Brown University has officially transferred a portion of its property in Rhode Island to the Pokanoket Indian Tribe, marking the culmination of years of negotiation. The university relinquished approximately 255 acres of land in Bristol, known for its historical and cultural significance to Native American communities, including the Pokanoket Tribe. The land transfer, announced on November 15, was part of an agreement dating back to 2017 after members of the tribe set up a month-long encampment on the property.
China announced Tuesday a ban on exporting certain minerals and metals to the U.S., escalating the ongoing trade and tech war. The targeted materials—germanium, gallium, antimony, and superhard substances—are vital for manufacturing semiconductors, batteries, and military hardware.
President Joe Biden has announced over $1 billion in humanitarian aid to assist individuals displaced by drought and conflict across 31 African nations. This commitment was unveiled during his recent visit to Angola, where he emphasized the United States' dedication to supporting Africa's humanitarian needs.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate whether European governments are improperly influencing U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) regulations. In a letter dated Nov. 21, Cruz expressed concern that European nations, particularly through their regulatory frameworks and organizations like the UK-based Centre for the Governance of Artificial Intelligence (GovAI), are steering U.S. policies in ways that could harm American innovation.
President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to BRICS nations over their ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar. Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on goods from BRICS members if they move forward with plans to establish a rival currency or abandon the dollar as the dominant international reserve currency.
The Biden administration has halted new coal mining in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, a region that produces approximately 40% of the nation’s coal. The decision, made through an amendment to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Resource Management Plan, prohibits new federal coal leases until 2041, citing the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the administration’s climate change agenda.
A caravan of over 1,500 migrants departed Tapachula, Mexico, near the Guatemalan border on Sunday, seeking to reach the U.S. before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20. The group, composed of migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras, is racing north amid fears of stricter immigration policies under Trump’s administration.
Washington state lawmakers have long warned of the potential for a budgetary crisis during an economic downturn, even as the state experienced record-breaking revenue growth over the past decade. Today, those warnings have some merit, as the state faces an estimated $10 billion to $12 billion deficit despite maintaining all-time high revenue levels.
