Yunqing Jian, a University of Michigan doctoral student, and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, are accused of smuggling the plant pathogen *Fusarium graminearum* into the United States. Liu, who also studied the pathogen, was apprehended at Detroit Metropolitan Airport with the contraband, falsely claiming its purpose. The complaint alleges a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. involving visa fraud and false statements, citing electronic communications between Jian and Liu as evidence. The University of Michigan has stated it cooperated with the investigation and received no funding related to the accused individuals’ research.
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Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, a large-scale drone attack on Russian air bases, was not pre-approved by the White House, Press Secretary Leavitt confirmed. While Trump was not informed beforehand, Leavitt emphasized his desire for the war’s conclusion and attributed recent Ukraine-Russia talks to his efforts. She deflected questions regarding Trump’s stance on further sanctions against Russia, stating that such decisions would follow the president’s judgment. Finally, U.S. defense officials are currently assessing the implications of the operation for American security.
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Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos resigned from her CDC role overseeing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations following HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s order to revise the agency’s guidance. Kennedy’s directive, which narrowed recommendations for children and controversially excluded pregnant women, conflicted with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) planned updates and prompted criticism from within the agency. This action overrides the established ACIP process for updating vaccine recommendations, impacting federal policies and programs related to vaccine coverage and liability. The resignation highlights concerns about political interference in public health decision-making.
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Greg Rosen, the former chief of the Justice Department’s Capitol Siege Section, resigned his position to join a private law firm. Rosen expressed alarm at President Trump’s pardons of January 6th rioters, deeming them a dangerous message condoning political violence. He highlighted the Justice Department’s exceptionally high conviction rate in these cases, attributing it to overwhelming evidence, not bias. Rosen also criticized the subsequent demotion or dismissal of prosecutors involved in these cases, viewing it as an attack on the department’s independence.
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Former President Obama has publicly criticized a Republican bill advancing through Congress, warning of significant healthcare coverage losses for millions of Americans. The legislation, designed to fund Trump-era tax cuts, would eliminate coverage for an estimated 10.7 million people over a decade by enacting stricter Medicaid eligibility requirements and reducing marketplace insurance plans. These changes, including work requirements and shortened enrollment periods, would disproportionately affect low-income individuals and families. The bill’s cost-cutting measures have even drawn criticism from some within the Republican party, and industry experts predict significant instability in the healthcare market should the legislation pass.
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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) recently admitted to voting for the “big, beautiful bill” without reading it, specifically citing a provision on pages 278-279 that prevents states from regulating AI for ten years. She now opposes this section, calling it a violation of state rights, and demands its removal. Greene’s admission sparked widespread online criticism for her failure to thoroughly review the legislation before voting. This incident follows a similar admission by Representative Mike Flood (R-NE), who also voted for a bill without full comprehension of its contents.
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The Department of Education has announced a halt to the garnishment of Social Security benefits for borrowers in default on federal student loans, a policy shift following the recent resumption of loan collections. This action affects an estimated 452,000 individuals aged 62 and older with defaulted loans. While the administration cites a commitment to protecting Social Security recipients, advocates argue that this pause is insufficient to address the broader issue of the 5.3 million borrowers in default and the significant increase in student loan debt among older Americans. The growth in student loan debt among older borrowers, now totaling an estimated $125 billion, underscores the need for more comprehensive solutions.
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Two Afghan nationals, Shah Salim Sajjadi and Safiollah Mohammadi, were jailed for eight months after pleading guilty to facilitating illegal immigration to the UK. Their boat, carrying over 70 people, departed from near Calais, where French police discovered a deceased woman and child on board before allowing the vessel to continue its journey. Despite this tragedy, the smugglers reached UK waters and were subsequently arrested by the National Crime Agency. The incident highlights the perilous nature of Channel crossings and the disregard for human life shown by people-smuggling gangs.
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Following a terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, the family of suspect Mohammed Soliman—who is himself facing multiple charges including attempted murder and hate crimes—is in ICE custody. The family’s asylum application has been withdrawn, and they are being processed for expedited removal, potentially as early as Tuesday night. This rapid deportation process leaves limited legal recourse for the family, particularly given the terrorism connection. Soliman, who entered the U.S. illegally, allegedly used Molotov cocktails against demonstrators, resulting in twelve victims.
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Lee Jae-myung, South Korea’s newly elected president, faces immediate challenges upon assuming office, including addressing the economic fallout from President Trump’s tariffs. His victory, secured with a narrow margin over conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, provides him with a strong mandate and legislative power due to his party’s control of the National Assembly. However, he must navigate a complex foreign policy landscape, balancing relations with the U.S. and China amidst ongoing trade disputes and the Trump administration’s hawkish stance toward Beijing. His first priority will be establishing an emergency task force to tackle the economic and trade crisis, while simultaneously addressing the delicate North Korea situation and striving to restore political stability.
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John Q. Hosedrinker