**AP News**
A devastating explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems, a military munitions plant in rural Tennessee, resulted in multiple fatalities and missing persons on Friday. The blast, felt miles away, obliterated one of the facility’s buildings, and secondary explosions hampered initial rescue efforts. The cause of the explosion is currently unknown and under investigation. The plant is a significant employer in the area, and local officials have expressed concern about the economic impact of the tragedy.
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According to recent claims, two studies suggest that early circumcision in children correlates with a doubled rate of autism, potentially linked to the use of Tylenol. The research cited, including a 2015 study on Danish children, has faced criticism for its observational nature and failure to consider various confounding variables, such as cultural or social factors. Experts caution against drawing definitive conclusions from this research. Importantly, the studies did not directly investigate the use of acetaminophen.
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As part of the upcoming federal budget, the government will implement an automatic tax filing system for low-income Canadians, which will begin enrolling a million people in 2027 and expand to 5.5 million by 2029, in an effort to ensure access to essential benefits. The budget also includes making the national school food program permanent, which provides meals to 400,000 children annually. Furthermore, the Canada Strong Pass, initially created to promote domestic tourism, will be extended through the holiday season and summer of 2026, offering free access to national parks and museums.
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A judge has dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group regarding Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.” The judge determined that Lamar’s lyrics, which accused Drake of being a “certified pedophile,” were “nonactionable opinion” within the context of a rap battle. Drake’s spokesperson confirmed plans to appeal the ruling, while UMG expressed satisfaction with the outcome. The judge highlighted the ongoing feud as a “war of words” and noted that Drake’s earlier song, “Taylor Made Freestyle,” invited Lamar to make the very accusations featured in “Not Like Us.”
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Due to new customs regulations, numerous U.S.-bound packages shipped by UPS are stuck in warehouses across the country, with some being “disposed of” by the company. Frustrated customers report weeks-long delays, conflicting tracking updates, and the loss of valuable or sentimental items, including tea, musical instruments, and personal mementos. These issues stem from complex new tariffs and fees imposed by the Trump administration on international shipments, making customs clearance more difficult and costly, especially for low-value packages. While UPS claims to be clearing the majority of packages promptly, the company acknowledges that some shipments are being held and potentially destroyed, leading to customer frustration and concerns about the future of international shipping.
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The US Army is receiving a donation of approximately $1 million from the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) to cover travel and lodging expenses for senior leaders attending a professional development conference in Washington, DC. This donation allows senior leaders to attend the annual Association of the US Army conference, which the government shutdown had jeopardized due to a lack of funds for travel and per diems. AUSA typically provides funds to the Army for this conference, but the recent donation appears to be in addition to their standard contribution. The conference will bring together Army leaders, defense industry executives, and foreign military representatives, and includes the Leader Solarium event for battalion commanders and sergeants major.
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Venezuelan opposition leader MarÃa Corina Machado has been in hiding since August 2024 after the July elections. In a letter published by the Wall Street Journal, she claims to have proof that Nicolás Maduro did not win the election and fears for her safety. The letter details actions taken by Maduro’s government to prevent her from running and the subsequent protests that followed. She was briefly detained at a January protest before being released, and could be captured again at any time.
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A court in Nîmes has increased Husamettin Dogan’s jail sentence by a year, bringing it to a total of ten years, after he appealed his conviction for raping Gisèle Pelicot. Dogan, the only man to challenge his conviction, claimed innocence despite video evidence and maintained he was also a victim manipulated by Gisèle’s husband, Dominique. The retrial, judged by a jury, presented the same evidence as the initial trial where 50 other men were convicted of rape, including videos of the unconscious Gisèle. Dogan’s defense again denied any intention to rape her, while Gisèle Pelicot maintained she was the “only victim” and never gave her consent.
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The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the first-degree murder conviction and death sentence of Richard R. Laird for the 1987 killing of Anthony Milano, a case noted for being the first instance of capital punishment for a murder motivated by anti-gay bias. Laird and his co-conspirator attacked Milano after hurling anti-gay slurs, eventually beating him to death. Despite several appeals over the years citing ineffective counsel, a 2007 retrial reaffirmed his guilt and death sentence, which was later upheld by the state Supreme Court. While the Supreme Court’s decision validates the conviction, Laird’s execution is unlikely due to Pennsylvania’s moratorium on executions, enacted in 2015 and extended by the current governor.
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The United States finalized a $20 billion currency swap line with Argentina’s central bank and directly purchased Argentine pesos on Thursday, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in an effort to stabilize the nation’s struggling financial markets. This rare move, praised by Argentine President Javier Milei, was met with criticism from U.S. lawmakers and farmers who questioned the rationale behind the intervention, particularly given Argentina’s economic instability and dependence on international aid. The announcement triggered a rise in Argentina’s dollar-denominated bonds and a surge in the Buenos Aires stock market, providing a crucial reprieve for Milei as he heads into a midterm election that could determine the future of his free-market policies. Observers have questioned whether the intervention serves as a pre-election reward, as Bessent did not mention any economic conditions tied to the swap line.
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John Q. Hosedrinker