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September 21, 2025

Murdochs likely to be involved in US TikTok deal, Trump says

Recent reports indicate a potential deal is forming to keep TikTok operating in the United States, with President Trump revealing that Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch may join Larry Ellison and Michael Dell as investors. The sale is mandated by an April 2024 law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok's US operations due to concerns about Chinese access to American user data. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested a deal could be finalized "in the coming days," with Oracle potentially controlling data privacy and the algorithm for TikTok's 170 million US users. While China has acknowledged welcoming negotiations, ByteDance has not commented on Trump's statements regarding the proposed investor group.

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September 21, 2025

California bans most law enforcement including ICE from wearing masks

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation banning law enforcement officers, including ICE agents, from wearing face masks while on duty, effective January 2026. The bill is part of a package of measures designed to protect residents from what Newsom termed "secret police" following controversial immigration raids in Los Angeles. While federal officials claim the state has no jurisdiction over federal operations, the legislation includes exceptions for undercover work, health protection, and tactical gear. Additional bills in the package require officers to identify themselves by name and badge number, restrict immigration enforcement access to schools and hospitals, and mandate that families be informed when officers visit their children's schools.

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September 21, 2025

I spent $8,000 to get back to US after Trump visa deadline

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on new applications for the H-1B visa program, which caused panic among visa holders temporarily outside the US before the White House clarified that current holders would not be affected. Software professional Rohan Mehta spent over $8,000 frantically booking flights to return to the US from India before the deadline, fearing he would be unable to return to his home of 11 years. The order targets the skilled foreign worker visa program predominantly used by Indians, who constitute more than 70% of the 85,000 visas issued annually. Despite subsequent clarification that the fee would be one-time only and not apply to current visa holders, many had already taken costly emergency measures to return to the US.

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September 21, 2025

Morrissey cancels US shows after death threat in Canada

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September 20, 2025

Heightened security as Americans gather for Kirk memorial

A memorial service for 31-year-old conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed on September 10th at a Utah university campus, is scheduled for Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The event, organized by Turning Point USA (TPUSA), the organization Kirk co-founded, is expected to draw up to 100,000 attendees and will feature speeches from prominent political figures including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Kirk's widow Erika, who has assumed the role of TPUSA CEO. Heightened security measures will be implemented at the memorial, including "TSA-level screening" with the same security designation as major events like the Super Bowl. Kirk's death has intensified political divisions in the United States, with the Trump administration blaming the "radical left" while others accuse the government of using the tragedy to justify restrictions on civil liberties.

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September 20, 2025

Press could lose Pentagon access for releasing 'unauthorised information'

The Pentagon has implemented new restrictions requiring journalists to agree not to disclose unauthorized information or risk losing access to the building. These changes also limit journalists' movement within the Pentagon facility, home to the recently renamed Department of War. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth emphasized that journalists must follow security protocols, while the Pentagon claims to remain committed to transparency despite requiring official approval for releasing even unclassified information. The restrictions follow several recent leaks, including intelligence about Yemen bombings and Iran's nuclear program, though Secretary Hegseth himself previously shared sensitive information in a group chat that included a journalist.

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September 20, 2025

India warns new US fee for H-1B visa will have 'humanitarian consequences'

The Indian government has expressed concern over President Trump's new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, stating it will have "humanitarian consequences" by disrupting families. The fee, which is over 60 times the current amount, will take effect on September 21 and primarily impacts Indian workers who receive about 70% of these skilled visas. While the White House clarified that current visa holders and renewal applicants won't be subject to the fee, major companies reportedly advised H-1B employees to remain in or quickly return to the US as a precaution. This development comes amid tense trade negotiations between the US and India following Trump's recent tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil.

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September 20, 2025

Trump adds $100,000 fee for skilled worker visa applicants

President Trump has signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications for skilled foreign workers, effective September 21, 2023. The order, which claims to address "abuse" of the program, will apply to new applications and require companies to pay this amount for each applicant for six years. In a separate action, Trump created a "gold card" visa system that would expedite immigration for those paying fees starting at £1 million. The H-1B visa program, which has been capped at 85,000 visas annually since 2004, previously cost around $1,500 in administrative fees and has been a subject of debate between critics who believe it undercuts American workers and supporters who argue it attracts global talent.

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September 20, 2025

Could your ancestry DNA results unlock citizenship?

DNA testing has led over 40 million people to discover unexpected ancestry, with many using these revelations to claim citizenship in countries like Ireland, Germany, the US, Italy, and New Zealand. People like Richard Sayers, who discovered his biological father was Irish, have leveraged these findings to obtain foreign passports, granting new rights and opportunities such as the ability to live and work across the EU. Lawyer Polly Ho notes a significant increase in citizenship-by-ancestry inquiries, particularly following COVID-19 travel restrictions, which has prompted her firm to create the Global Ancestry Index to help navigate complex citizenship policies. While DNA evidence helps people correct documentation and reconnect with their heritage, citizenship rules can be complicated by factors like parents' marital status at birth, as experienced by the article's author who needed "exceptional circumstances" consideration for New Zealand citizenship.

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September 20, 2025

Senator Ted Cruz says US broadcast regulator acted like 'mafioso' on Jimmy Kimmel

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has strongly criticized FCC chairman Brendan Carr for threatening ABC over Jimmy Kimmel's monologue about Charlie Kirk's death, calling the regulatory pressure "dangerous as hell." Kimmel was indefinitely suspended after suggesting the "Maga gang" was trying to distance themselves from Kirk's killer and making comments about Trump's reaction to Kirk's death. While Cruz disapproves of Kimmel's remarks, he warned that government regulation of media content could eventually harm conservatives when Democrats return to power. President Trump disagreed with Cruz's assessment, while other Republican lawmakers have had mixed reactions to the controversy surrounding Kimmel's suspension.

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September 20, 2025

US prosecutor resigns after Trump says 'I want him out'

Erik Siebert, the acting attorney for Virginia's Eastern District, has resigned following pressure from President Donald Trump after failing to bring criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James for alleged mortgage fraud. The Trump administration had accused James, who previously won a civil fraud case against Trump, of falsifying records to secure better mortgage deals. Siebert reportedly informed senior justice department officials that investigations had not yielded sufficient evidence to prosecute James. Trump publicly stated he wanted Siebert removed, citing support for Siebert's nomination from Virginia's Democratic senators as his reasoning.

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September 20, 2025

US forces strike third alleged drug vessel killing three, Trump says

President Trump announced a US military strike on a vessel in international waters that he claimed was involved in drug trafficking. This recent attack, the third in a series of similar operations, killed three "male narcoterrorists" according to Trump's statement on Truth Social. The strike occurred in the US Southern Command's area of responsibility after US intelligence allegedly confirmed the boat was trafficking drugs. Previous similar strikes have killed 14 people on boats reportedly from Venezuela, with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemning these actions as American aggression.

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September 20, 2025

What does the FCC do - and can it revoke a TV network's licence?

of News Article President Trump recently suggested that TV networks giving him "bad publicity" should lose their broadcasting licenses, following the suspension of ABC host Jimmy Kimmel after he made comments about the Charlie Kirk murder suspect. This incident has raised questions about the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) authority to regulate broadcast content and revoke licenses. The controversy intensified when FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, suggested there could be "remedies" against Kimmel, prompting major station owners Nexstar and Sinclair to stop airing Kimmel's program. The situation has sparked debate about government censorship and political pressure on broadcasters, with critics arguing that corporate decisions were influenced by the Trump administration.

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September 20, 2025

Trump and Xi discuss future of TikTok in US

President Donald Trump announced a potential deal on TikTok's future in the US after a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, though Beijing's confirmation was less definitive. The arrangement would reportedly allow US investors to acquire TikTok's American operations while licensing algorithm technology from ByteDance, avoiding a complete ban. Trump has repeatedly extended the deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok's US business, with the latest extension pushing it to December. The proposed deal aims to address national security concerns while preserving the platform's availability to its 170 million American users, though questions remain about algorithm ownership and Chinese government influence.

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September 20, 2025

Chicago Churches Urge Calm Resistance Ahead of Expected Federal Intervention

Chicago churches and community leaders are mobilizing in response to President Trump's threatened federal intervention, which includes immigration enforcement operations and possible National Guard deployment to the city. Reverend Marshall Hatch of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church urged congregants to carry identification and stay connected with family members to avoid "disappearing" amid the expected crackdown. While details remain sparse, Trump's border czar Tom Homan confirmed federal law enforcement action will begin in Chicago this week, potentially using a military base north of the city for a 45-day operation. Local leaders, including Democratic U.S. Representative Danny Davis, have strongly objected to the intervention, arguing it's unnecessary and unwanted, particularly in Black and Latino communities where trust in law enforcement is already fragile.

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September 20, 2025

Sikh granny's arrest by US immigration sparks community anger

Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old woman who has lived in California for over three decades, was arrested by ICE on September 8 despite regularly reporting to immigration authorities for years after her final asylum appeal was rejected in 2012. Her detention has sparked outrage from the Sikh community and political figures, including California State Senator Jesse Arreguin and Congressman John Garamendi, who criticized the Trump administration's immigration enforcement priorities. While ICE maintains that Kaur has exhausted all legal remedies and must be deported, her family argues that she never opposed deportation but simply lacked the necessary travel documents to return to India. Her lawyer has alleged concerning treatment during her detention, including denial of regular medication, proper seating, and vegetarian meals.

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September 20, 2025

Gateway from Hell

Prologis, a global logistics real estate company, is seeking Planning Commission approval for the San Francisco Gateway project in Bayview Hunters Point, consisting of two three-story buildings spanning over 2 million square feet with parking for 2,000 vehicles. The massive industrial facility would rise over 100 feet tall, bridging Interstate 280 and accommodating trucks on every level. Local community leaders like Kamillah Ealom of All Things Bayview have expressed serious concerns about the project's potential health impacts, specifically citing how dirty air is already causing severe health problems in the predominantly African-American community. Prologis has requested a Special Use District designation that would allow the project to proceed under modified zoning rules.

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September 19, 2025

'Jesus, Take the Wheel' songwriter Brett James dies in US plane crash

Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, 57, has died along with two others in a single-engine plane crash near Macon County Airport in North Carolina under unknown circumstances. James was best known for co-writing "Jesus Take the Wheel" for Carrie Underwood, which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Country Song, and composed over 500 songs for various artists including Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, and Bon Jovi. A Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and two-time ASCAP songwriter of the year, James was mourned by Underwood who called his death "unfathomable" and by industry professionals who praised his talents and character. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash of the Cirrus SR22T, which had departed from Nashville.

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September 19, 2025

US vaccine panel no longer recommends Covid-19 jab to adults

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Acip) has voted to stop recommending annual COVID-19 vaccinations for all adults, shifting to a policy where individuals can decide after consulting with medical professionals. Under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who replaced all committee members in June, the panel also voted against COVID-19 vaccine prescriptions and modified recommendations for other vaccines including MMRV and hepatitis B. These changes have created controversy in the medical community, with critics including the American Medical Association expressing concern about the confusing recommendations and former CDC official Dr. Susan Monarez claiming she was fired for refusing to approve policy changes that disregarded scientific evidence.

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September 19, 2025

Judge strikes down 'superfluous' Trump lawsuit against the New York Times

A federal judge has dismissed Donald Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, ruling that the 85-page filing violated court rules by failing to provide a "short and plain statement" of the claim. Judge Steven Merryday described the lawsuit as "repetitive," "superfluous," and containing "florid" allegations, giving Trump 28 days to file an amended complaint. Trump's spokesperson indicated they will file a revised version of the lawsuit to meet the judge's requirements, while The New York Times welcomed the ruling, characterizing the original complaint as "a political document rather than a serious legal filing." The case comes amid criticism that the Trump administration is cracking down on unfavorable media coverage, including recent controversy surrounding ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel.

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September 19, 2025

A Question of Lynching in Mississippi

Two Black men in Mississippi - 21-year-old Delta State University student Trey Reed and 36-year-old homeless man Corey Zukatis - were recently found dead, hanging from trees in separate incidents. Reed's family received conflicting information about his death location and will conduct an independent autopsy after the state completes its report within 24 hours. Civil rights groups including the Equal Justice Initiative, NAACP, and Southern Poverty Law Center are involved, with Congressman Bennie Thompson calling for a federal investigation into both deaths. The incidents have raised serious concerns given Mississippi's history of racism and lynchings, with Brian Fair of the SPLC noting how these deaths evoke the state's troubled past.

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September 19, 2025

After Plunge, Black Students Enroll in Harvard

Harvard Law School has seen a significant rebound in Black student enrollment for the Class of 2028, with 46 Black students admitted following a dramatic drop to just 19 students in 2024, which had been the lowest since the 1960s. This recovery comes in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's 2023 decision to end race-conscious admissions, which caused Black student enrollment declines across multiple prestigious institutions including Harvard College, UNC, MIT, and Princeton. The enrollment rebound at Harvard Law was achieved through targeted outreach and recruitment efforts led by Black alumni and the Harvard Black Law Students Association, even as the university eliminated diversity offices and ended a minority recruitment initiative for undergraduates. This recovery appears fragile and represents part of an ongoing nationwide struggle for Black student access to elite educational institutions.

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September 19, 2025

President Trump is Wrong About the Smithsonian

The White House under Trump has criticized the Smithsonian Museum of American History for displaying the Immokalee Statue of Liberty, claiming it is "too woke." This paper-mâché sculpture, created by artist Kat Rodriguez, depicts Lady Liberty holding tomatoes instead of a torch and tablet, commemorating the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' 2000 march for fair wages and dignity. An official White House post specifically objected to this alternate depiction of the Statue of Liberty among other exhibits deemed excessively progressive. The article suggests this criticism represents an authoritarian attempt to rewrite history and undermine the recognition of farmworkers' contributions to America, particularly those of immigrants and people of color.

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September 19, 2025

A Homeless Youth Asked a Stranger for Food. The Man Responded With a Question That Changed the Kid’s Life Forever

Peter Mutabazi's life transformed dramatically from living as a homeless child on the streets of Uganda to becoming one of America's most recognized foster fathers. At age 15, while attempting to steal from a stranger named Jacques Masiko, Mutabazi instead found a mentor who would change his life by providing him with food, education, and a loving home environment. Now 52 and living in Charlotte, North Carolina, Mutabazi has fostered 47 children and adopted three more, channeling the kindness he received from Masiko into his own mission of helping vulnerable children. After graduating from university and moving to the United States in 2002, Mutabazi now works as a senior child advocate at World Vision while continuing his commitment to foster care and advocacy.

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September 19, 2025

From Slavery to Pollution, National Park Employees Flagged Material Deemed ‘Disparaging’ to US

The Trump administration is reviewing signage, exhibits, and materials at federal parks that could be considered "disparaging" to Americans, following a March executive order directing the Interior Department to focus on American achievements and landscape beauty. National Park Service employees were required to flag "inappropriate" content by July 18, with materials about slavery, Native American cultural destruction, and climate change among those identified for review. The Interior Department plans to remove or cover inconsistent signage by September 17, while promising to maintain "full and accurate" historical narratives. Critics argue this directive risks sanitizing American history by removing information about darker historical aspects that should be preserved for educational purposes.

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September 19, 2025

The motive behind Charlie Kirk's killing: What we know and don't know

of the Article on the Charlie Kirk Shooting Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Charlie Kirk's murder, allegedly told his roommate he "had enough of his hatred" when questioned about the shooting. According to prosecutors, Robinson had become increasingly left-wing and pro-LGBTQ+ over the past year, and had accused Kirk of spreading hate before the attack. Messages between Robinson and his transgender roommate revealed the suspect planned the attack for just over a week, leaving shell casings with inscriptions that referenced memes, video games, and political symbols. While Utah authorities have identified Robinson's "leftist ideology" as relevant, many details about his specific motivations remain unclear, with investigators still piecing together his path to violence through online communications and personal interactions.

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September 19, 2025

Michigan House Votes to Require Photos and Signatures on Bridge Cards

The Michigan House of Representatives recently passed a bill requiring photos and signatures on Bridge Cards used for food and cash assistance programs, with Republicans supporting the measure as an anti-fraud initiative and Democrats opposing it. The legislation's sponsor, Representative Jason Woolford, argued it would protect taxpayer funds in Michigan's multi-billion-dollar assistance programs, citing the state's 8% SNAP benefits overpayment rate reported by the USDA. However, Democrats countered that implementing these requirements would cost millions while producing negligible savings according to a House Fiscal Agency analysis, pointing to West Virginia's $10 million expenditure for a similar program with little evidence of fraud reduction. The bill now moves to the Democrat-controlled Michigan Senate, where it faces significant opposition.

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September 19, 2025

Jeezy Closes 20th Anniversary Tour in Detroit with Orchestra and Sold-Out Celebration

Jeezy concluded his 20th anniversary tour for "Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101" with an 80-minute performance at Detroit's Fox Theatre, featuring a full band and the 25-piece Color of Noize Orchestra. The sold-out event had a formal atmosphere with fans dressed in tuxedos and gowns as Jeezy performed 12 songs from his landmark album before moving to other crowd favorites. At 48, Jeezy used this special Detroit performance, which was streamed live worldwide, to bridge his past and present while announcing upcoming projects including a DJ Drama mixtape and plans for a Las Vegas residency.

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September 19, 2025

Taliban official dismisses Trump's hope to 'take back' Afghan airbase

The Taliban has rejected recent suggestions by President Donald Trump that the United States could retake Bagram airbase in Afghanistan. Trump expressed interest in reclaiming the base during a UK press conference, citing its strategic proximity to China's nuclear facilities, though BBC investigations found this claim to be geographically inaccurate. Taliban foreign ministry official Zakir Jalal emphasized that any U.S. military presence was rejected during previous negotiations, while also noting openness to other forms of engagement. China has responded by affirming its respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty, while satellite imagery analysis shows minimal activity at the base since the Taliban takeover and no evidence of Chinese presence there.

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September 19, 2025

Police find remains they think are US man accused of killing his daughters

Human remains believed to belong to Travis Decker, a man suspected of murdering his three young daughters, have been discovered in a wooded area near Leavenworth, Washington. Authorities had been searching for Decker since June 2nd when they found his daughters' bodies, his phone, and his truck at a remote campground. The 32-year-old ex-soldier was wanted on kidnapping and first-degree murder charges after failing to return his daughters—Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia (aged nine, eight, and five)—to their mother on May 30th. Officials indicated the girls died from apparent suffocation with their wrists bound by zip ties.

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