Following a meeting with Vladimir Putin aimed at brokering a ceasefire in Ukraine, former President Donald Trump claimed Putin now “respects our country.” Despite preparing to offer economic incentives for a deal, including access to resources and lifting sanctions, the meeting yielded no agreement. Trump attributed the failure to former President Joe Biden and repeatedly asserted that the invasion would not have occurred under his leadership, while also refusing to provide specifics. Trump scored the meeting a perfect “10” due to the pair’s good relationship, and he placed responsibility for future progress with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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According to Reuters sources, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected a demand from Russian President Vladimir Putin, communicated through former US President Donald Trump, to cede the remaining Ukrainian-controlled areas of Donetsk Oblast to Russia in exchange for freezing the front lines in other regions. Trump, in turn, informed both Ukrainian and European leaders that Putin wanted to discuss the terms of ending the war immediately. This proposal comes after Trump and Putin’s meeting ended without agreements. European leaders have been invited to participate in the talks between Trump and Zelenskyy.
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Secret White House spreadsheet ranks US companies based on loyalty to Trump, which is quite the revelation, isn’t it? It seems the inner workings of a past administration were a bit more… involved than many of us might have imagined. The very idea of a ranking system, based not on merit or performance but on perceived loyalty, is unsettling, to say the least. It’s the kind of thing that, in a different context, might be considered a symptom of something far more concerning.
This isn’t just about politics; it’s about how power is wielded, and who it favors. The implication is that companies were being assessed not on the value they provided to the country, their innovation, or their contribution to the economy, but on their allegiance to a single individual.… Continue reading
Qatari authorities have imprisoned a Baha’i leader for allegedly casting doubt on the tenets of Islam. This action follows previous accusations of Qatar deporting Baha’i community members without providing justification. While details regarding the specific charges against the leader remain undisclosed, the arrest underscores ongoing concerns about religious freedom within the country. This situation highlights the precarious position of the Baha’i faith in Qatar.
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The Nordic-Baltic Eight issued a joint statement supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and a just end to the war following a summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The statement emphasized that a just and lasting peace requires Ukraine’s involvement in decision-making and labeled Russia as the aggressor. The bloc, consisting of eight nations, called for a ceasefire, security guarantees, the release of abducted Ukrainian children, and recognized Ukraine’s right to choose its own alliances. President Zelensky welcomed the bloc’s principled stance, highlighting the importance of these points for achieving sustainable peace.
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The appointment of an “emergency police commissioner” in Washington by Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi is viewed as an attempt to divert attention from the Epstein files, which have been a source of discomfort for the White House. Bondi’s actions come amid the backdrop of a city experiencing a 30-year low in crime rates, suggesting the appointment may be politically motivated rather than a response to genuine safety concerns. The author suggests the administration is using the issues of crime and homelessness to regain support while potentially avoiding transparency regarding the Epstein controversy, particularly given the early end of the House session to prevent a vote on releasing those files. The author argues that these actions are not aimed at benefiting the public but are instead driven by the interests of certain individuals, as exemplified by historical examples of political interference.
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The Republican agenda is deeply unpopular with the American people. This is not a matter of conjecture or partisan spin; it’s a reality reflected in economic indicators, public sentiment, and the legislative actions—or lack thereof—of the House Republicans. We’re seeing inflation stubbornly high, job growth that’s barely keeping pace, and a distinct failure by the House Republicans to address these critical issues. It’s a pattern that’s played out for decades, yet they continue to garner votes, leading to a cycle of broken promises and unmet needs.
The core problem isn’t a lack of awareness. People understand that the current economic situation is challenging.… Continue reading
Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi suggests that Donald Trump’s new immigration policies, particularly the rate of deportations, are contributing to rising inflation, potentially reaching nearly 4% early next year. According to Zandi, the decline in the foreign-born labor force is creating tightness in the labor market, driving up costs and inflation, as evidenced by the recent increase in the Producer Price Index. While the White House frames the policies as aimed at protecting the domestic workforce, Zandi and other economists argue that restrictive immigration is a significant factor in rising prices, especially in sectors relying on immigrant labor. This economic shift may force the Federal Reserve to hold steady on interest rates, unable to solve the supply-side issue.
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During an event in Cambridge, U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, the second-ranking House Democrat, referred to Israel’s war in Gaza as a “genocide.” This designation makes Clark the highest-ranking congressional Democrat to use this term, joining other lawmakers who have used the same wording. Clark’s remarks were made in response to pro-Palestinian protests and reaffirm her stance advocating for a permanent cease-fire, the return of hostages, and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. This controversial statement comes as the death toll in the conflict exceeds 60,000, according to Gaza health officials, with the UN defining “genocide” as acts intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.
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On Saturday, Presidents Zelensky and Trump held a 90-minute phone conversation, with an hour spent privately. Trump shared details from his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and Zelensky expressed Ukraine’s readiness to work towards peace, supporting a trilateral meeting proposal. The call, initiated by Trump, included European leaders and NATO officials. Zelensky plans to discuss ending the war with Trump in Washington on Monday.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood