A US appeals court rejected unions' attempt to prevent the Trump administration's "department of government efficiency" (Doge) from accessing sensitive American data. The 2-1 decision overturned a lower court injunction, allowing Doge access to data at the Education, Treasury, and Personnel Management departments. The court found the unions hadn't...
New York's upcoming mayoral and gubernatorial elections are shaping up to be challenging for centrist Democrats. A Siena Institute poll shows Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani leading Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral race by 19 points, while Governor Kathy Hochul's lead over Elise Stefanik in the gubernatorial race has shrunk...
The Trump administration released a significantly revised annual human rights report, downplaying criticism of allies like Israel and El Salvador while increasing condemnation of adversaries such as Brazil and South Africa. Entire sections on government corruption and LGBTQ+ persecution were removed, reducing the report's scope. Former officials criticized...
Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized the planned recognition of a Palestinian state by several Western countries in September, arguing it's mistimed given the ongoing Gaza crisis. He believes prioritizing the release of hostages, ending the conflict, and averting famine should take precedence. While acknowledging the need...
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's affiliation with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), a conservative Christian network, has sparked controversy. Hegseth publicly endorsed CREC's views, including its opposition to women's suffrage, as expressed by CREC co-founder Doug Wilson. Wilson, a proponent of Christian nationalism and patriarchy, believes the 19th...
Former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown will run for Senate in 2026, challenging incumbent Republican Jon Husted. Brown narrowly lost his last Senate race, but Democrats believe his working-class appeal could help them compete in a traditionally Republican state. His candidacy is seen as crucial for Democrats hoping to...
Ukrainian President Zelensky refuses to cede eastern Ukrainian land to Russia, warning that doing so would invite further Russian aggression. This comes ahead of a meeting between Putin and Trump in Alaska, where Putin is expected to demand Ukrainian territory as part of a peace deal. Zelensky emphasizes the...
The Trump administration is launching a comprehensive review of the Smithsonian Institution's exhibitions, materials, and operations ahead of the US's 250th anniversary in 2026. A White House letter mandates that the Smithsonian's programming reflect "unity, progress, and enduring values." This follows an earlier executive order aiming to eliminate "improper,...
A New Yorker investigation reveals that Donald Trump and his family have amassed over $3.4 billion during his presidency through various lucrative ventures, including real estate deals, cryptocurrency ventures, and merchandise sales. These deals, including those in the Middle East and with memecoins, were facilitated by his position. The...
The Trump administration accused George Washington University of violating federal civil rights law by being deliberately indifferent to antisemitic protests targeting Jewish, American-Israeli, and Israeli students and faculty. The Department of Justice found the university's response inadequate to the hostile environment created during April and May 2024 pro-Palestinian demonstrations. ...
