Four leaders of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, including the section chief, resigned in protest over the handling of an ICE officer’s fatal shooting of a motorist in Minneapolis. These departures stemmed from Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon’s decision not to investigate the shooting, despite the division’s typical role in such cases involving law enforcement use of force. Sources indicate that this decision, coupled with other concerns about division leadership, led to the resignations, marking a significant mass departure within the department. The FBI has taken over the investigation, while Democrats accuse the Trump administration of covering up the details of the shooting.
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On January 12th, Ukrainian troops, spearheaded by the Khartia Brigade of the 2nd Corps of the National Guard, successfully recaptured the Kupiansk City Council building and raised the Ukrainian flag, marking a significant strategic victory in the Kharkiv region. The operation, led by the 4th Battalion’s Reconnaissance and Strike Group, resulted in the securing of the city center, with remaining Russian units being cleared. Commander Colonel Ihor Obolenskyi highlighted the success of the operation, demonstrating Ukraine’s capability to halt and eliminate enemy forces with effective planning and well-trained units. The liberation of Kupiansk, a city previously claimed by Russia, reinforces Ukraine’s ability to reclaim strategically vital territories.
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Amidst escalating international condemnation of Iran’s crackdown on recent demonstrations, the European Parliament has taken action. President Roberta Metsola announced a ban on all Iranian diplomats, government officials, and representatives from entering Parliament premises. This decision follows Metsola’s expression of support for the protesters and consideration of further EU sanctions. The EU is also exploring measures like designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, with the situation in Iran continuing to deteriorate as protests persist.
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The suspect, Stephen Spencer Pittman, confessed to setting fire to Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, citing its “Jewish ties” as the reason, according to the FBI. Pittman, who was found to have set the fire with gasoline, was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire. Authorities used Pittman’s phone data and text messages to his father, where he admitted to the arson and included pictures of the synagogue, to help determine his movements before the fire. If convicted, Pittman faces a sentence of five to twenty years in prison.
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Meta has reported removing nearly 550,000 accounts belonging to users under 16 across its platforms in response to Australia’s Online Safety Amendment Act 2024, which went into effect in December. The social media ban restricts access to platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. While complying with the law, Meta is urging the Australian government to collaborate with the industry for a more effective solution. The company suggests incentivizing the industry to improve safety standards and implement age verification tools to protect young users across all apps, thereby avoiding the need for blanket bans.
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Cyprus has accused Russia of orchestrating a disinformation campaign, which includes a social media video alleging corruption within the government, specifically targeting the president and other political figures. According to initial analysis, the video’s format and style mirror previous Russian disinformation operations, utilizing editing and narration to suggest influence peddling. The video’s release, coinciding with Cyprus’s assumption of the EU presidency and support for Ukraine, has sparked a domestic uproar and calls for investigation. This incident marks the latest in a series of accusations against Russia for engaging in disinformation campaigns across various nations.
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During a meeting with oil executives, President Donald Trump declared a 25% tariff on any country conducting business with Iran, effective immediately. This move aims to economically isolate Iran amidst widespread anti-government protests and follows Trump’s previous threats of military action against the country. The president has also explicitly supported the demonstrations. The legal basis for these new tariffs remains unclear, as they come ahead of a Supreme Court ruling on the legality of Trump’s previous tariffs.
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In a recent crackdown on illegal residents, Saudi Arabia has arrested almost 19,000 individuals over the course of one week. The Ministry of Interior reported that over 10,000 of those arrested have already been deported, demonstrating a strong commitment to enforcing immigration laws. These arrests are part of a broader initiative aimed at combating residency violations and ensuring compliance with the kingdom’s regulations. The operation highlights Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to maintain security and manage its foreign population effectively.
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Sweden urges EU ban on support to Russian oil, gas-shipping fleet, and frankly, it seems like a no-brainer. Seriously, you’d think this would have been done yesterday, not something we’re still discussing. The core idea is simple: stop providing any form of assistance to these vessels. This means no repairs, no parts, no bunkering – essentially, cutting off the lifeblood that keeps these ships afloat and, by extension, funds the war.
The proposed ban is a necessary step, a bare minimum even. It’s a way to ensure that the EU isn’t inadvertently propping up the Russian war machine. It’s about not sending mixed signals, where we support Ukraine with one hand while, with the other, we continue to indirectly fund Russia’s actions by facilitating its oil and gas transport.… Continue reading
Democratic lawmakers are increasing pressure to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, citing recent violent incidents involving federal immigration officers as evidence of systemic failures within the department. These calls for impeachment were spurred by the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis and the wounding of two individuals in Oregon. Lawmakers, such as Rep. Robin Kelly, are accusing Noem of obstruction of justice, violation of public trust, and abusing her authority. While some Democrats support impeachment, the effort faces significant challenges given Republican control of the House, and the Department has dismissed the impeachment effort as “silly during a serious time.”
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood