Enforcement of environmental laws in the United States plummeted during the first year of Donald Trump's second term, according to a new report, while U.S. Olympians faced criticism for speaking out against administration policies. Meanwhile, Portugal saw a center-left Socialist candidate secure a decisive victory in the presidential runoff, and a U.S.-India trade deal, though improving relations, still showed signs of strain. These events unfolded as Spain investigated a devastating train accident.
A report from the Environmental Integrity Project revealed a significant decrease in environmental law enforcement under Trump. Civil lawsuits filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, based on referrals from the Environmental Protection Agency, dropped to a mere 16 in the first 12 months after Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025. This represented a 76 percent decrease compared to the first year of the Biden administration, according to the report.
In other news, President Trump criticized U.S. Olympians who voiced their opinions on administration policies. He called one critic a "real Loser" for speaking out. Freestyle skier Hunter Hess, when asked about representing the country during the Trump administration, stated he had mixed emotions, as he didn't agree with the situation. He added that he was competing on behalf of everyone who helped him get to the games.
In Portugal, center-left Socialist candidate António José Seguro won the presidential runoff election on February 8, 2026, defeating far-right populist André Ventura. Seguro secured a five-year term with 66.7% of the vote, compared to Ventura's 33.3%, according to official results.
The U.S. and India released a framework for an interim trade agreement after months of negotiations, a deal that was met with both approval and criticism. The agreement aimed to improve relations between the two countries.
Spain continued to investigate a train accident that occurred in January, considered one of the worst in the country's history. The collision resulted in 46 fatalities, and many questions remained unanswered more than a week later. Train conductors in Spain planned a three-day strike to call for improved safety on the nation's rail network, starting the following day.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment