Venezuelan opposition leader MarÃa Corina Machado has been in hiding since August 2024 after the July elections. In a letter published by the Wall Street Journal, she claims to have proof that Nicolás Maduro did not win the election and fears for her safety. The letter details actions taken by Maduro’s government to prevent her from running and the subsequent protests that followed. She was briefly detained at a January protest before being released, and could be captured again at any time.
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In a surprising statement, New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler publicly affirmed that the LGBTQ+ community and transgender people “are not an enemy or a threat.” Though welcomed by advocates, they cautioned that more action is needed, as his past actions and record do not fully support his statement. Lawler’s declaration comes after months of silence on LGBTQ+ issues, which many within the community had been pressing him to address. Despite his recent statement and occasional support for LGBTQ+ initiatives, Lawler has also voted against measures that protect the community. Advocates are hopeful that the community can bring change, but have remained cautiously optimistic.
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President Donald Trump’s pursuit of the Nobel Peace Prize is reportedly met with skepticism in Europe, particularly within the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Multiple sources suggest that the committee, comprised of human rights advocates and foreign policy experts, is unlikely to favor Trump, especially considering his actions such as ordering American troops to patrol U.S. cities. Trump’s efforts to lobby for the award, including his public declarations of deserving the prize and attempts to influence the committee, are perceived as counterproductive and detrimental to his chances. Furthermore, the prize is based on actions taken in 2024 and any success in the Middle East may be for naught.
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During a recent Oval Office meeting focused on trade, former President Donald Trump veered into culture war politics, mocking transgender people in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The meeting, which was intended to be a display of cooperation between the two countries, instead saw Trump attack Democrats, the media, and transgender individuals, boasting about his policies on gender and sports. Carney, whose child identifies as nonbinary, remained silent throughout Trump’s remarks, reflecting the high stakes of the trade relationship between the two nations. Trump’s comments align with his established pattern of targeting transgender and nonbinary people, a recurring theme of his political messaging.
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White House memo says furloughed federal workers aren’t entitled to back pay – that’s the core issue here, isn’t it? It boils down to the administration’s stance on compensating federal employees who are forced to take unpaid leave during a government shutdown. It seems the memo is laying out a position that contradicts what many might expect, and what a prior law might have indicated. The crux of the matter is whether these workers, who are essentially mandated to stop working without pay, will eventually receive the compensation they would have earned had the government remained open.
The reactions to this potential development are understandably strong.… Continue reading
During a Navy celebration in Norfolk, Virginia, Donald Trump attempted to incite boos against Barack Obama by referring to him by his full name, “Barack Hussein Obama.” The crowd of service members, however, remained silent, a stark contrast to Trump’s expectations. The president proceeded with a meandering speech filled with boasts and personal anecdotes, including one about his physical fitness. This moment mirrored a similar awkward encounter earlier in the week with the Defense Secretary.
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A recent YouGov poll reveals that Jimmy Kimmel holds a higher favorability rating than Donald Trump, with a +3 net favorability compared to Trump’s -13. This follows a controversy where Kimmel’s show was briefly suspended due to comments regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The poll also found that most respondents did not believe Kimmel’s comments warranted a suspension. Following his return, Kimmel’s show saw a significant increase in viewership and his comeback monologue garnered millions of views across multiple platforms.
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President Trump has authorized the deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Chicago, citing “ongoing violent riots and lawlessness” as justification. This decision follows threats to send troops to the city, despite criticism from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who called the move unnecessary and un-American. Concurrently, a federal judge temporarily blocked the deployment of 200 National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, deeming the protests insufficient to warrant federalized forces, and potentially harming state sovereignty. The Trump administration plans to appeal this ruling, emphasizing the need to protect federal assets and personnel amidst violent riots.
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During a recent Fox & Friends Weekend appearance, Secretary Kristi Noem described Chicago as a “war zone,” citing difficulties ICE agents face, including limited access to restrooms and lunch breaks. Noem’s comments follow her experience with anti-ICE protestors in Chicago, where she was denied entry to a building. She criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, alleging their stance on immigration has fueled resentment toward federal agents. Pritzker countered by accusing Noem of not knowing what she’s talking about, while also stating that ICE is not “going after the bad guys” and targeting minorities instead.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood