Former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., was released from prison last week after President Donald Trump commuted his federal fraud sentence, but local criminal exposure remains possible. Santos had served three months of a seven-year sentence for deception, fraud, and lying to Congress before Trump’s intervention. Trump’s clemency granted Santos “immediate commutation of his entire sentence to time served” with no fines, restitution, probation, or supervised … Continue reading Prosecutors not ruling out state charges for commuted ex-Rep. George Santos

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said public pressure will likely grow on Republicans to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance subsidies, a central issue in the ongoing government shutdown. The federal government remains largely closed after Senate Republicans and Democrats failed to pass a spending bill Monday to reopen it. Democrats insist the ACA subsidies, which help over 20 million people afford monthly … Continue reading Hakeem Jeffries says public pressure will force Congress to extend ACA subsidies

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha arrived in Jerusalem Tuesday for high-level talks aimed at reinforcing the Gaza cease-fire. They were greeted at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office by Netanyahu and his wife Sara in a small private ceremony. The first meeting between Vance and Netanyahu will be followed by an expanded session with senior staff. Vance and Usha landed at Tel … Continue reading Vance arrives for meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem

The White House has paused plans for a second summit between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials said. The move reflects Washington’s recognition that the gap between Russia and Ukraine remains too wide for a peace deal. A White House official confirmed there are “no plans” for Trump and Putin to meet in the near future. Trump told reporters he has not made … Continue reading In a shift, White House says no plan for Trump-Putin summit

Republican leaders are preparing a new, longer continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government as the shutdown enters its fourth week. The current “clean” CR through Nov. 21, repeatedly rejected by Senate Democrats over health care disputes, is seen as insufficient to complete full-year appropriations. GOP leaders are debating new deadlines, with late January emerging as the most supported option, though some hard-line Republicans favor … Continue reading GOP leaders eye new stopgap spending measure to end shutdown

Construction crews began demolishing part of the East Wing of the White House on Monday as part of President Donald Trump’s plan to build a new ballroom. Trump previously said the project would not interfere with the existing structure, describing it as “near it, but not touching it.” Despite that assurance, parts of the East Wing are being removed to make room for the new … Continue reading Demolition of the White House’s East Wing starts for Trump’s ballroom project

George Santos, the former Republican congressman from New York, said he plans to focus on prison reform after President Trump commuted his seven-year sentence for wire fraud and identity theft. Released on Friday, Santos described his 84 days in federal prison as “dehumanizing” and criticized the facilities for poor conditions, including mold, broken air conditioning, and shoddy construction. He expressed a desire to use his … Continue reading George Santos wants to use his newfound freedom to reform prisons

President Trump met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House as the U.S. government shutdown enters its fourth week. The leaders signed a rare earth minerals agreement aimed at competing with China’s sector dominance. Meanwhile, the Senate is set to vote for the 11th time on a stopgap funding measure, with military pay emerging as a key point in the GOP’s shutdown … Continue reading Trump signs rare minerals agreement with Australia

Sanae Takaichi is poised to become Japan’s first female prime minister after securing a coalition with the conservative Japan Innovation Party. The 64-year-old LDP leader seeks to end a three-month political deadlock following her party’s loss in the July elections. Her previous coalition partner, the centrist Komeito party, split over concerns about her ultraconservative stance and the LDP’s handling of corruption scandals, the Associated Press … Continue reading Sanae Takaichi on track to become Japan’s first female prime minister

Rodrigo Paz, a previously little-known centrist senator, won Bolivia’s presidential election with 54% of the vote, defeating former right-wing President Jorge Quiroga, who conceded. Paz’s victory reflects voter frustration with the MAS party’s 20-year rule and economic mismanagement, attracting support from working-class and rural voters wary of Quiroga’s radical IMF-backed policies. Paz aims to implement major economic reforms, including ending the fixed exchange rate, reducing … Continue reading Centrist Rodrigo Paz wins Bolivia’s presidential runoff