President Trump’s proposal to send Americans $2,000 tariff rebate checks is meeting broad resistance from Senate Republicans. Many GOP senators argue the plan would require congressional approval and say tariff revenues should instead be used to pay down the national debt. Leaders like John Thune and Shelley Moore Capito emphasized deficit reduction, while others, including John Kennedy, questioned the legality of issuing checks without Congress. … Continue reading Trump’s $2,000 tariff checks shunned by Senate Republicans

A draft White House executive order would seek to override state AI laws by encouraging federal legal challenges, pressuring states through grant conditions, and promoting a national regulatory standard. The plan, involving AI adviser David Sacks, would create an AI Litigation Task Force under the attorney general and direct agencies to identify and confront state rules that conflict with federal priorities. It also instructs federal … Continue reading White House floats executive order to rein in state AI laws

The House unanimously passed a bill to repeal a controversial Senate-added provision allowing senators to sue the federal government for $500,000 if investigators obtain their phone records without notice. The provision, inserted into a government funding bill, had sparked bipartisan criticism for being self-serving and bypassing debate. Supporters such as Senate Majority Leader John Thune argued it provides accountability for what they view as Justice … Continue reading House votes to repeal shutdown deal provision allowing $500,000 lawsuits from senators

President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan bill requiring the Justice Department to release Jeffrey Epstein–related files, following months of political tension and initial resistance from the White House. Trump announced the signing on Truth Social, again calling the effort a Democratic “hoax” even as he approved it. The law directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to release unclassified records within 30 days, though she may redact … Continue reading Trump signs bill to release the DOJ’s Epstein files

New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani reached out to the White House to arrange a meeting with President Donald Trump, signaling a potential thaw in relations after months of tense rhetoric. Mamdani said the meeting would focus on addressing New Yorkers’ affordability crisis, including rising costs for housing, child care, groceries, and transportation. Trump acknowledged Mamdani’s request and expressed willingness to meet, while the White House … Continue reading Mamdani reaches out to the White House to set up a meeting with Trump

The German government announced it will lift restrictions on military equipment exports to Israel starting Nov. 24, following the recent ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza. Chancellor Friedrich Merz had imposed the restrictions in August in response to Israel’s decision to take over Gaza City. Government spokesperson Sebastian Hille cited the ceasefire and stabilized conditions in Gaza as the basis for the decision. Germany will now … Continue reading The German government says it’s lifting restrictions on exports of military equipment to Israel

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has close ties to individuals implicated in a $100 million “golden toilet” scam that allegedly siphoned wartime energy program funds beginning in 2022. Businessman Tymur Mindich, Zelensky’s former Kvartal 95 co-founder and neighbor, is identified as a key figure, while former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov is also named for alleged abuses of office. Although Zelensky has not been formally implicated, … Continue reading Zelensky faces deepest crisis yet as allies accused in $100M wartime scheme

In Chile’s presidential election, left-wing candidate Jeannette Jara, a former labor minister, and far-right contender José Antonio Kast will face off in a runoff on December 14. Jara, who won 27% of the first-round vote, is campaigning on a platform of minimum income, cash transfers, and support for small businesses. Kast, running for the third time, focuses on cracking down on illegal immigration, organized crime, … Continue reading Chile’s polarized presidential election heads to a second round

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and prime minister, is visiting the U.S. for the first time since 2018, following the international outcry over Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. While he denied ordering Khashoggi’s killing, he acknowledged responsibility as the kingdom’s de facto ruler. The visit focuses on strengthening U.S.-Saudi cooperation in oil, security, finance, AI, and technology, with meetings scheduled at the White House … Continue reading Trump says he’ll sell Saudis F-35s as crown prince set to visit White House

David Richardson, acting chief of FEMA, announced he will resign after hurricane season amid public criticism and internal frustration over his leadership. Richardson, a loyalist to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem with no disaster-management experience, faced scrutiny for incidents like being unaware of the U.S. hurricane season and being largely absent during catastrophic Texas floods in July. He will be replaced by Karen Evans, a Trump … Continue reading FEMA chief steps down as Trump administration prepared to oust him

President Trump said he might engage in diplomatic talks with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro but did not rule out military action against Venezuela, citing Maduro’s alleged role in drug trafficking and migration issues. The U.S. recently deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford and conducted strikes on vessels suspected of transporting drugs, actions seen by some as pressure tactics on Maduro. Analysts note the administration is signaling an ultimatum: … Continue reading Trump leaves military action against Venezuela on the table but floats possible talks

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her home minister, Asaduzzaman Khan, to death in absentia for crimes against humanity related to last year’s student-led uprising, which the UN says killed up to 1,400 people. The tribunal, modeled on the Nuremberg trials, defended its process as meeting international standards, while Hasina called the verdict politically motivated and denied any wrongdoing. The … Continue reading Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister sentenced to death for role in protest crackdown