Despite a temporary pause in trade negotiations, Canadian sports fans in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa continued to express their disapproval of recent U.S. economic policies by booing the American national anthem before NHL and NBA games. This follows similar protests at games earlier in the week. The demonstrations coincided with a month-long delay in the implementation of new tariffs. While Canadian fans cheered loudly for “O Canada,” the jeering of “The Star-Spangled Banner” highlights the ongoing tension between the two countries.
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Effective immediately, the United States Postal Service has temporarily suspended the acceptance of packages originating from China and Hong Kong, excluding letters and flats. This action follows President Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese goods and China’s subsequent retaliatory tariffs, which also eliminated a duty-free exemption for low-value packages. The suspension, for an unspecified duration, impacts online retailers like Shein and Temu and may be related to increased difficulty screening packages for security risks. The timing coincides with planned discussions between Presidents Trump and Xi.
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Following a unilateral executive order from Donald Trump, Google altered the name of the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” on its maps, prompting outrage from Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum. Sheinbaum criticized Google’s compliance, highlighting the illegality of the name change under international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. In response, Sheinbaum conversely requested Google to label parts of the United States as “América Mexicana” on its maps, mirroring Google’s actions. Google’s stated rationale was adherence to its policy of updating names based on official government sources, while it has yet to respond to Sheinbaum’s counter-proposal.
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Following President Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum affirmed that the name change only applies to the U.S. portion of the body of water. The order, signed on January 20th, 2025, declared the Gulf’s importance to the American economy. Sheinbaum stated that Mexico, and the rest of the world, will continue to refer to it as the Gulf of Mexico. This action follows Trump’s recent pronouncements regarding the annexation of Canada and Greenland, and the potential retaking of the Panama Canal.
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In response to Trump’s suggestion to rename the Gulf of Mexico, President Sheinbaum retorted by proposing to rename North America “Mexican America,” highlighting the historical precedent and the Gulf’s longstanding name. This witty response, shared widely on social media, showcased a potential approach to navigating the complex U.S.-Mexico relationship. While experts suggest humor can be a strategic tool, Sheinbaum has also demonstrated a willingness to engage seriously on critical issues like trade and immigration, adopting a firm stance against tariffs while maintaining a more flexible approach to deportation. Her actions suggest a blend of assertive diplomacy and pragmatic compromise in dealing with the incoming U.S. administration.
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In response to President-elect Trump’s proposed renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum countered by suggesting a return to the historical name “America Mexicana,” referencing its use on a 1607 map and in Mexico’s Constitution of Apatzingán. Sheinbaum’s proposal encompasses a large swathe of territory including parts of present-day U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This counter-proposal followed Trump’s earlier suggestion and also served to refute his claims about Mexico’s governance being controlled by drug cartels. Sheinbaum asserted that the Mexican people, not drug cartels, hold the power.
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During a Charlotte Hornets game, a mascot gave a young fan a PlayStation 5 as part of an on-court skit, only to have Hornets staff later retrieve the console and replace it with a jersey. This action, captured on video and viewed millions of times, prompted an apology from the Hornets organization. The team admitted poor communication and decision-making led to the incident. Subsequently, the Hornets contacted the family, apologized, and promised to deliver the PlayStation 5 along with VIP game tickets.
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum downplayed a Rolling Stone report detailing a potential “soft invasion” of Mexico by the incoming Trump administration, characterizing it as unrealistic. The report alleges plans for U.S. special forces operations targeting Mexican cartels, including assassinations and airstrikes, with support from several Trump appointees. Sheinbaum asserted Mexico’s sovereignty, while figures like Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio voiced support for military intervention, albeit with caveats regarding cooperation with the Mexican government. However, experts warn such actions could inadvertently strengthen cartels and destabilize the region.
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum refutes Donald Trump’s claim that she promised to close the Mexico-US border, clarifying that their conversation focused on Mexico’s comprehensive strategy to manage migration while respecting human rights. Sheinbaum emphasized Mexico’s commitment to maintaining open communication and cooperation, contrasting this with Trump’s assertion of a border closure agreement. Trump, however, maintains his previous stance, citing concerns about undocumented immigration and threatening import taxes on Mexican and Canadian goods unless stricter border control measures are implemented. Recent data indicates a significant decrease in unauthorized border crossings between October 2023 and the present.
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Sheinbaum’s direct refutation of Trump’s claim regarding Mexico’s border policy highlights a significant disagreement between the two figures. The core of the dispute centers on Trump’s assertion that Mexico had agreed to close its border, a statement Sheinbaum vehemently denies.
Mexico’s stance, according to Sheinbaum, is unequivocally against border closure. This directly contradicts Trump’s publicized statement, exposing a clear discrepancy in their accounts of any alleged agreement. The implications of this disagreement are far-reaching, affecting international relations and the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy.
The contrasting narratives paint a picture of a communication breakdown, or possibly deliberate misrepresentation. Sheinbaum’s firm rejection underscores the importance of verifying information, especially from highly influential political figures.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood