Trump reveals what he wants for the world: The National Security Strategy, which presidents usually release once each term, offers a formal statement of U.S. global priorities. This is where we get a peek behind the curtain, a glimpse into what a potential future administration sees as its key objectives. Let’s delve into what this particular document reveals, remembering that the priorities outlined are those of a specific administration, and may not reflect long-term U.S. foreign policy objectives.
One of the most striking elements is the renewed focus on the Western Hemisphere. The strategy emphasizes a larger military presence, ostensibly to combat migration, drug trafficking, and, notably, “the rise of adversarial powers in the region.”… Continue reading
Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal team is arguing that the release of documents related to her case could hinder her bid for a retrial, as they plan to file a habeas petition. The lawyers claim that releasing grand jury materials containing unproven allegations could create undue prejudice, making a fair retrial impossible. Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, is seeking a retrial via the habeas petition after the US Supreme Court rejected her appeal. The release of the documents, linked to civil and criminal cases involving Jeffrey Epstein, comes after Donald Trump signed the Epstein Transparency Act, but Maxwell’s lawyers believe it could impact her chances.
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Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) has alleged that President Trump’s pardons are a “cash grab” orchestrated by the president’s inner circle and lobbyists with ties to the White House. According to Murphy, these individuals are profiting from the pardons, which are being granted to fraudsters and white-collar criminals in exchange for money. This practice has created a lucrative business for lobbyists and consultants linked to the administration. Moreover, Trump has also pardoned corporations, signaling a concerning trend of authoritarian power.
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The article alleges that Kash Patel misused government resources by assigning FBI SWAT personnel to protect his girlfriend, and further, to escort her friend. Former FBI agents and law enforcement officials condemned these actions as inappropriate and a violation of the agents’ oath. Patel is facing additional scrutiny for demanding an FBI raid jacket during a murder investigation and allegedly using FBI aircraft for personal travel. President Trump is reportedly considering firing Patel, although he denies this.
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European leaders recently warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy against making concessions to Russia without firm security guarantees from the United States. During a phone call, figures including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the necessity of US involvement in any future agreement’s security guarantees. This advice stemmed from concerns that Washington hasn’t clarified its response to potential Russian violations of a peace agreement. The warnings represent another instance of European leaders attempting to influence peace talks primarily led by the US with Russia and Ukraine.
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A recently viewed video shown to senators depicts a US airstrike on a suspected drug smuggling boat, revealing two surviving, unarmed men clinging to wreckage before being killed in a subsequent attack. The video has sparked controversy as the US military has carried out 22 attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, with a death toll of at least 87 people. Legal experts and lawmakers have debated the legality of these strikes, particularly the killing of incapacitated survivors, as the US Department of Defense’s Law of War manual prohibits attacks on those who are incapacitated. The debate centers on whether these actions constitute war crimes given the circumstances of the attacks and whether the individuals are considered “combatants.”
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Michael Jordan is slated to testify in a federal antitrust trial against NASCAR, as his co-owned 23XI Racing team, along with Front Row Motorsports, alleges the racing circuit is a monopoly. The lawsuit, filed in 2024, claims NASCAR limits team revenues and freedom by requiring standardized cars and parts from approved suppliers. The teams are also contesting NASCAR’s charter system and the league’s control over track approvals. Jordan has stated he is fighting for the rights of smaller teams as well.
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The Supreme Court has allowed Texas to use a congressional map, reversing a lower court’s decision that found the new boundaries likely unconstitutional due to racial considerations. This decision, with potential significant implications for the upcoming midterm elections, came in response to Texas’s emergency appeal, which cited the looming candidate filing deadline. Justice Alito argued that the map was drawn solely for partisan advantage, while Justice Kagan dissented, emphasizing the majority’s disregard for the lower court’s finding of racial gerrymandering. The ruling has drawn praise from Texas Republicans and criticism from Democrats and civil rights groups, with legal battles over the maps expected to continue.
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Following the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Luigi Mangione’s legal defense fund has garnered significant support, reflecting widespread frustration with the for-profit healthcare system. Supporters, spanning various political viewpoints, see the alleged act as a response to the dehumanizing practices of the healthcare industry. While public sentiment suggests discontent, the article questions whether this support will translate into meaningful change. The author proposes a shift from protest to direct action, such as a strike by healthcare providers against aspects of their work dictated by corporate control, to reclaim healthcare for all.
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The US military says it killed four men in a strike on a suspected drug vessel. That’s where we start, isn’t it? The core of this whole thing, the crux of the matter: four lives extinguished, not because they were definitively proven to be criminals, but because they were *suspected* of being involved in drug trafficking. It’s a word, “suspected”, that carries a chilling weight when it’s coupled with the irreversible act of taking a life. It’s a word that opens up a Pandora’s Box of questions, anxieties, and a gut feeling that something is fundamentally wrong.
The US military says it killed four men in a strike on a suspected drug vessel, and the immediate reaction is one of disbelief, frustration, and a deep-seated feeling of injustice.… Continue reading