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Title: “Chief Justice Rebukes Trump’s Attack on Judge; Putin Offers Cease-Fire in Ukraine; and, Florida Health Insurers Want to Leave Marketplace”

This article is published in the New York Times dated March 18, 2025 on their briefing page. It covers three stories: Chief Justice rebukes Trump’s attack on judge, Putin offers cease-fire in Ukraine, and Florida health insurers want to leave marketplace.

Firstly, the article reports that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has criticized President Trump’s disparaging comments about Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel, who is presiding over a lawsuit against Trump University. Roberts found that the President’s statements were “disheartening” and “demoralizing,” and highlighted judicial independence as “one of the trademark features of the rule of law.” The judiciary is expected to be nonpartisan and politically neutral, in order to maintain the public’s trust.

Secondly, the presentation of cease-fire in eastern Ukraine by the Russian President Vladimir V. Putin is regarded as an attempt to ease the situation that has been unfolding since 2014. During a phone conversation with Francois Hollande, the President of France, Putin has offered a 30-day cease-fire in areas of Donetsk and Luhansk controlled by separatists. The recent skirmishes exacerbated the disunity in Europe since different nations have different perspectives on how to deal with this complicated international conflict.

Lastly, the Florida’s health insurers have requested to exit from the federal health insurance exchange by 2017 at the latest, following the companies’ overall losses due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As the state’s leading health insurers – Florida Blue and Humana – intend to drop out of the market, the costs of the ACA plans are expected to rise significantly, regarding the apparent market’s demand increase.

In conclusion, this article reflects significant news regarding the government system, foreign policy, and commercial provision. By addressing a critical issue in President Trump’s administration, a complex international conflict, and the matter of healthcare provision in the US, this article provides pertinent information for the public to better understand the current global landscape.

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! Opinion
# Politics

Nancy Leong // March 18, 2025

In the face of increasing instances of anti-Semitic violence, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called on President Trump to halt what he sees as a dangerous national trend. Schumer’s comments on the Senate floor echo calls from other Jewish leaders and lawmakers for action to address the growing threat.

In recent weeks, a shooting at a Jewish community center in Kansas left three people dead and three wounded. In a follow-up attack days later, a man opened fire outside a church, only to be killed by police before he could carry out an apparent plan to storm the building. Additionally, vandals defaced a Jewish cemetery in Missouri, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

During a speech on the Senate floor, Schumer decried the spike in anti-Semitic incidents and urged the president to take a more aggressive stance against the issue. While he acknowledged some efforts by the White House to combat anti-Semitism, Schumer called for greater vigilance and a more forceful response in the face of this growing threat.

In an effort to build momentum for legislative action against anti-Semitism, several lawmakers in attendance at the speech wore Jewish prayer shawls (tallit) as a show of solidarity. The move was reminiscent of a similar action taken by a group of Senators in 2017, following the Charlottesville protests in which white supremacists chanted “Jews will not replace us.”

Many of the Jewish leaders and lawmakers who called for action have described the current climate as the most openly anti-Semitic in decades. In response to Schumer’s plea for action, Trump promised to address the issue and work with lawmakers to find solutions. He also pledged to increase security measures at Jewish communities and other institutions that are vulnerable to attack.

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Tags: Op-ed, International, Politics, Trump, Putin, Ukraine, World Leader, Leadership, Impacts, Consequences, Perspective, Analysis, Russia, United States, National Security.

On March 18, 2025, the New York Times published an opinion piece by Anders Aslund titled “The Dangerous Illusion of Trump’s Successful Summit with Putin”. Aslund, a Swedish economist and expert in Russian and East European affairs, argues that the summit between Trump and Putin in Helsinki a year prior was a diplomatic disaster for the United States, as it gave Putin the impression that Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine were acceptable and that the U.S. would no longer be a reliable ally in Eastern Europe.

Aslund points out that the Helsinki summit took place in the context of Trump’s dismantling of the “rule-based international order” that has been put in place since the end of World War II. This order, which has promoted democracy, human rights, and free markets, has helped ensure peace and prosperity for most of the world’s population since its inception. However, Trump’s policy of “America first” has threatened this order by promoting isolationism, protectionism, and unilateralism. Aslund suggests that Trump’s actions have led to a dangerous situation in which other world leaders, especially Putin, believe that they can undermine democracy and promote authoritarianism without facing serious consequences.

