A California obstetrician of Indian origin, Dr. Athiya Javid of San Jose, has drawn scrutiny after a US House Committee inquiry into alleged “birth tourism” businesses. Lawmakers say foreign patients used maternity services to secure automatic citizenship for children by traveling on temporary visas, and accuse some clinics of offering support beyond healthcare such as housing help and legal consultations. Investigators are requesting records dating to January 2020, including ads, contracts, visa coaching materials, and revenue figures. The move renews debate over immigration and birthright citizenship.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced House questioning over his interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. Under scrutiny, he backed away from earlier claims that Epstein engaged in blackmail, describing that part as speculation. Lutnick also softened details of multiple meetings, including a 2005 visit that troubled him and his wife. Democrats accused him of evasion and renewed calls for resignation.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
President Donald Trump told top US lawmakers that hostilities in Iran have ended, according to letters sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate president pro tempore Chuck Grassley. The announcement came after Congress pushed the administration to seek authorization for the conflict as it entered its third month, with hostilities beginning Feb 28, 2026.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced tense questioning at a congressional hearing during heightened Iran War concerns and a massive $1.5 trillion military budget debate. Lawmakers challenged whether President Trump is mentally stable to lead during the crisis. Hegseth’s viral response quickly spread online, intensifying scrutiny of the administration’s handling of escalating foreign policy risks.
The White House says federal funds for Department of Homeland Security workers, including TSA staff, will soon be exhausted, with the Office of Management and Budget projecting payments run out by May. It urges Congress to approve a budget resolution quickly to restore full funding, warning that delays could disrupt airports and heighten national security risks.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to face Congress as lawmakers press for answers on the ongoing war with Iran. The administration’s proposed military budget is already drawing scrutiny, with Democrats expected to challenge both costs and congressional approval. His recent dismissal of top military leaders has further inflamed criticism across party lines, as concerns grow over oil price shocks and election-year fallout.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
King Charles is set to make a historic address to the US Congress during his visit, but the trip is shadowed by calls from Jeffrey Epstein survivors. Critics say he has not met victims, while Queen Camilla did visit a child safety organisation. With security tight around the royal couple, the question is whether survivor demands will reach the political stage before Congress.
A new US bill called the SACRED Act would create a 100-foot buffer zone around places of worship. The proposal seeks to criminalize harassment and intimidation within that area at the federal level. Introduced by Congressmen Tom Suozzi and Max Miller, it has backing from multiple religious and civil rights groups, arguing it will better protect worshippers and reduce targeted incidents.
President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile defence plan is hitting hard headwinds as costs balloon and lawmakers question the funding model. Estimates range widely—from $185 billion to $3 trillion—while Congress raises concerns, including among some Republicans. The Pentagon wants major new spending for the system designed to counter ICBMs and drone threats.
US Republican lawmakers have introduced the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026, proposing a three-year pause on the H-1B visa program. The bill would lower the annual visa cap, raise minimum wages, restrict dependents, replace the lottery with a wage-based selection system, and bar third-party staffing agencies from using the program.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
Whistleblowers appearing before US Congress allege Meta prioritized virtual-reality profits over children’s safety. Former Meta user experience researcher Cayce Savage says the company shut down internal research indicating it knew children were using its VR products and were being exposed to sexually explicit material. The claims raise fresh scrutiny of safety systems across VR platforms and moderation practices.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.