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Hungary's transformation into an 'electoral autocracy' has parallels to Trump's second term
Read full article: Hungary's transformation into an 'electoral autocracy' has parallels to Trump's second termU.S. conservatives have looked to Hungary's Viktor Orbรกn as an inspiration for a right-wing America, and the prime minister has become a close ally of President Donald Trump.
Vivek Ramaswamy will kick off his bid for Ohio governor in Cincinnati on Feb. 24
Read full article: Vivek Ramaswamy will kick off his bid for Ohio governor in Cincinnati on Feb. 24Republican Vivek Ramaswamy will launch his bid for Ohio governor on Feb. 24 in his native Cincinnati, with ensuing events in the Columbus, Toledo and Cleveland areas.
Including people without legal status in census has had little impact on House seats, study finds
Read full article: Including people without legal status in census has had little impact on House seats, study findsRepublicans are trying to exclude people who are in the U.S. illegally from the numbers used to portion out congressional seats among the states.
Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith won't run in 2026. Fellow Democrat Gov. Tim Walz and others eye the seat
Read full article: Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith won't run in 2026. Fellow Democrat Gov. Tim Walz and others eye the seatMinnesota U.S. Sen. Tina Smith's decision not to seek reelection is setting off a scramble by potential candidates in both major political parties to fill the seat.
Trumpโs remarks on Canada becoming the 51st state raise a lot of questions
Read full article: Trumpโs remarks on Canada becoming the 51st state raise a lot of questionsPresident Donald Trump has repeatedly said Canada should be the 51st U.S. state, effectively erasing the massive border the two nations share.
How South Korea's Constitutional Court is deciding on the president's future
Read full article: How South Korea's Constitutional Court is deciding on the president's futureSouth Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is putting up a desperate fight for his political life at Seoulโs Constitutional Court after being impeached and arrested for his short-lived imposition of martial law last year.
A far-right party is heading for its strongest result yet in Germany's election
Read full article: A far-right party is heading for its strongest result yet in Germany's electionAlternative for Germany appears to be heading for its strongest national election result yet this month and is fielding its first candidate to lead the country.
Texas county approves holding election to make SpaceX's Starbase its own city
Read full article: Texas county approves holding election to make SpaceX's Starbase its own citySouth Texas residents living near billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX launch site will soon decide whether they'll be officially recognized as Starbase, Texas.
Trump's former personal lawyer defends him at a Senate hearing and decries 'partisan lawfare'
Read full article: Trump's former personal lawyer defends him at a Senate hearing and decries 'partisan lawfare'President Donald Trumpโs former personal attorney, Todd Blanche, criticized the criminal cases against the Republican as โpartisan lawfareโ during his confirmation hearing to become the No. 2 Justice Department official.
In Ecuador's highlands, an Indigenous community faces choice between 2 candidates they don't trust
Read full article: In Ecuador's highlands, an Indigenous community faces choice between 2 candidates they don't trustThe two main candidates vying for Ecuadorโs presidency never campaigned in Cochapamba.
New York City's mayor has 4 months to persuade Democratic voters he's not Trump's puppet
Read full article: New York City's mayor has 4 months to persuade Democratic voters he's not Trump's puppetNew York City Mayor Eric Adams has declared that he is โno longer facing legal questionsโ after the Trump administration moved to drop the bribery charges that have been hanging over his reelection campaign โ but he may still be facing an impossible choice.
What to know about the Trump administration moving to drop corruption charges against NYC mayor
Read full article: What to know about the Trump administration moving to drop corruption charges against NYC mayorNew York City Mayor Eric Adams has been thrown a lifeline by the Trump administration.
New York mayor vows to regain public's trust after Justice Department orders halt to prosecution
Read full article: New York mayor vows to regain public's trust after Justice Department orders halt to prosecutionNew York City Mayor Eric Adams thanked the Justice Department for ordering a halt to his criminal corruption case and castigated the prosecution as โcruelโ while vowing to regain the trust of voters ahead of his upcoming election.
Some Israeli soldiers traveling abroad are targeted for alleged war crimes in Gaza
Read full article: Some Israeli soldiers traveling abroad are targeted for alleged war crimes in GazaAn Israeli army reservistโs dream vacation in Brazil ended abruptly last month over an accusation that he committed war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
Rep. Nancy Mace accuses ex-fiancรฉ and associates of assaulting her and raping others in House speech
Read full article: Rep. Nancy Mace accuses ex-fiancรฉ and associates of assaulting her and raping others in House speechRep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina is raising allegations against a former fiancรฉ and his business associates.
Election official in Arizonaโs largest county signals a shift away from combating disinformation
Read full article: Election official in Arizonaโs largest county signals a shift away from combating disinformationOne of the top election officials in Arizona's largest county has drastically downsized a team whose responsibilities included combating false information about elections.
Top Justice Department official orders prosecutors to drop charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams
Read full article: Top Justice Department official orders prosecutors to drop charges against New York Mayor Eric AdamsThe Justice Department has ordered federal prosecutors to drop corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams and halt the ongoing investigation.
US cyber agency puts election security staffers who worked with the states on leave
Read full article: US cyber agency puts election security staffers who worked with the states on leaveStaffers at the nationโs cybersecurity agency whose job is to ensure the security of U.S. elections have been placed on administrative leave, jeopardizing critical support provided to state and local election offices across the country.
'Back to plastic': Trump signs order for plastic straws as he declares paper ones 'donโt work'
Read full article: 'Back to plastic': Trump signs order for plastic straws as he declares paper ones 'donโt work'President Donald Trump says he is banning federal use of paper straws, saying they โdonโt workโ and donโt last very long.
Young women lean Democratic. Now the election may hinge on Harris' ability to run up the score
Read full article: Young women lean Democratic. Now the election may hinge on Harris' ability to run up the scoreThis year's presidential election could see a historic gender gap as young women line up behind Democrat Kamala Harris' bid to be the first female president.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announces resignation after pressure by populists
Read full article: Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announces resignation after pressure by populistsRomanian President Klaus Iohannis has announced his resignation following mounting pressure from populist opposition groups.
Kosovo's prime minister looks for allies for new Cabinet after failing to win parliamentary majority
Read full article: Kosovo's prime minister looks for allies for new Cabinet after failing to win parliamentary majorityKosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurtiโs leftist party has won the most seats in the parliamentary election.
Ecuador's presidential runoff will test the influence of former President Correa
Read full article: Ecuador's presidential runoff will test the influence of former President CorreaEcuadorโs April runoff election for president will test the lasting influence of former leftist President Rafael Correa when his protege, lawyer Luisa Gonzรกlez, goes up against the conservative incumbent Daniel Noboa.
Ecuador's conservative incumbent and a leftist lawyer are leading early presidential voting results
Read full article: Ecuador's conservative incumbent and a leftist lawyer are leading early presidential voting resultsEarly results in Ecuador's presidential race are tight and indicate a runoff election is likely between conservative President Daniel Noboa and leftist lawyer Luisa Gonzรกlez.
North Carolina judge's ruling retains close court election result, but more legal steps are expected
Read full article: North Carolina judge's ruling retains close court election result, but more legal steps are expectedA North Carolina trial judge has upheld decisions by election officials to reject protests by the trailing candidate in a very close state Supreme Court election.
GOP state attorneys general campaign group brings back leader who resigned in aftermath of Jan. 6
Read full article: GOP state attorneys general campaign group brings back leader who resigned in aftermath of Jan. 6A group that dedicated to electing Republicans to state attorney general positions has brought back a former executive director who resigned in the aftermath of Jan. 6.
Wisconsin Supreme Court says swing stateโs embattled elections chief can remain in post
Read full article: Wisconsin Supreme Court says swing stateโs embattled elections chief can remain in postA unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that the swing stateโs nonpartisan top elections official can remain in her post despite not being reappointed and confirmed by the state Senate.
Kosovo elections will decide who will lead stalled talks with Serbia and manage a battered economy
Read full article: Kosovo elections will decide who will lead stalled talks with Serbia and manage a battered economyKosovo goes to the polls Sunday in a parliamentary election expected to be a key test for Prime Minister Albin Kurti after his party won in a landslide four years ago.
