WashingTone

US Charges California Broker With Espionage Targeting Taiwanese President’s Family

Federal prosecutors in Seattle have charged a California real estate broker with acting as an unregistered foreign agent and surveilling relatives of Taiwan’s president.

House Panel Recommends Contempt Charges Against Leon Black in Epstein Inquiry

A congressional committee has advanced contempt proceedings against billionaire financier Leon Black after he declined to comply with deposition subpoenas connected to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, prompting Black to sue the panel.

Russia Cuts Social Spending as Defence Budget Rises to Record $88 Billion

The Russian government has announced a 7% reduction in social programmes to finance record military spending, while US intelligence is separately monitoring a fatal incident at a classified Siberian plague research facility.

Senate Confirms Trump Labor Secretary Pick and Advances Nicole Saphier Nomination

The Republican-controlled Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Labor Department and advanced Dr. Nicole Saphier’s nomination for surgeon general before lawmakers left Washington for recess.

Pentagon Prepares Up to 10,000 More Troops for Middle East as Iran Ceasefire Talks Continue

The US Defense Department is preparing an aircraft carrier deployment and as many as 10,000 additional troops while the Trump administration considers Iranian proposals for a two-week ceasefire and reduced restrictions on Strait of Hormu...

Trump and Xi Agree Two-Month Tariff Truce and AI Incident Framework

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to extend tariffs through January, establish a communication framework for artificial intelligence incidents and secure Chinese purchases of 10 million metric tonnes of US co...

Pentagon Launches New Officer Recruitment Pipeline at Selected U.S. Universities

The Department of War introduced a commissioning programme involving Liberty University, Hillsdale College and Louisiana State University, designating the institutions as Honor Schools for military officer recruitment.

Dennis Hastert, Former Republican House Speaker, Dies at 84

Dennis Hastert, the longest-serving Republican Speaker of the U.S. House before a federal conviction related to concealing past sexual abuse, has died at the age of 84.

Andy Beshear Raises National Profile as Democrats Look Ahead to Next Presidential Election

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is promoting his record of winning in a strongly Republican state as a potential model for Democrats considering their strategy for the next presidential campaign.

Federal Reserve Extends Comment Period on Proposed Bank Insider Lending Rules

The Federal Reserve extended the consultation period for proposed changes governing loans to bank executives and insiders after pressure from the financial services industry.

Justice Department Issues New Corporate Fraud Enforcement Guidelines

The Justice Department’s Fraud Division released updated enforcement guidance governing how prosecutors assess corporate compliance programmes and negotiate financial settlements in white-collar cases.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Proposes First Groundwater Rules for In-Situ Uranium Mining

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission advanced new groundwater protection requirements for in-situ uranium extraction, setting up potential conflict with mining companies over compliance costs.

Senator Mark Warner Proposes Data Center Water and Energy Disclosure Rules

Democratic Senator Mark Warner introduced legislation requiring major data centers to report annual water consumption, electricity sources and greenhouse gas emissions as scrutiny of artificial intelligence infrastructure grows.

Senate Reauthorizes Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $475 Million a Year

The U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation extending the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative with annual funding of $475 million through the end of the decade.

Trump Authorizes $90 Medicare Improvement Fund Payments for Millions of Seniors

President Donald Trump approved $90 direct payments to seniors through the Medicare Improvement Fund ahead of the November midterm elections.

Pentagon Faces Scrutiny as Militants Continue to Disrupt Middle East Shipping After U.S. Bombing Campaign

U.S. defence officials are facing questions over military operations in Yemen as Iranian-backed forces remain capable of disrupting regional shipping despite a 51-day bombing campaign.

Federal Authorities Announce Minnesota Voter Fraud Charges Against Non-Citizens

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Attorney General Todd Blanche announced federal voter fraud charges involving non-citizens in Minnesota one month before the midterm elections.

White House Blocks Politico From Air Force One as News Organizations Protest

The White House barred Politico from travelling on Air Force One, prompting the Associated Press, Reuters and Bloomberg to issue a joint statement calling for accountability in presidential press access.

Treasury Drops Proposed Reporting Rules for Unhosted Crypto Wallets and Mixers

The Treasury Department abandoned proposed reporting requirements for unhosted cryptocurrency wallets and digital asset mixers while leaving existing anti-money laundering rules in place.

Supreme Court Lets Michigan Pipeline Closure Lawsuit Proceed in State Court

The Supreme Court allowed Michigan’s lawsuit seeking to close a disputed underground oil pipeline to continue in state court rather than move to federal jurisdiction.

U.S. Intelligence Agencies Seek Details on Reported Pneumonic Plague Outbreak in Russia

American health and intelligence officials are trying to verify reports of a fatal pneumonic plague outbreak and quarantine measures in Russia’s Irkutsk region amid concerns over possible biosecurity and transmission risks.

White House Proposal Would Expand Presidential Authority to Suspend Federal Grants

An Office of Management and Budget proposal would allow the administration to suspend or terminate federal assistance when recipients conflict with White House policy positions, prompting bipartisan concern in Congress.

Justice Department Launches Major Denaturalization Push Against 40 Convicted Criminals

Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department has moved to revoke the citizenship of 40 convicted criminals, marking an expanded use of federal denaturalization powers.

Supreme Court Hears Climate Liability Case Against ExxonMobil and Suncor

The Supreme Court opened its new term with arguments over whether state courts can hear Boulder, Colorado’s lawsuit seeking to hold ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy financially liable for climate-related damages.

U.S. Treasury Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Procurement Networks, Hamas Crypto Funding and Tren de Aragua Leaders

The Treasury Department announced coordinated sanctions targeting Iranian defence procurement networks, cryptocurrency fundraising linked to Hamas and senior figures in the Tren de Aragua criminal organisation.

Trump Administration Creates Super Intelligence Force to Coordinate Advanced Technology Policy

The White House announced a new Super Intelligence Force led by the Director of National Intelligence and Federal Trade Commission as federal agencies adopt new terminology and oversight arrangements for advanced artificial intelligence ...

U.S. Relocates Strategic Bombers From Britain Amid Rising Tensions With Iran

The Pentagon abruptly moved strategic bombers from their British base as concerns grow over the vulnerability of overseas installations and the possibility of further escalation with Tehran.

U.S. Military Ends Mission in Iraq as Pentagon Shifts Strategic Priorities

The Pentagon confirmed the conclusion of the United States military mission in Iraq as the administration redirects resources toward great-power competition and autonomous warfare capabilities.

Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to End Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans

The Supreme Court granted an emergency request allowing the Department of Homeland Security to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan migrants, clearing the way for accelerated deportations despite a dissent from Justice Ket...

White House Urges Congress to Create National College Sports Rules

The Trump administration called on lawmakers to establish a federal framework for name, image and likeness compensation, arguing that differing state laws are creating financial and regulatory uncertainty for college athletics.

Record Number of Native American Candidates Seek Federal and State Office

Political analysts and voting rights groups report a historic increase in Native American candidates running for Congress and statewide positions ahead of the midterm elections.

Trump Posts Senator Tom Cotton’s Phone Number in Daylight Saving Time Dispute

President Donald Trump publicly shared Senator Tom Cotton’s personal cellphone number and urged supporters to pressure him over stalled legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent.

White House Economic Report Attacks Democratic Socialist Policy Proposals

The Council of Economic Advisers released a report arguing that progressive healthcare and environmental policies would reduce economic output and impose trillions of dollars in costs on taxpayers.

Bernie Sanders Warns AIPAC-Aligned Groups Could Spend $233 Million in Midterms

Senator Bernie Sanders said AIPAC and affiliated political groups are preparing to spend about $233 million against congressional candidates critical of Israel’s military operations.

US Energy Department Raises Oil and Natural Gas Production Forecasts

Federal energy analysts now expect US crude oil and natural gas liquids output to reach record highs through 2027, citing expanded leasing and advances in shale production technology.

EPA Further Eases Vehicle Emissions and Fuel-Efficiency Standards

Federal regulators finalized rules lowering fuel-efficiency requirements for new passenger vehicles, triggering legal challenges from Democratic-led states and environmental groups.

Pentagon Creates New Office of Religious Affairs

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth established an Office of Religious Affairs to expand faith-related initiatives across the armed forces, drawing support from conservative groups and criticism from civil liberties organizations.

Former Congressman Sentenced to 10 Years for Secret Venezuela Lobbying

A former Republican member of Congress and ally of Marco Rubio received a 10-year federal prison sentence after being convicted of acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Venezuelan interests.

White House Details $90 Medicare Part B Rebates for 20 Million Seniors

The Trump administration released final plans to distribute $90 rebates to about 20 million Medicare Part B beneficiaries using the Medicare Improvement Fund ahead of the November elections.

Justice Department Files Antitrust Case Against Real Estate Pricing Software Provider

Federal prosecutors accused a major real estate pricing-algorithm company of helping corporate landlords coordinate rents, escalating antitrust scrutiny of technology used in the housing market.

Trump Administration Eases Mining Rules to Accelerate Critical Mineral Extraction

The Interior Department finalized regulatory rollbacks intended to speed permitting for critical mineral and rare earth projects on federal land and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

US Announces $15 Billion Steel Plant Investment in Iowa

President Donald Trump unveiled a $15 billion private-sector project to build a major steel manufacturing facility in Iowa as the administration promotes tariffs and industrial policy as tools for expanding domestic production.

Trump Says Iran Conflict Could End Before November Midterm Elections

President Donald Trump said at a campaign rally that US military operations against Iran could conclude before the congressional elections, following earlier strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.