🏛️ Desk
US Politics, Government, Elections, Policy developments
As the world watches the escalating tensions between the US and Iran, a significant shift in leadership at the CDC raises concerns about the agency's future direction. Meanwhile, in the world of sports, the Champions League saw unexpected victories and controversies. We break down the key stories of the week.
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An 18-year-old California farm community organizer is taking a stand against ICE, while the Department of Homeland Security seeks to identify critics of ICE enforcement. Meanwhile, the MLBPA deals with its own internal scandal, replacing its chief executive director after an inappropriate relationship was revealed.
The US is facing a brain drain in the scientific community as young researchers flee abroad due to slashed science funding. This exodus threatens the country's position as a global leader in biomedical research and innovation. The consequences could be dire, with the US potentially ceasing to have the largest biomedical ecosystem in the world.
Former Prince Andrew arrested, Trump's bid to rename Penn Station, and the MLS gears up for the World Cup bump. This week's news is full of unexpected twists and turns. From royalty to real estate, and from politics to soccer, we've got you covered.
World leaders gather in Washington for the first meeting of Donald Trump's Board of Peace, aimed at ending the war in Gaza, while leaked files reveal plans for a 5,000-person military base in the region, sparking concerns over the initiative's true intentions. A new study also reveals a higher-than-reported death toll in the Gaza war. Meanwhile, a Columbia University alum reflects on the changing landscape of women's sports, far removed from the geopolitics of the Middle East.
World leaders gather in Washington for the first meeting of Donald Trump's Board of Peace, aimed at ending the war in Gaza, as new reports reveal plans for a 5,000-person military base in the region and a Lancet study shows a higher-than-reported death toll in the conflict.
The 13th day of the Winter Olympics 2026 is underway, with intense competition in curling, ski mountaineering, and ice hockey. Great Britain's curling team faces a crucial match against Switzerland, while other events see athletes vying for medals. Follow the latest updates and results from Milano-Cortina 2026.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has criticized the "grotesque" levels of economic inequality in the US, urging California voters to approve a proposed tax on the state's richest residents. In a fiery speech in Los Angeles, Sanders railed against the "greed" and "arrogance" of the nation's "ruling class". The proposed tax has sparked a heated debate, with some ultra-wealthy tech leaders threatening to flee the state if it becomes law.
Senator Bernie Sanders delivered a fiery speech in Los Angeles, criticizing the "grotesque" levels of economic inequality in the US and urging California voters to approve a proposed tax on the state's richest residents. Sanders targeted the "greed" and "arrogance" of the nation's billionaires, saying they are "treading on very, very thin ice." The proposed tax has sparked a heated debate, with some ultra-wealthy tech leaders threatening to flee the state if it becomes law.
Bill Gates has pulled out of a keynote address at the AI Impact Summit in India as he faces scrutiny over his relationship with deceased child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Gates was set to speak at the international summit alongside India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The cancellation comes as Gates' foundation works with the Indian government on AI projects.
Bill Gates has cancelled his keynote speech at the AI Impact Summit in India as he faces ongoing questions about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Gates had been scheduled to speak at the event shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The cancellation comes as Gates' foundation continues to work with the Indian government on AI initiatives.
The inaugural meeting of Donald Trump's Board of Peace has drawn representatives from repressive regimes worldwide, raising concerns about the body's true purpose and the US's shifting stance on global leadership. Critics argue that the US is emboldening authoritarianism and white supremacism, echoing the divisive rhetoric of the "war on terror" era. As European leaders play along, many fear a chilling sequel to the Islamophobia and racism that gripped the West two decades ago.
The inaugural meeting of Donald Trump's Board of Peace is set to take place in Washington, bringing together representatives of repressive regimes from around the world. Critics fear the body will promote a worrying trend of white supremacism and authoritarianism. The move has sparked concerns that the US is dragging Europe back to a darker era.
The US military is reportedly ready to carry out strikes on Iran as early as this weekend, but President Trump has yet to make a final decision. The move comes as the White House urges Iran to reach a deal with Trump on its nuclear program. The situation remains fluid, with multiple sources citing ongoing discussions within the administration.
The US military is reportedly ready to carry out strikes on Iran as early as this weekend, but President Donald Trump has yet to make a final decision. The move comes as the White House urges Iran to negotiate a new deal on its nuclear program. Tensions between the two nations have been escalating in recent months.
The inaugural meeting of President Donald Trump's Board of Peace is set to take place in Washington DC, despite criticism from European leaders over the organization's funding and mandate. Several key US allies have declined to join the group, which aims to raise funds for rebuilding Gaza.
A devastating avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada mountains has claimed at least eight lives, while a JetBlue flight made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport due to engine failure. Meanwhile, a US civil rights agency has sued a Coca-Cola bottler over a workplace event that excluded men, sparking a national conversation about diversity and inclusion.
A US civil rights agency has sued a Coca-Cola bottler over a workplace diversity event that excluded men, while a JetBlue flight made an emergency landing in New Jersey due to an engine failure. Meanwhile, California's Sierra Nevada mountains have seen a devastating avalanche that killed at least eight skiers, highlighting the area's notorious avalanche risk.
A civil lawsuit has been filed against Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice by the mother of his two children, alleging he assaulted her multiple times while she was pregnant. The lawsuit, seeking over $1 million in damages, claims the assaults occurred between December 2023 and July 2025. Rice was previously suspended for his role in a car crash.
NYU Langone Health has shut down its gender-affirming care program for minors, citing the departure of its medical director and a challenging regulatory environment. The decision comes as the Trump administration threatens to cut funding to providers that treat trans youth. The hospital's pediatric mental health services will continue.
After a 12-year journey marked by incredible highs and devastating lows, Mikaela Shiffrin has once again proven herself as the greatest American skier of all time, winning slalom gold and cementing her legacy. Despite facing intense self-doubt, grief, and career-threatening crashes, Shiffrin's perseverance and determination have ultimately led her to the top of the podium.
The hospitality industry is feeling the pinch of President Trump's immigration policies, with nearly a third of its workforce being immigrants. A report by Unite Here, the largest hospitality union in the US, reveals a significant drop in employed hospitality workers, attributing the decline to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has proposed a two-year moratorium on tax incentives for data centers, citing growing public pushback against the resource-hungry facilities. The move reflects increasing concerns over the environmental and economic impacts of data centers. If approved by state lawmakers, the proposal could have significant implications for the tech industry.
The Trump administration has released funds for the New York-New Jersey tunnel project, a major infrastructure initiative, while facing criticism from European allies over its new Board of Peace and struggling with low approval ratings at home.