2 h. ago Two US fighter jets circle Gulf of Venezuela in escalation of hostilities

Trump had further said Nicolás Maduro’s ‘days are numbered’ as military has targeted alleged drug boatsTwo US fighter jets circled the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, in what appeared to be an escalation of the Trump administration’s ongoing hostilities toward the South American country and its leftist leader, Nicolás Maduro.Venezuelans and South American media followed the flights in real time using websites like FlightRadar24, which showed a pair of F/A-18 Super Hornets flying together into the narrow Gulf of Venezuela for about 40 minutes. The jets flew just north of Maracaibo, Venezuela’s most populous city. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago What are parents to do as doctors clash with Trump administration over vaccines?

The nation’s leading doctors groups are in a standoff with federal health officials over vaccines

Politics

6 h. ago Netflix vs Paramount: politics could decide battle for Warner Bros

Antitrust concerns and ties to Trump administration complicate picture of who may ultimately own media group

Events

6 h. ago Turkish student allowed to resume research after visa revoked by Trump administration

The student said while she is grateful for the court's decision, she feels “a great deal of grief”

Politics

7 h. ago Trump administration moves to end student loan payment pause for millions. Here’s what it means for borrowers

Borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan will have to select new repayment options if the agreement is approved

Politics

7 h. ago Top Democrat calls on Trump administration to release full video of ‘double

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said that if the administration thinks that their ‘actions are justifiable, what are they hiding from the American people?’A federal judge in New York has granted the justice department’s request to unseal grand jury documents in the sex-trafficking case against Ghislaine Maxwell – the companion and accomplice of the late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein. It comes after the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Donald Trump signed last month.The legislation requires the Department of Justice to release the full tranche of records related to disgraced financier, in a searchable format by 19 December. Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Trump administration threatens Chicago with risk of losing funding for public transit

Chicago and other Democratic-led cities have been the focus of intense criticism from Trump and his administration

Events

11 h. ago The urgent lesson that Keir Starmer must learn from Donald Trump’s new security strategy

The US National Security Strategy suggests the Trump administration plans to support far and hard-right parties in European countries, while leaving it to its own defences

Politics

13 h. ago Jon Stewart on Fifa’s peace prize: ‘An entirely fictitious golden butt plug’

Late-night hosts discussed Fifa’s award to Donald Trump as his administration escalates tensions with VenezuelaLate-night hosts mocked Donald Trump for gleefully accepting the inaugural Fifa peace prize ahead of the World Cup in the US. Continue reading...

Events

13 h. ago Judge: Turkish student who criticized Israel can resume research at Tufts after visa revocation

A federal judge has allowed a Tufts University student from Turkey to resume research and teaching while she challenges her arrest and detention by the Trump administration

Politics

17 h. ago German leader says US strategy shows the need for more European security independence

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the Trump administration’s new national security strategy underscores the need for Europe to become “much more independent” from the United States in terms of security policy

Politics

17 h. ago Trump is remodeling Washington to fit his twisted vision of America | Judith Levine

The administration is offloading gems of US architecture while redesigning the city to match the president’s valuesWhile the original architect of Donald Trump’s ever-expanding ballroom steps down and preservationists panic over the fate of New Deal murals inside the Social Security Administration building, the president gushes about painting the granite Eisenhower Executive Office Building white, “fixing” the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and erecting his own Arc de Triomphe.To peruse the plans for a Trump-era capital district alongside the General Services Administration’s list of assets identified for accelerated disposition – the federal buildings slated for off-loading – is to discern a diagram of Trump’s values.Judith Levine is a Brooklyn-based journalist, essayist and author of five books. Her Substack is Today in Fascism Continue reading...

