Hockney, one of the UK's most important and influential artists, has died at the age of 88.
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MadAboutPolitics.com - Featured News
Featured News
Today's Political News Compilation - Thursday, May 11, 2026
Congress is heading out of town, having not renewed FISA Section 702 on time for the first time in its history.Kevin Carter / Getty Images
FISA spying power scheduled to expire as House fails to extend it before leaving town
By Sahil Kapur, Brennan Leach, Frank Thorp V and Kyle StewartWASHINGTON — A powerful surveillance tool backed by the intelligence community is scheduled to expire Friday after the House failed to pass an extension and left town for 12 days.
It would be the first time Congress has allowed Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to lapse since the law passed in 2008. It grants the government powers to spy on foreign nationals living abroad as part of counterterrorism efforts without requiring warrants.
Congress has struggled for months to reach a deal that placates privacy hawks on the left and the right, who demand restraints they say are necessary to prevent the law from being abused. They argue that there are insufficient guardrails on the government’s sweeping up private information about Americans.
Last week, President Donald Trump disrupted already fragile negotiations for a long-term renewal of Section 702 by tapping housing official Bill Pulte to be acting director of national intelligence. Pulte is a Trump ally with no intelligence background who’s known for targeting Trump critics with mortgage fraud investigations. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Republicans who pushed Epstein files release see political careers upended by Trump
Only one of the four House Republicans behind the Epstein files law will return to Congress next year. “Everybody’s paying a price for it,” Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said.
www.nbcnews.comTrump calls off latest threats to strike Iran, cites breakthrough in talks to end the war
U.S. President Donald Trump has called off new military strikes on Iran, hours after threatening to escalate the war.
apnews.com
House and Senate fail to pass short-term extension of FISA ahead of Friday's expiration deadline
The House failed to pass a last-minute, short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which is set to expire on Friday.
Trump plans to nominate US Attorney Jay Clayton to be director of national intelligence
President Donald Trump says he plans to nominate Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and a former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, as director of national intelligence.
apnews.com
Florida Supreme Court rejects challenge to new GOP-drawn congressional maps
The maps, drawn by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, will be used for the 2026 midterm elections. It was designed to help Republicans gain up to four additional House seats.
www.nbcnews.comLights! Camera! Cage match! The White House lawn's Octagon is ready for Trump's 80th birthday bash
A massive UFC event is set to take over the White House's South Lawn. The temporary arena resembles a cross between a UFO and a claw game in a video arcade and features an eight-sided cage and a towering structure of lights, speakers and wiring called The Claw.
apnews.com
US-Iran war to pull global economy to post-COVID low: World Bank
Global growth forecast cut to 2.5 percent due to surging energy prices, inflation and borrowing costs.
Democrats hold lead over GOP in latest congressional ballot poll
With the midterms looming, Democrats continue to hold a double-digit lead over GOP congressional candidates in Emerson College's latest poll.
www.usatoday.com
Marjorie Taylor Greene calls Trump 'traitor' over handling of Epstein
Former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene called those who have failed to release the Epstein files "traitors," and "covering up for pedophiles."
www.usatoday.com
Iran's Kharg Island is key to its oil exports. Targeting it carries major risks
Iran’s Kharg Island is home to a terminal through which the country exports most of its oil. The Persian Gulf island has emerged as a focus of the war launched by the United States and Israel.
apnews.com
Live updates: Trump says he has canceled strikes on Iran, signals move toward deal
The latest news and live updates as the U.S. attacks Iran and Tehran strikes Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain and says the Strait of Hormuz is closed after Trump warning.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump says deal to end Iran war is close after calling off strikes
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson tells state TV that reports of an agreement were "speculative" and "nothing has been finalised".
www.bbc.com
Trump taps prosecutor Jay Clayton as intelligence director. What to know
Clayton heads DOJ's Manhattan office and is a former SEC chair. His nomination comes after blowback to Trump's acting director choice Bill Pulte
www.usatoday.com
Appeals court says U.S. government can keep collecting 10% tariffs for now
The U.S. government can continue collecting the 10% worldwide tariff it imposed in February while legal challenges to the levies continue to work their way through the courts, a federal court ruled Thursday.
apnews.com[URL...
