Parallel briefings by the two men offer a view of their contrasting styles.

The president faced pressure from his base to endorse the state’s attorney general, Ken Paxton. But advisers had urged him to support Sen. John Cornyn, arguing that Paxton has too much baggage.

Since September 2025, the United States has been combating drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, including through the use of lethal military force against alleged drug trafficking boats coming from Latin America and the Caribbean. These operations, which have reportedly caused at least 185 fatalities, have drawn criticism from international players and legal experts, who argue that they violate international law and human rights. As the EU is hit by unprecedented quantities of drugs, it is stepping up its cooperation with Latin America to combat narcotrafficking through a variety of programmes and international cooperation agreements. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not a harmless technology: it can be misused by users to create illegal content. One major concern is the creation and dissemination of online child sexual abuse deepfakes. Recent reports have shown a significant increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), raising questions about how to stop it. A new provision in the EU AI Act will forbid the generation of CSAM from 2 December 2026. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Sen. Bill Cassidy joins a short but notable list

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine created renewed momentum for EU enlargement. As the European Parliament highlights, enlargement is a key driver for long-term stability, security and economic development. Economic output per person has increased over the past two decades across the Western Balkans, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. However, convergence with the EU remains low. Without stronger reform and investment, full convergence and integration could be delayed by several decades. Foreign direct investment as a share of gross national product is generally higher in the enlargement countries examined than in the EU, but not consistently directed to sectors that support long-term growth. Trade integration with the EU has deepened significantly, supported by existing agreements. The EU remains the main trade partner for the enlargement countries examined, and has benefited from these relations, including agricultural trade with Ukraine. Trade patterns across countries and sectors remain uneven, and exposure to other global actors, particularly China, has increased in some cases. Enlargement countries perform well in terms of digital infrastructure. However, significant gaps remain in regulatory frameworks and innovation capacity, which is critical to adopting artificial intelligence. Progress in aligning with the EU acquis and deeper integration into the EU market and programmes could support increased trade and investment, while contributing to faster economic convergence. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana failed to make the runoff in his GOP Senate primary five years after his vote to convict Donald Trump, which led the president to call for his ouster.

In North Carolina, Jamie Ager is distancing himself from his national party to win a congressional seat.

A year ago, Trump promised a new era during the first major foreign trip of his second term. On his recent visit to Beijing, the war with Iran and economic strain clouded his diplomacy.

Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, one of seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump in his 2021 impeachment trial, is in danger of losing his primary.

The EEOC has proposed ending a civil-rights-era program collecting demographic information from private companies.

The Justice Department’s crackdown on crime comes ahead of 250th anniversary events in the nation’s capital.

Republicans accused Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano of allowing people in the country illegally to get away with serious crimes.

The image of peer superpowers during President Trump’s visit displayed a dynamic that analysts say the Chinese have long sought and Americans had resisted.

Online, the glittering statue of Trump has become a flash point. In real life, golfers seem less excited.

The image of two superpowers on similar footing was exactly what Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed to achieve with the visit, analysts said.

Two and a half years after the Hamas-led attack against Israel on 7 October 2023, which led to devastating wars in Gaza and Lebanon, the region is engulfed in another deep crisis, not only pitting Iran and its allies in the 'Axis of Resistance' against the United States (US) and Israel, but also drawing in the entire region and carrying severe consequences for the global economy. On 19 May 2026, the Parliament is due to hold question time with the High Representative/Vice-President, Kaja Kallas, on the EU's strategy to address the crises in the Middle East. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The image of two superpowers on similar footing was exactly what Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed to achieve with the visit, analysts said.

The decision maintains access nationwide to medication abortion, the most common way of ending pregnancies in the United States, while litigation continues.

The warm words came at a Maine rally as the vice president touted Republican House candidate Paul LePage and highlighted anti-fraud efforts.

The temporary decision will preserve access nationwide to medication abortion, which has become the most common way of ending pregnancies in the United States.

Thursday’s vote was one of many in Southern states following the Supreme Court’s recent decision to weaken the Voting Rights Act.

Chinese officials are using a different transliterated character for the secretary of state's name, perhaps to allow him to visit without lifting the 2020 ban.

China’s leader made clear his top priority is the fate of the contested island and its U.S. military support, a striking move given President Donald Trump’s effort to mend ties and deliver trade deals.

Trump praised China’s leader and emphasized their personal bond as both sides sought to steady relations despite tensions over Iran, trade and global power.

Democrats knew they couldn’t unseat a GOP senator, so they backed an independent and fielded a candidate who promised to drop out if she won. Then it got complicated.

Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio and Mike Johnson will speak at the event, which centers on the idea that the founders wanted the U.S. to be explicitly Christian.

What happens next

Nebraska Democrats knew they couldn’t unseat a GOP senator, so they backed an independent and fielded a candidate who promised to drop out if she won. Then it got complicated.

VoteVets is spending millions to boost a Paralympic gold medalist over a state Senator who's seen as more liberal in a race that Democrats say they have a shot to win.

Under pressure from Beijing, the president has indicated an openness to rethinking U.S. support for Taiwan, alarming its backers.

This paper provides a summary of all scrutiny activities of the European Parliament related to euro area monetary policy on the occasion of the December 2025 Monetary Dialogue with the European Central Bank (ECB). It covers the topics chosen by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and related expertise papers provided in advance of the Dialogue, the actual topics addressed during the Dialogue, a brief overview of results from the Monetary Policy Expert Panel Survey, and the latest written questions made by committee Members to the ECB President. The document is published regularly ahead and after each Monetary Dialogue with the ECB. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This paper provides a summary of all scrutiny activities of the European Parliament related to euro area monetary policy in occasion of the February 2026 Monetary Dialogue with the European Central Bank (ECB). It covers the topics chosen by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and related expertise papers provided in advance of the Dialogue, the actual topics addressed during the Dialogue, a brief overview of results from the Monetary Policy Expert Panel Survey, the latest written questions made by Members to the ECB President and European Parliament resolution on the ECB Annual Report 2025. The document is published regularly ahead and after each Monetary Dialogue with the ECB. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This digest provides a collection of documents prepared by academia, think tanks, other EU institutions and bodies, as well as stakeholders, that can be useful for Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets to stay informed about the debate concerning the next Multiannual Financial Framework, starting in 2028. The document is produced on a monthly basis by the Budgetary Support Unit of DG BUDG and the European Parliamentary Research Service. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The European Union (EU) and its Member States have taken on a central role in supporting mid- and low-income countries as they address the challenge of climate change mitigation by, for example, facilitating technical and financial support for large-scale renewable energy projects as well as new (critical) raw material supply chains. In recent years, the EU has put in place various strategies, initiatives and policies that support energy transition and are seen as mutually beneficial for both the EU and third countries. This paper critically examines the challenges and opportunities of such cooperation mechanisms, focussing particularly on how Indigenous Peoples and local communities are impacted in mid- and low-income countries. Four case studies (two on critical raw materials, one on green hydrogen and another on the use of international carbon credits under the newly proposed 2040 EU climate target) develop these challenges and opportunities across socio-environmental, socio-economic and socio-political dimensions. The associated empirical analysis helps inform the formulation of actionable policy recommendations for the EU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP