A 9-year-old boy was discovered severely malnourished and unable to walk, having been kept locked inside his father’s utility van in eastern France since November 2024. Police forced entry into the van after a neighbor reported hearing a child’s cries, finding the boy in a deplorable state. The father claimed he confined his son to “protect him” from his partner, who allegedly sought to institutionalize the child, though no prior psychiatric issues were recorded. The child has been hospitalized, his father is in custody, and authorities are investigating further potential involvement.
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A review by Spotlight PA has revealed that several Pennsylvania counties have collected over $21 million in recent years by detaining immigrants in their jails under agreements with federal immigration agencies. These long-standing contracts, predating recent mass deportation campaigns, are now under scrutiny as local governments grapple with community opposition and the financial reliance on this revenue. While some county officials defend the practice as a necessary income source, others face pressure to end their collaboration with ICE due to concerns about federal immigration enforcement tactics and their impact on immigrant communities.
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A federal judge has temporarily halted Arizona’s enforcement of gambling laws against predictive market operators like Kalshi, suspending a criminal case against the company. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by the federal government, which argues that federal law governing “swaps” preempts state gambling regulations. This decision prevents Kalshi’s upcoming arraignment on charges of illegal wagering.
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Since October, the United States has admitted 4,499 refugees. All but three of these individuals were South African, a demographic prioritized by the current administration due to claims of persecution against this white minority group. The South African government has formally objected to this characterization, disputing the narrative of persecution.
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A man who attacked three people with a machete at the 42nd Street-Grand Central subway station was shot and killed by police after refusing commands to drop his weapon and advancing on officers. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, claimed to be “Lucifer” and had prior arrests. The three victims, all adults, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, with one suffering an open skull fracture. Authorities believe the attacks were random acts, and an investigation is ongoing.
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A freight trailer containing a substantial quantity of Lego products was reportedly stolen while in transit from Texas to Southern California. The trailer’s disappearance marks a significant loss of valuable merchandise. Investigations are ongoing to recover the stolen items and apprehend those responsible for the theft.
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Utah has enacted legislation that significantly shields fossil fuel companies from legal accountability for climate damages, making it nearly impossible for residents to sue for such harms. This move, described as prioritizing corporate profits over community well-being, mirrors a broader push by the fossil fuel industry and its political allies for legal immunity akin to that granted to the firearms industry. Other conservative states are considering similar laws, and federal legislation to shield these companies from a growing wave of climate litigation is also reportedly in development. Critics argue this legislation is a surrender to special interests and an affront to the public good, enabling companies that allegedly knew about and profited from climate-damaging products to evade responsibility.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s acting director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, has delayed the release of a study intended for the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that suggested Covid vaccines reduced severe illness. Concerns about the observational methodology, specifically the test-negative design, were cited as the reason for the delay. While this methodology is commonly accepted and used in numerous other studies, Dr. Bhattacharya seeks to ensure the paper employs the most appropriate approach for vaccine effectiveness calculations. This action is viewed by some as unusual political interference, especially given the publication’s established scientific review process.
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Following the Darts Regulation Authority’s (DRA) decision to restrict women’s tournaments to biological females, transgender darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven has declared she is “not done fighting.” Van Leuven, who made history as the first transgender woman to compete in the PDC World Darts Championship, expressed her disappointment and solidarity with the trans community, stating she no longer feels welcome in the sport’s women’s events. While the DRA cited a review and expert advice concluding that only biological females ensure fair competition, Van Leuven maintains her determination to continue her fight.
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A former staffer of Rep. Eric Swalwell has alleged that he sexually assaulted her when she was heavily intoxicated, an incident she claims left her bruised and bleeding. This account is part of a broader pattern of alleged misconduct detailed by multiple women, including unsolicited explicit messages and nude photos sent by the congressman. Swalwell vehemently denies all allegations, calling them false and timed to impact an upcoming election, and his attorney has issued cease-and-desist letters to some accusers. CNN has corroborated key elements of the women’s claims through interviews and documents, though other former staff members report no inappropriate interactions with Swalwell.
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John Q. Hosedrinker