On Thursday, a handgun accidentally discharged in a Charles County, Maryland elementary school classroom after a nine-year-old student brought it to school in their backpack. No injuries resulted, and the school was subsequently dismissed early. The incident follows a similar, unintentional firearm discharge at a Virginia elementary school earlier in the week, highlighting a concerning trend of elementary school students possessing guns. Authorities are currently investigating.
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President Trump’s fluctuating trade policies, including significant tariff increases followed by a 90-day pause (excluding China), caused extreme volatility in financial markets. Fund managers expressed concern over the perceived irrationality of these decisions, questioning whether ideology or even mental health played a role. This volatility risked triggering a recession, a concern echoed by JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, prompting Trump’s reversal. The subsequent pause, attributed to “good faith conversations” with several countries, led to a market surge.
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Prince Harry made a surprise visit to Ukraine’s Superhumans Center in Lviv, an orthopedic clinic supporting war-wounded military personnel and civilians. This visit, unannounced until his departure, aligns with his longstanding commitment to aiding injured veterans, a cause highlighted by his founding of the Invictus Games. Accompanied by Invictus Games Foundation members, including fellow veterans, Harry’s trip followed his London court appearance regarding security and occurred shortly after similar visits to the region by other royals, demonstrating the family’s continued support for Ukraine. His experience as a British Army veteran with two tours in Afghanistan further contextualizes his dedication to this cause.
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Donald Trump’s repeated allusions to a 2028 presidential run, despite constitutional limitations, maintain his central role within the Republican Party. His ambiguous statements, while seemingly playful, create a dynamic where initially absurd suggestions gain traction through fervent support from loyalists like Representative Andy Ogles. This pattern, exemplified by past events such as the 2020 election challenge, establishes a precedent where opposing Trump becomes politically perilous for Republicans. Consequently, support for a constitutional amendment enabling a third term, though unlikely to pass, serves as a litmus test for party loyalty, potentially pressuring Republicans into compliance.
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Wisconsin school districts are refusing to comply with a Trump administration directive to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs until receiving clarification on its legality and intent. The directive, threatening the loss of Title I funding, demands schools sign a letter acknowledging adherence to the administration’s interpretation of civil rights laws, a request state Superintendent Jill Underly deems potentially unlawful and intimidating. The Department of Education’s unclear definition of civil rights violations in relation to DEI initiatives leaves Wisconsin facing potential loss of approximately $216 million in Title I funding. Underly emphasizes the importance of allowing schools to make local decisions based on their students’ needs.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it will rigorously enforce immigration laws to counter terrorism, specifically targeting individuals supporting groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. This follows the visa revocations and detentions of numerous students, including Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil, with allegations of due process violations. The policy effectively equates criticism of Israeli actions and support for Palestinian rights with terrorism, suppressing free speech for immigrants and visitors. This redefinition of terrorism raises serious concerns about civil liberties and the targeting of pro-Palestinian activists.
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The suppression of two pool reports—one detailing the exclusion of AP photographers from a Trump dinner, the other citing the cancellation of a joint press conference—highlights the Trump administration’s efforts to control press coverage. This censorship follows a February ban on the Associated Press from the White House press pool, later overturned by a judge. The administration’s actions underscore its attempts to restrict journalist access and manipulate information dissemination. The White House press pool’s crucial role in national news distribution is directly undermined by these actions. This pattern of censorship represents a significant challenge to press freedom.
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President Trump signed an executive order to increase water flow in showerheads, reversing an Obama-era regulation that limited multi-nozzle showerheads to a combined 2.5 gallons per minute. This action aims to repeal what the White House calls a “radical green agenda,” allowing for higher water flow per nozzle as originally intended in a 1992 energy law. The order claims to free Americans from excessive regulation and restore stronger water pressure, a move opposed by consumer and conservation groups citing concerns about waste and environmental impact. The change will take effect 30 days after the energy secretary publishes a notice.
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Despite a better-than-expected inflation report, the stock market experienced a significant downturn on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling nearly 1600 points and the S&P 500 dropping over 4.8 percent. This sharp decline reflects market skepticism regarding the long-term impact of President Trump’s recent tariff decisions, even after a temporary pause was announced. Economists emphasize that the uncertainty surrounding trade policy, rather than current inflation data, is the primary driver of market volatility. Consequently, major companies like Tesla and Apple experienced substantial losses.
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John Q. Hosedrinker