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Discovery of €1.2m jewellery prompts fresh probe into former Spanish PM
José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is suspected of being unable to show proof he paid import duties on the jewellery.
Continue reading...Taylor Swift makes tearful 21-minute speech as she joins Songwriters Hall of Fame
The singer thanks her family as she becomes the youngest woman to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Continue reading...South Africa trolled by African fans in wake of World Cup loss
The taunting reflects anger from parts of the continent over reports of xenophobia in South Africa.
Continue reading...'They destroyed the future': Palestinian anger at rise in Israeli demolitions in East Jerusalem
Palestinian homes are being pulled down in occupied East Jerusalem to make way for a park.
Continue reading...Indonesian students protest against state spending, fuel price hike
The protesters warn wasteful government spending risks driving the country into bankruptcy.
Continue reading...US Supreme Court denies Alabama's request to carry out nitrogen gas execution
Jeffery Lee, 49, was scheduled to be executed on Thursday. The state can still seek to have him put to death using another method.
Continue reading...Do not use my music, Ariana Grande tells White House
Grande called a White House video using her song Bye "heinous nonsense", joining multiple artists demanding Trump's team not use their music.
Continue reading...David Hockney: Art's great innovator whose vivid paintings made him a household name
The proud Yorkshireman, who also painted iconic pictures of America, was routinely described as Britain's greatest artist.
Continue reading...Why the economics make this the craziest World Cup ever
From trade wars to soaring ticket prices, the 2026 World Cup is unlike any before it. Faisal Islam explores what this tournament reveals about our changing global economy.
Continue reading...What do Puerto Ricans think of the viral song about their homeland?
People from Puerto Rico reflect on how the catchy tune has attracted attention to where they live.
Continue reading...'I will come home safely': Indian sailor's last words to wife before a US strike killed him
Patnala Suresh and his wife were looking forward to celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary this month.
Continue reading...Watch: Four UFO videos newly declassified by US government
The eyewitness footage shows bright orbs in the sky over an undisclosed location in the northeastern US.
Continue reading...U.S. deports migrants from Afghanistan, Iran to Central African Republic
The Trump administration on Friday deported a group of roughly 20 migrants from Afghanistan, Iran and other nations to the Central African Republic, which the U.S. government warns Americans not to visit "for any reason" due to violence and unrest, a U.S. official told CBS News.
The deportees included an Iranian pro-democracy activist who had fled to the U.S. and received legal protection from an American immigration court, according to her immigration lawyer.
One of the poorest countries in the world, the Central African Republic has been plagued...
Continue reading...The deportees included an Iranian pro-democracy activist who had fled to the U.S. and received legal protection from an American immigration court, according to her immigration lawyer.
One of the poorest countries in the world, the Central African Republic has been plagued...
Judge continues to block DOJ's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund
Alexandria, Virginia — A federal judge on Friday continued to block the Justice Department's nearly $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, expressing skepticism with the Trump administration's claims that the controversial program is not moving forward.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema granted a preliminary injunction that indefinitely prevents the Trump administration from creating or operating the controversial fund. She had issued an order last month that temporarily blocked the Justice Department from taking any action related to the fund to...
Continue reading...U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema granted a preliminary injunction that indefinitely prevents the Trump administration from creating or operating the controversial fund. She had issued an order last month that temporarily blocked the Justice Department from taking any action related to the fund to...
WATCH: Tim Kaine rejects claims Karmelo Anthony verdict was racist
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said he has a "hard time understanding" claims that the
Continue reading...Abbott turns up heat on Talarico, Soros-backed DAs over Texas crime
As Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico works to brand himself as a "law and order Democrat," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is rolling out a sweeping public safety agenda that could force the left's rising star to defend parts of his legislative record on crime, bail reform and policing.
Abbott, who is pushing to remove so-called "rogue" prosecutors, create a statewide prosecutor and deny bail to illegal immigrants accused of violent crimes, told Fox News Digital the proposals are necessary.
"Texas Democrats have consistently sided with criminals...
Continue reading...Abbott, who is pushing to remove so-called "rogue" prosecutors, create a statewide prosecutor and deny bail to illegal immigrants accused of violent crimes, told Fox News Digital the proposals are necessary.
