Maryland officials announced the cost to rebuild Baltimore’s collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge has surged to between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, more than twice the original $1.7-$1.9 billion estimate. The bridge collapsed in March 2024 after a cargo ship struck one of its piers, killing six workers and halting key shipping lanes at the Port of Baltimore. The revised budget factors in sharp increases in construction materials, labor and the addition of enhanced safety features such as a pier-protection system and wider clearance for maritime traffic. Construction is now expected to wrap up by late 2030, two years later…
Author: Steadfast Admin
The U.S. Department of Education is losing key responsibilities under a sweeping plan by the Donald Trump administration to transfer several programs to other federal agencies. Under the initiative, the department’s offices overseeing elementary, secondary and post-secondary education will be relocated to the U.S. Department of Labor. Additionally, the Office of Indian Education is set to move to the U.S. Department of the Interior; foreign-language programs will shift to the U.S. Department of State; and certain childcare and medical-education initiatives will be transferred to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Education Secretary Linda McMahon confirmed the effort is…
Political columnist Maureen Callahan argues that the turmoil surrounding Donald Trump’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein affair is more than a public-relations embarrassment—it could signify a deeper collapse of his movement’s once-undisputed dominance. Callahan notes that grassroots supporters who once rallied around Trump’s “drain the swamp” message are increasingly frustrated by unanswered questions and a perception of double standards. The Epstein files controversy, she argues, has exposed a gap between Trump’s populist branding and the opaque establishment alliances critics say remain intact. While Trump’s core agenda on immigration, economy and foreign policy still energises many, Callahan warns that growing disillusionment…
A judge in Santa Clara County released a second suspect connected to a 2017 gang-related shooting on recognizance, with no cash bail required, prompting alarm from prosecutors who say community safety may be at stake. The case involves two men charged in the killing of a 21-year-old during a Sunnyvale nightclub parking-lot shooting. Detectives reopened the cold case in 2024 before filing charges; the judge subsequently set both suspects free on their own recognizance at separate hearings. District Attorney Jeff Rosen described the decision as “dangerous,” stating that the choice effectively places two murder-accused individuals back into the community with…
President Donald Trump sharply criticized ABC News reporter Mary Bruce during a press conference, challenging her coverage of his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He called her questions “fake news” and said she was “disrespectful and unprofessional.” During the session, Bruce asked why Trump trusted the Crown Prince after U.S. intelligence found he was likely involved in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump replied that the prince “knew nothing” about the incident, reiterated that his administration has strong business ties with Saudi Arabia, and accused ABC of unfair reporting. He went further, suggesting the network’s broadcast…
President Donald Trump greeted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House with full ceremonial honours, including a gun-salute and joint appearance in the Oval Office, framing a strong U.S.–Saudi partnership. In remarks during the visit, Trump defended the Crown Prince over the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, stating the prince “knew nothing about it” even as U.S. intelligence assessed otherwise. The president also dismissed a reporter’s question about the killing as “embarrassing,” saying the network’s licence should be revoked. While the visit underscored major economic and strategic agreements—including Saudi investment pledges and U.S. arms sales—critics pointed…
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has dramatically expanded his nation’s planned investment in the United States, announcing during a high-profile visit to Washington that the kingdom will now commit nearly $1 trillion to American industries — a staggering increase from the previously stated $600 billion. The Crown Prince outlined a sweeping investment strategy focused on sectors central to U.S. economic growth and national security. The new funding will target artificial intelligence development, rare-earth materials essential for advanced manufacturing, large-scale industrial projects, and a range of technology partnerships. Officials noted that the plan also includes new joint ventures designed to…
The California chapter of the Council on American‑Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) has been reported to distribute $1,000 grants to college students who faced disciplinary action over pro-Palestinian protests. Records show the funds come from a program called the “Champions of Justice Fund.” The money is aimed at students who lost scholarships, housing or other school support because of their activism tied to protests following the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel. In one batch, CAIR-CA awarded $20,000 to 20 students from institutions that included Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. Donors supporting the program donated funds exceeding $100,000, according…
President Donald Trump publicly challenged the insurance industry this week, asserting that his administration will only support health care reforms that redirect funds directly to Americans rather than to what he described as “big, fat, rich” insurance companies. In a social-media post, the president called on Congress to stop funneling “hundreds of billions of dollars” to insurers under the current system and instead allow individuals to “negotiate and buy their own, much better insurance.” He said this approach would restore “power to the people” and urged lawmakers to make it a priority. Trump’s push comes as part of a broader…
The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation to compel the Department of Justice to disclose files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The vote passed by a 427-1 margin, advancing the measure to the Senate. Despite supporting the bill, Mike Johnson voiced serious concerns about its current form, calling it “dangerously flawed” and urging the Senate to amend it to better protect victims, confidential sources, and classified materials. He emphasized the risk of “dumping thousands of documents without proper safeguards.” Now the Senate will determine whether to approve the legislation as passed or make changes—a decision that could affect…
During the Saudi Crown Prince’s visit to the White House, President Donald Trump defended the prince against 2018 murder accusations, rejecting U.S. intelligence findings and stating the prince “knew nothing” about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. When an ABC News correspondent asked the prince why he should be trusted given the intelligence assessment, Trump sharply interrupted and criticized her question, calling the network “fake news” and suggesting its broadcast license should be revoked. The president insisted that his family’s business dealings in Saudi Arabia were minimal and legitimate, and described the slain journalist as “extremely controversial,” saying, “things happen.”…
A dramatic increase in ATM “jackpotting” incidents—in which thieves manipulate machines to vomit out large quantities of cash—across the United States has authorities alarmed. A group recently took out over $175,000 from a drive-thru automated teller machine in Fairfax County, Virginia. Jackpotting, according to experts, is a hybrid cyber-physical crime in which criminals infiltrate an ATM with malware or a “black box” device to circumvent its security measures and let it issue cash without a card transaction. Over the course of several hours in the dead of night, machines used in the Virginia theft were frequently accessed. One particularly striking…
The U.S. Senate gave unanimous approval to legislation mandating the release of all unclassified records related to Jeffrey Epstein, effectively sending the measure to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature. The House of Representatives had passed the bill earlier by an overwhelming margin of 427-1. The legislation requires the Department of Justice to publish documents in a searchable public format, with exceptions only allowed to protect victims or genuine national-security concerns. With the Senate vote complete, all that remains is the president’s formal signing. Backers say the move represents a rare moment of broad bipartisan alignment around transparency and…
A three-judge federal panel has barred Texas from using its newly redrawn congressional district map in the 2026 midterm elections, ruling the plan likely violated the Voting Rights Act by racially gerrymandering districts. The map, crafted by the Republican-controlled legislature and backed by the governor, sought to create five additional House seats in the state. The court found compelling evidence that race, not just political strategy, was a predominant factor in drawing district boundaries. As a result of the decision, Texas must revert to the congressional map approved in 2021 while the legal battle unfolds. The state has announced it…
A rare and highly public rift erupted inside the Democratic Party on Tuesday when 23 House Democrats broke with their leadership to join Republicans in formally condemning Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García for what lawmakers described as an attempt to manipulate the electoral process in his home district. The bipartisan resolution centers on García’s abrupt retirement announcement, which was made immediately after the filing deadline for congressional candidates. The timing effectively prevented other Democrats from entering the race and left his chief of staff as the only viable Democratic contender on the ballot. Critics argue the maneuver was designed to engineer…