All posts tagged: general

Trump nominates Todd Blanche for attorney general

Trump nominates Todd Blanche for attorney general

Published by Sam Flores

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche arrives to speak during a news conference at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice building on April 07, 2026 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images President Donald Trump on Monday nominated Todd Blanche as attorney general, a position that he has held in an acting capacity for more than two months. Trump had said he would ask the Senate to confirm Blanche as attorney general to succeed Pam Bondi, whom the president fired on April 2. The nomination comes weeks after Blanche had the Justice Department give Trump, his family members, and the Trump Organization immunity from prosecution or enforcement actions by the Internal Revenue Service in connection with tax returns filed before a controversial settlement of Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. Blanche, who is currently the deputy attorney general, previously served as a criminal defense lawyer for Trump when the president was out of office from January 2021 through January 2025. Since being named in the acting capacity, Blanche has faced strong criticism …

Armenians vote in general election watched closely by Russia and the West : NPR

Armenians vote in general election watched closely by Russia and the West : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, center, casts his ballot at a polling station during the parliamentary election in Yerevan, Armenia, Sunday, June 7, 2026. Anthony Pizzoferrato/AP hide caption toggle caption Anthony Pizzoferrato/AP YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenians voted in a parliamentary election on Sunday as the incumbent government, under mounting Russian pressure, sought to loosen ties with Moscow and deepen cooperation with the West. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his governing Civil Contract party are looking for a strong mandate for a new geopolitical course for Armenia. The opposition they face includes some parties that are vocally pro-Russia. Casting his vote on Sunday, Pashinyan said that the country would continue strengthening its independence, statehood, democracy and rule of law. “The European Union is our main partner in democratic reform implementation, and we will continue that path,” he said. He also stressed that there were no tensions between Armenia and Moscow, saying “our relations with Russia are institutional and based on mutual respect,” the Armenpress news agency reported. Russian officials have hit Armenian exports with a barrage …

Armenians Vote in General Election Under Russian Pressure Aimed at Preventing a Drift Toward West

Armenians Vote in General Election Under Russian Pressure Aimed at Preventing a Drift Toward West

Published by Sam Flores

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenians voted in a parliamentary election Sunday as the incumbent government, under mounting Russian pressure, sought to loosen ties with Moscow and deepen cooperation with the West. Polling closed at 8 p.m. local time, with preliminary results expected Monday. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his governing Civil Contract party are looking for a strong mandate for a new geopolitical course for Armenia. The opposition they face includes some parties that are vocally pro-Russia. Casting his vote on Sunday, Pashinyan said that the country would continue strengthening its independence, statehood, democracy and rule of law. “The European Union is our main partner in democratic reform implementation, and we will continue that path,” he said. He also stressed that there were no tensions between Armenia and Moscow, saying “our relations with Russia are institutional and based on mutual respect,” the Armenpress news agency reported. Russian officials have hit Armenian exports with a barrage of restrictions in recent weeks. President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have made thinly veiled threats comparing Armenia’s path …

Democrat Xavier Becerra advances to general election in California governor’s race

Democrat Xavier Becerra advances to general election in California governor’s race

Published by Sam Flores

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has advanced to the general election in the California governor’s race, NBC News projects. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. His opponent in November has yet to be determined. Former Fox News host Steve Hilton, a Republican, and billionaire activist Tom Steyer, a Democrat are the leading candidates for second place in the all-party primary. With two-thirds of the expected vote tallied, Becerra was taking about 27% to Hilton’s 26%, while Steyer was at 21%. See live results here. Becerra, a former California attorney general and 12-term congressman, campaigned on his extensive experience in government in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, portraying himself as a mainstream and moderate Democrat. Becerra was mired low single digits in the polls for much of the campaign. But he rapidly rose to the top of a muddled field of candidates following former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s abrupt exit from the race in April in the wake of sexual assault and …

Oklahoma’s Attorney General Sues to Block Aluminum Smelter After Trump Endorses Rival

Oklahoma’s Attorney General Sues to Block Aluminum Smelter After Trump Endorses Rival

Published by Sam Flores

June 3 (Reuters) – Oklahoma’s attorney general has filed a lawsuit seeking ⁠to ⁠block Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) and Century Aluminum from ⁠building the largest U.S. aluminum smelter, citing concerns about the project’s ties to the United Arab ​Emirates and worries the project could harm the state’s cattle. The suit was filed in state court on Tuesday by Gentner Drummond, a Republican who was elected ‌as attorney general in 2022 and is ‌now running for governor. It seeks to tap into the simmering tension across the U.S. about the buildout of critical minerals projects, especially in ⁠rural towns with ⁠deep ties to farming and ranching. The $4 billion Oklahoma smelter project has the backing of President ​Donald Trump, who last Friday endorsed Drummond’s opponent in the Republican primary for governor. If constructed, the smelter would produce 750,000 metric tons per year of aluminum, a key metal used widely across various industries, and be the first of its kind built in the country since 1980. EGA controls 60% of the project, with Chicago-based ​Century Aluminum controlling …

