Wednesday, May 7, 2025
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NYT Columnist Urges Biden to Drop Out.

New York Times columnist Ezra Klein is calling for Joe Biden to step aside for a new Democratic nominee.

In the latest episode of The Ezra Klein Show, Klein complimented President Biden on successfully unifying the Democratic Party, contrasting it with Republican disunity on key issues like Ukraine. The columnist also praised Biden for his handling of the economy. However, despite praising Biden, he questioned his viability as a central figure in a presidential campaign.

“I like Biden… he’s been a good president… he is a good president. I don’t like having this conversation. And I know a lot of liberals, a lot of Democrats are going to be furious at me for this show,” Klein said.

Furthermore, Klein said using former President Donald Trump’s age as a defense against concerns about Biden’s age is “self-defeating.” “So yes, I think Biden, as painful as this is, should find his way to stepping down as a hero,” Klein said.

Klein urged influential figures in Biden’s circle to counsel Biden that stepping aside would be beneficial.

“The people whom Biden listens to — Barack Obama, Chuck Schumer, Mike Donilon, Ron Klain, Nancy Pelosi, Anita Dunn — they need to get him to see this. Biden may come to see it himself,” Klein said.

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Farage’s Reform Party Surges Ahead of Labour, Tories in Historic Poll.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Nigel Farage’s Reform Party achieved a significant polling lead following local election successes in England.

👥 Who’s Involved: Nigel Farage, Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice MP, Luke Tryl, and the Labour and Conservative parties.

📍 Where & When: England, following the local elections on May 1, with polling data released shortly after.

💬 Key Quote: “Another record Reform poll… [and] these are before the latest Labour mass immigration blunder.” —  Richard Tice.

⚠️ Impact: Reform is potentially reshaping the political landscape by positioning itself as the primary opposition to Labour, displacing the formerly governing Conservatives on the British right.

IN FULL:

Nigel Farage’s Reform Party has taken a commanding polling lead after a successful showing in England’s municipal elections on May 1. According to recent YouGov data, the party, led by Brexit leader Nigel Farage, is now 12 points ahead of the Conservatives and seven points clear of the ruling Labour Party. Reform is the only major party to have gained ground since the last survey conducted in late April.

The latest figures indicate that 29 percent of Britons would vote for Reform if a General Election were held today, compared to 22 percent for Labour and 17 percent for the Conservatives. Richard Tice, Reform’s deputy leader, highlighted this surge: “Another record Reform poll… [and] these are before the latest Labour mass immigration blunder.”

Luke Tryl, a director at More In Common and polling expert, observed, “Reform UK momentum continues as they hit 27 per cent in our voting intention poll, their highest we have recorded and [their] first lead outside the margin of error.”

A Reform spokesman said that the Conservative Party, which governed largely from the center-left from 2010 to mid-2024, is in “terminal decline,” suggesting that Reform has now positioned itself as the real opposition to Labour.

Reform dominated the local council elections in England, with Farage saying that his party’s triumph was an “apocalypse” for the two-party system in Britain.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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J.D. Vance’s Brother Secures Spot in Cincinnati Mayoral Race.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Cory Bowman, half-brother of Vice President J.D. Vance, advanced to the Cincinnati mayoral general election in November with 13 percent of the vote.

👥 Who’s Involved: Cory Bowman, Aftab Pureval, Brian Frank, J.D. Vance.

📍 Where & When: Cincinnati, Ohio; with the nonpartisan primary occurring on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Bowman stated, “As I was flying back here from the inauguration, it occurred to me that I could do something to serve the community.”

⚠️ Impact: Bowman will square off against Cincinnati’s incumbent Mayor Aftab Pureval in the Democrat-leaning city during the November 4 election.

IN FULL:

Cory Bowman, the half-brother of Vice President J.D. Vance, has secured a spot in the upcoming general election for Cincinnati‘s mayoral race. Garnering 13 percent of the vote in the recent nonpartisan primary, Bowman, a Republican, will face off against Democratic incumbent Aftab Pureval, who commanded a significant 82.5 percent of the vote. Only the top two vote recipients in the city’s nonpartisan primary advance to the November general election. A second Republican candidate, Brian Frank, was eliminated after receiving just 4.6 percent of the vote.

The city of Cincinnati, known for its Democratic leanings, has not seen a Republican candidate in its mayoral elections since 2009, when former Congressman Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) was defeated by Mark Mallory. In the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris secured 76 percent of the vote compared to President Donald J. Trump‘s 24 percent. Currently, all nine members of the Cincinnati City Council are Democrats.

Bowman, a pastor at River Church and owner of Kings Arms Coffee Shop, is making his first foray into public office. Inspired after attending the inauguration of President Trump and Vice President Vance, he expressed a desire to serve his community, stating, “As I was flying back here from the inauguration, it occurred to me that I could do something to serve the community.”

While Vice President Vance has not actively campaigned for Bowman, he did offer support via social media, describing Bowman as “a good guy with a heart for serving his community.”

Reacting to the primary results, Bowman acknowledged Pureval’s strong start but remained optimistic about closing the gap, noting, “We’re kind of catching up a little bit.”

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By Popular Demand.
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Kari Lake Secures OAN Newsfeed Deal for USAGM Networks.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: One America News Network (OAN) will provide newsfeed services to the United States Agency for Global Media’s (USAGM) network of outlets.

👥 Who’s Involved: Kari Lake, senior adviser at USAGM, and One America News Network.

📍 Where & When: Announcement made on Tuesday, May 7, 2025; USAGM operates internationally.

💬 Key Quote: “This is an enormous benefit to the American taxpayer, who is the sole-source of funding for USAGM’s news outlets,” said Kari Lake.

⚠️ Impact: The partnership aims to provide reliable news options and save taxpayer money while supporting USAGM’s international broadcasting efforts.

IN FULL:

Kari Lake, a senior adviser at the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), has announced that One America News Network (OAN) will now supply newsfeed services to USAGM’s network of outlets. This network includes the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), Radio Martí, and Voice of America (VOA). Lake, who has a background as a local TV anchor and politician, shared this development in a statement on Tuesday.

“United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is excited to announce a partnership with One America News Network (OAN) to provide newsfeed services to USAGM networks, including Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), Radio Martí, and Voice of America (VOA),” Lake wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “This idea came about after OCB suggested we explore OAN as a newsfeed option for the Miami-based, U.S. Government-funded news operation broadcasting to Cuba. At their suggestion, I reached out to OAN, and they offered to provide their newsfeed and video service free-of-charge.”

The former Arizona gubernatorial and Senate candidate emphasized: “This is an enormous benefit to the American taxpayer, who is the sole-source of funding for USAGM’s news outlets, which broadcast only to international audiences.”

“In my current role as Senior Advisor to USAGM, I don’t have editorial control over the content of VOA and OCB programming, but I can ensure our outlets have reliable and credible options as they work to craft their reporting and news programs,” Lake added.

Notably, USAGM functions as an independent federal agency responsible for broadcasting news and information globally, contributing to the United States’ diplomatic missions.

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By Popular Demand.
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Major Food Companies Fast-Track MAHA Plan to Phase Out Artificial Food Dyes.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Major companies like PepsiCo and Tyson Foods are updating their recipes to eliminate petroleum-based food dyes in order to align with President Donald J. Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, spearheaded by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

👥 Who’s Involved: PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta, Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King, President Trump, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

📍 Where & When: United States, changes announced in May 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “I look forward to seeing more companies follow suit and put the health of Americans first. Together, we will Make America Healthy Again,” wrote Sec. Kennedy in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

⚠️ Impact: Companies are moving toward natural ingredients, aligning with a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiative to end the use of petroleum-based food dyes by 2026.

IN FULL:

Major companies like PepsiCo and Tyson Foods are accelerating changes to their American recipes in a significant shift toward healthier food options. These efforts align with the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, spearheaded by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Last month, Kennedy announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is collaborating with companies to phase out petroleum-based food dyes by the end of 2026, along with banning several other color additives.

“Just 13 days after [HHS] and the [FDA] announced plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply, Tyson Foods today reported it will eliminate these dyes by the end of May,” Sec. Kennedy announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “I look forward to seeing more companies follow suit and put the health of Americans first. Together, we will Make America Healthy Again.”

PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta has committed to leading the industry in removing artificial food dyes from products. Specific brands, such as Lay’s and Tostitos, are set to be free of artificial colors by the end of 2025, a year ahead of the FDA’s timeline.

Laguarta acknowledged the growing demand for natural ingredients. He claimed, “Our products are very safe and there’s nothing to worry about,” but added that “we understand that there’s probably going to be a consumer demand for more natural ingredients, and we’re going to be accelerating that transition.”

Similarly, Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King announced the company’s response to the FDA’s plans, committing to eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of this month. Secretary Kennedy praised Tyson Foods’ prompt action on social media, expressing hope that more companies will prioritize Americans’ health.

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By Popular Demand.
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Republicans Advance Trump Plan to Eliminate Overtime Taxes.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill to eliminate federal income taxes on overtime pay with the aim of fulfilling one of President Donald J. Trump’s key campaign promises.

👥 Who’s Involved: Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), President Trump, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

📍 Where & When: The two Republican lawmakers filed their bill on May 6, 2025; President Trump frequently mentioned the policy while campaigning for the White House in 2024.

💬 Key Quote: “President Trump campaigned and won on a promise to cut taxes for millions of Americans working overtime—and we are delivering on that promise,” said Senator Tommy Tuberville.

⚠️ Impact: The proposal could provide workers an estimated $1.34 trillion in tax relief by 2034.

IN FULL:

Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) have introduced the Overtime Wages Tax Relief Act, a new legislative proposal to eliminate federal income taxes on overtime pay. The two lawmakers emphasize that the bill is intended to partially fulfill President Donald J. Trump’s campaign promise to cut overtime, tips, and Social Security income taxes.

“President Trump campaigned and won on a promise to cut taxes for millions of Americans working overtime—and we are delivering on that promise,” Sen. Tuberville said on Tuesday when unveiling the legislation. Meanwhile, Sen. Marshall indicated that the duo hoped to fold their proposal into the larger budget reconciliation bill, enacting a number of President Trump’s policy priorities as it works its way through Congress.

The bill would create a new income tax deduction for overtime wage earners, allowing individuals to deduct up to $10,000 and married couples up to $20,000. Notably, the deduction would phase out for individuals earning above $100,000 and couples earning above $200,000, decreasing by $50 for every $1,000 earned over these thresholds. Additionally, the legislation broadly defines overtime to include numerous professions such as law enforcement, healthcare, and trade workers.

Currently, the Fair Labor Standards Act mandates that employers pay eligible workers “time-and-a-half” for hours worked beyond 40 per week, which is subject to federal income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes. The proposed legislation seeks to change this by offering tax relief to those working overtime.

Already, the plan to eliminate taxes on overtime is receiving bipartisan support, with Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien backing the legislation. “More working people need more money in their pockets—that must be a shared priority across our nation. This bill will help make it happen, especially when more workers are electing for more overtime to ensure they can make ends meet,” O’Brien said, adding: “Workers, union and nonunion alike, should not be taxed for their initiative and extra labor.”

Late last month, President Trump, during a rally in Michigan, doubled down on his plans to reduce taxes for working-class Americans, stating: “In the coming weeks and months, we will pass the largest tax cuts in American history, and that will include no tax on tips, no tax on Social Security, no tax on overtime.”

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By Popular Demand.
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SCOTUS Sides With Trump Effort to Ban Transgenders from Military.

The Supreme Court handed the Trump administration a major win on Tuesday, overturning a lower court ruling that blocked his ban on transgender people serving in the U.S. military.

Back up: In January, President Trump signed an executive order that banned transgenders from serving in the military. In March, U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of this order.

The details: In a brief order released Tuesday afternoon, the Supreme Court granted Trump’s emergency request to overturn the lower court ruling, after the administration argued it hindered the U.S. military readiness.

  • The three liberal justices—Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson—would deny Trump’s request.

What Americans think: A recent poll found that most Americans, 54 percent, approve of Trump’s ban on transgender troops.

What happens next: Litigation over the constitutionality of Trump’s order will continue. But while that plays out, his ban can go into effect.

Why Trump’s right on the issue: It is longstanding Department of Defense policy that service members are “[f]ree of medical conditions or physical defects that may reasonably be expected to require excessive time lost from duty for necessary treatment or hospitalization.” The military isn’t an office computer job. It’s the literal line of defense between us and our enemies. There is no room for radical gender ideology.

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The Supreme Court handed the Trump administration a major win on Tuesday, overturning a lower court ruling that blocked his ban on transgender people serving in the U.S. military. show more
By Popular Demand.
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Pam Bondi Says FBI Still Reviewing Epstein Files, Dismisses Comer’s Deletion Claim.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Attorney General Pam Bondi refuted claims by Rep. James Comer that Jeffrey Epstein-related files are missing, stating the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is still reviewing tens of thousands of videos and documents due to the case’s massive scope.

👥 Who’s Involved: Attorney General Pam Bondi, Rep. James Comer (R-KY), FBI Director Kash Patel, and the FBI.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., on May 7, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The FBI, they’re reviewing. There are tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn, and there are hundreds of victims,” Bondi told the press.

⚠️ Impact: Delays in releasing Epstein files fuel public skepticism and congressional frustration, raising questions about transparency in a high-profile case.

IN FULL:

Attorney General Pam Bondi has said that files related to deceased pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein have still not been released because the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is still reviewing them, dismissing claims by Rep. James Comer (R-KY) that files are missing.

“The FBI, they’re reviewing. There are tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn, and there are hundreds of victims, and no one victim will ever get released,” AG Bondi told the press. “It’s just the volume, and that’s what they’re going through right now. The FBI is diligently going through that,” she said, adding that she would call Comer to discuss the matter with him.

Rep. Comer, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, recently said he believes the relevant documents have “probably” been destroyed, and that he warned AG Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel that this would happen if they did not move quickly to disclose them.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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Brexit Britain Seals Landmark Indian Trade Deal.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Britain and India have reached a free trade agreement to reduce tariffs on various products, including Scotch whisky.

👥 Who’s Involved: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the British and Indian governments.

📍 Where & When: Announcement made in London, negotiations started over three years ago.

💬 Key Quote: “This is the biggest trade deal that we, the UK, have done since we left the EU, and it’s the most ambitious trade deal that India has ever done,” said Prime Minister Starmer.

⚠️ Impact: The agreement is expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion (~$34.1 billion) annually and significantly increase Scotch whisky exports to India.

IN FULL:

Britain and India have announced a significant free trade agreement to slash tariffs on a range of products, including Scotch whisky. This long-awaited deal comes after more than three years of negotiations.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as a “landmark” event, describing it as “fantastic news for British business, British workers and British shoppers.” His Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, echoed this sentiment, calling the deal “ambitious and mutually beneficial.”

“This is the biggest trade deal that we, the UK, have done since we left the EU, and it’s the most ambitious trade deal that India has ever done,” Prime Minister Starmer said.

The British government detailed that the agreement would cut Indian import taxes on goods such as whisky, cosmetics, medical supplies, and automotive parts. Notably, tariffs on whisky and gin will be reduced from 150 percent to 75 percent, eventually dropping to 40 percent over the next decade. Automotive tariffs will see a significant decrease from over 100 percent to 10 percent under a quota system.

India’s Trade Ministry emphasized that 99 percent of Indian exports would be exempt from import duties under this new agreement. Trade Minister Piyush Goyal stated, “This brings us closer to our goal of becoming a global economic powerhouse,” highlighting the deal’s potential to enhance India’s role in global value chains.

The agreement, which covers both goods and services, is projected to increase bilateral trade by the equivalent of $34.1 billion annually. Mark Kent, CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association, described the deal as “transformational,” noting its potential to boost Scotch whisky exports to India by $1.3 billion over the next five years.

Formal talks for this free trade agreement began in 2022, following Brexit. Prior to Brexit, Britain was unable to strike any bilateral trade deals, as the European Union (EU) controls its member states’ trade policy.

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

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By Popular Demand.
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Alcatraz Just One of Many Facilities Trump Admin Is Reactivating, Mostly to Detain Illegals.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: President Donald J. Trump’s eye-catching proposal to reopen Alcatraz prison is being backed by action to reopen a number of other facilities across the U.S., mostly to detain illegal aliens.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), CoreCivic, Geo Group, California Democrats, illegal aliens.

📍 Where & When: Alcatraz Island, California, and other locations such as Michigan, New Jersey, and Kansas; recent months.

