Following a planned Black Mass inside the Kansas Statehouse, Michael Stewart, leader of the Satanic Grotto, and three others were arrested. The event, intended as a protest for religious freedom and against perceived state favoritism towards Christianity, sparked a large counter-protest from Christian groups. A scuffle ensued when attendees attempted to stop the ceremony, resulting in arrests for disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly on both sides. Governor Kelly’s temporary ban on indoor protests, enacted following pressure from Catholic groups, was in effect at the time of the incident. Stewart was released on bond, while the status of other arrestees varied.
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Facing reduced federal funding and a hostile political climate, many American scientists are considering leaving the U.S., prompting European countries to actively recruit them. A survey revealed over 1,200 scientists are considering relocating to Europe or Canada due to these factors, with concerns ranging from funding cuts to harassment. In response, institutions like Aix-Marseille Université and CentraleSupélec in France have launched initiatives offering millions of euros in funding to support American researchers. This trend signifies a potential “brain drain” from the U.S., as other nations capitalize on the opportunity to bolster their own scientific communities.
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Following a Sky News survey, 134 Irish politicians unanimously rejected Conor McGregor’s presidential aspirations. Responses ranged from strongly negative to outright dismissive, citing his unsuitability for office and concerns about his character. McGregor requires significant parliamentary support to run, a threshold he appears highly unlikely to meet. This overwhelming opposition underscores the unlikelihood of McGregor’s candidacy, despite his recent announcement and Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump.
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U.S. citizen Julio Noriega, 54, was unlawfully arrested and detained by ICE for ten hours after being apprehended in Berwyn, Illinois. Despite possessing identification proving his citizenship, which ICE confiscated, he was neither questioned nor presented with a warrant. This incident is one of 22 similar cases filed by Immigrant Justice, alleging ICE’s disregard for the Nava Settlement and continued violation of civil rights. The arrests appear to target individuals based on their appearance, rather than legal grounds.
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China’s official stance, as articulated by Li Decheng of the China Tibetology Research Centre, firmly rejects the Dalai Lama’s proposal for a foreign successor. This rejection is based on the assertion that such a reincarnation would violate Chinese law, religious tradition, and historical precedent. Li Decheng stated unequivocally that any such foreign reincarnation would not be recognized by China. The recent announcement by the Dalai Lama regarding his potential reincarnation outside of China prompted this official response and a forum explaining China’s position on the reincarnation process.
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Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema, personally awarded a brave British man for his heroic actions in apprehending a suspect during a recent attack. The unnamed man, described as modest, prioritized the victims’ well-being over personal recognition. His swift citizen’s arrest, praised by police as exceptionally brave, allowed officers to quickly take the suspect into custody. The mayor highlighted the man’s split-second decision to intervene as truly remarkable.
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China seeks to leverage President Trump’s aversion to multilateralism and his pursuit of bilateral relations with North Korea to strengthen its own ties with Japan and South Korea. This strategy involves promoting trilateral cooperation on North Korean denuclearization, including President Xi Jinping’s planned attendance at the APEC summit in South Korea and support for a future leaders’ summit. This initiative, which includes academic exchanges currently spearheaded by Tsinghua University, aims to ultimately involve government officials and potentially counter growing North Korea-Russia military cooperation. China’s actions follow a period of strained relations with North Korea over its military support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
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Two spreadsheets containing sensitive information on U.S. State Department and USAID programs were leaked online after being shared with Congress, despite assurances to recipient organizations that the data would remain confidential. This leak, following a separate incident involving the accidental real-time sharing of Yemen attack plans, jeopardizes the safety of individuals working in repressive regimes. The information exposed includes details of programs operating in countries like China, Russia, and Iran, potentially leading to the identification and endangerment of local activists and partners. The leak prompted frantic damage control efforts from affected organizations, highlighting the severe consequences of this reckless disregard for the safety of foreign collaborators.
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President Trump’s positive response to a potential Commonwealth invitation sparked significant backlash from his supporters. Many vehemently opposed the idea, citing concerns about relinquishing American independence and associating with perceived globalist figures like King Charles. The strong negative reaction highlights a deep-seated anti-British sentiment within a segment of Trump’s base, despite clarifications that associate membership wouldn’t make Charles head of state. Alex Jones further fueled the controversy, warning of a potential repeat of the American Revolution.
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U.S. Army Air Forces Cpl. Glenn H. Hodak, a B-29 gunner shot down over Tokyo in March 1945, has been accounted for after being identified among remains from the Tokyo Military Prison. Captured after his plane crashed, Hodak perished in a massive fire that destroyed the prison in late May 1945. His remains, initially buried in a mass grave and later interred as Unknown at Manila American Cemetery, were identified through a combination of dental, anthropological analysis, and DNA sequencing as part of the DPAA’s Tokyo Prison Fire Project. Hodak will receive a burial in Spring Creek, Pennsylvania.
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John Q. Hosedrinker