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Following a week of economic turmoil stemming from his trade war actions, former President Trump celebrated a personal golf victory at his own club, advancing to a championship round. This announcement drew widespread criticism for its perceived tone-deafness, with many commentators drawing parallels to authoritarian leaders like Kim Jong Un. The event further fueled existing outrage over Trump’s absence from a fallen soldiers’ ceremony, replaced by his defense secretary. This incident highlighted a stark contrast between Trump’s personal pursuits and the gravity of recent economic and military events.
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Amid rising tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed direct US nuclear negotiations as meaningless, citing contradictory US statements and threats of bombing. While rejecting direct talks, Iran maintains openness to indirect diplomacy, demanding negotiations on an equal footing. This follows President Trump’s letter proposing talks and subsequent threats of military action, prompting Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to declare readiness for war. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, despite accusations from Western countries and its own advancements in fissile material.
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Following a market-crashing tariff announcement, President Trump spent a lucrative weekend at his Florida resorts. This included multiple high-dollar fundraisers, generating millions, and attendance at a LIV Golf tournament hosted at a Trump property, despite widespread criticism. The events contrasted sharply with the negative market reaction to his policy. Trump’s activities included a private dinner with wealthy donors and participation in a golf tournament.
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Elon Musk’s America PAC altered a video of a $1 million check recipient, removing the word “vote” after the recipient linked receiving the money to voting in the Wisconsin election. This action followed a Wisconsin Supreme Court race where the candidate Musk supported lost, despite his attempt to incentivize voting through large cash prizes. The altered video aimed to avoid potential legal repercussions under Wisconsin’s election bribery laws, which prohibit paying individuals to vote. Musk later revised his own statements about the giveaway to further distance himself from accusations of illegal inducement.
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Severe thunderstorms and torrential rainfall have caused catastrophic flooding across the US midsection, resulting in at least 16 deaths and impacting 41 million people. A three-day period of the highest possible flood risk, unprecedented outside of hurricane season, has led to widespread flash flooding and flash flood emergencies in several states. The storms have also caused tens of thousands of power outages and flight delays, with significant damage reported across Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri. The stagnant weather pattern is expected to break by Sunday, shifting the storm system eastward.
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Scott Bessent, a former hedge fund manager and current administration member, is reportedly isolated within Trump’s inner circle and facing dwindling credibility due to the administration’s tariff policy. This policy, which Bessent unsuccessfully attempted to prevent, constitutes a significant setback for him. His recent warnings against retaliatory measures highlight his increasingly precarious position. Leaving the administration now would likely further damage his reputation.
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A North Carolina appeals court issued a 2-1 decision ordering a review of tens of thousands of ballots cast in a closely contested state Supreme Court race. The court found that the State Board of Elections incorrectly allowed these ballots, which predominantly favored the Democratic candidate, ruling that they did not comply with state law. The decision mandates that voters be given an opportunity to provide additional information to validate their ballots, but those lacking proper documentation will have their votes disallowed. This ruling is expected to be appealed to the state Supreme Court and potentially to federal court.
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Internal cuts and policy changes at the Social Security Administration (SSA), driven by external forces, are causing widespread chaos and threaten the agency’s viability. These actions, including thousands of job cuts and office closures, are occurring despite a record number of beneficiaries and already low staffing levels. Critics argue these changes are poorly conceived and will severely impact service delivery, potentially leading to a “death spiral.” The changes are being implemented despite claims of already high agency efficiency and minimal fraud.
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The Miss Ivory Coast pageant has banned wigs, weaves, and extensions from its preliminary rounds, a move aimed at promoting natural beauty and challenging Western beauty standards. This is the first national competition in Africa to enforce such a ban, reflecting a broader shift towards celebrating natural African hair. While the rule has sparked debate, with some contestants and hair industry professionals expressing concern, it has also fostered increased self-confidence among participants who embrace their natural hair. The organizers remain undecided on whether the ban will extend to the final competition, but the positive reception suggests the initiative may continue in future years.
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John Q. Hosedrinker