Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has previously downplayed his association with Jeffrey Epstein but was subpoenaed in 2023 regarding potential referrals to JPMorgan Chase. Newly released documents, including emails from 2012 and 2013, show Musk communicating with Epstein about potential visits to his island and mentioning his then-partner. While Musk has denied ever traveling to Epstein’s island, these emails reveal detailed plans and logistics. Furthermore, the documents indicate Musk forwarded Epstein’s inquiries about SolarCity services to his cousin, who was a SolarCity founder.
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A federal judge has mandated the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejos Ramos and his father from a Texas detention center, with their immigration case ongoing. The pair were taken by ICE agents from their Minnesota home and detained for over a week, sparking outrage over the agency’s actions. While ICE denies using Liam as “bait” to capture his parents, differing accounts exist regarding the circumstances of their detention, including conflicting claims about the mother’s willingness to take custody. Liam’s family, originally from Ecuador, had entered the U.S. legally and was seeking asylum.
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On January 31st, hundreds of Italians protested in Milan against the involvement of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in supporting the US delegation at the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Demonstrators, echoing tactics used by anti-ICE protesters in the United States, voiced their concerns over ICE’s presence following fatal shootings by federal agents in Minnesota. The protests included family groups, and the protestors carried signs such as “ICE=FASCISM.” The US State Department confirmed that ICE would be present to protect visiting Americans, while Italy emphasized its control over all security operations during the games.
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Project 2025, a detailed conservative agenda, presented a rare opportunity for accurate prediction but was instead met with journalistic surprise despite its public availability. While advocacy groups like the ACLU warned of the plan’s negative impacts, their concerns were often dismissed as partisan, whereas Trump’s denials, even when demonstrably false, were treated as newsworthy facts. This journalistic approach, prioritizing neutrality and minimizing the appearance of bias, ultimately allowed Trump’s lies to be laundered into legitimate disagreements, hindering voters from understanding the gravity of the situation. The failure to simply acknowledge the obvious – the existence of the document, its authors, Trump’s endorsements, and his lies – directly hampered the ability of the press to inform the public.
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More than 200 killed in coltan mine collapse in east Congo, official says, and it’s simply heartbreaking. It’s hard to wrap your head around such a massive loss of life. We’re talking about a disaster of epic proportions, and the sheer scale of the tragedy is almost unfathomable. This isn’t just a number; it’s over two hundred people, including miners, children, and market women, all victims of a devastating landslide. The reports indicate that some were fortunate enough to be rescued, but many others were not, and the injured are now grappling with serious injuries. This event lays bare the perilous conditions faced by those working in these mines and the terrible consequences of this work.… Continue reading
The federal government has entered a partial shutdown as lawmakers failed to pass a funding package before the deadline. The Senate approved a measure encompassing five appropriations bills and a short-term resolution for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but the House, which is scheduled to vote on Monday, still needs to pass it. Disagreement over DHS funding, particularly regarding immigration enforcement, delayed the process, leading to the current shutdown. With some House Republicans already seeking changes, and concerns about a long-term DHS funding bill, the path forward remains uncertain.
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Initially announced in 2017, Neom was a futuristic megaproject envisioned by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, promising a technologically advanced city including a 170km linear city known as “The Line.” However, the project has faced significant setbacks, with the Saudi government admitting the project will be downsized due to delays and ballooning costs. Architects and urban planners have criticized the project from its inception, deeming it impractical from an urban planning and financial perspective. Despite the Crown Prince’s ambitious goals, the project’s scaling back reflects a shift towards a more realistic approach and may signal a reduced likelihood of similar large-scale initiatives in the future.
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As Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in Ohio is set to expire on February 3rd, Ohio officials are preparing for potential increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. Springfield, Ohio, with a significant Haitian population, is bracing for possible enforcement operations, while other communities like Findlay and those in central Ohio are also monitoring the situation. The expiration of TPS, originally granted after the 2010 earthquake, could lead to the deportation of thousands. Senator Bernie Moreno has stated that those here under TPS should be prepared to leave the country.
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French lawmakers are demanding answers after the tech giant Capgemini signed a multimillion-dollar contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to help locate and deport migrants. The agreement, revealed by a corporate watchdog, includes “skip tracing” services with significant bonuses for successful identifications, sparking outrage over potential human rights violations. Government officials and the company itself have acknowledged the contract, which is currently on hold. French ministers are calling for transparency and urging Capgemini to review its involvement, especially given the current scrutiny of ICE’s actions.
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Explosion occurs at Iran’s southern port of Bandar Abbas, Iranian media reports – that’s the headline, and it’s certainly grabbing attention. It seems like the situation in the region is heating up, and this explosion is just the latest development in a complex web of geopolitical tensions. There’s a lot of speculation swirling around, so let’s try to break it down.
The initial reports don’t offer much in the way of concrete details about the cause of the explosion. However, the timing is interesting, coinciding as it does with the release of more Epstein files. Some people are suggesting this is a deliberate distraction, a way to shift the focus away from the scandal.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
French MPs Demand Answers Over Tech Firm’s US-ICE Contract
French lawmakers are demanding answers after the tech giant Capgemini signed a multimillion-dollar contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to help locate and deport migrants. The agreement, revealed by a corporate watchdog, includes “skip tracing” services with significant bonuses for successful identifications, sparking outrage over potential human rights violations. Government officials and the company itself have acknowledged the contract, which is currently on hold. French ministers are calling for transparency and urging Capgemini to review its involvement, especially given the current scrutiny of ICE’s actions.
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