Following President Trump’s announcement to drastically shorten the deadline for Russia to end the war in Ukraine, Russian stocks experienced a sharp decline. The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) Index fell by 1.8% within an hour, resulting in a $1.4 billion loss in market value. Key companies such as Gazprom, Novatek, and Aeroflot saw significant drops in share prices. The sell-off was further exacerbated by a cyberattack that led to the cancellation of numerous Aeroflot flights.
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A federal judge has ruled that Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide must continue to receive Medicaid funding, despite efforts by the Trump administration to defund the organization. The court order blocks the federal government from excluding groups like Planned Parenthood from Medicaid reimbursements, as the organization has a substantial likelihood of success in its legal challenge. This decision is a result of a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood, who argued that cutting off Medicaid funds would force nearly 200 clinics to close, impacting over a million patients. The lawsuit challenges a provision in Trump’s tax bill that targeted abortion providers receiving over $800,000 from Medicaid in 2023, even if they provide other medical services.
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During a press conference in Scotland, President Donald Trump dismissed a reporter’s suggestion that a trade deal with the European Union was expedited to overshadow the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Jeffrey Epstein. Trump has faced increased pressure to address his past relationship with Epstein and release government files related to the case. The president has consistently downplayed the significance of the Epstein matter, instead emphasizing his focus on deal-making and dismissing “conspiracy theories.” This follows the administration’s efforts to appear transparent, though a judge rejected their attempt to unseal grand jury transcripts.
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During a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, Donald Trump’s opening remarks were disrupted by a bagpiper, making it difficult to hear his comments. Trump used the remaining time to boast about his accomplishments. The visit followed a weekend of golfing and meetings, which was met with protests and negative sentiment regarding his policies. Trump’s visit was also marked by controversy, including local disapproval and protests related to the Epstein Files furor.
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Amidst growing scrutiny of his administration’s handling of evidence related to Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump has denied ever visiting Epstein’s private Caribbean island, Little Saint James. Trump stated that he was invited, but declined to go. This denial follows reports of Trump’s repeated presence in Epstein files and a Justice Department official meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell. The former president’s comments come as he faces increased pressure for transparency regarding the 2019 child sex trafficking case.
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During a press engagement, President Trump was asked if his mood was affected by a poor round of golf in Scotland. The president, who had played at his Turnberry course, asserted that the golf was “beautiful” and that golf is always enjoyable. The query highlighted the blending of business and leisure during Trump’s trip, especially as he has been advocating for Turnberry’s Ailsa Course to host the Open Championship. The course, last hosting the Open in 2009, is highly ranked in the golfing world.
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Early Monday morning, a gunman opened fire at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada, injuring multiple people. The suspect, who had been pacing the parking lot, was taken into custody after an officer-involved shooting. While initial reports varied, authorities have not yet confirmed the number of casualties, and the gunman’s motive remains unknown as investigations continue. The resort’s emergency department received several patients with gunshot wounds, and guests were alerted to the active law enforcement situation.
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U.S. federal employees may now engage in religious proselytization in the workplace. This is a pretty significant shift, and it’s stirring up a lot of strong reactions, to say the least. The Trump administration made this move, essentially allowing federal workers to try and recruit their colleagues to their own religion. The official line is that employees can “persuade others of the correctness of their own religious views” in the office, and that supervisors can even attempt to recruit their employees, as long as their efforts aren’t “harassing.”
This whole situation raises immediate concerns, and it’s easy to see why. The potential for abuse is practically built-in.… Continue reading
Following the US’s imposition of tariffs, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has criticized the US-EU trade relationship, labeling a potential agreement as “submission.” Attal argued that the US tariffs are a threat to European sovereignty and economic interests. He emphasized the need for Europe to stand its ground and avoid being forced into a trade deal that would disadvantage the continent. The Prime Minister declared the current situation a difficult moment for Europe, signaling a clear stance against the US’s trade policies.
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This trip is estimated to cost at least $9.7 million, encompassing expenses for Air Force One, Secret Service, and other security measures. Trump is framing the international vacation as a “working trip,” despite a meeting with the U.K. Prime Minister in Aberdeen, a city unrelated to the capital. Critics argue that this trip exemplifies the blurring of lines between his private businesses and public office, making the American taxpayers responsible for his personal expenditures. This trip will bring his second-term golf tab to at least $52 million in just six months.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood