Author: Lester Holt

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.…

Exporters Face Significant Pressure The United States has levied a 50% tariff on Indian imports, affecting industries such as apparel, seafood, and jewelry. The measure is expected to disrupt export businesses and intensify trade tensions between the two nations. Promoting Homegrown Products and Self-Reliance Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens to prioritize Indian-made goods. In his Independence Day speech, he encouraged both businesses and consumers to embrace locally produced items, framing self-sufficiency as a source of national pride and economic stability. Tax Reforms to Encourage Spending To counterbalance the impact, the government is implementing fiscal reforms. Following earlier…

Claims of Unfair Reporting Donald Trump has escalated his confrontation with major media outlets, taking aim at ABC News and NBC News. He accused both broadcasters of producing overwhelmingly negative coverage and declared they should “face serious consequences.” On his platform Truth Social, Trump asserted that nearly all stories about him were critical, despite his widespread popularity. He further argued that Republicans and conservatives are routinely treated with bias. Demands Toward the FCC Pointing to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the body that regulates broadcasting in the U.S., Trump said the two networks function as “a branch of the Democratic…

From behind the scenes to iconic TV roles, Adler’s career spanned more than three decades A Life in Theater Jerry Adler, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday at age 96, began his career behind the curtain rather than in front of it. Born into a theatrical family—his father, Philip Adler, was a Broadway general manager, and his cousin Stella Adler was a renowned acting teacher—he started as an assistant stage manager while attending Syracuse University. Over the years, Adler worked on 53 Broadway productions as a stage manager, producer, and director, including the original My Fair Lady.…