French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann called for the return of the Statue of Liberty to France, arguing that the US no longer embodies the values it symbolized when gifted. His demand, made at a Place Publique party convention, stemmed from criticism of the Trump administration’s policies, including cuts to research funding and dismissals of scientists. Glucksmann contrasted this with France’s welcoming stance towards these researchers. He also condemned the alignment of French far-right leaders with Trump and Elon Musk.
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President Trump issued an executive order effectively dismantling Voice of America (VOA) and its parent company, US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), citing alleged anti-Trump bias and wasteful spending. The order places VOA’s 1,300 employees on paid leave and halts funding for affiliated organizations like Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, impacting hundreds of millions of listeners globally. This action, spurred by right-wing media accusations of leftist bias, severely curtails VOA’s mission of countering foreign propaganda. The move comes alongside broader budget cuts to various federal agencies.
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Republican opposition to the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), citing burdensome requirements for small businesses, resulted in a federal court halting its beneficial ownership rule enforcement. The CTA, enacted by the Biden administration to combat tax evasion and corporate favoritism, directly contradicts Trump administration policies. Trump’s broader efforts to weaken financial regulations, including the recent executive order freezing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, suggest a prioritization of deregulation benefiting corporate interests. This ultimately reduces scrutiny of businesses with questionable practices.
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IOC President Thomas Bach attributed the controversy surrounding two female boxers at the Paris 2024 Olympics to a Russian disinformation campaign, dismissing it as a “fake news” crisis. The dispute, fueled by the IBA’s criticism of the IOC’s decision to allow the athletes’ participation, stemmed from the IBA’s prior ban based on a chromosome test—a decision Bach deemed irrelevant given the boxers’ long history of competing as women. Bach further emphasized the IOC’s lack of a universal transgender athlete policy, leaving it to individual federations. Finally, Bach expressed confidence in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics’ preparations, citing President Trump’s support and the potential reinstatement of boxing.
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Senator Bernie Sanders’ “take on the oligarchy” tour, spurred by Elon Musk’s cost-cutting measures within the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is drawing large crowds and significant social media attention. Rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan saw thousands in attendance, fueled by concerns over Musk’s influence and potential government overreach. Sanders’ tour specifically targets districts won by Biden in 2020 but flipped to Republicans in 2024, highlighting the political divisions at play. The tour’s success underscores widespread public anxiety over billionaire influence on policy and the potential for drastic cuts to government services.
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A protest march, dubbed the first official People’s Solidarity March on Mar-a-Lago since 2020, targeted President Trump, Elon Musk’s DOGE, and the Department of Government Efficiency. Participants, representing groups like United PLUS and United Against Trumpism, decried the administration’s actions, expressing concerns about social security, healthcare, and foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine. The marchers, exercising their First Amendment rights, hope to influence Trump’s policies and plan future demonstrations. A Ukrainian native highlighted the global impact of US decisions, emphasizing the shared concerns of Americans and Ukrainians.
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Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced that Russian military personnel losses have surpassed 100,000 since the start of 2025. This figure reflects the ongoing success of Ukrainian defense forces in combating Russian troops across the entire front line. Syrskyi attributed this significant loss to the coordinated efforts and professionalism of Ukrainian defenders. The statement was made via a Facebook post.
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Despite significant opposition from progressive Democrats, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced he would vote to advance a Republican spending bill. This decision, following earlier statements of defiance, will likely allow the bill to pass with only a simple majority. The bill includes $13 billion in cuts to non-military spending and offers no restrictions on the Trump administration’s actions. Progressive lawmakers strongly criticized Schumer’s decision, arguing it would empower Trump and Musk while harming working people, and urged constituents to contact their senators.
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Following a Senate vote to pass a continuing resolution averting a government shutdown, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized fellow Democrats for ending the filibuster to pass the GOP-led bill, sparking a public exchange with former Senator Kyrsten Sinema. Ocasio-Cortez reiterated her stance against the filibuster, arguing it disproportionately blocks Democratic legislation. Sinema, in response, highlighted Ocasio-Cortez’s past criticisms of her position. The dispute highlights ongoing divisions within the Democratic party regarding the filibuster’s role in legislative processes.
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President Trump’s mandate for federal employees to return to the office sharply contrasted with his own frequent trips to his Mar-a-Lago resort, where he conducted official business and golfed, incurring significant taxpayer costs. This hypocrisy fueled criticism from federal workers who faced hardships due to the return-to-office policy, while Trump and his administration simultaneously downsized the federal workforce and promoted cost-cutting measures. The president’s actions, including golfing numerous times, are viewed as ironic given his rhetoric, and raise ethical concerns regarding the use of taxpayer funds to benefit his private businesses. This is particularly so as the costs for these trips are significantly high and he had previously pledged not to golf as president.
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John Q. Hosedrinker