Blog
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Bryan Kohberger, convicted of four University of Idaho student murders, and Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, may both have visual snow syndrome, a rare neurological condition causing static-like visual disturbances. Both individuals have publicly discussed their experiences with the disorder, which could contribute to their mental health struggles.
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Sen. Ron Johnson has stated he will not support the House-drafted GOP megabill, highlighting ongoing tensions within the Republican Party over the bill’s deficit-reduction targets. The House GOP bill aims to cut spending by at least $1.5 trillion, but Johnson warns the proposed reductions may be delayed for years, making them unlikely to materialize.
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The House GOP’s new tax legislation includes several of President Trump’s requested tax breaks, such as extending 2017 tax cuts and adding deductions for auto loans and sports team purchases. However, key elements like eliminating the carried interest loophole and raising taxes on the wealthy were not included, while some provisions are set to expire.
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House Republicans face pivotal markup day as they navigate major policy disputes that could undermine President Trump’s legislative agenda. Key issues include the tax package, Medicaid, and SNAP, with blue-state Republicans threatening to block the tax plan over contentious proposals.
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Two more aides, Madeleine Marr and Caroline Shaffer, have left John Fetterman’s Senate office, joining a string of departures over the past year and a half. Their exits come amid heightened concerns about Fetterman’s mental and physical health, as well as his political alignment, including his hardline support for Israel and associations with former President…
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The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released estimates indicating that the Medicaid provisions in the GOP megabill could result in 10.3 million people losing coverage under the health safety net program and 7.6 million becoming uninsured. These predictions have been outlined in a CBO report released on Tuesday, with the report coinciding with the House…
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Rep. Buddy Carter is pushing to remove three New Jersey Democrats from their House committee assignments after their involvement in a protest at a Newark migrant detention facility. The resolution, which could lead to arrests, has sparked a major escalation in cross-party tensions.
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Senate Republicans are pushing to vote on a proposal to revoke federal waivers allowing California to set its own emissions standards, risking heightened debate over Senate rules. The measure, which could see a floor vote as early as next week, faces potential challenges from party leaders who have not yet committed to the timeline.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned against sanctioning or arresting three Democratic New Jersey lawmakers involved in a tense immigration protest. The lawmakers were inspecting a new ICE facility when federal agents arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for trespassing, leading to heightened political tensions.
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Speaker Mike Johnson indicates that House Republicans are making progress toward resolving a contentious tax provision issue related to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. This deal, a key component of the GOP’s ‘big, beautiful bill,’ involves increasing the deduction cap, which is currently $10,000, and discussing potential adjustments for high-income filers and joint…
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House Republicans are racing against the clock to advance their comprehensive budget bill on Friday, despite mounting challenges from internal disagreements and external pressures. The bill, aimed at redefining fiscal policy, is facing resistance from hardline conservatives over Medicaid work requirements, IRA tax credits, and federal pension reforms.
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The Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC) has finally been reactivated after a long delay, allowing it to resume investigating misconduct allegations against lawmakers. The board, which had been stalled since the 119th Congress, was formally appointed, enabling the office to operate as intended.
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Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson is pushing for significant spending cuts as part of the GOP’s domestic policy bill. His demands for trillions of dollars in cuts could complicate the GOP’s ability to secure a party-line vote on the megabill.
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The use of drones by Israel and Ukraine in their conflicts has demonstrated the transformative potential of drone warfare, compelling the U.S. to re-evaluate its technological preparedness. Pentagon officials have emphasized the need for enhanced air defense systems and counter-drone technologies to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
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Conservative Republicans, including hardliners like Rep. Paul Gosar and Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris, are expressing dissatisfaction with the megabill to pass President Trump’s agenda. The bill’s Medicaid provisions have drawn criticism for not sufficiently addressing concerns about waste, fraud, and abuse in the program. Speaker Mike Johnson now faces the challenge of securing the…
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Texas GOP Rep. Randy Weber interrupted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during a late-night House Energy and Commerce panel markup, ordering her to address committee members instead of the camera. The exchange sparked a heated debate over Medicaid work requirements and led to a public apology from Weber.
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The House Ways and Means Committee approved a Republican tax package after a contentious hearing, with the bill set to move to the Budget Committee. The legislation includes both tax cuts and hikes on specific targets, but faces unresolved issues over expanding the state and local tax deduction.
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House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) says there’s only about $50 billion available to increase the state-and-local-tax (SALT) deduction, despite a proposed tripling to $30,000. Five New York, New Jersey, and California Republicans have threatened to withhold their support without further enhancements.
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Speaker Mike Johnson has declared support for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress, citing concerns over the appearance of impropriety and past abuses. His stance aligns with leading Democrats like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who backed a similar measure last month.
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House Democrats are countering Republican attacks on their fundraising platform ActBlue by demanding the Treasury Department provide suspicious activity reports on GOP and Trump-aligned fundraising sites, including WinRed and America PAC. The inquiry follows Trump’s push to investigate ActBlue for foreign donations and alleged corruption, with Democrats accusing the GOP of ignoring similar issues within…
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The House’s ethics watchdog received over 4,000 public messages in Q1 2025 while prohibited from conducting investigations. The watchdog will now resume formal investigations after being granted new authority.
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GOP leaders are resisting efforts by President Trump to take control of the Library of Congress, with Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune questioning the legality of his actions. The situation remains unresolved, as Trump seeks to appoint an acting leader, but congressional leaders are cautious about how far the administration can…
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Alaska’s lone House lawmaker supports the GOP plan to shift food aid costs to states, affecting his home state with high payment error rates. The plan, proposed under the House Agriculture Committee, could force Alaska and other states to absorb costs or cut benefits for low-income residents.
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A House Homeland Security Committee hearing on immigration policy on Wednesday turned into a scathing examination of the Trump administration’s handling of complex deportation cases, including the wrongful deportation of Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia and the expulsion of two U.S. citizen children. The Department of Homeland Security defended its actions, but lawmakers criticized the…
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The White House is considering a two-year runway to codify DOGE cuts amid congressional resistance, potentially opening the door to legal challenges over the Impoundment Control Act. The Republican Senate has expressed skepticism, calling the proposed cuts politically and legally problematic.
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Middle Michigan Rep. Shri Thanedar has abandoned his plan to force a House vote on impeaching President Donald Trump, citing mounting pressure from fellow Democrats and the need to prioritize other legislative efforts. The decision comes as Democrats focus on opposing Republican tax-cut legislation and addressing potential cuts to Medicaid and other federal programs.
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Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mike Lawler are clashing over the state and local tax deduction cap in the GOP’s tax bill. Greene questions the rationale behind supporting an increase for Lawler, while Lawler accuses her of misunderstanding the party’s role in securing the majority.The feud between Greene and Lawler underscores deeper ideological divides…
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More than a dozen moderate House Republicans are urging party leaders to reverse key rollbacks of Democrats’ clean energy incentives, which were included in the Ways and Means Committee’s megabill. The group argues that the changes could stifle investments in renewable energy and increase energy costs, emphasizing the need for certainty for future projects.
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov exchanged new proposals for ending the Ukraine war during talks in Malaysia, as President Trump considers escalating sanctions and military aid. Rubio mentioned that the discussion outlined a ‘new and different approach’ that could be presented to Trump, though details remain undisclosed.
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House Agriculture Committee is urging industry groups to back its $300 billion spending cuts or risk losing the $60 billion in farm bill investments. Democrats have threatened to block support for the cuts to SNAP spending, complicating efforts to move the farm bill forward.
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Speaker Mike Johnson is scrambling to negotiate with competing factions within his conference as the clock ticks to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda through the House next week.
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Democratic lawmakers are pushing to block a $3.5 billion arms sale to the UAE and Qatar over concerns about President Trump’s business ties and a promised luxury jet from Qatar. The resolution aims to halt sales of drones and munitions, with critics calling the deal an ‘illegal bribe’ intended to influence Trump.
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Speaker Mike Johnson is racing to finalize the GOP’s megabill amid internal party disagreements, with key factions clashing over the state-and-local tax deduction (SALT) and Medicaid spending cuts. Lawmakers are still haggling over how to balance the budget and fund Trump’s domestic agenda, despite optimistic signals that progress is being made.
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President Donald Trump praised Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in a friendly Oval Office meeting, highlighting their shared views on tariffs and manufacturing. This marks a shift from their earlier tensions, particularly on pandemic response.
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Two Texas House Republicans have endorsed Ken Paxton’s 2026 Senate bid, breaking with longtime GOP Sen. John Cornyn. This marks a significant shift in the GOP primary as Cornyn faces internal opposition from key allies.
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Ken Paxton’s challenge to John Cornyn in Texas has raised concerns about Trump’s potential influence on Senate primaries, with GOP leaders seeking his endorsement to protect incumbents. The party is wary of MAGA-aligned candidates upending their strategy.
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Russian state media has turned against former U.S. President Donald Trump following his recent criticisms of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The shift in tone marks a significant escalation in the diplomatic tension between the two leaders.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has skipped the memorial service for former Transportation Minister Sergei Khlopin, citing his busy schedule. Instead, he sent a wreath to honor the deceased official. The Kremlin provided the explanation for Putin’s absence.
