Takahiro Shiraishi, dubbed the “Twitter killer,” was executed in Japan for the murders of nine individuals he met online. He targeted vulnerable users who posted about suicide, offering to help them or die alongside them. Shiraishi’s crimes, including robbery, rape, murder, and dismemberment, occurred in 2017 and involved the concealment of body parts in coolers and toolboxes. The Justice Minister cited the heinous nature of the crimes as the reason for the execution, which was Japan’s first since 2022.
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Two smugglers involved in the 2022 Texas tractor-trailer tragedy, the deadliest human smuggling attempt in U.S. history, were sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Felipe Orduna-Torres, the alleged leader, received two life sentences plus 20 years, while Armando Gonzales-Ortega, his assistant, was sentenced to 87.5 years. The men were convicted for their roles in a human smuggling conspiracy that led to the deaths of 53 migrants. The 64 migrants had been trapped inside a trailer with broken air conditioning, and were left for hours until the truck was opened in San Antonio.
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced he will not engage in telephone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing the failure of previous attempts to de-escalate the conflict in Ukraine. Merz pointed to the attacks following Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit and a phone call between Putin and former Chancellor Olaf Scholz as evidence of the ineffectiveness of such communications. While Putin has expressed openness to discussions with Merz, the current chancellor has stated that he would only consider a meeting if it could contribute to ending the war. Furthermore, Merz noted a growing skepticism and criticality toward Putin from US President Donald Trump, indicating an aligning assessment within Europe.
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In a poignant tribute, Gilbert, the golden retriever, received the unprecedented honor of lying in state alongside his owners, Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, who were fatally shot. Gilbert, who was also killed in the attack, is believed to be the first dog to receive this distinction, typically reserved for human dignitaries. The Capitol ceremony included a pedestal for Gilbert’s remains and a memorial with a box of dog biscuits, reflecting the deep bond and shared loss. This gesture highlights the profound impact of the tragedy, which also involved the shooting of other political figures.
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Opponents of President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship are pursuing new legal strategies to challenge it. The ACLU and immigration rights advocates have filed a class-action lawsuit arguing the order violates the Constitution, seeking an emergency restraining order. The suit, filed in New Hampshire, seeks to protect a class of babies and their parents, potentially filling gaps left by existing litigation. The legal move is an attempt to navigate a recent Supreme Court decision limiting sweeping injunctions, although justices have raised concerns about the use of nationwide class actions to challenge the order.
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During an interview, Senator Tommy Tuberville expressed concern about the leadership in major American cities, deeming it “godawful.” He advocated for President Trump to defund these cities, particularly those with “sanctuary” policies, citing the federal debt. Tuberville characterized individuals in these urban areas as “rats” living off the government and called for their deportation. He also made controversial comments about urban dwellers potentially relocating to Alabama. Additionally, Tuberville expressed views on mass migration and radical Islamic terrorism, comparing certain American cities to European cities he believes are negatively impacted.
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The Turkish Health Ministry has implemented new restrictions on hormone medications used in gender-affirming care, specifically targeting individuals under the age of 21. The directive, issued through the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, cites the government’s “Year of the Family” campaign and the protection of “cultural and moral values” as justification. The restricted medications include testosterone-based drugs, GnRH analogues, and high-dose estrogen products, although they remain accessible for other medical conditions. This policy change follows an earlier restriction and aligns Turkey with other countries limiting access to hormone replacement therapy, raising concerns among experts about the potential impact on the physical and mental well-being of transgender individuals.
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Immigrant rights advocates swiftly filed a nationwide class action lawsuit challenging President Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship. This action was taken in direct response to a Supreme Court decision limiting nationwide injunctions against the order. The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU and other groups, alleges the administration is violating the Constitution, congressional intent, and Supreme Court precedent, seeking protections for affected babies and their parents. Constitutional experts and Rep. Jamie Raskin criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling and predicted the action of public interest groups would be to file a nationwide class action suit. This legal strategy follows the Supreme Court leaving the door open to other avenues to challenge the administration.
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During a radio interview, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand appeared to suggest Zohran Mamdani had condoned “global jihad” in response to a caller’s claims about the newly elected politician. While addressing the accusations, Gillibrand stated she was concerned by past public statements and positions, particularly references to global jihad, which was later clarified by the show’s host. Gillibrand’s office later clarified that she had “misspoke” while attempting to address the caller’s assertions. Mamdani’s campaign declined to comment on the matter.
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To combat the misuse of AI-generated deepfakes, the Danish government plans to grant citizens property rights over their likeness and voice. This proposed legislation would allow individuals to request the removal of deepfakes featuring their image or voice from hosting platforms. The bill, which has cross-party support and is expected to pass this fall, aims to protect artists, public figures, and ordinary people from digital identity theft, addressing concerns highlighted by instances like AI-generated music mimicking popular artists. Further legislation is planned to potentially fine companies that fail to comply with takedown requests, reflecting Denmark’s commitment to both freedom of speech and individual rights in the age of generative AI.
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John Q. Hosedrinker