Politics news summaries — Page 33
Essential facts and source links for recent politics stories.
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Israeli panel votes to block Ra'am and Joint List from Oct. 27 ballot
Israel's Central Elections Committee voted Wednesday to bar the Joint List from the Oct. 27 election and disqualify Ra'am, MK Ofer Cassif and Sami Abu Shehadeh. Ra'am may appeal; individual disqualifications require Supreme Court approval, and cases are due next week. -
Washington floats a diesel export ban as U.S. prices hit records
The White House has not ruled out a ban on U.S. diesel exports as retail prices hit a record $6.05–$6.28 a gallon this month, up from about $3.70 a year ago. Analysts warn the move could tighten supply and do little to lower pump prices. -
Trump tells CNN's Kaitlan Collins she should not cover him at the UN
At the UN Tuesday, President Donald Trump told CNN's Kaitlan Collins she should not cover him, claiming CNN had said it would not cover him. Collins said the UN had let her in and asked when the Iran war would end; Trump replied that the US was making progress. -
White House launches Trump TV as four networks suspend pool coverage
After Trump barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters from the White House, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News refused to staff the rotating TV pool. The White House launched a “TRUMP TV” YouTube stream; the three outlets sued for immediate restoration of press access. -
Trump posts CNN reporter spoof as three outlets challenge White House ban
Donald Trump shared a spoof video mocking a CNN reporter after calling anchor Kaitlan Collins “a truly unhappy person.” CNN, POLITICO and MS NOW are suing to regain White House access; their press badges were taken the day after Trump barred them. -
EU decision to remove Usmanov and Fridman from sanctions list draws backlash
The EU agreed Tuesday to lift asset freezes and travel bans on billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman despite Ukraine’s pleas. The move drew criticism, while Russia-related sanctions on about 3,000 other people and organisations were renewed for three years. -
Talarico leads Paxton as Republicans expect $150 million to $200 million in Texas
Marist polling puts Democrat James Talarico ahead of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 50%-44% in their Senate race; Republicans expect to spend $150 million to $200 million in Texas, according to Punchbowl News, while a GOP super PAC's TV-ad reservations exceed $100 million. -
Wright says US could leave IEA if climate views remain misaligned
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Wednesday the United States may leave the International Energy Agency if it cannot align with the agency on climate issues, though his strong preference is to reform the Paris-based body rather than withdraw. -
California rail watchdog flags over $2M in consultant travel costs
California High-Speed Rail Authority’s inspector general flagged over $2 million in consultant travel costs that did not comply with state rules or contract requirements. A July 31 report said the authority may run out of money by December 2027. -
Paramount’s planned CNN and CBS News board faces questions over its independence
Under a 12-state settlement, Paramount must create a five-member board to monitor editorial independence at CNN and CBS News, but its directors will appoint all five. The company has up to 180 days after the Warner Bros. Discovery deal closes to form it. -
Poll finds most Americans say AI companies fall short on safety
A Reuters/Ipsos poll of 1,277 U.S. adults found 73% say AI companies have not done enough to prevent serious societal harm. Only 11% see AI’s impact on society as positive, while 39% view it negatively, the highest share in the poll’s tracking since March 2026. -
Sanders and Casar introduce bill for AI pause, federal oversight
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar introduced a bill Wednesday to pause AI development until the government can ensure it is safe, establish a federal agency to vet models before release, and bar companies from building superintelligent AI beyond human control. -
Melania Trump says she speaks frankly, though Donald sometimes doesn’t want to hear it
Melania Trump said on Fox & Friends Wednesday, Sept. 23, that she tells President Donald Trump what she really thinks, even when he “sometimes doesn’t want to hear it.” She praised his delivery and U.N. General Assembly speech the day before. -
Harris faces online claims of a changed accent at Detroit NAACP event
Kamala Harris faced online criticism over what users described as a changed accent during a Detroit NAACP speech Tuesday, where she urged Democrats to vote in the 2026 midterms. She said she has not decided whether to run for president again in 2028. -
Trump administration invokes national security to reshape Washington
Trump’s administration cites national security for an East Wing ballroom and other Washington projects; he says a planned arch will house drones and snipers. The National Guard deployment is extended through his term; the Pentagon estimates it will cost another $1.4 billion. -
Clinton jokes about Trump’s proposed arch, says Kennedy Center work matters more than name
Bill Clinton joked that Trump’s proposed Washington-area arch was an “Arc de Triomphe” for drones. He called the fight over adding Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center “majoring in the minors,” arguing the center’s work matters more than the name on it. -
Jordan report accuses Jack Smith team of skirting safeguards on lawmakers’ phone records
Jim Jordan’s 57-page report accuses Jack Smith’s Arctic Frost team of improperly obtaining records tied to as many as 44 lawmakers, including two Democrats, and bypassing legal safeguards. Smith’s lawyer called the report’s premise a mischaracterization.
