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AP Photo
Trump warns Zelenskyy to quickly negotiate war’s end with Russia or risk not having a nation to lead
MIAMI (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he “better move fast” to negotiate an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or risk not having a nation to lead.
The rhetoric from Trump toward Ukraine comes amid an escalating back-and-forth between the two presidents and rising tensions between Washington and much of Europe over Trump’s approach to settling the biggest conflict on the continent since World War II.
Trump’s harsh words for Zelenskyy drew criticism from Democrats and even some Republicans in the United States, where Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression has had bipartisan support. Zelenskyy said Trump was falling into a Russian disinformation trap — and was quickly admonished by Vice President JD Vance about the perils of publicly criticizing the new president.
Trump, who is trying to bring the fighting to a close on terms that Kyiv says are too favorable to Moscow, used an extended social media post on his Truth Social platform to lash out at Zelenskyy and call the Ukrainian a “dictator without elections.”
“Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn’t be won, that never had to start, but a War that he, without the U.S. and “TRUMP,” will never be able to settle,” Trump said of Zelenskyy, who was a popular television star in Ukraine before running for office. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
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www.usatoday.com
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www.usatoday.com
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www.usatoday.com
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Thune’s power move to advance Trump’s agenda | CNN Politics
Senate Republicans announced Wednesday they are muscling ahead with their preferred legislative strategy to jumpstart Donald Trump’s agenda — just hours after the president himself backed a much different approach.
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Trump administration labels 8 Latin American cartels as 'foreign terrorist organizations'
The Trump administration has designated eight Latin American crime organizations as “foreign terrorist organizations,” upping its pressure on cartels operating in the U.S. and on anyone aiding them.
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DOGE claim it saved $8 billion by canceling an $8 million contract raises questions about its ‘wall of receipts’ | CNN Politics
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency disclosed for the first time this week a snapshot of some of the government contracts it has canceled, claiming to have saved taxpayers about $55 billion.
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Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro slams coup accusations against him
The far-right leader has posted a rebuttal on social media, accusing Brazil’s government of being ‘authoritarian’.
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Lawyers helping migrant children facing deportation ordered by Trump administration to "stop all work"
Affected organizations said the move would prevent them from offering critical legal services to migrant children who crossed the U.S. southern border without their parents or legal guardians.
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Trump seeks greater control of independent regulators with his new executive order
President Donald Trump is moving to give the White House direct control of independent federal regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.
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Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of trying to expel refugees by arresting the undocumented
More than 800,000 Afghans have returned home or have been expelled by force from Pakistan since 2023, says the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration.
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Republican Georgia Senate contenders emerge as Kemp mulls options - Washington Examiner
If Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) does not run for Senate in 2026, several other Republicans are eyeing a bid to oust Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA).
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U.S. envoy visits Ukraine after Trump blames Zelenskyy for Russia's invasion
Moscow gloats, Ukraine's leader says Trump is operating in a Russian "disinformation space" as the U.S. president echoes Putin's own defense of his war.
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3 migrants beat the Trump administration in court. They got deported the next day
The future looked bright for Luis Eduardo Perez Parra, Leonel Rivas Gonzalez and Abrahan Josue Barrios last week.
Trump administration orders halt to NYC toll meant to fight traffic and fund mass transit
President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered a halt to New York City’s congestion pricing system, which thins traffic and funds mass transit.
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Kamala Harris signs with Hollywood talent agency CAA, joining Joe Biden, Barack Obama
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has signed with one of Hollywood's top talent firms, the Creative Artists Agency.
www.usatoday.com
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Civil rights groups sue Trump over anti-DEIA executive orders
Trump's orders "expressly disadvantage people of color, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities who face unfair disadvantages or inequalities," the lawsuit says.
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DOGE uncovers over 4M government credit cards responsible for 90M transactions
The Department of Government Efficiency announced on X Tuesday that it had uncovered over four million government credit cards that spent nearly $40 billion last year.
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Trump's seismic foreign policy shift: From the Politics Desk
Plus, putting DOGE's spending cut targets in context.
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Destruction, displacement continue as Israel’s Jenin raid enters 2nd month
Thousands flee Jenin as Israeli army continues demolitions, marking largest displacement in decades across West Bank.
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U.S. pauses immigration applications for certain migrants welcomed under Biden
The move threatens to cast a cloud of uncertainty over many migrants who applying for immigration benefits that would allow them to stay in the U.S. legally and, in some cases, permanently.
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Love, rockets and media attacks: Trump and Musk bring their toxic bromance to Fox News
Sitting side by side like a couple announcing their engagement, the world’s most powerful man and Donald Trump gushed about their relationship to Sean Hannity
California lawmakers propose bill that would ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes
California state lawmakers have announced a bill that would ban the sale of new or refurbished disposable electronic cigarettes.
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Trump calls Ukraine's Zelenskyy a 'dictator without elections' as rift widens
President Donald Trump called a Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator without elections" after U.S.-Russia peace talks in Saudi Arabia.
Slovakia's Fico secures more ministries in a deal with coalition partners
Slovakia's ruling coalition partners will each give a ministry to populist Prime Minister Robert Fico's party in a government reshuffle.
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No proof Elon Musk ordered all federal workers to pass drug tests or be fired | Fact check
There is no credible evidence of any such announcement. An official from a drug-testing group said her organization is unaware of it.
www.usatoday.com
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Tracking Trump’s picks for his Cabinet and administration | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump moved swiftly to announce his selections for his next Cabinet and key administration posts in the days and weeks following the election. Now that Trump has been sworn in, it’s the Senate’s job to consider his nominations.
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Trump to meet pharma leaders as they seek drug policy changes
U.S. President Donald Trump will meet on Thursday with chief executives from major drugmakers, a White House official confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday, as the industry tries to win government support for drug pricing and insurance changes. The meeting is expected to cover topics including...
Trump administration halts support for representing unaccompanied children in immigration court
The Trump administration has stopped support for legal representation in immigration court for children who enter the United States alone, a setback for those fighting deportation who can’t afford a lawyer.
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Georgia Jewish leaders turn away from Jon Ossoff, want Brian Kemp - Washington Examiner
A group of Jewish leaders have urged Gov. Brian Kemp to run against Jon Ossoff in the 2026 senate race in protest of Ossoff's stance on Israel.
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Musk compares DOGE to Clinton's government efficiency initiative, but there are big differences
Elon Musk is likening DOGE's aggressive government overhaul to a Clinton-era task force that oversaw a shrinking of the federal workforce
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The reasons why America has abandoned democracy
I believe most Americans have abandoned democracy because democracy has abandoned most Americans.
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Trump asks Musk to pressure Boeing on delivering new Air Force One - Washington Examiner
Two new Air Force One airplanes are at least three years away from being delivered to President Donald Trump, prompting him to request Elon Musk's assistance.
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Advocates fear Georgia bill advanced by Republicans could land more homeless people in jail
Georgia Republicans advanced a bill that would let property owners seek compensation from local governments if they don't enforce bans on encampments, sanctuary policies and other activities such as shoplifting.
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New Social Security chief refutes claims of deceased people over 100 years old getting checks
Elon Musk had claimed that DOGE found evidence of 150-year-olds receiving Social Security benefits.
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Dominican Republic officials cram thousands of inmates facing no charges into overcrowded prisons
A majority languish there without ever having been charged with a crime, and activists warn they face inhuman conditions and a lack of medical care.
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Hundreds rally against firing of federal workers, emphasizing threats to public health
About 300 protesters rallied outside the headquarters of the Department of Health and Human Services. Many of them were current or former federal employees.
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New York Republicans scold Trump for CDC cuts that affect 9/11 responders
Critics say the Trump administrations cuts to CDC staff will negatively affect a health fund for 9/11 first responders.
Trump picks first-term loyalists for top Justice Department posts
U.S. President Donald Trump intends to nominate advisers from his first term to top Justice Department posts, including John Eisenberg to lead the national security division and Brett Shumate for the civil division, the department said on Wednesday. Shumate is already acting head of the civil...
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice announces she is stepping down
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement says she will step down from the court by April 30.
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Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump's pro-union pick for labor secretary, appears at confirmation hearing
Former GOP Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Trump's nominee for labor secretary, faces opposition from at least one member of her own party.
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Don't expect a $5,000 check from DOGE
GOP senators say that savings from DOGE are best spent on balancing the budget and paying down the national debt, not $5,000 checks.
Trump's Army Corps seeks to fast-track 600 'emergency' projects through environmental review
The fast-tracking of these projects could trigger legal fights, with environmental groups warning they are flouting federal laws.
www.usatoday.com
Canadian government pledges billions for high-speed rail network linking Quebec City and Toronto
The Canadian government is moving ahead with a multibillion-dollar plan to build a high-speed rail network between Quebec City and Toronto.
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JFK Library forced to close due to ‘sudden dismissal of federal employees,’ foundation says | CNN Politics
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston was forced to close Tuesday due to the “sudden dismissal of federal employees,” the library’s foundation said in a statement to CNN.
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How major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 2/19/2025
The S&P 500 added to its record as U.S. stock indexes drifted through a quiet, mixed day on Wall Street.
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“I feel like cruelty is the point” – for many newly fired federal workers, the way they were let go made things much worse | CNN Politics
As federal workers get fired by the thousands, the news has sometimes come in unceremonious, callous ways.
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Far right set to make strides in a German election dominated by immigration
Mainstream parties struggle to retain voters in a fragmented political landscape.
What's going on with the Kennedy Center under Trump?
Until a few weeks ago, the biggest news to come out of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., was its annual celebration of notable American artists.
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Major K Street players previously skeptical of Trump now pledging to work together with him
Several top lobbying names on Washington, D.C.'s K Street, who have voiced opposition to President Donald Trump in the past, have issued messages pledging to work with him since his re-election.
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Rwanda-backed rebels are advancing on a third city in eastern Congo, residents say
The M23 rebels attacked Congolese army positions on the road to Butembo , about 130 miles north of the city of Goma that they seized last month.
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GOP Sen. Josh Hawley Warns Against 'Massive' Medicaid Cuts: 'I Don't Like The Idea'
The Missouri Republican said large cuts to Medicaid would harm many people who voted for President Donald Trump.
Israel confirms 4 dead hostages who will be returned from Gaza include young family
An Israeli official says the bodies of the youngest and one of the oldest captives seized by Hamas during the attack that ignited the war in Gaza are expected to be returned.
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Trump and Zelenskyy war of words heats up even as US looks to wind down war in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused President Donald Trump of perpetuating Russian “disinformation" on Wednesday, while Trump clapped back and labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator" who has failed his country.
Mississippi lieutenant governor collapses on floor of Senate
Mississippi’s Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann collapsed on the floor of the state Senate. A spokesperson for the lieutenant governor says he is doing well.
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Judge questions Trump DOJ's move to drop Eric Adams charges
Judge Dale Ho held a hearing to address the "somewhat unusual situation" of the Justice Department trying to end the criminal case against the New York mayor.
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Delta offering $30K to passengers aboard flight that crashed, flipped in Toronto
Delta Air Lines says it is offering $30,000 to passengers who were aboard a flight from Minneapolis that crashed and flipped upside down while landing in Toronto on Monday.
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2 dead after small planes collide in Arizona
Two people have been confirmed dead after a Lancair and a Cessna collided midair at Marana Regional Airport in Arizona on Wednesday.
Senate confirms Kelly Loeffler, former Georgia senator, to lead Small Business Administration
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kelly Loeffler, a Georgia businesswoman and former senator, to lead the Small Business Administration.
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Who are the Zizians, the cult-like group under FBI investigation?
Experts say California-based Zizian group has some hallmarks of a cult, and wonder what's next after multiple members of the group were arrested.
www.usatoday.com
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Liberal consumers changing shopping habits due to politics
Four in 10 consumers are boycotting businesses because of political beliefs, according to a recent poll.
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What to know about Ed Martin, the right-wing activist Trump tapped to be DC’s top prosecutor | CNN Politics
While Trump administration officials were preparing to install a seasoned conservative lawyer as the top prosecutor in Washington, DC, the firebrand right-wing activist in the job on a temporary basis was waging a public campaign to keep the job permanently.
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Trump's nominee for Labor secretary walks back support for PRO Act, embraces Republican Right-to-Work laws
Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the pro-union Republican tapped by President Donald Trump for Labor secretary, testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Wednesday.
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‘Terrible’: Trump feuds with Zelenskyy amid negotiations over Ukraine war
In a social media post, Trump accused Zelenskyy of profiting from the US ‘gravy train’ and avoiding wartime elections.
Labor unions call on Trump to boost US shipbuilding against increasing Chinese dominance
The heads of four major labor unions are calling on President Donald Trump to boost American shipbuilding and enforce tariffs and other “strong penalties” against China for its increasing dominance.
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The family-values right takes on Musk's family
Some unusual techie ideas about the human future are raising questions in the GOP coalition.
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In lead-up to Trump crackdown, an iconic civil rights group fired all the attorneys in its unit defending undocumented migrants | CNN Politics
With Trump back in the White House after having promised during the campaign to unleash “the largest deportation operation in American history,” the cadre of attorneys at the Southern Poverty Law Center who amounted to a first line of legal defense for undocumented immigrants is no more.
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New report exposes botched procedures, poor conditions at Planned Parenthood abortion clinics
Planned Parenthood workers reported poor training, low salaries and botched abortions, in a new report, as the abortion giant faces threats of cuts to its funding.
A comprehensive look at DOGE's firings and layoffs so far
Thousands of federal government employees have been shown the door in the first month of President Donald Trump’s administration.
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The Supreme Court gave Trump immunity. He’s using it as a blank check. | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump has expounded an extraordinary vision of his authority over the past month, relying on the Supreme Court’s decision last year granting him immunity from criminal prosecution, as a blank check in his broader drive for power.
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Trump officials want to ban junk food from SNAP. Past efforts show it's not easy to do
A push to ban sugary drinks, candy and more from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may soon get a boost from new Trump Administration officials. Robert F.
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Delta CEO says Trump administration's cuts to FAA won't hurt airline safety
Delta CEO Ed Bastian defended the Trump administration's cuts to the FAA, saying they would not impact airline safety after a Delta plane crashed this week.
A look at the 8 Latin American crime groups designated as terrorist organizations by the US
The United States government is formally designating eight Latin American organized crime groups that also operate in the U.S. to be “foreign terrorist organizations.”
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Andrew Lester dies while awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in shooting of teen Ralph Yarl
Andrew Lester, the man who pleaded guilty to felony assault in the second degree for the shooting of Ralph Yarl, died while awaiting sentencing.
Americans' confidence in air travel safety dips slightly after Washington plane crash: AP-NORC poll
A new poll finds Americans’ confidence in air transportation and the federal agencies tasked with maintaining air safety has slipped a little from last year, following a recent crash in Washington.
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Attacks by Sudan’s RSF leave many dead as force prepares political charter
Activists said three days of attacks by the paramilitary group had left more than 200 dead in White Nile state, which has emerged as a key battleground as the army regains territory.
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Brazil’s Bolsonaro slams 'vague' accusations after attempted coup indictment
Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday denied accusations that he orchestrated a coup to stay in office and said the charges were the result of an authoritarian regime manufacturing “internal enemies.”Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet charged Bolsonaro with devising a multi-pronged schem
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Top NYU Republican regrets quitting over Barron Trump 'oddity' flap
Kaya Walker's remark drew swift backlash after it was shared by a popular conservative social media account.
www.usatoday.com
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Trump administration cuts off legal funding for nearly 26,000 unaccompanied migrant children
A stop-work order by the Interior Department halts legal work for children who crossed the border without their parents.
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Senators ask Trump's Labor Department nominee where her allegiance would lie
Members of a Senate committee grilled Labor Secretary-designate Lori Chavez-DeRemer on Wednesday about her past support of pro-union legislation, her position on raising the federal minimum wage and her willingness to disagree with President Donald Trump.
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New Jersey celebrates end of New York's congestion pricing plan - Washington Examiner
Several New Jersey politicians, including Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ), have praised the cancellation of the plan, saying it unfairly targeted their commuters.
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'People are going to get sick': Fired HHS scientists protest federal terminations
Bracing frigid temperatures, crowds of former and current federal workers protested the deep cuts to HHS, warning it will permanently set back scientific progress.
Polar vortex makes much of US colder than Greenland, but warmth is coming. Then more cold
The polar vortex’s icy grip on much of America has Arctic Greenland seeming like a toasty vacation spot by comparison.
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U.S. condemns 'dangerous' Chinese maneuvers after close encounter with Philippine plane
China said the Philippine plane had illegally entered its airspace over the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
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Trump to sign executive order instructing agencies to hunt down regulations that violate Constitution
The executive order will require federal agencies to submit a list to the Office of Management and Budget of regulations that could violate the Constitution.
Meet Dale E. Ho, the second-year judge weighing the future of NYC Mayor Eric Adams' corruption case
Manhattan federal Judge Dale E. Ho faces the biggest challenge of his young judicial career: deciding whether to end New York Mayor Eric Adams' corruption case.
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Sweden’s top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action
Activists filed a class action lawsuit in 2022 arguing that the state the European Convention on Human Rights by not doing enough to limit climate change.
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Surprising new poll numbers released on Trump's performance so far in the White House
Three new national polls released indicate President Donald Trump's approval ratings are edging down slightly since taking over in the White House one month ago.
Alabama Senate votes to give Gov. Ivey more control of Veterans Affairs
The Alabama Senate voted Tuesday to give the governor the power to appoint the head of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Fired federal workers will likely be eligible for unemployment — which the government will cover
Generally, workers can receive unemployment benefits even when employers claims they were fired for poor performance.
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S Korea's impeached president fans communist fears and conspiracies
Yoon Suk Yeol's most fanatic followers believe the opposition wants to turn South Korea into a communist country.
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Musk's DOGE touted slashing an $8 billion contract. It actually cut $8 million.
The $7.992 billion mistake raises questions about DOGE's accounting and savings claims as it works to swiftly gut the federal bureaucracy.
www.usatoday.com
Trump says AP will be curtailed at the White House until it changes its style to Gulf of America
President Donald Trump says his administration will continue to restrict The Associated Press' access to cover presidential events until the news agency goes along with his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.
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Wanted: 3 asteroid watchers for China's 'planetary defense force'
Applicants must be younger than 35 and “maintain a firm political stance” in line with the ruling Chinese Communist Party and its leader, Xi Jinping, the job listing said.
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Trump media group targets Brazilian justice after Bolsonaro indictment - Washington Examiner
A lawsuit filed by the Trump Media & Technology Group against Justice Alexandre de Moraes came hours after Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro was indicted.
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Leader of Canada’s trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions gets 3 months house arrest
One of the most prominent figures from Canada’s trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions in 2022 has been sentenced to three months of house arrest.
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Pope Francis shows 'slight improvement,' remains hospitalized in stable condition
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described him as alert and responsive during their private meeting at the hospital. “We joked as always. He has not lost his proverbial sense of humor.”
