Thousands protested Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s pro-Russia stance and his obstruction of EU actions concerning Ukraine in Budapest. Simultaneously, Orbán presented twelve demands to the EU, including a “Union without Ukraine,” increased national veto power, and a crackdown on foreign-funded organizations. In response, the opposition launched a referendum, “Voice of the Nation,” encompassing questions on EU and NATO membership and term limits for the Prime Minister. Orbán’s actions, timed to coincide with a national holiday, included threats against media and NGOs he deemed “foreign agents.”
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Wholesale egg prices have plummeted to $4.15 per dozen, a $2.70 decrease from the previous week, due to reduced consumer demand and fewer bird flu outbreaks. This price drop, however, hasn’t yet reached retail shelves, leaving uncertainty about Easter and Passover pricing. The Department of Justice is investigating the recent surge in egg prices, while the Trump administration has reportedly sought egg exports from Denmark. The current situation contrasts with earlier claims of bringing down egg prices.
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Ten Republican senators, influenced by Trump, enabled a strategy to bypass Democrats in government funding negotiations, mirroring a pattern Republicans believe can be repeated. This action reveals their cowardice, as they surrendered their ability to criticize Trump despite polling data indicating public blame would fall primarily on Republicans. Their decision was not only cowardly but also strategically foolish, given the pre-existing government shutdown and its consequences.
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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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John Q. Hosedrinker