Mike Rinder, former Scientology executive and prominent whistleblower, passed away at age 69. His wife, Christie King Collbran, announced his death, sharing a message from Rinder expressing regret for not fully achieving his goal of ending Scientology abuses but urging continued efforts. Rinder, a vocal critic of Scientology after leaving in 2007, participated in several documentaries and podcasts exposing alleged abuses within the organization. He is survived by his wife and four children.
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A damaged undersea cable near Taiwan, with four severed cores, is attributed to the Cameroonian-registered cargo ship Shunxin-39, suspected to be Chinese-owned. While domestic communications remained unaffected due to backup systems, the incident is under investigation by Taiwanese authorities, who are pursuing compensation and criminal liability. This event mirrors a global pattern of undersea infrastructure disruptions, raising concerns about maritime security and prompting Taiwan to strengthen its communications infrastructure through satellite deployment. The ongoing investigation highlights the use of “grey zone” tactics and a potential broader strategy targeting Taiwan’s infrastructure.
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President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act, eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). This bipartisan legislation increases Social Security benefits for approximately 2.5 million public sector workers and their spouses, averaging a $360 monthly increase. The act also provides retroactive lump-sum payments to compensate for past benefit shortfalls. This change, decades in the making, ensures these individuals receive the full Social Security benefits they earned.
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An Israeli soldier vacationing in Brazil fled to Argentina after a Brazilian court issued an arrest warrant based on allegations of war crimes in Gaza, filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF). The HRF, reportedly aided by a foreign state, alleges the soldier participated in the demolition of civilian homes, presenting evidence including video footage and geolocation data. Israel’s Foreign Ministry, aware of the HRF’s intentions, assisted the soldier’s departure, citing concerns for his safety. The incident prompted discussions within the Israeli government regarding future preventative measures and the potential exploitation of soldiers’ social media posts.
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Russia’s recent attacks on Ukraine utilized over 630 drones, guided bombs, and missiles containing more than 50,000 foreign-made components. These attacks resulted in significant infrastructure damage and civilian casualties. President Zelensky highlighted the inadequacy of current sanctions in preventing Russia’s acquisition of these components, emphasizing the need for stronger sanctions and increased support for Ukraine’s air defenses. He specifically called for bolstering Ukraine’s long-range capabilities. The attacks demonstrate Russia’s continued reliance on global supply chains for weapons production.
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In a potential prisoner exchange, Hamas has offered to release 34 Israeli hostages in an initial phase. This offer, confirmed by a senior Hamas official, includes all women, children, elderly, and sick captives. However, Hamas requires a week to verify the condition of the hostages, stating that the release encompasses both living and deceased individuals. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office, however, reports that Hamas has yet to formally provide a list of those to be released.
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Apple’s new Enhanced Visual Search feature, enabled by default in iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1, analyzes photos for landmarks using on-device machine learning and homomorphic encryption before sending encrypted data to Apple servers for identification. This process, while claimed to protect user privacy through encryption and differential privacy, sparked controversy due to its lack of explicit user consent and potential for metadata upload before opt-out is possible. Critics argue this approach, despite theoretical privacy protections, is problematic due to its unilateral deployment and lack of transparency from Apple. Concerns remain regarding the potential for data leakage, despite Apple’s assertions to the contrary.
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Facing a caucus revolt and plummeting poll numbers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce his resignation as Liberal Party Leader as early as Monday. Sources suggest this decision, made before a crucial caucus meeting, aims to avoid the appearance of being forced out. The Liberal Party’s plan to replace Trudeau remains unclear, with options including an interim leader or a leadership contest which would necessitate proroguing Parliament. The timing is complicated by an upcoming supply vote and the need to navigate the incoming Trump administration.
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Jeff Bezos’ actions, including a $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration and a recent Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump and Elon Musk, suggest an attempt to curry favor with the former president. This apparent appeasement is further evidenced by the Washington Post’s suppression of a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoon critical of billionaires’ deference to Trump and the subsequent cancellation of a Kamala Harris endorsement, costing the Post subscribers. Simultaneously, Amazon Studios is producing a Melania Trump documentary, raising concerns about potential bias and undue influence within Bezos’ media empire. These actions, along with the resignation of the cartoonist in protest, highlight anxieties regarding the influence of billionaire media owners on journalistic integrity.
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Senate Bill 1120, the “Physicians Make Decisions Act,” prohibits California health insurers from denying claims based solely on AI algorithms. Driven by a high rate of claim denials (approximately 26% in California) and concerns about AI misuse, the law ensures human oversight in coverage decisions for medically necessary care. While not banning AI entirely, SB 1120 mandates that human judgment remains central, safeguarding patient access to quality care. The Department of Managed Health Care will enforce the law, auditing denial rates and imposing deadlines for authorizations, with potential fines for violations. This California law is garnering national attention, with other states and Congress considering similar legislation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker