Poll spells disaster for Republicans in 2026 midterms

By Thérèse Boudreaux |

The Center Square

17 hrs ago 

Five months out from the 2026 midterm elections, Republicans’ chances of maintaining control of Congress appear grim, new polling shows.

The Center Square’s newest Voters’ Voice Poll revealed that 47% of U.S. registered voters surveyed would vote for a Democratic candidate if elections were held today, while only 41% would vote for a Republican. Nine percent of voters haven’t made up their minds yet.

US kills leader of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang in airstrike, Trump says

2 hours ago
Tom Bennett

Washington DC

Trump posted footage of what appears to be the airstrike, showing a green building with a nearby shed being blown up

The US military has killed the leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in an airstrike, President Donald Trump has announced.

Iran war live: US, Tehran signal peace deal within reach but not signed yet

By Zsombor Peter, 

Federica Marsi, 

Christine Maguire and 

Yashraj Sharma
Published On 13 Jun 2026

• Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said a memorandum of understanding with the United States to end the war “has never been closer”, stressing also that media speculation about the deal should cease “pending its finalisation”.
• US President Donald Trump reposted the Iranian foreign minister’s statement on his Truth Social platform after earlier blasting Iran for alleged leaks to state media regarding details of the memorandum, calling the reports “fake news”.
• Shehbaz Sharif, prime minister of Pakistan, who has mediated talks between Tehran and Washington, said the “final, agreed-upon text of the peace deal has been reached”, adding that “next steps” still need to be finalised.
• Israeli attacks on Lebanon have continued, killing at least 3,711 people and injuring 11,483 others since March, including two paramedics wounded on Friday.

Two courts, one message: Trump's political shortcuts won’t be allowed to stick

June 12, 2026

Sources: Washington Post, CNBC

A pair of federal rulings this week dealt fresh setbacks to President Donald Trump’s effort to expand his influence through government-funded and political channels—first by blocking a planned Justice Department compensation program critics call a “slush fund,” and then by refusing to delay the removal of Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center.

Billionaires Moving to Nevada Isn’t a Luxury Relocation—Bernie Sanders Says It’s Evidence We Need to Tax the Rich

By Yiannis Damellos

June 12, 2026

Sources: Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance

Incline Village, Nevada—an upscale lakeside community near Lake Tahoe with about 9,300 residents—is suddenly becoming a destination for the ultra-wealthy. Billionaires are relocating there partly for the lifestyle, but also because the Nevada address can mean lower taxes and more wealth-protection opportunities. 

As one report put it, the market is “pulsing” at the high end: in the first quarter of 2026, single-family home sales in the area reportedly jumped to roughly $232 million, up from $30.6 million a year earlier. In the town’s own words (and locals’ observations), the rich are increasingly outbidding everyone else—leading to the nickname “Income Village.”

Feds will abruptly dismantle system monitoring climate change, oceans

Critics say the move to retire the $360 million system doesn't make sense. The National Science Foundation cites new scientific priorities.

Dinah Voyles Pulver / Updated June 11, 2026, 

The National Science Foundation is dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative’s deep‑sea monitoring arrays years ahead of schedule, sparking criticism from scientists who warn the loss will hurt climate research, fisheries management and national‑security forecasting.

Home alone: Europeans are ready to defend themselves

European Power European Security

Jana Kobzová @jkobzova.bsky.social on Bluesky
Co-director, European Security Programme
Senior Policy Fellow
Paweł Zerka @pawelzerka.bsky.social on Bluesky Senior Policy Fellow 

Policy Brief 10 June 2026

Illustration by Chris Eichberger

Summary

• Amid geopolitical turmoil, Europeans are taking nuanced and realistic positions that demand tough choices from their leaders.
• A major new ECFR poll shows Europeans embrace self-reliance and are clear-eyed about Donald Trump—but do not expect a permanent break from the US.
• They back Ukraine—but are anxious about bringing it into the European Union now or sending troops there.
• They know they face an energy crisis—but remain solidly opposed to Russian fossil-fuel imports.
• Leaders therefore have the public’s backing to pursue strategic autonomy without posturing, to seek out new mechanisms for supporting Ukraine, and to push ahead on energy sovereignty.

Trump says US ‘ended the war with Iran,’ though Tehran has yet to confirm a deal

 Live Updates 
The president said earlier Thursday that he expected a signing ceremony for an agreement in the coming days. But an Iranian official denied any final deal had been reached.
Updated 12:29 AM EDT, Fri June 12, 2026

Here's the latest

• Trump touts progress: President Donald Trump claimed the US has “ended the war with Iran,” after earlier Thursday announcing a “great settlement” that he said would resolve the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said Vice President JD Vance could attend a signing ceremony in Europe in the coming days.

• No confirmation from Tehran: Despite Trump’s pronouncement, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson has said the country did not yet reach a final decision on any agreement, according to state media. The spokesperson said reports of a deal were “merely speculation.”

• Recent escalations: Trump vowed earlier Thursday to take Kharg Island, which handles roughly 90% of Iran’s crude exports. Tehran said it targeted US bases in the region overnight for a second consecutive day, following US strikes across Iran.

