Following a Politico report alleging a plot to oust Ukrainian President Zelensky, two political rivals, Petro Poroshenko and Yulia Tymoshenko, confirmed contact with members of Donald Trump’s team. While both deny supporting snap elections during the ongoing war, a Republican foreign policy expert suggests their engagement aims to present themselves as more palatable alternatives to Zelensky. Public opinion polls, however, indicate significantly lower support for Poroshenko and Tymoshenko compared to Zelensky’s approval ratings. Zelensky’s recent improved standing follows a public disagreement with Trump.
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New Zealand recalled its ambassador to the UK, Phil Goff, after he publicly compared President Trump’s approach to the Ukraine conflict to the appeasement of Nazi Germany in the lead-up to World War II. Goff’s comments, made during a London panel discussion, were deemed untenable by Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who cited the ambassador’s responsibility to represent government policy, not personal opinions. The decision, while described as “seriously disappointing,” was deemed necessary to protect New Zealand’s international relationships. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark criticized the dismissal as having a “very thin excuse.”
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President Trump’s State of the Union address largely ignored the pressing issues facing working-class Americans, focusing instead on unsubstantiated claims and distractions. His speech prioritized the interests of the billionaire class, evident in the presence of numerous billionaires at his inauguration and the proposed budget cuts to vital programs like Medicaid. The address instead highlighted false narratives about the 2020 election, the January 6th insurrection, and Social Security, diverting attention from critical concerns such as healthcare affordability, income inequality, and the climate crisis. The resulting policies would exacerbate existing inequalities, increasing taxes for the majority while benefiting the wealthy.
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The House of Representatives voted 224-198 to censure Rep. Al Green (D-TX) for disrupting President Trump’s address, with ten Democrats joining Republicans in the censure. Green was removed from the chamber after protesting Trump’s stance on Medicaid cuts, prompting a display of solidarity from fellow Democrats who sang “We Shall Overcome” during the reading of the censure. The censure, a formal expression of disapproval, does not strip Green of his House privileges. This marks the 28th instance of a House member being censured.
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During a Morgan Stanley conference, Elon Musk advocated for the privatization of both Amtrak and the USPS, citing the inadequacy of America’s passenger rail system compared to other countries. He believes that privatizing these organizations would improve their efficiency, echoing similar sentiments recently expressed by President Trump regarding the USPS. Musk acknowledged the need for congressional approval for such a move, though he offered no concrete plans for achieving privatization. Despite his informal role as de facto leader of the White House’s DOGE, he downplayed his involvement, referring to himself as “tech support.”
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Following criticism of Ukrainian President Zelensky’s attire during a White House visit, a press secretary addressed apparent inconsistencies in dress code for high-profile guests. The question arose from comparisons to Elon Musk’s frequent casual appearances. The press secretary noted Musk had recently worn a suit, deflecting concerns about double standards. Zelensky’s choice of military-style clothing has been a recurring point of contention, with his attire framed by some as disrespectful. The incident highlights ongoing tensions and questions about the Trump administration’s approach to diplomacy.
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Following Governor Abbott’s directive limiting sex recognition to male and female, the Texas Real Estate Commission mandated the removal of pronouns from employee email signatures. Frank Zamora, who uses he/him pronouns, refused to comply with this new policy. Despite stating his unwillingness to remove his pronouns or resign, Zamora was subsequently terminated from his position. His dismissal highlights the conflict between personal expression and recently implemented state policy.
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French President Emmanuel Macron announced a strategic debate on extending France’s nuclear deterrence to European allies, citing concerns about waning US support in the Ukraine conflict. This decision follows previous discussions and advocacy from other European leaders, particularly in Germany. Macron emphasized the continued need for European support of Ukraine and stressed the importance of strengthening Europe’s defense independence. Despite this, he also stated that the decision on nuclear deployment will remain solely with the French president. His announcement prompted a strong rebuke from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who characterized Macron’s statements as a direct threat to Russia.
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Facing new tariffs between the U.S. and Canada, Lindt & Sprungli is shifting its Canadian chocolate supply from primarily U.S. sources to its European facilities. Currently, Canadian stores receive roughly half their Lindt chocolate from the U.S. This proactive measure aims to mitigate the impact of the 25% tariffs imposed by both countries on each other’s goods. The company is closely monitoring the situation and exploring further options to minimize disruptions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker