The current administration is revoking student visas without due process, targeting those who have voiced criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. This action, spearheaded by Senator Rubio, represents a chilling escalation beyond mere speech suppression. Rubio’s role, initially perceived as a moderating influence, has shifted to become a key enabler of the administration’s aggressive actions against legal immigrants and students. The administration’s disregard for court orders and due process aims to create a chilling effect, silencing dissent before legal challenges can fully address the injustice.
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Approximately 600 Cleveland-Cliffs Dearborn Works employees, including hourly and salaried workers, will face layoffs beginning July 15th due to weak U.S. automotive production. The UAW Local 600, caught off guard by the announcement, describes the situation as chaotic and is scrambling to find alternative employment for its members. While supplemental pay will be provided, its limited nature necessitates a swift job search in a currently unfavorable hiring climate. The union plans to assist members in navigating the upcoming layoffs.
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The US reneged on a previously agreed-upon mineral deal with Ukraine, a move that has sparked considerable outrage and concern. Instead of honoring the signed agreement, the US presented a drastically altered document. This new document expands the scope of US ownership, extending it to encompass Ukrainian roads, factories, ports, and pipelines.
This shift in terms represents a significant power grab, effectively turning a resource-focused deal into a broad-ranging claim on Ukrainian infrastructure. The implications are far-reaching, impacting Ukraine’s sovereignty and its future economic development.
Adding insult to injury, the US also imposed a 4% annual interest rate on the aid already provided to Ukraine since 2022.… Continue reading
Portugal has updated its travel advisory for the U.S., warning citizens that entry isn’t guaranteed even with proper documentation, mirroring advisories from other European nations. The updated guidance emphasizes the importance of truthful declarations regarding travel purpose and cautions against transiting through Canada or Mexico before returning to the U.S. Furthermore, Portugal advises non-binary citizens to use their assigned-at-birth gender on entry forms, reflecting U.S. policy changes. This follows recent high-profile incidents of U.S. border agents denying entry to travelers, raising concerns about stricter immigration enforcement.
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Following a summit in Paris, a coalition of willing nations will establish deterrence forces in Ukraine, stationed in strategic areas away from the conflict’s frontlines, potentially near the Dnipro River. These forces, comprising personnel from multiple countries and encompassing land, air, and sea capabilities, will complement—not replace—both Ukrainian forces and potential future peacekeepers. France and Britain will lead military teams to Ukraine to plan the long-term strengthening of its armed forces. The deterrence force’s creation, initiated at Ukraine’s request, remains in its planning stages.
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A new US draft deal proposes near-total American control over Ukraine’s critical minerals, energy assets, and related infrastructure. This significantly escalates previous demands, granting the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund sweeping authority. Ukrainian officials express concerns about the deal’s potential to compromise national sovereignty and increase dependence on the US. The proposal omits security guarantees for Ukraine, leaving it vulnerable. This contrasts sharply with earlier, less extensive proposals.
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Forward bookings for flights from Canada to the U.S. have plummeted by over 70 percent since last year, with April experiencing the steepest decline at 76 percent. This significant drop, impacting the U.S. tourism sector which relies heavily on Canadian travelers, is attributed to growing anti-American sentiment fueled by President Trump’s trade policies and rhetoric. The resulting “buy Canadian” movement, coupled with updated Canadian travel advisories highlighting U.S. immigration concerns, contributes to the decline in tourism. Airlines are already reducing flight capacity, anticipating further impacts on the traditional “snowbird” travel market. This situation reflects the broader economic consequences of the U.S.-Canada trade dispute beyond direct tariff impacts.
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The remains of Hank Frantz, missing for four years, were discovered in a treehouse on his father’s property after his father’s death. The DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the identity of the skeletal remains, which are estimated to be months to years old. While the cause of death is difficult to determine from skeletal remains alone, police believe no foul play was involved. The discovery occurred after the family went to settle the father’s affairs following his death in a scuba diving accident in Maui.
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The US has presented Ukraine with a revised agreement concerning the management of its natural resources, demanding a joint investment fund overseen by a US-majority board. This significantly expands upon a previous proposal, granting Washington veto power and priority access to revenues and infrastructure projects. Ukrainian officials have strongly criticized the agreement as unfair and potentially detrimental to their sovereignty, citing concerns about resource control and financial dependence on the US. While the deal currently excludes nuclear assets, the possibility of future negotiations regarding nuclear energy infrastructure remains a concern.
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Effective March 28th, Amazon is eliminating the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” setting for Alexa devices, mandating that all voice data be sent to Amazon for Alexa Plus processing. This change, driven by the need to improve Alexa Plus’s conversational AI capabilities, removes user choice regarding data sharing. While Amazon claims data is encrypted in transit and deleted after processing, past incidents of data mishandling raise concerns about data security and potential misuse. Users who disable the remaining “Do Not Save Voice Recordings” setting will lose access to features like Voice ID.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood