INTERNACIONAL
GOP holds with Trump on Iran war, but cracks emerge as deadline nears
US naval blockade enters third day as Trump signals new talks
Chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst and senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich report on the U.S. naval blockade entering its third day in the Strait of Hormuz, halting economic trade into and out of Iran by sea. President Donald Trump believes the conflict is ‘close to over’ and hints at new talks, despite a White House statement denying a formal ceasefire extension.
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Republicans aren’t ready to jump ship against President Donald Trump’s Iran war, as evidenced by another failed attempt to handcuff his war powers in the Middle East, but they also aren’t lining up to support a prolonged conflict.
Senate Republicans blocked another war powers resolution from Senate Democrats for a fourth time on Tuesday as Operation Epic Fury entered its 46th day. It comes as a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. is nearing its end, and talks toward a broader peace agreement remain tenuous.
Democrats initially started their war powers strategy to compel Secretary of State Marco Rubio and War Secretary Pete Hegseth to testify publicly on the administration’s rationale behind the conflict. They argued that Iran posed no imminent threat, making the war unconstitutional without congressional approval under the War Powers Resolution.
ROGUE DEM BUCKS PARTY ON TRUMP WAR POWERS, CALLS IRAN ‘47-YEAR-OLD WAR CRIME’
President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media outside the Oval Office of the White House on Monday, April 13, 2026. (Salwan Georges/Bloomberg)
Now, they’ve loaded up six new resolutions to continue that push.
«We’re going to have a debate and a vote every week in the United States Senate until either this war comes to an end or our Republican colleagues decide to do their constitutional duty,» Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said.
Most Republicans, for now, aren’t breaking with the president. But a 60-day deadline that will require either Congress to weigh in or Trump to cease hostilities is fast approaching, and it’s raising questions among some in the GOP.
Under the War Powers Resolution, Trump has 60 days until Congress is required to weigh in and either authorize or disapprove of the war. If the latter, the administration has 30 days to draw down forces in Iran.
SCHUMER BLASTS TRUMP’S IRAN WAR AS FAILURE, MOVES TO REIN IN HIS WAR POWERS AMID CEASEFIRE
Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks to members of the media outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 3, 2025. (Graeme Sloan/Getty Images)
«The president needs to come to Congress in the absence of some imminent threat to the country or an attack on the country, to seek an authorization,» Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said. «Otherwise, it’s illegal to make war as he’s doing.»
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who has bucked Trump before on Venezuela but toed the party line on Iran, is drafting an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) on the war in Iran, describing the effort in an interview with The New York Times as a way to put parameters around Operation Epic Fury.
When asked by Fox News Digital if she was still working on the AUMF, she said, «Uh huh, I’m working on so much.»
Whether Republicans will support the administration and authorize the war remains an open question. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who has sided with Senate Democrats on each effort to handcuff Trump’s war powers, wouldn’t say how he’d vote on a potential AUMF.
TOP GOP HAWK GRAHAM WARNS IRAN DEAL HAS ‘TROUBLING ASPECTS’ AS CEASEFIRE BEGINS
«The president needs to come to Congress in the absence of some imminent threat to the country or an attack on the country, to seek an authorization,» Sen. Adam Schiff said. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images)
«I’m not for the war in Iran, I think it’s a war of choice but not my choice,» he said.
Others see an AUMF as a potentially useful tool, if successful, for Trump and his efforts in the Middle East.
«I think maybe an AUMF could be an advantage for the president, to say, even Congress is here for the long time, removing the political calculation that maybe the president doesn’t have Congress’ support,» Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said.
Still, the economic toll at the pump and on goods is making Republicans’ constituents feel the immediate pain of the conflict.
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., acknowledged the crunch that the war was having on the cost of fertilizer in his agriculture-heavy state, but he questioned the authority of the War Powers Resolution.
«If you accept the war powers as being constitutional, it would be the threshold under which that law would apply,» Thune said. «But I think, you know, at least right now, the steps that have been taken so far I think have been very effective and successful. But we do, they need a plan out, how to wind this down, how to get an outcome.»
Democrats still argue that the war was illegal to begin with and have no plans of letting up on their war powers push, even as the deadline nears.
«If the president has a plan, he can come to Congress and ask for authorization, and we can have the debate we should have had beforehand,» Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said.
politics, war with iran, senate, donald trump
INTERNACIONAL
Platner campaign putting ‘thumb on scale’ to influence possible replacement, Maine Dem alleges
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The Maine Democratic Party issued a stern warning to U.S. Senate primary winner Graham Platner, telling him and his campaign that they have «no role» in choosing his replacement.
