In a peculiar incident, Department of Defense contractors mistakenly declared a Mexican beach as U.S. territory. The contractors, intending to mark a “National Defense Area” on the Texas side, inadvertently planted six signs south of the U.S.-Mexico border. The Mexican Navy intervened, discovering the error, and removed the signs. The Pentagon attributed the mishap to altered topography and stated plans to prevent future confusion, while the Mexican government initiated an investigation, involving the International Boundary and Water Commission.
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A draft proposal obtained by the Associated Press details a plan for ending the war in Ukraine, potentially ceding land to Russia and limiting the size of Kyiv’s military. The plan, developed through negotiations between Washington and Moscow, would allow Russia to retain control of the Donbas region and maintain its grip on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. The agreement also includes a “Peace Council” that Trump would oversee. However, the proposal faces resistance from both European leaders and Ukrainian officials, raising doubts about its viability and potential to reward Russian aggression.
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Lawrence Reed, 50, is facing a federal terrorism charge for allegedly setting a 26-year-old woman on fire on a Chicago CTA train. The victim was reportedly “minding her business” when Reed approached her and poured a flammable liquid over her before igniting it. Surveillance footage shows Reed purchasing gasoline shortly before the attack and has a prior criminal record dating back to 2017. He is currently in federal custody and will undergo mental and physical evaluations before his detention hearing.
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Amtrak experienced a record-breaking fiscal year 2025, with 34.5 million customer trips, a 5.1% increase over the previous year, and $2.7 billion in adjusted ticket revenue. Total operating revenue reached $3.9 billion, a 9.1% increase, accompanied by a 15.1% rise in unaudited adjusted operating earnings. Key achievements included launching new services like Mardi Gras Service and Borealis, record-high on-time performance for Northeast Regional trains, and a significant $5.5 billion in capital investments for infrastructure upgrades and accessibility enhancements.
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Congressman Ro Khanna spearheaded the legislative effort that led to the passage of a bill mandating the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, despite initial resistance. With the Justice Department now obligated to release the documents, Khanna warned officials to comply or face potential consequences, including prosecution in future administrations. He also expressed support for issuing a subpoena to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, to compel him to answer questions about his relationship with Epstein. Khanna emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, particularly as Democrats aim to regain control of the House of Representatives.
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Donald Trump’s use of the term “Piggy” towards a female reporter, claiming it demonstrated the president’s “frankness and openness.” Leavitt emphasized that Trump’s behavior, including his direct engagement with reporters and his criticism of “fake news,” reflects a level of transparency unseen in the previous administration. According to Leavitt, Trump’s approach is more respectful than past administrations. The White House had previously defended the comment, stating the reporter’s behavior was “inappropriate and unprofessional.”
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Grammy-winning rapper Pras Michel of the Fugees has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegally funneling millions in foreign contributions to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. The 52-year-old was convicted on 10 counts, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, following a trial in which actor Leonardo DiCaprio testified. Prosecutors sought a life sentence, citing the breadth of Michel’s crimes and greed, while his defense argued for a much shorter sentence and will appeal the conviction. Michel obtained over $120 million from Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jho and attempted to obstruct a Justice Department investigation, leading to the court’s decision.
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Two Texas chapters of the Center on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have initiated legal action against Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, challenges Abbott’s designation of CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization and subsequent ban on the group owning land within the state. The suit alleges violations of CAIR’s First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and association, along with due process violations under the Fourteenth Amendment. CAIR’s legal challenge also highlights Abbott’s direction to investigate the organization, as well as claims made by the Governor that CAIR is a “front group” for Hamas and a direct subsidiary of the Muslim Brotherhood.
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Despite accusing lawmakers of sedition, a crime he stated is “punishable by death,” the White House has clarified that former President Trump does not support the execution of any members of Congress. This clarification comes after Trump’s strong rhetoric against political opponents. The administration is attempting to manage the fallout from the statement.
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The statement, released by House Democratic leadership, unequivocally condemns Donald Trump’s “disgusting and dangerous death threats” against members of Congress, specifically referencing those who served the country with “tremendous patriotism.” The leadership points to Trump’s history of attacking those who have served the country, connecting his rhetoric to the January 6th Capitol attack. They have contacted the appropriate authorities to ensure the safety of the targeted members and their families. They call for Trump to remove the posts and retract his violent language.
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John Q. Hosedrinker