Bangladesh’s top diplomat elected UN General Assembly leader in tight race | United Nations News

Bangladesh’s top diplomat elected UN General Assembly leader in tight race | United Nations News

Published by Sam Flores

Khalilur Rahman elected as the president of the UNGA’s 81st session, garnering 99 votes in secret ballot. Published On 3 Jun 20263 Jun 2026 Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has been elected president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly after defeating Cyprus’s Ambassador Andreas Kakouris in a closely contested vote, taking the helm of the world’s most representative diplomatic body at a time of mounting pressure on the multilateral system. In the secret ballot held on Tuesday, Rahman secured 99 votes, eight more compared with his competitor Kakouris. A total of 190 ballots were cast, with no invalid votes or abstentions. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list The presidency rotates among the UN’s five regional groups, and the 81st session falls to the Asia Pacific group. Rahman will serve a one-year term starting on September 8, the UN said. His presidency will coincide with one of the most consequential processes on the UN calendar: the selection of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s successor, whose term expires at the end of this …

General Hospital cast reunites for milestone episode — as fan favorite returns

General Hospital cast reunites for milestone episode — as fan favorite returns

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter General Hospital is celebrating its 16,000th episode with the return of beloved cast member Steve Burton. The actor joined the long-running soap opera in 1991 as Jason Morgan, who was born to the elite Quartermine family. However, Jason experienced permanent amnesia after a car accident in 1995, prompting him to renounce his roots and become the chief mob associate of Sonny Corinthos (portrayed by Maurice Benard). Burton, 57, has departed the show multiple times over the years. He was let go in 2021 because he refused to get the Covid-19 vaccine, but returned in 2024. Then, he announced in February that he was taking a hiatus. However, Burton appears to be coming back to the soap opera once again for the the 16,000th episode, which was filmed Monday. In a Tuesday video on the show’s Instagram account, the actor could be …

Mandelson and Streeting wooed News UK bosses days before general election

Mandelson and Streeting wooed News UK bosses days before general election

Published by Sam Flores

Newly released Mandelson files reveal a cosy dinner between the former US ambassador, former health secretary Wes Streeting and senior News UK figures days before the 2024 general election. The meeting appears to have been part of a charm offensive led by Streeting seeking backing from the press for Labour in the election. The dinner in question appears to have taken place on 1 July 2024, ahead of the UK general election on 4 July. At the time Lord Mandelson was running a lobbying business called Global Counsel and Streeting was the shadow health secretary. An exchange of Whatsapp messages between Mandelson and Streeting on the morning of 2 July 2024 refers to a dinner involving Lachlan Murdoch (by that stage chairman of News Corp), News UK CEO Rebekah Brooks and Times editor Tony Gallagher. The messages do not make it clear what other News Corp/News UK executives were present. [02/07/2024, 08:19] Peter Mandelson: Message from Rebekah that lachlan really enjoyed the dinner and that they all thought everyone in great form and it felt …

Andy Burnham poised to ‘call snap general election’ if he becomes leader | Politics | News

Andy Burnham poised to ‘call snap general election’ if he becomes leader | Politics | News

Published by Sam Flores

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester (Image: Getty) Andy Burnham is reportedly weighing up the option of calling a snap general election if he takes power in No.10. Allies of the Greater Manchester Mayor say the move is being actively discussed as part of early planning should he succeed in a leadership bid against Sir Keir Starmer. He is also understood to be lining up Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to become Chancellor, according to Labour insiders. The speculation comes as Mr Burnham prepares for what could be a dramatic return to Westminster via the upcoming Makerfield by-election, where he is the narrow favourite to win next month after Labour MP Josh Simons stepped aside. Read more: Pollster finds worrying fact about Rupert Lowe that will infuriate Nigel Farage Read more: POLL: Should Ed Miliband be the next Chancellor? Andy Burnham launches Makerfield by-election campaign If successful, he would then be expected to launch a direct challenge to Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, with supporters claiming he is best placed to take on Nigel …

Ex-US Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies in Epstein files probe | Government News

Ex-US Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies in Epstein files probe | Government News

Published by Sam Flores

Former United States Attorney General Pam Bondi has appeared before a closed-door congressional hearing as lawmakers seek answers about unreleased documents tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. But on Friday, Bondi defended the Justice Department’s approach, saying it had released nearly three million pages of records during her tenure, including photographs and video evidence. She described those efforts as an unprecedented bid to increase transparency. Recommended Stories list of 1 itemend of list “This was an enormously complicated and labour-intensive process,” Bondi told the Oversight Committee in the House of Representatives. “To the best of my knowledge, the department produced everything required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.” Since taking office for a second term, President Donald Trump has faced pressure to release records about Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by apparent suicide while in custody in 2019. But victims’ advocates and a bipartisan group of politicians have argued that key documents connected to the case remain undisclosed or were unlawfully redacted with black ink. Some have accused the Trump administration of failing …