Keely Bastow

I am a journalist currently based in Washington, D.C. I've previously lived in Toronto, Miami, Singapore and Atlanta. 

Washington Examiner •

US-Iran 'technical talks' ongoing despite tit-for-tat strikes

The United States is continuing diplomatic talks with Iran, despite President Donald Trump saying the ceasefire was “over” during the NATO summit this week.

The U.S. is engaging in “technical talks” with the Iranian regime, according to various media reports.

“The United States is still committed to finding a resolution, and technical talks continue. Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” a U.S. official told Fox News, with other outlets reporting the same statement.

Gulf states that have...
Washington Examiner •

Platner adviser assures Maine candidate will file paperwork to withdraw

Morris Katz, a senior political adviser to Graham Platner, said he was “deeply disappointed” when he learned of the sexual assault allegations leveled against the U.S. Senate candidate in Maine that led to him dropping out of the race.

“As soon as the team became aware of the rape allegations against Graham Platner we advised he suspend his candidacy, and in the following days worked to wind down the campaign,” Katz said Thursday. “Like so many of his supporters, I’m deeply disappointed.”

Katz...
Washington Examiner •

Apache helicopter pilots suspended after South Carolina beach air show

Eight pilots have been suspended from their flying duties after they flew Apache helicopters in front of beachgoers as part of Myrtle Beach’s Salute from the Shore event on July 4.

The South Carolina National Guard put out a statement confirming the suspension and that the pilots are still being paid.

“I can confirm that the SCARNG is currently reviewing the flight profile of the Apache helicopters that participated in the event,” Maj. Lisa Allen said. “As is routine, the pilots involved in th...
Washington Examiner •

Cassidy calls Trump's deal with Iran 'worst foreign policy blunder in decades'

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) ripped into the Trump administration’s Memorandum of Understanding with Iran, calling it the “worst foreign policy blunder in decades.”

“Reagan is rolling over in his grave,” Cassidy wrote Wednesday. “Iran’s nuclear ambitions were not curbed, and they have learned that threatening the Strait of Hormuz works and will undoubtedly leverage it in the future. Now, Iran gets to build brand-new infrastructure under this deal.

“Before the war, the strait was open, Iran was bei...
Washington Examiner •

Redistricting push in South Carolina fails after state Senate bails

The South Carolina Senate has put an end to a recent redistricting push, voting 24-20 against advancing a new map.After the Supreme Court decision last month that overturned Louisiana’s second majority-black district, President Donald Trump and his allies pushed South Carolina Republicans to push through a new map that would redraw its single majority-black district.The state House approved the new map last week, but the state Senate ended the effort.“Neither my conscience nor my common sense wi...
Washington Examiner •

What you missed from last night's primaries

Tuesday’s primaries saw several major developments of national significance, some of which may help shape the dynamics of the midterm elections.Some of the most consequential primary elections took place on Tuesday, with some decided decisively and others going to runoffs.Here’s everything you missed from Tuesday night:In one of the greatest tests of President Donald Trump’s hold over the Republican Party, the president once again emerged on top. After falling out with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY)...
Washington Examiner •

LA to proceed with primaries for all races besides six House seats 

Louisiana will hold early voting this weekend ahead of its May 16 primary, but not for its six seats in the U.S. House.GOP Secretary of State Nancy Landry made the announcement Thursday shortly after the Republican-controlled state legislature signaled it was likely to redraw the congressional map. “This is a mandatory step prior to the Governor issuing an executive order suspending the upcoming Louisiana U.S. House races,” said Landry. “All other races on the ballot, besides the U.S. House rac...
Washington Examiner •

Louisiana voters in limbo as legislature weighs next move after map struck down

While national Republicans celebrate the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling that Louisiana’s second majority-black district was drawn unconstitutionally, local leaders have been left scrambling to figure out what this means for a primary election 17 days away.Louisiana had to redraw its congressional map after a 2022 version was declared in violation of the Voting Rights Act by inaccurately reflecting the state’s demographics. Now, the Supreme Court has declared the redrawn map of 2024 went too far the...
Washington Examiner •

Mills drops out of Maine Senate race, clearing way for Platner

Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) announced the end of her candidacy for the 2026 Maine Senate race, clearing the way for Graham Platner as the Democratic nominee.

In a statement posted on social media, Mills said she lacked the financial resources to continue her campaign.

“While I have the drive and passion, commitment and experience, and above all else – the fight – to continue on, I very simply do not have the one thing that political campaigns unfortunately require today: the financial resources,”...
Washington Examiner •

United Arab Emirates quits OPEC alliance

The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday it is exiting OPEC and the broader OPEC+ as of May 1, marking a major loss for the oil-producing bloc as global energy markets remain volatile in light of the Iran war.The UAE said it has participated in the organization for the greater global benefit, but it is leaving the group to focus on internal interests.“This decision follows a comprehensive review of the UAE’s production policy and its current and future capacity and is based on our national inter...
Washington Examiner •

Canada announces new sovereign wealth fund with call for investments from citizens

Canada is opening the country’s first sovereign wealth fund, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Monday.The “Canada Strong Fund” will invest in Canada’s various nation-building projects, including in trade, energy and critical minerals, transportation, and data industries, according to Carney. The fund will begin with an initial 25 billion Canadian dollar federal contribution over three years.“These projects will make Canada stronger, more resilient, and more independent. They’ll create good...
Washington Examiner •

Trump strikes defiant tone after another shooting: 'I can't be concerned'

President Donald Trump remained steadfast in his administration’s goals when asked about possible motivations behind the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.

“Some of us who have covered Butler experienced another horrific day two years ago. What felt similar? … Are you concerned about something like this happening?” a reporter asked Trump during a press conference after the event.

“I can’t be concerned. I can only get great people,” Trump said in response. “They did the job, a much, i...
Washington Examiner •

Man charged security checkpoint and shot Secret Service agent at WHCA dinner: Trump

President Donald Trump said a man charged the security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with multiple weapons and shot one Secret Service officer before being taken down by other officers.

The suspect, who is in custody and has been widely identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from Los Angeles, charged the Washington Hilton checkpoint from 50 feet away. He then shot a Secret Service officer, but the bullet hit his bulletproof vest. He is recoverin...
Washington Examiner •

Trump cancels Witkoff and Kushner's trip to Pakistan for Iran negotiations

President Donald Trump has called off U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s trip to Pakistan, where they were supposed to negotiate with the Iranians for a peace deal.“I’ve told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, ‘Nope, you’re not making an 18 hour flight to go there,” Trump said, according to Fox News. “We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you’re not going to be making any more 18 hour flights to sit around talking about...
Washington Examiner •

Appeals court wipes out $8.2 million award for Alabama Supreme Court justice Roy Moore

A federal appeals court overturned the $8.2 million in damages awarded to former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore in 2022.

Moore launched a lawsuit in 2019 against the Senate Majority PAC over their ad that cited claims of Moore “soliciting sex from young girls” during his 2017 run for U.S. Senate.

The PAC’s ad displayed quotes from new articles about Moore’s alleged behavior, including one suggesting he approached a young girl working as “Santa’s helper.” The ads were aired over 500 ti...
Washington Examiner •

Senate vote to confirm Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair scheduled for next week

Kevin Warsh’s confirmation vote to be the next Federal Reserve chairman is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, according to a Senate banking committee notice.

The committee sent the notice out Friday evening, hours after the Department of Justice announced it dropped an investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), a member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, previously said he would place a hold on any nomination until the White Ho...
Washington Examiner •

Who has been killed so far during the Iran war?

There have been numerous casualties on all sides since the joint U.S.-Israel strikes against Iran commenced in late February. Over one month later, a two-week ceasefire was struck.Leadership in Tehran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps bore the brunt of losses for the past five weeks, but Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies had also taken some damage. Additionally, civilians were caught in the crossfire.HEGSETH TOUTS ‘OVERWHELMING VICTORY’ IN IRAN AS MILITARY TAKES BACKSEAT DURING CEASEFI...
Washington Examiner •

James Talarico bests Jasmine Crockett in Texas Senate primary

State Rep. James Talarico (D-TX) has won the Democratic primary against Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) in Texas’s Senate race.With 90% of the vote counted, Talarico got 53% of the vote, compared to Crockett’s 45.7%, as of 5 a.m. Wednesday.Talarico, a former public school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian, led throughout election night. During a speech to supporters ahead of the official call, he demanded every vote be counted, after reports of some voters being turned away from precincts. “Tonig...
Washington Examiner •

Qatar shot down two Iranian bomber jets

Qatar shot down two Iranian aircraft on Monday as Iran continued its retaliation mission against the Gulf States.

The Qatar Air Force shot down two Iranian SU-24 bomber jets, seven ballistic missiles, and five drones, according to a statement from the Qatari Foreign Ministry.

“The threat was addressed immediately upon detection, in accordance with the operational plan, as all missiles were shot down before reaching their targets,” the statement said.

The ministry urged its citizens to remain...
Washington Examiner •

Mike Huckabee issues warning to Jerusalem embassy staff to leave

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned personnel at the American embassy in Israel on Friday to leave the country immediately if they wish to exit.

“Those wishing to take AD should do so TODAY,” Huckabee wrote in an email to employees at Washington’s embassy in Jerusalem, using an acronym for “authorized departure.”

The move comes as the Trump administration weighs strikes on Iran, which could usher in regional unrest, spreading to Israel. The ambassador said the decision to allow emba...
Washington Examiner •

Israeli military announces final hostage remains recovered from Gaza

The Israeli military announced that the remains of the final Israeli hostage have been recovered from Gaza.

Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, 24, was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, and taken to Gaza by Hamas. Over 250 people were taken during the terrorist attack, and the recovery of all of their remains has been a key hurdle in peace negotiations.

The Israel Defense Forces announced on Sunday afternoon that it “began a targeted operation” to retrieve Gvili’s remains in northern Gaza. Less than 24 hours later,...
Washington Examiner •

DOJ drops thousands more Epstein files, some including Trump's name

The Department of Justice said it released over 30,000 more files related to Jeffrey Epstein on Tuesday, but warned that some included “sensationalist claims” about President Donald Trump and his relationship to the late disgraced financier.“Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election,” the DOJ wrote in the announcement Tuesday morning. “To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false,...
Washington Examiner •

GOP sees warning signs, Ossoff sees hope after 2025 elections

Georgia Democrats are touting their wins on Tuesday as a sign of what’s to come in the 2026 Senate election as Republicans face concerns about their messaging. On Tuesday, Georgia voters ousted two Republican public service commissioners in favor of Democrats Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson. Both Democrats received over 60% of the vote. The election, which saw 1.5 million voters turn out, was the first time Democrats have won a statewide constitutional office in 20 years.BALLOT MEASURES: WHAT P...
Washington Examiner •

John Sununu announces bid for New Hampshire Senate seat

Former GOP Sen. John Sununu has entered the race to reclaim New Hampshire‘s Senate seat after he was ousted by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in 2008.

“Washington’s never been perfect. It’s not meant to be,” Sununu said in his campaign launch video. “When I was there, people with different opinions could get together, work things out, and come to solutions that made a real difference. But now, Congress just seems loud, dysfunctional, even angry. But Granite Staters still talk. We don’t always agree...
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