“The Russian government’s oil revenues collapsed to the lowest in more than five years in January as weaker global prices, steeper discounts for the nation’s barrels, and a stronger currency took a toll on the budget. Oil-related taxes halved to 281.7 billion rubles ($3.7 billion) last month from a year earlier, according to Bloomberg calculations based on finance ministry data published Wednesday. Combined oil and gas revenue also declined by 50%, to 393.3 billion rubles. Lower proceeds from the two industries, which between them contribute about a quarter of the budget, will put more strain on the nation’s coffers as the war in Ukraine drags toward a fifth year with little sign of ending.” (02/04/26)
“If you won’t stand up for the rights of those you dislike, you don’t really believe in rights at all. At best, you believe in privileges — things you can do as long as some government official agrees and gives you temporary permission to do it.” (02/04/26)
“About 25% of federal agents in Minnesota will leave ‘effective immediately,’ leaving about 2,000 still in the state, mostly in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Border Czar Tom Homan said Wednesday. Homan cited an ‘unprecedented’ amount of cooperation between local officials and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the state since he was sent there as the reason for the drawdown. … ICE and Border Patrol agents have been in Minnesota since December, and people have been actively protesting their presence. Two American citizens have been [murdered] by federal agents since Operation Metro Surge began.” [editor’s note: Did Tim Walz cough up $50k in cash in a shopping bag for Homan? – TLK] (02/04/26)
“Certificate-of-Need (CON) laws require the approval of states’ health planning agencies for health care providers to engage in regulated actions such as opening or expanding facilities or purchasing equipment. Additionally, in many states with CON regulations, the decision to grant a CON is made by a board whose members may work for incumbent providers. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘competitor’s veto.’ … As of December 2025, 15 states have fully repealed CON regulations. Additionally, numerous states have reformed their CON regulations to shrink the healthcare services that require a CON. … Preventing incumbent providers from participating in the CON review process (including requesting hearings and appeals) can help reduce cronyism in the CON application process.” (02/04/26)
“A government lawyer who told a judge that her job ‘sucks’ during a court hearing stemming from the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota has been removed from her Justice Department post, according to a person familiar with the matter. … At a hearing Tuesday in St. Paul, Minnesota, for several immigration cases, [Julie] Le told U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell that she wishes he could hold her in contempt of court ‘so that I can have a full 24 hours of sleep.’ ‘What do you want me to do? The system sucks. This job sucks. And I am trying every breath that I have so that I can get you what you need,’ Le said, according to a transcript.” (02/04/26)
“Ukraine is losing the land in the war that they refuse to lose in the peace. But, for Zelensky, losing the war may be preferable to losing the peace. The result will be the same for Ukraine, but perhaps not for its president. If Ukraine loses the peace, Ukrainians will blame Zelensky. But if Ukraine loses the war, Zelensky can blame the U.S. and Europe.” [editor’s note: Ah a little bit of progress — After nearly four years of the Russian forces failing to secure the Donbas, Snider has progressed from “Ukraine CAN’T WIN” the war to “Ukraine IS LOSING” the war. Maybe he’ll eventually figure out that this war, like all wars, only has losers (excepting political class profiteers) – TLK] (02/04/26)
“Tunisian lawmaker Ahmed Saidani has been arrested by police, a move seen as part of a larger crackdown on critics of President Kais Saied. Saidani had recently criticized Saied on social media, mocking him for the lack of significant achievements, leading to his arrest. … The arrest highlights the growing tension in Tunisia, as the government appears to tighten control over political expression and opposition voices.” (02/04/26)
