Germany, alongside its major allies, has lifted all range restrictions on weapons provided to Ukraine, enabling Kyiv to strike military targets deep within Russia. This policy shift allows Ukraine to utilize long-range weaponry for defensive purposes, a capability previously unavailable. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov deemed this action dangerous and detrimental to peace efforts. While the specifics of supplied weapons are now undisclosed by the German government, the decision marks a significant escalation in military support for Ukraine.
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In his new book, investor Ray Dalio compares President Trump’s policies to those of 1930s far-right regimes, highlighting Trump’s aggressive expansion of executive power exceeding even that of predecessors like Jackson and Roosevelt. Dalio questions whether Trump is a demagogue, leveraging emotional appeals to bypass other government branches and control the media. This strongman approach stems from America’s deep political polarization, fostering a confrontational governing style that prioritizes dictation over bipartisan cooperation. The author emphasizes the risks of Trump’s cost-cutting measures and the need to monitor the well-being of the lower 60% of the population.
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The Trump administration plans to terminate approximately $100 million in federal funding to Harvard University. This action follows ongoing legal battles between the university and the White House, stemming from the administration’s blocking of funding and restrictions on international student enrollment. The administration alleges Harvard fails to address anti-semitism and promotes a liberal bias. Federal agencies will be instructed to find alternative vendors for the affected contracts.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the removal of COVID-19 vaccines from the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for healthy pregnant women and children. This decision, supported by Dr. Marty Makary and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, reflects a shift in COVID-19 vaccine policy. The FDA concurrently announced an overhaul of its COVID-19 vaccine approval process, potentially limiting future vaccinations to higher-risk groups. While the online schedule remained unchanged at the time of the announcement, the change marks a significant departure from previous recommendations. Pregnant women and children with underlying conditions remain at higher risk for severe COVID-19.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson defended President Trump’s private dinner with $TRUMP meme coin investors, asserting Trump’s transparency contrasts with alleged Biden family dealings. Johnson dismissed concerns about potential conflicts of interest, claiming Trump conducts business openly, unlike the Bidens who allegedly use shell companies. He cited his own unfamiliarity with the event due to legislative priorities, reiterating Trump’s supposed lack of hidden agendas. Despite this, Johnson previously professed ignorance regarding the meme coin itself.
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Tesla’s European sales plummeted 49% in April, reaching only 7,261 units compared to the previous year’s 14,228, despite a 28% rise in overall electric vehicle sales. This significant drop follows earlier reports from individual countries and coincides with negative publicity surrounding Elon Musk and increased competition, particularly from Chinese brands like SAIC whose sales rose 54%. Contributing factors include factory shutdowns for Model Y upgrades and a generally negative sentiment toward American brands. Overall, Tesla’s European sales for the first four months of the year fell 39%.
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Former Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins, a longtime Trump supporter, received a presidential pardon after his conviction on fraud and bribery charges. Jenkins was found guilty of accepting over $75,000 in bribes to grant law enforcement positions without training. Despite a ten-year prison sentence, Trump cited an “overzealous” Justice Department and claimed the judge unfairly prevented Jenkins from presenting evidence. This pardon adds to Trump’s history of pardoning supporters, exercising his constitutional power to grant reprieves and pardons.
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Disgraced former Congressman George Santos has abandoned his pursuit of a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, accepting his seven-year prison sentence for campaign finance crimes. He cited the difficulty of obtaining a pardon as his reason for foregoing the process. Santos, who pleaded guilty to multiple charges including wire fraud and identity theft, previously expressed remorse in court but was unconvincing to the judge. Prosecutors argued for a lengthy sentence due to the severity of his crimes and his lack of remorse, leading to his expulsion from Congress last August.
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Three top Pentagon aides were fired following a leak investigation led by Secretary Pete Hegseth, but the White House has lost confidence in the investigation’s findings. The investigation initially claimed an illegal NSA wiretap revealed the leaker’s identity, a claim later deemed untrue by White House advisors. This led to distrust and suspicion that the investigation was used to purge aides involved in internal office conflicts, rather than uncovering the actual leaker. The lack of credible evidence and the ongoing controversy surrounding the investigation create significant pressure on Hegseth. The situation remains unresolved, leaving Hegseth’s office severely understaffed and the Pentagon’s leadership in disarray.
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A trilateral agreement between the UK, Ukraine, and Ukraine’s Ministry of Strategic Industries will leverage frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities. This $3 billion initiative, allocated between 2025 and 2026, will fund the procurement of foreign weaponry, equipment repair, joint defense projects, and crucial materials, including domestically produced goods. The plan aims to unlock the full potential of Ukraine’s $35 billion defense industry capacity, currently hampered by funding limitations. This project falls under the G7’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration initiative, utilizing windfall profits from seized Russian assets to support Ukraine’s self-defense against ongoing Russian aggression.
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John Q. Hosedrinker