Travel Ban, Legal Showdowns, and Security Threats...

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation widening the travel ban to include Syria, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and additional territories, tightening entry limits amid ongoing security concerns. The Hill notes the move targets both Middle‑Eastern and African nations, while the Wall Street Journal adds that the expansion follows the shooting of two National Guard members, signaling a hardening immigration stance. Critics warn the policy may strain diplomatic ties and complicate refugee resettlement efforts. The Hill Wall Street Journal (politics)

In a series of eleven Vanity Fair interviews, Susie Wiles, President Trump’s chief of staff, revealed intense internal battles and a culture of loyalty that shapes the administration’s agenda. The New York Times highlights her description of “personal loyalty over policy” and the friction among senior advisers, underscoring a governance style that prioritizes personal allegiance to the president. Such revelations raise questions about institutional stability and decision‑making processes. The NY Times

Australian investigators have identified the father‑and‑son duo behind the recent Sydney attacks as being motivated by “Islamic State” ideology, with authorities also probing a recent trip to the Philippines. The New York Times reports that the attackers’ radicalization underscores the persistent threat of home‑grown extremism and the need for robust counter‑terror measures. This case revives debate over border security and community integration policies. The NY Times

Jared Kushner’s investment firm Affinity Partners announced its withdrawal from the Paramount‑Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, citing a crowded competitive landscape. Variety quotes the firm’s statement that strategic considerations, rather than regulatory hurdles, drove the decision, reflecting shifting dynamics in the media‑ownership arena. The pull‑out may alter the balance of power among legacy entertainment conglomerates. Variety

A long‑standing paid FBI informant played a central role in a Southern California terror case involving the “Turtle Island Liberation Front,” raising concerns about the bureau’s investigative tactics. The Intercept details how the informant’s involvement spanned multiple stages, prompting criticism that reliance on paid sources can compromise case integrity and civil liberties. The revelation fuels ongoing scrutiny of federal law‑enforcement practices. The Intercept

Physician Mark Chavez received eight months of home confinement and three years of supervised release for illegally supplying ketamine to actor Matthew Perry, a scheme that contributed to Perry’s overdose death. The New York Times outlines the fraud‑laden prescription network, while The Guardian emphasizes the lenient sentence, sparking debate over accountability in medical misconduct cases. This outcome highlights tensions between punitive measures and rehabilitative justice. The NY Times The Guardian

The Food and Drug Administration has warned major retailers to tighten recall procedures after the discovery of recalled ByHeart infant formula still appearing on store shelves. The Hill reports the agency’s letter urging stricter compliance to protect vulnerable consumers, especially infants, from potential health hazards. The warning underscores the importance of supply‑chain vigilance in the food industry. The Hill

Universal Music Group presented a corrective plan to the European Commission addressing objections to its $775 million acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings. Variety notes the proposal includes concessions designed to preserve competition in the European music market, aiming to secure regulatory approval. The move illustrates how major cultural corporations navigate antitrust scrutiny while pursuing growth. Variety

South African authorities briefly detained staff at a U.S.‑run refugee center processing white Afrikaner asylum seekers, an incident that could heighten diplomatic friction between the two nations. The Hill reports the raid was swift and the detainees were released, but the episode fuels ongoing debates over immigration policy and minority rights in South Africa. The event may influence future bilateral cooperation on refugee matters. The Hill

The British Broadcasting Corporation is set to contest former President Donald Trump’s massive defamation lawsuit alleging false portrayal in a Panorama documentary. The Guardian explains the BBC will argue it lacks jurisdiction and that the claim lacks merit, positioning the case as a test of press freedom against politically motivated litigation. The outcome could have far‑reaching implications for media organizations worldwide. The Guardian