Following the death of Pope Francis, Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope to social media. New York’s Catholic bishops, led by Cardinal Dolan—a long-time Trump ally—strongly condemned the image as disrespectful and mocking, particularly given the solemnity of the papal transition. While the White House remained silent, Vice President Vance defended the post, while many others criticized it as offensive and childish. The incident sparked widespread outrage and debate on social media.
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Jim Dukenfield, a Pennsylvania Republican, now supports Bernie Sanders, citing disapproval of Trump’s anti-union and immigration stances as key reasons for his change of heart. Sanders’ “Fighting Oligarchy” tour is drawing large crowds, including individuals like Dukenfield who identify as former Trump supporters. This cross-party appeal highlights a growing populist sentiment against the wealthy elite, a sentiment echoed by Sanders and his team. However, the long-term political implications of this shift remain uncertain, especially given the Democratic party’s need to regain ground after recent electoral losses.
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Ukrainian military intelligence claims a Magura V5 sea drone successfully destroyed a $50 million Russian Su-30 fighter jet near Novorossiysk, marking the first-ever instance of a naval drone downing a combat aircraft. Video evidence released by the GUR shows the drone’s targeting system engaging the jet, which reportedly burst into flames and crashed into the sea. This incident follows previous successful Ukrainian drone attacks, including the New Year’s Eve destruction of two Russian Mi-8 helicopters by a Magura drone. The successful strike underscores Ukraine’s evolving drone capabilities and signals a new phase in naval warfare.
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After 60 years as CEO, Warren Buffett is stepping down from Berkshire Hathaway, appointing Vice Chairman Greg Abel as his successor effective year-end. This announcement, made at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, followed Buffett’s sharp criticism of President Trump’s tariffs, which he condemned as “an act of war” detrimental to global prosperity. Buffett, who built Berkshire Hathaway into a massive conglomerate, will remain involved in the company to a limited degree. His departure marks the end of an era for one of the nation’s most influential companies.
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President Sheinbaum firmly rejected President Trump’s proposal to deploy U.S. troops on Mexican soil, emphasizing Mexico’s inviolable sovereignty during a recent phone call. While expressing willingness to cooperate on intelligence sharing regarding drug trafficking, she underscored Mexico’s unwavering commitment to its national autonomy. This rejection follows ongoing negotiations between the two countries on various issues, including immigration, drug trafficking, and water rights, with a recent agreement resolving a water dispute. Sheinbaum’s stance highlights the ongoing tension between cooperation and the preservation of Mexican sovereignty in the bilateral relationship.
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A newly signed U.S.-Ukraine economic partnership agreement, granting the U.S. preferential access to Ukrainian mineral resources, has heightened anxieties within the Russian elite. Russian officials denounce the deal as further “colonization” of Ukraine, fearing it solidifies a U.S.-Ukraine alliance and diminishes Russia’s negotiating leverage for a favorable peace settlement. This shift undermines Russia’s previous advantage, particularly following strained relations between Zelensky and Trump, which had briefly stalled the agreement. The deal potentially jeopardizes Russia’s aim to halt further U.S. arms supplies to Ukraine, a key condition for a ceasefire.
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In Dhaka, Bangladesh, Hefazat-e-Islam staged a large rally protesting proposed legal reforms aimed at achieving gender equality, particularly regarding property rights for Muslim women. The group, claiming the reforms violate Sharia law, threatened nationwide protests on May 23rd unless the government rescinds the proposals and punishes those involved. Their demands also included the dissolution of the interim government’s reforms commission and a ban on the Awami League. The rally highlights the increased visibility and influence of Islamist groups following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
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Following his statement expressing interest in becoming Pope, President Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself as the pontiff on social media. This action was met with widespread criticism, with some calling it disrespectful and offensive to Catholics, while others, including Vice President Vance, largely dismissed the post. The image came amidst the period of mourning for Pope Francis and ahead of the upcoming papal conclave. Reactions ranged from outrage to amusement, highlighting the polarizing nature of Trump’s actions.
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New polling data reveals President Trump’s approval rating is underwater in all key swing states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—despite winning them in the 2024 election. His disapproval ratings consistently exceed his approval ratings in these states, ranging from a -6 point margin in Georgia to a narrow -2 point difference in Nevada. These figures, collected since the start of Trump’s second term, suggest weakening support in crucial battleground areas, potentially impacting upcoming midterm elections and campaign strategies. While some dismiss the polls as “fake news,” the declining approval ratings are raising concerns among some political analysts.
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The Swiss Federal Supreme Court ruled against the use of animal names for vegan meat substitutes, reversing a lower court’s decision. The court found terms like “planted.chicken” misleading to consumers, rejecting the argument that they were fanciful names. This decision impacts Zurich-based Planted Foods, a producer of pea-protein-based meat alternatives. The ruling potentially sets a precedent for similar cases across Europe.
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John Q. Hosedrinker