National Guard forces are already on duty in Washington, D.C., and now the focus is shifting to Chicago. President Donald Trump has suggested it might be the next location, but the city’s mayor has advised him not to come.
Additionally, Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s freedom might not last long. The Maryland construction worker, at the heart of a national immigration controversy, is set to receive an ultimatum on Monday morning that could lead to his immediate deportation.
Additionally, are you expecting an international package? Don’t expect it anytime soon. International shipping companies across Europe and Asia have halted deliveries to the U.S. due to uncertainty about how Trump’s new tariffs will be enforced.
These narratives and others showcase your Unbiased Updates for August 25, 2025.
National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. start carrying firearms
As the federal control of Washington’s police continues into its third week, some National Guard members are still patrolling the streets of D.C.are now armedOver 2,000 soldiers from various states are stationed as part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to combat crime in the capital.
A military department representative stated that the majority will be equipped with service pistols, while a limited number will receive rifles. The personnel are stationed in areas with heavy foot traffic, including Union Station and the National Mall.
Commanders stated that guards are permitted to use their weapons solely for self-protection and “as a final option” when confronted with an immediate risk of death or significant injury.
For the time being, their objective stays the same: to protect historical sites and ensure a noticeable presence.
They are still not permitted to make arrests and remain inactive in law enforcement within the district.
Trump vows to intensify crime measures in Chicago, while Democrats oppose the move.
As the takeover in Washington persists, the White House is nowfocusing on another city: Chicago.
Over the weekend, local and state authorities opposed the plan for a National Guard deployment, labeling it as illegal, pointless, and a political move.
The Washington Post initially disclosed that the Pentagon has joined the conversation and is evaluating possibilities to send guard troops as early as September.
Trump characterized the action as a measure to combat crime and immigration.
We’re going to make our country extremely secure. We’re going to ensure our cities are very, very safe,” Trump stated. “Chicago is in a bad state. You have a mayor who is clearly not capable, completely ineffective. And, we’ll address that situation soon. That will likely be our next focus, and it won’t even be difficult.
Trump has consistently portrayed Chicago as a city plagued by crime, despite data from the city indicating a decline in violent crime.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson saidthat the number of homicides has dropped by more than 30% in the last year, and incidents of shootings have fallen by almost 40%.
“This is the true essence of Chicago. The portrayal by the federal government is inaccurate. We care for each other. We stand by each other,” Johnson stated.
He added, “We embraced each other.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker described Trump’s plan as a fabricated crisis aimed at gaining political advantages.
He stated, “Donald Trump is trying to create a crisis, politicize American military personnel, and misuse his authority to divert attention from the suffering he is inflicting on families.”
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel took it a step further, stating on CNN Sunday that the issue is not significantly related to crime.
When you examine his actions in DC, he won’t truly address crime. This is an effort to get the goods through customs,” Emanuel stated. “This is an attempt to handle cities that are considered welcoming, often referred to as sanctuary cities, and tackle immigration.
If given the go-ahead, Chicago would become the third city to experience a federal deployment in recent months, after similar actions in Los Angeles and Washington.
Vance states that Russia is demonstrating adaptability in discussions with Trump
The White House stated that it is advancing in its efforts to conclude the conflict in Ukraine. Vice President JD Vance assertedRussia has offered “substantial compromises,”but thus far, there is limited proof of a significant advancement.
Vance claimed that the Kremlin is reconsidering some of its previous demands, such as setting up a puppet government in Kyiv.
Appearing on NBC, Vance described it as the initial indication of adaptability after three and a half years of conflict.
I believe the Russians have offered substantial compromises to President Trump for the first time in 3.5 years of this conflict. They’ve shown a willingness to be adaptable on some of their main requirements. They’ve discussed what would be needed to conclude the war,” Vance stated. “Naturally, they haven’t fully committed yet, or the war would have ended already. However, we are participating in this diplomatic effort with sincerity to seek a balanced solution and put an end to the violence.
Nevertheless, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Moscow is still unwilling to conclude the conflict.
No gathering has been scheduled between Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, even though Trump advocated for it and the White House previously indicated last week that such a meeting was expected to take place within a few weeks.
Nevertheless, there was a minor indication of communication over the weekend: Russia and Ukraine exchanged 146 prisoners of war on each side, as part of an agreement facilitated by the United Arab Emirates. Some had been detained since 2022.
As Ukraine marked Independence Dayover the weekend, the conflict has become more severe.
Russia asserts that Ukrainian drones targeted energy infrastructure within its territory this weekend, while Kyiv reports shooting down numerous Russian drones during the night.
Abrego Garcia is at risk of deportation once more following his release from prison
The immigration case that has sparked controversy in Trump’s enforcement efforts saw a new development on Monday morning.Kilmar Abrego Garcia- raised in El Salvador and currently residing in Maryland with his spouse and offspring -must reportto U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Baltimore. He is now at risk of being deported, once more.
The question is: where to?
Abrego Garcia walked free FridayLeaving a Tennessee jail, he was met with cheers, flowers, and chants of “yes, we did it” as he hugged his family following over 160 days in custody.
Nevertheless, his freedom might not last long.
ICE told him to come in on Mondaygood morning, informing his attorneys that the administrationplans to deport himto Uganda after he turned down an agreement to go to Costa Rica if he admitted guilt and remained in prison.
In March, the U.S. mistakenly sent Abrego Garcia back to El Salvador because of a documentation mistake. Rather than allowing him to leave, the government tried to hold him in jail, claiming he was associated with the MS-13 gang. Abrego Garcia and his advocates firmly rejected these claims.
International mail shipments to the United States have been suspended due to confusion surrounding tariffs.
Postal services worldwide have stopped shipments to the United Statesbecause of confusion regarding Trump’s updated tariff policies.
Beginning on Friday, August 29, the exclusion for inexpensive shipments under $800 will no longer apply.
Postal services in nations such as Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Belgium stated that they are unsure about how the duties will be collected or handled, so they havestopped shipments for now.
According to the updated regulations, personal gifts worth less than $100 will continue to be exempt from duties, while all other items will be treated as standard imports.
Powerball prize exceeds $750 million for Monday night’s lottery draw
The chances could be incredibly high, but the reward is equally substantial. The Powerball draw on Monday night is the 10th largest in history,worth over $750 million.
The cash prize? A neat $338 million.
No one has wonthe prize in 37 straight draws. Perhaps number 38 will break the sequence.
Chance of winning? 1 in 292 million.
Chances of daydreaming about winning? Almost certain.
Someone will eventually be fortunate. We’ll discover who it is Monday night at 10:59 p.m. ET.
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On a summer day in the Sonoran Desert, temperatures frequently rise to110 degrees, waiting for a bus can be unpleasant — even life-threatening. At least 21 individuals lost their lives due to heat exposure at bus stops in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2023, as reported by the city’s health department.
Over 4,000 bus stops are spread throughout Phoenix. As per the local transit authority, 77.5% of these stops already feature shaded areas, with a commitment to ensure every stop has shade by 2050.
Introducing shade can lower a measurement known as “physiological equivalent temperature,” or PET – which indicates how hot a person’s body perceives the environment to be. However, a new study from theUniversity of Texas Health Science Center in Houstondiscovered that not every shade structure is the same.Read the entire story here >
