U.S. military strikes another suspected drug-carrying boat

The U-S military has struck another suspected drug-carrying boat in the waters off Venezuela.
President Trump said six people aboard the vessel were killed in the strike and no U.S. forces were harmed. It’s the fifth deadly strike in the Caribbean as the Trump administration has asserted it’s treating alleged drug traffickers as unlawful combatants. On Capitol Hill, some Republicans want more information from the White House on the legal justification and details of the strikes.

More tariffs have gone into effect

There’s another batch of goods now affected by import taxes. New tariffs on imported kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and upholstered furniture are now in effect. The Trump administration says the aim is to boost domestic production and to protect American companies. These latest tariffs are prompting concerns among some small business owners who worry that higher-priced cabinets will lead potential customers to delay renovations.

Fed Chair Powell hints at more interest rate cuts

The head of the Federal Reserve is hinting at more interest rate cuts. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that a sharp slowdown in hiring poses a growing risk to the U.S. economy. And he said “the outlook for employment and inflation does not appear to have changed much since the September meeting. Those comments suggest that the Fed could cut its key interest rate twice more this year.

Trump, world leaders sign Gaza peace deal in Egypt

President Trump and other world leaders have signed a Gaza peace document at a summit in Egypt. The president told the global summit it’s a monumental moment for the Mideast and the world. And he urged leaders to “put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us.” The president said the next step is rebuilding Gaza.

No signs of government shutdown ending anytime soon

Two weeks into the government shutdown, there are no signs of ending the stalemate anytime soon.
House Speaker Mike Johnson warns that this shutdown could last a while longer. The Pentagon will pay military personnel this week, but many other federal workers are not getting their paychecks. And the White House is carrying out mass firings, with Vice President Vance warning of “painful” cuts ahead.

Trump urges Israel to seize the moment for Mideast peace

Trump asks Israel to pardon Netanyahu on corruption charges

President Trump waded into Israeli domestic politics during his Gaza peace tour in the Middle East. In a surprising turn during his speech to Israel’s parliament, the president called for Netanyahu to be pardoned on corruption charges. Netanyahu became the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to be indicted when he was charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases. But the president declared that the prime minister is “one of the greatest wartime” leaders.

Trump addresses Israel’s parliament after hostages’ release

Trump unhappy with China’s Xi, but still plans to meet

President Trump isn’t calling off a meeting with China’s president just yet. In a Friday social media post, the president said there didn’t seem to be a reason to meet with President Xi Jinping after China announced new trade restrictions on rare earth elements. But later, he told reporters that he’s going to be there regardless.” The two leaders have a planned meeting on an upcoming trip to South Korea. Still, the president is unhappy with his counterpart and he plans to slap an additional 100 percent tariff on Chinese imports.

Trump orders mass firings of furloughed federal workers

A labor union for federal employees is asking a judge to halt the Trump administration’s latest round of mass firings. The American Federation of Government Employees calls it “disgraceful that the Trump administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers.” At least one Republican lawmaker also opposes the cuts. Senator Susan Collins of Maine spoke out against White House plans to fire federal workers who have been furloughed. President Trump said the firings would be focused on Democrat-oriented areas.

Trump to visit Israel, Egypt to mark the Gaza ceasefire

President Trump will travel to the Middle East to attend an official signing of the Gaza ceasefire. The president will first visit Israel before traveling on to Egypt during his upcoming Mideast trip to mark the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal. He expressed confidence that a ceasefire, which went into effect on Friday, will hold. The president also confirmed that he will deliver an address to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, and that he expects to meet with “leaders from all over the world” in Egypt.

Judge blocks Chicago National Guard deployment for 2 weeks

A federal judge is temporarily blocking the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago. In a legal setback for the Trump administration, U-S District Judge April Perry is halting the president from deploying troops in the Chicago area for two weeks. She found no substantial evidence of a serious rebellion in Illinois, and said the Department of Homeland Security’s characterization of the threat “is simply unreliable.”

Tempers flare as Congress fails to end gov’t shutdown

The Senate voted again Thursday on a GOP plan to fund the government and end the shutdown, but it failed for a 7th time. Tempers have been flaring on Capitol Hill and neither side is showing any signs of compromise as the budget stalemate continues. Republicans have seized on comments from the Senate’s top Democrat, Chuck Schumer, who said that Democrats were winning the shutdown fight, saying, “every day gets better for us.” Republicans argued it showed that Schumer’s motivation is purely political.

