r/PlanetNewsPulse

A few weeks ago, The New York Times published a striking report on Donald Trump awarding a no-bid contract to the same construction company he chose to work on the White House ballroom project, except this time, it would repair two ornamental fountains in Lafayette Park, which is across the street from the White House.

The Biden administration in 2022 estimated the repairs would cost roughly $3.3 million. Trump and his team, however, approved a no-bid contract originally worth $11.9 million, and after the Republican administration added some additional tasks, the price tag climbed to $17.4 million.

The US trade court on Thursday ruled against Donald Trump’s latest 10% global tariffs, finding across-the-board tariffs were not justified under a 1970s trade law.

The US court of international trade ruled in favor of small businesses that challenged the tariffs, which took effect on 24 February. The ruling was 2-1, with one judge saying it was premature to grant victory to the small business plaintiffs.

Researchers analyzed data from 480,000 participants, providing one of the most comprehensive looks at how physical activity supports long-term brain health. The findings suggest that cycling boosts oxygen delivery to the brain, enhances blood flow to critical thinking regions, and improves support for brain cells.

These combined effects help protect neural pathways and maintain cognitive function over time. Overall, the study highlights biking as a simple, accessible activity with powerful benefits for reducing dementia risk.

Americans’ assessments of President Donald Trump have declined steadily over the last several months. His job approval rating now stands at 34% – the lowest mark of his second term. He has also lost ground across a variety of personal attributes and issue areas.