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In the news today: President Donald Trump says the Senate should scrap the filibuster to end the government shutdown; state National Guard units are ordered to create "quick reaction forces"; and King Charles III takes away Prince Andrew's remaining titles. Also, how street art is changing minds in West Africa. |
President Donald Trump walks down the stairs of Air Force One upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Thursday, after returning from Asia. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
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Trump says Senate should scrap the filibuster to end the government shutdown |
President Donald Trump is calling on the Senate to make the change, so that the Republican majority can bypass Democrats and reopen the federal government. Read more. |
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- "THE CHOICE IS CLEAR — INITIATE THE 'NUCLEAR OPTION,' GET RID OF THE FILIBUSTER," Trump posted Thursday night on his social media site, Truth Social.
The filibuster is a long-standing tactic in the Senate to delay or block votes on legislation by keeping the debate running. It requires 60 votes in a full Senate to overcome a filibuster, giving Democrats a check on the 53-seat Republican majority that led to the start of the Oct. 1 shutdown when the new fiscal year began.
- Trump's call to terminate the filibuster could alter the ways the Senate and congressional dealmaking operate. It's unclear if lawmakers will follow Trump's lead, rather than finding ways to negotiate with Democrats.
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National Guard in each state is ordered to create 'quick reaction forces' trained in civil unrest |
Military leaders have ordered the National Guard in every state to develop a "quick reaction force" of troops trained to deal with civil disturbances and riots that can be ready to deploy with just hours' notice, the latest indication of longer-term Trump administration plans to more readily dispatch soldiers to U.S. streets. Read more. |
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A set of memos circulated this month directs Guard units in all 50 states and U.S. territories, except for the District of Columbia, to train a contingent of soldiers in a specialized course that includes the proper use of batons, body shields, stun guns and pepper spray. The new, specialized quick reaction forces will be able to deploy a fourth of all their troops within eight hours and all of those assigned to the units within a day, according to the memo.
It presses forward with President Donald Trump's broader vision for a muscular role for the U.S. military in targeting illegal immigration and crime. He has already pushed traditional boundaries by sending the National Guard into American cities, often over the objection of Democratic local leaders.
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King Charles III strips Prince Andrew of titles and evicts him from royal residence |
King Charles III on Thursday stripped his disgraced brother Prince Andrew of his remaining titles and evicted him from his royal residence after weeks of pressure to act over his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Buckingham Palace said. Read more. |
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After the king's rare move, which follows years of shameful scandals, Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, and he will have to vacate his Royal Lodge mansion near Windsor Castle.
"These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him," the palace said. "Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse."
- It is almost unprecedented for a British prince or princess to be stripped of that title. It last happened in 1919, when Prince Ernest Augustus, who was a U.K. royal and also a prince of Hanover, had his British title removed for siding with Germany during World War I.
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Motorcyclists ride past a mural depicting a powerful woman on a street wall in Conakry, Guinea, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
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Senegalese artist transforms Conakry's walls with captivating street art, in photos
Street art graffiti is spreading in West Africa. In Guinea's capital, an artist from Senegal is transforming city walls. Omar Diaw says graffiti was seen as vandalism in Conakry not even a decade ago. He decided to change minds by starting with public awareness murals. |
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