Early Tuesday, an Iranian missile struck a residential building in Be’er Sheva, resulting in at least four fatalities and over 20 injuries, according to the Magen David Adom emergency service. The direct hit caused extensive damage, prompting rescue teams to conduct a room-by-room search of the evacuated buildings. The incident was part of a broader Iranian missile barrage that triggered air raid sirens across multiple regions in Israel, despite the announcement of a phased ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Concerns arose about the ceasefire’s implementation and the potential for further escalation of hostilities.
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In a recent dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor criticized the Trump administration’s handling of immigration matters, accusing the court of “rewarding lawlessness” by supporting the administration’s emergency appeal to deport migrants. The dissent, joined by the court’s other liberals, specifically addressed the administration’s attempts to deport migrants to countries like South Sudan with minimal notice, despite lower court injunctions. Sotomayor argued that the government’s behavior threatened the rule of law by openly flouting court orders and repeatedly seeking relief from the Supreme Court on the emergency docket. This is the tenth time the court has granted a request from Trump on the emergency docket.
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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that despite a closed-door working session, Ukraine would be a central focus of the Hague summit, emphasizing unwavering support and highlighting Russia as the most direct threat. Discussions will include Ukraine’s defense spending up to 2035 and its continued fight, along with pledges of over 35 billion euros in additional security assistance. Rutte reiterated Ukraine’s path to NATO membership, while also addressing the geopolitical tensions fueled by Iran and the importance of transatlantic unity.
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The Trump Administration to End Protections for 58 Million Acres of National Forests – it’s a headline that’s hard to ignore, isn’t it? It immediately conjures up images of vast, untouched landscapes, and the potential for significant changes that could reshape how we interact with these precious areas. It’s a move that has triggered a strong reaction, and for good reason.
The sheer scale of the decision is staggering. We’re talking about 58 million acres of national forests, a significant portion of the total acreage dedicated to these protected areas. Consider that there are only about 193 million acres of national forest total, and this move suddenly puts a huge chunk up for grabs.… Continue reading
A federal jury has awarded $500,000 to the widow and estate of a police officer who died by suicide shortly after defending the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. The eight-member jury found David Walls-Kaufman liable for assaulting Officer Jeffrey Smith, awarding the widow and estate for damages. The encounter, which took place during the riot, was captured on the officer’s body camera. Walls-Kaufman, who served a 60-day prison sentence for a riot-related misdemeanor, denied assaulting the officer.
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Military officials, concerned about then-President Trump’s social media activity potentially jeopardizing operational security, devised a plan to mislead his team regarding a planned attack on Iran. While publicly maintaining a facade of deliberation, the administration was actively planning the strikes. The military, fearing Trump’s unpredictable online behavior, deployed decoy bombers to Guam, ensuring only one group flew towards the actual target. Despite Trump’s claims of obliterating Iranian nuclear facilities, damage reports indicated a more limited impact.
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On Sunday, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office recovered the bodies of three hikers near Lake Tahoe. The hikers were part of a group of six who were in the Soda Springs area when three of them jumped into Rattlesnake Falls and did not resurface. After receiving the alert Wednesday afternoon, authorities deployed a dive team, suspending search operations Thursday due to unfavorable weather conditions before resuming and ultimately recovering the bodies on Sunday.
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In a recent order, Republican justices on the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump may effectively bypass laws and treaties protecting immigrants from torture. This temporary order allows the administration to send immigrants to potentially dangerous countries while the *D.V.D.* case is litigated. The administration appears to have exploited a loophole, attempting to deport individuals to countries, such as South Sudan and Libya, where they face a high risk of torture without providing new hearings. Justice Sotomayor dissented, highlighting the potential for a deadly trap, as the administration seems to be intentionally selecting unsafe destinations after immigration hearings have already been completed.
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Following air attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow and pledged support to Iran. Putin did not specify the nature of this support, while the Kremlin suggested it would depend on Iran’s needs. Highlighting the established alliance between the two nations, Putin condemned the attacks as unprovoked aggression and affirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting the Iranian people. Furthermore, Putin also discussed the Middle East crisis with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani.
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The thing that’s truly baffling is how easily the conservative argument about gay marriage leading to human-animal marriage seems to have been forgotten. It was a cornerstone of the opposition, a scare tactic deployed with surprising frequency. Remember the dire warnings? If we allowed same-sex couples to marry, the next thing you knew, people would be tying the knot with their pets, the slippery slope argument in full effect. But here we are, years after marriage equality became the law of the land, and… crickets. No mass weddings for humans and their furry, scaled, or feathered companions. No legislative push to recognize such unions.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood