BOSTON (AP) — Former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell used one of his first major public appearances since leaving office to defend independent institutions while accepting an award Sunday honoring his efforts to preserve the central bank’s independence.

Speaking at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library overlooking Boston Harbor, Powell called universities, courts, Congress and the central bank “the foundation and the embodiment of our democracy” and argued that the Fed’s independence was a “priceless asset” that must be protected.

It was one of his most direct defenses of Fed independence, warning that a single administration’s decision to remove bank officials over policy differences would open the way for future elected officials to follow suit, ultimately undermining the credibility that the Fed has spent decades building.

Powell, who frequently clashed with Trump during his eight years as chair, stepped down as his term expired in May. He was succeeded by Kevin Warsh, whom Trump selected to lead the central bank.

After stepping down as chair, Powell took the unusual step of keeping his seat on the Fed’s governing board, which he has until January 2028. By doing so, he has deprived the Trump administration of an opportunity to appoint another member of the board.

The Trump administration has also sought to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook, which would open an additional seat on the rate-setting committee the president could fill. Yet Cook sued and the courts have so far let her keep her seat.

While Powell never mentioned Trump by name Sunday, he repeatedly returned to the importance of protecting institutions from political pressure and preserving public trust in their independence.

“Like many other institutions, the Fed has been undergoing a stress test,” he said. “Congress wisely chose to insulate monetary policy decisions from political pressure. All other advanced economy nations have done the same.”

Since 1989, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award has recognized public servants who make what the foundation describes as courageous decisions of conscience despite personal or professional consequences.

Previous recipients include former Presidents Barack Obama and George H. W. Bush, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former Vice President Mike Pence.

In March, the foundation said it was awarding Powell for protecting the independence of the Federal Reserve “despite years of personal attacks and threats from the highest levels of government.”

Trump harshly criticized Powell throughout his tenure as chair, frequently attacking the Fed’s interest-rate decisions and urging the central bank to cut borrowing costs more aggressively.

Beyond the Federal Reserve, Powell defended U.S. universities and research institutions, the Constitution, Congress and the court system.

“The United States has long been the leader of the world’s freedom-seeking people — the indispensable nation. Other countries know us as a nation built on integrity, and that integrity must be maintained,” he said.

In his remarks, Powell indirectly acknowledged mistakes as chair. The Fed is legally required to seek stable prices, but inflation surged amid the pandemic’s supply chain crunch. Many economists believe the central bank should have raised interest rates more quickly in response.

“At the Fed, we are, of course, human and thus imperfect,” Powell said. “When we make mistakes, we acknowledge them and change course.”

Powell was honored alongside residents of Minnesota’s Twin Cities, who received the award for what the Kennedy Foundation described as acts of courage during a federal immigration crackdown that led to thousands of arrests and the deaths of Minneapolis mother Renée Good and nurse Alex Pretti, both of whom were killed while observing or documenting enforcement activity.

“It’s wonderful just to be invited, honoring Renée,” Good’s father, Tim Granger, said as he entered the library with family members.

Kennedy’s only surviving child, Caroline Kennedy, and her son, Jack Schlossberg, said in a statement that without people like Powell and those in Minnesota “willing to put their lives on the line to hold America to its promises, our democracy can’t survive.”

Attendee U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is running for governor of Minnesota next year, reflected that the award was unusual because it recognized ordinary residents rather than elected officials.

“This didn’t go to an elected leader for a reason,” Klobuchar said. “It’s because the people stood up. They stood up by marching 50,000 strong. They stood by bringing kids they didn’t even know — strangers’ kids — to school, by bringing them groceries and they didn’t blink. And that’s what this award is about. It’s about courage.”

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AP journalist Christopher Rugaber contributed from Washington.

Callum Turner was moved to tears when his new wife Dua Lipa walked down the aisle.

The actor, 36, and pop star, 30, said ‘I do’ in an intimate ceremony at Marylebone Town Hall in London on Sunday, with just eight guests in attendance.

The quiet event took place ahead of a three-day-long wedding set to take place in Sicily this weekend.

Callum is said to have been so in awe of his blushing bride that he was ‘shaking’ as he saw the singer in her lavish outfit, rumoured to have been influenced by Mick Jagger’s former wife Bianca.

Dua walked down the aisle alongside her parents, Dukagjin and Anesa, as well as her sister Rina and brother Gjin who watched on.

A source told The Sun: ‘He was in tears and shaky.’

A staffer at the register office told the publication that the pair left in a black cab after their speedy nuptials.

‘It all happened very fast. In and out, job done,’ they said.

The newlyweds, who have been together for two and a half years, then enjoyed a private dinner with their closest friends and family.

The source added: ‘Dua and Callum said their vows in a ceremony with their closest family and friends. Last night they had a quiet celebration dinner. It was chic and simple — exactly as Dua and Callum wanted.

‘Dua’s dad and manager Dugi is a massive Arsenal fan so there were a few jokes made about the timing, as the Premier League victory parade was happening at the same time not far away. Both him and Dua’s mum Anesa were beaming with pride.

‘The celebration was relatively low-key as they fly to Sicily this week for their second, big wedding.’

Their upcoming bash in Sicily is likely to be a star-studded affair, with the likes of Charli XCX rumoured to be attending, as well as a performance by Sir Elton John.

‘Dua and Callum have put together the most incredible itinerary for their celebrations in Sicily,’ an insider said.

‘The last-minute preparations have been hectic — and she’s been back and forth to Italy for dress fittings — but it’s all coming together perfectly.’

The source added that it was to be a ‘true fairytale wedding’, with Dua and Callum ‘renting out multiple huge venues for the multi-event extravaganza’, but keeping exact details under wraps due to concerns of fans intruding.

It has since emerged that no expense has been spared, as they’ve reportedly booked out a whole floor of suites at the luxurious Villa Igiea hotel, which overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea.

They’ll then exchange vows for a second time at the 17th-century Villa Valguarnera, with collaborator Mark Ronson and fashion designer Donatella Versace watching on.

Donatella is said to have been designing Dua’s second dress, with the performer flying to Italy to meet up with her and finalise the details.

Dua and Callum’s romance got serious in early 2024, and they confirmed their engagement last July.

She told British Vogue: ‘Yeah, we‘re engaged. It’s very exciting.

‘This decision to grow old together, to see a life and just, I don’t know, be best friends forever — it’s a really special feeling.’

Asked about planning the nuptials, Dua shared: ‘I want to finish my tour; Callum’s shooting, so we’re just enjoying this period…

‘I’ve never been someone who’s really thought about a wedding or dreamt about what kind of bride I would be. All of a sudden, I’m like, “Oh, what would I wear?”‘

In the meantime, she’s still enjoying her jet-setting lifestyle, frequently making fans envious with her tropical travel snaps on Instagram following the end of her Radical Optimism stadium tour.

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The professional dancer confirmed her exit from the BBC One dance show after 14 years

Karen Hauer has shared the real reason for her Strictly Come Dancing exit, which she kept secret from her co-stars so she wouldn’t change her mind about leaving.

The Venezuela-born professional dancer joined the hit BBC One show back in 2012, and over the years, she has had several celebrity dance partners, including former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright, broadcaster Jeremy Vine, and Made In Chelsea alum Jamie Laing.

But Karen, who was Strictly’s longest-serving professional dancer after 14 years on the entertainment show, confirmed in March that she would not be returning to the dance floor ahead of the 2026 series, set to get underway later this year.

She wasn’t the only pro to confirm their exit from Strictly, with Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Marquez also going on to confirm their departure from the popular competition programme.

And while questions were asked by fans as to whether the decision to leave was the dancers’ own, Karen has confirmed the reason behind her own exit.

Speaking to the Mirror, she shared: “It was very emotional, but it did feel like I was ready to get my teeth stuck into other projects and continue evolving. I learned so much from every single celebrity that I came across.” She added: “It’s always about growth. It was a beautiful decision that came from a good place in my heart.”

Karen also told how she decided to keep her decision quiet from everyone, including her fellow pros, except her very closest pals, as she knew they would try to convince her to stay.

“I didn’t say anything because I know it would have been hard for them to digest and they’d have been like, ‘No, definitely no, not you,’” she laughed. “I kept it within my tightest circle. But you know what? When I announced it, I’ve never felt such an outpouring of love. So many people were reaching out to me, and just being so kind.”

She later added that despite her exit: “Strictly will always be my home, you know? I will always have a deep connection to it, no matter what.”

Meanwhile, after months of speculation, it was finally announced in May who would be taking over the presenting roles on Strictly, which were left vacant following the exits of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the end of the 2025 series in December.

A number of names were linked to the role, including BBC stars Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark, before it was confirmed on Tuesday (May 19) that Emma would be one of the new hosts, alongside comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.

The news was shared on the show’s Instagram page with the caption: “It’s official…September 2026,” and speaking about the history-making trio, as Strictly has never been hosted by more than two people, for the first time, Kate Phillips, the BBC’s chief content officer, said that their “chemistry is undeniable”.

Four other teenagers were previously arrested in connection with the deliberate fire.

Three more teenagers have been arrested after a large fire broke out at a derelict school building. Fire crews and Suffolk Police were called to a large fire at the former Parkway Middle School in Park Road, Haverhill just before 9pm on May 12.

The fire was determined to be deliberate. Last Wednesday (May 27), Suffolk Police made three further arrests following the fire.

Officers arrested a 14-year-old boy and two 15-year-old boys on suspicion of criminal damage – arson. They were taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning, and later bailed to return to police on August 24, August 25 and July 24 respectively.

Police made other arrests before the latest ones. A police spokesperson said: “On May 15, two teenage boys, aged 14 and 15, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage – arson. They were bailed to return to police on August 7.

“This followed the arrests of two 15-year-old boys on suspicion of the same offences on May 13 and May 14. They were bailed to return to police on June 22 and July 14 respectively.”

Suffolk Police are still appealing for information following the fire. Anyone with information should contact police online or call 101 and quote reference 37/27212/26.

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