INTERNACIONAL
Trump keeps calling Thune despite public fight over SAVE America Act
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FIRST ON FOX: The reports of President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s dead working relationship have been greatly exaggerated, the South Dakota Republican leader told Fox News Digital.
«I’ve heard from him twice this morning already. He called me over the weekend, and so there, you know, we talk, I don’t bother him, I’m not calling him every day,» Thune said in an interview.
Last week, Trump said, «We’re going to find out,» whether Thune was the man for the job to lead Senate Republicans, casting doubt on a critical relationship between him and the Senate’s top Republican.
TRUMP QUESTIONS THUNE’S LEADERSHIP AS SAVE AMERICA ACT STALLS
Reports of Senate Majority Leader John Thune and President Donald Trump’s relationship deteriorating are greatly exaggerated, Thune told Fox News Digital. In fact, they have spoken several times over the last few days since Trump’s «we’ll see» comment about his future as Republican leader. (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images 😉
The tension stems from the SAVE America Act floundering in the Senate, and Trump’s desire to see the election integrity package passed by any means necessary.
Thune doesn’t see Trump’s comment as a personal slight, however. Both he and the president «want to get to the same place. We have, sometimes, disagreements about how best to get there.»
«Most of mine are constrained by what’s achievable in an institution like the Senate that has procedural roadblocks to do almost anything,» Thune said.
«We have those candid conversations, but I’m not worried about that relationship,» he continued. «I know he’s going to push as hard as he can. That’s his business model, is to just keep pushing, pushing, pushing to get people to go as far as they can go.»
SENATE FACES ‘COME-TO-JESUS’ MOMENT ON TRUMP’S ELECTION PRIORITY UNDER GOP’S NEW PLAN
There is a voracious appetite among Trump, Senate Republicans and their base to see the SAVE America Act passed. One that Thune hears every day, either online or within his own conference.
It’s dominated the oxygen inside the Capitol and beyond its walls, and the pressure comes as the Senate is sprinting to finish work on key items, like preventing a government shutdown and confirming dozens of Trump’s nominees.
«There are good days and bad days,» Thune said. «And around here, probably lately more bad days than good days, but you know you just kind of, like I said, keep your head down, do the work.»
But passing the SAVE America Act is the most elusive item for Republicans, given the current make up of the Senate.
While there are a cohort of Republicans who are voting against it, Thune made the point that every single Senate Democrat has shut it down each of the five times that it’s been brought to the floor in a variety of configurations.
And Thune is one of the Republicans that wants the bill passed — he’s an original co-sponsor of the SAVE Act, the precursor to the current version of the SAVE America Act. The avenue of cutting Democrats out of the equation and ramming through aspects of the bill through budget reconciliation exists, which Thune is interested in pursuing.
But then comes the problem of generating 50 votes to support that, and keeping those votes together to shut down «crazy democratic amendments.»
GOP RIFT GROWS AS THUNE HITS BRAKES ON TRUMP’S ELECTION BILL TO AVERT SHUTDOWN
Thune’s job helming the Senate majority is to do the math on what can be accomplished in an institution that’s «designed» to be difficult. And the votes still aren’t adding up.
«I keep asking the question, am I the only one in this town that can count to 50? Because it seems like these questions recur and there are a lot of people out there who haven’t seemed to internalize the fact that there aren’t Democrats that are going to flip and vote for this,» Thune said.
«And there aren’t 50 Republicans that are going to vote to nuke the filibuster. Those are two facts that are indisputable and unchangeable.»
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., argued that Democrats were continuing their push to keep DHS closed because it was «politically advantageous.» (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Thune’s position is, by extension, an embodiment of the Senate in many ways.
Unlike the House, legislation and agendas can’t be rammed through without a bipartisan agreement to blast through the filibuster. And senators’ concerns and desires encompass an entire state, not just a sliver of a state’s population.
Through several interviews with Fox News Digital, he’s instilled that part of his job is to listen and take consensus on what does and doesn’t work, deliberating on the best path for a deliverable outcome.
«This place was supposed to be difficult, so that no dictator could master it, and I think that’s kind of the role of the Senate in our system and our democracy,» Thune said.
«It’s important to keep that in perspective, but it’s frustrating as heck when you’re somebody who likes to get things done, likes to get results, and you’ve got procedural roadblocks holding things up as we try to wind down and get some things done,» he continued.
politics, john thune, donald trump, senate, republicans elections
INTERNACIONAL
El Salvador registra dos millones de visitantes en sus destinos turísticos durante las vacaciones
Durante el periodo vacacional, El Salvador ha registrado una afluencia de dos millones de visitantes nacionales e internacionales en sus principales destinos turísticos, según datos oficiales actualizados hasta el 4 de agosto por el Ministerio de Turismo.
La cifra, que corresponde tanto a turistas locales como extranjeros, marca un intenso movimiento en sitios emblemáticos del país y confirma una tendencia al alza en la movilidad interna de la temporada.
