Donald Trump Administration

Trump admin launches probes into Harvard over antisemitism, admissions

If found to be in violation of the law, the department can strip Harvard of its federal funding and render the college ineligible for federal financial aid, steps threatened in the past

Musk must face lawsuit over alleged unconstitutional role as Trump advisor

It's one of a handful of lawsuits challenging actions taken by the Department of Government Efficiency project last year that have outlasted Musk's tenure in the US government

Trump's 48-hour Iran ultimatum raises risk of reckless escalation

The logic is obvious: Having started the war, Trump can now only win it by continuing until, at a minimum, Iran is unable to endanger tanker traffic through Hormuz

Trump's tariff playbook returns, this time with lawyering not legitimacy

The unusually rapid pace of these 76 inquiries raises concerns over due process, with expectations that responses may align closely with the Trump administration's preferred outcomes

Colombian president Gustavo Petro named 'priority target' in US drug probe

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has been designated a "priority target" by the US Drug Enforcement Administration as federal prosecutors in New York probe his alleged ties to drug traffickers, according to people familiar with the matter and records seen by The Associated Press. DEA records show Petro has surfaced in multiple investigations dating to 2022, many based on interviews with confidential informants. The alleged crimes the DEA has investigated include his possible dealings with Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, a scheme to leverage his "total peace" plan to benefit prominent traffickers who contributed to his presidential campaign. The records also suggest the use of law enforcement to smuggle cocaine and fentanyl through Colombian ports. The "priority target" label is reserved for suspects DEA deems to have a "significant impact" on the drug trade. An inquiry in early stages ---------------------------- In recent months, prosecutors in Brooklyn and Manhattan have been question

US tax refunds rise 11% but still fall short of Trump's $1,000 promise

Refunds averaged $3,623 through March 13, 11 per cent higher than the same point last year, according to data the IRS released Friday

US allows sale of stranded Iranian oil until April 19 to bring down prices

US Treasury Secretary said the waiver could release about 140 mn barrels into markets amid Hormuz disruptions, as rising fuel costs intensify inflation worries and political pressure on Trump admin

Trump's reaction to Israeli strike on gas field exposes rift in strategies

President Trump said he complained to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel about the attack, which sent energy markets reeling; but Israeli officials said the Americans were informed beforehand

Trump references Pearl Harbor as Iran war exposes strains in US-Japan ties

After Trump's reference to the Pearl Harbor attack, a Japanese foreign ministry official said the subject didn't come up in closed-door talks between the leaders

Hollowed-out US State Dept strains diplomacy, struggles to manage Iran war

In the escalating war in Iran, the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs would ordinarily be at the centre of the geopolitical fray. The bureau's role would be to coordinate US foreign policy across an 18-country region, much of which has become a chaotic battlefield scarred by drone and missile strikes as the US and Israel remain locked in conflict with Iran. But now that bureau is also working with fewer resources. The administration's most recent budget proposed a 40 per cent cut to the bureau, though Congress eventually enacted less dramatic cuts. The administration also eliminated the dedicated Iran office, merging it with the Iraq office. Personnel and management choices - coupled with President Donald Trump's moves to shrink government and confine decision-making to a tight circle - are limiting the ability of the United States to handle a global emergency, according to interviews with more than a dozen current and former US officials. Veteran diplomats with deca

US, Israel coordinated on South Pars strike, contradicting Trump's claim

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that Washington had no knowledge of the attack, claiming Israel "acted out of anger" striking at Iran's South Pars Gas Field

Trump weighs sending more troops to West Asia as Iran war enters new phase

Trump administration officials have also discussed the possibility of deploying US forces to secure Iran's stocks of highly enriched uranium

US national debt surges past $39 trillion just weeks into war with Iran

The national debt surpassed a record USD 39 trillion on Wednesday, a milestone that comes just weeks into the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. The unprecedented figure highlights competing administration priorities, from passing a massive tax law and boosting defense spending and immigration enforcement to chipping away at the debt itself - the latter of which Donald Trump promised to do as both a candidate and as president. The Government Accountability Office outlines some of the impact of rising government debt on Americans - including higher borrowing costs for things like mortgages and cars, lower wages from businesses having less money available to invest, and more expensive goods and services. Advocates for a balanced budget also warn that the long-term trend of borrowing more and paying more in interest will force Americans to face tougher fiscal tradeoffs ahead. Michael Peterson, chair and CEO of the nonprofit Peter G. Peterson Foundation, created to raise awareness of America's .

Not happy with UK, France on Srait of Hormuz coalition, says Trump

French President Emmanuel Macron earlier spoke with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, calling on him to put an end to attacks by Iran against the other countries in the West Asia

Trump admin seeks removal of Cuba's President Díaz-Canel amid ongoing talks

The United States has told Cuba that for meaningful progress to be made in negotiations, President Miguel Díaz-Canel must step down, said people familiar with the talks

Trump leaves allies, adversaries guessing on endgame for Iran war

Trump administration is planning to announce as soon as this week that multiple countries have agreed to form a coalition to escort ships through the corridor

'Neither sought truce nor talks': Iran rejects Trump's ceasefire claim

Remarks come a day after Trump said the United States was not ready to make a deal with Iran because 'the terms aren't good enough yet'

US withdraws draft rule that called for permits for global AI chip exports

The now-abandoned Trump administration proposal would have carved out a significant role for the Commerce Department's licensing office to conduct case-by-case reviews of AI chip exports

Trump ally Pirro's defiant streak on display in case against Fed's Powell

US Attorney Jeanine Pirro vowed to appeal a ruling blocking subpoenas tied to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, despite fears a prolonged legal fight could delay confirmation of Kevin Warsh as Fed chief

Japan, Asia-Pacific nations to pledge $30 bn energy, mineral deals with US

The deals will take the form of purchase commitments and other transactions spanning a range of products and sectors, including coal, oil, liquefied natural gas and nuclear power