Minnesota has sued the Trump administration’s DOJ and DHS for obstructing investigations into three shootings involving federal officers during Operation Metro Surge, alleging withheld evidence and blocked access to critical information. The lawsuit claims violations of the Administrative Procedure Act and the 10th Amendment, with state officials denied access to key evidence and identities of involved federal agents. Separately, the DOJ has requested classified records related to former CIA Director John Brennan amid a grand jury investigation into his role in the 2016 Russia interference assessment, drawing criticism from Brennan’s legal team and political allies.
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OpenAI announced it will discontinue its Sora AI video app and API due to declining popularity and a strategic shift toward robotics research focused on real-world physical tasks. Despite Sora’s initial success and a major partnership with Disney, the app faced controversies over copyright and misuse of likenesses, contributing to its challenges. The closure aligns with OpenAI’s broader refocusing efforts following a massive funding round and plans for an upcoming IPO, prioritizing projects with greater impact potential.
The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has caused severe staffing shortages and long security lines at airports, prompting President Trump to deploy armed ICE agents to assist with crowd control despite their lack of TSA screening training. Efforts to resolve the shutdown include a proposed compromise to fund DHS excluding ICE, with ICE funding to be addressed separately, but President Trump rejected this plan, insisting on linking DHS funding to the controversial "SAVE America Act." As the standoff continues, travelers face ongoing delays and uncertainty, with Congress considering canceling its recess to address the impasse.
Cuba experienced its second nationwide power outage in less than a week, attributed to the shutdown of a key power plant unit, marking the fourth major blackout in four months amid worsening living conditions and public protests. The Cuban government blames U.S. sanctions and an energy blockade for the crisis, which has disrupted vital oil supplies, particularly from Venezuela, and has prompted humanitarian aid deliveries. Amid escalating tensions and rhetoric of possible U.S. military intervention, Cuban officials emphasize vigilance, sovereignty, and rejection of regime change while hoping for a resumption of fuel supplies.
The U.S. Department of Defense has been engaging with families of fallen service members while preparing for a possible deployment of ground troops to the Middle East amid ongoing tensions with Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that many families urged the continuation of the mission, though some, like Charles Simmons, expressed uncertainty about the war’s necessity. Meanwhile, Pentagon officials are readying forces including the 82nd Airborne Division and Marine units, even as President Trump denies immediate plans to send troops, emphasizing that preparations aim to preserve strategic options.
Corey Lewandowski, a close adviser to former President Trump and former top aide to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, has been accused of seeking financial compensation tied to government contracts awarded to the private prison company GEO Group during the post-2024 election transition. Despite Lewandowski’s denials, congressional investigations and internal complaints have scrutinized his role in DHS contracting decisions, leading to Noem’s dismissal and ongoing probes into potential financial benefits linked to these contracts. The controversy highlights concerns over ethical conduct and the influence of political figures in government contracting related to immigration enforcement.
Federal prosecutors in Miami have subpoenaed former FBI Director James Comey as part of a broad Justice Department investigation into alleged misconduct by Obama-era intelligence officials during the 2016 presidential election and subsequent Trump-related probes. The investigation, led by U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones, has issued over 130 subpoenas to former intelligence and law enforcement officials, expanding its scope from 2016 to the present amid claims of a coordinated effort to undermine Trump. While Trump allies describe the probe as uncovering a "grand conspiracy," legal experts highlight challenges due to the statute of limitations, and Comey has previously faced legal scrutiny related to his 2016 actions.
James Paul Gracey, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student from Elmhurst, Illinois, has been reported missing in Barcelona after last being seen at a beachfront nightclub near Barceloneta Beach. Authorities and his family, who have recovered his phone but remain deeply concerned, are investigating the unusual circumstances surrounding his disappearance and have appealed to the public for information. The University of Alabama, Gracey’s former high school, and the U.S. State Department have expressed support and offered assistance as the search continues.