In Nagasaki, Japan, the twin cathedral bells of Immaculate Conception cathedral rang in unison for the first time in 80 years on Saturday, marking the anniversary of the atomic bombing that devastated the city. This moment of remembrance, held at 11:02 am, the exact time of the bomb’s detonation, included a renewed bell constructed with funds from U.S. churchgoers after the original was damaged. The ceremony emphasized peace, with Nagasaki’s mayor urging the world to halt armed conflicts, highlighting the ongoing threat of nuclear war and the importance of remembering the victims and the city’s history. The event, spearheaded by an American professor whose grandfather worked on the Manhattan Project, symbolized unity, with nearly 100 countries participating, and was a powerful testament to the resilience of the community.
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Swiss politicians from various parties are now advocating to cancel the F-35A fighter jet purchase from Lockheed Martin following the imposition of harsh tariffs by President Trump. The proposed purchase, which could cost up to 7.3 billion Swiss francs, has become a contentious topic due to a pricing misunderstanding and the recent tariffs, especially since the 39% rate on Swiss exports is among the highest for developed countries. Some lawmakers are calling for a renewed plebiscite, or an immediate halt to the contract. This potential change of direction comes as Switzerland aims to strengthen defense collaborations with European partners, given its existing security policy.
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Following a parent’s accusation, a Florida teacher reached a settlement with the state, allowing her to retain her teaching certificate. The settlement, which included a fine and ethics course, stemmed from the teacher using a student’s preferred nickname, a practice that allegedly violated the state’s “don’t say gay” law. While the state upheld the settlement, Brevard Public Schools will not rehire the teacher, citing the probationary period. Despite the controversy and the Education Commissioner’s initial opposition, the local teachers’ union celebrated the decision, advocating for the teacher’s return to the classroom.
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The House Oversight Committee, led by Republicans, is investigating the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, issuing subpoenas for documents and testimonies from former officials and Ghislaine Maxwell. Democrats, however, are pushing for the inclusion of survivors’ testimonies to center the voices of those abused. The current investigation was sparked by public concern following the Trump administration’s refusal to release more information about the government’s investigation. Representative Ayanna Pressley, along with other Democratic colleagues, believe survivors deserve transparency and accountability.
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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s impending shutdown, due to a congressional funding clawback, threatens local PBS and NPR stations. Simultaneously, the White House has partnered with PragerU, a conservative media organization, for its Founders Museum exhibit. PragerU’s educational videos, which have garnered millions of social media followers, offer a right-leaning perspective. This partnership with the White House and similar partnerships with numerous states demonstrate a strategy to disseminate PragerU’s content to a wider audience and potentially counter what they see as liberal biases in education.
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The subject of the NIH’s Autism Registry immediately brings to mind the chilling echoes of history, a time when difference was seen as a threat, and those deemed “undesirable” were targeted. The very idea of an autism registry, in the current political climate, ignites a primal fear: that it could become a tool for discrimination and, potentially, something far worse. The concerns raised aren’t simply theoretical; they are rooted in the actions of those who, throughout history, sought to control and eliminate those they deemed “unfit.” The historical context of the registry, and who is backing it, makes it difficult to ignore the possibility of a sinister agenda.… Continue reading
The US imposed a 39% tariff on Swiss imports of 1kg gold bars, a move that sent gold futures to a record high. This decision followed a ruling letter clarifying that certain gold bar imports were not exempt from tariffs, impacting a major player in the global gold refining industry. Switzerland, a dominant force in gold exports, saw its exports to the US surge in the first quarter of 2025 as investors sought refuge in gold amidst trade uncertainties. The Swiss precious metals association noted this impact on trade balance and expressed concern over the economic viability of exporting gold to the US.
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A Russian FPV drone attack on a bus in the Kherson region resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to 19 others. The initial strike occurred around 8:00 a.m. local time, followed by a second drone attack that injured three police officers. The victims sustained blast and shrapnel injuries, with ages ranging from 23 to 83. This attack is part of ongoing Russian targeting of settlements in the Kherson Oblast, which has been heavily impacted since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
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During his 2024 campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly promised to make in-vitro fertilization (IVF) free for those who needed it, using rhetoric that framed his anti-abortion stance as pro-family. Despite this promise, the White House has since confirmed that there will be no attempts to provide free IVF, a move celebrated by conservative activists who oppose IVF. These same activists are now promoting “Restorative Reproductive Medicine” (RRM), which is a false alternative. RRM is designed to blame women for infertility through claims of sexual sin while simultaneously demonizing birth control.
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Despite past successful elections, a new threat to free and fair elections has emerged: the federal government’s efforts to undermine the process. The Trump administration has launched a campaign including actions like gutting election security agencies and seeking access to voter information. These efforts are unprecedented and potentially illegal, with the goal of discrediting election results and gaining control over the system. While past elections withstood great pressure, vigilance, courage, and determination are needed to defend democracy in the face of these actions, with voters ultimately holding the final say.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood