Following a warm greeting on the Alaskan tarmac, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met in a seemingly friendly environment, which included promises to follow up on the meeting. Despite the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Ukraine and prior issues with the country’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump and Putin shared smiles and laughter, making little tangible progress. This meeting highlights a pattern of deference towards rivals like Putin while allies receive criticism and scolding, indicating an asymmetry in Trump-era foreign policy. This pattern has the potential to repeat itself as Trump seems easily manipulated by Putin, while real-world issues like climate change in Alaska and the ongoing war in Ukraine remain unaddressed.
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Following a meeting with Vladimir Putin aimed at brokering a ceasefire in Ukraine, former President Donald Trump claimed Putin now “respects our country.” Despite preparing to offer economic incentives for a deal, including access to resources and lifting sanctions, the meeting yielded no agreement. Trump attributed the failure to former President Joe Biden and repeatedly asserted that the invasion would not have occurred under his leadership, while also refusing to provide specifics. Trump scored the meeting a perfect “10” due to the pair’s good relationship, and he placed responsibility for future progress with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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Behind-the-scenes footage released by RT, a Russian state-run news network, depicts President Trump engaging with Vladimir Putin backstage following their meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. The video shows Trump initiating a two-handed handshake with Putin and then shaking the translator’s hand, with both leaders laughing together. The footage was released by the Kremlin shortly after the public remarks, where neither leader took any questions. The White House has not released similar candid footage. This is the latest instance of the Kremlin providing more details than the White House.
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President Trump is scheduled to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on August 15th. According to senior administration officials, Trump intends to greet Putin personally upon his arrival, though the specifics of the meeting are still being finalized. As of August 14th, the president was not expected to consult with Ukrainian or European leaders before the meeting, although this could change during his flight.
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Former President Donald Trump has called for the immediate removal of unhoused individuals from Washington, D.C., vowing to make the capital safer and more beautiful. This follows his executive order that allows law enforcement to displace and institutionalize homeless people. His plans for the unhoused include institutionalization and forced substance use treatment, proposals which come amid the Supreme Court’s decision allowing cities to ban sleeping outdoors. Furthermore, Trump-backed proposals in Congress threaten to cut affordable housing funds, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands more Americans without stable housing.
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The article asserts that the ongoing events in Gaza constitute a genocide, a conclusion supported by numerous human rights organizations and a leading Israeli human rights group. It argues that the United States is not merely complicit but actively participating in the genocide by providing Israel with the military, financial, and political support necessary to carry out its actions. This collaboration, spanning both Democratic and Republican administrations, extends to the media, which is accused of downplaying the severity of the situation and stifling criticism. Ultimately, the article condemns the US’s role in the genocide, asserting that it will be judged harshly by history for its actions.
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The Canadian government will end its funding for federally-funded hotel housing for asylum seekers by September 30, 2025, a measure that has cost approximately $1.1 billion since 2020. This decision impacts the 485 asylum seekers currently housed in Ontario and Quebec hotels. While the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will assist in finding alternative housing, advocates and experts express concerns about the limited availability of affordable housing and municipal shelter capacity, especially in cities. Additionally, the government has recently cancelled plans to revamp the asylum system and proposed border laws will likely create new challenges. Community organizations, many of whom are already stretched thin, fear the end of funding will lead to increased homelessness for asylum seekers.
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Recent data reveals a significant escalation in US air strikes under the current administration. Since taking office, the current president has ordered 529 air strikes, nearly matching the previous administration’s total of 555 strikes over four years. This aggressive approach includes operations in Yemen and Somalia, exceeding the pace of the prior administration, and has opened a new front targeting Iran’s nuclear program. Experts note the increased intensity of these campaigns, indicating a shift towards a more rapid and less restrained military response.
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Trump to announce “aggressive” Ukraine weapons plan. Okay, so the buzz is that Trump is about to unveil a plan involving “aggressive” support for Ukraine, specifically in terms of weapons. It’s hard to miss the immediate reaction – a mix of skepticism, surprise, and a hefty dose of “we’ll believe it when we see it.” This is not a new position for many observers. Let’s face it, Trump’s past statements and actions regarding Ukraine have been, shall we say, inconsistent. This makes it hard to interpret any single announcement as a concrete commitment.
Trump to announce “aggressive” Ukraine weapons plan. The immediate question is why now?… Continue reading
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced her intentions to block additional military aid to Israel. Speaking on the “War Room” podcast, Greene emphasized that Israel, already a nuclear-armed nation, receives substantial annual aid from the United States and does not require further funding. She stated that the proposed $500 million in additional aid should instead be allocated for the defense of the American people. This stance aligns with Greene’s consistent opposition to foreign intervention, previously seen in her criticism of aid packages to Ukraine and Israel.
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