LA Post: Top headlines on Politics and Government

New Zealand says it has not held talks with EU about becoming associate member

New Zealand has not had any discussions with the European Union about becoming an associate member, a spokesperson for New Zealand

September 18, 2026

Crime|Political|US

Alabama carries out execution of Jeffery Lee for 1998 double murder at pawnshop

Alabama has executed a man with lethal injection for a 1998 double murder at a pawnshop

September 17, 2026

Education|Political

US judge strikes down Education Department's anti-DEI grant policy

A federal judge on Thursday struck down a policy that was adopted early in US President Donald Trump's administration that required the US Department of

September 18, 2026

Economy|Europe|Political

EU chief von der Leyen invites Canada to become first associate member of bloc

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen made a significant invitation on Wednesday, saying she was taking the steps to welcome Canada as the EU’s first ever associate member. As relations between both the EU and Canada have come under strain during the Trump presidency, European leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have been taking steps to deepen the friendship between Canada and the EU.

September 15, 2026

Political

Senators from both parties voice criticism about Pentagon briefing on US defense strategy

Tensions are mounting between the Pentagon and Congress over the flow of information to lawmakers about the U.S. military’s priorities

September 18, 2026

Political|World

North Korean vice foreign minister to attend UN General assembly next week, Yonhap reports

Kim Son-Gyong, North Korea's vice foreign minister, plans to attend a high-level segment of the United Nations General Assembly set to begin in New York next week, Yonhap news

September 18, 2026

Business|Economy|Political

Starbucks settles Florida lawsuit claiming diversity policies were illegal

Starbucks agreed on Thursday to settle a discrimination lawsuit by the state of Florida, pledging not to adopt race- or sex-based quotas or preferences in hiring

September 18, 2026

Entertainment|Political

Disney says Trump threats against reporters should prompt court to block FCC action

Ongoing threats by President Donald Trump against reporters and broadcast networks are grounds for a US judge to block the Federal Communications

September 18, 2026

Political

White House drops Schroyer nomination for ICE director

The White House withdrew on Thursday its nomination of former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer for Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, issuing a brief statement that

September 18, 2026

Election|Political|World

Brazil's Lula holds lead over Flavio Bolsonaro ahead of election, Datafolha poll shows

Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held a narrow numerical lead over Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in a potential runoff in the October presidential election,

September 18, 2026

Europe|Political|US|World

Poland warns Russia is planning drone or rocket strikes on NATO territory

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warns that Russia is planning hybrid strikes with drones and rockets on European countries supporting Ukraine

September 18, 2026

Economy|Europe|Political|World

EU to disburse €3.3 billion to Ukraine to procure missiles and drones, von der Leyen says

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday the European Union will disburse €3.3 billion to Ukraine on Friday to procure missiles and drones.

September 18, 2026

Election|Political|World

Russia votes in wartime parliamentary election set to secure the Kremlin's power

Voting has begun in Russia’s parliamentary election with the main Kremlin party poised to retain its overwhelming grip on the lower house

September 17, 2026

Russia and China veto US proposal for UN experts to keep monitoring sanctions on Iran

Russia and China have vetoed a U.N. resolution that would have authorized U.N. experts to keep monitoring sanctions that were reimposed against Iran over its nuclear program

September 18, 2026

Political|US|World

Trump says progress made toward establishing US Army base in Poland

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that progress is being made toward establishing a US Army base in Poland, crediting "the bold leadership" of Polish President

September 17, 2026

Business|Political|Technology|World

US clears way for $24.3 billion fighter jet sale to Saudi Arabia

The US Department of State said on Thursday it had approved the potential sale of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom is

September 17, 2026

MidEast|Political|World

UN allows Palestinian president to again speak via video after US denies visa

The United Nations General Assembly voted on Thursday to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the annual gathering of world leaders next week via

September 18, 2026

Crime|Europe|Political

Ex-Connecticut official flees to Greece before sentencing for corruption

A former Connecticut state budget official convicted of corruption fled the U.S. by boat and plane before his sentencing and is now a fugitive in Greece

September 18, 2026

Business|Political

Trump withdraws Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, as his nominee to lead ICE

The White House says it is withdrawing its nomination of Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ensuring that an agency at the forefront of President Donald Trump’s domestic agenda will remain without a Senate-confirmed leader for at least a while longer

September 17, 2026

US approves visas for top Iranian leaders to attend UN high-level meeting even with sides at war

The Trump administration has approved visas for top Iranian officials to attend next week’s U.N. General Assembly high-level session in New York despite the two countries being at war

September 18, 2026

Election|Political|US

Appeals court weighs Trump-backed Missouri congressional map despite Supreme Court block

A federal appeals court panel is considering an attempt to revive Missouri congressional districts backed by Donald Trump

September 17, 2026

Business|Political

Trump’s golf course renovation could cost up to $49 million, documents show

September 18, 2026

Man accused of ties to bin Laden and tortured after 9/11 has 20-year Guantanamo detention reviewed

A man initially accused of being a high-profile al-Qaida figure and who was tortured in CIA custody has appeared at a hearing to review his detention

September 18, 2026

Crime|Economy|Election|Political|US

Budget cuts hit police and fire departments as candidates clash over public safety

September 18, 2026

New Hampshire to receive $10 million to combat veteran homelessness

September 18, 2026

Election|Political|US

White House pulls ICE director nominee

September 17, 2026

Political|Science|Technology|World

US Democrats look to stop Trump's Saudi nuclear deal

US House of Representatives Democrats raised concerns on Thursday about President Donald Trump's civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, and

September 17, 2026

Crime|Europe|Political|World

Irish PM worried over hostility to politicians after lawmaker assaulted

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin on Thursday condemned an assault on an independent politician as "an attack on democracy" and said the country needed to take very

September 17, 2026

Political|Technology|World

UK silence over demand for Apple data access is farcical, lawyer says

The British government's refusal to confirm whether it has issued an order to bypass encryption to access customer data held by Apple has become farcical,

September 17, 2026

Economy|Election|Political|US

Republican candidate in Florida warns Trump his immigration agenda has 'gone too far'

A Latina Republican lawmaker facing a competitive reelection race in Florida warned US President Donald Trump on Thursday that his signature

September 17, 2026

Economy|Environment|Political|Technology

Hundreds of Missourians rally for pause of data center development, man arrested

September 18, 2026

Arts|Business|Environment|Health|Political

Former US Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, a 'workhorse' who shaped water policy, dies at 84

Former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, who represented Arizona in both chambers of Congress over nearly three decades, has died at 84

September 17, 2026

Entertainment|Political|Sports

NHL star Alex Ovechkin says he's 'for peace and love' after appearing in ad for Putin-aligned party

Alex Ovechkin says he’s “for peace and love” after the Russian hockey star appeared in an ad for a party aligned with Vladimir Putin

September 17, 2026

Arts|Entertainment|Europe|Political

Buckingham Palace hits back at claims in a book by Princess Diana's brother

Buckingham Palace is denying a claim by Princess Diana's brother that King Charles III said she would soon be forgotten after her death

September 17, 2026

MidEast|Political|Technology

Serbia opens Israeli drone assembly plant

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday that Serbia had opened a factory to assemble advanced Israeli-made drones, which will supply the Serbian military and armed

September 17, 2026

China, US top diplomats discuss 'high-level interactions' in call, Beijing says

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a phone call that the two countries "should prepare well for the next stage of high-

September 17, 2026

Business|Economy|Political

US Senate panel votes to advance Trump pick for consumer watchdog

A U.S.

September 17, 2026

Finland practices ship boardings at sea to stop undersea sabotage

Finnish authorities boarded and searched a target vessel in the Baltic Sea on Thursday in a live drill that officials said shows how

September 17, 2026

Economy|Europe|Finance|Political

Romanian Liberal MEP Siegfried Muresan nominated as prime minister

Romania's President Nicusor Dan said on Thursday he will nominate Liberal European lawmaker Siegfried Muresan as prime minister, despite a lack of a clear parliamentary

September 17, 2026

Election|Political|US

GOP congresswoman breaks with Trump in new ad ahead of midterms: ‘Feel betrayed’

September 17, 2026

Election|Political

Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro, Lula tied in runoff scenario, Atlas poll shows

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva remain statistically tied in a simulated runoff ahead of next month's election, an AtlasIntel/

September 17, 2026

Political|Science|Technology

Lockheed Martin reveals new secret missile, fast tracks production

Lockheed Martin unveiled on Thursday details of a next-generation air-to-air missile developed to counter threats from China and a new agreement with the

September 17, 2026

Europe|MidEast|Political|World

Greek parliament lifts immunity of ex-Commissioner amid 'Qatargate' probe

Greece's parliament lifted the immunity of one of the country's former European Commissioners on Thursday, clearing the way for further action by authorities investigating

September 17, 2026

Business|Europe|Political|Technology

Highlights from Canadian PM Mark Carney's speech in Strasbourg

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney called for a sweeping strategic alliance with the European Union and proposed joint efforts on critical minerals, AI,

September 17, 2026

Economy|Political|World

China presses Iran to help rein in Houthis after Saudi appeal, sources say

China has privately asked Tehran to help rein in Yemen's Houthis after an appeal to Beijing by Saudi Arabia following the Iran-backed group's military blitz

September 17, 2026

Election|Political

Sweden's prime minister steps down after losing election

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson submitted a letter of resignation to the speaker of parliament on Thursday following the

September 17, 2026

Election|Europe|Political

Sweden's Prime Minister Kristersson to resign after left-leaning opposition narrowly wins election

Sweden’s left-leaning opposition has won a narrow majority in the national election

September 17, 2026

Why Hispanic Americans are losing faith in the American Dream

A public opinion researcher explains why this group’s declining faith goes beyond partisanship and reflects a fundamental question about its sense of belonging.

