A shooting in Minnesota left former Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband dead, and state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette critically injured. Yvette Hoffman heroically shielded her daughter, Hope, from the hail of bullets fired by the suspect, Vance Luther Boelter. Boelter, described as a Republican, was apprehended and charged with murder and attempted murder; a list of political targets was found in his possession. Governor Walz characterized the incident as targeted political violence.
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Australia will formally negotiate a new security and defence agreement with the European Union, following discussions initiated at the G7 summit. This potential partnership, modeled after similar EU agreements, would encompass military exercises and cooperation in areas like cybersecurity and counter-terrorism. Prime Minister Albanese aims to strengthen Australia’s capabilities through this collaboration, viewing it as mutually beneficial given shared values and the increasingly complex global security landscape. The negotiations occur amidst growing international pressure to increase defence spending and ongoing discussions regarding the AUKUS agreement.
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The Trump Organization launched Trump Mobile, a new wireless service offering an unlimited talk, text, and data plan for $47.45 per month, alongside a $499 “T1” smartphone. The plan, dubbed “The 47 Plan,” references Trump’s current presidential term. The T1 phone features a gold-colored American flag design, reflecting the brand’s leveraging of Trump’s image. This telecommunications venture, like other Trump-branded products, primarily operates through licensing agreements.
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Senator Klobuchar shared a message reporting that she and John, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, are recovering from a shooting that tragically killed Melissa Hortman and Mark. Both Klobuchar and John are undergoing extensive surgeries but are improving. Their statement expresses profound grief and condemns the politically motivated violence. The message concludes by rejecting all forms of political hatred.
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At Home, a home goods retailer with 260 stores, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to high debt levels and challenging market conditions. The restructuring plan will eliminate nearly $2 billion in debt and provide $200 million in new funding to allow continued operations. The company cited tariffs and decreased consumer spending as contributing factors to its financial struggles, mirroring difficulties faced by other home goods retailers. While most stores will remain open, some closures are anticipated as part of the reorganization.
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New signage in National Parks nationwide encourages visitors to report park employees and informational displays deemed negative towards America or insufficiently celebratory of natural landscapes. This initiative, stemming from an executive order aiming to “restore truth and sanity,” is criticized by the National Parks Conservation Association as an attempt to whitewash history, suppressing accurate accounts of difficult periods in American history. The association argues this silences crucial historical narratives and threatens the ability of park rangers to fully and honestly engage with the past. These signs, appearing at multiple parks including Cuyahoga Valley National Park, mandate reporting via QR code.
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Operation Rising Lion, a wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting Tehran, culminated in a significant strike eliminating key Iranian figures. The attack killed Mohammad Kazemi, head of the IRGC’s intelligence directorate, and his deputy, Mohammad Hassan Mohaqiq. This represents a major blow to Iran’s internal security infrastructure. Dozens of targets across Tehran were hit during this operation, marking one of the most impactful actions against Iran’s security apparatus to date.
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Following massive nationwide protests against his administration, President Trump issued a directive to ICE to prioritize deportations in Democrat-controlled cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City, claiming these cities are using undocumented immigrants to expand their voter base and cheat in elections. This unprecedented order, announced on Truth Social, was condemned as a blatant politicization of law enforcement, potentially exacerbating civil unrest. Trump justified his actions by alleging that these cities are centers of Democrat power and are actively harming the country. The President further stated his unwavering support for multiple federal agencies in carrying out this directive.
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President Trump’s 2024 financial disclosure, a 234-page document, reveals substantial income from diverse sources. A significant portion stems from his $57 million stake in World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency platform co-founded with his sons. Royalty payments from merchandise bearing his name and likeness, totaling millions, also contributed substantially to his earnings. The report further details assets including substantial holdings in Trump Media and Technology Group, alongside liabilities such as credit card debt and payments to E. Jean Carroll. This contrasts sharply with the significantly shorter disclosures filed by his predecessors.
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A new UN report reveals a global fertility crisis driven not by a rejection of parenthood, but by a lack of reproductive agency. Financial constraints, inadequate healthcare, and gender inequality significantly limit people’s ability to have their desired number of children. The report, based on a survey across 14 diverse countries, found that economic barriers are the most commonly cited reason for having fewer children than desired, highlighting the need for supportive government policies. Instead of coercive measures, the UN advocates for expanding access to affordable childcare, paid parental leave, and comprehensive reproductive healthcare to empower individuals to make informed choices about family planning.
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John Q. Hosedrinker