Republican senators hope that President Trump can step in and help end the 22-day government shutdown by beginning talks with Democrats on enhanced health insurance premiums.
This move would give Democrats confidence about having a path to an eventual deal. Several Republican senators say it would be helpful if Trump were to become more involved in the negotiations to break the current impasse.
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5568630-gop-seeks-trump-intervention/
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has rattled academia and legal experts with his open declaration that his state is “targeting professors” over their personal beliefs.
While Republican governors have increasingly viewed classrooms as ideological battlegrounds, Abbott’s explicit position is raising greater concern. He stated that a Texas educator should have lost his job over “ideological differences,” a stance that has alarmed many in the education and legal communities.
This approach highlights the growing tensions surrounding academic freedom and the role of personal beliefs in education, prompting widespread debate about the limits of ideological expression for educators in Texas.
https://www.kxan.com/top-stories/abbott-spooks-academia-after-declaring-texas-will-go-after-professors-for-ideological-differences/
**King Charles Urges Prince Andrew to “Just Disappear” from Public Life Amid Lingering Scandals**
*Published: Oct. 21, 2025, 7:50 p.m. ET*
King Charles has expressed to aides his deep frustration over his brother Prince Andrew’s continued presence in public life, reportedly wishing the disgraced 65-year-old royal would “just disappear.” Insiders tell RadarOnline.com this marks the monarch’s most exasperated outburst yet regarding the ongoing scandals surrounding Andrew.
The 76-year-old King made the furious remark during private discussions about Andrew’s ongoing use of his royal title and his residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. Sources reveal that cancer-stricken Charles, whose health has sharply declined in recent months, feels his brother has “humiliated the family” and wants him to voluntarily stop using the title of prince altogether.
### The King’s Breaking Point
“Charles has had enough,” claimed a senior palace source. “He’s at the end of his rope. His words about Andrew were, ‘Oh, just p— off,’ which tells you everything about where things stand. He sighed and looked absolutely exhausted. He wants Andrew to stop hiding behind his remaining titles and quietly remove himself from public life for good.”
These explosive comments come amid renewed fallout from Andrew’s connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the late financier’s accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
Despite relinquishing the use of his Duke of York title and membership of the Order of the Garter earlier this month, Andrew continues to use the style ‘Prince’ and remains eighth in line to the throne. This situation has reportedly infuriated both the King and his heir, Prince William, 43.
“The King’s view is that this should have ended long ago,” another insider said. “He believes the only way for the monarchy to move forward is for Andrew to fully renounce his status — not half-measures, not suspended titles, but total withdrawal. It’s not just about optics anymore; it’s about integrity.”
### Mounting Legal Pressure
Pressure on Andrew has intensified following revelations that he may have instructed a police bodyguard to obtain the social security number of Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse. Scotland Yard confirmed it is “actively investigating” whether the Prince abused his official privileges by making the alleged request in 2011.
A senior royal official acknowledged the matter is “deeply serious” and is being handled “at the highest level.”
Andrew has consistently denied Giuffre’s allegations and “vigorously maintains” his innocence. However, in 2022, he agreed to settle her civil lawsuit for a reported $15 million, without admitting liability.
Sources close to the royal household say questions remain over whether the settlement was privately funded or supported through royal estates.
“The lingering mystery around that payout remains a major issue,” claimed one former royal adviser. “The King is determined to see full transparency — the public has every right to know how it was funded. Without clarity, it damages the credibility of the entire monarchy.”
### The Royal Lodge Controversy
Andrew’s residence at Royal Lodge—a 30-room mansion situated on Crown Estate land—has also become a source of frustration for the monarch. Recent reports suggest he has not paid rent for nearly two decades, despite the property being valued at millions of pounds.
“The set-up simply can’t be justified,” a senior source said. “It’s an extravagant estate connected to the Crown, and it completely undermines the King’s efforts to present a more modern, accountable monarchy.”
### A Final Plea from the Throne
While only Parliament can formally strip Andrew of his princely status, insiders say King Charles has privately urged his brother to relinquish it voluntarily to avoid “further humiliation.” One palace figure described this as the monarch’s “final plea” to Andrew.
“The King is keen to avoid turning this into a parliamentary spectacle,” claimed a well-placed courtier. “But his message to Andrew has been unmistakable – step aside willingly or face being pushed. The family can’t continue bearing the weight of his scandals.”
https://radaronline.com/p/king-charles-outburst-prince-andrew-end-of-rope-reaction-revealed/
MIAMI (WSVN) — A new mural has been unveiled in the City of Miami to honor a significant chapter in South Florida’s history.
The artwork pays tribute to more than 14,000 children who participated in the Pedro Pan Program. During the 1960s, these children were sent from Cuba to the United States by their families in an effort to escape the Castro regime.
In addition to honoring the Pedro Pan children, the mural also celebrates General Antonio Maceo, known as “The Bronze Titan.” Maceo was a hero who fought for Cuba’s independence against Spain in the 1800s.
This meaningful display is located at the intersection of Southwest 13th Avenue and 10th Street, where visitors can view and reflect on this important piece of history.
https://wsvn.com/news/local/miami-dade/city-of-miami-unveils-mural-honoring-children-of-the-pedro-pan-program-and-hero-cuban-general/
A candidate who stands out for his monomania, double standards, and affinity for extremists.
Such traits raise important questions about his suitability for leadership. His singular focus, coupled with inconsistent principles, may hinder balanced decision-making. Moreover, aligning closely with extremist groups could polarize communities and undermine social cohesion.
Voters should carefully consider these factors when evaluating his candidacy and the potential implications for governance.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/opinion/zohran-mamdani-israel-gaza-jewish.html
Republican senators expressed relief after President Donald Trump urged them to remain steadfast in refusing to negotiate with Democrats until they vote to reopen the government, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) told The Daily Signal.
“The president encouraged us all to remain steadfast, and we cheered when he said that,” Daines said in a phone interview following Republicans’ Tuesday meeting with Trump. “We just need the Democrats to come to their senses and realize that they’ve got to start paying the troops, the FAA controllers, TSA agents, and others who depend on the federal government.”
When asked if Trump indicated that Republicans would need to cave to Democrats’ demands to pass the continuing resolution, Daines responded, “You don’t negotiate when they take the government hostage.”
“There is definitely room to negotiate and to continue to move forward on the appropriation bills,” he added, “but it’s not going to happen until after the shutdown is over.”
Senators spent about an hour with the president in the Oval Office following a Rose Garden lunch on Tuesday. In addition to discussing legislative matters, Trump signed MAGA hats and Bibles, Daines said.
Trump did not discuss the possibility of bypassing Senate filibuster rules— which require a 60-vote majority to reopen the government—commonly referred to as “nuking the filibuster,” according to Daines.
While Republicans did not talk about the potential need for the House to reconvene to pass a longer continuing resolution (CR)—since the current CR only funds the government through November 21—Daines said, “It’s generally agreed that the CR is going to have to be extended past Nov. 21.”
“That’s not enough time,” he explained. “I think there’s pretty solid agreement that it is going to have to be extended because the Democrats have burned virtually a month now in the shutdown from what originally was going to be a seven-week CR.”
“Now we’re just four weeks away from the 21st, so we’re going to have to extend it.”
Daines expects five or six “common sense” Democrats “that are tired of this game being played and the harm it’s creating” to eventually vote to reopen the government. However, he is unsure when such a vote will happen.
“When you think about when the Democrats first shut this down on Oct. 1, there was some talk that it would only last a few days. Well, that was wrong,” he said. “I’m just not seeing a lot of interest in the Democrats in solving this problem at the moment.”
George Caldwell contributed to this report.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/10/21/what-trump-told-senate-republicans-in-shutdown-strategy-huddle/
Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) addressed claims on Monday that he has a “hidden Nazi tattoo” on his chest. These allegations arose after a family video was shared online, sparking controversy.
Speaking with Tommy Vietor on the podcast “Pod Save America,” Platner firmly denied the accusations, stating, “I am not a secret Nazi.” He also referred to since-deleted Reddit posts in which he described himself as a “communist” and criticized police.
Platner’s response aims to clarify misconceptions and counter the misleading narratives circulating about him ahead of the Senate race.
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5565701-maine-democrat-responds-tattoo-accusations/
Are you worried about issues like government corruption?
You’re not alone. A recent survey reveals that many people share your concerns.
Understanding these worries can help us address the challenges facing our communities and work towards greater transparency and accountability.
https://gizmodo.com/this-is-what-most-scares-americans-2000674902
**Vice President JD Vance’s Delayed Visit to Israel Amid Fragile Ceasefire with Hamas**
Vice President JD Vance had planned to visit Israel on October 20 — his first trip since assuming the vice presidency — but the visit was delayed by one day after Hamas violated a fragile ceasefire. In a conflict as acrimonious as that between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas, ceasefires remain tenuous agreements at best.
### Hamas Violated the Ceasefire
Some observers were surprised that the ceasefire brokered by former President Donald Trump on October 10 lasted as long as it did. However, as reported by *Just the News*, “Israel’s military said that its troops were fired upon by Hamas militants in southern Gaza.”
On October 19, Hamas militants ambushed Israel Defense Force (IDF) units near the city of Rafah, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and wounding several others. In response, Israel launched quick and substantial airstrikes targeting several Hamas command posts and fighting positions.
