On the same day US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin for three hours of constructive talks focusing on Ukraine and other international issues, a senior Russian general, Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed in a car bombing near Moscow. Witkoff’s visit, his fourth since January, comes as President Trump’s 100-day deadline for ending the war approaches, with ongoing disagreements between the US and Ukraine regarding proposed peace deals. These competing proposals differ significantly on the status of Crimea and the level of concessions required from Ukraine. The general’s death, following a similar assassination of another Russian general in December, adds another layer of complexity to the already tense situation.
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On February 12, 2025, an RCMP Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter touched down at the Lansdowne port of entry. Recent polling data reveals that Canadians view relations with the U.S. as negatively as those with Russia. This coincides with a demonstrated willingness among Canadians to strengthen ties with both China and, more significantly, Mexico.
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X, Elon Musk’s social media platform, is suing Minnesota, alleging its new deepfake law violates free speech rights. The lawsuit argues the law’s vague language compels platforms to over-censor content to avoid potential criminal penalties for even ambiguous violations. This, X contends, stifles valuable political discourse and contravenes core First Amendment protections. The company maintains existing robust content moderation policies already address problematic content and seeks a declaration that the Minnesota law is unconstitutional. State officials are reviewing the lawsuit.
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During an interview, the President contradicted his prior commitment to comply with all Supreme Court orders. Despite a unanimous Supreme Court ruling mandating the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the President claimed his legal team interpreted the order differently and he had not personally intervened, citing Garcia’s alleged MS-13 affiliation and violent past. He further stated that he hadn’t directly asked El Salvador’s President for Garcia’s release, attributing his inaction to a lack of instruction from his lawyers. The President ultimately expressed his belief that Garcia is not deserving of a trial.
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President Trump issued an executive memorandum ordering an investigation into ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising platform, citing allegations of unlawful campaign contributions. The memo, referencing a House Republican report, accuses ActBlue of facilitating “straw” donations and evading federal contribution limits. ActBlue vehemently denies these claims, calling the investigation a politically motivated attack on democracy and vowing legal action. The memorandum directs Attorney General Bondi to investigate and enforce relevant laws, escalating existing tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic organizations.
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Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested for allegedly obstructing immigration agents by helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest. This action represents a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s conflict with local governments regarding deportation policy. The arrest follows months of increasing friction between the administration and the judiciary over immigration-related rulings. The charges against Judge Dugan underscore the administration’s aggressive stance on immigration enforcement and its willingness to pursue legal action against those perceived as obstructing it.
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Former President Trump’s newly announced $Trump meme coin has sparked controversy, with significant investment pouring in following the promise of an exclusive dinner for top buyers. Millions of dollars have been invested in the cryptocurrency, with the identities of major investors remaining anonymous. This fundraising scheme, launched shortly before Trump’s inauguration, has been criticized as the “most brazenly corrupt thing a President has ever done” by Senator Chris Murphy. The coin’s value, initially high, plummeted after its initial surge.
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The Mexican-American War, resulting in Mexico’s territorial loss, continues to shape Mexican national identity and its relationship with the United States. Current tensions, fueled by trade disputes and perceived U.S. aggression, evoke historical narratives of victimhood and inspire a surge in Mexican nationalism. This nationalistic fervor is evident in boycotts of American products and a renewed emphasis on “Made in Mexico” goods, mirroring the historical reverence for the Niños Héroes, young cadets who symbolized resistance against U.S. invasion. President Sheinbaum navigates a complex political landscape, balancing cooperation with the U.S. while simultaneously fostering national pride and sovereignty.
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Ryan Hemphill, a 43-year-old attorney, has been indicted on 116 counts, including rape and predatory sexual assault, for allegedly abusing six women over five months. The indictment details a pattern of horrific violence, involving torture with electric shock devices, threats with weapons, drug-facilitated assaults, and the use of coercion and intimidation. Authorities discovered evidence including text messages, drugs, and weapons at Hemphill’s apartment. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office is urging any additional survivors to come forward.
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Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan faces two felony charges—obstruction and concealing an individual—for allegedly helping undocumented immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade ICE arrest after a court appearance. The arrest occurred at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, prompting outrage from some legal professionals who questioned the arrest procedure. Flores-Ruiz, facing misdemeanor battery charges stemming from a domestic dispute, was subsequently apprehended by ICE. This incident marks at least the third time ICE agents have made arrests within the courthouse in recent months.
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John Q. Hosedrinker