A 79-year-old patient has received early access to Eli Lilly’s experimental obesity drug, retatrutide, via the FDA’s “compassionate use” program. This highly anticipated drug targets multiple hormones for weight loss and is currently in late-stage trials. The request was made by an NIH clinician for a patient with severe obesity and related conditions who had limited success with another GLP-1 and GIP targeting drug and was deemed ineligible for bariatric surgery. The unique circumstances of this sole approval have sparked speculation, with reports suggesting the patient may be President Donald Trump.
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The Alligator Alcatraz immigration jail has been emptied of all detainees, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement citing hurricane season as the reason for the transfers. This justification contrasts with the facility’s opening during the previous hurricane season, which experienced flooding and delayed hurricane preparedness plans. The closure comes amidst significant public unpopularity, the diversion of nearly $1 billion from emergency funds for its operation, and reports of severe abuses and inhumane conditions for detainees. Despite official claims, federal reimbursement for the jail’s exorbitant costs has been minimal, leaving Florida taxpayers to cover the majority of expenses for this billion-dollar human rights fiasco.
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The “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration jail in Florida has been emptied of detainees and its makeshift structures dismantled. Initially presented as a necessary precaution for hurricane season, the facility’s construction and operation were plagued by controversy, including flooding during its opening, delayed and redacted preparedness plans, and significant financial mismanagement. Reports of severe abuses, inhumane conditions, and medical neglect at the site led to widespread criticism and a federal lawsuit challenging the facility’s practices, ultimately making its operation politically unfeasible despite substantial taxpayer funding.
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An independent UN inquiry has found that Israel deliberately targets Palestinian children in Gaza, with children comprising approximately 30% of those killed by Israeli forces. The report details how Israeli security forces intentionally killed and targeted children, even after a ceasefire, and used high-payload munitions in densely populated areas. This systematic mistreatment, along with conditions imposed on Gaza and violence in the West Bank, demonstrates genocidal intent to destroy the Palestinian group in whole or in part.
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Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia is willing to engage in peace negotiations with Ukraine, but only on the terms agreed upon in Istanbul in 2022. Putin claims these initialled agreements were satisfactory to Ukraine at the time and sees no reason to deviate from them, insisting they be the basis for any future talks, alongside discussions in Anchorage and current “realities on the ground.” He further asserted that Ukraine is attempting to project strength but is not in a favorable battlefield position, with Russian forces reportedly advancing daily.
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A new book by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan details President Donald Trump’s private health concerns, which reportedly include chronic venous insufficiency causing swollen ankles and trouble hearing. These issues, coupled with public instances of fatigue and difficulty staying on topic, have led some aides to privately observe signs of aging. The book also highlights Trump’s efforts to conceal these symptoms, such as using makeup for hand bruising and his instruction for his press secretary to address concerns about his ankles.
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Canada is setting its sights on a significant expansion of its nuclear power capabilities, with a plan unveiled for the construction of up to 10 new nuclear reactors. This ambitious initiative marks a pivotal moment for the nation’s energy future, signaling a clear commitment to clean, reliable, and baseload power generation. The announcement suggests a potential shift towards a more robust nuclear footprint, aiming to address growing energy demands and environmental concerns.
The country is already moving forward with concrete steps, with two new reactors announced for Saskatchewan. These additions raise questions about how they fit into existing plans, specifically whether they are in addition to the four Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) already planned for Darlington and a CANDU reactor at Bruce, or if they represent a more substantial overall increase beyond those initial announcements.… Continue reading
Senator Susan Collins recently drew criticism for misstating the Supreme Court’s vote to overturn Roe v. Wade as 6-3, when the actual decision was 5-4. She also claimed Justice Brett Kavanaugh would not have been a pivotal vote, despite his role in the majority that ended the federal right to abortion. This assertion was directly challenged by her Democratic opponent, Graham Platner, who accused Collins of lying and stated that Kavanaugh was indeed the deciding vote. Collins has maintained she does not regret confirming Kavanaugh, even as millions of women now face restricted access to reproductive healthcare.
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Senator Susan Collins recently faced significant criticism for inaccurately stating that the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade was a 6-3 ruling and that Justice Brett Kavanaugh was not a pivotal vote. The actual vote was 5-4, with Justice Kavanaugh casting the deciding vote. Her Democratic challenger, Graham Platner, accused Collins of lying and highlighted her role in confirming Kavanaugh, despite the known implications for abortion rights. Organizations like Planned Parenthood Action Fund have endorsed Platner, citing Collins’s record and the impact of the Dobbs decision on reproductive healthcare access.
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The FDA’s Expanded Access program, intended for critically ill patients, recently facilitated access to an experimental drug for an unnamed individual. A senior clinician at the NIH requested the drug for a patient with refractory obesity and life-threatening pulmonary hypertension, a request that reportedly garnered significant attention from top health officials, suggesting the patient’s influential status. While the identity remains undisclosed, STAT has inquired with the White House regarding the possibility that the recipient is Donald Trump, who shares similar health concerns and a public interest in obesity medications.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Trump Aides Admit President Appearing Old For First Time
A new book by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan details President Donald Trump’s private health concerns, which reportedly include chronic venous insufficiency causing swollen ankles and trouble hearing. These issues, coupled with public instances of fatigue and difficulty staying on topic, have led some aides to privately observe signs of aging. The book also highlights Trump’s efforts to conceal these symptoms, such as using makeup for hand bruising and his instruction for his press secretary to address concerns about his ankles.
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