President Donald Trump is facing a federal lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to stop his White House ballroom project, alleging that he bypassed required reviews, public input and congressional approval and overstepped his authority. Work continues on construction of the ballroom at the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Washington, where the East Wing once stood. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (AP) US President Donald Trump is facing a federal lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which seeks to halt his White House ballroom project until it undergoes several independent reviews and receives congressional approval. The Trust contends that the construction, which has already involved the demolition of the East Wing, violates federal law and circumvents required procedures. Legal Claims and Arguments The lawsuit alleges that Trump accelerated the project in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, while also exceeding his constitutional authority by not consulting lawmakers. “No president is legally allowed to tear down parts of the White House without any review whatsoever — not President Trump, not President Biden, and not anyone else,” the complaint states. The Trust argues that no further work should proceed until design reviews, environmental assessments, public comment and congressional deliberation are completed. Federal Oversight Requirements The lawsuit stresses that White House projects of this scale must involve the National Capital Planning Commission, the Commission on Fine Arts and Congress before any demolition or construction. The Trust previously wrote to these bodies on October 21, after the East Wing demolition began, urging the administration to halt the project and comply with federal law. Trump’s position and private financing Trump has stated that the ballroom is privately financed, including with his own money, citing practical concerns such as accommodating large events and avoiding outdoor tents in inclement weather. However, the Trust notes that using private funds does not exempt the project from federal oversight. Review process timeline Will Scharf, chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission and a Trump aide, said plans for the new ballroom will be presented to the commission in December. He added that the review would take place at a “normal and deliberative pace”, but the Trust argued that submitting plans after construction had started was insufficient and legally improper. Significance of the project The complaint emphasizes the historic and public importance of the White House, noting that public involvement in the review process is crucial for a structure “perhaps the most recognizable and historically significant building in the country.” Defendants Named in Lawsuit In addition to President Trump, the lawsuit names the National Park Service, the Department of the Interior, the General Services Administration and agency leaders as defendants.

K-pop powerhouse EXO is set to make a seasonal comeback as the year draws to a close with the announcement of a new winter single, I’m Home, fueling excitement for the group’s upcoming 2026 comeback. K-pop group EXO is set to make a comeback. The teaser for the track dropped via the band’s official social media channels this week, offering fans a first look at evocative visuals and the warm, emotional tone of the pop ballad ahead of its full release on December 14. I’m Home is understood to reflect the thematic lineage of previous winter releases such as The First Snow, which has re-emerged on streaming charts this season thanks to renewed social media interest and nostalgia. Early previews of I’m Home highlight delicate piano and string arrangements underlying soft vocals, capturing a reflective warmth that positions the song as both a seasonal anthem and a bridge to EXO’s eagerly anticipated eighth studio album, REVERXE, due in the first quarter of 2026. The full music video will be available by midnight at midnight. fan meeting EXO’verse at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, where the song is expected to be performed live for the first time. However, the return stirs mixed emotions within the fan community. While the return of members Suho, Chanyeol, DO, Kai, Sehun and Lay has been confirmed for the EXO’verse event and the upcoming album cycle, Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin – collectively known as EXO-CBX – are notably absent from current group activities amid ongoing legal and contractual disputes with their former agency. Fan reaction to the comeback Fans reacted passionately online, with some expressing joy at the winter release and the return of Lay – marking his first group activity in years – while others criticized the ongoing division within the nine-member cohort, particularly the exclusion of CBX from the official comeback lineup. While one person wrote: “You’re home? Where are others then? (sic),” another person wrote, “No matter what happens, EX09 will always be my forever. Through every high and every low, every change and every challenge, my love for them remains the same. They’re not just a band to me – they’re part of my life, my memories, my heart (sic).” A third user commented: “EXO IS 9! WE WANT CBX TOO! (sic).” A fourth person wrote: “But my house is 9 members 😭 (sic).” Despite the mixed reactions, anticipation for I’m Home and REVERXE remains high. The teaser’s combination of serene imagery and seasonal sentiment was characterized by fans as a “return of EXO’s winter magic”, highlighting the group’s long-standing tradition of emotional winter releases that resembled fans’ holidays and memories. As I’m Home leads into what many hope will be a wider chapter of EXO activities, the group’s ability to balance nostalgia with fresh musical direction will be key to maintaining its legacy in the competitive K-pop landscape.

(Bloomberg) — First Brands advisers sought to reassure scarce creditors after the value of its $1.1 billion bailout collapsed, saying things had stabilized since the Chapter 11 filing and the move to unlock funds from debtors it currently cannot access. The firm said in a press release Friday that it is seeking court authorization to access about $250 million either held by First Brands customers or sitting in segregated accounts as part of the bankruptcy process. These funds would supplement the rescue loan that First Brands lenders had already agreed to in order to expand the business. The additional funds relate to customer receipts for orders that First Brands customers have already fulfilled, but which the company said it has so far been unable to access. The issue “artificially impaired First Brands’ true liquidity and cash flows and caused unfounded concerns about the company’s financial position,” the company said. First Brands said it is also looking to restart its factoring of customer receipts and to seek accelerated payment terms “to improve operational delivery.” Those moves come at the same time the auto parts supplier’s new management team has sought to cut costs and improve operations, the company said. Bloomberg News was first to report the company’s plans to raise a new factoring facility. “Together, these actions represent sources of significant value creation and support the company’s long-term strategic and financial goals,” First Brands said. Friday’s statement comes after the value of the bailout loan fell to as low as 30 cents on the dollar earlier in the week. It is rare for the value of a Chapter 11 bailout loan to collapse so suddenly and suggests that creditors are concerned about advisers’ ability to turn the business around. As well as seeking access to new cash, First Brands said on Friday that the vast majority of its key vendors would continue to supply the company with goods and services. Order trends from First Brands customers have also trended upward since the company sought court protection in September and are now near its pre-bankruptcy petition levels, “reflecting continued confidence in First Brands’ product quality and customer service,” the company said. –With assistance from Steven Church. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ©2025 Bloomberg LP

Jakarta – The police arrested a man in Jambi with the initials OS (40) after he was caught cutting an electric cable. The offender acted by disguising himself as an electricity official. The offender was arrested on Tuesday (12/9) early morning while stealing an electric cable in the Mestong area, Muaro Jambi. Mestong Police Chief Inspector Hengky Lesmana said the perpetrator’s arrest was based on public reports. “It started with a report from the public because they felt it was strange that electricity officials were working at night. Based on suspicion, we immediately made arrests together with the residents,” Hengky said as reported by detikSumbangsel, Saturday (13/12/2025). Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT When he stole, Hengky said, the perpetrator OS acted together with his friend with the initials HD, who is currently still wanted by the police. HD managed to escape after being caught by residents. Hengky added that the perpetrator’s actions were by disguising himself as an electricity official, complete with attributes. However, when the incident happened, residents were suspicious because they acted in the early hours of the morning. “In terms of the method, after we took the information, the perpetrator posed as an electricity employee. Meanwhile, he wore full electrical employee clothes, a yellow helmet and an ID card to the DPO,” explained Hengky. Read more here. (rfs/rfs)

Jakarta – Director General of Population and Civil Registration of the Indonesian Ministry of Interior (Dirjen Dukcapil Kemendagri) Teguh Setyabudi moved quickly by deploying teams to a number of areas affected by the disaster. It includes the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra (North Sumatra) and West Sumatra (Sumbar). This step is taken to ensure that population administration services (adminduk) continue to run. The deployment of the field team was carried out in accordance with the directive of the Minister of Interior, Muhammad Tito Karnavian. Director of Population Administration Information Management (PIAK) of the Directorate General of Dukcapil Muhammad Nuh Al-Azhar explained that the team was directly led by the Director General of Dukcapil Teguh Setyabudi to go to the districts/cities affected by the disaster. Nuh said that the secretary of the Directorate General (Sesditjen) of Dukcapil Hani Syopiar Rustam together with the directors within the Directorate General of Dukcapil have been appointed as field coordinators in each region. Meanwhile, he and Teguh left for North Sumatra via Silangit Airport, North Tapanuli Regency. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT For the North Sumatra region, the Directorate General of Dukcapil staff has been divided into three teams stationed in three affected areas, namely North Tapanuli Regency, Central Tapanuli Regency and Sibolga City. Upon arrival at the location, the team immediately opened population administration services for people who lost or needed population documents due to the disaster. “The team immediately provided population administration services in the form of electronic KTPs, Family Cards (KK), etc. to the local community until the afternoon/evening, around 19.40 WIB,” Nuh said in a written statement on Friday (12/12/2025). In addition to providing administrative document issuance services, the Directorate General of Dukcapil is also helping to restore internet connectivity in the field by providing support in the form of Starlink devices, solar panels and power stations to the Dukcapil service in these three areas. This assistance is provided to ensure that Dukcapil services continue to run even if the local communications infrastructure is affected by the disaster. Through the presence of a team in the field and the support of adequate facilities, the Directorate General of Dukcapil hopes that the community’s population administration service needs can be met immediately. In this way, the process of social and economic recovery of residents in disaster-stricken areas can also be accelerated. Also watch the video “Ministry of Creative Economy’s Strategy to Restore the Economy Post-Flood in Sumatra” (akn/ega)

Jakarta – A young man from Setiling Village, North Batukliang District, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), initials ICBA (18), fell to his death while climbing Mount Rinjani, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). ICBA fell into the gorge of Mount Kondo in the TNGR area. “The victim fell on the Aik Berik climbing route. The victim and his group climbed illegally on Sunday (7/12) using an unofficial route,” said head of the TNGR hall, Yarman, as reported by detikBali on Wednesday (10/12/2025) evening. Yarman said that ICBA and his entourage arrived at Mount Kondo in the TNGR area on Monday (8/12/2025) around 09:00 WITA. Fellow climbers watched directly as ICBA fell into the gorge of Mount Kondo. Turn to CONTINUE CONTENT “When the witness saw this incident, the witness immediately sought help, the witness met directly with the victim’s parents and relayed what happened to the victim,” explains Yarman. On learning of the incident, the ICBA family along with the hamlet head (kadus) and residents immediately conducted an independent search. ICBA was later found dead. “Today, around 06:00 WITA, the family who conducted the search reported that the victim was found dead at the location where the victim fell,” explained Yarman. A joint team consisting of the TNGR Center and Basarnas immediately evacuated ICBA’s body. The young man’s body was already at post 4 of the Aik Berik climbing route. “The victim was able to be lowered from the fall site by being slowly pulled down to position 4 of the Aik Berik climbing route and on the way down to position 3,” explains Yarman. The Mataram SAR team field coordinator, I Gde Eka Suarjana, said the victim was successfully evacuated at around 22.48 WITA and brought down to the entrance post for the Aik Berik climbing route. After that, the victim’s body was immediately handed over to the family. “After we evacuated, we immediately handed the victim over to the family last night,” explains Eka, Thursday (12/11). Read the full news here and here. Also watch the video “Mount Rinjani Entrance Ticket Fee Will Increase to So Much!” (/ygs)

Jakarta – The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) has sent additional logistical assistance to West Sumatra and four districts in Aceh to meet the needs of refugees affected by the flood. “We always work together to help our brothers and sisters affected by the flood to fulfill their basic needs, such as food and clothing through public kitchens and aid distribution,” said the Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) in a written statement on Friday (12/12/2025). In Aceh province, logistic buffer stock assistance has been distributed to North Aceh Regency, Central Aceh Regency, Bener Meriah Regency and Aceh Tamiang Regency. Based on the information collected, the logistics assistance distributed from the Aceh Province Social Service Warehouse and the Medan Sentra Bahagia Post to North Aceh Regency consisted of 2,000 kilograms of rice, 750 packets of ready-to-eat food (RTF) and 760 packets of baby food. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT Afterwards, 200 family packages, 100 packages of children’s equipment (children’s goods), 200 packages of adult clothes, 100 mattresses and 400 blankets were also distributed to residents. Then 200 roll-up tents, 20 family tents, 2 cartons of mineral water and 1 water purification unit were distributed to ensure the availability of clean water during the emergency response period. As part of emergency shopping, the Ministry of Social Affairs also distributed 1,000 basic food packets to meet the food needs of people affected by the disaster. Furthermore, assistance to Takengon, the capital of Central Aceh, includes 2,000 kilograms of rice, 500 packets of ready-to-eat food, 200 packets of baby food, 100 packets of family kits and 100 packets of children’s goods. Then 100 mattresses, 100 blankets, 100 roll-up tents and 5 family tents were also sent. The Ministry of Social Affairs also sent logistical support by air from the Bekasi Central Warehouse in the form of 1,000 ready-to-eat food packets, 600 children’s food packets, 500 blankets and 1,000 basic food packets. Meanwhile, the aid distributed to Bener Meriah Regency was in the form of 2,000 kilograms of rice, 400 packets of ready-to-eat food, 160 packets of baby food, 100 packets of family kits, 100 packets of children’s items, 100 blankets, 5 roll-up tents, 100 family units. The Ministry of Social Affairs also sent emergency logistics by air from the Bekasi Central Warehouse to Bener Meriah Regency, including 1,000 ready-to-eat food packages, 600 children’s food packages, 500 blankets and 1,000 basic food packages. In Aceh Tamiang Regency, the Ministry of Social Affairs distributed logistical buffer stock assistance that included 2,000 kilograms of rice, 300 packs of ready-to-eat food, 120 packs of baby food, 100 packs of family kits, 100 packs of children’s goods and 100 packs of adult clothes. There are also 100 mattresses, 100 blankets, 180 roll-up tents, 76 family tents, two units of public field kitchen equipment, two emergency lighting units and 10 generator units. The need for clean water was also met by the distribution of 1,000 boxes of mineral water, 10 water purification units and 500 liters of water. In addition, 1 main tent unit was set up to support coordination and services in the field. As part of emergency shopping, Aceh Tamiang District’s public kitchen produces 6,000 packs of food every day. On December 11, 2025, total production reached 42,000 packets. Furthermore, the Ministry of Social Affairs also distributed logistical assistance in the form of 1,000 ready-to-eat food packages and 30 tons of rice to West Sumatra. The assistance was handed directly to the Deputy Governor of West Sumatra Vasko Ruseimy. Also watch the video “Aceh governor hears news of 80 tons of aid missing” (akn/ega)

Jakarta – Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian People’s Legislative Assembly Lestari Moerdijat encourages easy access to employment opportunities for people with disabilities. This is in accordance with the mandate of Law Number 8 of 2016 regarding Persons with Disabilities, which regulates the rights, protection and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Indonesia. “The major challenge that people with disabilities are currently facing is, apart from the difficulty in accessing basic services, it is also difficult to access employment opportunities,” says Lestari in his statement, Friday (12/12). Based on 2023 Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data, there are approximately 22.97 million people with disabilities in Indonesia, with 17 million being of working age. Of the disabled people of productive age, only 45% work and the majority (83%) are absorbed into the non-formal sector. SCROLL TO CONTINUE CONTENT In fact, by Article 53 paragraph (1) of Law Number 8/2016 concerning Persons with Disabilities (UU PD), the government, both central government, regional government, State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), and Regionally Owned Enterprises (BUMD) are required to employ at least 2% of the total workforce with disabilities. Meanwhile, paragraph (2) of the same law regulates the obligation of private companies to absorb a minimum of 1% of the workforce with disabilities. Lestari explained that with the various limitations they have, people with disabilities should receive more attention than citizens. That way they can live their daily lives like other children of the nation. “With limited access to health services and employment opportunities, people with disabilities in Indonesia live in vulnerable conditions in their daily lives,” he said. This member of Commission Therefore, he encouraged various efforts to facilitate access to health services and employment for people with disabilities to materialize immediately. “In addition, more detailed disparate population data must be realized immediately, so that every policy aimed at people with disabilities can be right on target,” he added. He also hopes that all relevant parties will be able to build strong cooperation in building access to health services and employment opportunities for every citizen, including people with disabilities in the country. Also watch the video “Government Efforts to Accommodation Persons with Disabilities in the World of Work” (akn/ega)

Jakarta – Bank Artha Graha Internasional (BAGI) together with Artha Graha Peduli (AGP) is again holding the AGP 2025 cheap market simultaneously at approximately 800 points throughout Indonesia from December 11, 2025. This program is a quick response to the potential increase in prices of basic necessities towards the end of the year, as well as access to food for the community. In this activity spread across the working areas of the Artha Graha Group and Artha Graha Network business units, hundreds of thousands of subsidized basic food packages containing rice, cooking oil, sugar and other basic necessities were provided. PAGE TO CONTINUE CONTENT This effort is AGP and BAGI’s commitment to help people maintain purchasing power and reduce the impact of household inflation. General Chairman of Artha Graha Peduli, Ronny Leonard, emphasized that this cheap market is not only a social activity, but is part of real support for government policy to maintain the stability of national food prices. “We want to be directly present in the community and help ease the burden of living costs while supporting national food security,” Ronny said in a written statement on Friday (12/12/2025). Van Karawang, Branch Director of Bank Artha Graha Internasional Tbk Karawang Branch Haditiya, added that the AGP Cheap Market is a form of BAGI’s concrete contribution to support the direction of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto regarding food stability through the cooperation of various parties. “We hope that this activity can help people meet their basic needs at affordable prices, especially at the end of the year,” said Haditiya. In addition to providing cheap basic necessities, AGP and BAGI also provide health education through AGP Arthakes, and invite the public to take advantage of the various facilities prepared. This initiative is expected to strengthen social welfare while supporting national food security efforts. To increase financial inclusion, BAGI is also encouraging the use of digital transactions through QRIS, as well as offering Merchant Savings products and financing services relevant to the market ecosystem, including MSME players, to help improve the efficiency of their financial management. Also watch the video “Ngawi Residents Raid Cheap Groceries at #ForIndonesia’s Independent Food” (akn/ega)

Updated: Sat, 13 Dec 2025 01:54 (IST) Police have arrested six thugs who studied engineering and management in Noida. These people are deceiving us by giving double the amount of small notes in exchange for big notes … read more Jagran Correspondent, Greater Noida. Bisarkh Kotwali Police has exposed a gang of fraudsters by luring people to give double the amount in the form of small Rs 100-200 in exchange for large notes. Six members, including the leader of the gang, were arrested and Rs 5.75 lakh, two luxury cars, five fake Aadhaar cards, note counting machine, three trolley bags filled with bundles of currency notes and other items were recovered from their possession. The arrested thugs are engineers and management degree holders. Remove Advertisement Only Read News A young man named Sonu Yadav duped Deepika Aggarwal and her brother-in-law Vishal Aggarwal, resident of Dream Land Society, Ghaziabad, of Rs 16.50 lakh in the name of double the amount in the form of small notes in exchange for large notes. Accused Sonu called both of them on December 4 in front of Gaur City Mall. From here, Centurion along with a young man named Chhotu was taken to flat number 1608 of Tower B-2 of Trace Homes Society. Two more youths were found in the apartment. Deepika and her brother-in-law counted the notes twice using the machine kept in the apartment and kept it in the bag. Sonu and Chhotu both left to the car and left. In the car, both of them looked at the notes stuffed in the pocket. In the bundle, only one note looked real, the rest were pieces of paper the size of the note. After realizing the deception, both quickly got down and reached the flat, but the accused were missing. On Deepika’s complaint, the police registered a case of cheating in the Bisrakh police station on December 5. DCP Shakti Mohan said that on December 11, the police team arrested the gang leader Indramani alias Raja, alias Indra from near the Rudra Society located in Sector-16. During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime of defrauding people by giving them double the smaller notes in exchange for larger notes. A case was registered against the accused and they were sent to jail. Told that the name of another accused in the gang has come to light, efforts are being made to arrest him. There are 6-7 people involved in the gang, those who have more cash are targeted by the gang. The accused use a platform like a cot in the room of a predetermined apartment. Make holes in the bed and wall. Sitting on the throne, he counted the money and put the bundles in the bag. He gives the right wads of notes to the person sitting under the chair and asks him to put a real note on the wad of paper and put it in the bag. This will make the person sitting on the chair in front feel that the genuine notes counted are the same ones kept in the pocket. Customers are made to sit on chairs in front of the platform and after counting the notes from the machine, they are assured that all the notes are genuine. Two or three people nearby do the work to distract. The accused include engineer, BBA and polytechnic degree holder Shubham Tiwari, resident of Piari police station Mugra Badshahpur, Jaunpur. He did polytechnology. Used to do customs export import work, have office in China. Naveen Singh resident of Karsari Gautam police station Niranjanpur district Basti, has done BBA. Nirala, resident of Indramani, Aspire Police Station, Bisarkh, native of Bhairopur Police Station, Doriganj Saran, Bihar, did engineering from IT Raipur. Gaurav Gupta resident of Nirala Aspire Ketwali Bisarkh, passed M.Com. Ritesh, resident of Dudhela Gachhi Police Station, Sonpur Saran Bihar, studied till Intermediate and Chanchal, resident of Pahetiya Police Station, Hajipur Vaishali Bihar, obtained diploma in automobile. Three cases have been registered against Indramani, two against Chanchal and one case each against the other four accused in different police stations.