Prison to Pardons to Payouts: Jan. 6 Rioters Are Elated at Trump’s $1.8 Billion Fund
The administration has claimed that “there are no partisan requirements to file a claim” The Anti-Weaponization Fund has the final say, per the agreement. A nondescript “third-party contractor” can audit the claims, too. The settlement agreement warns that the DOJ or “any other government agency may, to the full extent permitted by law, make referrals for investigation or prosecution or prosecute or take other enforcement action to address any evidence of fraud”
Days After Hosting Trump, Xi Serves Up Tea and Smiles to Putin
China and Russia must pursue their "long-term interests in achieving national revival," Xi said. Russia's partnership with China has in recent years deepened across the diplomatic, economic and political fronts. These leaders have sought warmer ties and trade deals with China amid strained relations with Washington following Trump’s sweeping "Liberation Day" tariffs.
Israel Minister Taunts Pro-Palestinian Flotilla Activists in Video
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the way national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists “is not in line with Israel’s values and norms” Israel has every right to stop “provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters,” Netanyahu said.
Barney Frank, Gay Pioneer and Liberal Stalwart in Congress, Dies at 86
Rep. Frank was the first U.S. congressman to voluntarily come out as gay. He was also the first member of Congress to enter a same-sex marriage. He has been described as a "gay rights activist" and a "progressive Democrat" He was forced to come out after being caught in a sex scandal in 1983.
Nigeria arrests former minister in hiding after corruption conviction
Nigeria's anti-corruption agency says it has arrested former Power Minister Saleh Mamman. Mamman was sentenced to 75 years in jail on corruption charges earlier this month. He was sentenced in absentia after failing to appear in court. The former minister was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday in the northern Kaduna state.
Trump’s $1.8 Billion Fund Tests Constitutional Limits
Although the president maintains a firm grip on Republican voters, the expanding club could hinder his agenda on everything from the Iran war to immigration funding. That leaves Republicans gaming out how they might cobble together the votes needed to pass legislation. This hardly amounts to a revival of the Never Trump movement that some Republicans unsuccessfully hoped would curb the president's excesses during his first term.
Jan. 6 Police Officers Sue to Block Trump’s Payout Fund
About 6 in 10 Republicans — 63% — approve of how Trump is handling the economy in a new AP-NORC poll.Immigration remains one of Trump’s stronger issues among Republicans. That erosion isn’t translating to his overall job approval. About one-third of U.S. adults overall disapprove of how he is handling economy.
Rubio, in Video, Urges Cubans to Align With Trump Administration
A senior State Department official met with Rodríguez Castro earlier in the month. The official did not say who from the U.S. met with him. His grandfather is believed to play an influential role in the Cuban government. The indictment comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Cuba.
Candidates Backed by Trump, Ocasio-Cortez Triumph in Key House Primaries
Here's a look at which Trump-endorsed candidates won their primaries on May 19, not including those advancing to runoffs. Alabama: Rep. Mike Rogers (Incumbent), 3rd Congressional District - Rep. Robert Aderholt (Inc incumbent), 4th Congressional District Governor: Georgia: Jim Kingston. Idaho: Sen. Jim Risch (Incumbebe), 2nd Congressional District pinnacle- Sen. Russ Fulcher (incumbent)
Raffensperger Loses in Primary for Georgia Governor
Derek Dooley, a son of Georgia football royalty, has advanced to a runoff against Representative Mike Collins. The Republican Senate primary in Georgia has largely boiled down to arguments about who would be the strongest general-election challenger to Senator Jon Ossoff. Dooley was in competition with Representative Buddy Carter for the second spot.
House Passes Housing Bill, Uniting on a Measure to Bring Down Costs
The House version of the bill would not allow more than 350 houses to be built. The Senate version would allow the number of homes to be increased to 350. The bill is expected to be voted on in the next few weeks by both houses of the House and the Senate. The House version would not include a ban on the sale of homes.
The Justice Department announced a $1.776 billion fund that could compensate the president's allies who say they were unfairly targeted by the federal government. The fund has, not surprisingly, drawn the ire of many prominent Democrats, who have pledged that Republicans who support the scheme will pay a political price. CNN's Jake Tapper appeared taken aback when presented with the ways in which President Donald Trump’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund” may be used.
US indicts former Cuban president Raúl Castro as it seeks to oust regime
Cuban exile leaders insist Raúl Castro's indictment would undermine Cuba’s regime. President Donald Trump has been threatening military action in Cuba ever since U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Cuban-American members of Congress led by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., called on the Trump Justice Department earlier this year to revolve the case.
UK announces 'historic' trade deal with Gulf states in G7 first
At least 19 people were killed and 17 injured in Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon. Israeli forces captured the last vessel linked to the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla had set sail from Turkiye last week as part of renewed efforts to break the maritime blockade.
Justice Dept. Charges Former Cuban President in Fatal Downing of Planes
Ex-Cuba leader Raul Castro, 94, charged with murder, conspiracy to kill Americans in 1996 shootdown of humanitarian planes. U.S. indicts Cuba's Raúl Castro for murder over downing of planes in 1996. Castro and other former senior members of Cuban leadership are being charged.
Senate Votes to Take Up Measure to Force Trump to End Iran War
Trump says U.S. may have to hit Iran 'even harder' if no agreement is struck. Remarks signal a mix of military pressure and diplomatic messaging. Iran made this week repeat demands for control of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of sanctions, and the withdrawal of U.s. troops from the area.
Iran warns it will retaliate beyond the Middle East if the US or Israel attack it again. President Donald Trump said he had held off a major assault in hopes of a peace deal. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Trump was "calling a 'threat' a 'chance for peace'
Here’s How Iran Could Respond to Renewed U.S.-Israeli Strikes
Statement attributed to supreme leader lauds Iranians' "heroic actions" against "terrorist global armies" Statement attributed to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, praised the Iranian peoples' 'heroic action' in the face of two 'terrorist' armies. Khamenei was announced as Iran's new supreme leader after his father was killed in a U.S. or Israeli airstrike on February 28.
Trump Threatens Iran and Then Pulls Back, All in the Same Day
US sanctions Iran currency exchange house, 19 vessels. The penalties also target those front companies, as well as several exchange house owners and families. The move is the latest move in the Trump administration’s campaign to exert enough economic pressure on Tehran that it capitulates to U.S. conditions.
All the Republicans Trump Has Taken Down in Midterm Primaries
The Louisville chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America endorsed a slate of four candidates across several state and local races. All but one made it out of their primaries. And in the race for Louisville mayor, Shameka Parrish-Wright, also endorsed by Louisville DSA, advanced to the general election.
Senate Primary in Alabama to Replace Tommy Tuberville Heads to Runoff
Former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein has won the Republican primary in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District over Rep. Thomas Massie, NBC News projects. Massie faces a Trump-backed challenger in one of the cycle's highest-profile House races. The win is another win for President Donald Trump in his push to eliminate political rivals and roadblocks within his own party.
Former Atlanta Mayor Wins Democratic Primary for Georgia Governor
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic nomination in the Georgia governor race on Tuesday, May 19, multiple outlets projected. The former mayor of Atlanta avoided a runoff and became only the second African-American woman to win a major party nomination for governor in U.S. history.
Andy Barr Wins Republican Primary for McConnell’s Seat in Kentucky
Rep. Andy Barr won the Republican primary in the race for retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell's seat. Barr has represented Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District in Congress since 2013. Barr told the Kentucky Lantern that he views his endorsement from Trump as a sign that he can “be a more effective senator.”
5 Things to Know About Jon Ossoff, Democratic Senate Candidate in Georgia
GOP candidates in some races, including Tuberville’s Senate seat, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, will likely be headed to a June 16 runoff. Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell and Katherine Robertson, Chief Counsel to Attorney General Steve Marshall, are heading to a runoff. Georgia Republicans are looking for a challenger to Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff.
Son of Mango Fashion Chain’s Founder Is Arrested as Suspect in His Death
Isak Andic died at the age of 71. He leaves behind a wife and three children. Isak and his wife had been married for more than 20 years. The couple had a son, who died in a car crash in 2010. The son was also killed in the crash.
Three Toronto police officers arrested over sexual assault in Barcelona
Suspension without pay for police officers has only been an option since 2024 when an overhaul of Ontario's policing laws came into effect. Officers suspended with pay may still be allowed to continue non-public-facing police work, under the law, if approved by the police chief. For a police officer to be suspended without pay there are very specific conditions that must be met under the Community Policing Act.
Bodies of Last 2 Missing Italian Divers Recovered in the Maldives
Five Italians went missing during a diving incident in an underwater cave in the Maldives on Thursday, May 14. One body was recovered the same day the group went missing, with the other four members weren't located until days later. Authorities plan to repatriate the victims to Italy and investigate the circumstances of the tragic incident.
Thailand cuts visa-free stay period for more than 90 countries including UK
Foreigners have been arrested for a range of crimes in recent months. These include drug-related offences, sex trafficking, and illegal business operations. There is also concern about foreigners overstaying and operating without proper permits in tourist hotspots such as hotels and schools. In recent years, incidents of tourists behaving badly have been reported.
What we know about the San Diego mosque attack suspects
The two suspects in the gun attack on a San Diego mosque shared a "broad hatred" of multiple religions and racial groups, authorities have said. "He is a true hero, a martyr," said the mother of one of the suspects. "We were just flabbergasted,” she added of finding out about the attack.
Same but different: how Xi and China welcomed Trump and Putin
Putin could use the visit to push for progress on the major "Power of Siberia 2" natural gas pipeline. The pipeline would carry 50 billion cubic metres of gas per year from Russia to China via Mongolia. Moscow had signalled ahead of the visit that it was seeking further energy agreements with China.
Iran Threatens to Strike Beyond the Middle East if the U.S. Resumes Attacks
Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Index closed lower today, hitting a near 3-week low. Investors continued to take profits in AI-related stocks that had fueled the market's recent rally. The benchmark index notched its fifth straight session of losses. Real estate and financial stocks led the declines on Wednesday.
Harvard Caps A’s as Selective Colleges Attack Grade Inflation
Faculty members at Harvard University voted in recent days to cap the number of top grades they are permitted to award to undergraduate students. The move is an attempt to reduce grade inflation at one of America’s most prestigious colleges. In the 2024-25 school year, about two-thousands of students will receive A's at Harvard.
The French Civil Servant Accused of Drugging More Than 100 Women
Investigators have identified 248 potential victims, with 180 women formally joining the case as civil parties. In a 2019 interview with a French national newspaper, Nègre acknowledged that he had drugged ‘10 or 20’ women. He did not identify the individuals and has not made any public statements since. According to testimony from former colleagues presented in court, his behavior was so well known within the ministry that coworkers had given him the nickname “the photographer.
Which Countries Are Profiting From the Iran War Oil Shock
Mr Sawan said Shell joint venture “has the opportunity to bring gas that is home-grown to the UK before the end of the year, and that’s a real opportunity’ The latest plea from Mr Sawan follows months of uncertainty regarding both the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea and the Rosebank oil field off Shetland.
Jeff Bezos says there is ‘no truth’ to the ‘buy borrow die’ tax strategy
The bottom half of U.S. taxpayers currently pays about 3% of federal income taxes. Bezos says eliminating those taxes could ease financial strain and encourage entrepreneurship. Some Democratic lawmakers are proposing a 2% tax on ultra-wealthy households and trusts, plus an extra 1% on billionaires' wealth.
The deal includes a reduction to US tariffs on Chinese goods and a pause to Beijing's restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals and magnets. Chinese officials stressed that the objective is to prevent future tariff escalations and to ensure that any new US trade measures remain within agreed ceilings. These included US reciprocal tariffs, Chinese countermeasures, export controls and restrictions affecting sectors such as maritime logistics and shipbuilding.
