POLITICS/GOVERNMENT
Chief Justice says Constitution remains 'firm and unshaken' with major Supreme Court rulings ahead
Read full article: Chief Justice says Constitution remains 'firm and unshaken' with major Supreme Court rulings aheadChief Justice John Roberts says that the Constitution remains a sturdy pillar for the country, a message that comes after a tumultuous year in the nation’s judicial system with pivotal Supreme Court decisions on the horizon.
US imposes sanctions on 4 Venezuelan oil firms and 4 more tankers in Maduro crackdown
Read full article: US imposes sanctions on 4 Venezuelan oil firms and 4 more tankers in Maduro crackdownThe U.S. has imposed sanctions on four firms in Venezuela's oil sector and designated four additional oil tankers as blocked property.
Capitol riot 'does not happen' without Trump, Jack Smith told Congress
Read full article: Capitol riot 'does not happen' without Trump, Jack Smith told CongressFormer special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers that the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol “does not happen” without President Donald Trump.
Trump says he's dropping push for National Guard in Chicago, LA and Portland, Oregon, for now
Read full article: Trump says he's dropping push for National Guard in Chicago, LA and Portland, Oregon, for nowPresident Donald Trump says he’s dropping — for now — his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon.
Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from the Trump administration
Read full article: Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from the Trump administrationFarmers are now learning how much aid they can expect to receive from a $12 billion package that President Donald Trump announced earlier this month.
Appeals court says Medicaid funding cuts for Planned Parenthood can stand while lawsuit proceeds
Read full article: Appeals court says Medicaid funding cuts for Planned Parenthood can stand while lawsuit proceedsA federal appeals court says the Trump administration can continue to withhold Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood while legal challenges continue.
Department of Justice is reviewing more than 5.2 million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein
Read full article: Department of Justice is reviewing more than 5.2 million documents related to Jeffrey EpsteinThe Department of Justice has expanded its review of documents related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to 5.2 million as it also expands the number of attorneys trying to comply with a law mandating their release.
These bipartisan bills about a drinking water pipeline and a Florida tribe were noncontroversial -- until Trump’s vetoes
Read full article: These bipartisan bills about a drinking water pipeline and a Florida tribe were noncontroversial -- until Trump’s vetoesPresident Donald Trump has issued the first vetoes of his second term, rejecting two bipartisan natural resources bills.
Trump isn't the 1st president to want more room to entertain, longtime White House usher says
Read full article: Trump isn't the 1st president to want more room to entertain, longtime White House usher saysThe longest-serving White House chief usher says presidents before Donald Trump were interested in having a larger space for entertaining too.
Zohran Mamdani to become NYC's next mayor with a midnight oath underground
Read full article: Zohran Mamdani to become NYC's next mayor with a midnight oath undergroundZohran Mamdani will become mayor of New York City as the clock ticks over into 2026 — but the celebrations are set to last through New Year’s Day.
CIA behind strike at Venezuelan dock that Trump claims was used by drug smugglers, AP sources say
Read full article: CIA behind strike at Venezuelan dock that Trump claims was used by drug smugglers, AP sources sayThe CIA was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels.
Trump administration says it's freezing child care funds to Minnesota after series of fraud schemes
Read full article: Trump administration says it's freezing child care funds to Minnesota after series of fraud schemesThe Trump administration has announced that it is freezing child care funds to Minnesota after a series of fraud schemes in recent years.
Nearly 25 Islamic State fighters killed or captured in Syria, US military says
Read full article: Nearly 25 Islamic State fighters killed or captured in Syria, US military saysThe U.S. military says nearly 25 operatives of the Islamic State group were killed or captured in Syria this month.
ICE doesn't plan to detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia again as long as judge's order banning it stands
Read full article: ICE doesn't plan to detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia again as long as judge's order banning it standsImmigration officials do not plan to detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia again as long as a judge’s order banning it stands.
SNAP bans on soda, candy and other foods take effect in five states Jan. 1
Read full article: SNAP bans on soda, candy and other foods take effect in five states Jan. 1Americans in five states who get government help paying for groceries will see new limits starting Thursday on soda, candy and other foods they can buy with those benefits.
Judge blocks White House's attempt to defund the CFPB, ensuring employees get paid
Read full article: Judge blocks White House's attempt to defund the CFPB, ensuring employees get paidA federal judge has ruled that the White House cannot stop funding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Kennedy Center renaming prompts a new round of cancellations
Read full article: Kennedy Center renaming prompts a new round of cancellationsThe Kennedy Center is ending the year with a new round of artists saying they are canceling scheduled performances after President Donald Trump’s name was added to the facility.
After quiet off-year elections, Democrats renew worries about Trump interfering in the midterms
Read full article: After quiet off-year elections, Democrats renew worries about Trump interfering in the midtermsThe big story of the upcoming midterm elections will be the fight over which party will control the U.S. House of Representatives during the last half of President Donald Trump's second term in office.
In a tumultuous year, US health policy has been dramatically reshaped under RFK Jr.
Read full article: In a tumultuous year, US health policy has been dramatically reshaped under RFK Jr.President Donald Trump’s second term has brought major changes to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Myanmar's military-backed party claims strong lead in election's first phase
Read full article: Myanmar's military-backed party claims strong lead in election's first phaseThe political party backed by Myanmar’s ruling military claims it won a commanding lead in the initial round of the first general election in five years.
Democrat Renee Hardman wins Iowa state Senate seat, blocking GOP from reclaiming a supermajority
Read full article: Democrat Renee Hardman wins Iowa state Senate seat, blocking GOP from reclaiming a supermajorityDemocrat Renee Hardman has been elected to the Iowa state Senate in a holiday-week special election, denying Republicans’ bid to reclaim two-thirds control of the chamber.
Khaleda Zia, former Bangladeshi prime minister and archrival of a previous premier, dies at 80
Read full article: Khaleda Zia, former Bangladeshi prime minister and archrival of a previous premier, dies at 80Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has died at 80, her political party has announced Tuesday.
In escalating tensions with Venezuela, Trump says the US 'hit' a coastal drug loading facility
Read full article: In escalating tensions with Venezuela, Trump says the US 'hit' a coastal drug loading facilityPresident Donald Trump has indicated that the U.S. has “hit” a dock facility along a shore as he wages a pressure campaign on Venezuela.
Social media, utility rates, marijuana & more: 10 legal issues to watch in Florida in 2026
Read full article: Social media, utility rates, marijuana & more: 10 legal issues to watch in Florida in 2026Alligator Alcatraz. Guns. Social media. Legal battles about those and myriad other Florida issues remain unresolved heading into 2026. Here are 10 big legal issues to watch in the coming year
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Iowa’s state Senate special election
Read full article: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Iowa’s state Senate special electionVoters in a Democratic-leaning West Des Moines-area district will pick a new state senator Tuesday in a special election that could allow Iowa Republicans to regain a supermajority in the chamber.
US pledges $2 billion for UN humanitarian aid as Trump warns agencies must 'adapt or die'
Read full article: US pledges $2 billion for UN humanitarian aid as Trump warns agencies must 'adapt or die'The United States has announced a $2 billion pledge for U.N. humanitarian aid as President Donald Trump continues to slash U.S. foreign assistance funding.
During Netanyahu visit, Trump warns Iran of further US strikes if it reconstitutes nuclear program
Read full article: During Netanyahu visit, Trump warns Iran of further US strikes if it reconstitutes nuclear programPresident Donald Trump is warning Iran against reconstituting its nuclear program.
Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted US political parties because they were 'in charge,' memo says
Read full article: Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted US political parties because they were 'in charge,' memo saysThe man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen.
Protesting students in Serbia urge support for early election they hope will oust Vucic
Read full article: Protesting students in Serbia urge support for early election they hope will oust VucicProtesting university students in Serbia have collected signatures throughout the country for their request for an early parliamentary election.
Central African Republic's incumbent president, a Russian ally, eyes a third term in key elections
Read full article: Central African Republic's incumbent president, a Russian ally, eyes a third term in key electionsThe Central African Republic voted on Sunday to elect a new president and federal lawmakers.
Preliminary results show Prime Minister Kurti's party won Kosovo snap vote convincingly
Read full article: Preliminary results show Prime Minister Kurti's party won Kosovo snap vote convincinglyPreliminary results of a snap parliamentary election in Kosovo shows that the party of Prime Minister Albin Kurti has won by a clear margin.
Trump says Ukraine and Russia are 'closer than ever' to peace after talks with Zelenskyy
Read full article: Trump says Ukraine and Russia are 'closer than ever' to peace after talks with ZelenskyyPresident Donald Trump says Ukraine and Russia are “closer than ever before” to a peace deal, but he acknowledges that negotiations could still break down and leave the war dragging on for years.
Brazilian judge puts coup plot convicts under house arrest after former police commander flees
Read full article: Brazilian judge puts coup plot convicts under house arrest after former police commander fleesA Brazilian judge has issued house arrest orders for 10 people involved in a plot to keep former President Jair Bolsonaro in power after his 2022 election loss.
Anonymous money fuels $5 million in attacks on Georgia's Lt. Gov. Burt Jones
Read full article: Anonymous money fuels $5 million in attacks on Georgia's Lt. Gov. Burt JonesA mysterious group called Georgians for Integrity has spent around $5 million on television ads, mailers and texts attacking Lt. Gov. Burt Jones since November.
