Prominent El Salvadoran human rights lawyer Ruth Eleonora Lopez, a vocal critic of President Nayib Bukele and advocate for deported Venezuelan migrants, was arrested on Sunday. Authorities allege embezzlement from a decade prior, a charge rejected by Cristosal, the human rights group where Lopez works. Her arrest, condemned by Amnesty International and other groups, is viewed as a manifestation of increasing authoritarianism under Bukele’s administration. The refusal to disclose Lopez’s location or allow legal access further fuels concerns about due process violations.
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Following Bruce Springsteen’s on-stage criticism of the Trump administration, Donald Trump retaliated with personal attacks against Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and other artists who have voiced political opinions. In response, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder performed Springsteen’s “My City of Ruins” at a concert, seemingly in solidarity. The American Federation of Musicians publicly supported Springsteen and Swift against Trump’s attacks, highlighting the artists’ role as role models.
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Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns about President Trump’s health, citing a recent comprehensive physical with “perfect results” and his strenuous Middle East trip as evidence of his fitness. She emphasized the President’s trust in his medical team at Walter Reed Medical Center. However, videos circulating online appear to show the President falling asleep during a recent official ceremony, prompting counterarguments regarding his health and fitness for office. Leavitt’s statements directly contrast with observations of the President’s apparent fatigue.
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Hasan Piker, a prominent left-leaning political commentator with a large online following, criticizes the Democratic Party’s perceived weakness and failure to effectively counter the right. His recent detention by US customs officials, stemming from his outspoken views, highlights the political tensions surrounding his commentary. Piker contrasts his approach with that of Joe Rogan, emphasizing his commitment to fact-based reporting and countering misinformation. He advocates for more aggressive action from progressive politicians like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, believing their current strategies are insufficient to engage voters.
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Following two calls with President Trump, one including several European leaders, President Zelenskyy announced plans for a high-level meeting, potentially in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland, to discuss peace negotiations. He reiterated Ukraine’s readiness for a full ceasefire, contingent on Russia’s genuine commitment and cessation of hostilities, and emphasized that Ukraine will not cede territory. Zelenskyy stressed the need for continued US involvement and stronger sanctions against Russia if negotiations fail, highlighting that only Russia can end the war. He urged the world to demonstrate its commitment to achieving lasting peace.
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Representative Thanedar initiated impeachment proceedings against President Trump, citing multiple constitutional violations including accepting a $400 million private jet and illegal use of executive power. However, he subsequently withdrew the immediate floor vote, opting to expand the articles of impeachment while continuing to garner bipartisan support. This decision reflects significant intra-party divisions and highlights the challenges of holding Trump accountable given the current political climate. The episode underscores the ongoing tension surrounding Trump’s actions and the unlikelihood of a successful impeachment with the current Republican-controlled Congress.
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The EU implemented its seventeenth sanctions package against Russia on May 20th, targeting nearly 200 vessels within Russia’s shadow fleet and addressing hybrid threats and human rights violations. This action follows previous announcements regarding increased pressure on Russia, including potential sanctions against supporting financial institutions. Work has already begun on an eighteenth package, potentially targeting banks outside the EU that aid Russia’s military. The EU’s stance remains firm: escalated Russian aggression will be met with progressively stronger countermeasures.
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A nationwide phone and internet outage affecting all major Spanish providers, including Movistar, Orange, and Vodafone, began around 5 am, leaving millions without service. The outage, impacting calls, texts, and mobile data, disrupted emergency services in some areas, necessitating the activation of alternative numbers. The problem stemmed from a failed network update by Telefónica, Spain’s second-largest company, which manages much of the country’s telecom infrastructure. This incident follows a major electricity blackout just four weeks prior, raising concerns about Spain’s infrastructure resilience.
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The long-predicted “Chinese century” may have already begun, with the early months of President Trump’s second term marking a potential turning point. Trump’s focus on short-term trade skirmishes obscures a larger, decisive loss to China. His policies, including tariffs and cuts to research and development, are undermining American economic and technological strength. This weakening of American power, coupled with China’s continued advancement, suggests a significant shift in global power dynamics.
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The Trump administration, facing delays in acquiring new Air Force One planes, initiated contact with Qatar to explore purchasing a Boeing 747. This contradicts Trump’s claim that Qatar offered the plane as a gift. The Pentagon initially contacted Boeing, who suggested Qatar as a potential seller, leading to discussions about leasing or purchasing the aircraft. Despite Trump’s characterization of the deal, legal teams from both countries are still negotiating the terms, and the transaction remains uncertain.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Hasan Piker Urges Democrats to Fight Back Against Trump
Hasan Piker, a prominent left-leaning political commentator with a large online following, criticizes the Democratic Party’s perceived weakness and failure to effectively counter the right. His recent detention by US customs officials, stemming from his outspoken views, highlights the political tensions surrounding his commentary. Piker contrasts his approach with that of Joe Rogan, emphasizing his commitment to fact-based reporting and countering misinformation. He advocates for more aggressive action from progressive politicians like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, believing their current strategies are insufficient to engage voters.
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