The Trump administration has been criticized for concealing or eliminating public data and statistics, including research on right-wing extremism and unfavorable jobs reports. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has released a report detailing how these actions, coupled with funding cuts, are hindering experts and the public from understanding the impacts of the administration’s policies. The report highlights the removal of data, such as the Household Food Security reports, and the reduced capacity of the US Census Bureau due to staffing changes and budget cuts. The CBPP warns that these actions, including the weakening of the decennial census, will significantly impede efforts to track the consequences of the administration’s policies and will limit fact-checking capabilities.
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In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly, Chinese Premier Li Qiang positioned China as a global leader, subtly criticizing the U.S.’s retreat from international cooperation. Li highlighted China’s commitment to global economic growth and addressing climate change, while also advocating for the United Nations. Experts believe this represents a shift in China’s foreign policy, aiming to reshape the world order to better align with its interests and values. Despite this, some analysts point out a disconnect between China’s rhetoric of multilateralism and its actions, particularly concerning its treatment of Hong Kong and its activities in the South China Sea.
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In April 2020, Ukraine’s navy successfully used a modified R-360 Neptune anti-ship missile in a long-range strike against a Russian factory in Bryansk, targeting a facility specializing in electrical parts for military and aerospace components. The strike, conducted over a range of 240 km, suggests the use of the “Long Neptune” version, initially designed for naval targets but modified to hit land targets with an extended range. This follows a previous strike on an oil refinery in March and reflects Ukraine’s efforts to expand its homegrown long-range arsenal, reducing reliance on Western-provided weapons. The Neptune missile, based on the Soviet Kh-35 and manufactured by Luch Design Bureau, was revealed to have a significantly extended range compared to its original capabilities.
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During a visit to New Zealand, FBI Director Kash Patel gifted inoperable, 3D-printed replica pistols to several senior law enforcement officials. These weapons, which are tightly regulated under New Zealand law, were deemed potentially operable by gun regulators and subsequently destroyed. The gifts were presented as display stands at meetings with the Police Commissioner, the director-general of the human intelligence agency, and the director-general of the technical intelligence agency. The incident raised concerns about compliance with local firearms laws, prompting criticism and the need for the weapons’ destruction, despite the intent being a “genuine gesture”.
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The Heritage Foundation’s report alleges that “transgender ideology” is linked to half of recent school shootings, calling for the FBI to investigate “Transgender Ideology-Inspired Violent Extremism.” However, Wired magazine’s analysis reveals the claim is unsubstantiated. The Heritage Foundation’s report defines “transgender ideology” in a way that demonizes trans people, but the magazine found that of dozens of school shootings since 2015, only a few shooters have been credibly identified as trans, and their motivations for violence may not have been related to their gender identity. Experts interviewed by Wired confirm there is no evidence to support the claim that transgender people are disproportionately responsible for mass violence, and data points to cisgender men as the vast majority of mass shooters.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to former President Trump’s proposal to impose tariffs on foreign-made movies with a succinct critique, characterizing it as “PAY MORE AND ENJOY NOTHING.” Trump’s plan, shared on Truth Social, cited the loss of American movie production to other countries, particularly criticizing California. This mirrors a similar proposal from May which caused stock market declines. While the impact of tariffs on foreign intellectual property remains uncertain, the proposal comes amidst economic concerns and rising consumer prices.
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During a recent press conference, President Donald Trump mistakenly stated his first term began in 2016, despite being inaugurated in January 2017. This error, along with other instances of apparent memory lapses and difficulty with speech, has intensified concerns about his cognitive abilities. Critics have pointed to these occurrences, including forgetting insults and mispronouncing words, as evidence of potential cognitive decline. Furthermore, observations of Trump’s physical appearance, such as hand bruises and a “droopy face,” have fueled further speculation about his health, despite the White House attributing some symptoms to other medical conditions.
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During a White House announcement, President Trump incorrectly pronounced the name of the Abraham Accords, a 2020 agreement, and insisted his pronunciation was the correct one. He stated that the name was, “Abraaaham,” even though the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, gently corrected him, using the original Hebrew pronunciation of, “Avraham.” Despite the pronunciation error, Trump proceeded to announce his plan to end the war in Gaza, claiming Israel had agreed to it, and that he would be heading the, “Board of Peace.”
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Ukraine will soon receive Gripen fighter jets from Sweden, as confirmed by the First Deputy Defense Minister. While details regarding the timeframe and quantity were not disclosed, it was affirmed that the Gripen is included in the list of aircraft Kyiv will be receiving. Discussions regarding the transfer have been ongoing since September 2024, with initial hesitations due to the complexities of managing multiple aircraft systems. The Gripen’s agility and suitability for air combat make it a valuable asset, as evidenced by its recent use in intercepting Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
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In a move further distancing Russia from Western institutions, President Putin signed a law withdrawing the country from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture. The Kremlin’s decision, which follows Russia’s expulsion from the Council of Europe, cites alleged “discrimination” by the organization. While the Russian foreign ministry claims this withdrawal won’t negatively impact citizens, UN special rapporteurs have expressed concern, viewing the move as a red flag regarding human rights in Russian detention facilities. This action comes amid international condemnation of Russia’s human rights record, particularly allegations of abuses against Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees.
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John Q. Hosedrinker