France delivered the first three of six promised Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine, marking the country’s second Western aircraft type after receiving F-16s. Ukrainian pilots, trained in France, arrived with the jets, which are equipped for air-to-ground combat and integrate with NATO ordnance. The Mirage 2000-5, an air-superiority variant upgraded for this role, offers a significant capability boost for Ukraine’s air defense. This delivery follows President Macron’s June announcement and fulfills a planned 2024 delivery as part of a larger French defense initiative.
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Vadim Stroikin, a 59-year-old musician and guitar teacher from the Urals, died after falling from his tenth-floor apartment window during a visit from Russian security forces investigating his alleged support for the Ukrainian military. The investigation stemmed from his anti-war social media posts and suspected financial contributions to Ukraine, offenses carrying a potential 20-year prison sentence under Russian law. His death occurred during a search of his apartment related to a “terrorism” case. Stroikin had a long career in music and journalism, and had been actively touring and teaching internationally in recent years.
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Panama has formally withdrawn from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, with President José Raúl Mulino citing a lack of demonstrable benefits to the country from the 2017 agreement. The decision, announced at a press conference, follows concerns regarding Chinese investment in the Panama Canal. Mulino stated that he instructed Panamanian diplomats in Beijing to provide the required notification. This action comes amidst speculation of US influence.
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The Bank of Canada governor’s recent statements highlight that the threat of Trump-era tariffs is already impacting the Canadian economy. This isn’t just about the tariffs themselves, but a much deeper erosion of trust and goodwill between the two nations. The casual threats of annexation, the dismissive rhetoric, and the general lack of respect for Canadian sovereignty have created a palpable sense of unease and resentment among Canadians.
This feeling goes far beyond simple economic anxieties. Canadians are deeply hurt by the perceived disregard for their country as a sovereign nation. The casual insults and threats are seen as a betrayal of a long-standing friendship and partnership, causing significant emotional damage.… Continue reading
The Senate confirmed Russell Vought as the next Office of Management and Budget director along party lines, with Democrats unanimously opposing his nomination. Democratic opposition stemmed from Vought’s association with Project 2025, his support for slashing social programs, and his election denialism. Despite their vocal opposition, Democrats lacked the votes to block his confirmation. Republicans, conversely, celebrated the confirmation, anticipating fiscal reforms and regulatory rollbacks under Vought’s leadership. Vought himself expressed gratitude for his confirmation and a readiness to begin work.
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Energy Secretary Chris Wright granted a SpaceX intern, Luke Farritor, access to the Energy Department’s IT systems despite objections from the department’s general counsel and chief information offices due to Farritor’s lack of security clearance. This access included basic IT services like email and Microsoft 365. Simultaneously, the department is facing significant staffing changes, including potential buyouts for many employees and the planned installation of a SpaceX network security engineer as the new chief information officer. Furthermore, over 1,000 employees, including those in newly created offices focused on infrastructure and climate initiatives, are on probationary status and facing potential immediate termination.
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President Trump issued an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing its investigations into American and Israeli citizens as illegitimate and a threat to national sovereignty. The sanctions include financial and visa restrictions targeting individuals assisting ICC probes. This action follows a recent ICC arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, a move the White House deemed a morally equivalent comparison between Israel and Hamas. The US, not a member of the ICC, consistently rejects its jurisdiction over its citizens.
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A federal judge temporarily halted the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)’s access to sensitive Department of Labor (DOL) data following a lawsuit filed by a coalition of federal employee unions. The unions argued that DOGE’s demands, issued under threat of termination, jeopardized worker rights and privacy. This ruling, celebrated by union leaders, follows similar temporary restrictions placed on DOGE’s data access at other federal agencies, including the Treasury Department. The ongoing dispute highlights broader concerns regarding DOGE’s aggressive data acquisition and its potential for misuse.
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Dr. Gianluca Fanelli, a radiology unit manager, performed a Cat scan and life-saving surgery on his critically injured cat, Athena, at the Umberto Parini hospital. While Athena survived, Fanelli is under investigation for potentially misusing hospital resources and depriving patients of services. He maintains he used the equipment after hours when no human patients required urgent care and offered to reimburse any costs incurred. The Aosta prosecutor’s office will determine if charges are warranted.
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Following President Trump’s advisor’s announcement of USAID’s closure, the agency placed its staff on administrative leave, transferring its functions to the State Department. Russia applauded this decision, viewing USAID as a tool for unwarranted global interference. Moscow’s long-held criticisms of the agency were thus validated, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. The transition marks a significant restructuring of U.S. foreign aid operations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood