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The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, walked into the Senate on Tuesday to defend the Trump administration’s $87.6bn supplemental funding request, facing lawmakers furious that the US-Israel war on Iran is costing far more than the White House has admitted.
Why it matters: The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, walked into the Senate on Tuesday to defend the Trump administration’s $87.6bn supplemental funding request, facing lawmakers furious that the US-Israel war on Iran is costing far more than the White House has admitted.
A State Department report released on Monday said China maintained a “persistent intelligence-gathering presence” in Cuba, whose location gives Beijing potential access to electronic communications, military installations and maritime activity in the southeastern United States.
Why it matters: A State Department report released on Monday said China maintained a “persistent intelligence-gathering presence” in Cuba, whose location gives Beijing potential access to electronic communications, military installations and maritime activity in the southeastern United States.
But some of the newly released documents are tied to a company that largely isn't used in the United States, and experts say voting machines are subject to intense controls.
Why it matters: But some of the newly released documents are tied to a company that largely isn't used in the United States, and experts say voting machines are subject to intense controls.
Since before Trump returned to the White House, he has made his goal to expand north known, calling Canada the “51st State” and insisting the US needed to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, for “national security purposes.” Trump continued his pitch to gain control of Canada and Greenland, and even threw Venezuela into the mix, with an edited photo of him showing European leaders in the Oval Office a map of the countries with an American flag superimposed over them.
Why it matters: Since before Trump returned to the White House, he has made his goal to expand north known, calling Canada the “51st State” and insisting the US needed to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, for “national security purposes.” Trump continued his pitch to gain control of Canada and Greenland, and even threw Venezuela into the mix, with an edited photo of him showing European leaders in the Oval Office a map of the countries with an American flag superimposed over them.
McConnell, 84, said in a statement that he was "briefly unconscious" around the time he was first taken to the hospital and has undergone a battery of tests to try and determine what led to his fall.
Why it matters: McConnell, 84, said in a statement that he was "briefly unconscious" around the time he was first taken to the hospital and has undergone a battery of tests to try and determine what led to his fall.
The subpoenas seek to compel the journalists to appear before a federal grand jury in New York City on Wednesday, according to the Times.
Why it matters: The subpoenas seek to compel the journalists to appear before a federal grand jury in New York City on Wednesday, according to the Times.
The public cost is that the public risks being misled about the true state of the conflict, with lives and resources on the line and no clear path to peace or accountability.
Why it matters: The public cost is that the public risks being misled about the true state of the conflict, with lives and resources on the line and no clear path to peace or accountability.
The public cost is that the early lead by high-profile candidates could limit the range of choices for voters and reinforce the dominance of political insiders.
Why it matters: The public cost is that the early lead by high-profile candidates could limit the range of choices for voters and reinforce the dominance of political insiders.
Florida is heading into a redistricting fight that could change who controls the U.S. House. The real issue is not just lines on a map; it is whether state power gets used to lo...
Why it matters: Florida is heading into a redistricting fight that could change who controls the U.S. House. The real issue is not just lines on a map; it is whether state power gets used to lo...
The U.S. has reportedly burned through billions of dollars in critical weapons supplies during the Iran war. That matters now because war costs do not stay on the battlefield. T...
Why it matters: The U.S. has reportedly burned through billions of dollars in critical weapons supplies during the Iran war. That matters now because war costs do not stay on the battlefield. T...
EU leaders have agreed to prepare a blueprint for using their mutual assistance pact as Donald Trump attacks NATO and casts doubt on the alliance’s reliability. The move shows h...
Why it matters: EU leaders have agreed to prepare a blueprint for using their mutual assistance pact as Donald Trump attacks NATO and casts doubt on the alliance’s reliability. The move shows h...
Insurers are pulling back coverage for popular obesity drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, and millions of patients are getting squeezed. This matters now because coverage rules can...
Why it matters: Insurers are pulling back coverage for popular obesity drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, and millions of patients are getting squeezed. This matters now because coverage rules can...
Iran is still weighing whether to enter talks as the ceasefire window narrows, while Trump says it is time for negotiation. That matters because a missed deal could push the con...
