Inspired by real-life fungi that manipulate insects, the popular series “The Last of Us” depicts a fictional pandemic where a similar fungus infects humans. A recent discovery of a 99-million-year-old fly trapped in amber, infected by a parasitic fungus, provides one of the oldest examples of this phenomenon. This find reveals the long history of these mind-controlling parasites and helps scientists understand the evolution of such interactions. The amber-encased specimens may offer insights into whether these ancient fungi are related to those that infect modern insects.
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In a shocking incident in northern Idaho, a group of firefighters responding to a wildfire found themselves in an ambush. A man, identified as Wess Roley, intentionally set the fire and opened fire on the crew from a sniper position, resulting in the deaths of two firefighters and the injury of a third. Law enforcement, including helicopters with snipers and the FBI using cell phone data, located the suspect dead in the mountains with a firearm nearby. Authorities have confirmed the fire was intentionally set as an ambush, but a motive has not yet been released.
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Canada has provided approximately US$1.7 billion to Ukraine, sourced from revenues generated by frozen Russian assets, as part of the G7’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative. This contribution brings Ukraine’s total funding from the immobilization of Russian assets to around US$17.6 billion since the start of the year. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal expressed gratitude for the Canadian support and emphasized the need for full confiscation of frozen Russian assets to aid in Ukraine’s recovery and provide compensation for victims. The UK has also utilized these assets for military aid packages, with Ukrainian officials advocating for their continued use in procuring weapons.
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Palantir Technologies, a company founded by Peter Thiel, is at the intersection of AI assets, the US military, data collection for the Trump regime, and elements of Silicon Valley pushing for a shift away from democracy. Palantir uses AI to analyze personal data, and it was chosen to compile a super-database of information from various government agencies, potentially to advance political agendas. This move raises concerns, as former employees and some Republicans worry about the potential for misuse. Behind Palantir’s selection are figures like Elon Musk, who has worked closely with Thiel, who have contributed vast sums of money to political causes that appear to devalue democracy.
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GOP senators unveil amendment to shrink Medicaid by another $313B. Well, here we go again. It seems like there’s a constant churn of legislation aimed at tweaking and, let’s be frank, shrinking Medicaid. And this time, Republican senators are at the helm, proposing an amendment that would cut spending by a whopping $313 billion. It’s a move that raises a lot of questions, and frankly, a lot of eyebrows.
The core of the proposed cuts seems to be focused on limiting the expansion of Medicaid that was established under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. This isn’t new territory. These cuts, if enacted, would kick in after the next election cycle.… Continue reading
During a private dinner at the NATO summit, leaders, including Czech President Petr Pavel, urged then-White House chief Donald Trump to intensify economic pressure on Russia to encourage negotiations. Pavel and others argued for increased sanctions, highlighting their effectiveness, by referencing Trump’s past success in pressuring China through tariffs. While Trump remained reserved, he acknowledged the potential of economic pressure as a tool, as reported by Pavel.
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Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi issued a fatwa declaring US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “enemies of God” due to their perceived threats against Iran’s leadership. This decree calls upon Muslims globally to unite against the leaders, viewing any support for them as forbidden. A “mohareb,” or enemy of God, under Iranian law, can face severe penalties, including execution. This fatwa, mirroring past instances of religious decrees, was issued following a period of heightened conflict between Iran, Israel, and the US, with the fatwa urging Muslims to make the leaders regret their actions.
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In a recent interview with Meet the Press, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani discussed his campaign platform and addressed criticisms. Mamdani reiterated his stance on wealth inequality, stating his belief that billionaires should not exist. The interview also delved into specific policy proposals, including his tax plan, and addressed accusations of antisemitism leveled against him.
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Kristi Noem, while governor of South Dakota, received $80,000 through her personal company, Ashwood Strategies, from a dark money group called American Resolve Policy Fund. This payment, described as a fundraising fee, was not included on her federal disclosure forms, which experts suggest is a possible ethics violation. The nonprofit, which doesn’t disclose its donors, paid Ashwood Strategies for raising funds, a highly unusual arrangement according to experts. Noem’s lawyer stated she complied with the law but didn’t respond to whether the ethics office was aware of the payment. This arrangement may have also run afoul of South Dakota law, according to some experts.
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The report from the Center for Gun Violence Solutions and the Center for Suicide Prevention reveals that gun-related suicides in the U.S. reached a record high in 2023, with over 27,300 deaths. Despite a nearly 9% decrease, gun homicides remained near record levels, while guns continued to be the leading cause of death for young people aged 1-17. Alarmingly, gun suicide rates surged among Black and Hispanic youth, aligning with increased gun ownership rates. Researchers emphasize that this crisis is preventable through a comprehensive public health approach, including interventions that limit access to firearms for those at high risk of suicide.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood