Americans turn to 211 helpline amid mounting economic hardships

A new global risk map for 2025 identifies the most dangerous cities and countries for travelers, ranking them based on factors like armed conflict, political instability, violent crime, and climate-related risks. Locations such as Bangui, Beirut, and Gaza City face challenges like social unrest and limited access to services, while conflict zones like Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic pose heightened risks. The map also shows worsening safety conditions in 77 countries, with nations...

New York police are investigating a fatal stabbing involving teenage migrant gang members associated with the "Diablos de la 42" gang, linked to the Venezuelan terrorist group "Tren de Aragua." The incident, initially considered a hate crime, was later revealed to be a gang-related brawl over signs. Despite political condemnation, the suspects remain at large, believed to be Caribbean migrant gang members. Full Article

Chastity has been named the Fetish of 2025 by Clips4Sale, with interest in chastity sex toys surging by 193% since 2020 and a 71% increase in 2024 alone. Participants, mostly men, embrace enforced periods of sexual abstinence, with celebrities like Katy Perry and Julia Fox openly discussing the practice. The fetish emphasizes power dynamics and control, with online communities and retailers contributing to its increasing visibility and accessibility. Full Article

In response to IE 11 not being supported, visitors are encouraged to use another browser for an optimal experience on the site. Meanwhile, Luigi Mangione, who faked his own death, has returned to the US and is facing a criminal charge for the murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO Brian Thompson. Investigators have found a notebook detailing Mangione's alleged rationale for the killing, as reported by NBC's Stephanie Gosk on TODAY. Full Article

A man named Gerald Evans was arrested in Washington, D.C., for boarding a Metrobus without paying the fare and was found to be carrying a loaded shotgun. Evans, aged 30, was confronted by officers after evading fare on an X2 route bus and was charged with multiple offenses including possession of a prohibited weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon. The gun in his possession was reported stolen and Evans also had an open felony warrant...

Conservative "parent rights" groups have successfully influenced a nationwide decrease in sales and opportunities for authors of children's books they deem inappropriate, resulting in over 10,000 book bans in public schools during the 2023-24 school year. The banned books often feature LGBTQ+ themes and characters of color. Teachers and librarians are hesitant to include controversial books in fear of losing their jobs or facing criminal charges. Publishers report a significant decrease in sales of such...