US Justice Department Investigates Federal Reserve Chair Powell
The US Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve, concerning allegations related to the renovation of the Fed's headquarters and whether he misled Congress during his testimony before the Senate banking committee in June 2025. Powell claims this inquiry is a retaliatory measure linked to the Fed's refusal to comply with the Trump administration's demands for lower interest rates. The investigation includes a review of Powell's public statements and spending records, following months of criticism from Trump allies regarding the Fed's handling of the renovation project.
Iran protest death toll exceeds 500 amid crackdown
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency reports that the death toll from ongoing protests in Iran has surpassed 500, with many protesters allegedly targeted by security forces amid a violent crackdown. In response to the escalating situation, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has threatened to impose tougher sanctions on Iran, as the government continues to face widespread unrest fueled by demands for an end to clerical rule.
Trump weighs military and cyber options against Iran
President Donald Trump is considering a range of responses to Iran's crackdown on protests, which has reportedly resulted in over 500 deaths, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Options under review include military strikes, cyber operations, and increased sanctions, although no final decision has been made. Trump indicated that he is receiving frequent updates on the situation and suggested that military action could occur before a planned negotiation with Iranian leaders, who have expressed a desire to discuss the ongoing unrest.
Sudan's Government Returns to Khartoum After Three Years
Sudan's Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced the government's return to Khartoum after nearly three years of operating from Port Sudan, following the army's recapture of the capital in March 2025. Idris, who leads a technocratic government, stated that this marks the return of the 'Government of Hope' and promised improved services for residents. The conflict that began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has displaced nearly 13 million people across the country.
China's Births Expected to Drop Below 9 Million in 2025
Births in China are projected to have fallen below 9 million for the first time in 2025, according to expert forecasts, driven by declining marriage rates among young people and worsening job prospects amid a slowing economy. This decline marks a significant demographic shift a decade after the end of the one-child policy, which had aimed to control population growth for over 35 years.
