U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
U.S. and El Salvador Sign Landmark Critical Minerals Agreement to Boost Investment and Trade 
Trump Orders DHS to Avoid Protests in Democratic Cities Unless Federal Assets Are Threatened 
Trump to Announce New Federal Reserve Chair Pick as Powell Replacement Looms 
Trump Administration Expands Global Gag Rule, Restricting U.S. Foreign Aid to Diversity and Gender Programs 
Trump Pushes Back on 401(k) Homebuyer Plan Amid Housing Affordability Debate 
Trump Threatens Aircraft Tariffs as U.S.-Canada Jet Certification Dispute Escalates 
U.S. Government Enters Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
China Approves First Import Batch of Nvidia H200 AI Chips Amid Strategic Shift 
U.S. Vaccine Policy Shifts Under RFK Jr. Create Uncertainty for Pharma and Investors 
ICE Blocked From Entering Ecuador Consulate in Minneapolis During Immigration Operation 
Faith Leaders Arrested on Capitol Hill During Protest Against Trump Immigration Policies and ICE Funding 
Venezuela Proposes Amnesty Law and Plans to Transform Helicoide Prison 
More Than 100 Venezuelan Political Prisoners Released Amid Ongoing Human Rights Scrutiny 
Trump Family Files $10 Billion Lawsuit Over IRS Tax Disclosure 
Panama Supreme Court Voids Hong Kong Firm’s Panama Canal Port Contracts Over Constitutional Violations 
Minnesota Judge Rejects Bid to Halt Trump Immigration Enforcement in Minneapolis 
Cornell University has regained $250 million in federal grants after reaching an agreement with the Trump administration, marking the fifth such deal amid a broader conservative crackdown on higher education institutions. The Ivy League university, known for its leading agricultural programs, will pay $30 million to the U.S. government and invest another $30 million in agricultural research over the next three years.
Under the agreement, Cornell must also share undergraduate admissions data—including race, GPA, and standardized test scores—through 2028. This requirement ends federal investigations into alleged antisemitism and discrimination but does not impose any findings of civil rights violations. Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff emphasized that the university retains control over its hiring, admissions, and curriculum decisions without government interference.
The Trump administration, led by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, hailed the deal as a step toward curbing “divisive DEI policies” (diversity, equity, and inclusion) in academia. Earlier this year, the administration froze Cornell’s federal funding, citing insufficient action against antisemitism on campus. Kotlikoff expressed relief at the resolution, noting that the funding freeze had disrupted research, careers, and academic programs.
Higher education experts say the Cornell deal signals a weakening of the administration’s influence. Jon Fansmith of the American Council on Education said recent agreements show “increasing narrowness” in the government’s leverage over universities. The deal explicitly states that the U.S. cannot dictate academic speech or course content.
The Trump administration’s scrutiny of universities follows a wave of pro-Palestinian campus protests and ongoing criticism of DEI initiatives. Similar settlements have been reached with Columbia University and others, while Harvard continues to negotiate. Meanwhile, the administration’s proposal offering preferential federal funding to schools adopting certain policies has met widespread resistance from institutions defending academic freedom.