Why it matters: Iran is still weighing whether to enter talks as the ceasefire window narrows, while Trump says it is time for negotiation. That matters because a missed deal could push the con...
China has opened a massive new plasma mill that could help it make the ultra-fine powders used in advanced military and tech manufacturing. That matters because control over the...
Why it matters: China has opened a massive new plasma mill that could help it make the ultra-fine powders used in advanced military and tech manufacturing. That matters because control over the...
The U.S. is watching Iran’s highly enriched uranium closely. That stockpile keeps the nuclear standoff alive and raises the stakes for U.S. policy. What happens next could shape...
Why it matters: The U.S. is watching Iran’s highly enriched uranium closely. That stockpile keeps the nuclear standoff alive and raises the stakes for U.S. policy. What happens next could shape...
Analilia Mejia won New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District and will head to Congress. The special election matters because every House seat now shapes a fragile majority and th...
Why it matters: Analilia Mejia won New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District and will head to Congress. The special election matters because every House seat now shapes a fragile majority and th...
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended his record and Trump’s proposed budget cuts in a House hearing on Wednesday. The hearing mattered because it put federal health l...
Why it matters: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended his record and Trump’s proposed budget cuts in a House hearing on Wednesday. The hearing mattered because it put federal health l...
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are briefing the public on the war with Iran. This matters because war decisions are not just foreign pol...
Why it matters: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are briefing the public on the war with Iran. This matters because war decisions are not just foreign pol...
Federal records say campaign money tied to Ruben Gallego and Eric Swalwell was spent at Puerto Rico resorts during Gallego’s wedding weekend. The episode matters because it rais...
Why it matters: Federal records say campaign money tied to Ruben Gallego and Eric Swalwell was spent at Puerto Rico resorts during Gallego’s wedding weekend. The episode matters because it rais...
The Iran war talks are slipping as Donald Trump’s deadline looms over the negotiating table. That matters because the talks are not drifting in a vacuum. A presidential clock is...
Why it matters: The Iran war talks are slipping as Donald Trump’s deadline looms over the negotiating table. That matters because the talks are not drifting in a vacuum. A presidential clock is...
President Trump's new budget proposal asks Congress for $1.5 trillion in defense spending — a 42% increase — while cutting nondefense spending by $73 billion, or 10%. This budge...
Why it matters: President Trump's new budget proposal asks Congress for $1.5 trillion in defense spending — a 42% increase — while cutting nondefense spending by $73 billion, or 10%. This budge...
Trump’s budget plan would push defense spending up by $445 billion while cutting other programs by 10%. That is not just a budget tweak. It is a blunt statement about who gets p...
Why it matters: Trump’s budget plan would push defense spending up by $445 billion while cutting other programs by 10%. That is not just a budget tweak. It is a blunt statement about who gets p...
Mark Sanford has filed to run again for his old U.S. House seat in South Carolina. His return puts a familiar political figure back in the middle of a race shaped by power, part...
Why it matters: Mark Sanford has filed to run again for his old U.S. House seat in South Carolina. His return puts a familiar political figure back in the middle of a race shaped by power, part...
Calvert County Public Schools has awarded a $1.57 million contract to repair part of the HVAC system in its administration building. It matters because this is public money bein...
Why it matters: Calvert County Public Schools has awarded a $1.57 million contract to repair part of the HVAC system in its administration building. It matters because this is public money bein...
Florida — Democrats pulled off another upset in Florida, winning a normally very Republican state Senate district in West Tampa. Navy veteran and electrical workers union leader...
Why it matters: Florida — Democrats pulled off another upset in Florida, winning a normally very Republican state Senate district in West Tampa. Navy veteran and electrical workers union leader...
Sacramento City Unified School District has approved spending up to $400,000 on consultants to help deal with a $108 million deficit. That is not a small fix. It is a sign that...
Why it matters: Sacramento City Unified School District has approved spending up to $400,000 on consultants to help deal with a $108 million deficit. That is not a small fix. It is a sign that...
