A new Stanford University study models the impact of declining US childhood vaccination rates, predicting a high probability (83%) of measles re-emerging as an endemic disease within the next two decades. This could result in over 850,000 cases, 170,000 hospitalizations, and 2,500 deaths over 25 years based on current vaccination coverage. The model considered state-level vaccination rates, demographics, and disease characteristics, highlighting measles’ high contagiousness. Continued low vaccination rates threaten the US’s elimination of measles, achieved in 2000.
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PublicSquare, a website promoting businesses aligned with Donald Trump’s ideology, has ironically become a tool for boycotts. A Reddit user, leveraging his knowledge of the site gained from prior employment, shared information about PublicSquare, enabling users to identify and avoid businesses supporting Trump. This strategy quickly gained traction across various online platforms, with users utilizing PublicSquare to inform their purchasing decisions, highlighting the power of consumer activism. The unintended consequence has seen PublicSquare’s stock price plummet, though a direct causal link remains unconfirmed.
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Russian authorities claim to have apprehended a Ukrainian resident with a Ukrainian residence permit, alleging his involvement in the car bombing that killed Russian General Yaroslav Moskalik. The suspect allegedly purchased the vehicle and planted the explosive device, which the FSB says was remotely detonated from Ukraine. Released footage shows the suspect in custody, apparently confessing to recruitment by Ukrainian special services, though the circumstances of this confession remain unclear. The incident occurred the same day as a meeting between a US envoy and Vladimir Putin, sparking further geopolitical tension.
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President Trump condemned Russian President Putin’s targeting of Ukrainian civilian areas, stating there was no justification for such actions. He suggested that Putin’s continued attacks indicate a lack of desire to end the war. Trump proposed the implementation of further sanctions, possibly targeting Russian banking, to address Putin’s behavior. This escalation, he emphasized, is necessary due to the unacceptable loss of innocent lives.
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Following a meeting with Zelenskyy in Rome, Trump questioned Putin’s commitment to ending the war in Ukraine, citing recent missile strikes on civilian areas as evidence of potential bad faith. He criticized media narratives demanding Ukraine reclaim all lost territories, including Crimea, as unrealistic and potentially prolonging the conflict. Trump contrasted his own provision of Javelin missiles to Ukraine with what he characterized as the Obama administration’s inadequate support. Finally, he expressed skepticism that any peace deal, regardless of its merits, would receive fair media coverage.
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Heidy Sánchez, a Cuban woman married to a U.S. citizen, was unexpectedly deported to Cuba, leaving behind her one-year-old daughter and husband in Tampa. Despite last-minute legal efforts and pleas from her husband and representatives, Sánchez was deported as part of a larger group of Cubans. Her deportation occurred despite lacking a criminal record and possessing an I-220B immigration document, leaving her family facing separation and hardship in Cuba. The family’s attorney plans to continue fighting for Sánchez’s return to the U.S.
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At least 281 people were injured, with the number later rising to over 560, following a significant explosion at an Iranian port. State television attributed the incident to negligence in handling flammable materials, offering a seemingly straightforward explanation that avoids suggesting external attack. This immediately raises questions, mirroring similar incidents where initial explanations later proved incomplete or misleading.
The timing of the explosion, coinciding with the commencement of a new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Oman, initially fueled speculation about a possible connection. However, the lack of any official claim of an attack, and the Iranian government’s typical tendency to be forthright about such incidents, makes this less likely.… Continue reading
An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City killed ten people, including five children, prompting outrage and renewed efforts for a ceasefire. At least 49 Palestinians died in Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours. Hamas sent a delegation to Cairo to negotiate a ceasefire, while Israel continues its blockade of Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis with dwindling food supplies. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions regarding prisoner releases and long-term resolutions.
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The Justice Department rescinded a Biden-era policy shielding journalists in leak investigations, enabling the use of subpoenas and compelled testimony. This reversal allows for a more aggressive approach to probing leaks, mirroring practices employed during the Trump and Obama administrations. While the Attorney General claims a commitment to press independence, the new policy permits the DOJ to seek information and testimony from journalists, subject to leadership approval and advance notice. This decision has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates who argue that protecting sources is vital for investigative journalism.
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A New York Times/Siena College poll reveals that President Trump’s approval rating stands at 42% after his first 100 days, marked by significant policy changes including tariffs, immigration crackdowns, and cuts to federal programs. A majority of respondents disapprove of his handling of the economy (76%), immigration (52%), and his approach to diversity initiatives (47%). The poll also highlights widespread perceptions of the administration as “chaotic” (66%) and “scary” (59%), underscoring a significant level of public dissatisfaction. Even with his economic policies, a notable percentage of respondents (44%) anticipate negative personal consequences.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood