Ayoola Atitebi

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that President Donald Trump can remove three Democratic members of a consumer safety watchdog, delivering him a victory in his efforts to concentrate more executive power. The court's decision permits Trump to dismiss three members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission appointed by his Democratic predecessor, former President Joe Biden. This ruling overturns a lower court decision that had blocked Trump from removing them, determining he had exceeded his authority. Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric and Richard Trumka Jr had filed suit against the Trump administration in May after being terminated from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an independent body established by Congress. Their seven-year terms were scheduled to expire in 2025, 2027 and 2028, respectively. In their lawsuit, the commissioners argued that Trump had overstepped his presidential powers by firing them without cause. […]

The European Union has issued warnings to Israel regarding deteriorating conditions in Gaza, where Palestinian deaths from starvation have reached at least 101. This development coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts as President Trump's special envoy prepares for European ceasefire discussions. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated Tuesday that "all options remain on the table if Israel doesn't deliver on its pledges" to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. She condemned Israel's killing of civilians seeking aid as "indefensible" and reported speaking with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar about aid flow concerns, emphasizing that Israeli military forces "must stop killing people at distribution points." Following recent EU meetings reviewing relations with Israel amid criticism of its Gaza operations, Kallas indicated Israel had committed to improving humanitarian conditions. These commitments included increasing aid trucks, crossing points, and distribution routes. However, aid officials […]

President Donald Trump announced the United States has reached what he describes as a "massive" trade agreement with Japan, one of America's largest trading partners. Under the agreement, Japan will invest $550 billion in the US while facing a 15% tariff on goods exported to America, below the 25% rate Trump had previously threatened. Trump stated that Japan would open its economy to US products including cars, trucks, rice and agricultural goods. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba welcomed the announcement, noting it represented "the lowest figure to date among countries with trade surpluses with the US." "I just signed the largest trade deal in history, I think maybe the largest deal in history with Japan," Trump declared at a White House event Tuesday evening. He emphasized that negotiations involved Japan's "top people" and resulted in "a great deal for everybody." […]

Interpol has removed its most-wanted designation for anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd conservation group, who faced charges in Japan over a 2010 whaling ship encounter. The international police organization had issued a "red notice" at Japan's request for the arrest of the 74-year-old Canadian-American Watson, known for his confrontational tactics against whaling vessels on the high seas. Interpol determined the notice was "disproportionate," according to Watson's Paris-based lawyer William Julie on Tuesday. Red notices are global requests for law enforcement to locate and provisionally arrest individuals pending legal action, based on judicial warrants from requesting countries. The Captain Paul Watson Foundation quoted the activist on social media saying: "Finally I am free." Watson stated that Japanese whalers had pursued him for 14 years, since his initial detention in Frankfurt, Germany in May 2012, describing it as […]

Columbia University has implemented disciplinary actions including expulsion, suspension, and degree revocation against dozens of students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The student activist organization Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), which advocates for the university to sever financial connections with Israel, stated that approximately 80 students have faced expulsion or suspension for up to three years due to their participation in antiwar protests. Columbia issued a statement Tuesday explaining that recent student punishments stem from "disruption of Butler Library in May 2025 and the encampment during Alumni Weekend in spring 2024." The university emphasized that "disruptions to academic activities are in violation of University policies and rules, and such violations will necessarily generate consequences." CUAD characterized the university's sanctions as disproportionate, claiming they "hugely exceed precedent for teach-ins or non-Palestine-related building occupations." The group declared their continued commitment, stating "We will […]

President Donald Trump has escalated his criticism of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell over the central bank's interest rate policies, raising concerns about Federal Reserve independence. Trump's primary concern centers on the Fed's decision to maintain its benchmark interest rate between 4.25 and 4.50 percent. The central bank has resisted lowering rates, which would reduce borrowing costs and stimulate economic growth, citing inflation concerns. Powell and his colleagues worry that prices could rise significantly due to Trump's proposed tariffs, while Trump argues rates should drop to as low as 1 percent. The president's attacks on Powell intensified in April when he called the Fed chair "a major loser" and "numbskull," stating his "termination cannot come fast enough." Trump has since made conflicting statements about firing Powell and recently sought Republican lawmakers' opinions on the matter. White House officials have joined […]

Venezuela has initiated an investigation into El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and his senior officials regarding alleged torture of 252 migrants detained in El Salvador after deportation from the United States. Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced the investigation Monday in Caracas, presenting photos and testimonies from the men who reported being beaten, sexually abused and fed rotten food in an El Salvador prison. Some were denied medical care or treated without anesthesia, according to Saab, who urged the International Criminal Court and UN Human Rights Council to take action. The Venezuelans were deported to El Salvador from the US in March after President Donald Trump used the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Tren de Aragua gang members without due process. The deportations sparked criticism from human rights groups and legal challenges against the Trump administration. Family […]

A United States government employee has been prevented from leaving China following a personal visit to the country, Washington confirmed. The employee works for the US Patent and Trademark Office, an agency within the US Department of Commerce, and was subject to an "exit ban" while traveling in China in a "personal capacity," the US Department of State announced Monday. "The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens," a State Department spokesperson stated. "We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible." The confirmation follows a Washington Post report Sunday that identified the individual as a Chinese-American man employed by the US Commerce Department who was barred from leaving China after allegedly failing to disclose his government employment on a […]

The World Health Organization has reported that Israel's offensive in central Gaza has severely impacted its operations after attacks on WHO facilities. The UN agency stated that Israeli forces attacked a staff residence in Deir al-Balah on Monday and mistreated those sheltering there. Its main warehouse was also attacked and destroyed. The WHO reported that one detained staff member remains in Israeli custody and demanded their immediate release. The Israeli military confirmed detaining "several individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism" in the area, stating most were subsequently released. This marks the first major Israeli ground operation in Deir al-Balah since the conflict began, displacing tens of thousands of civilians amid warnings of severe hunger. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported 33 deaths from malnutrition across the territory in the past 48 hours, including 12 children. The UN has received increasing reports […]