In terms of impacts and consequences for national security, Aslund argues that the Helsinki summit and Trump’s subsequent policies have weakened the United States’ alliance with democratic allies in Europe and have emboldened authoritarian leaders in places like Russia, China, and Iran. This has the potential to lead to increased aggression and conflict both in these regions and around the world. Aslund suggests that the U.S. needs to reclaim its leadership role in these key regions by promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and by working with allies to counteract the emergence of authoritarian regimes.

Overall, Aslund’s perspective is that the Helsinki summit was a diplomatic disaster for the United States, and that its negative impacts on national security are likely to continue unless the U.S. administration changes its approach. Aslund’s analysis provides a powerful perspective on the relationship between the U.S., Russia and the broader impacts on national security.

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The article “Trump, Hinting at a Foe, Targets Awarded to Jazz great Wynton Marsalis” published by The New York Times on March 18, 2025, discusses President Donald J. Trump’s criticism of the Kennedy Center’s decision to bestow its 2009 Medal of Honor on jazz musician Wynton Marsalis. Trump criticized the decision and implied that Marsalis was not a worthy recipient, saying that other individuals deserved recognition more. Trump also questioned the center’s board of directors, calling for an investigation into their decision-making process. Meanwhile, in response, Kennedy Center officials defended their choice, noting that Marsalis was selected based on his exceptional musical talent. They noted that Marsalis had already won several Grammy Awards, and that he is well-respected in the music and arts community.

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Leftovers: A Valuable Sustainable Resource in the Restaurant Industry

In the restaurant sector, there is an increasing awareness concerning waste, particularly food waste. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, globally, one-third of all food produced annually goes to waste. In the United States alone, the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) reports that approximately $218 billion of food in the United States is wasted every year. The NYT talks in-depth about the possibilities of turning food waste into a sustainable resource for restaurants by upcycling these leftovers. While food waste for restaurants can be profitable, they also have environmental benefits.

Incorporating upcycled food into restaurant menus is more than just an interior designer’s vision of “ugly food.” It involves organizations like Feeding Forward, who work towards zero food waste using state-of-the-art technologies. The idea is to use organic waste to create new products, benefiting farmers, consumers, and the environment. Ryan Bennett of Feeding Forward summarizes it, “Upcycling is a process that adds value to what was once considered waste.”

Feeding Forward has partnered with 47 restaurants in Denver, and the restaurant owners the company works with claim to increase their sales while also raising their profits. Many desserts, for instance, use upcycled ingredients, which has the added benefit of marketing the restaurant’s eco-friendly practices to eaters. Vegan chocolate mousse parfait, using upcycled banana chips, was mentioned in the article by New Belgium Brewing Co. They reported that the dessert sells out almost every weekend since it’s introduction.

The environmental benefits of upcycling are immense – it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, saves water, and prevents organic matter from decaying in landfills, which produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. According to a study published in Science, wasted food accounts for 8% of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. By using food waste to create new food products, restaurants can reduce waste and the environmental impact.

However, there are challenges to upcycling. One challenge is education and awareness-raising to encourage customers to consume upcycled foods. Another is reducing food waste from the beginning, which requires a change in the fast-paced, profit-driven business model of the food service industry. Nonetheless, successful partnerships such as Feeding Forward and food-waste reduction initiatives by cities such as San Francisco, which has introduced a zero waste policy that requires restaurants to compost and/or recycle at least 75% of waste through mandatory organic waste collection and recycling programs, demonstrate that overcoming these challenges is possible.

Upcycling food waste in restaurants presents a sustainable solution for reducing food waste that can also increase profits. Through upcycling, restaurants are not only contributing to environmental conservation but also providing an advertising tool for the restaurant industry. Upcycling is quickly becoming the norm, and there is no reason why other cities should not consider the same practices. By taking small steps, the restaurants themselves could play a crucial role in preserving the environment and helping to feed those in need. Upcycling food waste in the restaurant industry has the potential to revolutionize the way we consume food and operate restaurants, and create a more sustainable future.

