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Trump administration

The Trump administration is the White House administration under President Donald Trump. The first Trump administration was 2017-2021, and the second 2025-present. Its primary mission centres on an “America First” agenda, focusing on economic prosperity, deregulation and border security. Key activities included significant tax reform, job creation initiatives and a substantial rollback of regulations across various sectors. Notably, the administration has implemented stricter immigration policies, impacting foreign enrolments in higher education through increased visa restrictions and enhanced vetting, which led to concerns about the appeal of US universities for international students.

An alien sculpture in the California town of Baker, known as the ‘Gateway to Area 51’. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

Trump says he’s ordering release of US files on UFOs and aliens

US president directs the Pentagon to release records on extraterrestrial life after accusing Obama of disclosing ‘classified information’.

3 hours ago

United States

Trump critic Colbert says CBS blocked interview with Democratic candidate

18 Feb 2026 - 7:59AM

Americas and the Caribbean

11 killed in US strikes on 3 more alleged drug boats

18 Feb 2026 - 7:32AMvideocam

United States

Trump Homeland Security spokeswoman out amid immigration crackdown backlash

Tricia McLaughlin, the face of DHS press operations, is a prominent booster of the president’s increasingly unpopular hardline approach.

18 Feb 2026 - 4:29PMvideocam

Tricia McLaughlin helmed the press operation at DHS, which has come under ⁠scrutiny for issuing inaccurate or incomplete statements following violent encounters ‌involving US immigration officers. Photo: DHS

US-China relations

Texas sues TP-Link, alleging Chinese government access to its devices

The move comes despite the Trump administration having reportedly paused its own proposed ban on the company’s sales ‌in the US.

18 Feb 2026 - 4:23AM

US-China relations

Sudden Xi-Trump call, secret nuclear testing claims: 7 US-China relations reads

From China’s grip on minerals to the US’ Apec plans, here are highlights from our overseas correspondents in the first half of February 2026.

16 Feb 2026 - 10:00PM

US-Venezuela conflict

US forces board another tanker in Indian Ocean after tracking it from Caribbean

The Veronica III, which sails under the Panamanian flag, is subject to US sanctions related to Iran, the US says.

16 Feb 2026 - 8:33AM

US forces aboard the Veronica III on Sunday. Photo: US Department of Defence via Reuters

ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

Over 1,000 agents leave Minnesota as immigration surge winds down

US border tsar says a ‘small’ security force will remain to protect remaining personnel following weeks of volatile protests.

16 Feb 2026 - 10:22AM

United States

Epstein’s girlfriend married a woman, showing how he gamed immigration

The late sex offender used student visas, English language courses and sham marriages to keep foreign women in the US.

15 Feb 2026 - 1:30AM

United States

Partial US government shutdown throws Congress into turmoil again

Second shutdown in four months after funding halted for Department of Homeland Security, as Republicans and Democrats fail to reach a deal.

14 Feb 2026 - 3:06PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump’s administration has allocated at least US$75 billion over four years to ICE in addition to its US$10 billion base budget. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

United States

3 dead in latest US strike on suspected drug vessel in Caribbean

The attack raises the death toll from the Trump administration’s strikes on ‘narcoterrorists’ in the Caribbean and Pacific to 133.

14 Feb 2026 - 10:26AM

An explosion occurs on a vessel during what the US military says was a strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean in this screen grab from a video released on Friday. Photo: US Southern Command/Reuters

United States

US$35 million for 300: US deports migrants to remote islands, African nations

The bulk of the money – US$32 million – went to Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Palau and eSwatini.

14 Feb 2026 - 9:24AM

United States