Judge temporarily halts Trump’s $400m White House ballroom project
District Judge Richard Leon says construction has to stop until Congress provides statutory authorisation.
![The ruling comes ahead of a comparable federal case slated to begin in June [File: Daniel Cole/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-17T172149Z_916031808_RC2F6KAACZCY_RTRMADP_3_SOCIALMEDIA-TRIAL-1774464006.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![Anthropic alleged the ban violates its freedom of speech and due process rights [File: Dado Ruvic/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-19T104842Z_2052602485_RC2EWJAU69SB_RTRMADP_3_USA-PENTAGON-ANTHROPIC-1774365861.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
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Anthropic challenges US Pentagon’s ban in San Francisco court showdown
Anthropic accuses Pentagon of unlawful retaliation over its refusal to loosen AI safety restrictions for military use.
Italy’s Meloni concedes referendum defeat, calling it ‘a lost opportunity’
Giorgia Meloni concedes defeat in the high-stakes vote on a justice reform package, but vows to continue as PM.
Italians vote in high-stakes justice referendum in key test for Meloni
Right-wing PM Giorgia Meloni faces a political test in the two-day referendum on contested judicial reform.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Khan cleared of sexual misconduct by judges: Report
Karim Khan has denied the allegations and took voluntary leave from his position in May.
US judge sides with New York Times against Pentagon journalism policies
In his ruling, Judge Paul Friedman ruled the Trump administration sought to force out ‘disfavoured journalists’.
Trump administration seeks billions from Harvard in anti-Semitism lawsuit
Harvard University has rejected the complaint as ‘another pretextual and retaliatory action’ from the Trump White House.
Why Pakistani farmers are suing two German companies for deadly 2022 floods
Case relates to RWE and Heidelberg Materials, accused of emissions that intensified historic floods and destroyed farms.
US arts commission approves gold coin stamped with Donald Trump’s face
The gold coin comes in addition to Trump’s efforts to have his face stamped on a $1 coin, in violation of federal law.
US states file lawsuit challenging Trump’s revocation of climate finding
The Trump administration revoked key scientific finding that formed a basis for regulations to address climate change.
Trump administration defends Anthropic blacklisting in US court
US defence secretary designated Anthropic a ‘supply chain risk’ after it refused to remove guardrails on its technology.
