Taiwan President Offers Cooperation With Ukraine to Combat Sanctions Evasion 
California Sues Trump Administration Over Federal Authority on Sable Offshore Pipelines 
Japan Snap Election Sparks Bond Yield Surge as Parties Clash Over Fiscal and Monetary Policy 
Keir Starmer Condemns Trump’s Afghanistan Remarks as European Allies Push Back 
NATO, Trump, and Arctic Security: Greenland Talks Highlight Rising Russia-China Concerns 
Trump Reverses Course on Greenland After Diplomatic Backlash 
Pentagon Signals Reduced U.S. Role in Deterring North Korea as South Korea Takes Lead 
Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi Stall as Energy Crisis Deepens 
Russian Drone Attack Hits Kyiv and Kharkiv Amid Ongoing Peace Talks 
United States Officially Exits World Health Organization, Raising Global Public Health Concerns 
Trump Calls for Prosecution of Jack Smith After Congressional Testimony 
Trump Pushes Back on 401(k) Homebuyer Plan Amid Housing Affordability Debate 
U.S. Backs Iraq’s Move to Detain ISIS Fighters, Urges Global Repatriation 
Haiti Transitional Council Pushes to Remove Prime Minister Despite U.S. Warnings 
Trump Withdraws Canada Invitation to Board of Peace Initiative 
New York Judge Orders Redrawing of GOP-Held Congressional District 
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok Meets U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Advance Trade and Security Talks 
During the pandemic, Dolly Parton is among the public figures that played a big part in coronavirus research last year, and many have agreed that it was deserving of her to receive the Medal of Freedom. However, Parton recently revealed that while she was offered the prestigious accolade, she had to turn it down twice.
Speaking on NBC News “Today,” Parton revealed that she did not only turn down a Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump, she had to turn it down twice but not for political reasons. Parton shared that the first time she was called to become a recipient of the medal, her husband was ill and the second time she was offered, she had to turn it down due to safety reasons regarding traveling during the pandemic.
Former President Barack Obama shared that not giving Parton the Medal of Freedom was one of his regrets but has recommended that Joe Biden be the one to award Parton with the medal this time. However, Parton shared that she is still not sure if she would accept the award this time.
“I couldn’t accept it because my husband was ill, and then they asked me again but I wouldn’t travel because of the Covid,” said Parton. “Now I feel like if I take it, I’ll be doing politics so I’m not sure.”
Parton was revealed to have donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University for coronavirus research, the money being used to help fund the development of the Moderna vaccine. Trump previously awarded the Medal of Freedom to Tiger Woods, Rush Limbaugh, and posthumously to Elvis Presley. Trump was to award NFL coach Bill Belichick with the Medal of Freedom as well but Belichick declined the offer following the January 6 riots at the Capitol.
From one public figure to another, NFL player Tom Brady, who is known for having regarded the now-former President as a friend, was pressed on both Trump and racism in an interview ahead of the Super Bowl. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers player was pressed for his thoughts on the commentary by Shannon Sharpe that Brady would have had to deal with a lot more backlash if the MAGA hat was spotted anywhere on him if he were Black as Black players are not as free to comment on political topics.
“I’m not sure how to respond to hypothetical questions like that,” said Brady. “I hope everyone can -- we’re in this position like I am to, again, try to be the best I can be every day as an athlete, as a player, as a person in my community, for my team and so forth, so yeah. I’m not sure what else.”
