Texas Representative Andy Hopper’s attempt to defund University of Texas at Austin’s LGBTQ+ and DEI initiatives failed after a House vote. His argument, centered on the assertion that chromosomes determine gender at birth, was challenged by Representative Lauren Ashley Simmons. This exchange highlighted a lack of understanding regarding the LGBTQ+ community among some conservatives. The $337 billion state budget passed despite the rejection of Hopper’s amendment and other similar proposals.
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President Trump’s recent tariff hikes on Chinese goods, raising duties to 125 percent and, in some cases, 245 percent, have been met with defiance from China. The Chinese Commerce Ministry dismissed the tariffs as a meaningless game and vowed to continue retaliatory measures. While the U.S. cites national security concerns and unfair trade practices as justification, China maintains its position against these unilateral actions. Further escalation is anticipated unless a deal is reached, particularly given increasing economic pressure on both nations.
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Pertussis, or whooping cough, is surging in Louisiana and across the US, with cases reaching a decade-high. Two infant deaths in Louisiana highlight the severity of the illness, particularly for unvaccinated infants. Experts attribute the increase to waning vaccine immunity and declining vaccination rates, coupled with reduced access to healthcare in some areas. Urgent calls for vaccination, including prenatal vaccination and “cocooning” of infants’ households, aim to mitigate the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations.
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Putin again lauded Elon Musk, drawing parallels between him and Soviet rocket engineer Sergei Korolev. This praise follows previous statements expressing a desire for collaboration with Musk on issues like AI. However, Musk has faced criticism for allegedly echoing Kremlin narratives regarding the Ukraine conflict and for his outspoken opposition to continued US aid to Ukraine. His actions, including condemning Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, have drawn accusations of spreading pro-Russian propaganda.
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Harvard University rejected the Trump administration’s demands for increased surveillance and restrictions on international students, prompting immediate backlash. President Garber denounced the demands as an attempt to control the university and vowed to defend its independence and constitutional rights. The administration’s requests included barring students deemed “hostile to American values” and reporting those violating university conduct codes to Homeland Security. This defiance was met with celebration from some faculty and broader educational communities.
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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders are currently holding rallies across the nation, generating significant enthusiasm. These events, characterized as “barn burner” rallies, are highlighting key policy issues and engaging large crowds. AOC’s message emphasizes a focus on national unity, rejecting the notion that her platform is solely appealing to a specific region. The rallies are being analyzed by political experts, including those from MSNBC and the New York Times, for their implications on the political landscape.
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President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods have created a significant challenge for American soybean farmers, potentially weakening domestic production and shifting demand to Brazil. This shift could exacerbate deforestation in the Amazon rainforest as Brazil increases soybean exports to meet China’s needs. The resulting economic hardship for soybean farmers, concentrated in states that strongly support Trump, poses a political risk. Furthermore, increased Brazilian soybean production to fill the void undermines global climate goals.
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Goldman Sachs estimates a complete decoupling of US and Chinese capital markets could trigger a US$2.5 trillion sell-off, with US investors offloading nearly US$800 billion in Chinese equities and China divesting US$1.7 trillion in US Treasuries and equities. This scenario assumes US regulatory restrictions on Chinese investments. The potential delisting of US-traded Chinese companies, fueled by escalating trade tensions, is the primary catalyst for this projected market disruption. Such a move would impact approximately 300 Chinese firms listed on US exchanges.
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Judge James Boasberg held the Trump administration in criminal contempt for defying his orders to halt the deportation of over 130 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador without due process. The judge found sufficient evidence of “willful disregard” for his March directives, despite the administration’s claims of state secrets and lack of knowledge regarding the flights’ execution. Boasberg offered the administration options to avoid further contempt proceedings, including asserting custody of the deported migrants or identifying the officials responsible for the decision. He emphasized the foundational “rule of law” demanding compliance with court orders, irrespective of official position or claimed justification. Failure to comply could result in criminal contempt charges, prosecuted either by the Justice Department or an appointed outside attorney.
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Cristina Balan, a former Tesla engineer, has won a significant legal victory in her long-running defamation case against the company and Elon Musk. A California appeals court overturned a lower court ruling that dismissed her claim, finding the lower court lacked jurisdiction. This decision effectively reopens Balan’s case, allowing her to pursue her claims in open court against Musk and Tesla. Balan intends to proceed with a new lawsuit, seeking to clear her name after being accused of embezzlement following her reporting of a safety concern.
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John Q. Hosedrinker