The Senate passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act, authorizing $901 billion in defense spending and a 3.8% pay raise for troops, while demanding more Pentagon transparency on strikes against alleged drug boats near Venezuela. The 3,000-page bill balances bipartisan priorities, maintaining U.S. troop levels in Europe, providing military aid to Ukraine, and implementing Trump administration policies on military diversity and border powers. It also … Continue reading Senate passes $901 billion defense bill that pushes Hegseth for boat strike video

Four House Republicans broke with party leadership to join Democrats on a discharge petition, securing the 218 signatures needed to force a vote on a three-year extension of enhanced Obamacare subsidies set to expire Dec. 31. If the subsidies lapse, insurance premiums are expected to double on average for about 22 million people who rely on Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage. The move highlights divisions … Continue reading 4 Republicans revolt, force vote on Obamacare funding

Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers in a closed-door interview that his team developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Donald Trump criminally conspired to overturn the 2020 election. Smith also said investigators gathered strong evidence that Trump illegally retained classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and obstructed efforts to recover them. He emphasized that his decisions were based solely on facts and … Continue reading Jack Smith tells lawmakers his team developed ‘proof beyond a reasonable doubt’ against Trump

A group of Democratic senators is pressing the Justice Department to explain why federal investigators never interviewed Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime lawyer, Darren Indyke, or his in-house accountant, Richard Kahn, during probes of his sex-trafficking operation. Both men were senior officers in Epstein-controlled entities that handled finances, cash payments, and transactions later linked to the scheme, according to The Wall Street Journal. Despite their close and … Continue reading Senators Press FBI Over Failure to Investigate Epstein’s Lawyer and Accountant

Sen. Mark Kelly called Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s investigation into him “a bunch of bull****,” saying it appears intended to intimidate retired service members from speaking out against the president. The probe stems from a video Kelly and five other Democrats, all military veterans, posted urging troops not to follow illegal orders. Hegseth asked the Secretary of the Navy to review Kelly for “potentially unlawful … Continue reading Sen. Mark Kelly clashes with Hegseth over Pentagon’s investigation into him

The House will not vote this week on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year. An attempt by moderate Republicans to force a vote failed after the House Rules Committee blocked proposed amendments to a GOP health care bill that does not include an extension. Moderates warn that letting the subsidies lapse could sharply … Continue reading House won’t vote on health care tax credit extension, angering GOP moderates

The U.S. has collected over $200 billion in tariffs in 2025 under new duties imposed by President Trump, according to Customs and Border Protection. These tariffs, including “reciprocal” and fentanyl-related duties, were implemented without congressional approval and are currently facing legal challenges in the Supreme Court. Collections dropped slightly in November as imports slowed and some duties were reduced, but CBP emphasized the tariffs’ role … Continue reading New Trump tariffs collection hits $200 billion, Customs says

President Trump filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC on Monday, alleging that a documentary aired before the 2024 election deceptively edited his Jan. 6, 2021, speech. The suit, filed in federal court in Miami, seeks $5 billion in damages for each of two counts—defamation and violating Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act—and requests a jury trial. Trump’s legal team claims the … Continue reading President Trump sues the BBC

President Donald Trump announced he will sign an executive order classifying fentanyl and its core precursors as a “weapon of mass destruction” (WMD), framing it as part of his administration’s intensified language against drug cartels. The move follows prior measures labeling Latin American cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations” and referring to smugglers as “narco-terrorists.” Trump argued that fentanyl trafficking is intended to harm Americans and … Continue reading Trump signs executive order labelling fentanyl ‘weapon of mass destruction’

The Justice Department sued Fulton County, Georgia, seeking 2020 election records, including ballots and signature envelopes, after the county refused to comply with subpoenas, citing state laws sealing the documents. The lawsuit names Fulton County Clerk of Courts Che Alexander, alleging violations of the Civil Rights Act, and requests the records be produced within five days of a court order. The move comes amid ongoing … Continue reading DOJ files suit to obtain 2020 election records in Fulton County, Georgia

Chile has shifted sharply to the right after José Antonio Kast, a hardline conservative, won the presidential runoff with over 58% of the vote, defeating Communist Party candidate Jeannette Jara. Kast, leader of the Republican Party and a staunch admirer of former dictator Augusto Pinochet, campaigned heavily on crime, immigration, and economic concerns, promising to restore security and order. Celebrations erupted in Santiago as Kast … Continue reading Chile shifts sharply right as José Antonio Kast wins Presidency

The US Navy has submitted recommendations to the Pentagon regarding potential punishments for Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly for participating in a video urging troops to refuse illegal orders. The Pentagon’s Office of General Counsel is reviewing the recommendations, though the details of the report have not been made public. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested advice from the Navy on possible actions, which could range from … Continue reading Navy delivers report to Hegseth on potential punishment for Sen. Mark Kelly over ‘illegal orders’ video

The United States seized a Venezuelan oil tanker carrying about 1.1 million barrels of sanctioned crude, prompting Nicolás Maduro to denounce the move as “piracy” and issue fiery threats against Washington. Donald Trump defended the operation, saying the vessel was taken “for a very good reason” and implying the U.S. would keep the oil. The dramatic commando raid marked the first U.S. seizure of a … Continue reading Maduro vows to ‘break America’s teeth’ after US seizes Venezuelan ship

Brazil’s lower house of Congress passed a bill that could reduce former President Jair Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup, along with sentences for over 1,000 others involved in the January 8, 2023, attacks on government buildings. The vote sparked chaos, with a left-wing congressman protesting, a physical altercation involving police and journalists, and live coverage temporarily cut. Opponents criticized the bill as … Continue reading Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies passes bill to lower Bolsonaro’s sentence

Bolivian authorities arrested former President Luis Arce on charges of breach of duty and financial misconduct linked to alleged embezzlement during his time as economy minister under Evo Morales. The arrest comes a month after conservative President Rodrigo Paz took office, ending 20 years of socialist rule. Officials said the move demonstrates the new government’s commitment to combating corruption at the highest levels. Arce is … Continue reading Former Bolivian President Arce arrested in corruption investigation

President Trump held a conference call with French President Macron, British Prime Minister Starmer, and German Chancellor Merz to discuss U.S.-led peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Trump has expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s ability to prevail and recently pushed a plan for Kyiv to cede the Donbas region to Russia in exchange for U.S. security guarantees. His shifting stance has frustrated Ukraine … Continue reading Trump talks Ukraine peace deal with Macron, Merz and Starmer

Democrat Eileen Higgins won a stunning upset Tuesday night to become Miami’s first Democratic mayor in 30 years, reversing recent Republican successes in Florida. Higgins, 61, a former county commissioner, focused her campaign on immigration and positioned the race as a referendum on Donald Trump’s policies, resonating with Miami’s 57% foreign-born population. She defeated Republican Emilio González, despite heavy endorsements for him from Trump and … Continue reading Eileen Higgins becomes Miami’s first Democratic mayor in 30 years

In a Politico interview, President Donald Trump said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s “days are numbered” but declined to comment on whether the U.S. might send troops to the country. He defended strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug vessels, suggested similar actions could target Mexico and Colombia, and criticized European leaders as “weak” and “decaying” due to immigration policies. Trump also claimed Russia holds the upper hand … Continue reading Trump doesn’t rule out troops in Venezuela, says President Nicolás Maduro’s ‘days are numbered’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is ready to hold elections within 60 to 90 days if Ukraine’s parliament and foreign partners can ensure security, responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism that he is clinging to power. Zelenskyy emphasized that the decision belongs to Ukrainians, not foreign leaders, and highlighted logistical and legal challenges under wartime conditions and martial law. Opposition politicians warn that … Continue reading Zelenskyy ‘ready for elections’ after Trump questions Ukrainian democracy

President Donald Trump criticized Europe, calling the continent “weak” and “decaying” due to immigration, and urged countries to deport those who entered illegally. He specifically attacked London Mayor Sadiq Khan, claiming he was elected by immigrants and promoting a harmful ideology. Trump’s remarks follow his administration’s National Security Strategy warning of “civilisational erasure” in Europe and suggesting resistance to current European policies. He also commented … Continue reading Trump slams Europe’s immigration policies, calls continent ‘weak’

Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader John Thune, plan to offer a GOP health care bill for a vote alongside Democrats’ proposal to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits later this week. The Republican bill, the Health Care Freedom for Patients Act, would redirect funds to health savings accounts for bronze plan users rather than extending the tax credits, which Democrats say help … Continue reading Thune says Senate GOP will offer alternative health care bill as Democrats seek to extend tax credits

A GOP-led Pennsylvania legislative committee has issued subpoenas seeking records on roughly $1 million in security upgrades to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s private home, as well as information on charter flights taken earlier this year. The move follows an April arson attack on the governor’s official residence, which prompted police and security experts to recommend increased protections. Shapiro’s office called the investigation a partisan attack, saying … Continue reading Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro faces subpoena over private home security upgrades after firebombing

The Trump administration announced it will end the Biden-era SAVE student loan repayment plan as part of a legal settlement, affecting millions of borrowers. The plan, launched in 2023, reduced monthly payments for low-income borrowers and prevented interest from growing, but had faced lawsuits from GOP-led states claiming it was unlawful. Under the settlement, no new borrowers will be admitted, current applications will be denied, … Continue reading Trump administration announces deal to end Biden-era student debt repayment plan

House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers said he sees no need for further investigation into a disputed military strike in September, saying he already has the answers he needs. Democrats, however, are still calling for a full-scale probe, including hearings and document reviews. Top lawmakers recently viewed classified footage of the strike with military leaders, and the full committee is set to see the unedited … Continue reading House Armed Services chair sees no need to further probe boat strike

Congress is using the annual defense bill to pressure the Pentagon into releasing unedited videos of strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats off Latin America. Lawmakers plan to withhold a quarter of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget until the footage is provided to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The videos focus on a controversial follow-up strike on Sept. 2 that killed two survivors … Continue reading Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos