During a meeting with oil executives, President Donald Trump declared a 25% tariff on any country conducting business with Iran, effective immediately. This move aims to economically isolate Iran amidst widespread anti-government protests and follows Trump’s previous threats of military action against the country. The president has also explicitly supported the demonstrations. The legal basis for these new tariffs remains unclear, as they come ahead of a Supreme Court ruling on the legality of Trump’s previous tariffs.
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In a recent crackdown on illegal residents, Saudi Arabia has arrested almost 19,000 individuals over the course of one week. The Ministry of Interior reported that over 10,000 of those arrested have already been deported, demonstrating a strong commitment to enforcing immigration laws. These arrests are part of a broader initiative aimed at combating residency violations and ensuring compliance with the kingdom’s regulations. The operation highlights Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to maintain security and manage its foreign population effectively.
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Sweden urges EU ban on support to Russian oil, gas-shipping fleet, and frankly, it seems like a no-brainer. Seriously, you’d think this would have been done yesterday, not something we’re still discussing. The core idea is simple: stop providing any form of assistance to these vessels. This means no repairs, no parts, no bunkering – essentially, cutting off the lifeblood that keeps these ships afloat and, by extension, funds the war.
The proposed ban is a necessary step, a bare minimum even. It’s a way to ensure that the EU isn’t inadvertently propping up the Russian war machine. It’s about not sending mixed signals, where we support Ukraine with one hand while, with the other, we continue to indirectly fund Russia’s actions by facilitating its oil and gas transport.… Continue reading
Democratic lawmakers are increasing pressure to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, citing recent violent incidents involving federal immigration officers as evidence of systemic failures within the department. These calls for impeachment were spurred by the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis and the wounding of two individuals in Oregon. Lawmakers, such as Rep. Robin Kelly, are accusing Noem of obstruction of justice, violation of public trust, and abusing her authority. While some Democrats support impeachment, the effort faces significant challenges given Republican control of the House, and the Department has dismissed the impeachment effort as “silly during a serious time.”
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Polling data reveals a significant shift in American sentiment towards the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Support for abolishing ICE has reached its highest level since its inception, with 42% now favoring its elimination. This change is largely attributed to the agency’s enforcement tactics under the Trump administration, which have become increasingly controversial and have led to a negative perception of ICE among the public. Approval ratings for Trump’s handling of immigration are also down, while the majority of Americans disapprove of ICE’s methods, indicating a growing public backlash against the agency.
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Following the murder of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer, the article highlights the controversial reactions and justifications from MAGA figures. Tom Homan, a “border czar,” suggested that Democrats need to stop calling ICE officers murderers to prevent further incidents, essentially shifting blame to those criticizing the actions. The article critiques this stance as an abuser’s lament, pointing out the dehumanizing rhetoric and conspiracy theories employed by MAGA supporters to justify the murder and excuse future violence. Furthermore, it cites comments from figures like Donald Trump, who implied that Good’s “disrespectful” behavior justified the use of deadly force, illustrating a dangerous pattern of authoritarian blame-shifting.
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Following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, several Republican officials prioritized defending the shooter and criticizing dissent. Representative Roger Williams of Texas urged citizens to cease demonstrations and become “civil,” suggesting that such actions provoked the incident. Similarly, Representative Wesley Hunt of Texas emphasized the importance of following federal officer instructions, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem questioned the rationale behind disputing a president perceived as focused on safety. These statements reflect a broader trend within the party to suppress dissent and defend law enforcement.
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During a January 7, 2026, Fox News interview, U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that ICE agents would increase deportations by going “door-to-door” to determine the immigration status of individuals. This claim, which circulated widely on social media platforms, prompted verification requests. Footage from the interview confirms Vance’s statement in response to a question about speeding up deportations. This claim is rated as a correct attribution based on the available evidence.
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In a recent ruling, a federal judge determined the Trump administration’s cancellation of approximately $8 billion in energy grants violated the Constitution by disproportionately affecting recipients in Democratic-leaning states. U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta found the Department of Energy’s grant terminations unlawful under the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection guarantee, specifically highlighting the targeting of blue-state-based projects. The ruling mandates the restoration of seven specific grants, emphasizing that the selection process was primarily based on the grant recipient’s state’s political identity. This decision establishes constitutional limits on executive branch actions that discriminate based on state political affiliation.
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The recent heatwave across south-east Australia resulted in a mass mortality event for flying foxes, with thousands perishing across multiple states. Extreme temperatures caused widespread deaths, particularly among vulnerable grey-headed flying foxes. Volunteers worked to rescue pups and aid distressed adults, but the heat proved too intense for many. Researchers estimate at least thousands of flying foxes died, marking the most significant loss of life since the Black Summer bushfires. This event underscores the impact of rising temperatures on wildlife, highlighting the need for increased rescue capacity and a national wildlife rescue strategy.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Support for Abolishing ICE Hits All-Time High, Polling Data Shows
Polling data reveals a significant shift in American sentiment towards the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Support for abolishing ICE has reached its highest level since its inception, with 42% now favoring its elimination. This change is largely attributed to the agency’s enforcement tactics under the Trump administration, which have become increasingly controversial and have led to a negative perception of ICE among the public. Approval ratings for Trump’s handling of immigration are also down, while the majority of Americans disapprove of ICE’s methods, indicating a growing public backlash against the agency.
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