The United States government entered a partial shutdown early Saturday after Congress failed to approve a full federal budget for fiscal year 2026 before the midnight deadline. While the lapse in funding has triggered formal shutdown procedures across several federal departments, congressional leaders from both parties indicated the disruption is likely to be brief, with a Senate-backed agreement expected to move through the House early next week. As a result of the missed deadline, an estim

The US Justice Department on Friday released more than three million additional pages of records tied to its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking what officials described as the final disclosure under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The release includes thousands of videos and hundreds of thousands of images and concludes a lengthy document review process aimed at complying with congressional requirements for public disclosure. Speaking at a news co

Annapolis Police are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found on a hiking trail in Truxtun Park, with authorities believing extreme cold weather played a significant role. Officers were called to the area near the tennis courts on Wednesday after receiving a report of an unresponsive person on the trail. Upon arrival, first responders located the woman and determined she had died at the scene. Preliminary findings suggest the woman slipped on ice while walking along t

US President Donald Trump sharply criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday following the central bank’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged, accusing him of delaying necessary rate cuts and undermining the nation’s economic strength, national security and global competitiveness. The comments came shortly after the Federal Open Market Committee announced it would maintain its benchmark interest rate, a move that aligned with market expectations but drew strong poli

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has launched an internal review following the upload of sensitive contracting documents to a public version of ChatGPT by its acting director, according to officials familiar with the matter. The incident, which occurred last summer, triggered multiple automated security alerts within the Department of Homeland Security and has renewed scrutiny around the use of artificial intelligence tools inside federal agencies. The documen

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Wednesday that two federal agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis have been placed on administrative leave, a move the agency described as routine procedure following any deadly use of force by federal officers. The announcement comes amid mounting public anger over ongoing immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and increasing political pressure on the White House to address concerns about federal conduct on t

Bruce Springsteen has released a new protest song addressing recent fatal incidents in Minneapolis, using his music to respond to what he describes as escalating state violence tied to immigration enforcement. The song, titled Streets of Minneapolis, was unveiled this week and directly references the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, two individuals killed during encounters involving federal immigration agents. The release comes amid heightened tensions following an immigration

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, marking his first public appearance since the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. Rubio outlined the administration’s approach toward Venezuela, defended the operation that led to Maduro’s detention, and emphasized the strategic concerns the United States has regarding the region. His testimony came amid scrutiny from senators on both sides of the ai

US President Donald Trump has publicly defended Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as his administration faces growing pressure over the fatal shooting of a US citizen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota. Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House, Trump dismissed questions about Noem’s future in the cabinet and offered strong praise for her leadership amid mounting criticism. When asked directly whether Noem was being removed from her p

A Department of Homeland Security report released this week has detailed the initial findings surrounding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a Minnesota nurse who was killed during protests against federal immigration enforcement operations over the weekend. The document summarizes the preliminary conclusions of an internal investigation conducted by Customs and Border Protection following the confrontation that led to Pretti’s death. According to the report, federal officers atte

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has reiterated that Europe remains fundamentally dependent on the United States for its collective defense, pushing back against any notion that the continent could independently guarantee its security. Speaking to lawmakers at the European Parliament on Monday, Rutte emphasized that the transatlantic alliance remains indispensable at a time of rising geopolitical uncertainty and renewed debate over Europe’s military capabilities. Rutte’s remark

The prolonged delay in H-1B visa stamping that began in December has continued into the new year, with no signs of immediate relief for thousands of skilled workers dependent on timely consular processing. No new interview slots have been opened at US consulates in India, and applicants are now receiving notifications that their previously scheduled appointments are being deferred as far as 2027, intensifying anxiety among visa holders and employers alike. Immigration attorneys and

The Supreme Court on Wednesday is considering a case with wide-ranging consequences for both the US economy and the balance of power within the federal government, as it reviews President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook. The dispute centers on whether a sitting president has the authority to dismiss a member of the central bank’s governing board and what legal standards must be met for such a decisi

WASHINGTON — A political art collective known as The Secret Handshake has installed a large-scale protest display near the U.S. Capitol, featuring a 10-foot-tall birthday card referencing an alleged message sent by President Donald Trump to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The installation appeared overnight along 3rd Street Northwest, across from the Capitol grounds between Madison Drive and Jefferson Drive, and is timed to coincide with Epstein’s birthday on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

A unique Bay Area tradition marking the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. returns Monday morning with the departure of Caltrain’s annual MLK Celebration Train, offering residents a free and meaningful way to take part in the holiday’s events. The special service is scheduled to leave San Jose shortly after 9 a.m., carrying passengers north toward San Francisco in time to join the city’s Martin Lut