J.D. Vance claims he knows all the “normal” gays want Trump for president, and honestly, that statement is perplexing and a little enraging. When I hear him use the term “normal,” I can’t help but think of the subtle undercurrents of bigotry that often come with such labels. Who exactly is he talking about? The notion that “normal” gay people support Trump feels like an attempt to frame gay identity in a narrow, old-fashioned mold that doesn’t reflect the vibrant, diverse reality of our community.
For Vance, “normal” might mean those who fit into his understanding of traditional masculinity—perhaps the Log Cabin Republicans who go to CPAC and shield their identities with some sort of faux respectability.… Continue reading
A Russian court has fined Google two undecillion roubles ($20 undecillion), a fine that is significantly larger than Google’s worth and the world’s total GDP. The fine, which is constantly increasing, has been imposed because Google restricted Russian state media channels on YouTube. Google has not yet responded to the fine.
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A UN peacekeeping base in Lebanon, housing hundreds of Irish troops, was hit by a rocket on Thursday. The Irish Defence Forces have confirmed that all soldiers are safe and uninjured, with the rocket causing minimal damage to an unoccupied area of the camp. Lt Gen Sean Clancy, the Chief of Staff for the Irish Defence Forces, stated that the rocket, which he described as a Katyusha rocket, was launched by an armed group from north to south towards Israel. The Irish Defence Forces are reassuring family members of the soldiers stationed there, stressing that comprehensive force protection measures are in place at the base. The Forces are also working with international partners to evaluate any potential future risks.
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A new documentary has revealed that over 21,000 workers from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal have died since 2017 while working on Saudi Arabia’s multi-trillion dollar Saudi Vision 2030 programme, which includes the NEOM project and the Line. The programme has also seen allegations of wage theft, illegal working hours, human rights abuses, and the forced removal of over 20,000 indigenous people. The documentary follows a report by the Wall Street Journal alleging corruption, racism, Islamophobia, and misogyny among the project’s senior executives. Despite some architecture companies leaving NEOM due to human rights concerns, others including BIG, Zaha Hadid Architects, and OMA remain involved. Over 100,000 people have also reportedly “disappeared” during the construction of NEOM.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that about 8,000 North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia are preparing for deployment into combat in Ukraine. Blinken revealed that the US believes a total of 10,000 North Korean troops had been sent to Russia for training before being based in the Kursk region on the border with Ukraine. The upcoming deployment could escalate the Russia-Ukraine war into a multi-region conflict, involving North and South Korea. Blinken’s comments come after North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile and hours before Ukraine’s president warned that North Korean troops could join the fight against Ukraine within days. The US, South Korea, and the Pentagon have all warned against the deployment of North Korean troops in the battle.
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The former mayor of University Park, Maryland, Joel Biermann, is facing nearly 30 charges related to child pornography. Biermann, 46, was arrested at his home after an FBI search warrant and is being held without bond. The charges date back to October 2024, although several solicitation charges were also filed for 2021 and 2023. The activities were allegedly committed online, according to State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, who described the charges as “repugnant” and “extremely disturbing”. Currently, Biermann is not holding office and is considered a private citizen.
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North Korea has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that flew for 86 minutes, marking the longest flight time yet. The missile reached a height of 7,000 km. South Korean and US officials have agreed to “take strong and varied response measures,” and South Korea has vowed to impose fresh sanctions on North Korea in response. This comes amid deteriorating relations between the Koreas and allegations of North Korean troops supporting Russia in the war in Ukraine. Both North Korea and Russia have yet to confirm or deny these claims.
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Iran’s impending plan for a major retaliatory strike from Iraq is a significant escalation that deserves careful consideration. As the headlines blare about Israeli intelligence alerting us to Iran’s intentions, I find myself pondering the implications of this move. The strategic situation is complex, with Iran’s reliance on its proxies in the region, which may be more of a liability than a strength in this context. The idea of launching strikes from Iraq carries historical resonance and geopolitical weight because Iraq, as a neighbor, doesn’t just provide a launching pad; it also complicates the landscape of regional alliances and enmities.
The notion of Iran striking from Iraq might seem clever on the surface, but it’s fraught with risks.… Continue reading
A California landlord, Charles Pierce, claimed on Reddit that he used ballots belonging to his former tenants to vote multiple times for Donald Trump in Shasta County, California. After Reddit users reported him for voter and mail fraud to the FBI, he was fired from his job as a landlord of an apartment complex in Redding. Pierce denied engaging in illegal activities and the Shasta County Clerk and Registrar of Voters stated that the case had been passed onto the District Attorney’s Office. While no charges have been filed yet, the office is considering doing so. The FBI refused to comment on the situation.
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The recent decision by a global LGBTQ group to suspend an Israeli organization has ignited passionate responses among queer Jews and their allies. As someone who identifies with this community, the ramifications of this action hit deeply and complexly. The notion that an organization, which has been integral in providing refuge and support to LGBTQ Palestinians, could face suspension for suggesting a conference in Tel Aviv is not only disheartening but also highlights the tangled web of identity politics and activism today.
When I first heard about this decision, it felt like a cruel irony. Here we have an Israeli organization that has worked tirelessly to assist LGBTQ refugees, many of whom are Palestinian.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker