The White House’s historic East Wing is set to be completely torn down to make room for a massive new ballroom commissioned by Donald Trump, despite earlier assurances to preserve the existing structure. Officials confirmed that crews have already begun demolition of the section that housed the First Lady’s offices and social staff. Trump stated the removal is “necessary to do it properly,” following consultations with architects. The new ballroom is expected to cover about 90,000 square feet and is slated to cost approximately $300 million—higher than initial estimates. Critics, including preservation groups and lawmakers, have raised concerns about the…
Author: Steadfast Admin
A journalism professor at Howard University has stirred controversy after calling on white political allies to model their activism on that of a 19th-century militant abolitionist who carried out deadly attacks. Stacey Patton, in a recent blog post, urged these allies to stop asking marginalized communities how to help and instead adopt a confrontational posture similar to John Brown—a figure who led raids and executions in the pre-Civil War era, actions for which he was eventually executed. Patton’s piece specifically rejected symbolic gestures and suggested that white supporters should instead embrace disruptive, uncompromising tactics rather than seeking validation from the…
A group of five armed shoplifters has carried out a spree of daring raids on supermarkets across New York City since July, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars of high-value items, and grocers are warning that law enforcement’s response has been insufficient. The thieves, often wielding knives and working in pairs, have targeted delicatessens, seafood cases and frozen goods—hitting more than 100 stores, according to supermarket owners. One deli owner in Upper Manhattan says the suspects routinely fill backpacks with expensive meats before dashing off in waiting getaway vehicles. Store managers report calling New York City Police Department (NYPD) at…
An American missionary based in Niger has been kidnapped, U.S. officials confirm, and intelligence suggests the abduction may have been carried out by militants with ties to the Islamic State-linked network operating in the country’s north. The aid worker, described as an American pilot affiliated with an evangelical mission organisation, was seized Tuesday evening in the Plateau neighbourhood of the Nigerien capital of Niamey as he headed to the airport. Reports say three unidentified men carried out the abduction, heading west into the volatile Tillabéri region where Islamist insurgents are active. U.S. officials have been notified of the situation and…
At Nathan Hale Elementary School in Chicago, a teacher drew widespread condemnation after being filmed making a gun-to-the-neck gesture during a “No Kings” protest—appearing to mock the recent assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Despite the viral backlash and calls for disciplinary action, the school’s principal, Dawn Iles‑Gomez, sent a letter to families framing the educator as “the victim” of online threats. The letter made no reference to the teacher’s controversial action or any steps taken in response. The principal’s note emphasized that authorities including the Chicago Police Department and the school district’s Office of Safety and Security have been notified, and…
In an increasingly heated feud between successive White House press secretaries, Karoline Leavitt launched a blistering response to remarks from her predecessor, Karine Jean‑Pierre. The tension began when Jean-Pierre described one of Leavitt’s comments as “deplorable,” framing it as emblematic of a failure to respect the press and the broader public. Leavitt, during an appearance on a Fox News program, argued that Jean-Pierre was central to “the greatest cover-up and scandal in American history,” claiming Jean-Pierre “took the podium every day and lied to the press about the incompetence of her boss.” She further charged that Jean-Pierre continues to peddle falsehoods…
Donald Trump has set a new condition for imposing fresh sanctions on Russia: all NATO members must first halt purchases of Russian oil. He criticized several member states for continuing energy ties with Moscow, saying their actions undermine the alliance’s leverage and weaken efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Trump also proposed that NATO impose punitive tariffs—ranging from 50 % to 100 %—on China to reduce its economic support of Russia’s war machine. He argued that until NATO as a bloc fully commits to the energy cutoff, the U.S. will delay major sanctions. The demand places unexpected tension on…
Over a decade after warning that the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies would balloon and deepen government dependency, Senator Ted Cruz’s 2013 prediction is being cited as prophetic amid the latest Washington budget deadlock. The federal government remains partially shut down after repeated failed attempts to pass a spending bill, with the core dispute centering on the extension of expanded Obamacare subsidies. These subsidies, introduced during the pandemic to help lower-income Americans afford health insurance, are set to expire at the end of the year unless renewed. Democrats insist that any deal to reopen the government must include an extension of…
An 18-year-old senior from Alabama and member of her high-school cheer squad has died following a shooting at a late-night bonfire party in a wooded area known locally as “The Pit.” The teen was at a gathering when a confrontation escalated, and a 27-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting. Law enforcement say the gunfire struck four individuals, including the young woman, who sustained critical head and leg injuries. Her family reports she was planning to attend university next year to pursue nursing, and described her as radiant, full of life and always bringing energy…
Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, once again thwarted a Republican-sponsored attempt to reopen the federal government, marking the 12th unsuccessful bid. The obstructed measure would have temporarily funded operations and kept the government running. Despite repeated votes, the Republican-backed resolution failed to attract sufficient support in the Senate. Donald Trump criticized the Democratic leadership in sharp terms, arguing that they had “lost the negotiation.” He maintained that discussions will only proceed after the government is reopened, reaffirming his stance that any policy talks—including on healthcare subsidies—must follow a funding agreement. As the shutdown extends past the three-week mark, the…
Comedian and podcast host Michael Rapaport took aim this week at New York City mayoral contender Zohran Mamdani, accusing the self-described working-class advocate of dining at Manhattan’s upscale sushi spot OMEN Sushi — despite residing in a rent-stabilized apartment in Queens. Rapaport posted a social-media image of Mamdani at the restaurant and questioned how someone campaigning as “working class” could comfortably afford such a venue. He highlighted menu items priced well into the premium range and cast Mamdani’s actions as inconsistent with his rhetoric. Mamdani, a New York State Assembly member and Democratic-Socialist primary winner, has campaigned on issues such as rent freezes,…
Former First Lady Hillary Clinton came under sharp criticism this week after publicly denouncing Donald Trump’s privately funded $200 million-plus ballroom project at the White House. In her social-media post, she declared that the residence “isn’t his house… it’s your house. And he’s destroying it.” However, many of the president’s supporters and prominent conservatives were quick to counter-attack, resurrecting a controversial episode from the 2001 departure of former President Bill Clinton and Mrs. Clinton — when the couple returned roughly $28,000 worth of White House furniture after paying approximately $86,000 to the federal government amid questions over whether donor gifts were…
The federal government has entered the longest comprehensive shutdown in U.S. history, with no end currently in sight. After the fiscal year ended on September 30 without the passage of any of the twelve individual appropriations bills, all non-essential federal agencies have effectively ceased full operations. Although the House and Senate each passed three spending bills, lawmakers have yet to reconcile and pass identical versions through both chambers, resulting in a full funding lapse. Thousands of federal employees have been furloughed; many more deemed essential are working without pay. While the Department of Defense managed to provide pay for active-duty…
One of Manhattan’s most prestigious high-rises, the 1,400-foot-tall 432 Park Avenue, remains officially declared safe by the city’s Department of Buildings, yet structural engineers are raising alarming concerns about its long-term integrity. Completed in 2015, the luxury tower still holds no official citation of unsafe conditions. However, its white concrete exterior is reportedly riddled with cracks and missing fragments, according to engineering assessments. Structural consultant Steve Bongiorno warns that without major remediation the building could pose a hazard: “Chunks of concrete will fall off and windows will start loosening,” he said, adding that mechanical failures and water-damage are likely to…
An 18-year-old high-school cheerleader from Pinson, Alabama, is dead after being shot at an off-campus bonfire party early Sunday morning. Four people were wounded when a 27-year-old man opened fire following a confrontation at the wooded gathering spot known locally as “The Pit.” The victim, a senior track athlete with aspirations of a nursing career, was grazed in the leg and struck in the head. Medical staff determined the brain trauma was too severe for surgical rescue, and the family elected to remove life support. They have confirmed she will become an organ donor. The suspect has been arrested on…