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How the DOJ went from investigating Powell to dropping the case

How the DOJ went from investigating Powell to dropping the case

April 24 (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve's years-long renovation of two historic buildings along the National Mall to be used as part of its headquarters in Washington exploded into political controversy about a year ago, with a New York Post report on the project's "lavish" features and nearly $2.5
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Palantir Assists IRS in Financial Crime Investigations with Data Analysis Tools

Palantir Assists IRS in Financial Crime Investigations with Data Analysis Tools

Palantir Technologies has been aiding the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Criminal Investigations office in probing financial crimes across the United States. According to a report by The Intercept, the IRS has paid Palantir $130 million since 2018 for the use of its data analysis software. This software is employed to scrutinize financial records, helping to automate and modernize audits. The extent of Palantir's involvement with the IRS was not fully known until now, although it was previously reported that the IRS utilized Palantir's products. The software, known as the Lead and Case Analytics platform, aggregates and analyzes data from various federal agencies, mapping human relationships and communications. This development follows a lawsuit filed by American Oversight against the Trump administration, seeking public records on federal agencies' use of Palantir tools.
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US Sanctions Chinese Refinery for Iranian Oil Purchases Amid Tensions

US Sanctions Chinese Refinery for Iranian Oil Purchases Amid Tensions

The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery, a Chinese 'teapot' refinery, for purchasing Iranian oil. The sanctions are part of a broader effort to pressure Iran amid ongoing peace talks. The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control also targeted approximately 40 shipping companies and vessels involved in Iran's oil trade. China has criticized the sanctions, calling them 'illegal' and urging the U.S. to cease using sanctions as a tool against Chinese companies. The sanctions freeze U.S. assets of designated entities and prohibit Americans from engaging in business with them.
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US FDA moves to fast-track psychedelic drugs after Trump order

US FDA moves to fast-track psychedelic drugs after Trump order

April 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it is taking steps to speed up the development of new treatments for serious mental illness such as depression, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last week.
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Appeals Court Blocks President Trump's Executive Order on Asylum Access at U.S.-Mexico Border

Appeals Court Blocks President Trump's Executive Order on Asylum Access at U.S.-Mexico Border

An appeals court has blocked President Trump's executive order that aimed to suspend asylum access at the U.S.-Mexico border. The decision was made by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which found that immigration laws provide individuals the right to apply for asylum at the border, a right that the president cannot override. The court's ruling aligns with a previous lower court decision, emphasizing that the Immigration and Nationality Act does not grant the president the authority to suspend asylum applications or alter procedures for adjudicating anti-torture claims. The executive order, issued on President Trump's inauguration day in 2025, declared the situation at the border an 'invasion' and sought to halt the entry of immigrants and their ability to request asylum.
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U.S. Sanctions China-Based Refinery and Shippers Over Iranian Oil Trade

U.S. Sanctions China-Based Refinery and Shippers Over Iranian Oil Trade

The Trump administration has imposed economic sanctions on a major China-based oil refinery and approximately 40 shipping companies involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. This action is part of a broader strategy to cut off Iran's oil revenue, a key source of funding for its military activities. The sanctions target Hengli Petrochemical's facility in Dalian, which has been receiving Iranian crude oil since 2023. The move is intended to enforce compliance with U.S. sanctions and deter other entities from engaging in similar trade with Iran.
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Appeals court says Trump's asylum ban at the border is illegal

Appeals court says Trump's asylum ban at the border is illegal

A U.S. appeals court has blocked President Donald Trump's executive order suspending asylum access at the southern border
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Tariff Refund Program Risks Fraud Similar to Pandemic Relief Scams

Tariff Refund Program Risks Fraud Similar to Pandemic Relief Scams

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched a tariff refund program following a Supreme Court decision that struck down tariffs imposed by President Trump. The program, which involves $166 billion in refunds, is vulnerable to fraud similar to that seen during pandemic relief efforts. Fraudsters may exploit the program's complexity and digital disbursement process to intercept legitimate refunds. The program's structure, which involves multiple eligibility criteria and digital transactions, creates opportunities for business email compromise attacks and other fraudulent activities.
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Senators raise concerns about US bailout of Spirit Airlines

Senators raise concerns about US bailout of Spirit Airlines

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, April 22 (Reuters) - A number of U.S. lawmakers expressed concerns about a potential federal government rescue of bankrupt Spirit Airlines, with the Republican chair of the Senate Commerce Committee calling it a "terrible idea."
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Spirit Airlines says financial aid from the US government would help it keep flying

Spirit Airlines says financial aid from the US government would help it keep flying

A lawyer for Spirit Airlines says the struggling budget carrier is in advanced talks with the U.S. government on a financing deal that would help it emerge from bankruptcy protection
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DOJ Directs U.S. Attorneys to Support New Fraud Division Amid Staffing Challenges

DOJ Directs U.S. Attorneys to Support New Fraud Division Amid Staffing Challenges

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has instructed all U.S. attorney's offices to assign a local prosecutor to support a newly established National Fraud Enforcement Division. This directive aims to enhance the DOJ's capacity to combat fraud across the nation. The move follows the DOJ's announcement of $300 million in grants for hiring local prosecutors temporarily. The new division will focus on public benefit fraud schemes, particularly those involving individuals living in the U.S. illegally. The DOJ's staffing levels have been strained due to widespread departures and hiring challenges, compounded by a surge in habeas petitions from immigrants affected by the Trump administration's detention policies.
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President Trump Signs Executive Order on College Sports, Sparking Legal Concerns

President Trump Signs Executive Order on College Sports, Sparking Legal Concerns

President Trump Signs Executive Order on College Sports, Sparking Legal Concerns