A DC resident, Sam O’Hara, has filed a lawsuit against DC Metro police officers after being arrested for playing Darth Vader’s theme music near National Guard troops. O’Hara was protesting the troops’ presence in the city by recording them and playing “The Imperial March,” which the ACLU lawyers argue is a form of protected expression. Despite not impeding the troops or engaging in any threatening behavior, O’Hara was arrested after an Ohio National Guard member complained about the satirical protest. The officers then handcuffed and detained O’Hara, but he was eventually released when officials realized there was no legal basis for his arrest.
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Ukraine to set up arms export offices in Berlin, Copenhagen, Zelenskiy says – that’s quite the announcement, isn’t it? It immediately sparks a lot of thoughts, doesn’t it? My first impression? It’s a savvy move, especially considering the current context. It’s almost like a wartime necessity turned into an economic opportunity.
Now, you might be wondering, why export arms when you’re in the middle of a conflict and presumably *needing* those weapons? Well, it’s not as contradictory as it might seem initially. The core of this strategy revolves around revenue generation. Ukraine is essentially transforming its battlefield experience and technological prowess into a tangible asset.… Continue reading
Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic effort to fully fund SNAP benefits, which had run out of funding during the government shutdown. Senator Jeff Merkley proposed a resolution to provide $8 billion for November’s SNAP benefits. However, the resolution was rejected by Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, who claimed it was a political stunt and insisted reopening the government was the solution. The Trump administration previously announced it would partially fund SNAP through the Agriculture Department.
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Jake Haro, father of missing baby Emmanuel Haro, sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for murder, a devastating reality that has brought this horrific case to a close, at least in the courtroom. It’s hard to fathom the depths of this tragedy, particularly considering the background of abuse and the utter lack of regard for human life demonstrated.
It’s truly sickening to hear that Jake Haro had a history of abusing another child, with that child ultimately being left bedridden. The fact that he wasn’t already behind bars, given this previous abuse, is simply outrageous. It really makes you question how the system works.… Continue reading
A new report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reveals that famine has spread to two regions of war-torn Sudan, including el-Fasher in Darfur and Kadugli town in South Kordofan province, with approximately 375,000 people now facing famine conditions. The report cites a “total collapse of livelihoods, starvation, extremely high levels of malnutrition and death” as the primary drivers of this crisis, exacerbated by sieges and intensified fighting between the Sudanese military and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF’s focus on Darfur has cut off food supplies and led to widespread displacement, contributing to the world’s largest humanitarian disaster. The IPC notes that over 21 million people, or 45% of the population, face acute food insecurity, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire to prevent further loss of life.
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In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump endorsed Andrew Cuomo, an independent candidate, for New York City mayor on the eve of the election, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk issuing a similar endorsement. Trump urged voters to support Cuomo over Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, suggesting that a vote for Republican Curtis Sliwa would effectively support Mamdani. Cuomo, a Democrat running as an independent after losing the primary, is viewed by Trump and Musk as a preferable alternative to Mamdani. Mamdani’s campaign responded, suggesting that Trump and Musk view Cuomo as someone they can control.
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The government shutdown has caused a wave of Head Start center closures across the country, impacting thousands of families and children. Many centers have missed out on federal grant payments, leading to indefinite closures and forcing parents to scramble for childcare. These closures mean that low-income children are missing out on essential preschool services, including meals and developmental therapies. The situation is exacerbated by potential cuts to food assistance programs like SNAP, further burdening families who rely on Head Start for both childcare and nutritional support.
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A comprehensive list of locations, including every state and territory of the United States, along with various international locations, has been compiled. This expansive directory also incorporates locations associated with the US Armed Forces, spanning Americas, Pacific, and Europe. Furthermore, it contains a listing of Canadian provinces and territories. Lastly, the list is categorized as a postal code.
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In response to the Trump administration’s blame game regarding the government shutdown, several blue states have begun directly informing residents about the potential impact on SNAP benefits. Massachusetts, California, and Illinois have implemented alerts on their social services websites, explicitly attributing the potential pause in SNAP benefits to actions by President Trump and Congressional Republicans. These states are mirroring the tactics used by the Trump administration during previous shutdowns, which saw federal websites placing blame on Democrats. This shift is occurring amidst ongoing disputes over healthcare funding, with Republicans and Democrats disagreeing on extending subsidies and falsely claiming the other side’s motives.
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A recent Guardian investigation revealed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been detaining individuals for extended periods in undisclosed holding facilities, despite internal policies limiting confinement to a few hours. This practice, which has been in place since September 2023, involves the use of at least 170 sites nationwide, including field offices. The investigation found that even after a June memo increased the confinement limit to three days, individuals continued to be held for longer durations. Advocates and former officials express serious safety concerns, citing minimal oversight, restricted access for attorneys, and conditions that raise questions about due process and the potential for abuse.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
ICE Detains People in Secret Locations, Ignoring Legal Limits
A recent Guardian investigation revealed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been detaining individuals for extended periods in undisclosed holding facilities, despite internal policies limiting confinement to a few hours. This practice, which has been in place since September 2023, involves the use of at least 170 sites nationwide, including field offices. The investigation found that even after a June memo increased the confinement limit to three days, individuals continued to be held for longer durations. Advocates and former officials express serious safety concerns, citing minimal oversight, restricted access for attorneys, and conditions that raise questions about due process and the potential for abuse.
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