Growing number of House Republicans sign on to effort to force vote on ACA subsidies — defying Speaker Johnson is shaping up to be a real political drama. It’s fascinating, isn’t it? We’re seeing a growing number of Republican House members essentially saying, “Hey Speaker Johnson, we don’t necessarily agree with you on this one.” And it’s all centered around the Affordable Care Act subsidies, those financial lifelines that help people afford health insurance.
From a practical point of view, it’s a tricky situation. Opposing the ACA is one thing, but actually offering a viable alternative? That’s where things get tough, and where the Republicans haven’t really stepped up to the plate.… Continue reading
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) lifted a tsunami advisory for northern Japan’s Pacific coast after a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori Prefecture. Two 20-centimeter waves were observed in the northern island of Hokkaido and the Aomori region, but there was no noticeable change in port conditions. Authorities reported no abnormalities at regional nuclear facilities, and this quake was less severe than a previous 7.5 magnitude earthquake that hit the same region earlier in the week. Following the earlier quake, the JMA issued a rare special advisory warning of a potential for a powerful earthquake within a week.
Read More
The House Oversight Committee released a second batch of images from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, featuring several high-profile individuals such as Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and Bill Gates, among others, with Epstein. The images, which included redactions, raise questions about Epstein’s connections to powerful figures, although they do not appear to show illegal activity. This release is part of the committee’s efforts to uncover more information, ahead of a deadline for the Justice Department to turn over Epstein-related files to Congress. Furthermore, the release included additional photos, some of which did not feature people, like one of Epstein in a bubble bath.
Read More
A bipartisan group of over 140 lawmakers has voiced opposition to the Department of Education’s proposal for new student-loan limits within President Trump’s repayment overhaul. The proposal includes lifetime borrowing caps for graduate and professional students, with a $100,000 limit for graduate programs and a $200,000 limit for professional programs, which the department has defined to include programs like medicine, dentistry, and law. Lawmakers argue that excluding post-graduate nursing programs from the professional definition could worsen existing nursing shortages, particularly for programs such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. The Department of Education maintains that the caps would affect a small percentage of nursing students, with the changes slated for implementation in 2026 and are still subject to public feedback.
Read More
The Danish Defence Intelligence Service (DDIS) has identified the US as a threat, marking the first time the country has been listed as such. The report highlights the US’s use of economic and technological power to exert influence, including against allies. The increased competition between superpowers, particularly in the Arctic, poses a specific threat to Denmark, especially concerning Greenland. While acknowledging the US as its closest ally and guarantor of European security, the report also warns of the uncertainty surrounding the US’s future role, which could embolden Russia.
Read More
The Border Patrol has taken a significant role in deportation operations, leading to public outcry due to incidents like the arrest of a daycare worker. This has spurred calls for accountability and even the potential elimination of agencies like ICE, with some Democrats introducing legislation to limit their functions. While some Democrats are seeking to strip ICE of its core functions, the opposition believes that the rhetoric used against the agents has led to violence. However, this view contrasts with others who are condemning the government’s actions toward immigrants, with some Republicans and other notable figures also speaking out.
Read More
The Center for American Rights (CAR) has requested that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) re-evaluate the licenses of NPR and PBS stations. Following the decision to end federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the CAR suggests that the FCC should investigate whether these stations are fulfilling their public interest obligations. The group argues that if NPR and PBS cannot demonstrate a sustainable business model, their broadcast spectrum should be reassigned to other potential licensees. This move comes amid criticism from Democrats, who have condemned the Republican-led votes to eliminate CPB funding.
Read More
Trump’s $1 million ‘Gold Card’ immigration application plan launches, and it’s certainly a development that invites a lot of questions. The basic premise is straightforward: for a substantial fee, individuals can potentially bypass the usual immigration hurdles and gain U.S. residency. The application process, as described, includes a $15,000 processing fee for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), followed by a $1 million contribution. According to the announcement, this will lead to U.S. residency in a much shorter time frame.
The details of the $1 million contribution raise a few eyebrows. The claim is that “all funds go to the United States government,” which, as anyone following these developments knows, immediately sparks skepticism.… Continue reading
Reddit has initiated legal action against Australia’s new social media ban for users under 16, arguing the law infringes upon free political expression. The lawsuit, filed with the High Court, names the Commonwealth of Australia and the Communications Minister as defendants. The social media platform, along with others, has complied with the ban but expressed concerns about privacy and political expression. This marks a second legal challenge to the ban, following a similar case filed by two teenagers.
Read More
House Oversight Committee Democrats released photographs from the Jeffrey Epstein estate revealing former President Donald Trump’s close associations and proximity to alleged victims. The photos, which include images of other notable figures such as Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, depict Trump with young women and showcase disturbing details, including one photo with Trump’s arms around women’s waists. While Democrats redacted the victims’ faces, they stated that thousands of photographs of women and properties were among the 95,000 photos received. Republicans accused Democrats of creating a false narrative, but Democrats call the withholding of the full files a cover-up and are demanding the Department of Justice release all the files.
Read More
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker
Democrats and “Abolish ICE”: Shifting Messaging and Controversy
The Border Patrol has taken a significant role in deportation operations, leading to public outcry due to incidents like the arrest of a daycare worker. This has spurred calls for accountability and even the potential elimination of agencies like ICE, with some Democrats introducing legislation to limit their functions. While some Democrats are seeking to strip ICE of its core functions, the opposition believes that the rhetoric used against the agents has led to violence. However, this view contrasts with others who are condemning the government’s actions toward immigrants, with some Republicans and other notable figures also speaking out.
Read More