Category Archives: politics

Trump inks trade deals on Asia trip, with US-China agreement close ahead of Xi meeting

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The president expressed optimism that a deal between the U.S. and China was close. He stated, “China wants to make a deal, and we want to make a deal.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed this sentiment on Sunday morning, confirming that both sides had agreed to a “framework” for the deal.

China had hoped to avoid new 100% tariffs scheduled to go into effect on November 1. Bessent thanked President Trump for the negotiating leverage that the threat of these tariffs provided. “President Trump gave me a great deal of negotiating leverage with the threat of the 100% tariffs, and I believe we’ve reached a very substantial framework that will avoid that and allow us to discuss many other things with the Chinese,” Bessent told NBC.

Chinese trade negotiator Li Chenggang told reporters that the sides had reached a “preliminary consensus.” Further progress is expected during Trump’s upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday. Trump also expressed hopes to visit China and invited Xi to visit Washington or his Mar-a-Lago estate.

The new Chinese tariffs had been introduced in response to U.S. limitations on rare earth minerals imposed on China.

In addition to the developments with China, the U.S. also secured trade deals with several other nations during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur. New agreements were signed with Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia.

President Trump attended a ceremony marking an expanded ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. The two countries had recently fought a brief conflict lasting five days in July, which resulted in dozens of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians. Taking credit for helping to end the conflict, Trump stated, “On behalf of the United States, I’m proud to help settle this conflict and forge a future for the region.”

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called the agreement a “historic day,” while Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described the new deal as laying “the building blocks for a lasting peace.” The trade deals with Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia included reductions in tariffs across the board.

President Trump had previously threatened to impose tariffs on Thailand and Cambodia if they failed to reach a peace deal. Notably, the deals with Malaysia and Thailand contained provisions related to critical minerals used in electronic devices, helping to reduce American reliance on Chinese rare earth minerals.

**Tariff Exclusion Process in Trump 2.0: A Big Departure from the First Term**

Trump also continued to strengthen relations with other Asian countries during his appearance at ASEAN. The summit included nations such as Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam, among others. During his address, the president made a strong friendship appeal to the countries present:

“The United States is with you 100%, and we intend to be a strong partner and friend for many generations to come,” Trump said.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/3864332/trump-trade-deals-asia-trip-china-tariffs/

Russia says more than 80 people detained for questioning after Moscow street fight

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**Over 80 People Questioned Following Major Street Fight Between Migrants in Moscow**

*MOSCOW (Reuters)* – Russia’s Interior Ministry reported on Sunday that more than 80 individuals were taken to police stations for questioning following a significant street fight between migrants in a residential area of Moscow. The ministry stated that all foreigners involved in the incident would face deportation.

Russian media released videos showing people engaged in violent clashes on the street using clubs and spades. The footage also revealed the smashing of windows near parked cars around the Prokshino residential complex. However, the cause of the fight remains unclear.

According to the Interior Ministry, 19 people have been arrested on charges of hooliganism. The ministry added that migrants holding Russian citizenship risk having their citizenship revoked. Foreign nationals involved who are not imprisoned will be deported and banned from re-entry into Russia, said Irina Volk, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry.

Migration, particularly from former Soviet republics in Central Asia and the Caucasus, has emerged as a major domestic political issue in Russia. Restrictions on migration intensified following a deadly attack at a Moscow concert hall in 2024, which Russian authorities attributed to Tajik nationals.

In 2024, approximately 6.3 million migrants arrived in Russia, according to Interior Ministry figures. Nearly half of these migrants came from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Despite Russia’s domestic economy relying heavily on affordable labor from these regions—especially in construction and consumer industries—many Russian citizens have expressed concerns. They criticize the large influx of people, noting a perceived lack of familiarity with Russian customs and culture.

Additionally, Russia has been grappling with severe labor shortages across multiple sectors since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, as hundreds of thousands of Russian workers joined the military.

*Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Ros Russell*
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/russia-says-more-80-people-123257376.html

Progressive Democrats create 2026 headaches for Schumer’s establishment recruits

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Notably, the lead could be persisting despite a drip, drip of reports highlighting offensive online posts by Platner referencing Black people and sexual assault survivors. The latest post was taken before it was discovered he had a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he has since covered with another tattoo.

In Texas, liberal firebrand Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) is “strongly” weighing a Senate bid in the wake of state redistricting. Elsewhere, crowded Democratic primaries, including in Michigan, are likely to hemorrhage critical resources the party will need for general elections to protect incumbent seats or oust Republicans.

