Former DOJ lawyer Haley Van Erem alleges Trump administration officials pressured civil rights attorneys to target Harvard, Brown and Columbia in antisemitism probes despite insufficient evidence. The Justice Department denies the claims and says it stands behind the investigations.
News Mash
Police reports say Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother were at the Greenville, South Carolina, apartment where she was found unresponsive Sunday. Officials say her cause and manner of death remain pending, with no signs of trauma found in the autopsy.
Fire officials in Bedford County, Virginia, say an 8-foot python contributed to a middle school classroom fire by knocking over a heat fixture. The snake’s owner, a life science teacher, disputes that account and says the python escaped only after the blaze began.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK will continue to support Ukraine “100%” after Russia warned of “consequences” over British-made drones reportedly used in strikes inside Russia. Moscow did not specify what action it might take.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said his message exchange with someone impersonating White House chief of staff Susie Wiles was brief, inconsequential and quickly reported. A Liberal Democrat MP has asked Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee to consider investigating the incident.
Disney and ABC sued the FCC, accusing the agency of retaliating against ABC programming by forcing eight owned stations to seek early license renewals. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has said the action concerns broadcasters’ public-interest obligations, not retaliation.
Loui Ridi, a Palestinian American from Ohio, traveled to Qusra in the occupied West Bank after watching settlers surround his family home for more than a week. The siege has trapped Palestinians in several homes as Israeli troops remain in the area.
U.S. and Canadian officials are in last-minute talks to prevent 50% tariffs on about $20 billion in Canadian exports. The dispute has strained one of the world’s closest trade relationships and could complicate upcoming USMCA negotiations.