Justice Bennathan noted that Donald Trump’s statements, which were not given under oath, could be considered by the jury but cautioned against relying heavily on them. Trump had contacted police reporting an assault after a video call with the alleged victim and later described what he witnessed as “brief but prevalent”. The defense argued Trump was an unreliable witness motivated by jealousy, while the prosecution highlighted the urgency in his call. The case concerns Rumiantsev, who denies the strangulation allegations, claiming consensual sex and self-defense, and the trial is ongoing.
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A recent focus group of young Republican voters revealed significant hesitancy towards Vice President J.D. Vance as a potential 2028 presidential candidate. Eight out of nine participants did not name Vance as their preferred candidate, citing concerns about his perceived ties to the political establishment and perceived shifts in his stances on key issues. These Gen Z voters instead expressed interest in alternative candidates, including Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, and other rising figures within the Republican Party. This lack of enthusiasm presents a potential challenge for Vance, particularly given Donald Trump’s lukewarm support and the possibility of Trump himself seeking a third term.
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Following false claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump, a senior French government official addressed the memory of French soldiers who died in Afghanistan. Alice Rufo, the minister delegate at the Defense Ministry, stated that it was crucial to honor the fallen soldiers and reject any insults to their memory. Rufo made these comments after Trump suggested that non-U.S. NATO troops, including French soldiers, avoided the front lines during the Afghanistan war, where ninety French soldiers died. This ceremony aimed to show solidarity and uphold the brotherhood of arms between American, British, and French soldiers.
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During an interview, Donald Trump described his father’s health issues, stating Fred Trump had “an Alzheimer’s thing” at age 86 or 87, while also stating that he, himself, does not have it. When asked if the topic was on his mind, Trump responded that it was not, citing his attitude as the reason. Trump’s clinical psychologist niece, Mary Trump, described witnessing her grandfather’s decline due to Alzheimer’s and noted observing similar symptoms in her uncle. Mary Trump mentioned seeing a “deer-in-the-headlights look” in both her grandfather and uncle, suggesting potential cognitive concerns.
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In St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard provided coffee and donuts to anti-ICE protesters, with a guardsman stating it was a demonstration of safety and security. The deployment followed a recent shooting involving a Border Patrol agent that resulted in the death of a Minneapolis resident, Alex J. Pretti, sparking questions and differing accounts of the incident. This event occurred shortly after a previous shooting involving an ICE officer, prompting Gov. Tim Walz to call for the removal of federal agents from Minnesota. Following the shooting, President Donald Trump stated his administration would be reviewing the situation.
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German defence minister urges Trump to apologise for Afghanistan remarks. Really? That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Honestly, the very idea of it feels a bit… well, let’s just say it’s a long shot. I can’t help but chuckle at the audacity of it all. It’s like asking a shark to apologize for, you know, being a shark. The notion of Donald Trump issuing a heartfelt apology for anything, especially when it comes to something as sensitive as remarks about Afghanistan, seems, putting it mildly, unlikely.
The general sentiment seems to be that apologies just aren’t in his playbook. He’s built a brand, a persona, around never admitting fault, never showing weakness.… Continue reading
Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated Canada has no intention of pursuing a free trade agreement with China. This response came after former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods if a deal was made with China. Trump’s stance shifted from previous comments, and he criticized Carney’s Davos speech where the Prime Minister discussed global economic issues. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated Canada is pursuing trade diversification, including deals with China, and plans to address the situation further.
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At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the ‘Board of Peace’ charter, a part of Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza. Following this, Israel stated it would not allow Pakistan to participate in Gaza’s transition or peacekeeping efforts, with an Israeli official citing Pakistan’s support for terrorism. This decision has sparked criticism within Pakistan, with political opposition demanding a referendum on the matter, as many view the charter as being against Palestinian interests. The Board of Peace, meant to resolve global conflicts, has only gained participation from fewer than twenty countries, which may have to pay a significant amount for permanent membership.
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In secret recordings, Cruz trashes Trump, Vance, and the underlying sentiment is one of utter disdain, not just for the individuals but for the entire political game. The core revelation here is that Ted Cruz, a prominent Republican figure, reportedly expressed incredibly harsh criticisms of both Donald Trump and J.D. Vance in private, a stark contrast to his public persona. The details of these private rebukes paint a picture of a man who sees through the facade but lacks the courage to confront it directly.
We hear of Cruz’s assessment of Trump, which is scathing. He reportedly views Trump as a pathological liar, a narcissist of unprecedented proportions, and someone utterly devoid of morals.… Continue reading
Initially hesitant to use the term “fascist” to describe President Trump due to complexities and the overuse of the word, recent events have shifted this perspective. The author now argues that the totality of Trump’s actions, encompassing numerous characteristics like demolition of norms, politicized law enforcement, and leader aggrandizement, point to a distinct drift toward fascism. Despite acknowledging that not all classical elements are present, the author concludes that it is necessary to recognize and name Trump’s governing style as fascist to effectively address the situation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Minnesota National Guard Offers Coffee and Donuts to Anti-ICE Protesters
In St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard provided coffee and donuts to anti-ICE protesters, with a guardsman stating it was a demonstration of safety and security. The deployment followed a recent shooting involving a Border Patrol agent that resulted in the death of a Minneapolis resident, Alex J. Pretti, sparking questions and differing accounts of the incident. This event occurred shortly after a previous shooting involving an ICE officer, prompting Gov. Tim Walz to call for the removal of federal agents from Minnesota. Following the shooting, President Donald Trump stated his administration would be reviewing the situation.
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