Meta CEO Zuckerberg visits the White House: Report

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, visited the White House on Wednesday, according to Associated Press.

After previously being critical of Donald Trump, Zuckerberg has embraced the president in recent months.

He donated a million dollars to Trump's campaign fund and even attended the presidential inauguration alongside several other Silicon Valley leaders.

After Trump won the election, the Facebook founder flew down to Florida to have dinner at the president's Mar-a-Lago resort.

It is not clear what Zuckerberg and Trump discussed on Wednesday's visit.

Judge rebukes Trump for firing federal worker: US is 'not an autocracy'

A federal judge on Wednesday sharply rebuked President Donald Trump's defense that the Constitution vests him with the power to unilaterally fire federal workers as the head of the executive branch.

"The Government's arguments paint with a broad brush and threaten to upend fundamental protections in our Constitution," U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan wrote. "But ours is not an autocracy; it is a system of checks and. balances."

Sooknanan on Wednesday became the latest judge to push back on Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's crusade to rapidly shrink the size of the federal government through a combination of firings, forced resignations and deferred resignation offers.

Sooknanan ruled that Trump's firing of Susan Tsui Grundmann, a member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), was unconstitutional.

Congress created the FLRA to manage and resolve disputes related to labor organization in the federal workforce.

Read in full from Sonam Sheth on Newsweek.

'The day Trump's Big Oil megadonors paid for,' Democrats slam EPA deregulations

Today Lee Zeldin, the newly appointed administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), celebrated "the largest deregulatory announcement in U.S. history" as he rolled back protections for air and water pollution as well as greenhouse gases.

Democrats and environmental activists have slammed the move and accused Zeldin and the Trump administration of prioritizing industry over human health and the environment.

"Today is the day Trump's Big Oil megadonors paid for," Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island, said.

He also accused Zeldin of lying during his confirmation hearing, when he claimed he would "respect the science and listen to the experts."

Former EPA administrator under Obama, Gina McCarthy, said today was "the most disastrous day in EPA history. Rolling these rules back is not just a disgrace, it's a threat to all of us. The agency has fully abdicated its mission to protect Americans' health and well being."

Republicans blame Schumer for looming government shutdown

Republican lawmakers are attacking Minority Senate Leader Chuck Schumer for saying that Democrats will not support the Republican spending bill on Friday.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, of Oklahoma Republican, posted on X on Wednesday that Trump "doesn't want a shutdown. But if we do, Senate Democrats will 100% own it".

Sen. Pete Ricketts, of Nebraska, agreed, adding, "If the government shuts down, it is because of Chuck Schumer and the Democrats".

List of celebrities who left the US because of Donald Trump, politics

Several celebrities have left the United States and moved to different countries, citing President Donald Trump and the current political climate for their departure.

Before the 2016 presidential election, multiple celebrities, including singer Cher and actor Bryan Cranston, criticized Trump and said they would leave the U.S. if he won. While many remained in the U.S., some celebrities did actually move.

At least five celebrities who moved outside of the U.S. have expressed concerns about Trump's second term or the government's handling of political issues.

Read in full from Jenna Sundel on Newsweek.

BlackRock CEO: 'Economy is weakening as we speak'

Larry Fink, chief executive of BlackRock, warned on Wednesday that President Trump's policies on tariffs and federal cuts is already damaging the economy.

"The collective impact in the short run is that people are pausing, they're pulling back," Fink told CNN.

"Talking to CEOs throughout the economy, I hear that the economy is weakening as we speak."

Fink warned that it is yet to be seen if the uncertainty on the trade war and Trump's agenda will make things worse of if the economy can stabilize.

"All of these things have that ripple effect, and we will see over a long cycle whether this ripple effect gets worse or does it stabilize," he said.

Fink said Trump's reciprocal tariffs may have a positive effect if they are able to lower tariffs globally in the long run.

WATCH: Greenland election results: What it means for Donald Trump's plans

Growing Democratic opposition to funding bill

Sen. Tim Kaine and Sen. Peter Welch are among the Democrats who have said they will oppose the Republican spending bill on Friday.

"We want an opportunity to get an amendment vote or two, so that's what we are insisting on to vote for cloture," said Kaine, who added that he would be pushing for the weekslong stopgap.

Welch added that he cannot support the resolution because the, "Congressional Republicans' CR will hurt Vermont families, veterans, businesses and farmers by making drastic cuts and blocking Congress' ability to respond to Trump's reckless tariffs. As a Democrat, I want the federal government to work — not to shut down. Republicans need to come back to the table and pass the clean one-month CR that allows budget negotiations to continue."

One Democrat who has indicated support for the bill is Sen. John Fetterman.

However, Republicans need eight Democrats to cross the aisle to support the bill to get it passed.

WATCH: Schumer says Republicans 'Do not have the votes' to pass funding bill

'Today is a difficult day for Canada,' says incoming PM

Incoming Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, toured a steel plant in Hamilton today as Canada hit the U.S. with $21 billion in retaliatory tariffs.

"Today is a difficult day for Canada," Carney told reporters amid the trade war.

Carney also said he as ready to meet with President Trump to discuss his comments that Canada would be better off as America's 51st state.

He said he plans to "sit down with President Trump at the appropriate time, under a position where there's respect for Canadian sovereignty."

Canadian Institute of Steel Construction brands Trump's tariffs 'petty'

The president of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, Keanin Loomisan, has said that the steel industry had suffered hardship before but these seemed both "cruel and petty."

There's no basis for it at all, or at least nothing that's been explained to us," Loomis told the New York Times.

"It's a very raw moment right now."

Chuck Schumer deals critical blow to House Republicans in funding bill

Democratic Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York said Wednesday on the Senate floor that not enough Democrats support the Republican-led funding measure that passed the House on Tuesday.

With a shutdown deadline approaching, Democrats are pushing for a continuing resolution (CR) to extend government funding through April 11, allowing both parties time to finalize their long-delayed spending bills.

"Our caucus is unified on a clean April 11 CR," Schumer said. "Republicans do not have the votes," Schumer added on the Senate floor Wednesday.

In the Senate, 60 votes are needed to cut off procedural hurdles and Republicans only have 53 votes in the chamber.

Read in full from Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.

Chair of National Endowment for the Humanities steps down 'at Trump's direction'

The chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities has stepped down at the direction of President Donald Trump, according to the agency.

"I can confirm that, at the direction of President Trump, Shelly Lowe has departed her position as chair of N.E.H.," a spokesman for the agency said.

Lowe, who was nominated by President Joe Biden in 2021, will serve as acting chairman "until such time as the president nominates and the Senate confirms a new N.E.H. chairman."

Trump's EPA chief says he just drove 'dagger' through climate change rules

Calling it the "most consequential day of deregulation in American history," Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a sweeping rollback of landmark environmental regulations on Wednesday, targeting rules on coal-fired power plant pollution, climate change policies, and electric vehicles.

"We are driving a dagger through the heart of climate-change religion and ushering in America's Golden Age," Zeldin wrote in an essay for The Wall Street Journal.

The Trump administration's efforts will eliminate trillions in regulatory costs and "hidden taxes," Zeldin said, lowering the cost of living for American families by reducing expenses on essentials like buying a car, heating a home, and running a business.

"Our actions will also reignite American manufacturing, spreading economic benefits to communities," he added.

Schumer: Dems have the votes to block GOP stopgap funding bill

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that Democrats have the votes needed to block the House-passed GOP spending bill

The bill narrowly passed the House with just one Democrat voting to support it, while there was one Republican defection. But to pass the Senate, they would need eight Democrats to support the bill - something that does not seem likely.

Schumer is calling on Senate GOP members to cut a deal with Democrats to do a short-term spending bill so they can continue negotiating on a full-year plan. The current House-passed bill would secure funding through September.

"Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort, but Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input — any input from congressional Democrats. Because of that, Republicans do not have the votes in the Senate to invoke cloture on the House," he said on the floor on Wednesday.

Elon Musk's DOGE cuts fail to stop US federal spending hitting new record

Elon Musk's aggressive efficiency push failed to curb rising U.S. federal spending, which hit a record $603 billion last month, according to new Treasury data reviewed by the Financial Times.

Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claims to have saved over $100 billion, yet only a few federal departments saw spending reductions in President Donald Trump's first full month.

Overall spending rose by $40 billion, a 7 percent increase compared to the same month last year. According to the Financial Times, the Treasury Department's direct spending surged by $29 billion compared to the same month last year. The news outlet reported that this is primarily due to a $10 billion increase in debt servicing, which reached $86 billion, and a $14 billion rise in tax credits and related payments.

Iran's supreme leader calls Trump's request for nuclear negotiations 'deception'

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed President Donald Trump's offer to open negotiations on the country's nuclear program as a "deception."

"The US president says he is ready to negotiate with Iran, but his call for dialogue is nothing but a deception of world public opinion," Khamenei told college students in the Iranian capital Tehran on Wednesday.

Trump announced last week that he had written a letter to Khamenei to give him an ultimatum; "there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal. I would prefer to make a deal, because I'm not looking to hurt Iran."

"I said, 'I hope you're going to negotiate, because it's going to be a lot better for Iran,' and I think they want to get that letter — the alternative is we have to do something, because you can't let them have a nuclear weapon," Trump said.

Khamenei said that he had not yet received the letter.

DOJ says USAID email on classified documents was misinterpreted

The U.S. Department of Justice said Wednesday that an internal USAID email regarding the destruction of classified documents has been "seriously misapprehended."

The DOJ added that no documents have been permanently destroyed.

Trump administration resumes detention of migrant families

The Trump administration has resumed detaining migrant families together, after it was mostly paused under Biden.

As of Monday, 14 immigrant families are being held in a South Texas detention facility, according to RAICES, a legal nonprofit which provides services to migrant families at the Karnes Detention Center.

RAICES' chief external affairs officer Faisal Al-Juburi said they noticed a major shift in the detention population last week after adult detainees were moved out.

The families currently being held are from countries including, Colombia, Romania, Iran, Angola, and Russia.

Ukraine out of long-range U.S. missiles as Pentagon restarts weapon shipments

The Pentagon has resumed weapons shipments to Ukraine, but officials confirmed Wednesday that Kyiv has exhausted its supply of longer-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) weapons.

A U.S. official and a Ukrainian lawmaker, both speaking on condition of anonymity, said Ukraine ran out of the missiles in late January.

The U.S. had provided fewer than 40 ATACMS in total, with American and NATO officials emphasizing that air defense systems were a higher priority.

DC parents plan protest over budget cuts in stopgap bill

District of Columbia parents are planning to stage a "Recess at the Capitol" protest on Thursday, following the passage of a stopgap spending bill in the House that includes a $1 billion budget cut for the district.

The protest will see schoolchildren brought to the Hart Building near the Capitol to show lawmakers the impact of these cuts on their lives, according to a flier promoting the event.

Despite the planned demonstration, persuading Senate Democrats to block the bill remains a challenge, as many lawmakers are concerned about being blamed for a government shutdown if they oppose the bill, The New York Times reported.

White House confirms talks with Russia on proposed ceasefire

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Fox News Channel that national security adviser Mike Waltz spoke with his Russian counterpart on Wednesday.

Leavitt also revealed that Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will be traveling to Moscow for discussions with Russian officials about the U.S.-proposed ceasefire agreement aimed at pausing the fighting with Ukraine for 30 days.

While Leavitt did not disclose specific details about Witkoff's meetings, a source familiar with the situation indicated that Witkoff is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity.

EPA announces rollbacks of 31 environmental regulations

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Lee Zeldin unveiled plans on Wednesday to roll back 31 environmental regulations, targeting rules on pollution from coal-fired power plants, climate change, and electric vehicles.

In an essay for the Wall Street Journal, Zeldin declared the changes would "drive a dagger through the heart of climate-change religion" and usher in a new era of economic growth.

He argued that the rollbacks would eliminate trillions of dollars in regulatory costs and "hidden taxes," ultimately reducing the cost of living for American families, lowering car prices, and cutting costs for heating homes and running businesses.

Canada tariffs on US goods: 2024 and 2025 compared

Canada on Wednesday announced a set of retaliatory tariffs against the United States, raising economic tensions between the two nations in response to newly imposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.

The initial tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump included higher duties on steel, aluminum, and other products, which Canada has countered with significant trade penalties. These developments mark a shift from the trade policies of 2024 and could disrupt industries on both sides of the border.

Canada and the U.S. share one of the world's largest trade relationships, with goods and services exchanged daily. The imposition of tariffs threatens key industries, raises consumer costs, and risks economic instability.

Canada is one of America's trading partners poised for what the Trump administration calls reciprocal tariffs, from April 2.

Read the full story by Kate Nalepinski on Newsweek.

New EPA head announces plans to revoke Biden rules on climate, electric vehicles

Lee Zeldin, the Trump appointed head of the Environmental Protection Agency, has announced a series of sweeping changes to revoke Biden-era rules.

They include the former administration's rules for power plants, climate and electric vehicles.

