Politics

Kennedy Center Honors to take place at Capital One Arena

Updated on: October 2, 2026 / 1:59 PM EDT / CBS News

Trump's Cuba Siege is a Waiting Game

Thirty years ago, Wayne Smith, the former chief of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, argued in a 1996 essay that Cuba might follow something resembling Spain’s path under Francisco Franco. Economic liberalization would create new interests, those interests would demand political representation, and the system would evolve into something else. It was a plausible argument. It was also wrong.

Olivia Dean accused of plagiarism on her I’ve Seen It track

Mattie Music Group, owners of Bill Withers’ back catalogue, contend the Grammy winner infringed on Just the Two of Us

Somali aide to Minneapolis mayor sentenced in Feeding Our Future case

The former Somali-born aide to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has been sentenced to serve three years in federal prison for his role in the Feeding Our Future fraud case.

Newsom vetoes rail oversight bill after watchdog's scathing audit

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) vetoed legislation this week that would have strengthened oversight of the state's troubled high-speed rail project.

ICE forced to abandon NYC courthouse arrests, judge rules

A federal judge has indefinitely blocked ICE officers from arresting illegal immigrants at immigration courthouses in New York City on the basis that the Trump administration’s policy for it was invalid.

5 European Nations Follow U.S. with Plans for Third-Country Deportations as EU Approves Migrant "Return Hubs"

October 2, 2026 / 12:33 PM EDT / CBS News

A Democratic Upset Is Brewing in Alaska’s Governor’s Race as Trump’s Popularity Craters

Support for 37-year-old Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins Could Upend the Governor’s Race in the Heavily Republican State

Democrats Appear to Be in Good Shape, but the Election Is Not Today

Welcome to Friday’s edition of Washington Secrets, with your guide to who is up and who is down this week. Your usual scribe, Rob Crilly, is traversing the plains of Kansas today, so this is Chris Irvine pinch-hitting. As usual, we run the rule over the president’s week.If a friend sent you this and you’d like to sign up, CLICK HERE.

Suicide by plane or terrorism? Speculation over motive in flight 1073 attack

Experts sceptical flydubai co-pilot’s only motivation was to end his own life and say key question is means of radicalisation

US Coast Guard says it has intercepted ship carrying fuel to Cuba

US says ship thought to be using common ‘dark fleet’ tactics was boarded and taken to Mexico as embargo continues

Woman in alleged Cornell gang-rape case was ‘failed’ by system, New York governor says

Kathy Hochul briefs journalists with state attorney general Letitia James, who will be taking over the entire case