Iran has issued a fresh warning against any possible US ground intervention, while diplomatic communication between Tehran and Washington continues through intermediaries. The commander of Iran’s army ground forces, Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi, warned that any foreign military intrusion would face a strong response. “If any US military personnel set foot in Iran, we will cut them off,” Jahanshahi said, according to Iranian state media. He said Iranian

Colombia's new President Abelardo de la Espriella has launched an ambitious security agenda, promising to confront armed groups and drug trafficking with tougher military action. In his first address after taking office, he ruled out further peace talks, outlined closer cooperation with the United States and introduced plans that signal a major change in Colombia's national security strategy.

The United States is intensifying pressure on Iran’s financial networks, focusing increasingly on cryptocurrency exchanges and digital assets that Washington says have helped Tehran move money internationally and bypass sanctions. The action comes as tensions remain high over commercial shipping and negotiations involving the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. authorities have previously targeted Iranian exchanges and individuals accused of facilitating transactions connected to t

The legal battle over President Donald Trump's proposed White House ballroom has intensified after a federal appeals court upheld an order blocking construction unless Congress authorizes the project. The ruling marks another significant constitutional dispute involving presidential powers and could soon be decided by the US Supreme Court. The case has drawn nationwide attention because it raises questions about executive authority, federal oversight, and the future of one of the administration's most ambitious construction projects. Congress Approval Required for Ballroom Appeal A divided panel of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit ruled 2-1 that the administration cannot continue building the ballroom without explicit approval from Congress. The majority agreed with an earlier district court decision, stating that the dispute is about legal authority rather than the merits of the project itself. According to the judges, the proposed ballroom represents a substantial modification to the White House complex, making congressional authorization necessary before construction can move forward while litigation continues. The court temporarily paused enforcement of its ruling for two weeks, allowing the administration time to seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Challenge Planned by Trump President Donald Trump sharply criticized the ruling, describing it as "horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful." In statements posted on Truth Social, he argued that the decision threatens national security and announced that his administration will immediately appeal to the Supreme Court. Trump also criticized the judges who formed the majority, noting they were appointed by Democratic presidents, while the dissenting judge had been nominated during his administration. The White House maintains that the project falls within executive authority and says the ballroom is necessary to improve facilities for official ceremonies, diplomatic receptions, and state dinners. East Wing Demolition and Ballroom Cost Construction began after the historic East Wing was demolished to make room for the new ballroom and an underground complex. Recent images from the site show major structural work already underway, including concrete sections extending above ground level. The administration has also cited security improvements, including underground infrastructure, as an additional justification for the project. The project's financial estimates have increased considerably since it was first announced. Initial projections placed the cost near $200 million before later revisions increased the estimate to $400 million. More recent reports indicate the total expense could approach $600 million. Although President Trump has repeatedly stated that private funding would cover the ballroom, reports suggest public funds are also contributing to the development. Ballroom Cost Faces More Legal Challenges The ballroom project is one element of President Trump's broader plan to reshape several prominent landmarks in Washington before the end of his current term in 2029. Other proposals, including modifications near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and construction of a large ceremonial arch, have also attracted legal scrutiny. The White House ballroom dispute now appears likely to become the first of these cases to reach the Supreme Court. The justices could ultimately determine how much authority a president has to undertake major construction projects on federally protected government property without direct congressional approval. The decision may establish an important constitutional precedent affecting future administrations and executive construction projects. The information in this case is based on the federal appeals court ruling, public statements from President Donald Trump, and filings connected with the ongoing litigation. A Supreme Court decision, if accepted for review, is expected to clarify the balance between presidential authority and congressional oversight regarding significant changes to the White House complex.

Russia has merged several irregular combat units into a new Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The move has renewed concerns over the alleged use of Ukrainian prisoners of war in frontline combat, raising questions about compliance with international humanitarian law. Russia Forms Brigade Using Ukraini

A devastating Thailand school shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, northwest of Bangkok, has renewed concern over school safety, youth wellbeing and firearm access. Police said a 14-year-old student first shot his grandparents at home before travelling to school with his grandfather’s handgun. He later opened fire inside the campus, killing five teachers and staff members before shooting himself. Authorities reported 23 people wounded, including nine in crit

Outside Lands 2026 begins Friday, August 7, at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, with Charli xcx, The Strokes and RÜFÜS DU SOL among the headliners. The three-day festival features multiple stages, 100 Bay Area restaurants and programming through Sunday, August 9. Outside Lands 2026 begins Friday, August 7, 2026, at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, opening a three-day weekend of live music, food and festival programm

RC Diggers & Cafe has opened on Bethel Road in northwest Columbus, combining coffee and desserts with an indoor sandbox where guests can operate remote-controlled excavators, loaders and dump trucks. The construction-themed cafe is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. A new Columbus cafe is pairing coffee and desserts with remote-controlled construction equipment, giving customers an interactive alternative to a traditio

An approved Form I-797 confirms an H-1B petition but normally does not replace the visa needed to return to the United States after travel abroad. H-1B workers should understand the roles of the visa stamp, I-797 and I-94, along with the narrow automatic revalidation exception. An H-1B worker may have a valid employment approval extending for months or years but still face a problem after leaving the United States: For

H-1B workers considering visa stamping outside India now face stricter U.S. guidance. Since July 15, 2026, nonimmigrant applicants should interview in their country of nationality or residence, while third-country applicants may face longer waits and greater difficulty qualifying. H-1B workers who cannot find convenient visa appointments in India sometimes consider traveling to another country for visa stamping. That strategy, commonly called third-country stamping,

An emergency H-1B visa appointment in India may be requested when an applicant has an urgent, unforeseen need for earlier U.S. travel. Applicants must first complete the DS-160, pay the visa fee and book a regular appointment before asking the consular section to expedite it. H-1B workers stranded in India because they need a new visa stamp may consider requesting an expedited visa interview when normal appointment dates are t

H-1B applicants in India who cannot find a suitable visa appointment still have several steps to consider. Current U.S. guidance allows applicants to watch for newly released slots and request expedited interviews for qualifying emergencies, while newer rules limit other shortcuts. H-1B workers who travel to India and need a new visa stamp can face a difficult situation when suitable interview appointments are unavailable. For someone expected back at a U.S. job, a

An H-1B worker stranded in India without a valid visa stamp may need a new visa before returning to the U.S. This explainer covers I-797 approval, unavailable H-1B appointments, expedited interview requests, required steps and the risks of seeking stamping outside India. An H-1B worker who traveled to India during a family emergency says they are now unable to return to the United States because they do not have a valid H-1B v

A missing family member in the U.S. can leave relatives unsure where to begin. This guide explains when to contact law enforcement, what information to provide, how NamUs and NCMEC may assist, how to preserve useful records and how to use community and social media searches responsibly. Report the disappearance promptly When a family member cannot be located, contact the law enforcement agency serving the place where the person was last

Found someone lost in the U.S.? This guide explains how to respond safely when a person appears confused, distressed or separated from family, including when to call 911 or 988, how to handle language barriers, protect privacy and involve local authorities or community support. Found someone lost or distressed? Start with safety Found someone who appears lost, confused or distressed in public? A ca

The Trump administration is reportedly considering an expansion of US visa social media vetting that could affect foreign journalists and other applicants. The proposed changes may require covered applicants to make their social media accounts public so US officials can review their online activity during visa screening. The reported plan would extend an immigration screening practice already applied to several cat

US President Donald Trump has launched another attempt to narrow birthright citizenship, signing new executive orders that target birth tourism and several categories of foreign nationals. The move comes after the Supreme Court rejected his broader effort to deny automatic citizenship to children born to undocumented migrants and temporary residents. Trump birthright order targets birth tourism

A fatal New Mexico air crash has raised urgent questions about the risks military GPS jamming operations may pose to civilian aviation. Four people died after an air ambulance lost GPS capability and struck mountainous terrain while flying to collect a patient near Ruidoso. The National Transportation Safety Board has stressed that its findings remain preliminary. Investigators have not determined whether the military exercise caused or contributed to the accident, and the final probable cause will come only after a wider examination of flight data, communications and operational decisions. New Mexico air crash kills four medical crew members The Beech C90 aircraft crashed near Lincoln, New Mexico, at about 12:15 a.m. on May 14, 2026. The aircraft carried two pilots and two flight nurses, and all four suffered fatal injuries. Generations Jets operated the aircraft as a Part 135 air ambulance flight. The crew had departed Roswell Air Center for Sierra Blanca Regional Airport in Ruidoso, where it was scheduled to collect a patient for transport to Albuquerque. The flight took place on a dark night with no moon illumination, although visual weather conditions prevailed. The aircraft struck terrain at an elevation of about 9,950 feet near the Capitan Mountains. The impact caused a fire that developed into a major forest blaze. GPS jamming test disrupts aircraft navigation The NTSB report states that US military GPS jamming activities covered the area and altitude through which the medical flight was operating. Aviation notices had warned crews that GPS, satellite-based augmentation and related services might become unavailable across a wide region. Shortly after departure, the pilot told Albuquerque air traffic control that the aircraft had lost GPS capability and needed heading guidance. The controller directed the crew toward Sierra Blanca Regional Airport and later contacted military officials to request that the jamming stop. Three other aircraft in the area also reported losing GPS service. One pilot struggled to locate a ground-based navigation aid and required additional assistance from air traffic control, showing that the disruption extended beyond the medical aircraft. Air traffic control guides crew toward Ruidoso Controllers initially planned to guide the aircraft toward an instrument landing system approach because its GPS-based approach was unavailable. The medical crew later reported having Ruidoso in sight and requested permission to continue visually. Air traffic control cleared the aircraft for a visual approach. The plane then turned southwest toward the airport, with mountains rising between its position and the runway. The Capitan Mountains in that area reach more than 10,000 feet. After controllers informed the military that the aircraft had switched to a visual approach, GPS jamming resumed. The aircraft began descending shortly afterward and struck the mountain about five minutes later. The NTSB report records no further radio transmissions from the crew after the visual approach clearance. Investigators examine altitude and radar data Investigators found a notable difference between two tracking sources. The aircraft’s Spidertracks GPS altitude generally appeared about 600 feet higher than its ADS-B altitude, while the ADS-B record contained large gaps during periods of interference. The NTSB is examining those altitude differences, recorded flight paths, radio communications and the timing of the military exercise. The investigation will also consider the crew’s transition from an instrument approach to visual navigation in dark mountainous terrain. The preliminary evidence confirms that GPS interference occurred and affected several aircraft. It does not yet prove that jamming caused the crash. That distinction is critical, and any final c

The proposed Trump-class battleship fleet could cost the United States about $275 billion and place severe pressure on an already strained shipbuilding industry, according to a new Congressional Budget Office estimate. The first nuclear-powered vessel alone could cost $23.4 billion. President Donald Trump announced the new battleship programme on December 22, 2025, as part of what his administration calls the Navy?

The Shops at North Bridge renovation will modernize the Chicago mall with redesigned Michigan and Grand avenue entrances, an LED archway, hospitality-inspired interiors and a new tenant strategy. Work begins in August 2026, with the exterior due in 2027. Chicago’s Shops at North Bridge announced on Thursday, August 6, 2026, that it will begin a phased, multimillion-dollar renovation intended to modernize the shopping complex and strengthen its connection to the Ma