Guttmacher Institute calls on states to stop requiring abortion reporting

The Guttmacher Institute, a research organization advocating for abortion rights, is urging state governments to cease the practice of mandating detailed reports on every terminated pregnancy. Instead, the institute suggests that data could be collected voluntarily and in aggregate form.

Kelly Baden, vice president for public policy at Guttmacher, spoke of the potential risks of collecting such sensitive information, particularly under the Trump administration, which has appointed several abortion opponents to key federal positions, The Associated Press reported.

Baden warned that the data could be used in ways that may harm individuals seeking abortions, stating, "It would be a mistake for anyone to assume now that the information a state could collect about abortion would not be used to harm people."

U.S. encourages Syrian Kurdish deal with government to resolve conflict

The U.S. played a crucial role in encouraging a landmark deal between Syria's Kurdish-led forces and the government in Damascus, according to multiple sources, per Reuters. The agreement aims to address Syria's long-standing divisions and may help stabilize northern Syria, where U.S. forces are deployed.

The deal, signed Monday by General Mazloum Abdi of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, seeks to bring Kurdish-led forces, which control a quarter of Syria, into a merger with the Damascus government. While specifics remain unclear, the move is seen as a potential step towards healing the country's deep divisions after 14 years of conflict.

The deal is partly driven by ongoing sectarian violence and pressure from Turkey, which sees the Kurdish forces as a threat. The U.S. is hoping that the agreement will ease tensions and reduce Turkish military pressure on the SDF, which Ankara associates with the PKK, a designated terrorist organization. This agreement aligns with the U.S. goal of preventing further conflict while potentially paving the way for a U.S. withdrawal from Syria without creating chaos.

Despite these advancements, the future execution of the deal remains uncertain, particularly regarding how the SDF will integrate into Syria's armed forces. The success of the agreement will depend on resolving critical details like border control and the structure of military integration, which will be handled by committees.

Democrats propose bill to study how tariffs impact everyday Americans

Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, and fellow Democratic senators, have proposed a bill that would require the International Trade Commission (ITC) to investigate the impact that President Trump's tariffs will have on "everyday Americans."

"The last thing we need are tariffs that will raise prices," Alsobrooks, of Maryland, said, as the Dow and NASDAQ falls, while the fears of a recession rise.

"My bill will force a nonpartisan study on this Administration's tariffs and how they will impact everyday Americans."

The Tariff Transparency Act would require the Trump administration to provide details on the tariffs for the ITC to evaluate their effects on consumers, business and jobs.

ICE arrests over 32,000 migrants since Trump's inauguration

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested more than 32,000 migrants living in the country without legal status since January 21, the day after Trump took office, according to Department of Homeland Security officials.

The arrests include individuals taken into custody through ICE operations, the Criminal Alien Program, and the 287(g) partnership program, a senior ICE official said.

In the first 50 days of the Trump administration, ICE reported arresting over 14,000 convicted criminals, 9,800 migrants with pending criminal charges, 1,155 suspected gang members, and 44 foreign fugitives.

An additional 8,718 arrests were categorized as "immigration violators."

Voters no longer think country in right direction under Trump: Polls

Recent polling suggests a growing number of voters believe the country is heading in the wrong direction under President Donald Trump's leadership.

Growing angst among voters over the direction the country is heading in could have major political and policy implications for the president. Declining confidence in his leadership could weaken his political clout and lower his ability to push his agenda through Congress.

Recent polls show that voters are close to split on whether the country is headed in the right direction, with those saying it is heading in the wrong direction growing.

According to a recent Emerson College poll, conducted between March 8 and March 10 among 1,000 registered voters, 50 percent of respondents said they think the country is on the wrong track, while 50 percent said they think that it is headed in the right direction.

This is a shift from the same poll in January when 52 percent of voters said the country was headed in the right direction, while 48 percent said the opposite. Both polls had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

Read in full from Marth McHardy on Newsweek.

US stock market lagging European indexes since Trump's return

The U.S. stock market has lagged behind European indexes since Donald Trump returned to office in January, weighed down by confusion over the president's economic policies while European equities have been more stable due to a combination of factors, from fiscal stimulus to more attractive valuations.

American investors have been responding negatively to Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs against Canada and Mexico, which he argues are necessary to pressure their governments to increase border security and curb the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. Many economists, however, warn these tariffs will translate to higher prices for American consumers.