Schumer’s preferred recruits, such as Mills in Maine, former Gov. Roy Cooper in North Carolina, and former Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio, are far older but are considered “more stable” and electable than grassroots progressives like Platner. Despite their ability to energize the base, Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf emphasized this point but cautioned Schumer and his allies not to make what he called a critical misstep: criticizing the younger, more liberal outside challengers.

“The leadership can’t say, ‘They’re out of line. They’re wacky. They’re too far to the left,” Sheinkopf said. “The leadership just has to keep doing its job in Washington.”

Even before Mills’s entry into the race, tensions were rising within the party as Platner criticized Schumer as “wholly incapable” of combating President Donald Trump and lumped him together with Collins as those who can’t stop grassroots momentum.

Since Mills’ campaign launch earlier this month, Platner has urged Schumer against “meddling in a Maine primary” and to stay “focused on fighting Donald Trump and protecting healthcare for millions of Americans.”

There’s limited sympathy among Senate Democrats for Platner’s complaints about Schumer. Platner did have a small fan club among more progressive senators before this month’s revelations about his online posts, and influential members such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) have stuck by him.

“I didn’t have the support of the [Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee], but I knew I could win, and more importantly, that I could win the general election. So that’s what I did,” said Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), reflecting on the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm’s initial reluctance to back his early challenge to then-Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), partly because it came before her retirement announcement.

“If you can do it, do it. If not, then don’t do it. But don’t complain,” Gallego continued. “Everyone’s got to work their own way in.”

Schumer, who is Jewish, recently told reporters he’ll “let the people of Maine decide” if Platner’s controversies, including the Nazi tattoo, should be politically disqualifying.

“We think that Janet Mills is the best candidate to retire Susan Collins,” he said of the leadership’s position, while the Senate campaign arm has already taken steps to financially bolster Mills.

“She’s a tested two-term governor, and the people of Maine have an enormous amount of affection and respect for her.”

Sanders, a democratic-socialist who rose to national prominence as an outsider to the Democratic establishment, downplayed Platner’s social media posts. He attributed them in part to a once-struggling overseas combat veteran and deflected on the Nazi tattoo by railing against a “corrupt campaign finance system” and referencing cuts to government healthcare programs under Trump’s “big, beautiful” tax law.

“What bothers me is we don’t have enough candidates in this country who are prepared to take on the powers to be and fight for the working class,” Sanders recently told reporters.

There are headaches elsewhere for Senate Democrats, including a Michigan fight to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), backed by the Michigan state party to succeed Peters in a three-way contest against Democratic state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed, attended a recent DSCC Napa Valley fundraising retreat, according to Politico.

McMorrow recently met with DSCC Vice Chair Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), according to Axios. These meetings offer the latest signs that Senate Democrats are still weighing how heavily to influence the race for a particular candidate.

For Republicans, Attorney General Ken Paxton is running an insurgent campaign against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), creating a mirror image problem for GOP leadership. They fear his own political scandals will hurt the party next November.

Cornyn has pulled even with Paxton in polling, following months of aligned outside groups spending heavily to hammer Paxton over personal and professional scandals, including allegations of an extramarital affair, corruption, and bribery.

Meanwhile, Democrats are fielding scandals or fearing lost momentum in off-year races in Virginia and New Jersey.

Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general in Virginia, is embroiled in controversy over texts in which he detailed the fantasy of shooting a state Republican lawmaker in the head. This has prompted his lead over Republican nominee Jason Miyares, the current attorney general, to shrink.

In the New Jersey governor’s race, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) maintains a lead over Republican rival Jack Ciattarelli, but the contest remains competitive in a state where recent Republican gains have set off alarm bells for Democrats.

### Schumer Lands His Prized Senate Recruits in Battlegrounds

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), a progressive member of Senate leadership, said his energy is better spent on the government shutdown than on offering election analysis. However, he told the Washington Examiner he’s set to campaign with Sherrill in New Jersey next weekend.

“She’s a great candidate. I think she’s going to win,” Murphy said. “But she needs all the help that she can get.”
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/3863659/progressive-democrats-2026-headaches-schumer-establishment-recruits/

Kurdish PKK announces it’s withdrawing fighters from Turkiye to Iraq

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The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced that it is withdrawing all its forces from Turkey to northern Iraq as part of a peace process, marking the conclusion of a months-long disarmament following a four-decade armed conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

“We are implementing the withdrawal of all our forces within Turkey,” the Kurdish PKK said in a statement read aloud on Sunday in the Qandil area of northern Iraq, according to a journalist from the AFP news agency who was present at the ceremony.

The group released a photo showing 25 fighters, including eight women, who had already traveled from Turkey to northern Iraq.

The PKK, which formally renounced its 40-year armed struggle in May, is currently transitioning from armed rebellion to democratic politics. This shift aims to bring an end to one of the region’s longest conflicts, which has resulted in approximately 50,000 deaths.

However, the group urged Turkey to take the necessary legal and political steps to advance the peace process. The group emphasized the importance of establishing laws that allow freedom and democratic integration, enabling Kurdish participation in politics.

“The legal and political steps required by the process, as well as the laws of freedom and democratic integration necessary to participate in democratic politics, must be put in place without delay,” the PKK stated.

The organization has expressed its intent to pursue a democratic struggle to defend the rights of the Kurdish minority, aligning with a historic call by the group’s jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan.

In July, the PKK held a symbolic ceremony in the mountains of northern Iraq to destroy its first batch of weapons. This act was welcomed by Turkey as “an irreversible turning point.”

“Today is a new day; a new page has opened in history. Today, the doors of a great, powerful Turkey have been flung wide open,” said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the time.

The resolution of Turkey’s conflict with the PKK could have broader implications for the region, including neighboring Syria. In Syria, the United States is allied with Syrian Kurdish forces, which Ankara regards as an offshoot of the PKK.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/26/kurdish-pkk-announces-its-withdrawing-fighters-from-turkiye-to-iraq?traffic_source=rss

As the Shutdown Drags On, Social Safety Nets Will Fail – Liberty Nation News

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As the federal shutdown approaches the one-month mark, there’s still no end in sight. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) continues to stand firm on the House-passed continuing resolution, while the Senate adjourned for the weekend on Thursday without scheduling another vote. Even if a deal seems possible next week, it likely won’t come in time to keep several government-funded benefit programs running without interruption. As November 1 approaches, millions of Americans may begin feeling the impact.

### The Big Day: November 1

The USDA has warned that two critical programs—the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)—could run out of federal funding by November 1.

WIC served more than 6.8 million families during fiscal year 2024. To help keep it afloat during the shutdown, the Trump administration has temporarily redirected $300 million in unspent tariff revenue to cover WIC expenses.

SNAP, which supports roughly 42 million people, does not currently have alternative funding sources sufficient to maintain benefits. At least 25 states plan to pause SNAP payments entirely next month, which will severely affect recipients’ ability to put food on the table.

Recipients are being advised to prioritize purchasing shelf-stable foods with existing funds or to visit food banks to help avoid hunger. Unfortunately, food banks are already feeling the strain from increased demand, with some reporting they are running low on supplies.

### Impact on Head Start Programs

Head Start, a federally funded program offering preschool and daycare services for children under kindergarten age, is also suffering. When the shutdown began, six Head Start locations—serving 6,525 children across three states—did not receive their funding.

By November 1, this number is expected to rise to 140 programs across 41 states and Puerto Rico. An estimated 65,152 young children will have to stay home. This situation may also force at least one parent to stay home, leading to reduced household income and potentially lost jobs.

### The Shutdown Time Crunch

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Monday, October 27—just three days before the November 1 deadline. The House will return on Tuesday, October 28. Even if a deal is hammered out quickly, restarting government functions that have already shut down will take time. Bureaucratic processes do not resume instantly, so service interruptions are likely to occur, even in the best-case scenario.

However, a brief interruption would be preferable to the alternative—an extended shutdown with ongoing consequences.

### Looming Challenges in November and Beyond

November also marks the start of open enrollment for Obamacare insurance plans. If pandemic-era subsidies are not renewed by December 31, they will expire, causing health insurance premiums to spike dramatically. Some estimates suggest premiums could double or even triple in certain cases, with new prices going into effect on November 1.

According to Art Caplan of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, this will be the largest premium increase since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) took effect. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that as many as four million Americans may drop their health insurance because of the hike.

This looming crisis is why Democratic leadership in the Senate insists on reopening the government only with an ACA subsidy extension included. Yet, some Democrats, such as Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who has frequently sided with Republicans to pass the House GOP’s continuing resolution, are urging a different approach.

“I don’t care about who’s winning, who’s losing, who’s going to blink,” Fetterman said to reporters on Thursday, October 23. “America loses. Just open up the whole thing and cut the s—t.”

### What Lies Ahead?

Congress will ultimately approve government funding—whether through a stopgap continuing resolution or full-year appropriations. The only remaining questions are when that will happen and how much collateral damage will be incurred along the way.

With crucial programs under threat and millions of Americans potentially impacted, the need for swift action has never been clearer.
https://www.libertynation.com/as-the-shutdown-drags-on-social-safety-nets-will-fail/

Trump Nominates Michael Selig as New CFTC Chair

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U.S. President Donald Trump has chosen Michael Selig as the chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), according to Bloomberg reports on Friday. This nomination replaces his previous nominee, Brian Quintez, following pressure from Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, founders of Gemini.

### Selig as the New CFTC Chair

Michael Selig currently serves as chief counsel for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Crypto Task Force and Senior Advisor to SEC Chairman Paul Atkins. Before joining the SEC, Selig was a partner at the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, where he specialized in asset management and digital assets regulation.

Selig’s extensive background positions him well to promote greater coordination between the SEC and CFTC, two key agencies overseeing financial markets. This nomination is closely tied to the implementation and impact of the CLARITY and GENIUS Act, which are expected to shape crypto regulation.

With Selig at the helm of the CFTC, he will have direct influence on how major cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets are regulated in practice. He is expected to leverage his cross-agency experience to harmonize regulatory frameworks related to spot crypto trading, tokenized collateral, and investor protections. These efforts are likely to advance institutional confidence in regulated digital assets.

### Industry Reaction

Earlier this month, when Selig emerged as the leading candidate for CFTC Chair, Jake Chervinsky, chief legal officer at the Variant Fund, described the development as a pivotal moment for U.S. crypto policy. He said:

> “There’s nothing more important for crypto policy than the White House nominating a new CFTC chair, and nobody better than Mike Selig for the job. I’ve had the honor of knowing Mike for years, and he’s the real deal: a brilliant lawyer and proven leader perfect for this role.”

Chervinsky also praised Selig as a trustworthy and skilled lawyer with proven leadership experience, qualities that could help stabilize and advance crypto oversight in a positive and more predictable manner.

### What’s Next? Senate Vote

Following President Trump’s nomination, Selig must be approved by the U.S. Senate before officially taking office. The confirmation process involves a hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee, which typically handles CFTC nominations.

During the hearing, Selig will likely face questions regarding his qualifications and his stance on current U.S. regulations. If he receives Senate approval, Selig can officially begin his term as Chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
https://coinpedia.org/news/trump-nominates-michael-selig-as-new-cftc-chair/

Patrick Hynes: Sununu for Senate

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**IT’S OFFICIAL: Former Senator John E. Sununu Joins GOP Senate Primary Race**

Former Senator John E. Sununu has officially entered the GOP Senate primary race.

Sununu’s announcement of his candidacy earlier this week comes after a month of speculation and buzz within the New Hampshire political world.

This development significantly changes the landscape for Republicans in the upcoming race.
https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/columnists/patrick-hynes-sununu-for-senate/article_b8aee05b-f4f1-4e06-adca-e908d045a503.html

Trump’s Asia Tour: Deals, Diplomacy and a Meeting With Xi

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From Kuala Lumpur to Gyeongju, President Trump is casting himself as a deal-maker and peace negotiator.

As he travels through the region, he aims to promote tariff relief and establish steadier ties amid a wary environment.

Leaders and citizens alike are watching closely to see how his diplomatic efforts might impact the future of international relations in this part of the world.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/world/asia/trump-japan-korea-china.html

Truck driver shot by law enforcement after backing into Coast Guard base

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Coast Guard security personnel “issued multiple verbal commands to stop the vehicle, [but] the driver failed to comply and proceeded to put the vehicle in reverse, suddenly accelerating backwards at a high rate of speed directly toward them,” according to a statement.

“When the vehicle’s actions posed a direct threat to the safety of Coast Guard and security personnel, law enforcement officers discharged several rounds of defensive live fire,” the statement continued.

“No Coast Guard personnel were injured during the incident. Two civilians were injured and are expected to survive. The truck driver was wounded in the stomach and is being held for mental health evaluation. A bystander was struck by a fragment, treated at a local hospital, and released,” the statement said.

