Large demonstrations erupted across the Mad River Valley protesting Vice President JD Vance’s weekend ski trip. Thousands participated in Waitsfield, voicing concerns about the Trump administration’s policies on democracy, climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and international relations, citing fears over healthcare, social security, and the impact of recent federal cuts. A smaller, simultaneous protest in Warren focused on ending U.S. funding of the Israeli government. Counter-protests supporting Vance and Trump were also present, leading to some heated exchanges, though the Sugarbush resort itself remained largely unaffected.
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A highly anticipated meeting between Presidents Zelensky and Trump devolved into a public confrontation, resulting in the cancellation of a planned joint press conference and Zelensky’s abrupt departure from the White House. Trump criticized Zelensky for ingratitude and lack of proper attire, prompting international condemnation and an outpouring of support for Zelensky. Simultaneously, Ukrainian soldiers reported continued Russian attacks, highlighting the ongoing war amidst the escalating political drama. The incident sparked diverse reactions from Ukrainian soldiers, ranging from shock and disappointment to resolute determination to continue fighting despite potential reductions in American aid.
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In response to escalating tensions following a contentious meeting between President Trump and President Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened a London summit with European leaders to chart a course towards peace in Ukraine. The summit aims to establish a unified European plan for ending the conflict, which will then be presented to the United States. This initiative follows a significant loan agreement between the UK and Ukraine to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The summit seeks to overcome the divisions created by the Trump-Zelensky meeting and restore momentum to the stalled peace process.
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Facing potential waning US military aid to Ukraine and criticism for insufficient contributions, Norway is considering significantly increasing its support. This involves exploring options to utilize portions of its massive sovereign wealth fund, potentially exceeding previously committed amounts. While the finance minister cautions against altering existing budgetary rules, leading politicians across the political spectrum are advocating for increased spending, with proposals ranging from bolstering defense budgets to directly allocating billions to Ukraine. The government plans to present a proposal to parliament soon to address this critical issue.
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Following a controversial initial request for weekly work summaries from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), federal agencies, including DHS, Energy, and Treasury, sent similar emails instructing employees to submit five bullet points detailing their accomplishments. Unlike the first email, this iteration allowed employees handling sensitive information to opt out or state that their work was confidential. OPM advised agencies to independently manage the requests, granting them discretion over participation, which was part of a broader strategy to track employee work. This new directive follows President Trump’s efforts to streamline the federal government, which have faced legal challenges and widespread disruption.
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Elon Musk, on Joe Rogan’s podcast, labeled Social Security a “Ponzi scheme,” claiming its future obligations exceed tax revenue and citing increased lifespans. This assertion, echoing conservative viewpoints, contrasts with Democratic proposals to shore up Social Security by removing the tax cap on high earners. Musk’s statement, however, included unsubstantiated claims about millions of deceased individuals receiving benefits. His remarks drew widespread criticism, with many arguing his intention is to privatize and dismantle the program, which keeps millions of seniors out of poverty.
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In response to a request for alternative satellite solutions to Starlink, the EU Commission confirmed Ukraine’s interest in utilizing both Govsatcom and the future IRIS² constellation. While IRIS² won’t be operational until the 2030s, expediting Govsatcom deployment is being considered as an interim solution, offering “precursor governmental services.” Additional options include leveraging existing commercial satellite capacity from providers like Eutelsat, Hispasat, SES, and OneWeb.
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Trump’s attempt to replace the federal workforce with loyalists has backfired, proving a significant weakness. This action, intended to strengthen his administration, has instead generated widespread public disapproval and decreased confidence in various sectors, including air travel and the economy. The resulting public anxiety highlights the vital, often unseen, role of the civil service in maintaining daily life and national security. Ultimately, Trump’s early missteps present an unforeseen opportunity for his political opponents.
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Following a contentious Oval Office meeting, Senator Marco Rubio urged Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to apologize for derailing a proposed U.S.-Ukraine economic partnership. The argument stemmed from Zelenskyy’s insistence on U.S. security guarantees and his refusal to negotiate with Russia, prompting a rebuke from President Trump and Vice President Vance. Rubio criticized Zelenskyy’s approach, arguing it undermined Trump’s efforts to negotiate with Russia and unnecessarily escalated the situation. Zelenskyy, however, declined to apologize, maintaining his stance on the matter.
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Following the expiration of the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire, Israel halted all goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip, citing Hamas’s failure to meet hostage release conditions. This action, condemned by Egypt as a war crime, prompted Hamas to accuse Israel of extortion and violating the truce. Israel maintains that the ceasefire hinges on continued hostage releases and presented a new proposal involving a phased release during Ramadan and Passover. The situation remains tense, with dire humanitarian consequences predicted for Gaza’s residents due to the aid cutoff.
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John Q. Hosedrinker