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@cnn producer, @UNC Tar Heel & politics aficionado. Pushin 🅿️ in DC. Fmr: @politico, @newsobserver & @dailytarheel. Send BBQ recs: evan.semones@cnn.com
Articles by Evan Semones
Katie Zacharia ‘offered’ position as White House press secretary
Katie Zacharia ‘offered’ position as White House press secretary The role has been vacant since former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt left in August. Published On 9 Oct 20269 Oct 2026 Conservative commentator Katie Zacharia has been picked to be US President Donald Trump’s next press secretary. A White House source told Al Jazeera on Friday that the position has “been offered” to Zacharia.
‘Barbaric’: US lawmakers condemn plan to livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution
United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has received widespread condemnation over his announcement to livestream the execution of a man who killed 13 people at a military base in Texas. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in the US Congress were quick to react in the hours after the Pentagon chief told a conservative news outlet on Thursday that former US Army Major Nidal Hasan’s death by firing squad would be made public.
Hegseth says firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter will be 'public'
United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the execution of a former US Army psychiatrist who killed 13 people at the Fort Hood military base in Texas will be publicly available to watch. In an interview with the media outlet Real America's Voice on Thursday, Hegseth was asked about President Donald Trump's recent order to use a firing squad to execute Nidal Hasan, who was convicted of the 2009 shooting. The secretary said he approved of the decision, calling it a “no-brainer”.
Trump-Xi summit live: Trade, AI, Iran and Taiwan top US-China talks
blinking-dotLive updatesLive updates, Trump-Xi summit live: Trade, AI, Iran and Taiwan top US-China talks Xi’s first White House visit in more than a decade comes amid an ongoing trade dispute, with AI, Taiwan and the war in Iran to be discussed. Published On 24 Sep 202624 Sep 2026 Share US-China trade, AI, Iran and Taiwan to top agenda in Trump-Xi talks on social media share-nodes Share google Add Al Jazeera on Googleinfo
US Republican calls for probe into Donald Trump Jr’s business dealings
A member of Donald Trump’s political party has issued a rare call for a congressional investigation into the foreign dealings of the United States president’s eldest son. US Senator John Curtis, a Republican from the state of Utah, on Tuesday said “questions have arisen” about Donald Trump Jr’s relationships with foreign business figures and acceptance of “significant gifts”, alleging he may have personally benefited from his relationship with the president.
US, Iran hold ‘very good’ talks, Trump says at UN meeting
Follow US, Iran hold ‘very good’ talks, Trump says at UN meeting Tue, September 22, 2026 at 2:14 PM EDT President Donald Trump during the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday [Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP] Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
What to know about US Federal Reserve’s first interest rate hike in 3 years
For the first time in more than three years, the United States Federal Reserve has raised interest rates amid mounting inflationary pressures and consumer frustration. The unanimous decision on Wednesday, supported by all 12 members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), raised rates by a quarter of a percentage point, underscoring the central bank’s commitment to lowering prices. The Fed’s benchmark rate is now set between 3.75 percent and 4 percent.
Kennedy Center closes amid financial crisis and Trump name dispute
The board of Kennedy Center in Washington, DC has voted to shutter the historic venue’s doors, citing what it described as a dire financial crisis amid critically needed renovations. The board, comprised of allies of US President Donald Trump, met on Tuesday just hours after US District Judge Casey Cooper blocked the latest effort to add US President Donald Trump’s name back to the venue.
Republican midterm convention live: Trump headlines day 2 of Dallas rally
Live updatesLive updates, US Republicans return to the stage to close their midterm convention, still betting on Trump’s political magnetism. Video Duration 26 minutes 47 seconds 26:47 Trump's midterms showdown I This is America US Republicans return to the stage to close their midterm convention, still betting that President Donald Trump’s political magnetism can overcome grim election forecasts.
Mamdani releases records on toxic air in New York after 9/11 attacks
Just days before the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, New York City has released a trove of previously undisclosed documents suggesting government efforts to downplay – or even mislead – residents about dangerous air quality following the attacks. At a news conference on Tuesday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the publication of 170,000 pages concerning health issues following the collapse of two skyscrapers in the World Trade Center complex, known as the Twin Towers.
Mamdani releases records on toxic air in New York after 9/11 attacks
1 hour ago The release on Tuesday included more than 170,000 pages of air quality reports, contamination records and correspondence among city officials in the months after Sept. 11. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration released more than 170,000 pages of previously withheld city records on Tuesday about the …
What to watch in the US’s New Hampshire and Rhode Island primary elections
Voters in two US states — New Hampshire and Rhode Island — will head to the polls this week to select Democratic and Republican candidates for this November’s United States midterm elections.
Amazon cargo plane crashes in US while landing at Miami airport
A cargo plane for the retail company Amazon has crashed in the United States after overrunning its runway while landing at Miami International Airport, disrupting one of the country’s busiest airports. In a post on social media, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a Boeing 767-300 aircraft overran the runway at 2pm ET (6pm GMT) upon arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said “multiple vehicles” were struck by the plane, which caught on fire after it crashed.
Trump administration appeals again to US Supreme Court over mail-in voting
The administration of United States President Donald Trump has made another appeal to the Supreme Court to allow new restrictions on mail-in voting ahead of the midterms in November. Two days after a federal judge blocked the US Postal Service (USPS) from enforcing Trump’s executive order, the administration on Sunday escalated the matter to the country’s highest court, asking justices to temporarily allow the agency to track mail-in ballots and decide whether they could be rejected.
Trump official says ‘there may not be a nuclear agreement’ with Iran Original
As the United States and Iran resume trading attacks, a top US official has publicly downplayed the chances of one of President Donald Trump’s initial key objectives in the US and Israel’s war on Iran: getting a signed nuclear agreement. During an interview on Sunday with US channel ABC News, the US Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, said “there may not” be a nuclear deal, signalling that the US may pivot instead to launching strikes against any Iranian efforts to build nuclear infrastructure.
Trump official says ‘there may not be a nuclear agreement’ with Iran
As the United States and Iran resume trading attacks, a top US official has publicly downplayed the chances of one of President Donald Trump's initial key objectives in the US and Israel's war on Iran: getting a signed nuclear agreement. During an interview on Sunday with US channel ABC News, the US Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, said "there may not" be a nuclear deal, signalling that the US may pivot instead to launching strikes against any Iranian efforts to build nuclear infrastructure.
Trump official says ‘there may not be a nuclear agreement’ with Iran
Follow Trump official says ‘there may not be a nuclear agreement’ with Iran Sun, September 6, 2026 at 12:59 PM EDT U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright at a media conference in Venezuela on Wednesday [Jesus Vargas/Getty Images] Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Witkoff and Kushner will travel to 'end' Russia's war in Ukraine: Trump
United States President Donald Trump said that US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are travelling this weekend in an attempt to revive peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. On Friday, while speaking at the White House, Trump said Witkoff and his son-in-law Kushner, who are preparing to travel to Kyiv and Moscow this weekend, are bringing a proposal to “end the war”. “I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner … to see whether or not we can get something done,” Trump said.
‘Small potatoes’: US President Trump downplays war on Iran Original
As the United States and Israel’s war on Iran enters its seventh month with no clear end in sight, President Donald Trump has become the latest US official to downplay the conflict. On Friday, Trump said the conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of 18 US service members and a spike in global energy prices, is “small potatoes”.
‘Small potatoes’: US President Trump downplays war on Iran
10 hours ago Amidst waning support from Democrats, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, is facing a slew of allegations about how he's handled his responsibilities over the past few years. A Sept. 3 report from the Wall Street Journal included numerous accusations against Fetterman based on the comments of …
Witkoff and Kushner will travel to ‘end’ Russia’s war in Ukraine: Trump
United States President Donald Trump said that US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are travelling this weekend in an attempt to revive peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. On Friday, while speaking at the White House, Trump said Witkoff and his son-in-law Kushner, who are preparing to travel to Kyiv and Moscow this weekend, are bringing a proposal to “end the war”. “I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner … to see whether or not we can get something done,” Trump said.
In the United States, legislature rejects constitutional amendment to restrict supreme court size
Constitutional Court/Judical Review Constitutional Amendment North America United States By Evan Semones, A proposed amendment to the United States Constitution has fallen short, after Republicans attempted to cap the number of seats on the nation’s Supreme Court. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives failed to advance a joint resolution championed by Republicans that would have permanently limited the court to its current number of justices: nine. [ . . .
US Congress rejects constitutional amendment to restrict Supreme Court size
A proposed amendment to the United States Constitution has fallen short, after Republicans attempted to cap the number of seats on the nation's Supreme Court. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives failed to advance a joint resolution championed by Republicans that would have permanently limited the court to its current number of justices: nine. The amendment's final vote, which was mostly along party lines, was 212 in favour and 206 opposed.
What you need to know: US launches coin featuring Trump’s face
United States President Donald Trump’s face has officially found its way onto the country’s currency. On Tuesday at 12pm Eastern Time (16:00 GMT), the US Mint began circulating – and selling – a “once-in-a-generation” $1 coin bearing Trump’s likeness to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The gold-coloured coins feature Trump’s portrait on one side, alongside inscriptions of “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”.
Apple changes name of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' in maps app
The tech company Apple has updated the label for Lake Ontario to “Lake America” for United States users of its map application, after direct lobbying from President Donald Trump. Tuesday's change took place on the same day that executive John Ternus became Apple's next CEO. Apple is now the second US-based tech giant to comply with Trump's controversial executive order. On Saturday, Google also announced it had changed the name for US users on its highly popular Google Maps.
‘Really terrified’: Milo Yiannopoulos speaks out after deportation from US
Far-right British commentator Milo Yiannopoulos, who once embraced United States President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, has made his first public remarks after his US arrest and deportation. In an interview released on Tuesday, Yiannopoulos spoke to host Piers Morgan about his experience, telling the interviewer that he now knows what it’s like to be “really, really terrified”.
Ontario's Doug Ford prods Trump with sign rejecting 'Lake America' name
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has unveiled a new – and very blue – response to United States President Donald Trump's controversial order renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America”. On Saturday, Ford recorded a video of himself along the lake's shore near Hamilton, Ontario, where he revealed a baby-blue, billboard-sized sign that reads “Lake Ontario” in large white letters.
Ontario’s Doug Ford prods Trump with sign rejecting 'Lake America' name
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Far-right UK provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos detained by ICE in US
Milo Yiannopoulos, a far-right British commentator known for previously being a vocal supporter of United States President Donald Trump, has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security told Al Jazeera that Yiannopoulos was taken into custody at the Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Thursday.
US judge rules against Trump’s effort to deport pro-Palestinian students Original
A United States federal judge has ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration violated the constitutional rights of international students when it sought to punish them for criticising Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. In California on Friday, District Judge Noel Wise heaped criticism on the US Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after the agencies attempted to deport noncitizens over protected speech.
US judge rules against Trump’s effort to deport pro-Palestinian students
U.S. Politics Now Judge declares Rubio’s speech-based student deportations violate the Constitution POLITICO - By Gregory Svirnovskiy and Ben Johansen • 27m Northern District of California Judge Noël Wise, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, sided with the Stanford Daily in its suit against Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
President Donald Trump signs order creating US Space Academy
United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing the country’s first-ever Space Academy. On Friday during an event honoring the four-person Artemis II crew at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Texas, Trump made the unexpected announcement. He described the training facility as “a big deal” and said it would be “top line”. “I will sign an executive order to begin the process of creating a new national academy.
US President Trump signs order renaming Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’
Amid a spiraling trade war with Canada, United States President Donald Trump says he is renaming a body of water shared between the two countries. At a Tuesday news conference in the Oval Office, Trump signed an executive order that changes the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America. The president told reporters the name change will take place “effective immediately”.
Pro-Israel Democrats picked for top roles on key US House committee
Three pro-Israel Democratic lawmakers have been selected for top roles on the Foreign Affairs Committee in the United States House of Representatives, also known as HFAC. That comes despite shifting attitudes among Americans towards Israel, which is viewed in an increasingly negative light, particularly on the political left.
US judge blocks Ohio law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote Original
A United States federal court has temporarily blocked an Ohio law that required proof of US citizenship from residents who wanted to register to vote while they obtained a driver’s license. In his ruling on Tuesday, US District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr granted a preliminary injunction against the law, saying it likely violates the US National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) because it requires more information than necessary to determine a resident’s eligibility to vote.
Trump administration: Kennedy Center may be demolished if repairs not made
United States President Donald Trump’s administration has warned that Washington, DC’s Kennedy Center could be demolished if renovations are not allowed to be completed. In a Monday court filing, US Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyers told a federal judge the performing arts venue is in “terrible trouble,” adding that it “cannot survive, either structurally or financially” without the help of the president or his administration.
US vice president JD Vance holds midterm election rally in Ohio hometown
For the first time since becoming vice president of the United States, JD Vance has returned to his hometown of Middletown, Ohio, with a goal of rallying Republican voters ahead of November's pivotal midterm elections. Vance delivered Friday's speech at a symbolic location: the steel plant where his late grandfather once worked. He used the appearance to tout a $1bn investment from the steel manufacturer Cleveland-Cliffs that was supported by $500m in government awards.
Carney: Canada will enact retaliatory US tariffs starting September 8
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to issue retaliatory, “dollar-for-dollar” tariffs after the United States enacted steep new duties on the country. Carney addressed Canadians on Saturday, just hours after the US imposed 50 percent tariffs on nearly $20bn worth of the country's goods. The prime minister promised a “focused response”, beginning September 8, that would level tariffs on US imports like steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, paper and electronics.
US vice president JD Vance holds midterm election rally in Ohio hometown
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Trump waives ‘out-of-quota’ beef tariffs for 90 days to lower prices
United States President Donald Trump says he will allow imports of up to 300,000 tonnes of ground beef over the next three months without paying higher tariffs, a move aimed at lowering the price of a household staple. On Friday, Trump posted on social media that he made a deal to “substantially lower” the price of ground beef for Americans. “We have a commitment that this beef will be sold at 25 percent below current market prices,” Trump wrote on his TruthSocial account.
What to know about the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, Trump’s capital car race
Washington, DC – Over the next two days, a portion of the United States capital will transform into a seven-turn professional-grade track for the city’s first-ever IndyCar race. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix, championed by President Donald Trump, is one of several special events held to commemorate the country’s 250th birthday. But the race, which has been billed as a means of “celebrating American greatness”, is not coming without a heavy dose of criticism.
Kennedy Center board says it won’t try to immediately restore Trump’s name
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the United States has announced it will not attempt to immediately reinscribe US President Donald Trump’s name at the historic venue. In a joint court filing on Tuesday, the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees indicated it had “committed” to not taking further action before September 8, as legal arguments unfold.
Minnesota official sues Texas governor to force ICE agent's extradition
Minnesota's attorney general is suing the governor of Texas to force the extradition of a federal agent charged with shooting and wounding a man during President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. In a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison argued that Texas Governor Greg Abbott has refused to fulfil his “mandatory” obligation to transfer Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Christian Castro, so that he may stand trial.
What to know about California’s special election to replace Eric Swalwell
Voters in a swath of the US state of California’s Bay Area are heading to the polls Tuesday to determine which Democrat will replace former Representative Eric Swalwell to represent the state’s 14th Congressional District. State Senator Aisha Wahab and local transit official Melissa Hernandez are facing off in a race that has become increasingly expensive and combative.
What to watch in Tuesday’s Florida primary elections
Voters in Florida will head to the polls on Tuesday to select their party nominees for key state and federal elections this November. This week’s primaries mark the first elections in Florida to use the new congressional districts signed into law in May. The state’s legislature, which skews heavily Republican, redrew the congressional map this year to favour right-wing candidates.
What to watch in Tuesday’s Florida primary elections
1 day ago A House candidate in South Florida has a Democratic Socialists of America endorsement, while others are trying to win with progressive, outsider messaging. MIAMI — A loss in Wisconsin’s governor’s race and close call in Michigan’s Senate contest showed the limits of the insurgent left in swing …
US Democrats finalise major shakeup to 2028 presidential primary calendar
Democrats in the United States have approved a shakeup to their 2028 presidential primary calendar as the party looks to take back the White House. During a meeting on Saturday in Austin, Texas, Democratic National Committee (DNC) members voted to overhaul which states have the first say in picking the party’s presidential nominee. South Carolina will once again take centre stage as the party’s first official nominating contest, with its Democratic primary scheduled for January 22, 2028.
Kennedy Center votes to restore Trump’s name to venue, close for two years
The Kennedy Center board has voted to move forward with a two-year closure of the centre and re-add Donald Trump’s name to the historic performing arts building, according to officials, about three months after a court ordered that the US president’s name be removed. Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio who is a board member through her leadership position in Congress, and her lawyers issued a statement on Thursday condemning the moves.
Trump administration plans to give ICE officers electric-shock gloves
The administration of United States President Donald Trump is planning to spend tens of millions of dollars to equip federal immigration agents with gloves capable of delivering electric shocks. According to a notice posted on Monday, the Department of Homeland Security has estimated it will invest between $10m and $20m in such gloves by the end of March 2027. The devices are known as the CT-G5 G.L.O.V.E., an acronym that stands for “Generate Low Output Voltage Emitter”.
California’s recall election, in photos
Democrats may have Republican Larry Elder, right, to thank if California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, survives Tuesday's recall election. | Getty Images & AP Photo California’s gubernatorial recall has been a stomach-churning political roller coaster ride for Gov. Gavin Newsom — one that looked at the start like a longshot, and even a crazy impossibility, in the deep-blue state.
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