Former President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days has passed without resolution. Trump had previously threatened “secondary tariffs” on Russia as a consequence of inaction. Despite a revised deadline of 10 to 12 days and a subsequent meeting between U.S. and Russian leaders in Alaska, no formal economic sanctions have been announced by the U.S. in response to Putin’s continued aggression.
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Following clashes related to immigration raids, a federal judge blocked President Trump from deploying National Guard and military troops in California for law enforcement activities. The ruling, stemming from a lawsuit challenging the deployment, cited the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits U.S. military forces from domestic law enforcement. The decision, though limited to California and stayed until September, raises questions about the use of troops in other cities, especially considering Trump’s recent actions in Washington, D.C.
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The Trump family’s cryptocurrency venture, WLFI, began trading, leading to a paper valuation of their holdings exceeding $6 billion. The family, including Donald Trump and his sons, holds approximately a quarter of the tokens, which began trading on Monday on major exchanges like Binance. The value of these tokens skyrocketed soon after launch, and the family stands to gain significant revenue from the sale of WLFI tokens. Despite potential financial gains, there are concerns about conflicts of interest and influence, though the White House denies any such engagement.
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Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and seven allies, including high-ranking military officials, are on trial for allegedly attempting a coup, marking an unprecedented moment in Brazilian history. Accused of orchestrating a plot to overturn the 2022 election results, Bolsonaro faces potential decades in prison. The Supreme Court began the trial, with judges expected to render a verdict after televised hearings. Amidst the proceedings, former US President Donald Trump has intervened, imposing tariffs and sanctions in a bid to derail the trial, which has stirred both domestic and international debate on the maturity of Brazil’s democracy.
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President Donald Trump is set to make an announcement from the Oval Office on Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET, as confirmed by the White House. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed the announcement is related to the Department of Defense. This announcement follows speculation on social media regarding Trump’s health and his recent absence from public events, fueled by rumors and hashtags. The press pool, including television crews, will be present, suggesting a broadcast or live stream of the event.
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MAGA congressional candidate Valentina Gomez has ignited controversy with an anti-Islamic campaign ad where she used a flamethrower to set fire to a Quran, vowing to “end Islam” in Texas. Gomez, who has a history of using hateful rhetoric and staging violent stunts against various groups, previously staged a mock execution of an immigrant. The recent actions have elicited strong condemnation, with critics accusing her of incitement. Gomez, who is also an immigrant, has made other offensive and controversial statements and actions, including burning LGBTQ+ books and making disparaging comments about other groups.
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Following a protest against ICE, former army sergeant Bajun Mavalwalla II was arrested and charged with conspiracy, sparking concern among legal experts. The charges are viewed as an escalation in attacks on First Amendment rights and a potential test case for limiting protest activities. Mavalwalla, a veteran with a distinguished service record, faces a potential six-year prison sentence. His arrest has raised questions about selective prosecution and the lengths the Trump administration will go to suppress dissent.
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Leading up to the Alaska summit between President Trump and President Putin, a top CIA Russia expert dedicated extensive hours to preparing Trump’s team. This expert’s role included briefing the team and aiding them in navigating high-stakes discussions, specifically focusing on Ukraine. The expert’s efforts were crucial to ensuring the US delegation was well-informed prior to the summit. This information was provided by a former colleague of the Russia expert.
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In February, a toxic spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia contaminated the Kafue River, a major water source for millions. An environmental cleanup company, Drizit, found that the spill released 1.5 million tons of toxic material, significantly more than Sino-Metals Leach Zambia initially admitted. Drizit’s investigation revealed dangerous levels of cyanide, arsenic, and other pollutants, posing long-term health risks, but Sino-Metals terminated the contract before the final report was released, disputing the findings. The Zambian government deployed resources for cleanup, while the U.S. Embassy ordered its personnel out of the area due to revealed hazards.
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Contrary to previous claims, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated that there was no agreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ushakov’s comments suggest that the discussions about the meeting were preliminary, as no formal agreement was reached during Trump and Putin’s phone call or Alaska summit. While Ukraine expressed readiness for unconditional negotiations, Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, have indicated that such a meeting is not yet feasible, citing preconditions and questions about Zelensky’s legitimacy. Trump, on the other hand, has stated that Putin avoids meeting Zelensky because “he doesn’t like him.”
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John Q. Hosedrinker