Politics news summaries — Page 5
Essential facts and source links for recent politics stories.
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Cuban official says US military action against Cuba would be an international crime
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said any US military action against Cuba would be an “atrocious international crime.” He said Havana must prepare its people for possible aggression and Cuba would defend itself even if it stood alone. -
Missouri’s 2026 vote stays under current map as Trump criticizes Supreme Court
On Sunday, Trump said the Supreme Court denied Missouri an “Election Victory” after it rejected a third bid this month to revive the state GOP’s 2025 map. The justices left current lines in place for 2026, citing mailed ballots and voting already underway. -
Kinnock accuses Plaid Cymru of stalling Welsh investment deals
Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock accused Plaid Cymru’s government of stalling investment deals at Labour’s conference, saying jobs and security were delayed. Plaid’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts said Labour should reflect on voters’ choice for change. -
Israeli official says Netanyahu and UAE president met in Abu Dhabi Sunday
A senior Israeli official told Reuters that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Neither Netanyahu’s office nor the UAE foreign ministry immediately commented on the reported meeting. -
About 120 of UnitedHealthcare’s 1,700 October prior-authorization changes apply to Medicare Advantage
From Oct. 1, UnitedHealthcare will drop prior authorization for roughly 1,700 procedure codes across five business lines, but only about 120 apply to Medicare Advantage and Dual Special Needs plans; waiving authorization does not guarantee coverage. -
Thousands travel toward Gaza border as Ben-Gvir urges settlement across Strip
Thousands traveled from Yad Mordechai toward Gaza's northern border on Sunday, calling for Jewish settlement. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he hoped to become defense minister, return to Nisanit and settle all of Gaza, and called for emigration to be encouraged. -
Tapper asks Waltz to urge Trump to let CNN back in press pool
Jake Tapper asked U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz on CNN Sunday to urge President Trump to restore CNN to the White House press pool. CNN had been barred from flying on Air Force One Saturday; no replacement outlet was named, leaving the president without press-pool coverage that day. -
Two FBI counterterrorism leaders reassigned after Katie Miller call review
FBI officials Michael Burgwald and Courtland Rae were removed from leadership posts and reassigned to headquarters Friday after investigators reportedly found allegedly threatening calls to Katie Miller did not warrant an FBI probe and had no terrorism link, CNN reported. -
Amodei critics circulate negative brief to White House before his dinner with Trump
Critics of Anthropic's Dario Amodei are circulating a negative brief to the White House before his Sunday dinner with President Trump. It portrays him as a Trump critic with deep Democratic ties; a source says it's meant for Trump and likely to reach him. -
US envoy says Trump asked Xi whether he wanted to buy US arms
U.S. Ambassador to China David Purdue said President Donald Trump asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping during Xi’s three-day U.S. visit last week whether he wanted to buy American weapons. Purdue recounted the exchange in a Fox News Sunday interview. -
Todd Blanche clashes with ABC’s Raddatz over Trump’s White House press ban
Attorney General Todd Blanche clashed with ABC’s Martha Raddatz on Sunday over Trump’s White House press ban, defending the national-security rationale; CNN, MS NOW and Politico had regained credentials Thursday after a judge ordered access restored. -
San Francisco weighs PG&E grid purchase as utility appeals environmental review
San Francisco is weighing a public takeover of PG&E’s local grid as the utility appeals the city’s environmental review. The city valued the system at $3.4 billion in April; PG&E’s estimate is due Oct. 20 and is expected to be much higher. -
Vucic steps down as Serbia’s president to run for prime minister
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigned Sunday to run for prime minister in the October 25 snap election, a key demand of student-led protests. Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic becomes acting president for up to three months, during which a presidential election must be called. -
Ma’aleh Adumim asks High Court to keep 1,234-home E1 tender on schedule
Ma’aleh Adumim has petitioned Israel’s High Court to keep the October 19 bid deadline for 1,234 homes in E1, challenging the attorney general’s advice to push it back a month until after the October 27 election. The deadline remains in place. -
Trump’s praise for Mamdani complicates GOP midterm strategy
President Donald Trump’s praise for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has made it harder for Republicans to cast him as a far-left threat in midterm races. GOP campaigns say they will keep focusing on the perceived rise of a broader socialist movement. -
Gates warns AI without safeguards could lead to a billion deaths
Bill Gates said AI safety concerns are “not a hoax” and warned that AI development without government safeguards could lead to a billion deaths. In an interview aired Sunday, he said he hopes to meet Trump to seek rules for all U.S. AI systems, not a development slowdown. -
Tillis calls Russian oligarch's funding of Trump Jr.'s wedding celebrations 'stupid on stilts'
Sen. Thom Tillis called Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev's funding of Donald Trump Jr.'s Bahamas wedding celebrations “stupid on stilts” and backed an investigation. Tillis said the Senate Judiciary Committee's leaders should decide whether to subpoena Trump Jr. -
Trump rejects Iran ceasefire offer but expects talks to continue this week
Trump says he expects talks with Iran to continue this week, a day after rejecting a ceasefire offer. The Wall Street Journal reported the offer included opening the Strait of Hormuz, resuming nuclear talks and lifting the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. -
Trump rejects Iran’s seven-day Hormuz plan, expects talks next week
President Donald Trump said he expects more negotiations with Iran in the coming week after rejecting Tehran’s seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Two regional sources told Axios a new round of indirect talks could begin as early as Monday. -
Tillis says Trump erred by backing Paxton over Cornyn in Texas Senate race
Sen. Thom Tillis called Trump’s backing of Ken Paxton over John Cornyn for Texas’ GOP Senate nomination a “colossal mistake,” saying loyalty outweighed suitability. A Texas Public Opinion Research poll put Democrat James Talarico five points ahead of Paxton. -
Waltz says Trump rejected Iran peace offer over upfront sanctions relief
UN envoy Mike Waltz said Trump rejected Iran’s peace proposal because Tehran sought sanctions relief up front, promising to negotiate afterward. Waltz said Trump doubted Iran would negotiate in good faith to end its nuclear program. -
Kelly says Democrats need answers to win control of Congress in November
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said Democrats must offer answers and pass legislation if they hope to take control of Congress in November’s midterm elections. He said voters are struggling and blamed Republicans and President Donald Trump for failing to address their concerns. -
Texas Senate rivals back federal gas-tax relief; Paxton seeks permanent repeal
Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton, candidates for Texas' U.S. Senate seat, both criticized the federal gas tax Saturday. Talarico urged suspending federal gas and diesel taxes; Paxton later said he supports permanently eliminating the gas tax. -
Gates urges Congress to make AI safeguards a legal requirement
Bill Gates urged Congress to pass laws requiring AI safeguards, saying public oversight must go beyond self-regulation. In an NBC interview aired Sunday, he said safeguards would not greatly hinder the industry and warned that inaction carries real risks. -
Trump plans private White House dinner with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei
President Trump plans a private White House dinner Sunday evening with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, their first one-on-one meeting, according to Axios. Axios frames it as a possible thaw after longstanding tensions between Anthropic and the administration. -
Trump shares over a dozen posts criticizing Maria Elvira Salazar
President Trump shared over a dozen posts criticizing Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar on Saturday after her campaign ad said his immigration policies had gone “too far.” Some reposts called for him to drop his endorsement and replace her on the November ballot. -
Burnham to propose free, universally funded social care at next election
Prime Minister Andy Burnham will propose free-to-use, universally funded social care in England at the next election, but has not detailed its funding. The Health Foundation estimated the free system could cost about £18bn a year; Burnham disputes the estimate.