💬 Key Quote: “We don’t want ICE to expand their ability to cage our community members,” complained Susan Beaty, senior attorney for the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice.

⚠️ Impact: Potential increase in immigration detentions.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump’s recent suggestion to reopen Alcatraz, the historical prison in San Francisco Bay, California, has caused a stir. It is part of a broader initiative by the administration to repurpose several closed detention facilities across the United States, mostly for the purpose of detaining illegal aliens.

While California lawmakers have tried to dismiss the Alcatraz proposal as a diversion, efforts to reopen other facilities are progressing, often in collaboration with private prison companies. The Trump administration has been actively working to reactivate at least five other detention centers and prisons to house immigration detainees. Meanwhile, the Alcatraz proposal would see “America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders” confined on the island prison, according to Trump.

In California, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is exploring reopening the California City Correctional Facility, which at one point housed over 2,000 people, and the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin. Local activists such as Susan Beaty, of the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice, are rattled by the moves to expand detention facilities in the Golden State, saying, “When there are fewer beds for ICE to incarcerate people, there are fewer arrests and less enforcement. We don’t want ICE to expand their ability to cage our community members, because we know that will lead to more incarceration and allow them to terrorize our communities even further.”

Elsewhere, the Geo Group is reopening the North Lake Correctional Facility in Michigan, potentially becoming the Midwest’s largest immigration detention center. In New Jersey, the Delaney Hall facility in Newark has also reopened for immigration detainees amid legal challenges from the city government. In Kansas, CoreCivic is working to reopen a detention center in Leavenworth.

The Trump administration’s push to utilize these shuttered facilities underscores its commitment to mass deportations. However, illegals are now being given the opportunity to use the CBP One app—which Joe Biden used to parole migrants into the U.S. en masse—to self-deport with a $1,000 stipend, avoiding detention and forcible removal.

Image by Christopher Michel.

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By Popular Demand.
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Tower of London Adorned With Thousands of Poppies for VE Day Tribute.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies are displayed at the Tower of London to commemorate 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe.

👥 Who’s Involved: The installation was designed by Tom Piper, with ceramic flowers created by artist Paul Cummins.

📍 Where & When: The Tower of London, display open until Armistice Day, November 11.

💬 Key Quote: Tom Piper stated, “Everywhere these poppies have been, they have brought people together, with their own stories of sacrifice, commemoration, and hope for the future.”

⚠️ Impact: The installation aims to reflect the loss of life through war and provide a space for remembrance, continuing the tradition of poppies as symbols of remembrance in the United Kingdom.

IN FULL:

A display of nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies is currently on exhibit at the Tower of London, marking Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8, and 80 years since the conclusion of World War II in Europe. The installation, titled “The Tower Remembers,” features red poppies arranged to resemble a cascading “wound” at the heart of the historic Norman fortress, a site that endured bombing during the Blitz.

Designer Tom Piper conceived the artistic endeavor, and artist Paul Cummins crafted the ceramic poppies. This new display follows a 2014 installation at the same site, which featured 888,246 poppies, each symbolizing a military life lost during the First World War. That earlier installation, “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red,” attracted over five million visitors.

Reflecting on the 2014 installation, Piper remarked that while the scale of that project could not be replicated, he recognized that “smaller installations could still carry great emotional power.” He emphasized the poppies’ role in uniting people through shared stories of sacrifice and hope, stating, “Everywhere these poppies have been, they have brought people together, with their own stories of sacrifice, commemoration, and hope for the future.”

The poppies, on loan from the Imperial War Museums’ collection, can be viewed as part of the general admission to the Tower of London. A portion of the display is also visible from the public footpath. The installation will remain in place until Armistice Day on November 11, commemorating the armistice agreement that ended the First World War.

In the United Kingdom, poppies have long been a symbol of remembrance, worn to honor those who lost their lives in the world wars and other conflicts. Poppies grew across many shell-blasted First World War battlefields in France and Belgium after the fighting, with the flower becoming an enduring symbol of the fallen.

Russia, meanwhile, plans its own Victory Day parade on May 8. However, this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made veiled threats of a possible attack on the parade, which will be attended by several major world leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping.

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By Popular Demand.
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