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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The U.S. State Department plans to send hundreds of Afghans who helped the U.S. during the war in Afghanistan from Qatar either back to Afghanistan or to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This plan follows President Trump’s decision to stop the Afghan resettlement program over a year ago.
Key Facts
Hundreds of Afghans who assisted the U.S. military in Afghanistan are currently held in Qatar.
The U.S. State Department proposes sending them back to Afghanistan or to the Congo.
President Trump paused the Afghan resettlement program more than one year ago.
These Afghans were originally evacuated due to their support for the U.S. war effort.
Afghan Evac, an organization focused on Afghan evacuees, is involved in discussions about this situation.
The proposal raises questions about the safety and future of these Afghans.
The issue was recently discussed by journalist Amna Nawaz and Shawn Van Diver from Afghan Evac.
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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that only one individual has so far been approved for the $1 million “Gold Card” visa, a program linked to President Trump that allows faster U.S. citizenship. He also mentioned that many others are waiting for approval.
Key Facts
The “Gold Card” visa costs $1 million.
The visa offers a quicker process to become a U.S. citizen.
Only one person has been approved for this visa so far.
Hundreds of applicants are currently waiting in line.
Secretary Lutnick made these statements during a House Appropriations Committee hearing.
The visa program is associated with President Donald Trump.
The program aims to attract wealthy individuals to the U.S. through investment.
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The Department of Homeland Security deported over 675,000 immigrants during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term. While the government says it focuses on violent criminals, some immigrants protected from deportation were also detained, including a woman who was deported but later allowed to return to the U.S.
Key Facts
Over 675,000 immigrants were deported in the first year of President Trump’s second term.
The government states it targets violent criminals for deportation.
Some people protected by immigration laws were still caught and deported.
A woman who was deported later returned to the U.S.
The deportations are part of a wider immigration enforcement effort by the administration.
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A U.S. Army soldier named Gannon Ken Van Dyke is charged with using secret government information to make over $400,000 from bets on the capture of Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro. The Department of Justice says he broke laws by using classified information for personal gain through a betting platform called Polymarket.
Key Facts
Gannon Ken Van Dyke is a U.S. Army soldier accused of using secret info about a military operation.
He allegedly made more than $400,000 by betting on Polymarket, a prediction market website.
The bets were related to the arrest of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro earlier this year.
Van Dyke faces charges including theft of government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and making illegal money transactions.
The Department of Justice says military members must not use classified info for personal profit.
Polymarket has had other suspicious bets on major international and national security events.
Harvard researchers estimate over $143 million in Polymarket profits might come from those with insider information.
The FBI is investigating for threats to national security from people with access to sensitive information.
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President Donald Trump is considering a government-funded plan to take over Spirit Airlines, a low-cost carrier struggling financially. He aims to eventually sell the airline at a profit once oil prices fall, while also saving jobs and keeping the airline running.
Key Facts
Spirit Airlines is in advanced talks with the U.S. government for financing to help it exit bankruptcy.
The airline has faced financial losses for years and filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2024 and August 2005.
High jet fuel costs, partly due to conflict involving Iran, have hurt Spirit’s business.
President Trump mentioned the possibility of a taxpayer-funded takeover to save jobs and resell Spirit when conditions improve.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is reviewing options but expressed doubts about government financing setting a broad precedent.
The government aid discussed may involve about $500 million and a chance for the government to own a large part of the airline.
The White House has tried to shift blame for Spirit’s troubles onto the Biden administration’s opposition to a merger between Spirit and JetBlue Airways.
A federal judge previously blocked the Spirit-JetBlue merger over concerns it would increase airfare prices.
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A U.S. soldier, Gannon Ken Van Dyk, was charged with using secret information from a military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to win $400,000 on an online betting site. He took part in the raid in January 2026 and broke rules by sharing classified details for personal profit.
Key Facts
Gannon Ken Van Dyk is a senior enlisted soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
He used inside information from the special forces operation to capture Maduro to place bets on Polymarket, a prediction market website.
Van Dyk was involved in the planning and execution of Maduro’s capture starting December 8, 2025.
He signed agreements promising not to share any classified or sensitive information about the operation.
Charges against him include unlawful use of confidential information, theft of government data, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and illegal money transactions.
Van Dyk joined the Army in 2008 and was promoted to Master Sergeant in 2023, the second-highest enlisted rank.
The FBI emphasized that anyone with security clearance who misuses information for money will face consequences.
The Pentagon directed questions about the case to the Army and Department of Justice; Special Operations Command did not comment.
