A US federal appeals court has upheld a $1 million fine imposed on former President Donald Trump and his ex-lawyer Alina Habba for filing a baseless lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and other political rivals. The three-judge panel ruled that the lawsuit, which accused Clinton and several Democrats of conspiring to fabricate a false Russia-collusion narrative during the 2016 election, was frivolous and politically motivated. The court affirmed that the district court had not abused its discretion in imposing the penalty, emphasizing that Trump’s legal arguments lacked merit. Chief Judge William Pryor Jr. authored the opinion, joined by Judges Andrew Brasher and Embry Kidd. Trump’s legal team stated they would continue to pursue the matter until a “fair and just outcome” is achieved. The original case was dismissed in 2023, with the court labeling it an improper use of the judicial system for political purposes.

The United States has suspended all immigration applications from Afghan nationals following a deadly shooting near the White House in Washington, where two National Guard soldiers were killed. The suspected gunman, reportedly an Afghan who arrived in the US in September 2021, was taken into custody. In response to the incident, President Donald Trump called for a comprehensive review of all Afghan refugees who entered the country during the Biden administration, labeling the attack a 'terrorist act.' He urged stricter immigration controls and renewed vetting of foreign nationals admitted under previous policies. The decision to halt Afghan immigration processing reflects heightened security concerns and political tensions surrounding refugee admissions and national security in the US.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again drawn criticism for making a personal attack on a female journalist. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump called New York Times reporter Katie Rogers 'ugly' and a 'third-rate journalist' after she co-authored a report examining his age and physical fitness. The report, written by Rogers and Dylan Freedman, detailed Trump’s recent medical tests and raised questions about his health transparency. Trump did not mention Freedman but singled out Rogers for personal insults, repeating a pattern of gender-insensitive remarks—just two weeks earlier, he had verbally attacked another female journalist. The New York Times defended Rogers, stating that their report was fact-based and that intimidation tactics would not deter their journalists. Trump also criticized the Times as a 'failing' outlet, though the paper remains profitable and growing. Legal experts note that Trump’s defamation suit against the Times is unlikely to succeed.

A shooting occurred near the White House in Washington, D.C., leaving two National Guard members critically injured. The incident took place less than two blocks from the White House on Wednesday afternoon, according to BBC reports. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser described the attack as a 'targeted shooting.' FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that multiple agencies are investigating the case, calling it a matter of national security. President Donald Trump, who was in Florida at the time, stated that the suspect had been detained and would face severe consequences. Metropolitan Police official Jeffrey Carroll said the attacker acted alone and was shot at the scene before being taken to a hospital. Former President Joe Biden expressed his sorrow over the violence, emphasizing that all forms of violence are unacceptable and urging unity against such acts. Authorities are continuing to investigate the motive behind the attack.

The United States Department of the Interior has announced a new fee policy that will require non-US residents to pay $100 per person to enter the country’s 11 most-visited national parks starting in 2026. The annual parks pass for foreign visitors will also increase from $80 to $250. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the move, backed by President Donald Trump, aims to prioritize American families while ensuring international visitors contribute to park maintenance. The affected parks include the Great Smoky Mountains, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. The policy comes amid broader budget concerns, as the Trump administration has proposed cuts to the National Park Service, including a previously suggested $1 billion reduction. The National Parks Conservation Association reported that the service has already lost 4,000 staff members this year due to financial constraints, and potential further cuts could impact operations in 2026. The new fees are part of an effort to balance funding shortfalls while maintaining park accessibility for US taxpayers.

In a significant milestone for the Bangladeshi diaspora in U.S. politics, ten Bangladeshi-origin individuals have been appointed to the transition team of newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Among them is Samatali Haque, daughter of renowned Bangladeshi poet and thinker Farhad Mazhar. Haque, a professor at the City University of New York and a human rights activist, previously worked as a labor attorney and was actively involved in Mamdani’s campaign. The other Bangladeshi members include civic leader Kazi Fauzia, community organizer Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, former police officer Shamsul Haque, labor rights advocate Mohammad Karim Chowdhury, immigrant rights activist Fariha Akhtar, small business leader Arman Chowdhury, social organizers Shahriar Rahman and Tazin Azad, and legal affairs representative Imran Pasha. The 400-member transition team comprises experts and community leaders across 17 committees. This marks the largest-ever representation of Bangladeshis in a New York City mayoral transition team, highlighting their growing influence in local politics.

Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has become a trending topic on social media following the release of new photos taken by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz. The images, part of her ‘Women’ project, show Obama looking notably slimmer, prompting widespread speculation online. Many users on platforms like Instagram and X have baselessly suggested that she may be using the popular weight-loss drug Ozempic. However, no evidence supports these claims. The discussion has largely shifted away from her project’s message about empowerment and healthy living to focus on her appearance. In a previous 2022 interview with People magazine, Obama discussed natural weight changes during menopause, a context many commenters overlooked. The 61-year-old shared the photos with a caption emphasizing the power of photography to inspire and convey meaning beyond the moment captured.

US President Donald Trump announced that he is sending his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to finalize a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine. Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that only a few points of disagreement remain. However, European leaders remain doubtful, particularly as Russian missile attacks on Kyiv continue. Trump also expressed hopes to meet both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once the deal is finalized. The initial 28-point US plan for the agreement was criticized as being favorable to Moscow, leading Kyiv’s European allies to propose a revised version more aligned with Ukraine’s interests. Negotiations have been ongoing, with recent discussions taking place in Geneva and Abu Dhabi, while leaders from 30 pro-Ukraine nations held a virtual meeting to review progress.

Samatali Haque, daughter of Bangladeshi poet and intellectual Farhad Mazhar, has been appointed to the transition team of New York’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Haque, a professor at the City University of New York and a human rights activist, previously worked as a labor attorney before entering academia. She actively participated in Mamdani’s mayoral campaign and is known to have a close professional relationship with him. Born to Farhad Mazhar’s first wife, Haque is married to a Puerto Rican and resides in New York with their two children. The transition team also includes eight other Bangladeshi-origin members, a development that has sparked pride and excitement within the Bangladeshi community in the United States. Mamdani, a Muslim and Democratic Socialist, is set to be sworn in as mayor of New York City on January 1, marking a historic moment for Muslim representation in major Western cities.

US President Donald Trump has initiated a process to classify certain branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists. According to the White House, Trump has directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Besent to assess the eligibility of Brotherhood branches in countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan for such designation. The officials have 45 days to submit their findings and proceed with potential listings. The Trump administration alleges that these groups have supported or incited violence against Israel and US allies, and provided financial or material support to Hamas. The move aligns with longstanding demands from Republican and far-right circles in the US to label the Brotherhood a terrorist entity. Founded in Egypt in the 1920s, the Muslim Brotherhood has grown into a transnational Islamist movement with significant influence across the Arab world.

The Trump administration is set to implement the 'Gold Card' visa program by December 18, enabling foreign investors to obtain permanent US residency through a minimum investment of $1 million. The Department of Homeland Security and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have prepared the draft application form, known as I-140G, which has received emergency approval from the White House. Corporate applicants must invest $2 million, while each application requires a non-refundable $15,000 fee. The program, initially delayed due to strict immigration policies, is now moving forward. Applicants will undergo verification to ensure investment funds come from legitimate sources. Once approved, they will complete consular processing and receive immigrant visas granting lawful permanent residency. Skilled professionals, such as scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs, may apply under EB-1, while those contributing to US national interests can apply under EB-2 (National Interest Waiver).

Zohran Mamdani, recently elected as the next mayor of New York City, has included nine Bangladeshi Americans in his transition team ahead of his January 1 inauguration. The 34-year-old politician made history as the city’s first Muslim mayor. The Bangladeshi-origin members include community leaders and professionals such as Kazi Fauzia, Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, Shamsul Haque, Mohammad Karim Chowdhury, Fariha Akter, Arman Chowdhury CPA, Shah Rehman, Tajin Azad, and Shyamatli Haque. Their inclusion is seen as recognition of the growing influence of the Bangladeshi community in New York politics, where nearly 98% of Bangladeshi Muslim voters reportedly supported Mamdani. Out of over 400 names on the transition list, 9 Bangladeshis, 11 Pakistanis, and 16 Indians have been identified, reflecting increased South Asian representation in the city’s political landscape.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly told his advisers that he wishes to hold direct talks with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, signaling a potential shift in Washington’s approach toward Caracas. According to Axios, senior US officials confirmed Trump’s intention, describing it as a key step in his administration’s so-called 'gunboat diplomacy' regarding Venezuela. The move suggests that immediate US military actions, such as missile strikes or ground operations, are not currently planned. A senior official involved in the discussions stated that there are no present plans to capture or target Maduro, though future actions cannot be ruled out. Meanwhile, under 'Operation Southern Spear,' the US has conducted 21 separate attacks on suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean region, resulting in at least 83 deaths. The development indicates a possible diplomatic opening amid ongoing tensions between the two nations.

US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which they discussed key global issues including trade relations, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the fentanyl crisis, and tensions over Taiwan. Following the call, Trump announced he would visit Beijing in April next year and invited Xi to visit Washington. Both leaders agreed to maintain positive momentum in bilateral ties based on equality and mutual benefit. The White House confirmed the hour-long call focused mainly on trade, with both sides expressing satisfaction over recent progress. The discussion follows their meeting in Busan, South Korea, last October, where they reached a tariff truce. Since then, the US has reduced some tariffs on Chinese goods, while China delayed new export restrictions on rare earth metals. The conversation also touched on Taiwan’s sovereignty, which remains a sensitive issue amid China’s strained relations with Japan and the US.

Newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday for an hour-long discussion focused on housing policy, local regulations, and energy costs. The meeting, attended only by Mamdani’s chief of staff inside the Oval Office, ended on a surprisingly positive note despite their political differences. Both leaders later addressed reporters, with Trump praising Mamdani and noting unexpected areas of agreement. Mamdani told CNN that immigration was also discussed, emphasizing that New York would continue cooperating with federal authorities within legal limits as a sanctuary city. Human rights groups have raised concerns about increased immigration raids in the city. Despite the cordial tone of the meeting, Mamdani reaffirmed his past criticism of Trump, calling him a fascist during an NBC interview. He later told a Bronx church audience that his duty as mayor required working with all parties, including those who opposed him politically.