Calls to ban Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party — now the second-largest in the country — are escalating, sparking alarm from legal experts and historians who warn such a move could tear apart the nation’s democratic fabric. Despite receiving over ten million votes and securing official opposition status, the AfD continues to face aggressive attempts by the German left to remove it from public life.
Germany’s Charité University of Medicine in Berlin has barred an Islamic student group, the Medislam Collective, from holding further events on campus. The decision follows accusations of gender-segregated seating during lectures and sex-specific student activities, which the university says violate its anti-discrimination policies.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams unlawfully used emergency powers to override a City Council ban on prolonged solitary confinement in local jails, a state judge ruled Monday. The court sided with the City Council, declaring Adams had exceeded his authority in issuing an executive order to suspend the law after his veto was overridden.
France is implementing one of its most sweeping anti-smoking measures in decades, banning smoking in nearly all outdoor public areas starting July 1. A new public health decree published Saturday will prohibit smoking at parks, beaches, sports venues, bus stops, and within perimeters around schools—anywhere children might gather.
Rhode Island’s Democrat-controlled legislature passed a bill Friday banning the in-state sale and manufacture of so-called “assault weapons.” The legislation now awaits the signature of Gov. Dan McKee (D), who signaled strong support for the measure following its passage.
Pennsylvania could soon become the next state to ban single-use plastic bags. Lawmakers are preparing legislation that would phase out plastic bags at checkout counters across the state. The move follows momentum from local bans already in place in 40 communities, covering 2.6 million residents and eliminating nearly 1 billion plastic bags per year.
The Washington State Supreme Court ruled Thursday to uphold the state's ban on the sale and import of high-capacity magazines, declaring the restriction does not violate either the U.S. or state constitutions. The controversial 2022 law, which prohibits magazines holding more than 10 rounds, remains in effect as a result of the 7-2 decision.
Popular YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, announced his intention to purchase TikTok in collaboration with a group of investors. The move comes as President Donald Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese-based parent company, to divest its U.S. operations within 75 days to avoid a ban on the platform.
Colette Peters, director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) since August 2022, has resigned amid significant changes to the Justice Department under President Donald Trump.
Chicago experienced another weekend of violence under the leadership of Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), with at least 13 people shot, including one fatality.
