An internal Department of Justice letter, mistakenly posted online, revealed significant doubts among federal attorneys regarding the legal basis for Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s attempt to revoke the MTA’s congestion pricing tolls. The letter highlighted flaws in the current legal strategy and suggested alternative, albeit weaker, arguments. Following the accidental release and subsequent removal of the document, the Department of Transportation spokesperson accused the Southern District of New York attorneys of incompetence and announced they would be removed from the case. The incident further escalated tensions between the Trump administration and the Southern District of New York, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle over the Manhattan tolls.
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Despite recent White House suggestions of de-escalation, China’s Ministry of Commerce and Foreign Ministry have unequivocally stated that no economic or trade negotiations with the U.S. are currently underway. Both ministries emphasized that any purported progress on bilateral talks is inaccurate. China insists that the U.S. must rescind all unilateral measures against China before any discussions can commence. This firm stance follows recent tariff increases imposed by both nations.
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A University of Helsinki-led poll reveals sharply decreased Finnish trust in US military support for Europe, with only 16 percent believing the US would defend European countries, down significantly from 30 percent before Trump’s re-election. This diminished confidence extends to the US-Finland defense cooperation agreement, despite a continued belief in support from other NATO members. While Finns overwhelmingly oppose Russia retaining Ukrainian territory in any peace deal, support for NATO membership itself has also decreased, although it remains above the NATO average. This shift reflects a growing disillusionment with US reliability and a subtle fracturing of consensus regarding NATO.
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A new Pew Research Center poll reveals President Trump’s approval rating at 40 percent, with 59 percent disapproving. This represents a seven-point drop since February, impacting most demographic groups, including significant negative numbers among women and Black Americans. The decline could negatively affect Trump’s political influence and the Republican party’s prospects in the 2026 midterms. Experts attribute the drop to recent policy decisions, particularly regarding tariffs, and broader economic concerns.
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Senator Bernie Sanders argues that the Democratic Party has suffered politically from neglecting the working class. He cites stark economic inequalities, such as the immense wealth disparity between Elon Musk and a significant portion of the population, and the lack of universal healthcare as evidence of this failure. Sanders contends that this inattention has led to a rise in support for right-wing policies and emphasizes the need for the party to champion the interests of working-class Americans. He believes that focusing on issues such as healthcare and economic justice will be key to regaining public trust.
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A Maryland federal judge ordered the Trump administration to return a 20-year-old Venezuelan man wrongly deported to El Salvador, citing a breach of a 2024 settlement agreement protecting unaccompanied minors. This marks the second such order concerning deportations to El Salvador, following a similar case involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The administration argued the deportation was justified under the Alien Enemies Act, but the judge disagreed, deeming the matter a contractual dispute. The ruling also protects another Venezuelan man, Javier, from imminent deportation under the same agreement.
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Following deadly tornadoes in Arkansas, Governor Sarah Huckabee requested federal disaster aid, a request subsequently denied by the Trump administration despite the significant loss of life and widespread destruction. This denial prompted appeals from Governor Huckabee and Arkansas legislators, who emphasized the catastrophic damage and the vital need for federal assistance in rebuilding efforts. The decision comes amidst Trump’s ongoing efforts to reduce FEMA’s role and shift greater responsibility for disaster relief to state and local governments. Critics argue that this approach weakens national disaster preparedness and jeopardizes crucial federal funding for affected states.
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President Trump’s amended lawsuit against CBS and Paramount Global now seeks $20 billion in damages, doubling his original claim, alleging deceptive editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris to boost her election prospects. The suit, which now includes Trump’s former doctor as a plaintiff to keep the case in Texas, shifts away from First Amendment arguments, focusing instead on alleged business motivations behind the alleged manipulation. The FCC’s release of unedited interview footage supports CBS’s claim of accurate reporting, yet the lawsuit accuses CBS of making Harris appear more coherent to improve commercial appeal. Preliminary settlement talks between Paramount and Trump’s team are underway, with Trump reportedly seeking a substantial settlement.
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Following India’s punitive actions against Pakistan, the Pakistani National Security Committee (NSC) convened and responded with a series of retaliatory measures. These included suspending the Simla Agreement and all bilateral agreements with India, closing the Wagah border, and revoking SAARC visas for Indian nationals (excluding Sikh pilgrims). Furthermore, Pakistan declared Indian defense advisors persona non grata, reduced Indian High Commission staff, closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, and suspended all trade with India. Pakistan also vowed a comprehensive response to any further threats to its sovereignty.
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Recently, the US Embassy in Tokyo announced that all nonimmigrant visa applicants must disclose all social media accounts used in the past five years. Failure to comply will result in visa denial. While US agencies have previously reviewed applicant social media, this new policy marks a significant increase in scrutiny, prompting concern among Japanese citizens and legal experts. The lack of specifics regarding the review process has heightened anxieties about the potential impact of online content on visa approvals. Applicants are urged to accurately and completely disclose all requested social media information.
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John Q. Hosedrinker