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DOGE is getting lists of the military's probationary workers from the Pentagon
U.S. officials say Department of Government Efficiency staffers were at the Pentagon on Tuesday and receiving lists of the military's probationary employees.
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GOP senators back Trump's demand for Ukraine elections, but won't call Zelenskyy 'dictator'
Republican lawmakers are backing President Donald Trump’s insistence that Ukraine hold elections, even if they don’t share his belief that Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a "dictator."
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SpaceX rocket debris crashes into Poland
Debris from a Space X Falcon 9 rocket lit up skies across Europe before crashing into Poland.
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Trump fires back at Zelenskyy, calls him a 'dictator without elections'
After US and Russian officials meet on ending Russia-Ukraine war, Trump calls Volodymyr Zelenskyy a 'dictator' in a post on Truth Social.
www.usatoday.com
What's the key to surviving a plane crash? Skilled crew, strong seats and wings that detach
Experts say a combination of training and technology were critical to all 76 passengers and four crew members surviving the fiery Delta Air Lines plane crash in Toronto.
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The Diplomatic Security Service is being targeted for firings. Why that matters: Analysis
The Diplomatic Security Service has not been exempted, as have other agencies, from the administration's downsizing plans.
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Pro-life leaders urge Trump to reverse his IVF stand, say the technology is 'not pro-life'
Pro-life activists oppose President Donald Trump's executive order expanding IVF access, citing moral and ethical concerns about embryos being "destroyed" and "discarded."
Historic ocean liner departs Philadelphia on voyage to become the world's largest artificial reef
The SS United States is a 1,000-foot vessel that shattered the transatlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952.
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National Guard sent in to 'secure' New York prisons where staff is on strike
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order activating guard members at prisons across the state where workers walked out for the third straight day.
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DeSantis to revive 'dormant' ICE enforcement program - Washington Examiner
The program, 287(g), allows ICE to delegate authority to both state and local law enforcement to perform immigration officer functions under ICE’s direction.
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Federal Reserve officials see risks of higher inflation ahead, support pause in rate cuts
Federal Reserve officials at a meeting last month pointed to rising risks that inflation could worsen, a key reason they kept their benchmark interest rate unchanged.
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'Vampires' in Social Security data? Here's what to know after Elon Musk claims SSA fraud
Elon Musk falsely claimed there were tens of millions of people aged 100-159 still receiving Social Security benefits.
www.usatoday.com
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7 men charged in connection with burglaries of professional athletes' homes
Federal prosecutors in Tampa on Tuesday charged seven purported members of a South American theft group that allegedly targeted the homes of professional athletes.
Governor Hochul says New York will sue to block Trump move to halt congestion pricing
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul fought back against President Donald Trump's declaration that congestion pricing is dead in New York, saying a lawsuit has been filed.
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SCOOP: Top GOP Sen. Cotton to meet with embattled Trump defense nominee as doubts swirl
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., will meet with a key Trump nominee after finding himself at apparent odds with some figures in the MAGA-sphere.
U.S. and Canada want to put the new Cold War on ice and play a 4 Nations hockey final for the ages
The U.S. and Canadian hockey teams are trying to skate back the geopolitical tension that has infiltrated the 4 Nations Face-Off as they looked ahead to the championship game Thursday night for what has turned into one of the best international hockey tournaments in decades.
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Vocal opposition to Elon Musk's DOGE cuts is a 'terrible' strategy, warns ex-Democrat advisor
Former Democratic advisor Dan Turrentine admitted the party's effort to criticize Elon Musk's DOGE is 'terrible' as he uncovers and roots out wasteful federal spending.
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Thutmose II: First pharaoh's tomb found in Egypt since Tutankhamun's
It is the first royal tomb to be found since King Tutankhaman's over a century ago.
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A Mississippi judge ordered a newspaper to remove an editorial. Press advocates are outraged
A Mississippi judge has ordered a newspaper to remove an editorial that criticized city officials. The action has sparked widespread complaints from press freedom advocates.
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