The Daily Populous

Friday July 4th, 2025 evening edition

image for Hegseth halted weapons for Ukraine despite military analysis that the aid wouldn’t jeopardize U.S. readiness

But an analysis by senior military officers found that the aid package would not jeopardize the American military’s own ammunition supplies, according to three U.S. officials.

Suspending the shipment of military aid to Ukraine was a unilateral step by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to three congressional aides and a former U.S. official familiar with the matter.

It was the third time Hegseth on his own has stopped shipments of aid to Ukraine, the sources said.

Colby has long advocated scaling back the U.S. commitment in Ukraine and shifting weapons and resources to the Pacific region to counter China.

Hegseth has twice before suspended aid to Ukraine without apparent coordination with lawmakers on Capitol Hill or even within the administration.

Rep. Michael McCaul, R- Texas, a staunch supporter of military aid to Ukraine, said it was crucial to show Russia that the United States would stand behind Ukraine.

And that starts with ensuring Ukraine has the weapons Congress authorized to pressure Putin to the negotiating table. »

Trump signs executive order calling for foreign tourists to pay higher national park fees

Authored by cbsnews.com
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President Trump signed an executive order Thursday calling on the national park system to charge higher entry fees for foreign visitors.

It instructs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum — who oversees the National Park Service — to "develop a strategy" to hike entrance fees and recreation pass fees for non-U.S. residents at any national park that currently charges for entry.

"To fund improvements and enhanced experiences across the park system, I've just signed an executive order to raise entrance fees for foreign tourists while keeping prices low for Americans," Mr. Trump said in a Thursday evening rally in Iowa. »

The U.S. Is Switching Sides

Authored by theatlantic.com
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Donald Trump repeatedly promised, during his campaign, that he would end the war “in one day,” but the war is not over.

He spoke to Vladimir Putin yesterday, and Putin responded with more drones and missiles than ever before.

The U.S. could still expand sanctions on Russia, provide ammunition, and help the Ukrainians win the narrative war. »

In landmark ruling, same-sex couple recognized as family by Ukrainian court

Authored by kyivindependent.com

Ukraine does not currently recognize same-sex marriages or partnerships, and this court ruling may serve as a critical legal milestone in expanding rights for LGBTQ families.

The court ruled on June 10 that their relationship constitutes a de facto marriage, establishing them as a family under Ukrainian law.

In its decision, the court cited both the Ukrainian Constitution and precedents from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which requires states to ensure legal recognition and protection for same-sex families. »