US will label supposed Venezuelan drug cartel ‘headed by Maduro’ as terrorist organization

Federal Judge James Boasberg is resuming a contempt inquiry regarding the Trump administration's alleged violation of a court order related to the deportation of hundreds of Salvadoran men. The inquiry will involve sworn testimony from officials to assess whether they disregarded a March ruling that mandated the reversal of deportation flights.

US officials are reportedly delaying the implementation of long-promised semiconductor tariffs by President Donald Trump to avoid escalating tensions with China. This cautious approach has been communicated to stakeholders in both government and private sectors over recent days, indicating a shift in strategy regarding the tariffs.

In August, Donald Trump initiated a campaign against Venezuela, starting with airstrikes on alleged drug boats, which faced criticism as extrajudicial killings. The U.S. president subsequently deployed naval assets in the Caribbean. The Guardian's Tom Phillips questions the validity of claims regarding drug trafficking and discusses the implications for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The Trump administration has taken steps to further dismantle the US Department of Education by reallocating many of its powers to other federal agencies. This decision has sparked criticism from Democrats, who accuse the administration of cutting essential resources for schools and students across the country.

During a recent press conference, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed questions regarding Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, asserting that the prince 'knew nothing' about the incident. This statement contradicts U.S. intelligence findings from 2021, which concluded that the crown prince had approved the operation. Trump criticized the reporter for asking about the murder, suggesting it was inappropriate to embarrass the Saudi leader.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged a $1 trillion investment in the US economy during a meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. This commitment marks a significant increase in Saudi investment in the United States, reflecting the strengthening economic ties between the two nations. The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about bilateral cooperation and economic partnerships.

A Romanian national, who was wanted globally, was apprehended while in possession of a New York driver's license under the name 'David Beckham.' The individual reportedly crossed the U.S. border illegally from Mexico in 2022. This incident highlights ongoing issues related to immigration enforcement and identity fraud in the United States.

A federal bankruptcy court judge has approved Purdue Pharma's settlement plan regarding thousands of lawsuits related to the opioid crisis. The plan mandates that members of the Sackler family, who own the company, contribute up to $7 billion over a period of 15 years. The majority of the funds will be allocated to government entities to combat the opioid epidemic, which has been associated with approximately 900,000 deaths in the United States since 1999.