Politics

23 h. ago Trump has declared civilisational war on Europe. It won’t be easy – but here’s how to fight back | Paul Taylor

With democratic values under attack from populists within and former allies without, there are no simple solutionsThree decades after political philosopher Francis Fukuyama declared the End of History and the “universalisation of western liberal democracy as the final form of human government”, the democratic model is under attack in many parts of the world, not least here in Europe. Populists bent on weakening the rule of law, rolling back human rights protections, subjugating the judiciary and cowing independent journalism are amplified by anything-goes social media algorithms that promote anger and polarisation over rational discourse.They have now received a mandate from the Trump administration, which effectively declared civilisational war on the EU and its values in its National Security Strategy.Paul Taylor is a senior visiting fellow at the European Policy Centre Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago Laura Loomer contradicts Trump administration on deadly ‘narco boat’ strikes

Far-right activist points out that evidence suggests a large portion of the fentanyl entering the U.S. comes from Mexico – not from Venezuela

Events

34 h. ago Mother of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew rejects White House portrayal of her after ICE arrest

Bruna Ferreira, who was released from ICE custody Monday on bond, denies claims that she’s an absentee parentThe Brazilian-born mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew – who was recently detained by US immigration authorities – has rejected the Trump administration’s characterizations of her as an absentee parent.Bruna Ferreira, who was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in November during a traffic stop in Massachusetts and was being held at a Louisiana detention center, said in an interview with the Washington Post that the White House’s statements that she had never lived with her son or spoken with Leavitt “in many years” were incorrect. Continue reading...

Events

34 h. ago US supreme court conservatives appear poised to back Trump in case that tests president’s ability to fire officials – live

Lawyer for fired FTC member says removal protection ‘has been part of our story since 1790’; Trump administration argues 90-year precedent ‘must be overruled’In a statement, Pamela Smith said she was “deeply humbled, grateful and deeply appreciative” of her time in her role, which she described as the “greatest honor” of her career. She gave thanks to the mayor for appointing her in 2023 and supporting her throughout her tenure, which she acknowledged had been both “challenging and rewarding”.Smith adds that “tremendous progress” has been made but the city is not at “zero percent crime” yet.I am confident that the department is in a strong position and that the great work will continue, moving in a positive trajectory to combat crime and enhance public safety. Washington, DC is an extraordinary place to live, visit, and work, and I remain inspired by the resilience and spirit of this community.I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity as Chief of Police....

Politics

37 h. ago US park service to offer free entry on Trump’s birthday but revokes it for MLK Day and Juneteenth

Civil rights leaders decry administration’s move to downplay Black American history and promote presidentThe US’s National Park Service (NPS) will offer free admission to US residents on Donald Trump’s birthday in 2026 – which also happens to be Flag Day – but is eliminating the benefit for Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth.The new list of free admission days for Americans is the latest example of the Trump administration downplaying America’s civil rights history while also promoting the president’s image, name and legacy. Continue reading...

Politics

37 h. ago US supreme court hears arguments in case that tests Trump’s ability to fire officials – live

Trump administration argues that 90-year precedent that stops presidents from removing officers ‘must be overruled’In a statement, Pamela Smith said she was “deeply humbled, grateful and deeply appreciative” of her time in her role, which she described as the “greatest honor” of her career. She gave thanks to the mayor for appointing her in 2023 and supporting her throughout her tenure, which she acknowledged had been both “challenging and rewarding”.Smith adds that “tremendous progress” has been made but the city is not at “zero percent crime” yet.I am confident that the department is in a strong position and that the great work will continue, moving in a positive trajectory to combat crime and enhance public safety. Washington, DC is an extraordinary place to live, visit, and work, and I remain inspired by the resilience and spirit of this community.I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity as Chief of Police. It has been an honor to lead the men and w...

Politics

39 h. ago Authorities monitor online criticism of New Orleans immigration crackdown

Officials track public sentiment, noting negative impact of ‘videos with sounds of children crying’ as parents arrestedState and federal authorities are closely tracking online criticism and protests against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in New Orleans, monitoring message boards around the clock for threats to agents while compiling regular updates on public “sentiment” surrounding the arrests, according to law enforcement records reviewed by the Associated Press.The intelligence gathering comes even as officials have released few details about the first arrests made last week as part of “Catahoula Crunch”, prompting calls for greater transparency from local officials who say they have been kept in the dark about virtually every aspect of the operation. Continue reading...

Culture

39 h. ago Ignorance is BS: speaker’s stock answer on Trump’s misdeeds is ‘I don’t know’

Mike Johnson’s denials of knowledge of presidential scandals strain credulity – but may be an effective tacticThe US House speaker, Mike Johnson, has developed a go-to response when asked about something controversial Donald Trump or members of his administration said or did.It’s some version of “I don’t know anything about that.” Continue reading...

Politics