United States

Muhammad Ali to be featured on USPS commemorative stamps in 2026

The United States Postal Service will issue a Muhammad Ali commemorative Forever stamp in 2026, honoring the boxing champion’s historical and cultural impact. The stamp, developed with input from the Ali estate, will debut at a formal dedication ceremony and be sold nationwide and online. It will function as regular First-Class postage and as a collectible item for philatelists and sports history enthusiasts. USPS will announce the final design, release date, and location of the first-day ceremony closer to the issue year.

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Grok AI moves into Pentagon use despite backlash

The Pentagon plans to adopt Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot for internal use, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, days after the system faced global backlash over the generation of highly sexualized deepfake images. The decision places the U.S. defense establishment at the center of ongoing debates over AI safety, misuse of synthetic media, and security risks linked to advanced chatbots. Officials have not disclosed deployment details, safeguards, or oversight measures for Grok. Privacy advocates, legal experts, and digital rights groups continue to call for stronger regulation and accountability mechanisms for AI tools used by governments and military agencies worldwide.

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Trump briefed on new options for military strikes in Iran, source says

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.

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DHS unveils fresh video in Minneapolis ICE shooting case

Federal officials released new video of the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, as thousands of protesters gathered in sub-freezing temperatures across the Twin Cities. The footage, made public by the Department of Homeland Security, has intensified scrutiny of a Trump administration surge of immigration agents to the region. Community groups, legal advocates and local leaders are seeking full transparency, independent investigations and potential policy changes in immigration enforcement practices.

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5 states sue Trump administration over freeze on social services funds

Five U.S. states, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois and New York, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a federal decision to freeze funding for social services programs. The states allege the move is an unconstitutional abuse of power and violates the separation of powers by blocking congressionally approved funds. The case centers on the administration’s authority to withhold money used for child welfare, disability support, mental health services and aid for low-income families, and could shape how future administrations handle federal funding for state-run social services.

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Trump lays out Venezuela oil strategy as Senate moves war powers measure

President Donald Trump outlines a Venezuela oil strategy as the U.S. Senate advances a bipartisan war powers measure following the overnight capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The article details Trump’s energy-focused approach to Venezuelan crude, examines the Senate’s push to curb unilateral presidential military action, and reports on growing scrutiny of the legal basis for recent operations. It also covers concerns in Congress about separation of powers, regional stability in Latin America, and the role of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves in shaping future U.S. policy and global energy markets.

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Minneapolis removes memorial barrier honoring Renee Good

City crews in Minneapolis removed a barrier surrounding a memorial for Renee Good, a woman identified by a U.S. official after an ICE officer fatally shot her in south Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the shooting. City leaders said Good had been acting as a legal observer monitoring federal actions in the city. The memorial remains at the site, with flowers and messages still present. Federal and local authorities have not yet released full investigative findings or details about the ICE officer involved.

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