Newsweek is reporting that the Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project to move forward. Citing Reuters, it said the 5-4 decision overturned a lower-court order that had halted above-ground construction. Chief Justice John Roberts dissented, stating that construction at the White House under President Donald Trump is "likely unlawful," pointing to the lack of congressional approval for the $400 million project. The ruling does not decide the legality of the ballroom itself, allowing construction to continue while the broader legal fight proceeds. The administration argues the project is necessary for security and is funded through private donations.
Newsweek also reported that two bodies have been recovered following torrential flooding in the Grand Canyon. Federal officials said search and recovery efforts are ongoing after extensive flash flooding on Saturday along Bright Angel Canyon. The flooding damaged critical infrastructure, including the Transcanyon Waterline, caused at least two fatalities and left roughly 15 others missing. A National Park Service spokesperson told Newsweek that preliminary assessments indicate approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline was damaged or destroyed.
In international news, Newsweek said a senior NATO military official stated NATO poses "no threat" to Russia, rebuffing Moscow's claims that the alliance's Arctic mission is a "direct" danger. Separately, Newsweek reported that President Donald Trump called Apple about changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America, according to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
Newsweek is reporting that former Republican Representative George Santos received a lifetime ban and a $71,356 penalty from prediction market platform Kalshi. The ban followed a Commodity Futures Trading Commission case tied to trades Santos made on his own attendance at President Donald Trump's State of the Union address.