The storm damaged nearly 200 homes in the Dominican Republic and knocked out water supply systems, affecting more than half a million customers. It also downed trees and traffic lights, unleashed a couple of small landslides and left more than two dozen communities isolated by floodwaters. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology said Melissa could bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to islands in the southeastern and central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands by early next week. Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted an above-normal season with 13 to 18 named storms.

President Donald Trump warned Saturday he was “watching very closely” to ensure Hamas returns more bodies. CAIRO — Hamas expanded its search for the bodies of hostages in new areas in the Gaza Strip Sunday, the Palestinian group said, a day after Egypt deployed a team of experts and heavy equipment to help retrieve the … Read more

Trump’s bet pays off as chainsaw-wielding Milei wins big in Argentina midterm election

“BIG WIN in Argentina for Javier Milei, a wonderful Trump Endorsed Candidate! He’s making us all look good,” U.S. president cheers. Argentinian President Javier Milei’s party scored a decisive win in Sunday’s legislative elections, sparking celebrations from U.S. President Donald Trump. With more than 99 percent of the ballots counted, according to local media, Milei’s … Read more

Virginia Democrats are the next surprising entrant into the redistricting battle

State lawmakers are launching a rushed effort to overhaul the state’s maps, which currently have a 6-5 split. Virginia Democrats are poised to enter the nationwide redistricting battle, according to three Democrats familiar with the plans, taking on an effort to redraw the state’s congressional lines just days before closely watched elections in the state. … Read more

National Democrats nudge Maryland on redistricting

The DCCC commissioned a new poll finding that Maryland Democratic voters would respond positively to the move. National Democrats are trying to push recalcitrant Marylanders into redrawing the state’s congressional lines, arguing that the party’s base would support Free State leaders jumping into the nationwide fray. A Change Research polling memo commissioned by the Democratic … Read more

‘King-like powers’: Chris Murphy says Trump prefers the government to remain closed

The government is heading into its fourth week of a shutdown. Democrats are accusing President Donald Trump and GOP congressional leadership of refusing to negotiate as the country heads into week four of a government shutdown, with one senator saying Trump prefers the government to be closed. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on … Read more

Lindsey Graham: Venezuelan land strikes a real possibility

The South Carolina senator defended President Trump’s boat strikes in the region. Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sunday defended the White House’s decision to strike Venezuelan boats, hinting that President Donald Trump may even “expand” military operations in the region. In an interview with CBS’ Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation,” the South Carolina Republican said … Read more

Musk back in Trump’s good graces after summer of public feuding

U.S. president confirms he and the billionaire have been chatting again since last month, marking a revival of a key alliance. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters Monday that he’s been in touch with Elon Musk, saying the two have spoken “on and off” since sitting together at conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s funeral last month … Read more

Biden says the nation is facing ‘dark days’ under Trump

The former president urged Americans to “get up” in the face of political divisions. Former President Joe Biden urged Americans to remain hopeful as the nation faces “dark days” in his first public appearance since completing a round of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. After receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Edward M. Kennedy … Read more