The Pentagon is initiating a six-month review to assess the “operational effectiveness” of women in ground combat roles, a decade after restrictions were lifted. This review, prompted by a memo from Undersecretary of Defense Anthony Tata, will examine readiness, training, performance, casualties, and command climate within ground combat units. Data, including metrics on readiness and deployability, will be gathered from the Army and Marine Corps. While the review aims to ensure high standards are met, critics like Ellen Haring suggest this is an attempt to exclude women from these roles, despite previous studies indicating women’s success in ground combat.
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Epstein files: 2 million records in various stages of review, DOJ says, and the situation feels like it’s spiraling, doesn’t it? The Department of Justice has stated they’re knee-deep in reviewing over two million documents related to the Epstein case. It’s a staggering number, especially when you consider the initial deadline for releasing these files was back in December. What’s even more concerning is the slow pace of the releases thus far, with less than one percent of the documents having been made public.
This whole process has brought a lot of things into sharper focus. It makes you wonder about the priorities, the speed at which things are supposedly being done, and whether there’s a genuine commitment to transparency.… Continue reading
In a significant decision, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled that two state laws banning abortion, including a unique ban on abortion pills, are unconstitutional. The court, comprised of justices appointed by Republican governors, sided with the state’s sole abortion clinic and others who challenged the bans enacted after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The ruling affirmed the right of competent adults to make healthcare decisions under a state constitutional amendment. Governor Mark Gordon expressed disappointment and called for a constitutional amendment to ban abortion, which would be put to a vote this fall.
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The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) finalized a deal with nearly 150 countries to prevent large global companies from shifting profits to low-tax nations, a plan initially developed in 2021. This revised agreement excludes large U.S.-based multinational corporations from the 15% global minimum tax, following negotiations. The deal aims to enhance tax certainty and protect tax bases while stopping companies from utilizing tax havens, such as Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. However, critics, including tax transparency groups, argue that this amended plan could allow major American companies to continue avoiding taxes.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its childhood vaccine recommendations, reducing the number of diseases children should be vaccinated against from 17 to 11, in a move praised by President Trump. The new guidelines, resulting from an executive order to align with other developed countries, categorize vaccines into those universally recommended, those based on risk factors, and those left to parental and doctor discretion, including Covid-19, influenza, and rotavirus. This overhaul, spearheaded by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been met with strong criticism from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical professionals who cite concerns over the potential for increased confusion and harm to children. Furthermore, this change has already led to previous adjustments regarding the hepatitis B vaccine schedule, which have been condemned as dangerous.
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This article provides an overview of shopping trends, likely focusing on consumer behavior and product popularity. The Shopping Trends team, independent of CTV News journalists, curates information and may receive commissions from purchases made through provided links. Readers can expect insights into current shopping habits and the potential for discovering new products. Further details about the team’s operations can be found within the provided context.
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Delcy Rodriguez formally sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president, and it’s difficult not to be struck by the immediate questions that arise. The whole situation feels unsettling, a bit like when a company’s leadership undergoes a sudden change. There’s an instinctive feeling that the fundamental issues haven’t been resolved, and perhaps the underlying problems will continue to persist.
Delcy Rodriguez formally sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president, and the core dilemma revolves around the United States’ justification for intervening in the first place. If the argument was that Maduro’s government was illegitimate and the Venezuelan people were suffering, why would his Vice President be a legitimate replacement?… Continue reading
The U.S. House of Representatives is mourning the loss of Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa of California, who died at the age of 65. The news was confirmed by Majority Whip Tom Emmer and the National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson. LaMalfa, a seven-term representative and staunch ally of President Donald Trump, served in Congress for over a decade. His passing reduces the GOP’s control of the House to 218 seats, with Democrats holding 213. Details surrounding his death remain unclear.
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Amazon must face price gouging lawsuit, US judge rules, and it’s hard not to be cynical about it all, isn’t it? The news itself, that a US judge has ruled Amazon must face a price-gouging lawsuit, is positive, in a way. It means the legal system is, at least, acknowledging the potential for wrongdoing. But the immediate reaction, from many, seems to be a resigned shrug, a weary anticipation of a minimal payout years down the line. I completely get that.
Amazon must face price gouging lawsuit, US judge rules, and the consumer complaints are pretty damning. We’re talking about alleged “flagrantly unlawful” prices for everyday essentials – food, toilet paper, even face masks – with some price increases exceeding a thousand percent.… Continue reading
As the fifth anniversary of the January 6th Capitol attack approaches, the official plaque intended to honor law enforcement for their defense of democracy remains missing. Despite being mandated by law, the plaque has not been installed, with its whereabouts currently unknown, although it is believed to be in storage. House Speaker Mike Johnson has yet to unveil the plaque, and the Department of Justice is attempting to dismiss a lawsuit seeking its display. In the absence of the official memorial, many members of Congress have installed replica plaques outside their offices to ensure the events of January 6th are not forgotten.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood