Author: Rana McCallister

Turkey’s parliament has opened debate on a draft bill proposing a conditional amnesty for thousands of Kurdish militants, offering a pardon-like path that aims to change the course of a long-running conflict. The bill under discussion would create a legal framework for militants to lay down arms and return to civilian life under strict conditions. Supporters argue it could reduce violence and bring fighters back into society without blanket immunity for past crimes. On the floor of parliament the debate split lawmakers along clear lines, with proponents framing the measure as a pragmatic step toward stability. Opponents warned that any…

The D.C. Circuit put the brakes on above-ground work for President Trump’s planned White House ballroom, finding that the Constitution gives Congress authority over federal property while a dissenting judge and the president promise appeals up to the Supreme Court. A divided appeals panel has ordered a stop to above-ground construction on the proposed 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom, endorsing an injunction brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Two judges relied on the Constitution’s Property Clause to say Congress, not the president acting alone, has final control over changes to federal real estate. A Trump-appointed judge dissented, arguing the…

Kevin Warsh’s first semi-annual monetary policy report in Washington set the stage for a fresh debate over the Fed’s direction, accountability, and how monetary choices touch everyday Americans; the hearings drew attention to the balance between independence and oversight, market reactions, and the political pressure surrounding inflation and interest-rate strategy. “Did Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh change hearts and minds?” That question hung over his Capitol Hill appearances and framed the conversation on Aug 9, 2026. Lawmakers and market watchers tuned in to gauge whether a new tone from the Fed chair would translate into different policy moves or simply more…

Sen. Bill Cassidy cast the decisive Republican vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, breaking a weeks-long standoff and handing Republicans a narrow 50-49 victory in the Senate. On a Friday morning, Sen. Bill Cassidy announced he would vote yes after a phone call with Todd Blanche, ending a drawn-out fight that left the GOP majority stretched thin. His decision provided the single Republican vote needed after two GOP senators crossed the aisle, and it cleared the path for Blanche’s confirmation. The vote came down to math more than enthusiasm. With Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell absent, the threshold…

Republican Rep. Andy Ogles lost the Tennessee GOP primary in the redrawn 5th District to former Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, 53.2% to 46.8%, after a race defined by dramatic redistricting, heavy outside spending, and a run of controversies that left the incumbent exposed despite President Trump’s late endorsement. The new 5th District left Ogles with only 17% of his old territory, so he faced voters who largely did not know him. That reshaping made retail politics and local credibility essential, and Hatcher leaned into his farming background to connect with rural communities. Gov. Bill Lee added a late endorsement that…

The Justice Department says Duke Law intentionally used race as an admissions factor, citing a review of the classes of 2023 through 2025 and concluding the school’s practices favored some racial groups over others in violation of federal law. The Department of Justice has issued a formal finding that Duke University School of Law intentionally discriminated against white and Asian applicants by using race in admissions after the Supreme Court forbade that practice. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon led a compliance review covering the 2023, 2024, and 2025 admissions cycles. That span includes cycles both before and…

A diplomatic spat between Spain and Italy over the rush of tens of thousands of migrants to the Spanish territory of Ceuta escalated on Saturday after the government in Madrid announced border control. What we saw in Ceuta is a border crisis that quickly became political. The sudden movement of tens of thousands of migrants into the Spanish territory of Ceuta tested local capacity and pushed Madrid to act. When the government in Madrid announced border control, the situation moved from a humanitarian issue into a diplomatic standoff. From a conservative viewpoint, the first priority is straightforward: borders and order.…

A helicopter involved in fighting a major Utah wildfire crashed Friday, and officials had not immediately reported the condition of the two people on board. A helicopter helping battle a large Utah wildfire crashed Friday with no immediate word on the conditions of the two people aboard, federal officials said. The aircraft was part of the aerial effort against fast-moving flames that have threatened homes and forced evacuations. Local agencies scrambled ground crews and air units to support search and rescue while conditions remained uncertain. Aircrews are a vital part of wildfire response, dropping water and retardant and moving crews…

In a recent letter, the DAR President reassured members while signaling that the organization’s shift away from its female-focused mission is continuing, and reactions among members are mixed and sharp. The latest communication from national leadership landed like a cold splash for many long-time members who expected clearer fidelity to the group’s founding purpose. The tone of the letter leaned toward calm reassurance, but that calm does not erase the hard questions about identity and priorities that are now front and center. Members who joined to defend a female-centered organization say they feel sidelined. Those members point to decisions and…

Lisa Murkowski has once again sided with Sen. Susan Collins in resisting a nominee, a move announced on Friday that keeps the Alaska senator at odds with the conservative wing of her party. There is a running joke among Republicans that some senators seem allergic to the party’s priorities, and Lisa Murkowski keeps proving the point. Her decision to line up with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, underscores a pattern of cautious centrism that frustrates grassroots conservatives. That split matters because it affects confirmations and the message the GOP sends about accountability. The Last Frontier State’s senior senator announced on Friday…