During a parliamentary debate, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that any peace agreement in Ukraine must have the explicit consent of both Ukraine and European countries to be considered legitimate. He emphasized that Europe is a sovereign player and should not be sidelined in negotiations. Merz stated that Germany will increase its financial support for Ukraine to €11.5 billion by 2026 and endorsed using frozen Russian assets to fund the country’s defense and reconstruction. The Chancellor underscored the importance of ensuring Russia does not achieve a successful outcome, highlighting the country’s commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as needed.
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Former President Donald Trump is seeking a new moniker for the Republican Party, suggesting options like “TEPUBLICAN” or “TPUBLICAN” on Truth Social. The latter pronunciation requires a difficult linguistic maneuver, a “voiceless labial-alveolar plosive,” rarely heard outside of select global regions. Despite Trump’s claim that “almost everyone” is a “TRUMP REPUBLICAN,” his approval ratings remain low amid ongoing controversies. The move comes as he aims to maintain his influence over the party.
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In a recent interview, Colombian President Gustavo Petro alleged that the Trump administration’s pressure on Venezuela is driven by a desire to access the country’s oil reserves rather than combat drug trafficking. Petro stated that Venezuela is not a major drug producer, emphasizing that the U.S.’s focus on the country is likely rooted in oil interests. He also criticized the U.S.’s actions as imperialistic, comparing them to past interventions. The U.S. State Department responded by reaffirming its commitment to counter-drug operations, while Colombia has faced sanctions and accusations related to the drug trade, which Petro denies.
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In a court filing, the Justice Department disclosed that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem made the final decision to allow deportees to be transferred to El Salvador despite a judge’s order to return the flights to the United States. The administration maintains it did not violate the court’s order, although it identified officials involved in the decision. Judge Boasberg accused the government of showing “willful disregard” for his rulings regarding the deportation of Venezuelan gang members. The case stems from the Trump administration’s initiative, which has faced legal challenges regarding due process, and the ACLU is seeking testimony from multiple officials.
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Following a video released by six Democratic members of Congress urging service members to refuse illegal orders, Donald Trump reacted with threats of sedition charges. This prompted an investigation into one of the lawmakers for “serious allegations of misconduct.” The Uniform Code of Military Justice mandates obedience to lawful orders but also imposes a duty to disobey those deemed unlawful, as supported by legal precedent and historical examples of service members refusing to participate in illegal wars. Expert testimony, citing the Nuremberg Charter, UN Charter, and UCMJ, has been used in court-martial cases to defend those who refused to comply with potentially unlawful orders.
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A video featuring ten veterans from various branches of the military has been released in support of Senator Mark Kelly and other congressional colleagues. The video comes in response to the Pentagon’s review of Kelly following his urging of active-duty members to refuse illegal orders. The veterans, representing multiple national organizations, express concern over what they view as politically motivated actions against Kelly. Furthermore, the video highlights a perceived threat to the duty of military members who could be ordered to do things which undermine the very citizens they are supposed to protect.
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The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis canceled the release of its advance estimate of third-quarter GDP due to disruptions from the federal government shutdown, joining other delayed economic reports like the October jobs data. This postponement has fueled speculation that the data may reveal unfavorable economic performance, especially as President Trump touts strong growth amidst ongoing concerns. While the BEA has not set a new release date, the Federal Reserve Chair has acknowledged that the lack of data could impact policy decisions, further adding to the uncertainty surrounding the true state of the U.S. economy.
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A recent Emerson College/The Hill poll indicates a tight race in Tennessee’s 7th District, with Republican Matt Van Epps narrowly leading Democrat Aftyn Behn, despite the district previously favoring Donald Trump by a significant margin. The poll reveals a significant gender and age divide among voters, with younger voters and women leaning towards Behn, while older voters and men support Van Epps. Early voters favor Behn, while those planning to vote on Election Day back Van Epps, suggesting voter turnout will be a crucial factor. The election, which is the final special House election of the year, will occur on December 2nd.
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Representative Ruben Gallego strongly defended Senator Mark Kelly in a video message and on CNN, criticizing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and accusing the Trump administration of intimidation. Gallego’s remarks came after Kelly, along with other lawmakers, reminded military members of their right to refuse unlawful orders, a statement that drew condemnation from Trump. Gallego argued the Democrats were simply reiterating existing military code and that the current administration’s actions reflect an unprecedented politicization of the military, pointing to recent military actions outside of congressional authorization as examples. The representative claims this is an attempt to distract from the impending release of files on Jeffrey Epstein and the lack of a Republican healthcare plan.
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John Q. Hosedrinker