Initially, Israel halted humanitarian assistance and closed the Rafah crossing. However, on October 20, the Rafah portal was reopened, resuming the flow of aid to civilians in Gaza.
According to the Associated Press, at least 36 Palestinians were killed across Gaza during this escalation, including children. It is important to remember that Hamas controls the casualty figures, and the organization often uses women and children as human shields, as well as hospitals and schools as fighting positions. Therefore, Hamas-provided statistics are generally considered unreliable.
### The Cause and Complexity of the Ceasefire Breach
Hamas justified its ceasefire violation by claiming that IDF ground forces had not advanced to the “yellow” line that bisects Gaza longitudinally, as agreed upon. However, Hamas has consistently refused to disarm, a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Reconstruction of Gaza with an armed Hamas poses significant challenges, particularly because the group lacks operational control over other factions, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Al-Quds Brigade and the Popular Resistance Committees’ Al-Nasser Salah ad-Din Brigades—both of which appear uninformed or unwilling to abide by the ceasefire.
Despite these setbacks, former President Trump asserted that the ceasefire was still holding. As reported by the BBC, Trump told reporters on Sunday: “The ceasefire was still in place. Hamas had been ‘rambunctious and they’ve been doing some shooting,’ but it might be ‘some rebels within’ the armed group. ‘Either way it’s gonna be handled properly. Toughly but properly.’”
### Vance’s Mission: Fortifying the Ceasefire and Planning for Gaza’s Future
Vice President Vance faces a complex mission during his visit, described as a high-level diplomatic effort to reinforce the ceasefire and discuss the release of additional deceased hostages. Additionally, Vance will focus on outlining what a post-conflict Gaza enclave might look like and how it could be governed.
A key priority on his agenda is persuading Hamas to disarm. As long as Hamas retains heavy weapons such as anti-tank missiles, machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades, the group will continue to pose a threat to lasting peace.
Vance is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Depending on the security situation in Gaza, Vance may become the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the war-torn region since the outbreak of conflict two years ago.
He will also assess the level of destruction on the ground firsthand, providing vital perspective on the resources and international support needed to make Gaza inhabitable once more.
### The Challenge of Achieving Peace in Gaza
The Trump administration remains clear-eyed about Gaza’s complex reality. The region is a quagmire of competing factions, with Hamas seeking to maintain governing authority once hostilities cease permanently.
However, such a scenario appears unlikely as long as Prime Minister Netanyahu remains in power.
Rebuilding the devastated Gaza will be an immense undertaking, comparable to post-World War II reconstruction efforts in Germany and Japan.
The United States has accepted responsibility for monitoring the ceasefire and the flow of humanitarian aid. As Vice President Vance emphasized on NBC’s *Meet the Press*, the U.S. president is “not planning to put boots on the ground” in Gaza or Israel.
Managing and maintaining the ceasefire is the crucial first step. The decision to send the vice president sends a strong message of American dedication to fostering a peaceful and prosperous Gaza.
—
*The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of any affiliated organizations.*
https://www.libertynation.com/vance-in-israel-amid-a-fragile-hamas-ceasefire/
Police have arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with an alleged assault during a demonstration in downtown Denver. The incident involved a middle-aged man who interjected himself into the “No Kings” protest, shouted expletives and a slur, then became involved in a street altercation resulting in a serious injury.
According to a Denver Police report, the assault occurred after the older man declared, “Yes Trump,” during the rally near Denver’s Union Station on Saturday afternoon. A video circulating on social media shows the man, wearing a blue New York Giants logo shirt, gesturing at and deriding demonstrators.
The footage captures the man running and then falling face-first onto the pavement. He quickly got up and ran again, only to be tripped and fall onto the street by a curb, hitting his head. Despite bleeding heavily from the left side of his face, the man got up once more and, along with friends, clashed with demonstrators.
Some demonstrators attempted to assist him, pointing to his head and indicating he needed medical attention.
Denver police confirmed on Monday that they arrested Jose Cardenas in connection with the assault. Officers tracked Cardenas from Wynkoop Street—where the assault occurred around 2:30 p.m.—to North Lincoln Street near the intersection with 14th Avenue. Authorities say Cardenas attempted to flee from officers at that location.
Witnesses identified Cardenas as the individual who assaulted the counter-demonstrator. According to the police statement of probable cause for arrest, Cardenas was transported to the Denver Jail and charged with aggravated assault.
The victim has not been identified by police but reportedly suffered a serious laceration to his head.
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https://www.denverpost.com/2025/10/20/denver-no-kings-arrest-assault-video-demonstrator/