Platner has not yet withdrawn from the race, and is still the state’s Democrat nominee for U.S. Senate, despite mounting pressure from state and national Democrats to drop out after a woman who previously dated him accused him of sexual assault in a Politico report published Monday. Platner has denied the allegations, but said he is looking at «the best path forward,» as he understood the political fallout the accusation would create.
«The Maine Democratic Party has been working around the clock to develop a process to replace our U.S. Senate nominee that is open, inclusive, transparent, and fair,» state party Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson said in a video posted to X amid myriad newly surfaced allegations levied against Platner with less than a week before the deadline to lock in the candidate to challenge incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
«The integrity of this process is just as important as the outcome, and we are committed to ensuring that Democrats across our state can have confidence in both,» Murphy-Anderson continued. «Unfortunately, Graham Platner’s team has repeatedly reached out to us in an attempt to put their thumb on the scale of what this process looks like. We have repeatedly reiterated to Graham Platner’s team that they have no role in determining our next Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, nor in determining what this process looks like.»
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IF PLATNER DROPS OUT? HERE’S WHO COULD REPLACE HIM ON THE BALLOT AND HOW IT WOULD WORK
Graham Platner won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, celebrating his victory at the YMCA in Blue Hill, Maine, on June 9, and just one month later the state Democratic Party is forcing him out and having no say in who the nominee will be. (Matt Symons for Fox News Digital)
Amid the fight with the Maine party leaders, an official for the Platner campaign said it «has reached out to the party to try and understand what this process would look like» and «at no point has the campaign tried to ‘put its finger on the scale.’»
The official added that thousands of Maine residents voted and volunteered for Platner and they should play a role in the decision.
«While Graham wouldn’t want to be a part of the process, he would want to make sure the voters and volunteers make this decision — not the political establishment,» the statement said.
GRAHAM PLATNER’S CHANCES OF DROPPING OUT SKYROCKET TO 94% AFTER PARTY REVOLT: KALSHI
Wife Amy Gertner has stood by her man Graham Platner amid myriad allegations of extramarital affairs and sexual misconduct. (Matt Symons for Fox News Digital)
Fox News Digital has made multiple attempts to reach out to Platner’s campaign for further comment, and also reached out to the Maine Democratic Party.
EXPLOSIVE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATION ROCKS PLATNER CAMPAIGN AHEAD OF KEY DEADLINE IN CRUCIAL SENATE RACE
Graham Platner has thus far been defiant and refusing to drop out without conditions, saying the Maine voters have picked him to be their nominee, ‘not the party establishment.’ (Matt Symons for Fox News Digital)
Maine Democratic Party leaders called on Platner to withdraw Monday, saying «multiple women have made serious, credible allegations against Graham Platner» and that the party «stands with women and survivors.» The party noted that no replacement process can begin unless Platner suspends his campaig, while stating that «in no scenario is there a legal possibility for a nominee to be selected by an individual campaign.»
«The sooner this process can begin, the more time we will have to administer an intentional and inclusive process for Mainers and Democrats,» the party said.
«We are entrusted with deciding who represents our values and who carries our banner,» the party said. «That responsibility requires judgment, leadership, and a willingness to act when circumstances demand it.»
The timing is critical. According to the Maine Democratic Party, the deadline set by the secretary of state for a nominee to withdraw is July 13, and the deadline for a new nominee to be submitted is July 27. If Platner does not withdraw by the July 13 deadline, Democrats would not have the option to name a replacement.
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Names of potential replacements floated in media reports include former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Nirav Shah, the former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The race is one of Democrats’ top pickup opportunities as they seek to defeat Collins, a five-term Republican incumbent, and regain control of the Senate.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
graham platner, democrats senate, politics, state and local primaries, maine
INTERNACIONAL
Uruguay prepara una jubilación anticipada a los 60 años pero define una limitación al beneficio
El gobierno de Yamandú Orsi en Uruguay redacta un proyecto de ley para establecer una causal jubilatoria especial a los 60 años de edad, que está pensada para quienes tienen dificultades para llegar a los 65 años trabajando, el mínimo requerido para el retiro. Sin embargo, el acceso cinco años antes tendrá algunas limitaciones.
