NuseReal

Trump to order voter ID for every vote, 'no exceptions' (LINK) 31 August 2025

U.S. judge blocks Trump administration move to deport Guatemalan children (LINK) 31 August 2025

— Judge issued a 14-day restraining order after advocacy groups claimed around 600 children were at risk of deportation. The Trump administration claimed the children were being repatriated for family reunifications, but advocacy groups disputed this claim.

The steps the Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took during his push to fire scientist and career public servant CDC Director Susan Monarez (LINK) 31 August 2025

— "What has always been my line in the sand is if I felt that ideology was going to compromise the science so that that science could be weaponized to an ideological end," said Demetre Daskalakis, who served as the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases director until he resigned minutes after news of the effort to oust Monarez broke. "I think in the last couple of weeks, it has been clear that that is the intent." HHS posted on the social media platform X that she was “no longer director” of the agency. Three top CDC leaders, including Daskalakis, resigned minutes later, unleashing a torrent of criticism of Kennedy and what they suggested was his politicized leadership of the agency.

As drug deaths hit a 5-year low, Trump continues to cite fentanyl as major threat (LINK) 30 August 2025

— Fatal overdoses fell to 77,648 in the 12-month period ending in March of this year, the lowest tally since at least March 2020. Some states have seen significant improvements in reducing drug deaths, with West Virginia experiencing a 42% decline in fatal overdoses.

Heather Cox Richardson: President Donald J. Trump's apparent determination to kill off wind and solar power initiatives (LINK) 30 August 2025

Trump warns tariff ruling could "literally destroy the United States": suggests an appeal to the Supreme Court was coming soon (LINK) 29 August 2025

Trump tariffs that are voided by — and ones that are safe from — Friday's appeals court ruling — (LINK)

— Before court action, Trump's tariffs were set to affect roughly 69% of U.S. goods imports, according to the Tax Foundation. If struck down, the duties would impact just roughly 16%. The court also deemed Trump's tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico — which the administration claimed were necessary because the countries were not doing enough to curb the alleged trafficking of fentanyl into the U.S. — were illegal. For now, the appeals court ruling states the duties on goods from most countries — as high as 50% for a few countries — will stay in effect until Oct. 14, to allow the Trump administration time to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Federal appellate court upholds ruling striking down Trump's tariffs (LINK) 29 August 2025

— In late May, the Court of International Trade ruled Trump did not have the authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, as he has done this year. The court said it did not reach a conclusion on whether a president could authorize any tariffs under the emergency powers, only that Trump's reasoning for the tariffs did not constitute an emergency and went beyond the president's authority. The tariffs "are unbounded in scope, amount and duration," the ruling says. They "assert an expansive authority that is ... beyond the authority delegated to the President by IEEPA."

CNN: Fact check: 10 debunked lies Donald Trump has repeated in the last week alone (LINK) 29 August 2025

Pentagon reinstalls portrait of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in his Confederate uniform with a slave guiding his horse in the background (LINK) — ground.news: 11 media reports (LINK) 29 August 2025

White House chooses Robert F Kennedy Jr deputy to run CDC: Backlash (LINK) 28 August 2025

Massive CDC walkout erupts amid internal chaos (LINK) 28 August 2025

The new head of the CDC has no training in medicine and once helped Peter Thiel develop man-made islands floating outside U.S. territory (LINK)

Trump ends Secret Service protection for Harris (LINK) 28 August 2025

CDC erupts in chaos after ousted chief Susan Monarez refuses to resign: Lawyers for Monarez say she was ‘targeted’ for 'protecting the public' by not endorsing 'unscientific' orders (LINK) 27 August 2025

CDC vaccine chief Demetre Daskalakis slams Kennedy in scathing resignation post: said there had been an "intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines" (LINK) 27 August 2025

Donald Trump's 50% tariff on India kicks in as PM Modi urges self-reliance (LINK) 27 August 2025

UPU, the United Nations agency that coordinates international mail deliveries, says it's working to get small parcels dispatched to the United States again by resolving confusion over the pending elimination of U.S. tariff exemption from Friday (LINK) 26 August 2025

— The postal service operators of more than 30 countries, including almost all of the ones in Europe, have limited or stopped shipping all or most U.S.-bound parcels valued at $800 or less, which has been the cutoff for imported goods to escape customs charges.

