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East Wing demolished: White House cleared for Trump ballroom

The White House East Wing has been demolished as crews clear the site for a privately funded presidential ballroom. Satellite and ground photos show the full teardown, sparking immediate political backlash and legal questions about oversight.

Number

6.19% - Average 30 year US mortgage rate lowest in more than a year

Quote

"We're going to have the longest shutdown in American history" — Frank Luntz

SPX 6,738 ↑ 0.58% Dow 46,735 ↑ 0.31% Nasdaq 22,942 ↑ 0.89% Gold 4,128 ↑ 1.54% BTC 110,020 ↑ 2.24%

24 Hours

East Wing demolished: White House cleared for Trump ballroom

The White House East Wing has been demolished to clear space for a privately funded ballroom. Satellite photos and on the ground images show large scale teardown and have prompted public and political pushback.

Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao

President Trump issued a pardon for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, touching off scrutiny about the pardon, alleged ties to the Trump family business and a White House defense campaign amid criticism.

Senate rejects bills to pay federal workers during shutdown

Congressional stalemate has left bills to pay federal and essential workers stalled. The Senate rejected competing measures as the government shutdown continues, threatening paychecks and benefits.

Transportation secretary warns of flight disruptions as shutdown deepens

Transportation officials warn the government shutdown is starting to disrupt aviation. Air traffic controllers face missed paychecks and transportation leaders warn passengers to expect delays or cancellations.

Trump calls off federal deployment to San Francisco - plan paused

Plans to surge federal agents into San Francisco were paused after talks with city leaders and tech CEOs. Federal agents staged operations from a Coast Guard base amid protests and local opposition.

Trump administration prepares strikes against drug cartels

The administration is escalating a military campaign against suspected drug smuggling in the Caribbean and Pacific. U.S. strikes on boats have raised regional tensions and prompted investigations after casualties washed ashore.

US hits Russia oil giants with sanctions - Rosneft and Lukoil targeted

The U.S. announced sanctions on major Russian oil companies, a move that spiked oil prices and prompted China and India to scale back purchases of Russian crude, signaling global market and diplomatic impacts.

FBI arrests dozens in sweeping NBA linked gambling probe

Federal authorities unsealed sweeping indictments and arrested dozens tied to illegal sports betting and rigged poker rings that allegedly involved NBA figures and organized crime, prompting a major law enforcement update.

Video shows alleged Louvre thieves escaping with jewels

A brazen jewel heist at the Louvre has left investigators hunting suspects after surveillance and new video surfaced showing a slow motion getaway. Authorities are probing where the stolen crown jewels could be fenced.

WHO: Gaza hunger crisis remains catastrophic despite ceasefire

Aid delivery and diplomacy around Gaza remain fragile as UN and U.S. officials press for continued relief and political maneuvers. The U.S. is engaging Israeli leadership on detainee and post conflict governance questions.

Russian warplanes violate Lithuania airspace - president vows to react

NATO members reported Russian military aircraft violations of sovereign airspace over Lithuania, prompting scrambled jets and stern diplomatic language as regional tensions rise.

US sends B-1 bombers near Venezuela - military pressure ramps up

U.S. military flights and deployments near Venezuela and the Caribbean are part of an expanded campaign against alleged narco trafficking, prompting domestic fear among Venezuelans and regional diplomatic pushback.

House Democrats probe Trump's $230 million demand from DOJ

House Democrats have opened probes into President Trump's reported attempts to obtain a large payout from the Justice Department, prompting multiple committee investigations and calls for documents.

Youngkin declares emergency as SNAP benefits risk lapse

States and governors are scrambling to replace federal food aid ahead of benefit pauses caused by the shutdown, declaring emergencies and mobilizing programs to prevent hunger spikes.

Average 30 year mortgage rate drops to 6.19% - lowest in more than a year

Mortgage rates have eased and existing home sales ticked up even as economists and markets await a key inflation report. Homebuyers and investors are watching whether softer rates will sustain housing demand.

Report says FBI visited homes of protesters under Trump's orders

Civil liberties groups and reports say federal agents have visited protesters and detained some demonstrators, prompting lawsuits and public debate over federal law enforcement tactics under the administration.

How gambling arrests could affect the NBA season

Officials and analysts are assessing how recent gambling indictments and arrests will affect the NBA schedule, betting integrity and league operations as teams and regulators respond.

Trump to meet with China's Xi next week - summit bilateral confirmed

President Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of an Asian summit next week, a high profile bilateral as tensions over trade and technology simmer.

China vows tech self reliance in five year economic plan

China signaled a push for technological self reliance and faster domestic consumption growth in a new economic blueprint, aiming to shield its economy amid external tensions and trade frictions.

Gambino and other Mafia families tied to NBA gambling bust

Investigations into the gambling ring reveal alleged Mafia family involvement and sophisticated cheating tools used to defraud wealthy poker players and influence sports bets.

Brazil's Lula announces he will seek reelection

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced plans to seek reelection, setting up a major campaign in South America and raising regional political stakes for 2026.

Federal judge strikes Biden era rule on transgender care discrimination

The Supreme Court adjusted oral argument timing and federal courts continue to weigh major disputes over transgender care and other hotspots in the evolving national legal landscape.

Nearly one in five UTIs linked to contaminated meat study finds

Public health and environmental alerts: researchers link contaminated meat to a share of UTIs, a cross border measles outbreak grows, and key Florida corals are declared functionally extinct after heatwaves.

Illinois candidate Darren Bailey mourns family killed in helicopter crash

A helicopter crash killed multiple relatives of Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, a tragedy with political and human consequences that the campaign has acknowledged.