Following a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, the United States dispatched a three-person assessment team, a response criticized as inadequate compared to the substantial aid efforts of China and Russia. This limited deployment, arriving five days after the disaster, has raised concerns about the US’s diminished role in global disaster relief, particularly given the urgent need for clean water, food, shelter, and medicine. Experts highlight that the initial five days are crucial for rescue efforts, a window the US response missed, potentially resulting in preventable fatalities. The scaled-back response is attributed to recent cuts to USAID and reflects a broader shift in US foreign policy.
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Federal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams have been dropped with prejudice by Judge Dale Ho, meaning the case cannot be reinstated. This decision follows a request from the Department of Justice, supported by a court-appointed friend, citing concerns that the ongoing investigation hampered Adams’ governance and 2025 mayoral campaign. While the DOJ stated the dismissal wasn’t based on evidence strength, Judge Ho’s ruling acknowledged concerns about a potential “bargain” but ultimately lacked the authority to compel continued prosecution. Adams, who maintains his innocence, has apologized to New Yorkers.
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Booker says it ‘irked’ him that Thurmond held the previous record for the longest Senate speech, a record Booker recently surpassed. The sentiment reflects a deeper frustration; Booker felt the record, held by a notorious segregationist, symbolized systemic efforts to bar Black Americans from political power. It’s not just about the length of the speech, but the context in which that record was set – a time when the fight for civil rights was brutal, and the Senate itself was a battleground for racial justice.
The fact that Thurmond’s record stood for so long, a testament to obstructionism against civil rights legislation, is a powerful symbol of the enduring legacy of racial prejudice in American politics.… Continue reading
President Trump plans to unilaterally impose substantial import taxes, potentially totaling trillions of dollars over ten years, marking a significant tax increase surpassing all but two instances in US history. This action, described as “liberation day” by the President, is projected to generate $600 billion annually in revenue. However, economists dispute this figure, asserting that the cost will be largely shouldered by American consumers through higher prices, as importers pass along tariff increases. The substantial tax increase would be enacted without congressional approval.
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National Security Advisor Mike Waltz used unsecured Gmail for official government business, a practice drawing criticism given his past condemnation of Hillary Clinton’s private email server. This contrasts sharply with the Trump administration’s own use of Signal, a platform exposed in “Signalgate” for transmitting sensitive information. Social media users highlighted the perceived hypocrisy, noting the lack of similar outrage directed at Waltz compared to the intense criticism leveled against Clinton. The incident reignited the debate surrounding the use of private communication channels for official government business and the application of security protocols.
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Booker’s speech garnering over 350 million likes on a TikTok Live stream is undeniably a significant event, sparking considerable online discussion. The sheer number is astounding, almost equaling the entire US population. However, it’s crucial to understand the mechanics of TikTok likes before drawing sweeping conclusions.
Unlike traditional social media platforms, TikTok allows users to repeatedly like a live stream, essentially inflating the like count. This means the 350 million figure doesn’t represent 350 million unique individuals; it’s likely a significantly smaller number of people liking the video many times over. This inherent ambiguity is a vital consideration when interpreting the data.… Continue reading
A Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire, a long-range strategic bomber, crashed in Siberia, resulting in one fatality, according to a regional governor. This incident underscores the precarious state of Russia’s aging military fleet, a fleet heavily reliant on equipment inherited from the Soviet era. The sheer age of these aircraft, combined with their continued operation, inevitably increases the risk of accidents, highlighting a potential vulnerability in Russia’s military capabilities.
The crash raises questions about the long-term viability of Russia’s strategic bombing capacity. The loss of even a single aircraft, given the limited number in operation, represents a significant blow to their overall strength.… Continue reading
House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled the House’s voting agenda for the week following a rebellion by nine Republicans who joined Democrats to overturn a rule preventing proxy voting for new parents. This vote, spearheaded by Representative Anna Paulina Luna, represents a significant setback for Johnson, hindering his legislative efforts and impacting the progress of bills such as the SAVE Act. The Speaker cited the vote as unconstitutional and a potential precedent for future issues, while supporters of the rule change argued it was a pro-family measure accommodating new parents. The House will reconvene next week to address the issue further.
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President Trump dismissed the Senate bill as a Democratic tactic to highlight Republican dissent, asserting it lacked House support and his signature. He criticized unnamed senators for inaction against fentanyl, attributing their perceived failures to “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Trump urged constituents in Kentucky, Alaska, and Maine to pressure these senators, whom he labeled disloyal to the Republican Party and its leadership. The statement concluded with a familiar appeal to his base, urging them to “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
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President Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, including a 34% tax on Chinese imports and a 20% tax on European Union goods, aiming to address what he termed a national economic emergency and bolster domestic manufacturing. These tariffs, levied under the 1977 International Emergency Powers Act, represent a significant escalation of trade tensions and risk triggering a global trade war. The move is expected to increase prices for consumers and potentially cause a global economic slowdown, despite the administration’s claims of increased revenue and job creation. Experts warn of severe consequences, including potential recessions in multiple countries, and bipartisan criticism highlights concerns about the lack of congressional approval and potential negative impacts on the U.S. economy.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood