INTERNACIONAL
Appeals court says federal judge must reconsider blocking WH ballroom, weigh national security concerns
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom construction will be able to continue for at least a little while longer, after an federal appeals court instructed a District Court judge to reconsider the situation.
A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled Saturday that construction can proceed until Friday, April 17, giving the president time to seek a Supreme Court review as the Trump administration is claiming delaying the prospect leaves the construction site exposed and risks the security of the president and his staff.
The panel instructed U.S. District Judge Richard Leon to clarify whether — and how — his injunction interferes with the administration’s claims over safety and security.
Government lawyers argued that the project includes critical security features to guard against a range of possible threats, such as drones, ballistic missiles and biohazards and that holding up construction «would imperil the president and others who live and work in the White House.»
DEMS MOVE TO SET LIMITS ON TRUMP’S DONOR-FUNDED WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM, CLAIMING ‘BRIBERY IN PLAIN SIGHT’
President Donald Trump holds a rendering of the White House ballroom in an Air Force One media scrum. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)
Trump had also made the case that the U.S. military was installing a «heavily fortified» facility under the ballroom, including bomb shelters and a medical facility.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) sued in December, a week after the White House finished demolishing the East Wing for a 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom.
The group claimed Trump exceeded his authority when he demolished the dated East Wing — built in 1902 during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency and expanded in 1942 — arguing the president needed congressional authorization.
TRUMP SAYS IT ‘IS TOO LATE’ TO STOP THE WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM CONSTRUCTION AMID LAWSUIT
A rendering of the proposed White House ballroom shared by President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Feb. 3, 2026. (Copyright Donald Trump/Truth Social)
Trump has said the president has historically had say over the White House remodeling, and has long noted Congress does not have to pay for the privately funded project.
A lower court had issued a March 31 injunction to halt ballroom construction, but it also paused that injunction to allow for an appeal.
The White House has argued that the injunction left the White House «open and exposed,» threatening security for the building, the president and his family and staff.
TRUMP UNVEILS NEW RENDERING OF SPRAWLING WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM PROJECT
A McCrery Architects rendering provided by the White House of the new ballroom. (McCrery Architects/White House)
NTHP CEO Carol Quillen said in a statement that the organization awaited further clarification from the district court.
She said the group was committed «to honoring the historic significance of the White House, advocating for our collective role as stewards, and demonstrating how broad consultation, including with the American people, results in a better overall outcome.»
Judge Leon exempted any construction work necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House, but said he reviewed material the government privately submitted before determining that a halt would not jeopardize national security.
«We cannot fairly determine, on this hurried record, whether and to what extent the district court’s ‘necessary for safety and security’ exception addresses Defendants’ claims of irreparable harm, insofar as it may accommodate the Defendants’ asserted safety and security need for the ballroom itself or other temporary measures to secure the safety and security of the White House, the President, staff, and visitors while this appeal proceeds,» the D.C. Circuit said in its ruling.
WARREN-LED INQUIRY DRAWS NEW DETAILS ON TRUMP BALLROOM DONATIONS FROM MAJOR CORPORATIONS
A McCrery Architects rendering provided by the White House of the new ballroom. (White House)
The appeals panel noted that much of the government’s concerns focused on that below-ground security work, which the White House argued was «distinct from construction of the ballroom itself and could proceed independently.»
The White House is making the case now that those security upgrades are «inseparable» from the project as a whole, the appeals court said, making it unclear «whether and to what extent» moving forward with certain aspects of the ballroom is necessary for the safety and security of those upgrades.
TRUMP PUSHES BACK AFTER MICHELLE OBAMA KNOCKS EAST WING RENOVATION, CALLING OLD ARRANGEMENT ‘A DISASTER’
Although Trump’s project is funded by private donations, public money is paying for construction of underground bunkers and security upgrades.
The three-judge appeals court panel was made up of Judges Patricia Millett, Neomi Rao and Bradley Garcia. Millett was nominated by former President Barack Obama, Rao by Trump and Garcia by President Joe Biden.
Rao wrote a dissenting opinion, which cited a statute that allows the president to undertake improvements to the White House.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
«Importantly, the government has presented credible evidence of ongoing security vulnerabilities at the White House that would be prolonged by halting construction,» Rao wrote, adding that such concerns outweigh the «generalized aesthetic harms» presented in the lawsuit.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
administration, national security, congress, white house, appeals
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
With Tax Day arriving this week, millions of filers are rushing to submit returns—often increasing the chances of simple but costly mistakes. Even minor errors, like incorrect personal details or overlooked income, can delay refunds, trigger IRS notices, or lead to penalties that take time and money to fix.
The good news is that most of these issues are entirely avoidable with both extra attention and preparation.
Here are five common filing missteps to watch out for and how to avoid them:
1. Selecting the wrong filing status
A couple going over tax paperwork. (iStock)
Your filing status is one of the most important choices on your tax return because it helps determine your tax rate, your standard deduction and which credits you may be eligible to claim. Pick the wrong one, and you could end up paying more than you owe, getting a smaller refund or triggering delays if the IRS flags the return for review.
For many taxpayers, the confusion comes from life changes that happened during the year, like getting married or divorced, having a child, moving in with a partner, supporting an aging parent or sharing custody. Even if your situation feels straightforward, the IRS rules can be less intuitive, especially for taxpayers who aren’t sure whether they qualify as «head of household» or whether they can still file as a «qualifying surviving spouse» after a spouse has died.
BEWARE OF THESE TAX SCAMS AS THE FILING DEADLINE APPROACHES, CONGRESS WARNS
Head of household, in particular, can be costly to get wrong. It typically comes with a larger standard deduction and more favorable tax brackets than filing as single, but it has strict requirements tied to paying more than half the cost of keeping up a home and having a qualifying dependent. If you don’t meet the rules and claim it anyway, you may have to pay back tax benefits later, plus penalties and interest.
When in doubt, the IRS has an online filing-status tool, and many tax software programs will walk you through the questions to help you choose the right category.
2. Missing key deadlines
Experts say filing taxes early can protect your money and your identity. (Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
An extension can buy you time to file your paperwork, but it doesn’t give you extra time to pay. For most taxpayers, the IRS deadline to pay what you owe is April 15, 2026 — even if you request an extension to file later.
«Remember that even if you claim an extension, the money is owed on April 15,» said Mike Faulkender, co-chair of American Prosperity at the America First Policy Institute.
RETIRED? HERE’S WHEN THE IRS MIGHT TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT YOUR FINANCES
Faulkender, a former Treasury official and IRS commissioner, said taxpayers who need more time should still estimate their bill and pay by the filing deadline to help avoid added costs.
«You have to actually send in a check or have the payment deducted from your account by the filing deadline,» he said.
If you can’t pay in full by April 15, pay what you can to help limit penalties and interest that accrue on top of your tax bill.
3. Leaving credits on the table
A woman preparing her tax paperwork. (iStock)
One of the biggest and most expensive tax-season mistakes is failing to claim every credit or deduction you qualify for. That can mean a smaller refund or a higher bill.
«I think the top mistake people make is not fully understanding or taking the time to really research what are all the different deductions and the ways that you can put a little bit of extra money in your pocket that are available to you,» said Bill Sweeney, senior vice president of government affairs at AARP.
WHAT TRUMP’S NEXT PICK TO LEAD THE FEDERAL RESERVE MEANS FOR YOUR WALLET
Sweeney also warned taxpayers not to rely on last year’s return as a blueprint for filing because of recent changes to the tax code from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
«This would be a good year, given that there are these changes to the tax code, to make sure not to assume that what you did last year will convey over to this year. Really take a fresh look at your tax situation and see if there’s money that you’re leaving on the table,» he said.
4. Filing before all your tax forms arrive
A sign for the Internal Revenue Service outside its building on Feb. 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
Timing matters when it comes to filing your taxes. Submitting your return before you’ve received all your key paperwork, like W-2s or 1099s, can lead to errors, missing income or a return you have to amend later.
Faulkender said there’s a simple way to double-check what’s been reported under your name before you file.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
«One of the things that I learned last year when I was IRS commissioner was that if you create an account on irs.gov, you can see everything that’s been filed under your tax ID,» he said.
«We’re supposed to receive all of our W-2s and our 1099 forms in the mail in January and February. But if you’re missing one, or you misplaced it, rather than requesting it again, you can actually go and see what was filed under your taxpayer identification number if you create an account on IRS.gov.»
5. Entering bank account details incorrectly
If you choose direct deposit for your refund, the IRS relies on the routing and account numbers you provide. One wrong digit can lead to delays.
If you pay what you owe by direct debit, incorrect banking details can also lead to a rejected payment and potentially result in penalties and interest.
