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By Sarah Naffa

April 22, 2025

In the news today: President Trump is dismantling some of the federal government’s public integrity guardrails; Ukraine’s mineral industry is key to keeping US military aid flowing; and Hamas threatens to delay the next release of Israeli hostages. Also, scientists confirm that a rare bat has migrated to Arizona.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office, Monday. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

POLITICS

With firings and lax enforcement, Trump is moving to dismantle government’s public integrity guardrails

In the first three weeks of his administration, President Donald Trump has moved with brazen haste to dismantle the federal government’s public integrity guardrails that he frequently tested during his first term but now seems intent on removing entirely. Read more.

Why this matters:

In a span of hours Monday, Trump forced out leaders of offices responsible for government ethics and whistleblower complaints. And in a boon to corporations, he ordered a pause on enforcement of a decades-old law that prohibits American companies from bribing foreign governments to win business. All of that came on top of the earlier late-night purge of more than a dozen inspectors general who are tasked with rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse at government agencies.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

WORLD NEWS

Ukraine offers rare earth deal to Trump for more US military aid

Ukraine has offered to strike a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump for continued American military aid in exchange for developing Ukraine’s mineral industry, which could provide a valuable source of the rare earth elements that are essential for many kinds of technology. Read more.

Why this matters:

Rare earth elements are a set of 17 elements that are essential in many kinds of consumer technology, including cellphones, hard drives, and electric vehicles. Ukraine’s rare earth elements are largely untapped because of the war and because of state policies regulating the mineral industry.
China, Trump’s chief geopolitical adversary, is the world’s largest producer of rare earth elements. Both the U.S and Europe have sought to reduce their dependence on Beijing.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

WORLD NEWS

Hamas’ threat to delay the next release of Israeli hostages raises fears for Gaza ceasefire

Hamas’ threat to delay the next planned release of Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip has jolted a fragile ceasefire that’s seen as having the potential to wind down the war. The next handover of three hostages had been scheduled for Saturday, and families say time is running out for those still alive. Read more.

Why this matters:

The developments have led to new fear in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have surged to what remains of their homes in the territory’s north after fleeing in the war’s earliest weeks. The uncertainty complicates talks on the far more difficult phase of the ceasefire, jeopardizes the pause in the fighting and the increase in humanitarian aid for Gaza, and raises concerns that the devastating war could resume in early March.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

IN OTHER NEWS

READ

Rape allegations: Rep. Nancy Mace accuses ex-fiancé, associates of assaulting her, raping others in House speech

Scottsdale Airport: Private jets collide in Arizona, killing at least 1 person

$4B settlement: Hawaii court rules against insurance companies in wildfire case

Corruption Perceptions Index: Survey gives many nations worst scores in over a decade

$97.4B offer: Elon Musk-led group proposes buying OpenAI. OpenAI CEO says ‘no thank you’

Today in History: In 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison

WATCH

Fatal crash: At least 51 are dead after a bus plunged off a bridge in Guatemala

World’s largest light art run: Runners race in illuminated dash around Copenhagen’s harbour

A CHANGE OF PACE

A Mexican long-nosed bat feeds on agave nectar in Nuevo León, Mexico. (Chris Galloway/Horizonline Pictures/Bat Conservation International via AP)

Arizona has added an endangered bat to the list of night-flying creatures
Scientists have long suspected that Mexican long-nosed bats migrate through southeastern Arizona, but proof has been elusive. Researchers say they now have a way to tell the endangered species apart from other bats by analyzing their saliva.

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