A Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, resulted in at least 19 deaths, including nine children, and injured 72 others, including a three-month-old infant. The attack, using a ballistic missile with a cluster warhead, damaged residential buildings, educational facilities, and businesses. Despite ongoing peace efforts spearheaded by the Trump administration, Russia’s actions indicate a lack of commitment to swift negotiations, while simultaneously claiming the strike targeted Ukrainian and Western military personnel. The attack follows a pattern of Russian strikes against civilian areas and critical infrastructure, including a recent drone attack on a power plant.
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A Russian ballistic missile strike on Kryvyi Rih killed at least 19 people, including nine children, prompting outrage and condemnation internationally. President Zelenskyy criticized the US embassy’s response as weak for its failure to explicitly attribute the missile to Russia. He highlighted the need for a stronger international response to such attacks and reiterated Ukraine’s request for additional air defense systems, including Patriots, previously agreed upon with President Biden. Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity of unequivocally naming Russia as the aggressor to effectively pressure them into ending the war.
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China’s retaliatory tariffs on US goods, including a 34 percent duty on all US products, will severely impact US agricultural exports. This escalation is expected to further accelerate the shift in demand for agricultural products, particularly soybeans, away from the US and towards alternative suppliers like Brazil. Brazil’s already substantial soybean production is poised to significantly increase, benefiting from this geopolitical shift, while other countries such as Argentina and Australia may also see increased demand for alternative grains. The resulting increased global demand will likely strengthen soybean prices in South America despite record harvests.
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Following Donald Trump’s proposal to purchase Greenland, the US, under Secretary of State Rubio, asserted that Greenlanders desire separation from Denmark. This claim was immediately refuted by Greenland’s incoming prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who affirmed Greenland’s long-term goal of independence but denied any immediate secession plans. Denmark strongly rejected the US’s actions, citing violations of international law and expressing concern over the pressure and threats from its close ally. The US pursuit of Greenland, driven by its strategic resources, has fostered widespread anti-American sentiment within Greenland.
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The Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) reports that over 70% of accessible Ukrainian land is now clear of mines and explosive remnants of war, thanks to their efforts and those of partner organizations. This success, encompassing nearly 35,000 km² cleared by the end of last year, has returned thousands of hectares to productive use. The FSD is further enhancing demining efforts by testing a new drone with ground-penetrating radar. International collaboration, including a planned Geneva workshop with Ukrainian officials and donors, will continue to address the long-term challenge of complete mine clearance in Ukraine.
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Recently updated Canadian travel advisories warn citizens to expect thorough scrutiny from U.S. border patrol, including electronic device searches, which are conducted without warrants. U.S. authorities have broad discretion regarding entry, potentially leading to detention or deportation for those denied entry. Experts advise travelers to weigh the privacy risks before traveling, considering options like bringing a secondary device or leaving personal devices at home. The Canadian government maintains a low risk rating for travel to the U.S., but heightened security measures are prompting increased anxiety among travelers.
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In response to new U.S. tariffs, the Yukon government announced retaliatory measures targeting Elon Musk’s companies. These actions include ending Tesla rebates under the Good Energy program, canceling Starlink contracts where possible, and abandoning the X social media platform. The government cited unfair U.S. trade practices as justification, emphasizing the need to support Canadian businesses and workers. Further measures are being considered as the Yukon seeks to mitigate the economic impact of these tariffs.
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In celebration of Microsoft’s 50th anniversary, Bill Gates has released the original Altair BASIC source code, a 157-page PDF of scanned documents from 1975. Inspired by Popular Electronics’ Altair 8800 feature, Gates and Paul Allen, lacking the necessary hardware, created a BASIC interpreter using a PDP-10 mainframe, simulating the Altair’s Intel 8080 chip. This foundational code, built over two months with Monte Davidoff, represents Microsoft’s origins before its iconic products and is available for viewing, though not readily usable by modern tools. The release offers a historical glimpse into the company’s humble beginnings.
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Norway’s 2025 aid package to Ukraine has been increased to 85 billion Norwegian kroner ($7.8 billion), a 50 billion kroner increase reflecting a parliamentary agreement. This substantial boost, tripling military support, will be spent internationally to mitigate domestic economic impact. The aid encompasses military, humanitarian, and financial assistance, furthering Norway’s significant commitment to Ukraine’s stability. A portion of this aid, 3 billion kroner, is specifically designated for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and Moldova.
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John Q. Hosedrinker