President Trump announced the commencement of construction on a new, privately funded ballroom at the White House, declaring the project will cost “zero to the American taxpayer” and be paid for by “generous patriots, great American companies, and, yours truly.” The planned 90,000-square-foot venue will be located within a reimagined East Wing and is designed to seat approximately 650 guests—nearly triple the capacity of the current East Room. Construction crews have begun demolition of parts of the East Wing to make way for the addition. According to the White House, the estimated $250 million cost has been entirely underwritten by…
Author: Steadfast Admin
President Trump signed a proclamation Thursday officially designating October 13 as Columbus Day, celebrating Italian-American heritage and reaffirming the holiday’s significance at a time when many states had moved toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Speaking at the White House during a Cabinet meeting, Trump described Italian explorer Christopher Columbus as a “true American hero” and said the move “reclaims our history from radical efforts to erase it.” After the paperwork was signed, the president briefly declared, “We’re back, Italians. We love the Italians,” as applause erupted in the room. Although Columbus Day has historically been observed by the federal government since…
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of President Trump’s authority to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, during periods of civil unrest. The decision, reached in a 2–1 vote, reversed an earlier injunction that sought to block the deployment, marking a major victory for the administration’s stance on federal intervention in domestic disturbances. The ruling concluded that the President acted within his constitutional powers under Title 10, Section 12406 of the U.S. Code, which allows federal activation of state militias when local resources are deemed insufficient to enforce federal law. The court determined that the…
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharply rebuked Huffington Post correspondent S.V. Dáte after he questioned why President Trump chose Budapest for a meeting with President Putin. In a text response, Leavitt told the reporter to “stop texting me your disingenuous, biased and bulls— questions.” The exchange was made public when Leavitt posted screenshots of their conversation on X, also labeling Dáte a “far-left hack” and questioning his professional credentials. The October 16 text chain shows their interaction began with Dáte citing the 1994 Budapest Memorandum and asking if the president understood its implications for Ukraine. Leavitt replied with a…
This weekend, Zohran Mamdani, a mayoral candidate, came under fire for sharing a happy picture of himself with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, who was once identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center attack. At first, when reporters questioned if the meeting posed security or judgment problems, Mamdani simply smiled and got into an awaiting vehicle, refusing to comment on his association. In a media appearance a few days after the picture surfaced, the candidate broke his quiet and said that the criticism was due to his political momentum and faith. He justified his interaction by pointing out…
The Louvre Museum in Paris was closed to the public today following a dramatic theft that saw professional-looking thieves break into the museum’s Galerie d’Apollon and remove several pieces of the French crown jewels. Authorities say the raid took place around 9:30 a.m. local time, shortly after the museum opened. The incident involved a group of three to four individuals who reportedly used a cherry-picker lift and power-tools to access the upper floor through a window facing the Seine. Inside the gallery—home to historic tiaras, necklaces and brooches from the Napoleonic era—the gang smashed display cases and fled on scooters,…
When a strange object struck the windshield of a United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 traveling from Denver to Los Angeles (Flight UA1093) at 36,000 feet, the aircraft safely diverted to Salt Lake City. The pilot sustained scratches and bruises typical of glass damage, but the passengers were uninjured. Investigators found scorch marks close to the area of contact, and the multilayer windshield was broken in the hit. At this height, crashes with space debris are extremely unusual, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. While authorities determine if flight data, radar, and debris fragments indicate an orbital object or an…
The U.S. State Department has issued a formal warning that it possesses credible intelligence indicating Hamas may be preparing a direct assault on Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, an action which would breach the terms of the current cease-fire agreement. According to a statement released by the department, such an attack “would constitute a direct and grave violation” of the truce, undermining the diplomatic progress achieved by involved mediators. The cease-fire in question was brokered following a two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas. It included commitments from both sides to refrain from targeting civilians, allow humanitarian access, and facilitate…
Major international advocacy groups are now advancing laws that would permit physician-assisted dying for minors, with Canada, Belgium and the Netherlands already having frameworks in place allowing “mature minors” to consent. In Canada, legislators are considering expanding eligibility to youth and individuals whose sole condition is severe psychiatric illness—a marked shift from past criteria focusing on terminal physical disease. Proponents cite autonomy and mental suffering; critics warn the change could erode safeguards for vulnerable young people. Opponents—including disability-rights organizations and bereaved families—say these laws risk pressuring children who are socially isolated, mentally ill or vulnerable into choosing death rather than…
A Florida sheriff’s office has charged a Texas couple, Brian Wilks and Sara Wilks, with child neglect for allegedly leaving their six-month-old baby unattended under a beach tent for nearly an hour. The incident occurred at Miramar Beach in Walton County when the parents walked down the shore with their three older children, leaving the infant alone, authorities say. Security footage confirmed the gap lasted approximately 50 minutes to one hour, and the parents claimed they “lost track of time.” Witnesses alerted authorities who found the baby being cared for by bystanders until deputies arrived. First responders evaluated the child…
Israeli officials say Hamas launched several coordinated attacks—including sniper and anti-tank missile fire—on Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) positions inside Gaza, prompting swift retaliatory strikes by Israel. The clashes occurred in the Rafah area, a sensitive zone under the U.S.-brokered truce. In response to the reported breach, the IDF declared it resumed full enforcement of the ceasefire while vowing to handle any further violations firmly. The renewed violence followed the deaths of two Israeli soldiers, according to military sources. Hamas denies any organized involvement in the specific incident, saying it had limited control over all militant groups in the sector and…
President Trump announced on Sunday that the United States will terminate all subsidies and financial payments to Colombia, accusing President Gustavo Petro of acting as an “illegal drug leader” who fails to prevent widespread narcotics production on Colombian soil. He argued that U.S. aid to Colombia has become a “rip-off of America.” The decision is tied to escalating tensions between the two nations, including Colombia’s condemnation of recent U.S. strikes in Caribbean waters and assertions of sovereignty violations. Although Colombia has traditionally been one of the United States’ closest allies in counter-narcotics efforts, the Trump administration says it remains unconvinced…
A late-night confrontation at a McDonald’s in Polk County, Florida escalated when two customers became frustrated over wait times and threatened a 21-year-old employee. The situation turned violent when surveillance footage shows the customers entering the restaurant after the worker refused further service. According to authorities, the customers allegedly taunted the employee, mentioning firearms and “30-clip” magazines. As the threats intensified, the worker retrieved a handgun from the back room and a struggle ensued. The employee fired once, striking one of the customers in the neck. The injury has been described by law enforcement as minor. Both customers left the…
Israel temporarily suspended key humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, citing stalled progress on hostages’ return and alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas. The move comes amid a fragile truce and escalating tensions marking a major test of recent diplomatic efforts. Officials reported that shipments of food, fuel and medical supplies were paused, impacting thousands of civilians relying on relief amid dire conditions. Israeli authorities said the decision followed the failure of Hamas to hand over all deceased hostages, a key element of the deal. Relief organizations and the United Nations warned that the interruption could exacerbate famine-level risks for…
A peaceful night at Oklahoma State University was shattered when gunfire erupted inside a campus residence hall early Sunday morning, leaving multiple victims injured and sparking an urgent law enforcement response. Police confirmed that the shooting occurred at the Carreker East dormitory around 3:40 a.m. when several individuals were struck by bullets during what authorities described as a “disturbance” following a nearby off-campus party. At least three people were transported to local hospitals, one of whom was identified as a student. Emergency crews rushed to the scene within minutes, securing the dormitory and escorting residents to safety. University officials placed…