The U.S. Capitol recently unveiled a statue of Barbara Rose Johns, a significant replacement for the removed statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The ceremony in Emancipation Hall included remarks from prominent political figures, celebrating Johns’ role in leading a student strike for equal education at R.R. Moton High School in Virginia in 1951. This act of defiance eventually contributed to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case, which declared “separate but equal” unconstitutional. The new statue, placed in the Crypt, honors Johns’ legacy as a trailblazer and replaces the Confederate figure with a symbol of liberty and justice.
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Speaker Mike Johnson has received backlash from both Democrats and Republicans after announcing that the House will not vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Despite support from moderate Republicans, who expressed concern over the expiration of the subsidies, Johnson opted against a vote, citing difficulties in finding a compromise. Democratic leaders and some Republican representatives criticized this decision, with some calling it “political malpractice.” The failure to extend these subsidies could lead to a significant rise in healthcare premiums and the potential loss of coverage for millions of Americans.
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The Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented on the recent attack on Novorossiysk, though Russian military bloggers suggest the damage was minimal. However, if the SBU’s claims are accurate, the financial implications for Russia could be significant, potentially costing hundreds of millions of dollars. This attack is part of Ukraine’s ongoing deep-strike campaign against Russian military and energy targets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of maintaining Ukraine’s ability to defend itself as leverage in potential negotiations.
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Last year, data centers in the Netherlands consumed nearly 5,100 gigawatt hours of electricity, equivalent to the power usage of almost 2 million homes. This represents a near doubling of consumption in five years, with data centers now using almost 5% of the country’s total electricity. The largest centers, numbering approximately 45, have seen their combined consumption almost quadruple in a decade. However, the data does not include consumption from companies and institutions that store their own data, meaning the total electricity usage could be even higher.
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In the ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against the Pulitzer Prize Board, the defendants have submitted extensive discovery demands in court documents. These demands, outlined in a 12-page filing, require Trump to provide a wide range of documents including tax returns, financial records, and health information dating back to 2015. The defendants are seeking documentation related to Trump’s actions and statements concerning the Pulitzer Prizes and the reporting on the Russia probe, as well as information about other legal actions involving Trump. The board claims their statement defending the prizes constitutes “actionable mixed opinion” as the case continues.
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Mexican lawmakers recently approved a package of tariffs, impacting numerous products, particularly those from China, with the levies set to take effect January 1, 2026. These tariffs, which can reach up to 50%, target goods such as metals, cars, and appliances and affect countries without free trade agreements with Mexico. This action occurs amid negotiations with the US over potential import taxes threatened by former President Donald Trump. China has expressed concerns, with a spokesperson from Beijing’s commerce ministry stating that the tariffs would “substantially harm the interests of trading partners.”
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In a recent announcement, former US President Donald Trump declared a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and exiting Venezuela. This action follows the US seizure of an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast and is coupled with accusations of the Maduro government’s involvement in terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking, as well as stealing US assets. Trump asserted that Venezuela is “completely surrounded” by a significant military presence. The US has maintained stringent sanctions against Venezuela for years, accusing the Maduro government of illicit activities and previously imposing sanctions on ships carrying Venezuelan oil.
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Recent polling indicates a growing divide between the public and U.S. political leaders regarding Israel policy, specifically among Republicans. A majority of Republicans surveyed stated they would prefer to reinvest funding for Israel into lowering domestic healthcare costs. Furthermore, a plurality of Republicans favor allowing the current funding agreement with Israel to lapse and would support candidates who reject unconditional funding or funding from pro-Israel lobbying groups. These findings suggest potential shifts in Republican support for Israel and highlight a growing desire for domestic program funding.
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In a shocking turn of events, Nick Reiner, son of actor and director Rob Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents. The Los Angeles District Attorney announced the charges, including special circumstances allegations that could lead to a harsher sentence. The couple was found dead from apparent stab wounds in their Los Angeles home, leading to the arrest of Nick Reiner hours later. The defendant’s attorney has postponed the arraignment until Wednesday due to his client’s unspecified health issues.
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White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles confirmed that President Donald Trump’s name is in the Epstein files, stating that the late sex offender and Trump were once “young, single playboys together.” Wiles also mentioned that Trump was on Epstein’s plane, the Lolita Express, and that the president is not in the file doing anything awful. The chief of staff offered criticism of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of the Epstein matter. Wiles also denied the authenticity of an alleged birthday letter Trump sent to Epstein, dismissing it as “not his.”
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John Q. Hosedrinker