US politics

The United States is set to begin construction of a permanent embassy complex in Jerusalem, moving beyond the temporary facilities used since the embassy's relocation. The project marks a significant physical commitment to the US presence in the city, a move that has long drawn international attention and criticism from Palestinians, who claim East Jerusalem as a future capital.

Sudan's governance remains split as the civil war continues. The army-backed administration controls much of the formal state apparatus, while the Rapid Support Forces exercises authority over territories it holds. Washington has stated that neither side represents legitimate constitutional governance, leaving Sudan with competing authorities but no internationally recognised government, deepening uncertainty over the country's political future.

The White House's ban on certain media outlets has drawn intense scrutiny, with analysts saying Donald Trump's legal position has shifted dramatically as the dispute escalates. Legal experts are unpacking the administration's rationale and its likely clash with press freedom protections, making the story a major talking point across US media and political circles.

Donald Trump is facing a strategic dilemma over the conflict with Iran: continuing a costly military confrontation or pursuing a withdrawal that could carry significant political costs at home. Commentators are weighing the financial burden of the war against the reputational damage a retreat could inflict, with observers questioning how the administration can extricate itself without appearing weak.

Efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran have hit a setback after Iran rejected a proposed seven-day plan, though both sides say diplomatic channels remain open. Deep differences over the nuclear file continue to block progress, with commentators noting domestic political pressures in the United States are complicating the negotiating environment.

Attention is turning to whether Donald Trump could hold another summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, after their earlier meetings made history as the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean ruler. With Trump back in the political spotlight, observers are debating whether fresh diplomacy on Pyongyang's nuclear programme is realistic, and what either side would demand from renewed talks.

United States forces are preparing to withdraw from Iraq, ending a military presence of more than two decades that began with the 2003 invasion. The move marks a major shift in the American footprint in the Middle East and closes a long chapter of US involvement in Iraqi security affairs.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states may use the federal SAVE database to verify the citizenship status of people registering to vote. The decision gives state election officials access to a federal immigration records system for voter roll checks, a step several Republican-led states have sought. Supporters frame it as a safeguard against noncitizen voting; critics warn it risks errors and could deter eligible voters, especially naturalized citizens, from registering.

Iran has stated it has no plans to negotiate with the United States, contradicting claims made by Donald Trump that talks were underway or imminent. The dispute comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, alongside other US political developments including fuel policy, deportations and media matters being followed in live coverage.

Donald Trump said that new US military strikes against Iran are 'not ruled out' ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections, keeping open the possibility of renewed military action. The remark suggests continued tensions between Washington and Tehran even after earlier strikes, and signals that military options remain on the table as the political season intensifies.

Donald Trump is under growing pressure over the war with Iran, according to news coverage in the United States. The reports do not specify the source of the pressure, which could be political, diplomatic or public. Details about the state of the conflict and any response from the White House remain limited.

Indian broadcasters are running rolling live coverage bundling several major developments: a row involving the Election Commission, remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new attack claimed by Yemen's Houthis, and rising US-Iran tensions with talk of possible American military action. The combined coverage suggests a fast-moving news day spanning domestic politics and international security.

The US Department of Justice has announced charges and guilty pleas involving 12 individuals in connection with election crimes. The department disclosed the cases in a public announcement, though details of the specific offenses, jurisdictions, and sentences have not yet been widely reported. The announcement comes amid heightened national attention on election integrity and the enforcement of voting laws ahead of upcoming elections.

President Trump is seeking to withhold $800 million in funding that Congress has already approved, according to Reuters and multiple US news outlets. The move raises fresh questions over executive authority and the separation of powers, as lawmakers from both parties weigh whether the administration can refuse to spend money appropriated by law.

Protests have broken out in Venezuela, with crowds demanding the safe return of an opposition leader and calling for presidential elections. Demonstrators gathered in cities across the country, keeping up pressure on the government of Nicolás Maduro amid a prolonged political crisis. US outlets including ABC News are covering the rallies as international attention on Venezuela's disputed leadership continues.

A company owned by Donald Trump filed trademark applications on Friday for "MAGA" and "45-47", covering streaming apps, television broadcasting, and news and commentary on politics and current events, according to US Patent and Trademark Office records. The filing fuels speculation that Trump is preparing to launch his own media operation, following his earlier ventures into digital platforms.

Sudan says it will not yield to 'pressure or blackmail' after the United States declined to grant a visa to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. Khartoum's authorities denounced the move as political coercion, while the US decision has drawn attention to Washington's strained relations with Sudan's military leadership amid the country's ongoing war.

CNN data analyst Harry Enten has published a roundup examining key US political storylines, including competitive Senate races, Democratic momentum in state elections, and corruption controversies surrounding Donald Trump. The roundup distills polling and electoral data into a snapshot of the current political landscape. It is drawing strong attention as readers look for a data-driven read on the direction of American politics heading into upcoming contests.

Donald Trump has announced plans to create an "AI Force", a new initiative centred on artificial intelligence. Details about the force's structure, funding, and mandate have not yet been laid out, and reactions are focused on what the announcement could mean for US AI policy, national security, and the growing competition with China over AI dominance.

President Trump's push to restrict mail-in voting is placing new pressure on the US Postal Service and its leader, Postmaster General David Steiner, who insists he is 'not political'. The crackdown would rely on the Postal Service to enforce or accommodate tighter voting-by-mail rules, raising questions about whether the agency can stay above the partisan fight over election procedures ahead of future elections.

The US Senate contest in Texas between Ken Paxton and James Talarico is on track to break the state's record for campaign spending in a Senate election. The expensive race is drawing attention to the high-stakes battle for the Senate seat, with both sides raising and spending at unprecedented levels for a Texas federal contest.

An analysis by Our World in Data examines how current immigration to the United States compares with earlier periods of the country's history. It places recent inflows alongside historical migration waves, offering context for today's debate over border policy and immigration levels. Readers are weighing whether present-day immigration is genuinely unprecedented or consistent with past American experience.

The Trump administration is moving to cancel $810 million in federal spending that was previously approved by Congress. The reported plan would rescind funds lawmakers had already allocated, setting up a fresh clash between the White House and Capitol Hill over control of the federal purse. The move is likely to draw legal and political challenges from members of Congress who argue the executive branch cannot unilaterally refuse to spend money appropriated by law.

America's wealthiest donors are funnelling hundreds of millions of dollars into the upcoming midterm elections, with business media now tracking the biggest contributors so far. The spending highlights how billionaire-funded super PACs and large individual donations continue to shape congressional and state races, raising fresh attention on the scale of money in US politics ahead of voting day.

The US Education Department has rescinded the Biden administration's Title IX rule and restored the Trump-era regulations. The Biden rule, finalized in 2024, had expanded protections for LGBTQ+ students and changed how schools handle sexual misconduct complaints. The reversal, announced under the current administration, is expected to prompt legal challenges and reignite debate over the scope of federal civil rights protections in education.

A Bloomberg opinion piece argues that Congress should step in and revise the United States' nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, which it describes as flawed. The article calls on lawmakers to address shortcomings in the deal rather than leave it as negotiated. Debate over US-Saudi nuclear cooperation has been politically sensitive, touching on nonproliferation concerns, regional stability, and the broader relationship with Riyadh.

Elon Musk, in a new interview with CCTV Finance, said he generally recommends people visit China as much as they can, citing the many things to see. He described taking the bullet train from Beijing to Xi'an as a great experience and praised the train stations. The remarks are drawing wide attention given Musk's business ties to China and his political prominence in the United States.

An opinion piece highlights how US election workers are preparing for the midterm elections while also contending with the possibility of confronting armed agents at polling places or election offices. The piece reflects growing anxiety among election officials about intimidation and safety threats as they carry out their duties. It argues that the arrival of armed federal or other agents around election operations could further strain a workforce already under pressure, raising concerns about the conduct and security of the midterms.

Commentary in Internationale Politik Quarterly argues that a confrontation between the European Union and China is increasingly unavoidable. The piece frames growing economic and political friction between Brussels and Beijing as a structural clash rather than a passing dispute, reflecting wider debate in Europe about trade imbalances, market access and how to position the bloc amid US-China rivalry.

Political scientist Norman Finkelstein discussed Harvard's antisemitism inquiry in an interview, questioning the finding that Israeli and Jewish students "don't feel wanted at Harvard". He responded to the university's framing that inclusivity is the remedy, saying he supports being inclusive while disputing how the inquiry characterises antisemitism on campus. The interview is drawing attention amid ongoing US debate over antisemitism at elite universities.

President Trump is moving to withhold spending allocated for immigration, a step that raises immediate questions over presidential authority and Congress's power of the purse. The reported action touches funds tied to immigration programs and enforcement, and it lands amid ongoing disputes over border policy and agency budgets. Observers are weighing the legal implications of withholding money already appropriated by lawmakers, with the story drawing attention across US political media.