-
Cuban ties put powerful US union under microscope over alleged communist influence push
Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, is investigating reports that a US union representing about 600,000 members may be helping advance the Cuban government’s interests. The inquiry matters because it raises concerns about possible foreign influence within a major American labour organisation and whether US groups are acting…
-
Vance urges DOJ investigation into hospitals over billing for transgender care
The Trump administration accused dozens of hospitals, clinics and providers on Thursday of fraudulent billing for transgender health procedures and referred them to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for potential prosecution. The effort, led by Vice President Vance, combines two of the Trump administration’s top priorities: cracking down on alleged fraud and restricting gender-affirming care….
-
French tax authority admits data heist after crook touts 2M records
France’s tax authority, DGFiP, has confirmed that an intruder accessed its systems in late June and extracted data, after a cybercriminal using the alias ZeroBytes advertised an alleged database of two million taxpayers. The authority says the access was cut off during an audit at the end of June and disputes the attacker’s claim of…
-
Electric vehicle sales targets could be cut after pressure from car makers
The government is consulting on potentially reducing the UK’s target for electric vehicles to make up 80% of new car sales by 2030, following pressure from manufacturers. The move matters because it could slow the shift away from petrol and diesel cars, while ministers say greater flexibility is needed to protect jobs and ensure the…
-
Live updates: White House appeals ballroom ruling to Supreme Court; Trump visits New York to tout decline in crime
President Trump heads Friday to Long Island, N.Y., to highlight his administration’s efforts to fight crime. He’ll tour the Nassau County Police Academy in Garden City along with Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel. He’s also expected to give remarks and to boost Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is running for…
-
Court backs Trump on rescinding de minimis tariff exemption
A federal trade court agreed Thursday that President Trump lawfully ended a tariff exemption for low-cost goods last year. Trump did so by invoking the same 1970s-era emergency statute that the Supreme Court ruled didn’t authorize the president’s sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs. The U.S. Court of International Trade said ending a tariff exemption is legally distinct — and…
-
California’s 10% ticket resale price cap dies in Senate committee, as StubHub’s state lobbying spend hits $3.4M this year
California’s proposed 10% cap on ticket resale prices has failed after the Senate Appropriations Committee placed AB 1720 on its suspense file, preventing it from reaching a vote this legislative session. The measure aimed to curb high-priced secondary ticket sales and marketplace fees, but opposition centred on the public cost of enforcement and possible pressure…
-
US courts will start publishing how often the government uses spyware
US courts will begin publishing how often judges approve government wiretaps conducted using spyware or hacking tools, improving public visibility into a surveillance practice that has operated without clear nationwide figures. The change matters because these tools can give authorities real-time access to highly sensitive communications, while wiretap approvals require a higher legal threshold than…