The man expected to be Germany's next foreign minister reacts after Friedrich Merz fell short in a parliamentary vote to be named chancellor.
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MadAboutPolitics.com - Featured News
Featured News
Today's Political News Compilation - Monday, May 5, 2025
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The federal Bureau of Prisons has lots of problems. Reopening Alcatraz is now one of them
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and MICHAEL BALSAMOUpdated 9:03 PM CDT, May 5, 2025
Eleven inmate deaths in less than two months. More than 4,000 staff vacancies. A $3 billion repair backlog.
And now, a stunning directive from President Donald Trump for the crisis-plagued federal Bureau of Prisons to “REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” — the notorious penitentiary on an island in San Francisco Bay that last held inmates more than 60 years ago.
Even as the Bureau of Prisons struggles with short staffing, chronic violence and crumbling infrastructure at its current facilities, Trump is counting on the agency to fulfill his vision of rebooting the infamously inescapable prison known in movies and pop culture as “The Rock.”
Trump declared in a social media post Sunday that a “substantially enlarged and rebuilt” Alcatraz will house the nation’s “most ruthless and violent Offenders.” It will “serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE,” he wrote on Truth Social. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Judge orders Trump administration to admit roughly 12,000 refugees
A judge has ordered the Trump administration to admit some 12,000 refugees into the United States. The court order on Monday partially blocks the president’s efforts to suspend the nation’s refugee admissions program.
apnews.com
'Shocking': Experts question Trump claiming 'I don't know' about upholding Constitution
Trump, months after taking the oath of office, questioned whether he had a duty to uphold the constitutional right to due process when it comes to mass deportations.
abcnews.go.com
Republicans squabble over Trump spending plan as Fiscal Year 2026 looms: 'Stay until we pass it'
The new Trump administration's first budget request comes with expectations of staggering spending cuts – and not all members of his party are on board.
www.foxnews.com
Trump administration asks judge to toss suit restricting access to abortion medication
The Trump administration on Monday asked a judge to toss out a lawsuit from three GOP-led states seeking to cut off telehealth access to abortion medication mifepristone.
apnews.com
U.S. seeking deportation deals with far-flung countries like Angola and Equatorial Guinea
The Trump administration has mounted an intense diplomatic campaign to convince distant countries to accept migrants who are not their own.
www.cbsnews.com
Trump hasn't said who funded his presidential transition effort despite pledging to disclose donors
The White House didn't respond to multiple questions about when the transition would disclose who funded it.
www.nbcnews.com
Federal judge says results of North Carolina court race with Democrat ahead must be certified
A federal judge has ruled that disputed ballots in the still unresolved 2024 race for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat must remain in the final count. U.S.
apnews.com
Netanyahu says Gaza population to be moved in intensive Israeli operation
Remarks come as reports say Israel now eyeing occupation of Gaza, control of aid and possible expulsion of Palestinians.
www.aljazeera.com
Donald Trump hosts a $1.5 million-per-person fundraiser, raising ethics concerns
The purpose of the fundraiser was unclear as the Constitution’s 22nd Amendment bars Trump from seeking a third term.
www.usatoday.com
GOP dealt a blow in the battle for the Senate: From the Politics Desk
Plus, the Trump administration spends big bucks on the airwaves touting its mass deportation campaign.
www.nbcnews.com
Regional strikes: Israel attacks Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Gaza in one day
Israeli strikes killed 54 in Gaza as Netanyahu says the enclave’s population ‘will be moved’ in new ground invasion.
www.aljazeera.com
US bill to ban Israel boycotts faces right-wing backlash over free speech
Allies of Donald Trump voice opposition to bipartisan proposal that would expand a law that punishes boycotting Israel.
www.aljazeera.com
'They can't take a joke': Trump says he knew 'nothing' about AI image of him as the pope
President Donald Trump says he had nothing to do with artificially generated image of him dressed as the pope.
www.usatoday.com
19 states and D.C. sue Trump administration over mass HHS layoffs
Over a dozen states filed a lawsuit alleging RFK Jr. and the Trump administration are trying to "dismantle" the Department of Health and Human Services through sweeping cuts.
www.cbsnews.com
Deadline looms allowing left-wing court to select US attorney as state AGs urge confirmation of Trump pick
State attorneys general sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. Chuck Grassley to confirm Ed Martin as U.S. attorney.
www.foxnews.com
Trump is acting like it’s his choice whether he obeys the Constitution | CNN Politics
Americans are learning what it’s like to live with a president who sees no constraints on his actions and who apparently fears paying no price for them.
www.cnn.com
Trump says he'll call CEOs when he disagrees with their business decisions
Retailers have increasingly offered warnings about the tariffs' impact on consumers.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump foe Letitia James leading charge on new multistate lawsuit over HHS cuts
New York is leading 20 states in suing the Trump administration over its HHS cuts, described as one the most "sweeping and unlawful assault on public health" in U.S. history.
www.foxnews.com
Europe launches a drive to attract scientists and researchers after Trump freezes US funding
The European Union is launching a drive to attract scientists and researchers with offers of grants and new policy plans.
apnews.com
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Kamala Harris takes next step in return to political stage
Former Vice President
Continue reading...US intel agencies say Venezuelan regime doesn't direct Tren de Aragua gang, undercutting Trump admin: report
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's regime does not direct the activities of the Tren de Aragua, according to a newly public memo released by U.S. intelligence agencies last month.
The memo, published Monday by the New York Times, undercuts President Donald Trump's justifications for using the Alien Enemies Act to facilitate deportations. The report represents the "sense of the community" of the National Intelligence Council and states they have not found a direct link between Maduro's regime and TdA leadership.
"While Venezuela’s permissive...
Continue reading...The memo, published Monday by the New York Times, undercuts President Donald Trump's justifications for using the Alien Enemies Act to facilitate deportations. The report represents the "sense of the community" of the National Intelligence Council and states they have not found a direct link between Maduro's regime and TdA leadership.
"While Venezuela’s permissive...
House Democrats probe Trump DOJ's funding freeze to crime victim groups
Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have launched a review of the Trump administration's freezing of funding to hundreds of organizations that provide services to crime victims and offer safety programs.
Days after a CBS News report revealed the Justice Department halted grant funding to nearly 400 nonprofit and crime victims' groups, House Judiciary Committee Democrats have asked the department to hand over information on the agency's decision by a May 19 deadline.
Among other things, Democrats on the GOP-led panel have asked the...
Continue reading...Days after a CBS News report revealed the Justice Department halted grant funding to nearly 400 nonprofit and crime victims' groups, House Judiciary Committee Democrats have asked the department to hand over information on the agency's decision by a May 19 deadline.
Among other things, Democrats on the GOP-led panel have asked the...
China and Egypt wrap first joint military exercise as Beijing looks to cozy up to American allies
Egypt and China wrapped up their first-ever joint military exercises on Sunday, in a show of force involving the U.S.’ top rival and one of its top recipients of military aid.
Running from mid-April until Sunday, the drills consisted of joint aerial exercises, simulated air combat and modern warfare lectures.
China deployed its J-10C fighter jets, KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft and Y-20 transport tankers in a display of its military prowess beyond Asia, according to footage posted by Chinese state media outlet CCTV.
Egypt has, in recent...
Continue reading...Running from mid-April until Sunday, the drills consisted of joint aerial exercises, simulated air combat and modern warfare lectures.
China deployed its J-10C fighter jets, KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft and Y-20 transport tankers in a display of its military prowess beyond Asia, according to footage posted by Chinese state media outlet CCTV.
Egypt has, in recent...
NASA backs Trump budget blueprint with $6B cut to agency
President Donald Trump unveiled a budget blueprint last week that includes roughly $6 billion in federal funding cuts to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Despite the multibillion-dollar slash, a senior official at the space agency told Fox New Digital that the reduction in funding is actually beneficial for efficiency and exploration.
"The reductions in the President's blueprint budget counterintuitively represent an opportunity to truly innovate in how we conduct our space missions," senior NASA official Ryan Whitley told...
Continue reading...Despite the multibillion-dollar slash, a senior official at the space agency told Fox New Digital that the reduction in funding is actually beneficial for efficiency and exploration.
"The reductions in the President's blueprint budget counterintuitively represent an opportunity to truly innovate in how we conduct our space missions," senior NASA official Ryan Whitley told...
Appeals court to consider whether detained students should be moved
Washington — A federal appellate panel on Tuesday is set to consider high-profile cases involving two international students who were detained by federal immigration officials and now face removal from the U.S. after they made statements that were critical of Israel.
The panel of three judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit will hear arguments in emergency appeals from the Trump administration after two federal judges issued separate decisions in favor of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral candidate at Tufts University, and Mohsen...
Continue reading...The panel of three judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit will hear arguments in emergency appeals from the Trump administration after two federal judges issued separate decisions in favor of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral candidate at Tufts University, and Mohsen...
Carney to meet Trump, vowing to stand firm against president
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting with President Trump at the White House Tuesday for the first time since taking office in March and pledging not to stand firm against the U.S. president.
U.S.-Canada relations have been strained by Mr. Trump's tariffs and his comments about making Canada the 51st state. Carney said in his victory speech that Canada's previous relationship with the U.S., "based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation, is over." He also said Canadians must "fundamentally...
Continue reading...U.S.-Canada relations have been strained by Mr. Trump's tariffs and his comments about making Canada the 51st state. Carney said in his victory speech that Canada's previous relationship with the U.S., "based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation, is over." He also said Canadians must "fundamentally...
HIV testing and outreach falter as Trump funding cuts sweep the South
JACKSON, Miss. — Storm clouds hung low above a community center in Jackson, where pastor Andre Devine invited people inside for lunch. Hoagies with smoked turkey and ham drew the crowd, but several people lingered for free preventive health care: tests for HIV and other diseases, flu shots, and blood pressure and glucose monitoring.
Between greetings, Devine, executive director of the nonprofit group Hearts for the Homeless, commiserated with his colleagues about the hundreds of thousands of dollars their groups had lost within a couple of weeks...
Continue reading...Between greetings, Devine, executive director of the nonprofit group Hearts for the Homeless, commiserated with his colleagues about the hundreds of thousands of dollars their groups had lost within a couple of weeks...
Germany's Merz falls short of majority in vote for chancellor
Conservative Friedrich Merz unexpectedly falls short of the numbers needed to become chancellor.
Continue reading...Peru imposes curfew in province where 13 mine workers were killed
A local prosecutor says there is a "war" raging in the area between illegal and legal gold miners.
Continue reading...How Kashmir attack victim's widow went from symbol of tragedy to trolling target
Himanshi Narwal's husband was among the victims of the deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Continue reading...Hamas says 'no point' to talks as Israel plans expanded Gaza offensive
The UN also expresses alarm after Israel approves a new plan that may include seizing all of Gaza indefinitely and controlling aid.
Continue reading...Israel security cabinet approves plan to 'capture' Gaza, official says
The Israeli military says the expanded offensive will displace most Palestinians in Gaza.
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