senate hearing

Nasa Administrator Jared Isaacman wants Pluto to be a planet again. He voiced this support in a senate hearing. Nasa researchers are studying Pluto's status. Pluto was a planet until 2006. The International Astronomical Union reclassified it as a dwarf planet. This decision is still debated by scientists and the public. Isaacman believes Pluto should be a planet.

Sixty-six body bags, representing daily Australian tobacco deaths, were displayed at Parliament House. Health advocates staged the protest ahead of a Senate inquiry into illegal tobacco. The proposal to lower cigarette excise, aimed at combating illicit trade, was slammed as a dangerous public health gamble that would increase smoking and deaths.

The Trump administration asserts the U.S. is not at war with Iran, despite approaching the War Powers Resolution's 60-day deadline. House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed this, stating no congressional authorization is needed as active hostilities have ceased. This stance, however, faces challenges from Democrats who argue the deadline remains binding.

President Trump expressed disappointment if his Fed nominee, Kevin Warsh, doesn't immediately cut interest rates upon confirmation. Warsh, however, stressed his independence and commitment to fighting inflation, a priority given current economic pressures. Democrats questioned his past stances on rates, while Trump continues to advocate for lower borrowing costs, creating a potential conflict.

The Justice Department has closed its investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding headquarters renovation cost overruns. This move removes a hurdle for Kevin Warsh's confirmation as Fed chair. The probe's closure allows scrutiny to continue through the Inspector General's office, with potential for criminal investigation restart if warranted.

President Trump asserted drug prices dropped over 100%, a mathematically impossible claim, defending a "different way" of calculating reductions. He cited hypothetical scenarios of massive price hikes and subsequent drops to justify his administration's claims, drawing criticism for flawed math. Other disputed statements on Iran and inauguration crowds were also made.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that Nvidia's H200 AI chips have not yet been sold to China, attributing the delay to Beijing's efforts to boost its domestic industry. Despite earlier Trump administration approval, China's central government is reportedly blocking purchases to encourage investment in homegrown alternatives, such as those from Huawei.

A shooting attempt at the White House Correspondents' Dinner led to the immediate evacuation of President Trump and other officials. This incident adds to a long list of threats and security scares faced by Trump, including armed intruders, assassination plots, and poison mail, making him a frequent target.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are likely to take cues from the US Federal Reserve stance on rate cuts in the near future, says Praveen Singh, Head Currencies and Commodities, Mirae Asset ShareKhan.

OpenAI employees and shareholders are reportedly concerned about CEO Sam Altman's personal investments, particularly his push for the AI company to fund startups like Helion and Stoke Space where he holds significant stakes. These investments, some of which don't directly align with OpenAI's core business, have resurfaced governance questions as the company eyes a potential IPO.

Michelle Obama reveals marriage isn't a perfect 50-50 split, but a fluid dance where partners give and receive as needed. She emphasizes honest listening without defensiveness, a crucial element for navigating life's inevitable imbalances. This approach, proven by her and Barack's enduring partnership, fosters resilience and deeper connection, moving beyond rigid scorekeeping.

India's government has acknowledged a US Senate bill proposing significant H-1B and L-1 visa reforms. The proposed legislation aims to curb fraud and protect American jobs, potentially increasing hiring costs for US firms and impacting Indian tech professionals' ability to work and gain permanent residency in the US.

Among Washington aides, there's a joke that DNI stands for Do Not Invite...

Senator Bernie Sanders has demanded Jeff Bezos testify before Congress regarding a $100 billion AI manufacturing fund. Sanders decried the plan to replace factory workers with robots as a "declaration of war against the working class." He seeks answers on worker displacement, severance, healthcare, and retirement for those impacted by this automation push.

The FBI has openly admitted to purchasing commercially available location data, a practice that bypasses warrant requirements for accessing private information. This revelation has sparked debate, with some lawmakers condemning it as an "outrageous end run around the Fourth Amendment," while others defend it as a vital tool for national security.