With the clock ticking down toward a government shutdown, Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz approached a Democratic lawmaker on the House floor this week with a surprising pitch.

By Nichola Groom and Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) -The Biden administration's plan to slash offshore oil and gas leasing drew fire

The death of pioneering Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein has put California Gov. Gavin Newsom under immediate pressure over whom he picks as her replacement, with Democrats clinging to a narrow Senate majority and Congress likely nearing crucial votes over government funding.

In an impassioned and at times furious speech, departing Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley defiantly proclaimed that the US military does not swear an oath to a "wannabe dictator."

The man accused of killing Baltimore tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere last week and a rape and arson days earlier will be held without bail pending trial in those cases

The boy band NSYNC has released their first song in more than 20 years, reuniting to record "Better Place" for the soundtrack...

By Crispian Balmer ROME Migrants picked up at sea by rescue ships must be sent to the countries

Americans are taking notice of a possible government shutdown and the uncertainty of ongoing labor strikes, according to the University of Michigan's latest consumer sentiment survey.

The German Navy fleet may soon be armed with combat-ready lasers. A laser weapon demonstrator (LWD) has successfully been trialled for a year onboard the Frigate Sachsen with assistance from he British Navy. The LWD has performed more than a hundred test firings under realistic operating conditions against different target types. The weapon fires a high-energy laser beam that can destroy drones, drone swarms, speedboats and possibly missiles at close to very close range. Arms manufacturer Rheinmetall AG says it could undergo a performance upgrade for destroying supersonic missiles, rockets, and mortar and artillery rounds. The company explained this month that the trial “proved that a laser is capable of successfully engaging targets in a maritime environment.” During the trials, with an overall six campaigns lasting nearly a year, the combat effectiveness was proven in increasingly complex scenarios against targets. This included all aspects from detection and tracking - including highly agile targets; the interplay of sensors, command and weapon engagement systems and effectors; possible rules of engagement; and the successful engagement of targets with a laser beam. Rheinmetall AG say the system would complement gun-based systems and guided missiles. At the end of the trials, the LWD’s capabilities were successfully demonstrated at two VIP days, which included shooting down a drone, in front of high-ranking representatives of the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), the Germany Navy and Army, as well as the Bundeswehr Office for Defence Planning (PlgABw). Representatives of the British, Netherlands and Norwegian Navy participated during the demonstration, say Rheinmetall AG. Responsibility for development and construction of the laser system, as well as the support during the trials that have been planned and organised by BAAINBw, is the High-Energy Laser Naval Demonstrator Working Group, or ARGE, consisting of MBDA Deutschland GmbH and Rheinmetall. The demonstrator is currently undergoing detailed examination, after which it will be transferred to Bundeswehr Technical Centre 91 in Meppen: the German army technology centre responsible for weapons and ammunition. “The test results and subsequent analysis will be used for minimising risks in a possible next phase, i.e., the development of an operational laser weapon system,” Rheinmetall AG add. Read More Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin orders former Wagner boss to control ‘volunteer units’ and rejoin frontline Putin orders former Wagner commander to take charge of 'volunteer units' in Ukraine Australian defense minister says army will stop flying European-designed Taipan helicopters Families of Troubles victims launch legal challenges to Legacy Bill Armenians describe odyssey to safety after Nagorno-Karabakh falls Billionaire Louis Vuitton owner and Russian oligarch in money-laundering probe

President Joe Biden hailed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein as a "pioneering American" and a "true trailblazer" in a statement following her death Friday.

The Supreme Court will leap into online moderation debate for the second year running after the justices on Friday agreed to decide whether states can essentially control how social media companies operate.

The California senator served for more than three decades and broke new ground for women in US politics.