Representative Al Green (D-TX) dramatically interrupted President Trump’s address to Congress, protesting proposed Medicaid cuts and the Republican budget resolution. His actions, involving a cane and shouted objections, drew both criticism and praise, with some Democrats expressing regret at not joining his protest. While Trump’s speech didn’t explicitly mention Medicaid cuts, the budget resolution passed by House Republicans paves the way for significant reductions in social programs. Green’s protest highlighted the Democrats’ opposition to these cuts, even amidst internal divisions regarding the appropriate response.
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford permanently cancelled a $100 million contract with SpaceX for Starlink internet service, citing Musk’s role in the Trump administration and the ongoing trade war with the U.S. This decision, made in response to new tariffs, reverses an earlier reinstatement of the contract. Ford maintains the cancellation is final, regardless of future tariff resolutions, prioritizing a “point of principle” over potential financial penalties. The opposition parties have criticized both the initial contract and its subsequent cancellation.
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Los Angeles County filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison, claiming their equipment ignited the January Eaton Fire, responsible for the destruction of over 9,400 structures and 17 fatalities. The suit seeks compensation for extensive damages to public infrastructure, including parks and recreational areas, along with costs incurred for resident support and environmental remediation. The county alleges witness accounts and visual evidence place the fire’s origin directly beneath Edison transmission lines. Pasadena and Sierra Madre are also pursuing separate lawsuits against Edison for similar damages. The county aims to recover costs associated with infrastructure repair, cleanup, and ongoing recovery efforts.
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In a televised address, President Macron declared Russia a long-term threat to Europe, prompting discussions on bolstering European defense capabilities independent of the U.S. He proposed a European peacekeeping force for Ukraine post-conflict and, significantly, initiated a discussion with allies regarding the potential sharing of France’s nuclear deterrent to safeguard the continent. This follows Macron’s phone calls with Zelenskyy and Trump, and comes ahead of a crucial EU summit in Brussels to address Ukrainian support and European security. Macron emphasized that peace in Ukraine cannot be achieved at any cost, requiring strong safeguards against further Russian aggression.
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Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, analyzed publicly available data to assess the likelihood of Donald Trump being a “Putin-compromised asset,” concluding a 75-85% probability. Grok cited Trump’s extensive financial ties to Russia, his consistent refusal to criticize Putin, and leaked Kremlin documents suggesting Putin’s support for Trump’s 2016 campaign as key factors. The chatbot, designed to be “maximally truth-seeking,” weighed these factors against alternative explanations. This assessment raises questions about the implications of such AI-driven analyses of political figures and their potential impact.
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President Trump temporarily exempted auto tariffs on Mexico and Canada for one month, yielding to pressure from Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis to avoid financial harm. This reprieve, however, does not affect other existing 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods. The exemption is intended to allow automakers time to shift production to the US, a goal the administration hopes to achieve. Despite the temporary relief, Canada remains opposed to any tariffs on its goods.
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As part of broader cost-cutting measures, Disney is shutting down the popular political analysis website 538, resulting in 15 job losses. This closure follows a period of staff reduction at 538, beginning with the departure of its founder two years prior. The restructuring also includes consolidating ABC News programs and reducing staff across Disney Entertainment Networks, impacting nearly 6% of the combined workforce. These layoffs are part of a wider trend of job cuts affecting the media industry.
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Ukraine’s troops are facing a devastating increase in casualties, directly linked to the abrupt cut-off of crucial US military aid, according to soldiers on the front lines. The dwindling supplies are severely impacting their ability to defend against Russian aggression, particularly as warmer weather intensifies the fighting.
The soldiers describe a palpable shift in battlefield dynamics. The initiative, once firmly in Ukrainian hands, is now lost, leaving them on the defensive. This desperate situation is exacerbated by the cessation of vital US intelligence support, a critical element in their ability to effectively target enemy positions and protect civilians.
One combat medic reports a concerning 20 percent surge in casualties in recent weeks, a trend he anticipates worsening with the arrival of more favorable fighting conditions.… Continue reading
President Trump’s recent address to Congress provided new evidence in an ongoing lawsuit against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). During the speech, Trump explicitly stated that Elon Musk heads DOGE, a claim directly used in a new court filing by lawyers representing plaintiffs. This filing emphasizes the need for expedited discovery to clarify Musk’s actual role and DOGE’s structure, particularly in relation to Acting Administrator Amy Gleason. The White House’s conflicting statements regarding Musk’s position, ranging from “overseeing” DOGE to being a “senior advisor,” fuel the ongoing legal battle surrounding the department’s authority and operations.
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President Trump delivered a nearly two-hour address to Congress, his longest yet, covering topics ranging from personnel firings to trade disputes and praising private sector initiatives. Senator Sanders walked out, denouncing the speech as containing “the big lie”—false claims about Social Security recipients—and criticized the lack of focus on working-class issues. Sanders further condemned the administration as a “government of, by, and for the billionaire class,” highlighting proposed budget cuts to Medicaid. He concluded by urging Americans to unite against oligarchic power.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood