Recently, Harvard University and former President Donald Trump have been in the news because of a big disagreement. Let’s break down what’s going on in a way that’s easy to understand.

Why Are Harvard and Trump Fighting?

The Trump administration tried to make a rule that would stop Harvard from letting students from other countries (international students) go to school there. Harvard didn’t think this was fair, so they asked a judge to help them.

What Did the Judge Do?

On May 23, 2025, a judge said, “Wait! Stop!” The judge told the Trump administration they can’t make Harvard follow the new rule right now. This is called a “temporary restraining order.” It means things stay the same for a little while, until everyone has a chance to talk about it more in court.

What Happens Next?

There will be two important meetings in court soon. These are called “hearings.” At these hearings, the judge will listen to both sides and decide what should happen next.

Here are the dates to remember:

• May 27, 2025: First court meeting
• May 29, 2025: Second court meeting

What Does This Mean for Now?

For now, Harvard can still let international students go to school there. The judge will decide if this can keep happening after the court meetings.

In Short

• Harvard and Trump are fighting about international students.
• A judge said to pause the new rule for now.
• The next big decisions will be made after the court meetings on May 27 and May 29, 2025.

We’ll know more after those dates!

Texas lawmakers have advanced a sweeping ban on all THC products, marking a major turning point for the state’s hemp and cannabis industry. Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), which passed the Texas House in a 95-44 vote, would outlaw the sale, possession, and manufacture of any consumable hemp product containing intoxicating cannabinoids—including popular items like delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10 THC, as well as edibles, vapes, and beverages.

What the Ban Includes

• SB 3 prohibits any consumable hemp product with synthetic or naturally occurring intoxicating cannabinoids, such as delta-8 and delta-10 THC.
• Only non-intoxicating compounds like CBD and CBG will remain legal, but these will require registration with the state.
• The bill specifically targets products that provide a psychoactive effect, aiming to close loopholes that allowed these substances to be sold legally since 2019.

Penalties and Enforcement

• Adults caught with THC products could face fines up to $500, with repeat offenses leading to larger fines and possible jail time.
• Manufacturing, delivering, or possessing THC products with intent to deliver would be a third-degree felony, punishable by two to ten years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
• The ban does not affect the state’s limited Compassionate Use Program, which allows certain medical patients access to low-THC cannabis.

Economic and Social Impact

• Texas’ hemp industry is valued at about $8 billion and supports an estimated 50,000 jobs.
• Thousands of retailers and manufacturers could be forced to close or pivot their business models if the ban takes effect.
• Many Texans, including veterans and patients with chronic conditions, have relied on legal THC products for relief. Critics warn the ban may push consumers to the unregulated black market.

Political Context and Next Steps

• Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has championed the ban, arguing it is necessary to protect public health and prevent access to intoxicating products by children.
• The bill is now awaiting final procedural steps and could soon reach Governor Greg Abbott’s desk. The governor has not yet commented on whether he will sign SB 3 into law..
• If enacted, the ban could take effect as early as September 2025.

In summary: Texas is poised to implement one of the strictest bans on THC products in the country, aiming to eliminate nearly all intoxicating hemp-derived products from the market. The move has sparked intense debate over public health, economic impact, and personal freedom, with the future of thousands of Texas businesses and consumers hanging in the balance.

President Donald Trump has formally announced the “Golden Dome,” a $175 billion missile defense initiative intended to shield the United States from a new generation of missile threats, including those launched from space. The plan, revealed in the Oval Office alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, marks the most ambitious U.S. missile defense proposal in decades and would, for the first time, place U.S. weapons in orbit.

Scope and Ambition

The Golden Dome is envisioned as a multilayered defense system, integrating next-generation technologies across land, sea, and space. Unlike Israel’s Iron Dome, which protects against short-range threats over a limited area, the Golden Dome aims to defend the entire U.S.—a country 450 times larger—against advanced ballistic, hypersonic, and even space-launched missiles. The system would use space-based sensors and interceptors to detect and destroy missiles at multiple stages of flight, including before launch, during ascent, midcourse, and terminal phases.

Timeline and Leadership

Trump has set an aggressive three-year timeline, promising the system will be operational before the end of his term in January 2029. He has appointed U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein as the program’s lead, tasking him with overseeing the rapid development and integration of the system. The initial funding tranche of $25 billion has been proposed in the current defense budget, with the remainder contingent on Congressional approval.

International and Domestic Reaction

The announcement has triggered immediate international concern, particularly from China, which warned the project could destabilize the global strategic balance and fuel a new arms race. Domestically, critics have questioned the feasibility of the timeline and budget, with estimates from the Congressional Budget Office suggesting a comprehensive shield could ultimately cost more than $500 billion over two decades8. Lawmakers have also raised transparency concerns regarding the procurement process and the involvement of major defense contractors, including SpaceX.

Allied Interest

Canada has expressed interest in collaborating on the Golden Dome, with discussions underway about potential participation in the project.

Expert Skepticism

While Trump has promised a “state-of-the-art” system capable of intercepting missiles launched from anywhere in the world, experts remain skeptical. Many point out the immense technical, logistical, and financial challenges of deploying such a vast and complex defense shield within the proposed timeframe.

The Golden Dome represents a historic escalation in U.S. missile defense ambitions, with the potential to reshape global security dynamics—but also to spark significant controversy and debate at home and abroad.