A federal appeals court has blocked US President Donald Trump from removing Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, a ruling that allows her to participate in the upcoming Fed's policy meeting to discuss interest rates.

• The 2-1 ruling is a setback for Trump's attempt to oust Cook, whom he accused of mortgage fraud.
• Cook is part of the Fed board responsible for setting US interest rates and denied the allegations of mortgage fraud.
• The case highlights concerns about the Fed's independence from political interference, with the Trump administration expected to take the ruling to the Supreme Court.

The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a "framework" deal with China regarding the ownership of TikTok's American operations, aiming to resolve the impending sale deadline. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to finalize the agreement on Friday.

• The deal was reached during trade talks in Madrid, with Bessent stating that the threat of a US shutdown of TikTok led Chinese negotiators to drop demands for reduced tariffs.
• Key figure involved: Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary, and Li Chenggang, China's top trade negotiator.
• A previous US Supreme Court ruling in January upheld a law passed in April 2024, mandating the sale of TikTok's US division or face a ban, citing national security concerns over user data.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he plans to sue the New York Times for $15 billion over alleged defamation and libel, stating the newspaper has "freely lie[d], smear[ed], and defame[d] me for far too long." He criticized the paper's endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, calling the Times a "mouthpiece for the Radical Left Democrat Party" and noting the lawsuit will be filed in Florida.

• Donald Trump is suing the New York Times for $15 billion.
• The lawsuit alleges defamation and libel, specifically citing the Times' endorsement of Kamala Harris.
• This is not the first time Trump has sued the New York Times; a 2023 lawsuit for $100 million regarding tax records was dismissed, and another 2023 defamation suit against CNN for $475 million was also thrown out.