May 20, 2025

GOP panel clears Trump’s tax and spending package after weekend vote

House Republicans advanced a sweeping tax and spending package backed by President Donald Trump, clearing a significant hurdle late Sunday, May 19, in a rare night session of the House Budget Committee. The bill would make Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent; add new tax exemptions for tips and overtime pay; boost military and border spending; […]

May 20, 2025

Two social media influencers killed days apart in similar attacks

Two young Latin American influencers were fatally shot within days of each other, and now, both killings are under investigation as possible femicides. Maria Jose Estupiñan of Colombia and Valeria Márquez of Mexico collectively had nearly 200,000 followers on social media. But their recent deaths have sparked international concern over rising violence targeting women with […]

May 20, 2025

Trump, Putin set for call on Ukraine ceasefire plan

President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, May 19, in an attempt to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Ukraine. The call, set for 10 a.m. EST, follows the first direct peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in over three years, held last week in […]

May 20, 2025

Ukraine and Russia to ‘immediately’ start ceasefire talks after Putin call

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a closely watched call Monday, May 19, with both leaders saying they made progress toward ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. Trump added that the Vatican’s new pontiff expressed interest in hosting the pending negotiations to help end the “bloodbath.”  Call between Trump and Putin  […]

May 20, 2025

Supreme Court allows US to pull protection for 350,000 Venezuelans

In an unsigned order, offering no reason or rationale, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration can end protections for a group of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan immigrants, at least for now. While not final, it allows the Trump administration to move forward with its plan. These 350,000 Venezuelan immigrants were living […]

May 20, 2025

Top FBI officials reject conspiracy theory on Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide

The FBI’s top two officials have repudiated one of the most persistent conspiracy theories on far-right social media: that accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein did not take his own life. Their statements, however, stirred even more doubt among many who believe Epstein was the victim of shadowy forces that control the federal government. In an […]

May 20, 2025

Judge rules Trump, DOGE illegally dismantled US Institute of Peace

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled on Monday, May 19 that the actions undertaken by President Donald Trump’s administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in unilaterally closing down the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) were illegal, unconstitutional and beyond the statutory limits of federal executive power. In the […]

May 20, 2025

New Mexico man acquitted in self-defense case after 2 years in jail

A New Mexico District Court jury found Francisco Javier Grado-Flores not guilty of murder in the death of his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend, bringing an end to a case that kept him behind bars for two years. The verdict on May 13 answered the question of whether Grado-Flores was justified in shooting and killing Raul Rene Montejano […]

May 20, 2025

7 of 10 New Orleans jail escapees are still on the run

A massive manhunt continues for 7 of the 10 escapees who broke out of the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Friday, May 16. The men range in age from 19 to 42, and are facing various felony charges including murder, aggravated assault and domestic battery. Does law enforcement have any leads at […]

May 20, 2025

China’s role in Pakistan-India conflict deeper than previously known

China appears to have played a more active role in Pakistan’s recent clash with India than previously known. Ashok Kumar of the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), a think tank tied to India’s Defence Ministry, said Chinese advisers helped Pakistan realign its air defenses and adjust satellite coverage. If confirmed, these reports point to […]