Chris Swanson, prominent sheriff and Democrat, announces run for Michigan governor
Read full article: Chris Swanson, prominent sheriff and Democrat, announces run for Michigan governorGenesee County Chris Swanson has told The Associated Press he's launching a Democratic bid to be Michigan's next governor.
Trump unleashes a supercharged MAGA agenda and Republicans come aboard
Read full article: Trump unleashes a supercharged MAGA agenda and Republicans come aboardPresident Donald Trumpโs early moves, such as trying to slash the federal government and imposing tariffs on key allies, are testing how far Republicans are willing to go in supporting his supercharged โMake America Great Againโ agenda.
Pro-Trump Arab American group changes its name after the president's Gaza 'Riviera' comments
Read full article: Pro-Trump Arab American group changes its name after the president's Gaza 'Riviera' commentsThe group Arab Americans for Trump is renaming itself Arab Americans for Peace after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would โtake overโ the Gaza Strip.
In bid for Davos-like gathering, Semafor plans to bring at least 200 CEOs to Washington conference
Read full article: In bid for Davos-like gathering, Semafor plans to bring at least 200 CEOs to Washington conferenceThe media group Semafor has visions for creating an economic forum for the United States that rivals the annual event in Davos, Switzerland.
India PM Modi's party seeks to regain control of New Delhi region in state elections
Read full article: India PM Modi's party seeks to regain control of New Delhi region in state electionsIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modiโs Hindu nationalist party was trying to regain power in the federal territory that includes New Delhi on Wednesday as residents voted in a state legislature election.
Altered image of Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate in new ad raises ethics concerns
Read full article: Altered image of Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate in new ad raises ethics concernsA new television attack ad in Wisconsinโs hotly contested Supreme Court race features a doctored image of the liberal candidate, a move that her campaign claims could be a violation of a recently enacted state law.
Sen. Tim Scott and South Carolina's governor will chair Lindsey Graham's reelection bid
Read full article: Sen. Tim Scott and South Carolina's governor will chair Lindsey Graham's reelection bidSouth Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham is kicking off his pursuit of a fifth term with his home stateโs top Republicans chairing his 2026 campaign.
A Russia-like crackdown has jailed dozens in Georgia, with human rights groups sounding the alarm
Read full article: A Russia-like crackdown has jailed dozens in Georgia, with human rights groups sounding the alarmOver 40 Georgians have been jailed on criminal charges stemming from anti-government protests that have roiled the South Caucasus nation for weeks.
Trumpโs foreign aid freeze could prove to be a boon for the worldโs authoritarian strongmen
Read full article: Trumpโs foreign aid freeze could prove to be a boon for the worldโs authoritarian strongmenWhen President Donald Trump froze foreign assistance for 90 days, he argued that such a drastic step was needed to eliminate waste and block what he derides as โwokeโ spending that doesnโt align with American interests.
Modi's ruling party looks to topple corruption crusader in Delhi poll with graft allegations
Read full article: Modi's ruling party looks to topple corruption crusader in Delhi poll with graft allegationsPrime Minister Narendra Modiโs Hindu nationalist party is eyeing the state legislature election in Delhi where it is in race against a popular regional party that has governed the Indian capital for over a decade.
Ecuador's conservative president announces tariffs on Mexican exports in an echo of Trump policy
Read full article: Ecuador's conservative president announces tariffs on Mexican exports in an echo of Trump policyEcuadorโs conservative president says that he is raising tariffs on Mexican imports in a move that echoes the trade barriers that U.S. President Donald Trump has announced _ but then paused _ against Mexico.
Democratic state Sen. Mallory McMorrow preparing to enter US Senate race in Michigan, AP sources say
Read full article: Democratic state Sen. Mallory McMorrow preparing to enter US Senate race in Michigan, AP sources sayMichigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow is preparing to announce a Democratic bid for an open U.S. Senate seat in the state.
