All USA
First LookMississippi court sentences ‘Goon Squad’ officers for torturing Black menIn a Jackson, Mississippi, suburb, a street-crime-fighting unit abused their posts, torturing innocent citizens they swore an oath to protect, the court finds. Sentencing began March 19 for the self-described “Goon Squad” of six white law enforcement officers.
First LookRed, white, and feeling blue: Why young Americans are in a ‘mid-life crisis’The United States and western Europe lost ground in the annual World Happiness Report, a change driven by young people’s dejection around social issues, social media, and economic inequality. But some U.S. legislators are looking to turn the tide.
The ExplainerNew home-sale rules could cut 5% commissions paid by sellers and buyers in halfThe fees on home sales are about to change. Some say sellers and buyers could save as much as $12,000 on a $400,000 sale.
First LookIs GOP losing its grip on Ohio? Primary could be a signal of things to come.Ohio’s March 19 primaries are grabbing national attention as Republicans look to maximize their shot at picking up congressional seats. Endorsements by Donald Trump and GOP Senator JD Vance have defined some races.
First LookMarch Madness fans dream of a perfect bracket. Can AI give them a shot?Will advancements in AI give some fans a leg up for March Madness? Machine learning isn’t new to the art of crafting brackets. But experts say the amount of randomness in the tournament still gives basketball obsessives a fighting chance over big data.
With US support uncertain, Europe builds better defensesEuropean leaders are taking steps to demonstrate they can defend themselves, even with the threat of less aid from the United States.
Trump’s criminal trials recede – but not civil fraud penaltyKey criminal lawsuits facing Donald Trump have been delayed. Instead, a civil fraud verdict weighs heavily on the presidential candidate.
The ExplainerAlabama’s IVF ruling is having ripple effects. What it does – and doesn’t – do.Alabama is the latest state to throw reproductive rights, including the practice of in vitro fertilization, into a vortex of legislative whiplash and partisan drumbeating.
Monitor BreakfastAfter informal 'coffees,' Minister Sikorski comes to breakfastPolish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has been a friend of the Monitor since 2019. So when he came to Washington with Poland’s top leaders, he joined us for breakfast to talk Ukraine aid – and was his usual engaging self.
First LookSocial media fills Supreme Court schedule. First up, disinformation control.During the pandemic, the Biden administration encouraged social media platforms to remove posts that it viewed as disinformation. Now, the Supreme Court will review whether that encouragement was a form of coercion that targeted conservative voices.
First LookPresident Biden jabs election jokes at jam-packed Gridiron Club DinnerPresident Joe Biden attended the annual Gridiron Club and Foundation Dinner this weekend, the first time during his presidency. It came as the 2024 election looms, and the night was jam-packed with politicians and other leaders including Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
First LookJudge delays Trump's hush money trial, citing new evidenceManhattan Judge Juan Manuel Merchan delayed former President Donald Trump's hush-money criminal trial for at least 30 days after a last-minute evidence dump.
First LookA majority of crime scene guns are obtained illegally. What’s being done to stop it?A “straw purchase” is when a shooter didn’t purchase a firearm legally but obtained it from someone who did. Federal investigators have made it a priority to combat the tactic, but evidence shows the problem is growing.
First LookJustices Sotomayor, Barrett model civility to combat public mistrust in the courtSupreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Sonia Sotomayor, ideological opposites, promote compromise as a position of strength. As they relayed to an audience at a meeting of U.S. governors, differences shouldn’t prevent them from being civil.
First LookLongtime Israel ally Senator Schumer says Netanyahu has ‘lost his way’Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the United States, said “Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah,” and that the country needs another opportunity to make its voice heard on the war.
Spring ‘breakup’: What’s behind the US beach town crackdownMiami isn’t the only coastal city cautious about hosting raucous spring break college students. Racial tensions and year-round residents seeking quiet are two of the undercurrents at work.
Why some top colleges are requiring the SAT againSoon standardized test scores will no longer be optional for admission at schools such as Yale, Dartmouth, and Brown. What’s behind this move?
Congress takes a hard swing at TikTokA House bill, which would force the sale of the popular TikTok app, passed with strong bipartisan support but faces an uncertain path in the Senate.
Millennials tiptoe toward better chance for homeownershipMortgage rates are down since peaking last October – raising hopes that a tough housing market is finally about to ease, a boon for those eager to build wealth through homeownership.
First LookThe fastest growing girls’ high school sport? It’s not what you think.Girls’ high school wrestling has seen a surge in support with Kentucky, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania hosting state championships. About 50,000 athletes are estimated to be on teams – a 60% spike in participation in the past year alone.
