21 November 2025 – Short News

Houlahan accuses Republicans of silence over death accusations!

The Democratic congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan expresses disbelief that not a single Republican has reacted to Trump’s claim that she and five other Democratic lawmakers committed “treason, punishable by DEATH.” She calls the silence of her colleagues shameful and dangerous. Houlahan warns of a further normalization of political violence and emphasizes that Trump’s words must be understood as a threat to her life. Trump said just a few minutes ago: “The message from the Democratic lawmakers to the military is ‘seditious behavior.’”

Zelenskyy between dignity and the risk of losing a partner!

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address that Ukraine is facing one of the most difficult decisions in its history. The US peace plan puts the country under enormous pressure: either to accept the loss of its own dignity or to risk losing its most important partner. Zelenskyy stressed that he would negotiate calmly with Washington and develop alternative proposals without giving up Ukraine’s interests.

ICRC cuts almost 3,000 positions

The International Committee of the Red Cross is cutting around 2,900 positions because key donors such as Germany and the United States have sharply reduced their aid funding. The budget will decrease by 17 percent in 2026. The organization plans to focus more on acute conflict zones, including Congo, Sudan, Ukraine and the war in the Middle East. The massive job cuts hit an institution that actually has more work than ever.

Zohran Mamdani on his way to Trump!

New York’s incoming mayor Zohran Mamdani posted a selfie from an airplane in the morning on his way to Washington. In the afternoon, he is scheduled to meet President Trump. Mamdani, who sharply criticized Trump’s deportation policies during the campaign, is meeting the president directly for the first time – a meeting with high political impact.

Let’s think back to yesterday:

Karoline Leavitt reacted to Trump’s upcoming Oval Office meeting with Zohran Mamdani by saying:

"It says a lot that tomorrow, a COMMUNIST is coming to the White House — because that’s who the Democratic Party elected as the mayor of the largest city in the country."

Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education sparks fears of chaos!

The administration’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education and split its responsibilities across four different agencies is alarming schools and states. While Trump speaks of “unleashing,” officials warn of a bureaucratic monster with no clear benefits for students. Many fear that essential programs will be crushed between the agencies.

Supreme Court examines restriction of birthright citizenship!

The Supreme Court is looking into Trump’s order that children of parents without regular immigration status should not receive automatic citizenship. Lower courts have fully blocked this rule. If the Supreme Court intervenes, a decision could come in the spring that would fundamentally change US immigration policy.

Trump loses his Ukraine envoy – Kellogg is leaving as a controversial peace plan takes shape!!

Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, will leave his post in January. This was confirmed by two senior administration officials who were not allowed to speak publicly. The news comes at a time when the White House is working on a new peace plan for the war in Ukraine – a plan largely coordinated by Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, the latter a close adviser to Vladimir Putin. The draft includes far reaching concessions from Kyiv: territorial losses, restrictions on weapons and the surrender of strategic positions. For many observers it looks like a blueprint that serves Moscow’s interests more than a stable solution. Why Kellogg is leaving remains unclear. The administration is silent. What is clear is that the timing changes the dynamics of an already delicate political course – and leaves open how unified Trump’s Ukraine line truly is.

Trump intensifies his media war

Donald Trump attacks ABC and Jimmy Kimmel once again and demands that the network “take the host off the air.” The background is Kimmel’s opening segment of the latest show, in which he spent ten minutes dissecting Trump’s handling of the Epstein files. At the same time, Trump targeted ABC correspondent Mary Bruce and released a 17-point memo through his press team full of accusations against the network. Trump also called for NBC host Seth Meyers to be fired over the weekend.

Justice Department falters in the Comey case

In the case against former FBI Director James Comey, the Trump Justice Department had to admit that the final indictment was not presented to the full grand jury as required. The newly appointed prosecutor Lindsey Halligan tried to walk back on Thursday and referred to a “bureaucratic inconsistency.” The presiding judge expressed strong doubts about the process. The case is increasingly seen as politically charged, also because Halligan, who had no experience, was appointed shortly before the indictment.

New lead in the Marsalek case

The British National Crime Agency has found indications of Jan Marsalek within a Russian money laundering network. According to authorities, the system connects drug cartels with sanctioned oligarchs and moves billions. The investigation continues.

When “America First” suddenly ends in Moscow!!

Tucker Carlson once again caused a stir – this time with praise that left many Americans stunned. In a recent statement he said that Moscow is “more beautiful, cleaner, safer and aesthetically more appealing” than any city in the United States. Words that could come straight from the heart of Russian state propaganda and yet come from one of the most influential right wing commentators in America. The question stands openly in the room: how does this fit with a political camp that has claimed for years to embody patriotism? How can someone who presents himself as a defender of the “America First” idea publicly declare that an authoritarian capital is superior to his own country – and that during a Russian war of aggression? Carlson’s statement strikes a nerve because it reveals something many have long noticed: for some, political loyalty now extends further than national loyalty. Whoever elevates Moscow above American cities is not only sending a compliment to Russia, but also a clear message to his own audience – one that is hard to ignore.

Trump’s offshore push – an attack on two coasts!

The Trump administration is announcing new offshore drilling off California and Florida – a move both coasts have fought against for decades. The last approvals date from the 1980s and 1990s, and yet drilling is supposed to start again, even though both regions depend on tourism and their beaches. California Governor Gavin Newsom immediately declared the plan “dead on arrival.” Trump’s energy policy openly aims for fossil dominance, while funding for clean energy is cut and offshore wind projects are blocked. Critics warn of higher accident risks, long beach closures and irreversible damage to marine ecosystems. The administration, however, speaks of jobs, security and global strength. But the move mainly shows that Trump’s second term is completing the policy shift – away from climate protection and toward fossil expansion. For California and Florida this marks the beginning of a fight against a policy that puts their economic foundations at risk.

CDC creates confusion – suddenly a vaccine autism connection is implied

The CDC has changed its website – and suddenly it sounds as if vaccines could be linked to autism. That wording contradicts decades of research. Doctors and medical associations responded immediately, because such a formulation plays into the hands of groups that have spread false claims for years. The change was not accidental: the Department of Health has repeatedly questioned scientific standards in recent months, reshaped expert panels and cut programs for vaccine education. To doctors this step looks like an attempt to undermine trust. The agency is silent about the reasons, but the debate is already unfolding. In a country where vaccination programs are under pressure, the new sentence on the CDC website is a warning sign of how deeply political directives now reach into scientific agencies.

Farewell to Dick Cheney – a state ritual without Trump

In the Washington National Cathedral politicians from both parties came together to honor Dick Cheney. George W. Bush and Joe Biden delivered speeches – only one person was missing: Donald Trump. He was not invited and remains silent about Cheney’s death. The funeral felt like a glimpse into a Republican past in which political conflicts were handled differently than today. Liz Cheney reminded everyone of the importance of truth and spoke with a clarity rarely heard in Washington. For many observers it was a moment that highlighted the internal fracture of the Republican Party. The contrast to Trump’s style was impossible to overlook, and the absence of the sitting president became a political signal of its own.

Moscow threatens Belgium over frozen assets

The Russian parliament is announcing legal action against Belgium and the Euroclear depository if the EU uses frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. In addition, the Duma is calling for the assets of citizens from “unfriendly states” to be used as compensation. A decision is expected at the EU summit in December. See also our article: “Frozen Future - Europe’s struggle over 140 billion, burning apartment blocks in Kyiv and Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities” – at the link: https://kaizen-blog.org/en/gefrorene-zukunft-europas-ringen-um-140-milliarden-brennende-wohnbloecke-in-kiew-und-ukrainische-angriffe-auf-russische-oelanlagen/

Energy and AI – Burgum calls for fossil expansion

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum warned western governors that the United States could lose the AI race against China if the country does not massively increase fossil energy production. His message was clear: data centers, AI models and national security depend on cheap, continuous energy. Burgum openly opposed renewable energy and praised oil, gas, mining and timber extraction as the basis of American strength. His remarks came shortly after Trump’s decision to approve new offshore drilling and seemed part of a coordinated strategic line. Critics argue that this course makes the country more vulnerable in the long run and slows investment in modern technologies. For Burgum only short term performance matters – and that is what makes his words so explosive.

Trump’s empty promises – FAA bonus rules spark anger – thousands of air traffic controllers receive nothing

During the shutdown more than ten thousand air traffic controllers worked without pay. Trump promised them 10,000 dollar bonuses. Now only 776 employees receive the payment – exclusively those who had perfect attendance. Many could not afford child care, gas or extra commuting costs and had to miss shifts. This led to nationwide flight delays, disruptions and reduced schedules at more than forty major airports. The new bonus rule is causing open frustration in a sector under constant pressure. For many employees the decision feels like punishment, even though they worked under extreme conditions. The FAA defends the move, but trust among many workers is severely damaged.

When protest becomes threat – why the scenes outside a New York synagogue are alarming

In front of the Park East Side Synagogue a group of protesters loudly chanted “Intifada.” The term is not just any political slogan but stands for a wave of violence that killed more than a thousand Israeli civilians and children during the Second Intifada. In a time after October 7 the deliberate use of this word is no coincidence – it is a clear message meant to intimidate. Criticizing a government’s policy is legitimate. But targeting a Jewish institution crosses into hostility. A synagogue is not a political symbol. Targeting it is extremism. And whoever does that is not demonstrating – he is discriminating.

Velázquez steps down – a political transition after three decades

Nydia Velázquez, the first Puerto Rican woman in Congress, is ending her political career after more than 30 years. She called it a difficult but necessary decision to make room for new voices in New York’s political landscape. Her departure comes only weeks after the election of Zohran Mamdani, marking a generational shift. Velázquez shaped the interests of migrant communities for decades and was a political anchor for many. Her retirement now opens one of next year’s most competitive races. Numerous candidates will run in Brooklyn and Queens – and the open seat will likely become one of the most contested in New York.

Boat strikes without transparency – Hegseth defends deadly operations

In an interview Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States knows exactly who it is targeting in its attacks on suspected drug boats. At least 83 people have been killed, but publicly there is almost no information: no names, no background, no independent reports. Several countries have already limited cooperation with the United States because they do not want to be part of controversial operations. Human rights organizations warn about missions whose legal basis is unclear. The administration speaks of efficiency and security. But calls for transparency are growing – and the question of whether these operations meet international standards remains unresolved.

Pressure on Trump over the Khashoggi phone call

Thirty seven Democratic lawmakers are demanding the release of a phone transcript between Trump and the Saudi crown prince from 2019. Former legal adviser Eugene Vindman said he personally read the transcript at the time. The lawmakers want to know what promises, statements or political considerations played a role – especially in light of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The White House does not respond to questions. For the lawmakers the silence is another sign that transparency will not come voluntarily but must be forced. The debate is likely to intensify in the coming days.

New lawsuit against Trump’s transgender policy

A civilian employee of the National Guard from Illinois is suing the administration because as a transgender woman she is not allowed to use the women’s restroom at work. To avoid needing the restroom she barely eats or drinks during the day. Her lawyer describes the situation as degrading and dangerous to her health. The plaintiff seeks class action status, as many affected people experience similar restrictions. The Department of Justice says it will defend the regulation. The case shows how deeply political decisions reach into personal daily life – and how much pressure trans people face at work.

Investigation into Schiff – Justice examines political interference

The Department of Justice is investigating whether allies of the administration tried to influence an old fraud case against Senator Adam Schiff. A Republican candidate was questioned after receiving a letter suggesting that the investigation might be politically motivated. She named people close to the administration who allegedly applied pressure. Schiff says this is an attempt to intimidate political opponents. The case is causing unease in Washington because it once again highlights how closely politics and justice are now intertwined. The investigation continues.