A 19-year-old male, reportedly a former student, perpetrated a knife attack at Zagreb’s Precko Elementary School, resulting in the death of a 7-year-old girl and injuries to at least six others, including a teacher with life-threatening wounds. The attack occurred around 9:50 a.m. and the assailant was swiftly apprehended. Authorities are investigating the incident, which is rare in Croatia, while the Prime Minister expressed profound shock and concern. Several injured children were transported to various Zagreb hospitals.
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Svetlana Dali, the Delta Air Lines stowaway, has once again found herself in legal trouble after attempting to flee the United States. This time, her audacious escape plan involved a Greyhound bus bound for Canada, a far cry from her previous attempt to stow away on a Delta flight. The sheer audacity of her repeated attempts is baffling, especially considering the apparent ease with which she initially bypassed security. One can’t help but wonder about the effectiveness of airport security protocols, given her successful first attempt. The incident raises serious questions about security measures at both airports and bus terminals, prompting concern about potential vulnerabilities in the system.… Continue reading
Glenn Litton, a 56-year-old homeless man with a lengthy criminal and mental health history, is identified as the suspect in the Butte County school shooting. Litton, who had a history of fraud, theft, and other offenses, used a false identity to gain access to the school before opening fire, wounding two kindergarten students. Following the shooting, Litton died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigations suggest the attack was an isolated incident stemming from Litton’s delusional beliefs about an organization he claimed affiliation with.
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New research estimates that lead in gasoline, phased out in the US in the 1980s, is responsible for approximately 151 million mental health disorder diagnoses. This widespread exposure, affecting roughly half the US population, resulted in increased susceptibility to various mental illnesses, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. The study highlights the lasting neurotoxic effects of lead, impacting cognitive function and personality traits even in undiagnosed individuals. Further research and governmental action are necessary to address the ongoing threat of lead exposure from remaining sources in older homes and certain industries.
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This article details the author’s decision to forgo her family’s traditional Texas Christmas celebration due to irreconcilable political differences stemming from the 2024 election. Influenced by a growing trend among ex-evangelicals and others reassessing holiday gatherings in the face of political polarization, the author cites past experiences of strained family relationships exacerbated by a family member’s support of a controversial political figure. The author ultimately prioritizes self-preservation and emotional well-being, choosing a more relaxed Montana Christmas with her immediate family over a potentially fraught holiday gathering. This decision is supported by advice from another individual who emphasizes prioritizing personal well-being over strained relationships.
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Australia’s parliament passed a world-first law banning under-16s from social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, effective next year. The legislation, aiming to safeguard children’s mental wellbeing, faced criticism for its rushed passage and mixed expert opinions on its efficacy. Social media companies face hefty fines for non-compliance, but no penalties exist for underage users or parents. Exceptions include messaging apps and educational platforms, highlighting a nuanced approach to this controversial measure.
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A 51-year-old suspect stabbed three individuals in Manhattan, resulting in two fatalities and one critical injury. The attacks, described as unprovoked and without any verbal interaction, occurred within a 2.5-hour period across various locations. Police apprehended the suspect, who possessed two knives and blood-stained clothing. The incidents follow recent high-profile stabbings in the city and raise concerns about the criminal justice system, particularly in light of increased serious assaults despite a decline in overall killings.
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Iran’s government is escalating its efforts to suppress women who resist the hijab mandate by opening a “Clinic for Quitting Hijab Removal” in Tehran. This clinic, overseen by the government body responsible for enforcing strict religious standards, aims to provide “scientific and psychological treatment” to women who choose not to wear the hijab, particularly young women. This move follows the recent arrest and forced psychiatric evaluation of a student who protested the hijab requirement by stripping to her underwear. These actions are part of a wider pattern of repression against women in Iran, including increased surveillance, morality police presence, and bans on unveiled women in public spaces. This systematic oppression of women, labelled “gender apartheid” by the UN, has been widely condemned by human rights groups and Iranian mental health professionals.
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The number of suicides in the U.S. military rose in 2023, continuing a trend the Pentagon has struggled to reverse despite efforts to increase mental health resources and gun safety measures. While the rise was not statistically significant, it represents a setback after a slight decline in 2022. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has declared suicide prevention a priority, but many initiatives are still in development, and the department has not implemented key gun safety recommendations from an independent commission. Despite these challenges, the Department of Defense is working to enhance suicide prevention programs and address the stigma surrounding mental health support within the military.
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The Iranian government has established a mental health clinic in Tehran specifically to “treat” women who choose not to wear the hijab. The clinic, called the “Clinic for Quitting Hijab Removal,” is part of a larger effort to suppress dissent and reinforce Islamic dress codes. The center will be overseen by the Headquarters for Enjoining the Good and Forbidding the Evil, a government body responsible for enforcing strict religious standards. This initiative is the latest in a series of measures aimed at controlling women’s appearance and silencing their voices, including surveillance, stricter morality police presence, and bans on unveiled women in public spaces.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood