US Politics

James McCrery, the architect originally chosen by former President Donald Trump to design a proposed White House ballroom, has been appointed to a commission reviewing that same project. The commission will evaluate design plans, historic impacts and feasibility for the ballroom concept at the Executive Mansion. McCrery’s dual role as former lead architect and current reviewer focuses attention on federal oversight of changes to the White House. No final decision on construction or modification of the ballroom has been announced.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has presented former U.S. President Donald Trump with a symbolic Nobel Peace Prize medallion, officials say. The unofficial medallion, not issued by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, was described as a gesture recognizing Trump’s stance on Venezuela and support for opposition efforts against President Nicolás Maduro. The private meeting and presentation highlight Machado’s ongoing push for international backing in her campaign for political change in Venezuela, as observers track how symbolic acts shape foreign engagement with the country’s crisis.

The United States approved a $1.5 billion foreign military sale to Peru to expand and modernize the Callao naval base near Lima’s international airport. The State Department said the package includes engineering, construction, equipment, training, and logistics support and will bring up to 20 US government and contractor personnel to Peru for up to 10 years. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the deal, which aims to strengthen Peru’s maritime security and defense capabilities. The announcement follows the inauguration of a separate Chinese-funded mega-port in Peru, though US officials did not formally link the two projects.

Growing interest in the U.S. EB-1A “extraordinary ability” visa is driving a market for vanity awards, ghostwritten research papers and profile-building services. USCIS is reviewing petitions more closely and investigating possible fraud linked to purchased credentials. This report explains how the credential marketplace operates around EB-1A applications, the types of services being sold to prospective immigrants and how U.S. immigration authorities are responding with increased scrutiny and enforcement measures.

President Donald Trump received a classified briefing on new U.S. military strike options against Iran, according to a source familiar with the discussions. The review of potential responses came as tensions with Tehran remained high and U.S. officials monitored Iran’s internal security actions and regional activities. On Friday, Trump publicly stated that if the Iranian government resumed “killing people like they have in the past,” the United States “would get involved,” signaling a possible red line tied to large-scale violence against civilians. Officials did not confirm any decision to carry out strikes.