🌿 Your Peace Pulse

How the closure of EPA offices puts poor and minority communities at risk

For three decades, the EPA established offices nationwide to address disproportionately high levels of pollution in poor and minority communities. Now, the Trump administration is eliminating these environmental justice offices as part of its effort to end DEI programs and cut spending. Ali Rogin speaks with Amudalat Ajasa, who covers environmental health for The Washington Post, for more.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

‘Utter desperation’ in Gaza after ceasefire collapse and Israel’s aid blockade

Since the collapse of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in March, Gaza has received no deliveries of food, water, fuel or medical supplies as Israel has blocked all humanitarian aid, leaving Gazans in dire straits. John Yang speaks with Gavin Kelleher of the Norwegian Refugee Council about conditions on the ground there.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

Gaia space observatory bids farewell after a decade of mapping the stars

After more than a decade of mapping billions of stars across the Milky Way and beyond, a groundbreaking spacecraft is retiring. The European Space Agency’s space-based observatory known as Gaia is leaving behind a legacy of stunning discoveries that changed what we know about the universe. John Yang reports.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

Shapiro resists calls to label arson attack a hate crime: 'Not sure it’s helpful'

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) repeatedly declined to label the arson attack on his house a hate crime, saying in a new interview that such a designation would be up to prosecutors to make. ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos pressed the governor about whether the attack was a hate crime, noting even Senate Minority Leader...

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Senate GOP braces for primary headaches after 2024 break

After a two-year hiatus, Senate GOP primaries are on the way back. Senate Republicans are bracing for a midterm cycle that could be littered with nasty primary challenges to both incumbents and preferred candidates alike, marking a stark change after party leaders worked hand in glove with President Trump to root them out to help...

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Trump wishes happy Easter to all, 'including Radical Left Lunatics'

President Trump on Sunday wished everyone a happy Easter in a post on his Truth Social platform, “including Radical Left Lunatics.” “Happy Easter to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting and scheming so hard to bring Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, the Mentally Insane, and well known MS-13 Gang Members and Wife...

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Goolsbee says he hopes Fed maintains its monetary independence, citing credibility

Austan Goolsbee, the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, said he hopes the Federal Reserve maintains its monetary independence amid attacks from President Trump, citing the agency’s credibility. Goolsbee joined CBS News’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday to weigh in on Trump’s pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut...

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Vance meets Pope Francis on Easter Sunday after tangle over migration and deportations

Vice President JD Vancemet briefly with Pope Francis on Sunday to exchange Easter greetings, after they got into a long-distance tangle over the Trump administration's migrant deportation plans.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

Van Hollen: US is in constitutional crisis with Trump 'flouting the courts'

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said on Sunday that the United States is in a constitutional crisis with the Trump administration "flouting the courts." “Do you think that the Trump administration is ignoring the courts? Do you think that the country is currently in a constitutional crisis?” NBC News’s Kristen Welker asked Van Hollen on...

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Read Justice Alito’s dissent from late-night Supreme Court order blocking some deportations

The Supreme Court acted “literally in the middle of the night” and without sufficient explanation inblocking the Trump administrationfrom deporting any Venezuelans held in northern Texas under an 18th-century wartime law, Justice Samuel Alito wrote in asharp dissentthat castigated theseven-member majority.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

Who has Trump's ear on Iranian negotiations?

President Trump's decision to engage in direct talks with Iran has left many questioning whether he is willing to compromise to get a deal, or if he is bluffing with the threat of military action, and who will have the most influence over his decision.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Zeldin says he can 'absolutely' assure public EPA deregulation efforts won’t harm environment

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin said he can “absolutely” assure the public that the various deregulation efforts undergone by the agency will not harm the environment. Zeldin joined CBS News’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday, where he was asked if he could ensure the deregulation wouldn’t have an adverse impact. “Absolutely,” he replied....

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: The Hill

15 years after Deepwater Horizon oil spill, lawsuits and coastal restoration have stalled

Fifteen years after the Deepwater Horizon oil rigexploded off the Gulf Coast, killing 11 and sending 134 million gallons of crude gushing into the ocean, the effects of the nation's worst offshore oil spill are still being felt.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

How Trump’s tariffs are hurting Hollywood

Hollywood is, and long has been, intertwined with the global economy.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Zelenskyy says Russia is trying to create ‘impression of a ceasefire’ while continuing attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accusedRussiaon Sunday of creating a false appearance of honoring an Easter ceasefire, saying Moscow continued to launch attacks after Russian President Vladimir Putin announceda unilateral temporary truce.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

GOP senator says Trump shouldn't send Americans to foreign prisons: 'We have our own laws'

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said on Sunday he does not think the law would allow President Trump to send United States citizens convicted of violent crimes to Salvadoran prisons, despite the president’s suggestion that he might be open to that possibility. “No, ma'am. Nor should it be considered appropriate or moral,” Kennedy told NBC News’s...

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Trump’s right about the WHO: It’s time to consider an alternative

It is time for the United States to consider an alternative to the WHO — a more nimble, innovative institution that would harness technology to pinpoint outbreaks and spot trends around the world.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Former President Clinton speaks at memorial service 30 years after Oklahoma City bombing

Thirty years after the deadliest homegrown attack in U.S. history, former President Bill Clinton returned to Oklahoma City on Saturday toremember the people who were killedand comfort those affected by the bombing.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

Israeli probe into killing of Palestinian emergency workers finds 'professional failures'

An Israeli probe into its soldiers'deadly shooting of 15 emergency workers last month in Gazasays it has found evidence of "professional failures" and a deputy commander will be fired.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: CBC News - Canada

Israeli probe finds ‘professional failures’ in its military’s killings of 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza

An Israeli investigation into thekillings of 15 Palestinian medics last month in Gazaby Israeli forces said Sunday it found a chain of “professional failures” and a deputy commander will be fired — one of the most severe punishments of the 18-month war.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of breaking one-day Easter ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine blamed each other on Sunday for breaking a one-day Easter ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, with each side accusing the other of carrying out hundreds of attacks.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: CBC News - Canada

Japan, amid an unprecedented travel boom, is starting to charge tourists more to visit

Japan surpassed 10 million visitors at the fastest pace ever this year, reaching that mark already in March, official data showed on Wednesday, as a weak yen propels an unprecedented tourism boom.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: CBC News - Canada

In Italy, King Charles offers 'a surprisingly explicit show of support' for Canada

During his recent state visit to Italy, King Charles had much praise for his hosts, but there was a noteworthy moment when he drew attention to another country and his connection to it: Canada.

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Source: CBC News - Canada

Three fired Pentagon officials say they've been 'slandered' by 'baseless attacks' from 'unnamed' officials

Three Pentagon officials fired on Friday after being placed on administrative leave amid an ongoing investigation into information leaks at the Defense Department say they are "incredibly disappointed by the manner in which our service at the Department of Defense ended." In a joint statement from Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick, posted on...

Published on: April 19, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Anti-Trump demonstrators rally across the US

Thousands of people nationwide gathered on Saturday to voice their opposition to President Trump's administration and several of its policy initiatives. Lafayette Square outside the White House was packed with demonstrators in the morning while some rallied near the Washington Monument amid gatherings in New York, Massachusetts and other states. Signs displayed condemned the war...

Published on: April 19, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Meta, Amazon, YouTube among White House Easter Egg Roll sponsors

This year's White House Easter Egg roll on the South Lawn will feature events sponsored by some major corporations, including Amazon, Meta, Youtube. Amazon is sponsoring the reading nook offered to guests, while Meta plans to offer an AI-Powered experience and photo opportunities in addition to Youtube's Bunny Hop Stage according to a Friday release....

Published on: April 19, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Supreme Court temporarily blocks Trump from deporting more Venezuelan migrants

In an unusual late-night order, the Supreme Court temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan migrants being held in Texas using an 18th century law called the Alien Enemies Act. The order came in response to an emergency petition filed by the ACLU, with Justices Thomas and Alito dissenting. John Yang speaks with Amy Howe of SCOTUSblog for more.

Published on: April 19, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

News Wrap: Russia and Ukraine swap POWs amid temporary ceasefire

Published on: April 19, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

How synthetic braiding hair may be putting Black women’s health in jeopardy

For years, Black women have used synthetic braids to help style their hair. But a recent study by Consumer Reports found that these fake hair strands can contain dangerous chemicals that pose a health threat. Ali Rogin reports on the history of braiding in Black culture and speaks with Adana Llanos, co-leader of the Cancer Population Science Program at Columbia University, to learn more.

Published on: April 19, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

Retired firefighter looks back at tragedy of Oklahoma City bombing, 30 years later

Oklahoma City held a solemn ceremony Saturday morning, honoring the 168 people who died 30 years ago today when an anti-government extremist set off a powerful bomb outside the federal building there. A single photograph captured the horror of that day: a firefighter cradling the lifeless body of a small child. That firefighter, Chris Fields, joins John Yang to reflect on his experience.

Published on: April 19, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour

US made 'very good' progress on nuclear talks with Iran

U.S. officials made “very good” progress during the second round of nuclear talks with Iran in Rome and plan to meet with their Tehran’s counterparts next week. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff held both direct and indirect discussions during the meeting that lasted more than four hours, according...

Published on: April 19, 2025 | Source: The Hill

Sunday shows preview: Trump doubles down on Abrego Garcia deportation as backlash ensues

President Trump addressed the topic of deportation continuously throughout the week as Democratic lawmaker’s railed against the removal of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. In March, Abrego Garcia, who lived with his wife in Maryland, was sent to El Salvador's notorious terrorist confinement center (CECOT). Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D) visited Abrego Garcia, who is a...

Published on: April 19, 2025 | Source: The Hill

The five people shaping Trump’s economic agenda

President Trump is relying on a cast of economic advisers with differing viewpoints and backgrounds as he implements a sweeping tariff agenda that has rattled financial markets and occasionally mixed messages. There’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has taken the lead in negotiating trade deals and is viewed by Republican lawmakers and Wall Street executives...

Published on: April 19, 2025 | Source: The Hill

ACLU sues Trump administration for targeting international students

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing President Trump’s administration in federal court for targeting international students who had their legal status revoked. “The consequences of Defendants’ unilateral and unlawful termination are dire. The termination puts students out of lawful student status. Plaintiffs and the class face immigration detention and deportation. Plaintiffs and the...

Published on: April 19, 2025 | Source: The Hill

250 years after the start of the Revolutionary War, a divided America battles over its legacy

Thousands of people came to Lexington, Massachusetts, just before dawn on Saturday to witness a reenactment of how the American Revolutionary War began 250 years ago, as the country looks back to its war of independence and asks where its legacy stands today.

Published on: April 19, 2025 | Source: PBS NewsHour