Filing late can also cost you extra money, especially if you owe. The goal is to wait until you have what you need, then file as soon as you’re ready, without rushing prematurely.
taxes, economy, politics, congress
INTERNACIONAL
Donald Trump le ordenó a la Marina de Estados Unidos bloquear el estrecho de Ormuz y volvió a amenazar con destruir Irán en un día: «Volarán al infierno»
Nueva amenaza a la infraestructura de Irán
La advertencia contra China
El bloqueo del estrecho
La Unión Europea pide avanzar a través de la diplomacia
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Israeli forces say they discovered a Hezbollah weapons stash inside a hospital in Lebanon this weekend.
The Israel Defense Forces carried out the operation in Lebanon’s Bint Jbeil municipality. Images shared with Fox News show weapons, ammunition and explosives that Israel says were found within a hospital in the area.
The IDF says it eliminated «approximately 20 terrorists» inside the hospital compound after Hezbollah was detected conducting surveillance and firing upon IDF troops from a window of the hospital.
«The Hezbollah terrorist organization systematically and repeatedly used the hospital compound and its immediate surroundings for military purposes, constituting a serious violation of international law,» the IDF said in a statement.
VANCE WARNS IRAN WILL ‘FIND OUT’ TRUMP IS ‘NOT ONE TO MESS AROUND’ IF CEASEFIRE DEAL FALLS APART
Israeli forces uncovered Hezbollah forces using a hospital for cover in Lebanon. (IDF)
«The IDF operates in accordance with international law, and clarified prior to the operation to the relevant Lebanese authorities that all military activity within hospitals in Lebanon must cease, and disseminated these warnings through various channels. Despite this, Hezbollah continued to use the hospital for military activity,» the IDF said in a statement.
Israel has continued operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon amid a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran this week.
GEN JACK KEANE ‘SKEPTICAL’ THAT IRAN CEASEFIRE WILL HOLD, WARNS TEHRAN WILL ‘DELAY AND OBFUSCATE’
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on a building in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (Hassan Ammar/AP Photo)
The operation comes after U.S. talks with Iranian officials failed to make progress this weekend in Pakistan.
Speaking during a press conference from the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, Vice President JD Vance said Iran has «chosen not to accept our terms.»
«The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement,» Vance said. «And I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States of America.»
Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks on April 8, 2026, in Budapest, Hungary. (Jonathan Ernst – Pool/Getty Images)
The vice president said talks with Iranian officials lasted 21 hours, describing them as «substantive discussions,» but adding the U.S. was unwilling to compromise on its «red lines.»
«So we go back to the United States, having not come to an agreement. We’ve made very clear what our red lines are, what things we’re willing to accommodate them on and what things we’re not willing to accommodate them on,» Vance added. «And we’ve made that as clear as we possibly could, and they have chosen not to accept our terms.»
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital asked Vance if he had been in contact with President Donald Trump during the talks, and the vice president said he had been «consistently.»
«I don’t know how many times we talked to him — a half dozen times, a dozen times over the past 21 hours,» Vance said, adding that the U.S. team was also communicating with other members of the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Fox News’ Preston Mizell contributed to this report.
israel, lebanon, world
Quisieron asustar a un niño en bicicleta, pero lo atropellaron y lo arrastraron con la moto por la calle
Tax Day is this week: Avoid these 5 common mistakes that can cost you money
El gesto de Lizy Tagliani con Diego Leuco y Carina Zampini en el regreso de La Peña de Morfi
Mauricio Macri fue a ver a Hernán Cattaneo en Ciudad Universitaria
El Gobierno avanza con un paquete de reformas clave: tratado con Estados Unidos, Hojarasca, pliegos judiciales y la eliminación de las PASO
Donald Trump le ordenó a la Marina de Estados Unidos bloquear el estrecho de Ormuz y volvió a amenazar con destruir Irán en un día: «Volarán al infierno»
Russia seizes control of US-linked firm as it pushes for renewed ties with Washington
Participantes for export: Furia Scaglione y Coty Romero volverán a convivir en un reality español
Netanyahu afirmó que Israel destruyó el programa nuclear y de misiles de Irán: “Ahora luchan por su supervivencia”
Turismo en Buenos Aires: la aldea secreta que nadie te contó
INTERNACIONAL22 horas agoRussia seizes control of US-linked firm as it pushes for renewed ties with Washington
- CHIMENTOS22 horas ago
Participantes for export: Furia Scaglione y Coty Romero volverán a convivir en un reality español
- INTERNACIONAL22 horas ago
Netanyahu afirmó que Israel destruyó el programa nuclear y de misiles de Irán: “Ahora luchan por su supervivencia”
