Blog Verité

Multiple people have given stiff-arm salutes after Elon Musk did it twice on Inauguration Day. Many claim it was a joke but extremism experts worry the once-taboo salute is getting normalized. (Image credit: Angela Weiss)

As an Indian Muslim, I have learned to say many words in whispers. The thought recently struck me when my husband and I were at a McDonald’s in Thailand that casually offered beef burgers to customers. The word “beef” felt

Rather than lowering the price, some universities use online courses to subsidize everything else. (Image credit: Getty Images; photo collage NPR)

Thursday’s deadline for federal agencies to submit plans for large-scale layoffs kicks off a new phase in the dramatic restructuring of how the government operates. Here’s what that looks like. (Image credit: Bryan Dozier)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is convening a second meeting of global leaders Saturday to discuss the developments regarding the war in Ukraine. (Image credit: Stefan Rousseau)

Ten Senate Democrats cave to avert government shutdown  Axios Democratic Party infighting exposes struggle to unite against Trump  BBC.com Senate averts shutdown, but vote leaves Democrats bitterly divided  The Washington Post The Senate votes to avert a shutdown after Schumer relents.  The New York

Trump White House has asked U.S. military to develop options for the Panama Canal, officials say  NBC News

‘Highly unusual’: White House halts FBI background checks for senior staff, shifts them to Pentagon: Sources  ABC News

White House instructs agencies to avoid firing cybersecurity staff, email says  Reuters.com

The order targeting the agencies, largely obscure entities that address issues like labor mediation and homelessness prevention, appeared to test the bounds of the president’s power.