By Celine Agard
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Entertainment
Sting Is Sued by His Former Bandmates in the Police
Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, drummer and guitarist of the Police, have filed a lawsuit claiming that frontman Sting has underpaid them for royalties from the “digital exploitation” of the band’s hits, including “Every Breath You Take,” estimating he owes them over $2 million. The dispute centers on longstanding agreements in which Sting, who wrote most of the band’s songs, promised to share 15% of publishing income with his bandmates. Sting’s lawyers argue that all payments were properly made and point to a 2016 agreement intended to settle prior disputes, calling the current lawsuit an “illegitimate attempt” to reinterpret that contract. The case highlights the complex and highly valuable nature of publishing income in the music industry, particularly as the Police’s catalog continues to generate substantial streaming and licensing revenue.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/arts/music/sting-the-police-lawsuit-andy-summers-stewart-copeland.html
Morrissey Seeks to Sell His Rights to the Smiths’ Songs
Morrissey announced that he is putting his financial stake in the Smiths, including full rights to the group’s songs and recordings, up for sale, citing “malicious associations” with his former bandmates and the need to protect his health. The singer, who co-founded the influential 1980s band, described being burned out by ongoing conflicts, particularly with guitarist and co-composer Johnny Marr, and expressed a desire to live disassociated from those who wish him ill. Morrissey, 66, highlighted his creative ownership of the band’s music and imagery, noting past offers for tours and the shifting media focus that he feels minimizes his central role in the Smiths, while also reflecting on his controversial political statements in recent years.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/arts/music/morrissey-the-smiths-sale.html?searchResultPosition=1
How Music Labels Are Adapting to the Streaming Economy
Over the past decade, the music industry has undergone a dramatic shift from physical sales to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music, fundamentally changing how fans consume music and how record labels operate. Labels now earn revenue from royalties per stream rather than album sales, prompting investments in playlist placements, social media, and influencer-driven promotion to boost visibility. Artist development has also become more data-driven, with labels signing talent that demonstrates online traction, although critics warn this may stifle creativity. Meanwhile, debates over low streaming payouts have spurred exploration of more equitable revenue models, including direct-to-fan platforms and blockchain-based solutions. Labels are also experimenting with NFTs and other digital technologies to create new revenue streams and enhance fan engagement. Despite challenges, the industry continues to adapt, leveraging technology, promotion, and analytics to thrive in a streaming-first world while seeking fairer compensation for artists.
https://illustratemagazine.com/how-music-labels-are-adapting-to-the-streaming-economy/
Arts
Anthropic Agrees to Pay $1.5 Billion to Settle Lawsuit With Book Authors
Anthropic, a leading A.I. company, has agreed to a $1.5 billion settlement with authors and publishers after a judge found that it had illegally downloaded and stored millions of copyrighted books from pirate websites, marking the largest payout in U.S. copyright history. The settlement provides $3,000 per work to 500,000 authors and signals a potential shift in how A.I. companies handle copyrighted material, encouraging licensing or legal acquisition. While the court ruled that using legally obtained books to train A.I. models constitutes fair use, Anthropic’s use of pirated libraries violated copyright law. The deal underscores the distinction between transformative A.I. training and unlawful acquisition of copyrighted works, and experts expect it to influence other companies in the industry regarding data sourcing and compliance.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/technology/anthropic-settlement-copyright-ai.html?searchResultPosition=1
Smithsonian Responds to Trump’s Demand for a Review of Its Exhibits
The Smithsonian has pushed back against a Trump administration directive to submit its exhibitions for White House review, asserting its independence while agreeing to share some materials on its own terms. In a letter to staff, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III emphasized that the institution — and not the executive branch — holds authority over programming and content, though he has formed a team to determine what information to provide and how to address White House concerns about partisanship. The administration had ordered the Smithsonian to hand over exhibition materials from eight museums within 75 days and begin implementing “content corrections” within 120 days, part of a broader push by President Trump to reshape cultural institutions. While the Smithsonian, a federally funded trust governed by regents rather than the executive branch, is trying to balance transparency with autonomy, scholars warn that the White House’s intervention threatens its nonpartisan role. The dispute underscores a growing clash over control of national cultural narratives, with critics accusing the administration of politicizing history and the Smithsonian striving to protect its integrity.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/arts/design/smithsonian-bunch-trump.html
U.K. Should Clarify Free-Speech Laws After Comedian’s Arrest, Police Chief Says
The arrest of Irish comedian and anti-transgender activist Graham Linehan on suspicion of inciting violence against transgender people via social media has reignited debate in Britain over free speech and police enforcement. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said officers are caught in “impossible” positions navigating laws that draw them into culture-war disputes, advocating for clearer guidance to focus resources on real threats. Linehan, arrested for posts including one suggesting violence against trans women, was released on bail, and critics argue the arrest was disproportionate, while advocates emphasize the danger posed by online hate speech. The case has sparked transatlantic commentary, with some U.S. politicians condemning Britain’s policing of speech, highlighting tensions between protecting marginalized groups and upholding free expression.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/world/europe/uk-graham-linehan-arrest-free-speech.html
Sports
Streameast, world’s largest illegal sports streaming platform, shut down in sting
Streameast, the world’s largest illegal sports streaming network, has been shut down following a year-long investigation by the anti-piracy coalition ACE and Egyptian authorities. The network, comprising 80 unauthorized domains, had generated 1.6 billion visits over the past year, offering free access to major global sports like the Premier League, NFL, NBA, MLB, and F1. Two men were arrested in Egypt, and investigators seized laptops, smartphones, cash, crypto, and uncovered a UAE shell company used to launder £4.9 million ($6.2 million) in ad revenue. ACE praised the operation as a major victory for the sports and entertainment industries, though “copycat” domains have since emerged. The takedown highlights ongoing global efforts to combat digital piracy, amid evidence that many fans still rely on illegal streams to access sports content.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6591670/2025/09/03/streameast-worlds-largest-illegal-sports-streaming-platform-shut-down-in-sting/
Plenty ‘unusual’ about Kawhi Leonard sponsorship deal: ‘This does not happen’
The LA Clippers have come under scrutiny after reports suggested that owner Steve Ballmer may have circumvented the NBA salary cap through a suspicious endorsement deal between Kawhi Leonard and the now-defunct sponsor Aspiration, which promised Leonard $28 million—or potentially $48 million across two deals—for little to no services. The team issued two denials, emphasizing that such deals with team sponsors are normal, but omitted Ballmer’s $50 million investment in Aspiration and the role of Leonard’s influential uncle in securing the payments. Rival executives noted the unusually large payouts as red flags, with some questioning why Leonard later accepted a below-maximum extension, and former owner Mark Cuban defended Ballmer, blaming Aspiration’s co-founder instead. The situation echoes past concerns over Clippers’ dealings, and the NBA has launched an investigation to determine whether salary cap rules or improper benefits were violated, leaving the league and public awaiting clarity on Ballmer’s influence and the legitimacy of Leonard’s contracts.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6595855/2025/09/03/nba-investigation-clippers-kawhi-leonard-endorsement-deal/
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6597250/2025/09/04/kawhi-leonard-clippers-steve-ballmer-sponsorship-deal-aspiration/
Oakland AIs? The Ballers will be first professional sports team managed by AI
The Oakland Ballers of the independent Pioneer League are making history by letting artificial intelligence manage an entire game, making in-game decisions, such as lineups, pitcher changes, and defensive positioning—though base-running decisions remain human. Developed in just two weeks by software company Distillery, the AI uses live stats, past performance, and environmental factors to mimic the choices a manager might make. The experiment, part of Fan Appreciation Day, is intended to enhance the fan experience and provide insights into decision-making rather than replace human managers. Ballers manager Aaron Miles will monitor the AI, intervening only for player safety, and plans to analyze its choices afterward. The initiative reflects the team’s broader strategy of innovation, fan engagement, and experimentation, echoing Oakland’s “Moneyball” legacy while exploring the potential role of AI in baseball.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6599707/2025/09/05/artificial-intelligence-baseball-manager-oakland-ballers/
Roy Jones Jr. given gold medal by Park Si-hun 35 years after controversial Olympic final
More than 35 years after their controversial 1988 Olympic light-middleweight final in Seoul, Roy Jones Jr. finally received the gold medal from his opponent, Park Si-hun, who had been controversially awarded the win by a 3-2 split decision despite Jones Jr. clearly outboxing him. A video posted on Jones Jr.’s YouTube channel shows Park surprising him at his Pensacola gym in 2023, emotionally returning the medal and acknowledging that it rightfully belonged to Jones Jr. The bout had long been clouded by allegations of bribery and corruption, including reports that judges were paid to favor South Korean boxers, though a 1997 IOC investigation found no evidence to overturn the result. Jones Jr., who had won the Val Barker Trophy as the tournament’s best boxer, accepted the gesture, suggesting that the Olympic record books should be amended to reflect the true outcome.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6598171/2025/09/04/roy-jones-jr-gold-medal-park-si-hun-olympics/
USTA asks broadcasters to censor reaction to Donald Trump’s attendance at U.S. Open
The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) instructed broadcasters covering the men’s singles final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open to avoid showing any protests or reactions to Trump’s attendance, according to a memo reviewed by The Athletic. Trump, attending for the first time since 2015 as a guest of a sponsor, will be shown during the pre-match ceremony and national anthem, with heightened security in place. The memo emphasized that broadcasters should refrain from highlighting off-court disruptions, though ESPN indicated that it would cover Trump’s presence and the match as usual. Trump, who had previously been booed during his 2015 appearance while campaigning for president, had been a regular U.S. Open attendee before entering politics.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6606515/2025/09/06/us-open-2025-donald-trump-broadcast-restrictions-censorship/
Boxing: All French females out of world championships over genetic test row
French female boxers have been barred from competing at the inaugural World Boxing Championships in Liverpool after missing a deadline for mandatory genetic sex testing, which the French Boxing Federation (FFBoxe) said conflicts with French law. World Boxing, which introduced the tests in May for female athletes over 18 to ensure safety and fairness and will oversee boxing at the 2028 Olympics, warned federations about the requirement, but FFBoxe struggled to obtain timely results from a UK laboratory. The delay has sparked frustration among athletes, who feel penalized for bureaucratic and logistical issues, and reignited debates over gender verification in sport, highlighted by ongoing disputes involving Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and her past disqualifications.
https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/9/4/french-female-boxers-barred-from-world-championships-due-to-genetic-testing
Media/Technology
Newsmax Accuses Fox News of Violating Antitrust Laws
Newsmax filed a lawsuit against Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corporation, alleging that the latter has created a near-monopoly in conservative cable news by using exclusionary tactics that penalize distributors for carrying Newsmax on basic channel tiers, effectively suppressing its viewership. The suit claims that Fox requires distributors to carry additional Fox-owned networks and pay extra fees to include Newsmax, giving Fox an unfair advantage. Newsmax owner Christopher Ruddy argued that this dominance is harmful to democracy, while Fox dismissed the claims as attempts to excuse Newsmax’s lower ratings. Legal experts suggest that Newsmax faces a high burden to prove an anti-competitive market, noting that Fox competes broadly with all TV news networks, not just right-leaning outlets. The lawsuit highlights the ongoing rivalry between the two conservative networks, especially after Newsmax gained viewers during the 2020 election when Fox’s ratings temporarily dipped.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/business/media/newsmax-fox-news-lawsuit-antitrust.html
Google turns to YouTube to train AI
YouTube creators are increasingly concerned as Google uses their videos to train its AI text-to-video tool, Veo, potentially creating competition for the very content that built the platform. Entrepreneurs like Charlie Chang, who run extensive YouTube networks generating millions in revenue, fear their channels could become irrelevant as AI replicates their style and ideas without compensation. While YouTube encourages creators to use AI to streamline production and offers some safeguards for AI-generated content, many creators feel exploited, as their original work helps train technology that could undercut their earnings. Legal experts note potential disputes over whether YouTube’s terms of service cover AI training, and some creators are experimenting with AI themselves or licensing their content to outside AI companies for modest revenue. The tension reflects broader industry debates over fair compensation, intellectual property, and how creators can adapt to AI-driven changes in digital media.
https://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=10ad62a6-e814-486f-9c93-2eb5f9c0154b
Exxon and California Spar in Dueling Lawsuits Over Plastics
Exxon Mobil is engaged in a high-stakes legal battle after California Attorney General Rob Bonta and four nonprofit groups sued the company in 2024, alleging it misled the public about plastics recycling and contributed to pollution. In response, Exxon countersued in Texas, accusing Bonta and the groups of defamation, conspiracy, and interference, arguing their lawsuits were designed to damage Exxon’s recycling business and were backed by foreign interests. At a recent hearing, Exxon insisted the case remain in Texas, where its recycling facilities operate, while the defendants sought dismissal or transfer to California. The dispute centers on whether Exxon deceived consumers or whether Bonta and the nonprofits defamed the company, raising broader questions about corporate accountability, free speech, and the growing wave of plastics- and climate-related litigation. Legal experts view Exxon’s lawsuit as a rare and aggressive pushback against state attorneys general, aimed at deterring future suits and reframing the debate over environmental responsibility. Judge Michael J. Truncale has yet to decide whether the case will proceed in Texas or be transferred.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/climate/exxon-california-plastics-defamation-lawsuit.html
They’re Famous. They’re Everywhere. And They’re Fake.
AI influencers like Lil’ Miquela and Mia Zelu have gained massive followings and lucrative brand partnerships despite not being real people. Lil’ Miquela, created by Dapper Labs, boasts 2.4 million Instagram followers and has appeared on magazine covers, released music, and modeled for major brands, while earning tens of thousands of dollars per sponsored post. These AI-driven personas are managed by teams who craft their images, storylines, and social media presence, allowing them to engage with fans, advocate for social issues, and participate in events worldwide—often in multiple locations simultaneously. Unlike hyper-realistic AI influencers, Miquela is intentionally recognizable as artificial, and her popularity reflects a shift in audience focus from authenticity of existence to the values, activism, and content these virtual personalities represent.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/style/ai-influencers-lil-miquela-mia-zelu.html
The Doctors Are Real, but the Sales Pitches Are Frauds
Scammers are increasingly using AI to impersonate medical professionals in order to promote unproven or fraudulent health products, creating realistic videos, images, and posts without the doctors’ knowledge or consent. Prominent physicians, including Drs. Robert Lustig, Gemma Newman, Eric Topol, and Caroline Apovian, have discovered their likenesses and voices being exploited to sell supplements, fake books, or treatments, often targeting vulnerable populations. These campaigns, amplified through social media and e-commerce platforms, spread misinformation, erode trust in legitimate medical advice, and sometimes put patients at risk. Despite reporting efforts, doctors face challenges in removing AI-generated content, as platforms often fail to enforce their policies effectively, highlighting the growing threat of sophisticated digital fraud in healthcare.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/technology/ai-doctor-scams.html
How Elon Musk Is Remaking Grok in His Image
Although Elon Musk has repeatedly claimed that his xAI chatbot Grok should be “politically neutral,” a New York Times analysis of thousands of its responses shows that Musk and his company have repeatedly tweaked it to reflect more conservative positions, particularly on government and economic issues. Musk personally intervened after disliking Grok’s answers—such as changing its assessment of the greatest threat to Western civilization from “misinformation” to “low fertility rates,” a cause he champions. Grok’s updates have swung between left- and right-leaning positions, depending on instructions Musk or xAI inserted, including telling it to be “politically incorrect” or to distrust mainstream media. At times, these edits caused troubling results, such as Grok calling itself “MechaHitler” or denying nonbinary gender identities, leading to temporary shutdowns and reversions. The case illustrates both the partisan battles over chatbot “bias” and the ease with which powerful figures can steer A.I. tools to mirror their own ideologies, raising questions about neutrality, truth, and control in widely used systems.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/technology/elon-musk-grok-conservative-chatbot.html
Google Is Fined $3.5 Billion for Breaking Europe’s Antitrust Laws
The European Union fined Google approximately $3.5 billion for breaching antitrust laws, accusing the company of using its dominant position in online advertising to undercut rivals and control the ad-tech supply chain. The ruling, stemming from a 2021 investigation, allows Google 60 days to outline compliance, although the company plans to appeal, asserting that alternatives to its services are abundant. The decision has heightened tensions with the Trump administration, which views E.U. tech regulations as unfairly punitive toward American companies and has threatened retaliatory penalties. The case adds to ongoing U.S. legal scrutiny of Google and other tech giants, highlighting the global stakes of regulating companies that control vast portions of digital advertising and search markets.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/business/google-eu-antitrust-fine.html
Assad and Aides Are Wanted in France for Deadly Strike on Journalists
French judges have issued arrest warrants for former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and six senior officials of his regime for the 2012 artillery attack in Homs that killed American journalist Marie Colvin and French photographer Rémi Ochlik, as well as wounding three others. The investigation by the French War Crimes Unit determined that the officials likely committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, targeting journalists to suppress coverage of the Syrian civil war. The warrants, which allow for trials in absentia under French law, aim to restrict the travel of the accused, particularly within the EU, and may be circulated via Interpol. The case highlights the Assad regime’s systematic targeting of civilians, journalists, and dissidents during the conflict, which has resulted in over 600,000 deaths and numerous human rights violations.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/world/middleeast/assad-warrant-marie-colvin.html?searchResultPosition=1
General News
Trump Signals Imminent Supreme Court Appeal to Protect Tariffs
Trump vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court after a federal appeals court ruled that many of his sweeping tariffs, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), were illegal, sharply curtailing his broad use of emergency powers to levy duties on nearly all U.S. trading partners. The court, which left the tariffs in place until October 14 to allow time for appeal, found that Congress never intended to grant presidents “unbounded” tariff authority under IEEPA. Trump warned that losing the case could devastate U.S. markets, erase billions in tariff revenue, and undermine his strategy of using trade duties to pressure foreign governments and bolster domestic industry. Legal experts note that he still has more limited tariff tools under other statutes, such as Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, but these require investigations and delays. The decision also raises risks of diplomatic fallout, as many of Trump’s trade deals with the E.U. and other nations are built on tariffs now in legal jeopardy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/us/politics/trump-tariffs-appeals-court-ruling-economy.html
Justice Barrett Argues Her Own Case, and the Court’s
In her new book Listening to the Law, Justice Amy Coney Barrett seeks to inspire public trust in the Supreme Court while offering limited insight into its inner workings. Writing in a neutral, civics-textbook style, she emphasizes her commitment to applying the law faithfully rather than according to personal or political beliefs, even as she occupies a pivotal role in a conservative legal shift that has overturned precedents on abortion, affirmative action, and gun control. Barrett avoids addressing the Court’s controversial emergency decisions or the broader political tensions surrounding the Trump administration, instead urging Americans to read opinions themselves and framing the nation’s disagreements as “passionate” rather than a constitutional crisis. While her book and public appearances highlight her calm, methodical approach, they reveal little about how she navigates the Court’s partisan pressures, leaving many of the public’s pressing questions about the judiciary unanswered.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/us/politics/justice-barrett-explaining-law.html
5 Takeaways From Kennedy’s Senate Hearing
During a contentious Senate Finance Committee hearing, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended his controversial actions over his seven months in office, including undermining vaccine programs, firing CDC advisers, and restricting access to Covid vaccines. Kennedy, a long-time vaccine skeptic, maintained his opposition to mRNA vaccines while praising Trump’s vaccine efforts, sparking sharp criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for limiting public access and promoting misinformation. Senators pressed him on issues ranging from autism research to rural healthcare funding, Medicaid cuts, and conflicts of interest among his newly appointed CDC vaccine panel. Kennedy remained combative throughout, dismissing critics and refusing to concede errors, leaving the CDC in ongoing turmoil and raising concerns about public health oversight.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/health/rfk-jr-senate-hearing-takeaways.html
We Ran the C.D.C.: Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health
Former CDC directors from both parties issued a rare joint warning that Kennedy has gravely undermined the nation’s public health system, citing his mass firings of federal health workers, rollbacks of lifesaving programs, promotion of unscientific vaccine views, and removal of qualified experts from advisory roles. Kennedy’s dismissal of CDC Director Susan Monarez — after she refused to endorse his unfounded vaccine recommendations — has deepened the agency’s crisis, prompting senior resignations amid the largest U.S. measles outbreak in decades. The directors argue that these actions jeopardize health security, disproportionately harming vulnerable populations, and represent an unprecedented departure from the CDC’s historic, science-driven mission that has extended American life expectancy and safeguarded communities for generations. They call on Congress, states, the private sector, and the public to step up in defense of science, truth, and the CDC’s core role of protecting American lives.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/opinion/cdc-leaders-kennedy.html
White House Counsel Eases Trump’s Path on Aggressive Agenda
David Warrington, Trump’s White House counsel in his second term, has taken a far less confrontational approach than Trump’s first counsel, Don McGahn, focusing on enabling Trump’s aggressive use of executive power rather than restraining it. With no prior government experience, Warrington positions himself as a guide who outlines legal risks but leaves final decisions to Trump, who has increasingly tested the bounds of presidential authority through emergency powers, troop deployments, executive directives, and defiance of court orders. While critics argue that this has left “no adults in the room” to check the president, supporters describe Warrington as pragmatic and loyal, emphasizing his philosophy of pursuing “the art of the possible.” Backed by a Supreme Court more willing to validate Trump’s actions and a Justice Department staffed with loyalists, Warrington has helped oversee a litigation-heavy counsel’s office that often defends legally risky moves, reflecting Trump’s determination to surround himself with advisers who will not impede his agenda.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/us/politics/white-house-counsel-david-warrington.html
He Burned a Flag and Won an American Right. He Worries It’s at Risk
