State colleges and universities face big changes in state funding under $50.3 billion budget for state operations in the coming fiscal year. The budget also includes $60 million for expanded private-school voucher program. The Missouri House gave first-round approval Tuesday to a state operating budget that will close an almost $2 billion deficit by using almost all the state’s remaining surplus in the general revenue fund. At the end of more than five hours of debate, there were few changes in the spending plan for fiscal 2027 approved earlier this…
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Netflix, which offered an $83 billion bid for Warner Bros., announced Thursday it dropped out of the bidding war. That clears the way for Paramount Skydance to buy Warner Bros., which would merge Paramount in Hollywood and Warner Bros. in Burbank for the first time. The iconic studios are about 8 miles from each other and have been around since the early 20th century. Warner Bros. is known for everything from Bugs Bunny and “Casablanca” to the Superman and Harry Potter movies, and Paramount has served as the home to…
US and Iranian officials held a fresh round of Oman-mediated nuclear talks in Geneva on February 26 for what is seen as a last-ditch attempt to avoid a major military conflict between the foes. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has a history of mediating talks between two, said he saw “significant progress” and announced that technical level discussions will take place next week in Vienna. “We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals… I am grateful to all concerned for their efforts: the negotiators, the IAEA (International…
The European Union is urging a “diplomatic solution” on Iran as top EU diplomats are set to meet with the director of US President Donald Trump’s newly-created Board of Peace, and Trump continues to threaten strikes on Iran. “We don’t need another war in this region. We already have a lot,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday. “It is true that Iran is at its weakest point that they have been. We should be really using this time to find a diplomatic solution.” Working with the Board of…
Greenland’s prime minister has asked US President Donald Trump to talk to him instead of making “random outbursts on social media”, after Trump said he was sending a US hospital boat to “take care” of people on the island. Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was going to send a boat filled with medical supplies, alleging “many people” on the island are sick and “not being taken care of”. Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded “it’s going to be a no thanks from us,” and said that Greenland provides free healthcare for…
Wielding a golden gavel and a playlist featuring the Beach Boys, Donald Trump ushered in a new era of international humiliation at the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-led Board of Peace. The new body, while established by Trump, has been tasked by a UN Security Council resolution to administer Gaza’s reconstruction efforts. But Trump has also suggested his ambitions for the board go far beyond Gaza, saying it would “almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly.” Trump has demanded that world leaders pony up…
Japanese companies will finance investments valued at $36 billion in energy and minerals projects in Ohio, Texas and Georgia as part of a trade agreement that will cut U.S. tariffs on Japanese imports to 15%, according to the Trump administration. The announcement is part of Japan’s 2025 agreement to invest $550 billion over the next four years at the direction of the U.S., with the funds aimed at rebuilding and expanding core American industries. In October, the Trump administration provided details on Japanese investments of up to $332 billion to…
President Donald Trump has approved Gov. Jeff Landry’s request for more federal funding to help with recovery from a severe winter storm that hit North Louisiana in late January. The president signed off on a major disaster declaration that will bring more support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to nine parishes: Bienville, DeSoto, East Carroll, Franklin, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas and West Carroll. The money will help pay for debris removal, emergency medical support, temporary generators and other services needed in the aftermath of the disaster. It can also…
In the first week of Black History Month, President Donald Trump posted a racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama on social media — a video clip showing the Obamas’ faces on apes. The post was later deleted, and the White House blamed a staffer for “erroneously” posting it. On Friday evening, Trump refused to apologize for the post: “I didn’t make a mistake,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One. The post was one of dozens Trump shared in the middle of the night…
President Donald Trump’s comments on former Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino’s podcast this week that he would like to see Republicans “nationalize” elections has some on Capitol Hill playing a guessing game. What exactly did Trump mean when he suggested that Republicans should “take over the voting … in at least many, 15 places”? “If he was on Dan’s show, and he’s catering to Dan’s audience, I’m sure there’s not going to be many Democrats listening to the show,” Rep. Jimmy Patronis, a Republican from Florida, mused about Trump’s comments…