Launched Wednesday, DOGE.gov aimed to enhance government transparency by tracking federal spending and agency data. However, the site inadvertently included sensitive, classified information from the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), a U.S. intelligence agency. This breach raises concerns about data security and potential conflicts of interest, given SpaceX’s significant contract with the NRO. The incident has prompted an internal investigation within the intelligence community to assess the extent of the data compromise.
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In a controversial move, US Vice President JD Vance met with Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s far-right AfD party, prompting outrage in German political circles. This meeting, weeks before a German election, follows similar interactions between the AfD and figures close to Donald Trump, highlighting a growing US engagement with Europe’s far-right. Vance’s subsequent speech at the Munich Security Conference, criticizing European leaders for not working with far-right parties, further strained US-European relations. The German chancellor and other officials strongly condemned Vance’s actions and statements.
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Fourteen states – New Mexico, Arizona, Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, California, Nevada, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii – have filed a lawsuit against DOGE, alleging that Elon Musk’s influence represents an unconstitutional concentration of power. This legal action is viewed by many as a crucial first step in addressing what some perceive as a dangerously unchecked level of influence wielded by a single individual.
The lawsuit highlights concerns over the erosion of democratic processes. The sheer audacity of the situation, with a single person potentially holding sway over critical aspects of the nation’s infrastructure and information flow, feels deeply unsettling to many.… Continue reading
During a Munich Security Conference panel, President Zelenskyy revealed his February 12th conversation with President Trump, expressing disbelief in Putin’s purported desire for peace. Zelenskyy directly challenged Trump’s assessment of Putin’s intentions, emphasizing the significant risks to Ukraine and the world should negotiations proceed without Ukrainian involvement. He recounted past broken agreements with Putin, highlighting the importance of Ukraine’s participation in any peace negotiations. Zelenskyy stressed the principle that no decisions concerning Ukraine should be made without Ukrainian input.
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A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order compelling government agencies to reinstate public access to health-related websites and data removed following President Trump’s executive order mandating the use of “sex” instead of “gender.” This order, prompted by a lawsuit from Doctors for America, addresses the removal of crucial resources, including HIV prevention reports and CDC reproductive health guidance, impacting patient care and medical research. The judge found the government’s actions caused irreparable harm to both doctors and the public by hindering access to vital health information. The government argued that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate harm, a claim the judge rejected.
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Investigators believe the January 29th midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in 67 fatalities, may have been caused by a missed air traffic control instruction. Evidence suggests the Black Hawk crew, conducting a night vision goggle training exercise, may not have heard the instruction to pass behind the plane due to a depressed microphone. Discrepancies in altitude readings within the helicopter cockpit are also under investigation, and the American Airlines crew showed signs of seeing the helicopter just before impact. A final report is expected in over a year, but a preliminary report is forthcoming.
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A civil case accusing Jay-Z and Diddy of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at a 2000 VMAs after-party has been dismissed with prejudice. Both rappers’ legal teams celebrated the dismissal, characterizing the suit as baseless and driven by the plaintiff’s attorney’s pursuit of media attention rather than legal merit. The case, initially filed in October and amended in December to include Jay-Z, is permanently concluded. This dismissal follows other similar lawsuits filed against Diddy, who remains in custody on separate sex-trafficking charges.
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Luigi Mangione, jailed in New York City for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, expressed gratitude for supportive letters received at the Metropolitan Detention Center. Charged with first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and other offenses, Mangione’s statement marks his first public comments since his December arrest. The shooting, condemned by officials, involved a “ghost gun” with markings suggesting a deliberate act. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the numerous charges against him in both New York and Pennsylvania.
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Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, whose ISS mission extended to eight months due to spacecraft malfunctions, refuted former President Trump’s claims that the Biden administration abandoned them. They emphasized their preparedness for such contingencies and the ongoing NASA-planned return scheduled for March. Trump’s assertions prompted him to publicly request Elon Musk’s assistance, a request Musk publicly accepted. The astronauts’ statement counters the narrative of abandonment, highlighting their readiness and commitment throughout the extended mission.
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A Wall Street Journal report reveals a previously undisclosed, two-year communication channel between Elon Musk and Vladimir Putin, encompassing personal and geopolitical discussions. These conversations included a Russian request to Musk to limit Starlink service over Taiwan, highlighting significant national security implications given Musk’s roles in the US space program, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter). Musk’s close ties to the Trump campaign further amplify concerns, especially given potential future governmental roles for Musk. The situation has drawn comparisons to Russia’s post-Soviet oligarchic era, raising fears of undue influence and potential regulatory favors.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood