• A federal judge blocked the Trump administration's attempt to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemeni nationals, overturning an earlier injunction.
• The ruling cited concerns over the administration's procedures and protections for vulnerable refugee populations.
• The decision represents a legal setback for the administration's restrictive immigration policies.
Wilderness Society says changes undermined intent of national standards intended to reverse decline of plants, animals and ecosystemsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGreen groups have accused the Albanese government of watering down a proposal to protect threatened species and ecosystems.National environmental standards were the key plank of reforms to Australia’s nature laws, passed by the parliament in November. Continue reading...
• A federal appeals court has overturned a lower‑court injunction that had ordered the Trump administration to restore the flow of federal grants to several local governments, reopening billions of dollars in funding that had been withheld.
• The decision follows a dispute over how the administration interprets the conditions attached to federal grants, with cities arguing that the withholding amounted to political retaliation.
• The ruling could influence how future administrations may or may not condition aid on policy compliance, and it has implications for federalism and local autonomy.
• The Trump administration unveiled a new slate of nominees to lead several federal boards and trust funds, including one that will oversee a major cultural award ceremony this year, according to announcements from the White House.
• The selections include close political allies and conservative commentators, reinforcing Trump’s pattern of placing loyalists in oversight roles that manage grants, endowments, and public‑facing institutions.
• Democrats and some good‑government watchdogs have raised concerns that the appointments could inject partisan criteria into traditionally nonpartisan programs.
• 88-year-old DC congressional delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton responded defiantly to the most serious federal threat to the city's government in 30 years from Trump.
• Norton, supported by Muriel Bowser allies, views Trump's actions as a political win for local control.
• The standoff underscores ongoing power struggles between federal and DC governance.
• A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit seeking access to Arizona voter registration data, ruling in favor of the state.
• The case involved claims of inaccurate voter rolls, but the court found insufficient evidence to proceed with the Trump administration's demands.
• This ruling protects state voter data privacy and may impact ongoing election integrity debates ahead of 2026 midterms.
• The Federal Reserve voted to leave the benchmark federal funds rate unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75% on Wednesday, citing concerns about inflation rising amid the war in Iran.
• This marks the continuation of the Fed's pause in rate adjustments following three successive 25-basis-point cuts in September, October, and December 2025.
• Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is scheduled to hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET to discuss the decision, marking what could be his final interest-rate announcement as Federal Reserve chair.
• A majority of Americans express concern over rising healthcare costs and support increased federal tax spending to address these challenges, according to the Axios/Ipsos American Health Index released March 17, 2026.
• The poll demonstrates bipartisan support for government action on healthcare affordability, reflecting widespread concern among the U.S. public about escalating medical expenses.
• Americans also show increased trust in government handling of childhood vaccination decisions, signaling broader public confidence in health policy interventions.
Federal raids unfold in Twin Cities amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Minnesota officialsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxFederal agents under the command of the Trump administration have descended on Minnesota’s Twin Cities again to primarily target alleged fraud at daycares after the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s so-called “Operation Metro Surge” all but wound down earlier in the year.“Today the FBI with federal, state and local law enforcement is involved in court-authorized law enforcement activity as part of an ongoing fraud investigation,” the US justice department told the Guardian in a statement on Tuesday. Continue reading...
Exclusive: State government commits to strengthening laws as Higgins labels Albanese government’s response to women’s safety issues ‘disheartening’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Victorian government will strengthen laws regarding the use of victim-survivors’ confidential communications after a push by advocates including Brittany Higgins, who described her experience of having counselling records subpoenaed as a “violation”.In an interview with Guardian Australia, Higgins was also critical of the federal government’s lack of action following a sweeping review into the justice system’s responses to sexual violence, saying it had “completely fallen off the agenda”.Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Continue reading...