Justice Samuel Alito did not recuse himself from considering the petition, despite significant financial conflicts of interest in implicated cases. For the first time, the U.S. Supreme Court has granted oil companies’ request to weigh in on whether climate accountability lawsuits are preempted by federal law — setting the stage for a battle that could determine if dozens of similar cases are allowed to move toward trial. The decision means the court will hear arguments from ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy to overturn an earlier ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court,…
the New York Daily Press
President Donald Trump has all but dismantled U.S. efforts to curb pollution that’s warming the planet and harming human health. Yet with every federal blow to climate action, states have launched a counterpunch. Take Colorado: After Trump and congressional Republicans ended federal EV tax credits, the state juiced its own clean-car incentives. California has meanwhile inked a deal with the United Kingdom to cooperate on clean energy and climate efforts. And several other states are considering “climate superfund” laws, which seek to hold fossil fuel companies financially responsible for climate change–induced damages.…
New Mexico Begins Investigating Allegations of Abuse at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch Property. As victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s multinational sex trafficking operation continue to push for justice, New Mexico authorities look into allegations of buried bodies at Epstein’s Zorro ranch, about 30 miles from Santa Fe. In other news, a study finds that the right cognitive training can reduce dementia risk over two decades, and California’s mental health diversion is applied to a perjury case involving a retired California Highway Patrol officer. Last week, New Mexico lawmakers approved an investigation into…
The European Union is urging a “diplomatic solution” on Iran as top EU diplomats are set to meet with the director of US President Donald Trump’s newly-created Board of Peace, and Trump continues to threaten strikes on Iran. “We don’t need another war in this region. We already have a lot,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday. “It is true that Iran is at its weakest point that they have been. We should be really using this time to find a diplomatic solution.” Working with the Board of…
Greenland’s prime minister has asked US President Donald Trump to talk to him instead of making “random outbursts on social media”, after Trump said he was sending a US hospital boat to “take care” of people on the island. Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was going to send a boat filled with medical supplies, alleging “many people” on the island are sick and “not being taken care of”. Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded “it’s going to be a no thanks from us,” and said that Greenland provides free healthcare for…
Wielding a golden gavel and a playlist featuring the Beach Boys, Donald Trump ushered in a new era of international humiliation at the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-led Board of Peace. The new body, while established by Trump, has been tasked by a UN Security Council resolution to administer Gaza’s reconstruction efforts. But Trump has also suggested his ambitions for the board go far beyond Gaza, saying it would “almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly.” Trump has demanded that world leaders pony up…
Japanese companies will finance investments valued at $36 billion in energy and minerals projects in Ohio, Texas and Georgia as part of a trade agreement that will cut U.S. tariffs on Japanese imports to 15%, according to the Trump administration. The announcement is part of Japan’s 2025 agreement to invest $550 billion over the next four years at the direction of the U.S., with the funds aimed at rebuilding and expanding core American industries. In October, the Trump administration provided details on Japanese investments of up to $332 billion to…
President Donald Trump has approved Gov. Jeff Landry’s request for more federal funding to help with recovery from a severe winter storm that hit North Louisiana in late January. The president signed off on a major disaster declaration that will bring more support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to nine parishes: Bienville, DeSoto, East Carroll, Franklin, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas and West Carroll. The money will help pay for debris removal, emergency medical support, temporary generators and other services needed in the aftermath of the disaster. It can also…
The U.S. is rapidly building up its military force in the Middle East, amassing an amount of air power reminiscent of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, as President Donald Trump mulls attacks on Iran without seeking congressional approval. Top administration officials reported that the White House has been told that the U.S. is ready to strike Iran as soon as this weekend, CBS News reports, with other news outlets confirming. On Thursday, at opening remarks for his “Board of Peace” event, Trump said that “you’re going to be finding out…
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) got a historic landslide victory in last week’s parliamentary elections. This marks the first time since its founding in 1955 that the conservative LDP controls a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house. If necessary, Takaichi’s cabinet could also overrule any opposition in the upper house of the Diet (Japan’s parliament), where her coalition still lacks a majority. Given this, Takaichi now has a massive mandate to push her agenda. This includes boosting defence spending, strengthening the military and…