New Artistic Directors Named for Major Australian Arts Venues Ahead of 2032 Olympics

Ebony Bott has been appointed as the new Artistic Director of the Brisbane Festival, starting mid-September, as the city prepares to showcase itself culturally alongside the upcoming 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Bott brings over 20 years of experience from major cultural institutions, including the Sydney Opera House, and aims to highlight the festival as a reflection of community and global engagement. In legal and regulatory news, the Supreme Court temporarily allowed the Trump administration to cancel over $780 million in NIH grants related to DEI, gender identity, and vaccine hesitancy research by a 5-4 vote, while ongoing legal challenges proceed. Meanwhile, Walmart is facing rising tariff-related costs which are expected to increase throughout the year, leading to selective price hikes, with other major retailers experiencing similar pressures. The administration's Spring 2025 regulatory agenda was briefly released but quickly removed for revisions, delaying significant proposals such as changes to the H-1B visa lottery system. Additionally, the Fifth Circuit Court ruled that removal protections for National Labor Relations Board members and administrative law judges are likely unconstitutional, signaling potential shifts in labor law enforcement.