The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of Damon Landor, a former Louisiana inmate whose dreadlocks were forcibly shaved by prison guards, allegedly violating his religious beliefs as a Rastafarian. Landor sought damages under a federal law protecting prisoners’ religious rights, but lower courts dismissed the case, citing the law’s limitations on monetary claims. The Supreme Court will now review the appellate ruling, considering arguments that align with a previous decision concerning religious freedom under a similar statute. The case, *Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections*, will be argued in the fall.
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Following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth received praise for not leaking the plans, a standard Democrats quickly mocked. Critics like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ridiculed the praise, comparing it to celebrating basic competence. The strikes, described as an “overwhelming success” by Hegseth, have drawn threats of retaliation from Iran, with UN officials reporting significant damage. This conflict, escalating after Israeli strikes earlier in the month, has led to calls for impeachment.
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In the aftermath of the US invasion of Iraq, there were parallels drawn to the current conflict, where the premise for war was based on false pretenses. Similarly, as in the Iraq war, concerns over Iran’s nuclear program are based on inflated claims, despite evidence from US intelligence agencies and the UN indicating no current nuclear weapon development. Despite the lack of direct evidence, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to claim Iran is close to developing a nuclear weapon and has drawn the US into a conflict. This is similar to Netanyahu’s previous actions with Iraq.
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In the latest incident, a War Thunder player was banned for posting a restricted AV-8B Harrier flight manual section on the game’s forums. This marks the ninth known instance of players sharing classified or export-controlled documents to influence in-game accuracy. Despite the documents’ potential availability elsewhere, the game developer enforces strict policies against any restricted information, regardless of intent. The posted manual was labeled “Distribution Statement C,” restricting its public release, and thus violated the forum’s rules. The incident underscores the challenges of balancing the War Thunder community’s interest in realism with the legal and ethical implications of handling restricted military documentation.
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Following President Trump’s authorization of strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, Senator Tim Kaine announced Republican lawmakers in the Senate have expressed support for a War Powers Resolution, aiming to limit the president’s ability to commit U.S. armed forces abroad without congressional consent. Kaine’s resolution mirrors a similar one introduced in the House by Representative Thomas Massie and Representative Ro Khanna. Concerns about a wider war breaking out following the strikes have prompted these legislative efforts, with a vote expected before the July 4 recess. In response to the strikes, Iran has stated it reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, while the U.S. military prepares for potential attacks.
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Following military strikes against Iran and heightened terror risk warnings, the appointment of 22-year-old Thomas Fugate, a former Heritage Foundation intern with no prior government leadership or security experience, to a leadership role at the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) has drawn criticism. The CP3 oversees an $18 million grant program to combat violent extremism, and experts have expressed concern over Fugate’s qualifications, especially as he replaced an Army veteran with over 20 years of national security experience. While CP3 doesn’t engage in law enforcement, officials worry that replacing an experienced leader with someone lacking relevant expertise undermines the agency’s mission of preventing terrorism. Critics note that Fugate’s previous experience includes a brief stint as a gardener and internships, questioning his ability to effectively address complex counterterrorism challenges.
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Following Palestine Action’s claim of responsibility for significant damage at RAF Brize Norton, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the group’s impending proscription as a terrorist organization. This decision, to be formalized in parliament next week, stems from the group’s history of criminal damage, including the recent multi-million pound attack on the RAF base and other incidents targeting businesses. Proscription will criminalize membership or support for the group, potentially leading to lengthy prison sentences. While the government emphasizes that peaceful protest rights remain unaffected, a police crackdown on a subsequent Palestine Action protest resulted in multiple arrests.
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During France’s Fête de la Musique, 145 individuals reported being injected with syringes in multiple cities. Police in Paris and elsewhere launched investigations following reports, including incidents involving minors. While the syringes’ contents remain undetermined, some victims experienced adverse reactions requiring medical attention. Twelve suspects have been arrested, though over 370 other arrests occurred during the festival for unrelated offenses. Social media posts prior to the event allegedly incited attacks targeting women.
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Following a surprise attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, Democrats are criticizing President Trump for escalating Middle East tensions and contradicting his campaign promise to avoid foreign military interventions. They argue that this action, along with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, demonstrates a surge in global instability under his leadership. Furthermore, Democrats are condemning Trump’s unilateral actions, asserting that he should have sought congressional authorization before initiating the strike. This attack is being used by Democrats to undermine Trump’s image amongst voters who supported him based on his anti-war stance.
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Congressional Republicans are poised to significantly escalate attacks on higher education through a reconciliation bill, potentially causing widespread damage to universities nationwide. This bill, far from addressing fiscal concerns, weaponizes student debt, threatening to financially cripple millions and effectively privatize higher education by excluding working- and middle-class families. The legislation reflects a broader authoritarian agenda aligned with increased spending on immigration enforcement, mirroring the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. Protests are planned, but insufficient political attention has been given to this looming crisis.
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John Q. Hosedrinker