Trump’s first week in office saw the immediate repeal of numerous Biden-era executive orders, most notably Executive Order 14087 aimed at lowering prescription drug costs. This repeal eliminated programs intended to reduce generic drug prices and expand Affordable Care Act enrollment, prompting swift condemnation from Democrats. The Democrats criticized this action as a betrayal of Trump’s campaign promises and evidence of favoritism towards large pharmaceutical companies. They intend to highlight this reversal of healthcare policies to the public, despite their limited legislative power to counteract Trump’s actions.
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In response to rising hate crimes and the normalization of hateful rhetoric, Michigan has expanded its 1988 ethnic intimidation law. The updated legislation, signed by Governor Whitmer, now includes sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and age as protected characteristics under the hate crime statute. This amendment, championed by State Representative Noah Arbit, addresses previous failures to pass similar legislation, effectively strengthening protections against hate-motivated violence. The revised law will take effect on April 2nd.
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Following a memo from a CDC official, all collaboration between the CDC and the WHO has been immediately suspended, halting joint efforts on combating outbreaks like Marburg virus and mpox. This abrupt action, surprising to experts, contradicts the previously announced phased withdrawal from the WHO and is expected to hinder global health initiatives. The suspension impacts crucial information sharing and expertise exchange, potentially jeopardizing U.S. and global health security. This comes alongside a freeze on PEPFAR funding, further impacting global health efforts.
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Former Representative Matt Gaetz, previously nominated for Attorney General, faced accusations of sex trafficking and underage sexual activity, detailed in a House Ethics Committee report. The report, which Gaetz disputes, alleges he paid for sex with multiple women, including a minor, and misused campaign funds. Bill Maher interviewed Gaetz, who denied all allegations, citing the Justice Department’s lack of charges as evidence of his innocence. Despite the report’s release and the serious nature of the allegations, Gaetz remains a prominent figure within the Republican party.
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DeepSeek’s release has sent shockwaves through the global AI market, triggering a significant selloff and causing Nvidia, a major player in the AI hardware sector, to lose approximately $593 billion in market value. This dramatic drop isn’t entirely surprising, given Nvidia’s previously extremely high valuation. While a rapid recovery of around 5% is anticipated by some, the event highlights the inherent volatility within the rapidly expanding AI sector.
The timing of this downturn is particularly interesting, coinciding with broader concerns about the AI technology bubble and potentially excessive investment in large language models. There’s a sense that 2025 might mark a turning point, with the AI tech bubble potentially bursting alongside other economic challenges.… Continue reading
In response to criticism regarding pardons granted to January 6th rioters who assaulted law enforcement, Vance asserted his continued support for these pardons. He argued that the actions of the rioters should be distinguished from what he characterized as the Department of Justice’s politically motivated prosecutions of over 1,000 individuals. This distinction, Vance implied, justified the pardons, despite the rioters’ violent acts against police. The interview highlighted a sharp disagreement over the culpability of the rioters and the fairness of the subsequent legal processes.
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Matthew Huttle, a 42-year-old man pardoned for his participation in the January 6th Capitol riot, was fatally shot by a Jasper County sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop. The shooting followed an altercation in which Huttle allegedly resisted arrest and possessed a firearm. An Indiana State Police investigation is underway, and the deputy is on paid administrative leave. Huttle had previously pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building during the riot and received a presidential pardon earlier this month.
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Despite a US push for peace, Ukraine faces a new challenge: an influx of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russia. Kyiv reports that approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed, suffering heavy initial casualties but adapting and improving their battlefield performance over time. However, these soldiers reportedly receive orders to avoid capture at all costs, leading to self-inflicted deaths and executions to conceal identities. The continued deployment of North Korean soldiers raises concerns about the expanding scope of the conflict and the need for further international involvement.
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Matthew Huttle, a 42-year-old Indiana man pardoned by President Trump for his participation in the January 6th Capitol riot, was fatally shot by a Jasper County sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop. The shooting occurred after Huttle allegedly resisted arrest and struggled with the officer; Huttle was reportedly armed at the time. Indiana State Police are investigating the incident, and the deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave. Huttle’s death follows a pattern of post-pardon legal troubles for other January 6th participants.
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Russia issues a new school textbook that portrays its invasion of Ukraine as a forced action, a narrative that’s jarring in its audacity and chilling in its implications for the future. The textbook, intended for 15-year-olds studying Russian military history, frames the war as a necessary response to external pressures, effectively rewriting the narrative of a brutal and unprovoked aggression.
This blatant attempt to sanitize history is deeply troubling. The claim of being “forced” to invade, to commit acts of violence, torture, and destruction, is a grotesque distortion of reality. It’s akin to saying someone was forced to commit a domestic assault, a statement that ignores the agency and culpability of the perpetrator.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood