Makana 360 Daily Insights: Global News & Digital Trend
📌 Supreme Court expands Trump’s power to fire independent agency officials, but lets Lisa Cook remain at the Fed
The US Supreme Court issued several major rulings. It blocked President Donald Trump’s immediate effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, reinforcing the Fed’s independence, but broadly expanded presidential authority to dismiss leaders of independent agencies by overturning Humphrey’s Executor. The court also upheld state laws allowing mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received later, rejecting a major Republican challenge. In addition, the justices declined to hear Trump’s appeal in the E. Jean Carroll case, leaving a $5 million judgment in place, and also rejected Alan Dershowitz’s defamation appeal against CNN.
📌 Shattered tiles, trembling domes: an inside look at how the war damaged Iran’s historic sites
A Reuters investigation found that Israeli and US strikes during the March war with Iran damaged some of the country’s most important historic sites, particularly in Isfahan and Tehran. Reporters documented damage to 11 historic buildings, including shattered glass, cracked walls, broken tiles, and possible structural harm caused by blast waves. UNESCO has so far confirmed damage at seven sites but has not yet deployed teams on the ground. Experts cited by Reuters say this marks a shift away from earlier US-led efforts to avoid heritage sites in wartime. The report also highlights the broader impact on tourism, local livelihoods, and public anger over damage to places widely seen as part of Iran’s national identity.
📌 South Korea to invest $576 billion in AI chip production with Samsung and SK Hynix
South Korea announced a large AI and semiconductor expansion plan led by President Lee Jae Myung, together with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The strategy is worth more than $576 billion over several years and is designed to strengthen the country’s position in AI chips and data infrastructure. It includes four new fabrication sites in the southwest, additional investment in chip packaging near Seoul, and support from local governments. The plan is also intended to spread growth beyond the Seoul area, though experts warn that power, water, logistics, supplier networks, and skilled labor may limit how quickly the new hubs can scale.
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