In *Rosado v. Bondi*, a federal court has determined that plaintiffs have standing to challenge government actions that allegedly led to the removal of their platforms for sharing information about ICE activity. The court found that the plaintiffs’ injuries were likely traceable to government coercion of social media companies, not to independent decisions by those companies. This conclusion was based on evidence that the platforms had previously met content standards, changed their positions immediately after government contact, and that government officials publicly claimed credit for the removals. The court further held that the government’s actions likely violated the First Amendment by attempting to coerce private parties to suppress disfavored speech, citing public statements that conveyed threats of adverse government action.
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that banks will likely be required to collect citizenship data on customers, stating that “if Treasury and the banking regulators say it’s their job, it’s their job.” This move, part of a broader immigration policy initiative, aims to address concerns about non-citizens opening bank accounts, with Bessent questioning how banks can truly “know your customer” without this information. While current “know your customer” rules focus on identity verification for anti-money laundering purposes, this proposed executive order seeks stricter mandates, aligning with practices in many other countries. Despite potential economic and administrative concerns raised by banks and policy experts regarding the exclusion of non-citizens and increased costs, Bessent maintains that “illegal immigrants don’t have a right to be in the banking system.”
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A refund system for businesses that paid tariffs deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court is set to launch, allowing importers and brokers to claim reimbursements through an online portal. This process, administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, requires companies to submit declarations for billions of dollars paid in import taxes, with refunds expected to be issued within 60-90 days of claim approval. While the initial phase focuses on more recent tariff payments, the system’s accuracy demands meticulous record-keeping from businesses, and the eventual trickle-down of these refunds to consumers remains uncertain, depending on individual company policies and ongoing legal challenges.
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During a meeting with oil and gas executives, President Donald Trump briefly paused to admire a construction project outside the White House. He pointed out the future entrance to a planned $400 million addition, describing the ballroom’s features. After this 90-second interlude, the discussion resumed, focusing on rebuilding Venezuela’s oil industry and reducing global energy prices.
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At a recent town hall in Idaho, Christian nationalist leaders Doug Wilson, Toby Sumpter, and Jared Longshore outlined a vision for a future American theocracy. This proposed order would eliminate LGBTQ+ rights, prohibit divorce, and revoke voting rights for married women, aiming to establish a white Christian ethno-state. Wilson described his church as a “laboratory” for this “working prototype” of a society that would enforce biblical law, including public punishment for behaviors deemed sinful and legal penalties for adultery. Their ideology, rooted in biblical patriarchy, also advocates for the death penalty for homosexuality and sees the erosion of traditional family structures as a national crisis.
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Donna Gustafson, a pancreatic cancer patient, became the first recipient of a personalized mRNA vaccine in a clinical trial exploring this novel immunotherapy. This groundbreaking approach aims to bolster the immune system, specifically T cells, to seek and destroy lingering cancer cells, thereby preventing recurrence. Early trial data, presented at the American Association for Cancer Research, indicates that patients who mount an immune response to the vaccine, like Gustafson, show significantly improved long-term survival rates. While cautioning that results are preliminary and derived from a small patient group, researchers are optimistic about the potential of these personalized mRNA vaccines to combat difficult-to-treat cancers like pancreatic cancer.
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Intensified backlash from hardline media and social platforms has targeted Ghalibaf for his recent state television interview, where he defended negotiations not as a retreat but as a continuation of conflict by other means, aiming to translate military gains into political outcomes. Critics accused him of ignoring Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s red lines and signaling weakness towards the United States, with some even calling for Revolutionary Guard intervention. Despite these attacks and a social media post from a rival linking him to a “coup plotter” hashtag, some reformist figures and media outlets have publicly supported Ghalibaf’s approach, viewing diplomacy as a strategic continuation of Iran’s resistance.
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Here is a summarized version of the article, written as part of the original text:
A shooting occurred early Sunday in Iowa City’s nightlife district near the University of Iowa campus, leaving five people injured. Among the wounded were three students, with one in critical condition and four others stable. Police responded to reports of a large fight before shots were fired, and while no arrests have been made, persons of interest have been identified. The university and state officials are offering support and assistance with the ongoing investigation.
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Barack Obama met with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for the first time at a local childcare center. During their engagement, the former president read to preschoolers and led a sing-along, while also offering to serve as a sounding board for the young, progressive mayor. This meeting occurs as Mamdani navigates a complex relationship with President Donald Trump, his Republican predecessor, with whom he has met to discuss city issues, despite recent public disagreements over tax policies. Mamdani described his relationship with Trump as “honest, it’s direct and it’s productive,” emphasizing a shared love for New York City as a common ground.
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Early Sunday morning, a domestic mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulted in the deaths of eight children, seven of whom were the gunman’s own. The gunman, identified as Shamar Elkins, was fatally shot by officers after a carjacking and subsequent pursuit. Two adult women, including the mother of the children, also sustained serious and life-threatening injuries in the attack, which has deeply affected the entire city and is being investigated as the nation’s deadliest mass shooting since January 2024.
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John Q. Hosedrinker