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Todd Blanche’s bid to become the next attorney general remained in limbo Thursday as the Trump administration scrambled to get Republican support. Sen. Chuck Grassley postponed a vote late Wednesday after two party members held out. A refusal to confirm Blanche would be a notable political setback for the president.
JD Vance explores his Catholic conversion in his new book, Communion. He criticizes the religious right for ignoring the economic struggles of the working class. Vance says leaders have "completely ignored questions of economic policy and material wellbeing." He now hopes to reimagine what it means to be a conservative Christian.
Orthodox Jewish leaders lobbied against the Sunshine Protection Act after the House of Representatives passed it in July. They said the bill would disturb community rituals and create problems for students. David Greenfield noted, "It's definitely something that folks are concerned about within the Orthodox Jewish community," regarding the changes.
Republicans delayed a Senate committee vote on Todd Blanche, Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, originally set for Thursday. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis expressed concerns over a controversial IRS settlement. Cornyn said, "the ball is in Blanche's court," as the committee works to secure enough support for him.
U.S. Democratic senators on Thursday urged the Treasury to revive a plan to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the department is not pursuing the redesign. Senators wrote, "We urge you to immediately reconsider and resume plans to create the new bill without delay."
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and Representative Haley Stevens clashed during Monday’s final debate before Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary. The candidates showed deep ideological divides over campaign finance and policy. El-Sayed accused Stevens of being a tool of corporate interests, while Stevens argued he would use the Senate for political celebrity instead.
The right hopes Labour’s new leader Andy Burnham will fail, but no clear successor exists to shake up Britain. While Conservatives and Reform UK talk of tax cuts, they still support costly policies like the pension triple lock. Many wonder if a modern-day Margaret Thatcher can actually save the country.
Brazil has withheld formal approval for Daniel Perez, the U.S. ambassador pick nominated by President Donald Trump on June 1. This delay deepened a rift between the two nations. A State Department spokesperson said, "We reject any effort by foreign countries to interfere in our domestic processes." Tensions remain high.
China complained to New Zealand’s government after Foreign Minister Winston Peters spoke about a China-born MP. Peters said his remarks were a defense of New Zealand’s democracy, while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called them attention seeking. This diplomatic friction shows how many nations struggle to balance trade and political values today.
Israeli strikes killed at least four people, including children, across the Gaza Strip on Thursday. Gaza’s Ministry of Health said hospitals received many injured people after attacks hit Khan Younis, Bureij refugee camp, and Gaza City. These strikes occurred while Hamas officials held ceasefire talks in Cairo with international mediators.
Cuba is opening its doors to foreign investment to survive the intense United States oil blockade. Deputy foreign minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío said, "Mr. Trump could even invest himself." While the energy grid collapsed three times this month, the government remains intact and is now seeking new economic partnerships.
Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov said he was dismissed because of his efforts to overhaul the military procurement system. "The reason is related to procurement, tenders, and the fact that we began overhauling processes in this area," Fedorov said. His reforms caused dissatisfaction among many people who got upset.