Ethan Melzer, a former US Army soldier, was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Friday for his role in a plot to attack a US military base in Turkey and kill his fellow service members. He had provided sensitive details to a neo-Nazi, pro-jihadist group known as the Order of the Nine Angles (O9A) in connection with its plot to spark a jihadist terror attack. His motivation was to cause a mass casualty event and further the goals of white supremacy and the downfall of Western civilization. The sentence is the maximum penalty for his crimes.
News Mash
Walgreens has announced that it will not sell abortion pills in states where attorneys general object to its distribution, despite the legality of the method in those states. This decision has been met with mixed reactions, with supporters arguing it is necessary to protect health and safety, and opponents arguing it is a violation of the right to access safe and legal abortion. The decision's impact on access to abortion in affected states remains to be seen.
The families of the victims of a shooting spree in Orlando, Florida, are grieving and demanding "sane and responsible gun legislation in America" in the wake of the tragedy. Brandi Major and Tokiyo Major, parents of nine-year-old victim T'yonna Major, spoke of their heartbreak and the other victims, Dylan Lyons, 24, and Nathacha Augustin, 38. The gunman, 19-year-old Keith Moses, was apprehended by authorities.
United States Attorney General Merrick Garland made an unannounced trip to Ukraine on Friday to reaffirm the US's commitment to justice and security in the country. He joined President Volodymyr Zelensky at the “United for Justice Conference” to discuss the importance of international justice and the need for accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine. The trip is part of the US's ongoing commitment to support Ukraine and its people and to hold Russia accountable for its actions.
A team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Texas A&M conducted air monitoring to test for chemical contamination after a train derailment and chemical fire in East Palestine, Ohio. The researchers found levels of acrolein that could pose longer-term concern and have urged the EPA to continue to monitor the area and provide resources to the community. They hope their findings will help to ensure the safety of the residents.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has been claiming for months that the federal government has been “weaponized” against conservatives, citing the testimony of “dozens” of whistleblowers. However, little is known about these whistleblowers and their claims have not been validated by government entities. Democrats have raised questions about the legitimacy of the whistleblowers and the relevance of their testimony, and one whistleblower's claims of FBI discrimination have been met with skepticism. Despite the lack of evidence, Jordan has continued to push for further investigation and has requested documents from the FBI and other government agencies. The validity of the whistleblowers’ claims remains in question.
The White House honored retired U.S. Army Colonel Paris Davis with the Medal of Honor on Friday for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War nearly 60 years ago. President Biden presented the award to Davis at a ceremony, recognizing his gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty during 20 hours of intense fighting. Davis' nomination for the award had mysteriously vanished twice at the height of the civil rights movement, but the White House's recognition of his heroism has finally come almost 60 years later.
The World Obesity Federation has released a report projecting that 51% of the global population will be living with overweight and obesity by 2035. The report states that the rates are predicted to double among boys and more than double among girls, and are rising more rapidly among children than adults. The World Obesity Federation is calling on governments and policymakers to take action to prevent the situation from worsening, including introducing policies to reduce the consumption of unhealthy food and promoting physical activity.