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A U.S. Army soldier named Gannon Ken Van Dyke is accused of using secret information about a military mission to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to make bets on an online prediction market. He worked at Fort Bragg and helped plan the operation.
Key Facts
Gannon Ken Van Dyke is a U.S. Army soldier.
He was stationed at Fort Bragg.
He was involved in planning a military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Van Dyke allegedly used classified information from the operation.
He placed bets on Polymarket, a prediction market website.
Federal officials charged him for using secret government information to bet.
The charges came after the military operation was publicly known.
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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), under President Donald Trump, is increasing efforts to revoke the citizenship of people found to have committed fraud in the naturalization process. Since January 2025, 15 people have lost citizenship, and the DOJ aims to file many more cases faster than previous administrations.
Key Facts
The DOJ has identified 384 people whose citizenship could be revoked due to fraud.
Denaturalization referrals are being made at the highest rate in U.S. history under President Trump and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
In one year, the number of referrals has exceeded the total made in the four years of the Biden administration.
Since January 20, 2025, 22 denaturalization cases were filed, with 15 people losing citizenship.
Historically, between 1990 and 2017, about 11 cases per year were filed, with 168 cases during Trump’s first term and around 64 during Biden’s term.
The DOJ plans to have regional office workers file cases, instead of DOJ immigration litigation experts, aiming for more than 200 referrals per month.
The government must prove in federal court that individuals obtained citizenship through fraud before revoking it.
In 2024, over 818,000 people became U.S. citizens through legal processes, showing the denaturalization cases are a small portion of total naturalizations.
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Scotland faces a growing financial challenge with its yearly budget expected to fall short by nearly £4.8 billion by 2029-30. The budget pressure is due to rising costs in social security, health, and public sector pay, with experts warning that the next Scottish finance secretary will face a difficult budget.
Key Facts
Scotland's annual budget is £68 billion and is expected to grow in coming years.
Spending could exceed available funds by £4.8 billion by 2029-30, a gap known as a budget "black hole."
Social security spending is increasing, forecasted to reach £9.2 billion by 2030-31, with one million Scots predicted to receive disability payments.
Health and social care services face high demand and funding gaps that may require major changes.
Public sector pay took up 55% of the budget last year and is relatively higher than in the rest of the UK.
Planned pay rises of 9% over three years (starting 2025) follow recent large pay deals, leaving limited space for future increases.
Experts warn the 2027-28 budget could see emergency adjustments due to ongoing pressures and global economic factors.
Reducing public sector pay to levels similar to elsewhere in the UK could save nearly £2 billion annually.
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President Donald Trump’s choice to head the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Sean Plankey, has asked to withdraw his nomination. He waited over a year for approval by the Senate but did not receive confirmation.
Key Facts
Sean Plankey was nominated by President Trump to lead CISA.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency focuses on improving cybersecurity and infrastructure protection.
Plankey waited more than one year for Senate confirmation.
He requested to withdraw his nomination due to the long delay.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is aware of this withdrawal request.
Confirmation by the Senate is required for a nominee to officially take the role.
No further details were given about the reasons for the delay.
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A former North Carolina police officer named Christopher Gillum was arrested for planning a mass shooting at a festival in New Orleans. Authorities caught him in Florida before he reached New Orleans.
Key Facts
Christopher Gillum is 44 years old and used to work in law enforcement in North Carolina.
He threatened to carry out a mass shooting at a festival in New Orleans.
Gillum was arrested without any problems at a hotel in Destin, Florida.
He was on his way to New Orleans when authorities arrested him.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s office was involved in the arrest.
No shooting happened because authorities stopped him in time.
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A U.S. special forces soldier who helped capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was arrested for allegedly placing bets on Maduro’s removal before the raid was publicly announced. The soldier reportedly won over $400,000 by betting on a prediction market shortly after President Trump announced Maduro’s capture.
Key Facts
The soldier took part in the operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
He placed bets predicting Maduro’s removal before the news was made public.
The bets were placed on Polymarket, a prediction market platform.
He bet more than $33,000 and won over $409,000.
The bets occurred within hours of President Trump’s announcement in January that Maduro had been captured.
Federal investigators arrested the soldier for these actions.
The Justice Department has not yet given an official comment.
The story is still developing and may have updates.
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Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a Republican from Wisconsin, said he is not paying much attention to his campaign for reelection less than seven months before the midterm elections. He made this statement while discussing a recent redistricting change in Virginia supported by Democrats.
Key Facts
Derrick Van Orden is a Republican congressman from Wisconsin.
He said he is not focusing on his reelection campaign at this time.
The statement was made less than seven months before the midterm elections.
Van Orden spoke on the steps of the Capitol building.
He referenced a new redistricting plan in Virginia that Democrats supported.
The redistricting initiative in Virginia was passed recently, on a Tuesday.
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A new poll shows that about one in five people who voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election now regret their choice. These regretful voters tend to be younger and more politically moderate, and many believe the country is moving in the wrong direction.
Key Facts
20% of Trump’s 2024 voters say they regret voting for him.
Most regretful voters are under 45 years old, with 23% under 30.
Regretful voters are more moderate politically; 43% call themselves moderate, while 68% of non-regretful voters identify as conservative.
About 52% of regretful voters have a favorable view of the Republican Party, compared to 88% of voters who don’t regret their vote.
Nearly two-thirds of regretful voters believe the U.S. is on the wrong track; the opposite is true for voters without regret.
Despite their regret, two-thirds of these voters have an unfavorable view of the Democratic Party.
Economic issues, including inflation and tariffs, contribute to voter dissatisfaction.
President Trump states that inflation and prices are improving and expresses confidence about the economy.
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President Trump announced a plan to renovate the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool by adding a new blue surface made from advanced material. The project aims to improve the pool’s appearance and is expected to cost about $1.5 million and take one week to complete.
Key Facts
The Reflecting Pool will get a new surface placed over its stone bottom.
The new surface will be colored "American flag blue."
The pool was last fully renovated in 2012 with $34 million from Obama-era stimulus funds.
The National Park Service performs regular cleaning of the pool to remove algae, trash, and bird droppings.
President Trump compared the pool renovation to installing an industrial-grade swimming pool surface.
The pool area measures more than 300,000 square feet, roughly the length of 12 Olympic pools.
The president has made multiple changes to Washington, D.C. landmarks since returning to office in 2024.
Some renovation projects by President Trump have caused concern among preservation groups and some lawmakers due to lack of broader public or congressional input.
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Rep. Sarah McBride predicted that President Trump will fire Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard soon. She also said that all of Trump’s Cabinet members should be fired and expressed support for impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over issues related to the U.S.-Israeli conflict.
Key Facts
Rep. Sarah McBride made the prediction on Thursday.
She said President Trump "only fires women."
Tulsi Gabbard is the current Director of National Intelligence.
McBride said all of Trump’s Cabinet officials deserve to be fired.
She supports an impeachment effort against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The impeachment discussion is connected to the U.S.-Israeli conflict.
McBride shared these views with reporter Pablo Manríquez from MeidasTouch.
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At least 10 people were injured in a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge after an argument in the food court led to gunfire between two groups. Police are looking for the suspects and say the shooting was a targeted conflict, not random violence.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.
The gunfire started after a fight between two groups in the food court.
At least 10 people were injured, with two needing surgery.
No deaths were reported.
Police said some innocent bystanders were also hit.
Authorities said this was not an active shooter situation anymore.
Police and the mayor urged witnesses to share videos and promised to find those responsible.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry coordinated with law enforcement and asked people to avoid the area.
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The Trump administration has increased the number of federal immigration officers in cities like Minneapolis, leading to widespread arrests and deportations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees agencies like ICE and Border Patrol, which have expanded in size and budget to enforce President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Key Facts
The Trump administration sent many armed federal officers to Minneapolis as part of a large immigration enforcement operation.
These actions involve raids on homes, businesses, and public places, often without approval from local leaders.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a key agency in these efforts and has grown significantly in staff and budget.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leads immigration enforcement and also manages other agencies like the Secret Service and FEMA.
In 2025-2026, ICE’s budget increased to $28.7 billion, and the number of ICE officers grew from about 10,000 to 22,000.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin replaced Kristi Noem in 2026; Noem was known for highly public anti-immigration actions.
These policies have caused fear and family separations in affected communities.
ICE officers sometimes wear masks and do not always identify their agency during raids.
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The U.S. Department of Justice arrested a special forces soldier who placed bets totaling more than $33,000 on prediction markets about the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The soldier, involved in Maduro’s capture, reportedly made over $400,000 using inside information before the event was publicly announced by President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
A special forces soldier involved in capturing Nicolas Maduro was arrested by the DOJ.
The soldier placed bets on Polymarket predicting Maduro’s removal from office.
The bets were made just hours before President Trump announced Maduro’s capture.
The soldier wagered over $33,000 and earned more than $400,000 in profit.
This case may be the first insider trading prosecution related to prediction markets.
Polymarket allows users to bet anonymously on future events using yes/no questions.
The capture of Maduro happened during a U.S. military operation called "Operation Absolute Resolve."
Similar suspicious betting activity on prediction markets has raised concerns about insider trading.
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