In 1989, the Supreme Court ruled in Texas v. Johnson that burning the American flag is protected political expression under the First Amendment, a decision won by activist Gregory Johnson after he was prosecuted for burning a flag at the 1984 Republican National Convention. Now, Trump has issued an executive order urging prosecutions of flag burnings under other laws and calling for the deportation of noncitizens who burn flags, indirectly challenging that precedent. Johnson, who still views flag burning as urgent protest against American injustice, argues that Trump’s actions reflect coercive patriotism and authoritarianism. The case remains a touchstone in free-speech law, with figures like Justice Antonin Scalia defending the principle despite personal distaste, while critics like Justice John Paul Stevens lamented the ruling but acknowledged its impact in normalizing the act. Johnson himself never believed the issue was permanently settled and sees Trump’s challenge as proof that the fight over symbolic dissent is ongoing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/us/politics/flag-burning-trump-johnson-supreme-court.html
Trump Administration Says Boat Strike Is Start of Campaign Against Venezuelan Cartels
The Trump administration launched a controversial U.S. military strike on a small boat in the southern Caribbean, claiming that it carried drugs and was operated by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, but offered little evidence to support the assertions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the president insisted the gang posed an immediate threat and defended the attack as part of a broader campaign against Latin American cartels, while legal experts questioned its legality, noting that Congress had not authorized such military action and prior counter-narcotics operations typically involved interdiction rather than destruction. Conflicting statements about the boat’s destination and cargo, combined with skepticism from law enforcement officials, have raised doubts about whether the vessel carried drugs or migrants. Amid the heightened tensions, the Pentagon has deployed warships, Marines, surveillance aircraft, and a submarine to the southern Caribbean, signaling a potential escalation in U.S. operations against cartel activity.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/us/politics/hegseth-venezuela-drug-strike.html
President’s Reference to Sending Troops to Chicago Draws Illinois Leaders’ Ire
Trump sparked backlash from Illinois leaders after announcing plans to send the National Guard to Chicago to crack down on crime, saying “we’re going in” without specifying when, despite state officials’ opposition. His administration is also preparing to deploy hundreds of homeland security officers for immigration enforcement in the city, while a federal judge in California ruled that his earlier deployment of 5,000 troops to Los Angeles during immigration protests was unlawful.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/09/02/us/trump-news#judge-ruling-trump-national-guard-los-angeles
Court Hands a Loss to Groups Seeking Billions in Frozen Climate Funds
A federal appeals court has ruled against eight nonprofit groups seeking access to $16 billion in climate and clean energy grants awarded under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act but frozen earlier this year by the Trump administration. The D.C. Circuit Court, in a 2-1 decision, said that it lacked jurisdiction and the case must instead be heard by the Court of Federal Claims, effectively allowing the Trump administration to continue blocking the funds. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, citing unsubstantiated claims of potential fraud and a Project Veritas video, ordered the money frozen shortly after taking office, framing the grants as wasteful “gold bars.” The nonprofits, including Climate United, argue that the EPA unlawfully clawed back funds that were already legally obligated and deposited, forcing layoffs and jeopardizing projects meant to support solar, energy efficiency, and community lending. The ruling, issued by two Trump-appointed judges, underscores a broader legal fight over whether administrations can retroactively cancel committed federal funding, with the groups vowing to appeal and continue their challenge.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/climate/climate-grants-frozen.html
Inside Trump’s Unorthodox Climate Attacks in Courts Nationwide
The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to block state “polluter pays” laws and lawsuits that seek to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for climate-related damages. The Justice Department has sued New York and Vermont over their climate superfund laws and preemptively sued Hawaii and Michigan to prevent similar actions, arguing that such measures threaten the energy industry and national security. These moves face pushback from state officials, environmental groups, and economists who argue the laws are within states’ authority and necessary to protect residents from climate impacts. While courts have issued mixed rulings on the cases, the disputes could eventually reach the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Republican attorneys general are lobbying for federal legislation to shield fossil fuel companies from liability, a proposal strongly opposed by environmental advocates and local governments seeking legal recourse for climate-related costs.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/climate/lawsuits-superfund-trump-justice-climate.html?searchResultPosition=2
Energy Secretary Attacks Offshore Wind and Dismisses Climate Change
Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the Trump administration’s decision to halt the $6.2 billion Revolution Wind offshore wind project off Rhode Island, claiming that renewable energy raises electricity costs and downplaying the associated jobs. Wright, a former fracking executive, dismissed climate change as “not incredibly important” and criticized European countries for pursuing emissions reductions, saying he would promote American fossil fuels on an upcoming trip to Europe. Experts countered that offshore wind could create tens of thousands of jobs and provide affordable electricity, and that Wright’s claims linking renewables to higher costs are misleading. The Rhode Island project developer and the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island have filed lawsuits against the administration, arguing that the stop-work order was arbitrary, while Wright emphasized prioritizing fossil fuels and rapid permitting for oil, gas, and mining.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/climate/wright-energy-offshore-wind-turbines.html
Scientists Denounce Trump Administration’s Climate Report
Over 85 scientists from the U.S. and abroad sharply criticized a Trump administration Energy Department report that downplays the dangers of climate change, saying it is riddled with errors, misleading claims, and cherry-picked data designed to support political goals rather than science. The report, authored by five researchers handpicked by Energy Secretary Wright, who reject mainstream climate science, was used to justify repealing limits on greenhouse gas emissions. In a detailed 439-page rebuttal, scientists compared the report to tobacco industry tactics, accusing it of distorting evidence, omitting critical data, and misrepresenting studies to suggest climate change is less harmful than widely accepted. Major scientific organizations, including the American Meteorological Society, also filed objections, warning that the report could undermine federal climate policy and the 2009 “endangerment finding” that underpins carbon regulations. Experts say the administration’s effort appears aimed at giving climate denial research federal legitimacy, bolstering attempts to dismantle existing climate protections despite mounting evidence of global warming’s destructive impacts.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/climate/climate-science-report-energy-department.html
Senator’s Visit to Spy Agency Was Canceled After Laura Loomer Complained
Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, had a classified oversight visit to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency canceled by the Pentagon after far-right activist Laura Loomer publicly criticized him, calling him anti-Trump and accusing him of treason. The visit, intended to review the agency’s work, including its use of AI, highlights tensions over congressional oversight amid the Trump administration’s broader efforts to limit legislative authority over intelligence and military operations. Warner warned that outside interference and the targeting of senior intelligence officials, including purges of experienced analysts, undermines the independence of the U.S. intelligence community and mirrors authoritarian practices by prioritizing loyalty over constitutional duty.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/us/politics/senator-warner-laura-loomer.html
Justice Dept. Opens Criminal Inquiry Into Lisa Cook, Elevating Trump’s Claims
The Justice Department has launched a fraud investigation into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over allegations that she falsified a mortgage application, a move driven by Ed Martin, a Trump loyalist with minimal prosecutorial experience. The inquiry follows Trump’s attempts to oust Cook and is tied to referrals from the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which claimed that she obtained favorable mortgage terms by misrepresenting bank documents. Cook has resisted the White House’s efforts, suing over her attempted firing and asserting that it undermines the Fed’s independence, while her lawyer described the investigation as politically motivated. Martin, who leads a broadly empowered “weaponization task force,” has encouraged Fed officials to remove Cook, reflecting a pattern of targeting Trump’s critics via mortgage scrutiny, similar to actions against figures like Letitia James and Adam Schiff.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/us/politics/lisa-cook-trump-fed-governor-justice-dept.html
Hochul to Sign Order to Get Around U.S. Limits on Covid Vaccine
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order allowing pharmacists to administer the updated Covid-19 vaccines to almost anyone over age three without a prescription, countering recent federal restrictions that limited eligibility to those 65 and older or younger individuals with high-risk conditions. The move aims to increase access amid growing vaccine hesitancy and political attacks on mRNA vaccines led by Kennedy. The order aligns New York with other Democratic-led states seeking to promote vaccination independently of federal policy, though details about implementation and insurance coverage remain unclear, and some pharmacies, like CVS, currently still require prescriptions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/nyregion/covid-vaccine-hochul-new-york.html
Grand Juries in D.C. Reject Wave of Charges Under Trump’s Crackdown
In the weeks following Trump’s deployment of federal troops and agents in Washington, D.C., grand jurors have repeatedly refused to indict residents charged in connection with protests or threats tied to his actions, signaling resistance to what they may perceive as prosecutorial overreach in a highly politicized environment. At least seven cases—including minor incidents like a man throwing a sandwich at a federal agent—have been dismissed or downgraded after failing to secure indictments, highlighting growing skepticism among jurors toward harsh federal charges. These refusals reflect broader tensions among local communities, judges, and the U.S. attorney’s office, with critics arguing that prosecutors are overcharging defendants to gain political or media attention. The pushback has sparked public clashes, particularly between U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and judges like Zia Faruqui, exposing fractures in trust traditionally afforded to federal prosecutors.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/06/us/trump-dc-national-guard-grand-juries-crime.html
Military Lawyers Wanted as Immigration Judges, No Experience Required
The Trump administration is moving forward with a plan to temporarily assign military lawyers as immigration judges, sending emails to active-duty and reserve attorneys seeking volunteers for six-month assignments to hear asylum and deportation cases. This comes amid a backlog of nearly 3.8 million immigration cases and a Justice Department rule change allowing “any lawyer” to serve as a temporary immigration judge, even without prior immigration law experience. While volunteers would receive training and have the authority to grant asylum or block deportations, some military lawyers expressed concern about political pressure to rubber-stamp deportations. Critics argue that the military lacks the expertise for such judicial roles and that diverting lawyers could hinder military operations. The initiative reflects the administration’s broader use of the military for domestic law enforcement and immigration enforcement tasks.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/us/politics/military-lawyers-immigration-judges.html?searchResultPosition=1
Settlement Talks Stall Between Harvard and the Trump Administration
Settlement negotiations between Harvard University and the Trump administration have stalled, leaving unresolved disputes over the administration’s restrictions on federal funding for research and potential challenges to affirmative action policies. Harvard had been seeking to resolve the issues through talks, but disagreements over compliance requirements and the scope of federal oversight have prevented an agreement. The deadlock highlights ongoing tensions between the federal government and academic institutions regarding funding conditions, regulatory authority, and policies aimed at promoting diversity in higher education.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/06/us/politics/harvard-trump-negotiations-stall.html
How a Top Secret SEAL Team 6 Mission Into North Korea Fell Apart
In early 2019, under then-President Trump’s approval, Navy SEAL Team 6 launched a high-stakes mission to plant a device on North Korean soil to intercept Kim Jong-un’s communications during nuclear talks. The operation, intended to provide critical intelligence, went disastrously wrong when a small, unarmed North Korean boat unexpectedly appeared, prompting the SEALs to open fire, killing all aboard—later identified as civilians—before retreating without completing the mission. The operation, kept secret from Congress and publicly unacknowledged, highlighted both the extreme risks of Special Operations missions and the Trump administration’s tendency to approve bold, minimally supervised raids. Despite escaping unharmed, the aborted mission, which coincided with a failed nuclear summit and North Korea’s ongoing missile expansion, raised legal and ethical questions about oversight, civilian casualties, and the administration’s handling of covert military operations.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/us/navy-seal-north-korea-trump-2019.html?searchResultPosition=1
Adams Insists He’s Running for Mayor Despite Saudi Ambassadorship Talks
Close advisers to Trump reportedly explored nominating New York City Mayor Eric Adams as ambassador to Saudi Arabia in an effort to end his struggling re-election campaign and consolidate opposition to Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani, although the plan appeared to falter amid political pushback and competing interests. Adams, a Democrat running as an independent, held a news conference reaffirming that he would stay in the race, while Trump denied making any offer. The discussions highlighted internal divisions within Trump’s circle and raised strategic considerations for other candidates, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is also running as a third-party candidate. Any potential ambassadorship would require Senate confirmation and could significantly shift the city’s mayoral race dynamics, though polls continue to show Mamdani leading comfortably.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/nyregion/eric-adams-saudi-arabia-ambassador.html
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan Says He Will Step Down
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation amid mounting pressure from within his own party following a major electoral setback and rising right-wing populism. Elected just last September to lead the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Ishiba struggled with low voter support, persistent inflation, a rice shortage, and damage from a political finance scandal. His centrist stance alienated conservative supporters, contributing to the party’s losses to new nationalist groups appealing to younger voters. Ishiba also faced tense trade negotiations with the United States, including tariffs on Japanese exports, which he delayed resigning over until recent progress was made. His departure leaves the LDP facing internal leadership contests, with contenders ranging from reform-minded politicians to hardline conservatives, as the party seeks to restore public trust and navigate economic, trade, and geopolitical challenges.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/world/asia/japan-shigeru-ishiba-resign.html