Author: Andrew Rogers

President Donald Trump is weighing a major new strike on Iran after preliminary discussions between Washington and Tehran over nuclear limits and missile production failed to make progress, U.S. officials and people familiar with the matter say. The shift marks a rapid pivot in U.S. policy toward Iran, coming only weeks after Trump appeared to consider limited military action tied to internal protests in Iran. In social media posts, Trump demanded that Iran negotiate “a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS,” and warned that any future U.S. strike would be “far worse” than last year’s attacks on Iranian…

Senator Tammy Duckworth fired back at Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday after he mocked her during a Senate hearing by comparing her to the fictional character Forrest Gump. Duckworth called the remark a “petty insult” that was hurtful to people with disabilities. The exchange began during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing where Duckworth, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and Purple Heart recipient, pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio on whether U.S. actions in the Caribbean were bound by the laws of war and whether American forces might be drawn into Venezuela. Shortly after, Vance posted a message…

Democrats in Congress are pressing for major changes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sharply raising the risk of a government shutdown. Party leaders insist any funding deal with President Donald Trump must include reforms to federal immigration enforcement. Inside the Capitol, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer unveiled the Democratic demands on Wednesday, with members refusing private White House discussions to avoid being split from their caucus. Many Democrats remain firm even as a partial government shutdown looms this Saturday, citing growing public frustration over aggressive ICE actions. Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada expressed her frustration with the administration.…

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from detaining refugees in Minnesota, following a wave of arrests that sparked widespread concern among advocacy groups. More than 100 lawfully resettled refugees had been taken into custody in recent weeks, with some flown to detention centers in Texas before being abruptly released to return home on their own. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim issued a ruling ordering the immediate release of all detained refugees in Minnesota. Refugees who had been transferred to Texas must also be released within five days. The temporary halt comes as a lawsuit challenging…

A newly released video shows Alex Pretti confronting federal immigration agents in Minneapolis just 11 days before he was fatally shot by Customs and Border Protection officers, according to a family representative. The 37-year-old’s family confirmed he was injured during the encounter but did not receive medical care. The footage, recorded on Jan. 13 and posted Wednesday by The News Movement, shows Pretti alongside other protesters facing federal officers on a Minneapolis street. CBS News verified the video in partnership with BBC News. In the video, Pretti is seen kicking and damaging the taillight of a government SUV. The vehicle…

Fears of Iran’s leadership succession are spreading as tensions rise sharply between Tehran and its rivals. Growing military pressure and online rumors have sparked claims that Iran is quietly preparing replacement leaders in case top figures are targeted in a future conflict. Reports circulating on social media suggest Iran’s political and military leadership fears possible covert attacks. These claims come amid heightened regional tension and growing talk of direct military action against Iran. Many posts say Tehran is acting now to prevent any power vacuum if senior leaders are killed. The rumors claim that Iran has drawn up a list…

Hormuz Strait tensions are rising sharply as Iran stages major naval drills in one of the world’s most critical waterways. The exercises include live fire, airspace closures, and direct bombardment at sea. These moves come at a time of growing military pressure in the Middle East, with both Iran and the United States increasing their presence in nearby waters. Iran’s navy carried out the drills as US forces expanded their deployment in the region. The US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and several guided missile destroyers are now operating in Middle Eastern waters. Tehran views this buildup as a direct threat…

Houthi readiness Iran war concerns are rising as tensions once again grow in the Middle East. The Red Sea region is facing a new wave of anxiety as the standoff between Iran and the United States deepens. Many now fear that Yemen could be pushed toward a dangerous new conflict if the crisis escalates further. Questions are growing louder. If the United States attacks Iran, will the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden turn into active war zones? Are the Houthi fighters in Yemen truly prepared to challenge the powerful US naval presence, or is this mainly a pressure…

North Carolina income growth has failed to keep pace with the state’s booming economy, according to a new long-term study. While the state has seen rapid economic expansion over the past five decades, the typical household has not shared equally in that success. North Carolina’s economy has grown sharply since 1970. The state now ranks eleventh in the nation by total economic output. Yet a new report released Tuesday shows that median household income has risen much more slowly than in most other states. The study reviewed income data from 1970 to 2023. After adjusting for inflation, it found that…

North Dakota ethics rules have changed after state officials raised concerns about abuse of the complaint system. On Wednesday, the North Dakota Ethics Commission approved several updates to how it reviews and manages ethics complaints. The changes focus on stopping bad-faith filings, reducing delays, and improving fairness for people accused of wrongdoing. The Ethics Commission investigates claims of unethical behavior involving certain state officials and political candidates. In recent years, the number of complaints has increased. This rise caused delays and added pressure on the commission’s limited staff. Lawmakers and commissioners said the system needed fixes to remain fair and…