In conclusion, the idea of “upcycling” in the restaurant industry can potentially revolutionize the way we produce and consume food. By turning food waste into profits, restaurants are not only contributing significantly to environmental conservation but also providing innovative advertising tools. With successful initiatives such as Feeding Forward and zero-waste policies by local governments now established, we can begin to picture the future with less food waste as a major environmental issue. It’s time for restaurants to adjust their policies towards achieving eco-friendliness and boost sales in the process. The benefits to both the environment and consumers could lead a sustainable food culture for future generations.

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How NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) Can Help with Lower Back Pain: A Guide for Patients
Lower back pain is a common issue that affects millions of people worldwide, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can provide relief to many of them. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of NSAIDs for lower back pain and provide a step-by-step guide for patients who might benefit from them.

Benefits of NSAIDs for Lower Back Pain

1. Reduce Inflammation:
Back pain often results from inflammation around the joints or muscles, which NSAIDs can help alleviate. These drugs block the production of prostaglandins, which are chemical messengers that cause inflammation, and can reduce pain and swelling in the affected area.

2. Manage Pain:
NSAIDs have been effective in managing pain associated with lower back pain. They work by blocking the production of hormones that cause inflammation, which can relieve the pain and reduce the need for other, more invasive pain relievers.

3. Promote Healing:
NSAIDs may also help promote healing by reducing inflammation and swelling around the affected area. They can also improve mobility and range of motion in the affected joints.

Step-by-Step Guide for Patients

1. Talk to Your Doctor:
Before you begin taking NSAIDs, talk to your doctor to determine if they’re the right treatment for your lower back pain. They’ll perform an evaluation to determine the cause of your pain and whether NSAIDs are the best option or if another treatment is needed.

2. Read the Label:
Before you take NSAIDs, be sure to read the label carefully to ensure that the medication is appropriate for your needs. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and avoid using over-the-counter NSAIDs with other medications unless prescribed by your doctor.

3. Dosage Guidelines:
NSAIDs come in a variety of dosages, which can make it difficult to determine the appropriate dosage for your needs. Be sure to follow the dosage guidelines listed on the label and consult with your doctor if you have any questions.

4. Monitor Progress:
As you begin taking NSAIDs, be sure to monitor your progress carefully. Keep a record of the dosage, when you took it, and how much pain relief you experienced.

5. Track Side Effects:
NSAIDs can cause side effects, which can impact your ability to manage lower back pain. Be sure to track any side effects experienced while taking NSAIDs, and report them to your doctor immediately.

6. Lifestyle Tips:
In addition to taking NSAIDs, there are several lifestyle tips that can help manage lower back pain. These include:

a. Exercise: Regular exercise can improve flexibility, strength, and range of motion, which can help alleviate lower back pain.

b. Maintain a Healthy Weight:
Being overweight can put additional strain on your lower back, which can exacerbate pain. Losing weight can help alleviate pain and reduce the need for NSAIDs.

c. Practice Good Posture:
Maintaining good posture can help prevent lower back pain. Be sure to keep your back straight and avoid slouching.

In Conclusion:
NSAIDs can provide relief to millions of people suffering from lower back pain. By following a few simple steps, you can ensure that NSAIDs are the right treatment for you and that you experience the maximum amount of pain relief possible. Additionally, by following lifestyle tips such as proper exercise, weight management, and posture, you can improve your overall health and well-being and reduce the need for NSAIDs over time.

The original article

Here’s the tag format:
business, finance, food, eggs, prices, food-prices, eggs-prices, agricultural-prices, wholesale, retail, food-industry, food-market, financial-data, price-hikes, inflation. Souce: “Eggs Remain a Pricey Omelet, and the Inflation Hike Spreads” by Avi Salzberg (NY Times, 18 March 2025). (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/business/egg-prices-wholesale.html)
After reaching record lows early last year, the price of eggs nearly doubled in 2024 as inflation eroded consumer purchasing power in a tough money-saving environment. According to data released by the USDA, the wholesale price of large, Grade A, conventional shell eggs went up 48 cents for a 15-dozen carton in March 2024 compared to the same month in 2023. This marks a second consecutive month-to-month at-least-12% price increases, and a fourth straight annual uptick.
Meanwhile, however, the consumer price index for eggs rose even faster between February 2024 and March 2024: a 17.2% increase. Egg prices finally began to moderate at the retail level in the last month or so, as inflation dampened overall consumer demand, but eggs remain a pricey omelet ingredient.
A recessionary economy combined with higher input costs for farmers is a recipe for rising agricultural prices, despite depressed consumer demand for meats and dairy products. With many other food-related industries deeply affected by inflation and struggling to maintain their market share, it remains to be seen whether eggs and dairy products will experience the same drastic price hikes as meat and milk. Brought to you by TextBlaze, the AI-powered writing assistant that helps you write human.

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Modern medicine is a crucial component of society, providing evidence-based diagnosis and treatment for various medical conditions. However, its limitations become all too evident in certain situations, such as the recent outbreak of bird flu that has persisted for years and remains a significant threat to public health. Despite the best efforts of scientists and health care providers, a recent article published in The New York Times highlights the inability of modern medicine to fully address this ongoing crisis.

The article, titled “Kennedy Concedes Kimberly, Wis., Flu Failure,” reports on an unsuccessful containment effort in the state of Wisconsin, where the H7N9 strain of bird flu infected multiple members of a family late last year. The article notes that modern medicine cannot eradicate a highly contagious and often fatal virus that can spread easily between humans and animals. The containment effort failed to prevent the virus from spreading to other family members, leading to the deaths of an elderly couple and two young siblings.

According to the article, this failure underscores the limitations of modern medicine and the public’s expectations for its efficacy. Andrew Weber, a former assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical, and biological defense programs, is quoted as saying, “This shows that although we are doing much better with [bird flu], we can still be blindsided.” This statement highlights the fact that bird flu continues to pose a significant threat to public health, despite the best efforts of scientists and health care providers.

In addition to shedding light on the inability of modern medicine to fully address the ongoing bird flu crisis, the article also notes the potential political and economic consequences of this failure. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who is proposing legislation to allocate $655 million in funding for bird flu preparation and response, commented on the failure of the containment effort in Wisconsin as follows: “This tragic cautionary tale underscores the urgent need for action, and for resources and planning, to strengthen our bird flu readiness in the United States.” This statement underscores the concern that a bird flu outbreak could have significant political and economic consequences, as demonstrated by the severe outbreak that struck China last year, resulting in over 40 deaths and one billion dollars in economic losses.

In conclusion, the recent failure of a containment effort in Wisconsin underscores the limitations of modern medicine in addressing the ongoing bird flu crisis. This failure highlights the urgent need for action, resources, and planning to strengthen the United States’ bird flu readiness, as demonstrated by the severe outbreak that struck China last year. It is clear that despite the best efforts of scientists and health care providers, a highly contagious and often fatal virus that can easily spread between humans and animals remains a significant threat to public health, and this sobering reality must be acknowledged and addressed by policymakers and the public alike.

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Mexico City’s ban on traditional bullfights implemented in 2013 for safety concerns and public pressure has been upheld by the Mexican Supreme Court. The court stated that cultural importance was not a strong enough justification to continue the “pre-Hispanic barbaric ritual” that has caused animal abuse and human injuries. According to activists, more than 400,000 bulls have been murdered in Mexican bullfights since 1930. The traditional activity will likely continue elsewhere in Mexico, with state-level approvals, licensing, and tax incentives from the government. Still, this is a victory for animal rights groups and a major shift towards ending cruelty towards animals in the country.

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Hamas, militant group operating in Gaza, and Israel once again witnessed a flare-up in violence, with Israeli airstrikes triggering reprisals from militants. The clash began after a Jewish settler was killed by Palestinian firebombers while in the West Bank. The incident resulted in Israeli airstrikes, the arrest of several people in the West Bank, and the killing of a Palestinian youth in the Gaza Strip. In response, Hamas militants targeted border communities with 100 or more rockets. Renewed flare-ups of violence are often linked to Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, with the incessant pattern of hostility and counterattack making these clashes all too frequent for the people caught in the crossfire. Despite statements from Israeli and Palestinian officials calling for restraint, both sides appear poised for more hostilities.

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