A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, alleging that a malfunctioning revolving door caused the death of 78-year-old Diana Truschke. The lawsuit claims the hotel negligently maintained the door, violating safety regulations, and that Truschke suffered fatal injuries after being ejected from the malfunctioning door. The plaintiff, Truschke’s son, seeks unspecified damages exceeding $15,000, citing negligence, and the Trump Organization has yet to respond to the suit. This incident adds to a history of alleged legal violations involving Trump-owned hotels.
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A new €2 billion military aid package from France to Ukraine was announced, encompassing anti-tank missiles, air defense systems, and armored vehicles, among other crucial supplies. This aid aims to bolster Ukraine’s frontline defense against Russian aggression while simultaneously supporting long-term peace prospects. The announcement precedes a “coalition of the willing” summit focused on Ukraine’s post-war security and future military structure. Discussions will include further military aid and the establishment of peacekeeping forces. Ukraine’s willingness to agree to a 30-day ceasefire, contingent on Russian reciprocation, underscores its pursuit of peace.
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Yale professor Jason Stanley, author of *How Fascism Works*, is leaving the US for the University of Toronto due to concerns about the current political climate and its potential for authoritarianism. His decision was partly influenced by Columbia University’s capitulation to federal demands, which he views as a dangerous precedent for academic freedom. Stanley believes the current environment poses an unacceptable risk to higher education and the future of democracy, prompting his move to Canada. He sees this not as fleeing, but as joining the international fight against rising authoritarianism.
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A publicly accessible Venmo account belonging to National Security Advisor Michael Waltz revealed hundreds of his personal and professional contacts, including journalists, military officials, and lobbyists, posing a significant national security risk. This account, linked to other accounts of White House officials like Susie Wiles and Walker Barrett, exposed participants in a sensitive Signal group chat discussing a Yemen strike. Following WIRED’s inquiry, the accounts were made private. Experts cite this as part of a larger pattern of reckless behavior by senior administration officials regarding the handling of sensitive information.
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President Trump announced a permanent 25% tariff on auto imports, aiming to boost domestic manufacturing and generate $100 billion in annual revenue. This move, starting April 3rd, could significantly increase vehicle prices and reduce consumer choice, potentially impacting the middle and working classes. While the administration expects increased domestic production, automakers face higher costs due to globally sourced components. International criticism and potential retaliatory tariffs raise concerns about escalating trade conflicts and negative economic consequences.
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Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University Ph.D. student, was abducted in broad daylight by unidentified agents who falsely identified themselves as police. Surveillance footage shows the forceful apprehension and subsequent disappearance of Ozturk, who was later reportedly found in a Louisiana facility. The Department of Homeland Security claims Ozturk engaged in activities supporting Hamas, a claim unsupported by evidence beyond her co-authorship of a student opinion piece advocating for recognition of potential genocide in Gaza. This incident highlights a pattern of targeting Muslim and pro-Palestinian students, raising concerns about due process and potential abuses of power.
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President Trump announced 25-percent tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts, impacting the USMCA agreement and decades of free trade between the U.S. and Canada. These tariffs, justified under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are condemned by industry experts and Canadian officials as economically damaging. The move threatens significant job losses in Canada’s auto sector and disrupts cross-border supply chains, increasing costs for consumers in both countries. Despite opposition, Trump maintains the tariffs will be beneficial for the U.S. auto industry.
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Representative Lauren Boebert hinted at a potential plan to rename Washington, D.C., the “District of America,” a suggestion she linked to the Trump administration’s prior renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. This remark came during a heated subcommittee hearing where Representative Jared Huffman criticized the renaming of the Gulf and the Trump administration’s environmental policies, particularly cuts to the Fish and Wildlife Service. Huffman highlighted the detrimental impact of these cuts, emphasizing the loss of vital scientific expertise. Boebert, a staunch Trump supporter, defended the administration’s actions and promoted its pro-drilling agenda. The exchange underscored deep partisan divisions on environmental issues and government oversight.
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Following the revelation that a journalist was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat with national security officials, investigations are underway. The White House, National Security Council, and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency will collaborate on the technical aspects of the investigation. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz accepted responsibility for the error, though the circumstances remain unclear. A federal lawsuit targets five cabinet members involved, alleging violations of federal law due to the use of Signal for official communications, while the White House denies the exchange of classified information.
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Following significant pushback from Greenland and Denmark, the planned US visit to Greenland, initially including a large delegation and a dog sled race, has been significantly scaled back. The revised trip will solely involve a visit to the US military base at Pituffik, with only the US Vice President joining his wife. Danish officials framed this change as a de-escalation, despite the US’s attempts to portray it otherwise. This decision was welcomed by both Greenland and Denmark as a diplomatic victory, resolving a dispute sparked by the initially unsolicited and controversial visit.
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John Q. Hosedrinker