The House Oversight Committee’s recent release of a birthday message from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein has fueled calls for the release of the remaining Epstein files. Representative McGovern emphasized the need for Congress to compel the administration to release the files, particularly given the unsettling nature of the released correspondence. A bill aimed at achieving this goal is currently supported by all House Democrats, but is still short of the required Republican signatures needed to force a vote on the issue.
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The Trump administration received notification that Israel attacked Hamas in Doha, Qatar, a close U.S. ally. According to Leavitt, the bombing of a sovereign nation does not serve the goals of either country, although eliminating Hamas, which has exploited Gazans, is a worthy objective. The president views Qatar as a strong ally and wants the war to end, along with the release of hostages and the deceased. Qatar has already suspended mediation efforts, and the attack threatens to prolong the conflict and the detention of Israeli hostages.
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Newly surfaced documents reveal a check from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein for a woman, along with an accompanying note. This note suggests the transaction involved the sale of a woman to Trump for $22,500, highlighting Epstein’s early manipulation skills. Furthermore, another document details a woman’s encounters with both Trump and Bill Clinton, emphasizing the network Epstein cultivated. These revelations are likely to deepen the scandal surrounding the disgraced financier.
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The Israeli Air Force launched a strike in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior Hamas leaders deemed responsible for the October 7th massacre and ongoing war efforts. The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed the operation, emphasizing the intent to eliminate key figures like Khalil al-Hayya and Jabarin. Israeli officials stated the attack was a wholly independent operation, fully initiated and conducted by Israel, with efforts made to minimize civilian casualties. Qatar condemned the attack as a violation of international law, stating the strike targeted the residential headquarters of Hamas’ political bureau in the Al-Qatara neighborhood.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Trump administration is claiming that the act of filming ICE agents and posting these videos online constitutes “violence.” DHS officials argue that such actions are “doxing” and will be prosecuted. This stance follows DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s expanded definition of violence to include any action that threatens DHS agents, including videotaping. Civil rights experts, however, contend that this interpretation contradicts First Amendment rights, and may lack factual basis. Despite these concerns, DHS has a large budget and has seen an increase in reported rights violations in immigration detention facilities.
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A recent Labor Department report revealed that the labor market created significantly fewer jobs than initially reported, with revisions showing a decrease of 911,000 jobs from the prior year. These downward revisions, the largest since 2002 and more than 50% higher than the previous year’s, indicated a weakening employment picture across various sectors, including leisure and hospitality, and professional and business services. The adjustments, based on quarterly census data, have sparked concerns about the economy’s health and have drawn criticism of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) data collection methods, leading to calls for new leadership. The White House has cited these revisions as evidence of economic struggles and increased pressure on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.
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The House Oversight Committee released a document featuring a joke about Jeffrey Epstein allegedly “selling” a woman to Donald Trump for $22,500. The image, originating from Epstein’s 2003 birthday book, includes a novelty check purportedly signed by “DJTRUMP” and a handwritten note. The note, apparently from Joel Pashcow, refers to Epstein’s skills with “money + women.” The White House denies the authenticity of Trump’s alleged signature and any involvement in the matter.
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In Nepal, violent protests resulted in the tragic death of Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, after protesters set fire to their home. Reports indicate that Chitrakar was rescued but succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The protests, sparked by the killing of 19 youths by security forces, also led to widespread destruction, with protesters setting ablaze key government buildings, including the Parliament and President’s office. The unrest extended to the homes and offices of numerous political figures, including the Prime Minister, fueled by anger over corruption.
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An Israeli strike targeting Hamas leadership in Qatar, a U.S. ally and key mediator, has raised concerns about escalating the conflict and endangering ceasefire negotiations. This unprecedented attack, condemned by Qatar as a violation of international law, occurred while Hamas officials were reportedly discussing a U.S. ceasefire proposal. The strike, publicly claimed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, occurred amidst stalled talks and growing international pressure for a lasting truce. The future of negotiations and the fate of the remaining hostages remain uncertain, as the war continues and relations between nations are tested.
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The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results reveal a continued decline in reading and math scores for high school students, with 12th graders’ scores reaching their lowest levels in over two decades. Eighth-grade students also showed significant losses in science proficiency, indicating a downward trend across multiple grade levels and subjects. Experts note these declines predate the pandemic and point to potential contributing factors such as increased screen time and shifts in teaching methods. Moreover, the achievement gap between highest and lowest performing students widened in both 8th grade science and 12th-grade math.
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John Q. Hosedrinker