The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) has formally petitioned the FCC to deny SpaceX’s application for 22,488 additional Starlink satellites, citing concerns over Elon Musk’s ties to Russia and potential misuse of Starlink by Russian forces. The petition highlights Musk’s alleged interference in a Ukrainian military operation against the Russian navy and his reported secret conversations with Vladimir Putin. Furthermore, reports of Starlink terminals being found on Russian drones further fuel these national security concerns. The UCCA represents the interests of approximately two million Ukrainian-Americans.
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A Ukrainian drone strike successfully destroyed a North Korean Bulsae-4 anti-tank missile vehicle in Kharkiv Oblast. This marks the first confirmed strike on a North Korean vehicle deployed to support the Russian war effort in Ukraine. The Bulsae-4, carrying eight anti-tank missiles, was targeted by the Vitrolom drone group, part of the Ukrainian army’s 3rd Assault Brigade. This action highlights the growing importance of targeting North Korean reinforcements, crucial to sustaining Russia’s increasingly costly offensives in eastern Ukraine and Kursk Oblast.
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Kash Patel’s nomination to replace FBI Director Wray fails two crucial tests. The author, reflecting on their own 1977 consideration for the directorship, emphasizes the need for a director possessing a “good sense of humor”—indicating self-awareness and the ability to recognize fallibility—a quality conspicuously absent in Patel. Further, the author’s assertion that if they were the best candidate, the country would be in dire straits, highlights Patel’s lack of qualifications compared to other potential candidates. This lack of experience and judgment renders Patel unsuitable for the position. The Senate should reject Patel’s nomination.
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Tucker Carlson’s recent Moscow interview with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov served as a platform for promoting the Kremlin’s narrative on the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the risk of a global nuclear crisis if the U.S. continues its support. However, Kremlin insiders suspect a secondary motive: Carlson acting as a messenger, relaying messages between Putin and Trump regarding potential future negotiations. This interview, timed strategically amidst heightened Russian nuclear threats, allowed Lavrov to deflect accusations and avoid challenging questions from Carlson, who consistently framed the conversation around the specter of nuclear war. Ultimately, Carlson’s interview failed to produce any significant revelations but effectively amplified Russia’s desired message.
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Fifteen transgender activists were arrested for illegally protesting inside the Cannon House Office Building, staging a sit-in to oppose Republican efforts restricting transgender bathroom access. The demonstration, organized by the Gender Liberation Movement, included prominent figures like Chelsea Manning and Raquel Willis and directly challenged Speaker Mike Johnson’s recent policy barring transgender women from women’s restrooms in Capitol buildings. The protest also aimed to pressure Congress to block a bill that would further restrict transgender individuals’ bathroom access in federal facilities. The activists cited the threat of increased anti-LGBTQ+ legislation under a potential second Trump administration as a key motivator.
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At a rally outside the Supreme Court preceding oral arguments in *US v Skrmetti*, Marjorie Taylor Greene faced significant backlash for her anti-transgender remarks. Greene’s speech, filled with false claims about gender-affirming care, was met with loud boos from a predominantly pro-transgender crowd. The Supreme Court case itself will determine the constitutionality of state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Arguments presented emphasized the discriminatory nature of such bans and highlighted the crucial role of this care in alleviating suffering for transgender youth.
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Mark McAfee, a major raw milk producer whose products have faced multiple recalls due to bird flu contamination, has been contacted by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s team for a position advising on raw milk policy. This aligns with Kennedy’s stated intention to loosen raw milk restrictions if confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services. McAfee’s potential appointment exemplifies the administration’s broader trend of placing industry leaders in regulatory roles. However, the safety of raw milk consumption remains highly contested, given its documented links to various bacterial and viral infections, including potential bird flu transmission.
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Former President Trump’s potential post-presidency actions pose a significant threat to press freedom. Key figures like Kash Patel, slated for a powerful FBI role, intend to use government agencies to investigate and potentially punish media outlets deemed critical of Trump. This strategy involves leveraging the FCC, the DOJ’s anti-drug division, and other government tools to suppress dissenting voices. This approach builds upon Trump’s prior behavior of using right-wing media to target perceived enemies, triggering investigations and further silencing criticism. The resulting pressure on government officials to act on these threats creates a volatile and dangerous situation for the media.
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Glenn Litton, a 56-year-old homeless man with a lengthy criminal and mental health history, is identified as the suspect in the Butte County school shooting. Litton, who had a history of fraud, theft, and other offenses, used a false identity to gain access to the school before opening fire, wounding two kindergarten students. Following the shooting, Litton died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigations suggest the attack was an isolated incident stemming from Litton’s delusional beliefs about an organization he claimed affiliation with.
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A massive scheme inflating Saudi Arabian university rankings through the fraudulent use of highly cited researchers has largely collapsed. The number of researchers falsely claiming Saudi affiliations plummeted by 76% following an EL PAÍS investigation, revealing payments of up to €70,000 annually to falsify employment data. This deception, involving hundreds of scientists globally, was largely successful for years until tighter scrutiny by Clarivate, the ranking compiler, and increased media attention exposed the practice. The resulting drop significantly impacts Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious goals for Saudi universities, and the implicated institutions have seen their highly cited researcher numbers drastically reduced. This outcome highlights the growing international effort to combat academic misconduct and manipulate academic rankings.
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John Q. Hosedrinker