A Border Patrol agent in Portland shot and wounded two individuals, identified as suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The Department of Homeland Security stated the shooting occurred during a targeted vehicle stop when the driver attempted to run over the agent. The driver and passenger, both Venezuelan citizens, are in federal custody and are suspected of being involved in criminal activities. Local officials and the Oregon Attorney General are investigating the incident, while protests and tensions have risen in response to the shooting.
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Reports confirm Iran was plunged into a complete internet blackout on Thursday night amid escalating nationwide protests sparked by economic grievances. Demonstrations erupted across all 31 provinces, with authorities responding violently, including reported killings and arrests. Calls for a general strike were heeded in Kurdish regions and other cities, and protests saw the toppling of a statue of Qassem Suleimani in Fars province. While the government has called for restraint, the US and other countries have issued warnings against violence and criticized Iran’s actions, while threatening further action.
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Following a global backlash over the generation of sexualized deepfakes, Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot has restricted image generation and editing to paying subscribers. This move comes after researchers discovered Grok was being used to create explicit images, including those depicting women in sexually explicit positions and, in some cases, children. While the restriction resulted in a noticeable decline in the number of explicit deepfakes, European authorities and the British government remain unsatisfied, deeming the changes insufficient. Regulators across multiple countries, including the UK, France, Malaysia, and India, are investigating the platform, which is also subject to scrutiny under EU digital safety law.
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Karen Bennett, a former Georgia state House member, has been charged with making false statements to collect $13,940 in federal unemployment benefits during the pandemic, according to federal prosecutors. Bennett waived indictment, pleaded not guilty, and was released on bail, subsequently resigning from the House. This is the second Democratic House member to face such charges, following Rep. Sharon Henderson, who was indicted in December. Prosecutors allege Bennett, a physical therapist, falsely claimed she was unable to work due to quarantine and failed to disclose income from a church.
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A Phoenix man and his wife were detained by Border Patrol agents after returning from a cruise in Miami, Florida. Jose “Joey” Martinez was taken into custody after agents entered his cabin and handcuffed him, later stating he was flagged due to a name match with someone wanted for a crime. Despite providing extensive identification, including a passport, Real ID, veteran card, concealed carry permit, and TSA PreCheck, Martinez was detained for over an hour and had his picture and fingerprints taken. His wife, who has dual citizenship, was traumatized by the incident and is now considering relocating to Belgium due to the perceived lack of safety.
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‘Blackout’—Putin’s $12 Billion Internet Shutdown Strikes Russia, and the implications are substantial, to say the least. It seems Putin has essentially constructed, and now activated, a sophisticated “kill switch” for the entire country’s internet. This isn’t just a minor tweak; we’re talking about a multi-year project costing a staggering $12 billion. The core function? To allow the Kremlin to shut down or severely restrict Russia’s connectivity at will. The intent appears clear: to control information flow and maintain political power, rather than solely focusing on security or technical necessities. One has to wonder if this will lead to a decrease in malicious online activity originating from Russia, or if those operations will simply be run by the government itself, still with internet access.… Continue reading
President Trump stated he would accept the Nobel Peace Prize if Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado offered it to him during their upcoming meeting. However, Nobel officials swiftly clarified that the prestigious award is non-transferable and cannot be shared. This statement came in response to a hypothetical situation, as the prize has already been awarded for the current year. This clarification effectively dismissed any possibility of Trump receiving the prize.
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No Amount of Money Can Buy Greenland, Lawmakers Tell Trump. This entire situation feels pretty straightforward, and honestly, a little absurd. The premise is simple: the US, or rather, certain individuals in the US, seem to have entertained the idea of buying Greenland. The problem? As lawmakers from Greenland are making abundantly clear, it’s not for sale. Not at any price.
The core of the issue boils down to sovereignty and national identity. Greenland has a distinct culture and a unique place in the world, and it’s not something that can be reduced to a price tag. Aaja Chemnitz, a representative in the Danish legislature, sums it up perfectly.… Continue reading
In a New Year’s address to French diplomats, President Emmanuel Macron criticized the United States for departing from international norms and distancing itself from its allies. Macron highlighted the weakening of multilateral institutions and the world’s potential division by powerful nations. He also addressed the need for Europe to protect its interests, advocating for the consolidation of European tech regulations, specifically the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA). Macron’s remarks underscored ongoing efforts to navigate an evolving international landscape and counter Washington’s foreign policy actions.
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Trump demonized Renee Nicole Good after ICE killed her. Her son will grow up wondering why. The initial reaction to this situation is a sense of outrage. The comments reflect a collective disbelief that someone like Donald Trump, in a position of power, would choose to demonize a woman, Renee Nicole Good, after her death, particularly when the cause of death was at the hands of a government agency like ICE. It’s hard to fathom the level of insensitivity and outright cruelty required to do such a thing.
Trump demonized Renee Nicole Good after ICE killed her. Her son will grow up wondering why.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Trump Demonizes Woman Killed by ICE, Leaving Son to Question His Legacy
Trump demonized Renee Nicole Good after ICE killed her. Her son will grow up wondering why. The initial reaction to this situation is a sense of outrage. The comments reflect a collective disbelief that someone like Donald Trump, in a position of power, would choose to demonize a woman, Renee Nicole Good, after her death, particularly when the cause of death was at the hands of a government agency like ICE. It’s hard to fathom the level of insensitivity and outright cruelty required to do such a thing.
Trump demonized Renee Nicole Good after ICE killed her. Her son will grow up wondering why.… Continue reading