High Representative Kallas announced that EU member states have already pledged two-thirds of the €5 billion needed to provide Ukraine with 2 million artillery shells, a key part of her initiative to bolster military aid. While significant progress has been made, further contributions are needed to reach the full target. The ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians necessitate increased pressure on Russia to end the war, Kallas emphasized. This commitment builds upon existing efforts, such as the Czech initiative and Norwegian funding, to ensure a continuous supply of munitions to Ukraine.
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Near UnitedHealthcare’s headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a man was arrested after threatening violence and contacting the FBI. Authorities reported the man, who had prior interactions with local police, was peacefully taken into custody following an hour-long negotiation. The incident, involving a significant law enforcement response, is unrelated to the December killing of CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. The suspect in Thompson’s murder, Luigi Mangione, has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges.
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In a White House meeting, President Trump urged El Salvador’s President Bukele to construct five additional prisons to accommodate American criminals. Trump’s proposal disregarded the Supreme Court’s order to return a wrongfully deported American citizen, focusing instead on deporting US criminals to El Salvador. He specifically mentioned “homegrown criminals” and expressed interest in expanding El Salvador’s existing mega-prison, CECOT, as a potential housing solution. This plan, however, hinges on legal feasibility, as Trump acknowledged needing to comply with existing laws.
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Budget cuts enacted by the Trump administration have severely hampered the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), eliminating its capacity to monitor and control illness outbreaks on cruise ships. This comes amidst a surge in gastrointestinal illnesses, particularly norovirus outbreaks, exceeding previous years’ totals. Staff reductions within the CDC’s Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice have directly impacted the VSP’s ability to conduct health inspections and respond to outbreaks. The resulting loss of VSP oversight is causing significant concern given the increasing number of passengers becoming ill on cruise ships.
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Stephen Miller, Deputy White House Chief of Staff, vehemently defended the Trump administration’s refusal to repatriate Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man mistakenly deported despite a Supreme Court order mandating his return. Miller’s aggressive Fox News interview contradicted the administration’s own acknowledgment of the wrongful deportation, claiming bringing Garcia back would constitute kidnapping and violate El Salvador’s sovereignty. This defiance follows a Sunday legal filing arguing against active repatriation, and El Salvador’s President Bukele’s refusal to release Garcia. Miller’s outburst, characterized by interruptions and accusations of media distortion, exemplifies a pattern of confrontational on-air behavior.
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Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American woman, returned to the U.S. after over a year of wrongful imprisonment in Russia. Sentenced to 12 years for allegedly supporting Ukraine’s military with a small charity donation, Karelina was released in a prisoner exchange. The exchange also involved Russian national Arthur Petrov, arrested in Cyprus on U.S. charges of exporting sensitive technology. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed her wrongful detention, highlighting the complexities of the international situation and prisoner exchange programs.
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Columbia activist, Mr. Mahdawi, was arrested by ICE agents during his scheduled appointment for citizenship. This arrest, occurring without any accusation of criminal activity, highlights a deeply troubling trend. His lawyers argue that the administration is using a legal provision, the same one used against fellow Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, to justify his removal from the country. The justification centers on the claim that his presence threatens U.S. foreign policy and national security interests.
This claim, however, lacks concrete evidence. Immigration officials have vaguely linked pro-Palestinian demonstrations to the spread of antisemitism, yet they have failed to provide any substantial proof supporting this assertion.… Continue reading
President Xi Jinping’s visit to Hanoi emphasized Sino-Vietnamese unity against perceived U.S. economic coercion, particularly citing recent U.S. tariffs. Xi advocated for stable global supply chains and resistance to trade pressure, framing China as a reliable alternative amid perceived erratic U.S. policy. Trump’s dismissal of the situation as nations attempting to exploit the U.S. economically underscored the underlying tensions. Xi’s trip, his first overseas visit of the year, serves as a key component of China’s strategy to counter growing U.S. influence.
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The Trump administration defiantly refused a federal court order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national with protected status, from an El Salvadoran prison after his illegal deportation. Justice Department lawyers falsely claimed to have retroactively legalized the deportation and denied any obligation to facilitate his return, blatantly disregarding a Supreme Court order. High-ranking administration officials publicly supported this defiance, and the Salvadoran president confirmed he would not return Abrego Garcia. This blatant disregard for court orders sets a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing the government to indefinitely detain anyone, citizen or not, in foreign prisons without legal recourse.
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During a White House meeting, President Trump asserted that the war in Ukraine is the responsibility of President Biden, President Zelenskyy, and President Putin. He claimed Biden could have prevented the conflict by lowering oil prices, while Zelenskyy also bore responsibility. Trump reiterated his belief that the war was avoidable and that the three leaders are culpable for the resulting deaths and destruction. He expressed his intention to work towards ending the conflict.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood