President Donald Trump gave three White House aides $45,000 each as holiday cash gifts, according to annual financial disclosures filed by the officials. The payments to Natalie Harp, Chamberlain Harris and Margo Martin totaled $135,000 and were separate from their government salaries. Aides The three officials each reported receiving a $45

The Trump administration has increased scrutiny of Curricular Practical Training approvals for F-1 international students, warning that universities could lose authorization to enrol foreign students if they improperly approve off-campus internships. Federal Government Increases CPT Oversight The Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which operates under US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has warned Designated School Officials that Cu

Karoline Leavitt will leave her position as White House press secretary at the end of August, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday. The high-profile Trump aide cited the demands of raising two young children but plans to remain connected to the president as an outside adviser ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Karoline Leavitt exit follows family decis

The Tate brothers UK extradition case will proceed without intervention from President Donald Trump’s administration. White House officials and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the government would allow courts to handle the request as Andrew and Tristan Tate face 59 UK charges. White House response to Tate extradition The White House has said President Donald Trump does not plan to preven

US House passes a $95 billion budget framework that directs most funding toward the Pentagon and intelligence agencies while providing support for farmers and election programmes. The proposal now moves to the Senate, where lawmakers will decide whether Republicans can advance the final spending legislation. Pentagon funding budget proposal The US House of Representatives narrowly approved a $9

The Trump administration's handling of the Iran conflict came under intense scrutiny during a Senate hearing after a heated confrontation between Senator Gary Peters and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The exchange quickly became the hearing's defining moment as lawmakers debated military strategy, troop support and billions of dollars in additional defence spending. The hearing also examined whether the administration has a clear long-term plan for the

The proposed green card bond has created uncertainty among immigrants applying for permanent residency. Although no final policy has been announced, reports suggest certain applicants processing immigrant visas abroad could be affected if the proposal is implemented. The Trump administration's reported proposal to require certain green card applicants to post bonds of up to $100,000 has raised questions about who could actually be affected. Wh

The proposed $100,000 green card bond has created uncertainty among H-1B professionals seeking permanent residency. Here's what is currently known about who could be affected, the difference between Adjustment of Status and consular processing, and why the proposal has not yet changed existing immigration procedures. The Trump administration's reported proposal to require certain green card applicants to post bonds of up to $100,000 has raised questions among H-1B

The Trump administration is considering a $100,000 green card bond for certain applicants completing consular processing abroad. The unconfirmed proposal would examine financial self-sufficiency but leaves eligibility, refund rules and implementation unclear. The Trump administration is considering requiring certain people applying for U.S. green cards through consulates abroad to post bonds of up to $100,000, according to

WASHINGTON — Illinois hospital price transparency warnings have been issued to 21 facilities as federal officials intensify enforcement of rules requiring hospitals to publish clear pricing data. The notices are part of a nationwide action involving more than 500 hospitals, The Associated Press reported on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Since April 2026, hospitals have received warning letters or, in more serious cases, requests for corrective action plans. Hospitals that do not

Bill Pulte acting DNI duties will begin after President Donald Trump named the Federal Housing Finance Agency director to temporarily lead the U.S. intelligence community. The announcement, made on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, places Pulte in a Cabinet-level national security role while he continues overseeing major federal housing responsibilities. Pulte currently leads the FHFA and serves as chair of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Trump said Pulte would remain in those hou

The Trump administration has paused its $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponisation Fund following a federal court ruling. The Justice Department confirmed it will comply with the order, even though it disagrees with the court’s decision. The fund was set up to provide compensation to individuals claiming harm due to government actions, but concerns have been raised about potential political misuse. Court Orders Halt

JD Vance Steps In For White House Briefing On Tuesday, May 19, US Vice President JD Vance temporarily filled in for White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is on maternity leave after welcoming her second child, Viviana, earlier this month. As he took the podium, Vance opened the briefing by praising Leavitt and sending his best wishes to her family, highlighting the balance between high-profile

CIA Director Travels to Havana for Talks CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Havana on Thursday, May 14, 2026, for a rare high-level meeting with Cuban intelligence officials. The discussions occurred as Cuba faces severe fuel shortages, nationwide blackouts, and rising public protests. According to Cuban authorities, the meeting was requested by the United States. Ratcliffe reportedly conveyed that significant reforms are

The Trump administration’s proposed H-1B wage hike could raise salary requirements for foreign workers and make US hiring more expensive for employers. The rule, published by the US Department of Labor on Friday, March 27, 2026, is open for public comments until Tuesday, May 26, 2026, before any final decision is made. What the New H-1B Rule Proposes The proposal, titled “Improving Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment

On May 8, 2026, the Trump administration released the first batch of “UFO files” under a new initiative called PURSUE (Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters). The release includes 162 never-before-seen videos, photographs, and witness testimonies concerning Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), previously classified and now made publicly available through a dedicated portal hosted by the U.S. Department of War. This release has been heralded as part of the admin

The Trump administration had introduced the 10% tariff in February, following a Supreme Court decision that struck down many of his earlier tariffs. The administration argued that the new measure was necessary to address balance-of-payments deficits, citing Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. However, the court found that this legal justification was not applicable to the current situation.  The U.S. trade court's ruling has implications for the administrat

The Trump administration is reversing its previous stance on artificial intelligence oversight, now planning to introduce government review procedures for AI models before they are released to the public. According to reports, the White House is considering an executive order that would establish a working group consisting of both tech executives and government officials to explore potential review procedures for new AI models. This marks a s

The White House Counsel’s Office is holding private briefings for political appointees to prepare them for potential congressional oversight, amid growing anticipation of Democratic gains in the upcoming November midterm elections. These sessions, which last around 30 minutes, focus on how congressional oversight works and best practices for responding to inquiries, according to sources familiar with the matter. The briefings include a PowerPoint presentation and advice on how to handle written communications, urging appointees to respond quickly to any congressional requests. As the administration prepares for a potential shift in power, some officials believe that it is increasingly likely that Republicans could lose control of one or both chambers of Congress. One participant described the tone of the discussions as "sober-eyed," reflecting the serious nature of the preparations. A White House official defended the briefings, stating that they are part of ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with regulations, adding that such sessions are not new, but have gained greater emphasis in the context of the upcoming elections. The focus on the midterm elections reflects growing concerns within the administration, particularly as President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have faced pressure amid economic challenges and international issues, such as the ongoing Iran conflict. Recent polling from a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey shows Democrats holding a five-point advantage in congressional preference. During Trump’s first term, his administration faced numerous congressional investigations, many of which were perceived by some as politically motivated. With the potential for a Democratic-controlled Congress, there are fears of renewed impeachment discussions, especially following recent remarks by Trump about the Iran situation. “You’ve got to win the midterms, because if we don’t win the midterms, they’ll find a reason to impeach me,” Trump warned earlier this year.

The United States is accelerating efforts to form a global coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as the ongoing US-Iran conflict continues to disrupt critical shipping routes and drive volatility in global oil trade. The initiative, known as the Maritime Freedom Construct, aims to coordinate international maritime security, sanctions policy, and intelligence sharing to ensure safe navigation through one of the world’s most strategic waterways. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow pa