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Year: 2026

‘Impossible to describe:’ Importer who challenged Trump tariffs hails Supreme Court win

‘Impossible to describe:’ Importer who challenged Trump tariffs hails Supreme Court win

Victor Owen Schwartz never imagined he would one day find himself challenging a president in the highest court in the land. But after President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs threatened the survival of his wine importing business, Schwartz became a plaintiff in a case that would ultimately reach the Supreme Court and prevail. With wines and spirits arriving from 16 countries across five continents, nearly every corner of Schwartz’s supply chain was touched by the new tariffs. On Friday, the nation’s highest court dealt Trump a significant blow to his trade policy. Schwartz watched the decision unfold over Zoom with his lawyers, the fate of his nearly 40-year-old business hanging in the balance. SUPREME COURT DEALS BLOW TO TRUMP’S TRADE AGENDA IN LANDMARK TARIFF CASE “We are relieved and very excited to get back to doing what we love, bringing handmade authentic wines and spirits to American consumers,” Schwartz said. “It’s impossible to describe the feeling of elation, of seeing that, yes, we were right, and the court agrees with us, and a feeling that justice prevailed,” he told Fox News Digital. Schwartz was a plaintiff in one of two cases brought before the Supreme Court. The challenges — Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections Inc. — were filed by an educational toy manufacturer and Schwartz’s family-owned wine and spirits importer, both contesting the legality of Trump’s tariffs.  The disputes followed Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs in April, a sweeping package of import duties he said would address trade imbalances and reduce reliance on foreign goods. TRUMP’S TARIFF REVENUES HIT RECORD HIGHS AS SUPREME COURT DEALS MAJOR BLOW “Last spring, thousands of American small businesses like mine were thrown into chaos,” Schwartz said, referring to the “Liberation Day” tariffs. “The administration’s unprecedented tariffs, which my business was forced to pay upfront, threatened our very existence,” he added. Unlike previous tariffs enacted by Congress, which businesses could plan around, Schwartz said Trump’s sweeping duties felt unpredictable and arbitrary. He argued the new duties forced small companies to “gamble with our livelihoods by trying to predict the unpredictable,” calling them “an unconstitutional act of government overreach.” Beyond the legal fight, Schwartz said the strain on cash flow was especially acute. “A very important thing to realize in running any business, certainly a small business, is the impact on cash flow,” he said. “When you have to pay those tariffs up front before you have sold a single bottle of wine, that’s a major impact … cash flow is the lifeblood of a company.”  Meanwhile, the Trump administration has argued that aggressive tariffs are necessary to confront what it calls years of unfair global trade — underscoring how central trade policy is to Trump’s broader economic strategy. Shortly after the Supreme Court ruling, Trump announced a 10% global tariff and vowed to use other avenues to keep the duties in place. While questions remain about what comes next for U.S. trade policy, Schwartz said he is focused on moving forward and receiving the “government’s refund of these improperly collected taxes.”

US to unveil platform aiming to bypass internet censorship in China, Iran and beyond

US to unveil platform aiming to bypass internet censorship in China, Iran and beyond

FIRST ON FOX: The State Department has finalized a new privacy-preserving app intended to give users worldwide access to what officials describe as the same uncensored internet available to Americans, even in countries with strict online repression such as China and Iran and as Europe enacts tighter content oversight.  The platform, Freedom.gov, will roll out “in the coming weeks,” Fox News Digital has learned.  It will operate as a one-click desktop and mobile application compatible with iOS and Android devices. MARCO RUBIO VOICES CONCERN THAT AMERICANS MAY SOMEDAY BE ARRESTED FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS WHEN VISITING EUROPE The app is open-source and includes built-in anonymity protections.  The initiative comes as governments worldwide tighten control over digital speech, from China’s “Great Firewall” to sweeping internet shutdowns in Iran and new regulatory regimes in Europe. U.S. officials say Freedom.gov is designed to offer a technological counterweight — exporting what they describe as America’s open internet model to users living under censorship. “In the interest of total transparency, we made Freedom.gov completely open-source. But we also made it completely anonymous,” a State Department official said. “Anyone can see how it works. No one, including us, can track or identify you.” According to the official, the application does not log IP addresses, session data, browsing activity, DNS queries or device identifiers that could be used to personally identify users. Specific details about the app’s underlying technical structure were not disclosed. Governments with sophisticated censorship systems historically have moved quickly to block or criminalize circumvention tools. Authorities can restrict app downloads, block domains, throttle traffic or impose penalties on users. Whether Freedom.gov maintains accessibility in heavily restricted environments may depend on its technical architecture and its ability to adapt to countermeasures. The initiative is being led by Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers, who oversees the State Department’s Digital Freedom office. “Freedom.gov is the latest in a long line of efforts by the State Department to protect and promote fundamental freedoms, both online and offline,” Rogers said. “The project will be global in its scope, but distinctly American in its mission: commemorating our commitment to free expression as we approach our 250th birthday.” Reuters previously reported that the State Department was developing the Freedom.gov platform. The rollout comes amid intensifying global battles over internet governance, as governments across Europe and beyond move to assert greater control over online content. GOOGLE’S DECISION TO WALK BACK BIDEN-ERA YOUTUBE ACCOUNT BANS HAILED AS ‘HUGE DEVELOPMENT’ FOR FREE SPEECH In Europe, regulators have tightened oversight under new laws aimed at policing digital platforms. The European Union’s Digital Services Act expands government authority over major platforms and requires removal of illegal content, including hate speech and extremist material, with regulators empowered to impose steep fines for violations. In the United Kingdom, the Online Safety Act imposes new obligations on platforms to address harmful and illegal content and includes age-verification requirements for certain services. Critics warn the measures risk incentivizing aggressive content removal and expanding government influence over lawful speech online. Elsewhere, restrictions have been more direct. Russia recently moved to ban WhatsApp, further consolidating state control over digital communications. China maintains the world’s most sophisticated online censorship system, widely known as the “Great Firewall,” blocking foreign news outlets and social media platforms while promoting a state-controlled digital ecosystem. Iran repeatedly has imposed sweeping internet shutdowns during periods of unrest. During protests, government blackouts have cut citizens off from global communications. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that thousands of Starlink satellite internet terminals were covertly brought into the country following a blackout, in an effort backed by the United States to help dissidents bypass censorship.  Iranian authorities have attempted to jam satellite signals and criminalized possession of such equipment. Satellite connectivity — which does not rely on domestic telecommunications infrastructure — has emerged as one of the few viable lifelines during shutdowns.

RFK Jr defends Trump move to protect pesticide he tied to ‘chronic disease epidemic’

RFK Jr defends Trump move to protect pesticide he tied to ‘chronic disease epidemic’

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently defended a move by President Donald Trump to protect and boost the production of a precursor chemical for pesticides, which just two years ago RFK Jr. said was a major contributor to “America’s chronic disease epidemic,” and if elected he would “ban” it.  Citing national defense imperatives, Trump passed an executive order earlier this week to protect a precursor element used in the production of an herbicide known as glyphosate. Trump’s executive order described glyphosate-based herbicides as “a cornerstone” of the United States’ agricultural productivity.  The directive created a furor among proponents of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda. Just two years ago, in June 2024, when Kennedy was still running for president, he posted on X, formerly Twitter, that “glyphosate is one of the likely culprits in America’s chronic disease epidemic.” BROOKE ROLLINS, ROBERT KENNEDY JR: NEW DIETARY PLAN RECOMMENDS REAL FOOD FOR ALL AMERICANS “The herbicide Glyphosate is one of the likely culprits in America’s chronic disease epidemic. Much more widely used here than in Europe. Shockingly, much of our exposure comes from its use as a desiccant on wheat, not as an herbicide. From there it goes straight into our bodies,” RFK Jr. said in 2024 while running for president. “MY USDA will ban that practice.” A MAHA Commission report released in May 2025 highlighted the concerns surrounding glyphosate as well.  “Some studies have raised concerns about possible links between some of these products and adverse health outcomes, especially in children, but human studies are limited,” the report said. “For example, a selection of research studies on a herbicide (glyphosate) have noted a range of possible health effects, ranging from reproductive and developmental disorders as well as cancers, liver inflammation and metabolic disturbances.” Trump’s executive order was immediately praised by agriculture industry leaders, but MAHA loyalists were sharply critical.  RFK JR BACKS BEEF, DECLARING ‘WAR ON PROTEIN IS OVER’ AS HE THANKS AMERICA’S CATTLE RANCHERS “This move betrays the very MAHA voters who put this administration in power,” Kelly Ryerson, co-executive director of American Regeneration and a leading grassroots voice within MAHA, said in a statement. “It stands in direct opposition to the President’s original promise to address the contribution of pesticides to chronic disease.” “The right is captured by Big Glyphosate,” added Alex Clark, a podcast host affiliated with Turning Point USA, founded by the late-Charlie Kirk.  “It feels like MAHA is going through a breakup, or just found out our husband was having an affair,” she told the Wall Street Journal. When reached for comment, RFK Jr. said Trump’s directive on glyphosate “puts America first where it matters most,” citing the nation’s defense readiness and food supply. “We must safeguard America’s national security first, because all of our priorities depend on it,” he said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “When hostile actors control critical inputs, they weaken our security. By expanding domestic production, we close that gap and protect American families.”

Residents in northern Lebanon terrified their buildings will collapse

Residents in northern Lebanon terrified their buildings will collapse

NewsFeed Residents say they’re scared for their own homes after a building collapse killed at least 15 people in northern Lebanon earlier this month. Al Jazeera’s Justin Salhani visited a Tripoli neighbourhood that’s been condemned because its buildings may also fall down. Published On 20 Feb 202620 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)

A fragile freedom for Venezuela’s released political prisoners

A fragile freedom for Venezuela’s released political prisoners

A ‘revolving door’ for prisoners? For Armas, the joy of his homecoming has been dulled by the fear of continued persecution. The trouble largely began after he served as an organiser for Venezuela’s opposition during the contested 2024 presidential election. Protesters had denounced the vote as rigged after Maduro’s government failed to provide the official results of the election. The opposition, meanwhile, published evidence suggesting its candidate had won by a considerable margin. That prompted a sweeping government crackdown on dissenters. In December 2024, Armas was arrested. He said he was taken to a house where he was blindfolded, tied to a chair for days and suffocated with a plastic bag. Later, he shared a dingy cell with dozens of other prisoners – and rats. Once he was transferred to El Helicoide, his friends and family had no contact with him for 10 months. His release, however, has not meant freedom. The day he stepped out of prison, he celebrated by joining a motorcycle parade with Juan Pablo Guanipa, a prominent politician who had also been freed. Opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa, right, and political activist Jesus Armas ride on the backs of motorbikes after their release [Cristian Hernandez/AP Photo] There was a feeling of energy and optimism, Armas recalled, as they visited the families of other political prisoners. But within hours, Guanipa was abducted by masked individuals. No one knew where he had been taken. “I couldn’t sleep because I was scared,” he said. His first night home was spent lying in bed, checking for news about Guanipa. “I had all this adrenaline, all these mixed emotions. I was happy because I was with my parents, but there was also fear.” Officials accused Guanipa of breaching the rules of his release, although it is not clear what those limits were. He was held incommunicado for hours before being fitted with an electronic ankle monitor and placed under house arrest. Only after the passage of the amnesty bill on Thursday was Guanipa released from house arrest, according to a statement from his brother Tomas Guanipa. Still, Guanipa himself warned that the amnesty law would not end the government’s oppressive tactics. He highlighted its exclusions and loopholes. “What was approved today in the legislative palace is no amnesty,” Guanipa wrote on social media after his second release in less than two weeks. “It is a flawed document intended to blackmail many innocent Venezuelans and excludes several brothers and sisters who remain unjustly behind bars.” For Tineo, cases of re-arrest like Guanipa’s show that Venezuela is not sincere about ending government repression. “As long as judicial restrictions remain in place for those released and the ‘revolving door’ practice continues – new detentions following releases – it can’t be said that there is an end to the policy of persecution,” she said. Adblock test (Why?)