The Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been denied access to the Transaction Record Analysis Center (TRAC), a financial surveillance database tracking wire transfers between the U.S. and Mexico, due to concerns over misuse of the data. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes confirmed the “de-platforming” of ERO agents, emphasizing the data’s intended use for purposes other than immigration. This decision followed reports of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division using TRAC records to locate and arrest immigrants, including one case involving a man tracked after sending money to his family. Civil liberties groups, while supporting the restriction, argue that access should be completely cut off for all ICE agents to prevent mass deportation.
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In response to President Trump’s request, the City of West Hollywood lowered LGBTQ+ Pride flags to half-staff to honor the late right-wing pundit Charlie Kirk, sparking significant backlash. Community members and social media users condemned the decision due to Kirk’s documented homophobic views. City officials stated the action was in accordance with their policy, which follows presidential direction on flag protocol, but they acknowledged the importance of community values. As a result, the West Hollywood City Council plans to discuss updating the policy at future meetings.
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Poland’s foreign minister urged NATO members to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine to shield Europe from Russian attacks. This call comes in the wake of a drone incursion into Poland last week, which led to the scrambling of fighter jets by the U.S.-led alliance. The proposal aims to provide greater security in the face of ongoing conflict. The request highlights escalating concerns about the conflict’s potential impact on surrounding nations.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott addressed individuals mocking Charlie Kirk’s death, sharing a video of a student’s arrest for celebrating the news. Abbott, along with other Texas lawmakers, condemned the student’s actions and thanked Texas Tech University for their response. The student involved in the incident is no longer enrolled at the university. This comes after the tragic death of Charlie Kirk who was fatally shot at Utah Valley University.
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Following disruptions at the Vuelta a España cycling race by pro-Palestinian protesters, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for Israel to be banned from international sports events, comparing its actions to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The protests, which caused the final stage of the race to be cut short, led to arrests and injuries. The government’s stance sparked a diplomatic dispute, with criticism from the Israeli Foreign Minister and Madrid’s mayor. The incident has prompted discussions about the future of sporting events involving Israeli teams, particularly in light of the upcoming Tour de France in Barcelona.
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China’s market regulator has accused Nvidia of violating anti-monopoly laws, although specific details of the violations have not been disclosed. This announcement coincided with US-China trade talks in Spain, led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, aimed at resolving trade disputes. Following the talks, the US hinted at a deal to avert a ban on TikTok, indicating a potential shift in the ongoing trade war. The investigation into Nvidia appears to be related to the broader battle over the semiconductor chip market, and the talks were likely to address which chips, including those from Nvidia, would be permitted to enter China.
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Following the closure of the popular climate.gov website due to funding cuts by the Trump administration, experts have launched an independent successor, climate.us, to ensure public access to critical climate information. The Trump administration’s actions involved the termination of climate.gov staff and the removal of climate data, including information related to diversity and equity. The new platform aims to restore censored content and continuously update climate data, countering the administration’s efforts to suppress climate science. This initiative underscores the importance of accessible and trusted climate information, especially given the implications for extreme weather preparedness and the ongoing climate crisis.
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Following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, President Trump opted to deliver divisive remarks, blaming the “radical left” for the shooting, even before a suspect was apprehended. The president vowed to investigate those he perceived as contributing to political violence, signaling an intention to use the power of the state against his political opponents. Trump later boasted about a “major investigation” into individuals on the left, although the details of this probe remained unclear. This aligns with Trump’s broader strategy of exacerbating societal polarization and delegitimizing his political opponents, while also sending signals to the right, appearing to excuse extremist violence and expressing skepticism about democratic processes.
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Karen Attiah, a former Washington Post columnist, was fired after the paper deemed her social media posts following right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination “unacceptable.” Attiah stated she was the last remaining full-time Black opinion writer on staff. The Washington Post cited its policies on social media use but declined further comment on the firing. Attiah asserted her posts expressed “sadness and fear for America” and condemnation of political violence. She also noted this was a broader pattern of purging black voices.
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During a recent exchange, former President Donald Trump claimed that 300 million Americans died from drug overdoses in the past year. This assertion is demonstrably false, as official data from the CDC indicates that drug overdose deaths were closer to 75,000 in the 12 months ending March 2025. Trump’s exaggerated figure vastly surpasses even global drug-related deaths reported by the WHO. This is not the first time Trump has misrepresented drug death statistics, which has drawn criticism and mockery.
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John Q. Hosedrinker