JQJO — Politics news · Page 809

Despite being detained at The Hague for his drug war, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was elected mayor of Davao City. Early results show two of his loyal aides re-elected to the Senate. The midterm elections saw a fierce rivalry between the Duterte and Marcos dynasties, with the Vice President's, Sara Duterte's, political future uncertain pending impeachment proceedings. Unexpectedly, independent candidates performed strongly, defying pre-election polls. Duterte's family maintained its stronghold in Davao, with his son elected vice-mayor and another son re-elected as congressman.

Iowa Rep. Randy Feenstra announced his candidacy for governor on Monday, joining a crowded Republican primary field. This follows Gov. Kim Reynolds' decision not to seek re-election. Feenstra's entry could lead to a high-profile contest, potentially against Attorney General Brenna Bird, seen as President Trump's preferred candidate. On the Democratic side, State Auditor Rob Sand also entered the race. The Iowa gubernatorial race is considered significant, attracting national attention and potential 2028 presidential hopefuls.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced stricter immigration rules, aiming to curb what he termed a "failed experiment in open borders." The new measures, requiring Parliament's approval, will tighten work, family, and student visa requirements. Critics, including migrant rights advocates and some within Starmer's own party, condemned his rhetoric as far-right and potentially inflammatory. The changes, expected to reduce visa issuance by roughly 10%, follow a post-Brexit surge in immigration and aim to address concerns about social cohesion and workforce investment. While addressing legal immigration, the plan doesn't tackle illegal immigration, a separate concern for many Britons.

President Trump's 30-day deadline for a decisive victory against Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has yielded disappointing results. Despite a stepped-up bombing campaign costing approximately $1 billion in the first month, the U.S. failed to achieve air superiority. Houthi forces continue to shoot down American drones and attack naval vessels, leaving the military engagement inconclusive and raising concerns about another costly, drawn-out conflict in the Middle East.

President Trump issued an executive order aiming to lower prescription drug prices in the US. The order cites the high cost of drugs in the US compared to other developed nations, arguing that Americans are subsidizing lower prices elsewhere. It directs various agencies to negotiate lower prices with drug manufacturers, potentially using the 'most-favored-nation' pricing model. Failure to comply could result in further government action, including potential import regulations and antitrust lawsuits. The order aims to ensure fair pricing for American patients.

The Trump administration launched an investigation into California's Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, issuing a subpoena to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services. The investigation aims to determine if ineligible immigrants received federal benefits. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated the goal is to identify abuse and ensure undocumented immigrants aren't receiving financial incentives. Legal experts express concern over the subpoena's broad scope, fearing a chilling effect on immigrant communities and potential misuse of collected data. The investigation follows a presidential memorandum aiming to prevent undocumented immigrants from accessing Social Security benefits.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan, effective July 12, 2025. The decision, following an interagency review, cites improved security and economic conditions in Afghanistan as reasons for ending the designation. The Secretary stated that the termination aligns with the original intent of TPS and is in the national interest, also noting concerns about fraud and threats to public safety among some TPS recipients. Afghan nationals will be required to return to their home country.

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, announced his gubernatorial bid, emphasizing public service over partisan politics. His campaign video highlighted his auditing and prosecutorial experience, omitting his party affiliation. Sand, a political outlier in increasingly conservative Iowa, seeks to counter the Republican dominance under Governor Reynolds, who has overseen stricter laws on abortion, transgender rights, and school books, while limiting Sand's office's power. Despite a narrow reelection win in 2022, Sand aims to capitalize on Iowans' desire for improved governance.

Donald Trump's former lawyer, Todd Blanche, has been appointed acting Librarian of Congress, replacing Carla Hayden, who was fired. The White House's decision to remove Hayden, the first Black and first female Librarian of Congress, has drawn criticism. Brian Nieves and Paul Perkins have also been appointed to acting roles within the Library of Congress, following the removal of other officials deemed opposed to Trump's agenda. The changes are part of a broader purge of officials by the Trump administration.

Georgia has enacted a law shielding pesticide manufacturers, like Bayer, from lawsuits alleging failure to warn of potential dangers, making it the second state after North Dakota to do so. The law protects manufacturers adhering to federal labeling requirements, impacting lawsuits claiming Bayer's Roundup weed killer causes cancer. While the EPA deems glyphosate, Roundup's key ingredient, unlikely carcinogenic when used as directed, Bayer has set aside $16 billion for settlements. The Georgia law, effective January 1st, won't affect existing cases. Bayer advocates for glyphosate's importance in agriculture, citing potential impacts on crop yields and food costs if its use is restricted.