"Texas Democrats have consistently sided with criminals...
More time needed for deadly Air India crash inquiry, officials say
A statement said "significant progress" had been made into investigating the crash which left 260 people dead a year ago.
Continue reading...South Africa trolled by African fans in wake of World Cup loss
The taunting reflects anger from parts of the continent over reports of xenophobia in South Africa.
Continue reading...Pentagon releases new batch of UFO files, with dozens more documents
Washington — The Pentagon on Friday released a new group of documents and videos related to UFOs, the third release since the government began a wave of new disclosures last month.
The latest batch of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) includes 53 documents and 10 images from the CIA, FBI, NASA and the Pentagon, along with six videos and three NASA audio recordings. The videos show orb-like objects in the sky, while a set of images and clips offer "artistic interpretations" of reported sightings.
The Pentagon uploaded the files to its UFO...
Continue reading...The latest batch of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) includes 53 documents and 10 images from the CIA, FBI, NASA and the Pentagon, along with six videos and three NASA audio recordings. The videos show orb-like objects in the sky, while a set of images and clips offer "artistic interpretations" of reported sightings.
The Pentagon uploaded the files to its UFO...
California accused of blocking federal voter roll audit as DOJ escalates probe of election fraud claims
The Justice Department is escalating its clash with California over voter-roll access, accusing state officials of blocking a federal audit — though Golden State officials warn the demand threatens voter privacy and oversteps federal authority.
The dispute centers on voter roll maintenance and access to registration records, not any publicly identified allegation of impropriety in a specific California race.
"If California genuinely wants voters to trust its elections, it should open its records, not fight to keep them closed," Assistant U.S...
Continue reading...The dispute centers on voter roll maintenance and access to registration records, not any publicly identified allegation of impropriety in a specific California race.
"If California genuinely wants voters to trust its elections, it should open its records, not fight to keep them closed," Assistant U.S...
Former Biden ambassador considered running against him over border mess, bashes Kamala in new book
Ken Salazar, former U.S. ambassador to Mexico under President Joe Biden, considered running for president against his former boss in 2024, he revealed.
"I should run for president," Salazar told himself, after Biden's disastrous July 2024 debate performance, according to a book excerpt obtained by Politico.
Salazar also claimed that he begged for a border czar and early on advised Biden to refer to the U.S. border situation as a crisis.
"There was political failure to understand the reality of the crisis at the border, and the political...
Continue reading..."I should run for president," Salazar told himself, after Biden's disastrous July 2024 debate performance, according to a book excerpt obtained by Politico.
Salazar also claimed that he begged for a border czar and early on advised Biden to refer to the U.S. border situation as a crisis.
"There was political failure to understand the reality of the crisis at the border, and the political...
Mamdani touts massive taxpayer-funded investment for trans healthcare: 'First step'
As part of the Pride Month celebration on Tuesday evening, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani touted the work his administration has done to expand services for LGBTQ+ communities, calling New York City a "haven" for people with alternative gender identities.
In particular, Mamdani doubled down on promises of $15 million in funding for trans communities.
"The threats will continue and so will our relentless protection of trans people across this city," Mamdani said, referring to challenges he said LGBTQ+ communities face.
"As a first step, my...
Continue reading...In particular, Mamdani doubled down on promises of $15 million in funding for trans communities.
"The threats will continue and so will our relentless protection of trans people across this city," Mamdani said, referring to challenges he said LGBTQ+ communities face.
"As a first step, my...
Cornyn predicts Trump midterm 'disaster,' then 'the most miserable two years of his life'
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas predicted "disaster" in the upcoming midterms and thinks that President
Continue reading...Ex-Biden aide dubbed 'Baghdad Bob' reemerges with Jill Biden spat, new gig
A former Biden White House aide, who has been slammed by conservatives online for years for his aggressive defense of then-President Joe Biden's mental and physical fitness, has reemerged into the news cycle over the last couple of weeks for speaking out against former First Lady Jill Biden's comments during her book tour and joining the communications staff for Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.
Andrew Bates, who currently serves as the managing director of Orchestra's public relations advisory service where he often uses his X account to fire back...
Continue reading...Andrew Bates, who currently serves as the managing director of Orchestra's public relations advisory service where he often uses his X account to fire back...