Magic performers Penn & Teller have filed a U.S. Supreme Court brief in support of death row inmate Charles Don Flores. The brief highlights that key evidence used to convict Flores was tainted by a police officer’s use of “investigative hypnosis” on a witness. This discredited technique, which falsely purports memory to be a recording device, led the witness to identify Flores despite initial descriptions not matching him. Penn Jillette, an expert in misdirection, argues that such questionable practices mirror his own stagecraft and should invalidate the evidence.
Read More
In the wake of a ceasefire, Iran’s foreign minister announced the Strait of Hormuz would be “completely open,” a declaration met with initial enthusiasm by US President Donald Trump who claimed Iran had agreed to remove sea mines and never close the strait again. However, Iranian presidential spokesperson Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Tabatabaei disputed these claims, labeling them as “baseless statements” and emphasizing that any partial reopening was solely an Iranian initiative. Further complicating matters, semi-official Iranian news agencies questioned the authority behind the announcement, suggesting Supreme Leader approval was necessary, while some reports indicated passage would require Iranian-determined corridors and IRGC approval. Despite these conflicting reports, maritime traffic tracking apps showed cruise ships departing Gulf ports and crossing the Strait of Hormuz, indicating a resumption of activity in the crucial waterway.
Read More
For the first time, approximately thirty countries convened to plan the governance of the Strait of Hormuz, focusing on a future of maritime freedom of navigation. This initiative, launched in Paris and notably excluding the United States, aims to establish a multilateral framework for the strait’s operation. The proposed mission is strictly defensive, offering escort services, traffic coordination, and emergency response, echoing the successful models of the Suez and Panama Canals. The crucial next step involves determining a sustainable funding mechanism, ideally through user fees, to ensure the authority’s long-term institutional legitimacy and independence from national defense budgets.
Read More
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has enacted the city’s inaugural pied-à-terre tax, targeting luxury properties valued over $5 million owned by non-residents, a key campaign pledge fulfilled on tax day. This annual fee, announced outside hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin’s residence, applies to homes where the owner’s primary residence is outside New York City. Expected to generate at least $500 million annually, the revenue is earmarked for essential public services such as free childcare, street cleaning, and neighborhood safety initiatives. The proposal requires state legislative approval and has been met with strong support from the Governor, aiming to address what the Mayor describes as a “fundamentally unfair system” of empty, high-value properties.
Read More
A newly released book, “RFK Jr: The Fall and Rise,” details instances of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s unusual interactions with dead animals. A diary entry from November 11, 2001, recounts Kennedy stopping on a highway to remove the penis from a road-killed raccoon, stating his intention to study it. The author notes Kennedy’s long-standing fascination with deceased animals, including his past desire to collect dead seagulls for his skull collection and other reported incidents involving a whale and a bear cub.
Read More
The article asserts that Donald Trump’s behavior has escalated to a point of clear and present danger, citing his erratic statements and shifting goals regarding Iran. Examples of his detached commentary, from Sharpie pens to White House drapes during high-level meetings, are presented as evidence of his declining mental state. The piece highlights concerns from mental health professionals, former cabinet members, and even some former supporters who describe his actions as insane, delusional, and detached from reality, posing a significant risk to national and global security.
Read More
The ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee has initiated a wide-ranging investigation into alleged self-enrichment by Jared Kushner. Congressman Jamie Raskin asserts that Kushner’s simultaneous roles as a Middle East envoy and a fundraiser for his private investment firm, which has secured billions from Gulf monarchies, present an unresolvable conflict of interest. Despite prior promises to abstain from government service and fundraising, Kushner has deepened his financial ties to foreign governments, including Saudi Arabia, during his diplomatic efforts. This investigation aims to gather information crucial for reforming laws concerning bribery, conflicts of interest, and the conduct of government employees.
Read More
Democrat Analilia Mejía secured victory in a New Jersey special election for the U.S. House, defeating Republican Joe Hathaway. Mejía’s platform focused on opposing President Donald Trump and advocating for progressive policies, resonating with voters in the district. Her win solidifies Democratic hold on the seat and signals momentum for the party ahead of upcoming midterm elections. Mejía, who previously led the Working Families Alliance and garnered support from Senator Bernie Sanders, will serve out the remainder of the term until January.
Read More
The fundamental challenge facing any future governance in the wake of the Trump presidency is the urgent need to erect robust safeguards against both the abuse of presidential power and the personal enrichment of those in office. It feels as though the existing frameworks, designed to prevent such transgressions, proved woefully inadequate, leaving a gaping vulnerability that was, to put it mildly, exploited. The very notion that individuals in the highest offices might use their positions for personal financial gain, or leverage their authority for purposes beyond public service, is deeply unsettling and demands a serious re-evaluation of our legal and ethical architecture.… Continue reading
Data from Japan’s National Police Agency reveals a sobering reality: in 2025, 76,941 individuals were discovered deceased alone in their residences, representing a significant portion of all handled cases. The overwhelming majority of these solitary deaths, 76.6%, involved individuals aged 65 or older, with a concerning 28.9% of all isolated deaths remaining undiscovered for eight days or more. This phenomenon, termed “koritsushi,” is exacerbated by societal trends like single-person households and the increasing social isolation, particularly among older men.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood