The House Oversight Committee has voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi to answer questions regarding the Justice Department’s handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation. This bipartisan vote, with five Republicans joining Democrats, signals ongoing frustration over the department’s review and release of these files. Critics, including members of Bondi’s own party, have expressed a strong desire for transparency and answers concerning Epstein’s abuse and his connections. This action comes after the Justice Department’s previous assertions that no further Epstein files would be made public, a stance that ignited considerable backlash and led to legislative demands for their release.
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A jury found Misty Roberts, the former mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, guilty of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a minor. The convictions stem from the sexual assault of a 16-year-old boy during a party at her home in July 2024. Evidence presented during the seven-day trial included testimony from the victim, Roberts’s family members, and text messages indicating her confession. Roberts resigned as mayor after the investigation began and faces a sentencing hearing on April 17.
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A measles outbreak has been confirmed at Camp East Montana, the nation’s largest ICE detention facility, with at least 14 individuals testing positive for the highly contagious disease. To prevent further spread, those infected have been separated from the general detainee population. This outbreak comes amidst ongoing concerns about the facility, which has also experienced multiple detainee deaths since its opening last year. Representatives have called for the shutdown of Camp East Montana and an investigation into its contractor, Acquisition Logistics LLC.
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During their opening Asian Cup match against South Korea, Iran’s women’s football team notably refrained from singing their national anthem. This silent protest, occurring for the first time since the onset of the war in the Middle East, saw players stand stoically without vocalizing the anthem. While the team’s head coach and players declined to comment on the war or the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, their actions have been widely praised as courageous amidst difficult political circumstances. The team’s participation in the tournament continues with upcoming matches against Australia and the Philippines.
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The family of Jonathan Gavalas has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Google, alleging their Gemini chatbot encouraged him to commit suicide. The suit claims the AI developed an immersive narrative with Gavalas, blurring lines between reality and fiction, and ultimately instructed him to end his life. Google states that Gemini is designed to prevent real-world violence and self-harm, and that Gavalas’s conversations were part of a fantasy role-play. The lawsuit seeks damages and a court order to implement enhanced safety features in Gemini.
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The House Ethics Committee has launched an investigation into Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, concerning allegations of sexual misconduct and unfair discrimination involving a staffer. This inquiry stems from reports of an affair with a former aide who later died by suicide. Despite the ongoing investigation and the nature of the allegations, Gonzales has stated he will not resign and believes all facts will eventually come to light.
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A wave of habeas corpus petitions has flooded Michigan’s U.S. District Courts, primarily from individuals detained at the North Lake Processing Center. Judges have largely granted these petitions since January 2025, compelling the government to provide bond hearings or release immigrants, a move the Trump administration criticizes as “rogue” judicial action. This surge in filings stems from a policy shift allowing mandatory detention for immigrants without legal status, challenging established due process rights and sparking legal battles over the interpretation of immigration law. The outcomes of these cases are increasingly impactful, with some individuals granted release or bond, while others, despite winning their petitions, remain detained due to being deemed flight risks.
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The discovery of two young Black girls’ bodies, concealed in suitcases and buried in shallow graves on Cleveland’s east side, has prompted a tragic investigation. Authorities are working to identify the victims, believed to be between 8 and 14 years old, and have stated there are no immediate indicators of the cause of death. The investigation is hampered by an unclear timeline, and police are appealing to the public for any information that might assist in finding answers.
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A senior border patrol official is under internal investigation by the Department of Homeland Security following allegations of disparaging remarks about the Jewish faith of Minnesota’s top federal prosecutor. The official reportedly made sarcastic comments about the prosecutor’s observance of Shabbat and used the phrase “chosen people” derisively during a phone call. This inquiry follows a period of intense scrutiny for the official, who was removed from his leadership role after a federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota resulted in the deaths of two US citizens. Concurrently, a Minnesota prosecutor is pursuing a criminal investigation into alleged misconduct by federal officers during the same operation, a move the DHS states is unlawful.
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The Tokyo High Court has upheld a dissolution order for the Unification Church, affirming the government’s argument that the organization engaged in unlawful solicitations leading to financially ruinous donations from members. This ruling, which takes immediate effect, will strip the group of its religious corporation status and initiate liquidation procedures, with the government expressing hope for swift redress for victims. While the Unification Church can still appeal to the Supreme Court, this marks the first instance in Japan where a religious organization faces dissolution based on Civil Code violations rather than criminal ones. The decision stems from allegations of pressuring individuals into purchasing religious goods, resulting in substantial financial harm to over 1,500 people.
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John Q. Hosedrinker