Jack Lang Resigns as Head of Arab World Institute Amid Epstein Controversy 
Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Threat Against Vice President JD Vance, Faces Additional Federal Charges 
Japan Election 2026: Sanae Takaichi Poised for Landslide Win Despite Record Snowfall 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Norway Opens Corruption Probe Into Former PM and Nobel Committee Chair Thorbjoern Jagland Over Epstein Links 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
Trump Allegedly Sought Airport, Penn Station Renaming in Exchange for Hudson River Tunnel Funding 
U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
The White House said this week that US President Joe Biden is asking Congress to provide $1.6 billion to tackle fraud linked to the country’s pandemic relief programs. The effort also aims to help victims of identity theft.
The White House said Biden plans to ask $1.6 billion from Congress to investigate fraud linked to the COVID-19 pandemic relief programs. The initiative, led by adviser Gene Sperling, will aim to demonstrate renewed toughness on pandemic fraud ahead of the promised probes by House Republicans on the trillions of dollars of pandemic relief that were approved under Biden and his immediate Republican predecessor Donald Trump.
The pandemic aid helped fund expanded unemployment benefits to workers and forgivable loans under the Paycheck Protection Program to companies if they kept their workers employed. The $1.6 billion funding request includes $600 million for the investigation of large-scale fraud by crime syndicates, $600 million for fraud and identity theft protection, and $400 million to help identity theft victims.
Biden is also calling on Congress to increase the statute of limitations on serious pandemic unemployment insurance fraud to 10 years, according to the White House. The funding would help triple the size of the COVID Strike Force teams that were created by the Justice Department. In one probe, the task force was able to recover $286 million in stolen pandemic relief funds and investigators have since identified several other cases.
The funds would also help improve the IdentityTheft.org website to help provide individuals with a way to report identity theft and receive personalized assistance on the matter. The United States is already investigating many fraud cases related to federal assistance programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program, unemployment insurance, and Medicare.
On Thursday, Biden said he would sign a Republican-led bill that would overturn changes to Washington DC’s laws that lowered penalties should the legislation pass the Democratic-controlled Senate. Following a meeting with Senate Democrats, Biden reiterated his support for DC’s statehood but voiced his opposition to the changes to penalties for crimes such as carjacking.
The city council in Washington, DC, has faced criticism for lowering the penalties for burglary, carjacking, and other crimes.
