Jonathan Braun, previously granted clemency by Donald Trump in 2021, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for violating the terms of his supervised release. Braun, who had his federal drug trafficking sentence commuted, was accused of sexually assaulting his children’s nanny and physically abusing a 3-year-old child. This marks Braun as the eighth individual granted clemency by Trump who has since been accused of further crimes. Braun, who was previously a high-ranking member of an international drug smuggling operation, was also ordered to undergo rehabilitation.
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In an unprecedented move, former US President Donald Trump wrote to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, urging him to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu of corruption charges. Trump argued that the case was a “political, unjustified prosecution” and that Netanyahu should be allowed to unite Israel. This call for a pardon follows previous criticisms of the charges against Netanyahu, including comments made to the Knesset last month and a declaration of the trial being a “witch hunt”. President Herzog responded by stating that any pardon request must follow established procedures, highlighting the need for a formal request.
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Newly released emails from the House Oversight Committee reveal multiple mentions of President Trump by Jeffrey Epstein. The White House has not yet issued a comment on the matter. Epstein abuse survivor Liz Stein is scheduled to share her reaction and advocate for the complete release of all related files.
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Apple has removed two popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its China app store due to an order from Chinese authorities, a company spokesperson confirmed. This action has sparked concerns within the LGBT community, despite a “lite” version of Blued remaining available. Apple operates a separate app store in China to comply with the country’s strict internet regulations. The BBC has reached out to the Chinese embassy and the apps’ developers for further comment.
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Czech President Petr Pavel, a former NATO Military Committee chairman, has cautioned that NATO must respond decisively to Russian airspace violations, as Moscow perceives restraint as weakness. Pavel believes Russia is actively testing NATO’s air defenses to gauge both individual and collective capabilities, aiming to assess the Alliance’s resolve. He pointed to past incidents, such as Russia’s repeated violations over Turkey, highlighting how a strong response ultimately deterred further aggression. In a related incident, Belgium’s military was ordered to shoot down any unidentified drones over its military bases after a drone sighting near a nuclear power plant.
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To obscure his true location, Vladimir Putin has been utilizing three nearly identical offices across Russia, particularly since the invasion of Ukraine. Investigators, using details like door handle alignment and wall seam variations, found that many meetings attributed to Novo-Ogaryovo were actually filmed in Valdai, a heavily fortified residence. This practice, intensified after 2014 and during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflects a system designed to prioritize Putin’s personal security and comfort. Despite rare returns to other locations, Valdai remains the core of his presidential activity, indicating that the use of decoy offices has become an institutionalized practice within the Kremlin.
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Democratic wins in redistricting war offset GOP gains have become a significant talking point in the political landscape.
The Republican Party’s strategy of aggressively gerrymandering districts, designed to cement their advantage, appears to be facing a counter-offensive. There’s a feeling that the GOP overplayed its hand, perhaps fueled by a certain hubris. They seemingly believed they could control the electorate through these tactics, but the reality is more nuanced. This overreach might have backfired, especially in states like Texas, where shifts in voter demographics, specifically amongst Latino communities, are potentially altering the expected outcomes. The impact could mean fewer seats for the GOP than they had initially hoped for from their partisan gerrymandering efforts.… Continue reading
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is facing criticism and calls to step down due to strategic missteps during the recent government shutdown negotiations. His attempt to force Republicans to extend Covid-era tax credits, a move he believed would be politically advantageous, backfired as a faction of Democrats and Republicans reached an agreement without his input. This incident highlighted Schumer’s perceived inability to manage expectations about what Democrats could achieve, particularly when facing Republican opposition and a divided caucus. Schumer’s history of overpromising, coupled with a lack of realistic assessment of Republican willingness to compromise, has led to a perception of ineffectiveness and fueled dissatisfaction among Democrats.
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In a recent interview with Fox News, President Trump defended the H1-B visa program, arguing that the U.S. requires skilled foreign workers due to a lack of “certain talents” domestically. He cited the Georgia Hyundai facility raid as an example, highlighting the need for specialized skills. The president, despite prior crackdowns on immigration, asserted the necessity of these workers. Trump also noted that it is good to have outside countries in the U.S. such as Chinese nationals.
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Whooping cough cases skyrocket in Texas, quadrupling last year’s numbers. It’s truly alarming, and frankly, a bit horrifying, to see this dramatic increase in whooping cough cases across Texas. The numbers have essentially exploded, with a four-fold increase compared to the previous year. It’s a clear sign of a significant public health challenge, and it really makes you wonder what’s driving this surge.
Whooping cough cases skyrocket in Texas, quadrupling last year’s numbers. We’re talking about a disease that, while treatable, can be incredibly difficult, especially for infants and young children. The characteristic “whooping” sound when they try to catch their breath is a clear indication of how serious this infection can get.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood