ACTUAL NEWS: Tuesday, March 11th 2025 Recap
"Today in History" and the Latest National and Global News
QUICK HITS
Today, the White House sent out the following statement
First, Musk’s “quote” – what kind of “range” is 6-700B? If DOGE doesn’t know the exact numbers, who does?
Second, these “facts” only underscore the intention to cut Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, as nobody has defined what they label as “fraud.”
Third, in this exact White House statement, they CALL MEDICARE AND MEDICAID ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS.
Being able to get basic care and food is now considered an entitlement?
In addition, Former Social Security Admin Commissioner Martin O'Malley stated the following: "They are trying to break this agency in order to turn the public against it, so they can privatize it, liquidate it, and steal at least a portion or all of the $2.7T that's in the fund. People should rise up."
NYT: President Trump said he would double steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, intensifying a brewing trade war. He also reiterated his notion that Canada should become part of the United States.
Let’s be real – this has nothing to do with national security or fentanyl.
The French nuclear-powered attack submarine recently seen in Halifax might be on an “official visit,” but just like when President Biden "parked" two USS in New York City for “Fleet Week” and then sent one to the Middle East and the other to the Indo-Pacific (which ended up in the Middle East later), it all has purpose.
This reminds me of the “Canada-class submarine” that failed in 1989 due to high costs and the decrease in tensions between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, which ultimately led to security guarantees for Canada.
My $0.02 – this could be a security measure in case the US leaves NATO and continues the annexation rhetoric.
I explained the harassment of Canada in detail, showed maps, etc., in my latest weekly recap.
Please watch if you like. The part I’m referring to starts at 1:39:00.
TODAY IN HISTORY
1544: Torquato Tasso, the greatest Italian poet of the late Renaissance, was born in Sorrento in the Kingdom of Naples.
1811: In Arnold, Nottingham, textile workers staged the first major Luddite riot in England, breaking the machinery that was causing their displacement; the protest launched a movement that spread throughout the country.
1888: A winter storm began on the Atlantic coast of the United States, ultimately blanketing New York City with 22 inches (550 mm) of snow and other areas with up to 50 inches (1,250 mm); the Great Blizzard of 1888, as it became known, killed more than 400 people and caused widespread property damage.
1918: One of the most devastating pandemics in human history reached the United States as the country reported its first cases of the Spanish flu.
1930: William Howard Taft was the first U.S. president to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
1941: The U.S. Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act.
1942: During World War II, Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Theatre came under the command of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur following his tour on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines.
1985: Mikhail Gorbachev succeeded Konstantin Chernenko as leader of the Soviet Union.
1990: Following a vote in the parliament, Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare its independence from the U.S.S.R.
2004: Madrid suffered a series of terrorist attacks when 10 bombs, detonated by Islamist militants, exploded on four trains at three different rail stations, killing 191 people and injuring some 1,800 others.
2006: Chilean politician Michelle Bachelet became the first woman to serve as the country's president when she was sworn into office.
2011: An earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Honshu, Japan, causing widespread damage in the country and triggering a devastating tsunami that instigated a major nuclear accident.
2020: The World Health Organization declared that the COVID-19 outbreak was a pandemic.
QUICK ACTUAL NEWS
NATIONAL
On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation by a vote of 217-213 to avert a weekend government shutdown. The bill would extend government funding at current levels through September 30. However, it still needs to pass the Senate to ensure government agencies can continue operating past Friday midnight, when funding is set to expire.
Also on Tuesday, the Republican-controlled House voted to block Congress from quickly challenging tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which have rattled financial markets. The 216-214 vote, largely along party lines, delays lawmakers' ability to force a vote to revoke Trump's tariffs and immigration actions for the rest of the year.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering cutting most of the lawyers in the U.S. Justice Department unit that handles public corruption cases, according to four sources familiar with the matter.
Gail Slater, President Trump’s pick to oversee the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust division, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. This division enforces laws against illegal monopolies and anticompetitive business practices, alongside the Federal Trade Commission.
The U.S. Department of Education plans to fire 1,300 workers, significantly reducing its staff. The agency, which manages federal loans for college, tracks student achievement, and enforces civil rights laws in schools, will now operate with about half the workforce it had when Trump took office.
The Trump administration still plans to fire all workers at the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), effectively neutralizing the agency. This plan contradicts CFPB court filings, which suggest the agency will continue to exist in a "streamlined" form, as a judge temporarily blocked mass dismissals.
An official at the U.S. Agency for International Development has ordered employees to shred a large volume of records, according to a court filing by government employee unions, who are asking a judge to block the move.
A federal judge declined on Monday to order the Trump administration to restore thousands of foreign aid contracts and grants canceled since the president took office. However, the judge did rule that the administration must expedite payments of nearly $2 billion for already completed work.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to visit a Boeing factory in Renton, Washington, on Thursday "to ensure the company is maintaining the highest safety standards", six years after a deadly 737 MAX crash in Ethiopia.
Trump also plans to build metal refining facilities on Pentagon military bases to boost U.S. production of critical minerals and reduce reliance on China, which currently dominates the sector. This initiative, part of an executive order Trump may soon sign, aims to expand domestic production of critical minerals and rare earths. The Pentagon will collaborate with other federal agencies to install processing facilities on its bases, highlighting the national security importance of securing these resources. Trump will also appoint a critical minerals czar to coordinate efforts, similar to past presidential actions in other sectors. The move comes amid concerns over China potentially restricting mineral exports in retaliation for U.S. tariffs.
On Tuesday, Secretary of Transportation Duffy also criticized Verizon for not moving fast enough in its $2.4 billion, 15-year telecom contract with the Federal Aviation Administration. Duffy, who plans to ask Congress for billions to reform air traffic control, spoke after Elon Musk’s Starlink unit denied interest in taking over the Verizon FAA contract.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will comply with a Wednesday deadline set by a federal board to temporarily reinstate nearly 6,000 fired probationary employees. The Merit Systems Protection Board had ruled on March 5 that the USDA must reinstate these workers as part of President Trump’s workforce cuts.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revoked enforcement staff's authority to initiate investigations without the commission's approval. This new rule rescinds a 2009 delegation that allowed the head of enforcement to issue formal orders, such as subpoenas. The SEC stated that the change will align its investigative resources more closely with the commission’s priorities.
U.S. law firm Perkins Coie filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Tuesday, claiming that Trump illegally retaliated against the firm over its work for his former opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, and its diversity and inclusion policies.
While promoting Tesla cars at the White House, President Trump stated that he would label violence against Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorism. He appeared alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk to show support amid the "Tesla Takedown" protests and a slump in the company's stock price.
A legal battle over a detained Columbia University student, which has become a flashpoint in the Trump administration's immigration policy, will proceed in federal court. The U.S. government announced on Tuesday that it would oppose the Palestinian activist's bid for release.
US-Ukraine Negotiations in Saudi Arabia
Here follows the full text of the joint U.S.-Ukrainian statement that was published after bilateral talks in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah on Tuesday:
"Today in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – under the gracious hospitality of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – the United States and Ukraine took important steps toward restoring durable peace for Ukraine.
Representatives of both nations praised the bravery of the Ukrainian people in defense of their nation and agreed that now is the time to begin a process toward lasting peace.
The Ukrainian delegation reiterated the Ukrainian people’s strong gratitude to President Trump, the U.S. Congress, and the people of the United States for making possible meaningful progress toward peace.
Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the U.S. proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation. The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace.
The United States will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.
The delegations also discussed the importance of humanitarian relief efforts as part of the peace process, particularly during the above-mentioned ceasefire, including the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.
Both delegations agreed to name their negotiating teams and immediately begin negotiations toward an enduring peace that provides for Ukraine’s long-term security. The United States committed to discussing these specific proposals with representatives from Russia. The Ukrainian delegation reiterated that European partners shall be involved in the peace process.
Lastly, both countries’ presidents agreed to conclude as soon as possible a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine’s critical mineral resources to expand Ukraine’s economy and guarantee Ukraine’s long-term prosperity and security.
End Text."
Key takeaways from the Rubio/Waltz press conference in Saudi Arabia
Have Russians agreed to ceasefire?
Rubio: We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table, Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking, and now it’ll be up to them to say yes or no. I hope they’re going to say yes. If they say no, then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here.
Is there a deadline for Russians to accept ceasefire?
Rubio: Well, the deadline is we hope to do this as soon as possible.
Which aid will resume?
Waltz: The current PDA will proceed to the Ukrainians
Minerals deal that Ukraine agreed to today?
Rubio: That is something that was negotiated through our Treasury and his counterpart on the Ukrainian side. Same deal that was offered at the Oval Office. It was not discussed today.
Putin's "take", reported by Bloomberg based on their sources earlier today:
Putin refuses to compromise on territorial claims, peacekeepers, and Ukraine's neutrality, making unacceptable demands ahead of negotiations to end the war. He is ready to continue fighting if his demands are not met.
Analysis
Although the Trump administration has offered Russia the possibility of lifting various sanctions, stopped sharing intelligence, and withheld aid from Ukraine during a strategic period when Ukraine’s offensive gained momentum in the Kursk region—ultimately benefiting Russia—it did not receive anything in return. At least not officially.
It is hard to view the Trump administration as a neutral mediator seeking a peace deal based on the rule of law and respect for Ukrainian sovereignty and security. Instead, it positions itself between the two countries with the apparent intention of gaining from either party. Will this lead to an end to the war, or will it result in Trump benefiting from further (personal) deals with Russia and the exploitation of war-torn Ukraine?
If peace were truly the core goal, why wouldn’t the intermediary simply demand that the aggressor withdraw? Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine has never even been considered an option.
We are thus stuck in limbo, with the victim agreeing to halt its defense for 30 days if the aggressor stops killing its citizens. Now, it is up to the aggressor to act in "good faith." Even if Russia were to agree to a ceasefire, historical events and common sense make it difficult to believe it would honor the commitment. Instead, it’s likely that Russia would use the time to regroup and gather additional resources for a larger "operation."
As for whether Russia will "act in good faith," here is the most recent headline: "Zelenskyy agrees to 30-day U.S. ceasefire deal; explosions reported in Kyiv and Kharkiv."
GLOBAL
U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, announced on Tuesday that the planned 50% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum will not take effect on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Trump had ordered a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, set to begin on Wednesday. He also planned to double this tariff on Canada after Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated he would impose a surcharge on electricity exports to the United States. However, Ford later suspended the surcharge after discussions with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing a new travel rule that could force Canadians planning to stay in the country for more than 30 days to register their information with the US government and submit to fingerprinting.
Trump's strengthened tariffs on steel and aluminum, scheduled to launch soon, are expected to impact nearly $150 billion worth of derivative products made from these metals, including items like nuts, bolts, and bulldozer blades. This move threatens to increase costs for industries and consumers alike.
In international matters, U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, traveled to Iraq last month to advocate for the release of Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was kidnapped in Iraq nearly two years ago, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
On Wednesday, Australia expressed disappointment that the U.S. did not grant it an exemption from steel and aluminum tariffs but pledged to continue lobbying the U.S. administration for a reprieve.
In relation to foreign policy, the U.S. seeks to avoid any aggressive language from its G7 allies toward Russia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Monday that the U.S. opposes any language in upcoming meetings that could undermine its efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, signaling a clash with G7 allies ahead of a meeting this week.
On Tuesday, a Ukrainian presidential official confirmed that the U.S. had resumed military assistance to Ukraine following discussions in Saudi Arabia. "I have confirmation that U.S. military assistance has been resumed. The agreements are being implemented," said Palvo Palisa, deputy head of the presidential office, on Facebook.
President Trump also expressed hopes on Tuesday that Russia would agree to a ceasefire plan developed by American and Ukrainian officials. He stated that a U.S. meeting with Russia would take place later Tuesday or Wednesday.
In Hong Kong, hopes for the release of detained media tycoon Jimmy Lai have risen with Trump's return to office, according to Lai's son. Lai, the founder of the Apple Daily newspaper, was arrested under China's national security law, facing charges related to collusion with foreign forces and publishing seditious material. This law, which has been criticized for suppressing dissent, has caused friction between the U.S. and China. Trump had promised during his campaign to secure Lai’s release. Despite his declining health in solitary confinement, the 77-year-old remains committed to his pro-democracy beliefs. Sebastien Lai expressed increased optimism about his father's release under Trump's leadership, noting bipartisan U.S. support. Lai’s advocates have already met with State Department officials and plan further discussions with members of the National Security Council.
On 13 March, President Ursula von der Leyen, alongside President António Costa, will attend the EU-South Africa Summit in Cape Town. The summit will focus on reaffirming Europe's commitment to its partnership with South Africa, strengthening strategic ties, and addressing global challenges. At the event, von der Leyen will announce the EU’s "Global Gateway Investment Package" with South Africa, aimed at boosting investments in green energy, critical minerals, workforce development, transport infrastructure, digitalization, and vaccine production. The package will involve grants and loans from European and local financial institutions.
CARTOON OF THE DAY
POSTS OF THE DAY
VIDEO QUICK NEWS
Ontario Premier Ford suspends 25% surcharge on NY, Michigan, Minnesota ⚡️ and heads to DC next week
First 50 Days
A story of a Russian widow (not really what you expect)
Trump advertises Tesla cars with Elon Musk at the White House
All while Tesla's shares take a nosedive.
Seems like people behind these advertisements in Europe had a point..
This video depicts the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the ongoing fight that continues to this day.
ICYMI
The Dalai Lama's successor will be born outside China, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism says in a new book, escalating the dispute with Beijing over control of the Himalayan region he fled more than six decades ago.
RECOMMENDED READ
TODAY'S COVER PHOTO
Trump advertises Tesla alongside Elon Musk at the White House
That's all from me for now. Thank you for reading.
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I am a bit confused about the first part with the statement from the White House and your comments. The White House is talking about cutting the fraud and waste in Social Security and Medicare not cutting the benefits. Cutting the fraud and waste makes the programs more stable.
As far as food and medical care now considered an entitlement. Answer: From government its always been considered an entitlement. Medicare is insurance so is Social Security. But Medicaid and school lunch programs are entitlements and always have been. What are entitlements? Entitlements are programs usually pursued by charities but where the government steps in to spend more money to achieve less but for a longer period of time. …