The DHS X account attached a video of the incident, showing the vehicle backing up at high speed toward a line of officers who riddled it with fire, causing the driver to stop and speed off in the opposite direction.

The FBI is leading the investigation into the incident, sending evidence, crisis management, and bomb technician teams to the site of the crime.

“At this time, the incident appears to be isolated, and there is no known current threat to the public,” FBI spokesperson Cameron Polan in San Francisco said in a statement.

U-Haul spokesman Jeff Lockridge said the company cooperated with law enforcement in the investigation.

The incident occurred on Wednesday after an anonymous source with knowledge of the situation told the San Francisco Chronicle that 100 U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other agents would begin arriving at the Alameda Coast Guard base on Thursday. The Coast Guard confirmed this in a statement provided to the media.

The news immediately drew outrage from San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA). Protesters gathered earlier on Thursday to demonstrate outside the checkpoint guarding the island. The protests were largely peaceful, with the attempted truck ramming occurring hours after most of the protesters had dispersed.

In an unexpected move, President Donald Trump called off the deployment of the federal agents after a phone call with Mayor Lurie, who was supported by personal appeals from several mutual connections.

However, in a Friday press conference, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem suggested that Trump could change his mind following the attempted ramming.

“If leaders in San Francisco don’t figure out how to protect our law enforcement officers and protect our Coast Guard members, then we would be forced to come in and protect those individuals,” she said.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3863858/truck-driver-shot-by-law-enforcement-after-backing-into-coast-guard-base/

In a Desperate Move, Virginia’s John Reid Debates AI Opponent

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John Reid, a gay Republican radio host running for Virginia lieutenant governor, posted a 40-minute video of himself debating an AI-generated version of his Democratic opponent after she declined repeated debate requests.

The attention-grabbing video, posted to Reid’s YouTube channel, shows him standing behind a podium as if at a formal debate, facing what his campaign claims is an AI-generated version of State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Richmond). This AI was programmed with her policy positions and a robotic approximation of her voice. Reid’s campaign insists he didn’t see the debate questions in advance. Even the moderator, they said, was a computer program.

The campaign told The Washington Post they turned to the AI debate after Hashmi repeatedly declined to face him. The event was live-streamed to a few hundred viewers on Reid’s YouTube channel earlier this week and remains publicly available.

Noah Jennings, Reid’s campaign manager, said the team aimed to simulate a real debate that was “fair and accurate to [Hashmi], not campy or overdramatic.” He added that they would have preferred a real debate to what he called a gimmick.

There have been no forums or formal debates in the lieutenant governor’s race this cycle, unlike four years ago when Winsome Earle-Sears defeated Democrat Hala Ayala amid Glenn Youngkin’s sweeping gubernatorial win.

Hashmi’s campaign dismissed the stunt, telling Axios the senator never granted permission for her likeness to be used. “John Reid’s failed use of deepfakes is a desperate move straight out of Donald Trump’s playbook,” Hashmi campaign spokesperson Ava Pitruzzello said in a statement.

“While we appreciate that AI Ghazala did share her vision, like her commitment to public education and reproductive rights, it’s pretty clear Reid only cares about shoddy gimmicks and not governing. Maybe he should focus on voters instead of videos. And hasn’t he gotten in enough trouble online already?” Pitruzzello added, referencing the myriad controversies over Reid’s Tumblr account.

On X, the Democratic Party of Virginia shared screenshots of AI Hashmi’s responses that they said cast both her and the party in a positive light. “Tonight we congratulate @SenatorHashmi for winning @JohnReid4VA’s fake debate and thank John Reid for sharing Ghazala’s winning message,” the party wrote.

Hashmi’s campaign has aired two television ads, compared to none from Reid, whose team has instead released web spots on YouTube that have circulated on social media. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Hashmi has raised more than five times Reid’s total and, as of September, held nearly ten times more cash on hand.

Despite Hashmi’s financial advantage and the Tumblr controversies that could have derailed him, the gay Republican appears largely unfazed and is running a credible, competitive campaign.

A recent Washington Post-Schar School poll showed Hashmi leading Reid by 4%, which falls within the margin of error, while a VCU Wilder School poll found them essentially tied, 44% to 43%.

Reid’s AI debate may have been born of frustration, but it perfectly captures a campaign season where technology keeps blurring the line between strategy and spectacle. Voters will decide whether it reads as clever innovation or pure desperation.
https://www.metroweekly.com/2025/10/john-reid-ai-debate-virginia/