Federal

• 88 歲的 DC 國會代表 Eleanor Holmes Norton defiance 地回應了 Trump 近 30 年來對該市政府最嚴重的聯邦威脅。 • Norton 在 Muriel Bowser 盟友的支持下，將 Trump 的行動視為地方控制權的一次政治勝利。 • 這次僵局凸顯了聯邦政府與 DC 治理之間持續存在的權力鬥爭。

• 一名聯邦法官駁回了司法部尋求訪問亞利桑那州選民登記數據的訴訟，裁定該州勝訴。 • 此案涉及選民名冊不準確的指控，但法院認為缺乏足夠證據來支持 Trump 政府的要求。 • 該裁決保護了州選民數據的隱私，並可能影響 2026 年期中選舉前關於選舉誠信的持續爭論。

• 聯準會週三投票決定將基準聯邦基金利率維持在 3.5% 至 3.75% 不變，理由是對伊朗戰爭導致通貨膨脹上升的擔憂。 • 這標誌著聯準會在此前 2025 年 9 月、10 月和 12 月連續三次調降 25 個基點後，繼續暫停調整利率。 • 聯準會主席 Jerome Powell 預計將於東部時間下午 2:30 舉行新聞發佈會討論此項決定，這可能是他作為聯準會主席的最後一次利率公告。

• 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...