Gunmen kill a police officer working on Pakistan's first polio drive of the year
Read full article: Gunmen kill a police officer working on Pakistan's first polio drive of the yearPakistani police say unidentified gunmen shot and killed a police officer working on Pakistanโs first polio vaccination drive of the year.
Trump is leveraging tariffs. Is he ready for potential fallout? Are consumers? Here's what to know
Read full article: Trump is leveraging tariffs. Is he ready for potential fallout? Are consumers? Here's what to knowPresident Donald Trump has taken executive action to impose or threaten new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China.
Trump says Americans could feel 'some pain' from tariffs as he threatens more import taxes
Read full article: Trump says Americans could feel 'some pain' from tariffs as he threatens more import taxesPresident Donald Trump says Americans could feel โsome painโ from the emerging trade war triggered by his tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China.
France braces for a political showdown as the new prime minister seeks to force a budget through
Read full article: France braces for a political showdown as the new prime minister seeks to force a budget throughPolitical uncertainty is again looming in France after Prime Minister Francois Bayrou warned that he would use special executive powers this week to get his budget approved without a vote by lawmakers.
As M23 rebel group advances in Congo, a new leader signals a shift in its identity
Read full article: As M23 rebel group advances in Congo, a new leader signals a shift in its identityThe M23 rebel group that is backed by Rwanda has emerged as a more potent force after being crushed during their first rebellion in 2012.
Trump administration fires prosecutors involved in Jan. 6 cases and moves toward ousting FBI agents
Read full article: Trump administration fires prosecutors involved in Jan. 6 cases and moves toward ousting FBI agentsThe Trump administration has fired a group of prosecutors involved in the Jan. 6 criminal cases and demanded the names of FBI agents involved in those same probes so that they can possibly be ousted.
Venezuela frees 6 Americans after meeting between President Maduro and Trump's envoy
Read full article: Venezuela frees 6 Americans after meeting between President Maduro and Trump's envoySix Americans who had been detained in Venezuela in recent months have freed by the government of President Nicolรกs Maduro after he met with a senior Trump administration official.
German opposition's migration bill narrowly defeated amid controversy over far-right support
Read full article: German opposition's migration bill narrowly defeated amid controversy over far-right supportGermany's parliament has narrowly rejected an opposition-sponsored bill calling for tougher rules on migration that risked becoming the first draft legislation to pass thanks to a far-right party.
Myanmarโs military government extends its mandate to rule another 6 months
Read full article: Myanmarโs military government extends its mandate to rule another 6 monthsMyanmarโs military government has extended its mandate to rule another six months, as the country enters its fifth year of crisis.
US cybersecurity agency's future role in elections remains murky under the Trump administration
Read full article: US cybersecurity agency's future role in elections remains murky under the Trump administrationThe nationโs cybersecurity agency has played a critical role in helping states shore up the defenses of their voting systems, but its election mission appears uncertain amid sustained criticism from Republicans and key figures in the Trump administration.
Merkel criticizes German front-runner Merz over migration vote with far-right support
Read full article: Merkel criticizes German front-runner Merz over migration vote with far-right supportFormer German Chancellor Angela Merkel has issued rare public criticism of her successor as the countryโs center-right leader, the front-runner in Germanyโs election next month, for putting to parliament proposals for tough new migration rules that only passed with the help of a far-right party.
IOC presidential candidates pitch to Olympic voters in quirky closed-door event
Read full article: IOC presidential candidates pitch to Olympic voters in quirky closed-door eventBehind closed doors at the IOC seven candidates hoping to lead the Olympic body are making key pitches to an exclusive club of more than 100 voters.
Kansas unveils a mural honoring 'rebel women' who campaigned for voting rights
Read full article: Kansas unveils a mural honoring 'rebel women' who campaigned for voting rightsKansas has a new mural in its Statehouse honoring women who campaigned for voting rights for decades before the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted those rights across the nation.
Prosecutors seek dismissal of campaign finance case against ex-Nebraska congressman Fortenberry
Read full article: Prosecutors seek dismissal of campaign finance case against ex-Nebraska congressman FortenberryFederal prosecutors are asking a judge to dismiss their case against a former Nebraska congressman charged with lying to authorities about a foreign billionaireโs illegal $30,000 contribution to his campaign.
President Donald Trump appeals his New York hush money conviction
Read full article: President Donald Trump appeals his New York hush money convictionPresident Donald Trump has appealed his New York hush money conviction, seeking to erase the verdict that made him the first person with a criminal record to win the office.
A Democratic Party in crisis will elect its new chairman on Saturday
Read full article: A Democratic Party in crisis will elect its new chairman on SaturdayThe Democratic National Committee will elect a new chair Saturday as it tries to guide Democrats through Republican Donald Trumpโs second presidency.
Australia wakes to more antisemitic graffiti after a discovery of explosives was revealed by police
Read full article: Australia wakes to more antisemitic graffiti after a discovery of explosives was revealed by policeAs three more episodes of antisemitic graffiti were discovered across Sydney on Thursday morning, Australian political leaders warned of an escalation in hatred and decried as terrorism an incident of explosives found in a trailer on the cityโs outskirts.
German parliament backs election front-runner's call for tough border rules with far-right support
Read full article: German parliament backs election front-runner's call for tough border rules with far-right supportGermanyโs parliament has narrowly approved a call by Chancellor Olaf Scholzโs main challenger to turn back many more migrants at the countryโs borders, with the help of a far-right party.
After talking tough during campaign, Trump appears to ease up on China at start of presidency
Read full article: After talking tough during campaign, Trump appears to ease up on China at start of presidencyOn the campaign trail last year, President Donald Trump talked tough about imposing tariffs as high as 60% on Chinese goods and threatened to renew the trade war with China that he launched during his first term.
Sen. Randy Fine wins Special Election Primary, advances to general election to replace Rep. Michael Waltz
Read full article: Sen. Randy Fine wins Special Election Primary, advances to general election to replace Rep. Michael WaltzVoters in parts of northeast Florida have until 7 p.m. to cast a ballot in a special primary election to replace Rep. Michael Waltz. Waltz resigned from Congress on Jan. 20, to join the Trump administration as national security advisor.
How Donald Trump and Project 2025 previewed the federal grant freeze
Read full article: How Donald Trump and Project 2025 previewed the federal grant freezeA sweeping White House order to freeze federal grants and allocations reflects a theory of presidential power that Donald Trump clearly endorsed during his 2024 campaign.
Some Trump voters are skeptical of his opening moves to embrace fellow billionaires
Read full article: Some Trump voters are skeptical of his opening moves to embrace fellow billionairesSome of President Donald Trump's working-class and middle-class supporters see a lack of emphasis on lowering consumer costs and making daily American life more affordable.
Voting rights groups are concerned about priorities shifting under Trump's Justice Department
Read full article: Voting rights groups are concerned about priorities shifting under Trump's Justice DepartmentThe Justice Department appears poised to take a very different approach to investigating voting and elections.
Amazon's advocates fear Trump's return means little US help to protect rainforest
Read full article: Amazon's advocates fear Trump's return means little US help to protect rainforestWith Donald Trump settling back into the White House, advocates for the Amazon worry about what his second term will mean for the rainforest.
Michigan Democratic Sen. Gary Peters will not run for reelection, opening a key Senate seat in 2026
Read full article: Michigan Democratic Sen. Gary Peters will not run for reelection, opening a key Senate seat in 2026Michigan Sen. Gary Peters says he thinks it's time to turn over the reins so he won't be seeking a third term in 2026.
Serbia's prime minister resigns as anti-corruption protests sparked by deadly collapse swell
Read full article: Serbia's prime minister resigns as anti-corruption protests sparked by deadly collapse swellSerbiaโs populist prime minister, Milos Vucevic, has resigned in an attempt to calm political tensions stoked by weeks of massive anti-corruption protests sparked by the deadly collapse of a concrete overhang at a recently renovated train station.
