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Pepsi drops DEI chief, representation goals
Fox Business, National

Pepsi drops DEI chief, representation goals

By David Spector  | Fox Business Pepsi has become the latest company to significantly roll back its DEI policies, announcing it will be eliminating its role of Chief DEI officer and ending representation goals in hiring. "We are revising our DEI program, as 2025 marks the conclusion of our five-year strategy. We see an even bigger opportunity to more deeply embed inclusion throughout the business as a key driver of business growth and will be introducing a new Inclusion for Growth strategy," PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta said in an employee letter first reported by conservative activist Robby Starbuck. The letter states that Pepsi will be "transitioning our Chief DEI Officer into a broader role" and that "Inclusion is the responsibility of all leaders at PepsiCo." A slat...
Zelensky praises ‘productive meeting’ with Trump envoy Keith Kellogg
Breitbart, National

Zelensky praises ‘productive meeting’ with Trump envoy Keith Kellogg

By John Hayward | Breitbart Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday he had a “productive meeting” with retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who was acting as President Donald Trump’s envoy for Ukraine and Russia. The upbeat meeting seemed to scale back a growing confrontation between Zelensky and Trump over bilateral U.S. peace negotiations with Russia. “I had a productive meeting with Special Envoy Kellogg – a good discussion, many important details. I am grateful to the United States for all the assistance and bipartisan support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” Zelensky said on social media Thursday afternoon. READ THE FULL STORY ON BREITBART
Senate border budget triumphs after all-night session while Trump-backed House bill lags
Fox News, National

Senate border budget triumphs after all-night session while Trump-backed House bill lags

By Julia Johnson  | Fox News Senate Republicans scored a win over their House counterparts in the early morning hours of Friday, officially passing their preferred budget resolution to tackle some of President Trump's priorities, such as securing the southern border.  After hours of back-to-back voting on Democratic amendments, the bill to fund border security, energy and defense finally got its vote on the chamber floor.  The measure passed by a vote of 52-48, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was the only Republican to oppose. All Senate Democrats voted against it as well.  READ THE FULL STORY ON FOX NEWS
Department of Justice three Democrats charged with election fraud
National, National Pulse

Department of Justice three Democrats charged with election fraud

By William Upton | The National Pulse Three officials from the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania have been indicted in federal court for allegedly conspiring to unlawfully manipulate their elections by illegally adding individuals to voter rolls. Vice President of the Borough of Millbourne Council Md Nurul Hasan, Council Member Md Munsur Ali, and former Council Member Md Rafikul Islam were charged on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on 16 counts each of election fraud for falsifying voter registrations. According to federal prosecutors, the three men—all of Bangladeshi origin—used an online voter registration portal to inflate the voter rolls in an effort to win borough council seats during a 2021 local primary elect...
U.S. Senate confirms Kash Patel as FBI director on narrow 51-49 vote
National, National Review

U.S. Senate confirms Kash Patel as FBI director on narrow 51-49 vote

By James Lynch | National Review The Senate confirmed Kash Patel Thursday to be the next director of the FBI, setting in motion President Donald Trump’s plans to overhaul the agency after years of scandal tarnished its reputation. Patel was confirmed 51 to 49, with GOP Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining Democrats in opposing the confirmation. Senator Mitch McConnell, who cast the lone Republican vote against several of Trump’s other cabinet nominees, voted to confirm Patel. The Senate voted 51-47 earlier Thursday to break the filibuster on Patel’s nomination, setting the stage for the confirmation vote. Patel’s confirmation took place during a tumultuous time for the Justice Department, as several top prosecutors resigned over the Trump administra...
Federal Trade Commission launches probe into big tech’s censorship of Americans
National, The Daily Caller

Federal Trade Commission launches probe into big tech’s censorship of Americans

By Amber Duke | Daily Caller The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is opening up an official request for public comments on censorship by Big Tech companies. The agency is asking Americans to detail cases where they’ve faced consequences from companies for engaging in disfavored political speech, according to a draft document obtained by the Daily Caller. Requests for public comments by the FTC are often a precursor to formal investigations or agency-level policy changes, indicating the agency, helmed by Chairman Andrew Ferguson, does not intend to allow sweeping allegations of political censorship in prior years to go unchecked. “In case there was any doubt, Big Tech is on notice. We do not intend to take our foot off the gas any time soon. The days of censorship and monopolies are ...
U.S. tells Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy to ‘tone down the criticism and sign that deal’
Daily Mail, National

U.S. tells Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy to ‘tone down the criticism and sign that deal’

By  MIRIAM KUEPPER | Daily Mail The White House is telling Volodymyr Zelensky to 'tone down' the criticism and 'sign that deal' after he accused Donald Trump of falling for Russian fake news. White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said on Fox News on Thursday that Zelensky must 'tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal.' He was referring to a critical minerals deal for providing aid to Ukraine during the war with Russia. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DAILY MAIL
U.S. Senate panel advances Linda McMahon’s nomination to Dept. of Education to the floor
National, Washington Examiner

U.S. Senate panel advances Linda McMahon’s nomination to Dept. of Education to the floor

By Samantha-Jo Roth | Washington Examiner A key panel advanced the nomination of Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Education Department, voting 12-11 to send her nomination to the Senate floor. The nomination of the former Small Business Administration director and a longtime Trump ally advanced along party lines, with all Republicans voting in support and all Democrats voting against it.  McMahon affirmed during her confirmation hearing last week that shutting down the Department of Education would require congressional approval but also made it clear during her testimony that if confirmed by the Senate she intends to carry out the president’s vision. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER...
Kathy Hochul lets loose on Trump after congestion pricing dismissal
National, Washington Examiner

Kathy Hochul lets loose on Trump after congestion pricing dismissal

By Brady Knox | Washington Examiner Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) has adopted a more aggressive persona in response to the Trump administration’s move to end New York City’s congestion pricing, to mixed reception. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy informed Hochul in a Wednesday letter that the federal government was terminating approval of the controversial policy. Hochul responded aggressively, holding a press conference in which she swore, invoked the American Revolution, and vowed to see Trump “in court.” “Donald Trump isn’t a ‘king’ and we won’t let him use New Yorkers as roadkill on his revenge tour,” Hochul captioned a post of her press conference. READ THE FULL STORY ON THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Former Leader McConnell won’t seek eighth term in the U.S. Senate
National, THE HILL

Former Leader McConnell won’t seek eighth term in the U.S. Senate

By Al Weaver | The Hill Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday announced that he is not seeking reelection in 2026, bringing an end to the longest-serving Senate leader’s political career. McConnell, one of the leading and most impactful GOP figures of the past half-century, revealed his decision in a floor speech in the chamber where he has served since 1985. “Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate,” McConnell said. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE HILL