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Slovak MEP Milan Uhrik has warned that the EU’s plan to phase out Russian energy imports by 2027 will lead to the bloc’s collapse, citing economic instability and industrial reliance on Russian hydrocarbons. Uhrik criticized EU sanctions, arguing they have caused surging energy prices and weakened the bloc’s economic resilience, while Slovakia and Hungary block…
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming his role in the Abraham Accords deserves recognition. The move has intensified debates on antisemitism amidst rising concerns over hate speech and incidents.
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Women from Russia’s North Caucasus region, including wives and sisters of ISIS fighters, have been detained in camps run by Kurdish groups in Syria for years. They describe deteriorating living conditions and lack of protection.
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Scientists from Duke, Harvard, and the University of Otago have developed DunedinPACNI, an AI-driven brain scan tool that predicts biological aging rates with surprising accuracy. The tool, based on decades of data from the Dunedin Study, could revolutionize preventive medicine by enabling early detection of health risks and personalized wellness strategies.
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a private discussion at the ASEAN Summit, with Blinken stating that Lavrov presented a new proposal regarding the Ukraine war. However, Blinken did not specify the details of the proposal. Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed the meeting took place, emphasizing that the dialogue…
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Indonesia has committed to remaining in the BRICS bloc despite Trump’s tariff threats, viewing them as a consequence of joining. The potential 42% tariffs, if realized, could destabilize global trade and disrupt supply chains.
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Moscow is facing a severe heatwave as intense storms batter the city, with temperatures in southern Russia surging past 4,0°C, resulting in wildfires in the Rostov and Krasnodar regions. The extreme weather conditions have caused significant disruption, with authorities working to manage the situation and provide relief to affected areas.
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Taeil, a former member of NCT, received a 3.5-year prison sentence for raping a tourist, sparking outrage in South Korea. The case underscores ongoing efforts to address sexual crimes within the entertainment industry.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as “frank and important” during discussions on resolving the Ukraine conflict. The two diplomats met for about an hour during the ASEAN forum in Malaysia, exploring potential roadmaps for peace and expressing hope for increased Russian flexibility.
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The Nizhny Novgorod region has rescinded its ban on migrant workers following pressure from businesses struggling with staffing shortages. The decision aims to alleviate labor shortages and prevent potential economic disruptions.
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A top Ukrainian spy was shot dead in Kyiv in an ambush attributed to Russian operatives, with the attack occurring during daylight hours. The incident, which involved an unknown individual firing five shots at close range, has prompted an investigation into the circumstances of the crime.
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U.S. authorities accuse Daniil Kasatkin of negotiating payoffs for a group that hacked the computer systems of around 900 companies and two federal government entities in the U.S. between 2020 and 2022.
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**Excerpt:** The U.S. has resumed arms shipments to Ukraine after a Pentagon-led pause, with artillery shells and GMLRS rockets reportedly being delivered. Officials clarify that the pause was a strategic review, not a formal suspension of aid.
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Gelendzhik Airport, closed for over three years following the invasion of Ukraine, is set to reopen. The closure of 11 Russian airports was initially linked to safety concerns.
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A growing wave of fake agent phone scams is sweeping the United States, with scammers impersonating federal agencies, local law enforcement, and even the FTC. These calls often begin with a threat of arrest, coercing victims to pay immediately through untraceable methods like cryptocurrency or prepaid gift cards.
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Red Hat has launched a new initiative allowing developers to access enterprise-grade Linux for business use at no cost.
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Residents in Kerrville, Texas, are focusing on community support rather than political blame after deadly floods. The disaster was viewed as an unavoidable act of nature by locals.
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Actress Olivia Munn revealed that a breast cancer risk assessment test, which previously saved her life, also detected cancer in her mother, highlighting the test’s life-saving potential. The test, known as the BCRAT, helps predict a woman’s risk of developing invasive breast cancer within five years and up to 90 years of age.
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Americans are increasingly turning to krill oil as an alternative to fish oil for omega-3s, with potential benefits for heart health, inflammation reduction, and brain support. Experts note that krill oil’s omega-3s are more easily absorbed by the body, and the global market is expected to grow significantly.
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The Trump administration has implemented nationwide restrictions on foreign land acquisitions, particularly targeting Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland near military installations. This move aims to address concerns over national security and protect critical infrastructure from potential threats posed by Chinese nationals purchasing significant agricultural land and strategic properties.
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Taiwan conducted live-fire exercises with U.S.-made tanks as President Lai Ching-te watched, demonstrating the effectiveness of the advanced weaponry in combat scenarios. The drills are part of a broader military modernization plan that includes acquiring F-16V jets and HIMARS missile defenses, as Taiwan prepares for potential tensions with China.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to meet in Malaysia during the ASEAN Regional Forum as part of efforts to stabilize strained US-Russia relations. The meeting follows Trump’s recent criticisms of Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine conflict.