Virginia’s Supreme Court justices questioned whether the state legislature properly followed constitutional rules when approving a congressional redistricting plan that voters narrowly passed. The plan could give Democrats up to four additional House seats, but Republicans argue the amendment process was flawed because lawmakers voted too late during an election period. The court is considering whether “election” includes early voting, which could invalidate the legislature’s … Continue reading Virginia weighs legality of new congressional map favoring Democrats

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the stalled US–Iran negotiations, saying the United States is being “humiliated” and outmaneuvered by Iran’s leadership. His comments came after multiple rounds of indirect talks in Islamabad ended without progress, despite the Trump administration’s claim that it held leverage. Iran recently proposed focusing negotiations on reopening the Strait of Hormuz while postponing nuclear and sanctions issues, a plan mediators say … Continue reading US is being ‘humiliated’ by Iran’s leadership, says Friedrich Merz

President Donald Trump said he believes he was the target of a third assassination attempt in under two years after an armed suspect was arrested near a Washington hotel. The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, allegedly tried to breach a security perimeter before being taken into custody. Speaking after the incident, Trump described political violence as increasingly common and said “no country is immune.” He called … Continue reading Trump calls for unity and bipartisan healing after another violent incident

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a stronger European defense posture, arguing that the EU’s mutual assistance clause is a clear and powerful commitment, not just symbolic language. He pointed to recent coordinated military support for Cyprus as evidence that the clause has already been put into practice. Macron said this EU provision may even be stronger than NATO’s Article 5, amid concerns about … Continue reading Macron says EU’s mutual defence clause ‘not just words’

Hungary’s outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced he will not take his seat in parliament after his party suffered a major election defeat. The election was won by the center-right Tisza Party led by incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who secured a strong parliamentary majority. Orbán said he will instead focus on reorganizing his political movement following the loss of power. The result marks the … Continue reading Hungary’s Viktor Orbán steps down from parliament after a landslide defeat

Loyalists of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas won most seats in recent municipal elections, officials said, including strong results in the West Bank. The vote was notable for including a rare symbolic election in Gaza’s Deir el-Balah, the first in the territory since 2006. Abbas’s Fatah-backed list secured the most seats there, while other local groups and independent lists also won representation. Hamas did not … Continue reading Abbas loyalists sweep Palestinian elections, including some seats in Gaza

Russian State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin praised North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for what he called the “liberation of Kursk,” thanking North Korean troops for helping Russia fight Ukrainian forces. North Korea has reportedly sent soldiers, missiles, and ammunition to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, including deployments in the Kursk region. In return, analysts say Pyongyang is receiving financial aid, food, energy, and … Continue reading Russian Parliament Speaker Thanks North Korea’s Kim for ‘Liberation of Kursk’

A Virginia state court judge blocked the state’s recent redistricting referendum, ruling that votes on the measure are invalid and cannot be certified or implemented. The judge said the ballot process violated the state constitution, including a public notice requirement, and described the question presented to voters as misleading. The referendum, approved by a narrow margin, aimed to allow lawmakers to redraw congressional maps and … Continue reading Judge blocks Virginia from using new congressional maps

President Donald Trump said he has ordered the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill” any vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with Iran over the key global oil route. He also directed minesweeping operations to be expanded “at a tripled up level” and claimed the U.S. has full control of the waterway. The Strait, which normally carries about 20% of global … Continue reading Trump orders Navy to ‘shoot and kill any boat’ laying mines in Hormuz Strait

EU leaders have approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine and a new sanctions package against Russia, while also discussing Ukraine’s stalled bid to join the European Union at an informal summit in Cyprus. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected any idea of “partial” EU membership, insisting Ukraine deserves full accession because it is defending Europe and paying a human cost in the war. He urged … Continue reading Ukraine needs full not symbolic membership in the EU, Zelenskyy says

The European Union has imposed a new round of sanctions targeting 20 additional Russian banks, further restricting their ability to conduct euro transactions and access international financial systems like SWIFT. The measures are part of the EU’s 20th sanctions package in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine and expand the total number of sanctioned Russian lenders to around 70. The EU also added banks from … Continue reading EU sanctions more Russian banks to squeeze Putin’s war economy

A group of Republican senators joined Democrats to block an attempt to attach voter ID and citizenship verification measures to a broader GOP immigration funding bill, with the amendment failing 48–50 during a late-night Senate vote session. The proposal, led by Sen. John Kennedy, would have required voter ID, limited voting to Election Day, and imposed faster ballot counting rules, but it lacked enough Republican … Continue reading Republicans fail to attach SAVE America Act to party-line funding package

A planned trip by Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan for further U.S.-Iran peace talks has been delayed after Iran did not respond to the latest American negotiating positions. The postponement comes amid rising tensions tied to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and concerns that diplomacy is stalling. Iranian officials said talks could still happen if U.S. pressure and threats ease, while disputes continue … Continue reading Vance trip to Pakistan for Iran talks is on hold

Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., said he has no plans to resign despite a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, dating violence, and campaign finance violations. He said he is cooperating fully with the probe and submitting requested documents, while expressing confidence in the process. Lawmakers, including GOP Rep. Nancy Mace, have introduced a resolution to expel him, though Mills denies any wrongdoing … Continue reading Rep. Cory Mills says he won’t resign from Congress amid ethics probe into misconduct allegations

Sen. Thom Tillis said he will not support Kevin Warsh’s nomination to lead the Federal Reserve unless the DOJ drops its investigation into current Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The probe focuses on alleged cost overruns in Fed building renovations, which Tillis suggested are not serious enough to justify the inquiry. He argued the investigation, led by federal prosecutors, is interfering with a routine transition at … Continue reading Tillis urges DOJ to end Powell probe, clear way for Warsh

President Donald Trump will participate in the “America Reads the Bible” event by reading a passage from 2 Chronicles 7:11–22 during a week-long national scripture reading tied to the U.S. 250th anniversary. The pre-recorded reading will be streamed online from the Oval Office on April 21. The initiative is described as a national spiritual celebration aimed at promoting faith and American founding ideals. Trump said … Continue reading Trump to read Bible verses as part of week-long faith event

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., is facing a possible House expulsion vote as early as Tuesday after the Ethics Committee found her guilty of multiple violations tied to financial misconduct. Republicans are pushing for her removal, and some Democrats have also indicated they may support expulsion following the committee’s findings. She has refused to resign, despite the verdict and a separate federal indictment involving allegations of … Continue reading Indicted Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick refuses to resign as expulsion vote looms

President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to psychedelic drugs for treating mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. The order directs $50 million in federal funding and instructs the Food and Drug Administration to fast-track reviews of substances such as psilocybin and ibogaine. Officials said the goal is to address rising mental health issues, including suicide and severe depression, affecting millions of Americans. The … Continue reading Trump signs order fast tracking review of psychedelics for mental health disorders

House Republican leaders are working to secure support for a farm bill ahead of a planned House vote the week of April 27. The bill is being promoted as budget-neutral and focused on rural investment, agricultural stability, and regulatory changes, including limits on state-level pesticide and livestock rules. GOP leadership is urging members to support the measure, though internal divisions remain over controversial provisions and … Continue reading House GOP leaders prep for farm bill floor fight ahead

Donald Trump’s labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has stepped down and will leave the administration for a private sector role, according to an official announcement. Her departure follows multiple allegations of misconduct, including claims of an affair with a subordinate, alcohol use on the job, and misuse of government resources, which are under investigation by the department’s inspector general. Additional reports also raised concerns about inappropriate … Continue reading Trump labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct investigation

Peru’s presidential election result will not be finalized until mid-May as electoral authorities review more than 15,000 challenged ballots. With 93% of votes counted, Keiko Fujimori leads the race with about 17%, but the contest for second place remains close between Roberto Sanchez and Rafael López Aliaga. The top two candidates will advance to a runoff under Peru’s electoral system. Some candidates have raised concerns … Continue reading Peru says presidential election results due by mid-May after delayed count

Bulgaria has held its eighth parliamentary election in five years, resulting in a decisive victory for former president Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party. With nearly all votes counted, the party secured about 44.7% of the vote and is expected to hold roughly 130 of 240 parliamentary seats. The result exceeded expectations and reflects voter frustration with years of unstable coalition governments. Radev is set to … Continue reading Bulgaria’s former President Radev wins election

Donald Trump accused Iran of violating a ceasefire by firing on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, including vessels linked to France and the United Kingdom. He said the incident was a serious breach of the agreement and warned that further military action could follow if Iran does not agree to a peace deal. U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff, are expected to hold new talks with Iranian representatives … Continue reading Trump accuses Iran of violating ceasefire, announces Tuesday talks in Islamabad

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that decades of close economic ties with the United States have become a “weakness” for Canada that must be corrected. In a video message, he warned that U.S. trade policy has shifted sharply, with higher tariffs and growing instability in global relations. Carney argued that Canada can no longer rely heavily on a single partner and must diversify its economic relationships. His remarks come amid … Continue reading Canadian PM says close economic ties with US have become a ‘weakness’

Leaders from Mexico, Brazil, and Spain pledged additional humanitarian aid to Cuba amid what they described as a worsening humanitarian crisis. In a joint statement from a summit in Barcelona, they also called for Cuba’s sovereignty to be respected and urged dialogue under international law. The countries criticized external pressure on Cuba and emphasized that its future should be decided by its own people. The move comes amid escalating U.S. economic pressure … Continue reading Mexico, Spain and Brazil call for Cuba’s sovereignty to be protected