200 U.S. troops going to Israel to monitor Gaza deal

The United States is sending about 200 troops to Israel to monitor Gaza ceasefire deal. Officials say the troops will be part of a team that includes partner nations, nongovernmental organizations and private sector representatives. They will establish a “civil-military coordination center” in Israel to help facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid, as well as logistical and security assistance.

Congress rolls back mining, drilling restrictions on federal land

The GOP-controlled Congress is rolling back restrictions on mining and drilling on federal land in three Western states. Senate Republicans voted this week to repeal land management plans adopted during the Biden administration for areas in Alaska, Montana and North Dakota. The House approved the appeals last month. President Trump is expected to sign the measures, which critics argue will drive up energy prices and harm the environment.

Trump says Israel, Hamas agree to first phase of peace plan

There’s been a breakthrough in negotiations to end the two-year-old Gaza war. President Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of his plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners. Following announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said, quote: “With God’s help we will bring them all home.” Negotiators have been meeting in Egypt to hash out a U-S-drafted peace plan. The president ended his social media post statement by saying “blessed are the peacemakers.”

Air travel delays increase as gov’t shutdown drags on

As the government shutdown drags on, there’s an increase in air travel delays. Air traffic controllers are federal workers whose jobs are deemed critical and they’re expected to keep working without a paycheck. Some have started calling out sick. A travel industry analyst says the risk of significant disruptions “is growing by the day.” The Federal Aviation Administration reports staffing issues at airports and control centers in several large cities.

Trump calls for jailing Illinois Dem leaders over troops

President Trump is cranking up the rhetoric against Democratic leaders in Illinois. The president wrote online that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, should be jailed for opposing his deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. He claimed that they’re “failing to protect ICE officers.” National Guard troops from Texas are now positioned outside Chicago, despite a lawsuit by the state and city to block their deployment.

Trump: furloughed federal workers may not get back pay

President Trump says back pay for furloughed federal workers may not be guaranteed. In 2019, President Trump signed legislation into law that ensures federal workers receive back pay during a government shutdown. But this week, he said there’s no guarantee that’ll happen this time. The president told reporters that he wants to take “care of our people,” but added that “there are some people that really don’t deserve to be taken care of.”

Trump predicts Canadians will travel to U.S. after trade deal

President Trump predicts that Canadians will travel to the U-S once again after a trade deal is reached. The president made the prediction during an Oval Office meeting with Canada’s prime minister. Donald Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state infuriated our neighbors to the north, who have canceled trips to the U-S in big numbers. There’s been a 23 percent drop in Canadian visits to the U.S. in the first seven months of the year versus the same period in 2024.

White House to use tariff income to boost food aid

The White House says it will use tariff revenue to bolster a food aid program that’s facing funding shortages. The nutrition program for women, infants, and children, known as WIC, is in jeopardy during the federal government shutdown. But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president plans to pay for food aid from tariff income. The WIC program provides vouchers to buy infant formula, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Former surgeons general view RFK Jr. as health “threat”

Six former Surgeons General are sounding the alarm over Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  The former public officials argue that Kennedy poses a “profound, immediate and unprecedented threat” to the nation’s health. In a Washington Post op-ed, the past surgeons general warn that Kennedy’s moves on vaccines, autism, and other issues have undermined the public health system. The half dozen officials were appointed by every Republican and Democratic president since George H.W. Bush.

Senate fails again to pass funding and end shutdown

The Senate failed again to pass government funding and end the shutdown. It was deja vu on Capitol Hill as two votes on funding the government each fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance. The same measures failed last week, which prompted the shutdown and furloughing of hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Republicans and Democrats continue to blame each other for the impasse, but President Trump said the two sides are discussing the sticking point of extending health care subsidies.

Illinois and Chicago sue Trump over National Guard deployment

Illinois and Chicago have filed a lawsuit aiming to stop President Trump’s deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to the Windy City. The president has portrayed Chicago and other U-S cities as war-ravaged and lawless, and argued they need federal involvement. But the lawsuit alleges that Donald Trump’s long-declared “war” on Chicago and Illinois is unlawful and dangerous. A federal judge did not immediately block the deployment of National Guard troops, but gave the Trump administration two days to respond to Illinois’ lawsuit. G