Toronto officer fatally shot as search warrants executed in connection with U.S. Consulate shooting

CTV News

By Codi Wilson
Updated: June 11, 2026 at 1:57PM EDT
Published: June 11, 2026 at 7:00AM EDT

Here’s what we know about the veteran Toronto police officer fatally shot in North York

A police officer shot and killed at a North York apartment building on Thursday morning was part of a team executing search warrants in relation to multiple shootings in the city, including one at the U.S. Consulate.

Trump calls off latest threats to strike Iran, citing progress in negotiations

BY JON GAMBRELL AND AAMER MADHANI
Updated 11:45 AM PDT, June 11, 2026

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he had called off new military strikes on Iran, suggesting progress had been made in talks to end the war just hours after the American leader threatened to escalate the conflict by seizing control of Iran’s oil industry.

Did Trump just say: "Let them eat cake"?

Trump’s Disregard for Americans: 

He doesn't care, but he's coming for your votes

June 11, 2026

In a stunning display of disconnection from everyday Americans, President Donald Trump recently said four words that stunned even the most loyal of his voters, “I love the inflation,” a remark that epitomizes his absolute disrespect for the struggles faced by countless families across the nation, Democrat, Republican and Independent. Rising gas prices have sent inflation soaring to its highest level in three years, creating significant challenges for many households. Yet, instead of sympathizing with the financial burdens Americans are enduring, Trump flaunts his indifference like a badge of honor.

When will the Iran war end? Here's what Trump has said

By Arden Farhi

Updated on: June 10, 2026 / 3:02 PM EDT / CBS News

From virtually the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in February, President Trump has insisted it is almost over. And he's continued to give timelines ranging from a few days to a few weeks. 

Iran Updates: Hegseth says U.S. will "negotiate with bombs" if needed, as U.S. military announces more strikes

By Duarte Dias, Eleanor Watson, James LaPorta, Frank Andrews
Updated on: June 11, 2026 

12:03 AM EDT / CBS News

What to know about the Iran war today: 

• U.S. Central Command said the U.S. launched another round of strikes on Iran after President Trump said Wednesday that Tehran had "taken too long to negotiate a deal" and would "pay the price."
• Iran appeared to retaliate early Thursday morning local time as Kuwait and Bahrain reported incoming strikes.
• Mr. Trump told reporters earlier at the White House he would hit Iran "hard" as the ceasefire between the countries appeared to crumble with an earlier exchange of fire sparked by the downing of a U.S. Army helicopter. 
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also told reporters, "If we need to negotiate with bombs, we'll negotiate with bombs. And we're very good at it."

DemocracyNow.org Headline News May 10 2026

 

Graham Platner tears into Republicans after clinching Susan Collins matchup in Maine, and other primary night takeaways

 CNN Politics  By Eric Bradner 

Updated 3 hr ago

Graham Platner was all but certain to win Maine’s Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday

But the swirl of controversies over Platner’s past personal behavior had raised a slew of questions about the outcome: Would there be a significant number of protest votes lodged for Gov. Janet Mills, whose name was still on the ballot even though she suspended her campaign in April? Would Democratic voters skip the race entirely?

None of that came to pass. With votes still being counted Tuesday night, the progressive populist Platner was on course to earn about three-fourths of primary voters’ support — effectively ending any question about whether Maine Democrats wanted him to be their standard-bearer against Republican Sen. Susan Collins in one of the nation’s marquee races in November.

US launches airstrikes on Iran after blaming Tehran for helicopter crash, prompting retaliation

Iran launched attacks on sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, which both sounded alerts and fired air defenses in response. Jordan also reported shooting down five missiles.

By Jon Gambrell | The Associated Press • 

Published 39 minutes ago • Updated 8 minutes ago

NBC Universal, Inc.

President Trump also said early Tuesday that “we’re very close to having a very good, strong, powerful deal” with Iran.

The Geopolitical Significance of Iranian Strikes Against Israel

Iran Israel
09/06/2026
by Trita Parsi

For the first time in decades, a regional power dares to militarily confront Israel's aggressive actions against third parties.

Picture: Israeli settler stands next to a missile fragment embedded in the ground, following Iran's attacks, in the central area of the Israeli occupation in the West Bank, June 8, 2026 [Naama Stern - Reuters]

This is the first time Iran has struck Israel following an Israeli attack on the territory of a third country, meaning not in Iran itself.

Live Updates: Trump says Iran shot down Apache helicopter and U.S. must respond

By Duarte Dias, Frank Andrews
Updated on: June 9, 2026 

2:35 PM EDT / CBS News

What to know about the Iran war today:

• President Trump said Iranians shot down an Apache helicopter that crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. The two pilots were uninjured but the U.S. "must, of necessity, respond," the president said on social media.
• Mr. Trump said earlier that efforts to reach a deal with Iran were in their "final throes," with a deal possible in "two or three days." It is unclear where negotiations stand following the helicopter incident.
• Israel has continued military operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, and health authorities said at least eight people were killed Tuesday in new strikes on the southern city of Tyre. Iran warned Monday that it would retaliate for any new Israeli attacks in Lebanon.