Stories from Washington DC · United States

A surveillance program that allows the U.S. to collect the communications of foreigners, even when interacting with U.S. citizens, was due to expire at the end of Thursday. Congress passed an extension for this program.

The killing of journalists comes at a very high price of repression, with tactics once seen as exceptional becoming routine. Press freedom is not just about journalists but the public's right to know, and when it erodes, democracy becomes less transparent, accountable, and resilient. Jose Ruben Zamora, owner of El Periodico in Guatemala, has faced many attacks.

In 2025, over 30 journalists were detained or charged for their work. A sweeping majority, 90%, were detained while covering protests against Trump's immigration escalation and ICE targeting. This is a core issue for Latino and immigrant journalists. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has escalated actions related to Donald Trump's immigration policies. Protests occurred across the United States on May Day, with demonstrators demanding an end to immigration raids. Protests were held across Quebec, highlighting members.

A 200-plus page report states that the Biden administration's Justice Department pursued aggressive prosecutions against Christian demonstrators at abortion clinics.

Journalist Stephanie is believed by her lawyers and advocates to have been targeted not just for being an immigrant, but for her work as a journalist. She is described as the latest case of journalists arrested, detained, or deported under the current Trump administration. Journalist Georgia Forkt and journalist Don Lemon are also mentioned as accused of conspiring. WAMU 88.5 DC reported that repressive governments are using administrative powers to target journalists, citing a global trend of democratic backsliding. The station noted that killing journalists comes at a high price. Trump's immigration escalation and ICE targeting were mentioned in relation to this trend.

The President of the United States received a briefing regarding an alleged recovery of alien materials. The details of the briefing and the nature of the alleged recovery were not disclosed. This information is based on unconfirmed reports.

An attacker acquired weapons, trained with them, and traveled by train to D.C. for a premeditated attack. This careful planning should be a wake-up call, according to a former Homeland Security Department counterterrorism coordinator.

Olivia Rodrigo will release her third album, titled 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,' in June. Her previous two albums, 'Sour' and 'Guts,' both reached number one on the charts and produced three number-one singles, starting with 'Driver's License' in 2021.

A program in the United States offers tuition coverage for students, which also extends to housing and meals. This initiative aims to reduce financial burdens on students.

Following the reinstatement of an in-person requirement for Mifepristone, doctors are pivoting to a medication abortion protocol using only misoprostol. This alternative can be provided through telemedicine. Mifepristone, approved in 2000, has been used by approximately 7 million patients. This pivot is intended to continue providing patient care. Other doctors are also prepared for this change.