Following a tragic event in Washington, President Trump’s rhetoric intensified, with announcements of pausing migration from “third-world” countries and potentially ending federal benefits for non-citizens. These pronouncements have sparked fear and uncertainty within immigrant communities, including those with legal status. Such policies could significantly impact millions of families and appear to be damaging Trump’s approval ratings, particularly among minority voters. Amidst the rising tension, the article highlights the impact of these policies with real-life examples and notes a widening of the immigration dragnet by ICE, leading to widespread trauma within affected communities.
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Russian government plans to raise value-added tax (VAT) to 22% in 2026, alongside other tax reforms, are expected to accelerate inflation. Deputy Governor of the Russian Central Bank, Aleksei Zabotkin, anticipates the VAT increase will add 0.6-0.7 percentage points to the consumer price index, as it is Russia’s main turnover tax. The government also plans to lower the threshold for the simplified taxation system (STS) and abolish tax breaks for IT companies. These measures, coupled with existing tax hikes and declining oil and gas revenues, are intended to fund the war against Ukraine and address a soaring budget deficit.
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Actor Tyrese Gibson surrendered to authorities in Atlanta on Friday after an arrest warrant was issued for cruelty to animals. The charges stem from an incident where his four cane corso dogs allegedly attacked and killed a neighbor’s Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Court documents and a police report detail that the dogs were seen running through the neighborhood before the fatal attack. Gibson’s attorney stated that Gibson accepts full responsibility for his dogs, having rehomed two of them and their puppies.
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Alvord ISD officials confirmed that an Advanced Animal Science teacher fed an ailing kitten to a snake. The incident occurred before the school day and without students present, but the teacher later acknowledged the decision to the class. The teacher, who has apologized, has removed all snakes from the classroom after the district investigated the report, consulting with legal counsel and animal control. While the incident upset some students, the district has addressed the issue.
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The BBC has discovered an international network operating online that shares graphic videos of cat torture, including electrocution, drowning, and starvation. This network has members globally, including in the UK, with individuals discussing how to obtain cats for abuse and even encouraging the mutilation of animals. The investigation uncovered evidence of British members suggesting obtaining kittens from the RSPCA. The content is extremely disturbing, featuring videos and images of horrific acts, with the network even promoting a “100 cat kill” competition.
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A beloved Italian sniffer dog named Bruno, celebrated for finding missing persons and once honored by the prime minister, was tragically killed after ingesting nail-filled sausages. The dog’s trainer, Arcangelo Caressa, found Bruno in his kennel at the Endas search and rescue training center in Taranto, Puglia, and has since stated that he knows who is responsible. Investigations have been launched by Italian police and the prosecutor’s office. It is suspected that the killing may have been carried out as revenge for Bruno’s role in dismantling dog fighting rings, with the trainer having received death threats in the weeks prior to the incident.
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The Elkhart County Prosecutor dismissed charges against three former Jayco employees accused of animal cruelty, after filing a motion to dismiss. This decision followed a scrivener’s error in the Probable Cause Affidavit that attributed an inaccurate statement to a Jayco executive, prompting further investigation. The prosecutor is awaiting the results of this additional investigation, which has affected the veracity of the original charging decision. No interviews will be given until further evidence is received, and the office is refraining from amending any charging decisions until it can be meaningfully considered.
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Natalie Herron, a Scottish woman, received a two-year and three-month prison sentence for her involvement in a global online network that tortured baby macaques in Indonesia. Herron, who acted as a group administrator, shared hundreds of videos and images depicting horrific abuse, including crucifixion and being dipped in boiling oil. This is the first such sentencing in Scotland for cruelty committed abroad, stemming from a BBC investigation that exposed the network and its ringleader, Michael Macartney. Herron’s actions contributed to the immense suffering inflicted on the animals.
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Zackery Barfield, 31, was sentenced to 30 days in prison and a year of supervised release for illegally killing and poisoning dolphins. He shot at least one dolphin, killing it, and used poisoned bait on numerous others, actions stemming from his frustration with dolphins eating his clients’ catches. Barfield pleaded guilty to three charges related to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act, admitting to poisoning dolphins with methomyl and shooting them with a shotgun. His sentence also included a $51,000 fine and forfeiture of the weapon used in the crimes.
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Mexico City’s legislature overwhelmingly approved a new law banning violent bullfighting, prohibiting the killing of bulls and the use of sharp objects. The 61-1 vote, celebrated by animal rights activists, sparked protests from bullfighting supporters who argue the tradition is integral to their culture and economy. This compromise legislation aims to preserve the spectacle while eliminating animal cruelty, a move praised by Mayor Clara Brugada as promoting animal rights. The new law follows previous legal battles and aims to find common ground between opposing factions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker