which they say violates the Constitution. The ballot measure … Continue reading Justice Department joins lawsuit over California’s redrawn House map

The BBC formally apologized to President Trump over a misleading edit of his Jan. 6 speech in the “Panorama” documentary but said it will not rebroadcast the program or provide compensation. Trump had threatened a $1 billion defamation lawsuit unless the broadcaster issued a retraction, apology, and payment. The apology acknowledged the edit created the false impression that Trump made a direct call for violence, … Continue reading BBC formally apologizes to President Trump for documentary edit

President Donald Trump signed legislation to reopen the government, ending the 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. The bill funds the government at 2025 levels through January 30, allowing more time to negotiate a longer-term budget for 2026. It also restores pay for federal workers, reverses planned layoffs, and continues SNAP benefits for over 42 million Americans. The shutdown had caused missed paychecks, airline … Continue reading Trump signs bill ending longest government shutdown in US history

Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, has announced his candidacy for New York’s 12th Congressional District, aiming to succeed retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler. In his campaign video, Schlossberg criticized President Donald Trump, highlighting issues like the cost-of-living crisis, social program cuts, and perceived threats to civil rights and the Constitution. A lifelong resident of the district, Schlossberg emphasizes his connection to local … Continue reading Jack Schlossberg, John F. Kennedy’s grandson, running for US House seat

Democratic representative-elect Adelita Grijalva is set to be sworn into the House on Wednesday, ending a seven-week delay that blocked her from taking her Arizona seat. Her swearing-in will make her the 218th signature needed on a discharge petition to force a House vote on legislation demanding the Justice Department release additional Jeffrey Epstein files. The move follows the release of previously unseen emails linking … Continue reading Mike Johnson to swear in Democrat who could force Epstein vote

Japan and China engaged in a heated diplomatic exchange after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could pose “a survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially justifying the use of force. Beijing sharply criticized the remarks, with Chinese Consul General Xue Jian posting a threatening message on X (later deleted) and calling for retractions of similar comments by past Japanese leaders. Japan protested … Continue reading Japan and China exchange barbs after Japanese leader’s remarks over Taiwan

Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for allegedly editing his January 6, 2021, speech to make it appear more radical, claiming the broadcaster “defrauded the public.” The legal threat follows Panorama’s broadcast last year, which spliced together clips from different parts of his speech, and comes as a deadline looms for the BBC to respond. The controversy contributed to the recent resignations of … Continue reading Trump says he has ‘obligation’ to sue BBC over speech edit

Newly released emails from the Jeffrey Epstein estate reveal that Epstein referred to Donald Trump as “the dog that hasn’t barked” and claimed an alleged victim had spent time with Trump at his home, according to Democrats on the House Oversight Committee. The 2011 exchange with Ghislaine Maxwell was among three emails disclosed from over 23,000 documents subpoenaed by the committee. Other emails show Epstein … Continue reading House Democrats release new Epstein emails referencing Trump

The House will reconvene Wednesday for the first time in 54 days to vote on ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, now in its 43rd day. The Senate passed a bipartisan funding deal Monday night, 60–40, to reopen the government through January 2026 and ensure back pay for furloughed workers. House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the agreement, saying the “long national nightmare” is … Continue reading House expected to vote today on ending record-long government shutdown

During the government shutdown, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer publicly opposed Republicans while privately urging moderate Democrats not to give in before November. Some moderates were ready to reopen the government two weeks into the shutdown, but Schumer persuaded them to wait until the start of ACA open enrollment. He also signaled to his caucus that he likely would oppose a bipartisan deal pushed by … Continue reading Schumer privately fought to extend government shutdown

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) publicly reaffirmed his support for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday, despite rising criticism from grassroots activists and some House Democrats over Schumer’s inability to prevent a group of Senate Democrats from advancing a deal to reopen the government. Jeffries emphasized that Schumer personally voted against advancing the deal and described him as leading the majority of Senate Democrats in a “valiant fight” over … Continue reading Jeffries backs Schumer despite Democrats’ shutdown fury

A Utah judge rejected a Republican-passed redistricting plan on Monday, ruling it did not comply with a 2018 voter-approved measure requiring nonpartisan redistricting standards. The rejected map had created two competitive districts but still favored Republicans. The judge instead approved a plan creating a solidly Democratic district covering Salt Lake City, giving Democrats a second potential win in Utah. The case highlights ongoing battles over … Continue reading Utah judge denies GOP-passed congressional map

President Donald Trump met Monday at the White House with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, marking the first visit by a Syrian leader to Washington. The meeting focused on Syria joining the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS, reopening the Syrian embassy in Washington, and expanding economic cooperation, including potential American investment and plans to lift Caesar Act sanctions. Al-Sharaa and Trump also discussed integrating the Kurdish Syrian … Continue reading Trump holds first-ever White House meeting with Syrian leader

Iraq held a parliamentary election on Tuesday under tight security, with 8,703 polling stations open nationwide, though turnout was low in the early hours. Only 21.4 million of 32 million eligible voters registered, down from 24 million in 2021, and the influential Sadrist Movement boycotted the vote, keeping many supporters home, particularly in Sadr City. Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani, running for a second term, … Continue reading Iraqis vote in parliamentary election marked by tight security

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has repeatedly floated the idea of recreating Gran Colombia, the early 19th-century republic that included present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama, as a response to U.S. military actions targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific. Speaking in Santa Marta, Petro suggested that a regional union, akin to the European Union, with a common parliament and shared leadership, could help Latin … Continue reading Colombia President Petro floats union with Venezuela amid pentagon military buildup

A growing number of House Democrats and progressive groups are demanding that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer step down after several Senate Democrats broke ranks to vote for the bipartisan deal reopening the government. Critics argue that Schumer has failed to unite his caucus and is out of touch with the party’s base, with lawmakers such as Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Seth Moulton, Ro Khanna, and … Continue reading Schumer faces mounting Dem calls to resign as leader

The Senate ended its 41-day government shutdown stalemate late Monday night by advancing a bipartisan funding package to reopen the government. Eight Senate Democrats broke with their party to join Republicans, providing the crucial votes to send the bill—a continuing resolution paired with three spending measures—to the House. The deal includes back pay and protections for furloughed federal workers, as well as a promise to … Continue reading Senate ends 41-day government shutdown stalemate, sends bipartisan deal to House

Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as jihadist leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, will make history as the first Syrian president to visit the White House, meeting President Donald Trump on Monday. Over the past year, al-Sharaa has worked to transform his global image and address domestic divisions in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Trump praised al-Sharaa’s leadership and noted progress in Syria, while U.S. … Continue reading Syria’s president caps unlikely rise with Trump meeting

President Donald Trump has issued “full, complete and unconditional” pardons to multiple allies accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election, U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin announced. The pardons cover dozens of individuals, including Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, and Sidney Powell, for actions related to advocating, organizing, or participating in disputed slates of presidential electors and efforts to challenge the election results. Trump’s proclamation states … Continue reading Trump pardons Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, Sidney Powell, others involved in 2020 election interference saga

South Korea’s special prosecutor has indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol on additional charges of abusing power and aiding an enemy state over his short-lived martial law declaration last year. Prosecutors allege Yoon, along with former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun and ex-military intelligence chief Yeo In-hyung, planned to provoke North Korea—potentially using drones or “surgical strikes”—to justify imposing martial law. Yoon, removed from office by … Continue reading South Korea special prosecutor indicts former President Yoon on charges of aiding an enemy state

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been released from La Santé prison after a judge ruled he could serve the rest of his five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy at home under strict judicial controls. Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, left prison after describing his three weeks in solitary confinement as a “nightmare.” He was jailed over allegations of seeking campaign funds from Libya’s … Continue reading Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is released from prison

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Sunday that he is running for a fourth term, delivering his campaign launch from Houston, where he rebuilt his life after becoming paralyzed. Abbott emphasized resilience, saying Texans define themselves by how they respond to challenges. He highlighted the state’s economic strength, calling Texas the eighth-largest economy in the world, number one in electricity generation, and growing twice as fast … Continue reading Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announces run for fourth term

President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that a “dividend of at least $2,000 per person” will be paid to all Americans except high-income individuals, attributing the country’s wealth to his tariff policies. He called opponents of tariffs “fools” and highlighted record stock market highs, low inflation, and increased 401(k) balances. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, however, said he had not discussed the proposed dividend with Trump … Continue reading Trump says he’ll issue $2,000 tariff dividend to all except ‘high-income people’

The Senate took its first step toward ending the government shutdown on Sunday, advancing compromise legislation to fund the government despite internal Democratic divisions. A group of moderate Democrats and Independents agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, angering many in their party. The Senate voted 60-40 to move forward, with most Democrats, including leader Chuck Schumer, opposing the measure. … Continue reading Senate takes first step toward ending the government shutdown

Vice President Vance criticized a federal court ruling requiring the Trump administration to make full SNAP payments for November, calling it “absurd” during a White House roundtable. He argued that the court should not dictate how the president allocates funds during a government shutdown and urged Democrats to reopen the government. U.S. District Judge John McConnell had rejected the administration’s plan for partial SNAP payments, … Continue reading Vance calls court order to fully fund SNAP ‘absurd ruling’