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Senator Charles Grassley held a town hall in Iowa, aiming for a civil discussion. Despite his prepared list of topics, including the farm bill, the meeting was dominated by constituent anger over President Trump's policies, including tariffs, immigration, and government spending. Grassley's attempt to control the agenda was unsuccessful, with the majority of the hour dedicated to Trump-related criticisms.
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Recent news highlights several significant developments: a judge threatened contempt proceedings over deportation flights to El Salvador; a Maryland senator failed to meet a deported immigrant there; Trump reportedly halted an Israeli strike; Musk's team is developing a system for selling 'gold card' immigrant visas; Trump's potential cuts threaten climate change health effect studies; California is suing Trump over tariffs; and Texas is creating a $1 billion private school voucher program.
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Stephen Colbert criticized President Trump on "The Late Show" for refusing to comply with a Supreme Court order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly deported to a dangerous El Salvadoran prison. Judge Paula Xinis described the deportation as "shocking the conscience." Colbert satirized Trump's potential lack of conscience, suggesting the president might not be affected by moral concerns.
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The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) will issue updated guidance by summer following the UK Supreme Court's ruling defining women by biological sex. Chair Lady Kishwer Falkner stated this new statutory code will clarify that trans women cannot use women-only facilities or participate in women's sports. The NHS must update its guidance on single-sex wards accordingly. Falkner emphasized continued legal protection for trans people under gender reassignment and sex discrimination legislation, suggesting the need for more neutral spaces while upholding the law regarding single-sex facilities. The EHRC will work with the NHS to implement these changes and will re-examine the efficacy of gender recognition certificates in light of potential digital ID introductions.
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Legal experts have slammed President Trump's proposal to send American citizens convicted of violent crimes to El Salvador's notorious mega-prison as illegal. Both the Justice Department and White House counsel are reviewing the plan, which Trump believes is popular. Experts argue that the US lacks the authority to expel citizens and that detaining them in the El Salvadoran prison would violate constitutional rights. The plan has raised concerns about potential legal challenges and the difficulty of bringing wrongfully deported citizens back to the US, as highlighted by a recent Supreme Court case.
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The UK Supreme Court ruled that "woman" is defined by biological sex under equality law, sparking concerns about the safety and rights of transgender people. Campaigners warn this decision, which sided with For Women Scotland against the Scottish government's argument for transgender inclusion, could have dire consequences, potentially affecting access to single-sex spaces like hospitals and refuges. While the court stated the ruling doesn't negate transgender protections, concerns remain about increased discrimination and the potential rollback of the Gender Recognition Act. The Equality and Human Rights Commission will issue updated guidance for service providers.
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Peru's former First Lady Nadine Heredia and her son sought asylum in Brazil after a Peruvian court sentenced her and her husband, former President Ollanta Humala, to 15 years in prison for money laundering. Humala was immediately jailed, while Heredia and her son were granted asylum by Brazil under a diplomatic convention. The convictions stem from illegal campaign contributions received from Odebrecht, a Brazilian construction giant, and the Venezuelan government. Heredia's brother also received a 12-year sentence in the same case. Heredia and her son arrived in Brasilia and will begin the process of regularizing their immigration status.
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US Vice President JD Vance will visit India next week for a four-day trip, meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss trade and bilateral relations. The visit comes amidst escalating US-China trade tensions, with President Trump imposing high tariffs on Chinese goods. India and the US are negotiating a trade deal, with India already implementing tariff reductions. Vance's trip also signifies the strong US-India partnership within the Quad alliance, countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region. He will also visit Italy before heading to India.
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Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will attend Vladimir Putin's Victory Day parade in Moscow despite EU warnings. The EU considers Vucic's participation a breach of membership criteria and a show of support for Russia's war in Ukraine. Vucic, maintaining close ties with Russia, claims Serbia will participate in jointly organizing the parade. This decision comes amidst anti-government protests in Serbia and the formation of a new government with anti-EU ministers. Vucic also cited a Russian FSB report dismissing claims of sonic weapons use against protesters.
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European allies struggle to navigate the Trump White House, describing it as a court centered around the unpredictable president. Success in communicating with Trump relies less on traditional diplomatic channels and more on personal connections with advisors or special envoys like Elon Musk. The lack of clarity on whether messages reach Trump is a major concern, with personal relationships seemingly holding more sway than official diplomatic processes. Prime Minister Meloni's upcoming White House meeting exemplifies this approach.