Recent polls indicate a decline in President Trump’s approval ratings regarding his handling of the U.S. economy, with significant drops in those who feel better off under his policies. A Harvard CAPS/Harris poll showed a decrease from 49% to 45% approval on the economy between February and March, while a CBS News/YouGov poll revealed a rise in those believing the economy is worsening. These negative trends coincide with increased concerns about inflation and a rise in recession predictions by Goldman Sachs. The upcoming implementation of Trump’s reciprocal tariffs adds further uncertainty to the economic outlook.
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Zelenskyy’s recent calls for stronger measures against Russia are certainly noteworthy, especially considering the backdrop of Donald Trump’s expressed frustration with Vladimir Putin. The situation highlights a stark contrast in approaches to the ongoing conflict. While Zelenskyy advocates for firm action against Russia, Trump’s reaction to being kept waiting by Putin suggests a different dynamic at play, one that raises serious questions about his priorities.
The incident itself, with Trump reportedly being placed on hold for an hour by Putin, has sparked considerable commentary. The perceived humiliation of a former U.S. President waiting on the line for Putin underlines the power imbalance that the Russian leader enjoys.… Continue reading
President Trump issued an executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution, accusing it of promoting “improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology” and demanding the removal of materials deemed historically inaccurate. Historians widely condemned this action as an attempt to whitewash American history and suppress discussions of race and social justice. The order specifically cites exhibits on race and gender, as well as planned programming, as examples of problematic content. This action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to control the narrative of American history and suppress diverse perspectives.
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Following US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to Asia and vow to counter Chinese aggression, the Chinese military launched joint exercises around Taiwan. These drills, involving all branches of the PLA, simulated attacks and blockades, serving as a “stern warning” against Taiwanese independence. Taiwan condemned the exercises as reckless and illegal, deploying its own forces in response. The maneuvers are viewed by some as a signal to the US, coinciding with heightened tensions and recent incidents between the two sides.
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A French court sentenced Marine Le Pen to four years in prison, including two years under house arrest, and a five-year ban from holding public office for embezzling EU funds. The court found Le Pen, the leader of France’s National Rally party and a leading contender in the 2027 presidential election, to be at the heart of a scheme misusing over €3 million in EU funds. Le Pen plans to appeal the verdict, but the ban remains in effect pending the appeal, potentially eliminating her from the presidential race. This ruling, which has drawn international reactions, is considered a major setback for Le Pen and her party.
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Following the implementation of economic reforms under President Javier Milei, poverty in Argentina decreased to 38.1% by the end of 2024, down from 41.7% at the end of 2023 and a peak of 52.9% in the first half of 2024. This reduction, attributed to decreased inflation and improved incomes, resulted in approximately 1.6 million fewer people living in poverty compared to the end of 2023. While the government celebrates this drop, some experts caution that comparing data across different quarters can be misleading due to seasonal factors affecting employment, and that the improvement is partially due to increases in informal wages. Despite the positive numbers, challenges persist, including high child poverty (51.9%) and persistent concerns about income inequality.
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Despite possessing protected immigration status, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadorian immigrant with asylum, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador by ICE due to an administrative error. This resulted in his immediate incarceration in the notorious CECOT prison, prompting his family to sue the U.S. government. The Trump administration claims it lacks jurisdiction to intervene, arguing it no longer has custody of Abrego Garcia. This incident follows a pattern of controversial deportations to El Salvador, raising serious concerns about due process and human rights violations.
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Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Russia and the U.S., tensions remain high following President Putin’s suggestion that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy be replaced. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia continues to engage with the U.S. and that Putin remains open to communication with Donald Trump, downplaying Trump’s expressed anger over the proposal. Trump, however, voiced strong displeasure with Putin’s comments, threatening further sanctions if a peace agreement isn’t reached and a ceasefire isn’t implemented. These developments occur amidst continued accusations of ceasefire violations by both Russia and Ukraine.
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A lawsuit filed by the Democratic Party challenges President Trump’s executive order aiming to seize control of election administration from states. The Democrats argue the order is unconstitutional, exceeding the President’s authority and potentially disenfranchising voters. The order seeks to restrict mail-in voting, control the Election Assistance Commission, and mandate stricter voter registration requirements. Legal experts warn the order could significantly disrupt elections and suppress voter turnout. The lawsuit alleges the order stems from Trump’s unfounded claims of voter fraud.
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Three of four U.S. soldiers missing after their armored vehicle submerged in a Lithuanian swamp have been recovered. The soldiers, from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were on a training mission when the incident occurred. Recovery efforts, involving personnel from multiple nations and employing specialized equipment, were hampered by the challenging terrain and the vehicle’s weight and depth of submersion. The search continues for the fourth soldier.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood