Washington Times

The Justice Department finalized a rule on August 17, 2026, establishing a formal process for individuals barred from firearm ownership due to felony convictions to seek restoration of rights. Attorney General Todd Blanche launched the process, citing the Second Amendment and public safety considerations. The rule continues prior administration actions to modify federal firearms regulations.

The prosecution rested its case after three weeks of testimony in the Massachusetts trial of Lindsay Clancy, who admitted to strangling her three children on January 24, 2023. Verified records show Clancy had been diagnosed with postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorder, and the defense attributes worsening symptoms to antidepressants prescribed after her third child's birth. The defense, represented by Kevin Reddington, is scheduled to present its case next.

The Pentagon awarded RTX a contract to accelerate Tomahawk missile production, announced Monday. Sources disagree on whether the value is $22.9 billion or $22.9 million. Historical usage data and statements from officials appear in one primary report.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not visit Yasukuni Shrine on the anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender, while Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi did visit. Additional cabinet and party officials also attended according to reports. The actions reflect divisions over shrine visits that honor Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals.

President Trump stated plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory, according to CNN reporting. Washington Times accounts describe related Oval Office remarks and an earlier speech, along with unverified details on prior U.S.-Israeli airstrikes and Iranian responses. Iranian officials issued public statements rejecting any seizure of the strait.

U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang ruled that FBI and GSA decisions to move headquarters to the Ronald Reagan Building exceeded statutory authority. The order prevents relocation, renovation, or fund repurposing from the Biden-era Greenbelt, Maryland selection. Sources are limited to two outlets rated left-center by bias trackers.

A court in Pskov sentenced Lev Shlosberg, 63, deputy chairman of the Yabloko party, to 11 years and one month in prison on charges of discrediting the Russian military and spreading false information. The charges arose from a public debate and a Telegram post. Yabloko is the only official Russian party that has openly opposed the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham exchanged messages with an individual impersonating White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles before cutting off contact. Politico reported the incident citing four unnamed officials, while the White House confirmed no compromise of Wiles' devices and the FBI has issued related warnings about AI impersonation. The British government declined to comment on national security grounds.

Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday accusing vandals of damaging grass on the National Mall near the World War II Memorial in the area of his July 4 event. He also referenced prior claims about the Reflecting Pool. A Penn State turf expert stated the photo shows expected wear from a large summer event with no clear signs of vandalism, while the U.S. Attorney's office attributed Reflecting Pool issues to poor construction.

A ferry capsized on Lake Kariba on Tuesday while carrying an estimated 153 people, exceeding its authorized capacity of 90. Authorities rescued 77 individuals, with at least 18 children among the confirmed fatalities including a one-year-old victim. Death toll reports differ between sources, and several operational details remain unverified.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated on NBC’s Meet the Press that he does not support defunding the police or open borders and confirmed that elected Democratic Socialists of America members would join the House Democratic caucus. He described the caucus as broad and noted his lack of co-sponsorship for Medicare for All while supporting renewal of Affordable Care Act tax credits. Reports differ on whether he addressed abolishing the Senate.

Washington Times reports on two patients diagnosed with PMOS, formerly known as PCOS, who experienced symptom relief after participating in GLP-1 drug trials led by Dr. Melanie Cree. The coverage highlights personal accounts of weight gain, irregular periods, and hirsutism alongside early research findings on insulin resistance and hormone balance. Independent analyses question the single-source prevalence data, renaming claims, and emphasis on pharmaceutical solutions over other factors.

A 55.6-meter statue of the Virgin Mary, including a 15-meter pedestal, was inaugurated on August 15, 2026, in the Polish village of Konotopie, which has fewer than 150 residents. The monument, financed by a private Polish businessman, is reported as Europe's tallest Virgin Mary statue and exceeds the heights of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and the Christ the King statue in Świebodzin. Available reporting draws from two sources rated left-center by media bias trackers.

President Trump posted on Truth Social claiming vandals caused dead grass patches on the National Mall lawn between the World War II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, along with damage at the World War II Memorial itself. Supported reports confirm spray-painting and soap in fountains at the memorial, leading to felony charges against one individual, while claims linking the grass damage to specific events or prior construction remain unverified. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office handled the charges, and Trump publicly criticized the office's findings on the Reflecting Pool.

On August 17, 2026, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Justice Department finalized a rule reestablishing an application process for restoration of federal firearm rights lost due to felony convictions. The rule implements the statutory mechanism in 18 U.S.C. § 925(c), which had been unavailable due to congressional funding restrictions since 1992. Available reporting is limited to two right-leaning outlets and leaves multiple operational and legal details unverified.