Over 300 drones and seven missiles, including North Korean KN23 short-range ballistic missiles, were used in a recent large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine, resulting in three deaths. Ukrainian officials reported that these North Korean missiles, initially inaccurate, have demonstrated increased precision in recent attacks. This improvement in accuracy is cause for concern and underscores the need for international pressure on Pyongyang to cease military cooperation with Moscow. The Ukrainian foreign ministry urged the international community to act.
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The Supreme Court temporarily blocked lower court orders compelling the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to release records and allow depositions to a government watchdog group. The Court found the lower court’s discovery order insufficiently tailored, citing separation of powers concerns regarding internal executive branch communications. The case centers on whether DOGE, a presidential advisory body, is subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a matter the Supreme Court did not address directly this time. The case was remanded to the appeals court for further proceedings. The dispute highlights the tension between executive branch confidentiality and public transparency regarding presidential advisory bodies.
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Los Angeles protests, sparked by ICE raids, were characterized not by widespread rioting, but by police aggression. While some protesters engaged in property damage, the overwhelming majority remained peaceful despite facing disproportionate police violence, including the use of flashbangs, rubber bullets, and truncheons. Reports focusing solely on property damage and arrests based on LAPD accounts fail to reflect the reality of police instigation and excessive force against protesters and journalists alike. The protests were a response to ICE’s actions, highlighting the targeting of undocumented immigrants and the militarization of the police response.
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In the past day, Russia suffered an additional 1,120 military personnel killed or wounded, bringing the total losses since February 24, 2022, to over 999,200. These staggering figures also include significant losses of heavy weaponry, such as tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery systems. The reported losses encompass various military equipment categories, totaling tens of thousands of units. While the provided data is subject to confirmation, it paints a grim picture of the war’s impact on Russian forces.
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To foster peace and rebuild inter-Korean trust, South Korea has ceased broadcasting K-Pop and political messages towards North Korea via border loudspeakers. This action, taken by the newly inaugurated Left-wing government, follows President Lee Jae-myung’s commitment to renewed dialogue with Pyongyang. The broadcasts, previously viewed by North Korea as acts of war, are suspended in an effort to de-escalate tensions. This move aims to initiate talks and cooperation, ultimately working towards a peaceful resolution on the Korean Peninsula, where a formal peace treaty has yet to be signed.
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President Trump’s recent actions, including deploying the National Guard to quell protests in Los Angeles and planning a large military parade, represent a show of strength amidst a backdrop of negative news. These displays of military might coincide with policy setbacks and internal dissent, exemplified by the Elon Musk controversy and criticism from within the Republican party regarding the president’s large spending bill. Even some Trump supporters are expressing concern over the administration’s immigration policies. This contrasts sharply with the administration’s initial projection of unwavering success and dominance.
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Christy Walton’s full-page New York Times ad, criticizing the Trump administration’s foreign policy without explicitly naming Trump, has sparked a boycott call from Trump supporters. Walmart has distanced itself from the ad, clarifying that Walton’s actions are independent of the company. This controversy adds to the existing “economic blackout” movement targeting Walmart and other corporations, raising concerns about potential sales impacts. However, the ad’s impact remains uncertain, as Walmart’s low prices may outweigh the political backlash for many consumers. The timing of the ad, coinciding with “No Kings Day” and Trump’s birthday, further fueled the political firestorm.
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In Budapest, approximately 15,000 protestors initiated what organizers termed a resistance movement against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government, citing its increasingly anti-democratic actions and alleged corruption. The demonstration, featuring prominent public figures, focused on recent legislation restricting LGBTQ+ events and enabling surveillance, raising concerns about Orbán’s authoritarian tendencies and the silencing of dissent. A proposed bill threatening independent media and NGOs further fueled the protests, prompting international condemnation and highlighting fears of a diminished civil society. With 2026 elections approaching and Orbán’s party facing declining popularity, the demonstration underscored growing opposition to his rule.
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Contrary to Western perceptions, Germany’s BND president, Bruno Kahl, asserts that the Russian populace largely supports Putin and the war in Ukraine, fueled by the Kremlin’s complete control over the propaganda machine. This pervasive propaganda frames NATO as the aggressor and the war as a righteous cause for Russia. While internal dissent may exist within the Russian power structure regarding strategic decisions, no significant opposition to Putin himself is currently evident. Kahl further suggests Russia aims to test NATO’s resolve and potentially escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.
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A 21-year-old former student, legally owning two firearms, perpetrated a shooting at a Graz high school, resulting in ten fatalities and several injuries before taking his own life. The attacker, who did not graduate, acted alone, according to police. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker declared three days of national mourning following the tragedy, describing the event as a national tragedy. The investigation is ongoing, with a note found at the shooter’s residence, though its contents remain undisclosed.
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John Q. Hosedrinker