El gobierno de Orsi asumió con la promesa de convocar a un “diálogo social” para hacer modificaciones a la reforma jubilatoria realizada por la gestión de Luis Lacalle Pou, que extendió la edad de retiro desde los 60 a los 65 años. Una de las innovaciones que incluyó el proyecto de ley es la posibilidad de jubilarse pero retornar al mercado laboral.
El “diálogo social”, una instancia que terminó en abril, sugirió habilitar una causal jubilatoria a los 60 años. Y ahora el gobierno incorporará esta propuesta en un proyecto de ley, pero asegura que no comprometerá la sostenibilidad financiera del sistema.
Esta causal tendrá algunas restricciones. Por ejemplo, quienes se jubilen a los 60 años no podrán acceder al beneficio de volver al mercado laboral del manera formal una vez concretada la jubilación.
“Uno de los principios rectores con el que nosotros avanzamos con esta idea era la necesidad de que esto fuera sostenible y sustentable a lo largo del tiempo”, declaró este martes el noticiero Telemundo de Canal 12 el coordinador de ese “diálogo social”, Hugo Bai.
El funcionario explicó por qué se estableció esta restricción: “Lo que aquí se está haciendo es agregar una causal de retiro anticipado que naturalmente es una causal para aquellas personas que efectivamente enfrentan alguna contingencia por la cual no pueden seguir trabajando”.
“Hasta los 65 años, no sería compatible no sería compatible con la actividad, con mantenerse trabajando” agregó
Bai destacó que un tercio de la población podrá acceder a los 60 años a una jubilación mayor que la que hubiera tenido con el régimen anterior a la última reforma jubilatoria.
Se prevé que este proyecto de ley sea enviado en agosto al Parlamento.
Otra de las propuestas del “diálogo social” son cambios en los fondos de pensiones. Sin embargo, esta propuesta continúa siendo discutida.
Cuando se conoció la propuesta fue uno de los cambios más comentados: quitarle una parte del negocio a los fondos privados de pensiones.
Desde antes que se conociera el documento final, los cambios en las AFAP habían generado polémica, al punto que analistas privados, empresarios y la oposición habían alertado por una “estatización” de este régimen de ahorro individual. ¿Qué es lo que propone en concreto? Que los fondos privados de pensiones continúen gestionando las inversiones que reciben de los trabajadores, pero que dejen de tener contacto con el cliente.
El ministro de Economía, Gabriel Oddone, se reunió en mayo con los representantes de las AFAP para “coordinar una agenda de trabajo”, según la información oficial. Esto incluye abrir un período de 60 días para trabajar con las AFAP y ver si se puede incorporar alguna de las ideas que sus ejecutivos llevaron a la reunión. Ese plazo está en su límite y funcionó de forma reservada.
“Las conversaciones van a girar en una agenda que acordamos, en un esquema de trabajo que va a organizarse de manera semanal y que va a transcurrir durante 60 días”, dijo Oddone en una declaración al final del encuentro en la que no aceptó preguntas. Este ámbito funcionará de manera reservada.
En Uruguay, hay cuatro AFAP que gestionan en régimen de ahorro individual. Una de ellas –la que tiene más clientes– es República AFAP, y sus accionistas son estatales (el Banco República, el Banco de Seguros del Estado y el Banco de Previsión Social). Las otras, son privadas: Itaú AFAP, AFAP Sura e Integración AFAP.
orsi yamandu
US envoy: Stop funding UNRWA, back Board of Peace for Gaza
Speaking at the U.N. July 1, Ambassador Jeff Bartos said donors could continue supporting United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugee or choose a framework offering Gazans «peace, prosperity and real durable change.» (Credit: UNTV)
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The United Nations defended its appeal for countries to keep funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) after the United States argued that donors should stop supporting an agency it claims has been infiltrated by Hamas and instead direct its money toward the Security Council-backed Board of Peace.
Speaking at UNRWA’s annual pledging conference in early July, U.S. Ambassador Jeff Bartos accused member states of repeating a failed approach and said the agency had become a «subsidiary of Hamas.»
«Doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result is the definition of insanity,» Bartos said. «And yet, here we are again, another annual pledging conference for UNRWA. Same speeches … same condemnation of Israel, same failures to condemn Hamas.»
HAMAS SAYS IT WILL DISSOLVE GAZA GOVERNMENT, BUT ISRAEL WARNS GROUP STILL SEEKS HEZBOLLAH-STYLE CONTROL
UNRWA’s headquarters in Gaza City, Gaza, Feb. 21, 2024. (Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Bartos urged governments to stop funding UNRWA schools in Gaza, which he accused of indoctrinating children in hatred of Jews and glorifying terrorism. He also cited allegations that UNRWA employees participated in the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack against Israel.
