President Trump's continued pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates has raised concerns about the Fed's independence. Trump's aggressive tactics are unprecedented, despite past presidents also attempting to influence the Fed. Experts warn that compromising the Fed's independence could lead to negative economic consequences, citing...
Hundreds of Justice Department employees have been fired this year, raising concerns about the department's functionality. Three former employees, including an immigration judge, a forensic accountant, and a lawyer, shared their experiences of unexpected termination, sometimes without explanation. They allege political interference, retaliatory actions, and a disregard for...
An EU proposal to suspend Israel from a research funding program due to the Gaza humanitarian crisis failed to pass. Germany and Italy blocked the proposal, needing a qualified majority of 15 EU members representing at least 65% of the population. While some countries supported the suspension citing Israel's...
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has temporarily halted the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) issuance of research grants, contracts, and training awards. This affects all new and potentially ongoing research funding from the NIH to universities and research institutions. The decision, communicated in a...
83-year-old Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara announced his candidacy for a fourth term in October's election, citing a need to maintain national stability amidst economic and security challenges. His claim rests on a 2016 constitutional amendment resetting term limits. This decision has sparked outrage from opposition figures like former...
UCLA settled a lawsuit for $6 million with three Jewish students and a professor who claimed their civil rights were violated during 2024 pro-Palestinian protests. The protests blocked access to campus for Jewish students. A judge ruled against UCLA, finding they were deliberately indifferent to the hostile environment....
Donald Trump is reportedly considering a full presidential pardon for Sean "Diddy" Combs, who faces sentencing in October for sex trafficking charges. A source close to the administration confirms that a pardon is being "seriously considered," following lobbying efforts from Combs' associates. Combs was found partially guilty in...
Australia will include YouTube in its world-first ban on social media for children under 16, reversing an earlier exemption. The government cited harmful content as the reason, despite YouTube's arguments that it offers benefits. The ban, starting in December, also covers TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Snapchat, with...
The US Senate narrowly confirmed Emil Bove, former lawyer for Donald Trump, to a lifetime judgeship on the US Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit. The 50-49 vote saw two Republicans join Democrats in opposition. Bove faced accusations of partisan loyalty, misleading senators, and urging staff to...
Senator Cory Booker publicly criticized fellow Democrats on the Senate floor, blocking bipartisan police funding bills. Booker argued that the Trump administration was withholding funds from Democratic states, accusing his party of complicity. His outburst sparked a heated exchange with Senators Cortez Masto and Klobuchar, highlighting internal Democratic...
