POLICY CHANGES

May 08 2025ENVIRONMENT

The End of Energy Star: How a Program That Saved Money and Energy is Being Shut Down

The Energy Star program, a key player in helping households save on energy bills, is on the chopping block. This program, which has been around since 1992, gives people the lowdown on how much energy their appliances use. It's a big deal because it helps folks make smarter choices when buying big-ticket items like refrigerators or washing machines. The program i...

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May 08 2025TECHNOLOGY

Trump's New Plan: Easing AI Chip Export Rules

The Trump administration has decided to change its approach to AI chip exports. It plans to replace a rule set by the Biden administration. This rule was supposed to limit the export of AI chips. It would have affected companies like Nvidia and AMD. The Biden rule was criticized for being too complicated. A US official said it was full of unnecessary rules. This mad...

reading time about 2 minutes
May 08 2025POLITICS

A Surgeon General Switch-Up

A big change happened in the world of U. S. health leadership. The person who was supposed to be the next surgeon general, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, was suddenly replaced. This shift occurred just a day before her confirmation hearing in the Senate. The person who was chosen to take her place is Dr. Casey Means. She is known for her work in health technology and has...

reading time about 3 minutes
May 04 2025POLITICS

The Environmental Rollback: First 100 Days of Trump's Second Term

The first 100 days of the second Trump administration have been tumultuous for environmental advocates. Many are alarmed by the rapid pace of changes that target both natural resources and communities. The administration's actions have sparked fears of a significant setback for environmental progress. The president's approach has been criticized for prioritizing fos...

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May 03 2025HEALTH

Vaccine Safety: Why Placebos Matter

The Health and Human Services department has made a surprising announcement. They want new vaccines to go through a specific type of testing before they are approved. This testing involves giving half of the participants a placebo, which is usually just a saltwater shot. This is to compare results with the actual vaccine. This method is already used for new drugs...

reading time about 2 minutes
May 02 2025BUSINESS

The Price Tag on Cheap Chinese Goods

The United States is set to close a significant trade loophole, which will have a direct impact on the pricing strategies of popular Chinese online retailers like Shein and Temu. This loophole, known as the "de minimis" exemption, has allowed these companies to ship low-value items to the US without paying duties or import taxes. The exemption has been a game-changer...

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Apr 30 2025EDUCATION

New Rules: Visa Revocation Can Now End Legal Status

The U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has broadened its authority to end the legal status of foreign students. This change is outlined in a recent internal memo. The memo, which was filed in court, lists new reasons for terminating the legal status of international students. One key addition is the revocation of a U. S. Department of State visa. This me...

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Apr 26 2025EDUCATION

Students' futures on the line as ICE reverses course

Students across the United States breathed a sigh of relief as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) decided to restore the status of some international students. This decision came after a wave of abrupt terminations that left many students in a state of uncertainty. The terminations were made in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a dat...

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Apr 24 2025POLITICS

Trump's New Rules for Colleges: A Shift in Accreditation

A recent move by the former president has stirred up the world of higher education. The former president signed an executive order. This order aims to change how colleges get accredited. The focus will now be on "results, " not just meeting basic standards. This means colleges might be judged on how well they teach, rather than just having the right paperwork. ...

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Apr 16 2025HEALTH

Vaccine Experts Gather Amidst Uncertainty

A significant group of vaccine experts recently held their first meeting under the new U. S. Health Secretary. This meeting was notable because of the uncertainty surrounding who would ultimately approve the committee's suggestions. The committee, known for its role in shaping vaccine policies, tackled several important topics. These included discussions on an mpox v...

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