ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has affirmed the right of people to return to their homes after an unjust exile. Leo spoke during an audience on Saturday with refugees from Chagos, the Indian Ocean archipelago that is home to a strategic U.S.-U.K. military base. Some 2,000 Chagossians were evicted from their homes by Britain…… MORE
Texas Gov. Abbott Says He’ll Swiftly Sign New Maps on His Desk That Will Boost GOP in 2026
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has promised to sign a new congressional voting map designed to help Republicans maintain their slim majority in Congress. Texas lawmakers approved the map early Saturday, adding five new districts favoring Republicans. Democrats have vowed to challenge it in court. The move is part of a broader…… MORE
Fed Chair Powell Faces Fresh Challenges to Fed Independence Amid Potential Rate Cuts
WASHINGTON (AP) — Now that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has signaled that the central bank could soon cut its key interest rate, he faces a new challenge: how to do it without seeming to cave to the White House’s demands. For months, Powell has largely ignored President Donald Trump’s relentless hectoring that he reduce…… MORE
European Postal Services Suspend Shipment of Packages to US Over Tariffs
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Multiple postal services around Europe say they are suspending the shipment of many packages to the United States amid a lack of clarity over new import duties. Postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Italy say they will stop shipping most merchandise to the U.S. effective immediately. France and Austria will…… MORE
Senate Approves Voting Map, Now Goes to Gov. Abbott
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Senate has given final approval to a new, Republican-leaning congressional voting map, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. President Donald Trump has pushed for the map to help the GOP maintain its slim majority in Congress in the 2026 midterm elections. It has five new districts…… MORE