In the 2025 Norwegian election, the left-leaning bloc, led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, secured a narrow victory with 88 seats compared to the right-leaning parties’ 81 seats. The Labour Party emerged as the frontrunner, requiring support from the other left-wing parties to pass legislation. The populist Progress Party experienced a substantial gain, becoming the leading opposition, while the election primarily focused on domestic concerns such as purchasing power and taxes.
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During a speech at the Museum of the Bible, President Trump asserted that crime in Washington, D.C. was nearly eradicated due to the presence of federal troops, claiming the city was now a “totally safe zone.” He expressed frustration with the inclusion of domestic disturbances in crime statistics, suggesting these inflated the numbers. However, Trump’s statements are dubious, as D.C. was not the most dangerous city before his intervention and he has faced numerous allegations of abuse and has been convicted of crimes himself. Furthermore, a federal appeals court upheld an $83 million defamation judgment against him, adding to his legal issues.
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President Zelenskyy expressed support for potential U.S. tariffs on countries, including India, that continue to engage in trade with Russia, particularly concerning oil imports. This followed Prime Minister Modi’s appearance at a summit alongside Russian President Putin, amidst India’s growing diplomatic efforts to mediate an end to the conflict. Washington officials hinted at imminent sanctions against nations aiding Russia, citing India’s purchase of Russian oil as a potential target. Furthermore, India has become Ukraine’s top diesel supplier, adding complexity to the situation as the U.S. considers tariffs on Indian goods.
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A screenshot of a letter allegedly signed by Donald Trump and sent to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003 was released by House Democrats. The letter, which contains a hand-drawn outline of a woman’s torso with Trump’s signature, has been publicly visible for the first time since its existence was reported, prompting Trump to deny its authenticity and sue for defamation. Trump’s legal team and White House officials have contested the letter, with the White House press secretary claiming the image disproves the story. This has led to a controversy surrounding the former friendship between Trump and the deceased sex offender.
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Democrats on the House Oversight Committee shared a purported birthday message from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, retrieved from Epstein’s estate as part of a subpoena. The message, which included a hand-drawn image and a typed conversation, was immediately disputed by Trump, who denied authorship and that the signature was his. The authenticity of the note is further complicated by previous examples of Trump’s signatures, as well as a denial from White House officials. The Committee also received Epstein’s will, nonprosecution agreement and other records.
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The Supreme Court ruled that federal immigration agents do not need reasonable suspicion to target individuals for immigration detention, opening the door to racial profiling. This decision overturned a lower court order that restricted ICE agents in Los Angeles from making arrests based on racially loaded categories. Justice Kavanaugh wrote the opinion, stating that factors like ethnicity, language, and occupation, combined with the high number of illegal immigrants in the area, could contribute to “reasonable suspicion.” Justice Sotomayor dissented, arguing that the ruling allows the government to target Latinos and those in low-wage jobs, disregarding Fourth Amendment protections.
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On Sunday, law enforcement removed the White House peace vigil, a protest that had been in place for over four decades, following President Trump’s order to clear homeless encampments. Officials justified the removal by mislabeling the vigil as a shelter, despite it being protected by the First Amendment. The White House confirmed the removal, citing it as a hazard to visitors and part of the administration’s federal takeover of policing in the city. The vigil, established in 1981 to promote nuclear disarmament, is considered the longest continuous anti-war protest in U.S. history.
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The Wall Street Journal published a photo of a birthday note Donald Trump wrote to Jeffrey Epstein, contradicting Trump’s assertion that it did not exist and the story was fabricated. The note, which was part of a collection celebrating Epstein’s 50th birthday, features a crude drawing of a naked woman and was signed by Trump. The president had previously denied writing the note and sued the Journal for its reporting on the matter, while Vice President J.D. Vance also questioned the story. Following the Journal’s story, sources close to Trump indicated his team attempted to stop the report’s release, but the story has still seen the light of day.
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The Trump administration has petitioned the Supreme Court for an emergency order to maintain its hold on billions of dollars in frozen foreign aid. President Trump employed a pocket rescission, which effectively cut the budget without congressional approval. The central legal dispute revolves around $4 billion in congressionally approved aid that Trump stated he would not spend, citing a rarely used authority. The administration argues that the lower court’s injunctions harm the executive branch, while the opposition claims the funding freeze violates federal law and hampers critical international programs.
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The deployment of over 2,200 National Guard members to Washington D.C. was initiated by President Trump, who claimed it would combat crime despite declining local crime rates. However, the National Guard’s role has proven largely ineffective, with soldiers primarily tasked with observing and reporting crimes to local police, rather than actively participating in law enforcement. Rules of engagement restrict the National Guard’s ability to make arrests or use weapons, while also potentially violating the Posse Comitatus Act. This deployment, costing a million dollars per day, is now being used for purposes like maintaining the city’s parks.
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John Q. Hosedrinker