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Trump promises ‘turnaround for the ages’ in State of the Union address

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Trump promises ‘turnaround for the ages’ in State of the Union address


US President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., US, February 24, 2026. — Reuters
  • Trump declares ‘Golden Age’ at start of his address.
  • His approval ratings falls sharply ahead of midterms.
  • Poll shows 60% of Americans view Trump as erratic.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump declared that “this is the Golden Age of America” at the start of his State of the Union address on Tuesday, seeking to project an aura of success at a fraught moment for his presidency and his Republican Party.

“Our nation is back — bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before,” he said after taking the stage to cheers of “USA, USA” from his party’s members of Congress.

The annual speech carried enormous stakes for the president, with his approval ratings slumping, anxieties rising over Iran and Americans struggling with the cost of living as the November midterm election nears.

The televised prime-time speech to Congress, his second in the 13 months since returning to the White House, offers Trump a chance to persuade voters to keep his fellow Republicans in power. But the president is facing stiff political headwinds at home and abroad.

Just days ago, the Supreme Court invalidated his signature global tariffs regime, and new data showed the economy slowed more than expected while inflation accelerated.

The Department of Homeland Security is mostly shut down due to a dispute between congressional Republicans and Democrats over the administration’s aggressive immigration tactics, following the fatal shootings of two US citizens in Minneapolis.

Meanwhile, Trump has struggled to turn the page on the scandal surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Opposition Democrats have invited several people who accuse Epstein of abusing them to the speech.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed six in 10 Americans, including 30% of Republicans, think Trump, 79, has become erratic as he ages. Only 40% of respondents approved of his job performance, compared with 58% who disapproved.

A public case against Iran 

Trump, who has openly coveted the Nobel Peace Prize and set up his own “Board of Peace,” also appears to be inching closer to a military conflict with Iran over its nuclear programme.

Tuesday’s speech could offer Trump a chance to mount for the first time a public case for military intervention. Two White House officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump will discuss his plans but did not offer details.

He will also tout his record of brokering peace deals, they said. Tuesday marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a reminder that he has yet to resolve the war he once said he could end in 24 hours.

The president was expected to address the Supreme Court’s decision on tariffs, arguing that the court erred and outlining alternative laws he can use to reconstitute most of the levies.

Trump reacted with fury to the ruling last week, targeting several justices with personal attacks. A repeat performance on Tuesday could make for some awkward moments, with four of the court’s nine justices in attendance.

White House aides and Republican campaign advisers, eyeing a challenging congressional midterm election, have urged Trump to focus on Americans’ economic worries. Trump’s victory in the 2024 election was based in large part on his promises to ease the cost of living, but opinion polls show voters are unconvinced by his efforts so far.

Trump has struggled to stay on message, straying in public speeches from the economy to his long list of grievances while at other times declaring he has already solved the problem.

One of the White House officials said Trump will “claim victory on the economy,” a message Republican lawmakers running for re-election are unlikely to welcome. He will argue that he inherited a poor economy from Democratic predecessor Joe Biden and that Democrats have overstated affordability concerns, both officials said.

Trump will point to stock market gains, private-sector investments and his tax-cut legislation as evidence that he has helped the economy, the officials said. The president will also tout his tough border policies and his deportation campaign, despite polls showing most Americans believe his administration has gone too far in rounding up undocumented immigrants.

Lengthy speech expected

Trump, who has a propensity for ad-libbing, said on Monday his address would be lengthy. His 100-minute speech last March – technically not a State of the Union speech, but otherwise similar – was the longest presidential address to Congress in modern history.

The White House officials said this year’s edition was crafted with room for unscripted moments.

“We are planning around it,” one official said.

Last year, some Democrats interrupted Trump’s speech with jeers before walking out in protest. This time around, more than 20 Democrats in the House of Representatives and Senate skipped the speech altogether in favour of an outdoor rally on the National Mall.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, whose decisive victory in November was seen as an early midterm warning sign for Republicans, will deliver the official Democratic response to the speech.





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Sarah Ferguson puts King Charles in tough spot with bombshell offer

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Sarah Ferguson puts King Charles in tough spot with bombshell offer


Sarah Ferguson returns with shocking update for King Charles 

Royal family members hold their breath as new drama is set to unfold from Sarah Ferguson’s side.

After losing her royal titles and perks, Fergie has been lying low in order to keep away from further controversy.

Most recently, she was photographed in Austria at a luxury ski resort.

But the sources have been claiming that she will not keep quiet; instead, she tells her side of the story, which could be disastrous for King Charles and his family.

According to Woman’s Day, the former Duchess of York has been offered $2.45million for a tell-all interview by an American journalist.

“Sarah’s come out of shock and is now furious at what’s happened to her life. She wants to sit down and tell her side of her association with Epstein – and what she knew in hindsight about Andrew’s association. And she’s got a LOT to tell,” an insider shared.

Beatrice and Eugenie’s mother’s revelations would be dangerous and could put the monarchy at tough spot.

“She and Andrew had an open arrangement, so if she goes down, they all go down,” the source said.

It has been claimed that Sarah Ferguson is going to become the “real thorn in the crown” for the King and the Prince of Wales.

Not only that, she might exposed more details about her former husband Andrew’s ties with Epstein. 





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22 India-backed terrorists killed in Khyber intelligence-based operation, says ISPR

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22 India-backed terrorists killed in Khyber intelligence-based operation, says ISPR


Security personnel stand guard in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. — AFP/File
  • IBO conducted on reported presence of India-backed militants: ISPR.
  • Says weapons and ammunition also recovered from killed terrorists.
  • Sanitisation operation continues to eliminate any other militants.

Security forces and law enforcement agencies neutralised at least 22 India-sponsored terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on April 21, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.

According to the military’s media wing, the joint operation was conducted in response to the reported presence of India-backed militants, also known as Fitna al-Khawarij.

It added that during the operation, the terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing out of panic and in an attempt to avoid capture. As a result, a 10-year-old innocent child was martyred.

The ISPR added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed India-sponsored terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.

“Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji found in the area,” the ISPR said, adding that the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

“Such sacrifices of our innocent civilians further strengthen our resolve.”

Pakistan has witnessed a spike in cross-border militant activity, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both of which share a border with Afghanistan, since the Afghan Taliban took control in 2021.

In response to the escalating attacks, Pakistan launched “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” during which approximately 796 Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants were killed, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

More than 1,000 Afghan Taliban fighters and terrorists were also injured during the Operation Ghazab lil-Haq. The minister had said that 286 posts of the Afghan Taliban regime had been destroyed and 44 captured.

In October 2025, the two countries were also involved in border clashes after Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants carried out unprovoked assaults on Pakistan’s border positions.

The ensuing fighting resulted in the deaths of over 200 Taliban and affiliated militants, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred in the line of duty.





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Mariska Hargitay expresses love for Christopher Meloni’s ‘Law & Order’ series

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Mariska Hargitay expresses love for Christopher Meloni’s ‘Law & Order’ series


Mariska Hargitay expresses love for Christopher Meloni’s ‘Law & Order’ series

Mariska Hargitay has revealed she was moved to tears after seeing Christopher Meloni’s emotional response to the cancellation of Law & Order: Organized Crime, describing it as the closing of a significant chapter for her longtime co-star and friend.

Speaking to Extra, Hargitay said she watched Meloni’s Instagram video about the show ending and was immediately overcome. 

“I saw it and burst out in tears, first of all,” she said. 

“I immediately burst out in tears because it has, just like [Meloni] said, and he was so beautiful and open, because it has been a great ride. And it has been so beautiful and intimate and such a huge part of his life and was life-changing for him.”

She also said the news had come as a genuine shock. 

“Chris is working and in demand and such a magnificent actor. But it’s, in a way, closing a chapter. So when that happens, one needs to take inventory. It’s a real marker in your life.”

Law & Order: Organized Crime was officially cancelled after five seasons earlier this month. 

Meloni marked the occasion with a heartfelt video on Instagram. 

“I wanted to take this moment to say thank you to the fans who not only helped give the character of Elliot Stabler life and longevity, but for sticking with him and welcoming him back. It was a good ride,” he said.

The series, which premiered in 2021, followed Stabler, the character Meloni first played on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as he returned to New York after a decade away to rebuild his life and take on organised crime. 

It aired on NBC for its first four seasons before moving to Peacock for its fifth and final season, which concluded in June 2025. 

The cast also included Danielle Moné Truitt, Rick Gonzalez, Ainsley Seiger and Dean Norris.





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