Senator Cory Booker’s 25-hour Senate speech, while not a filibuster, served as a powerful protest against President Trump’s actions. This performance, exceeding the chamber’s record, demonstrated a commitment that demanded respect and highlighted Trump’s disregard for norms and protocols. Booker’s protest, though within congressional norms, contrasted with other forms of resistance, such as boycotts and tax withholding, while the Wisconsin Supreme Court election underscored the effectiveness of traditional political engagement. Ultimately, Booker’s spectacle reclaimed the art of political performance from Trump.
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Former Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oscar Arias Sánchez announced the revocation of his US visa. While no official explanation was given, Arias speculated the decision might be linked to his 2007 establishment of diplomatic relations with China. This action occurred during his presidency (2006-2010) and contrasts with the current US administration’s stance against Chinese influence in the region. Arias’s prior public criticism of President Trump may also be a contributing factor. The revocation follows a similar action against three Costa Rican legislators who opposed the current president’s anti-China policies.
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Representative Ilhan Omar is drafting articles of impeachment against three Trump administration officials: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The officials are implicated in a Signal group chat where they allegedly discussed and celebrated the bombing of civilians in Yemen, potentially violating international law and the Federal Records Act. The impeachment articles will likely detail these actions and the officials’ use of an insecure messaging app to discuss classified information. While passage is unlikely, Omar’s move will force a public vote on the matter.
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Despite Elon Musk’s record-breaking $21 million investment and dramatic pronouncements framing the Wisconsin Supreme Court race as crucial to “the fate of Western civilization,” his chosen candidate lost to liberal appellate Judge Susan Crawford. Musk subsequently downplayed the defeat, emphasizing the passage of a voter ID amendment as the election’s most significant outcome, a claim echoed by President Trump. However, Wisconsin already had voter ID laws, and the amendment merely enshrined them constitutionally. The race’s actual consequence, as Musk himself acknowledged, lies in the upcoming redrawing of Wisconsin’s congressional districts, where a liberal majority on the court could impact future Republican control of the House.
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Senator Cory Booker delivered a 25-hour, 5-minute speech on the Senate floor, exceeding the record set by Strom Thurmond. His address condemned the perceived moral failings of the Trump administration, highlighting its detrimental impact on various aspects of American life, from healthcare and the economy to international relations. Booker framed this as a “moral moment” demanding action, drawing parallels to the Civil Rights movement and invoking the legacy of John Lewis. He urged Americans to engage in “good trouble” to preserve democratic ideals and redeem the American dream.
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A US healthcare executive, Dr. Brian Morley, is suing John Oliver and Last Week Tonight for defamation. The suit alleges that Oliver took Morley’s testimony out of context, portraying him as unconcerned about a disabled patient’s hygiene. Oliver’s commentary, including a vulgar statement, allegedly caused significant reputational harm to Morley. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages exceeding $75,000, claiming Oliver intentionally manipulated Morley’s words to generate outrage and boost ratings. Morley maintains that the full context of his testimony, which was provided to the show’s producers, significantly alters the interpretation of his statements.
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A French court sentenced Marine Le Pen to four years in prison (two suspended) and a €100,000 fine for embezzlement, simultaneously imposing a five-year ban from public office. This ruling effectively removes her from contention in the 2027 presidential election, pending appeal. While the appeal process is underway and a decision expected before summer 2026, the immediate ban sparked considerable controversy and condemnation, with some criticizing its antidemocratic nature despite Le Pen’s guilt. The ruling also resulted in threats against the judges, highlighting the intense political fallout.
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The U.S. removed Karina Rotenberg, wife of sanctioned Russian oligarch Boris Rotenberg, from its sanctions list. Rotenberg, a U.S. citizen since at least 2013, had been sanctioned in 2022 despite continued international travel and significant joint assets with her husband, including European real estate and equestrian holdings. This action comes as the U.S. simultaneously expanded sanctions on other Russian individuals and entities, while the EU concurrently lifted sanctions on another sanctioned oligarch and his family. The reasons behind the U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Karina Rotenberg remain unstated in this report.
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A coordinated international operation, led by German police and involving 38 countries, dismantled the “KidFlix” child sexual abuse platform. Hosting over 91,000 videos totaling 6,288 hours of abuse, the platform had approximately 1.8 million users worldwide. The takedown, described as one of the largest ever against child pornography, resulted in arrests, the identification of victims, and the seizure of substantial evidence. The investigation also uncovered a serial abuser in the U.S. and a suspect in Germany who offered his son for abuse.
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John Q. Hosedrinker