Harrisburg officials convened Thursday to finalize a “permanent and humane plan” addressing the city’s homeless population. This plan, in development for months, is intended as a key part of the city’s broader solution. Although specific details remain confidential, authorities anticipate implementation by the end of summer. The city’s unhoused community has been a long-standing concern, particularly given the upcoming displacement of residents at the South Front Street encampment due to the I-83 expansion project.
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The Danish government is planning to amend copyright law to protect individuals from AI-generated deepfakes by granting them ownership over their likeness, voice, and facial features. This proposed law, which enjoys cross-party support, aims to combat the misuse of digital imitations. Once approved, the legislation will allow individuals to demand the removal of unauthorized deepfake content and could result in compensation for those affected, with potential for severe fines for non-compliant tech platforms. The government intends to use its upcoming EU presidency to share these plans and encourage other European countries to adopt similar protections, hoping to send a clear message about individual rights in the age of AI.
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During a recent press conference, President Trump was criticized for misstating the end date of the Civil War while discussing birthright citizenship. He incorrectly cited 1869 as the war’s conclusion, sparking widespread online mockery. This gaffe led users to question his knowledge of American history and ability to pass a citizenship test, especially as he advocated against birthright citizenship, a concept rooted in the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court’s ruling could impact who qualifies for automatic citizenship based on birth within the United States.
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In a misguided act of activism, over 100 pro-Palestinian vandals caused more than $1.1 million in damage to Ukrainian military equipment at a Belgian defense facility. The “Stop Arming Israel” group targeted the OIP Land Systems hangar, where they vandalized armored vehicles with hammers and graffiti. Despite the group’s focus on Israeli armament, the damaged equipment was designated for Ukraine, not Israel, and has caused a one-month delay in delivering vehicles. The company has provided hundreds of armored vehicles to Ukraine since the beginning of the war against Russia.
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In May, a key inflation gauge indicated that prices remained stubbornly high, with prices up 2.3% compared to the previous year. Core prices, excluding food and energy, rose 2.7% annually, exceeding the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Simultaneously, consumer spending decreased by 0.1% for the first time since January. While tariffs have influenced prices of certain goods, falling prices in other areas have offset these increases.
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Following recent military actions, President Trump stated that Iran must allow international inspections to verify its nuclear program, and that the United States is open to talks next week. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi has indicated that the possibility of new negotiations is complicated by the recent American attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, which caused “serious damage”. The U.S. and Israel have both claimed to have severely damaged Iran’s nuclear capabilities, though the extent of the damage and the future of inspections remains uncertain. Iran has yet to decide whether to allow IAEA inspectors to assess the damage.
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The Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision restricting federal judges’ ability to issue universal injunctions, impacting cases like those challenging President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship. This ruling, split along ideological lines, enables the Trump administration to advance its policies and reinforces claims of judicial overreach. The case involved nationwide injunctions used to halt the order’s enforcement while lawsuits progressed. Ultimately, the court determined that universal injunctions likely surpass the authority granted to federal courts by Congress.
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The Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling, partially blocking nationwide injunctions against Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order, with Justice Amy Coney Barrett writing the majority opinion. The court’s decision limits the ability of lower courts to issue broad injunctions, aligning with arguments that such measures overreach the executive branch’s policy-making authority. Justice Sotomayor, in her dissent, argued the ruling would disproportionately impact the vulnerable. The court did not address the merits of the birthright citizenship order itself, maintaining the status quo while returning the case to lower courts to reconsider the scope of their orders.
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As part of the discovery process, SMART Legislation submitted extensive document requests and questions to the Rockland County Board of Elections regarding the 2024 election results. The requests seek information on voting machines, software, security protocols, and communications with vendors, including software updates. The inquiries also questioned the use of technologies like Starlink’s Direct to Cell service. Furthermore, the lawsuit, with a full hand recount requested, highlights discrepancies in vote counts and statistical improbabilities within the 2024 election data. The next court hearing is a compliance conference set for September 22, 2025, at the Rockland County Courthouse.
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The Supreme Court issued a ruling on Friday restricting the ability of lower courts to issue “nationwide injunctions,” specifically impacting the enforcement of potential orders, such as those from the Trump administration, that target civil liberties. The majority opinion, while not addressing the constitutionality of the executive order, stated that such injunctions likely exceed the equitable authority granted to federal courts. Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented, with the former strongly criticizing the decision and the latter authoring a separate dissenting opinion. The dissenters felt this ruling provides fuel for attacks on civil liberties.
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John Q. Hosedrinker