Tuesday, 18 August 2026

Trump declared no talks are taking place with Iran and rejected a ceasefire extension as the U.S.-Iran conflict remains in stalemate. The president reiterated calls for Iran to 'put up the white flag of surrender' and threatened to bomb Oman over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

A federal judge nominated by Trump to Florida's federal court was assigned to oversee Trump's $10 billion defamation case against the BBC, raising concerns about judicial impartiality in cases involving the president.

A preservation group warned the Supreme Court that Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project is approaching the point of irreversibility, with construction proceeding at 20 hours per day, 7 days per week. An appeals court ordered the administration to halt work by Friday.

Trump attacked a CNN reporter asking about Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff's comments regarding a Trump aide. The White House issued a personal attack on the journalist, with CNN condemning the conduct as 'beneath the office' of the presidency.

The DOJ appealed a court decision to revive criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man wrongfully deported to El Salvador whose case previously embarrassed the government. A judge had found the charges were brought as retaliation for Abrego Garcia's lawsuit.

Trump and Canadian Finance Minister Mark Carney engaged in trade talks as a deadline approached for new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods worth approximately $20 billion. Canada sought to avert 50-percent tariffs through negotiations.

The Trump administration sanctioned the International Criminal Court president and prosecutor investigating Israeli war crimes in Gaza, escalating its campaign to 'dismantle' the court 'brick by brick.'

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration can revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopians despite concerns over conditions in the country, permitting the government to proceed with deportations despite humanitarian risks.

Disney and ABC sued the FCC claiming the Trump administration is retaliating against the networks for their critical coverage by demanding early broadcast license renewals. The lawsuit alleges violations of First Amendment rights.

The Trump administration announced plans to rescind a 2001 roadless rule protecting old-growth forests, potentially opening nearly 45 million acres of national forest land to road construction, drilling, and logging.