September 17, 2026

Economy|Political|World

Russia says new US sanctions, if signed by Trump, would make Ukraine peace deal harder

The Kremlin said on Thursday that further U.S. sanctions against Russia would make it harder to reach a peace deal in Ukraine. On Wednesday, the U.S.

September 17, 2026

Business|Political|Travel|World

Italy's Meloni visits Norway to boost energy, critical minerals ties

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is making the first official visit by an Italian leader to Norway in nearly 15 years on Thursday, seeking to deepen cooperation in areas

September 17, 2026

Europe|Political|US|World

Canada will decide on its own partnerships, Carney says

Canada will decide for itself who it will strike deals with, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday in response to U.S.

September 17, 2026

Rescue efforts end after 21 die in collapse of bomb-damaged building in Gaza; 45 saved from rubble

Gaza rescuers wrapped up searches on Thursday in the rubble of a bomb-damaged building that collapsed a day earlier, where 21

September 17, 2026

Argentina's Milei submits bill to strengthen sanctions on Falklands activities

Argentina's government has presented a bill to crack down on companies operating in the Falkland Islands, potentially escalating tensions with the United Kingdom over the territory

September 17, 2026

Africa|Economy|Political|World

Nigeria and South Africa tried to ease tensions after violent anti-migrant protests. But the rift is back

September 17, 2026

Election|Europe|MidEast|Political

ANALYSIS-The night Sweden's far-right stopped winning

When the far-right anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats won a record one-fifth of the vote in a 2022 election, Viking rock player and party leader Jimmie

September 17, 2026

Ireland’s national broadcaster will boycott 2027 Eurovision Song Contest over Israel’s participation

Ireland is set to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest for a second year due to Israel’s participation

September 17, 2026

Business|Political|Science|Technology

Trump officials considering AI executive meeting on the sidelines of Xi visit next week

September 17, 2026

Election|Political|US

The fight over congressional maps put nearly 35 million people into new House districts, report says

A new report reveals that mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans

September 17, 2026

Asia|Economy|Political|World

Pakistan eyes bigger China swap line, expects US financing decision soon

Pakistan will seek an expansion of its 30 billion yuan swap line with China when the facility expires in 2027, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said,

September 17, 2026

Crime|Europe|Political|World

Ukraine's Zelenskiy appoints acting prosecutor general, decree shows

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has appointed Anton Kovalskyi as acting prosecutor general, a presidential decree showed on Thursday.

September 17, 2026

Indonesian rescuers plan to right capsized ship as weather hampers search for 129 missing people

Indonesian rescuers plan to try to right a passenger ship that capsized in the Java Sea last weekend as persistent strong currents and big waves prevent them from making

September 17, 2026

Trump says 'hopefully we are towards end' of Iran war

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he hoped an end to the war against Iran was near and a media report separately said he is expected to meet

September 17, 2026

Europe|Political

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen says she wants Canada to become the bloc's 1st associate member

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed opening a path for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member

September 16, 2026

Education|Health|Political|Science

Scientists challenge US NIH grant screening as unconstitutional

A group of scientists filed a class-action lawsuit on Wednesday against the U.S.

September 17, 2026

Crime|Europe|MidEast|Political|World

A Hague court convicts Kosovo’s former President Thaci of war crimes and sentences him to 25 years

A European Union-backed court has convicted former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci of four counts of war crimes during Kosovo's war for independence from Serbia

September 16, 2026

Economy|Political|US|World

US House passes sanctions, tariff bill to raise economic pressure on Russia

The U.S.

September 17, 2026

Economy|Political|Technology

US House advances first bill addressing economic impact of data center boom

The U.S.

September 17, 2026

Federal Reserve hikes key rate for 1st time in 3 years, defying Trump demands for a cut

President Donald Trump is blasting Federal Reserve governors after the board raised its benchmark interest rate Wednesday for the first time since 2023 in an effort to quell stubbornly high inflation

September 16, 2026

Europe|Political|World

Canada applies to join UK-led military coalition

Canada, seeking to diversify its defense ties away from the United States, has formally applied to join the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force military coalition, Prime

September 17, 2026

US House votes to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress

The U.S.

September 17, 2026

Business|Economy|Political

Some Republicans privately fear Russia sanctions bill will give Trump too much power on tariffs

September 17, 2026

Economy|Health|Political

Trump administration can proceed with homelessness program overhaul, US court rules

A US appeals court cleared the way on Wednesday for President Donald Trump's administration to reshape a $4 billion homelessness program by shifting funding

September 17, 2026

Political|Sports|World

Mbappé and Vinícius caught in Spain's great migration debate after obscuring message on Ceuta shirts

Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior have found themselves in the middle of a supercharged debate in Spain about migration and the country’s relations with Morocco

September 16, 2026

Economy|Political|US

Trump lashes out at Fed after Warsh backs rate hike

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday leveled his most pointed — though still indirect — criticism yet at his hand-picked Federal Reserve chief, fuming

September 17, 2026

Political

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