A national right-wing PAC is flooding Wisconsin school board races with outside money. That matters because local school boards control real decisions about classrooms, budgets,...
Why it matters: A national right-wing PAC is flooding Wisconsin school board races with outside money. That matters because local school boards control real decisions about classrooms, budgets,...
A Democrat won a Florida state House seat in Donald Trump’s home district, flipping a seat Republicans had held easily. The result matters because it shows a crack in GOP contro...
Why it matters: A Democrat won a Florida state House seat in Donald Trump’s home district, flipping a seat Republicans had held easily. The result matters because it shows a crack in GOP contro...
Congress keeps running up America’s debt while pretending the problem is someone else’s fault. That matters because the longer lawmakers dodge real budget choices, the more they...
Why it matters: Congress keeps running up America’s debt while pretending the problem is someone else’s fault. That matters because the longer lawmakers dodge real budget choices, the more they...
The Sumter County Board of Education has called a meeting to deal with pressing local issues. That matters because school board meetings are where local power turns into rules,...
Why it matters: The Sumter County Board of Education has called a meeting to deal with pressing local issues. That matters because school board meetings are where local power turns into rules,...
A federal judge in Texas dismissed X’s lawsuit against advertisers it accused of organizing a boycott. The ruling cuts off one of X’s key legal attacks on the companies that pul...
Why it matters: A federal judge in Texas dismissed X’s lawsuit against advertisers it accused of organizing a boycott. The ruling cuts off one of X’s key legal attacks on the companies that pul...
A former Miami-Dade School Board vice chair is set to go on trial over claims she used district funds for personal expenses. The case matters because it is not just about one ac...
Why it matters: A former Miami-Dade School Board vice chair is set to go on trial over claims she used district funds for personal expenses. The case matters because it is not just about one ac...
Pennsylvania lawmakers are weighing a bill that would keep public notices tied to print newspapers instead of moving them fully online. The fight is not just about format. It is...
Why it matters: Pennsylvania lawmakers are weighing a bill that would keep public notices tied to print newspapers instead of moving them fully online. The fight is not just about format. It is...
Bridgewater Township leaders spent a long meeting on budget priorities, redevelopment plans, and resident concerns. That matters because these are the rooms where local power tu...
Why it matters: Bridgewater Township leaders spent a long meeting on budget priorities, redevelopment plans, and resident concerns. That matters because these are the rooms where local power tu...
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is getting hit with a conservative revolt over her plan for a massive new prison south of the Arkansas River. The fight matters because it i...
Why it matters: Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is getting hit with a conservative revolt over her plan for a massive new prison south of the Arkansas River. The fight matters because it i...
Chicago is staring at a budget gap of more than $1 billion, and the pressure is landing on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration. This is not just a number on a spreadsheet. It...
Why it matters: Chicago is staring at a budget gap of more than $1 billion, and the pressure is landing on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration. This is not just a number on a spreadsheet. It...
The Coachella Valley Unified School District is drawing heat after laying off teachers while board members approved raises and records showed heavy spending on trips and other e...
Why it matters: The Coachella Valley Unified School District is drawing heat after laying off teachers while board members approved raises and records showed heavy spending on trips and other e...
John Ratcliffe said U.S. intelligence had warned that Iran could target U.S. assets if Israel attacked first. That matters because a regional war could pull U.S. forces, diploma...
Why it matters: John Ratcliffe said U.S. intelligence had warned that Iran could target U.S. assets if Israel attacked first. That matters because a regional war could pull U.S. forces, diploma...
Nevada’s 2026 State Board of Regents election will decide five seats on the board that governs the state’s public university system. That matters because these races shape who c...
Why it matters: Nevada’s 2026 State Board of Regents election will decide five seats on the board that governs the state’s public university system. That matters because these races shape who c...
South Carolina officials squandered more than $20 million in taxpayer money, and the state still has not shown real accountability. The damage goes beyond one bad budget line. I...
Why it matters: South Carolina officials squandered more than $20 million in taxpayer money, and the state still has not shown real accountability. The damage goes beyond one bad budget line. I...