Probe

• Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a criminal investigation into OpenAI after reviewing ChatGPT logs with a Florida State University student accused of killing two people last year. • The probe examines OpenAI's role and response protocols in the deadly incident involving the AI chatbot. • This action signals escalating legal accountability for AI companies in user harm cases.

• The Justice Department announced an expanded criminal investigation into fundraising and expenditure patterns of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and related political action committees, focusing on compliance with federal campaign finance and foreign‑donor laws. • Investigators are examining at least a dozen large donations that may have been routed through shell corporate accounts or foreign‑linked entities, according to law‑enforcement officials briefed on the probe. • White House spokespeople framed the action as part of “routine post‑election review,” while Trump allies accuse the department of partisan bias and warn that any charges could ignite a political firestorm ahead of the 2026 midterms.

• FBI agents have arrived in Cuba to investigate the February fatal shooting of five men aboard a US-flagged speedboat, which Cuban authorities claimed was attempting to infiltrate the island. • The probe occurs amid strained US-Cuba relations, focusing on circumstances surrounding the incident near Cuban waters. • This development underscores ongoing tensions in US-Latin America diplomacy, potentially affecting migration and security cooperation.

Promotion of beauty products to young girls may fuel compulsive habits and potential health risks, says watchdogItalian regulators are investigating Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics over the apparent use of “covert marketing strategies” to sell beauty products to young girls that might be fuelling an unhealthy skincare obsession called “cosmeticorexia”.The Italian Competition Authority said it was looking into promotions for skincare products such as face masks, serums and anti-ageing creams that in some cases appeared to target girls under 10. Continue reading...

• House Republicans announced an investigation into rampant hospice fraud in Southern California, alleging tens of millions in taxpayer funds lost to improper payments. • The House Oversight Committee sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting documents on state oversight of federally funded hospice programs. • Fraud involves companies receiving payments for ineligible patients, prompting calls for stronger controls amid ongoing healthcare waste concerns.

• The Trump administration announced plans to halt billions in federal Medicaid payments to California, Florida, Maine, and New York, following similar actions against Minnesota involving over $2 billion in withheld funds and $260 million clawed back. • Officials cited alleged Medicaid fraud as the basis for these unprecedented measures, potentially creating a national playbook for pressuring states over program spending. • This escalation impacts public health insurance jointly funded by states and federal government, raising concerns about access for low-income Americans amid ongoing political tensions.

• The FBI and IRS are initiating a joint investigation into nonprofits over possible ties to domestic terrorism, targeting groups promoting extreme views on immigration, gender ideology, and anti-American sentiment. • The probe follows a memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi last year ordering lists of such organizations. • This initiative raises concerns about free speech and government overreach amid heightened security focus.