Newly released documents reveal more than $300,000 in taxpayer-funded sexual harassment settlements involving lawmakers
- Taxpayers covered more than $300,000 in confidential sexual‑harassment settlements for six former House members or their offices, documents released after Rep. Nancy Mace’s subpoena and reviewed by CNN show.
- A 2018 policy change spurred by the #MeToo movement now bars members from using taxpayer dollars for such settlements — a key reform aimed at increased accountability.
- High‑profile figures tied to these payments include John Conyers and Blake Farenthold, both of whom faced allegations and resigned amid investigations.
Education Department opens probe into Smith College for admitting trans women
- The U.S. Department of Education opened a Title IX investigation into Smith College for admitting transgender women.
- The probe follows a complaint from conservative group Defending Education and centers on whether the single‑sex exception to Title IX covers biological sex only, not gender identity.
- Smith has admitted trans women since 2015, and the move is part of broader political and legal fights over transgender rights and Title IX rules.
USA's Christian Pulisic A Top-75 World Cup Star? 'He'll Get Back To That Point'
- Pulisic exploded out of the gate for AC Milan (10 goals, 3 assists in his first 15 apps) but has gone scoreless since the turn of the year and hasn’t scored for the U.S. since Nov. 2024.
- With the 2026 World Cup just weeks away (U.S. co-hosts), debate is heating up — analysts are optimistic he can rediscover his early-season form, while coach Mauricio Pochettino has raised questions about having a true “top-100” performer right now.
- Pulisic skipped the 2025 Gold Cup, returned with an assist vs Japan, and now has three Serie A games plus friendlies vs Senegal and Germany to regain confidence before the U.S. opens vs Paraguay on June 12.
Best In The National League? The Surprise Team Ahead Of The Dodgers
- Dontrelle Willis puts the Atlanta Braves at No. 1 — healthy, deep lineup (Albies, Olson) and Spencer Strider returning make them World Series favorites.
- The Dodgers land at No. 2 — recent slip-ups aside, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and pitching reinforcements keep them dangerous.
- Rounding out his top five are the Cubs (elite defense and league‑leading OBP), Padres (health of Bogaerts/Tatis key) and Reds (young studs like Elly De La Cruz and rookie Sal Stewart).
British pubs closing at a rate of almost two per day in 2026
- About two British pubs closed per day in Q1 2026 — 161 closures nationwide, costing roughly 2,400 jobs.
- The government has rolled out a 15% business-rates relief and other short-term support, but the pub industry says a permanent tax overhaul is needed.
- Regional split: Scotland saw the biggest losses, while Wales was the only part of Great Britain to record pub growth.
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