Trump Media launches Nasdaq-listed CRO strategy, token skyrockets (LINK) 27 August 2025

Some FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) staff are put on leave after signing dissent letter with ex-staff (35 signed their names while 141 signed anonymously): at least 2 received suspension notices (LINK) 26 August 2025

Judge halts Trump administration from deporting Kilmar Ábrego García for now (LINK) 25 August 2025

Trump orders removal of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook (LINK) 25 August 2025

— In response, Cook has said Trump has no authority to fire her and she will not resign. It is an unprecedented move for the president to dismiss a member of the central bank's leadership. The president had called for her resignation last week over the allegation of mortgage fraud, which was first made in a public letter from housing finance regulator, Bill Pulte, a Trump ally, to Attorney General Pam Bondi. Cook told the BBC in a statement last week that she learned of the allegations from the media, and the matter stemmed from a mortgage loan application she made four years ago before she joined the central bank.

Judge halts Trump administration from deporting Kilmar Ábrego García for now (LINK) 25 August 2025

Trump family-backed WLFI is live: unlocks, votes & big promises (LINK) 24 August 2025

Smithsonian artists and scholars respond to White House list of objectionable art (LINK) 24 August 2025

— The list of artists and content seems to be drawn from art that was highlighted in a recent article in The Federalist. The conservative online magazine argued that the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, for example, was filled with "wall-to-wall, anti-American propaganda". While some of the artists and scholars NPR spoke to said they fear being further targeted, others said that being called out by the White House is a "badge of honour".

EU States to suspend postal services to US after US President Donald Trump scapped a tax exemption on low-import goods worth less than $800 last month (LINK) 23 August 2025

US general whose report on Iran nuclear sites angered Trump fired: Head of US Defense Intelligence Agency Jeffrey Kruse fired alongside two senior Navy officials (LINK) 22 August 2025

Justice Department issues transcripts of interviews with Epstein ex-partner Maxwell (LINK) 22 August 2025

Ghislaine Maxwell provided no incriminating information during meetings with deputy AG on high-profile individuals who interacted with Jeffrey Epstein, transcript shows — (LINK)

— Maxwell claims there was no client list, no blackmail scheme and — to her knowledge — no high-profile Epstein associates who committed illicit acts in connection with the notorious sex-offender's crimes.

Federal judge orders closure of Trump's 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration jail: finds jail was causing severe harm to Florida Everglades (LINK) 21 August 2025

Appeals court throws out Trump's $500m civil fraud penalty: New York judges stated that the fine was excessive, and likely violated the US Constitution (LINK) 21 August 2025

— New York Attorney General's Office plans to appeal against the decision on the fine to the state's highest court, the Court of Appeals. In a statement, the office said the judges "affirmed the well-supported finding of the trial court: Donald Trump, his company, and two of his children are liable for fraud". In the case against Trump, his two adult sons, and the Trump Organization, Judge Engoron had also banned Trump from serving as a company director or taking out loans from banks in the state for three years. Thursday's decision kept in place this and other nonmonetary penalties that Judge Engoron imposed.

Judge says former Trump lawyer Alina Habba has been unlawfully serving as US attorney in New Jersey (LINK) 21 August 2025

WhiteHouse.gov: "President Trump Is Right About the Smithsonian" (LINK) 21 August 2025

California Democrats approve Newsom's redistricting plan after Texas House passes GOP-drawn maps (LINK) 21 August 2025

— Democrats are seeking to gain five seats in California, while Republicans are eyeing five additional seats in Texas. While the Texas maps will take effect once they’re signed into law, the proposed California maps could still be rejected by voters.

Daily Beast: "Tiffany Trumps' in-laws took Jared Kushner for millions": husband Michael Boulos arranged for Kushner to buy a mega yacht "at a steeply inflated price" (LINK) 21 August 2025

Trump administration’s anti-woke campaign targets Smithsonian museums (LINK) 21 August 2025

ICC 'deplores' new US sanctions on its judges and prosecutors (LINK) 20 August 2025

— On Wednesday the US State Department announced new sanctions on two judges and two prosecutors in the ICC for engaging in efforts to prosecute US and Israeli citizens. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the ICC of being a "national security threat" and "an instrument of lawfare" against the US and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the US move. The ICC has issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity over Israel's war in Gaza. France joined the ICC in denouncing the US move, expressing "dismay" as one of its judges, Nicolas Guillou, was among those sanctioned. The three other ICC officials named by the US were judge Kimberly Prost of Canada as well as deputy prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji and Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal. The penalties mean the four officials cannot access or benefit from any property or interests they hold in the US. This latest round of sanctions comes after the US imposed similar restrictions on the ICC's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan KC, along with four other judges earlier this year. In July, the US also sanctioned UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who has been a prominent critic of Israel's military offensive in Gaza.

Tulsi Gabbard announces plans to cut intelligence staff by half (LINK) 20 August 2025

— The director of national intelligence will also revoke the security clearances for 37 US intelligence officials who served under Biden and Obama. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) had around 1,800 employees when Gabbard took the helm. She has already reduced staff by about 25%, according to the Federal News Network, which focuses on news about the federal workforce.

Texas lawmakers approve new electoral map favouring Republicans (LINK) 20 August 2025

— After a two-week stand-off in which Democrats fled the state to stall the vote and rally supporters against the redistricting plans, Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives passed the new voting lines in an 88-52 vote.

Winklevoss Twins donate $21 million in Bitcoin to pro-Trump, anti-Democrat crypto PAC, the Digital Freedom Fund (LINK) 20 August 2025

Trump and Melania's meme coins have lost almost all value (LINK) 20 August 2025

— $TRUMP's value at first quickly rocketed to around $75. It dropped shortly thereafter but saw a bump in April when Trump announced “the most EXCLUSIVE INVITATION in the world”: for the top 220 investors in $TRUMP coin to enjoy a private dinner with the president at his Virginia golf club. Since then, the Trump coin's value has slumped again, to $9, having sunk 88 percent from its January high. The $MELANIA coin has followed a similar trajectory, seeing a precipitous, 98 percent decline in value from its $8.50 peak in mid-January. In May, the Financial Times published an investigation revealing that a coterie of traders reaped nearly $100 million by buying $MELANIA coin minutes before it was publicly announced, before off-loading most of their holdings after its value spiked following the announcement. The First Lady's meme coin is now worth less than a quarter of a dollar.

Tulsi Gabbard revokes security clearances of 37 current and former national security officials (LINK) 19 August 2025

Trump and European leaders press Putin to agree to Zelenskyy meeting: US president says arrangements being made for bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy and that US will help guarantee Ukraine's security if a deal is reached (LINK) 18 August 2025

— Zelenskyy's formal jacket and trousers not a response to difficult first White House visit, says designer

Trump repeats false Ukraine aid figure while sitting with Zelensky: long-debunked claim that the US has given Ukraine more than $300 billion in wartime aid (LINK) 18 August 2025

Federal judge strikes down Florida's book ban: "None of these books are obscene" (LINK) 17 August 2025

“In just seven months, Trump has spent the equivalent of 132 presidential salaries’ worth of taxpayer money playing golf. Most of which is paid directly to his private business. 57 MILLION DOLLARS of taxpayer funds squandered" (LINK) 18 August 2025

GOP-led states sending National Guard troops to D.C. (LINK) 16 August 2025

Elon Musk's net worth has dropped $60 billion this year. However, he is still the world's richest man according to Bloomberg. His net worth is $372 billion. No. 2 on the list is Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL), who has a net worth of $301 billion. (LINK) 17 August 2025

Trump's ICE spent half a million on tricked-out trucks for a hype video (LINK) 15 August 2025

Trump distorts stats in takeover of D.C. police (LINK) 15 August 2025

Snopes: Did Tom Cruise refuse Kennedy Center award from Trump? We found no confirmation and Cruise's team has so far declined to comment to the media (LINK) 15 August 2025

Texas state legislature moves to end special session without passing new electoral maps (LINK) 15 August 2025

— Governor Greg Abbott said he will immediately call another session as Democratic lawmakers signaled return to state.

Judge strikes down Trump administration guidance against diversity programs at schools and colleges (LINK) 14 August 2025

Judge strikes down key parts of Florida law that led to removal of books from school libraries (LINK) 14 August 2025

Trump administration names head of DEA Terry Cole to be Washington D.C.'s "emergency police commissioner" — district’s mayor and attorney general suggested they would not comply (LINK) 14 August 2025

Big law firms that cut deals with Trump now ignoring him (LINK) 14 August 2025

US Treasury's Bessent backpedals: Bitcoin buying still possible (LINK) 14 August 2025

US will not be purchasing any Bitcoin to supplement existing reserves, Treasury Secretary Bessent says (LINK) 14 August 2025

Trump Jr.-linked firm raising $50M to expand into crypto: Thumbzup Media to invest in crypto mining (LINK) 14 August 2025

As National Guard deploys in DC, Trump to seek 'long-term' federal control of DC police (LINK) 13 August 2025

Appeals court ruling will let Trump administration cut billions in foreign aid: the decision overrules a lower court's decision that had blocked USAID cuts (LINK) 13 August 2025

U.S.: Kennedy's case against mRNA vaccines collapses under his own evidence (LINK) 13 August 2025

New analysis finds Trump family has raked in $3.4 billion off the Presidency (LINK) 12 August 2025

— The New Yorker estimated that the presiden's various cryptocurrency had generated at least $2.37 billion in value, financial investments coordinated by Donald Jr. and Eric Trump have generated $339.6 million, and Trump's flagship Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, has raked in $125 million in extra profits. Tack onto that $127.7 million in legal fee collection and merchandise sales and a media empire estimated to be worth $116 million.

Heather Cox Richardson: Trump and the Epstein issues + inflation (LINK) 12 August 2025

Heather Cox Richardson: While Trump is mobilizing the National Guard under a pretext now, he memorably refused to mobilize it on January 6, 2021, to protect the lawmakers under siege in the U.S. Capitol as his supporters tried to stop the counting of the electoral votes that would make Democrat Joe Biden president. (LINK) 11 August 2025

Trump asserts control of Washington, D.C., police, will deploy National Guard in nation's capital (LINK) 10 August 2025

— Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser questioned Trump's motives for stepping up federal law enforcement in the city: "Now, if the priority is to show force in an American city, we know he can do that here, but it won't be because there's a spike in crime," Bowser said.

US President Donald Trump has said homeless people must "move out" of Washington DC as he vowed to tackle crime in the city, opposed by Democrat mayor (LINK) 10 August 2025

— "The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY," Trump wrote on his social media site Truth Social on Sunday. "We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don't have to move out. We're going to put you in jail where you belong." But Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, said: "We are not experiencing a crime spike."

Commercial fishing in a vast Pacific nature area is halted after a judge in Hawaii blocks a Trump order (LINK) 9 August 2025

— The remote Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument is home to turtles, marine mammals and seabirds, which environmental groups say will get snagged by longline fishing, an industrial method involving baited hooks from lines 60 miles (about 100 kilometers) or longer.

President Donald Trump said Friday that he'll meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on 15 August, earlier previewed terms of a potential peace deal to end the war in Ukraine that could include "some swapping of territories" (LINK) 8 August 2025

Leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan shake hands and sign deal at White House peace summit aimed at ending decades of conflict (LINK) 8 August 2025

Funding crisis fears grow after gold market 'upended' on report of US tariffs on Swiss bullion (LINK) 8 August 2025

— As Switzerland refines 90% of gold sourced from industrial mines, gold is set to become significantly more expensive in the US than in the international market. As a reminder, the global trade flow for bullion is normally triangular: large gold bars travel between London and New York, via Switzerland, where they are recast into different sizes. February: "Currently, [US gold stocks] are valued at just $42 an ounce in national accounts. But knowledgeable observers reckon that if these were marked at current values — $2,800 an ounce — this could inject $800bn into the Treasury General Account, via a repurchase agreement. That might reduce the need to issue quite so many Treasury bonds this year". Things have accelerated a little since then: if we assume the 39% tariff that applies to Swiss goods, then gold is currently worth $4726 (1.39 x $3400)... which implies a $1.235 Trillion bump for the US Treasury.

ITC Market Access Map: latest U.S. tariffs, before and after, for 69 countries and territories (LINK) 8 August 2025

Trump tariffs: Did Swiss gold refiners fuel the crisis? Their outsize role in gold refining is distorting trade data (LINK) 8 August 2025

— The Trump administration has counted the billions of dollars of gold that passes through Switzerland every year in its tariff calculation. On the face of it, the Swiss make a fortune from refining gold from Africa, Asia, Australia and South America. More than 2,000 tons of gold are imported annually, much of it from intermediary banks in London, New York and elsewhere, and later reexported. Despite being the world's largest gold refining hub, Switzerland's gold sector is tiny, with just five major refiners employing around 1,500 people.

— The 39% tariff, which took effect on Thursday, hits luxury and consumer goods hardest, with watches, skin care and cosmetics products, precision instruments and chocolate expected to face large price rises in the US. Around 18% of Swiss exports crossed the Atlantic to the U.S. last year. Swiss products will soon be uncompetitive for US consumers versus similar goods produced in the EU or Britain, which clinched a 10% tariff deal.The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has argued that gold should be excluded from Washington's tariff calculation since refiners earn just a small fee for processing the metal. But on Thursday, the Financial Times (FT) reported that the US has imposed tariffs on one-kilo gold bars, citing a letter from US customs authorities.

Japan says US promises to fix double tariff oversight (LINK) — ground.news: 18 media reports (LINK) 8 August 2025

— Japanese officials have explained that goods from Japan with preexisting tariffs of 15 percent or higher will not face any additional duty, and that levies on other items will be capped at 15 percent. Following Washingon meetings, Japan's top tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said the United States had also agreed to refund any excess duties collected due to the error, dating back to Thursday, when Trump's higher tariffs targeting dozens of trading partners entered into force.

GOP's Texas map has Austin residents sharing district with rural Texans nearly 500km away: it would "suppress the votes of Black and brown Austinites," Democrat says (LINK) 8 August 2025

— Central Texas' 37th Congressional District, which is currently represented by Democrat Rep. Lloyd Doggett, will be consumed by four neighboring districts, three of which Republicans now hold. One of those portions stretches into rural Ector County, about 30 km away from the New Mexico border.

Barron's: President Donald Trump dismissed Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Billy Long from his job after less than two months in the role. He will be replaced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who will serve as acting commissioner (LINK limited) 8 August 2025

Trump doubles reward to $50 million for arrest of Venezuela's president to face US drug charges (LINK) 7 August 2025

Secretary General of the WHO Expert Group on Immunization (SAGE)criticises RFK decision to cancel funding for mRNA vaccines (LINK) 7 August 2025

EPA cancels $7 billion Biden-era grant program to boost solar energy, including projects for nearly 1 million households in low-income communities (LINK) 7 August 2025

Trump says Intel's CEO with China ties must resign and sends its stock tumbling (LINK) 7 August 2025

— Trump made the post after Sen. Tom Cotton sent a letter to Intel Chairman Frank Yeary expressing concern over CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s investments and ties to semiconductor firms that are reportedly linked to the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army, and asked the board whether Tan had divested his interests in these companies to eliminate any conflicts of interest. Cotton specifically called out Tan's recent leadership of Cadence Design Systems in the letter. The tech company admitted in July to selling its products to China’s National University of Defense Technology in violation of U.S. export controls.

U.S. brokers meeting between UN and Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (LINK) 6 August 2025

Switzerland facing 39% US tariff as Swiss president leaves Washington empty-handed (LINK) 6 August 2025

Trump moves to shut down NASA missions that measure carbon dioxide and plant health (LINK) 6 August 2025

Trump targets Asian-made crypto mining rigs with 100% chip tariff (LINK) 6 August 2025

Homeland Security removes age limits for ICE recruits to boost hiring for Trump deportations (LINK) 6 August 2025

— Currently, ICE applicants must be 21 years old and no older than 37 or 40, depending on what position they are applying for. In an interview with Fox & Friends, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said applicants could be as young as 18.

Fox News opinion: Trump breaks 'Day One' promise to lower costs as prices surge across America in first six months: tariffs drive grocery and household prices higher while 'big beautiful bill' cuts Medicaid for 10M Americans (LINK) 6 August 2025

Trump pledges to 'substantially' raise US tariffs on India over Russian oil: India rejects criticism of its business dealings with Russia as 'unreasonable', vowing to safeguard its own interests (LINK) 4 August 2025

— Trump accused India in a social media post on Monday of buying and reselling "massive amounts" of Russian oil "for big profits". "They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine," the US president wrote. "Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!"

Donald Trump & his caddie were caught cheating red-handed once again, this time during club championship tournament that he ended up winning (LINK) 4 August 2025

National Review: Rethinking those claims that Trump is a Russian agent? (LINK restricted) 4 August 2025

Gov. Greg Abbott threatens Texas Dems with removal if they deny quorum, also alleged absconding Democrats may have committed felonies by fundraising to cover the $500-a-day fines they will face under House rules (LINK) 3 August 2025

Texas Democrats leave state to prevent vote on redrawing congressional map: about 30 lawmakers headed to Illinois for a week to hinder Republicans' redistricting plan pushed by Trump (LINK) 4 August 2025

The EU's 'fantasy' $750B energy promise to Trump: technical issues, limited U.S. supplies and the EU's minimal control over imports render the pledge infeasible, experts say (LINK) 3 August 2025

Confusion and anger in Switzerland — hit by highest US tariffs in Europe: 39% (LINK) 3 August 2025

Smithsonian restores Trump impeachment exhibit after public pressure (LINK) 3 August 2025

Hamas says it won't disarm unless independent Palestinian state established with Jerusalem as its capital (LINK) — ground.news: 113 media reports (LINK) 2 August 2025

— US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff had said Hamas was prepared to disarm in order to end the war.

US officials investigate former special counsel Jack Smith who led two federal criminal cases against Donald Trump before resigning from his post earlier this year (LINK) 2 August 2025

— US media reported on Saturday that the OSC is investigating Mr Smith for alleged violations of the Hatch Act, a law that prohibits political activities by government officials.

Trump orders 2 nuclear submarines near Russia after Medvedev warning to be mindful of "how dangerous" Russia's nuclear weapons could be (LINK) — ground.news: 921 media reports (LINK) 1 August 2025

— Earlier this week, Trump insulted Medvedev directly, stating, "Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let's keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President, to watch his words. He's entering very dangerous territory!"

Trump reaffirms support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara (LINK) — ground.news: 30 media reports (LINK) 2 August 2025

— Trump at the end of his first term in office recognized the Moroccan claims to Western Sahara, which has phosphate reserves and rich fishing grounds, as part of a deal under which Morocco agreed to normalize its relations with Israel.