The confusing and abrupt messaging from the White House about tariffs have created new uncertainty for investors, resulting in the market's recent volatility. The health of the stock market is one key indicator of the U.S. economy that the president has long used as a barometer of his success.

On Tuesday, Trump announced he would double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports before reversing course later in the afternoon.

While U.S. stocks have dropped amid tariff concerns, European indexes have fared better throughout 2025, despite slight drops this week.

Read in full from Andrew Stanton on Newsweek.

Trump on Ukraine: 'Biden should have never let it happen'

Trump is placing blame on former President Joe Biden for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"This is a very serious situation," Trump said today. "This is a situation that could lead to World War III, and Biden should have never let it happen. Incompetence allowed this to happen."

Trump calls for cuts to the Department of Education, pushes for state control

Trump spoke to the press about the Department of Education, claiming that it has a high number of employees who "can be cut." He argued that the department is plagued by inefficiency, stating that many employees are "not showing up to work" and "not doing a good job."

Trump defends stance, says changes are 'flexibility, not inconsistency'

During a press exchange, a reporter pressed Trump, saying, "There's been a lot of inconsistency."

Trump dismissed the claim, responding, "There's no inconsistency. Only with NBC, which is one of the worst networks on television."

The reporter pointed out that NBC had once been Trump's professional home, referencing his long-running show The Apprentice.

"It's called flexibility, not inconsistency," Trump replied, defending his approach.

Trump claims credit for free speech as advocates warn of unprecedented attacks

Trump said in his joint address to Congress that he has "brought free speech back to America." However, First Amendment advocates argue the opposite, saying freedom of expression is facing new threats under his administration.

Trump's Republican administration has taken actions that critics say undermine free speech, including threatening investigations into Democratic lawmakers for criticizing conservatives, pulling federal grants over certain language, sanctioning law firms representing his political opponents, and detaining a student protest organizer—an arrest Trump called "the first of many to come."

"Your right to say something depends on what the administration thinks of it, which is no free speech at all," said Will Creeley, legal director of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a nonpartisan First Amendment group.

GOP Rep. Keith Self misgenders first openly transgender lawmaker in Congress

Texas Republican Rep. Keith Self introduced Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, as "Mr. McBride" during a subcommittee hearing.

McBride responded by addressing Self as "Madam Chair" before attempting to proceed with her remarks.

However, Democratic Rep. William Keating interrupted, calling Self "out of order" and asking, "Have you no decency?" Keating insisted that McBride be introduced correctly as a duly elected representative.

Rather than comply, Self adjourned the meeting.

McBride later addressed the incident on social media, writing, "No matter how I'm treated by some colleagues, nothing diminishes my awe and gratitude at getting to represent Delaware in Congress. I simply want to serve and to try to make this world a better place."

Trump seeks to restart nuclear talks with Iran through UAE envoy

Iranian state television aired footage of Emirati official Anwar Gargash meeting with Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi, identifying Gargash as the carrier of a letter from Trump aimed at jumpstarting nuclear negotiations.

Trump's message was reportedly intended for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has repeatedly dismissed talks with what he calls a "bullying government." However, Iran faces mounting economic struggles due to sanctions, internal unrest, and escalating attacks from Israel, leaving its leadership in a vulnerable position.

What Donald Trump has said about electric vehicles as he backs Tesla

Donald Trump said he will buy a Tesla to support Elon Musk's electric car company, but he hasn't always been the biggest believer in the industry.

The president backed Musk amid a decline in the company's stock and a rise in protests focused on Tesla cars, hosting a showcase of his adviser's technology at the White House.

Upon returning to office in January, Trump created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) via an executive order. Musk, who heads DOGE, has taken on a key role in the administration's efforts to cut government spending and reduce the federal workforce. However, the billionaire's increasing government influence has aligned with a global decline in Tesla sales, leading some to believe his political moves are damaging the company's brand.

Trump has previously expressed skepticism over electric vehicles and self-driving technology, frequently branding them as inferior to conventional cars.

"They don't go far. They cost a fortune," Trump said during a rally in 2023, according to the Associated Press. "You're in the middle of the desert and you say, 'You know what, we're running low on electric. Do they have a charger around anywhere?'"

Read in full from Theo Burman on Newsweek.

U.S. inflation slows for first time in months as core measure hits four-year low

Inflation in the U.S. slowed last month for the first time since September, with a key measure of underlying inflation dropping to its lowest level in four years. The data comes as concerns grow over the potential impact of widespread tariffs on consumer prices.

Trump was asked about the latest inflation figures on Wednesday while welcoming Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin to the White House and said they were "very good news."

Congressional hearing ends after GOP Rep misgenders trans colleague

A Congressional hearing ended abruptly after Texas Republican Rep. Keith Self introduced Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender lawmaker in Congress, as "Mr. McBride."

McBride quickly corrected Self, referring to herself as "Madam Chair," before trying to move on, but her Democratic colleague, Rep. William Keating said Self was being "out of order."

Keating asked Self, "Have you no decency?" and insisted that the Republican House member introduce McBride "the right way."

Instead, Self adjourned the meeting.

McBride later responded on X, posting, "No matter how I'm treated by some colleagues, nothing diminishes my awe and gratitude at getting to represent Delaware in Congress. I simply want to serve and to try to make this world a better place."

DOGE stimulus checks update: Proposal suffers potential blow

The proposal to issue $5,000 "DOGE dividend" stimulus checks to American taxpayers has encountered a potential setback, as recent fiscal reports indicate that the anticipated savings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have not materialized.

Newsweek reached out to DOGE via social media for comment.

This initiative, endorsed by President Donald Trump and his billionaire backer Elon Musk, aims to give taxpayers a share of government savings.

Supporters claim this could rebuild trust between taxpayers and the government, while opponents caution that it may lead to economic challenges, such as inflation and increased national debt.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported a 5 percent increase in the federal deficit for February, with outlays growing by 7 percent compared to the same period last year.

The DOGE stimulus initiative, championed by investment firm CEO James Fishback, proposes allocating 20 percent of the department's savings to taxpayers and another 20 percent to national debt reduction. The plan suggests that DOGE could save $2 trillion over 18 months, enabling the distribution of $400 billion among approximately 79 million taxpayers, resulting in checks of $5,000 each.

Read the full story by Billal Rahman on Newsweek.

Canada's energy leaders politely rebuke Trump's tariffs during Texas event

A trio of Canadian politicians condemned President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada during an event in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday in what CBC News said was "in the most stereotypically Canadian way possible."

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean and Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce made their remarks at the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference.

Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Department for comment via an online media inquiry form outside of regular office hours.

Tensions between the United States and its ally, Canada, have surged since the Trump administration imposed a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian products, excluding oil, on March 4. Some of these were later put on hold for a month.

The trade war and Trump's repeated statement that he wants Canada to join the U.S. as its 51st state have sparked hostility in Canada, with the American national anthem being booed at a series of sporting events.

Read the full story by James Bickerton on Newsweek.

Gov. Tony Evers expects lawsuits over Education Department cuts

Gov. Tony Evers of Wisconsin anticipates that Democratic state attorneys general will sue over the proposed cuts to the Education Department. Evers, a former teacher, school administrator, and state superintendent, joined Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer in a conference call discussing the cuts.

Walz said that Minnesota will prioritize schools but stated that no state can fully replace the lost federal funding. He described the cuts as detrimental to the country's economic future and questioned the moral authority of those undermining education.

Meyer also raised concerns, mentioning a recent conversation with Education Secretary Linda McMahon and expressing uncertainty over the federal government's direction on the issue.

Concerns raised over loss of equity focus if Education Department is dismantled

As officials suggest other agencies could take over the Education Department's responsibilities if it's dismantled, concerns are mounting about the future of its equity mission. Advocates warn that without the department, vulnerable groups—such as poor students, those still learning English, disabled students, and racial and ethnic minorities—could lose crucial protections.

The department, established in 1980, played a significant role in advancing equal access to education, a goal rooted in the civil rights and anti-poverty movements of the 1960s and 1970s.

Trump has expressed his desire to return control of schools to individual states, raising fears about the impact on educational equity.

China warns U.S. retail giant over potential supply chain disruption

China's state broadcaster CGTN reported that Chinese officials have warned a major U.S. retail company that its request for lower prices to offset tariff impacts could disrupt the supply chain, potentially harming both nations.

In a blog post, CGTN said that Beijing hopes American and Chinese businesses can collaborate to navigate the challenges presented by the tariffs.

The warning comes as trade tensions continue to affect global markets, with both countries seeking solutions to minimize the impact on their economies.

Guterres hopes for ceasefire, stresses need for just peace

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed hope that Russia would agree to a ceasefire, saying, "We hope that it will pave the way for peace — a just peace."

Speaking to reporters at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Guterres emphasized that any lasting peace must be grounded in the U.N. Charter, which calls for the respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law. He also spoke of the importance of U.N. General Assembly resolutions demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops.

JD Vance hosts breakfast reception for Irish leader Micheál Martin

Vice President JD Vance hosted a breakfast reception in Washington on Tuesday to welcome Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. The event marked the beginning of several engagements scheduled during Martin's visit to the U.S. in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

Following the breakfast, Martin's itinerary includes a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, a lunch on Capitol Hill, and another White House event later in the afternoon.

During the breakfast, Vance shared his memories from a recent trip to Ireland and humorously remarked that his wife, Usha, could finally wear her long-stored green pants. Martin expressed gratitude toward the U.S., describing it as a "steadfast friend" and commended Trump for his efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, adding that Ireland is ready to contribute to the cause.

Marjorie Taylor Greene calls for investigation into Tesla attacks

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is urging an investigation into a series of attacks targeting Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Dogecoin effort, labeling them as potential domestic terrorism.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Greene announced that she and her colleagues from the House of Representatives' DOGE Committee have sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, demanding answers.

U.S. inflation slows in February but new tariffs could drive prices up

U.S. inflation slowed for the first time since September, according to the latest report from the Labor Department. The consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.8% in February compared to the previous year. However, the underlying inflation measure also fell to a four-year low, signaling potential relief for consumers.

Despite this, additional tariffs on steel and aluminum that took effect on Wednesday could push prices higher. Grocery prices remained stable from January, but the cost of eggs surged by 10.4%, marking a nearly 60% increase from a year ago. The persistent inflation may pose challenges for President Trump, who had vowed to tackle rising costs during his campaign.

Tariff retaliation comes quickly

Canada is set to impose retaliatory tariffs totaling $21 billion in U.S. dollars, a senior Canadian government official confirmed, speaking anonymously before the official announcement. This move follows the Trump administration's decision to raise tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to 25%.

In a swift response, the European Union also announced new duties on U.S. industrial and agricultural products. These actions come as both Canada and the EU seek to address the increase in tariffs imposed by the U.S., which specifically impacts steel and aluminum imports.

Canada, being the largest foreign supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S., is particularly affected by the tariff hikes. The retaliatory tariffs are expected to target U.S. products in a bid to balance the trade impact and protect Canadian industries.

Iran compiling U.S. terror list

Iran has announced plans to compile a list of Americans it accuses of terrorism, cyber sabotage and human rights violations against Iranians as tensions escalate between Tehran and Washington.

Newsweek has reached out to Iran's Foreign Ministry and the U.S. State Department for comment.

The United States has been ramping up pressure on Iran to negotiate a new nuclear deal. President Donald Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" strategy, imposing economic sanctions and military threats.

In response, Tehran has rejected talks until sanctions are lifted and seeks to counter U.S. policies targeting Iranian individuals, military personnel, and institutions. It frames its list as a legal challenge to what it views as Washington's hostile actions.

Read the full story by Amir Daftari on Newsweek.

Rubio says green card holders supporting Hamas will be deported

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that green card holders who support Hamas, incite anti-Jewish activities, or disrupt college campuses will be deported. "If you're doing this, we're going to kick you out. It's as simple as that," Rubio stated.

He emphasized that this action isn't about free speech but about individuals who don't have the right to be in the U.S. "No one has a right to a student visa. No one has a right to a green card," he added.

The statement followed the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and former graduate student at Columbia University, who was detained and sent to an immigration jail in Louisiana on Saturday.

Student leaders have insisted that their anti-war movement, which includes Jewish students, is not antisemitic.

Rubio says U.S. is exploring negotiations for end to Russia-Ukraine war

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. is pursuing multiple avenues to determine if Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to negotiate an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Following recent mediation talks in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine agreed to begin immediate negotiations with Russia to end the three-year conflict.

Rubio, speaking to reporters as he headed to Group of Seven talks in Canada, emphasized that "the ball is truly in their court" regarding a peaceful resolution. He expressed hope that Russia would halt its attacks on Ukraine in the coming days as a first step, acknowledging the difficulty of initiating peace talks amidst ongoing violence.

U.S. consumer prices rise 0.2 percent in February, 2.8 percent year-over-year

U.S. consumer prices saw a modest increase of 0.2 percent in February, marking a 2.8 percent rise from the same month last year, according to the latest report. Excluding food and energy, "core" prices also rose by 0.2 percent from January and 3.1 percent from February 2024.

Shelter costs, a significant part of household expenses, rose at a slower pace, increasing 0.3 percent from January and 4.2 percent year-over-year. Despite this slowdown, housing inflation has been a persistent challenge.

Car insurance prices, which surged in January, increased only slightly in February, although they remain up by more than 11 percent over the past year.

Egg prices continued to climb, rising by 10.4 percent in February due to an ongoing avian flu outbreak. While this was lower than January's 15 percent surge, egg prices have spiked by 58.8 percent since last year.

WATCH: EU announces retaliatory tariffs

U.S. resumes arms deliveries to Ukraine as ceasefire talks progress

The U.S. resumed arms shipments to Ukraine on Wednesday, a day after the Trump administration lifted its suspension of military aid. Ukrainian officials signaled openness to a 30-day ceasefire backed by Washington, while Moscow said it would wait for details before responding.

Weapons are being routed through Poland, providing crucial support for Ukraine's forces as Russia intensifies its push in the Kursk region. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are pressing Russia to accept the ceasefire, with Trump's envoy expected to visit Moscow soon. The proposal puts pressure on the Kremlin, but Russian lawmakers remain cautious about any deal.

Inflation plummeting, new data shows

New data suggests a notable deceleration in the U.S. inflation rate, potentially offering some relief to both consumers and policymakers.

According to Truflation, a blockchain-based provider of real-time economic data, inflation has slowed to around 1.3 percent, having dropped to below the 1.5 percent mark at the start of March. By Truflation's readings, these are the lowest levels inflation has reached since December 2020. It peaked at over 11.5 percent in June 2022.

Trump's campaign placed a heavy emphasis on the state of the U.S. economy and in particular inflation, painting his predecessors policies as an accelerant and vowing to bring prices for American consumers down "on Day One." As a result, inflation has been framed a key touchstone evaluating the success of his economic agenda

Read the full story by Hugh Cameron on Newsweek.

Britain opts for negotiation over retaliation on U.S. tariffs

Britain has chosen not to retaliate against the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer betting on a trade deal that could exempt the U.K. in the long run. The decision contrasts with the European Union, which responded with tariffs on American goods like motorcycles and bourbon.

Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Britain is focused on a "pragmatic approach" and negotiating a broader economic agreement with the U.S. Starmer has actively lobbied President Trump, who acknowledged his efforts, but the move risks straining Britain's push for closer ties with the EU post-Brexit.

EU retaliates with new tariffs after U.S. hikes steel and aluminum duties

The European Union announced new tariffs on U.S. industrial and agricultural products in response to the Trump administration's 25% tariff increase on all steel and aluminum imports. The EU measures, worth about €26 billion ($28 billion), target goods from Republican-held states, including soybeans, beef, poultry, and textiles.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized the U.S. tariffs, warning they would hurt businesses and consumers on both sides. The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU urged negotiations to prevent economic harm.

The EU will phase in its countermeasures starting April 1, with additional duties on $19.6 billion in U.S. exports set for April 13.

Trump administration ends $1 billion program preserving affordable housing

The Trump administration is ending a $1 billion program that helps maintain affordable housing, putting thousands of low-income units at risk, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press.

The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program, passed by Congress in 2022, funds energy-efficient upgrades for aging properties, ensuring affordability for up to 25 years. Without it, crucial renovations could stall, threatening housing for vulnerable Americans. HUD has not responded to requests for comment, and it remains unclear how the program will be wound down.

Housing advocates warn that without alternative funding, many projects could fail.

Trump's Ukraine envoy 'sidelined' from peace talks: Report

Some government officials have said that retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump's envoy to Russia and Ukraine, has been "sidelined" from peace talks, according to Politico.

Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Department of State for comment via email outside of business hours.

Newsweek was unable to ascertain a way to contact Kellogg for comment directly.

Kellogg, who previously served as national security adviser to then-Vice President Mike Pence during Trump's first term, had been critical of the Biden administration's approach to the Russia-Ukraine war. He has been seen by many observers as a "staunch Russia hawk", who understands the difficulties of negotiating with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Kellogg was previously pushed for peace through a "comprehensive and verifiable deal with security guarantees." The absence of Trump's Russia-Ukraine envoy raises questions about his apparently diminishing role in the peace process, potentially leaving Kyiv in a more vulnerable position.

Read the full story by Maya Mehrara on Newsweek.