The Vatican is returning 62 Indigenous cultural objects, including a century-old Inuvialuit kayak, to Canada after Pope Leo XIV gifted them to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. These items, collected from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, were originally sent to Rome for a 1925 exhibition and have been stored in the Vatican Museums. This decision follows Pope Francis’s 2022 visit to Canada and his acknowledgement of the importance of restitution. The artifacts will be transferred to the National Indigenous Organizations to be returned to their communities of origin.
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Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has expressed concern about the potential for an AI bubble, warning that no company, including Google, would be immune to its bursting. He acknowledged the “irrationality” present in the current AI boom, drawing parallels to the dotcom era, while also highlighting the technology’s profound future impact. Despite this caution, Pichai emphasized Google’s strong position due to its integrated technology stack and the company’s commitment to significant investments in UK AI research and infrastructure. He also noted the immense energy demands of AI, which necessitate addressing energy infrastructure challenges and potentially impacting climate targets.
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In Charlotte, North Carolina, immigration enforcement has led to heightened fear within the community, as evidenced by increased Border Patrol presence and the closure of some Latino-owned businesses. Since the implementation of “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” over 130 people have been arrested, prompting concerns about racial profiling and the targeting of Hispanic communities. Detainees, including those with and without criminal histories, have been sent to detention centers, with some potentially facing transfer to Louisiana due to overcrowding. Community members, like Jonathan Ocampo, are living in fear, with some carrying their passports as a precaution.
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Prosecutors in the US have charged a homeowner who fatally shot a cleaning crew member who mistakenly arrived at his home. The delay in charging was due to consideration of Indiana’s “stand your ground” law, but authorities determined the homeowner’s actions were not protected under it. The victim, Maria Florinda Rios Perez, was shot through the door, and the suspect did not call the police before opening fire. This incident echoes similar cases, such as the shooting of Ralph Yarl and Kaylin Gillis, highlighting the complexities of such laws.
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In Iowa, a Native American woman was mistakenly issued an ICE detainer in her jail file, despite proving her U.S. citizenship, which nearly resulted in a wrongful transfer. The incident, involving a 24-year-old from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, exposed the potential for errors within the 287(g) program, where local law enforcement assists ICE. While the Polk County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the error, the Department of Homeland Security vehemently denies the detainer, creating conflicting accounts. Jacobo’s family is considering legal action, raising further questions about the program and potential racial profiling within the system.
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On Thursday, the TSA launched an investigation into how a passenger was able to bring a meat cleaver through security at Portland International Airport and onto a Delta Air Lines flight. The cleaver, discovered after the passenger boarded the plane to Salt Lake City, prompted Delta staff to report the incident, leading to passenger deplaning and rescreening. The TSA is working to determine the cause of the security breach and will take corrective measures, including potential workforce training, while Delta apologized for the subsequent delays. The flight ultimately arrived in Salt Lake City with a two-and-a-half-hour delay.
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As part of “Operation Home for the Holidays,” Florida officials announced the recovery or location of over 120 missing children during a recent two-week operation targeting child exploitation. This large-scale effort, described as the largest child rescue mission in state history, also resulted in the arrest of six individuals. The recovered children, ranging in age from 23 months to 17 years old, were found throughout Florida and in nine other states, with two located internationally. Authorities anticipate further arrests in the coming weeks, as charges against those apprehended include offenses such as lewd and lascivious behavior and sexual battery.
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An Australian man, identified as Johnson Wen, was sentenced to nine days in jail in Singapore after accosting Ariana Grande at the premiere of “Wicked: For Good.” The 26-year-old jumped a barrier and embraced the singer before being apprehended by security. The Singapore District Judge stated Wen’s actions were premeditated and part of a pattern of attention-seeking behavior. Wen pleaded guilty and was already in custody for four days, requiring him to serve five more days.
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In Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, a ten-year-old boy drove himself home from his elementary school after a disagreement with his mother. Police responded to the school after a report of a stolen car with a child inside, discovering the boy had driven the vehicle a mile to his home. The car was found in an open garage with the unharmed child and his father, who was then taken into custody on an outstanding warrant. Authorities decided against filing charges against the child due to his age.
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A federal judge has criticized the Justice Department for “disturbing investigative missteps” in the case against former FBI Director James Comey, ordering prosecutors to provide all grand jury materials to defense lawyers. Judge William Fitzpatrick cited “fundamental misstatements of the law,” the use of potentially privileged communications, and unexplained irregularities in grand jury transcripts as reasons for concern. These issues raise questions about the integrity of the proceedings, prompting the judge’s unusually strong stance. The ruling comes amid other challenges to the indictment, including concerns over the appointment of the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
ICE Under Scrutiny for Targeting Native Americans for Deportation
In Iowa, a Native American woman was mistakenly issued an ICE detainer in her jail file, despite proving her U.S. citizenship, which nearly resulted in a wrongful transfer. The incident, involving a 24-year-old from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, exposed the potential for errors within the 287(g) program, where local law enforcement assists ICE. While the Polk County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the error, the Department of Homeland Security vehemently denies the detainer, creating conflicting accounts. Jacobo’s family is considering legal action, raising further questions about the program and potential racial profiling within the system.
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