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The Justice Department has petitioned the Supreme Court to lift an injunction halting construction of a $400 million White House ballroom, citing national security needs. The request follows an appeals court ruling that Congress must approve the project, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's lawsuit challenges the demolition and construction.
The Pentagon has circulated a questionnaire to NATO allies asking whether they have publicly supported US foreign policy priorities, as part of a review that could reduce American forces in Europe. The document, obtained by Al Jazeera, also inquires about restrictions on US base access and alignment with the 'NATO 3.0' concept, prompting concerns among allies and former officials about politicizing military posture.
The US Treasury paid its highest borrowing costs in a quarter of a century at its latest 30-year bond auction, as investors demanded a heavy premium on long-term government debt over inflation and fiscal concerns. A Treasury plan to double bond buybacks gave markets a brief reprieve, but yields quickly climbed again. Stocks were mixed globally, while the White House pressed an economic campaign against Iran.
Beijing has called on Washington to withdraw planned tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones, warning of harm to Chinese companies and global supply chains. The US, citing national security, signed a proclamation on August 13 imposing the duties, with rates capped at 15% for several allies and 10% for Britain.
The USS George Washington has arrived in the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln from its record deployment, as reports of poor conditions aboard the Lincoln spark a heated dispute between officials, families, and lawmakers. While CENTCOM and Navy leaders defend the crew's resilience, families and senators demand answers over food shortages, mental health concerns, and the toll of more than 250 days at sea.
The White House released a report accusing dozens of countries of enabling China's shadow transshipment network and announced an AI-powered border detection system to combat tariff evasion. Estimates suggest up to $75 billion in goods were illegally transshipped, with significant tariff revenue losses. Skeptics question whether the new enforcement tool will address underlying trade imbalances.
A first-person account from a Times of Israel journalist reveals the confusion and fear aboard Air Force One as President Trump secretly switched planes due to a reported Iranian threat, while the Los Angeles Times defends the security protocols against partisan criticism.
China's Commerce Ministry has rejected a US report accusing its exporters of routing goods through third countries to avoid tariffs, calling it an exercise in unilateralism and protectionism. The report, which estimates transshipment values between $40 billion and $303 billion, also claims significant job and GDP losses, though it notes these are model-based illustrations.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Saturday that Tehran received 'numerous messages' from neighboring countries seeking new regional security arrangements, though he did not name any nations. The remarks come as Washington prepares to announce what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called the 'toughest sanctions in history' against Iran.
Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova announced ongoing efforts to reunite children with their families across Russia and Ukraine, with a new case expected soon. Meanwhile, the White House said US First Lady Melania Trump has helped reunite a fifth group of children, continuing her humanitarian involvement.
Months of blockades and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz have pushed Gulf energy exporters to seek alternative routes, with Saudi Arabia successfully rerouting oil through its East-West Pipeline while the UAE and other states face greater challenges. President Trump and Iranian officials offer sharply conflicting assessments of the waterway's status, as analysts warn that bypass projects cannot fully replace the strait's capacity.
President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on Democratic candidates, labeling them 'jihadists' and singling out Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan's Democratic Senate nominee, in a series of inflammatory remarks. The comments, echoed by other Republican figures, have drawn criticism from Muslim advocacy groups and sharp responses from El-Sayed.
The White House has asked the Department of Justice to consider new charges against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. The request comes after U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro dropped the charges, citing evidence of flawed installation, drawing public criticism from President Trump.
Robert Gilman, a former US Marine detained in Russia since 2022, has been released and is en route to a US military hospital in Texas. Advocacy groups and his family had raised alarms about his deteriorating health, including a reported dissociative stupor requiring tube feeding.
The Trump administration is escalating economic pressure on Iran with new sanctions and a naval blockade, announcing what President Trump called an 'economic D-Day.' Iran has threatened retaliation, and the UAE has suspended trade with Tehran, severing a key economic lifeline.
Washington plans to lift its blockade on Iranian ports immediately after an agreement is reached to restore unimpeded shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to US and Iranian sources. The talks, announced by President Donald Trump, also address ending regional strikes and renewing Iranian oil exports.
Iran and Oman are close to a temporary agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with ships using separate lanes and joint administration. However, Tehran insists the U.S. must meet conditions including compensation and lifting sanctions, and direct talks remain stalled.
Experts and senior officials warn that depleted US weapons stockpiles, stemming from the conflict with Iran, could take years to replenish and may embolden Russia and China. The Pentagon has been forced to redeploy assets from Europe and Asia to the Middle East, raising concerns about future deterrence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a US-backed Gaza plan, insisting that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is completely disarmed. His remarks follow a meeting with the Board of Peace's envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, and come amid domestic political pressures.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not mention the US as the country that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki during the 81st anniversary ceremony. Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki did acknowledge the bomb was dropped by a US military plane, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also avoided directly naming the US in his message.