Following Target’s rollback of its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, activists are calling for a nationwide boycott, citing the company’s prioritization of profits over its previous commitments to Black employees, shoppers, and businesses. A press conference at Target headquarters urged both employees to speak out and consumers to boycott the retailer, criticizing the timing of the decision just before Black History Month. While some Black business owners expressed concerns about the potential negative economic impact of a boycott, Target maintains its commitment to inclusion, although its philanthropic commitments remain uncertain following the withdrawal of funding by Twin Cities Pride. The boycott’s impact on Target and its future DEI efforts remains to be seen.
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The Anglican Catholic Church revoked the priestly license of Calvin Robinson, priest-in-charge of St. Paul’s Anglican Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for mimicking Elon Musk’s straight-arm gesture, which many interpreted as a Nazi salute. Robinson performed the gesture at the National Pro-Life Summit after quoting Musk, claiming it was a joke. The Church stated that Robinson’s actions, despite his denials, were harmful and trivialized the Holocaust. This decision follows prior warnings to Robinson about his online behavior.
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U.S. Army Pfc. Robert L. Bryant, missing since World War II following Operation Avalanche in Italy, has been accounted for. His remains, discovered in 1947 and initially unidentified, were recently analyzed using anthropological, dental, and DNA evidence, confirming his identity. This identification was aided by historical research and assistance from various organizations. Bryant will receive a proper burial in April 2025, and a rosette will be placed next to his name on the Walls of the Missing.
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A surge in ship abandonments has left over 3,000 seafarers stranded without pay in 2024, double the number from three years prior. Shipowners, often operating smaller vessels on less profitable routes, cite rising costs and dwindling business as reasons for abandoning crews, sometimes leaving them for months without food, water, or electricity. Many abandoned ships are registered in countries with weak enforcement of maritime labor laws, hindering efforts to hold owners accountable. This crisis highlights a critical gap in protecting seafarers’ rights, exacerbated by the use of shell companies and flags of convenience.
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Calvin Robinson, a preacher recently employed by the Anglican Catholic Church (ACC), was dismissed after mimicking a Nazi salute at a pro-life summit. The ACC’s statement condemned his actions as trivializing the Holocaust and violating Christian principles, noting that he had previously been warned about such behavior. Robinson’s dismissal leaves his US ministry in jeopardy and potentially forces his return to the UK. The ACC’s statement emphasized its condemnation of Nazi ideology and anti-Semitism.
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A mid-air collision between a regional jet, American Airlines Flight 5342, and a military helicopter over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport resulted in a mass casualty incident. The crash, captured on video, has prompted a large-scale emergency response involving numerous fire boats and helicopters searching for victims. The FAA and NTSB will jointly investigate the cause of the collision, while all takeoffs and landings at DCA have been temporarily suspended. Numerous fatalities have been reported.
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Fourteen members of a religious sect in Australia were found guilty of manslaughter for the death of an 8-year-old girl, Elizabeth Struhs, who died from diabetic ketoacidosis. The group, rejecting medical treatment due to their belief in divine healing, withheld insulin despite the child’s deteriorating condition over six days. Justice Martin Burns stated that Elizabeth’s death was inevitable due to this refusal of medical care, finding the 14 defendants guilty despite their unwavering faith in God’s intervention. The sentencing is scheduled for February 11.
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Internal ICE communications reveal a daily arrest goal of approximately 75 per field office, resulting in a nationwide surge in immigration arrests. This increase, aiming for 1,200-1,500 daily arrests, significantly surpasses previous averages under the Biden administration and even exceeds the Obama-era high. The Dallas field office reported 84 arrests on Sunday alone, reflecting the nationwide operation. While the White House reframes the directive as “goals” rather than “quotas,” the significant increase in arrests is undeniable.
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Following President Trump’s ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has suspended observances of eleven annual events, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Pride Month, and Black History Month. This action, initiated by the DIA and not yet department-wide policy, stems from ongoing ambiguity surrounding the executive order. The pause affects agency-sponsored events but not national holidays, according to a DIA memo. Defense Secretary Hegseth has since established a task force to eliminate all remaining DEI programs within the Pentagon, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to this policy. The White House, however, maintains its intention to celebrate American history and the contributions of all citizens.
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John Q. Hosedrinker