Author: Lester Holt

Mitsotakis details family and youth incentives Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a €1.6 billion initiative to address Greece’s shrinking population. Speaking at the Thessaloniki International Fair, he said the program is intended to relieve the financial strain on households and motivate young citizens to remain in the country. Set to take effect in 2026, the package features broad income tax reductions, targeted benefits for larger families, property tax cuts in rural and island communities, and additional support for pensioners and households facing high living costs. Demographic challenges continue The move comes as Greece grapples with persistent population pressures. According…

EU Regulators Identify Market Abuse The European Commission has hit Google with a €2.95 billion fine, determining that the company abused its dominant position in the online advertising sector. Investigators concluded that Google favored its own ad exchange and publisher tools, limiting competition and restricting choices for advertisers and media organizations. Firm Must Outline Remedial Measures Brussels has given Google 60 days to propose changes to address the problematic practices. Authorities warned that if the plan falls short, they could implement stronger interventions, including the potential break-up of parts of Google’s advertising operations. Google stated it intends to appeal the…

September 4, 2025 — Washington, D.C. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced hours of pointed questioning Thursday during a Senate Finance Committee session. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle pressed him on vaccine access, upheaval at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and his long history of controversial comments on public health. Tense Opening Exchanges The session began with sharp criticism. Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) rebuked Kennedy’s remarks on vaccine safety, warning that they endangered public trust. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) went further, insisting Kennedy resign, arguing his leadership posed “a serious…

Judge Restores Federal Awards A U.S. district court in Massachusetts has struck down the Trump administration’s effort to cut more than $2.2 billion in federal research support for Harvard University. Judge Allison Burroughs issued her decision on September 3, declaring the funding must be reinstated and barring officials from halting payments in the future. The money, which had been held back since the spring, underwrites a wide range of scientific and medical initiatives. Ruling Points to Unlawful Motives In her detailed 84-page ruling, Burroughs concluded that the administration’s attempt to block the grants was unconstitutional and violated federal rules. She…

Trump hails action as warning to drug traffickers President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that US forces had launched a lethal strike against a boat allegedly tied to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua cartel, killing 11 people in the southern Caribbean. The incident took place in international waters, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio confirmed the vessel had sailed from Venezuela, describing the action as part of a broader campaign against cartel operations in the region. Trump outlines mission On Truth Social, Trump said: “This morning, under my direction, US forces carried out a kinetic operation targeting identified Tren de…

Rescue operations slowed by blocked roads and landslides A magnitude-6 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, killing over 800 people and injuring roughly 2,500, according to Taliban officials. Relief teams are struggling to reach remote mountainous villages, with landslides and damaged roads obstructing access. The tremor, which hit near the Pakistan border, caused the worst damage in Kunar province. Its shallow depth intensified destruction, while aftershocks continued into Monday, shaking areas as far away as Kabul, over 100 miles from the epicenter. Hospitals overwhelmed by surge of casualties Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the death toll is expected to rise,…

Emergency ruling stops government action A federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued an urgent injunction Sunday blocking the Trump administration from deporting a group of Guatemalan minors. The order followed last-minute legal filings from attorneys who said the removals were being carried out illegally. Ten children named, order covers all in custody The lawsuit highlights 10 unaccompanied children, ages 10 to 17, who lawyers said were only hours from being flown to Guatemala late Saturday night. Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan halted their deportation for 14 days and instructed that they remain in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement…

Washington, August 30, 2025 — Senator Bernie Sanders has called on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to step down as U.S. health secretary, citing concerns that his leadership threatens public health nationwide. Sanders Critiques Kennedy’s Leadership In an op-ed for The New York Times, Sanders argued that Kennedy’s policies endanger Americans and insisted he must resign immediately. He criticized the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” slogan, noting that Kennedy’s actions have undermined science and weakened public health initiatives. Sanders highlighted the recent dismissal of CDC director Susan Monarez and the resignation of four senior CDC officials in protest of Kennedy’s…

Tesla Faces Declining Demand Tesla experienced a sharp decline in European sales in July, with registrations falling 40% year on year. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reported that the company registered 8,837 vehicles across the EU, the UK, and the European Free Trade Association, down from 14,769 in July 2024. Even the refreshed Model Y has not been able to halt the slowdown. BYD Accelerates Growth BYD’s sales surged to 13,503 units last month, more than triple the 4,151 recorded a year earlier. Its market share climbed to 1.2%, ahead of Tesla’s 0.8%. The Chinese automaker, known for competitively…

Delivery Rescheduled Sooner Boeing will supply 25 aircraft to the Irish low-cost airline ahead of the original timetable. The 737 MAX jets, first set for delivery next spring, are now expected to arrive in October, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary announced on Wednesday. He praised the planes’ quality as “outstanding” and said he expects U.S. regulators to approve them without delay. Boeing’s Persistent Challenges The company has faced ongoing scrutiny over safety and production problems. The 737 MAX was linked to several serious accidents caused by technical malfunctions, including one incident where a cabin door detached mid-flight. Following these events, U.S.…