The Daily Populous

Wednesday April 1st, 2026 evening edition

image for Trump says he's considering NATO exit amid rift over Iran war

The comments come as top U.S. officials increasingly voice frustration with their NATO allies over their refusal to join the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Asked by the Telegraph whether he would reconsider the U.S. membership in the alliance after the war, Trump said: "Oh yes, I would say (it's) beyond reconsideration.

The U.S. president, a long-time critic of the alliance, went on to call NATO a "paper tiger" and said Russian President Vladimir Putin shares that opinion.

Trump also noted that the U.S. has "been there" for the alliance when it came to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. ambassador to NATO, said Trump is also reevaluating U.S. "support for the European efforts in Ukraine" in light of recent events.

Finland's President Alexander Stubb later said he held a "constructive discussion and exchange of ideas on NATO, Ukraine, and Iran" with the U.S. leader.

Under pressure from Trump, all NATO members met the 2% of GDP defense spending goal last year and agreed to raise that benchmark to 5%. »

Elephant painted bright pink for photoshoot prompts outrage in India

Authored by independent.co.uk

Indian forest officials have started an investigation following social media outrage over a Russian photographer’s photoshoot for which a 65-year-old elephant was painted bright pink.

The images show a woman, coloured in pink, sitting atop the painted elephant at an abandoned Hindu temple.

The pictures were initially posted on her Instagram page in December last year, but they sparked outrage this month after going viral on social media. »

Suspension lifted for helicopter pilots who hovered near Kid Rock’s home

Authored by apnews.com

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Army pilots who hovered two helicopters near Kid Rock’s Tennessee home during a training run while he clapped and saluted have had their suspension lifted, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday.

The suspension was a discretionary — but not unusual — step when an investigation is underway, Maj. Montrell Russell said in statement. »

Founder of ‘orgasmic meditation’ company gets 9 years in prison in forced labor conspiracy

Authored by apnews.com
image for

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Daedone sold her stake in the company in 2017 for $12 million — a year before OneTaste’s marketing and labor practices came under scrutiny.

The company’s current owners maintain its work has been misconstrued and that the charges against its former executives were unjustified. »