Washington, D.C. — The projected cost of the new White House State Ballroom has surged far beyond initial estimates as global gold prices hit unprecedented levels, raising fresh questions about the feasibility of President Trump’s plan to furnish the space with gold-covered fixtures and décor.

Gold prices have climbed to historic highs in early 2026, with spot bullion trading above $4,800 per ounce amid geopolitical tensions and market uncertainty, making precious metals exceptionally expensive for construction and luxury uses.

ATLANTA — Thousands of Georgians gathered Monday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of reflection, celebration, and community engagement. In recognition of the national holiday, Stone Mountain Park offered free admission, drawing families, tourists, and local residents to enjoy a range of activities and historical exhibits.

New York — Rapper A$AP Rocky has dedicated his long-anticipated album Don’t Be Dumb to  Donald Trump, saying the President “has done more than any man in history to promote Black music artists,” in remarks published Thursday alongside the LP’s release. Don’t Be Dumb is Rocky’s first studio album in eight years and debuted Friday, featuring an eclectic set of 15 tracks spanning genres and collaborators.

Washington, DC -- In a dramatic escalation of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, President Donald Trump suggested Saturday that Cuba could be the next focus of American efforts following the invasion and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The comments, made shortly after U.S. forces carried out a military operation in Venezuela and announced Maduro’s removal, have reverberated across diplomatic channels and drawn swift international reaction.

Pasadena - The sun struggled to break through a gray canopy as thousands lined the streets, umbrellas in hand, for the annual Rose Bowl parade. Despite a steady drizzle that swept across the route, participants and spectators alike kept their spirits high, embracing the tradition with a shared sense of community and pageantry.

Washington, DC -- In a New Year’s Eve celebration that blended politics, performance, and showmanship, the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hosted a festive puppet show that drew an enthusiastic--albeit tiny--audience despite ongoing controversy surrounding the venue’s rebranding earlier this year.

Newark, Del. -- Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company behind the diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, has filed a motion in federal court seeking to block the implementation of new state laws that restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for purchasing soda and candy.