The US Commerce Department has proposed tariffs ranging up to 3,521% on solar panels imported from Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, following an investigation into alleged Chinese subsidies and dumping. These countervailing and anti-dumping duties vary widely by company and country, with Cambodia facing the highest rates due to lack of cooperation. Companies like Jinko Solar (Malaysia) received lower duties, while Trina Solar (Thailand) faces a 375% tariff. The International Trade Commission will issue a final decision on these tariffs in June.
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A Manhattan jury found Nadine Menendez guilty on all 15 counts, including bribery and obstruction of justice, concluding a three-week trial. The verdict stems from a five-year bribery scheme in which prosecutors allege she and her husband, former Senator Bob Menendez, accepted bribes including cash, gold bars, and a luxury car from three New Jersey businessmen in exchange for political favors. The prosecution argued that Nadine Menendez actively participated in the scheme, while the defense contended that some of the received items were gifts, not bribes. Nadine Menendez’s sentencing is scheduled for June 12th, coinciding with her husband’s prison sentence commencement.
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Following the death of Pope Francis, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene controversially declared that “Evil is being defeated by the hand of God,” a statement interpreted by many as a celebration of the pontiff’s passing. This contrasted sharply with the mourning statements issued by President Trump and Vice President Vance. Greene’s comment sparked immediate backlash and criticism on social media, highlighting the starkly different reactions to the Pope’s death. The late Pope, while holding traditional views on some issues, had also been criticized by conservatives for other stances.
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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is creating a comprehensive data platform by consolidating private medical records from various federal and commercial sources for Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s autism research initiative. This platform will provide external researchers with unprecedented access to broad, linked datasets, including medication, lab, genomic, and wearable device data. Data security and confidentiality are prioritized through robust protections preventing data downloads. The initiative aims to accelerate autism research and potentially offer insights into other chronic diseases via real-time health monitoring.
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The Department of Education will resume collections on defaulted federal student loans starting May 5th, impacting roughly 5.3 million borrowers. This includes wage garnishment after a 30-day notice and offsets from government payments. The move ends pandemic-era leniency and has drawn criticism for potentially exacerbating financial hardship for many borrowers. While loan rehabilitation offers a path to avoid wage garnishment, the department emphasizes responsible repayment to improve both individual and national economic health.
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Nineteen-year-old Charlotte Pohl and eighteen-year-old Maria Lepere, German nationals traveling under ESTA, were detained, strip-searched, and deported from Honolulu for lacking pre-booked accommodations for their entire trip. Despite ESTA approval, CBP officers denied them entry based on their flexible travel plans. The teens’ overnight detention and subsequent deportation have drawn criticism, highlighting concerns about the treatment of foreign tourists at U.S. borders and prompting the German Foreign Office to reiterate that ESTA authorization does not guarantee entry. This incident underscores the importance of meticulous travel planning for international visitors.
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A transgender military pilot, Jo Ellis, is suing conservative influencer Matt Wallace for defamation. Wallace falsely linked Ellis to a fatal helicopter crash via social media posts that went viral, resulting in immense online harassment and damage to her reputation. The lawsuit alleges Wallace’s actions were a “destructive and irresponsible defamation campaign,” forcing Ellis into the public eye and causing significant emotional distress and security concerns. Ellis intends to donate any awarded damages to the victims’ families.
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The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency funding libraries and museums nationwide, has placed its entire staff of approximately 70 employees on paid administrative leave for up to 90 days. This action follows President Trump’s appointment of Keith E. Sonderling as acting director and a prior executive order reducing the agency’s size. The IMLS, which awarded $266 million in grants last year, now faces uncertainty regarding the status of existing grant programs due to the staff’s leave. This situation threatens to significantly impact libraries and museums, particularly small and rural institutions, which rely on IMLS funding for critical programs and services.
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President Trump’s continued attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, coupled with ongoing tariff uncertainty, sent US stocks and the dollar plummeting on Monday. The Dow dropped over 1,190 points, while the dollar reached a three-year low, reflecting investor concerns about the administration’s unconventional approach to economic policy. This market downturn comes as Powell warned of the inflationary and growth-stunting potential of Trump’s tariffs, further exacerbating existing anxieties. The weakening dollar and rising gold prices signal a loss of confidence in US economic stability, prompting investors to seek safe haven assets.
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Johnathon Carlson, a Red Lake tribal citizen, received two citations in Georgia for speeding and displaying an allegedly invalid tribal license plate. Crisp County Sheriff’s deputies claimed the Red Lake Nation plates were “fake,” despite Carlson’s assertion of prior acceptance. While Georgia recognizes plates from other states and countries, it lacks an agreement with Red Lake Nation, a position disputed by Red Lake’s attorney who cites Minnesota’s acceptance and relevant federal law. Carlson removed his plates to avoid further complications and plans to attend a May court date.
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John Q. Hosedrinker