New top prosecutor for DC advocated for Jan. 6 rioters and echoed Trump's false 2020 election claims
Read full article: New top prosecutor for DC advocated for Jan. 6 rioters and echoed Trump's false 2020 election claimsThe top federal prosecutor for Washington is a conservative activist who promoted Donald Trumpโs conspiracy theories about a stolen election, railed against the prosecution of the rioters who stormed the Capitol and represented some in court.
Kash Patelโs podcast persona: Staunch Trump defender and fierce critic of the FBI he could soon lead
Read full article: Kash Patelโs podcast persona: Staunch Trump defender and fierce critic of the FBI he could soon leadKash Patel positioned himself as a steadfast Donald Trump loyalist well before the president picked him to run the FBI.
Trump-endorsed candidates win primary races to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
Read full article: Trump-endorsed candidates win primary races to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike WaltzPresident Donald Trump-endorsed candidates Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine won their Republican primaries in the special elections to replace former Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, notching wins in reliably conservative districts.
Deb Haaland made history as Interior secretary. Now sheโs running for governor of New Mexico
Read full article: Deb Haaland made history as Interior secretary. Now sheโs running for governor of New MexicoFormer Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is running for the Democratic nomination for governor in New Mexico after championing conservation and clean energy during her tenure as Interior secretary under President Joe Biden.
Spanberger and Earle-Sears want to make history in Virginia. But voters have election exhaustion
Read full article: Spanberger and Earle-Sears want to make history in Virginia. But voters have election exhaustionDemocratic former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears are picking up steam in their bids to be Virginia's next governor.
Belarus opposition and Western leaders reject election result that extends strongman's rule
Read full article: Belarus opposition and Western leaders reject election result that extends strongman's ruleBelarusโ opposition activists and Western officials have denounced an orchestrated election that extended the over three-decade rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Belarus frees American woman from detention as strongman leader looks to extend 30-year rule
Read full article: Belarus frees American woman from detention as strongman leader looks to extend 30-year ruleU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Belarus has โunilaterallyโ freed an American woman from detention.
Trump says inflation isn't his No. 1 issue. So what will happen to consumer prices?
Read full article: Trump says inflation isn't his No. 1 issue. So what will happen to consumer prices?Inflation was a driving force behind Donald Trump's election victory, but he's put the issue on the back burner during his first week in office.
Ramaswamy's expected run for Ohio governor would test experienced Republicans and tradition
Read full article: Ramaswamy's expected run for Ohio governor would test experienced Republicans and traditionFresh off of his unexpected departure from President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, Vivek Ramaswamy has set his sights on becoming governor of Ohio, his home state.
Battlegrounds Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are back in the spotlight with high-stakes court elections
Read full article: Battlegrounds Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are back in the spotlight with high-stakes court electionsRepublicans put Pennsylvania and Wisconsin back in the win column in the 2024 presidential race.
Belarus strongman wins a 7th term in an election the opposition calls a farce
Read full article: Belarus strongman wins a 7th term in an election the opposition calls a farceBelarusโ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is all but certain to extend his more than three decades in power in Sundayโs election that is rejected by the opposition as a farce after years of sweeping repressions.
Australians celebrate and protest the anniversary of British colonization
Read full article: Australians celebrate and protest the anniversary of British colonizationAustralians are celebrating and protesting across the country as Australia Day draws attention to political differences over Indigenous rights months out from a federal election.
Haitian leader says the Trump administrationโs plans will be 'catastrophic' for his country
Read full article: Haitian leader says the Trump administrationโs plans will be 'catastrophic' for his countryThe president of Haitiโs transitional presidential council has said that the Trump administrationโs decisions to freeze aid programs, deport migrants and block refugees will be โcatastrophicโ for Haiti.
Loyalty tests and MAGA checks: Inside the Trump White House's intense screening of job-seekers
Read full article: Loyalty tests and MAGA checks: Inside the Trump White House's intense screening of job-seekersJob-seekers hoping to join the new Trump administration are facing a series of intense loyalty tests.
How key Republican senators are responding to Trump allies' primary threats
Read full article: How key Republican senators are responding to Trump allies' primary threatsAllies of President Donald Trump have been quick to threaten primary challengers for Republican senators who donโt back Trump's Cabinet picks and legislative priorities.