US National Park Service lawyers cite materials that will be installed to make ‘heavily fortified’ facilityDonald Trump’s administration is arguing that a judge’s order to halt construction of a $400m White House ballroom creates a security risk for the US president as his team asks a federal appeals court to pause the ruling.In a motion filed on Friday, US National Park Service (NPS) lawyers say that the federal judge’s order to suspend construction of the new facility is “threatening grave national-security harms to the White House, the president and his family, and the president’s staff”. Continue reading...
Trump ordered data collection after raising concern about race being used as factor in college admissionsA federal judge on Friday halted efforts by the Trump administration to collect data that proves higher education institutions aren’t considering race in admissions.The ruling from the US district court judge F Dennis Saylor IV in Boston granting the preliminary injunction follows a lawsuit filed earlier this month by a coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general. It will only apply to public universities in plaintiffs’ states. Continue reading...
• The White House touted a robust March 2026 jobs report on April 3, signaling accelerating economic momentum under President Trump.
• Specific figures highlight gains in employment and wage growth amid policy implementations.
• The data bolsters Trump's economic narrative ahead of midterm elections.
Ballroom is likely to get blessing from the National Capital Planning Commission, which is chaired by ex-Trump lawyerSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDonald Trump’s White House ballroom project is likely to get a blessing from Washington planning authorities on Thursday, two days after a judge ruled work cannot proceed without Congress’s approval.The National Capital Planning Commission, which is chaired by one of Trump’s former lawyers, will deliberate and then vote on the “East Wing Modernization Project” on Thursday, according to a meeting agenda. Continue reading...
The National Capital Planning Commission had previously delayed the vote after thousands of negative public commentsHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.The National Capital Planning Commission will meet this afternoon to decide on Donald Trump’s White House $400m ballroom project, after a federal judge halted construction earlier this week.House Republicans announced that they will pass a bill, advanced by the Senate last week, to end the record-breaking partial Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown after previously rejecting the measure.Democrats quickly celebrated the win with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer saying “House Republicans caved” after previously “[derailing] a bipartisan agreement, making American families pay the price for their dysfunction”.Nasa’s lunar rocket successfully launched and the astronauts on the first crewed lunar rocket in more than 50 years received praise from across the US.Attorney general Pam Bondi’s job with the Trump administration is reportedly at risk. The president is said to be unhappy with Bondi’s performance as the head of the justice department and the controversy surrounding the Epstein files, according to a New York Times report.Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida signed legislation on Wednesday to require documented proof of citizenship to register to vote and to begin a process that will eventually unenroll voters who have not provided citizenship documentation.Supreme court justices appeared skeptical of the Trump administration’s argument to restrict birthright citizenship for hundreds of thousands of children born to undocumented immigrants of temporary foreign nationals. Trump himself attended the hearing, widely considered to be the first time a sitting president has attended arguments at the supreme court. Continue reading...
• The White House issued 'A National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence,' outlining legislative recommendations to advance U.S. AI priorities.
• This follows the July 2025 'America’s AI Action Plan' with over 90 policy actions across innovation, infrastructure, and international security, seeking business input on slowing regulations.
• The framework may limit funding to states with AI-restrictive rules, positioning the U.S. as the global AI leader.
US president demolished East Wing of White House last year to make way for 90,000-sq-ft projectSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA US judge has halted the construction of Donald Trump’s $400m White House ballroom.The US president demolished the historic East Wing of the White House last year to make way for the project. Continue reading...
• The New Zealand All Whites defeated Chile 4-1 at Oakland in a landmark achievement, marking their first-ever victory over a South American nation in 20 attempts on their route to the World Cup.
• This result represents a significant milestone for the New Zealand national football team in their qualification campaign.
• The dominant performance demonstrates the All Whites' improved form heading into upcoming World Cup matches.
• The White House issued its National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence on March 20, 2026, guiding U.S. AI development.
• CSIS experts Navin Girishankar and Aalok Mehta discussed the framework's implications in a rapid round-up.
• The policy shapes U.S. AI leadership, influencing industry investments and regulations.
• White House technology advisor David Sacks has expanded his role to become co-chair of a newly formed presidential advisory council focused on guiding U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.
• The council aims to shape national AI policy and strategy amid intensifying global competition.
• This development underscores the Biden administration's push to maintain U.S. dominance in AI innovation and deployment.