La ministra de Turismo, Morena Valdez, atribuyó este resultado a la coordinación interinstitucional y al despliegue de personal en los principales destinos. La funcionaria recalcó que la meta de la cartera es alcanzar los 2.8 mil visitantes al cierre de la temporada, cifra que, a su juicio, podría cumplirse si se mantiene la tendencia de las últimas jornadas.
De forma inmediata las autoridades no han brindado detalles sobre las nacionalidades de los turistas que se encuentran visitando el territorio salvadoreño.
Entre los destinos de mayor preferencia destacan SívarLand, el Centro Histórico de San Salvador, playas públicas como Playa Punta Roca, áreas naturales protegidas y una amplia oferta de sitios culturales.
La funcionaria señaló que además que actividades como la tradicional atolada y las experiencias familiares en parques y volcanes forman parte de la agenda atractiva para las familias.
El panorama en la zona costera también ha mostrado una afluencia notoria. Yaneth Bran, gobernadora del departamento de La Libertad, aseguró que el destino mantiene un flujo constante de turistas y que las instituciones han fortalecido los mecanismos de prevención y seguridad. “La Libertad es un territorio privilegiado por su extraordinaria riqueza natural, cultural, histórica y gastronómica.
La diversidad de sus paisajes y la calidez de su gente convierten en este departamento en un lugar que ofrece experiencia para todos los gustos”, afirmó Bran durante su intervención. Destacó la presencia de visitantes en lugares emblemáticos como Surf City, el Puerto de La Libertad, el Malecón, San Diego, El Majagual, El Tunco, El Sunzal, Mizata y San Blas, así como en diversos parques recreativos y comercios del litoral.
La ministra Valdez resaltó que la totalidad de los parques del Instituto Salvadoreño de Turismo y los sitios culturales operan con normalidad y acceso abierto al público.
La funcionaria recomendó explorar sitios menos tradicionales como El Taquíl y Los Almendros en la zona occidental, además de los espacios naturales del Parque Natural Cerro Verde y las rutas de escalada en volcanes, siempre bajo la guía de personal autorizado del Ministerio de Medio Ambiente o de la Corporación Salvadoreña de Turismo.
En el litoral, la gobernadora Bran subrayó la disposición de equipos de emergencia, guardavidas y personal sanitario.
“Debido a la importante movilización de las personas que se registran durante esta temporada, todas las instituciones que conforman el Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil han fortalecido sus capacidades de prevención, de monitoreo con el propósito de garantizar la seguridad y el bienestar de las personas”, manifestó Bran.
“No hay pretexto, podemos disfrutar de estas vacaciones con sano esparcimiento, cuidándonos y previniendo. Y recordando que la prevención es responsabilidad de todos”, insistió la titular del ramo de turismo e instó a la población y al sector privado a seguir las indicaciones de las autoridades.
playas sonsonate,arena dorada el salvador,roca volcánica el salvador
INTERNACIONAL
Russia deploys North Korean missile unit to Ukraine; Moscow-Pyongyang axis deepens: report
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Russia has begun deploying a North Korean missile unit equipped with up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for use in its war against Ukraine, a Ukrainian intelligence official told told Reuters Wednesday.
The reported escalation marks a deepening military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang, with around 90 North Korean personnel expected to be stationed in Russia’s western Voronezh region to support the new unit, according to Andrii Cherniak of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR).
Cherniak also claimed Pyongyang has already delivered a fresh batch of 40 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles to Russian forces, Reuters said.
RUSSIA LAUNCHES BALLISTIC MISSILE ATTACK ON KYIV HOURS AFTER ZELENSKYY WARNS OF MAJOR STRIKE
Russia has reportedly begun deploying a North Korean missile unit equipped with up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for use in its war against Ukraine. (Alexander Kazakov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
Final details of the deployment are expected to be finalized during high-level talks next month.
The intelligence report follows a massive Russian barrage against Kyiv and the surrounding region Aug. 4.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow launched 24 ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles and 115 drones overnight, killing at least 17 people.
Zelenskyy argued more lives could have been saved had Western allies replenished Ukraine’s depleted stockpiles of air defense interceptors.
Zelenskyy previously warned that Moscow had been preparing since June to receive additional North Korean military personnel in the Voronezh region, according to reports.
RUSSIA UNLEASHES NEARLY 600 MISSILES AND DRONES ON KYIV IN DEADLIEST STRIKE SINCE MAY
Russian President Vladimir Putin has deepened his defensive ties with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. (Getty Images)
Cherniak told Reuters a Russian strike in late July marked the first recorded use of North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukrainian targets since August 2025.
According to HUR estimates, Russia has received approximately 150 KN-23 and KN-24 missiles from North Korea since late 2023.
Military analysts say Russia is increasingly relying on ballistic weapons because they require advanced defense systems — such as the U.S.-made Patriot — to intercept.
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed that Russia is deliberately incorporating more ballistic missiles into its long-range strike packages to maximize pressure on Ukraine’s limited air defenses.
ISW added that North Korea is gaining critical battlefield data from the conflict, allowing Pyongyang to refine its missile performance using Russian operational experience.
ALARMING MISSILE REPORT DRAWS FORCEFUL RESPONSE FROM TRUMP AS IRAN WAR TESTS AMERICA’S ARSENAL
North Korea has emerged as one of Moscow’s key military allies. (KCNA via Reuters)
North Korea has emerged as one of Moscow’s key military allies since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.
Reuters reported that Pyongyang has supplied millions of artillery shells and previously sent 14,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region to counter Ukraine’s 2024 cross-border incursion.
Cherniak also noted that roughly 9,500 North Korean troops are still in Kursk, though they are not engaged in active combat right now.
A report by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) states that, since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, North Korea has supplied Moscow with large quantities of artillery and rocket ammunition, cannon and rocket artillery systems and ballistic missiles.
The policy institute described the Russia-North Korea relationship as one of the «most consequential among the Axis» and the only partnership in which one member has deployed troops in combat to assist another.
russia, north korea, ukraine, conflicts
INTERNACIONAL
Dems in the hot seat for skipping crucial hearing on radical group hiding in US: ‘Embarrassment’
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Democratic lawmakers were missing during Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing as they skipped a hearing on the Muslim Brotherhood’s alleged network inside the United States, drawing a blistering rebuke from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.
«You may notice that there are empty chairs on the Democrat side of the dais,» Cruz said as he opened the hearing by pointing out that every Democratic member of the subcommittee refused to attend. «The American people should ask themselves why not a single member of the minority decided that a hearing on terrorism was worth their time? It is an embarrassment.»
Cruz tied the Democrats’ boycott to Abdul El-Sayed’s primary victory, arguing that the timing helped explain why no Democratic members attended. Cruz accused the party of embracing a candidate who had campaigned alongside left-wing streamer Hasan Piker.
Cruz cited Piker’s past statement that «America deserved 9/11» and asked the witnesses what El-Sayed’s rise said about the direction of the Democratic Party.
HASAN PIKER UNLOADS ON ‘ISLAMOPHOBIC PIECES OF S—‘ DEMOCRATS AS EL-SAYED FACES PARTY UNITY TEST
«Abdul El-Sayed, the son-in-law of a leading member of several Brotherhood groups, won Michigan’s Democrat primary for U.S. Senate. Perfect timing for this hearing, probably explains why no Democrats are here and none intend to attend,» Cruz said. «Because their campaign is now openly embracing terrorist organizations waging war on America.»
(From left to right) Democratic Party Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Peter Welch of Vermont, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Alex Padilla of California and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. Muslim Brotherhood supporters near the Jordanian border with the West Bank from 2021 can be seen in the background. (Getty Images)
The five Democratic members of the subcommittee — Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Alex Padilla of California and Peter Welch of Vermont — announced beforehand that they would not attend. In a joint statement, the senators accused Cruz of staging a «political creepshow» that scapegoated Muslim Americans.
«Scapegoating Muslims may be a Texas Republican strategist’s idea of ‘solid gold’ to whip up their voters, but Democrats have no intention of indulging this political creepshow, particularly after the recent violence targeting places of faith,» they said. «Our focus is the costs families face thanks to rampant, non-stop Trump corruption.»
Blumenthal separately told reporters Wednesday that Democrats refused to attend because the hearing «could well be used as an anti-Muslim, Islamophobia kind of show trial.»
MICHIGAN SENATE RACE: EL-SAYED’S TIES TO EXTREMIST FUEL ANTISEMITISM CONCERNS AMONG JEWISH VOTERS
The Connecticut Democrat added that he planned to meet with members of the Muslim community who shared concerns about the Muslim Brotherhood, «which appears to be a terrorist organization,» while advocating for «tolerance and inclusion.»
US Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) speaks during a press conference at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 24, 2023. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The offices of Whitehouse and Welch referred Fox News Digital to the joint statement when asked why the senators chose to boycott rather than attend and challenge the witnesses directly. The offices of Hirono and Padilla had not responded by publication time.
Cruz and the hearing’s witnesses rejected the Democrats’ characterization of the proceeding as an attack on Muslims generally.
Lara Burns, a retired FBI special agent who helped lead a terrorism-financing investigation against what was once the largest Muslim charity in the United States, the Holy Land Foundation, warned that Americans should not disregard evidence because it is politically controversial.
A surfaced OIG report shows FBI agents were urged to avoid communications with CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations. (Getty Images)
«For decades, narratives have been intentionally seeded into public discourse that portray terrorist organizations as resistance movements,» Burns testified before arguing Americans cannot «ignore evidence introduced in federal court simply because that evidence is politically uncomfortable.»
«The history of this network is not in question,» she added. «It was made public decades ago, but few paid attention. Now is the time to pay attention and understand the facts.»
hearings, democrats senate, ted cruz, national security, politics
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