The American administration has reportedly denied accreditation to French MP Éric Bothorel for a planned trip to Washington, preventing him from attending a parliamentary delegation. This action is understood to be in retaliation for Bothorel’s role in flagging the social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, to prosecutors regarding alleged algorithmic changes and foreign interference. Bothorel, a specialist in digital affairs and foreign interference, believes this denial signifies a broader stance on free expression from the MAGA sphere.
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Senator Chuck Schumer and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have introduced “Virginia’s Law” in Washington D.C., a legislative effort to remove the statute of limitations for sex traffickers and abusers. The ongoing fallout from the Epstein files continues to be examined, with discussions also touching upon the potential relocation of future Winter Olympics to January due to climate change impacting snow and colder weather. In a separate story, two sisters in India are utilizing football to combat child marriage.
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A growing concern among Americans, spanning the political spectrum, centers on the health impacts of ultraprocessed foods. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former FDA commissioner Dr. David Kessler are uniting to address this issue, pointing to the “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) classification as a loophole allowing the widespread use of unexamined ingredients in these foods. This has contributed to ultraprocessed items making up a significant portion of the American diet, leading to a surge in chronic diseases. Both men are advocating for greater transparency and accountability from the food industry.
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In accordance with the Act’s requirements and as previously submitted to the courts, the Department has now released all relevant records, documents, communications, and investigative materials. These materials pertain to nine distinct categories, as detailed in submissions to the Southern District of New York concerning the Epstein and Maxwell prosecutions. This comprehensive release aims to fulfill the legal obligations surrounding these significant cases.
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The Norwegian Nobel Institute is increasing transparency regarding its selection process to counter accusations of bias, particularly those stemming from President Donald Trump’s persistent demands for a Nobel Peace Prize. Director Kristian Berg Harpviken emphasized that the institute’s strategy is to openly explain its work and principles to the public. While declining to name Trump directly, Harpviken assured that candidates campaigning for themselves are neither penalized nor privileged. This comes after a series of unusual events, including FIFA awarding Trump an invented peace prize and Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presenting him with her actual Nobel Peace Prize medal, despite the institute’s clear pronouncements that such transfers are impossible. The Norwegian Prime Minister also reiterated the independent nature of the Nobel Committee when pressed by Trump.
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Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel has urged the government to intensify its actions against Russia, asserting that current sanctions are being bypassed. Patel advocated for cutting off all financial flows supporting the Russian economy, including the closure of Russian oil refineries, and called for direct action against individuals and businesses enabling Russia’s activities. This comes as the Russian embassy in London vehemently denies any involvement in Alexei Navalny’s death, dismissing Western accusations as baseless propaganda and a mockery of the deceased.
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As part of efforts to improve bilateral relations, China is now waiving visa requirements for Canadian tourists and business visitors. Starting Tuesday, Canadians can enter mainland China for stays of up to 30 days without a visa, a policy expected to remain in effect until the end of the year. This move comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent visit to Beijing, during which Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly agreed to visa-free access for Canadians. Previously, most Canadian visitors faced a complex application process and significant fees for entry.
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A recent Federal Reserve Bank of New York report indicates that American consumers and companies bore the vast majority of the cost of President Donald Trump’s tariffs through late 2025. Contrary to the President’s assertions that foreign countries paid the tariffs, the study found that U.S. entities absorbed nearly 90% of the financial burden. This translated to a significant tax increase for American households, with the tariffs acting as a de facto tax on domestic businesses and individuals rather than foreign entities.
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This groundbreaking study provides the first clear evidence of a transgenerational link for DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation, specifically linking Chernobyl disaster exposure to genetic changes in offspring. Researchers identified a significant increase in clustered de novo mutations (cDNMs) – multiple mutations in close proximity – in children of irradiated parents compared to control groups. While a higher parental radiation dose correlated with more cDNMs in offspring, the study concludes that the health risk to these children is minimal, largely due to mutations occurring in non-coding DNA and the relatively small overall increase. This research underscores the potential for prolonged radiation exposure to leave subtle, heritable traces in the genome, reinforcing the importance of safety measures for those at risk.
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Canada is increasingly signaling a shift in its defense procurement strategy, with a significant emphasis on bolstering its domestic defense industry. The intention is for a substantial portion, around 70%, of future defense spending to be directed towards Canadian companies and contractors. This move represents a notable increase from the current level of 50% and is rooted in a desire to foster job creation, stimulate the growth of the Canadian defense sector, and create a more diverse and resilient military supply chain.
While this prioritization of domestic production is a key focus, it doesn’t mean Canada is entirely cutting ties with its major international partners, particularly the United States.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood