Trump's Media Crackdown and Measles Outbreak Spark Controversy
US President Donald Trump's decision to ban several news outlets from the White House has sparked widespread criticism, with many viewing it as an attempt to suppress free speech and a sign of increasing authoritarianism. CNN, Politico, and MSNBC are suing Trump over the ban, which they claim infringes on their First Amendment rights. The move comes after years of Trump's attacks on the media, which have left journalists struggling to distinguish between his meaningful statements and his 'nonsense'. Despite this challenge, the international press has continued to report on Trump's actions, with Le Temps noting that while the task is becoming increasingly complex, they are still fulfilling their mission to inform.
The US Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time since summer 2023, citing persistently high inflation. The increase of 0.25 percentage points brings the rate between 3.75% and 4.00%. In a press conference, new Fed chair Kevin Warsh emphasized that the decision was not influenced by Trump's insistence on low interest rates, but rather by the stable labour market and robust economy.
A recent measles outbreak in Pennsylvania has led to the first measles-related deaths in decades, with all four fatalities occurring among unvaccinated individuals. The outbreak has sparked a heated dispute between politicians and health officials over the role of vaccination in preventing the spread of the disease.