President Trump’s nomination of Dr. Casey Means, a “functional medicine” practitioner lacking an active medical license, as Surgeon General follows the withdrawal of his previous pick, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat. Nesheiwat’s nomination was withdrawn amid controversy surrounding her educational background and support for COVID-19 vaccination, fueled by accusations from conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer. Means’ selection, announced on Truth Social, positions her to collaborate with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on a health initiative. This marks the second failed nomination for a top health official under the Trump administration.
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President Trump has accepted a $400 million jet from the Qatari government as a replacement for Air Force One, a transaction he defends as a beneficial gift to the U.S. Critics, including Democrats and some of Trump’s allies, argue this constitutes an illegal emolument, a blatant attempt by Qatar to buy influence, and a personal enrichment scheme for Trump, who will reportedly retain the plane after leaving office. The White House maintains the deal is legal and transparent, despite concerns and unanswered questions about potential quid pro quo arrangements. This controversy unfolds as Trump embarks on a Middle East trip, including a visit to Qatar where his company recently secured a golf resort deal.
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In his inaugural press conference, Pope Leo XIV condemned aggressive and divisive rhetoric, urging communication that prioritizes listening and amplifies marginalized voices. He implicitly criticized the communication styles of President Trump and his administration, calling for the disarmament of communication from prejudice, fanaticism, and hatred. This followed previous criticisms by Leo, both before and after his election, of Trump’s rhetoric and immigration policies, echoing Pope Francis’s emphasis on building bridges rather than walls. The Pope’s address highlighted a stark contrast between his vision of peaceful dialogue and the administration’s often confrontational approach.
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Fifteen states are suing the Trump administration for declaring a “national energy emergency” on his first day in office, a claim the states argue is false given the US’s record-high energy production. The lawsuit alleges the executive order, bypassing environmental protections, will cause irreparable harm to natural resources and violates the National Energy Act by pursuing partisan interests under the guise of an emergency. The plaintiffs contend the order prioritizes fossil fuels while ignoring domestic renewable energy sources. The case challenges the administration’s authority to enact energy policies through an unfounded emergency declaration, potentially setting a significant legal precedent.
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Addressing the London Defence Conference, Valerii Zaluzhnyi urged Western allies to adopt a comprehensive “new state policy” for defense, arguing that NATO’s current model is outdated for modern warfare. This necessitates a fundamental overhaul of tactics, organization, doctrine, training, and budgeting, requiring significant time and resources. Zaluzhnyi highlighted Ukraine’s battlefield experience as a crucial learning opportunity, emphasizing the need for faster adaptation to technological advancements like drones and the limitations of solely relying on expensive, large-scale systems. He further stressed that Europe needs Ukraine’s substantial and experienced military as a crucial component of its future security architecture.
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A new poll reveals that economic anxieties stemming from the current administration’s policies are significantly impacting major life decisions for many Americans. Six in ten report that the economy has affected their goals, particularly regarding homeownership (75% affected), having children (65% affected), and major purchases. This anxiety disproportionately affects younger generations, with rising costs of living and concerns over tariffs cited as key factors. The findings suggest that despite efforts to boost the birth rate, current economic policies may be counterproductive.
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Zelenskyy’s proposal for a May 15th summit in Istanbul with Putin was swiftly rejected by the Kremlin. High-ranking Russian officials denounced the suggestion as a publicity stunt and insisted that Moscow would not negotiate under pressure. They accused Zelenskyy of insincerity and attempting to deflect blame, citing a lack of proper diplomatic groundwork and questioning Zelenskyy’s suitability for direct talks. While not entirely dismissing the possibility of future talks, Russia reiterated its preference for negotiations through designated representatives.
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Edan Alexander, a U.S. citizen held hostage in Gaza by Hamas, was released and transferred to Israeli authorities via the Red Cross. This unconditional release, announced by Hamas, reportedly followed recent U.S. administration contacts and aims to facilitate a lasting ceasefire and humanitarian aid resumption in Gaza. While celebrating Alexander’s return, President Trump expressed hope for the release of remaining hostages. Israel, however, stated it made no concessions regarding a ceasefire or prisoner release in exchange for Alexander’s freedom.
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Thirty-five-year-old Emanuele De Maria, a convicted murderer granted work release, died by suicide after leaping from Milan’s Duomo cathedral. Prior to his death, he allegedly stabbed a coworker, prompting a police search. De Maria had been serving a 14-year sentence for a 2016 murder and had been employed at a hotel for nearly two years under the work release program. No bystanders were injured in the incident, though a witness described the scene near where he landed.
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A proposed amendment to Lithuania’s Law on Citizenship would expand the grounds for revoking citizenship from dual citizens who support “aggressor states” or threaten national security. This builds upon a 2023 law allowing revocation for those posing security risks or publicly supporting threatening states, and extends this to all dual citizens regardless of how they obtained citizenship. The impetus for this change stems from concerns about individuals using Lithuanian citizenship to circumvent sanctions, as exemplified by recent reports involving Russian citizens. The amendment explicitly protects individuals with only Lithuanian citizenship.
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John Q. Hosedrinker