Chinese national charged with acting as Beijing’s agent in local California election

The arrest of Yaoning “Mike” Sun has come at a time of rising concerns that the Chinese government has cultivated a network of operatives to influence local elections in the United States to install politicians who are friendly to Beijing and can help promote Chinese interests.

U.S. deportations at highest level since 2014, ICE report shows

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported 271,484 immigrants to nearly 200 countries last fiscal year, the highest tally in a decade, according to the agency’s annual report published Thursday.

Immigration drives US population growth to highest rate in 23 years as residents pass 340 million

Immigration in 2024 drove U.S. population growth to its fastest rate in 23 years as the nation surpassed 340 million residents, the U.S. Census Bureau said Thursday.

Army’s newest soldiers travel home to spend time with loved ones during Holiday Block Leave

The Army’s newest soldiers from 21 installations across the country are heading home for a well-deserved break during Holiday Block Leave.

House rejects Trump-backed plan on government shutdown, leaving next steps uncertain

A day before a potential government shutdown, the House resoundingly rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s new plan Thursday to fund operations and suspend the debt ceiling, as Democrats and dozens of Republicans refused to accommodate his sudden demands.

Blinken announces aid for Sudan and talks about AI risks at UN Security Council

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced $200 million in humanitarian aid for conflict-torn Sudan during his likely final trip to the United Nations while in office.

Trump stuns Washington with push to repeal debt ceiling

President-elect Donald Trump has stunned lawmakers in Washington by calling for the suspension — or outright elimination — of the federal borrowing limit, introducing an explosive new demand into last-minute negotiations over averting a government shutdown this weekend.

Biden pledges to cut US greenhouse gases by more than 60% as he exits the world stage

Biden said the new goal supersedes a previous plan to cut carbon emissions at least in half by 2030. The United States is formally submitting the new target to the United Nations under terms of the 2015 Paris climate agreement. Trump is expected to withdraw the U.S. from the accord.

Man accused in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing faces federal charge eligible for death penalty

The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO was whisked back to New York by plane and helicopter Thursday to face new federal charges of stalking and murder, which could bring the death penalty if he’s convicted.

Wisconsin school shooter had 2 guns and got messages from man accused of plotting his own attack

The 15-year-old girl who killed a student and teacher at a religious school in Wisconsin was in contact with a man in California who authorities say was planning to attack a government building.