«You can choose to fund incitement, terrorism and stagnation, or you can choose to fund the Board of Peace, giving Gazans a path to peace, prosperity and real, durable change,» Bartos said.
The Board of Peace is a U.S.-led body created under President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan to oversee transitional governance, reconstruction and long-term development alongside a Palestinian technocratic administration. The administration argues it offers a better alternative to UNRWA by shifting aid away from what it says is a Hamas-infiltrated system and toward accountable governance and economic recovery.
Asked by Fox News Digital why U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres was asking countries to put additional money into UNRWA rather than support the Board of Peace, U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric defended the agency’s record and mandate.
ISRAEL SLAMS UN REPORT AS ‘POLITICAL BLOOD LIBEL’ FOR ALLEGING DELIBERATE TARGETING OF PALESTINIAN CHILDREN
A Palestinian woman wears a green Hamas scarf attends a demonstration against a U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) funding gap, outside the UNRWA Gaza Headquarters in Gaza City, Aug. 16, 2015. (The Associated Press)
Dujarric said Wednesday that UNRWA officials, including former Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini and acting chief Christian Saunders, had taken «strong action» when presented with facts concerning possible infiltration by people aligned with terrorist organizations.
«UNRWA doesn’t operate through a sort of immaculate conception,» Dujarric said in a press briefing. «It is there because there is a mandate given to it by the General Assembly, and we continue to fulfill that mandate. It has a very important role to play on the humanitarian front.»
Dujarric added that the Security Council resolution supporting the Board of Peace also calls on the United Nations to deliver humanitarian assistance and lead humanitarian activities in Gaza.
«UNRWA is part of that system,» he said.
The U.S. position contrasted sharply with those of several European governments.
At the same pledging event, the United Kingdom announced £23 million in support for UNRWA.
British Ambassador James Kariuki called the agency «indispensable» to providing essential services to Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
France also reiterated what its representative described as «full support» for the agency, saying UNRWA continues to provide indispensable assistance despite growing obstacles. France said it had provided €123 million to UNRWA since 2023 and would announce its 2026 contribution soon.
INTERNATIONAL ‘DEEP STATE’ PRIME TARGET OF TRUMP-STYLE CANDIDATE FOR UN CHIEF
A Palestinian man collects food from a humanitarian aid distribution point in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, July 20, 2025. (Ahmad Salem/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The French representative said allegations against UNRWA had been taken seriously and argued that the agency was implementing recommendations from the Colonna review intended to strengthen neutrality and transparency. France also supported an eventual, gradual transfer of UNRWA’s responsibilities to reform and strengthen Palestinian institutions as part of a broader political settlement.
The funding dispute comes as UN Watch is demanding that Guterres waive any immunity enjoyed by Lazzarini, whose term has ended, so national authorities can investigate allegations that he ignored repeated warnings about Hamas infiltration.
In a June 30 letter, the Geneva-based watchdog claimed that it had provided Lazzarini and his administration with evidence involving teachers, school principals, union leaders and other employees who allegedly supported or were affiliated with Hamas and other terrorist groups. It argued that the claims create grounds for an independent criminal investigation.
Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, told Fox News Digital that his organization told Lazzarini «that there are supporters of terrorism — in some cases, actual members of Hamas — working as teachers, working as school principals,» Neuer said, «Not one bad apple, not a few rotten apples, but the problem of support for terrorism … was systematic.»
Neuer said waiving Lazzarini’s immunity would not amount to a finding of guilt but would allow prosecutors to test the evidence.
«The investigation may prove there’s no evidence, and it’s over,» Neuer said. «But at least you should waive immunity to allow an investigation. The U.N. said that if anyone was found involved, ‘we will cooperate.’ Now is the test.»
Asked whether Guterres would consider waiving Lazzarini’s immunity, Dujarric did not answer directly.
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Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), holds a press conference in Jerusalem on October 27, 2023. (Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images)
«As far as I know, UN Watch is not a judicial authority,» he said. «We have always, as a matter of principle, cooperated with investigations by national authorities.»
UN Watch’s letter argues that immunity exists to protect the interests of the United Nations rather than provide a personal benefit to an official, and that it should be waived where it would obstruct justice without harming the organization.
Fox News Digital contacted UNRWA for comment but did not receive a response.
anti semitism, united nations, hamas, middle east
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