A judge has ordered the federal government to pull three taxpayer-funded Trump administration ads from television, social media and elsewhere that she says appear to have been made for political or propaganda purposes. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon in New York on Friday sided with a coalition, including the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause, in ordering that the government take down advertisements, including one that trumpets the president’s claim that every American will get $5,000 if Republicans keep control of the House and Senate in the midterm election. She also ordered the removal of an ad claiming every Democrat voted against no tax on tips and a third ad decrying the cost of socialism.
Real Madrid has apologized to the Chinese people following Kylian Mbappé’s remarks that were considered to be disrespectful of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China. Madrid’s apology has come a day after Mbappé expressed regret over his comments amid a fallout over the issue. Madrid says it “wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any discomfort that may have been caused by the recent words” of Mbappé. The France striker had apparently referred to Mao Zedong as “a Chinese dictator” during an online interview.
China has acknowledged soccer star Kylian Mbappé's apology for comments seen as disrespectful to Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday they take his apology seriously, even as state media warned that celebrities would naturally lose business for crossing a red line. Mbappé has faced backlash since Tuesday after his remarks in an online interview, and the fallout continues, after he lost brand deals with three Chinese companies and state media suspended broadcasts of Spanish league matches. The incident was the latest in which China has used its market to compel foreign brands and individuals to apologize for perceived slights.
The United Nations is set to vote on a resolution condemning the decades-long U.S. economic embargo on Cuba as the Trump administration intensifies its campaign to undermine Cuba’s socialist government. The annual exercise taking place Wednesday is aimed at calling out the U.S. government’s “maximum pressure policy,” and the resolution has been put before the U.N. General Assembly for the past 34 years. Each time, it has received overwhelming support from the 193 member states. And while it is still expected to pass by a large margin this year, it is unclear if the Trump administration’s overt campaign to influence the vote will result in more opposition or abstentions than in previous years.
For months, French soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s face has appeared in ads across China, from subway stations to elevators in residential buildings. Now at least three Chinese companies are cutting ties with the France captain after he made some comments apparently referring to Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China, as a dictator. Soccer fans online jokingly call the star a dictator, and memes showing him as Mao or other autocratic leaders are widely circulated. Beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese maker Milkground announced in similarly worded statements Tuesday that they were ending agreements with the soccer star. Mbappé’s representatives did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
A new AP-NORC poll shows voters from both major political parties want the next Congress to focus on making life more affordable and ending the war in Iran. Fewer are looking for an emphasis on President Donald Trump — whether it’s investigating him or supporting his Republican agenda. The results suggest that voters of both parties are ready for Congress to tackle core issues, despite Trump’s centrality in the midterm campaign. About 8 in 10 registered voters, including most Republicans and Democrats, say lowering the cost of living should be one of the highest priorities for the coming session.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore pushed lawmakers on Monday to increase the minimum wage to $15 this year — instead of waiting until 2025 — and allow annual increases that are tied to the cost of living.